Rose Martelli

Bullmastiffs 101

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Mar 19th 2010 @ 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

900hp, Flickr

Name: Bullmastiff

Personality: Despite the breed's intimidating name, size and mug, bullmastiffs have "a good-natured temperament," says the Dog Breed Info Center. "Docile and affectionate. Intelligent, even-tempered, calm and loyal."

Grooming: "This is a good breed for people looking for an easy grooming regimen," according to eHow.com's "How to Groom a Bullmastiff." "Bullmastiffs require a once-monthly general grooming and full grooming every 8 to 12 weeks." The article suggests scissor-trimming a bullmastiff's whiskers if desired, shampooing with a rubber brush to remove as much loose fur as possible and conditioning after shampooing.

Common Health Issues: As bullmastiffs are prone to bloat and weight gain, Dog Breed Info Center recommends feeding "two to three small meals a day instead of one large meal." The site also notes that boils on the lips are another curious condition that strike bullmastiffs, while Bullmastiffs Online explains that the breed often suffers from "hot spots," aka wet eczema, which it describes as "pus-filled lesions that seem to suddenly appear on your dog." Hot spots and boils can be easier to treat the more quickly they are caught, and while not life-threatening, they can cause acute discomfort for your dog if not treated. There are many home and professional creams and remedies. Consult with your veterinarian.

Borzoi 101

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Mar 18th 2010 @ 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

myriorama, Flickr

Name: Borzoi

Personality: A most un-doglike dog, the borzoi (aka the Russian wolfhound) is often described instead as "catlike," even though it is one of the larger, stronger and speedier breeds of dog. The American Kennel Club emphasizes the borzoi's "independent and undemanding nature," and the National Borzoi Rescue Foundation echoes the sentiments of many who describe the rarely-barking breed "quiet," "well-behaved" and "an outstanding companion."

Grooming: Another way borzoi exhibit more feline than canine tendencies: They're very good at keeping themselves "quite clean," according to the Dog Breed Info Center. The National Borzoi Rescue Foundation recommends "occasional shampooing and a weekly brushing." As the breed is legendary for its silken, showstopping fur, any proud borzoi owner should take whatever steps are needed to insure an appealing appearance.

Common Health Issues: According to DoggedHealth, the common potential health problems for a borzoi are cataracts, hip dysplasia, bloat, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy, Von Willebrand's Disease and Wobbler Syndrome. All but the last two are common to most breeds as they reach old age. Von Willebrand's, which also presents in humans, is a bleeding disorder. Wobbler Syndrome tends to occur in larger dog breeds due to spinal cord compression.

Bouvier des Flandres 101

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Mar 17th 2010 @ 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

Emo hair. raddewey, Flickr

Name: Bouvier des Flandres

Personality: As the American Bouvier des Flandres Club puts it, this Belgian breed is "agile, alert and intelligent, with character of great spirit and fearlessness; yet, he is serene in disposition, and has an even temperament." The Dog Breed Info Center adds that a Bouvier "may look intimidating, but is actually pleasant-natured and gentle," and, perhaps most impressively, "this dog's loyalty is world-famous."

Grooming: Though it's a long-haired breed, "the unique qualities of the Bouvier coat keep shedding problems to a minimum," says the American Bouvier des Flandres Club. "The longer, harsh guard hairs of the outercoat tend to keep the shedding undercoat from falling to the floor or being deposited on furniture or clothes. Instead, the dead hairs become matted in the coat if a weekly procedure of grooming is not observed." Translation: Brush your Bouvier once a week and you'll be fine, although Dog Breed Info Center recommends additional wet or dry shampooing as needed, a professional trim at least three times a year, and "between trims, remove and excess hair inside the ears and trim hair between the pads of the feet."

Common Health Issues: According to a 2004 survey sponsored by the Bouvier Health Foundation, the health problem most commonly reported by Bouvier owners was cancer, followed by a number of irritating but not life-threatening conditions: sebaceous cysts, hot spots, arthritis, hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

Cardigan Welsh Corgis 101

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Mar 16th 2010 @ 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

Jaydot, Flickr

Name: Cardigan Welsh Corgi

Personality: "One of the best features about a Cardigan is his personality," boasts the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America. "A big dog in a small package, his temperament is based on his original life as a companion and valuable farm helper and guardian." Dog Breed Info Center adds that the breed "is highly intelligent and obedient... reliable, dedicated and loving," while the American Kennel Club states in its breed standard for Cardigans that these pups are "even-tempered, loyal, affectionate, and adaptable. Never shy nor vicious."

Grooming: "The Cardigan's coat is all-weather and generally clean and odorless," says the CWCCA. "It is best if brushed once a week to remove dead hair." Dog Breed Info Center agrees that a Cardigan's "wiry, medium-length, water-resistant coat" should be bathed only when necessary. Like many breeds, Cardigans shed twice yearly. At those times of year, JustDogBreeds.com suggests stepping up the brushing (with a basic bristle brush) to an everyday basis.

Common Health Issues: The Cardigan is one of those breeds that "gains weight easily," warns the Dog Breed Info Center, which can lead to back problems as well as general poor health, so "do not overfeed." Eye issues such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and glaucoma are common in cardigans, as they are in many breeds. JustDogBreeds.com also mentions thyroid problems as being common, but notes that the breed still enjoys a longer-than-average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

Briards 101

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Mar 15th 2010 @ 10:00AM Filed Under: Dogs

Infodad, Flickr

Name: Briard

Personality: Epic figures no less than Thomas Jefferson, Charlemagne and Napoleon all owned Briards, a sheep-herding breed from ancient French stock that served nobly during WWI and is often used by police and the military today. With such high privileges and responsibilities, it's no wonder that Briard.com -- a Web site with the slogan "Hearts Wrapped In Fur" -- says these dogs "do demand a certain independence and use of judgment." However, not all Briards are the same: "The Briard is always loving, but some are sweet couch potatoes, while others clearly show that they could spend all day tending a flock with little or no human direction."

Grooming: All it takes is one quick glance at a Briard to get a sense of how much fur there is for the Briard owner to keep up with. In addition to being long and shaggy, "the Briard's coat is coarse and strong, similar to a goat's coat," says Dog Breed Info Center. Although the site recommends allotting two hours per week to combing and brushing (more if you've been "remiss"), it does note that one nice perk of the Briard coat is that "dirt and water do not readily cling to it." As with many floppy-eared dogs, make sure those ears stay clean to prevent infections.

Common Health Issues: If you've got a purebred Briard who comes from a good line, you've probably got a pretty healthy dog on your hands; otherwise, some hand-me-down conditions include cataracts and dysplasia. Dog Breed Info Center recommends monitoring your Briard for bloat, which tends to strike in larger dogs and can quickly become fatal if not detected early.

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