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Photo by jumping lab Foter CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 |
According to past research the two most intelligent
dog breeds are the Border collie and the Poodle. The least intelligent breeds
are reportedly the Afghan hound and the Basenji.
Paws For Reaction
#DogFact
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Photo by Foter CC BY-SA 3.0 |
The majestic Greyhound dog breed is the fastest dog
on the planet. This canine can run 45 mph while the average dog can run approximately
19 mph.
#DogFact
A mix of tricks: Learn more about the highly intelligent Saint Bernese dog
Information available about training pure dog bred dogs is vast and never-ending. Which dog is the best, most intelligent and most trainable seem to be common questions. Why not mix it up and spend some time looking at a highly trainable mix breed that dog lovers may be overlooking- the Saint Bernese.
Most responsible pet owners do some breed research before they adopt and rightfully so- different lifestyles cater to different breed characteristics. The American Kennel Club (AKC) released its list of the top 10 dog breeds of 2013 and the top three dogs were repeats from the previous year- Labrador retriever, German shepherd and the golden retriever.
In the book The Intelligence of Dogs: Canine Consciousness and Capabilities author Stanley Coren came to the conclusion that the best breeds for training are the Border collie, Poodle and German shepherd. The Border collie is thought to be the most intelligent of all dog breeds according to canine dog experts worldwide.
What doesn't exist is well documented information about hybrid breeds. Some popular hybrids include the Puggle (Pug mixed with Beagle) and Labradoodle (Lab mixed with Poodle.) I own a Saint Bernese- three year old Keira.
The Saint Bernese hybrid is a mix of two mountain dogs: the Saint Bernard and the Bernese mountain dog. Both breeds have things in common and things that set them apart. According to Marc Dubé- a breeder of the Saint Bernese cross- these dogs are not only intelligent but they are extremely loyal.
Marc and his wife Sylvie own Valley Ranch Kennel, a family run dog breeding kennel specializing in giant breeds. Located in Boulter, Ontario this family has been breeding big dogs since 2002 and have a great reputation due to their high standards. He breeds pure bred Saint Bernard’s and Saint Pyrenees (Saint Bernard mixed with Great Pyrenees) and is in his third year of breeding the Saint Bernese cross.
Top dog: AKC most popular dog breed of 2013 has held its title for 23 years
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Photo by Product of Newfoundland Foter CC BY-NC-SA |
The
American Kennel Club (AKC) released its annual list of top dog breeds and the
results are the exact same as 2012. The top dog once again is the Labrador Retriever-
holding its title for 23 years. Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC (Pets Best) -
a leading pet insurance agency in the United States- also released a list of
top dog and cat breeds of 2013. The results differ slightly from the AKC but
their database includes mixed breeds and Pit Bulls.
The Labrador
Retriever may have the number one spot but these other repeat offenders are
beloved as well. These are the AKC top 10 dog breeds of 2013. PLUS at the bottom of the page view the
Pets Best list of top dogs and top cats of 2013.
Gentle Giant: Saint Bernard was once a hospice dog but is now a giant companion
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Photo by Pipistrula Foter.com CC BY NC SA |
The gentle and quiet Saint Bernard may not have had an
official name until the 1880s, but it's now one of the most popular giant dog
breeds. The Saint's droopy face has drooled its way into the hearts of pet owners worldwide.
Saint Bernard is the dog definition of a gentle giant.
On average this decedent of the Mastiff weighs 110 pounds- but both males and
females have been known to weigh in at 200 pounds. Hazel's mother, a purebred Saint Bernard names Noisette, which means Hazelnut in French weighed around 150lbs. This gigantic pet belongs to
the working group of dogs and like its Bernese Mountain Dog neighbor, it was used for draft work in the past. Saint Bernard is most known for
its work as a search and rescue dog. It has a sacred past- which is how the
breed finally got its official name in 1880.
Hey Paws peeps- Keira needs your help!
