Admin, Author at Daily Dog Discoveries

Five Ways Dogs Ask For a Back Massage

June 27, 2016April 24, 2016 by Admin

In the human world, we can get quite creative when we have a sudden itch in our back and use a pen, ruler or anything handy, but how do dogs scratch their backs? It’s not like they can ask you to pass them the back scratcher or verbally let you know that “Hey, I have a terrible itch at the end of my back ,would you mind scratching it for me?” Fortunately, there are some things dogs can do to quench a sudden itch, but since dogs lack opposable thumbs it doesn’t involve anything fancy, rather their way to calm down an itch is quite down to earth… and yes, that often means literally.

Hard to Reach Spots

Just like us, dogs have some areas in their bodies that are quite difficult to reach. In particular, the back and the rump may be difficult areas to reach and dogs seem to know it. Did you ever see a dog panic when a bug is buzzing nearby their rump? If so, you may have noticed how the dog appears to be particularly worried about the bug landing on their back end or under the tail. The dog may turn his head repeatedly towards his rear while making sudden swooping movements of the back and tail in hopes that the annoying bug decides to go somewhere else.

Most likely, this sheer panic is due to the fact that the back is a hard to reach area, far away from the mouth and in an area that cannot be easily scratched. Sure the tail is there, but it’s not effective as the tails of horses and cows which are meant to deter flies with their swishing movements.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

“The reason most dogs like their rears scratched is because that is a very hard area for them to reach themselves. Think about the hardest place you have to reach in the middle of your back, and how nice it is if someone will scratch that for you.” Dr. Bonnie Beaver

1) Rolling On Their Backs

Perhaps one of the most common ways dogs scratch their backs to relieve an itch is to simply roll on their backs. Before there were groomers and their associated grooming salons, dogs had to figure out a way to get rid of dead hairs from their coats when shedding season was in full swing. By rolling, dogs could groom themselves by shedding some of their undercoat, explains Karen L. Overall, in her book ” Clinical Behavior Medicine for Small Animals.”

Once the dog is on his back, he’ll be moving himself side to side so to create some added friction between his back and the floor. The choice of surface is important here as some surfaces may not be very suitable for the purpose. A rough carpet, grass or hay may be appealing places to get a nice a back rub.

2) Rubbing Against Toys

If your dog leaves toys around the room, they might not be there just for gnawing and playing. Many dogs have found an extra creative use for them. Instead of just rolling their back on the floor, these dogs have found that rolling their backs over their toys may prove to be an effective way to ease an annoying itch, and while they are it, get a little bonus massage accompanied by groans of approvement. Preferred “massage toys” are often tug toys and other types of toys with ridges. Some toys though can be painful to roll over, so owners must be careful that their dogs don’t get injured by their vigorous rolling action over them.

3) Walking Against Walls

Some dogs can get quite creative and use various other items to get relief from their itchy backs. Some dogs will walk and rub the sides of their backs against sofas and couches. Others will rub the sides of their backs against walls as they walk against them. You can readily recognize the homes where dogs tend to do this: the walls over time develop a distinct line made of dirt and debris, right where the dog walks. And some dogs will borrow an idea from bears when they go camping: they’ll walk up to a tree and then rub their backs against that sturdy tree trunk!

Tip: Some dogs will accumulate many hairs on their rumps when they shed and these hairs may cause itchiness. Dog owners can help by brushing the rump area and removing those tufts of dead hairs which can be easily detected as they’re sometimes of a different color from the rest of the coat.

4) Soliciting Other Dogs

Dogs, as some other animals, may engage in what is known as “social grooming. ” A dog may start licking and gently nibbling another dog and the other dog may return the favor by licking and gently nibbling back. These grooming sessions generally take place with dogs relaxing side-by-side and often involves licking and nibbling gently with teeth. The nibbling action with the incisor teeth acts like a comb, removing any dirt and debris from the coat.”These behaviors are done by individuals closely associated to each other,” explains Dr. Bonnie Beaver in the book “Canine Behavior: Insights and Answers.”

However, when dogs groom each other, their focus is mostly concentrated on the ears, eyes and mouth area, so there’s likely not much luck in getting that back nibbled on. Dogs may therefore try to rub their back against other dogs as they do with walls, furniture and people’s legs.

5) Asking for Owner’s Help

And then you’ll stumble upon those dogs who will bluntly request a butt scratch by strategically backing up with their rears in the owner’s face in hopes of getting the so badly wanted rump scratch. The owner doesn’t get the message? They’ll turn around and look back wondering what they are waiting for! Some dogs take the back massage to a higher level: they’ll start shifting the weight on their back feet as they are being scratched in a happy dance matter.

Most dogs seem to love having a nice rump scratch, there are however as always some exceptions to the rule. Some dog may not like having certain areas touched and the back may be one of them. If on the other hand, your dog always enjoyed back rump scratches, and now he is moving away, there may be chances that he may be experiencing some discomfort or pain there. Watch for bald spots, unusual odors, excessive itchiness and other signs of discomfort and see your vet to let him know about your findings. In many instances, excessive rubbing against walls, carpets and other surfaces may be signs of allergies and other skin conditions.

References:

Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Small Animals, by Karen Overall, Mosby (Feb. 1 1997)
Canine Behavior: Insights and Answers, By Bonnie V. G. Beaver, Elsevier Health Sciences, Nov 11, 2008

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Twelve Dog Peeing Positions, How Does Your Dog Pee?

June 27, 2016April 23, 2016 by Admin

Let’s face it, a dog’s elimination rituals are quite interesting to study, especially considering that dogs tend to assume different peeing positions. You’ll see male dogs mostly lifting their legs, female dogs mostly squatting (even though there are exceptions to the rule) and then you’ll stumble on some dogs doing quite some amazing headstands that are worthy as a circus trick! To each their own! The question though that comes to mind is whether those peeing positions mean anything in particular, and some researchers have started actually studying the elimination habits of dogs more in depth. Hopefully, one day we’ll discover more about this. In the meanwhile, following are some interesting peeing positions in dogs. How many peeing positions can you think of?

Male Dog Peeing Position

Peeing in dogs has been often referred to as being a sexually dimorphic behavior, meaning that there are differences in the urinary rituals based on gender. Male dogs are known for leg lifting, while females are mostly known for squatting. These differences are after all not too astounding since they’re also seen in human beings, with most males standing up in front of urinals and females sitting on the toilet. Talk about the effects of anatomical differences!

