Mixed Breeds Can Participate In Some AKC Dog Sport Events

After years of consideration, the AKC announced plans to offer performance events and titles to mixed breed dogs. As an organization dedicated to upholding the integrity of its Registry, promoting the sport of pure bred dogs and breeding for type and function, this new policy is a very big change in the dog community.

If you want to compete in the AKC events with your mixed breed dog,there are only two qualifications:

1. Your male dog must be neutered and/or your female dog must be spayed.

2. Pay a one-time registration fee of $35

There is online registration at the American Kennel Club website (AKC.org) or you can download a paper application. Enroll your mixed-breed dog now and receive special benefits worth up to $75 (the website does not mention if this is the normal registration package or if it will change in the future):

What you’ll receive for your $35:

1. Eligibility to participate in AKC Companion Events

2. Complimentary 60 day Trial AKC Pet Healthcare Plan

3. LIFETIME enrollment in AKC CAR Lost & Found Recovery Service

4. One year subscription to AKC Family Dogmagazine

5. Frameable 8.5″ x 11″ AKC Canine Partners Certificate of Recognition

6. AKC Canine Partner Decal

Clubs may now apply to hold optional mixed breed classes at events held on or after April 1, 2010. Please note that the clubs must hold stand alone Agility, Obedience and Rally trials, along with the purebred trials.

To search for mixed-breed events, go to the Obedience/Agility/Rally tab on AKC Events Search and click “mixed-breed classes.”

Competition rules are the same for mixed breed and any AKC registered dog, but the individual trials will be judged separately and titles given individually. This is wonderful news for dog sport enthusiasts who have a purebred dog and a mix since they will be able to run both dogs at an AKC trial, as well as all the other agility organizations. In addition, there are many AKC events throughout the US and these trials may be closer to you than one of the other agility organization trials. Click here for information on dog agility

The American Kennel Club was established in 1884 and AKC’s Objective is to: Advance the study, breeding, exhibiting, running and maintenance of purebred dogs.

There are eight (8) core values for the AKC:

1. We love purebred dogs

2. We are committed to advancing the sport of the purebred dog

3. We are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our Registry

4. We protect the health and well-being of all dogs

5. We cherish dogs as companions

6. We are committed to the interests of dog owners

7. We uphold hight standards for the administration and operation of the AKC

8. We recognize the critical importance of our clubs and volunteers.

The AKC and its affiliated organizations advocate for the purebred dog as a family companion, advance canine health and well being, work to protect the rights of all dog owners and promote responsible dog ownership. Part of this inititive are two important programs which are also open to mixed breed dogs: the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen programs.

The AKC website has a massive amount of information on everything from how to be a breeder to information on dozens of dog sports. Mixed-breed dog owners some time reading American Kennel Club brochures and getting familiar with what the AKC has to offer if you will be competing in Obedience, Rally or Agility with your mixed breed dog.

It will be interesting to see how many clubs decide to hold mixed breed trials at the same time as the purebred trials in the future. Although the AKC did bend on this subject, they are still not on par with other dog sport organizations which allow purebred and mixed dogs to compete on the same level.

This news gives mixed breed dogs a reason to wag more than bark! Click here dog obedience training. for more information

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Smooth Coat Chihuahua Info

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua is a small breed of toy dog which originates from Mexico. They are generally attention seekers and tend to cling to their owners.

They don’t tend to mix well with other breeds and aren’t usually well suited to children particularly boisterous ones. The Smooth Coat Chihuahua is known for being very small and compact and can be described as being spirited and intelligent.

Smooth Coat Chihuahua Background

Toltec and Mayan civilizations deep in the heart of Mexico have been found to have carvings of Chihuahuas on their pyramids and suggest that the Chihuahua was used as a ceremonial dog. There is evidence to show that Chihuahuas were also found in Ancient Egypt.

Smooth Coat Chihuahua Temperament

Smooth Coat Chihuahua’s don’t tend to mix well with other breeds and aren’t usually well suited to children particularly boisterous ones. The Smooth Coat Chihuahua is known for being very small and compact and can be described as being spirited and intelligent.

