Which guarding breed helped capture Osama Bin Laden? Which new toy breed acts more like a cat than a dog? Which hunting dog inspired the Westminster Kennel Club?
Which guarding breed helped capture Osama Bin Laden? Which new toy breed acts more like a cat than a dog? Which hunting dog inspired the Westminster Kennel Club? Which breed was so favored by George Washington that he had three of them? Which breed is the fastest of all the livestock protection dogs? Find out the answers on this episode of Dogs 101, where we'll meet the Black Russian Terrier, Belgian Malinois, Pointer, Mi-ki, Black and Tan Coonhound, and the Anatolian Shepherd.
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Find episode transcripts here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/black-russian-terrier-belgian-malinois-pointer-mi-ki-black-and-tan-coonhound-anatolian-shepherd
MUSIC IN HOST VO Does this dog skydive with Navy Seals? Does this dog act more feline than canine? Could this be the world’s oldest hunting dog? Why is this massive breed known for its speed? Was this the first dog of the first first family? Dogs 101 celebrates man’s best friend. Today the Belgian Malinois, the Mi-Ki, the Pointer, the Anatolian Shepherd, the Black and Tan Coonhound, and we start with a breed whose head takes up most of his body. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Black Russian Terrier. This dog is large, sturdy and built for serious action. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC The Black Russian Terrier is an impressive dog. MUSIC OUT HOST VO And he has lots of nicknames. MUSIC IN Blackie, Chornoi Terrier, or plain BRT for short. ANDREA ARDEN OC Probably my favorite nickname for the Black Russian Terrier is the Russian bear Schnauzer. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO And while there is some terrier in his ancestry he’s best known as a member of the working dog group. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO The Black Russian Terrier originated from the former Soviet Union and it was used as a military dog. MUSIC SEGUE DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL OC They really are a cool dog. HOST VO Cool yes and very rare. In fact they didn’t get to America until the 1980’s. MUSIC SEGUE DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO Literally breeders and scientists got together and very purposely combined 17 other dog breeds to create the Black Russian Terrier. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC Little bit… MUSIC OUT …James Bond-ish. MUSIC IN ANDREA ARDEN VO They used Rottweilers, Newfoundlands, Russian Ovcharkas, and they even added in a little dose of Airedale. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO It’s sort of like Ragu spaghetti. It’s in there. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO When you look at the Black Russian the first thing you notice is his very pronounced head, which makes up for 40 percent of his body weight. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC You know the head is kind of square with the beard. HOST VO And the BRT’s body is large, robust and very powerful. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC 135 pounds of serious guard dog. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO And this black beauty has a wavy, weatherproof, double coat whose color is always black. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC So you’ve got this Airedale-ish looking head with the Schnauzer-ish looking body and coat. Very impressive. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Even more impressive check these dogs out. No, it’s not a movie set. This is Italian reality. This pack of dogs is part of a group called SICS, the largest Italian national group of water rescue dogs. They bay watch Italy’s vast shoreline saving people who are drowning. MUSIC SEGUE But in order for these fearless jumping dogs to do this they must first have a super tight relationship with their owner. MUSIC OUT And Giovanna and Margarita have just that. MUSIC IN MARGARITA POIDOMANI OC/VO She’s the love of my life. So my man is jealous and he says I love Giovanna more than him. And I do. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Giovanna is a five-year-old Black Russian Terrier who was born in Russia but now lives here in Milan, Italy with Margarita. MARGARITA POIDOMANI OC/VO Even though she’s a Russian dog she loves living in Italy. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Margarita noticed that Giovanna loved the water when she was a puppy so she looked for special water activities they could do together. MUSIC SEGUE So this duo joined the elite pack of Italian volunteers who routinely train to save the day. Paolo Bozza is one of the group’s core instructors. PAOLO BOZZA VO/OC Giovanna is the only Black Russian in our group. She’s quite a rare thing. But she is one of the most loved in the group. HOST VO Giovanna’s large, powerful legs and webbed feet make her a perfect candidate for water rescue. After all her four webbed feet and legs are double the power of two human legs and four legs are better than two. PAOLO BOZZA VO/OC They have this extra horsepower to the equation. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO And that power is what you need if you’re drowning in Italy. These rescue dogs routinely save lives from the beach, from boats and from helicopters. MARGARITA POIDOMANI OC If should a tragedy strike, I'm sure that Giovanna save the day. HOST VO Today on Lago D’Iseo in Italy’s northern lake district Giovanna along with the most experienced dogs is practicing helicopter rescue. PAOLO BOZZA VO/OC The dogs want to jump out of the helicopter because they’re going to do what for them is the most fun thing in the world, and that is going to rescue somebody that’s in danger. It is the most important game in their life and they will give 110 percent every time. