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January 3, 2014 - Continued research on the origins of domestic dogs is providing intriguing insights, yet also contradictory conclusions. Most of the recent work focuses on the genome of the dog and DNA analysis.

Back in 1997, Robert K. Wayne announced the results of genetic research placing the origin of the domestic dog as far back as the era of hunter-gatherer peoples -- perhaps 60,000 years ago or even as much as 100,000 years ago. See our article on Wayne's conclusions. This was far earlier than dates determined on the basis of archaeology, and was not widely accepted.

Then in 2002, Wayne and colleagues announced that early Americans brought dogs with them from Asia as early as 12,000 years ago. See our article on these discoveries.

In 2004, researchers announced 14 dog breeds considered to be "ancient" or early in the evolution of breeds. East Asia was proposed for dog origins. See here for our report on this.

Recently, in 2013, research results pointed again to the origin of the domestic dog during the era of hunter-gatherers, but this time in Europe. See links to published articles on this view of the earliest dogs.

March 15, 2013 - Congratulations to Mike Ellis and his Team Tsuga Siberian Huskies for placing in the top half of the 2013 Iditarod field of 66 teams starting the famous race. Mike finished in 30th place, reaching Nome in 10 days 16 hours 35 minutes and 16 seconds. This signal accomplishment is the fastest time by a Siberian Husky team in Iditarod history. Race winner Mitch Seavey ran the 1,000 mile trail in 9 days 7 hours 39 minutes and 56 seconds. [Note: As of the time this is written, 12 teams had dropped out of the race, 44 teams had reached Nome and 10 teams were still on the trail.]

Team Tsuga already holds the record as the fastest Siberian Husky team to complete the Yukon Quest race, running that 1,000 mile race in 10 days 20 hours and 29 minutes, according to their blog.

In the 2010 Iditarod, Blake Freking placed 42nd with a time that made his Manitou Crossing team the fastest Siberian Husky team in Iditarod history up to that time. He completed the that Iditarod in a time of 11 days 20 hours 29 minutes. See photos of the team and Blake's 2010 time here. In 2008, partners Jennifer and Blake Freking both ran the Iditarod, finishing just 9 seconds apart and setting a new record for an all Siberian Husky team at that time.

Bravo to all the dedicated mushers who continue the heritage of the Siberian Husky as a fine, reliable long-distance sled dog.

March 10, 2013 - As the Iditarod long-distance sled dog race began, we discovered Team Beringia, an international group aiming to complete three long-distance sled dog races: the Yukon Quest and Iditarod in North America and the Nadezhda race in Siberia. The two mushers on the team -- part of an educational project -- are:
=> Joar Leifseth Ulsom, 26, of Roros, Norway, and
=> Mikhail Telpin, 59, of Yanrakkynot, Chukotka, Northeast Siberia.

They've been training in Willow, Alaska. Ulsom runs smaller mixed breed huskies while Telpin runs his native Chukchi sled dogs. As we write, Telpin is running 55th of the 66 teams originally entered (5 have dropped out).Ulsom is running in 5th place, out of the Kaltag checkpoint on the way to Unalakleet. Learn more about the educational project RacingBeringia and see photos and tales of their Iditarod experience.

March 6, 2013 - As the Iditarod got underway, we were pleased to learn that the late, great sled dog racer Leonhard Seppala is recognized yet again. The Norwegian who came to Nome, Alaska, for the Gold Rush and then raced Siberian Huskies into the history books has his name on the Seppala Heritage Grant. Founded by the Seppala family in 2005 and supported by top racers, the grant provides support to "youth, junior musher or rookie who aspires to the senior Iditarod race for the first time."

Particularly pleasing is the fact this year's recipient is Mike Ellis who raises and races Siberian Huskies. After racing his Siberians in New England and Ontario from 1994 to 2007, Mike moved to Alaska. Since 2008, he's run the Yukon Quest, a demanding distance race, his highest finish being eighth in 2011. Learn more about Team Tsuga - Mike, his wife Sue and the fastest Siberians in Yukon Quest history. Follow Mike's Iditarod run via Facebook and the official Iditarod Standings too.

