Chesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed of dog that was developed along the Chesapeake Bay. It hunts under adverse weather and water conditions, often having to break ice during the course of many strenuous multiple retrieves. The breed was used not only to retrieve the game, but also to sit in the boat and on the wagon when the game was taken to market, in order to protect the load from theft. Thus, the breed is very protective of its people and property. Many owners refer to this breed as "Chessies".
Appearance
Distinctive features include eyes that are very clear, of yellowish or amber hue, hindquarters as high or a trifle higher than the shoulders, and a double coat that tends to wave on shoulders, neck, back and loins. This "waterproof" coat feels slightly oily compared to other members of the same family. They often have a slight musky odor. Three basic colors are generally seen in the breed: brown, which includes all shades from a light cocoa (a silvered brown) to a deep dark brown; sedge, which varies from a reddish yellow through a bright red to chestnut shades; and deadgrass in all its shades, varying from a faded tan to a dull straw color. The breed standard states that white may also appear, but it must be limited to the breast, belly, toes, or back of the feet. This breed is also known for their large, and powerful chests; used to break apart ice when diving into ice-layered water while duck hunting.
Temperament
The Chesapeake is valued for its bright and happy disposition, intelligence, quiet good sense, and affectionate protective nature. The breed is very loving and makes a wonderful companion.
Some Chessies become vocal while happy; while this can be mistaken for a growl it is only a sign of happiness and not intended to create alarm. In addition, some dogs will 'smile' when happy by baring their front teeth in a peculiar grin; again this is not a threat but a sign of joy.
The Chesapeake is naturally dominant and, while usually won't start a fight over dominance, the breed will defend his position as the alpha dog. For the casual pet owner, it is usually not a good idea to have more than one Chesapeake because of dominance issues.
The Chesapeake tends to recognize only one person or family as master. All other people are considered by the dog to be either equal or subordinate. In order to keep the dog from attempting to become the alpha family member, the dog's master should regularly reinforce dominance over the dog by issuing a command such as 'come' or 'sit' at a time when the dog would rather not do so.
Health
The breed is subject to a number of hereditary diseases. These include, but are not limited to:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Type 3 von Willebrand disease
- Cataract
- Regional Alopecia in both sexes
Training
Training is a necessity with this breed. The trainer must exercise more patience than with most other breeds as this breed is usually not willing to change its behavior.
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a very intelligent breed and learns faster than most other breeds. Once a Chesapeake learns what is expected, he will act accordingly from that point on. A Chesapeake is not willing to break the rules and will attempt to enforce the same rules on subordinate dogs.
During training, if a Chesapeake is asked to perform something that he believes is against the rules, he will flatly refuse. This has earned the breed the reputation of being very stubborn. This reputation is not deserved. The trainer must take into account that the dog is being asked to do something that he has previously been taught not to do.
A Chesapeake's greatest joy is pleasing its master. While giving treats as a reward for good behavior works well much of the time, the dog also responds very well to scolding from its master in response to bad behavior. A stern scolding followed by forgiveness goes a long way in gaining the animal's trust.
Chihuahua (dog)
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico.
Appearance
Chihuahuas are best known for their small size, large eyes, and large, erect ears. The AKC (American Kennel Club) recognizes two varieties of Chihuahua: the long-coat and the smooth-coat. Many long-coat Chihuahuas have very thin hair, but other long coats have a very dense, thick coat.
Standards
Breed standards for this dog do not generally specify a height, only a weight and a description of their overall proportions. As a result, height varies more than within many other breeds. Generally, the height ranges between 6 and 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) at the withers. However, some dogs grow as tall as 12 to 15 inches (30 to 38 cm). AKC show dogs (American standard) must weigh no more than 6.0 lb (2.7 kg). The international FCI standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3.0 kg (3.3 to 6.6 lb), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring. However, pet-quality Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show dogs) can, and do, range above these weights, to 10 pounds (4.5 kg), or even more if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean, however, that they are not purebred Chihuahuas, it only means that they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversize Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst, bloodlines.
Colors
The AKC Chihuahua standard lists under color: "Any color-Solid, marked or splashed". This allows for all colors from solid blacks to solid whites, spotted, or a variety of other colors and patterns. A few examples are Fawn, Red, Cream, Chocolate, Blue, and Black.
Patterns, all with or without white markings, include:
Classifying Chihuahua colors can be complicated due to the large number of possibilities. Examples would be a Blue Brindle or a Chocolate and Tan. Colors and patterns can combine and affect each other, resulting in a very high degree of variation. That said, the classic Chihuahua color remains Fawn. No color or pattern is considered more valuable than the others. Although blue is considered rare, it is all just a matter of personal preference.
Temperament
Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity and personality. Their curious nature and small size make them easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments. Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, though it has been shown that correct training and socialization can result in an outstanding companion animal.
Chihuahuas are not well-suited as small children's pets because of their size, temperament and tendency to bite when frightened. It is recommended that children be 12 years or older before adding a chihuahua to one's home. Also, many Chihuahuas focus their devotion on one person, becoming overly jealous of that person's human relationships. This can be mitigated through socialization. Chihuahuas also tend to have a "clannish" nature, often preferring the companionship of other Chihuahuas over other dogs.
Chihuahuas seem to have no concept of their own size and may fearlessly confront larger animals, which can result in injury.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003801630_chihuahua23.html
Health
This breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders. Chihuahuas, and other toy breeds, are also prone to the sometimes painful disease Hydrocephalus. It is often diagnosed by the puppy having an abnormally large head during the first several months of life, but other symptoms are more noticeable (since "a large head" is such a broad description). Chihuahua puppies exhibiting Hydrocephalus usually have patchy skull platelets rather than a solid bone, and typically are lethargic and do not grow at the same pace as their siblings. A true case of Hydrocephalus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian, though the prognosis is grim.
Chihuahuas are also known for their moleras, a soft spot in their skulls. Chihuahuas are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera does fill in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed, and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. The Chihuahua Club of America has issued a statement regarding this often deadly misdiagnosis .
Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma. Chihuahuas are also prone to eye infections due to their large, round, protruding eyes and their relatively low ground clearance. Chihuahuas also have a tendency to tremble but this is not a health issue, rather it takes place when the dog is stressed or excited. One reason for this may be because small dogs have a higher metabolism than larger dogs and therefore dissipate heat faster. Although figures often vary, as with any breed, the average lifespan for a Chihuahua is approximately 8 to 18 years of age.
Chihuahuas are sometimes picky eaters, and care must be taken to provide them with adequate nutrition. At the same time, care must be exercised not to overfeed this tiny breed. Overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and shortened life span.
Clubs
Because Chihuahuas are such a popular breed, there have been a few clubs made about them. These clubs talk about the breed, host competitions, etc. Sometimes they have information on adoption for members. A couple of clubs are ones such as the Chihuahua Club of America, (CCA) or the British Chihuahua Club. Also, quite a few online forums have been made about these dogs.
Famous Chihuahuas
- Bruiser (real name: Moonie), Elle Woods' companion in the Legally Blonde movies.
- Danka Kordak-The smallest dog living, in terms of height, is a long-haired chihuahua called Danka Kordak Slovakia, who measured 13.8 cm (5.4 in) tall and 18.8 cm (7.4 in) long on May 30, 2004 and is owned by Ing. Igor Kvetko of Revúca, Slovakia.
- Lou, a chihuahua featured on the television show The Soup.
- Madame Shirley the Medium is an old-fortune teller chihuahua featured in a TV Show Cartoon, Courage the Cowardly Dog.
- Mimi, Sharon Osbourne's chihuahua.
- Pepito, Xavier Cugat's chihuahua immortalized in the children's book Pepito the Little Dancing Dog: The Story of Xavier Cugat's Chihuahua.
- Ren Höek, of Ren and Stimpy fame.
- The Spooky Chihuahua from Invader Zim.
- The Taco Bell chihuahua.
- Tinkerbell Hilton and Bambi, companions of Paris Hilton. Tinkerbell is the "author" of "Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries".
- Tito from Oliver & Company.
- Geraldo, Max Shreck's chihuahua in Batman Returns.
- Wheely Willy, a paraplegic chihuahua from Long Beach, California who has become a celebrity as the subject of two bestselling children's books.
Chinese Crested Dog
The Chinese Crested Dog is a smaller (10-13 lbs) breed of dog known for its unusual appearance and entertaining personality. It is a member of the toy dog group. Two types can be born in the same litter; the Hairless and the Powderpuff.
Appearance
At first glance, the "Hairless" and "Powderpuff" varieties of Chinese Crested Dogs appear to be two different breeds, but hairlessness is a dominant trait within a single breed. The Hairless has soft, humanlike skin, as well as tufts of fur on its paws ("socks") and tail ("plume") and long, flowing hair on its head ("crest"). In addition to being a dominant gene, the "hairless" gene is lethal when homozygous. All living hairless Cresteds are therefore heterozygous for this trait.
The Hairless variety can vary in amount of body hair. Fur on the muzzle, known as a beard, is not uncommon. A true Hairless often does not have as much furnishings (hair on the head, tail, and paws). The difference between a very hairy Hairless and a Powderpuff is that the Hairless has a single coat, often with hairless parts on the body, while the Powderpuff has a thick double coat. The skin of the Hairless comes in a variety of colors, ranging from a pale flesh to black. Hairless cresteds often lack a full set of teeth, but this is not considered a fault.
The look of the Powderpuff varies according to how it is groomed. When its fur is completely grown out on its face, it strongly resembles a terrier; however, the Powderpuff is usually shaved around the snout as a standard cut. Its fur is incredibly soft. Due to its coat type, both Powderpuff and Hairless are considered good pets for allergy victims.
