The History of Dog Breeding

Humans have maintained populations of useful animals around their places of habitat since pre-historic times. Over these millennia, domesticated dogs have developed into distinct types, or groups, such as livestock guardian dogs, hunting dogs, and sighthounds. Artificial selection in dog breeding has influenced behavior, shape, and size of dogs.

Some researchers believe that the evolution of dogs from wolves is an example of neoteny or paedomorphism selection, that results in  aretention of juvenile physical characteristics. Compared to wolves, many adult dog breeds retain such juvenile characteristics as soft fuzzy fur, round torsos, large heads and eyes, ears that hang down rather than stand erect, etc.; characteristics which are shared by most juvenile mammals, and therefore generally elicit some degree of protective and nurturing behavior cross-species from most adult mammals, including humans, who term such characteristics "cute" or "appealing". It has been seen that these traits can even prompt an adult female wolf to act more defensively of dog puppies than of wolf puppies. The example of canine neoteny goes even further, in that the various dog breeds are differently neotenized according to the type of behavior that was selected. Other researchers believe that because this comparison is based on the gray wolf, which is not the ancestor of the dog, that this comparison is invalid. Further research indicates that the concept of neoteny as a means of distinguishing dogs from wolves is baseless.

To maintain these distinctions, humans have intentionally mated dogs with certain characteristics to encourage those characteristics in the offspring. Through this process, hundreds of dog breeds have been developed. Initially, the ownership of working and, later, purebred dogs, was a privilege of the wealthy. Nowadays, many people can afford to buy a dog. Some breeders chose to breed purebred dogs, while some prefer the birth of a litter of puppies to a dog registry. It has been concluded that "findings imply that when selective breeding was done by humans, it squashed the snouts of certain dog breeds, it also morphed their brains" (Scientific American, 2010). Breeders have to abide by the rules of the specific organization to participate in its breed maintenance and development programs. The rules may apply to the health of the dogs, such as joint x-rays, hip certifications, and eye examinations; to working qualities, such as passing a special test or achieving at a trial; to general conformation, such as evaluation of a dog by a breed expert. 

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Canaan dog breed

Canaan dog breed of herding dog developed in Israel in the 20th century from semiwild pariah dogs that were the descendants of animals present in the region since biblical times. Over time they had been utilized as guardians and hunting dogs, but most had reverted to a wild state, living in desert areas. In the 1930s a breeding program was begun to redomesticate these wild dogs to serve as guards for the isolated kibbutzim. In wartime the dogs served as messengers and sentries and proved adept at locating land mines. In 1949 the Institute for Orientation and Mobility of the Blind took over the breeding of the Canaan dog, with about 150 kennel-raised dogs constituting the stock.

The Canaan dogs are hardy, intelligent, and trainable and must be well socialized. They have been put to work for herding, guarding, and tracking and as guide dogs. They are aloof and cautious with strangers and in unfamiliar situations but loyal to their families. They tend to be vocal and playful. Of medium size, they stand 19 to 24 inches (48 to 61 cm) tall and weigh 35 to 55 pounds (16 to 25 kg). They have upright ears, a wedge-shaped head, and a bushy tail that tends to curl over the back. Their short, harsh, double coat may be white with large markings in brown, black, or red and often with a mask or hood of the contrasting colour, or it may be solid with some white markings. Solid-coloured dogs may be black or any shade of brown.

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Borzoi

borzoi breed of hound dog developed in Russia to pursue wolves. It is descended from the Arabian greyhound and a collielike Russian sheepdog. The borzoi, formerly known as the Russian wolfhound is a graceful, strong, and swift dog. Males stand at least 28 inches     (71 cm) and females 26 inches (66 cm); weights range from 60 to 105 pounds (27 to 48 kg). It has a long, narrow head, small ears, a deep but narrow chest, long, muscular hindquarters, and a long, curved tail. The silky coat is flat or slightly curled and usually white with darker markings. The dog is noted for its elegant appearance.

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Briard

briard is a French sheepdog breed mentioned in French records of the 12th century and depicted in medieval French tapestries. It is known in France as berger de Brie (sheepdog of Brie) but is found throughout the French provinces. The briard is a lithe, strongly built dog with bushy brows and a long, more-or-less waterproof coat. It stands 22 to 27 inches (56 to 68.5 cm), weighs about 80 pounds (36 kg), and is usually black, gray, or tawny. Briards are also used for guard, police, and military work.

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Cairn terrier

Cairn terrier, working terrier breed developed in Scotland to rout vermin from cairns (rock piles). The modern breed’s characteristics are carefully patterned on those of the dog’s ancestor, a 17th-century terrier of the Isle of Skye. The cairn terrier is a short-legged dog with a short, broad face fixed in a “keen” expression that is typical of the breed. Its harsh coat is usually bluish gray, tan, or pale yellowish brown. Generally active, hardy, alert, and spirited, the cairn terrier is valued as a pet and watchdog. It stands 9.5 to 10 inches (24 to 25 cm) and weighs about 13 to 14 pounds (6 to 6.5 kg).

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You Can't Socialize Your Dog By Sitting At Home

Many dog breeds seem to be friendly for the most part, but there is not one dog out there that does not benefit from continued socialization. Socialization is a key factor in good mental health for the dog and in making a beloved member of the family. But socialization includes more than just being around other people or dogs. It can include training your dog to be tolerant of being touched on the feet, someone coming close to them when they are eating, or even accepting of loud noises, just to mention a few. If not conducted in a proper manner, you can actually do more harm with your efforts than good. The last thing you want or need is to attempt socialization and have it back fire on you.

