Sunday, August 28, 2022
Staffordshire Terrier: The Bully and Strong Dog
The Staffordshire bulls are known for their great strength because of their sizes. Their variety is muscular and stocky but is also known for their agility. Surprisingly, this breed is one of the two breeds recognized by the UK Kennel Club as very suitable for children. Furthermore, their types ranked 5th when it comes to dog popularity in the UK, where the breed originated. Interestingly, Staffies are the only breed of dog that are "totally reliable" when it comes to standard of breed.
The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Staffies:
Category: Terrier
Living Environment: either indoors or outdoors
Coat: smooth (or silky like most terriers), dense, and short
Colors: black, brindle, red, blue, fawn; or any of these colors mixed with white
Height: between 14 and 16 inches
Weight: between 24 and 38 pounds
Colors: brindle, blue, black, red, fawn, white; or any of these with white
Temperament: aggressive towards other animals but very friendly with children
Health Issues: heat stroke, cataracts, and breathing problems
Care and Exercise Tips:
• Bathe when necessary.
• Brush their coat only occasionally using a brush with firm bristles.
• Rub down their coat with a chamois or towel to remove hairs that are loose.
• Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time while on a leash.
• They should be on leash while walking in public places.
Origin/History:
The Staffordshire bull terriers, also known as the Staffies, are known to have existed around the 17th century. Since dog fighting gained a surge of popularity over bull baiting, it became a must to develop a breed of dog that is agile, strong, and has a more punishing head than the Bulldog.
In this light, fighting Bulldogs of that time were crossed with some terrier blood. The hybrid was known as the Pit Dog or the Bull and Terrier. The new cross breed became well known for their tenacity and courage, and despite their reputation of being furious with other animals they were excellent companions especially with children.
The Staffie pit dog became a favorite of steelworkers and miners alike. The breed also provided chain makers of the "Black Country" with extra income when worked against ratters or badgers.
The enforcement of the Humane Act in 1835 completely prohibited sports like dog fighting and bull baiting. However, a group of men in the Staffordshire chose to maintain their breed of dogs by introducing them to the show business.
Through the years, the breeders themselves changed the name of the dog into Staffordshire bull terrier to differentiate its physique from the English bull terrier. However, the name of the dog was officially registered only in 1935 by the American Kennel Club.
In 1938, a couple of Staffies gained popularity as Champions at the Birmingham National. The popularity of Ch. Lady Eve and were Ch. Gentleman Jim reached many established countries including France, Australia, Germany, Spain, Holland and even the USA. Since then, Staffies became successful as show dogs and were very popular as compared to other terriers.
The Stafford bull terrier, yes, has become a popular pet while still retaining reputations gained through generations of fighting dogs bred for tenacity, courage, agility, and most importantly, its reliability and great affinity with people especially with children.
And today you can say that the bull is not so bully after all! In fact, the bull is totally reliable as children's pets.
Friday, August 19, 2022
West Highland White Terrier
At around 1700s, the Isle of Skye and other highlands in Scotland were already producing lots of small terriers. Scottish breeds were separated into two: the Skye terriers and the Dandie Dinmont terriers.
The Dandie Dinmonts were categorized as a separate breed. The Skyes included the Scotties, the Cairns and the West highland white terriers or the Westies.
It was also noted that these terriers were the hybrids among the crossed Cairns, Scottish, and Dandies terriers. One could assume that the hybrid would really be loyal and its hunting instincts could not be belittled. In fact, many royalties in Scotland owned terriers that were very similar to the Westies of today.
Another remarkable story is about a Westie that stopped a mother from constantly yelling at her daughter. Every time the mother would yell at her teenage daughter, the Westie would attack the mother. The aggression of the dog got worse over the years that resulted in the mother's complete inability to scold her teenager.
It turned out that the girl was actually rewarding the dog for his protection by calming and soothing him down after every "threat" from her mother. Many would perceive that the daughter was able to help her mother to change her ways when in fact she was helping herself by rewarding the dog for its behavior.
The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Westies:
Category: Terrier
Living Environment: indoors (highly recommended); outdoors (fenced yard)
Coat: about two-inch coarse and wiry outer coat and soft, dense, and furry undercoat
Color: white
Height: between 10 and 12 inches
Weight: between 13 and 22 pounds
Temperament:
Naturally,
• they like to bark and dig
• they are not as willful like most terriers
• they love companionship
When properly trained
• they can become fairly friendly towards strangers
• they develop close affinity with behaved children
• they love to chase cats but they do not hurt them
• they can become a very good watch dog
• they can become very lively
Breeders should note of the following health issues:
• Chronic skin problems
• Perthe's disease (hip problems)
• Jawbone calcification
• Cranio mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw)
• Patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap
• Liver ailments
• Deafness
• Congenital heart disease
Care and Exercise:
• Their coat should be brushed regularly using a brush with stiff bristles.
