Dog

August 28, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Coton de Tulear

With a name like Coton de Tulear you would expect a dog as fancy as their name, and they are! Favored by the royals and wealthy upper-class of Madagascar, Coton de Tulears, or “Cotons”, have been living lives of luxury in France and Madagascar since the 16^th century. They are known as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar,” but don’t let their aristocratic roots fool you—Cotons are a happy and playful breed of dog without airs, who love nothing more than spending a fun day with the family (wealthy or not).

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Cotons typically stand between 10-12 inches tall, making them small dogs. They should weigh between 12-15 pounds. Male Cotons are typically larger than females.

Coat & Color: The Coton’s coat is their most distinctive characteristic, and is where their name derives from. They have medium to long, flowing coats that are actually hair, rather than fur, that is very soft and fluffy, like cotton. Cotons can be white (sometimes with tan markings), white and black, or tricolored.

Life Expectancy: 14-16 years

Temperament

Cotons are happy dogs that are full of energy, with witty, lighthearted personalities. They are known for their expressive “joie de vivre” faces, which always seem to be smiling. Highly intelligent dogs, they love learning new commands and tricks. Cotons are not always clowns though—they also have a serious side, and possess a striking sensitivity and awareness to those around them, often expressing this with unique vocalizations. They develop strong attachments to their home and family, making them surprisingly great watchdogs. Because they get along with everyone, human or animal, Cotons make great family pets.

Something to Bark About: Cotons are full of tricks and entertaining behaviors—one of their trademark traits is to jump and walk on their hind legs. Perhaps they learned this from the court jesters during their time with the Madagascan royals?

Wags:

Because they have hair instead of fur, Cotons have little to no shedding and are considered hypoallergenic.
Cotons do well with apartment living, as they are fairly active indoors.
Cotons love people and other animals, and do well when meeting new people.

Yelps:

Grooming is a daily task when it comes to Cotons. Their hair mats easily, and needs to be carefully brushed every day.
Cotons can be a little stubborn without proper training and leadership.
Because Cotons are still a fairly rare breed, it’s unlikely that you will find one through a rescue organization or shelter. Cotons can be expensive when purchased from a breeder, reaching up to $3000 per dog.

Want to welcome a jovial Coton de Tulear into your home? Try finding one at one of your local small dog rescue groups at RightPet.com.

August 21, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Great Dane

Known as the “Apollo of all dogs,” Great Danes are a very old breed dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. Drawings of dogs resembling the Great Dane appear on Egyptian monuments and currency from 3000 B.C., and descriptions a similar dog can be found in Chinese literature from 1121 B.C. With their huge size and regal appearance, Great Danes are a majestic and striking breed that makes for an imposing dog. In reality, Great Danes are really just “Gentle Giants” who are friendly and attentive with their families.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Male Great Danes stand between 30-34 inches at the shoulders, and females between 28-32 inches. A Great Dane’s weight can range from 100-200 pounds depending on gender, and males should have a very masculine appearance, while females should appear finer boned and more feminine.

Coat & Color: A Great Dane’s coat is short and thick with a glossy appearance. Their color can be any one of six variations: fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle.

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Temperament

Great Danes can be intimidating at first sight, but they truly live up to their nickname of “Gentle Giant.” A very friendly dog, they are gentle and loving towards people and other animals, and show great patience with children. Their charming personalities make for a great family pet, but they also possess the courage and spirit needed in a watchdog.

Something to Bark About: Over the years Great Danes have held the record for world’s largest dog many different times. The current record holder, Giant George, is a blue Great Dane who stands at 43 inches (that’s over 3 ½ feet)!

Wags

Great Danes are trustworthy, dependable dogs who can be counted on to love and defend their families.
Great Danes are easy to groom and are not excessive shedders.
Great Danes get along well with children, adults, and other animals, as long as they are properly socialized at a young age.

Yelps

Great Danes are prone to congenital heart problems and have short life-spans, giving them the nickname “The Heartbreak Breed.”
Because their bones grow so quickly they are at risk for bone and joint problems, and should not be over-exercised, especially while they are young and still growing.
Great Danes require consistent training and rules from a young age so that they learn not to jump or lean on people.