Prior to socializing a dog, a person should understand the traits and temperament of the breed of dog they are working with. Often times you can benefit from doing research on your dog's particular breed to learn about character traits. If you are dealing with a mixed breed, you may want to research all of the breeds involved in your dog's genealogy. Understanding what challenges may be present can help determine the best method for handling them.

For this article I am referring mainly to keeping your dog socialized around people and other dogs. The more you socialize your dog, the better he or she will respond when confronted with unfamiliar people or dogs. This can be exceptionally true with some small breeds and children. But again, keep in mind when socializing your pet, keeping them under control may be vital to avoiding a serious conflict that could result in injury to the dog or innocent bystanders. Never force a social issue onto your dog. Some dogs may need more time to slowly acclimate to strangers while others may not feel threatened at all. Your dog may respond aggressively to one person but not the next. And there is nothing wrong with that; not every dog likes every person, just as we humans don't always like everyone we meet. However, as a responsible pet owner you are accountable for making certain no harm comes to anyone at any time, so never force your dog to accept someone.

When working on socialization be sure to offer an escape plan for the dog. Even if it is nothing more than allowing them to jump into your lap or picking them up if they appear nervous, uncomfortable or fearful in a situation. This is important no matter what the age of your dog. He or she must be able to trust that you will protect them or you may end up harming your own relationship in the process.

There are many differences in socializing an adult dog versus a puppy, just as there is with socializing with people versus other dogs. Obviously puppies have the advantage as they are more accepting of new people and situations, especially during the earlier ages of 1 to 4 months. While older dogs may have had some previous bad experiences that have left them anxious, fearful or cautious. When it comes to a rescued adult dog more often than not, you will not have any idea what environment the dog came from. You will not be aware of what things have left negative impressions on him or her as a result of past encounters, so take the process very slow to begin with.

When it comes to socializing with other dogs, never assume the other dog is friendly. Play it safe and be prepared for something to go wrong. Do not allow first time encounters to be unsupervised. Typically if you visit a dog park, most of those dogs are friendly and used to being around other dogs, but that does not negate the fact that any dog can unexpectedly turn aggressive. Until you are familiar with the new dog be vigilant in keeping your dog safe. After all it may not be the other dog that suddenly becomes aggressive, it could be yours!

Some common places you can turn to for socialization besides dog parks are pet stores, pet fairs, walking trails, community events even obedience classes can be useful. The important factor is to match the environment to your dog's social skills. Attempting to socialize a dog for the first time at a community event with a hundreds of people present could be overwhelming. If you don't know what your dog can handle, assume it is very little and start slow. You can progress as quickly as you need if things are going well. It's important to avoid sensory overload with unfamiliar noises and smells as well.

If you plan to put your dog in a car to travel to a location for socialization keep in mind the dog's safety inside your car. This could be the first step in making sure your socializing encounters are positive ones. The last thing you want to do is start the process out by stressing your dog out with a scary car ride. Provide a comfortable and secure seat for your dog. If possible choose a particular seat for your dog to sit in each time he or she gets in the vehicle. For smaller breeds consider using a dog car booster seat, lookout seat or console seat that will elevate them up to a height that allows them to see out the window and get some fresh air if needed. This can go a long way to start the dogs travel experience in a positive manner. Start the training out properly and begin immediately by restraining your dog. Do not wait until they are more comfortable with the car. Get them started right away with understanding that inside the car they stay seated and are not allowed to roam freely.

If you struggle with getting your dog to accept other people and dogs look for a good training book. I don't think there is a pet owner alive who has not heard of Cesar Milan. Your veterinarian can direct you to proper training materials as well. As with any training, always reward your dog after a positive learning experience. Praise and recognition goes a long way especially when accompanied by a small special treat! Make sure he or she knows how happy their behavior has made you. After all, isn't that what most dogs live for?

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A Short Comparison Of Dog Anatomy With Human

A dog may be man's best friend, but anatomically speaking which species is superior?

One obvious difference between dog anatomy and human is the contrast in size (and of course that human's walk on two legs and dogs on four!) An average human height is 180cm, with the tallest dog, the Great Dane, reaching 86cm, and the smallest dog, the Chihuahua being 26 cm max.

This immediately identifies one of the fascinating facts about dog anatomy - the wide range of size within dog breeds. No other species has such a wide spread of size and weight as the dog. Not convinced?

Affenhuahua 2kg

St Bernard 120g (ten times more than the Affenhuahua)

Human 61kg (average)

An Extra Eyelid

Of course you are familiar with your own eyes and having upper and lower eyelids. But did you know dog anatomy is such that dogs have three sets of eyelids? They have the additional of a "third" eyelid, also known as the "nictitating membrane."

The third eyelid is located at the inner corner of the eye, and slides across the cornea to protect it when danger threatens. It is most usefully deployed when a dog pushes through undergrowth or if faced with an angry cat - as it forms a barrier to scratches.

