The Diverse Dachshund Breed
The Dachshund is an extremely popular dog breed which has ranked in the top ten most popular dog breeds for many years. Dachshunds were ranked 6th out of 154 dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in both 2004 and 2005. When most people think of a Dachshund, they think of a small dog with a smooth and shiny coat, long body, floppy ears and short crooked legs. However when you consider buying a Dachshund and start to research the dog breed, you find there are a diverse and wide range of sizes, coat varieties, colors and patterns.
The original Standard Dachshund was developed to hunt badgers. The breed had to be: built low to the ground, agile and muscular enough to pursue the badger through a maze of underground tunnels, and brave enough to tackle its formidable adversary. Many people poke fun at this “sausage dog”, but they don’t know how he was bred to be low, long, muscular and athletic. Dachshunds are scent hounds and track their prey by scent and not by sight. This breed is courageous and single minded in its work. Once the Dachshund had cornered its prey in a tunnel, he barked to let the hunter know where he was located under ground. Today the Dachshund still retains its hunting instinct and, if off leash, will follow a scent ignoring any previously learned commands.
Dachshunds come in two sizes – the Standard and the Miniature. Miniature Dachshunds were bred down in size by German hunters to hunt rabbits. The AKC standard says that Miniatures should weigh 11 pounds or less. Standard Dachshunds have no weight limits but usually range from 15 to 30 pounds. Apart from the size difference, both types have the same appearance.
The Dachshund breed comes in three different varieties of coat – Short-haired or Smooth, Long-haired and Wire-haired. The Shorthair is the most prevalent and has a short, dense and shiny coat that most people associate with the Dachshund. The Long-haired Dachshund has a soft and sleek coat that is well fringed on the ears, chest, under side of the body, legs and tail. The Longhair looks something like a small Irish Setter. The Wirehair has a short, dense and wiry outer coat with a dense undercoat and also has a beard, bushy eyebrows and prominent ridges over its eyes. The three coat-type varieties, while all Dachshunds, seem to have minor differences in temperament. The Longhair’s temperament seems more laid back, kinder and gentler reflecting the softer coat. This gentler demeanor doesn’t seem to impair its field trial competitiveness at all. The Wirehair’s temperament seems to be bolder and brasher than the other varieties and a little more like a terrier in demeanor. The Shorthair seems to be the most independent and stubborn of the three varieties.
Another area of diversification is the color of the Dachshund’s coat. The most common colors are red (ranging from reddish blond to deep rusty red) and a black and tan combination. The black and tan dogs are all black with tan markings on the head, chest and paws. Other two-color combinations are chocolate, blue or fawn with tan markings. Wirehairs have coats that are commonly a black and light hair mix called wild boar. The final area of diversification is the pattern of the Dachshund’s coat. There is a dapple pattern that consists of a dark base color with contrasting light areas. A double dapple pattern is varying amounts of white occurring over the body in addition to the dapple pattern. Finally there is a brindle pattern characterized by dark stripes all over the body.
Given that you can decide between the size, coat type, color and pattern - why would you want to choose a Dachshund? Dachshunds are wonderful fun loving dogs that adore their owners and want to be involved in everything that is going on. The Dachshund has a whole host of virtues such as: amiable, intelligent, brave, alert, loyal, playful, inquisitive and dignified. They also make good watchdogs. On the less positive side, the Dachshund is somewhat independent and mischievous and will follow an interesting scent to the exclusion of everything else. Both Miniature and Standard Dachshunds make good apartment dogs that are small enough to travel everywhere with their owners. It really is no surprise to see why the Dachshund is one of the most popular small dog breeds registered by the AKC. Additional information can be found on our Dachshund page.
The Diverse Dachshund Breed
Dogs give prosecutors a hand in difficult cases
Dogs give prosecutors a hand in difficult cases
Child interview specialist Ashley Wilske sat across from the 5-year-old boy and told him Ellie was there to help.
He didn't have to answer if he felt pressured, Wilske said.
But a statement from the boy, who along with his mother had been assaulted by her boyfriend, was necessary for the prosecutor to build a case in the attack. The boy already had refused to talk with a caseworker and a therapist.
