Dog Files Fact: Potcakes

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Potcakes are indigenous dogs found on several Caribbean islands, namely the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos. Potcake is a name derived from the food caked on the bottom of the pots that the Bahamians cooked in. Bahamians would feed these leftover cakes to the stray dogs of the islands, and eventually, the dogs came to be known as Potcakes.

Although officially considered mixed breed dogs, Potcakes are recognized as a breeded dog in The Bahamas. Though Potcakes display a wide variety of characteristics, they generally share certain physical traits due to their isolated gene pools. Each island’s gene pool is slightly different, accounting for the variations between islands. The typical Potcake has a smooth, short coat, little or no undercoat, a long snout, and floppy ears. Colors vary widely, including black, white, yellow and brown. They generally have the same temperaments: laid-back, smart, good with children, other dogs and cats. They usually reach 45-55 pounds when full grown, although some of the smaller potcakes only weigh in around 40.

Depending on what genes are available on any Bahamian island, Potcakes strongly resemble each other. Some island’s Potcakes look more like the typical “pariah dog” found in locales such as India and North Africa. Elsewhere, their lines hint at hound, mastiff, spaniel, terrier or retriever ancestors.

Some believe the original Potcakes came to the Bahamas with the Arawak Indians from Central or South America. If so, Potcakes are as close to nature’s perfect genotype dog as possible. More recently, in the days of Tall Ships, The Bahamas Islands played a major role in maritime commerce. Early terrier breeds, carried aboard ship to keep provisions safe from rats and mice, probably ended up as shore dogs in places such as Eleuthera, New Providence and Abaco. Add to this genetic soup the distinctive (and still existent) North Carolina dog, who came — primarily to Abaco — with Loyalist Tories who settled during the Revolutionary War, and you have the basic ingredients of a modern-day Potcake.

A Potcake’s general physical description calls for a dog genetically engineered to tolerate heat, long term physical stress, extreme competition for food and low protein diet; it’s a marginal existence at best. Yet, this is how Potcakes live and survive in their natural, compromised environment.

For roaming street dogs, these qualities provide necessary survival skills. In a companion animal, they comprise the “traits of the breed.” Given half a chance, Potcakes are highly intelligent, fiercely loyal and enthusiastic companions.

Because Potcakes have “roaming in their blood” they need to be safely contained within a fenced yard or on-leash. If given an opportunity, Potcakes, like border collies, have a strong tendency to wander off or run. Born with an innate drive to survive at all costs, Potcakes need to learn, through positive reinforce and gentle correction, that they are a member of your pack; otherwise they believe in the axiom: lead, follow or get out of the way!

They adapt rapidly to cold weather exercise but prefer to be house dogs. Because they have a strong sense of territory and loyalty, they are nature’s answer to the mechanical door bell; no one will ever walk across the threshold without your Potcake announcing his arrival.

Potcakes are an excellent choice for someone who wants to share their life with an extremely intelligent, quick witted and bonded companion. They are beautifully graceful runners, intuitively empathetic, and the right match for someone desiring a long-term, interactive relationship with another intelligent species.

Dog Files Facts: Papillon

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The Papillon, French for “butterfly”, is a small, friendly, elegant breed of dog of the Spaniel type, distinguished from other breeds by its large butterfly-like ears. The Papillon is one of the oldest of the toy Spaniels.

The history of the Papillon is traced through works of art. The earliest toy spaniels resembling the Papillon are found in Italy. Tiziano Vicelli painted these small dogs in many famous paintings beginning around 1500 including the Venus of Urbino (1542). Other well known artists who included them in paintings are Watteau, Gonzalez Coques, Fragonard, Paolo Veronese, and Mignard. In a painting after Largillierre in the Wallace Collection in London, a Papillon is clearly shown in a family portrait of Louis XIV. Papillons are also in paintings of royal families around Europe and paintings of merchant class families. The breed was popular in England, France, and Belgium, which are considered countries of origin.

The “Titian spaniels” and those portrayed by later artists through Mignard and his contemporaries had the drooping ears characteristic of today’s Phalène; it was not until the end of the 19th century that the erect-eared appearance became fashionable and gave the breed’s modern name, Papillon, French for “butterfly”. The Titian spaniels were also exclusively red-and-white in coloration, in contrast to the many recognized colorations of today’s Papillon.

The Papillon was first recognized by the AKC in 1935 with the formation of the Papillon Club of America. In 1999, Kirby became the first Papillon to win the prestigious “Best in Show” at the annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Kirby also won international success for the breed by taking the World Dog Show in Helsinki, Finland, and the Royal Invitational in Canada in 1998.

