Can the Poodle actually read? Is the French Bulldog the loudest snorer? Do Labs swim faster than ducks? Did John Wayne's Airedale give him his nickname? And is the Chihuahua actually related to a fox?
Can the Poodle actually read? Is the French Bulldog the loudest snorer? Did John Wayne's Airedale give him his nickname? Do Labs swim faster than ducks? And is the Chihuahua actually related to a fox? These questions and more will be answered on this episode of Dogs 101, where you’ll learn the history and unique traits of the French Bulldog, the Airedale, the Labrador, the Chihuahua, and the Poodle.
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Find episode transcript here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/french-bulldog-poodle-airedale-chihuahua-labrador
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MUSIC IN HOST VO Can this dog really read? Did this breed give John Wayne his nickname? Is the world's tiniest pooch related to this fox? And can this breed out-swim a duck? Dogs 101 celebrates man's best friend. Today, the Labrador Retriever, the Chihuahua, the Poodle, the Airedale, and we start with the dog that snores the loudest, the French Bulldog. Okay, so they're not great swimmers. In fact, this breed swims about as well as a rock, but when it comes to cute the French Bulldog takes the gold. JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC French Bulldogs are really good at sitting around and being cute. HOST VO And no one will argue with that. NATALIE FELDMAN VO/OC He’s not a dog, he's, he’s part of my family. Are you tired? TYSON KILMER OC I love the French Bulldog. HOST VO The pushed in face, the adorable snorting, the French Bulldog. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO Surprisingly, the French Bulldog actually comes from England. During the Industrial Revolution, English artisan workers, particularly your lace makers, wanted little companions around to improve the quality of their lives. They turned first to a dwarfed version of the English Bulldog, then crossed that with the Pug and the Terrier, and boy… |
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MUSIC OUT HOST VO …did that calculated crossbreeding work. MUSIC IN HOST VO Some dogs were bred to be hunters, others retrievers. These dogs were bred to be the ultimate cosmopolitan companion, a perfect choice for that early, urban workaholic. So, as the lace-makers emigrated to France, their little man-made breed came with them, and quickly made its way to Paris. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO And from there, everyone had to have one. Once popular in Paris, wealthy Americans began bringing them home. To this day, the united states is the only country that recognizes the French Bulldog as an individual breed, and it has become one of the most beloved. And what is not to love about the Frenchies? |
MUSIC SEGUE TYSON KILMER VO/OC I don’t think that there’s anybody that will see this dog walking down the street and not stop in their tracks and watch for at least 20 to 30 seconds. This is a beautiful dog. HOST VO Frenchies come in brindle, fawn, white and black, and a mix of all those colors. They usually stand between 11 and 13 inches tall, and shouldn’t weigh over 28 pounds. This makes them ideal for city living. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They are probably one of the top three most popular |
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breeds in New York city.” HOST VO Frenchies don't need a lot of space; in fact they don’t want it. MUSIC OUT HOST VO They want to monitor your every move. MUSIC IN HOST VO Frenchies are not athletic. These were not bred… NATALIE FELDMAN OC Ready. Go get the ball. HOST VO …to be track champs. Leave the heroic frisbee jumping to the Labrador. Frenchies will stay on the sidelines with you to watch the activity. Because they are so top heavy, they can’t swim. They're more anchor than buoy. Part of the reason for this is their characteristically smushed-in face. Frenchies are known as brachycephalic dogs. This refers to dogs with short noses. Frenchies have a very short head compared with the length of their cranium. Oftentimes this results in either an elongated or clefted soft palate. MUSIC OUT ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO Brachycephalic dogs, dogs with pushed faces, do tend to have a lot of health issues. MUSIC IN HOST VO This makes them noisy, labored breathers. For this reason Frenchies are not comfortable in heat, or playing hours of fetch. |
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NATALIE FELDMAN VO Come here. MUSIC OUT HOST VO This special respiratory condition also makes Frenchies excellent snorers. MUSIC IN HOST VO This adorably mushed-in face, gives way to one of the cutest characteristics of Frenchies, their face wrinkles. These wrinkles are a genetic hand-me down. Bulldogs were bred to have these wrinkles on the face to flow blood away from the eyes, should the dog be wounded in a fight. Another Frenchie must, those bat ears. Bred to have perked, bat-like ears, early breeders preferred droopy rose ears, but now all Frenchie have to have bat ears. And lastly, the French bulldog has some serious reproductive challenges. For one, it cannot naturally reproduce. Yep, you heard that right. The dog named after the most romantic country in the world cannot make canine coitous. Because it is so top heavy, has such narrow hips and weak legs, the male cannot successfully mount the female, they need to be artificially inseminated. MUSIC OUT HOST VO And even more remarkable. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC Because they have such large heads in proportion to the rest of the body, that when the dam is trying to pass the puppies, oftentimes the canal, the opening, is not big enough. HOST VO All of this makes the breeding tricky, and |
