Breeds

Discovering a Retriever’s Soft Mouth

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Retrievers are gun dogs with a history of being selectively bred to retrieve game for their hunters. One of the main qualities retrievers were required to have in order to be effective hunting partners was what is known as a”soft mouth.” Along with a soft mouth, retriever dogs are known for being equipped with a strong predisposition for learning and carrying out a variety of tasks, qualities that make them very adept for disability assistance work. Popular retrieving dog breeds include Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, Chesapeake bay retrievers and the Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers.

Hunter’s Best Friend dog soft mouthed retriever

As the name implies, retrievers were responsible for retrieving downed birds and returning them to the hunter. This may sound easier said than done.

In order to retrieve, a good retriever must look upwards for incoming birds and memorize exactly where each bird falls once shot. Some very well trained retrievers are even capable of following the direction of the gun barrel so they can gain a better insight of where to expect the birds to fall.

Not always retrievers are capable of seeing where the downed birds fall. In such cases, they are required to perform a “blind retrieve.” This means that in order to find the downed birds, the dogs will have to follow their handler’s directions given through hand, voice or whistle commands with precision from a distance.

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Once the retriever finds the downed bird, he can deliver the bird by dropping it at the hunter’s feet or he may “retrieve to hand” which means he’ll drop the bird directly into the hunter’s hand. Training a retriever to retrieve to hand  offers the advantage of minimizing the chances that an injured bird may escape.

soft mouthed retreiversUnderstanding the Soft Mouth

When a dog is carrying a bird, there are high chances that his teeth may ruin the meat. Retrievers are known for having the distinct feature of picking up the bird gently and delivering the bird without damage, something that could only be accomplished by carrying it with a soft mouth, without biting into it.

Dogs who bite into the meat are known for having a “hard mouth.”

A dog who carries the bird with a hard mouth means the meat risks being inedible and not fit for the table. For this reason, having a “hard mouth” is considered a serious fault in a retrieving dog, almost to the extent of a gun dog being fearful of the noises of gun shots. While a hard-mouthed dog can be trained to develop a softer mouth, having a naturally inclined soft-mouthed retriever is certainly a great advantage that hunters eagerly look for in their prospective retrieving dogs.

“A wooden obedience dumbbell will last years when used with a soft-mouthed dog.” ~M. Christine Zink DVM

Nature or Nurture?labrador soft mouth

There are many claims of goldens and Labs having such a soft mouth that they can carry a raw egg in their mouth, without cracking the shell, but not all retrievers are blessed with such a talent.

So is having a soft mouth something that’s inherited or is it a learned behavior?

As with many other behaviors, there’s likely a learned component at play mixed in with inherited tendencies toward bite inhibition. It’s ultimately a mix of many factors such as the age when the pup leaves the litter, its upbringing and the genes the dogs are born with.

We know that the normal predatory motor pattern sequence in wolves entails orienting, eye stalking, chasing, grab biting, kill biting, dissecting and eating. In our domesticated dogs (who shouldn’t be really compared to wolves), this pattern has substantially changed with some parts being enhanced and others remaining dormant.

A border collie, for instance, eye stalks and the sequences stop short (hopefully!) after chasing as grab biting sheep legs would be a big problem! In retrievers, the pattern as well stops short at grab biting (hopefully!) as consuming the bird would mean big trouble for a prospective retrieving dog!

“On one hand, we have the wolf whose predatory motor patterns have never changed because they need them intact in order to survive. On the other hand we have our domestic dogs of different breeds with dormant or hyperthrophied motor patterns that have been influenced by breeders whether of pet companion dogs or working dogs.”~ Barry Eaton 

Fixing a Hard Mouthhard mouth dog

Sadly, there are many suggestions to train a soft mouth using aversion-based training methods.

Some of the most horrid and even dangerous entail placing barbed wire or nails into dummies so the dog feels discomfort or pain when he bites hard.

This is meant to teach the dog to think that a dead bird might hurt if they bite down on it, but these methods along with the use of shock collars risk causing dogs to be become reluctant to pick anything with their mouths and their natural mouthing and retrieving instincts may be suppressed due to fear.

Teaching a dog to develop a soft mouth is something that should ideally take place when the dog is a puppy (prior to 5 months old!) by providing feedback when they bite too hard.

