The Doggie Dish - What Is Your Dog-Breed Bias?
We know you love dogs. All dogs. But there are so many different breeds, so many variations among the species, only a liar could claim to love every sort of dog equally. It's OK to admit it: you have a dog-breed bias. We all do. The Doggie Dish understands that, and they think we should be open about it, so they're leading the discussion.
The Doggie Dish is a site for dog lovers where dog bloggers from across the web come together to talk about the issues that go along with their beloved pets. In this Doggie Dish video, discussing their most favored and least favored dog breeds are Amelia Glynn of the San Francisco Chronicle; Bernie Berlin from A Place to Bark; "Stunt Dog Guy" Chris Perondi; Dr. Robyn Barbiers, President of the Anti-Cruelty Society; and Matt Drew of Drew's Pawspective.
Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite and least favorite dog breeds.
The Doggie Dish is a site for dog lovers where dog bloggers from across the web come together to talk about the issues that go along with their beloved pets. In this Doggie Dish video, discussing their most favored and least favored dog breeds are Amelia Glynn of the San Francisco Chronicle; Bernie Berlin from A Place to Bark; "Stunt Dog Guy" Chris Perondi; Dr. Robyn Barbiers, President of the Anti-Cruelty Society; and Matt Drew of Drew's Pawspective.
Leave a comment and tell us about your favorite and least favorite dog breeds.
Pug Ownership in Two and a Half Minutes
Dogs, Pet Health, Funny Animal Videos
Sucka27, Youtube
New Breeds at the National Dog Show
It was a big year for new breeds at the 2010 National Dog Show presented by Purina! Doubling last year's introduction of three breeds, this year a whopping six breeds entered the ring for the first time: Boykin spaniel, Leonberger, Cane Corso, Icelandic sheepdog, bluetick coonhound and Redbone coonhound.
Want to know more about these new-to-the-show competitors? Here's a cheat sheet.
Boykin Spaniel: The official state dog of South Carolina, where it was originally bred as an amphibious hunting dog and named after L. Whitaker Boykin, one of the original developers of the breed. You'll be able to identify a Boykin by its relatively compact size compared to other breeds of spaniel. But like all spaniels (save the non-sporting Tibetan), it competed at the NDS in the sporting group. With its flowing, shiny, chocolate-brown coat and its agreeable demeanor, the Boykin proved a crowd-pleaser at the show.
Leonberger: The German city of Hamburg gave America the hamburger; now Leonberg, Germany gives us the Leonberger, a large-breed, Working Group dog. The AKC praises the Leonberger for being equal parts "multipurpose working dog" and "reliable family companion." We think it looks equal parts St. Bernard and German shepherd.
Want to know more about these new-to-the-show competitors? Here's a cheat sheet.
Westminster Kennel Club
Westminster Kennel Club
Tibetan Spaniel 101 - Dog Breed Info
Dog.Show_Photos, Flickr
Personality: "Tibetan spaniels are very independent dogs," says Deb Henson, a member of the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America who is renowned for her rescue work with the breed. Both she and the American Kennel Club cite the Tibetan spaniel's intelligence, but also note that while these dogs can be outgoing and friendly, they may proove "aloof with strangers." "The Dog Breed Bible" says, "Tibetan spaniels are independent, bold and stubborn, but also sensitive, biddable and happy."
Grooming: Tibetan spaniels have a medium-length double coat that will shed once or twice a year. This is known as "blowing coat," according to Henson. "The owner can keep the loose hair to a minimum with weekly brushing," she says. On the plus side, "they don't really have a 'doggy' odor and they like to be clean. Most enjoy a bath." If your Tibetan spaniel gets muddy, Henson recommends you let the mud dry, and "it will just fall off the hair."
Common Health Issues: According to Henson, "Most Tibetan spaniels are very healthy and tend to live about 15 years, active up to the very end." "The Dog Breed Bible" concurs, recommending tests only on Tibbies' knees and noting nothing more than patellar luxation and cataracts as health concerns.
Find the Perfect Dog for Your Family's Lifestyle
Getty
If you think of your family as:
Super Sporty
Activity level is a major factor in determining the right dog for you and yours. An active family that loves to run and play will find that the border collie is a good match for them. This athletic dog was bred to work, and he'll be happiest with a family that keeps him physically and mentally stimulated.
