Dalmation Dog Breed

Posted by Jeanne on December 27, 2008

Question

We just got a dalmatian, and I have heard they are in the non-sporting group. Does this mean our dog won’t hunt? And, how do you teach a dog to hunt?

Answer

No, it does not mean that the dog will not hunt; the name nonsporting is very misleading. Many dalmatians will hunt; they have a good nose although they hold their head rather high when hunting.

Originally they had some connection with the pointer through ancestry in Spain about 300 years ago. lt is our belief that if they were trained greatly for outdoor work, they could develop into an excellent hunting breed as a whole.

To teach a dog to hunt, that’s a big order. Of course, you have to take him out in the field and see what he can do of his own accord.

There must be a lot of work at home also in the way of commands and getting him to stop when ordered, to move left or right or come or go upon signal. There are hundreds of books on this very topic.

Keep in mind that the dalmatian is a smart dog, and you must be smarter than the dog to teach him. So, look forward to a challenge from your spotted friend.

Lhasa Apso Dog Breed

Posted by Jeanne on December 17, 2008

Since the Lhasa Apso has over 500 years of Tibetan, Chinese, and Far East history and is not a “cur of the street” but kept in the homes of the mighty as guards, the buying public in America should consider a Lhasa for the same reason.

In their native land, they are called “apso seng kye” (bark sentinel lion dog). This should and does give us the clue as to their basic color and disposition. Though they may come in many colors, the most desirable is ‘lion color’ with blank tinpings on ears and tip of tail and black nose.

They are not a big toy breed but tend much more to the small size, for the women kept them in their apartments. The full-grown male should never stand more than ten inches at the shoulders and not weigh more than eleven pounds. Females are smaller. Hair is to be toward the coarse side but very dense. Bite should be good and the nose short.