Since humans started domesticating dogs several thousand years ago, humans have been selecting certain breeds due to their propensity to do certain tasks or due to how they fit instinctively into certain roles.  The initial need was for dogs for hunting or for guarding. The uses of dogs have expanded ever since.
Dogs have been bred and trained for various tasks, including:
-          Guiding blind people;
-          Herding sheep;
-          Guarding life and property;
-          Keeping wild animals away from livestock;
-          Indicating the presence of hunted animals; or even in
-          Promoting literacy.
Dogs are even cross bred to get the desired qualities for certain tasks. An example of which is the Labradoodle.

Typical Labradoodle guide dog
The Australian Labradoodle was initially bred as a cross breed between a Labrador Retriever and a poodle to combine the boisterous and joyful exuberance, loyalty, lovability, and trainability of a Labrador with the aloof nature, delicate frame, intelligence, non-shedding characteristics of a Poodle to be a guide dog for a blind woman who is allergic to dog dander and hair. There were initial successes that prompted the popularity of the Labradoodle. It was not just the temperament and hypoallergenic qualities that caught the fancy of the public, as well. The adorability of the wavy hair, wide eyes and charisma of the Labradoodle further fuelled the demand frenzy.
The significant increase in demand for the Labradoodle is party attributed to the fact that it is a “designer dog,” dogs that make people look better or more valuable when seen with. It is considered by some more as an accessory or a status symbol, a trend that the moneyed do. They match their pets to their lifestyle.
The sudden increase in demand for Australian Labradoodle puppies has spurred the proliferation of puppy mills and irresponsible breeders wanting to get a quick buck. Labradoodle dogs are bought for as high as $2,500 per puppy. Those who want to get an Australian Labradoodle should do so from the reputable breeder.
But, as a designer dog, the Labradoodle might lose its place as other hybrids are filling up its niche. There are new cross breeds gaining popularity now more for being designer dogs, the Cockapoo, Yorkipoo, and Schnoodle, among others.
But beyond being just a designer dog, Labradoodle dogs will continue to be popular for its other qualities. They are loved more for their friendly, lovable, patient, energetic nature that makes them perfect for families with small children. Their intelligence and high trainability make them perfect guide dogs.
There is still that ongoing quest to make the cross breeding of Labradors and Poodles or intergenerational Labradoodle dogs a science so that new Labradoodle puppies will have consistent characteristics every time. New Labradoodle dogs in Australia are being thoroughly tested and studied and their genetic make-up and health records carefully archived and referred to every time a new cross breeding is to in order to refine the breeding process. In this way, they can already predetermine the coat, size, color, and temperament of the puppies.

DOG BREED

The Multi-Functionality of the Labradoodle Dog

Since humans started domesticating dogs several thousand years ago, humans have been selecting certain breeds due to their propensity to do certain tasks or due to how they fit instinctively into certain roles.  The initial need was for dogs for hunting or for guarding. The uses of dogs have expanded ever since.
Dogs have been bred and trained for various tasks, including:
-          Guiding blind people;
-          Herding sheep;
-          Guarding life and property;
-          Keeping wild animals away from livestock;
-          Indicating the presence of hunted animals; or even in
-          Promoting literacy.
Dogs are even cross bred to get the desired qualities for certain tasks. An example of which is the Labradoodle.

Typical Labradoodle guide dog
The Australian Labradoodle was initially bred as a cross breed between a Labrador Retriever and a poodle to combine the boisterous and joyful exuberance, loyalty, lovability, and trainability of a Labrador with the aloof nature, delicate frame, intelligence, non-shedding characteristics of a Poodle to be a guide dog for a blind woman who is allergic to dog dander and hair. There were initial successes that prompted the popularity of the Labradoodle. It was not just the temperament and hypoallergenic qualities that caught the fancy of the public, as well. The adorability of the wavy hair, wide eyes and charisma of the Labradoodle further fuelled the demand frenzy.
The significant increase in demand for the Labradoodle is party attributed to the fact that it is a “designer dog,” dogs that make people look better or more valuable when seen with. It is considered by some more as an accessory or a status symbol, a trend that the moneyed do. They match their pets to their lifestyle.
The sudden increase in demand for Australian Labradoodle puppies has spurred the proliferation of puppy mills and irresponsible breeders wanting to get a quick buck. Labradoodle dogs are bought for as high as $2,500 per puppy. Those who want to get an Australian Labradoodle should do so from the reputable breeder.
But, as a designer dog, the Labradoodle might lose its place as other hybrids are filling up its niche. There are new cross breeds gaining popularity now more for being designer dogs, the Cockapoo, Yorkipoo, and Schnoodle, among others.
But beyond being just a designer dog, Labradoodle dogs will continue to be popular for its other qualities. They are loved more for their friendly, lovable, patient, energetic nature that makes them perfect for families with small children. Their intelligence and high trainability make them perfect guide dogs.
There is still that ongoing quest to make the cross breeding of Labradors and Poodles or intergenerational Labradoodle dogs a science so that new Labradoodle puppies will have consistent characteristics every time. New Labradoodle dogs in Australia are being thoroughly tested and studied and their genetic make-up and health records carefully archived and referred to every time a new cross breeding is to in order to refine the breeding process. In this way, they can already predetermine the coat, size, color, and temperament of the puppies.

