New Zealand Farm working Dogs 1 Breeds

 

By Dr Clive Dalton

Whats a breed?

The definition of a breed is often rather vague.  All you can say is that its a group of animals with a common origin, that generally look similar.  Its really not very important to folk who want animals simply for their function - and that includes most shepherds and stock persons. 

Trouble starts with people who want animals for their looks and aesthetic traits.  Fortunately for people working stock - the show ring and breed society specifications have never influenced the farm dog.  Long may that be the way of things. 

The show ring has sadly been the cause of the loss of many working genes from some breeds - and this is a pity, as you never know when these could be needed in future.  We should have saved these working genes as frozen semen and embryos - a good idea far too late.

The Border Collie

Classical British Border Collie (Photo: Helen Brown)

This breed has been the foundation of most of the worlds working dogs.  It originated from the English-Scottish border, this small, long-haired dog that "clapped" on its belly while stalking stock, came to NZ with the early shepherds.   Selection for performance over time in New Zealand has changed it into an upstanding, long-legged and smooth-haired speedster.  It is not a barking dog except when excessively excited, and selection is firmly against this trait by dog trialists.  The instinct to grab and bite can be fairly strong and remains in some strains.  It was the final act to kill after the "stalk" in the primitive dog.

The NZ "eye" dog or "heading" dog does the bulk of speed gathering of stock and the quick-reaction close-quarter work such as shedding or catching sheep.  Border collies are mainly black and white although there are some black and tan strains and the occasional "blue merle", a gene associated with "wall" or pale blue eyes.  There are red (ginger) genes found and sometimes very white animals that are usually disliked.

NZ eye or heading dog

 However, border collies are now becoming popular as pets and are winning most obedience trials and agility tests.  This could be a threat to the farm working dog if these two strains separate and then get mixed up.  Not many shepherds want their dog to find their hankie or bring back a toy rabbit!  But fetching the paper from the gate is a useful trick some shepherds do teach their heading dogs though.

Border collies love to learn and there’s nothing wrong with teaching a working dog a few new tricks to keep its brain active.  Same principle applies to their owners.

The Huntaway

Typical huntaways

Huntaway x Beardie

 The Huntaway is truly "made in NZ" and is probably the best example in the world of an animal bred for performance alone, and not ruined by breed society rules and regulations!  A wonderful example of how to use a pool of genetic variation, out of which you select what is needed to do a specified task.  Its modern genetic theory used before such theory was worked out.

Huntaways come in many shapes and colours and there are there used to be three or four major strains.  They are big strongly-built dogs used for everything - heading (gathering by going round sheep), hunting (driving stock away from or towards the handler), forcing sheep by jumping on their backs, and handling all the hurly-burly work sheep yards and woolsheds.  They are all bred to bark (give noise).

Huntaways are mainly black and tan with variations of mainly black, and a ginger red colour.  These are genes clearly from their origins of border collie, beardie, fox hound, Labrador and goodness-knows what else!  Nobody today is concerned what went into the mix, but it would still be interesting to know how it was done.

(See blog on Huntaway)

The Beardie

Beardie

 Originated from Scotland where it would bark and gather sheep from bracken covered hills.  They were called "hunters" and this could be the origin of the Kiwi term "huntaway".  They are grey, white, and tan in colour and have long hair including a beard.  .  Great-natured, tireless dogs and despite their long hair, work well in heat.  They are better at hunting than heading and are always keen to bark.  They are very popular in dairy farms to bring cows in.

The Smithfield

A bit of a mystery dog, supposed to have come from the barking dogs used by drovers at Smithfield market in London.  The Australians have added confusion by calling Beardie-types "Smithfields".  The NZ Smithfield, if you can find one, is like a small conventional huntaway or beardie type, and sometimes has a naturally bobbed tail.  They look like small huntaways or handy dogs.

The NZ "handy" dog

These are great dogs that do everything!  It seems as if they are a strain of huntaway that some breeders have selected over time.   They are not a heading dog-huntaway cross, as these are generally disasters!  But they are varied in colour and mostly like huntaways.   Farmers comment that these old-fashioned dogs are now very hard to find, as dog trialists have selected for more specialist dogs and not the general-purpose dog so useful on farms for general-hands or less-experienced shepherds.  These dogs would definitely bring the paper from the gate.

The Kelpie

 

This is the Australian all-round working dog that has NO dingo in it!  Kelpie breeders get very upset if you mention dingos!  Its the Aussie huntaway and is supposed to have been selected from strains of Border Collies.  Very tough either black or chocolate-coloured dogs.  In NZ it would be used mainly for cattle work.

