Sporting Group

Breed History: This dog is also known as the Portuguese Fishing Dog among many other names. As per the name, this dog originated in Portugal. PWDs have played an important part in the Portuguese fishing industry for centuries. The dogs were used to herd fish, retrieve lines, and deliver messages from boat to boat. With the decline of fishing in the beginning of the twentieth century, the breed came close to extinction but was saved by a wealthy fancier. It is now a popular companion throughout the world.

Breed Description: This is a sturdy, medium-size dog. It has a strong, broad head, the skull slightly longer than the muzzle. The eyes and broad nose are brown or black and the drop ears are heart shaped. The feet are webbed and covered with hair and the tail is medium length. The single coat may be wavy or curly and is kept in a lion or working clip. The coat may be black, white, brown, or a combination of these colors. PWDs are 17 to 23 inches tall and weigh 35 to 60 pounds.

Breed Temperament: PWDs are biddable and intelligent. They are devoted to family and have great endurance. They are spirited and courageous. They love the water and are excellent swimmers.

Energy Level: High

Notes: They do well with an individual or family in rural or suburban homes. They need regular exercise, grooming, and training.

Health Concerns: Addison's disease, cancer, cardiac problems, eye problems, gastrointestinal disease, hip dysplasia, skin allergies, and renal disease.

1.) Dogs carry 60% of their body weight on their front legs.

2.) Dogs can't visually focus on any object that is directly infront of their nose. Therefore, when an item is directly infront of their nose, they don't even try to look at it. Their sense of smell takes over.

3.) All canines are decendents of wolves.

4.) 99% of all dogs' genes are the same. Only 1% of their genes determine their breed.

5.) Dogs can infact see color, however it is muted. While they can see cool colors very well, and even different shades of black, warm colors all look yellowish to them.

6.) Dogs can tell who you are from a distance or in the dark just by the way you move.

7.) Black dogs are difficult to adopt out of shelters. No one seems to know why.

8.) Poodles were originally bred to be water dogs. Their funny haircuts were ment to keep their vital organs warm while in the water. Now they are just for show.

9.) Some researchers now believe that dogs do not have a pecking order.

10.) A dog's muscles rebuild every 75 days!

         Canine Psychology 101

It seems like not too long ago, that the words "dog" and "pyschology" were not often placed in the same sentence. And if they were in the same sentence together, people laughed and believed it to be a joke. People still laugh when they hear those two words together today, however with people like Cesar Millan on television, those two words are becoming more widely accepted in the same sentence and even as a job title.

Dog psychology is the study of the dog's mind. A dog psychologist is a person who uses what they are learning about the dog's mind too help solve behavior problems that various clients might be experiencing with their dogs. Reasons one might want a dog psychologist rather than a dog trainer are behaviors such as: Extreme aggression (Red Zone), extreme fearfulness or timidness, and obsessive behaviors that interfere with everyday routines and life. A dog psychologist can observe a dog in action and tell by different cues the dog is giving off as to what might be causing the behavior problems. Sometimes certain behaviors stem from mental conditions, while others could be caused by bordem or even stress and cabin fever.

People sometimes tend to think that studying the mind of a dog is pointless. "How is it useful?" is one of the many questions I'm often asked. Actually, it is quite useful. Understanding canine psychology helps us understand how to better train our four legged friends as well as how to deal with their psychological problems and/or disorders. Which inturn helps us to live with them peacefully. Dogs are so much like us, and we've learned that through canine psychology. It has taught us how to better relate with our canine counter parts. We understand how their pack structures work and we can apply that to everyday life with our dogs.

Canine psychology is more than just a job or title to me, it's also a way of life. With out dogs, mankind would be at a loss. Dogs play such a huge role in our lives and it's absolutely satisfying to know that I know how, and can teach others how, to identify with them.

              Long Hair Dachshund

                Wirehair Dachshund

And Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me everyday. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me.

" And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know I love you, even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail.

And Adam said, "But Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and all the good names are taken and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but no one has taught him humility."

