Dog Dogs (Dog Information, training, rescue and adoption)

German Shepherd Dog

2008-03-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Where to rescue a German Shepherd

Overview

Build: Sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated, with a light but solid bone structure
Weight: 75-110 pounds (32-50kg)
Height: 24-26 inches (60-65cm)
Coat: Three varieties: Short-, medium- and long-haired
Color: Black with tan, sable or all black also white(Blue, liver and white considered a fault)
Head: In proportion to its body, with the forehead a little convex
Teeth: A very strong scissors bite
Eyes: Almond-shaped, never protruding, dark brown, with a lively, intelligent expression
Ears: Wide at the base, pointed, upright and turned forward
Tail: Bushy, reaching almost to its hocks and hanging down when the dog is at rest
Limbs: Front legs and shoulders are muscular, its thighs thick and sturdy
Feet: Round with very hard soles
Life span: ~15 years

The German Shepherd Dog, sometimes known as the Alsatian herders (in France, the UK and Ireland) or more common in France "Berger Allemand", Schäferhund (in other parts of Europe) and by the acronym GSD or simply German Shepherd, is a breed of dog originally bred for herding sheep. Today, based on 2006 Kennel Club figures, German Shepherd Dogs are the fourth most popular breed in the UK, with 12,857 registrations[1] and are the third most popular breed in the United States with 43,575 registrations[2]. They can also be found working as guide dogs for the blind, police work, guarding, search and rescue, therapy and in the military. Despite their suitability for such work, German Shepherds can also make loyal and loving pets inside the home. They enjoy being around people and other animals, although socialization is critical for young puppies in order to prevent aggressive and dangerous behavior as an adult. German Shepherds are well-suited to obedience, with advanced and prestigious titles available to test both the handler and dog in various schutzhund trials.
Characteristics

Appearance

Exact standards for the breed vary by country and organization, but the following criteria are generally part of the definition.

The German Shepherd Dog is a large and strong dog, typically between 75 and 110lbs, but have been known to reach 130lbs. The height for males is typically 24-26in (60-65cm); for females it is 22-24in (55-60cm). The fur is a double-coat (under coat and outer coat). While some organizations accept long-haired German Shepherds, short-haired dogs are typically (and historically) preferred.

German Shepherds are easily identifiable by their large head, ears which stand straight up, wedge-shaped muzzle and compact legs. They also have a distinctive gait, as well as other breed-specific features.

Disqualifications for conformation-line dogs include white nails, a nose which isn't all-black, a muzzle which isn't predominantly black, non-erect ears, and very light-toned eyes.

Controversy over the modern appearance

German Shepherds are sparingly bred, by the efforts of a great few, for work function ("working line") as was originally intended by the breed inventor Max von Stephanitz. Most often they are bred to conform to breed appearance standards ("conformation line"). Though Max von Stephanitz distinctly stated, "Our shepherd dog is a service dog, and he must only be bred as a service dog. He must only be judged as a service dog. With service dogs, suitability ranks higher than beauty."

Appearance in working versus show lines

In Germany, Conformation line dogs are bred to not only proper physical appearance, but must also have working instincts (herding, prey drive) They are bred to conform to the published breed standards for appearance, health and workability, hence the strict rules of the German SV Schaeferhunde Verein for dogs in their Pink Paper breeding program to be titled and Köred (critiqued by a Judge). However, because they are bred for Conformation/beauty, these dogs are most often found as quality pets, in breeder environments, and in sport (Schutzhund, IPO, AKC agility)and as volunteer Search and Rescue dogs.

Working line German Shepherds are typically excluded from the show ring, as most don't conform to the highest levels of the breed standard for physical appearance. These dogs are bred to have an enduring work drive, and unwavering obedience. Of critical importance is the dog's ability to distinguish what constitutes a threat and what does not constitute a threat. Dogs that cannot make that distinction are eliminated from police and military programs. Extremely well-suited for police and military work, these dogs are less suitable as pets for home environments, and owners should be familiar with their dog's abilities and needs. Working line dogs are now employed in many police departments and government organizations across the globe such as the UK Police Service and the Metropolitan Counter Terrorism Command in the United Kingdom, and the ATF, the U.S. Marshals, and Customs in the USA.

Appearance in national breed lines
A German Shepherd puppy. The ears do not stand erect until several weeks or months of age, and go through phases of both-ears-down, one-ear-up, etc., until then.
A German Shepherd puppy. The ears do not stand erect until several weeks or months of age, and go through phases of both-ears-down, one-ear-up, etc., until then.

There are typically four recognized breed lines.

The West German Lines contain both working and confirmation lines and are the most well known of the various lines. The split between the working line and confirmation line bred dogs has affected this line also. The confirmation line specializing in beauty while the working line dogs are targeted towards performance and working related activities.

The DDR lines. In the former East Germany, German Shepherds adhered more closely to the old pre-war standard, marked by a straighter back, a longer and denser coat, and a darker color. The government sponsored breeding program fell when the wall fell thus there are no longer any true DDR dogs being produced although there are current attempts to preserve this distinct line amongst certain breeders.

The Eastern European lines were very similar to the DDR lines due to the close contact between the former Easter Bloc countries. Czech and Slovak dogs are often prized for working applications. Although many are attempting to preserve this line type the government sponsored breeding programs fell when these countries broke from communism similar to the DDR dogs.

Most Czech dogs had their origins in the government kennels of Z Pohranicni straze (z PS), Z Jirkova dvora CS and Z Blatenskeho zamku. One of the most prolific kennels Z Pohranicni straze (Z PS) was founded in the year 1955 for the strict purpose of production and training of the dogs that would be solely used for the protection of Czechoslovakian People's Republic's, since 1968 Czechoslovakian Socialist Republic's borders. The majority of dogs were acquired from former East Germany.

The American lines are recognized by AKC and the UKC, and they have a noticeably different appearance from the international conformation-line (German line) German Shepherds. The most obvious difference is the sloping back and "collapsed" hips, which is a disqualification for dogs in international competitions. This has led to the creation of the Shiloh Shepherd in the United States, which was originally a line of German shepherd whose breeder did not favor that feature in the American lines and wanted to preserve the way the breed originally looked.

Variant sizes and coats

There are many color variations. For conformation-line dogs, the most common ones are black-and-tan and black-and-red. Combinations containing very light hues such as cream are typically considered faulty. All-black is usually, but not always, accepted. A white German Shepherd is automatically disqualified from entering the show ring.

Working-line dogs are typically sable, black-and-tan or black-and-brown.

There are several different color-marking patterns. For conformation-line dogs, the "saddle" marking is probably the most well-known. This consists of a large black patch on the upper and mid back, extending partway down the dog's sides. The "sable" marking, which consists of one color with randomly-sized and -shaped patches or swaths of different-colored hair mixed in, is typical for working-line dogs. Some sable-pattern dogs have three colors in their coat; this is called agouti. The other popular marking is called "bi-color", and consists of a dog that is all one color (typically black) save for differently-colored paws and lower legs, and sometimes a swath on the belly.

Some groups or breeders have focused on variants of the breed that are not recognized by most kennel clubs as standard show German Shepherds. White Shepherds or Berger Blanc Suisse are recognized as a separate breed.

Long-coated German Shepherds

Dogs with the long haired coat variation look somewhat like the Tervuren type of Belgian Shepherd Dog. The long hair gene is recessive. Popular myth holds that long-haired GSDs (sometimes called "fuzzies") are more affectionate, but there is little evidence for this beyond owner impressions. Long coats can cometter club treatment of long-haired German Shepherds varies. It is considered a fault under American Kennel Club and FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale, i.e. International Canine Federation) standards. Under other standards, such as Germany[3] and the United Kingdom,[4] long-haired German Shepherds are actively bred, registered, and shown, and specialized long-haired breeders exist. There is also a variation known as 'long, stock-haired German Shephard'; stock hair isn't registered directly as a fault and such dogs are able to participate.

White coat

Main article: Berger Blanc Suisse

The recessive gene for white coat hair was fixed in the German Shepherd Dog breed DNA by the late 19th and early 20th century German breeding program that extensively used "color coated" dogs that carried a recessive gene for "white coats." The maternal grandfather of Horand von Grafrath, the first entry "SZ 1" in the SV Stud Book, was a white-coat German shepherding dog named Greif von Sparwasser. White was designated a disqualifying conformation fault by the SV (German Shepherd Club of Germany) in the 1933 and by the German Shepherd Dog Club of America (GSDCA) and the German Shepherd Dog Club of Canada (GSDCC)in the mid-1960's.

Giant shepherd & Shiloh Shepherd

Main article: Shiloh Shepherd

The Shiloh Shepherd was bred by Tina M. Barber of Shiloh Shepherds Kennel; it resembles other German shepherd lines without a sloping back. Initially the breed's stock consisted only of German shepherds that did not have much of a sloping back, and as a result, it was only considered a distinct line of German shepherd for a time. However, the line was later infused with an Alaskan malamute to achieve the build desired by breeders.

The King Shepherd is a larger variation of the German Shepherd but is not accepted in the AKC ring nor the majority of other registries worldwide. When shepherds are bred this large, their size prevents them from fitting the AKC's breed standard description of "Size, Proportion, Substance". [5]

Neither the Shiloh Shepherd nor the King Shepherd is officially recognized as a German Shepherd Dog by any major registry.

Temperament

German Shepherds are highly intelligent and agile dogs, with a strong work drive. They are often deployed in various roles such as police, guarding, search and rescue, therapy, service-dog, and in the military applications.

The breed has a personality marked by direct, fearless willingness to protect what it considers its "den" (i.e. house, car, and property in a home situation) and "pack" (i.e. human family in a home situation). It is poised, but when the occasion demands, eager and alert; both fit and willing to serve in its capacity as a companion, watchdog, guide dog for people who are blind, herding dog, or guardian, whichever the circumstances may demand.

Proper socialization as a puppy is one of the two key factors which determines what a dog's temperament will be as an adult. Genetics is the other. They go hand-in-hand; a dog with certain genetics cannot be trained to be stable and friendly, and by the same token the genetics most fit for training are meaningless if the dog is not well-socialized as a puppy. The "ideal" German Shepherd should be alert and fearless in defense of its den and pack, but loving and non-aggressive within the home environment.

Health

As is common of many large breeds, German Shepherds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. Proper breeding is needed to breed these traits out of their dogs, so that the dog may enjoy a pain-free life and stay suited for work situations. These breeders typically require that their puppies' hips and elbows be x-rayed, and the x-rays approved and certified by the OFA when the puppy is fully-grown (age 2), in order for the puppy to be allowed to be bred.

Other health problems sometimes occurring in the breed are von Willebrand's disease, skin allergies and canine degenerative myelopathy. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are also prone to bloat. They have an average lifespan of 10-12 years.

German Shepherd's are also prone to pancreas deficiency, which is where the pancreas stops creating enzymes so that the animal is unable to pass any feces. There is available medication, but it is not 100% effective. Unfortunately, it does not cure the problem, and the treatment is fairly expensive.

Name

The proper English name for the breed is German Shepherd Dog (a literal translation from the German Deutscher Schäferhund) but they are usually informally referred to as GSDs or as "German Shepherds". In addition, the sobriquet police dog is used in many countries where the GSD is the predominant or exclusive breed used by the police force.

Anti-German sentiment was still high in the wake of World War I (1914 - 1918), and change of German-oriented names in the UK - including that of the Royal Family - were common at the time when a few dogs were taken to Britain and the United States. In 1919, the English Kennel Club gave the breed a separate register. Since it was feared that the name German Shepherd Dog could be an impediment, the name Alsatian wolf dog was introduced, from Alsace, a traditionally German-speaking French area on the west bank of the Rhine which had been annexed by the German Empire in 1870 but restored to France in 1918. The 'wolf dog' part was dropped shortly thereafter for fear of causing undue criticism of the breed. This name is still occasionally used in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the Commonwealth. Only in 1977 did the British Kennel Club authorize the breed to be known again as the German Shepherd Dog

In the United States, the breed was originally known as the 'German sheep dog' by the AKC despite its breed club calling it the 'German shepherd dog.' Initial requests to change the name were denied. Part of the problem with calling the dog 'sheep dog' is that in Germany there is a separate breed whose name translates as 'German sheep dog.' In the fall of 1917, the name was changed to 'Shepherd dog' due to WW1 anti-German sentiments. The breed club also did this, calling themselves the Shepherd Dog Club of America. It wasn't until 1931 that 'German' was once again added back on and accepted by the AKC, finally giving the breed the proper translation of its German name.

In Germany, northern and eastern Europe the breed is still most commonly known by the original name Schäferhund.

History

The German Shepherd breed was invented by "Captain Max" von Stephanitz in 1899. His first German Shepherd, named Horand von Grafrath, is the genetic basis for the German Shepherd as we know it today.

The German Shepherd was originally conceived as a sheep-herding dog, hence its name. Throughout the years, the specific working drives of tracking, obedience, and protection have been intentionally highlighted in the breed by selective breeding, making German Shepherds very well-suited for active working environments. German Shepherds first came to the attention of the British authorities at the beginning of the 20th century where they were already being used extensively by German forces on the Western front during the first world war.

Titling/competitions

There are many prestigious titles available for German Shepherds, covering everything from conformation to herding abilities. Schutzhund trials were invented for evaluation German Shepherds, and measure the dogs' abilities in the areas of protection, tracking, and obedience. Most world-class conformation dogs are titled to the 2nd or 3rd (which is the highest) level of Schutzhund before they're bred.

Scent-work

The German Shepherd dog is one of the most widely-used breeds in a wide variety of scent-work roles. These include search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection dog, amongst others.

Appearances in films and on television

* Rin-Tin-Tin, a German Shepherd dog, was considered to be one of Hollywood's top stars during the 1920's and 30's. At the peak of his career, Rin-Tin-Tin received as many as 10,000 fan letters a week.
* In a 1972 film version of Jack London's book, The Call of the Wild, which starred Charlton Heston.
* The Littlest Hobo was a live-action popular television series in the 1980's airing on CTV in Canada. It featured a German Shepherd that travelled from place to place, performing some good deed, and then moving on.
* Koton, a German Shepherd, starred as Jerry Lee, a police dog, in the 1989 movie K-9.
* From 1994 to 2005, the Austrian television show Kommissar Rex, (English Inspector Rex) featured a resourceful German Shepherd police dog.
* The manga Ginga Nagareboshi Gin and its sequel, Ginga Densetsu Weed have many German Shepherd characters, including the very popular black-and-white Shepherd, Jerome, and Gin's right-hand dog, John.
* In the 2000 film, The Cell, the antagonist of the film, a serial killer, owns an unusual, albino colored German Shepherd named Valentine, played by a dog named Tim.
* In the 2007 film, I Am Legend, a female German Shepherd named Kona plays Sam (short for 'Samantha'), the companion of main character Robert Neville (played by Will Smith).
* Charlie B. Barkin, voiced by Burt Reynolds, from the 1989 animated film, All Dogs go to Heaven.
* In the 2005 film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Jean Girard's husband is a world trainer of German Shepherds.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "German Shepherd."

Saint Bernard (St. Barnhardshund) (Alpine Mastiff)(Bernhardiner) (St Bernard)

2008-03-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Where to Rescue a Saint Bernard

The St. Bernard Dog is a very large breed of dog originally bred for rescue and as a working dog. A full-grown male can weigh between 100 and 200+ lb (45.35 / 91+ kg) and the approximate height is 27½ inches to 30½ inches (70 to 78 cm).

According to several resources they are one of the largest dog breeds. There are two varieties of the breed: the short-haired or smooth-coat variety and the long-haired or fluffy-coat variety.

Description

Appearance

Saint Bernard Quick Facts

Weight:	100-199+ + lb
Height:	27.5-30.5 in
Coat:	Smooth coat or Rough coat
Activity level:	Medium
Learning rate:	Medium
Temperament:	friendly, loyal, loving
Guard dog ability:	Medium
Watch-dog ability:	High
Litter size:	2-14
Life span:	9-11 years

Varieties

The St. Bernard originally was a smooth-coated dog developed to rescue travelers from the snow. In the 1830s the monks who owned and bred the dogs introduced Newfoundland blood to strengthen the breed, and this gave rise to the rough-coat St. Bernard. Although more popular^{[citation needed]}, the rough-coat variety proved to be unsuitable for mountain work because the long hair tended to collect icicles. For this reason the monks kept the smooth coat variety for rescue work.

Temperament

They are extremely gentle and friendly and very tolerant of children. The Saint Bernard is slow moving, patient, and obedient. Extremely loyal, this breed wants to please. Since this dog is so giant, be sure to socialize it very well at a young age with other people. It is highly intelligent and easy to train, however training should begin early, while the dog is still a manageable size. Bear in mind that an unruly dog of this size presents a problem for even a strong adult if it is to be exercised in public areas on a leash, so take control from the onset. The Saint Bernard is a good watchdog. Even its size is a good deterrent. They drool after they drink or eat.

Health

The very fast growth rate and the weight of a St. Bernard can lead to very serious deterioration of the bones if the dog does not get proper food and exercise. Many dogs are affected by hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) has been shown to be hereditary in the breed

St. Bernards are susceptible to eye disorders called entropion and ectropion. The FCI standard indicates that this is now a major fault. The breed is also susceptible to epilepsy and seizures, a heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy, and eczema.

The average life span of a St. Bernard is about 8 years,and some insurance companies will not issue a life insurance beyond 8 years.

In media

St. Bernards are often portrayed, especially in comics, cartoons and old live action comedies such as Swiss Miss, with small barrels of brandy worn around their necks. This was supposedly used to warm the victims that the dogs found. However, the monks deny that any St. Bernard has ever carried casks or small barrels around their necks; they believe that the origin of the image is an early painting. The monks did keep casks around for photographs by tourists.

One magazine cartoon showed a grown St. Bernard, presumably female, with several puppies; she and each puppy had a cask around the neck. The man with the dogs told a visitor, according to the caption, "Of course, I only breed them for the brandy."^{[citation needed]}

History

The ancestors of the St. Bernard are the herding dogs of Swiss farmers like the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, as well as hunting dogs and watchdogs. Their history has also been connected with the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass. First reports of the dogs' presence at the pass date to the 17th century, and they remained loyal companions to the monks there.

The most famous St. Bernard to save people at the pass was Barry (sometimes spelled Berry), who reportedly saved somewhere between 40 and 100 lives. There is a monument to Barry in the Cimetiere des Chiens, and his body was preserved in the Natural History Museum in Berne .

The classic St. Bernard looked very different from the St. Bernard of today, because an avalanche killed off many of the dogs used for breeding^{[citation needed]}. To further the breed, they crossed the remaining dogs with other dogs, but in the process lost much of their use as rescue dogs. The St. Bernard is among the heaviest and largest dog breeds in the world. The heaviest and largest dog in known history was a Saint Bernard named Benedictine, which weighed 152.5kg (336 lbs). Successive studies suggest that Benedictine was in fact 162 kg (357 lbs). ).

Naming

The name "St. Bernard" originates from a travelers hospice on the often treacherous St. Bernard Pass in the Western Alps between Switzerland and Italy, where the name was passed to the local dogs. The pass, the lodge, and the dogs are named for Bernard of Menthon, the 11th century monk who established the station.

"St. Bernard" was in widespread use until the middle of the 19th century. The dogs were called "Saint Dogs","Noble Steeds", "Alpenmastiff", or "Barry Dogs" before, and in parts of North America, they're still called "Saints".

Movies

In 1977, Wonderful World of Disney played a TV movie about St. Bernard rescue dogs, Barry of the Great St. Bernard.Part 2 was made in 1985.
A St. Bernard is also the title dog of the 1992 film Beethoven and its sequels.
Cujo is a 1983 film, based on the novel by Stephen King, about a rabid St. Bernard terrorizing a mother and child trapped in a broken-down car.
A St. Bernard has a brief appearace near the end of 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service, where it comes to the aid of James Bond.

Famous St. Bernard

Bolivar, Donald Duck's pet
Unnamed St. Bernard whom Stan Laurel tricks of his keg of brandy in Swiss Miss
Cujo, a fictional portrayal of a rabid St. Bernard
Nanna, from various Peter Pan movies (but originally a Newfoundland in the text)
Buck's father, from Jack London's The Call of the Wild
Gumbo, team mascot for the New Orleans Saints
Neil, the martini-slurping St. Bernard of George and Marion Kerby in Topper (TV series)
Beethoven, the movie Beethoven

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Saint Bernard."

Mastiff (English Mastiff) (Old English Mastiff)

2008-03-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Mastiff

The English Mastiff, often called simply Mastiff, is a large breed of dog of the general mastiff or Molosser type.

Contents

Appearance

This breed is powerfully built, with a massive body, broad skull and head of generally square appearance. It is also the biggest dog breed. Mastiffs have a tendency to over-salivate and "drool" frequently.

Their size is very large and gives an impression of power and strength when viewed from any angle. The body is massive with great depth and breadth, especially between the forelegs, causing these to be set wide apart. The AKC standard height (per their website) for this breed is 30 inches (minimum) at the shoulder for males and 27½ inches (minimum) at the shoulder for females. A typical male can weigh 160-230+ pounds, a typical female would weigh 140-190+ pounds.

The short coat is close-lying and the color is apricot-fawn, silver-fawn, fawn, or dark fawn-brindle, always with black on the muzzle, ears, and nose and around the eyes.

Guinness Book of World Records recognizes a mastiff from England named Zorba as the heaviest dog in the world, at over 315lb (142.8 kg).[1] Zorba stood 37 inches (94 cm) at the shoulder and was 8 feet 3 inches (251 cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail[citation needed]. Zorba set this record in November 1989, when he was 8 years old, and about the size of a small donkey.

Temperament

The Mastiff breed is a combination of grandeur, dignity, and courage; calm and affectionate to its master, but capable of protection. This particular mastiff-type breed is an extremely capable guard. If an unfamiliar person approaches near their perceived territory or its master, the Mastiff will immediately position themselves between its master and the stranger. If the approaching person does not back down, they take immediate defensive action. It is because of this instinctive behavior that English Mastiffs have earned themselves a spot in the world's top 10 guard dogs. The breed is innately good natured, calm, easygoing, and surprisingly gentle. It is a well-mannered house pet but needs sufficient room for exercise and activity. This is an extremely loyal breed, though not excessively demonstrative. It is exceptionally devoted to its family and good with children.The three words that best describe their temperment would be gentle, loyal and affectionate.

Health

This is a particularly large dog demanding correct diet and exercise. The expected lifespan is 9 to 11 years.

Major issues include hip dysplasia and gastric torsion. Minor problems include obesity, osteosarcoma, and cystinuria. Problems only occasionally found include cardiomyopathy, allergies, vaginal hyperplasia, cruciate ligament rupture, hypothyroidism, OCD, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and persistent pupillary membranes (PPM).

When purchasing a purebred Mastiff, experts often suggest that the dog undergo tests for hips, elbow, eyes, thyroid, and DNA for PRA.

History

The Pugnaces Britanniae (Latin) is an extinct breed of dog and progenitor to the English Mastiff.

The Mastiff name probably evolved from the Anglo-Saxon word "masty", meaning "powerful". The Mastiff is descended from the ancient Alaunt and Molosser and is recognized as the oldest British breed. The Mastiff might have been brought to Britain in the 6th century BC. It was used in the blood sports of bear-baiting, bull-baiting, dog fighting, and lion-baiting. Throughout its long history, the Mastiff has contributed to the development of a number of dog breeds.

When Sir Peers Legh was wounded in the Battle of Agincourt, his Mastiff stood over and protected him for many hours through the battle. Although Legh later died, the Mastiff returned to Legh's home and was the foundation of the Lyme Hall Mastiffs. Five centuries later this pedigree figured prominently in founding the modern breed.

Some evidence exists that the Mastiff came to America on the Mayflower but the breed's documented entry to America did not occur until the late 1800s.

In 1835, the Parliament of the United Kingdom implemented an Act called the Cruelty to Animals Act 1835, which prohibited the baiting of animals. Subsequently, the Mastiff lost popularity and was virtually decimated in England by the Second World War; however, sufficient numbers had been brought to America by that time to keep the breed going. Since that time, it has gradually been restored in Britain.

