Guard Dog Archives - Edie MacKenzie

The Bullmastiff

February 24, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Bullmastiff History and origin:

The Bullmastiff is believed to have been evolved between 200 or 300 years ago by crossing the Mastiff with the Bulldog. He was used as a guard dog against poachers (who were hunting on large estates) without actually harming them. The Bullmastiff was bred to be courageous, quick, strong, and willing to challenge humans.

Description:

The Bullmastiff stands 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 100 and 135 pounds. He has a powerful, heavily muscled and boned body and a short, low-maintenance shedding coat that needs regular brushing. Ears may be cropped or uncropped. The color may be fawn, reddish brown, or brindle; a small white patch on the chest is acceptable.

About the Bullmastiff:

The Bullmastiff is a trustworthy, affectionate, lazy, powerful breed with a natural instinct of guarding his home and family. These dogs are usually very suspicious of strangers and other dogs and are one of the most territorial of breeds. Though normally gentle with children in their own family, Bullmastiffs can be unpredictable with friends, relatives, and co-workers. Keep in mind that this breed was designed to challenge human beings and will do so without hesitation if a threat is perceived. When a Bullmastiff becomes aggressive, it is explosive and unstoppable. This breed is capable of killing another dog in seconds, so do not consider letting him off leash. The only way to minimize this instinctive behavior is to socialize and train the dog from day one, allowing the Bullmastiff puppy to interact with people and dogs in a controlled, positive environment. Males should be neutered by the eighth month. Females tend to be less aggressive and are quite more timid than males. The Bullmastiff is normally content to lie around the house. Though less energetic than the Boxer, he does tend to be slightly more active than the Mastiff. Training should begin early and should be firm but not overbearing, as this breed matures slowly and can become worried if pushed too hard. Patience and consistency are required, as well as positive, confident attitude. Spoiling will create a pushy dog that lacks confidence, a combination that could be dangerous. Mature children are permissible provided absolutely no roughhousing is permitted. This breed eats large quantities of food. He usually lives ten to twelve years, and is susceptible to bloat, hip dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory problems. He snores and drools and is often flatulent.

Feeding:

Recommended feeding for this breed is at least 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a dry, complete food.

Ideal home:

A large house in the country with a fenced yard or kennel is preferred, though this breed is easygoing in the home. The owner of a Bullmastiff must be a strong, easygoing, confident leader who is fully aware of the power of this breed and who does not project worry or concern. Time must be available to train, socialize, and handle this breed. Though very affectionate with his family, the Bullmastiff may be unpredictable and aggressive with your children’s friends. Spoilers and weak, nervous, or overbearing people should avoid this breed, as should the elderly and the disabled. The Bullmastiff needs regular exercise; a child or lightweight person may have a hard time controlling the lead.

The Briard

February 21, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

The Briard History and origin:

The Briard has been known since the 12th century and comes from the Brie area of France, where the dog is also known as the “Berger de Brie” or “Chien de Brie.” He was first used to guard herds against wolves and poachers. This breed was bred with good size and a protective weather-proof coat.

Description:
The Briard stands 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. He has a large, strong, lanky body and a shedding coat that is long and straight or slightly wavy, with a finer undercoat. The head is well coated, with a beard, long, arched, expressive eyebrows, and cropped or uncropped ears. The eyes are almost covered with hair. This breed requires daily brushing and combing to prevent mats. A shorter clip will reduce the maintenance requirements. The color may be black, gray, or tawny or a combination of two of these colors.

About The Briard

The Briard is a great family pet, a farm worker, a good guard dog, and a successful show dog. He is loyal, easy to train, and has a gentle nature. This active, lively, independent breed is affectionate with his family and reserved with strangers. Alert and territorial, he may be initially resistant to training. A firm, consistent technique combined with early socialization will be needed to reduce pushy, suspicious behavior. Giving this breed a job such as herding, competition obedience, or agility work will help focus his energy and increase his confidence. The Briard may chase cars, bikes, and joggers and may not tolerate the hectic activity of young children, perhaps nipping at them in an effort to herd them. Roughhousing and chasing should not be allowed. This breed can also be dog-aggressive. The Briard may be susceptible to hip dysplasia and eye problems.

Feeding:
Recommended feeding for the Briard is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home:
The Briard needs a house with a fenced yard. The owner of a Briard should be an active, firm leader, who desires an athletic, lively, intelligent breed. Daily exercise is mandatory; competition obedience or herding would help focus this breed and build his confidence. Sedentary people should avoid this breed. Spoilers and nervous types may encourage a pushy, nippy, timid attitude. Older children who will not roughhouse or play chase games are okay. The elderly and the disabled may have trouble controlling this active breed. The Briard does better in a dry clim

The Boxer

February 20, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

History and origin of The Boxer:

This breed can be traced to the old holding dogs of Mollossus or Mastiff types. Perfected in Germany during the 19th century, the Boxer was developed by crossing Mastiff, Bulldog, and terrier bloodlines and was once used for fighting and bull baiting. Similar to the Bulldog, his jaw is undershot, a trait common in bull-baiters. Today’s Boxers do not have the fierce temperament of the earlier dogs.

Description:
The Boxer stands 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs 55 to 75 pounds. Strong and thickly muscled, he has a short muzzle, a docked tail, and cropped or uncropped ears. The shedding coat is short, stiff, somewhat prickly to the touch, and of very low maintenance, requiring only an occasional brushing. His color may be brindle with white or fawn with white.

