Which dog was bred to hunt vermin on the rocky coasts of Scotland? Which canine can survive in temperatures reaching 70 degrees below zero? Which breed started out assisting fishermen at sea?
Which dog was bred to hunt vermin on the rocky coasts of Scotland? Which canine can survive in temperatures reaching 70 degrees below zero? Which breed started out assisting fishermen at sea? Find out the answers on this episode of Dogs 101 where we'll meet the Portuguese Water Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Alaskan Malamute, Afghan Hound, and the Cairn Terrier.
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Find episode transcript here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/bernese-mountain-dog-afghan-portuguese-water-dog-cairn-terrier
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HOST VO Did this dog follow the yellow brick road? Is this breed the inspiration for a character in Star Wars? Can this dog pull ten times its body weight? Is this the breed Noah took on the ark? Dogs 101 celebrates man’s best friend. Today, the Cairn Terrier. The Alaskan Malamute. The Bernese Mountain Dog. The Afghan Hound. |
HOST VO And we start with the breed that’s marking its territory in Washington, DC.
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The Portuguese Water Dog. This spirited working dog takes to water just like a duck.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC Truly the Portuguese Water Dog is the quintessential water animal.
HOST VO Today they’re often confused with poodles and sometimes…
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… clipped into this lion’s cut. These versatile aquatic animals have been helping humans with water work for centuries.
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The Spanish Armada used Portuguese Water Dogs to carry messages from vessel to vessel.
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The San Francisco Giants once relied on a team of Porties to retrieve home runs hit into the bay waters outside Pacific Bell Park.
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And today these poodle like pooches are making headlines in Washington, DC as the first dog for the Obama family. And though Bo may be…
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… the cutest pooch you’ve ever seen, the Portuguese Water Dog wasn’t bred for its beauty.
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This seafaring canine developed along the coast of Portugal over 500 years ago, called Cau de Aqua which means dog of water in Portuguese, this rugged animal was bred to assist fishermen at sea.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC They did everything from retrieving fish nets to actually chasing fish or scaring fish…
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… into the nets themselves.
HOST VO Exceptional swimmers and divers, Porties also retrieved lost tackle and rescued drowning sailors.
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So what makes Portuguese Water Dogs such superior swimmers? Their paws, which are flat and round with webbed toes. And their rudder like tails which are thick at the base and thinner at the tip. And why can Porties spend long periods of time swimming in frigid waters? Their coats are profuse and waterproof.
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The water is where Portuguese Water Dogs typically make waves.
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But there’s one very lucky Portie making huge waves in Washington. Back in November 2008 Barack Obama made a very big promise to his daughters.
BARACK OBAMA OC/VO Tasha and Malia…
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… you have the earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.
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HOST VO A promise he made good on in April, 2009. Now Bo is the first Portuguese Water Dog to ever live in the White House. He’s stepping into a long line of presidential doggie tradition. In fact, there have been more pooches living in the White House than the Presidents and their families combined.
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So how do the Obama family settle on a Portie? Number one, the breed secretes less dander making it an excellent choice for allergy sufferers like Malia Obama. The Portie is great with kids and loves to be the center of attention. This dog has a lot of energy so it’s a good thing the Obamas are an active family. But, the main reason the Obamas…
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… chose a Portie, a close friend recommended the breed based on his personal experience with his favorite dog.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY VO/OC Splash is a part of our family but he’s part of the Senate family as well.
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HOST VO Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy even gave the Obamas their Bo, who’s from the same line as his dogs. The legendary lawmaker owns three Porties. Splash, Sunny and Cappy. But there’s no question that Splash is the Senator’s number one.
SUSAN MILLIGAN OC/VO Splash is Ted’s dog. Everybody knows it. Ted knows it. Splash knows it. Sunny knows…
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… it and everybody on Capitol Hill knows it.
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HOST VO Susan Milligan co-authored a biography of Kennedy and covers him as a national political correspondent for the Boston Globe. She says Splash is always right by Kennedy’s side.
SUSAN MILLIGAN VO/OC He’s in the Senator’s office. He’s been to the White House. He goes to press conferences. Splash will come in and he’ll kind of…
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… sit next to the Senator like he’s posing for a Christmas card.
SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY VO/OC Splash comes to work with me every day with his little niece, Sonny. He says that he behaves a lot better than most senators.
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HOST VO Dogs have long held a central place in the Kennedy family. John F. Kennedy was the first president to request that this dogs meet the Presidential helicopter when he’d return to the White House. For Senator Kennedy the Portuguese Water Dog was ultimately the only choice.
SUSAN MILLIGAN VO/OC When he met this dog at the kennel, I mean their eyes met and it really was over. They just formed this bond.
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HOST VO |
Splash is such a fixture in Kennedy’s daily life that the Senator wrote a children’s book about him called My Senator And Me A Dog’s Eye View Of Washington, D.C.