Miscellaneous

Edwards, S. (1800), wrote in the Cynographia Britannica, London: C. Whittingham:

"What the Lion is to the Cat the Mastiff is to the Dog, the noblest of the family; he stands alone, and all others sinking before him. His courage does not exceed its temper and generosity and in attachment he equals the kindest of his race. His docility is perfect; the teasing of the smaller kinds will hardly provoke him to resent, and I have seen him down with his paw the Terrier or cur that has bit him, without offering further injury. In a family he will permit the children to play with him and will suffer all their little pranks without offence. The blind ferocity of the bulldog will often wound the hand of the master who assists him to combat, but the Mastiff distinguishes perfectly, enters the field with temper, and engages the attack as if confident of success: if he overpowers, or is beaten, his master may take him immediately in his arms and fear nothing. This ancient and faithful domestic, the pride of our island, uniting the useful, the brave and the docile, though sought by foreign nations and perpetuated on the continent, is nearly extinct where he was probably an aborigine, or is bastardized by numberless crosses, everyone of which degenerate from the invaluable character of the parent, who was deemed worthy to enter the Roman amphitheatre and in the presence of the masters of the world, encounter the pard and assail even the lord of the savage tribes, whose courage was sublimed by torrid suns, and found none gallant enough to oppose him on the deserts of Zaara or the plains of Numidia."

Famous English Mastiffs

* "Hercules," a.k.a. "the Beast," from the film The Sandlot
* "Goliath," a.k. "the Great Fear," from the film The Sandlot 2
* "Carlo" in The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, a Sherlock Holmes story
* Sir Peers Legh's Mastiff, from the Battle of Agincourt
* Paul Levesque aka Triple H and Stephanie McMahon own an English Mastiff named Bluto.
* Kazak is the pet Mastiff of Winston Niles Rumfoord, a wealthy space traveler in Kurt Vonnegut's novel The Sirens of Titan.
* "Moss and Jaguar" of the Japanese series Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and its sequel Ginga Densetsu Weed
* Mason The Mastiff in the 2007 film Transformers

Clubs by country
Country Club Name
Australia Mastiff Club Of Victoria Inc.
Austria Molosser Club Austria
Belgium Mastiff Club Belgium
Canada Canadian Mastiff Club
Canada Mastiff Fanciers of Western Canada
Czech Republic Moloss Club CZ
Denmark Dansk Mastiff Klub
England Old English Mastiff Club of England
France Club français du Bullmastiff et du Mastiff
Germany Old English Mastiff Club Deutschland e.V.
Norway Norwegian English Mastiff Club
Spain Club Espanol de los Molosos de Arena
Sweden Svenska Mastiffklubben
United States Garden State Mastiff Fanciers
United States Mastiff Club of America
United States Mid-west Mastiff Fanciers
United States Pacific Northwest Mastiff Fanciers
United States Pacific Southwest Mastiff Club
United States Redwood Empire Mastiff Club

See also

* Molosser
* Bullmastiff
* American Mastiff
* Spanish Mastiff
* Neapolitan Mastiff
* Tibetan Mastiff
* Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Mastiff."

Siberian Husky Info.

2008-03-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Siberian Husky

Overview
Build: Moderately compact, balanced, elegant
Weight: Dogs 45-60 pounds (20½-27kg.) Females 35 to 50 pounds
Height: Dogs 21-23½ inches at the withers(53-60cm.)Bitches 20 to 22 inches at the withers
Coat: Thick double coated, woolly undercoat and a soft outer coat
Color: All colors from black to white permissible; all colors derives from the 2 main colors, namely black and white, and copper and white
Head: In proportion to body
Teeth: Scissors bite
Eyes: Almond shaped, moderately spaced and set a trifle obliquely. Eyes may be brown or blue in color; one of each or parti-colored are acceptable.
Ears: Medium, triangular, close fitting, set high
Tail: Well furred, fox-brush shape, usually carried over back in graceful sickle curve
Limbs: Parallel and straight
Feet: Oval, with pads tough and thickly cushioned
Life span: Median 12-15 years

The Siberian Husky (Russian: Сибирский хаски, Sibirskiy Haski) is a medium-size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in eastern Siberia, belonging to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly-furred double coat, sickle tail, erect triangular ears and distinctive markings.

An active, energetic and resilient breed whose ancestors came from the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic and were bred by the Chukchi people of Northeastern Asia, it was imported into Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush and spread from there into the United States and Canada, initially as a sled dog. It rapidly acquired the status of a family pet and a show-dog.

Characteristics

Appearance

Siberian Huskies share many outward similarities with the Alaskan Malamute as well as many other Spitz breeds such as the Samoyed, which has a comparable history to the Huskies. Siberians have a thicker coat than most other breeds of dog. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, usually with white paws and legs, facial markings, and tail tip. The most common colors are black and white, grey and white, copper-red and white, and pure white, though many individuals have blond, or piebald spotted. Striking masks, spectacles, and other facial markings occur in wide variety. They tend to have a wolf-like appearance. Though the breed is not related to the wolf any more closely than any other breed of dog, it is thought they maintained this appearance through isolated breeding in Siberia.

Eyes

The eyes of a Siberian Husky are blue or brown. Additionally, one eye may be brown and the other blue (complete heterochromia); or one or both eyes may be "parti-colored," that is, half brown and half blue (partial heterochromia). All of these eye color combinations are considered acceptable by the American Kennel Club, which also states that the eyes are "an almond shape, moderately spaced and set slightly obliquely."

Ears and tail

Its ears are triangular, well furred, medium-size, and erect. Often faulted in other breeds by kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club, this kind of ear shape is known as prick ears. Its fox-like brush tail is carried in a sickle curve over the back, and trails behind the dog in motion. Most Siberian Huskies have a white tip on the end of their tail.

Coat

The Siberian Husky's coat comprises two layers, a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat of short, straight guard hairs. The absence of the outer coat is often present during shedding, also known as the telogen phase or telogen effluvium, with the latter often associated with stress. Recently, the shedding present during the telogen phase has been termed as a cycle separate from the resting state, and called exogen.

Nose

In some instances, Siberian Huskies can exhibit what is called "snow nose" or "winter nose". This condition is called hypopigmentation in animals. Show-quality dogs are preferred to have neither pointed nor square noses in shape. The nose is black in gray, tan and black dogs, liver in copper-colored dogs, and may be flesh-colored in white dogs. "Snow nose" is acceptable in the show ring.

Size

* Dogs
o Height: 21 to 23.5 inches (53.5 to 60 cm) at the withers.
o Weight: 45 to 60 lb (20.5 to 28 kg)
* Bitches
o Height: 20 to 22 in. (50.5 to 56 cm) at the withers.
o Weight: 35 to 50 lb (15.5 to 23 kg)

Temperament

As a working breed, Siberian Huskies are a high-energy canine requiring lots of exercise. They have served as companions and sled dogs, but are unsuitable as guard dogs. Over time, this combination of factors has lent the Siberian Husky a strong sense of gentleness and devotion.

The Inuit tribes who used this breed for utilitarian and survival needs trained them to pull heavy sledges for great distances over frozen tundra, drawing umiaks, and securing game by assisting in hunting.

Behavior

The Siberian Husky has been described as a behavioral representative of the domestic dog's forebear, the wolf. It exhibits a wide range of the ancestor type's behaviors. They are frequently known to ululate rather than bark. Hyperactivity displaying as an overactive hunting drive, a characteristic of kenneled dogs, is often noticeable in dogs released from their captive environment for exercise- a behavior welcome in hunting dogs but not in the family pet. The frequency of kenneled Siberian Huskies, especially for racing purposes, is rather high, as attributed through the history of the breed in North America. Fifteen-minute obedience training classes will serve well for Siberian Huskies, as will daily training.

Health

Siberian Huskies, with proper care, have a typical lifespan ranging from twelve to fifteen years of age. Health issues in the breed are genetic defects of the eye such as juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and progressive retinal atrophy. Hip dysplasia is often found in this breed, as with many medium or larger-sized canines.

Siberian Huskies used for sled racing may also be prone to other ailments, such as gastric disease , bronchitis or bronchopulmonary ailments ("ski asthma"), and gastric erosions or ulcerations.

History

Of all dog breeds which resulted from one common ancestor, the Tomarctus (Canidae) , the Eskimo dog (also known commonly as the sled dog), has most certainly caught the imagination of dog enthusiasts world-wide. The Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan Malamute are all breeds directly descended from the sled dog. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog as can be seen with the Alaskan Malamute.

In this breed of canine, the word "husky" derives from Inuit tribes called "huskies", named by Caucasians who made early expeditions into their lands. The word "Siberian" in this breed's name is derived from Siberia itself, because it is thought that Eskimo or sled dogs were used to cross the land bridge of the Bering Straight on the way into, or out of, Alaska, though this theory is continuously disputed by scholars. Breeds descending from the Eskimo dog were once found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Siberia to Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Labrador, and Baffin Island.

With the help of Siberian Huskies, entire tribes of peoples were able to not only survive, but push forth into terra incognita. Admiral Robert Peary of the United States Navy was aided by this breed during his expeditions in search of the North Pole. The Siberian Husky's role in this feat can not be under appreciated.

Dogs from the Anadyr River and surrounding regions were imported into Alaska from 1908 (and for the next two decades) during the gold rush for use as sled dogs, especially in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes (AAS), a 408 mile (657 km) distance dog sled race from Nome to Candle and back. Smaller, faster and more enduring than the 100 to 120 pound (45 to 54 kg) freighting dogs then in general use, they immediately dominated the Nome Sweepstakes. Leonhard Seppala, the foremost breeder of Siberian Huskies of the time, participated in competitions from 1909 to the mid 1920s.

On February 2, 1925 Gunnar Kaasen was first in the 1925 serum run to Nome whom delivered diphtheria serum from Nenana over 600 miles to Nome. This was a group effort comprised of several sled dog teams and mushers. The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race commemorates this famous delivery. The event is also loosely depicted in the 1995 animated film Balto, as the name of Gunnar Kaasen's lead dog in his sled team was named Balto. In honor of this lead dog a bronze statue was erected at Central Park in New York City. The epitaph upon it is inscribed with

Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of a stricken Nome in the winter of 1925. Endurance--fidelity--intelligence

In 1930 the last Siberians were exported as the Soviet government closed the borders of Siberia to external trade. The same year saw recognition of the Siberian Husky by the American Kennel Club. Nine years later the breed was first registered in Canada. Today’s Siberian Huskies registered in North America are largely the descendants of the 1930 Siberia imports and of Leonhard Seppala’s dogs. Seppala owned a kennel in Nenana before moving to New England. Arthur Walden, owner of Chinook Kennels of Wonalancet, New Hampshire, was by far the most prominent breeder of Siberian Huskies. The foundation of his kennel stock came directly from Alaska, and Seppala's kennel.

Only beginning to come to prominence, in 1933 Navy Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd brought with him around 50 Siberian Huskies, many of which were assembled and trained at Chinook Kennels in New Hampshire, during an expedition in which Byrd hoped to journey around the 16,000-mile coast of Antarctica. Called Operation Highjump, this historic trek proved the worth of the Siberian Husky due to its compact size and greater speeds. Siberian Huskies also served in the United States Army's Arctic Search and Rescue Unit of the Air Transport Command during World War II.

Dogsled racing

Siberian Huskies are still used occasionally as sled dogs in dogsled racing but have been widely replaced by the more popular Alaskan Husky and hound-type crossbreeds that are specially bred and selected for speed and have less heavy coats. Freight Siberian Huskies were selectively bred to pull a medium load over long distances at a medium pace, and simply can't keep up with their faster counterparts. Siberians are still popular in races restricted to purebreds and are faster than other pure sled dog breeds such as the Samoyed and the slower but much stronger Alaskan Malamute. Today the breed tends to divide along lines of “racing” Siberians versus “show” Siberians.

Apart from dog sled racing, they are very popular for recreational mushing and are also used for skijoring (one to three dogs pulling a skier) and European ski-pulka. A few owners use them for dog-packing and hiking. They have also seen use as therapy dogs.

In the United Kingdom, husky racing on forest tracks using specially designed tricycles, known as rigs, instead of sledges is popular during the winter months.

Siberian Huskies in media and culture

* Balto, famous lead dog of the last team of the 1925 serum run to Nome.
* Togo, Leonhard Seppala's famous leader for the longest portion of the serum run.
* Barko from the Uncle Scrooge story, "North of the Yukon."
* Exile (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) from Road Rovers.
* The sled team from the Disney movie Snow Dogs.
* Diefenbaker from the hit television series Due South.
* Six of the eight dogs on the sled team from the Disney movie Eight Below.
* Tusky Husky the Husky Alien from Krypto the Superdog.
* Jenna from Balto, Balto 2: Wolf Quest, & Balto 3: Wings of Change.
* Poppy, Galford's companion from Samurai Shodown.
* Shadow from the game Dead to Rights, is a Police dog but appears to be a more vicious husky.
* Jonathan, a white Siberian, is the official mascot of University of Connecticut.
* King, mascot of Northeastern University.
* Kyoto, a white Siberian owned by the current leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Stephane Dion. Kyoto was named after the Kyoto Protocol.
* Based on a true story, Iron Will, a film by Disney starring a group of Siberian huskies and their young owner partaking a dog-sled race. Also starring Kevin Spacey.
* Blizzard T. Husky, mascot of Michigan Technological University.
* University of Saskatchewan (Canada) uses the Husky as their mascot and team name; The U of S Huskies

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Siberian Husky."

Great Dane

2008-03-05T14:58:00.001-08:00

Where to Rescue a Great Dane

Overview
Build: Giant and powerful, yet elegant and noble
Weight: Dogs: 54-90 kg. (120-200 lbs.); Bitches: 45-68 kg. (100-150 lbs.)
Height: 30-40 inches (76-86 cm.)
Coat: Short, thick, shiny, close-fitting hair
Color: Fawn, brindle, black, blue and mantle harlequin (merle not recognized)
Head: Long and narrow, with an accentuated frontal stop and a rather large nasal canal, rectangular, distinguished, expressive, finely chiseled
Teeth: Strong, well-developed, with scissors bite
Eyes: Medium size, deep set, round and usually dark, with a lively intelligent expression
Ears: Cropped rather long, pointed, and carried erect, or left natural
Tail: Medium-length, reaching to the point of the hock
Limbs: Front legs are perfectly straight
Feet: Round and compact
Life span: Median ~10 years

The Great Dane is a breed of domestic dog (canis lupus familiaris) known for its giant size and gentle personality. The breed is commonly referred to as the "Gentle giant" and the "Apollo of all breeds". Great Danes are considered the tallest dog breed along with the Irish Wolfhound. However, more recently have great danes been in the Guinness World Records for tallest dog. The Great Dane is the state dog of Pennsylvania.
Contents

Description

Appearance

Height and weight requirements for show dogs vary from one kennel club's standards to another, but generally the minimum weight falls between 100 to 120 lb (46 to 54 kg) and the minimum height must be between 28 and 32 inches (71 to 81 cm) at the withers. Most standards do not specify a maximum height or weight. However, a male great dane may weigh up to 200 lbs (91 kg). In August 2004, a Great Dane named "Gibson" from Grass Valley, California was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's tallest dog, measuring 42.2 inches at the withers.

Coat colors

There are six show-acceptable coat colors for Great Danes:

* Fawn: Yellow gold with a black mask. Black should appear on the eye rims and eyebrows, and may appear on the ears and tail tip.
* Brindle: Fawn and black in a chevron stripe pattern. Often also referred to as a tiger-stripe pattern.
* Blue: The color shall be a pure steel blue. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable.
* Black: The color shall be a glossy black. White markings at the chest and toes are not desirable.
* Harlequin: Base color shall be pure white with black torn patches irregularly and well distributed over the entire body; a pure white neck is preferred. The black patches should never be large enough to give the appearance of a blanket, nor so small as to give a stippled or dappled effect. Eligible, but less desirable, are a few small grey patches,(This grey is a Merle marking) or a white base with single black hairs showing through, which tend to give a salt and pepper or dirty effect.
* Mantle (in some countries referred to as Bostons due to the similar coloration & pattern as a Boston Terrier): The color shall be black and white with a solid black blanket extending over the body; black anus with white cheeks; white blaze is optional; whole white collar preferred; a white chest; white on part or whole of forelegs and hind legs; white tipped black tail. A small white marking in the black blanket is acceptable, as is a break in the white collar.

Other colors occur occasionally but are not acceptable in the show ring. Because they are not valid for show dogs, they are not pursued by breeders. These colors include white, fawnequin, merle, merlequin, fawn mantle, and others. These are sometimes advertised as "rare" colors to unsuspecting buyers. Any coat that includes "mouse grey" is disqualified from show.

Cropping of the ears is common in the United States and much less common in Europe. Indeed, in some European countries such as the UK, Denmark, Germany, in parts of Australia, and in New Zealand, the practice is banned, or controlled such that it may only be performed by veterinary surgeons for health reasons. Ear cropping for looks only was never done in England. The original purpose of Ear Cropping was to cut the ears so that wolves and wild boar (often the objective of great dane hunts) would not be able to grab ahold of the ear. Now, however, it is used to obtain a more regal or majestic look in showdogs. The original ear cropping can be seen on the pictures above.

Temperament

The Great Dane's large and imposing appearance belies its friendly nature; the breed is often referred to as a gentle giant. Great Danes are generally well-disposed toward other dogs, other non-canine pets, wild animals, and humans (including strangers and children). Some Great Danes have dominance issues, are aggressive with other dogs of the same sex, or chase small animals; however, this is quite rare.

Health

Great Danes, like most giant dogs, have a fairly slow metabolism. This results in less energy and less food consumption per pound of dog than in small breeds. Great Danes have some health problems that are common to large breeds. Bloat (a painful distending and twisting of the stomach (Gastric volvulus)) is a critical condition that can affect Great Danes and results rapidly in death if not quickly addressed. It is a commonly recommended practice for Great Danes to have their stomachs tacked (Gastroplexy) to the interior rib lining during routine surgery such as spaying or neutering if the dog or its relatives have a history of bloat, though some veterinary surgeons will not do the operation if the actual sickness has not occurred. Elevated food dishes are often believed to help prevent bloat by regulating the amount of air that is inhaled while eating, although one study suggests that they may increase the risk[2]. Refraining from exercise or activity immediately before and after meals may also reduce risk. They can live between 8-16 years (rarely 16 years of age).

Another problem common to the breed is in the hips (hip dysplasia). Typically an x-ray of the parents can certify whether their hips are healthy and can serve as a guideline for whether the animals should be bred and are likely to have healthy pups.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and many congenital heart diseases are also commonly found in the Great Dane.

Also, some Danes may develop yeast infections, when not fed all needed nutritional requirements. The yeast infection may also lead to minor recurring staph infection(s).

Great Danes also suffer from several genetic disorders that are specific to the breed. For example, if a Great Dane lacks color (is white) near its eyes or ears then that organ does not develop and usually the dog will be either blind or deaf. Many pure white Danes are deaf.

History

Some sources state that dogs similar to Great Danes were known in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Various sources report that the Great Dane was developed from the medieval boarhound, and of the Mastiff and Irish wolfhound lines. It is also reported that the Great Dane was developed from mastiff-like dogs taken to Germany by the Alans.[6] The breed may be about 400 years old.[4] The Bullenbeisser may be its direct ancestor composing about the 40% of its make-up.

In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon began publishing his large thesis on evolution called ”Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière”. His uses the large hound as an example of evolution (Book 4) and since he cannot find it anywhere in France or in Germania he seeks it in its home turf Denmark. It is he who for the first time coins the name ”le Grand Danois”. In the English translation of his work by William Smellie (encyclopedist) the same word becomes ”Great Dane”. Up until that time the hound was referred to in England as ”Danish dog” (see "Canine Madness”, 1762).

We know from a thesis by the Dane Jacob Nicolay Wilse titled ”Fuldstændig beskrivelse af stapelstaden Fridericia – efter pålidelige underretninger og egne undersøgninger.” (page 176) and published in 1767 that the Danes called the dog ”large hound”, a terminology continued well in to the 20th Century.

In Germany in 1780 the hound is referred to as ”Grosse Dänische Yagd Hund” or ”Large Danish Hunting Hound” (see Edward C. Ash : Practical Dog Book, 1931, ”The Great Dane").

The first dog exhibition was held in Hamburg 14-20 July 1863. 8 dogs were called ”Dänische Dogge” and 7 ”Ulmer Doggen”.

The records of FCI from this meeting shows that all documentation was published in Bulletin Officiel de la Société Canine de Monaco, August 1937.

At some point, either during or immediately after World War II, the country of origin of the hound is changed from the original Denmark to Germany. FCI would appear to no longer have the records that would be able to explain why that might be.

Danes in popular culture

* Scooby-Doo, a Hanna-Barbera character. Creator Iwao Takamoto based this famous animal character on a Great Dane based on sketches given by a Hanna-Barbera employee who bred this dog. Technically speaking, Scooby Doo would be a Fawn.
* Brad Anderson's newspaper comic character Marmaduke.
* The Great Dane Bendicò is the family pet in Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel The Leopard.
* Butler was a fawn Dane that belonged to Capt. James T. Kirk in Star Trek.
* Einstein in Disney's Oliver & Company (1988)
* Just Nuisance - A member of the South African Navy
* Ace from Batman Beyond
* Mars and Jupiter, two Great Danes from The Patriot
* Duke and Turk, two Great Danes from Disney's The Swiss Family Robinson (1960 film), where they are able to fight off a tiger.
* Brutus from Disney's version of The Ugly Dachshund
* The Great Dane from the 2003 movie "Good Boy!" is a blue male Dane named New Era - Valentino.
* Angie from Raimuiro Senkitan
* The guard dogs featured in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater are Great Danes.
* Ben, a main character in Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin, was a fawn Great Dane. One of his sons, Ken - a Dane-Saluki mix - is prominent in the sequel Ginga Legend Weed.
* Great, a character in "Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin" is a general in the Ohu army, and an aptly named Great Dane.
* Hougen and Genba/Genshin, the primary antagonists in Ginga Legend Weed, were harlequin Great Dane brothers.
* Pinkerton, in books by Steven Kellogg
* Duke from Dead Ringer
* Schmeichel, pet of Chesney in British TV soap Coronation Street
* Hamlet, in the movie Head Over Heels starring Monica Potter & Freddie Prinze Jr, was a fawn Great Dane.
* In the Scrubs episode My Words of Wisdom Elliot mentioned that she once had a Great Dane named Precious who one day bit her. She didn't want Precious to be put down so said that it was her neighbor's bulldog.
* Daisy Mae in J.F. Englert's novel A Dog About Town is a Great Dane.
* Astro, in the The Jetsons, is a Great Dane.
* Chester, Allan's dog is A Great Dane-Harlequin in "Two And a Half Men"

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Great Dane."

Golden Retriever

2008-03-04T09:34:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Golden Retriever

Overview

Build: Sturdy, well-proportioned; chest and neck are broad
Weight: 25-36 kg (55-80 lb)
Height: 51-61 cm (20-24 inches)
Coat: Double coat, medium-length, feathered, wavy or flat
Color: Cream to golden-colored, possibly reddish
Head: Broad, with a tapering, but wide, powerful muzzle and clear frontal stop
Teeth: Scissors bite
Eyes: Kindly and brown with dark rims
Ears: Medium-sized and pendant
Tail: Long, but never curled
Limbs: Thighs are muscular
Feet: Round
Life span: Median 12-13years

The Golden Retriever is a large breed of dog, historically developed as a gundog to retrieve shot waterfowl and upland game during hunting. As such they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and an instinctive love of water.Their versatility sees them employed in a variety of roles including narcotics detection, search and rescue, as hunting dogs and as guide dogs. The Golden Retriever's friendly, biddable nature and patient demeanor has also made it one of the most popular family dogs (by registration) in the world today.
Contents

Characteristics

The Golden Retriever is a large dog with a powerful, robust build and a very sweet face. His coat is soft and flat or can be wavy with feathering. The undercoat of the Golden Retriever is weatherproof. The coloring of the coat can be in one a variety of shades of cream and gold. The Golden Retriever always looks keen and eager. In terms of the weight these dogs are around 55-65 pounds for females and 65-75 pounds for males. Females are around 21-23 inches in height, and males are around 22-24 inches.

American type

The ideal Golden is athletic, and well balanced. It is a symmetrical, powerful, and active dog. An American Golden is less stocky and lankier than a British. A male should stand from 22 to 24 inches (58 to 61 cm) in height at the shoulders, and females should be 21.5 to 22.5 inches (55 to 57 cm) at the shoulders. The males weigh 65-75 lbs. and the females weigh 55-65 lbs. The coat is dense and water repellent, in various shades of lustrous gold, with moderate feathering. Excessive length, lightness, or darkness is undesirable. The gait should be free, smooth, powerful, and well-coordinated. They originated in England during the early 1800's and were a mix of the Tweed water spaniel, which is now extinct, and the Wavy-Coated Retriever.

Field line Golden Retrievers tend to be smaller and have less coat than their show line counterparts.