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Now it’s time for Margarita and Giovanna to get in the helicopter. They fly to an area where they need to make a save. Margarita jumps first. Next it’s Giovanna’s turn to go. Boom, they’re in the water. Now Giovanna swims to the person in need. Margarita hooks the drowning victim onto the dog and together they swim to shore. A swimmer in trouble wants powerful legs like these coming to save him. Without a doubt it takes a brave dog to do this. MARGARITA POIDOMANI OC Brava, brava. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO And all this training has paid off. Just last year alone the group made 14 successful beach saves. Renato and his golden retriever made one of them. PAOLO BOZZA VO A small fishing boat capsized and Renato and Cumia his dog intervened. HOST VO Within moments the team was in the water and saved the day. RENATO CUMIA OC I am so proud of this dog. HOST VO And so once again here in Italy it was another successful training day for all the dogs along with Margarita and her Black Russian Terrier, Giovanna. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Black Russian Terrier needs space to move so cramped quarters are not ideal. And because he’s a cold weather dog, he favors air conditioning in warm climates. Oh, and if you’re a light sleeper you might think twice about getting this dog. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC The Black Russian Terrier is a big snorer. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO And this large breed of dog usual lives between eight to 12 years but can suffer from a few health issues. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC Like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and an eye problem of progressive retinal atrophy. HOST VO And with a coat like this grooming can be intense. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC Brush them regularly and have them professional groomed every six weeks or so. HOST VO Because they are intelligent they excel in obedience and training, like water rescue. And while they can be super loving they’re not best suited for first time dog owners. MUSIC SEGUE In general the Black Russian Terrier needs space and air conditioning. They’re pretty healthy but watch out for bloat. Their furry coat needs regular grooming and because they are smart they are trainable, but start young. Overall the Black Russian Terrier is a serious dog that needs a serious kind of owner. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO It’s a thick noodle, or a city in Japan. MUSIC SEGUE The word Mi-Ki can represent a variety of things, but in the dog world Mi-Ki is a new breed of canine that is trying to make a name for itself. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Mi-Ki actually means new life or new beginning. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Created to be a companion dog in the 1980’s this pint-sized pooch has some really catitude DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO This little tiny ball of fun is actually more like a cat than a dog. MUSIC SEGUE It likes to wash its face and to sit in the sun and climb on high places. HOST VO Weighing in at only four to ten pounds and not exceeding 11 inches in height the Mi-Ki is like a pocket pet. MUSIC SEGUE The breed is rare, maybe that’s why celebrities are attracted to it. Miley Cyrus checked out the breed and Jennie Garth adopted two Mi-Ki’s, Pinky and Roxie. But like so many new breeds the history of the Mi-Ki is ambiguous. Two former friends claim credit for creating the breed. The only thing they agree on now is that the Maltese, Papillion and Japanese Chin were part of the mix. MUSIC SEGUE The Mi-Ki’s coat comes in two varieties long and smooth. Longhaired have a single length coat that is silky and straight with a moustache and a beard. And the smooth coats are medium in length laying close to the body with no beard or moustache. MUSIC SEGUE The Mi-Ki’s high set tail which curves over the body is a crowd pleaser amongst owners. But the aw in adorable has to be their long mobile ears that can be erect or dropped. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC And they can move their ears up and own. They call it winging when they lift them like this. MUSIC OUT HOST VO The mighty Mi-Ki was bred as a companion dog, but some say it is gaining a reputation as possessing an uncanny sense to feel and anticipate the needs of individual patients as a therapy dog. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Like Lilie, a three-year-old Mi-Ki who is a certified therapy dog with the help of her owner Jane Theriault. JANE THERIAULT VO Come on pup. HOST VO There is never a dull moment in Jane’s household. JANE THERIAULT VO/OC They love to sit in your lap. They follow you around. It’s like having a little shadow sometimes. MUSIC OUT Good girl. HOST VO True to the name Jane’s Mi-Ki’s were a new beginning after the loss of her husband. MUSIC IN JANE THERIAULT VO/OC As anyone who has lost a spouse knows it leaves a very big hole in your heart. And when I got Lilie she just filled up that hole. Thank you. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Realizing that Lilie was not your typical lap dog like her other two Mi-Ki’s Jane enrolled Lilie in pediatric therapy courses, and within no time Lilie had her certification. MUSIC SEGUE Every Tuesday Lilie puts her training to the test at the Robert F. Kennedy Girl Treatment program in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Here teenage women with criminal records receive the tools they need for a new change in life. MUSIC OUT FEMALE VOICE VO She’s so cute. MUSIC IN HOST VO One hour a week Lilie spends time with a select few residents. During these therapy sessions the girls have a chance to interact with a non-threatening, huggable bundle of love. DINA KOCHANEK VO/OC The therapy dogs really benefit the girls. When they come visit the girls are very excited. KYANNA VO/OC When the dogs come around everyone’s happy. Nobody really cares about drama. We’re like together as a family. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Lilie is not like the therapists these girls are used to. Lilie is not judgmental. She’s all cuddles and kisses. JANE THERIAULT VO/OC The minute she goes in there she flops on her back and expects her belly rubs. LIANNA VO/OC She’s just so energetic and little and it’s like she loves everybody. She’s just a lovable little dog. MUSIC OUT DINA KOCHANEK OC What the girls say about the program is that it takes them away from what’s a pretty hard time in their lives. MUSIC IN HOST VO And for some girls spending time with Lilie is a reminder of life back home. GIRL WITH BLOND HAIR OC/VO I miss my dog. I have a terrier half Chihuahua and I miss her a lot. KYANNA VO It’s okay. FEMALE WITH GLASSES OC It’s okay, KYANNA OC/VO You really miss your dog. That's so cute. Your dog misses you, too. MUSIC OUT HOST VO So when duty calls Lilie is quick to jump into action to give a little extra TLC. MUSIC IN KYANNA OC Look it she bring her doggie. JANE THERIAULT VO Give her a hug. KYANNA VO/OC We love you so much for loving dogs, too. HOST VO And when the therapy session is done Jane knows Lilie has done her job. JANE THERIAULT VO/OC I think Lilie has a calling to do this kind of work. And she truly, truly enjoys it. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Mi-Ki’s are ideal for apartment living, but do not make great watchdogs. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They’re small enough that they’re clearly not intimidating to many people. HOST VO With a life expectancy of 15 years Mi-Ki’s are generally healthy dogs, but watch out for hypothyroidism and distichiasis. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO Which is where you have extra eyelashes. But that can be surgically corrected. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Mi-Ki’s soft silky coat is very low maintenance. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO You just have to comb out little tangles. HOST VO Mi-Ki’s like all toy breeds need training. Or they turn into little terrors. Mi-Ki’s are bouncy, sweet and affectionate lap dogs that need a family who can shower them with love and affection. MUSIC SEGUE In general the Mi-Ki is suited for all living situations. They’re pretty healthy but can have some problems such as hypothyroidism and eye problems. Their coat requires minimal care and training at an early age should not be overlooked. And the Mi-Ki can be a good companion and worker that loves to be part of a loving family. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO When Dogs 101 returns meet the breed that helped saved Cheetah by scaring them. Did this dog help apprehend Osama bin Laden? This dog swallowed what? And this dog has his own personal chef. |
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MUSIC IN HOST VO The Belgian Malinois long famous for guarding livestock are now even more renowned for protecting man. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC I really believe that there is nothing that this dog can’t do. I’d call it a super dog. MUSIC SEGUE MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO Mals as they are often referred to have become the dog of choice for law enforcement and the military. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC The Malinois is definitely considered by many to be sort of the cream of the crop for any job where it comes down to needing a dog who’s super intelligent and has a really intense work ethic. HOST VO Bomb sniffing Mals in Afghanistan and Iraq have saved the lives of thousands of military men and women. MUSIC SEGUE While the identity of the Navy Seals who raided Osama bin Laden’s hideout in Pakistan remains a secret it’s widely believed that it was a Belgian Malinois that went in with them. MUSIC SEGUE DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC While it was descended from sheep herding parentage, it’s really a working dog even though it’s classed as a sheep dog. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The dogs have been historically bred in the Belgian city of Malines, thus their name. The breed was the brainchild of a dedicated group of Belgian trainers looking for the perfect shepherd dog in the late 1800’s. MUSIC SEGUE While the dogs were slow to arrive in the U.S. they are now imported not only from Belgian but also from Switzerland and France. Mals typically have black ears and a coat that ranges from fawn colors through a mahogany look. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO And they have this dark muzzle. HOST VO And behind that muzzle is a powerful jaw with a full complement of strong, white, scissor like teeth aptly suited for many of their current occupations. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO For six years John and his nine-year-old Belgian Malinois named Spike have shared a very important job, protecting the President of the United States. JOHN VO/OC Spike and I are partners. He’s much more than just a dog to me. The work we do is very serious business. HOST VO If they’re not on assignment, you’re likely to find John and Spike in suburban Maryland at a secret service training center where our cameras were allowed a rare behind the scenes look. GREG STOKES OC Nice job. Nice job, Kirk. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Secret Service agent Greg Stokes directs the canine program. GREG STOKES OC/VO Moving forward. March. HOST VO He says the Secret Service is extremely choosey when it picks both its officers and its dogs. GREG STOKES VO/OC Our dogs are trained primarily in explosive detection and tactical apprehension. We prefer to use Belgian Malinois’ because of their athleticism and their prey and hunt drive. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO At the training center John is testing Spike on detecting an explosive device that’s been hidden in this vehicle. He’ll have to inspect three cars. The sedan passes. No problem with this SUV. But watch Spike as he rounds the rear of this minivan. The instant he sits, that means he senses an explosive, and if this were actually at the White House officers would descend on the vehicle. Spike passes with flying colors and John couldn’t be prouder. MUSIC OUT JOHN VO/OC I take a lot of pride in the work that he does. MUSIC IN HOST VO No matter where in the world you see the President, auditoriums, schools, factories, you may not see it on TV, but it’s a sure bet that a Secret Service K-9 unit was there right before him. GREG STOKES VO/OC The President or other protectees do not enter any facility before our explosive detection K-9’s have had an opportunity to clear it. HOST VO In addition to the first family the Secret Service provides protection to the Vice President, members of the Cabinet, visiting heads of state and Presidential candidates. Makes for a long work day for the Belgian Malinois. GREG STOKES VO/OC Our K-9’s are called upon to do anywhere between two to 300 searches between vehicles and venues during a workday. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO While much of the work of the Secret Service K-9 unit dogs is behind the scenes, they’re very conspicuous at the White House. There it’s all work. So in case you’re wondering, they don’t have play dates with Bo, the presidential pooch. MUSIC SEGUE But when they get home it’s time for some fun. JOHN VO/OC When we pull up in front of our home he bolts for the front door. My sons love to just grab him at the door and just run around with him. HOST VO In just a few years Spike will be retired from the Secret Service, but that doesn’t mean he won’t still have John as a best friend. JOHN VO/OC When he retires I’ve already made up my mind that I’m gonna keep him and make him a house pet for the rest of his life. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Belgian Malinois can live almost anywhere as long as it gets plenty of daily exercise. Like the German Shepherd the Belgian Malinois can develop dysplasia, a crippling genetic disease in their hips and elbows. And there are sight problems with the breed as the dog gets older. Grooming requirements are minimal. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC But they do shed. HOST VO From eight weeks to six months is a crucial training period with an emphasis on socialization. So can such a smart, intense and potentially fearsome dog make a good pet? ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC You need to be dedicated. You need to be experienced. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO So to recap the Belgian Malinois can live almost anywhere as long as they have daily exercise. They’re prone to hip and elbow problems and are susceptible to potentially blinding eye disease. They’re easy to groom, but they shed. These dogs are highly intelligent so training is a must. The Malinois could be a good pet for an owner willing to put in the time required for such an intense dog. FEMALE IN NAVY JACKET OC Kiss. Kiss. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO More Dogs 101 still to come. Why does this dog have his own personal chef? What do this dog and a cheetah have in common? And you won’t believe what this dog ate. |
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MUSIC IN HOST VO Did you know the Pointer is the oldest breed of sporting dog? Yes, they’ve been pointing the way since the 1600’s. MUSIC SEGUE And a Pointer named Sensation is the emblem for the Westminster Kennel Club. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC The Westminster Kennel Club was established to refine this breed. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Hard driving, handsome and always ready to go the Pointer is known as the Cadillac of bird dogs. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC They hunt by scent in the air as opposed to on the ground and once they have tracked their prey they point. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO In 1993 these famous Pointer sisters, Penny and Katie, had everyone jumping for their love when as a pair they won not a Grammy, but their sixth best in show in the pairs category. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Pointer breed we know today was developed in 17th Century England. MUSIC SEGUE Their exact lineage is a bit of a mystery but most agree that the Pointer family tree includes Foxhound, greyhound, bloodhound, a setting spaniel and maybe terrier. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC So all this is in the melting pot to produce the final refined product. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Pointer is medium sized and muscular with an average weight of between 45 and 75 pounds. They have a smooth coat that usually comes in a combination of white with liver, orange, lemon or black. MUSIC SEGUE But perhaps the Pointer’s most distinctive feature is its head with a distinctive stop or indentation between muzzle and forehead. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC A stop is the area on their face where the bridge of their muzzle actually meets their forehead. HOST VO And they have hanging ears and a strong mouth for picking up objects. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO This is Bertie. A Pointer mix who lives in a small village in the English countryside. MELANIE JEWELL VO/OC We’ve had Bertie for six years now. We got Bertie from a rescue center and we just bonded with him straight away. VICTORIA VO Bertie. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Like most Pointers Bertie is happy, energetic and shares a special bond with his family. MELANIE JEWELL VO Just likes to be with us all the time. He’s almost human. VICTORIA OC Bertie is like a little brother to me. BEN VO/OC Bertie’s my friend. I love going for a walk with Bertie. MUSIC OUT HOST VO And true to his breed Bertie loves to hunt. The surprise to his family was what he was hunting for. MUSIC IN And the first clue came when Ben and Bertie were on an otherwise normal walk. BEN VO/OC I was taking Bertie for a walk and I took a golf ball with me instead of tennis ball. I was throwing it around and he got the golf ball in his mouth and he swallowed it. MUSIC OUT How could he do that? MUSIC IN HOST VO The whole family was amazed when Ben came home with the news. VICTORIA VO/OC I was really shocked, scared and amazed. MELANIE JEWELL VO/OC He seemed all right. He was still playful. You would never have known there was anything wrong with him. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO To be safe Melanie phoned the vet and brought Bertie in for an X-ray. At the clinic they weren’t surprised. JAMES SIMMONS OC/VO Here we go. We see dogs eating weird and unusual things not uncommonly. In Bertie’s case he was sort of quite bright and happy when he came in, so, we weren’t overly concerned. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO But what Bertie’s x-ray revealed even shocked the professionals. MUSIC SEGUE Bertie had swallowed not just one golf ball, but count them, eight others. Yep, nine total all in his stomach at the same time. JAMES SIMMONS VO/OC Well we couldn’t believe that Bertie managed to have that many golf balls in him and still be a relatively well dog. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO For several weeks the golf balls stayed lodged in Bertie’s stomach which stretched to accommodate them and the food he ate. And the news that this wasn’t Bertie’s first birdie shocked his family, too. MELANIE JEWELL VO/OC We did live next door to a golf course and we were so worried. HOST VO Bertie was whisked into surgery and the golf balls were removed. MUSIC OUT JAMES SIMMONS OC/VO These are the actual golf balls that we took out of Bertie. MUSIC IN As you can see they’re in various stages of degradation where they’re being digested by his stomach acid. This is a nice clean one, which is the one that he ate on the morning he came in. Through to this one which has probably been in there for a few weeks or months I suspect. |
MUSIC OUT HOST VO But it’s not just the Pointer who will pick up things in their mouth. MUSIC IN DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC Most dogs are very oral. They will swallow almost anything. HOST VO And vets across the world have seen it all. The incredibleness of my dog ate what includes things like a fork, a spoon, a teddy bear, a rubber ducky, and even. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC It’s Homer Simpson. HOST VO Yep, you heard that right. That’s Homer Simpson. MUSIC SEGUE For some dogs its exploratory, but for others consuming objects can be a sign of a more serious disorder, like Pica or OCD. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC Pica literally means depraved appetite. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC There’s definitely different theories behind why a dog will eat inanimate food objects. Boredom and OCD is what I think it stems from. More than it is than missing something in their diet. MUSIC OUT HOST VO But whatever the circumstance a dog swallowing an object is a medical emergency. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC If it’s not treated that can lead to intestinal perforation, sepsis and death. MUSIC IN HOST VO While not all dogs who do this suffer from a disorder, some are just, well, being dogs. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Even if it’s not actually tasty they might just swallow it. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Today Bertie remains a happy energetic dog and thanks to calling the vet Bertie’s family got an ending that could not be sweeter. BEN VO/OC I think that this is a miracle. VICTORIA OC It’s the most happiest ending I’ve ever had. