Bichon Frisé
A Bichon Frisé (French, literally meaning Curly lap dog; often spelled Bichon Frise in English) is a small breed of dog. They are popular pets, similar to but larger than the Maltese. They are very intelligent and generally have happy dispositions.
Appearance
Color - Almost every piece of fur is white, sometimes with cream, apricot or buff shadings, usually around the ears. At least 90% must be white in a purebred Bichon for show. At least 50% must be white in a Bichon puppy for show. Color fades during the first year of life. During this time the coat also changes from puppy fluff to frisé.
Face - Expression should be alert, soft, inquisitive. The eyes are usually very dark, either black or dark brown. The skin surrounding the eye is also very dark, this is called a "halo" and is looked for in purebred puppies and dogs. The nose and lips are always black. The ears are drop and covered in long, feathery fur.
Coat - The undercoat is soft and dense while the outercoat is curly, giving it a powderpuff look. The coat feels thick and should spring back if touched. The coat may feel velvety if is groomed correctly. The fur makes this particular dog look like a small little marshmallow puff dog.
Muscle-The muscle tone should be of exceptional quality, especially the lower thighs and buttocks area.
Temperament
The well-bred Bichon Frisé is feisty, sensitive, playful, and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is a prominent hallmark. Most Bichons enjoy socializing with people and most dogs. They are best when there is a lot of activity around them. Those who are considering keeping a Bichon Frisé as a pet should know that these dogs are smart and playful, but require a great amount of human attention; they are happy to be the center of attention. Bichons may also be relatively stubborn dogs, yet can exhibit a noticeably patient character. They are a non-moulting breed and are suitable for people with allergies. They require a large amount of brushing, and cannot be left alone for very long as they get very distressed. They tend to nip gently in play, and so are not ideal for a family with very young children.
Care
Care must be taken to keep the face of a Bichon Frisé clean and trimmed, as eye discharge and mucus tend to accumulate in the hair that grows in front of their eyes, which can lead to serious problems. Owners must take care to clean their dog's hind (anal) area with a damp cloth after each bowel movement, as the breed's curly hair will tangle in dried excrement
If the owner prefers a puffy, teased-hair appearance, the hair should be brushed daily, or at least 2-3 times a week. If groomed frequently, the hair will puff up and the tail will curl over the dog's back. This breed is prone to knots in the hair. It is important to remove hair tangles prior to shampooing, lest more tangles develop, causing mats.
Care must be exercised when drying the dog's hair. If it is not dried thoroughly it will become frizzy. Many professional groomers use "blasters"- high powered turbines that produce much greater airflow than conventional hair driers. These tend to be quite noisy and may alarm the dog initially.
Bichons can also suffer from mites and it its imperative that remove excess hair growth from their ears and in between the pads on their feet. Commercially available products include Thornax.
In common with most white dogs Bichons can be prone to tear stained coats, especially around the eyes. There are many possible factors responsible for tear staining. Some bichons are allergic to wheat (or other food additives) which is often used to bulk commercial dog foods. Others may have yeast or bacterial infections. Tear staining can also be the result of a blocked tear ducts. other factors include stray eyelashes or foreign matter in the eye.
It is generally good practice to wipe away the tears on a daily basis. A saline solution may help. there are tropical wipes that available from pet stores that have been shown to help some dogs. Some breeders use products such as backing soda or cornflower to dry the hair but this can lead to the hair becoming brittle. Diet changes can be beneficial for some dogs, especially when complimented with filtered water. To prevent the excessive production in the first place an increasingly popular product is [Angels' Eyes]- a food additive.
Concerned owners should first consult a vet.
Bichons as Pets
The Bichon lives about 13-16 yrs. Primary health problems consistent with this breed include bladder infections, bladder stones, and subluxating kneecaps. Bichons are especially prone to allergies and ear infections. Dental care is important as the Bichon's front teeth are not used as often, occasional brushing by the owner will prevent the damage - often substantial by age 6. Also, an occasional crunchy treat will help clean the teeth.
For aspiring dog owners with allergies, Bichon hair is less prone to cause allergic reactions than the fur of other dogs: they are hypoallergenic. So, while some owners may still have allergic reactions, the rate is significantly lower.
Bichons bred and cared for as show dogs often have their hair stylized in the full-volume cut linked above, as the show standard. Bichon owners who do not intend their dogs for show, though, often use a "puppy cut," which does away with the volume of the show cut and makes the Bichon's hair look more like fur, as well as being widely considered more cute.
Bichons are very active and love to play with other dogs and people. They get sudden bursts of energy resulting in the "blitz" or "buzz", where they run constantly in circles because they are happy.
Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed of dog used principally for trailing and treeing raccoon. The Black and Tan Coonhound runs its game entirely by scent. The courage of the Coonhound also make it proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, cougar and other big game, although states are restricting the hunting of antlered animals with dogs. The general impression is that of power, agility and alertness, with the ability to cover ground swiftly with powerful rhythmic strides. Each hound has its own distinctive voice and are often recognizable to the owners from great distance.
Appearance
The breed standard for Black & Tan Coonhounds is as follows:
- Eyes are hazel to brown
- Ears extend past the tip of the nose
- Their black and tan markings are similar to the Doberman Pinscher and the Rottweiler but have key distinguishing differences from these breeds. The most prominent are the long tails and ears, and their loud, baying bark.
- 23 to 27 inches (58 to 68 cm) at the shoulder
- 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) head (back of skull to tip of nose)
- 65 to 130 (29 to 45 kg) pounds
- Males are typically larger and heavier boned than females.
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a gentle, adaptable dog. Easygoing and people-friendly, the Black and Tan Coonhound is happiest when performing his bred-for work. Easily distracted by their incredible sense of smell, they require patient handling and encouragement. Though trusting and sweet-natured, Black and Tan puppies require a fair amount of encouragement to boost their confidence, especially those that live indoors as pets. Black and Tan Coonhounds are happy to be couch-potatoes when given plenty of exercise, and enjoy the company of their human family. Black and Tans may seem cautious or nervous around strangers or unfamiliar dogs, but will socialize well with time, as they are bred to hunt and work in packs. They don’t become senior citizens until about ten years old, and will be active, fun-loving buddies for their first decade.
The nose of the Black and Tan Coonhound will often lead it to trouble, and it must therefore be kept on leash when outdoors. When tracking, the Coonhound may work methodically, but the untrained and off-leash Coonhound will sometimes race off after a scent. Indoors, you may find your friend “treeing” the food on your countertops and dinner table. Patient training is essential.
The black and tan is best known as a raccoon hunter, the breed has also been used very successfully to hunt other types of game such as bear, stag, opossum, deer and mountain lion - even on difficult terrain. It withstands well the rigors of winter as well as intense heat. Some of the black and tan coonhound talent's include hunting, tracking, watchdogging, and agility. Black and tan coonhounds are the only breed officially recognized as Coonhounds by the American Kennel Club.
This breed drools and slobbers, yet Thomas Jefferson once wrote “the way you deal with your coonhound’s slobber can perhaps be the most telling way of how you handle your everyday problems, after all he is your best friend.” Mr. Jefferson as well as many famous American authors were proud owners of many black and tan coonhounds and fox hounds over the years as well documented in historic documents. George Washington himself is said to be the father of black and tan coonhounds having practically created the breed many years ago.
Black and tan coonhounds are great at warning you when a stranger enters the yard, but are not apt to bite or harm anyone. Their bark sounds serious to someone who doesn't know them, but the truth is, if someone actually entered the yard, they would bark, but never touch the person unless they sensed danger or saw a loved being harmed. Like most dogs they will not take it too well if they see someone yelling at or hurting their master.
While many breeds have their appearances described I felt that it would be worthless to describe the black and tan, they are very unique and it doesn’t do them any justice to say how wide their heads are or how long their ears are. Have a look at the picture below and you’ll see what I mean. The toughest thing is perhaps finding a black and tan coonhound and when you do be prepared to spend some money. Many breeds have a price depending on how many puppies are born in a litter, while other for show purposes. For black and tans either is a factor, litters are generally the same as what you’ll find for most breeds and shows dogs will always be a little pricey. However black and tans are just very rare nowadays. Many black and tan enthusiasts will not charge a lot for their puppies because they don’t want the price to scare them off and they want to share the wonders of this breed. Unfortunately these breeds are far and few. There are just not many around, which is part of the reason I write this article, to reintroduce the black and tan to society. The lack of breeders simply leads to pricey costs and difficulty finding this rare breed.
After reading this about the black and tan a few conclusions can be made. One is simple, the black and tan is a very friendly dog with lots of love to give, perhaps too much. Another is it takes a person with a warm and humorous personality to own and love one. Do yourself a favor and give someone this little test, if you ever meet anyone that says they are not a dog person or someone who says they don’t like big dogs that drool. Lock them in a room with a black and tan coonhound for a few hours or let them borrow yours for the weekend. If they don’t change their mind than they probably aren’t a dog person but chances are they will fall in love. In my 53 years at the AKC, I have done this with 73 black and tan coonhounds who didn’t have homes and not once did the person ever not fall in love at first sight.
Blackmouth Cur
The Blackmouth Cur is a rugged hunting dog that has its origins in the southern United States of America.
Appearance
The Blackmouth Cur is a well-muscled rugged hunting dog whose coat comes in a number of colors and shades, generally red, yellow, brindle, fawn or buckskin. Solid black or white Blackmouth Cur do, on rare occasion, appear in a breeding. According to the UKC Standard, up to ten percent of the coat may be white with the amounts of white on the toes, tail, nose and chest considered acceptable. Ringneck is unacceptable.
Blackmouth Curs have short coats, either coarse or fine, and a combination of the two types may appear in the same litter.
The muzzle is square-shaped and may be black or the same color as the coat. The ears are medium-sized and hanging, and may either be black or the same color as the coat. 'Blackmouth' refers to the dark pigmentation around the lips that also extends into the interior roof of the mouth, though not the tongue. The muzzle may or may not be dark, though it is generally the preferred look.
