Prey Drive Archives - Edie MacKenzie

The Chow Chow

February 28, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Chow Chow History and origin:

The Chow Chow is a member of the Spitz family that is known for over 2000 years. This Chinese breed was once used for guarding and hunting. His thick coat protected him in harsh weather and, unfortunately, provided clothing for the infamous Mongols, who also reportedly used the dog for food.

Description:
The Chow Chow stands 16 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 65 pounds. He is a powerful dog with a short, broad muzzle. The coat may be rough or smooth. Through coat is dense, straight, and coarse with a thick undercoat; he sheds profusely, particularly in early summer and needs daily brushing. The smooth coat is shorter and less dense, but sheds just as much. The color may be red, blue, black, fawn, or cream.

About the Chow Chow:

The Chow Chow is a beautiful dog who tends to be very loyal to only one or two people. Intelligent and intensely stubborn, the Chow is highly resistant to training, particularly when learning the “Down” command. Proud and moody, this dog likes to take the lead and have his own way. He does not like to be touched on the head, legs, or feet, even by his owner, and can be very difficult to groom. The Chow is extremely aloof with strangers and can be vicious, even to family members. He will not tolerate lots of people coming and going and prefers a consistent, predictable environment. He can be very dog-aggressive and has a high prey drive toward small animals. The Chow may bite a stranger who reaches out to pet him. Training must begin early and must be firm and persistent. This breed despises the very idea of submitting to anyone and may attempt to bite even his owner if so inclined. Socialization is crucial and will be the cornerstone of successful ownership of a Chow. Spoiling this breed will create a bossy, dangerous animal. As a Chow owner you will very likely have to deal with challenges to your authority, and you will probably face some aggression problems with this breed, no matter how effective a leader you are. The Chow needs regular exercise each day to stay fit. He is susceptible to hip dysplasia, entropion (a curling in of the eyelids), and skin disorders, and he does not do well in warm climates.

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

Ideal home:
This breed is not suitable to live in an apartment. A house with a well built-in fence and secluded yard is essential. If you lead a predictable, quiet life, an owner with strong leadership skills, and prefers an aloof, protective, serious dog, then this might be your breed. Chows are not advisable for those who have children. The elderly and the disabled may not be able to establish dominance with a Chow and should consider another breed. There should be no other small animals in the home with a Chow. Spoilers may create a dominant, dangerous animal that bites. Time to train and socialize the Chow Chow must be made available.

The Chinese Sharpei

February 27, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Chinese Sharpei History and origin:

Formerly known as the Chinese fighting dog, the Chinese Sharpei is an ancient breed who was revered by the nobility during the Han dynasty, around 200 B.C. The Sharpei and the Chow Chow are the only two breeds with a blue-black tongue; this may point to common ancestry. The Sharpei has been used as a fighting dog, with loose skin that enables him to swing around and bite even while being bitten by another dog. He was also used to hunt wild boar and herd flocks.

Description:
The Sharpei stands 18 to 20 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 40 and 55 pounds. He has a medium-size muscular body, a fleshy face, a curled tail, and wrinkled skin on his face and body, though the wrinkles become less exaggerated as the dog matures. The shedding coat is short, harsh, and prickly to the touch and requires only periodic brushing. Coat length can vary from extremely short to just over an inch in length. The color may be black, chocolate, reddish brown, fawn, or cream.

About the Chinese Shar-pei:

The Chinese Sharpei is an intelligent dog who is loyal and affectionate toward his owner. On the other hand, he can also be an extremely dominant, controlling, moody breed that can be downright mean and dangerous. He will bond with only one or two persons and can be very suspicious of strangers. He is likely to bite if approached or petted by anyone he does not know and respect. He does not like being petted on the head even by his owner and is not for families with children unless he was raised with them from day one. The Sharpei is extremely territorial, dog-aggressive, and an excellent watch dog. There have been cases in which Shar-Peis have literally ripped another dog to shreds. This breed has a high prey drive toward small animals.

Training must start early and should be firm and consistent. This breed can be disobedient and defiant and will bite even his owner if so inclined. Tantrums and uncontrollable behavior often occur during training, particularly when the owner attempts to teach him the “Down” command. Socializing the puppy is mandatory and is the cornerstone of successfully owning this breed. Never spoil this breed. Spoiling creates a bossy, nasty, suspicious dog capable of seriously hurting someone. The females are less aggressive than the males. The Sharpei can suffer from hip dysplasia, entropion, hypothyroidism, respiratory problems, and skin allergies. He drools, snorts, and may snore. This breed has become very popular over the last decade and has suffered from poor breeding. Breeders of the Chinese Sharpei should take a long, hard look at the type of dog they are producing, and endeavor to breed a dog with a more stable, more predictable, less combative temperament.

