The Importance Of Good Breeding

For those of us of a certain age, "Good Breeding" calls to mind our mothers' admonitions about good posture, prompt thank you notes,and crossing our legs at the ankles rather than at the knees--while keeping our knees together, of course! But this is a dog blog, and happily when we consider "Good Breeding" in dogs, we do not have to think about how far we have fallen from our mothers' expectations. Recently, I stopped by my veterinarian's office for a re-fill of heart-worm preventative. Seated in the waiting room, on her human's lap, was a vision of perfection: an exquisite Papillon--white, with black ears, perky and confident, polite to strangers, but not yippy or assertive. She was the embodiment of the breed standard. Happily, Bingley and Magic were not with me, and I did not have to beat a hasty retreat for fear of their making a light snack of this little darling. So I was able to discover that she was bred by a local breeder who truly loves and respects Papillons. This means that he is careful and selective of breeding pairs. He knows not only the physical conformation of prospective parents, but also personality and disposition. He breeds very few litters and selects homes for the resulting puppies with care. I have long been enchanted by Papillons, but had never seen a truly well bred representation of the breed. Like other toy breeds, Papillons have been the victims of gross over-breeding, careless mix breeding and--the ultimate horror--puppy mills. The vet tech who supplied me with all this information offered to give me the breeder's card. I thanked her, but told her that, much as I would adore the company of such a rare creature, I am dedicated to rescue, and I doubt that such a carefully bred and protected puppy would ever find its way into a rescue. When I got home, just out of curiosity, I searched out Papillon rescue on the internet. There is a nation-wide Papillon rescue sponsored by the breed club. And unlike many breed clubs, these dedicated Good Samaritans rescue not only needy Papillons, but also Papillon mixes. Among the forty-three expectant faces posted on their site were numerous "pure bred" Papillons that were cute and sweet, but obviously the product of ignorant or callous breeding. One of the "Happy Tails" was about the successful placement of a senior female whose life before rescue had been bounded by a small cage in a puppy mill, producing litter after litter of the sort of puppies who, themselves, had required rescue. And then there were the mixes. Why do people think that it's a good idea to breed two "cute little" dogs, regardless of their individual breeds? And some of these mixes weren't all that little--which speaks of still another form of neglect. In light of the desperate circumstances of millions of homeless dogs, many people involved in rescue are opposed to all planned dog breeding. The reasoning is that the over-breeding of dogs is so out of control and causes so much canine misery, no dog should be purchased. All dogs should be rescued. I understand that impulse. But, even though I will never again purchase a puppy from a breeder, I am glad that there are careful, responsible breeders who maintain the wonderful diversity of all the dog breeds we enjoy. The world would be a bleaker place without well bred Papillons, and German Shepherd Dogs and Pembroke Welsh Corgis and on and on. Furthermore, rescue is not for everyone at every time in their lives. Buying a pure-bred puppy from a responsible breeder offers a much more predictable canine companion than adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter. That's a fact that needs to be recognized. At this time in our lives, John and I have chosen rescue. But I am glad that there are careful, responsible breeders, who love dogs enough to perpetuate the breeds that make all our lives richer.

Sorry 'Bout That!

It's been almost a month since my last post. I do apologize. My high school law teacher, Theodore Roosevelt Leiber, insisted that most "reasons" we gave him for late assignments and other infractions were not reasons at all, but excuses. I suspect that he would label any reasons I give for not blogging as excuses, so I'll spare you their recitation. But regardless of posts or no posts on this blog, the needs of homeless dogs and cats continue as do the joys that our canine and feline companions bring us. George the white male cat with black markings still needs a forever home. And I suspect Spike, a buff orange male cat does, too. The Lhasa Mix rescue from Mexico has been discovered to be a Maltese-Yorkshire Terrier Mix and has been christened Lulu. She has made great strides in her foster home and is now comfortable with kind humans and members of her foster mother's pack. But it would be best if she could find a forever home where she is either an only dog with a human who is home a great deal or one of two dogs. Like our Magic, she would thrive best in a setting where she can get more human attention than is possible for her to receive as a member of a six dog pack. There is no urgency about this home search and applicants will be carefully screened. If you are interested in being considered as Lulu's human, please email me. Another, very different, but very handsome dog is also in need of a home. Sherlock is a large--73 pound--Blue Merle Australian Shepherd. He has been well cared for, but his humans' life situation is changing and they can no longer meet his needs for exercise. I have written about herding breeds--Aussies, Border Collies, and German Shepherd Dogs in particular. These are not dogs for sedentary people. These are dogs who must have training, work, and exercise. If not, they will go stir-crazy and become quite destructive. But herding dog aficionados are as bored with other types of dogs as herding dogs are bored with nothing to do. If you believe that you are up to the challenge of being a herding dog's human, I will be happy to pass your name and information on to his people, who will be very choosey about who gets to take him home. If you are interested in providing any of these worthy pets with a permanent home, please email me at portiasmom at live dot com

