With royal mania still in the air following a certain internationally famous, special wedding, we thought it was only appropriate to profile the most regal of pooches for our latest Breed of the Month segment. That’s right, we’re talking about the Welsh Corgi, official pooch of the Queen herself, and we can definitely see why they’re such a favourite…

History
With a royal lineage dating back to the King Hywel Dda, King of Wales (and what a fantastically Welsh name that is!), in the early 12th century, these prestige pooches were always destined for palace life. A member of the Spitz family, Pembroke Welsh Corgis were, somewhat surprisingly perhaps, used to guard family farmyards, as well as for herding fowl.

As time went on, the Corgi also proved its versatility and was used as both a gun dog and ratter, tying itself inextricably to the pursuits of the well-to-do in the British Isles. In more modern times, it was recognised as a breed in the early 1930s – and became one of the best-known breeds in the world after a certain princess (now Queen Elizabeth II) developed a fondness for them.

Appearance
Fox-like and low to the ground with an elongated body and short legs, the Corgi paints an endearing if slightly awkward picture. A small dog, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi weighs in at around 12kg for an adult male and 11kg for an adult female. In terms of colour, it is available in red, fawn, black and tan or sable, with or without white markings on the legs and body.

Temperament
Despite its royal lineage, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is hardly reserved, and can be quite boisterous, though very trainable. Always aiming to please (and if the Queen was your owner, wouldn’t you?) the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is suited to herding, agility work and as a family companion.

Having found itself in the national spotlight for so many years due to Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong love, one can only guess which breed will soon shoot to fame when the new Princess Kate sets up house!

[IMAGE SOURCE www.dogbreedsinfo.org; www.dogspedia.net]

History
Said to have descended from the small dogs used to keep Tibetan Lamas (as is monks, not South American critters!) company and act as watchdogs and ‘hot water bottles’ during the colder months. Closely related to the Pekingese, but with some marked differences, the Tibetan people called the dogs ‘little lions’, yet the official Tibetan Spaniel breed was actually established half a world away from its mountainous origins – in England in the 1920s, where it became loved for its lapdog qualities and attractive coat.

Appearance
A toy-sized dog, the Tibetan Spaniel is of about the same height and weight as a Maltese Terrier. In fact, ‘spaniel’ is a misnomer, as the breed differs in significant ways from other spaniels such as the Cavalier and Cocker Spaniels traditionally used as gun dogs.
With a silky, luxurious coat that comes in a variety of colours (with fawn featuring most frequently), the Tibetan Spaniel is a good-looking dog. As with the Pekingese, the Tibetan Spaniel’s head looks small in relation to the body, while its underbite and large, inquisitive eyes give the breed unmistakable charm.

Temperament
Loyal, alert, playful and intelligent, Tibetan Spaniels retain a puppy-like charm throughout their lives. While the Tibetan Spaniel is an affectionate breed, it does have an independent streak and doesn’t feel compelled to be by a human’s side every second. People who own Tibetan Spaniels report that while the dog always wants to be in their vicinity, it is happy to watch on from the floor or another chair, not needing constant handling.
There’s no doubt that Tibetan Spaniels are heart-winners. With a lineage that stretches back to mystical mountains and monastery life, one can’t help but look into those big, black, expressive eyes and wonder if the Tibetan Spaniel knows a lot more about the meaning of life than he’s letting on.

[IMAGE SOURCE www.dogbreedsinfo.org; www.justdogbreeds.com]

Ever wondered what your dog gets up to while you’re not home? It’s always interesting to imagine him walking around the house, king of his castle at last, free to poke his nose into whatever he wants to. They say that a Beagle’s nose will always get him into trouble – well in this scenario, it’s the hound’s whole body that manages to get him into mischief. After puzzling over how their new puppy kept getting out of his enclosure while they weren’t home, this dog’s owners set up a spy-cam to catch him in the act!

Hilarious… and very clever!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thumbnail image from macwallpapers.eu

It takes just a moment to fall in love with one of these giant puff-balls, but the effect is powerful and long-lasting. People who have owned Samoyeds are struck for life with a profound love of these intelligent, attractive and oh-so-cuddly canines.

History
Originating on the frozen tundra of Russia and Siberia, the Samoyed derives its name from the native Samoyed tribes of Siberia, who were the first people to develop the breed. Originally used for herding reindeer and pulling sleds, the Samoyed were not particularly known for their hunting ability, although there are mixed and unsubstantiated reports of Samoyed packs protecting tribes from Polar Bear attacks!