English type

There is some variation between the English type Golden Retrievers prevalent throughout Europe and Australia and those of American lines and theses differences are reflected in the breed standards. This type is bigger-boned, shorter, with a more square head and/or muzzle and are generally slightly heavier. Males should be between 56 to 61 cm (22 to 24 ins) at the withers and females slightly shorter at between 51 to 56 cm (20 to 22 ins). Weight, however, is not specified in the UK standard. The KC standard calls for a level topline and straight hindquarters without the slight rear angulation found in American lines.[8][9] The eyes of American line dogs tend to be set further apart than those of English lines and can appear to be slanted and triangular in shape by comparison. A Golden Retriever of English breeding can have a coat color of any shade of gold or cream, however, red or mahogany are not permissible colors. Originally cream was not an acceptable color in the UK standard, however, by 1936 the standard was revised to include cream. It was felt this exclusion was a mistake as the original "yellow" retrievers of the 19th century were lighter in color than the then current standard permitted. As with dogs of American lines white is an unacceptable color. The British KC standard is used in all countries with the exceptions of the US and Canada. Some breeders of this type in America may import their dogs to improve bloodlines.

Coat and color

The coat is dense and waterproof, and may be straight or moderately wavy. It usually lies flat against the belly. The American Kennel Club (AKC) standard states that the coat is a "rich, lustrous golden of various shades", disallowing coats that are extremely light or extremely dark. This leaves the outer ranges of coat color up to a judge's discretion when competing in conformation shows. Therefore, "pure white" and "red" are unacceptable colors for the Golden coat. The Kennel Club (UK) also permits cream as an acceptable coat color. Judges may also disallow Goldens with pink noses, or those lacking pigment. The Golden's coat can also be of a mahogany color, referred to as "redheads", although this is not accepted in the British show ring.As a Golden grows older, its coat can become darker or lighter, along with a noticeable whitening of the fur on and around the muzzle. Puppy coats are usually much lighter than their adult coats, but a darker colouration at the tips of the ears may indicate a darker adult color. A golden's coat should never be too long, as this may prove to be a diservice to them in the field- especially when retrieving game.

Temperament

The Golden Retriever temperament is a hallmark of the breed and is described in the standard as "kindly, friendly and confident". They are not "one man dogs" and are generally equally friendly with strangers and those familiar to them. Their trusting, gentle disposition therefore makes them a poor guard dog. Any form of unprovoked aggression or hostility towards either people, dogs or other animals, whether in the show ring or community, is completely unacceptable in a Golden Retriever and is not in keeping with the character of the breed and as such is considered a serious fault. Nor, should a Golden Retriever be unduly timid or nervous. The typical Golden Retriever, is calm, naturally intelligent and biddable, with an exceptional eagerness to please. They are excellent with children and this along with their other qualities has made them a favorite family pet.

As the name suggests, the Golden Retriever really loves to retrieve. Whether it's a thrown stick, tennis ball, or flying disc, retrieving can keep a dog of this breed occupied and entertained for hours, particularly if there is also water involved. They might also pick up and "retrieve" any object that is near to them when greeting a human friend.

Goldens are also noted for their intelligence, and can learn up to roughly 240 commands, words and phrases. These dogs are also renowned for their patience with children. However, as with any breed of dog, if not appropriately trained and supervised, a Golden may accidentally injure a child in play, due to their high-spirited nature.

Typically, Goldens are fairly unruly as puppies and may chew and retrieve everything in sight.[citation needed]

By the time they reach maturity however, Goldens will have become active and fun-loving animals with the exceptionally patient demeanor befitting a dog bred to sit quietly for hours in a hunting blind. Adult Golden Retrievers love to work, and have a keen ability to focus on a given task. They will seemingly work until collapse, so care should be taken to avoid overworking them.

Other characteristics related to their hunting heritage are a size suited for scrambling in and out of boats and an inordinate love for water. Golden Retrievers are exceptionally trainable -due to their intelligence, athleticism and desire to please their handlers- and generally excel in obedience trials. In fact, the first AKC Obedience Trial Champion was a Golden Retriever. They are also very competitive in agility and other performance events. It is important to note that harsh training methods will typically cause Goldens to “shut down,” therefore positive reinforcement is a more effective way to train this breed.

Golden Retrievers are compatible with children and adults and are good with other dogs, cats and most livestock. Golden Retrievers are particularly valued for their high level of sociability towards people, calmness, and willingness to learn. Because of this, they are commonly used as guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

Care

Golden Retrievers are moderately active dogs, and require a reasonable amount of exercise each day, although exercise needs may vary depending on the individual dog and its age. They are a breed that is prone to obesity, even more so than the Labrador Retrievers,[citation needed] and as such the average Golden Retriever should never be treated like a small dog, or sedentary house pet. Some dogs may be too active to be easily exercised by elderly owners.

Goldens should be groomed at least once a week, and every day during heavy shedding. Their coats shed heavily the entire year, and even more excessively during shedding season, which is normally in the spring as the dog loses its thick winter coat. They also need to have their ears cleaned regularly, or otherwise an ear infection might occur. While shedding is unavoidable with Golden Retrievers, frequent grooming (daily to weekly) lessens the amount of hair shed by the animal. Severe shedding that results in bald patches can be indicative of stress or sickness in a Golden Retriever.

Golden Retrievers are very attached to their owners. Leaving them alone in a room can cause the dog to become very sad and distressed. They have a need to always have something in their mouth, and like to carry things around. They are great athletes and must be walked daily, or they will become restless and anxious.

History

The Golden Retriever breed was originally developed in Scotland at "Guisachan" near Glen Affric, the highland estate of Sir Dudley Majoribanks (pronounced "Marshbanks"), later Baron Tweedmouth. For many years, there was controversy over which breeds were originally crossed. In 1952, the publication of Majoribanks' breeding records from 1835 to 1890 dispelled the myth concerning the purchase of a whole troupe of Russian sheepdogs from a visiting circus.

Improvements in guns during the 1800's resulted in more fowl being downed during hunts at greater distances and over increasingly difficult terrain. This led to more birds being lost in the field. Because of this improvement in firearms, a need for a specialist retriever, arose as training setter and pointer breeds in retrieval was found to be ineffective. Thus work began on the breeding of the Golden Retriever to fill this role.

The original cross was of a yellow-colored Retriever, Nous, with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, Belle. The Tweed Water Spaniel is now extinct but was then common in the border country. Majoribanks had purchased Nous in 1865 from an unregistered litter of otherwise black wavy-coated retriever pups. In 1868, this cross produced a litter that included four pups; these four became the basis of a breeding program which included the Irish Setter, the sandy-colored Bloodhound, the St. John's Water Dog of Newfoundland, and two more wavy-coated black Retrievers. The bloodline was also inbred and selected for trueness to Majoribanks' idea of the ultimate hunting dog. His vision included a more vigorous and powerful dog than previous retrievers, one that would still be gentle and trainable. Russian sheepdogs are not mentioned in these records, nor are any other working dog breeds. The ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dogs, in line with Majoribanks' goals.

Golden Retrievers were first accepted for registration by the The Kennel Club of England in 1903, as Flat Coats - Golden. They were first exhibited in 1908, and in 1911 were recognized as a breed described as Retriever (Golden and Yellow). In 1913, the Golden Retriever Club was founded. The breed name was officially changed to Golden Retriever in 1920.

The Honorable Archie Majoribanks took a Golden Retriever to Canada in 1881, and registered Lady with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894. These are the first records of the breed in these two countries. The breed was first registered in Canada in 1927, and the Golden Retriever Club of Ontario, now the Golden Retriever Club of Canada, was formed in 1958. The co-founders of the GRCC were Cliff Drysdale an Englishman who had brought over an English Golden and Jutta Baker, daughter in law of Louis Baker who owned Northland Kennels, possibly Canada's first kennel dedicated to Goldens. The AKC recognized the breed in 1925, and in 1938 the Golden Retriever Club of America was formed.

Health

The typical life span for Golden Retrievers is 10-13 years.[citation needed] In many lines of Golden Retrievers, life-threatening health problems are so common that it can be difficult to find an individual that you can count on remaining healthy for a normal lifetime. When not taken care of (not exercising golden retrievers can cause them to become obese) a large number of Golden Retrievers live less than 10 years.[citation needed]

Breeding Goldens can be profitable for puppy mills and backyard breeders. As a result of careless breeding for profit, Goldens are prone to genetic disorders and other diseases. Hip dysplasia is very common in the breed; when buying a puppy in the US its parents should have been examined by the OFA or by PennHIP for hip disease.

Common diseases

* Cancer, the most common being hemangiosarcoma, followed by lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor, and osteosarcoma. Cancer was the cause of death for 61.8% of Goldens according to a 1998 health study conducted by the Golden Retriever Club of America, making it the breed's most deadly disease.
* Hip and elbow dysplasia.
* Eye diseases, including cataracts (the most common eye disease in Goldens), progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, distichiasis, entropion, corneal dystrophy and retinal dysplasia
* Heart , especially subvalvular aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy are major problems in this breed.
* Joint diseases, including patella luxation, osteochondritis, panosteitis, and cruciate ligament rupture
* Skin diseases, with allergies (often leading to acute moist dermatitis or "Hot Spots"), particularly flea allergies, being most common. Others include seborrhea, sebaceous adenitis, and lick granuloma.
* Haemophilia

Other diseases

* Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
* Bloat
* Cushing's Disease
* Diabetes (occasionally)
* Ear Infections
* Epilepsy
* Hypothyroidism
* Laryngeal paralysis
* Liver shunt
* Megaesophagus
* Myasthenia gravis
* von Willebrand Disease

Activities

Dog sports

The Golden Retriever's eagnerness to please has made them consistent, top performers in the obedience and agility rings. The first three dogs ever to achieve the AKC Obedience Champion title, were Golden Retrievers, the first of the three, a female by the name of Ch. Moreland's Golden Tonka.

Their natural retrieving ability also sees them excel in flyball and field trials.

Rescue efforts

Because of the prevalence and prominence of the breed, high demand results in many Goldens being abandoned each year by owners who can no longer care for them. Puppy mills are another source of orphan Golden Retrievers. These dogs, often old or in need of medical support, may end up in animal shelters.

In response to the numbers of orphan Goldens, volunteer organizations work to rescue, care for, and adopt abandoned Golden Retrievers. These rescue groups usually accept dogs from owners and establish agreements with local animal shelters to ensure that dogs will be transferred to their care rather than euthanized. Once rescued, Golden Retrievers are placed in foster homes until a permanent home is found. It is common for rescue groups to screen prospective adopters to ensure that they are capable of providing a good home for the dog. Golden retriever rescue groups have utilized the world wide web to raise funds and advertise rescued Goldens to adopters. The Golden Retriever Club of America has a permanent standing committee, the National Rescue Committee.

Famous Golden Retrievers

* Abbey, pet of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd[20]
* Alex from Stroh Brewery Company ads
* Antoinette from Ouran High School Host Club
* Yuujiro from Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
* Bonnie, as seen on Blue Peter
* Brandon, companion of Punky Brewster
* Buddy in Air Bud and its sequels
* Charlie the Wonderdog from the Australian television series The Late Show
* Chuutaro from Futari wa Pretty Cure
* Chase, mascot of the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team
* Comet from Full House
* Einstein from Dean Koontzs' The Watchers
* Digby from Pushing Daisies
* Duke from Bush's Baked Beans commercials
* Goldie, as seen on Blue Peter
* Puppikins Dogchild aka Bill Griffin aka Gryphon
* Hunter from Road Rovers
* J.D. from Dead Like Me
* Klaus Von Puppy - Jack McFarland's puppy in the sitcom Will & Grace
* Levi from Sue Thomas: F.B. Eye
* Liberty, pet of Gerald Ford and Betty Ford
* Lucy, as seen on Blue Peter
* Maise, pet of Trent Reznor
* Mel from Ginga Densetsu Weed
* Napoleon from movie Napoleon.
* Purin from Sanrio.
* Shadow from Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound II
* Shelby AKA Krypto from Smallville
* Speedy from The Drew Carey Show
* Star owned by Pamela Anderson appeared in the TV show Baywatch
* Stogie from Mission Hill.
* Steeler the Stink Dog of Colorado
* Sun Dance, from Adam Sandler's Click
* Trixie Koontz a retired service dog who died on June 30th, 2007, purported author of Life is Good: Lessons in Joyful Living and Christmas is Good, companion of Dean Koontz

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Golden Retriever."

Collie

2008-02-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

Where to Rescue a Collie

Collie refers to various landraces and breeds of herding dog originating in Britain, especially the upland areas of the north and west. The exact origin of the name is uncertain, although it may derive from Early Scots coll ("coal" or "black"). The collie name refers especially to dogs of Scottish origin, but the collie type is far more widespread in Britain and in many other parts of the world, often being called sheepdog or shepherd dog elsewhere In the United States, "collie" is most often used to refer solely to Rough Collies rather than the collective grouping of all collie breeds.

Collies are generally medium-sized dogs of between 10 kg and 25 kg (22-55 lb), fairly lightly built with a pointed snout and erect or partly erect ears, giving a foxy impression. Cattle-herding types tend to be rather more stocky. Collies are always alert and are active and agile. The fur may be short, flat, or long, and the tail may be smooth, feathered, or bushy. Some types were traditionally docked, and some types are naturally bobtailed or tail-less. Types vary in colouration, with the usual base colours being black, black-and-tan, red, red-and-tan, or sable. Many types have white along with the main color, usually under the belly and chest, over the shoulders, and on parts of the face and legs, but sometimes leaving only the head coloured – or white may be absent or limited to the chest and toes (as in the Australian Kelpie). Merle colouration may also be present over any of the other colour combinations, even in landrace types. The most widespread patterns in many types are black and white or tricolour (black-and-tan and white).

Temperament

Working types

Working collies are extremely energetic and agile dogs with great stamina, well able to run all day without tiring, even over very rough or steep ground. They are intelligent, and are instinctively highly motivated to work. These characteristics generally make working strains unsuitable as pets, as few owners are able to give them the mental and physical challenges they need and, if not well fulfilled, they may become unhappy and badly behaved However, in addition to herding work they are well suited to active sports such as sheepdog trials, flyball, disc dog and dog agility. Working strains have strong herding instincts, and some individuals can be single-minded to the point of obsessiveness. They are often intensely loyal.

Show and pet types

Certain types of collie (for example Rough Collies, Smooth Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and some strains of Border Collie and other breeds) have been bred as pet and show dogs for many generations. These types have proved to be highly trainable, gentle, loyal, and well suited as pets^[5]^[6]^[7]. Their gentleness and devotion also make them quite compatible with children. They are often more suitable as companions than as watch dogs, though the individual personalities of these dogs vary. The temperament of these breeds has featured in literature, film and popular television programmes. The novels of Albert Payson Terhune celebrated the temperament and companionship of collies and were very popular in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. More famously, the temperament and intelligence of the Rough Collie was exaggerated to mythic proportions in the character Lassie which has been the subject of many films, books and television shows from 1938 to the present.

Collie types and breeds

Herding dogs of collie type have long been widespread in Britain, and these can be regarded as a landrace from which a number of other landraces, types, and formal breeds have been derived, both in Britain and elsewhere. Many of these are working herding dogs, but some have been developed into show and pet dogs, sometimes losing their working instincts ^[8].

Herding types tend to be more variable than the show and pet breeds, as they are bred primarily for their working ability, and appearance is thus of lower importance.

Dogs of collie type or ancestry include:

Australian Cattle Dog. Dog used in Australia for herding cattle. Dogs of this type are also known as Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler and Red Heeler.
Australian Collie. Not actually a breed, but a popular cross between two other collie types, Australian Shepherd and Border Collie.
Australian Kelpie. Developed in Australia from collies originally brought from Scotland and northern England.
Australian Shepherd. Developed in the US, probably from dogs of British origin (of Farm Collie type), but now found in other parts of the world (including Australia).
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. Dog with stumpy tail used in Australia for herding cattle.
Bearded Collie. Now largely a pet and show breed, but still of collie type, and some are used as working dogs.
Border Collie. The most well-known breed for herding sheep throughout the world. Originally developed in Scotland and Northern England. Not always suitable for herding cattle.
English Shepherd. Developed in the US from stock of Farm Collie type originally from Britain. Not to be confused with the very different Old English Sheepdog.
Farm Collie. Landrace herding dog found on many livestock farms in Britain, in the US (derived from British dogs), and perhaps elsewhere. In Britain, often simply called "farm dog".
German Coolie, Koolie, or Collie. Developed in Australia, probably from British collies.
Huntaway. Developed in New Zealand from a mixture of breeds, probably including some collie – but it is not of collie type.
Lurcher. Not a breed, but a cross of collie (or other herding dog or terrier) with Greyhound or other sight hound. Traditionally bred for poaching, with the speed of a sight hound but more obedient and less conspicuous.
McNab (Shepherd). Developed in the US partly from dogs of collie type.
Old English Sheepdog. Derived from "Shags", hairy herding dogs. Not to be confused with the English Shepherd.
Rough Collie and Smooth Collie (sometimes considered varieties of one breed, originally called Scotch Collie). Now show and pet dogs, these were created by crossing working collies with other dogs (especially Borzois) and are of rather different type to other collies.
Shetland Sheepdog. A small show and pet breed developed in England partly from herding dogs originating in Shetland. The Shetland dogs were originally working herding dogs, not collies but of Spitz type (similar to the Icelandic Sheepdog). However in the development of the modern breed these Spitz-type dogs were heavily mixed with collies and toy breeds, and are now similar in appearance to a miniature Rough Collie.
Welsh Sheepdog. Landrace herding dog from Wales.

The heeler types of dog are probably related to collies, being usually shorter-legged dogs used primarily for herding cattle.

Famous Collies

Lassie
Colleen from Road Rovers
Jessie, the dog from the satirical novella Animal Farm by George Orwell, is portrayed as a Border Collie in the 1999 film version
Laddie from The Simpsons
Flo & the other puppies in All Dogs Go to Heaven
Blanco, pet of Lyndon Johnson
Reveille, official mascot of Texas A&M University
Lad of Sunnybank, from the series of novels by Albert Payson Terhune
Wilson of the 1984 Manga series (and 1986 Anime) by Yoshihiro Takahashi, Ginga Nagareboshi Gin, and ex-circus dog.
Fly and Rex, Border Collies from the movie Babe, and the original book The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith.
Thunder and Lightning, Granny Aching's near-telepathic sheepdogs in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel The Wee Free Men and its sequels.
Laddie, an extremely dense but photogenic film-collie in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novel Moving Pictures; a satire on too-perfect film-dogs such as Lassie.
Murray the dog of Paul Buchman & Jamie Buchman in the TV series Mad About You

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Collie."

Chow Chow

2008-02-27T11:23:00.000-08:00

Where to Rescue a Chow Chow

Chow Chow, or Chow, is a breed of dog originating from China, where it is referred to as Songshi Quan (Pinyin: sōngshī quǎn 鬆獅犬), which literally means "puffy-lion dog." It is believed that the Chow Chow is one of the native dogs used as the model for the Foo dog, the traditional stone guardians found in front of Buddhist temples and palaces.

Appearance

The Chow is a sturdily built dog that is square in profile with broad skull and small, triangular ears that are rounded at the tip. The breed has a very dense coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane. The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. Individuals with patchy or multicolored coats are considered to be outside the breed standard. Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs who come from a Chow retain the tongue color. This is not to say, however, that every mixed breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue are descended from chows as purple spots on the tongue can be found on a multitude of pure breed dogs.

Temperament

Today the Chow Chow is most commonly kept as a companion dog. Their keen sense of proprietorship over their homes paired with a sometimes disconcertingly serious approach to strangers can be off putting to those unfamiliar with the breed. However, displays of timidity and aggression are uncharacteristic of well-bred and well socialized specimens. The proper Chow owner will be just as willful and stubborn as the Chow they keep, thus weaker-willed individuals would be best served to evaluate their commitment in controlling an animal who is happy to take over any household. Specimens of opposite sex typically co-habitate with less tension than those of the same sex, but it is not unheard of for multiple chows of both sexes to live together peacefully in a home setting. Chows are extremely loyal to their own family and will bond tightly to their masters. The Chow typically shows affection only with those it has bonds to, so new visitors to the home should not press their physical attention upon the resident Chow as it will not immediately accept strangers in the same manner as it does members of its own "pack".

Chows are not a particularly active breed. Apartment life can suit this breed, if given enough opportunity for regularly scheduled physical activity each day. The Chow Chow may appear to be independent and aloof for much of the day, keeping a comfortable distance from others while staying within earshot, or preferring to watch for strangers alone by the entrance. Owners still need to be prepared to take a Chow Chow for a brisk daily walk, even if they have a fenced yard, in order to meet their needs for mental and physical stimulation. While the Chow exhibits low energy for most of the day, it will crave routine time to explore and play to maintain a happy and content disposition.

Health

The chow chow is the dog race most affected by elbow dysplasia. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (slipping knee caps), thyroid disease, and ocular disorders such as entropion and ectropion. The risks of such disorders increases exponentially when a chow is purchased from backyard breeders, pet stores and unscrupulous kennels that do not test their breeding stock for such genetic disorders. As such, a potential chow buyer would be best served to ask to see all health clearances for the parents of a litter up front. In the United States, these would be clearances from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals; other countries will have other health testing schemes, and contacting the national canine registry association will provide that information. Reputable kennels should provide the new owner with a written and signed health warranty as well. Although there is no way to accurately predict the lifespan of an animal, one should expect the healthy chow to live between 10 to 12 years.

History

The Chow is a unique breed of dog thought to be one of the oldest recognizable breeds. Research indicates it is one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from the wolf. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog. From what records survive, some historians believe that the Chow was the dog described as accompanying the Mongolian armies as they invaded south into China as well as west into Europe and southwest into the Middle East during 12th Century,[citation needed] although a Chinese bas-relief from 150 BC shows a hunting dog similar in appearance to the Chow. Later Chow Chows were bred as a general-purpose working dog for herding, hunting, pulling and guarding.

In China, some farms still raise a variety of dog breeds, including Chows, for meat and hides. However, the breed is not named Chow Chow because they make good "chow", as is commonly supposed. In fact, when they were first shipped to England in the late 18th century, they arrived in the holds of ships, marked "chow chow", Chinese pidgin English for miscellaneous merchandise. The customs people simply assumed that was what they were called and the name stuck.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Chow Chow"

Bulldog

2008-02-26T09:47:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Bulldog

Overview

Build:	Heavy musculature, skinny neck and really small shoulders, very tall body
Weight:	15.5-16 pounds (24-25kg.) within United Kingdom
Height:	5-7 inches
Coat:	long, rough
Color:	Red, fawn, brindle, pale yellow or washed-out red, or white, or any combination of these colors
Head:	skinny, very small, long-faced, broad, with cheeks extending to sides of the eyes, skin on the skull and forehead falling in dense folds, muzzle short and pug, nose broad and black with large nostrils, upper lip pendent and lower jaw very undershot
Teeth:	small, weak
Eyes:	Very round, far apart and very dark
Ears:	long and thick, comes down nearly to their paws
Tail:	Short and carries low
Limbs:	Stocky, set squarely
Feet:	Moderate, compact, firmly set
Life span:	10 years

The Bulldog, colloquially known as the English Bulldog or British Bulldog, is a miniature-size breed of dog that originated in England.

Its shape results in a peculiarly unique gait, often called a "rolling gait". Bulldogs are known for their long muzzles and the tight skin on their faces, creating the apparent "grin" that has become a trademark of the breed. Bulldogs come in a variety of colours and ideally have a rough, long coat. The only disqualifier for the breed in the show ring is a liver colored nose, however a black-coated Bulldog is also not preferred. In the US, the size of a typical mature male is about 20 pounds; that for mature females is about 15 pounds. In the United Kingdom, the breed standard is 17 pounds for a male and 16 pounds for a female.

Temperament and characteristics

The temperament of the Bulldog is generally docile, friendly and gregarious but are known to be fiercely loyal and occasionally willful. Breeders have worked to breed aggression out of the breed, and as such the dog is known to be of generally good temperament. Bulldogs can be so attached to home and family that they will not venture out of the yard without a human companion. Due to their friendly nature bulldogs are known for getting along well with children, other breeds of dog and any house-broken pet in general.

A bulldog is suitable for houses as well as apartments due to their size and comparative lack of energy, but puppies may be destructive until they reach maturity.

Health

The bulldog is prone to health issues. Breathing issues can be prevalent in the breed due to the shape of the "undershot" lower jaw and the shortness of muzzle- originally bred for gripping - bulldogs are known to snore. In the United Kingdom, some dogs can be prone to interstitial cysts, that is cysts which form between the toes. These cause the dog some discomfort, though they are treatable either by vet or an experienced owner. Other problems can include cherry eye, certain allergies and amongst older bulldogs, hip issues.

Because of the large heads in proportion to body size, puppies are frequently delivered by Caesarean section as they can get stuck in the birth canal during natural birth, however it is not uncommon for a bulldog to whelp naturally and successfully.

Bulldogs require daily cleaning of their face folds to avoid unwanted infections caused by moisture accumulation. Daily teeth brushing with a regular human soft toothbrush using a vet approved toothpaste is also recommended.