Dogs Are NOT Interchangeable

After reading the wonderful Dog's Will that is the subject of the last post, I took time to click around the Aussie Rescue of Southern California site. What I read and saw broke my heart. I have never had an Aussie or any other Herding breed, for that matter, as my own companion. I do have a dear friend who is an Aussie Person, so I have had some exposure to Aussies. And, of course, I read about dogs and dog breeds because I think dogs are God's very specific gift to human beings. And like all of God's gifts, they are not just for our enjoyment; they are also for the growth of our character and moral development and discernment. Whenever The Smartest Breed is being discussed or argued, three breeds are included in the mix: Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and German Shepherd Dogs. Notice any common denominator among these breeds? They all belong to the Herding Group. They have been selectively bred over generations for their ability to perceive and follow sometimes very subtle signals from humans. Their ability to learn new behaviors can be stunning. (Particularly to those of us who adore and share our lives with sight hounds, who are the canine equivalent of legacy college admissions.) But all that canine intelligence puts extraordinary demands on humans. A bored Aussie, Border Collie, or German Shepherd is a destructive force that can also be quite stunning. People who take one of these breeds into their homes need to be willing to spend the rest of the dog's life training and keeping the dog occupied and busy. The number of Aussies--particularly older Aussies--in shelters and rescues is testimony to the ignorance and callousness of many people who acquire one of these Top of the Class canines without researching the breed or ignoring the research they do. Aussies are gorgeous dogs and the idea of having an intelligent breed appeals to some people's ego. But it takes a particular type of person to provide a safe and happy life for one of these dogs. If you think you might have what it takes, please visit aussierescuesocal.com Read all the caveats and search your soul. If you still want an Aussie, you won't want for choice. There are many, many Australian Shepherds in need of homes.

SOS for Poms

The clock is ticking for three Pomeranians who are in high kill shelters. If you, or someone you know, can foster one or more of these little dogs, please email me:

portiasmom@live.com

Pomeranians are just one of many Toy breeds that have been over-bred by people who are either ignorant or greedy. Sometimes both. The result of this irresponsible behavior is the suffering of many creatures whose only purpose in life is to provide love and companionship for human beings.

I repeat. Do NOT buy a dog or puppy from a pet store. Do NOT buy a dog or puppy from a breeder who is not actively showing the breed in question.

If you want a puppy or a dog, PLEASE consider rescue. You really can choose your breed, and with a little patience, you will find a member of that breed that needs to be rescued.

Unfortunately for Pomeranians, there are many of their breed who need homes, and not enough Pomeranian homes to go around.

About Your New Dog

The Twelve Days of Christmas are not over, but I'm guessing that already, shelters and rescues are being given canine Christmas gifts--not the monetary gifts that they need and deserve, but puppies and dogs who were given as gifts and have now been found to have inconvenient needs.

The more hurried our lives become, the less time there is for the consistent, routine care that domestic pets require in order to thrive and become the faithful companions they were meant to be. Because of their natural affiliation with people, dogs suffer especially from inconsistency and neglect. And dogs are capable of expressing their distress in particularly destructive ways.

Every dog person I know has their tale of doggie destruction. These are people who love and understand dogs and do all they can to ease the adjustment of a newly acquired canine into their home. But in spite of their best efforts, disaster happens. It's always the freshly upholstered chair with designer fabric out of which the new dog eats a gaping hole. Dogs aren't fools. They know designer fabric tastes better than bargain stuff. Our living room coffee table still sports Portia's teeth marks. It's made of fine pear wood. My mother purchased it in July, 1957.

It really is best to come to terms with the fact that a new dog--no matter how well behaved, no matter how diligent you are in training--will spoil something that you treasure. So be realistic. Expect it.

Any dog, be it show-stock pure-bred or Animal Control rescue, will require time and patience. Dogs love routine. Do all you can to keep your household calm. Choose a positive training method. Read all you can about the breed(s) of your dog. A terrier has very different inbred behavioral tendencies from a spaniel, retriever or setter. Toys are notoriously difficult to house train. Some dogs are highly food motivated. Some aren't. Go slowly with introductions to new people and new dogs that aren't already part of your household.

Rescues have issues. Count on it.

Give your dog six months.

They're worth it.

What I Would Have Said

Given the fact that I have had FIVE leashed dogs attacked by unleashed dogs, it's not surprising that I am still mentally reviewing my Walk In The Park yesterday. I am more grateful than I can say that I am not spending today home-nursing two traumatized, stitched and drained dogs. Or worse, visiting a wounded, bewildered dog fighting for its life in intensive care.

Only someone who has done all that can possibly know how much I never want ever, ever to have to do any of that again.

But until the general level of knowledge about dog behavior and differences bred into various groups and breeds of dogs is raised, I must accept that every time I harness and leash my beloved Bingley and Magic and take them out for their favorite treat--a walk--one of them, both of them, or all three of us, might very well end up in an emergency medical facility because some other dog owner has failed to exercise common sense or has failed to follow the law.

As I was shouting to the Boxer's walker "Leash your dog!", "Keep your dog away from my dogs!", "Don't come any closer to me!", she was walking toward me, shouting "You need to train your dogs better!", "My dog is perfectly trained!"

Aside from the fact that I doubt her dog would have remained calm and obedient if it had been leashed and had an unleashed dog charging directly at it,there are other facts that cannot be "shared" when one is literally fighting for the life of one's beloved canine companions.

I would have explained that Bingley and Magic are Sighthounds, and, as such, were bred for a very different purpose than her dog, a Boxer.

Boxers belong to the Working Group, dogs who were developed to work alongside humans, looking to humans for guidance and direction. Their work required a tough, strong body and jaws that rival those of the large terrier breeds.

I am very glad that the Boxer in question has been to obedience classes. If Boxers are not trained and socialized early in life, they can be as serious a canine menace as can be imagined. Well socialized, they are wonderful companions and family pets.

Sighthounds are just about as different from Boxers as can be imagined and still belong to the same species. Sighthounds were bred to run. Fast. They were not bred to "take directions." They were bred to follow normal canine instincts as efficiently as possible.

Greyhounds are the crowning achievement of canine aerodynamics. Greyhounds have long, slender bones, long, fine muscles, that are covered in the thinnest layer of skin and hair. Their skin is so thin that in some places not only can it not be stitched, it cannot even be cauterized. Direct pressure is the only way to stop bleeding. A Greyhound that has been attacked by another dog requires immediate veterinary care to save its life. Even that was not enough to save my beautiful Portia.