The amount of bodyhair on the hairless variety varies quite extensively, from the true hairless which has very little or no bodyhair and furnishings, to what is called a hairy hairless, which if left ungroomed can grow a nearly full coat of hair. These hairy hairless are not a mix between powederpuffs and hairless Chinese Cresteds though, but is merely a result of the varying expression of the hairless gene, which the powderpuff does not have at all.
The Chinese Crested also is distinguished by its "hare foot," which has longer toes than the "cat foot" common to most other dogs. The "quick," or vein, runs deeper into the nails, so care must be taken not to trim the nails too short.
Temperament
Chinese Cresteds tend to be affectionate, energetic and playful. They are considered great family pets, with endearing personalities. Some are known "singers" or "screechers" while others are known to "smile." They are generally happy lap-dogs with candid personalities and usually aren't the grumpy type but some males can become a tad bit aggressive as they age. In addition, Chinese Cresteds do not tend to be a "one-person" dog, spotting one particular member of the family as their "owner" seeing as how many of the Chinese cresteds are happy with anyone. Though most cresteds are like that sometimes they will choose to be attached to certain people. Often, this person is the one who gives the dog the most safe and secure feeling, and the dog would clearly show its affection towards him/her above others in the family.
Health
The Hairless variety can be susceptible to acne and sunburn. Maintenance of the skin is similar to maintaining human skin—moisturising cream can keep the skin from becoming too dry, and in fair-skinned Cresteds, if one lives in a warm climate where there is a lot of sun one should apply sunscreen to the dog's skin. One of the more common things used on the skin is the Aloe Vera Gel. The Cresteds are prone to poor dentition, such as missing, crowding, and decaying teeth.
Eyes can be a major concern within the breed, having at least two forms of progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which eventually lead to blindness. Breeding stock should be checked annually. Testing can also be done genetically for one form of PRA, known as prcd-PRA, through the OptiGen lab.
In addition to these issues, the Chinese Crested dog is also prone to diseases common in toy breeds, but if one is prepared to give proper maintenance, attention, and care, a Chinese Crested can, barring accident or illness, live up to fifteen years or older.
History
Though possibly associated with China since the 13th century, some believe the Hairless mutation originated in Africa, and others believe it may be a cross of the Chihuahua and Mexican Hairless Dog, which it resembles. It is sometimes said that this breed (among others, such as the Rhodesian Ridgeback) belongs to a different species from most dogs, namely Canis africanus; but it is not firmly established either that such a species exists or that the Chinese Crested originated in Africa. It is also possible that this dog originated from two breeds of dogs, one coming from Africa, one from China. It is now believed that the dog has no correlation or genetic relation to the Mexican Hairless dog. It is more closely related to the Basenji. Recent DNA has established that the dog is of African origin and shares genes with the Basenji. The Peruvian or Mexican hairless has no connection to the Chinese crested.
Although there is an anecdotal history of hairless dogs in many seaports (apart from the hairlessness, it is unclear how closely these dogs resemble the modern Chinese Crested), European visitors in the 1700s remarked in particular on hairless dogs in Chinese port cities, as well as dogs owned by Chinese sailors plying the African trade route. Paintings of the breed (and later, photographs) reached Europe in the 1800s.
Early Chinese Cresteds may have been valued as ratters (ratcatchers), both on ships and in agricultural communities, though such traits are rarely evident in the breed today. The breed has also been called the Chinese Edible Dog, the Chinese Hairless Dog, the Chinese Ship Dog, the Chinese Royal Dog.
The Chinese Crested was officially recognised by the FCI in 1987,in the UK Kennel Club in 1981 and by the American Kennel Club in 1991. The USA parent club is the American Chinese Crested Club.
Shar Pei
The Shar Pei is a breed of dog that originated in China and has the distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue. The name (沙皮, pinyin: shā pí) translates to "sand skin," and refers to the texture of its short, rough coat. As puppies, Shar Pei have lots of wrinkles, but as they mature, the wrinkles disappear as they "grow into their skin". Shar pei's were once named as one of the world's rarest dog breeds by Time magazine and the Guiness Book of World Records, and the American Kennel Club did not recognize the breed until 1991.
Appearance
Shar Pei come in many colors: red (rose), sand, cream, black, and blue, and have the same characteristic blue-black tongue of the Chow Chow. Loose skin and wrinkles cover the head, neck, and body of puppies, but adult Shar Pei most often grow into their skin so that these features are limited to the head, neck and withers. Shar Peis usually come in two varieties: one is covered in large folds of wrinkles, even into adulthood, and the other variation's skin seems tighter on its skin, with wrinkles just on the face and at the whithers. Small, triangular ears, a muzzle shaped like that of a hippopotamus, and a high set tail also give the Shar Pei a unique look.
Health
A common problem caused by irresponsible breeding is a painful eye condition, entropion, in which the eyelashes curl inward, irritating the eye. Untreated, it can cause blindness. This condition can be fixed by surgery ("tacking" the eyelids up so they will not roll onto the eyeball for puppies or surgically removing extra skin in adolescent and older Shar Pei). Allergy-induced skin infections can be a problem in this breed caused by poorly selected breeding stock. Shar Pei fever is also a serious problem for the breed. The disease causes short fevers lasting up to 24 hours, after which there may be no recurrence or they may recur at more frequent intervals and become more serious. A possibly related disease is called amyloidosis, and is caused by unprocessed amyloid proteins depositing in the organs, most often in the kidneys or liver, leading to renal failure. At this time there is no test for these seemingly prevalent diseases.
Recently, dry foods have been formulated that are specifically made for breeds such as the Chinese Shar Pei that are prone to skin allergies or sores. Shar Pei whose food intake is restricted to these allergy-free dry foods and receive an antihistamine or two daily will enjoy much healthier lives with little or no skin irritation, itching, or sores common to the breed.
Temperament
The Shar-Pei is known for being a naturally independent and reserved breed. Shar-Peis are often suspicious of strangers, which is related to their origins as guard dogs. Nevertheless, the Shar-Pei is extremely devoted, loyal and affectionate to its family, and is amenable to accepting strangers given time and proper introduction. If poorly socialized or trained, it can become especially territorial and aggressive. Even friendly and well-socialized individuals will retain the breed's watch dog proclivities (such as barking at strangers). The breed is amenable to training, but can get bored from repetition. Overall, the Shar-Pei is a dog that is loyal and loving to its family while being independent.
History
The Shar Pei breed comes from the Guangdong province of China where it was well-known as a fighting and guard dog. Originally, the intense loyalty of the Shar Pei defined its work -- guarding the Chinese royal family. The dogs are ideally suited for defense; the small ears and deep-set eyes are tough to grab and if grabbed on the skin, the wrinkles enable the dog to turn around and bite back. At one point they were close to extinction, and were listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "The rarest dog in the world". Since then, however, the Shar Pei has begun to thrive in many parts of the world as an excellent family dog, due to their loving and devoted nature, which shows that they were originally a utility and companion breed rather than a fighting breed.Because of this a nickname for the breed is "Golden Lion". The gold refers to dogs who have a light brown coat.
DNA analysis has concluded that the Shar Pei is one of the most ancient dog breeds.
Famous Shar-Pei
- Lao-Tzu, Martin Prince's dog in The Simpsons, appeared in two episodes; "Bart's Dog Gets an F" and "Two Dozen and One Greyhounds".
- Fu Dog from the Disney cartoon American Dragon: Jake Long is a Shar Pei.
- Satchel, from the syndicated comic strip Get Fuzzy, is half yellow lab and half Shar Pei.
- Malcolm and Derek, from the TV version of Creature Comforts.
- A Shar Pei appears in the television show Lost as character Sun Kwon's pet, Bpo Bpo.
- In a British television advert for a 'Garnier' beauty product, a Shar Pei puppy is featured. The 'Garnier' advert is promoting an anti-wrinkle cream.
- Sharpay, a character in High School Musical who is rich and pretty. Her name is a homonym of Shar Pei. "I mean, come on, they named me after a flabby dog!" is a line stated by Sharpay in the stage version of "High School Musical"
- New Kids on the Block member Jonathon Knight had a Shar Pei named Nikko that went on tour with him and appeared in many magazine articles and pictures focused on the group.
- In New Zealand, a Shar Pei puppy has been used for many years in television commercials for Roly toilet paper.
- Popeye, a Shar Pei dog that appeared in Hong Kong TVB comedy shows.
Korea Jindo Dog
The Korean Jindo Dog (Hangul: 진돗개; Hanja: 珍島개) is a breed of a hunting dog known to have originated on Jindo Island in Korea. Although relatively unknown outside Korea, it is celebrated in its native land for its fiercely loyal and brave nature.
Appearance
The Jindo is a medium-sized, double-coated spitz-type dog, with prick ears. The body is either square or slightly longer than tall. It has been divided into two body types: Tonggol or Gyupgae and Hudu or Heutgae. The former is very muscular and shorter in body, with a depth of chest equal to one-half the height at the withers and a shorter loin, while the latter is more slender with somewhat less depth of chest and a slightly longer loin, resulting in a height to length ratio of 10:11. Typically, males are larger with heavier heads and females have more fox-like features. These two types are gradually being blended into a third type called Gakgol, which retains the length of body of the Hudu style and the depth of chest of the Tonggol style. "The topline inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a strong back with a slight but definite arch over the loin, which blends into a slightly sloping croup. The ribs are moderately sprung out from the spine, then curving down and inward to form a body that would be nearly oval if viewed in cross-section. The loin is muscular but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up. The chest is deep and moderately broad. When viewed from the side, the lowest point of the chest is immediately behind the elbow. The forechest should extend in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs but the sternum should not be excessively pointed.
- Maturity: May reach full size by 5 months, but takes 2 years to physically and emotionally mature.
- Height: At maturity, desirable height for male dogs should be 19 1/2 to 21 inches and 18 1/2 to 20 inches for females.
