Posts tagged "dogs 101"

Dog Breed: Havanese

Personality: "Havanese are a happy, playful sort, with immense charm," says Susan Siver, a member of the Havanese Club of America's breeder directory committee. "They are a small dog in stature with a big-dog attitude, and they are very people-oriented." "The Dog Breed Bible" describes the Havanese as "a busy, curious dog. It loves to play and clown and is affectionate with its family, children, strangers, other dogs and pets. Basically everyone!"

Grooming: The Havanese's "wavy, silky coat is profuse," according to the American Kennel Club. It's a good thing that it's a nonshedding dog, and Havanese owners have options when it comes to "how much effort they want to put into maintaining a Havanese coat," Siver says. "A puppy cut, which most pet owners prefer, requires much less effort in brushing. However, there is still daily brushing involved."

Common Health Issues: This is a "relatively healthy" breed, Siver says, although particular concerns can include "cataracts, cherry eye, chondrodysplasia, deafness, hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes, liver shunt and luxating patella."

Dog Breed: American Eskimo Dog

Personality: "Highly intelligent and eager to please" is how Thy Cavagnaro -- co-owner with her husband, Jimmy, of Atka the Eskie, a renowned performance and therapy American Eskimo Dog -- describes her breed of choice. "It adores its entire family, and often loves with its whole heart."

The American Kennel Club calls the American Eskimo Dog "alert and friendly," noting that they can make equally good watchdogs, showbiz dogs and competition dogs. "The Dog Breed Bible" describes them as "bright, eager to please, lively and fun-loving -- but also independent and tenacious."

Dog Breed Name: Norfolk Terrier

Personality: As "one of the smallest working terriers," these dogs more than make up for their small size with their active, energetic personalities. According to the American Kennel Club, "farmers and hunters admire the breed's gameness, loyalty and great charm," dubbing the Norfolk terrier a "perfect demon" in the field. The American Norfolk Terrier Association describes the Norfolk as "a tiny dynamo who seizes every opportunity to tackle the seemingly impossible." Often associated with Benji (the most famous Norfolk terrier of all), the canine phenom often appears on screen running full speed down a sidewalk on an independent mission of great import.

Grooming: The Norfolk terrier is equipped with a weather-resistant double coat, which "requires regular grooming, including brushing and stripping," according to the AKC. The Norfolk Terrier Club advises that these dogs be "brushed or combed weekly" and their coat should be stripped twice yearly.

Dog Breed Name: Schipperke

Personality: "Truly a big dog in a small body," says Melanie Coronetz, author of "Schipperkes: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual." "Schips have attitude. They're alert, active, loyal, inquisitive, clever -- and often stubborn."

On its website, the American Kennel Club uses adjectives like "enthusiastic, joyful and sometimes willful" to describe this tail-less, headstrong breed. "The Dog Breed Bible" notes that Schipperkes were often kept as boat dogs and the name translates roughly to "Little Captain." They are "happiest when on the lookout for adventure."

Grooming: Brush the coat daily, the teeth weekly, and clean out the ears "periodically," Coronetz recommends. ("The Dog Breed Bible" allows for a more lenient, weekly coat-brushing regimen, with more grooming needed when the dog is shedding.) A Schip bonus: They're odor-free and "don't need frequent baths," Coronetz says. "I bathe mine twice a year when they're 'blowing coat' to help get rid of the dead undercoat."

Dog Breed Name: French Bulldog

Personality: Joyce E. Baker, a breeder and founder of Forever French Bulldogs in Tallahassee, Fla., notes that the breed "loves attention," but also lists "happy, playful, loyal, inquisitive" as their more admirable, endearing qualities. The American Kennel Club notes on its website that French bulldogs are "often described as 'a clown in the cloak of philosopher.'"

Grooming: Only "an occasional bath and brushing" are coat-keeping requirements, says Baker. However, because of a the French bulldog's odd physical attributes, you'll need to do some maintenance around the head and face. "Ear cleaning is necessary," Baker says, and "some Frenchies will need their facial wrinkles wiped out and their noses rubbed with petroleum jelly to prevent drying and cracking."

Common Health Issues: Again, the physical peculiarities of French bulldogs can make for special circumstances. One term with which an owner will become quite familiar is brachycepahly, also known as flat-head syndrome, a recurring characteristic of the breed. What does this mean for a French bulldog's well being? Says Baker, "Their short face puts them at higher risk during anesthesia. They are also prone to allergies." Then there's that short spine of theirs, which may result in hip and spine problems. Because of all this, regular vet visits and proper diet and exercise (less is more) are a must. "The Dog Breed Bible" notes a lifespan of 9 to 11 years.

Dog Breed: Tibetan Spaniel

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.

Dog Breed: Gordon Setter

Personality: When Jan Ruggles, manager of the Nodrog Gordon Setter Club of Michigan's website, recently polled the club's members for words that best describe the personality of a Gordon setter, the three most popular responses were friendly, loving and loyal. The American Kennel Club says on its website, "the Gordon setter was originally bred as a personal bird dog, but they are equally at home as companion dogs."

