December Break!

Hello, everyone! I won't be posting from Dec. 19 - Jan. 3 because of December break. Thank you for your cooperation and I'll see you all in 2012!

-Annabel

Borders!

Want to check out some facts about Border Collies? Well, here you go!

#1. "The Border Collie is a medium sized, energetic working dog."

#2. "The body is slightly longer than it is tall."

#3. "The relatively flat skull is moderate in width."

#4. "The strong teeth meet in a scissors bite."

#5. "The oval eyes are set well apart and brown in color, except in merles where one or more eyes may be blue."

#6. "The medium sized ears are set well apart, either carried erect or semi erect."

#7. "The front legs are straight when viewed from the front but slightly sloping when viewed from the side."

#8. "The medium sized tail is set low reaching at least to the hock, raising somewhat when the dog is excited."

#9. "The double coat is weather resistant, dense and close-fitting. There are two coat varieties: a short, sleek coat (about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) long) and a coarse, rough coat (about 3 inches (7.6 cm.) long). The coat colors come in black and white, tri-color, red & white, black & gray, yellow, yellow & white, sable, and all black. The longer haired variety should have a mane and tail brush. The hair on the face, ears and front legs is always short and sleek."

#10. "Since Border Collies are bred for working ability and intelligence rather than for physical beauty, conformation varies widely."

#11. "The Border Collie is very intelligent and aware of their surroundings."

#12. "They are able to be trained to a high degree."

#13. "This is one of the hardest working dogs thriving on praise."

#14. "Border Collies are represented among the leaders in competitive levels in various sports, excelling in agility skills, obedience, sheepdog trials and Frisbee (TM). These competitions are right up their alley, and they are commonly used and often win. For those who wish to reach high levels in dog sports, the Border Collie is a gift from heaven."

#15. "Farmers are also happy with them, as they were originally bred as a farm hand. The Border Collie is highly energetic with great stamina."

#16. "Provided they get sufficient activity to keep them occupied and ample exercise, the Border Collie will get along quite happily with other dogs, and children, however they may be aggressive with other dogs of the same gender if you are not showing 100% leadership with them."

#16. "They should not be trusted with small non-canine pets, however there are plenty of Border Collies that live and get along with family cats."

#17. "This breed can be sensitive and should be very well socialized as a puppy to prevent shyness."

#18. "To be truly happy, they need a lot of consistent leadership, extensive daily exercise, and a job to occupy their minds."

#19. "Border Collies will often challenge their owners authority when they are adolescents. Dominance levels vary greatly even within the same litter. You need to be this dogs firm, confident, consistent pack leader, or he may try and take over. If you allow them to take over, without enough socialization and mental and physical exercise, they can be highly reactive and sound sensitive, making them a poor choice for families with young children."

#20. "They are perfectionists with a permanent will to please. This breed lives for serving you day in and day out. They are not ideal pets for people who have no plans to spend a lot of time with them."

#21. "These dogs are too intelligent to lie around the house all day with nothing to do."

#22. "If you are not willing to put many hours a day into keeping these dogs well exercised in both mind and body, than it is recommended you do not adopt a Border Collie."

#23. "There are other breeds whom are similar yet not as demanding."

#24. "If there is insufficient activity then it will find its own work to do, and that may not be what YOU had in mind when we say the word WORK."

#25. "When not challenged daily they can and will become destructive. They cannot be left alone for too long with nothing to do if they have not been exercised to the point where they are both mentally and physically tired. A bored Border Collie will not make a good pet, as they can become neurotic and may start using their escape artist talents, among other behavior problems."

#26. "They have strong herding instincts and may try to herd children and strangers and must be told this is not acceptable."

#27. "Height: Dogs 19-22 inches (48-56 cm.)

Bitches 18-21 inches (46-53 cm.)"

#28. "Weight: Dogs 30-45 pounds (14-20 kg.)

Bitches 27-42 pounds (12-19 kg.)"

#29. "Prone to epilepsy, hip dysplasia, PRA (Collie Eye Anomaly) and deafness. Often allergic to fleas. Some herding dogs carry a MDR1 gene which makes them sensitive to certain drugs, that are otherwise okay to give another dog, but if tested positive for this gene can kill them."

#30. "The Border Collie is not recommended for apartment life. They are very active indoors and do best with acreage. This breed will do fine in a kennel provided it has daily activity and sees plenty of its handler. This breed is not suited to life chained up in the back yard all day."

#31. "Physical exercise alone is not sufficient for this very intelligent and highly energetic dog. They want to work and must do so with body and mind as one, carrying out different tasks. Fast and agile, these lively little dogs have boundless energy and thrive on hard work and play. They should also be taken on a long, brisk daily walk. They are a delight to see streaking after a ball or bringing straying sheep back to the fold."

#32. "Life Expectancy: About 12-15 years."

#33. "Litter Size: 4 - 8 puppies ~ Average 6

#34. "The Border Collie needs regular combing and brushing to keep the coat gleaming. Extra care is needed when the soft, dense undercoat is shedding. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. Check the ears and coat regularly for ticks. This breed is an average shedder."

#35. "The Border Collie was originally called the "Scotch Sheep Dog" and originated in Northumberland along the borders of Scotland and England. It is a descendant from dogs used by the Vikings to herd reindeer, the old British droving breeds, with spaniel added. Named a "workaholic" for its shear drive and love for working, the Border Collie has an eye that can hypnotize cattle. It can master any type of herd by crouching down and mesmerizing the animals with its intense stare. One of the most trainable breeds, the Border Collie also serves well as a narcotics and bomb detection dog and is a frequent high performer in obedience, agility, Frisbee(TM) trials, police work, search & rescue, Flyball, performing tricks and competitive obedience. Some Border Collies have been trained very successfully as blind guide dogs. Currently very good results are obtained with them for general assistance to the handicapped in The Netherlands. The Border Collie was first recognized by the AKC in 1995."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bordercollie.htm

Kelpies!

Australian Kelpies are so cool so why don't you have a look at some facts about them!

#1. "The Australian Kelpie has a compact body and well-developed limbs."

#2. "Slightly longer than it is tall, the Kelpie has a broad chest and firm hind quarters that contribute to his flexible, energized appearance."

#3. "The head is long and narrow."

#4. "The medium length tail is low set."

#5. "The short, compact feet have well arched toes."

#6. "The double coat consists of a short and dense undercoat and a hard, straight and weather-repellent outer coat. Color possibilities include black and red, each with or without out tan; and fawn, chocolate and blue."

#7. "Kelpie owners are more interested in the breed's working ability then their appearance."

#8. "A compact, robust, enthusiastic, and tireless working dog."

#9. "Excellent at herding, the Australian Kelpie is the most popular and successful working dog."

