History
The history, ancestry and origin of Segugio Maremmano is rather unknown. It is believed, that the breed was developed in 1800s by Italian hunters in the southern part of Tuscany region, also known as Maremma region. They were not developed for their apperance or for the show ring but for pure performance as hunters. These hunters kept breeding Segugio Maremmano, because it was just the perfect wild boar hunting companion, perfectly adapted to the environment of the southarn area of Tuscany. We do not know anything about the breeds ancestry and it was most likely developed from unregistered hunting dogs and possibly even street dogs, which was one of the reasons, why this breed was not officially registered for decades by Italian Kennel Club. This changed in 2009 when the breed was finally recognized. Appearance The Segugio Maremmano is a medium sized dog breed with very elegant and athletic build. The body has rectangular shape and the Segugio Maremmano has pretty large head, relative to the body. The average height of Segugio Maremmano is between 46-54 cm (18-21 in) and weight between 13-23 kg (29-51 lbs). Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. Interesting fact is, that the breed can have two coat types, either smooth or rough. The smooth haired variety has short coat, that is dense and shiny, while the rough coat is slightly longer, dense and shaggy. It is important to say, that the short haired smooth coated type is far more popular and approximately 90% of the dogs have smooth coat. The Segugio Maremmano comes in various colors, such as brindle, black and tan and in various shades of fawn, from pale to dark tan. There may also be white spots on the legs, neck, chest, forehead, and tip of the tail. The Segugio Maremmano has oval shaped, dark colored eyes, triangular hanging ears, strong neck, well developed chest, tail that is set high and quite muscular limbs. Temperament The Segugio Maremmano is still used for hunting in Italy, but it is also becoming companion dog and they have great temperamental characteristics for both purposes. As a hunter, they are specialized to hunt wild boar and their main weapons on the hunt are their high prey drive, confidence, bravery, great stamina, sense of smell and hearing. They also use their pleasing voice well differentiated in accordance to hunting phases. The Segugio Maremmano can work on its own or in a pack of hounds and they are greatly adapted to Tuscany environment and they are able to go through dense forests and ponds to bring its master some prey. When choosing Segugio Maremmano as a companion pet, you should be prepared for free spirited and highly energetic dog with high prey drive. They definitely need daily longer walks, jogs, hikes, fun training session or vigorous playtime to stay happy and healthy. You should also be prepared for pretty independent dog, that will not always obey your commands, but they are intelligent dogs capable of learning all the basic obedience commands fairly quickly. But the Segugio Maremmano is also known for its kind and gentle character and they create strong bond with the family. Most of these dogs adore children and they will love to play with them, but it is always a must to supervise any actions between any dog breed and young child. And of course, they are not the best for families with other household pets, as Segugio Maremmano is natural born hunter with strong prey drive. But they can happily live with other dogs, especially if socialized together from puppyhood. Health and grooming Great news is, that the Segugio Maremmano has minimal grooming needs. Whether its smooth or rough coat, they stay in relatively good condition by itself even without any grooming. Of course, it is better if you can brush the coat from time to time to keep it in best possible condition and to redistribute natural oils all over the coat. Regular brushing will also remove any loose and dead hair and minimize the shedding. No other grooming is needed. There are no known health issues, which would be very common in this breed and they should typically not suffer from any serious genetic health issues. The average lifespan is somewhere around 13 years.
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Lately i have been asked what is the difference between the Australian Cattle Dog and Blue Heeler and i thought that maybe more people are confused and curious about this.