The Papillon has the appearance of a dainty toy breed, but many owners will claim that their dogs are “big dogs in little dog suits”. Some people find that their Papillon is very capable of handling a good five-mile walk. One aspect of the Papillon that has led many to believe the “big dog” assertion is this breed’s surprising athletic ability. In contrast to its staid and stately representation in the Old Master portraits, the Papillon is highly energetic and intelligent. The breed is far older than any other represented by the AKC and is more notable for its psychological abilities than its athletic parlor tricks; the Papillon’s true strength lies in its ability to perceive the emotional needs of its owner and to translate them into a healthy psychological environment. In other words, the animal becomes what the owner needs at the time, depending on circumstances. Papillons are built for movement, and most do not need any encouragement to apply their energy to athletic activities.

In recent years, the Papillon has become a small dog star in the sport of dog agility. This sport consists of an obstacle course with tunnels, jumps, A-frames, and narrow bridges that a dog completes at top speed aided only by verbal and body-language commands from a handler. Agility requires the dog to spring, scramble, weave, and turn on a dime. The breed is considered naturally agile, and Papillons compete at both national and international trials. Because many Papillons have intense drive and natural speed, their tiny turning radius gives them an edge over larger dogs, and some Papillons are capable of beating Border Collie speeds on some courses.

King Henry II allegedly spent upwards of 100,000 crowns on his papillons.

Marie Antoinette owned a Phalène, the drop eared variety of papillons. All papillons were drop-eared until the 20th century.

Madame de Pompadour and Henry III also had a Phalène, and possessed a very strong devotion to the breed.

Tech expert Leo Laporte owns a Papillon named Ozzy.

George Takei, Mr. Sulu from Star Trek owned a Papillon named Reine (her full name is “La Reine Blanche” — The White Queen).

Legendary screen star Lauren Bacall never travels without her own well-behaved Papillon.

Singer Christina Aguilera owns two Papillons, Chewy and Stinky.

Source: Wikipedia

Dog Files Fact: Argentine Dogo

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The Argentine Dogo is the result of a breeding program that was begun in 1925. Antonio Nores Martinez was not quite 18 years of age when he told his younger brother (by one year), Agustin, of his desire to create a new breed of hunting dog. A breed of dog that started with the Fighting Dog of Cordoba, an extraordinarily courageous breed of dog that was at that time useless for pack hunting due to its hostility towards other dogs, people, and animals. Due to the interference of man the Fighting Dog of Cordoba was destined for extinction. Antonio Nores Martinez knew he wanted to use the Fighting Dog of Cordoba’s courage as a beginning foundation. He wanted to eliminate the fighting urge and replace it with a hunting instinct that was equally strong. The two brothers spent all of their pocket money buying food for their dogs. They were able to enlist the help of their family and friends who backed the brother’s endeavor with a confidence that was remarkable. Antonio became a surgeon, and his medical knowledge helped to advance, improve and refine the breed that had become his life’s passion.

There were ten breeds of dog that were used to produce the Argentine Dogo. The foundation was the Fighting Dog of Cordoba, ten females were used to begin with. The Pointer was used to develop and sharpen the sense of smell that is required for the hunt. The Boxer added energy and gentleness to the line. The Great Dane contributed its size and height. The Bull Terrier added to the fearlessness of the progeny. The Bulldog contributed its chest build to the physiology of the new breed, and boldness of spirit and tenacity to its personality. The Irish Wolfhound was used not only for size, but for its hunting instinct as well. The powerful jaws of the Dogue de Bordeaux, as well as more strength and courage,were desired and this breed was incorporated into the breeding program. The Great Pyrenees contributed its white coat, which is weather resistant, and bulk, and the Spanish Mastiff was used to contribute even more power to an already powerful animal.

In 1956, Antonio Nores Martinez died at the hands of a robber while he was out on a hunt. He never got to see the fruitition of his life’s work. The younger brother, Agustin, worked to salvage his older brother’s dream of a new breed of dog. And he succeeded.

The Dogo Argentino was recognized in 1964 by the Cinologic Federation of Argentina. The Argentina Kennel Club, which is a member of the Federation Cynologique International (FCI), gave recognition to the breed in 1973. The Dogo Argentino Club of America was founded in 1985.

Dogos are known for being extremely loyal and affectionate with their families and crave attention from their owners. They are extremely tolerant of children due to low body sensitivity or high pain tolerance, a trait which stems from selective breeding as big game hunters. Like all dogs of any size or breed, they require obedience training and socialization; no dog should be left unattended with small children. They are protective of what they perceive as their territory and will guard it against any intruder. They get along with other dogs as long as they have been properly socialized, but will usually not tolerate another dog trying to assert dominance over them and might not coexist peacefully with another dominant breed of dog. They can develop an aggressive or dominant temperament if not socialized with other dogs at an early age, particularly with other dogs of the same sex. Dog aggression per se is absolutely not a desirable trait in the Dogo Argentino, as it is at odds with its intended purpose as a pack hunter. A single “pet” dogo without a working outlet for energy and drive may feel himself to be “king of the mountain” and carry himself accordingly, though the same dog may work perfectly cooperatively with other males while hunting.