#10. "Kelpies are devoted one-man dogs but far too work-oriented and energetic for a couch dog or apartment existence."

#11. "Their easy trainability and keenness on the job make them a fundamental component of the Australian work force. They are ready to respond immediately to any signal given by its master, even from a great distance."

#12. "They are good with children when they are raised with them from puppyhood and/or properly socialized."

#13. "Kelpies will try to herd other dogs, pets and animals whether they want to be herded or not."

#14. "This workaholic will work until it drops."

#15. "They are independent and in business for themselves rather than for pleasing a handler."

#16. "Boredom is the breed's doom and the owner's as well."

#17. "In their native country of Australia, Kelpies work all day even in intense heat, covering 1,000 to 4,000-plus acres."

#18. "The breed uses "eye" similar to the Border Collie's on the tractable stock, but utilizes its nipping ability to turn more stubborn cattle."

#19. "Kelpies can muster thousands of sheep from pasture to pen to truck. When a flock of sheep is packed as tight as Times Square on New Year's Eve, they will look for the shortest way to the other side, which is usually in a straight line. This very clever Kelpie will jump on the back of the nearest sheep and run lightly across the flock to reach the other side."

#20. "They make excellent watchdogs and can also be trained as seeing-eye dogs."

#21. "The Australian Kelpie is not an aggressive dog, but it can be protective when needed, and will guard its family and their belongings when necessary, regardless of the risk to itself."

#22. "With the deep intelligence in which this breed exhibits, comes a high dominance level."

#23. "Meek owners will not do well with this breed. They need an owner who knows how to display natural calm, but firm authority over the dog at all times. With the right type of owner and the proper amount of daily metal and physical exercise this breed can excel. Problems can and WILL arise with meek owners, and or owners who do not provide the proper amount and type of exercise."

#24. "This breed does best with a job to do."

#25. "If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you."

#26. "Height: 17-20 inches (43-51 cm.)"

#27. "Weight: 25-45 pounds (11-20 kg.)"

#28. "Beware of PRA, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, retinal degeneration causing partial to total blindness."

#29. "The Australian Kelpie is not recommended for apartment life. They are working dogs that need plenty of open space to run and will be happiest with a job to do. Their all-weather coat allows them to live where it is hot as well as where it is cold. They will be content to live outdoors with adequate shelter."

#30. "The Australian Kelpie is a working dog that demands a great deal of exercise, preferably with some kind of job to do. Their energy levels are extremely high!! They are workaholics and will run until they drop!! They need to be taken on long daily walks. Makes an excellent jogging companion. Do not allow this dog to walk ahead of you on the walks. He needs to be beside or behind you to re-enforce the human is alpha."

#31. "Life Expectancy: About 10-14 years."

#32. "Litter Size: 4 - 7 puppies."

#33. "This breed is easy to groom. An occasional combing and brushing is all that it needs. Bathe only when necessary as it will remove the natural oils in the weather-resistant coat and dry out the skin. This breed is an average shedder."

#34. "Although many still believe the Kelpie is a Dingo crossed with the Border Collie, more accurate documentation reveals the breed's development from English North Country Collies of the Rutherford strain. These hardy British working herders, like many sheepdogs, were imported to Australia during the latter half of the 19th century. Today nearly 100,000 Kelpies are employed on that continent. Despite their relatively small size, Kelpies are without limitations, capable of working cattle, goats, poultry and reindeer. They will excel in competitive obedience. The name "Kelpie" comes from the water kelpie mentioned by Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer, in the novel, Kidnapped. This breed has been known since 1870."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/australiankelpie.htm

Rough and Smooth Collies!

Rough and Smooth Collies are awesome! Now, check out some facts about them!

#1. "The Collie is a large, lean, strong dog."

#2. "The top of the skull is flat and the eyebrows are arched."

#3. "The head is wedge-shaped and the muzzle is rounded tapering to the black nose, with a slight stop."

#4. "The face is chiseled."

#5. "The teeth should meet in a scissors bite."

#6. "The medium sized eyes are almond shaped. Eye color is dark brown accept for blue merles, where the eyes may be blue or have one of each color."

#7. "The small ears are 3/4 erect with the tips folding forward."

#8. "The neck is fairly long."

#9. "The body is slightly longer than it is tall."

#10. "The legs are straight."

#11. "The tail is moderately long with an upward twist or swirl at the end and is carried low."

#12. "There are two coat varieties, the rough and smooth. The rough coat is long and abundant all over the body but is shorter on the head and legs an the coat forms a mane around the neck and chest. The outer coat is straight and harsh to the touch, and the undercoat is soft and tight. The smooth coat variety has a short one inch coat all over the body. Coat colors on both the rough and smooth variety include sable and white, tri color of black, white and tan, blue merle or predominantly white with sable, tri-color or blue merle markings."

#13. "The Collie is a highly intelligent dog."

#14. "Sensitive, mild-mannered, sweet, easy to train and loyal."

#15. "Usually good with other pets and friendly with other dogs."

#16. "They are natural herders and puppies may try and herd humans, and need to be taught not to do this."

#17. "Faithful, playful, docile and protective of their family members and good with children."

#18. "Collies have an uncanny sense of direction."

#19. "They are good-natured, friendly dogs."

#20. "They are energetic outdoors."

#21. "Socialize them well to prevent them from becoming wary of strangers."

#22. "They are not aggressive, but they do tend to be suspicious of people they sense unstable vibes from."

#23. "Daily pack walks are important."

#24. "Without a firm, but calm, confident and consistent owner who sets the rules and sticks to them, they can become willful, stubborn and indolent."

#25. "This breed should be trained gently, but with an air of authority or he will refuse to cooperate."

#26. "A clean breed, the Collie is relatively easy to housebreak."

#27. "Some owners report that Rough Collies do not like the water due to how heavy their coat gets when wet. We have seen clips on the internet of Rough Collies swimming however so while a lot may not, it's never an absolute. Some Smooth Collies have become successful at water rescue."

#28. "Height: Dogs 24-26 inches (61-66cm.)

Bitches 22-24 inches (56-61cm.)"

#29. "Weight: Dogs 60-75 pounds (27-34kg.)

Bitches 50-65 pounds (23-29kg.)"

#30. "Generally healthy dogs. Some lines are prone to PRA, eye defects (Collie eye syndrome) and hip problems leading to acute lameness and arthritis. Collies may need sunblock on their nose as they are often sensitive to the sun. Some herding dogs carry a MDR1 gene which makes them sensitive to certain drugs, that are otherwise okay to give another dog, but if tested positive for this gene can kill them."

#31. "The Collie will dog okay in an apartment as long as they are sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with at least an average-sized yard. Sensitive to the heat. Provide plenty of shade and fresh water in warm weather."

