Breed of the Month--Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dog

Color:  Black, brown tones, white, combination black or brown with white.

Height:  Males:  19.5-23 inches/  Females:  16.5-21 inches

Weight:  Males:  42-60 lbs/  Females:  35-50 lbs

Life Span:  11-14 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Addison's disease, hip dysplasia, follicular dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and glycogen storage disease.  

Coat:  Two varieties (both single coat):  Gentle waves, OR curly with compact, cylindrical curls.  Both coats have a slight sheen.

Country of Origin:  Portugal

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

Known to be an indispensable partner to the fisherman of coastal Portugal, the Portuguese Water Dog may have assisted in this way as far back as 700 BCE.  The PWD's job was to herd fish into the nets of his fisherman, carry messages and equipment between boats, and retrieve objects from the water.  The PWD's size and strength make him hearty enough to navigate through rough water.  Combined with his dense, waterproof coat, the Portuguese Water Dog is unstoppable in the water.  

The breed came to the U.S. via England in 1958.  A family from Connecticut fell for the dog and imported a puppy directly from Portugal.  The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) was formed in 1972 and by the early 1980s, the breed was flourishing in the United States.

The PWD is great with children, lively, and sensible.  A working dog, the PWD will not stop until the job is done.  He enjoys swimming, retrieving and herding.  The PWD is level-headed yet fun loving, and is very devoted to his family.

Exercise:

The Portuguese Water Dog is an extremely athletic dog and requires regular, vigorous exercise.  As his name may indicate, his favorite activity involves the water.  Being a working dog, the PWD should be involved in doing regular household chores.  He loves to play.

Grooming:

Although practically non shedding, the coat of the PWD needs regular maintenance.  The coat of the Portuguese Water Dog should be combed, trimmed, and brushed regularly.  The coat should be clipped every 6-8 weeks.

Training:

The Portuguese Water Dog is a high-energy dog and training should begin as soon as possible.  The PWD eagerly takes to positive reinforcement training and enjoys having a job to do.  It is important to give the PWD guidance and direction, but with positive training, he can learn almost anything.

I was lucky enough to train with a Portuguese Water Dog named Tele.  Tele had some issues with golf carts, so we worked on several different training activities on the leash, most of which involved golf carts of course.  Below are a few of the pictures I caught during our training.

Tele paying attention to her owner as a golf cart goes by.

Ahh, a refreshing reward of water.

Tele and mom.

Trainer Friends

For my friends in the mid-west, I wanted to share a great dog training opportunity.  This session will be taught by an amazing dog trainer, and my former mentor, Inga From.  Inga is one of only a handful of people in the United States that teaches positive gun-dog training.  If you are looking to do some hunting with your dog, or have a dog that loves to fetch, I highly recommend you consider taking this seminar with Inga.  I was privileged to have attended former Gun-Dog Training weekends with Inga, and they are quite informative and fun.

Details and registration available at www.PositiveGunDogsMN.com

Field Sport for the Family Dog

Intro weekend

Positive Gun Dogs of Minnesota welcome

Inga From, CDBC, CPDT-KSA

As She Presents Her Two-day Beginner Positive Field Dog Seminar

May 3rd^th & 4th, 2014

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge–Blaine, MN

About this seminar:

An urban field sport for the family dog is an opportunity to see what your sporting breed dog was bred to do or for any dog that loves to fetch!

Effective and efficient dog-friendly training methods for field dogs without the use of force fetch training or e-collars.

Seminar Overview:

Day One: • Overview of positive field sport’s • Positive training basics • Assessment of foundation skills • Introduction to scent work • How to teach a retrieve with positive training		Day Two: (outdoors) • Into the field • Introduction to field training • Individual time with instructor • Level 1: K9 Field Sport Testing

Cost: Two-day working spot for one handler & one dog $235

Team Discount: Two-day working for two handlers & one dog $270

Two-day auditor/observer spot-no dog $180

Inga From, CDBC, CPDT-KSA  My Bio
Certified Dog Behavior Consultant
 (International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants)
Certified Professional Dog Trainer 
(Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers)

Offers Positive Training for dog owners and their dogs.