Dogos are typically strong-tempered animals not suitable for the novice dog owner; they do best with an experienced handler. Dogos are recent comers to suburban life. Unlike many breeds classified as “working dogs”, dogos are not “historically” working dogs, but dogs currently and actively selected for working function and temperament. Pet owners interested in the Dogo Argentino would do well to remember that these are working animals with a serious need for exercise and outlet of hunting drive by way of activities such as tracking, trailing, or sport work.
Dogos Argentinos are accomplished big-game hunters, and are used today in a variety of ways from tracking, search and rescue, general police work including narcotics detection, military and family dogs. They are even occasionally used as guide dogs, or as service animals, though their primary work remains boar hunting. Due to their very great prey drive, physical capabilities and strong temperament, they are not dogs commonly suited to be suburban backyard pets, though they do make excellent companions for exceptionally capable and dedicated dog owners.

Due to pigment-related deafness, as in the dalmatian and the white bull terrier, the dogo commonly experiences an approximately 10% deafness rate overall with some dogos afflicted unilaterally (one deaf ear) and some dogs bilaterally (deaf in both ears). It is impossible to adequately diagnose deafness, particularly unilaterally-afflicted dogs, through behavioral testing. Due to the advancement of BAER technology and growing availability in the United States and around the world, veterinarians and dog breeders are now able to adequately identify congenital deafness at a very early age. This means that breeders are now are able to actively select against pigment-related congenital deafness in a way never possible before the advent of BAER technology. Studies show the incidence of deafness is drastically decreased when only breeding stock with bilaterally normal hearing is used[1][2][3]. It is important for any prospective puppy-buyer to carefully question the breeder regarding potential genetic afflictions and health-screening practices. Reputable breeders in the United States will have BAER tested all breeding stock and all puppies prior to sale, though there are areas of Argentina and Europe where BAER testing is still not widely accessible. A conscientious puppy-buyer will proceed with caution when importing a puppy from a foreign country; novices should consider contacting the national breed parent club for assistance.

As with all large dogs, hip dysplasia is potential though highly uncommon in lines actively worked. With careful feeding and prudent exercise during the growth stage, and most of all purchasing a puppy from a reputable working kennel, concerns with CHD are uncommon in this breed.

The Dogo Argentino was bred specifically to avoid the dog aggression problems inherent in the Cordoban Fighting Dog when applied to hunting, specifically its lack of ability to hunt cooperatively in a pack. The creators of the breed took great care to prevent this undesirable trait from manifesting in the Dogo Argentino, as the breed was always intended to function as a cooperative pack hunter. In particular areas of the world where dog fighting as a bloodsport remains culturally acceptable, some people have bred them for this purpose. Dogos of these lines are extremely dog-aggressive and not suited for big game hunting, unlike the original Dogo Argentino. In the United Kingdom it is illegal to own Dogos Argentinos without specific exemption from a court per the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The Australian government has banned the importation of this dog. In neither country was there a population of dogos at the time the breed-specific laws were passed. The dog is also illegal in New Zealand[4] and Norway[5]. The breed has also been made illegal in England and several other european countrys.

Info From Malcolm Dupris and Wikipedia.

Dog Files Fact: Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was bred from selected specimens of the rough native terrier of the Border hunters in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland and was first recorded as a distinct type of breed about 1700. He was distinguished by his preeminence in hunting the otter and the badger. A direct line of these dogs descended to the farmers in the Teviotdale Hills, where Sir Walter Scott in his travels chanced upon them and made them famous in his Guy Mannering, published in 1814. His character Dandie Dinmont, a farmer (believed to have been a Mr. James Davidson of Hindlee, near Hawick) kept the immortal six: “Auld Pepper,” “Auld Mustard,” “Young Pepper,” “Young Mustard,” “Little Pepper,” and “Little Mustard.” From the time of the popularity of Guy Mannering to the present day, the breed has been known as “Dandie Dinmont’s Terriers.”

This short legged terrier was bred from selected specimens of the rough native terrier of the Border hunters in the Cheviot Hills between England and Scotland in the 17th century as an otter and badger specialist. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is named after Dandie Dinmont, a jovial farmer who kept six of them in Sir Walter Scott’s novel Guy Mannering, published in 1814. Scott also gave the names to the breed’s colours, pepper and mustard, which were adopted from the names of Dandie Dinmont’s dogs. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is the only breed to be named after a character in fiction.

In the 1870s, exhibiting dogs became popular. The Kennel Club formed in 1873 and, just after this time, moves were made by Dandie enthusiasts to form a club. On November 17, 1875, at a meeting held at the Fleece Hotel in Selkirk on the Scottish Borders, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club was formed. It is one of the oldest pedigree breed clubs in the world.

The first task was to draw up a breed standard and Mr William Wardlaw Reed, a founder member of the DDTC. worked on this, smoothing out the many differences. The following year at the Red Lion Hotel, Carlisle, the standard was agreed and adopted.

The breed was first registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1888. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1918.

