Milo and Susie-Two Deer Hound Campers. Susie tries to persuade Milo to play-giving new meaning to the words–pulling your leg and “She Conquers Who Endures”. ~Persius

Click here watch the video: Nothing but a Deer Hound

Tricket~2010 Doberman National, Topeka Kansas

This Fall, the Doberman Pinscher Club of America held its 85th National Dog Show and Convention. Over two hundred Dobermans and their owners fired up their motor homes, took off in their vans, braved the friendly skies and followed the yellow brick road to the Capital Plaza Hotel and Convention Center in Topeka, Kansas.

Click here to read the whole story…..

Another great video from  Dog Files, Kenn Bell. Pit Proud, will educate you, soften your heart, and open your mind. It will help you understand why breed bans are never the answer.

Blame the deed not the breed; promote responsible dog ownership and punish irresponsible dog ownership. Most importantly spend time, energy and money educating dog owners.

Although there is a disclaimer at the beginning of the video, I want to reassure everyone that if it was a violent video where dogs or any animal had been harmed, I would not have viewed it.  Pit Proud focuses on the history of the Pit Bull, and the families that love them.

Please share this video.

Katybeth

Update: Just to clarify my opinion (oddly enough I was asked)-No one breed of dog is  right for everyone. Not all dogs can be rescued. Breeding matters a great deal. The point as I see it–although the video does say much more–is that no breed of dog should be targeted for a breed ban. By the same token, finding a breed of dogs that fits your lifestyle is extremely important

A little about this video from  Kenn Bell, Dog Files Creator

“I’ve been working on Pit Proud: The History Of The Pit Bull for well over a year. But I believe that every second that went into it was worth it, because I knew then and I know now that Pit Proud is the single, most important Dog Files Episode yet.

It’s the story of what I believe to be, the most maligned and abused animal on Planet Earth.

The Pit Bull.”

A dog that the media has made out to be the “great white shark” of the land. A monster waiting to jump out of the shadows and attack your children.

But you know what I’ve found out over the course of researching, writing and crafting this episode?

Pit Bulls… are just dogs. No more, no less.”

Camp Fun!

click on picture to make it bigger.

Camp Run-A-Pup

In honor of Pirate Day Rascal has allowed these pictures to be published.  To see all the pictures click Cap’t Rascal

AHOY! Matey!

Kenn Bell, Dog Files hopes when you watch “Hero Dogs Of  9/11? it affects you as much as affected him, as he created it.

That you take a few minutes to pray for the 2796 victims of this tragic day.

That you remember how proud we all felt in the weeks after 9/11 as we watched over 10,000 men and women converge on Ground Zero in the largest mobilization of emergency workers in the history of the United States.

And how 300 of them proved, without a doubt,  they are man’s best friend.

I hope you will share this video with everyone you know…far and wide…near and dear.

Never Forget,

Katybeth

This was then…..Cole and Daphne, 2002

This is now…Cole and Daphne, 2010

A few days ago, I was mingling with strangers when a heartless friend introduced me as “someone who knows a lot about dogs.”  Naturally, one of the strangers was thinking about getting a dog. I took a sip of my coke, looked at the inquiring face staring expectantly at me and thought, “Here we go again.”

Smiling, I inquired what kind of dog he was thinking about. For the next twenty minutes, he talked about the family Lab that had been an integral part of his childhood. “I want my kids to have a dog like I grew up with. He was great. Of course, I’m divorced and only have the kids on the weekend.” I then casually asked if he remembered who took care of the family dog. He gave me a what-does-it-matter look and said, “My mom.”  I asked if his childhood dog was physical and active. “Oh yeah!” he exclaimed. Our Lab would play ball for hours and hours and wanted to go everywhere we did.”

Still smiling, I said, “Well then you want an active dog that loves to play ball and go on long walks.”
“Well, sure … on the weekends, with the kids.”

After countless conversation like this one, I have learned to cut to the chase. I looked right at him and said, “Well, if we can convince your mom to move in with you, and find a Lab that only wants to play ball on the weekend, we will have found the perfect dog for you and your children.”

I don’t think I offered the kind of help he was looking for, and yet, if he heard me at all, I offered the kind of help he needed to hear.

The average life expectancy for a dog is 12.8 years. There is a big chance the dog you bring home will live with you longer than your kids will.  One of the most important questions to consider when deciding what type of dog you want to bring into your home and heart is, “What is this dog bred to do?”

A Labrador Retriever lives happily-ever-after in a family that is prepared for a large, boisterous, energetic dog that retrieves everything that’s not nailed down. A Lab is not going to be happy only playing with the kids on the weekend and being left alone for long periods of time. A Lab is going to want to be your best friend even when you go to the bathroom.

An older couple shared with me that they were considering buying a  Portuguese Water Dog. Curious, I asked, “What do you like about a Portuguese Water Dog?”

“Well, our last dog shed a lot and we were looking for a dog that didn’t shed.” Okay, that makes sense, I thought, as I waited for them to continue. We stood looking at each other awkwardly for a few seconds before they added, “They shed hardly at all.”

“What else do you know about the Portuguese Water Dog?” I inquired, having pretty good idea of the answer.

“President Obama’s family has one.”   Yeah, well rumor has it that the Obama family had to hire three staff members and a full-time trainer to provide Bo with enough training and exercise to turn him into first dog material.  The Portuguese Water Dog is a working dog.  Their historical purpose was to assist the Portuguese fisherman to do a day’s worth of work. This translates to, “If you don’t want a very active dog, consider a different breed.” The couple considering the Portie was more inclined towards cruises, car rides, and parking spots close to the entrance of the places they were driving to.  I smiled and shared with them that a Bichon Frise is another breed that “sheds hardly at all” but needs a more moderate level of activity.  Bichon Frises were bred to be companion dogs, and well, Barbara Streisand owns a Bichon Frise!

Dog breeds are not interchangeable. Dogs are bred to do a specific job.  Today, few dogs do the jobs they were bred to do, but they still harbor the skills that made them successful in their original careers.  There is a right breed for every family, and making the right match is important.

Profiling before contracting to provide a forever-after-home for the pup of your dreams is encouraged. Take some time and research dog breeds.  If you are considering adopting from a shelter, you have a better chance of a good match if you have in mind “something like a Lab” or “some kind of terrier. “
There is a breed of dog for everyone. With a little effort, you can find the right breed of dog for your lifestyle, fall in love, and live happily ever after.

The End.

Pats for your pups!

Ch.Soquel's Last Souvinere (Trinket)

Ch. Soquel’s Last Souvinere “Trinket”   finished her Championship Title in June  and  has moved into the Obedience Show Ring. In this video Trinket shows off a few of her newly learned obedience skill.

Pats for your pups!

Katybeth