Common Breed Doggie of the Day: Bullmastiff

Bullmastiff

Country of Origin: Great Britian

History: The bullmastiff was developed in 1860 from the mastiff and the bulldog. It was bred to catch and hold poachers without hurting them. Breeers believed the cross created a dog that was fast but not aggressive. According to fanciers, the breed is more mastiff than bulldog.

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

Height: 24 to 27 inches

Weight: 100 to 130 pounds

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

Activity Level: Low

Best Owner: The bullmastiff does well with a family and can adjust to most living situations but may be too large for apartment life.

Special Needs: Socialization, training

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

Uncommon Doggie of the Day

I am starting something new tonight.  I will do two doggies of the day...one a common, well-known breed and the other a rare breed.  I thought this would be interesting to read about dogs from other countries that are not so popular in the United States.  This one is about the Azawakh dog and I hope you enjoy learning about this beautiful and rare breed of dog.

Azawakh

Alternative Names:  iddii 'n illeli (sighthound of the free people, Tuareg sighthound

Country of Origin:  Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

History:  The Azawakh is from the arid regions of the Sahara and the Sub-Saharan Sahel.  It is used as a guardian, hunter, and companion by the Tuareg people, who are descendants of the Berber.  The tribe bred the dog for purity and beauty.  The breed has become rare in both its homeland and elsewhere.

Physical Description:  The Azawakh is a tall, slender dog that is longer than it is tall with hips that are higher than the shoulders.  There is a narrow head with pendant ears and dark, almond-shaped eyes.  It has a very deep chest, which rises abruptly to an extremely tucked up belly.  The coat is short and fine and can be of sand to dark red, brindled, white, black, gray, blue grizzle, particolored, and all shades of brown, including chocolate.

Height:  23.5 to 29 inches

Weight:  35 to 55 pounds

Temperament:  The Azawakh is gentle, affectionate, and playful with its family, but wary, even aggressive, with strangers.  It is intelligent and protective, making it a good watchdog.

Activity Level:  Moderate

Best Owner:  It does best with a firm owner in a rural or suburban home.  It makes a poor kennel dog.

Special Needs:  Close supervision with strangers, leashed, fenced yard, socialization, training

Possible Health Concerns:  Bloat, cardiac problems, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, seizures, spondylosis

Doggie Chatrooms

Fun Dog Quotes

"When a man's best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem."
-- Edward Abbey

 

"The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue."
--Anonymous

 

"Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear."
-- Dave Barry

 

"Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard."
--Dave Barry

 

"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down."
-- Robert Benchley

 

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."
-- Josh Billings

 

"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him."
-- Dereke Bruce, Taipei, Taiwan

 

"Of all the things I miss from veterinary practice, puppy breath is one of the most fond memories!"
-- Dr. Tom Cat

 

"You enter into a certain amount of madness when you marry a person with pets."
-- Nora Ephron

 

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made"
--M. Facklam

 

"Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, quite unlike people, who are incapable of pure love and always have to mix love and hate."
--Sigmund Freud

 

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."
-- Robert A. Heinlein

 

"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies."
-- Gene Hill

 

"To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs."
-- Aldous Huxley

 

"Man is a dog's idea of what God should be."
-- Holbrook Jackson

 

"Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog."
--Franklin P. Jones

 

"Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful."
-- Ann Landers

 

"No animal should ever jump up on the dining room furniture unless absolutely certain that he can hold his own in the conversation."
-- Fran Lebowitz

 

"Outside of a dog, a book is probably man's best friend; inside of a dog, it's too dark to read."
-- Groucho Marx

 

"No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does."
-- Christopher Morley

 

"I wonder what goes through his mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl."
--Penny Ward Moser

 

"Did you ever walk into a room and forget why you walked in? I think that's how dogs spend their lives."
-- Sue Murphy

 

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."
--Will Rogers

 

"The average dog is a nicer person than the average person."
--Andrew A. Rooney

 

"I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult."
-- Rita Rudner

 

"I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven't got the guts to bite people themselves."
-- August Strindberg

 

"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons."
-- James Thurber

 

"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
-- Mark Twain

 

"Ever consider what they must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul - chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!"
-- Anne Tyler

 

"My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money."
--Joe Weinstein

 

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face."
-- Ben Williams

 

"Cat's motto No matter what you've done wrong, always try to make it look like the dog did it."
-- Unknown

 

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
-- Unknown

 

"If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise."
--Unknown

 

"In dog years, I'm dead."
-- Unknown

 

"Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail."
-- Unknown

 

"Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant."
-- Unknown

 

"Things that upset a terrier may pass virtually unnoticed by a Great Dane."
-- Unknown

Cute Dog Jokes

Joke #1

A minister was asked to dinner by one of his church members. He knew she was a bad housekeeper but agreed. When he sat down at the table, he noticed that the dishes were the dirtiest that he had ever seen in his life. "Were these dishes ever washed?" he asked his hostess, running his fingers over the grit and grime.

