Most children relate well to dogs unless they have a bad experience involving a dog which may have involved the child being bitten or even just severely frightened. Either way, the child is then likely to immediately acquire a fear and dislike of the entire canine species, which is a great pity. It follows that such experiences are best avoided, especially when the child is at a very impressionable age.
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Monday, July 7. 2014
Dog and children
Friday, May 23. 2014
The Australian Dingo
Though probably most of us regard dingoes as the native wild dogs of Australia there is a commonly held view that they are descended from the common wild dogs of South East Asia often referred to as Pye dogs. The theory is that they were imported into Australia three or four thousand years ago by the first people and were used as working dogs, companions and an emergency source of food in times of famine.
According to the Australian Dingo Foundation, a body which has carried out extensive research into the subject, however, this idea is completely erroneous. The Foundation’s experts go so far as to state that the dingo is not a dog at all, being much closer genetically to the grey wolf from which it is almost certainly descended. Indeed the dingo doesn’t bark, it howls much as the wolf does.
Although the dingo evolved to become Australia’s wolf, its evolutionary path has differed from that of the wolf itself or of most other canines. Australia’s isolation from most other parts of the world for many centuries probably accounts for that. One only has to consider the other species, both flora and fauna that remained unique to Australia, at least until modern times.
The dingo is unusual among wild canines in that it doesn’t need to be taught to hunt to survive. It is instinctive in the dingo, a natural predator. It doesn’t need to live in a pack either, being quite capable of living a solitary life. Having said that, dingoes frequently live in family groups and they will band together to hunt in packs when it suits them, usually when food is scarce.
Just like wolves, dingoes have an annual breeding cycle, frequently making their den in abandoned rabbit holes, hollow trees, etc. The female usually produces around eight pups at a time. She guards them well though many do fall victim to snakes when still small.
The adult dingo has only one predator to fear, Man. Apart from that the dingo is at the top of the Australian food chain being the top predator. Unfortunately, like many other wild predatory animals, this brings dingoes into conflict with modern man.
For thousands of years the Aborigines’ way of life didn’t conflict with that of the dingoes. The Aborigines lived in complete harmony with all of nature and most significantly, they didn’t keep livestock.
Then the European settlers came along and introduced an alien species for the dingoes to feed on, sheep: A meal in a woolly bag to a hungry dingo!
Naturally the settlers didn’t take kindly to having their flocks attacked by dingoes so the dingo suddenly became vermin, to be eradicated wherever possible. The dingo had no defence against guns and traps and just like the Aborigines, their numbers dwindled.
They haven’t become extinct and now in some parts of Australia, thanks to the efforts of bodies like the Australian Dingo Foundation their value to farmers in controlling the numbers of rabbits, rats, snakes and Kangaroos is being recognised. They are being persecuted less and even becoming the subject of conservation initiatives. In some states though they are still legally classed as vermin that can be killed on sight.
According to the Australian Dingo Foundation, a body which has carried out extensive research into the subject, however, this idea is completely erroneous. The Foundation’s experts go so far as to state that the dingo is not a dog at all, being much closer genetically to the grey wolf from which it is almost certainly descended. Indeed the dingo doesn’t bark, it howls much as the wolf does.
Although the dingo evolved to become Australia’s wolf, its evolutionary path has differed from that of the wolf itself or of most other canines. Australia’s isolation from most other parts of the world for many centuries probably accounts for that. One only has to consider the other species, both flora and fauna that remained unique to Australia, at least until modern times.
The dingo is unusual among wild canines in that it doesn’t need to be taught to hunt to survive. It is instinctive in the dingo, a natural predator. It doesn’t need to live in a pack either, being quite capable of living a solitary life. Having said that, dingoes frequently live in family groups and they will band together to hunt in packs when it suits them, usually when food is scarce.
Just like wolves, dingoes have an annual breeding cycle, frequently making their den in abandoned rabbit holes, hollow trees, etc. The female usually produces around eight pups at a time. She guards them well though many do fall victim to snakes when still small.
The adult dingo has only one predator to fear, Man. Apart from that the dingo is at the top of the Australian food chain being the top predator. Unfortunately, like many other wild predatory animals, this brings dingoes into conflict with modern man.
For thousands of years the Aborigines’ way of life didn’t conflict with that of the dingoes. The Aborigines lived in complete harmony with all of nature and most significantly, they didn’t keep livestock.
Then the European settlers came along and introduced an alien species for the dingoes to feed on, sheep: A meal in a woolly bag to a hungry dingo!
Naturally the settlers didn’t take kindly to having their flocks attacked by dingoes so the dingo suddenly became vermin, to be eradicated wherever possible. The dingo had no defence against guns and traps and just like the Aborigines, their numbers dwindled.
They haven’t become extinct and now in some parts of Australia, thanks to the efforts of bodies like the Australian Dingo Foundation their value to farmers in controlling the numbers of rabbits, rats, snakes and Kangaroos is being recognised. They are being persecuted less and even becoming the subject of conservation initiatives. In some states though they are still legally classed as vermin that can be killed on sight.
Thursday, April 10. 2014
African Wild Dog
The Wild Dog of Africa, Mbwa Mwitu in Swahili, is described as being highly intelligent with strong social characteristics. Despite being a most successful predator it has become an endangered species. Its only predator is Man!
Africans long regarded the wild dog as a pest. Their cattle were easy prey to the dogs so their raids caused considerable losses.
They were hunted almost to extinction. Fortunately for them their value in culling the weak and sickly from wild animal populations has been recognised. Better ways of protecting livestock have been introduced and the wild dog population is showing signs of recovery.
This is particularly evident in Zimbabwe. The protection the state has put in place for the Mbwa Mwitu species has resulted in the species thriving better there than anywhere else.
The Wild Dog of Africa stands 30 inches (750mm) high at the shoulder, tipping the scales at about 55 to 70lbs (24.75 to 31.5 kilos). It lives for about 10 to 12 years, given the chance. It lives in both dense forest or jungle and wide open plains and anywhere in between.
It is has long legs and noticeably large ears which stand erect on its head. It has the powerful jaws of a ferocious carnivore. Though it looks not unlike some more familiar dogs, one curious difference is in the paws. Most dogs have five toes to each paw. The African Wild Dog only has four.
The dark brown coat has black and yellow patches which differ between individuals making them easy to tell apart in a pack. The scientific name for the species in Latin, “Lycaon pictus,” translates as “painted wolf,” which is what it looks like, although it is a dog, not a wolf. The tail is bushy with a white tip, thought to be a visual aid in keeping together.
A pack comprises six or more dogs and their social behaviour is unusual. Before hunting expeditions, there is a ritual. The dogs all circulate among the pack touching each other and making a special sound. This seems to create excitement as though the pack members are egging each other on to do valiant deeds!
Once prey is sighted it seldom escapes, so efficient is the wild dogs’ hunting technique. Speed rarely saves it, these dogs can reach speeds of 35mph. As the leading dogs tire, they drop back and fresher companions take over the lead, so keeping up the pressure until exhaustion overcomes the victim.
The kill is shared amicably; the pack hierarchy does not seem to involve any intimidation, unlike most pack animals. When pups are present they are allowed to feed first. Indeed the care and upbringing of pups seems to be a task shared by the whole pack.
Ruthless killers like all predators, nevertheless these fascinating canines have their more endearing features. A more in-depth study would prove quite rewarding.
Africans long regarded the wild dog as a pest. Their cattle were easy prey to the dogs so their raids caused considerable losses.
They were hunted almost to extinction. Fortunately for them their value in culling the weak and sickly from wild animal populations has been recognised. Better ways of protecting livestock have been introduced and the wild dog population is showing signs of recovery.
This is particularly evident in Zimbabwe. The protection the state has put in place for the Mbwa Mwitu species has resulted in the species thriving better there than anywhere else.
The Wild Dog of Africa stands 30 inches (750mm) high at the shoulder, tipping the scales at about 55 to 70lbs (24.75 to 31.5 kilos). It lives for about 10 to 12 years, given the chance. It lives in both dense forest or jungle and wide open plains and anywhere in between.
It is has long legs and noticeably large ears which stand erect on its head. It has the powerful jaws of a ferocious carnivore. Though it looks not unlike some more familiar dogs, one curious difference is in the paws. Most dogs have five toes to each paw. The African Wild Dog only has four.
The dark brown coat has black and yellow patches which differ between individuals making them easy to tell apart in a pack. The scientific name for the species in Latin, “Lycaon pictus,” translates as “painted wolf,” which is what it looks like, although it is a dog, not a wolf. The tail is bushy with a white tip, thought to be a visual aid in keeping together.
A pack comprises six or more dogs and their social behaviour is unusual. Before hunting expeditions, there is a ritual. The dogs all circulate among the pack touching each other and making a special sound. This seems to create excitement as though the pack members are egging each other on to do valiant deeds!
Once prey is sighted it seldom escapes, so efficient is the wild dogs’ hunting technique. Speed rarely saves it, these dogs can reach speeds of 35mph. As the leading dogs tire, they drop back and fresher companions take over the lead, so keeping up the pressure until exhaustion overcomes the victim.
