Which canine's nose knows it all? Which breed is among the tallest? And which pup honks like a goose? On this episode of Dogs 101, we'll meet the Bloodhound, Yorkshire Terrier, Great Dane, Shih Tzu, and Rhodesian Ridgeback - from nose to tail!
Which canine's nose knows it all? Which breed is among the tallest? And which pup honks like a goose? On this episode of Dogs 101, we'll meet the Bloodhound, Yorkshire Terrier, Great Dane, Shih Tzu, and Rhodesian Ridgeback - from nose to tail!
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Find episode transcript here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/the-bloodhound-yorkshire-terrier-great-dane-shih-tzu-and-rhodesian-ridgeback
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HOST VO Can this breed be a close relative of this? Why does this dog sometimes sound like a goose? Can this be the bravest breed of all? Can this dog find lost pets? Dogs 101 celebrates man's best friend. Today, the Shih Tzu, the bloodhound, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Yorkshire Terrier. And we start with a dog some call the largest lap dog.
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The Great Dane. |
HOST VO Here’s a quiz: what’s the tallest dog in the world? One of America's favorite cartoon dogs? And a dog that was thought to protect people from ghosts. That’s right, the Great Dane.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC |
| They’re called like the Apollo of the dog world, and they definitely deserve that name, they’re beautiful. |
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HOST VO Powerful and athletic, yes.
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But the Great Dane’s calm disposition has led the gentle giant to be called world’s largest lap dog.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC I had a client, the other day, with his Great Dane. I kid you not, sitting on his lap in the waiting room.
HOST VO But the roots of this breed are anything but…
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… warm and fuzzy. First of all, they’re not really Danish.
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ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO It’s interesting that their name is Great Dane when their origins have nothing to do with Denmark. They’re actually a German Mastiff.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO I’m stumped. I’m not sure how the name Great Dane came up.
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HOST VO While no one really knows how the English name of this dog came to be Great Dane, the breed is part of the mastiff family.
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Asiatic tribes likely brought Dane-like dogs to Germany in the 5th century. There's evidence of dogs resembling the Great Dane in ancient Rome, Egypt, and even China. The breed we know today was developed in Germany about 400 years ago.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They were bred in Germany to hunt large prey to patrol estates. And they were even used as war dogs.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC It’s a Mastiff that’s, that's mixed with a Greyhound.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC I think sometimes people forget that underneath all that calm is still a very, very large, guarding dog.
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HOST VO The breed was also ascribed mystical powers in medieval times, and was said to protect against evil spirits.
TYSON VO/OC The Great Dane is magical, majestic animal.
MALE VOICE #1 VO Run Kaleb. |
HOST VO Over the last hundred years, the aggression and prey drive that made the dog such a sought after hunter have largely been bred out of the breed.
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Today’s Great Danes prefer the couch to combat.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They'll lay on the couch. You better have a big bed. They are couch potatoes.
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HOST VO The physical characteristics bred into this dog leave no doubt as to its original purpose.
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Start with great height.
TYSON KILMER VO It's just a gigantic beast. We’re taking about paws that are the size of a man’s hands fully splayed.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC The Great Dane is one of the tallest dogs along with the Irish Wolfhound.
HOST VO The Irish Wolfhound is actually on average taller than the Great Dane. But a Great Dane named Gibson currently holds the title of world’s tallest dog at 42.2 inches. While its cousin the English Mastiff is the heaviest dog, at |
a hundred and 50 pounds or more, the Great Dane is no pushover. In fact, they like to do the pushing.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC A lot of Danes tend to be leaners. They tend to be like Dobermans dogs who like to step on your feet and kind of lean on you.
HOST VO Most of that height comes from proportionally long legs.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC As big as they are, they’re just so beautiful to see because they’re not clumsy; they’re very graceful when they move.
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HOST VO The head of the Great Dane is unmistakably mastiff-like. The top of the skull is almost exactly parallel to the large snout. This gives the dog a regal appearance.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC A very beautiful animal and just a majestic, spiritually inclined animal as well.
HOST VO The Great Dane also has one of the most massive chests of any dog. But this is a lovable beast.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC Really loving dog, really wonderful dog to kiss on and a really wonderful dog to get smooches |
from.
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HOST VO Maybe that’s what's made them one of the most popular dogs depicted in cartoons.
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Famous Danes include Scooby Doo and Astro, the Jetson’s dog. Brad Anderson has made a career drawing perhaps the most beloved Great Dane in America.