If you’d like to learn more about adopting one of these Gentle Giants in our area, visit the Great Dane Rescue of Southwest Florida for more information.

June 26, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Boston Terrier

By Alisha Corsi

With their refined personalities and dapper tuxedo markings, Boston Terriers are known as the “American Gentlemen” of dog breeds. Originating in the stables of Boston (where else would they?), Boston Terriers were the first US breed to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, making them the all-American dog!

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Boston Terriers stand between 15-17 inches at the shoulder, and weigh between 10-25 pounds. They are small, compact dogs with short muzzles and square faces.

Coat & Color: Boston Terriers have short, smooth coats that are most often brindle, seal, or black with even white markings on the face and chest. “Seal” is a color that is exclusive to Boston Terriers, and refers to a black color that reveals red highlights in the sun. Boston Terriers can also be liver, brown, cream, or red, but these are rare.

Life Expectancy: 11-13 years

Temperament
Boston Terriers are gentle, well-mannered dogs with happy-go-lucky personalities. They love their human companions, and are always eager to please. Highly intelligent dogs, Boston Terriers are easy to train and are usually enthusiastic about learning new things. Because of their affectionate personalities and excellent character, Boston Terriers are extremely popular in the United States.

Something to Bark About: The American Kennel Club breed standards state that Boston Terriers should be wrinkle-free—be grateful that we’re not all held to that standard! The Boston Terrier serves as the mascot for not one, but two institutions of higher education in the US—Wofford College in South Carolina, and of course, Rhett the Boston Terrier at Boston University.
Wags
• Boston Terriers get along well with children, elderly people, and animals.
• Boston Terriers are easy keepers who require only a moderate amount of exercise and a minimum amount of grooming.
• Boston Terriers learn very quickly, and have very affable personalities.

Yelps
• Like most pure dog breeds, Boston Terriers are prone to some health issues, including eye problems, heart murmurs, and allergies.
• Their compact body type causes a few challenges that can also be seen as endearing—they can be quite flatulent in the absence of a proper diet, and their shortened muzzles make them prone to snoring. Nothing a little Febreze and ear plugs can’t cure!

If you’d like to learn more about adoptable Boston Terriers in your area, visit Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida for more information.

June 20, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Shetland Sheepdog

By Alisha Corsi

One of the brightest dogs in the world, Shetland Sheepdogs, or “Shelties” as they are more commonly called, are known for their keen sense of intelligence and intense loyalty (think of a smaller version of Lassie). As athletic as they are smart, Shelties excel in agility and herding competitions, but are most successful when it comes to winning the hearts of their human families with their loving personalities.

photo by: Kelsee Dupras

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Shelties stand between 13-16 inches at the shoulder, and weigh between 11-31 pounds, with males generally being larger and heavier than females.

Coat & Color: Shelties have a double coat. Their topcoats are long, straight, and water-repellent, while the undercoat is short, furry, and very dense. Shelties usually shed their coats in clumps, making them easier to groom than other smooth-haired dogs. Their coats come in three different colors: black, blue merle, and sable, with sable being the most common.

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Temperament

Shelties are exceptionally intelligent dogs, ranking 6^th out of 123 breeds. They learn new commands quickly, obeying a command the first time more than 95% of the time. For this reason Shelties are one of the most successful obedience dogs. They are also herders, and are so adept at it that they can often be found attempting (and often succeeding) at herding people! In addition to their performance skills, Shelties are very devoted and docile dogs who make great family pets. While not as intimidating as some other dog breeds, their intense loyalty to their owners make them excellent watch dogs.

Travis, A Sarasota Dog

Something to Bark About: The original working sheepdogs of Shetland are now extinct, and have been replaced by Border Collies. In fact, the Shetland Sheepdog as it is now known has never been used as a working dog on Shetland, and ironically, these dogs are very rare there!

Wags

Shelties may just be the total package when it comes to dogs, possessing brains, beauty, and loyalty—need I say more?
Shelties are alert and have a keen sense of understanding.
Diverse in their talents, Shelties are great at herding, agility competitions, and simply loving on their families.
Great with kids if reared with them from a young age.