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| consequently a bit more expensive, but on the flip side, you can be sure that your dog’s heritage was carefully planned. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Because Frenchies are such companion dogs, they have a very special connection with their owners. For Dorothy Feldman, Napoleon has been there… NATALIE FELDMAN OC Who is that? HOST VO …for a challenge she never imagined she would have to face. Dorothy was diagnosed with a grade four brain tumor. MUSIC OUT NATALIE FELDMAN VO/OC Hearing that news about your mom, you know, the person who is gonna be there to see you get married or have kids, it’s really hard. MUSIC IN HOST VO Natalie brought napoleon into the Feldman fold, and he and Dorothy quickly fell in love. NATALIE FELDMAN VO I think what Napoleon brings to my mom is hope. HOST VO Napoleon was there when Dorothy was diagnosed, and he’s helped her to recover. DOROTHY FELDMAN VO/OC Where you been? If you do have a diagnosis, like I do you do need someone there with you all the time. You can’t have your friends and your family, you know right beside you all the time. High five. |
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NATALIE FELDMAN VO/OC I definitely think napoleon’s extra sensitive to my mom when she’s on chemotherapy. It’s like he reads her mind and reads her moods. He's not. HOST VO When Dorothy was first diagnosed she was given only a few months to live. With the help of the medicine, her family and Napoleon, it has been two years. NATALIE FELDMAN VO There’s no amount of medicine in the world that can make my mom feel the way she does when she’s around Napoleon. MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Frenchies are great companions, they like to be near you, so take them on errands. Because they require little exercise they do really well in apartment living situations. With a short coat of hair, they are very easy to groom. TYSON KILMER OC It's basically just a wash and, and clip the nails situation. HOST VO Be sure to keep those cute wrinkles on the face dry and free of moisture. Because of their special respiratory system they don’t breathe very well, and can also be prone to thyroid conditions, eye irritations, and spinal diseases. Although they can be taught some tricks… NATALIE FELDMAN VO Good boy. HOST VO |
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…Frenchies are notoriously stubborn. NATALIE FELDMAN VO Good boy. HOST VO They never bite, but are more interested in being pleased than pleasing you. JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC They're really pretty much bred for being the boss of the house. NATALIE FELDMAN OC Let go, let go. Let go, please. Please. TYSON KILMER VO I consider this to be a great family dog and a great pet. HOST VO Frenchies are easy to groom, do well in small spaces, they do have health issues and they're easy to groom. These dogs are stubborn, but do well with all members of the family. If you scratch its belly it will love you forever. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO Coming up on Dogs 101, the smallest breed in the world. FEMALE WITH GREY HAIR OC He weighs two and three-quarter pounds. HOST VO A dog that can read? The pooch that served in the President's Cabinet, and the dog that can carry an egg without breaking it. MUSIC OUT |
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MUSIC IN TYSON KILMER OC/VO Airedale's a fantastic dog to me. Their ability to learn, their cognitive skills are amazing. These guys are definitely smart and I think that they're highly intelligent dogs. HOST VO Talented to the extreme, Airedales have served in both the military and in the White House. TYSON KILMER OC/VO I think that they're a, a gas to watch them run and play and, and just the general temperament of these guys is usually bubbly. ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO They're wonderful dogs, they can be very clownish, but they also can be… MUSIC OUT ANDREA ARDEN VO …very good guard dogs. MUSIC IN HOST VO The Airedale belongs to a feisty and energetic group known as terriers. The Airedale is the largest of the terriers and can weigh over 60 pounds, that's why they call him the King. Terriers were bred to chase ground animals. The terra in terrier is Latin for earth, and true to their name, Airedales are tenacious hunters, on any terrain. That all-around versatility eventually caught the attention of the British Army. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO |
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During World War I they bravely served as messengers to transport mail. In the twenties they became America's most popular breed, making it all the way to the White House, as the family dog of the Hardings. Laddie Boy even had his own hand carved Cabinet chair, for high-level meetings. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO And guess how John Wayne got his nickname The Duke. Yup, an Airedale. His boyhood pet was named Little Duke. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO The Airedale of today is still an incredibly hardy and versatile dog, with many of the same traits as its forerunner, starting with its unique non-shedding double-layered coat. MUSIC OUT JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC They need to be what's called hand stripped, which is removing the dead, bristly coat, and that needs to be done about twice a year for a pet, and if you show the dog it needs to be done on a lot more regular basis. HOST VO This top wiry layer covers a soft undercoat, both of which continue to grow, like hair. JONATHAN DAVID VO What they do is they actually strip the longest coat out, and it regenerates the hair follicle. |
