Here They Come --USTA podcast #10

The 10th installment of the USTA new podcast, Here They Come. On this weeks episode of Here They Come Kate and Paul discuss Jennifer Lappe and Jamie Ruckers big wins over the weekend, the passing of Dr. John Hurtgen and a win for harness racing at the Westminster dog show. Also in this weeks episode, Paul checks in with Dean Hoffman to discuss the Prix DAmerique and the top sophomore colts to watch for in 2010. Nicole Krafts chats with Bob Heyden for the Hollywood minute.

WKC 2010 Bedlington terriers

Breed judging for Bedlington terriers at Westminster Kennel Club dog show (2010)

Bubba Pekingese Sleepy June 25, 2008

Sleepy Male

DEXT-ORR BULLMASTIFFS PUPPIES NURSING ANNIE'S PUPS BORN 9-2-08

DEXT-ORR BULLMASTIFFS-IZZY'S LITTER, I DO A LOT OF WORK WITH THE PUPPIES STARTING AT DAY 2 DOING EXERCISES DAILY FROM C. BATTAGLIA, MS, PhD DESIGNED TO CREATE DOGS THAT ADAPT TO CHANGES EASILY AND CONNECT DENDRITES IN THEIR BRAND NEW BABY BRAINS, IF THESE DENDRITES AREN'T CONNECTED AT THIS YOUNG AGE THE BRAIN CELLS ACTUALLY DIE OFF. STUDIES SHOW ONLY 35% OF DOGS INTELLIGENCE & ABILITY TO ADAPT READILY TO NEW SITUATIONS IS HERITABLE (GENETIC) 65% IS LEARNED, SO REALLY RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS WHO ACTUALLY STUDY REPRODUCTION, GENETICS, AND CANINE LEARNING AND BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE DOING THESE EXERCISES. AS A CANINE BEHAVIORIST WHO HAS ALSO BEEN IN THE VETERINARY FIELD (MY PARTNER IS A VET) FOR 30 YEARS THE STATS SAY THERE ARE MORE THAN 4 MILLION DOG BITES A YEAR AND IN THE VET FIELD WE SEE THE PAIN AND SUFFERING THAT BAD BREEDERS CAUSE NOT ONLY THE POOR PUPPIES BUT THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM, THEY AREN'T GOING TO RETURN THEM LIKE THEY WERE A TOASTER OR SOMETHING, THERE ARE A LOT OF EMOTIONS INVOLVED AND SADLY TOO MANY BREEDERS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT FACT. I THINK AKC JUDGES SHOULD NOT ONLY BE JUDGING FOR CONFORMATION THAT FITS THE STANDARD FOR THE BREED BUT ALSO BE JUDGING TO SEE IF THE DOG CAN ACTUALLY DO WHAT THEY WERE ORIGINALLY BRED TO DO (SHOW BREEDERS TYPICALLY INBREED OR LINE BREED) WHICH IS JUST A GENETIC NIGHTMARE! THE JUDGES SHOULD MOST OF ALL GIVE OUT BLUE RIBBONS FOR THE DOGS THAT ALLOW YOU (BETTE YET A 2 YR OLD CHILD) TO TAKE A BONE OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS, YOU COULD TAKE A ...

Terrier Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dog In This Group

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The Terrier Group includes those small but lively terrier breeds that were developed (mainly in Great Britain) to hunt small burrowing animals such as badgers, foxes, otters, rabbits and rats. The terrier often had to follow the prey underground and therefore, except for the Bull and Airedale Terriers, most terriers are small and stocky with short legs. These are feisty and energetic dogs that have little tolerance for other animals including other dogs. Of course these small dog breeds have been domesticated and make good pets but they are still fairly active and require firm handling. Many breeds like the Airedale, Bull, Fox and the Parson (Jack) Russell Terriers do best with experienced owners. The top 10 most popular terrier breeds in the US according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations are discussed below and their registration rank is included in brackets. It is interesting to note that the top six most popular terriers are all low-shedding dog breeds that are said to be hypoallergenic when properly groomed.

1. Miniature Schnauzer

Minis (#10) are lively, pleasant and playful with expressive personalities. These loyal and devoted small dogs want to be totally involved in all family activities and love to go for walks. Most Minis are good with children but are a little too small to be a toddler's pet. They will generally get along fine with other family pets although they are terriers and can be feisty toward other dogs. Early socialization and obedience training will help with controlling excessive barking and a reluctance to walk on leash. This breed can be taught fairly easily and can even excel at advanced obedience competitions.