Bite inhibition training teaches the puppies to be gentle with human skin, but for a gun dog, it’s also important to learn how to carry things gently, yet firmly in the mouth. There are several ways to train soft mouths using gentle methods as an alternative to forced-fetching.

dog soft mouth

Force-Free Methods For Softer Mouths

  •  Gun dogs (and really any dog!) should never be punished for picking up items nor should items be pulled out of their mouths. Doing so, will cause a dog to bite harder on the object and want to play “keep away,” or perhaps. the dog may even become possessive or reluctant to pick up anything with the mouth. It’s best to teach how drop and trade instead.
  • Several trainers of retrievers suggest avoiding squeaky toys as dogs may develop a hard mouth due to the reward of hearing the squeaky sound upon biting hard.
  • Some trainers also discourage rough tugging games, but some others claim that the dogs can be taught the difference between working on birds and playing with toys.
  • Some dogs (especially the younger ones) may become hard-mouthed initially when they are mostly excited. Letting these dogs burn off some steam and excitement with some bumper retrieving before being sent to retrieve real birds may help.
  • Some dogs may become slightly more hard-mouthed when they retrieve too many bigger and tougher birds (eg. ducks) too often, and then after a while, they are sent to retrieve smaller birds (like quails.) It’s a good idea to switch types of birds every now and then.
  • Practice having your retriever retrieve raw eggs or tomatoes, lavishly praising when delivered with no teeth marks!


idea tipDid you know?  While many retrievers are no longer being used to retrieve downed birds, a soft mouth tendency comes handy when training service dogs. Just imagine the advantage of a person in a wheel chair dropping a credit card and having the dog retrieve it gently without scratching it or adding any teeth marks!

References:

  • Peak Performance EBook: Coaching the Canine Athlete, By Canine Sports Productions, First published: Nov 15, 1997
  • Dominance in Dogs, By Barry Eaton, Dogwise Publishing (January 3, 2011)

Photo Credits:

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The Secret Behind the Samoyed’s Smile

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The Samoyed dog breed is stunning for many reasons. One of the most stunning features of this breed is of course the white thick coat which protected these elegant dogs from the harsh -60 degree temperatures as sometimes witnessed in the Siberian town of Oymyakon. In the old days, Samoyeds were the working partners of the Samoyedic people of Siberia who survived by herding and breeding domestic reindeer. Another amazing feature of the Samoyed dog breed is the breed’s “smile,” a distinguishing trait that further adds to this breed’s appeal. Today, we’ll be discovering the secret behind the Samoyed’s smile.

samoyedA Matter of Standard

For a good reason the Samoyed dog breed is nicknamed as “smiley;” indeed, this dog breed really sports a “smile!” The smiling trait of this breed is even mentioned in the breed standard. According to the American Kennel Club standard for the Samoyed breed, the breed is required to have a muzzle of medium length that tapers towards the nose. The lips “should be black for preference and slightly curved up at the corners of the mouth, giving the “Samoyed smile.” The slightly curved mouth along with the sparkling eyes and attentive ears, give the breed what is known as the typically appealing “Samoyed expression.” 

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The Function of the Smile

samoyed smile

Why would a Samoyed need to sport a smile? Many may think that this breed was selectively bred this way just because it’s a cute trait that’s appealing to prospective dog owners, but in reality that “smile” has a function, and a very important one too! According to the American Kennel Club, the Samoyed’s perpetual smile has a practical purpose: those upturned corners keep these gorgeous dogs from drooling.

What’s the problem with drooling? Most dogs drool with no problems after all! Drooling may seem like an innocuous happening in the average domesticated dog living in a warm, cozy home, but it could turn particularly problematic in a dog living in a harshly cold climate as those droplets would quickly freeze and soon icicles would be forming on the Samoyed’s face!

samoyed smilingA Friendly Dog by Nature

Putting the smile’s functional purpose aside, the Samoyed dog breed is a friendly dog by nature with a “jolly” sense of humor. Because of this breed’s gentle disposition, it’s not unusual to see them working as therapy dogs bringing a smile to children and senior citizens. According to standard, the Samoyed breed is smart, loyal and eager to do things. This is a dog breed that thrives on attention and wants to be in company of his family. These traits make this dog unsuitable for a family who is away for most of the day. Being left alone in a kennel all day or secluded in the yard, will make these sociable dogs deeply unhappy and prone to behavior problems. So prospective dog owners should make sure to keep these social dogs in good company so to keep these lovely dogs smiling inside and out!