And well, the answer to this question is actually quite simple: there is NO real difference between the Australian Cattle Dog, Blue Heeler, or Red Heeler. The official breed name is Australian Cattle Dog, and the Blue Heeler and Red Heeler are simply nicknames for the same dog breed. In addition to these names, the Cattle dog is also known as Halls Heeler, named after the breed's founder, Thomas Hall, or Queensland Heeler, which relates to the Australian state where the breed originated. However, all these different names refer to the same dog breed. When it comes to their characteristics, there is absolutely no difference between the Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, or Australian Cattle Dog. They all have the same size, body type, and share common traits such as being alert, lively, hardworking, and possessing an independent mind with high intelligence. The only difference lies in their coat color. Australian Cattle dogs come in either red or blue color, and both colors can be speckled or mottled. As you can probably guess, the red-colored Cattle dogs are nicknamed Red Heelers, while the blue-colored ones are called Blue Heelers. This is the only true difference between them. I have come across opinions on the internet suggesting that Blue Heelers are generally softer than the more aggressive Red Heelers. However, this is not true and is likely based on the experiences of some individuals with specific dogs of each color. Of course, some Blue Heelers might be more alert than Red Heelers and vice verse, it is purely genetic thing, but there is zero evidence, and it honestly does not make sense, that Blue Heelers would be regularly softer than Red Heelers. The reason why this does not make sense is, that the color of the Australian Cattle Dog is also purely genetically determined. Even two Blue Heelers can have a litter full of red colored dogs, but these dogs, even though they will have different color, will most likely inherit the personality of its parents. In conclusion, there is no real difference between Red Heelers and Blue Heelers as they are both Australian Cattle Dogs. So, if you are deciding between them, there is no need to worry about any significant distinctions. Simply choose the color that you prefer and, of course, select a dog from a reputable breeder. In the past, i owned an old deaf dog adopted from shelter and in this video i will tell you what are the main advantages and benefits of adopting a senior dog.
It really depends on your preferences, but one of the most obvious advantages of adopting and owning an older dog is, that they are more chill, relaxed, less destructive and less hyper than puppies. Most people want to buy or adopt cute puppy, but puppies are whirlwinds of boundless energy. If something can be chewed, they will chew it. Older dogs typically already grew up from these habits and they are typically much more mellow and laid back. Older dogs also require less time and supervision. Senior dogs are instant companions, most of them are ready for long walks in nature, but they do not demand it just as little puppies. Most of them also know what are their boundaries, so they do not need to be supervised 24/7 just like a little pup. This goes hand in hand with potty training. Almost all the senior dogs are house broken and your carpet will definitely thank you for adopting an older dog rather than buying a little puppy. Not only that senior dogs are housebroken, they are very often already trained, or at least they know the basic obedience commands. You should always ask in shelter about the dogs socialization and training and the shelter personnel should give you overview about your chosen dogs abilities. And even untrained senior dogs are still capable of learning all the needed commands relatively fast. You can definitely teach old dog new tricks. Adopting already socialized older dog rather than young unsocialized pup is also a big benefit. Of course, make sure in the shelter, that the dog truly is well socialized, because there will be old dogs without socialization. But most older dogs will be socialized to at least some degree and when the UPS truck rolls up, an older adult dog may give it a sideways glance, rather than jump off the couch barking at the new intruder. Many people who adopted older dogs, including myself, also say, that older adopted dogs form a special bond with their new owner. It almost feels like the dog is instantly attached to their new owner, they are grateful and they appreciate you for taking care of them. But of course, this might not always be the case. You will also know what you will get in terms of size. Older dogs will not grow any bigger. If you would adopt a young pup or buy a mixed breed, you will never know how big it will really get. This is not the issue with older dogs. What you see is what you get. And last, but not least benefit is, that you will save a life. Most people will prefer to adopt a young pup from the shelter, but senior dogs need a home too. Old, or even just adult dogs, are often passed over by potential adopters for puppies and younger dogs and they spend much more time in shelter up to 4x as long as a younger dog. Of course, there are also some big disadvantages of adopting a senior dog. The biggest are health issues. Most senior dogs will eventually suffer from some kind of a health problem, it might be hip problems, digestive problems, eye problems.. It can be just anything and you must reckon with it. They will also live for much shorter time. But they do deserve to spend their last days in loving family, rather than in a shelter. Many senior dogs create extremely strong bond with their new adopting parents, which can lead to separation anxiety. And if you are a very active person or family, the old dog might lack the energy and enthusiasm to live a happy life. They might also lack energy around kids, other dogs or other animals, so count with that as well. Adopting an old dog is not an easy decision. Many people want to adopt old dog just to make a good deed. But it is much more than that, it is a big commitment for several years and you should really think it through. There are many people who adopted an adult dog, just to put it back to shelter after few months. But from my experience, adopting an old dog is a great decision! Let's start with a brief origin and history of both breeds. Both breeds were developed for hunting hare, but they are not directly related. The similarities between the two might be explained by an ancient common ancestor, the St. Hubert Hound. However, we cannot be 100% certain about this because the Beagle's history is surrounded by mystery, and no one really knows its exact ancestry. The St. Hubert Hound is the only link between the ancestry of these two dogs, but the Beagle was mainly developed in England, and the Basset in France and as i mentioned earlier, they are not directly related to each other.
