The AKC Recognizes 3 New Dog Breeds in 2013 | Meet the Breeds

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The AKC Recognizes 3 New Dog Breeds in 2013 | Meet the Breeds

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This year the AKC has recognized 3 new dog breeds that will be eligible to compete at the AKC Eukanuba National Championship in 2013 and at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in February 2014.  Another 15 breeds are waiting on deck in the miscellaneous class to become full-fledged AKC recognized dog breeds and eligible to compete in one of the seven groups (working, sporting, non-sporting, hound, terrier, toy and herding).

Meet the New Breeds

Couretsy of AKC.org
http://www.akc.org/breeds/chinook/index.cfm

The first of our new AKC recognized breeds is the home grown sled dog, the Chinook.  This breed was developed in 1900 in New Hampshire by the Polar explorer Arthur Treadwell Walden.  The name, Chinook, is derived from an Inuit word which means warm winter wind. Seeking to create a powerful draft dog with intelligence, trainability, speed and agility, the breed was developed by crossing mastiffs (draft dogs) with the Greenland Husky and the Belgian and German shepherds.  The result is a gentle, intelligent dog with speed and excellent drafting power.  These big dogs range in height from 22- 26 inches at the shoulder.

Chinooks have a dense double coat that is tan or tawny in color, which sheds heavily twice a year.  The Gentle Chinooks make excellent family pets, as they were not developed for protection you should not expect them to perform as guard dogs. 

Learn more about the breed at the AKC website.

Courtsy of AKC.org
 http://www.akc.org/breeds/portuguese_podengo
_pequeno/index.cfm

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a small sight hound, standing 8-12 inches at the shoulder.  While they hunt primarily by sight, they also use scent and sound to track their prey. Used mainly for rabbit hunting, this breed is related to the Pharaoh Hound, Cirneco dell'Etna, The Basenji and the Ibizan hound.  Developed over 3000 years ago in the Iberian Peninsula, the Portuguese  Podengo Pequeno, which is a national dog of Portugal, was just introduced to the United States in the 1990s. 

The Portugeuse Podengo Pequeros come in two coat textures, the smooth coat which is dense and the wire coat which is longer and harsher in texture. They are typically yellow or fawn in color, and may have white markings.  With their erect ears and fawn markings they are reminiscent of their forebears, the Ibizan hound, in miniature.

Intelligent, easy to train and high drive, these dogs make excellent obedience, agility and rally dogs.  Bred to chase all day, they need a job to do and regular exercise.  Be sure to keep them in a fenced yard as their instinct to chase prey can get them into trouble in a suburban or urban environment.

wochmeandmeritail.com/index.asp?ID=6

The third new breed gaining full acceptance this year in the AKC registry is the Rat Terrier. This is another home grown American breed, a multipurpose companion dog that hunts rodents and other vermin both above and below ground.  They course small game as well.

Rat terriers are come in two sizes the miniature (standing 10-13 inches at the shoulder) and the standard (13-18 inches). Their coat is smooth, and comes in any variation of parti-colored patterns made up of large patches of one or more colors (typically black, red, fawn, tan, chocolate, blue or lemon) in combination with white markings.

The breed was developed from a mixture of terrier and hound crosses.  Ancestors of the Rat Terrier include the Fox Terriers, the Manchester Terrier, Old English White Terriers, the Bull Terrier, as well as the Beagle, Toy Fox Terriers, Whippets and Italian Greyhounds added into the breed in more recent times. From 1910 through the dust bowl era of the 1930s, the Rat Terrier was one of the most common American farm dogs, valued for their ability to keep vermin at bay.

They are loyal and playful companions, however they may be aloof with strangers. Intelligent and very active, they make excellent obedience, rally, agility, and earth dogs.  Their smooth coats shed very little and are easy to maintain with a curry comb. Learn more about them at www.AKC.org

The AKC's Miscellaneous Dog Breeds

Breeds awaiting full AKC recognition are placed in the Miscellaneous Class until the AKC sets a date for full recognition.  These breeds that we can expect to see entering the AKC over then next 2 years include:

Azawakh

Belgian Laekenois

Bergamasco

Berger Picard

Boerboel

Cirneco dell'Etna

Coton de Tulear

Dogo Argentino

Lagotto Romagnolo

Miniature American Shepherd

Peruvian Inca Orchid

Pumi

Sloughi

Spanish Water Dog

Wirehaired Vizsla 

15 Warning Signs of Cancer in Dogs

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15 Warning Signs of Cancer in Dogs

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Courtesy of PDPics.com

Cancer is increasingly common in pet animals, and as pets age, the likelihood of contracting some form of the disease increases substantially.  In fact, cancer accounts for almost half of the deaths of pets over 10 years of age. 