- Weight: In good condition, males should be 35-45 lb. and 30-40 lb. for a female.
- Tail: There are two types: ring tail, rolled on its back; erect tail, straight up.
- Eyes: Gingko nut-shaped yellowish brown eyes with clear pupils. Jindos with reddish eyes are considered better hunters.
- Ears: Ears start out floppy and usually stand erect by 5 or 6 months. Jindos with ears that straighten later are said to be better hunters.
- Hair: Coat is of medium length, coarse with a thick undercoat. Jindos shed twice a year.
- Color: Korean law currently only recognizes white Jindos and red (tan) Jindos, thus they are the most popular colors. Some Jindo Island residents have valued black, black/tan and red/white Jindos for being good hunters over the years. The UKC recognizes five different coat colors: white, fawn, gray, black and tan, and brindle (tiger pattern).
Temperament
The Korean Jindo Dog is well known for its unwavering loyalty and gentle nature. Because of this there is a misunderstanding that a Jindo will be loyal only to its first owner or the owner when young. However, there are many examples of older Jindos being adopted out of shelters in the United States and becoming very loyal friends to their new owners. They are highly active and are not meant to be indoor-only dogs. Jindo dogs need reasonable space to roam and run. Jindos require a lot of care and attention. They are also known to be escape artists and high jumpers and climbers. If kept in a yard, the fencing must be at least six feet high.
Because the Jindo is an active and intelligent dog, it requires frequent interaction with people or another dog in the family.. The Jindo will commonly think for itself. If left alone by itself for a long stretch, it finds its own entertainment. A Jindo may climb over a fence or wall, dig the ground, or tear up the house if confined indoors. Worse still, a mistreated or badly trained Jindo may roam around the neighborhood and attack neighbors' pets and threaten people.
For this reason many Jindo dogs are found in animal shelters. Also because the breed is not well known, there are many good Jindo dogs available for adoption.
With Jindos, establishing the hierarchy (humans above dogs) with care and affection is essential.
It is important to socialize Jindos at a very early age. As with humans, Jindos will test boundaries to establish themselves at the top of dog hierarchies--a true alpha dog--due to the way in which the breed evolved. This may result in dog aggression in the unsocialized Jindo.
Jindos serve as excellent watchdogs, able to distinguish friend from foe, familiar people from strangers. They are conscious of their owners' reactions towards others and act accordingly. Because Jindos so rarely bark aggressively, especially in familiar environments, an owner may lend special credence to the warning of his/her pet. Many are also finicky eaters and will not take food from strangers.
Many Jindos display a curious aversion from running water and avoid situations that might get them wet. They let themselves be washed, although with great reluctance.
People adopt Jindo dogs because of their beautiful appearance, high intelligence, loyalty, and sometimes for their fighting spirit, then quickly realize that raising a Jindo dog to be a well-behaved member of the family takes a lot of effort and time. Many Jindo Dogs are abandoned in the U.S. because of the difficulty of training them. Potential owners who are prepared and determined to have an intelligent, loyal, but independent companion can adopt a Jindo dog from shelters.
History
There is no written record of the origin of the Korean Jindo Dog but many authorities agree that the Jindos have originated and existed on the Jindo Island for a long time.
It is said that Jindo Dogs descended from Mongolian battle dogs that were left on Korea's Jindo Island after the 13th-century Mongol invasion of Korea. The Korean King surrendered but some of his armies withdrew to Jindo Island, off the southern coast of Korea, where they continued to fight. This is known as the Sambyeolcho Rebellion. The soldiers' dogs ended up isolated on Jindo Island, where they developed a very pure strain. As the Jindos primarily bred themselves without human selection of traits, only the most dominant dogs reproduced; this resulted in the formation of the highly dominant nature of the Jindo. Jindos served both as hunting and guard dogs in Korea.
In 1962, the Korean government designated the Jindo as the 53rd Natural Monument [1]; and passed the "Jindo Preservation Ordinance". Jindos marched in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. The United Kennel Club recognized the Jindo on January 1, 1998.
Miscellaneous
Other characteristics
Jindo dogs will housetrain themselves as puppies. Even off lead or without direction, they will often relieve themselves in the farthest corner of the yard. They are also renowned for their almost uncanny homing instinct.
Availability
Jindo dogs are not well known and not very common in the United States or generally outside of Korea, especially purebreds, since the Korean government restricts the exportation of this breed.
However, Jindo Dogs are taken into the U.S. by former residents of Korea, and are bred for sale there.
Additionally, there are hundreds of Jindos that need homes due to irresponsible breeders and the large number of strays, especially in cities such as Los Angeles. Jindos take awhile to warm up to humans and thus are sometimes overlooked at pet adoptions. They will grow into a loyal, kind, protective, intelligent and interesting pet. They are readily available at many shelters and rescue sites.
Chinook (dog)
The Chinook is a rare sleddog type or variety developed in the New England region of the USA in the early 20th century.
Appearance
Standing 21 to 27 inches (53-69 cm) in height at the withers and weighing 55 to 90 pounds (25-41 kg), the Chinook is balanced and muscular. The UKC standard states that "The ideal coloration runs from light honey color to reddish-gold. Black markings on the inside corners of the eyes are preferred. Dark tawny to black markings on the ears and muzzle are preferred. Guard hairs on the tail may be black. No white markings are allowed. Buff markings on the cheeks, muzzle, throat, chest, breeches, toes and underside are acceptable." The UKC standard faults any color other than tawny and disqualifies Albinism. Other proposed standards state that the medium-length double coat is “tawny” in colour, with darker shadings on muzzle and ears; white dogs are not allowed, nor are other colours. Eyes are brown to amber in colour. Ear carriage is variable, but dropped is preferred and the head more strongly rectangular than other sleddog breeds. The tail is a well-furred saber and not the usual brush or plume of Arctic breeds. Overall, the Chinook seems to owe more to mastiff than to spitz ancestry.
Temperament
The breed is described as calm, nonaggressive and friendly, though sometimes reserved with strangers. They are inherently gentle with children.
Health
Health issues in Chinooks are epilepsy, canine hip dysplasia, and eye defects.
History
The Chinook owes its existence to one man, Arthur Treadwell Walden of Wonalancet, New Hampshire. The breed derives principally from one male ancestor born in 1917, named “Chinook,” who was Walden’s lead dog and stud. Chinook derived from a crossbreeding of husky stock from the Peary North Pole expedition with a large, tawny Mastiff-like male. Photos of “Chinook” show a drop-eared dog with a broad Mastiff head and muzzle. Walden’s leader was bred to Belgian Sheepdogs, German Shepherd Dogs, Canadian Eskimo Dogs and perhaps other breeds; the progeny were bred back to him to set the desired type and was apparently a strong reproducer of his own traits. Arthur Walden was an experienced dog driver with years of experience in the Yukon; he was lead driver and trainer on the 1929 Byrd antarctic expedition. He is credited with bringing sleddog sport to New England and with founding the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924. The 12-year old “Chinook” was lost on the Byrd expedition.
Control of the core breeding stock passed from Walden to Mrs. Julia Lombard and from her to Perry Greene in the late 1930s. Greene, a noted outdoorsman, bred Chinooks in Waldoboro, Maine, for many years until his death in 1963. Rare and closely-held by Greene who was for many years the only breeder of Chinooks, the population dwindled rapidly after his death. By 1981 only eleven breedable Chinooks survived. Breeders in Maine, Ohio and California divided the remaining stock and managed to save the type from extinction. The Chinook obtained registered status with the United Kennel Club in 1991; current numbers of registered animals are around 800. Only about 100 puppies are born annually worldwide. The registry has a cross-breeding program under which Chinooks are bred to individuals of other breeds thought to have contributed to Chinook development; fourth-generation backcross descendants of such crosses may be accepted as purebred Chinooks if they meet the Chinook Owner Association's CrossBreeding Program requirements.
Working Life
Although still used for recreational dog sledding by some owners, Chinooks today appear to be used largely as family pets. Individuals are also used for dog-packing, search and rescue, skijoring, and obedience and dog agility trials.
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.
Chow Chow
Chow Chow, or Chow, is a breed of dog originating from China, where it is referred to as Songshi Quan (Pinyin: sōngshī quǎn 松狮犬), which literally means "puffy-lion dog." It is believed that the Chow Chow is one of the native dogs used as the model for the Foo dog, the traditional stone guardians found in front of Buddhist temples and palaces.
Appearance
The Chow is a sturdily built dog that is square in profile with broad skull and small, triangular ears that are rounded at the tip. The breed has a very dense coat that is either smooth or rough. The fur is particularly thick around the neck, giving the distinctive ruff or mane. The coat may be one of five colors including red, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. Individuals with patchy or multicolored coats are considered to be outside the breed standard. Chows are distinguished by their unusual blue-black/purple tongue and very straight hind legs, resulting in a rather stilted gait. The blue-black/purple tongue gene appears to be dominant, as almost all mixed breed dogs who come from a Chow retain the tongue color. This is not to say, however, that every mixed breed dog with spots of purple on the tongue are descended from chows as purple spots on the tongue can be found on a multitude of pure breed dogs.
Temperament
Today the Chow Chow is most commonly kept as a companion dog. Their keen sense of proprietorship over their homes paired with a sometimes disconcertingly serious approach to strangers can be off putting to those unfamiliar with the breed. However, displays of timidity and aggression are uncharacteristic of well-bred and well socialized specimens. The proper Chow owner will be just as willful and stubborn as the Chow he keeps, thus weaker-willed individuals would be best served to evaluate their commitment in controlling an animal who is happy to take over any household. Specimens of opposite sex typically cohabitate with less tension than those of the same sex, but it is not unheard of for multiple chows of both sexes to live together peacefully in a home setting. Chows are extremely loyal to their own family, so visitors to the home should not press their affections upon the resident Chow. The typical Chow's behavior is thought to be more similar to a domestic cat rather than a domestic dog.