References:

  • American Kennel Club, Samoyed Breed Standard, retrieved from the web on April 3rd, 2016
  • American Kennel Club,  10 Things you probably didn’t know about the smiling Samoyed, retrieved from the web on April 3rd, 2016

Photo Credits:

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Discovering the Amazing Vision of Sighthounds

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Sighthounds are fascinating dogs with a history of being selectively bred for hunting by sight and speed, which is in contrast with scenthounds who were selectively bred to hunt by scent and endurance. Also known as gazehounds, sighthounds are talented dogs who come equipped with special features that distinguish them from other dogs, making them quite unique masterpieces of nature. One of their most remarkable features are their eyes, which unlike other dogs, have some distinct traits which allowed them to excel in what they were bred for.

greyhounds coursingA Look Back in History

Sighthounds are dogs who are believed to descend from ancient specimens originating in Africa, or possibly Arabia. Their habitats for the most part consisted of wide-open lands in the desert. Their main job was to hunt down and chase prey animals such as deer or hare running across the desert. Upon spotting prey with their keen sense of sight, these dogs had to sprint into action often reaching speeds of just over 40 miles per hour.

The practice of hare coursing (sighthounds chasing hare) for hunting or sporting purposes was popular in Europe and restricted to landowners and the aristocrats, considering that back then, owning sighthounds was prohibited to any members of lower social classes. Because sighthounds have a history of mostly working at a distance from humans with very little guidance, most sighthounds are considered “independent thinkers.”

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A Matter of  Visual Streaksighthound vision

Spotting prey animals across wide open lands required special vision. The eyes of sighthounds are known for having a “visual streak”. What exactly is a visual streak? It’s a horizontally aligned area in the retina lined up with ganglion cells. Not too long ago, there was belief that all dogs had their ganglion cells distributed in such a way, but a study conducted by Paul McGreevey,Alison Harman and Grassi T. D, revealed that only dogs with long noses have a visual streak. Turns out, dogs with short noses such as pugs, Pekignese and Boston terrier instead have their ganglion cells densely packed in one spot called the “area centralis.” The visual streak is therefore a characteristic of dogs with long muzzles who needed to rely on their peripheral vision to hunt.

“The coursing breeds—Greyhounds, Salukis, and other hounds developed to scan vast expanses of desert—are the prototypical visual-streak breeds. Not for nothing are they called sighthounds.”~Bud Boccone

greyhound eyesightField of Vision

The field of vision varies between animals and depends to a great extent on eye placement. Generally, among prey animals (think cows, zebras and horses) the eyes are set wide apart so to allow them the widest field of vision possible (especially when they are grazing) so that they can watch for danger in all directions.  This lateral eye placement also allows them to watch in two directions at once. Predators, on the other hand (think cats, primates and owls) have eyes that are placed closer in front of the face which instead allows them more depth perception, something that comes handy when they need to track and pounce on their prey.

“Eyes in the front, the animal hunts. Eyes on the side, the animal hides.”

Interestingly, when it comes to sighthounds, they are an exception to the rule. Their narrow heads allow their eyes to be quite lateral which gives them quite an impressive field of vision. A greyhound is know for having a field of vision of up to 270 degrees, which is quite impressive compared to us humans who have a mere 180 degree field of vision. The greyhound even beats other dogs, considering that the average dog has a field of vision around 250 degrees. Therefore despite being carnivores, it can be said that sighthounds have a herbivore field of view. Most likely, this feature was crafted in such a way so to allow them to scan the horizon at a distance in search of the slightest movement of prey.

“The theory that the hunting animal (dog) has a more anterior ocular placement than the hunted (i,e rabbit) does not seem appropriate when looking at the greyhound, which is reportedly a “sighthound ” with marked lateral placement of its eyes. ” ~ David W. Hobson

References:

  • A Strong Correlation Exists between the Distribution of Retinal Ganglion Cells and Nose Length in the Dog, by McGreevy P. · Grassi T.D. · Harman A.M, Brain Behav Evol 2004;63:13–22
  • American Kennel Club, A New Look at Canine Vision, by Bud Boccone, retrieved from the web on March 31st, 2016.
  • Museum of Osteology, How to “Read” a Skull: Eye Placement and Size, retrieved from the web on March 31st, 2016.
  • Dermal and Ocular Toxicology: Fundamentals and Methods, by Hobson, CRC Press; 1 edition (September 6, 1991)
  • Greenhounds, What is a sighthound? retrieved from the web on March 31st, 2016.