Today the Dandie Dinmont is amongst the rarest and most endangered of all pure breeds/pedigree dogs. The UK Kennel Club list the Dandie as one of the UK’s Vulnerable Native Dog Breeds and there is a very real chance of the breed becoming extinct.

Originally bred to go to ground, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a long, low-stationed working terrier with a curved topline. The distinctive head with silken topknot is large but in proportion to the size of the dog. The dark eyes are large and round with a soft, wise expression. Dandie Dinmonts are between 8 and 11 inches tall at the top of the shoulders and can weigh between 18 and 24 pounds. The dogs are sturdily built with strong bone structure and ample muscular strength. The sturdy, flexible body and scimitar shaped tail are covered with a rather crisp double coat, either mustard or pepper in color. Pepper ranges from dark bluish black to a light silvery gray, the topknot is a silvery white. Mustard can range from a reddish brown to a pale fawn, with the topknot a creamy white.

This breed has little to no shedding.

The Dandie Dinmont is affectionate and fun-loving. It makes a great companion dog. Lively, plucky, determined and willful. Independent and intelligent. Bold yet dignified. Reserved with strangers and protective of family and home. Good with all well-behaved children and babies as long as they are raised with them from puppyhood. Dominance level varies greatly. Some males can be aggressive with other male dogs in the household while females can be snappy and bad tempered.

Dog Files Fact: Weimaraner

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Photo by Craig Koshyk

Weimaraners were first bred by the court of Weimer in Germany during the early 19th century. While the dog’s earliest origins are something of a mystery, the historical record and various theorists have tried to fill in some of the holes. Some believe the Weimaraner is the result of albinism in an old breed of German pointing dog, while others claim to see traces of the Bloodhound in the Weim, and others still believe the Weimaraner is simply an amalgamation of many German hunting breeds. A Van Dyck painting from the early 1600s portrays dogs that bear a distinct resemblance to the Weimaraner, though it is impossible to prove whether they are related.

The Weimaraner is a pointer, and was originally used for hunting, tracking, and bringing down big game. They were popular in German courts for their speed, athleticism, sense of smell, courage and stamina. Because they have webbed feet Weimaraners are fine swimmers, and as big game became scarce in Germany the dog was put to use retrieving downed waterfowl from lakes and streams.

The Weimaraner was introduced to the United States in 1929 by Howard Knight. Up until that time it was extremely difficult to obtain a Weimaraner, as they were only sold to members of the German Weimaraner Club. After becoming a member himself, Knight began breeding the dogs in America, thereby propagating the once elusive breed. The Weimaraner was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1943; since then, the dog’s popularity as a family pet and a contestant in competitive obedience shows has steadily grown.

After World War II ended, many soldiers brought home stories of this wonderful, strangely colored dog known as the Weimaraner. As people heard of these stories many wanted this new Wonder Dog. The 1950′s all but destroyed the Weimaraner breed. It is said that, “the best bred dogs were unable to live up to the hyperbole that made the breed famous, and the mass-produced stock (from puppy mills) barely qualified as good companions”.

Since that time, breeders have struggled to recover this magnificient hunting and companion dog. Almost all that breed this dog also hunt with the dog. Their attitude is the only reason to breed is with the intention of improving the breed. Within six months a Weimaraner will go from a 3 pound puppy to a 70 pound dog with a mind of its own. It is not a plaything, nor should ownership be frivalous. Without proper training and socialization, this dog can become a neurotic, problem dog and almost impossible to manage.

Over the years, the Weimaraner has been used as a rescue dog, service dog for the disabled, and as a police dog in the UK and Germany.

In the 2002 Jennifer Lopez film Maid in Manhattan, senatorial candidate Chris Marshall (Ralph Fiennes) owns a Weimaraner, which appears in multiple scenes.

The first president and founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, had a Weimaraner called Fox.

US President Dwight D. Eisenhower owned a Weimaraner named Heidi

The photographs of William Wegman prominently feature Weimaraners. His dogs (which included Man Ray—named after artist Man Ray—and Fay Ray—a play on Fay Wray) are the subject of his photos, dressed in human clothes. These pictures are popular both in galleries of contemporary art and as pop culture icons. These “dogs with hands” have appeared frequently on Sesame Street, and occasionally on Saturday Night Live.

A Weimaraner was also the subject of the music video for Blue Monday by the rock band New Order. This dog is the previously named Man Ray, since Wegman did the artwork for this clip

A neurotic Weimaraner named Beatrice (played by Can. Ch. Arokat’s Echobar Take Me Dancing) is featured in the movie Best in Show.

Singer Kate Bush poses with two Weimaraner on the cover of her 1985 album Hounds of Love

Actor Esai Morales (NYPD Blue) owns a Weimaraner named Frankie

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor had a female Weimaraner named Daisy May.

Grace Kelly (later Princess Grace of Monaco) had a Weimaraner, and there are photos of her playing with him during her trip to Monaco before her marriage to Prince Rainier.