Chows are not a particularly active breed. Apartment life suits this breed. They can be rather lazy, so you need to be prepared to take him or her for a brisk, daily walk, even if you have a fenced yard that he can explore. Their independence and wistfulness is often mistaken for lack of intelligence. Chows tend to be stubborn, dominating, and at times disobedient, thus many trainers do not recommend Chows as a good choice for first time dog owners.
The chow chow is the number 1 ranked dog that is affected by elbow dysplasia. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, occular disorders such as entropion, thyroid disease, and patellar luxation (slipping knee caps). The risks of such disorders increases exponentially when a chow is purchased from backyard breeders and those unscrupulous kennels that do not test their breeding stock for such genetic disorders. As such, a potential chow buyer would be best served to ask to see all health clearances for the parents of a litter such as Canine Eye Registration Foundation and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals up front. Reputable kennels will provide the new owner with a written and signed health guarantee as well. Although there is no way to accurately predict the lifespan of an animal, one should expect the healthy chow to live between 10 to 12 years.
History
The Chow is a unique breed of dog thought to be one of the oldest recognizable breeds. Research indicates it is one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from the wolf. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog. From what records survive, some historians believe that the Chow was the dog described as accompanying the Mongolian armies as they invaded south into China as well as west into Europe and southwest into the Middle East during 12th Century,[citation needed] although a Chinese bas-relief from 150 BC shows a hunting dog similar in appearance to the Chow. Later Chow Chows were bred as a general-purpose working dog for herding, hunting, pulling and guarding.
In China, some farms still raise chows for meat. The dogs are not called chows because they make good "chow", as is commonly supposed. In fact, when they were first shipped to England, they arrived in boxes marked "chow chow", pidgin English for miscellaneous merchandise. The customs people simply assumed that was what they were called and the name stuck.
Ciobănesc de Bucovina
The Ciobănesc de Bucovina is a strong and rustic dog, it was for centuries the best partner and companion for the Romanian shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains. Their original use was to guard and protect the herds against predators (wild animals or thieves).Today, Bucovina Shepherd Dogs are more and more appreciated also by people living in cities, who keep them as watch dogs or just as pets, because of their balanced temperament and the kindliness they show to children. There are three types of Romanian shepherd dogs: Mioritic (old name Barac), Carpatin (old name Zăvod) and Ciobănesc de Bucovina (a name given to both types).
Appearance
The Bukovina's head is massive, slightly elevated with respect to the back line. The skull is moderately wide. The stop is slightly marked. The nose is black well developed and wide. The muzzle has the shape of a truncated cone, of the same length as the skull, well developed. It becomes progressively narrow towards the extremity but it is never pointed. The lips are thick, well applied, with strong pigmentation. This breed should have strong jaws, with healthy white teeth and a scissors bite. Level bite is allowed. The cheeks are not prominent The eyes are small in comparison with the dimensions of the skull, almond-shaped and slanting, chestnut colored or slightly lighter, never yellow. Eyelids are well pigmented. The ears are implanted relatively high, “V” shaped, with the extremity slightly rounded, fallen, and very close to the cheeks. The neck is moderately long, bulky and strong, without dewlap. The muscular body is massive with a well supported back. The chest is wide and tall, reaching the level of the elbows with well arched ribs. When the dog is relaxed it tends to hold the tail low, reaching the point of the hock or even lower. When the dog is alert and is paying attention or is in action, the tale is elevated. In this case it may rise above the level of the back, sickle shaped. The skin is thick, well applied and dark gray. The hair is short on the head and on the fore face of the legs. On the body, the hair is abundant, straight, thicker and harder, 2½- 3½ inches (6-9 cm.) long. The next layer of hair is shorter and thick, with a lighter color. On the neck, the hair is longer and forms a head of hair (mane). On the backside of the legs, the hair forms fringes of moderate length. The tail is bushy, covered with longer and thicker hair. Coat color: the background must be white with well-defined, sand-charcoal colored, black or brindled patches. On the legs, there can be little black or other color drops. Uniform colors: Uniform robes (without spots) completely white or black are accepted but not preferred by breeders and in show rings.
Temperament
The Bukovina Sheepdog dog was bred to protect sheep flocks and cattle herds. They are excellent watchdogs. This breed is balanced, calm, very devoted, and loves children. It does not trust strangers. An excellent watchdog for herds, courageous and very combative where potential predators are concerned (bear, wolf, lynx) may be turned away by the bark. They do have a powerful bark. If strangers or animals come close to its territory, the fact is signaled by a very powerful bark, with al low tonality that can be heard from very long distances. During the night it patrols around the property or herds. An adult Bukovina Sheepdog needs plenty of space to run around with a large back yard. They love to play, just let them outside and watch them.
History
The Bukovina Sheepdog is a native breed formed in the Carpathian Mountains, in Bucovina region, specifically in the North-East of Romania. This breed has been given a special attention where selection and improvement are concerned. This fact led to the existence of the actual type. In this region, this breed’s individuals are used with great success for guarding herds and property. This dog is also very well known under the name of “DULAU” (shepherd’s dog) or “CAPAU”. The first standard was written in 1982 and updated in 2001 by the Asociatia Chinologica Romana (Romanian Kennel Club). The present standard, dating from March 29, 2002, was written and updated according to the model established by the 1987 FCI General Assembly from Jerusalem.
Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is a breed of dog of the spaniel type, developed in Britain.
Appearance
A long and heavy-bodied, low-stationed spaniel, it stands only 17 to 20 inches (43-51 cm) in height but weighs from 55 to 85 pounds (35-38.5 kg). The Clumber has heavier bone than other spaniels, a massive 'melting' head with a hound-like face and expression, a deep muzzle, large square nose, and broad low-set ears. His coat is dense, weather-resistant, straight, and flat. Clumbers are predominantly white in colour with lemon or orange markings.
Temperament
The Clumber is an efficient gundog, although not as fast as some. It is excellent for upland hunting in heavy cover, and can be a good retriever when trained. He is also an excellent tracker. Their temperament is described as gentle, loyal and affectionate, but dignified and aloof with strangers. Disadvantages of owning a Clumber are said to be constant shedding, snoring, drooling, especially after a drink of water, and an incredible inventiveness for raiding kitchen counters, cabinets, and even the refrigerator. Puppies are especially curious and inventive. The combination of a very people-focused disposition and a strong urge to carry something has led to many missing shoes and other articles of clothing.
When hunting, the Clumber's flush is softer than that of the English Springer Spaniel or English Cocker Spaniel. This "English flush", as it is often called, is claimed by advocates to be more appropriate to flushing birds in heavy cover. Birds in heavy cover, the argument goes, have little chance of running. The more aggressive flush of the Springer and English Cockers could be necessary in open spaces, especially when pheasant hunting, as birds are more likely to run than flush in such circumstances.
Health
Canine hip dysplasia has been a serious issue in this breed in the past. Diligent breeding programmes have reduced the incidence considerably in recent years. Other health issues are entropion and ectropion (turning inward or outward of the lower eyelid) and hypothyroidism.
History
The breed's history is uncertain before the middle of the 19th century. One theory is that it originated in France, stating that the Duc de Noailles at the time of the French Revolution gave his kennel of prized spaniels to the Duke of Newcastle at Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire. Another theory holds that it was developed in Britain from older breeds of hunting spaniels, perhaps by crossing them with Bassets or St. Hubert's hounds. What is certain is that the breed took its name from Clumber Park and that the Duke of Newcastle's gamekeeper, William Mansell, is credited with their development and improvement. Prince Albert, the Prince consort of Queen Victoria, was a fancier and promoter of the breed, as was his son King Edward VII, who bred them at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The breed was shown in England from 1859 onward. They are referred to in Queen Victoria's diary: on October 16, 1840, she wrote, "Walked out directly after breakfast before Albert went to shoot. He had his 7 fine Clumber Spaniels with us and we went into the Slopes, with such a funny old Gamekeeper, Walters, in order that I should see how the dogs found out their game. They are such dear, nice dogs."
Sh. Ch. Raycroft Socialite, bred by Rae Furness and owned by Ralph Dunne of County Cavan, Ireland, won the coveted honor of Best In Show at the 1991 Crufts Centenary Show.
While the breed was not shown widely in the United States prior to the late 1960s, in 1844, Lieutenant Venables, an officer of the British regiment stationed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, introduced the Clumber Spaniel to North America. The first Clumber Spaniel listed in the AKC registry, recorded for the date of 1878 was Bustler, an orange and white dog owned by Benjamin Smith of Nova Scotia. It is interesting to note that records of breedings of dogs in the United States existed long before the American Kennel Club was founded.
Champion Neal's Double Bonus owned by Bets Young was the very first Clumber Best in Show. Bets's Champion Cypress Woods Chesterfield was also the first Clumber Spaniel to place in the group at Westminster.
Champion Clussexx Country Sunrise ("Brady"), bred by Doug Johnson and owned by Richard and Judith Zaleski of Florida, became the first and only Clumber to win Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1996.
American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of dog that originated in the United Kingdom and was brought to Canada and the United States in the late 1800s. American Cocker Spaniels were given their own AKC Stud Book in the early 1900s. By 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was distinct enough in type from the "American" variety, that the American Kennel Club established it as a breed separate from the English Cocker Spaniel. It was given its own Stud Book and that left the "American" type to be known as the Cocker Spaniel in the United States. They are in the sporting breed group of dogs and are the smallest of their group. American Cocker Spaniels were used to flush out birds and prey from the brush so their masters could shoot them.