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Like Bertie Pointers are energetic which makes apartment living less than ideal. DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC If you did have an apartment you’d have to make sure that that Pointer gets an hour of vigorous exercise. HOST VO Grooming the Pointer is fairly minimal. Their smooth coat just needs regular brushing. And the Pointer is a pretty healthy breed, but they’re prone to hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism, which can lead to skin conditions, epilepsy and allergies. MUSIC SEGUE Training though might be a little demanding. But these top sporting dogs are tops with a family. MUSIC SEGUE So in general the energetic Pointer needs lots of exercise and will be happiest with a yard. They’re a healthy breed but watch for hypothyroidism. Grooming is a breeze but training can be a challenge. And they make a loyal family dog. YOUNG CHILD OC Puppy with me. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Most pet dogs are not purebreds but that doesn't mean they’re not great dogs. That’s why we honor these wonderful mutts with a segment we call Wonderdogs. MUSIC SEGUE We will never forget the horrific scenes from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. One of the most inspiring was that of a little dog named Ban, a two year old mixed breed who was swept out to sea with a huge wave. She was spotted in this debris field and rescuers spent hours coaxing her to safety. At first no one knew who this brave little dog belonged to. MUSIC SEGUE But miracles sometimes happen in the midst of disaster. This little wonderdog got a second break when a joyous owner showed up at the Miyagi Prefecture animal shelter and claimed little Ban. It was a joyous reunion after an incredible ordeal for this wonderdog. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Still ahead on Dogs 101. This dog gets credit for saving cats, really big cats. And meet George Washington’s best friend. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Now it’s time to play pick the pooch. This dog was bred by hunters to lure ducks close to shore and their guns. The play antics of this dog did the trick. Can you guess which breed it is? The answer when we come back. |
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MUSIC IN HOST VO This breed’s playful actions on the shore attracted waterfowl for hunters. It’s the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. As its name implies after attracting the ducks it retrieves them from the water. |
MUSIC SEGUE MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Most U.S. Presidents have had dogs but the Black and Tan Coonhound holds the distinction for begin America’s first first dog. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL OC/VO They really are… MUSIC OUT …a true… MUSIC IN …American breed. In fact, our founding father, George Washington, had Black and Tan Coonhounds with names like Taster, Tipsy, Tippler and Drunkard. HOST VO They were popular with early settlers because of their abilities to track down varmints. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC They’re good on a cold scent, so when the animal’s gone long gone before they’ll pick up on the scent which has gone cold. MUSIC OUT HOST VO Originally trained to tree raccoons, these dogs have been known to hunt down deer, bear, even mountain lions. MUSIC IN This true American dog was bred 300 years ago by combining the Talbot with a bloodhound and a black and tan foxhound, creating a quick dog with an amazing sense of smell. And the key to his success lies not in the nose, but in the ears. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC Big, floppy, Pluto-ish ears. MUSIC SEGUE DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO When they’re running it flaps around. It actually helps push the smell into the dog’s nose. HOST VO As puppies the ears grow before they legs and not until they’re three months old do they fully grow into them. Along with their ears the coonhound’s ancestry created a beautiful coat that gives this breed its namesake. MUSIC OUT DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO The Virginia Black and Tan Foxhound is instrumental in the breed. Gives it its color. MUSIC IN HOST VO But the Black and Tan’s most distinctive characteristic might be those juicy jowls. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC Plenty of skin around their muzzle with these flapping lips. You cannot look at a Black and Tan Coonhound and not fall in love. MUSIC OUT |
HOST VO And that’s what happened to Jean and Zach. MUSIC IN They fell in love with their Black and Tan, Monday. JEANNE SCOTT OC We just loved the idea of having a hound dog. HOST VO But one of the things Jeanne first noticed about Monday was her obsession with mealtime. JEANNE SCOTT OC/VO Stay. She’s super food motivated. HOST VO Then one day Jeanne heard about a new craze in the dog world, the canine raw food diet. A diet consisting of raw meats and vegetables. JEANNE SCOTT VO Good girl. She does love the raw food diet. MUSIC OUT HOST VO But raw food for dogs is not without controversy. That’s what brought Jeanne… MUSIC IN …back in touch with an old high school friend. Kevyn Matthews is a renowned celebrity chef. Famous as a cook for the likes of Heidi Klum. Seven years ago when he adopted his Doberman Kevyn found the quality of commercial dog food disappointing. So he quit his job as a people chef and became one of the world’s best doggie chefs. KEVYN MATTHEWS OC/VO I think in… MUSIC OUT …today’s day and age people are leaning more towards what… MUSIC IN …is good for them, and if you’re dealing with something that you care about or you love you’re gonna try to feed it the best that you possibly can. HOST VO Though