Interesting and Little Known Facts about your Breed

[PWCorgi]

I always love to learn new facts about dog breeds, especially little known facts, so I thought that I would start this thread to expand my brain, lol.

Alright I guess I will start...

Pembroke Welsh Corgis:

1) Corgis have webbed feet like a lab or a golden retriever.

2) They LOVE water and going swimming!

3) In many Welsh fairytales, their job was to act as tranportation for fairies and pixies, who rode them like horses.

4) In the 1960's the first corgi earned a Shutzhund title, which included jumping over a 40 inch jump while carrying a 1 1/2 pound dumbell, he went on the earn a Shutzhund II title

5) In Wales when private farms were taken away and community farms were set up, corgis did what is called reverse herding. Instead of keeping the livestock bunched together, they would spread them out while still keeping them seperate from other farmer's livestock. This way, the farmers would not loose grazing land to other farms, but would still keep their herd together.

I think that's it for now.

Anybody else...

 

[SummerRiot]

Thats very interesting!! I never knew that about the Corgis.. #5 was very interesting as well!! lol Smart little pups aren't they!

Little known facts about Belgians;

1) Belgians should not be fed Chicken for a long amount of time, their it can cause premanent damage to their pancreas.

2) Belgians are EXTREMELY sensative to anesthesia - so caution should be used while giving them a dose, they usually need a lesser dose!

3) Belgians have been used as sled dogs like the Husky, as well as cart dogs.

4) There are 4 varieties to the Belgian Sheepdog, many people think there are only three; Tervuren, Gronendael, Malinois and Laekenois

5) Any variety of the breed can have any variety in a litter. Ex. a Tervuren bitch can give birth to a Malinois pup or a Gronengael pup and sometimes a Laekenois.

6) They are an extremely sensative breed that thrives on positive training methods. The more harsh the training on them, the more they grow to resent you and ignore you.

7) They were originally bred to herd and protect sheep flocks for shephards.

8) The Belgian Tervuren got its name because it originated in Belgium in a little town called "Tervuren"

 

[PWCorgi]

5) Any variety of the breed can have any variety in a litter. Ex. a Tervuren bitch can give birth to a Malinois pup or a Gronengael pup and sometimes a Laekenois.

WOW! That's very interesting!

 

[SummerRiot]

It is eh!

They are essential the same breed.. but under the AKC each variety is a seperate breed..

the CKC recognizes them as one breed.

 

[Ash47]

1. Chis are the most ancient breed in North America.

2. They used to be larger, but were bred to be shorter so that they could be constantly close to the owner. (hence the nickname lap dog.)

3. First discovered in the 1850s.

3. Chis shake and shiver not because they are cold, but because they are excited or worried.

4. Many Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot (molera) on the top center of their skull. This is where the skull did not completely close, making an already fragile breed even more fragile.

5. Most Chihuahuas tend to only have friends that are of their breed. For instance, Roxy would much rather be friends with another Chi than have to live with Spud.

 

[Amstaffer]

Pit Bulls are big time lickers. They lick everyone they meet. Sal even licks my Sister's cows . They are super affectionate

Pit Bulls are very soft...meaning they are sensitive. They don't need stern or harsh correction. You can usually give a Pit Bull a dirty look and that is punishment enough.

If raised in the right how most Pit Bulls are the opposite of their stereotype.

 

[Leslie + Chessies]

Chesapeakes have engaging personalities punctuated by their "smile"- a greeting that is a grimace with all teeth bared

Chesapeakes also have unique vocalizations - a happy "roo roo" sound that is somewhere between a growl and a howl.

Chesapeakes are traced back to two early shipwrecked Newfoundlands, Canton and Sailor. Canton and Sailor were not bred to each other but were bred to the local stock and their progeny were bred to water spaniels, hounds, and setters.