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February 25, 2013 - In recent weeks, warm weather in Alaska has posed considerable challenges for mushers preparing for the famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Instead of subzero weather considered ideal for training and racing, it's been in the 30s and 40s in Willow, a popular location for mushers and sled dogs, the New York Times reports. Races in Alaska and Minnesota have been shortened, rerouted, postponed or cancelled. Among these are qualifying races for the Iditarod, meaning some mushers planning to run the famous race this year will have to wait until next year.

Blake Freking, who trains and races Siberian Huskies near Lake Superior in Minnesota, notes that global warming seems to be having on impact on the sport of sled dog racing. Still, Noah Pereira of Clarkson, N.Y., has just won the Junior Iditarod, a 150-mile sled dog race that ends at Willow Lake, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Mushing since age 10, he currently is a handler for Dallas Seavey, the reigning Iditarod champion.

You can follow the 41st running of this endurance race at the Official Iditarod site or via Alaska and Lower 48 newsmedia or on Twitter at @Iditarod or @IditarodLive. Use the WorkingDogWeb Guide the the Iditarod for resources on many aspects of the race, including resources for teachers. The 2013 Iditarod starts March 2.

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April 22, 2007 - While the spring 2007 dog food recall is said to have affected only about 1 percent of all dog food, there are dog owners concerned about what they feed their dogs [and cats]. WorkingDogWeb.com has created a new Web guide about dog food, nutrition and recipes to help people learn about what their dogs need in their daily diets. There are also many dog food books recommended including Home-Prepared Dog & Cat Diets: the Healthful Alternative recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

April 15, 2007 - The recall of "wet" dog and cat food that started in the middle of April widened to include more companies and types of products, including some biscuits. However, just 1 percent of America's overall dog food supply has been impacted by the recall. Now the FDA is warming that some of the tainted foods many still be on store shelves. And the U.S. Senate is holding a hearing on the matter that has shaken people's confidence in the safety of the food supply. We are continually updating our in-depth article so you have one convenient place to see the latest news as well as helpful links to resources.

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May 25-30, 2004 - Researchers have discovered "genetic fingerprints" for 85 breeds of dogs, and have recognized 14 breeds as "ancient breeds" while the rest fall into guarding, herding and hunting breed groups. Most of the ancient breeds are linked either to China, such as the Chow Chow or Pekingese, to Japan such as the Akita, or to Siberia, such as the Samoyed and Siberian Husky.

The full list of ancient breeds include Afghan Hound, Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Basenji, Chow Chow, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Saluki, Samoyed, Shar-pei, Shiba Inu, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky and Tibetan Terrier. Read the full story -- and see the breeds in each group -- in the Late Spring 2004 RSH Online.

And then enjoy checking out the characteristics, standards and histories of these 14 ancient breeds on a page dedicated to them. You will quickly notice that almost all of them have standards that allow "all colors" or at least quite a variety of coat colors from fawn and sable to black and tan and to solid black or solid white. Bravo to those who love and breed these dogs that they have protected the rich genetic diversity of their stock, an action that also helps protect genetic health.

May 15, 2004 - The AKC approved 3 new breeds in late April that one might consider "the tall, the large and the small of it."
· The "tall" is the Black Russian Terrier, a breed developed starting in the 1930s
   for security force purposes. Contributing breeds include the Rottweiler, Giant
   Schnauzer, Airedale and Newfoundland. Size is 26 to 30 inches tall. Added to
   the Working Group.
· The "large" is Neapolitan Mastiff, a property guarding dog from Italy that is 24
   to 31 inches tall and up to 150 pounds. Added to the Working Group.
· The "small" is the Glen of Imaal Terrier, a natural Irish dog 12.5 to 14 inches tall, bred as a ratter and to hunt fox and badger.

Read the AKC news story for all the details.

