Dogs 101

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Was this JFK Junior's best friend?  Is this the Rocky of the dog world?  Why does this breed walk on the backs of sheep?  Is this breed known as the messiest spaniel?  Can this dog sneeze backwards?  God bless you.  Dogs 101 celebrates man's best friend.  Today, the Canaan, the Dogo Argentino, the Australian Kelpie, the Clumber Spaniel, the Japanese Chin.  But we start with a dog that played Buck on Married With Children.

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The Briard.  It looks like a shaggy dog.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC

I'm thinking muppet, puppet, .

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But it's a hard working brainiac from France.

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Think you've never seen one, think again.  Tramp, from My Three Sons, was a Briard.  And Stinky starred with Dharma and Greg.  And, yes, Al Bundy's dog, Buck, was a Briard as well.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC

And it's said that Thomas Jefferson was the first American to bring the dog back into the United States.

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So where is this pooch from?  France, of course.  History says this breed dates back to the 8th Century.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

Briards are one of the two best things to come from the Brie region of France, the other being Brie cheese.

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And the Briard was indispensible during World War I when they helped find the wounded.  Despite near extinction during battle, these doggies survived.  And little by little, the breed came back better than before.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO

But it didn't really have sort of cosmetic appeal.

ANDREA ARDEN VO

So in order to reestablish the breed, both the Beauceron and the Barbet are believed to have been used to refine the Briard.

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The first lovable quality for the Briard is its lush, full coat with a short inner layer and a longer outer layer.  

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Next, they are born with double rear dew claws.

DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL OC/VO

Those little digits that are a little bit farther up the leg in the back.

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That help them pivot when herding sheep and cattle.

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And the Briard has a long defined J-shaped tail.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO

They have a tail that curves into a little hook or a J and it's called a crochet.  That doesn't start to developing until about six or eight months of age.

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Meet the Cobbs, a typical American family.

KALEY COBB OC

I'm Kaley.

KAREN COBB OC

I'm Karen.

CHRIS COBB OC

I'm Chris.

BRYSON COBB OC

I'm Bryson.

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A dad that goes off to work.

BRYSON COBB OC

I'll see you tonight.

KALEY COBB VO

Daddy, wait.

CHRIS COBB OC

Good night, baby.

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A mom who is harried.

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Juggling kids' schedules and housework.

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But Karen has a secret weapon.

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Norm is a 20 month old Briard.  And just like most Briards, he is super smart and loves to make his family happy.

KAYLIE COBB OC

He's like the smartest dog ever.

KAREN COBB VO

Right from the beginning, I knew Norman was special.  He wanted to train all day long.  He never got tired.  He just wanted to please so bad.  Go get the clicker.  The most important trick we taught him, I think, was getting the remote control.  Norman, shut the door.  Good job.

KAYLIE COBB VO/OC

And the best part is that he wipes his feet at the front door.

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That's right.  He helps out around here by closing doors and wiping his feet.

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Every morning begins with Norm putting his toys away.

KAREN COBB VO

Norman, get your toy.  Good boy.  Put it away.

BRYSON COBB VO/OC

Our dog picks up the toys so we don't have to.

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He even wipes his mouth after drinking water.

KAREN COBB VO

Dry your face, Norman.  Dry it again.  Good boy.

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And while Karen has taught him a bunch, the kids are the real trainers.  They began driving lessons with their kiddy car when Norm was just a pup.

BRYSON COBB VO

He's getting in.

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KAREN COBB VO

Four times one.

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Yes.

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And check this out.  Norman even helps with math. 

KAREN COBB OC

What's the square root of 16.

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Yes, good boy.

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Think he's pretty amazing?

CHILDREN OC

Norman.  Norman.  Norman.

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So do the neighborhood kids.

FEMALE CHILD WITH BRAIDS OC

I love Norman because he's a star.

CHILDREN VO

Norman.  We want Norman.  

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He's now ready to present his biggest trick yet to the local kids.

CHILDREN OC

Norman.

FEMALE CHILD WITH RED HAIR OC

He can ride a scooter.

NARRATOR VO

You saw that right.  Norman can ride a scooter.

KAREN COBB OC/VO

Norman loves playing up to the crowd.  He's a real ham.  And when there's people there, especially if they're clapping, you see his tail really start wagging and he really starts playing it up.

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FEMALE WITH RED HAIR VO/OC

I've never seen a dog that can do all this.

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How did he learn to do it?