Chesapeakes are not just curly Labs. They are dominant dogs which can become overly possessive of objects, people, or property and may be somewhat aggressive if challenged. Chesapeakes are a lot of dog. People who prefer dogs who are more obedient and submissive tend not to like Chesapeakes at all.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Well, technically I have a couple of breeds since I love my mutts' breeds, but the only purebred dog I have is a Labrador Retriever. Let's see...little known facts about labbies...

1.> They have two coats - the top coat is water resist, and the undercoat keeps them warm. They shed the undercoat in the summer.
2.> They have webbed feet. You can often see the webbing when a lab is swimming.
3.> They're tail is called an "otter tail" and aids them in swimming. It acts as a rudder.
4.> There are British and American labs. English labs are shorter and stockier, where American labs tend to be taller and leaner. I prefer a mixture of the two, really.
5.> The lightest coat color for labs is called yellow, not golden, as many people assume!
6.> Because their ears are floppy, it's hard for air to get inside, so labs tend to get ear infections quite easily if their ears are not cleaned often enough.
7.> They're mouths are called "soft mouths" because when they go to catch a bird a hunter has shot, they can take it in their mouths and swim back to shore without disfiguring the bird.

 

[Gempress]

Blackmouth cur:

-They originated in the American South as a multi-purpose "frontier dog".

-The blackmouth cur does NOT have to have a black muzzle. The term "blackmouth" comes from the dark pigment of the inside of the mouth and lips.

-Unlike scenthounds, blackmouth curs should be silent when tracking. They also use a combination of scent and sight when on the trail.

-Blackmouth curs are used for herding as well as hunting. Even today, there are many kennels that breed specifially for herding ability, as oppossed to hunting prowress.

-The book "Old Yeller" was written about a blackmouth cur. (A lab played the part in the Disney movie).

 

[Leslie + Chessies]

-The book "Old Yeller" was written about a blackmouth cur. (A lab played the part in the Disney movie).

Awww...I didn't know Old Yeller was about a Blackmouth Cur! Thought it was just about a farm mutt. Love that book! May just have to go and reread it now!

 

[Gempress]

Catahoula leopard dog:

-This breed originated in Louisiana. During the time of the Conquistadors, the Spanish "War dogs" (greyhounds and mastiffs), interbred with the Native American dogs. Later, French immigrants brought the Beauceron into the mix, which resulted in the modern Catahoula Leopard Dog.

-Catahoulas are also used for both hunting and herding.

-In the "old days", Catahoula owners/breeders were so protective of their dogs that you could not buy one. They would give their dogs to those who truly needed one for work.

-*WARNING: THIS LAST FACT IS NOT FOR THE EASILY OFFENDED* Please keep in mind that this practice came about during the pioneer era in a wild country, where good working dogs were essential, and a bad working dog could be extremely detrimental to the welfare of a family/owner. The pioneers did not have the resources to feed and care for an animal that was not good at its work. There was also no spay/neuter program to ensure that sub-par animals did not breed.
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A large part of the Catahoula drive and temperament was developed from a process known as "lining". The breeder would take an entire litter of 6-month-old pups, and find a trail where deer were known to frequent. He would establish himself at an invisible line on the trail, and let the pups loose to track.

The last two pups to cross the "line" were shot. They did not exhibit enough interest in following the track. The rest of the pups were allowed to continue tracking. When the pups started to return, the first two dogs to cross the "line" were also shot. They didn't show enough interest in remaining with the pack. The remaining pups were considered the most promising prospects and began formal training.

Thankfully, with the advent of spay/neuter and the popularity of dogs as "just pets", lining is no longer used.

 

[elegy]

the most decorated war dog in american history was a pit bull

 

[Toller_08]

Not sure if these are little known among other Toller people, but many non-Toller people don't know this:

1) They are prone to auto-immune diseases (though this is getting better)

2) They *must* be on a limited vaccine protocol, their bodies cannot handle tons of vaccines and they also can't have mixed vaccines.

3) They have a horrible, loud, high pitched scream that they use when excited or anxious.

4) They are not a typical retriever in that they do not see everyone they meet as a new best friend. They're very reserved around new people and save most of their exuberance for friends and family.

