Breed of the Week: Portugues Water Dog

Environment: Adaptable, but need space and about an hour of exercise per day
Health: Prone to hip dysplasia and retinal atrophy which causes blindness
Grooming: Several times weekly to prevent matting, can have the lion clip or the retriever clip which is easier to maintain
Trainability: Respond well, highly trainable, but start early, be consistent, and be positive

Developed on the coast of Portugal 500 years ago to help fishermen at sea and called "cau de agua" (dog of water), Portuguese water dogs were bred to help fisherman by chasing fish nets, catching or scaring fish into nets, and rescuing drowning sailors. With their webbed paws, rudder-like tails, and profuse waterproof coats they were perfect for the job of helping the Spanish Armada send messages between vessels. Later they were used by the San Francisco Giants to retrieve balls that fell into the bay waters outside Pacific Bell Park. Today they make headlines as the breed of the First dog for the Obama family and their Portuguese water dog Bo.

Information for this post from: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

Portuguese Water Dog with a lion clip

Portuguese Water Dog with a retriever clip

How Much Does the Average American Spend on their Dog?

"According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), total pet industry expenditures reached $60.59 billion in 2015." On top of this they spend about $23.04 billion on food, $14.39 billion on OTC medicine/ supplies, $5.73 billion on vet services, and $5.24 billion on grooming and boarding.

Having different sizes of dog can also change your spending as well. "According to the ASPCA, a small dog will cost you $1,314 in the first year, a medium dog $1,580..." and a large dog will cost $1,843 in the first year.

"According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "On average, each U.S. household spent just over $500 on pets. This amounts to about 1% of total spending per year for the average household.""  Dog owners spend about $235 per veterinary visit on average, according to the APPA.

What does this say about Americans?

Well, from the perspective of an American I would say that it seems ridiculous, but it shows how much we care about and love our pets. While this spending is certainly good for the dogs, it is startling to know that that much money is spent on our pets when it could go towards the homeless or children in need. These statistics alone say a lot about where Americans values lie. We clearly value our dogs highly, but why not each other? We have millions of homeless people in our country alone, let alone the millions around the world who we could put that money towards. With that money alone, we could better the lives of millions, but instead we spend it on the family dog.  While I am not claiming that our pets aren't worth the money, I am simply pointing out something about American spending that could stand some change or readjustment 

This spending really says a lot about our nation. Maybe it's time for some reconsideration or reflection.

Information provided by: https://www.learnvest.com/2016/02/americas-pets-by-the-numbers-how-much-we-spend-on-our-animal-friends/

Inspirational Quotes About Dogs

 

Breed of the Week: Weimaraner

Environment: Needs a lot of running room, better for country living
Health: Some bloating and some dysplasia
Grooming: Easily kept
Trainability: Important to start early
Family Friendly: Great family dog, very sociable

Originated in 1800's in Weimar Republic for Grand Duke Karl August
Bred to hunt big game- bear, bore, deer
Very intelligent
Energetic
Medium size
Short, sleek, silver/grey coat "grey ghost" nickname tan/taupe, dark grey
Born with blue eyes that turn to a yellow color with age
Keen sense of smell- searched for missile parts in cold war at white sands missile range
Give 2 small meals per day

Information for this post from: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-l-z/

 

Appreciation Post: Lola

This post is centered around Lola! This is my best friend's dog that likes me the most out of all of her friends! She is a Pomeranian with a long history of ownership. After being transferred to many households she was finally taken in by my friend's family and has been with them for 7 years.

       
   

Breed of the Week: Italian Greyhound

Environment: Sensitive to cold and rain
Health: Fragile Bones for first 12-18 months of life
Grooming: Easy to groom
Trainability: Start socialization early
Family Friendly: Better in  quiet household

Originated in Greece and Turkey over 2000 years ago
Were a symbol of wealth and appeared in many Renaissance paintings
A favorite of Italian Aristocrats and thus the name "Italian Greyhound
Very fast- bred down from greyhounds, because of this, they should always be on a leash outside
Lap dogs
Average 6-10 pounds
Live up to 15 years

Information for this post from: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/
 

