The Smartest Dog Breeds

When choosing a dog, it’s best to pick breeds known to have good temperaments and high intelligence or an ability to learn. These dogs not only are easier to take care of, they are also a breeze to train, even for new dog owners. Below are a few of the most intelligent dog breeds around. You might want to consider choosing one of these breeds as a pet if you’re getting a dog for the first time.

Border Collies

Border collies are wonderful protective dogs. They were originally bred to herd sheep and as such, they are fast, obedient and very quick when given commands. They have shaggy, medium-length coats that need brushing regularly.

Poodles

Poodles where actually once used for hunting. Now, they are known for their creative hairstyles and fancy colors. To most trainers, the poodle is the easiest dog to train. They don’t shed as much as other breeds, earning them the distinction of being “hypoallergenic” dogs. 

German Shepherds

The German Shepherd is known to be used by the military and police as bombs and narcotics sniffing dogs and even as tracking dogs. German Shepherds are also wonderful guard dogs and are prized for their loyalty.

Golden Retrievers

A very popular dog breed, the Golden Retriever is probably the best family dog around. They can protect their families from harm and can basically be taught to do anything.

Dobermans

Many might feel intimidated by Dobermans, but these dogs are actually very loyal and protective. A tax collector actually developed the breed to protect him while collecting taxes; they were designed to be agile, observant and low maintenance dogs.

Labrador Retrievers

A lab is another good family dog. It’s very loving, patient and affectionate, and as such, stands out for being the most popular dog breed in the world. Labradors however, need a lot of exercise to stay fit and health. They are perfect for families who love going to camping or hiking trips, as these dogs love nothing more than hitting the outdoors.

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier may be small, but don’t let its small size fool you. The Jack Russell is in many ways, a big dog trapped in a small dog’s body. Its spirited and fearless nature is one of its most prized attributes, but it can also be the source of headaches for novice dog owners. Their headstrong and independent nature calls for special maintenance, especially when it comes to training. In fact, just making the JRT keel can be a challenge, which is why some experts advise that only experienced handlers keep JRTs.

The Jack Russell Terrier is named after Jack Russell, a clergyman from England who developed the breed for the purpose of hunting foxes and small game. Back then, JRTs were known as fox terriers and were a prized for their ability to endure long hunts. Their small size also allowed them to dig out animals from burrows and dens. After the Russell’s death, the breed was named after the clergyman to set it apart from other fox terriers.

Today, the Jack Russell Terrier is a very popular breed of dog. But as mentioned earlier, there are some considerations to make with this dog. If you live in an apartment, you’ll have to be ready to give the JRT daily exercise and jogs around the block. It’s best to keep them in a fenced-in backyard, so they can run around, bark and chase anything they see as prey. But even with a yard, daily walks are imperative. A bored JRT is a pain to keep, since it may be destructive and find a way to escape its confines, even leaping high to jump over a fence. Still the Jack Russell Terrier is a lovable breed that’s endeared many dog owners the world over.

 Jack Russell Terrier Video

 

American Bully

In most movies, Pitbulls have always been portrayed as the strong, aggressive dog that chases the good guy. But in real life, many people keep these dogs as family pets and guard dogs. In recent years, the common Pitbull has been interbred with a few different dog breeds to create a new type of dog called the American Bully.

American Bully breeding started out during the 1990s when American Pitbulls were inter-mixed with the Staffordshire Terrier and the Bulldog. Many people consider the breed as a modified Pitbull, which means that you have to be careful and find out if your area allows you to keep Pitbulls. Many cities and town have actually banned the breed due to reports of its aggressiveness. While the breed is not recognized by many breed clubs, over the years, many private registry clubs have started to acknowledge the breed.

Bullies have very well defined, straight legs that are muscular and powerful. They have high set ears, which are usually cropped, and a broad shoulder. They are short, like Bulldogs, and have big heads like Pitbulls. Their neck is strong and thick, tapering from their shoulders to their heads, with no saggy skin. Jaws are well defined and square, with a scissor or even bite. Tails are usually undocked, medium length and a small curl. Corkscrew and curly tails are flaws. The American Bully has short and smooth coat, which comes in different colors, from blue to spotted black and fawn.