KAREN COBB VO

Norman would watch whatever the kids were playing with and then decide he wanted to try it also.  So he puts his paws on the handlebars and we just kind of pulled him around and he had great balance.  He just hung on there and loved it.  So we decided to teach him how to push with his foot and it just took off from there.  He just really enjoyed the ride.

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Norm is not only a star here in the neighborhood.

KAREN COBB

He's got over 3,000 friends on Facebook already.  

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And while everyone knows Norman is super famous, it's not going to go to his head.  After all, for the Cobbs, it's just another day in the life of an average dog who rides a scooter.

KAYLIE COBB VO

Good night, mommy.

BRYSON COBB VO

Good night, daddy.

KAREN COBB VO

Good night, Kaylie.  Good night, Bryson.

COBB FAMILY VO

Good night, Norman.

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So if you want a super dog like Norm, make sure you have the room and the time to devote to him. 

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Briards are generally healthy, but some breed lines develop bloat.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC

Where the stomach fills up with gas and twists.

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With this much hair, grooming is important.  So a good brushing everyday will help prevent mats and tangles.

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As far as training goes, they are super smart and therefore trainable.  But most importantly, they should be socialized early.

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And as beautiful as these dogs are, remember, Briards need attention.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO

A Briard will make an excellent family dog.

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In general, a Briard is best suited to live in a place with space.  They are generally healthy, but have some hereditary problems.  It is important to maintain their coat with daily grooming.  And they're trainable.  So, overall, the Briard can be a good pet that loves to be included in everything.

BRYSON COBB OC

Good boy.

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MALE VOICE #1 VO

Yeah.  Come on.

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A dog cool enough to be JFK Junior's best friend.  Smart enough to be man's battlefield buddy and the first dog to sniff out land mines.  But behind these adorable eyes, the Canaan might be the canine missing link.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

The ancestors of the Canaan Dog are believed to date back to pre-biblical times.

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Canaan is the ancient name for modern Israel.  Images of the dog adorn 4,000 year old tomb paintings, making it one of the world's oldest breeds.  But after the Romans dispersed the Israelites, the Canaan survived for nearly two millennia.  Forgotten by all but nomadic desert peoples known as Bedouins.  

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO

The Bedouin people in Israel still use the Canaan Dog to herd sheep and help guard their families.

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Unlike wolves, these desert dogs are not entirely wild preferring to live close to people. Some scientists think this is how the human-dog relationship began.

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DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL OC

The Canaan Dog is a natural breed unchanged by human intervention.

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Like all primitive dogs, the Canaan's square body is as long as it is tall.

ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO

They look athletic, but they're not very stocky.  In fact, they, they almost err on the side of being slim.

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The Canaan is part of the Spitz family that includes the Siberian Husky, Chow Chow and Akita.  Like their cold weather cousins, Canaan's have a double coat helping the dog deal with desert extremes by trapping air.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO

And trapping air gives you insulation against the heat in the summer, and also insulation against the cold of the nights.

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Pointed wolf-like ears.

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Make this dog the perfect early warning system.

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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO

The Canaan has very erect ears, and it's a very intense expression.

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At birth, Canaans weigh one pound.  Floppy ears grow pointed and hearing more acute around five weeks.  Pups reach full height after just eight months.  But unlike the average dog that takes around a year to mature, Canaans take three years to fill out, a growth cycle closer to wolves than dogs.

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There are only about 2,000 domestic Canaan Dogs worldwide, making it one of the rarest breeds.  So when David Kowalski decided to bring a Canaan into his home, he knew finding one wasn't going to be easy.

DAVID KOWALSKI OC

I planned to go to whatever lengths were necessary to find the right dog.

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For David, finding the right dog means journeying.

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From his home in Massachusetts all the way to Israel to meet Myrna Shiboleth, a Behaviorist and Canaan expert living outside of Jerusalem with her family and some of the cutest Canaan puppies around, like this one who's about to become part of David's family.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH OC/VO

They're just an absolutely amazing dog.  The more you know about them, the more you know about what a dog is.

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Myrna is pioneering efforts to increase the number of domestic Canaans worldwide.  And besides placing pups in homes like David's around the world.

DAVID KOWALSKI OC

Thank you.  It's been a wonderful experience.

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She's also trying to preserve this ancient breed's genetic line.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO/OC

You could call it a wild dog, but it's a dog.  And as a dog it has a natural tendency to want to associate with people.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO

Myrna's mission today is to go to Israel's Negev Desert where nomadic Bedouin tribes have lived here with Canaans for thousands of years to bring back purebred Canaan puppies and expand the domestic breeding stock.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH OC/VO

We're looking for dogs that we can potentially use for future breeding.  We try and build up a friendly contact with the Bedouins because there is no way that we, ourselves, could ever catch one of these dogs.  We go to Bedouin areas that are as remote as possible.