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SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY VO I read with a child…
MALE VOICE #1 VO Right.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY VO/OC … at a school on the Hill and I noticed when I first started that there weren’t many books.
MALE VOICE #1 VO Yeah.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY OC/VO And I found that the, the books the children liked dealt with animals and, and pets.
MALE VOICE #1 VO Yeah. Yeah.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY OC/VO So I thought well, I’ll, I’ll try this and then my wife Vicky had the idea of having it told from the point of view of the dog.
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HOST VO The book gives beginning readers a behind the scenes look at how government works. When it was first published in 2006 the book sold over a million copies the first week.
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DAVID SMALL VO It’s a tail that’s going crazy here.
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HOST VO David Small illustrated the book. While doing research he watched Kennedy and his dog let off steam in one of their favorite daily activities, a simple game of fetch.
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DAVID SMALL VO/OC I think that was the moment when Splash was happiest was chasing and leaping after those balls and, and Kennedy was probably the most relaxed…
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… that I’d seen him.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY VO He’s a great fetcher, you know.
MALE VOICE #1 VO Yeah.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY VO He chases the ball.
MALE VOICE #1 VO Right.
SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY VO/OC He’ll do that till and he’ll, if, if I tell you, well we’ve had enough of that, he’ll go over and find some stranger in the park and play ball with them. |
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HOST VO Milligan suspects that aside from relaxation, what Splash offers Kennedy is a partnership free of ulterior motives.
SUSAN MILLIGAN VO/OC Splash doesn’t know he’s a Senator. He’s not trying to get him to slip something into the tax bill. To Splash this is just a guy who loves him and plays with him…
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… and that’s enough for the dog.
HOST VO But what Kennedy’s Portuguese Water Dogs look most forward to…
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… is the same as their owner, a relaxing day at sea.
SUSAN MILLIGAN VO I think the reason that, that Senator Kennedy loves Portuguese Water Dogs so much is that they love the water and his favorite thing to do is to go sailing. And, and those dogs love going on the boat.
HOST VO Stress relief is one of the greatest gifts Splash offers the…
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… Senator. Never more so than during his illness.
SUSAN MILLIGAN VO/OC When Senator Kennedy left the hospital after he was first hospitalized, I thought Splash’s tail was just gonna wag right off his body. He was so happy to see him. I think Splash has been a great source of…
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…of comfort and support for him. |
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HOST VO There’s a popular saying in the Nation’s capitol, if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. Both Senator Kennedy and President Obama followed that advice.
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PRESIDENT OBAMA VO/OC I finally got a friend. |
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HOST VO The Portuguese Water Dog is adaptable but needs access to open space.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that in my opinion needs quite a bit of room to move around and run and do its thing and play.
HOST VO About an hour of vigorous daily exercise should |
keep these energetic creatures happy.
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Hip dysplasia is a major health concern for Portuguese Water Dogs. They’re also prone to progressive retinal atrophy which can cause blindness. To reduce the risk of health problems make sure to find a reputable breeder or adoption center.
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When it comes to grooming, you have two choices: the lion clip, or the easier to maintain retriever clip. Fortunately Porties shed very little, but their coats still need a thorough brushing several times a week to prevent matting.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC You don’t want to not do the grooming and it gets knotted and then it causes all kinds of problems with skin conditions and dandruff and scratching.
HOST VO But these intelligent dogs are highly trainable. Just start early, stay positive and be consistent.
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As a family pet the Portuguese Water Dog is a great addition. These even tempered dogs get along well with children and other pets, too. In a nutshell the Portuguese Water Dog requires opens space and vigorous daily exercise. It can suffer from hip dysplasia and needs a good brushing several times each week. But it’s highly trainable and makes a loving and devoted |
family pet.
SUSAN MILLIGAN VO/OC When Senator Kennedy’s around his dog he just becomes like a little kid again.
HOST VO If you worship the water and want a charismatic canine who does too, the Portuguese Water Dog may be just the dog for you. These playful pooches are sure to go the distance for you by land or sea. |
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HOST VO When Dogs 101 comes back, which dog breed did Noah bring on the ark? Was it this one? Meet the man who trained the dogs for Dorothy and Little Orphan Annie. This could be the strongest dog pulling over a ton. And this breed is know for its singing voice. |
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HOST VO It’s the bounding burly lovable Bernese Mountain Dog. But is this dog built to pull carts?
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that has an innate desire to work.
HOST VO |
Yep, that’s right. If you have farm chores, this is the dog for you. Strap a Berner to a cart and let them get to work, and they’ll love it.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC The animal was bred for a purpose and you can see it most come to life when it’s pursuing that purpose.
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HOST VO Bernese Mountain Dogs are known to pull up to a thousand pounds. That’s ten times the Berner’s bodyweight. And one big Berner even pulled 2200 pounds or the weight of a car. Despite these feats responsible owners are careful not to push their Berners.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC You have to use the right equipment and you have to ask the dog to do only as much as you think they really are physically capable of doing.