Born to Sniff

The dog has a typically black, leather nose, but did you know this feature of dog anatomy is as unique to each individual as a fingerprint is to people? The folds and creases on a canine nose are unique and can be used as a means of identification. Another striking difference between dog anatomy and human is our sense of smell. A dog devotes over 40% more of his brain power to processing smells than the human brain. Indeed dogs are born to sniff with that wet nose being able to detect which direction a faint smell is coming from. The average human has a generous 5 million scent detecting cells in their nose, but this seems insignificant compared to the king of scent hounds, the Bloodhound, which has a magnificent 300 million scent-detecting cells.

Sounds Superior

Another area where dog anatomy wins is their sense of hearing. Whereas we may struggle to hear a sound 20 feet away, a dog can hear the same noise over 80 feet distant. Not only that but whereas the human ear can't detect sounds above 20 KHz, the dog's ear easily hears up to 60 KHz and a whole studio of sound that is denied to us.

A Tale of Tails

Whilst not all dog breeds have tails, for those that are equipped with this marvelous means of canine communication, a waggy tail has to be the most joyful part of dog anatomy. An average tail is made up of 23 articulated bones. But here's the rub. Did you know that people have a vestigial tail? OK, it's only present for a few days, but the human fetus develops a tail from days 31 - 35 of gestation - a throwback to our simian ancestry.

Life Story

And finally, one of the biggest differences between dog anatomy and our own is the dog's shorter lifespan. The average human life expectancy is 71 years, whereas for our canine companions it's just 10 -13 years. Given the effect dogs have on our hearts and lives, this is one area where it's a hollow victory, to be the superior species.

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The Animal Human Connection - A Brief Overview

The History of the Dog

For thousands of years dogs have provided people with protection, companionship and support. What we today recognize as the domestic dog became a part of human society when nomadic bands of hunter gatherers were roaming the Earth. There is evidence to suggest that these dogs, descended from the Grey Wolf, were viewed as both working animals and as valued partners in surviving the tough environment that characterized the lives of those societies. Today the dog has become part of the fabric of society (how to socialize you dog) and a valued member of families across the globe.

The Value of the Dog

There are very few homes that would not be enriched by the addition of a dog. Our children learn to love these additions to the home as they would a family member. Many people have extremely fond memories of spending time in the outdoors with what would later prove to be not only a faithful companion, but also a staunch friend and ally during the challenging years of childhood.

It seems that the thousands of years that human beings spent sharing their homes with the canine species has forged a bond that is very difficult, if not impossible to break. The truth of the matter is that we need dogs as much as they need us.

The Loss of Your Pet

Sharing our lives with pets brings so many benefits, but sadly, despite an ever-improving standard of veterinary care, every owner will eventually experience the loss of their much-loved friend. Coping with loss and grief can be a lonely and difficult struggle for many of us, and as a veterinary technician with cats and dogs of my own, even I haven't been immune to the storm of emotions that descend after the loss of a favorite friend.

4 Steps of Grieving

Through helping family, friends and clients cope with the loss of their pets over the years, I've learned some helpful ways to help both them (and myself) come to terms with the grief that the passing of a pet can bring.

1. Everyone Grieves Differently: allow yourself the time and space to grieve.

2. Don't Let Others Minimize Your Loss: avoid those who try to downplay your emotions.

3. Ask For Support: empathy goes a long way, and being around like-minded individuals help ease any loneliness you may be feeling.

4. Find Ways to Remember Your Pet: celebrate and honor the special relationship you had with your pet.

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10 Biggest Misconceptions about Dogs

1. When your dog looks grown up, he is.

No matter how big he is, or how mature his behavior, your puppy is still a puppy until he's at least a year old. Large-breed dogs are growing puppies for close to two years.

2. Neutering your dog will negatively affect his personality.

If your dog has always been an outgoing, fun-loving, playful dog, neutering won't change that all. If he is a little reactive with other dogs or roams the neighborhood, neutering may make him a bit gentler and more inclined to stay home.

3. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

The biggest challenge in training an older dog is helping them unlearn old behaviors. If you combine patience with sound and treat training, you’ll soon have a talented and well-trained little pal.

4. Dogs need variety in the food they eat.

Your dog thrives on routine. Changing diet frequently and rapidly will do him more harm than good.

5. Obedience training is only for problem dogs.

Yes, obedience training can help with some unacceptable behaviors, but wouldn't it be better if those behaviors never had a chance to develop?  In addition, obedience training can strengthen the bond between you and your dog and help you enjoy each other's company even more so!

6. Dogs need supplements in their diets.

If they are eating a high quality, nutritionally balanced diet, they will do fine. If you have questions, ask your veterinarian.

7. Dogs who spend the day in the yard get plenty of exercise.

Dogs are pack animals — they are not good at running or playing when they are alone. Exercise is an important part of your dog's health. It's up to you to be sure he gets it.

8. Dogs do destructive things to get even with you.

Don't project your emotions on your dog. Most behaviors that drive you crazy are normal for a dog and begin when he is bored, tired, sick or lonely.

9. It's natural for your dog to have bad breath.

It isn't. Bad breath is often, an indication of dental or health trouble.

10. It's okay for dogs to be a little plump.

Excess weight in dogs can be associated with heart, respiratory and blood-sugar level problem, skeletal distress and gastrointestinal disorders. Don't feed your dog table scraps, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise.