Photo:  Kelpie (Source: Internet)

The Australian cattle dog 

Australian cattle dog (with red factor gene instead of blue)

 Also known as the "blue heeler", "Australian heeler" or "Queensland blue heeler" - and probably a lot of other unprintable things too.  These are tough dogs bred to heel and nose cattle - real Aussie battlers!  Their well-documented genetic origin contains "black bobtails" (presumably collie), definitely dingo to get rid of barking, as well as Kelpie, blue merle collie, Dalmatian, and probably a lot more.  Generally too tough for most shepherds unless you have stroppy cattle to handle.  A loyal and tough dog.

Surprisingly they are increasing in popularity in New Zealand as pets and show dogs, so their future as workers is clearly at risk.

The rough-coated collie

These are the dogs that "Lassie" made famous.  Useless as working dogs as their working genes have been lost through the show ring. 

The Shetland sheepdog or Sheltie

This is smaller version of the rough coated collie from Scotlands northern most islands.  They were the crofter’s working dogs but now useless as workers.

Sheltie (Source:  Internet)

Old English sheepdog 
A very old breed of working dog developed to handle intensive sheep on the English downland.   Now completely ruined as a working dog by show ring standards.  Many of these dogs now cannot see for facial hair - unless its tied up with a ribbon.  Modern shepherds as far as I know dont carry ribbons!

 Photo:  Old English sheepdog (Source: internet)





The Corgie

Once the tough little Welsh cattle dog, and you may still find some that will heel cattle.  Two strains exist - the Cardigan and the Pembrokeshire.  Now generally useless for working stock, but made popular because of Royal associations.

Pembroks Corgi (Source:  Internet)

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The Most Talkative Dog Breeds

By Linda Cole

My Redbone Coonhound always had something to say, and always got the last word, especially when I made her move out of my chair. Rosie let me know she was giving up her spot in protest and filing a complaint to whoever would listen. She even let me know when she felt it was time for her CANIDAE dog treats. Shed bring me her treat can, drop it in my lap and then sit down, giving me a few respectful woofs in case I missed her hint. I miss those conversations I had with her over the years. Some dog breeds are quiet, but some are quite vocal and dont have a problem letting you know whats on their mind.

You would think the most vocal dog breeds would be easy to list, but they arent. Dogs have been bred to do specific jobs that require them to speak out so their owner knows where they are. The challenge with listing the most vocal breeds is that there are a lot of talkative canines. Some are yappers, some just love to bark, and some arent shy in telling you what they think.

Small to Medium Scent Hounds

Beagles, American Foxhounds, Dachshunds and other small to medium sized scent hounds were bred to find a trail, and follow their nose wherever it may lead. The pack mentality is strong in hounds, and they use their voice to stay in contact with each other. Small hounds work in groups to find prey and chase them down. The familiar baying of a hound is also a good way for hunters following behind to locate where their dogs are. These dogs have a high prey drive and should never be let off leash unless they are in a secured fenced-in area.

Large Scent Hounds

Coonhounds, Bloodhounds and Redbone hounds, like their smaller counterparts, hunt by scent. However, unlike the smaller hounds who hunt in groups, the larger dogs are better at tracking in pairs or by themselves. They use their voice primarily to let their human find them. These dogs are more methodical in their approach to locating whatever their nose is following, and are even more independent than the smaller version of hounds.

Retrievers

Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Standard Poodles, Irish Setters and other sporting dogs were bred to flush out prey, as well as retrieve birds from water. These dogs work side by side with a human partner and are very attentive to their owner, which makes them easy to train. They also have a high prey drive.

Terriers 

The Rat Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Fox Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Airedale and other terriers were bred to follow their usually larger prey underground. They are expected to do their job on their own without any directions from their human. Terriers have attitude and arent shy in letting you know what they think. These are feisty and independent canines with a high prey drive.

Sled Dogs 

The Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed are definitely vocal dogs. I know from experience that familiar woo-woo-woo a Husky will use to let you know whats on their mind. These dogs thrive in cold weather and the one thing they love to do is run. They are smart, independent, have a good work ethic, and are capable of finding a safe trail under snow and ice. They use their voice to communicate with their team. They also have a high prey drive and if you let them off leash, they will be gone in a flash if they see something to chase.

Herders

The Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, German Shepherd, Shetland Sheepdog and Corgi were bred to herd livestock with or without a human directing them. These are very smart dogs, with the Border Collie at the top of the most intelligent list, who need a job to do and require lots of exercise. Herders can be very vocal on and off the field, and have a high prey drive.