A Weimaraner also makes an appearance in the movie Fever Pitch starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore.

Larry The Cable Guy adopted a Weimaraner from the Heartland Weimaraner Rescue

Queen Latifah owns a weimaraner named Isis.

Dick Clark owned a weimaraner.

Dog Files Fact: Dachshund

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The dachshund – sometimes called the “wiener dog” or “hot dog” – is among the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. and has been since the 1950s. The dachshund as we know it today originated in Germany, where it is called Teckel. It is believed that the dachshund was developed slowly, over a hundred years or so, and it was bred specifically to hunt badgers. In German, “Dachs” means badger and “Hund” means dog; thus, dachshund = badger dog, and even the smallest dachshund is a fearless hunter. You won’t find any timid dogs who are willing to go after a badger, which is a powerful and ferocious animal. The original German dachshunds were larger than the dachshunds we know today – averaging between 30 and 40 pounds – but today’s dachshunds retain that fearless quality for which the breed was originally developed. As the breed standard states, the dachshund should be “courageous to the point of rashness.” Unlike the dogs included in the AKC Sporting Group, dachshunds were trained not just to retrieve their prey, but to kill it. You can see this trait today if you give your dachshund a squeaky toy; dachshunds are notorious for attacking the toy and “killing” it by destroying the squeaker as quickly as possible.

The dachshund is the only AKC-recognized breed that hunts above and below ground, and its body is a study in superb “engineering.” Every aspect of what some people think is a funny-looking body has been designed to help the dog achieve its original purpose. The short legs allow the dachshund to burrow deep into the earth after those badgers (or any other earth-dwelling mammals) in their dens. The tail is long and sturdy and extends straight out from the spine, providing a “handle” with which the hunter can retrieve the burrowing dog. The paws are unusually large and paddle-shaped, for efficient digging. The skin is loose so that it will not tear as the dog tunnels down into tight burrows. The dachshund has a deep chest to allow enough lung capacity to keep going when hunting. Their noses are long to increase the area that absorbs odors. And the dachshund bark – which, in the standard dachshund, is relatively deep for such a small dog – lets the human locate the dachshund that has gone down a hole after prey. As anyone who has ever owned a dachshund and walked it on a leash can attest, the dachshund is extremely strong in both bone and muscle and it can achieve speeds you would not imagine in a dog with such short legs.

Beginning in the 1800s, dachshunds were bred more as pets than as hunters, especially in Great Britain, and their size was gradually reduced by about 10 pounds. Eventually, an even smaller version – the miniature dachshund – was bred. Today, most people probably think that the “typical” dachshund is a smooth-coated red miniature. But there really is no such thing as a “typical” dachshund any more; there are two sizes and a wide range of coat types, colors, and patterns.

The Dachshund Club of America was founded in 1895, but dachshunds were bred in the United States as early as the 1870s. In the U.S. and Great Britain, the dachshund is rarely hunted; but in other parts of Europe–notably France–dachshunds are still considered hunting dogs and regularly find their way onto the country’s lists of most winning hunting dogs.

The dachshund’s popularity as a pet – as well as its pleasing shape and range of expression – has made it a favorite of artists, illustrators, toymakers, sculptors, and the advertising business. Dachshund figurines (ceramic, metal, and carved wood), stuffed toys, pull toys, battery-operated toys, salt-and-pepper shakers, dishes, and many other breed-related items were made in the 19th and 20th centuries.

During World War I, the popularity of dachshunds as pets declined dramatically, because they were used to depict Germany in many wartime propaganda pieces in the U.S., England, and France. This was probably the low point of the dachshund’s place in the history of illustration.

Dachshunds are almost always in the AKC Top Ten most popular breeds. This is a mixed blessing. The more popular a breed – especially a small breed – the more likely it is that it will be bred in puppy mills.

Thanks to Almost Home Dachshund Rescue for the info!

Dog Files Fact: Shetland Sheepdog

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The Shetland Sheepdog originates from the islands that lie northwest of the British Isles, between Scotland and Norway, approximately 50 miles north of Scotland and a bit south of the Arctic Circle. As can well be imagined, the climate is harsh and the terrain, rugged. The limited space of these islands has resulted in this area giving the world a number of small breeds of animals, including the Shetland Ponies and the rare Shetland Sheep.

The Shetland Sheepdog used to be called the “Toonie”, a name taken from “tun”, the Norwegian word for farm. The winters on the Shetland Isles are long, the vegetation sparse, and the growing season is short. The “crofters”, small farmers, needed a small, hardy dog to herd the flocks, to keep the flocks safe, and also to keep the gardens safe from the flocks.

The Shetland Sheepdog and the larger herding Collie probably have a common ancestor, a herding dog bred in the British Highlands, perhaps similar to today’s Border Collie. The dogs that remained on the Scottish mainland eventually developed into the majestic Rough Collie; those that were taken to the Shetland Isles were down-sized to meet the needs of the island, people and their undersized livestock.