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The Hunting Technique of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

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The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever is the smallest member among the retrieving breeds and people often mistaken this dog for a small golden retriever. Unlike other retrievers though, this breed has a unique hunting style that makes it stand out from the crowd. As the name implies, this breed specializes in hunting down ducks, but what makes this dog quite remarkable is the way these dogs interact with them. The job of most retrievers is to simply retrieve downed birds and return them to the owner, hopefully delivering them with a soft mouth. The duck tolling retriever instead adds a special twist to duck hunting, bringing the art of duck hunting to a whole new level.

nova scotia retrieverThe Duck Decoy Dog

The Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever engages in what hunters refer to as “tolling.” No, this has nothing to do with those pricey highway or bridge fees!

The term instead refers to a hunting practice that relies on luring waterfowl with the use of decoys. After all, in order to hunt ducks, one must first find a way to attract them, otherwise countless hours would be spent hiding behind a bush!

Decoys can come in many shapes and forms, the most popular perhaps being lifelike ducks meant to catch the attention of passing ducks. The people of Nova Scotia though depended on very special decoys, small, fox-like  dogs who made the art of “tolling” a way of life.

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dog tipDid you know?  The  definition of the term tolling derives from the Middle English word “tollen” which means””to draw” or “entice.”

Curiosity Killed the Duckfox hunting

How can a dog attract ducks? It doesn’t really make sense that a dog would attract ducks considering that they are prey. It appears that the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever must have borrowed a special hunting technique from the astute fox.

Red foxes are known for prancing around the shoreline when ducks are at a distance. Being curious animals or perhaps, seeking out a way to harass their natural enemy, the ducks  start swimming close to the shore.

Too bad that they get so close they end up turning into dinner when another fox hiding in the grass  swiftly pounces on them with cutting edge precision.

Bruce Fogle, on page 84, in the book ‘The Dog’s Mind” also mentions about wolves possibly engaging in a similar behavior when hunting down rabbits. He talks about naturalists who mention wolves using frivolous play antics to intrigue rabbits to move towards them, thus, reducing their escape distance. Michael Fox, in the book “Dog Body, Dog Mind: Exploring Canine Consciousness and Total Well-Being,” says ethologists refer to the curious behavior as “fascination behavior.”

nova scotia tollingTaking a Toll

In a similar fashion, the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever attracts ducks. There’s belief that hunters took advantage of the duck’s behavioral quirk to use dogs that resembled foxes to do the “shoreline dance.”

These dogs will prance along the shoreline with their flashy white markings, light feet, and upward tail-tip, appearing and then suddenly disappearing from the shore, until they grab the attention of a group of ducks who are rafting or flying at a distance.

The hunters, hiding in a concealed spot, may further encourage the dog to prance around by tossing him a ball or a stick along the shore.

Intrigued by the dog’s bizarre behaviors, the ducks will move closer, perhaps not as close to put themselves at risk from being grabbed by the dog, but at a close enough distance to be within the hunter’s shooting range. Once shot, the retriever will then gleefully complete his work by retrieving the fallen birds.

dog tipFun fact: Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are nicknamed the “pied pipers of the marsh.”


References:

  • The Complete Dog Book: 20th Edition, by American Kennel Club,  Ballantine Books; 20 edition (December 18, 2007)
  • Dog Body, Dog Mind: Exploring Canine Consciousness and Total Well-Being, by Michael Fox,  Lyons Press; 1 edition (July 1, 2007)
  • The Dog’s Mind: Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior (Howell reference books) by Bruce Fogle, Howell Book House; 1 edition (October 14, 1992)
  • American Kennel Club, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, retrieved from the webo n March 26, 2016

Photo credits:

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was bred to “toll”, or lure, ducks into shooting range by causing a disturbance near the shore. After the duck is shot, the dog brings it to the hunter, by kallerna; Edited by jjron, CC BY-SA 3.0

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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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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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Six Stunning Siberian Husky Coat Colors

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The Siberian husky is a stunning breed per se and part of this breed’s beauty relies on its coat which can come in a variety of colors. According to the American Kennel Club standard for this breed, all coat colors are allowed ranging from black to pure white. Along with stunning coat colors, huskies also boast a variety of markings on their head and that may include some striking patterns that aren’t commonly found in other breeds. Today we’ll be discovering six stunning coat colors Siberian huskies may sport according to the American Kennel Club standard. Are you ready for some eye candy?

siberian

white husky1) The Wonderful White Husky

Name the word Siberian husky and most people are likely to imagine a wolfish-looking dog with glacial eyes and a grayish coat. Yet, sometimes you may stumble on some specimens who come with a solid white coat. Surprised?