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua, as with the Long Coat Chihuahua, do not tend to mix well with their own kind and benefit greatly from early socialisation. In general they tend to devote themselves to one person

Smooth Coat Chihuahua Appearance

Well known for being the smallest dog in the world, Smooth Coat Chihuahua has a very distinctive look. Popularised through celebrities like Paris Hilton and through advertising such as the Taco Bell advert in America, they are a very well recognisable breed of dog.

The American Kennel Club states that their appearance can be: “Any color-Solid, marked or splashed” and Chihuahuas certainly do come in a wide variety of colours.

Smooth Coat Chihuahua Care

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua is very small in size meaning that jumps off furniture which may seem nothing to humans can prove to be a lot of stress for their frail little bodies. Due to their very small size they are also more suited to small meals throughout the day as opposed to a single large meal once a day. With a life expectancy of 15 to 18 yrs, the Smooth Coat Chihuahua is also prone to certain health issues including heart problems, luxating patella, entropion, low blood sugar, trachea problems, dental problems, and open fontanel.

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua recent popularity

The Smooth Coat Chihuahua Has been popularised in recent years through celebrity endoresments. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton have been known to carry the dogs around in handbags as a fashion accessory, obviously made possible by the small stature of the dog. “ithin the toy group the Chihuahua – which has been snapped with the likes of Paris Hilton, Scarlett Johansson and Cheryl Cole – has experienced one of the biggest increases.” - The Kennel Club. A Chihuahua was also used in the brand “Taco Bell’s” adverts in previous years which made the dog very popular for the witty advertisments it appeared in.

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The Loyal Working Companion Dog: American Pit Bull Terrier

This breed of dog, also fondly called as APBT, is known for its loyalty and intelligence. The dogs with this breed make excellent companions since they are very aggressive because of their protective nature.

How, then, are they different from the Staffies? For the UKC or the United Kennel Club, Staffies and APBT are of the same breed but many disapprove of this suggestion. For instance, if the American Kennel Club has an American Staffordshire terrier, it will be registered as an American pit bull terrier by the United Kennel Club. Furthermore, many breeders noted that their lineages have been separate for a long time already for these dogs to be still considered as having the same variety.

Meanwhile, the American Kennel Club does not register a UKC-listed American pit as an American Staffie. In order to gain dual-registry, the dog must initially be recorded as an AKC American Staffie before it can be listed with the UKC as an American pit bull, and not the other way around.

The following are some of the basic facts breeders would really love to know about APTBs:

Category: Terrier

Living Environment: either outdoor or indoor

Coat: smooth, shiny, thick, and short

Colors: color varies

Height: between 18 and 22 inches

Weight: between 30 and 60 pounds

Temperament: courageous, full of energy, and loyal; should be socialized early on with other animals especially with children

Health Issues: heart murmurs and mange

Care and Exercise:
• Bathe when necessary.
• Brush their coat only occasionally using a brush with firm bristles.
• Rub down their coat with a towel or a chamois to remove hairs that are loose.
• Their physique requires a regular exercise routine which includes a daily play time and/or running along a bicycle while on a leash.
• They should be on leash while walking in public places.

Origin/History:

The ancestors of APBT came to the US in the mid-1800s with some Irish-Boston immigrants. Like the Staffie, they were originally bred from bulldogs and terriers. Since APBT is a forerunner to the Staffie, it was also molded to be a fighting dog. However, the Americans made their variety some pounds heavier and trained them to have a more powerful head.

Bull baiting and dog baiting were prohibited in England so bull terriers were no longer bred for bouts. It is in America where the pit bull also gained its popularity for many uses and reasons like:

1. It was used to embody the country in one WW1 artwork.
2. Well-known companies like the Buster Brown Shoe Company and even RCA used the breed as mascots.
3. Petie, a pitbull, was one of the stars in, “Our Gang”, a well sought children’s TV series.
4. A mix breed called Stubby was transformed into a popular and decorated WW1 hero.
5. Pits became good companies of pioneer families on their journeys.
6. Jack, a working pit bulldog was owned by Laura Wilder of lines of books called “Little House”.
7. Popular people like Helen Keller and US President Theodore Roosevelt owned the variety.

