This week's visit to the Pet Health Library takes us to the Breeds Section to meet some dogs that love being called "all wet" - the Portuguese Water Dog, American Water Spaniel, and Irish Water Spaniel.
Of course, since the First Family got "Bo" the Portuguese Water Dog has been in the news a lot. Dr. Larry even wrote a post (tongue-in-cheek?) worrying that its popularity might endanger the breed!
But browsing in the Library, I found two other breeds with "water" in their names, the American and Irish Water Spaniels. And I learned some interesting and fun things about each.
So let's have some fun and see if you can match up these "facts" with the breeds:
Nicknames include "Diving Dog" and "Sea Dog"
- A very rare breed, puppies will be hard to find
- AKC recognized in 1940
- Known as the clown of the dog world
- Nicknames include "Rat-tail Spaniel"
- Feet are webbed to aid in swimming
- One of the founding breeds of the AKC
- Generally the smallest of these breeds
Click on the breed links or pictures above to check your answers over at the Library!
But it had to happen. This is my first Portugese Water Dog. Has my hairdo, well my bangs. A lot of black on a dog and I will admit, they are a lot cuter when half of them is not bald. Personal preference! Not personal.
Today the world witnessed what many would call a "Dream Come True." Barack Obama took the Inaugural Oath and became the 44th President of The United States Of America.
For two young girls, another dream looms on the horizon. Dog lovers everywhere are rabidly devouring any, and all news of the First Dog. Fans, supporters and critics all have opinions, advice and stories to share.
For anyone considering a dog, finding and selecting an appropriate match for the family and home is paramount. The Obamas seem to be taking their time, waiting for the right dog and the right time. A good choice.
Once found, the pup needs to be welcomed into the home and family. For many families, bringing home a new canine companion marks the beginning of many challenges. As with all things, raising and training a well-mannered pup will have "setbacks and false starts."
Success takes time, commitment, consistency and hard work. Hope is needed here too. Many first-time dog parents feel a paralyzing hopeless as they face any number of unexpected challenges. Perhaps it will serve them well to remember the words of President Obama.
Could there be such truer words?
I wish that I could, so directly and so convincingly, share such wisdom with all those who have puppies and dogs in training.
If we can't acknowledge what we face, then we will never find the courage, strength and commitment we needed to overcome. No doubt, there are bigger challenges in life than how to raise and train a new dog. However, do not underestimate the stresses of a new canine companion.
Training a new pup can feel like an insurmountable task. Trainers should be leaders and must not forget to tell all their clients that they are not alone in their frustrations, fears and concerns. Pup parents and doggie adopters need to hear that the challenges they face are no less enormous than they feel, but that when taken in turn these seemingly insurmountable tasks are smaller and more manageable that they look from afar.
And yes, everyone with a new dog or puppy needs a good trainer; someone who can to lead them in relocating hope when it has been chewed up, peed on and buried deep in the yard. Sometimes a good start is just acknowledging that there is a serious matter at hand and that everyone is going to need to dig in and commit to working hard.
The solution is always out there, but it may not come easily or freely. In life there are no easy fixes, no short-cuts and no magic potions. This applies to training dogs, too.