Like all dogs, Bulldogs require daily exercise. If not properly exercised the bulldog could gain weight, which could cause health problems relating to the lungs and heart. Bulldogs are extremely sensitive to heat and cold and great care should be given to the dog during overly warm periods. During these times, the owner should ensure that the dog has plenty of shade, water and should be ideally kept out of standing heat.

As the breed has developed, the tail in some dogs can be tight to the body and can cause infection if not treated or cleaned underneath regularly.

History

The term "bulldog" was first used around 1568^[1] and might have been applied to various ancestors of modern bulldog breeds.Bulldogs were bred in England over time from a cross between a mastiff and the smaller pug.

In the 1600s, bulldogs were used for bullbaiting (as well as bearbaiting), a wagering sport popular in the 17th century in which trained bulldogs leapt at a bull lashed to a post, latched onto its snout and attempted to suffocate it.^[2] Bulldogs have many distinct characteristics that were breed into them so they would be better suited to bullbaiting. The bulldog's body is short and stout, allowing it to be able to crawl low over to the bull. The lower jaw sticks out further than the top one allowing the bulldog to grip on the nose of the animal and still be able to breathe due to the lay-back of the nose. The wrinkles on the bulldogs face allow the blood from the other animal to run down the bulldogs face instead of going into its eyes.

The oldest single breed specialty club is The Bulldog Club (England), which was formed in 1875. Members of this club met frequently at the Blue Post pub on Oxford Street in London. There they wrote the first standard of perfection for the breed. In 1891 the two top bulldogs, Orry and Dockleaf, competed in a contest to see which dog could walk the farthest. Orry was reminiscent of the original bulldogs — lighter boned and very athletic. Dockleaf was smaller and heavier set — more like modern bulldogs. Dockleaf was declared the winner that year. Although some argued that the older version of the bulldog was more fit to perform, the modern version’s looks won over the fans of the breed because they proved they were equally as fit and athletic in the walking competition.

Recently, many people have tried to recreate a breed more akin to the original bullbaiter. Examples of the trend are the Olde English Bulldogge, Renascence Bulldogge, Victorian, Continental and Dorset Old Tyme Bulldog. The AKC does not recognize any of these newly "recreated" breeds of dogs.

Popular mascot

Because of its tenacity, the bulldog is a symbol of the United Kingdom and is a popular mascot of dozens of American universities, as well as numerous high schools throughout the United States of America.

It is commonly accepted that Handsome Dan, the Bulldog mascot for Yale University, is the oldest-running traditional live mascot in the United States, since some incarnation of Handsome Dan has served at Yale for more than a century.^{[citation needed]}

A bulldog named Chesty, is widely recognized as a symbol of the United States Marine Corps.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bulldog"

Brittany Spaniel

2008-02-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Brittany Spaniel

The Brittany is a breed of gun dog primarily bred for bird hunting. Although the Brittany is often referred to as a spaniel, the breed's working characteristics are more akin to a pointer or setter. Brittanys were developed in the Brittany province of France in the 1800s.
Contents

Appearance

A Brittany is typically quite athletic, compact, and solidly built without being heavy. Other characteristics include long legs, and their expressions are usually of intelligence, vigour, and alertness. Their gait is elastic, long, and free.

Some Brittanys are born with naturally short tails and others with long tails. If born with a long tail it is normally docked to a length of 3 to 10 centimetres (1 to 4 inches). In countries where docking is illegal long-tailed Brittanys should carry their tails level with the back or slightly lower.

Size

Brittany Spaniels are almost always between 44-52 cm (17.5-20.5 in) tall at the withers, with the UKC and AKC preferring smaller dogs. They weigh 13.5-18 kg (30-40 lb). The dog is squareish when viewed from the side, with shoulder height equaling body length (from withers to base of tail). Show dogs have their tails docked in some countries. The tails of working or companion dogs are rarely left long.

Types

Many breeders differentiate between "American" Brittanys and "French" style Brittanys. Although generally recognized as sub-sets of the same breed, there are recognizable differences between the two. The American Brittany is taller and faster. It has been bred to cover more ground in order to hunt wide open spaces common in the United States. The French Brittany appears more "spaniel-like" in that it is smaller and the French Brittany generally works more closely to the guns.

Temperament

The breed is noted for being easy to train, sensitive, and sweet-natured. Many enthusiasts agree that it takes little more than a stern look or cross word to chastise a Brittany. As a consequence, care must be taken during training so as not to break the dog’s spirit. Brittanys are excellent with children but they are an exuberant breed and if not well supervised may accidentally harm a small child. Many of these loveable dogs will, if allowed, even climb upon your lap and rest their head on your shoulder. Brittanys get along well with other dogs and enjoy working with other dogs as a team. Many Brittany enthusiasts encourage new Brittany owners to be a two dog family. The dogs are active and require frequent exercise and room to run. As pets Brittanys are first-rate companion dogs but they do need plenty of exercise. Their outgoing nature makes them poor candidates for protectors.

The Brittany makes a good house pet as long as it receives daily mental and physical exercise. If not given sufficient exercise, it can become destructive.

Health

Brittanies are generally healthy dogs, though some genetic disorders are prevalent. They can be prone to hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Their ears can be prone to infections. They usually live 14-15 years. Some major concerns of this type of breed is CHD.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Brittany Spaniel".

Boxer

2008-02-22T11:13:00.000-08:00

Where to Rescue a Boxer

Overview

Build: Compact and powerful
Weight: Dog 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg.) Bitches 53-65 pounds (24-29 kg.)
Height: Dogs 22-25 inches (56-63 cm.) Bitches 21-24 inches (53-61 cm)
Coat: Short, shiny, lying smooth and tight to the body
Color: Fawn (red) and brindle, with white markings which in some may cover most or all of the body
Head: In proportion to body, clean without excessive wrinkles, lower jaw extending beyond upper one, curving upward; nose is large and black with very open nostrils
Teeth: Undershot; neither teeth nor tongue show when mouth closed
Eyes: Dark
Ears: Often cropped
Tail: Carried high
Limbs: Straight and parallel
Feet: Round
Life span: About 11-14 years

Developed in Germany, the Boxer is a breed of stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog. The coat is smooth and fawn or brindled, with or without white markings. Boxers are brachycephalic, and have a square muzzle, mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser and is part of the Molosser group.

The Boxer was first exhibited in a dog show for St. Bernards at Munich in 1895, the first Boxer club being founded the next year. Based on 2007 American Kennel Club statistics, Boxers are the sixth most popular breed of dog in the United States—moving up from the seventh spot for the first time since 2002—with approximately 35,388 new dog registrations during the year.
The breed standard dictates that it must be in perfect proportion to the body and above all it must never be too light. The greatest value is to be placed on the muzzle being of correct form and in absolute proportion to the skull. The length of the muzzle to the whole of the head should be as 1:3. Folds are always indicated from the root of the nose running downwards on both sides of the muzzle, and the tip of the nose should lie somewhat higher than the root of the muzzle. In addition a Boxer should be slightly prognathous, i.e., the lower jaw should protrude beyond the upper jaw and bend slightly upwards in what is commonly called an underbite or "undershot bite".

Boxers were originally a docked and cropped breed, and this tradition is still maintained in some countries. However, due to pressure from veterinary associations, animal rights groups and the general public, both cropping of the ears and docking of the tail have been prohibited in many countries around the world. In the United States and Canada as of 2007, cropped ears are still more common in show dogs. In March 2005 the AKC breed standard was changed to include a description of the uncropped ear, but to severely penalize an undocked tail.

An adult Boxer typically weighs between 55 and 70 lbs (25 and 32 kg). Adult male Boxers are between 22 and 25 inches (57 and 63 cm) tall at the withers; adult females are between 21 to 23½ inches (53 and 60 cm).

Coat and colors

Boxers are either fawn (middle frame) or brindle (bottom frame), with or without white markings, which, when excessive are conventionally called "white" Boxers (top frame).
Boxers are either fawn (middle frame) or brindle (bottom frame), with or without white markings, which, when excessive are conventionally called "white" Boxers (top frame).

The Boxer is a short-haired beast, with a shiny, smooth coat that lies tight to the body. The recognized colors are fawn and brindle, often with a white underbelly and white on the front or all four feet. These white markings, called flash, often extend onto the neck or face, and dogs that have these markings are known as "flashy". "Fawn" denotes a range of color, the tones of which may be described variously as light tan or yellow, reddish tan, mahogany or stag/deer red, and dark honey-blonde. In the UK, fawn Boxers are typically rich in color and are called "red". "Brindle" refers to a dog with black stripes on a fawn background. Some brindle Boxers are so heavily striped that they give the appearance of "reverse brindling", fawn stripes on a black body; these dogs are conventionally called "reverse brindles", but that is actually a misnomer - they are still fawn dogs with black stripes. In addition, the breed standards state that the fawn background must clearly contrast with or show through the brindling, so a dog that is too heavily brindled may be disqualified by the breed standard. The Boxer does not carry the gene for a solid black coat color and therefore purebred black Boxers do not exist.

White Boxers

Boxers with white markings covering more than one-third of their coat - conventionally called "white" Boxers - are neither albino nor rare; approximately 20-25% of all Boxers born are white.[4] Genetically, these dogs are either fawn or brindle, with excessive white markings overlying the base coat color. Like fair-skinned humans, white Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers than colored Boxers. The extreme piebald gene, which is responsible for white markings in Boxers, is linked to congenital sensorineural deafness in dogs. It is estimated that about 18% of white Boxers are deaf in one or both ears,[5] though Boxer Rescue organizations see about double that number.[6][7] In the past, breeders often euthanized white puppies at birth; today, most breeders place white puppies in pet homes with spay/neuter agreements. White Boxers are disqualified from conformation showing by the breed standard, and are prohibited from breeding by every national Boxer club in the world. They can compete in non-conformation events such as obedience and agility, and like their colored counterparts do quite well as service and therapy dogs.

Temperament

“ The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most solicitous attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household. He is harmless in the family, but distrustful of strangers, bright and friendly of temperament at play, but brave and determined when aroused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never false or treacherous even in his old age."
~ 1938 AKC Boxer breed standard

Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being "headstrong" or "stubborn", which can be related to inappropriate obedience training. Owing to their intelligence and working breed characteristics, training based on the use of corrections often has limited usefulness. Boxers often respond much better to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training.

The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed, but needs socialization to tolerate other dogs well.[9] Their sometimes over-protective, territorial and dominating attitude is often most intense in males. Boxers are generally patient with smaller dogs but can be dominant with larger dogs of the same sex.

Boxers appear more comfortable with companionship, in either human or canine form. They are very active dogs which require a great deal of exercise.

Health

Boxers are prone to develop cancers, heart conditions such as Aortic Stenosis and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "Boxer Cardiomyopathy"), hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation and torsion (bloat), intestinal problems, and allergies (although these may be more related to diet than breed). Entropion is occasionally seen, a malformation of the eyelid requiring surgical correction, and some lines have a tendency to develop spondylosis deformans, a fusing of the spine. Responsible breeders use available tests to screen their breeding stock before breeding, and in some cases throughout the life of the dog, in an attempt to minimize the occurrence of these diseases in future generations.

Boxers are an athletic breed, and proper exercise and conditioning is important for their continued health and longevity. Care must be taken not to over-exercise young dogs, as this may damage growing bones; however once mature Boxers can be excellent jogging or running companions. Because of their brachycephalic head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions.

Uses

Boxers are friendly, lively companions that are popular as family dogs. Their suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable guard dogs. They sometimes appear at dog agility or obedience trials and flyball events. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war. Boxers have an average lifespan of 10-12 years.

The Boxer is part of the Molosser group, developed in Germany in the late 1800s from the now extinct Bullenbeisser, a dog of Mastiff descent, and Bulldogs brought in from England. The Bullenbeisser had been working as a hunting dog for centuries, employed in the pursuit of bear, wild boar, and deer. Its task was to seize the prey and hold it until the hunters arrived. In later years, faster dogs were favored and a smaller Bullenbeisser was bred in Brabant, in northern Belgium. It is generally accepted that the Brabanter Bullenbeisser was a direct ancestor of today's Boxer.

In 1894, three Germans by the name of Roberth, Konig, and Hopner decided to stabilize the breed and put it on exhibition at a dog show. This was done in Munich in 1895, and the next year they founded the first Boxer Club, the Deutscher Boxer Club. The Club went on to publish the first Boxer breed standard in 1902, a detailed document that has not been changed much to this day.

The breed was introduced to other parts of Europe in the late 19th century and to the United States around the turn of the century. The American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the first Boxer in 1904, and recognized the first Boxer champion, Dampf vom Dom, in 1915. During World War I, the Boxer was co-opted for military work, acting as a valuable messenger dog, pack-carrier, attack dog, and guard dog. It was not until after World War II that the Boxer became popular around the world. Boxer mascots, taken home by returning soldiers, introduced the dog to a much wider audience and it soon became a favorite as a companion, a show dog, and a guard dog.

Early genealogy

The German citizen George Alt, a Munich resident, mated a brindle-colored bitch imported from France named Flora with a local dog of unknown ancestry, known simply as "Boxer", resulting in a fawn-and-white male, named "Lechner's Box" after its owner. This dog was mated with his own dam Flora, and one of its offspring was a bitch called Alt's Schecken. George Alt mated Schecken with a Bulldog named Dr. Toneissen's Tom to produce the historically significant dog ''Mühlbauer's Flocki. Flocki was the first Boxer to enter the German Stud Book after winning the aforementioned show for St. Bernards in Munich 1895, which was the first event to have a class specific for Boxers.

The white bitch Ch. Blanka von Angertor, Flocki's sister, was even more influential when mated with Piccolo von Angertor (Lechner's Box grandson) to produce the predominantly white (parti-colored) bitch Meta von der Passage, which, even bearing little resemblance with the modern Boxer standard (early photographs depicts her as too long, weak-backed and down-faced), is considered the mother of the breed. John Wagner, on his The Boxer (first published in 1939) said the following regarding this bitch:

"Meta von der Passage played the most important role of the five original ancestors. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white parti-color, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing bitch few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day pedigrees. Combined with Wotan and Mirzl children, they made the Boxer."

Breed name

The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from the breed's tendency to play by standing on its hind legs and "boxing" with its front paws. According to Andrew H. Brace on his "Pet owner's guide to the Boxer" this theory is the least plausible explanation. He claims "it's unlikely that a nation so permeated with nationalism would give to one of its most famous breeds a name so obviously anglicised".

German linguistic sciences and historical evidence date from the 18th century the earliest written source for the word Boxer, found in a text in the "Deutsches Fremdwörterbuch" (The German Dictionary of Foreign Languages), which cites an author named Musäus of 1782 writing "daß er aus Furcht vor dem großen Baxer Salmonet ... sich auf einige Tage in ein geräumiges Packfaß ... absentiret hatte". At that time the spelling "baxer" equalled "boxer". Both the verb ("boxen") and the noun ("Boxer") were common German language as early as the late 18th century. The term "Boxl", also written "Buxn" or "Buchsen", in the Bavarian dialect means "short (leather) trousers" or "underwear". The very similarly sounding term "Boxerl" is also Bavarian dialect and an endearing term for "Boxer". More in line with historical facts, Brace states that there exist many other theories to explain the origin of the breed name, from which he favors the one claiming the smaller Bullenbeisser (Brabanter) were also known as "Boxl" and that Boxer is just a corruption of that word.

In the same vein runs a theory based on the fact that there were a group of dogs known as "Bierboxer" in Munich by the time of the breed's development. These dogs were the result from mixes of Bullenbeisser and other similar breeds. Bier (beer) probably refers to the Biergarten, the typical Munich beergarden, an open-air restaurant where people used to take their dogs along. The nickname "Deutscher Boxer" was derived from bierboxer and Boxer could also be a corruption of the former or a contraction of the latter.

"Boxer" is also the name of a dog owned by John Peerybingle, the main character on the best selling 1845 book The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens, which is evidence that "Boxer" was commonly used as a dog name by the early 19th century, before the establishment of the breed by the end of that same century.

The name of the breed could also be simply due to the names of the very first known specimens of the breed (Lechner's Box, for instance).

Famous Boxers

* Deego Aegis, an anthropomorphic Boxer humanoid in the video game, Rogue Galaxy.
* "6 Boxers Boxing", in the movie The 12 Dogs of Christmas.
* Wilson, in the movie Good Boy!.
* Rocky I-IV, in the TV show The King of Queens episode "Dog Shelter".
* Hampton, in the movie Thirteen.
* Albert, in the popular BBC soap opera EastEnders

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Boxer".

Boston Terrier

2008-02-21T10:44:00.001-08:00

Where to rescue a Boston Terrier

Overview

Build: Compact, well-muscled
Weight: 10-25 pounds (4.5-11.3kg.)
Height: 15-17 inches (38.1-43cm.)
Coat: Short, brilliant, and of a fine texture
Color: Brindle & white, black & white, brown & white
Head: Short, wide muzzle
Teeth: Short and regular, with even bite
Eyes: Round, set far apart
Ears: Small, erect
Tail: Set low, short, fine and tapering
Limbs: Straight and muscular
Feet: Small, round, compact
Life span: Median 15+ years

The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America.

Boston Terriers are typically small, compactly built, well proportioned dogs with erect ears, short tails, and a short muzzle that should be free of wrinkles. They usually have a square sort of face. According to international breed standard, the dog should weigh no less than 10 pounds and no more than 25 pounds. Boston Terriers usually stand 15-17 inches at the withers.

The Boston Terrier is characteristically marked with white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three. Seal is a color specifically used to describe Boston Terriers and is defined as a black color with red highlights when viewed in the sun or bright light. If all other qualities are identical, brindle is the preferred color according to most breed standards.

Ideally, white should cover its chest, muzzle, band around the neck, half way up the forelegs, up to the hocks on the rear legs, and a white blaze between but not touching the eyes. In show dogs, symmetrical markings are preferred.[3] Due to the Boston Terrier's markings resembling formal wear, in addition to its refined and pleasant personality, the breed is commonly referred to as the "American Gentleman." The breed is known for its gentle, alert, and intelligent expression.

Frequently, variations on the standard are seen depending on the ancestry of the individual dog. At various times, the Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, English Mastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and French Bulldog—among other breeds—have been crossbred with Boston Terrier lines to minimize inbreeding in what is necessarily a small gene pool.

Temperament

While originally bred for fighting, they were later down bred for companionship. The modern Boston Terrier can be gentle, alert, expressive, and well-mannered. Many still retain the spunky attitude of the typical terrier. It must be noted however, that they are not considered terriers by the American Kennel Club, but are part of the non-sporting group. Boston Terrier is something of a misnomer. They were originally a cross-breed between the Old English Bulldog and the English White Terrier.[4] Both of these breeds are now extinct.

Some Bostons enjoy having another one for companionship. Both females and males generally bark only when necessary. Having been bred as a companion dog, they enjoy being around people, and, if properly socialized, get along well with children, the elderly, other canines, and non-canine pets. Boston Terriers can be very cuddly, while others are more independent.

Health

Several health issues are of concern in the Boston Terrier: cataracts (both juvenile and adult type), cherry eye, luxating patellas, deafness, heart murmur, and allergies. Curvature of the back, called roaching, might be caused by patella problems with the rear legs, which in turn causes the dog to lean forward onto the forelegs.[1] This might also just be a structural fault with little consequence to the dog. Many Bostons cannot tolerate excessive heat and also extremely cold weather, due to the shortened muzzle, so hot or cold weather combined with demanding exercise can bring harm to a Boston Terrier.

Bostons, along with Pug, Pekingese, Shih Tzu and other short-snouted breeds are Brachycephalic breeds. The word comes from Greek roots "Brachy," meaning short and "cephalic," meaning head. This anatomy can cause tiny nostrils, long palates and a narrow trachea. Because of this, Bostons maybe be prone to snoring and reverse sneeze, a rapid and repeated forced inhalation through the nose, accompanied by snorting or gagging sounds used to clear the palate of muscus. Bostons are also prone to sensitive stomachs and intestinal gas.

They can live up to 15 years or more, with an average of around 13 years.

History

The Boston Terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog known as Hooper's Judge, a cross between the Old English Bulldog and the English White Terrier. (Both of these breeds are extinct)

Judge weighed over 30 pounds (13.5 kilos). He was bred down in size with a smaller female and one of his male pups was bred to yet a smaller female. Their offspring interbred with one or more French Bulldogs, providing the foundation for the Boston Terrier. Bred down in size from pit-fighting dogs of the bull and terrier types, the Boston Terrier originally weighed up to 44 pounds (20 kg.) (Olde Boston Bulldogge). Their weight classifications were once divided into lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight.

The breed was first shown in Boston in 1870. By 1889 the breed had become sufficiently popular in Boston that fanciers formed the American Bull Terrier Club, but this proposed name for the breed was not well received by the Bull Terrier Fanciers. The breed's nickname, "roundheads", was similarly inappropriate. Shortly after, at the suggestion of James Watson (a noted writer and authority), the club changed its name to the Boston Terrier Club and in 1893 it was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club.

In 1893, the American Kennel Club (AKC) admitted the Boston Terrier breed and gave the club membership status, making it the first US breed to be recognized. It is one of a small number of breeds to have originated in the United States that the AKC recognizes.

The Boston Terrier was the first non-sporting dog bred in the US.

In the early years, the color and markings were not very important, but by the 1900s the breed's distinctive markings and color were written into the standard, becoming an essential feature. Terrier only in name, the Boston Terrier has lost most of its ruthless desire for mayhem, preferring the company of humans, although some males will still challenge other dogs if they feel their territory is being invaded.

Boston Terriers were particularly popular during the 1920's in the US.

Miscellaneous

* In 1979, the state legislature recognized the Boston Terrier as the state dog of Massachusetts.
* Rhett the Boston Terrier is the well-known mascot of Boston University.
* Buster Brown and his Boston Terrier dog Tige, a comic strip character created in 1902 by Richard Felton Outcault.
* Sergeant Stubby, a possible Pit Bull-Boston Terrier cross, was the most decorated war dog of World War I, and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat. Stubby also served as one of Georgetown University's earliest mascots (before the Bulldog was adopted as the official breed of the university's mascots).
* The Boston Terrier is the mascot of Wofford College. Mascots currently include "Boss the Terrier" and "Lil' Ruff" (both Boston Terrier characters) and Blitz (a purebred Boston Terrier).
* Redlands High School in Redlands, California has the (Boston) Terrier as their mascot.
* Toto is drawn as a Boston Terrier in several Oz Books.
* Helen Keller was given a Boston Terrier named Phiz by some of her classmates from Radcliffe College.
* United States President Warren G. Harding owned a Boston Terrier.
* Charmed actress Rose McGowan is a known Boston Terrier lover. She herself owns two, Bug and Fester. She is also an animal rights activist and works closely with rescue centres to help improve the lives of mistreated Boston Terriers. Rose also donates money to the Boston Terrier Rescue Net, an organisation that helps raise money to rescue and re-home neglected Boston Terriers.
* A Boston Terrier named Bruiser is the mascot of Fat Wreck Chords.
* The NOFX record 13 Stitches features a Boston Terrier on the cover.
* Denise Richards has a Boston Terrier named Lucy, which was seen on an episode of National Geographic Channel's The Dog Whisperer.
* Dom Howard, drummer for the rock band Muse, and his girlfriend own a Boston terrier named Hendrix.
* Tucker Ensley,guitarist for the rock band Secret Lives of the Freemasons, and his girlfriend Jessika Carney own a Boston Terrier named Ninja.
* Boss Hogg of 'Dukes of Hazzard' fame owns a Boston Terrier.
* Jonathan Hughes (of punk band 25 Minutes to Go and Revolution Charlotte) and his wife Stephanie own a Boston Terrier named Pickles Blueberry Hughes.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Boston Terrier".

Bichon Frise

2008-02-20T09:44:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Bichon Frise

Overview
Build: Small, sturdy
Weight: 7-12 pounds (3-5 kg)
Height: 9-12 inches (23-30 cm)
Coat: Textured outer coat lined with a soft, fine, silky undercoat that is 3 to 4 inches (7-10 cm) long
Color: White, often with shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or on the body
Head: In proportion to the body
Teeth: Scissors
Eyes: Round, black or dark brown and set in the skull to look directly forward
Ears: Covered with long, flowing hair
Tail: Well plumed, with hair of tail resting on the back
Limbs: Straight
Feet: Tight, round, cat-like
Life span: Median 15+ years

A Bichon Frisé (French, literally meaning Curly lap dog; often spelled Bichon Frise in English) is a small breed of dog. They are popular pets, similar in appearance to but larger than the Maltese. They are very intelligent and generally have happy dispositions. They are a non-shedding breed that requires regular grooming.