5) They are extremely high drive, high energy dogs. Very comparable to the Border Collie.

6) Tollers are a very versatile breed and fortunately most Tollers can step right out of the conformation ring and into the field like they've been hunting forever.

7) They need positive training metods only. They're extremely sensitive.

There are more I'm sure, but these are the only things I can think of right now...

 

[Leslie + Chessies]

4) They are not a typical retriever in that they do not see everyone they meet as a new best friend. They're very reserved around new people and save most of their exuberance for friends and family.

Actually both Chesapeakes and Curly Coats are also known for being reserved and stand-offish around strangers.
Flat Coats, Goldens and Labs are the exuberant, party animals of the retrievers.
Tollers, Chessies and Curlies are the antisocial, surly retrievers.

 

[Renee750il]

These are anecdotal "facts"

Each Fila is obsessive/compulsive about something

A Fila will hold an endless grudge . . . .

Filas are partial to redheads

 

[Toller_08]

Actually both Chesapeakes and Curly Coats are also known for being reserved and stand-offish around strangers.
Flat Coats, Goldens and Labs are the exuberant, party animals of the retrievers.
Tollers, Chessies and Curlies are the antisocial, surly retrievers.

I know, I should've specified that but when the average person thinks retriever they usually think automatically Golden or Lab. Most people that I un into have never even heard of the Curly, Chessie or Toller..

 

[Leslie + Chessies]

I know, I should've specified that but when the average person thinks retriever they usually think automatically Golden or Lab. Most people that I un into have never even heard of the Curly, Chessie or Toller..

LOL! You're right! Most people call Labs "Labs" and call Goldens "retrievers", as if Labs are not retrievers and as if there are no other retrievers.

I really wouldn't mind getting a Curly myself, but my husband hates them. I also heard that they get alopecia. Ick! If I wanted a bald dog, I'd get a Chinese Crested!

 

[RD]

Border Collies are racists. They are infamous for choosing to single out and spend time with only other Border Collies or similar herding breeds.

Papillons are excellent swimmers when appropriately introduced to water.

 

[wolfsoul]

Belgians were already done, but more facts can't hurt!

1. The Belgian varieties can be interbred (ie tervs ca be bred with groens, etc.).
2. Belgians are prone to autoimmune disease, epilepsy, and eye problems.
3. Belgians like to be close to their owner. They say when you have a Belgian you will never go to the bathroom alone again lol.
4. They think they are lap dogs.
5. They have to "overdo" everything. Belgians often need to be taught to slow down, take it easy, and care less. They are very impulsive.
6. They can be difficult to groom if they aren't taught from a young age. They are alot like shelties that way -- big babies -- one knot, and watch your face because it can be gone in one snap.
7. Back in their homeland, Belgians were mainly fed poultry, beets, wheat, mutton, and sometimes beef.
8. Belgians can differ from one temperment extreme to the other. You often get shy, low drive, soft dogs, and then aggressive, high drive, hard dogs. Sometimes a mixture of extremes. You'll rarely find one inbetween.
9. Belgians excell at almost everything. They are very versatile, and the top breed for schutzhund along with GSDs.
10. Big couch potatoes! Love to laze around in the house.

 

[Sheka]

Bichon Frises
1) you can brush/pet them backward and forwards, there is no diffrence, its a poof eether way.
2) FRISE in french, means Frizzy.
3)They were known as the pet of the common people after the French Revolution, and were trained and used as trick dogs in the circus.
4) As guard dogs, cart dogs and herders they were said to be infallible.but later, the bichon's main purpose became a companion
5) many bichons (including charlie) are said to have "human eyes" there eyes resemble ones of humans, charlie's eye color is hazel!
6) Bichons are known for 1 great trait i like to call the "happy dance" where they stand on their hind legs are twirl around, its a real crowd pleaser
7) they are extremely active, hardy little dogs and are not lil froofy dogs, Charlie loves to run, jump, hike and do agility
8) they were voted "DOG MOST RESEMBLING A TOY" by dog fancy magazine.