Here is some history about the cause of dilemma regarding the registries of APBTs.

In 1898, the United Kennel Club or UKC was structured to provide fighting guidelines and registration for APBT as fighting dogs. Later, there were breeders who shun away from dog fighting so they asked the AKC to recognize their pits so they would be fit for performance events like dog shows.

In 1935, the AKC approved of their petitions but the dogs were registered as Staffordshire Terriers, naming them after the little province in England that the breed was known to have originated from. Thus, many breeders have dogs that have dual-registry.

It is interesting to note that Petie, which was one of the stars in the, “Our Gang” TV series was the first breed that was dual-registered to be Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull. However, the UKC later started registering other performing-type varieties and they also began holding dog shows comparable to those of the American Kennel Club.

The AKC soon sealed its studbooks to APBTs. They allocated registration to those pit breeds with lineages that are listed as Staffies. For a little time during the 1970s, the AKC disclosed the American pits to their studbooks.

In 1973, the American KC decided to add the word “American” with the pit’s name to discriminate it from a Staffie. At present, those dogs with mixed APTB-StaffIe parents are recognized by UKC and even the American Dog Breeders’ Association as “American pits or American pit bull terriers”.

Nowadays, the pit has employed as search and rescuers, police/armed service dogs, livestock workers, and even as therapy animals because they are good as companions and working dogs.

Moreover, the variety can even compete in dog sports such as herding, obedience, and conformation, French Ring, and Schutzhund. Breeds of this type can be very loving as pets for everyone. The physical demands and harshness of various activities developed a healthy, strong, and stable animal.

If you want to have an APBT as a pet, be sure that the puppy is handled well and properly socialized. A solid and good training will surely produce an obedient, tranquil, and good companion or even a working dog!

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Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale online

The lineage of golden retrieval dogs was developed to assist the hunters to retrieve the birds and animals hunted for food or sport. These birds or animals are usually called games and have medium to large bodies.

The aim to develop this species was to retrieve the game without making it damage and prey. This retrieval species are soft mouthed, quick learner, active and conforming. Being soft mouthed allows the species to not to bite into game.

The history of retriever is way back to 1911. The improvement of technology in arms resulted in more fowls but because of the lack of efficient retrieval dogs, hunters lost games while retrieval. Thus, the need of a perfect assistant dog was felt.

The golden retrieval was developed in Scotland but the true breed line included Irish -setter and Blood Hound species. This was the beginning of the realization of ideation of Sir Marjoribanks who envisaged the perception of parameters of hunting dogs.

Golden retrieval was fast registered as Flat coats- Golden. After formation of Golden Retrieval Club in 1913, this pedigree was officially named as Golden Retrieval.

The Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale vary in the terms of coat, fur colors, height and breed standards. British species of Golden retrievers has shorter legs with comparatively broad and dense chest and almost no tail. American species is leaner and has thicker furs whereas Canadian types have a bright and different shade of golden as fur coat. American Kennel Club which has an authorization to register the new breeds of dogs disallows the dark or light golden colors other than the various shades of golden while checking the standards to register Golden Retrieval dogs.

These pedigree dogs are skillful. They prove to be a perfect assistant in the hunting campaign. They are quiet and quickly follow the order for retrieval of the game. They are agile in the process of marking game. They are patient and friendly with children. As they gain maturity they become more active and fun-loving. They can work till the dawn. So, the owner should be extra careful and watchful while over loading them. These species is known for its courteousness with strangers as well. They are easily transferable and can be sold to others.

The Life –span of Golden retrieval dogs is medium. They can live up to 10 to 12 years. However, if the breeding standards are up to the mark, parents healthy and living condition well secured and maintained they can live to more age. Care less breeding makes this species prone to various genetic disorders and ailments. Cancer is the biggest killer of the U.S. species. Hip and elbow fractures, eye disorders, cataract, retina ailments and skin disease could kill these beautiful and wonderful helping creatures.

