How to house train your dog -- paper or litter? All the poop on toilet training!
QUOTE OF THE MONTH: "What one must remember in determining if a rescue dog is right for you is that these dogs have been neglected or abused and may be skittish, afraid, or have problems with eating or other issues. You may give the dog treats, the rescue society will tell you which ones are okay. You will need to reward the dog for good behavior and let it know who is in authority.
"At first, the dog may be fearful or act out with some sort of bad behavior until it knows what it is that you expect of it. However, if you are patient with the dog and are willing to understand the issues it might have and work to help it overcome those issues, you will never find a more loyal, loving and appreciative dog because you have given it a loving, caring home where it feels safe and is happy." -- Vikki Gigante
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Siberian Husky Dog Development and History
The Siberian Husky belongs to the so-called Spitz Group of dogs and has variously been known at one time or another under the following names:
• Artic Husky Dog
• Siberian Chukchi
• Chukchi Sled Dog
• Chukchi or Chuchi
The Siberian Husky developed as a purebred dog breed through its isolated existence with the native people known as the Chukchi that existed in the extreme north-eastern region of Siberia around Yakutsk located north of Stanovoi Mountains. Some legends in fact narrate how the word husky arose as a corruption in the pronunciation of the word "Chukchi" by European migrants to the region.
Some dog authorities are of the opinion that the Siberian Husky had developed as a purebred dog breed as far back as 3000 years ago through its isolated existence with the Chukchi. Unquestionably there is Northern Wolf blood in the Siberian Husky dog breed mix and for centuries from generation through generation it was customary for the Chukchi people to only breed the very best of lead dogs while neutering the rest to eliminate the reproduction of undesired traits. In this manner the Chukchi not only vastly improved the genetic lineage of the Siberian Husky dog breed but also consolidated its genetic purity as a thoroughbred dog breed.Husky Dogs
When the Siberian Husky dogs of the village were not working there were cared for by the women of the tribe which meant that the dogs had to be in close proximity with them and their children. Thus another trait which the Chukchi people bred for in their husky dogs was a sound and balanced temperament, since naturally they would not want aggressive and ill-tempered dogs hanging around their children. Ironically enough it was this pleasant nature and temperament of character that moved many people to dismiss the Siberian Husky as an insignificant sled-racing dog contender; that is until the Siberian Husky "got on the ice and started performing!"
Siberian Husky Dog Racing History
As earlier pointed out the Chukchi people of Siberia had bred the Siberian Husky dog to the pinnacle of work performance on the snow and for excellence of temperament. In essence they bred a superb sled dog perfected to carry light loads such as hunted game for extensive distances at remarkable speeds. The Chukchi's unschooled dog breeding program was so successful that in effect they had bred the ultimate sled-pulling dog.
By the end of the 19th century news of these amazing sled dogs filtered to North America and in 1909 a team of imported Siberian Husky dogs debuted in a major sled race in Alaska. Although the Siberian Husky was dismissed by many as being far too small and docile to match competitively against their bigger and more powerful counterparts (the Alaskan Malamute and the Eskimo Dog both of which average around 100 lbs in weight as compared to the Siberian Husky dog's relative featherweight of 60 pounds), as soon as the Husky started racing it quashed all doubt. Put simply, the Siberian Husky created quite the sensation by outperforming all the other dog breeds in the race. One racer present was so impressed by the relatively "miniscule"
Siberian Husky dogs' performance he imported 70 of them to prepare and ready for the next race in 1910. He wasn't disappointed. In 1910 his three dog teams comprised of Siberian Huskies dogs placed 1st, 2nd and 4th in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race, which covered a distance of 408 miles between the towns of Nome and Candle. The stage was set and from then onwards the Siberian Husky was recognized far and wide as the ultimate sled-racing dog.
Siberian Husky Dog: Perfection of Form to Function
Once it made its stunning debut in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race, the Siberian Husky dog breed literally became an overnight sensation in sled dog-racing circles. Even so its phenomenal success baffled both spectator and racer alike. How could such a comparatively lightweight and small sled dog drastically outperform and outrace the bigger dog breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute and Eskimo dog; both of which were more powerful and boasted a longer stride.