#32. "The Collie needs plenty of exercise, which includes a daily, long walk. In addition, they would enjoy some romps off the leash in a safe area."

#33. "Life Expectancy: About 14-16 years."

#34. "The stiff coat sheds dirt readily and a thorough weekly brushing will keep it in good condition. Take extra care when the soft dense undercoat is being shed. The Smooth variety has a one-inch coat and should be brushed every one to two weeks. If the long coated variety has a BIG matt, and the dog is not being used for show, the matt may need to be cut out, as opposed to combed out, as to avoid pain to the dog. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The rough Collie sheds heavily twice a year, and the Smooth Collie is an average shedder."

#35. "The exact origin of the collie is unknown, but it was descended from generations of hard working herding dogs. For centuries the Rough Coated Collie was hardly known outside Scotland. Early Rough Collies were smaller, with broader heads and shorter muzzles. The dogs were used as water rescue, herders, guiding cows and sheep to market and for guarding the flock in Scotland and England. The breed's name probably comes from its charge; the Scottish black-faced sheep called the Colley. In the 1860’s Queen Victoria kept Collies at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, making the dogs very popular. J.P. Morgan along with other wealthy people have owned Collies. In the late 1800's the Collie was mixed with the Borzoi, and all show dogs had to have the Borzoi blood for them to win in the show ring. The working dogs separated, branched out and became the different breeds (with the Scotch Collie remaining) and the show type became what we see now, the large dogs with flatter faces. The Rough Collie is much more popular than the Smooth Collie. The Smooth Collie is more popular in Great Britain than it is in the United States, but is gaining some popularity in the States. The Smooth Collie is the same as the Rough Collie, but without the long coat. The AKC considers the Rough and Smooth Collies as varieties of the same breed and are judged by the same standard with the exception of the coat. The first Collie was presented at a dog show in 1860. The Collie was recognized by the AKC in 1885. The Collie is well known for it's role in the movie "Lassie", featuring a Rough Coated Collie as the main character. The Collies talents include herding, search and rescue, guide for the blind, agility, competitive obedience, acting in the movies, and as a guard and watch dog."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/collie.htm

Aussie Cattle Dogs!

Australian Cattle Dogs are so cool so why don't you have a look at some facts about them!

#1. "The Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Australian Heeler, Hall's Heeler, Queensland Heeler and the Blue Heeler, is a courageous, tireless, robust, compact working dog."

#2. "The dog is agile, well-muscled, powerful and determined while working."

#3. "The length of the body is a little longer than it is tall."

#4. "The tail is held moderately low hanging at a slight curve."

#5. "The front legs are straight, strong, round bone, extending to the feet."

#6. "The feet are round and the toes are short."

#7. "The skull is broad is slightly curved between the ears, flattening to a slight but definite stop."

#8. "The ears are wide-set, moderate in size, and pricked when alert."

#9. "The nose is black."

#10. "The dark brown, medium-sized eyes are oval in shape."

#11. "The teeth should meet in a scissor-bite, with the lower incisors closing behind and just touching the upper."

#12. "The ACD has a smooth double coat with a short dense undercoat. Coat colors include red speckled, blue, blue-mottled or blue speckled with or without other markings. Black markings are not desired in the show ring. Puppies are born white because of a gene they inherited from the early Dalmatian crosses. You can sometimes tell the adult color by looking at the paw pads."

#13. "The Australian Cattle Dog is a loyal, brave, hardworking, herding breed."

#14. "One of the most intelligent breeds, they are not the kind of dog to lay around the living room all day or live happily in the backyard with only a 15 minute walk. They need much more exercise than that and something to occupy their mind daily or they will become bored, leading to serious behavior problems. They need action in their life and will do best with a job."

#15. "This alert dog is excellent in the obedience ring and will excel in agility and herding trials. Can be obedience trained to a very high level."

#16. "Firm training starting when the dog is a puppy and a lot of daily leadership, along with daily mental and physical exercise will produce a wonderful and happy pet."

#17. "Protective, they make an excellent guard dog."

#18. "It is absolutely loyal and obedient to its master."

#19. "They are sometimes suspicious of people and dogs they don't know. They can be very dog aggressive if allowed to be pack leader, for its dominance level is high."

#20. "Teach your Australian Cattle Dog that you are alpha and you will not tolerate it fighting with other dogs."

#21. "Well balanced Cattle dogs are good and trustworthy with children."

#22. "Some will nip at people's heels in an attempt to herd them and an owner needs to tell the dog this is not acceptable behavior."

#23. "If you are adopting a pet, avoid working lines, as these dogs may be too energetic and intense for home life."

#24. "Australian Cattle Dogs are very easy to train."

#25. "Problems can and WILL arise with meek owners, and or owners who do not provide the proper amount and type of exercise. This breed does best with a job to do. If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you."

#26. "Height: Males 17-20 inches (43-51cm.)

Females 17-19 inches (43-48cm.)"

#27. "Weight: Males 32-35 pounds (15-16kg.)

Females 30-35 pounds (14-16kg.)"

#28. "Prone to hip dysplasia and PRA. The merle colored dogs are prone to deafness."

#29. "Not recommended for apartment life and does best with at least a large yard. Does best with a job to do."

#30. "These animals have incredible stamina and will enjoy all the activity you can give them. Exercise is of paramount importance - without enough they can become bored and destructive. Exercise cannot simply be tossing a ball. While they will enjoy this ball play, their brains need to be stimulated daily. Does best with a job to do. They need to be taken on long daily walks. Makes an excellent jogging companion. Do not allow this dog to walk ahead of you on the walks. He needs to be beside or behind you to re-enforce the human is alpha."

#31. "Life Expectancy: About 12-15 years."

#32. "Litter Size: 1 - 7 ~ Average of 5 puppies."

#33. "The short-haired, weather-resistant coat needs little care and is very easy to groom. Just comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. This breed tends to shed their coats once or twice per year (depending on gender and region)."

#34. "Dogs the settlers brought with them from Europe, called Smithfield and the Old Smooth Collie (not the smooth collie known today), were not able to handle the long distances and inhospitable climate of the new continent. The Australian Cattle Dog was developed by pioneer settlers in the 1800s by crossing Dingo-blue merle Collies to Dalmatians and black and tan Kelpies. Some sources say the Bull Terrier breed may have been added as well. The result were dogs who were excellent workers, herding cattle on large ranches. The dogs worked the stock quietly yet forcefully, willing and able to drive cattle across vast distances under harsh, hot dusty conditions. With superior stamina, it was well suited to Queensland. Both its guarding and herding instincts are very strong. In 1893 a man named Robert Kaleski wrote a standard for the breed. In 1903 the standard was approved in Australia. In 1980 the breed was fully recognized by the AKC. The Australian Cattle Dog has also been known as the Australian Heeler, Hall's Heeler, Queensland Heeler or Blue Heeler. "Heeler" refers to its herding skill of snapping and biting cattle's heels. Its talents are retrieving, herding, guarding, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/australiancattledog.htm

Ask Annabel ~ Aussie Bulldogs!

