A Brief History Of The Dalmatian

Since the mid 18th century, historians have found references to the breed of dog known as the Dalmatian. The breeds’ first established home, for which the breed was also named after was Dalmatia. It is a place in the Western Yugoslavian area which at one time was part of Austria, located on the Adriatic. However, these dogs were well-known throughout many parts of the world long before that time. The breed was shown in various types of antique art including engravings, paintings, models, and early writings which have accounted for the presence of spotted dogs of the same size and type in wide-ranging areas including early Africa, Asia, and Europe. As history tells us, several bands of ancient gypsies (Romanies) were accompanied by the dogs in their wanderings around the world, which explains the vast widespread and popularity of the breed.

The Dalmatian quickly became a favorite and established some of their best known claims to fame in Great Britain. They were brought there by members of the British upper classes who in those days often made tours to Europe and would often come back accompanied by some of the striking spotted dogs. Right after they were adopted by the English aristocracy who used them to accompany their horse-drawn carriages, the charming dog soon became a feature of these processions. The dogs were taught to station themselves beneath the rear axle of the coach, and in some cases to trot underneath the pole separating the horses. They were also taught to lead the procession, trotting along ahead of the first horse, which was an impressive sight to see!

Another type of activity with which the Dalmatian became known for, which also said to have started in Great Britain, is his very famous role of being a "firehouse dog.” This was said to have started with the dogs being used as ratters, for the function of killing vermin in London's stables and firehouses, which they did with expertise. But these dogs loved the horses and the fire engine, so it was almost inevitable that they soon were racing ahead of them through the streets whenever the alarm was sounded. In the present days, many Dalmatians can still be seen riding on the fire trucks with their masters. Dalmatians are still considered as the mascot and are often found in firehouses, not only in Great Britain but in the United States and other countries as well.

In addition to being a “firehouse dog,” Dalmatians have also worked in war times; done sentinel duty; served as shepherd's dogs; and as draft dogs. They have been seen in many circus shows, especially enjoying popularity with the clowns as "assistants," their intelligence, aptitude, and showy appearance having fitted them particularly well for this activity.

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The Bichon Frise Has A History Of Bichon Rescue

It would be easy to confuse the Bichon Frise with a mobile powder puff. It has a double coat that makes the outer coat textured and puffy. The inner coat has a silky appearance. An active, loving powder puff with black nose and eyes. To meet the AKC standards, the body must be white but may have shading of apricot, buff or cream. The dogs do not shed but their hair is constantly growing so they can turn out to be high maintenance. As with any dog you should be sure that you are willing and able to put up with their needs before inviting one into your home. Many of the breed that ends up in bichon rescue shelters end up there because their owners did not research for a good match.

The early history of the Bichon Frise would indicate that their popularity grew from a seemingly bichon rescue effort. The Bichon Reise, a descendent of the Water Spaniel were found by 13th century Spanish sailors and traded around the world into homes that grew to love them. By the 16th century this effortless placement had worked the Bichon Frise into the royal courts of France. By the 1800s the dog had once again fallen from its popularity and was found accompanying organ grinders or appearing in circuses. Quite a come down for a proud dog that had once been featured in the paintings of Goya.

Among the interesting facts and history of the breed we find that the next significant bichon rescue occurred on March 5, 1933. It was on this date that the Societe Centrale Canine of France adopted the official standard of the breed. Breeding first occurred in the U.S. in 1956. In 1959 and 1960 two breeders acquired Bichons and the U.S. origin was underway. The breed was admitted into the Miscellaneous Class on September 1, 1971 and registration started in October 1972. It was on April 4 of the next year that the breed became eligible to show in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC dog shows.

While it is difficult to believe that a breed as lovable and playful as the Bichon Frise would ever be abandoned or mistreated it does happen with all too much regularity. For this reason bichon rescue societies have sprung up across the country. They will rescue the dogs from shelters where they would be euthanized and put them into foster homes until a formal adoption can be arranged. If you are active and in search of a loving companion check your local listings for a rescue society near you.

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5 Tips To Remember When Teaching The “Come” Command

1. Use it sparingly. When you overuse “Come”, puppies stop paying attention. When your puppy understands the command, avoid using it all the time. Say it infrequently and make it extremely rewarding.

2. Do not chase your puppy if he does not respond. Practice on-lead for now.

3. Never call for negatives. If you have to groom, bathe, or isolate your puppy, do not use “Come.” Also avoid using it when you are angry. You will only scare your puppy out.

4. If your puppy runs away from you, do not repeatedly call or correct him.

5. Use a different command to bring your puppy inside. Coming in from outdoors is a big drag, no more fun than being left alone or ignored. Using the “Come” command when you want to bring him in makes it a negative command. Instead, pick a command like “Inside.” Start using it on-lead when bringing your puppy into the house. Quickly offer a treat or ball toss.

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How To Evaluate Your Dog's Food

Evaluating a dog food is a simple and straight-forward procedure of comparing certain characteristics of one food with those of other types of foods that are available to feed your dog. Regardless of whatever procedure you learn and use in order to effectively evaluate your dog's needs should have enough built-in flexibility that innovative dog feeders can adapt it to best fit your own situation and further reduce their margin of error.

When making an evaluation, the four characteristics of a satisfactory dog food, discussed below, should be used as the minimum standards that any food must meet. These four basic standards are:

1) A food should contain sufficient energy for daily activity.

2) A food should contain adequate nutrients, in proper relationship to each other.

3) A food should contain ingredients that are usable by a dog.

4) A food should be acceptable in a sufficient quantity to fully supply items 1 and items 2 above.

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Animal Fats & Carbohydrates For Dogs

Animal Fats: While most animal fats contain just as many calories as vegetable oils, only two contain essential fatty acids in amounts sufficient to supply a dog's needs. These are the fat of the pig, commonly called lard, and horse fat. The tallow of beef and mutton should never be used as the sole source of energy for a dog because of their low content of essential fatty acids. Animal fats contain about 126 calories in every tablespoonful.

Cereal grains: One of the major sources of carbohydrates, both for dogs and man, is the cereal grains. The useful carbohydrate in these grains is predominantly starch. Starch can also be purchased in pure form, and contains about 29 calories per tablespoon, or about 464 calories per cup. Other sources of carbohydrate energy from cereal grains can be obtained from dry and cooked breakfast cereals, boiled rice, hominy grits, corn meal, and in the milled form, such as flour. Cereal grain products should never constitute more than about 50 percent of the dry matter of a dog's diet.

Potatoes: Except for the fact that potatoes have more water in them, the amount of carbohydrates in potatoes is almost the same as in the cereal grains. Potatoes can be used interchangeably with those cereals that are fed in the boiled state. Like cereals, potatoes should never constitute more than 50 percent of the dry matter of the diet.

Bread: As a source of carbohydrates in a diet, white or whole wheat bread ranks among the better ''natural'' foods available to a dog feeder. It usually is fortified with vitamins and minerals, is palatable to most dogs, and is always available and inexpensive. Some dog owners who feed their pets natural ingredients insist that bread should be toasted before being fed to a dog. While such a practice makes the slices easier to crumble and mix with the rest of the diet, the starches in bread have already been subjected to cooking and about all toasting does is to enhance the texture of the bread.

Specialty flour products: A carbohydrate source frequently overlooked by a dog owner is the specialty product made from flour noodles, macaroni, and spaghetti. These have an energy content comparable to other cereal grain products. And, like rice and hot cereals, they have the advantage of being able to be added dry to a food, then being cooked after the water has been added. This gives the capability of mixing a large amount of dry food at one time, then adding water and cooking small amounts as it is needed.

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