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To abide by Bedouin custom Myrna travels with a male escort, Egal. 

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A fellow Canaan enthusiast.  And they pay a complimentary visit to Salama, the chieftain of this clan.

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SALAMA AL KASHKAR OC

The Bedouin in the desert cannot live without dogs.  I think the Canaan is the best dog in the world.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO

For the Bedouin, the dog is the tools that they need for their kind of life to help them survive.  They don't pet them.  They don't let them come into the house.  But they very much respect them.

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To find puppies, Myrna consults.

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The local experts, the children.  The kids report there may be some at a nearby camp.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO

And it's becoming harder and harder to find them.

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After hours of searching, Myrna and Egal finally catch a break.  This camp has puppies.  But when Myrna sees the mother, she has second thoughts.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO

They're mixed breeds.  They're not pure Canaans.  So, they'll stay here in the village.

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Myrna may not have found puppies.  

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But today's trip does have a big silver lining.  A common interest in Canaans is bringing together at least some people in this conflict.

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Ridden part of the world.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO

I think they appreciate that we respect them, and we are able to work together and understand each other.

SALAMA AL KASHKAR OC

The dogs bring people together which is a good thing.

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Meanwhile, a world away in Massachusetts, a family is coming together to greet their latest addition.

ALANA OC

Welcome home, Rena.

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David and daughter, Alana, choose a Hebrew name with a special meaning for this little Canaan.

DAVID KOWALSKI VO

We settled on Rena.  It means joy.  It means bright light.  And that's exactly what she brought to us.

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Whether prowling the desert or a backyard, the Canaan is an explorer.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO

You wouldn't want this dog to get bored because it would get very destructive.

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Canaans like to think for themselves and can challenge trainers.

MALE WITH DARK HAIR OC

No.

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Few hereditary health issues are known in this hardy breed.

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The double coat sheds, but needs minimal grooming.

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The Canaan will bond tightly to a family that knows how to handle this active dog.

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In general, the Canaan thrives in an open, active setting, is a hardy, healthy breed, sheds seasonally and is very trainable, but has a strong independent streak.  And will make a great family dog for experienced owners.

MYRNA SHIBOLETH VO/OC

He's a very special dog.  You know that when he loves you it's because you're a special person.

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When Dogs 101 continues, meet a pooch with some mighty skills.  You've heard of a seeing eye dog.  Now meet a hearing ear dog.  And find out what event brings these fabulous people and these fabulous dogs together.

DRAG QUEEN WITH CURLY HAIR OC

You need a little bling bling, huh?

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Meet a dog known for the Chin spin.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

Many Japanese Chin will stand on their hind legs and spin around.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC

Oh look, my dog is doing the Chin spin and the dog's like, "Yea, let's have some more of this."

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO

Go, Marshall, go.

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And they do the snizzle.

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DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC

The snizzle is a reverse sneeze.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC

They have a shortened nose, so they have like a post nasal drip that they're trying to swallow.  It sounds like something Snoop Dogg made up, right?

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC

I think they do the snizzle faux schizzle.

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Now let's get serious.

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This is one regal pooch bred for the sole purpose of warming the laps of Chinese aristocrats and accompanying the ladies of the Imperial Palace.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC

Oh, to be a Japanese Chin.

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And despite the name, they're not from Japan.

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Most experts believe the Japanese Chin originated in China and came to Japan in 520AD with Zen Buddhist monks.

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In Japan, the word chin means royalty.  So the Japanese aristocrats appropriately named their prized pooch, Japanese Chin.

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It's a small dog but the head is quite large with a short, broad muzzle and prominent eyes.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC

They have big, beautiful round eyes set very wide apart.

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And this dignified dog has a high set tail that carries up over their back with long heavy feathering.

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Their luxurious coat is single layered, long and silky.  It takes anywhere from two to five years to come in fully.

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And it's those luxurious locks that inspire Japanese Chin owner Kathleen Sepulveda to dive head first into the wild and wacky world of creative dog grooming.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

Creative grooming is just dog groomers gone wild.

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It's an art form that started in the '80s.  But in the last few years, it's taken the dog grooming world by storm.  Groomers trim and scissor dogs into outrageous, zany shapes and enhance their designs with pet-friendly, non-toxic vegetable dyes.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO/OC

The dogs, they just love the attention.  That's really what this is all about.

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Kathleen owns several beloved Chins, but keeps Stafford close to her heart.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

You are the best boy.  Mmm.  