You will find Golden Retriever Puppies for Sale online. The male and female genders of these species are equally useful in retrieval procedures. One can adopt these dogs to have as a wonderful companion for kids or if one’s interested in hunting games.

Is An Akita Inu The Right Dog For You?

The Akita, or Akita Inu hails from the Akita region of Japan where they breed has been revered for centuries. Throughout history they’ve been used as flood dogs, fighting dogs and for hunting deer and bear but today many people keep them as loving companions. Introduced to the United States in 1937 by Helen Keller the Akita Inu became even more popular after World War II when many American servicemen brought them back.

A member of the American Kennel Club working group, the Akita Inu was admitted to the AKC in 1972. It is a spitz type dog with the car and a triangular shaped head who weighs in at between 75 and 120 pounds. This dog has a powerful strong build with a deep, broad chest and level back. His ears stand erect on his head and he has dark brown eyes and a black or brown nose. The tail is carried high over the back. The Akita is a great swimmer due to his webbed feet. This dog has a double coat made up of a thick insulated undercoat and a waterproof outer coat and comes in white, red, sesame or brindle.

The Akita Inu is very affectionate with his family and while docile and home, can be aggressive towards other animals when he is outdoors being taken for walk. He is intelligent and fearless - a dog faithful to his family that craves companionship. This dog can be willful, however, so training will require patience as well as diversity since he can also become bored easily.

Like many purebred dogs the Akita does have some health issues that he is prone to. Hypothyroid and autoimmune thyroiditis can come up in this breed as can hip dysphasia. They can also suffer from terrible skin problems in immune diseases such as VKH. They can also have problems with their knees and our eyes.

Although they are a large dog, the Akita Inu can adapt well to apartment life as long as he gets sufficient exercise. In fact, a moderate amount of exercise is all this dog needs to keep in shape than happy.

This dog does not have any excessive grooming considerations, however the thick coat does shed heavily twice a year. They should be brushed with a firm bristle brush as often as needed and, of course, daily when shedding. Do not bathe your Akita unless it is necessary as giving him a bath will cause the natural waterproofing on their coat to be disrupted.



By: Lee Dobbins

About the Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for Dog Breeds 123 where you can learn more about dog care as well as information and photos of your favorite dog breeds inlcuding the Akita Inu.

The Monkey-Face Ratter From Germany Is Our Loyal Affenpinscher Companion Mousetrap Of Today

The Affenpinscher does not have a detailed history of their arrival in America as many of the other toy breeds have. There was an article published in the April 1950 issue of the AKC Gazette that says the Affenpinscher breed was imported in the mid-thirties.

Also known about the Affenpinscher breed is that Mrs. Bessie Mally of Cicero, Illinois imported at least a pair of Affenpinschers in 1935. The dam of this first litter was the first Affenpinscher registered with the American Kennel Club. Her name was Nolli v Anwander.

The Affenpinscher breed was first recognized by the American Kennel Club through the persistent efforts of Bessie Mally. There is very little known about Bessie Mally. It is thought, however, that Bessie Mally must have been a woman of wealth and influence to accomplish what she did. In the 1930’s few people owned purebred dogs, and those that did were of the upper class. The unemployment rate during this period was quite high. People did not everyday travel to Europe on airplanes as they do today. The only way to travel was by ocean liners, which was quite expensive. The more common people could not afford such a trip.

Although Bessie Mally was not the only one to bring Affenpinscher dogs to the U.S., she was the only one to do any breeding with the exception of one litter produced by Evalyn Walsh McLean out of Mrs. Mally’s stock. All the Affenpinscher dogs bred by Mrs. Mally were sired by Osko v.d. Franziskusklause. The McLean Affenpinscher puppies were double Osko grandchildren.

After World War II began, all breeding came to an end. The last Affenpinscher litter was whelped on June 24, 1940. Nothing was bred for the next nine years.