The Samoyed’s loyalty and intelligence was noted by early explorers and they were used in historic Polar expeditions. According to the website for D’keta Samoyeds, a prominent US breeder and Samoyed researcher:

‘The polar expeditions demonstrated the versatility and true working nature of the Samoyed and the contributions made by the Samoyeds are unmatched in the canine world. Samoyeds featured prominently in the Arctic and Antarctic polar expeditions of Abruzzi, Amundson, Jackson-Harmsworth, Nansen, and Shackelton between 1870 and 1912. Dogs were procured from Siberia for the expeditions and were called ‘Samoyeds’ as they came from the land where the Samoyede tribe lived. With the passing of time, the ‘e’ was dropped from ‘Samoyede’.’

Appearance
Looking at a Samoyed, you have no doubt as to its Arctic origins. A thick, puffy double coat of pure white is most common, but ‘cream’ and ‘biscuit’ have also been added to the official breed standard.

The Samoyed is medium in build, but appears to be a much thicker dog due to its immense coat. The most interesting aspect of a Samoyed coat is its ability to stay clean and dry. Their double coat has a Teflon-like consistency, which means most dirt just brushes right out, and apart from a thorough weekly brushing (more when they drop their winter coat, usually once or twice a year) they are surprisingly low maintenance.

The nature of their coat also means that there is no ‘doggy’ smell, something many owners have remarked upon!

Temperament
Samoyeds are affectionate, intelligent and easy-going, and are highly trainable. While their size might make them unintentionally dangerous for very small children (accidentally knocking them over is the main concern), they are wonderful with kids and it is said that one of their original jobs in the freezing temperatures of Siberia was to keep the tribe’s children warm at night. Better than any teddy-bear, we say!

This adorable and striking breed are family dogs in every sense of the word. Invite one into your family and you will be rewarded by a huge, fluffy ball of adoration whose loyalty will never waver.

Image sourced from: Wallpaper web and Daily Puppy

In a recent interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Wally Conron, the man who created the Labradoodle breed, has admitted he has his regrets about creating the dog that has since become wildly popular.

It all started, according to the interview, when Conron (who was then working as breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia) was asked to breed a hypo-allergenic guide dog for a woman in Hawaii whose husband was allergic to dogs that shed.

After a series of failed attempts, Conron finally succeeded by orchestrating the now-famous cross between a standard Poodle and a Labrador. At first, he says, no-one was interested in buying the cross-breeds, but with a clever marketing campaign that saw the breed affixed with the quirky moniker ‘Labradoodle’, it quickly became the designer dog to purchase and spurred an apparently endless list of other crosses with equally bizarre names.

Not proud

Despite the popularity of the Labradoodle and the way it has helped people through the Guide Dog Association, Conron insists he isn’t proud of his contribution.

‘All these backyard breeders have jumped on the bandwagon and they’re crossing any kind of dog with a poodle,’ says the now 81-year old. ‘They’re selling them for more than a pure-bred is worth and they’re not going into the backgrounds of the parents of the dogs. There are so many poodle crosses having fits, problems with their eyes, hips and elbows; a lot have epilepsy. There are a few ethical breeders, but very, very few.’

It seems that best laid plans and good intentions are no match for irresponsible people who will seek to compromise the health and integrity of a breed to make a quick buck.

‘I released a Frankenstein,’ Conron claims. ‘People say, “Aren’t you proud of yourself?” and I say, “Not in the slightest. I’ve done so much harm to pure breeding.”’

• What do you think? Which breeds do you think were a mistake in hindsight? Should humans stay out of designing new breeds?

Image Sourced from: Ask Spike Online

The French have had a long connection to their canine companions, but far before the French Poodle came along and became synonymous with the elegance of Paris, there was a far more substantial, meatier national dog – mais oui! We’re talking about the Dogue de Bordeaux, that drooling, wrinkled, lumbering beast of a dog – a loveable giant with a rich history.

Origin

As the name suggests, the Dogue de Bordeaux originated in Bordeaux in the south of France, around the 14^th century. Because of their considerable size and hardy nature, they were put to a number of uses by the French aristocracy, including as guard dogs, hunting dogs and even bear and bull-fighting dogs!

One theory suggests that because of their sheer size and brute strength, the breed is descended from the Greco-Roman molossoids that were used as war dogs. What is certain is that during the French Revolution many Dogues perished with their masters, because they were seen as a rich man’s dog and therefore shown no mercy.

In later years, Dogues were used to guard homes and a variety businesses, including butchers’ shops. And if that isn’t an indication of self-controlled dog, we don’t know what is! It wasn’t until 1920 that French breeders got together and standardised the breed, which has gone on to thrive around the world as a popular pet and guard dog.

