Portuguese Water Dog Breed

As readily apparent from its name the Portuguese Water Dog hails from Portugal and for centuries before it was finally superseded by technology it remained the Portuguese fisherman’s consummate all-purpose fishing tool. The exact ancestral origins of the Portuguese Water Dog remain unknown but it is quite closely related to other European water dog breeds save for the fact that they generally specialized in waterfowl retrieval whereas the Portuguese Water Dog’s specialties lay elsewhere. Unsubstantiated evidence does tend to suggest that the breed’s ancestral heritage originated somewhere in central Asia around 700 B.C. and that the Portuguese water dog was taken to Portugal by the Visigoths circa the fifth century.

Some of the many functions ascribed to the Portuguese Water Dog in earlier times included:

• Herding fish into nets
• Message courier
• Functioning as a lookout
• Translocating and retrieving nets; as well as
• Rescuing capsized fishermen

From the time of the Middle ages the Portuguese Water Dog performed as the ultimate fisherman’s in-water assistant making the lives of the fishermen of the Algarve on Portugal’s southern coast that much easier. Anytime a small fleet of fishing boats would set out the Portuguese water Dog would be in the thick of the action, conveying messages from boat to boat, alerting the fishermen by barking whenever it spotted a shoal of fish and during foggy conditions the dog with its unique “rising-and-falling” bark would act as a canine foghorn.

The first documented evidence of the Portuguese Water Dog was in 1297 from a monks account where he narrates how he was saved from drowning in the sea by a dog with a “black coat, the hair long and rough, cut to the first rib and with a tail tuft.” Known as Cao de Agua in Portugal which translates as “dog of water”, the Portuguese Water Dog is also sometimes referred to as the Portuguese Fishing Dog, the Diving Dog or the Sea Dog.

By the early 20th century as traditional fishing methods became obsolete as a result of advances in technology the Portuguese Water Dog numbers dwindled to the brink of extinction. As fate would have it though, the Portuguese water Dog breed was introduced to one Vasco Bensuade, a wealthy Portuguese shipping magnate who had a fondness for dogs. Vasco Bensuade loved the breed and acquired a dog which he named Leao (lion).

It was through the efforts of Vasco Bensuade that the future of the Portuguese Water Dog was consolidated and a breed standard was written and the dogs thereafter soon began appearing in dog shows. Bensaude’s dog Leao became the founding sire of the kennel he set up to develop and sustain the Portuguese Water Dog breed at Algarbiorum, and Leao also became the standard upon which the Portuguese Water Dog breed was eventually based on.

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However despite Vasco Bensuade’s valiant efforts to revive the Portuguese Water Dog, by the 1960s the breed was once again teetering on the brink of extinction with only about 50 dogs in existence worldwide. Once again destiny’s kindly hand reached out to intervene this time in the form of two Americans; Deyanne and Herbert Miller, Jr. The Millers acquired a Portuguese Water Dog from the very same Algarbiorum Kennel that Vasco Bensuade had established in the 1930s (and which was later acquired after his death by a former lady bullfighter, Conchita Branco).

The Millers named the dog that they acquired Renascenca (renaissance) do Al Gharb with high hopes of saving the breed with former founding sire Leao’s descendant. The Millers were successful in their endeavors forming in 1972, along with fourteen other breeders established, the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, Inc. (PWDCA). Today there are in existence over 5000 Portuguese Water dogs and the breed was admitted to the American Kennel Club in June of 1981 under the miscellaneous category.

The crowning achievement of the Portuguese Water Dog breed’s fight of survival is that in 2009 it was been short-listed as a very strong contender to become part of the First family in the White House as the First Canine. For lovers of this breed such news is a mixed bag because although the resultant popularity will increase breed awareness it will also lead in a surge of backyard breeders, puppy mills pushing the breed and fly-by-night dog owners who are inspired by the sudden publicity and popularity to acquire a Portuguese Water Dog only to abandon it sooner than later!

The Portuguese Water dog breed is a gregarious, fun-loving pet that boasts an excellent and balanced disposition. The dog gets along very well with other pets including dogs and also does extremely well with children. This breed has a high affectionate and playfulness level that is more than sufficient to delight and endear any child making it an ideal family pet.

In keeping with its ancestral and genetic pedigree this active dog breed needs plenty of physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis if it is not to become a nuisance. Ideally the physical activity should be in the form of a daily swim to sate the dog’s love of water but failing that then a long brisk walk or daily jog should suffice. The Portuguese Water Dog does best when closely integrated and involved with its human family. The coat of this dog breed should be combed every other day in order to prevent matting and clumping and it should also be clipped on a monthly basis.