Association of Pet Dog Trainer’s national award winner

Positive Training based on the LIMA (Least Invasive Minimally Aversive) principle.

Professional Member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Inga specializes in shelter/rescue dogs. She has worked in shelter settings for over 10 years. Five of those years were spent at a local humane society where she served as the expert for the shelter in behavior and training. 

Inga Offers:

Animal Shelter/Rescue Consultant for Behavior and Training, Implementing New Programs and Staff Training.

 Private In-Home Training & Board & Train

 Positive Dog Training Group Classes and Seminars

Field Sports for the Family Dog - Host your own event

 Corporate and Non-Profit Team Building with Dogs

Consultant for finding your next Canine  

Dog Trainer Mentorship Program

Positive Gun-Dog Training Weekend

I was delighted to be able to work with my mentor once again, Inga From (head trainer at Midwest Animal Rescue Services), helping her with a weekend seminar.  Furthermore, I was very excited to be able to meet an amazing dog training from England, Helen Phillips.

Inga is one of only a handful of trainers in the United States that teaches positive reinforcement training for hunting dogs.  Helen has been using positive training for hunting dogs in the UK for 25 years and gave an amazing seminar over the weekend.  Many people attended from all over the United States and Canada.  Although I am not a hunter and will never do this sort of training myself, I believe it is very important to learn as much as I can about all types of dog training.  I also had a wonderful time helping out people as I learned alongside them, and got to meet a lot of other trainers as well.

If you are interested in learning a really great non-traditional way to train your dog for hunting, please consider Positive Gun Dogs of Minnesota, with local trainer Inga From.

Helen Phillips in the classroom.

Helen demonstrating in the field.

Helen Phillips & Athena

Athena & Inga From

Some of the weekends participants.

Positive Gun-Dog Training Weekend

Coming Up....April 27th, 28th, and 29th 2012.
Positive Gun-Dog Training



Professional Gun Dog Trainer: Helen Phillips - Her first appearance in the United States.
Workshop 1: April 27th 
Workshop 2: April 28th & 29th 
Marine on St. Croix & Blaine, MinnesotaRegistration open.  Visit the positive gun dogs MN website to sign up.
Dinner Meet & Greet with Helen Phillips

Friday, April 27th 5:30pm 

Marine on St.Croix/Stillwater, MN

Come meet other clicker gun dog lovers, workshop participants & Helen Phillips for dinner.

Cost: $25 (includes: dinner & social hour with Helen) 

Must preregister by e-mailing: PositiveGunDogsMN@ymail.com to sign up!  

I will be helping out MARS trainer Inga From with this very exciting event.  If you are looking to train a hunting dog in a positive way, please visit the above website.  Hope to see you all there.

Breed of the Month--Weimaraner

Weimaraner


Color:  Solid color in silber-gray or mouse gray
Height:  Males:  23-27.5 inches/  Females:  22.5-25.5 inches
Weight:  Males:  66-88 lbs/  Females:  55-77 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years


Breed Health Concerns:  Hip and elbow dysplasia, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, bloat, and von Willebrand disease.


Coat:  Two types:  1) Shorthaired:  sparse or no undercoat/ strong, dense, short outercoat,
2) Longhaired: may have sleek, smooth, short undercoat/ long, wavy, soft, flat outercoat.
Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

Possibly descended from schweisshunds and the brackes, the Weimaraner was developed in Germany, where the dog was favored in the court of Weimar.  This breed was originally bred to hunt and track large game like wolves, bears, and big cats.  Over the years, hunters added bird-hunting abilities as the bird game became more abundant.  Today the Weimaraner is a champion in agility, obedience showing, hunting, and field trials.

The Weimaraner is alert, high-energy, obedient, and friendly.  This breed learns things quickly, but will bore easily if not challenged.  This athletic and talented dog needs plenty of time outside everyday and go socialization.  I have experienced several Weimaraners that are very nervous and anxious.  Socialization, proper training, and an owner's calm disposition are vitally important for the Weimaraner.

Exercise:
A Weimaraner craves some good time outdoors to sniff, hunt, and run in large areas.  This breed requires an immense amount of exercise every day.  If not properly mentally and physically exercise, this breed can become very distractive, very quickly.  This breed literally thrives on exercise.  The Weimaraner makes an excellent biking or jogging partner.