The tail of a Blackmouth Cur is medium length and should not be bobbed, though a bobtail does naturally occur in the Wetherford Ben line.
The feet are webbed.
Weight ranges: 30-90 pounds, with males being larger than females. The wide weight range is due to different lines of Blackmouth Cur.
Temperament
Blackmouth Curs are known for their loyal temperament. They protective of their family and property when needed . They hunt well with other dogs when properly socialized. This is an active breed that needs to be well-exercised. They are quick learners and have a burning desire to please their master. Consistent training will yield positive results. Harsh tones are used more effectively than corporal punishment with Blackmouth Cur. Some lines will make better family pets than others.
Health
Though many health issues affect dogs of all breeds and can affect the Blackmouth Cur, they seem to be a rather hardy breed. Their average life span is 12-16 years of age. As with other similar breeds, entropion (slight turning in of eyelid) is a correctable health issue. Their active nature exposes them to the possibility of torn ligaments and pulled muscles.
Activities
Blackmouth Curs are used for herding cattle, baying hogs, hunting squirrel, raccoon, bear and mountain lion. Certain lines are used more for one activity than others, such as Wetherford Ben for herding, Red Alabama for hog baying, and Ladner for treeing ability. However, they are a multipurpose breed, and one dog, if quite talented, may be used for hunting, herding, and baying. Blackmouth Cur have excellent jumping and climbing ability, making them great in the field of treeing and hunting other game. If they use this ability to climb your fence, then a fence as high as 6 feet might be needed.
Black Russian Terrier
The Black Russian Terrier (or simply BRT) is a breed of dog developed originally as a guard dog and police dog. It is rare outside its native country and is just starting to be recognized elsewhere; for example, it is one of the AKC's most-recently recognized breeds, gaining full status in July of 2004.
Appearance
The BRT gives the impression of great strength, athleticism, and courage. It should be rustic (but not coarse) in appearance, and should not look as though its coat is sculpted or trimmed. It should never appear to lack substance or be weak in any way. Males should be noticeably more masculine than females.
Coat
The coat is hard and dense, never soft, wooly, silky, or frizzy. It should be between 4-10 cm (1.4-4 inches) in length. It should form a beard and eyebrows on the face, and a slight mane around the withers and neck that is more pronounced in males. The coat is low-shedding and the colour is black or black with some gray hairs.
Size
The male stands 25-29 inches (64-74 cm) at the withers compared to the female's 25-28 inches (64-72 cm) with a tolerance of 1.3 inches (3 cm) or more if the dog is well proportioned. The breed weighs 80 to 143 pounds (36-65 kg)
Temperament
BRTs are confident, calm, highly intelligent, brave and loyal. It should never be timid, and will not hesitate to defend the people that it loves if it thinks they are threatened. The BRT may seem aloof, but needs human companionship and bonds deeply to its family. They are wary of strangers and take a long time to warm up to unfamiliar people, thus they make excellent guard dogs. BRTs are dominant by nature and need confident owners who have experience handling similar dogs.
Care
The BRT, because of its breeding as a working dog, has a very strong "work ethic", and needs a job to do in order to be happy. Early training is a must, as it will exploit any owner who has failed to establish clear dominance, and it's just too big to not be trained. They are very responsive to firm, consistent training, and excel at Obedience competitions. They also perform well in other dog sports, such as Agility, and Schutzhund training. They have a low-shedding coat, and need grooming at least once a week, more for show dogs. The BRT needs lots of exercise, and may become hyperactive and destructive if it doen't have a chance to burn off its energy.
Health
The BRT is a generally healthy and somewhat long-lived dog (lifespan of 10-14 years), however it is prone to certain hereditary diseases:
- Major concerns
- Minor concerns
Bloodhound
A Bloodhound (also known as the St. Hubert Hound) is a large breed of dog bred for the specific purpose of tracking human beings. Consequently, it is often used by authorities to track escaped prisoners or missing persons. It is a scenthound, famed for its ability to follow a scent hours or even days old, over long distances. Combining a keen sense of smell with a tenaciously strong tracking instinct, bloodhounds have proven their worth as the archetypal trailing dog.
Appearance
Bloodhounds weigh from 80 to 110 lb (36 to 50 kg) and stand 23 to 27 inches (58 to 69 cm) high at the withers. The acceptable colors for Bloodhounds are black and tan, liver and tan, or red. In the Middle Ages, they also occurred in other solid colors, including white (known as the Talbot hound). The colors appear in other breeds descended from the early Bloodhounds, however. Bloodhounds possess an unusually large skeletal structure; most of their weight is concentrated in their bones, which are very thick for their length. The coat is typical for a scenthound: hard, and composed of fur alone, with no admixture of hair.
Temperament
This breed is a mellow, cheerful, affectionate dog who is nonetheless tireless in following a scent. Because of its strong tracking instinct, it can be willful, and somewhat difficult to obedience train. However, with the proper amount of time and effort, this can be achieved.
Affectionate, gentle, and even-tempered, they make excellent family pets but, like any large breed, may require supervision when around small children because of the possibility of knocking them over with their bulk.
Health
As with most large breeds, their life expectancy is only 8 to 12 years.
The Bloodhound is prone to hip dysplasia, and is one of the breeds that is the most frequent victims of bloat. Consequently, Bloodhound groups are attempting to concentrate funds for research into bloat at a small number of veterinary schools, in order to increase the likelihood of obtaining valuable results.
Bloodhounds require relatively little maintenance to their coats beyond brushing and infrequent baths. Their long, pendulous ears should be inspected frequently, as they are prone to ear infections, and their drooping eyelids can be a source of trouble
Tracking
Scenting ability
The Bloodhound's physical characteristics account for its superlative ability to follow a scent trail left several days in the past.Humans constantly shed skin cells, as newer cells replace older ones. Under optimal conditions, a Bloodhound can detect as few as one or two skin cells.Odors are identified by scent receptors in a dog's nasal chambers; the larger the chambers, the greater the dog's ability to detect skin cells. The Bloodhound's nasal chambers are larger than those of most other breeds. The large and long pendent ears serve to prevent wind from scattering nearby skin cells while the dog's nose is on the ground, and the folds of wrinkled flesh under the lips and neck, called the shawl, serve to catch stray scent particles in the air or on a nearby branch as the bloodhound is scenting, reinforcing the scent in the dog's memory and nose.
The misconception persists that bloodhounds are employed in packs. While this is sometimes the case in England, in North America bloodhounds are used as solitary trackers. Bloodhounds on a trail are usually silent, and do not give voice as other scent hounds.
Miscellaneous
Noteworthy Bloodhounds
A bloodhound named Nick Carter is frequently cited as the archetype of the trailing bloodhound. The extensive publicity this dog received may be the source of much bloodhound-related folklore. Born in 1900, Nick Carter was owned and handled by Captain G.V. Mullikin of Lexington, Kentucky. He is credited with more than 650 finds, including one that required him to follow a trail 105 hours old.
Ch. Heathers Knock on Wood, known as "Knotty," is the most awarded Bloodhounds of all time. He has received more Best in Shows than any other Bloodhound, and is the first liver-and-tan Bloodhound ever to win a Best in Show. Knotty was awarded the Best in Show at the Eukanuba Tournament in 2005, and won the Hound Group in the Westminster Kennel Club Show in that same year.
Blue Lacy
The Blue Lacy is a breed of dog that originated in Texas in the mid 1800s. The blue lacy was first recognized by the State of Texas in 2001 by the Texas Senate. In Senate Resolution No. 436, the 77th Legislature honored the blue lacy as "...a true Texas breed".
Appearance
Lacies have tight, smooth, sleek coats that are clean in appearance.Their slate blue ,red ,yellow or cream coats always have white on the lower chest and sometimes the paws. A blue dog with red markings is called a tricolor. Lacies are about 18 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder,and weigh 25-50 pounds when fully grown.
Temperament
Lacies can be either indoor or outdoor dogs. They are devoted to their family, good with children, and hardworking, needing daily strenuous activity. They are, however, very sensitive to loud noise and should not be reprimanded harshly or kept near loud environments. Lacies usually do not become hyper when not worked, as some herding dogs do. Being extremely intelligent, they can perform many tasks and are very easy to train, learning skills in hours or days.
Health
Very healthy with no known genetic problems, commonly living to 15 and 16 active years old. Also, as most hounds, they are extremely resistant to snake bites and are sturdy enough to withstand most kinds physical damage.
Blue Picardy Spaniel
The Blue Picardy Spaniel (or Épagneul Bleu de Picardi) is a breed of dog originating from France.
Appearance
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is around 22 to 24 inches (56-61 cm) high at the withers and weighs 45 pounds (20.5 kilograms) on average . Their coat is speckled grey black forming a bluish shade, with some black patches . It is flat or a little wavy with feathering on the ears, legs, underside and tail. They have long legs with some setter characteristics . They look more like a setter than a spaniel .
Temperament
The Blue Picardy Spaniel is a sporting dog and is very active, requiring regular exercise. They are gentle and calm in nature and are adaptable to other animals. They are good and playful with children. They are good watch dogs who will defend their family if they need to.
Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed of dog. It is a type of coonhound that is typically bred in the southern United States.
Appearance
The overall body style of the Bluetick Coonhound should be muscular and speedy, not chunky or clumsily built. The head should be carried well up and the tail carried over the back, without signs of fear or nervousness. The Bluetick coat should be moderately coarse and glossy. The Bluetick Coonhound gets its "blue" coloring from black/white mottling which gives the impression of a navy blue color. This mottling covers the body and can be interspersed with variously-shaped black spots on the back, ears and sides. Preference runs to more blue than black on the body. Black should predominate on the head and ears. Bluetick Coonhounds should have tan dots over the eyes and on the cheeks with dark red ticking on the feet and lower legs below the body line, on the chest, and below the tail. Red can be eliminated, as well as the tan head coloring. Blue mottling on the body is preferred to lighter ticking. Blue ticking should be predominant over white in the body coat. Off colors are not allowed, but almost solid black with just some ticking on the feet and chest is permitted.