She replied,"They're as clean as soap and water could get them". He felt a bit uncomfortable, but blessed the food anyway and started eating. It was really delicious and he said so, despite the dirty dishes. When dinner was over, the hostess took the dishes outside and yelled, "Here Soap! Here Water!"

 ____________

Joke #2

Ten top ways to tell if Martha Stewart is stalking your dog

10. There's potpourri hanging from his/her collar.

9. The dog's nails have been cut with pinking shears.

8. The dog toys are all stored in McCoy crocks.

7. The pooper scooper has been decorated with raffia bows.

6. That telltale lemon slice in the new silver water bowl.

5. You find liver and whole wheat dog treats stamped out with copper cookie cutters and decorated with royal icing using a #2 rosette tip.

4. Dog hair has been collected and put into wire baskets for nesting material for the birds.

3. A seasonally appropriate grapevine wreath adorns the front of your dog's crate.

2. Your dog goes outside naked and comes in wearing a thyme colored virgin wool hand-knitted sweater with matching boots.

AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY YOU KNOW THAT MARTHA STEWART IS STALKING YOUR DOG IS...

1. The dog droppings in your backyard have been sculpted into swans.

____________

Joke #3

When Good Dogs Go and Crossbreed

Pointer + Setter =
Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet

Kerry Blue Terrier + Skye Terrier =
Blue Skye, a dog for visionaries

Great Pyrenees + Dachshund =
Pyradachs, a puzzling breed

Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso =
Peekasso, an abstract dog

Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel =
Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle

Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever =
Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists

Newfoundland + Basset Hound =
Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors

Terrier + Bulldog =
Terribull, a dog prone to awful mistakes

Bloodhound + Labrador =
Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly

Malamute + Pointer =
Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway

Collie + Malamute =
Commute, a dog that travels to work

Deerhound + Terrier =
Derriere, a dog that's true to the end

Cocker Spaniel + Rottweiller =
Cockrot, the perfect puppy for that philandering ex-husband

Bull Terrier + Shitzu =
Bullshitz, a gregarious but unreliable breed

_____________

Funny Animals

Infectious Disease: Distemper

Distemper

This potentially fatal disease is caused by a virus.  Distemper is highly contagious and is usually transmitted through contact with mucous and watery secretions discharged from the eyes and noses of infected dogs as well as through contact with their urine or fecal matter.  The virus may also be airborne or carried on inanimate objects such as shoes.  A healthy dog can contract distemper without ever coming in physical contact with an infected animal.

A dog with distemper appears to have a bad cold.  He may sneeze and have a runny nose and runny eyes.  Other signs to watch for are squinting, weight loss, coughing, vomiting and diarrhea.  A dog with distemper is usually listless and has a diminshed appetite.  As distemper progresses, it can attack the nervous system, causing a dog to become partially or completely paralyzed.  The dog may twitch or have seizures.

Distemper is spread mainly from sick to susceptible dogs.  Puppies and young adult dogs are most susceptible to infection by the distemper virus, but the disease also infrequently strikes older dogs.  Most cases of distemper occur in puppies 8 to 16 weeks old.  Distemper is more severe in younger pups.

Distemper is not always easy to diagnose.  Lab tests such as blood chemistry and blood cell counts aren't of much value in pinning down distemper.  The veterinarian may need to run more sophisticated tests to determine whether the virus is present.  Because the signs of distemper can be varied, treatment is often delayed.  To be on the safe side, take any sick young dog to the veterinarian for a definite diagnosis.

The only treatment for the distemper virus is good supportive care and control of neurological symptoms such as seizures.  Nursing care involves keeping the eyes and nose dry and encouraging the dog to eat and drink.  Dogs who survive the initial infection may develop retinal damage, corneal discoloration, or extreme hardness of the nose leather or foot pads.

Doggie of the Day: Keeshond

Keeshond

Alternative Names:  smiling Dutchmen, keeshondonden (plural), wolf spitz, Chien Loup, Dutch barge dog

Country of Origin:  Holland

History:  The keeshond dates as far back as the sixteenth century in Holland and is believed to be a descendant of the German wolfspitz.  It was used as a watchdog on boats and farms during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and came to represent the Dutch Patriotic Party during the political unrest following the French Revolution.  It was first imported to the UK in 1905 and to the U.S. in 1928, where it is a popular companion.