• They should bathe only when necessary.
• Their whole coat should be stripped at least twice a year and trimmed every four months.
• The fur on the eyes and ears should be trimmed using blunt-nose mirrors.
• They will surely be more agile and healthy after regular sessions of play and/or walk.
Origin/History:
As noted, they share the same lineage with Cairns and Scotties (from Skye terriers), and even with the Dandies. This trio was developed in the Isle of Skye, which was one of the highlands in Scotland. It was noted that white whelps were chosen from the wiry-coated Cairns, Scotties, and Dandies to produce the variety that were known as Poltalloch terriers.
Following are some items in the history that show the Westies' reputation of being owners' favorite companion dogs.
Records in the history mentioned that around 1620, King James 1 of England requested some small white dogs from Argyleshire in Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was considered as the originator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very similar to the Westies of today, accidentally shot his terrier (a dark one). From then on he vowed to have only white terriers.
In the 19th century, terriers that were very similar to the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honor of Duke of Argyll's interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.
In the first-ever dog show that were organized in the late 1800s, the Westies were called as White Scottish terriers. In 1904, they were classified under the name West Highland White terriers.
During the mid-1900s, breeders of the Cairns in Argyll, Scotland selected white puppies from the stock and interbreed some to obtain white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies' lineage.
We can say the history repeats itself for this delightful terrier is now mostly a favorite companion dog of many households.
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Scottish Terrier: Stylish and Reserved
The Stylish and Reserved Dog: Scottish Terrier
The Scottish terriers, also known as Scotties, are short-legged British terriers. They are one among other go-to-ground and wire-coated terriers developed in the highlands of Scotland. The Scotties are said to have jaunty attitude so they are often used to represent advertisements of the country to where they originated.
However, Scotties' nature is not in coherence with their public image or trademark. In fact, Scotties are like the citizens of his native land who are independent, stoic, and fiercely loyal to their masters. They also adhere much to their own privacy.
Scotties, Westies, and Cairns are very similar regarding their appearance. The Westies and the Cairns are, in fact, closely-related. The Westie can be considered as the white variety of the Cairn who has a coat of any color but white. Westies are hybrids of white dogs crossed with Cairns of western Scotland. Scotties, however, have longer heads and bodies, have generally dark coats and are aloof than the other two.
The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Scotties:
Category: Terrier
Living Environment: either outdoor or indoor (mostly preferred by breeders)
Coat: wiry, short (about 2 inches) and thick
Colors: iron gray or steel, black, wheaten, or sandy; the coat may also be brindled or grizzled
Height: about 10 inches
Weight: between 18 and 20 pounds
Temperament: they need to be praised frequently and they adapt with the moods of the household
Breeders should note of the following health issues:
• Von Willibrand's disease (VWD), an inherited disorder
• Flea allergies and other skin problems
• Epilepsy
• Jawbone disorders
• Scottie cramp, a minor condition that causes walking difficulties
• Cerebellar abiotrophy, a slow-to-progress and rare neurological disease that causes loss of coordination
Care and Exercise:
• Their coats need special care to maintain its appearance and texture. It is suggested that they should be subjected to professional grooming once or twice each year for their coats to stay wiry and firm.
• The fur needs to be combed a couple of times in each week and even needs occasional trimming.
• Scotties' dead hairs should be plucked out through stripping. Using electric clippers will only make their coats dull and soft.
• Play with them. Hunting and squeaky balls and toys are their favorites.
• They should be on leash while walking in public places.
Origin/History:
The origins of the breed are obscure. It was noted that forerunners of Scotties were sent to France's Royal Highness by King James I of England during the 16th century. Later on, three different terriers were revealed as Scotch Terriers, which included the Westies, the Cairns, and the Scotties. The Dandie Dinmont variety had also been noted as closely-related to the abovementioned terriers but its apparent physical differences categorized itself as a separate breed.
Terrier dogs that were bred in Britain were developed to hunt vermin that ate grains, and pestered eggs and poultry farms. Most breeds grew as scrappy and courageous dogs and were trained to follow badgers or foxes into their dens. Their wiry coats and soft undercoats protected them against rugged terrains and harsh climates.
If you want to have a Scottie in your life, you should not be impulsive about the matter for animosity and lack of proper training will only harm and traumatize the dog. If properly taken cared of, this breed can even appoint itself as a guardian of the family. It can also be fiercely loyal, that is it can protect you even if it means endangering its own life.
