Belgian Malinois

I met a Belgian Malinois the other day. Belgian Malinois isn't a very common breed in America. Buffy just recently started coming to the PetsHotel Day Camp. She's super sweet and super smart. Her mom was saying when they used to live in a war zone, Buffy would actually warn them of danger even before the missile sirens even went off. She was also saying how this particular breed is very intelligent and can learn all sorts of things, (ie. how Buffy can recognize her name when it's written out), but she had to be very strict because Buffy could have become too protective or too mischievous given the type of personality they are known to have.

Here's an excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:
"The Belgian Malinois is one of four Belgian sheepdogs. A very bright and obedient dog, it is determined and observant with strong protective and territorial instincts. Socialize well to prevent it from becoming shy or sensitive. The Belgian Malinois needs an experienced master who is firm, but not heavy handed. If you are harsh or overbearing it will become uncooperative. Owners need to display a confident, natural authorityover the dog. Consistant rules must be set and made clear. This breed is instinctively protective so it should be trained and socialized very well from an early age. Puppies should be socialized right from birth. Good for working and competition obedience, these dogs make excellent police and guard dogs...They do however, make excellent pets if they have owners who can challenge their minds with an air of leadership. They are ever watchful, alert and loyal. The Belgian Malinois is good with children if socialized well with them. This breed needs to be part of the family and not locked up in a kennel. They need leadership, daily exercise along with training and companionship, for without it they may become destructive and hard to handle. The Belgian Malinois is high energy, with a high mental capacity, and is quick to comprehend. It needs a job to do, especially if you are dealing with working lines...

Height: Males 24 - 26 inches (61 - 66 cm) Females 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)
Weight: 55 - 65 pounds (24 - 29 kg)"
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/belgianmalinois.htm

Not a pet for the average family, the Belgian Malinois is a very smart dog who needs an experienced parent. Because they are so intelligent and were originally bred to be guard dogs, it's very important to properly socialize them. Buffy is one of the sweetest dogs I know, but her mom made it a point to get her very socialized when she was young.

Australian Shepherd

Fluffy!! Super cute and very pretty, don't you agree? I have a 3--almost 4--month old Aussie puppy in one of my classes. She has a red merle coat and is super super sweet. Aussie's also come in other colors.

I've seen this coloring more often. Here's an excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:

"The Aussie, as it is known, is a medium-sized, robust, well-balanced, rustic dog. The ears are set high at the side of the head, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip. The coat is of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat...Australian Shepherds are easy-going, remaining puppy-like even in their adult years. This courageous dog makes a good watchdog for the home. Aussies are excellent with children, even with an active child, as they love to play. A devoted, loyal friend and guardian, for they are naturally protective. Affectionate, very lively, agile and attentive - they are eager to please, with a sixth sense about what the owner wants. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train. Though aggressive when at work with livestock, the Aussie is gentle with human friends. Australian Shepherds are not the kind of dog to lay around the living room all day or live happily in the backyard with only a 15 minute walk...Working lines may be too energetic for people who only have a moderately active lifestyle...
Height: Male 20-23 inches (52-58cm.) Female 18-21 inches (46-53cm.)
Weight: Male 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg) Female 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.)"
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/australianshepherd.htm

Good for people that are active and like exercise and has a backyard. Not so much for the people that have small apartments and don't like to take long walks. As it mentions above, VERY trainable, but you do have to keep it occupied or else the puppy will go find its own fun which is no fun for you. They do have a tendency to herd, so it's very important to teach them that humans (and other dogs) are not ok for herding.

Cane Corso

I saw a Cane Corso puppy the other day. SUPER CUTE and adorable and very VERY sweet. I know it as a Cane Corso (Italiano) but apparently it's also called an Italian Mastiff.

It looks a lot scarier than it actually is. [although the picture above makes it look a bit dopey, lol]
Here's an excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:

"Very loyal, willing to please and quiet around the house. The Cane Corso is highly intelligent and very trainable. Active and even-minded, he is an unequalled watch and protection dog.  The Cane Corso Italiano is great with children in the family. Docile and affectionate with the owner. They are protective yet gentle. The Cane Corso has a very stable temperament. It makes an excellent guard dog and watchdog. It will not wonder from the home. They stick close to their masters. If necessary he becomes a terrible and brave protector of people, house and property. The Cane Corso is not a fighting dog. They were bred as powerful working dogs for hundreds of years. This is a robust dog, with typical bone and joint problems of the giant breeds. This very athletic breed needs a lot of regular exercise. They make excellent jogging companions...
Height:  Males 24-27 inches (64-68 cm.) Females 23-25 inches (60-64 cm.)
Weight:  Males 99-110 pounds (45-50 kg.) Females 88-99 pounds (40-45 kg.)"
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/canecorsoitaliano.htm

Seems like a pretty easy-going dog that would be fun to have at home. They also have a pretty interesting past according to my coworker. I met a customer who's friend has a Cane Corso, and she was saying how surprised she was by how gentle the dog is. I hope the puppy I met will come back so I can see him again!