PRAGM1 storage disease; Distichiasis; Addisons; CHD; Juvenile Cardiomyopathy; Follicular dysplasia (hair loss); Irritable bowel syndrome (rare); Seizures (rare)

10 – 14 years

The Portuguese Water Dog is a well proportioned canine that is slightly longer than it is tall. The breed is of medium build with good musculature and has excellent stamina to work on or out of the water for long durations. This breed exists in two coat variations:

• The long-haired variant also known as the Cao de Agua de Pelo Ondulado in Portugal; and
• The curly-coated variant which is known as the Cao de Agua de Pelo Encaradolado.

The Portuguese Water Dog is also a good choice of dog breed for allergy sufferers because it is hypo to non-allergenic (especially the curly-coated variant).

Like the better known Labrador Retriever that also loves swimming the feet of the Portuguese Water Dog have webbed toes to assist movement whilst in the water.

The coat of this breed is generally trimmed in two variations:

• Here the rear-end of the dogs body is closely cropped giving the impression of a male lion with a mane; hence the name. The historical value of this type of trim was that supposedly by trimming the dogs coat on the rear half of its body drag was reduced when the dog was swimming. The close trim extends to the tip of the tail which is left untouched as a bushy tuft.

• Here the coat of the Portuguese Water Dog is clipped consistently across its entire length to approximately 1 inch in length.

Acceptable coat colors of this breed include: black, brown, white or any combination of black and white or brown and white.

More About The Dog

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Small Non Shedding Dogs – Dog Shedding Problems

Small non shedding dogs are generally hypoallergenic. Hundreds of thousands, even millions around the world love animals, but alergies and sneezing as well as sore eyes due to hair stop them from being owners of these cute little creatures. However, there is a soloution, non shedding dogs!

The term non shedding refers to dogs that are minimal to literally no hair loss. These dogs release only a small amount of dander, basically small scales on the skin that flake offer and cause people to have allergies. However, those with allergies should still make sure the particular breed can be around them; you wouldn’t want to take a dog home only to relise you have to send him back!

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Reasearch has been done on different dog breeds that fit the non shedding catergory. If you are on the lookout for small non shedding dogs, there are a few that are recommended. The Airedale Terrier, Boston Terrier, Basenji, Havanese and Maltese are all non shedding dogs, we encourage you to click the link below if you are interested in learning more about these dogs and others.

You can find hundreds of non shedding dog shelters and homes around, take one in today and save a little dog now. Before heading to the pet shop to pick up a pet that has been cared and loved for and will continue to be, head over to your local animal adoption center and try to save a life.

For more information on dog shedding in general, please

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Dog Breeding Methods

Are you considering breeding dogs? Before you go ahead there are some important things you need to know…

For example, did you know that many dog owners prefer purebred dogs? Even when breeding the same breeds, there is often a tendency to unknowingly produce different traits and characteristics with each individual dog. As you can see, dog breeding is not a simple undertaking and I strongly recommend you do not consider dog breeding without first acquiring the required knowledge.

You must be willing to invest the time and money before you can see the benefits of your efforts, but once you do begin to breed dogs successfully, it can be both rewarding and profitable.

So where should you start?

Well, you should first consider the following questions;

Are you aware of the Breeding Standards? Which dog breed do you favour and wish to breed? Can you find a pair of dogs to breed, that have the characteristics you require? Have you thought about the temperament of any particular breed?

You should also consider different breeds and their character traits, as well as what you are hoping to achieve from breeding. For example, do you wish to improve the breed? Do you wish to retain particular traits and qualities in your chosen breed?

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You really need to be able to answer these questions before you start breeding and if you can’t yet answer them, then some further reading and research is required.

The breeding methods will vary depending on what you want to achieve from breeding? It also depends on whether you are cross breeding, out breeding, inbreeding, line breeding or using purebreds etc.

Cross breeding is simply the method of breeding two dogs of differing breeds.

The problem with cross bred dogs is that it is much harder to breed the required characteristics you hope for and if you are not happy with the results, it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Another method is out breeding. This is a highly skilled breeding style and should only be undertaken by knowledgeable breeders. The general principle is to remove any undesirable traits from the dog by breeding it out. Picking a mate is crucial here and the breed must possess such a trait for at least the previous three generations. Following out breeding the dog can be breed back to its original breeding line, minus the undesirable trait or with the improved trait.

Out breeding makes it very difficult to produce consistent breeds with the same traits, characteristics and temperament.

