Uno meets Dogue de Bordeaux at Westminster dog show press conference

Week In Revew: February 13, 2009

newsdesk.tjctv.com Israeli elections, Yeshiva University layoffs, Bar Rafaeli on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, UJA Trunk Show, and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Mutts - Advantages, Disadvantages and Why We Love Them!

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Depending on where you live, there are a number of fascinating names for them. Here in the U.S. we refer to them as mutts, Heinz 57, Sooners, mongrels, hounds, and tykes. In Hawaii, they are known as Poi Dogs. Country folks in the South, call them feists or curs.

In Newfoundland you will hear the term a Cracky. In the Bahamas and nearby islands, they are called Potcakes. Jump over to South Africa and you will hear the people refer to them as a Pavement Special. Our Australian friends call theirs Bitzers.

No matter what they are called, for many dog owners, they are the only real dogs. To them, the more breeds in the mix, the better!

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a mutt? Let's start with the advantages. The fact they are less likely to be stolen is a good one! There is often a lower incident of genetic defects, as there is a larger gene pool. It's a fact, the bigger the gene pool, the less likely the odds of combining two defective genes. That is a plus for many less discriminating, yet adoring dog lovers.

Additional advantages are mutts are less expensive to purchase. Let's face it; sometimes they are free for the taking! Usually, they are also less expensive in the upkeep department as they require few, to no visits to a groomer for a fancy hairdo.

It is also a fact, mutts tend to have a higher than average natural longevity compared to pedigrees. Cars are not counted in the equation! The reason for this as studies have shown, may be mutt mothers are normally excellent moms compared to their pedigreed cousins. It's true. Documentation in many countries show, they normally provide better care, as well as more and a higher quality of milk. Because of that, infant mortality in mutt litters is noticeably lower than with purebred-bred litters. Between a diluted gene pool, and quality postnatal care, it appears a mutt pup has the advantage a healthier start and possibly a longer life.

Finally, whenever you look into their eyes, there is the sense you did the right thing. They may not be the cutest, fluffiest, most handsome, or prettiest dog in the dog park, but they are forever grateful, that you saw their "inner beauty."

So, what are the disadvantages? The disadvantages are few. Granted, you won't find a mutt participating in the AKC/Eukanuba or Westminster Dog Show, even though Eukanuba doesn't seem to mind too much that mutts are customers. Nor, will you see them at most AKC events...although that is changing a little with their AKC Partners Program.

The only other disadvantages of owning a mutt are you will never really be sure how big they will get, or what their temperament will be. Not that there is any guarantee with a pedigreed dog! Nonetheless, responsible breeders do have a general idea of the likely size and temperament of the offspring of their mating pairs.

If sharing your life, love and home with a blue-blooded pedigree is imperative to you, than this article won't make a difference.

However, if you are less discerning about your image and want to share your life, love and home with a wonderful pet, consider adopting or rescuing a mutt. At a local shelter or rescue, the perfect companion and new best friend is anxiously waiting just for you. Save a mutt's life!

Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! - DOG TRAINING and BED-n-BISCUITS dog boarding and training - Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida - AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN and S.T.A.R. PUPPY Evaluator http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite
http://www.bednbiscuits.webs.com

GOLDEN RETRIEVER Agility Entrenamiento

Derechos Reservados Copyright©2008-2009 Etcan Puno- Video dedicado a todos los agilystas de Puno

Louie the French Bulldog watching Westminster dog Show

Louie watching his breed being judged at the 2010 westminster dog show!!!

pebbles and dog show 2

pebbles watches more westminster dog show

Westminster breed: Scottish Deerhound (with puppy)

More videos: tinyurl.com One of a series of videos highlighting the different breeds from the Hudson Valley competing in this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Snews - Peta invades the Westminster Dog Show

Ahmad is in favor of puppy mills.

Intensive Night Creme - Must-Have Qualities of an Effective Intensive Night Creme

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When looking for an intensive night creme, you'll run into quite a few that come with huge promises and alluring claims.  But how can you be sure that what you buy is the real deal?  This article sheds some light on this exact question.

It's amazing how so many intensive night creme products don't even share what ingredients they contains!  Out of all the factors to use to decide whether or not to buy a product, THE INGREDIENTS are by far the most important. 

If you come across any kind of anti-aging treatment that doesn't share any of the ingredients it's made with before you buy it, then forget about purchasing it.  How do you know you're not allergic to any of the ingredients used in it?  The way I see it, if they don't say anything about the ingredients it contains, then they don't use any they are proud of or are worth mentioning.

There are some intensive night creme products that contain collagen protein as an ingredient.  Most people know that collagen is one of the most important elements of the skin that determines how firm and tone it's structure is.  But what most people don't know is that collagen cannot penetrate through the skin because it's too large to fit through your pores.

An effective intensive night creme will contain ingredients like CynergyTK(TM), which actually stimulates the natural production of collagen protein inside the skin.  So even as you get older, CynergyTK(TM) will enable your skin to continue creating collagen protein along with another necessary protein, elastin.

Another major concentration of an intensive night creme should be to hydrate and retain moisture throughout the night.  Deep-penetrating moisturizers will assure that your skin gets the hydration it needs after a long day of exposure to the natural elements.  And ingredients that actually create an invisible barrier to retain this moisture are also helpful and beneficial.

After being exposed to UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental sources throughout the day, free radicals are created in your skin.  So it's also good for an intensive night creme to contain antioxidants to stabilize these free radicals so you can minimize the damage that free radicals create.

I invite you to learn about the intensive night creme I use that contains CynergyTK™ and other natural substances that rejuvenates my skin each and every night by visiting my website listed below.

Caroline Richie is a long time user and passionate admirer of natural skin care. Visit her site now and discover the cutting-edge ingredients and anti aging solutions she recommends and uses after years of research and trial-and-error with all sorts of products ---> Go to http://www.skin-and-health-site.com

What About a Newfoundland Dog

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Ok, so everyone who stays on top of the show dog world knows that a Newfoundland won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2004. That was a shock to many of the traditionalists who think that the smaller and more assertive dogs are the ideal and drool does not belong on the show floor. The win also caused an inflation in the price of Newfoundland puppies, which was bad for the average income household, but good for some dog breeding operations. Despite the Westminster win, the Newfoundland breed was not elevated to the "Most Popular Breed" spot with the AKC. Which was a relief to many Newfoundland lovers who take to heart a deep responsibility for the well-being and protection of the breed.

So what is a Newfoundland dog all about? There are 3 main recognized color types of Newfoundland dog, also affectionately known as "newfs", or "newfies". They are Bronze, Black and Black/White (Landseer). Which color to choose from?

Unless you are going to dive into the serious side of breeding and showing, it doesn't matter! Enjoy whatever color comes with your new, big, floppy bundle of happiness.

There is no base personality difference between the three color variations of Newfoundland dogs, however, some breeders will maintain that the Landseer is a breed unto itself and should be classified as such.

Newfoundland dogs are big, getting up to 150 pounds and more. They are not for everybody as they require a different level of care, more space and more companionship than the average sized dog. Contrary to what many may think, a newf will not eat you out of house and home. Their metabolism is slower and feeding them too much will compromise their health. A fat newfy is a very unhealthy newfy!