Physical Description:  The keeshond is a well-balanced, sturdy, medium-sized dog.  It has a foxy, wedge-shaped head; small, erect ears; and dark brown eyes.  The plumed tail curls over the back.  Its heavy coat stands out and is a mixture of silver gray, cream, and black.  The coat is very thick around the neck, shoulders, rump, hind legs, and chest, forming a lionlike mane.  Thre are dinstinctive spectacle-like markings around the eyes with a line going to each ear.

Height:  17 to 18 inches

Weight:  30 to 45 pounds

Temperament:  The keeshond is a fun-loving breed with a gentle nature.  It is friendly toward almost everyone, including children and other animals.  It is intelligent and eager to learn, making it highly trainable.

Activity Level:  Moderate

Best Owner:  This breed is adaptable and does well with a family in a city, suburban, or rural home.

Special Needs:  Grooming

Possible Health Concerns:  Cardiac disease, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism

Toxins

Many products commonly found around the house and yard are dangerous to dogs.  Ingestion of toxic substances can lead to upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and even organ failure and eventual death.  Some substances such as pesticides and acetone can be dangerous even if a dog does not ingest them.  They can cause harm by being inhaled or absorbed through the skin.

Commercial pesticides are the most common cause of dog poisonings.  Fly baits containing methomyl such as Stimukil, and slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde such as Snarol, Buggetta, and Slugit Pellets, are particularly dangerous.  Methomyl is rapidly absorbed into the skin, lungs, and gastrintestinal tract and is broken down in the liver.  Vomiting, seizures, and death are the most common signs of intgestion.  Metaldehyde is a neurotoxin, a poison that affects the nervous system.  Ingestion of less than a teaspoon of a 2 percent metaldehyde product by a 10-pound dog can cause harm.  Moke and gopher baits and rat poisons are also dangerous to dogs.  Avoid using any of these in areas where accessible to your dog and keep packages of pesticides safely locked away.

Human medications are second only to pesticides in causing animal poisonings.  They can be lethal to dogs and should be kept out of reach.  Advise overnight guests to keep any medications locked away.  Even common pain relievers can be dangerous to dogs.  One regular strength 200-milligram ibuprofen tablet (Advil, Motrin) can cause stomach ulcers in a 10-pound dog; ingestion of two or more tablets of ibuprofen can cause seizures and coma.  The most commonly reported medications involved in animal poisonings are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, antidepressant; cold and flu medicines; and diet pills.

Seasonal products that contain toxins include anti-freeze, Christmas tree water, and liquid potpourris.  Ingestion of just a small amount of antifreeze can be fatal to a dog.  Keep driveways and garages clean of car drippings.  Christmas tree water contains fertilizers that can upset the stomach.  Stagnant tree water also can breed bacteria, leading to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea if ingested.  Liquid potpourris are caustic.  Licking or ingesting potpourris can result in chemical burns, vomiting, retching, hypersalivation, or depression.

Hazards to be aware of during warm weather months include lethal strains of blue-green algae usually found in stagnant bodies of water.  Ingesting even a small amount can kill a dog within an hour.  Cocoa bean mulch, often used in gardens, contains the substance theobromine, which is also found in chocolate.  A 50-pound dog who eats 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may suffer stomach upset; after eating 9 ounces or more would probably be fatal.  Another garden hazard is compost, which is filled with decaying matter harboring dangerous bacteria that can make a dog sick.  Fertilizers, too, are hazardous.  They contain heavy metals such as iron.  Ingesting a large amount of fertilizer can cause gastrointestinal upset and possibly obstruction and may even affect the heart and liver.  Swimming pool cleaning supplies may contain harmful chemicals and citronella candles can cause gastrointestinal inflammation if a dog eats them.

Other toxic products include household cleaners, rubbing alcohol, ice-melting products, batteries, pain, boric acid, hair coloring, and other human grooming products such as shampoo and petroleum products.  The best prevention is to keep these items out of your dog's reach.

Hints for Lodging With a Dog

Editor's Note:  With the holidays upon us, many of us will be traveling and taking our beloved dogs with us.  Here are some hints and tips on what to do if you're staying in a hotel.

Make sure your dog is flea-free before departing on your trip.  Also, aggressive otherwise uncontrolled dogs should not be taken to hotels or motels.  Any bad behavior an establishment experiences with one dog will be held against all days.  Also, most hotel/motels add on anywhere from $5 to $50 per night as well as a security deposit so be sure to call the hotel before arriving to find out what their rules are regarding pets in the rooms.