In the early 1800′s, the Sheltie was brought from his home islands to the mainland, where he gained a reputation as a fine herding dog. The descriptions of the Sheltie were that of a miniature Collie. Of course, there were those that found the Sheltie’s looks “unrefined”, and unfortunately, a series of crossbreeding was done by some breeders to “improve” the breed. Some were crossed with the Rough Collies to fix the Collie head, ears and coat. The bigger dogs also introduced longer legs and larger bodies to the Sheltie gene pool.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Shetland Sheepdog and registered its first Sheltie in 1911.

Dog Files Fact: English Springer Spaniel

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The Origins of the Spaniel:

Although most dog books insist that spaniel is a corruption “espagnol”, meaning Spanish or Spain, there are other authorities that believe the word may be a corruption of “espanir”, French for flatten out. The Italian name of the Piedmontese Spaniel is the Spinone, a continental hunter that points and retrieves.

Colonel David Hancock, in The Heritage of the Dog, feels that the Roman empire played a major role in bringing the Spaniels to England, by way of the trade routes to the far east. His belief is that the “sporting spaniel originated in China, from the short-faced ancestors of modern day Pekingese, pugs, and Shih Tsus, as well as Japanese Chins, Tibetan Spaniels, and Llasa Apsos.” These dogs were introduced into South Europe and were then bred into the small sporting spaniels and water dogs of the 1300 -1600 AD period. Theys were the ancestors of Blenheim Spaniels, Canne Chiens, and Espagneul Nains, and then cocking and setting spaniels. If there is any question as to how a short nosed breed could be bred into dogs having the current muzzles of our present dogs, look into the recent history of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a breed that was lost, but selected for out of breedings of the English Toy Spaniel.

The English Springer Spaniel is an older breed, appearing in paintings as early as the 1600s. It is possibly the ancestor of most modern spaniels; Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels were not recognized as separate breeds until the 1800s.

The purpose of the breed was to serve as a hunting dog. Before guns were used to shoot game, the land spaniel would “spring”—or flush—the gamebird into the air where a trained falcon or hawk would bring it to the handler.

As the shotgun replaced the bird of prey for the hunter, the English Springer Spaniel continued to serve as a hunting companion. Although most are hunted on traditional upland game, the springer spaniel is adept at hunting waterfowl and small game, as well. They are excellent rabbit hunting dogs.[3] The spaniel is trained to “hup”—or sit—until the hunter casts the dog off to start hunting. A good spaniel is bold to cover, has an excellent “wet” or “dry” nose, works within gun range in an efficient, merry fashion and has a strong flush. The dog should mark the fall of the bird – or accept minimal handling to the area of the fall, where its nose can locate the downed bird’s scent. After finding dead or wounded game, the spaniel should have a quick pick up, return to the hunter and deliver the prize with a soft mouth.

The springer is an affectionate and easy-going family dog, and it’s alertness and attentiveness make it the ideal hunting companion. An intelligent dog, and eager to please, a Springer is easily incorporated into a family setting. It’s long-legged build puts it in the front of the spaniels for speed.

Dog Files Fact: German Wirehaired Pointer

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German Wirehaired Pointers trace their origins back to the late 1800s. They originated in Germany, where breeders wanted to develop a rugged, versatile hunting dog that would work closely with either one person or a small party of people hunting on foot in varied terrain; from the mountainous regions of the Alps, to dense forests, to more open areas with farms and small towns.

The breed the Germans desired had to have a coat that would protect the dogs when working in heavy cover or in cold water, yet be easy to maintain. The goal was to develop a wire-coated, medium-sized dog that could search for, locate and point upland game; work both feather and fur with equal skill; retrieve water fowl; be a close-working, easily trained gun dog; be able to track and locate wounded game; be fearless when hunting sharp game such as fox; be a devoted companion and pet; and, be a watchdog for its owners’ family and property.

In 1959, the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club and the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America (GWPCA) was established.

Young GWPs are typically funloving and playful, and with proper supervision for both children and animal, GWPs and kids do very well together.

On the other hand, an adult GWP that has not been raised with children may need strict supervision if sent to a home with young children. And, as with any dog, very young children should be taught to properly handle a puppy, as well as to understand the difference between playing with a dog and hurting it.

The breed’s high prey drive may not make it the best choice for families with cats and other small animals. Some Wirehairs raised as puppies with cats do just fine, accepting the family cat as part of the pack. Even some adults make the transition from a non-cat to a cat-owning family. But it is not a given and most breeders will caution against it.

Along with the intelligence and will the wirehair possesses, the breed also has the capability to become very creative and somewhat independent at times making it hard to be a “team” player. Their need to be inquisitive and explore can sometimes get in the way of training. They generally are a high energy breed and the need for running in the great outdoors is a must! This breed will not be happy to be on the couch all day. But given the challenges of the wirehair, I feel this breed can tackle many a sport if given the proper training. They are a very hard working, strong moving dog.