The kill is shared amicably; the pack hierarchy does not seem to involve any intimidation, unlike most pack animals. When pups are present they are allowed to feed first. Indeed the care and upbringing of pups seems to be a task shared by the whole pack.
Ruthless killers like all predators, nevertheless these fascinating canines have their more endearing features. A more in-depth study would prove quite rewarding.
Monday, March 10. 2014
The Pariah Dogs of India
To most of us in the Western World, if we refer to someone as a "Pariah" we are calling them an outcast, shunned by society in general. It is used as a pejorative term to describe someone whose very presence offends; an untouchable in fact. It is one of the many words that have come into the English language as a result of Britain’s long association with India. Its common usage in English stems from an imperfect understanding of the ancient caste system of India.
When applied to the dogs which run freely in the streets of Indian cities many westerners mistakenly assume the name to mean that they are stray, unwanted mongrels, carrying disease and parasites. In fact the Pariah dog is a specific breed of dog. It is the native dog of the sub-continent which today comprises of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. In the case of the dogs, there is nothing derogatory about the name and many of them do actually belong to someone.
The breed is also known by other names, "Pye dog or Pi dog or sometimes Pie dog". In modern times, enthusiasts for the breed refer to it as the INDog, an abbreviation of "Indian Native Dog".
The Pariah dog is the dominant breed of dog in India and the streets appear to be its natural habitat. However many Indians keep these dogs as pets or companions so, although they may roam the streets, they frequently do have homes to go to.
The origins of the breed are somewhat obscure. Some believe that the dogs are descended from dogs brought into India from China many centuries ago. That has yet to be proved and tracing their evolution remains a work in progress.
The European presence in South Asia over the last few hundred years, most notably the British Raj, led to some interbreeding between the Pariah dogs and European breeds imported by the in-comers. The humans didn’t have all the fun! However, there are still plenty of examples of the original, undiluted breed still to be found all over the sub-continent.
One clue to identifying the pure Pariah or INDogs wherever they are, in South Asia, is their marked similarity in appearance. Mostly free living, they have lived alongside the human population for centuries and the breed has evolved naturally with no human interference in the form of selective breeding, unlike most European breeds.
The physical features of these animals have been found to match those of fossilised dog remains found all over the world dating from the earliest times. If you want to see living examples of mankind’s original domestic dogs, go to India and look out for the true pariah dogs.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper.
When applied to the dogs which run freely in the streets of Indian cities many westerners mistakenly assume the name to mean that they are stray, unwanted mongrels, carrying disease and parasites. In fact the Pariah dog is a specific breed of dog. It is the native dog of the sub-continent which today comprises of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. In the case of the dogs, there is nothing derogatory about the name and many of them do actually belong to someone.
The breed is also known by other names, "Pye dog or Pi dog or sometimes Pie dog". In modern times, enthusiasts for the breed refer to it as the INDog, an abbreviation of "Indian Native Dog".
The Pariah dog is the dominant breed of dog in India and the streets appear to be its natural habitat. However many Indians keep these dogs as pets or companions so, although they may roam the streets, they frequently do have homes to go to.
The origins of the breed are somewhat obscure. Some believe that the dogs are descended from dogs brought into India from China many centuries ago. That has yet to be proved and tracing their evolution remains a work in progress.
The European presence in South Asia over the last few hundred years, most notably the British Raj, led to some interbreeding between the Pariah dogs and European breeds imported by the in-comers. The humans didn’t have all the fun! However, there are still plenty of examples of the original, undiluted breed still to be found all over the sub-continent.
One clue to identifying the pure Pariah or INDogs wherever they are, in South Asia, is their marked similarity in appearance. Mostly free living, they have lived alongside the human population for centuries and the breed has evolved naturally with no human interference in the form of selective breeding, unlike most European breeds.
The physical features of these animals have been found to match those of fossilised dog remains found all over the world dating from the earliest times. If you want to see living examples of mankind’s original domestic dogs, go to India and look out for the true pariah dogs.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper.
Thursday, February 27. 2014
The History of the Domestic Dog
Most people like dogs, some people more than others and perhaps some dogs more than others but on the whole they are pretty likeable creatures. Many people would find it very hard to do their jobs without dogs and others would find their daily lives very much more difficult without them. Dogs make great companions and can be very helpful but where did they come from in the first place? What is the domestic dog’s history? We often talk about Human History so let’s look at Canine History and how they are inextricably linked.
The first thing to get out of the way perhaps is the idea of the wolf allying itself with humans and being taken in and domesticated leading to the dogs we know today. All the evidence indicates that this is a myth.
Extensive research over many years including DNA comparisons etc shows that, though the dog as we know it is a subspecies of the grey wolf, the evolutionary split between them occurred some 100,000 years ago. The date of the earliest evidence of domestication of dogs is vague but, varying between 14,000 years ago and at the very earliest, 31,700 years ago, it’s at least 68,300 years after the genetic division from the grey wolf. Although the Latin name of “canis lupus familiaris” suggests a direct link, remember that the split and the early domestications were already ancient history before Latin came into existence!
Having attached themselves to humans, presumably for food and shelter, dogs soon discovered that they were expected to give something in return and their natural instincts made it easy for them to oblige. Those early men were hunter-gatherers and dogs are natural hunters too. Their combined skills made hunting more successful to the benefit of both.
Then, as humankind progressed into farming and other activities, their dogs developed with them first as guard dogs, then herding livestock. The use of dogs in hunting continued right up to the present day. The transition of hunting, at least in the allegedly civilised world, from a necessity for survival to recreation, in no way diminished the rôle of the hunting dog or the retriever.
The enormous variety of breeds that makes up the 21st Century canine world is a comparatively recent development. Most are no more than a few hundred years old. Selective breeding encouraged the development of existing characteristics that improved the dogs’ usefulness for particular tasks and even to fit in handbags!
The overall effect has been beneficial to both species, human and canine and has produced the amazingly talented, useful and lovable companions we know today. The dog was the first known example of a domesticated animal and arguably the most successful.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
The first thing to get out of the way perhaps is the idea of the wolf allying itself with humans and being taken in and domesticated leading to the dogs we know today. All the evidence indicates that this is a myth.
Extensive research over many years including DNA comparisons etc shows that, though the dog as we know it is a subspecies of the grey wolf, the evolutionary split between them occurred some 100,000 years ago. The date of the earliest evidence of domestication of dogs is vague but, varying between 14,000 years ago and at the very earliest, 31,700 years ago, it’s at least 68,300 years after the genetic division from the grey wolf. Although the Latin name of “canis lupus familiaris” suggests a direct link, remember that the split and the early domestications were already ancient history before Latin came into existence!
Having attached themselves to humans, presumably for food and shelter, dogs soon discovered that they were expected to give something in return and their natural instincts made it easy for them to oblige. Those early men were hunter-gatherers and dogs are natural hunters too. Their combined skills made hunting more successful to the benefit of both.
Then, as humankind progressed into farming and other activities, their dogs developed with them first as guard dogs, then herding livestock. The use of dogs in hunting continued right up to the present day. The transition of hunting, at least in the allegedly civilised world, from a necessity for survival to recreation, in no way diminished the rôle of the hunting dog or the retriever.
The enormous variety of breeds that makes up the 21st Century canine world is a comparatively recent development. Most are no more than a few hundred years old. Selective breeding encouraged the development of existing characteristics that improved the dogs’ usefulness for particular tasks and even to fit in handbags!
The overall effect has been beneficial to both species, human and canine and has produced the amazingly talented, useful and lovable companions we know today. The dog was the first known example of a domesticated animal and arguably the most successful.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Friday, January 24. 2014
The World's Most Dangerous Foods for Dogs
Wednesday, January 8. 2014
Temporary Care For Your Dog
Now is the time of year when people all over the country are planning their time away, either soon to get away from the cold or in the summer to escape the rain. Dog owners are no exception. The difference is that you have the extra consideration of how to ensure your dog’s welfare while you are away. Taking the dog with you is not always an option, especially if you are off to exotic locations abroad.
You might send your pets on their own holidays to boarding kennels. You do so with confidence knowing that all such establishments are licensed by the local authority and are subject to regular inspection by its officers.
There are people who will take your dog into their own home and look after it for you while you are away. They may only take one or two dogs at a time and charge a modest fee. Your pet enjoys a normal domestic situation. You may well prefer such an arrangement. You may indeed be one of those people yourself.
Whether you are a home dog boarder yourself or a potential customer, you should be aware that anyone who provides home boarding for even one dog at a time requires a licence from the local authority just like a Boarding Kennels. The requirements are less stringent but they will be breaking the law if they operate without a licence.
Our animal welfare contact tells us that there seems to be little awareness of this among those affected. Quite apart from the law there is another important factor to this. Many home boarders who do not yet have a licence have done the sensible thing and arranged insurance to cover their activity. What many insurance companies do not tell them is that without the licence their insurance cover is invalid!
