Which canine was a gift from the Dalai Lama himself? Which dog is considered the smartest breed on the planet? Which pup is one of the few canines with sweat glands?
Which canine was a gift from the Dalai Lama himself? Which dog is considered the smartest breed on the planet? Which pup is one of the few canines with sweat glands? Which breed boasts the most massive dog on record? Find out the answers on this amazing episode of Dogs 101 where we'll meet the Border Collie, the Chinese Crested, the English Mastiff, the Italian Greyhound, and the Lhasa Apso.
For even more dog content, stream full episodes of Dogs 101 on discovery+. Go to discoveryplus.com/dogs101 to start your free trial today. Terms apply.
Find episode transcript: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/english-mastiff-chinese-crested-and-more
MUSIC IN
HOST VO Is this the largest dog breed on Earth? Why is this dog often called the ugliest? Was this breed a gift from the Dalai Lama? Is this dog so frail it needs clothes? Dogs 101, celebrates man’s best friend. Today, the Chinese Crested, the Lhasa Apso, the Italian Greyhound, the English Mastiff, and we… |
Host VO …start with the breed that might be the smartest of all.
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ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Stay. Stay.
Host VO Meet the Border Collie. It’s a pretty smart dog. |
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Border Collies are the most intelligent breed on the planet without a doubt, non-negotiable, end of story.
Host VO Okay, so it’s a really smart dog. In fact, on nearly every…
|
Host VO …ranking of doggie intelligence, the Border Collie |
comes out on top.
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TYSON KILMER VO It’s a… |
TYSON KILMER OC …highly intelligent dog, highly trainable dog. |
HOST VO The Poodle and German Shepherd usually… |
Host VO …round out the top three most intelligent breeds, |
HOST VO …but Border Collie are canine rocket scientists.
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Host VO Think twice about these dogs as house pets, though.
ANDREA ARDEN OC They are not good with novice dog owners.
ZAK GEORGE VO If you don’t work with a Border Collie, they are going to drive you nuts, and they will… |
ZAK GEORGE OC …destroy every possession you have. |
| MALE VOICE #1 VO |
Yeeee-haaa.
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Host VO The breed is named for the border region of England and Scotland. Shepherds in… |
Host VO …this area carefully bred dogs over many generations. |
HOST VO The result is a dog that may just be the perfect herding breed.
ANDREA ARDEN VO I don’t think there’s any dog that excels better at herding than… |
ANDREA ARDEN OC …Border Collies. |
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Host VO The Border Collie is a born athlete. Its muscular supple body is bred for speed and stamina.
TYSON KILMER VO Very, very hyper, a dog that loves to run, loves to herd, loves to chase animals. |
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HOST VO Shepherds were also attracted to the Border Collies’ fiercely intense stare, sometimes called the eye. Border Collies use this gaze to intimidate and control livestock.
ANDREA ARDEN VO When they’re focused on something, it is very hard to break that concentration.
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HOST VO That great intelligence is the key to this herding dog’s prowess. |
HOST VO Border Collies were bred to complete complex tasks both with humans and independently.
TYSON KILMER VO When you hear the term man’s best friend, a border… |
TYSON KILMER OC …collie comes to mind. |
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HOST VO A fourth unique physical characteristic gives the Border Collie even more of an edge. When herding, the dog can move quickly in a crouching position. It’s reminiscent of a stalking cat. This trait is due to a space between the tops of the shoulder blades. The almost locomotive movement allows the Border Collie to make subtle adjustments to manage a herd with absolute |
precision.
ANDREA ARDEN VO I can’t think of many dogs that are as driven and focused as Border Collies.
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ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Spin, spin, good. Roll over. Other way. Play dead, all the way dead, Venus.
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One, two, three, go, nice.
HOST VO Today, Border Collies enthusiasts like Animal Planet’s expert trainer Zak George are finding new creative outlets for this remarkable breed.
ZAK GEORGE VO/OC Border Collies are exceptional at dog sports. That’s it. Good. Good. Go. Go.
HOST VO Zak’s high flying collies go for big air when chasing Frisbees. They also have a few headturning tricks up their sleeves. Zak’s collie, Venus, even knows her multiplication tables.
ZAK GEORGE VO What is three times two? Nice.
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HOST VO Across the pond in Wales, Border Collies continue to be a vital part of sheep farming. |
| HOST VO |
Just ask Welsh shepherd and one of the top Border Collie trainers in the U.K., Gerry Lewis.
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC The Border Collie in my opinion is the… |
GERALD LEWIS OC …most superior and by…
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…far the best dog to herd and look after sheep like.
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Down, Bandit, come by. If they’re trained correctly and handled correctly, then they will do pretty near anything actually. |
HOST VO Gerry and the family run a 300 acre farm with… |
HOST VO ….nearly 800 sheep, ewes and lambs. It’s a big job managing a farm this size. The work the Border Collies do here is vital. |
GERALD LEWIS OC/VO Come away, Spot. This particular dog, Spot here, has been a very good servant to me over the years. He’s got guts. He’s got courage. He’s got working ability. Crofts to watch. He will give everything for you in terms of working under harsh conditions as well.
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HOST VO Along with Spot, Gerry’s dogs Pip and Flash are seasoned pros with classic Border Collie instincts.