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HOST VO Bernese Mountain Dogs are named for the Bern Canton, the central region of Switzerland where the dogs originate. Some believe the Berner Sennenhund as the breed is known in Swiss may be up to 2,000 years old.
XAVIER SANTIAGO OC/VO It’s believed that the Mastiffs that the Romans carried with them during their military campaign was introduced to a herding dog in the lower Alps of Switzerland.
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HOST VO The resulting Bernese Mountain Dogs became indispensable to rural Swiss farm life as drafting dogs. Drafting is another name for pulling carts.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC And they are also bred obviously to be wonderful companions.
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HOST VO At the beginning of the industrial revolution new transportation methods began to replace drafting dogs. Due to lack of concentrated breeding the Bernese nearly disappeared. Led by Professor Albert Heim concerned Swiss breeders reestablished the lineage in the late 19th century.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC They’re very affectionate, very loving. Playful at times. They have a very subtle, loving expression due to their tricolor markings.
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HOST VO Those distinctive black, white and rust markings are shared among all of the greater Swiss Mountain Dogs. This group includes the Appenzeller Sennenhund, the Entlebucher Sennenhund, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. But the Berner is the only one with a long silky coat.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They were a dog that was bred to be able to withstand very cold temperatures.
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HOST VO Berners are built for the mountains with thickly muscled, powerful legs.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC The Bernese Mountain Dog is a very strong dog.
HOST VO That muscle mass makes the Berner almost 30 percent heavier on average than the Labrador Retriever, even though Labs stand roughly as tall as the Berner.
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HOST VO And making use of that muscle mass is what Bernese Mountain Dogs love best. Meet Diesel, a Bernese Mountain Dog who is very serious about his work.
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BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO/OC When you put the harness on them you find that they calm right down. They’re serious, they have a job to do.
HOST VO Brian and Kelly Smigielski count on Diesel to help keep up with chores on their Michigan farm and Diesel is only too happy to oblige.
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO Good job.
HOST VO It’s dawn and Diesel knows that means it’s time to spread hay for the horses. |
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO And forward. They are a good working breed. They’re very good with kids, also other livestock. They’re around the horses and chickens and cats all the time.
HOST VO One of Diesel’s best friends on the farm is Bud, a big Belgian work horse. Diesel brings the breakfast cart out for Bud every morning. And when Bud suits up to work, Diesel is often right there by his side. For Brian Diesel is more than just a helping hand on the farm, he’s keeping centuries of Bernese Mountain Dog tradition alive.
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO Drafting, besides being a lot of fun and interesting, it’s very important I think…
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… to maintain the breed and what they were meant to do.
HOST VO That’s why the Smigielskis play host to Bernese Mountain Dog drafting clinics.
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Today dozens of owners and aficionados come to the farm with their Berners in tow. Or maybe it’s the other way around.
MALE VOICE #2 VO Good girl. Let’s go.
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HOST VO When Andrea Sheffen
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ANDREA SHEFFEN VO When I hooked up Guinness I thought I’m not sure how this is gonna work. He’s young. He’s not gonna take to these shafts pushing up against him. That dog loved it.
HOST VO The main goal of the clinic is to teach handlers the proper technique to fit their dog into the harness and avoid doing anything that will harm the dog. Growing dogs are susceptible to injuries so Brian emphasizes…
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… that only mature dogs should be allowed to draft.
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO/OC Health is the number one criteria with these dogs.
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We won’t even put any weight on our dogs until they’re two years old.
HOST VO But once they get a taste of the action there’s no doubt these dogs love to work.
KELLY SMIGIELSKI VO/OC Did you see how he really knew what you were |
asking him but he was a little distracted?
FEMALE IN DARK SHIRT VO Yeah.
KELLY SMIGIELSKI VO Okay, what do you wanna try next?
HOST VO It’s also a great chance for youngsters to get their first taste of leading draft dogs.
KELLY SMIGIELSKI VO/OC The great thing about these guys is they love to work. I mean he’s a champion, too, so he loves to show, he loves to work. And he loves to be in your lap all at the same time. They’re a great blend of dog.
HOST VO For Diesel…
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… these events are bittersweet. It was only a few months ago that…
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… Diesel’s best friend and drafting mate, Dooly, passed away. Dooly was the Smigielski’s first Berner.
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO/OC Diesel and Dooly were so close. They worked so well together. When we lost Dooly I was very concerned about Diesel. You don’t really prepare yourself for it. Diesel pretty much stayed in the house for three days. He didn’t, he wouldn’t, didn’t wanna go outside. He didn’t |
wanna do anything.
HOST VO Dooly’s loss was a crushing blow to him. But after a few days Diesel started to exhibit a remarkable new maturity.
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI OC/VO All of a sudden we noticed Diesel starting to come around and fill Dooly’s shoes, what Dooly was doing Diesel now did.
