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The Mystery Behind Teeth Chattering in Dogs

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Have you ever seen a dog who sniffs a spot and then starts chattering his teeth? This curious behavior has many wondering about it. The noise produced when the dog chatters his teeth is similar to when somebody is cold, with the teeth rapidly clicking against each other repeatedly for a few seconds.

Teeth chattering in dogs shouldn’t be confused with snapping, which occurs when the dog opens  his mouth to deliberately “air bite” when he’s feeling threatened, protective or irritated. Snapping is a dog’s way of telling a person or another dog that he has teeth and that he’ll have no problem putting them to use if the situation warrants it.

In this article we’ll be taking a look at the reasons behind dog teeth chattering after sniffing and other various causes for those teeth clicking episodes.

dog teeth chattering Wine Tasting for Dogs

Have you ever attended a wine tasting event? If not, it’s interesting watching the behaviors and reactions seen in famous wine connoisseurs as they’re analyzing the best wines.

Tasting wine is truly an art and those wine experts are blessed with the most refined, trained palates out there. They’ll typically start off by pouring the wine in a glass and taking a careful look at the sample.

Afterward, they’ll take a brief whiff followed by a deeper inhalation to take in the aroma. They’ll pause for a bit and then finally they’ll take a sip and swish the wine around to fully enjoy the aromatic flavors.

It has been said that over 75 percent of our sense of taste derives from our sense of smell, which explains why when we have a cold we cannot taste food as we normally do.

Back to dogs, when dogs are sniffing an interesting spot, they are carefully analyzing it. Blessed with up to 300 million scent receptors (us humans have a mere 5 million ) a dog’s ability to smell must surely dazzle the best wine connoisseurs on earth!

The teeth chattering noises in dogs when sniffing are therefore a means for them to carefully analyze and ‘taste” the odors.

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OK, this is not good use!
OK, this is not really good use!

Using the Vomeronasal Organ 

Dogs are blessed with a vomeronasal organ, a special organ that allows dogs to “taste” smells.

The vomeronasal organ is a pouch-like structure that’s located between the dog’s vomer and nasal bones with a special duct located at the top of the dog’s roof of the mouth. This duct is called the “incisive papilla.”

If you want to see some pictures of where this duct is located then click here and here.

The vomeronasal organ’s main function is to convey chemical messages known as pheromones which are purposely left behind by other dogs for reproductive or other social purposes.

To receive these chemical messages, since they’re non-volatile, it’s necessary that they travel to the dog’s vomeronsal organ so that they’re relayed to important parts of the dog’s brain responsible for coordinating mating and other basic emotions.

When dogs are seen chattering their teeth and perhaps even foaming at the mouth, they are basically gathering these large scent molecules towards their incisiva papilla with the help of their tongue (tonguing) so that they reach the vomeronasal organ and then finally the dog’s brain.

“When tonguing, the dog’s tongue is pushed rapidly against the roof of the mouth with the teeth sometimes chattering and expressing profuse foam sometimes collecting on the upper lip. Tonguing is frequently observed after a dog licks a urine spot or “tastes the air” following the exchange of mutual threat displays between two rival males” ” ~Steven Lindsay

As Seen in Intact Male Dogsdog reading

We know that “pee mail” tells dogs a whole lot about other dogs. Male dogs, especially intact male dogs, are the “sniffers par excellence” and not surprisingly they are the ones who are more often seen engaging in tooth chattering behavior.

This is likely because they may be sniffing female dog urine and analyzing it to determine if the female dog in question is in season. They may also teeth chatter when they are directly sniffing a female dog’s rear area.

Female dogs don’t go out telling males, “Hey I am ready!” Instead, they deliver their pheromone-rich business cards discreetly through chemical messages found in their urine.

If the female dog in question turns out being in heat, teeth chattering may also take place in male dogs to manifest their excitement about the pleasant “discovery.”

Interestingly, neutered males and female dogs may also engage in teeth chattering behaviors when they are analyzing scent and the scent doesn’t necessarily need to be urine to trigger this behavior.

“Dogs read about the world through their noses, and they write their messages, at least to other dogs, in their urine.” Stanley Coren

dog teeth chatteringOther Things to Chatter About

While many dogs chatter their teeth when they are smelling a urine spot, dogs may chatter at other times for other reasons.

A common cause for teeth chattering is when a dog is anticipating something. The teeth chattering may therefore take place when the dog is watching the owner prepare a meal or when the owner grabs the leash.

It’s a behavior that’s perhaps quite similar to seeing a wiggly little kid who can’t sit still.

Some dogs are known to teeth chatter when they are anticipating a training session or during play. Sometimes two dogs may be seen playing together lying down next to each other raising their muzzles up and clacking their jaws. A lazy play session for tired dogs.

As in people, dogs may also chatter their teeth when they are cold or anxious about something such as an approaching dog or a stranger.

 

A Medical Problem

Finally, teeth chattering in dogs may be a sign of a dental problem or a neurological problem such as tremors or focal seizures affecting mostly the mouth.

In distemper, a potentially life threatening disease, dogs may develop seizures characterized by  jaw chattering motions as if the dog was chewing gum. Fortunately, this disease is not very common considering that most dogs are vaccinated against it.

If your dog is chattering his teeth and you can’t figure out why, it’s therefore best to play it safe and have your dog see the vet to rule out any medical causes for the behavior.

Dog Teeth Chattering Before Eating

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References:

Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Adaptation and Learning, By Steven R. Lindsay, Iowa State University Press; Volume One edition (January 31, 2000)

How Livestock Guardian Dogs Protect Sheep

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Where there are sheep, there are likely hungry predators looking for a fast meal, but livestock guardian dogs have successfully helped protect sheep from wolves for many centuries. Sheep are animals that don’t have a very good reputation for being capable of defending themselves. Even if sheep aren’t killed, they are very delicate animals who can die from sheer panic or from injuries sustained during a confrontation. Wolves aren’t the only animals that predate on sheep though, hyenas, coyotes, bears and feral hogs are other animals who would happily feast on sheep given the opportunity. It is thanks to livestock guardian dogs that today many farmers can allow sheep to share the same habitat with their predators without the need to use inhumane methods such as trapping, shooting or poisoning.

livestock dog3 Ways Livestock Guardian Dogs Protect Sheep

Is the predisposition to guard livestock a product of nature or nurture in livestock guardian dogs? Most likely it’s a combination of both. Years of selective breeding from farmers has helped produce dogs with an innate predisposition to do the job they were bred for. The best livestock guardian dogs who excelled in their work were bred so they could pass down valuable traits to their future generations. Dogs who performed poorly, or even harmed livestock, on the other hand, were pulled out of the breeding pool.

Livestock guardian dogs are raised among sheep from a young age so they have an opportunity to bond, or at least, get to know sheep better.  These puppies may require a certain level of guidance and training at first so to learn not to chase or nip livestock and stay with the flock and not to wander away. This early bonding process and training paves the path to a dog who willingly chooses to remain with the sheep and protect them. Following are three ways livestock guardians protect sheep.

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  1. Their Mere Presence

great pyrennees

Sometimes, mere presence is enough to deter attacks. Just like the presence of a uniformed security officer patrolling a parking lot deters thieves, the mere presence of livestock guardian dogs can be enough to deter predators from harming the sheep. Instead of wearing a uniform though livestock guardian dogs boast an intimidating presence courtesy of their sheer sizes. On top of that, blessed with keen senses, these dogs demonstrate a high level of alertness. Eben when they seem to be sleeping, they’re attentive to their surroundings!