Companion dogs

The Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise, Cavalier and other small canines were bred to be our companions. These are the true lap dogs, although all dogs, regardless of size, think they fit perfectly on their owners lap. Companion dogs can be yappy, especially if they are not treated like a big dog and trained to prevent unwanted behavior.

The American Eskimo, Akita, Standard Schnauzer, Doberman, Boxer, Chow, Newfoundland and St. Bernard can also be some of the more vocal dogs. However, any dog can become vocal if they havent been trained or are lacking in exercise. Some breeds use their voice to do their job and some dogs seem to enjoy talking every chance they get.

Does your dog like to talk?

Top photo by Danielle G.
Bottom photo by Craig Moore

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How Some Popular Dog Breeds Got Their Name

Cocker Spaniel

By Linda Cole

Deciding on the perfect name for a new puppy or dog isnt always easy to do. You want to pick one that fits his personality and is easy to learn. Now imagine coming up with a name for a new dog breed. The history of dog breeds is an interesting story. The history behind naming some of our popular dog breeds is also an intriguing tale.

Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels date back to the 14th century; they evolved over the years with some working on land and others working as water retrievers. These dogs were highly prized by English hunters for their outstanding ability to flush out and retrieve a large, short legged and bulky wading bird called a woodcock. This nocturnal bird spends most of the day hiding in dense cover. People started calling the dog “cocker,” and the name caught on.

Labrador Retriever

Newfoundland is the land of the Labrador Retriever, not Labrador. Fishermen around the Canadian province used a small water dog that was bred with Newfoundland dogs to produce a first-class swimmer called the St. Johns Water Dog, the ancestor of the Labrador. The breed had webbed feet and was used to retrieve fishermens nets from the icy waters and bring them back to shore. In the early 1800s, the Earl of Malmesbury saw one of the dogs in action and imported it to England. He trained his dogs to retrieve ducks and called them “Labrador dogs.” Even though the Earl was confused about which province his dogs came from, the name stuck as the dog became more popular.

Cairn Terrier

Cairn Terrier

This little dog was developed on the Isle of Skye, in Scotland. Farmers wanted a small, feisty dog with lots of courage, determination, intelligence and the ability to go to ground when necessary after prey. The Cairn Terrier was bred to hunt badger, otter, fox, rabbit and other vermin. They were especially good at digging prey out from under cairns, which are mounds of man-made piles of stone used in the Scottish Highlands as grave site memorials and boundary markers. People started calling the dogs Cairn, and thats where the breed name came from.

Great Dane

This is one of the tallest dog breeds on Earth, affectionately referred to as the “Apollo of all breeds.” The Great Dane was developed in Germany and was likely created from mastiff type dogs, the Greyhound and the Irish Wolfhound. It was the French who named this breed, mistaking Denmark as the country of origin. In Germany, the dog is known as the Deutsche Dogge. A proper diet is very important for Great Danes, and its essential to feed them a high quality food made especially for big dogs, such as the new CANIDAE Large Breed Formula.

Bouvier Des Flandres

This breed was developed in Flanders, which is located in northern Belgium, as an all-around farm dog to drive cattle, herd sheep, pull carts and act as a watchdog. French farmers were impressed with the working spirit of the dog and the breed name is French, meaning “Cow herder of Flanders.”

Beagle

This little dog has a distinct, resonant baying voice, which was how hunters were able to follow a pack of Beagles as they eagerly chased after prey. According to the Oxford English dictionary, the beagle word was first used in English writings in 1475. Where the word came from, however, is still a mystery. Beagle could have come from a French word “begueule” that means open throat, or a French, Old English or Celtic word “beag” which means little. Another possibility is a French word “beugler” which means to bellow, or a German word, “begele” which means to scold.

Dachshund puppy

Dachshund

The Dachshund is an interesting breed, not only in looks, but in the job this small dog was bred to do. Dont let those short legs and long body fool you. When it comes to rooting out prey from underground, this breed is as feisty, determined, smart and capable as any dog. The breed was created in the early 1600s to work with hunters. Their job was to dig into badger holes and engage in combat with them. The dog was so good at doing his job, the breed was named in honor of his fearless spirit. Dachshund is a German word that means “badger dog.”

Weimaraner

Nicknamed the “Grey Ghost” because of his unique coat color, this breed was developed in the early 1800s at the Weimar court in Germany. Noblemen wanted a courageous hunting dog that was smart and fast, with plenty of stamina and good scenting ability to take on bear, wolves and deer. The breed name comes from the court he was developed in.