HOST VO Now Diesel is helping bring up the newest Berner on the Smigielski farm, Shelby.
BRIAN SMIGIELSKI VO She’s actually at the point now where she’s just pulling a two by four in harness just to get her used to something being behind her. Nice job Shelb. Good girl. We wanna keep the breed doing what they were meant to do. It was getting passed down so we hope to continue that.
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HOST VO The tradition of drafting Bernese Mountain Dogs continues on the Smigielski’s farm. |
HOST VO And that’s exactly the type of environment these dogs thrive in.
JOEY VILLANI OC/VO It’s not a dog that really adapts well to an apartment.
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HOST VO Like all big dogs health problems abound.
ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO Bernese Mountain Dogs sadly do not generally live very long. Most that I’ve known live about eight years.
HOST VO Hip dysplasia, bloat and various cancers are a problem in this breed. The Bernese can also suffer from a disability joint problem called osteochondritis. This genetic condition occurs in younger dogs when cartilage near a joint degenerates. The result can be pain, arthritis or permanent lameness.
XAVIER SANTIAGO OC/VO It’s best when going to a breeder to make sure that your puppy is free of those health concerns.
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HOST VO Berners are a people oriented dog and love to be part of a family.
TYSON KILMER OC This is a great family dog, a really good dog to have around kids.
HOST VO That long coat sheds heavily but Berners generally don’t need lots of expensive grooming. Berners are easy to train, but you’ll need to be patient and consistent.
KELLY VO Stand. Stay. |
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ANDREA ARDEN OC They tend to be a dog that matures much later mentally than some other dogs.
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Which means that you have to really work hard.
HOST VO The Bernese Mountain Dog in general is happiest on a large piece of land. The breed has many health concerns including joint problems. It’s a heavy shedding dog and requires consistent training. The Berner is an affectionate dog that does well with children.
KELLY VO Want him to give you a kiss.
GIRL IN PINK OC Hey doggie. |
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HOST VO More to come on Dogs 101. Meet the breed that was born to hunt rats and help Dorothy find home. This dog may be the only breed from Afghanistan. And this breed helped conquer the South Pole. |
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HOST VO The Alaskan Malamute is the Clydesdale of the great white north. But did you know that the Malamute can survive in temperatures reaching 70 degrees below zero? And that George Lucas was inspired by his faithful Malamute to create Han Solo’s companion Chewbacca. His Malamute named Indiana leant his name to another famous character, Indiana Jones.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC It’s a dog that has been bred to get along very well with other dogs in its pack.
BOY IN RED JACKET OC Come on puppies.
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HOST VO The ancestors of the Alaskan Malamute were first discovered working alongside the native people of Alaska in the 1700s. These hearty dogs lived with their masters in the inhospitable arctic. The Malamutes used their dogs to hunt and to nimbly pull heavy sleds over treacherous ice and snow.
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Explorer Admiral Byrd brought teams of Malamutes to Antarctica on his expedition to the South Pole in 1933. Alaskan Malamutes are often mistaken for another sledding breed. The Siberian Husky because they share the same coat colors but that’s where the similarities end.
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TYSON KILMER VO/OC Plain and simple you’ve got your huskies that are pulling the dog sleds and are winning the races. And you’ve got your malamutes that are really doing the hard work and pulling the heavy stuff. They’re a little bit slower. They’re quite a bit bigger but they’re an amazing dog.
HOST VO The Malamute dwarfs other sledding dogs with its massive size, commonly weighing between 75 and 100 pounds.
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The weight comes from its large dense bone structure and heavy muscling. The broad chest pushes against the harness and the large rear muscles of the leg drive the animal forward.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC The Alaskan Malamute could go on forever. It’s tireless, it’s effortless. And it’s what they love…
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… to do.
HOST VO The Alaskan Malamute is particularly suited to withstand the harsh cold climate.
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Black pigmentation is common to all Arctic animals. It prevents sunburn and blistering from the strong ultraviolet rays that glare off the ice. The coat of the Malamute also protects it from |
the elements. The oily topcoat wicks away moisture and traps warm air within the insulating wooly undercoat. But its greatest assets are its bear like paws. The claws extend out like a cats to grip the ice. And the broad pads act like snowshoes, spreading the weight across a greater surface area…
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… to keep them from sinking into the snow. |
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HOST VO Some Malamute owners use their dog’s innate snow skills in a sport called skijoring. Using cross country or back country skis both skier and dog wear a harness and a line connects them. Keeping skier and dog working together as a team along the trail.
FEMALE VOICE #1 VO My good boy. My good boy.
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HOST VO Terra Reilly and her Alaskan Malamutes Sasha and Luna are one happy pack that enjoys skijoring together.
TERRA REILLY OC Good girl.
HOST VO Their special bond began early. At five weeks Terra visited their litter to select a malamute puppy.