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC |
The size of their heart counts a great deal for me and a dog that will get on with it and, and shows that intensity and that desire to work sheep. Steady, there, steady.
HOST VO These dogs might work for a living, but they’re loved pets all the same. |
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC You’ve got to treat them as a friend. It’s a real bond plus a professional relationship with a sheepdog.
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HOST VO To get a sheepdog to this level takes considerable time and training.
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC Here, here, come on.
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HOST VO Gerry will start by exposing young pups to sheep.
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC My latest arrival and hopefully my next future champion.
HOST VO The dog learns a series of simple verbal commands. After mastering these verbal commands, Gerry graduates the dogs to whistles.
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC Oh, two different sets of commands, actually, which I translate. This dog is on one set of commands, and the other dog is on another set of commands. If I put too many commands, I get myself confused. |
HOST VO By the end the process, each Border Collie is able to understand a complex language that allows it to work in perfect harmony with Gerry.
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC With these two Border Collies that I’ve got here, I’ll put the sheep anywhere you ask me to put them.
HOST VO Anywhere?
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HOST VO That’s a collect call, Border Collie style. |
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HOST VO Along… |
HOST VO …with making farm life easier, the talents of these Collies are proving to be a smash hit on the Internet. Challenged by a local film crew,
GERALD LEWIS VO/OC Hey, hey.
|
HOST VO …Gerry and his Collies took to the hills of Wales to arrange sheep lit with LED lights into a variety of images and shapes.
MALE CREW MEMBER WITH BEARD OC
HOST VO With millions of views, the video has become the latest You Tube sensation. Gerry welcomes any chance to showcase the talents of his Border Collies. As a special thanks to Dogs 101, Gerry and his dogs even arranged sheep in the shape of our logo. This amazing feat is more proof of the uncanny ability of the Border Collie.
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GERALD LEWIS VO/OC Every good shepherd in my opinion has to have a good dog. He’s a vital cog in the works and helps me in the raising of our sheep on this farm, and I basically couldn’t do without him.
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HOST VO Whether it’s herding sheep, playing Frisbee or performing amazing tricks, training is where this breed shines, but if you step up to a Border Collie, you better know what you’re doing. |
ANDREA ARDEN VO If you don’t know what you’re doing, you… |
ANDREA ARDEN VO …could end up with a dog who is incredibly destructive.
HOST VO This is not a good apartment dog.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC I would definitely see this dog in a rural environment.
HOST VO Besides some concerns for hip dysplasia and eye issues, Border Collies are generally healthy.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC For the most part, these guys live to a ripe age.
HOST VO There are several coat types, each with slightly different grooming requirements, but in general, this is an easy dog to groom.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC Brushing and combing is essential because the dog does shed. It’s a double-coated breed.
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HOST VO If its need for mental stimulation and exercise is met, the Border Collie is a wonderful family pet, but if you don’t provide for its needs, watch out.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC If you don’t focus that herding instinct, they are very likely start… |
ANDREA ARDEN OC …herding your children, which means nipping at their heels. |
HOST VO In general, the Border Collie thrives with lots of space and activity. It’s an extremely healthy dog, with relatively light grooming needs. Though super smart, Border Collies won’t just lie down for anyone. This breed is definitely not for everyone, but if its needs are being met, the Border Collie is a good family dog.
GERALD LEWIS VO I would… |
GERALD LEWIS OC …class him as being one… |
GERALD LEWIS VO …of the most faithful dogs that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working or handling anywhere.
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| MUSIC IN |
HOST VO When Dogs 101, continues, |
HOST VO …meet the breed that some say is the ugliest. This ten-pound wonder is a full-blown hero. Is this the largest breed on the planet? Did this delicate dog inspire some legends of heavy metal?
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| MUSIC IN |
HOST VO The Chinese Crested makes everyone stop and take notice.
ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO You can’t walk down the street with a Chinese Crested without having at least one person say, “Oh, my gosh, what is that?”
HOST VO But did you know that the crest in their name refers to the plume of hair on the top of their heads, and that unlike most dogs, they have sweat glands and don’t pant to regulate their temperature? Or that many are allergic to wool? |
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HOST VO Or that they have won more ugly dog contests than any other breed?
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SFX <Scream> |
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| TYSON KILMER VO The… |
TYSON KILMER OC …Chinese Crested is, is a, you know, a funny… |
TYSON KILMER VO …looking dog to me. Sorry guys.
ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO Ugly, no, they’re not ugly. No, they’re cute.
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HOST VO And there was one American burlesque beauty, Gypsy Rose Lee, that brought this breed to fame. She was one of the first breeders in the U.S. Many Cresteds today can be traced back to her. Some think this breed is a cousin of the Mexican Xoloitzcuintle and the Chihuahua, tracing its origins to the Aztecs. |
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HOST VO Others believe that Chinese traders discovered the Crested on the shores of Africa and brought to ports and traded them around the world.
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TYSON KILMER VO/OC This dog was made famous for actually going out on the ships with the Chinese merchants and being a ratting dog or a vermin dog, chasing…
|
TYSON KILMER OC …down the, the rats during the plague times.
