German Shorthaired Pointer - How Much Exercise Does a GSP Really Need?

Today we are taking a couple of young German Shorthaired Pointers on a farm adventure training session. We thought this would be a good chance to provide a little insight into the the GSP's naturally high levels of energy, endurance, and natural inquisitiveness.

If you are thinking about purchasing a German Shorthair Pointer, make sure you understand that you are purchasing a dog that is bred to hunt and run all day long, with very little rest. These dogs are very rewarding companions, but one must be realistic about the effort level required to help them be successful in a suburban environment.

For more information, visit the German Shorthaired Pointer Club of America:

http://www.gspca.org/Breed/All-About/... The breed is considered medium in size with the males slightly larger than the females. One should be able to determine the sex of the dog based on general appearance, i.e. males should look masculine and females should look feminine. A fairly healthy breed but the first time buyer should always inquire about health clearances of the sire and dam when looking for a puppy. Breeders should have no problem discussing or answering any health issues being asked. The following are considered as a minimum to ask about: OFA or PennHip - hip dysplasia; Cardiac-echocardiogram for congenital cardiac; CERF - current eye clearance of PRA done each year until age 6 every two years afterward; CD - DNA test for carrier status for cone degeneration (may be cleared by both Parents DNA test indicating "normal" a non-carrier.) Read more about health clearances.

It is important to remember this is primarily a hunting dog, bred for a purpose, and as such will have a high level of activity and/or energy that needs to be channeled. Just like people not all are created equal and while some will learn a task quickly others may take more time and patience. GSPs tend to be eager to please and willing to learn at relatively young ages if the training sessions are not forced and kept short and simple. Even though some may appear physically mature by the time they are six months old their brain may not be engaged until they reach two years of age. Thus you may have an adult size dog with a "teenage" brain. The coat of a GSP is short but not thin and when one runs their hand across a dog the hair should not feel soft to the touch with exception of the hair found on the head and ears. The GSP head is shaped differently than that found on a Lab or Pointer and its ear is slightly larger and longer, not pointed at the end but slightly rounded. To prevent field injuries the tail is docked, not short like a Boxer or Doberman but should be at least 6 to 8 inches long with some a bit longer and with dewclaws removed.

Often confused by some as a Dalmatian because some of the coat patterns of the GSP are bright white with small markings referred to as "ticking" or with Labs because of the solid liver or black versions. Yet if compared side by side it would be readily apparent that none of them look alike.

If interested in a GSP is it important to find a breeder you feel comfortable asking questions or to talk with about health issues, training or any thing that might come to mind.I hope you guys enjoy!

Never Give Up On Your Puppy! | Puppy Strangles (Juvenile Cellulitis)

Today, I'm taking my little buddy Vito on one last adventure before he heads back to North Carolina. I'm so thankful that I had the chance to help Vito overcome early life difficulties and set the stage for a whole lifetime of puppy sized adventures with his family! Vitos's Condition - Puppy Strangles Juvenile cellulitis, also known as puppy strangles or juvenile pyoderma, is an uncommon disease of dogs. Symptoms include dermatitis, lethargy, depression and lameness. When puppies are first presented with what appears to be staphylococcal pyoderma, juvenile cellulitis, a relatively rare condition, may not be considered. The first symptom is a sudden onset of swelling of the face, which develops within two days into papules and pustules on the lips, nose, and around the eyes. These pustules release a purulent discharge, causing a crust to form on the skin. There is also lymphadenopathy (swelling of lymph nodes) in the main lymph nodes of the head.[3] The feet, body, prepuce or perianal area may be affected. Pustular otitis externa can occur, with the pinnae (ear flaps) becoming thickened by edema. Affected areas are painful but not itchy. Approximately half of affected puppies have lethargy and depression. Less common symptoms include pyrexia, anorexia, and joint pain caused by sterile suppurative arthritis. I hope you guys enjoy!

Is This The Best Puppy In the World?

Today we are talking about how I think one should frame issue of being happy with puppies, or in other words, how to have the best puppy in the world!!!

All too often, novice dog trainers get caught up comparing their skill level and their puppy's progress to profession dog trainers on social media. Well I'm here to tell you that is not the way to be happy. The key to happiness is simply setting appropriate short and long terms goals and making the choice to be happy as one works towards the accomplishment of those goals! Since "the best" is a subjective term, there's no reason we can't all have the best puppy in the world.

A few notes concerning the star of this video:

The English Mastiff is a breed of large dog. National kennel clubs, including the United Kingdom's Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, refer to the breed as simply the Mastiff. They perhaps descended from the ancient Alaunt and Pugnaces Britanniae, with a significant input from the Alpine Mastiff in the 19th century. Distinguished by its enormous size, massive head, short coat in a limited range of colours, and always displaying a black mask, the Mastiff is noted for its gentle and loving nature. The lineage of modern dogs can be traced back to the early 19th century, but the modern type was stabilised in the 1880s and refined since.

Following a period of sharp decline, the Mastiff has increased its worldwide popularity. Throughout its history the Mastiff has contributed to the development of a number of dog breeds, some generally known as mastiff-type dogs, or, confusingly, just as "mastiffs" With a massive body, broad skull and head of generally square appearance, it is the largest dog breed in terms of mass. It is on average slightly heavier than the Saint Bernard, although there is a considerable mass overlap between these two breeds. Though the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane can be more than six inches taller, they are not nearly as robust.