Their double layer coats require a regular grooming routine, and supplementing their chow with certain vitamins and minerals is recommended to help ward off some joint problems common to newfs.

Overall, anybody who is contemplating the addition of a Newfoundland dog into their home should keep in mind some of the following important points:

• Thier coat is double layered and requires regular grooming to keep it healthy and clean. If you live in a part of the country where it gets just plain hot, make sure you are prepared to provide a comfortable environment for your well-coated friend.


• Newfs love water. They love water so much that even their feet are webbed! This is a fact and should give a prospective owner an idea of which activity their new friend is best suited for - swimming. An active swimming session can be loads of fun for all and it's well suited for their heavy body mass.


• All dog breeds crave the attention of their human partners, however, the Newfoundland goes beyond this a little in that they need to be around humans to stay healthy and happy. Newfoundland dogs were bred to be a constant companion and assistant to humans, particularly in the areas of water rescue and fishing along the coastal communities. It is in their genetic makeup to be partnered with humans. To kennel or chain a newf away from regular human contact would have the same emotional impact as if keeping a child confined in his room day after day.


• A newf is a better house dog than even some of the toy dog varieties available today. Sure, when they bump into something it goes flying, but for the most part, a newf will adapt to house rules rather quickly and they learn to navigate gracefully around the home in short order.


• Newfs drool, but it's a happy drool! And besides, that's what they make drool rags for. It's really not that bad once you get into the swing of it.

Newfoundlands are the gentle giants of the canine world with couragous hearts of gold. Careful consideration should be taken when deciding to bring one into your family. They are family dogs and have a noble bearing along with a seeming awareness of their heritage and responsibilities. They deserve to be treated as a full member of the household and not relegated to the back yard, or worse, a chain and kennel run.

If you decide that a Newfoundland dog is for you and your family, and have the proper environment to accomodate a larger dog, then the next step is to look for a reputable breeder. Using the Internet to find a purebred Newfoundland can be risky. Keep in mind that a dedicated newf lover and breeder will be able to spout off a long list of ancestral information, medical history and will require an in-depth interview with you. Some breeders will refuse to airship a Newfoundland puppy, stipulating that you or a designee will need to personally pick the little fluffball up. If an online breeder is willing to just take your money and put the puppy on a plane, then you will be setting yourself up for the heartbreak of receiving a puppy bred for profit and not for soundness, health, or a long, happy life.

The first place to start looking for a Newfoundland is through your local Newfoundland dog club. If that is not available, then go online and visit the AKC or UKC. They will have a list of approved breeders in your state.

If you don't care about papers, showing or breeding, then you may want to find out about adopting a Newfoundland from a rescue organization. The best site I've found to date which deals with just Newfoundland dog rescue can be found at http://www.newfrescue.com/RescueClubs.htm

Yes, it might be cool to own a newf, but, like all animals, they should not be considered a fad and disposable when out of favor. They are beautiful beings with an intelligent mind and kind soul who only ask for love, a few tasty morsels and lots of human companionship. In return, you will have a trusted family member, a dedicated worker, a protector and a warm friend to cuddle up to on cold winter nights. That is what a Newfoundland dog is all about.

Cris Mandelin-Wood runs multiple websites offering pet information and pet related content [http://articles.animalcities.com].

Dog Training - Turn Your Little Savage Into a Performer

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Dogs are the most popular type of pet in the United States. They have so many characteristics in such a variety that just about anyone (even cat lovers) can find some type of dog to love. Whether it has cute, fluffy looks or a strong build; whether it is the best friend of the kids or a hard-working dog, there's a breed for everyone. But, no matter what type of dog you choose, there is an important first step to integrate the dog smoothly into the family. That step is to properly train the dog. An untrained dog can be disruptive to the family and even destructive. In the East, good choices are dog training Philadelphia style or dog training NYC style.

Once the dog is trained, it will be a loyal companion. When you take it for a walk in the park, it will be content to follow you on the leash. When visitors come to your house, you can teach the dog not to jump on them. The visitors will be able to greet the dog on their terms, which may range from a shy "Hi, dog" to voluble hugs and kisses. You can even train the dog not to jump on the furniture, which will reduce the inevitable coating of hair on the sofa. As you know, dogs are pack animals, and you want the pack leader to be the human and not the dog.

Once your favorite dog is obedience trained, the fun training can begin. Dogs like to please their masters and they love little treats. These traits mean that dogs often have as much fun learning tricks as the people have teaching them. With patience and rewards, you can teach your dog many tricks. The old standards are things like sit, lie down, shake, and play dead. Other fun tricks are catching a Frisbee, chasing a tennis ball, and flipping a treat from the nose to the mouth.

There are two final reminders. These are very important in today's crowded world. First is the overpopulation problem. Too many dogs are born, and too many must be destroyed. This is a very sad situation. A major part of the solution is to spay and neuter you pet dog. Another aspect of this problem is puppy mills. Puppies born in puppy mills get a very unhappy start in life. The best way to do your part to solve these problems is to adopt a dog from a shelter. The final reminder is about what happens after the dog has dinner. Remember that, basically, the dog is a fur-covered colon. Every dog owner must be diligent in cleaning up the mess and disposing of it properly. You may think it is OK to take the dog to a wooded area and leave the mess behind. After all, that is how the bears do it. But remember that when it rains the water washes the waste into the nearest creek. When you let your dog "go" in the woods, you are adding raw sewage to the watershed. Not a good idea.

Connor Sullivan recently looked into dog training Philadelphia for his pet pooch. His wife signed up for several dog training NYC classes to teach her dog agility training.

How to Find a Certified Dog Trainer

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Are you in the market for a dog trainer? Do you want your dog to learn from a top notch certified dog trainer? You may have dreams of seeing your dog in professional dog competitions and shows. Therefore, you need to have your dog trained by a certified dog trainer to ensure the best results.

Why should you hire a certified dog trainer instead of a basic dog trainer? A certified dog trainer is one that takes their dog training career seriously enough to become certified. You can feel comfortable in the fact that they have met high dog training standards and passed certification exams and tests. You don’t want a fly-by-night dog trainer, but a certified dog trainer that is in it for the long haul.

How do you find a certified dog trainer? There are numerous dog trainers available in the market place today. Dog trainers range in age, skill level, and experience. Your neighbor might tell you that they are a dog trainer because they have read a few books on the subject and taught their dog to fetch the newspaper. This is not sufficient dog training experience.

You should consult a variety of resources. Try asking your dog breeder, groomer, and veterinarian. They can direct you to local dog training schools that have certified dog trainers on their faculty. Various pet supply stores have dog training programs that train and certify their dog trainers. Example pet supply stores include PETCO.

However, research what they mean by “certification”. Is the certification by PETCO standards only or by a universal certification? Find out what the requirements are for their certified dog trainers. Only then can you determine if their dog trainers will supply the skill level and experience you desire.

You need to find a dog trainer that has had comprehensive training and can proudly demonstrate that they are a certified dog trainer. Be aware, though, that there are many “certified dog training” schools and home correspondence courses available. Not all of these schools are credible nor do they provide proper instruction. You need to find a dog trainer that has certification as described by the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers.