Australian Bulldogs are so awesome so why don't you have a look at some facts about them!

#1. "The body Structure overall should be one of great strength with good thickness of bone with males being solid and compact with good muscle tone."

#2. "Nice long bodies on the females is preferred as a rule due to being better whelpers than a short bodied female."

#3. "Chest area should be broad with the brisket well let down."

#4. "Front to be straight with good shoulder placement."

#5. "Body coat preferred short & smooth, not thick or rough."

#6. "The head structure of an Aussie Bulldog is one of its main attributes being very strong and square in appearance having good depth and width of muzzle with a pronounced stop between the eyes and have 1/3 folds of wrinkle across the nose."

#7. "Eye placement to be wide apart being large & clean in appearance."

#8. "Mouth to be up to 1/4 inch undershot but breeding towards a near level bite preferred. Teeth to be of good size and well placed within the mouth. Jaw structure preferred wide and square top and bottom."

#9. "The Aussie Bulldog comes in a variation of wonderful colors. Being in shades of fawn, apricot, orange, red, mahogany, white and being at least 5 shades of brindle including, red brindle, fawn brindle, black brindle, mahogany brindle, silver brindle. Aussies also come in pied coloring with pied being one color more dominant than the other, with an arrangement of patches on the body that is quite appealing."

#10. "The Australian Bulldog is a medium sized dog who loves being part of a family."

#11. "It is intelligent, loving and loyal with a sound temperament."

#12. "Good with children."

#13. "Fun loving, this breed is pretty easygoing."

#14. "They will enjoy playing with a ball or frisbee and love to play or swim in water."

#15. "Good watch dog but not a guard dog, though their appearance can be a deterrent."

#16. "Given the alertness of this breed, the Aussie Bulldog does have the ability to be a dependable watch dog at a mature age."

#17. "With their intelligence and loyalty they are a very easy dog to teach at home, but obedience training is recommended (as with any breed of dog)."

#18. "The Aussie Bulldog has stamina and their personality is one everyone could get attached to."

#19. "This breed craves leadership from their owners. Like all dogs, they need a firm, but calm, confident and consistent pack leader and daily mental and physical exercise to avoid any behavior issues."

#20. "Height: Male 18-20 inches (46-51 cm.)

Female 17-19 inches (44-48 cm.)"

#21. "Weight: Male 60-78 pounds (28-35 kg.)

Female 50-61 pounds (23-28 kg.)"

#22. "Although the best has been done to eliminate health problems within this breed, this does not mean that they are faultless, but all effort is put in to breed Aussie Bulldogs of good health , sound structure and well natured."

#23. "Aussie Bulldogs are not recommended for apartment life. This breed is an indoor dog, and should not be left outside all day in a kennel. Bulldogs do best in temperate climates as the breed can chill easily in cold weather and have trouble cooling off in very hot weather."

#24. "The Aussie Bulldogs need plenty of exercise, which include long daily walks. They like to go swimming in summer and lay in the sun during the winter months."

#25. "The smooth, fine, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, and bathe only when necessary. Wipe the face with a damp cloth every day to clean inside the wrinkles. This breed is an average shedder."

#26. "The Aussie Bulldogs were given their name by Noel & Tina Green, Foundered from two breeding programs (N&T Green and Pip Nobes) with previous years of breeding dogs of bulldog type, that were designed to be a functional Bulldog, co-operating and coordinating together after previous (Green lines) and Nobes lines (Pip Nobes). This type of dog had strength, endurance & size to do the job that was set out for them. The Original Breeders made Personality and health in a dog as their number one priority with keeping a unique bulldog look. The Aussie Bulldog is a recognized Breed within the eye of the general public, but they are not yet registered with the ANKC as a pedigreed breed. All lines of Aussie Bulldogs should come with a Breed Certificate for the Documentation of their ancestry. These certificates are issued by the United Aussie Bulldog Association contacting Tina Green, Pip Nobes & Louise Cauchi . The public first heard about this breed back in 1998, as a result of Keith Nobes asking Pip to write to Burkes Back yard and inform them of our combined breeding program of The Aussie Bulldog. On their way home from Western Australia, driving from Perth to Toowoomba we ( Noel & Tina ) visited Joe & Louise Cauchi in Sydney's Western suburbs and viewed 2 litters of pups that were of Aussie Bulldog type, making them approximately 2 weeks old when the program aired on Burkes Back Yard. The interest created by this program was absolutely hundreds and hundreds of enquiries made by mail, email & phone to Pip Nobes and N&T Green all looking to purchase a puppy. Both breeding programs were in the early stages, and originally from Greens Lines & Nobes Lines, this was very promptly followed by Cauchi's lines. Since then they have continued to increase the Aussie Bulldog population with approximately 40 or 50 more enthusiastic breeders joining together all three lines of dogs. Nobes lines and Greens lines were developed heavily based on British Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Boxer & small percentage of Staff, closely followed in the months to come by the introduction of Joe & Louise Cauchi's dogs based mainly on JD Johnson Line American Bulldogs, which do not have any connection in physical type or temperament to the American Pitbull or the scott line American Bulldog. Johnson line American Bulldogs are similar in height and head type to the Boxer and Bullmastiff. Their breeding stock now has 5 generations of Aussie Bulldog to Aussie Bulldog in total. The consistency with the Aussie Bulldog is better than a lot of Pedigreed Breeds in proving this with every planned litter."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/aussiebulldog.htm

Extreme K9s 101!

Today's extreme K9 is Ban, a two-year-old mixed breed!

"Three weeks after the tsunami and earthquake in Japan this year, a helicopter crew spotted something moving on a huge pile of debris floating more than a mile offshore--- it was a dog pacing across a roof of a wrecked house. The castaway canine had been swept out to sea by the tsunami, then had managed to survive on the drifting roof.

A rescue team arrived in a canoe, wrapped the dog in towels, then carried her aboard a large boat on a stretcher. A woman from a nearby town saw the rescue on the local news and instantly recognized her missing pet, Ban. Dog and owner are happily reunited--- safe and on dry land."

Article from: National Geographic Kids Nov. 2011 issue, p.20, Tsunami Heroes

Pic from: http://blogs.discovery.com/daily_treat/2011/04/tsunami-dog-survives-3-weeks-on-trashpile-float-opia.html

Bark out the Facts!

"U.S. Customs dogs “Rocky” and “Barco” were so good at patrolling the border that Mexican drug lords put a $300,000 bounty on their heads."