Cocker Spaniel photo by Jeremy McWilliams
Cairn Terrier photo by robinsend
Dachshund photo by Bill Kuffrey

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Which Dog Breeds Excel in Agility

By Linda Cole

When people think of a specific dog breed for the sport of agility, the image of a Border Collie often comes to mind. The dog’s piercing eyes are focused on his human partner as he waits to start his run. Both dog and owner are pumped and ready to go, eager to test themselves against the clock. The dogs job is to race around an obstacle course as quickly as he can, taking direction from his partner. The Border Collie excels in this fast-paced and demanding sport, but there are other breeds that have the speed, intelligence and determination to be agility champs.

Aside from being a fun way for a dog to burn off energy, agility is a sport that builds confidence and patience. One look into their intense, eager eyes and you just know that agility is something dogs truly love to do. A paralyzed Border Collie named Zip enjoys agility so much that she continues to run courses in her wheelchair!

Herding Dogs

Members of the Herding Group have what it takes to excel in agility. These breeds were developed to move livestock and can make sharp turns. They have plenty of stamina and speed, can think on their own and are workaholics who follow commands from their handler. They are intelligent and quick to learn new things. This group includes the Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, Collie, Shetland Sheepdog and Australian Shepherd. Even the short-legged Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgi can succeed in this dog sport.

Terrier Group

These sturdy little dogs were bred to follow prey underground, and they love the excitement of a challenging run. They are tenacious go-getters who need a way to work off excess energy on a daily basis, and agility is a perfect dog sport for that. Their stubborn streak can get in the way during training, but a pocketful of CANIDAEs new Pure Heaven dog treats will help a feisty terrier focus on learning the course. The Jack Russell, Parson Russell, Rat Terrier, Bedlington Terrier and Border Terrier can do quite well on an agility course.

Retrievers

Bred to work closely with their owner, retrievers are smart, energetic dogs that are eager to please. Retrievers are alert and have a willing attitude to pay attention to their owner’s commands. Agility requires good communication between canines and humans, which makes it a good fit for breeds like the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

Other Agility All Stars

Regardless of size or breed, any healthy dog can learn how to run agility. The Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Rottweiler, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Schnauzer and Great Pyrenees are Working Group members that enjoy racing through a course. The Poodle, Papillon, Bichon Frise, Dalmatian and Yorkshire Terrier can also be found weaving around poles, dashing through tunnels and flying over jumps, enjoying every minute.

How an individual dog does in agility depends on how well he can follow directions. From the dogs point of view, winning isnt the end goal; its the joy of navigating through an obstacle course at full speed with their best friend. Even toy breeds have an opportunity to compete on a course designed especially for smaller dogs, and they are competing against other dogs their size. Mixed breeds are also welcomed in some dog agility clubs. The only exception is the American Kennel Club.

Giant breeds, like Mastiffs and Great Danes, and smaller dogs like Pugs, Boxers and other breeds with a pushed-in nose, may not be interested in expending the energy it takes to participate in competition. However, an individual dog from any of these breeds may enjoy running an agility course, and they are as capable as other breeds of doing well.

Its important to have your dog checked out by your vet before you begin agility training. The development of giant breed bones must be taken into account to prevent permanent injuries, and all dogs need a clean bill of health to make sure they are fit and healthy. Feeding your canine athlete a quality dog food, like CANIDAE Pure Elements, is also essential.

When it comes to the dogs that are usually sitting at the top of the leaderboard in agility competitions, ten breeds dominate. These are the Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Australian Shepherd, Australian Kelpie, Standard Poodle, Papillon, Shetland Sheepdog, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Rat Terrier and German Shepherd.

Top photo by Anita Ritenour
Middle photo by Ian Wilson
Bottom photo by David Merrett 

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New Zealand Farm working Dogs 10 Practical Feeding

By Dr Clive Dalton

Old  dogs need special care after many years of loyal service

 
 Balanced feeding

Dogs need a balanced diet, which has everything in it to meet their needs for maintenance and production.

What does a dog need for maintenance?

Table below has a mass of information on the energy and protein that a dog needs.  First, look at the layout. 

  Note these features:

·      There is information for three weights of dogs.

·      The maintenance needs per weight of dog are shown in kcal of energy and in grams of protein.  So a small dog (15kg) needs 1005kcal of energy and 72g of protein each day to sustain its body functions.

·      There is a range of diets in the left column and their energy and protein contents are shown beside them.

·      Look back in the column for each weight of dog and you can see how much of that diet to feed and how near that quantity comes to meet the maintenance needs.