There’s belief that leg lifting in male dogs must have evolved as a result of getting splashed too often with pee during elimination, but there’s likely more to that. As with many things dog, oversimplification is often not the answer! Lifting the leg also offers the advantage of directing urine with precision on vertical surfaces so that scent can be left for other dogs to examine. Male dogs are therefore known for lifting their leg and urinating more frequently, precisely directing their urine towards specific locations, generally at a higher rate than female dogs.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Female Dog Peeing Position

In the past, it was thought that female dogs urinated mostly just for elimination purposes, but turns out that research says that female dogs also tend to scent mark. In a study, six intact female Jack Russell terriers (not in heat) were watched as they urinated on walks and areas away from their homes. It was found that female dogs were more likely to urinate more frequently when away from their homes, and that upon urinating, their urine was often targeted to objects in the environment. This proved that female dogs are interested in scent marking as well, even when they are not in heat. And what about peeing postures? The most common peeing positions noted in the female dogs were the squat-raise posture, but in order of frequency, the squat, arch-raise, combination, and handstand postures were noted as well.

Exceptions to the Rule

In the world of dog behavior, you rarely can make black and white statements as there always seem to be exceptions to the rules. You may therefore stumble on male dogs who squat and female dogs who lift their legs, what gives? According to Scott & Fuller 1965, male dogs that were set apart from each other showed a higher incidence of squatting. The strongest trigger for leg lifting appeared to be sensing the odor from a dog that belonged to a different social group. Male dogs who have always leg lifted for the main part of their life and then suddenly out of the blue start squatting, should see the vet to rule out any medical problems.

There are several female dogs who will lift their legs a slight bit when they urinate. Some may presume they do this to keep their leg out of the way from getting splashed, but more research is needed as to why some female dogs are more likely to lift their legs than simply squat. Most female dogs who lift their legs though tend to do it much less than male dogs. Female dogs who raise their legs as male dogs, may have been subjected to a phenomenon called “androgenization” explains Patricia McConnell. Basically, these masculine dogs were flushed with androgen in utero. These female dogs are more likely to display characteristics of males dogs in their behavior repertoire and that includes leg lifting.

“Pre-natal masculinization occurs in mammals that give birth to multiple offspring where the males outnumber the females in the litter and a hormonal transfer occurs during prenatal development.”~Peter Borchelt, PhD,certified applied animal behaviorist.

How Does Your Dog Pee?

How many peeing positions are there in dogs? Turns out, there are several. Sprague and Anisko found a dozen when they researched the topic back in 1973. When they studied a group of beagles, they found that females were likely to use more urination postures compared to males. Call them creative! To be exact, eight postures where found in female dogs while just four were found in male dogs! How does your dog pee?

Did you know? Females dogs may also produce small quantities of testosterone, therefore it’s not surprising if small quantities of testosterone breakdown products is found in their urine, explains Dr. Nicholas Dodman.

References:

Urinary behavior of female domestic dogs (Canis familiaris): influence of reproductive status, location, and age Sharon Cudd Wirant, Betty McGuire, Department of Biological Sciences, Clark Science Center, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063, USA
Animal Behavior: Effects of Sex, Social Status and Gonadectomy on Countermarking by Domestic Dogs, Canis familiaris; Anneke E. Lisberg, Charles T. Snowdon
Elimination Patterns in the Laboratory Beagle, Randall H. Sprague¹ and Joseph J. Anisko, Behaviour, Volume 47, Issue 3, pages 257 – 267 Publication Year : 1973
Regulation of urine marking in male and female mice: effects of sex steroids. Kimura T, Hagiwara Y, Horm Behav. 1985 Mar;19(1):64-70.
Hart, B. L., & Eckstein, R. A. (1997). The role of gonadal hormones in the occurrence of objectionable behaviours in dogs and cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 52, 331-344.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Do Dogs Have a Collarbone?

June 27, 2016April 22, 2016 by Admin

Among the many fascinating facts about dogs one that is truly amazing is the way the shoulders of a dog are structured. It is thanks to the way the dog’s shoulders are designed that dogs are able to romp around with great stride length and flexibility. On top of walking on their toes, dogs have a special shoulder design that plays a major role in canine locomotion making them the amazing runners they are. So today’s we’ll be discovering how dog’s shoulders are designed compared to us, and what makes them truly remarkable.

Shoulder Design in Humans

When we look at the anatomy of the human shoulder, we notice that it is composed of three bones: the collarbone (clavicle), the shoulder blade (scapula) and the upper arm bone (humerus). It is thanks to these three bones and their associated muscles, ligaments and tendons, that we are able to lift, push, pull and swing our arms. The fact that the shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body is a double-edged sword considering that this mobility is also what makes us more prone to dislocations. Now you know why it seems like baseball players get so many shoulder injuries!

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

The collarbone, is the only horizontal bone in our body. See the red bones in the picture? It’s that thin, long bone that’s located at the base of the neck and that’s highly visible in thin people as the lack of fat causes a visible bulge in the skin. This is because, unlike most bones that are covered with muscles, this bone is only covered by skin. As seen in the picture, we have two clavicles, one per side in each shoulder. They are both responsible for connecting our right and left arms to the trunk of our body.

Shoulder Design in Dogs

Dogs being a cursorial species, don’t have a need to lift, push or pull objects or swing their arms as we do, so their shoulder design is for the most part crafted for what predators need the most: speed and agility. Along with a dog’s spine which is capable of bending and stretching with every stride and the powerful hind legs providing forward propulsion, the dog’s shoulders are designed to increase stride length. Unlike humans, the dog’s shoulders are somewhat disconnected from the rest of the skeleton, which is why many people refer to them as “floating shoulders.” However, no body part really floats alone as a particle suspended in space. While the dog’s scapula is not attached to any bones at the top, there are several muscular and ligamentous attachments.

A Rudimentary Collarbone

While humans, have a collarbone connecting the arms to the trunk of the body, dogs have just a rudimentary collarbone that does not articulate with the rest of the skeleton. Darryl Millis and David Levine in the book “Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy” mention that a dog’s collarbone is an oval plate that measures about one centimeter or less in length and 1/3 in centimeter wide. This structure is mostly made of cartilage and it doesn’t appear in x-rays. Because of the lack of a fully developed collarbone, dogs are capable of a greater stride length so that they can run and leap, an evolutionary advantage that allowed them to be successful predators. While your dog today is fed food in shiny bowls and no longer hunts for food, you surely have admired his fascinating locomotion as he chases and leaps up for the ball you just tossed!

Did you know? Just because your dog’s collarbone is rudimentary, doesn’t mean it’s useless! According to a study, the dog’s clavicle provides muscle stability and protects the nerves and blood vessels that supply the front legs.

References:

Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, by Darryl Millis, David Levine, Saunders; 2 edition (March 30, 2014)
McCarthy, P.H. and Wood, A. K., Anatomic and radiologic observations of the clavicle of adult dogs, Am. J. Vet. Res. 49:956–959, 1988

Photo credits:

Wikipedia, Clavicle (shown in red), by Anatomography, CC BY-SA 2.1 jp
Miller’s Guide to the Dissection of the Dog 4th Edition by Malcolm E. Miller (Author), Howard E., Phd Evans (Author), Phd Delahunta Alexander (Author) W B Saunders Co; 4th edition (June 1996)

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Four Dogs That Have Proven Dogs Can Climb Trees

June 27, 2016April 21, 2016 by Admin

We are used to seeing cats climb up trees like if it’s no big deal, but seeing a dog climb up a tree may seem quite close to impossible. Yet, there are several dog owners who can attest that they own talented dogs who can effectively climb up a tree; indeed, some dogs can climb up trees so well, they have even managed to escape the yard if the tree happened to be strategically close to a fence! How can dogs though manage to climb up a tree? We know that their conformation isn’t very suitable for the task, but apparently for some dogs, when there is a will there is way!