One of the most essential parts of a dog grooming routine that pet owners should remember is brushing the hair of their pup.
Maintaining a regular habit of brushing your pup helps keep their coat free from mats and tangles and also helps remove any trapped debris and loose hair. And most of all, it keeps your dog look good.

Health benefits of brushing your pet’s hair

When you regularly brush your pup’s hair, it lets you be aware of the normal state of your pet’s body. It is recommended that you spread the hair apart to check the skin of your dog and feel any bumps, lumps or abrasions while you are brushing him. If you do this as a routine, you will easily notice if something has changed with your pup’s body or if something is out of the ordinary. A lot of insect bites, skin cancers and bacterial infections in dogs start with one or two new bumps.
Brushing your pup’s hair is essential because it helps keep the hair mat free. Mats are a result of allowing your pet’s hair to have tangles. Mats are tight bunches of hair that is difficult to separate. If you don’t remove them, it grows bigger and bigger. Mats also form tightly on your dog’s skin, which makes it painful over time. It can collect insects or debris, become smelly and create several skin problems for your pet. Mats should be removed with care using a mat breaking grooming tool or by cutting it out with a pair of scissors carefully.
Another health benefit of brushing your pet’s hair is relaxation. Most dogs like it most when they are brushed, especially if it is started early and done on a regular basis. Brushing massages the skin, helps loosen up dry skin, and makes your pet feel wonderful. Combining the hair brushing routine with sprays made from essential oils, such as chamomile or lavender, the aroma helps give your dog a more relaxing experience.

Brushing tools

 

Double coated dog breeds have a thick undercoat which sheds out two times in a year. It is essential for pet owners to get all of the undercoat out of the pup, or else it will eventually form a mat. The best grooming tools for double coated pups are a comb, rake and a Furminator de-shedding tool.
Silky coated breeds such as Maltese and Yorkshire terriers have hair, not fur. The hair will continue to grow and have a very silky texture. Dogs with silky coats need combs and pin brushes to keep their hair free from tangle and in top condition.
Terriers and dogs that are wiry coated possess hair that is rough in texture and does not shed in a similar way as a normal pup.Terriers usually have their hair stripped or plucked out to keep their coat texture in good condition. The best grooming tools for this kind of coat are a pin brush, stripping grooming tool and a flea comb. A flea comb has teeth that are tightly set, which helps grab dead hairs and pull them out as you comb your dog.
For breeds that have short coats, such as Labrador retrievers, slick brushes and Furminator de-shedding tools work best, as do hound gloves.

How to brush the hair of your dog

To help your pup feel at ease when you are brushing their hair, it is essential that you introduce the routine and the tools needed at an early stage in their life. With a puppy that has never experienced brushing, you, can combine some treats or toys while you lightly brush. Make your pup focus on the treat while you stroke once or twice using a brush. Do this a few times in the beginning, then slowly build up a routine from there.
Dogs that are not used to having their hair brushed often need to be acquainted to the brush, the same way a puppy does. You can let your dog do some exercise first by walking or playing to wear out the excess energy. After that, you can proceed to a downtime of brushing the hair a few times while letting your pup focus on food or toys.
Make the first session for a few minutes only. Forcing a dog to be brushed when he’s not comfortable leaves a bad impression to your pup. For all kinds of dogs, you can start by using a rubber brush or pin brush as these are the most gentle to the touch and makes your dog feel good. When the initial experience of your pup to brushing is good, he will enjoy it when it becomes a routine.

 read more how to choosing the best dog hair clippers at http://petful101.com/top-5-best-dog-hair-clippers-and-professional-dog-grooming-clippers-reviews/

DOG BREED · dog grooming · hair

Brushing the hair of your dog

One of the most essential parts of a dog grooming routine that pet owners should remember is brushing the hair of their pup.
Maintaining a regular habit of brushing your pup helps keep their coat free from mats and tangles and also helps remove any trapped debris and loose hair. And most of all, it keeps your dog look good.