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HOST VO Originally used for biting its prey, the Airedale still has the largest teeth of all the Terriers. And while not aggressive in nature, be warned, Airedale puppies are bundles of energy, who will take on just about anything. And the third and most remarkable trait of the Airedale is his extreme intelligence. MUSIC OUT MISSY KIELBASA OC/VO Very, very bright dogs, incredibly intelligent, and they learn tasks very quickly. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Sit. MISSY KIELBASA VO But because of that they also bore very quickly. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Roll over. You're not doing roll over, you're just silly. MUSIC IN HOST VO Airedales can be successfully trained to do all sorts of work, like Miss Lily, a three-year old who just completed her certification as a therapy dog, with the help of trainer Missy and owner Linda. MISSY KIELBASA VO Hello Miss Lily. So the purpose of therapy dogs really is mostly for emotional support. We look for dogs that are very stable in temperament, dogs that are very social and outgoing with strangers LINDA PICKREIGN OC/VO Miss Lily is three years old and she’s been in training for two and three-quarters years of her dog life. She seemed like a very special puppy right from the beginning. |
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MUSIC OUT MISSY KIELBASA VO Okay let's get her into a nice sit for me Linda. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Lily sit. MISSY KIELBASA VO Good girl. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Stay. MISSY KIELBASA VO Good girl. And we’ll just do a quick circle exercise around her. Good girl. Stay. Good girl. Her final phase of training was coming through a therapy dog course, which has acclimated her to all sorts of medical equipment, lots of different sort of hospital smells. Such a smart girl. Excellent. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Okay Lily let's go to work. MUSIC IN HOST VO Today, Miss Lily will put her training to the test, during one of her first visits to a nearby nursing home. LINDA PICKREIGN VO/OC Where you first walk in you think that everything is going to go exactly as you feel it should, and she's new at this, and I was a little nervous honestly, the first time. MUSIC OUT LINDA PICKREIGN VO Okay. Yes. Hi. |
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HOST VO Miss Lily's first test is to walk through a crowd and accept a friendly stranger, or three in this case. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Say hi. Hello. How are you all doing? MISSY KIELBASA VO/OC When they walk in people just want to interact with that dog, they just find them really exciting and very different to look at. FEMALE IN PINK T-SHIRT OC Hi baby. HOST VO Then, she must obey the sit command, and sit politely for petting. LINDA PICKREIGN VO She says thank you. FEMALE IN PINK T-SHIRT VO Wow. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Oh she sits for you. HOST VO Not hard for Miss Lily, with so much praise reigning down on her. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Being able to stroke her back and petting her and even perhaps lowering their blood pressure. Good girl, oh good girl. I knew that she was a dog that had the ability to bring happiness to others. FEMALE IN PINK T-SHIRT OC You're a good girl. LINDA PICKREIGN OC Yes. |
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FEMALE IN WHITE T-SHIRT OC She's lovely. MISSY KIELBASA VO She's trying. She's done a swimmingly well job at just being able to handle all of the things that we've put at her. We're very proud of her progress. HOST VO Linda is relieved, and a whole group of strangers are now friends. LINDA PICKREIGN VO Good girl. MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN HOST VO The Airedale puppy’s darker coat lasts for about six months. Like most puppies, they are incredibly cute, so cute you just might want to take one home. But before you do, make sure you’ll be able to give them everything they need, starting with plenty of exercise. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO Adult Airedales need at least twenty minutes brisk walking twice a day to keep fit, but they do love to free run in the woods. If they go off-leash make sure your Airedale responds well to a recall command, because, like all Terriers, it’s a given, these guys are going to chase small animals. Whether you have a farm or a city dwelling, Airedales are adaptable to most environments. JONATHAN DAVID OC They're great in all environments. If you want to keep them in warm weather you can strip their coat |