Appearance
The signature trait of the American Cocker Spaniel is its dark, expressive eyes that reflect a happy, loving, and active nature. Cockers are a dropped eared breed (pendulous ears) and the mature Cocker is shown in a full feathered, silky coat. After its show career ends, the fur is often trimmed into a "puppy cut," shortened on the legs, sides and belly, that is easier to keep whether as a pet, performance dog, or hunting companion. It is important to keep the hair clipped from both sides of the ear about one third down the ear flap. This helps to keep air flowing through the ear canal and reduce risk of ear infections from bacteria, injury or parasites.
Cockers weigh an average of 18 to 28 pounds. For show dogs, the ideal height of a Cocker Spaniel is 15 inches for dogs and 14 inches for bitches at the withers. An adult male who is over 15.5 inches, or an adult bitch over 14.5 inches would be disqualified in a conformation show. Bone and head size should be in proportion to the overall balance of the dog.
Color
For North American conformation shows Cockers are divided by the breed standard into three varieties: black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black),and parti-colors. Black Variety includes: solid blacks and black & tan. ASCOB includes solid colors ranging from silver, to light cream (buff) to dark red and brown and brown with tan points. Parti-colors have large areas of white with another color(s) and must be have at least 10% coloration (not more than 90% white). Parti-colors include: black & white; black & white with tan points (referred to as tri-colors or "tris"), brown & white, brown & white with tan points (referred to as a "brown tri"), and red & white. Roans are shown in the Parti-color variety and can be black (referred to as "blue roans"), red ("orange roan"), or brown ("liver or chocolate roan"); with or without tan points. In a roan coat, individual colored hairs are mingled in with the white. Sable coloring is seen in solids or Parti-colors, but no longer can be shown in conformation by the American Spaniel Club, although it still can be shown in Canada. Merle is a highly controversial pattern, as it is debated whether it is a result of breeding to another breed. Cockers cannot be registered as merles with the AKC. It is not recognized by the American Spaniel Club and cannot be shown in conformation.
Temperament
Their temperament is typically joyful and trusting. The ideal Cocker temperament is merry, outgoing, and eager to please everyone. They can be good with children and usually sociable and gentle with other pets. They tend to be "softer" dogs who do not do well with rough or harsh training. The popularity of the American Cocker Spaniel led to a considerable amount of irresponsible breeding in an attempt to keep up with the demand. The results have included fearful or aggressive behavior in some of the dogs, submissive urination, and resource guarding. Responsible breeders have worked diligently to eliminate these negative characteristics while trying to educate the public regarding responsible breeding. Temperament of the American Cocker Spaniel should always be the primary concern when breeding these dogs. As with all puppies, owners are advised to choose their breeder carefully.
Health
Mortality
American Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10-11 years, which is on the low end of the typical range for purebred dogs, and 1-2 years less than other breeds of their size. The larger English Cocker Spaniel typically lives about a year longer than the American Cocker Spaniel.
In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (23%), old age (20%), cardiac (8%), and immune-mediated (8%). In a 2003 USA/Canada Health Survey with a smaller sample size, the leading causes of death were cancer, hepatic disease, and immune-mediated
Morbidity
American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies, particularly infections affecting their ears and, in some cases, their eyes. As a result, they may require more medical attention than some other breeds. Common eye problems in Cockers include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma, and cataracts. The American Spaniel Club recommends annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for all dogs used for breeding. Autoimmune problems in Cockers include autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and ear inflammations. Less common are luxating patellas and hip dysplasia. Dogs used for breeding can be checked for both of these conditions, and dogs free of hip dysplasia can be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
History
American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the sporting spaniels. Their name cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in England, but today this breed is used to hunt a variety of upland gamebirds and water fowl.
In the United States the breed is known officially by the [American Kennel Club], as the "Cocker Spaniel". Outside the US, it is often referred to as the American Cocker Spaniel, but it was the creation of the English Cocker Spaniel that triggered the breed split in the 1930s.
On June 20, 1936 a group of English Cocker fanciers met at the home of Mr. And Mrs. E. Shippen near Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. They formed a specialty club for English Cocker Spaniels known as the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America. After this meeting, AKC recognized the "English" variety and people began to import Cockers bred in England, to the United States more frequently.
By 1938, 24 Cockers had completed their championships from the "English" classes, but six of them were American-bred Cockers and only one of those had an English import in the first five generations of their pedigrees. There was an advantage in the point system then to show in the English-variety classes. For instance, in California, a male ECS had to defeat five other dogs to earn a five point major; a solid Cocker male (American type) had to win over 19 dogs to win the same major, and some people used the advantage, after all, the types were bred together and a litter could have both varieties and all were registered as "Cocker Spaniels."
Then in 1938, the ECSCA Board of Directors met at Giralda Farms, Madison, New Jersey, and Mrs. Geraldine Dodge made the motion that the owners of ECS studs would not allow them to be bred to American type bitches as a policy and requirement of membership in the ECSCA.
They also resolved to object to showing American type Cockers in English Cocker classes and went on to define an English Cocker Spaniel as "a dog or bitch of the Cocker Spaniel breed whose pedigree can be traced in all lines to dogs or bitches which were registered with the English Kennel Club (or eligible for export pedigree) on or before January 1, 1930." (Jubilee, 1986).
American type Cocker popularity surged during the 1940s and ECS fanciers knew they needed their own AKC Stud Book recognizing the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed. Mrs. Dodge began the work of sorting out the pedigrees not only in the United States, but in England and Canada. The project was done by Josephine Z. Rine, Mrs. Dodge's curator of art and former editor of "Popular Dogs."
That accomplished, Mrs. Dodge then began the process with AKC and in June 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was officially recognized by AKC as a breed different from the American Cocker Spaniel. (ECSCA Jubilee, 1986)
American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels are the only spaniel breeds allowed to compete together in Cocker Field Trials in the United States. There are a small number of field-bred American cockers bred in the US, but the distinction between field and show-bred dogs is less than exsist in English cockers.
Today's American Cocker Spaniel is as always, a versatile small dog. It remains popular as a pet, but is also known for its workmanlike attributes that make it a stunning show dog, lively companion hunter, competitive gaming dog, or gentle therapy dog.
Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound is a breed of dog bred to hunt raccoon. They are also widely used for hunting bear, bobcat, and cougar. Their agility allows them to be used for hunting from swamplands to mountains, and some can be used as water dogs. The Redbone Coonhound is the only solid colored coonhound. The AKC standard says, "The Redbone mingles handsome looks and an even temperament with a confident air and fine hunting talents."This breed has been registered with the UKC since 1904.
Appearance
The Redbone Coonhound has the lean, muscular, well proportioned build typical to the coonhounds, with long straight legs, a deep chest, and a head and tail held high and proud when hunting or showing. The face has a pleading expression, with sorrowful dark brown eyes and long, drooping ears. The coat is short and smooth against the body, but coarse enough to provide protection to the skin while hunting through brush. The nose is always black and the coat color is always a rich red, though a small amount of white on the chest between the legs or on the feet is permissible, though not preferred.
Males should be 22-27 inches (56-68.5 cm)at the shoulder, with females slightly shorter at 21-26 inches (53-66 cm). Weight should be proportional to the size and bone structure of the individual dogs, with a preference towards leaner working dogs rather than heavier dogs. Generally, weights will range from 45 to 70 lbs (20.5 to 31.75 kg). Males are typically larger and heavier boned than females and carry a deeper bay.
History
The Redbone Coonhound is an American breed. It was developed in Georgia in the 1800s from Foxhounds and Bloodhounds. The name may come from an early breeder, Peter Redbone of Tennessee, though other breeders of note are Georgia F.L. Birdsong of Georgia (contemporary) and the 19th Century's Dr. Thomas Henry. Breeders followed a selective program that led to a coonhound that was faster and had a more developed sense of smell than other coonhounds. They were ideal for pack hunting of both small and larger prey. Originally, the Redbone had a black saddleback, but by the beginning of the 1900s, they were a pure red tone.
Sadly, like many American hunting dogs, especially those from the South, they were widely known and loved by hunters and farmers, but totally unknown in the show ring. Recently, this has changed, and the Redbone has found recognition by the two major American kennel clubs.
Perhaps the best known fictional Redbones were Old Dan and Little Ann, featured in the children's classic story, Where the Red Fern Grows, a popular novel about two dogs and a boy's dream.
Temperament
The Redbone Coonhound is an excellent companion and family pet, with some special considerations. They love to be with their owners and family, and are happy just doing things with their humans, or sitting by watching them. They are very affectionate, but can be overwhelming to small children or even adults if not properly trained. They tend to be inactive if kept indoors most of the time and can easily become overweight.
Conversely, young coonhounds are energetic and need lots of activity, or they will become destructive. This can lead to acting out in the form of chewing and baying. They take a longer time to train than some other breeds, because they mature more slowly both physically and mentally.
Some Redbones drool a significant amount, and others have a very doggy smell. They are all loud, loud barkers.
Like many hunting dogs, they have an independent intelligence especially well suited for problem solving. This can be an issue if the problem they want to solve is their backyard fence or the dog-proof garbage. But they also are pretty unflappable, able to take anything that comes at them.
As with all hounds, this breed should be watched closely off leash since they have a tendency to roam and a reputation for chasing small creatures such as cats. Puppies, be warned, like to chew on nearly anything, and can be fairly destructive, but a simple month to year of training should stop this.
Health
The Redbone Coonhound is a hardy breed that has few known diseases. The most common are hip dysplasia and obesity. The Redbone Coonhound requires daily walks for strength, stamina and weight control, which helps to maintain good health.
- Temperament: Good natured with a desire to please. Good with children and other pets. Happiest when hunting and needs daily exercise.
- Color: Red preferred; may have small white pattern on chest and feet.
- Coat: Short, fine textured.
- Head: Broad in line with body proportions.
- Ears: Slightly low set, fine in texture, and reaching to tip of nose.
- Eyes: Dark brown preferred.