Challenges

Shelties require lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Ignoring this may lead to the development of bad behaviors, such as excessive barking, nervousness, and phobias.
Shelties will herd anything, including cars, so owners must constantly be watchful.
Can sometimes be aloof with strangers, so they must be socialized at a young age.

If you’re ready to welcome a Sheltie into your family, find a list of Sheltie rescue groups near you at nationalsheltierescue.org.

Check out this amazing Sheltie we saw at a local pet event.

April 18, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Welsh Corgi

by Lauren R. Tharp

As the old Welsh term “cor gi” roughly translates to “dwarf dog,” is it any wonder that this lovely herding breed is known primarily for its squat stature? Popularized in modern times by Queen Elizabeth II and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934, the Corgi has been making itself memorable over the years in books, movies, and even anime.
Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Both male and female Corgis measure around 10-12 inches at the shoulder, and weigh 20-30 pounds. This breed is “medium” in size. They’re low to the ground, but long of body.

Coat & Color: This breed sports a double coat: They have a medium-length, coarse, water-resistant overcoat with a shorter, plusher, undercoat. Welsh Corgis come in all colors, but the most common are tan, black, red, sable, or fawn—with or without white markings. And they have naturally short tails!

Other: While, as a whole, this breed is known simply as “Welsh Corgis,” there are actually two distinct breeds in the group: Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi. Both breeds originate from Wales and have only slight differences in coat texture and colors. As you may have guessed, the differences are so minimal that (for other than show dog breeders) they’ve been lumped together into the same group. However, this remains a fun fact to pull out at parties!

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years.

Temperament
A member of the Herding Group, the Welsh Corgi has been known to herd cattle, sheep, ponies, geese, and sometimes their owners! This breed is bold, confident, and loyal to the end. As the 11^th most intelligent purebred dog breed in existence, Corgis are quick to learn and highly obedient.

Wags

Suitable for first-time owners.

Great with children.

Responds well to obedience training.

Challenges

They bark. A lot.

While great with humans, they can sometimes be aggressive with other animals if not properly socialized with them early on. Some male Corgis will remain aggressive toward other males even after socialization.

They require a fair amount of exercise. You may find them nipping at your heels with a “go go go” attitude if not sufficiently worn out throughout the day.

Does the Welsh Corgi sound like your ideal mate? Contact the Florida Corgi Rescue to find an adoptable Corgi in our area.

April 9, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Boxer

by Lauren R. Tharp

Originally used for dog fighting, the Boxer would stand on its hind legs, striking out at its opponent with its front paws like, well, a boxer! Officially recognized as a breed in 1904, the Boxer is currently the 7^th most popular breed in the United States. Many celebrities have taken a liking to Boxers over the years, including Humphrey Bogart and Justin Timberlake.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: On the larger end of “medium.” Boxers typically measure 20-25 inches at the shoulder (with the females being on the smaller end of the scale) and weigh around 50-70 pounds. They’re very muscular.

Coat & Color: Smooth, coarse, short hair in either fawn/red or brindle coloring. They can also come with a black mask and/or white markings.

Other: “White” Boxers are fairly common. However, they are actually considered to be a “fawn” or “brindle” dog with overly excessive white markings rather than a truly “white” dog.

Life Expectancy: 8-12 years.

Temperament

The top five character traits of a Boxer? Alert, loyal, curious, brave, and very playful. Boxers are equally at home in the role of a watchdog or bouncing around out back with the kids. However, this breed can also be trouble if the owner isn’t confident enough to handle it. This is a dog who likes to know who’s boss—and may challenge you for the title! But, with the right amount of training and love, you could end up with a wonderful pet you won’t soon forget.

Wags

Little grooming needed.

Patient with children, even younger ones. (Though be sure to supervise any early interaction until your Boxer is properly trained). Boxers are known for loving kids and going out of their way to keep them happy and safe.

Highly excellent watch dogs.

Challenges

Not the best dog for first-time owners. Boxers require a confident owner who’s willing to put in the time and effort into rigorous obedience training.