According to most American Bully owners and breeders, dog aggression and gameness is very minimal, contrary to what the media and Hollywood would have you believe. While these dogs are said to have good temperament, there have been known attacks by these dogs. Proper handling, training and socialization is imperative to ensure your Bully is friendly around other people and animals.

 American Bully Video

 

Dogs and their Positive Impact in Mental Health

Dogs and their positive effects in the overall mental well being of people has long been looked into by researchers, with studies indicating how valuable human and canine relationships can be.

Though not exactly focused on the effects of a dog-master relationship, the 1997 blockbuster hit As Good As It Gets, starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear, did touch up over how beneficial dogs can be as companions, depicting the effects a toy dog had in soothing the curmudgeon character of Melvin Udall played by Nicholson.

Bair Justice, PhD, author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods and Thoughts Affect Your Health, had once looked into the link between “stressful chemicals” norepinephrine, Cortisol and plaque buildup in arteries, and establishes the positive effect of dopamine and serotonin in keeping “stressful chemicals” in check.

People take drugs like heroin and cocaine to raise serotonin and dopamine, but the healthy way to do it is to pet your dog, or hug your spouse, watch sunsets, or get around something beautiful in nature,” shares Justice, who happens to be a dog owner himself.

A study which involved the blood pressures of stockbrokers – a stressful field in its own – reveals that study participants who had adopted a dog or cat had lower blood pressure readings when compared against those who didn’t.

Also, a number of research touching up on the impact of having dogs in households for people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease note that those suffering from the condition are liable to encounter fewer anxiety attacks, which is a huge positive in itself.

Studies also note that children who had grown up with household pets tend to be more responsible and more tuned for social situations, well balanced and healthy in their societal outlooks and bearing.

Bottom line, though no in-your-face conclusive facts and figures are set in stone, the positive impact of dogs in the mental well being of persons is one upside in having man’s best friend around.

Chihuahuas

When it comes to popularity, the Chihuahua is definitely one of the most sought-after dog breeds in the world. Such is its popularity that a film was made with the lead character being a Chihuahua. Beverly Hills Chihuahua, a comedy film released in 2008, tells the story of a Chihuahua named Chloe, whose owner leaves her with her irresponsible niece, who devices to go on vacation in Mexico, tagging the dog along. However, Chloe is kidnapped and sent to the local dog fights. Hilarity ensues as she tries to escape with the help of other dogs she meets along the way.

The Chihuahua’s earliest records trace its origins back to Chihuahua, a state in Mexico. They are described as being swift, alert and having an expression of being aloof and saucy. Despite their small size, Chihuahuas are intelligent and can be feisty, so it’s best not to underestimate them. These small dogs can come in any color, from splashed, marked or solid, with coats coming in both short and long. Their sassy demeanor makes them popular as purse dogs, or dogs kept in small bags and kept close to their owners.

Again, their small size belies the feisty nature of Chihuahuas. They’re cute and cuddly, but they are very alert and have a personality similar to terriers. They’re not the best choice for families with children, as they don’t take kindly to rough play. Chihuahuas have to be handled gently and their independent streak may make training a challenge. Chihuahuas require ample exercise, but still make for great city dogs. Short-coated Chihuahuas require little grooming maintenance, while the long-coated dogs will need periodic brushing.

Chihuahuas Video

 

Cats and their homing instinct

Cats and their homing instincts have been the subject of a lot of research and investigation given the cat’s inherent ability to find his/her way home.

The 1993 remake of the 1960’s Disney classic Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, tells the tale of how two dogs and one cat got separated from their home, only to go on a cross county trek across America to find their way back.

Though Sassy, a snobby Himalayan cat, wasn’t the titular character of the trio in the movie, her presence in the story reinforces the theories surrounding the homing instincts of cats, dogs and birds.

One theory which links cats and their homing instincts touch up on the Earth’s magnetic fields, with cats senses capable of detecting minute magnetic metal particles. The theory suggests that the cat’s fore and hind paws can easily sense these magnetic particles, which they can use as references in finding their way home.