BRAD ANDERSON VO/OC I've been drawing Marmaduke for over 55 years.
HOST VO Marmaduke is one of the longest running newspaper comics going. It reaches millions of fans daily. Book sales are over 45 million. Now in his 80’s, Anderson still illustrates six strips a week.
BRAD ANDERSON VO/OC I think that Great Dane is a naturally funny dog. They have a sense of humor. And that goes great for a comic.
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HOST VO Inspiration for this successful comic strip comes from Brad’s own experience…
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…with his Great Dane, Mia. |
BRAD ANDERSON VO/OC I use a lot of their characteristics in my cartoon. One thing about a Great Dane, they got these big, long legs, and they like to curl up, and those big legs are all over the place. They don't know what to do with them. It's funny.
HOST VO To daughter Christine, there was never any doubt that Marmaduke is art imitating life.
CHRISTINE POTCHERNICK VO/OC When my brothers and I were growing up from the time we can remember, our dad was always in his studio drawing everyday. There’s many instances where I, I can just pick myself right out of a Marmaduke cartoon.
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HOST VO The joy that Danes bring to Brad's family is felt by legions of Marmaduke fans.
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BRAD ANDERSON VO/OC I get so many letters from people telling me you've been looking in the window in our house because this is what my dog does. People read Marmaduke because of their experience with their dog. I'm just very grateful that there is such a thing as a Great Dane because I can some up with something funny, I think everyday.
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HOST VO Inspired by Marmaduke… |
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… a love for the Great Dane is being passed down to generations of Brad's family.
BRAD ANDERSON VO/OC I think that's part of the mystique of the Marmaduke cartoon.
CHRISTINE POTCHERNICK VO/OC I think having a cartoon Marmaduke it just kind of fell into place. We were just never able to think about not having a Great Dane in our life.
BRAD ANDERSON VO It's brought them, a big dog into their house. Okay Mia…
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…do you approve? She says, I don't care. |
HOST VO The Great Dane is one of the most varied of all breeds. They can weigh anywhere from 120 to 200 pounds, and there are six coat color varieties.
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For the most part, they do well almost anywhere. But Danes do need space.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This isn’t a dog that you cramp into an apartment. This is a dog that needs to stretch its legs out every single day.
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Its large size makes it critical to train this dog early. The Great Dane is a short haired dog, so grooming is no sweat.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC As easy as hosing them off and sponging them down.
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HOST VO Unfortunately, health problems abound. This breed has one of the shortest life expectancies of all dogs at seven and a half years. While the legs are often the first to go, Great Danes are prone to a devastating internal disorder.
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO They’re the number one breed of dog to get bloat. It's the number one reason why a Great Dane dies and that's unfortunate because you get such a close bond with them.
HOST VO Bloat can occur when a dog with a full stomach engages in heavy activity, like exercise. Great Danes, along with many other breeds, have stomachs that are not attached to the rib cage. During heavy activity the stomach can flip, blocking the intestinal track. If not treated immediately, bloat is extremely dangerous.
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TYSON KILMER VO/OC What we need to be doing is making sure that they eat their meal and they rest for a good 40 minutes to an hour before giving them any type |
of exercise.
HOST VO Despite the health concerns, these dogs fit in well with families.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC I think kids might tend to think they could climb all over that dog. And, you know, ride it like a pony, climb on it when it's laying on the bed, and that’s really not a safe thing to do, with any dog, and certainly not a dog as large as a Great Dane.
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HOST VO Not all dogs adhere to breed standards, but in general the Great Dane needs space. The breed does not live long. It has lots of health issues. They’re easy to groom. They’re easy to train, but start early. Train and acclimate them early to children, and they'll be wonderful family dogs.
BRAD ANDERSON OC So many of the dogs in the breed have such personality that they could be their own little comic strip, every day for the people who own them. |
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HOST VO When Dogs 101 continues, meet the breed that inspired McGruff. This little fellow plays poker.
RICK VO Jilli picks. |
HOST VO If you're a lion you hate to see these guys coming. And the only dog to accompany Buddha on his journey of enlightenment. |
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HOST VO Got allergies? No problem: this dog is considered to be hypoallergenic. That’s because they have human-like hair, not fur. Fur holds more dander than hair. Dander can irritate people. And here’s another…
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… big word associated with this little dog.