down tighter, and if you want to keep them in a cooler climate you can just grow their coat out a little fuller. HOST VO For training, Airedales do best with praise, rather than punishment. JONATHAN DAVID OC As long as you give them firm training from… MUSIC OUT JONATHAN DAVID OC …an early age they will train easily, and they're very eager to please. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO The Airedale has few health problems, and an unusually high tolerance for pain, so you may not be aware of an injury until there is serious damage. ANDREA ARDEN OC Like a lot of large breed dogs, they do tend to suffer from bone and joint issues, such as hip dysplasia. HOST VO Grooming the Airedale can be time-consuming, but that time brings you closer with your dog. Finally, the Airedale Terrier loves to be part of a family, but because they’re strong-willed, they need to be reminded who’s boss. Airedales are adaptable, have few health problems, require regular and extensive grooming, need firm training, and make a great family pet. A trained Airedale could become the best friend you ever have. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO |
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More to come on Dogs 101. The first dog with a wet suit. Webbed feet make this breed swim faster than a duck. And was this breed really used as a hot water bottle by nobility? MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN GEORGE KRAMER VO/OC Yellow Labs can produce Chocolate Labs, and you can have all three colors in a litter. My first dog was named Stormy. AMY DAHL OC I have my family because of my first Lab. GEORGE KRAMER VO/OC I became a veterinarian because I was so in love with my dog when I was a kid. MUSIC OUT AMY DAHL OC I fell for that dog like a ton of bricks.” MUSIC IN HOST VO It’s hard not to love the Lab. Big, friendly, full of life. They’re called the Labrador, but actually they come from Newfoundland. Yeah, Newfoundland. What we know as the Lab today originated in the early 1800s, when fisherman bred a smaller version of Newfie, to retrieve fishing nets, and sometimes the fish that fell off the hooks. They created a dog who loved to swim, had great stamina, and had strong haunches to leap dramatically into the water. The record is 27 feet. The breeders couldn’t name the new dog Newfoundland, that name was taken; so the dog was named for the sea they worked in, Labrador. |
ANDREA ARDEN OC From there they were brought to England and the breed as we know it today was developed. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO Those early breeders created a Lab with four characteristics to help them become great hunters, and then a fifth special trait was added, that made the Labs the most versatile dog on the planet. Leading off the list, like all Retrievers, the Lab has webbed paws, these natural flippers make him one of the strongest canine swimmers around, able to hit speeds around three miles an hour. Okay that might not sound like much, but it’s twice as fast as a duck swims. MUSIC OUT HOST VO The second trait is an otter-like tail. Thick at the base and strong, it acts like a rudder in the water. AMY DAHL VO/OC They're not the best dog for people who have a lot of knock knacks in their home… MUSIC OUT AMY DAHL VO/OC …cause that tail will clear off the coffee table in half a second. HOST VO Number three is a layered, slightly oily coat that keeps them warm, helps them float, and is also drip dry. Labs come in three bold colors. Black is the most common, and the most successful in competitions. Yellow's next, and it’s the most popular for Labs working as police dogs. Chocolate is the rarest. |
GEORGE KRAMER VO/OC There's a misconception that people… MUSIC OUT GEORGE KRAMER OC/VO …think that Black Labs come from Black Labs and Chocolates just come from Chocolates… MUSIC IN GEORGE KRAMER VO …but you can have all three colors in a litter. HOST VO Silver labs are popping up in the gene pool, but still aren’t welcome at the American Kennel Club. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO The fourth trait bred into Labs is what dog experts call a soft mouth. A well-trained Lab can carry an egg in its mouth without cracking the shell. And then there’s that fifth special trait, their unique ability to learn. AMY DAHL VO/OC They try to work with you, and they actually do perceive that there is something that you want them to do, and they will concentrate on trying to work out from you what that is, and so you don’t have to be the best trainer in the world, you just need to be making an effort and the dog will meet you half way and try to do the rest. Sit. MUSIC OUT HOST VO Labs can remember up to 300 human phrases. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO But they're not the smartest dogs on the planet, they're actually number seven. Both the Border Collie and the Standard Poodle outrank them. MUSIC OUT |
HOST VO While smart, their intense desire to please makes labs the most trainable dogs of all. MUSIC IN HOST VO From bomb sniffing to search and rescue, to guide dogs, no breed is in greater demand. Mark Dawson had a special relationship with his rescue Lab, Elvis. When terrorists struck the world trade center on 911, Mark and Elvis were called into action to search for survivors. MARK DAWSON VO/OC Elvis was extremely brave. There were a number of times where he went into areas that I didn’t know if I was gonna see him when he came back. And I went out with the captain one night, and we got to this void area and there was a ladder, an extension ladder, sticking up. The Captain looked at me and he said, "So do you want me to carry your dog down or are you going to carry your dog down?" And I said neither, and I gave Elvis the climb down command and he climbed down and the Captain just looked at me and said, "I've seen it all." HOST VO That bond between dogs and humans, the emotional connection they make, is especially strong for Lab owners. Ask trainer Amy Dahl about her first Lab. AMY DAHL VO/OC I loved the dog a great deal. I'm having a hard time talking about him. |
