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Publisher Jennifer Kitchens-Street (281) 384.5431
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Contributing Writers Jan Davidson Bob Williams
Staff Photographer Jamie Fincher www.pawprintsbyjamie.com Contributing Photographer Kim Hartz Urban Paws Magazine PO Box 1556 Spring, TX 77383
www.urbanpawsmagazine.com Web: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com Š Copyright 2012. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Urban Paws magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, feature and idea submissions, or photographs, and such material will not be returned. Urban Paws magazine assumes no liability for the contents herein and has the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Urban Paws magazine does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible.
contents Issue 10: Volume 6
EVENT CALENDAR 6 November 2012
THE SCOOP 7
Canine News and Happenings
HUMANE 9
A Look at Animal Hoarding: How Many is too Many?
SPECIAL FEATURE 12
The Art of the Ninja Erasers
BODY & SOUL 16
Helping Geriatric Dogs with Reiki
BEHAVIOR 20
Understanding & Managing Your Senior Dog
ADOPTION 24
Italian Greyhound Club of America - Houston
Please tell our advertisers that you heard about them in Urban Paws Magazine!
Cover photo by Kim Hartz Photography
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Veterinary Profiles 2013 Contact us for special advertising opportunities at 281.384.5431.
event calendar November 2012 Events NOVEMBER 3 Rescue Rally You are invited to meet animal rescue groups from all over Houston and learn why rescue works. The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside. 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.rescuerally.homestead.com.
For a full listing of events, visit: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events
you enjoy a beverage. Fundraiser benefits Homeless Pet Placement League (HPPL). Boneyard Drinkery & Dog Park, 8150 Washington Ave. 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at www.hppl.org.
NOVEMBER 3 Pugs at Blanco’s Sponsored by Fielder Electric Supply benefiting Pug Hearts. 3406 West Alabama. 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.pughearts.com.
NOVEMBER 10 Pet Adventure Day Ella and Friends Dog Park, 500 W. 13th Street in Deer Park. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rescue groups, Hot Rod Hounds Flyball, demonstrations, pet photography, vendors and more! Admission and parking is free. For more information, visit www.deerparktx.gov.
NOVEMBER 4 Painting with a Twist Take a day to relax with other beagle lovers, have some wine and paint a beautiful picture. Painting with a Twist, 10001 Westheimer Rd. 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. $45 per person. Spaces are limited. To register, visit www.paintingwithatwist.com/houston
NOVEMBER 11 Tiny Paws Rescue Meet & Greet Join Tiny Paws at Barker Street Gourmet Bakery in The Woodlands for their first Yappy Hour event. 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Raffle tickets are just $1 and you do not have to be present to win. Visit www.tinypawsrescue.com for more information.
NOVEMBER 6 6th Annual Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser Taste a variety of wines and beer, sample gourmet appetizers, enjoy live music and support Abandoned Animal Rescue (AAR). The Arbor Gate, 15635 FM 2920 in Tomball. 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include wine, beer, food, live music and door prizes. For tickets, visit www.aartomball.org.
NOVEMBER 11 iWalk for Animals The Houston SPCA invites animal lovers around the world to the second annual “walk where you are” event in support of animals of all kinds. Walk in your neighborhood, park, and anywhere else and raise funds to help the Houston SPCA give orphaned, abused and neglected animals a second chance at life. To register, visit www.hspca.org.
