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.
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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. Pug is a dog breed with an incredibly long lineage dating back to ancient China and they were brought to Europe in 16th century. But i would be very curious, if the people who brought them to Europe in 16th century would recognize the Pug we have today, because they look very very different.
[Historical Evolution] Like all animals, dogs evolve and change over time, but some breeds experience more rapid transformations due to selective breeding. And Pug is a great example. Pugs were not bred for any specific working purpose, they are just our companions. And since there is a demand for companion dogs to be as cute as possible, breeders started selectively bred Pugs to have flatter faces, more wrinkles and larger eyes. They are basically trying to make Pugs look similar to human infants. However, this has drastically altered their appearance. Historic photos reveal that past Pugs were leaner, more athletic, and had longer legs. While they might not have been as cute as today's Pugs, they were undoubtedly much healthier. [Health Concerns] The current breeding standard causes many unnecessary health problems, such as various breathing difficulties and overheating due to the flat face, encephalopathy or various eye issues. Pugs are also prone to becoming obese. These health issues are a consequence of prioritizing appearance over well-being. [Appreciating Modern Pugs] This is not intended to insult modern day Pugs. We all know their charming personality. Pugs have super playful, loving and outgoing temperament, perfect for companion dog. And even modern day Pugs can be active companions and there are even individuals that compete in agility! And i think that is very important for the dog, to keep them active, to keep them moving. They should not lay on the coach all day long doing nothing. The Pug is famously nicknamed "multum in parvo," meaning much in little, or a big personality in a small body. While their appearance may have changed, their spirit remains intact. The Pug's endearing personality is what captures our hearts the most. It is also important to notice, that Pugs are not the only breed that radically changed over time. Bulldogs, Bull Terriers or German Shepherds look very different in historic photos as well. And just like the Pug, it is not a change for better. 1) Origin
The Campeiro Bulldog has its origin in 16th and 17th century in the Brazilian region Rio Grande do Sul. In the 16th century, European immigrants brought many dog breeds with them to Brazil, and one of these breeds was the famous Old English Bulldog. In Brazil, the Old English Bulldog was bred to better meet the needs of local farmers as a catch dog and to be able to work in harsh rural Brazilian environment. Actually, the Campeiro Bulldog can be translated to English as a „rural Bulldog“. 2) Catch dog The main and traditional utilization of Campeiro Bulldog always was to be the best possible catch dog. Which means that they were trained to catch and hold the cattle, they traveled long distances to fetch cattle and they were also used to round up pigs. Later, they were used to work with cattle in slaughterhouses as well. To be good at this kind of utilization, the Campeiro Bulldog must be very durable and endurant, fearless and courageous, quite strong and they must be able to make good decisions on their own. 3) Almost Extinct In 1970s, it was banned to use dogs like Campeiro Bulldog in Brazilian slaughterhouses. Before this ban, the Campeiro Bulldog was very common in some Brazilian states, but after the ban, the breeds population declined rapidly, as they lost their main utilization. Brazilians could not use them for work and there was a big competition by foreign breeds for compenion pets. This resulted in almost extinction of the Campeiro Bulldog. Luckily, groups of enthusiasts decided to preserve the breed and already in the mid 1970s private breeding programm was commenced. And they were succesfull, as the Campeiro Bulldog is not on the verge of extinction anymore. One of the man credited for saving the breed is Ralf Bender Schein. 4) Loyal guardian Even today, the Campeiro Bulldog is still used to work with cattle. But it can also be trained to be reliable and loyal protector. They are strong and their mere presence could deter any intruders. But they are also absolutely loyal, brave and they are naturally suspicious towards strangers. This combination of personality traits is perfect for good guardian. And indeed, the Campeiro Bulldog would protect its loved ones from any kind of danger if needed. 5) Loving companion But of course, the Campeiro Bulldog is not only the tough worker, but also, and maybe surprisingly, very loving companion dog. The breed is typically very calm and relaxed around its own people, and it shows affection towards the whole family. They are known to be quite patient with kids as well, but of course, you should never leave any dog breed with a very young child unsupervised. Above all, the Campeiro Bulldog is known for its loyalty to its owner, they are loyal beyond the grave. 6) Size Accordingly to the official breed standard, the Campeiro Bulldog is standing between 19-22 inches, which is 48-56 cm, and its weight is usually between 68-93 lbs, which is 31-42 kg. Females are naturally slightly smaller than males. 7) Coat and Color The Campeiro Bulldog has short and smooth coat with a medium texture, which is neither too rough or too soft. The breed can come in any possible color and color combination with the exception of merle color. The most common colors are fawn, brown and brindle. 8) Maintenance Thanks to its short coat, the Campeiro Bulldog does not need almost any maintenance and grooming. Ocassional brushing will benefit the coat, as it will remove all the dead and loose hair and it will minimize the shedding. No other grooming is required. Just like with all dog breeds, you should regularly check their eyes, ears, nails and teeth and clean them or clip them if needed. 