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

Stafford, he's special.

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Stafford, a retired show champion, loved being the center of attention.  So Kathleen started creatively grooming him for charity events.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO/OC

And now that he's colored, you just see him come to life.

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KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO

Good boys.  Let's go work.

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Tonight, Stafford and his Chin pals will be strutting their stuff for one of their biggest charity shows yet.

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A Japanese Chin and drag queen fashion show. You heard that right.

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KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

This is a first ever.  The club is excited.  The dogs are phenomenal.  So tonight we're hoping to raise an awful lot of money for my favorite rescue, JC Care, which is our Japanese Chin Rescue Organization.

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And several rescue Chins are already underway with their transformations at Kathleen's Grooming Salon.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

That looks great.

MALE WITH BLOND HAIR OC

Yeah.

NARRATOR VO

The non-toxic temporary color is applied to clean, dry fur.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

And really, really saturate it.

NARRATOR VO

For intricate patterns, groomers use stencils and fill them in using a manual air brush called a blow pen.

MALE WITH BLOND HAIR VO/OC

He's going to look like a tiger today when we're done with him.

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For fine lines and detail work, groomers use air brushes.

FEMALE WITH BLOND HAIR VO/OC

Basically, all I'm using is food coloring and lemon.  And the lemon helps the color to dry really fast.

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Kathleen only uses store bought organic vegetable dyes made specifically for coloring pets.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO/OC

It's perfectly safe.  These products are made so that the dog's skin and coat isn't affected by it.

NARRATOR VO

But don't try this at home.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA OC

This should only be done by professionals because we are trained.

FEMALE WITH BLOND HAIR OC

You're very pretty.  I like your do.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO/OC

The dogs, they don't know what color you've put on them.  They just know you did something special.

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The Chins are rinsed and blown out and the transformations are complete.  Now it's show time.

DRAG QUEEN IN PINK GOWN VO

How are you doing.

DRAG QUEEN WITH CURLY HAIR VO/OC

We're here tonight for our Doggie and Drag Fashion Show.

DRAG QUEEN IN BLACK DRESS OC

I love the Japanese Chins.

NARRATOR VO

A few last minute touch-ups.

DRAG QUEEN WITH CURLY HAIR OC

You need a little bling bling, huh?

NARRATOR VO

And the Doggie and Drag Queen extravaganza for JC Care begins.

NARRATOR VO

First up, Pretty in Pink.

DRAG QUEEN IN PINK GOWN VO

She is the most beautiful Chin.

NARRATOR VO

Next up, Lips Galore.

DRAG QUEEN IN PINK GOWN VO

He is a force to be reckoned with.

NARRATOR VO

And the crowd can't seem to get enough of these dynamic doggie and drag queen duos.  All the proceeds from tonight's ticket sales will go straight to Japanese Chin Care Rescue.  And finally Stafford takes to the stage.

DRAG QUEEN IN PINK GOWN VO

Stafford.  Stafford and Lady Gaga look fabulous.

NARRATOR VO

The Doggie Drag Show was a huge success.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO/OC

We have raised 1,000 dollars for JC Care.

NARRATOR VO

Stafford's night to shine.

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MALE WITH BEARD OC

The show was just incredible.

FEMALE WEARING GLASSES OC

Look at her.  She's so excited.

FEMALE WITH BROWN HAIR VO/OC

Stafford was, by far, my favorite dog.

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DRAG QUEEN IN PINK GOWN VO

Fabulous.

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If you're thinking of bringing a Japanese Chin like Stafford into your life, here are some things to know.  Unlike other toy breeds.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC

They don't bark very much.

NARRATOR VO

So they're ideal for apartment life.

NARRATOR VO

Japanese Chins have a life expectancy of ten to 12 years.  Health issues include heart murmurs and sensitivity to heat.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO

Because it's a brachycephalic breed where it has a flattened in face, it can overheat very easily.

NARRATOR VO

Don't let this luxurious coat scare you.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

They don't require that much grooming, probably one or twice a week.

NARRATOR VO

Your best bet for training a Japanese Chin is to start early and be consistent.  

NARRATOR VO

Affectionate and devoted, the Japanese Chin makes a wonderful family companion.

KATHLEEN SEPULVEDA VO

.

NARRATOR VO

So, in general, most Japanese Chins are quiet.  It's a generally healthy dog but can overheat easily.  Give them a good brushing twice a week.  When socialized early, Chins are highly trainable and they make wonderful family pets.