Health benefits of brushing your pet’s hair

When you regularly brush your pup’s hair, it lets you be aware of the normal state of your pet’s body. It is recommended that you spread the hair apart to check the skin of your dog and feel any bumps, lumps or abrasions while you are brushing him. If you do this as a routine, you will easily notice if something has changed with your pup’s body or if something is out of the ordinary. A lot of insect bites, skin cancers and bacterial infections in dogs start with one or two new bumps.
Brushing your pup’s hair is essential because it helps keep the hair mat free. Mats are a result of allowing your pet’s hair to have tangles. Mats are tight bunches of hair that is difficult to separate. If you don’t remove them, it grows bigger and bigger. Mats also form tightly on your dog’s skin, which makes it painful over time. It can collect insects or debris, become smelly and create several skin problems for your pet. Mats should be removed with care using a mat breaking grooming tool or by cutting it out with a pair of scissors carefully.
Another health benefit of brushing your pet’s hair is relaxation. Most dogs like it most when they are brushed, especially if it is started early and done on a regular basis. Brushing massages the skin, helps loosen up dry skin, and makes your pet feel wonderful. Combining the hair brushing routine with sprays made from essential oils, such as chamomile or lavender, the aroma helps give your dog a more relaxing experience.

Brushing tools

 

Double coated dog breeds have a thick undercoat which sheds out two times in a year. It is essential for pet owners to get all of the undercoat out of the pup, or else it will eventually form a mat. The best grooming tools for double coated pups are a comb, rake and a Furminator de-shedding tool.
Silky coated breeds such as Maltese and Yorkshire terriers have hair, not fur. The hair will continue to grow and have a very silky texture. Dogs with silky coats need combs and pin brushes to keep their hair free from tangle and in top condition.
Terriers and dogs that are wiry coated possess hair that is rough in texture and does not shed in a similar way as a normal pup.Terriers usually have their hair stripped or plucked out to keep their coat texture in good condition. The best grooming tools for this kind of coat are a pin brush, stripping grooming tool and a flea comb. A flea comb has teeth that are tightly set, which helps grab dead hairs and pull them out as you comb your dog.
For breeds that have short coats, such as Labrador retrievers, slick brushes and Furminator de-shedding tools work best, as do hound gloves.

How to brush the hair of your dog

To help your pup feel at ease when you are brushing their hair, it is essential that you introduce the routine and the tools needed at an early stage in their life. With a puppy that has never experienced brushing, you, can combine some treats or toys while you lightly brush. Make your pup focus on the treat while you stroke once or twice using a brush. Do this a few times in the beginning, then slowly build up a routine from there.
Dogs that are not used to having their hair brushed often need to be acquainted to the brush, the same way a puppy does. You can let your dog do some exercise first by walking or playing to wear out the excess energy. After that, you can proceed to a downtime of brushing the hair a few times while letting your pup focus on food or toys.
Make the first session for a few minutes only. Forcing a dog to be brushed when he’s not comfortable leaves a bad impression to your pup. For all kinds of dogs, you can start by using a rubber brush or pin brush as these are the most gentle to the touch and makes your dog feel good. When the initial experience of your pup to brushing is good, he will enjoy it when it becomes a routine.

 read more how to choosing the best dog hair clippers at http://petful101.com/top-5-best-dog-hair-clippers-and-professional-dog-grooming-clippers-reviews/

repeat part 2

The winner of a dog show is the dog judged to be closest to meeting perfection in its own breed standard. That's how a judge chooses between a Lhasa Apso and a Bernese mountain dog. Some breeders want to win that championship so badly that they will breed mother to son or father to daughter to try to double up on the exceptional qualities of one dog. This is inbreeding. Unfortunately, inbreeding for good qualities also doubles up the bad--if genetic defects are present. The result is some genetic faults that could be diminished and are not. Not every inherited defect can be picked up by tests or bred out but some can: detached retinas in collies, mitral valve dysplasia in small dogs (cairn terrier, miniature poodle), deafness, urinary stone and dermatological problems in dogs bred for coat colour or pattern (Dalmatians, merle-coated dogs).

The Kennel Club revised 210 breed standards to address health issues. This newly buffed-up health policy was behind the virtuous testing by "independent" general vets of 15 breed winners right bang in the middle of the Crufts show, which ran March 8-11 in Birmingham. At that point, happy holders of Best of Breed ribbons for the bulldog, Pekingese, Clumber spaniel, mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff and basset hound breeds were dumped "for health reasons" with no chance to continue through Best in Group toward Best in Show. The British Bulldog Breed Council was furious: its winning dog had an old eye injury from a knock taken as a puppy--nothing to do with disease and invisible to the naked eye--and had been vetted by the British Utility Breeds Association at a previous trial.