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THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY AWESOME DOG SITTERS

Being separated from your dog can be a very stressful time. Finding the perfect person to care for your pet when you cannot is key to lowering stress for both of you. Many people find dog sitting a great way to earn additional income, but when considering a care taker, you want much more than a person just looking to earn extra cash.

The best dog sitters have a love for animals, are organized and creative and are extremely flexible and patient. Here are 7 habits of highly awesome dog sitters:

1. They know the value of preliminary introductions. Awesome dog sitters understand the importance of first impressions. Before their clients spend extended time in their care, great dog sitters will make time to introduce themselves to the pets they will be caring for. This helps to alleviate anxiety in both pets and their owners. It allows the dog to become familiar with a new care taker and gives the owner an opportunity to make sure the sitter is a good match for their pet.

2. They understand the importance of mental and physical stimulation. Long walks are a great way to relieve stress and anxiety in dogs - especially when separated from their families. Experienced sitters understand the importance of physical activity and mental stimulation. A simple game of fetch can accomplish both - keeping dogs happy and healthy and expending the energy of the most energetic pet.

3. They keep you updated. Dog sitters should take the time to find out how often you would like updates on your dog, what types of updates you prefer to receive and how you want to receive them (via text message, email, Skype, etc.). Awesome care takers will work with you to establish an appropriate communication schedule.

4. They have a great reputation. Excellent dog sitters have established a reputation of excellence. They have no hesitation in providing character or professional references that can vouch for their experience. They are comfortable providing a list of people whom you can contact prior to leaving your dog in their care.

5. They are clear on your expectations. Understanding your expectations is key to a pleasurable experience for you and your dog watcher. Top-notch dog sitters make it a priority to understand grooming, feeding, discipline and exercise requirements to minimize disruption in your dog's routine.

6. They are detail oriented. Having a plan for emergencies, keeping track of medicine schedules and likes and dislikes of your dog are all details your sitter will need to manage. Great care takers are organized and maintain attention to the important details involved in properly caring for your dog.

7. They are trustworthy. In addition to caring for your dog, many times dog sitters will have access to your home. Good sitters do not take this responsibility lightly. They treat your home with the same respect they give to their own homes. They clean up any messes your dog makes and are careful to lock your doors and arm security monitors appropriately.

 

Using the 7 habits of highly awesome dog sitters, you will be able to select a care taker that will ensure the healthiness and happiness of you and your dog.

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Dogs fact for kids

Dog facts kids Hello ! This section is specifically for dog facts for kids. There is so much that we can learn about canines and they are very interesting animals.  When it comes to dog facts, kids love to read about information that they can pass on to family and friends.  So, enjoy yourself as you have a look through our dog facts that kids will be interested in.

The oldest living dog lived until he was 29 years old, this was recorded in 1939.  His name was Bluey and he lived in Austrailia. If you are wondering about what type of breed he was, he was a Queensland 'heeler' – this breed was used for herding other animals.

Dogs can smell things that humans cannot.  The nose has sensory cells, they work to allow a person or animal to smell things.  A dog has about 5 million more than you do ! 

Dogs are omnivorous.  This means that they must eat both meat and plants (which would be vegetables and/or fruits).

They cannot eat the cores of apples, but they can eat apple slices.

They also should not eat raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate or garlic because it can make them sick.

They are the most popular pet to own. Out of all of the families living in the United States, 1 out of 3 has a puppy or dog.

Funny DogThey know what time it is by relying on their “internal clock”. They know exactly when it is time to eat, when to expect their owner to come home, when to expect walks and more. They can become very restless if something does not happen when they expect for it to.

“Sit” should be the very first command that an owner teaches to a dog.

You have some muscles to move your ears, but dogs have 2 times more than you do to move their ears!

Did you know that a dog uses his nose for smelling, but also uses it to cool himself off if he is hot?  A dog sweats their his nose! They also sweat through their paws.

Have you ever seen a dog turn around 3 times before they go to sleep? This is because long ago, wild dogs (which were their ancestors) did this to cause grasses to be patted down to the ground before they slept on them.  Today’s dog still have this instinct inside of them.

Puppies do not know how to walk when they are born – They must learn just like toddlers do. This happens between the ages of 2 and 5 weeks old.

Newborn pups are born with their eyes closed and they do not open until they are about 3 weeks old.

Puppies are born without having any teeth. They grown slowly from 6 weeks to 2 months….and then fall out again so that adult teeth can take their place.

There are 5 scenes that a person or animal can have: Touch, taste, smell, hearing and seeing. A puppy first has the sense of touch before any of the other ones.

Puppies need to stay with their mother until they are about 7 weeks old.  They need her for warmth, help with eating and she cleans them.  When they are 8 weeks old, they are much more independent and ready to go to a loving new home.

Dogs should be walked every day because they can have a lot of energy stored up in their bodies and going for a walk helps to release that energy.

The normal body temperature for a dog is 101.2 ° Fahrenheit.

If your puppy takes something that you do not want them to have, do not chase after them.  Make a game out of it, where YOU run away and make them chase you….It is a lot easier to get the item back.

It is perfectly normal for a puppy to sleep up to 19 hours per day. The average is just around 14 hours, but since each dog is an individual, that number can indeed go up to the 19 hours…and this includes sleeping at night as well as naps throughout the day. 

Dogs can see much better at night than we can. This is because they have a layer behind their eyes, called the tapetum lucidum. It works to reflect any light source and this is why you may see a dog’s eyes shining in the dark.

