Apples and Oranges

Photo: www.integratorsacademy.com

I have been asked to clarify the difference between working and show line dogs. I would be happy to! I will use Dobermans as my example, because they are "my" breed :-) I have often said that the two dogs are so different that they might as well be separate breeds and that's true. They should both be love bugs with their families, stable and safe (especially applies to working line, for reasons you will see!), and neither of them should be inherently aggressive. They bear some resemblance to each other too, of course, but that's where the similarities end. Once upon a time, Dobermans had a well-earned reputation for fierceness. Even the show-dog Ferry had such a bad reputation that no judge would touch him. Sadly, he was eventually killed in self-defense by a kennel hand. Breeders subsequently decided that stability and at least some degree of tractability were important assets, and today's Doberman, both show and working lines, reflect that emphasis. In my experience, Dobermans are some of the kindest (if the most cheeky!) dogs out there.

I like nice examples of both working and show lines, so my intent here isn't to show a preference for one or the other (though Murph is primarily of the "working" variety) but merely to highlight the difference. I think the best way to do that is through videos. The first video shows a well-know and quite lovely show Doberman named CJ strutting it out in the ring. CJ will show you a great of example of a show line dog, doing what show line dogs are bred to do:

She's really quite a beautiful dog!

The next video will show a working line dog doing what working line dogs were bred to do. Because so few people understand Schutzhund, I feel like I have to qualify a few things first. This isn't a mean sport where dogs are forced to attack people and become dangerous. Quite the opposite. For the dogs, this is a fun game that they've learned through careful training (about 95%  or more +R, btw) over many months to a few years. Schutzhund trainers are some of the best in the world, and their dogs are almost always beloved family pets. The dogs aren't "attacking a person", they are going for the sleeve which they've come to know as a reward for obedience. The high prey drive inherent in these dogs means that a toy is often more of a reward than food. The stick is NOT for hitting the dog, but is known as a "clatter stick". It is usually hollow bamboo slit lengthwise, and its intention is to make a lot of noise. The example I'm going to show is the "protection" phase of competition, but know that a Schutzhund-trained dog is also highly proficient in obedience and in tracking. I don't know the woman or the dog in the following video, but I chose it because the pair of them approximate Murphy and I proportionally (I think Murph might be a smidge taller), the dog looks a lot like Murph's dad, and his gormy mannerisms are very "Murph like" :-) Please take note of the amazing obedience on this dog, despite his obvious power and energy:

 As you can see, they are very, very different animals, each having a very different mindset and impact on the world around them. Comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges (ergo the title of this post, lol).  I hope this helps, and feel free to ask questions!

Feelin' hot, hot, hot...

Swamp cooler from Ruffwear

We're having a heat wave, or so it would seem. We have been fortunate here in the Northeast; while it has been hotter than is usual for this time of year, it hasn't been horrid. In other parts of the country though, folks haven't been so lucky. Heat can be difficult to escape. It isn't like the cold when you can just layer up or hunker down inside. There are only so many layers you can remove (or should remove), and even if it were legal to run around "layer-less", it would still be hot. And it's not just too hot for people. Animals can suffer terribly in the heat too.

I have been working on tweaking my "hot-weather dog-survival" system for many years and I think I have it down. Maybe there is more tweaking on the horizon, but I feel I have a system that works. If it works for a service dog (who doesn't always have the option of just avoiding the outside) then I suspect it could be helpful for pets too. I'll start with a couple of "Don'ts":

1) DON'T SHAVE YOUR DOG. Having a coat in the summer is NOT the equivalent of "wearing a fur coat" to us. We sweat through our skin. Covering our skin makes it near impossible for us to cool down. A dog's coat insulates...against the heat as well as the cold. They do not sweat through their skin, so having a coat does not prevent them from cooling. There is also some evidence that shaving a dog can stress the thyroid (Google shaved dogs and thyroid, but here's a link to start: leerburg.com/webboard ). It's literally and figuratively not cool.

The other big "Don't" is:

2) DON'T WET DOWN THE WHOLE DOG. Water in the coat can actually trap heat next to the skin. Wetting down the dog's chest/belly/paws will do much more to cool them off than wetting the whole body. The exception here, is a dog that has access to a pool or lake (or ocean). Being immersed in cool water for a period of time can be very cooling, unlike getting wet and then hanging about with a wet coat.

While we are on the subject of how dogs keep cool, I would feel negligent if I didn't point out that dogs absolutely need to be able to pant. I realize that sounds like a big ol' "duh", but I have seen an alarming number of dogs being walked in fabric muzzles (or leather ones that fit like fabric) and that's something that should NEVER happen. The only type of muzzle that is suitable for exercise is a properly fitted basket muzzle. They still prevent biting, but they also allow the dog to breathe and pant and drink. Fabric muzzles hold the dog's mouth closed. It is the equivalent of us wearing a garbage bag in the sun. These muzzles were never intended for use while exercising, but only for very short-term use like at the vet's office or at the groomer's. Okay, moving along now...