Breed of the Week: Boston Terrier

Environment: they have trouble in the heat or cold
Health: prone to respiratory trouble
Grooming: easy to groom
Trainabiltiy: intelligent and easy to train
Family Friendly: great for families
The first breed developed in US recognized by American Kennel Club
Lively, Intelligent, and People Friendly
Born in 1865 a mix of English Bulldog and White English Terrier
Bred as fighting dog down to companion dog
Their fur comes in  brindle, black, and seal
Live on average about 15 years
Information from Dogs 101 (Animal Planet)
http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/dogs-101/videos/dog-breeds-a-k/

          

The History of Dogs in America

Dogs started out as hunters and protectors of American families, that's how they came to be a staple in the typical household. As time progressed they became more like objects to be manufactured for entertainment. During the Civil war era treating canines with compassion was seen as civilized and cruelty toward them was seen as  a visual representation of inward moral corruption. The puppy mill business rose following the second world war and dogs became a cash crop. The Great Depression brought about a new wave of careless disregard when it came to dumping off old dogs that were old and not of use anymore. "By 1970, shelters - overcrowded with adoptable but unwanted dogs and cats - euthanized over 20 million animals."(priceonomics). By 2011, this number went down to about 3 million and the number of cats and dogs had doubled from 80 million to 160 million. The past four decades have brought tremendous change to the treatment of pets in America. New protection and regulation laws, improved societal pet care, and more work towards ending puppy mills and animal cruelty.

Information for this post from: https://priceonomics.com/post/44230885813/how-we-treat-pets-in-America

 For more history: http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/s/schwartz-dog.html

Doggie in the 1920's

 

 

Dogs on the Job

Service dogs have been defined as animals that are trained to perform tasks for people with disabilities (Wikipedia). These animals serve many purposes for each type of disability. Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act these loyal companions help those with visual and auditory impairment, those with PTSD, diabetes, paralysis, MS, cancer, autism, epilepsy, etc. Service dogs are trained to call 911, assist during seizures, and to calm down people who have PTSD (usdogregistry.org). "According to the University of Arizona, 0.9% of persons with disabilities are partnered with service dogs. In 1990, Congress found that there were 43 million Americans with disabilities, suggesting there are approximately 387,000 service dogs across the US." (servicedogcentral.org).

Another type of service dog is the police dog. The most common breeds of police dog are the German Shepherd, beagles, Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinschers, Bloodhounds, and the Belgian Malinois. Police dogs are defined as "K-9's" or "K9's" in some English speaking countries that are trained to assist police and other law enforcement in their work (Wikipedia). The work of police dogs consists of searching for drugs and explosives, looking for lost people and crime scene evidence, and protecting their handlers (Wikipedia). K9's often retire at about 10 years of age(nationalpolicedogfoundation.org).

Dogs are the most common species of service animal due to their trainability, intelligence, and loyalty. Service dogs are found more commonly in western countries most likely because of the values Westerners have it comes to dogs and their treatment as more than just pets. Reliable, trustworthy, and man's best friend- canines are the best species for the job when it come to service.

Breed of the Week: Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular breeds in both the U.S and the U.K. They have an average lifespan of 12-13 years and are often used as guide dogs for those with physical and or mental disabilities. These dogs usually symbolize intelligence, trainability, playfulness, and loyalty. This breed of dog often are a staple in families because of their classic brand of loyalty and trainability. This has been your "Breed of the Week".

Why Blog About Dogs?

I made this blog to highlight a light in my life. I want to discuss my dog, my experience having a pet, losing a pet, and why we as humans seek the companionship of another species to fill voids in our lives when we feel lonely. Why can't we turn to each other?Why do we in the U.S spend so much money on our pets? Why do we feel an obligation to save strays and give our pets the world? The difference between the treatment of dogs in the U.S compared to other countries around the world is astonishingly different. Our canine companions hold a special place in our American society. Why are they a staple in the 'typical' family-oriented household? Why are we so attached to these animals that we adopt and care for? Why do we see the death of  a pet as a death in our family? What do different breeds of dogs symbolize and why do they emulate that? If you have ever had a dog, or even a pet you know the magic they can bring into your life. The feeling of looking at another living being and knowing you have their unconditional love and acceptance is indescribable.