Dogs that resembled the Affenpinscher were known to be bred since about 1600, but were somewhat larger. The colors of these dogs were gray, black, fawn, black and tan, gray and tan, and red. White feet and chest were common. These dogs had the job of being “Ratters.” They were the farm or store dog running around loose and sleeping in stables. Their main purpose was to kill rats.

From the reports of historians, they were first bred in Lubeck, Germany. These dogs that resembled our present day Affenpinschers were bred to a smaller size and used in homes to catch mice. There was much crossing done of the dogs that were salt and pepper, reddish black (red gray with the black hair mixed in ) or solid black to dogs that were salt and pepper in color and more of the Schnauzer Ratter type dog. Some of these other breeds included the Pug, (which started the Brussels Griffon), the smooth haired German Pinscher and a German breed of Silky Pinscher (giving some of the soft silver coat to our Affenpinschers of today).

Breeders in the 1750’s got together with their small dog crosses between the Mini Schnauzer and the German Pinscher while other dog lovers during this time period were breeding crosses using some of the same type of dog holding to a basic breed but adding small differences from the other breeds used. The Pug was used and the nose was greatly shortened so this breed soon became our Brussels Griffon. All of this activity was the beginnings of the Affenpinscher as we know it today. The breed is said to have changed very little in the last centuries and many of the old artists painted pictures of small, black bearded dogs looking very much like our present day Affenpinscher.

In Europe and England the color has always been black with a light frosting of grey permissible. Canada, Mexico and Bermuda use the American Kennel Club standard that allows for several colors which are black, silver, black and tan, red, and beige (a mixture of red, black and white hairs).

The general appearance of our Affenpinscher today is a balanced, wiry-haired terrier-like toy dog with high intelligence. The name Affenpinscher means “monkey-like terrier.” The Affenpinscher is a sturdy, compact little toy dog with medium bone and not delicate in any way. The Affenpinscher moves with a light, free, balanced and confident gait. The Affenpinscher is said to carry itself with a comic-like seriousness.

The Affenpinscher is a loyal companion. Although the Affenpinscher is generally quiet, he can become quite excited when threatened or attacked and become fearless toward an aggressor. His job is no longer the ratter of stores and farms. He sleeps more on our sofas than in the stables. He does, however, retain many of his original instincts of the “Monkey-faced Ratter from Germany.” If you don’t like cats, an Affenpinscher may be the way to go to catch those mice and rats!



By: Connie Limon

About the Author:

Author: Connie Limon. Visit us at http://www.abouttoydogs.com About Toy Dogs is a guide to the selection and care of toy dog breeds. We feature articles, dog training resources, dog books, dog supplies and a toy dog breeder directory. Purchase a full page ad with up to 3 pictures, a 12 picture video, and advertising in our newsletters for one year at the rate of $25 per year.

Black Labrador Retriever Color - What Is The Standard?

There you were, walking innocently through the mall, when you decide to go into the pet shop. Actually, your children make the decision, clamoring to get a puppy.

Among the roly-poly puppies is an energetic little black and white dog. Unsure what it is, you look at the card in the window. “Black Labrador Retriever” it reads. Surprised, you ask a clerk about the puppy, and are assured that it is indeed a purebred black Labrador. Purebred? Can black and white Lab puppies be purebred? The price certainly is “purebred” price!

As luck would have it, your children want that very puppy. You hesitate, and finally ask for the puppy to be held until the next day. Back home, you decide to do a little research. You go online, and search the Internet for “black & white lab puppies info”.

So Sorry

If the information you find is honest, you will learn that black Labradors do not come in black and white. Any dog billed as a white and black Labrador Retriever is of mixed blood. Unfortunately, disreputable breeders are working to convince the public that these mongrels are AKC registered dogs. Indeed, with a bit of dishonest paperwork, some may become registered as black Labradors, but their registration will not endure scrutiny.

Realizing that the puppy in the pet shop is far over-priced, since it is not purebred, you decide to look for a real black Labrador.