The first dog that was sent into outer space was named Laika.  He was sent by Russian scientists out in a satellite in the year 1957.

We bet that with this dog fact, kids may be very surprised….There is one type of dog that cannot bark at all.  It is called a Basenji and is a wolf type dog that lives on the continent of Africa.

Dogs can hear things that we cannot.  Most of us can hear a sound that is about 25 yards from us…But dogs can hear sounds that are 10 times as far, 250 yards away!

A dog’s heartbeat is a lot faster than ours.  Theirs is between 70 and 120 beat per minute, humans are just between 70 and 80.

French Poodles actually originated in Germany.   The German word for puddle is pudel…These dogs were used as water dogs… catching birds that hunters would shoot that would then fall into ponds.

In 1989, a dog set the world’s record for being the largest one ever recorded.  He was an Old English Mastiff and he weighed 343 pounds!  He was also very long at 8 feet and 3 inches.

Even though the Chihuahua is the smallest breed, a Yorkshire Terrier was the smallest individual dog ever recorded.  He was only 4 ounces as an adult and was only 2 and ½ inches tall.  He lived in England.

A lot of people know that the ancient Egyptian civilization loved cats, but they also loved dogs too.

boxer puppyThe most popular names for male puppies are Max and Jake. The most popular names for female pups are Maggie and Molly.   People must like the letter M!

Many believe that the Taco Bell dog is a boy dog, because of the voice given to it. However, it is a girl named Gidget.

Bingo, a male, is who you see on a box of Cracker Jacks snacks.

The Chihuahua can be 1 or more of 29 different colors.

Each nose print is as unique as a person’s fingerprints or snowflakes…No two are alike.

Humans have 9,000 taste buds on their tongue, dogs have 1,700….And cats have only 473.

Newborn puppies need to receive vaccinations similar to how human babies do. 

President Lyndon Johnson had two Beagles, their names were not very original, they were named “Him” and “Her”.

Former President George Washington had 36 dogs; they were all the same breed: Foxhounds.

There have been more than 50 dogs who have lived in the White House.

The famous Davy Crockett had a dog that he named Sport.

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog, and the Azawakh is one of the most rare (there are only about 150 living in the United States).

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10 amazing facts about dogs for kids

If you have both children and a dog, you will probably be keen to get your children involved in caring for your dog when they are old enough to start learning about responsibility, and begin to build the foundations of a lifelong love of dogs and respect for both animals in general, and man’s best friend in particular.

Keeping things interesting and making learning fun is half the battle when trying to engage children’s minds and get them enthused about a subject, and appealing to children’s appetite for the unusual or intriguing can go a long way towards achieving your goals! With this in mind, here is a list of ten fun facts about dogs and a little additional background information on them to get you started, written with children in mind.

1.  Puppies are born blind, deaf and without teeth

 Puppies’ eyes are sealed shut at birth, and only open when they are around ten to fourteen days old. Their hearing will develop at around eighteen days old, while their first set of teeth will not begin to develop until they are at least six weeks old! Human babies are able to see and hear from birth, although they too do not develop their teeth until they are older!

2.  Dogs are descended from wolves

The domestic dog descended from the grey wolf, which is native to Europe, North America and Asia. The gradual domestication of wolves into the dogs that we share our homes with today started many years ago; around 100,000 years ago, to be precise! Dogs are a sub-species of the grey wolf; meaning that the grey wolf still exists in its natural form in the wild today as well.

3.  Man’s best friend

Dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend,” which is a reference to the popularity of dogs as pets and companion animals. It is believed that the phrase originated as part of a courtroom speech in Missouri, America, in 1870, in a case where a farmer sued his neighbour over the shooting of his dog.

4.  Dogs in space

The very first live animal to go into space was not an astronaut, but actually a dog! Laika, a Russian dog, orbited the earth in the Russian spacecraft Sputnik in 1957. One of Laika’s puppies, Pushnika, later had a litter of her own with a terrier named Charlie, which belonged to the American president John F. Kennedy!

5.  Dogs and coat colour development

Some dogs, such as the Dalmatian and the Airedale terrier, are born all one colour at birth; white in the case of Dalmatians, and black in the case of the Airedale. Only as they start to grow and develop after birth does their adult coat colour develop; black spotted in the case of the Dalmatian and a mixture of grey, black and tan for the Airedale!

6.  Dogs and smiling

You might think that smiling at your dog with your teeth showing is a friendly, welcoming sign, but to many dogs, this is seen as an act of aggression! Dogs do not smile with their mouths in the same way that people do; dogs indicate happiness and excitement by wagging their tails. When a dog shows their teeth, this is usually defensive or aggressive; and so smiling at your dog with your mouth open may be read by your dog as an angry face!

7.  Dogs and vision

The vision of the average dog is not as keen as that of people; dogs find it much easier to see movement than a stationary object. If you are standing still more than 300 yards away from a dog, they are unlikely to be able to see you; but if you move or wave your arms, you will become visible! Try it out!

8.  Tiny dogs

Small dogs are often referred to as toy dogs, lap dogs or handbag dogs. This is because they appear so small that they might be mistaken to be a toy, can fit comfortably into your lap, and could even fit into a specially designed dog handbag to be carried around in! However, even the smallest dog is still a dog, and should be treated as such!