Suddenly, with his right arm wrapped around Ellie, the boy interrupted Wilske: Could he tell them what happened? Nestled closely next to Ellie, he offered disturbing details that eventually led to a guilty plea.
Later, alone with her, he leaned close to Ellie and told the nationally renowned yellow Lab/golden retriever that he loved her.
"I'm not sure he would have talked if Ellie weren't there," Wilske said of the nation's first dog specifically assigned to a prosecutor's office.
The idea to use dogs like Ellie in such cases evolved when a King County senior deputy prosecutor occasionally brought her son's service dog to work when he wasn't needed at home. That dog, Jeeter, and Ellie, who has had the same training, gradually became involved in dozens of child interviews and drug-related court cases, plus a handful of trials.
Although Jeeter wasn't available to work at the office full time, Ellie was placed there in December 2004.
Prosecutor's offices around the nation -- including Texas, Georgia, Montana and Florida -- have sought information from King County about starting similar programs.
Wilske now works in the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office, which in November became the second prosecutor's office with a dog like Ellie specifically assigned to it.
Last week, a University of Baltimore associate professor interviewed King County prosecutors, judges and police for a related case study.
"The dogs help us break down the barriers of fear, distrust and anxiety so we can get to the truth," said interim county prosecutor Dan Satterberg, who volunteered to pick up Ellie's vet bills. "I think this has been an essential part of our office, and I think other offices will have the same experience."
As puppies, dogs like Ellie train for up to 18 months, with volunteers, to learn commands, then go through six months of advanced training at the California-based Canine Companions for Independence, which matches the dogs with partners at no cost. King County applied to the organization, and Ellie was placed there; Jeeter also came from Canine Companions.
Ellie lives with Page Ulrey, who was the Juvenile Unit chairwoman until Friday, but this week starts a job prosecuting elderly abuse cases.
Ulrey, who pays for the dog's food -- about $60 a month -- plans to use Ellie in her work with elderly victims.
"Having the dogs around makes us all a little more human," Satterberg said.
Jeeter's first jury trial was in 2003. King County senior deputy prosecutor Tod Bergstrom needed testimony from two 7-year- old victims in a molestation case, but no matter how he tried -- sharing pictures of horses, sitting on the floor to talk at eye level -- the girls weren't responding.
"They had been assaulted by a man, and all of a sudden they started to look at men differently," their mother said last week.
Running out of options, Bergstrom sought help from fellow senior deputy prosecutor Ellen O'Neill-Stephens, whose son has cerebral palsy and is assisted by Jeeter. He asked the judge in the case to allow Jeeter on the stand while the girls, who were terrified in the courtroom, testified.
Several Seattle defense attorneys have said that while they love dogs, they'd object because they might sway jurors.
"The unintended message is something we have to be very aware of," King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector said, noting that allergies, fear and delay of jury selection are other factors that might prevent other offices from expanding the program.
But in the girls' case, the defense didn't object. When the Lab/golden retriever sensed the girls getting tense, he put his head on their laps. One rubbed his back throughout the cross-examination. Even the prosecutor patted the dog when the trial got tense.
It ended with guilty verdicts on two assault counts.
Because of their experience, the girls, now 12, volunteered to raise a similar dog through the organization that placed Ellie.
"Without Jeeter they never would have testified," their mother said.
"They never would have said a word. They wouldn't be where they are now."
The Best Toys for Your Dogs
The Best Toys for Your Dogs
Dogs is a major status symbol in American pet-keeping. Every year, over 12 billion dollars have been spent on dog food and veterinary care alone. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association’s 2003-2004 Pet Owners’ Survey, more than half of dog owners purchase toys for their dogs.
Playing with toys is not the monopoly of little kids but also pets of different kind. Dogs have their own sets of toys to enjoy during their playing time.
Dogs benefit from these toys, health and training wise. There are dog toys that can strengthen their teeth or build their intelligence especially if they also attend a series of training classes with the experts. Like man, dogs are very sociable. Interaction with their companion or a sibling dog is very important in avoiding behavioral problems in the future.
