Dough Days of Summer

I thought the following information might be of interest.
Just in time for the dog days of summer.

Pillsbury has launched the “Dog Days of Summer: Best in Dough.” Basically, Pillsbury has crafted seven breeds of actual dogs – including bulldogs, basset hounds and poodles – out of Crescent dough and hot dogs. They are looking for input from dog lovers like you to help them decide what other breeds they should feature.

In order for you to submit your pooches’ breed for consideration, simply upload a photo of your dog to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #pbdogdays. From there, several will be chosen to be featured on the Pillsbury Facebook page and voted on by the brand’s fans.

If you are interested in making your own dough dogs, Pillsbury has uploaded a step-by-step “how to” guide on its website. Could be a great kid-friendly project for the summer months.

Service Dog Extraordinaire

A service dog is a type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have physical and/or mental disabilities. Some dogs are even trained to help with medical conditions.

Any breed or mixture of breeds of dog might produce one capable of service work, though few dogs have all of the health and temperament qualities needed.

With that in mind I thought my dog, Ebony, who is well-behaved, sensitive, and smart would make a great service dog.

So she is now in training!

Smart Dogs

Dogs are very smart animals.


Some scientists estimate that the average dog is as smart as a 3-year-old child. That means he is smart enough to understand more than 150 words, smart enough to count to five - and smart enough to outsmart humans! (You have probably already learned that lesson.)

Some breeds are smarter than others.

Psychologist Stanley Coren, a leading canine researcher and widely published author from the University of British Columbia, studied data from 208 dog obedience judges in the USA and Canada to determine which breeds are the smartest.

Check out the results below to see if your dog made the list:

1. Border collies
2. Poodles
3. German shepherds
4. Golden retrievers
5. Dobermans
6. Shetland sheepdogs
7. Labrador retrievers

So how do you improve your dog's IQ?

A good smart toy can actually boost your dog's IQ!

Veterinarians recommend puzzle toys (also called "smart toys") because they provide dogs with the fun mental challenges they need to keep their minds sharp, while keeping them active and happy. These toys require your dog to use his problem solving skills to "win" the game. A good smart toy is worth its weight in gold, because it will entertain your dog for hours.

Native Dog of Argentina

In 1925, two ambitious young brothers in Argentina set out to create a new dog breed.

Antonio Nores Martinez and Agustin Martinez envisioned a dog that was fast with an excellent sense of smell to hunt big game like wild boar and mountain lions. They desired a dog that was fearless and tireless on the hunt, but a friendly family dog at home. More than anything else, the brothers wanted their breed to get along well with other dogs.

The brothers used 10 breeds to design their new hunting dog, starting with the now-extinct Fighting Dog of Cordoba. They then added the Boxer, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, the Dogue de Bordeauz, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Pointer, and Spanish Mastiff. Breed development took decades. Finally, in 1973, the Argentina Kennel Club recognized Argentina's first and only native breed: the Dogo Argentino.

Today the Dogo Argentino is rare in the United States.

In 2011,the American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the breed into its Miscellaneous Class, the final step before full recognition.

The hallmark of the breed is its pure white coat - one dark-colored patch around the eye is allowed - which requires little care. Simply groomed once a week with a rubber curry brush. Dogos are prone to sunburn and must have access to shade during the summer.

Dogos are 23 to 27 inches tall and weight 80-100 pounds. These large, muscular dogs might look intimidating, but Dogos are friendly, affectionate, and devoted to their families, especially children.

State's Official Dog

An Oregon sheep rancher successfully lobbied state legislators to introduce a bill to designate the Border Collie as the state's official dog. It was introduced last winter and if passes, it will be signed into law.

Dogs have long played a part in our daily lives, and some have played a part in history. Wanting to honor the Border Collies' role in Oregon's agricultural history, the breed may soon become Oregon's Official Dog.

Several states have honored canines by designated them as the official state dog.

Maryland was first in the state dog tradition in 1964 by naming its native breed, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, their official state dog. More recently, the Alaskan Malamute, the largest and oldest of the Arctic breeds, got its designation after an Anchorage kindergartner inspired a group of kids to lobby Alaska's state legislature. In 2009, the rare Chinook became the state dog of New Hampshire after a successful campaign started by a dog-loving science teacher and some enthusiastic students who got a civics lesson, too.

The honored breed often has a longstanding relationship with state residents and represents a part of the state's history. For example, Chinooks were bred by sled-dog driver and explorer Arthur Walden in the early 1900's.