Livestock guardian dogs tend to patrol their nearby areas to detect any unusual activities. With experience, most livestock guardians learn that predators are more likely to be around in the evening and early morning, so they’ll be patrolling more during these times. Many predators will  take notice and bypass the area when they notice the presence of guarding dog.

2) Scent Marking Behavior

Many livestock guardian dogs will start scent marking with urine and/or feces as they mature. In particular, they may focus on marking nearby the perimeters of a pasture. According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, other canids, even though belonging to a different species, are capable of recognizing the boundaries set from the guardian’s marked areas and will seek other places rather than invade the claimed territory.

“Predators (including coyotes, foxes and wolves) understand these odors just as clearly as we understand what giant billboards or stop signs tell us” explains Yvonne Zweede-Tucker,  a longtime goat rancher and author of the book “The Meat Goat Handbook: Raising Goats for Food, Profit, and Fun.”

3) Barking and Posturingkangal dog

Many people may think that the main way livestock guardian dogs defend sheep is by attacking wolves, but good livestock guardian dogs instead defend sheep mainly by barking. Upon noticing a predator, livestock guardians will repeatedly bark in an intimidating tone, assume a threatening posture and eventually lunge towards the predator to encourage it to leave. Most predators will retreat at this point. Sticking with the flock rather than chasing or fighting the predator is a good choice. Should the livestock guardians chase the predator, doing so would leave the flock vulnerable to attacks from other predators. Not to mention that by chasing the predators they would put themselves in a potentially life- threatening situation. As a last resort, livestock guardians may be forced to choose confrontation in some cases. This is likely to occur when a predator is not responsive to their barking and posturing behavior.

“Asking a Pry not to bark, is like asking a fish not to swim. Pyrs are bred to bark to keep potential animal and human intruders away. It is their way of letting everyone know they are on duty.”~ Great Pyrenees Rescue

list of livestock guardian dogs

Did you know? In Italy, Spain or Turkey, farmers let their livestock guardian dogs wear a special collar known as a “wolf collar.” These collars have elongated spikes that are meant to protect the dogs from wolves trying to bite their necks.

References:

  • Defenders of Wildlife, Livestock and Wolves A Guide to Nonlethal Tools and Methods to Reduce Conflicts, retrieved from the Web on March 24, 2016.
  • United States Department of Agriculture, Livestock Guarding Dogs Protecting Sheep from Predators, Agriculture Information Bulletin Number 588
  •  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating, Livestock Guardian Dogs, retrieved from the Web on March 24, 2016
  • The Meat Goat Handbook: Raising Goats for Food, Profit, and Fun, by Yvonne Zweede-Tucker,  Voyageur Press; First edition (January 15, 2012)

Photo Credits:

Kangal dog with spikey collar, Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

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Dog Word of the Day: Carnassial Tooth

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Today’s Dog Word of the Day is “carnassial tooth.” Puppies have 28 teeth, and just like human babies, they are prone to losing baby teeth and replacing them with permanent adult teeth. Adult dogs are equipped with 42 teeth comprising 12 incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars and 10 molars. More precisely, there should be 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 pre-molars and 4 molars in the upper jaw, and 6 incisors, 2 canines, 8 pre-molars and 6 molars in the lower jaw. Understanding dog teeth is helpful so we can better comprehend their important roles and recognize early signs of trouble. Today, we will be focusing in particular on a dog’s carnassial teeth.

a dog's carnassial toothWhat Sharp Teeth You Have!

Just by taking a look at the term “carnassial” we can get a grip on the important role these teeth may have played and continue to play in a dog’s life. According to the American Heritage Dictionary, the term carnassial  derives from the French word “carnassier’ which means carnivorous. The term carnassial teeth therefore refers to teeth specifically designed for shearing flesh. Which dog teeth are considered carnassial teeth? If we look at a dog’s mouth, the carnassial teeth comprise the fourth upper premolar and the first lower molar. These teeth are particular for the fact that they have self-sharpening edges that are designed in such a way as to pass by each other in a shearing manner. This is why these teeth are sometimes also referred to as “shearing teeth.”

“The maxillary fourth premolar is the upper carnassial tooth (meat cutter) which, along with the mandibular first molar (the lower carnassial) acts as a pair of scissors to cut meat from prey.”~ Hale Veterinary Dental Clinic  

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Shearing of Fleshcarnassial tooth

For a good reason, the dog’s carnassial teeth are the largest of all. The carnassial teeth in dogs are purposely crafted so dogs could shear through flesh, tendon and muscle, and crack bones. Carnassial teeth allow a scissor-like motion occurring when the inside of the fourth upper premolar aligns with the outer surface of the first lower molar. The action is very similar to how shearing blades work. When you see your dog gnawing on a bone and moving it to the sides of his mouth as he tilts his head, he’s using his carnassial teeth to cut off meat or crush through bone.

Fun fact: Acording to Pet Education, a dog’s carnassial tooth has three roots, while the rest of a dog’s teeth have only one or two.


Keep an “Eye” for Trouble

As other teeth, the carnassial teeth in dogs may be sources of problems especially in older dogs. When dogs develop problems with this tooth though, there may show symptoms that may not be readily recognized as a tooth problem by dog owners. Dogs with an infected upper carnassial tooth may develop an abscess or a draining pustule right under the eye that dog owners often fail to recognize as a tooth problem. Dog owners often confuse it for an eye infection or a bite from some insect.

“What has happened is that an infection has spread from an infected fourth upper premolar tooth.” explains veterinarian Ronald Hines on his website. The dog’s carnassial tooth likely has a crack or fracture which may cause bacteria to enter and migrate from the long roots of this tooth to the dog’s facial area causing the swelling and infection. Even though antibiotics may help temporarily treat the infection, the problem is likely to recur until the problem tooth is treated either through removal or root canal treatment.

Did you know? There are veterinarians specializing in dentistry too! If you ever need specialized dental care for your dog, look for a veterinarian who is certified by the American Veterinary Dental College.

Preventing Cracked Carnassials

What may cause a carnassial tooth to fracture in the first place? When dogs chew hard objects they exert enormous biting forces with their carnassial teeth. If a dog chews something that’s hard or harder than the tooth, the tooth may get fractured, explains Daniel T. Carmichael, a board-certified veterinarian specializing in veterinary dentistry. Objects that may cause a fracture of a carnassial tooth include bones, hard plastic toys, cow hooves, rocks, and cage bars. However, chewing on hard objects isn’t the only way dogs may fracture a tooth. Trauma to the carnassial teeth may also occur from a car accident, a kick from a horse, a hit from a baseball bat or  when catching a flying object. While accidents may not always be prevented, it’s important protecting those carnassial teeth by not allowing dogs to chew on hard objects!