AKC Color Standard

The American Kennel Club (AKC) gives just 3 colors for Labrador Retrievers:

1. Black Labrador

2. Yellow Labrador

3. Chocolate Labrador

Any other color - or a combination of colors - disqualifies a dog for registration as a Labrador Retriever.

A black Labrador may have a small white spot on the chest and meet the standard, but even that is considered undesirable.

A black Labrador should be all black, from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. There should be no streaks, spots, or flecks of other colors. If the dog is older, and has a few white “age” hairs, that is fine. A young black Labrador, however, should be completely black.

The Color Genes

The black Labrador Retriever’s color is determined primarily by 2 genes.

1. The first gene (B) decides how dense a black Labrador’s coat pigment granules will be. When pigment granules are dense, the coat will be black. When pigment granules are sparse, the coat will be chocolate. If this were the only gene involved, there would be only chocolate and black Labradors.

2. The second gene (E) makes the difference. It determines whether any pigment is even produced. Regardless of the B gene, if a dog has the recessive E, there will be little color. It will be a yellow Labrador.

Variations in a number of other genes control subtler color details.

A black Labrador’s nose matches its coat - black.

Blue, Charcoal, Grey, and Silver

Unscrupulous breeders have come up with new names to fit their puppies that do not meet the officially recognized standard, telling people that it is a new line of “purebred” black Labrador.

The most blatantly pushed of these four colors is silver. This is a very light color and, since it is sought by some who do not adhere to the standard, disreputable breeders describe unusually light colored yellow and chocolate labs as “silver” labs.

Sharon Wagner, molecular biologist and geneticist of http://wigwaglabradors.com wrote an analysis, which concluded “Silver breeders also blatantly lie. They have information on their websites that talk about DNA testing done by the AKC … AKC never did any genetic mapping of silver Labradors nor do they have any plans to do so since they are a registering body only and the Labrador Club of America writes the standard for the breed.”

Dogbreedadvice.com states in a Labrador FAQ: “‘Silver’ Labradors are purely a scam and are either crosses with Weimaraners or very light chocolates.”

A black Labrador Retriever’s color should never be any of these shades.

Are You My Father?

Imagine that you mate 2 black Labradors, and nine weeks later a litter of squirming little puppies arrives. Three are black Labradors, as expected, but 2 are chocolate Labs, and 4 are yellow Labs. Ahem! Will the real father please stand up!

You know the real father - no question - so how did this happen? It all goes back to genes. A Lab with one gene for dark and one for red-yellow pigment will appear to be black or chocolate, depending on other genes that control black or chocolate color. Each parent of a litter with some yellow puppies must have at least one gene for red-yellow pigment.

We know we mated 2 black Labradors, so each of them must have had one gene for dark pigment and one for red-yellow pigment. If both parents had been yellow Labs, neither could carry the gene for dark pigment. None of their puppies would have been chocolate or black Labradors.

Black Labrador Retriever color is important to many people, as are the short, dense, weather resistant coat; the “otter” tail; and the clean-cut head with broad back skull.

More important, though, is that your lovable Labrador be happy and healthy.



By: Anna Hart

About the Author:
© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about lovable Labrador Retrievers at http://www.lovablelabradors.com. Anna has also posted additional information on that site about black Labradors. If you ever wondered how long Labrador Retrievers live, in human and dog years, pay Anna a visit now.

Types of Poodles and Poodle Breeds

Poodles are one of America’s favorite dog breeds. They are one of the few dog breeds where there are actually three types. Another unique feature of this breed is that they are often crossed with other dog breeds to produce different poodle breeds.

Americans love poodles, in fact according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Poodles are the 8th most popular dog breed in America. Poodles have been consistently in the top 10 most popular dog breeds now for decades. One possible reason for all this popularity is that there are different types of poodles and poodle breeds.