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Pharyngeal gag reflex, where sometimes air goes rapidly up their nose like a reverse sneeze and momentarily makes them snort like a goose. This is usually a harmless event that's over in seconds.
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Meet the second most popular breed in the world, the toy and the terrier, ladies and gentlemen the Yorkshire Terrier.
ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC |
I love Yorkies. You know it's the dog who's always sort of looking for trouble with other dogs.
TYSON KILMER OC/VO Napoleon complex type dog. A big dog in a little body.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO A Yorkie, they'll take on a big dog. They’re very, very independent, feisty, intelligent working little dogs.
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HOST VO And talk about…
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… upward mobility, the Yorkie started in the cellar as a ratter, chasing rodents in factories in northern England where their origin is traced.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO These dogs were bred to catch rats for the working class.
HOST VO And then they left the workforce for European high society and are now everywhere, like at this Yorkie meet up in Manhattan.
FEMALE W/DARK HAIR OC I've had Yorkies since you know, probably about six, seven years now. I've loved them since I was in college and we
FEMALE W/BLOND HAIR VO/OC |
They're so much fun to cuddle with, cutest dog ever.
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HOST VO This portable pooch ‘s ancestors are the Clydesdale and Paisley terriers which are now extinct and they Skye and Airedales from Scotland that were brought to Yorkshire England by miners and weavers in the mid 19th century. One of the most famous early Yorkies was a stud named Huddersfield Ben, who was said to be the father of the modern Yorkie and had tremendous influence in setting the breed type in the 1860’s.
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The Yorkie crossed the pond to the US in the late 1800’s and was one of the first 25 registered breeds with the American Kennel Club.
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This is a small dog, officially in the toy group, but still a terrier, they average about nine inches to the shoulder and weigh about five to seven pounds. Born with a black and tan coat that quickly turns to tan and blue and is pure AKC if it's uncut-flowing, silky, and dander free. If the dogs are not for showing, the owners usually go for the shaggy look, and, some owners like to trim the hair on the face to avoid food getting stuck in their whiskers.
ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO Most people choose to keep their Yorkies in what’s called a puppy cut where grooming is not that difficult. If you want your Yorkie to have |
that coat that’s flowing make sure that you focus a lot of energy on the grooming.
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HOST VO Training with a Yorkie can be a lot of fun because they are so keen on their owner, they follow commands and learn very quickly.
RICK CARON VO Yeah, that's a good girl.
TYSON KILMER OC/VO They’re super fast learners, lightning quick They love to work, you get them learning and following the commands, man you’re not gonna get a dog that’s gonna be more impressive. |
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HOST VO Rick Caron's Yorkie, Jilli, is a busy dog actor for commercials, films, TV and print ads, and for Rick, training his Yorkie by doing tricks has sharpened their bond and perfected their ability to work under the stressful conditions of a working studio.
RICK CARAN VO/OC I believe tricks aren’t just for fun. You did it. Good girl. It sounds so frivolous to say ‘teach your dogs tricks’…
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…but when your dog does tricks, what happens? Your dog has fun with you, your dog learns how to interact with you.
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HOST VO And that interaction led to this homespun duo to become an overnight sensation, due to the internet and You Tube, with a video of their regular Friday night activity: Yeah, it’s a poker playing Yorkie for all the world to see.
RICK CARAN OC/VO I'm gonna explain the game to Jilli first. The name of the game is five card, no peek poker. Each player gets five cards, Jilli goes first. All right pick. I have an Ace. A friend of mine asked me if Jilli can do a card trick. So I said, I don’t know, I'll try. So I did the card trick, and saw how nicely she handled the cards…
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… so I said-well, let me see if she can play poker.
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Next card is Jack of Spades. Get a card. All right. Jilli picks a heart. That's pretty good, but it's not as good. All right, you know it's my pick you know, it's my pick. You're pretty confident, huh. Last card. You nave to beat, I have a flush. Jack high flush. You pick. Does she do it. You did it. You got the flush. How did you do that?
HOST VO Jilli wins. But wait a minute, what’s this? Jilli's a cheater?
RICK CARAN OC/VO You dirty rat. Don't ever cheat at poker because |
you know what happens? Bang.
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Yeah, such a good girl.
HOST VO All this fun led to Jilli being hired for corporate meetings, print ads and TV commercials, a whole new world for Rick and little Jilli.
FEMALE IN DARK SHIRT VO Miss little diva.