Very Social
If you're a friendly family with plenty of guests dropping by, your best bet would probably be a sporting breed like the golden retriever, or herding dogs such as the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Why? "They are eager to learn, want to please, are very intelligent, and many are naturally very social," DiNardo tells us.
Skye Terriers 101 - Dog Breed Info
Mary Dickson
Personality: "A skye terrier has stamina, strength and courage," says Karen G. J'Anthony, president of the Skye Terrier Club of America. "They are good-tempered, loyal and sensitive to the needs of their owners. However, although they are sensitive, they do have a mind of their own." According to the American Kennel Club, "The skye terrier is an elegant dog and fiercely loyal to those he knows and loves."
Grooming: A skye terrier's grooming needs change from puppyhood to adulthood, says J'Anthony. "The adult skye carries a double coat comprised of a harsh, outer coat, with a softer, wooly-textured undercoat," J'Anthony explains. "Weekly grooming using a pin brush and comb, beginning at the skin and working out towards the topcoat, will keep the coat in an unmatted condition." The AKC notes that "trimming is necessary to keep the hair from dragging along the ground."
As for younger skyes, "they may need more frequent grooming, as the puppy coat tends to be softer." Grooming how-to is mostly the same between younger and older skyes; the main difference, says J'Anthony, is that for younger dogs, "extra care needs to be spent ensuring that matting does not occur on the inside of the legs and behind the ears."
The extra work involved in grooming a skye puppy comes with benefits. "When started young, skyes look forward to grooming and bonding time with their owners," says J'Anthony. Overall, she recommends that a skye owner dedicate one to two hours per week to grooming.
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons 101 - Dog Breed Info
rse75, Flickr
Personality: The Dog Breed Bible lists the breed's best qualities as "devoted, willing to please, amiable, and often comcial," though the book also notes that they are "reserved with strangers."
Jay Hoth, president of the American Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Association, adds that he tells prospective griffon owners that these dogs are "almost too smart for our own good."
Grooming: The American Kennel Club describes breed's fur as a "coarse double coat." Jim Lorraine of Frog Hollow Griffons, a wirehaired pointing griffon breeder in Sauquiot, N.Y., says their coats are also "non-shedding and hypoallergenic." Not much unkeep is needed. "Using a comb on their coats a couple times a week works the best," according to Lorraine. Hoth agrees, noting, "Griffons don't require a great deal of grooming, but do benefit from periodic brushing to remove dead hair. The griffon should not be bathed too frequently or have a conditioner used on their coat."
There are other elements of good hygiene that you can incorporate into your Griff's grooming. Hoth says, "Their ears need regular maintenance to prevent ear infections. This includes cleaning with a quality ear cleaner and pulling of hair from the ear canal. The hair between the pads of the feet should be trimmed regularly to reduce dirt and ice accumulation. Nails need to be trimmed on a regular schedule."
Dog Behavior - Why Does My Pet Do That?
Do you ever wonder just why your German shepherd leans against you so much? Or why your Yorkie chases everything? It might have more to do with your dog's breed history than his personality. Learn more in the gallery below!
Corgis: Put Your Knowledge To The Test
Anne Bowes has been breeding Pembroke Welsh corgis for 41 years. "I'm what you call a 'breeder-owner-handler,' which means I both breed my dogs and show them in the ring," she told Paw Nation. Bowes has bred 74 champion dogs, and in 2007 she was named the AKC "Breeder of the Year" for her group. "I love Pembroke Welsh corgis," Bowes said. "They can pick their owner out of a crowd of fifty."
Steve Gladstone is president of the Cardigan Welsh corgi Club. He has been breeding the lesser-known Cardigan Welsh corgis since 1974, producing dogs who have garnered over one hundred AKC titles. "The Cardigan Welsh corgi comes in a small package, but it has a big mentality," Gladstone told Paw Nation.
Though both are called corgis, the Pembroke Welsh corgi and Cardigan Welsh corgi are actually two separate breeds. How much do you know about these storied dogs? These two experts are putting us to the test!
Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 16th - 17th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
Steve Gladstone is president of the Cardigan Welsh corgi Club. He has been breeding the lesser-known Cardigan Welsh corgis since 1974, producing dogs who have garnered over one hundred AKC titles. "The Cardigan Welsh corgi comes in a small package, but it has a big mentality," Gladstone told Paw Nation.
Though both are called corgis, the Pembroke Welsh corgi and Cardigan Welsh corgi are actually two separate breeds. How much do you know about these storied dogs? These two experts are putting us to the test!
How Well Do You Know Corgis?
Which group do the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi belong to?
- Working
- Herding
- Non-Sporting
- Hound
What is the telltale physical difference between a Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a Cardigan Welsh Corgi?
- Cardigan Welsh Corgis are shorter than Pembroke Welsh Corgis.
- Only the Pembroke Welsh Corgi has an undercoat.
- The Cardigan Welsh Corgi does not have a tail.
- The Pembroke Welsh Corgi does not have a tail
Which of the following statements are true?
- The word
Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 16th - 17th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
Beagles - Test Your Knowledge
Beagles are cute, cheery, and make great (if sometimes mischievious) family pets. You've probably met a beagle or two in your life, but how well do you really know the breed? Take this quiz to find out!
Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 16th - 17th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
How Well Do You Know Beagles?
What were beagles were originally bred to do?
- Hunt rabbits
- Track deer
- Be family pets
- Imitate bugles with their baying
According to AKC Registration Statistics, how popular are beagles?
- #2
- #5
- #14
- #9
Which of these traits is beagles known for?
- Courage
- Laziness
- Independence
- Retrieving
Where did the breed originate?
- France
- The United States
- England
- Belgium
What U.S. President owned three beagles named Him, Her, and Edgar?
- John F. Kennedy
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Grover Cleveland
- Ronald Reagan
Which of these famous fictional dogs is a beagle?
- Snoopy
- Odie
- Brian Griffin
- Grommit
- All of the above
Learn more about your favorite breeds at the upcoming Meet the Breeds event in New York City on October 16th - 17th. For more information, visit MeetTheBreeds.com.
Pharaoh Hounds 101 - Dog Breed Info
Nelle Wyatt
Personality: "Pharaoh hounds are intelligent, inquisitive, independent and energetic," says Nelle Wyatt, LVMT, CPDT-KA at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (and a proud pharaoh-hound owner). The American Kennel Club likewise says, "friendly and playful, the pharaoh hound is affectionate with its family." Wyatt adds, "Occasionally, individuals may be aloof until they befriend strangers."
Grooming: As a breed without odor problems and with a "short, glossy coat," as described by the AKC, "pharaoh hound grooming is easy," Wyatt proclaims. "Frequent bathing is not necessary. In between baths, wiping with a damp cloth or grooming mitt is usually sufficient to keep shedding down and keep their coats looking pretty."
Common Health Issues: "Pharaoh hounds are genetically clear for serious problems," says Wyatt, although she notes that, in her line of work, "We do see senior thyroid problems, occasional IBD [inflammatory bowel disease] and Addison's disease, as well as luxating patellas in some lines."
Training Tips: "Hounds in general can be more of a training challenge due to their genetic hunting drive," Wyatt says. The good news about pharaoh hound training in particular is that they are, "very intelligent and seem to want to please their people." Wyatt advocates reward-based training techniques not just as a personal preference, but as a pharaoh-hound necessity. "They do not respond well to force and tend to 'shut down' or show avoidance behaviors to communicate to their trainer that the techniques are inappropriate." Wyatt especially recommends "great caution with off-leash work until the dog has been proofed many times."
Norwich Terrier 101 - Dog Breed Information
_e.t, Flickr
Personality: "One can sum up the Norwich terrier personality as human-centric, gregarious and curious," says Magda Omansky, who sits on the board of directors of the Norwich Terrier Club of America and is a breeder in Murray Hill, N.J. at Dig-n-Pop Norwich Terriers. On its website, the American Kennel Club describes this dog in more integrity-driven terms, saying it "has good substance and is an eager worker" and is "fearless and loyal." Above everything else, these little terriers love the company of people. "A Norwich greets everyone as a long lost friend," Omansky says, "and the more attention he can draw out in return, the better."