 

References:

  • 2ndchance.info, Carnassial Tooth Abscess in Dogs, by  Dr. Ronald Hines retrieved from the web on March 23, 2016
  • Dvm360, Dental Corner: Dental fracture treatment options in dogs and cats, by Dr. Daniel T. Carmichael, retrieved from the web on March 23, 2016
  • Pet Education, Infections of the 4th Premolar (Carnassial Tooth) by Dr. Race Foster retrieved from the web on March 23, 2016
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When A Dog’s Tail Gets Limp

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It’s Tuesday Trivia and today we will be talking about limp tails in dogs. So you take your happy-go-lucky Labrador retriever to swim in a pond, your dog has loads of fun retrieving a ball, then you light up a fire and you both spend the night sleeping in a tent. It’s a bit chilly in the early morning once the fire is off, but nothing major. When you wake up, you notice your dog is no longer able to wag his tail as happily as he usually does. His tail is indeed kept low, limp and flaccid, something highly unusual for your dog. What happened to the dog’s tail? Why has the dog’s tail gone totally limp? Of course, only a vet can diagnose health problems in dogs, but there is a particular condition that’s likely to occur under these exact circumstances, can you name the condition?

A: Shy dog syndrome

B: An anal gland problem

C: Acute caudal myopathy

D: A fractured tail

The answer is:

drum

If you answered, A, shy dog syndrome, the answer is incorrect. Sure, dogs who are shy tend to keep their tails between their legs, but in this scenario the tail is limp and flaccid and the Labrador is not able to wag the tail as he normally does. Also, the outgoing Labrador described above wasn’t showing any reason for exhibiting shy behavior.

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If you answered B, anal gland problem, this is a possibility, however, according to Dr. Gary, a veterinarian graduate of Michigan State University, a dog with anal gland problems may keep the tail tucked as a pain/stress response, but when a dog is also unable to move the tail or the tail is hanging limp, it’s likely something else is going on.

If you answered D, a fractured tail, that’s also a possibility, but in the above circumstance there were no accidents to make you believe he could have fractured it. To fracture a tail, there’s often some form of traumatic injury taking place. Most commonly, this can occur when a dog is hit by a car, the tail is stepped on, the tail is caught between a closing door or the dog falls of a sofa or bed and the tail hits the floor wrong, explains veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker. 

If you answered C:  Acute caudal myopathy, congratulations, the answer is correct!

limp tailAcute Caudal Myopathy in Dogs

What is acute caudal myopathy? Also more formally known as dog swimmer’s tail, cold water tail, dead tail, rudder tail, frozen tail, sprain tail, broken tail, limber tail, limp tail or broken wag, acute caudal myopathy is a condition affecting the muscles of the dog’s tail. The term “acute” is used to depict the sudden onset of this condition, the term caudal, is the medical term for tail, while the term myopathy is simply a term used to depict a disease of the muscle. This condition often alarms dog owners who can’t figure out what is wrong with the dog’a tail and assume the dog’s tail must be broken.

What are the symptoms of limp tail? Typically, affected dogs present with a flaccid tail or they may hold several inches of the tail horizontally and the rest then drops down vertically. The tail will be painful near the base causing the dog to have trouble finding a comfortable position when sitting down, lying down and/or squatting to defecate. These dogs may also eliminate wagging from their behavior repertoire. If the pain is very intense, the dog may even become lethargic and lose its appetite. Dog owners sometimes notice visible swelling around the tail area and raised hair by the base of the tail.

Everything in Moderation

limber tail

How does a dog get a limp tail? Well, first of all a limp tail is a matter of loss of muscle tone. Generally, the acute onset takes place after the dog has overused its tail. When dogs swim, they tend to use their tail as a rudder, so if a dog isn’t used to this kind of movement, the muscles may become sore especially after a day of swimming in cold water, hence the name cold water tail, swimming tail or rudder tail.

It can also be seen in dogs who are exposed to wet, cold weather (eg romping in the snow) or in under-conditioned dogs who haven’t been exercised for some time and then are sent hunting or are engaged in other forms of exercise involving lots of tail action. Sometimes, limp tail may also occur when dogs are crated for a long period of time. Even though any dog with a tail can be affected, limp tail seems to most commonly affect  pointers, setters, beagles and retrievers.

“We usually see it in dogs who have had a recent bath, exposure to cold water or rain, or have had recent physical exertion or excitement.” ~ Dr. Laura Devlin, DVM, DABVP

dog cannot wag tailA Quick Recovery

How is limber tail diagnosed? As mentioned, swimmer’s tail typically occurs after a dog goes swimming, after being exercises a lot or after prolonged crating. Veterinarians typically diagnose limp tail based on the dog’s history and physical exam. During the physical exam, the vet  may look for any neurological signs, problems to the dog’s anal glands and any other conditions known for causing pain and swelling of the tail. The vet will palpate the tail, spine and pelvic area to pinpoint the problem area and may ask if the dog has sustained any tail injuries. Based on a study conducted by Janet E. Steiss, DVM, Ph.D. et al, affected dogs are found to have an increase in their levels of serum creatine phosphokinase, a muscle enzyme.

How is a limp tail treated? Fortunately, acute caudal myopathy is a temporary condition that gets better with rest and medication. Veterinarians may prescribe an anti-inflammatory drug to speed up recovery times. Generally, dogs suffering from limber tail spontaneously recover within a few days to a couple of weeks.  Soon, the dog is back to wagging his tail proudly as before.

“Complete recovery generally occurs within 2 weeks with some dogs recovering within a few days. About one third of dogs can experience a recurrence. ” ~Dr. Debra Primovic

Please note: If you dog has symptoms of limber tail but doesn’t have a history of swimming, being crated, exposed to cold weather or overexerting himself, see your vet immediately. There may be something serious going on such as nerve damage or loss of blood supply to the area.

References:

  • Coccygeal muscle injury in English pointers (Limber tail). Steiss, J. et al. J Vet Intern Med1999;13:540-548
  • Pet Place, Limber Tail Syndrome, by Dr. Debra Primovic, retrieved from the web on March 22nd, 2016
  • Four Injuries that can take the wag out of your pet’s tail, by Dr. Marty Becker, retrieved from the web on March 22nd, 2016

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I am Your Dog’s Bladder

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We tend to not think much about our dog’s bladder other than when dogs need to be taken out to potty or when dogs develop some annoying bladder infection, but those bladders are always working around the clock, and aren’t much acknowledged for the hard work they do. A bladder may just seem like a pretty much boring body part, but turns out it has its own little story to tell us if we are ready to listen. So here are some interesting facts about your dog’s bladder, coming straight from your dog’s bladder mouth!

Let Me Introduce Myself!
d

Hello, it’s your dog’s bladder talking today! Let me tell you a bit about me. I am simply a hollow organ that’s meant to store your dog’s urine coming from the kidneys. For sake of comparison, I am similar to a water balloon. I am pretty much round when I am empty, but will distend and become pear-shaped when I fill up with your dog’s urine. On one end, each of your dog’s kidneys send urine to me through tubes known as ureters, on the other end, urine exits me through the urethra. During the day, I get filled up on a continuous basis and am emptied occasionally.

Did you know?  Micturition is the medical term for urination

dog markingI am Intelligent

The beauty of me is that I am “intelligent.”  You see, when I stretch beyond a certain “trigger point,” special nerves in my bladder wall will send a message to your dog’s brain, eliciting him to go to the door and bark or ring a bell (if he’s trained to do so of course!) Once your dog is outside, he will look for a spot and relax the sphincter, (a special muscle around the neck of the bladder) so that urine is released.