So what are the main differences between the Beagle and Basset Hound? Let's start with appearance, and later, we'll discuss temperament. The most important difference is size. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now (see video). The difference in height is rather subtle, but the real difference lies in weight and body length. The Basset is much heavier, sturdier, and longer. The Basset Hound has a body length of up to 35 inches (88 cm), while the Beagle only reaches up to 25 inches (63 cm). The Beagle also has a much more athletic body and longer legs compared to the extremely short legs of the Basset. The Basset's short stature is caused by dwarfism, as they were intentionally bred from St. Hubert's Hound with dwarfism to achieve this unique long and short body. This is the biggest difference between the two breeds. But there are other important appearance differences as well. The Beagle has a squared face, while the Basset has a prolonged face with very long floppy ears that can touch the ground. Beagle's ears are much smaller. Another distinguishing feature of the Basset is its large paws, especially in comparison to its short legs. The Basset is also more wrinkly on its face. So, the main differences in appearance are size, body type, leg length, paw size, and length of the ears. Both breeds have a similar coat, which is very smooth and dense, coming in black, white, and tan tricolor. Both breeds can also come in slightly different colors, and you can see the complete color list on the screen right now. The Basset should have a slightly longer and coarser coat than the Beagle, although it might not be visible at first glance. Now let's talk about temperament. It is true that both dogs were originally bred for hunting hare. The difference was that Beagles were mainly used for physically demanding pack hunting of hare, while the Basset was primarily used for tracking hare and deer. This is the main reason why Beagles are more energetic and lively, demanding much more physical exercise. There is a myth that the Basset is a lazy lap dog. While they are much more laid-back than Beagles, they still need daily walks and fun playtime to stay in good shape. They are not total couch potatoes but are definitely more laid-back and less hyperactive than Beagles. Because the Basset was mainly used for tracking, they have an extremely good sense of smell. It is said to be the second-best nose in the dog world, just after the Bloodhound. Both dogs are vocal, but Beagles tend to bark and howl much more. This is also a reflection of their history as pack hunters, as they used to be extremely vocal on the hunt, and they still tend to bark frequently. This is something you should consider when getting a Beagle. Bassets are also quite vocal but not to the extent of Beagles. So, these are the main differences. There are many more similarities in temperament. Both dogs are friendly and sociable, wanting to be active members of the family. They can happily live with other dogs and make good gentle and playful partners for kids. On the other hand, both breeds are known to be quite stubborn and independent, which can make training a bit difficult. However, both can easily learn all the basic obedience commands, although they might not obey them every single time. Comparing the ability for training, I would say that the laid-back temperament of the Basset makes it better suited for training, especially for novice dog owners. Both breeds have a strong prey drive and chasing instinct, so other household pets might be problematic. You should be very careful on your walks and only let your dog off-leash in fenced or well-known areas. Last but not least, let's compare health and grooming. Beagles have a longer life expectancy, around 13 or 14 years, compared to the Basset's 11 years. Beagles are generally considered very healthy dogs, with the main health issues being joint problems, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy. Bassets, due to their body type, are much more prone to various health issues, such as back problems, elbow and hip dysplasia, osteochondrosis, eye issues, or von Willebrand's disease. Bassets are also prone to obesity, so you should be very careful with their feeding and provide them with enough exercise. Grooming the Beagle is much easier. They shed less than Bassets, and brushing their coat once a week is enough to keep it in decent condition. Bassets require more frequent brushing to minimize heavy shedding and maintain the coat's good condition. I would recommend brushing them at least three times a week, if not daily. You should also take extra care of the Basset's ears, cleaning them and keeping them dry to prevent ear infections. This applies to the Beagle as well, but due to the size of the Basset's ears, they are much more prone to ear problems. Additionally, you should keep the Basset's wrinkles and skin folds clean to avoid infections. Bassets also tend to drool more compared to the Beagle, which is a relatively clean breed. I believe that covers the complete comparison of Basset and Beagle. Please let me k 1) Origin