Kevyn is a firm believer in the raw food diet some vets and nutritionists are concerned about its safety. MUSIC SEGUE DR. NICK SITINAS OC/VO A lot of raw food contains very resistant E-coli and Salmonella bacteria that if a human were to come in contact with it, could become quite sick. If the dog eats a raw food diet and then comes and licks you in the face you’re prone to catching these things. KEVYN MATTHEWS OC/VO And I make sure that if I do use chicken it’s organic and I clean it thoroughly as I would any other meat that I would cook for any human. MUSIC IN HOST VO Despite these reservations Kevyn has a faithful following. He tailors his food for each individual dog and charges about 12 dollars per meal. KEVYN MATTHEWS OC/VO This is actually one of my most popular dishes and it’s got bison in it, which is a very dense protein. I call it a bison burger with pomegranate because I use actual pomegranate seeds. Dogs love it. And there’s butternut squash. There’s kale here, there’s pumpkin meat. HOST VO He says it’s so good he eats it himself. MUSIC SEGUE Every month in his kitchen Kevyn whips up savory delicacies for about 20 very lucky family pooches. JEANNE SIMMONS VO Hi Kevyn. KEVYN MATTHEWS OC Hey Jeanne. How are you? JEANNE SIMMONS VO Good. How are you? KEVYN MATTHEWS OC Great. I brought some goodies for these guys. JEANNE SIMMONS VO/OC Wonderful. Well they’re waiting for you. KEVYN MATTHEWS OC Obviously waiting. JEANNE SIMMONS VO Wow. That looks delicious. KEVYN MATTHEWS VO It is and I tried it and I think he’ll definitely enjoy this. JEANNE SIMMONS VO/OC And it’s so cool that you actually try your meals yourself. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Because of the cost Jeanne keeps her orders with Kevyn to just once a month. JEANNE SIMMONS VO For us it’s a luxury. If I could do it every day I would. And she licks the bowl. HOST VO The only negative is that it brings out another classic Coonhound trait. JEANNE SIMMONS VO/OC Every morning at 6:00 a.m. she would howl to be fed. She’s not a quiet dog. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Their singing may be music to some ears, but they make for noisy neighbors so they’re not good apartment dogs. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC He’s much better when he’s on the trail. When he’s got a job to do. HOST VO Although not hard to groom shedding is known to be a problem for owners of Black and Tans. A pretty healthy breed they can have problems with their eyes and they’re prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. And when it comes to training you’ll need a lot of patience because they’re easily distracted by new and exciting scents. And they make a great family pet. MUSIC SEGUE So in general the Black and Tan Coonhound is a noisy dog that prefers the outdoors. It’s generally healthy, has few grooming needs. They are agreeable dogs but can be difficult to train and they’re good for active families. MUSIC OUT GIRL IN PINK OC Come on, Ray. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Back with more Dogs 101 in a moment. Why is this pooch a big hit way out in Africa? |
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MUSIC IN HOST VO As one of the world’s largest most imposing dogs you don’t mess with the Anatolian Shepherd. DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC I think of the Anatolian Shepherd as the bad boy in the dog world. These are big, tough, agile dogs. HOST VO Males can reach 150 pounds. Despite that weight this is a dog built for speed and vigilance. MUSIC OUT ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO They kind of remind me of basketball players. MUSIC IN Very long legs, very slender but very muscular. And a very intense gaze. HOST VO This bully of a dog does have a soft side. Rugged canine good looks have earned them roles in hit Hollywood films, like Kate and Leopold and Cats And Dogs. MUSIC SEGUE DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Although it’s a very powerful dog, has a very sweet face… MUSIC OUT …and is very laid back, easy going dog. MUSIC IN HOST VO The Anatolian Shepherd’s homeland is Anatolia or modern Turkey. Though its exact origins are unknown experts believe it to be a mix of Mastiff and a Sighthound. MUSIC SEGUE ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Hence you have a dog that has that sort of massive strength and the courage of a mastiff, but also amazing speed and endurance like a Sighthound. HOST VO The result is a dog that is perfectly built to take on large predators. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC It’s actually a flock-guarding dog. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Sheer size is the Anatolian Shepherd’s foremost physical characteristic, but surprisingly long slender legs give this dog speed and endurance. A short double layer coat protects the dog from thick brush and helps regulate body temperatures in both hot and cold extremes. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Like many dogs the Anatolian Shepherd has no love for cats and is making a big impact on farmers in a place with a cat problem. MUSIC SEGUE A big cat problem. The Southern African nation of Namibia is home to imposing landscapes. MUSIC SEGUE And one of the world’s richest varieties of wildlife including the world’s largest cheetah population. MUSIC OUT Shepherds are helping scientists research this endangered big cat. An Anatolian named Eisha MUSIC IN …Fund, a group seeking to protect cheetah. CAROLYN WHITESELL VO/OC Eisha is one of the dogs that we have trained to detect cheetah scat. Eisha go. HOST VO Scat is a technical term for cheetah droppings. Eisha’s job is to comb the Namibian landscape for this messy but scientifically valuable prize. CAROLYN WHITESELL VO/OC And the reason this is so important is because we are able to learn a lot about cheetah and about ways that we can further their conservation. Yes. MUSIC OUT You’re a good girl. Did you find the cheetah scat? MUSIC IN HOST VO Anatolians like Eisha may hold the key to stopping an even bigger problem, the extermination of Namibia’s cheetah. CAROLYN WHITESELL VO/OC Because farmers in Namibia are living with so many large predators they do have the potential threat of some of those carnivores attacking their goats or sheep. HOST VO Farmers respond to livestock losses by killing cheetah, nearly wiping out all of Namibia’s big cats. Conservationists struggle in vain to stop the slaughter… MUSIC OUT …but help may now be on the way. MUSIC IN Farmers and conservationists are coming together with a radical plan to stop the killing spearheaded by Anatolian Shepherds. |
HOST VO Up next on Dogs 101 can Anatolian Shepherds help save Namibia’s population from extinction? |
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MUSIC IN HOST VO Namibia, home to the world’s largest population of cheetah. This endangered predator is under siege from farmers. The cheetah devour livestock so farmers kill cheetah. But the big cats are now getting help from an unlikely hero, the Anatolian Shepherd. To convince farmers to stop killing cheetah, conservationists and locals came together to form a radical plan. Livestock guarding Anatolian Shepherds. CAROLYN WHITESELL VO/OC While cheetahs would prefer to go after wild game and the dogs prevent the cheetah from deciding oh, maybe the goat or a sheep is an easier meal. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The Cheetah Conservation fund now breeds Anatolians for local farmers. Carolyn and colleague Joe Jonas care for the dogs. JOE JONAS VO/OC They do not bite or kill the wildlife. They start barking really loud. They basically just scare them away. And that’s how they’ll do their job. And they love their job. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO But the program’s true judges are the subsistence farmers living off the land. Meet Armas a farmer who lives here with his family right in the middle of cheetah country. But Armas… MUSIC OUT …has a best friend that cheetah won’t mess with, an Anatolian Shepherd named Mondessa. ARMAS VO Come Mondessa. ARMAS OC/VO MALE TRANSLATOR FOR ARMAS VO Mondessa looks after the goats. If a goat is attacked by a predator like a cheetah, Mondessa will scare it off. MUSIC IN HOST VO Armas used to lose up to 20 percent of his herd every year to predators. But since Mondessa came on the scene things have changed dramatically. ARMAS OC/VO MALE TRANSLATOR FOR ARMAS VO Before I lost many goats, but then I didn’t have a dog. Mondessa has been a good protector. I haven’t lost any goats since getting Mondessa. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO The cheetah is now seeing a dramatic recovery and local farmers who get dogs report a nearly 100 percent decline in livestock loss to predators. JOE JONAS OC/VO I can say that this, this program has really changed the lives of many people. We are proud of that. ARMAS VO/OC MALE TRANSLATOR FOR ARMAS VO Mondessa is part of the family. It’s as if one of my sons is with the herd. FAMILY OC I love you Mondessa. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Built for some of the world’s harshest landscapes there’s no doubt the Anatolian Shepherd needs plenty of space. The short coat is easy to groom but will shed twice a year and though they’re known to reach ages of 15 years, Anatolian Shepherds have big breed health problems. DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO Including hip dysplasia, bloat. HOST VO Naturally independent this breed does not shine in obedience training. And this loyal protector will make a great family dog with parents who know what they’re doing. MUSIC SEGUE In general the Anatolian Shepherd thrives in large, open environments. They’re a relatively healthy breed, but parents should watch out for hip dysplasia, bloat and other big breed ailments. This dog needs a good brush out when shedding but otherwise are easy to groom. Their natural independence makes them a challenge to train, and they’re good family pets with experienced parents. |
MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO So to recap the Black Russian Terrier was best friend to the Soviet Army. Rare in the U.S. it’s learning to save lives in Europe. The Mi-Ki is a new toy breed that exhibits cat like behavior. It’s becoming known as a therapy dog. The Belgian Malinois is the go-to canine for police and military work. The tough breed protects the president and likely helped find Osama bin Laden. The Pointer is one of the oldest hunting breeds best known for, you guessed it, pointing. The Black and Tan Coonhound is a popular southern hunting breed. |
HOST VO Built for finding and treeing raccoons. It was also a favorite of George Washington. The Anatolian Shepherd is a massive dog with surprising speed. Bred as a guard for sheep in Africa it’s doing just that to help wild cats. Remember each individual dog is unique and may not conform to breed standards. If you’re adopting a dog do your homework and see the top 100 breeds, excessive droolers and best family dogs all in one place. Got to animalplanet.com/dogs101. MUSIC SEGUE |
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