Yet another method of dog breeding is line breeding. This is the most popular method and is ideal for beginners. It involves breeding closely related dogs and results in off spring with the same qualities and temperaments. If you wish to concentrate purely on one breed then line breeding is the way to go.

The above three methods are the ones you should definitely study if you want to be a dog breeder. Remember dog breeding can be done with great success but be sure to understand the principles and do your research before you attempt to breeding either for a hobby or for profit.

Choosing a Dog Breed: Large Dogs

The only real dogs are big dogs. Perhaps only a large dog could have made the incredible journey from Scotland to Yorkshire Lassie undertook in “Lassie Come Home.” The original Lassie movie was not only the best Lassie film, but one of the greatest children’s films ever made. It starred a very young Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowall. The faithful and determined Lassie was played by a Rough Collie named Pal. If you are considering buying or adopting a large dog, it is important to research the different dog breeds beforehand. Each dog breed has different characteristics and only the right ones will be the right fit for your family and home.

Labrador Retriever- These wonderful family and sporting dogs can be yellow, black or chocolate in color. Labs are intelligent, versatile and friendly dogs. They are good around children and other dogs. Their coat is not long, but it is a double coat so they require regular grooming. Labs are large and active dogs, so having a yard would be preferable.

German Shepherd- The famous Rin Tin Tin was rescued from WWI France and brought to the US where he starred in many movies. Rin Tin Tin IV later starred in the 1950′s TV series “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin.” Today this breed is often employed as police, guard and service dogs, though they can also be loyal family dogs. These dogs are big and strong and possess a herding instinct, so good training is essential. This highly trainable and dependable breed requires regular grooming and exercise.

Collie- Rough Collies and Smooth Collies are considered varieties of the same breed in the US and Canada, while in the UK they are considered separate breeds. Other breeds of collie include the medium sized Border Collie, and the Bearded Collie (15th breed below). Smooth Collies have short hair while Rough Collies have a gorgeous, full coat. Today, Rough and Smooth Collies are primarily family and show dogs, unlike their herding ancestors.  With training, they can be great with children and other pets. These gentle and intelligent dogs require regular exercise and grooming. The Smooth Collie actually requires more grooming even though it has shorter hair.

Golden Retriever- Like Labs, Goldens are great family dogs, hunting retrievers, and versatile service dogs. Goldens have longer hair, having a beautiful double coat that can be various shades of gold. They require more regular grooming. Highly intelligent, gentle and friendly, this breed is an ideal family pet. These dogs are very good with children and other dogs and pets. This is an active breed that likes companionship and regular exercise. Having a yard is preferable.

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Rottweiler- When you hear a ‘ruff’ or ‘bark’ from behind you, be assured it is not a Rottweiler; this breed is only capable of saying ‘woof.’ The thick Rottweiler is not the biggest breed, but it may be the most powerful. These dogs are versatile working dogs and excellent guard dogs. However, this breed has a much calmer demeanor than the Doberman Pinscher. Rottweilers can be family dogs, but good training is essential. These protective dogs require regular exercise, but grooming requirements are minimal.

Doberman Pinscher- Like the Rottweiler, the Doberman usually has a black coat with tan markings. Dobermans also are excellent guard dogs. The muscular Doberman is smaller than the Rottweiler, but is faster and more active. Doberman Pinschers are a very aggressive breed, so being experienced at handling dogs is very important when acquiring one.  They are not good around small children and other pets. They are an active breed needing regular exercise and have a high capacity for training. Grooming requirements are minimal.

Boxer- The square-faced Boxer is a solid service and working dog. These dogs are loyal companions and protective, making them good guard dogs. With training, they are good around children and other pets. They like companionship and regular exercise. Only minimal grooming is required. Like all of the previous breeds, having a fenced yard would be preferable. An apartment is possible with daily walks or outdoor exercise.

Saint Bernard- The famous rescue dog of the Swiss Alps, the St. Bernard is one of the biggest breeds by weight. These big dogs are intelligent, loyal and protective, making great family dogs. They are good around children and other pets. Putting up with some drool and regular grooming are downsides. These dogs should be regularly exercised, and having a yard is preferable. St. Bernards should not be placed in hot climates.

Siberian Husky- Siberians are the most popular breed of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. They have great endurance and like to work. These dogs are good around children and large dogs, but not around smaller pets. Siberians need to be in a cool climate and can tolerate extremely cold temperatures. These dogs require regular grooming and exercise. They are not apartment dogs.