In breeds like the golden retriever it is estimated that between 60 and 80% will contract a form of cancer. But cancer is not restricted to geriatric canines, dogs as young as 4 years old may be diagnosed with it.

While dogs in general contract cancer at approximately the same rate as humans; cats tend to get fewer cancers, perhaps owing to their nine lives. Some cancers such as Hemangiosarcom and Oesteosarcoma have a higher rate of occurrence within certain breeds, suggesting a genetic component is probably at work.

If your dog’s breed has a propensity for developing a specific type of cancer, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the early warning symptoms of the onset of the disease.  Awareness of the signs of cancer in dogs combined with early detection and quick action can significantly improve the outcome for your pet.

By Darnyi Zsóka via Wikimedia Commons

Common Warning Signs of Cancer in Dogs

If you suspect a combination of the following symptoms in your pet, consult your veterinarian promptly; when it comes to the health of your pet, it is always better to be safe now than sorry later.

1. Foul Odors from the Mouth or Other Orifices: Foul Odors from the Mouth: If you detect offensive odors emanating from your dog’s mouth, and there has been no change in diet, you should have it checked out. Halitosis combined with excessive drooling, difficulty eating or swallowing can be a sign of oral cancer.   Bloody saliva indicates a prompt visit to the vet is in order. Bad odors from the ears, anal area or any other part of your pet’s body, should be checked out as well.  While food allergies, mites, impacted anal glands, infections from bites or scrapes or yeast infections can cause foul odors, it is best to seek veterinary advice to clear up any of these conditions and check for the underlying cause of the odor.
2. Nasal discharge. This can be a sign of allergies, or especially if discolored or bloody, a symptom of cancer of the nasal and sinus cavities.
3. Excessive Drooling and Difficulty Eating or Swallowing.  Excessive drooling, especially combined with a strong halitosis merits further investigation.  Anytime a dog has difficulty eating or swallowing you should consult a veterinarian immediately.  
4. Difficulty Breathing and Coughing. Dogs having difficulty breathing  should be examined immediately.  For both humans and dogs, shortness of breath is a critical symptom.  Heart disease, lung cancer and hemangiosarcoma are potential underlying causes of breathing difficulties.  Early detection of any of these diseases can improve your dog’s prognosis.
5. Excessive Panting.  It is normal for dogs to pant following exercise (for 20-30 minutes) or in extremely warm conditions.  Prolonged panting however may be a symptom of a severe injury or chronic illness such as heart failure, Cushing's syndrome, pneumonia or lung tumors.  
6. Loss of Appetite. Dogs usually do not stop eating without a cause.  If your dog suddenly loses his appetite and there has been no change in diet, you should consider a trip to the vet, particularly if it is combined with some of the other symptoms on this list.  While this may not be a symptom of cancer, it could be a symptom of another serious issue where early intervention is beneficial.
7. Lethargy. Lack of stamina or fatigue developing over a relatively short time frame can be symptoms of cancer.  Beyond normal aging, a dog that over a period of weeks or months that exhibits a noticeable decrease in activity levels should be seen by your veterinarian.  Other possible causes of lethargy and lack of appetite can include parasites such as tapeworms, roundworms, hookworms and whipworms, conditions that you will also want to address quickly.
8. Depression.  You can’t put your finger on it, but Rover just doesn't seem to be himself.  Depressed dogs don’t seem to take pleasure in their usual activities; they tend to lie down away from the family activities exhibiting a decreased interest in their surroundings.  This can be a symptom of a change in the family dynamic or environment, but if there have been no changes to the family routine, depression combined with a several other symptoms on this list should be noted when discussing your dog’s health with your veterinarian.
9. Changes in Bathroom Habits. A dog that is normally well house trained begins soiling the house (and there have been no changes in the household dynamics to upset him) or the consistency of the bowel movement is unusual.  This symptom combined with depression were our first clues that something was wrong with our dog Kebe, prior to her being diagnosed with a branching cancerous tumor. Additionally, difficulty using the bathroom, frequent bathroom use or blood in urine or stool are all symptoms indicating a prompt visit to your vet is in order.
10. Abdominal Distention. If your dog’s abdomen becomes bloated or distended it could be a sign of an accumulation of abnormal discharge within the body. Accumulation of fluids can be indicative of congestive heart failure and cardiac hemangiosarcoma.
11. Lameness or Difficulty Walking.  Sudden onset of lameness or pain during exercise, when the dog has not engaged in any extreme physical activities can be indicative of arthritis or bone cancer (osteosarcoma).
12. Weight Loss:  Just as in humans, cancer can cause its victims to lose weight dramatically.  If your pet has experienced weight loss, and you have not adjusted caloric intake or increased activity levels of your pet, then a trip to the vet is indicated.  If you notice sudden weight loss in your dog, along with other signs from this list (especially weight loss combined with decreased activity levels), be sure to mention it to your veterinarian.
13. Vomiting or Diarrhea.  Vomiting and/or excessive diarrhea that continue for more than a day should be checked out by a vet.  At the very least, the dog may become dehydrated, a condition easily remedied by administration of fluids.  Prolonged vomiting or the inablility to hold down fluids and solids can indicate pancreatitis, kidney disease or digestive cancer.
14. Lumps That are Unresolved or Growing. Not all lumps on or under your dog’s skin will be cancerous, but they are a cause for concern.  If the lump is growing rapidly, is ulcerated or bleeding, warm or painful to the touch you should consult your veterinarian. While it may just be a cyst, your vet can perform a needle biopsy and a veterinary pathologist can determine if the cells are cancerous or not.
15. Sores That Don’t Heal. If your pet has wounds or sores that are not healing, it could be a sign of infection, skin disease, diabetes or cancer.