A Matter of Conformation

If cats have amazing tree climbing abilities, they must thank their sharp, retractable claws with curved angles. Cats use their claws like miniature mountaineering crampons (likely these were inspired from them!) which makes them perfect for climbing up. Those same claws though are unfortunately not well designed for climbing down though, which is why cats tend to get stuck in trees– but this is a whole different story! On top of having sharp claws, cats also have agile bodies with very mobile shoulders and hip joints which facilitate them in being proficient climbers. Most likely cats have evolved to climb trees because of their preference for living in wooded environments.

Dogs on the other hand, seem to have lived for the most part in open plains, so their body is built for this environment, suggest Xiaoming Wang, Richard H. Tedford, Mauricio Antón, in the book “Dogs: Their Fossil Relatives and Evolutionary History.” The do not have retractable claws, nor are their bodies built for being proficient climbers as the cat. Their ancestors were social hunters with bodies built more for long-distance endurance running on open fields rather than short, bursts of speed.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Did you know? The ability to climb trees is known as “arboreal locomotion” and animals who have this skill are known as “arboreal animals.”

Exceptions to the Rule

In the dog world, it looks like you can never make any black and white statements. After discovering how the bodies of cats are built to help them climb and how a dog’s body differs from it, you would assume dogs have no good reason for hanging around trees. Even several treeing dogs, that is, dogs selectively bred to chase animals until they end climbing up a tree, stop abruptly by the tree trunk as they bark in frustration and alert the hunters of the “treed animal.”

However, it seems like some very determined dogs manage to climb up too! What dogs are capable of climbing trees? There are just a handful of dogs who have repeatedly proven they can climb up trees. Here is a list of dogs who can climb trees:

1) New Guinea Singing Dog

This very rare breed is for the most part a wild dog that has originated from the island of New Guinea; however some of these captive bred dogs are nowadays also being kept as companions. These dogs are called singing dogs for a good reason: they emit unique yet, melodious vocalizations. These dogs are relatively short-legged with very flexible limbs and spine which makes them quite agile. It is thanks to this flexibility that they are able to spread their legs sideways in a similar fashion to the Norwegian Lundehund. On top of that, these dogs can rotate their front and rear legs which allows them to climb trees to search for prey! See video below to watch these amazing dogs in action climbing up trees and singing their delightful melodies!

2) Louisiana Catahoula leopard

As the name implies, the Louisiana Catahoula leopard originated in North Central Louisiana nearby the Catahoula Lake. This dog breed with a striking coat has a history of tracking and herding wild hogs that roamed the forests. Catahoulas are known for being well muscled, powerful dogs, that give the impression of agility and endurance. And they sure are quite agile! They may be not as flexible as the New Guineas singing dogs, but there are several owners attesting that their Catahoula dogs are capable of climbing up trees!

3) The Treeing Walker Coonhound

As the name implies, this dog breed is one of those who were selectively bred to hunt raccoon, tracking them down and treeing them. Raccoon weren’t the only animals these dogs hunted though, they sometimes also would hunt down and tree bobcats, cougars and even the occasional bear. While the main job of these dogs is to bay with their distinctive howl to inform the hunter that they have treed their prey, some of these guys (and some other coonhounds) take their career at a higher level and manage to virtually climb up the tree!

4) Jack Russell Terrier

For those not familiar with these little feisty dogs, these innocent looking pooches are often labeled as big dogs in little bodies. The saying “when there is a will there is a way” fits these fearless dynamite dogs perfectly. A securely fenced yard is not an option with these fellows, it’s an obligation, as these astute dogs have quite a Houdini reputation. If they can’t jump over the fence, they’ll try to dig under and some owners have reported these little fellow can even climb their way out by using tree limbs as helpful perches to get from point A to point B!

The Bottom Line

There are certainly several other dogs who have shown to be capable of climbing trees as many dog owners can attest. As impressive as seeing a dog climb up a tree can be, it’s important to realize that a fall can prove disastrous no matter how agile the dog. Unlike cats, dogs don’t really stand a chance to land on their four feet when falling from a height ( and cats do not always land on their feet!) Definitively not worth the stunt, as much as it may impressive. For sure though, this is an eye opener, meaning that tree climbing is another of those things dog owners may want to watch for when leaving their dogs unattended in the yard. When there is a will there is way and some agile dog may manage to climb up a tree, whether they’re chasing a squirrel up a tree or planning to evade the yard.

References:

Dogs: Their Fossil Relatives and Evolutionary History, By Xiaoming Wang, Richard H. Tedford, Mauricio Antón, Columbia University Press (August 4, 2008)

Photo Credits:

Flickr, Creative Commons, Haundreis, Climbing dog 1 of 2, (CC BY 2.0)

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Dog Word of the Day: Inguinal Presentation

June 27, 2016April 20, 2016 by Admin

Dogs communicate a whole lot through body language, and inguinal presentation is something that pops up every now and then during dog-to-dog and dog-to-human interactions. The inguinal area is located by the dog’s groin, it’s basically the lower portion of the abdomen, the area that people most commonly refer to as the dog’s “belly.” Because this area holds important vital organs, exposing it has several special meanings to dogs, therefore, it’s interesting discovering what messages inguinal presentations in dogs may convey. We must remember though that the meaning of ‘exposing the belly,’ like many other dog behaviors, vary based on context and therefore does not have a single, universal meaning.

A Look Back

Inguinal presentation occurs when a dog rolls over its back and presents the inguinal area. It’s a behavior that is reminiscent of the early days when puppies were just days old and unable to relieve themselves on their own. Along with providing warmth and milk, mother dog’s responsibility also entailed licking the helpless pups’ nether regions so to stimulate them to potty. This requires the collaboration of the pups, who have to remain passive and provide inguinal presentation without putting a struggle. This behavior then persists past this time and becomes part of a puppy’s behavior repertoire.

According to Michael Fox, in the book “Understanding Your Dog” by six weeks of age, most puppies exhibit several species specific behaviors such as face licking greetings, inguinal presentation and anal and genital investigation. Puppies who are kept in the litter with their siblings and mom up until 8 weeks basically learn the ABC’s of communication and valuable lifelong lessons about being a dog.

“I am Just a Puppy!”