My name is Keira and I'm a contestant in the Petcurean Savour the Moment Contest. I could win free Petcurean dog food for a year! That's my favourite food! My mommy and daddy could win cool stuff but what I'd be most excited about is being a spokes dog for Petcurean! But I'm having a hard time getting my two-legged friends to vote for me. So I'm reaching out to get some votes.
How to vote:
-Follow the link http://bit.ly/12CyGYu
-Like Petcurean's page: Petcurean is the leading Canadian holistic pet food that includes the pet foods Go!, Now Fresh and Summit. It is one of the last privately owned Canadian pet food companies and is committed to serving only the best to your pet.
-Visit the Savour the Moment contest page and click on View Gallery.
-You can view Keira and her profile in the Gallery; shown is the above photo.
-Facebook will ask you for certain Access to your Account. ALL THIS MEANS is that Facebook needs to create a SHARE link to post to your Timeline and in doing so it must Access your account to find your Wall and make a Post on your Timeline. It will not view passwords, information, or post on your behalf when you do not allow it to. There is no spam. You can even chose not to share it on your Timeline.
-You are able to vote once every 24 hours. Keira needs your votes!
More about me- Keira!
I am a two year old Saint Bernard/ Bernese Mountain Dog mix. I am quiet and very well behaved so my parents reward me for that all the time with lots of outdoor adventures. I am really good at hiking, swimming and climbing steep hills. I love to jump over things and run real fast. I was rescued from a shelter from my first mommy but she ran into tough times. So she found me another mommy and daddy and they told me they will keep me forever. Its okay though- I love everyone and I'm always happy as long as I have a family. I really want to win to show other doggies that even though your in a shelter there is a family out there that is perfect for you and that will love you. Just like my mommy and daddy love me!
Keira's favourite things:
-playing with the ball
-squeaking her ball
-playing hide and seek, especially the seeking -going in the water
-going in the water when mommy and daddy say not to
-doing my tricks; high five, playing dead, rolling over. I can do anything!
-Rolling in poop (unfortunate for my two leggeds)
-snuggles and kisses
-spreading my love around and just being a dog, a really good dog.
Bath time blues
Kickin' it in the wetlands
Mommy and daddy gave me a job!
I love the water! This was my first time at the cottage and I can't wait to go back!
Sometimes I roll in dirty stuff...then I have to have bath time.
But I guess bath time is not so bad- it does make me look extra pretty!
This is what I do when mommy works on the computer- I'm doing in right now!
Daddy can't get away with not giving me belly rubs when he lays with me on my bed.
I play air guitar too! I'm so talented!
Sometimes I squish mommy...
...but I'm so cute she doesn't mind!
I love affection almost as much as...
...I love impressing people with my skills- I'm pretty good at playing dead, rolling over and high fives!
I always make sure I shake off near mommy on warm days to make sure she stays cool.
My zombie is the first toy my mommy and daddy gave me. Its my favourite. I sleep with it on the comfy bed with me until its time for me to sneak into mommy and daddy's bed. I know I'm not supposed to but they never seem to mind because they love me so much.
Resilient companion: once facing extinction the Bernese Mountain Dog lives on
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Photo by Ju Muncinelli Foter.com CC BY-NC |
The sweet but powerful Bernese Mountain Dog- also
known as the Berner Sennenhund- is one of four Swiss mountain dogs. But the
Berner stands apart from the other Swiss canines in that it is the only one
with a long, silky and flowing coat. It also almost didn’t make it out of the
19th century alive.
February's featured dog breed is quick and clever
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Photo by zoomyboy.com Foter.com CC BY-NC |
Considered one of the most intelligent dogs in the world the Border Collie is an energetic breed that can be trained to be so much more than just a pet. The Border Collie is a medium build herding dog that is always alert to its surroundings. The Border Collie has been a favorite of dog owners for years- especially owners looking for a dog that will earn its keep.