Fact from: http://www.animalsneedhelp.com/2008/04/20/102-interesting-facts-about-dogs/

Pic from: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4308.asp

Bone Appetit!

Today's awesome dog recipe is the Canine Casserole! Sorry for the late posting!

"Ingredients:

1 pound: Any meat (beef, venison, chicken)

1 Carrot finely chopped

1 Small potato finely chopped

1 Stick celery

1/2 Cups sliced green beans (stringless)

1 T Gravox or steak sauce

Directions:

Place all ingredients into a large casserole dish. Cover with water and mix. Place lid on casserole. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, mix again and then medium for 10 minutes. This should be cooked at least an hour before feeding so that it is well cooled.

Recipe from: http://www.thepoop.com/pooppantry/Casserole.asp

Pic (and other recipe for casserole) from: http://enchantedpapier.blogspot.com/2011/04/canine-casserole.html

Crazy Dawgs!

"Well, this sure is one furry egg--- Maybe I should see a doctor---"

Pic from: http://critteristic.com/dogs-and-puppies/oh-pardon-me-sir/

Extreme K9s 101!

Today's extreme K9 is Norman the Briard! (Also check out this vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=C00cNNGbQWM)

"Canton, Georgia

Forget walking. When Norman wants to get around, he's a got a much snazzier form of transportation. The pooch has been riding his family's scooter since he was a puppy. "One day we put him on the scoot and wheeled him around for fun," owner Karen Cobb says. "He didn't want to get off."

Cobb and he kids trained Norman to ride the scooter much like a human would ride one. Propping his front paws on the handlebars, the dog stands on the scooter's board with one back paw and propels himself forward with the other.

Norman rolls around the neighborhood with Cobb by his side making sure he's safe. "The second we take out the scooter, his tail starts wagging," she says. But Norman soon may be ready for some new wheels: He's learning to ride a bike!"

Article from: National Geographic Kids December 2011/January 2012 issue, p. 14, Amazing Animals section

Pic from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1364556/Norman-Briards-new-shaggy-dog-stories-takes-scooter-spin.html

Bark out the Facts!

Today's awesome fact is...

"An elderly woman was saved by her 12 pound Yorkshire Terrier who fought off an 80 pound Akita and survived with only 9 stitches."

Fact from: http://www.animalsneedhelp.com/2008/04/20/102-interesting-facts-about-dogs/

Bone Appetit!

Today's awesome dog recipe is the Luscious Lamb Dinner!

"Ingredients:

2 cup lamb (Chopped finely or ground)

1 cup rice (Brown or white cooked)

1 half carrot (Large, grated)

1/2 cups yogurt (Plain, whole fat or 2 %)

1 garlic clove (crushed)

1 tsp. ground Flaxseed

2 1/2 cups Water

Directions:

Cook the lamb by boiling in water with the garlic. Cook over a low heat, covered, until the lamb is tender. Cook the rice according to package directions, using the water that was used to cook the lamb. Mix lamb mixture, carrot, and flaxseed with the cooked rice. Mix in yogurt and serve after cooling."

Recipe from: http://www.thepoop.com/pooppantry/lamb_dinner.asp

Pic from: http://www.americastestkitchenfeed.com/test-kitchen-community/2011/11/food-and-friends-rack-of-lamb-dinner-in-boston/

• Sorry, not actual pic of recipe! Hopefully, it turns out a little like this :)

Crazy Dawgs!

"OOOOO!!! It's a sold out performance!"

Pic from: http://critteristic.com/dogs-and-puppies/peek-a-who/

Extreme K9s 101!

Today's extreme K9 is Boo, literally the cutest dog in the world!

"He has nearly two million fans and a book deal. But Boo isn't a reality

TV star, actor or a pop singer - he's a pet dog.

The five-year-old Pomeranian has the fame most celebrities dream of after amassing 1.79million fans on social networking site Facebook.

And Boo is also a hit with the ladies. He attracted the attention of Hollywood stars including Khloe Kardashian, who posted a picture of the dog on her blog last year and singer Ke$ha, who Tweeted that Boo was 'her new boyfriend.'

Since then, Boo's Facebook page, launched in 2009, has gone viral,

receiving thousands of

new fans a day.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2040461/Boo-Pomeranian-Worlds-cutest-dog-millions-Facebook-fans-book.html#ixzz1fEhb2kUn"

With his own book out and photos gone wild, Boo has definitely made an appearance in loads of people's lives!

Also check out this adorable vid of Boo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DryVmGDArTY#!

Article and pics from: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2040461/Boo-Pomeranian-Worlds-cutest-dog-millions-Facebook-fans-book.html\

Bark out the Facts!

Today's awesome fact is...

"Mosaics, meaning "Beware the Dog," would be found on doorsteps in ancient Roman cities."

Fact from: http://www.bio.davidson.edu/courses/anphys/2000/hatfield/hatfield8.htm

Pic from: http://www.dogsofpompeii.com/tour.php

Bone Appetit!

Today's rockin' dog recipe are Barkin' for Brownies!

"Ingredients:

1 1/4 lbs Beef liver or chicken liver

2 C Wheat germ

2 T Whole wh

eat flour

1 C Cooked barley

2 Whole eggs

3 T Peanut butter

1 Clove garlic

1 T Olive oil

1 t Salt (optional)

Directions:

Pre heat oven to 350.

Liquify liver and garlic clove in a blender, when its smooth add eggs and peanut butter. Blend till smooth.

In separate mixing bowl combine wheat germ, whole wheat flour, and cooked Barley. Add processed liver mixture, olive oil and salt. Mix well.

spread mixture in a greased 9x9 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or till done.

When cool cut into pieces that accommodate your doggies size.

Store in refrigerator or freezer."

Recipe from: http://www.thepoop.com/pooppantry/barkin_brownies.asp

(sorry no pic available)

Crazy Dawgs!

"I am not moving until my limo comes to pick me up!"

Pic from: http://critteristic.com/dogs-and-puppies/what-kind-of-face-will-i-make-today/

Atlases!

Atlas Terriers are the bomb. Now, check out some facts about them!

#1. "The Atlas Terrier is an off shoot of the Jack Russell Terrier, one difference being they can be solid in color. The Atlas Terrier can come in any color, including "merles" and "brindles", they can not have more that 15% of white, which will allow for a white collar, toes, facial blaze and chest. The Atlas Terrier comes in two coat varieties, smooth and wire."

#2. "Tail docking is optional as well, but an undocked tail must curl completely over the back and must fall below the body top line. A docked tail must be carried high above the body top line."

#3. "The skull is flat between the ears, then tapering."