9.  Spaying and neutering

Spaying and neutering dogs is a surgical procedure to remove the ability to have puppies. This is important, as there are already more dogs and puppies within the UK than there are loving homes to care for them. Spaying is the name for the operation performed on a female dog, and neutering or castration is the name for the operation performed on a male. The name used to describe both procedures as a whole is also called ‘neutering,’ however! Left un-neutered, just one pair of dogs and their subsequent offspring could produce as many as 66,000 dogs over the course of six years!

10.  Dogs and smell

The sense of smell is the dogs most highly developed sense, and dogs have a sense of smell that is over 1,000 times more sensitive than that of people! The area of the brain that processes smell is over four times larger in dogs than it is in people too. Dogs can follow a scent or the smell of a person or object and track it for many miles, which is why dogs are often trained to help to search for missing persons by the police and search and rescue organisations.

If your children already enjoy playing with and spending time with your dog, or are interested in science, then you are already off to a head start! Having an animal around the home can act as an important learning tool for children, and teach them a wide variety of life lessons, from biology to empathy to responsibility and much more.

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Interesting Fact about dogs and puppies

If you love dogs and puppies you probably spend as much time around them as possible, and no doubt enjoy learning more about all things canine related. Whatever your level of knowledge, here are a few common dog myths de-bunked, and a few interesting facts which you may not know about man's best friend. Read on to find out more!

All about puppies

• Out of their five senses, the first sense that develops and becomes utilised in the baby dog is that of touch.

• You can get a good idea of the eventual size that your new puppy will become by looking at their feet- Large paws may take some growing into, but they're one of the first indications of the ultimate size the dog will reach.

• If your puppy bites or nips in play, you can often effectively train them out of this by saying 'ouch!' in a loud voice. This is a similar response to the yelps their littermates make when the same thing happens to them!

• Puppies only listen to the initial syllable of a word- So if your pup is named 'Princess Pretty Paws' then the only part of the name that your pup will come to recognise is 'Prin!'

• Puppies are born without their teeth- their first set of baby teeth start to develop from around four weeks old onwards. But they don't keep them for long- at four months old, your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth and grow his adult set.

• Puppies are not born with a sense of smell either- Surprising when you consider that the sense of smell is the most utilised sense of the adult dog. Scent glands begin to develop in your puppy at around three weeks of age.

• During their first week of life, a newborn puppy will spend up to 90% of it's time asleep.

• Puppies may potentially be rejected by their mother if they are born by caesarean section and cleaned before being given back to them, as the dam may be unable to recognise the puppy as their own.

• Puppies are most likely to interpret a person smiling at them as a sign of aggression if the person is showing their teeth!

All about dogs

• Your dog's heart rate is between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The average human heart rate is 70 to 80 beats.

• A fully grown adult dog has 42 teeth. A fully grown person has 32.

• Dogs don't sweat like people do- the only sweat glands on the dog are on the pads of their paws. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting and drinking water.

• It's not entirely sure where the (now banned) process of docking or amputating some dog's tails originates from- although it possibly began in ancient Rome with the rumour that docking a dog's tail curtailed the spread of rabies.

• A dog's sense of smell is around a thousand times more sensitive than that of people. We have about five million scent glands- Dogs have over two hundred and twenty million!

• Similarly, the dog's sense of hearing is around ten times more sensitive than that of people.

• The average dog is thought to be about as intelligent as the average two year old child, according to research by leading animal psychologists in America.

• The dog's shoulder blades are not attached by bone to the rest of their skeleton, instead being held in place by muscle and ligament. This enables them greater flexibility and extension of the leg when running.

• There are estimated to be around 500- 600 separate dog breeds in the world- although not all of them are recognised in the UK by The Kennel Club.

• Male dogs urinate by cocking their legs in order to increase the amount of area they cover with their urine, and ergo scent mark a particular area more thoroughly. Male puppies do not cock their legs to urinate until they become older, and as young pups, both male and female dogs urinate in the same way by squatting.

• Around 25% of dogs have a tendency to snore when they are asleep.

• While most dogs like to swim, some dogs cannot swim at all- most notably dogs with heads which are proportionally large for their body size (which causes them to tip forwards and not be able to keep their heads above the water) and brachycephalic dogs (dogs with squashed up looking faces, like boxers and pugs) as they cannot both regulate their breathing and swim simultaneously. Take care around water if you own any of these breeds.

• When frightened or to indicate submission, dogs will tuck their tails between their legs- this is in order to cut off access to the scent glands around the anus, which carry identifying information about the dog which can easily be 'decoded' by other canines.

• The three breeds of dog which are thought to be at the top of the canine intelligence scale are the Border collie, the poodle, and the golden retriever. The least intelligent dogs are considered to be the Afghan hound, the Basenji and the Bulldog.

• The nose prints of a dog are as unique as a person's fingerprints, and can be used to definitively identify an individual dog.

• Contrary to popular belief, dogs can see in colour, although their colour spectrum vision is not as sensitive as that of humans, and they often have many of the same visual traits as colour blind people. The dog's range of colour vision is at it's highest in low lights.

• Dogs have no sense of time in the same way that we do, although their body clocks dictate their need for food and going to the toilet, which is why owners often think their dogs are responding to specific times of the day with a conscious awareness of time passed.

