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By jnavary, June 13, 2011

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a breed that no one seems to know how to classify. In some countries this breed is considered a member of the Working Group. In other countries he has been placed in the Hound category. In still others he is a classified as a Gun Dog. Historically, the breed performed all of these duties in its native land. The original country of origin of this dog is Africa. The Ridgeback in Africa was used by the natives to harass the lions on a hunt, being quick and agile and making feints at the lion, distracting him while the natives came in for the kill.

The name “Ridgeback” is because of the very distinct line which is created down the center of the back where the hairs lie in opposite direction from the “lay” of the coat, creating a ridge which is obvious and unique to the breed. Only one other breed, the Thai Ridgeback, carries this “trademark”. The ridge should have two swirls of hair at the top of the ridge, creating the appearance of a crown.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Ridgeback does not enjoy great popularity as a pet. It is strongly independent. This dog happily fulfils the roles of both a guard dog and a hunting dog, but it will do exactly what it wants to do if the owner is not the “leader of the pack”. They are not overly affectionate and do not make friends with strangers. They should not show aggression, but will not fawn over people nor be overly affectionate except to their own household.

The color of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is always a deep red or fawn. White markings, if any, should be small, on the toes or the chest. Males should be 25-27 inches and females 24-25 inches. The “ridge” is of course the identifying characteristic of the breed and must be present and quite obvious. The Ridgeback should move with a long stride and should have good angulation in the rear, he should be agile and able to make quick turns, being of good length of leg for the feinting and quick strikes necessary when on the hunt. The dog’s overall appearance should be that of a well muscled and athletic dog.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback will thrive on country living and makes a protective and fearless guardian of the property. It should never show aggression towards people and this is not part of its nature. This is a dog that should show protective instincts of its territory and should ward off marauding animals. It is fine to have in an urban household if given plenty of exercise. In either case, the Rhodesian Ridgeback needs to have good obedience training as a puppy. they are an energetic and inquisitive breed and can get into a lot of trouble if not kept in a safe fenced in area.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs.

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By jnavary, January 8, 2011

Border Terrier

Border Terrier’s are known for their jumping ability and agility. They are very intelligent with a level temperament. Many times you will see Border Terrier’s as therapy dogs due to their capacity for independent thinking.

Borders love to run so daily trips to the park or out for a long run is just what the Border Terrier needs to keep them active. Natural born fox hunters they were used back in the day to flush the foxes, otters and badgers out of their holds. It’s always amazing to see this quick dog in action and jumping despite their how short their legs are.

Beware of these little runners, they have been known to chase many a small animal like cats, mice and others. It’s in their blood. You can break the habit if the Border Terrier is raised with the animal. But when you are outside your dog’s domain, keep an eye on them because they can disappear in a flash if something catches their eye.

If you become the owner of a Border Terrier, best to make sure that you keep all small stuffed toys and such away from this little guy. They love to chew on toys and have been known to consume a toy here and there. If you Border Terrier becomes listless or uninterested in affection or has trouble sleeping have him checked to make sure he has not ingested something.

While these dogs are typically very active, they do love to just lounge in the park and take in the sites. Watching all the goings-on is something they enjoy. They are known to be a bit stubborn once they get settled and often refuse to get up and along, especially when they are tired!

Border Terriers can be slow to anesthetize and you need to watch this because they also have a high sensitivity to anesthetics. They have a high threshold for pain and can suffer from diseases like juvenile diabetes, seizures, hip Dysplasia and other ailments.

Border Terrier’s fall in the medium size category weighing in at between 11 and 15 pounds with the females usually weighing the least. Their coats are dirt and weather resistant that requires only a weekly brushing. They do shed but the weekly brushing can help with this issue as well as hand stripping a couple of time a year.

Exercise should be a big part of your Border Terrier’s life. They are very active and we can curb this behavior by consistent command training from an early age. Their willingness to please makes training your Border Terrier easier then other dogs.

Border Terrier’s can be a nice addition to you family, just remember their limitations. Socializing your dog early on can minimize the confrontational attitude of this dog. While it’s not displayed often, it can occur so keep a watchful eye on your new pup and all should go well.

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By jnavary, September 5, 2009

The “Lost Souls: Found!” series by Happy Tails Books is a must-read for any dog lover, and they’d also like to give you the opportunity to have your own rescued dog featured in a book!

“Lost Souls: Found!” breed-specific books contain over 50 heart-warming, short stories and anecdotes about dogs who were once in dire straits but have since been united with humans who love them. The stories lead you down a twisting and turning road of emotion, exposing the misery of neglect, the selflessness of rescue, and the joy these rehabilitated “found” souls bring to their new families. You’re sure to laugh and cry – and if you’ve had your own dog you’re in for some “mine does that too!” moments.

At http://happytailsbooks.com, you can:

• submit your own dog’s story
• pick up a book about your favorite breed
• join the mailing list to find out about upcoming books
• find story submission guidelines
• read the “Don’t Kill Bill” blog to learn about life as a foster parent
• stay up-to-date on the latest dog advocacy news
• apply to become part of the donation pool (tax-exempt rescue groups only)

Please visit the website, and consider forwarding this information along to your friends who have adopted dogs. Happy Tails Books is publishing 3-6 books per year and is looking for stories on any breed of dog.

Happy Tails Books is committed to donating a significant portion of proceeds to dog rescue groups.