Nine other breeds have been declared official state dogs:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog (Louisiana, 1979) is bred to handle cattle and hogs and has a reputation for size and strength. American settlers in the South developed this spotted breed.

The Boston Terrier (Massachusetts, 1979), bred from crossing Bulldogs and English terriers, was developed after the Civil War in Boston as a strong, smart fighting dog.

The Plott Hound (North Carolina, 1989) gets its name from the German immigrant who settled in North Carolina in 1750 with five Hanoverian Hounds. Plott bred dogs for hunting boar and bear.

The Great Dane (Pennsylvania, 1965) developed in Germany as a hunting and guard dog was widely used as a working dog during Pennsylvania's frontier days.

The Boykin Spaniel (South Carolina, 1985) is a hard-working bird dog which began with a stray dog who had a knack for retrieving waterfowl.

The Blue Lacy (Texas, 2005) was thought to have resulted from a cross between a coyote and a Greyhound, and was developed in Texas in the mid-1800s.

President George Washington bred the American Foxhound (Virginia, 1966) in the 1700s. Today, the breed participates in competitive field trails and fox hunting.

The American Water Spaniel (Wisconsin, 1985), bred to retrieve from boats, was developed in the Great Lakes region of the United States in the mid 1800s.

Breed Standard

Each dog breed in dog registries and associations such as the American Kennel Club, has a standard; a set of guidelines written to ensure that the dogs conform to specific attributes. Each breed standard is different, but all share some similar characteristics:

1. Appearance Every breed standard addresses the outward qualities of the dog, and includes factors such as general appearance; size, proportion, and substance; head (including eye and nose color); neck, topline, and body; forequarters; hindquarters; coat; and color.

2. Gait This describes how the dog should move.

3. Temperament Qualities like behavior, adaptability, trainability, intelligence, playfulness, and energy level differ from breed to breed.

4. Disqualifications It is important to know what a breed should not look and act like. Disqualifications could include rare color or coat, or wrong ear size or shape.

Why is a breed standard important?

Along with helping to ensure that breeds maintain a consistent look and personality, the standard also ensures the dogs maintain the functions for which they were originally bred.

For example, according to the AKC, Rottweilers were originally bred to herd cattle in the field. With selective breeding, their protective, courageous natures are still prevalent in their temperament even today.

For more information about breed standards, and to see listings of the standards of your favorite breeds, visit the AKC website.

Rescue Dog Check List

Considering adopting a rescue dog?

Here are some tips from rescue experts for the best chance at a successful forever adoption:

1. Do not look at this a saving a dog, so much as looking for a lifelong pet. The rescues main concern should be to fit the dog to the family.

2. Find out whether the organization is a registered 501(c)(3)non-profit. If it handles any volume of dogs, it should be.

3. Call your local humane society to see it it is familiar with the rescue.

4. If you want a particular breed, contact the local breed club or go through the American Kennel Club national breed club's rescue coordinator or network.

5. The dog should be spayed or neutered and receive appropriate vaccinations before you take him/her home. Many rescued dogs also have microchips for easier identification.

6. If the rescue does not ask you plenty of questions, move on to another organization. They want to put each dog into a home for the rest of his/her life.

7. Your adopted dog should come with a written contract that says if for any reason you cannot keep him/her, you will return the dog to the rescue. Also, the rescue should offer a written record of where the dog came from, why it was surrendered, and any known health or behavior problems.

8. It is best if the dog you want to adopt has been in a foster home. The foster family has a chance to find out the dog's temperament and training level, and to identify any behavioral issues. This is not always possible.

9. Ask for references from people who have adopted from the rescue, then check them. If the organization will not put any of its previous adopters in touch with you, move on.

10. Take a good look at the dog to see if he/she is healthy and social.

Remember, it is worth all the work to have the right dog as a new member of your family.

Dog Rescue Groups

When the movie 101 Dalmatians aired in 1996, children and parents clamored to get a Dalmatian. It did not take long for people to realize that they could not meet the needs of this excitable breed that requires a tremendous amount of exercise and attention. Shelters soon filled up with unwanted Dalmatians.

This is when the Dalmatian Club of America came into existence. This national organization helped rescue thousands of Dalmatians.

Rescue groups have been a natural outgrowth of dog clubs that specialize in maintaining purebred dogs. Too often, people see a dog that looks interesting or is a popular breed and they purchase a puppy without investigating the breed's characteristics.