FEMALE VOICE VO She looks great.
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HOST VO It’s one thing doing tricks for friends, but the stakes are high when the lights and cameras are ready.
KAREN REYES OC/VO For commercial shoots it’s really important that number one we get the right dog. Perfect, good. It's really important that the dog comes in well prepared so that the shoot can go quickly. Look at the little tail.
HOST VO By well prepared, she means well trained, exercised and ready to focus.
RICK CARAN OC/VO Being on set is totally …
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|
…different than doing tricks with your dog at home. When you’re on set, you’ve got cameras, you’ve got lights, you’ve got people all around who have business to do. There’s a lot of demands, and, and you've got to keep it so your dog likes it.
KAREN REYES OC/VO When they need to sit, they sit, and when they need to lie down, and dance, they do all these things efficiently and it makes the job very quick for us.
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HOST VO In order for the animals on the set to get proper care, the American Humane Association ensures that guidelines are followed, such as vaccinations, water, control on set, proper bedding or crates they're all provided.
RICK CARAN OC/VO There’s rules that you have to follow, it’s very important. And we, we’re glad there are.
KAREN REYES OC/VO Yeah, we got to work with Jilli today and she is fantastic. She is beautifully trained, she’s so responsive and she has so much personality. She’s great to work with. Very good.
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HOST VO It’s a wrap. This Yorkshire Terrier has what it takes to be a dog actor in the big city.
RICK CARAN OC You're such a good girl. Give me a kiss. |
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HOST VO This is a portable, adaptable lap dog that does well just about anywhere. But, it always wants to be with you, so leaving it at home alone or outside is not advised. A clipped coat needs daily to weekly combing and the full show coat requires a lot of attention.
TYSON KILMER OC/VO You got to put a little bit of energy into brushing them and, and keeping them clean. But for the most part, that coat’s not that bad.
HOST VO These guys are little and have fragile bones and are prone to tooth decay and gum disease. Yorkies make good pets for adults, but be careful around children, they can be snappy and even bite.
TYSON KILMER OC This is a great dog to, to have if you’re single.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC They're not dogs that I would recommend with kids.
HOST VO Yorkies are highly intelligent dogs that take to training well.
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FEMALE IN BLUE JEANS VO Good…
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… girl.
ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO I think Yorkies are a joy to train. They are bouncy and energetic, they're very, very focused on people.
HOST VO Although this dog may not be the best suited for you it can live anywhere. The trachea is delicate, coat needs regular attention, easy to train, and best with older families.
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HOST VO More ahead on Dogs 101. Meet the dog that tells humans what to do. This dog may have been bred as a foot warmer for royalty and this is the dog designed to pet backwards. |
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HOST VO The bloodhound was the first dog whose sniffing evidence was admissible in court. In fact, this nose is so powerful it dragged a bloodhound 135 miles across the state of Kansas successfully tracking a scent.
TYSON KILMER OC |
Anybody that's ever kissed a bloodhound on the nose knows what a beautiful nose is all about.
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HOST VO As one of the most famous bloodhounds, McGruff the crime dog can tell you there is no breed of dog that can compete with the bloodhound's sense of smell.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC The bloodhounds are unrivaled in their…
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…sense of smell.
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HOST VO They can smell a trail over 300 hours old that’s 12 days old.
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DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC You better keep a leash on him at all times because, if they catch a scent, they’re done. You can’t stop them.
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HOST VO Their distinct look and sound is easily identifiable with a unique howl that can be heard for miles. And those long ears and droopy jowls, you'll never mistake this dog for any other. In fact, droopy pretty much sums it up. From their saggy skin, to their hanging |
eyes, to their long swinging slobber.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They drool and they’ll shake their head, and you have a big glob of spit going across the room.
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HOST VO They were originally the dogs of monasteries in Belgium, and were famed for their pure blood. In fact that's where their name comes from bloodhound…
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…meaning hound of true blood. Not cause they can sniff a trail of blood. But they can do that too.
ANDREA ARDEN OC/VO We did such a good job of breeding Bloodhounds to have such a strong ability to scent that it's no surprise that when the dog does pick up a scent, they have a harder time listening or hearing you calling to them.
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MALE VOICE VO Kirby.
HOST VO Most dogs are led by humans, bloodhounds tell humans where to go.