People in the area of todays Lithuania were breeding and using various hounds since the Middle Ages. These native Lithuanian scent hounds definitely played a role in developing the Lithuanian Hound, which is most likely a result of crossing these native dogs with hunting dogs from the neighboring countries, such as Polish Hunting dogs, but also with other imported European hunting breeds, such as Bloodhounds. It is believed, that the Lithuanian Hound was shaped into the breed we know today since the 16th century and the breed was mentioned in the Statues of Lithuania from 1588. 2) Hunter For centuries, the Lithuanian Hound was unreplaceable hunting companion for Lithuanian people. They were highly valued for their relentlesness, bravery, strength and stamina, persistance and high prey drive. It is very hardy breed, capable of hunting in harsh climate and terrain and also very versatile breed, capable of hunting both small, but also large and dangerous prey in large open areas. 3) Almost extinct Back in the days, hunting was a necessity for survival in Lithuania and logically, Lithuanian Hounds were very popular and widespread even in the 19th century. But with the urbanisation and lifestyle changes, hunting was not necessity anymore, but rather a hobby, and the numbers of Lithuanian Hounds started to decline. The two World Wars decimated the Lithuanian Hound numbers even more and it is estimated that after the Second World War there was only 78 pure Lithuanian Hounds alive. Enthusiasts rallied to save the breed, and through their efforts, the hound was revived and standardized by the 1960s. Today, the breed is still extremely rare and almost unknown outside Lithuania, but it is not on the verge of extinction anymore. 4) Companion The Lithuanian Hound is not only a hunter, but also gentle, kind and loyal companion dog. They do have strong prey drive, so they might not be the best fit for household with other pets, but they can live with other dogs or kids in the family. And there are even some Lithuanian Hounds that were socialized with cats, but this is vastly influenced by early socialization. The Lithuanian Hound is very smart and kind of trainable dog, but you will need a lot of patience for the training, it is not a pushover to train. These dogs are beloved for their enthusiastic, playful and energetic nature. 5) Proud Lithuanians Lithuanians are very proud for having the Lithuanian Hound. There are sculptures of Lithuanian Hound in several Lithuanian cities, such as Vilnius, Klaipėda and Telšiai, which is an evidence of growing popularity of this breed. The Lithuanian Hound was also depicted together with Lithuanian native horse breed (Žemaitukas) on commemorative coins issued by the Bank of Lithuania. 6) Size This is a sturdy and heavy boned dog breed with athletic, but still very muscular body. The average height is between 48-60 cm (19-24 in) and weight is usually between 24-30 kg (53-66 lb). Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. 7) Exercise As you can probably expect from a dog breed used for centuries for physically demanding hunting, the Lithuanian Hound is very energetic dog breed with high exercise needs. These dogs need plenty and plenty of rigorous exercise, both physical and mental, to stay healthy and happy. It can be long walks, jogs, hikes, vigorous playtime or fun training sessions, just anything, that will occupy them. These dogs are naturally curious and they will love to go on any outdoor adventure with you. It is important to say, that these dogs are only suited for active people and active families! 8) Coat and color The coat of Lithuanian Hound is short, thick, sleek and glossy. According to the official breed standard, it must be a black coat with tan marking on chest, ears, snout and forehead. White spot on the chest is allowed as well. 9) Maintenance The coat of Lithuanian Hound is very easy for maintenance. It does shed, so regular brushing will help to minimize the shedding by removing all the dead and loose hair and it will also redistribute natural oils all over the coat. But no other grooming, other than brushing, is required. Of course, just like with any other dog breed, you should regularly check their eyes, ears, nails and teeth and clip them or clean them if needed. 10) Health The average lifespan of the Lithuanian Hound is between 12-14 years and it is generally hardy and healthy dog breed. The main health issues are associated with joint and bones like hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation, but these problems are associated with all the larger and deep chested dogs. Due to small population of Lithuanian Hounds, there are worries about inbreeding and study from 2008 calculated that the coefficient of inbreeding at 2.09% and relatedness at 6.74%. But overall this is rather healthy dog breed. The Heideterrier is still relatively young dog breed, that came into being in 1970s in Germany. The reason for creating of new dog breed was the desire for just as skilled hunting dog as the already existing Jagdterrier, but that would have larger size, which would enable the dog to hunt wild boar in difficult terrain.