The Bluetick Coonhound has a broad head with low set ears which reach at least to the nose. The muzzle should be square, not narrow or snipey, and slightly shorter than the depth of skull. There should be a prominent stop, and the skull should be slightly domed. The lips and flews should well cover the lower jaw. The blueticks eyes should be large and set wide apart. Coloring light brown to dark brown, with a close fitting eylid. The neck of the Bluetick should be arched and muscular, of moderate length and without excessive dewflap.
Male coonhounds should be 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh approximately 55 to 80 pounds. Females are considerably smaller, being 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 45 to 65 pounds. The body should be higher at the shoulder than the hips, and when measured from the withers to the base of tail it should be slightly longer than tall. Blueticks (as they are known by fanciers) should have a deep chest with well sprung ribs, curving into the belly rather than having an extreme tucked up look.
Feet should be cat-like, rounded with well-arched toes. Their paws are larger than nearly all other breeds of dogs. Rear legs should have a moderate bend at the hocks. All legs should be straight when viewed from the front or rear.
Gascon blues are larger than standard blueticks, with males a minimum of 27 inches and a maximum of 30 inches. See the American Blue Gascon Coonhound Association's breed standard: http://www.abgha.org/standard.htm
Temperament
Bluetick hounds are a friendly breed, but new owners should be warned they can be particularly challenging to train. They are, like their hound counterparts, very intelligent breeds, with an uncanny knack for problem-solving. This can be particularly problematic if they are confined to a household or to a small yard, and one should give this breed plenty of space. Once trained, the breed is very mindful of its owner. Breed will drool occasionally and salivate heavily when exposed to "human" foods. They are very loud, constant, and howling barkers. They are bred to be working hunting dogs and can be a challenge to pet owners.
In normal conditions the dog is excellent around families and children. Often mistaken for aggressiveness, the breed will "greet" strangers with its signature howl and will literally "sniff" the subject until satisfied. Blueticks are driven by their strong sense of smell and make excellent hunting/tracking dogs.
Miscellaneous
A Bluetick Coonhound named "Smokey" is the official athletic mascot of the University of Tennessee.
A Bluetick Coonhound named Tet was the companion of Stringfellow Hawke, the main character of popular 1980s television show Airwolf.
Neil Young has stated that his song "Old King" is a tribute to a deceased Bluetick Coonhound he once owned.
An unnamed Bluetick Coonhound is featured in Blake Shelton's hit single, "Ol' Red". The song relates an escape plan of a man convicted of a crime of passion when he murdered his wife and her lover. He devises a plan to have a female Bluetick lure the prison's male Bloodhound Ol' Red instead of tracking him as he heads in the opposite direction. The closing lines of the song are: "Now there's red-haired Blueticks all in the South, / Love got me in there and love got me out."
A blue tick hound, is mentioned in the book, Where the Red Fern Grows
Charlie Daniels mentions a bluetick in his song "Long Haired Country Boy."
Boerboel
The Boerboel is a large working molosser type breed of dog from South Africa. The word boerboel is Afrikaans for "farmer's dog".
"They are obedient, intelligent, self-assured and bred to have an extremely strong guard-dog instinct in a domestic situation.Very selective and practical breeding ethic has created a very functional working dog, that is very dominant but thrives best in a responsible family environment for which he can put his protective instincts into action when required."
Origin
The Boerboel, the only breed of dog solely and specifically bred to defend the homestead, it has a long history of breeding in many far flung and different regions of South Africa. After this long history of breeding, the breed’s refinement continues to date, however regional differences though slight, are considered part of the entire makeup of the breed.
While there is ample literature on the Boerboel’s descent, there is still uncertainty as to how many and which dogs it is bred from.
The most likely origins are claimed to date back to Jan van Riebeeck’s arrival to the Cape in 1652. Dutch, French and British settlers have all brought with them certain breeds of dog, these were used with indigenous breeds of domestic African dog to create the Boerboel.
It has been confirmed the Jan van Riebeeck brought a “bullenbijter” with him, and others with him had large strong dogs. Over many years, natural selection would determine that the fittest among them would survive and breed.
A likely breeding partner brought in by the British settlers would have been the long legged Bulldog.
De Beers, a diamond mining company imported Bullmastiffs to guard the mines.
In protest to British rule, the Dutch scattered in hundreds of kilometres from their original homes, in what is historically recorded as the Great Trek. During this period they continued breeding powerful, protective dogs on their journeys. The tradition of breeding with large dogs continued during the Second Boer War.
Studying further literature, more dogs have been suggested to be included in the breed and much more recently, such as the Great Dane, the Saint Bernard and the Bull Terrier but none of these are substantiated, however the Rhodesian Ridgeback and its descendants is known to have played a part, though no sign of a ridge is any longer present.
Today, Boerboel breeding is both a hobby and industry in South Africa. Only a few of the best studs are kept to breed with females. These dogs are now exported from South Africa to other parts of the world.
For information on the Boerboel in America contact the American Boerboel Club. Further information may also be had via the AKC (American Kennel Club).
Appearance
The Boerboel should be well balanced, substantial and strong in appearance, with a primitive robustness and an overall solid tight musculature. Though a heavily built mastiff breed, it is not loose limbed or jointed and has a strong topline leading to a powerful and massive neck, it should move with purpose and control with ample agility. The head is one of the defining characteristic of the breed and should be large but in proportion to the body, with a strong and not too short muzzle and jaws, broad between the ears. The tail is normally docked short but this is not a requirement of the breed. Males are very masculine and imposing, with females being somewhat more feminine but by no means lacking in substance. The dog should give the overall impression of immense substance, strength, power, and physical ability, and should be able to more than amply demonstrate this in his day to day work.
Size
The ideal height for male Boerboels is 66 cm at the withers though it can vary between 64-70cm (25-28 inches). The height for bitches should be 61 cm this can vary between 59-65cm (23-26 inches) .
Color
Any color brindle, brown, red-brown, yellow are accepted. Black and/or white are not accepted.
Pedigree
KUSA is one South African authority on breeding standards and pedigree status. However, the Boerboel as a true working breed has it's own complete and internationally recognised pedigree under the SABT South African Boerboel Breeders Association SABBA/SABT , Boerboels are registered at birth with one or more of the three South African Boerboel Breeders Associations: South African Boerboel Breeders' Association (SABT) which is the largest with the most members; Historical Boerboel Association of South Africa (HBSA), and the Elite Boerboel Breeders' Association of Southern Africa (EBBASA) both the latter having only very small numbers of members. Standards regulating the characteristics of the breed have been laid down by these Associations and are much the same.
After 12 months the dog is appraised by the mother organisation the SABT in order to qualify for registration as a breeding animal, this appraisal is done by experts in the field of the Boerboel development . For such registration, a Boerboel must achieve a minimum qualifying appraisal rating of 75% or 80%.
Temperament
Boerboels are a very dominant but intelligent, reliable, breed, with a strong watchdog instinct. They are self-assured and fearless, but responsive to the needs of the family displaying an intuitive ability to sense if the family is in danger. Like other large dogs with a strong guard instinct, the Boerboel needs to be watched around strangers and introduced to friends early on to avoid aggression, they also should be socialised at an early age to other dogs, and like all dogs should never be left with young children unattended. They are a dog that thrive on love and attention and need constant companionship from their owners and as puppies cannot be left alone for long periods without becoming destructive. Well trained older dogs can be left in the house for periods of time usually 1-4 hours or so without issues.
Boglen
The Boglen Terrier is a hybrid dog bred from the Beagle and the Boston Terrier. As with any hybrid, potential owners should take into account the nature and characteristics of both breeds as any combination of those characteristics may be displayed in the resulting pup. As this cross is not recognized by the AKC, no standard yet exists. The Boglen Terrier name is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club. Often this hybrid is mistakenly referred to as a Boggle, which, however, is the designation given by the American Canine Hybrid Club to the Beagle/Boxer hybrid (spelled Bogle).
Appearance
Boglen Terriers tend to be brindle and white, with white patches often on the stomach, chest, feet, back of the neck and face, generally following the markings of the Boston Terrier. The coat can vary considerably, even on one dog, with some patches of the longer, more bristle-like Beagle hair mixed with the short smooth coat of the Boston Terrier. They range in size from small to medium, weighing as little as 15lbs and as much as 30lbs. Unlike the Boston Terrier, the muzzle usually extends enough to allow for normal breathing and heat dissipation. Boglen Terriers thus tend to be more resistant to weather extremes and intense exercise. Height can vary considerably. Those who take after their Beagle parent tend to be squat and short, while those who take after their Boston parent tend to be taller with a more muscled appearance. Common height is 12-16 inches (also depends on the size of the Beagle bred to produce the Boglen Terrier).
Health
The Boglen Terrier is generally a robust dog. As the muzzle is longer than the Boston Terrier because of the Beagle genes, Boglen Terriers have fewer breathing problems than the Boston Terrier and there is less worry for heat exhaustion. There is also more room for the eyes in the skull, thus reducing the "bug-eyed" look of the Boston Terrier and also reducing eye injuries.
Temperament
Temperaments also vary, but the Boglen Terrier tends to be brave, rambunctious, and intelligent. Some tend to be strong willed and may need extra training. The excited energy level of the Boston Terrier mixed with the stamina of the Beagle make this a high-energy breed with need for lots of exercise in order to avoid destructive and unwanted behaviors. Without patience and training, some can develop obsession, anxiety, or excitement issues. Some owners have reported that the prey drive in these dogs is high, and as is common with Beagles, they can be difficult to train/walk off leash. Highly scent driven, these dogs like to follow their nose and if not adequately trained will forget entirely about their owners existence when on a scent. Sociable dogs, they tend to get along well with people and other dogs.