The secret to the husky dog's superior sled-racing skills lay in its inherent form that was beautifully adapted for speed sled pulling. At a maximum weight of sixty pounds, the Siberian Husky dog had attained the ideal pull- weight ratio for sled racing. An excess of 60 pounds in weight would result in a proportionally decreased surface area for heat loss or conversely a disproportionate increase in heat storage.
Dogs are notoriously inefficient at losing heat, most especially big dogs, and such an issue would constitute a very big problem in long distance races such as those like the four-day 25 mile marathon race that sled dogs have to endure. In short, selective centuries of breeding by the Chukchi people of particular dogs with their most desired traits for loaded-sled pulling on slippery surfaces at high speed resulted in a dog breed perfectly formed and designed for just such a pursuit. The Siberian Husky was that dog, the perfect balance of weight to optimal sled-pulling ratio at high and sustained speed.
Siberian Husky Makes Its Mark In History
In the winter of 1925 a very serious diphtheria endemic struck the city of Nome in Alaska. Being deep winter the only routes accessible at the time were dog trails that spanned across hundreds of miles of snowy plains. In an unprecedented feat of speed and endurance a number of teams of Siberian Husky dogs led by legendary Norwegian Champion Dog driver Leonhard Seppala streaked across 340 miles of unforgiving snow and harsh winter in a race against time to save the city. In what came to be known in history as the fabled " Serum Run" Seppala and his team of Siberian Husky dogs saved the city of Nome!
Following their amazing rescue mission Leonhard Seppala and a team of huskies went on a tour across the United States forever cementing this dog breed in the hearts and minds of the American public. In Commemoration of the "Serum Run" to this day a statue of one of those heroic Siberian Husky dogs resides in New York's Central Park. Later thanks to the significant role that the Siberian Husky dog played in military search & rescue operations in the Artic during World war II as well as Seppala's State-wide tour people's admiration for this dog breed was further consolidated. The Siberian Husky was officially recognized by the AKC in 1930.
The German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog Is Also Known By These Other Names: Alsatian, Deutscher Schaferhund, GSD.
German Shepherd Dog Temperament
The German Shepherd dog is amongst the most intelligent of dogs and its versatility and excellence in performing all manner of activities has secured its eternal position in the hall of fame when it comes to policing duties, search and rescue, military functions such as bomb sniffing and even as sight-seeing dogs for people who are blind or those with impaired eyesight. The German Shepherd is a quick study and due to their innate high intelligence are very easy to train. These dogs are active, alert and like many other animals of a high intelligence and active nature the German Shepherd needs to be constantly challenged and stimulated both physically and mentally to avoid becoming a nuisance.
That said, this dog breed makes a great companion and is both brave and loyal. Though some dogs tend to be somewhat aloof and wary by and large this dog breed makes for a great family pet and they generally get on well with children. Occasionally certain dogs may become a tad domineering with children which may manifest in the form of the German Shepherd trying to herd them about; in keeping with its breeding pedigree. German Shepherd dogs have excellent watchdog ability and are typically wary of both strangers and other dogs.
Early socialization is a must if your dog is going to be around other animals. As far as climate tolerance is concerned these dogs adapt fairly well to moderate cold as well as moderate heat, though extremes in either direction don't go down well.
German Shepherd Dog Grooming & Exercise Requirements
The German Shepherd boasts a high energy level and thus this dog breed requires plenty of exercise on a daily basis. Its grooming requirements however are not quite as demanding and its coat only requires brushing once or twice a week. The German Shepherd is a moderate to heavy shedder and thus is perhaps not the best choice of dog for allergy sufferers.
German Shepherd Dog Appearance
The body of the German Shepherd dog is typically longer than it is tall and in the modern variant when the animal is standing the body slopes downwards as though the dog is poised to spring off of its hind legs. This was not always the case, the early variant of the German Shepherd dog having a squarer body and less slanting haunches. The tail is usually bushy and hangs with a slight curve. This dog breed boasts an athletic build and erect ears atop a head with a pointed snout which enhances the alert appearance of the dog. Coat color may vary and includes the following: black, black and tan and sable. From a show dog perspective white-coated dogs are not allowed although of recent there is a movement for such specimens to be represented in their own sub-category. This dog breed has a double coat with a thick outer coat comprised of close lying medium-length hair that may be straight or slightly wavy.