The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers is a well respected organization that provides testing and certification services for dog trainers. They administer specific dog training tests in various states around the country approximately twice per year. These intensive tests root out the professional dog trainer from the average dog trainer. Check out their website at: http://www.ccpdt.org/.

The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers also provides a listing of certified dog trainers. You can search through this listing to find a certified dog trainer in your area. This roster of certified dog trainers comprises certified dog trainers all over the world. The certified dog trainer list will give you their contact information including name, city, phone number, and e-mail address. Another great feature is that they list the date the dog trainer became certified. This will let you know how many years they have been in the dog training business. Peruse the list at: [http://ccpdt.org/rstr/index.html].

Certified pet trainers do not only need to pass a certification exam and testing, they must also continue their education through workshops, conferences, and other means. When selecting a certified dog trainer ask them about the extent of their continuing education. You want a certified dog trainer that continues to hone their craft. They should actively learning about various dog training methods. This demonstrates that they are committed to providing the best dog training.

A certified dog trainer should have at least three to five years of dog training experience. This is especially true if they charge higher fees. You can take the plunge with a newly certified dog trainer if cost is an issue. Newly certified dog trainers may charge lower rates in order to establish a list of clients and garner experience. “Master” certified dog trainers are those that have twenty to thirty years of experience. They may have great skill and in depth background experience, but may come at a higher price.

You have the beginning knowledge regarding finding a certified dog trainer. Spend time searching resources available through your dog breeder, veterinarian, and pet supply store. Scour the book store, library, and Internet for detailed information. You can find a certified dog trainer in your area as well.

You wouldn’t go to an unlicensed doctor would you? So why would go to a trainer that is not certified? Certified dog trainers are out there and ready to help you and your pooch learn valuable skills. They are committed to your dog, their career, and learning everything they can about becoming a top notch dog trainer. Who knows, your certified dog trainer may help your dog win the Westminster dog show. Not only would your dog be trained well and achieve glory, but the expense would be well worth it.

Visit the dog products website to research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog health, dog grooming & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.

The German Pointers Dog Breed History

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The Origins of the German Pointer breed

As the name suggests the German Pointer dog, also known as the German Shorthaired Pointer comes from Germany. Even though researchers do not have many details about the origin of this breed, the all concluded that the German Pointer breed is a mixed breed that developed in time from mixing breeds like the Spanish Pointer, the Foxhound, the Bloodhound and other hunting dogs and later the English Pointer.

The German Pointer breed belongs to the European pointer dogs. There are records about the pointer dogs as well as the hunting dogs from Europe ever since the 13 th century. Todays German Pointer is an elegant and versatile hunter both in the water and on land. He is a specialist in bird hunting and is admired for his great personality.

The German Shorthaired Pointer is related to the German Wirehaired Pointer, a breed of dog mostly common in Germany and less in The Great Britain or The United States. Though they are both mixed breeds and have related predecessors, the German Wirehaired does not have any Bloodhound or Foxhound predecessors. The Wirehaired Pointer however originates from the Pudel pointer, another mixed breed between the German Pudel and the English Pointer amongst others.

Past records of the German Pointers breed

Even if there aren't many records that talk about the German breed but mention the hunting dogs for their proficiency in finding and tracking large and small animals as well as their dexterity in both water and on land, the breed got some recognition after it was crossed with the English Pointer in the late 1800s. The German breed was recognized as a breed and recorded by the German Kennel Club in 1872.

In the 1920's the German Shorthaired breed was taken to the United States where it became a popular breed. Not too long ago the American Kennel Club, that formally recognized the breed in the 1930, stated that the German Pointer reached the 20th place in list of most popular breeds in the US. In 2005 a German Shorthaired Pointer dog won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and the first show where a German Shorthaired Pointer participated was held in 1941 in Chicago.

For more info on German Pointers, German Shepards, and other large dog breeds of this origin, please visit us at large dog breeds: largedogbreedz.com

The Dog Olympics

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I was just watching the Olympics on TV last night with my dog, Hamish, curled up on the sofa beside me, when he let out one of his famous triple snorts. I had a chuckle, and thought to myself - this dog could snort for Australia!

Which led me on to thinking, what if we had a doggie Olympics?

I am sure I could enter Hamish for the Snorting competition - he'd get extra points for degree of difficulty, combination (a triple!), and volume (he's a tiny dog, but you'd never know it by the noises he makes when he sleeps).

I think he'd also give them a run for their money in the Toy Retrieval competition, though I think we might lose points if he actually had to let the toy go once he brought it back to me (we usually wrestle for it).

My previous dog, Bruno, would have been very competitive in the Finding Hidden Treats time trial - that dog could sniff out a crumb of cake behind the sofa cushions at 10 feet.

And my sister's dog, Remus, would have been the favourite in for the Cleaning Your Food Bowl competition. By the time he finishes cleaning his bowl, you could eat from it yourself!

And we could have entered the mud sledding competition - I'm sure we would have won that! (I need to explain - Bruno and Remus were bull terrier crosses - very powerful chests - and we live on 30 acres of rainforest. I foolishly took them both for a walk one day - at the same time - straight after we had some really heavy rain. Now I only weigh 50Kg, and those dogs together outweighed me, so when a kangaroo darted in front of us it was no competition - I was sliding through the mud hanging on to those two leashes for dear life! I eventually managed to stop them, and me, by sitting down in the mud and digging my heels in as they continued to drag me along. I never did that again ....).

Now, things we wouldn't win. Being bullies, neither Bruno nor Remus could jump very high, and they weighed a lot, so we wouldn't have entered the Jumping Into Your Owners Arms From a Standing Start competition. Nor the Smiling Sweetly While Other Dogs Go By competition.

And Hamish is a shocker at catching treats you throw, so we won't enter him in the Treat Catching.

And my cousin's dog, Lily, is a little neurotic, so she wouldn't do very well in the Sitting Still While Your Owner Calls You competition.

I think it would be great to have an Olympics for ordinary dogs - not those fancy show offs who can do agility training and retrieval, just one for all the mutts! We'd let them show off their natural dog skills, like finding food, and playing, and showing us affection.

Our dogs are all champions in their own little way - you just need to think up the right competition for your dog! So, what would your dog win?

Di Ellis is an avid dog lover (owner of Hamish), and co-owner of http://www.BestDoggieTips.com where you'll find free dog recipes, dog tips, articles and newsletters.

Bichon Frise in a dog show pt 1.flv

Silky Terrier - Are Silky Terriers Good Dogs to Own?

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In my humble opinion, Silky Terriers are the best dogs to have as a pet. This does not mean that the Silky is a good fit for every person or family.

Knowing what your expectations are for a pet is very important. Below are three character traits of the Silky Terrier. So, you'll be able to determine if the Silky is right for you.

1. Small Dog, Big Attitude

This breed of dog comes in a small package, but has a big attitude. Standard size of a Silky is 8 to 10 pounds and 9 to 10 inches high. But do not let their size fool you. They definitely think they are a big dog and have big dog traits. They are courageous and great watch dogs.

But be careful, if given run of the house they will take it. You have to let them know who is "alpha dog" in your house - consistently. Even though these dogs are relatively small, they are very dominant and need a family that is going to have the time and energy to teach them good behavior.