Greyhounds--and other Sighthounds, Magic is a Greyhound/Scottish Deerhound--are bred to respond to movement. They will chase ANYTHING that moves. Furthermore, their long distance vision is superior to humans', so they will see something moving before the keenest-eyed human sees it. The running/chasing response to movement is instantaneous. It cannot be trained out of their behavioral repertoire. AND within two strides, the Sighthound is moving so fast and their heart is pumping so loudly, they cannot hear even the loudest shouted command. It is nature's ultimate over-ride of training. Not only does the Sighthound not hear commands, it does not see anything but the object of the chase. Not the tree it is about to hit, nor the car that is about to hit it. An unleashed, unconfined Sighthound is very likely to be a dead Sighthound.

Now. Imagine that you are the fastest breed of dog in the world. You love your walks, but your greatest joy in life is running unrestrained. However, you cannot run unrestrained very often because your human is concerned about your safety. So, you settle for walks. And every week you get to walk with some other dogs who look a lot like you and live in similar circumstances. It's the highlight of your week.

Then, one day, you see a dog across the park who gets to run free. But it cannot run half as fast as you can. You really want to show that silly dog how running should be done! But you've got on a collar, a harness and two leashes and your human isn't responding to your urgent request to run after that clumsy excuse for a running dog.

You get the picture.

But yesterday, it got worse. The loose dog's human let it run DIRECTLY at my two excited, aroused dogs.

I supposed it's unrealistic to ever expect other dog owners to understand the unique vulnerabilities of my sweet Magic, and especially of my sweet Bingley.

But leash laws are there to protect Magic and Bingley. And Franklin and Hattie and Odie.

I can expect people to obey leash laws. Even if they don't understand them

Happy Rescue Day: Happy Official Birthday

The problem with being a rescue is that no one knows for sure just what happened before you were rescued.

Such is the case with Magic, our Greyhound-Scottish Deerhound mix.

When I initially examined her records, I thought that she was rescued on July 15, 2008. However, looking more closely yesterday, I established that she came to Greyhound Adoption Center--along with two of her three puppies and the puppies' father--on July 12, 2008. A third puppy was rescued shortly thereafter.

So, Happy Rescue Day, Magic! And since we will never know her birthday, and two very knowledgeable Sighthound experts estimated her to be four years old when she was rescued, John and I decided to make her Rescue Day her Official Birthday.

Happy Birthday, Magic!

Magic was a frightened creature when she arrived at Greyhound Adoption Center. She was clever enough to open two gates and lead a little band of escapees from the kennel area. It was just very good luck that they were discovered and recovered before leaving the security of the surrounding property.

She did not "kennel well". She barked at everyone who passed her kennel and took an irrational dislike to some of the staff and volunteers, who only wanted to help her.

We will forever be grateful to her foster mother, Lynnet, who helped to socialize Magic before Magic came to live with us.

It isn't every day that a "Fuzzy", that is a Greyhound mixed with a long haired or wire haired Sighthound, becomes available for adoption. So we feel lucky to have been able to welcome one into our home.

Today our Fuzzy Valentine is officially seven years old. We hope that she has at least another seven years to go.

Dog Training

If you look over the topics discussed in the almost two years of the existence of this blog, you will discover little--if any--mention of dog training.

The reason for this is simple: In all the years that I've lived with dogs, of all the dogs that have shared my life, I have taken only one--Champers--to a formal dog training class.

Taking Champers to Dog School--he graduated with the equivalent of the Gentleman's C--solidified our bond and made him a good example for our second Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Britches, whose only formal schooling was Puppy Affection Training, before she came to live with us. We concluded that Puppy Affection Training did not include such rigors as "sit", "stay", and "down". But Britches was a bright imitator, and soon learned what "sit", "stay" and "down" meant, although, as with most Terriers, her execution of these commands was somewhat selective.

"I know what you said, and I'm taking it into consideration."

Only once did I institute a regular dog training class at home. It was for Portia, who was so bright and manipulative, I had to do something to channel her behavior into constructive patterns.

Portia loved our classes, caught on fast, and was food motivated, which really helps with training. Had she lived, I believe she had potential to be a Therapy Dog.

Bingley, who is not at all food motivated and whose frame of reference is a mix of innate Sighthound instincts and training for the racetrack, sometimes participated in Portia's classes--enough to know that "sit" and "down" meant that he was supposed to do SOMETHING--but couldn't focus his attention sufficiently to know exactly what was expected. He liked to be given a kibble as a reward, but was likely to wander off and leave it for Portia to gobble up as a bonus treat that rewarded her breaking a command.

Shortly after Magic arrived, I attempted a training class. Bingley brightened up, "sat" and "downed" without being asked to do anything. Magic, who had been accustomed to many people food treats, snatched his reward out of my hand before he realized I was offering it to him. Chaos ensued. Class was dismissed.

Back when my dogs were Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers, I explained to anyone who cared to listen that Terriers were not bred to work WITH humans, but were Independent Contractors who performed tasks on on their own. I implied that, far from lacking intelligence of Herding, Sporting and Working dogs who invariably won obedience trials, Terriers were Independent Thinkers. Their obedience--when it occurred--was therefore more valuable, because it was deliberately chosen--not automatic. I don't think I convinced anyone.

From Terriers, it was a natural step up/down to Sighthounds. Yes. There are Greyhound Therapy Dogs. I have actually met a few. As I said, I believe Portia had the potential to be a Therapy Dog. But the average Sighthound has been bred not only to be an Independent Contractor, but to be very speedy about conducting its business. Most Greyhounds can learn basic commands. And if nothing is moving within their range of vision, there is a good chance that they might obey the command. But I would hate to have my life or their lives depend upon it.