The American Kennel Club acknowledges three different types of poodles. These types are the standard poodle, the miniature poodle, and the toy poodle. These different types are differentiated by size, with the size limits set by the AKC. The standard poodle must stand at least 15 inches tall at the shoulders. The miniature poodle must stand at least 10 inches tall, but no more than 15 inches tall at the shoulders. The toy poodle must be under 10 inches tall at the shoulders.

In order to show your poodle it must fit into one of these three sizes. Another requirement if you are going to show your poodle is that you will need to groom them according to show standards. Currently for poodles the only two cuts allowed are the Continental clip, or the English Saddle clip.

There are also several different poodle breeds. These dogs are created by the crossbreeding of two different purebred dogs. Some people call them hybrid poodles, but that is incorrect terminology. The correct terminology is crossbreed. Hybrid is the crossing of two different species.

Some common poodle crossbreeds are the cockapoo or the spoodle, which is made by crossing the poodle with a cocker spaniel. Another crossbreed is the goldendoodle, which is from a cross with a golden retriever.

One of the first crosses was done with a labrador retriever and called a labradoodle. The labradoodle was first bred by people wanting to make a hypoallergenic guide dog.

Poodles and labradors shed little and are hypoallergenic so the crossing of the two was hoped to result in a hypoallergenic dog, but the results were quite variable from litter to litter.

Poodles of all types and sizes have great personalities and get along great with children. The poodle is one of the most intelligent dog breeds and is actually a great hunting dog. In fact the poodle originated in Germany and was used as a hunting dog. Its thick curly coat was perfect for keeping them warm and dry when they had to run through water during hunts.

Poodles are very easily trained as well. They have been used in circuses for hundreds of years to entertain audiences. Housebreaking poodles if very easy because they learn very fast, and even teaching basic commands to poodles is much easier than other dog breeds.

As you can see there are several different types of poodles and poodle breeds. With so many to choose from you are bound to find a poodle that fits in great with your family.



By: Luke Blaise

About the Author:

Learn more about different types of poodles at: Poodle Breeds.

Black Labrador Retriever Color – What is the Standard?

“Black Labrador Retriever” it reads. Surprised, you ask a clerk about the puppy, and are assured that it is indeed a purebred black Labrador. Purebred? Can black and white Lab puppies be purebred? The price certainly is “purebred” price!

As luck would have it, your children want that very puppy. You hesitate, and finally ask for the puppy to be held until the next day. Back home, you decide to do a little research. You go online, and search the Internet for “black & white lab puppies info”.

So Sorry

If the information you find is honest, you will learn that black Labradors do not come in black and white. Any dog billed as a white and black Labrador Retriever is of mixed blood. Unfortunately, disreputable breeders are working to convince the public that these mongrels are AKC registered dogs. Indeed, with a bit of dishonest paperwork, some may become registered as black Labradors, but their registration will not endure scrutiny.

Realizing that the puppy in the pet shop is far over-priced, since it is not purebred, you decide to look for a real black Labrador.

AKC Color Standard

The American Kennel Club (AKC) gives just 3 colors for Labrador Retrievers:

1. Black Labrador

2. Yellow Labrador

3. Chocolate Labrador

Any other color – or a combination of colors – disqualifies a dog for registration as a Labrador Retriever.

A black Labrador may have a small white spot on the chest and meet the standard, but even that is considered undesirable.

A black Labrador should be all black, from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. There should be no streaks, spots, or flecks of other colors. If the dog is older, and has a few white “age” hairs, that is fine. A young black Labrador, however, should be completely black.

The Color Genes

The black Labrador Retriever’s color is determined primarily by 2 genes.

1. The first gene (B) decides how dense a black Labrador’s coat pigment granules will be. When pigment granules are dense, the coat will be black. When pigment granules are sparse, the coat will be chocolate. If this were the only gene involved, there would be only chocolate and black Labradors.

2. The second gene (E) makes the difference. It determines whether any pigment is even produced. Regardless of the B gene, if a dog has the recessive E, there will be little color. It will be a yellow Labrador.

Variations in a number of other genes control subtler color details.

A black Labrador’s nose matches its coat – black.

