“People often are charmed by the appearance of a dog and impulsively adopt based on looks, not personality; if the match doesn’t work out, the animal may get sent to a shelter. Understanding the breed or mix of breeds makes for a more successful adoption.” ~ Christie Smith, executive director, Potter League for Animals, Middletown, Rhode Island
involves a lot of flying dirt, muddy paws and craters in the yard, but results in a happy dog. A Scottie can also be dignified and reserved, plus display a sense of humor. He may be aloof with anyone but family and friends—then can surprise with a frenetic, random activity period (referred to as a frap). While independent thinking is essential for successful below-ground hunting, it’s moderated by a strong desire to please. Harsh words and punishment will cause him to shut down, rather than act on his passion again. Understanding and companionship are vital to a Scot’s happiness. Given those, his devotion is deep and lifelong. Golden retrievers are famous for their gentle ways with children. Originally bred in Scotland and England in the late 19th century, their purpose was to retrieve fowl shot by hunters, whether on land or in water; a golden is willing, adaptable and very trainable. They are widely used in therapy work, as service or guide dogs and in searchand-rescue operations. Golden puppies are highly energetic and playful, in need of focus, training and exercise. Older dogs are often seen carrying a toy in their mouths during a walk, reverting back to their original specialty of carrying birds in a “soft” mouth (making no punctures with their teeth). Goldens need frequent
brushing, so be on the lookout for blonde hairs all around the house. Much of the renewed popularity of beagles as family pets is due to the charismatic Uno, the Westminster Kennel Club’s Best in Show 2008, also featured in O Magazine in 2010. They are easy to groom, medium in size, friendly and cute. A person that prefers brisk walks may count the breed’s need to thoroughly sniff stuff along the way as a drawback. A determined beagle following an “invisible trail” can be selectively deaf to calls to return to his owner or home. His “Woo-woo-woo” baying at the conclusion of a mission can interrupt the peace of a quiet neighborhood. First bred in the 1300s as a companion for small-game hunters, a
beagle’s compact and muscular body derives from a blend of ancient hounds. Expect a beagle to be smart, independent and bold. Be aware that a bored, unsupervised beagle will create his own entertainment; barking can be a problem. High energy or highly intelligent dogs require more commitment, thought, time and planning to keep them on track and focused on the fun. It’s best to involve these dogs in activities that embrace, rather than clash with their inbred traits—but oh, the rewards of the right kind of four-legged companionship. Connect with freelance writer Isabel Reilly at StLouisDogWalker@mindspring.com.
Mixed Breed Detectives’ Simple DNA Test Verifies Identification by Isabel Reilly DNA testing isn’t just for episodes of CSI. It’s easy to test a mixed breed dog to find out his heritage, typical traits and any potential health problems associated with the breed. Cindy Billhartz-Gregorian, of St. Louis, who rescued Ralphie during a Missouri rainstorm, says, “Ralphie has a special way of doing things. We wanted to put it into context to find where the traits come from, so we did a simple DNA test to find out.” The result showed that Ralphie is 80 percent Rottweiler, 10 percent husky and 10 percent collie. “It explains some things,” she says. “He doesn’t exactly howl when he hears sirens, it’s more like he talks to the sound.” Barb Reyner lives in Independence, Iowa, with the M Troop—it’s a house rule that all names of dogs living there start with M. “We tested because we were just plain curious. Malleagh turned out to be a shih tzu/ Siberian husky mix,” reports Reyner. “We suspected the husky part because she has blue eyes and loves to romp through the snow.” DNA testing has practical applications, too. Reyner decided to test another of her dogs, Moey, that has health issues, including deafness, near blindness and cancer. “We thought she was a softcoated Wheaten terrier/chow mix, but after a simple DNA test using a kit, we learned she was mix of shar pei, chow chow and Labrador retriever. Now we know more about how we can help her.”
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July 2012
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