For example: 450 g of meat will provide 900 kcal of energy and 81g of protein.  This is 105 kcals of energy too little, and 9g of protein too much.  Its "near enough" you could say.

What about production (working)  needs?

Here you have to provide feed over and above maintenance.  See Table below which shows the number of times you multiply the maintenance feeds by to meet the dog’s nutritional needs.

Dogs in work

Light exercise                 1.5 x M

Medium exercise            2.0 x M

Heavy exercise            2.5 x M

Bitches

Late pregnancy            2.5 x M

Early lactation              3.0 x M

Pups

Up to 7 weeks                  2.0 x M

7-9 weeks                        3.0 x M

9 weeks onwards            decrease to adult levels

Calcium and phosphorus

The Calcium and Phosphorus daily needs for a dog are shown in table below.

The table shows when supplements are needed for that range of diets.  If you need to add Ca or P, how much do you provide - the answer is in table 4, using the most readily available sources of dicalcium phosphate or bonemeal, and calcium carbonate.

Minerals and vitamins

Look at table below to see which type of diet is likely to be short of minerals and vitamins.

Note that the all-meat diet is short of all those listed so has serious implications for health.   Note also that vitamins D and E are going to be short in all the diets.

The all-meat diet

So many farmers will tell you that an all-meat diet is ideal for a working dog and theyll back their opinion with a lifetimes experience of feeding meat.  They point out that dogs are carnivores so meat is their natural diet.

These opinions are flawed!  But there are hundreds of farmers who wont accept these basic facts and nutritionists are regularly criticised for their ignorance of real life on a farm.  Owners also argue that commercially available diets are too expensive and there are plenty of cull stock to eat up which have little market value.  Again, remember my first question of what is a dog worth to your business.

There are all sorts of problems with all-meat diets for working dogs, and they require substantial supplementation with minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iodine, as well as vitamins.  Dogs on these so-called all-meat diets are in fact supplementing them by scavenging.  They are eating dung, carrion and goodness knows what else.  They maybe look all right but are not being kept at peak fitness, which a balanced diet allows.  Skinny underweight dogs are unhealthy and are even more prone to parasite attack.

The second common error is thinking that adding milk will balance an all-meat diet.  This is not true either. 

Bones

Bones with a red tinge of meat on them provide very little nutrients.  Bones are good dental exercise - and thats about all.  They do contain some calcium and phosphorus but its better to supply these important minerals in other more digestible forms if needed. 

How long was the meat frozen?

This is a concern on farms where there are many shepherds using meat out of the same freezer.   There are no problems if the meat is cut up, bagged and dated, but so often this doesnt happen and you dont know how long the meat has been frozen.  If you mark on plastic bags remember the ink may come off or be hard to read when iced over.  Tie-on labels are always readable.

The rule of holding meat at minus 10 degrees C for 7 days is a MINIMUM.   Please note well this point.   And its important to make sure the meat is at minus 10 right at the centre.  As many old freezers are used for dog meat, they sometimes are not at peak efficiency.  If you have any concerns, get your Dog Control Officer to check the freezer.

Big bags of mince for example will take much longer than 7 days to get to minus 10 C in the middle so they are not treated properly.

The key is to have a system that rotates the meat, and that everyone involved in using the meat understands it.  If you buy low-grade carcasses from a meatworks, make sure they have been held at the correct temperature and for the correct time.  The same would apply to local abattoir meat.

All meat sold at licensed pet food shops must meet the requirements of the Hydatids Act, so you can buy there with confidence.

Thawing frozen meat

Imagine working hard all day and getting a frozen joint to chew at all night.   What a great reward from a grateful boss!   This happens to many dogs when things are busy and the planning breaks down.  Allow at least a day for meat to thaw out and in winter it may take 2-3 days.  So allow plenty of time for this.

And remember – the juices that flow from frozen meat contain important vitamins and minerals that the dog should have.  The chore of catching the juice and returning it to the meat just shows impractical all-meat feeding is.

Cooking sheep and goat meat for dogs  

Do NOT feed any fresh sheep or goat meats to dogs, to prevent the spread of sheep measles.  Cooked meat must be brought to the boil and then left for a minimum of 30 minutes, and probably more like an hour.  If there is still blood showing at the end of the cooking time, then boil it a little longer.

Cooking offal and sheep and goat meat

This is a messy time-consuming business, even when proper facilities with modern electric cookers and time switches are available.  Although the law allows the feeding of correctly cooked offal, you would be wise to forget the idea.  