It’s very important that you pay attention to your dog when he needs to be let out. Sometimes owners leave their house trained dogs home alone for extended periods of time with no opportunity to relieve themselves. You see, the problem is that the kidneys keep sending me urine all the time. This means that as time elapses, I keep getting fuller and fuller and fuller. Your dog can hold it only up to a certain point. If I get too full, more pressure is put on the dog’s sphincter making him more and more uncomfortable. A time may come that your dog may no longer able to hold it so those sphincters relax and urine is released. And if the dog has superb control, and thus, doesn’t have an accident, it’s still not healthy making me store urine for too long.  A doggy door or a pet sitter can be a blessing for  both me and the dog.

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Curious fact: in male dogs, the urethra is longer, allowing them more voluntary control. This undoubtedly plays an important role in a male dog’s marking behavior, explains Dr. Cathy E. Langston, a board-certified veterinarian specializing in internal medicine.

A Word About Puppies

Puppy accidents
Puppy accidents around the house

As seen, it is thanks to the dog’s control of the muscular sphincter that urine doesn’t escape from me at the most inappropriate times. Most dogs attain this level of control as they mature. In very young puppies though, as soon as I start to stretch, they are unable to control their muscles of their sphincter so I end up emptying prematurely. By the time the puppy realizes he has to go, a puddle is already made. You can’t blame the poor puppies of course! Their sphincter muscles just haven’t developed yet.

At what age do puppies attain sufficient muscle tone to allow them to control things a bit more? Stanley Coren, in his book “Born to Bark: My Adventures with an Irrepressible and Unforgettable Dog” claims that full control isn’t reached until the puppy is 5 to 6 months. Prior to that though, the good news though is that you’ll see gradual signs of progress. As with human children, most puppies at one time or another will become potty trained. It’s therefore worthless and counterproductive punishing the poor pups for accidents they can’t control! For more on this, read: the physiology behind puppy accidents.

dog urinary systemWhen Things Go Wrong

In a healthy, mature dog, with no medical problems, urine flows out of me when the dog wants me to empty with no problem. but even though I am a simple bag-like structure, I can also encounter problems. In most cases, your dog will let you know when something is wrong with me as I will cause changes in his elimination habits that are beyond his control.

However, sometimes things may go unnoticed, especially to busy pet parents. Not always though I am the source of the problem, sometimes neighboring organs may have an impact on my correct functioning. If your dog starts urinating inappropriately out of the blue, consider the possibility of a medical problem.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine from me. This can happen even when I am not full. In female dogs, the hormone estrogen helps maintain good muscle tone of my sphincters. As spayed dogs age though, these muscles tend to weaken and you may notice a leakage of urine when they’re resting or sleeping, explains Dr. Marie. Fortunately, female dogs with bladder sphincter control problems can be given a medication called PPA (phenylpropanolamine, yeah try to pronounce that!) to help strengthen my sphincters.

Incontinence may be caused by several other problems. Sometimes at birth, puppies are born with defective bodies with ureters that bypass me and open directly into the urethra. These “ectopic ureters” common in Siberian husky puppies will cause incontinence. Dogs with brain or spinal cord disease may dribble urine as nerves can no longer effectively communicate with their brains to send them my message of needing to go. Prostate enlargement in intact male dogs may also cause involuntary leakage of urine. Any medical condition that causes increased drinking such as diabetes, kidney disease and Cushing’s, may cause incontinence and so can certain medications

Bladder Infections

Sometimes, I may get infected. Female dogs are more predisposed to this because they have a shorter and wider urethra which makes it easier for bacteria to reach me, but male dogs may occasionally get a bladder infection too. When I get infected, the associated inflammation causes me to become overactive causing me to contract more than normal. When this happens, I typically cause frequent urination and the sensation of needing to urinate despite being empty. Blood in the urine is another common symptom.

Bladder Stones

Sometimes, stones may form. When this happens, I cause symptoms similar to bladder infections. When stones interfere with my urine output, things though may get critical. You see, your dog’s urine contains waste substances that need to be absolutely removed. If they fail to be removed, these waste products can poison cells and cause what’s known as uremic poisoning.

Bladder Cancer

Fortunately, this type of cancer doesn’t affect me at a high rate. According to veterinarian Dr. Deborah W. Knapp,  out of all the types of cancer that may affect dogs, bladder cancer comprises approximately 2% of all cancers. The most common type of cancer affecting me is called “invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).” As the cancer enlarges, it interferes with my ability to obtain urine from the kidneys or to excrete urine. On top of that, this cancer may spread to the dog’s lymph nodes and other organs.

dog drinking Keep Me in Good Health!

Now that you have seen many things that can go wrong with me, here comes some positive news. There are many things you can do to keep me in good health. Here are just a few tips from optimal urinary health from Dr. Karen Becker.

  • Keep your dog’s rear end clean. If your dog has long fur in his rear end, keep it well groomed and dry. This can help prevent bacteria from reaching me.
  • Let your dog urinate frequently. The longer I store urine, the higher the chances that bacteria will accumulate. By allowing frequent urination, you will help keep me in good health.
  • Always provide access to fresh, clean water so all bad bacteria are flushed out routinely.
  • Provide a healthy diet and exercise to keep your dog’s body and immune system  in good shape.

 

As seen, I am quite a work of art! Don’t take me for granted. Successful urination is the combined effort of optimal nerve function, mental awareness and the relaxation and contraction of muscles. When any of these components go wrong, you have a problem. I hope you understand me better now! Just don’t forget about me and when you notice a problem with me, see your vet.

Respectfully yours,

Your Dog’s BladderDog Pawprint

 

Disclaimer: The article is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your dog is sick, please see your vet.

References:

  • Dr. Mercola, Help Your Pet Experience Optimal Urinary Tract and Bladder Health, retrieved from the web on March 21, 2016
  • Clinical Anatomy & Physiology for Veterinary Technicians, Thomas Colville DVM, Joanna M. Bassert VMD, Mosby Inc.  St Louis, MO, 2002
  • DVM360, Urinary incontinence in dogs, by Cathy E. Langston, DVM, DACVIM, retrieved from the web on March 21, 2016
  • Perdue University, Canine Bladder Cancer, by Deborah W. Knapp, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, retrieved from the web on March 21, 2016
  • Born to Bark: My Adventures with an Irrepressible and Unforgettable Dog By Stanley Coren, retrieved from the web on March 21, 2016 

Photo credits:

Anatomy and physiology of animals Urinary system, By Ruth Lawson. Otago Polytechnic. CC BY 3.0

Urinary System of Dog, By Ruth Lawson Otago Polytechnic,  Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license

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Study Reveals Dogs May See in Ultraviolet

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We always knew that some animals such as birds, reptiles and insects (think bees) were capable of seeing ultraviolet, but a new study has revealed that dogs may be capable of seeing some level of ultraviolet too. In a previous article on how dogs see colors, we saw how dogs see colors differently than we do. For sake of comparison, dogs see color as a person who is red-green color blind (a deuteranope). Most likely, the reason dogs see colors poorly is because color detection wasn’t very important for dogs as  their ancestors must have relied more on movement rather than color to capture prey animals. Compared to humans though, dogs are able to see in the dark better than us, an evolutionary advantage that came handy when the dog’s ancestors were busy hunting down nocturnal critters. With all this in mind, it would be interesting knowing what advantage there may have been for dogs seeing ultraviolet light.