A puppy may engage in inguinal presentation when he’s in the presence of other older dogs. The puppy will rollover and expose the inguinal area and may urinate too. Ian Dunbar claims that the puppy must be saying something in the lines of: “Yo! Sniff this urine. See, I’m just a young puppy and don’t know any better. Please don’t harm me. I didn’t mean to jump on your tail and bite your ears. He! He! He!”

The distinct smell of the pup’s urine along with the puppy’s size, vocalizations and over all infantile looks, inform other dogs that he’s just a puppy and therefore should not be considered a threat. This acknowledgment often evokes tolerant behaviors from the adult dogs in the social group. All it takes is for the adult dogs to take a sniff and then they walk away.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

A similar interaction may happen at times with humans. When humans engage in behaviors that a puppy may perceive as bold or intimidating such as reaching for the pup, or even looming over to pet him, the puppy may manifest deference or fear by flipping over on his back and exposing his belly. A trickle of urine may accompany the inguinal presentation, as a further way for the puppy to prove that yes, he’s just a puppy! This is often referred to as “submissive urination.” How should dog owners react? They should acknowledge the pup’s message and plan to appear less assertive in future interactions.

“For submissive and fearful urination, it is important that the owner and all visitors interact with the pet in a less assertive or threatening manner. All training should be reward based and physical restraint or physical punishment must entirely be avoided.” ~ VCA Animal Hospitals by Debra Horwitz, & Gary Landsberg.

“I Respect You”

Most puppies outgrow submissive urination as they become more confident and attain better urine control; however inguinal presentation tends to persists into adulthood in dogs, especially when they encounter other dogs who are more assertive. It’s not unusual to see an adult dog in an interaction with another dog flip over his back on the ground exposing the vulnerable belly, back legs spread out and head to the side. This presentation often elicits investigation from the other dog which should give a quick sniff and get the message. The same behavior may be carried out in the presence of humans. The dog rolls over, lifting the leg to expose his inguinal area. According to Ian Dunbar, dogs in this context may be saying something along the lines of: “I am a lowly worm. I respect you and I would like to be friends.”

“I am Uncomfortable”

In interactions with humans, dogs may flip on their backs and expose their bellies when they are uncomfortable or even fearful. In this case, the dog is trying to engage in an appeasing gesture, meant to say “Please let’s stop this interaction, it’s making me nervous.” In this case, the dog keeps the ears flattened and the tail is tucked close to the body so that these body parts are kept out of danger.

The lips may also be pulled back and the head may be turned away to avoid direct eye contact. It’s important to accept this dog’s request for more space and these dogs should not be touched. Failure to respect this request may lead to a dog who may resort to biting because his “I am uncomfortable, please stop” message has gone to deaf ears.

“I am Relaxed”

Not all inguinal presentations necessarily mean that the dog is acting out of fear or they want us to stop the interaction. In some cases, the dog is actually relaxed and rolls over his back in a happy, contented way. These dogs actually have learned that when they expose their belly, they’re more likely to get a belly rub, so they’ll happily flip over in hopes of getting one. In this case, the dogs are often, but not always, limp as a noodle as they await the pleasure of a massage, explains veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lisa Radosta.

Some dogs typically go belly up at your feet when you come home from work and would love a little slice of attention after being lonely for part of the day. A sign that they are enjoying the interaction is that the moment you stop rubbing their belly, they’ll paw at you, or move closer to you, in hopes that you’ll continue the interaction. If you are not familiar with the dog or not sure what the dog is trying to say, it’s best to play it safe and walk away.

“In general, it is best to assume that a dog who offers the inguinal presentation signal doesn’t want you to rub him, but instead wants you to leave him alone.When in doubt, it is best to walk away.” Dr. Lisa Radosta

“I am Playing”

Dog play often involves lots of role reversals. Dogs take turns being on top, then on the bottom, being the ones chasing and then being the ones being chased. It’s not unusual therefore to see some dogs flip over and present their belly when they are playing with a playmate they know well. Why do they do that? Many have assumed for many years that exposing the belly in this case, was the canine version of raising a white flag or to appease a contender who has gotten too rough, but an interesting study conducted by Kerri Norman and colleagues at the University of Lethbridge and University of South Africa, reveals an interesting twist. Out of 248 rollovers observed during play, the researcher found that none of them occurred as a submissive response to aggressive behavior by another dog; rather, the rolling over was apparently a combat tactic, basically, a way to block playful bites and launch attacks on their play mates!

“Most rollovers were either defensive (evading a nape bite) or offensive (launching an attack). None could be categorized as submissive.”~Kerri Norman et al.

“I Feel Secure”

In a previous article, we looked at different dog sleeping positions and discovered some interesting findings and possible interpretations behind those curious sleeping postures. In what we called “the dead cockroach” position, dogs sleep belly up exposing the inguinal area to the air. This is one of a dog’s favorite summer sleeping positions as dogs have less fur on their bellies, and therefore, exposing it to the air is an effective way to cool down. We also found out that this sleeping position is one that’s often seen in dogs who feel secure in their environments, as, in the case of a threat, they would have to flip themselves over the other side in order to get up quickly back on their toes.

References:

Understanding Your Dog, by Michael Fox, Dogwise Publishing (May 25, 2015)
Behavior of Wolves, Dogs and Related Canids, by Michael Fox, Publisher: Dogwise Classics Edition: 1971
VCA Animal Hospital, Submissive, Excitement, and Conflict Urination, retrieved from the web on April 20th, 2016
Dog Star Daily, Dog Communication, retrieved from the web on April 20th, 2016
Florida Veterinary Service, Inguinal Presentation, by Dr. Lisa Radosta, retrieved from the web on April 20th, 2016

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

What are Blue Nose Pit bulls?

December 6, 2016April 19, 2016 by Admin

There are pit bulls, and then there are blue nose pit bulls and red nose pit bulls. You may have stumbled on these “pit bull variations” in the past and may have been wondering what people mean exactly when they call their pit bulls this way. In many cases, a blue nose pit bull is referred to as if being superior from the average pit bull. You may have heard an owner proudly claim to own one, or perhaps you may have seen a breeder advertise his blue nose pits as if they were rare, “one of a kind” specimens that are consequently very valuable. Today’s trivia will focus on blue nose pit bulls, so our question of the week is:

What is a blue nose pit bull?

A) A very valuable dog.

B) A rare type of purebred pit bull

C) A distinct bloodline of pit bulls

D) The product of an astute marketing strategy.

The correct answer is: D. A blue-nosed pit bull is the product of a marketing ploy carried out by astute breeders.

First, What is a Pit Bull?

The word “pit bull” is really very generic and quite vague. It can mean different things depending on who you ask!