Bohemian Shepherd
The Bohemian Shepherd is a breed of dog also known as the Chodsky Pes or the Chodenhund. The Bohemian Shepherd is recognized nationally in the Czech Republic but is not recognized by the FCI or any other major kennel club.
Appearance
Bohemian Shepherds are a medium-sized dog. They are 19 to 22 inches in height and weigh about 35-55 lbs. They are much longer than they are tall. Their coats are long and thick with a dense undercoat. The ears are erect, small, high-set and pointed. The coloring of the coat is Black and Tan. All Bohemian Shepherd puppies are almost identical and start to get their adult coloring at about 6 or 7 months of age.
Temperament
This is a very active dog with a wonderful temperament. They are quick in training and are generally very fast learners. This breed is not aggressive. They are good with children, dogs and other pets. This breed is great at agility, rescuing and service-training. It can be also used for sledding. It has an excellent nose and it exhibits aptitudes for working along side of handicapped people. This breed also makes a wonderful watch dogs. This is certainly a breed of many talents, excelling in sledding, agility, rescue work, guiding the deaf and blind and herding.
Origin
This dog is possibly one of the predecessor to the German Shepherd, having been known to exist in the Czech Republic as far back as the 1300's, and having been professionally bred as early as the 1500's. A modern breeding program for this dog was started in 1984 and there are now many breeders. This is not a Czechoslovakian dog - it is only Czech.
Bolognese (dog)
The Bolognese is a breed of dog that is a member of the Bichon family of dogs.
Appearance
The Bolognese is generally considered to be a companion dog. They are small, white, square, and compact with a distinctive single coat (i.e. no undercoat) which falls in loose open ringlets all over the body and have shorter hair on the face. The hair's texture is woolly, as opposed to silky and is never trimmed or clipped. The hair is non-shedding, but requires regular combing to prevent matting. The eyes are large and dark, as is the nose. These dogs are very intelligent and love the companionship of people but are often quite reserved with strangers, and whilst not yappy have acute hearing and will generally bark at strange noises. They are considered to be hypoallergenic.
Size
The Bolognese's height varies between 25 & 30cm
The Bolognese's weight varies between 4 & 5kg. Some become bigger than that though.
History
A member of the bichon group of dogs, the Bolognese is thought to have descended from bichon-type dogs in southern Italy, around the 11th or 12th century. Like the Bichon Frisé, it became popular as a companion dog amongst the royal courts and nobility of Spain, and other parts of Europe from the 1500's to the early 19th century, and Bichons featured in several paintings by artists such as Titian and Goya.
Temperament
Generally somewhat less active than the Bichon Frise, the Bolognese is nevertheless a playful and friendly breed, which will form a close bond with its owner. It is also intelligent, easy to train, and eager to please, making it an ideal companion dog and family pet, although it may initially be somewhat reserved with strangers. Its life expectancy is 12-14 years.
Maltese (dog)
A Maltese is a small breed of white dog that does not shed.
Appearance
The Maltese is a dog belonging to the toy group that is covered from head to foot with a mantle of long, silky, white hair. Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 10 lb (1.4 to 4.5 kg), though breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 8 lb (1.8 to 3.7 kg). There are variations depending on which standard is being used; many, like the American Kennel Club, call for a weight that is ideally between 4 and 6 lb (1.8 to 2.7 kg), and no more than 7 lb (3.2 kg). The coat is long and silky and lacks an undercoat. The color is pure white and although cream or light lemon ears are permissible, they are not desirable. Some individuals may have curly or woolly hair, but this is outside the standard. Characteristics include slightly rounded skulls, with a one (1) finger width dome and a black nose that is two (2) finger widths long. The drop ears with long hair and very dark eyes, surrounded by darker skin pigmentation that is called a "halo", gives Maltese their expressive look. The body is compact with the length equaling the height. Their noses can fade and become pink or light brown in color. This is often referred to as a "winter nose" and many times will become black again with increased exposure to the sun.
Temperament
Maltese can be very energetic, despite this they still do well for apartment dwellers. They are relatively easy to train and enjoy a playful game of fetch. These intelligent dogs learn quickly, and pick up new tricks and behaviors easily.
The breed has a reputation for being good-natured, but may be intolerant of small children or other dogs. They can be protective of their owner and will bark or may bite if animals or people infringe on their territory or are perceived as a threat.
For all their diminutive size, Maltese seem to be without fear. In fact, many Maltese seem relatively indifferent to creatures/objects larger than themselves (unless of course it is the owner). They are among the gentlest mannered of all little dogs, yet they are lively and playful as well as vigorous. Because of their size, a Maltese puppy would not be a good choice for families with small children because they can be easily injured. Maltese dog are very jumpy and have very strong hind legs. Once the dog is a bit older and more mature it is fine around small children.
Care
Maltese have no undercoat, and have little to no shedding if cared for properly. Like their relatives Poodles and Bichon Frisé, they are considered to be largely hypoallergenic and many people who are allergic to dogs may not be allergic to the Maltese (See list of Hypoallergenic dog breeds). Regular grooming is required to prevent their coats from matting. Many owners will keep their Maltese clipped in a "puppy cut," a 1 - 2" all over trim that makes the dog resemble a puppy. Some owners, especially those who show Maltese in the sport of conformation, prefer to wrap the long hair to keep it from matting and breaking off. Dark staining in the hair around the eyes ("tear staining") can be a problem in this breed, and is mostly a function of how much the individual dog's eyes water and the size of the tear ducts. If the face is kept dry and cleaned daily, the staining can be minimized. Many veterinarians recommend avoiding foods treated with food coloring and serving distilled water to reduce tear staining.
Health
The Maltese is generally a healthy breed with few inherent problems. Some problems seen are luxating patella, portosystemic liver shunt, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The average life span is 12-15 years.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is the preeminent breed of herding dog that originated in the border country of England and Scotland. They are regarded by many as one of the most intelligent dog breeds.[citation needed] Border Collies are highly energetic, and as a result have a tendency towards neurotic or destructive behavior if not given enough to do. They are still frequently used on farms all over the world for assisting with the handling of livestock, and they have also become popular as pet and sport dogs. Though known to be reserved with strangers, these dogs can also be protective of a human family member and affectionate to those they know.
Appearance
Border Collie breedings have historically been selected for working ability rather than looks, and therefore vary widely in appearance.
In general, Border Collies are medium-sized dogs without extreme physical characteristics and a moderate amount of coat. Their double coats can be anywhere from slick to lush, and can come in many colours, although black and white is by far the most common, and therefore the most common in public perception. Black tricolour (black/tan/white) and red and white also occur regularly, with other colours such as blue and white, red merle, blue merle, "Australian red," and sable seen less frequently.
Eye colour varies from deep brown to amber or blue with occasionally one eye of each colour, usually seen with merles. The ears of the Border Collie are also highly variable — some have fully erect ears, some fully dropped and others are semi-erect (similar to that of the Rough Collie). Although working Border Collie handlers sometimes have superstitions about the appearance of their dogs (handlers do not prefer red dogs, or mostly white dogs), in general a dog's appearance is considered to be irrelevant. It is considered much more useful to identify a working Border Collie by its attitude and ability than by its looks.
Those dogs bred for the conformation ring are more homogeneous in appearance than working Border Collies, since to be successful show dogs they must conform to breed club standards that are specific on many points of the structure, coat and colour. Kennel clubs specify, for example, that the Border Collie must have a "keen and intelligent" expression, and that the preferred eye colour is dark brown. In deference to the dog's working origin, scars and broken teeth received in the line of duty are not to be counted against a Border Collie in the show ring.
Height at withers: Males from 19" to 22", Females from 18" to 21".
Temperament
The Border Collie is an extremely intelligent, biddable breed with an instinctive desire to work closely and intensely with a human handler. Although the primary role of the Border Collie is that of the working stock dog, dogs of this breed are becoming increasingly popular as pets. True to their working heritage, Border Collies make very demanding, energetic pets that are better off in households that can provide them with plenty of exercise and a job to do. Among some breeders in the United Kingdom there is a common saying: "no sheep, no collie", referring to the dog's usual unsuitability to people who just want a "smart dog." However, in an appropriate home, with a dedicated, active owner, a Border Collie can be an excellent companion. Participating in dog sports such as dog agility, flyball, sheepdog trials, tracking, dog dancing, Disc dog, dog sledding races and obedience is popular with Border Collie owners.
Border Collies are unsuitable pets for people who cannot or will not provide a considerable amount of daily exercise for their dogs, both physical and mental. They are also a poor choice for households that are not prepared for the characteristic behaviours that are part of their working heritage. For example, as with many working breeds, Border Collies can be motion-sensitive and may attempt to control the movements of family members, cats, squirrels, bicycles, cars, or anything else that moves if not given enough mental and physical stimulation. Many Border Collies who end up in shelters or rescue groups are there because owners who may have been attracted by their appearance and intelligence were not prepared to meet their dog's needs.
Health
Hip dysplasia, Collie eye anomaly (CEA), and epilepsy are considered the primary genetic diseases of concern in the breed at this time. Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is a congenital, inherited eye disease affecting Border Collies and other breeds involving the retina, choroid, and sclera. In Border Collies, it is generally a mild disease and rarely significantly impairs vision. There is now a DNA test available for CEA and, through its use, breeders can ensure that they will not produce affected pups. There are no genetic tests available for hip dysplasia or epilepsy, although careful breeding practices are known to lower the incidence of both.
