Famed for their seaworthy boats and skilled celestial navigation, the Phoenicians are generally considered the instigators of matchmaking between Asian and North African dogs that resulted in quite a few breeds. Phoenicians colonized much of the Mediterranean by 1200 BC, founded Carthage in 814 BC, and eventually monopolized all major trade routes within this vast territory until the fifth century BC.
Dachshunds were an instant hit from the moment they stepped into a show ring back in 1860. You could also say that’s where the trouble started.
The late great reggae singer, Bob Marley, summed it up most succinctly with these few lines in his iconic song, ‘Buffalo Soldier’; ‘If you know your history, then you would know where you coming from.’
Several years ago, an idea was mooted in the canine press about “compulsory microchipping” of dogs in the UK. The word ‘compulsory’ always makes me immediately suspicious.
People enter this game for countless reasons. Millions of back stories are intertwined with that “In it to win it” mantra. They add flavor, but a competitive nature and a passion for dogs
Back in 2017 a Chinese mining operation unearthed something odd. Although it took a little time to sort out the details they dredged up fossil remains of something closely approximating the Dire Wolf
The next breed we tackle in my ongoing series of inter- views with breed experts is the Ibizan Hound. Anyone who has interacted with an Ibizan Hound knows they are described as “a bit aloof, but a sweet-natured, family-oriented housemate… These dogs are very active; World-class sprinters and leapers, Beezers need ample, secure space to air out their engines”.
A few months ago we attended Crufts with our Dachshund, Otto. Whilst Marc was stressing out, getting our boy ready for his big moment in the ring, I ambled off to ‘Discover Dogs’ which is the equivalent to the American ‘Meet the Breeds’. Between you and me, the Americans definitely have the better choice of name for this event!
Edwin Megargee ranks among the twentieth century’s most prolific and versatile artists. He was also among the lucky few to reap substantial financial rewards and public acclaim during his lifetime. Good fortune is more than a matter of luck. Being in the right place at the right time requires good intuition. Capitalizing on the resulting opportunities requires skill and dedication.
The Lhasa Apso is one of four AKC-recognized breeds originating in Tibet, the others being the Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel, and the Tibetan Terrier. All have a heavy coat and carry the tail over the back. The Lhasa is named after the capitol city of Tibet (Lhasa) with “Apso” meaning bearded or goatee. It is one of the oldest breeds, over a thousand years old. It served as the inside dog in the Buddhist monasteries as a sentinel to let the monks know of new arrivals. Originally, they were called the Lhasa Terrier and put in the AKC terrier group in 1935. Later the name was changed, and they moved to the Non-Sporting group in 1959.