Here is my list of "Do's" with a few product recommendations thrown in for good measure:-)

1) Do exercise your dog early in the morning or late in the evening on a hot day. I get up very early some days because mornings just work best for us. Not only has the sun not baked everything yet, but it's less buggy and I get the park almost to myself.

2) Bring cool water for your dog, always. I am still surprised by how eager my dog is to drink cool water when we are out and about. He is a raw-fed dog, so at home he really doesn't drink much. When we are out on a hot day though, he will drink a LOT. I always carry a water bottle for him, either in a sling or a back pack, and I always fill it with ice. My favorite water bottle is this one: H2O4K9 I like their sling too.

3) Take plenty of breaks in the shade. I try to avoid being out during the hottest part of the day, but if I need to (and consequently my dog does too) I try to get some place where there is air conditioning, or to at least find a cool spot to relax a bit.

4) Cool-down coats DO help! You can wet down the coat so your dog gets the benefit of evaporative cooling without having water in his/her coat. It's important to note here that they tend to work better when they are damp, not so much when they are dripping wet. I have two of them for different reasons. I keep this one: Oaisis Cooling Coat in my back-pack because it's super light-weight and works well under Murphy's working harness. I have also found that its slightly reflective fabric helps a bit even when it's dry. At the very least it seems to prevent the hot sun from soaking into Murphy's black coat. The other cool coat that I really like is this one: Ruffwear Swamp Cooler , which I consider the 'big gun'. This is the one I take to Florida with us when we go. I soak it, I wring it out and I clip Murphy's ID right to it and use it alone (we exercise on the beach in Florida where I'm not likely to need his harness). I'm always amazed by how cool it feels underneath!

5) Be mindful of hot pavement! It gets really hot, really fast. Teach your dog to wear boots ( help here: Training a Dog to Wear Booties ), and then use them if they need to be on pavement on a hot day. Your dog's paw pads can literally cook on the tarmac, so either use boots or avoid it altogether. I like these: Ruffwear Grip Trex boots  because they fit my dog well, have soles that are thick enough to insulate against the heat and because I could buy them individually for the same price as a full set (that's a very convenient policy if your dog is like mine and has rear paws and front paws that are different sizes). Because your dog also sweats through his or her paws, make sure to take the boots off periodically if you're out for any length of time. During your "break in the shade" is the perfect time to let paws breathe:-)

6) Dogs need eye protection too! As much as your eyes appreciate the UV protection of a good pair of sunglasses, so would your dog's eyes. If I am out for the day with my dog and I need sunglasses, I make sure to afford him the same care. I have found these: Doggles  to be both readily accepted, and to stay put. They block UV's, they are shatterproof and they don't fog. They are an affordable solution to damaging UV rays.

7) Put sunblock on the pink spots. I have a black dog now so it's not a concern, but I used to have a dog with a big, pink spot on the top of his nose. Because the hair was so sparse in that area, it was quite prone to sunburn. I made sure to put a good sunblock on it, and it did the trick. No more sun burn:-) Dogs have skin too, so if you see any pink, make sure to protect it:-)

8) Home management. Make sure there is a place for your dog to escape the heat at home. I have air conditioning because I am a wuss and I like a temperate environment; Murphy sure appreciates that too. At the very least, keep a room shaded, keep the air moving and throw a few ice cubes in the drinking water. There are cool beds and cool mats on the market too. I have never used them so I can't make any personal recommendations, but if you have experience with them, feel free to comment! They seem like a great idea. I know a lot of folks who use kiddie-pools too, and their dogs seem to enjoy them a great deal. Keep them clean, keep the water cool and make sure your dog has a place in the shade to dry off and they are a GREAT way to beat the heat.

And of course it goes without saying: NEVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A PARKED CAR IN THE SUMMER. Even if you leave the car running with the AC on, a car can stall. I know of more than one police dog who lost their life that way. Even with all the windows open, the car can still be hot as Hades. DON'T DO IT. Leave your dog at home if you can't take him out of the car with you. Don't stop and run an errand "just for a minute"; run your errands another time. NO DOGS LEFT IN CARS. PERIOD. Okay, sermon over:-P

If you have any other cool ideas to help your dog enjoy the summer and beat the heat, please feel free to share!

Canine Eugenics

   Okay, I only kinda sorta wanted to write this, but I was asked for my opinion and I can't resist an opportunity to hop on my soap box. There HAS to be a venue for my soap box, right? The question was: "Considering your preference for purebreds, what do you think of the whole 'situation' around the conformation ring and the breeding of purebred dogs that are potentially unhealthy?"