Elbow dysplasia or Osteochondritis, deafness, and hypothyroidism may also occur in the breed. Dogs homozygous for the merle gene are likely to have eye and/or hearing problems. Responsible breeders do not mate merles to one another.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a rare but serious disease. CL results in severe neurological impairment and early death; afflicted dogs rarely survive beyond two years of age. The mutation causing the form of the disease found in Border Collies was identified in the laboratory of Dr. Alan Wilton of the School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. There is no treatment or cure, but a DNA test is now available to detect carriers as well as affected dogs.
History
Origins
The Border Collie is descended from droving and gathering breeds originating on the Scottish and English border. Mention of the 'Collie' or 'Colley' type first appeared toward the end of the nineteenth century with every current Border Collie tracing back to a dog known as Old Hemp. Old Hemp, a tri-colour dog, was born September 1893 and died May 1901. He was bred by Adam Telfer from Roy, a black and tan dog, and Meg, a black-coated, strong-eyed bitch. Hemp was a quiet, powerful dog that sheep responded to easily. Many shepherds used him for stud on their bitches, and Hemp's working style became the Border Collie style.
Wiston Cap is the dog that the International Sheep Dog Society (ISDS) badge portrays in the characteristic Border Collie herding pose. He was the most popular stud dog in the history of the breed, and appears in a huge percentage of pedigrees today. Bred by W. S. Hetherington and trained and handled by John Richardson, Cap was a biddable and good-natured dog. His bloodlines all trace back to the early registered dogs of the stud book, and to J. M. Wilson's Cap, who occurs sixteen times within seven generations in his pedigree. Wiston Cap sired three Supreme Champions and is grand-sire of three others, one of whom was E. W. Edwards' Bill, who won the championship twice.
These dogs were traditionally known simply as "collies," but terms like working collie, old-fashioned collie, and farm collie have also been applied to them. It was in 1915 that James Reid, Secretary of the International Sheep Dog Society in the United Kingdom, first used the term "Border Collie" to distinguish those dogs registered by the ISDS from the Kennel Club's "Collie," which originally came from the same working stock but had developed a different, standardised appearance following its introduction to the show ring in 1860.
Breed standards
As is the case with many breeds of dogs that are still used for their original purposes, breed standards vary depending on whether the registry is more interested in a dog that performs its job superbly or a dog whose appearance meets an ideal standard.
There are two types of tests, or standards, to determine the breeding quality of a Border Collie. The original test was the ISDS sheepdog trial, still used today, where a dog and handler collect groups of livestock and move them quietly around a course. The 'standard' comes from the fact that, the world over, there are certain standard elements to this test. Sheep must be gathered without being too much disturbed, from a distance farther than the typical small airport runway. They then must be directed through obstacles at varying distance from the handler, and then the dog must demonstrate the ability to do work close at hand by penning the sheep and sorting them out. It is these elements which have shaped the working abilities of the Border Collie and defined the breed. These dogs are necessarily capable of incredible feats of athleticism, endurance, intense focus, and high levels of trainability.
In nearly every region of the world, the Border Collie is now also a breed which is shown in ring or bench shows. For the people who participate in these events, the Border Collie is defined by the breed standard, which is a description of how the dog should look. Temperament is also a major consideration for show dogs. In New Zealand and Australia, where the breed has been shown throughout most of the twentieth century, the Border Collie standards have produced a dog with the longer double coat (smooth coats are not allowed), a soft dark eye, a body slightly longer than tall, a well-defined stop, as well as a gentle and friendly temperament. This style of Border Collie has become popular in winning show kennels around the world, as well as among prestigious judges.
Few handlers of working Border Collies participate in conformation shows as working dogs are bred to a performance standard rather than one based on appearance. Likewise, conformation-bred dogs are seldom seen on the sheepdog trial field, except in Kennel Club-sponsored events. Dogs registered with either working or conformation based registries are seen in other performance events such as agility, obedience, tracking or flyball, however these dogs do not necessarily conform to the breed standard of appearance as closely as the dogs shown in the breed rings as this is not a requirement in performance events, nor do they necessarily participate in herding activities.
Registries
In the UK, there are two separate registries for Border Collies. The International Sheep Dog Society encourages breeding for herding ability, whereas the Kennel Club (UK) encourages breeding for a specific appearance. The ISDS registry is by far the older of the two, and ISDS dogs are eligible for registration as pedigree Border Collies with the Kennel Club (KC) — but not vice versa. The only way for a Border Collie without an ISDS pedigree to be added to the ISDS registry is by proving its worth as a herding dog so that it can be Registered on Merit (ROM).
In the United States, the majority of Border Collies are registered with the American Border Collie Association, which is dedicated to the preservation of the working dog. However, the breed was also recognised in 1995 by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which promotes standards based on appearance and temperament, after occupying the AKC's Miscellaneous Class for over forty years. The recognition was under protest from the majority of Border Collie affiliated groups, such as the United States Border Collie Club, which felt that emphasis on the breed's working skills would be lost under AKC recognition. AKC registrations have gradually increased since recognition and by the year 2004 there were 1,984 new AKC registrations of Border Collies, with a further 2,378 for the year 2005. By contrast, the American Border Collie Association registers approximately 20,000 Border Collies annually.Because of the inherent tension between the goals of breeding to a working standard and an appearance standard, the American Border Collie Association voted in 2003 that dogs who attained a conformation championship would be delisted from the ABCA registry, regardless of ability.
In Australia, Border Collies are registered with an Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) affiliated state control body or with a working dog registry. Between 2,011 and 2,701 ANKC pedigreed Border Collies have been registered with the ANKC each year since 1986. Inclusion on the ANKC affiliate's main register allows Border Collies to compete in conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, herding and other ANKC-sanctioned events held by an ANKC affiliated club, while inclusion on the limited register prohibits entry in conformation events. The ANKC provides a breed standard, however this applies to conformation events only and has no influence on dogs entering in performance events. Non-ANKC pedigreed dogs may also be eligible for inclusion on an ANKC associate or sporting register and be able to compete in ANKC performance or herding events. Agility organisations such as the Agility Dog Association of Australia (ADAA) have their own registry which allows the inclusion of any dog wishing to compete in their events.
In Canada, Agriculture Canada has recognised the Canadian Border Collie Association as the registry under the Animal Pedigree Act for any Border Collie that is designated as "Pure Breed" in Canada. The criteria used is based on herding lineage rather than appearance. It is a two-tiered registry in that dogs imported that are registered with a foreign Kennel Club that does hold conformation shows are given a "B" registration, whereas those that come directly from other working registries are placed on the "A" registry. Recently, the Canadian Kennel Club has polled its members to decide if Border Collies should be included on the CKC "Miscellaneous List". This designation would allow Border Collie owners the ability to compete in all CKC events, but the CKC would not be the registering body. People who compete in performance events support the move. The CBCA is against this designation.
Activities
Livestock Work
Working border collies can take direction by voice and whistle at long distances when herding. Their great energy and herding instinct are still used to herd all kinds of animals, from the traditional sheep and cattle, free range poultry, and pigs, to deer and ostriches. They are also used to remove unwanted wild birds from airport runways, golf courses, and other public and private areas.
Shepherds in the UK have taken the most critical elements of herding and incorporated them into a sheepdog trial. The first recorded sheepdog trials were held in Bala, North Wales, in 1873. These competitions enable farmers and shepherds to evaluate possible mates for their working dogs, but they have developed a sport aspect as well, with competitors from outside the farming community also taking part. In the USA, the national sanctioning body for these competitions is the USBCHA. In the UK it is the International Sheep Dog Society, and in Canada the Canadian Border Collie Association (CBCA).
Dog Sports
Because of their working background, Border Collies excel at several dog sports. They dominate the higher jump heights at dog agility competitions, so much so that in England the Border Collies occasionally are given competitions separate from all other breeds. The Border Collie's speed, agility, and stamina has led them to dominate the relatively new sport of flyball as well. Border Collies have a highly developed sense of smell and with their high drive make excellent and easily motivated tracking dogs for Tracking trials. These trials simulate the finding of a lost person in a controlled situation where the performance of the dog can be evaluated with titles awarded for successful dogs. Because of this skill, Border Collies make excellent Search and rescue dogs in both Lowland and Mountain areas.
Border Terrier
A Border Terrier is a small, rough-coated breed of dog of the terrier group.
Appearance
The Border Terrier has a double coat consisting of a soft undercoat and harsh, wiry outer coat. Colours include grizzle and tan (a sort of salt and pepper look), blue and tan (sometimes looks almost black), red grizzle, and less commonly, wheaten. The coat should be stripped by hand (not clipped) regularly, as the top coat becomes long and shaggy and eventually dies. Borders being shown generally have a short coat that has been stripped and is starting to grow back. Never clip a border terrier, except around the face area where there are scraggy bits of hair. Clipping a Border Terrier's coat around its back may ruin its fur and make it go curly. After clipping, a Border Terrier's coat may never return to normal. Clipping also encourages coat and skin problems as the dead hair is prevented from falling naturally, changing the micro-climate next to the Border's skin.
The coat type of a Border has a lot of variation across individual dogs, some develop longish, shaggy hair and others never go on to develop a full coat and remain relatively smooth in coat.
Temperament
Border Terriers are friendly, smart, energetic and playful. They can make good family pets as they are generally good with children. If their owners cannot give them a lot of attention, they are best kept with other dogs of similar temperament. Some members of the breed make a highly effective alternative to a doorbell, due to their sharp hearing and the distinctive frenzied barking that results when they hear someone approaching the door.
Usually when puppies are first taken to their home, they, like other dogs have an opinion on the owner/owners. They especially like jumping a lot, and a lot of times, when owners first buy their Border Terrier they sometimes find that they are woken up by their dog licking them in their bed! Some Borders like to lick.
The key to training a Border Terrier is through its heart. They are big-hearted little dogs that love their owners and if they know that something pleases you then that is what they do. This trait, coupled with their highly intelligent mind, can sometimes lead owners, especially children, to unwittingly 'train' their Borders to do certain behaviours that are not necessarily desired in their particular household. For example, when an owner comes home and their Border is overjoyed at their return and jumps, runs and become excited, the owner often reciprocates that excitement with attention and praise - hence teaching their Border that running, jumping and acting excited is a good thing and to be repeated. The same goes for teaching Border puppies to jump at toys and swing off socks and sleeves.