MUSIC OUT AMY DAHL OC/VO He was monumental in my life. Before he died, he you know clearly was ill and in a certain amount of pain. And I looked at him on one day and he, he really was not wanting to get up because he felt bad but he was… MUSIC IN AMY DAHL VO/OC …tracking me with his head, and I had a feeling from him that as long as he could look after me he wanted to be with me. HOST VO Amy’s not alone in feeling grief for her dog. Mark Dawson watched his partner Elvis pass away a few weeks before this interview. MARK DAWSON VO/OC Up until a few weeks ago he was actually doing wilderness problems out here in the woods. To be so sudden, so quick, was kind of hard. It's still hard. HOST VO They say one of the best ways to get over the loss of a beloved pet is to get a puppy. Mark now has a new Lab, Hero. If you're thinking of raising a Lab there are considerations. ANDREA ARDEN VO I think people would… MUSIC OUT ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC …be surprised that Labradors, while they can be wonderful adult companions, as puppies oftentimes are the mouthiest dogs, so you have to be prepared, if you're raising a Labrador puppy, to teach them from a very, very young age to have what trainers call bite |
inhibition, that is to be really careful with their little razor-sharp teeth. AMY DAHL OC There are some people who aren’t necessarily the best people for a Labrador, the dogs tend to have a high activity level. MUSIC IN HOST VO This is a dog that needs room to run. He’s a sprinter, able to hit speeds of 12 miles per hour in three seconds. But Labs aren’t quite super dogs. While robust, the Lab is prone to several ailments. One of the best known is a problem of the hip called dysplasia. MUSIC OUT HOST VO It’s caused by an abnormal formation in the hip. It leads to a loss of cartilage damage and pain. Labs are also susceptible to a genetic eye defect called retinal dysplasia, which causes blind spots. And like most athletes, Labs have problems with knees and elbows. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO The Labrador Retriever could be the most versatile breed of dog in the world. Life expectancy is 12 to 13 years. GEORGE KRAMER OC/VO Labs as a breed tend to be pretty healthy dogs, but there are some issues that they're prone to on a genetic basis. HOST VO Grooming is minimal, but they shed moderately in the spring and fall. They are athletes who adapt well to cold environments |
AMY DAHL OC The Lab is a very secure, comfortable, adaptable dog. HOST VO Labs adapt well to families, and pose a low risk for bites. AMY DAHL OC/VO It loves to participle in family activities. It’s hard to imagine a better dog then a Labrador. HOST VO Labs are easy to train and eager to please. ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO As with any dog, even though Labradors are wonderful companions, it's important to start training them when they're very, very young. HOST VO So in general, Labs love the cold but thrive in most environments. Though Labs get high marks for health, they are prone to hip, elbow and joint problems. Labs are very easy to groom. They're easy to train. These loyal dogs make wonderful pets. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO When Dogs 101 continues, the only breed to come in three handy sizes. And, the little dog who thinks he's a giant. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO Now it's time to play Pick the Pooch. George Washington reportedly received a Bassett Hound |
from Lafayette after the American Revolution. Washington may have owned Basset Hounds, but he was the original breeder of this dog. Can you guess what it is? The answer in a moment. MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN HOST VO George Washington is the father of our country, and the original breeder of this dog. It’s the American Foxhound, and it's the oldest breed developed in America. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Some scientists believe this creature, the fennec fox, is the Chihuahua's wild ancestor. Chihuahuas are one of the oldest breeds in the Americas. Some folks say Mexican royalty used the Chihuahua as an early hot water bottle. ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO Chihuahuas are definitely one of the cutest creatures on this earth other than sea otters. JONATHAN DAVID OC/VO They love to be carried around and pampered. They're probably the most popular small dog because of that reason. MUSIC OUT TYSON KILMER OC I love Chihuahuas. MUSIC IN TYSON KILMER VO Chihuahuas are beautiful dogs. |
HOST VO Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of dog in the world. As such, they are the ultimate lapdog. Those large, dark eyes practically beg us to pick them up. MUSIC OUT KRISTEN BACHOROWSKI VO/OC I've become addicted to them. The more Chihuahuas I get the better it makes me feel. CHAD BACHOROWSKI VO/OC They're like potato chips. MUSIC IN HOST VO Several times a year, in the back yard of their Massachusetts home, Kristen and Chad Bachorowski go to the dogs, literally. Today, they're throwing a Fourth of July birthday bash for four of the tiny pooches, and 20 or so of their closest Chihuahua friends. Those aren't cupcakes, they're pup cakes. And the cake, liver filled. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO This is high Chihuahua culture, life exactly the way this dog likes it, center of attention, relentless snuggling, plenty of friends, and more snacks than you can wag a, well you know what at. MUSIC OUT |
JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC Chihuahuas are actually native to Mexico, surprising. MUSIC IN HOST VO But its roots are shrouded in mystery. They say 99.9 percent of dogs are descended from wolves. |
MUSIC OUT HOST VO The Chihuahua? MUSIC IN HOST VO Maybe not. Whatever its true genealogy, today's Chihuahua picked up several distinguishing traits in its journey through time. First and foremost, its size. MUSIC OUT FEMALE WITH GLASSES OC This is Willie and he's the smallest dog in our group, and Willie weighs two and three-quarter pounds. MUSIC IN HOST VO At this shindig you'll find Chihuahuas of every shade, shape and size. FEMALE IN BROWN TOP VO They're little boys. They're three-and-a-quarter pounds each. FEMALE IN AMERICAN FLAG T-SHIRT VO/OC This is Klondike, he's about 11 pounds. HOST VO But according to the American Kennel Club, a true Chihuahua cannot be more than six pounds. MUSIC SEGUE HOST VO Their coats can be tan, red, black, white, or splashed. Their heads can be either apple or deer-shaped. Under the hood Mother Nature has packed the largest brain of any dog on the planet, relative to its size. |
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that can be taken out by pretty much every other type of dog… MUSIC OUT TYSON KILMER VO/OC …so it has to be really hyper-aware and hyper-astute in terms of learning how to avoid issues. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Chihuahuas are the only breed with a molera, or soft spot on the crown of its head. It stays with them for life. As if they weren’t baby-like enough. FEMALE IN BROWN TOP VO They love riding together. HOST VO Chihuahuas are also known for their radar dish ears, which help them get rid of excessive body heat and identify predators and prey with exceptional sensitivity. But their ears don't always look like this. No, when they're puppies they lie flat, like this. But the main reason humans go ga-ga for Chihuahuas is their heart. MUSIC OUT JONATHAN DAVID OC/VO Chihuahuas tend to be a one-person dog, and they really bond with their owners. They're portable, they're loving and sweet, and they're very protective of their owners. MUSIC IN HOST VO This little guy, Gunnar, sure takes care of his owner, Teri Cummings. TERRI CUMMINGS VO |
Come on buddy. HOST VO When Teri brought Gunnar into her Connecticut home the bond between dog and owner was immediate. TERI CUMMINGS VO/OC Good boy. Anything I'm doing around the house he's right there, he's my shadow. HOST VO It turns out Gunnar had come to know Teri better than she knew herself. RYAN CUMMINGS VO/OC Teri has celiac disease, and before she was even diagnosed with it Gunnar knew something was wrong with mom. HOST VO Celiac disease is an extreme allergy to wheat gluten. TERI CUMMINGS OC/VO There was just always something wrong with me. I was always falling, so I was a klutz, And I was always feeling sick to my stomach. MUSIC IN HOST VO And worse. When contaminated, Teri was known to suffer seizures, paralysis, and loss of vision and hearing. And somehow, before even Teri herself knew she'd come in contact with gluten, Gunnar sensed her impending distress. TERI CUMMINGS VO/OC He would start to become like extremely clingy, as if he was afraid. Something beyond just acting up which he rarely does. RYAN CUMMINGS OC Screeching. |
TERI CUMMINGS OC Yeah. MUSIC OUT TERI CUMMINGS OC It’s a, it's a… RYAN CUMMINGS OC He can really do that. TERI CUMMINGS OC …scream. RYAN CUMMINGS VO/OC He's so in tune with Teri. TERI CUMMINGS OC And the energy. RYAN CUMMINGS OC/VO And now that we know he's in tuned we're in tune to him, and use him as some type of warning sign. MUSIC IN HOST VO Today, tested and certified, Gunnar is a proud service dog who goes everywhere with Teri, restaurants, the supermarket, anywhere she might become contaminated. Gunnar can't prevent contamination… MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO …but by raising the alarm he allows Teri to avoid having a seizure behind the wheel or in other life threatening situations. TERI CUMMINGS OC/VO |
It's not saying too much at all to say that this dog saves my life, so that's, that's the power, that's the power of a dog. MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, they know what Teri Cummings knows, Chihuahuas are great dogs to own. But they can be high maintenance, and Chihuahuas should never be left alone in a yard. To birds of prey it's not a dog, it's lunch. Chihuahuas also suffer from a lack of self-knowledge. TYSON KILMER VO/OC They have that false sense of toughness, and will bolt and run up to, say, a Pit bull on the trail, and that Pit bull will just, you know, treat it like a, like a salty snack. HOST VO And owners have been known to love these fragile creatures a bit too much. FEMALE WITH PINK FINGERNAILS VO Some cake. HOST VO Overindulgence can lead to obesity, which can trigger diabetes and dislocation of the kneecaps. But compared to other dogs the Chihuahuas may be one of the healthiest breeds around. TYSON KILMER OC For the most part most of these guys that I see are, are going to outlive their owners. HOST VO It's common for them to live for 15 to 20 years. JONATHAN DAVID OC They only need a bath about once a month, clean the |