NOVEMBER 8 2nd Annual Paws, Park & Play Treat yourself and your pooch to an evening of fun! Relax while your dog plays in the park and 6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
the scoop S.A.V.E. RESCUE COALITION TO OFFER MOBILE ADOPTION TRAILER
S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on November 17th in Old Town Spring to unveil their new 26 foot mobile adoption trailer, in conjunction with their holiday shopping kick off. The Christmas adoption campaign will be titled "A Home for the Holidays" and the mobile trailer will be traveling to locations around the city during the holidays, showcasing adoptable animals from various rescue groups including Pup Squad, Buster's Friends, and Forgotten Pet Advocates . The 26' trailer is completely self contained with air and heat, generator, bathroom, fridge, kennels for up to 20 animals, a separate 5x8 "meet & greet" area with a door so that prospective adopters can visit with the animal without so much noise. There will be three large Lexan windows so that the animals can be viewed from outside the trailer and a flat screen monitor so that other animals for adoption can be played in a slideshow on the monitor. The cost is projected to be between $35000 and $40000.00 and the trailer is being fitted by Sunset Custom Coaches, of Conroe, Texas. By having this trailer, S.A.V.E. hopes to bring the adoptable animals to places the public frequents and raise awareness of the plight of
homeless pets in Houston. DOG TREATS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA CONCERNS Nature's Recipe has issued a voluntary recall on some of its dog treats because of the potential for salmonella contamination. The concern is that both dogs and the owners who handled the treats could become sick. The company is recalling it's "Nature's Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken." The dog treats come in a resalable pouch and are made in the United States. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. Both Nature's Recipe and the FDA stated they have not received reports of the affected animals or owners. The company said the recall was ordered as a precautionary measure. The treats affected were sold in 19-ounce stand-up pouches and have "Best If Used By" dates of 10/11/13 and 10/12/13. Customers who bought the affected treats should stop feeding the product and discard immediately. For further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product, consumers can call the Consumer Hotline at 800-237-3856.
Urban Paws Magazine 7
humane
A Look at Animal Hoarding: How Many is Too Many? By: Jennifer Kitchens-Street
ou love your dog, but you want another one to keep him company while you’re at work. So, you adopt another dog. You then find a stray on your way home from work and you take her home. Your friend calls and says that an adorable dog has been dumped near her house and needs a place to stay and naturally, you say yes and he then becomes part of your pack. You love all dogs and it’s hard for you to say no when people occasionally dump a dog on you.
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Your canine clan continues to grow. Your home is a little crowded, but you take good care of them. You’re aware of the fact that you have more dogs than most people, but you can handle it, and the dogs need you. At some point, you may get strange looks people when you tell them how many dogs you have. Then someone refers to you as a hoarder.
“Excuse me? I am certainly not a hoarder,” you say. You love them all and it’s not like you have hundreds, or even dozens or dogs like the hoarders in the news. Still, people may look at you as if to say, "There’s that crazy lady with all the dogs!" You may even start to wonder where the line is drawn between having more dogs than most and hoarding. Is there a specific criteria that defines one as a hoarder? A certain number of dogs? There’s no simple answer and it’s more than just about the numbers. There are theories as to what drives a person to become an animal hoarder, but no defined number of pets that they own. How does the law differentiate between someone who has 25 dogs that are kept in less than ideal conditions versus a person with one dog in the same situation? I began to ponder this question after I read Urban Paws Magazine 9
about two brothers in Pennsylvania who pleaded guilty in a massive dog hoarding case. that involved nearly 200 dogs. Like most animal hoarders, they loved the dogs and thought that they were doing what was best for them. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, it was difficult for the brothers to enter the guilty plea. They said they “treated the dogs like our boys and girls.” Unlike many hoarding cases, most of the dogs were in decent shape. In fact, the veterinarians who checked the Chihuahuas – found no serious health issues, only minor eye, teeth and skin problems, and officials say they apparently came from a loving home. Authorities also found the bodies of 30 corpses in the freezer, but the dogs had apparently died of natural causes. As with many animal hoarders, the inability to part with the deceased pets is characteristic. This situation is a classic hoarding case, (less the decent physical conditions of the dogs). But one has to ask, when did they stop becoming normal, caring dog lovers to taking in too many
dogs and becoming hoarders? I realize that animal hoarding is quite a complex psychological issue. Why do people hoard? It’s not fully understood why people hoard animals. Mental health professionals say that it’s quite common for hoarders to report dysfunctional childhoods, characterized by inconsistent and unstable parenting, during which animals were the only stable fixtures. A dysfunctional childhood is correlated with a disordered attachment style. This can result in a controlling pattern of relationships, such as compulsive care giving, as an adult. In this behavior pattern, a person selects someone with a sad or difficult life, and provides obsessive care, regardless of whether the care is wanted or needed. This kind of care giving style is often typical behavior for animal hoarders. Other forms of control in hoarding include refusal to adopt, rejection of expert opinion about proper animal care, and sometimes the saving of dead bodies. Animals are unable to judge, criticize, or give advice; and can’t disagree with a person’s interpretation of how they feel or what they need. This makes them ideally suited as victims to control for a person’s own reasons. Although they claim to be helping, animal hoarders accumulate large numbers of animals to their detri-
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ment. All too often, they are unable to provide minimal standards of care and lack the insight to understand that their actions often result in severe neglect, suffering and death. This behavior can be devastating to families, put the elderly and children at risk, and incur significant cost to communities for cleanup or demolition. How can I tell if someone is a hoarder? It’s not always easy to tell. Animal hoarding crosses all socioeconomic boundaries. Hoarders range in age, and can be men or women of any race or ethnic group. Elderly people tend to be more at risk due to their own deteriorating health and isolation from community and social groups. One commonality between all hoarders is a failure to grasp the severity of their situation. Hoarders sometimes masquerade as legitimate animal sheltering, sanctuary, or rescue groups. It is important to distinguish them from these legitimate and commendable efforts, which put the needs of animals first. It's important to note that not everyone who has multiple animals is an animal hoarder. A person may have a dozen dogs, all spayed and neutered and provided with regular veterinary care in a sanitary environment. This person would not be considered an animal hoarder. Even rescuers who occasionally become overwhelmed are not considered hoarders if they are actively trying to rectify the situation. Most of the hoarding cases that we hear about in the news are clear-cut. But where do you draw the line between hoarding and not hoarding?