That matters a great deal to both boarder and customer should harm befall a dog being boarded or indeed be caused by a dog in those circumstances. By not having a licence the boarder has given their insurer the perfect reason to refuse any claim.
So, if you are a home boarder and you haven’t obtained a licence yet, talk to your local council. Animal welfare usually comes under Environmental Services or whatever your LA calls it. If you are considering using such a service, do check that the person is licensed before you book.
The licence requirement for home boarders only applies to dogs, not cats, which might be of interest if you own both as many people do. It also does not apply to the situation where you leave your dog at home and get someone, usually a friend or relation for obvious reasons, to move into your home whilst you are away to look after it.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
You might send your pets on their own holidays to boarding kennels. You do so with confidence knowing that all such establishments are licensed by the local authority and are subject to regular inspection by its officers.
There are people who will take your dog into their own home and look after it for you while you are away. They may only take one or two dogs at a time and charge a modest fee. Your pet enjoys a normal domestic situation. You may well prefer such an arrangement. You may indeed be one of those people yourself.
Whether you are a home dog boarder yourself or a potential customer, you should be aware that anyone who provides home boarding for even one dog at a time requires a licence from the local authority just like a Boarding Kennels. The requirements are less stringent but they will be breaking the law if they operate without a licence.
Our animal welfare contact tells us that there seems to be little awareness of this among those affected. Quite apart from the law there is another important factor to this. Many home boarders who do not yet have a licence have done the sensible thing and arranged insurance to cover their activity. What many insurance companies do not tell them is that without the licence their insurance cover is invalid!
That matters a great deal to both boarder and customer should harm befall a dog being boarded or indeed be caused by a dog in those circumstances. By not having a licence the boarder has given their insurer the perfect reason to refuse any claim.
So, if you are a home boarder and you haven’t obtained a licence yet, talk to your local council. Animal welfare usually comes under Environmental Services or whatever your LA calls it. If you are considering using such a service, do check that the person is licensed before you book.
The licence requirement for home boarders only applies to dogs, not cats, which might be of interest if you own both as many people do. It also does not apply to the situation where you leave your dog at home and get someone, usually a friend or relation for obvious reasons, to move into your home whilst you are away to look after it.
This article was provided by Freelance Copywriter UK, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Thursday, December 19. 2013
Your Dog and Your Social Life
Your dog can be a positive asset to your social life. You will naturally come into contact with other dog owners and immediately have something in common. That’s fine when your dogs can at least tolerate each other’s presence. It becomes more difficult if they can’t!
Dog ownership can have a negative effect on your social activities, if you let it, when it comes to visiting pubs, restaurants etc. and staying in hotels and guest houses. These venues can be difficult for dog owners who want their dogs to accompany them.
This site exists to help with this problem. It does so by publicising as many as possible of the establishments up and down the country where dogs are welcomed.
Catering and accommodation businesses may have several reasons for not accepting dogs. Legal constraints do play a part. They are not insurmountable if the management is willing to make the effort. However not all are. Let’s just take a look at the legalities. Dogs and other animals are never allowed in areas where food is prepared. Well, you probably wouldn’t want to take your pet into the kitchen anyway!
Food must be protected from contamination from any source including animals. is up to The proprietor must be able to demonstrate how that is being achieved. Where food is on display in a public area it may be protected by keeping it covered and out of the reach of dogs and children.
Proprietors who do wish to be able to welcome dogs onto the premises may choose to set aside a “dog free” area for customers who prefer that. In the same way, hotels may decide to have certain rooms available for guests with dogs and keep the rest for those without.
Apart from the legal requirements, proprietors need to keep their other customers happy. Many people just don’t want to eat in the company of other people’s dogs, even if they have dogs of their own! Banning dogs from the premises is an easy option for proprietors.
In the end a great deal comes down to the way the dogs behave. For example, Assistance dogs cannot be excluded from public areas but they don’t present a problem because they are invariably so well trained and well behaved that most other customers don’t even notice their presence.
There is a lesson there for all of us! Dogs which are well trained and well behaved are more likely to be welcomed than those that jump up on seats and at people and get into fights with other dogs.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Dog ownership can have a negative effect on your social activities, if you let it, when it comes to visiting pubs, restaurants etc. and staying in hotels and guest houses. These venues can be difficult for dog owners who want their dogs to accompany them.
This site exists to help with this problem. It does so by publicising as many as possible of the establishments up and down the country where dogs are welcomed.
Catering and accommodation businesses may have several reasons for not accepting dogs. Legal constraints do play a part. They are not insurmountable if the management is willing to make the effort. However not all are. Let’s just take a look at the legalities. Dogs and other animals are never allowed in areas where food is prepared. Well, you probably wouldn’t want to take your pet into the kitchen anyway!
Food must be protected from contamination from any source including animals. is up to The proprietor must be able to demonstrate how that is being achieved. Where food is on display in a public area it may be protected by keeping it covered and out of the reach of dogs and children.
Proprietors who do wish to be able to welcome dogs onto the premises may choose to set aside a “dog free” area for customers who prefer that. In the same way, hotels may decide to have certain rooms available for guests with dogs and keep the rest for those without.
Apart from the legal requirements, proprietors need to keep their other customers happy. Many people just don’t want to eat in the company of other people’s dogs, even if they have dogs of their own! Banning dogs from the premises is an easy option for proprietors.
In the end a great deal comes down to the way the dogs behave. For example, Assistance dogs cannot be excluded from public areas but they don’t present a problem because they are invariably so well trained and well behaved that most other customers don’t even notice their presence.
There is a lesson there for all of us! Dogs which are well trained and well behaved are more likely to be welcomed than those that jump up on seats and at people and get into fights with other dogs.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Monday, December 2. 2013
Introducing Dog Friendly Alerts
Hard as it might be for us as dog-lovers to comprehend, it is a sad fact that there are people out there who, for one reason or another, do not share our affection for our canine friends. That is their privilege of course and we may well say that it is their loss and generally speaking it’s no great problem to us. It may be that some of those people have had a bad experience involving a dog in the past.
It is when that dislike combines with a particularly nasty character that it becomes a problem for us and our animals. From time to time we hear of a hatred of dogs being translated into actual anti-dog activities with distressing results for both dogs and their owners. Vindictive individuals will do things like laying poisoned bait for dogs in a popular dog exercising area. Sometimes doggy treats will be left lying around with sharp objects concealed in them. Also outbreaks of “dog-napping” occur every so often, usually in a localised area.
Deliberate acts like these are not the only hazards dog walkers need to be aware of. There are natural dangers to dogs too, some of which may be seasonal. In wet conditions for example sink holes may develop in low lying areas near water. Some areas may have a higher than usual population of adders in their breeding season. Local knowledge is the key to dog safety in these situations.
What dog owners, professional dog walkers and volunteer puppy walkers need is a way of maintaining early awareness of such dangers in their areas. That goes a long way towards avoiding any dog in their care becoming a victim. Those who become aware of these hazards need somewhere to share their knowledge with other dog owners.
Dog Friendly Together has launched Dog Friendly Alerts for just this purpose. Certain people tend to be among the first to become aware of these hazards. Local vets and their staff will treat the first victims. Professional dog and puppy walkers, canine behaviourists, dog groomers and dog trainers all gain a great deal of local knowledge from their clients to add to their own.
Many people, when walking their own dogs, take great interest in what goes on around them, especially what other people are doing. They are likely to notice unusual activity, especially if it seems a bit furtive.
Whether you are a vet, dog groomer/trainer/behaviourist or simply a dog owner, or just like dogs and you become aware of any hazards to dogs in your area, don’t keep it to yourself! A quick post on Dog Friendly Alerts is the quickest and easiest way to share your information. You may never know what suffering you have saved both dogs and their owners.
Furthermore, if you are business owner you can get a free link back to your website just by adding an entry, including your website address in your contact information, and unticking the "Private" checkbox.
To find out more about Dog Friendly Together Alerts click here.
It is when that dislike combines with a particularly nasty character that it becomes a problem for us and our animals. From time to time we hear of a hatred of dogs being translated into actual anti-dog activities with distressing results for both dogs and their owners. Vindictive individuals will do things like laying poisoned bait for dogs in a popular dog exercising area. Sometimes doggy treats will be left lying around with sharp objects concealed in them. Also outbreaks of “dog-napping” occur every so often, usually in a localised area.
Deliberate acts like these are not the only hazards dog walkers need to be aware of. There are natural dangers to dogs too, some of which may be seasonal. In wet conditions for example sink holes may develop in low lying areas near water. Some areas may have a higher than usual population of adders in their breeding season. Local knowledge is the key to dog safety in these situations.
What dog owners, professional dog walkers and volunteer puppy walkers need is a way of maintaining early awareness of such dangers in their areas. That goes a long way towards avoiding any dog in their care becoming a victim. Those who become aware of these hazards need somewhere to share their knowledge with other dog owners.
Dog Friendly Together has launched Dog Friendly Alerts for just this purpose. Certain people tend to be among the first to become aware of these hazards. Local vets and their staff will treat the first victims. Professional dog and puppy walkers, canine behaviourists, dog groomers and dog trainers all gain a great deal of local knowledge from their clients to add to their own.
