Lessor Known Breeds That Make Fabulous Fur Kids

I wanted to write a post about some breeds that are not the most popular, but I think have the potential to make excellent pets.  Let me caveat this post by saying this is just my opinion and based on the experiences I've had with particular breeds and research; and of course breeds go in and out of "fashion" all the time.  However, I do think people searching for their next pet should take a look at some of these lessor known breeds.  Choosing a puppy is very personal, and requires a lot of analysis of your own lifestyle and what your purpose is for having a dog.  Take a look at some of these breeds and see if their typical personalities and care requirements may be a good fit for you.

The Athletic Lifestyle   

Are you looking for a running partner?  Do you enjoy being outdoors doing things like hiking and swimming?  Does spending time outside training your dog (for any reason - obedience, agility, retrieving or hunting), and throwing a ball in the park appeal to you?  Lastly, and most importantly, are you committed to providing a lifestyle for your pup where they are getting lots of exercise on a daily basis, with no exceptions?  One of these guys might be for you: 

Flat-Coated Retriever

In the 19th century, retrieving dogs were very popular with fishermen to retrieve fish and other objects from the water.  With the development of more advanced firearms, hunters needed the retrieving instinct in their dogs, but with the ability to mark fallen birds and bring them back.  This caused crosses of the fishery dogs with their excellent swimming and retrieving skills, with British breeds, such as setters or pointers to hone the dog's bird sense.  The result was the Wavy-Coated Retriever.  Near the end of the 1800's, these were crossed with some straighter-haired breeds, as it was realized that their fur was more water repellent.  The resulting Flat-Coated Retriever became a recognized breed by the AKC in 1915.  After the Second World War, the number of Flat-Coated Retrievers had dwindled almost to extinction, however a few concerted breeders managed to keep the breed alive.  

They are a sweet, energetic dog that loves to play and fetch.  One of the great traits they seem to have maintained through the line, is their ability to be very exuberant outdoors, but calm and quiet indoors.  They are deemed one of the most devoted and companionable breeds, and a true family dog.  They are very responsive to training, good with other dogs, and have some of the lowest grooming requirements of the long coated retrievers.  They typically weigh about 50-70lbs depending on sex and bloodline, and let's face it, they're just darn adorable!  

Belgian Tervuren

The Belgian Tervuren is one of four Belgian shepherd breeds, all sharing the same history, but distinguished by coat and markings.  The Tervuren was named after the village of Tervuren as this is where one of the breeds earliest proponents lived.  They lagged behind the other shepherd breeds in popularity, mainly due to debates over their preferred colours and markings.  They were first registered in North America in 1918, but the breed's numbers remained so low that they almost died out after the Depression.  They have since caught the eye of many fanciers because they are the most elegant of the Belgian Shepherds, and thus have maintained fantastic lines on both form and behavioural fronts.  

They are alert, watchful, energetic and a dependable companion.  They are extremely smart and trainable, and also rank the highest in terms of affection and friendliness of all the shepherds.  This breed requires strenuous exercise on a daily basis, but it's trainability allows for an owner to have so many options to tire these guys out!  They do require regular grooming, but have an absolutely gorgeous coat when maintained.  They can weigh anywhere from 45-65lbs, have incredible strength for their size, and are one of the most graceful dogs, exhibiting an easy and effortless looking gait.  

The Urban Lifestyle

Do you live downtown in a condo or apartment?  Do you have a demanding job, but still want a fur-kid to come home to?  All dogs require regular exercise, we can not neglect that; however some dogs certainly require less than others, and are quite happy to curl up on the couch with you after a long day.  Do you want a dog that is innately happy and adaptable to your fast-paced and sometimes changing lifestyle?  Check out these guys if this sounds like you: 

Papillon 

Okay, I'm admitting it up front, I am biased on this one - my fur-kid is a Papillon.  This breed comes from France and got it's name from it's very large ears that resemble a butterfly (or Papillon, in French).  These little guys can be dated back to the 16th Century where they were extremely popular with French Royalty.  Louis XIV of France was particularly fond of them.  Selective breeding of this dog has resulted in a considerably smaller version today, than the original breed, and has also eliminated many genetic health problems, making this one of the healthiest of the small breeds.  They have not ever been close to extinction, but for some reason in modern times, they are not the most popular of breeds either.  

