Ozzy's playmate

I was out walking the other day in the forest and we came across Max, a standard poodle.  He was with his Swedish owner.  We had actually met before so it was normal the dogs immediately started playing.  They are approximately the same age.

In play dogs imitate wolf behaviour.  Dogs like wolves convey the rules of the pack through body language and use it to express themselves.  In this last picture on the left you can see that Max is the more dominant male or the more high ranking in the pack.  Ozzy adopts a totally passive and submissive position by drawing his paws into his body and by exposing his neck, chest and abdomen, the most vulnerable parts of his body. Ozzy probably comes across as an unruly and boisterous adolescent.  No aggression was shown in this encounter.  A bit of growling on the part of Max and a bit of whimpering on the part of Ozzy.  The dogs parted amicably as did their owners.

Who's who?

Belem

Belem

This is Belem Lukeyon de la Baule or Belem.  He is 4 years old and he belongs to my French friend, CdG, who lives in La Baule.

Ozzy

And this is Ozzy.  8 months and two weeks today. 

First encounter

Ozzy found a new playmate in the forest yesterday. We came across Lara, a beautiful Russian Black Terrier. Quite a rare breed here in Western Europe. In fact, it was the first time I came across this breed. She was beautiful and did not mind Ozzy’s wild manners. Her owner, who was about my age, pointed out that she called her Lara after the character in Doctor Zhivago and not after Lara Croft!
During the 1930's, a military kennel named the Red Star, in Moscow, started working on a native breed that would be part of the national security force. Attempting to create the breed at that time was quite a challenge due to the slaughter of much of the purebred dog stock during the Russian Revolution, and additional depletion of pure stock during the World War and economic disasters.
Their breeding program came to life after World War II by working on selective interbreeding using giant Schnauzer, Rottweiler, Airedale and Newfoundland breeds. All in all, a total of 17 breeds were used to create the Black Russian Terrier. It was important to have a large breed, not only reliable but highly trainable in many different situations. The dog would also have to be able to endure the harsh Russian winters.

The dogs were initially used by the military police at border crossings, prisons, and military installations. In 1956 the Red Star Kennel released dogs to private breeders. The first breed standard was created by the Red Army in 1958, and was revised several times before 1981. In 1981, the Russian Ministry of Agriculture recognized the breed and it was internationally accepted by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) in 1984.

Book at bedtime Part 2

In an article on training domestic dogs about feeding:
"In the old days, before war altered the lives of dog owners, feeding was a fairly simple business.  Lean meat, lightly cooked, but not boiled, at the rate of half a pound for twelve pounds weight of dog, is a fair allowance, but war rations make any meat possible, except horseflesh, and so until easier times return, the best that can  be done is with biscuits, fish scraps and whatever bones can be provided from household joints.  A point to remember is that salt in any form should be avoided.  But a fresh supply of water, supplied daily in a clean bowl, constantly refilled, is a prime necessity.  Dogs are always wantig to drink, so keep the bowl in the shade.
A reminder:  See that food intended for the household table is kept in the larder, or when needed for a meal is placed out of the dog's reach.  And if the dog should somehow find and make away with food intended for the table, do not be angry with him.  It will have been your fault."
Remember this was written at the end of the 1940s. 

Book at bedtime

I found this book on a car boot sale in Cornwall.  It was published in 1950 and has a variety of articles and interesting facts.  I have started reading "Dogs belonging to authors - Part I".
Watch this space.  I'll report back.

The tick from the continent

“A species of blood-sucking tick native to continental Europe has become established in the UK, scientists say.”
This was the headline on the BBC News website yesterday.
Oh dear, oh dear.
The researchers from the University of Bristol who led the study think a changing climate and "increased global movement of people and companion animals" have assisted the spread of ticks.
As a resident of continental Europe I plead not guilty of importing such a creature on insular Britain nor should UK dogs returning from a visit to the continent feel the same. The continent! This foreign, distant land!
How is this possible? The Pets Travel Scheme specifies that your pet must be treated against ticks and tapeworms not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before you check-in with an approved transport company for the journey that brings your dog. Maybe the medication is no longer efficient.
Belle was one of the first dogs to come over under the scheme in the year 2000.  She first came across with us on 4th July 2000.
I can assure you that Defra have some fearsome Pets Travel Scheme staff at Dover. We have been stopped many times. On one occasion we were nearly sent back to Calais on a technicality but in the end reason and common sense prevailed.

Another one I did not know.

The Akbash dog is a native of Turkey. These dogs are striking, white flock guards that have made a name for themselves on American farms and ranches.   They are used to guard livestock from grizzly bears, black bears, wolves and coyotes. Akbash dogs stand 32" at the shoulders and can weigh 120 lbs. and up. Their white colour distinguishes them from predators.
This breed was developed at least 3,000 years ago in the Mediterranean basin.  Akbash means "white head" in Turkish.