Many people, when walking their own dogs, take great interest in what goes on around them, especially what other people are doing. They are likely to notice unusual activity, especially if it seems a bit furtive.
Whether you are a vet, dog groomer/trainer/behaviourist or simply a dog owner, or just like dogs and you become aware of any hazards to dogs in your area, don’t keep it to yourself! A quick post on Dog Friendly Alerts is the quickest and easiest way to share your information. You may never know what suffering you have saved both dogs and their owners.
Furthermore, if you are business owner you can get a free link back to your website just by adding an entry, including your website address in your contact information, and unticking the "Private" checkbox.
To find out more about Dog Friendly Together Alerts click here.
Thursday, October 31. 2013
The 1925 Alaska Serum Run
We have previously considered the essential role dogs have played in making human life possible in the Polar Regions. Here is a brief account of one of the most famous examples of an almost superhuman lifesaving effort by men and their dogs.
In December 1924, just outside Nome, a gold-mining town in Alaska, a 2 year old Inuit boy contracted diphtheria and died. So began what became a substantial outbreak affecting both native and settler communities.
The first cases were misdiagnosed as tonsillitis and it was not until 20th January, 1925 that diphtheria was confirmed. The local hospital’s stock of diphtheria anti-toxin, dated from 1918, too old to use.
Fresh supplies, ordered in the summer of 1924, would come by ship to Nome. It had not arrived before the winter ice closed the harbour.
More cases were diagnosed. The Mayor, called an emergency meeting of the town council. It was evident that they faced a growing epidemic and the doctor estimated that at least a million units of the anti-toxin serum would be needed. The State Governor was informed of the situation and a telegram, to Washington DC carried an urgent plea for supplies of anti-toxin to be delivered by whatever means possible.
Using a relay of dog sled teams to carry the serum, once it was available, to Nome was suggested. Consolidated Gold Fields had an employee, Leonhard Seppala, who was already famous as a dog sled racer, in Nome. He could go from there with his team to Nulato, 315 miles away. There he could meet a team coming from Nenana, considered the best place to pick up the anti-toxin for the journey.
Some argued for flying the supply by bush plane, however only two of these aircraft were located in the area and both were stowed away, dismantled, for the winter.
Meanwhile, three hundred thousand units of the diphtheria anti-toxin serum were rushed by train from the Anchorage Railroad Hospital to Nenana. It arrived on 27th January. It wasn’t enough to end the epidemic but it would serve to hold it in check until more arrived. Over a million more units from hospitals all over the country were being shipped to Seattle for transport by sea to Seaward, near Anchorage, but that would not arrive before the first week in February.
Leonhard Seppala was already training his team of 20 dogs, led by his usual lead dog, Togo. Togo was already famous in the dog sled racing world and was getting on in years for a working dog in these conditions at 12 years old.
The plan was modified to use more teams to break the journey into more stages. On 27th January the first driver, “Wild Bill,” Shannon, set out with his team from Nenana railway station, carrying the 20lb pack of serum. His lead dog, Blackie, was five years old and an experienced sled dog. Shannon chose to travel along the relatively smooth surface of the frozen Tanana River to avoid the rutted track which could tear the pads of the dogs’ paws and cause ankle injuries. He ran alongside the sled to reduce the drag and keep as warm as possible.
He arrived at the roadhouse at Minto where he rested the dogs and himself and warmed the antitoxin. This had to be done at every opportunity to prevent it freezing and becoming useless. Apparently by this time, parts of his face were blackened by severe frostbite. After four hours rest, Shannon resumed his leg of the relay with just six dogs, leaving three behind. He arrived at the next staging post, Tolovana at 11.00a.m on the 28th January where he handed the serum over to the next driver.
Shannon and his team were described as being in pretty bad shape. When he returned home afterwards, two of the dogs he had left at Minto died. There is no record of what became of the third.
The serum continued its journey and reached the roadhouse at Shaktoolik on 31st January.
From there, Leonhard Seppala with Togo and his team had the task of taking the short cut across the frozen sea water of Norton Sound, the most dangerous part of the whole journey, due to the unpredictable nature of the treacherous sea ice which was actually starting to break up, just to make a bad situation worse!
Seppala and his large team of dogs set out into the Arctic storm, reaching Isaac’s Point a day later, a distance of 84 miles. He rested his team and himself for a few hours and then pressed on to Golovin, crossing more of the hazardous Norton Sound and traversing Little McKinley Mountain.
By then there were 28cases of diphtheria in Nome. The serum the teams were carrying was sufficient to treat 30.
The wind speed was 80 mph by then and when the serum arrived at Bluff the temperature was down to -57˚C. It was handed over to Gunnar Kaasen, a young Norwegian, trained by Seppala, and his team led by the soon to be famous Balto.
Kaasen waited a while for the storm to abate before setting out into the still ferocious weather. He later reported that at times the visibility was so bad that he could not even see the last two dogs in the team, nearest to the sled!
For various reasons he skipped the next stop and pressed on to Port Safety where he arrived considerably earlier than expected. Finding the next driver still asleep he decided that, rather than wait for him to get kitted up and his team ready, he would take a short rest and warm the serum and then press on again.
This he did and finally arrived outside the Merchants and Miners Bank on Front Street in Nome at 5.30am on February 2nd. A few people were about and they reported that on stopping, Kaasen staggered to the front of the team and collapsed there. He was heard to mutter, “Damn fine dog!” referring of course to Balto.
The serum delivered by means of this heroic example of men and dogs working together, held the situation in Nome until more substantial supplies could reach the town. Kaasen and Balto and Seppala and Togo became national heroes, particularly Kaasen and Balto, theirs being the team that actually brought the serum into town. It seems a little unfair to the other drivers and their dogs but such is the nature of fame and public acclamation! It should not be forgotten that at least four dogs did not survive the run.
Today, the Nome serum run is commemorated annually in a dog sled race in rather less desperate circumstance. This has been a very much condensed summary of the story. To find out much more fascinating detail, read The Cruelest Miles by Gay and Laney Salisbury, ISBN- 13:978-0393325706. There can be found the full story including all the events leading up to the run and what happened afterwards.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
In December 1924, just outside Nome, a gold-mining town in Alaska, a 2 year old Inuit boy contracted diphtheria and died. So began what became a substantial outbreak affecting both native and settler communities.
The first cases were misdiagnosed as tonsillitis and it was not until 20th January, 1925 that diphtheria was confirmed. The local hospital’s stock of diphtheria anti-toxin, dated from 1918, too old to use.
Fresh supplies, ordered in the summer of 1924, would come by ship to Nome. It had not arrived before the winter ice closed the harbour.
More cases were diagnosed. The Mayor, called an emergency meeting of the town council. It was evident that they faced a growing epidemic and the doctor estimated that at least a million units of the anti-toxin serum would be needed. The State Governor was informed of the situation and a telegram, to Washington DC carried an urgent plea for supplies of anti-toxin to be delivered by whatever means possible.
Using a relay of dog sled teams to carry the serum, once it was available, to Nome was suggested. Consolidated Gold Fields had an employee, Leonhard Seppala, who was already famous as a dog sled racer, in Nome. He could go from there with his team to Nulato, 315 miles away. There he could meet a team coming from Nenana, considered the best place to pick up the anti-toxin for the journey.
Some argued for flying the supply by bush plane, however only two of these aircraft were located in the area and both were stowed away, dismantled, for the winter.
Meanwhile, three hundred thousand units of the diphtheria anti-toxin serum were rushed by train from the Anchorage Railroad Hospital to Nenana. It arrived on 27th January. It wasn’t enough to end the epidemic but it would serve to hold it in check until more arrived. Over a million more units from hospitals all over the country were being shipped to Seattle for transport by sea to Seaward, near Anchorage, but that would not arrive before the first week in February.
Leonhard Seppala was already training his team of 20 dogs, led by his usual lead dog, Togo. Togo was already famous in the dog sled racing world and was getting on in years for a working dog in these conditions at 12 years old.
The plan was modified to use more teams to break the journey into more stages. On 27th January the first driver, “Wild Bill,” Shannon, set out with his team from Nenana railway station, carrying the 20lb pack of serum. His lead dog, Blackie, was five years old and an experienced sled dog. Shannon chose to travel along the relatively smooth surface of the frozen Tanana River to avoid the rutted track which could tear the pads of the dogs’ paws and cause ankle injuries. He ran alongside the sled to reduce the drag and keep as warm as possible.
He arrived at the roadhouse at Minto where he rested the dogs and himself and warmed the antitoxin. This had to be done at every opportunity to prevent it freezing and becoming useless. Apparently by this time, parts of his face were blackened by severe frostbite. After four hours rest, Shannon resumed his leg of the relay with just six dogs, leaving three behind. He arrived at the next staging post, Tolovana at 11.00a.m on the 28th January where he handed the serum over to the next driver.
Shannon and his team were described as being in pretty bad shape. When he returned home afterwards, two of the dogs he had left at Minto died. There is no record of what became of the third.