Their typical temperament is extremely responsive and trainable, they are friendly and inquisitive, and thrive on mental stimulation along with their exercise.  The one thing to note, is they are quite slender and fragile.  In my experience, the best part of this breed is their huge, innately happy personality, coming from their tiny little bodies!  The weigh in anywhere from 4-9lbs, and do have regular grooming requirements.  But you can't help a lot of smiling and laughing with one of these guys around.

  

Chinese Crested Dog 

I know, I know, everyone seems to be aware of this breed because of the hairless varieties, and well, to a lot of people that is just, plain odd.  However, they also come in what is called the "Powderpuff" form, which is not hairless at all!  The origins of this breed are not well recorded, but it is generally accepted that they originated in Africa, and were brought to China as early as the 13th Century.  Chinese seafarers were said to keep them on ship as non-flea-bearing ratters.  They did not show up in North America until the late 1800's and probably would not have survived if it wasn't for a handful of committed breeders.  They did not become an AKC recognized breed until 1991!

Their temperament is playful, sensitive and they generally love people and being a lapdog.  Their exercise requirements are quite low, such that some vigorous inside games will keep them healthy and happy.  This breed is also quite fragile, the Powderpuff coat requires regular grooming, and the hairless variety can require skincare such as moisturizer and sunblock.  They also do not like the cold.    If your lifestyle is more indoors, and you love to cuddle with a sweet little one that is eager to please, this breed might be for you.  Please don't write these guys off because they are hairless!  For starters, you can always get the Powderpuff (they are adorable!), but give the hairless a chance .... Their skin almost feels like velvet!

I hope this spreads a bit of light on some breeds that people would not generally think to own, but could turn out to be the best companion they ever imagined!

~ Ash & Pebbles 

*Photo credits: blacfriar.com; dogbreedspk.blogspot.ca; newdogworld.com 

My Puppy Picked Me!

Hello Again!

I know it has been a very long time since I've posted, so I'm very excited to get started again!

I thought it would be a good time to share how I found the love of my life - my fur-kid Pebbles.  It was quite the process, but I've ended up with 6 years of a healthy, (most of the time) well-behaved, joy-filled little pooch that I couldn't be happier with; and hopefully many years still to come.  So here's how it all started:

I did a TON of research and came to the conclusion that I wanted a Papillon.  They are small (I live in an apartment downtown), quite smart and trainable, super-affectionate, and have very few genetic health problems.  This pooch is for me!

The first breeder I went to was on a farm about 2 hours north of the city.  She seemed very nice, raised the puppies in her home, which was very clean, and she even had puppies available!  I got there and went through all my questions, played with all the puppies and their mom and was honestly, quite impressed.  All the puppies were beyond adorable, but I held to the promise I had made to myself and left to visit the other breeders before making a choice.

The second breeder I went to was not the same experience.  She had all the dogs (and she had TONS) out in runs, no where near her home.  She proudly told me that all her puppies were on a raw diet and I began to ask about the process she goes through to prepare the food.  She gave me a massive list of ingredients, and all the steps it takes to create this masterpiece of raw deliciousness for dogs.  I then asked if it would now be a problem if I wanted to change the puppy over to organic kibble and wet foods .... Her answer was more than concerning: "Oh that's no problem at all - at this age you can just switch it and they'll be fine".  Ummmmmmm ... Last I checked, you don't do that to a dog at any age!  A change in food must be gradual and going from raw food to kibble would have to be more gradual than most! Needless to say, I left without a puppy.