Having asked independent vets to examine the dogs, the Kennel Club then issued a contradictory press release stating that the examination was external only and the health problems could be diagnosed by judges in the ring. This made no sense and infuriated breeders. "To understand this" said one U.K. dog breeder asking not to be named, "you'd have to understand the British Kennel Club: an old boys' club," one that only allowed women full membership in 1979. In their favour, the KC has wonderful headquarters in London's pricey Mayfair district with a truly magnificent collection of dog paintings. But all national kennel clubs have this one fear: that breed clubs will, if aggravated, withdraw and simply stage their own shows. This time, though, the KC has cooked its own goose. The debacle at Crufts brought 6,700 people to a new Facebook page, Exhibitors Choice & Voice, this past week. On short notice, 320 people, including senior judges and breeders, attended a meeting to form the Canine Alliance to work for the health and welfare of pedigree dogs and to postpone the clearly ill-thought-out policy of the KC on vetting dogs. The Croatian owner of the dumped Clumber may well sue the KC to have the Best of Breed title restored, as well as asking for an apology and a monetary claim for loss of status. The KC might have to sell a very small painting.

ON A BIT of land near Toronto's Pearson airport, a vista of indifferent office buildings and scrappy grass fronts, the Canadian Kennel Club is moving into its self-described "dog-friendly" new headquarters. No paintings, cardboard boxes of files spilling out all over the place-the natural consequence of a move. Curiously, none of the executives and employees I spoke to owned dogsthemselves, though they "would love to." Unlike every other kennel club in the Western world, the CKC is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act, a federal statute administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It gets no funds from taxpayers, but changes to its bylaws, including if the CKC wants to add a breed to its registry, must be approved by the ministry. The CKC itself seems perennially short of money as registrations go down, so when I asked about doing kennel checks of breeders and enforcement of health standards, director of events and operations Elio Furlan let out a little sigh of unhappiness. "We don't have the resources," he said sadly.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"The CKC wish they had the independence of kennel clubs like the American and British ones to do whatever they want," says longtime former chairman of the CKC board of directors Richard Meen. "In fact, they are in the best position of any kennel club to make a difference. They've got the full force of the Animal Pedigree Act behind breed standards and could make significant changes."

For myself, I'm never keen on government regulation of private businesses, even of dog breeding, but since Ottawa is in charge here, the CKC might as well use it for the good. At the very least, it could keep a tight rein on inbreeding and demand health certificates of dogs to be bred. X-rays and genetic tests can be given for all sorts of inherited conditions, including hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.

Dog shows are like a pop-up store: one weekend the space is full of humans, lots of shedding fur and vendors of special products like whiz bands, which anchor up male doggies' jewels so they don't whiz inside the house. Next thing you know, the space is back to normal with grim-faced humans. The CKC sponsors a lot of shows in Canada but when it spots anyone stepping on its toes, it goes into Rottweiler pose (sorry Rotties: you're wonderful family dogs). Currently in its crosshairs is Robert Grieves, a retired Ontario postal worker, with an unmistakable Glaswegian accent not extinguished by his 28 years in Canada.

Together with business partner Rita Grisani, Grieves organized a successful business to put on dog shows called All Breed International Dog Shows, Inc. (ABI). It can't register dogs or hand out licences, but it uses some CKC professional judges for its conformation shows. The ABI fills a niche the CKC doesn't address by allowing dozens of rare breeds the CKC doesn't list or no longer lists (the CKC radically culled its lists after chairman Meen left) to compete--sharp intake of breath here--in the same venue with CKC-registered purebreds. The ABI shows are informal, dress as you will. Amateur handlers try out their skills free from the white-knuckled fear of the formal dog shows.

You'd think the CKC would be cheering or see the ABI shows as a source of revenue for its depleted coffers. "Judges can get their hands on breeds they may never have seen" says Grieves, "and we give amateur handlers ring experience." Glottal stop, however, at CKC headquarters: Last January, it issued a "reminder" telling judges to stay away from non-CKC conformation shows. "We're trying to work with the CKC, not against them," replied the ABI. "Our club's whole goal is about education and helping people learn." This olive branch withered. Ours "is a recommendation to judges and not an outfight prohibition for them to officiate at ABI shows" wrote the CKC in reply to the ABI. Implicit prohibition perhaps? Defying the CKC would not be a good career move for an aspirant dog judge in Canada. After Grieves complained to the Competition Bureau, an investigation began. But the enemy the CKC should focus on is not the ABI, but designer dog diseases.

Credit due: the CKC can take a tough stand and mobilized itself for the welfare of all dogs when it came to the nightmare of breed-specific legislation. Remember the days and nights when ferocious pit bulls stalked our streets? Ontario's Liberals brought forth Bill 132 in 2004, mandating all "pit bulls" be leashed, muzzled, neutered and spayed; their future breeding or import to Ontario was banned. It was not clear what was behind the vehemence of the legislation (the CKC always supported vicious dog legislation) apart from political expediency-nothing like a bloody good hue and cry over monsterdogs menacing your children when substantive election promises haven't been met. Or possibly MPP Dalton McGuinty Sr.'s family pit bull named "Tory" bit the young Dalton--if he didn't, it goes to show the pit bull's loyalty tested to a fault.