Great Dane- The gentle giant is one of the world’s tallest dogs and the world record for dog height belongs to a Great Dane named Gibson. These dogs are often guard dogs, but also make good family pets. With training, these amiable dogs are good around children and other dogs. They need regular exercise and having a yard is essential. Grooming requirements are minimal.

German Shorthaired Pointer- This intelligent and active breed has a coat of liver (brown), or liver and white. These dogs are tireless, versatile gun and hunting dogs. They are good for an active family and do well around children. With training, they can get along with other dogs. The GSP is a loyal watchdog who needs regular exercise and minimal grooming. This is not an apartment dog.

Greyhound- The distinctively shaped Greyhound is the world’s fastest dog breed. These dogs can have coats of almost any color. They are versatile hunting dogs that make good family pets.  With training, they do well around children and other dogs. Smaller pets are a bad idea and a fenced yard is a necessity. Greyhounds need regular exercise, but only minimal grooming.

Mastiff- One of the largest dog breeds in the world is the Mastiff. There are many types of Mastiff such as the English Mastiff, Bullmastiff and Tibetan Mastiff. This loyal and protective breed is often used as a guard dog. Despite their massive appearance these dogs are known to be gentle family companions. They are not recommended around small children and other pets. Regular exercise is a good idea, while only minimal grooming is necessary.

English Setter, Irish Setter, Gordon Setter- These handsome and elegant breeds of dog were originally hunting companions. The English and Irish Setters were bird dogs that developed into pointers. The Gordon Setter can be used as a personal bird dog. Today, these dogs make wonderful family pets. The setters require a lot of exercise and attention. They require regular grooming and having a yard is recommended.

Bearded Collie- This long haired, shaggy dog is almost a medium sized dog. This herding breed is related to the Old English Sheepdog. These active and playful dogs make good family pets. They are good around children and other pets. These dogs require regular exercise and grooming. A yard is recommended.

Old English Sheepdog- Their hair has a tendency to cover their eyes. This shaggy dog is larger than the Bearded Collie. These jolly dogs make wonderful family pets. They are affectionate and good around children. They can also be a bit clumsy and may try to herd things. They require regular exercise and grooming as they will shed during the warmer months.

Toy Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs of Toy Dog Breeds – Top 10 Dogs of Toy Dog Breeds

The Toy Group includes most of the lap dogs and very small and miniature breeds sized apartment pet. Toy Dogs crucial role in the lives of people living alone and their presence can have beneficial effects on health of the sick, elderly and housebound. Toys are popular companion dogs for people living in cities and adapt well to apartment life. Many toys distrust foreigners and make great watchdogs and do not need a lot of exercise beyond what they get running around and playing inside. Toys make great traveling companions and are readily accepted almost everywhere. Breeds of dog toys are always hard to tame, but usually adapt well to apartment life. If your toy is not completely house trained after 3 months, then you should seek professional help. Toddlers and children are too harsh for dogs that bite in May in self defense. Top 10 breeds of the most popular toy in the U.S. according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations are discussed below and their registration rank is included in parentheses. The inclusion of the Toy Poodle as # 2 is wrong because its classification is composed of a total of all 3 Poodle varieties – Toy, Miniature and Standard. It probably belongs somewhere in the top ten, but not in position # 2.

The Yorkie (# 3) almost overtook the Golden Retriever as the second most popular dog in the United States in 2005. This small sturdy dog is very popular because it has all the admirable attributes of larger dogs but in miniature. The typical Yorkie plays hard and has boundless energy. With persistence a Yorkie can be obedience trained. Some are bright and learn quickly, while others are more stubborn and obstinate. Yorkies get along well with other pets, but they can be very possessive of their food and toys. The Yorkshire makes a better pet for older children and calmer. The Yorkshire will bark at strangers, often in a shrill voice. Early socialization is required so that the dog does not become too shrill and to ensure the barking is controlled.

Poodle (Toy)

All the wonderful things you can say about a Standard Poodle do not all apply to the toy or miniature versions. Toy Poodles (#  have less than 11 inches at shoulder height, but even the American Kennel Club standards apply to all sizes. Toys are generally more sensitive than the standard and are also more active, louder and less confident. Early socialization and training to curb excessive barking and leg lifting is required. Even if these dogs are very small, they still enjoy many walks Playtime and long term. Toy Poodles will do fine with older children and caring.