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More Dogs 101 ahead.  When we come back, meet the spaniel best known for clearing counters.  And meet the breed with one of the dog world's strongest bites.  And who says dogs can't fly?

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What does Eva Peron, Che Guevara and this dog breed have in common?  Argentina erected statues in honor of all three.

NARRATOR VO

Bred to hunt wild boar, this dog might be the most muscular canine in all of dogville.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO

If Dogo was a person, it would be Rocky.

NARRATOR VO

It's the Dogo Argentino.  Built like a Mack truck and because of its fighting heritage, surrounded by controversy.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO

In many countries they are banned.  The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland.

NARRATOR VO

The Dogo came to the US in the 1970s.  But it's the only dog that originates from Argentina.

NARRATOR VO

The Dogo is revered for its ability to navigate this country's diverse terrain.

NARRATOR VO

But when it comes to history, there is no pooch with a larger family tree.

NARRATOR VO

In the 1920s, Antonio Nores Martinez wanted to create a versatile canine.  They started with the now extinct Fighting Dog of Cordoba and added the Pointer, the Boxer, the Great Dane, the Bull Terrier, Bull Dog, the Irish Wolf Hound, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Great Pyrenees and the Spanish Mastiff.

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It took 25 long years, but in the end, they had a dog that was.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC

Very majestic looking, super powerful.

NARRATOR VO

If you're lucky enough to see one of these beautiful dogs, they're easy to identify.

NARRATOR VO

Just look for the striking white coat.

ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO

The all white is so that they would be easier to see when they were hunting.

NARRATOR VO

The wide curved tail helps the Dogo's agility while chasing prey.

NARRATOR VO

Long, elastic neck folds that slide across the muscle protect the Dogo's throat when it's tangled up with a wild animal.

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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO

So the Dogo has a very unique dental arch.

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And it's a square shape instead of round.

NARRATOR VO

The Dogo's front teeth line up in a straight line creating more surface area per bite, landing more tooth on whatever the dog targets.  This helps the Dogo maintain a strong grip on anything it catches.

NARRATOR VO

Antonio Nores Martinez created a dog with amazing strength and loyalty.  But the torch has been passed to his grandson, Dr. Ulises D'Andrea Nores.  Ulises, his wife Carolina and his friends frequent the farm to ensure his grandfather's dream of the perfect canine breed is alive and well.

CAROLINA CAPPALETTI OC/VO

When I have Dogos at my home, I feel very protected.

NARRATOR VO

The proof is in the pudding.  When on one fateful day in 2008, a Dogo named Morocho showed them how successful their breeding efforts had been.

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CAROLINA CAPPALETTI OC

About three years ago, Yoli and Sophie, my eldest daughter, went down to the fig tree to pick up some figs.

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Yoli and Sophie loved spending time at the fig tree, and they both knew the best figs are on the highest branches.  On that fateful day, without thinking twice, Yoli climbed into the fig tree in search of her favorite fruit.  But what she found was far more dangerous than figs.

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CAROLINA CAPPALETTI OC

She saw a puma, a cougar.

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NARRATOR VO

The puma or mountain lion is one of the largest predators in South America, weighing upwards of 180 pounds.  This stealth hunter could easily kill both girls.  Stricken with fear, Yoli quickly tried to get down from the tree.  But in her haste, she slipped and fell.

YOLI OC

When I saw the puma, I was really scared.

NARRATOR VO

As fast as they could, the girls sprinted towards the farm with the puma in hot pursuit.  Luckily, the girls were not alone.  At their side was a 90 pound bundle of guarding instinct, their trusted Dogo Morocho.

CAROLINA CAPPALETTI OC

Morocho started fighting with the puma.

NARRATOR VO

Yoli's father, Tomas, heard the girls screaming and went running to investigate.

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TOMAS BRACAMANTE OC

Thinking it was a snake, I went running.  I raced to them as fast as I could.

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As Tomas approached, he realized it was no snake.  As he got close, he saw Morocho.  Miraculously, he was still alive, but badly injured.  Then Tomas noticed a dead puma a few feet away.  Tomas picked up Morocho and brought him to the farm.  Over the next ten days, Morocho was nursed back to health.

CAROLINA CAPPALETTI OC

After that attack, Morocho became a hero here.

YOLI OC

If it wasn't for Morocho, we would be hurt.

CAROLINA CAPPALETTI OC/VO

Morocho has his official place in our hearts because he is our protector.

SOPHIE & YOLI OC

Gracias, Morocho.

NARRATOR VO

Thanks to his incredible strength, Morocho and the girls are still alive today.  And the families are forever grateful to have Morocho on the farm.