To this effect, I guess you must agree that a Scottie is a dog that is second to none.
Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Wheaten Terrier
The Playful and Versatile Dog: Wheaten Terrier
Like most terriers, the Wheaten terriers, or simply called as Wheatens, were originally bred as hunters. Therefore, their physique naturally evolved as strong and healthy. Their hunting instincts have made them agile and alert as most terriers are. However, this breed is more stable and steady as compared to most terriers as they were used as by Irish farmers as all-purpose dogs.
Among the activities that molded their instincts and physical features were herding cattle and sheep, vermin terminators, hunting both in water and on land, and serving as watch dogs that deterred trespassers.
The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about Wheatens:
Category: Terrier
Living Environment: indoors (highly recommended); outdoors (fenced yard)
Coat: single coat, medium length, silky and soft, wavy
Colors: born to have black coats but at the age of two, their coats lighten to achieve the
color of wheat grains
Height: between 17 and 20 inches
Weight: between 30 and 45 pounds
Temperament:
Naturally,
• they rarely bark especially when it is unnecessary to do so
• they immediately reflect the moods of their household or those around them.
• their type requires a great deal of commitment and effort in training them so they should not be given to novice breeders and/or owners
If trained properly, they
• are generally happy and friendly
• are easy-going, confident, and deeply dedicated to their family's security
• can get along well with older children and other animals that have been raised with them or are living within the same household
Breeders should note of the following health issues:
• Flea allergies
• Addison's disease
• Heat stroke
• PLN and PLE
Care and Exercise:
• They require daily combing to prevent their wavy and thick coat from tangling.
• They should undergo trimming by professionals at least four times each year.
• Dry shampooing or even bathing should be done only when it is necessary.
• Eyes and ears should be checked and cleaned on a regular basis.
• They should be brought along with family activities such as play sessions, hiking, picnic, and even walking.
Origin/History:
The soft coated breed of terriers, shortly called as Wheatens, originated from Ireland. The date of their existence was obscure but many assumed that their breeds were one of the oldest among other Irish varieties. They were molded as herders, farm dogs, and hunters and terminators of vermin, like the Cairns of Scotland.
From Ireland, they were brought to the US in the year 1946. Slowly they gained popularity as pets and as entertainers. However, the extraordinary appeal of this breed to the Americans at present would not be possible if Patrick Blake did not save its lineage from extinction in1932. They were registered by the American Kennel Club in the year 1973.
Though their types have hunter instincts, they can get along well with older children and other animals within the household through proper training and attention. Like most terriers, they easily develop close affinity with family members so they normally appoint themselves as watch or guard dogs.
For professional breeders, why not appoint them as well as your pet especially when you are looking for a playful yet reliable companion and guard dog? To this effect, you can say that what you own is one heck of a dog—a dog that can work and play as well!
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Boston Terrier Dog
Boston “Bull” Terrier Dog
The Boston terrier is a well-muscled and compact breed. This is not really surprising since the Boston terrier was first bred by people who wanted to use them in dog fights. Now some people may read all sorts of implications from such a violent past. Some people might think that the Boston terrier dog would make a bad pet because of its aggressive nature. However, you should know that as a pet, the Boston terrier can actually be pretty mild mannered.
The temperament of the Boston terrier can be described as enthusiastic as it often loves to play. Most people comment that the Boston terrier actually has a great sense of humor. Another characteristic that people find delightful with this breed is the fact that they are intelligent and are very much easily trained. This fact is also enhanced by the dog’s natural curiosity and love for learning.
Of course, people who own pets know the importance of training. Having a well-behaved pet increases the enjoyment for you both. Having a well-behaved pet means that you can have more fun with that pet.
One thing that owners have noticed with a Boston terrier is the fact that it can be very sensitive to the tone of a person’s voice. This may be described as a sort of emotion detector. Because of this sensitivity to the tone, a Boston terrier will be able to respond to how you are feeling when you are talking. This means, however, that you need to take care when training your dog. You need to make sure that anger and frustration do not find their way into your voice.
They also make excellent watchdogs as they do not bark indiscriminately. This means that you won’t wake up in the middle of the night because your Boston terrier saw a butterfly. There are some cases, though, when a Boston terrier will not bark at all.
Regarding the living conditions, Boston terriers can do well enough without a yard as long as they get regular exercise. This means that they are suitable for apartment living. However, you should also know that they are very sensitive to the extremes of weather. This means that you should keep it in a place that’s neither too hot nor too cold.
