Convenience

9 of the Strangest Looking Dogs

Are you looking to turn some heads at the doggy park? Consider getting one of the following dog breeds. Don't forget, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

This little guy has quite the name. It is a Xoloitzcuntle, pronounced "show-low-its-queen-tlee". Sometimes known as "Xolo" for short, this mexican hairless is an interesting dog. The breed was considered sacred to the Aztecs because they were believed to guide individuals through the underworld after their death. Like other hairless breeds, Xolos required bathing, moisturizing, sunscreen, and coats to keep that bald skin healthy and happy.

The Bergamasco is a mopish looking breed. Their coat is "felted". They are from Persia and served as sheepdogs and livestock guardians. Even though they may look shabby, it is frowned upon by breeders to shave this coat because it will never be the same again.

The Komondor's coat is "corded", not "felted". These dogs are often said to look like a large mop. Actually, the coat really resembles a used mop because the cords often collect dust and dirt. Komondors were bred to guard livestock and their thick coats protected them from the elements as well as predators. As you probably guessed, the Komondor needs a great deal of grooming.

Peruvian Inca Orchid is anohter hairless breed. These little doggies appear in art dating back to 750 A.D. However, when Peru was conquered by the Spanish, it almost led to the loss of these unique dogs. While these dogs occasionally have a bit of hair on their feet, tails, and heads, breeders strive for a completely hairless dog. Peruvian Inca Orchids can be prone to acne and blackheads.

No one can confuse a Shar Pei with any other breed. This heavily wrinkled dog has an unusual "hippopotamus" shaped muzzle. Shar Peis also have solid bluish-black tongue. What a dog!

The Puli is one of the "dread lock" breeds. These cords begin to form naturally when the puppies are about 9 months old. Owners have to help this process by separating the cords as they can form very large matts if they are not maintained. Bathing one of these dogs can be a lengthy process as they take hours to dry!

The Neapolitan Mastiff looks something like a mini-Rhino! Look at all that loose skin. They have wrinkles all over their bodes, most prominently on the face and head. All those wrinkles need some extra TLC. Folds must be cleaned and kept dry as acne and infections are a concern if they are moist. The canine actor who played "Fang" in the movie Harry Potter was a Neapolitan Mastiff.

Chinese Crested dogs have fur on their paws (socks), tail (plume), and a long flowing mop on their heads (the crest). Their skins is soft and needs careful care. A Chinese Crested named "Sam" was voted world's ugliest dog three years in a row.

Even though the Bedlington Terrier could easily be confused for a lamb, in the early days this breed was often used for fighting. While the Bedlingtons of today have been bred to be sweet companions, they can still hold their own if challenged.

What's in a name?

Do you have a new pet but aren't quite sure what to call this sweet bundle of joy? Maybe some of the following sites can help.

funpetnames.com

hunch.com

bowwow.com

Who is smarter? Dogs or 2-year-olds?

Dogs' Intelligence On A Par With 2-Year-Old Humans, Renowned Canine Researcher Says

(Picture found here)

Although you wouldn't want one to balance your checkbook, dogs can count.

They can also understand more than 150 words and intentionally deceive other dogs and people to get treats, according to psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD, of the University of British Columbia. He spoke Saturday on the topic "How Dogs Think" at the American Psychological Association's 117th Annual Convention.

Coren, author of more than a half-dozen popular books on dogs and dog behavior, has reviewed numerous studies to conclude that dogs have the ability to solve complex problems and are more like humans and other higher primates than previously thought.

"We all want insight into how our furry companions think, and we want to understand the silly, quirky and apparently irrational behaviors [that] Lassie or Rover demonstrate," Coren said in an interview. "Their stunning flashes of brilliance and creativity are reminders that they may not be Einsteins but are sure closer to humans than we thought."

According to several behavioral measures, Coren says dogs' mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years.

The intelligence of various types of dogs does differ and the dog's breed determines some of these differences, Coren says. "There are three types of dog intelligence: instinctive (what the dog is bred to do), adaptive (how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems) and working and obedience (the equivalent of 'school learning')."

Data from 208 dog obedience judges from the United States and Canada showed the differences in working and obedience intelligence of dog breeds, according to Coren. "Border collies are number one; poodles are second, followed by German shepherds. Fourth on the list is golden retrievers; fifth, dobermans; sixth, Shetland sheepdogs; and finally, Labrador retrievers," said Coren.

As for language, the average dog can learn 165 words, including signals, and the "super dogs" (those in the top 20 percent of dog intelligence) can learn 250 words, Coren says. "The upper limit of dogs' ability to learn language is partly based on a study of a border collie named Rico who showed knowledge of 200 spoken words and demonstrated 'fast-track learning,' which scientists believed to be found only in humans and language learning apes," Coren said.

Dogs can also count up to four or five, said Coren. And they have a basic understanding of arithmetic and will notice errors in simple computations, such as 1+1=1 or 1+1=3.

Four studies he examined looked how dogs solve spatial problems by modeling human or other dogs' behavior using a barrier type problem. Through observation, Coren said, dogs can learn the location of valued items (treats), better routes in the environment (the fastest way to a favorite chair), how to operate mechanisms (such as latches and simple machines) and the meaning of words and symbolic concepts (sometimes by simply listening to people speak and watching their actions).

During play, dogs are capable of deliberately trying to deceive other dogs and people in order to get rewards, said Coren. "And they are nearly as successful in deceiving humans as humans are in deceiving dogs."

Invited Address: "How Dogs Think," Stanley Coren, PhD, University of British Columbia, Session: 3282.

Source: Pam Willenz American Psychological Association

From: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160242.php

Chess Player

A man went to visit a friend and was amazed to find him playing chess with his dog. He watched the game in astonishment for a while. "I can hardly believe my eyes!" he exclaimed. "That's the smartest dog I've ever seen.""Nah, he's not so smart," the friend replied. "I've beaten him three games out of five."

$5,000 Give-Away from Tiday Cat

Just because you own more that one cat should not mean that anyone should question your sanity. Right now, running until September 11, TIDY CAT is sponsoring a campaign to end cattiness.

Tidy Cat found that 88 percent of multiple cat owners credit their cats with making their lives more fulfilling and rewarding. And, while that 62 percent hang the ‘crazy cat lady’ moniker on multi-cat owners, people who own more than one cat have very different perceptions of themselves and their homes.



According to the survey, multiple cat owners describe themselves as being caring and loving (96 percent), generous (90 percent), well adjusted and fulfilled (87 percent). And, nearly nine in ten cat owners (87%) say their cats do not prevent them from keeping their home clean and odor-free. (No word on what their visitors think).

Multiple cat owners can enter the Tidy Cats Campaign to End Cattiness contest . You’re invited to share your purrsonal stories of how you “enjoy more life and less worry at home” with your multiple cats.

The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000, a one-year supply of Tidy Cats® Scoop brand cat litter, and the opportunity to be featured in a Tidy Cats Cribs Webisode. For complete contest rules, visit tidycats.com/EndCattiness.

Quote of the Day

If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. ~Chief Seattle of the Suquamish Tribe, letter to President Franklin Pierce