March 25, 2004 - A recent trip to Paris provided not only great art, historic buildings, wonderful walks in the park and delectable food, but also a splendid opportunity for dog watching in the French capital. Read The Dogs of Paris and if you are interested in the city itself -- its art, architecture, history and food -- then try The Pleasures of Paris. Merci mes amis!

March 7, 2004 - The next Year of the Dog on the Chinese calendar begins on January 29, 2006. The dog, xu, is one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, used when determining years and cycles. The next Year of the Dog after that begins on February 16, 2018. Click to learn more.

The 32nd running of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is underway this weekend with 87 teams, including Karen Ramstead and Wayne Curtis running teams of Siberian Huskies. Use our Iditarod Guide for helpful resources. Don't miss our in-depth and illustrated interview with Karen, right here at WorkingDogWeb.com!

February 22, 2004 - Research on dogs' ability to read human "cues" has been taken another step as reported recently at the American Association for the Advancement of Science winter meeting in Seattle. You may remember earlier reports that dogs were better than chimpanzees are observing the cues or signals that people provide, suggesting dogs have evolved with humans and that skill has been enhanced as a result. This was the work of Brian Hare of Harvard, who has since expanded his work to include the dog's closest relative, the wolf, as well as dogs raised with minimal human contact in kennels and the New Guinea singing dog, thought to have reverted to the wild from early domestic dog stock.

The results? The wolf like the chimp can't do any better than 50-50 guessing which of two containers has the food, even when people provide cues such as pointing to the correct container. Under those circumstances, dogs get it right every time, even if they had minimal human contact. Even puppies get it right! Read more using the following links:

Dogs: Fantastic Food Finders: Dogs' skill at using human cues - Why Files

Brian Hare & Hound Milo - with research results: story from Harvard News

Dogs are Sensitive Souls: Latest report on Hare's research [this will expire]

The Domestication of Social Cognition in Dogs: Hare's paper in Science

February 11, 2004 - The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is becoming so popular, this year's winning dog even appeared tonight on the Charlie Rose TV show -- where he gave Charlie kisses and "talked" as he did after his big win -- and was talked about on NPR's All Things Considered. Ch Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove, nicknamed Josh, is being described as "a Newfoundland's Newfoundland." And there was excitement among many dog lovers that a big dog from the working group finally won Westminster after toy breeds and terriers dominated the Best of Show spot over the past decade.

Here's more about this big black dog:
· Josh's data & pedigree & Photograph of Josh
· Josh's data - Westminster 2003: see No. 16 for breeder, owners
· Pouch Cove Newfoundlands: Dave and Peggy Helming, Flemington, N.J.,
   chosen the 2002 Breeders of the Year for the Working Group. Another photo
   of Josh. Source of the Pouch Cove kennel name
· Photo from 2003 with story of 2004 Westminster
· Newfoundland Top Dogs 2003
· Newfoundland Top Dogs 2002

February 10, 2004 - Last year, during the 127th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2003, the Kerry Blue Terrier Ch. Torums Scarf Michael was chosen Best In Show, called by some the "the dog world's ultimate prize." Who will win in the Best of Show judging tonight? The seven best in group winners are:

· Working Group: Newfoundland - Ch Darbydale's All Rise Pouch Cove *
· Terrier Group: Norfolk Terrier - Ch Cracknor Cause Celebre *
· Herding Group: Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Ch Hum'nbird Keepn Up'Pearances *
· Hound Group: Ibizan Hound - Ch Luxor's Playmate Of The Year *
· Sporting Group: Sussex Spaniel - Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee
· Non-Sporting Group: Standard Poodle - Ch Ale Kai Mikimoto On Fifth
· Toy Group: Pekingese - Ch Yakee Leaving Me BreathlessAtFranshaw *

And the winner is the Newfoundland, call name "Josh." Click for photo & details. And check here for the winners in all the breeds.

* These dogs were Top 20 Show Dogs, All Breeds, December 2003.     [ Top ]

February 9, 2004 - More words that dogs know. During a recent conversation with a woman dog lover in North Carolina, I discovered that her very much loved Norwegian Elkhound named Vixen also knows quite a few words [see November 20, 2003, for words a special Corgi knows]. As promised, she recently sent me a list of many of the words and phrases that Vixen knows and responds to regularly.