It’s sure a surprising coat color especially if we imagine these pure white dogs romping in the snow and how they may camouflage against the snowfields!

While technically white is not a color per se, consider yourself lucky if you see a white husky; white is a recessive gene making it one of the rarest coat colors in this breed.

Some white huskies have areas that may appear to be a pale cream color especially when seen in bright light.

 

2) Beautiful Black and White Husky

black and white husky

When it comes to contrast, the black and white husky has plenty of it. This is a highly requested coat color because of its striking appearance especially when accompanied by a pair of glacial blue eyes,  as this stunning specimen portrayed in the picture.

The black and white coat is fairly common in this breed, and this is not surprising considering how pretty it is!

According to the Siberian Husky Club of America, the shades of black in the husky may range in color from jet black, to black, to diluted black.

Black and white huskies commonly have intriguing facial masks and white legs.

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agouti siberian husky

3) The Amazing Agouti  and White Husky

You may have never heard about this coat color as it’s quite unique, but once you look at the picture of an agouti husky you get the idea.

The agouti coat is made of hairs that display alternating bands of colors. Generally, the hair is black by the root and at the tip while the center of the hair displays a yellow or beige band of color.

This color gives the husky a wild look because this coat color is associated with wolves, elkhounds and wild mice, squirrels and rabbits.

For this reason the agouti coat color is often referred to as  the”wild coloring.”

And this fellow on the picture has quite a fascinating, wild side, doesn’t he?

 

4) Gorgeous Gray and White Husky

husky grey and white

This coat color is quite popular and gives a pleasant wolfish appearance. It’s quite a popular coat color and demanded by those looking for dogs that look like wolves.

When it comes to the gray coat, the husky may come in three different shades: silver, gray and wolf gray.

In silver gray, the hair is banded with various hues of white and there is minimal black tipping at the end.

In gray, the hair is banded with cream hues by the root and there is black tipping at the end.

In wolf gray, the hair is banded with buff hues by the root and black tipping at the end.

 

 

red and white husky

5) Ravishing Red and White Husky

We often think of huskies as being grey, but some of them sport coats of appealing warm red hues.

The red and white coat color typically boasts various shades of light red, medium red and dark red.

This coat colors is always accompanied by flesh-colored points meaning that the lips, nose and eye rims present a fleshy, liver color.

The eyes in the red and white husky are commonly amber.

One distinguishing factor is that huskies with red and white coats never have black hairs.

Who is a fan of red heads huskies?

 

6) Stunning Sable and White Huskyhusky

The sable coat presents a reddish/brown hue. The hairs  may be banded with darker sections by the tips which results in several pleasant looking hues around the neck, shoulders and withers.

Unlike the red and white husky, the sable and white husky will always have black points.

To distinguish them from the red and white huskies, sables are sometimes referred to as the “black-nosed reds.”

Sometimes, during the cold, winter months their nose may temporarily appear faded in color and this is called ‘winter nose.’

Which Coat is Your Favorite? Let us know in the comments section!

 

As seen, huskies come in several stunning colors, however coat color or eye color should never be the basis for selecting a husky puppy. Unfortunately, a large percentage of Siberian huskies end up at shelters because many people select them based on their striking appearance alone without any regard for their need to be continually socialized and trained throughout their lives. Before adopting an husky, it’s important to think things thoroughly and consider the many pros and cons of huskies.

Banded agouti hair
Banded agouti hair

Did you know? Coats may be monochrome or banded. Monochrome coats have individual hairs that are the same color from root to tip. Black, white and copper coats may be monochromatic. Banded coats have individual hairs that are often banded with white or yellow. Gray, sable and agouti coats are banded.

References:

  • American Kennel Club, Siberian Husky Breed Standard, retrieved from the Web on February 20th, 2016
  • Siberian Husky Club of America, Coat Color Identification Guideline, retrieved from the Web on February 20th, 2016
  • Siberian Huskies For Dummies, by Diane Morgan, For Dummies; 1 edition (March 16, 2011)

Photo credits:

A Siberian Husky with brown almond shaped eyes, by 878photo, CC BY-SA 3.0

An “agouti” Siberian Husky, by Flickr user re-ality, CC BY 2.0

A sable Siberian husky by Sue & Martin Curtis, Flickr, CC BY 2.5

A cat hair showing agouti coloration, by Kersti, CC BY 2.5

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Seven Surprising Facts About Australian Shepherds