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TERRA REILLY VO/OC Well I had Sasha in my lap one day and I had already picked her out and Luna just kept barking at me, over and over. Through the hoop. Good girl. She would not go to sleep. She would not leave me alone. She just kept barking and I just decided at that point that she wanted to come home with me, too.
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Hugs.
HOST VO And the pack was complete from the moment Terra brought them home, they were inseparable.
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Terra brought Sasha and Luna with her everywhere, strengthening their bond.
TERRA REILLY OC Good girl.
HOST VO Terra is a nature enthusiast, skier and rock climber. The girls accompany her on all the outdoor adventures.
TERRA REILLY VO/OC I’ve been a skier my entire life. So I already knew that dogs pulled people on their skis, so it just seemed like a natural thing to do to include the girls in that part of my life.
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HOST VO |
Terra and her dogs back country skijor in the mountains north of Seattle.
TERRA REILLY VO/OC So usually we get up early in the morning so we can get up into the mountains and they see the skis come out and then they get really excited. And the minute we get there we let the dogs out of the car and they run around and blow off some steam. Then we harness them up and we just take off out into the wilderness for the day.
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HOST VO Malamutes are known for their woo-woo singing.
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On the trails Sasha sings to let everyone know she’s having a good time and is ready for another run.
TERRA REILLY VO/OC It’s not about racing or competing or anything like that with Luna and Sasha, it’s just so that we can go outside and play in the snow together. Good girls. Because they’re with me all the time, I really trust them and they really trust me. So it wasn’t scary for me to harness myself up to a hundred and 75 pounds of dog.
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HOST VO And it’s this special bond that allows them to skijor safely.
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TERRA REILLY VO/OC We were out on the trails one day and the dogs took off at a perpendicular angle to me and I ended up getting pulled over. They were kind of worried about me. They came running back to make sure I was okay. It made me realize that they really know what they’re doing when they pull me and that we’re in it together. Good girls.
HOST VO After lots of practice, Terra, Sasha and Luna now take to the great outdoors with ease.
TERRA REILLY VO Every time we get out in the snow it’s like Christmas morning to them.
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HOST VO Skijoring fosters a special bond between Terra and her Malamutes.
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HOST VO But it required consistent training and plenty of time together.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that you should definitely start at an early age with and especially I you have small children.
HOST VO Bred to work in a pack the Alaskan Malamute gets along well with other dogs and within all types of families. But as with any dog |
Malamutes should never be left unsupervised with young children.
FEMALE VOICE #2 VO Are you smiling?
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HOST VO Like other large breeds Malamutes are prone to hip dysplasia.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They are a dog, because of their massive size, that does often times suffer from growing pains or joint pains. And they really don’t physically mature until they’re usually about two years old.
HOST VO Their oily topcoat helps repel dirt as well as moisture. Like a cat they’ll lick themselves clean. Seasonally the Malamute will blow it’s a coat.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC That’s a slang term or reference term in grooming for when it releases its undercoat and guard hairs. This is part of nature’s way of growing in new hair. You will see patches just start to fall out as the dog walks around. It turns your home into a snow globe.
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HOST VO Malamutes are best suited for cold temperatures. In hot and humid climates they require special attention, shade and air conditioning to stay |
healthy and comfortable.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that is built for the great rugged outdoors, definitely a working breed.
FEMALE VOICE #3 VO I love you, too. Yes I do.
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HOST VO So in general Alaskan Malamutes prosper in cool climates with plenty of exercise. They’re prone to joint problems. Malamutes shed seasonally and require frequent brushing. A stubborn and independent breed they require continuous training. Malamutes are excellent for active families.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC Consistent exercise, and consistent love will give you many years of love from an Alaskan Malamute.
TERRA REILLY VO/OC Through the hoop. Good girl. |
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HOST VO Still ahead on Dogs 101, a breed that was so tough they named it after a pile of rocks. This may be one of the oldest breeds of dogs alive. |
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HOST VO Now it’s time to play pick the pooch. Which |
| Belgium breed is considered the greatest drug sniffing dog on record? Can you guess the breed? The answer when we come back. |
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HOST VO Which Belgium breed will go down in history as the best drug sniffing dog? It’s the Belgian Malinois. A pair of these dogs had almost a thousand drug busts in just one year. A record that has never been broken. |
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HOST VO Often described as the king of dogs, the Afghan hound is a majestic and elegant sight hound that many believe is one of the most ancient dog breeds. Legend has it that the Afghan hound was the dog rescued on Noah’s Ark.
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DR. CHERISE CLEMENT OC/VO The first known country that we’re absolutely sure that it came from is Afghanistan, hence the Afghan hound.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO And if you go back to Afghanistan, you can see Afghans…
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… depicted in the northern caves of |
Afghanistan.
HOST VO Instead of hunting by scent and endurance, Afghan hounds like other sight hounds hunt by speed and sight.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Afghans were actually bred to hunt gazelle and deer and leopards. So you can imagine how fast they must be.