Shih Tzu

The exotic looking Shih Tzu (# 9) is one of the strongest and most robust of the toy dog breeds. Shih Tzus are intelligent, playful, affectionate, friendly, confident and outgoing. Shih Tzu dogs to pet dogs and residence for the elderly. These charming and personable dogs are devoted to their owners and their families. They make great traveling companions and rarely show aggressive behavior toward strangers or strange animals. The breed does very well with older, children and caring.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua (# 11) is the smallest breed of toy dog. Chihuahuas are intelligent, charming and loving dogs who are devoted to their owners. This breed needs close contact with his family and make good companions. Chihuahuas can have delusions of grandeur and self-confidence and will challenge much larger dogs. Chihuahuas are good with older children if raised with them. Chihuahuas are intelligent and can be trained fairly easily. Some Chihuahuas can be extremely unstable and are prone to excessive barking and early socialization and training while a puppy is recommended.

Pug

The Pug (# 12) is a small sturdy dog that is one of the most popular and largest of the toy dog breeds. This dog is small and charming, adorable and playful will make you laugh. The Pug is a companion even tempered, easygoing, pleasant and friendly. This sturdy, small dog breed gets along well with children and other pets although toddlers and young children should be carefully monitored to ensure they do not hurt each other. The Pug does not need much training but enjoys the process and it is fairly easy to train.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians (# 14) or poms are one of the smallest breeds of dog toy. The Pom is lively, vivid and lively. This breed is a keen extrovert who is very inquisitive and must check all the activities going on around him. The Pom is a dog toy proud and confident, even arrogant, which requires early and thorough socialization with strangers to minimize its tendency to bark. This toy breed is intelligent, eager to learn and takes readily to positive and gentle training.

Maltese

The Maltese is one of the smartest and sweetest of all breeds toy dog. This dog is lively and agile little toy likes to play games. This toy breed is cheerful, loving, playful, intelligent and a great personality. Maltese should have early socialization while they are puppies to give them more confidence and overcome their distrust of foreigners and reduce their tendency to bark. Maltese enjoy obedience training and some will do well in obedience and agility competitions. This toy breed does fine with older children and considerate.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher Min Pin or are most active and lively of all breeds toy dog. Pinscher full of energy, alert, loyal, intelligent and very courageous for their size. Min Pins think they are much larger than their toy size and can be aggressive toward other dogs. These toy dogs can be stubborn and need lots of early socialization and obedience training while puppies. The breed does fine with older considerate children and pets. Outside, this toy breed should be on a leash or in a secure fenced yard as they can quickly disappear.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (# 31) is a graceful and happy toy spaniel that is larger than its close relative, the English Toy Spaniel. The Cavalier is a gentle, even-tempered, happy and playful little dog. Cavaliers make excellent family dogs who still love to play with small children (always under supervision of course). The Cavalier finds all humans charming and loves to cuddle and snuggle in their laps in their beds. However, these comfort loving Spaniels love to run in the yard and Chase chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. Cavaliers are easy to train but require early socialization as puppies to overcome their natural shyness.

Butterfly

Le Papillon (# 35) is one of the oldest European toy dog breeds and the French word for butterfly was used to describe this lively toy breed with erect ears butterfly. The Papillon is a dog friendly, loving and intelligent which is much more robust than it appears. The PAP is definitely not a dog and is spirited, active and loves to play outside and go for a walk. This breed is very intelligent and can be trained to be a good agility and obedience dog for competitions. If the slurry is socialized early and trained properly, and not pampered and spoiled, it becomes a confident and outgoing companion who gets along well with older children and animals.

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Popular Dog Breeds For Apartment Living

Not everyone lives in a home with a large backyard but they do want the ability to welcome a furry family member into their home. Unfortunately not every breed will adapt to apartment living but luckily there are countless breeds that would thrive in a smaller area and would not require as much room as a larger breed.

For those that are looking to purchase or rescue a dog here is an overview of the best dog breeds for apartment living.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkshire Terrier originated from England and was named after the city of Yorkshire. This breed was originally used in the nineteenth century to catch rats in clothing mills and was considered to be a working dog. After a period of time Yorkshire Terriers transitioned from the working status to a close companion of prominent English families.

Today the Yorkshire Terrier is one of the most popular breeds of dogs. They are small and will only grow to about 7 pounds. Because of their size they don’t require a lot of space however like every dog they need a good long walk daily and plenty of playtime.

A bonus with this breed is they are easy to house train and are hypoallergenic.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians served as an able herder of sheep in its larger form. They were not well known until 1870, when the kennel Club in England recognized the so called Spitz dog. However in 1888, Queen Victoria fell in love with a Pomeranian in Florence, Italy, and brought the little Pom back to England.

Today the Pomeranian is great for apartment living because of its compact size. Weighing in at only 3-7 pounds they are outgoing, friendly, vocal, highly intelligent, and eager to please their owner. This breed is fairly simple to train, and a favorite of both apartment and condominium dwellers.