Grooming:
Occasional brushing and use of a hound glove are sufficient to keep his coat clean.  The longhaired version of this breed should be brushed weekly.  The Weimaraner's ears should be checked often and kept clean.

Training:
To develop confidence and trust, it's important for the Weimaraner to be well socialized.  This breed needs an owner who can remain patient, persistent, and calm during training, and he will learn quickly.  The Weimaraner bores easily if not challenged.

The Weimaraner needs plenty of daily exercise!

Breed of the Month--Kerry Blue Terrier

Kerry Blue Terrier


Color:  Any shade of gray-blue, may have black  points or small white markings.
Height:  Males:  18-19.5 inches/  Females:  17.5-19 inches
Weight:  Males:  33-40 lbs/  Females:  less
Life Span:  12-15 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Eye problems, ear infections, patellar lunation, skin problems, hypothyroidism, and cerebellar abiotrophy.

Coat:  Dense, soft, wavy, silky single coat.
Country of Origin:  Ireland

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standard and more information.

The origins of this breed are somewhat unknown, but the Kerry Blue Terrier has been in Ireland for at least the last 100 years.  The Kerry has been used to watch over their families, hunt, guard property, kill vermin, and tend stock.

The Kerry Blue Terrier is confident, feisty, and intelligent, which can lead to a territorial breed.  It is important to properly socialize the Kerry.  The Kerry can be a rough playmate, and should be closely monitored with other dogs.

For me and my personal dog taste, I am not a huge fan of the Kerry Blue Terrier.  That does not mean that can not make a wonderful pet for you and your family.  My experience with this breed has noted an excess of energy and stubbornness.

Exercise:
The Kerry Blue Terrier is a very high energy breed and needs a lot of daily mental and physical stimulation.  The Kerry is very intelligent and will find fun in any game you could want to play with him.  The Kerry enjoys being outside.

Grooming:
Show Kerrys need professional grooming.  The average pet Kerry will also need to be taken to a professional groomer about every 6-8 weeks. Their coats shed very little and make great pets for people with allergies.  Occasional bathing of the breed is sufficient.  Extra care must be taken to make sure the eyes stay clean and free from infection.

Training:
The Kerry Blue Terrier require firm training that also keeps the dog interested.  Focused, short training sessions are best for the Kerry.  It is very important to socialize this breed as a puppy and throughout life to keep him from becoming too territorial.

Breed of the Month--German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer

Color:  Liver, liver and white spotted, liver and white ticked, liver roan, may have markings of tan.

Height:  Males:  23-26 inches/  Females:  21-25 inches

Weight:  Males:  55-70 lbs/ Females:  45-60 lbs

Life Span:  12-15 years

Breed Health Concerns:  epilepsy, hip dysplasia, bloat, von Willebrand disease, and eye problems.

Coat:  Short, dense undercoat, with a short, dense, rough, hard outer coat.  

Country of Origin:  Germany

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information. 

Germans used many types of bird dogs for hunting as far back as the 1700s.  By combining several types of tracking and pointing dogs, a new breed of versatile gun dogs began emerging by the 1800s.  The German Shorthaired Pointer is believed to be a combination of English pointers and the German Bird Dog.  Additions to the bloodline over time helped make the breed into a dog that would excel at water work, tracking, and retrieving.  

The German Shorthaired Pointer is very excited and enthusiastic about most anything.  Whether its hunting, going for a walk, or just hanging out with his family, the GSP is happy to follow.  The GSP is great with children, but has an intensely high energy level.

Exercise

The more exercise the German Shorthaired Pointer can get, the better.  The GSP needs to run.  To help drain this breed's energy, many owners join some sort of activity such as:  agility, obedience, hunting, or flyball.  

Grooming

The GSP's coat requires very little care to keep it looking nice.  This breed loves water and the many swimming escapades will require frequent bathing.  Take special care to keep the GSP's ears clean and free from infection.

Training

The German Shorthaired Pointer is very people oriented and eager to please, making the breed fairly easy to train.  Combine this breed's training with high value rewards like running, and use brief but positive training sessions to keep his attention and get the best results possible.