Because of their size they are able to live in an apartment or in the country comfortably. But they do require daily activities or walks...otherwise they will get fat and lazy.

2. Loyalty & Devotion To Family

They are very loyal to their family and will do almost anything to please them. Normally they will pick a family member and become their shadow. Following their every move. This is not to say they do not love the entire family. But it is very heart warming to get up and go into another room to find your Silky Terrier right trailing behind you.

3. Social Butterflies

Silky Terriers are playful and inquisitive by nature. They love to run and play. Watching them with other Silkys or one of their toys is quite a treat. Some of them will shake the toy all around and really get into making it squeak.

They also love to socialize with other people and pets. Taking them to the store or "bye-bye" is a great way to do this.

Find out more information on Silky Terrier grooming, behavior and other tips regarding this feisty breed of dog at http://www.silky-terrier.dog.com

About The Author

April Osburn has been raised around Silky Terriers her entire life. She has two that are her constant companions, Gypsy and Samantha. She would like to share what she knows of this wonderful small breed of dog with anyone that would like to know more about them.

Dealing With the Loss of a Tail Wagging Companion - Loss of a Pet - Tips to Help You Cope

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It is said that a dog wears his heart on his tail and that the tail of a dog acts as a barometer for his emotions. This meter of emotions can be held under complete control through a human's tone of voice, let alone the off the Richter Scale excitement from a scratch in a favorite spot. The emotional bond between humans and dogs is strong and runs deep between both parties. Losing a tail wagging companion is never easy. When dealing with any type of loss, books, movies, poetry and inspirational tapes provide a mechanism to help sort through mixed emotions. These items also help to facilitate healing, which is fundamental to the process of closure needed at the end of any meaningful relationship.

The book Marley & Me deals with the loss of a tail wagging companion and brings to light many important aspects of a human-canine relationship. For anyone who has ever sat down to read this book, the first chapter is one that creates a real choke hold on dog lovers. Marley so captures the essence of the emotional bonding that takes place between a person and a special canine that for most readers it brings about the experience a joyful-cry. Author, John Grogan's words captured the hearts of readers in such a way that his first book propelled with ease to the top of the best seller's list in 2005.

Although written for an adult audience, Grogan's work quickly became popular among young readers. Along with his latest memoir, The Longest Trip Home, Grogan has since authored several books geared for children. Grogan's highly acclaimed collection of fully illustrated children's books includes: Bad Dog Marley, Marley Goes to School, and A Very Marley Christmas. Grogan's books are ones that help an individual cope with the loss of a tail-wagging companion as his works expresses both the joy and sorrow encountered in the privilege of sharing one's life with a canine.

Because of the special nature of dogs, many classic books that are composed around canines. Included in canine literature are the books: Old Yeller, Lassie, Beautiful Joe, Big Red, Rin Tin Tin, White Fang and The Incredible Journey. Of course no children's classic canine-book collection would be complete without the novel, A Dog of Flanders. Most of these books have been adapted for film or TV, but the books serve more as a form of literary art, rather than entertainment.

Dogs are such unique creatures that various canine-ality types have been immortalized in cartoonland, with some of our favorites including: Snoopy, Scooby Doo, Blues Clues, Hunckleberry Hound, Underdog, Odie, Droopy Dog, Pluto, Goofy and Quick Draw McGraw. Both the big screen and the little screen have produced its share of celebrity hounds and animated classics such as: Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmatians, The Shaggy Dogs, Turner and Hooch, Wishbone and Benji. Clearly, and as exemplified by celebrities like Paris Hilton and Oprah, dogs rule Hollywood.

The emotional bond that develops between humans and canines is like no other human-animal relationship on the planet. In light of the many important roles and services dogs provide, canine attributes deserve special recognition and praise. With all due respect to the other creatures with whom we share this planet, it is the diverse nature, skill set, and intelligence of the canine species that comes into play with so many important aspects of human existence.

With over 400 recognized breeds of dogs around the world, the canine species is the most varied mammal on the planet. The selective breeding of dogs to enhance particular characteristics has created a plethora of new shapes and sizes over the past 150 years. Many of these characteristics were breed for task-orientated purposes, as dogs have historically held positions as herders, guardians and rescue animals. The annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, considered to be America's most prestigious dog show, judges a wide variety of breeds during the two-day event. More than 2500 dogs, from over 150 breeds are judged closely by eminent American Kennel Club (AKC) judges. One can truly see how varied this species has become during the past century and a half by watching the Westminster. The dance man has been doing with wolves has lead to an incredible journey.

The dynamic essence of the canine spirit becomes so intertwined with ours that they can be trained as eyes for our blind, ears for our deaf, as well as they can give independence to our physically disabled. Dogs have the natural instincts to become therapists, without obtaining a doctorate's degree. Where the average pet is not permitted or allowed in our society, service dogs are welcome as they perform a valuable function and duty for their guided human partner.

Dogs have proven to be able to blend their senses with ours on such a profound level that they forget they are a separate entity. Guide dogs act as human extensions rather than just merely a human's pet. These special creatures have the incredible ability to mirror their partner's needs, while they give up their individuality to become a reliable source of instincts and survival for humans.

The canine is among the few creatures who serve alongside our police and military officers. The U.S. Military has been using working dogs since World War I. Dogs were used in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afganistan and Iraq. During Vietnam alone it is estimated these courageous canine heroes saved over 10,000 lives. All branches of our Armed Forces utilize Military Patrol Dogs specialized in drug and bomb/explosive detection. Currently in the Middle East there are approximately 600-700 Military Patrol Dogs being used.

Of all of the tributes there are to our canine companions, one that exemplifies their unique capabilities and special role they have in our lives is the book Dog Heroes of September 11th. This book is one that should grace every dog lovers coffee table, as it is the first major publication to salute the dogs who came to the aid of our nation after the terrorists' strikes on America. Written by award winning canine journalist, Nona Kilgore Bauer, the book pays tribute to the dog and handler teams that were deployed after the attacks. A portion of the proceeds from the book benefit the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and its mission to produce certified search and rescue teams to protect our whole nation. This book is a must read, the stories are amazing and truly inspirational.

In trying to access how and why dogs impact our lives, it is important to point out their many varied attributes, from being integrated as life saving heroes to a cuddly tea cup pocket pooch, dogs give us so much of themselves to human existence. Perhaps the most extreme example of human-canine relationships is shown in the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Even the Tour de France takes second place to this test of human-canine endurance, willpower and survival. Where riders in the Tour ride as a team, the dogs of the Iditarod act as a single unit with their musher. The mushers and their team of typically 16 dogs cover 1,161 miles in eight to fifteen days. During this highly competitive race, teams frequently race through blizzards causing whiteout conditions and sub-zero weather, along with gale-force winds that can cause wind-chill factors to reach -100 degrees Fahrenheit. To be able to endure this race takes the will power equivalent to that of cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. It is no wonder that humans bond so closely with these tail wagging creatures and their death can have such an emotional impact on us.