To the average Joe, a pit bull can be any dog with a square-shaped head and a bulky body, which can turn out being problematic especially when journalists report bite incidents causing the average mutts or other dog breeds to be mislabeled, promulgating the “pit bull” bad rap. Even experts at times have a hard time distinguishing different dog breeds from a pit bull. See how you score on this “find the pit bull” test. Don’t feel bad if you get it wrong; many people require several attempts to get it right!
On the other hand, according to the Pit Bull Rescue Central, the term “pit bull” is used to define one of three different dogs: the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), the American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier (SBT). If things weren’t confusing enough, these three dogs are quite similar (they all originated from the same group of British dogs) with only slight differences in size. Even experts at times have a hard time distinguishing one from another. While these are technically, the same dogs, they have been bred for different purposes, but according to Bobbie Morehouse, member of the National American Pit Bull Terrier Association, despite sharing a common ancestry, the American Staffordshire Terrier has a smaller gene pool and therefore has more consistent looks; whereas, the American Pit Bull Terrier tends to vary more in size and appearance.
Finally, the Pit bulls Without Misinformation states that the only true pit bull is the American Pit Bull terrier because it’s the only breed that contains the word “pit bull” in it. Just like chow chow are called chows, doberman pinshers are called Doberman and Labradors retrievers are called Labs, American Pit Bull Terrier are known by their “Pit Bull” nickname.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

About Blue Noses

So what is a blue nose pit bull? We know that the average color of the nose in most dog breeds is black, but in the blue-nosed pit bull as the name implies, the color of the nose’s leather (skin) is blue.

A blue nose pit bull tends to have what is called “a blue coat.” Of course, these blues are not the type of electric blue or sky blue one thinks of when thinking about the blue color. In the dog world, it’s more like a grey color ranging from light silvery to deep charcoal.

When it comes to the blue coat color in dogs, it’s the result of a dilution of the color black. In order to attain a puppy with a blue coat and it’s associated blue nose, each parent must be carriers of the recessive dilution gene.

This means that breeders must use a narrow gene pools of dogs, often crossing dogs who are closely related genetically (inbreeding). It’s therefore very important to get these dogs from a breeder who knows what he’s doing to prevent genetic disorders.

On top of that, blue coats have been found to be more prone to skin problems. Because of this, some breeders are starting to put warnings about these implications associated with diluted coats on their websites.

Did you know? According to Coat Color Genetics, it’s genetically impossible for a blue dog to have a brown nose.

A Marketing Scam

Having a blue nose is not an indicator of belonging to any rare lineage and it is not it a sign of belonging to a different type of purebred pit bull breed. There are many pit bulls with noses of this color. If they were truly rare, there wouldn’t be so many breeders advertising them!

For the most part, the belief that blue nose pit bulls are rare derives from unscrupulous breeders attempting to make their blue-nosed dogs appear as valuable so they can ask premium prices for them.

According to The Real Pit bull website, breeders therefore only focus on producing the “special” blue coat color with the “rare” blue nose with little to no consideration to health and temperament. Of course, not all breeders of blue nose pit bull are crooks.

To the contrary, there are breeders of blue noses producing specimens that are healthy and with stable temperaments, but the take home message though is that a dog’s temperament and health should always be considered much more important than coat or nose color.

Did you know? Due to the high demand of blue-nosed pit bulls, the term “Blue Lust” was coined over the past few years. How much does a bluenose pit bull cost? Generally, the price of blue nose pit bulls ranges between 1,000 to 3,000 dollars and even more!

A Mixed Bag of Genes

Here is where things get extra confusing! Breeders eager to make fast money started at some point crossing American Staffordshire Terriers with American pit bull terriers in hopes of obtaining a “rare” blue coat color that wasn’t seen before.

Because there was likely some mastiff blood in the American Staffordshire Terrier, a silvery-grey coat pattern at some point popped up. Since as mentioned, the American staffordshire terrier and the American pit bull terrier are quite similar, the money making strategy worked for these breeders.

However, on top of the blue coat, some breeders were looking for a dog that was bigger and tougher looking so they mixed in dogs in the bully breed family (American Bulldog, English Bulldog, and Olde English Bulldogge) and Gotti and Razor’s Edge bloodlines and obtained what are known today as “American bullies.”

So if you stumble on blue “pit bulls” that have exaggerated features such as wide chest, heavy bone structure, massive bulky body and a blocky head, likely it’s an American bully. This breed is basically, an American Pitbull Terrier with its own standard.

To quote the United Kennel Club, “Their appearance reflects a strong American Pit Bull Terrier foundation, blended with stock from other bull breeds.” The Real Pitbull website, refers to these dogs as “essentially an American Pit Bull Terrier that is poorly bred” and advocates those searching for a pit bull to avoid American Bully breeders, as ethical breeders should work on preserving the American pit bull terrier breed instead of making their own distorted versions of it.

“The problem is that there is no concerted or organized effort to actually turn the American Bully into a real breed, nor a full attempt to separate the American Bully from the American Pit Bull Terrier. The lines are so blurred as to be invisible at times.” ~The Real Pitbull.

All Dogs are Special

As seen, blue nosed dogs are not a special “type” of purebred pit bulls nor do they belong to a special lineage of pit bulls. They just happen to be dogs who have a different color of nose compared to other pit bulls. Just as one wouldn’t say “I have a brindle pit bull” saying “I have a blue nose pit” doesn’t really mean anything special other than providing a description. This is no different than people being described as having blond or dark brown hair.

However, just because blue nose pit bulls aren’t a special or rare type of pit bull, doesn’t make these dogs less special!

Just like snow flakes, each dog comes with its own distinct personality and each dog is special in its own way. Blue-nosed, red-nosed or any other colored-nose, these dogs are as special and lovable as they can be!

Did you know? A few red nose pits come from the Old Family Red Nose bloodline featuring American Pit Bull terriers with amber-eyes, red-noses, red lips, red toe nails and red coats. Just because a pit bull has a red nose though doesn’t mean that it comes from this distinct line.

References:

Heading Home K9 Rescue, Pit Bulls, A Guide, retrieved from the web on April 19th, 2016.
The Real Pit Bull, Bully: this, that and the other thing, retrieved from the web on April 19th, 2016.
The Proper Pit Bull, What You Need to Know About Blue Pitbulls and Blue Nose Pitbulls, retrieved from the web on April 19th, 2016.
United Kennel Club, American Bully, retrieved from the web on April 19th, 2016.

Photo Credits:

A 1-year-old American Pit Bull Terrier in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, by HorraxC –CC BY-SA 3.0
Un american bully en pleno ejercicio Kendernav – Trabajo propio, CC BY-SA 3.0

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

I am Your Dog’s Pineal Gland

June 27, 2016April 18, 2016 by Admin

Just like humans, dogs have a pineal gland, a small gland that not many people may be aware of, but that carries many important functions. Also known as pineal body, conarium or epiphysis cerebri, the pineal gland is present in almost all animals and it plays an important role in their lives. Getting to know the pineal gland better can help us better understand how much dogs rely on this small brain structure, however, this gland’s secretory activity is still only partially understood. So let’s discover today what we currently know about a dog’s pineal gland by listening to his story!