Here are many of the words and phrases Vixen knows:
· Moosie, Blackie, Candy [names of stuffed dog toys]
· Big bird, squirrely [critters visiting the bird feeder]
· Look at the golfers! [they live on a golf course]
· Want some water? & want a cookie? & want to go out?
· Be a good girl [do your business]
· Go eat your dinner & go in the other room
· Sit, lie down, stay
· Hold [meaning let me go down the stairs first]
· Who's my sweetie?
What words do your dogs know? Send us your dog's list here.

January 31, 2004 - New interview with woman musher-explorer. Just added to WorkingDogWeb.com is an exclusive interview with Pam Flowers, a truly remarkable woman musher, explorer, author and educator. After running the famous Iditarod sled dog race, Pam decided she preferred exploring the Arctic by sled dog team than racing, and she's done treks aplenty by now. Pam is also the author of Alone Across The Arctic and Big-Enough Anna about her adventures and her dogs. Find out how she got into mushing, about her Arctic travels -- and how she now visits schools to inspire youngsters to seek their dreams.   [ Top ]

December 14, 2003 - Sled dog adventures fascinate many. In the late November issue of WDW News, I reported that legally blind musher Rachael Scdoris of Oregon had received a go-ahead to run the 1,049-mile Iditarod if she used a race-qualified musher on a dog sled as her "eyes" rather than two people on snowmobiles. Early reports were that the 19-year-old would use that option, but now it appears she will wait until the 2005 race, due to finances.

She has raised just $50,000 of the $80,000 needed to enter the race and expects to have it all raised by the 2005 race, according to one Oregon newspaper. When the Iditarod committee decided she had to have her assistant on a dog sled rather than a snow machine, she lost a key sponsorship from a snowmobile company, her father Jerry told an Alaska newspaper. Given Rachael's tenacity, I think we will see her in the "Last Great Race" in March 2005. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, other sled dog adventures are underway or recently completed. An English explorer named Benedict Allen tried to make a solo crossing of the frozen Bering Strait from Siberia to Alaska, using a team of 10 native Chukchi dogs. He tells of his travels, the courage and humor of the Chukchi people, the challenge of the pack ice and his admiration for the loyal dogs and the decision he makes for their sake. "Ice Dogs," a television program on his attempt aired this November.

Meanwhile the world's most experienced Arctic adventurer Will Steger is due to take off on his next trek. He and four other men and a woman leave on Dec. 26 from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, on Arctic Transect 2004, a 2,700-mile journey across Arctic Canada. They'll travel at about 64 degrees north latitude, skiing and trotting while their 30 polar huskies haul sleds with their supplies. The adventurers will send reports via satellite and the Internet to school children. Among the lead dogs are Askel, a handsome 8-year-old black male, and Choko, a big 8-year-old white male. Both dogs are sons of Panda, a famous sled dog who went with Will Steger to the North and South Poles.   [ Top ]

November 20, 2003 - The words dogs know: I recently had a truly delightful conversation with a friend who has dogs including a much loved Corgi. She regaled me with tales about what that Corgi knows and especially the words she is sure the dog understands. Just for fun, I asked her for a list of the words -- and spellings -- she is confident the Corgi knows.

Here is the core list for your reading pleasure:
· leash, walk, out and o-u-t, perambulate and trek [note the words she and her husband have contrived to use to talk about walking the dog without saying "walk"!
· vet, bath, zoom groom, toe choppers [to avoid saying nail clippers]
· bone, sock, hedgehog, hedgie, wiggly giggly, purple ball [distinguished from other balls]
· greenie, cheese, hot dog, cookie
· dog, corgi, ears, itty bitty
· bed, up, downstairs, down, sit, leave it, bad, trouble
· love (do you want some.....?