About The Boxer

The Boxer is a brave, loyal, clownish dog who loves children and makes a good guard dog. He is a friendly, headstrong, high-energy breed that is very affectionate but easily distracted. A busy, curious breed, the Boxer needs firm, precise obedience training from an early age in order to contain his boundless energy, but the training should not be overbearing or rushed. He can be suspicious of strangers and, in some cases, may be dog- or people-aggressive, especially the male. Daily exercise is important. This dog makes an excellent jogging partner and agility dog. The Boxer is normally good with children, but care must be taken that this strong breed does not knock down and hurt a child. Roughhousing, wrestling, and chasing should not be allowed. He is a powerful, exuberant dog who tends to wag his whole body when pleased. The Boxer has little cushioning on his body and needs a blanket or bed to lie on. He has no body fat and therefore gets cold easily and does not do well in cold climates. He is also prone to respiratory problems, is a horrendous snorer and sneezer, and can be flatulent. This breed is susceptible to heart problems and bloat and normally lives only ten to twelve years.

Feeding:
Recommended feeding for the Boxer is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in same amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete, dry food.

Ideal home:
A house with a fenced yard is important. The owner of a Boxer should be an active, strong, competent leader who has the time and patience to work, socialize, and exercise this energetic, often stubborn breed. Children are okay provided no roughhousing occurs. Persons who are very easygoing or slow-moving should avoid this breed, as should those who are nervous, cautious, or overbearing. The elderly and the disabled may have a hard time controlling the Boxer and may create a dominant dog that lacks confidence.

The Afghan Hound

February 6, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Afghan hound History and origin:

Often referred to as the “Dog of Noah’s Ark”, the Afghan Hound is one of the oldest, if not the oldest breed in existence. He was used as a herding dog, a guard dog, and a hunting dog. The Afghan’s long coat allowed him to stay warm in the harsh climate of Afghanistan, something that his faster, short-haired cousin from Egypt, the Greyhound, would not have been able to do.

Description:

The Afghan Hound stands 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 60 pounds. He possess an athletic body that is capable of supple and agile movement. The shedding coat is long, silky, and hard to maintain. It absorbs moisture and odors and requires daily brushing and regular clipping to prevent matting. The feet and ears are feathered, and there is a topknot of long silky hair. The color may be silver, cream, black, brindle, black-and-tan, or a combination of shades.

About the Afghan Hound:

This fast, graceful sight hound is aloof, dignified, and somewhat snooty with all but his close family. He is very elegant and aristocratic by nature who is also reserved and suspicious toward strangers. Though warm and affectionate to his owners, the Afghan is a hunting dog who is very independent and will not tolerate boisterous children or uninvited attention. He may shy away from the unwanted petting hand of a stranger. This breed is very laid-back at home, happily curling up on a sofa idling the day away. However, he also needs plenty of exercise and free running to keep him fit. Training is difficult with the Afghan. Sensitive and not overly bright, he will balk if pushed too quickly. He processes information more slowly than other breeds. Training technique must therefore be clear, slow, and precise. Overbearing methods will only to panic the breed and possibly bring on fearful snapping. As with most sight hounds, the Sit and Come commands take an especially long time to teach. The Afghan needs to be socialized from an early age so as to limit his aloof, distrustful nature. This is not a breed to spoil or pamper, despite his beauty and his elegance. Spoiling will enhance a dominant attitude and increase the chances of aggression. Because of his hunting nature, this breed can also be small dog-aggressive and has a very high prey drive toward smaller animals.

Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 ½ -2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with added biscuit in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Ideal Home: The owner of an Afghan Hound should be an easy-going person who does not demand constant attention and affection from the dog. A hunter by nature, the Afghan Hound needs a big place for him to be able to run free and is therefore not suitable for apartment living.

Dalmatian History

December 6, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

During the past century, there has always been a strong bond existent between British dog fanciers and the Dalmatian. It is said that these dogs have been known there for the past 200 years, and there has even been exploration of a theory that they are actually partially descended from the early English hunting hounds, the Talbot in particular, so similar are they to these dogs in type, character, and hunting ability.

Quite possibly a century or two ago there was some Talbot blood infused into the European dogs who, by their striking appearance, caught the eyes of travelers from Great Britain, then gained their admiration by their intelligence, along with their strong guard dog tendencies, and thus were brought back to Britain with the tourists. There seems no disputing the fact that the Dalmatian has his roots in very ancient times, and that the evolutions in the breed have been numerous.

When, in 1860, Great Britain held its second dog show there were only five breeds represented. These included Dalmatians, and so far as history records, this was the breed’s initial appearance in dog show competition. Were it not for a gentleman named Fred Kemp, who was President of the British Dalmatian Club and a third generation owner of this breed with which he himself was involved for more than half a century, Dalmatians might not have survived World War I.

Mr. Kemp is credited with having kept alive dogs in his kennel through the difficult and in many cases devastating period between 1914 and the Armistice in 1918, providing breeding stock at the end of this period. It is exciting to contemplate what happened to Dalmatians in England at the close of World War I. They fairly leaped ahead in popularity, the two Dalmatians registered with the Kennel Club in 1918 having increased to 125 by 1925 and to 889 by 1932. When the world famous dog show resumed, following World War I, there were two Dalmatians entered. In 1934, no fewer than 199 Dalmatian entries filled the classes for the breed, of which 15 were provided.

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