ears, clip the nails, they're very, very easy to groom. MUSIC OUT HOST VO They are low shedders and a breeze when it comes to grooming. MUSIC IN TYSON KILMER OC/VO I just throw my dog in the sink, put a little powder on him and call it a day. HOST VO Low body fat and a fragile frame give Chihuahuas low scores for adaptability to the environment. JONATHON DAVID OC/VO A Chihuahua is great in many situations, but they are prone to getting cold, they are not a great cold weather dog, they do best in warmer climates. MUSIC OUT HOST VO And what about families? MUSIC IN ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They generally are not great dogs for families with young children, if only for the fact that it's hard to supervise kids 100 percent of the time and make sure they're not picking that dog up and potentially going to drop it on the ground. MUSIC OUT KRISTEN BACHOROWSKI VO Stay. HOST VO And finally… |
KRISTEN BACHOROWSKI VO Sit. HOST …training. MUSIC IN HOST VO Chihuahuas are easy to train if you start early, but they can be a nightmare… KRISTEN BACHOROWSKI VO Stay. HOST VO …to train if you wait two… KRISTEN BACHOROWSKI VO Sit. HOST VO …or three years. MUSIC OUT TYSON KILMER OC So people, start early, start early, start early. Preventative medicine is the way to go with this animal. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO So, in general, the breed is sensitive to hot and cold climates. Chihuahuas are very healthy. They are low maintenance, easy to train, but they work best with older children. KRISTEN BACHOROWSKI VO Down. Okay, good dog. Yeah. HOST VO |
| Still ahead on Dogs 101, can this poodle really read? MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN HOST VO The Poodle is one of the most popular dogs in America. TYSON KILMER VO/OC The perception is that this is a girly, girly dog. HOST VO Stylish, prancy and proud, this is a dog that's sure to attract attention. Some people even think you can teach them to read. MUSIC OUT JONATHAN DAVID OC A Poodle that can read? JILLIAN GARTNER VO Come here, yes. MUSIC IN HOST VO This breed has beauty and brains. These pampered pooches are the second smartest dog breed. JILLIAN GARTNER VO Let's go. JONATHAN DAVID OC I love Poodles. Poodles are my favorite breed. MUSIC OUT HOST VO The Poodle is an ancient breed with a rich history. |
MUSIC IN HOST VO Even though it’s the national dog of France, the Poodle was originally a hunting dog with roots in northern Europe. JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC The word Poodle comes from a German word which means puddle, because these dogs are actually water retrievers. MUSIC OUT HOST VO Water retrievers? MUSIC IN HOST VO Hunting? How did we get from there to this foo-foo dog of today? MUSIC OUT ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO The foo-foo cut of a poodle, let’s see. MUSIC IN ANDREA ARDEN VO The little puffs of hair were placed around their joints, the idea being that those puffs of hair would keep the joints warmer in the water. HOST VO They were sort of an early doggy wet suit. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN |
| JILLIAN GARTNER OC/VO |
This is Mitzy. She's in the Continental clip. HOST VO The most popular cut is the Continental clip, one of many variations. Poodle puppies are kept in their own special clip. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO It's the only breed that comes in three sizes, the full size Standard, the Miniature, and the Toy, which stands less than ten inches. But whether it's a Standard, Miniature or Toy, all Poodles have the same breed standards. TYSON KILMER OC/VO I became famous in LA because people would see me walking down the street with two Pit bulls and a Toy Poodle. And by the way, you want a fantastic watch dog, get yourself a Toy Poodle. This dog would hear things a half hour before my Pit bulls would hear them. HOST VO Toys and Miniature Poodles also proved to be especially adept at truffle hunting. They were better than pigs because they didn't eat the truffles. MUSIC OUT MUSIC IN HOST VO French nobles found another use for the Toys, in muffs. They became hand warmers. JONATHAN DAVID VO The Toys have been bred down completely as a companion dog. In today's world they're carried around in little bags. |
HOST VO Despite the size variety, all Poodles have been breed with 3 distinctive traits. Unlike the fur coat of most dogs, Poodles have a hair coat. Dog fur grows to a point and then is shed, but Poodle hair continues to grow. JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC They're very low dander, they don’t shed, and they're really ideal for people who have a lot of allergies. HOST VO The Poodle has been cross-bred with other popular breeds to make more hypoallergenic pets, the Labradoodle, the Whoodle, and the Cockapoo. Poodles are also known… MUSIC OUT HOST VO …for their proportionally long legs. MUSIC IN HOST VO These powerful legs make the Poodle a favorite trick dog for its athletic abilities. JILLIAN GARTNER VO Yes. TYSON KILMER VO/OC They love to prance, they hold themselves with really beautiful high esteem, they're amazing to watch. MUSIC OUT |
HOST VO But this beauty is certainly not all beauty and no brains. MUSIC IN |