Feeding:
Recommended feeding for this breed is about 1 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product per day with biscuit added in equal part or 3 cupfuls of complete, dry dog food.

Ideal home:
This breed is best suited in a house with a well-fenced secluded yard. The owner of a Chinese Sharpei should be a strong, commanding no-nonsense leader who desires a protective, highly discriminating, territorial dog that will be at best reserved with strangers. The home should be quiet and predictable. Children will not be tolerated and could get badly hurt, particularly if roughhousing occurs. The elderly and the disabled should not consider this breed. Time to train, socialize, and exercise the Chinese Sharpei must be available.

The Bouvier des Flandres

February 18, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

History and origin of The Bouvier des Flandres:

The Bouvier des Flandres was developed in Belgium in the 19th century. This working breed was used for herding, herd-guarding, and cart pulling. He has also been used for tracking by the police and military.

Description:
The Bouvier des Flandres stands 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 65 and 95 pounds. His body is large, powerful, and thick-boned. The tail is docked. The shedding coat is weather-resistant, shaggy, and somewhat harsh, with a soft undercoat. The dog has a beard, a mustache, and bushy eyebrows. He needs daily brushing to prevent matting, and should be clipped every three or four months. Show dogs must be hand-stripped to preserve the texture and luster of the coat. However, the coat can be kept in a shorter clip to reduce maintenance. The color may be black, salt-and-pepper, gray, brindle, or fawn.

About The Bouvier des Flandres:

This Belgian cattle dog is strong, alert, trustworthy, easygoing but aloof, and tends to be moody and serious. Though affectionate with his owners, the Bouvier is very suspicious of strangers and will serve well as a watchdog for your home and property. Training can be difficult due to his stubborn, dominant nature. Passive resistance is common, and aggression is possible when the dog is annoyed or threatened. Training should be patient and firm but not overbearing. The Bouvier learns slowly and can be defiant. The “Down” and the “Come” can be the hardest commands to teach this controlling breed. The Bouvier has a high prey drive and may be very dog-aggressive. He may want to chase cars, joggers, and bikes. Though good with his own family’s children, he may be intolerant of visiting children, especially if they are running around. No roughhousing or chasing should be tolerated. Spoiling can encourage dominant, controlling, nippy behavior in this breed and may promote timidity. Overbearing training techniques may elicit fear-biting. Confident, firm leadership and early socialization are crucial to successfully owning a Bouvier. He needs daily exercise and tends to bark and may be destructive and noisy if left alone too long. He is susceptible to hip dysplasia and bloat.

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

Ideal home:
A house with a fenced yard is important. The owner of a Bouvier des Flandres should be a firm, strong, active leader who desires a reserved, protective dog. Mild or nervous owners as well as the elderly and the disabled may have trouble establishing dominance over this breed. The Bouvier needs daily exercise, but should not be jogged with over long distances because of his heavy structure and predisposition to hip problems. Time to train, socialize, exercise, and groom the Bouvier des Flandres must be made available.

The Borzoi

February 17, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Borzoi History and origin:

Once known as Russian Wolfhounds, this Russian sight hound was developed by crossing the extinct Lapp sled dog with the Collie. The Borzoi was used as coursing hounds to chase rabbits, foxes, and wolves in packs. His speed, agility, and strength allowed him to range far ahead of the mounted hunter, acquire the prey by sight, run it down, and hold it at bay until the hunter arrived. The first Borzoi was brought to the U.S. from England in 1889.

Description:
The Borzoi stands 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weighs 65 to 100 pounds. He has a lean, leggy, athletic body and a long, silky, shedding coat that requires medium maintenance. The coat is usually white with black, tan, or lemon markings. It was developed to protect the breed from the cruel Russian winter.