Star quality

Americans first became really aware of the breed thanks to a Dogue called Beasley, who played Hooch in the Tom Hanks film ‘Turner and Hooch’. More recently, Aussies have been exposed to the breed’s loveable qualities thanks to the recent adverts for Olympus cameras in which a Dogue ‘chews’ and generally slobbers all over a camera. Both showcase how well-trained the breed can be, which accounts for its growing popularity. Specialist breeders exist in Australia, with organizations like the Dogue de Bordeaux Club of Australia providing detailed information.

Appearance

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a striking appearance, sharing similarities with the bulldog and mastiff, albeit with far more distinctive facial structure than either of those breeds. With wrinkles cascading down its face and an often inquisitive, perplexed expression, this canine cuts a memorable figure. Standing at up to 70cm tall and weighing in at a minimum of 52 kilograms for males, there’s a whole lot of dog in a Dogue de Bordeaux!

Temperament

While the Dogue de Bordeaux is a naturally inquisitive and watchful dog, which makes him a suitable guard dog, he is rarely unnecessarily aggressive and is slow to anger. Because of its size, it is absolutely mandatory that Dogues de Bordeaux receive early socialisation and are not allowed to become dominant. However, these giants make incredibly loyal, affectionate and amusing family pets for people who know how to handle them.

Image Sourced from: Commons.Wikimedia

Bred purely through natural selection until very recently and remaining relatively unchanged due to the isolation of the Asian villages it first appeared in, the Thai Ridgeback retains a lot of its wild instincts and characteristics.

While the origins of the breed aren’t documented, it is thought that it began from a mutation that occurred in a Thai Ridgeless dog many years ago and then through generations of inbreeding became the standard.

There is something suitably ancient about the Thai Ridgeback’s appearance, and as one of four dog breeds native to Thailand it is relatively unknown in the West. However, more and more people around the world are becoming fascinated by the Thai Ridgeback’s expressive face and strong, primal body.

Temperament

The Thai Ridgeback owes much of its temperament to its honed instincts. It is a medium- to high-energy dog, but is happy to lounge around for most of the day, getting rid of its energy in short, focused sessions in which it will exercise its impressive speed and agility.

Thai Ridgebacks are loyal and protective of their families, but need to be properly socialized (as should any dog). They can be aggressive or shy if this does not happen early in their lives, because in Thailand relatively few are owned as pets and therefore direct interaction with humans over the years has been limited. With the proper training and socialisation, however, a Thai Ridgeback will give years of unwavering loyalty and affection to an owner who understands the characteristics of dogs.

Appearance

As its name suggests, the Thai Ridgeback’s most distinctive feature is the large ridge of hair running in the opposite direction up its spine – just like that of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

A medium-sized dog with a muscular body similar to that of a Pit Bull, the Thai Ridgeback comes in a variety of colours and has a noble, strong appearance. With a straight back and a tail that sticks straight out or up (known as a sword tail), coupled with ears that point skyward and a wrinkly forehead that is full of a thousand different expressions, the Thai Ridgeback constantly gives the impression of bravely standing to attention. The Thai ridgeback has a scissor bite, which means that his top and bottom jaws interlock when he bites down.

While this breed is certainly not for everyone, it is quite striking looking and is fast capturing the attention of online dog forums across Australia. The first Thai Ridgeback, according to Dogz Online Forum, was brought into the country in October 2010, which sparked both debate and interest. Have a look and see for yourself, but such an ancient and interesting breed are sure to catch on with experienced dog owners.

Image sourced from: Sloughi,  Thairidgeback.sk and Chickynet

Also known as the ‘sausage dog’, the Dachshund is a charming and adorable choice if you’re looking for a pet. Not only does its disproportionate body-to-leg ration bring a smile to even the sternest of faces, but the Dachshund is also an excellent choice for families as these dogs adore children and are not big enough to pose a threat in terms of size.

History

There is much speculation surrounding exactly how the Dachshund came about, but it’s generally agreed that the breed originated in Germany as a hunting dog to target badgers, foxes and rabbits. It’s suspected that the Dachshund’s long, cylindrical body was developed to allow it to access all those little forest hidey-holes and low-down dens that a larger, bulkier dog would be unable to get into.

Appearance

With its long, tube-shaped body and short squat legs, the Dachshund is instantly recognisable. Other features of the breed include an elongated muzzle and three distinct coat styles: long-haired; smooth-haired; and wire-haired.

For each coat type there are two different sizes: the standard dachshund and the mini dachshund. The dachshund’s ears are low-hanging and, in keeping with the disproportionate ratio of body parts that distinguish the breed, often appear far too long for the head, making puppies especially adorable and hard to resist picking up and taking home!