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10 MOST DANGEROUS THINGS FOR YOUR DOG AT A DOG PARK

Spending time with your dog at a dog park may seem ideal, however, there is often a lot more other thing happened at the park. There are actually several occasion that your dog could become injured.  Here are 10 possible ways that a dog park could be dangerous to your dog:

1.     Sharing treats with other dogs

While sharing treats can be a kind gesture, if your dog has allergies, you need to watch him closely. You want to be sure that another dog owner doesn’t slip him a treat without asking your permission. Depending on the severity of your dog’s allergy, he or she could end up becoming quite ill.

2.     Attacks by larger, more aggressive dogs

Dog parks consist of dogs of all breeds, sizes and temperaments. Regardless of the size or breed of your dog, a more aggressive breed could intimidate and even attack your dog 

3.     Contagious illnesses

Chances are you would never believe that you need to head to the vet for immunizations just to be able to spend time at the local dog park. However, many pet owners aren’t concerned about your dog and may bring their dogs when they have contagious illnesses. Beware! 

4.     Escape routes

Fences that are in need of repair could pose a danger. There may be an opening just large enough for your dog to squeeze through, especially if he or she is an escape artist. 

5.     Sharp objects

You might want to carefully search the park before allowing Rover to run loose. There could be sharp objects that could cause your furry friend to become injured on or even impaled. 

6.     Poison

You are undoubtedly aware that dogs will scarf down just about anything that could be even remotely edible. There have been reported cases of disturbed individuals leaving enticing food items at dog parks that have been laced with poison. Keep Rover in sight at all times! 

7.     Fleas & ticks

Not all pet owners are responsible enough to rid their dogs of fleas and ticks before allowing them to hang out at dog parks. Take caution and make sure that you administer regular preventatives to your pooch. 

8.     Contaminated communal water bowls

You certainly don’t want your dog catching a nasty intestinal infection or other illness by drinking from a contaminated shared water dish. Be sure your bring water so Fido won’t go thirsty. 

9.     Unspayed and unneutered dogs

If your female dog has not been spayed, then you might want to think twice about taking her to a dog park. She could be in heat without your knowledge, which could attract unwanted male dogs that could quickly mount her before you can react.  This could leave her with nasty STDs. 

10.     Children

Not many people would expect an innocent child to pose a threat to a dog. However, some children don’t know the proper way to play with dogs and may cause Fido harm or provoke him to bite when he normally wouldn’t.

Many dog owners believe a dog park is the safest place for dogs to run freely while playing and exercising. Despite the fact that dog parks are supposedly safe, there is the possibility of your dog encountering various dangers. If you own your own home, you might want to fence in the backyard so your dog can run freely while remaining safe. If this isn’t a possibility, or you insist on going to the local dog park anyway, then you need to ensure that you closely monitor your dog to maintain his safety.

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Tips On How To Train Your Dog Dog Really Fast

Truth be told you are going to have to work harder than you have ever done before in order to train your dog successfully! I am telling you 99% people are just not capable of actually putting in the amount of hard work that is needed to train up their dogs. Believe me the only way to see phenomenal results that people are going to admire is to actually work your hair off on a day to day basis! Believe me patience is the most important skill that you can work to develop if you want to train your dog properly. My business is hinting right now that housetraining a puppy is simple when you're conscious just what you are doing.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you are lazy then you are just going to end up failing so you should not bother trying to train your dog. Please just stop reading right now if you are a lazy individual. Hard work is the core of all the obedient dogs that you see out there. Don't you think for a moment that people who have well trained dogs have done it by wishing for it!

I am telling you right now that the most important aspect of actually being able to train your puppy successfully is actually getting out there and becoming a more patient person. At the end of the day your dog is just a dog, so you need to be extremely patient until he understands what you are trying to teach him. Teaching him one thing at at time is going to require that you are really patient. This is going to be frustrating at times but believe me if you are able to stick it out you will see results!

The next thing you must develop is a level of consistency. Daily effort with your puppy dog will ensure that you will see amazing results. Believe me if you are not putting in the daily effort then you are going to fail in terms of teaching your dog anything. If you are actually looking to see results in the near future then you must apply what I've just told you.

Believe me I really and truly think that if you want to see success with your dog then you are going to have to go to your local bookshop and learn everything there is about this subject matter. I will tell you right now to go to your local bookshop and grab all the books that you can on the topic of training dogs. Then spend the next few weeks just studying everything you can on dog training. Believe me no matter how mundane of a task this is you must do it if you actually want to successfully train your dog.

Believe me I am telling you from experience that all you need to do in order to see success with your dogs is to just follow the advice that I've given you here! I am telling you take it slowly and enjoy the process. Remain patience and consistent and believe me you are going to see amazing results in no time. Trust me the world is going to wonder how you managed to make your dog so obedient. You are going to smile in joy.

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Best lap dogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6k0ISpPH8s

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Miki Dog Breed (Mi-Ki)

Brief History

The Mi-Ki, as a breed, has been split between a few different clubs. These clubs are setting their own standards and the dog is quickly becoming very different from club to club, but all still have the same name, Mi-Ki. There are different theories to the origin of the Miki dog breed.

According to the Mi-Ki™ Club of America, Inc., the Mi-Ki is thought to be Asian. The timeframe of when this tiny toy dog is said to have appeared in the U.S. is approximately during the 1980s. It shares common ancestors with the Papillon, the Maltese, and the Japanese Chin. Unfortunately the cloudy history of the Mi-Ki makes it impossible to tell the percentage of each breed in its makeup. The Mi-Ki was recognized by the States Kennel Club in 1995. 