NARRATOR VO

The Dogo needs an environment with plenty of space to run.

DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL VO/OC

They need activity to keep them stimulated.

NARRATOR VO

The Dogo's fur should have a satin feel.  Weekly brushing is enough to maintain their beautiful short, white coat.

NARRATOR VO

The Dogo does not have many of the health issues commonly seen in large breeds, but beware.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

Dogos, like Dalmatians, do tend to suffer from pigment related deafness.

NARRATOR VO

It's caused by a heredity anomaly.  

NARRATOR VO

Dogos are trainable, but lots of exercise and mental stimulation are necessary for this canine to thrive.

NARRATOR VO

Although intimidating, the Dogo can be a great family dog.

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In general, the Dogo likes a warm climate with plenty of space to explore.  They are generally a healthy breed, but do suffer from some deafness.  They only need a weekly brushing.  Training early and often is a must.  And the Dogo can be great with an experienced dog family.

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Each breed is wonderful in its own way.  But some dogs get top marks for artistic talent.  That's why we're honoring these pups with a segment all their own.  It's time to meet today's Wonderdog.

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Ok Go is an LA based band known for quirky dance videos like this one.

OK GO VO

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But one day they got the wacky idea to use their best friends, dogs, as backup dancers.

DAMIAN KULASH OC/VO

Dogs being sort of the, our favorite thing in the world anyways, it just seemed obvious.

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They gathered five dogs in a backyard and figured out which track from their new record resonated.  And White Knuckles was the winner.

DAMIAN KULASH VO

We just sort of watched to see which songs made the dogs feel like their natural movements, just running around the yard felt like they, like a dance.

NARRATOR VO

Instead of forced tricks, every day doggie movements like running and jumping inspired the final choreography.

TRISH SIE VO

Get dogs doing what dogs like to do but in some kind of sync so that it has a greater structure.  It looks like dancing.

NARRATOR VO

After a month of training, it took two weeks and 128 takes in a warehouse in Oregon to get the perfect continuous take.  To keep everything in time, the trainers worked hard off screen.  But most impressive was the dedication of the dogs.

DAMIAN KULASH VO/OC

One of my two dogs is in the video, Bunny Carlos.

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Lead singer Damian Kulash's dog, Bunny, was previously untrained, but wowed everyone with her focus.

DAMIAN KULASH OC

Bunny's like looking up the cheese ball, looking up at the cheese ball.

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TRISH SIE VO

That was her Wonderdog moment.

NARRATOR VO

It took 14 previous shelter dogs and 12 trainers to make this one of a kind video.  Now these wonder dogs have over nine and a half million hits on YouTube.

DAMIAN KULASH OC

They were truly wonder dogs.

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Still more to come on Dogs 101.  This mommy is joyful over the noises her furry friend hears.  And meet the doggy dynamo who excels on the land, the sea and in the air.

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It's time now to play Pick The Pooch.  This energetic breed was a favorite of the Vikings and developed in the shadow of volcanoes.  Can you guess the breed?  The answer when we come back.

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This pooch was the favorite of Vikings and is so loved as a herding dog in its native land that they've put its image on a postage stamp.  It's Iceland's only native dog, the Icelandic Sheepdog, considered one of the oldest breeds in the world.

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Meet the Clumber, big, beautiful, loaded with personality.

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As the stockiest of all spaniels, Clumbers can weigh as much as 85 pounds.  That's almost ten times the size of an English Toy, the smallest of the spaniel breeds.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

I think a lot of people would look at a Clumber Spaniel and if they didn't know better, they might think it was a Cocker Spaniel that had made a few too many trips to the buffet line.

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Clumbers are relatively rare with only 200 puppies registered each year in the US.  By comparison, there are almost 60,000 Golden Retrievers registered.

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Legend has it a French nobleman smuggled his whole kennel of hunting dogs to England so they would escape slaughter during the French Revolution.  They ended up with the Duke of Newcastle who named the breed for his 4,000 acre estate called Clumber Park.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC

There's a lot of royalty involved with the development and the history of this breed.

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So how did this royal breed evolve?  It started with the now extinct Alpine Spaniel crossed with a Basset Hound and later bred with a Bernese Mountain Dog.

DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC/VO

And they have the ability to track like a hound, but to hunt like a spaniel.

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Most Clumbers have thick fluffy coats that are 90 percent white.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO

When the Clumber Spaniel puppy's born, it's all white.  And they will develop the cute little orange lemon freckling in spots by about three months of age.

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Adult Clumbers have big droopy jowls and eyes.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC

They almost look like they have a hangover all the time.