While many items on this list, when exhibited individually, are not cause for concern, an accumulation of 3 or more of these symptoms is reason to visit your veterinarian.

As your pet ages, it is a good idea to routinely examine him by stroking and petting his entire body. Tummy rubs and scratching around the ears and neck can aid in detecting any unusually bumps, and your dog will enjoy it too.  An annual physical examination along with annual laboratory analysis (for elderly pets) can be useful in early detection of a variety of disorders including those that affect the kidney, liver, heart or bowel.

How Dogs Learn The Meaning Of Words

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How Dogs Learn The Meaning Of Words

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The average dog can learn as many as 150 words, a fairly substantial vocabulary beyond sit, stay and come. Research with several border collies has brought those vocabulary numbers up beyond 400 words, and a border collie named Chaser has learned the names of 1022 objects, which he can differentiate and fetch on command.  There appears to be no upper limit in Chaser's vocabulary lessons, as he continues to add words to his lexicon.

In the wake of such impressive results, researchers Emile van der Zee, Helen Zulch and Daniel Mills sought to determine the presence of a key feature of human word comprehension in canine learning. In the research article, Word Generalization by a Dog (Canis familiaris): Is Shape Important?, the researchers sought to determine if shape bias existed in dogs as it does in humans.

Experiments with human 2 year olds, have shown a "shape bias" exists in the learning of new words.  Simply put, once the child associates a name with an object, it then generalizes the shape of that object to other objects with the same shape.  For example, a child taught the word ball, when presented with a group of new objects, will seek other spherical shapes regardless of their size and texture.  Children associate ball with round; do dogs learn the same way?


Using a 5 year old border collie named Gable, the researchers used random words, such as DAX or GNARK to create a word association with an object.  Once the word-object association was made, researchers began to replace the familiar object with new object choices.  When presented with new objects to retrieve, Gable sought objects that were similar in size to the original object, without regard to the shape of the object.  As Gable became more familiar with the word-object mapping, he replaced the size preference with an association of similar texture of the object. As Gable better understood the word-object relationship, he relied on how the object felt in his mouth to determine the best choice for retrieval.

I am reminded of a scene in the film, Best In Show, when the toy, Busy Bee, goes missing.  The pet shop owner offers up a toy similar in size and shape to the panicked dog owner.  She rejects the new toy as it is obviously not a bee, but is instead a fish.  The pet shop owner tries to convince her to purchase the toy stating, "I think the dog is responding to the shape and strips on the toy."  Yes and no. The dog would respond to the similar size and plush material, but not the stripes or shape of the toy.

As a practical application of the research, those of you needing to replace a treasured toy should seek toys of similar size, texture and firmness.  Ultimately, the dog is responding to how the toy feels in his mouth.

How this research applies to dog training is an interesting question.  Vision is the primary sense of humans.  Therefore it makes sense that we would rely on object shape in determining associations.  Scent is the primary sense of dogs, hearing is secondary and sight tertiary; scent and sound were not presented as  differentiating factors for Gable.

In real world dog training, scent and sound are both factors in our dog's learning.  The smell and sound of treats and objects are likely to be confounding factors for our dogs, unnoticed by humans in our sight driven world.  If you find yourself experiencing a brick wall in your training, if your dog seems to be stubbornly missing the point, consider that he may be responding to another aspect of the situation.  He may have made an association that seems correct to him based on scent or sound.  When you seem not to be on the same page, take a broader view of the situation, and perhaps change objects or locations.

Click here to review the research article Word Generalization by a Dog (Canis familiaris): Is Shape Important?  The online article at PLOS One also includes videos of Gable's training sessions.  Enjoy!