With so many good dog feeds available these days, it’s unwise to feed cooked offal to dogs.   If you think that feeding cooked offal produces a cheap dog feed, then you should do your sums again.  The true costs and the risks make it a poor alternative feed for dogs.

The risks of inadequate cooking are high because cooking time can vary depending on many things.  As a general rule, 1.5 to 2 hours is needed.  If there is still blood showing at the end of cooking time, then the meat needs some more treatment.

Feeding other meats

Meat from cattle, horses, deer, rabbits, pigs and possums can be fed raw to dogs without risk of infection from sheep measles.  However, it would be unwise to feed raw possum in areas where there is a risk of Tb which dogs could pick up.

Other dietary problems

There are a few problems such as bad breath, anal gland infection and bad teeth which can all arise as a result of feeding.  Check them out with your veterinarian. 

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Eight Easy to Train Small Dog Breeds

Yorkie

By Linda Cole

Training any dog can be hard if you arent consistent and dedicated. Small dogs, which include terriers, come with big attitudes and arent afraid to take on big jobs. These dogs are intelligent, agile and tenacious. Dogs under 22 pounds or standing under 16 inches are considered small, although there are some small breeds that weigh a little more and are taller. If you want a small dog thats easy to train, theres a nice variety to pick from, including the breeds listed below. Carry a pocketful of CANIDAE Pure Heaven treats, and these dogs will practically train themselves! LOL.

Yorkshire Terrier

This breed has been in the top ten most popular dogs for the last decade. The Yorkie may be small, but hes all terrier, with an expertise in rooting out and catching rats and other small rodents. The breed was developed in northern Englands Yorkshire County to control rodents in coal mines and textile factories. Earlier dogs were larger than the breed we know today, and fearless when it came to doing their job. It wasnt long before high society adopted the Yorkie as a companion pet, and thats when the breed was bred down to the size we know today.

Pomeranian 

The smallest of the Spitz family of dogs, the Pomeranian is descended from Northern breeds like the Norwegian Elkhound, American Eskimo Dog, Samoyed and Schipperke. Before this breed was bred down to their 3-7 pound size, Poms weighed up to 30-35 pounds. The dog was developed in Pomerania, a small province in todays eastern Germany. This compact little dog can excel at agility and obedience, or be happy hanging out in the lap of the one he loves.

Schipperke

Schipperke

This breed was developed in Belgium to get around a law passed in the 14th century by the ruling French elites that wanted to assure only aristocrats could own large dogs. Commoners needed a dog to work livestock and protect homes, so the smaller Schipperke was created as a herding dog for smaller livestock and as a ratter. The Schipperke is described as “the smallest shepherd in the world, black with a docked tail.” This dog has a fondness for agility, obedience and herding ducks and chickens.

Norwich Terrier/Norfolk Terrier 

Both originated north of London in the east central region of England in a place called East Anglia. At one time, the Norwich and Norfolk were considered the same breed. It wasnt until 1964 when the Kennel Club officially separated the two dogs, giving them their own distinct breed names. The main difference between the two dogs is that the Norwich has pricked ears and the Norfolk has drop-ears. During the 1880s, Cambridge University students decided it was fashionable to own a small dog adept at catching rats. The dogs were so good, the breed ended up being named as an unofficial school mascot. These little terriers are also capable fox hunters, running with foxhounds, ready to go to ground when needed and flush a fox from his den. Both breeds love to work and do well in agility, obedience, rally and Earthdog trials.

Silky Terrier 

Often mistaken for a Yorkshire Terrier, the Silky originated in Australia in the states of Victoria and New South Wales during the 1890s. After Yorkshire Terriers arrived in Australia, they were crossed with native Australian Terriers to produce the Silky Terrier. The original job of the Silky was hunting rodents and small game. This is a daring and tough little dog, true to his terrier ways. He is an excellent watchdog. The Silky Terrier is a little bigger than the Yorkie.

Miniature Pinscher 

This dog is not related to the Miniature Doberman Pinscher or Doberman Pinscher. The Min Pin is an older and distinctive breed from the Doberman, known as the “King of Toys” because of his elegant and confident demeanor. The dog was bred in Germany to control rats and other vermin in homes and stables, and as a watchdog. In the show ring, the Min Pin delights fans with his high-stepping, self assuring gait.

Affenpinscher

Affenpinscher 

This dog originated in Germany and today is considered a rare breed, but at one time, was very popular in his native country. The Affenpinscher has a unique looking face, and has the nickname “Monkey Dog” which comes from his name (the German meaning of “affen” is ape or monkey). His job in the early days was rodent control where his talents were used in kitchens, granaries and stables, and by shopkeepers. The Affenpinscher was eventually bred down in size while retaining the ability and desire to catch mice and rats.