The serum continued its journey and reached the roadhouse at Shaktoolik on 31st January.
From there, Leonhard Seppala with Togo and his team had the task of taking the short cut across the frozen sea water of Norton Sound, the most dangerous part of the whole journey, due to the unpredictable nature of the treacherous sea ice which was actually starting to break up, just to make a bad situation worse!
Seppala and his large team of dogs set out into the Arctic storm, reaching Isaac’s Point a day later, a distance of 84 miles. He rested his team and himself for a few hours and then pressed on to Golovin, crossing more of the hazardous Norton Sound and traversing Little McKinley Mountain.
By then there were 28cases of diphtheria in Nome. The serum the teams were carrying was sufficient to treat 30.
The wind speed was 80 mph by then and when the serum arrived at Bluff the temperature was down to -57˚C. It was handed over to Gunnar Kaasen, a young Norwegian, trained by Seppala, and his team led by the soon to be famous Balto.
Kaasen waited a while for the storm to abate before setting out into the still ferocious weather. He later reported that at times the visibility was so bad that he could not even see the last two dogs in the team, nearest to the sled!
For various reasons he skipped the next stop and pressed on to Port Safety where he arrived considerably earlier than expected. Finding the next driver still asleep he decided that, rather than wait for him to get kitted up and his team ready, he would take a short rest and warm the serum and then press on again.
This he did and finally arrived outside the Merchants and Miners Bank on Front Street in Nome at 5.30am on February 2nd. A few people were about and they reported that on stopping, Kaasen staggered to the front of the team and collapsed there. He was heard to mutter, “Damn fine dog!” referring of course to Balto.
The serum delivered by means of this heroic example of men and dogs working together, held the situation in Nome until more substantial supplies could reach the town. Kaasen and Balto and Seppala and Togo became national heroes, particularly Kaasen and Balto, theirs being the team that actually brought the serum into town. It seems a little unfair to the other drivers and their dogs but such is the nature of fame and public acclamation! It should not be forgotten that at least four dogs did not survive the run.
Today, the Nome serum run is commemorated annually in a dog sled race in rather less desperate circumstance. This has been a very much condensed summary of the story. To find out much more fascinating detail, read The Cruelest Miles by Gay and Laney Salisbury, ISBN- 13:978-0393325706. There can be found the full story including all the events leading up to the run and what happened afterwards.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Wednesday, October 2. 2013
Eskimo Dogs
The Inuit peoples of the Arctic regions, more commonly referred to as “Eskimos” or “Esquimaux”, have always depended upon their canine companions for their very survival in those hostile climes. Indeed the dependency has been mutual throughout the centuries.
What we know today as the Canadian Eskimo Dog has been established in the Arctic for 4,000 years or probably more. The Thule people were the first known breeders of these dogs, though the origins of the animals they first bred from are somewhat obscure. There is also the Greenland dog which modern research suggests is related to the Canadian Eskimo Dog with so little significant genetic difference that many authorities consider both to be the same breed. Apparently some people criticise the Greenland Dog for its lack of any proper breeding programme. They cast doubt on its validity as a pure breed.
That raises a question. How can a dog be criticised for lack of a breeding programme? Dogs do not organise breeding programmes, they have them foisted on them by humans! Human imposed breeding programmes would have started with the Inuit trying to match their dogs with the right bitches and vice-versa in order to produce pups in which the most useful characteristics of their parents were emphasised. There would have been no Kennel Clubs in those days! Those early breeding attempts must have been quite hit and miss affairs with the Inuit learning from their mistakes along the way.
They probably ate the mistakes since it must not be forgotten that these dogs were not only used to perform essential work for their masters. They provided an important emergency food supply when food became particularly scarce, which would not have been an infrequent occurrence. From our comfortable present day perspective the idea of killing and eating our canine helpers does seem quite repugnant. However, people who live in such harsh and primitive environments tend to have no concept of sentiment towards their animals as we do. Indeed it seems that Inuit people never even considered their dogs to be animals at all. They regarded them as just another tool to be used in the daily struggle for survival.
These four legged tools were put to use in a variety of ways. They were real maids-of-all-work. Hunting seals and other animals as well as hauling supplies of all kinds and people on sleds. In Canada the Inuit still make limited use of the dogs for similar purposes although their haulage role has largely been usurped by the ubiquitous snowmobile. Early explorers from outside the Arctic Circle were impressed by the dogs’ prowess in finding seal holes from considerable distances and their enthusiasm for hunting polar bears. Dogs soon learned to recognise the name for polar bears, “nanuq,” and their handlers would often shout that word to spur them on to greater effort when hauling sleds.
Wolves were another matter entirely. The wolf was the one animal the Inuit dogs feared and they would not attempt to chase them. When they sensed that wolves were in the vicinity they would let everyone know by howling in fear.
The value of these dogs to the Inuit is comparable to that of the reindeer to the Lapps of Northern Europe. Their service did not end with being an essential aid in hunting for food, furs and defence and moving everything that needed to be moved. They even provided medicine! The Inuit froze their urine and used it as an antiseptic for wounds. The dog did not even cease to be of use to them when it died. Not only was it then a source of emergency rations as already mentioned but its skin and fur were of great value to the Inuit. It was considered to be better than wolf fur and was prized for its harder wearing qualities.
Even up to Victorian times the Eskimo dog was believed to be a semi-domesticated hybrid bred from wolves. Even Charles Darwin was deceived by the dogs’ appearance and their wolf –like howling into assuming this to be the case. However he and his contemporaries did not have access to genetic testing. With that advantage, modern scientific research indicates no evidence of wolf ancestry within recent centuries.
The decline of the Eskimo Dogs of Canada in modern times is a story in itself but that’s for another time. Watch this space for more on those fascinating dogs of the frozen north.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
What we know today as the Canadian Eskimo Dog has been established in the Arctic for 4,000 years or probably more. The Thule people were the first known breeders of these dogs, though the origins of the animals they first bred from are somewhat obscure. There is also the Greenland dog which modern research suggests is related to the Canadian Eskimo Dog with so little significant genetic difference that many authorities consider both to be the same breed. Apparently some people criticise the Greenland Dog for its lack of any proper breeding programme. They cast doubt on its validity as a pure breed.
That raises a question. How can a dog be criticised for lack of a breeding programme? Dogs do not organise breeding programmes, they have them foisted on them by humans! Human imposed breeding programmes would have started with the Inuit trying to match their dogs with the right bitches and vice-versa in order to produce pups in which the most useful characteristics of their parents were emphasised. There would have been no Kennel Clubs in those days! Those early breeding attempts must have been quite hit and miss affairs with the Inuit learning from their mistakes along the way.
They probably ate the mistakes since it must not be forgotten that these dogs were not only used to perform essential work for their masters. They provided an important emergency food supply when food became particularly scarce, which would not have been an infrequent occurrence. From our comfortable present day perspective the idea of killing and eating our canine helpers does seem quite repugnant. However, people who live in such harsh and primitive environments tend to have no concept of sentiment towards their animals as we do. Indeed it seems that Inuit people never even considered their dogs to be animals at all. They regarded them as just another tool to be used in the daily struggle for survival.
These four legged tools were put to use in a variety of ways. They were real maids-of-all-work. Hunting seals and other animals as well as hauling supplies of all kinds and people on sleds. In Canada the Inuit still make limited use of the dogs for similar purposes although their haulage role has largely been usurped by the ubiquitous snowmobile. Early explorers from outside the Arctic Circle were impressed by the dogs’ prowess in finding seal holes from considerable distances and their enthusiasm for hunting polar bears. Dogs soon learned to recognise the name for polar bears, “nanuq,” and their handlers would often shout that word to spur them on to greater effort when hauling sleds.
Wolves were another matter entirely. The wolf was the one animal the Inuit dogs feared and they would not attempt to chase them. When they sensed that wolves were in the vicinity they would let everyone know by howling in fear.
The value of these dogs to the Inuit is comparable to that of the reindeer to the Lapps of Northern Europe. Their service did not end with being an essential aid in hunting for food, furs and defence and moving everything that needed to be moved. They even provided medicine! The Inuit froze their urine and used it as an antiseptic for wounds. The dog did not even cease to be of use to them when it died. Not only was it then a source of emergency rations as already mentioned but its skin and fur were of great value to the Inuit. It was considered to be better than wolf fur and was prized for its harder wearing qualities.
Even up to Victorian times the Eskimo dog was believed to be a semi-domesticated hybrid bred from wolves. Even Charles Darwin was deceived by the dogs’ appearance and their wolf –like howling into assuming this to be the case. However he and his contemporaries did not have access to genetic testing. With that advantage, modern scientific research indicates no evidence of wolf ancestry within recent centuries.
The decline of the Eskimo Dogs of Canada in modern times is a story in itself but that’s for another time. Watch this space for more on those fascinating dogs of the frozen north.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Thursday, August 29. 2013
More about those Dogs of the Frozen North
Last time we looked at Spitz type dogs in general and the ways in which they have helped the human inhabitants of those cold polar and sub-polar regions to survive and go about their business. Now let’s take a closer look at what makes the Spitze so well adapted to life in the high latitudes and at some of the individual breeds that make up the Spitz type.
