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

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."

Great Dane

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

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

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

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

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

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

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".