TOP DOG! Did You Know? A wagging tail doesn’t always mean they are happy. Tail wagging has its own language. Apparently dogs wag their tail to the right when they’re happy and to the left when they are frightened. Wagging low means they are insecure and rapid movements accompanied by tense muscles or dilated pupils can signal aggression. So every wagging tail tells its own story, if you know how to read the signs. Dogs have their own ‘fingerprint’ A dog’s paw print may look pretty generic but their nose print is actually as unique as a human fingerprint. Their combination of ridges and creases is so distinct it can actually be used to identify them. Good luck getting them to stick their nose in a pad of ink without sneezing though. Dogs can be pretty smart You might sometimes think your dog is as daft as a brush, but the truth is that they can actually be as smart as a two year-old child, according to research presented to the American Psychological Association. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Border Collies are the cleverest canines, with some able to understand up to 200 words. The other breeds in the top five are Poodles, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Dobermans.
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Top Dog! of the Month Be a Sponsor of the Top Dog! of the Month Call 1-866-546-9922 to find out how. Our Top Dog! This is “Duchess” my 5-year-old Jack Russell. She has done 3 years of 4-H with me and has done really well. I enjoy doing agility and heel work to music with her (she loves it more than me!). We’re hoping to start agility trials in the summer. - Amy Siemens, Grand Forks BC
Send us a photo of your favourite pooch! Tell us the dog’s name, breed, and up to 50 words about him/her. We will print your first name (or initials) and your city/province. E-mail to nancyroman@saddleup.ca and put in subject line: TOP DOG OF THE MONTH. Photos will be printed on a first come first serve basis. www.saddleup.ca • 25