These dogs have thick fur growing on their paws which help to protect the pads from the sharp edges of ice ridges and fragments which so commonly lie underfoot in the frozen wastes. A thick undercoat of extra dense fur, which lies under the outer coat, provides both waterproofing and insulation, keeping body heat where it belongs, in the body.
The small ears which are characteristic of many Spitze are less susceptible to frostbite than larger ears would be. When laid flat against the head they are sheltered from the icy winds experienced in the far north. Spitz dogs’ hearing is no less acute for having such small ears.
The Samoyed, the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky are all breeds descended from the oldest breed of dog known to man, the sled dogs of Mongolia. It’s reckoned that they probably evolved somewhere between 30000 and 35000 years ago. Scientific studies indicate that humans first migrated to areas to the north of the Arctic Circle some 25000 years ago taking these dogs with them. At that time the dogs were used in hunting. Evidence suggests that it took 22000 years for them to think of using their dogs to pull sleds, that is about 3000 years ago. The breakthrough came when communities that lived by fishing and hunting were driven further north into the desolate, snow covered lands of Siberia as livestock farming and agriculture took over the more temperate zones.
The use of sled dogs soon became widespread throughout the northern latitudes, in what we now know as Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Siberia as well as in Lapland, Norway, Finland and Chukotka. It was as recently as 1908 that dogs from the Anadyr River basin in Chukotka were imported into Alaska. These were the first Siberian Huskies to be seen in that part of North America. Their combination of strength with speed and agility soon made them the sled dog of choice for most users and they became the dominant breed in the region.
Although the name, “Husky” properly belongs to the Siberian Husky breed, it has become a generic term for any dogs that pull sleds in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a corruption of the nickname, Esky, used by non-Inuit people as an abbreviation for “Eskimo” and applied by extension to their dogs.
Siberian Huskies made it possible for whole tribes of human beings to survive in these inhospitable regions. Indeed they made not only survival possible but enabled the tribes to migrate further and discover territory hitherto unknown. As recently as 1909 when Rear Admiral Peary of the US Navy set out to reach the North Pole he relied on sleds drawn by Siberian Huskies for transport.
The Gold Rush years between 1908 and 1928 saw the development of long distance dog sled racing. The Siberian Huskies dominated the sport right from the beginning and they were imported from Siberia in large numbers until 1930 when the Soviet Government put a stop to the importation when it closed the border between Alaska and Siberia to all trade.
By that time the dogs were being bred in Alaska and Canada anyway so there was much less need for imported huskies. The breed was by then established in North America and became recognised by the National and State kennel clubs.
In this article, Siberian Huskies have managed to dominate just as they did in Alaska and push out the other breeds. The Eskimo dog breeds can have our full attention next time.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
These dogs have thick fur growing on their paws which help to protect the pads from the sharp edges of ice ridges and fragments which so commonly lie underfoot in the frozen wastes. A thick undercoat of extra dense fur, which lies under the outer coat, provides both waterproofing and insulation, keeping body heat where it belongs, in the body.
The small ears which are characteristic of many Spitze are less susceptible to frostbite than larger ears would be. When laid flat against the head they are sheltered from the icy winds experienced in the far north. Spitz dogs’ hearing is no less acute for having such small ears.
The Samoyed, the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky are all breeds descended from the oldest breed of dog known to man, the sled dogs of Mongolia. It’s reckoned that they probably evolved somewhere between 30000 and 35000 years ago. Scientific studies indicate that humans first migrated to areas to the north of the Arctic Circle some 25000 years ago taking these dogs with them. At that time the dogs were used in hunting. Evidence suggests that it took 22000 years for them to think of using their dogs to pull sleds, that is about 3000 years ago. The breakthrough came when communities that lived by fishing and hunting were driven further north into the desolate, snow covered lands of Siberia as livestock farming and agriculture took over the more temperate zones.
The use of sled dogs soon became widespread throughout the northern latitudes, in what we now know as Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Siberia as well as in Lapland, Norway, Finland and Chukotka. It was as recently as 1908 that dogs from the Anadyr River basin in Chukotka were imported into Alaska. These were the first Siberian Huskies to be seen in that part of North America. Their combination of strength with speed and agility soon made them the sled dog of choice for most users and they became the dominant breed in the region.
Although the name, “Husky” properly belongs to the Siberian Husky breed, it has become a generic term for any dogs that pull sleds in the Northern Hemisphere. It is a corruption of the nickname, Esky, used by non-Inuit people as an abbreviation for “Eskimo” and applied by extension to their dogs.
Siberian Huskies made it possible for whole tribes of human beings to survive in these inhospitable regions. Indeed they made not only survival possible but enabled the tribes to migrate further and discover territory hitherto unknown. As recently as 1909 when Rear Admiral Peary of the US Navy set out to reach the North Pole he relied on sleds drawn by Siberian Huskies for transport.
The Gold Rush years between 1908 and 1928 saw the development of long distance dog sled racing. The Siberian Huskies dominated the sport right from the beginning and they were imported from Siberia in large numbers until 1930 when the Soviet Government put a stop to the importation when it closed the border between Alaska and Siberia to all trade.
By that time the dogs were being bred in Alaska and Canada anyway so there was much less need for imported huskies. The breed was by then established in North America and became recognised by the National and State kennel clubs.
In this article, Siberian Huskies have managed to dominate just as they did in Alaska and push out the other breeds. The Eskimo dog breeds can have our full attention next time.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Friday, August 2. 2013
Dogs of the Frozen North
The frozen lands within the Arctic Circle, or close to it, of Northern Europe, Siberia and North America are home to a variety of dogs all of which fall under one generic type, known as the Spitz type. This is not a specific breed, it is a type. By the way the name is originally German which is why the correct plural form is “spitze”.
No-one seems to know the actual origins of the type but pretty well all of the breeds of Spitz type known today have their origins in those harsh northern climes, either the Arctic or remote cold parts of East Asia. Spitz type dogs are recognisable by their thick, long fur, frequently white in colour, their pointed ears and muzzles and their tails. The tail is normally seen curled up and over the animal’s back. This is particularly noticeable when the dog’s attention is attracted or it is excited by something.
Historically these have been working dogs and over centuries they have been selectively bred to serve their human masters in three principal ways, as herding dogs, to assist with hunting and to pull sledges over the snowfields. The different breeds of Spitze vary in size and build and were used for different purposes accordingly.
Some of the more powerful, larger breeds were used for what we might call big game hunting, targeting brown bears and moose. The Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian and Swedish Elkhounds and the Akita Inu would typically be employed in this sort of activity. Across Scandinavia, hunters of smaller animals and birds would favour smaller breeds like the Finnish Spitz or the Lundehund.
Up until sometime in the 19th Century three particular Spitz breeds were being employed more than any other for pulling sleds or sledges because of their size and strength. The Greenland Dog, the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Alaskan Malmute were the favourites.
Then in the 19th Century speed became name of the game (sounds familiar doesn’t it?) as fur trapping became profitable. Just as the fisherman who gets his catch to market first gets the best price, so it was with the trappers and their furs. The Siberian husky (bet you were wondering when huskies would get a mention!) became the more popular choice in Alaska and Canada because they are smaller and above all faster than the others. The Sami people of Scandinavia, otherwise known as Lapps, began to favour the Finnish Lapphund for the same reasons.
In Alaska and Canada people started racing sleds as a sport and that became a lucrative business. Again the Siberian husky was the sled dog of choice which is probably why nowadays people tend to refer to all dogs that pull sleds as “huskies”.
The Arctic regions are inhospitable to most forms of life, particularly humans and most dogs. Wolves have always inhabited these wild and chilly parts of the world and are well adapted to the conditions. Many Spitz type dogs are quite wolf-like in appearance and they are equally well adapted to the harsh arctic conditions, which has led to an assumption that they are closely related descendants of the Arctic wolf. In fact modern scientific research indicates that the line of descent of the Spitz dogs is quite separate from that of the wolf. There may have been some cross breeding long ago due to isolated instances of wolves mating with Spitze.
That’s just a brief account of Spitz dogs in general and their lives as working dogs. Next time we’ll look at some of the specific breeds and their stories.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
No-one seems to know the actual origins of the type but pretty well all of the breeds of Spitz type known today have their origins in those harsh northern climes, either the Arctic or remote cold parts of East Asia. Spitz type dogs are recognisable by their thick, long fur, frequently white in colour, their pointed ears and muzzles and their tails. The tail is normally seen curled up and over the animal’s back. This is particularly noticeable when the dog’s attention is attracted or it is excited by something.
Historically these have been working dogs and over centuries they have been selectively bred to serve their human masters in three principal ways, as herding dogs, to assist with hunting and to pull sledges over the snowfields. The different breeds of Spitze vary in size and build and were used for different purposes accordingly.