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Australian shepherds are smart, exuberant dogs blessed with a great amount of stamina which allowed them to be the work-oriented dogs they were meant to be. With a past as a tireless sheep herder, these lithe and agile companions have lots of energy and drive which makes them excel in many doggy sports. While most people are able to recognize an Australian shepherd when they meet one, courtesy of this breed’s distinctive looks, there are several  Australian shepherd facts that are just waiting to be discovered. Here are seven surprising facts about Australian shepherds.

picture-2

 

1) They’re not Aussies…cangaru

We’re so used to dealing with many dog breeds named after their country of origin that we must assume than an Australian shepherd must come from Australia, right? Wrong.

While the history of this breed is a bit shrouded in mystery, one thing is for sure: this breed wasn’t hopping around with the kangaroos. Instead, according to the American Kennel Club, the Australian shepherd likely originated in the Basque region of the Pyrenees Mountains somewhere between Spain and France.

The breed’s misleading name may have likely derived from the Basque shepherds who traveled to the United States via Australia in the late 1800s.

engliush2) But they Speak American..

Listen carefully when an Aussie barks, can you hear an American accent? Turns out, the Australian Shepherd, as we know it today, developed exclusively in the U.S. This breed indeed is American as cheesecake and pecan pie.

The breed developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as a versatile farm dog in the American west. A tireless sheep herder, the Aussie was seen relentlessly working in the Rocky Mountains.

Their ranchers were highly impressed by how the high altitudes didn’t seem to affect them and these hard-working dogs kept going and going. Soon, ranchers in Boulder Colorado started breeding them attracting buyers as far out as California.

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3) They Come in Striking Colors…

blue merle

Aussies are known for their striking coat patterns which often come in blue merle (with mottled black patches throughout) and red merle (with reddish patches). Other coat colors include the basic black and red coat colors.

According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, white body splashes, between withers and tail, or on the sides between elbows and back of hindquarters are means for disqualification.

The merle coats are quite unique for the fact that they’re known for becoming darker with increasing age. While the merle coats are appealing, their patterns are associated with several health problems. To prevent passing hereditary disorders associated with the merle gene, breeding should be left to very experienced dog breeders.

4) And Boast Amazing Eyes…blue eyes Australian shepherd

Australian shepherds have also quite interesting eyes. Their eyes may be brown, amber or of a crystal blue hue. It’s not unusual to see some Aussies with one eye of a different color from the other (complete heterochromia) or eyes with flecks and marbling.

Blue merles typically have black pigmentation on their eye rims while red merles have liver pigmentation. Unfortunately, the same gene that’s responsible for the appealing coats and eye colors is often responsible for many eye defects, according to Eye Care for Animals.

However, a blue iris is not absolutely indicative of the presence of the Merle gene. To rule out eye problems, breeders should have their breeding stock evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist. The Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) tests for heritable eye diseases in dogs.

5) But, They’re Often Missing Their Tails…bobbed tail aussie

In the United States the breed standard calls for an Australian shepherd with a tail not to exceed four inches in length, whether it’s docked or naturally bobbed.

According to the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, one Australian Shepherd in five will have a naturally bobbed tail. Breeding two Aussies with a naturally bobbed tail though is risky business.

Like the merle gene, the naturally bobbed tail gene is dominant and several serious consequences are associated with having two copies of this gene. Affected puppies tend to die early and are reabsorbed.

The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory now offers a test for detecting the Natural Bobtail gene so to assist breeders in identifying dogs that carry this trait. Aussies that have longer tails are often docked a few days after birth so to adhere to breed standard, but because several countries have already banned docking procedures, there are more and more Aussies being shown boasting their natural, long appendages.

herding children6) They May Herd Anything That Moves…

Aussies have been selectively bred to herd livestock, and as herding dogs, they may instinctively engage in livestock herding behaviors when they’re around moving stimuli such as cars, joggers and people on skateboards.

Nipping at a person’s feet or heels is not something fun to watch, especially when the behavior is directed at children.

“Children are most likely to be on the receiving end of such nipping, especially when they are running around or playing vigorously” explains dog trainer and author Victoria Stillwell.

The good news is that problematic herding behaviors can be “nipped in the bud” by teaching good bite inhibition from an early age and providing a good regimen of exercise and mental stimulation. Herding behaviors can also be “redirected to more appropriate foci such as toys, games or stock,” suggests board-certified veterinary behaviorist Karen Overall. 

