DogWellNet.com Digest: Issue #3 - 6 September 2016

News & Highlights

Breeds

New information has been added to our Pedigreed Dogs database:

Otterhound

Brief Description:

The Otterhound is an old British dog breed. The origins are not known. It is a scent hound and is currently recognised by the Kennel Club as a Vulnerable Native Breed with around 600 animals worldwide. (Source: Wikipedia)

New Information & Resources on DogWellNet.com:

Read more about the Otterhound in a new entry in our Pedigreed Breeds Database.

Mastiff

Brief Description:
The Mastiff is an extremely large dog in both height and girth, broad and deep in body, full of substance and with large strong bones. He combines grandeur with good nature. A very intelligent dog, he is not excitable, but is affectionate towards his owner. He requires plenty of human contact and good food and is best suited to a home where there are opportunities for exercise. (Source: The Kennel Club)

New Information & Resources on DogWellNet.com:

Read more about the Mastiff in a new entry in our Pedigreed Breeds Database.

Australian Shepherd (Updated)

Brief Description:

The Australian Shepherd, commonly known as the Aussie, is a medium size breed of dog that was developed on ranches in the western United States. Despite its name, the breed was not developed in Australia, but rather in the United States where they were seen in the West as early as the 1800s. (Source: Wikipedia)

New Information & Resources on DogWellNet.com:

An English summary of the Swedish RAS for Australian Shepherds is now available thanks to Kerstin Olofsson and Svenska australian shepherdklubben.
 

Borzoi (Updated)

Brief Description:

The Borzoi (/ˈbɔrzɔɪ/, literally "fast"), also called the Russian wolfhound (Russian: Ру́сская псовая борзая), is a breed of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). Descended from dogs brought to Russia from central Asian countries, it is similar in shape to a greyhound, and is also a member of the sighthound family. (Source: Wikipedia)

New Information & Resources on DogWellNet.com:

The English Summary of the Borzoi RAS is available in Downloads and via the Borzoi page in our Pedigreed Breeds Database.
 

Dachsund, Standard (Updated)

Brief Description:

The Dachshund, also called Dackel or Teckel, has been known since the Middle Ages. Low, short legged, elongated but compact build, very muscular with cheeky, challenging head carriage and alert facial expression. His general appearance is typical of his sex. In spite of his legs being short in relation to the long body, he is very mobile and lithe. For decades the Dachshund has been bred in three sizes (Teckel, Miniature Teckel and Rabbit Teckel) and in three different kinds of coat (Smooth-haired, Wire-haired and Long-haired). (Source: FCI)

New Information & Resources on DogWellNet.com:

Ian Seath from The Dachshund Breeding Council UK provided us with information on a fabulous health website for Dachshunds - their website contains a Library, Research, a wealth of Dachshund health information for puppy buyers, owners and judges, and more. View this information and more about the Dachsund, Standard in its profile in our Pedigreed Breeds Database.

Pug (Updated)

Brief Description:
A dignified dog, very intelligent, good-natured and sociable, he is robust and self-reliant, with great character and personality. An adaptable companion for both young and old, and one who integrates himself very closely with family life. He can talk with his eyes, has his mischievous moments, and usually lives to a ripe old age. (Source: The Kennel Club)

New Information & Resources on DogWellNet.com:
An English Summary of the Pug JTO (breeding strategy) from the Finnish Kennel Club has been added in our Downloads section.

Read more about the Pug in our Pedigreed Breeds Database.

DogWellNet.com Articles

• BBC's Science and Environment's latest article "English Bulldog health problems prompt cross-breeding call" brings to light a recent study, "A genetic assessment of the English bulldog". Read more in our article: Is Crossbreeding a Part of the Plan for Bulldogs -- Genetic Considerations. (Posted to Facebook August 3)

• The first IPFD Student Project is underway, and our student, Kelly Arthur, has developed articles, a blog, and interactive modules to share with the DogWellNet.com community. You can follow an ongoing account of the scope of the project at A Veterinarian's Role in the Ethics and Welfare of Breeding Dogs.

• One of the initiatives of the IPFD Student Project, 'A Veterinarian's Role in the Ethics and Welfare of Breeding Dogs' was to create an interactive educational module entitled: "What is your Role in Addressing Inherited Disease in Purebred Dogs?" in collaboration with Jane Shaw, DVM, PhD, Colorado State University, and Brenda Bonnett, DVM, PhD, International Partnership for Dogs. Learn more in this introduction to the module.

• View a presentation by Anne-Marie Class for examples of traits described in the Mastiff and Bullmastiff breed standards, along with links to additional breeds on these resources, in the article: Mastiff and Bullmastiff -- Anne-Marie Class.

Latest Blog Entries

• Check out the latest blog posts by our IPFD Student, Kelly Arthur:
  • Some schools have taken notice and have either integrated animal welfare throughout their curriculum or have individual classes to educate students on the topic. Read More
  • In reading more about dog behavior for my project, characteristics such as head shape of dogs and how it can relate to behavior has made me think—are there other physical characteristics that we could look at to make inferences about an animal’s behavior? Read More
     
• Be sure to visit our Blogs section to view all of the informative blogs in our DogWellNet.com community.

The Bulldog has been in the News - thus we Spotlight the good work being done to understand and enhance health management for this breed. With KC registrations on the rise - the Bulldog, known as the National dog of Great Britain, is most assuredly beloved worldwide.

A study published on July 29, 2016, "A genetic assessment of the English bulldog", (authors: Niels C. Pedersen, Ashley S. Pooch and Hongwei Liu) has has led to much debate. What should be done to address health issues and genetic diversity in this popular breed?

See 'Is Crossbreeding a Part of the Plan for Bulldogs -- Genetic Considerations' along with Cambridge researcher, Dr. David Sargan's August 2^nd, post entitled "Opinion: How to save inbred, short-faced dogs such as pugs andbulldogs from poor health".  Research on Tracheal Hypoplasia is also featured on DogWellNet with both "The French Trachea Study Report" (English version & French version) 2013-2016 and the SKK and Swedish Breed Club for English Bulldogs work with researchers to produce "Comparison between tracheal ratio methods used by three observers at three occasions in English Bulldogs".

Collecting health information is the focus of breed club health surveys, such as those conducted by the 1000 member strong Le Club du Bulldog Anglais, France which are available (in French, English translations coming soon) on DogWellNet's English Bulldog Page. Many thanks to Hélène Denis, President of The French Bulldog Club! The Bulldog Breed Council in the UK is comprised today of 19 Bulldog Clubs in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland registered with the Kennel Club. The Objectives of the Breed Council is to promote the Bulldog and liaise with the Kennel Club on all aspects of the health and well being of the breed.

Calls for changing breed standards to address health as it relates to traits outlined in breed standards for the Bulldog and other breeds come up with some frequency. Precisely what language needs changing and whether a change to a standard's language is scientifically supportable, warranted or would be effective requires further thought. In the meantime, AKC approved a breed standard revision involving changes to allowable coat color in Bulldogs - effective August 31^st; the decision makers, The Bulldog Club of America and the AKC.

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