9) Exercise needs The Campeiro Bulldog has average exercise needs. They are not hyperactive dogs, but definitely not coach potatoes neither. Daily walks accompanied with some playtime or training will be enough for these dogs. But they are always ready for a long hike as well, they love outdoor adventures and they will love to accompany you to even harsh terrain hikes. It is important to provide them with some longer daily walks, so they stay in good shape, happy and healthy. 10 Health The Campeiro Bulldog is typically hardy and relatively healthy dog breed, capable of living in warmer climate than most other Bulldogs without problems. Of course, every dog breed can suffer from some health issues and the Campeiro Bulldog is no exception. The short nose of Campeiro Bulldog can be prone to becoming dry and crusty. The Campeiro Bulldog should not have that many breathing difficulties like some other Bulldogs. Just like all dogs, they can sometimes be prone to allergies and infections or some eye problems, but it should not be very common in this dog breed. Did you know that there are two Akita dog breeds? The original ancient Japanese Akita, also known as Akita Inu or Akita Ken and the younger American Akita, that was developed in the 20th century.
Let's start with a brief history of these two breeds, which will explain why there are two different Akita breeds. The Japanese Akita is an extremely old ancient dog breed that dates back hundreds of years. It was used to hunt elks, boar or even bears, later as a guard or as a companion for samurais. Due to the international isolation of Japan in the past, the Akita Inu lived exclusively on the Japanese islands and it was not exported to other countries. That changed in the 20th century. The first Akita Inu dog was brought to the USA by the famous Helen Keller in the 1930s. Since than, many Akitas were brought to other countries around the world, but most often it was Akitas that fell out of favour with the Japanese breeders, particularly the Dewa-types and dogs with the signature black mask or pinto marking. Many US military servicemen also took Akita dogs from Japan. To this day, many Japanese breeders do not consider the American variety as pure, as they are not bred by the more strict Japanese breed standard. In America, the Akita was bred to be bigger, better for guarding and fighting and stronger. Some American breeders even mixed the imported Akitas with various Mastiff dog breeds in order to achieve a taller and heavier dog breed. And the size really is one of the main differences between these two breeds. Here you can see the height and weight comparison of both Akita breeds. The difference is rather subtle, but on the first sight, the American Akita really looks larger and more powerful. The easiest way to recognize these two breeds apart is their head. The Japanese Akita has more pointy features on their head, such as the muzzle and they have slightly smaller heads. On the other hand the American Akita has a larger and boxier head. Most people will agree that the Japanese Akita has a fox-like face and the American Akita has a bear-like face. Both breeds have the same coat type, which is a fluffy, shorter double coat that sheds a lot. You will have to brush their coat regularly in order to minimize the shedding. The difference in the coat is in the coloration. The original Akita Inu is only accepted in brindle, white, sesame and red fawn color. You can find American Akita in the same colors, but they can also be black, pinto, gray or silver. Usually, the American Akita has a distinctive dark mask on their face, which is very rare in the Japanese Akita. There are some others, smaller differences. The Japanese Akita typically has a more tightly curled tail and their ears can sit further down in comparison to American Akitas' always pointed ears. The Japanese Akita has almond shaped eyes and the American Akita has smaller, deep set eyes. So now you know how to recognize the two Akita breeds apart. Now, let's look at their temperament. And it is very very similar. Both dogs are known for their extreme loyalty. If you saw the Hachiko movie, you know what I'm talking about. They are loyal beyond the grave. Both breeds are also extremely independent dogs, typically very alert, confident, smart, aloof towards strangers and other dogs. It is not a dog breed for novices, they need firm, but kind hands and proper training and socialization. With the wrong owner, these dogs might become aggressive. There really is not many differences in the behaviour of these dogs. I would say that the Japanese Akita is slightly more energetic, they might have a higher chasing instinct and I would say that they are more alert and distrustful towards strangers. This does not mean that the American Akita is friendly towards strangers. They also have a natural protective instinct and it takes them some time before accepting a new person into their life. But I would say that they are a little bit more relaxed, calm and possibly more tolerant. But again, these differences are very very small. Lets end the video with comparing the health of both breeds. The smaller Japanese Akita has slightly longer lifespan, typically around 12 or 13 years, while the American Akita has lifespan around 11 or 12 years. Those are pretty healthy dog breeds and they tend to have the same health problems, such as bloating, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy or hypothyroidism. Both breeds have pretty sensitive stomachs and they tend to react badly to high energy food. Sometimes it can be hard to differentiate between the famous Pug and the lovable Brussels Griffon. These two dogs are both small and cute companions with pushed-in muzzles and large expressive eyes. However, there are some important differences as well, and in this video, I will show you all of them!