Temperament

The dachshund loves company, so makes a very social and affectionate pet. Training is important, however, as Dachshunds can be stubborn and need to be shown who is in charge. Dachshunds get along very well with other animals, and are friendly and gentle with children. Their hunting background may emerge when in the company of very small animals, so you may want to watch him around guinea pigs!

Grooming/health requirements

The length of a Dachshund’s hair dictates the amount of time you’ll need to spend grooming him. The long-haired variety requires frequent brushing and clipping to make sure the hair doesn’t drag on the ground and become matted, whereas the wire-haired variety requires very little brushing.

Because its short legs are less able to carry weight than its longer-legged canine brothers, the Dachshund needs to be kept on a strict diet. The breed is prone to obesity, which can cause spinal and hip problems.

It’s also important to stop these dogs from jumping up and down to and from couches and beds. This is hard on the joints and can cause premature wear and tear.

Image by: Lepetitpuppy

Of all the breeds of dog, the Greyhound is one of the least popular for keeping as a pet in this country. The reasons are varied and many, but among them is a misguided perception of Greyhounds as uncontrollable and vicious. In fact, the opposite is true. Greyhounds as Pets (GAP) is a Western Australia adoption program that aims to change the way the public views Greyhounds and show people what incredible pets they can make.

Greyhound racing

Because Greyhounds are bred and used for racing, many dogs find themselves homeless once they are retired from competition. Because racing dogs are usually retired between the ages of two and five (and their life expectancy is around 12-14 years) this leaves an alarming number of dogs homeless – and, if they don’t find homes, ultimately facing euthanasia.

The muzzle myth

Because Australian laws required Greyhounds to be muzzled when they are in public, you could be forgiven for assuming a Greyhound has a vicious nature. In actual fact, Greyhounds are very gentle, and the muzzle law came about to prevent Greyhounds from snapping at each other while they’re racing. GAP is lobbying to have this rule amended due to the misconceptions it causes about the breed.

Hard to handle

Another factor that causes people to baulk at the thought of owning a greyhound is the need to keep them on a leash whenever they’re not within a fenced-in area. This is not because a Greyhound is more wilful or disobedient than any other breed of dog, but because they are easily distracted due to their excellent eyesight. The Greyhound can see clearly up to a kilometre away, which means there is a whole world of delights to be explored within his vision. Combined with their lightning speed, this is a recipe for a runaway dog. For its own protection, it’s a good idea to keep your Greyhound on a lead.

Loyal family members

Greyhounds are incredibly affectionate, loyal companions and make excellent pets for a number of reasons. They have non-shedding coats and require little grooming. Despite what their size may indicate, they actually do not require a lot of food and they have few health problems. If you think you could make some space in your life for one of these majestic creatures, visit your local rescue group or the GAP website for more information.

Image by: Pettalk

Last year the MC’s at the Manly event were doggy superstar, Toby the wonder dog (who has sadly since passed away), and his owner, popular TV-vet, Katrina Warren. Dr Katrina, as she is known has starred in shows such as Channel Seven’s Harry’s Practice and more recently she hosted the 2010 series of Talk to the Animals on channel 9. Her participation in the Manly Dog Day Out event signals how high-profile these events are becoming.

This year the event featured special guest appearances from the NSW Police Dog Squad and the Norwest Thunderdog Flyball team that gave some impressive displays of doggy skill and training. There were also obedience contests for a range of dog breeds and even racing events for the little Jack Russell. The Manly Dog Day Out events are big and very well organised.

Now, not all the Dog Day Out events that have been run around Australia this year have been as high level as this one. But the Canberra Dogs Day Out in ACT in March this year was reported by the Department of Territory ( who ran the event)  as receiving  “hundreds of families and their four legged friends (who) came in droves to the first Dogs’ Day Out for 2010”.

Their popularity is shown by how far flung these events are. Take the one at Mole Creek back in March this year, for example – Mole Creek is poised at the edge of Tasmania’s Western Wilderness, halfway between Launceston and Cradle Mountain. Or the one held at Roma in July by the Maranoa Regional Council and which had a “massive community get-together”. Roma is about 700km north-west of Brisbane!

The trend is clear to see – dog owners everywhere are interested in group events designed around their pet. And these events are not limited to dog training, fancy dress or other competitions.

They include doggy restaurants, for example, Chew Chew , and Café Bones even dog music shows – as the following video of the dog concert held in June at the Sydney Opera House shows.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Image source: Jack Russel Terrier Club – NSW