A bonus with this breed is they don’t require walks as frequently as other breeds do which is convenient for the owner that can’t be home the entire day.

Chinese Crested

The Chinese Crested were stowed aboard ships to hunt vermin and by the mid-nineteenth century they began appearing in European art and entries of the breed in American dog shows began in the late 1800.

Today this breed is popular because it only grows from 11 to 13 inches tall and some are hairless. Although this breed is prone to skin irritations and can frequently sunburn they are recommended by the AKC for those with allergies.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua’s were used in religious ceremonies and were pets to the upper class. The breed gets its name from the Mexican State of Chihuahua, where the earliest specimens of the breed were found.

Today this little breed is generally under 6 pounds and not likely to grow larger. They are very vocal dogs and should be socialized early. They are great with children and have a playful spirit making it easier to bond with their owner.

A bonus with this breed is they do well with those that have allergies and they thrive on attention.

For those that do not live in a single family home any one of these dogs will make a great roommate and will adjust just fine to condominium or apartment living.

Source

American Kennel Club

6 Answers For What Dog Breed is Good to Grow up With a Newborn Baby

             6  Answers for what dog breed is good to grow up with a newborn  baby

Boston Terriers are very low maintance with grooming and amazing family dogs. We have a Boston Terrier and he’s just so amazing however we don’t have any kids but when kids come around he listens great and just loves to play with them and cuddle on them. Yes he loves to cuddle. Our niece and nephew came to stay with us for a week from out of state and they would say commands and he’d listen no problem. They really are great family dogs.

Labs. They fit all of your criteria AND they have a high pain tolerance witch is good for little kids because they can pat the dog, Pull its hair ( little kids do this) and the dog wont bite. It mostly wont evan care! You would probably want to get the dog first so it is an adult by the time you bring in the baby. Lab adults are calmer than Lab puppies

Golden retrivers are friendly and so is my chihuahua mix breed. but dont go with a pure bred chihuhua b/c they are loud and will disturb thebaby. mix breed chihuahuas are also more calm and would live longer b/c chihuahuas live to be 20+. i think its nice to have a small dog, but if thats not for you then go with a Golden Retriver.

Truly, I don’t. I know it sounds ideal, baby and puppy, but to be honest, new mums have quite enough to deal with, usually, without bringing a puppy into the mix, who in reality, is just another baby, and maybe even more demanding. I’d wait until your child is at least 5, by which time he/she will be up on their feet. Puppies will have accidents, and you really don’t need a baby crawling around the floor!! And with respect, babies don’t know a puppy is a living being and can, when not supervised totally, pull ears, tug tails and so on. And puppies are not active and calm, any breed!

Wait – when your child is older, he can join in looking after the puppy which would be far better.

Newfoundland! They are truly the best family dog and will watch after the baby protectively. They are gentle, sweet, and instinctively save people. They are used as rescue dogs. Whenever anybody is swimming, they patrol around the pool, watching and waiting to save someone from drowning. If you are at the beach and a child is in the water, they stand between the child and the deep water. They are great dogs, however…….

No dog at all. Parents should not buy a dog for a child under 7 years of age.Sorry but that’s my view.on the subject. When the time comes to buy the dog a Whippet, a Maltese terrier,J/Russell Terrier make lovely pets.

Good luck

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Doggable: Lovable Dogs Come in Different Sizes

Doggable: Lovable Dogs Come in   Different SizesDogs of different breeds are all the same species of canines How can they look so different and have the same genes?

“If you can’t decide between a Shepherd, a Setter or a Poodle, get them all … adopt a mutt!” – ASPCA  http://www.i-love-dogs.com/

Dogs are all the same on the inside! Canines come in so many shapes and sizes from 150 pound St. Bernard to the pocket pups that weigh a few pounds.  Some dogs have upright ears, or long floppy ears.  Some have blue eyes or black tongues. Some are furry and fluffy and some are short hair.  They have different kinds of fur, and different colored fur.  Yet they are all the same species, and they all share the same DNA that makes them part of the canine family.  All dogs, no matter what their size can trace their genetic roots to the grey wolf.  Once dogs separated from the wolf, today’s dogs can trace their genetic ancestry to 3 female dogs.  So with all this lineage being able to be traced back to the grey wolves, who all look alike, how can dogs be the most varied land species on earth?  Dogs hold the record for having the biggest difference in body size among the same species.