First of all, let's mention that there are three types of Brussels Griffon: the Griffon Belge, Griffon Bruxellois, and Petit Brabancon. The Griffon Belge and Griffon Bruxellois have longer, wiry coats, so you can easily distinguish them from the Pug. On the other hand, the Petit Brabancon has a smooth coat and looks much more similar to the Pug. If you're curious about the striking similarities in appearance between these two breeds, it's important to note that they are related. The Pug is an ancient Chinese dog breed that dates back thousands of years and arrived in Europe in the 16th century. The Brussels Griffon, on the other hand, is a much younger breed with a history tracing back to 19th-century Belgium. They were developed from a rough-coated dog known as the Smousje and were later crossbred with the Pug and King Charles Spaniel. So, while the Pug is not the main ancestor of the Brussels Griffon, these two breeds are related. At first glance, you can see the similarities between the two breeds. Both are small and have short, flat snouts. However, upon closer inspection, you will notice many differences in their appearance. The first difference is size. You can see the size comparison on the screen right now. The Pug is slightly taller but much heavier than the Brussels Griffon. Most of the time, this difference is visible, as the Brussels Griffon appears more athletic and lean, while the Pug looks more compact and robust. Both dogs have pushed-in noses and large eyes, but the Pug is known to have more wrinkles on its muzzle and face. Pugs also have slightly larger eyes compared to Brussels Griffons. Another major appearance difference is the tail. The tail of the Brussels Griffon is often docked. When undocked, it is carried upwards with the tip towards the back without reaching it or being curled. On the other hand, the Pug's tail should be tightly curled over the hip, and a double curl is highly desirable. As I mentioned earlier, there are different coat types for the Brussels Griffon. Some have wiry coats, which are easily distinguishable from the Pug. However, the Petit Brabancon type has a short coat similar to the Pug. This type of coat is harsh, flat, and gleaming. The Pug's coat is smooth, short, and glossy. The coat type is quite similar for both breeds. Despite the similar coat types, these two breeds come in different colors. Pugs can be silver, apricot, fawn, or black, with fawn being the predominant and most common color. The Petit Brabancon comes in red, black, or black and tan colors. They can have a few white hairs on the chest, and both breeds should have a black mask. Now let's talk about temperament. Both dogs have big personalities, but they are not the same. The Brussels Griffon is much more watchful and alert; they are very inquisitive and interested in their surroundings. The Pug is a more social dog and is typically friendlier to strangers. They just enjoy being around people. However, both dogs are extremely loyal to their owners. They are like shadows and want to be everywhere with you. Both can be good companions for kids and can be socialized to live with other dogs or pets in the household. The Brussels Griffon is slightly more energetic and active, always ready for any kind of outdoor adventure. However, even Pugs need daily exercise to stay in good shape, but they are not as demanding in terms of exercise as the Brussels Griffon. Both can be prone to health issues related to their large eyes and short snouts, but these problems are more prevalent in Pugs. Both breeds can suffer from breathing difficulties, heat stroke, various eye conditions, or cleft palate. In addition to that, Pugs can have problems with skin infections caused by their wrinkly skin, and many Pugs are prone to obesity. The average lifespan of the Brussels Griffon is around 13 or 14 years, while the average lifespan of Pugs is around 12 years. |