Grooming: Nothing too fancy or arduous is needed. Most of Ruggles's survey-takers advocate "regular" brushing, which to many meant daily, but a few suggested brushings could occur as seldom as once every one or even two weeks. "The Dog Breed Bible" falls somewhere in the middle, advocating "brushing every two to three days." Otherwise, give baths on an as-needed basis (which probably won't be more than a few times per year) and always keep an eye out "to make sure no nasty mats are forming," as these are best dealt with as soon as possible.

Common Health Issues: Nodrog's members note cancer and bloat as two ailments that seem to occur in Gordons more often than other breeds. "The Dog Breed Bible," on the other hand, notes only bloat (aka "gastric torsion") and hip dysplasia as concerns, and gives a typical lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Name: Skye Terrier

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.

Name: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

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."

Name: Wire Fox Terrier

Personality: The American Kennel Club describes the wire fox terrier as "active, friendly and playful," noting that the breed is "highly trainable and excels in events such as agility." Emphasizing the breed's energetic nature, the Fox Terrier Network uses terms like "smart" and "high-energy," "cocky" and "self-assured," traits that mean the breed tends to "get into lots of trouble."

Grooming: Grooming requirements for wire fox terriers are somewhere in moderate range. A regular brushing is necessary to avoid matting, and a semi-annual stripping of the coat is recommended. On the plus side, this breed sheds very little if at all. When dealing with a puppy, the FTN recommends that owners "start with the brushing and combing right away," ensuring that their dogs don't develop "grooming phobia."

Common Health Issues: As a breed, wire fox terriers are "generally very hearty and do not have any major heredity problems," states the FTN. However, these dogs tend to be allergic to fleas and can develop any of a range of skin problems.

What do you get when you take one New York City photographer and 170 precocious and well-coiffed show dogs? A photo book packed with some of the most expressive furry mugs we've ever seen. Sharpshooter Kate Lacey shares with us what it was like to corral and capture hundreds of canines on film to make "Show Dogs: A Photographic Breed Guide."

What inspired you to create this book?
In 2005, "Life" magazine asked me to photograph the dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. As a photographer, I'm frequently asked, "What has been your favorite shoot?" For years, without hesitation, I'd say that assignment. I knew I had to turn the project into a book.

How challenging was it to round up so many breeds?
I was a little naive when I started this project. I had 16 portraits from the first Westminster show. The book's editor and I thought we'd need to attend maybe one or two more dog shows to reach our ultimate goal of profiling 170 breeds across seven categories, from toy breeds to herding dogs. Over a year later, after traveling to countless shows in multiple states, we eventually did it, but the process wasn't easy. The closer we got to our goal, the more difficult it became to find the less common breeds.

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.

Name: Pharaoh Hound

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."

Name: Irish Wolfhound

Personality: There is an old Irish proverb, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) website, that best describes this unique and robust breed: "Gentle when stroked, fierce when provoked." But relax -- that just means that IWs, anciently bred for duties like hunting and castle-guarding, still like to "instinctively give chase to fleeing prey." In fact, the AKC is quick to add, family-friendliness has likewise been in this breed's blood since as far back as 391 A.D. Though, they add, an IW could be counted on to "play with their [master's] children and lay quietly by the fire as family friends."

The second edition of the "Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds," by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., calls the Irish wolfhound "the gentle giant... soft-natured, easygoing" while "gentle and kind" is how Beverly C. Little, secretary of the Irish Wolfhound Club of Puget Sound, chooses to describe IWs. "The IW is very people-oriented," Little explains -- meaning "its" people, not just any people. Loyalty is a key and prized aspect of an Irish wolfhound's appealing personality.

Grooming: Don't be put off by the IW's shaggy-dog appearance; this is still a relatively low-maintenance breed. The dog's double coat -- "to keep cold and rain out," Little explains -- needs only "a good combing/brushing at least weekly... to keep him tidy," she says. Of course, "more is better, especially in the spring and summer," while a bath may only be required "when he needs it, to keep him socially acceptable." The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds recommends that just a couple more steps be taken, including "occasional slight scissoring to neaten up straggly hairs" and hand-stripping twice yearly.

Dog Breed Name: Keeshond

Personality: "Clownlike" is how Karen Staats, vice president of the Sandalfoot Keeshond Club of Central Florida, describes the keeshond (plural: keeshonden), because "they can be pretty goofy, they are always happy, and they love to make the people around them happy." Similarly, the American Kennel Club describes the Netherlands-descended keeshond as being "an affectionate, good-natured companion, outgoing and friendly with people and other dogs."

Don't, though, equate silliness with a lack of intelligence. "Even through their goofy behavior, the keeshond is an extremely intelligent breed," Staats says. "They are both beautiful and very smart."

Grooming: Staats recommends a "full grooming" -- bath, blow dry and brush -- "at least once a month," and both the AKC and "The Dog Breed Bible," by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D., suggest a wice-weekly brushing regimen.

Common Health Issues: "Keeshonden are generally a very healthy breed," Staats says. "Though congenital health issues are not common, the conditions which have been known to sometimes occur in keeshonden are hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, epilepsy, Cushing's disease, and hypothyroidism." "The Dog Breed Bible" notes a longer-than-average lifespan of 12 to 14 years.