Blue, Charcoal, Grey, and Silver

Unscrupulous breeders have come up with new names to fit their puppies that do not meet the officially recognized standard, telling people that it is a new line of “purebred” black Labrador.

The most blatantly pushed of these four colors is silver. This is a very light color and, since it is sought by some who do not adhere to the standard, disreputable breeders describe unusually light colored yellow and chocolate labs as “silver” labs.

Sharon Wagner, molecular biologist and geneticist of wigwaglabradors.com wrote an analysis, which concluded “Silver breeders also blatantly lie. They have information on their websites that talk about DNA testing done by the AKC … AKC never did any genetic mapping of silver Labradors nor do they have any plans to do so since they are a registering body only and the Labrador Club of America writes the standard for the breed.”

Dogbreedadvice.com states in a Labrador FAQ: “‘Silver’ Labradors are purely a scam and are either crosses with Weimaraners or very light chocolates.”

A black Labrador Retriever’s color should never be any of these shades.

Are You My Father?

Imagine that you mate 2 black Labradors, and nine weeks later a litter of squirming little puppies arrives. Three are black Labradors, as expected, but 2 are chocolate Labs, and 4 are yellow Labs. Ahem! Will the real father please stand up!

You know the real father – no question – so how did this happen? It all goes back to genes. A Lab with one gene for dark and one for red-yellow pigment will appear to be black or chocolate, depending on other genes that control black or chocolate color. Each parent of a litter with some yellow puppies must have at least one gene for red-yellow pigment.

We know we mated 2 black Labradors, so each of them must have had one gene for dark pigment and one for red-yellow pigment. If both parents had been yellow Labs, neither could carry the gene for dark pigment. None of their puppies would have been chocolate or black Labradors.

Black Labrador Retriever color is important to many people, as are the short, dense, weather resistant coat; the “otter” tail; and the clean-cut head with broad back skull.

More important, though, is that your lovable Labrador be happy and healthy.

By: Anna Hart



By: Anna Hart

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Poodle Dog Breed History And Origin

When I first started my cartoons, I was thinking of dogs. It was going to be a totally dog cartoon. but the more dog cartoons I created, the more I wanted to do cats, and relationships, and people, and science, ad nauseum. Oddly enough, after I opened my gift and collectible store, and tarted getting more and more emails from poodle owners and lovers wanting to know if I could kindly put up more poodle-oriented merchandise I finally did, but first, I felt compelled to learn the history of the poodle. Though I’d owned dogs all my life, and my first cousin owns and loves her standard poodle, I knew very little about the breed. I was surprised at what I learned.

Nobody really knows the origin of the poodle though we do know it was in Germany, not France. The Germans called them, and still do, pudles, which means to “splash in water”. Poodles were bred to be hunting dogs and remain proficient hunters, though most Americans prefer other breeds for this sport. The poodle was first standardized as a breed in France, hence the French poodle. Later came the regular poodle and even much later the miniature and toy breeds. The AKC began registering poodles in 1886.

Until this day, in France, Poodles are used for everything from truffle hunting to entertaining the royal court, not to mention duck hunting.

The UK received the poodle in 1874. For 36 years they were all shown together and in 1910, changes were made to the way they were shown; put in different classes according to size and appearance.

The foundations that were developed in England became the cornerstones of the breed in the United States. Precisely when the Poodle was imported to the United States is not known. The American Kennel Club registered its first Poodle in 1886. The Poodle Club of America was originally founded in 1896. Shortly after its establishment it was disbanded, and then reorganized in 1931.

The P.C.A. used the Standard and Rules of the Burley Poodle Club of England as its base for establishing the Standard in the U.S. The same Standard now applies to all three sizes of Poodle, the only difference is in the height measurements for each size. The Standard and Miniature Poodle are shown in the Non Sporting Group of the A.K.C., and the Toy Poodle is shown in the Toy Group. The F.C.I. (Federation Cynologique Internationale) recognizes four sizes: the Standard, Miniature, Dwarf and Toy.



By: John Williams

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Get more info and advice on the Poodle or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

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