A new test could soon tell you. You can discover the ancestry of any dog with a simple blood test. The blood test looks at the DNA of the dog and compares it to the DNA of pure breeds.

Mars Veterinary was able to map the DNA sequences and created a database containing the unique DNA signatures of more than 130 pure breeds. By comparing the DNA from a mixed ’Heinz 57′ dog and compaing that to the data base, its possible to see which breeds are in your dog.

This would be particularly useful when training your dog - you could tailor the training to your dogs genetic, breed personality traits.

And useful for health reasons; is a mixed breed dog prone to the same diseases to which we know that purebred to be predisposed?

terrier

The Best in Show is chosen from the winners of seven different categories, which include terrier, hound, toy, gun and working dogs.

But a ’super dog’ may have emerged as favourite to win the trophy. In fact, the bookmakers William Hill have stopped taking bets on him. They said they had closed the book on which category of dog would win Best in Show after a “flurry of activity” over two days backed a “utility” dog winner.

The firm’s Rupert Adams said: “There must be people in the know who are aware of an absolute wonder dog.”

But a  spokeswoman for the Kennel Club said the Crufts winner could not be predicted. “It’s highly amusing to us as we don’t understand how anybody could second-guess the judges,” she said.

But we terrier lovers know that terriers are the best! Willy, a Tibetan terrier, won Best in Show last year, lets see if the terriers can come through again! 

terrier dogs

He knows there’s a very exciting world outside out garden, full of smells of foxes, squirrels, rabbits etc and he’s tantilised by them all. A combination of his terrier determination and his digging abilities means that he often burrows under the fence and goes walkabout.

As any dog owner knows this is very worrying. The dog, in his mind, is just on a big adventure - but the owners know that their pet could easily be knocked over on the road and injured or even killed.

Many’s the time that I’ve wandered around our neighbourhood (even in the neighbours gardens!) shouting his name and rattling his treat box. So far he’s always turned up safe and well, but one day his luck might run out…..

So I was very interested to read about a GPS tracking system for dogs.

The GPS tracking system is fitted to the collar. The owner sets up a home zone in which the dog is allowed to roam. Once the dog leaves that zone, the owner will be alerted automatically by e-mail or a telephone call.

The owner will be able to track their lost dogs’ location either on their computer by going to the website or by calling the customer-care center while they are driving around looking for the dog.

Sounds like a great idea to me!

terrier dogs

But after reading about Shadrach, I’d add ‘brave’ and ‘determined’ to the list of a Jack Russell’s characteristics.

After becoming lost during a walk in Yorkshire (probably not ‘lost’, probably underground in a rabbit warren!) the dog turned up safely at home 6 days later.

The little dog walked approx 12 miles to get back home crossing busy main roads along the way. His family had given up hope of ever seeing him alive again.

A tribute to his own in-built homing beacon!

Good for you little terrier!

In first place is the Labrador Retriever and the Yorkshire Terrier in second, and the ever-popular German Shepherd in third.

Here’s the list:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Yorkshire Terrier

3. German Shepherd Dog 

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Dachshund

8. Poodle 

9. Shih Tzu

10. Bulldog

Congratulations little Yorkies!

Not surprising that they came in second place, they are lively, playful, affectionate and extremely cute; and make an ideal pet.

To find out more about Yorkies, visit Yorkshire Terrier

yorkshire terrier

Have you bought your terrier a christmas present? Santa is bringing my westie (Monty) a new Rudolph tug toy and a bone stuffed with turkey.

Have you had your terrier groomed? Monty has been for his pre-Christmas hair cut - so he’s looking very smart and (at the moment!) smells of shampoo!

Has your terrier bought his Christmas presents? Monty has bought some dog chocolate truffles for his doggy friends, plus a box of chocolates for the next door neighbour (to say sorry again for barking at her cat and pooing in her garden - oops!) and a westie calender for his mum (me!) so she can look at cute westies all year round!

Has your dog had his Christmas photo taken? Monty hasn’t yet, but I’ve bought him a doggy headband with antlers on it to wear on Christmas Day! (bet he won’t keep it on for more than 5 minutes!)

 Happy Christmas!

+ have a wooferly time with your terrier!

terrier dogs

The International Weight Pull Association’s Dog Weight Pull attracted dogs large and small, from far and wide.

Their mission: Pull as many bags of dog food as they could for 16 feet.

Dogs ranged from a 16-pound Jack Russell Terrier that pulled 360 pounds to a 155-pound St. Bernard that pulled 2,160 pounds.

A 2-year-old American pit bull terrier, Tar-Baby, who weighed in at 31 pounds, hauled more than 900 pounds in the weight pull.  His owner said, “It’s a good way to show the public that pit bull terriers are not just for illegal purposes, and he loves it!”

For more information on Jack Russells and Pit Bull Terriers, visit www.terrier-dogs.co.uk

terrier dogs

http://www.doggysnaps.com/

Now dogs have got their own social networking site, nicknamed ‘FaceBark’, where dogs have their own profile, their own friends and can send their favourite dogs a treat!

The website has a serious side too. It has been created by the Dogs Trust who care for more than 14,000 dogs each year and the site contains entries from stray or abandoned animals the charity is trying to rehome.

Sounds good to me!

Have a look at my Monty

http://www.doggysnaps.com/kennels/westiegirl/montgomery_burns/?rnd=633297947412055499&PID=306236

and send him a treat!

west highland terrier

Originally bred to hunt vermin, they will make it their job to keep your garden free of birds and squirrels! Terrier Dogs

But recently I discovered mice had been in our ‘junk’ cupboard under the stairs. Horrified, I emptied the cupboard out but I couldn’t see where the mice were getting in. So I called in the help of my ‘born hunter’ Westie, Monty.

I fully expected him to go mad sniffing around, on the scent of vermin, and start scratching and digging in the mouse-iest corner.

Nothing!

He went into the cupboard, then just looked up at me as if to say ‘Yes? And? So?’. Born hunter my ****!

Is your Westie a born hunter? I know mine isn’t!

westie

There is a scam email going around with the subject line  ”GORGEOUS YORKSHIRE TERRIER FOR FREE GRAB HER NOW!!!” often with a photo of a cute little Yorkie.

DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL - it is a scam - now known as the Nigerian “free puppy” scam. Far from being ‘free’, the missionary who is giving the puppy away asks for around $500 for fees……

To find out more about scam emails, identity theft and how to protect yourself, visit www.scamemail.co.uk

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