This is not to say that Bingley and Magic are untrained monsters. They are both deeply attached to John and me, and, everything being equal, they want to please us. Treats are not effective rewards for them, but praise is.

Monday morning is their favorite time of the week. It's Walk In The Park Day With Franklin and Hattie and Odie and Marilyn!!! They pick up very quickly on the signals that Today is Monday. Excitement grows. Getting dressed becomes a challenge for me with two hounds monitoring my every move, trying to examine every piece of clothing I'm trying to put on, reacting to the opening of every drawer, every door.

"She's picking up her toothbrush, Bingley! I know that's a good sign!"

"She's turning on her hair drier, Magic! This is for real!!!"

Jump! Twirl! Circle!

Three weeks ago it all became too much. I was desperate!

"SIT!!" I shouted.

Bingley instantly went into "Down"

I praised him profusely.

Magic followed his example.

I praised her profusely.

Peace reigned until I started lacing up my walking shoes.

All I needed was a respite, not a miracle. I was deeply grateful.

The last two Mondays, they have voluntarily assumed "down"--at least for a while--as I am getting dressed. Two elegant creatures, perfectly designed for movement, lying as still as they can manage, watching me with hope and anticipation in their soft brown eyes--not because they want to be absolutely still, but because they want to please me.

They really are too sweet.

And I have the walls and furniture to hold onto as I make my way to the front closet for leashes and harnesses, with Bingley and Magic celebrating their release from unnatural stillness, celebrating the prospect of a Walk In The Park With Franklin and Hattie and Odie and Marilyn!!!

Senior Lady Needs A Home

Shih Tzus are small, people oriented dogs. It's a sad commentary that there are now all too many of these sweet creatures who are in need of homes.

Friends of Portia is looking for a new home for a nine year old female Shih Tzu named Midge. Midge is now living in a home where she receives great care and attention. But she really needs to be an only dog for a couple or a single person who is home most of the time.

Remember that the typical nine year old Shih Tzu can expect to live many years and will be a loyal, loving companion. That's what Shih Tzus were bred to be.

If you can give Midge the home she needs, or if you know of anyone who can, please contact me:

portiasmom@live.com

It is difficult to get a good picture of Miss Midge because she is camera shy. One will be posted soon--we hope.

Sight Hounds

Scottish Deerhound, Hickory Wind, the newest Westminster Best In Show, has brought a category of dogs into public awareness that does not usually enjoy great popularity: Sight Hounds.

Organizations and experts are not in complete agreement about which breeds to include on the definitive list of Sight Hounds, but core breeds which are on all lists are:

Afghan Hound

Borzoi

Greyhound

Irish Wolfhound

Saluki

Scottish Deerhound

Whippet

With the exception of the Whippet, developed in the nineteenth century, these are large to very large dogs whose beginnings reach back into antiquity. They share two distinctive characteristics: acute long distance vision, and speed. For centuries, they were companions of landed aristocrats. Their time was spent much the way their masters' time was spent: hunting out of doors; lounging indoors--"indoors" being a luxurious tent, a castle, a palace, or a simple mansion.

You might have noticed that luxurious tents, castles and palaces are not common in the United States. We do have a number of Mac Mansions--but usually they are not surrounded by large estates. One could say these dogs have lost both their employment and habitat. So their rarity--with the tragic exception of the exploited racing Greyhound--is understandable.

As an admirer of Sight Hounds, I am deeply conflicted about Hickory's win. Was I rooting for her? Yes indeed! Am I concerned that the accompanying publicity will motivate some very unsuitable humans to decide that they want to acquire a Scottish Deerhound--or some other Sight Hound? Yes indeed!

So. Let me explain once more what it is like to have one of these magnificent Sight Hounds as a member of your household. And yes. A Sight Hound is a full member of its household.

1. They want to BE with you. They may or may not want to OBEY you.

2. They will NOT be happy to be restricted to floor level. Sometimes they will settle for a comfy cushion, but usually they prefer a sofa or love seat.

3. They don't play fetch. But if it's moving, they'll chase it. If they catch it, it's THEIRS! Cats, small dogs, rabbits. There's a difference? Who knew?

4. They CANNOT be trusted off-lead or unconfined. Not. For. A. Second.

5. They are quiet and they prefer a quiet household. No shouting,please. Their Serenities require serenity.

6. They really HATE to be left alone.

7. No Sight Hound--even those with rough or long coats--should be left out of doors unattended for long periods. They may be big dogs, but they're indoor dogs.

8. Sight Hounds are NOT watch dogs. If a prowler enters your house, your Sight Hound will do one of the following: a) Slip out the door as the prowler enters. b) Hide. c) Greet the "house guest" as a good host should, perhaps guiding the newcomer to the family silver or a brand new t.v. d)Sleep soundly as family valuables are loaded into a truck. e) Any combination of a,b,c,d.

9. Sight Hounds have unique medical issues and must be treated by veterinarians who understand these issues.

Why, then,you might ask, do people choose to live with a Sight Hound--or, more likely, Sight Hounds?

That's a tough question. The best answer I can manage is: For the pleasure of their company. Either you experience pleasure in a Sight Hound's company, or living with one will drive you crazy.

Sight Hounds are relics of a bye-gone time, aristocrats of the ancien regime who have never quite been able to learn the ways of the bourgeosie .

They share our homes, trust us to figure out their needs and protect them from the depredations of a fast paced, mechanized world. In return we receive loyalty and companionship that have nothing to do with obedience, embodied in a living work of art.

Those are the terms of life with a Sight Hound. If you can't accept them, don't even consider a Sight Hound as a companion.

More Westminster

I have often mentioned Windsong, Bingley's and Magic's home away from home. I encourage you to click on the link and take a virtual tour of this wonderful pet spa. I really cannot call it a kennel.