HOST VO And… |
HOST VO …their hairless skin meant fewer hiding places for fleas. | ||
FEMALE VOICE #1 VO Come on, girl, you can do it.
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HOST VO Every Chinese Crested… | ||
HOST VO …carries a recessive gene for a long silky double coat. So, within… | ||
HOST VO …the same litter, you may find the… | ||
HOST VO …the Powder Puff.
ANDREA ARDEN VO Which is a dog… | ||
ANDREA ARDEN OC …who to most people would sort of like… | ||
| ANDREA ARDEN VO …a… | ||
| ANDREA ARDEN VO | ||
| …skinnier, taller | Maltese | . |
HOST VO The genes for hair and teeth are linked. | ||
HOST VO So, the better a Crested’s hair, the better their teeth. |
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HOST VO It’s a small, lean dog that is recognized in any color or pattern. |
| HOST VO The… |
HOST VO …Chinese Crested has the ratters pointed muzzle. Most notable is their namesake crest, or long, fine hair, on their heads. Add these furry leg warmers, and you’ve got a pooch who’d be happy in an 80s hair band.
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And their long, tapered tail may be only partially covered. |
HOST VO Like other dogs of the toy class, the Chinese Crested will be your constant companion and the center of attention.
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HOST VO And what better place to find a dog who wants to be noticed than Hollywood. This unlikely pair, Chris Amerouso, a celebrity photographer, and his |
Chinese Crested, Stella Blue, make their home in Los Angeles, the land of the famous and the beautiful. Chris is famous for his photos of Adrien Brody, Ozzy Osbourne and Pink.
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CHRIS AMEROUSO VO/OC I decided one day that I… |
CHRIS AMEROUSO OC/VO …really wanted an ugly dog, and I would say the Chinese Crested, and I noticed that they were really kind of funky looking. Didn’t turn out that way. Stella turned out to be a beautiful little angel. |
CHRIS AMEROUSO VO/OC I actually call Stella the Farrah Fawcett of dogs because she ended up being so beautiful.
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Host VO In the 11 years they’ve been together, |
HOST VO …they’ve only spent three nights apart. These two are inseparable. Chris takes Stella everywhere with him. |
HOST VO They wear matching jewelry. He even has four tattoos in honor of his relationship with Stella Blue. |
CHRIS AMEROUSO VO/OC When she came into my life, everything just kind of changed for me. I saw the love and the bond I had with my pet. I said, “How can I do something with this to get this out into the public more. I’d… | ||
CHRIS AMEROUSO OC …love to do photography, and maybe I can start doing photographs of people with their pets.”
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HOST VO It was because of Stella that Chris became a celebrity pet photographer. | ||
| CHRIS AMEROUSO VO | ||
| One of my favorite actors is | William H. Macy | |
CHRIS AMEROUSO OC He has a dog named Walter, and… | ||
| CHRIS AMEROUSO VO …I… | ||
CHRIS AMEROUSO VO …did an amazing shot with him on his daybed with his wife, and he was just sitting there with a ukulele playing a song that he wrote for his dog.
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TARYN MANNING VO For me, I, I love seeing different celebrities with |
| their animals. |
TARYN MANNING OC It just kind of like humanizes everybody in a way. |
HOST VO Today, Stella is assisting Chris on a photo shoot with the actress Taryn Manning, who starred in Crossroads, Hustle & Flow and 8 Mile. Her dog is Penguin, a Maltese-Cavalier mix.
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TARYN MANNING VO/OC I definitely love my Penguin very much. She’s always ready to like give me a kiss and a cuddle, and I love her so much.
HOST VO With Stella on set, everyone feels at ease, and she’s a constant reminder to Chris of the love… |
HOST VO …people feel for their pets.
CHRIS AMEROUSO VO I wanna capture that moment and that bond and relationship and unconditional love.
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HOST VO Stella’s very popular in Hollywood, |
| HOST VO |
…but her heart belongs to Chris, and he is her biggest fan.
CHRIS AMEROUSO VO/OC I tell people that aren’t feeling right about things in their life get a pet because when you are down, your animal will make you smile and make you happy. Stella is my savior, my angel, my soul, and I’m just thrilled that she’s in my life. |
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HOST VO Stella Blue, like other Chinese Cresteds, is a people pleaser and took to training and socialization naturally.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that really wants to cuddle and wants a lot of human attention.
FEMALE WITH DOG OC Good girl.
HOST VO Chinese Cresteds are good with families and because of their low exercise requirements, they’re good with the elderly and disabled.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Especially for such a small breed, they’re, they’re not that barky. So you can live very comfortably and quietly with them in an apartment.
HOST VO Keep in mind that their exposed skin makes them susceptible to the elements. They require sunscreen and perhaps a sweater to keep them warm, and while there may not be much combing in your future,
|
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC Believe it or not, these dogs will actually get blackheads in their skin that you have to remove. It’s almost like a person would get a facial. Well, this dog gets a facial on its body.
HOST VO The Chinese Crested is plagued by skin problems.
ANDREA ARDEN VO They’re very susceptible to rashes. Many of them have allergies to wool, and they are very susceptible to sunburn.