The body is large with great depth and breadth, especially between the forelegs—which causes these to be set wide apart. The length of the body taken from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock is greater than the height at the withers. The AKC standard height (per their website) for this breed is 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder for males and 27.5 inches (70 cm) (minimum) at the shoulder for females. A typical male can weigh 150–250 pounds (68–113 kg), a typical female can weigh 120–200 pounds (54–91 kg), with very large individuals reaching 300 pounds (140 kg) or more.

I hope you guys enjoy! If you would like more information about my services, heres a link to my website: http://kentuckycanine.com/

If you would like to see some cool photos, here's a link to my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonniedennis/

#puppytraining #puppy #mastiff #englishmastiff #dogtrainer

Great Pyrenees | Is It Right For You?

Today I'm talking about my opinion of the Great Pyrenees Livestock Guardian Dog. I'm no expert on the breed, but I've seen quite a few and I'm really fond of their personality, physical characteristics, and disposition. Obedience Training a Great Pyrenees puppy requires a proper understanding of the dogs behavioral tendencies, patience, consistency, and most importantly, persistence. If one takes into account the origins of the breed and the subsequent behavioral conformation, proper obedience training is simply a matter of setting appropriate goals and putting in a little bit of extra work!

For more information: http://gpcaonline.org/history.htm

An excerpt from the CPCA: A Peasant's Dog The Great Pyrenees is a mountain shepherd's dog. Over this long period of time the Great Pyrenees developed a special relationship with the shepherd, its family, and the flock. In 1407, French writings tell of the usefulness of these "Great Dogs of the Mountains" as guardians of the Chateau of Lourdes. In 1675, they were adopted as the Royal Dog of France by the Dauphin in the court of King Louis XIV, and subsequently became much sought after by nobility. Having a precocious sense of smell and exceptionally keen eyesight, each dog was counted equal to two men, be it as guard of the chateaux, or as invaluable companion of shepherds. While their royal adoption is interesting, the dogs main fame was from their ageless devotion to their mountain flocks, shepherds, and shepherds' family. When not working the flocks, you would find "Patou," as he is lovingly called, laying on the mat in the front doorway of the shepherds' humble dwellings.

Across the Ocean In 1662, dogs were carried to Newfoundland by Basque fishermen as companions and guardians of the new Settlement. Here it was they became mated with the black curly coated retriever, favorite of the English settlers. This cross resulted in the formation of the Landseer (black and white) Newfoundland. In 1824, General Lafayette introduced the first pair to America by bringing over two males to his friend, J.S. Skinner, author of "The Dog and the Sportsman". In 1850, Britain's Queen Victoria owned a Pyrenean Mountain Dog, and in 1885-86, the first Pyrenean Mountain Dogs were registered with the Kennel Club in London and shown at the Crystal Palace.

In 1870, Pyrenean blood was used with that of other large breeds to help bring back the St. Bernard after that noble dog's numbers had been so greatly depleted by avalanches and distemper at the hospice in Switzerland. It was not until 1909 that the first Pyrenean Mountain Dogs were introduced into England for breeding purposes by Lady Sybil Grant, daughter of Lord Roseberry. It was twenty-six years later (1935) that Pyreneans were again bred in a kennel in England. At that time, Mme. Jeanne Harper Trois Fontaines started her de Fontenay Kennel at Hyde Heath, Amersham, later becoming well known the world over and accounting for many exports to distant lands.

First Kennel in the U.S.A. In 1931, Mr. and Mrs. Francis V. Crane imported several specimens to seriously launch the breed in North America with the founding of the Basquaerie Kennels at Needham, Massachusetts. Their lifelong efforts on behalf of the breed provided the breed with an atmosphere in which it could thrive and prosper. They imported important breeding stock out of Europe just before the Continent was closed by World War II. The American Kennel Club accorded the Great Pyrenees official recognition in February, 1933, and beginning April, 1933, separate classification began for the breed at licensed shows.

Today the Great Pyrenees is a working dog as well as a companion and family dog. Most of our dogs never see a show ring, but they are trusted and beloved members in homes and may function as livestock guardian dogs on farms and ranches. The Great Pyrenees is proving itself very versatile, gaining fame as therapy dogs, rescue dogs, and many activities with its human companions. They are very social dogs in the family and get along extremely well with other animals that belong to the shepherd, farmer, or family. They are wary of strangers in the work environment (this includes the home). They adapt easily to other situations such as dog shows, and make extraordinary ambassadors for the breed in many settings such as hospitals, old age homes, with children, etc. They have a special ability to identify and distinguish predators or unwelcome intruders. They are nurturing of small, young, or sick animals.

I hope you guys enjoy!

Labrador Retriever | Essential Training Skills Episode 3

This is the third episode of our new Labrador Retriever training series. Over the course of the next few months we will be covering a wide range of topics including dog training methodology, terminology, and best practices. Our goal is to provide insight into various puppy training strategies and techniques, highlighting what we consider to be the most fun and efficacious approaches to reaching the short and long range goals of retriever trainers; whether training is taking place in the field or in the suburbs!