SIGNS OF ANIMAL HOARDING • They have numerous animals and may not know the total number of animals in their care. • Their home is deteriorated (i.e., dirty windows, broken furniture, holes in wall and floor, extreme clutter). • There is a strong smell of ammonia, and floors may be covered with dried feces, urine, vomit, etc. • Animals are emaciated, lethargic and not well socialized. Fleas and vermin are present. • Individual is isolated from community and appears to be in neglect himself. • Individual insists all animals are happy and healthy—even when there are clear signs of distress and illness.
HOW TO HELP • Call your local humane law enforcement department, police department, animal shelter, animal welfare group or veterinarian to initiate the process. • Contact social service groups and ask them to get involved. Animal hoarding is not just about the animals. Adult protective services, health departments and other mental health agencies may be able to provide services or links to services. • Volunteer your time. Removal of so many animals from a hoarding situation can burden local shelters. Volunteer your time to help clean cages, socialize animals, walk dogs and perform other necessary duties.
Urban Paws Magazine 11
THE ART OF THE
Ninja Erasers By: Jennifer Kitchens-Street Artwork: Caitlin McCollum
hild artist, Caitlin McCollum was just six years old when she began drawing and created the Ninja Erasers™ when she was in third grade. She is now 10 years old and her artwork can be found in two galleries in the Houston area. We asked Caitlin about her work, inspirations and what advice she would give to other aspiring child artists.
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UPM: When did you first discover your creative talents? CMC: Well, the summer after kindergarten, my mom took me to the Artist Within art studio for some lessons because she knew I liked art. There, I discovered some tricks about art and learned I was pretty good. UPM: At what age did you begin painting? CMC: Six. UPM: Can you tell us about some of your work? CMC: I draw and paint a series of comic characters called the “Ninja Erasers.� Some of the characters include a super hero named Super Eraser as well as the evil villains known as the Pencil Warriors. In addition, I have drawn and painted many animals. My favorite piece is the "Super Eraser Erase Cancer" one because it brings out the message that Super Eraser is a hero, and he will erase cancer out of everyone's lives. UPM: What medium is used in your artwork? CMC: I use tempera paint, watercolors, colored pencils, pastels and oil pastels. UPM: Where can your artwork be found? CMC: You can find my work on display and for sale at The Purple Elephant Art Gallery (12802 McSwain Cypress, TX 77429) and the Artist Within (12754 Grant Rd. Cypress, TX 77429). I also sell my art at booths on the weekends. You can find out my next booth location on my website under the "News and Events" section. It's also for sale directly on my website at www.NinjaErasers.com for online shoppers. UPM: Who, if any, are your art influences? CMC: Thomas Cleveland, Master Artist and 14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
owner of Artist Within. Mr. Tom has helped me and mentored me through my art journey. He was the one that taught me to paint so well. I also like to look at magazines and pictures of animals because I like looking at the details in their fur. I met Michael White, an author and illustrator, in kindergarten, and he taught me how to draw cartoon facial expressions. Then, a book that helped me a lot was called Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm & Andrew Arnold. It taught me a lot about comics. Although I haven't tried any of his methods, I also really like the work of Leroy Brown, the creator of the comic book called Icecubes. UPM: What are your favorite subjects to paint? CMC: I like painting pictures of animals, Ninjas, super heroes such as Super Eraser, and of course, any kind of erasers. I like drawing erasers attacking pencils. Ninjas are always in black suits, spying on people, hiding, and they have hand-to-hand combat skills. Sometimes I draw them as people, and sometimes I draw them as erasers. I also like drawing mermaids. UPM: How do you hope other people will feel when they see your artwork? CMC: I hope people will laugh when they see my comic character artwork because I want as much humor in it as possible. I hope they get that soft, cuddly feeling when they see my paintings of animals because everybody likes animals. I hope they will get a feeling of hope when they see my "Super Eraser Erase Cancer" art because Super Eraser can "Erase Cancer" out of everybody's lives. Finally, I hope they will get a warm feeling because I do art to bring glory to God and happiness to people.