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They're basic anatomy is made for scenting. As air rushes through the nasal cavity, tiny scent |
particles are lodged in the nose mucus. From here the scent receptors go to work and send the info to the olfactory bulb in the brain. It is said that the while the humans' olfactory sense is about he size of a postage stamp, the bloodhounds is the size of a handkerchief.
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But the nose does not do it alone.
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Their pendulum like ears, act like little sweepers, carrying up scents from the ground into the nose. And to assist even further the various wrinkles on a bloodhound are so important to its design that they have their own names, from the generous lips that hang below each nostril to the flews which are a continuation of the lips closer to the ear, all the way down to the dewlap, those funny folds around the neck.
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Lastly, you cannot ignore those bloodhound eyes.
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Incredibly, when the bloodhound’s nose is to the ground the skin around the eyes falls forward creating blinders. This keeps the dog more focused on the ground in front of him. But it also means, he'll have no idea if a car is coming. |
HOST VO And no one knows the power of a bloodhound's nose better than… |
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… Annalisa Berns and Landa Coldiron.
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They work in the search and rescue business in southern California.
LANDA COLDIRON VO/OC I get called out to find a person’s lost pet, it is serious. I'm basically at the mercy of my bloodhound. Where she leads I have to follow.
HOST VO That's right, Annalisa and Landa's bloodhounds are trained to find pets, not humans. While a tracking dog can recognize and follow scents in general, for instance, any human. Trailing dogs can follow the scent of a specific human.
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LANDA COLDIRON OC See out.
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HOST VO Ellie May their star bloodhound is a trailing dog. Certified to follow one specific scent of a pet and correctly match that unique scent in the field.
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LANDA COLDIRON VO Good girl. |
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HOST VO For Rick and Renee this was key. Their dog went missing after a casual night at the movies.
RENEE SPEARS OC/VO We came home and we can see our side gate from our driveway and Rick said, the gate’s open, and we just said, oh my gosh.
HOST VO Roxie, their bulldog was gone.
RENEE SPEARS VO/OC I mean just that sick feeling in your stomach.
HOST VO Rick and Renee searched feverishly for two days straight, before they learned of the bloodhounds and their unique service.
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After getting the bloodhounds familiar with Roxie’s scent. They were ready…
LANDA COLDIRON VO Search.
HOST VO …to search.
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Amazingly the bloodhounds went trailing in a different direction than Rick and Renee had been looking.
RENEE SPEARS VO |
I would say about two miles from the house. We didn’t think she would go that far.
HOST VO In this new area Rick put up big florescent signs. Within four hours they received their first call of a sighting and within 12 hours they had Roxie back.
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RICK SPEERS OC There's no words that can describe that. It's emotional. You know, it's, tears.
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RENEE SPEARS OC They brought our baby home.
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HOST VO Lucky for a lot of pets Annalisa and Landa are good at what they do. Their trailing bloodhounds have found hundreds of pets over the past two years and aren’t stopping now.
RICK SPEARS OC I'd lose my dog again just to prove it.
RENEE SPEARS OC No you wouldn't. |
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HOST VO Bloodhounds are just plain cool dogs. There's no doubt about it. But not exactly the perfect apartment dogs. |
TYSON KILMER VO/OC Well this is a dog that loves to use its nose, and loves to get out into those wide open spaces.
HOST VO Because they are so active and will go anywhere they need to bathed regularly, and their ears are an issue.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Their ears are so long that they’ll get in their food, and they get really, really dirty, so you probably have to clean their ears everyday.
HOST VO Like most big dogs they have a propensity to bloat, which may be avoided by using an elevated feeding bowl.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC To minimize bloat, you wanna feed your dog in two separate meals.
HOST VO Training with these pups can be a big deal if you want them to Sherlock Holmes. If you're just looking for a slobbery happy pet, they're a lovable, snuggly family dog, just don’t leave smaller kids in charge, because the bloodhound will overpower them without knowing it.
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YOUNG GIRL IN PINK OC It's leaving. Hurry up. I can't hold him for long. |
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HOST VO |
So the bloodhound always keep penned in or on a leash and be sure not to overfeed them. While they need their ears cleaned everyday, they make good, slobbery, cuddly pets. Just be sure to put in the training time, or that family dog will turn into stubborn dog. Bloodhounds obviously know how to work, but they also know how to play and as long as you give them a mission with their nose they're happy pets.
FEMALE IN PINK SHIRT VO Where's it at? Where's it at?