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Deb Molin got a Clumber Spaniel three years ago.  But her dog named Oma is much more than a pet.  Why?  Because Deb is totally deaf.

DEB MOLIN OC

I fell in love with a Clumber Spaniel.  I saw a picture of one when I was a kid.

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And while most people associate service dogs as assisting the blind, ten percent of them are actually trained to help the hearing impaired.

KELLY MOLIN VO/OC

I think the difficulty that hearing impaired people would experience is just not knowing what's going on around you.

DEB MOLIN OC

Oma, come.

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When Deb, who can read lips, told people she wanted a Clumber as a service dog, she was met with a lot of resistance.

DEB MOLIN OC/VO

A lot of people told me that a Clumber Spaniel would not make a good service dog.  They were too lazy, too independent.

JOAN OC

Hi, Oma.

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Joan McCoy from an organization called Can Do Canines, accepted the challenge and is helping to train Oma to be Deb's ears.

JOAN MCCOY OC/VO

Deb and Oma have a good relationship, and I love to see that.  That just warms my little trainer's heart.

JOAN MCCOY OC

Is she reliable waking you in the morning?

DEB MOLIN VO

She tends to get me up and then she goes back to bed.

JOAN MCCOY VO

Yeah.

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When Oma hears the alarm, she lets Deb know it's time to wake up.

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DEB MOLIN VO

What.

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When the phone rings, Deb can't hear it, but Oma can.  She nudges Deb, then leads her to a device that allows deaf people to communicate with their caller.

DEB MOLIN OC

Oh, good dog.

JOAN MCCOY OC

When she gets over here to where I am, ask her to sit.

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And when the smoke detector sounds.

DEB MOLIN OC

Good dog.  Come on, Oma.

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Oma touches Deb, then leads her to the alarm.

DEB MOLIN VO

Yea.

JOAN MCCOY VO

I believe that Deb has definitely proven the naysayers wrong.  I think Oma is a delightful service dog.

DEB MOLIN VO/OC

Oma is a major part of the family.  She always will be.

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If you want a Clumber and don't happen to have a 4,000 acre estate in England, don't worry.

DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL OC/VO

Clumbers can do fine in an apartment.  They just need opportunity to exercise.

NARRATOR VO

Clumbers can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and sometimes eye problems.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO

Because of the long back, they can have disk disease.  And because of their eyes, they can have problems where the lids roll excessively inwards or outwards.

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While the Clumber has an incredibly soft and pretty coat, get ready for some hard work.

ANDREA ARDEN VO

I think the thing that is most challenging is taking good care of their ears and their feet.

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Perhaps it's their British ancestry, but adolescent male Clumbers can sometimes be described as hooligans, raiding countertops, fridges and even highchairs.  

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Clumbers can be great companions and family pets.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC

As cute as they are, they drool and they snore.  So, carry a towel, earplugs.  

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To recap, the Clumber Spaniel needs significant exercise.  They have several health problems to keep an eye on and need regular grooming.  Even with early and consistent training, they can still be a little devilish.  But they are smart, cuddly and tremendously loyal.

FEMALE CHILD WEARING PINK TOP VO/OC

Mmm, cute little baby.

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When Dogs 101 comes back, it's a bird.  It's a plane.  It's super dog.

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Need to get a job done?  Call an Australian Kelpie.

DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC

Okay mate, good day, mate.

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This lively breed is hard wired for hard work.  There are more than 100,000 Kelpies working farms down under and thousands working in North America.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

It's one of the working dogs that is still.

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Doing the job they were bred for many years ago today.

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But like all great workers, the clever Kelpie combines determination with brains in a signature move called sheep backing where they'll move a flock by actually running across the backs of the herd.

DR. DEBBYE TURNER BELL OC

This breed has a superior ability.

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To balance.

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The Australian Kelpie was bred in the mid 1800s to work the harsh, hot landscape of Australia's Marino sheep fields.  They were so good at it that the old timers say that Australia was built on the back of the Kelpie.

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Their family tree includes short haired British and Scottish working Collies.  And, according to some, a splash of Dingo, the Australian wild dog.

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The Kelpie's source of strength and stamina is easily seen in their physical characteristics.  Their lean, athletic body slightly longer than tall has a broad chest and firm hind quarters.  And their double coat which comes in a variety of colors protects them from the elements with a dense undercoat and a weather repellant outer coat.  Kelpies are born with floppy ears that prick up to a fine point as they mature.