“Herding dogs (eg, Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Corgis) may persist in herding a group of children to the point of terrifying them and may use nipping as one of their herding behaviors.”~ Molly Love, MSN, CRNP, and Karen L. Overall

7) But You Can Put Their Brains to Good Use..agility

When it comes to doing things, an Aussie is a total “braniac” breed who will excel in just about anything as long as you give him the opportunity to puts his sharp mind to work. Obedience, agility, Frisbee, herding trials, Canine Musical Freestyle, you name it!

This smart and focused breed has been selectively bred for quick decision making and concentration, so they benefit from owners who know how to provide their brain with a good workout, whether through interactive toys, training or a canine sport.

Fail to provide sufficient outlets though and those idle paws will become the devil’s workshop.

Your Aussie will find his own set of hobbies such as chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of pillows and sofas, and turning your yard into something resembling Planet Mars (craters included)!

 

References:

  • Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, A Tale of Tails, What you may not know about Aussies’ tails, by C.A. Sharpm, retrieved by the web on Febuary 13th, 2016
  • American Kennel Club, Australian Shepherd Breed Standard, retrieved by the web on Febuary 13th, 2016

 

Photo Credits:

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Understanding the Chihuahua’s Molera

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Today we thought it was quite interesting learning more about a Chihuahua’s “molera,” a unique trait of this pint-sized pet. While once it was considered a mark of purity in the breed, and at some point, even a defect, today a better understanding of this “soft spot” reveals that it’s simply a characteristic of the breed, perhaps just as unique as the spots on a Dalmatian or the ridge on a Rhodesian ridgeback. However, unlike spots or ridges, the molera is not seen on all Chihuahuas, and if it’s present, it’s often destined to shrink and possibly disappear within a certain time frame. OK, for those folks who have never heard about a molera and are dying to know, what is a molera in the first place? Read on to learn more.

chihuahua puppyWhat on Earth is a Molera?

In its simplest definition, the molera is a “hole” in the Chihuahua’s head. When Chihuahuas are still in the womb, the bones in their heads are not fused together as they should be, so when they’re born, they have this “hole” on the top of their heads between the ears which is called “molera.” The molera isn’t unique to Chihuahuas. Human babies have something similar too, but in human babies these soft spots on a baby’s head are known as “fontanelle.” The American Kennel Club mentions the molera in the Chihuahua’s breed standard when referring to the Chihuahuas’s head. According to the Chihuahua breed’s standard the head should have: “A well rounded “apple dome” skull, with or without molera.”

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What’s Its Purpose?mother

Why do some Chihuahua puppies have a soft spot on their head? Not all Chihuahuas have them, but many toy breeds are born with a palpable open fontanelle. The molera is there for an important purpose: it helps the puppy pass through mother dog’s birth canal safely. In small breeds, the mother dog’s birth canal is very narrow, yet, those puppy heads are quite big. The gap in the head therefore allows the puppy’s head to pass through without too much pressure being applied on the skull and brain. The molera therefore allows the pup’s bony plates of the skull to flex upping the chances for an uneventful birth. However, due to their conformation, it’s not unusual for Chihuahua mothers to require a C-section.

At the puppy grows, the bony plates of the skull gradually grow around the brain, becoming less soft and eventually  ossifying. When do puppy soft spots close? Once the puppy is born, the molera should gradually close on its own generally by the age of 9 to 12 weeks. In certain breeds like the Chihuahua or miniature dachshund though, it may remain permanently open without any particular consequences, explains veterinarian William D. Fortney. However, it’s best to avoid pushing on the area as there is no protection for the brain, adds veterinarian Dr. Tammy. If the open fontanelle is large, some owners have found it helpful to protect these vulnerable spots with helmets.

chihuahua moleraNot as Bad as Thought

It was once thought that a domed head and the presence of a soft spot was associated with a medical condition known as “hydrocephalus,” where cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain making it swell and triggering neurological signs. However, according to a study conducted by Greene and Braund in 1989, “Many clinically normal toy breeds and brachycephalic (short faced) breeds also may have open fontanelle without associated hydrocephalus. There did not appear to be any relationship between the presence or size of the fontanelle and the concomitant presence of hydrocephalus.” The Canine Inherited Disorders Database web site seems to agree, according to the website,  “an open fontanel is not diagnostic per se of hydrocephalus, as it may occur in a normal healthy dog. ”

References:

Chihuahua Club of America: Molera Statement

Chihuahua Club of America: Understanding Differences Between a Molera and Hydrocephalus

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The Surprising Features of the Norwegian Lundehund Dog

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lundiesWhat’s more surprising than a dog breed that sports six toes, the ability to close his ears and an amazing flexibility which allows him to bend his head backwards to touch the spine?