And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not worthy of adoration."

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Adam learned humility. And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved.

And Cat did not care one way or the other.

Working Group

Breed History: The Bullmastiff was developed in 1860 from the Mastiff and the Bulldog in Great Britain. It was bred to catch and hold poachers without hurting them. Breeders believed the cross created a dog that was fast but not aggressive. According to fanciers, the breed is more Mastiff than Bulldog.

Breed Description: The Bullmastiff is a large and powerful dog with a large, broad head and a short, blunt muzzle. When alert, the forehead wrinkles. The eyes are dark and nose is black. The medium-size, triangular drop ears are set wide apart. This dog has a broad, deep chest and muscular loins, with a long tail that may be curved or straight. The short, smooth coat is brindle, fawn, or red, with a dark muzzle and ears. There may be a small, white spot on the chest. Bullmastiffs are 24 to 27 inches tall and weigh 100 to 130 pounds.

Breed Temperament: This is a quiet, docile dog that is patient and gentle with friends and family, especially children. It can, however, be protective and territorial.

Energy Level: Low

Notes:  The Bullmastiff does well with a family and can adjust to most living situations but may be too large for apartment life. They require socialization and training.

Health Concerns: Bloat, eye problems, cardiac disease, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, kidney problems, panosteitis, and tumors.

Quote frome The Boston Family

Human Trick Of The Week!

Alright! Oreo here with your brand new trick of the week! Last week we talked about how to get your human to say "NO!" as many times as possible with in a five minuite time period. I hope you all had success!

 

This week's trick is designed to help teach you dogs to teach your humans how to properly go on walks!    

 

Step 1: Sit infront of your human and stare at him/her until he/she figures out that you want to go on a walk. (This may take some time... human's aren't that brite, and they can be lazy). If this takes too long, go to the door and paw at the knob. Some of you little guys may have to settle with pawing at the door itself. If this still doesn't get your human's attention, go and get the leash.. if you can.

 

Step 2: Make sure to run around like crazy so your human has to exercise to get the leash on you.

 

Step 3: Remember that the leash is attached to your collar or harness to give YOU control of your human!

 

Step 4: PULL! Pull on the leash as hard as you can.. humans can be heavy and stubborn! They are also slow, so pull extra hard until they can keep up. (You may be pulling for most of the walk).

 

Step 5: Give your human a break once and awhile by stoping on the nicest lawn in the neighborhood and doing your business. Humans like to admire grass for some reason, so this is their reward and a bathroom break for you. Two birds.. one meal! If your human is one of those that likes to pick up your doo... I'm sorry.. this is a gross habit, and there is no known cure.

 

Step 6: Make sure to involve your human in chases! Humans love to chase us and yell! If your human drops the leash, that's the signal to run like the wind! Your human will have a blast chasing you.

 

Remember, a tired human is a good human! Keep the walks packed with exercise and don't let your human get infront of you! You are the boss, not the human.

 

Good luck, and have fun!

 

Oreo

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Non Sporting Group

Breed History: Some other names for this cute little dog are, Continental toy spaniel, dwarf spaniel, phalene (drop ear version). These dogs were originally bred in France/Belgium. It is a bred-down version of larger spaniels. Its type is believed to date to at least 1500. Also known as the dwarf spaniel, the papillon was popular with noblewomen. Madame Pompadour and Marie Antoinette both had pet papillons.

Breed Description: The papillon is a small, fine-boned dog. It is slightly longer than it is tall. Its head is small with a thin, tapered muzzle, which is about a third of the length of the head. The nose is small and black and the eyes are round and dark. The large ears are naturally erect, resembling the spread wings of a butterfly, from which the breed takes its name, and are well fringed. Except for their drooping position, the ears of the phanlene are similar. The papillon has thin, harelike feet. Its long, plumed tail is carried arched over the back. It is single coated, with long, silky, straight hair. The backs of the forelegs are feathered, and the chest has a profuse frill. It is parti-colored but the nose, eye rims, and lips are always black. Papillons weigh anywhere from 3 to 9 pounds and are 8 to 11 inches tall.