GWP’s make superb companion dogs and pets. In fact, they crave human companionship, doing best in a home where they are permitted a very warm, close relationship with ‘their people’. When raised in a home with one owner, they are extremely devoted and become very definite one-person dogs. When raised in a home with several people, including children, they become devoted to the whole family, although some dogs may attach more strongly to one member of the household. They are one Sporting Breed that does not make a good kennel dog, nor a dog that lives all its life in a backyard with little contact with humans.

Thanks to The German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America for the info.

Dog Files Fact: Chihuahua

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Fact, News

Chihuahua’s date back to ancient Mexico. Much of the their history is speculation and theory, although everyone agrees on some matters. The Chihuahua is named for the Mexican State that borders Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. It is believed that the breed descended from the Techichi, a small canine that dates back to Mayan times (around the 5th century AD).

The Toltecs (the people that conquered the Mayans) are believed to be the first to domesticate the Techichi and brought the canine into the home as pets and also used them for religious purposes. After the Aztecs became the ruling class of Mexico, they also used the dog as a companion and in religious ceremonies. This has been learned due to the writings in Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec writings in tombs, temples, and pyramids. Also, remains of the small dogs were found in graves in both Mexico and the United States so this could back up the religious theory.

The dogs were found in the state of Chihuahua in 1850 in old ruins near Casas Grandes, and are thought to be the ruins of the palace built by Emperor Montezuma I. The relics and remains of the Techichi indicate that the breed was longhaired and mute, very different from the modern Chihuahua. The Aztec wealthy and clergy thought the Techichi to be sacred while the lower class had little use for the dogs and sometimes used them as food.

When the explorers arrived in the New World it is believed the Techichi breed with a dog that was brought over and the result is the Chihuahua that we have today.

The tiny modern day Chihuahua has gone through many changes and become very popular since their discovery.

The American Kennel Club first registered the Chihuahua as a breed in 1904.

Color variations are limited only by the imagination. The smooth coated variety is still the most publicly recognized, but the long-coat variety has increased in numbers and popularity. Chihuahuas are a long lived breed, often achieving 16 or more years of age.

Dog Files Fact: Greyhound

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Breed, Dog Files Fact, News

Slender legs reaching, stretching, consuming the ground, then, almost quicker than the eye could see, gathering and stretching again, the Greyhound streaked past, lost in the sheer joy of physical exertion. Around and around the yard he went until his need was satisfied, then he slowed and explored his surroundings, ever alert for a foolhardy rabbit that may try its luck against his speed.

A Greyhound in full stride, muscles straining against thin skin, attention focused on a prey animal or on the internal itch to run, is a creature of rare beauty. In sharp contrast to this insatiable drive to hunt and to run, a Greyhound in the home is a pet of uncommon sweetness and gentility.

Among the most ancient breeds, the Greyhound can be seen in Egyptian tomb carvings dated back to 2751 BC. These carvings depict the dogs attacking deer, a prey it was well-adapted to hunt.

Although the Greyhound also appears in various Celtic, British, Irish, and Scottish pictures and literature dating from the 9th Century, its slender build, deep chest, and thin skin suggest a warm climate birth for the breed.

The Greyhound developed as a sight hunter in the arid and semi-arid lands of North Africa and the Middle East, and the Arabs selectively bred him for increased speed. His hunting ability locked in his appeal to the aristocracy, for sport hunting was the province only of the upper classes.

Although the breed name “Greyhound” seems to be a reference to color, its origin is not so simple. Some attribute the name to a derivation of Graius or Grecian. Others trace it to the old British grech or greg, meaning dog and hundr, meaning hunting. Still others prefer the simpler explanation — the original color of the dogs was gray and the name simply means gray dog .

No matter his color or the origin of his name, the Greyhound was definitely an aristocrat in whatever country he resided. Indeed, the English Parliament protected the status of the breed with a law in 1016 that prohibited ownership to “meane persons” and allowed only conditional ownership to “freemen.” The value of a Greyhound exceeded that of a serf, and the punishment for causing death of a Greyhound was equivalent to the punishment for murder.

The Greyhound can hunt hoofed game and wild canids, but his specialty is rabbits. The English sport of coursing — hunting by sight instead of scent — has roots in ancient Greece, and is a sport valued for the contest more than the catching of the prey. The Greek historian Arrian wrote more than 1800 years ago: “For coursers, such at least as are true sportsmen, do not take their dogs out for the sake of catching a hare, but for the contest and sport of coursing, and are glad if the hare meets with an escape.”

The sport of coursing led directly to the spectator sport of Greyhound racing with the invention of the mechanical rabbit in 1912. With the advent of racetracks and gambling on the outcome of the contests, Greyhound ownership passed from the aristocracy to the general populace, and, like other breeds with some lines bred for work and others for the show ring, the breed has diverged into conformation dogs and racing dogs.