It is easy to become attached to our pets and it is difficult to let go of this attachment. One way of viewing the loss of our tail wagging companion is to realize how intertwined their spirit becomes with our soul. Perhaps it is their loving spirit that ascends to a higher dimension that carries our senses and perceptions to a new level. Letting go is just a matter of realizing how blessed we were to have enjoyed their tail wagging companionship for the time that we were able to. Although the pet that we lost will always have a special place in our hearts, carrying the happiness they gave us benefits much more than carrying grief over our loss. What they gave us were sharper instincts and intuition, that is something that we can give back and pass along in an attempt to keep those tails waggin.

Annette Masse, also known as Betty Bulldog has been loving and respecting dogs for 25 years. She offers a Free dog training and information course at http://dogZdogZ.com

Keep those tails waggin!

Dogs Do Smile

A managerie of adorable puppy & dog pics set to "Diamond Dogs" by David Bowie, performed by Beck. I am an avid fan of canines, lupines & vulpines and 3 wonderful schipperkes call me their own. They are not on this particular video but they will be on future ones. I love these horribly cute little films and should smack myself for participating in their creation but I cannot help myself. This one is going on a charity webpage as a video that can be placed on an app for MySpace and similar pages.

The Strange Tale of the Jules Rimet Trophy

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The golden trophy that is awarded to the eventual winners of every FIFA World Cup tournament is the most prized award in soccer. But the trophy that will be awarded to whatever team eventually is victorious in South Africa in 2010 will not be lifting the original trophy, first awarded in 1930, but instead a replacement that has been in use since the original, the Jules Rimet trophy, was awarded in perpetuity to Brazil in 1970, in recognition of their third World Cup Victory.But the story behind the fate of the Jules Rimet trophy is a far stranger one than you might imagine.

The trophy itself was first created for the first World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. At that time it was officially known as the "Victory", it was not until 1946 that it was renamed for man whose vision had beget the competition in first place. It was a true work of art. Designed by Abel Lafleur, its blue lapis base held a solid gold representation of the goddess Nike, the ancient Greek patron of victory.

In January of 1966 the Jules Rimet trophy made its way to London, so it could be displayed prior to the World Cup, scheduled to take place in England later that year. The trophy was placed under the care of the English Football Association, who kept it at their headquarters in Lancaster Gate, showing it publicly only on a few, well organized occasions.

In February however the Stanley Gibbons Stamp Company requested permission from the FA to "borrow" the trophy, to be used as the central attraction for their Stampex exhibition the following month. The company promised that it would be well guarded and it was covered by a $30,000 insurance policy, even though it was only valued at $3,000.

In March the exhibition opened in the Central Hall in Westminster. Two guards were employed to stand near the trophy day and night, joined by two plainclothes policeman during the day. But still, it was later admitted that none had their eyes on the prized cup at every moment.

On Sunday 20th March the security guards making their noon inspection discovered that the cabinet that held the Jules Rimet trophy had been pried open and the prize was gone.

Scotland Yard took over the investigation immediately but early leads fell flat. Then on Monday March 21st, the chairman of the FA, Joe Mears, received an anonymous phone call at his office. The caller stated that Mears could expect delivery of a package, addressed to him, to Chelsea football club the next day.

But the package actually arrived at Mears' home. It contained the removable lining from the Jules Rimet trophy and a note demanding fifteen thousand pounds in small bills. The note further instructed the FA to place a coded advertisement in the personals column of The Evening News. If they followed subsequent demands, the note continued, they would have the trophy back by Friday.

The events of the following days resemble something out of an old gangster movie. Mears contacted Scotland Yard who began to put a plan into place. Bundles of counterfeit cash were created and two officers were assigned to be with Mears at all times. In the meantime he was sent home to wait for another telephone call.

When the phone call did finally come the terrified Mears was in the throes of an asthma attack. His wife handed the phone to his assistant McPhee (who in real life was Detective Inspector Buggy). "McPhee" was instructed to proceed, cash in hand, to the nearby Battersea Park.

Buggy proceeded, shadowed by a number of Flying Squad colleagues in unmarked cars. At the gate he met up with a "Mr. Jackson" Buggy showed the man the suitcase, and he failed to notice that the currency was counterfeit. Buggy demanded to see the trophy before he handed over the money. Jackson agreed, stepping into Buggy's car promising to lead him to the trophy.

Somewhere along the way "Jackson" realized that they were being followed and became nervous. He instructed Buggy to stop at the next traffic light so that he could go and retrieve the trophy from its hiding place. After he exited the car, he fled. Buggy pursued him and eventually found him hiding in a private garden. At the police station he was identified as Edward Betchley, a local car dealer and petty thief. He was charged with the theft and the subsequent extortion attempt but the Jules Rimet trophy was still missing.

On March 27th a local man, David Corbett and his dog Pickles were walking in the Beulah Hill area of South London, as was their custom. The dog discovered a package, wrapped crudely in newspaper. Corbett opened it and recognized its contents immediately. He turned the Jules Rimet World Cup trophy into the local Gypsy Hill police station immediately. Your browser may not support display of this image.

Although initially under suspicion, Corbett had an iron clad alibi for the time of the theft and after FA officials positively identified the trophy as genuine, the news of its recovery was released and Pickles found himself hailed a national hero.

Corbett received a $12,000 reward and Pickles even went on to have brief career in movies. In the summer of 1966 England won the World Cup, so the Jules Rimet trophy remained, hidden away, in England for another year. A replica was created immediately after the recovery of the original to be displayed for public purposes.

In 1970, per the man himself's instructions 40 years earlier, when Brazil triumphed in the competition he conceived for the third time they were awarded the Jules Rimet trophy to keep. A brand new trophy was created to be awarded to future victors. Your browser may not support display of this image.

In 1983 the Jules Rimet cup was stolen once more, and has never been found. Investigators believe it was melted down for its gold value immediately, and Pickles the dog was no longer around to help them look for it.

For the best soccer articles, breaking news and soccer equipment reviews visit http://www.soccertools.com and join in the conversation

Obedience Training For Your Dachshund

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Always use rewards when training your dog. Watch professional trainers. They use rewards constantly to reinforce positive behavior. The reward should also be accompanied with verbal praise. I have watched the Westminster Dog Show numerous times, thinking that the number of treats handed out was way overdone, but you can't argue with the success they have achieved. So, join the pros and reward your dachshund.

Reinforce the positive praise with the command. Don't just say "Good Boy". Include the command, as in, "Good Boy, STAY". Much positive praise leads to much success.

One valuable key to success is good timing. Your dog will associate your actions with the action he last committed; therefore, an immediate reward for the desired action is very important. Otherwise, your dog will think you are giving the reward for some other action. If you ask your dog to "SIT", give him his reward immediately along with strong praise, such as, "Good Boy, sit."

Do not punish your dog during the training routine. If your dog does not do a command correctly, do not shout at him, or punish him. The fault is probably in your teaching technique, not in his behavior. You may be pushing your dog too hard or rushing too much. Perhaps it is time to take a break. When you return to the training session, go back to the point your dog understood and slowly progress from there.

Keep the training sessions simple. Always use the same method of teaching. Dachshund training needs consistency in order to work. I am a teacher in middle school, and this rule applies to pre-teens as well as dogs. Most dogs, like young children, have a very short attention span, and dachshunds are no different.