Temperament

The well-bred Bichon Frisé is feisty, sensitive, playful, and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is a prominent personality trait. Most Bichons enjoy socializing with people and most dogs. Bichons may be relatively stubborn, but are also said to be patient. They may tend to nip gently in play. They may have sudden bursts of energy resulting in the "blitz" or "buzz", where they race around in circles. They are great around children and also good watch dogs. They tend to be very friendly towards people even outside of the immediate family.

Special Considerations

Bichons can also be hard to house train. A crate is usually the best method of training. The puppy should come to see his crate as his personal space so avoid using it as discipline for bad behaviour to maximise house training potential.

Because Bichons do not shed, they are suitable for many people with allergies; however human sensitivity to dog fur varies considerably. People with dog allergies should first visit with a Bichon to test their individual reaction before committing to ownership.

Like most non-shedding dogs, Bichons are high-maintenance. They require regular grooming, which can be expensive and/or time-consuming. If you don't brush their fur, it will get matted and tangled.

Grooming and Skin/Coat Care

Because Bichons are so susceptible to skin problems and allergies, good grooming practices are very important. Bichon frises should be professionally groomed at least once every three months.

Bichons being shown in conformation (i.e., in dog shows such as the Westminster Kennel Club show) have their coat styled in the full-volume cut required by most show standards. Bichons not being shown are more often kept in a "puppy cut," which is shorter and requires less maintenance.

Like all dogs that require frequent grooming, Bichons should be accustomed to grooming from a young age and care should be taken to keep grooming pleasurable. Bichons should be brushed several times a week to prevent tangles. Frequent grooming creates a puffier coat. To prevent matting, the coat should be kept clean, brushed thoroughly before bathing, and brushed and completely dried after bathing. Hair dryers designed for dog grooming are generally preferred over human hair dryers. Dog dryers are cooler and blow air with more force than human hair dryers. Some breeders use products such as baking soda or cornflower to dry the hair but this can lead to the hair becoming brittle. Excess hair should be removed regularly from ears and between foot pads. Owners should clean their dog's hind (anal) area with a damp cloth after each bowel movement to keep feces from sticking to the hair.

The bichon's nails grow at a fast to moderate rate so nails should be cut carefully to prevent then being caught and a vein breaking.

The fur on the face of a Bichon Frisé should be kept clean and trimmed, as eye discharge and mucus tend to accumulate in the hair that grows in front of their eyes. In common with most white dogs Bichons are prone to tear-staining around the eyes. Tear staining may be caused by allergies, infections, blocked tear ducts, stray eyelashes, or foreign material in the eyes. It is generally good practice to wipe away the tears on a daily basis. A saline solution may help. There are topical wipes available from pet stores that have been shown to help some dogs..

If skin problems develop or if eye discharge is excessive, a veterinarian should be consulted. Problems due to allergies may be require medication or a change in diet.

Health

Morbidity (Illness)

Although Bichons are often considered a "hypoallergenic" breed for people prone to dog allergies, Bichons themselves are unusually prone to allergies. Between a quarter and half of Bichons (depending on the particular survey) in USA/Canada surveys have skin problems and allergies, including atopy (inhalant allergies). Skin problems in Bichons were less often reported by owners in a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, but were still more prevalent than among other breeds. Other health issues unusually common in Bichons include dental disease, patellar luxation and cruciate ligament tears, and bladder and kidney stones.

Bichon frises, like many other dogs with fluffy, flappy ears are prone to ear mites and usually need constant care around the ears.

Mortality (Longevity and Causes of Death)

Bichons in (combined) UK and USA/Canada surveys had an average life span of about 12.2 years, with Bichons in the UK tending to live longer than Bichons in the USA/Canada.[3] This breed's longevity is similar to other breeds of its size and a little longer than for purebred dogs in general. The longest lived of 34 deceased Bichons in a 2004 UK survey died at 16.5 years. The oldest Bichons for which there are reliable records in various USA/Canada surveys have died at 19 years.
In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the leading causes of Bichon death were old age (23.5%) and cancer (21%).[2] In a 2007 USA/Canada breeders survey, the leading causes of death were cancer (22%), unknown causes (14%), hematologic (11%), and old age (10%).[1] Hematologic causes of death were divided between autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP). AIHA and ITP were responsible for the greatest amount of Bichon "years lost." "Years lost" is a measure of the extent to which a condition kills members of a breed prematurely. While cancer is a more common cause of death than AIHA/ITP, Bichons that died of cancer died at a median age of 12.5 years. Hematologic deaths occurred at a median age of only 5 years. Bichons in the UK survey had a lower rate of hematologic deaths (3%) than in the USA/Canada survey (11%).

AIHA and ITP

Because autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, also called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) are responsible for so many premature Bichon deaths, Bichon owners should be particularly alert to the symptoms of these conditions. In AIHA, the dog's immune system attacks its own red blood cells, leading to severe, life-threatening anemia. Symptoms include weakness, loss of energy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, dark urine, and pale or yellow gums. Thrombocytopenia often accompanies AIHA.[6] In ITP, blood platelets (which cause blood clotting) are destroyed. The most common clinical signs are hemorrhages of the skin and mucus membranes. Owners of Bichons showing suspicious symptoms should seek immediate veterinary care as these diseases can strike with little or no warning and kill very quickly. Mortality rates of 20% to 80% are reported.

History

The Bichon Frisé descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, Poodle, and a generally white, small "lap" or ladies' dog, which existed in the Mediterranean area as far back as 600-300 B.C. from which came the name "Barbichon", later shortened to "Bichon". The Bichons were divided into four categories: the Bichon Maltais, the Bichon Bolognais, the Bichon Havanais and the Bichon Tenerife. All originated in the Mediterranean area.

Because of their merry disposition, they traveled much and were often used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent. The dogs found early success in Spain and it is generally felt that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Tenerife. In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the continent, where they became great favorites of Italian nobility. Often, as was the style of the day with dogs in the courts, they were cut "lion style."

The Bichon went to sea as a working Spanish boat dog. They were perfect for a boat because they do not shed, don't need a lot of exercise, and are fine companions, as well as obedient and easily trained. Though not considered a retriever or water dog, the Bichon, due to its ancestry, has an affinity for and enjoys water and retrieving. On the boats however, the dog's job was to meet and greet people with great enthusiasm. Their purpose was to make weary people smile and feel at ease, but most of all to cause these people to like the Spanish. It is one of the few dogs that has eyes like a human, that it shows the whites of its eye as well as expressions of happiness in them. The Bichons were the little happy ambassadors for the Spanish at every new port of call.

The "Tenerife", or "Bichon", had success in France during the Renaissance under Francis I (1515-47), but its popularity skyrocketed in the court of Henry III (1574-89). The breed also enjoyed considerable success in Spain as a favorite of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school often included them in their works. For example, the famous artist, Goya, included a Bichon in several of his works.

Interest in the breed was renewed during the rule of Napoleon III, but then waned until the late 1800s when it became the "common dog", running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and doing tricks in circuses and fairs. Even though the bichon frise is no longer known as a common dog, when you go to a circus if any of the acts contain a dog it's very likely to be a bichon due to it's high ability to learn.

On March 5, 1933, the official standard of the breed was adopted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. As the breed was known by two names at that time, "Tenerife" and "Bichon", the president of the International Canine Federation proposed a name based on the characteristics that the dogs presented - the Bichon Frisé. ("Frisé" refers to the dog's soft, curly hair.) On October 18, 1934, the Bichon Frisé was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club.

The Bichon was popularised in Australia in the mid 1960s, largely thanks to the Channel Nine mini-series Meweth, starring Bruce Gyngell alongside his pet bichon, Molly. The show ran for one season only, however it gained a cult following. In subsequent years Bichon ownership, especially in the Eastern states, climbed dramatically.

The Bichon was brought to the United States in 1955, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.

The first US-born Bichon litter was whelped in 1956. In 1959 and 1960, two breeders in different parts of the USA acquired Bichons, which provided the origins for the breed's development in the USA.

The Bichon Frisé became eligible to enter the AKC's Miscellaneous Class on September 1, 1971. In October, 1972, the breed was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. On April 4, 1973, the breed became eligible to show in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC dog shows.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Bichon Frise".

Beagle

2008-02-19T17:22:00.000-08:00

Where to rescue a Beagle

Overview
Height: Dogs 14-16 inches (36-41cm) Bitches 13-15 inches (33-38cm)
There are two height classes, 13-15 inches (33-38cm) and under 13 inches (33cm).
Weight: Dogs 22-25 pounds (10-11kg) Bitches 20-23 pounds (9-10kg)
Life Expectancy: About 12-15 years

The Beagle is a breed of medium-sized dog. A member of the Hound Group, it is similar in appearance to the Foxhound but smaller, with shorter legs and longer, softer ears. Beagles are scent hounds, developed primarily for tracking hare, rabbit, and other game. They have a keen sense of smell and tracking instinct that often sees them employed as detection dogs for prohibited agricultural imports and foodstuffs in quarantine around the world. They are popular as pets because of their size, even temper, and lack of inherited health problems. These characteristics also make them the dog of choice for animal testing.

Although beagle-type dogs have existed for over 2,000 years, the modern breed was developed in Britain around the 1830s from several breeds, including the Talbot Hound, the North Country Beagle, the Southern Hound, and possibly the Harrier.

Beagles have been depicted in popular culture since Elizabethan times in literature and paintings, and latterly in film, television and comic books. Snoopy of the comic strip Peanuts has been promoted as "the world's most famous beagle".

History

Early beagle-type dogs

Dogs of similar size and purpose to the modern Beagle[a] can be traced back to around the 5th century BC. Xenophon, born around 433 BC, in his Treatise on Hunting refers to a hound that hunted hares by scent and was followed on foot. Dogs of this type were taken to Rome and may have been imported to Roman Britain. Small hounds are mentioned in the Forest Laws of Canute which exempted them from the ordinance which commanded that all dogs capable of running down a stag should have one foot mutilated. If genuine, Canute's laws would confirm that beagle-type dogs were present in England before 1016, but it is likely they were written in the Middle Ages to give a sense of antiquity and tradition to Forest Law.

In the 11th century, William the Conqueror brought the Talbot hound to Great Britain. The Talbot was a predominantly white, slow, deep-throated, scent hound derived from the St Hubert Hound which had been developed in the 8th century. At some point the English Talbots were crossed with Greyhounds to give them an extra turn of speed.[5] Long extinct, the Talbot strain probably gave rise to the Southern Hound which, in turn, is thought to be an ancestor of the modern day Beagle.[b]

From medieval times, beagle was used as a generic description for the smaller hounds, though these dogs differed considerably from the modern breed. Miniature breeds of beagle-type dogs were known from the times of Edward II and Henry VII, who both had packs of Glove Beagles, so named since they were small enough to fit on a glove, and Queen Elizabeth I kept a breed known as a Pocket Beagle, which stood 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) at the shoulder. Small enough to fit in a "pocket" or saddlebag, they rode along on the hunt. The larger hounds would run the prey to ground, then the hunters would release the small dogs to continue the chase through underbrush. Elizabeth I referred to the dogs as her singing beagles and often entertained guests at her royal table by letting her Pocket Beagles cavort amid their plates and cups. Nineteenth-century sources refer to these breeds interchangeably and it is possible that the two names refer to the same small variety. In George Jesse's Researches into the History of the British Dog from 1866, the early 17th century poet and writer Gervase Markham is quoted referring to the Beagle as small enough to sit on a man's hand and to the:

little small mitten-beagle, which may be companion for a ladies kirtle, and in the field will run as cunningly as any hound whatere, only their musick is very small like reeds.

Standards for the Pocket Beagle were drawn up as late as 1901; these genetic lines are now extinct, although modern breeders have attempted to recreate the variety.

Eighteenth century

By the 1700s two breeds had been developed for hunting hare and rabbit: the Southern Hound and the North Country Beagle (or Northern Hound). The Southern Hound, a tall, heavy dog with a square head, and long ears, was common from south of the River Trent and probably closely related to the Talbot Hound. Though slow, it had stamina and an excellent scenting ability. The North Country Beagle, possibly a cross between an offshoot of the Talbot stock and a Greyhound, was bred chiefly in Yorkshire and was common in the northern counties. It was smaller than the Southern Hound, less heavy-set and with a more pointed muzzle. It was faster than its southern counterpart but its scenting abilities were less well developed. As fox hunting became increasingly popular, numbers of both types of hound diminished. The beagle-type dogs were crossed with larger breeds such as Stag Hounds to produce the modern Foxhound. The beagle-type varieties came close to extinction but some farmers in the South ensured the survival of the prototype breeds by maintaining small rabbit-hunting packs.

Development of the modern breed

Reverend Phillip Honeywood established a Beagle pack in Essex in the 1830s and it is believed that this pack formed the basis for the modern Beagle breed. Although details of the pack's lineage are not recorded it is thought that North Country Beagles and Southern Hounds were strongly represented; William Youatt suspected that Harriers formed a good majority of the Beagles bloodline, but the origin of the Harrier is itself obscure. Honeywood's Beagles were small, standing at about 10 inches (25 cm) at the shoulder, and pure white according to John Mills (writing in The Sportsman's Library in 1845). Prince Albert and Lord Winterton also had Beagle packs around this time, and Royal favour no doubt led to some revival of interest in the breed, but Honeywood's pack was regarded as the finest of the three.

Although credited with the development of the modern breed, Honeywood concentrated on producing dogs for hunting and it was left to Thomas Johnson to refine the breeding to produce dogs that were both attractive and capable hunters. Two strains were developed: the rough- and smooth-coated varieties. The rough-coated Beagle survived until the beginning of the 20th century, and there were even records of one making an appearance at a dog show as late as 1969, but this variety is now extinct having probably been absorbed into the standard Beagle bloodline.

In the 1840s, a standard Beagle type was beginning to develop: the distinction between the North Country Beagle and Southern Hound had been lost, but there was still a large variation in size, character, and reliability among the emerging packs.[13] In 1856, "Stonehenge" (the pseudonym of John Henry Walsh, editor of The Field), writing in the Manual of British Rural Sports was still dividing Beagles into four varieties: the medium Beagle; the dwarf or lapdog Beagle; the fox Beagle (a smaller, slower version of the Foxhound); and the rough-coated or terrier Beagle, which he classified as a cross between any of the other varieties and one of the Scottish terrier breeds. Stonehenge also gives the start of a standard description:

In size the beagle measures from 10 inches (250 mm), or even less, to 15. In shape they resemble the old southern hound in miniature, but with more neatness and beauty; and they also resemble that hound in style of hunting.
By 1887 the threat of extinction was on the wane: there were 18 Beagle packs in England. The Beagle Club was formed in 1890 and the first standard drawn up at the same time. The following year the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles was formed. Both organisations aimed to further the best interests of the breed, and both were keen to produce a standard type of Beagle. By 1902 the number of packs had risen to 44.

Export

Beagles were in the United States by the 1840s at the latest, but the first dogs were imported strictly for hunting and were of variable quality. Since Honeywood had only started breeding in the 1830s, it is unlikely these dogs were representative of the modern breed and the description of them as looking like straight-legged Dachshunds with weak heads has little resemblance to the standard. Serious attempts at establishing a quality bloodline began in the early 1870s when General Richard Rowett from Illinois imported some dogs from England and began breeding. Rowett's Beagles are believed to have formed the models for the first American standard, drawn up by Rowett, L. H. Twadell, and Norman Ellmore in 1887. The Beagle was accepted as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884. In the 20th century the breed has spread worldwide.

Popularity

On its formation, the Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles took over the running of a regular show at Peterborough that had started in 1889, and the Beagle Club in the UK held its first show in 1896. The regular showing of the breed led to the development of a uniform type, and the Beagle continued to prove a success up until the outbreak of World War I when all shows were suspended. After the war the breed was again struggling for survival in Britain: the last of the Pocket Beagles were probably lost during this time, and registrations fell to an all time low. A few breeders (notably Reynalton Kennels) managed to revive interest in the dog and by the time of World War II, the breed was once again doing well. Registrations dropped again after the end of the war but almost immediately recovered. In 1959 Derawunda Vixen won "Best in Show" at Crufts.

As a pedigree dog, Beagles have always been more popular in the United States and Canada than in their native country. The National Beagle Club of America was formed in 1888 and by 1901 a Beagle had won a Best in Show title. As in the UK, activity during World War I was minimal, but the breed showed a much stronger revival in the US when hostilities ceased. In 1928 it won a number of prizes at the Westminster Kennel Club's show and by 1939 a Beagle, Champion Meadowlark Draughtsman, had captured the title of top-winning American-bred dog for the year. On 12 February 2008, a Beagle won the Best In Show category at the Westminster Kennel Club show for the first time in the competition's history. In North America they have been consistently in the top ten most popular breeds for over 30 years. From 1953 to 1959 the Beagle was ranked number one on the list of the American Kennel Club's registered breeds; in 2005 and 2006 it ranked 5th out of the 155 breeds registered. In the UK they are not quite so popular, placing 28th and 30th in the rankings of registrations with the Kennel Club in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

Name

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first mention of the beagle by name in English literature dates from ca. 1475 in the Esquire of Low Degree. The origin of the word "beagle" is uncertain, although it has been suggested that the word derives from the French begueule (meaning "open throat" from bayer "open wide" and gueule "mouth") or from an Old English, French, or the Gaelic word beag, meaning "little." Other possibilities include the French beugler (meaning "to bellow") and the German begele (meaning "to scold").

It is not known why the black and tan Kerry Beagle, present in Ireland since Celtic times, has the beagle description, since at 22 to 24 inches (56 to 61 cm) it is significantly taller than the modern day Beagle, and in earlier times was even larger. Some writers suggest that the Beagle's scenting ability may have come from cross-breeding earlier strains with the Kerry Beagle. Originally used for hunting stags, it is today used for hare and drag hunting.

Description

Appearance

The general appearance of the Beagle resembles a Foxhound in miniature, but the head is broader and the muzzle shorter, the expression completely different and the legs shorter in proportion to the body. They are generally between 13 and 16 inches (33 and 41 cm) high at the withers and weigh between 18 and 35 lb (8 and 16 kg), with females being slightly smaller than males on average.

They have a smooth, somewhat domed skull with a medium-length, square-cut muzzle and a black (or occasionally liver), gumdrop nose. The jaw is strong and the teeth scissor together with the upper teeth fitting perfectly over the lower teeth and both sets aligned square to the jaw. The eyes are large, hazel or brown, with a mild hound-like pleading look. The large ears are long, soft and low-set, turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the tips. Beagles have a strong, medium-length neck (which is long enough for them to easily bend to the ground to pick up a scent), with little folding in the skin but some evidence of a dewlap; a broad chest narrowing to a tapered abdomen and waist and a short, slightly curved tail tipped with white. The white tip, known as the "stern" or "flag" has been selectively bred for, as it allows the dog to be easily seen when its head is down following a scent. The tail does not curl over the back, but is held upright when the dog is active. The Beagle has a muscular body and a medium-length, smooth, hard coat. The front legs are straight and carried under the body while the rear legs are muscular and well bent at the stifles.

Colouring

Beagles appear in a range of colours. Although the tricolour (white with large black areas and light brown shading) is the most common, Beagles can occur in any hound colour. Tricoloured dogs occur in a number of shades, from the "Classic Tri" with a jet black saddle to the "Faded Tri" where the faint black markings are toned with brown. Some tricoloured dogs have a broken pattern, sometimes referred to as pied. These dogs have mostly white coats with patches of black and brown hair. Two-colour varieties always have a white base colour with areas of the second colour. Tan and white is the most common two-colour variety, but there is a wide range of other colours including lemon, a very light tan; red, a reddish, almost orange, brown; and liver, a darker brown. Liver is not common and is not permitted in some standards; it tends to occur with yellow eyes. Ticked or mottled varieties may be either white or black with different coloured flecks (ticking), such as the blue-mottled or bluetick Beagle, which has spots that appear to be a midnight-blue colour, similar to the colouring of the Bluetick Coonhound. Some tricolour Beagles also have ticking of various colours in their white areas.

Tricolour Beagles are almost always born black and white, with the brownish areas developing later. The brown may take between one and two years to fully develop. Some Beagles gradually change colour during their lives.

Sense of smell

Alongside the Bloodhound, the Beagle has one of the best developed senses of smell of any dog. In the 1950s, John Paul Scott and John Fuller began a 13 year study into canine behaviour. As part of this research, they tested the scenting abilities of various breeds by putting a mouse in a one acre field and timing how long it took the dogs to find it. The Beagles found it in less than a minute, while Fox Terriers took 15 minutes and Scottish Terriers failed to find it at all. Beagles are better at ground-scenting (following a trail on the ground) than they are at air-scenting, and for this reason they have been excluded from most mountain rescue teams in favour of collies, which use sight in addition to air-scenting and are more biddable. The long ears and large lips of the Beagle probably assist in trapping the scents close to the nose.

Variations

Breed Varieties
The American Kennel Club and the Canadian Kennel Club recognize two separate varieties of Beagle: the 13-inch (330 mm) for hounds less than 13 inches (33 cm), and the 15-inch (380 mm) for those between 13 and 15 inches (33 and 38 cm). The Kennel Club (UK) and FCI affiliated clubs recognize a single type, with a height of between 13 and 16 inches (33 and 41 cm).

English and American varieties are sometimes mentioned. However, there is no official recognition from any Kennel Club for this distinction. Beagles fitting the American Kennel Club standard—which disallows animals over 15 inches (38 cm)—are smaller on average than those fitting the Kennel Club standard which allows heights up to 16 inches (41 cm).

Pocket Beagles are sometimes advertised for sale but the bloodline for this variety is extinct, and, although the UK Kennel Club originally specified a standard for the Pocket Beagle in 1901, the variety is not now recognised by any Kennel Club. Often, small Beagles are the result of poor breeding or dwarfism.

A strain known as Patch Hounds was developed by Willet Randall and his family from 1896 specifically for their rabbit hunting ability. They trace their bloodline back to Field Champion Patch, but do not necessarily have a patchwork marking.

Hybrids

In the 1850s, Stonehenge recommended a cross between a Beagle and a Scottish terrier as a retriever. He found the crossbreed to be a good worker, silent and obedient, but it had the drawback that it was small and could barely carry a hare. More recently the trend has been for "designer dogs" and one of the most popular has been the Beagle/Pug cross known as a Puggle. Less excitable than a Beagle and with a lower exercise requirement, these dogs are suited to city dwelling.

Temperament

The Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. Described in several breed standards as "merry" they are amiable and not generally aggressive or timid. They enjoy company, and although they may initially be standoffish with strangers they are easily won over. They make poor guard dogs for this reason, although their tendency to bark or howl when confronted with the unfamiliar makes them good watch dogs; in a 1985 study conducted by Ben and Lynette Hart the Beagle was given the highest excitability rating along with the Yorkshire Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, West Highland White Terrier and Fox Terrier. Beagles are intelligent, but as a result of being bred for the long chase are single-minded and determined, which can make them hard to train. They are generally obedient but can be difficult to recall once they have picked up a scent and are easily distracted by smells around them. They do not generally feature in obedience trials; while they are alert, respond well to food-reward training, and are eager to please, they are easily bored or distracted.

Beagles are excellent with children and this is one of the reasons they have become popular family pets, but they are pack animals, and can be prone to separation anxiety.[40] Not all Beagles will howl, but most will bark when confronted with strange situations, and some will bay (also referred to as "speaking", "giving tongue" or "opening") when they catch the scent of potential quarry. They also generally get along well with other dogs. They are not demanding with regard to exercise; their inbred stamina means they do not easily tire when exercised, but they also do not need to be worked to exhaustion before they will rest, though regular exercise helps ward off the weight gain to which the breed is prone.

Health

The median longevity of Beagles is about 12.3 years,[43] which is a typical lifespan for a dog of their size.
Weight gain can be a problem in older or sedentary dogs, which in turn can lead to heart and joint problems.
Weight gain can be a problem in older or sedentary dogs, which in turn can lead to heart and joint problems.

Beagles may be prone to epilepsy, but this can be controlled with medication. Hypothyroidism and a number of types of dwarfism occur in Beagles. Two conditions in particular are unique to the breed: Funny Puppy, in which the puppy is slow to develop and eventually develops weak legs, a crooked back and although normally healthy, is prone to range of illnesses; and Chinese Beagle Syndrome in which the eyes are slanted and the outer toes are underdeveloped but otherwise development is as normal. Hip dysplasia, common in Harriers and in some larger breeds, is rarely considered a problem in Beagles.

In rare cases Beagles may develop immune mediated polygenic arthritis (where the immune system attacks the joints) even at a young age. The symptoms can sometimes be relieved by steroid treatments.