Grooming: "The seemingly easy, wash-and-go appearance of the Norwich terrier is deceiving," Omansky warns. "The coat requires stripping by experienced terrier groomers." Simply shearing or cutting the coat, she says, will remove the pigmented tips of a Nowich terrier's fur, so you might inadvertently wind up changing the color of your dog! (But you can take care of brushing at home, says the AKC, and doing so will help maintain a high-quality coat.) A Norwich terrier's coat, properly maintained by an experienced terrier groomer, has the added benefit of "not requiring frequent bathing," Omansky says.
Common Health Issues: Although it is a hardy breed with relatively few health problems, Norwich terriers are prone to upper airway syndrome (UAS), an anatomical obstruction in the airway that most often involves an elongated soft palate and everted laryngeal saccules. The severity of this condition, Omansky says, "varies from very mild, where the dog might be reluctant to exercise in hot weather, to severe, where the dog's quality of life is seriously compromised." A surgical correction is usually very successful, but limiting the dog's exposure to hot temperatures and keeping it fit and in good weight might be all that is needed to keep this condition in check, Omansky says.
Australian Shepherd 101 - Dog Breed Info
Getty Images
Personality: The Australian shepherd makes for "a delightful and loyal companion and a great family dog," according to the United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA). The American Kennel Club (AKC) concurs, citing the Aussie's tendency to "want to always be near their families." The AKC also describes the Australian shepherd as "energetic" and possessing "strong herding and guarding instincts."
Grooming: According to the AKC, Aussies have thick coats that require weekly brushing. Their coats are "of moderate length, with a texture that is straight to wavy and weather resistant."
Common Health Issues: Potential health issues for Australian shepherds include hip dysplasia, thyroid dysfunction, epilepsy, and allergies. According to the USASA, "Aussies can inherit a number of eye defects which impair vision in varying degrees or cause complete blindness."
Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds
Which dog breeds are the most intelligent? And just what makes them so smart?
We took the list of the top ten brainiest breeds and asked dog guru Billy Rafferty, author of "Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind and Spirit" to give his perspective. "While most smart dogs have certain traits in common -- loyalty, vigilance, perceptiveness, a caring nature -- "there are many different kinds of intelligence," says Rafferty. "Canine intelligence is more nuanced than people think."
In the photo gallery below, Rafferty explains the pros and cons of owning these clever (but sometimes high maintenance) canines. And to learn more about how the original list was created, check out "The Intelligence of Dogs" by neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD,. Coren based his findings on evaluations of breeds made by over 200 dog obedience judges in the U.S. and Canada.
Learn more about your favorite breeds at Meet the Breeds in New York City on October 16–17. Paw Nation is the official blog for the event, so be sure to check back here for more news and stories.
We took the list of the top ten brainiest breeds and asked dog guru Billy Rafferty, author of "Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dog's Body, Mind and Spirit" to give his perspective. "While most smart dogs have certain traits in common -- loyalty, vigilance, perceptiveness, a caring nature -- "there are many different kinds of intelligence," says Rafferty. "Canine intelligence is more nuanced than people think."
In the photo gallery below, Rafferty explains the pros and cons of owning these clever (but sometimes high maintenance) canines. And to learn more about how the original list was created, check out "The Intelligence of Dogs" by neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD,. Coren based his findings on evaluations of breeds made by over 200 dog obedience judges in the U.S. and Canada.
Learn more about your favorite breeds at Meet the Breeds in New York City on October 16–17. Paw Nation is the official blog for the event, so be sure to check back here for more news and stories.
Meet the Breeds Is Coming!
Paw Nation is the official blog of Meet the Breeds, and from now until the event opens, we will be posting fascinating articles and even hosting great giveaways in connection with the event.
Last year, 36,000 attendees flooded the Jacob Javits Center to see 200 individually decorated official breed booths where animal lovers interacted with dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. In addition, there were 100 vendor booths featuring every imaginable pet product, plus five ongoing demonstration rings with law enforcement dogs, grooming, agility, obedience, an interactive "Cat Idol" showcase and more.
While we know that October is a couple of months away, you should definitely check out the Meet the Breeds website, and continue visiting Paw Nation for special articles, giveaways and more!
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