They also wanted a calmer dog, than the typical terrier. They did not want a dog that will run into every hole searching for prey. But the dog should prevail all the other hunting traits of a good terrier, such as very good nose, endurance, high prey drive and loyalty to the owner. The first men who started developing the Heideterrier were Karl Heinz Markhoff and Hans Werner Jahnke. They decided to cross the Jagdterrier with hunting-appropriate Airedale Terriers. Those two breeds are the main ancestors of todays Heideterrier. Some could call the Heideterrier as a crossbreed, and it is true that they are not officially recognized by any major kennel club, but these dogs exist for decades, most of them are used for working purposes and most real Heideterriers are bred according to the system and bloodlines of the founders. Heideterriers used for breeding should pass something, that could be called as performance test, where they show their wild boar hunting skills. These dogs should have strong nerves, they should hunt with intelligence, but they should not be overly sharp like most terriers are and they should be able to hunt by sight and by nose. The Heideterrier is a dog breed that is bred for a purpose, for a performance, rather than for appearance and dog shows. The Heideterrier has potential in other fields than hunting wild boar as well. They make great retrieving dogs, on both land and water. And due to its very good nose, they would be able to work as police dogs, for example as sniffer dogs or rescue dogs. But their main utilization will always be wild boar hunting. But this is not only a hunter, but also loving and loyal companion. This is very stable, well mannered and completely devoted dog towards its family. They are relatively soft, especially in comparsion with other terriers, so they might make good partners for kids, but of course, you should always supervise the interaction between young children and any dog breed. The Heideterrier can live with other dogs in the household, but other family pets might be problematic, due to the Heideterriers higher prey drive. Many Heideterriers might have pretty strong character, lets say independent. It is very typical for most hunting dog breeds, they must be able to think and solve problems on the hunt bythemselves. This can make them little bit difficult to handle for novices, but with proper socialization and training and with enough daily exercise, the Heideterrier can make very good companion. These dogs have pretty strong desire to please. If the Heideterrier is not used for hunting, daily physical and mental exercise is a must, so the dog stay healthy and happy. Daily longer walks, jogs, vigorous playtime or fun training sessions are essential for this dog breed. This is not a coach potatoe! Without enough exercise, they might develop some unwanted behaviour, such as destruction. And what about the appearance? For a terrier, this is relatively robust and large dog breed, with average height between 45-55 cm, which is 17-22 in and weight is typically between 15-25 kg, which is 33-55 lbs. So this is medium sized dog breed and naturally, females are slightly smaller than males. The Heideterrier should have athletic, but muscular body, straight legs, semi-cropped ears and good scissor bite. They can come in different coat types, either short-haired or wire-haired and the typical colors are black, red and combinations of those two colors. Last, but not least, lets talk about the health of Heideterrier. The average lifespan is around 12 or 13 years. The breed is usually pretty healthy, but just like any other breed, there are some health issues that are occuring in this breed. We talk about the primary lens luxation, myopathy, and some joint problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia. But these problems should not be extremely common in the Heideterrier and the breed should usually be quite healthy. |