The Bearded Collie: A loving and protective dog perfect for the family

The Bearded Collie, also known as the Beardie, is a British bred dog that descends from both the Polski Owczarek Nizinny Dog and the Highland Collie. It is a working dog that was bred to work with livestock such as sheep and cattle. It is a mid-sized dog that grows to be between 20 and 22 inches tall and it can weigh up to about 60 pounds when fully grown. This breed is known for its long, silky, fluffy fur coat. Its coat colors come in slate, blue, gray, brown, white, black, and sand.

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Every year the American Kennel Club comes out with a list of the Most Popular Purebred Dogs (based on 50 major U.S. cities).  It’s funny to me how the breeds in here run the gamut, but I wonder why so many of the breeds that I know and love get left out.

The big headline this year was that, bringing up the rear end at Number 10, the Bulldog once again made the Top Ten list (after a 75-year abscence). As usual the Labrador Retriever topped the list followed by the Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Beagle and Boxer.

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For purebred dogs, the standard of the breed refers to what is considered to be the ideal specimen of that particular breed. It outlines in specific detail each and every feature of that breed, both in physical characteristics and in temperament. It accurately describes the dog from head to tail, creating a clear impression of what is to be considered correct or incorrect, the features comprising the type of breed and the probable temperament and behavior patterns of typical members of that breed.

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The Wire Fox Terrier has a strong, athletic body and a short, wiry coat with a soft undercoat. Although he is very much the same as the Smooth Fox Terrier in behavior, the Wire Fox Terrier does show some interesting differences. Similar to the Smooth, he is feisty, lively, and very independent, but tends to be a slightly slower learner than the Smooth, perhaps because of his more distractible nature. He is intelligent, cheerful, and gets along well with children. He is a great ratter and makes a wonderful pet. He has a very high prey drive and is more dog-aggressive than the Smooth. This dog is perhaps the most combative terrier aside from the Bedlington. He is wary of strangers, makes a good watchdog, and tends to defend himself if provoked. He likes to bark and dig, sometimes incessantly and should not be left in the yard for a long period of time. Training should begin early and be consistent. Though he is an intelligent dog, some commands such as the down and come may be difficult to teach to this willful and stubborn breed.

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You should not allow your stud dog to be used for breeding until he is about a year old, and even then he should be bred to a mature, proven matron who is already accustomed to breeding. Doing this will make his first experience pleasant and easy. Keep in mind that a young dog can be put off permanently by a female dog who fights and resists his advances. Never let this happen. Always start a stud dog out with a female dog who is mature, has been bred previously, and is of even temperament.

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Newsletter Issue #2: German Shepherd Breed

March 16, 2008

It’s finally out. I would like to thank those of you who’ve opted in to our “sometimes sent” GSD Breed newsletter. You will find great articles and information on the newsletters, along with great training tips.

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Grooming a dog with a curly or a wavy coat is not as simple as grooming one that has a short and smooth coat. For example, take the the water breeds. They are sporting dogs with extremely harsh curly coats. Because these dogs typically spend a lot of time out in the field, retrieving items from water, flushing upland game, and serving as all-purpose hunting companions, their coats should be kept short and neat. If not then their long and straggly curls will latch onto every stray; twigs, burr, pieces of debris, etc.

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If you are looking for a dog that is affectionate, gentle, sporty, clean, and performs very well on the track and/or in the show ring at the same time, then the Whippet is the perfect dog to add to your family. He is an excellent watchdog, good with children, and looks extremely elegant, which also makes him a fine show dog. The ideal height for the male Whippet is 18 ½ in and the ideal height for the female Whippet is 17 ½ in.

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The Welsh Terrier has a sturdy, athletic medium-sized body with a docked tail and a short, wiry, and low-maintenance coat. His appearance is similar to the Airedale and also shares common characteristics with the Irish and Lakeland Terriers. He is bold, spirited, affectionate, obedient, and gets along well with children. With his handy size, fun attitude, and good temperament, he makes a wonderful household pet.

As a puppy, this breed is sensitive to overbearing or rushed training methods. He is reserved around strangers, tends to be dog-aggressive, and has a high prey drive. As a youngster, he can be timid and requires lots of confidence-building and positive reinforcement. Because he can be stubborn, he needs precise and persistent guidance. He is a little slow in processing information and may get confused if pushed too fast.

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This poem caught my eye...and I had to share it. It deals with something that is important to any dog lover: how to deal with the topic of dog attacks and the bad blood caused by the media...Food for thought!

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" Punish the Deed, Not the Breed "

The driver should be punished for human error and for breaking the law,
So why cannot people see , the same applies to dogs and maybe even more?
A well-socialized and happy dog; well trained...shown kindness and love,
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