Weight: Males: 75 - 100 pounds Females: 60 - 80 pounds
Height: Males: 24 - 26 inches Females: 22 - 24 inches German Shepherd Dog Health Issues/Life Expectancy This dog breed on average has a lifespan of 10 - 12 years. Due to rather intense in breeding over the years the German Shepherd dog suffers from a number of genetic disorders which include the following:
Major Concerns: CHD Elbow Dysplasia Minor Concerns: Panosteitis; vWD; Degenerative Myelopathy; Cauda Equina; Skin Allergies; Hot Spots; Neoplasms; Pannus; Cataract; Gastric Torsion; Perianal Fistulas; Cardiomyopathy; Hemangiosarcoma German Shepherd dogs are also extremely susceptible to a potentially fatal systemic infection from the fungus Aspergillus.
German Shepherd Dog History
The modern German Shepherd dog is the end result of a concerted effort in the late 19th century to breed the perfect German sheep herding dog. Up until that time each district boasted its own distinct herding dog. To achieve the perfect herding dog various dog breeds from the north were crossbred with those from the central district ultimately resulting with the forbearer of the modern German Shepherd. The goal of the German Shepherd dog breeding program was to produce a dog that could watch out for and control straying sheep from the rest of the flock without spooking the entire flock. Thus unlike cattle herding dogs it was undesirable for the German Shepherd dog to exhibit leg nipping and neither could it control its wards by barking at them because either one of those attributes would more than likely cause the entire flock to panic! In essence the German Shepherd dog breeding program had to come up with an extremely intelligent, versatile, swift and independent thinking breed of dog that executed its duties in a precise, swift, calm and steady manner.
Between 1899 and 1901 a specialist breed club was established and was originally headquartered in Stuttgart before moving to Munich and then finally ending up in Berlin. This club was known as Der Verein Fur Schaferhunde (SV for short), and this organization's primary goal and purpose was to oversee the continued positive development of the German Shepherd dog breed.
Within a decade of its breeding the German Shepherd dog had soon become one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Its rising star in popularity was slightly marred by the occurrence of the two world wars, when it was considered prudent in both Britain and France to refer to the dog breed as either an Alsatian or simple the Shepherd Dog to avoid the inevitable backlash at the time associated with the word German incorporated in the dog breed's name.
Nature vs Nurture: Can a Pit Bull Look After Sheep?
Any true professional with experience and working knowledge of Livestock Guarding Dogs (LGDs) will bluntly tell you (if you so inquire) that raising the "perfect livestock guardian dog" hinges more on early socialization and training than any inherent genetic attributes. Which brings us to the thread of this discussion; can a Pit bull be used as a livestock protecting dog (in other words can you imagine a Pit bull lovingly looking after sheep?).
To answer this sufficiently one has to consider what a livestock guardian dog is, what it does, and how it became the champion at what it does. Livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) are a select group of dog breeds that have been bred over several generations to accentuate the most desirable traits best suited for the activity of protection. These dogs are expected to watch over the livestock quite often unattended by the shepherd; in other words they were bred to be independent which explains their apparent aloofness to human overtures in comparison to the other breeds. This all tends to suggest that those dog breeds which have been bred over several generations (in some cases spanning thousand of years) for selective traits best suited to the protection of livestock should naturally exhibit such qualities.
Unfortunately this is not the case! Remember earlier I mentioned that the true Pros found in this field maintain that timely socialization and optimized training play a far greater role in the development of a good protector dog than genetics; well it is true! This is not to say that genetics plays no part whatsoever, because the fact remains it most certainly does!
Breed Inherent Behavior
Most purebred breeds of dog typically exhibit stereotypical behavior inherent to that particular breed for the simple fact those characteristics have been accentuated over time through selective breeding. Gundogs for instance are inherently inclined to retrieve because they've been bred to accentuate such a trait (practical application of this trait is: retrieval of hunted game). This genetic inheritance also explains why certain dog breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever, to name but a few) find the game of "fetch" so engaging. However, were you to attempt the game of "fetch" with a canine from one of the livestock guardian dog breeds you would in all likelihood be very disappointed! The dog would probably stare at you with an expression that says "what's up with this moron" before indignantly sauntering off to more productive activities.