#4. "Eyes are almond-shaped eyes, and can be solid, marbled or cracked with any of the following colors: Brown, Amber, Yellow, Green, Hazel, Cobalt, Glass."

#5. "The v-shaped ears fold forward."

#6. "The neck is strong well set, and of decent length, the body is tapering, with a "sleeve" like chest, the hind end is powerful, well angulated."

#7. "The coat is a thick, loose skinned and weather resistant, without a good coat a terrier is very susceptible to the elements, above and below ground."

#8. "The Atlas Terrier is a dog built for athleticism, speed, and flexibility."

#9. "A pliable chest is of utmost importance, any other will have difficulty functioning underground."

#10. "They are highly motivated, extremely willing, and incredibly intelligent."

#11. "Much like the Jack Russell, the Atlas Terrier is an outgoing, devilish, merry, devoted, and loving dog."

#12. "Spirited and obedient, yet absolutely fearless."

#13. "Careful and amusing, he enjoys games and playing with toys."

#14. "An Atlas terrier will enjoy playing with your children as long as the playing stays "friendly" and the dog does not start to fear for it's safety and or see himself above the kids in the pecking order."

#15. "They are extremely intelligent, and will enjoy trying to outsmart their owners at every turn, they will test the boundaries and push the limits, owners need to be on their toes."

#16. "Much to their delight, they will enjoy training their owners, but such can lead to tragic events if the owner can not safely keep this pooch under control."

#17. "This means staying the dog's calm, but firm, confident and consistent pack leader at all times. Do not allow this breed to take over your home or you will experience many behavior issues. Careful not to treat them as if they were little humans. Learn canine instincts and treat them accordingly."

#18. "The Atlas breed is less dominant than it's Jack Russell cousin, but can get into tiffs with other dogs if they are challenged."

#19. "Early socialization and an owner who displays natural authority can help suppress this behavior."

#20. "They have a high prey drive and small cute fuzzy critters will perk their interest. As the terrier mentally matures the hunting instinct will also grow, having potential victims as pets is best if they are kept separated."

#21. "They like to chase and explore EVERYTHING, Be careful not to let them off the lead unless they are very well-trained."

#22. "Atlas Terriers like to bark, dig, and chew, especially if bored, or ignored."

#23. "Atlas Terrier climb, which means they can climb over a fence, they also jump."

#24. "The RIGHT owner for an Atlas Terrier is capable of giving direction, knows how to set boundaries, and won't mind doing daily physical and mental exercise with the dog. Problems will arise if an owner does not provide the proper amount of exercise and or leadership."

#25. "Height: Toy 9-11 inches (23-28 cm.)

Weight: Toy 6-12 pounds 2.7-5.4 kg.)"

#26. "Height: Mini's 11-13 inches (28-33 cm.)

Weight: Mini's 10-15 pounds (4.6-6.9 kg.)"

#27. "Height: Standards 13-15 inches (33-38 cm.)

Weight: Standards 13-18 pounds (6-8 kg.)"

#28. "What makes the Atlas so special is the extreme controlled breeding program used to create this breed, all originating dogs used where health tested, as much as modernly possible and they were monitored well into their senior years as longevity was a concern as well. To this day no major health problems have been detected."

#29. "The Atlas Terrier will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are very active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. If the Atlas Terrier is kept in an apartment, the dog should have a person home with it during the day unless the dog is crate trained. Even then, the owner better expect to get some exercise or be pestered to death for belly rubs and tug of war games when he/she gets home."

#30. "Like the Jack Russell, the Atlas terrier will exercise, and amuse themselves in a yard, but without supervision their choice of activity my not be to your liking, they thrive on being your shot gun buddy and anywhere you go, they would like to be with you. They need to be taken on long daily walks. They excel in active sports, like agility, flyball, & racing. We like to say that a tired Atlas is a well exercised owner."

#31. "Life Expectancy: About 15 or more years."

#32. "The Atlas Terrier comes in two coat varieties, smooth and wire. Neither are high maintenance coats. Special grooming is not required on your wire coated dogs, unlike a Wire Fox Terrier, this coat is hard, and lays flat to the body. Routine brushing and combing and occasional bathing will keep them in good coat condition, and reduce shedding."

#33. "The Atlas Terrier is a by product of the Jack Russell Terrier, The JRT originated by crossing many terrier breeds together, the base breed being Fox Terrier, and The Old English White Terrier (now extinct), but other solid colored breeds such as Border Terrier, Lakelands, and Manchester where crossed in as well, The Parson himself kept a ole black and tan stud in his kennel, in the day of the Parson, many dogs used for breeding where based solely on their working ability, color and conformation where often given little consideration.

In our modern day society, very few dogs are used for the original tasked they where bred for, and breeding for "LOOKS" became the primary importance, with the standard for the JRT being a mostly solid white colored dog, dogs born of solid or excessive coloring where either culled at birth or given away as none breedable dogs.

The gene that causes the predominant white coloration does have it's price, and like other spotted white dog breeds, the JRT has become effected with deafness, it was out of this concern that the Atlas Terrier was born, it's solid coloration greatly reduces the chance of deafness."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/atlasterrier.htm

Deerhounds!

Scottish Deerhounds are so awesome so why don't you have a look at some facts about them!

#1. "The Scottish Deerhound is tall and slim appearing to be a rough-coated Greyhound, but

larger and bigger boned."

#2. "The head is flat and broad between the

ears."

#3. "The nose is black and sometimes blue on blue-fawn dogs."

#4. "The teeth meet in a level bite."

#5. "The eyes are dark, either brown, or hazel with black eye rims."

#6. "The ears are high set, folded back like a greyhound. When the dog gets excited the ears are half-perked."

#7. "The chest is deep not broad but not too narrow."

#8. "The front legs are straight."

#9. "The tail is long, carried low, almost touching the ground."

#10. "The wiry coat is 3-4 inch (7-10 cm.) longer and harsher on the body, neck, beard, mustache and mane and is shorter and softer on the head, chest and belly. Coat colors include shades of blue gray, gray, brindle and black, yellow and sandy red or red fawn, sometimes with black ears and muzzle. There is sometimes a little white on the chest, feet and tail."

#11. "The Scottish Deerhound is a gentle, well-mannered dog."

#12. "They are polite and affectionate."

#13. "Loving, friendly and excellent with children."

#14. "Very courageous and dignified, devoted and loyal, but they are not watch or guard dogs, for they just love everyone."

#15. "They need a firm, consistent, confident pack leader who knows how to display calm, but stern authority over the dog or they will be willful at times and slow to obey commands."

#16. "Although friendly with other dogs, they should not be trusted with non-canine pets."

#17. "Scottish Deerhounds are quiet and rarely ever bark."

#18. "Height: 28-32 inches (71-81 cm.)"