- Body: Medium sized, lean dog, and taller at the shoulder level than hips. Male height is from twenty two to twenty seven inches. Female height is from twenty one to twenty five inches.
- Weight: Male's and female's average weight is 75 lbs.
- Tail: Straight, medium length with brush texture.
- Legs: Straight in line with chest and muscular.
- Life span: Relatively long at 10-15 years.
- Litter size: 10 pups with 6-8 being the usual number.
Collie
Collie refers to various breeds of herding dog originating primarily in Scotland. The exact origin of the name is uncertain, although it probably originates in Early Scots col(l) (coal), meaning black. Another explanation sometimes put forward is that collie was a regional word in Anglo-Saxon for "something useful." The fictional Lassie, star of movies, books, and television shows, was a rough collie, which helped to popularize Collies in the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as in many other countries. Lad of Sunnybank also deserves credit for making the collie popular and was a real dog written about by Albert Payson Terhune. The Collie Club of America is one of the oldest breed-specific clubs in existence in the United States (founded in 1886). However, there are three different dog breeds with "Collie" in their name:
- Scotch Collie (including both Rough Collie and Smooth Collie varieties)
- Border Collie
- Bearded Collie
The farm collie was a generic term for a wide range of herding dogs common in North America until the middle of the 20th century.
Shetland Sheepdogs (commonly known as "Shelties") are sometimes mistakenly called Miniature Collies, but they are a completely different breed of distinct origin.
The highlands of Scotland were the natural home of the collie, where the sheepdogs had been used for centuries by shepherds, but the modern form of the breed was mostly developed in England in the late 1800s. This early form of the breed was usually referred to as the Scotch collie (or Scottish collie) in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Scotch collies were heavier and less fine-boned than today's rough and smooth dogs. The ancestors of the modern Collie were first exhibited as "Scotch Sheep-Dogs" in the 1860 Birmingham (England) dog show.
Collies come in two varieties of the breed based on coat length in America; in the UK these are shown as separate breeds. The rough collie is the collie seen in films and on television (e.g., Lassie). The downy undercoat is covered by a long, dense, coarse outer coat with a notable ruff around the neck, feathers about the legs, a petticoat on the abdomen, and a frill on the hindquarters. The smooth collie likewise has a double coat, but the outer one is short and dense, albeit there is a notable ruff around the neck. Both rough and smooth varieties are available in four distinct colors. Sable collies are generally the most recognizable, the choice of the Lassie television and movie producers. The sable color on these dogs can range from a light blonde color to a deep reddish-brown, with any hue in between possible. Tri-colour dogs are mostly black and white with tan markings. Blue Merle collies are best described as tri-colour dogs whose black has been diluted to a mottled gray-blue color. White collies are usually mostly white on the body with a head coloration of any of the three previous. A lesser-known variant of blue merle colouring is that of the "phantom merle" - a seemingly tri-colour dog, with only perhaps a slight merling of one or two areas of fur, which actually carries the gene for merling, which is a dominant dilution gene. If bred to another dog with a merle gene, the resulting pups may be "double-dilute", which can result in devastating and lethal neurological conditions. In America, a dog with the phantom merle coloring is described as being "cryptic for merle."
As modern-day "Lassies", both rough and smooth collies have become successful assistance, and therapy dogs. At least one guide dog school, Southeastern Guide Dogs in Florida, currently trains smooth coated collies as guide dogs, and a number of collies are currently partnered with disabled individuals around the United States.
Health
The collie is typically a very healthy breed, and is known to inherit few health conditions that are both serious and prevalent. Some health conditions of note include Collie eye anomaly, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), gastric torsion, dermatomyositis, grey collie syndrome (a type of neutropenia), collie nose (discoid lupus erythematosus), and demodicosis.[1] Seizures, canine hip dysplasia, microphthalmia, and cyclic neutropenia are also occasionally seen.[2] The Collie Health Foundation (http://www.colliehealth.org) maintains a website and database on disorders affecting collies.
Some Collies suffer from a special gene defect due to a mutation in the multidrug resistance gene, MDR1. This is also known as "the Ivermectin-sensitive collie". All dogs with this mutation must be descendants of a dog which lived in Great Britain in the middle of the 19th century. This mutation is found worldwide and can even cause the death of a dog, if it gets the wrong medicine (based on Ivermectin, Doramectin, Loperamid and many more pharmaceuticals). Therefore all Collies and breeds akin to them (such as the Shetland Sheepdog) should either be tested or receive a different class of heartworm preventive drug, such as milbemycin oxime (Interceptor brand by Novartis).
Collies typically live an average of 12 to 14 years.
Temperament
Collies are known to be generally sweet and protective. They are generally easy to train due to a high level of intelligence and a willingness to please. Some collies are a bit clingy, but this is often seen as an overdeveloped sense of loyalty. They are excellent herding dogs and benefit from the companionship of a family or other dogs. Collies are very playful and gentle around children. They can also exhibit a strong herding instinct, especially around children.
Welsh Corgi
The Welsh Corgi (IPA: /ˈkɔ(ɹ)ˌgi/) is a small breed of dog that originated in Wales. They are believed to be descended from Swedish Vallhund dogs that came to Wales with the Vikings. Cor gi means "dwarf dog" in Welsh (and the OED gives the Welsh plural corgwn as an alternative to corgis).
An average Welsh Corgi is around 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) tall at the tallest point in the shoulders and weighs approximately 30 lb (15 kg). Originally bred for herding sheep and cattle, Corgis are active dogs, and considered very intelligent. They have proven themselves excellent companion animals and are outstanding competitors in sheepdog trials and agility trials.
Welsh Corgis are generally recognized as two distinct breeds: the Cardigan and the Pembroke. Beginning in 1934, the American Kennel Club recognized them as separate breeds. The Cardigan is the larger of the two, with larger rounded ears and a foxy, flowing tail. The Pembroke features rounded, pointed ears and is somewhat smaller in stature. Historically, the Pembroke was a breed with a natural bob tail (very short tail). Due to the advent of docking, the trait was not aggressively pursued, with breeders focusing instead on other characteristics, and the tail artificially shortened if need be. Given that some countries are now banning docking, breeders are again attempting to select for dogs with the genes for natural bob tails. The coats of both breeds come in a variety of colors, although there are some differences between the breeds.
Health
Both the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi are among the healthiest and longest lived dogs in the Herding Group. The Cardigan tends to be a little hardier and has fewer documented hereditary health issues; among them are canine hip dysplasia, canine degenerative myelopathy and progressive retinal atrophy. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are susceptible to intervertebral disc disease, canine hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy. Welsh Corgi owners should have their dogs' eyes and hips tested by a veterinarian before breeding. Cardigan Welsh Corgis typically live between 12 and 14 years, and Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically live between 11 and 13 years.
Coton de Tulear
The Coton de Tuléar is a small breed of dog. It developed in Madagascar as a companion dog.
Appearance
There are currently four breed standards for the Coton de Tulear. The FCI, UKC, CKC and the Coton de Tulear Club of America each maintain their own standard.
Coat and colour
The Coton de Tuléar has a medium-length, fluffy, cotton-like coat that is hair rather than fur. The FCI standard specifies that the Coton's coat should be white but may also have lemon coloured, light brown, or grey markings on their ears. The CTCA allows for three different but equally favorable colorings: white, black-and-white, and tri-color. White is described as nearly all white, sometimes with Champagne coloring on the ears. Black-and-white is defined as pure white with prominent black patches on the head and body (no ratio of white-to-black is specified or favored). Tri-color is described as mostly white and cream colored with some markings and dustings of black on the body and head.
Size
The international FCI standard gives the Coton's weight as from 4 to 6 kg (about 9 to 13 lbs) for males and 3.5 to 5 kg (8 to 11 lbs) for females. The Coton's height (including tolerance) is from 25 to 30 cm (about 10 to 12 inches) tall for males and from 22 to 27 cm (8.5 to 10.5 inches) for females.
By contrast, the CTCA standard specifies the weight as no more than 18 lbs (8 kg). The standard height is 13 inches (33 cm), except for the rare Tall Coton, which can be up to 17 inches (43 cm) high.
The Tall Coton shows up in all three colors, and can be born to a litter with normal sized parents that carry the appropriate genes. These long-limbed dogs are exceptionally agile and graceful.
Detailed description
he skull is slightly rounded and wider than it is long. The muzzle is straight and shorter than the skull. The nose is black in colour in the CTCA standard. However, the FCI standard, which does favor a black nose, states that brown is tolerable as well. A pink or partly pink nose is not accepted in either standard. The lips are tight and of the same colour as the nose, specifically black in the CTCA standard. The teeth are in a scissor bite or pincer bite. The eyes are round, dark in colour and wide set. The expression should be lively, intelligent, bright, and merry. The ears are triangular and set high. The leather of the ear should be thin. The neck is strong, without a dewlap and slightly arched.
The chest is well developed and reaches below the elbows. The feet are small and arched. The back should be strong and slightly arched. The pads of the feet are usually black. The body is of moderate lengh and should have a moderate tuck up. The loin is muscular and not too long. The hind legs are strong and straight. The hind feet similar to the front feet. the Dewclaws may be removed. The tail is low set and tapering, carried over the back when in motion or excited, relaxed otherwise.
History
The Coton de Tuléar is the official dog of Madagascar where, in the past, only royalty and the upper-class could own one. The Coton's ancestors were thought to have been brought to Madagascar in the 16th century by sailors from Spain and Portugal and is named after the port city of Tuléar which is currently known as Toliara. The Coton is believed to be related to the Bichon family of dogs, perhaps linked most closely to the Bichon Tenerife. The now-extinct Tenerife was introduced to the Islands of Mauritius and Reunion by sailors in the 16th and 17th centuries. The breed then acquired its cottony coat which is thought to be the result of a single gene mutation. Known then as the Coton de Reunion, they became the companions of pirates, merchants, and noblemen in travel. This small, friendly dog caught the fancy of the Merina royalty, and was bred into what is known today as the Coton de Tuléar.