 

It all started way back when:

Dogs origination can be traced back to about 15,000 years ago.  The American Kennel Club (AKC)  recognizes over 150 breeds of dogs. There are more than 400 types of  dog breeds around the world.  Add to this, the new hybrid purebreeds, the mutts of the world, and the dogs who roam the streets, and you have a lot of different types of dogs  Each time dogs reproduce of  different breeds, a new type of dog can result.  This is because mixed breeds of dogs show much more DNA variation.  With only about 7 different areas that hold big portions of genes in a dog, it allows for more of the variations we see between the dog breeds. In comparison, humans have much more variables in their genetic makeup, which makes the “battle of the genes” much more complex.

It was fairly easy for humans to breed dogs to bring out specific desired traits. Selective breeding started about 5,000 years ago.  When people desired to have a dog that would provide protection or be useful for hunting, herding, or going after the rodent population they bred those dogs for their specialty.  Dogs were even bred as symbols of prosperity and wealth.  This type of breeding sped up the evolutionary process of genetic reproduction. On one hand this selective breeding helped make man’s chores easier.  Dogs faithfulness, loyalty, and ability to be bred for specific purposes ensured their survival for as long as man’s.  Dogs have benefitted from advances humans would make over the centuries and would also suffer detriments from inbreeding due to high demands of certain breeds.  There are about 8 million dogs in the UK. The population of dogs as pets in the U.S. is about 50 million plus the wild dogs, makes canines a very successful reproductive species.   In comparison, the wolves, the dog’s ancestors number approximately 150,000.  Dogs desire to adapt themselves to man’s lifestyle and man’s desire to take care of  these animals, and breed them for their specific traits, has created easier breeding possibilities for dogs, than if they were left to fend for themselves in the wild.  Intensive breeding over 500 years has led to the variety of today’s dogs.

 

Dogs have always been man’s best friend. Charles Darwin though dogs were diverse because of a mixture of coyotes, wolves and jackals.  But this thinking was well before DNA and genetic tests were available.  Now DNA shows a proof positive trail that leads to the grey wolf (canis lupis).  Dogs split from the wolf 135,000 years ago. Throughout the centuries, people bred dogs for their abilities and skills that make them good at hunting and retrieving like pointers, hounds, and retrievers.  People wanted dogs to help get rid of vermin and rodents, and terriers became popular.  People needed help from their canine companions to run down prey, the greyhounds were selectively bred.  Some dogs were bred for their looks and used as a status of wealth.  Human offsprings are a genetic mix of their parents.  The genes are a result of the “average” of these inherited genes, and determine a person’s phenotype, physical makeup.  Dogs were bred for their inherited characteristics, and are determined by the interaction of multiple pairs of genes.  Dog genes create a brand new mix of genes.  Darwin has taught us that evolutionary changes come from successful reproductive traits based on the environmental conditions.  Most species did not evolve randomly, but due to “natural selection” and “survival of the species”.  Dog breeds were are still are created by humans and did not evolve.  People selectively chose dogs based on their physical attributes.  Evolution takes millions of years.  Breeding takes a few generations.  Because of the way gene clusters exist in dogs, cross breeding dogs doesn’t “average” these genes, like humans.  The way a dogs genes works, causes a whole new dog never seen before, known as “phylogenetically bizarre”.   All dogs have the same number of chromosomes, the differences we see physically come about because the sequences in the gene changes.  In essence, dogs have an amazing ability to show different expressions of the same genes like different versions.  Humans purposefully chose dogs for their desired traits that helped them in their tasks and with their needs.  

 Dogs are very different from each other because of man’s intervention.  We helped dogs become a very successful species.  We have hurt them in some ways due to over breeding, but they have benefitted from the technological and scientific discoveries that has helped humans progress through time. We love our dogs, nurture them, and treat them as members of family. The loyalty and love they give us in return make dogs a universal symbol of friendship and faithfulness.   While each dog lover, may have a particular size or type of dog they prefer, dog lovers don’t need DNA tests to tell us how similar they are. We already knew that dogs don’t have to look alike on the outside, to be the same on the inside. If only people would do that with each too.

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Pedigree Pups or Mix breed Mutts? Which is Best?

Sis. K.M. Hartfield ©2006

          Most people who are not familiar with dog breeding don’t know the truth about the problems associated with registered animals with pedigrees.  Almost all AKC, UKC, and CKC registered animals will face genetically based health problems at some time in their lives.  These health problems are so rampant due to the systematic and continued inbreeding of limited gene pools, though many of these purebreds were originally derived from early crossbreeds many years ago.  These earlier crossbreeds had few genetically based problems, but as each breed continued to be interbred with close relations, they inevitably inherited many of the same defective genes that were suppressed in their early ancestors.   These genes, which are often dominant in purebreds, are usually recessive in un-papered and mixed breeds and rarely cause considerable health problems. 