People unprepared for the demands of certain breeds quickly become disenchanted and get rid of the dog. In response, those who have a love and understanding of specific dog breeds have developed rescue groups. The majority of these rescue groups are for a particular breed, though some rescue shelters are open to all dogs.

Purebred Dog Rescue

Breed rescue groups have a vested interest in saving their particular type of dog. Because they understand a breed's requirements, they can assess the dog's behavior, training needs and suitability for placement. They know what type of family a Dalmatian, for instance, would be most happy in. This insight dramatically reduces stress on families, the dogs and ultimately humane shelters, where many dogs unfortunately wind up.

Beware of so-called "rescue groups" that attempt to sell rescued dogs for a profit, particularly those that sell to pet stores. While it is perfectly natural to recoup some of the fees for maintaining the dog, the fees should not be constituted as the "price" for a particular dog. Moreover, a rescue group will spend time talking with you about your particular family and living situation to determine if you are right for the dog. The last thing a rescue group wants to see is a dog returned, once again, after placement.

A reputable rescue group will also not attempt to breed a rescued dog for two reasons: any undesirable traits can be passed to the offspring; and breeding dogs only adds to the problem of overpopulation.

If you are looking for a dog of a specific breed and do not care too much about lineage or American Kennel Club papers, consider contacting a breed rescue organizations. These dogs can make great pets, as long as they are with a family that understands them.

Contact your local veterinarian or shelter to find the names and information for breed rescue organizations in your area. You can also search the Internet. In addition, the AKC Web site lists the official dog club contact information. Individual clubs are often affiliated with rescue organizations.

Top Dog 2010

This year the American Kennel Club (AKC) celebrates its 127th anniversary and recently released its 2010 report about registered dog breeds in the USA.

Can you guess what breed is #1?

Hint: For the 20th straight year in a row, it is the same breed!

America's favorite dog - the Labrador Retriever.



The biggest change this year is that the Beagle jumped into 4th place from fifth knocking out the Golden Retriever to 5th. The bulldog also jumped into 6th place knocking out the boxer.

America's Top Ten Dog Breeds for 2010:

1. Labrador retrievers
2. German shepherds
3. Yorkshire terriers
4. Beagles
5. Golden retrievers
6. Bulldog
7. Boxers
8. Dachshunds
9. Poodles
10. Shih Tzus

For the full list, check here.

In The Dog House

Thinking of building or buying a dog house?

Here are some guidelines for dog houses:

Size

Bigger is not necessarily better when it comes to a dog house, especially in colder climates. During the colder months, your dog generates the heat that keeps him warm. If the doghouse is too big, your dog may not be able to generate enough heat to warm it.

The house should be wide enough to allow the dog to turn around in and long enough for him to stretch out without his body touching any side. You should measure your dog when he is lounging in his most relaxed position. The width of the door should be large enough so he does not have to scrunch his shoulders to get in – so measure his width as well.

The Roof and the Floor

The floor should always be several inches above the ground, preferably on concrete blocks (if possible). This is to prevent water from running inside, which can lead to illness.

Straw can be used for bedding, but be sure to change it periodically to keep the environment clean. Do not use hay, which can get moldy and cause illness.

The roof should be slanted so snow and rain will not build up. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) suggests building a hinged roof to make cleaning easier and to spray regularly for fleas and ticks.

The Materials

You may be tempted to use pressure-treated wood, which stands up great against moisture and rot. However, it is very poisonous (containing, among other things, arsenic and heavy metals). It should not be used for any part of the dog house that comes in contact with your dog. This means the floor, ceiling and sides should be made from untreated wood.

Pressure-treated wood could be used for the base frame (which is then covered with untreated wood). Even so, inspect the house regularly to make sure he cannot get to the pressure-treated wood.

The Placement

The house should be placed to protect it and your dog from the prevailing wind, rain and snow. It should be placed so the sun can reach it during a good part of the day during winter. In the summer, the dog house should be in the shade and well ventilated.

If your dog will spend a lot of time in his house, you should consider running an air conditioning duct into it. A professional should help you do this. A duct should have a control on it to limit the amount of air running into the dog house – you do not want him to be too cold.

The threshold to the door should be upraised to block drafts. In colder months, a heavy tarp or blanket can be used to keep out the bad weather. It should be removed for warmer temperatures.

A Word About Breeds and Dog houses

Some dogs are just not built for the outdoors. A toy or shorthaired dog, for instance, should consider his house more of a playroom than a residence. Working dogs are usually better prepared for harsher climates and can live outdoors in cold weather. Akitas, malamutes and St. Bernards are a few examples. But you also have to consider the warmer months – these breeds have denser coats. They can overheat if the dog house is not well ventilated and/or cooled by air conditioning.

