“Propeller” is a word more closely associated with aviation than with canines, but two AKC breed standards c...
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A Simpler Time, a Simple Tribute
In the 1930s, a Collie named Rex (who, somewhat mystifyingly, also went by Penelope) used to follow a local mail carrier...
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Sheltie Ears
It’s the first part of a dog that approaches us, so we usually notice a dog’s face and head first, and in a ...
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The Typecast Afghan Hound – For Good Reason!
Few breeds are as “typecast” as the Afghan Hound, and for good reason. They’re elegant, beautiful, and...
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The Bottom 10%
In the early 20th century, Irish terriers became popular with Irish nationalism, and one didn’t have to have a big hou...
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Erma’s Irish Setter, “Arlo”
A few quips to start this post: “When a child is locked in the bathroom with water running, and he says he’s...
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“De l’allure”
We’ve gone on record in how we feel about standardizing breed standards: We don’t like it. As convenient as ...
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Practically Human
A marvelous line appears in Robert Leighton’s fine book, Dogs and All About Them : “Few dogs possess the f...
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The “50 percent” Queen
Some sources would have you believe that Queen Victoria was the first person to show Pomeranians and was responsible for...
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That One Question
There is always that one question that plagues the owner of most every AKC breed, the question that’s asked so oft...
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It’s “Immaterial”
In the exacting world of conformation and its adherence to breed standards, “immaterial” isn’t a word ...
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The Sexiest Man Alive (and his dogs)
He swept her up in her arms after her narrow escape from certain death, his muscular arms enveloping her in the safety s...
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The “Sakha yta” Joins the FCI
A little good press goes a long way, not just for people, and not just these days, but for dogs “back in the day.&...
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The “Huskimaw”
Have you ever noticed that when researching something, you sometimes find information you didn’t want to know? Our...
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The Tomboy Toy
There are some things you only know by living with a breed, and Yorkshire Terrier owners can attest to how active –...
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“The Black Beauty of Norrland”
The Swedish Lapphund, likely one of Sweden’s oldest breeds, is originally from a land called Sapmi by the Sámi pe...
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A now-Rare Coat
The Borzoi, an exquisite creature if ever there was one, has an AKC breed standard in which its coat is described as b...
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The Dunghill Barker
Most sources are in agreement that the German Spitz is not only one of the most ancient dog breeds, but the oldest one o...
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The “Yodeling” Duck Herder
According to several sources, about a dozen indigenous Indian dog breeds remain in India, and nearly all are endangered....
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Snakes on a Plane: JRTs on the Ground
Did you know that Hawaii has no native snakes? In fact, the last time a snake was found in the state was in 1998, and ...
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