            When considering the purchase of a new pedigreed pet, consider that the cost of raising a papered animal will likely be much more than having a mixed breed due to higher veterinary expenses, not to mention the initial expense of purchasing the pedigreed puppy. Often a person’s reasons for wanting a papered, full blood animal are simply those of maintaining their status in the community. And when you buy expensive papered animals you inevitably encourage the breeding and sale of them, rather than the adoption of the many unwanted animals already in existence. You should also consider that you may even have to put a papered animal down sooner due to unforeseen health problems than you might would with a healthier un-papered or mix breed.  The books I’ve read on breeding animals suggest that animals with known genetic defects shouldn’t be bred, but from what I’ve seen, in practice most breeders ignore this and breed their animals anyway.  Some of these genetic problems are minor and can be dealt with by the owner or with minor veterinary treatment, while others are extensive and can become major health threats to your family’s new pet. 

            So now you may be wondering just what is the purpose of buying /selling a registered animal?  One of the main reasons for registering animals is to prove that their ancestry several generations back were in fact full or purebloods.  Another reason is to show that the animal is “show quality” for the purpose of entering it in the prominent dog shows and dog trials, which also encourages the buying/selling of them.  There are many excellent choices of “pet quality” animals that may not be registered because of some perceived physical or behavioral characteristic, such as undocked tails or un-cropped ears on certain breeds that would be considered an undesirable trait and a “disqualification” by some judges in dog shows. And finally, one of the least known reasons for registering animals, and the best kept secrets is simply for breeders to raise the price on the sale of puppies! Breeders breed their animals to fulfill the law of supply and demand. When buyers demand purebreds, breeders will breed them. The greater the demand is, the higher the price is, as well.  AKC and UKC registered animals sell from 0 and up.  CKC Puppies are usually a bit less pricey, though this is fast becoming a fact of the past.  CKC registration is much less stringent and just about any dog that appears full blood can be registered with 2 witnesses of the dogs ancestral heritage and a couple of photographs.  Even “mutts” available at the local dog pound for adoption, of which most have been “fixed” before placement, are reaching the 0 dollar mark due to neutering and spaying costs. But the healthier mixed breed animals are probably the very animals that should not be fixed.  They might just be the only healthy animals left for future generations of dog lovers. But with the systematic extermination and “fixing” of these healthier “mutts” in local dog pounds, commonly called “humane” societies, the dog population will soon be dominated by unhealthy animals–with papers, of course! 

End Note: To Crop or not to Crop

            As far as tail and ear cropping goes, the practice was originally begun for reasons that are usually not still valid today.  Most of the time it is done for purely aesthetic reasons and isn’t necessary for “pet quality” animals.  For working and hunting animals it may still be practical, and it is often still a requirement for “show quality” animals. Personally I say leave ‘em like God intended ‘em to be!

For Further Reading:

Barron’s Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds, 2nd Ed.

Designer Dog Breeds

The term “designer dog” is one made up by the media and it’s just another way of saying a cross between two purebred dogs. In other words, a mixed breed, heinz 57 or mutt. The question remains whether it’s necessary to intentionally breed dogs like this when we have millions of dogs just like them sitting in shelters.

Of course there are differences between the average mutt and a “designer dog”. With a mutt, there is often uncertainty surrounding the ancestry. You can never know for certain what you’re getting whereas with a dog that has been deliberately crossbred you know exactly who it’s parents are and what kind of dog.

There are arguments that hybrid dogs are healthier because they are cross bred. This is false. Hybrid dogs can have health problems just like any other dog. You are still crossing two purebred dogs, they are just from different breeds. That having been said, the percentage of hybrid dogs with genetic problems is much lower than purebred dogs.

It’s also important to note that you cannot pick and choose which genes your dog will inherit. Those who are looking for a Golden Retriever’s personality with the non-shedding/hypo allergenic factors of the poodle look to the Goldendoodle and are often disappointed when they get the poodle’s personality with the Golden’s fur.

While it’s true that all breeds were at one time mutts, it seems wrong that many of these “designer breeds” cost more than their purebred parents. Many shelter dogs are mixed breeds that are looking for good homes at a fraction of the cost that these breeders are asking for.

If you do decide to purchase one of these breeds, make sure that you meet both parents so that you can get a better idea of the type of temperament your puppy will have.

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