The golden rule with a Border is that what you give them attention for, they will do more of. Their high trainability makes them amenable to command and discouragement from unwanted beahviours. Consistency is vital, if their owner gives in even once, for example patting a Border when it jumps up on the owner's return home, they will likely remember that owners don't always mean what they say about not jumping it can take some work to undo this. As with most dogs, it is important that owners establish dominance over their Border.
In terms of activity, many Borders will settle to the activity levels of their owners. They do not demand exercise, but do love it when they get it. If their owner is sick for a week they will likely curl up at their feet and not move. Rattle their lead however and they will be all ears, ready to go out for that walk, run or game.
Being bred to work with people, Borders do well in task-oriented activities. They have been successful in obedience, Dog agility, and working as therapy dogs in hospitals and resthomes for the elderly, and hearing dogs for the deaf.
Border terriers respond very well to obedience classes when young as it both establishes the owner's dominance and gives their intelligent mind something to do. If left alone for much of the time without mental stimulation they do not thrive and sometimes engage in destructive behaviours like digging.
Illness
An illness that a lot of Border Terriers catch is called "Kennel Cough". However, Border Terriers are at no more risk than any other dog that is not vaccinated against this disease.Border terriers also get ticks because of hunting in long grass.
Behaviour with other dogs
Border Terriers generally get on well with other dogs, and often develop strong friendships with dogs they meet frequently. However, if they dislike another dog, they do not hesitate to start a fight and, as with most terriers, it can be difficult to stop them. This behaviour is most common in un-neutered males. Border Terriers must be trained carefully from the beginning to learn proper social behaviour with other dogs, especially larger dogs.
Ideal canine companions include other Border Terriers, Collies, and most Spaniels. When kept in a group, they can have difficulty recognising that each dog has a different name (they occasionally respond to them all). Border Terriers have dominant personalities and often occupy a high position in the 'pack', subordinate to the owner. This is especially true for adult Border Terriers when a puppy is added to the group. If a large adult dog comes into the family, the Border Terrier will "test" his new companion, maintaining his leadership if there is no objection from the larger dog.
In the popular TV show "Crufts", Mini, a Border Terrier came second.
Behaviour with other animals
Border Terriers are generally unsuitable for homes where there are rabbits, they may, however, accept small animals they grow up with.
Chewing
Border Terriers are strong chewers and tend to destroy all but the most durable toys. They can remove the squeak from a squeaky toy within 30 seconds, and reduce such toys to fragments within a matter of minutes. Solid, tough rubber toys such as rubber rings are suitable. If a Border Terrier adopts a household object as a toy, the object will soon be ruined. It is therefore useful to teach a Border from an early age what he or she is and isn't allowed to chew.
Health
Border Terriers are generally hardy and long-lived dogs with few health problems. However, they have a very high resistance to pain and will very often appear healthy even when injured or sick. Consequently, any sign of illness should be taken seriously. Due to their low percentage of body fat, Border Terriers are very sensitive to anesthetics. Therefore, Border Terrier owners should select a veterinarian that is aware of this and is cautious in administering anesthesia.
Due to their instinct to kill and consume smaller animals, Border Terriers often destroy, and sometimes eat, toys that are insufficiently robust. Indigestion resulting from eating a toy can cause the appearance of illness. Typical symptoms include lethargy, unwillingness to play, a generally 'unhappy' appearance, lack of reaction to affection, and inability or unwillingness to sleep. These symptoms are generally very noticeable, however, they are also present just prior to Border Terrier bitches being on heat. Food-grade liquid paraffin is often an effective solution to digestive problems caused by the consumption of dog toys. This problem can be avoided by giving the Border Terrier only durable toys.
Borzoi
The Borzoi is a breed of dog also called the Russian Wolfhound. They have medium-length, slightly curly hair and are similar in shape to Greyhounds. They are a member of the sighthound family.
The plural Borzois may be found in dictionaries. However, the Borzoi Club of America asserts Borzoi is the preferred form for both singular and plural. At least one manual of grammatical style rules that the breed name should not be capitalized except at the beginning of a sentence; again, breed fanciers usually differ, and capitalize it wherever found.
Appearance
Borzoi can come in any color or color combination. As a general approximation, "long haired greyhound" is a useful description. The long top-coat is silky and quite flat, with varying degrees of waviness or curling. The soft undercoat thickens in winter or cold climates but is shed in hot weather to prevent overheating. In its texture and distribution over the body, the Borzoi coat is unique.
The Borzoi is a large variety of sighthound, with males frequently reaching in excess of 100 pounds (45 kg). Males should stand at least 28 inches (about 70 centimeters) at the shoulder, while females shouldn't be less than 26 inches (about 66 centimeters). Despite their size the overall impression is of streamlining and grace, with a curvy shapeliness and compact strength. The Borzoi might be said to be the Porsche of sighthounds, if the Irish Wolfhound is the Range Rover.
Temperament
The Borzoi is a quiet, intelligent, moderately active, independent dog. They adapt very well to suburban living, provided they have a spacious yard and regular opportunities for free exercise.
Most adult Borzoi are almost mute, barking only very rarely. They are gentle, sensitive dogs with gracious house-manners and a natural respect for humans. Borzoi should never display dominance over people. However they are sometimes nervous around children and need to be introduced to them at an early age if they are to be the pet in a young family.
Many Borzoi do well in competitive obedience and agility trials with the right kind of training, but it is not an activity that comes naturally to them. They are fast learners who quickly become bored with repetitive, apparently pointless, activity, and they can be very stubborn when they are not properly motivated. Like other sighthounds they cannot understand or tolerate harsh treatment or training based on punishment, and will be extremely unhappy if raised voices and threats are a part of their daily life.
These are dogs used to pursue, or "course," game and they have a strong instinct to chase things that run from them. Borzoi are built for speed and can cover incredible distances in a very short time. They need a fully-fenced yard if automobile traffic is present within several miles of their home. For off-lead exercise they need a very large field or park, either fully fenced or well away from any traffic, to ensure their safety.
Borzoi do not have strong territorial drives compared to breeds such as Mastiffs and German Shepherd Dogs, and they are definitely not to be thought of as a "fighting" or "guard dog". They cannot be relied on to raise the alarm upon sighting a human intruder.
Generally, Borzoi should not be territorially aggressive to other domestic dogs. Against wolves and other wild canids, they are born with specialized skills, but these are quite different from the dog-fighting instincts seen in some breeds. It is quite common for Borzoi at play to course (run down) another dog, seizing it by the neck and holding it immobile. Young pups do this with their littermates, trading off as to who is the prey. It is a specific hunting behavior, not a fighting or territorial domination behavior.
Borzoi can be raised very successfully to live with cats and other small animals provided they are introduced to them at a young age. Some, however, will possess the hunting instinct to such a degree that they find it impossible not to chase a cat that is moving quickly. The instinct is triggered by movement and much depends on how the cat behaves.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, females usually living longer than males. Exceptional individuals have lived to be more than 16 years of age. Dogs that are physically fit and vigorous in their youth through middle age are more vigorous and healthy as elderly dogs, all other factors being equal. In most parts of the world, bloat and road accidents seem to be the most frequent causes of premature death.
Like its native relative the Hortaya Borzaya, the Borzoi is basically a very sound breed. OCD, hip and elbow dysplasia have remained almost unknown, as were congenital eye and heart diseases before the 1970s. However, in some countries modern breeding practices have unfortunately introduced a few problems.
As with other very deep-chested breeds, gastric torsion is the most common serious health problem in the Borzoi. Also known as bloat, this life-threatening condition is believed to be anatomical rather than strictly genetic in origin. Many Borzoi owners recommend feeding the dog from a raised platform instead of placing the food-dish on the ground, and making sure that the dog rests quietly for several hours after eating, as the most reliable way to prevent bloat.
Less common are cardiac problems including cardiomyopathy and cardiac arhythmia disorders. A controversy exists as to the presence of progressive retinal atrophy in the breed. A condition identified as Borzoi Retinopathy is seen in some individuals, usually active dogs, which differs from progressive retinal atrophy in several ways. First, it is unilateral, and rarely seen in animals less than 3 years of age; second, a clear cut pattern of inheritance has not been demonstrated; and finally, most affected individuals do not go blind.
Correct nutrition during puppyhood is also debatable for Borzoi. These dogs naturally experience enormous growth surges in the first year or two of their lives. It is now widely accepted that forcing even faster growth by feeding a highly concentrated, high-energy diet is dangerous for skeletal development, causing unsoundness and increased tendency to joint problems and injury. Being built primarily for speed, Borzoi do not carry large amounts of body fat or muscle, and therefore have a rather different physiology to other dogs of similar size (such as the Newfoundland (dog), St Bernard (dog) or Alaskan Malamute). Laboratory-formulated diets designed for a generic "large" or "giant" breed are unlikely to take the needs of the big sighthounds into account.
The issues involved in raw feeding may be particularly relevant to tall, streamlined breeds such as the Borzoi. It is interesting to note that the Hortaya Borzaya, undoubtedly a very close relative, is traditionally raised on a meagre diet of oats and table scraps. The Hortaya is also said to be intolerant of highly concentrated kibble feeds. Basically, a lean body weight in itself is nothing to be concerned about, and force-feeding of healthy young Borzoi is definitely not recommended.
Tornjak
Tornjak ("tor" is Bosnian for corral/sheepfold) is a dog breed native to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. It is a mountain sheep dog.