HOST VO So, in general, |
HOST VO …the Chinese Crested thrives in apartment living. The hairless variety is prone to skin problems. Cresteds need sunscreen and occasional combing. A constant companion, they benefit from early socialization. Cresteds are excellent for all types of families, including the elderly and disabled. |
TYSON KILMER OC You know, I judge a dog on it’s cuddle factor, |
TYSON KILMER VO …and to me, this is a dog that will get right up under your chin and just love you up all day, and in my opinion, what’s ugly about that.
|
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HOST VO More Dogs 101 ahead. |
| HOST VO This… |
HOST VO …breed came to America from the Tibetan holy man, the Dalai Lama. This breed was named after Italy but came from Greece, and this breed was named after England but came from Italy. Find out why when Dogs 101 returns.
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HOST VO If your motto is, “Bigger is better,” here’s your dog.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC I would imagine that even walking down the street with a three-month-old English Mastiff you would get stopped constantly, and I would imagine also that many of those comments would be, “Is it a horse…
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…or is it a pony?”
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HOST VO These dogs are massive. |
HOST VO Yeah, the Great Dane and the Irish Wolfhound might be taller, but they can’t compare to… |
HOST VO …to the English Mastiff in sheer mass. |
HOST VO The Guinness Book of World Records recognized a 343 pound English Mastiff named Zorba as the world’s heaviest living dog back…
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…in 1989.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO He… |
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC …was eight feet from head to tail, and he was the size of a small donkey.
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HOST VO Sure, that’s an extreme, but the average English Mastiff weighs as much as the average human, between 140 and 200 pounds.
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DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO Anybody thinking of one… |
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC …has to consider, you know, |
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO …the large expense of keeping them and feeding them.
HOST VO All this volume, combined with an instinctively protective… |
HOST VO …nature, makes the English Mastiff an… |
HOST VO …ideal watchdog. This colossal canine |
HOST VO …is the oldest English breed, and its history goes way, way back.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO I mean, |
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN OC …these dogs have been around since the beginning of dog time. |
HOST VO It’s believed that Venetian traders brought the ancestors of the English Mastiff to Britain around 500 B.C., and in 55 B…. |
| HOST VO |
…C.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO Caesar makes mention of them fighting valiantly next to the English soldiers when he invaded Britain. |
HOST VO But for all their brute force, these mammoth creatures are… |
HOST VO …are more likely… |
HOST VO …to lick you than lunge at you.
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC They’re very easygoing, very laid back. |
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO Just kind of like couch potato-type dogs.
HOST VO Just… |
HOST VO …make sure you have a big couch. |
HOST VO Heavy-boned and muscular, English Mastiffs take up a lot of space, and that’s quite a face, isn’t it? The English Mastiff has wide-set eyes, a wrinkled forehead and a very broad head.
DR. NICHOLAS DODMAN VO/OC It’s got the head the size of a polar bear.
|
HOST VO And this short-coated canine comes in three distinct colors, fawn, apricot…
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…and brindle. |
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HOST VO The Pearson family has one of each.
TIM PEARSON VO Bring it here. Come on, Bo.
HOST VO They share their suburban Seattle home with three English Mastiffs, Bella, Boaz and their puppy, Cowboy. Boaz is the middle child and plays a special role in the family. He’s a seeing eye companion, but the Pearsons’ vision is fine. It’s Bella that’s blind. |
| SUSAN PEARSON VO Boaz… |
SUSAN PEARSON OC …is very protective of Bella. It’s nothing…
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…that we’ve ever had to train him for. |
SUSAN PEARSON VO I think he just instinctively knows there’s something different about her. She needs some help. |
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HOST VO With only ten percent of her sight left, two-and-ahalf year-old Bella gets around largely by smell. She’s most at ease indoors where smells are more consistent, but outside, her confidence wanes.
TIM PEARSON VO Shake.
HOST VO She keeps her nose close to the ground, stays close to the fence or just stops in her tracks until her trusted companion makes and appearance.
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TIM PEARSON OC/VO Boaz is definitely Bella’s security. |
TIM PEARSON VO We call it “on duty.” He knows when it’s his time to be taking care of Bella.
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| HOST VO This… |
| HOST VO |
| …English Mastiff is 170 pounds of gentle guidance. |
HOST VO When Bella’s alone, he watches her. When she wanders too far astray, he nudges her back, and when the Pearsons’ boys get too rambunctious with her, he breaks it up.
TIM PEARSON VO We call him “the fun police.” So, he’ll run over and bark and say, “Okay, everybody calm down.”
HOST VO Boaz…
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…senses that Bella’s vision is limited. |
HOST VO The Pearsons knew something was wrong when Bella was just a pup.
SUSAN PEARSON VO She was having a little trouble navigating the stairs, very… |
SUSAN PEARSON OC …unsure of her footing, and we thought, “Well, Mastiffs, we heard are lazy. Maybe she’s just being lazy.” |
HOST VO She wasn’t. Tests revealed that Bella has an inherited eye disease common among English Mastiffs called canine multifocal retinopathy.
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Dogs with CMR have lesions on their retinas that can obstruct vision.
|
HOST VO Most dogs with CMR don’t go blind, but Bella’s problems were too intense, and surgery could not help. When the Pearsons received Bella’s diagnosis, |
HOST VO …they had second thoughts about her breeder. |
TIM PEARSON VO There was no contract in place. There was no home visits. There was no evaluation of us.