HOST VO In fact the Afghan hound can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. That’s as fast as a thoroughbred racehorse. What makes these dogs so fast and surefooted is the conformation of their hips. Set high and wide apart they enable the Afghan to change direction quickly and to cover the uneven terrain in the Afghanistan mountains.
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Today this breed has become a luxurious pet in America and Europe because of his aristocratic beauty.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Afghans are definitely sort of like the runway supermodel of the dog world.
HOST VO This cover canine has been featured n print, film and television, even inspiring Picasso to create his untitled sculpture, molded after one of his own beloved Afghan hounds.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC There are not many things that are as beautiful as watching an Afghan with that flowing coat and the very elegant way they hold their head up high.
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They’re beautiful, beautiful dogs.
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HOST VO Developed to protect them from the harsh weather and high altitude the first characteristic that makes this dog so remarkable is its long silky coat.
DR. CHERISE CLEMENT VO/OC And the flowing coat is really their signature look.
HOST VO The second characteristic is their dolichocephalic skull. This is a long, narrow shaped skull with the length being three times longer than the width. Shorter nose dogs like the boxer have a narrower field of vision, as low as 180 degrees. While a sight hound like the Afghan hound has a field of vision up to 270 degrees. The third characteristic is their distinctive ringed tail.
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO Afghans have a very striking tail that actually curls into a point at the end.
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They also have a tendency to get that beautiful curled tail stuck in things or injured.
HOST VO While they might have fragile tails the bonds Afghans develop with the humans they love are unbreakable and profound. Ask 13 year old Kaylyn. She credits the bond she shares with her Afghan hound, Haillie, with saving her life.
KAYLYN VO/OC Without Haillie I would be…
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...still in bed, sick, not being able to walk and run.
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HOST VO Three years ago Kaylyn was diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease, a potentially fatal energy disorder.
KAYLYN OC/VO I was in a wheelchair a lot because I didn’t have the energy to get up and walk.
KAREN OC/VO She had migraine headaches, sleep apnea and chronic fatigue. It was really devastating. We did expect to lose Kaylyn. That’s kind of hard to swallow when it’s your child.
HOST VO Kaylyn’s mom…
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… wanted to find a canine companion to help her daughter get through the devastating illness.
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A good friend, Diane, suggested fostering an Afghan hound.
DIANE BAUMAN VO/OC I thought Haillie would be perfect for Kaylyn. They’re extremely sensitive and very intuitive dogs. They bond very closely with their humans.
HOST VO The connection was instant and the dog knew she had a very important mission ahead of her.
KAREN OC/VO Haillie just picked up on her health issues to my absolute amazement.
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Haillie would be able to warn me when Kaylyn was having muscle spasms.
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Haillie would just bark and bark and it was as an alert to me that something was gonna happen to Kaylyn.
HOST VO These spasms would incapacitate Kaylyn and caused excruciating pain.
KAREN VO/OC When Kaylyn had a migraine headache, Haillie |
would lay on the bed and wrap herself around her head. They would just fall asleep together and then I’d wake up in the morning and she’d still be there.
HOST VO While Haillie provided tremendous comfort for Kaylyn, her illness was still grave. She was in and out of hospitals. Her muscles had atrophied and her GI system shut down. Refusing to give up, Kaylyn’s mom turned to one last doctor. He ordered new medications, a new diet and encouraged the dog’s full participation in the new recovery plan.
DR. JARED SKOWRON VO/OC We all need someone out there that we live for.
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And for Kaylyn that was Haillie.
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HOST VO The new plan worked and in days Kaylyn was like a new person.
KAREN VO To my amazement she was pain free. It was like the child was reborn.
HOST VO Not out of the woods Kaylyn had to work hard to rebuild her muscle mass and learn to walk again.
DR. JARED SKOWRON VO/OC Kaylyn’s biggest challenge was finding the motivation to get the energy to live life. |
KAYLYN OC/VO She always made me feel like this isn’t a good time to give up. I knew that Haillie was going to help me win my life back.
KAREN OC Next thing I know Kaylyn who was hardly walking was walking up and down the stairs with Haillie.
HOST VO And then you wouldn’t believe what Haillie and Kaylyn started doing next.
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DIANE BAUMAN OC I taught Kaylyn freestyle dance with Haillie.
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KAREN VO And all these moves were moves that helped Kaylyn with her physical therapy.
DIANE BAUMAN VO And you could just see the glee and the sense of accomplishment on Kaylyn’s face.
HOST VO Today Kaylyn competes with Haillie in dog shows. Continues to work on freestyle dance and started teaching Haillie agility.
DIANE BAUMAN VO Now that Haillie has been able to help Kaylyn get well, Kaylyn has been able to help Haillie grow into a well adjusted young Afghan.
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KAYLYN VO/OC We’ve taken her to many dog shows and she’s done…
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… very well in a lot of them.
HOST VO There’s no question that Haillie and Kaylyn share a special bond.
KAYLYN VO Good girl.