The small problem was that there is no such thing as a purebred "pit bull." If you went to the Purina show you would have seen the jolly little bull terrier breeds clowning around their booths. There are three terrier breeds--the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and the bull terrier (a bulldog and terrier cross with its endearing egg-shaped head), which make wonderful family dogs. The lack of a specific CKC purebred pit bull breed did not deter the enthusiastic Liberals who simply listed four breeds-two types of pit bulls plus the two Staffordshire terriers--and threw in for good measure the basket clause, "A dog that has an appearance or physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs" referred to above, which could include anything from the bulldog to all sorts of mutts. While they were at it, the legislation also allowed police to enter homes without a search warrant if they suspected a pit bull was inside.

"After the bill came into effect," says Progressive Conservative MPP Randy Hillier, now part of an all-party effort to repeal the legislation, "thousands of dogs were picked up from shelters or from quiet walks in parks on leash with their owners and killed because they looked like a pit bull." The CKC worked hard to convince breed clubs that the new Ontario act mattered to all dogs, not just those breeds that might get caught in the vague wording of the legislation. "About a million dollars was raised," says Cathy Prothro of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, a group organized to fight the legislation and to promote responsible dog ownership.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dog shows are narcotics for some of us. Until I saw it at Purina, I never knew there was a breed called Eurasier (okay, how many readers did till reading that sentence?). Nobel winning ethologist Konrad Lorenz had an Eurasier called Babett and claimed it had the best character of any dog. The breed was invented ha 1960. It's hard to break the news to one's husband, but I ache to get one plus another kuvasz to add to my two, as well as a Caucasian ovcharka and an American Alsatian. Of course, this would put me in jail because in Toronto you are only allowed three dogs per household-all part of the anti-dog campaign these days. If you can have unlimited children, why on earth can't you have a handful of dogs, so long as you are able to take care of them?

You probably don't recognize those last two breeds I mentioned and that's because purebred breeds aren't static. New ones are being invented all the time; they continue to reflect our ever changing needs and through their evolution, mirror our history. ThunderHawk Caucasians, just outside Peterborough, Ont., is where Tamara Follett breeds the Caucasian ovcharka. This Russian breed, not yet recognized (it's listed as "foundation" stock for the AKC, the first leg to breed recognition), is one Of the fiercest but most sumptuous-looking dogs on the earth and Follett has spent 20 years carefully breeding for temperament.

The American Alsatian (formerly the American shepalute) is so new that no kennel club has heard of it. The dog was the brainwave of Oregon's Lois Schwarz, who began it ha 1987. The breed is being developed under impenetrably complicated breeding rules designed to prevent any genetic health issues. This is "a large, dire-wolf-looking dog" with yellow eyes, according to Schwarz's website, and photos of it are mouth-watering. American Alsatians are designed to be companion dogs, super healthy, not barkers and not aggressive.

Dog politics are human politics. We have a CKC positioned to lead the world in helping canines with a brand-new executive director, Nancy Carey, who could bring in breeding reforms and more proactive health checks. She knows that our four-legged friends simply try to do whatever we expect of them. The gift they bring us cannot be quantified. They have no say when we decide to make their curled tails tighter, their bodies lower, or breed mother to son to accentuate a feature at the cost of health. Whichever way you parse it, the bipeds are getting the best deal, and the quadrupeds, our beloved dogs, have no option but to keep looking up at us with liquid inscrutable eyes, with ears alert (provided they haven't been cropped) and just keep on wagging (provided their tails haven't yet been docked). It's a dog's life and they deserve a much better one.

Go to macleans.ca for behind-the-scenes photographs at the Purina National.

Amiel, Barbara

DOG BREED · new

our beautiful and sometimes bizarre relationship with dogs: Barbara Amiel reports ringside on the cutthroat world of purebred dogs part 3

repeat part 2

The winner of a dog show is the dog judged to be closest to meeting perfection in its own breed standard. That's how a judge chooses between a Lhasa Apso and a Bernese mountain dog. Some breeders want to win that championship so badly that they will breed mother to son or father to daughter to try to double up on the exceptional qualities of one dog. This is inbreeding. Unfortunately, inbreeding for good qualities also doubles up the bad--if genetic defects are present. The result is some genetic faults that could be diminished and are not. Not every inherited defect can be picked up by tests or bred out but some can: detached retinas in collies, mitral valve dysplasia in small dogs (cairn terrier, miniature poodle), deafness, urinary stone and dermatological problems in dogs bred for coat colour or pattern (Dalmatians, merle-coated dogs).