It's hard to describe the relief I felt, finding a place where I can take Bingley and Magic with no fear, no second thoughts, when travel, health emergencies, or family concerns make it impossible for me to care for them at home.

For me, a bonus is the fact that Mike Dougherty, the owner of Windsong, is very well acquainted with Sight Hounds--Greyhounds, Whippets, Scottish Deerhounds, among others--who present unique challenges to caregivers. In fact, Mike is an A.K.C. show judge, who recently judged a number of hound breeds at Westminster. Two of the breed winners he selected placed in the Hound Group judging: the Norwegian Elkhound and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. Congratulations, Mike!

In addition to the actual show, there are many events during the Westminster related to the dog show world. Here are Mike and Michelle in their formal best at a fundraiser for Take the Lead, a charity devoted to assisting members of the dog fancy world who are facing serious illness.

Bingley can't understand why his pals Mike and Michelle would wear anything that makes it difficult to run and play.

Magic thinks it would be a wonderful idea if they dressed this way at Windsong. At least at Evening Kibble Time.

Do. Not. Buy. A. Dog. From. A. Pet. Store.

If you believe that your life is too happy. If you really want to experience sadness and disgust. I suggest that you pick the name of any popular toy breed--Pekingese, Poodle, Pomeranian, Chihuahua--by all means Chihuahua--and plug it into Petfinder for your geographical area.

You will pull up pages of pictures of small, helpless dogs. Some are in private rescues; the lucky are in foster homes. The unlucky are in publicly funded "shelters" awaiting euthanasia.

Many breeds are being over-bred by irresponsible,thoughtless, greedy humans. Many breeds are being purposely mixed to sell to gullible buyers as "Designer Dogs."

But toy breeds are particularly vulnerable. Their diminutive size lends itself more easily to being housed in cages crammed into small spaces. Toys require less food--lower overhead. And unthinking, uniformed potential buyers are attracted to tiny puppies that, they believe, will be "less bother" than standard sized breeds.

The vast majority of Puppy Mill dogs live lives of misery from conception to death. For toys, whose only purpose is to be the close, adored companion of a human being, the misery is particularly acute.

Yesterday, when I received an email about the little Pomeranian needing a foster home, I was reminded of all this sadness as I explored possible rescues for her.

If you want a toy sized dog as a companion, you have a stunningly large number of desperate dogs to choose from--all ages--from puppies who were separated prematurely from mom, to seniors whose humans have died or have had to go to an assisted living facility that cannot accommodate even a small dog.

If you want a tiny canine companion, rescue one---or two. There are plenty to choose from.

Pure Bred Dogs

For two evenings next month, the eyes of the nation will be focused on the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show--The Holy of Holies of American Dog Shows. It is our national celebration of pure bred dogs.

The winner of Best In Show will be pictured on the front page of American newspapers and will be featured on morning television shows. For a few days, people will talk about the winner and their favorite contenders. Most people outside the dog show world will then forget about dog shows, only to remember and repeat their enthusiasm next year in February.

In view of the hundreds of thousands of dogs left homeless every year, many of whom are euthanized, there is understandable criticism of the entire pure bred/dog show enterprise. Why breed and pamper some dogs while other dogs live lives of neglect and abuse?

That's a tough question and one that cannot be answered to everyone's satisfaction. I won't pretend that I can even resolve my own ambivalence, given my passion for dog rescue. But I do think the world of pure breds and shows has something to contribute to the dog-human relationship, a relationship that goes back millennia.

To the distress of Earth First Purists, human beings are incapable of leaving anything in their environment alone. I doubt we will ever establish the date that the first selective breeding of dogs took place, but it's hard for me to imagine that it didn't occur very early in the human/dog relationship. However dogs assisted human beings, some were better at the task then others. Presto! Behold a litter of puppies parented by the male and female dog who performed the desirable task best. A few more generations of selective breeding and the first dog breed was created.

Bingley and Magic, my own canine companions, trace their ancestry to before recorded history, the products of refined selective breeding favoring sight and speed above all other attributes.

Breeds of dogs are a living history of human activities and needs: from Mastiffs who could intimidate any enemy to Pekingese who provided warmth and comfort, hidden in silken sleeves of Chinese nobles.

When a breed of dog disappears, so does a chapter of history.

Suppose for a moment that all breeding of pure bred dogs was outlawed. The only dogs born were those whose parents had not been reached by mandatory neutering.

Apart from the logistical--not to mention Constitutional--problems such a prospect presents, how would it ultimately serve the interests of dogs? Some back yard breeding would continue with all its attendant health and temperament problems. Eventually, distinctive breeds that relate to humans and the world in fairly predictable ways would disappear.

And I would bet a lot of money that before long, people who are fascinated with dogs would organize clandestine groups dedicated to the recovery of a favorite type or breed of dog.

So. While I will readily admit that SOME show breeders indulge in practices which are seriously detrimental, not only to a specific breed but to all dogdom, in the American Kennel Club and breed clubs, we have the advantage of a remarkably organized system which permits dog enthusiasts to pursue the continuation of any dog breed that claims their fascination and devotion. The A.K.C. also provides a framework for rare breeds or new breeds to become recognized.

The dog overpopulation problem comes from four sources: puppy mills, irresponsible breeding of dogs "with papers" by owners who are not involved in a breed club or dog shows but want to make money, "designer dog" breeders of mixed breeds, and negligent owners who permit intact dogs to wander freely.

The solution to the overpopulation problem includes low cost spay and neuter clinics, ongoing publicity about the cruelty of puppy mills, and education of prospective dog owners about breeds and the responsibilities of dog care.