Understanding Ultraviolet Light

What exactly is ultraviolet light? The normal light we are used to seeing is known as visible light. Visible light, which is visible to the human eye, is known for having wavelengths in the range of 400 to 700 nanometres (see picture below). Ultraviolet light, on the other hand, has shorter wavelengths than visible light, in the range of  400  to 10 nanometres, and on the opposite side of the spectrum, infrared light has longer wavelengths ranging from  700 nanometers  to 1 mm. Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye because our lens absorb this type of light so it never gets to reach the retina. The only way people may see ultraviolet is when their lens are removed and not replaced, as it may occur in some cases of cataract surgery.

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♣ Curious Tidbit: There is belief that the artist Monet was capable of seeing ultraviolet after undergoing cataract surgery and this influenced his paintings causing him to paint flowers with a blue tinge.

ultraviolet dog

Ultraviolet Vision in Animalsbee

Many animals have UV-transparent lens allowing UV vision which helps them in different scenarios. In birds, ultraviolet vision may be helpful in courtship. Some birds have reflective patches on their feathers that are invisible to the human eye, but that birds can easily distinguish. These reflective patches are often displayed during mating rituals. Among blackbirds, females seem to respond more to males boasting bills with good UV reflectiveness during the period of territory establishment. On top of that, the waxy surface of certain fruits and berries reflect UV light so that the birds have an easier time identifying them. Birds aside, among bees seeing ultraviolet aids them in finding nectar, among rodents, it aids them in detecting UV-reflecting urine trails and among reindeer it helps them spot polar bears whose coats tend to blend in with the snow.

“There are many examples of things that reflect UV, which UV sensitive animals could see that humans can’t. Examples are patterns on flowers that indicate where nectar is, urine trails that lead to prey, and reindeer could see polar bears as snow reflects UV, but white fur does not.”Ronald Douglas, Discovery News.

A Breakthrough Studylab

Scientists always knew that several insects, birds and reptiles were capable of seeing ultraviolet. Among mammals, this ability was always considered rare and restricted to only a few species. A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, revealed instead that things are different than thought. Researchers examined the eyes of dead animals donated from zoos, veterinarians and slaughter houses ranging from hedgehogs to dogs and cats. The researchers found that the lens of many mammals including hedgehogs, dogs, cats, ferrets and okapis, allowed some ultraviolet light through. It was also found that animals who had lens that blocked UV light had retinas with a high number of cones, suggesting that the trade off for not seeing UV light is increased visual acuity. Moral of the story? If we were to see UV light, life would look quite blurry!

 

“Nobody ever thought these animals could see in ultraviolet, but in fact, they do,” Ron Douglas, the study leader and a biologist at City University London, England, told LiveScience.

What Does it Mean for Dogs?dog hunting night

The study revealed that the lens of dogs were capable of transmitting significant amounts of UVA  in the range of 315 to 400 nm, suggesting that they are UV-sensitive animals. It was also found that species who were partially nocturnal had lens capable of transmitting UV, while diurnal animals had lens that prevented such wavelengths from reaching the retina. This may suggest that dogs can see UV light because they used to hunt nocturnal critters, while us humans relied more on visual acuity so to effectively see during the day. Further studies are needed though to determine exactly pinpoint how dogs may have benefited from seeing UV lights. Perhaps in their evolutionary past, detecting urine trails so to find prey animals would have been helpful and likely so was discerning a white bunny from a backdrop of snow.

“Now, if there is one thing humans are good at, it’s seeing detail, perhaps that’s why they have a lens that removes the UV. If they didn’t, the world would appear more blurred.”  Ron Douglas

Fun fact: Your dog’s urine will glow if you point a black light, a special flashlight that produces ultraviolet light, over it. Indeed, black lights are often sold for urine-detecting purposes so puppy owners can spot soiled areas on the carpet and may effectively clean them up.

References:

  • Bright, Ashleigh.; Waas, Joseph R. (August 2002).”Effects of bill pigmentation and UV reflectance during territory establishment in blackbirds” (PDF).Animal Behaviour 64 (2): 207–213.doi:10.1006/anbe.2002.3042
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B, R. H. Douglas, G. Jeffery, April 2014 Volume: 281 Issue: 1780
  • Live Science, Cats and Dogs May See in Ultraviolet, retrieved from the web on March 20th, 2016
  • Discovery News, Cats Have Super, Psychedelic Vision, retrieved from the web on March 20th, 2016

Photo credits:

Electromagnetic spectrum illustration showing visible spectrum location, by Spectre.svg: Tatoute, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license (changes were made).

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How Do Dogs Interpret Hugs?

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We are so used to hugging our friends and family that it comes quite natural for us to also want to hug our dogs, but how do dogs interpret our hugs? We assume that our dogs must accept and understand our hugs, as long as they don’t wince or rebel to it; after all, if they minded our arms wrapping around them, wouldn’t they clearly let us know in one way or another? Well, turns out that dogs may be telling us a whole different story and we may be missing important signs of uneasiness. Looking at our dogs’ faces though may be quite a challenge when we’re actively hugging them, but pictures of dogs being hugged can be truly worth 1000 words.

“I must have 50 images of people hugging dogs in which the person is beaming with happiness and the dog is looking uncomfortable. Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, but they are more rare than I suspect most people realize.”~ Patricia McConnell

hugFrom a Human Standpoint

Among us humans, a hug is a sign of intimacy, something we mostly reserve to the people we are closest to. The tendency to hug is rooted from early infancy, explain Lena M. Forsell and Sweden Jan A. Åström in an article for Comprehensive Psychology. One of a newborn baby’s first experience in life entails lying in his mother’s arms and nursing. Being embraced, therefore, becomes a positive interaction denoting joy, security, and confidence. As the child grows, he’ll be often seen hugging dolls and stuffed animals as a sign of affection, and into adulthood, hugging becomes a form of non-verbal communication that’s meant to express a variety of positive emotions such as affection, friendship, comfort or sympathy.

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Not all hugs though are always welcomed! When a hug comes unexpectedly or from a person we do not know too well, it may be perceived as an invasion of personal space. We may therefore shy away rather than reciprocate. When hugs are welcomed though, they have been even proven to be beneficial and even provide some health perks!

Did you know? A study conducted by a team from the University of North Carolina found that hugs among humans lowered blood pressure and increased the levels of oxytocin, which potentially provides benefits to the heart, especially among women.

From an Animal Standpointit's a primate thing

Do non-human animals hug? It depends on which type of animal you’re asking about. First off, let’s take a look at the average animal. Being on four legs makes hugging quite unpractical compared to us bipeds. Just imagine the sight of two rhinos hugging, quite unimaginable unless you’re looking at a Disney cartoon!

Things though appear to be quite different among primates where hugging is used in various circumstances. For instance, among spider monkeys hugging is used as a way to diffuse tension among rival “gangs”when they meet. Chimpanzee also engage in several human-like gestures such as kissing, hugging and extending a hand as a sign of friendship, explains Alice Beck Kehoe, in the book “Humans: An Introduction to Four-Field Anthropology.”

From a Dog’s Standpoint

Dogs belong to a category of animals who unlike primates, do not use hugging among each other. Unlike humans, dogs do not carry their offspring in their arms. Actually, placing paws on faces, shoulders or backs is considered rude behavior that’s sometimes somewhat tolerated from puppies (who haven’t yet developed canine social etiquette) or during play following special meta-signals that emphasize that the pawing behavior is part of play and not to be taken seriously. On occasion, dogs who know each other well, will allow certain social freedoms that would otherwise not be granted to the average stranger dog, explains Patricia McConnell in her book “The Other End of the Leash”, p 15.