It shouldn't be unreasonable to presume that a gundog would be naturally tolerant and unafraid of the sound of gunshot but to make such an assumption would be quite incorrect! If such a dog were not introduced to the sound of gunfire as a puppy (within the critical period of learning and before the onset of fear) then that dog would thereafter forever perceive the sound of gunfire as something to avoid; in other words the dog will be gun shy. This is a classic example of nurture at play; behavior being influenced by external factors such as socialization and training rather than genetics. In the same vein, a livestock guardian dog from so-called excellent stock that has never been introduced or socialized with livestock whilst a puppy (within the critical period of learning), cannot, nor will it ever be, able to properly perform livestock protection duties. Why? Because its puppy brain never developed the necessary neuronal connections.
Pit Bull Amidst The Sheep
Thus the question of which livestock guardian dog breed makes the best shepherd protection dog is moot if the influence of nurture (socialization and training) is not factored in! Which brings us full circle to that nagging question of whether a Pit Bull can actually make the cut as a livestock protection dog? Keep in mind that there are two important factors at play here: nature (genetics) and nurture (socialization/training). So if a Pit Bull pup is raised with sheep early on (from 4-16 weeks of age) it is conceivable that it could perform the role as protector. The early association with sheep will ensure that the Pit Bull regards sheep as its primary companions.
However that Pit Bull still has to overcome one major hurdle…the role of its genetic heritage! Pit Bulls are a dog breed that were originally bred and developed to fight. In other words they possess an innate aggressive streak (though not necessarily against people but rather animals) as a result of multiple-generation selective trait breeding encouraging and accentuating such characteristics. (I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this from Pit Bull owners and fans but the fact remains folks… Pit Bulls were originally bred for fighting!)
Verdict: A Pit Bull could, in the face of timely socialization, act as a livestock guardian dog but the legacy of its heritage would greatly increase the probability of such a protector attacking the animals it was entrusted to take care of!
Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog History
The modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, sleek handsome hound that possesses exceptional qualities as a hunter, protector as well as companion. But this was not always the case, at least as far as the large size and lithe refined looks were concerned. The fact is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog of today actually originated from very humble beginnings. It is believed that the Rhodesian Ridgeback heritage harks back to the pariah dogs of the nomadic Khoi Khoi people (Hottentots).
The Khoi dogs were typically small, slender and somewhat jackal-like in appearance. These dogs seldom attained a height in excess of 171/2 inches and were so far removed from the appearance of the latter day Rhodesian Ridgeback dog that Kolb, a German settler in circa (1705 - 1712) was moved to observe that "...he is such a piece of ugliness, of the dog kind, as is not to be seen, perhaps in any other part of the world. Tho' he has a thousand good qualities, you see nothing in his features that is indicative of 'em. Appearance never gave such a lie as it does in him..."
Kolb was not alone amongst those early settlers in his unflattering observations that ridiculed the native dogs of the Khoi Khoi people, but as one they all had to concede that they had never come across a dog that exhibited such exceptional bravery, courage and loyalty. Moreover the "ugly" looking dog possessed a unique versatility in dogs being watchdog, hunter, herder and protector all rolled in one.
So it was no surprise that they deemed it extremely desirable to crossbreed their larger imported breeds from Europe with the fierce native local breeds. Such a heritage goes a long way in explaining the African Lion Dog's (Rhodesian Ridgeback) legendary courage with respect to confronting much larger foes such as lions.
Origins Of The Ridge Of The Rhodesian Ridgeback
There are various schools of thought postulating how the characteristic ridge found on the back of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog came into being. This ridge of hair for which evidently the dog breed is named, grows along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat; which is to say the hair found on the ridge grows towards the dogs head not its tail. As for the origins of this ridge, it is more than likely that it was another trait passed on from the Khoi dogs when crossbred with the larger European dog breeds. The real mystery however, leading to the differing school of thoughts, is in explaining how very different dog breeds found on different continents and separated by large masses of water, both came to possess such a distinguishing and characteristic ridge of hair on their back.
In Thailand on the island of Phu Quoc there exists a breed of dog that also has a dorsal ridge which however is quite distinct from that of the Rhodesian Ridgeback in that it has a long head, erect ears and typically its eyes are reddish in color. The hair found on the ridge of this dog breed is substantially longer, coarser and darker than that of the rest of its body. This paradox of two distinct dog breeds both sporting a dorsal ridge of hair yet separated by thousands of miles has led some researchers to conclude that Phu Quoc dogs or some ancestral derivative was responsible for exporting the trait to from Thailand to their African counterparts in the southern portion of Africa. This theory has been widely embraced by many much in part to the fact that their was significant sea traffic trade passing through Phu Quoc.
