Dog Show Saturday, The Newfoundland Dog

I am a person who likes the heat, green grass, warm weather,........summer.  I'm in a countdown until the first day of spring right now and having a hard time getting into this winter stuff, as usual.  

Since I'm trying to find the positive in these cold months, I figured I'd research a dog that enjoys the winter. Today I'm going to explore a breed of dog that is NOT into summer but actually prefers the cold stuff; the Newfoundland. My information and pictures comes from the internet, especially the AKC site and Dogtime.com, as well as the Newfies I've had the opportunity to meet.

The Newfie, as this dog is also known, comes in black, brown, black and white, and grey, according to AKC.  They are very LARGE dogs and shed alot!  Plus, if you have a Newfie, be prepared for drool!  These guys are, however, known to be real sweethearts; so much so that their temperament is considered a key characteristic.

Believe it or not, Newfies as a breed originate in Newfoundland, Canada.  Their development is a pretty unclear; including breeds such as the Great Pyrenees, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Husky, the Black Wolf (extinct), or others.  They did come from Newfoundland but almost died out there due to a situation with taxing working dogs in the 1700s. They were heavily bred in England and many of the dogs currently around trace back to those roots.

These gentle giants were bred to be working dogs.  They have extremely thick, water repellent coats, as well as large webbed feet, to help keep them warm in cold water and excel in their work as fisherman's assistant. Newfies are very strong swimmers and have been known to rescue those who are in danger of drowning. These guys are also used to pull carts, etc., because of their strength and size.

As useful as their other features are, their best feature seems to be their goodness.  Newfies are natural nannies.  One such dog is Nana in the story of Peter Pan.  

Other famous Newfoundland dogs are President Buchanan's Lara and the Newfies of Sir Edwin Landseer.    

Newfies are excellent for families with kids.  They do need daily exercise and want to be a part of the family but they are pretty laid back.  These guys require lots of grooming. And keeping a clean house might be a trick with all the drool and the dirt that tends to stick to their coats.  However, they are very trainable and willing to please.

I don't see many of them for other stuff, but cool coats sure do them wonders.  Heat is not easy on these guys and extra measures are needed to keep them comfortable.

Showdog Saturday, the Italian Greyhound

Since I make dog clothes, I see alot of Italian Greyhounds.  They are smooth coated and seem to always be cold so they are excellent customers!  As per usual, the internet is a great place to research stuff.  I use the AKC breed site and doginfo.com for much of my info.

I was curious about their history because, although Jessie is a Miniature Australian Shepherd, she reminds me alot of an Italian Greyhound with a long coat.  Can you see the resemblance?  Turns out there are some similarities!  

Turns out that Italian Greyhounds have been around for a LONG time.  There are images of dogs like these from 2,000 years ago.  They were favorites with the royals because of their elegant looks and small size.  IGs were often portrayed in portraits with their owners in the Middle Ages.

                                          

Experts debate about whether they were bred as hunters of small game or as companion animals. Being sighthounds, they have the instinct to hunt and can actually run around 25 miles per hour. They are also very affectionate and make excellent companions. Maybe they are bred for both.

Here is a comparison picture of the Italian Greyhound (left) with one of his larger relatives, the whippet (right).  Both, as sighthounds, are long and refined and built to run  However, the IG has a smaller head and chest isn't as deep in comparision to the rest of his body.

These guys are very loving to family but a bit reserved with strangers.  They do have a large bark so can be great watchdogs.  They are fairly delicate so small kids could easily cause injury and need to be monitored. Unfortunately the radius and ulna or "forearms" are prone to breaks. 

Iggies are good at being lap dogs; at least for a while.  They they want to run and play.  IGs are a bit catlike; enjoying high places to perch on.  The Italian Greyhound can be really good at coursing (picture below), as well as agility.  A dog that is fit can even be a great jogging partner.

