Withers Archives - Edie MacKenzie

Focus on the Black and Tan Coonhound

December 28, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

The Black and Tan Coonhound, is an impressive distinctive looking dog that excels as a hunting companion.

These medium-sized dogs stand up to 27 inches at the withers and can weigh as much as 75 pounds. They have a black and tan coat and the appearance of a typical hound dog, with long, hanging ears, loose fitting skin and long legs.

The original Black and Tans were created by crossing Talbot Hounds, Foxhounds, and Bloodhounds. The idea was to create a dog for treeing racoons, but the Black and Tan proved such an able tracker that it was soon being used to hunt larger game, including deer, mountain lions, and even bear.

These are loyal, affectionate and good-natured dogs who form close bonds with humans. The are also intelligent and fast learners which makes them excellent pets for an appropriate owner.

They do however need a great deal of exercise and will therefore do best with an active family. Without proper exercise Black and Tans can become destructive and are prone to howling when left alone.

Consistent pack leadership is a must with this breed, as are training and socialization. Dogs that have not been socialized may be aggressive towards other dogs. The hunting instinct is still strong, and these dogs will follow any scent they encounter.

While they are generally good with people they are not really suited to small children as they may be too boisterous for them.With the right amount of exercise though, plus a good training program, this is a wonderful pet and loving companion.

The Black and Tan is generally a robust, healthy breed and suffers from few inherited diseases. There is a risk of hip dysplasia and, as with many long eared breeds, they may suffer ear infections. Eye problems also occur occasionally.

Black and Tans love to eat and are therefore prone to obesity. Strict portion and treat control is therefore advised.

Grooming is quite easy as the short coat only needs to be brushed once a week. You should also take care to inspect and clean the ears and eyes regularly.

It should be obvious that this is not a dog for apartment living. The Black and Tan needs lots of space to move around in as well as vigorous daily exercise. These dogs are tough enough to live outdoors, but are softies at heart and will much prefer to be inside, and close to those they love.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cute dog names.

Akita Inu Dog Breed

December 18, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

The noble Akita Inu is an impressive dog. These large, dignified animals are so revered in their native Japan that they are considered national monuments, and owning one is said to bring good luck.

Originating in the rugged Akita Prefecture for which it is named, this was originally a hunting dog. Akita were used to track large game, like wild boar and the dangerous, grizzly-like Yezo bear.

The Akita Inu was first introduced to the United States in 1937, when two of the dogs were presented to Helen Keller as a gift. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1956, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.

These formidable dogs can stand as tall as 27 inches at the withers and weigh anything up to 125 pounds. They have a dense coat that can be brindle, red, fawn. sesame or white. They shed heavily twice a year, but other than that, are medium shedders.

Other defining features are a large head with fox-like features, and a thick, plumed tail that sweeps over the back.

The Akita has few health problems, and a life expectancy that ranges from 10-14 years. They are prone to Hypothyroid disease, but this can be easily treated with hormone therapy. Other health problems include impaired night vision, and progressive retinal atrophy. Hip and kidney problems may occur in older dogs.

Owning an Akita can be either a joy or a challenge. They are extremely loyal and protective dogs who form strong bonds with their family and are generally gentle with children and with other pets. They are known to become very excited when the see their owners, squirming around and making happy little grunting sounds.

These intelligent dogs are easy to train, but can be hard headed at times. If you want to succeed in this you will have to gain their trust and respect, otherwise they’ll simply ignore your commands.

The Akita is a dignified, self assured breed of dog that will seldom demand attention. However, you will have to exercise your dog daily, if your want to keep him trim and in good health.

Their high intelligence does mean that they bore easily. This can become a problem if they are not given regular physical and mental activity. They can become destructive and aggressive if they are bored, so training, early socialization, and a regular exercise regime are a must with this breed.

Don’t let that deter you from considering an Akita as a family pet though, because they are truly wonderful dogs.

Good names for a Akita Inu can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online puppy names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of cool dog names to pick from.