Until the time these efforts reach a tipping point, only dog rescuers stand between hundreds of thousands of abused, neglected and homeless dogs and painful and/or premature death in an over-crowded shelter.

I have had the joy of bringing a beautifully bred puppy home from a careful breeder, of training the dog myself and watching him grow into a perfect companion.

But as the writer of Ecclesiastes said, "There is a time for every purpose under heaven."

John's and my love of dogs motivated us to adopt our first rescue after the death of our second Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

We honestly had no idea of the challenge we were taking on when we brought Daphne into our home. Nothing in our experience of well cared for pure bred puppies could have prepared us for a three year old mixed breed who had been abandoned on the streets of L.A. when she was less than a year old, had been "bounced" twice from prospective adopter's homes, and had spent two years in a rescue kennel. She was a terrier-sight hound mix. Not a combination that "kennels well."

But Daphne, with all her "issues", gave us back so much, we never will buy another pure bred puppy. We will always adopt a rescue.

However, not every person, not every family is in a situation or a place in their lives where a rescued dog is the best fit for them.

There is a time for every purpose under heaven.

And if it weren't for the world of dog shows and serious, dedicated pure bred dog breeders, the world would be without the great delight and fascination of the amazing variety of dog breeds.

So yes. I will watch Westminster. I'll try to catch a quick look at the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier breed winner. They rarely get much t.v. time. Only one Wheaten, the legendary Andover Song and Dance Man, has ever won the Terrier Group at Westminster.

And when the Hounds take the ring, I'll pull for the Greyhound and the Scottish Deerhound.

But my heart belongs to the abused, the neglected, the homeless dogs in need of rescue. Those are the ones that I root for every day. Those are the ones that I will bring into my home.

A Reminder From Bingley and Magic

Tomorrow, at 12:00 noon, right after Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, NBC TV will be televising the National Dog Show from the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. Our own special friend, Mike Dougherty of Windsong, will be judging the Terrier Group. We have permission to watch if we promise not to bark at those crazy terriers.

"Designer Dogs", Cabbages and Radishes

Stay with me here, dear reader, there is a connection.

Saturday night I was chatting with a geneticist. Not surprisingly, I brought up the topic of "Designer Dogs."

I told him about the effort to increase the running speed of Huskies by crossing them with Greyhounds. This misguided effort produced a long legged, fur-coated creature who sank into the snow on its slender, high-knuckled feet.

He laughed. "Ah, yes," he said. "Some well meaning souls decided to cross a cabbage with a radish. The reasoning was that the top of the cabbage is edible, but the root isn't. The root of the radish is edible, but the top isn't. They intended to create a vegetable with both an edible root and top. What they created was a plant that was completely inedible."

I know a very nice lady who purchased a "Miniature Golden Doodle" puppy several months ago. At the time of the purchase, she explained that this was the perfect dog for her. The breeder told her that it would not exceed fifteen inches at the shoulder when fully grown, the standard for Miniature Poodles.

Last I heard, the puppy, now six months old, is up to seventeen inches and still growing. The coat, by the way, is mixed, with areas of Poodle coat and areas of Golden Retriever coat. She is waiting for it to "mature" into the perfect texture.

I have reason to believe that the nice lady paid a substantial price for her "Miniature Golden Doodle." I'm sure that as an adult, it will be a cute dog that is a good companion. I am also certain that she could have gotten just as cute, just as companionable a dog--who actually is the size she was wanting with the coat she was looking for--from any of a number of Poodle Rescues.

What the breeder of the mixed breed dog that was sold as a "Miniature Golden Doodle" did not know or purposely ignored is that all true Poodles are genetically identical. Miniatures and even Toys are simply bred down from the Standard. Check the American Kennel Club website for the Poodle standard if you don't believe me. There is one standard for all three sizes.

That's why Toy Poodle parents sometimes produce a Miniature Poodle and why Miniature Poodle parents can produce a dog who grows taller than fifteen inches. Rescues are filled with Poodles who "fall between the cracks" of preferred show size. A few years ago my sister adopted a wonderful 16 inch Poodle: too tall to show as a Miniature, not tall enough for Standard aficionados.

Readers of this blog know that a pure bred Pekingese named Brody has been a personal concern of mine over the past year. He's a lucky little Peke. He is being well cared for by generous, knowledgeable dog people. If you can bear it, go to Petfinder, type in Pekingese, and see just how many of these little dogs are sitting in rescues in Southern California, waiting for homes that may never materialize. Of course, there are the "Designer Dogs"--Pekingese mixed with whatever some unscrupulous or hopelessly ignorant breeder decided would be "cute." Some of these Pekes are waiting and waiting and waiting in no-kill shelters. Some are in the other type of shelter.

We are entering the season of giving. Certainly we all need to remember our fellow human beings who are experiencing hard times. But also consider a gift to creatures with no voice but a bark or whimper. There are hundreds of thousands of dogs who pass through rescues and shelters every year. Some of those rescues are listed on the right hand side of this blog. They are run by selfless, hard working, caring people. A gift to any one or all of these rescues would be an appropriate way to celebrate the coming of The Great Rescuer of Humanity.

Happy, Happy Day!

Great News! Brody is going to a new home today where he can stay as long has he needs to, provided that he can adjust to life with four cats and one female Maltese who prefers to be addressed as Your Royal Highness. But given Brody's mellow temperament and the professional expertise of his new humans, I am very optimistic that Brody will make a successful adjustment.

Therefore, Brody would only be available to someone who wants him for himself and has a track record of loving and caring for toy dogs with grooming requirements. He needs to live in an adult only home or a home with older, mature children.

In "normal" times, a dog like Brody would never have found himself in such a desperate situation. He is an adorable dog with a sweet disposition. He is the embodiment of an ancient breed with a history of privilege.