About the Borzoi:

This breed was once a favorite among the Russian aristocrats and admired by the Russian czar’s court. He has the beauty, elegance, carriage, and personality to match his regal heritage. The Borzoi is fast, agile, aloof, and very clean. He is faithful to his owners but cautious with strangers. He is normally intolerant of unpredictable young children and may bite without warning. The Borzoi needs early training and socialization. The training should not be overbearing because this breed processes information slowly and will shut down if pushed. Patience and consistency are important. The “Sit” command is difficult to teach because of the Borzoi’s bony, lanky structure and lack of body padding. The “Come” command is crucial and must be perfected because his great speed enables him to disappear from sight in seconds. The Borzoi has a high prey drive and will seize and kill small animals before his owner can react. He can also be very dog-aggressive. Similar to all sight hounds, the Borzoi must often be allowed time to be by himself. Do not expect him to be as affectionate as a Golden Retriever. Owners who are used to the mind-set of cats will appreciate this breed, though it would be a mistake to own a cat along with a Borzoi. He needs a bed or a thick blanket to lie on because he does not have much muscle or fat on his body and can get pressure sores if his sleeping area is not cushioned properly.

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

Ideal home:
The Borzoi is not suitable to live in an apartment, although he can adapt to one as long as he is getting plenty of space and exercise. A quiet environment free of unpredictable events and young children is preferred. Small animals may pose a problem due to this breed’s high prey drive. He needs to run, and activity that is possible only if you have properly trained him to come when called and if you have socialized him among other dogs and people. Borzoi owners should be calm, easygoing leaders who do not necessarily want a dog that is too affectionate. Nervous, hyperactive, and pampering types should avoid this breed. The elderly and disabled may have trouble training and exercising this breed. A Borzoi should not be left alone in a yard because can easily jump a six-foot fence.

The Alaskan Malamute

February 3, 2011 by admin 2 Comments

History and origin: The Alaskan Malamute is named after a native tribe called the “Mahlemuts.” He is closely related to other Spitz-types such as the Samoyed and has been used as a sled dog. Bred for strength, endurance, and independence, he has the ability to tolerate extremely low temperatures. Today the Alaskan Malamute is used in sled-pulling competitions, some being able to pull a sled weighing close to a ton.

Description: The Alaskan Malamute stands 23 to 26 inches at the shoulder and usually weighs 75 to 125 pounds, while some are even larger. He is thick-boned and has a large, muscular body. The weather-resistant coat is thick, heavy, and of medium length. The undercoat is dense and insulative. He sheds abundantly year- round, particularly in early summer. Regular brushing will keep his coat in good condition. The color may be black-and-white with an off-white undercoat, red-and-white, or gray-and-white with an off-white undercoat.

About the breed: This is a sociable, affectionate, fast, strong, intelligent, and powerful breed who is always friendly and good-natured but somewhat stubborn. Usually good with children , the Alaskan Malamute does not make a good watchdog, but he does have a high prey drive and will show aggression toward other dogs. He can be impetuous, dominant, and challenging, and is not the most cooperative breed with regard to obedience training.

Early training is important due to the breed’s size, level of dominance, and aggression toward animals. The “Come” command is the most difficult to teach a Malamute because of his independent, free-thinking nature, though the females tend to be less dominant and aggressive. A firm, consistent training technique must be used with this sometimes resistant breed.

He tends to be quite vocal and can be very destructive if not exercised daily. Though he is friendly, keep in mind that this large breed can knock over and hurt a child during play. No roughhousing or chase games should be tolerated. The Malamute loves to dig and will create holes all over your yard. A large kennel with a concrete floor will eliminate this problem.

This breed can be left outside during even the coldest winter. Although they are almost always good-natured, there are a few cases of aggression toward people with this breed, particularly from the males. Once this behavior occurs, it is very difficult to modify and usually results in the destruction of the animal.

The Alaskan Malamute lives for only ten to twelve years and can suffer from hip dysplasia, shoulder problems, and bloat. He loves the cold and will suffer in warmer climates. He needs exercise, but should not be run long distances due to his weight and susceptibility to hip and shoulder problems. This breed eats large amounts of food and can develop diarrhea if the diet is changed too rapidly.

Altering can lengthen the life of an Alaskan Malamute and help prevent aggression and other behavioral problems.

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

Ideal home: This big, independent breed needs a house with a fenced yard or kennel. He needs a firm, consistent leader who is confident and physically able to deal with a powerful breed. Training should begin early and should include daily socialization, handling, and grooming. Spoiling, cautious, and overbearing persons should avoid the Alaskan Malamute, as should the elderly and the disabled.