Description Of A Labrador Retriever: Part 3

January 22, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

A Labrador Retriever is either a solid black, a solid yellow, or a solid chocolate. A white spot on the chest is permissible. All the colors should have the correct double coat. The thick undercoat lies under the topcoat. The topcoat should be a bit rough to the touch and does not have to lie flat. In fact, if the coat is too slick, the dog probably does not have a good undercoat and would not be useful as a retriever in cold waters.

The Labrador Retriever undercoat acts as insulation and, working in conjunction with the coat’s natural oil, helps to repel water. The Labrador Retriever does not feel the cold the way a single-coated dog does. Another aspect of this coat is the special look that it gives the breed.

All four legs should have good, thick bone, the front legs coming straight down from the shoulders. The rear legs should be well bent at the knee or stifle. The hind quarters should be thick with well-muscled thighs. The hocks should not be too long and should also be well bent and well let down (not one continuous line from buttocks to the foot). Picture about a six-inch section from the foot to the hock joint and then a little jog, toward the front, and on up to the stifle. The view from behind the dog should not be narrow but rather hefty.

The tail should be set right off the back. In other words, you should see one straight line from the withers to the tip of the tail. If the tail is set too low or if the tail is set too high, the picture will be spoiled. As a Labrador Retriever moves, the tail usually wags happily from side to side. It should never be carried curled up over the back like a hound’s tail. A tail that is carried too low or between the legs will give the appearance of timidity.

Timidity is a word that is not in the Labrador dictionary. This very important tail, which should not be too long (not below the hock), acts like a rudder when the dog is swimming. It is sometimes called an otter tail because it is thick at the base and tapers down to a tip, like the tail of an otter. The tail should be well covered with a very distinctive short, dense coat. The underside of the Labrador Retriever tail should never have any long feathery hair on it.

Description Of A Labrador Retriever: Part 2

January 20, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

It is important for the Labrador Retriever to be well balanced. He should not be as tall and thin as a pointer, and he should not be as short and fat as a potbellied pig. No one feature should be so prominent as to detract from the total picture. If you look at a Labrador and notice only his huge head, the dog is probably unbalanced. If you look at a Labrador and see only his big feet or a long scraggly tail, you are probably not looking at a good specimen of the breed.

The Labrador Retriever ears should be set off the side of the skull, not too high and not too low. They should be of medium size, hanging so that the bottom tips are about two inches below the eyes. The ears should not be so big or so small that they draw attention to themselves. And they should never be long or folded as they are on many hounds.

The Labrador Retriever eyes are where we see that irresistible, sweet, kind and alert expression. Some are shaped like a rounded diamond. Although some round eyes can be attractive, they should not resemble the round eyes of a Cocker Spaniel, nor should they be too almond-shaped. A good color would be a warm brown-eye on all three colors (black, yellow or chocolate), maybe a bit darker on a yellow Labrador Retriever. If the eyes are too light, the dog’s expression will be ruined.

There should never be a harsh or mean look about a Labrador. When you look into a Lab’s eyes, you should feel instant friendliness. Usually, the moment your eyes meet, the Lab’s powerful tail starts wagging automatically.

The desirable Labrador Retriever head should sit on a strong neck of medium length. If the neck is too short, the dog looks as if his head is sitting on his shoulders; if the neck is too long, the dog appears elegant, like a setter, which is not correct. There is nothing elegant about this dog. He is agile, strong, and sturdy. As you continue down the neck, past the withers, the top line (the back) should be rather level, never sway-back or sloping to the degree that a Setter’s back does from the neck to the rump.

The Labrador Retriever chest should be deep with well-sprung ribs like a barrel. The shoulders should be long and sloping. The correct look requires long bones that form a ninety-degree angle as you look at the dog from the side, from the withers, to the sternum, to the elbow.

The front legs of a Labrador Retriever are well underneath the dog, allowing a prominent breastbone to show and creating the picture of a powerful chest.

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