HOST VO The key characteristic of this dog is its intelligence. JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC When it comes to trainability, Poodles are amazing. JILLIAN GARTNER VO/OC There are Poodles successful in essentially every activity that dogs have tried. HOST VO Poodles are unofficially ranked second to Border Collies in terms of intelligence, and like Labradors, their intense desire to please make them ideal for work as seeing eye dogs, social therapy dogs, and service dogs. JILLIAN GARTNER VO Good boy. HOST VO Meet Charlie and his trainer Jillian. Jillian trains Poodles in hospital settings, to assist the disabled in their daily lives. He can open drawers, JILLIAN GARTNER VO Good. That's it. HOST VO Retrieve keys, JILLIAN GARTNER OC/VO Yes. Bring it here. Good. Lights. HOST VO Flip light switches. Bring you the phone. JILLIAN GARTNER VO Good boy. Bring it here. HOST VO And even pick up something you dropped, like a credit card. |
JILLIAN GARTNER VO That’s it. Bring it here. MUSIC OUT HOST VO In recent years, trainers have pushed the limits of the Poodle’s uncanny intelligence. MUSIC IN HOST VO But can Charlie response to this written command? Find out next on Dogs 101. MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN JILLIAN GARTNER VO Get your leash. That's it. HOST VO Charlie is a trained therapy dog who can retrieve keys and turn on lights. Jillian Gartner is now even teaching Charlie to respond to cue cards. That's right, without any additional visual or audible cue… JILLIAN GARTNER VO Good boy. HOST VO …Jillian has trained Charlie to respond to a combination of six command words and pictorial symbols. JILLIAN GARTNER VO Good job. MUSIC OUT HOST VO |
But is Charlie really reading? The answer is actually no. MUSIC IN HOST VO Dogs lack language centers in the brain. Charlie is likely responding to visual stimuli which process thoughts in his frontal cortex, the brain area where he processes visual images. JILLIAN GARTNER OC Good boy. HOST VO Therefore he's translating the visual on the card into a command. MUSIC OUT JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC Poodles are like little people in a dog’s body. You can actually see them thinking, and they're so smart. MUSIC IN HOST VO But even though Charlie won't be going for his PhD anytime soon, like most Poodles, he has more than his fair share of human qualities. MUSIC OUT HOST VO If the Poodle is a breed that appeals to you there are some factors to keep in mind. MUSIC IN ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO I don't think that there's a breed of dog that you will spend more money on potentially for grooming than a Poodle. |
JONATHAN DAVID OC They need to be bathed every two to three weeks to keep their coat in proper condition. MUSIC OUT TYSON KILMER VO/OC If you leave them to their own devices they're going to come up with complex ways to get in trouble. MUSIC IN FEMALE YOUNG GIRL IN GREEN T-SHIRT OC Babies. Get down. HOST VO The Poodle has been a popular companion throughout the ages. JILLIAN GARTNER VO Good job. HOST VO And remains so today. But to thrive, this versatile breed needs plenty of space. ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC They do tend to be pretty active dogs, they tend to be hardy, fun to be around. HOST VO At 11 to 12 years, the Poodle can be a long lived breed, but owners need to be wary of bloating, a blockage in the intestine that can be fatal. Overall, Poodles are a wonderful family dog, with a great temperament. JONATHAN DAVID OC/VO They're really great for kids, they're great with families, they're great with single people. They love to be social. HOST VO Grooming is the Poodle’s weak point, as they are one |
of the most expensive dogs to maintain. Finally, training is where the Poodle shines. Remember, every dog has its own unique personality and traits, but overall the Poodle is an adaptable dog. He'll keep you company for years to come but has some health issues to be aware of. The Poodle is high maintenance when it comes to grooming, and is a winner when it comes to training. Finally, this breed is a great family pet. TYSON KILMER VO/OC This dog will make you out to be the best trainer in the world if you know what you're doing. MUSIC OUT |
MUSIC IN HOST VO So, to recap. The Airedale was once the most popular dog in America. One had a seat at the President's Cabinet, another gave John Wayne his nickname The Duke. Today the Lab and other breeds have overtake the Airedale in popularity, but they're still a great dog. The French Bulldog is also a great pet. Number 34 on the AKC pop chart, and especially big in urban areas. That's because they don’t need much exercise, in fact they hate it. NATALIE FELDMAN OC Ready? Go get the ball. MUSIC OUT NATALIE FELDMAN VO No? MUSIC IN HOST VO The French Bulldog has some serious problems in the love department. Their body structure makes it hard for them to mate. The Labrador Retriever is number one on the AKC hit parade. They're the |
most popular breed of dog in the world. AMY DAHL VO/OC They are adaptable dogs that will fit in in many circumstances. HOST VO They were bred to be swimmers. In fact, a Lab's webbed feet propel it faster through the water than a duck's propel it. Chihuahuas are the smallest breed of all, the AKC says they should be under six pounds. They're the oldest breed from North America, and probably related to a fox. They're so child-like they even have a soft spot on their head, like a baby's. Bred as a water retriever, the Poodle is now thought of as more of a companion dog… |
HOST VO …but those fancy clip jobs were really meant to keep the poodle warm in water. They come in three sizes, and they remain one of the most successful breeds of |
all time. Remember, every dog is an individual, and can vary from the general breed characteristics for temperament, health and adaptability. If you're adopting a dog, do your homework. A dog can be a wonderful addition to your life, choose your next best friend wisely. MUSIC OUT |