Yet an equally strong argument and perhaps more accurate is that the characteristic ridge of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was actually indigenous to Africa (indeed for thousands of years several African dogs have sported ridged backs) and was exported to Phu Quoc in congress with the human cargo that was part of the booming slave trade between both shores.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Temperament
As mentioned earlier, the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback dog comes from a long line of canines that were legendary for their courage and versatility in duty performance. Thus it should come as no surprise that today's Rhodesian Ridgeback dog possess many of the same qualities.
Not too long ago the Rhodesian Ridgeback was referred to as the African Lion Dog or the Rhodesian Lion Hound because it was actually selectively bred to hunt lion. Now don't get me wrong, contrary to many a misguided belief, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not, and never was a lion killer. Fact is it would be the most exceptionally dog indeed that could kill an adult healthy lion (male lions weigh up to as much as 500 lbs and lioness typically scale in at 260lbs). Simply put there isn't a dog alive that is a match for a full grown lion.
DOG BREEDS: The Mutt vs Purebred -- Which is Challenged by the Designer Dog! An Article by "Kayye Nynne"
Ever noticed the sniffy hauteur with which purebred dog owners appraise mixed breed dogs? You can almost see them flinch as their condescending eye roves across the form of the objectionable mutt while they grudgingly concede that perhaps their refined canine specimen and that pollutant mutt do indeed belong to the same species! In fact you need only trawl various online dog forums to experience firsthand just how contentious the issue of mutt versus purebred really is. Yet much as purebred dog owners may put down the humble mutt or mixed breed dog the strange thing is:
Purebred Dogs Are Merely Strain-Refined Mutts! Doberman Pinscher:
The Doberman Pinscher dog breed was the brainchild of door-to-door tax collector Herr Louis Doberman. Whether Herr Doberman developed this dog breed as enforcer or protector has never been truly established but one aspect that is not in contention is the fact that his was an unenviable profession! It is well documented that since biblical times the tax collector has been much reviled; even today the tax collector is the subject of scorn and disgust.
If you truly want to belabor the point, the next time you are at a social gathering, casually mention that you work for the IRS and watch the little-witnessed phenomenon of how so many can disappear so quickly! However back to Herr Doberman and his dangerous profession; tired of being pushed about and quite possibly being set upon by irate tax payers, poor Herr Doberman came up with the novel yet economic solution of developing a dog breed that would be both enforcer and protector!
The "ingredients" for his new dog breed included the following: Rottweiler; German Pinscher; Greyhound and the Manchester Terrier. Though some wishful fanciers contend that the German Shepherd dog was also involved in the genetic compilation of the Doberman Pinscher, this is highly unlikely since the development of the German Shepherd occurred a little later than that of the Doberman Pinscher.
The early form of the Doberman Pinscher dog was not the sleek lean machine that epitomizes the breed today, but it was a heavier-boned dog somewhat more similar in appearance to the Rottweiler dog breed. Subsequent tweaks by later breeders eventually resulted with the sleek contemporary dog that defines the modern Doberman Pinscher. The point of note here is that the Doberman Pinscher, a well-known dog breed that is officially recognized by countless of International Kennels such as the AKC, was a crossbreed developed from various other dog breeds before it attained the holy-grail status of purebred! Verdict: The Doberman Pinscher, like all the other so-called purebred dogs is nothing more than a strain refined mutt. Sniff! What can I say...these pesky mongrels are everywhere, most of them disguising themselves as well-established purebreds!
Designer/Hybrid Dogs
Though the Labradoodle is widely accredited as the crossbreed dog that set the whole designer-dog movement rolling along at a good clip, the truth of the matter is that other well established crossbreeds already existed.
One such crossbreed or so-called designer dog is the Cockerpoo (Cockapoo), a cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and a Miniature Poodle. The Cockerpoo has been in existence since the 1960s (in contrast to the Labradoodle which was developed in the 1980s).