Introducing Your Dog’s Pineal Gland

Hello, it’s your dog’s pineal gland talking! There are chances you have never heard about me before and that’s OK, I am not too popular, but hopefully today you’ll become more familiar with me and my importance. I am quite tiny, just imagine that in humans I am roughly 1 cm in length, whereas in dogs I measure just about 1 mm long. Since I am tucked at the base of your dog’s brain just outside of the blood brain barrier, it’s not like I am advertised much. You may perhaps stumble on pictures of me in some anatomy or veterinary textbooks but otherwise, I sort of live in the shadow.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

If you look at the meaning of my name, you’ll find that the word “pineal” comes from the Latin word pīnea ‎ meaning pine cone. I am called this way because some people think that I am shaped like a small cute pine cone. The fact that I am a gland means that I secrete hormones that are meant to be sent into your dog’s bloodstream. Indeed, along with other important glands like the thyroid gland and the pituitary gland, I am part of your dog’s endocrine system. Not too long ago, people thought I was pretty useless and were fast to categorize me as some vestigial structure, reminiscent of an evolutionary past, but there’s a renewed interest in me, which is very good news for me, you and your dog!

I am a the Hormone of Darkness

I am a gland responsible for providing information about the amount of sunlight received during the day and therefore play a role in those wake and sleep cycles, also known as “circadian rhythms.” I basically tell bears when it’s time to hibernate and it’s likely my fault if people feel like crawling into bed early during those long, wintry days making them feel lethargic and depressed! You see, when you and your dog sleep, I produce what is known as melatonin, a hormone that provides information about the daily onset of darkness and that’s responsible for regulating the sleep cycle. My production of this hormone is maximized during a good night of sleep in a quiet, completely dark room. On top of that, melatonin offers even more benefits: it can support a good immune function in your dog and protect his cells from the damage of free radicals.

“Melatonin is involved in the circadian rhythm and acts as a free-radical scavenger.” ~ Dr. Megan Whelan

Did you know? On top of helping regulate sleep, melatonin is also known for having anticancer effects, explain Dr. Demian Dressler, and Dr. Susan Ettinger on the Dog Cancer Blog.

When Things Go Wrong

When I produce melatonin in normal quantities, your dog is happy and healthy. As the photosensitive ganglion cells in your dog’s eyes detect light, this information is sent to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a small region of the brain in the hypothalamus that communicates with me. When it’s daytime, I inhibit my production of melatonin so you can carry on with your daily tasks without getting too groggy, but when nighttime falls, my production of melatonin goes in high gear so I can make you and your dog ready for bed time (as long as you have kept your dog busy during the day!) Problems start though when for one reason or another, I stop producing adequate amounts of melatonin as needed. This can wreck havoc on your dog’s body causing disruptions to your dog’s “internal clock.”

Studies in humans say that a common reason for me slowing down is aging. According to Colorado State University, as I age, I tend to develop calcium deposits (brain sand) which is common in older animals. Due to the aging factor, older dogs suffer from disruption in their sleep and wake cycles, which explains why they’re often pacing restlessly at night. According to veterinarian Dr. Nicholas Dodman, melatonin can be given under the guidance of a vet to dogs with sleeping disorders or elderly dogs suffering from cognitive dysfunction triggering disrupted sleep (sundowner syndrome.)

Other than helping in sleep timing, I am also responsible for several other biological effects that vary with the seasons such as reproduction, behavior, coat growth and those changes in coat colors seen in animals that camouflage. Some dogs are prone to light-responsive alopecia, which means they tend to lose hair when I don’t get enough sun exposure as it may happen in certain areas with long, dark winters.

“Light responsive alopecia is logically more common in those areas of the country with dark winters such as the Midwest, the Plains states, parts of New England and Canada.” ~ Dr. Alice M. Jeromin, veterinary dermatologist.

Did you know? The pineal gland is sometimes referred to as the ‘third eye” because it responds to light and day length.

As seen, I am quite an important gland! Luckily, unlike some other glands, I am not a frequent site for tumors. The National Canine Cancer Foundation mentions that pineal tumors are extremely rare in dogs. I hope this article has helped you understand me better! Send pats to your dog!

Yours truly,

Your dog’s pineal gland

References:

Sack RL, Lewy AJ, Erb DL, Vollmer WM, Singer CM (1986). “Human melatonin production decreases with age”. J. Pineal Res. 3 (4): 379–88. doi:10.1111/j.1600-079X.1986.tb00760.x. PMID 3783419.
Colorado State University, The Pineal Gland and Melatonin, by R. Bowen, retrieved from the web on April 18th, 2016.
Dvm360, Seasonal affective disorder can be culprit for canine hair loss, by Alice M. Jeromin, retrieved from the web on April 18th, 2016.
Pet Place, Melatonin for cats and dogs, by Dr. Nicholas Dodman, retrieved from the web on April 18th, 2016.
The MSPCA–Angell, Melatonin for Primary Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP), by By Megan Whelan, retrieved from the web on April 18th, 2016

Photo credits:

Wikibooks, Anatomy and physiology of animals pineal gland, By Ruth Lawson. Otago Polytechnic.Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

How Do Dogs End up Being Bow Legged?

March 15, 2022April 17, 2016 by Admin

We are used to seeing bow-legged dogs in cartoons or in company logos meant to give a rugged, imposing image to their business, but in real life, bowed legs can be a serious problem in puppies and adult dogs. Bowed legs in dogs are an abnormality that is noticed when a leg grows curved or bowed instead of appearing straight as it normally should. This type of abnormality is most likely to be seen in young, growing due to problems in their development, but can also be seen as an aftermath to traumatic injuries sometimes even in older dogs. Whatever the cause, it’s important to consult with a vet to determine the best course of action.

The Aftermath of an Injury

When puppies are developing, the long bones of their front and back legs are gradually growing, courtesy of growth plates, also known as ephiphyseal plates. These growth plates consist of soft, cartilage matter located at the end of the puppy’s bones. Growth plates tend to close when the puppy is 12 to 18 months of age. Around this time, the soft cartilage at the end of the bones hardens and mineralizes into hard bone.

If an injury occurs before the growth plates close, there are chances that the cells on the damaged side of the growth plate quit growing, while the cells on the non-damaged side continue to grow, leading to uneven growth and its associated curving, which ultimately leads to bowed legs. Traumatic injuries that may cause bowed legs in a puppy include being hit by a car or the puppy being accidentally dropped.

“An impact such as taking a fall and landing on the front limb with full force can drive this cone-shaped growth plate together and result in severe damage to the cells. This type of injury is common in short-legged dog.” ~ Veterinary surgeon, Dr.Daniel A. Degner,

Breeds with Bowed Legs

In certain breeds, the appearance of bowed legs may be genetic, which means it’s passed down from one generation to another. The American Kennel Club’s Bulldog’s breed standard calls for short, very stout forelegs that are straight and muscular, set wide apart and have a “bowed outline;” however, the bones of the legs should not be curved or bandy. This particular conformation is what gives the bulldog its peculiar, shuffling, “rolling” gait. In other dog breeds, the bowed legs are due to a mutation in the gene responsible for converting cartilage to bone leading to what is known as “acondroplasia.” In these breeds, the bones of the legs appear shortened and deformed with bowed forelimbs. Common achondroplastic breeds include the basset hound, dachshund and corgi. In these breeds such bowing is acceptable, up to the point of being desirable in their breed standard.