Temperament: The papillon is an alert dog that is friendly toward almost everyone, including children and other animals.

Energy Level: Low

Notes: These dogs are very adaptable and do good in almost any positive living situation. They especially make great apartment dogs. Because they are not very active, they do well with disabled and elderly people. They do require grooming on a regular basis and socialization with other dogs and people.

Health Concerns: Liver shunt, luxating patellas, and PRA.

Quote from Doggy Times:

What is it about dogs?

Dogs... our canine companions and best friends. They can't talk to us, but we know what they are saying. They are always there when we need them.. unless they see a squirrel that is. They give us company, companionship, and unconditional love. They also keep us laughing. Some dogs help people to live their lives more easily by simply doing what comes natural to them. Some even climb through rubble and debris to save our lives, while others are busy keeping drugs, guns, and criminals off our streets. No matter what job we give our canine companions, they will always save us just by being with us when we need them. Simply petting a dog has proven to lower stress levels in people.

 

So, what is it about dogs that make us mesh with them so well? Is it simply that we are so much alike? Is it because it is easy to see dogs as people? Most owners I meet treat their dogs like kids. They dress them up, or let them sleep on their bed. They spend time with them watching T.V. and even eat supper with them. Once or twice, I come across an owner that even takes their dog through the drive thru for a special treat!

 

I guess dogs just fill a gap that some of us have. You're never alone with your dog by your side. Dogs don't judge us like people do. They simply love. They are our best friends. Dogs are happy-go-lucky creatures that love to lick and play. I don't think man has found any other creature on this earth that matches to our personality and fills the gap like dogs do. Sure, there are lots of animals out there to bond with. Birds, horses, and even cats! But they don't return the love nearly as much as a dog.

 

Dogs are care free, they don't care about what's going to happen tomorrow. They live in the here and now. I think that gives some of us comfort. Wouldn't it be great if we didn't feel we needed to worry about how things are going to turn out? If you ask me, dogs were placed here on earth to be an example for us all. If only all of us could learn to be more like dogs.

Herding Group

Breed History: The Belgian Malinois is also known as the Belgian Shepherd Dog, the Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Sheepdog, and Laekenois. Each is a variation of the same dog, except in the U.S. In the U.S. each variation is considered a different breed all together. The Belgian shepherds were developed in Belgium in the late nineteenth century as livestock guardians and herders. They were also used as police and military dogs. in 1891, a panel of dog experts explored whether there was on Begian shepherd dog that fit a particular standard. They determined that the Belgian shepherd dogs were similar in size and shape, but differed in coat length, texture, and color. These four were given names based on the villages or regions each was developed in.

Breed Description: The Belgian shepherd dogs are large, muscular, elegant, squarely built dogs. The head is strong with a muzzle that is moderately pointed and equal in length to the skull. They have dark brown, slightly almond-shaped eyes and large, triangular prick ears. These deep-chested shepherds differ by coat color, lenght, and texture. The Belgian Malinois has a short, straight, hard coat that is fawn to mahogany with black tips with a black mask and ears. The Belgian Tervuren has a long double coat and is fawn to mahogany with black tips. The Belgian sheepdog (Groenendael) has a long black coat, and the Belgian Laekenois has a wiry fawn to mahogany coat with black overlay. They are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 40 to 80 pounds.

Breed Temperament: These are intelligent, highly trainable dogs with a strong work drive. They are affectionate with their families but reserved with strangers, both protective and territorial. They are highly energetic and responsive but tend to be one-person dogs.

Energy Level: High

Notes: Belgian shepherd dogs do best with active, dog-experienced owners in rural or suburban homes. They require attention, a job or activity, positive training, and socialization at a young age.

Health Concerns: Anesthesia sensitivity, cancer, epilepsy, hip and elbow dysplasia, PRA, and thyroid problems.

   Belgian Sheepdog                                  

            Belgian Tervuren

Laekenois not pictured.