Finally, use very simple, one-word commands whenever possible. Do not confuse your dog by changing the command. For instance, if you want your dog to get off the chair, use the command "OFF", not "DOWN". Down should be used when you want the dog to lie down. And don't use "LIE DOWN" when "DOWN" will suffice. The simpler the command, the more success you will achieve.

Training your dachshund should be fun and rewarding, both for you and your dog. Make sure to relax. Dachshunds each have their own personality, individual from all others. So get to know your dog on a very intimate basis. Know what his likes or dislikes are, and if the training method suggests something that you know your dog will not respond well to, change it or substitute for it. There is more information, along with photos and video about Obedience Training for Your Dachshund, which I consider a fascinating subject, at http://www.squidoo.com/obedience-training-dachshund You can also feel free to go to http://www.dog-training-online.info, where you will find a fabulous training guide by a professional dog trainer.

10 Little Known Facts About the German Shepherd

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Known for its beauty, keen intelligence, and loyalty, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular and sought after breeds of dog in the world. Though among dog breeds they are a fairly recent breed coming into existence in 1899 they quickly rose to prominence. While most people can easily recognize these dogs and even tell you a lot about their disposition, there are a lot about these dogs you probably don't know. For those who love this dog here are a few interesting and little known facts.

1. Max Von Stephanitz is known as the father of the German Shepherd dog breed. He first purchased this dog at a dog show in 1899 and named it Horand Von Grafrath. This dog would become the centerpiece of the German Shepherd breed.

2. These dogs were originally bred to herd sheep and therefore the AKC registers them as herding dogs. The AKC registered the first German Shepherd as a breed in 1809.From 1809-1813 the Westminster Kennel club referred to the German Shepherd dog as the the German sheepdog.

3. During World War II both the Germans and the Americans used this breed of dog to dectect mines. German Shepherds were also used as guard dogs helping to patrol the perimeters of battle zones.

4. These loyal and intelligent dogs are the world's number one police dog used for drug detection and rescue in many countries throughout the world.

5. A GSD named "Buddy" became the first seeing eye dog in 1928. Since that time there have been many Shepherds who have taken on this role.

6. Roy Roger's Shepherd was named Bullet, Jack Kennedy's bore the name of Clipper, Franklin Roosevelt's Shepherd was named Major, and Hitler was quite fond of his shepherd who he named Blondi.

7. These dogs are the third most intelligent dog following the Border Collie and the Poodle. It is because of their intelligence that this breed of dog is so versatile and can be trained for military service, search and rescue, guide dogs, police dogs, and family pets.

8. These dogs come in a variety of color combinations such as black and red, black and silver, black and cream, black and tan, solid black, sable, and white. The white shepherd is considered a fault by the AKC.

9. Although German Shepherd's quickly rose to popularity being consistently on the top 10 list for decades. In 2009 this dog rose to become the second most popular registered dog according the AKC.

10. Unlike many others dogs of it's size and background Shepherd's only need a medium amount of exercise. A couple of walks around the block and some playtime in the yard is enough to keep them active. They are also incredibly gentle with children and the elderly when trained properly.

Although Shepherd's are on many of the top 10 most dangerous dog lists it should be noted that these lists do not rate dogs on how likely they are to bite but rather on the amount of damage they can do should they bite. Unless trained as attack dogs shepherd's are not known to attack those they are familiar with and trust.

Glen Stevens is a German Shepherd enthusiast. He owns and maintains German Shepherd Answers, a resource for all German Shepherd lovers and where you can find more great information on German Shepherd dogs and other essential advice.

Call to Glory Muay Thai Scottish Terrier

Scottish Terrier Call to Glory Muay thai (Call to Glory Match Point x Call to Glory Streeptease) www.scottish-terrier.com.ar calltoglory@hotmail.com

WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW NYC 2010 #-35

Westminster dog show.Madison Square Garden,NYC,New York.

Dog Fact and Quotes

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Amazing Dog Facts and Quotes

This page is for dog lovers who like to read different facts and quotes about dogs with a few jokes thrown in.

"A man's soul can be judged by the way he treats his dog."

Charles Doran

"My dog is usually pleased with what I do, because she is not infected with the concept of what I "should" be doing."

Lonzo Idoswine

"One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him."

Chinese Proverb

"A dog is like an eternal Peter Pan, a child who never grows old and who therefore is always available t love and be loved."

Aaron Katcher

"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of."

Ogden Nash

DOG FACTS

The name Pug is believed to have derived from this dog's resemblance to the pug monkey in the United Kingdom, it's illegal to crop a dog's ears.

The Lhasa Apso was used by the monks to guard temples.

There is a "Pooper-Scooper" law; owners that don't scoop-up after their dog at a show are fined $100.

The ancient sight hound called the Sloughi.

The Doberman breed was created in the 1860's by Louis Doberman, a German tax collector created the dog to protect him while he worked.

DOG JOKE

A man running a little behind schedule arrives at a movie theatre, goes in to watch the movie that has already started. As his eyes adjust to the darkness, he is surprised to see a dog sitting beside its owner in the row ahead intently watching the movie.

He seemed to be enjoying the movie, wagging his tail in the happy parts, drooping his ears at the sad parts and hiding his eyes with his paws at the scary parts.

After the movie, the man approached the dogs owner, "Jeez, your dog is really seemed to enjoy the movie, I'm amazed!"

"Yes, I'm amazed also," came the reply "He hated the book."

QUOTES

"A dog has lots of friends because he wags his tail and not his tongue."

Anonymous

"You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, "My Dog, you're right! I never would've thought of that!"

Dave Barry

"Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother willing to let him have one."

Anonymous

"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of."

Ogden Nash

"Heaven goes by favor: if it went by merit, you would stay our and your dog would go in.

Mark Twain

"Why is it that my heart is so touched whenever I meet a dog lost in our noisy streets? Why do I feel such anguished pity when I see one of these creatures coming and going, sniffing everyone, frightened, despairing of even finding it's master?"

Emil Zola

FACTS

The penalty for killing a greyhound in ancient Egypt was equal to the penalty of killing a man.

Dogs have three eyelids. They have an upper and lower eyelid and a third one inside of the other two, which gives their eyes extra protection from dirt and dust.

A miniature version of the Australian Shepherd called the North American Shepherd.

Alaskan Klu Kai originated in the United States.

The Westminster Dog Show is the second oldest, consecutively held sporting event in America. Established in 1877, it pre-dates the invention of the light bulb, automobile and the zipper.

In 2004, a Basset Hound Named Jack, from Fulda, Germany, holds the record for the longest ears, measuring 33.2cm or just over 13 inches.

Two Dog Owners

Two dog owners were bragging about the intelligence of their
pets.

"The brightest dog I ever had," said one, "was a Great Dane that
used to play cards. He was a whiz at poker, but finally a friend
complained about him and I had him put to sleep."

"You had him put to sleep, a bright dog like that? A dog like
that would be worth a million dollars."

"Had to", he replied, "Caught him using marked cards."

QUOTES

"The Heimlich maneuver works on house pets. My pit bull was choking on his dinner. I squeezed his stomach and the neighbor's cat shot right out."

Scott Wood

"If your dog thinks you're the greatest person in the world, don't seek a second opinion."