The Cockerpoo is currently so well established in North America that there is a strong movement to consolidate a breeding standard. These days "Oodles" or "Poos" (Poodle hybrids) are practically everywhere in North America for the simple reason they translate into mega bucks. Though the Labradoodle (perhaps the best known Poodle derivative) was developed with a utilitarian purpose in mind, most designer dogs have no other function than to propel a burgeoning and lucrative market for these hybrid dogs; as it so happens, backyard breeders very quickly recognized the enormous profits to be had from designer dogs. To date the designer dog market is flourishing, strong evidence that people are quite willing to shell out mega bucks so as to differentiate themselves from the rest of the crowd.
And perhaps you've noticed, nobody refers to these mutts as well...mutts, for the simple reason crossbreeds do not satisfy people's sniff factor! (Sniff Factor defines the human tendency to snobbishness; in earlier times the upper classes were predisposed to strolling about with their noses pointed skywards as an expression of their obvious class superiority (as though reaching for air unpolluted by the masses!) Calling a mongrel a designer dog is certain to guarantee a far better price than if the animal were addressed as a crossbreed. The unfortunate fallout of this whole designer dog issue, is that there're now many more dogs in shelters and rescues, as well as dogs being euthanized, because of unethical breeders, who without regard to genetics, breed thousands of these dogs every year in a bid to capitalize on the public's ignorance and insatiable appetite for "exclusive" or "limited" dogs. So how did this designer dog brouhaha really begin?
Good Intentions Open Pandora's Box
Sometime during the 1980s, Wally Conron, the breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia embarked on a quest to develop a non-allergenic guide dog for a visually impaired client whose husband happened to be allergic to common dog fur. Conron settled on the standard Poodle as the ideal cross with the already established Labradors in use at their center, for the simple fact that the Poodle,s as a highly trainable working dog with tightly curled coat, constituted a the best-fit match.
After two years of trials including 33 successive disappointment runs, Wally Conron hit pay dirt! A cross mating between one of their most prized Labradors and a Poodle specimen resulted in a litter of 3 non-allergenic puppies. Sultan the 1st ever Labradoodle destined for guide-dog greatness was introduced to his new owner amidst great fanfare. The bonding was a great success and Conron was confident that the remaining two puppies would quickly be snapped up; after all, the center at which he worked had a 6-month backlog of requests from people hoping to foster a dog. But he miscalculated; nobody it seemed wanted a dog that was associated with the dirty word crossbreed. As eight weeks rolled by, the remaining two pups still hadn't found homes and the critical-period window in which they needed to bond with a new owner and thus become successful guide dogs was closing fast.
Out of sheer frustration Wally Conron decided to call his new dog breed the Labradoodle and thenceforth stopped referring to them as crossbreeds. That was the eureka moment he had been waiting for (evidence of the sniff factor in play again)! Within weeks, requests for this new "miracle dog" inundated the center...the rest as the saying goes, was history! Other than the Labradoodle, few designer dogs have been developed for utilitarian purposes and in fact for the most part new breeds are introduced for purely cosmetic purposes. Having said that though, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the fact that some new dog breeds are currently being developed to address the all pervasive problem of genetic disease in the canine; especially in the more popular breeds.
Some other well-established crossbreeds are the Bull Boxer which is a cross between the Boxer and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The Bull Boxer is said to be a more affable dog, especially towards other pets, than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and is also reputed to be less inclined to exhibit the immature behaviorisms characteristic of the Boxer. By and large though, the substantial prevalence of the designer-dog set is to be found firmly within the realm of Poodle mixes. Such Poodle mixes usually go by names, which if not exactly flattering, are to say the least, colorful: 1. Doxiepoo (Dachshund Poodle Mix) 2. Papipoo (Papillon Poodle Mix) 3. Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever Poodle Mix) 4. Jack-A-Poo (Jack Russell Terrier Poodle Mix) 5. Irish Doodle (Irish Setter Poodle Mix) to name but a few. Verdict: Sniff! These dogs may go under the guise of designer dog...but let's be honest, they are no more than glorified mutts!
The Humble Yet Ubiquitous Mutt
So where does the lowly mutt fit in this picture of brave new doggy world; that is to say, other than bearing the brunt of the purebred afficionado's scorn! Well as I have amply illustrated in the paragraphs above, all dog breeds are essentially mixed breeds even the purebreds. Purebred dogs are so entitled because over several generations they have been specifically bred for selective traits. But therein lies their Achilles' heel or weakness. Due to such selective-trait breeding, purebred dogs have an inherently high prevalence of genetic disease. A classic example illustrating some of the problems encountered in trait-selective breeding can be found in the history of the Dalmatian.