I called the third breeder and really liked her immediately.  She told me she had two puppies available, and one in particular was really affectionate and cuddly - exactly what I wanted.   The other was more out-going, not quite as affectionate, but had a huge personality - not quite what I wanted.  She seemed to have no trouble spending time answering my questions on the phone, she was so passionate about the dogs, and she also had a lot of questions for me regarding the situation a dog would come home to.

I got to their awesome country home and was welcomed by a crew of 11 papillons happily jumping around the front lawn.  She brought me inside to meet the two puppies and one of them was ALL over me!  I didn't even get my shoes off before she was on my lap and licking my face - she followed me everywhere!  We sat at their kitchen table and talked for quite a while about all things dog. The puppy was sure to get herself up onto my lap and promptly fell asleep.  The breeder let me know that this was the dog she said was not as affectionate .... That was not the experience I was having with her!

The breeder looked at me near the end of our conversation and said "I normally never let someone take a dog after only one meeting, but I don't think that one is going to let you leave without her!"  There was no doubt about it, my puppy picked me.

- her first day at home with very scraggly tail fur!

~Ash & Pebbles 

Hallowe'en Costumes

With Hallowe'en upon us, I thought it would be a good time to discuss doggy Hallowe'en costumes!

There are three types of costumes for dogs, in my opinion:
1.  Dog-Appropriate (i.e.: your dog does not hate you for putting it on him)
2.  Not-So-Dog-Appropriate, but too funny or cute to pass up (i.e.: your dog hates you a little, but will forgive you)
3. Really-Not-Dog-Appropriate (i.e.: your dog hates you because you made her uncomfortable and embarrassed for an extended period of time)

Here are some examples I found:

Dog Appropriate

This is Charlie The Ladybug - obviously aware of how insanely cute he is and not weighed-down with the costume choice! 

I love this Jockey idea - this is hysterical but not bothersome to the pooch. 

Crayola Pup is adorable and comfy - love it! 

Being that the English Mastiffs are one of the largest breeds that can consume up to 20 cups of food daily, Poop Factory is more than appropriate for this guy! 

Not-So-Dog-Appropriate, but too funny to pass up:

Okay, this guy is a little warm from the wig, but this is TOO funny! 

He's pooped from carrying around all that honey, but Pooh Bear is just adorable! 

While Super-Dog is probably a little restricted, you can't deny this one was worth it! 

We all know he's going to run into every table leg he passes with that handle, but other than that, this is Great! 

Part of me wants to put this in the Really-Not-Dog-Appropriate bunch, but this Oompa Loompa made my day! 

Really-Not-Dog-Appropriate

Common People!  Flippers?!?

While this is very cute, she looks like she's been stuffed into this Geisha costume like a sausage! 

PLEASE never put your dog in a full-fur suit! This is not funny and just plain mean. 

On a side note, if you wish to dress your children up as your dog ….. 

Now that's FUNNY! 

~ Ash & Pebbles 

Dogs and Kids are a lot Alike!

Its amazing how similar dogs and children are sometimes:

They sleep in odd positions .....

They play with their siblings in a similar fashion .... 

They like bubbles ....

They have the same curiosities ....

They both get milk-mustaches .....

They enjoy making a mess in a way that is incomprehensible to human adults ....

They wonder at windows ....

No explanation required.

~ Ash & Pebbles 

Dogs are good for our Health!

We all know how a wagging tail and pure joy at the fact that we decided to come home again can make us smile, but there are some other little-known health benefits to owning our fur-kids.  Here are a few I found - some might surprise you!



One of the biggest, and not overly-surprising facts is that dog owners are typically more active than non-dog owners.  A 2006 study done by Canadian researchers at the University of Victoria showed dog owners walked on average 300 minutes a week, compared to non-dog owners who averaged 168 minutes per week.  This effect extends to the children of dog owners as well - the study also showed that children who grow up with dogs in the household are more likely to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activity than those without.  Something MUCH needed for the current generation of young children, in my opinion.