Today, the breed is increasing in popularity, but the dog is still largely unknown among the general population. Cotons are fancied in both Europe and America. The all-white, FCI-standard Cotons have their strongest presence in Europe. However, CTCA-standard Cotons, which most closely resemble the original Coton in its native Madagascar, are the most commonly seen in North America. The breed is supported by several organizations in North America, the oldest and most prominent of which is the Coton de Tuléar club of America. Though Coton de Tuléar has been included in the AKC-FSS, a majority of the breed's supporters in the United States are against an AKC takeover of this rare breed.
The Coton de Tuléar was first brought to America by Dr. Robert J. Russell in 1974 (three years before it was originally brought to Europe). He modeled the CTCA standard after the characteristics of the Coton in its native Madagascar. The French brought the Coton de Tuléar to Europe in 1977. They developed the FCI standard, which has a narrower description than the CTCA. In most cases, a Coton that fits the FCI standard will fit the CTCA standard as well.
Temperament
The Coton is a playful, affectionate, intelligent breed. It loves people and as a result can have separation anxiety. It loves life and is enthusiastic and lively. It is a very vocal breed, grunting and making other noises when having fun. Some Cotons have a habit of walking on their hind legs to please people. Some Cotons may exhibit shyness or cautiousness in new situations, especially around strangers, but this can be overcome with training. Most Cotons love meeting new people and are very curious in new situations. The dogs are very trainable with praise, instead of punishment, as they thrive to please people.
Care
The Coton has a long coat which needs a thorough grooming once or twice a week. All dog breeds shed, but breeds such as the Coton de Tulear and the Poodle shed minimally. Relative to other breeds, the Coton's coat is considered hypoallergenic. It needs a short walk every day for exercise, but will appreciate a play session as often as possible and has the endurance to go on a long hike.
Health
The Coton is in general a healthy breed. Being fairly rare it has not been overbred or bred in puppy mills and as a result there are no genetic diseases that are prevalent in the breed. Some Coton fanciers are worried that, due to inbreeding practices common in other breeds that have become popular in the US, this may change. However, they are currently known to be long-lived and healthy, normally living between 14 and 18 years.
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.
History
Tornjaks belong to the rare livestock protection breeds. The Tornjak is one of the very old breeds from ancient times, and it was mentioned in handwritten papers for the first time in the 9th century, in a Catholic Church's document. The breed was later mentioned in the 11th and 14th century. Tornjaks from these documents is the very same as they are today, except for the name of the breed, which was Hrvatski pas planinac, meaning Croatian dog from the mountain. The dogs in these documents was described entirely equal (function and exterior) as they are today: a protective guarding dog which keep and watch all what their humans ask from them, but highly intelligent and selected without sufficient aggression, and they are pleasant against strangers that they meet outside of their own property. It is considered that dogs of the Tornjak's type have existed in Dinaridi (region around Mountain Dinara, Croatia) from the Roman times. The Romans used their dogs as war and guardian dogs, as well as for fighting in the arena. Although the Tornjak is a very old breed, with the vanishing of nomadic sheep-breeding also the Tornjak vanished gradually. In the early 70's, a group of cinologs began to collect the remained dogs which best corresponded to the old writings about their race.
The first written tracks about the existence of Tornjaks date back to the 9th century. Description given to the Tornjak were found in the writings of Peter Horvat bishop of Đakovo, Croatia, which date back to the year 1374, those descriptions were also found in the writings of Peter Lukić canon of the Đakovo diocese, which were written in 1752. The term Tornjak evolves from the Croatian word "tor", which means an enclosed area where sheep live in. Still today, these dogs are called Torashi in the surroundings of the city of Sinj and on the Kamešnica- mountains, whereas the shepherds of the Dinara-mountains call them Dinarci.
According to research, Tornjak is most likely the descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, or from where the today's Iran is. The environment has created a healthy and strong dog, with modest needs for food and shelter, and a great watchdog.
Croatian Sheepdog
The Croatian Sheepdog is a dog breed from Croatia.
Appearance
Croatian sheepdog is of lower medium height and the base color is always black, although there may be very small patches of white on its chest and/or toes. A characteristic is the short hairs on its somewhat fox-like head and legs. The remainder of the coat is longer, wavy or curly. The height at the withers in both sexes is between 16 to 21 inches and the length exceeds the height by approximately 10%. Nowadays, some dogs are even taller; that is probably due to better nutrition and an easier life - they grow to their full genetic potential. Traditionally the tail is docked very short but, if undocked, it is more or less curled over the dog's back. The body length exceeds the height at the withers for approximately 10%, so the dog is of somewhat elongated square shape.
- Head
Generally: The head is relatively light, lean and wedge shaped. The ratio between the muzzle and the skull is 9 : 11. The total length of the head is about 20 cm. Skull: Slightly rounded skull tapering towards the nose. The eyebrow arches are not pronounced. The cheeks are rounded. The occiput can be distinct. Stop: Slightly pronounced.
- Face
Nose: Always black and in the line with the nose ridge. Muzzle: Lean, nose ridge looking from the profile is straight and is a wedge-shaped extension of the skull. The lower jaw is well developed and forms a harmonious whole with line of the nose ridge. The muzzle is neither pointed nor square. Teeth: Good developed, complete scissors bite. Level bite is acceptable but not desirable. Lips: Dry, close fitting and supple. The visible lip pigment is black. Corner of the mouth is tight. Eyes: Chestnut brown to black, medium in size, almond-shaped, they give lively expression to the dog, set horizontally. The rims of the eyelids are dark pigmented and tight, fit close to the eyeballs. Ears: Triangular in shape, medium-sized, erect or semi-erect, somewhat set to the side. Erect ears are more desirable. Ear cropping is not allowed. NECK: Slightly rises above the back line, the upper and lower lines of the neck are straight. Moderately long, it is of medium strength, deep and well rounded, muscular. The skin is without dewlap and is covered with a dense coat.
- Body
Withers: Not pronounced. The transition to the neck is gradual. Back: Straight, short and muscular. Loin: Short and firmly coupled. Chest: Medium long, broad and deep enough. Ribs sprung, forechest slightly pronounced. The transition to the neck is in a straight line. Belly: Slightly tucked-up. The loins are full and sturdy. Croup: Medium long, slightly sloping down, muscular and fairly broad.
- Tail
Set medium high, with thick and long hairs, in repose hangs relaxed or is carried at back level. In attention it is carried above the back line. There are dogs born without or with short tail, or the tail is docked so that in an adult male it is about 4 cm long.
- Limbs
Forequarters: The legs are straight, parallel looking from front and of medium length. Angulation of the front legs is more opened, the dog stands steeper. Shoulder blades are medium long and muscular, somewhat set steeper. The upper arm is relatively short. The forearm is long and muscular. Bones are lighter. Pasterns dry, indistinct, short and not completely vertical. The feet are small, strong, semi-rabbit-like. The toes are well knitted, well and firmly cushioned. The nails are black or gray.
Hindquarters: The hind legs are medium-angulated. From behind, the legs are parallel. The lower thigh is long and the hock is set lower. The upper thigh is of medium width, well muscled. The hocks are dry and distinct, well angulated. Hind feet are the same as the front ones, small and sturdy though somewhat elongated. Dewclaws are removed.
Gait/Movement: The Croatian Sheepdog moves in briskly trot with moderately long steps.
- Coat
Texture: The length of hair on the back is between 7 and 14 cm. The foreface is always shorthaired. The ears are shorthaired on the outside and longhaired on the inside. The backside of the forelegs has longer hairs down to pastern and forms feathering. The hind legs have pronounced feathering from the buttocks to the hocks. The coat is relatively soft, wavy to curly, but mustn’t be woolly. The undercoat must be dense.
Colour: The base color of the coat is black. A few white hairs can be tolerated. White markings on the head, body and tail aren’t permissible, but small white markings are permissible on the throat and the forechest. White markings on the toes or the legs are permissible but undesirable. White legs up to pasterns lower the dog’s marks on shows.
- Height & Weight
The height at withers in males and females is between 40 to 50 cm. Height: 16-21 inches (40-53 cm.) Weight: 29-43 pounds (13-20 kg.)
Temperament
The Croatian Sheepdog is an alert, agile, keen and intelligent dog with enormous energy and with a strong need for human companionship. It is healthy, resistant to disease and not expensive to keep. It possesses a well developed herding instinct and is an excellent watchdog.
Activities
The Croatian Sheepdog needs a lot of regular exercise, and is a very good breed for dog sports. It's a caring and modest shepherd’s dog, very loyal to his master. Brave and fearless and a reliable sheepdog. The breed also possesses an hereditary predisposition for working cattle. Some farmers affirm that their Croatian Sheepdog knows and will single out every head of cattle by hearing its name.
In the past, the dog was often used to drive herd of pigs to oak woods in autumn, and, in one old document, it states that this versatile breed even herded the horses from Đakovo’s stables. It is both driving and gathering dog and, depending of background (show or working lines) its desire to work stock varies. Its approach to the flock may be closer and harder than some other breeds, but is very effective. It may grip but seldom causes any damage thereby. Nevertheless, it requires firm but sensitive handling and it is easy to overcome these aggressive tendencies by training. The breed is very intense and may bark a lot during the early stages of training, but, with experience, it will usually only bark at the right time - mostly when working in yards. This dog usually obeys only one person and it takes time for good older sheepdog to start working with his new master. If not socialized early, it can be wary of strangers. The Croatian Sheepdog responds well to obedience training but as a pet without any work it can became very noisy, even destructive. It is, however, a very docile breed and comprehends quickly its tasks, which it accomplishes with pleasure. At around 3 or 4 months the pup is usually taken to the flock. In most cases, beside an older dog, the pup learns its job and at around 6 months is useful for work.