Jim Fiebig

"Every dog should have a man of his own. There is nothing like a well-behaved person around the house to spread the dog's blanket for him, or bring him his supper when he comes home man-tired at night."

Corey Ford

"If a dog's prayers were answered, bones would rain from the sky."

Old Proverb

"Dogs are animals that poop in public and you're suppose to pick it up. After a week of doing this, you've got to ask yourself, "Who's the real master in this relationship?"

Anthony Griffin

Sandy has a web site on small dog breeds with information on different breeds including pages on dogs good with children and the elderly, choosing a dog and breeder, vet, dog clothes, dog houses and much more.Visit http://www.small-dogbreeds.com

Best in Show at Westminster Dog Show - Madison Square Garden

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The Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden is the top dog show in the country and this is a great place to show your pure bread dog. The Westminster Kennel Club has had this show since 1887 and there is always a best in breed which is the best of one dogs class winning out among other dogs in there breed. After they have the best dogs in each class then they choose the "Best in Show", which is the best dog out of all classes. They pick this dog against its own breed and what the dog should look and act like. They do not compare the dogs against other breeds when they choose a winner.

The Westminster Dog Show is now such a popular show that millions of people watch it. There are usually a lot of famous dogs and in some cases famous owners and breeders as well. If you want your dog to compete in the best dog show in the world then this is the cream of the crop.

These are the seven classes of dog breeds that show at in NYC. The Hound, The Terrier, The Non-Sporting, The Herding, The Sporting, The Working , The Toy Class. To move on to the final round then you must win your individual class first then you can go to the final round where they will pick a winner in "Best in Show"

This is a good way if you are interested in a dog to get great information about different dog breeds and what there original purpose was. Also you will find that the Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden is one of the most entertaining dog shows you will ever watch.

Get Free : Dog Breed Tips

How to : Find Dog Information

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Animals and Pet Issues

Puppy Facts You Need to Know

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If you're considering bringing a new puppy into your household for the first time, there are several puppy facts worth knowing. You can get a new puppy from a breeder, a pet store, or even a friend or neighbor. Getting one from a puppy mill should be avoided, as you never know what kind of a dog you may end up with. Several of the facts given below will help to explain that.

Whether you are getting a purebred or a mutt may be of no consequence, you just want a healthy little guy that you can look forward to for many years of companionship. Let's assume though, that you are getting your puppy from a breeder. Among the puppy facts you need to be aware of is, a newborn puppy must go through several stages of development before it is ready to become a member of your household. A puppy is generally weaned at about the 7th week of life, and can be taken from the litter shortly thereafter. However, most breeders will advise against your taking a puppy home until it is in its 12th week. Some will simply not allow the puppy to be taken until the 12th week.

There's a good reason for this. For the first few weeks of the life a puppy is totally dependent upon its mother. It is born without sight and hearing, and only has the senses of touch and taste. It's only by the 7th week that puppies are moving around, and are really beginning to act like puppies. Why wait another 5 weeks? Simply because a puppy has to go through two stages of "socialization", first with other dogs, its litter mates, and secondly with humans. Take away a puppy that hasn't yet gone through these stages, and you may have a real problem on your hands. You can end up with a dog that is afraid of other dogs, afraid of humans, or both. It may not even know it is a dog!

Once you do take a puppy into your home, there are some other puppy facts worth knowing. One, puppies should not be left alone for long periods while making the adjustment to their new home. They can become anxious, and when they get older, aggressive. Two, puppies have a strong streak of curiosity. That, coupled with the fact that they don't know good things from bad things, means that you have to "puppy proof" your house, not only to protect your belongings, but to keep the puppy from getting into a harmful situation as well. Three, even a friendly, well-behaved puppy is going to go through a period where it will test your authority. You have to teach it that you are the pack leader in your little pack of two, or you'll end up with a dog that's going to be a handful, and perhaps even unmanageable. Finally, a little puppy is a fragile thing, not only physically but mentally. Don't mistake harshness for discipline, or you'll have a pet that is more afraid of you, and everyone else, than loyal. Dogs that are afraid sometimes bite.

And here are several more rather eclectic puppy facts. It's not extremely important that you know these, but they're of interest nevertheless. Of all the registered dog breeds, the most sought after puppies are the Labrador Retriever, the Golden Retriever, the German Shepherd, the Beagle, and the Dachshund. While all puppies like to chew on things, your slippers are in real danger when the puppy approaches its 4th month. Its adult teeth are starting to come in and the puppy can become a regular chewing machine. And, if you are getting a registered purebred puppy, don't name it Cleopatra. While not necessarily a bad name, a dog having more than 7 letters in its first name in not eligible to be entered in the Westminster Dog Show. Stick to Spike or Fluffy.

Read about teacup maltese, bichon poodle and other information at the Small Breed Dogs website.

2008 WKC Matthew and Mayli(BISS CH EASTERN MAGIC CHANNEL BEAUTY)

2008 WKC Matthew and Mayli Mayli got the BOS at that time, This is a best memory for us

FIFA World Cup - A History 1962 to 2002

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1962 Hosts for the 1962 edition were Chile despite recently having suffered a devastating earthquake. Brazil were favorites to retain the trophy but Chile thought they had a world-beating plan of action. Before they played Italy they ate spaghetti and won. Before they played Switzerland they ate Swiss cheese and won. Before they played Russia they drank vodka and won (must have been an interesting game). So when they came up against Brazil in the semi finals, what did they do? Did they eat Brazil nuts? No, they drank coffee and promptly lost 4-2. Brazil once again claimed the trophy by beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final.

Statistics Host Country: Chile

Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, England, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, USSR, West Germany, Yugoslavia

Final: Brazil 3, Czechoslovakia 1

Top goal scorer: Drazen Jerkovic, Yugoslavia (5)

1966 In 1966 the World Cup came back to where the modern game of football began in 1863, England and the trophy was destined to stay there for four years. It might have stayed there permanently because when it was put on show at the Westminster Central Hall in London four months before the tournament was to start it was stolen. Seven days of acute embarrassment ensued while authorities tried to find the missing cup without any result. Eventually a black and white dog called "Pickles" found it underneath a hedge wrapped in newspaper whilst doing what dogs do under hedges. Pickles shot to stardom and the English Football Association had a replica of the trophy made - "just in case". The replica can still be seen at the English National Football Museum.

The 1966 World Cup was memorable for several reasons. It was the first World Cup to have a mascot - "World Cup Willie", a lion dressed in the English strip. It was a World Cup marred by vicious tactics on the field and by poor refereeing that saw Brazil literally kicked off the pitch in the first round. The final against West Germany was also memorable due to one of the most controversial goals in Cup history. In extra time Geoff Hurst of England launched a shot that hit the underside of the goal crossbar and bounced down. The referee ruled that it had landed behind the goal-line and was therefore a goal. The West Germans protested that it did not go behind the line but the linesman upheld the referee and the goal stood. Hurst put the matter beyond doubt in the last minute by scoring.