They demand attention and are not so good alone for long periods of time.  Training can be successful if they can see what is in it for them.  Interest might be pretty low if they don't enjoy what they are doing, however.  And potty training............may never be complete.  Between needing to see the reason and hating to be cold, potty training may be pretty iffy.   

So..............Jessie is more delicately built, craves attention, has trouble with the idea of pottying outside, loves to run outside and sit in high places.  She also gets cold quickly even with her longer fur.  I know she is mini aussie because I know her parents, but sure does make me wonder sometimes.

Showdog Saturday, Vizslas

Showdog Saturday is BACK!!!!  This vizsla was a recent winner of one of my giveaways; note the new coat he is wearing.  His mom also got him a fleece jacket.

I love the vizslas I've come in contact with.  They always seem so personable and intelligent.  So that's the breed I'm covering today.  As usual, the internet sites of dogtime.com, akc.org and dogbreedinfo.com have been used for research and the pictures are not my own.

The vizsla was created in Hungary and is also know as the Hungarian pointer. They seem to have descended from the Magyar hordes in Europe a thousand years ago and then were developed by the aristocrats of Hungary.  The breed nearly disappeared after the World Wars, but a few dogs survived and allowed the breed to continue.

They were developed to be pointers and retrievers, but are good at all kinds of activities.  According to AKC, the vizsla is the only breed to be able to brag of a quintuple champion in conformation, obedience, field and agility.  (Yes I can count and that only adds up to four, but I'm trying to quote them accurately.  Maybe somebody out there knows if one of these categories has more than one title?). They are natural hunters and excel in all kinds of activities, such as search and rescue, flyball, therapy, drug detection......... you name it.  They are sensitive and quick to learn.

One of my sources called them the "velcro vizsla" because they stay very close to their people.  This was a valued trait when the breed was developed and it seems to have continued.  These guys need to be a part of the family and treated as a best friend.  They have short smooth coats so inside is the best place for them in cold weather.

They need a firm quiet hand and lots of socialization to keep them happy and balanced, as well as an hour or so of exercise every day. They are happiest when they are not left alone for long periods of time and tend to get into trouble if on their own too long.

Vizslas are generally chewers so lots of toys are in order.  They are good with kids but may be too energetic for toddlers. A large yard is definitely a plus so they can run off some of that energy.  Due to their hunting nature, they aren't usually good with smaller animals such as rabbits or gerbils, although cats can be ok if they are raised with them.  But people who have the right home for them have a loyal companion on their hands.

Showdog Saturday, the Basenji

Showdog Saturday is back! I love the basenjis that I've come in contact with so I figured I'd check out the "barkless" dog of Africa. I love finding out what is unique and special about each breed of dog.  Seems like they all have a purpose of some kind. As usual, much info was obtained from the internet; sites like doginfo.com, akc.org and dogtime.com.  

Basenjis are considered one of the oldest breeds.  They have been documented as living in ancient Egypt and survived in Africa when the Egyptian empire declined.  They have been used for flushing out small game and controlling rodent populations, as well as alerting for approaching strangers. Some tribes valued them more highly than wives. 

They are sight hounds, which means that see motion and chase whatever moves. They have a high prey drive, which makes them excellent hunters. In a more domesticated setting; cats, squirrels, rabbits, etc. are considered prey and are fair game.  Basenjis are intelligent, resourceful and independent, which helps when they are out of site of their people. 

Basenjis are know for being barkless.  This doesn't mean they are silent, however.  They make lots of other sounds, like yodelling or screaming.  I went to a Basenji specialty once.  The dogs started yodelling to the National Anthem; pretty much all of them.  It has stuck with me.  

These guys are also known for their corkscrew tails, as well as their smooth coats and muscular little bodies.  They are said to shed only minimally, which makes grooming pretty easy.

One unique trait they have; they clean themselves like cats.  If dogs are generally too dirty, these guys might be an option to consider, although a person who has a Basenji might find that the Basenji has them instead.

Agility is a sport that they are really good at, especially if you can convince them that it is their idea.