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And that balance?  Well that comes from their ears, too.  The inner ear has a series of fluid filled canals lined with hairs that send balance messages to the brain as they move.  The super sensitivity of the Kelpie ear transmits the messages quickly.

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And that excellent balance couldn't be more evident here on the coast of San Diego.  Meet Abbie, one of California's top surf dogs.  But when Michael Uy first saw this Kelpie hanging ten with something neither of them could have fathomed.

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MICHAEL UY VO

When I first met her, she was afraid of anything.

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Michael was only thinking about getting a dog when he saw eight month old Abbie at a local shelter.

MICHAEL UY VO

Here, girl.

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She had been found near death on the roadside, but there was something special about her.

MICHAEL UY VO/OC

There was definitely something in her eyes.  There was this Kelpie fire waiting to get out.

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Abbie's fun loving fearlessness revealed itself slowly as Michael began to socialize the shy dog.

MICHAEL UY VO

She was just at my side all the time.  This slowly enabled her to trust me, but also see more of the world.

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Michael's world included sports and lots of them.

MICHAEL UY VO

I knew she was special the minute we started doing sports together.  It's like. 

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"Take me on an adventure.  Let's go."

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A typical day includes running and maybe some mountain biking or sheep herding at a neighbor's farm.

MICHAEL UY VO

Just to get that urge out of her system.

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Abbie also loves surfing.

MICHAEL UY VO

Every now and then she'll even spin around and kind of check out where I am.  Our first big wave, she totally, totally wiped out.  And she climbed back on the board.

MICHAEL UY OC

She's a Kelpie after all.  

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And this extreme dog doesn't stop with surfing.  When we come back, we'll go flying with Abbie, the wonder Kelpie.

NARRATOR VO

From the mountains to the ocean, this fearless fun lover enjoys things that most dogs or owners wouldn't dream of.

MICHAEL UY OC

.  Abbie is, without a doubt, the queen of extreme sports.

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For dogs.

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The new sport on Abbie's list, paragliding.  That's right, paragliding.

MICHAEL UY VO

All right, I'm ready.  

JEREMY BISHOP VO/OC

Paragliding is safe for dogs.  You have to have three things, a qualified pilot, the right equipment which is the harness and the dog has got to want to do it.

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And Abbie loves it.  Before Michael takes off, Abbie is strapped into a custom made safety harness.  And once in the air, she enjoys the ride.

MICHAEL UY VO

She's actually perched on my lap, looking at the sea cliffs.  And I think she likes it because she can see all the ground squirrels in the sea cliffs.

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And what dog wouldn't love that?  Of course, for Michael, it's something else.

MICHAEL UY VO/OC

The bond that I have with Abbie is, it's really special.  It's really tight.  There's this just natural connection that we have that we know are both having a good time.

MICHAEL UY OC

Are you looking for squirrels?

MICHAEL UY OC

Abbie and I are a winning team.

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As you can see, there is never a dull moment with a Kelpie.  As long as they can get their exercise, but they are not for apartments.

NARRATOR VO

As far as health, these are a hardy breed.  But they do suffer from common ailments like hip dysplasia, luxating patella and they can have a more serious hereditary condition called Cerebellar abiotrophy, which leads to severe coordination problems.

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In the grooming department, they are pretty much wash and wear.

ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC

But the time that you are saving on grooming, you're going to be spending extra time on training.

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Yes, because the Kelpie is so smart, it takes a focused owner who's not afraid to be the boss.

NARRATOR VO

For an active family, the Kelpie can make a good pet.  Energetic and loyal, they also need plenty of mental stimulation to stay healthy.

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So, in general, the Kelpie needs lots of exercise and is not an ideal apartment dog.  They're pretty healthy, but be sure to check for Cerebellar abiotrophy, a serious hereditary condition.  Grooming is easy but training will keep you on your toes.  And they make great pets for an athletic family.

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MICHAEL UY VO

Good girl.  What do you see?

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So to recap, the Briard is a big, fluffy and smart French breed that helped soldiers in war and watches children at home.  The Canaan is a primitive breed that is making the leap from the Israeli desert to American homes.  The Japanese Chin is a lovable dog that was popular with royalty but did not come from Japan.  The Dogo Argentino is the only breed native to Argentina.  It's a loyal and protective guardian.  The Clumber is much bigger than its other spaniel cousins.  Some say his greatest skill is clearing kitchen countertops.  The Kelpie is a hardy Australian breed, best known for walking on the backs of sheep.  Remember, each individual dog is unique and may not conform to breed standards.  If you are adopting a dog, do your homework and go to AnimalPlanet.com/Dogs 101.  And choose your next best friend wisely.