Their long floppy ears can mean that the inner ear does not receive a substantial air flow or that moist air becomes trapped, and this can lead to ear infections. Beagles may also be affected by a range of eye problems; two common ophthalmic conditions in Beagles are glaucoma and corneal dystrophy. "Cherry eye", a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, and distichiasis, a condition in which eyelashes grow into the eye causing irritation, sometimes exist; both these conditions can be corrected with surgery. They can suffer from several types of retinal atrophy. Failure of the nasolacrimal drainage system can cause dry eye or leakage of tears onto the face.

As field dogs they are prone to minor injuries such as cuts and sprains, and, if inactive, obesity is a common problem as they will eat whenever food is available and rely on their owners to regulate their weight. When working or running free they are also likely to pick up parasites such as fleas, ticks, harvest mites and tapeworms, and irritants such as grass seeds can become trapped in their eyes, ears or paws.

Beagles may exhibit a behaviour known as reverse sneezing, in which they sound as if they are choking or gasping for breath, but are actually drawing air in through the mouth and nose. The exact cause of this behaviour is not known, but it is not harmful to the dog.

Working life

Hunting

Beagles were developed primarily for hunting hare, an activity known as beagling. They were seen as ideal hunting companions for the elderly who could follow on horseback without exerting themselves, for young hunters who could keep up with them on ponies, and for the poorer hunters who could not afford to maintain a stable of good hunting horses. Before the advent of the fashion for foxhunting in the 19th century, hunting was an all day event where the enjoyment was derived from the chase rather than the kill. In this setting the tiny Beagle was well matched to the hare, as unlike Harriers they would not quickly finish the hunt, but because of their excellent scent-tracking skills and stamina they were almost guaranteed to eventually catch the hare. The Beagle packs would run closely together ("so close that they might be covered with a sheet"[10]) which was useful in a long hunt, as it prevented stray dogs from obscuring the trail. In thick undergrowth they were also preferred to spaniels when hunting pheasant.

With the fashion for faster hunts, the Beagle fell out of favour for chasing hare, but was still employed for rabbit hunting. In Anecdotes of Dogs, Jesse says:

In rabbit-shooting, in gorse and thick cover, nothing can be more cheerful than the beagle; and they have been called rabbit-beagles from this employment, for which they are peculiarly qualified, especially those dogs which are somewhat wire-haired.

In the United States they appear to have been employed chiefly for hunting rabbits from the earliest imports. Hunting hare with Beagles became popular again in Britain in the mid-19th century and continued until it was made illegal in Scotland by the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and in England and Wales by the Hunting Act 2004. Under this legislation Beagles may still pursue rabbits with the landowner's permission. Drag hunting is popular where hunting is no longer permitted or for those owners who do not wish to participate in blood sports but still wish to exercise their dog's innate skills.

The traditional foot pack consists of up to 70 Beagles, marshalled by a Huntsman who directs the pack and who is assisted by a variable number of whippers-in whose job is to return straying hounds to the pack. The Master of the Hunt is in overall day-to-day charge of the pack, and may or may not take on the role of Huntsman on the day of the hunt. Beagles may also be employed individually or in a brace (a pair).

As hunting with Beagles was seen as ideal for young people, many of the British public schools traditionally maintained Beagle packs. Protests were lodged against Eton's use of Beagles for hunting as early as 1902 but the pack is still in existence today, and a pack used by Imperial College in Wye, Kent was stolen by the Animal Liberation Front in 2001.[54] School and university packs are still maintained by Eton, Marlborough, Wye, Radley, the Royal Agricultural College and Christ Church, Oxford.

Beagles have been used for hunting a wide range of game including Snowshoe Hare, Cottontail rabbits, game birds, Roe Deer, Red Deer, Bobcat, Coyote, Wild Boar and foxes, and have even been recorded as being used to hunt Stoat. In most of these cases, the Beagle is employed as a gun dog, flushing game for hunter's guns.

Quarantine

Beagles are used as detection dogs in the Beagle Brigade of the United States Department of Agriculture. These dogs are used to detect food items in luggage being taken into the United States. After trialling several breeds, Beagles were chosen because they are relatively small and unintimidating for people who are uncomfortable around dogs, easy to care for, intelligent and work well for rewards. They are also used for this purpose a number of other countries including by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (New Zealand) in New Zealand, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and in Canada, Japan and the People's Republic of China. Larger breeds are generally used for detection of explosives as this often involves climbing over luggage and on large conveyor belts, work for which the smaller Beagle is not suited.

Testing

Beagles are the dog breed most often used in animal testing, due to their size and passive nature. Of the 8,018 dogs used in testing in the UK in 2004, 7,799 were Beagles (97.3%). In the UK, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 gave special status to primates, equids, cats and dogs and in 2005 the Animal Procedures Committee (set up by the act) ruled that testing on mice was preferable, even though a greater number of individual animals were involved. In 2005 Beagles were involved in less than 0.3% of the total experiments on animals in the UK, but of the 7670 experiments performed on dogs 7406 involved Beagles (96.6%). Most dogs are bred specifically for the purpose, by companies such as Harlan. In the UK companies breeding animals for research must be licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act.

Testing of cosmetic products on animals is banned in the member states of European Community, although France protested the ban and has made efforts to have it lifted. It is permitted in the United States but is not mandatory if safety can be ascertained by other methods, and the test species is not specified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When testing toxicity of food additives, food contaminants, and some drugs and chemicals the FDA uses Beagles and mini-pigs as surrogates for direct human testing.

Anti-vivisection groups have reported on abuse of animals inside testing facilities. In 1997 footage secretly filmed by a freelance journalist inside Huntingdon Life Sciences in the UK showed staff punching and screaming at Beagles. Consort Kennels, a UK-based breeder of Beagles for testing, closed down in 1997 after pressure from animal rights groups.

Medical research

In the United States where the breeds of dog used are not specified (although Beagles feature heavily in published research papers) the number of tests performed each year on dogs dropped by two-thirds, from 195,157 to 64,932, over the period from 1972 to 2004. In Japan the laws on animal experimentation do not require reporting on the types or number of animals used, and in France the proportion of inspectors to testing facilities means the regulatory environment is essentially one of trust.

Beagles are used in a range of research procedures: fundamental biological research, applied human medicine, applied veterinary medicine, and protection of man, animals or the environment.

Other roles

Although bred for hunting, Beagles are versatile and are nowadays employed for various other roles in detection, therapy, and as family pets.[30] Beagles are used as sniffer dogs for termite detection in Australia, and have been mentioned as possible candidates for drug and explosive detection. Because of their gentle nature and unimposing build, they are also frequently used in pet therapy, visiting the sick and elderly in hospital. In June 2006, a trained Beagle assistance dog was credited with saving the life of its owner after using his owner's mobile phone to dial an emergency number.

In popular culture

Beagles have featured across a wide range of media. References to the dog appear before the 19th century in works by such writers as William Shakespeare, John Webster, John Dryden, Thomas Tickell, Henry Fielding and William Cowper, and in Alexander Pope's translation of Homer's Iliad.[d]

Beagles appeared in comic strips and animated cartoons from the 1950s with the Peanuts character Snoopy (billed as the "the world's most famous Beagle"[1]), Walt Disney's Beagle Boys and Beegle Beagle, the constant companion of Hanna-Barbera's Grape Ape.

They have appeared in numerous films, taking a central role in Cats and Dogs, and the title roles in the adaptation of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's book Shiloh and the live-action version of Underdog. They have played supporting roles in films including Audition and The Royal Tenenbaums, and on television in Star Trek: Enterprise, EastEnders, The Wonder Years, and To the Manor Born among others.

Bagel, one of Barry Manilow's two Beagles, appeared on several of his album covers. Former US President Lyndon Baines Johnson had several Beagles, and caused an outcry when he picked up one of them by the ears during an official greeting on the White House lawn.

The ship on which Charles Darwin made his voyage which provided the material for his travel book The Voyage of the Beagle and much of the inspiration for On the Origin of Species was named HMS Beagle after the breed, and, in turn, lent its name to the ill-fated British Martian lander Beagle 2.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Beagle".

Basset Hound

2008-02-18T11:15:00.000-08:00

Basset Hound Rescue Centers

Overview

Build: Short-legged; proportionally heavier in bone than any other breed of dog
Weight: 50-65 pounds (23-29kg)
Height: 12-15 inches (30-38cm)
Coat: Short, hard and shiny
Color: Any recognized hound color is acceptable
Head: Large and well proportioned
Teeth: Scissors or even bite
Eyes: Brown, soft, sad, and slightly sunken, showing a prominent haw
Ears: Extremely long, velvety in texture, hanging in loose folds, low set, and when drawn forward, fold well over the end of the nose
Tail: Never docked
Limbs: Short, powerful, heavy
Feet: Massive, very heavy with tough heavy pads
Life span: Median 10-12 years

The Basset Hound is a short-legged breed of dog of the hound family. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt by scent. Their sense of smell for tracking is second only to that of the Bloodhound. The name Basset derives from the French word "bas" meaning "low;" "basset" (-et attenuating suffix) meaning, literally, "rather low."

These dogs are around 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 inches) in height at the withers. They usually weigh between 50-70lbs. They have smooth, short-haired coats but a rough haired hound is possible. Although any hound color is considered acceptable by breed standards, Bassets are generally tricolor (black, tan, and white), open red and white (red spots on white fur), closed red and white (a solid red color with white feet and tails), Honey And White (Honey Coloured Back, Light Brown Spotty Nose And Legs Light Brown Tails With White Tip) and lemon and white. Some Bassets are also classified as gray or blue; however, this color is considered rare and undesirable. They have long, downward ears and powerful necks, with much loose skin around their heads that forms wrinkles. Their tails are long and tapering and stand upright with a curve. The tail should also be tipped in white. This is so they are easily seen when hunting/tracking through large bushes or weeds. The breed is also known for its hanging skin structure, which causes the face to occasionally look sad; this, for many people, adds to the breed's charm. The dewlap, seen as the loose, elastic skin around the neck, and the trailing ears, help trap the scent of what they are tracking.

The Basset Hound is a large dog on short legs. They were originally bred by the French to have achondroplasia, known as dwarfism. Their short stature can be deceiving; Bassets are surprisingly long and can reach things on table tops that dogs of similar heights cannot.

Temperament

The Basset Hound is often considered a friendly breed. Bassets are friendly and welcome the opportunity to make new friends. For this reason they are an excellent pet for families with children and other pets. In fact, it is recommended that since Bassets are "pack" animals, if the Basset must be left alone on a daily basis during the daytime while the family is away, a second pet in the family will keep a Basset out of "trouble". Bassets hate to be alone. Like Beagles, Bassets can be excitable and may be when meeting someone new, especially other dogs.
Bassett Hounds enjoy human interaction
Bassett Hounds enjoy human interaction

While Bassets love food and may be less energetic than some breeds, they will exercise regularly if given the chance. Most Bassets enjoy activities that use their natural endurance, like long walks or hikes. They also enjoy tracking games that let them use their powerful nose. Listening is another skill they have due to their large ears increasing their hearing range.[citation needed] (Please see the [discussion section] for information on the disparity in thought regarding basset hound hearing capacity with respect to the breed's ears; this issue is contested).

Like other hounds, Basset Hounds are often difficult to train. Many Basset Hounds will obey commands when offered a food reward, but will "forget" the training when a reward is not present. Bassets are notoriously difficult to housebreak. Training and housebreaking are not impossible, however, and can be accomplished with consistency and patience on the part of the owner. Though basset hounds may be rather difficult to train, they are good problem solvers. Some can find ways to get into living room that are not humanly posible, and they are also famous for thinking ahead and stealing food.

The breed has a strong hunting instinct and will give chase or follow a scent if given the opportunity. They should be trained in recall; failing that, they should be kept on a leash when out on walks.

Bassets might howl or bark when they want something or to suggest that they think something is wrong (like a storm is coming). They also use a low, murmuring whine to get attention, which sounds to many owners as though their Bassets are "talking." This whine is also used by the hound to beg (for food or treats) and varies in volume depending on the nature of the individual hound and length of time it has been begging.

Pack hunting on foot

Hunting with Basset Hounds in a similar fashion as a fox hunt is common in the Mid-Atlantic States of Maryland, Virginia , New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Several private and membership packs exist in these locals. Hunting for cotton tails and hare is the quarry of preference. There were a number of Basset Hound packs in its original home of England when the hunting of hares (see Beagling) was made illegal by the Hunting Act 2004.

Hunting a hound pack requires a staff which consists of a Huntsman and the Whipper-Ins who are responsible for order and discipline of the pack. A Field Master is in charge of the field (members of the hunt and guests) that follows behind observing the hounds work the covert. Most clubs will hunt in traditional attire of a green jacket and brush pants. Recognized clubs offer those members who have supported the pack the opportunity to wear colors on the collar to indicate rank in the club.

These packs are typically of English and French hound blood lines with a mix of AKC blood lines in some packs. The National Beagle Club located at the Institute Farm in Aldie, Virginia approximately 50 miles west of Washington D.C. host spring and fall field trials for basset hounds. The competition held over a 4-day period with participating packs hunting in the traditional manner in braces of up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. The pack size for each competition varies, from 3 to 7 couple.

Health

Because of the extremely long ears of bassets they are prone to ear disease. If their ears are allowed to dangle on the ground or in food on a daily basis they are capable of developing chronic and potentially fatal ear diseases. The only recent mortality and morbidity surveys of Basset Hounds are from the UK: a 1999 longevity survey with a small sample size of 10 deceased dogs and a 2004 UK Kennel Club health survey with a larger sample size of 142 deceased dogs and 226 live dogs.

Mortality

Median longevity of Basset Hounds in the UK is about 11.4 years, which is a typical median longevity for purebred dogs and for breeds similar in size to Basset Hounds. The oldest of the 142 deceased dogs in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey was 16.7 years. Leading causes of death in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey were cancer (31%), old age (13%), GDV (=bloat/torsion, 11%), and cardiac (8%).

Morbidity

Among 226 live Basset Hounds in the 2004 UKC survey, the most common health issues noted by owners were dermatologic (e.g., dermatitis), reproductive, musculoskeletal (e.g., arthritis and lameness), and gastrointestinal (e.g. GDV and colitis).

Basset Hounds are also prone to glaucoma, luxating patella, thrombopathia, Von Willebrand disease, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia.

Care notes

Basset Hound owners should take particular note of the prevalence of GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as bloat or torsion) in this breed because this emergency condition requires immediate veterinary care if the dog is to survive.

Excessive weight in a long-backed, short-legged dog exacerbates musculoskeletal issues.

Long ears are prone to infection if not cleaned regularly. The pronounced haw of Basset Hound eyes can become dry and irritated.

Significant crossbreeds

A hybrid of a Labrador Retriever with a Basset Hound is known as the Bassetdor or Bassador. Also, (one of the most popular) is the basset/beagle mix, and is known as the Bagle.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Basset Hound".

Australian Shepherd

2008-02-15T10:19:00.000-08:00

Australian Shepherd Rescue Centers

Overview

Weight: 16-34 kg (35-75 lb)
Height: 43-58 cm (18-23 in)
Coat: Medium length double coat
Litter size: 5-8 puppies
Life span: Median 12-13 years

The Australian Shepherd is a breed of working dog that was developed on ranches in the Western United States. Despite its name, the breed, commonly known as an Aussie, did not in fact originate in Australia.[1][2] They acquired their name because of its association with sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia.

Australian Shepherds rose rapidly in popularity with the boom of western riding after World War II. They became known to the general public through rodeos, horse shows and through Disney movies made for television.

For decades, Aussies have been valued by stockmen for their inherent versatility and trainability. While they continue to work as stockdogs and compete in herding trials, the breed has earned recognition in other roles due to their trainability and eagerness to please and are highly regarded for their skills in obedience. Like all working breeds, the Aussie has considerable energy and drive and usually needs a job to do. It often excels at dog sports such as dog agility, flyball and frisbee. They are also highly successful Search and Rescue dogs, disaster dogs, detection dogs, guide, service and therapy dogs. And, above all, they are beloved family companions. Aussie's are very protective and may not be kindley to strangers. Aussie's will also try to herd anything that moves including people and all other variety of animals.

Appearance

The breed's general appearance varies greatly depending on the particular line's emphasis. As with many working breeds that are also shown in the ring, there are differences of opinion among breeders over what makes an ideal Australian Shepherd. In addition the breed can be split into two distinct lines - working and show dogs. Working dogs tend to have shorter coats, thinner and sometimes smaller whilst the show lines are bred according to breed standard and can have long fur.

Size

The Australian Shepherd Breed Standards for all major registries state that males should stand 21-23 inches at the shoulder; females 18-21 inches. Weight is not specified in the standard, though males normally weigh 45-60 pounds, and females normally weigh 35-45 pounds.

Color

The eight colors of Aussies are blue merle (black and gray with white patchwork), red merle (red and beige with white patchwork), black (which may or may not have white legs, a white chest, or a white collar), and red (which may or may not have white legs, a white chest, or a white collar); each of these colors may also have copper points on the eyebrows, cheeks, and/or legs to create four additional combinations. Thus, dogs with copper and white along with the primary color are called tricolor, dogs with white or copper along with the primary color are called bicolor, and dogs with no white or copper are referred to as self-colored. White should not appear on the body of the dog from topmost point of the shoulder blade to the tail except in the merles.
Color variants: Black tricolor, red merle, blue merle, red tricolor.
Color variants: Black tricolor, red merle, blue merle, red tricolor.

The wide variation of color combinations comes from the interaction between the a color allele, which is either black (B) dominant or red (b) recessive, and the dominant merle allele (M). Together, these provide four coat-color aspects that can appear in any combination:

* Black or Red
* Merle or not merle
* Self- or tan-pointed
* Solid color or trimmed with white

The merle allele, which produces a mingled or patchwork combination of dark and light areas, is the most common coat pattern associated with the breed. This merle (M) is dominant so that affected dogs (Mm) show the pigmentation pattern; however, when two merles are bred, there is a statistical risk that 25% of the offspring will end up with the two copies of the merle gene (homozygous). These dogs usually have a mostly white coat and blue irises, and are often deaf and/or blind. In this case, the deafness and blindness are linked to having two copies of the merle gene, which disrupts pigmentation and produces these health defects.

Eyes

Red merle with tan points and one brown eye and one blue eye. Blue merle with tan points with blue eyes
Red merle with tan points and one brown eye and one blue eye. Blue merle with tan points with blue eyes

There is also great variety in the Aussie's eye color. An early nickname for the breed was "ghost-eye dog". Aussie eyes may be green, hazel, amber, brown, or blue; they may have two different colored eyes, or even have bicolored or "split eyes" (for example, a half-brown, half-blue eye), which appear to be linked to the merle coloration. Merled eyes occur as well, where one color is mixed in and swirled with another. Any combination of eye color is acceptable in the breed standard, so long as the eyes are healthy. In general, however, black Aussies (self, bi-color or tri-color) tend to have brown eyes, while red (self, bi-color or tri-color) Aussies tend to have amber eyes. Though these Aussies may also carry the blue eyed gene.

Tail

A hallmark of the breed is a short bobbed or docked tail in countries where docking is permitted. Some Aussies are born with naturally short bobbed tails, others with full long tails, and others with natural partial bobs, where the tail is midlength and appears stubby. Breeders have historically docked the tails when the puppies are born. Even without a tail, the wagging movement of the hind end still occurs.

Some Australian Shepherd breeders opt to keep the tail on the dog for the natural look, which can still be shown in the breed ring.

Temperament

A Red Aussie with the alert, intense gaze common among herding dogs.
A Red Aussie with the alert, intense gaze common among herding dogs.

The Australian Shepherd is unique with regard to its temperament. There are two distinct types of personality to look for depending on the lines, as well as many shades within these two types.

Generally the breed is an energetic dog that requires exercise and enjoys working, whether it is learning and practicing tricks, competing in dog agility, or any other physically and mentally involving activity. Other Aussies would rather be with their humans and enjoying being couch potatoes. It is usually a sweet and affectionate dog who is faithful to its owners and should be good with children. Most Australian Shepherds make wonderful family dogs, provided there is at least one shepherd-figure to act as a leader and mentor to the dog.[citation needed]

Dogs with strong working instinct may show more reserved, guarding behaviors along with a tendency to chase or nip at running children or strangers if not properly trained. Its protective instinct and behaviors can be frightening to children, strangers, and small animals. Those bred for a more family-oriented temperament are more friendly and affectionate with strangers and generally more reliable around children. Because the breed was developed to serve on the ranch, a job which includes being protective of its property, it sometimes can be annoying with its inclination to bark warnings about neighborhood activity, but it is not generally an obsessively barking dog.

The Aussie is intelligent, learns quickly, and loves to play. This means that a bored, neglected, unexercised Aussie will invent its own games, activities, and jobs, which to a busy owner might appear to be hyperactivity: for example, an Aussie may go from being at rest to running at top speed for several 'laps' around the house before returning to rest, all apparently for no purpose. Without something to amuse them, Aussies often turn destructive of yard or property. Aussies also do best with plenty of human companionship: they are often called "velcro" for their strong desire to always be near their owners and for their tendency to form intense, devoted bonds with select people.

The Australian Shepherd has a reputation as a highly intelligent and versatile stock dog with a range of working styles. While improperly trained or frustrated Aussies may exhibit excessive running and barking, a good working Aussie is quick, thoughtful, and easy with its stock. The ability for the breed to adapt to the situation and think for itself makes it an excellent all-around worker. For this reason the Aussie is often chosen to work unusual livestock such as ducks, geese, and commercially raised rabbits.

Health

Mortality

Results of a 1998 internet survey with a sample size of 614 Australian Shepherds indicated a median longevity of about 12.5 years, but also that longevity may be declining. A 2004 UK survey found a much shorter median longevity of 9 years, but their sample size was low (22 deceased dogs).

The median life spans for breeds similar in size to Australian Shepherds are mostly between 11 and 13 yrs, so, assuming the results of the UK study are not representative of the population there, Aussies appear to have a typical life span for a breed their size. Leading causes of death in the UK survey were cancer (32%), "combinations" (18%), and old age (14%).

Morbidity

Based on a sample of 48 still-living dogs, the most common health issues noted by owners were eye problems (red eye, epiphora, conjunctivitis, and cataracts). Dermatologic and respiratory problems also ranked high.

Collie eye anomaly (CEA) and cataracts are considered major health concerns[citation needed] in Aussies. Other conditions of note include iris coloboma, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), Pelger-Huet syndrome, hypothyroidism, and nasal solar dermatitis. A veterinarian should test your Australian Shepherd's hips, eyes, thyroid and DNA (to check for CEA). The Australian Shepherd (as well as Collies, German Shepherds and many other herding dogs) are susceptible to toxicity from common heartworm preventatives (anti-parasitics) and other drugs[citation needed]. This is caused by a genetic mutation of the MDR1 gene[citation needed]. The most common toxicity is from the heartworm medicine Ivermectin found in products such as Heartgard[citation needed]. (Only at very high doses. Most dogs will not have problems with Ivermectin found in products such as Heartgard Plus.) A test is available to determine if a particular dog carries the mutated gene. Read here for more information.

Double Merle

Double merling,also known as lethal white, occurs when two merle dogs mate. Double merles are mostly white, and have blue eyes that usually have serious disorders. Not all have eye problems,but all will have hearing problems. Only irresponsible or uninformed breeders will allow two merles to breed and produce double merles.

History

The Australian Shepherd's history is vague, as is the reason for its misleading name It is believed by some the breed has Basque origins in Spain and was used there by shepherds[2]

What is known is that it developed in western North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
An Australian Shepherd from non-standard working lines; early breeders chose dogs for their abilities rather than conformation.
An Australian Shepherd from non-standard working lines; early breeders chose dogs for their abilities rather than conformation.

Breeds as we know them today did not exist before Victorian times, but local variations of the ancestors of different breeds that we know today came into America along with their owners and livestock. Included are some that are now extinct or that have merged into other breeds. These probably included the English Shepherd, Kelpie, Dorset Blue Shag, Cumberland Sheepdog, Scottish Collie, Glenwherry Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Welsh Sheepdog (which still includes a blue merle variety) and Bouvier des Flandres, as well as dogs from Germany and Spain. For many centuries, shepherds had more interest in dogs who performed well when helping to manage flocks of sheep than they had in the specific appearance of the dogs. As a result, over time, shepherds interbred dogs that they believed would produce better workers for the given climate and landscape. In the eastern U.S., Terrain and weather conditions were similar to that of Europe, however, so the existing imported breeds and their offspring worked well there.

However, in the American West, conditions were quite different. In the primarily arid and semiarid areas inhabited sparsely by early Spanish settlers, temperatures reached extremes of hot and cold, and fields varied in altitude from sea level into the higher, rougher Sierra Nevada and similar mountain ranges.[3] The ranchers in these areas often pasture livestock on remote ranges without attention for months at a time. They prefer aggressive herding dogs that can be taken to remote pastures and work unfamiliar cattle that are not accustomed to the dogs.