HOST VO Fortunately, Tim came across a story about a blind horse that found new freedom when teamed up with a sighted horse.
TIM PEARSON VO So, when I read that article online, I thought, “Well, if it… |
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TIM PEARSON OC …works for horses, why wouldn’t it work for Mastiffs?” |
HOST VO This time the Pearsons located a reputable English Mastiff breeder who did thorough health tests and evaluated Bella’s special needs
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HOST VO She selected Boaz to be her companion because of his sensitive and observant nature. |
| HOST VO For… |
HOST VO …Boaz, playtime is less important than Bella’s whereabouts. He always waits by the door until she is safely inside. |
HOST VO That she lives three dogs still surprises Susan who was cautious about bringing a new dog into the family. |
HOST VO Taz was the family’s first dog, and first loves are hard to get over.
SUSAN PEARSON VO He was a Shepherd…
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…mix, very outspoken, very outgoing. He…
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…was just very happy to please in whatever it was he was doing.
HOST VO When Taz got up there in years, he went into kidney failure, and it was Susan who was forced to put him down.
SUSAN PEARSON VO I stayed with him the whole time. He was just at peace. |
SUSAN PEARSON OC And so that was, that was a good way for, for me to kind of say goodbye to him and let him go.
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HOST VO But new dogs have brought new life into the family. Bella may present challenges, but… |
HOST VO …with Boaz by her side, the Pearsons know that their eldest English Mastiff is going to be okay. |
SUSAN PEARSON VO As long as Boaz is with her, I think that she’s happy.
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HOST VO You might think an English Mastiff would need a house the size of castle, but this animal is sedentary enough that an average sized home will do, and a daily walk around the neighborhood will keep this slow-moving dog exercised, but if you’re a neat freak, beware.
SUSAN PEARSON VO They have big, big feet so they track in all this dirt, and they slobber constantly.
HOST VO English Mastiffs have their share of health issues. The breed can suffer from conditions like hip dysplasia, bloat, obesity, bone cancer and, of course, eye diseases. Their life expectancy is ten to 12 years. Grooming them is very easy, but bathing them, well, that could be another story.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They’re so big. So,
FEMALE IN STRIPED SHIRT VO You’re so big.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO |
…you might have trouble getting them in the bathtub.
HOST VO English Mastiffs respond moderately well to obedience training, but you’ll need some patience because these dogs don’t do anything quickly. English Mastiffs are docile and devoted to their caretakers, but are not recommended for families with small children simply because of their enormous size, which creates other disadvantages.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They poop a lot.
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HOST VO To sum it up, the English Mastiff is a gentle giant, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
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| HOST VO These… |
HOST VO …tremendous dogs do not require much exercise, but they do take up a lot of space. Their size makes them prone to a range of health problems. They can suffer from eye problems, bloat and dysplasia, but their grooming requirements are minimal. Training them requires patience and as a family pet, they are protective and loving but are not a safe choice for families with small children. |
| Host VO |
If you’re the type who likes to super-size it, though, you don’t need to look much further. Life… |
HOST VO …with an English Mastiff is a major commitment and can… |
HOST VO …also bring major rewards. |
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HOST VO Still to come on Dogs 101. |
HOST VO The vet said this dog was on his last legs, but he turned into a hero, and this is the one breed that many owners litter box train.
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HOST VO And now it’s time…
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…to play… |
HOST VO …Pick The Pooch. |
HOST VO Which Sighthound is considered the tallest of all the dogs? Can you guess which breed it is? The answer when we come back.
|
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HOST VO Which breed is the tallest in all of dogdom? |
HOST VO It’s… |
HOST VO …the Irish Wolfhound. Originally bred to hunt wolves, these giants can reach up to seven feet tall when standing on their hind legs.
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HOST VO True…
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…creatures of comfort, the Italian… |
HOST VO …Greyhound is unlike any other breed.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Italian… |
ANDREA ARDEN OC …Greyhounds are one of those dogs that I would |
| call a Velcro dog, which is they can’t think of a place they’d rather be than… |
ANDREA ARDEN VO …on your lap.
HOST VO These lap…
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…dogs are very catlike.
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They love sunbathing and are so intolerant and are so intolerant of cold weather or rain that many owners litter box train them.
ANDREA ARDEN VO They were basically bred to be companion dogs that would snuggle up close to you and keep you warm, and as with… |
ANDREA ARDEN VO …with…
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…many beautiful, elegant little dogs,
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…they were primarily kept by… |
ANDREA ARDEN OC …royalty. |
HOST VO Italian… |
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…Greyhounds have graced the royal palaces of Charles… |
HOST VO …the First, Catherine the Great, Queen Anne and Queen Victoria, just to name a few. |
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HOST VO Frederick the Second, the great King of Prussia, owned over 50 Italian Greyhounds and coined the phrase, “The more I see of man, the more I love my dogs.”
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JOEY VILLANI VO Well, |
JOEY VILLANI OC …unlike its name, originally these dogs weren’t from Italy.
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HOST VO Nope. In fact, the Italian Greyhound is believed to have originated in Greece and Turkey more than 2,000 years ago.