Breeding for the sharply-defined spot trait unintentionally also led to selective breeding for an abnormal uric acid gene (case of gene linkage). The result was that the Dalmatian dog breed was dogged (no pun intended) with hereditary urine stone disease. In an attempt to rectify the problem yet retain the desired spot pattern, the Dalmatian was crossbred with various Pointer breeds (Sniff! Sniff! What did I tell you...all mutts the lot of them!). Conversely the lack of trait-selective breeding and a diverse gene pool in the mutt makes such dogs so much healthier and more robust than their purebred counterparts!
Thus unless you're going to develop your own dog breed, if all you're looking for in a dog is a pet, do yourself, your pocket as well as the millions of dogs on death row a favor and adopt a dog from a shelter! Trust me, they make excellent pets. (Shelters cannot house dogs forever and each year more than 7,000,000 cats and dogs are euthanized!)
Verdict: Hmmm...the lowly mutt. At last! A dog without pretensions!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kayye Nynne is the webmaster of http://www.dog-breeds-spot.com !
DOG FOOD REPORT 2009: Finding the Right Dog Food For Your Pet
The dog foods found on most grocery store shelves, the generic or store brand ones, are not usually considered among the best foods for your pet.
More often than not, these brands are full of ingredients that are lower in quality and inexpensive. While these brands provide a cheaper alternative to the other brands, they are generally not recommended. A quick glance at the ingredients can provide an example of lower quality food.
The Right Adult Dog Food *
The AAFCO (Association Of American Feed Control Officials) has different testing standards for commercial puppy and adult dog foods, and the ingredients in and AAFCO approved puppy food will not continue to meet your dog's changing nutritional needs. The AAFCO's Growth testing protocol applies to puppies, and its Adult Maintenance protocol applies to all adult dogs.
So if you are enticed by a commercial dog food labeled as "Senior," don't think it has been tested by the AAFCO on older dogs. With your dog coming into adulthood, you will have to change the food from puppy chow to a food formulated for older dogs that is one of the best rated dog food. This should start around the one year mark for your puppy. Changing foods should be done carefully and with great care and consideration. Pay close attention to your dog's likes, dislikes, and attitude toward the new food. When choosing the new food, make sure that it contains the six major nutrient groups which will provide your dog with a healthy diet.
These groups are the proteins, fats and oils, minerals, water, carbohydrates, and vitamins that can be found listed on the Guaranteed Analysis on the dog food package. It is also important to consider your dog's special needs and circumstances while choosing an adult formulated food. Breed and size are two factors as well as any health issues and if your dog is active or inactive. Smaller breeds metabolize much faster than larger breeds and will need twice the calories. Larger breeds will need to eat more and will also need food that helps strengthen their bones and joints. Active dogs will need food with high levels of fat which will not help the inactive dog.
The dietary needs for adult dogs will vary dog to dog depending upon condition, size, and breed. In general, the aim of adult dog food should be the continued maintenance of well being for the immune system, skin, coat and muscles. Always try and buy one of the best rated dog foods. No matter what food you choose, make sure that it will meet your dog's dietary needs. Remember that the feeding recommendations below and those found on other food's labels are merely guidelines. You, as the owner, will be the first to know if your dog is benefiting from the diet or that adjustments are needed.
And, as always, do not hesitate to consult with your veterinarian if you should have any questions or concerns. Adult dogs will be eating less often than their puppies, averaging two servings a day; some breeds will only need one serving a day. It is vital to ensure that your dog is meeting all of the nutritional requirements at each meal to keep it healthy and happy. Routine is also important and allows your dog's digestion system a sense of regularity. It is important to remember that with a regular feeding schedule and consultations with veterinarians, feeding your adult dog should not be stressful. Usually, there should be two feeding times for healthy adults; morning and evenings with enough food to sufficiently meet the dog's daily requirements.
To do so, simply divide the daily nutritional requirements in half. With a stable routine, your dog's body will come to expect meals at the appointed time which will help the digestion process and even his mental health. When deciding what time to feed your dog, take into consideration your own daily habits and choose times that will allow you to follow through with the plan each and every day. In time, you and your dog will fall into habit of reducing stress and making life much easier for both. One thing you should keep in mind when feeding your adult dog is that his or her metabolism will begin to slow over time.