#19. "Weight: 75-110 pounds (34-50 kg.)"

#20. "The Scottish Deerhound is prone to bloat. It is wise to feed them 2 or 3 small meals a day rather then one big one. Avoid vigorous exercise right after the dog has eaten a big meal."

#21. "Scottish Deerhounds can do ok in an in apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors. If they are taken for walks they can live without a yard, but does best with a large fenced yard."

#22. "This is a very active breed who needs to be taken on a daily, long walk or jog, making an excellent jogging companion. Always keep in mind that they have an instinct to chase. Do not let them off lead in an unsafe area."

#23. "Life Expectancy: An average of under 10 years."

#24. "The harsh, wiry coat needs extensive grooming. Some trimming and stripping is required, but little skill is needed. This breed is an average shedder."

#25. "Closely related to the Greyhound, the Scottish Deerhound was once known as the Scotch Greyhound, Rough Greyhound and Highland Deerhound. In Scotland it became a district breed in the 16th and 17th centuries and was given the name Scottish Deerhound, and the rough coat was bred in to adapt to the rough climate. They were used as deer hunting dogs for Scottish tribes in the Middle Ages. They became known as the royal dog of Scotland and no one ranking below earl was permitted to own one. Queen Victoria and Sir Walter Scott owned Scottish Deerhounds. With their strict ownership rules the dogs were not very populated in number and took an even harder hit almost to extinction when man invented the gun and the dogs were no longer needed to bring down deer. Two brothers by the name of Archibald and Duncan McNeill saved the breed in the 1800s when they started a breeding program. Once again in Britain during World War II, like many breeds the dogs fell very low in numbers. It was very difficult to feed the large dogs, and many people destroyed them for food. Along with their great sight, the Scottish Deerhound also has a very fine sense of smell. Some of the Deerhounds talents include: hunting, sighting, tracking, racing, agility and lure coursing."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/scottishdeerhound.htm

Irish Wolfhounds!

Irish Wolfhounds are so cool so why don't you have a look at some facts about them!

#1. "The Irish Wolfhound is a giant sized dog, one of the tallest breeds in the world, reaching the size of a small pony."

#2. "The head is long and the skull is not too broad."

#3. "The small ears are carried back against the head when the dog is relaxed and part way pricked when the dog is excited."

#4. "The neck is long, strong and well arched."

#5. "The chest is wide and deep."

#6. "The long tail hangs down and is slightly curved."

#7. "The legs are long and strong."

#8. "The feet are round, with well arched toes."

#9. "The wiry, shaggy coat is rough to the touch on the head, body and legs and longer over the eyes and under the jaw. Coat colors include gray, brindle, red, black, pure white or fawn, with gray being the most common."

#10. "Irish Wolfhounds are sweet-tempered, patient, kind, thoughtful and very intelligent."

#11. "Excellent and can be trusted with children."

#12. "Willing and eager to please, they are unconditionally loyal to their owner and family."

#13. "They tend to greet everyone as a friend, so do not count on them being a watch dog, but may be a deterrent simply due to its size."

#14. "This giant breed can be clumsy and are slow to mature in both body and mind, taking about two years before they are full grown. However, they grow rapidly and high-quality food is essential."

#15. "While it is important to take a growing pup for daily walks for their mental well being, hard exercise should not be forced and may be too taxing for this dog's body when it is young. Teach it not to pull on its leash before it gets too strong."

#16. "The Irish Wolfhound is relatively easy to train."

#17. "It responds well to firm, but gentle, consistent, leadership. This approach with plenty of canine understanding will go a long way because this dog quickly grasps what you intend."

#18. "Make sure the young dog is given as much self-confidence as possible and that you are always consistent with it, so that it grows into an equable, confident dog."

#19. "This calm dog gets along well with other dogs. This is also true with other animals."

#20. "Height: 28-35 inches (71-90 cm.)"

#21. "Weight: 90-150 pounds (40-69 kg.)"

#22. "The Irish Wolfhound can reach up to 7 feet tall when standing on his hind legs."

#23. "Prone to cardiomyopathy, bone cancer, bloat, PRA, Von Willebrands, and hip dysplasia."

#24. "The Irish Wolfhound is not recommended for apartment life. They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. This is a giant breed that needs some space. They may not fit well in a small compact car."

#25. "They need to be part of the family and would be very unhappy in a kennel. Being sighthounds, they will chase and so need a secure, fenced area for exercise."

#26. "These giant dogs need lots of space to run, but do not need any more exercise than smaller breeds. They need a daily walk where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the human holding the lead. Never in front. Like many other giant breeds it is important to remember that too much forced, vigorous exercise is not good for a young dog's growth and development, so watch your puppy for any signs, but they still instinctually need a daily walk."

#27. "Life Expectancy: About 6-8 years."

#28. "The rough, medium-length coat needs regular and thorough grooming with a brush and comb. This with keep the coat in good condition. About once or twice a year pluck the coat to remove excess dead hair. This breed is an average shedder."

#29. "The Irish Wolfhound's name originates from is use as a wolf hunter, and not from its appearance. This is a very old breed with Roman records dating as far back as 391 AD. They were used in wars, and for guarding herds and property and for hunting Irish elk, deer, boar, and wolves. They were held in such high esteem that battles were fought over them. Irish Wolfhounds were often given as royal presents. Boar and wolf became extinct in Ireland and as a result the Irish Wolfhound declined in population. A British army officer by the name of Captain George Graham bred them in the second half of the 19th century. The breed was restored by the introduction of Great Dane and Deerhound blood. The Irish Wolfhound Club was founded in 1885 and it was recognized by the AKC in 1897. In 1902 a hound was first presented to the Irish Guards as a mascot. It was recognized by the Kennel Club as a sporting breed in 1925. The Irish Wolfhound Society was founded in 1981."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/irishwolfhound.htm

Danes!

Great Danes are so awesome so why don't you have a look at some cool facts about them!

#1. "The Great Dane is a giant, powerful dog."

#2. "Square in body, but females may be slightly longer than tall."

#3. "The long head is rectangular in shape."

#4. "The nose is black, blue/black on blue Danes or black spotted on the harlequins."

#5. "The dark, deep-set eyes are medium in size."

#6. "The medium sized ears are set high and either cropped or left natural. If left in their natural state they are folded forward hanging close to the cheek. When cropped they stand erect and are large in proportion to the rest of the head."

#7. "The well arched neck is set-high, firm and muscular."

#8. "The front legs are perfectly straight."

#9. "The feet are round with dark toenails."

#10. "The tail is set high, thicker at the base and tapering to a point."

#11. "The coat is short and thick. Colors come in brindle, fawn, black, blue, mantle harlequin and sometimes merle. Although not a recognized color, chocolate does occur in a recessive gene. Merle is a common result of harlequin breeding, but it is not a recognized color."