But as precarious as Brody's life has been, he is one of the lucky Pekingese searching for love and security. Pekingese Breed Rescue is overwhelmed with many surrenders and few adoption applications. They are in critical need of foster homes. If you are thinking about contributing to a dog charity, consider a donation to the Pekes. If you have the time and love and space--Pekes don't take up much space--consider fostering one or two of these charming dogs.

Brody Really, Really Needs A Home!

For a year I have been mentioning an adorable Pekingese name Brody. These are tough times for all dogs. And Brody has been particularly unlucky even for these tough times. Ordinarily, it would be incomprehensible that such a shining example of an ancient and honorable breed would find himself without a loving, secure home. But that is what has happened to this little guy.

I cannot remember a time when I did not want to have a Pekingese of my own. But other dogs entered my life and John and I have made serious commitments to two Sight Hounds. One is Magic, a Greyhound/Deerhound mix. The other is Bingley, an officially retired racing Greyhound. I say "officially" because, just as a Marine is always a Marine, Bingley will always be a racing Greyhound. He is VERY high prey and cannot be safe with any small animals, in spite of his very sweet temperament and loving ways.

So even though Brody is not my dog and never can be my dog, in a sense he is the Pekingese I always dreamed of. And he needs a home. He is in desperate need of a home.

In other posts, I have written about the special needs of dogs in the Toy Group, the group to which Pekingese belong. They are not the best dogs for a young and boisterous family. They thrive on a close relationship with their human. Pekingese, in particular, have centuries of breeding to be highly treasured companion dogs.

If you have room in your heart and home for Brody, please contact me:

portiasmom at live dot com.

Dog Parks

Read any magazine for dog owners, or even some travel magazines, and you will discover articles about "Dog Friendly Cities, Towns, Communities." There are "Dog Friendly" resorts. The translation of "Dog Friendly" is: "It's OK To Let Your Dog Run Around Off Leash."

Off-leash parks and beaches are represented as ultimate Nirvana for both dogs and their people. The image is of dogs of all breeds and sizes frolicking joyfully together as their people chat about the latest in doggie toys and treats and set up play dates for their pooches. Not exactly the Utopia of the Lion lying down by the Lamb, but getting close.

The intrinsic problem with this image is admitted by some off-leash dog parks that have separated areas for "small dogs" and "large dogs". At least this arrangement is a nod to the realities of potential dog behavior, but it's just a nod. The fact is, there are serious reasons why many dogs should NEVER be let loose in an off-leash dog park. Let's look at some of those reasons.

1. A very small dog is a very vulnerable dog. PERHAPS there is a small dog off-leash park available where your 4 pound Maltese can gambol about with other tiny, delicate creatures. But letting a small dog "play" with anything but the smallest of toy breeds is like bringing pizza to a group of teenage boys and asking them to ignore it.

2. Inherent, bred-in instincts of your breed. "Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly." Terriers and hounds were bred to kill--or chase and kill. Some dogs--you know the breeds--were originally bred to fight other dogs. Some dogs were developed to be guard dogs. With the exception of our first dog, Mame, a five pound Toy Poodle, all of John's and my dogs have been terriers or hounds. They have been wonderful companions and I would not want to have missed the presence of one of them in my life. But terriers and hounds are Serious Dogs. Beneath the blonde, wavy coat of a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, under the elegant lines of a Greyhound, lies the potential to attack and kill with efficiency and--let's be honest--joyful enthusiasm.

3. Other physical vulnerabilities. The first of these that comes to mind is a very thin skin covering. Having been a Greyhound person for a number of years, I have seen first hand the havoc that can be inflicted when a Greyhound is bitten by another dog. Indeed, Portia died as the result of one horrific bite that ripped a ten inch diameter wound that could not be closed, even with state of the art veterinary care, before her courageous heart stopped beating. Even in non-fatal wounds, days of care for a dog who has suffered an attack by another dog is a painful and exhausting ordeal for both dog and human. In addition to more stitches than I could count, Zephyr had four drains that had to be treated with warm compresses several times a day following an attack by an off-leash dog who was set loose to relieve himself on neighbors' lawns.

4. Individual dog history. I am completely dedicated to rescuing and re-homing dogs who have been abandoned, lost, or mistreated. I have had five rescued dogs as my companions, two of which live with me now. There are many advantages in rescuing an older dog. Given my age, I doubt that I will ever again tackle the challenge of a puppy. For me, walking Greyhounds is NOTHING compared with the task of civilizing a baby canine. HOWEVER. The fact is: EVERY rescued dog has some baggage that is not always apparent until some event triggers a hidden memory for the dog. Until your rescued dog has lived with you for a while and you have observed it under a variety of circumstances, until you have established mutual trust and have established general behavioral expectations, don't even THINK about taking your dog to a Dog Park. In my experience, six months is not too long to wait to really know what your rescued dog's personality and behavioral repertoire are like.


I am not advocating the closure of off-leash parks and beaches. For one thing, it's not a realistic proposal. The conviction on the part of what seems to me to be the majority of dog owners that dogs MUST be permitted to play off leash in places other than their own yards requires such facilities. Even many dog trainers encourage off-leash exercise by insisting that dogs can be trained to reliably obey commands when unconfined and off-leash. All I can say about that is, my faith in the Tooth Fairy is stronger than my faith in any dog's 100% obedience. I once held my breath and prayed while a highly trained, off-leash police dog eyed my two Greyhounds and hesitated to follow his trainer's order to get into his squad car.

I do believe that people who love their dogs deserve more education and caution before they merrily let their dogs loose in a dog park. Call me overly cautious, but I shudder to think of any group other than Sporting, and, perhaps, some Herding and the occasional Working breeds regularly visiting an off-leash park.