What words does your dog know? Click this link for our TalkDogs discussion site and share your list! [ Top ]

November 1, 2003 - Australia's Dingo faces extinction: Trying to determine what to do about the dingo, Australia's native dog, is not an easy task. Here's the conundrum facing dog people:
· On the one hand, the dingo is believed to be descended from an early type of tamed or domesticated dog, likely from southeast Asia, that came to Australia about 5,000 years ago. See dingo origins. Thus, many people think of dingoes as a breed of dog and seek to keep them as pets.
· On the other hand, once in Australia, some dingoes stayed with the aboriginal peoples as hunting dogs while others became feral, resuming a partially wild existence and hunting on their own. They became Australia's "wild dog" much as the wolf and coyote are in North America. Thus, conservationists think of them as a wild species to be preserved without cross-breeding with domestic dog breeds. They aim for dingo conservation.

The dingo's dual status as dog and wild canid has an intriguing parallel in the story of Israel's Canaan Dog -- a breed redomesticated from the feral or pariah dogs of Israel's Negev Desert in the mid-20th century.

The most recent news about the dingo is the result of genetic research by Alan Wilton of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. He concludes that dingoes are so similar genetically that they arrived no sooner than 5,000 years ago -- and were few in number, perhaps starting with the litter of just one female who arrived pregnant. Any variation in mitochondrial DNA found was just one mutation away from the main type, he says.

The research, covered in the October 24, 2003 issue of Science [membership required for viewing], compared a stretch of non-recombining mtDNA of 211 dingoes from around Australia, 676 dogs from around the world, 38 wolves from Eurasia and 19 fossils of Polynesian dogs from before European contact. Perhaps the most intriguing discovery in Wilton's new work is that he "found the dingo 'main type' in some dogs in East and Southeast Asia. Siberia, Japan and the Indonesian archipelago. This suggests ancient maternal relationships among the dog breeds of eastern Asia.

For more on the origin of the dog, see our articles:
· Dog Origins Much Earlier than Thought Researchers Say
· Dog Origins are in Asia Researchers Say
· Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior &
Evolution -- review of a book by Raymond and Lorna Coppinger

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October 18, 2003 - Trends in dog care: People do remarkable things to care for their dogs, and satirist Dave Barry has his say about the pampering that pet dogs get when left home alone in the Hamptons by their wealthy East Coast owners. Not many of us can relate, but the pooches quite likely appreciate it! And Barry apparently knows what he's talking about. The trend toward pet pampering, for dogs and cats alike, is also showing up in Minneapolis with a new pet boutique called Lulu & Luigi that carries everything from designer dog jackets to gourmet treats. No wonder Americans are expected to spend some $30 billion on pets this year!

But it's not just civilian canines getting quality care. The military is looking into adapting a Battlefield Medical Information System - Tactical -- or BMIST -- for tracking the health care of their animals, including dogs in the Army or Air Force. Like Ali the German Shepherd shown in the picture. BMIST was developed for use by America's human armed forces. We're glad to see it being considered for the K9s too.

August 26, 2003 - Treating hot spots on a dog's skin: Many people ask about this dog care problem because hot spots can be troublesome and hard to clear up. Recently an older dog I know well has been troubled with hot spots, so these resources are aimed to help his owner help her family dog. Check these pages for advice from veterinarians -- which you will note varies considerably:

Shaving fur around the hot spot plus daily cleaning and use of antibacterial ointment will help reduce bacterial growth and aid healing. This Web page has graphic color photos of hot spots also called moist eczema or summer sores.

Topical cortisone or antihistimine products is one option for treating hot spots, along with keeping the dog from scratching, using a sock or other device.

Use of creams or ointments not recommended for hotspots -- also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis and caused by bacteria. Trim the hair around the sore, wash it in mild antiseptic, and be prepared to use antibiotics or cortisone.

Hot spots are one of many skin ailments in dogs - topical and/or oral steroids and antibiotics are among the treatments for this problem, also called acute moist dermatitis. Another is the use of Domeboro solution which is a mild astringent solution that can provide soothing relief of minor skin irritations.

So, there are strategies for your dog's summer sores. Hope it helps!