Some of the more powerful, larger breeds were used for what we might call big game hunting, targeting brown bears and moose. The Karelian Bear Dog, Norwegian and Swedish Elkhounds and the Akita Inu would typically be employed in this sort of activity. Across Scandinavia, hunters of smaller animals and birds would favour smaller breeds like the Finnish Spitz or the Lundehund.
Up until sometime in the 19th Century three particular Spitz breeds were being employed more than any other for pulling sleds or sledges because of their size and strength. The Greenland Dog, the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Alaskan Malmute were the favourites.
Then in the 19th Century speed became name of the game (sounds familiar doesn’t it?) as fur trapping became profitable. Just as the fisherman who gets his catch to market first gets the best price, so it was with the trappers and their furs. The Siberian husky (bet you were wondering when huskies would get a mention!) became the more popular choice in Alaska and Canada because they are smaller and above all faster than the others. The Sami people of Scandinavia, otherwise known as Lapps, began to favour the Finnish Lapphund for the same reasons.
In Alaska and Canada people started racing sleds as a sport and that became a lucrative business. Again the Siberian husky was the sled dog of choice which is probably why nowadays people tend to refer to all dogs that pull sleds as “huskies”.
The Arctic regions are inhospitable to most forms of life, particularly humans and most dogs. Wolves have always inhabited these wild and chilly parts of the world and are well adapted to the conditions. Many Spitz type dogs are quite wolf-like in appearance and they are equally well adapted to the harsh arctic conditions, which has led to an assumption that they are closely related descendants of the Arctic wolf. In fact modern scientific research indicates that the line of descent of the Spitz dogs is quite separate from that of the wolf. There may have been some cross breeding long ago due to isolated instances of wolves mating with Spitze.
That’s just a brief account of Spitz dogs in general and their lives as working dogs. Next time we’ll look at some of the specific breeds and their stories.
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Monday, July 1. 2013
Search and Rescue Dogs - General
When we start looking at the ultimate dog friendly service, search and rescue dogs, it is very easy to get sidetracked by the fascinating stories of specific breeds such as the St Bernard and the Newfoundland. Well, we’ve been there and done that so now let’s take a look at SAR dogs in general. Several different breeds are employed in this kind of work, none of them as specialised as the two we’ve considered so far.
In fact even in snowy mountain country with high incidence of avalanches the St Bernard’s role has been largely taken over by smaller, more agile breeds, such as the German Shepherd, which are still big enough to have the strength needed but are lighter and much easier to transport quickly. However, for rescue from water, there is really no replacement for the Newfoundland.
Unofficial SAR dogs have even been portrayed in popular fiction. Everyone over a certain age will remember the screen star, “Lassie”. That said, even some younger folk will remember, “Skippy the Bush Kangaroo”. However, as far as can be ascertained, no-one has ever actually trained SAR kangaroos in real life!
Dogs, on the other hand, have played an essential part in search and rescue operations ever since the monks of the St Bernard Hospice first started to use them in the 17th Century. Their work in the treacherous St. Bernard’s Pass area is the earliest recorded canine rescue activity.
In Victorian times and earlier, Bloodhounds were used to track down fugitives and find bodies so by the time war broke out in Europe in 1914 the value of the canine sense of smell and acute hearing was already well appreciated. Amid the dreadful chaos, carnage, mud and debris of the Western Front many wounded men were only found and brought to relative safety due to the expertise of specially trained search and rescue dogs. The armies involved were not alone in their use of canine support. The Red Cross workers also employed dogs to assist them in their missions of mercy.
When peace was again shattered by World War II the same kind of work was again undertaken by rescue dogs. Although the pattern of warfare had altered from the entrenched stalemate of WWI to the fast moving actions of the 1940s, wounded soldiers still needed to be located and rescued. As the war progressed, the deployment of US troops led to the establishment of the Dogs for Defense Program in America.
There the dogs were trained for the same kind of work and some other military tasks as well. A number of different breeds were employed but, originally, the majority were Newfoundlands.
After hostilities ceased in 1945, life in Europe began to return to some sort of normality. The military on both sides of the Atlantic continued to develop their dog training activities for various purposes including search and rescue.
Civilian search and rescue organisations were quick to recognise the value of canine assistance now that people had not only the freedom but also the leisure time to visit more remote areas and inevitably, on occasions get themselves into difficulties. In Switzerland the alpine regions provide plenty of opportunities for people to suffer injuries and, worst of all, on occasions become the victims of avalanches. When that happens they need to be found and dug out quickly if they are to survive.
The Swiss Alpine Club, which undertakes this vital work, originally used to search by prodding with a long pole into the snow in the hope of hitting a person who lay buried beneath. This was literally a “hit or miss” system and was far from satisfactory. They soon found that rescue dogs provided a much quicker and more certain method and their use quickly became the preferred option.
Very soon other search and rescue groups throughout the Alps followed suit. However, it is not only in the Alps that SAR dogs are now an essential part of every team dedicated to finding and rescuing people in remote and difficult terrain. All over Great Britain these four legged Samaritans are on readiness to go out at a moment’s notice when needed. Pups are constantly being trained ready to take over when old age overtakes them.
Dogs of several breeds undertake this sort of work, German shepherds may be the best known to us, the general public, but Labradors, Golden retrievers and Border collies are all out there doing sterling work. They work in different ways which is one reason for the variety of breeds. Some are trail dogs, following a scent trail on the ground; others follow scent in the air. The canine nose is a wonderful creation. Don’t forget the acute hearing of the species though. Faint cries for help will be picked up by a dog’s ears long before his or her human handler will hear them.
SAR dogs have proved their value in many different situations. Following countless earthquakes around the world, hurricanes and similar natural disasters, they are there helping to locate survivors and indeed the dead so they can receive proper burial or cremation. The aftermath of terrorist attacks too such as 9/11 in America, the London Underground attack and the Madrid bombing sees search and rescue dogs getting in there and finding the victims.
Many of the dog friendly organisations that train and employ SAR dogs are made up of unpaid volunteers. Others are part of the professional, full-time emergency services. The level of professionalism is common to both, humans and dogs!
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
In fact even in snowy mountain country with high incidence of avalanches the St Bernard’s role has been largely taken over by smaller, more agile breeds, such as the German Shepherd, which are still big enough to have the strength needed but are lighter and much easier to transport quickly. However, for rescue from water, there is really no replacement for the Newfoundland.
Unofficial SAR dogs have even been portrayed in popular fiction. Everyone over a certain age will remember the screen star, “Lassie”. That said, even some younger folk will remember, “Skippy the Bush Kangaroo”. However, as far as can be ascertained, no-one has ever actually trained SAR kangaroos in real life!
Dogs, on the other hand, have played an essential part in search and rescue operations ever since the monks of the St Bernard Hospice first started to use them in the 17th Century. Their work in the treacherous St. Bernard’s Pass area is the earliest recorded canine rescue activity.
In Victorian times and earlier, Bloodhounds were used to track down fugitives and find bodies so by the time war broke out in Europe in 1914 the value of the canine sense of smell and acute hearing was already well appreciated. Amid the dreadful chaos, carnage, mud and debris of the Western Front many wounded men were only found and brought to relative safety due to the expertise of specially trained search and rescue dogs. The armies involved were not alone in their use of canine support. The Red Cross workers also employed dogs to assist them in their missions of mercy.
When peace was again shattered by World War II the same kind of work was again undertaken by rescue dogs. Although the pattern of warfare had altered from the entrenched stalemate of WWI to the fast moving actions of the 1940s, wounded soldiers still needed to be located and rescued. As the war progressed, the deployment of US troops led to the establishment of the Dogs for Defense Program in America.
There the dogs were trained for the same kind of work and some other military tasks as well. A number of different breeds were employed but, originally, the majority were Newfoundlands.
After hostilities ceased in 1945, life in Europe began to return to some sort of normality. The military on both sides of the Atlantic continued to develop their dog training activities for various purposes including search and rescue.
Civilian search and rescue organisations were quick to recognise the value of canine assistance now that people had not only the freedom but also the leisure time to visit more remote areas and inevitably, on occasions get themselves into difficulties. In Switzerland the alpine regions provide plenty of opportunities for people to suffer injuries and, worst of all, on occasions become the victims of avalanches. When that happens they need to be found and dug out quickly if they are to survive.
The Swiss Alpine Club, which undertakes this vital work, originally used to search by prodding with a long pole into the snow in the hope of hitting a person who lay buried beneath. This was literally a “hit or miss” system and was far from satisfactory. They soon found that rescue dogs provided a much quicker and more certain method and their use quickly became the preferred option.
Very soon other search and rescue groups throughout the Alps followed suit. However, it is not only in the Alps that SAR dogs are now an essential part of every team dedicated to finding and rescuing people in remote and difficult terrain. All over Great Britain these four legged Samaritans are on readiness to go out at a moment’s notice when needed. Pups are constantly being trained ready to take over when old age overtakes them.
Dogs of several breeds undertake this sort of work, German shepherds may be the best known to us, the general public, but Labradors, Golden retrievers and Border collies are all out there doing sterling work. They work in different ways which is one reason for the variety of breeds. Some are trail dogs, following a scent trail on the ground; others follow scent in the air. The canine nose is a wonderful creation. Don’t forget the acute hearing of the species though. Faint cries for help will be picked up by a dog’s ears long before his or her human handler will hear them.