How's that for a loaded question! And as always, I DO have an opinion on the subject:-)

   As to the first part of the question: YES, I do prefer purebreds. I prefer them because in spite of individual character, there are consistent breed traits, so I know to a reasonable degree what I am dealing with. I also know what to look for in terms of health. If I buy a purebred puppy (from a reputable, ethical breeder) I can do so armed with the facts about that breed's health risks, and I can see verification of the appropriate health tests done on the parents. If that information isn't available, then that's not a place I would ever spend my money, regardless of how many titles a dog's parents have. If I am adopting from a breed-specific rescue, they often will do the appropriate tests as well. This is an even better option for many because the dog's adult temperament is already in evidence and it's much easier to find the right new friend for you. Either way, while there is never a guarantee where a living being is concerned, I know that if I do my homework, I can at least stack the deck in my favor.

   There is this notion that mixed-breed dogs tend to be healthier. I didn't do any research on this personally so I can't say it's true or it's not. Many folks say it is, and I do believe it. For one, mixed breeds are generally not the result of in-breeding or line-breeding. Despite what some breeders say, I will probably never think that in-breeding is okay. While it may be the quickest way to 'fix' a desirable characteristic, it is also the fastest way to emphasize health problems. Check out what happened to the Hapsburg Dynasty. I mean really; common sense should prevail here, but it doesn't. Even so, two of the unhealthiest dogs I've ever met were mixed breeds. The first has had two knee surgeries due to congenital deformities, and has severe hip displaysia that is likely to result in at least one more surgery. The knee surgeries occurred before she was four years old. The second was just sick for the better part of a year after adoption. He had a persistent parasite load, chronic kennel cough and gastrointestinal problems that just kept randomly occurring. He is the shiny picture of health now, but it takes a lot of management and took a long time and a lot of money to get him there. I don't have the resources for those kinds of surprises; I don't have the house to mortgage to pay for multiple surgeries. It colors the way I think about acquiring a new canine friend.

   It could be argued that those things could occur with a purebred. Absolutely true. Especially if all you are looking for is papers or titled parents. This is where I would like to stress my main point which is: REGISTRATION PAPERS DON'T MEAN "QUALITY". All they mean is that both parents are purebreds. All those puppies coming from puppy mills are registered purebreds. It means nothing. The other point is: TITLED PARENTS DO NOT MEAN THE PUPPIES ARE HEALTHY. There are no health requirements at all to show in the conformation ring. It sounds like they've started a health initiative in the UK for conformation dogs, but here in the U.S., the AKC has promised the breed clubs that they would never do health checks. Nice, huh?

   Having said that, it's easy to see why I much prefer the 'working' version of a breed to a 'show' dog. Having the "right" look is completely irrelevant to me, I want vigorous, healthy and able. I also get really annoyed when I watch dog shows on TV and I hear the commentator say over and over "now that dog really looks like it can do the job it was bred to perform". I'm sorry, but that doesn't mean anything if the dog can't ACTUALLY do it. There are some really terrific breeders out there with physically beautiful dogs that are health-tested and actually DO the jobs they were bred to do. In my opinion, those folks are GOLD. Unfortunately, they are also few and far between. And the exaggeration of characteristics continues to get more and more extreme to the detriment of the dogs. For more about that (and it's a really big and horrifying deal) check out this blog: Pedigree Dogs Exposed. There is also a documentary film of the same name that's a real eye-opener. Because I'm a fan of working breeds, I am particularly concerned about what's been done to the German Shepherd Dog. Their backs and hindquarters have been entirely crippled on purpose in order for them to be seen standing in a particular way.

   I know many people are pro-rescue and anti-breeder. Some think that all dogs would be better off if they were all mixed breeds. I don't think that's necessary. And in fact, ALL mixed breeds are the result of an irresponsible human being, to one degree or another. These are not the folks I want put in charge of the future of the canine species. I am pro-rescue AND pro-ETHICAL breeder, but also pro-common-sense. If we put the dogs first when we made choices for them, puppy mills would be illegal. People who bred their dogs for asinine, selfish reasons ("so the kids can see the miracle of birth" or "she's really nice I want one like her" or "my friends want puppies") would stop doing so. Show breeders would make the health of their dogs the primary concern and eliminate the extremes and the unhealthy characteristics from their breeding programs. Even better, dogs bred for a purpose would be required to attain a performance title and pass health tests before they would be allowed to set foot in a conformation ring. That would be COOL. In an ideal world, "pretty" wouldn't be good enough, and "extreme" would be unacceptable. There would be no more dogs with such poorly constructed facial characteristics that they have to gasp for breath while taking their victory laps around a conformation ring. Having a dog that can't breathe properly win for 'conformation' is absurdity in its truest form, in my opinion . I'm not alone in that assessment, either. AKC registrations are declining at an alarming rate.

   I guess in the end, money talks. Fortunately, more money than not is going toward the adoption of rescue dogs, both mixed and pure-bred. For now at least, that is the best choice when looking for a new best friend. For those with specific requirements, there are breed-rescues and ethical breeders. If we keep talking with our money, maybe the rest will eventually go extinct. It would be great to live in a world where we put the needs of the animals we bring into the world ahead of our own shallow interests.

Okay...let the onslaught begin!