UPM: What inspires you? CMC: Well, sometimes I see something that looks really unique. I have to draw it down on paper so later I can paint it. It's fun to see my creation at the end of my painting. I also look up to Mr. Tom because he's a really good artist. UPM: Lastly, do you have any words of advice for other aspiring child artists? CMC: I don't want to say, "just keep drawing!" because that is what everybody else said to me. I would say, "always work hard to reach your goals. Don't let anyone bring you down. Don't let anyone stop you from doing what you love. Someday you might turn out to be a really good artist and end up in a magazine too!" I wished the artists I had asked for advice would have told me how to get a booth. I would have liked learning some tips about art like how to do an art technique that was challenging to them. When they said "keep drawing," I wanted to say, "I am drawing. What's the next step?" The answer was to get a booth and start making money. My mom signed me up for a comic convention, and I had prints of my paintings for sale. That's how I got started.
Urban Paws Magazine 15
body & soul Helping Geriatric Dogs with Reiki ne of the most difficult parts of being owned by a dog is that their lifespan is much shorter than ours and we have to eventually face that inevitable decision.
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Born in May of 2002, Mollie was the runt of a litter of 13 chocolate labs. She almost didn’t survive long enough for me to bring her home. Thankfully, she did. She was diagnosed with hip dysplasia early in her life and has had intermittent joint pain and stiffness in her front legs as well. Unable to tolerate prescription anti-inflammatory medications, I began treating her holistically. Bromelain (a pineapple enzyme) was the most effective at managing her pain and stiffness— until early this year when she had to go on prescription pain meds. At first it was two, twice a day; soon it became six a day. If she didn’t have them, she couldn’t get off the floor. That dreaded decision was getting close…but I just wasn’t ready. A friend of mine and I had just started practicing Reiki (energy healing) and one night, with nothing to lose, I tried it on her. After two sessions a day for a week she became more active. I started weaning her off the pain meds and continued Reiki on a less frequent basis. After two and a half weeks, she was off her pain meds completely. It has now been a month since her last pain pill and she moves and acts like a puppy. About once a week she still comes up and, in her own way, asks for me to lay hands on her. 16 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
By: Jan Davidson, Elegant Hippy
Eventually, decision time will come—for now, it is great to see her acting like a pup again. Reiki practitioners act as conduits for the universal energy that runs through all of life. It is a safe complement to traditional medical care. Jan Davidson is a reiki master and partner of Elegant Hippy. Services include reiki, clinical aromatherapy and holistic living consultations. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.eleganthippy.com.
FACT:
The spiritual practice of Reiki (pronounced ray-key) was developed in 1922. It is a method of natural healing that transfers universal energy in the form of qi, through the palms to create self-healing and a state of equilibrium.
behavior
understanding & Managing Your Senior Dog By Bob Williams, Bark Busters
ur dogs give us so much throughout their lives, including love, companionship, loyalty and protection. As dogs age (in general, dogs aged seven years or more are considered senior), they rely on us to provide a little extra patience, attention and care to accommodate their changing needs.
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By letting your senior dog set his own limits, he will help you understand his new needs for care. Avoid pampering him, and allow him to maintain his independence and dignity wherever he can. Have your veterinarian examine your dog to rule out any age-related underlying health problems. Ask your vet about what to expect with your aging dog and how you can help your dog continue to feel relaxed and comfortable; for example, canine massage, aromatherapy or a specially tailored training program. Here are some tips for understanding and managing the changing needs of your senior companion.