Controversy surrounds Greyhound racing. Faced with competition from riverboats and Indian casinos, many Greyhound tracks and kennels have fallen on hard times. Shocking discoveries of mass Greyhound graves and stories about dogs left by the side of the road or abandoned at shelters has led to nationwide condemnation of Greyhound racing and racing advocates, to anti-racing protests, and to the formation of Greyhound rescue groups. The National Greyhound Association — the industry registry and trade association — responded to the need for new homes for retired racers by setting up an adoption program with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and by raising money from operating tracks to fund the program. In addition, private individuals started rescue programs that now are national in scope. Together, these private rescues and the industry effort place thousands of dogs in new homes each year.

However, although these rescue organizations are necessary as the Greyhound racing industry shrinks, the majority of the racers do not deserve the contempt they often receive. Most Greyhound kennel owners treat their dogs well and try on their own to find good homes for the ones that aren’t fast enough for the track or have reached retirement age. Many rescue groups have recognized this effort and are working with the owners and tracks to save as many dogs as possible.

Thanks to Dog Owner’s Guide for all the info!

Dog Files Fact: Alaskan Malamute

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Files Fact, News

At least four thousand years ago, but very likely even earlier, the Eskimos crossed the Bering Straits when the tribes migrated East from the cold barren lands of Siberia. Arctic anthropology indicates the presence of Eskimo civilization at Cape Krusenstern as early as 1850 B.C.

Eskimo means “raw flesh eater” in the language of the Canadian Indians, the Eskimos referred to themselves as “Innuit” which means “the people.” Culturally they are quite different from the other races in the New World; their history is mysterious and much of this surrounds the dog. Thus its history and early development are largely conjectural.

Early life for the Eskimo consisted of nomadic travel in extremely rigorous conditions. Dogs and sleds were essential to their way of life and were their most prized possessions. Without them travel and hauling would have been impossible.

Archaeological evidence indicates that sled dogs may have first been used no more than three to five hundred years ago, although they may have been used for dog-drawn sleds or as pack dogs before that time. The dogs also hunted polar bear and other Arctic mammals for food. They are extremely hardy dogs and have adapted to the extremely low temperatures commonplace in Alaska.

One thing is certain – the innate quality of the dog we know as the Alaskan Malamute and its superb adaptation to its environment.

There are twenty native Alaskan languages, four are Eskimo. However, none were written down until the eighteenth century when Russian fur traders entered the country. The name Malamute applies to the regional dialect of the Alaskan Inupiaq Eskimos. The Malamute speaking tribe or tribes eventually settled in the Northeastern area of the Seward Peninsula.

It was here that the dogs we call Alaskan Malamutes are popularly supposed to have originated or to have settled after the great migration. Some early explorers also described similar dogs in coastal regions much further South. Obviously men and their dogs migrated to where there was most food. Fishing and game possibilities varied according to the weather and coastal areas may have had more to offer. This accounts for the apparent spread of the dog population to both North and South from the original settlements around Kotzebue Sound. Nonetheless, Malamute dogs of excellent type could be found in that area even up to the mid-1960′s.

Malamute Eskimos, now known as Kuuvangmiut or Kobuk people, had a good standard of life, working hard and developing their dogs to a high level of strength, intelligence and reliability. People of the Malamute region are said to have fed dogs as often as they themselves ate on the trail. This humane treatment may account for the rather better temperament of the Alaskan Malamute as opposed to certain other Arctic sled dog breeds. When you consider that many working dogs were badly mistreated, underfed and over-used it should not be surprising that many Arctic dogs had bad dispositions.

The Malamute Eskimos bred only the best and most promising youngsters and treated their dogs well and evidently did not do a lot of breeding because of the lack of food. White men found it difficult to purchase Malamutes because of the high value placed upon them which explains the relatively small foundation to which we trace today’s Malamutes.

The Alaskan Malamute is a member of the Spitz group of dogs. This group is well represented in the world, including the Akita, Chow Chow, Elkhound, Finnish Spitz, and Samoyed to mention only a few. We may have the wandering merchants, explorers, and roving armies of yesteryear to thank for their wide distribution across the globe. However, until recently, the Alaskan Malamute has remained almost completely native to Alaska.

Some naturalists think that the Alaskan Malamute is a product of the early dog and domesticated wolf from centuries ago, whereas some Eskimo cultural experts and a number of Eskimo elders dismiss this idea, pointing out the anatomical differences between dog and wolf. One of the early Malamute breeders, Paul Voelker, believed the Alaskan Malamute to be the oldest breed on the North American continent and probably the breed longest associated with man. According to Voelker, bone and ivory carvings dated at twelve to twenty thousand years old show the Malamute essentially as he is today. Voelker is quoted as saying:

“Don’t forget that the Alaskan Malamute for untold generations was raised with the Eskimos, pups and kids on the floor together. I’ve seen little babies crawling in among the pups to nurse off the old mother dog.”

Thanks to the Alaskan Malamute Club of America for all the info.