What does a hug feel to a dog? Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. For starters, when a dog is being hugged, he is taken away the option to leave, so this may cause him to feel trapped and defensive. Add on top of that that our face is placed close to his, we place our arms around him and sometimes even squeeze, a whole stimulus package that can make dogs negatively react. Among dogs hugging is not a natural behavior!

Reaction to Human Hugsdogg

How dogs react to human hugs may vary between one dog and another and also to a great extent it depends on who is doing the hugging. No stranger should attempt to hug a dog he doesn’t know. Sure, there are chances the dog may tolerate the hug, but it’s certainly not worth playing the “bite or no bite Russian roulette”! When it comes to being hugged from their owners, dogs may react in different ways. Some dogs may have learned to associate being hugged with attention, massages and sweet talking, others may just benevolently tolerate them, and some others may actually dread them, turning into the canine version of ticking time bombs who may eventually explode at some time (that means they’ll eventually bite!)

“While some dogs have learned to accept or even enjoy the kind of attention their owners give them, others may not like being hugged, because they may feel restrained and/or “trapped.” ~Dr. Wailani Sung, veterinary behaviorist.

What Dogs are Saying dog hugs

How can we tell how our dogs interpret our hugs? Until our dogs can talk, we must rely on body language, paying attention to the most subtle signs of discomfort. Most dogs tend to use their “words” through body language, and at times the signs are so subtle, dogs are blamed for “biting out of the blue” because these signs are missed. If we know what to look for though, we have an advantage in understanding our companions. While it’s true that pictures can yes, tell a whole lot about what dogs may be feeling upon being hugged, they sometimes only offer half of the story. Some dogs may be more concerned about the camera (many dogs are nervous being photographed) or they may be distracted by the person taking the picture or something else going on. A dog who normally dreads hugs may therefore not show his normal emotions under this circumstance. Something to keep in mind.

Following are some warning signals dogs may be using to tell us they’re getting stressed from the hugging interaction. If you notice any of these warning signs such as whale eyes, stop the interaction, but don’t feel tempted to punish the dog for manifesting these signs or breaking a sit/stay to get away.  If you suppress these warning signs you may end up with a dog who bites without warning next time! Instead, consult with a force-free dog behavior professional who can show you what steps you can take to manage the situation and prevent future problems.

dogs do not like hugs

“In my experience, people commonly say that their dogs did not give them any warning, when in fact their dogs had been crying out for help and relief long before the bite incidents ever occurred.” ~Dr. Wailani Sung.

CaptureEven Good Dogs Can Bite

Sure, there may be dogs who seem to tolerate, or even enjoy hugs, but when it comes to animal behavior, one cannot ever really make blank statements. Dogs who seem to tolerate hugs, may change their perception if they’re squeezed more than usual, cornered, startled or hugged by a stranger.  It could also happen that one day they’re not feeling well and that lowers their threshold for reactivity making them more likely to react.

It’s important to keep in mind that even the most docile dogs may reach a breaking point. Children are particularly vulnerable to bites because they are eager to hug and kiss dogs and doing so puts them at risk for facial bites. When they hug, they also have the tendency to clasp their arms around the dog’s neck and hang on, explains Dog Gone Safe, a website focusing on dog safety. Best to play it safe and always keep an eye on interactions between children and dogs.

 

“All children should be taught that dogs do not like people to get in their face or hug them. Research tells us that these are the most common scenarios for dog bites to children and most dog bites could be prevented if children were taught to interact appropriately with dogs.” Valerie Tynes, Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.

References:

  • Comprehensive Psychology 2012, Volume 1, Article 13 ISSN 2165-2228, Meanings of hugging: from greeting behavior to touching implications, by Lena M. Forsell Stockholm, Sweden Jan A. Åström
  • The Other End of the Leash, by Patricia McConnell, Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (April 29, 2003)
  • Patricia McConnell, The Other End of the Leash Blog, retrieved from the web on March 19th, 2016
  • Humans: An Introduction to Four-Field Anthropology, by Alice Beck Kehoe, Routledge (May 22, 1998)
  • Dog Gone Safe, How to Love Your Dog – Believe It or Not!, retrieved from the web on March 19th, 2016
  • Good News for Pets, interview with Valarie Tynes, DVM, Dipl. ACVB, retrieved from the web on March 19th, 2016

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Five Dog Sleeping Position Meanings

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Let’s face it: dogs tend to sleep in the oddest positions. Whether your dog sleeps on the couch, on the bed or on your feet using your slippers as a pillow, you likely must have wondered at least once or twice why dogs sleep in weird sleeping positions. Believe it or not, you can discover some interesting findings about dogs just from the position in which they sleep. While your dog’s sleeping position perhaps may not reveal as many insights as human sleeping positions do, it’s sure interesting learning what your dog’s sleeping positions may possibly mean: to each their own!

picture-4

 

how dogs sleep

1) The “Dead Cockroach” Position

You might see this sleeping position in dogs a lot  in the “dog days” of summer. Indeed, this is a favorite summer sleeping position that looks quite silly, but your dog sure knows what he’s doing.

Turns out, “the dead cockroach” position is one of the best ways to cool down. Indeed, if you take a look at your dog’s tummy you will notice he has some areas with little fur so by exposing it to the air, he’s granted some speedy cooling.

On top of that, his big paws are also exposed to air which helps out since that’s where a dog’s exclusive sweat glands are located.

Often this sleeping position is seen in dogs who feel secure in their environment for the simple fact that by sleeping on their back they are more vulnerable as it may take some time for them to flip over and stand up in case of a threat. This position is a sign of comfort as all the muscles are relaxed. You’ll likely see your dog sleep in this position mostly when he’s indoors in his safe haven and around people he trusts. If your dog sleeps this way close to you or against you, consider it another of those ways dogs say “I love you.”

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2) The “Snowball” Positiondog sleeping position

Most likely, your dog is sleeping in the curled up, nose-to-tail snowball position when the temperatures start dipping. Indeed, this sleeping position is the best way to conserve heat.  You’ll often see Siberian huskies sleeping this way, with the tail strategically covering their nose for further warmth.

However, there may be more to that. This position is somewhat similar to the human fetal sleeping position for the fact that it involves being curled up.

Other than keeping warm, this is a protective position reminiscent of ancient times when dogs used to dig up a den and sleep curled up inside. Indeed, this position not only kept dogs warm, but it also had a protective function as it helped protect vulnerable organs from dangerous predators, explains Margaret Gruen, a board-certified veterinary behavior specialist working for North Carolina State Veterinary Hospital.

Like the human fetal position, a dog sleeping in this position may be trying to feel secure and therefore can be seen sometimes in a new puppy or dog exposed to unfamiliar territory and in need of some time to acclimate to his new place, adds Dr. Gruen. This position indeed allows the dog to be on his feet immediately if need be. Does this mean that if your dog is sleeping in this position he’s feeling insecure? Not necessarily. Just as in human behavior, there are no rules written in stone.

Did you know? The curled up position may seem comfy and make a dog feel more secure, but it’s one of the less restorative sleeping positions. By sleeping curled up, your dog’s muscles are likely tense and therefore he’ll be less likely to slip into the REM stage, which is the most restorative sleep stage, explains veterinarian  Dr. Karen Becker.

dog sleeping position meaning3) The “Pancake” Position

A dog who is sleeping flat on his side with legs extended is also comfortable in his surroundings as it takes a bit to get back on his feet from this position.