The Kennel Club revised 210 breed standards to address health issues. This newly buffed-up health policy was behind the virtuous testing by "independent" general vets of 15 breed winners right bang in the middle of the Crufts show, which ran March 8-11 in Birmingham. At that point, happy holders of Best of Breed ribbons for the bulldog, Pekingese, Clumber spaniel, mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff and basset hound breeds were dumped "for health reasons" with no chance to continue through Best in Group toward Best in Show. The British Bulldog Breed Council was furious: its winning dog had an old eye injury from a knock taken as a puppy--nothing to do with disease and invisible to the naked eye--and had been vetted by the British Utility Breeds Association at a previous trial.

Having asked independent vets to examine the dogs, the Kennel Club then issued a contradictory press release stating that the examination was external only and the health problems could be diagnosed by judges in the ring. This made no sense and infuriated breeders. "To understand this" said one U.K. dog breeder asking not to be named, "you'd have to understand the British Kennel Club: an old boys' club," one that only allowed women full membership in 1979. In their favour, the KC has wonderful headquarters in London's pricey Mayfair district with a truly magnificent collection of dog paintings. But all national kennel clubs have this one fear: that breed clubs will, if aggravated, withdraw and simply stage their own shows. This time, though, the KC has cooked its own goose. The debacle at Crufts brought 6,700 people to a new Facebook page, Exhibitors Choice & Voice, this past week. On short notice, 320 people, including senior judges and breeders, attended a meeting to form the Canine Alliance to work for the health and welfare of pedigree dogs and to postpone the clearly ill-thought-out policy of the KC on vetting dogs. The Croatian owner of the dumped Clumber may well sue the KC to have the Best of Breed title restored, as well as asking for an apology and a monetary claim for loss of status. The KC might have to sell a very small painting.

ON A BIT of land near Toronto's Pearson airport, a vista of indifferent office buildings and scrappy grass fronts, the Canadian Kennel Club is moving into its self-described "dog-friendly" new headquarters. No paintings, cardboard boxes of files spilling out all over the place-the natural consequence of a move. Curiously, none of the executives and employees I spoke to owned dogsthemselves, though they "would love to." Unlike every other kennel club in the Western world, the CKC is incorporated under the Animal Pedigree Act, a federal statute administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It gets no funds from taxpayers, but changes to its bylaws, including if the CKC wants to add a breed to its registry, must be approved by the ministry. The CKC itself seems perennially short of money as registrations go down, so when I asked about doing kennel checks of breeders and enforcement of health standards, director of events and operations Elio Furlan let out a little sigh of unhappiness. "We don't have the resources," he said sadly.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

"The CKC wish they had the independence of kennel clubs like the American and British ones to do whatever they want," says longtime former chairman of the CKC board of directors Richard Meen. "In fact, they are in the best position of any kennel club to make a difference. They've got the full force of the Animal Pedigree Act behind breed standards and could make significant changes."

For myself, I'm never keen on government regulation of private businesses, even of dog breeding, but since Ottawa is in charge here, the CKC might as well use it for the good. At the very least, it could keep a tight rein on inbreeding and demand health certificates of dogs to be bred. X-rays and genetic tests can be given for all sorts of inherited conditions, including hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.

Dog shows are like a pop-up store: one weekend the space is full of humans, lots of shedding fur and vendors of special products like whiz bands, which anchor up male doggies' jewels so they don't whiz inside the house. Next thing you know, the space is back to normal with grim-faced humans. The CKC sponsors a lot of shows in Canada but when it spots anyone stepping on its toes, it goes into Rottweiler pose (sorry Rotties: you're wonderful family dogs). Currently in its crosshairs is Robert Grieves, a retired Ontario postal worker, with an unmistakable Glaswegian accent not extinguished by his 28 years in Canada.

Together with business partner Rita Grisani, Grieves organized a successful business to put on dog shows called All Breed International Dog Shows, Inc. (ABI). It can't register dogs or hand out licences, but it uses some CKC professional judges for its conformation shows. The ABI fills a niche the CKC doesn't address by allowing dozens of rare breeds the CKC doesn't list or no longer lists (the CKC radically culled its lists after chairman Meen left) to compete--sharp intake of breath here--in the same venue with CKC-registered purebreds. The ABI shows are informal, dress as you will. Amateur handlers try out their skills free from the white-knuckled fear of the formal dog shows.

You'd think the CKC would be cheering or see the ABI shows as a source of revenue for its depleted coffers. "Judges can get their hands on breeds they may never have seen" says Grieves, "and we give amateur handlers ring experience." Glottal stop, however, at CKC headquarters: Last January, it issued a "reminder" telling judges to stay away from non-CKC conformation shows. "We're trying to work with the CKC, not against them," replied the ABI. "Our club's whole goal is about education and helping people learn." This olive branch withered. Ours "is a recommendation to judges and not an outfight prohibition for them to officiate at ABI shows" wrote the CKC in reply to the ABI. Implicit prohibition perhaps? Defying the CKC would not be a good career move for an aspirant dog judge in Canada. After Grieves complained to the Competition Bureau, an investigation began. But the enemy the CKC should focus on is not the ABI, but designer dog diseases.

