Miss Daisy
Canine Reporter

I Know Dogs

Border collies are way above average. I wouldn’t be surprised if many are MENSA DOG members already. Many border collies keep emailing me bragging about their other talents and I am impressed. However, I am currently on line with Malcolm, a protector and collie that locates lost humans and is a real dude.

The following article in USA TODAY shows the versatility of this amazing dog.

“Southwest Florida International relies of an old fashioned remedy for runway safety: a smart dog.

Since 2001, a nine year old border collie has been patrolling the runway and chasing any birds in sight. A bird being sucked into aircraft engines is one of the most persistent safety problems at airports. Border collies scare the birds but don’t harm them.

The military was first to use dogs to chase birds from runways. Southwest Florida was the first commercial airport to begin using dogs in 1999, says airport spokeswoman, Victoria Moreland.

She says bird populations have fallen dramatically. Surrounded by lakes and wetlands the airport draws a variety of species, including sandhill cranes, eagles, wood storks, turkey vultures, egrets, herons, and ducks.

The Federal Aviation Administration has asked airports to update their wildlife management programs. Other airports have use used fake owls, firecrackers, and propane cannons to deter birds.”

Embarrass, MN doesn’t have an international airport yet but when they do, the birds to keep away will be Canadian geese, wild turkeys, and Mug Wumps…but that’s another story.

By the way if you love dogs, Click here, Five Great Reasons To Adopt A Dog.
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Miss Daisy Reporting

Hope all is well with you and your dog.

Just when you thought you knew about all the 149 breeds of dogs that are recognized by the American Kennel Club, there are several more added to the list.

These are breeds that are considered for registration only after an American breeding club is in place. The breed’s history is noted not only in the U.S. but also worldwide and it turns out that these breeds have been around for a long time. Breeds are those dogs that share the same characteristics as hair color, height, weight, and purpose.

Some are bred for hunting, herding, and compatibility. Some are bred for assisting the blind, hearing, and detecting, etc.

The Beauceron is a biggie weighing in from 70 to 100 pounds and was used originally for herding in France. With the growth of the Industrial Revolution, they slowly faded from this job and are now used for military guard dogs, and law enforcement. They are leadership dogs that just don’t follow along and usually need an experienced handler for training and control purposes. Website:beauce.org

The Swedish Vallhund weighs in from 25 to 30 pounds. He goes back almost 1000 years and was used again for herding. A good looking guy that has the quality of being family friendly. When you don’t play with him, he makes up his own creative amusements and will bark about them to tell you that he wants some action. He is like a helicopter because he can jump vertically. I wonder where he developed that? Website: swedishvallhund.com

The Tibetan Mastiff is another biggie weighing in at 80 to 140 pounds with thick fur. According to the AKC, they were bred in Tibet to protect homes and monasteries. Because of this trait they are very protective, loyal and big eaters. You don’t want to challenge them as they were bred to protect nuns and family. They would do well in Minnesota for the climate but unemployed because we don’t have a lot of monks here to protect. Website: tibetanmastiff.org

If you want more information about choosing the right breed for you, click here

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Robert Sawtelle

Hi

Hope all is well with you and your dog..

If you think about it there are over a hundred registered breeds of dogs and there are thick books written about most of them. This is where I got started and with the help of my wife decided on a small breed for ease of care and maintenance.

Recognizing the type of dog is basically associated with its breed. A purebred animal belongs to a documented and acknowledged group of unmixed lineage.

Before a breed of dog is recognized, it must be proved that mating two adult dogs of the same type would have passed on their exact characteristics, both appearance and behavior, to their offspring. If you are thinking of adopting or buying a pet dog for yourself, it is important to know which type of or breed of dog you want. Here are a few popular dog breeds for your easy reference:

Beagle

Beagles have acquired a strong sense of smell. Because of such quality they are used for hunting animals like rabbits. They have big ears that are low set giving them that gentle look.

Their furs are commonly white, black, brown or a combination of both. Beagles are known to be very good tempered. Training might prove to be a tricky task because these dogs are strong willed quite stubborn.

Beagles travel in packs, and being a pet dog might cause them to have anxiety.

Labrador

Labradors are very outgoing dogs that have yellow, black or brown furs. Labrador are versatile dogs that have a wide range of functions. Most of them are known to retrievers and are utilized as guide dogs for the blind.

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