And they are naturals at coursing since they are sight hounds.  Lure coursing is a sport in which they see a lure (usually a plastic bag) attached to a line with pulleys that they can chase.

These dogs are not "willing to please" or easy to train like many breeds, but instead decide each time whether or not they will obey.  They are more likely to teach their people; things like keeping the house picked up so things don't get chewed or doing their bidding when they need something. Basenjis may use their smarts for their own causes.

These guys are know escape artists!  They are resourceful and can figure a way out so they can go exploring.  Climbing fences or ignoring a shock collar are no big deal.

They do bond with their family and if they are in a household where consistent rules and advanced planning are included, they can be really fun companions.

Dog Show Saturday, the Afghan Hound

It's Dog Show Saturday once again.  I'm not running out of breeds yet, so I've chosen another breed to research.  The internet is an amazing place to find facts and opinions, as well as pictures.  And I always learn something when I post about a breed.

This week I took a look at the Afghan Hound.  They are known for the long flowing locks and elegance.  I've seen plenty of pictures such as this one comparing humans with Afghans using a little humor. From the back, at the right angle, they can actually look like a long haired woman.

They come from the middle east and at some point wound up in Afghanistan; go figure.  But before that may have been in Persia and one source said they were loaded on the Ark with Noah.  Carvings of these guys were found in caves by troops under Alexander the Great.  The origin is a bit murky, but they sure do seem to have been around a LONG time.

Afghan hounds are sight hounds and built for speed.  If you can see the dog under the long longs, they are lean and efficiently built. That long, gorgeous coat has a purpose; protection from the harsh climates of Afghanistan.  These dogs were used for hunting larger prey. They could cover large distances at great speed. They could hold leopards at bay until the horses could catch up.  Being independent thinkers, they were a valuable asset for hunting.

Pablo Picasso owned an Afghan Hound and featured it in a painting in 1962, which sold for a whole lot of money in 2012.

They weren't introduced here in the U.S. until the 1920s, when the Marx brothers brought one over. The breed got a huge boost in popularity when Mattel's Barbie had an Afghan Hound.  

These dogs are awesome to watch in the show ring with their grace and flowing locks!  If they are cooperating with their handler, they often do very well.

Lots of grooming is required for these guys to keep them looking good.  Clothing such as this snood and these booties are fairly common to help decrease the work. If they aren't show dogs, sometimes they have their coat cut short, but grooming is still necessary to keep it maintained.

These hounds, with their natural hunting ability, are excellent at lure coursing.  Lure coursing is a sport that tests the ability of a dog to hunt by sight. Afghans have a high prey drive which is great for hunting or lure coursing but not so great when it comes to smaller househould pets or neighborhood animals.

Afghans are very active dogs and need a good amount of exercise to keep them fit and healthy.  They are described as aloof and independent.  These qualities make them more difficult to train, especially for first time dog owners.  They don't often care to please and don't seek attention except on their own terms.

Note: these guys are excellent escape artists so an Afghan owner should plan accordingly.  If they do manage to get loose they can be very hard to catch because of their speed and aloofness.

Known to have a sense of humor, they can be pretty comical.  Also known to be sensitive and to have a low pain tolerance, Afghans aren't the best kid dogs.  They can be socialized and do ok if they are raised around kids but they aren't naturals. Older children who understand the needs of the breed do better. Afghan Hounds are laid back and calm if they get enough exercise.

Showdog Saturday, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Wider head, smaller frame, more pointed ears

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The Cardigan Welsh Corgi

More narrow head, larger frame, rounded ears

Once again, it is Saturday and since I have not come even close to running out of dog breeds, I am checking out another one.  Isn't the internet great?  Alot of my information comes from the AKC site, as well as Dogtime.com and Dogbreedinfo.com. This time it is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, with a little bit about their cousin the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.