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Loss of hearing • Age-related deafness in dogs is relatively common and is often one of the first changes owners often recognize in their senior dog. • Tune in to his other senses, like sight and smell, to communicate with him. Introduce hand signals to convey simple commands. Be sure they are always consistent, obviously different from other signals, and visible from a distance. • Try to get your dog’s attention with a highpitched whistle or a handclap. • If your dog is totally deaf, try using light to communicate with him, such flicking a lamp on/off or using a flashlight. Loss of sight • As dogs age they can develop sight-related issues, such as cataracts. • Dogs with poor or no vision can learn to adjust quickly if they continue living in familiar surroundings. Avoid rearranging your furniture so your dog can continue to navigate in your home. • Use your voice to guide your dog to you. Sleeping habits • Realize that your senior dog will likely sleep longer and more deeply. • A senior dog may startle more easily if his hearing and sight aren’t what they used to be. • To awaken a heavily sleeping dog, gently stroke 22 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
his shoulder or place your hand by his nose to let your scent gently rouse him. Stiff joints • Allow your dog a little extra time in the morning or after a nap to stretch his legs and work out the stiffness in his joints. • Avoid fawning over your dog or coaxing him with treats to get up. He’ll get up to go outside as best as he is able. Inability to cope with stress or changes to his routine • All dogs, but especially older dogs, thrive on structure and routine. Keep your senior dog’s routine in place as much as possible to keep him
stress free. • Separation anxiety, aggression, noise phobias, and increased vocalization can develop or worsen in older dogs.
Increased sensitivity to temperature • Because he may feel the heat or cold more intensely, your dog may change his usual sleeping locations. • Place thick, soft beds in his crate and around the house so he can nap more comfortably. Visitors and household activity • Elderly dogs may not enjoy the extra hustle and bustle around the holidays or if workmen come to your home. • If your aging dog is cranky around visitors,
lead him to a quiet place in your home where he won’t be bothered and can feel secure. Be sure he has a soft bed to lie on. Children • Remind children to be respectful of your older dog. Because of their achy joints and loss of hearing or sight, older dogs are sometimes more wary of children and their high-energy activities. • Always provide supervision when dogs (of any age) and kids are together. Avoid discipline for aging-related behaviors • Your aging dog can’t help himself if he accidentally soils in the house or is crabby around children. • If he makes a mistake, just tend to the situation—i.e., take him outside to toilet more frequently or guide him to his quiet place in the house—and take steps to avoid such occurrences in the future. Increased dryness of his coat and skin • Brush your dog’s coat more often to help stimulate the production of natural oils in his skin, and use a shampoo specially formulated for dry skin. • Ask your veterinarian about dietary supplements (such as fish oil) to help his skin and coat. Changing dietary needs • As his body ages, your dog will need different amounts of proteins and other nutrients. Talk to your vet about feeding your dog a “senior” formula or one which can meet your dog’s changing nutritional needs. • Avoid letting your dog gain weight. Excess weight can put strain on joints and internal organs. Keeping him trim will keep him healthy and comfortable in the years ahead.
Barriers for safety and protection • A secured baby gate will prevent your unsteady older dog from risking a fall on stairways and will protect areas of your home from toileting accidents. Keep his mind, body and spirit sharp • Take time to work with your dog on basic obedience a few times a week to help keep him in shape both physically and mentally. • Take him on shorter walks and outings to keep him active and encourage his sense of fun. • Never push your dog to exert himself more than he is able. Watch his body language and breathing patterns for signs that he may be getting tired. Many people think that bringing a puppy into the home will help make your older dog feel young again. While this may be true in some cases, remember that your senior dog may not be able to handle stress or new situations very well, and a puppy brings new levels of activity and changes to routine that affect everyone. However, if your senior dog still enjoys relatively good health and is sound in mind and spirit, a puppy may brighten his days. In fact, some dogs are happy to step up to the task of teaching a new pup the rules and routines of your household. Your aging dog deserves your unflagging affection, understanding and love. As you continue to care for him, remember that you are giving back to him as much as he has been giving you.
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adoption Join us in helping our four-legged friends find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!