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HOST VO By the Middle Ages, this pooch was distributed throughout southern Europe. Often a… |
HOST VO …symbol of wealth, the Italian Greyhound |
appeared in many paintings throughout the Renaissance.
JOEY VILLANI VO They were a favorite of the Italian aristocrats, and basically, |
JOEY VILLANI OC …that’s…
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…how they got the name Italian Greyhound.
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HOST VO Weighing an average… |
| HOST VO …of… |
HOST VO …six to ten pounds, they’re a miniaturized version of the greyhound and are the result of selective breeding.
ANDREA ARDEN VO They were bred down from greyhounds who obviously… |
| ANDREA ARDEN VO …are… |
ANDREA ARDEN OC …very fast dogs. So, |
ANDREA ARDEN VO …Italian Greyhounds are very fast.
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HOST VO While they can’t beat a greyhound who clocks in at 45 miles per hour, these little guys can run a whopping 25 miles an hour. That’s six miles an hour faster than the average pooch.
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HOST VO Although rarely used to its capacity, the Italian Greyhound has a deep chest, which gives him great endurance.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that has immense speed bursts and an immense ability to get out and be robust if it’s running.
HOST VO The tail is long and slender and ends in a slight curve.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They have very long tails, which when you see them run very quickly, they kind of use it as a rudder to…
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…keep their balance and to turn on a dime.
HOST VO In addition…
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…to their running skills, the Italian Greyhound also has acute sight and hearing ability. Also called flying ears or propeller ears, the Italian Greyhound has high-set ears with dropped tips when they are alert, and their… |
HOST VO …dark, expressive eyes…
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…can melt the hardest of hearts.
TODD TRAINER VO/OC Looking into his eyes is more loyal, genuine and sincere than any woman’s… |
TODD TRAINER OC …eyes I’ve ever looked into.
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HOST VO Todd is the drummer for the popular indie rock group, Shellac. If you haven’t heard of them, they’re huge in the world of math rock, the hard core branch of the indie rock scene. They have four albums under their belts, and in the past year, they’ve toured 24 countries. Shellac members have helped the careers of Nirvana, Cheap Trick, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant. Todd was one of the founding members.
TODD TRAINER VO/OC Drums are my passion. When I’m playing the…
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…drums, I’m 100 percent occupied with that.
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HOST VO Todd is equally passionate about his beloved Italian Greyhound, Uffizi, named after Italy’s |
finest…
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…museum of art.
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TODD TRAINER VO He’s very loyal, very… |
| TODD TRAINER OC …genuine and… |
TODD TRAINER VO …a completely spectacular creature, absolutely smashing.
HOST VO And though they may look like an unlikely pair, Todd says they’re completely in tune.
TODD VO Uffizi and I are the absolute perfect couple. I feel like… |
TODD TRAINER OC …we’re meant for each other. |
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TODD TRAINER OC Excellent Italian Greyhound.
HOST VO His fellow band mates agree. |
BOB WESTON OC Man, Todd and Uffizi have one of the closest animal-human… |
BOB WESTON VO …relationships I think I’ve ever seen in my life.
STEVE ALBINI VO They’re… |
STEVE ALBINI OC …almost the same person. They’re really skinny, really energetic and…
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…totally fearless.
TODD TRAINER VO You… |
TODD TRAINER VO …want a hot blanket?
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HOST VO Todd says Uffizi has fulfilled his life in ways he never imagined.
TODD TRAINER VO/OC I was a very lonely, single gentleman. From the moment he and I became roommates, I have never experienced a lonely day… |
TODD TRAINER OC …as long as I’ve lived…
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…with Uffizi. |
HOST VO Todd knew he had a deep connection with Uffizi, but he had no idea that the dog would soon unleash his own inner rock star.
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TODD TRAINER VO When I began drumming, |
TODD TRAINER OC …Uffizi was very excited and… |
TODD TRAINER VO …invigorated by this, and he, too, decided that was playtime for him.
HOST VO Soon it became their routine.
TODD TRAINER VO I would bring Uffizi with me into the recording studio, and we would have an absolute free for all.
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HOST VO Before long, Uffizi became the inspiration behind the band’s latest release.
STEVE ALBINI VO/OC Whenever Uffizi would do something that pleased Todd, he would praise him by telling him he was…
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…an excellent Italian Greyhound.
TODD TRAINER VO/OC And it became a little slogan for us.
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HOST VO The band decided that there was no better title for their album.
BOB WESTON VO/OC The new record’s named Excellent Italian |
| Greyhound, and it was based on Uffizi. What’s gonna be on the cover? Of course, we’re gonna have a great photo of Uffizi. |
TODD TRAINER VO It’s hard to imagine anything more smashing or spectacular than… |
TODD TRAINER OC …Uffizi on the cover of our…
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…record. |
TODD TRAINER OC <Singing> Uffizi, he’s exquisite.
HOST VO When Todd is not rocking out on the drums, he likes sing songs to Uffizi.
TODD TRAINER VO/OC <Singing> He says. One of my personal favorite enjoyments is to serenade Uffizi. He loves when I play guitar and sing to him. <Singing> Italian Greyhound. I would like to think that Uffizi… |
TODD TRAINER VO …is my biggest fan.
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Excellent Italian Greyhound.