November - Senior Pet Month

Most dogs are considered "senior" at around 7 years of age. This number may be higher for small breed dogs and slightly lower for large breed dogs.

It is hard to believe that Ebony, my black lab/border collie who still acts like a puppy, has now hit the "senior" age bracket. She has begun to get some gray hairs around her chin, too.

"Senior" Ebony with Beard

If your dog is five years old, does that means he is the same physiologic age as a 35-year-old person? Not exactly. The theory that every year in a dog's life is the same as seven years in ours is commonly known, but not very accurate. Size and breed play a major role when considering the age of your dog.

For a more accurate comparison between physiologic age of dogs, follow this formula:

A one-year-old small or medium sized dog is about 15 human years old. When the dog reaches two, he is the equivalent of a 24-year-old person. After that, each year is about four human years. This means that a seven-year-old dog is about the same as a 44-year-old person.

Large and giant breed dogs initially age slower but then age quickly. At one year of age, the dog is about the same physiologically as a 12-year-old child. After that, each year follows the standard seven human years. For giant breed dogs, five years old is considered the beginning of old age.

The average canine life span is around 12 years but differs from breed to breed. By the time most dogs reach seven years of age, they are entering their senior years. The record for the longest canine life span is 29 years.

Fact and Fiction About Aggressive Dogs

I came across an interesting article about dog aggression. It outlined the facts and clarified the fiction. Unfortunately it did not mentioned where they got the statistics.

Here is the scoop:

Facts

Each year, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs. (There are 58 million dogs in the United States.)

Children are three times more likely to be bitten than adults.

Over 500,000 people per year receive medical attention for dog bites.

There are about 10 dog bite fatalities per year.

Dog bites have reached epidemic proportions.

German shepherds and chow chows are more likely to be involved in biting incidents than other breeds.

Male dogs are six times more likely to bite than females.

Sexually intact dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite than neutered dogs.

Rottweiler and pitbull breeds account for 67 percent of human fatalities.

The top 10 breeds involved in lethal dog bite attacks, accounting for four or more human deaths each over the last 20 years, are: pitbull-type (66), Rottweiler (39), German shepherd (17), husky-type (15), malamute (12), Doberman (9), chow chow (8), Saint Bernard (7), Great Dane (7) and Akita (4).

Twenty-five breeds have been involved in 238 dog bite fatalities over the past 20 years.

About 82 percent of deaths involved unrestrained dogs either on (58%) or off (24%) the owners' property


True and False

All dogs may bite – its what dogs do. (TRUE)

Dog bites can largely be prevented by proper training and management. (TRUE)

Dog bite fatalities are relatively uncommon. (TRUE)

People are more dangerous than dogs. (TRUE)

Chronically irresponsible dog owners are to blame for many of the problems. (TRUE)

The owners, rather than the dogs, are the main problem. (OFTEN TRUE)

Children should be taught never to play with or approach a strange dog, and to avoid direct eye contact with unfamiliar dogs. They should also never play with a dog without adult supervision. (TRUE)

The breed of dog involved in the deadly San Francisco attack, the Presa Canario, has been banned in several countries throughout the world. (TRUE)

To single out certain breeds as potentially more dangerous is canine racism. (FALSE)


For a more in-depth look at the issue,
see Aggressive Dogs and Society.

Smart Toys

Researchers have been testing dog intelligence for some time now, and they rate these breeds among the most intelligent:

1. Border Collies
2. Poodles
3. German Shepherds
4. Golden Retrievers
5. Dobermans
6. Shetland Sheepdogs
7. Labrador Retrievers

How smart is your dog?

Even if he is not among these top-ranked breeds, your dog could be smarter than you think.

Research shows that most dogs understand more than 150 words and can count up to four or five. Your dog is as smart as a two or three year-old child. He can learn basic commands, he knows how to express himself, and he picks up on the emotions of the people around him.

Yes, dogs are smart. Which is why they like smart toys that challenge their intellectual problem-solving skills. These "puzzle" toys make your dog think, and in general they will hold his interest much longer than many other types of toys.

Some of the best puzzle toys release treats to reward your dog for his ingenuity. These interactive toys will keep a dog busy and happily entertained for hours, trying to figure out how to release the treats.

I recently came upon a new treat-dispensing smart toy for medium to large size dogs. It's called Linkables™.