Peruvian Inca Orchid

We were talking about hairless dogs at work the other day, and one of my coworkers pulled up a picture of this dog. This breed is called Peruvian Inca Orchid, Peruvian Hairless Dog, PIO, Moonflower Dog, Perro Flora, and Inca Hairless Dog.

It's pretty cool looking, don't you think?
Here's an excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:

"The Peruvian Inca Orchid has dark round eyes that tend to squint in the sunlight due to over sensitivity. The lips are wrinkled and the think, leathery ears sometimes have wisps of hair. Hair grows on the top of the head. Some are born coated with hair in the same litter as the hairless PIO. The skin is soft  and pliable. It can be heavily mottled in any color, in any combination with a pink background, or it can be solid colored. Quick witted, calm and intelligent. They are usually good with children and get along with other dogs. A fenced in yard is recommended as the PIO is a sighthound and may take off chasing a small animal at anytime. This breed should live indoors and be protected from the elements. The PIO sunburn very quickly. They should have a sweater in the winter and kept at a comfortable temperature in the summer. Keep in mind they do not have hair to protect them from the weather and are basically naked...

Height: 20-26 inches (50-65 cm.)
Weight: 26-50 pounds (12-23 kg.)"
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/peruvianincaorchid.htm

Pretty cool breed, but because it's "naked" there are a lot of potential skin problems. However, for the right owner (ie. those with dog allergies), the Peruvian Inca Orchid could be the perfect dog.

Hybrid Dogs

You've just got to love the interesting names they have for some mix breeds. I mean really. I met a Chiweenie today, which is a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. It was so cute! I have a soft spot for poodle mixes, since I have two. I have a Cockapoo and a Maltipoo. I've met a number of Labradoodles, who are all really sweet but very energetic. Apparently, a domestic dog and a coyote mix is called a Coydog. I didn't even know you can have one as a pet. Schnoodle (Schnauzer/Poodle) is a funny name too; only because it sounds like the name of some candy bar to me. Guess what a Shug is. Yep, a German Shepherd and a Pug. Schnekingese are super cute too. I just wish the name wasn't such a mouthfull. And then there are other names like Muggin, Jatzu, Afollie, Weshi, Poshies, Goberian, Borador, Frengle, Cairanian, Ori Pei, Dorgie, and a host of other fun and wacky mixed names. Which kinds do you like more?

Newfoundland

Have you noticed? I REALLY like fluffy dogs. Anyway, I saw a Newfie puppy at work. SO CUTE! They're called Newfoundland, Newf, or Newfie. The one I saw was super sweet, and very calm considering it's already 4 months old.

Excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:

The Newfoundland is a dog with an outstanding, sweet temperament, courageous, generous, peaceable and intelligent. A calm, patient dog, who is mild with guests, and obedient with its master. They are very devoted, loyal and trustworthy. Their huge body tends to move rather slowly. They rarely bark, but are protective and brave when they need to be. When an intruder is caught they are more likely to hold them at bay, either by trapping them in a corner or placing themselves in-between the burglar and the family rather than an all out attack. Usually gets along with other dogs, but should be socialize well with them, giving a correction at any sign of aggressiveness to insure this behavior. Generally good with other animals. Patient, playful, and loving with children. Enjoys the outdoors, but also needs to be with their family. The Newfoundland tends to be very messy when drinking water and often drinks a lot. They do drool, especially after getting a drink, but generally are not one of the worst offenders compared to some other giant breeds. 

Height: Dogs 27-29 inches (69-74cm) Bitches 25-27 inches (63-69cm)
Weight: Dogs 130-150 pounds (59-68 kg) Bitches 100-120 pounds (45-54kg)
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/newfoundland.htm


Sounds like my kind of dog. Fluffy and laid-back, lol.

Zakai Ashkii Elu

So I saw this really REALLY AWESOME dog at work the other day. It's called the Zakai Ashkii Elu, the Native American Indian Dog (NAID), the SiberCaan, or the Siberian Indian Dog.

Cute right?
Here's an excerpt from dogbreedinfo.com:

"The Native American Indian dog comes in two distinct sizes and two hair coat lengths and two distinct coat color combinations. They can range in color from silver to black from the tortoise shell color to the sacred color of the Native Americans who referred to the broken pattern coat coloring as the "Spirit Dog". Their hair coat can be short and dense, two layers thick, of which the undercoat is wind and water proof, to long haired overcoat with the dense undercoat...The Native American Indian Dog's intelligence level is extremely high. Highly trainable and eager to please their human companions. They are loyal and protective of their families. Socialize well to avoid them being shy with strangers, but are totally dedicated to their human owners...

Weight: 55-120 pounds (25-55 kg.)
Height: 23-34 inches (58-67 cm.)..."

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nativeamericanindiandog.htm

Yep yep. I WANT ONE!!! One of these days. When I can afford enough land for it to run on.