Try not to allow your dog on the bed or furniture in a hotel.  If your dog can't stand to sleep away from you or insists on being on the couch, bring a sheet or blanket from home to cover the area where he will lie.  Make sure your dog is housetrained BEFORE bringing him inside.  Even if your dog has been reliable and has not had an accident in years, staying in a hotel is a new and sometimes unsettling experience, which can lead to accidents.  Many dogs are reluctant to drink water or relieve themselves during a car trip or outside an airport, but once they arrive at a destination and relax, they cut loose.  Take your dog for a couple of walks upon arrival and before settling down for the evening.

If you plan to leave your dog in the hotel while you are out, bring a crate.  This will keep him safe and secure, eliminate the chance of his inflicting damage, and allow the housekeeping staff to come in while you're gone.  If you don't use a crate, find a hotel that offers a dog-sitting service.  This is unusual but not unheard of, especially in large cities such as New York or San Fransisco.  Some hotels pride themselves on being pet-friendly and even offer pet packages with everything from keepsake food bowls to dog treat cookbooks to daily walks.

Another option is to stay in a guest rental.  Many resort areas offer private homes for rent.  This can be an ideal option for a dog owner, but again, check the pet policy before you book.  If traveling to a rural area, camping facilities are usually dog friendly as long as they are kept leashed.  Ask about park policies when reserving a campsite.

Agility Organizations

The popularity of agility competition is evidenced by the number of organizations in the U.S. that administer the sport.  Four major organizations hold agility trials and award points and titles to top agility dogs: the American Kennel Club (AKC), the United Kennel Club (UKC), the United States Dog Agility Association, Inc. (USDAA), and the North American Dog Agility Council, Inc. (NADAC).  Each organization has different rules governing competition and classes.

The AKC offers five jump heights ranging from 8 to 24 inches, and dogs compete for titles various levels of classes.  UKC competitors jump up to 20 inches and compete in three classes with progressively more difficult jumps.  USDAA has the most stringent rules for competition and the most challenging jumps, with the maximum jump height of 26 inches.  The organization also offers games such as Gamblers, Snooker Agility, Relay, and Jumpers.  The NADAC with its fast courses emphasize speed.  It offers five standard division jump heights from 8 to over 20 inches and an optional jump height of 24 inches.  In addition to regular classes games such as Touch 'N' Go, Weavers, Tunnelers, and Gamblers are offered.

Starting a Dog Park

Looking to start a dog park? Here are some tips:

Strength in numbers: Form a group with other dog owners.  Establish the group as a non-profit corporation to demonstrate your commitment.

Get help:  Don't reinvent the wheel.  Many other people have started a dog park in their city.  Get in touch with other groups for guidance and support.


Get informed:  Contact city officials and the local parks department for guidance on starting a park.

Site selection:  Identify potential locations, preferably sites that are not heavily used and that have parking nearby.  Your local parks department may be able to help you with this.

Education:  Work to educate dog owners and others in your area about the benefits of a dog park for both humans and dogs.  Hold community meetings to discuss the park  and answer questions.  Emphasize benefits such as an increased feeling of community, more exercise opportunities, fewer unleashed dogs in other parks, and a positive financial impact for local businesses near dog parks.  Dogs who are exercised regularly and socialized with people and other dogs are happier and often experience fewer behavioral problems.

Public Relations:  Good public relations keep the community on your side.  Organize events that demonstrate the group's commitment to responsible dog ownership.  These can be behavior and training workshops, adoption fairs, low-cost vaccine clinics, or educational events encouraging spaying and neutering.  Be a good neighbor now and you may fend off opposition later.


Play politics:  Get to know your city councilperson and other local government officials.  Find someone sympathetic to your cause in city government.

Plan:  A good plan considers the type of fencing and surfacing to be used, waste disposal, and how the park will be maintained.  Include a budget and plans for fundraising.  Determine whether the city will help with funds to build the park or if all funds will be acquired through private means.

Rules and Regulations:  Create rules for users of the dog park and have a plan to enforce them once the park is up and running.  Organize a dog park advisory board to address issues as they arise.  Find volunteers to monitor the park and advise visitors on the rules.

Stay involved:  Your work isn't over after the ground is broken.  Demonstrate your commitment to the park by keeping up on rule enforcement, cleanup, and maintenance.  Many cities initiate new dog parks with a trial period; use this time to prove your good intentions to the community.  Meet regularly with city leaders on management of the park.  Organize ongoing fundraising campaigns to keep the park running smoothly and to finance any new projects.

God and Dog

Funny Dogs Do Crazy Things Video