Appearance
Tornjak is a large and powerful dog, well proportioned and agile. The shape of the body is almost square. The bone is not light, but nevertheless not heavy nor coarse. His coat is long and thick. The body of this dog is strong and well built, with harmonious and dignified movements. The hair is long and thick and adequately protects the body against bad weather conditions. The tail is shaggy, kept high like a flag. Tornjak has a clear, self-confident, serious and calm look to it. In general, Tornjak is a long coated dog with short hair over the face and legs. The topcoat is long, thick, coarse and straight. It is specially long on the upper part of the croup, over the shoulders and the back it can be slightly wavy. On the muzzle and the forehead, up to the imaginary line connecting the ears, over the ears and on the front parts of legs and feet it is short. It is especially abundant around the neck (mane), dense and long over the upper thighs (breeches). It forms feathers along the forearms. With well coated dogs it is also especially abundant on the rear of hind pasterns. The tail is richly coated with very long hair. Winter undercoat is long, very thick and of nice woolly texture. Hair is thick and dense and should not part along the back.
As a rule Tornjak is parti-colored with markings of various solid colors. The colour of Tornjaks is in fact unrestricted. It ranges from nearly completely white to almost black, with yellow, red, brown and not-quite-desired gray in between. There are two main types: piebald and Irish spotting. The goal is multicolourdness and distinction regarding towards other breeds. Usually the dominant ground color is white. There may be dogs with a black mantle and with white markings most often found around the neck, over the head and along the legs. There may also be almost white dogs with only small markings.
- Head
Lupine, wedge-shaped and elongated. Due to the heavy coat it could look too small sometimes. Powerful and long jaws, teeth complete, scissor bite. The back of the muzzle is straight. The zygomatic arches above the eyes may be slightly noticeable. Back of skull elongated but not narrow, straight from zygomatic arches to occiput. Top of the muzzle straight, proportional, never pointed or excessively fleshy, lips fitted tightly to the jaws. Almond shaped eyes, eyelids close to the skull. Large ears, that are single turn down, set high up, nearer to the vertex than in other sheepdogs breeds.
- Neck
Long1, carried low, set at 45 degree when alert. Neck muscles firm and taut. Skin quite thick especially at the nape of the neck and adheres to the inner tissue not only on the upper but also on the lower side of the neck. Covered with a rich crop of long hair (ruff).
- Back
Relatively short, firm, moderately wide and level.
- Tail
Long, can be saber-shaped, annular or hooked (slight upward turn at the tip), set medium high. Highly mobile, at rest hanging downwards. When in motion - trotting - or when alert or excited, always carried above the back.
- Chest
Very broad, conically deep, wide and rounded, but ribs not heavy. The breast is well-proportioned and forms a firmly connected unit between shoulder joint and chest. As a rule, the sternum (breast bone) tip is a little below the shoulder joint.
- Belly
Firm muscles, continuous lower line, moderately tucked-up from the back end of sternum to the inside of loins.
- Coat
As a rule, long coated with short hair on face and front part of legs. Top coat is long, hard textured (similar to goats) and straight. On the front part of shoulders and backside of rump it can be slightly wavy. Particularly well developed on the neck also below the tail very rich and long, forming trousers. Feathering on the forearm and very rich feathering on the tail. Upper hair is especially long on the upper rump just before tail set. Firmly closed and not able to be opened in parting.
Temperament
Tornjak has a calm temperament. A typical adult Tornjak is very calm, peaceful, on first sight an indifferent animal, but when the situation demands it, it is a vigilant, a very alert watchdog. The character of Tornjak is equal to the temperament, they are not nervous and not aggressive in general, they are very tough, not demanding, and sturdy dogs. With their human family they are very emotional. When the Tornjak live in a pack they are highly social animals, and there is not any fighting between pack members. Toward strangers or other animals, as a rule, Tornjak is not emphasized aggressive. But when the situation calls upon it, Tornjak act very determined and it can without consideration attack much stronger rivals. Shepherds use to say that a Tornjak who guards the flock is a fair match to two wolves, and a couple will encounter and chase away a bear without any undue respect. In this situations Tornjaks are vary, but brusque, persistent and unpleasant ("angel becomes a demon").
Activities
Exercise level is not too high, especially in first 9 - 12 months (during the last intensive growth). After that period, we can exercise our Tornjak as much as we can, the more the better. They prefere long walks without a leash, and a lot of playing with other dogs. The Tornjak will also be almost equally satisfied with a walk for only 20 minutes if we are in a hurry. Learns quickly and does not forget things easily, gladly performs tasks assigned to him. He is easy to train. Strong and hardy, during the snowing winter nights, these dogs lie on the ground and often get covered by snow. Tornjak is used for herding and protection of livestock; farmyard guard dog.
Care
Tornjak is not recommended for apartment life. They need space and will do best with at least a large yard. Because its thick coat protects it so well, it can happily cope with living out-doors provided it has proper shelter. This breed of dog is best suited to a family with lots of space surrounding the home where it can attend to its own exercise needs.
Tornjak is a very healthy breed, but because of the fact that they were very poorly fed in their past, they now do not need so much proteins in the food. For feeding Tornjaks a low protein diet is suitable. Feeding with a lot of protein in theirs food, can develop coat problems. Climbing up and downstairs the first six months can ruin theirs hock joints, or develop hyp-dysplasia.
Tornjak needs early socialization. The first experiences, until 9 months of age, has the most important influence to their entire life. In the first period of their life they have to meet all fearful situations, the earlier the better -for preventing later fear reactions on the stimulus: traffic noise, big trucks and buses will provoke fear reactions in adult age, if the puppy Tornjak already has not faced these situations several times. In this early age all Tornjak puppies have to meet as many strange people as possible, and also other animals, dogs, and pets especially, for developing a good and stable behaviour as an adult. No special training or equipment is needed.
Boston terrier
The Boston Terrier is a breed of dog originating in the United States of America.
Appearance
Boston Terriers are typically small, compactly built, well proportioned dogs with erect ears, short tails, and a short muzzle that should be free of wrinkles. They usually have a square sort of face. Boston terriers can weigh from 10 to 25 lbs, typically in the vicinity of 15 lbs. Boston Terriers usually stand 15-17 inches at the withers.
The Boston Terrier is characteristically marked with white in proportion to either black, brindle, seal, or a combination of the three. Seal is a color specifically used to describe Boston Terriers and is defined as a black color with red highlights when viewed in the sun or bright light. If all other qualities are identical, brindle is the preferred color according to most breed standards.
Ideally, white should cover its chest, muzzle, band around the neck, half way up the forelegs, up to the hocks on the rear legs, and a white blaze between but not touching the eyes. In show dogs, symmetrical markings are preferred. Due to the Boston Terrier's markings resembling formal wear, in addition to its refined and pleasant personality, the breed is commonly referred to as the "American Gentleman." The breed is known for its gentle, alert, and intelligent expression.
Frequently, variations on the standard are seen depending on the ancestry of the individual dog. At various times, the Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, English Mastiff, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and French Bulldog—among other breeds—have been crossbred with Boston Terrier lines to minimize inbreeding in what is necessarily a small gene pool.
Temperament
While originally bred for fighting, they were later down bred for companionship. The modern Boston Terrier can be gentle, alert, expressive, and well-mannered. Many still retain the spunky attitude of the typical terrier. It must be noted however, that they are not considered terriers by the American Kennel Club, but are part of the non-sporting group.Boston Terrier is something of a misnomer. They were originally a cross-breed between the White English Terrier (now extinct) and a Bulldog.
Some Bostons enjoy having another one for companionship. Both females and males generally bark only when necessary.Having been bred as a companion dog, they enjoy being around people, and, if properly socialized, get along well with children, the elderly, other canines, and non-canine pets. Boston Terriers can be very cuddly, while others are more independent.
Health
Several health issues are of concern in the Boston Terrier: cataracts (both juvenile and adult type), cherry eye, luxating patellas, deafness, heart murmur, and allergies. Curvature of the back, called roaching, might be caused by patella problems with the rear legs, which in turn causes the dog to lean forward onto the forelegs. This might also just be a structural fault with little consequence to the dog. Many Bostons cannot tolerate excessive heat and also extremely cold weather, due to the shortened muzzle, so hot or cold weather combined with demanding exercise can bring harm to a Boston Terrier.
They can live up to 15 years or more, but the average is around 13 years.
The Boston, like other short-snouted breeds have an elongated palate. When excited, they are prone to a "reverse sneeze" where the dog will quickly, and seemingly laboriously, gasp and snort. This is caused by fluid or debris getting caught under the palate and irritating the throat or limiting breathing. "Reverse sneezing" episodes won't hurt a Boston in the least, but it will scare the dog, and maybe its owners, a good deal. The quickest way to stop these episodes is to talk to them calmly and gently rub the throat to induce swallowing. Otherwise, the reverse sneezing will usually resolve on its own.
Because of their short snouts, they do tend to snort and snore. These can be signs of serious health issues. Due to the Boston's prominent eyes, some are prone to ulcers or minor injuries to their cornea.
Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres is a dog breed originating in Flanders. They are used for general farm work including cattle droving, sheep herding, cart pulling, and as guard dogs, police dogs, and security dogs, as well as being kept as pets. It can be noted that usage of the French name (meaning, literally, "Herdsman of Flanders") is contradictory with the Flemish origin of the breed; in Flemish, they are known as Koehond, or cattle dog. Other names for the breed are Toucheur de Boeuf (cattle driver) and Vuilbaard (dirty beard).
Bouvier des Flandres are rational, gentle, loyal, and protective in nature. The breeds unique blend of characteristics makes them ideal family pets, as well as keen guard dogs. Unlike many animals bred for basic aggressive nature and power, the Bouvier des Flandres possess sophisticated traits, such as complex control, intelligence, and accountability. A rare inherent quality of the breed is its ability to recognize between aggressive and non-aggressive behavior and re-act accordingly.
