Tag: A Letter Dog

The Airedale Terrier is the largest and toughest of the terrier family. Its coat is dense and wiry, with a softer undercoat, and comes in both tan and black and tan and grizzle. This breed was one of the first used for police duty and has also been popular among U.S. Presidents (e.g., Theodore Roosevelt, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren Harding).

Physical Characteristics

The long-legged Airedale Terrier has strong round bones that effectively combine power and agility. This enables the breed to hunt difficult game. The wiry, hard, and thick coat lies close and straight with the body, while a few hairs remain crinkled.

Personality and Temperament

This protective and lively companion is one of the most versatile terriers. The playful, adventurous, and bold Airedale is intelligent, and yet headstrong and stubborn at times. Though some dogs are dominating, most of them are responsive to the wishes of the owner and are reliable.

As long as the Airedale is provided with daily physical and mental exercise, it is a well-behaved house dog. It likes to be a leader and dislikes being challenged by other dogs. Smaller dogs and terriers, however, get along well.

Care

Being an active breed, the Airedale Terrier requires vigorous exercise on a daily basis. Long walks, energetic games, and romping and hunting in safe areas, can meet the dog’s requirements. The wiry coat has to be combed three times a week, in addition to shaping and trimming once or twice a month. Clipping is useful in layering the color and texture of the coat. The ears of puppies need to be “glued” so that they are properly shaped when they become adults. The Airedale can live comfortably outside in cool climates, but should be allowed to sleep indoors.

Health

The Airedale Terrier, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years, sometimes suffers from colonic disease. Other serious health issues this breed is prone to include canine hip dysplasia (CHD), gastric torsion, and hypothyroidism. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run thyroid and hip exams on the dog.

History and Background

The Airedale or “King of Terriers” is the tallest of the terriers. Thought to have originated from the Black and Tan Terrier or English Terrier, the medium-sized Airedale was bred by hunters in Yorkshire to hunt small game such as fox and water rat. The dogs were also good at retrieving and finding birds.

In the mid-19th century, some terriers near South Yorkshire’s River Aire were interbred with Otterhounds to enhance their scenting ability and hunting skills around water. This attempt resulted in bred known as the Waterside Terrier or Bingley, which was an expert in otter hunting. It was, however, only in 1878 that the breed was accepted as the Airedale Terrier.

After becoming a show dog, it was crossed with Bull and Irish Terriers, to remove the traits of the Otterhound cross that was not very popular.

By the 20th century, Champion Master Briar, the breed’s patriarch, popularized the dog and his child achieved the same outcome in the U.S. The hunting ability and the size of the Airedale helped the dog earn huge renown as a big game hunter. The dog managed to become a good family pet and a police dog for its manner and smart looks. The period after World War I saw a decline in the dog’s popularity, but today many dog fanciers are fond of the Airedale Terrier.

The Affenpinscher is a wiry-haired terrier-like toy dog. It makes a good house pet due to its intelligence and cordialness towards other animals. With its big beard and long eyebrows, the dog is visually exquisite but tough in nature, as it was bred to chase vermin. In France the breed is described as the “moustached little devil,” due to its mischievous trait.

Physical Characteristics

The Affenpinscher’s facial expression, with a beard and long eyebrows, makes it look like a monkey and even comically serious. Its rough coat is an inch long throughout the body and a little longer on the chest, head, neck, legs, and stomach. Originally, the function of it coat was to provide protection from harsh weather conditions and vermin.

The medium bone, sturdy, compact, and square-proportioned Affenpinscher is a smaller variety of a working terrier, but is not as delicate as it appears. It is very tough, active and nimble enough to chase and catch rats and mice. The dog’s gait, meanwhile, is confident and light.

Personality and Temperament

The Affenpinscher is distinguished from other terriers by its quality of being good with pets and other dogs. This small dog is at its best with its family, which enjoys humor and entertainment.

It is a real “monkey” terrier with respect to its character as well as its appearance: it may be an inquisitive, bold, busy, and stubborn terrier by nature but it is also mischievous, playful and fond of behaving like a monkey. The Affenpinscher also has a tendency to climb and bark.

Care

Some lively indoor games, short walks on a leash or outdoor romps can meet the exercise requirements of the active and energetic Affenpinscher. The dog cannot live outside but loves to play outdoors. The rough coat requires combing two or three times a week and shaping once every three months. Shaping is done for pets by clipping, while show dogs need stripping.

Health

The Affenpinscher, which has an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, has a tendency to suffer from minor diseases like patellar luxation and corneal ulcers. Respiratory difficulties, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and open fontanel are sometimes seen in this breed as well. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run knee and cardiac tests on the dog.

History and Background

Referred to as the “Diablotin Moustachu” or the “moustached little devil” in France, the Affenpinscher is among the oldest of toy breeds. Its name offers an apt description of the breed: affen, which means monkey, and pinscher, meaning terrier. The origins of the Affenpinscher are not so clear. While Dutch painters often sketched dogs that resemble this curious breed in the 15th century, there is no proper evidence to support the breed’s origin.

In 17th-century central Europe, several small terriers were experts in dispatching rats. These terriers were also used in Germany to keep kitchens and stables free from rodents. There were smaller types of the same dog that functioned as women’s lap dogs, could kill mice, and entertain the house with their funny antics. Later, it is believed, this small strain developed as the Affenpinscher, which was then improved by crossing with the German Pinscher, Pug, and German Silky Pinscher.

Many wire-coated toys, including the Brussels Griffon, descended from the Affenpinscher. The breed is most popular in Germany, often claimed to be its native land. The American Kennel Club granted it recognition in 1936, but the Second World War reduced its popularity. Today the breeds remains rare in the United States and even in Germany.