American Eskimo Dog 

This  member of the Spitz family comes in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy. This is a very smart breed that can think for himself and problem solve. During the mid 1800s, German immigrants brought this beautiful white dog with them to America and the breed was very common in German communities. American Eskimo dogs traveled with circuses, performing tricks and delighting audiences with their agility and intelligence.

Top photo by SKimchee
Middle photo by Douglas Brown
Bottom photo by Ingunn Axelsen

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Terrier Dog Breeds Big Attitudes in Small Bodies

Airedale Terrier

By Linda Cole

The terrier group of dog breeds is an interesting mix of canines, bred to do a variety of jobs from hunting prey to keeping rats at bay. They are feisty, energetic and small enough to fit into any home. This is a group with a variety of distinct personalities, but all have a “big attitude in a small body.” Digging is common in terriers because they were bred to go underground after their prey. Terra is the Latin word for “earth,” and terriers are certainly “earth dogs.” The American Kennel Club recognizes 29 different terrier breeds. Here is brief information on nine of them:

The Airedale Terrier holds the “King of Terriers” crown; they are the largest and most robust of the group. The Airedale is considered an all purpose dog, and was used during wartime as a guard dog, to run messages, control rodents, and as a hunting dog. Hypoallergenic; they stand 22-24 inches and weigh 40-64 pounds.

The Australian Terrier was the first breed recognized in 1868 as native to Australia. His job was to work alongside his owner in the Australian Outback to keep vermin and snakes in check. He was also a watchdog, and helped with livestock. Hypoallergenic; they stand 9-11 inches and weigh 12-16 pounds.

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier could easily be mistaken for a lamb because of his woolly, curly coat. The breed was developed in a mining shire in Northumberland, England, and thats where its name comes from. The miners used the Bedlington to control vermin, and because they had excellent speed and endurance, miners also raced them. Hypoallergenic; they stand 15-18 inches and weigh 17-23 pounds.

The Border Terrier can get into most any size hole, and can race across different types of terrain after his main prey, the fox. The Border was bred as a working dog and protector of his owners livestock. In the old days living on a farm, this little dog had to be a good hunter because he had to hunt down his own supper. Hypoallergenic; they stand 11-16 inches and weigh 11-16 pounds.

Cairn Terrier

The Cairn Terrier takes its name from rock dens called “cairn” where fox and badger live in the Scottish Highlands. The breed originated in the highlands and the Isle of Skye. Toto, Dorothys little dog in “The Wizard of Oz” was a Cairn Terrier. One of the oldest of the terrier breeds, the Cairn was bred to control vermin. Hypoallergenic; they stand 9-13 inches and weigh 13-18 pounds.

The Cesky Terrier originated in the Czech Republic, and is considered one of the countrys national breeds. The Cesky (pronounced chess - key) was bred to work in packs to hunt fox, ducks, pheasants, rabbits and wild boar. This breed is so revered in its native homeland that it has been featured on postage stamps, TV, in books and in a movie. Hypoallergenic; they stand 10-13 inches and weigh 16-22 pounds.

The Dandie Dinmont Terrier definitely has a big dog attitude packed inside his low and long body. This breed was recorded as a distinct breed as far back as 1700, and made his home with rich people and gypsies. Bred to hunt otter and badger, he has a reputation as a skilled hunter, able to go to ground after his prey. The breed was named after a character in a Sir Walter Scott 1814 novel, “Guy Mannering.” Hypoallergenic; they stand 8-11 inches and weigh 18-24 pounds.

The Glen of Imaal Terrier is native to Ireland, bred to control vermin on farms, and hunt fox and badger. This breed has remained pretty much the same today as it was 100 years ago. This dog was also designed to do a rather unique job: they were used to turn a large wheel called a turnspit. As the dog paddled the wheel, it turned a spit over a fire, earning them the nickname of “turnspit dogs.” They stand 12 ½ inches and weigh around 35 pounds.

Kerry Blue Terrier

The Kerry Blue Terrier is an all purpose working dog, bred in County Kerry, Ireland in the 1700s. Their name comes from the area they were bred in, and their coat color. They were used to hunt small game and birds and retrieve them from water and land. The dog also herded cattle and sheep, guarded homes and did police work. Peasants used the Kerry to hunt silently within a noblemans hunting grounds. The Kerry Blue is born black, and his blue coat doesnt appear until hes between 9 months to 2 years old. Hypoallergenic; they stand 17-20 inches and weigh 33-40 pounds.

