Bradenton Dog

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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 6th 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Something to Bark About: The original working sheepdogs of Shetland are now extinct, and have been replaced by Border Collies.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.

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Breed Profile: Pugs

by Lauren R. Tharp

Rumored to have first appeared before 400 B.C., the Pug is one of the world’s oldest dog breeds.  Originating in Asia, the Pug shares a similar bloodline to that of the Pekingese.

People pleasers by nature, the Pug reigns as the 12th most popular dog breed in the United States (according to AKC registration records) and was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Small.  Pugs are in the Toy group and generally weigh 14-18 pounds.

Coat & Color: Black, silver fawn, or amber fawn.  Their coats have a short, coarse, outer coat with a very fine undercoat.

Other: Next to the Chihuahua, Pugs are one of the favorite dogs of celebrities (including Jessica Alba, Hugh Laurie, Gerard Butler, and Maria Bamford).  Pugs have also shown up in many movies, television shows, and books!

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Temperament

Small, sturdy, and eager to please: the Pug is a perfect choice for a first-time dog owner.  Pug’s are very even-tempered and adapt quickly to almost any and every situation they’re thrust into.  They are charming, loving, and all around wonderful companions.

Wags:

  • Extremely low maintenance: Minimal grooming, minimal exercise, minimal training!
  • Good with children and other animals.  Pugs are extremely calm and generally good-natured.
  • Perfect for urban living!

Challenges:

  • Prone toward obesity.
  • Pugs commonly develop breathing problems.  Even Pugs who do not develop serious conditions are known to snuffle and snore.
  • Excessive shedding.

If you are thinking of adding a Pug to your family, please visit Pug Rescue of Florida or Compassionate Pub Rescue of South Florida for more information about adoptable dogs.

Pug owners tend to be passionate enthusiasts of the breed.  In Sarasota, a special PUG PARADE is hosted each year by Sarasota Magazine.  The location and date has not been announced yet but keep an eye on the BradentonDog.com calendar.

Special thanks to Dog Mountain for this featured image of the Pug by Stephen Huneck.

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Breed Profile: Jack Russell Terrier

By Lauren R. Tharp

The original “purse dog!”  Long before Paris Hilton was stuffing Chihuahuas into her handbag, Jack Russell Terriers were being toted around in “terrier bags” while their owners traveled around on horseback.  Originally bred in England, the Jack Russell evolved to its current form in Australia.  This faithful outdoorsy breed was first recognized by the AKC in the early 19th century and is currently the 72nd most popular breed according to AKC registration records.

Stephen Huneck Gallery

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Small to medium.  They’re generally 10-12 inches “tall” and weigh 14-20 pounds.

Coat & Color: Tri-color, white with black, or tan.  Their coats can be smooth, wire, or a mix of both (smooth heads with wire bodies)

Other: Famous Jack Russells include the title character on Wishbone, Milo in The Mask with Jim Carrey, and Eddie on the television show Frasier.

Life Expectancy: 15 years or more

Temperament:

Highly intelligent, these dogs can often be described as “tricky.”  They’re definitely not to be trusted with small animals (their hunting instincts run very deep and very strong) and they’re prone to pull off Houdini-worthy escapes!  They have a penchant for digging and love to explore.  These dogs are very intense.  Fortunately, they’re as intense with their wonderful qualities as they are with their troublesome ones.  With the right owner, Jack Russells can be loyal, affectionate, playful family pets.

Wags:

  • Minimal grooming required.  This breed is super low-maintenance.  The occasional bath and they’re good to go!
  • Eager to learn.  The perfect candidate for learning and performing tricks
  • They’re friendly, loving, and have a long life-expectancy.

Challenges:

  • Highly unsuitable for first-time owners.  Jack Russell Terriers require extensive obedience training.  And even trained Jacks can be wily!
  • Very vocal.  Even though Jack Russells hardly ever bark “for no reason,” they find “reasons” to bark much too often.  They’re alert to the extreme and they’ll let you know it!
  • Without consistent training, exercise, and companionship, they can become destructive or even aggressive!