When buying toys for your dog, you may want to match them with your dog’s needs, demands and even personality. Is your dog the type that enjoys chasing and retrieving games, or chewing, sitting and sprawling? You may want to try experimenting first to find out which toys make your dogs the happiest.
Before going on a toy hunt, take a look at this list of toys that may help you identify the right kind of toy for your dog.
CHEW TOYS. These are perfect for the dog that likes to chew a lot. Instead of your dog chewing your furniture, why not buy these TOUGH little babies for them. These types of dog toy are usually made of nylon or latex rubber. The "King Kong Toys" are among the popular brands of chew toys. You can experiment by stuffing these toys with peanut butter or cheese spread, freeze them and give them to your dog for hours of licking and chewing fun.
Doggie “potato chips” is also a favorite. These "edible chips" can last to a minimum of an hour to a couple of days. They are available in different shapes like pig ears, snouts, cow knuckles, femurs, hooves and bully sticks. Others are bone-shaped made from a variety of vegetables such as carrots.
Another good toy for your dog’s chewing pleasure is the rawhide. These are non- consumable, mummified skin-like toy that you have to throw away when they get soggy, and give your dog a new one. Some rawhides are basted with a variety of flavorings. Be sure to get the “USA rawhide” with a little flag sticker on the label because these do not contain preservative flavorings that are harmful for your dogs.
SQUEAKY TOYS. For these toys, choose the rubber over the stuffed toys for durability and to avoid synthetic materials. These little noisemakers are good for training your dog’s hunting skills.
RETRIEVING TOYS. These are perfect for the chase-and-retrieve types of dogs. Dogs enjoy these toys because they get to play with you. Frisbees and balls made specifically for this activity, are the best to be used. Your dog will get a good workout and so is your arm.
TUG TOYS. These toys are best for dogs that like to grab hold and never let go. Available in rope-like designs.
BRAIN TEASERS. Best for dogs that is left alone a lot. “Biscuit balls” and “food cubes” are great examples. These toys require the dog to solve types of puzzle in order to get a treat.
Various toys of these forms are available in the market.
1. For Chewers of all Sizes
SQUIRREL DUDE – tough, durable and fun too; this hollow rubber chew toy takes on a new level in innovation; this helps to exercise your dog’s jaw a little more with the four little rubber prongs blocking the hole slightly that the dog has to work a little harder to get the goodies out.
2. Ball Launchers and Throwers (Retrieve Toys)
FRISBEES – is an all-time favorite dog toy especially the soft version; fold to fit in a pocket; comes in blue and orange colors, size six to nine inches, prices at eleven to sixteen dollars.
THE ROUND ORBEE - a tough ball hallowed with ½ inch thick membraney surface and it’s softish; it is flexible, durable, grippy, bouncy, and buoyant and has a peppermint scent; good for sniffing-and-getting-the- ball game; prices at five to twelve dollars depending on the size and form you choose
3. Squeaky Toys
SQUEAKERS – available in packages of ten each; dogs that love to silence squeakers are the best for this toy; excellent as attention and pocket squeaker as well; prices go lower if you buy in packages, from five to three dollars each box/package.
4. Tug Toys
LEATHER TUGS – great for tug-of-war games with your dog; made of high grade leather, 3/8 inches thick, tanned and not-treated; dogs like them a lot especially those with active lifestyle.
THE MONGO FETCH TOY – a chew and tug toy combined in one; the natural rubber bar is vanilla scented; rope running through the center gives you a grip for tug games and the soft tasseled ends are made for exciting action with your dogs; medium to large in size, from five to seven dollars each.
5. Brain Teasers
I CUBE - this is a toy that challenges and develops your dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills; be sure you are there for supervision; available in junior and jumbo sizes, six to eleven dollars.
DUCK EGG BABY - egg Babies are a plush toy with three squeaker eggs inside; there is an opening on the bottom of the toy so your dog can get the hidden treasures inside; this is a toy that challenges and develops your dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills too.
Toys are a fun way to enjoy with your dog in a sunny day at the park. But be sure to apply proper safety measures especially when playing with balls, sticks and stones. You do not want to harm them in any way. Remember, this is a dog-eat-dog world! Even as harmless as playing can cause indestructible damage to your dog.