The rest of the terrier group includes the American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier, Irish Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Norfolk Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Parson Russell Terrier, Russell Terrier, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Skye Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier and Wire Fox Terrier.

Airedale Terrier by Lulu Hoeller
Bedlington Terrier by Pets Adviser  
Cairn Terrier by Living in Monrovia
Kerry Blue Terrier by pw95

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Eight Tough to Train Dog Breeds

By Linda Cole

Some of the more challenging dog breeds to train are also among the smartest. Part of the problem with smart dogs is they can think for themselves and quickly learn how to control their owner.

Dog intelligence is determined by how many repetitions it takes for a dog to learn a new command or task. Breeds considered the smartest learn in just a few repetitions. Canines at the bottom of the list take a lot longer to catch on. Its not that they arent as bright as the top tiered dogs; they just need more motivation.

Border Collies can either be one of the most challenging – or easiest – dogs to train. This free thinking, problem solving and sensitive herder is capable of learning new things in just one try, but you cant use heavy-handed training methods. This breed can be difficult for an inexperienced owner to train because he is an intelligent dog and notices absolutely everything you do. Subtle changes in your tone of voice and hand gestures can confuse him, because he thinks youre teaching a new command. You have to be exact each time with your commands and gestures.

Beagles are happy, confident dogs from the hound group. This lovable scenthound has a stubborn streak a mile long, which can cause a novice trainer to throw up his arms in defeat. He needs a good reason to learn. Your best training tool is lots of tasty, healthy dog treats like CANIDAE Pure Heaven Duck or Salmon. Beagles love food, and are willing to learn anything for a favorite treat. The U.S. Department of Agriculture started the Beagle Brigade in 1984 to sniff out contraband food coming into the country via airports because this cute, friendly and small dog isnt as intimidating as larger dogs.

Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies are super intelligent dogs that will outsmart most first time

owners. Both breeds are proud, strong, confident, friendly, independent and stubborn. They need a reason to learn, and a patient, committed, fair and soft-spoken leader. You have to respectful, provide motivation, use only positive reinforcement, and understand that these dogs learn at their own speed. These are sensitive dogs that will follow a leader who has earned their respect.

The Black and Tan Coonhound is an all-American breed developed in the mountains of the Ozarks and Smokies. An expert at picking up a cold trail, this dog is relentless when it comes to tracking raccoon, but hes also fearless and wont back away from tracking mountain lion, deer, bear or other game. Like other tough-to-train breeds, the Black and Tan Coonhound is stubborn and smart. Hes also gentle, laid back, friendly, playful and independent, and has a good sense of humor.

Bloodhounds are close to the bottom on “intelligent breeds” lists, but dont mistake his stubbornness for a lack of smarts. A Bloodhound can pick up a scent and follow it successfully to the end, no matter how long it takes. This breed was originally bred to track large game like wild boar and deer, and was favored by royalty. To make sure the Bloodhound remained as pure as possible, breeders kept precise records of the blood lines. Because of meticulous record keeping, the Bloodhound is considered to be a “blooded” hound – an elite breed in the dog world.

The Afghan Hound is one of the oldest dog breeds. His long, silky coat and regal look give him the appearance of elegance. This breed is proud, aloof, fearless, intelligent and independent. Bred in Afghanistan, this is a true hunting dog that has the courage, speed and stamina to chase down wild animals like snow leopards, jackals, wolves, deer, antelope, marmots and hare. In their native country, the dogs were worked in packs with specially trained falcons. The dogs flushed out partridges or quail for hunters and the falcons. This dog is extremely sure-footed on rough terrain and very athletic, and is thought to be the most ancient of all breeds dating back at least 8,000 years. Ancient tribesmen of Afghanistan gave this breed the name “the dog of Noahs Ark.”

The Great Pyrenees is a flock guardian dog, developed to work alongside shepherds. Fully grown, this breed can weigh up to 160 pounds, and he has a mind of his own, which makes training him essential. Like other guardian breeds, the Great Pyrenees is capable of thinking for himself to solve problems. These dogs were bred to be independent and work on their own. This dog is a good choice for a watchdog, and his super sensitive sight and hearing are always turned on.

This is by no means a complete list of dog breeds that can be challenging to train.

Top photo: Border Collie by Jeff Meade
Middle photo: Alaskan Malamute by Ann Gordon 
Bottom photo: Afghan Hound by Paul Dixon

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