In other breeds, bowing of the legs is considered a serious fault. Just like bad hips and eye and heart conditions can be passed down from one generation to another, bowed legs may be hereditary and considered an unappealing trait that breeders try to avoid from happening through careful breeding protocols. However, in some cases, temporary bowing may appear in certain breeds of dogs when they’re puppies. Veterinarian Dr. Deb, mentions that Rottweilers are a breed that tend to look “hocky” as they develop meaning they appear to be bow-legged in the hind legs but the good news is that most pups outgrow this as they mature.

Nutritional Problems

At times, bowing of the legs may be attributed to a nutritional imbalance. This is not common as it used to be, as most dog foods are now produced to be nutritionally complete, but occasionally, breeders may be feeding a homemade diet that isn’t nutritionally complete as it should and this may have an impact. Raw and homemade diets for puppies can be risky if there’s a disruption in the calcium/phosphorus balance. “Homemade raw diets have been associated with nutritional imbalances, leading to skeletal problems in growing puppies,” warns board-certified veterinary nutritionist Dottie Laflamme. Rickets is a a nutritional imbalance of phosphorus or vitamin D in the diet which has been known to cause outward bending of the shafts of the long bones in dogs, poultry and certain farm animals.

“Rickets: Signs may include bone pain and swelling, a stiff gait or limp, difficulty in rising, bowed limbs, and fractures.” Merck Veterinary Manual

Seeing the Vet

The above are just a few of the common reasons why puppies may have bowed legs. While bowed legs may seem like a cosmetic issue, in reality these limb deformities risk causing the dog to move in an abnormal manner which can lead to pain and arthritis. Anytime a puppy goes through a traumatic injury, it’s important to see the vet. The bowing does not occur right away, but generally about 2 to 4 weeks later. It’s important to carefully monitor the leg and compare it to the non- injured one so to recognize early signs of trouble. An orthopedic exam done by a vet, or even better, an orthopedic surgeon can determine what may be causing the bowing along with the best treatment.

Did you know? There’s a good reason why veterinarians and dog trainers discourage vigorous jumping and other forms of strenuous exercise in puppies: those growth plates are very vulnerable! It’s a good idea to wait until these growth plates close and seal before engaging the pup in vigorous activities and canine sports.

References:

Black’s Veterinary Dictionary, By Edward Boden, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers,; 19th edition (1998)
Merck Veterinary Manual, Disorders Associated with Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D in Dogs, retrieved from the Web on April 17th, 2016
Vet Surgery Central, Angular Limb Deformity, retrieved from the Web on April 17th, 2016

How Much Do Dogs Sleep On Average?

June 27, 2016April 16, 2016 by Admin

Let’s face it, we might never find our dogs with bags under their eyes, but dogs, just like us, need their daily dose of beauty sleep. How many hours do dogs sleep on average? There’s ultimately no real standard time frame, as each dog is an individual. Puppies, adult dogs, older dogs and different breeds of dogs may have different levels of energy and they may have different needs when it comes to how many hours of sleep they get. However, we can make some average assumptions by adding up those shorter daily naps with those more lengthy night-time snoozes.

Breed Matters For a Good Part…..

When it comes to how much dogs sleep, breed seems to matter. Some dog breeds are known for being couch potatoes that may rather snooze on the couch then go on a hike. Other dynamite dog breeds may perceive every second spent on the couch as wasted time. And then some others have quite flexible schedules, matching their lifestyles with the lifestyles of their owners. These pooches are likely to stay awake when their owners are awake and are ready to automatically snooze the moment their owners are reading a book or watching TV. Want a dog who likes to sleep? Look for some of the larger breeds of dogs.

“Some very large breeds of dogs, like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, and mastiffs, often spend a great deal of their lives sleeping—perhaps up to sixteen or even eighteen hours a day. ” ~Stanley Coren

But Age Matters Too!

Puppies are generally very active pooches, but their batteries tend to discharge quickly. One minute they’re up and running, the next they are exhausted as they used up all their energy and need to re-charge. Sum all those little naps up and you’ll find that puppies are likely to sleep even up to 16-20 hours a day depending upon their age. We can’t blame them though, pups have a lot of growing and learning to do and they need to get all the rest they can get. Oh, and if you ever see your pup getting cranky at times, try to get him to nap; like children, dogs and puppies tend to get grumpy when they are tired too!

“Counting little naps and longer snoozes, most puppies sleep from 18 to 20 hours a day. As your puppy ages, he will sleep less” Dr. Debra Primovic

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Older dogs are on the calmer side of the spectrum, however, some are prone to develop sleep disruptions as they age either due to weak bladders or the onset of the doggy version of Canine Alzheimer’s disease, which can dogs to pace, whine and feel confused at night. Fortunately, when caught early, this progression of cognitive decline can be slowed down with a script from the vet. Adolescent dogs and middle-aged ones are generally quite active and are more likely to look for something to do rather then snooze.

The Average Dog

Whether you own a small dog, a large dog, a puppy or an old dog, one thing is for sure, dogs tend to sleep more than us. However, it’s also true that they tend to sleep lightly. Indeed, if you ever bothered to notice, they are likely to frequently awaken for the slightest noises. If your household is quite busy with kids running around and playing most of the day, most likely Rover has a hard time relaxing and catching some zzzs. Make sure he has a quiet spot to retreat to when needed. If your dog is kept outside in the yard nearby a busy street, he also may have a hard time sleeping.

Dogs living in quiet quarters may be more likely to sleep. Generally though, bored, lonely dogs tend to fall in two categories: dog who fall asleep and patiently wait for their owners to come home, and creative dogs who craft their own entertainment venues by doing some landscaping in the yard, going on guard duty or remodeling the house chewing through carpets, drywall and upholstery. Regardless, it appears that the general consensus is that the average middle-aged dog tends to sleep between 12 and 16 hours a day in a 24-hour cycle. Most likely, 8 hours are spent sleeping at night when everybody is asleep, and then an extra 4 to 8 hours are spent snoozing during those down times at other times of the day. However as mentioned above, this is just a general guideline as they are too many variables!

What if My Dogs Sleeps Less or More?

Generally, if your dog is acting happy and healthy, sleeping a bit more or a bit less than the average sleeping time for a dog of his age and breed, shouldn’t be a concern. However, it’s best to see the vet if something doesn’t seem right and your dog is sleeping much more or much less than he usually does. For example, a dog who is sleeping a lot more than usual may be suffering from a health problem such as an infection, heart problem, diabetes or pain in the joints as seen in elderly dogs, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.

