It's going to be a great day...
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Friday 25 March 2011
The Pride of the Wolfhounds...
I had a consultation with this amazing group of dogs yesterday.
It was a wonderful experience to be in the presence of a group of dogs that have learned to co-exist so peacefully within the confines of a normal family home.
We witnessed such beautiful, eloquent, subtle dialogue going on between this truly gentle giants; all designed to resolve any proximity issues and keep the peace. Like some kind of canine pride of lions.
In this picture I was handing out food to get a better idea of the social dynamics of the group and was blown away by how, well, polite these dogs were!
The reason for the consult was to resolve a developing issue between an adolescent male and an older male in his prime, and yes, the adolescent stood out like the proverbial sore thumb with his insecure and slightly clumsy communications amongst this stable, peaceful pack. With some careful supervision and management during the next few months, he will be fine and should come out of the adolescence tunnel a really balanced individual.
I see so many dogs kept apart in kennels or separated in their homes, and then I see a group of dogs like this, so well balanced and calm, that I wonder, on a general level, just how much of this is nurture and how much nature, i.e. how much of this is just breed type / natural adjustment within the group, and how much is careful management.
I was looking for signs of tension or stress in the relationships between the dogs but there honestly wasn't any, even when I got the food out! The adolescent male became a bit anxious and there was a light grumble but the elder male simply calmly lumbered away again as if he was happy to defer to keep the peace. We witnessed this kind of negotiation over and over again in different situations and it was nothing short of an honour to witness.
I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it; the human race could learn a lot from the way animals like these Wolfhounds live in harmony.
It was a wonderful experience to be in the presence of a group of dogs that have learned to co-exist so peacefully within the confines of a normal family home.
We witnessed such beautiful, eloquent, subtle dialogue going on between this truly gentle giants; all designed to resolve any proximity issues and keep the peace. Like some kind of canine pride of lions.
In this picture I was handing out food to get a better idea of the social dynamics of the group and was blown away by how, well, polite these dogs were!
The reason for the consult was to resolve a developing issue between an adolescent male and an older male in his prime, and yes, the adolescent stood out like the proverbial sore thumb with his insecure and slightly clumsy communications amongst this stable, peaceful pack. With some careful supervision and management during the next few months, he will be fine and should come out of the adolescence tunnel a really balanced individual.
I see so many dogs kept apart in kennels or separated in their homes, and then I see a group of dogs like this, so well balanced and calm, that I wonder, on a general level, just how much of this is nurture and how much nature, i.e. how much of this is just breed type / natural adjustment within the group, and how much is careful management.
I was looking for signs of tension or stress in the relationships between the dogs but there honestly wasn't any, even when I got the food out! The adolescent male became a bit anxious and there was a light grumble but the elder male simply calmly lumbered away again as if he was happy to defer to keep the peace. We witnessed this kind of negotiation over and over again in different situations and it was nothing short of an honour to witness.
I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it; the human race could learn a lot from the way animals like these Wolfhounds live in harmony.
Saturday 19 March 2011
Saturday 12 March 2011
Parade of Mutants
Pedigree Dogs Exposed - The Blog: A parade of mutants
Just seen this... follows on pretty well from my earlier blog I think.
Someone comments about 'the uneducated' talking about the breed. Well I AM educated, having dealt with the rescue and welfare of this breed for over five years now, and this breed is in a mess. If the enthusiasts, owners, breeders and judges can't control what people are doing with these dogs, then perhaps Jemima is right and the breed should be banned, for the sake of the poor dogs.
Heartbreakingly Sad
Crufts 2011: the best – and still the worst – of the dog world – Telegraph Blogs
I completely agree with this.
The judging of the classes I witnessed confirms that judges are still rewarding the owners and breeders of exaggerated, unfit dogs.
So if you were wondering just how the winning Neapolitan Mastiff got its 1st place when there were other fitter less extreme dogs being shown, join the club; you're not alone...
Friday 11 March 2011
Thursday 10 March 2011
Here He Is!
I was working with this lovely lad today. Not much wrong with him, just a bit of over-exuberance when he sees another dog! Such a lovely treat for me to work with another giant breed...
Thursday 3 March 2011
The Ultimate Sacrifice...
Sky News: Tributes To Brit Soldier Shot In Afghanistan
Not that any lost soldier in war is any more or less deserving of tribute than another, I hope this four-legged one is remembered and honoured.
RIP, Theo.
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