If you’re looking for a Jack Russell to join your family, visit the Florida Jack Russell Rescue.

Special thanks to Dog Mountain for use of this featured image of the Jack Russell Terrier.

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Breed Profile: Golden Retriever

By Lauren R. Tharp

The second most popular dog in the United States (according to AKC registration records), the Golden Retriever originated as a hunting dog, roaming the Scottish Highlands, in the late 1800s. Now known for being excellent guide dogs and search and rescue dogs, the Golden Retriever was officially recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1925 and has been a favorite among dog-owners everywhere ever since.

Stephen Huneck Gallery

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Medium to large. Females are smaller, generally around 20-22 inches tall and 55-65 pounds. Males are much larger, measuring 23-25 inches tall and weighing 65-80 pounds.

Coat & Color: Dense, water-resistant, outer coat with a softer undercoat. Their coats also have some feathering at the neck, back, thighs, and underside of the tail. The color is, true to their name: Golden.

Other: Digby on Pushing Daisies, Shadow in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, Dug in Up, and Buddy from the Air Bud movies were all Golden Retrievers. President Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, also had a Golden Retriever, Liberty, as his Presidential dog while in office.

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Temperament

The ultimate people dog! Friendly, happy, and reliable, Golden Retrievers are a wonderful dog choice for people of all ages and living situations. They’re energetic, requiring daily exercise, but they aren’t overly demanding. Eager to please, these dogs will go to great lengths to make sure you’re happy with them.

Wags

  • Easy to train!
  • A great family pet. Works well with people of all ages.
  • Exceptionally friendly. Great with strangers and other animals.

Challenges

  • They shed a lot. If you’re fussy about your household cleaning, this might not be the breed for you
  • Not the best watch dogs. They’re just too friendly!
  • Can become destructive if left alone for long periods of time.

If you are interested in adopting a Golden Retriever, please visit Golden Retriever Rescue, based in South Florida, they will help you to match family your with the right dog.

Special thanks to Stephen Hunack’s Dog Mountain gallery for use of this Golden Retriever featured image.

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Breed Profile: Shih Tzu or Shitzu

by Lauren R. Tharp

The Shih Tzu or “Shitzu” (pronounced as Sheet-zoo)was originally the dog of choice for the royals in the Ming Dynasty.  During World War II the dog was discovered by soldiers in England and has quickly became a favorite house pet here in the US.  More than 20 years later, the AKC officially registered the breed.   Now the AKC registers the Shitzu as the 10th most popular dog breed in the United States.

Stephen Huneck Gallery

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Very small.  Shih Tzus are part of the Toy group and tend to be 7-11 inches tall and weigh a mere 8-16 pounds.

Coat & Color: Most commonly white or white with markings; however, Shih Tzus come in all colors and markings.  Their coat is long—often dragging on the floor if not trimmed—double-coated, and flowing.

Other: The word “shih tzu” means “lion.”

Life Expectancy: 15 years or more

Temperament:

Although Shih Tzus are small, they aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves.  These dogs were bred for companionship and that’s what they excel at—loving, friendly, loyal, and trusting, these dogs make fantastic house pets.  These dogs are happy and affectionate toward all who encounter them.

Wags:

  • Friendly with strangers and other animals.
  • Requires minimal exercise.
  • Not as “yappy” and demanding as some of the other Toy breeds.

Challenges:

  • Grooming, grooming, grooming!!  Have you seen their hair?
  • They love to dig.  Prepare to have holes in your yard if you don’t keep a close eye on them during their potty breaks.  Toys and interactive play can really help discourage this behavior.

Looking for a Shih Tzu?  Please contact Shih Tzu Rescue to learn more about their adoptable dogs.

A special thanks to Dog Mountain for use of this featured image of the Shih Tzu.