This is a restful position that works very well for restorative REM sleep. You have likely seen your dog pawing, chewing, kicking, twitching and paddling while sleeping in this position and you might be wondering whether he’s dreaming about chasing the neighbor’s cat or eating that sandwich you left unattended on the kitchen counter.

Regardless, consider that REM sleep seems to occur much more frequently in puppies and elderly dogs.

4) The “Sphinx” Position

dog sleeping position

This is a similar position to what your dog assumes when you cue him into a “down.” I remember back in dog training school, our trainer teachers under which we apprenticed, wanted our dogs in a perfect “sphinx-position down” with the front legs straight in front and the rear legs nicely tucked under.

Why so much emphasis on getting dogs in this position? This was the best position to get the dog from a down position to sprinting in little to no time.  The position therefore was optimal for “down/stays,” followed by a recall, so when the dog was called, he could quickly get up on his feet and run towards us.

You might see this as a transitional position when your dog is sort of in between awakening from sleeping and getting ready to do something.

At times, this can be a sign of dog who isn’t too comfortable in his surroundings so he can be ready to react, but it may also be seen in a dog who is ready to sprint into action to follow his beloved owner around at a moment’s notice.

dog sleeping weird5) The “Super Man” Position

Does your dog sleep like Superman ready to take flight? However, instead of taking flight though, he’s drifting into dream world…

This is certainly a position that grants many chuckles and one of the most shared on social media.

It’s a variant of the sphinx position, with the back legs instead of being tucked in, being kept stretched straight out as if the dog was flying.

What does this position tell about your dog? Again, as with the dead cockroach position, this may be an attempt to cool down; however, instead of cooling his belly by airing it upwards, he’s cooling down by laying on a cool surface such as moist grass, tiles or hardwood floor.

You may likely see your dog assume this position after playing hard. Suddenly, he plops down, and since the floor’s surface feels good, he stretches his four legs out and falls asleep in this awkward position. A bit like the sphinx position, the superman position offers the advantage of allowing your dog to sprint into action as needed.

 

As seen, your dog’s sleeping positions can give you a few insights on what may be going on in his body and mind. In many cases, you may find that your dog sleeps in a certain position just because it’s comfy and feels good. How does your dog sleep? Regardless of how your dog sleeps, consider that it’s important that he has the opportunity to do so undisturbed. Sleep deprivation can lower a dog’s impulse threshold and increase reactivity. As the saying goes “let sleeping dogs lie.” Just as humans, dogs need their daily dose of sleep so they can restore their energy, get relief from stress hormones and wake up happy and relaxed!

“Rest and relaxation is important to the management of biological and emotional stress as it allows the body to recover from releases of ‘stress’ hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. “~ Lizi Angel, Canine Mind.

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dog sleeping position meanings

Nine Irish Dog Breeds and Irish Dog Name Ideas

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Irish dog breedsIt’s Saint Patrick’s Day, and to honor this festivity, we thought it would be the perfect day to celebrate dog breeds of Irish descent. How many Irish dog breeds can you think of? Today we have compiled a list of nine Irish dog breeds as we prepare to celebrate all things Irish. Here is our list:

  1. Irish setter
  2. Irish red and white setter
  3. Irish terrier
  4. Kerry blue terrier
  5. Soft coated wheaten terrier
  6. Glen of Imaal Terrier
  7. Kerry beagle
  8. Irish wolfhound
  9. Irish water spaniel

 

If you are planning to welcome an Irish dog breed to your heart and home, you may be looking for some cool Irish dog names. We have compiled a list of more than 40 Irish dog names for male and female dogs taken from popular Irish foods, Irish cities and even Irish musicians. We also added some meanings for some of the Irish dog names, just in case you’re wondering what they mean! Whether you’re a dog owner or a breeder with a litter of puppies born on Saint Patrick’s Day, we hope our collection of cute Irish dog names will turn out helpful.

 

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Nine Irish Dog Breeds

Irish SetterCapture

This dog breed is as Irish as it can be with its typical red or chestnut coat. It wasn’t until the 19th century though that kennels started producing solid red setters. Irish setters were selectively bred for bird setting and retrieving. Back in time, Irish hunters needed a dog who was fast working, equipped with a powerful sniffer and large enough to be seen from a distance. The Irish setter filled the gap with its known versatility.

CaptureIrish Red and White 

This breed of dog as the name implies, originated in Ireland. It shares many similarities with the Irish setter, one main difference though is the coat which, as the name implies, is white and red. The Irish red and white setter was originally bred to hunt birds such as the partridge, pheasant, woodcock or grouse which tend to hide rather than take flight. Despite being an old breed, the Irish red and white setter risked extinction at one point when the red setters became more popular. Thankfully, breeders took action to preserve the breed.

CaptureIrish Terrier

Another red-colored folk, the Irish terrier is one of the oldest terrier breeds, possibly descending from ancient terriers utilized for hunting fox, otter and vermin. Initially, these terriers came in various colors, but it was only around the end of the nineteenth century that  the solid red coat became the staple of the breed. Selectively bred to hunt foxes, otter and vermin, today the Irish terrier remains not very popular, making it one of the rare sights among terriers.

CaptureKerry Blue Terrier

This breed originated in the south and west part of Ireland. As other working terriers, these dogs were popular for hunting vermin, small game and even birds.  On top of that, the kerry blue was also great at fox hunting and herding sheep and cattle. As the name implies, this breed has a blue-colored coat, but the puppies are born black. Only  between the age of 9 months and 2 years do they attain their final coat color. As with some of the other Irish terriers, this breed remains of modest popularity.

CaptureSoft Coated Wheaten Terrier

This all-around farm dog was utilized as an effective hunter, herder and guardian. It was only recognized as a breed in Ireland in 1937. The Irish championship several years ago required that, not only terriers must excel in the show ring, but also in the field, hunting badgers, rats and rabbits. Soft coated wheatens are believed to share a common ancestry with the Irish terrier and Kerry blue. These dogs remain a favorite among people with allergies due to the low -shedding coat. Nowadays, this breed remains one of moderate popularity.

CaptureGlen of Imaal Terrier

The Glen of Imaal terrier is one of the four terriers of Ireland. This breed originates from Glen of Imaal, a valley located in Wicklow County, Ireland. During the reign of Elizabeth I, French and Hessian soldiers were hired to stop a rebellion in Ireland. Once the conflict was over, many soldiers settled in Wicklow and their hounds bred with the local terriers, giving rise to the ancestors of the Glen of Imaal terrier. Unlike other terriers, the Glen of Imaal is known for going quietly into dens to hunt quarry rather than barking to alert the hunters.

CaptureKerry Beagle

This is an ancient breed believed to date back to the 16th century and likely descending from the Southern hound. Despite its name, this breed has not much to do with the beagle, being larger, heavier and higher. The most common coat color is black and tan but there are specimens coming also in tan and white, tan, black and blue mottled. Its resemblance with the coonhound isn’t a coincidence. Many Irish immigrants traveling to the Americas brought them along and the Kerry beagle is believed to have played a role in the development of the American coonhound.