It is always behind its master’s heels, waiting for the next move and often looks into its master’s eyes as it asks ”What next?” Nowadays, less and less Croatian Sheepdogs earn their keep by working with stock in native Slavonia, because many open plains are being replaced with crops and stock is kept indoors. Croatian Sheepdogs do well in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise. It is a virtually weatherproof, adaptive breed.
Care
Croatian sheepdogs are usually very healthy. This breed is easy to groom: an occasional combing or brushing to remove dead hair and a bath if dirty is all it needs. This breed is an average shedder.
HistoryThis is a native Croatian breed and descends from dogs which the Croats brought with them from their original native land into the region they occupy today and which has been continually bred in Croatia, mostly in the fertile plains of Slavonia, from those days onward. According to written documents, the appearance of this breed has not changed greatly from the 14th century to the present day. Probably because it possesses an excellent hereditary instinct for working sheep and cattle, selection on the basis of usability was being carried out spontaneously, which has resulted also in the balance of its look.
The earliest written document about Croatian Sheepdogs, named “Canis pastoralis croaticus”, found in the archives of diocese of Đakovo by "father of the breed" - veterinarian Prof Dr Stjepan Romić - is from 1374. In this document, Petar, Bishop of Đakovo, says "the dog is about 18 inches high, with medium long black curly coat, the hair on the head is short, ears are pricked or semi-pricked and it is very good for keeping flocks of all farm animals." He also mentions that the Croats brought the dog with them while migrating from their original native land to Croatia in the 7th century. Romić also found in archive of Đakovo's diocese important information from Years 1719, 1737, 1742 and 1752. In all of these documents the description of the Croatian Sheepdog matches entirely its appearance today and in all of them the dog is named Canis pastoralis croaticus or Croatian Sheepdog. A systematic selection breeding program was started by the same Prof Romic in 1935 with dogs in the territory of Đakovo. After 34 years of work, breed was finally recognized by FCI in 1969.
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.
History
Blackmouth Curs have varied historical documentation dependent upon region. Among them are the Ladner Yellow Blackmouth Cur from Mississippi, Red Blackmouth Cur from Alabama, Wetherford Ben Blackmouth Cur from Texas, and the Florida Blackmouth Cur.
The first Blackmouth Curs registered were Ladner Blackmouth Curs through the National Kennel Club in April 1964. Mr L.H. Ladner had such extensive written documentation of his family's breeding that the NKC recognized the breed. These curs are used to tree squirrel, raccoon, bobcat, mountain lion, and bear. They are used for hunting hogs and feral cattle. They also are distinguished by being used by the search and rescue emergency services.
The Red Alabama Blackmouth Cur is believed to have originated in Alabama, though there are Red Blackmouth Cur in Florida and Tennessee. These cur were supposedly registered as property in the courthouses around Howardtown and Tibbie in the 1940s. They were used as multipurpose pioneer dogs that would hunt, protect the home, and gather in the cattle and pigs at slaughter time. Several breeders in Alabama, Mrs Murphy among them, continue to work toward retaining and improving the Red Blackmouth Cur.
Through the efforts of several Blackmouth Cur breeders, the United Kennel Club (UKC) later recognized the breed, featuring Howard Carnathan's Bruno, a Red Blackmouth Cur, in their standard photograph.
Wetherford Ben Texas Blackmouth Curs come from a line of curs well-documented in the book 'The Big Thicket Legacy'. They are used primarily for herding cattle.
Florida Blackmouth Curs herding cattle are featured in old paintings hanging in local barber shops and homes, so their existence and history in Florida is documented.
Blackmouth Curs now range from the east to the west coast, and as far north as Canada. The Ladner Blackmouth Curs are also known to be in Mexico, Argentina, Haiti, Russia, India, and throughout Europe.
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.
Curly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) is a breed of dog originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body. Curly Coated and Wavy Coated (now known as the Flat-Coated Retriever) were the first two recognized retriever breeds, established as early as 1860.
Appearance
The Curly is an active, well-muscled dog bred for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. The Curly is somewhat different in structure than the more common retrievers. A well-bred Curly will appear slightly leggy but is actually slightly longer than tall. The breed sports a coat of tight, crisp curls. It is balanced and agile with a significant air of endurance, strength, and grace.
Colour
The only acceptable colours for the Curly Coated Retriever are solid black and solid liver (brown). Occasional white hairs are permissible, but white patches are a serious fault.
Eyes should be either black or brown in black dogs, and brown or amber in liver dogs. Yellow eyes are undesirable.
The nose should be fully pigmented, and the same colour as the coat as the dog.
Height and weight
- Bitches: 23-25 in (59-64 cm)
Weight should be in correct proportion to the size of the dog.
- Bitches: 65-85 lbs (29-39 kg)
Temperament
The Curly Coated Retriever was originally developed as a gun dog and their temperament and conformation reflect this purpose. Curlies are still used in many countries as bird hunting companions, including in both upland and waterfowl hunting. Like most retrievers, they are valued as pets and are a lively and fun-loving breed. As long as the Curly has enough exercise, it can be calm and laid back in the home environment, which makes them both a great activity dog as well as a placid member of the family.
The Curly can be sometimes aloof with strangers but are usually very loyal and affectionate with their owners and family. Curlies are extremely intelligent in general, but training can sometimes be difficult as they can easily get bored with repetitive training.
Care and maintenance
Coat
Curlies are a single coated breed with no undercoat, and the small, tight curls of a show-standard dog are very easy to maintain. A Curly kept as a companion and/or hunting animal need not be elaborately groomed but needs to be kept clean and free of mats for the health of the dog. All Curlies shed though not to the degree that dogs with undercoats do. Bitches usually shed more heavily during their heat cycles (usually twice a year). Dogs and bitches may also shed more in the spring, especially those living in areas with extreme seasonal temperature changes. Bathing should be as needed but soap will strip out some of the naturals oils which protects them in colder weather[citation needed].
Show ring exhibitors normally trim feathering from the tail, ears, belly, legs, and feet. Trimming is not required when exhibiting a Curly at a conformation dog show, but most judges may discount the dog if it is not trimmed. Sitaring of the body coat is undesirable.
Feeding
An active dog which is also prized for its endurance, the Curly usually needs a high-quality food. Some breeders feed a natural diet, consisting of meat and vegetables. Others feed good quality commercial dog foods.
Exercise
The Curly Coated Retriever likes exercise; it was bred for athleticism and endurance in the field. A Curly is an intelligent dog and is happiest when it has adequate exercise, mental stimulation and play. Curlies are great dogs for active sports such as hunt tests, flyball and dog agility trials as they love the outdoors, working with people, and activities of any kind. While active and exuberant outside, at play, or in the field, the adult curly is generally a calm house dog.
Health
Life expectancy
Average life expectancy is 9-14 years, although there are instances of Curlies living to 15 to 17 years of age.
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a relatively new breed of dog that traces its original lineage to an experiment conducted in 1955 in the former Czechoslovak Republic. After initially breeding a German Shepherd Dog with a Carpathian wolf, a plan was worked out to create a wolf-dog hybrid breed that blended the desired qualities of both animals. It was officially recognized as a national breed in the ČSSR in 1982, in 1999 it became FCI standard no. 332, group 1, section 1. The breed has only recently become available in the U.K due to DEFRA and The Kennel Club pressure officially recognizing the breed.
Appearance
Both the build and the hair of the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog are reminiscent of a wolf. The lowest dewlap height is 65 cm for a dog and 60 for a bitch and there is no upper limit. The body frame is rectangular, ratio of the height to length is 9:10 or less. The expression of the head must indicate the sex. Amber eyes set obliquely and short upright ears of a triangle shape are its characteristic features. The set of teeth is complete (42); very strong; both scissors-shaped and plier-shaped setting of the dentition is acceptable. The spine is straight, strong in movement, with a short loin. The chest is large, flat rather than barrel-shaped. The belly is strong and drawn in. The back is short, slightly sloped, the tail is high set; when freely lowered it reaches the tarsuses. The fore limbs are straight, and narrow set, with the paws slightly turned out, with a long radius and metacarpus. The hind limbs are muscular with a long calf and instep.
The color of the hair is from yellow-grey to silver-grey, with a light mask. The hair is straight, close and very thick. Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is a typical tenacious canterer; its movement is light and harmonious, its steps are long.
Temperament
The Wolfdog is more versatile than specialized. It is quick, lively, very active, fearless and courageous. Distinct from the character of Saarlooswolfhond, shyness is a disqualifying fault in the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog develops a very strong social relationship not only with their owner, but with the whole family. It can easily learn to live with other domestic animals which belong to the family; however, difficulties can occur in encounters with strange animals. It is vital to subdue the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog's passion for hunting when they are puppies in order to avoid aggressive behavior as an adult. The puppy should never be isolated in the kennel; it must get used to different surroundings, for traveling and so on. Bitches are easily controllable; dogs often experience a stormy adolescence.
The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog is very playful and temperamental. It learns easily. However, it does not train spontaneously, the behavior of the CsV is strictly purposeful - it is necessary to find motivation for training. The most frequent cause of failure is usually the fact that the dog is tired out with long useless repetitions of the same exercise, which results in the loss of motivation. These dogs have admirable senses and are very good at following trails. They are very independent and can cooperate in the pack with a special purposefulness. If required, they can easily shift their activity to the night hours. Sometimes problems can occur during their training when barking is required. Czechoslovakian Wolfdogs have a much wider range of means of expressing themselves and barking is unnatural for them; they try to communicate with their masters in other ways. Generally, to teach CsV stable and reliable performance takes a bit more time than does to teach traditional specialized breeds.
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