With the 1849 California Gold Rush, a massive migration occurred into to the west coast, and along with easterners came flocks of sheep and their eastern herding dogs; from the southwest came people and their dogs of Spanish descent. But it was just as effective to bring sheep in by ship, and in they came, including flocks from Australia and other regions, along with shepherds and their own herding breeds.

Dogs from Australia had already begun to be selected and bred for climates and terrains that were often similar to California.

As shepherds selected dogs who could handle stock in harsh storms, high arid heat, and chilling cold, and who could think on their own in challenging terrain, reacting instantly to the movement of sheep and to their handlers' commands, the type that became known as the Australian Shepherd was born.

It is not clear where the name "Australian" came from, although it is possible that many of the dogs coming from Australia were blue merle and, somehow, the adjective "Australian" became associated with any dogs of that coat color.

Recent history

Development of the breed began in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. The breed's foundation bloodlines are depicted in the Australian Shepherd Genealogy Chart showing the relationship between the early families of dogs.

Selective breeding for many generations focused on aspects of the dog that enabled it to function as an effective stockdog in the American west. It had to handle severe weather; have plenty of speed, athleticism, energy, and endurance; and be intelligent, flexible, and independent while remaining obedient. The Australian Shepherd remained more of a type than a breed until the 1950s, when they became popular as performing dogs in rodeos. Their stunts and skills earned them places in several Disney films, including Run Appaloosa Run and Stub: The Greatest Cowdog in the West.

Activities

A blue merle in a dog agility competition

Like other herding breeds, these dogs excel at many dog sports, especially herding, dog agility, frisbee, and flyball. The dog has a stride in which its front and back legs cross over, making for an appearance of "on the edge" speed. The dogs instinctively use a "pounce" position (see above) to deal with cattle trying to kick them. They also have strong hips and legs, allowing for fast acceleration and high jumping, sometimes as high as 4 ft (1.3m).

An Australian Shepherd named Pockets is credited as being the oldest dog to earn a title in AKC history, having earned the Rally Novice title at the age of 15 years, 5 weeks.

Miscellaneous

The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) was founded in 1957 to promote the breed. The National Stock Dog Registry became its official breed registry, which continued until ASCA took over in the 1972.

In 1975, ASCA created a breed standard, describing exactly how an Australian Shepherd should look and be constructed (its conformation). It developed more uniformity in the breed and standardized the type.

In the United States, the AKC is the primary registry for purebred dogs. However, many Aussie breeders felt that AKC put too much emphasis on conformation and not enough on performance, so ASCA declined to join the AKC. Those breeders who felt that AKC membership had its advantages split off from ASCA to form their own Australian Shepherd club, the United States Australian Shepherd Association, created their own breed standard, and joined the AKC in 1993. The decision about affiliation with the AKC remains controversial, as it does with many performance breeds.

In addition to the Miniature Australian Shepherd, the western United States are now seeing the emergence of an even smaller version, referred to as the Toy Australian Shepherd, with adult males tipping the scales at a mere 12 to 15 pounds (5.5 to 7 kg). The genetic consequences of breeding the standard Australian Shepherd down to one-quarter size remain to be seen. Some owners of Australian Shepherds consider the Mini and Toy to be separate breeds; others consider them to be downsized versions of the same breed. ASCA in particular considers all such variants to be separate breeds.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Australian Shepherd".

American Cocker Spaniel

2008-02-14T10:20:00.000-08:00

Rescue an American Cocker Spaniel

Overview
Build: Compact, with a short back
Weight: 15-30 pounds (7-14 kg.)
Height: 15 ½ inches (38cm.)
Coat: Profuse, silky, feathered, medium-length
Color: Buff, black, and other solid colors, black-and-tan, or parti-colored variations of these
Head: Chiseled with an abrupt stop, muzzle wide, deep and broad with a square jaw, the upper lip hanging down, covering the lower jaw completely
Teeth: Scissors bite
Eyes: Round and straightforward
Ears: Long and hanging
Tail: Usually docked
Limbs: Parallel, straight, strong
Feet: Compact, large, round and firm with horny pads
Life span: Median

The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of dog that originated in the United Kingdom and was brought to Canada and the United States in the late 1800s. American Cocker Spaniels were given their own AKC Stud Book in the early 1900s. By 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was distinct enough in type from the "American" variety, that the American Kennel Club established it as a breed separate from the English Cocker Spaniel. It was given its own Stud Book and that left the "American" type to be known as the Cocker Spaniel in the United States. They are in the sporting breed group of dogs and are the smallest of their group. American Cocker Spaniels were used to flush out birds and prey from the brush so their masters could shoot them.

The signature trait of the American Cocker Spaniel is its dark, expressive eyes that reflect a happy, loving, and active nature. Cockers are a dropped eared breed (pendulous ears) and the mature Cocker is shown in a full feathered, silky coat. After its show career ends, the fur is often trimmed into a "puppy cut", shortened on the legs, sides and belly, that is easier to keep whether as a pet, performance dog, or hunting companion. It is important to keep the hair clipped from both sides of the ear about one third down the ear flap. This helps to keep air flowing through the ear canal and reduce risk of ear infections from bacteria, injury or parasites.

Cockers weigh an average of 18 to 28 pounds. For show dogs, the ideal height of a Cocker Spaniel is 15 inches for dogs and 14 inches for bitches at the withers. An adult male who is over 15.5 inches, or an adult bitch over 14.5 inches would be disqualified in a conformation show. Bone and head size should be in proportion to the overall balance of the dog. The two finest Cocker specimens, Cosby and Sophie, were owned and raised in the United States by their owner HRH A.E. Rose. They have each won several Best in Shows.

Color

For North Americans conformation shows Cockers are divided by the breed standard into three varieties: black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black),and parti-colors. Black Variety includes: solid blacks and black & tan. ASCOB includes solid colors ranging from silver, to light cream (buff) to dark red and brown and brown with tan points. Parti-colors have large areas of white with another color(s) and must be have at least 10% coloration (not more than 90% white). Parti-colors include: black & white; black & white with tan points (referred to as tri-colors or "tris"), brown & white, brown & white with tan points (referred to as a "brown tri"), and red & white. Roans are shown in the Parti-color variety and can be black (referred to as "blue roans"), red ("orange roan"), or brown ("liver or chocolate roan"); with or without tan points. In a roan coat, individual colored hairs are mingled in with the white. Sable coloring is seen in solids or Parti-colors, but no longer can be shown in conformation by the American Spaniel Club, although it can be shown in Canada and in Europe. Merle is a highly controversial pattern, as it is debated whether it is a result of breeding to another breed. Cockers cannot be registered as merles with the AKC. It is not recognized by the American Spaniel Club and cannot be shown in conformation.

Temperament

Their temperament is typically joyful and trusting. The ideal Cocker temperament is merry, outgoing, and eager to please everyone. They can be good with children and usually sociable and gentle with other pets. They tend to be soft dogs who do not do well with rough or harsh training. The popularity of the American Cocker Spaniel led to a considerable amount of irresponsible breeding in an attempt to keep up with the demand. The results have included fearful or aggressive behavior in some of the dogs, submissive urination, and resource guarding. Responsible breeders have worked diligently to eliminate these negative characteristics while trying to educate the public regarding responsible breeding. Temperament of the American Cocker Spaniel should always be the primary concern when breeding these dogs. As with all puppies, owners are advised to choose their breeder carefully. This breed often leaks urine when it gets excited.

Health

Mortality

American Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10-11 years, which is on the low end of the typical range for purebred dogs, and 1-2 years less than other breeds of their size. The larger English Cocker Spaniel typically lives about a year longer than the American Cocker Spaniel.

In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (23%), old age (20%), cardiac (8%), and immune-mediated (8%). In a 2003 USA/Canada Health Survey with a smaller sample size, the leading causes of death were cancer, hepatic disease, and immune-mediated.

Morbidity

American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies, particularly infections affecting their ears and, in some cases, their eyes. As a result, they may require more medical attention than some other breeds. Common eye problems in Cockers include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma, and cataracts. The American Spaniel Club recommends annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for all dogs used for breeding. Autoimmune problems in Cockers include autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and ear inflammations. Less common are luxating patellas and hip dysplasia. Dogs used for breeding can be checked for both of these conditions, and dogs free of hip dysplasia can be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the sporting spaniels. Their name cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in England, but today this breed is used to hunt a variety of upland gamebirds and water fowl.

In the United States the breed is known officially by the American Kennel Club, as the "Cocker Spaniel". Outside the US, it is often referred to as the American Cocker Spaniel, but it was the creation of the English Cocker Spaniel that triggered the breed split in the 1930s.

On June 20, 1936 a group of English Cocker fanciers met at the home of Mr. And Mrs. E. Shippen near Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. They formed a specialty club for English Cocker Spaniels known as the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America. After this meeting, AKC recognized the "English" variety and people began to import Cockers bred in England, to the United States more frequently.

By 1938, 24 Cockers had completed their championships from the "English" classes, but six of them were American-bred Cockers and only one of those had an English import in the first five generations of their pedigrees. There was an advantage in the point system then to show in the English-variety classes. For instance, in California, a male ECS had to defeat five other dogs to earn a five point major; a solid Cocker male (American type) had to win over 19 dogs to win the same major, and some people used the advantage, after all, the types were bred together and a litter could have both varieties and all were registered as "Cocker Spaniels."

Then in 1938, the ECSCA Board of Directors met at Giralda Farms, Madison, New Jersey, and Mrs. Geraldine Dodge made the motion that the owners of ECS studs would not allow them to be bred to American type bitches as a policy and requirement of membership in the ECSCA.

They also resolved to object to showing American type Cockers in English Cocker classes and went on to define an English Cocker Spaniel as "a dog or bitch of the Cocker Spaniel breed whose pedigree can be traced in all lines to dogs or bitches which were registered with the English Kennel Club (or eligible for export pedigree) on or before January 1, 1930." (Jubilee, 1986).

American type Cocker popularity surged during the 1940s and ECS fanciers knew they needed their own AKC Stud Book recognizing the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed. Mrs. Dodge began the work of sorting out the pedigrees not only in the United States, but in England and Canada. The project was done by Josephine Z. Rine, Mrs. Dodge's curator of art and former editor of "Popular Dogs."

That accomplished, Mrs. Dodge then began the process with AKC and in June 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was officially recognized by AKC as a breed different from the American Cocker Spaniel. (ECSCA Jubilee, 1986)

American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels are the only spaniel breeds allowed to compete together in Cocker Field Trials in the United States. There are a small number of field-bred American cockers bred in the US, but the distinction between field and show-bred dogs is less than exist in English cockers.

Today's American Cocker Spaniel is as always, a versatile small dog. It remains popular as a pet, but is also known for its workmanlike attributes that make it a stunning show dog, lively companion hunter, competitive gaming dog, or gentle therapy dog.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "American Cocker Spaniel".

Alaskan Malamute

2008-02-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Rescue an Alaskan Malamute

Overview
Weight: 34-38.5 kg, 75-85 lb
Height: 58-63.5 cm, 23-25 in
Coat: Harsh and thick, with plush undercoat
Color: Gray, sable, black, or red, always with white
Litter size: 4-10 puppies
Life span: 10-14 years

The Alaskan Malamute is a large breed of domestic dog (canis lupus familiaris) originally bred for use as an Alaskan sled dog and is often mistaken for a Siberian Husky.

The AKC breed standard calls for a natural range of size, with a desired freighting weight of 75 to 85 pounds (34–39 kg) and a height of 23 to 25 inches (58–64 cm). Heavier individuals (100+ pounds) and dogs smaller than 75 pounds are common—there is often a marked size difference between males and females. Weights upwards of 140 pounds or more are occasionally seen; these dogs are uncommon and are produced primarily by breeders who market a "giant" malamute. These "giant" sizes are not in accordance with the breed's history or show standards.

The coat is a dense double northern dog coat, somewhat harsher than that of the Siberian Husky. The usual colors are various shades of grey and white, sable and white, black and white, red and white, or pure white. Eyes are almond-shaped and are always brown; blue eyes are an indication of mixed breeding and will disqualify the dog in shows. The physical build of the Malamute is compact with heavy bone. In this context 'compact' means that their height to length ratio is slightly longer than tall, unlike dogs like Great Danes which are longer and lankier in their ratios.

According to the American Kennel Club, the primary criterion for judging the Malamute in a show is its function to pull heavy freight as a sled dog; everything else is secondary. As many an owner has found out, the pulling power of a Malamute is tremendous.

The malamute has a plume like tail that is well furred and hangs just over the back like a "plume". This is the written standard written in the breed book. Corkscrew tails can now be seen but is not the breed description . A corkscrew tail is what you would see in the Akita. The malamutes' tails, well-furred, aid in keeping them warm when they curl up in the snow . They wrap the tail around their nose and face which helps protect them against harsh weather like blowing snow.

Though superficially similar to wolves, there are several physical differences. When compared to a similarly sized wolf, the malamute's head is not as wide, shorter, and generally smaller. Their necks are generally the same size, though the malamute is bigger in the chest by a few inches. The malamute stands two inches shorter, is three inches shorter in the leg, and eight inches shorter in the body. The wolf's tail is longer and has no tendency to curl over its back as the malamute's can. The wolf's track is nearly twice the size of the dog's.

Temperament

While a few Malamutes are still in use as sled dogs for personal travel, hauling freight, or helping move heavy objects, some are used for the recreational pursuit of sledding also known as mushing, also skijoring, bikejoring and canicross. However, most Malamutes today are kept as family pets or show dogs. Although in 1994 Nancy Russell ran a team of Malamutes in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, completing 600 miles of the roughly 1,150 mile race before pulling her team due to dog nutrition issues and blisters on the dog's feet due to booties of the wrong shape, generally the Malamute is slower in long-distance dogsled racing against smaller and faster breeds and their working usefulness is limited to freighting or traveling over long distances at a far slower rate than that required for racing. They can also help move heavy objects over shorter distances.

The Malamute is one of the most "unaltered" of breeds, retaining its original form and function. Their affectionate nature does not make them useful as watch or guard dogs. If a dog owner cannot cope with a dog that will not comply with the owners every command, a more compliant breed should be selected. This dog has a long genetic foundation of living in the wilderness with man surrounded by other domesticated animals of approximately the same size.

There is reason to believe that Alaskan Malamutes cope poorly with smaller animals, including canines. However, this has been difficult to document in detail beyond observational data. It is difficult to pinpoint why many Malamute owners have observed this behavior with smaller animals, though some might speculate this is due to the Malamute's uniquely divergent ancestry, at one point cross-breeding with wolves. So while Malamutes are, as a general rule, particularly amiable around humans and children and in some instances friendly with smaller dogs, it is probably a good rule of thumb to be mindful of your Malamute around smaller animals until you have become acquainted with its behavior. They do not, however, make good guard dogs.

Generally speaking, time and experience will show if a dog can be left unwatched with other household pets. In this respect, it is also important to understand that just because your Malamute is comfortable with your other pets, this does not mean it will be comfortable around other animals it encounters. And while Malamutes aren't normally thought of as territorial dogs, they may react unfavorably to unfamiliar house guests. Like many canines, Malamutes may become aggressive around other unfamiliar dogs, especially if they are not neutered or spayed. This is important to note due to their powerful, deep chest and large head. Male dogs are of particular note, as they are generally the more aggressive sex, due to factors like testosterone acting on the brain, which is one of the major reasons veterinarians recommend neutering as a puppy. Overall, however, Malamutes are quite fond of people, a well known trait that makes them particularly sought-after family dogs.

The majority of Malamutes are also fairly quiet dogs, seldom barking like most other dog breeds. When it does vocalize, more often than not they tend to "talk" by vocalizing a "woo woo" sound (the characteristic vocalizations of Chewbacca in the Star Wars films are based upon a Malamute named Indiana once owned by George Lucas). They may howl like wolves or coyotes, and for the same reasons. When they howl, the howl is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish from the wolf.

Mortality
There is only one known health survey of Alaskan Malamutes, a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey with a small sample size of 14 dogs. The median lifespan of 10.7 years measured in that survey is very typical of a breed their size. The major cause of death was cancer (36%).

Morbidity
The most commonly reported health problems of Alaskan Malamutes in the 2004 UK Kennel Club survey (based on a sample size of 64 dogs) were muskuloskeletal (tendon injury, patellar luxation, fracture, arthritis, cruciate ligament rupture, hip dysplasia), dermatologic (dermatitis, interdigital cysts, hair loss, fading nose pigment), and reproductive.

Other health issues in Malamutes include inherited polyneuropathy, chondrodysplasia, and eye problems (particularly cataract and progressive retinal atrophy).

Climate and Malamutes
While Malamutes have been successfully raised in places such as Arizona, their dense coats generally make them unsuited for hot climates. When the weather gets hot, like any other breed of dog, the malamute needs plenty of water and shade. They will grow a winter coat and subsequently, come spring, shed it again.

History

The Malamute is a descendant of dogs of the Mahlemuits tribe of upper western Alaska. These dogs had a prominent role with their human companions - working, hunting, and living alongside them. The interdependent relationship between the Mahlemut and their dogs fostered prosperity among both and enabled them to flourish in the inhospitable land above the Arctic Circle.

For a brief period during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896, the Malamute and other sled dogs became extremely valuable to recently landed prospectors and settlers, and were frequently crossbred with imported breeds. This was often an attempt to improve the type, or to make up for how few true Malamutes were up for sale. This seems to have had no long standing effect on the modern Malamute, and recent DNA analysis shows that Malamutes are one of the oldest breeds of dog, genetically distinct from other dog breeds.

The Malamute dog has had a distinguished history; aiding Admiral Richard Byrd to the South Pole, and the miners who came to Alaska during the Gold Rush of 1896. This dog was never destined to be a racing sled dog; instead, it was used for heavy freighting, pulling hundreds (maybe thousands) of pounds of supplies to villages and camps in groups of at least 4 dogs for heavy loads.

The Alaskan Malamute is a member of the Spitz group of dogs, traced back 2,000 to 3,000 years ago to the Mahlemuits tribe of Alaska

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Alaskan Malamute".

Akita Inu

2008-02-12T09:26:00.000-08:00

Rescue an Akita Inu

Overview
Weight: 35-40 kg
Height: 64-70 cm
Coat: Coarse, straight, with soft undercoat
Color: Pure white, red, sesame and brindle
Litter size: 5-7 puppies
Life span: 11-15 years

The Akita-秋田 or Akita Ken-秋田犬(kanji)・アキタケン(katakana) is a breed of large dog originating in Japan, named for Akita Prefecture, where it is thought to have originated. "Inu"-犬 means "dog" in Japanese, although in practice this animal is nearly always referred as "Akita-ken," based on the Sino-Japanese reading of the same kanji.

Appearance
The breed stands 64 to 70 cm at the shoulders. Females weigh anywhere from 34-38kg. Males are 33-40kg. The Akita Inu come in only five colours: Red, Fawn, Sesame, Brindle, and Pure White. All except white must have whitish hair on the sides of the muzzle, on the cheeks, the neck, chest, body and tail.

All colors are accepted in the American Akita. The Pinto color is not accepted as a Japanese Akita color, but is as an American Akita color. In the U.S., some breeders interbreed the original Japanese type with the heavier American type, which is larger, and allows more colors. It is felt by some that combining the two types leads to improved appearance and genetic health by increasing genetic diversity. In the United States, there is only a single Akita breed registered by the American Kennel Club, whereas they are separated into two breeds in every other country in the world except Canada. In other countries the breed has been separated into two breeds: the Akita Inu and the American Akita. However, the American Akita is seen by some American breeders as being a different breed than the Japanese and these breeders advocate a splitting of the one breed into two.[citation needed]

Akitas possess a double coat, with a dense straight undercoat, and a thick outer coat. This coat makes the dog waterproof, as well as being well-equipped for the fierce winters in Northern Japan. Due to the thickness of their coat, the breed requires daily grooming, and also an awareness of the dog's heavy shedding, especially during warm weather.

Temperament
Akitas are a large breed. They are not considered to be a dog for novice owners, as the dog's master should be assertive in showing the dog its place in the pack, and to have some experience of dog behaviour. They are naturally wary of unknown people and animals and should be well socialised to avoid undesirable aggression. Left unattended in the backyard or in a kennel, they can develop "personality" problems, and may become destructive to the yard due to boredom. They are highly pack oriented, thus, isolating them from a social environment (i.e., the owner) causes them great stress. The Akita is a dominant dog which may expect other dogs to be submissive. Akitas should never be taken to off-leash dog parks due to this dominant behavior, as well as the fact that the dogs are large and strong, and would be difficult to restrain physically if the dog is not properly trained.

Akitas are devoted protectors of children in its pack, and it is said that Japanese mothers often left their children with only the Akitas to watch over and protect them. This devotion will not necessarily extend to other children, especially if teased, and can be aloof with strangers. Common sense should prevail, and adequate supervision of pets and children is generally a good idea. Having said this, a well socialized Akita will be more comfortable with this.

They are excellent house dogs. They require moderate, but regular exercise. Akitas are known to be very quiet dogs, only barking "when there is something to bark about".

Akitas may take a while to train because they are easily bored and can be stubborn. Akitas are highly intelligent, and will only obey a task if they see the point of it. They are not trick dogs. They are also a dominant species, and will not take orders from a weak or abusive leader, requiring a firm but loving education where "no" always means "no" and never "whatever".

An Akita is not likely to shower affection on someone that is not a member of his family or a close friend that he sees frequently, and can be extremely aloof. The dogs are known for their loyalty, and a pet Akita will patiently follow its master from room to room, without ever getting underfoot. This trait is evident in the tale of Hachikō, a dog remembered in Japan for his loyalty, who daily met his master at the train station. After his master's death, Hachikō returned to the train station every day for the rest of his life to wait for him

Health

Mortality
Akitas in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10 years, which is similar to other breeds of their size.

In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (32%), cardiac (14%), and gastrointestinal, including bloat/torsion (14%).In a 2000-2001 USA/Canada Health Survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (21%), GDV (=bloat/torsion, 21%), musculoskeletal (15.5%), and autoimmune (7%).

Morbidity
Some of the health conditions known to affect this breed include:

Canine herpesvirus, a strain of the Herpes virus that happens to affect canines

Gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), a condition associated with bloat

Pemphigus, which causes the autoimmune system to attack the dog's skin (leading to pustules)

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an adult-onset condition which gradual degeneration in the eye cells (i.e. rods & cones)

UveoDermatological Syndrome (UDS)

Sebaceous adenitis, an autoimmune condition which attacks and destroys the dog's sebaceous glands

Canine Hip Dysplasia

Hypothyroidism

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV = "Bloat" or "Torsion")

Akita owners should take special note of the high incidence of GDV (Gastric dilatation volvulus) in this breed. Excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach causes "bloat." Twisting of the stomach (volvulus or "torsion") causes or is caused by excess gas. GDV is an emergency condition requiring immediate veterinary treatment. Akita owners should be alert to the symptoms of GDV and know the location of the nearest emergency veterinary facility.

The Akita's ancestors were dogs used by matagi for hunting. These dogs, usually called matagi inu, were not as large as modern Akita dogs. Many of these dogs were used as guard dogs. Many were used to guard the emperor and his children. Akitas would sometimes be used instead of babysitters. They were also used for hunting bears. Usually trained as mated pairs, with an eagle. The two dogs would attack the bear as he was destracted by the eagle.

Recent DNA analysis found that the Akita was among the most ancient dog breeds.

A stamp of the Akita "Tachibana" (one of the very few purebred Akitas that survived World War 2) on a Japanese postage stamp

Edo Period
In the Edo Period, Dewa Province (present-day Akita prefecture) was ruled by the Satake clan. Since the Satake were tozama daimyo (considered potentially rebellious), they received severe restrictions by the Tokugawa Shogunate in all military areas. The clan decided to encourage dog fighting around 1630 in order to make it possible for the samurai to retain their aggressive edge in a way that would not offend the shogunate. Dog fighting became especially popular in the Odate area. Dog fighting enthusiasts in the area began to interbreed matagi inu with dogs indigenous to the area. These dogs, which later turned into the Akita, were called Odate inu at that time.

Before World War II
After the Meiji Restoration, people began to breed Akita with many dogs from other regions in Japan, such as the Tosa. The Meiji Restoration also ended Japan's closed door policy, and large, western dogs began to enter Japan. As a result, Akita were also bred with German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. This resulted in the breed losing many of its spitz-like characteristics. Akita were later bred with Hokkaido and Karafuto dogs (also known as the Sakhalin Husky), which were introduced to mainland Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War.