According to the IMR, the Mi-Ki is a new breed started in the late 1980s by a woman who went by the name of Micki Mackin, among others. She resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and its suburbs. She started developing a strain of small dogs from the Papillon, Japanese Chin, Maltese and the small Shih Tzu and in 1993 there was a Papillon / Yorkshire Terrier mix stud that she introduced to some of the females. Unfortunately, she did not keep accurate records, so the degree of mixture or combination of the breeds used is not known. Some credit Micki Mackin with the use of her name when she called the little dogs Mi-Kis (pronounced Mee-Kee). The International Mi-Ki Registry proclaims to be the Developing Founder. The IMR has taken that strain and through a strict breeding program, including DNA profiling through the United Kennel Club, Inc., is developing and refining the Mi-Ki into a new "made in USA" pure breed.

Appearance

Mi-Ki is pronounced Me-Key. It has a small "apple domed" head (the International Mi-Ki Registry's Mi-Ki heads are rounded, but not domed.) It has a short, wide muzzle with a well-defined stop (the region where the muzzle joins the skull); a muzzle that is pushed in or long and narrow are considered major faults. The muzzle length varies from 1/2 inch in length to 1 1/2 inches. The teeth are level to slightly under-shot. The eyes are large, round and set well apart; dark is most desirable, but blue with a blue-colored coat and brown or ruby with a brown-colored coat are acceptable. The nose is medium in size and flat on top with wide nostrils, never pinched. Generally, the nose is black but can be self-colored on brown or lighter coated dogs. The ears are very mobile! The Mi-Ki ears can be carried erect or dropped. Both ear types are capable of "winging" their ears when extremely excited. Ears must be feathered. The neck is of medium length, and should never appear short or thick. Although the Mi-Ki appears cobby, the body is slightly longer than the height, measured at the shoulders. The back line is straight and level. The chest is of medium depth. The ribs are well sprung. The forequarters have a well-developed shoulder that is laid back to allow freedom of movement. The forelegs are always straight and never bowed. Feathering must be present. The hind legs are parallel when viewed from behind. Dewclaws are usually removed, however some clubs state leaving the front dewclaws is optional. The feet are hare-like in shape, thin and elongated.  All four feet must be shaved. When relaxed, the front feet may turn slightly outwards. The feet are dainty and slightly webbed. The tail is set high, carried gaily and well arched over the body with fringing. There are two coat types, smooth and long. The smooth coat lies close to the body and skull with no presence of a beard or mustache on the face, and has short fringing on the ears and on the front and rear legs and the tail. The long coat is fine, silky and straight, with long feathering on the ears and on the front and rear legs, and on the tail. The long-coated Mi-Ki may have a beard and mustache and must have a neatly shaved head. All colors are acceptable, including dilute colors. Solid colors are rare and highly prized. The gait should be light and smooth with a free-flowing action and when viewed from the front or rear should be straight and true. The general appearance should be one of elegance and grace, with long, silky non-shedding hair.

Temperament

The Mi-Ki is intelligent, calm, sweet natured, affectionate and its activity level is low to moderate. Friendly and alert, making an excellent companion to the handicapped, it is laid back and seldom barks. Some also make a sound much like a yodel or a type of joyful twittering. This breed possesses a high degree of intelligence, making it a top candidate for the obedience ring. They love to be around people, and readily accept strangers. The Mi-Ki has a very even temperament, which makes it an ideal therapy dog. The Mi-Ki loves kids. The Mi-Ki enjoys sunning on a window sill and washing itself like a cat. In fact, one Mi-Ki raised an entire litter of abandoned kittens. The Mi-Ki is not aggressive, nor is it intimidated by dogs. This same female who raised the litter of kittens also raised a litter of five Lamalese puppies. By the time these pups were four weeks old they were almost as big as the Mi-Ki. The Mi-Ki is extremely social and catlike in its mannerisms. It is such an adaptable little dog that many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to have a pet find they can indeed have a Mi-Ki. The Mi-Ki can climb much like one of its ancestors, the Japanese Chin, and act catlike as it pounces on, chases and swats at its toys or playmates. They are easy to train and seem eager to adapt to your lifestyle. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. When dogs are allowed to be pack leader to humans they can develop many types of behavior issues, including, but not limited to, being suspicious of and barking at strangers, guarding, separation anxiety, destructiveness, snapping, and even biting. These are NOT Mi-Ki traits, but rather behaviors resulting from a lack of leadership on the humans’ part. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. They need rules to follow, limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do and a firm, consistent, confident pack leader, along with daily mental and physical exercise.

Size

Height: 10 - 11 inches (25 - 28 cm)
Weight: up to 10 pounds (5 kg)

Grooming

For pets, use a wire comb once a week to remove dead hair. Bathe only when necessary. The show cut for a Mi-Ki is very distinct. The head, neck and ears are all shaven. The head shaving extends from the base of the skull to the base of the throat. The feet and legs are also shaven to the pastern. The shaving of the legs includes the dewclaws. It is also necessary to remove the hair from between the toes and around the pads. The reason for this cut is to reduce the risk of health problems. The Mi-Ki sheds little to no hair.

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