breed

February 5, 2020 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: German Shorthaired Pointer

While the exact origin of the German Shorthaired Pointer is unknown, what is known is that they were bred to create an enthusiastic weekend hunting dog that also made a great family companion and watchdog. What resulted was a dog with the clean lines, keen nose, and good looks of a Pointer, as well as the loyal, even temperament of a lapdog (although their size may require a rather large lap!). Full of energy and happy to be included in a sporting adventure, German Shorthaired Pointers make great companions for active families.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: German Shorthaired Pointers stand from 21-25 inches at the shoulders and weigh in between 45-70 pounds, with males being larger than females. They have long, streamlined bodies that are typical of most Pointer breeds.

Coat & Color: German Shorthaired Pointers have short, thick coats that are water resistant and keep them warm in cold weather. Their coat color can be solid liver or a combination of liver and white, and serve as camouflage in snowy weather.

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Temperament

Equal parts brains and brawn, German Shorthaired Pointers are very intelligent dogs with great athletic ability. A dog originally bred for hunting, they possess not only a great nose, but can point, track, and retrieve on land or in water, making them versatile, sturdy hunting dogs. They also rank as the 17^th most intelligent breed of dog and are highly trainable, often performing well in obedience tests, as well as with simple at-home commands like sit and stay. More than just hunting animals, German Shorthaired Pointers are very loyal and even-tempered companion dogs that can make a great family pet in the right home. Their endless dose of energy does require daily exercise, so they are best suited for an active family—they’re very happy to tag along on the morning run!

Something to Bark About: German Shorthaired Pointers have been highlighted in many literary works for their superior hunting skills. Two works of non-fiction—Run, Rainey, Run and Colter: The True Story of the Best Dog I Ever Had—have delved deeper and explored the authors’ extraordinary relationships with their beloved dogs (I’d say the Colter title says it all!).

Wags:

German Shorthaired Pointers’ strong sense of loyalty makes them great watchdogs.
German Shorthaired Pointers have friendly personalities, and get along well with kids.
Their requirement of daily exercise will keep you active and healthy!

Yelps:

These dogs require LOTS of exercise on a daily basis. They should have access to open space so that they can run, and are not suited for apartment living.
German Shorthaired Pointers who do not get daily exercise can become bored and restless and exhibit destructive behaviors.
German Shorthaired Pointers have strong hunting instincts, which can sometimes be misdirected at the family cat or rabbit. They should be trained at a young age to discern what is prey and what is not, and should be carefully socialized with other small family pets.

Do you think the German Shorthaired Pointer would make for a great running buddy and friend? Contact the German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue of South Florida to adopt.

September 18, 2018 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Scottish Terrier

by Alisha Corsi

Scottish Terriers, or Scotties, are a highland breed of terrier originating in Scotland. They are known for their distinctive beards and eyebrows. Beloved by Scottish and English royalty for centuries, the Scottie only recently made their American debut in the 1890’s, but quickly became a favorite of American presidents as well. Scotties are the only breed who have lived in the White House three times, with Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, and George W. Bush. Former First Dog Barney Bush, who only recently lost his battle with lymphoma, was one of two Scotties who spent 8 years in the White House with President Bush. And Fala Roosevelt was so famous that he is the only pet to ever be memorialized in a statue in Washington, D.C. with his famous pet parent!

FDR and his beloved Fala

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Scotties are small, compact dogs, standing at 10-11 inches at the shoulders, and weighing between 19-23 pounds.

Coat & Color: Scotties have hard, wiry outer coats with soft, dense undercoats. Their coats can be any color except for white, although dark brown to black is most common.

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Temperament

Scotties are small, hardy, loveable dogs with big personalities. Nicknamed “Diehard” for their endless determination, Scotties are independent and self-assured. However, this doesn’t mean that they don’t love people—Scotties are charming dogs who make loving, gentle members of the family. They have a strong desire for approval, and don’t respond well to harsh words or punishment, so it’s best to use positive reinforcement when training.

Something to Bark About: Scotties have won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show a total of nine times, second only to the Wire Fox Terrier. And they’re are not just favorites of world leaders and world-class dog shows—recently fans of the classic Monopoly board game voted the Scottie dog game piece the most popular of the original tokens!

Wags

If you’re looking for a dog that will reward your love with a lifetime of devotion, this is the dog for you! Scotties are known for becoming fiercely attached to the select few people they bond with.
Scotties shed little to none.
Scotties make great watch dogs, family pets, and companions—the total package (Not to mention they’re quite handsome)!

Yelps

Because of their spirited nature they require regular exercise. They should always be walked on a leash, as their chase instinct is strong.
Because they were originally bred to hunt vermin, Scotties are natural-born diggers and so they should be monitored if let outdoors.
Scotties can be stubborn, and need to be trained and socialized from a young age.

To adopt a Scottish Terrier of your own, please visit Scottish Terrier Rescue of the Southeast for more information.

November 11, 2012 by Mary Lou Davidson

Breed Profile: Pomeranian

by Lauren R. Tharp

A close relative of the Keeshond, the Pomeranian has been strutting its spunky stuff since the 17^th century! In recent history, Pomeranians have been a favorite pet of several celebrities; including Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, and Jessica Alba. And talk about cute! Boo, the “World’s Cutest Dog,” is also a Pomeranian. Officially recognized as a legitimate breed by the AKC in 1888, the sweet lil PomPom has been a stellar companion dog for many years, and currently reigns as the 13^th most popular breed in the United States.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Very small! The Pomeranian is a Toy breed and generally measures 5-11 inches at the shoulders and typically weighs 3-7 pounds.

Coat & Color: This breed comes in every color and all patterns! However, the most common/popular color is solid orange. Their fur is a classic double-coat with a plush, thick, undercoat; and a harsher, longer, overcoat.

Other: I mentioned some modern celebrities earlier, but did you know that Pomeranians were also favored by Queen Victoria, Marie Antoinette, and Mozart? It’s true!

Life Expectancy: 12-18 years.

Temperament
Highly intelligent, extremely friendly, and full of “big dog” spirit in a little dog’s body, the Pomeranian is quick to bond, fast to learn, and your certified best friend for life. Other than their excessive barking (Hey!—It’s a Spitz family tradition!), you’d be hard-pressed to find anything negative to say about the gentle PomPom and their endearingly quirky temperament.

Wags

Gets along fantastically with children and other pets. (Though, due to their fragile physique, you’ll need to watch them around younger kids).

This breed sports an above-average lifespan. With love and proper care, you could easily end up with a friend for life!

Pomeranians are well-suited to apartment living. With few exercise needs, their space requirements are minimal.

Challenges

Pomeranians’ double-coated fur requires frequent heavy grooming.

Thanks to their loyal bond with their owners, they can suffer anxiety/separation disorders if separated.

The barking. Oh, the barking. The smallest stimuli can send this breed into a frenzy of yapping unlike any you’ve ever heard—and it can be very hard to get them quiet again!

Do you think a Pomeranian would suit your lifestyle? Find an adoptable Pomeranian by visiting Adopt-A-Pet and search for one in our area.

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.

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.