HOST VO And that dogs really have the power to heal. |
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HOST VO If you’re thinking of owning one of these extraordinary dogs, here are some things to know. The average lifespan of these dogs is 14 years and they’re quite healthy. However they are hypersensitive to pain and even small injuries can cause them great discomfort. The Afghan hound needs at least one hour of physical activity every day where they can run at full speed. But, remember these dogs are sight hounds.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC If they see something small running, they’re gonna chase it.
DR. CHERISE CLEMENT OC So they should be fenced in and they should always be…
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… motored whenever they’re being exercised.
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HOST VO Experienced and gentle dog owners do best training this breed.
KAYLYN VO Good girl.
HOST VO Their sensitivity has an upside, making these dogs delightful family companions that thrive with loving and calm owners. While beautiful, their long, thick coat demands an enormous amount of grooming.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC You do need to make sure that every day…
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…you at least run a brush through their coat to make sure they’re not matted.
HOST VO So in general Afghan hounds do best in calm environments and need about an hour of exercise every day. While a sturdy breed, Afghans are hypersensitive to injuries. Their long coats require daily grooming and they’re best trained by an experienced, gentle hand. Lastly, the Afghan thrives in a family with older children.
KAREN VO They just touch your heart. They know exactly |
| how to reach you. It’s inspirational to live with them. |
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HOST VO When Dogs 101 continues, meet the breed everyone knows as Toto. |
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HOST VO Of course you know this dog. Everyone does.
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TYSON KILMER VO/OC It’s the dog from Wizard Of Oz.
HOST VO That’s right.
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It’s the Toto dog.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Cairn terriers are definitely the type of dog that when you walk in the door they’re gonna be bouncing all over the place and be very excited that you’re there.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC Really, really funny dogs. Loads of personality.
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HOST VO Stars like David Hasselhoff, Bill Murray, even Lisa Minnelli have all had this all about me dog.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC They’re not gonna let you ignore them. They’re gonna make sure you know that they are there.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC I think I’ve never really met a Cairn terrier that’s lacking in self-confidence.
HOST VO Courageous, tenacious and intelligent, it’s the stuff big dog bruisers are made of. And Cairn terriers, too.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC I find this dog to have the intelligence and the energy of most of the terries without the bratty rough demeanor.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC When you take them for a walk they could care less if you were at the other end of the leash because they are so focused on finding anything they can to get into trouble with.
HOST VO Believe it or not, some folks might think of these dogs as being a little rat like. Well guess what. They’d be right. They were bred to hunt rodents.
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The Cairn terrier is the smallest of the Scottish |
terriers which originated over 200 years ago on the Isle of Skye.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC Cairns are rock piles that usually you’ll see around the seabed. They would go into these cairns and flush out any type of rodents and what not and that’s how they got the name Cairn terrier.
HOST VO And it’s the inquisitive little gutsy behavior that owners eat up. But aside from just being cute, the Cairn’s ragamuffin like scurfy coat has an important function.
ANDREA ARDEN VO They have a very, very coarse coat.
HOST VO And this fur coat if maintained correctly is waterproof and weather resistant. And these dogs can be found in a variety of colors except white.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC A white Cairn terrier is now a West Highland White Terrier.
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HOST VO Also interesting are the dog’s big feet.
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They’re large with thick pads and strong nails, and the front paws are bigger than the back paws giving these little hounds the advantage when it comes to digging. |
XAVIER SANTIAGO OC/VO They love to hunt, they love to sniff and they love to dig.
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So if you have a back yard with dirt of flower plants, say good bye to them.
HOST VO Another footnote…
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Cairn terriers are left paws. If they could only throw a baseball.
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But it’s these small alert upright and pointed ears set high and wide on top of the head that tell you your Cairn is intently listening to your every word.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC Remember how Toto took control and, and, and they followed him around to find Dorothy. Well Cairn terriers are like that. |
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HOST VO Say hello to Loki and Nigel who just happen to be very special Cairn terriers. Why?
BILL BERLONI VO/OC You know, I think they’re ready to go to work.
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They’re training to be stars in none of the most beloved theatrical dog roles, Toto in the Wizard Of Oz.
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And the Wizard behind the curtain who is doing that training is Bill Berloni, a legend on Broadway.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC When Toto comes out on stage he gets the biggest reaction of the show every night.
HOST VO Berloni’s dogs star in lots of Broadway tour shows. He has Sandies in Nanny, Toto’s in The Wizard Of Oz, Chihuahuas and bulldogs playing in Legally Blond. And a Boston terrier who recently pirouetted with the New York City Ballet.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC This is the reason he got on the role in the New York City Ballet. Fife. Come here. Fife.
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HOST VO Out of all the drama dogs Bill has, he says the Cairn Terriers have the most star quality.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC If I find a dog and I can get them into the groove of the show they will do it over and over and over and over again which is part of what they’re breeding was about.