Both types of corgi have descended from the Keeshond, Pomeranian, Schipperke and Swedish Vallhund.  The Cardigan is said to have come from Cardiganshire around 1200 BC while the Pembroke is said to have been brought by Flemish weavers to the Celts around 1100 AD. They were considered to be the same breed until a show judge decided they were too different and should be separate breeds.

The Pembroke has become more popular than the Cardigan.  I've definitely seen more of the Pembroke breed so sounds true to me.  I was told the easy way to remember which is which is by the tail; the Pembroke "broke" it's tail off.  They do usually have docked tails, at least here in the U.S.

An interesting story I came across on Dogtime went as follows:

According to Welsh legend, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi sprang from the lairs of fairies and elves!

As the legend goes, one day two children were out in the fields tending to their family's cattle when they found a couple of puppies. The children thought they were foxes, but recognizing something different about them, bundled them up and took them home. Their parents immediately saw that the pups were not foxes, but dogs, and told their children that the pups were a gift from the fairies that lived in the fields. The fairies used them to pull their carriages and sometimes ride into battle.

As proof that Pembrokes were indeed the mounts of fairies, the parents pointed to the marks on their backs where the fairy saddle had been placed on their shoulders. The children were delighted and cherished their pups. As they grew, the dogs became treasured companions and learned to help the children take care of the family's cattle.

Interesting note; Queen Elizabeth has had corgis throughout her reign and the British royalty have kept them for the last 70 years.  

I've seen a surprising number of corgis at agility trials.  They are really active little guys and love to learn so agility works great for them.

They were bred to herd, with a low profile to help keep them out of kicking range. They use barking and nipping to push the herd more than physical position. 

They are also great watch dogs because they are vocal and alert.  They are a bit stubborn and need to be trained early to respect leadership.  A consistent calm hand and daily walks go a long ways toward keeping these guys happy.

Showdog Saturday, Irish Setters

Since I make grooming coats (slinkies) for long haired dogs, I see a large number of Irish Setters and they seem like really sweet dogs.  I thought it would be interesting to find out more about them so they are being featured today on Showdog Saturday.

Here's what I found out.  

Irish Setters are descended from a mix of Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, English Setter, English Pointer and Gordon Setter.  This breed more or less came about in the 19th century. They used to be red and white but the red was favored so that color was encouraged.

They were bred to be hunting dogs that both pointed and retrieved, especially fowl. They are also good at other types of hunting, as well as agility, and obedience because of their athleticism and grace.

These guys are VERY active dogs and need at least an hour a day of vigorous exercise. They are friendly, intelligent, enthusiastic and mischievous so they will get in trouble if they aren't kept busy. They are also family oriented and tend to suffer separation anxiety if left alone very long for very often and don't do well if they are kept outside.

Irish Setters are sensitive to tone of voice.  They need firm, fair discipline and won't respect someone who isn't calm and in the lead. Clear rules and plenty of mental and physical stimulation will help these guys succeed.  They are a bit slow to mature so remain puppy-like for several years, making them fun playmates. They are great family dogs but care is needed around the little guys because of their boisterous nature.

Showdog Saturday, The German Shorthaired Pointer

This is my son's dog, Thor. He's a 9 month old German Shorthaired Retreiver.  

Since it's Showdog Saturday here at Aussies in Charge, I thought I'd do a little research about the breed. 

Here's what I found out.  German Shorthairs were originated in..............Germany! That's not a surprise. They were bred to be hunting dogs, used to hunt many types of game and retreive either on land or in water. I thought they were used just for fowl but turns out they are used for other game as well, even deer.

In the late 1800's they were developed from the old Spanish Pointer, English Foxhound and German tracking dogs and then refined with the English Pointer. The royalty encouraged breeding for ability and helped the breed reach its level of ability.

An interesting piece of info I found; World War II affected the breed greatly. The best GSPs were sent to Yugoslavia for safekeeping. Unfortunately, after the war, they were stuck behind the Iron Curtain so the breed had to be redeveloped with the limited number of dogs available. In the 1920s they were introduced in the U.S., where the breed grew quickly. It seems the U.S. helped develop the return of the breed.

