Dog Breed Profile - Greyhound

History

There are conflicting opinions regarding the origin of the Greyhound, from the Celts who believed that they came from Greece, to the Romans who believed that they came from Gaul (in Western Europe), with many varying opinions inbetween.

There are ancient pictures which date back to 6000BC in the city of Catal-Huyuk in present-day Turkey, depicting dogs very similar in type to Greyhounds. Pictures from 4000BC found on a funery vase in Iran also depict Greyhound-like dogs which suggest that these dogs were held in the highest regard. Ancient artists tended only to depict images of religious or social importance.

Appearance

Greyhounds have an extremley elegant and graceful appearance; slender but also strong. They are propelled by extremely strong hindquarters; when they run it appears effortless and truly beautiful.

It is a pleasure to watch these dogs race, with their long neck and face set on their long, slender frame.

Greyhounds come in a massive variety of colours; Black, red, white, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colours broken up with white

Temperament

Despite what most people think, these dogs can be real couch potatoes! Although they are capable of short bursts of speeds of upto 64km/hr, they are not blessed with great amounts of endurance, so love to get home after walkies and sleep it off!

They are great family pets; kind and gentle with their families and very affectionate. They may be a little aloof with strangers, but never nasty.

However, their history must be remembered; they were bred to course and race and therefore have tendencies to chase and catch small things; this can include smaller dogs, cats and other small pets. They must be very carefully socialised with smaller dogs and extreme care should be taken around cats.

Grooming

With their short coats, they will only require a very minimal amount of time spent on grooming.

Exercise

Two 20 minute walks a day is ample for these dogs - they particularly enjoy getting home to relax after their walkies!! Real care should be taken with allowing these dogs off lead - unless they are EXTREMELY well trained, they are liable to run off and chase any small thing that moves - and at 64km/h, there is no chance you'll be able to catch them!!

Health Problems

Greyhounds can be prone to injury when expelling their pent up energy! They don't really suffer from any genetic diseases; they can be a little sensitive to drugs although vets should be aware of this if treating them.

Akita Inu Dog Breed Profile

Description: The Akita Inu is a large dog with a strong, powerful build. The dog will measure 26 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh from 75 to 120 pounds. The bitch is 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder with a weight of 75 to 100 pounds. The Akita has a dense double coat, consisting of a hard outer coat and a soft undercoat. The coat is generally found in all colors, including red, fawn, brindle, and white. The ears of the Akita are small and erect and the tail curls up over the hindquarters. The Akita has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years. This dog is also known as Akita Inu in Japan.

History: The Japanese island of Honshu, in the Akita Prefecture, was the birthplace of the Akita Inu. This dog was bred to be a sturdy guard and hunting dog. As the prey animals included black bears, boar, and elk, the Akita was, of necessity a strong and determined hunter. It was this dog's job to hold the quarry until the human hunters were ready to make the kill. During the 19th century, the original Akita was bred to the Tosa, the Japanese fighting dog. This resulted in a dog that was larger and more aggressive than its Akita parent. The breed was diminished by a rabies outbreak at the beginning of the 20th century, and WWII caused many of these dogs to be sacrificed for their fur, which was needed for uniforms.

Temperament: The Akita Inu is very loyal and attached to its human family. One Japanese Akita was so loyal that it went to the train station to meet its master for nine years after the master had died. The Akita has a very strong and dominant personality, however, so a firm master is needed to train the dog how to behave properly. This dog must be socialized with other dogs and household pets while young. Although the Akita loves children, its size makes it more suitable for older children than very young ones.

Health Issues: The Akita Inu is very prone to bloat, stomach torsion. If this occurs, the dog must be taken to the veterinarian for immediate treatment. This is a life-threatening situation that cannot be treated at home. This dog has a small heart for its body size and is sensitive to anaesthesia because of this. Your veterinarian should be made aware of this if your Akita needs surgery. The Akita can also suffer from hip dysplasia and canine herpesvirus.

Grooming: The Akita's coat needs quite a bit of grooming to stay in top condition. It should be brushed with a stiff-bristled brush at least once a week. When the coat is blown twice a year, it would be advisable to groom even more often than that.

Living Conditions: The Akita Inu is very protective of its family and wants to be near them as much as possible. However, this is a rugged dog with a thick coat that does not mind being outside in bad weather. The Akita can live in an apartment if the owner makes the effort to give the dog proper exercise. A house with a yard is probably a better option so that the dog will be assured of enough exercise.

An Alaskan Malamute Dog Breed Profile

Description: The Alaskan Malamute is a medium to large dog in the sled dog family. The dog is 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and the bitch 22 to 24 inches. The dog will weigh approximately 80 to 95 pounds, and the bitch will be between 70 and 85 pounds. The coat of the Alaskan Malamute has a very dense double coat which is 2 to 3 inches long. This dense coat is what allows the Alaskan Malamute to remain outside in arctic winter conditions. The coat is usually found to be grey, black and white, wolf grey, or red. White is the only permitted solid color. The Alaskan Malamute will generally live for 12 to 15 years.

History: The Alaskan Malamute has been used by the Inuit for over 2000 years. This is a very old breed that shows its wolf ancestry in its appearance. This dog was named for the tribe called the Mahlemuts, who had come across from Siberia to settle in what is now Alaska. The dogs provided the Mahlemuts with a dependable form of transportation in an very challenging climate. Used not only as sled dogs, the Malamute was also used in polar bear hunts.

Temperament: The Alaskan Malamute is a even tempered dog that enjoys being with its human family. This is a friendly dog that does not make a good guard dog. The Malamute is used mostly today as a companion dog, although some are still used for mushing. This dog is quite smart and can learn quickly, however training should start early. The Malamute is good around children and enjoys playing with them, but make sure that the child is large enough to play safely with this rather large dog. Some dogs, male and female alike, in spite of socialization, remain hostile to dogs of the same sex.

Health Issues: The Alaskan Malamute is subject to bloat, or stomach torsion. If your dog experiences this, it is vital to get it to an animal hospital immediately for treatment. This dog can suffer from hip dysplasia, also. Cancer is found, especially in older dogs, and this breed can exhibit hereditary dwarfism. Eye problems can surface in the form of cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy.

Grooming: As the Alaskan Malamute is a heavy shedder, it is necessary to brush out the coat at least twice a week. This dog will blow its coat twice a year, and it is probably a good idea to brush it more during these times. A dry shampooing is all that is needed in the way of bathing.

Living Conditions: As the Alaskan Malamute is kept today mostly as a companion dog, it will usually be kept in the house. It is perfectly capable of living outside as long as it is visited by its owner during the day. The Malamute is not a dog that should be kept in an apartment, it is far too active for such a confined space and needs to have a great deal of exercise to keep it fit. This dog will be come extremely destructive of its surroundings if not given enough exercise.