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August 18, 2003 - Thoughtful articles about today's dogs: I love the title of the recent article by Jon Katz in Slate, the online magazine: "Is your dog fulfilled?" Jon is the author of the book The New Work of Dogs -- and he's researched rather thoroughly the many ways modern Americans interact with their dogs, provide special stimulation for them and give them chances to fulfill their working heritage. So he knows his stuff.

Boston Globe writer Jim Holt explores this same topic, the lives of American dogs today, with his own article, "What do dogs want?" published August 10. [Note: the Boston Globe has already moved it into its Web Archives, unfortunately. You can use the Boston Globe search to find the article summary -- use the title and click "exact search." The fee to read the whole article is $2.95. Or order a copy through Interlibrary Loan at your local library]. His basic question is this: What makes dogs happy? Do they really want all the pampering and stimulation that we provide -- or do they really just want to be dogs? And Holt mentions the book by Katz, among others including Elizabeth Marshall Thomas' remarkable olume, "`The Hidden Life of Dogs,'' and Stephan Budiansky's "The Truth about Dogs."

Both articles are well written and worth a read. And if you have opinions on this topic, why not express them at our TalkDogs discussion site?

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August 17, 2003 - More on vaccinations: In the July 17 entry on this page of DogBlog, I mentioned the new thinking about annual vaccinations for dogs -- including the growing realization that many vaccinations provide immunity for several years. The American Veterinary Medical Association is now advising its member veterinarians to tailor vaccination schedules for individual dogs, based on lifestyle, potential for exposure and so on.

The online AVMA Answers page about vaccinations is well worth reading by all dog owners seeking to do what is best for their own canine companion. This page advises veterinarians to create "a core vaccine program to use in most animals. This includes vaccines that protect against diseases caused by agents that are highly infectious, virulent, and widely distributed and for which highly effective vaccines exist and may be required by law. Noncore vaccines may also be indicated in a minority of animals at special risk for diseases...."

The AVMA also offers Principles of Vaccination for its members, and you may find these 20 principles helpful as well in safeguarding your dog's health. Also helpful is the online brochure -- What you should know about vaccination -- for pet owners also from the AVMA.

Finally, the April/May 2003 online edition of the Senior Dogs Project newsletter has a summary of key thinking on vaccinations -- how early they should be given to puppies and how often they're needed by adult and senior dogs.           [ Top ]

August 2, 2003 - Karen's Interview Online: We're really please to be able to share with our readers the interview with Karen Ramstead, the musher who will run her fourth Iditarod Sled Dog Race in 2004 with her purebred Siberian Huskies. Thanks, Karen, for giving us some insight on your love of Siberians and your passion for distance racing -- and your commitment to dual purpose Siberians.

As time allows, we will continue interviewing authors who write great dog books and dog trainers who accomplish much with their dogs.

We also had a note from Sandra who keeps the DogBlog about Bouviers, linked below. She was happy to report that her Magic is feeling better after surgery for hip dysplasia. We're very glad to hear that. Check out her updates on Magic at her DogBlog listed below.       [ Top ]

July 17, 2003 - Other Dog Blogs: Tonight I went Googling to search for any other Web logs about dogs -- and found several sites using the name DogBlog but only found two worth sharing. Here they are:

· My Life with Dogs - Sandra's DogBlog: description & photos of Bouviers

· Our Dog Scooter - A Dog Blog: tales of a Basset-Dachshund mix

July 17, 2003 - Veterinarians rethink annual vaccinations: Thanks to the concern for canines -- and careful research -- by Ronald Schultz, professor of pathobiological sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, a new regimen for dog vaccinations is gaining serious attention. Since the 1970s, he has been studying the effectiveness of canine vaccines and has found that immunity in some cases can last as long as a dog's lifetime.