GermanShorthaired Pointers are known to be VERY high energy dogs. They are affectionate and willing to please, but need at least an hour a day of vigorous exercise so would not do well in households which could only provide limited activity. Because they are rambunctious, small children might have some trouble but generally they are great family pets. Because of their people-oriented nature, they need companionship and can be destructive when left alone and bored. 

From personal experience, Thor sure is good with the little ones; very patient and pretty careful. He sure is a sweetheart and can give Jack a run for his money playing ball!

Showdog Saturday, the Great Dane

I get to see alot of Great Danes at the dog shows I go to.  They are generally very calm and elegant. As a giant breed, they are fairly intimidating, however. In reality, they are known to be some of the best-natured dogs around.

As usual, where do you turn when you want to research something?  The internet, of course. This info was picked up from several articles (AKC, DogInfo......) and from talking to people who own these amazing dogs.

I always love to learn about the history of a breed and these guys are pretty fascinating. Drawings of dogs resembling Great Danes have been dated to 3000 B.C.  It is believed they have English Mastiff and maybe some Irish Wolfhound in their background.  In the 16th century, they were used to hunt boars and were pretty ferocious.

In the 1700s, a French naturalist visiting Denmark saw a version of this dog and called it 

Grand Danois; Great Dane.  Some of the larger ones were called Danish Mastiffs. Either way, the Dane part stuck even they didn't come from Denmark.

In the 1800s, some German breeders worked to breed the ferocity out of the dogs and to otherwise refine them. 

Fortunately, the result was a kind and patient dog, good with kids and eager to please. They are loyal defenders if they feel the need to defend.  And since their size is enough to make a person think twice, they make pretty darn good guard dogs.

Great Danes are moderately active, requiring walks/exercise several times a day.  Simply because of their size, a small house or apartment can be uncomfortable but they are usually fairly laid back. Because of their reach, special care has to be taken to keep stuff out of their reach.  Getting ahold of something on a counter or on top of the refrigerator is easy for them.

Good socialization or puppy kindergarten is helpful since training early is easier since they aren't so big. They like to be busy so time alone can present challenges if they get bored.

Great Danes are generally healthy. Like other giant breeds, their life span is shorter than many dogs; only 7 to 10 years.  They do tend to have hip dysplasia and growth problems if not fed correctly.  

Overall, Great Danes seem to be fantastic family pets. The ones I've met sure are sweethearts.

Show Dog Saturday, Aussie Style: Chihuahuas

The Chihuahua is a tiny little dog with a great big personality.  Some of them weigh as little as two pounds! 

They are considered 24th most popular breed by the AKC.  I can't prove their ranking, but I do know alot of people who have them. When I was a child, we had one named "Cheetah".  I once saw her chase a Doberman Pinscher out of our back yard.  Fearless!

With my business, I see quite a few chihuahuas because they get cold so easily.  Small dogs with smooth coats need help staying warm.  Some chihuahuas have long coats, but they still get pretty cold. Plus people love to dress them up!

The breed is named after Chihuahua, Mexico, where they originated.  It is believed they descended from the ancient Techichi, dogs of the Toltecs prior to the 9th century.  Evidence from 300 B.C. show the Techichi was present in local culture.  Although the exact history is a bit fuzzy, it looks like they've been around for a LONG time!

They are popular in current culture, as evidenced by this Taco Bell ad.  They are very portable and ride in dog purses pretty often,  Think Paris Hilton.

Per the AKC, "Inside each little Chihuahua is a miniature king or queen ready to rule their realms, so they need to be taught what is acceptable in human kingdoms." Remembering Cheetah, they can be naughty little things, but loveable.

Due to their sassy personality and small size, they often don't tolerate households with small children very well.  They don't need tons of exercise so Chihuahuas do well in small apartments or other situations that don't provide alot of activity.  They can get to be set in their ways, so socialization is a plus.