CaptureIrish Wolfhound

One of the tallest dog breeds on earth, this gentle giant originated in Ireland. There’s belief that many large dogs arrived in Ireland from Greece by 1500 B.C. Once in Ireland, these dogs became even more imposing and many were given as a gift to Rome for their great fighting ability in arena sports. Originally bred for its unparalleled ability to fight wolves and Irish elk, at some point the numbers of Irish wolfhounds reduced once wolves in Ireland became extinct and several specimens were given to foreign nobility.

CaptureIrish Water Spaniel

Back in time, Ireland was populated with several types of spaniels including the Southern Irish, Northern Irish and Tweed spaniel. The Southern Irish, also known as McCarthy’s breed is thought to have had the main impact on today’s Irish spaniel. This breed was selectively bred for water retrieving, and is considered quite an active breed who loves to hunt, swim and play. Today, this breed is not very popular and is a rare sight in people’s home or in the show ring.

40 Cool Irish Dog Names

cloverFoods:

  • Bailey: the original Irish cream liquor
  • Cabbage: often used for Saint Patrick’s Day with corned beef.
  • Barmbrack: an Irish bread made  with sultanas and raisins.
  • Champ: also known as poundies, this is a mashed potato dish
  • Coddle: a dish made of pork sausage, bacon and sliced potatoes and onions.
  • Drisheen: a type of black pudding
  • Crubeen: the name for boiled pig feet
  • Goody: a sweet dish made of bread with milk, sugar and spices.
  • Guinness: popular Irish beer
  • Stout: Irish dark beer
  • O’ Hara: popular  brand of beer
  • Harp: another brand of beer
  • Murphy: brand of beer
  • Whiskey: alcoholic drink
  • Pudding: black and white pudding is a traditional Irish dish. It’s not a sweet pudding, but made of pork meat and fat.

cloverCities:

  • Galway
  • Carlow
  • Mallow
  • Shannon
  • Gorey
  • Bandon
  • Kilkee
  • Dublin
  • Donegal
  • Blarney
  • Doolin
  • Derry
  • Dingle

cloverMusic & Singers:

  • Bono: the lead singer of Irish band U2
  • Enya: Irish singer and song writer
  • Fiddle: traditional instrument
  • Uillleann: traditional bagpipes of Ireland

cloverMiscellaneous Irish Dog Names:

  • Freckles
  • Shamrock
  • Clover
  • Lucky
  • Charm
  • Emerald
  • Patty
  • Patrick

References:

Encyclopedia of Dogs, by D. Caroline Coile, Barron’s Educational Series; 3 edition (August 1, 2015)

Photo credits:

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Dog Word of the Day: Gay Tail

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It’s Wednesday Word day and today’s dog term is “gay tail.” With a vast array of dog breeds populating the planet, there are many different dogs blessed with different types of tails. Tail carriage refers to the way dogs carry their tails and tail set refers to the placement of the tail. The way a tail is carried may therefore be a matter of anatomy or temperament or even both. Knowing the typical way dogs tend to carry their tails can help us understand them better. For instance, certain dog breeds like the Italian greyhound or whippet tend to carry their tails low naturally, and sometimes these dogs may give the impression of acting fearful when it’s just their normal clamped-down posture.

A Matter of Heightbeagle tail

No, just in case you were wondering, a gay tail has nothing to do with your dog’s sexual preferences. Instead, as the term may imply (we’re talking happiness here), a gay tail is a tail that is carried high, but in this case, it’s carried very high, often arching upwards. According to The Kennel Club, a gay tail is a tail that’s carried higher than what the breed standard approves. The American Kennel Club instead describes it as ” a tail that is carried above the horizontal level of the back.” This may sound like a fault, but it really depends on which dog breed you’re talking about. In certain breeds, a gay tail may actually be desirable and it may even be mentioned in the standard. In other breeds it may be frowned upon and sometimes even considered a serious fault.

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Undesirable Gay Tails

In many dog breeds, the gay tail is not appreciated much perhaps for the simple fact that it raises above the dog’s topline, the flat line of the dog’s back. In certain dog breeds, the presence of gay tail or high tail set, therefore disrupts the flow of the outline from the head to the tip of the tail. In some other breeds, it may simply be though a matter of the tail not adhering to the dog’s original function. Breeds where a gay tail is undesirable include the American pitbull terrier (gay tail is considered a serious fault, not to be confused with challenge tail), Doberman pinscher (fault: gay tail or terrier tail) Italian greyhound (serious fault: gay tail) and dogo Argentino (serious fault: gay tail.)

“Breeds in which tail carriage may be too high can present a problem. Tails carried over the back or “gay tails” can totally ruin the outline of these dogs.” D. Caroline Coile  

wirefox terrier tailDesirable Gay Tails

In what dog breeds is a gay tail desirable? In several small working terrier breeds it’s a welcomed trait.  The Lakeland terrier standard mentions that the tail must be set high on the back, and when carried, a slight curve towards the head is desirable; however, a tail that’s tightly curled over the back is considered a fault. The Yorkshire terrier standard mentions ” tail carried slightly higher than the level of the back.” The wirefox terrier standard instead mentions that the “tail should be set on rather high and carried gaily but not curled.” Consider though that the tails in these breeds are usually docked to a medium length which helps attain this position. Another breed where a high tail carriage is desirable is the beagle. The standard asks for a tail that is “set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back”

Did you know? In several small working terriers the tail functioned as a “handle” should the dog need to be extracted from a hole in an emergency situation. According to the New Zealand Kennel Club in the wirefox terrier “a tee-quarters dock is about right – since it affords the only safe grip when handling working Terriers.” This explains why at some dog shows handlers are sometimes seen lifting certain terrier dogs up partially by the tail.

Unethical Cosmetic Surgerycollie tail

An eagerness for fame and make money in the show ring can sometimes reach certain unethical levels. There are stories of handlers resorting to surgery to fix a gay tail so to be able to compete and possibly win in the show ring. Caroline Coile in her book “Show me, A Dog Showing Primer” talks about unscrupulous people who purposely have the ligament of their dog’s tail cut so that the tail is carried according to standard.

If the gay tail is due to the dog’s conformation, cutting it won’t prevent the dog from passing down the “gay tail” to his offspring, which may lead to more problems if the goal is producing “show quality” puppies.  Caroline Coile though points out that dogs undergoing this procedure are easily spotted because the tails end up being perpetually carried like “a limp rope.”

 

collie tail carriageClicker Training Tail Carriage

Did you know? In some cases, a “gay tail” may just be a matter of habit rather than anatomy. These are basically dogs who have normal conformation for the breed, but in the show ring they carry their tails too high. Some people have succeeded in training their dogs to carry their tail low using a clicker. World-known trainer and author Karen Pryor, mentions clicker training as a method to train dogs to carry their tails in a certain way on her Clicker Training website.

A dog can be clicker trained to hold the tail in a certain position when asked to stand, but things can get a tad bit complicated when a dog carries a tail high and curled over the back during trotting. However, for those willing to try, Karen Pryor offers a guide on how to shape “lower your tail” and “raise your tail”  making the dog conscious about his tail movement! The power of clicker training!

 

References:

  • Show me, A Dog Showing Primer, by D. Caroline Coile, Barron’s Educational Series; 2 edition (January 1, 2009)

Photo credits:

  • Elias ´t Beuke Jagerken, Simona Nováková, owner – Own work, public domain

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