The great thing about this toy is that it is adaptable. As your dog learns how to solve the puzzle, you can continue to increase the difficulty of the challenge by adding more "links" to the toy. This helps keep your dog interested because you can give him increasingly difficult puzzles to solve. This is a durable, heavy-duty toy, and the thick rubber material massages your dog's gums as he chews.

Yes, dogs are smart. That's the good news. The bad news is that they often use that intelligence to "trick" their humans into giving them what they want - whether it's an extra treat, attention, extra playtime or some tasty table scraps. Dogs learn how to get what they want from their humans, just like young kids do with their parents. In some cases, giving in to your dog's manipulation may not always be the best choice, so take a moment to stop and use your best judgment.

A Dog's Job

Summer is around the corner! It is time to get outside with your dog. People who exercise look and feel better, and so will your dog.

There is a difference between going to the dog park and getting your dog involved in a sport – the dog gets to run and release energy, but she also needs to use her mind and take her cues from you – the pack leader. You are not only giving her the physical exercise but you are also giving her the mental stimulation. You are giving the dog a job, and every dog needs to work in order to be fulfilled.

With so many activities out there for you to bring out your dog’s inner athlete, take some time this spring and summer to do your research and get active! While breed does not necessarily matter, there are some breeds that will take to certain activities better (or quicker) than others. For example, if your dog has an active nose – Beagles, terriers, hounds – you might think about search and rescue training, or tracking activities. Tracking takes place on a field, where dogs are rewarded for finding the “scent.”

For high-energy, working dogs, like Huskies and German Shepherds, think about Urban Mushing – which is essentially dog sledding on city streets with the use of a harness and a scooter, trike, or skateboard.

For water dogs, like Labradors, consider dock diving and dock jumping, the canine equivalent of the long jump, only in the water!

For big and small dogs alike, you can get involved in agility activities, which takes advantage of a dog’s speed and quickness, to jump, balance and run through an obstacle course.

Of course, in addition to organized activities, there are other ways of bringing out your dog’s inner athlete, whether it’s a bike ride, rollerblading, or taking your dog with you when you go kayaking.

Skating with my son's dog Ginger on the Burke-Gilman Trail
in Seattle, Washington

Whatever you choose, engage your dog in the activity with calm and assertive energy. You’ll be amazed at how your dog responds!

What Does Your Dog Say About You?

Does having a certain type of dog say something about you?

Although there is no scientific proof that this is true, many people believe that your dog DOES say something about you.

So what kind of dog do you have?

The PetPlace staff put together a great article entitled "What Does Your Dog Say About You". It looks at more than 50 dog breeds and what these breeds say about their owners.

Do you want to know what your dog says about you?

Then check out the complete list with all 50 breeds.

How Smart Is Your Dog?

The other day my friend and I were talking. She pointed to a neighbor's dog - a very happy Golden Retriever - and said, "That dog is dumb as a box of rocks."

Well, I don't think Golden Retrievers are dumb at all. I think they are generally happy dogs and they can at times have "selective hearing". I actually love Goldens. They are one of my favorite breeds. And they can be very smart.

Some dogs are smarter than others (just like people)!

A pet writer, Heather Stern, said, "Studies have shown that the average dog possesses the intelligence of a 3-year-old child."

That is interesting. That level of intellect corresponds to an ability to learn basic commands, to express themselves (not always clearly), and to interpret some emotions of those around them.

Some breeds certainly display character traits much more advanced than this. Herding breeds for example appear to understand and function in complex thinking patterns. It's clear that many dogs understand certain words, for example recognizing toys on command. Perhaps talking to your dog isn't quite as crazy as it sounds.

Some dogs never get the whole fetch thing. Other dogs love puzzles. In fact, some dogs aren't happy unless they have something to do (e.g. something to herd or fetch) or something to figure out. That is one reason there has been a big trend toward toys that are puzzles.

Wondering if this is similar to the older generation keeping their minds active with crossword puzzles and other games?

Meet Your Breed

Which dog breed is right for you?

With more than 140 pure breeds to choose from, narrowing down the list of choices can sometimes be overwhelming.

To help in the process of selecting a breed here is a very nice breed selection tool. It's called BREEDmatch. It works just like match.com, but instead of finding a date, it will help match you to your perfect pet. It was created by Eukanuba and it is provided at no charge.

Check out BREEDMatch,and click on "Meet your Breedmatch" on the left.

This is a very neat way to find the breed that best fits you.

So, who is your perfect pet?