The Akita has a unique combination of dignity, courage, alertness, and devotion to its family. It is extraordinarily affectionate and loyal with family and friends. It is almost feline in its actions; it is not unusual for an Akita to clean its face after eating, and to be very neat and tidy in the house.

Physical Characteristics

Akita dogs possess heavy bones and a body that is big, and a bit longer than it is tall. The Akita is very strong, enabling it to hunt easily through snow and other rough terrians. The breed is energetic with an alert gait. An excellent hunting companion, the Akita possesses a strong guarding instinct and a coat that is weatherproof protects them from harsh conditions. Its hair, which is about two inches long, has a straight, dense inner layer but harsh outer wrapping. The color of its coat, meanwhile, are various, including white, brindle, or pinto.

Personality and Temperament

The Akita is obedient towards its master and always alert. Being independent and courageous in nature, it functions tremendously as a hunter or guard dog.

Though the dog is a bit stubborn and dominating, it will behave properly under the guidance of a dedicated trainer. However, some Akitas do shows signs of aggression towards other dogs and are unnerved around strangers.

Care

An Akita is at its best when kept inside the house with access to outdoors. To keep these dogs obedient, regular mental and physical exercise is very important. The exercise should ideally include running in an enclosed area or long hours of walking. The Akita’s weatherproof coat requires occasional brushing to get rid of dead hair (more frequent combing will be required during the shedding seasons).

Health

The Akita, which has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, occasionally suffers from microphthalmia, patellar luxation, epilepsy, renal cortical hypoplasia, VKH-like syndrome, polyneuropathy, entropion, and cataract. Care should be taken to prevent some major health problems associated with the breed such as canine hip dysplasia (CHD) and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The breed is also prone to some minor health issues, including gastric torsion, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, cruciate ligament rupture, pemphigus, lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and sebaceous adenitis. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run thyroid, hip, eyes, and elbow tests on the dog.

History and Background

Considered a “natural treasure” of Japan, its native country, the Akita was originally bred as an adaptable hunting dog in the mountainous region of Northern Japan.

The Akita was saved from extinction in the 1800s, during which the Japanese made a concerted effort to save seven native dog breeds. The Akita is the largest among those seven breeds.

Hachiko, arguably the most honored Akita, would wait for his master every day at the station to accompany him back home. Even after his master’s death, he continued to religiously wait for him at the station every day for nine years. After Hachiko died on March 8, 1935, a statue was built to commemorate his dedication; it is here that Hachiko’s ceremony is held annually.

Hellen Keller, renowned American author and political acitivist, is credited with bringing the first Akita to the United States in 1937. It later became recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1972, and is today considered an excellent breed with good-natured and courageous attributes — a fact that lends itself to the breed’s most common profession in Japan: guard dog and police dog.

An Alaskan Husky is not in actuality a breed of dog, but rather a category of dog. All breeds of highly efficient sled dogs fall under the Alaskan Husky category, as the Alaskan is the breed of choice for world-class dog sled racing and sprint competition. The majority of Alaskan Huskies have pointy ears and a tail that curls over their backs.

Vital Stats

Height: 23 to 26 inches
Weight: 40 to 60 pounds
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years

Physical Characteristics

Alaskan Huskies resemble Siberian Huskies in appearance. Males range from 40 to 60 pounds and females average 35 to 48 pounds. Because the Alaskan Husky is more a general category than a strict breed, it comes in any color and any pattern of markings.

The Alaskan Husky is larger and leaner than the similar looking Siberian Husky. Where Siberians often have blue eyes, or a combination of blue and brown, Alaskans’ eyes are generally brown.

It has good vision and a strong nose due to the inclusion of sight-hound in their genetics. Swimming and retrieving do not come naturally to the Alaskan Husky, but it can jump up to six feet from a sitting position.

Personality and Temperament

The Alaskan Husky tends to vary as much in temperament as it does in appearance. It is often affectionate with people as well as other dogs, and is are known for their enthusiastic cuddling. Though the Alaskan Husky is usually thought to be a “jumper,” it usually jumps on people out of affection, not dominance.

The Alaskan Husky is loyal but fiercely independent, and will not stick close if let off-leash. It is an adventurer at heart and loves car rides and changes in routine. It can be willful and mischievous, and difficult to housebreak without a firm hand leading them. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend with a dog, an Alaskan Husky will not be the breed for you.

Care

An Alaskan Husky’s coat tends to be self-cleaning, much like the similar Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky. Therefore, it doesn’t tend to get stinky and only need infrequent bathing. Shedding occurs once a year as a seasonal event during spring; it does not lose hair year-round.

The Alaskan Husky is extremely energetic, with seemingly unquenchable endurance. It does not do well in an urban apartment environment as it need a constant source of exercise. A spacious home with a large yard is ideal for the Alaskan Husky.

Health

The Alaskan Husky lives approximately 12 to 15 years. It is generally considere to be healthy breed, but tends to fall victim to certain strains of genetic health problems similar to those found in purebreds. These may include progressive retinal atrophy, which culminates in blindness and hypothyroidism, and a congenital deformation of the larynx, which causes the dog to make a wheezing sound when breathing; earning Alaskan Huskies the nickname “wheezers.”

History and Background

The Alaskan Husky, though not a recognized breed on its own, originates from the cross-breeding of multiple other breeds. The purpose of breeding an Alaskan Husky is to create the best working dog possible, so the bloodlines will depend on the specific purpose the Alaskan Husky will be used for.

A racing sled dog, for instance, may be any combination of husky and purebred pointer or hound, depending on the need for distance or sprinter speeds.

Originally, Alaskan Huskies were developed by mushers (the human dog sled racers) from the different bloodlines of native Inuit dogs. Some of the main breeds used now in developing Alaskan Huskies include the Eskimo dog, Siberian Husky, Greyhound, and German Shorthaired Pointer.