HOST VO And while Bill is Broadway’s only go to trainer |
with the magic touch to do this, training dogs was not what he set out to do.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC There are things we think we wanna do and there are things that we are meant to do.
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HOST VO He wanted to take bows instead of his dogs. But the part he got was to find and train a dog for a play about a little girl named Orphan Annie. So Bill headed to the local shelter.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC The dog that I saw…
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… was actually scheduled to be put to sleep the next day, so I went back to the shelter the next morning waited until they opened and adopted this dog.
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HOST VO And before he really knew what he’d fallen into, Sandy the Mutt and Bill Berloni were both famous Broadway stars n the smash hit Annie.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC If I have two signature dogs that I’m known for it’s mixed breed terries like this who play Sandy and Cairn terriers who play Toto.
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And it’s here on the Berloni farm in Connecticut that Bill, his wife Dorothy, daughter Jenna and Vet Tech Laurie train all the dogs to be drama queens.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC The dogs who live with me love going on the road. They live in a hotel room. They get to sleep on hotel beds. They have a company of actors and their own private dressing room. That’s like doggie heaven to them.
HOST VO Amazingly all these stars were not specially bred for this work. Right from the beginning Bill has stayed true to molding strays from shelters into stars on the stage.
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BILL BERLONI VO/OC I think it’s a good payback to some of these dogs who have not been treated well by humans to have a good life.
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HOST VO And Bill has developed a secret for getting Cairn terriers to follow the yellow brick road.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC I saw that Nigel really had that special quality that makes a star dog. While they may be a little more challenging to train, once they get it they’re unflappable.
HOST VO When we come back find out Bills’ secret for controlling… |
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HOST VO … his dogs on stage in front of a full house. |
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HOST VO Playing Toto on stage isn’t really what Cairn terriers were bred to do. However, Bill Berloni is Broadway’s only stage trainer who can get his dogs to play Tot perfectly ever night. His secret…
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… he teaches hand signals…
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… that to us mean one thing, but to the dog means something else.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC One of the hand signals that we use in the show is a stay command. We’ve created a hand signal where we pet their eyes and that’s the hand signal that means stay. The audience thinks that the actress is petting the dog but she’s actually commanding it.
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HOST VO Presently Snickers and Princess are taking the bows on the road as Toto. But Nigel and Loki are anxiously awaiting their big break to jump in and steal the show.
BILL BERLONI VO/OC I probably trained 400 dogs over my 30 years.
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And each one of them has died in my arms. And as I tell people…
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… it never gets any easier. You know, and the longer I have them, the harder it is. And so to say goodbye to Ashley when the time comes, you know, is gonna be, you know, that’s a third of my adult life that she’s been with me, so it’s gonna be hard to say good bye.
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HOST VO So when the curtains close and the dog’s need to retire, no worries. These star struck rescued pooches come back home to Bill and his family where they live happily ever after.
BILL BERLONI OC I love you, too. |
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HOST VO This little dog can pretty much live anywhere, as long as the area is securely fenced in.
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JOEY VILLANI VO/OC They would make good city dogs but you’d wanna keep them on a leash. They like to roam.
HOST VO It’s a healthy breed that usually has a long life, just like Bill’s dog Ashley. With an average life of 15 years. And caring for your Cairn is important so grooming should be done properly. But if you like the traditional scraggly look, owners should have the Cairn terrier hand stripped twice a year.
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XAVIER SANTIAGO VO/OC You pull out the dead hair. It’s not a painful process.
HOST VO The Cairn terrier is trainable. The perfect example is Bills’ Toto. But remember, Cairns are stubborn so it can take some time and creativity. This is a great dog who loves to play and needs a family that’s active and affectionate.
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So in general, this dog can live in most household environments. It’s a pretty healthy little dog. It should be hand stripped twice a year. Training should begin at an early age and this dog is good with kids and loves attention.
ANDREA ARDEN VO They are little dogs with a very spunky, sort of sparkle in their eye. |
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HOST VO So to recap, the Portuguese Water Dog has become a popular breed in Washington thanks to Senator Ted Kennedy. The Senator wrote a book that sold millions of copies about his favorite Portie. The Bernese Mountain Dog is one of those massive breeds from the Swiss Alps. Bred as a farm dog pulling carts remains their passion. Today they make lovable pets and occasionally get together to pull heavy loads. The Afghan Hound was the royal dog for the King of Afghanistan. According to legend, Noah chose two Afghans to weather the flood in his ark. The Malamute is one of the oldest dog breeds. Its incredible two layered coat and snow shoe paws allow it to withstand the most frigid conditions. The Cairn terrier was bred to hunt rats on the rocky coast of Scotland. Today they’re best known as the perky little dog that helped Dorothy get home in the Wizard Of Oz. Remember each individual dog is unique and may not conform to breed standards. If you’re adopting a dog do your homework and check out Petfinder.com to search for specific breeds near you. Choose your next best friend wisely. |
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