That, he says, suggests that our "best friends" are being over-vaccinated. And in the process, some dogs experience adverse reactions. He advocates that dogs not receive annual vaccinations, that vaccinations for serious diseases such as rabies be given every three years -- and dogs not receive vaccines for diseases they're not likely to be exposed to. Read it all here.                            [ Top ]

July 13, 2003 - Dogs are good for our health: A study published last fall and mentioned recently on a dog listserv noted that people with pets are less stressed by life that those without them. Read it here. Worth a look.

And here's another view of the issue of dog health care, from Steve Dale, host of Animal Planet Radio and a syndicated columnist. In Big Bucks for Pet Care, he offers a different view on how to choose a veterinarian and suggests that higher priced care may include extra care and services for your dog.                [ Top ]

July 12, 2003 - Dog Breeds & Health: We checked out the dog breed health report on the Consumer Reports Web site, and found they had reviewed 1.4 million diagnoses of dog health cases from 1973 to early 2003, maintained by Purdue University’s Veterinary Medical Database (VMD). CR reported health problems for 10 breeds and varieties from among the top 25 in numbers of AKC registrations for 2002. The breeds are Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, American Cocker Spaniel, Poodles, Rottweiler, Dachshunds, Schnauzers, Shetland Sheepdog and Doberman Pinscher.

Here are sample findings in the report:
· Skin problems were common in mixed breed dogs and 5 of the 10 purebreeds
covered in the report.
· Hip dysplasia, a genetic disorder, was common in 5 breeds, all larger ones.
· Osteoarthritis was common in 4 of the 10 breeds, again all larger ones.
· Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament -- ACL, or torn knee ligament -- was
common in mixed breed dogs and 4 of the purebreeds
· Endocardiosis, a degenerative disease of heart valves, was common in 3 of the
breeds, all smaller medium-sized ones.
· Eye disorders such as cataracts were common in just two of the 10.

These are the most frequently mentioned ailments among all 10 breeds covered. Some breed have individual health problems not seen other breeds. Buy the magazine and you get a code to log in to this CR/XTRA report.         [ Top ]

July 9, 2003 - Pets & Vets: With all the money that people spend on the dogs they love, I wasn't surprised to find "Pets & Vets" as the cover story on this month's Consumer Reports magazine. After reading the main article and sidebars, I recommend the issue to all dog owners.

What caught my eye, in particular, was a special section: "Is pet insurance worth the price?" I've had WorkingDogWeb visitors ask me that and here were detailed answers -- with data -- for five different companies offering policies. The data suggest it is cheaper to deal directly with your vet except for catastrophic illnesses and major surgeries. Check this out before paying a premium!

Other topics include saving money on pet medications, 20 ways to save money on vet bills, and a look at health breeds of dogs, available in an online report. I'll check it out and give you an update soon. Check back.                          [ Top ]

July 3, 2003 - Karen Ramstead: Great news! Karen Ramstead, the Canadian musher who has run her Siberian Huskies in the demanding Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, has agreed to do an interview with The Racing Siberian Husky Online, a feature of WorkingDogWeb. She'll talk about her dogs, breeding goals, training and her aims for the 2004 Iditarod. Coming soon. Stay tuned!            [ Top ]

July 2, 2003 - Talk Dogs: New for working dog owners and WorkingDogWeb visitors is a discussion site called TalkDogs. We've posed a few questions to kick off discussion, including this one: What is your breed and what are its best working traits, in your view? Several visitors' questions are posted with WDW answers, and you can add your replies as well.

Why not launch a new thread on a topic of interest to you or pose a question, state an opinion or help answer someone else's question? All about dogs, please. This is your place, so why not stop on by and talk about dogs?!    [ Top ]

July 1, 2003 - WDW Guides Updated: Eight of our nine big dog guides -- such as Breeds, Activities & Sports, Behavior & Training, and Puppies -- are now fully updated and expanded for 2003. Work is underway on the ninth one, News & Chat, and it should be done by the end of the month.

We'd love your help in reporting bad links. We are always disappointed when a great dog resource on the Web disappears - although sometimes there's just a new URL [uniform resource locator] that we have to find and then fix the link. Please tell us about bad links using our Contact Us form. Thanks much!            [ Top ]
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