My Friendly Pets

Some dogs are just too cute for words!!! I think the West Highland White Terriers, also known as Westies are really one of the most adorable dogs around. But there is a lot more to this dog than just their visual persona. This dog was officially listed in 1907. It is said that Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Scotland started the breeding of these white balls of fire. He did so, because on a particular hunting outing, one of his red terriers was killed because the dog was mistaken for a fox. At that point, Malcolm wanted to create a breed that would stand out and be easily identified. These dogs are a tough little breed and have a lifespan of between 12 - 16 years, so keep in mind when you bring your Westie home, he/she will most likely be with you for a good long while.

Now is this the dog for everyone. Those who know Westies well, say this might not necessarily be the breed for homes with small children. As cute as the Westie is, remember that it is a terrier and originally was used as a hunting dog. Westies have what is known as high “prey drive”, meaning that the original hunting instinct of the dog was to hunt down small prey and confine that prey to small dens until they had the prey caught in their jaws. The squeal of childrens’ voices resemble the sounds of prey trying to escape and heighten the “prey drive” Westie. Also, children running look like prey escaping and it is natural for the Westie to nip and chase the running child. This is not saying that you can’t have a Westie in your home with small children. It just means you have to understand the breed and train both the child and the dog to respect each other.

Again, as a terrier, they are known for their obstinate personality. But they are dogs that are easy to care for and are very protective and what they lack in size, they make up for in determination to keep their “pack” safe.

From much of the literature I have read, deciding on a Westie as a pet should be a careful choice and significant time should be spent finding just the right one. However, that being said, once the “right one” is found, this sweet looking, determined ball of white fur will bring you joy, love, entertainment and long lasting companionship.

O.K., I’m not a country music fan, but if anyone has been watching Celebrity Apprentice, Trace Adkins losing to Piers Morgan was a bitter pill to swallow. Read more about it here in an entry by Heather Scoville.

I caught a glimpse of “The Ellen Degeneres Show” and of the few moments that I saw, they introduced a dog called a Spinone or Spinoni!! I don’t believe I had ever seen this breed of dog before and was interested in learning more about the breed. From what I read, it seems that this is truly a special breed of dog. It is now gaining more popularity in the United States, but has for most of its existence as a breed been located in Italy or other western European countries.

This breed is known for its strong muscular body and long face. In much of the research that I did, almost every description of this dog described their “human like” eyes. They are large dogs that can weigh between 61 and 85 lbs. and can be between 22 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches tall. They have long waterproof coats that keep them dry and warm and are supposedly as maticulous about their fur (coats) as cats. However, it is advised that these dogs be brushed at least once a week and clipped to minimize matting and knots.

Everything I read about this dog in terms of their temperament was positive. It appears that this a dog breed with a good nature and fun-loving disposition. They are very patient, enjoy children and the company of other dogs. It appears however, that due to their hunting nature they can be stubborn and methodical. They are excellent swimmers, again as part of their hunting heritage and value the relationships with their master and family (pack).

This dog is classified by the AKC as a sporting dog because they are primarily hunting dogs. While they might not be judged as the “best” hunting dog, because of their lack of pizzazz in terms of pointing or gathering of catch, they are still a dedicated hunter and will use their skills proficiently to hunt as expected.

This is a sensitive dog and will be timid if not socialized correctly. It is encouraged that this type of puppy be picked up by prospective owners and not “shipped” to a location, as fear and trauma for this breed is difficult to overcome. If a watch dog is what you are looking for in terms of security, the Italian Spinoni or Spinoni Italiano, is not the breed for you. They will rarely attack a stranger unless the health and well being of family members is at stake. All in all, I’m sorry to say that I have missed this breed and am glad to see that it is gaining popularity in this country. Its nice to know that we can introduce a dog that has a nice pleasant personality and accept him/her for what they are rather than what we want them to be.

If Italy and other far away places are of interest to you, check out a fellow blogger and world traveler!!

The Pug - you always hear…”they are sooooo cute” until they hear the dog snort and then it’s “oh my!!!” or “look at those eyes”. This is an extremely interesting breed that originates from China. The Pug was one of three main breeds of short nosed dogs that were bred by the Chinese. The “Foo-dog” also known as the Lo-sze was the ancient pug. The Pug was introduced to European culture first in Holland, brought back from the orient by Dutch traders. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and have been an endearing breed in the U.S. since then, gaining more popularity in recent years.

Physically, they are known for their compact form, deep chest and well developed muscles. Their heads are large and round and compliment their bulging dark eyes. Their coats can be apricot, fawn, silver or black. Even though they appear short haired, most shed year round.

Pugs are known for their humorous and fun loving personality. They were bred as companions rather than work dogs, so their sole priority is to be entertaining and charming. And they do it so well. They have been raised with humans and prefer their company although they do get along well with other animals.

The two main health concerns of Pugs are their tendency towards obesity and their breathing difficulties due to the skeletal structure of their face. These dogs are bred as indoor pets and should not be subject to temperatures over 80 degrees as that further worsens the breathing difficuties. Due to their relative inactivity and their true love of food, as mentioned, obesity can be a serious problem. It is important to monitor the food intake of this breed and encourage indoor exercise or short walks on days where the weather permits and is condusive to the good health of the Pug. Also, because of the elongated palate in the Pug, the dog may begin to gasp and snort because debris or fluids are getting caught under the palate and irritate the throat of the dog. The wrinkles and creases in this breed have to be kept clean and dry to prevent sores and infection.

For a long time, my daughter wanted a Pug and it still might be a wish for her. Of the people that I know that have them, they are truly their “babies” and they love them dearly. If it is a cute, engaging, bright, and hilarious dog you are looking for that will keep you company in your home (good apartment dog), a Pug, might just be the breed you’re looking for.