Italian Greyhound Club of America - Houston www.ighoustononline.com
The Italian Greyhound Club of America is the national parent club for the breed. One of the club’s missions is rescue and it has a nationwide organization of rescue representatives, foster homes and other volunteers. IGHouston is not a rescue organization, but strongly supports the volunteer organizations that help all dogs in need of new forever homes. The particular interest of the organization is in helping Texas’ Italian Greyhounds. IGHouston hopes to help iggy orphans in the greater Houston area find the loving new homes they deserve.
Gilmour is a long and lean miracle machine. If you are looking for a dog that personifies the more serious, heart-tugging side of rescue, please read on. We were notified that there was an IG running loose a little over a year ago and our search team went into gear. Determined to be free, the dog evaded capture for several weeks but fortunately centered his travels around a business where employees plied him with a steady supply of fast food that kept him coming back for more. At last 24 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
a team member was able to corner him Gilmour and grab hold. Gil screamed like a banshee – a moment the whole group still talks about. But even more memorable, the next second, when the collar was slipped over his head, he relaxed, started giving kisses and immediately became the sweet, lovable, typical IG he is today. Gil’s feet were raw, his back will never be what it should be and of course he was HW positive. He was successfully treated, but not before the disease had affected his heart. And all those tacos took their toll – he has kidney disease, too, requiring a special diet kibble. All of these conditions are stable however, and he is finally pronounced “ready” for his chance at adoption.
Foxy Lady is a lovely four-year-old, average-sized, seal and white female. She is sweet and beautiful. She knows how to sit and stay, and gets along with other dog. Foxy Lady is very social and friendly.
Foxy Lady
Please note that these dogs may have been adopted by the time you visit them; however, there are many more wonderful dogs in need of forever homes.
Lyric, a beautiful white pied, average sized, seven-year-old female, is feeling safe and happy with her foster family. After only a very short time, she has transformed into a relaxed and happy hound. She was probably a beloved pet at one time before she fell on hard times. She calmly lets her nails be trimmed without trying to pull away. She plays with the squeaky stuffies. And she has adapted to her foster’s potty schedule. She is HW positive, and will be available approximately near year’s end.
Lyric
Seymore
Seymore, a three-year-old male, is absolutely beautiful red with white coloring. He is average size. He was left at a vet when his family broke up and is making up for all those lost hugs and kisses by staying in his IG Rescue foster mom's lap whenever she will sit. He is HW positive and will be ready for adoption after treatment. Urban Paws Magazine 25
tail end Top 10 Smartest Dog Breeds Just as people are smart in different ways (think book-smart and street-smart), dog smarts also differ. Dogs that learn commands more easily and do them as they’re told, are considered book-smart. The Border Collie is at the top of the class, by this criteria, and definitely should be considered one of the smartest dog breeds. In his bestselling book, The Intelligence of Dogs, neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD, focused on trainability as a marker of intelligence. The University of British Columbia psychology professor relied on the assessments of 110 breeds by more than 200 professional dog obedience judges who scored breeds based on working/obedience tests. The top dogs absorbed commands in less than five repetitions and obeyed them 95% of the time or better. Here's the list, along with a breed description by the American Kennel Club: 1. Border Collie: A workaholic, this breed is the world's premier sheep herder, prized for its intelligence, extraordinary instinct, and working ability. 2. Poodle: Exceptionally smart and active. Bred to retrieve things from the water. The miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting. 3. German Shepherd: The world's leading police, guard, and military dog -- and a loving family companion and herder. 26 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
4. Golden Retriever: Intelligent and eager to please. Bred as a hunting companion; ideal as a guide and as assistance with search-and-rescue operations. 5. Doberman Pinscher: Known for its stamina and speed. Bred to be a guardian and in demand as a police and war dog. 6. Shetland Sheepdog: The "Sheltie" is essentially a miniature working Collie. A rough-coated, longhaired working breed that is keenly intelligent. Excels in herding. 7. Labrador Retriever: An ideal sporting and family dog. Gentle and intelligent. 8. Papillon: A happy, alert breed that isn't shy or aggressive. Known as Dwarf Spaniels in the 16th and 17th centuries, they reach 8-11 inches high. 9. Rottweiler: Robust and powerful, the breed is happiest with a job. Suitable as a police dog, herder, service dog, therapy dog, obedience competitor, and devoted companion. 10. Australian Cattle Dog: Happiest doing a job like herding, obedience, or agility. Energetic and intelligent.