On the other hand, sleeping less can be a sign of problems too. Your dog may be too hot or too cold, anxious, or he may have strong pain in the neck, back or abdomen which may require an emergency visit to the vet for pain relief. Other conditions that may cause restlessness include dogs taking stimulating medications, canine Alzheimer’s’, allergies that cause persistent licking or metabolic conditions such Cushing’s disease, explains Larry Lachman animal behavior consultant and author of “Dogs on the Couch.”

For further reading: Five Dog Sleeping Position Meanings.

Did you know? A study conducted on pointer dogs sleeping over a 24 hour period revealed that dogs spend about 44% of their time in an alert wakeful state, 21 percent in a drowsy state, 23 percent is spent in slow-wave sleep and 12 percent in REM sleep.

References:

Baseline sleep-wake patterns in the pointer dog , Edgar A. Lucas, Ervin W. Powell, O.D. Murphree, Departments of Anatomy and Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72201 USA,Veterans Administration Hospital, North Little Rock, AR USA, Received 17 August 1976, Available online 19 March 2003
What do Dogs Know? By Stanley Coren, retrieved from the web on April 16th, 2o16
VCA Animal Hospitals, Why-is-my-dog-more-tired-than-usual, retrieved from the web on April 16th, 2o16

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

Five Fascinating Facts About A Dog’s Neck

June 27, 2016April 15, 2016 by Admin

We often take our dogs’ necks for granted, but those necks do so much! A dog’s neck main function is to support the dog’s head and protect the spinal cord. Sure, a dog’s neck is not as impressive as the neck of a giraffe, but it carries many roles and there are some interesting facts about a dog’s neck that are ready to be discovered! Here are fives fascinating facts about a dog’s neck.

1) Dogs Have the Same Number of Vertebrae Than a Giraffe.

How can it be? Sure, a dog’s neck appears much shorter than the neck of a giraffe, but both dog and giraffe have only 7 vertebrae, which is also the same number of vertebra humans have. The dog’s first vertebrae is called the atlas and you must thank this bone if your dog is able to raise his head and lower it down. Next in line is the axis, the vertebra that allows your dog to rotate his head laterally. The remaining five vertebrae are quite similar in structure. What mainly makes the difference between the neck of a dog and the neck of a giraffe? According to San Diego Zoo, a giraffe’s vertebrae can measure over 10 inches long, so add those vertebrae up and you have an explanation for the giraffe’s impressive 6-foot neck!

Did you know? The first vertebra’s name “Atlas” derives from a Titan giant who in Greek mythology was known for holding the world on his shoulders. Just like the giant, the atlas holds up your head and the head of your dog!

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]

2) Mother Dogs Carry Pups By the Scruff of Their Neck

We often see mother cats carrying their litter of puddy- tats by the scruff of the neck, but did you know mother dogs carry their pups the same way? Without the luxury of baby strollers, mother dogs have to resort to their most ancient means of transportation if their desire is to move a litter of pups from point A to point B. If you ever watched a mother dog carry her pups by the neck, you may have noticed how the pup gets limp like a strand of overcooked spaghetti. Why is that? This behavior is reminiscent of the past and might have helped grant a pup’s survival, even though today it might not have much survival value. In the olden days, pups were raised in a den and it was imperative that pups were kept safe. When mother dog stumbled on any stranded pups it was crucial to move them from the great outdoors back to the safety of the den.

Upon being lifted off the ground, the pups go instinctively limp because this ups their chances for survival. Struggling was maladaptive because doing so could have caused the pup to get hurt and it could have irritated the mom with the pup risking being left behind. Non-struggling puppies who made the task easy as pie instead had higher chances of being quickly brought to safety. This evolutionary advantage has therefore persisted and is why we still see it occur as of today even though our pups nowadays live in our homes instead of dens, explains Stanley Coren.

Warning: just because momma dog carries her pups this way doesn’t mean we should handle them the same way. “Scruffing” is likely to cause pain in puppies because flexor dominance does not persist in puppies” warns Karen Overall. Also, puppies are no longer carried this way by momma dog after a certain age. And definitively, scruffing should never be used as a way to discipline puppies!

3) Some Dogs have an Ewe Neck.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs with an ewe neck have a neck that has a topline that is concave rather than convex. The bottom of the neck is instead convex making it look like an upside down neck. It’s called this way because it resembles the neck often seen in a female sheep, known as “ewe.” In many dog breeds an ewe neck is considered a fault. According to the Borzoi Club of America, the presence of an ewe neck in the borzoi is indication of a weak neck that interferes with the ability to hold prey.

4) The Lundehund Can Bend His Neck Backwards

The Norwegian Lundehund dog breed is as special as it can be. On top of being equipped with 6 toes on each foot and being able to close his ears so to protect the ear canals from dirt and moisture, the Lundehund has special neck joints that allows him to bend the neck backwards along his spine (a quality seen only in reindeer!) which turns extra handy when he must turn in a very tight passage. This extraordinary breed was selectively bred to hunt for puffins and their eggs which required him to hunt off the rocky coasts and narrow passages of Værøy island, Norway.

5) The Neck is a Delicate Piece of Machinery

Despite what you may have heard, a dog’s neck is not as tough as you may have thought. Chronically pulling on your dog’s collar may lead not only to stress on the neck, but in the long run, potential for a lifetime of painful disc disease and shoulder ailments, explains veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly. Not to mention tracheal problems which are common in small dogs.

The neck and cervical spine contain the spinal cord, from which the nerves of the front legs originate. The thyroid gland which is responsible for regulating the whole metabolism of a dog’s body is also located in the neck, points out veterinarian Dr. Dobias. Choke, prong and shock collars can cause irreversible damage to your dog, he warns. He recommends avoiding collars and using instead front-attachment harnesses which don’t put strain on a dog’s neck and throat.

“Sometimes it seems no one ever explained that the neck is a delicate piece of machinery through which all things flow.” ~Dr. Patty Khuly

References:

San Diego Zoo Animals, Mammals, Giraffe, retrieved from the web on April 15th, 2016
Norwegian Lundehund Club of America, Homepage, retrieved from the World Wide Web on April 15th, 2016
Pet MD, Collar Safety, Collar safety in dog training and in real life: A veterinarian’s take, retrieved from the World Wide Web on April 15th, 2016
Dr. Dobia’s Natural Healing, Choke, Prong and Shock Collars Can Irreversibly Damage Your Dog, retrieved from the World Wide Web on April 15th, 2016
Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, By Karen Overall, retrieved from the World Wide Web on April 15th, 2016

Photo Credits:

-Wikipedia, Picture of a Norwegian Lundehund, N UCH Ålvisheims Hårek, by Karen Elise Dahlmo, CC BY-SA 3.0

-Wikipedia, Plott Hound, DTabCam – Own work, GFDL

[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]