Statistics Host Country: England

Countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, England, France, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, North Korea, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, USSR, West Germany

Final: England 4, West Germany 2 (after extra time)

Top goal scorer: Eusebio, Portugal (9)

1970 Mexico 1970 was Brazil's and Pele's World Cup. After 1966 when Brazil were knocked out in the first round, Pele had vowed never to play in the World Cup again. Fortunately he was persuaded to make a final appearance in 1970. Hopes were high in England for a repeat of the 1966 success but matters were not helped when the England captain was jailed for four days on manufactured charges of stealing a bracelet in Guadalajara a couple of weeks before the opening game. Those, the humid playing conditions and Gerd Muller in devastating form, were enough to see West Germany take their revenge in the quarter final for the defeat in the previous competition's final. But Brazil seemed unstoppable thanks to their magnificent attackers but their defense was questionable. Could the Italian front line turn this to their advantage? At half time it seemed that they could with the score line at 1-1 and the Brazilians obviously demoralized. But after half time Pele took charge laying on passes that led to two Brazilian goals and finding the net himself. Brazil had won the World Cup for the third time and therefore was allowed to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy permanently. Some year later it was stolen and never recovered. It is presumed it was melted down.

Statistics Host Country: Mexico

Countries: Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, El Salvador, England, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Romania, Sweden, Uruguay, USSR, West Germany

Final: Brazil 4, Italy 1 (after extra time)

Top goal scorer: Gerd Muller, West Germany (10)

1974 In 1974, West Germany played hosts for the competition for the new trophy, the FIFA World Cup. West Germany had a tremendously strong side but then so did Holland with its brand of "total football" and Poland. Holland beat Brazil 2-0 to face West Germany in the final in Berlin but the German ultra efficient football machine held out against the inspirational Dutch to grab a late winner.

Statistics Host Country: West Germany

Countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, East Germany, Haiti, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Sweden, Uruguay, West Germany, Yugoslavia, Zaire

Final: West Germany 2, Netherlands 1

Top goal scorer: Grzegorz Lato, Poland (7)

1978 1978 saw the FIFA World Cup being held in Argentina and it was one of the most controversial with very strange refereeing and organizational decisions seeming to favour the home country. In a second-round match Argentina needed to score at least four goals against Peru. It scored six and Peru were heavily criticized for giving the game away. In the final Argentina seemed to have an extra man in referee Sergio Gonella. His decisions were so blatantly pro Argentina that there were calls (particularly by the Dutch) for the match to be re-played in a neutral country - calls that fell on deaf ears.

Statistics Host Country: Argentina

Countries: Austria, Argentina, Brazil, France, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, West Germany

Final: Argentina 3, Netherlands 1 (after extra time)

Top goal scorer: Mario Kempes, Argentina (6)

1982 An expanded World Cup was launched in 1982 in Spain. Eight more teams participated bringing the total to 24. The idea was to allow the lesser footballing countries to enter the tournament. The idea was vindicated by impressive displays by Algeria and Cameroon. Italy proved to be unstoppable that year and defeated the strong West German side 3-1 in the final even after Antonio Cabrini of Italy became the first player to miss a penalty in a World Cup final.

Statistics Host Country: Spain

Countries: Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Czechoslovakia, El Salvador, England, France, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Kuwait, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Peru, Poland, Scotland, Spain, USSR, West Germany, Yugoslavia

Final: Italy 3, West Germany 1

Top goal scorer: Paolo Rossi, Italy (6)

1986 Colombia had been chosen to host the 1986 World Cup but was unable to due to economic considerations so the venue was switched to Mexico despite strong efforts by Holland and the United States to have the competition on home soil. Brazil, the favorites were knocked out in the quarter finals by France on penalties. Another quarter final saw Argentina's Diego Maradona famous "hand of God" goal against England. Several billion TV viewers saw him use his hand to punch the ball into the back of the English goal but the referee did not. It was a blatant cheat that still rankles with English fans today as it saw their team go home. In the final against West Germany he showed that he didn't need to cheat to win as he brilliantly led his country to a hard fought win by 3 goals to 2.

Statistics Host Country: Mexico

Countries: Algeria, Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, England, France, Hungary, Iraq, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Northern Ireland, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Uruguay, USSR, West Germany

Final: Argentina 3, Germany 2

Top goal scorer: Gary Lineker, England (6)

1990 The 14th World Cup was without doubt the most boring so far. Every team was so scared of losing that games became low-scoring brutal chess matches. Both semi finals went into extra time and then went on to be decided by penalty kicks. The final contested by West Germany appearing in its last World cup before unification and Argentina. In a dour and dirty struggle with two sendings off. West Germany won 1-0 by way of a penalty.

Statistics Host Country: Italy

Countries: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, England, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Scotland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, United States, USSR, West Germany, Yugoslavia

Final: West Germany 1, Argentina 0

Top goal scorer: Salvatore "Toto" Schillaci, Italy (6)

1994 FIFA saw the United States as an untapped market as far as football (or soccer as the Americans call it) was concerned and so decided to award the 1994 tournament to them. Italy were on song with their play-maker Roberto Baggio playing some sublime football. Argentina were hopeful that a newly re-called Maradona could steer them to success but the hope evaporated when he proved positive for a banned substance and was sent home in disgrace. The U.S. on home ground had a better than expected tournament finally going out to Brazil. Earlier they had beaten Colombia thanks to an own goal by Colombian Andres Escobar who was shot dead when he arrived back home. The final between Brazil and Italy was an absorbing game of Brazil's irresistible attacking force meeting Italy's immovable defensive force. Predictably the match ended 0-0 after extra time so it went to the penalties and sudden death. Roberto Baggio of Italy sent his kick high over the cross-bar and Brazil were the winners.

Statistics Host Country: United States

Countries: Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Colombia, Germany, Greece, South Korea, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, USA, Sweden, Switzerland

Final: Brazil 1, Italy 0 (3-2 on penalty kicks)

Top goal scorer (Joint): Oleg Salenko, Russia and Hristo Stoitchkov, Bulgaria (6) 1998 France, played host to an expanded World Cup with the number of participants brought up to 32. Nobody thought that France had a chance of winning and everyone was very surprised when the made it to the final. Amazement took the place of surprise when the managed to destroy Brazil 3-0 in the final. To this day nobody who isn't French can explain how they did it. Serious hooliganism reared its ugly head during the early stages of the tournament when English fans rampaged through Marseille and German fans attacked a police officer with an iron bar and left him permanently brain damaged.

Statistics

Host Country: France

Countries: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Paraguay, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Tunisia, United States, Yugoslavia

Final: France 3, Brazil 0

Top goal scorer: Davor Suker, Croatia (6)

2002 For the first time the World Cup had co-hosts in Japan and South Korea. It was also the first to be held on the continent of Asia. Fears of major rioting due to hooligans proved unfounded due to the superb preparations by the co-hosts and the whole tournament had a party atmosphere. It was also a tournament of upsets. In 1998 the United States had finished last but in 2002 they sailed into the quarter finals before being knocked out by Germany. France, the holders were eliminated in the first round without scoring a single goal and Italy left the tournament early after some poor refereeing. In the end it was Brazil and Germany who contested the final with Brazil winning by two goals.

Statistics

Host Countries: Japan, South Korea

Countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, United States, Uruguay

Final: Brazil 2, Germany 0

Top goal scorer: Ronaldo, Brazil (8)

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Football [http://football-guides.com]