SAR dogs have proved their value in many different situations. Following countless earthquakes around the world, hurricanes and similar natural disasters, they are there helping to locate survivors and indeed the dead so they can receive proper burial or cremation. The aftermath of terrorist attacks too such as 9/11 in America, the London Underground attack and the Madrid bombing sees search and rescue dogs getting in there and finding the victims.
Many of the dog friendly organisations that train and employ SAR dogs are made up of unpaid volunteers. Others are part of the professional, full-time emergency services. The level of professionalism is common to both, humans and dogs!
This article was provided by freelance copywriter uk, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
Wednesday, June 5. 2013
Lifesaving Dogs - The Newfoundland
Probably the first thing that strikes you about the Newfoundland when you first meet is the size of the animal. They really are big! It wasn’t for nothing that the natives of Newfoundland in ancient times referred to them as “bear dogs.” As long ago as 1000 AD the forebears of the Newfoundland dogs of today were the constant working companions of those early inhabitants of what we now know as the Province of Newfoundland, Canada.
The dogs have evolved since then partly through the usual sequence of selective breeding and way back in those early days they soon developed an instinctive talent for retrieving objects and people from water. They quickly proved indispensable, especially to the native fishermen earning a living from the treacherous icy waters off the island’s coast. They took the dogs with them on board their boats where they earned their keep by retrieving items of equipment that was lost overboard and fishermen themselves who were so unfortunate. The dogs’ ability to get a man back on board swiftly would have been the key to survival. Life expectancy after falling into such icy water is measured in minutes and not many of them!
Quite apart from rescue and retrieval these amazing dogs were tireless helpers in hauling in heavily laden nets and carrying lines from boat to boat when required, in addition to their lifeguard duty. Their work was not over when the boats returned to port either. The day’s catch had to be hauled to market and who pulled the carts? That’s right, the faithful Newfies!
Down through the centuries this partnership between men and dogs continued. When Viking explorer Lief Erickson sailed to North America he is said to have been accompanied by a Newfoundland, Oolam. Legend has it that during a North Atlantic storm, Oolam rescued five of Erickson’s Vikings when they were washed overboard. As Newfoundland became settled with immigrants from Europe, many of them from Scotland, trade with the rest of the world developed and sailors from elsewhere began to appreciate the work of the Newfoundland dogs. Sailing ships often carried a Newfoundland on board to recover anyone who fell overboard at sea, a practice that was still common at the beginning of the 20th Century.
When the explorers, Clarke and Lewis set out to try to find the fabled Northwest Passage they took with them a Newfoundland by the name of Seaman as lifeguard and helper. Down through the ages, stories abound of lives being saved by these gentle canine giants, well known personages among them. Napoleon I for example was once saved from drowning by a Newfie for better or worse, depending on your point of view. As recently as 1919, just off the coast of Newfoundland, a small steamship stranded on rocks. The rocks combined with the heavy surf to render rescue boats or the ship’s lifeboats useless. Fortunately for all on board, among the ship’s company was a Newfoundland dog. The dog swam ashore in conditions which no human could have survived with a line which enabled a bosun’s chair to be rigged. As a result the entire ship’s company were saved from certain death.
In the 21st Century, Newfoundlands work regularly with beach patrols in many countries. At the Molveno Dog Show in Italy, the Italian School of Dog training put on their annual water training demonstration. They demonstrate rescue situations where Newfoundlands, with their human handlers, jump from helicopters as they hover at a height of fifteen feet above the surface of the water and then carry out a rescue.
The French coastguard have carried out exercises which demonstrate that a fit and healthy Newfie can tow an inflatable life raft carrying twenty people two miles to shore without any signs of over exertion. Bear in mind that a life raft is not a normal boat shape and is not at all easy to tow, even empty, especially one that size!
Some of the Newfoundland’s lifeguarding instincts are quite uncanny. For example they seem to instinctively take special care of children or a family group. They seem to sense when danger threatens in the water and will often circle the group, shepherding them to shore. Their apparent ability to sense when someone needs help seems almost supernatural. Without being prompted a Newf will swim out to the potential casualty almost before the person realises they are in danger!
Their method of rescue seems to vary between dogs. Some will swim around the person until they feel him or her grab hold of them and then swim to shore. Others will actually take hold of the person’s arm in the mouth and tow them ashore that way.
Evolution has equipped the Newfoundland unusually well for its role as the world’s only truly amphibious dog. It has a double coat which is remarkably water resistant, providing a sort of hairy wetsuit! The ears cling close to the head helping to keep water out of them and aiding streamlining. His tail is strong and muscular and he uses it as a rudder but the most unusual feature for a dog is the feet. The Newfoundland actually has webbed feet, perfect for swimming. The style of swimming is unusual for a dog too. It’s more like a breast stroke than the ”doggy paddle,” adopted by most dogs.
If you live and work on the sea, you couldn’t have a better companion than a Newfoundland. You do need quite a big boat though!
Article provided provided by UK copywriter, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
The dogs have evolved since then partly through the usual sequence of selective breeding and way back in those early days they soon developed an instinctive talent for retrieving objects and people from water. They quickly proved indispensable, especially to the native fishermen earning a living from the treacherous icy waters off the island’s coast. They took the dogs with them on board their boats where they earned their keep by retrieving items of equipment that was lost overboard and fishermen themselves who were so unfortunate. The dogs’ ability to get a man back on board swiftly would have been the key to survival. Life expectancy after falling into such icy water is measured in minutes and not many of them!
Quite apart from rescue and retrieval these amazing dogs were tireless helpers in hauling in heavily laden nets and carrying lines from boat to boat when required, in addition to their lifeguard duty. Their work was not over when the boats returned to port either. The day’s catch had to be hauled to market and who pulled the carts? That’s right, the faithful Newfies!
Down through the centuries this partnership between men and dogs continued. When Viking explorer Lief Erickson sailed to North America he is said to have been accompanied by a Newfoundland, Oolam. Legend has it that during a North Atlantic storm, Oolam rescued five of Erickson’s Vikings when they were washed overboard. As Newfoundland became settled with immigrants from Europe, many of them from Scotland, trade with the rest of the world developed and sailors from elsewhere began to appreciate the work of the Newfoundland dogs. Sailing ships often carried a Newfoundland on board to recover anyone who fell overboard at sea, a practice that was still common at the beginning of the 20th Century.
When the explorers, Clarke and Lewis set out to try to find the fabled Northwest Passage they took with them a Newfoundland by the name of Seaman as lifeguard and helper. Down through the ages, stories abound of lives being saved by these gentle canine giants, well known personages among them. Napoleon I for example was once saved from drowning by a Newfie for better or worse, depending on your point of view. As recently as 1919, just off the coast of Newfoundland, a small steamship stranded on rocks. The rocks combined with the heavy surf to render rescue boats or the ship’s lifeboats useless. Fortunately for all on board, among the ship’s company was a Newfoundland dog. The dog swam ashore in conditions which no human could have survived with a line which enabled a bosun’s chair to be rigged. As a result the entire ship’s company were saved from certain death.
In the 21st Century, Newfoundlands work regularly with beach patrols in many countries. At the Molveno Dog Show in Italy, the Italian School of Dog training put on their annual water training demonstration. They demonstrate rescue situations where Newfoundlands, with their human handlers, jump from helicopters as they hover at a height of fifteen feet above the surface of the water and then carry out a rescue.
The French coastguard have carried out exercises which demonstrate that a fit and healthy Newfie can tow an inflatable life raft carrying twenty people two miles to shore without any signs of over exertion. Bear in mind that a life raft is not a normal boat shape and is not at all easy to tow, even empty, especially one that size!
Some of the Newfoundland’s lifeguarding instincts are quite uncanny. For example they seem to instinctively take special care of children or a family group. They seem to sense when danger threatens in the water and will often circle the group, shepherding them to shore. Their apparent ability to sense when someone needs help seems almost supernatural. Without being prompted a Newf will swim out to the potential casualty almost before the person realises they are in danger!
Their method of rescue seems to vary between dogs. Some will swim around the person until they feel him or her grab hold of them and then swim to shore. Others will actually take hold of the person’s arm in the mouth and tow them ashore that way.
Evolution has equipped the Newfoundland unusually well for its role as the world’s only truly amphibious dog. It has a double coat which is remarkably water resistant, providing a sort of hairy wetsuit! The ears cling close to the head helping to keep water out of them and aiding streamlining. His tail is strong and muscular and he uses it as a rudder but the most unusual feature for a dog is the feet. The Newfoundland actually has webbed feet, perfect for swimming. The style of swimming is unusual for a dog too. It’s more like a breast stroke than the ”doggy paddle,” adopted by most dogs.
If you live and work on the sea, you couldn’t have a better companion than a Newfoundland. You do need quite a big boat though!
Article provided provided by UK copywriter, Pete Hopper of Write For You.
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