HOST VO Though Uffizi makes a wonderful gentle pet for his dad, Todd, |
| HOST VO |
…he probably wouldn’t be best in households with rambunctious children or active dogs due to his timid nature.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC Ideal environment for this dog in my opinion would be a…
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…single person living with this dog or a couple without children.
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HOST VO Italian Greyhounds live up to 15 years and are an exceptionally healthy breed. However, they must be safely confined when unsupervised for the first 12 to 18 months.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Until their bones are fully developed, you need to be very careful that they don’t jump off the couch or the bed because they could fairly easily break a leg.
HOST VO Training should start early, since this breed has a tendency to be shy in temperament and highstrung.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC My emphasis with these guys is always on introducing them to the world, socializing them with other dogs and children,
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HOST VO Italian Greyhounds can sometimes be hard to |
recall due to their strong prey drive. So, they should always be on a leash in open areas.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC This is a dog that if he gets away from you…
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…and he bolts, you’re not gonna catch him.
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HOST VO Italian Greyhounds’ smooth, close coat sheds very little hair and produces almost no odor.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC I don’t think you could find a dog that easier to groom than the Italian Greyhound. They’re basically just wash and wear.
HOST VO But that short, single coat also means they’re a dog you need to keep warm in cold weather.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC If you’re in a cold climate with them, I would definitely…
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…be putting booties and, and warm coats on them.
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HOST VO So, |
HOST VO …in general, the Italian Greyhound is highly sensitive to cold weather. They have delicate bones and should be confined when unsupervised. These dogs are one of the easiest to groom |
socialization should start early, and they fare best in households without lively children.
TODD TRAINER VO The Italian Greyhound is the most amazing, |
TODD TRAINER VO …magnificent, spectacular creature I… |
TODD TRAINER OC …have ever laid my eyes on. |
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HOST VO More ahead on Dogs 101. |
HOST VO This may be a lapdog, but this family can thank her for saving their lives.
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| HOST VO |
You might want to call this the supermodel dog. Why? Its hairdo, of course, long and lavish and perfectly parted right down the middle of its back.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC And they… |
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC …have that flowing coat all the way to the ground… |
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO …where you can’t even…
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…hardly see their feet. |
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HOST VO It’s a hardy breed that is lively and intelligent and whose body is longer than it is tall. It usually weighs in under 20 pounds.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC It’s a very popular dog because they’re so adorable.
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HOST VO The Lhasa Apso is a diva in its own right who’s loyal to those closest to them, yet wary of strangers.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC They like to deal with their general family. They don’t like outsiders… |
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…all that much unless socialized. |
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HOST VO And its this Lhasa Apso alpha type dog who does what he wants when he wants.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO They kind of… |
HOST VO …have a little…
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…stubborn streak. |
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HOST VO The Lhasa Apso is an very old, ancient breed that originated in the tucked… |
HOST VO …away mountains of the Himalayas. For centuries, the dogs were confined just to Tibet where holy men and nobles kept the little dogs in isolation where they performed… |
| HOST VO …as… |
HOST VO …watchdogs.
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And in Tibet… |
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…they called the dog Apso Seng Kye, which literally means Bark Lion Sentinel Dog.
XAVIER SANTIAGO VO It would… |
XAVIER SANTIAGO OC …bark to alert lion, it’s appearance, in sentinel…
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…standing guard.
HOST VO It… |
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…wasn’t… |
HOST VO …until the 1930s that the Lhasa Apso made it here to the United States after being given to us by the Dalai Lama himself.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC It is a royalty type dog. It’s a dog that loves to sit on the couch. It’s a dog if you don’t exercise it, it’s not gonna care, but you wanna make sure…
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…you do it anyway,
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They’re great dogs. They’re prized.
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The Lhasa Apso’s coat is a feature you… |
HOST VO …just can’t miss, double layered, long, heavy and coarse, and covers its entire body.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC These guys have this long hair that just droops over their eyes and droops right to the floor. They can rapidly become a dust mop.
HOST VO And its fur comes in a bevy of colors, although most often seen are gold, cream and honey, which highlight the dog’s dark facial accents, and if showing the Lhasa Apso, its coat should be kept long.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO But most families….
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…like to do like puppy-cut, which is just a general uniform clip all over, |
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC …and…
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…look just as cute. |
HOST VO Another interesting quality is this dog’s signature tail that flips up right over its back.
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Its ears, which hang low, are covered in feathered fur. They are super-sharp and can easily pinpoint danger, but this little dog’s voice is what makes |
| owners stand up and take notice. |
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC They’re very smart. So, if there’s a problem…
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…and they notice something wrong, they’re gonna let you know. |
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HOST VO Meet Lulu from New Jersey. She’s a typical Lhasa Apso with a big barking voice. |
HAL EISEN OC I not only worship this dog, I, I love this dog so much. There… |
HAL EISEN VO …isn’t another dog in the world that would be able to do what Lulu has done.
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HOST VO Hal and his wife, Peggy, adore little Lulu, along with all… |
HOST VO …the neighborhood dogs.
FEMALE NEIGHBOR VO/OC |
| Super Lulu. Lulu always does wonderful things. Everybody loves Lulu. She’s queen of the neighborhood. |
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HOST VO But life for Lulu hasn’t always been so easy. When she was just seven years old, she ruptured two discs in her back, which prevented her from being able to walk.