While properly balanced adult dog foods will not by themselves make your adult dog fat, continuing to feed a dog with a slowing metabolism the same amount of food will. So you should either give your aging pet more exercise to burn off the calories which aren't being burned by his or her slowing metabolism, or cut back on the portions at meal time. What you decide to feed your adult dog, whether you go with a commercial food or decide to try the BARF diet or your own home made dog food, will be the single most important factor in his or her continuing health and happiness.
So do your research before you make the switch from puppy to adult food, and pay attention to how well your pal is responding to the new food. It's perfectly alright to try a variety of adult foods until you discover the one the best rated dog foods which has you dog both thriving, and looking forward to mealtime as the best part of the day! But make an educated choice!
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Persuading Doggie That the New Food Really Tastes Better
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If you've learned enough about dog food to have decided that it's time to change what your dog has been eating to a more healthy dog food, you need to develop a plan of action. Your dog may have both physical and emotional difficulty in switching to a new food, because just like us, dogs do have comfort foods.
So you should do your switching gradually, to spare your pet any digestive problems or stress. Although we see many dogs as hardy creatures and marvel at what they manage to eat, the fact is that a dog's digestive system if very sensitive. It is important to gradually change a dog's diet slowly and over time. Be on the look out for any adverse effects caused by the change, and consult a veterinarian if any symptoms persist for more than a few days.
By not changing a dog's diet slowly, you may subject your pet to: Stomach cramps Excess Gas Heartburn Indigestion Diarrhea Vomiting Refusal to Eat Even though you have found a healthier alternative to the current dog food, you dog may not know that and as a creature of habit, would prefer the old to the new. With this in mind, the first few tries may be difficult. However, with a few simple tricks and tips, the transition should be easy.
Gradual change to a more healthy dog food is the key, so start by mixing the old and new food together in a 25% to 75% ratio of new to old. Over the next few days, slowly increase the ratio of new food while decreasing the old food. At the end of this process, the new food will make up 100% of the food bowl. The Kibble to BARF Transition The switch from dry kibble to the BARF diet needs to be done with a few considerations in mind and a more watchful eye, as some dogs will have problems switching. There are two methods used when switching dogs over to the BARF diet. The Quick Switch This is the popular choice as it is easy, fast, and hassle free. You simply make the switch with the next meal.
Considerations to keep in mind when making the Rapid Switch whether or not you believe your dog can handle such a change. Usually, younger dogs and those dogs that have a healthy, normal gastrointestinal system are the ones able to handle such a switch. Dogs that are older or that have problems with their digestive system may have issues, as they can not tolerate kibble and raw food in their digestive tract at the same time. This can result in vomiting and diarrhea. This also means that owners have no choice but to hold off the rapid switch food.
The Slow Switch: This method takes time, sometimes a significant amount of time, to fully switch from kibble to the BARF diet. It is not recommended to continue feeding the dog both kibble and BARF as this will lead to digestion problems. It needs to be one or the other. There are three ways to go about the Slow Switch. The first is simple enough; you feed the dog a meal of the BARF diet and a meal of the old food. Each day decrease the amount of meals of the old food until your dog's meals are nothing but the BARF diet. The second way is mixing the old food in with the BARF diet and gradually decrease the amount of old food until the dog is eating nothing but the BARF diet.
A problem with this way comes in when the dog can not keep both kibble and BARF diet in its systems at the same time. If this is the case, you will have to follow the Rapid Switch method. The last way is for owners who were already feeding their dog home cooked foods. Slowly introduce the dog to rawer states of those foods until he is eating nothing but the raw food.
However, if the dog suffers from an immune deficiency and can not eat raw food, owners can cook the BARF diet, though this is not recommended for healthy dogs. If you realize that your dog is not eating a healthy diet, then by all means make whatever changes are necessary to rectify the situation. Just do it in a way which eases the transition for you pal so that meal times still remain the high points of his or her day!
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For the latest on dog food, check out The Complete Guide to Your Dog's Nutrition... It can help you with everything to do choosing the healthiest food for your dog plus provides detailed help with managing all the common dog food issues you may experience with your dog.
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--Brian Alan Burhoe www.brianalanburhoe.com
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