2. West Highland White Terrier

The West Highland White (#32) is cheerful, bold, assertive, courageous, inquisitive and has a great deal of personality. This small white dog needs to get involved in everything that is happening in the home. The Westie is easier to handle and friendlier than many other terriers but still needs his daily walks and play sessions. Westies will try and dominate dogs of the same sex but otherwise get along better with other dogs and cats than most terriers. The Westie still has its hunting prey drive and shouldn't be let off leash except in a fenced enclosed area. The Westie is very possessive of its toys and food and doesn't like to be handled by young children.

3. Scottish Terrier

The Scottie (#40) is a small dog breed with a jaunty and distinctive appearance. The Scottie is brave, alert, proud, confident, loyal and dignified. While friendly and playful as puppies, the mature Scottish Terrier can be stubborn at times. Therefore it is important to start socializing and obedience training http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/articles/training-your-puppy.html> the Scottie while it is a puppy and continue through adolescence. Scotties love to play, so make sure you add play and rewards to your training. The Scottish Terrier does best with older children.

4. Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier (#41) is one of the smallest of the working terrier dog breeds. These terriers are bold, spirited and inquisitive but are also somewhat independent-minded. The Cairn is intelligent, affectionate and eager to please its master. This breed is easily trained and likes to do tricks although they may be the tricks that he - not you - wants to do. Cairns do well with older children and love to play games. These Terriers demand lots of attention but will provide you with hours of entertainment in return.

5. Airedale Terrier

The medium-sized Airedale Terrier (#52) is larger than most Terriers and has an even temperament and sweet disposition, although some Airedales can get into fights with other dogs. This terrier is dignified, patient, loyal and intelligent and makes a great companion dog that loves to play with children. The Airedale should be supervised with young children as it may be too boisterous for them. Airedales can be trained to a high level as anything from a guard dog or watchdog to a seeing-eye dog. Airedale puppies are playful and exuberant and obedience training should be started early and re-enforced through adulthood by a knowledgeable owner.

6. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

The Wheaten Terrier (#59) is cheerful, active, busy, playful and affectionate. The Wheaten is independent and self confident but also fairly intelligent and eager to learn. Wheaten puppies should be socialized early with children, other dogs and strangers. The breed is fairly easy to train if you can get their attention. Wheatens get along fine with older children but can be too playful and assertive with young children. Wheatens are much more sociable than most terriers but will still need obedience training to control their active and assertive nature.

7. Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier (#62) or 'Bullie' is a lively and powerful dog. Bull Terriers are fearless, assertive, comical and mischievous. This large breed is loyal, affectionate and loving and can make a good family pet. Bullies are probably too exuberant for small children but will do fine with considerate older children. Bull Terriers need lots of attention and may not be the best choice for the city unless they are involved in lots of family activities. These dogs can be quite strong willed and are difficult to train. The breed needs early socialization when they are puppies and on-going obedience training. Male Bullies, especially those which haven't been neutered, can be extremely aggressive with other male dogs and even other pets.

8. American Staffordshire Terrier

The American Staffordshire (#63) is usually calm and friendly with an air of self confidence; this powerful medium-sized breed is active, playful, affectionate and relatively easy to train. The Am Staff loves playing with older children but is too boisterous for young children. However this dog is fearless and is not to be trusted around cats or other dogs. The Am Staff has powerful jaws and will destroy any toys you give it to chew. This breed needs early socialization to other dogs and strangers and on-going obedience training. The Am Staff is the largest of the three breeds generally referred to as Pit Bulls. The other two are the American Pit Bull Terrier which is not registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier which is registered with the AKC. In the past, these breeds were all bred to be fighting dogs. Now that this activity is illegal, these pit bull breeds have an undeserved reputation for fighting. This is a dog for an experienced owner and prospective buyers should also check their local area bylaws and also their household insurance to see if there is any restriction on this breed of dog.

9. Parson Russell Terrier

The small-sized Jack Russell Terrier (#72) is known as the Parson Russell Terrier in the U.S. The Parson (Jack) Russell is the most energetic, fearless and athletic of all the terrier dog breeds. The Parson Russell demands full participation in the family activities with lots of physical and mental challenges. If the Jack Russell gets too little exercise and companionship, then this cheerful little dog will get bored and become destructive. The Parson Russell can be very aggressive towards strange dogs and even other family dogs. The Parson (Jack) Russell needs a lot of early socialization while a puppy and adolescent to curb aggressive behavior. These strong-willed Terriers need lots of early and on-going obedience training to ensure the owner and not the dog is in charge. The Parson Russell gets along well with older children - especially those that will play ball or Frisbee with him.