Credit due: the CKC can take a tough stand and mobilized itself for the welfare of all dogs when it came to the nightmare of breed-specific legislation. Remember the days and nights when ferocious pit bulls stalked our streets? Ontario's Liberals brought forth Bill 132 in 2004, mandating all "pit bulls" be leashed, muzzled, neutered and spayed; their future breeding or import to Ontario was banned. It was not clear what was behind the vehemence of the legislation (the CKC always supported vicious dog legislation) apart from political expediency-nothing like a bloody good hue and cry over monsterdogs menacing your children when substantive election promises haven't been met. Or possibly MPP Dalton McGuinty Sr.'s family pit bull named "Tory" bit the young Dalton--if he didn't, it goes to show the pit bull's loyalty tested to a fault.

The small problem was that there is no such thing as a purebred "pit bull." If you went to the Purina show you would have seen the jolly little bull terrier breeds clowning around their booths. There are three terrier breeds--the American Staffordshire terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier and the bull terrier (a bulldog and terrier cross with its endearing egg-shaped head), which make wonderful family dogs. The lack of a specific CKC purebred pit bull breed did not deter the enthusiastic Liberals who simply listed four breeds-two types of pit bulls plus the two Staffordshire terriers--and threw in for good measure the basket clause, "A dog that has an appearance or physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those of dogs" referred to above, which could include anything from the bulldog to all sorts of mutts. While they were at it, the legislation also allowed police to enter homes without a search warrant if they suspected a pit bull was inside.

"After the bill came into effect," says Progressive Conservative MPP Randy Hillier, now part of an all-party effort to repeal the legislation, "thousands of dogs were picked up from shelters or from quiet walks in parks on leash with their owners and killed because they looked like a pit bull." The CKC worked hard to convince breed clubs that the new Ontario act mattered to all dogs, not just those breeds that might get caught in the vague wording of the legislation. "About a million dollars was raised," says Cathy Prothro of the Dog Legislation Council of Canada, a group organized to fight the legislation and to promote responsible dog ownership.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dog shows are narcotics for some of us. Until I saw it at Purina, I never knew there was a breed called Eurasier (okay, how many readers did till reading that sentence?). Nobel winning ethologist Konrad Lorenz had an Eurasier called Babett and claimed it had the best character of any dog. The breed was invented ha 1960. It's hard to break the news to one's husband, but I ache to get one plus another kuvasz to add to my two, as well as a Caucasian ovcharka and an American Alsatian. Of course, this would put me in jail because in Toronto you are only allowed three dogs per household-all part of the anti-dog campaign these days. If you can have unlimited children, why on earth can't you have a handful of dogs, so long as you are able to take care of them?

You probably don't recognize those last two breeds I mentioned and that's because purebred breeds aren't static. New ones are being invented all the time; they continue to reflect our ever changing needs and through their evolution, mirror our history. ThunderHawk Caucasians, just outside Peterborough, Ont., is where Tamara Follett breeds the Caucasian ovcharka. This Russian breed, not yet recognized (it's listed as "foundation" stock for the AKC, the first leg to breed recognition), is one Of the fiercest but most sumptuous-looking dogs on the earth and Follett has spent 20 years carefully breeding for temperament.

The American Alsatian (formerly the American shepalute) is so new that no kennel club has heard of it. The dog was the brainwave of Oregon's Lois Schwarz, who began it ha 1987. The breed is being developed under impenetrably complicated breeding rules designed to prevent any genetic health issues. This is "a large, dire-wolf-looking dog" with yellow eyes, according to Schwarz's website, and photos of it are mouth-watering. American Alsatians are designed to be companion dogs, super healthy, not barkers and not aggressive.

Dog politics are human politics. We have a CKC positioned to lead the world in helping canines with a brand-new executive director, Nancy Carey, who could bring in breeding reforms and more proactive health checks. She knows that our four-legged friends simply try to do whatever we expect of them. The gift they bring us cannot be quantified. They have no say when we decide to make their curled tails tighter, their bodies lower, or breed mother to son to accentuate a feature at the cost of health. Whichever way you parse it, the bipeds are getting the best deal, and the quadrupeds, our beloved dogs, have no option but to keep looking up at us with liquid inscrutable eyes, with ears alert (provided they haven't been cropped) and just keep on wagging (provided their tails haven't yet been docked). It's a dog's life and they deserve a much better one.

Go to macleans.ca for behind-the-scenes photographs at the Purina National.