My daughter's Lab is a dog that is a perfect Dog Park Dog. Georgia has thick skin with a layer of protective fat that is characteristic of her breed. She barks at other dogs, but is not dog aggressive. She is a RETRIEVER, not a killer. In short, Georgia is the sort of dog for which off-leash dog parks are ideal.

On Thursdays, I answer the phone for a local Greyhound rescue. In addition to wrong numbers asking for bus ticket prices, I receive a wide variety of calls. Yesterday I spoke with a woman who will forever be traumatized by an attack in an off-leash dog park that resulted in serious injuries to THREE dogs. Witnessing a dog attack is traumatic. The woman I spoke to will never again be without some fear when she walks her dog. Believe me. I understand TOTALLY. I say a prayer EVERY time I hook up leashes and harnesses on Bingley and Magic.

Would Bingley and Magic like to run free? Fish gotta swim. Birds gotta fly. Bingley and Magic were born to run--and kill. But John and I are the only protection they have in a world that is completely different from the world in which their ancient breed was developed. For their protection and for the protection of other dogs, they will never be let loose in a Dog Park or on a Dog Beach.

Some People Should Not Have Dogs II

I suppose I must be overdue for a rant. This past week has provided me with three examples to fuel one.

First Example: Last week, a woman called a volunteer dog rescue line that I answer one day a week. She wanted to know who to call about the disappearance of a chipped dog. She seemed not to understand that unless a dog is found and scanned, a missing chipped dog is not different from a missing unchipped dog. Unless, of course, she had paid for an extra alert service along with the chip. But even so, a chip is not a GPS.

She then explained the situation further. She had two dogs: A Pit Bull and a Silky Terrier. She has repeatedly left these dogs out alone at night--in a semi-rural community! They've gone missing before, but have always "turned up" in the morning.

But this time, the Pit Bull returned, lathered and panting--evidently from running. But the Silky was nowhere to be seen. The woman was certain that her "valuable, papered, chipped" Silky had been stolen.

It took all my patience and restraint to suggest that 1. No dog should be left outside unattended at night where coyotes, owls and hawks might be expected to be hunting. 2. A toy dog belongs IN THE HOUSE except for needed, brief potty breaks under human supervision.

I encouraged her to post as many notices as possible and organize search parties. But I did suggest that there was evidence that her little dog had met foul play. I didn't say that the original foul play had been hers.


Example Two: A couple whose work involves constant travel, and who want their home to be spotlessly clean and orderly when they return to it, purchased an English Toy Spaniel from a pet store, in spite of being urged not to do so by a knowledgeable "dog person."

The ETS is now two years old, not reliably house trained, and is destructive of furniture and other household items.

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

A little research would have told them that even under ideal conditions, toy breeds--with the possible exception of Toy Poodles--are slow and difficult to house train. Think about it. These tiny creatures can duck behind a chair, scoot under a table, do the deed--which results in a small product, not immediately detectable--and walk away looking as innocent as the day they were born. And a lot cuter.

Add to that the fact that these breeds were developed for one purpose and one purpose only: human companionship.

What happens when a dog's purpose is totally frustrated?

IT BECOMES DESTRUCTIVE!

Now. If this couple had consulted a reputable breeder, they would have been further warned about the breed's characteristics. And if they had purchased from a reputable breeder, there would have been follow-up, and probably a gentle conversation resulting in the return of the poor dog to the breeder. But no such safety net is available for dogs purchased at pet stores.

Will there, can there be a happy ending for this little dog? I don't know. In my opinion, the only hope is for a rescue intervention. But, these are tough times for rescues of breeds with grooming requirements. (Yes. Brody STILL needs a forever home.) And there is always a question of even very unhappy, frustrated owners giving custody of a dog to a rescue when they have paid a thousand or more dollars for a dog.

Hint: You do NOT save money buying a dog from a pet store.

All paws are crossed.

Example Three: While on a quick trip to the vet's, I overheard a conversation between a man who had brought in his dog for treatment and the long-suffering receptionist who was responsible for receiving payment for said treatment.

One clue that he was not the most educated of dog owners was that he referred to his dog as an English Bull Dog. There are French Bull Dogs. But the breed commonly called English Bull Dog is actually named Bull Dog. If I had paid the going rate for a Bull Dog, I would be sure to call it by its proper name. But, perhaps, I'm being a little picky.

If the man had done research on Bull Dogs before acquiring one, he would have been forewarned that the breed is subject to physical problems requiring veterinary attention. I am sentimentally attracted to Bull Dogs, and if others in my family had shared my attraction, a Bull Dog might very well have become our family dog. But I know for a fact that it does not take much "due diligence" to discover that Bull Dogs can be costly to maintain in good health.

If I had been quoted the amount that the man was disputing, I would have been relieved. I felt sorry for the receptionist who was having to politely insist that the very reasonable charges did have to be paid.

Hint: If you are unwilling to sacrifice to maintain your dog in good health, you shouldn't get a dog. Before you acquire a pure bred dog, do adequate research. The AKC has a wonderful website with all sorts of resources and contacts for prospective dog owners. The internet is chuck full of breed-specific information.

There is an abundance of research confirming that having a dog in your life will make you healthier and happier. Your dog is totally dependent on you for all of its needs. If you can't or won't be a responsible dog guardian, Don't Get A Dog!

Brody STILL Needs A Forever Home

It's hard to believe that such a handsome fellow is having such a difficult time finding a home where he can love and amuse some very lucky human companion.

Like all toy breeds, Brody would be happiest in a home where he is not routinely left alone for long hours. Toys like to be close to their humans. After all, that is the purpose for which they were created.

If you can open your heart and home to Brody the Peke, please email me:

portiasmom at live dot com