10. White Fox Terrier

The small-sized Wire Fox Terriers (#76) are one of the liveliest and most energetic of all the terrier breeds. The two varieties, the Wire haired and the Smooth, differ only in coat type. These Terriers are very intelligent, curious, cheerful and love their families. The breed has so much energy that it will play and chase a ball or Frisbee for hours on end. Fox Terriers make great playmates for older children but still retain their hunting instincts and shouldn't be left alone with small pets. These Terriers should be kept on their leashes when being walked. The breed has a stubborn streak and socialization and training should be started when they are puppies and continued into adulthood.

About the Author - Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: http://www.dog-breed-facts.com He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.

Finnish Spitz - Dog Breeds

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Group: Non-sporting

Weight: 25 lbs

Height: 18 inches

Overview

The Finnish Spitz was originally brought from the area of the Volga River Area to Central Russia about 2000 years ago. This breed is the national dog of Finland; and the Finnish Spitz is referred to in quite a few Finnish patriotic songs. These dogs are now extensively acknowledged throughout the Scandinavian countries. The Finnish Spitz is fine at hunting birds, and they also make good family pets.

Temperament

You will find this breed to be lively and sociable, energetic and enthusiastic, devoted and courageous - but at the same time careful. The Finnish Spitz is tolerant of children and other animals in the household. They have a good hunting instinct, so they may chase after smaller animals. This breed is very intelligent and likes to be a part of the family. On the other hand, this breed is not ideal for all families - especially in households with lots of tension or loud bickering.

Care

The Finnish Spitz has a coat that cleans itself seeing that these dogs are viewed as arctic dogs. This breed does not need a lot of overall maintenance, but if dead hair can be removed with a brush or a comb. The coats of the Finnish Spitz don't have a typical doggy odour. The Finnish Spitz sheds heavily on a seasonal basis. The coats of these dogs are very rich, and they can remain shiny and thick all year round if these dogs are maintained throughout the year.

Training

The Finnish Spitz is a very smart, self-assured and intelligent breed. They will learn new skills very quickly and are easy to train when the right training methods are used. This breed can however be stubborn when overly anxious or full of fear. It is imperative to work with the Finnish Spitz in a calm manner whenever possible. These dogs are willful and brave, and will perform at a high level once they are comfy and have admiration for their owners. The Finnish Spitz has time and again been used in competitions as show dogs seeing that they have so many good qualities and virtues. This is an impressive hunting breed, and they can also be trained to be racers and rescuers from an early age onwards.

Health problems
The Finnish Spitz is a relatively healthy, and has one of the lowest occurrences for health issues. There are however a few conditions that potential owners should be aware of and these include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and deafness.

Visit the following links for more info on the Finnish Spitz or a full list of Dog Breeds.

General Rules For Educating Your Puppy

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After falling in love with a fluffy and adorable little puppy, new owners soon realize that caring for a puppy during the first weeks is a bigger job than they bargained for. Luckily it doesn't matter what breed you have or whether you do your dog training Philadelphia style or live in an apartment and must complete dog training NYC style. The same rules apply for all dogs and for all living environments and locations. Although you probably want your pooch to learn good habits as soon as possible, you cannot rush the potty process.

Just as toddlers need to be shown where and how to go to the bathroom, you need to communicate with your dog where the proper place to go to the toilet is located. They also need positive reinforcement when they do follow the rules. If you don't, they will end up going where ever and whenever the mood strikes them. Many people think that merely opening the door every few hours to let the puppy out will teach them what to do, but this is far from reality.

Try to remember that no matter how careful you are, there are going to be a few accidents. Just make sure that you clean up thoroughly and use and odor neutralizing solution so that the dog is not drawn back to pee in the same place again. Although it may seem cruel to confine an energetic puppy right away, this strategy will result in giving the puppy much more freedom in a shorter amount of time. The expectations you place upon your puppy must be realistic, so be mindful you are dealing with a different kind of baby.

A food and water schedule must be developed and consistently followed. Your dog will count on being fed at the same time every day, but please avoid feeding near bed time and remove the water bowl during nighttime as well. A routine will encourage a regular schedule of feeding and elimination.

Once the puppy has mastered where to go, then it is time for him to learn how to ask to go outside. Hang a bell from string on the door knob making sure that the puppy's nose is able to reach it. Following the same schedule as before, add to the routine by going to the door and say "go potty" while shaking the bell. After doing this each and every time you take your puppy outside to go to the bathroom for a couple weeks, then stop ringing the bell when you say "go potty" when you stand by the door. By this time your puppy should be catching on and will starting ringing the bell with his nose on his own. When he does, show your excitement, offer plenty of praise and quickly open the door. If your puppy doesn't quite get the whole bell ringing thing after you've waited about 10 seconds, then ring the bell and say "go potty." Be patient if your dog doesn't figure it out right away because eventually he'll be able to shake the bell every time he has to go and your worries will be over.

Chuck Stewart recently looked into dog training Philadelphia and dog training NYC for his pet pooch.