Many parents worry about exposing their young children to animals for fear of illness and allergies.  However, a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics in 2011 showed that children who were exposed to household dogs before the age of 4 were less likely to develop environmental allergies.  On top of that, the study found specifically that the rates of children who develop eczema were considerably lower than those without household dogs before the age of 4.

We all know dogs can be trained to sniff out bombs and illicit substances, but there's a new type of sniffer that is helping combat a now widespread problem: Peanut Detection Dogs.  Training facilities such as the Florida Canine Academy have successfully trained dogs for people whose peanut allergies are so severe that even miniscule residues can trigger an allergic reaction.  The dog pictured here is a peanut detection dog, named Holmes, with his owner - a girl highly allergic to peanuts.  Her mother was quoted as saying: "Now I don't have to worry, we have Holmes, he has hit on countless items I have been assured are safe.  I don't trust the companies, I trust Holmes .... he has never been wrong."

Dogs can naturally lower your blood pressure.  A study done by The University at Buffalo evaluated blood pressure and related health factors of stockbrokers in New York.  When the study was complete, evidence showed that stockbrokers with dogs had considerably lower blood pressures than those without.  The calming effect of dogs, combined with the companionship they offer, can be an excellent way to reduce blood pressure.

Robert Bierer, a Child Psychologist in New Mexico, conducted a study that showed that pre-adolescent children who had dogs and were involved their care, had considerably higher levels of self-esteem and empathy.  These children also developed a stronger sense of responsibility for their actions and greater work-ethic in their teenage years.

Owning a dog is hard work and takes a lot of time, dedication and compassion.  But if you are willing to put in the effort, the healthy effects that dogs have on humans can improve your physical, mental and social well-being.

Training with Treats ..... Knish Knish!!

I was speaking with a friend today who is very close to bringing home her new Fur Kid!!  I'm so excited for her and dying to meet him - pics of little Charlie to come!

She asked me about training today and it made me think about when I first got Pebbles.  I decided to take her to puppy class, and unfortunately the one I chose talked me into making a BIG mistake.  I was taught to train her with treats.  Bad Ash.  Very, Bad Ash.

Dogs are fascinated, even obsessed with treats.  So when you have one in your hand, and are trying to make the dog do something, ALL the dog is thinking about is the fastest way to get that T-R-E-A-T.

I believe that training is forging a relationship between you and your dog - you are the pack leader and your dog must follow that hierarchy and listen to you.  Once this is established, you gain a happy and well-adjusted dog that respects you.  If you use treats, you are training your dog to focus on the treat, not you.  This makes the treat more important than you are to the dog, and the hierarchy is broken.  Hence, when you are without treats, your dog doesn't listen to you.  

Dogs in a pack do not use treats (or bribery) to gain authority or respect.  One dog will arise as pack leader by using an increasing scale of correction given to the other dogs, based on their individual personalities.  

Treats do not provide a consequence.  When a dog is off-leash, and distracted, he feels he has the option to choose the treat you happen to be frantically waving around from a distance (I have TOTALLY done this), or instead, choose the distraction.  If your dog likes squirrels more than treats, you are going to have a problem.  

If you have trained your dog to listen to you based on respect, he no longer feels that he has that choice.  He knows there will be a consequence if he does not listen - an uncomfortable tug on the collar for example.  Corrective actions for bad behaviour coupled with praise and affection for good behaviour will bring about a much more trustworthy dog in all situations. 

Please don't make the same mistake I have - ensure your trainer is recommended and doesn't bribe her clients (your dog) into seeming well-behaved in class.  As soon as that treat is gone, so is the training! 

~ Ash & Pebbles 

   

Funny Faces

I almost always know what my pooch is trying to tell me: 

Any thoughts on what these guys are saying?? 

~ Ash & Pebbles