No, we are not talking about some science fiction creature or some odd being popping out of a Steven Spielberg’s film, we’re talking about a real dog breed originating from the remote islands of Norway that was selectively bred to perform some quite interesting tasks! So let’s take a closer look into how this fellow turned out being the amazing creature he is, shall we?

Norwegian lundenhund
Norwegian lundehund

Nice to Meet You!

The Norwegian lundehund is categorized as a spitz-type dog, basically a dog boasting a thick, long coat with a pointed muzzle and often blessed with a tail that curls over the back.  If we take a look at the meaning of this breed’s name we can find some clues as to what he was selectively bred for.  In Norway, the word “lunde” means puffin, a species of bird found on coastal cliffs or offshore islands. The word “hunde” instead means dog. From these elements we can therefore deduce that this breed was bred to hunt for puffins and their eggs, a line of work that goes as far back as 1600. This bird’s meat was used for food and their feathers were used to make feather beds that were often exported to nearby locations.

 

Puffins over cliffs.
Puffins over cliffs.

A Flexible Body

Amazed by the acts of contortionists you have seen at Cirque du Soleil? Norwegian lundehunds are the contortionists of the canine world. Since puffins live on rocky coasts and narrow passages in the island of Værøy, Norway, the lundehund’s body had to adapt to be capable of accessing these areas where man could not reach. Their superior range of motion allowed them to fit and turn around in narrow spaces. Here are some amazing capabilities: their head can bend backwards along their spine, a quality known only to reindeer, their shoulders allow a peculiar rotary movement and their front legs can extend flat to the side allowing them to hug the cliffs. Don’t expect judges though to ask for proof of flexibility in the show ring; these dogs won’t be able to do a demo as they would need to be sufficiently relaxed!

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Shut Those Ears!

Another interesting feature is this breed’s ability to shut their ears by folding them forwards or backwards. This feature allowed the lundehund to protect his ears from dirt and debris when walking through narrow cliff passages. According to the American Kennel Club standard, the ear leather should be capable of being folded and turned up, backward or at right angles, allowing the lundehund’s ear openings to be clamped shut.

The six toes of the lundenhund
The six toes of the lundehund

The Extra Toes

Ernest Hemingway had an obsession with polydactyl cats, but if he liked dogs, the lundehund would have made a good conversation piece at his place. The term polydactyl simply  means ” having extra toes.” While several dogs have four toes on their front feet and four on the rear, this breed has a minimum of six toes on each foot and elongated rear foot pads, meant to grasp steep vertical cliffs, as he hunted for puffins in their rugged and inaccessible nesting locations. According to breed standard, the extra toes consist of one three-jointed toe and one two-jointed toe which gives the foot an overall strong appearance.

Puffins are now protected species.
Puffins are now protected species.

On the Brink of Extinction

While lundehunds were used for many centuries to hunt puffins, their numbers declined dramatically as nets for hunting the birds were crafted in 1850 and puffin birds became a protected species. To make matters worse, several outbreaks of canine distemper taking place during World War II, and then again, in 1963,  further decreased their numbers to only 6 specimens. Nowadays, their numbers have risen and there were an estimated 1400 lundehunds in 2010 with about 600 found in Norway and about 350 in the United States.

A new interest in this breed has revamped in the airport of Tromsø where they are being considered by Norwegian Air Traffic and Airport Management as a possible solution to fight airplane bird strikes by allowing them to search for bird eggs around the airport. Pretty amazing fellows, aren’t they?

References:

American Kennel Club, Official Standard of the Norwegian Lundehund, retrieved from the World Wide Web on Jan 9th, 2016
Norwegian Lundehund Club of America, Homepage, retrieved from the World Wide Web on Jan 9th, 2016

Images:
-Wikipedia, Picture of a Norwegian Lundehund, N UCH Ålvisheims Hårek, by Karen Elise Dahlmo, CC BY-SA 3.0
-Wikipedia, Foot of a Norwegian Lundehund. Picture taken by myself, User:ZorroIII, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
-Flickr, Kissing lundies! by Lundtola CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, Changes made: size adjustment for proper display

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