Amiel, Barbara

OK, first things first. This is a post-election wrap-up, not a post-apocalyptic wrap-up. America is once again more red than blue, and ironically, the redness makes some of us bluer. But mostly we're all purple people due to bruising after being pummeled by so many negative ads.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Yeah, yeah, I know: The GOP did well. After a change in administrations, the minority party won a bunch of House seats in the following midterm election. Ho hum. Whoopty do. This is about as unusual as a piquant odor emanating from the dumpster behind a fish market.

Happened to Reagan: 26 seats in 1982.

Happened to Clinton: 54 seats in 1994.

Would have happened to George W. Bush if a certain phenomenon called 9/11 hadn't gone down the year before.

It's a natural contraction. Democracy's labor pains. Only the gestation period was a bit longer, and the soreness more lingering.

Admittedly, the number of seats changing hands this time around was a bit intense. North of 60. Fifteen percent of the total lower body politic. Erasing the Democratic gains of '06 and '08 combined.

But look at the bright side. No more need to stock up on those fifty-pound bags of Blue Dog Chow.

The red tide seemed to congeal after hitting the Rockies. California, Oregon, and Washington avoided the brunt of the anti-incumbent wave. Most likely due to the weather being nicer, giving Hope and Change a longer shelf life.

DOG BREED

No more blue dog chow

OK, first things first. This is a post-election wrap-up, not a post-apocalyptic wrap-up. America is once again more red than blue, and ironically, the redness makes some of us bluer. But mostly we're all purple people due to bruising after being pummeled by so many negative ads.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Yeah, yeah, I know: The GOP did well. After a change in administrations, the minority party won a bunch of House seats in the following midterm election. Ho hum. Whoopty do. This is about as unusual as a piquant odor emanating from the dumpster behind a fish market.

Happened to Reagan: 26 seats in 1982.

Happened to Clinton: 54 seats in 1994.

Would have happened to George W. Bush if a certain phenomenon called 9/11 hadn't gone down the year before.

It's a natural contraction. Democracy's labor pains. Only the gestation period was a bit longer, and the soreness more lingering.

Admittedly, the number of seats changing hands this time around was a bit intense. North of 60. Fifteen percent of the total lower body politic. Erasing the Democratic gains of '06 and '08 combined.

But look at the bright side. No more need to stock up on those fifty-pound bags of Blue Dog Chow.

The red tide seemed to congeal after hitting the Rockies. California, Oregon, and Washington avoided the brunt of the anti-incumbent wave. Most likely due to the weather being nicer, giving Hope and Change a longer shelf life.

You've finally got the puppy you always wanted. It is a purebred, with papers that prove it comes from a long line of fine dogs. Does that make your puppy a good buy? Not necessarily.
Americans own about 20 million purebred dogs. More and more, owners are finding out that purebreds may have serious problems along with their pedigrees. Purebred Collies, for example, tend to have eye trouble that can quickly turn into blindness. Cocker spaniels often suffer from ear trouble, kidney problems, and extreme nervousness. Golden retrievers may quickly develop hip trouble, skin allergies, and cancer.

dog breed

The reason for these problems, some critics charge, is that purebreds are often bred only for looks, which do well at dog shows and impress prospective owners. At dog shows, for example, judgest mostly consider appearance--the shape of a dog's head or the quality of its coat. It is harder for judges to consider or give marks for an even disposition or a keen intelligence.
The American Kennel Club advises dog buyers to think carefully about the kind of pet they want. Buyers should go to dealers or breeders with a known good record. And care should be taken to pick a puppy that is alert and friendly.
Then, of course, say pet experts, someone intersted in owning a dog might look at a healthy mixed breed. Dogs of mixed breed are often healthy and intelligent, without many of the problems purebred dogs have.

DOG BREED

Dog breeding: has it gone too far?

You've finally got the puppy you always wanted. It is a purebred, with papers that prove it comes from a long line of fine dogs. Does that make your puppy a good buy? Not necessarily.
Americans own about 20 million purebred dogs. More and more, owners are finding out that purebreds may have serious problems along with their pedigrees. Purebred Collies, for example, tend to have eye trouble that can quickly turn into blindness. Cocker spaniels often suffer from ear trouble, kidney problems, and extreme nervousness. Golden retrievers may quickly develop hip trouble, skin allergies, and cancer.

dog breed

The reason for these problems, some critics charge, is that purebreds are often bred only for looks, which do well at dog shows and impress prospective owners. At dog shows, for example, judgest mostly consider appearance--the shape of a dog's head or the quality of its coat. It is harder for judges to consider or give marks for an even disposition or a keen intelligence.
The American Kennel Club advises dog buyers to think carefully about the kind of pet they want. Buyers should go to dealers or breeders with a known good record. And care should be taken to pick a puppy that is alert and friendly.
Then, of course, say pet experts, someone intersted in owning a dog might look at a healthy mixed breed. Dogs of mixed breed are often healthy and intelligent, without many of the problems purebred dogs have.