In the Taisho Period, people such as the mayor of Odate Town began a movement to preserve the Akita breed. By this time, the Akita had begun to turn into a mixed breed as a result of excessive breeding with other dogs. Watase Shozaburo, a Japanese zoologist that successfully proposed the Law for Protection of Natural Monuments (天然記念物保護法) also worked towards preserving the Akita breed. As a result, the Akitainu Introduction Foundation (秋田犬保存会) was created in May 1927 by the mayor of Odate, and nine Akita dogs were designated as natural monuments in 1931. In 1932, the faithful Akita dog Hachikō was featured in an article in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, which contributed to the popularity of the breed. When Helen Keller visited Akita prefecture in 1937, she expressed that she would like to have an Akita dog. An Akita called Kamikaze-go was given to her within a month. When Kamikaze-go later died because of canine distemper, his brother, Kenzan-go, was promptly sent to her. By 1938 a breed standard had been established and dog shows had been held, but such activities stopped after World War II began.

The War and its aftermath
During World War II, the number of Akita dogs greatly diminished because of the lack of food. There were also orders to capture all dogs except German shepherds, in order to use their fur for warm army uniforms. Many people bred Akita with shepherds to avoid capture. When the war ended in 1945, there were fewer than twenty purebred Akita dogs in Japan.

However, the Akita became quite popular during the postwar period. Many occupation soldiers liked the Akita, because it was by far the largest Japanese dog. The fact that Helen Keller had an Akita also became well-known when she came to Japan in 1948 and thanked people in Akita for the dogs she was given. Most of the Akita dogs at this time had many German Shepherd-like characteristics. These dogs are currently known as Dewa line, or Dewa type Akita.

Akita Inu in Popular Culture
Many manga titles by Takahashi Yoshihiro feature Akita dogs as the main character. These include Gin of Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin and Weed of Ginga Densetsu Weed. This is said to be because Takahashi Yoshihiro was born in Akita Prefecture.
The title character in the anime and manga animated series InuYasha, along with his brother, Sesshomaru and father, Inu no Taisho are said to be Akita yōkai (half youkai half human in InuYasha's case). A yōkai is a legendary Japanese creature that is said to take human form.
In the musical Rent, Angel gets paid $1,000 to get rid of a wealthy woman's neighbor's Akita named Evita. Later on, it becomes clear that Evita's owner was the wife of Benny, the despised landlord of the group of friends. Benny later confides that he hated the dog anyway.
In the anime Kino's Journey, the character Riku appears to be an Akita.
In the manga Nana (manga), one of the title characters is given the nickname Hachiko in reference to her dog-like loyalty being similar to that of the famous dog Hachiko.
Nicole Brown Simpson's dog in the O.J. Simpson case was an Akita.
It has been suggested that Kirby (a character from the movie Balto III: Wings of Change) is an Akita Inu.
Gaomon, a Digimon character, is a young Akita Inu (As you can see, the drop-ears characteristic of young Akitas, and the curly tail.)

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Akita Inu".

Animal rescue sites - DC - District of Columbia

2008-02-11T12:11:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Wyoming, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
DC - District of Columbia Pet adoption rescue centers

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DC - District of Columbia Dog Training Sites

Airedale Terrier

2008-02-11T10:35:00.000-08:00

Rescue an Airdale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier (often shortened to "Airedale") is a terrier dog breed originating from Airedale in Yorkshire, England. It is sometimes called the "King of Terriers" because it is the largest of the terrier breeds, 50 to 100 pounds (23-45 kg). The breed has also been called the Waterside Terrier, because it was bred originally to hunt otters in and around the valleys of the River Aire from whence it gets its name.

Coat
Like many terriers, the breed has a 'broken' coat. The coat is hard, dense and wiry, not so long as to appear ragged, and lies straight and close, covering body and legs. The outer coat is hard, wiry and stiff, while the undercoat shorter and softer. Hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved. Curly or soft coats are highly undesirable. Because of this coat, Airedales do not significantly shed. Airedales being shown are generally groomed by stripping: a small serrated edged knife is used to pull out loose hair from the dog's coat.

The correct coat color is a black saddle, with a tan head, ears and legs; or a dark grizzle saddle (black mixed with gray and white). Both are acceptable in the AKC breed standard.

Tail

This Airedale's tail is natural (undocked).The Airedale's tail is usually docked (surgically shortened) within five days of birth, but this is not a requirement of breed standard authorities. To show an Airedale in the United States, the tail is expected to be docked, while in the UK it is illegal to dock dogs' tails unless it's for the dog's benefit (e.g., the tail is broken, if clipped). Traditionally the fluffy tail was left long enough that the owner of the dog could grasp it with both hands and pull the animal back out of a hole.

Tail-docking was prohibited by law in Denmark in 1996.

Eyes
The Airedale's eyes should be dark in colour, small, not prominent, full of terrier expression, keeness and intelligence. Light or bold eyes are considered highly undesirable.[citation needed]

Some Airedales do suffer from eye diseases, such as congenital retina condition.

Mouth
Airedales have a normal 'scissors bite', where the top teeth close over the bottom. Airedales' teeth are the largest among terriers, and can inflict a strong bite.

Size
According to the American Kennel Club, Airedale terrier males should measure approximately 23 inches in height at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less. There is no mention of a specific weight, although the standard states that Both sexes should be sturdy, well muscled and boned. At 23 to 24 inches, a dog should weigh approximately 50 - 70 pounds, being active, agile enough to perform well, while not too small to function as a physical deterrent, retriever or hunter. But some breeders have produced larger Airedale Terriers, such as as the 'Oorang Airedale', developed in the 1920s.[1]

"In Oorang comments #25, page 81, it states unequivocally that "When full grown your Airedale dog will weigh from forty to fifty-five pounds and if a female will weigh slightly less. This is the standard weight, but when required, we can furnish over-sized Airedales whose weight will be from sixty to one hundred pounds."

Because ex-Army captain, Walter H. Lingo tried to fill orders for everyone the Oorang strain size was never standardized. Airedales weighing from 40 to 100 pounds were produced, but for the most part they ran to 50 pounds and 22 to 23 inches at the shoulder.

Temprement
The Airedale can be used as a working dog and also as a hunter. Airedales exhibit some herding characteristics as well, and have a propensity to chase animals. They have no problem working with cattle and livestock. However, an Airedale that is not well trained will agitate and annoy the animals. Strong-willed, with the tenacity commonly seen in terriers, the Airedale is a formidable opponent.

The Airedale Terrier, like most Terriers, has been bred to hunt independently. As a result, the dog is very intelligent, independent, strong-minded, stoic, and can be stubborn. The Airedale is a dog with a great sense of humour. For those who can laugh along with their Airedale, the dog can provide a unique and entertaining company. For those who don't appreciate being outsmarted by their dog, owning an Airedale can be a trying experience. Patience and consistency in training will be rewarded as the Airedales have been known to reach great heights in competitive obedience, dog agility, and Schutzhund. Airedales can often be difficult to train. Being smart, Airedales pick up what is wanted from them very quickly; being smart, they do not want to keep repeating what they learned and can try to terminate a training session at the point when they "got it". Changing the routine at this point or taking a play-break is much more productive than trying to force the Airedale to continue as they are a stubborn bunch. Airedales require constant reinforcement, or they may decide to start ignoring commands. When training is resumed, they can quickly recover their acceptance of the command. Airedales are a stoic and intrepid breed and as a result, young Airedales exhibit a general lack of common sense and require training. For the same reasons, they need socializing with other dogs early.

Albert Payson Terhune wrote of the Airedale: ”Among the mine-pits of the Aire, the various groups of miners each sought to develop a dog which could outfight and outhunt and outthink the other miner’s dogs. Tests of the first-named virtues were made in inter-mine dog fights. Bit by bit, thus, an active, strong, heroic, compactly graceful and clever dog was evolved – the earliest true form of the Airedale."

He is swift, formidable, graceful, big of brain, an ideal chum and guard. ....To his master he is an adoring pal. To marauders he is a destructive lightning bolt."

They are also very loving, always in the middle of the family activities. Airedales are also known for expressing exactly what they are thinking, unlike more aloof breeds. The Airedale is also a reliable and protective family pet. Airedales are exceedingly loyal and strong dogs; there is one story of an Airedale taking down a bear to protect its master. They are very energetic, and need plenty of exercise.

The Airedale is also a stoic, able to withstand pain and injury, the Airedale’s hurts and illnesses often go unnoticed until they become severe and require veterinary attention.

Health

Mortality
Airedale Terriers in UK, USA, and Canadian surveys had a median lifespan of about 11.5 years,[2] which is similar to other breeds of their size.[3]

In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (39.5%), old age (14%), urologic (9%), and cardiac (7%) [4]. In a 2000-2001 USA/Canada Health Survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (38%), urologic (17%), old age (12%), and cardiac (6%) [5]

Morbidity
Airedales can be affected by hip dysplasia.

Like most terriers, they have a propensity towards dermatitis. Skin disorders may go unnoticed in Airedales, because their hard, dense, wiry coats. Itchy skin may be manifest as acral lick dermatitis (caused by licking one area excessively) or acute moist dermatitis or "hot spots" (an oppressively itchy, inflamed and oozing patch of skin, made worse by intense licking and chewing). Allergies, dietary imbalances, and under/over-productive thyroid glands are main causes for skin conditions.

An Airedale's coat was originally designed to protect the dog from its predators. So, the coat was designed to come out in the claws of the predator the dog was designed to hunt, leaving the dog unharmed. Because of this, some forms of skin dermatitis can respond to hand stripping the coat. Clipping the coat cuts the dead hair, leaving dead roots within the hair follicles. It is these dead roots which can cause skin irritations. However, hand stripping removes these dead roots from the skin and stimulates new growth. Hence this process can assist with some forms of skin irritations.

Gastric torsion, or bloat, affects Airedales. Bloat can turn and block the stomach, causing a buildup of gas. Bloat can be fatal, it can lead to cardiovascular collapse. Signs of bloat are gastric distress (stomach pain), futile attempts at vomiting, and increased salivation. Bloat usually occurs when the dog is exercised too soon after eating.

Overview
Weight: 20-33 kg 45-70 lb (with so-called Oorang Airedales, or "large type", from 60 to 100 lb)

Height: The Kennel Club (UK) cites: height at shoulder: Dogs should measure approximately 58 - 61 cm, bitches, 56 - 59 cm; American Kennel Club cites: Dogs should measure approximately 23-24 inches at the shoulder; bitches, slightly less

Coat: Outer coat hard, wiry and stiff, not so long as to appear ragged, undercoat shorter and softer; hardest coats are crinkling or just slightly waved; curly or soft coat highly undesirable.

Color: Black and tan

Litter size: 5-12 puppies

Life span: 10-13 years

Looking to adopt/rescue an Airedale Terrier? Check out the links on the right for a rescue/adoption sight in your area.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Airedale Terrier".

Animal rescue sites - Wyoming

2008-02-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Wyoming, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Wyoming Pet adoption rescue centers

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Wyoming Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Wisconsin

2008-02-07T11:20:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Wisconsin, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Wisconsin Pet adoption rescue centers

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Wisconsin Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - West Virginia

2008-02-07T11:19:00.001-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For West Virginia, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
West Virginia Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
West Virginia Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Washington

2008-02-07T11:18:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Washington, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Washington Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Washington Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Virginia

2008-02-07T11:17:00.001-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Virginia, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Virginia Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Virginia Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Vermont

2008-02-07T11:15:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Vermont, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Vermont Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Vermont Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Utah

2008-02-07T11:14:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Utah, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Utah Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Utah Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Texas

2008-02-07T11:13:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Texas, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Texas Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Texas Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Tennessee

2008-02-07T11:12:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Tennessee, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Tennessee Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Tennessee Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - South Dakota

2008-02-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For South Dakota, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
South Dakota Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
South Dakota Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - South Carolina

2008-02-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For South Carolina, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
South Carolina Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
South Carolina Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Rhode Island

2008-02-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Rhode Island, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Rhode Island Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Rhode Island Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Oregon

2008-02-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Oregon, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Oregon Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Oregon Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Oklahoma

2008-02-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Oklahoma, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Oklahoma Pet adoption rescue centers

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Oklahoma Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Ohio

2008-02-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Ohio, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Ohio Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Ohio Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - North Dakota

2008-02-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For North Dakota, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
North Dakota Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
North Dakota Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - North Carolina

2008-02-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For North Carolina, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
North Carolina Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
North Carolina Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - New Mexico

2008-02-07T11:01:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For New Mexico, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
New Mexico Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
New Mexico Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - New Hampshire

2008-02-07T11:00:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For New Hampshire, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
New Hampshire Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
New Hampshire Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Nevada

2008-02-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Nevada, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Nevada Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Nevada Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Nebraska

2008-02-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Nebraska, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Nebraska Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Nebraska Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Montana

2008-02-07T10:56:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Montana, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Montana Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Montana Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Missouri

2008-02-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Missouri, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Missouri Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
California Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Mississippi

2008-02-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Mississippi, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Mississippi Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Mississippi
Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Minnesota

2008-02-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Minnesota, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Minnesota Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Minnesota Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Michigan

2008-02-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Michigan, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Michigan Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Michigan Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Massachusetts

2008-02-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Massachusetts, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Massachusetts Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Massachusetts Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Maryland

2008-02-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Maryland, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Maryland Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Maryland Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Maine

2008-02-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Maine, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Maine Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Maine Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Louisiana

2008-02-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Louisiana, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Louisiana Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Louisiana Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Kentucky

2008-02-07T10:17:00.002-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Kentucky, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Kentucky Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Kentucky Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Kansas

2008-02-07T10:17:00.001-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Kansas, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Kansas Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Kansas Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Iowa

2008-02-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Iowa, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Iowa Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Iowa Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Indiana

2008-02-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Indiana, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Indiana Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Indiana Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Illinois

2008-02-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Illinois, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
IllionisPet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Illinois Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Idaho

2008-02-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Idaho, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Idaho Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Idaho Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Hawaii

2008-02-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Hawaii, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Hawaii Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Hawaii Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Georgia

2008-02-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Georgia, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Georgia Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Georgia Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Florida

2008-02-07T10:09:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Florida, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Florida Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Florida Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Connecticut

2008-02-07T10:08:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Connecticut, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Connecticut Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Connecticut Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Colorado

2008-02-07T10:07:00.001-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Colorado, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Colorado Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Colorado Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Arizona

2008-02-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Arizona, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Arizona Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Arizona Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Alaska

2008-02-07T10:04:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Alaska, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Alaska Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Alaska Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Alabama

2008-02-07T10:03:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Alabama, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Alabama Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Alabama Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Delaware

2008-02-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Delaware, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Delaware Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
Delaware Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - New York

2008-02-07T09:19:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For New York, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
New York Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
New York Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - New Jersey

2008-02-06T11:43:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For New Jersey, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
New Jersey Pet Adoption/Rescue Centers

Does your new dog need training?
New Jersey Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - Pennsylvania

2008-02-05T16:55:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For Pennsylvania, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
Pennsylvania Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
Pennsylvania Dog Training Sites

Animal rescue sites - California

2008-02-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

When looking for a pet to fill out your family, I beg you to get one from a rescue or adoption site. These animals need your help desperately. Looking for an adoption site in your area? For California, check out this site for adoption and rescue centers near you.
California Pet adoption rescue centers

Does your new dog need training?
California Dog Training Sites

Labrador Retriever

2008-02-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Rescue a Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever (also Labrador or Lab for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. The Labrador is widely considered the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in the world, and is by a large margin the most popular breed by registration in the United States (since 1991), the United Kingdom, and several other countries.[1] It is also the most popular breed of assistance dog in the United States, Australia, and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities.[2] They are exceptionally affable, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured,[1][2][3] making them both excellent companions and working dogs. Although somewhat boisterous if untrained, Labrador Retrievers respond well to praise and positive attention, and are considerably "food and fun" oriented. With training, the Lab is one of the most dependable,[4] obedient[1] and multi-talented[2] breeds in the world.

Labradors are relatively large with males typically weighing 30 to 36 kg (65 to 80 lb) and females 25 to 32 kg (55 to 70 lb) under AKC standards,[17] but some labs do become overweight and may weigh significantly more. Their coats are short and smooth, and they possess a straight, powerful tail often likened to that of an otter. The majority of the characteristics of this breed, with the exception of colour, are the result of breeding to produce a working retriever.
As with some other breeds, the English (typically "show") and the American (typically "working" or "field") lines differ. Labs are bred in England as a medium-sized dog, shorter and stockier with fuller faces and a slightly calmer nature than their American counterparts which are bred as a larger lighter-built dog. No distinction is made by the AKC, but the two classifications come from different breeding. Australian stock also exists; though not seen in the west, they are common in Asia. Other "local minor variants" may also exist in some areas.
The breed tends to shed hair twice annually, or regularly throughout the year in temperate climates.[8] Some labs shed a lot, although individuals vary.[3] Lab hair is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make them excellent swimmers. Their interwoven coat is also relatively waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. The tail acts as a rudder for changing direction.
Labs tend to want a lot of attention from their owners. If the owner has another dog in the house the lab usually gets jealous and will strive for attention by moving the other dog out of the way so the owner can pet him. These dogs also love the water. They tend to play in the water if there are humans around playing in it. They love to be around humans and are usually very good with small children.

Color
There are three recognized colors for Labs:[17] black (a solid black color), yellow (anything from light cream to gold to "fox-red"), and chocolate (medium to dark brown).
Puppies of all colors can potentially occur in the same litter. Color is determined primarily by two genes. The first gene (the B locus) determines the density of the coat's pigment granules: dense granules result in a black coat, sparse ones give a chocolate coat. The second (E) locus determines whether the pigment is produced at all. A dog with the recessive e allele will produce little pigment and will be yellow regardless of its genotype at the B locus.[19] Variations in numerous other genes control the subtler details of the coat's coloration, which in yellow Labs varies from white to light gold to a fox red. Chocolate and black Labs' noses will match the coat color.

Temperment & activities
Labradors are a well-balanced and versatile breed, adaptable to a wide range of functions as well as making very good pets. As a rule they are not excessively prone to being territorial, pining, insecurity, aggression, destructiveness, hypersensitivity, or other difficult traits which sometimes manifest in a variety of breeds, and as the name suggests, they are excellent retrievers. As an extension of this, they instinctively enjoy holding objects and even hands or arms in their mouths, which they can do with great gentleness (a Labrador can carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it)[44]. They are also known to have a very soft 'feel' to the mouth, as a result of being bred to retrieve game such as waterfowl. They are prone to chewing objects (though they can be trained out of this behavior). The Labrador Retriever's coat repels water to some extent, thus facilitating the extensive use of the dog in waterfowl hunting.

Labs, like other dogs, may often tend to dig like this 3 month old and are generally very friendly with other dogs, like this german shepherd.
Labradors have a reputation as a very mellow breed and an excellent family dog (including a good reputation with children of all ages and other animals)[8], but some lines (particularly those that have continued to be bred specifically for their skills at working in the field rather than for their appearance) are particularly fast and athletic. Their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times to ensure it does not get out of hand - an uncontrolled adult can be quite problematic. Females may be slightly more independent than males.[8] Labradors mature at around three years of age; before this time they can have a significant degree of puppyish energy, often mislabeled as being hyperactive.[45][8] Because of their enthusiasm, leash-training early on is suggested to prevent pulling when full-grown.[46] Labs often enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and other forms of activity (such as agility, frisbee, or flyball). They are considerably "food and fun" oriented, very trainable, and open-minded to new things, and thrive on human attention, affection and interaction, of which they find it difficult to get enough. Reflecting their retrieving bloodlines, almost every Lab loves playing in water or swimming.
Although they will sometimes bark at noise, especially a degree of "alarm barking" when there is noise from unseen sources, Labs are not on the whole noisy[8] or territorial, and are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers, and therefore are not very often used as guard dogs.[8]
Labradors have a well-known reputation for appetite, and some individuals may be highly indiscriminate, eating digestible and non-food objects alike.[44] They are persuasive and persistent in requesting food. For this reason, the Lab owner must carefully control his/her dog's food intake to avoid obesity and its associated health problems (see below).[44]
The steady temperament of Labs and their ability to learn make them an ideal breed for search and rescue, detection, and therapy work. Their primary working role in the field continues to be that of a hunting retriever.

Health Problems - Prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA and eye disorders.

Living Conditions - Labrador Retrievers will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.

Exercise - Labrador Retrievers are energetic dogs, delighted to work and play hard. They need to be taken on a daily, brisk, long walk, jog or run alongside you when you bicycle. Labs are big eaters and need regular exercise and moderate rations to avoid a tendency to become overweight.

Overview
Weight: 60-75 lb.s (27-34 kg.)
Height: 22-24 inches (56-61cm.)
Coat: Short, hard, easy-care, water-resistant double coat
Activity level: Very high
Learning rate: Very high
Temperament: Friendly, reliable, loving, affectionate, lovable, patient, highly intelligent, loyal, willing, high-spirited, lively, good-natured.
Guard dog ability: Low
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 6-12
Life span: 10-12 years

Looking to adopt/rescue an Airedale Terrier? Check out the links on the right for a rescue/adoption sight in your area.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Labrador Retriever".

So you want to buy a dog - are you ready?

2008-01-31T18:27:00.000-08:00

A dog will do his best to please you and keep you smiling. He will curl up with you when you are feeling down or need some serious relaxation. He will love you no matter what. He'll be your unconditional friend and will play ball with you as long as you wish. He'll forgive you for all your mistakes, never never judge you. Sleeping at your feet and loving to please you, he will enjoy just spending time with you. He'll do his best to protect you, because you will be his master.

However, a dog also relies on you for everything and I do mean everything - from his food, water, shelter, exercise, grooming, to his companionship, training, veterinary care and protection. Do yourself and your dog to be a great service by knowing what you are getting into. You must be prepared to spend the next 10-15 years of your life taking care of your dog. That is about how long your dog will live. What about the added expense? When you get a dog, it is a life long commitment, and should not be treated like a piece of furniture that you can just "get rid of" when you get tired of it. You wouldn't get rid of your children because you were tired of them wetting their beds and your dog should be the same. Are you prepared to accept the fact that dogs are not little humans and invest some time into learning how to properly treat your dog in order to keep him or her balanced? Before you bring a dog into your home, think long and hard. Are you prepared for the responsibility?

The decision to get a dog needs to be carefully thought out. Do you honestly have the time to take care of a dog? What kind of dog is right for you? Some people think a dog is a dog. I hear them say they don't care what breed of dog they get. There are many different breeds with many different personalities and needs. Honestly think about it and do your homework. Think about your family as it is right now, and how it will be in the future. I will do my best to provide you with the info. on how to choose the right dog for you.

Every family has its own needs, schedule, personality, medical problems, space and time limitations. If you take a good hard look at your family's situation, you can match a dog that will fit into your lives nicely and not just make things more awkward and difficult, but you need to do your reasearch and homework. This is not a decision to take lightly, and you better be prepared to be consistent.

Does anyone in your family have alergies to dog hair? Are you bothered by hair on everything from your furniture to clothes to food? Some breeds are heavy shedders, while others hardly shed at all. What about children? Do you have any? Planning on having any in the next 10-15 years? Do you have friends who visit your home who have children. Some dogs are excellent with children and would be their best friend. Some are only good with children when they are raised with them from puppyhood, while others are very sensitive and may bite your child if they are pestered by him or her which children tend to do because they don't understand boundaries. Do you mind holes being dug in your yard? Some dogs like to dig, while others are less likely to dig.

Do you mind hearing a dog bark all the time? Some dogs love to bark and do it all the time, while others are more quiet, barking only when necessary. Do you mind if your dog has a tendency to wander away from home, or would you rather have a dog that would be more likely to stick close to home? Some dogs like to roam. It is in their nature, while others have a strong instinct to stick close to home. Do you have other pets? Some dogs will kill your cat, while others will be your cat's best friend. Do you have time to exercise your dog? They need at least 40 minutes outside everyday because your home is akin to a fishbowl and they need to get away from the house.

Some dogs need a job to do or they will become restless, bored, very destructive, and unruly. Other dogs will settle for just a short walk. Some can be highly obedience-trained, while others cannot. Get the point? All breeds of dog are different, and all families are different. Find a dog that fits well into your family, so you and your dog can live in harmony.

While it is important to choose the correct breed for your families lifestyle, it is even more important to understand a dog is a canine, not a human and treat him accordingly. Remember that while you may get your dog as a puppy and it may be cute when he jumps up, would you want that behavior in a full grown dog. For a clear understanding into a dogs brain check out Cesar Millan (The Dog Whisperer), he is pure genius. You will find that any dog can be your worst nightmare, or your best investment, it all depends on the owner and their understanding of the canine and their willingness to give the dog what he truly needs. Cesar is an excellent guide to communicating with, understanding, and controlling your dog.

It's your choice. Do your homework. Research the different kinds of breeds and take a long hard look at your life and don't forget, that cute little puppy does grow up to be an adult dog. Never adopt a puppy, or adult dog solely on looks. If you are looking to adopt a dog, don't forget to visit our section on where you can get a rescue dog in your area. There are many great rescue groups and organizations listed who have wonderful homeless dogs, just waiting for someone like you to take them home and love them.

Good luck