Appearance
The Bouvier is a powerfully built compact rough coated dog of rugged appearance. He gives the impression of size and strength without clumsiness or heaviness. Perhaps his most notable feature is his impressive head which is accentuated by a heavy beard and mustache. The ears and tail of the Bouvier are sometimes cropped, though several countries have outlawed such practices. Their weight range from 80 to 100 pounds or 36 to 45 kilograms; they are powerfully built, with a thick double coat, which can be fawn, black, grey brindle, or "pepper and salt" in color. Bouviers are sometimes considered non-shedding, but in fact do lose a small amount of hair. Most of the hair that they lose is caught within the double coat which results in matting. They require weekly brushing and combing to maintain the coat. In addition to weekly brushing, the coat should be trimmed by either the owner or a groomer approximately every 6-8 weeks if it is to be a show-dog. Such trimming requires some practice to achieve the proper look.
Boxer (dog)
The Boxer is a German developed breed of stocky, medium-sized, short-haired dog, with a smooth fawn or brindled coat and square-jawed muzzle. Boxers are brachycephalic, and have mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws and a powerful bite. The Boxer were bred from the Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser and is part of the Molosser group.
The boxer was first exhibited in a dog show for St. Bernards at Munich in 1895, the first boxer club being founded the next year. Based on 2006 American Kennel Club statistics, Boxers are the seventh most popular breed of dog in the United States—a position they have held since 2002—with approximately 35,388 new dog registrations during the year.
Early genealogy
The German citizen George Alt, a Munich resident, mated a brindle-colored bitch Brabanter imported from France named Flora with a local dog of unknown ancestry, known simply as "Boxer", resulting in a fawn-and-white male, named "Lechner's Box" after its owner.
This dog was mated with his own dam Flora, and one of its offsprings was the bitch called Alt's Schecken (registered as a Bierboxer or Modern Bullenbeiser). George Alt mated Schecken with a Bulldog named Tom to produce the historically significant dog Flocki, the first boxer to enter the German Stud Book after winning at a Munich show for St. Bernards, which was the first event to have a class specific for Boxers.
The white bitch Ch. Blanka von Angertor, Flocki's sister, was even more influential when mated with Piccolo von Angertor (Lechner's Box grandson) to produce the predominantly white (parti-colored) bitch Meta von der Passage, which, even bearing little resemblance with the modern Boxer standard (early photographs depicts her as too long, weak-backed and down-faced), is considered the mother of the breed. John Wagner, on his The Boxer (first published in 1939) said the following regarding this bitch:
- "Meta von der Passage played the most important role of the five original ancestors. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white parti-color, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing bitch few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day pedigrees. Combined with Wotan and Mirzl children, they made the Boxer."
Breed name
The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from this breed's tendency to begin a fight by standing on its hind legs and "boxing" with its front paws. According to Andrew H. Brace on his "Pet owner's guide to the Boxer" this theory is the least plausible explanation. He claims "it's unlikely that a nation so permeated with nationalism would give to one of its most famous breeds a name so obviously anglicised".
German linguistic sciences and historical evidence date from the 18th century the earliest written source for the word Boxer, found in a text in the "Deutsches Fremdwörterbuch" (The German Dictionary of Foreign Languages), which cites an author named Musäus of 1782 writing "daß er aus Furcht vor dem großen Baxer Salmonet ... sich auf einige Tage in ein geräumiges Packfaß ... absentiret hatte". At that time the spelling "baxer" equalled "boxer". Both the verb ("boxen") and the noun ("Boxer") were common German language as early as the late 18th century. The term "Boxl", also written "Buxn" or "Buchsen", in the Bavarian dialect means "short (leather) trousers" or "underwear". The very similarly sounding term "Boxerl" is also Bavarian dialect and an endearing term for "Boxer".More in line with historical facts, Brace states that there exist many other theories to explain the origin of the breed name, from which he favors the one claiming the smaller Bullenbeisser (Brabanter) were also known as "Boxl" and that Boxer is just a corruption of that word.
In the same vein runs a theory based on the fact that there were a group of dogs known as "Bierboxer" in Munich by the time of the breed's development. These dogs were the result from mixes of Bullenbeisser and other similar breeds. Bier (beer) probably refers to the Biergarten, the typical Munich beergarden, an open-air restaurant where people used to take their dogs along. The nickname "Deutscher Boxer" was derived from bierboxer and Boxer could also be a corruption of the former or a contraction of the latter.
"Boxer" is also the name of a dog owned by John Peerybingle, the main character on the best selling 1845 book The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens, which is evidence that "Boxer" was commonly used as a dog name by the early 19th century, before the establishment of the breed by the end of that same century.
The name of the breed can also be simply due to the names of the very first known specimens of the breed (Lechner's Box, for instance).
Appearance
The head is the most distinctive feature of the Boxer. The breed standard dictates that it must be in perfect proportion to the body and above all it must never be too light. The greatest value is to be placed on the muzzle being of correct form and in absolute proportion to the skull. The length of the muzzle to the whole of the head should be as 1:3. Folds are always indicated from the root of the nose running downwards on both sides of the muzzle, and the tip of the nose should lie somewhat higher than the root of the muzzle. In addition a Boxer should be slightly prognathous, i.e., the lower jaw should protrude beyond the upper jaw and bend slightly upwards in what is commonly called an underbite or "undershot bite".
Boxers were originally a docked and cropped breed, and this tradition is still maintained in some countries. However, due to pressure from veterinary associations, animal rights groups and the general public, both cropping of the ears and docking of the tail have been prohibited in many countries around the world. In the United States and Canada as of 2007, cropped ears are still more common in show dogs. In March of 2005 the AKC breed standard was changed to include a description of the uncropped ear, but to severely penalize an undocked tail.
Size
An adult Boxer typically weighs between 55 and 70 lbs (25 and 32 kg). Adult male Boxers are between 23 and 25 inches (57 and 63 cm) tall at the withers; adult females are between 21 to 23½ inches (53 and 60 cm).
Color
Boxers are typically either fawn or brindle, often with a white underbelly and white on the front or all four feet. These white markings, called flash, often extend onto the neck or face, and dogs that have these markings are known as "flashy". "Fawn" denotes a range of color, the tones of which may be described variously as light tan or yellow, reddish tan, mahogany or stag/deer red, and dark honey-blonde. In the UK, fawn boxers are typically rich in color and are called "red". Some brindle Boxers are so dark that they give the appearance of "reverse brindle", fawn stripes on a black body; however, the breed standards state that the fawn background must clearly contrast with or show through the brindling. The Boxer does not carry the gene for a solid black coat color and therefore purebred black Boxers do not exist.
Boxers with white markings covering more than one-third of their coat - conventionally called "white" Boxers - are neither albino nor rare; approximately 20-25% of all Boxers born are white.Genetically, these dogs are either fawn or brindle, with excessive white markings overlying the base coat color. Like fair-skinned humans, white Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers than colored Boxers. There are studies concluding they are more prone to congenital deafness caused by lack of pigmentation in the inner ear. It is estimated that 18% of white Boxers are deaf in one or both ears, though shelters and rescue organizations see about double this rate. There is no evidence that blindness or other health problems are related to excessive white markings in Boxers. In the past, breeders often euthanized white puppies at birth; today, most breeders place white puppies in pet homes with spay/neuter agreements. White Boxers are disqualified from conformation showing by the breed standard, and are prohibited from breeding by every national Boxer club in the world. They can compete in non-conformation events such as obedience and agility, and like their colored counterparts do quite well as service and therapy dogs.
Temperament
The AKC Boxer Breed Standard of 1938 states that:
- "The character of the Boxer is of the greatest importance and demands the most solicitous attention. He is renowned from olden times for his great love and faithfulness to his master and household. He is harmless in the family, but distrustful of strangers, bright and friendly of temperament at play, but brave and determined when aroused. His intelligence and willing tractability, his modesty and cleanliness make him a highly desirable family dog and cheerful companion. He is the soul of honesty and loyalty, and is never false or treacherous even in his old age."
Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. It's best if obedience training is started early since they also have a strong personality and therefore can be harder to train when older. This, in addition to their strength, might present a challenge for a first-time dog owner. Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being "headstrong", which can be related to inappropriate obedience training. Owing to their intelligence and working breed characteristics, training based on the use of corrections often has limited usefulness. Boxers often respond much better to positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training. It is also true that Boxers have a very long puppyhood and adolescence, and are often called the "Peter Pan" of the dog world. They are not considered fully mature until two to three years of age, one of the longest times in dogdom, and thus need early training to keep their high energy from wearing out their owner.
The Boxer by nature is not an aggressive or vicious breed, but needs socialization to tolerate other dogs well.Their sometimes over-protective, territorial and dominating attitude, often most intense in males, can be problematic. . Boxers are generally patient with smaller dogs but can be dominant with larger dogs of the same sex.
Boxers appear more comfortable with companionship, in either human or canine form. They are very active dogs that need to get a lot of exercise. When they are alone, it can cause stress and they can be destructive.
Health
- See also: Dog health
Boxers are prone to develop cancers, heart conditions such as Aortic Stenosis and Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (the so-called "Boxer Cardiomyopathy"), hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, and degenerative myelopathy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation and torsion (bloat), intestinal problems, and allergies (although these may be more related to diet than breed) Entropion is occasionally seen, a malformation of the eyelid requiring surgical correction. Responsible breeders test their breeding stock before breeding and in some cases throughout the life of the dog in an attempt to minimize the occurrence of these diseases in future generations.
Boxers are an athletic breed, and proper exercise and conditioning is important for their continued health and longevity. Care must be taken not to over-exercise young dogs, as this may damage growing bones; however once mature Boxers can be excellent jogging or running companions. Because of their brachycephalic head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions.
Uses
Boxers are friendly, lively companions that are popular as family dogs. Their suspicion of strangers, alertness, agility, and strength make them formidable guard dogs. They sometimes appear at dog agility or obedience trials and flyball events. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war. Boxers have an average lifespan of 10-12 years.
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