#12. "The Great Dane has a good disposition, often called a "gentle giant"."

#13. "Charming and affectionate, they are playful and patient with children."

#14. "They love everyone and need to be around people."

#15. "The Great Dane does not bark much and only becomes aggressive when the circumstances require it."

#16. "They are reliable, trustworthy and dependable."

#17. "Courageous and loyal, they are good watchdogs."

#18. "The Great Dane does not stay little for long and consistent training and rules should start right from puppyhood."

#19. "This giant dog should be taught not to jump or lean on people."

#20. "The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success."

#21. "Dogs who know their place below humans in the pack order will be good with children."

#22. "If you are not a firm, confident, consistent pack leader who knows how to correct the dog when he is showing signs of aggression, the dog can be dog-aggressive. Owners who know how to properly handle their dogs will not have this issue."

#23. "Height: Dogs 30-34 inches (76-86 cm.)

Bitches 28-32 inches (71-81 cm.)"

#24. "Weight: Dogs 120-200 pounds (54-90 kg.)

Bitches 100-130 pounds (45-59 kg.)"

"Note: Dogs of even larger size are more prized."

#25. "Prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, heart disease, tumors and tail injuries. Jogging is not recommended until the dog is at least one year old, but walking is necessary. Not a long lived breed."

#26. "The Great Dane will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and does best with at least a large yard."

#27. "The Great Dane needs plenty of exercise. They need to be taken on a daily long walk."

#28. "Life Expectancy: The average is under 10 years, however some can live to be 12-13 years old."

#29. "The smooth short-haired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and dry shampoo when necessary. Bathing this giant is a major chore, so it pays to avoid the need by daily grooming. The nails must be kept trimmed. This breed is an average shedder."

#30. "The Great Dane is a very old breed, known as the "Apollo of all dogs.". Dogs resembling the Great Dane have appeared on Greek money dating back to 36 B.C. There are also drawling's of these dogs on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. The earliest writings of dogs that sounded like Great Danes were in Chinese literature dating back to 1121 B.C. In 407 A.D. German Gaul and part of Italy and Spain were invaded by an Asiatic people (the Alans) who brought with them powerful mastiff-like dogs. They were admired for their ability to bring down bear and wild boar. The dogs were thought to have been Wolfhound mixed with the old English Mastiff. With selective breeding the Greyhound was added in to create the Great Dane. Besides being used as a hunter, they were also used as estate guard dogs. Despite the fact that they are called Danes in English, they have nothing to do with Denmark. The Great Dane was recognized in 1887. Some of the Great Dane's talents are tracking, watchdog and carting."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/greatdane.htm

Argentinos!

Dogo Argentinos are so cool so why don't you have a look at some facts about them!

#1. "The Dogo Argentino is also called the Argentinian Mastiff or Argentine Dogo."

#2. "It is a large, well muscled dog."

#3. "The deep-set chest is wide."

#4. "There is an abundance of skin on the muscular neck."

#5. "The head is massive with a rounded shape from front to the back."

#6. "The jaws are strong."

#7. "The teeth should meet in a scissors bite."

#8. "The nose is black."

#9. "The eyes are set well apart, and are dark brown, light brown or hazel in color. The rims of the eyes should be pink or black."

#10. "The ears are set high and are usually cropped to make them stand erect, and triangular in shape."

#11. "The thighs are very muscular with a short hock."

#12. "The thick tail is long and carried naturally low reaching the hock."

#13. "The thick, glossy coat is white and has no undercoat. While not accepted in all clubs, sometimes the Dogo Argentino can have a black spot on the head known as "pirata". This trait in the Dogo´s coat is accepted by Federacion Cinologica Argentina."

#14. "The Argentine Dogo is a loyal dog who makes a great guardian of the home and family."

#15. "Playful and very good with children, giving kisses and cuddling."

#16. "Highly intelligent and powerful, Dogos are easy to train if you are consistent, using loving but firm authority."

#17. "The Argentine Dogo is not a breed for everyone. With the right owners even the more dominant Dogos can be submissive towards all humans and other animals. This breed needs someone who understands how to display leadership. Humans who are firm, confident, and consistent, this breed needs rules he must follow and limits to what he is and is not allowed to do. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. When you put this breed with a meek or passive owner, problems may arise as the dog will feel he needs to, "save his pack" and run the show."

#18. "Adult Dogos can be aggressive with other dogs however, the Dogo does not usually provoke the confrontation but may if he senses another dog who is unstable."

#19. "The breed needs an owner who can tell the Dogo it is not his job to put another dog in his place."

#20. "They are good with other pets if they are raised with them from puppyhood."

#21. "This white mastiff needs early socialization with other animals."

#22. "It also requires early obedience training."

#23. "Height: 24-27 inches (61- 69cm.)"

#24. "Weight: 80-100 pounds (36- 45kg.)"

#25. "This breed will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised and does best with at least an average-sized yard. Be sure to bring the Dogo inside when temperatures drop below freezing."

#26. "Give this dog plenty of exercise. They need to be taken on a daily, long walk or jog."

#27. "Life Expectancy: About 10-12 years."

#28. "The single white coat is very easy to care for. Brush occasionally. Keep nails trimmed. They have no doggy odor. This breed is an average shedder."

#29. "In the 1920's the Argentine Dogo was developed in Argentina by two Argentinians, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez and his brother Agustin. The brothers wanted an ideal companion dog that was also a good pack hunter and guardian. The breeds that were used in the development were the Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Pointer, Great Dane, Dogue de Bordeaux, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Bulldog, Bull Terrier and a now extinct mastiff-type breed called the Dog of Cordoba. The result was a bullish, fearless hunter who also had great stamina. The white coat deflected the heat rather than absorb it. Unfortunately the breed earned a bad reputation in Britain when people started using the dogs for dog fighting, which is an activity still popular in many parts of South America and elsewhere. Rather than go after the dog fighters Britain has enacted a national legislation to control dogs in public. The Dangerous Dogs Act which came about in 1991 totally bans the three breeds Fila Brazileiro, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa. A fourth breed, the American Pit Bull Terrier, is allowed but is heavily restricted. The dogs must be registered, neutered, tattooed, microchipped and owners have to carry insurance. The dog cannot be bred or imported and when in public it must be muzzled, leashed and handled by a person over 16 years of age at all times. This is a real shame. When properly raised these are all great dogs. A dog is what the master makes of it. Not all breeds are for everyone. People teach these dogs to fight giving them a bad name. Banning the breed is not the way to solve the problem. Some of the Argentine Dogo's talents are hunting, tracking, watchdog, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, military work, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, and schutzhund."

Info and pics from: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dogo.htm