Dog Blog

Well, I must say that of all the headlines lately, this one really captured my attention. Partly, because I love dogs and have been around them all my life, but also because I am sucker for unusual stories. They are also a nice break from the typical doom and gloom headlines we endure everyday. To some, perhaps many, the idea of a prearranged marriage with a dog is some sort of a cruel joke or punishment for misbehaving. However, to the groom, Sagula Munda and his parents, it is a traditional way of protecting the family against bad luck and/or ghosts. According to his father, the ceremony was arranged to “help ease the bad omen of the tooth rooted in Sagula's upper gum” An interesting response and one that probably would not have been my first choice but then again I am sure that Sagula’s father would not think to knock on wood or grab a rabbits foot to carry around either. Different worlds indeed and certainly different superstitions, but a shared belief of irrational fears.

For those of you interested, here is the link to the story.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7897098.stm

The LIST of all lists has come out from the American Kennel Club (AKC) showing the top 156 breeds. It also shows how each breed was ranked in the previous two years, as well as how they did back in 1998. I always find this list extremely interesting not so much to see the winner, but more to see the breeds that have made the biggest leaps in popularity.

Most of the list stayed relatively the same as last year. The top spot went to the ever faithful Labrador Retrievers with the little Yorkshire Terriers taking the second spot. The Yorkies had the big move last year when they jumped from 6th spot into 2nd and have now held that place for a second year running.

German Shepherds came in 3rd - talk about consistency they were also ranked 3rd all the way back in 1998. Next on the list is Golden Retrievers, followed by Beagles and Boxers.

Interestingly Daschunds, found themselves down 2 places to 7th spot, but Bulldogs, who were previously ranked 10th, moved up to 8th.

Pugs hung in at 15th, down one spot. I have to mention them since I own one myself and personally I think they would rank much higher if this list was done in Canada where there are planty of Pugs, but it is what it is.

Pugs ranked 15th in this year's AKC Top Dog Registration List

One of the big movers this year also happens to be a breed I am fortunate enough to own and that's the Frenchies. Last year French Bulldogs were way down at the 34th spot, but this year they have made a major leap up to a ranking of 26th!!! That is a significant move. I have definitely seen more Frenchies around this year and this list goes to show that their growing popularity is not just here in Canada.

French Bulldogs made the biggest move up 8 spots to 26th in this year's rankings.

Now of course we all have different opinions on which breeds hold a special place in our heart and I am sure we'd place our own dogs right at the top of the list...I know I would, but this is a cool look across the United States at which breeds find themselves in more homes. It is great that this is tracked because you often see evidence of trends as you walk through the streets and visit parks where you see more of a certain breed or can tell if a new dog movie has been released and now you have something to reference your observations to. The great thing about this list is the historical data it presents so you can see who stays as the top dogs year after year and which fresh new legs are bursting on the scene.

Where does your dog rank on this list? I know you are looking

For the full list please visit: AKC Dog Registration Stats

Hi fellow dog lovers,

I am writing this story for those of you out there that are planning to take a road trip with your fur-kids in the near future. Last August, after my husband retired, my son, daughter & our three dogs went on a road trip to our other daughter in Canim Lake B.C. My daughter was traveling in her car with her two cats. My husband went on ahead by plane. I decided on the road trip after checking out other ways of traveling with the dogs and this looked to be the best way for my little Divas, much less traumatic. My son drove our car.

Months before I started doing practice runs with the dogs to get them used to the car. Monty my 7 year, 2 1/2 pound Yorkie, started hyper-ventilating, first mistake. After seeing this for about half an hour, I gave him water and he just brought it all up! Because of the constant panting he was thirsty, but just giving a few laps turned out to be just right, even though he wanted more, & that was after about 45 minutes of driving. He was never sick after that, but still to this day hyper-ventilates as soon as he is in the car, stopping now after 10 mins.

My next big problem was that being at home with them (we worked from home) I always let them out to do their business every two to three hours average, we were fenced so they enjoyed going out regularly, except in bad weather.

Problem # 3, they were also used to having food out all day, they are all tiny & their breeder advised to give them small amounts many times, instead of the usual meals, morning & night. The good news was they did their 'big' stuff early morning. In my trials, I was not able to break out of their habit of going every 2 to 3 hours. My Daughter in B.C. has a beautiful Pug, & from little, he could & does to this day hold for 8 hours at a time !! due to her work. Anyway on 'the' day of the real trip, we packed up the car & in the back seat packed coats & clothes, comforters etc. & made the seat rise higher, not intentionally mind you, but it worked very well because I placed their own comforter on top & they were then able to see out & still lie down, worked great!

We planned on 8 to 9 hours driving each day going the quickest route through the States hoping to make it in 6 days!! I made sure I had my first aid kit, & saw out Vet before hand to ensure we had all the shots to go through the border and pass their requirements.

Also very important, 2 towels( for wet feet), kitchen roll, rags, wipes,water, food,(double bag food & place in cooler) and a bottle of shampoo, you can get that in the travel section of any drug store. This came in very useful for Monty, he did not throw up, but he got diarrhea!! & in a closed car the shampoo was good until we got to a rest stop. Since my dogs are so small I was able to rush him in to hand soap using flowing water in the sink.

Now I will keep this short & fast forward to the do & don'ts. Don't cast in stone your arrival time & then become frantic when delayed. For example we encountered the following- road delays: two serious accidents, rain, lightening storm causing flooding so we were at the side of the road for ages, two hour delay at the U.S. Border & stopping every 2 to 3 hours for the dogs. Do not think you can push your dog to wait longer, when they are telling they have to go !! they are Dogs! they will go in the car.

Time spent looking for Motels that allow Pets was also an adventure. And yes, we did our home work & had these all worked out, but the best laid plans do not always work out. Always have a plan A & a plan B. Next challenge came with a punctured tire that took two hours to get repaired.

You never know what you will encounter on a road trip so allow time for delays, detours & getting lost. Do bring a soft sided Cooler which works like a charm. My son got ice at the beginning of each day, when we stopped for gas. It also kept our water cool.

My dogs went off their food ! & so lost weight, & Misty ( youngest) went 3 1/2 days without going which was very worrying. She is very picky where she goes and takes forever to find 'her' spot! So not having the luxury of time we rushed her but she would not go. I had to make the time to make her go, & eventually she did.

The rest stops off the U.S. Highways are excellent. There are many & it is easy off & on the highway. Only take the exit off the highway into town, if you all have to stop, that going through town takes longer. Also take two collars/harnesses & leads . One is bound to get lost or in my case stopped retracting. For those with cats that is a definite 'no' !! Hope this will help those planning a road trip.

Thanks for listening,
Diane