The story of a Persian named Howie is one that tells a lot about how the cat found his way home, with Howie crossing an estimated 1,000 miles in the Australian outback. Some human beings can’t even go far with that distance, let alone manage to navigate their way home.

However, the “conflict” pertaining to cats and their homing instinct contradicts with cats oftentimes getting themselves in tight spots. From being trapped in boxes or cabinets, to getting stuck in trees or worse, electric posts, there is still a lot to be learned regarding the cat’s senses and inherent unexplainable abilities pertaining to their homing instincts.

That, or maybe cat owners tend to be too overprotective with their cats.

Have you ever lost a cat? Did he/she find his/her way home?

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey Trailer Video

Dogs and the Supernatural

Dogs have long been linked with the supernatural, a status which comes from the dog’s acute senses of hearing, smell and taste.

The 1982 classic family sci-fi feature, E.T., directed by Steven Spielberg and starring a younger Drew Barrymore, managed to highlight the dog’s inherent awareness of the strange and alien (literally, in the case of E.T.).

The 2009 “Tails of the Afterlife” book, written by Peggy Schmidt, compiles a number of unexplainable situations where a dog or pets are interacting with someone or something that is not visible.

One of the book’s tales tell of how Del Johnsen, who died leaving behind six cats and seven dogs, allegedly “visits” her pets on a regular basis, with witnesses noting that the pets would, at one point in time, gather around in a circle in one spot, displaying indicators of affection, with cats pleasantly purring and dogs wriggling in excitement and enjoyment.

Even Schmidt, in one entry, confesses that her dog often reacts to venues which are rumored to be haunted.

Though acute senses are oftentimes ascribed to be the cause of a dog’s “misinterpreted” reactions, biologist Rupert Sheldrake, in his book “Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home and Other Unexplained Powers of Animals: An Investigation”, explores the dynamics of dogs and other pets for a period of five years, and concludes that "there is a strong connection between humans and animals that lies beyond present-day scientific understanding."

What say you? Think dogs really do have the senses that links them to the afterlife? Or are they just born with too sensitive senses, with humans simply misinterpreting their reactions?

German Shepherd Wallpapers

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Benefits of using Hydrotherapy on Dogs

Swimming has always been used as a form of therapy. Hydrotherapy is not only being used on humans, it has been found to yield benefits for animals as well. Dogs for example, can use hydrotherapy to minimize the damage and symptoms of arthritis, muscular strains, and DM in dogs, just to name a few. Hydrotherapy is easier to use since it does not hurt as much as using a treadmill. Water’s buoyancy helps support and lessens stress, encourages freer movements and keeps the dog in a safe ad controlled therapy environment. Below are other benefits when using hydrotherapy.

It is Cooler

When using a treadmill, a dog may have a hard time because of the heat created by their body and the heat of the environment. With hydrotherapy, the dog is placed in a water tank or small pool, keeping them cool as they go through the exercises of their therapy session.  This makes it perfect for the summer time when it’s too hot to have therapy activities outside.

It’s Less Stressful

Resistance and muscle tension is reduced by up 15 to 20 times when under water. Regular walking is too painful and tiring, especially for dogs that have arthritis, DM in dogs and hip dysplasia. With hydrotherapy, dogs can build stronger muscles without too much tension. Dogs who have physical disabilities will also find hydrotherapy easier

It Calms the Nervous System

Water helps soothe and calm the body and nervous system. It can also decrease stress and let the dog have fun. Water also helps stimulate joint position sensation and re-establish broken sensation channels.

Helps the Circulatory and Immune System

Water also helps stimulate blood circulation. Warm water is commonly used to increase the dog’s body temperature to dilate blood vessels and increase blood circulation. This helps detoxify the dog’s blood, removing any toxic substances that could have entered their system and delivers oxygen and nutrients to the organs. Soft tissues are also compresses which help increase lymph movement which decrease inflammation, increase drainage and improve the dog’s immune system.

Improves Apatite and Digestion

Hydrotherapy can actually help you improve your dog’s eating habits. Most of the time, sick dogs become very picky and do not eat as much as they should. This is one way to help it establish an ideal weight and keep it well built. Water also increases smooth muscle or digestion activities, making it easier to eliminate unneeded materials through feces.