HAL EISEN VO The… |
HAL EISEN OC …vet told me that her…
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…spine was so badly damaged that they could not even operate on her. They didn’t guarantee any success. |
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HOST VO The vets told… |
HOST VO …Hal he should put Lulu down. Hal said, “No way.” |
HAL EISEN OC As long as she wasn’t in pain, putting her…
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…down was not an option. |
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HOST VO Hal got Lulu into therapy… |
HOST VO …and got her a wheelchair.
HAL EISEN VO Lulu is a very feisty female. She was just determined that this wasn’t gonna stop her, and she knew I was gonna be there for the long haul. |
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HAL EISEN VO Let’s go.
HOST VO Eventually, hard work paid off, and little Lulu began to walk again.
HAL EISEN VO/OC I had a neighbor who said to me, “What happened to that dog that you had in the wheels?” I said, “This is that dog.” She said, “Oh, my God, it’s a miracle.”
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HOST VO But Lulu’s story does not end here. When… |
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HOST VO …come back, see how miracle Lulu became hero Lulu.
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HOST VO Everyone, including Hal, could not believe it when his little Lulu… |
HOST VO …began to walk again, but that…
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…remarkable development…
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…is not the end of this miracle story. Just a few years ago, |
HOST VO …Lulu snapped into action when her natural instincts woke her up and told her… |
HOST VO …to wake the family. |
HOST VO Everyone was snuggled into bed sleeping soundly when Lulu knew there was a serious problem.
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HAL EISEN VO/OC I could hear Lulu on the edge of the bed going <growling>.
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And I thought, “There must be something down there.”
HOST VO Lulu was right. The house was on fire.
HAL EISEN VO/OC I think her heightened sense of smell and hearing…
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…indicated to her that something was going on down there.
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Came down the steps. There were swirls of smoke coming up the stairs. When it got down to the bottom landing, there were flames shooting across the kitchen. I screamed to call 9-1-1, grabbed Lulu. We’ve got to get out of the house.
HOST VO The fire began in the furnace room and destroyed the entire right side of the home,
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…including the bedroom Hal, Peggy and Lulu had been sleeping in.
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Within minutes, the local volunteer fire department arrived and got things under control.
RICK HOGAN VO/OC Yes, thank God for the dog. In this case, |
| RICK HOGAN OC |
…Lulu was the…
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…smoke detector, early warning device. |
HOST VO Today, Hal and Peggy are living in their newly renovated home and feel Lulu’s act of heroism… |
HOST VO …was just purely payback for what they had done…
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…for their little dog… |
Host VO …a…
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…few years earlier.
HAL EISEN VO I had saved her life, and now… |
HAL EISEN VO …she turned around and saved our lives. So, |
HAL EISEN OC …I guess we’re even, although I give her a few more points. |
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HOST VO And so this little dog can pretty much live anywhere, as long as those they live with act responsibly.
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CHILD #1 VO Puppy.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is definitely a dog that I would recommend for city living and small apartment…
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…condo living.
HOST VO It’s a healthy breed that can actually live well into its early 20s. In fact, the oldest living Lhasa Apso was 29 years of age.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC It’s a pretty hardy breed. Sometimes they’ll have hair growing inside their ear canal,
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…and that can predispose them to getting ear infections.
HOST VO And these dogs don’t shed much, which makes them a good choice for allergy sufferers.
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As for grooming, it can be a lot of work, depending on the cut.
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC It’s gonna have to go to the groomer and get groomed on a regular basis.
JOEY VILLANI VO/OC If it’s not brushed and combed, it’s going to tangle and knot up easily.
HOST VO As for training, it’s a good idea to start early.
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HOST VO And the Lhasa Apso makes a good pet for a family that’s less active.
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO The Lhasa Apso would be great for elderly people because they really don’t require a lot of exercise.
HOST VO So in general, |
HOST VO …this dog can live pretty much anywhere. It’s a healthy breed that usually lives a long time. Grooming is very important, along with training, and overall, the Lhasa Apso makes a great family pet. |
HAL EISEN VO/OC I love you too, Lulu. I do love you.
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HOST VO So, to recap, the Border Collie is one of the smartest breeds on the planet. They were bred to tend livestock on tough terrain. Today, they make a difficult dog if you live in the city but a wonderful pet if you love Frisbee. The Chinese Crested often wins ugly dog contests. Many are born hairless but for a small plume on their head and feet. The English Mastiff is the largest breed of dog on Earth. One tipped the scales at a whopping 343 pounds. They’re beautiful, lazy dogs that love nothing better than a lounge on the couch. The Italian Greyhound is a shrunken version of the larger Greyhound. They’re faster than your average dog, but they’re also frail and require extra care in cold weather. Some are even litter box trained to avoid the cold. |
HOST VO The Lhasa Apso is an ancient Asian breed known for its distinctive bark who was bred to guard Buddhist temples. Remember every breed of dog is different, and individuals may not adhere strictly to breed standards. If you’re bringing a dog into your family, do your homework. Check out petfinder.com to search for specific breeds near you, and choose your next best friend wisely.
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