MALE IN BLUE SHIRT VO Love you. |
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HOST VO Still to come on Dogs 101, meet the dog with the heart of a lion, bred to hunt lion. And the cute little dogs whose closest cousin is the husky. |
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HOST VO Now it's time to play pick the pooch. A dog with dreadlocks? This massive breeds' coat grows into thick cords making it the heaviest fur in the canine world. Can you name this mop top dog? The answer when we come back.
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What dog's fur grows into thick dreadlocks? That's right it's the Komondor. Their moppy looking corded coat can take almost two years to grow.
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HOST VO A dog that can take on a lion.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC An amazingly courageous animal. This is an animal that will stare death in the eye and, and move forward.
HOST VO A dog that can keep up with a running horse for 30 miles no sweat? Immune to insect bites Rhodesian Ridgebacks are the Navy Seals of dog breeds.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is one of the most amazing…
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… dogs to walk the face of the earth.
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HOST VO Also known as the African lion dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, muscular dog bred in southern Africa to hunt lions.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO |
You know the term, keeping a lion at bay? Well that came from the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
HOST VO The breed was created by Hottentots, an indigenous people of South Africa, and early German and Dutch settlers they combined imported mastiffs, Great Danes, greyhounds, bloodhounds, terriers and other breeds with the Hottentot dog: a semiwild tribal guarding and hunting dog to create the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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TYSON KILMER VO/OC Imagine the type of personality it takes to run after a seven, 800 pound cat and, and chase it up a tree. And that’s the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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HOST VO The most unique and defining characteristic of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is his ridge. He can thank the wild Hottentot dog for that.
ANDREA ARDEN OC Its basically hair growing in the opposite direction of the hair that grows down from the rest of the body.
HOST VO The ridge should be clearly defined, symmetrical and run the length of the dogs back.
SALLY SWENSON VO/OC You want it to have two crowns right here within a nice fan at the top and then symmetrically tapering down the body. |
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HOST VO The second characteristic is the Rhodesians feet.
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Compact with well arched toes and tough, round elastic pads. Those thick padded feet were vital to protecting the dog from miles of wear on the roughest terrain in Africa. The final characteristic is the Rhodesian Ridgeback's durability adapted to the harsh environment of African planes, Ridgebacks can withstand extreme temperatures. In addition to durability, what gives the Rhodesian Ridgeback the ability to run great distances up to thirty miles in one stretch, is his superb, strong framework.
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His back is powerful and firm with 31 dense vertebrae in the neck and back each with extensions where powerful muscles are attached. And they have long, strong forelegs which are straight with heavy bone density designed to sustain the high forces the body is subjected to when in motion. No wonder the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the dog of choice for many athletes including Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that’s for somebody that’s very fit, very healthy.
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SALLY SWENSON VO |
Okay come on guys. Let's go. Come on. Yeah. Good dog. Yeah.
HOST VO Long distance runners Sally Swenson and Jim Harrison own three Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
SALLY SWENSON VO/OC We have Sirk, Mabel and we have Cash. And they're our kids. We don't have any human kids. We have three brown furry kids.
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HOST VO Looking for a smart, athletic dog to share their passion for running, they scored big when they discovered the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
JIM HARRISON VO/OC Sally and I are pretty active people. We both like to run and we like to hike.
SALLY SWENSON OC/VO I was looking for a marathon partner, somebody who could go into the mountains with me. There were times when I could get in remote areas and feel kind of nervous.
JIM It was like somebody had designed a dog exactly for what we wanted.
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HOST VO Sally and Jim credit their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Sirk, with helping them train.
SALLY SWENSON VO/OC |
We waited until Sirk was about two and a half before I started using him to train for marathons. We started with about six miles and then we just build up every weekend.
HOST VO Sally dreams to compete in at least one marathon a year for as long as she possibly can. Rhodesians are Sally's partners in that dream.
SALLY SWENSON OC/VO Sirk here has helped me train for three marathons. Throughout my training we've gone all the way up to 22 miles. At that point I was done. I told him we were done. He wasn't showing a lot of signs of fatiguing but, I was tired.
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HOST VO Recently Sally's dreams were put on hold when surgery sent her to the sidelines. After a year spent recovering it was not easy for Sally to regain her running momentum, but once again Sally's beloved Rhodesians got this long distance runner back on track.
SALLY SWENSON VO/OC They're great personal trainers. They're so anxious to get up and get out and get some exercise…
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… that it's hard to deny them and so they really help keep you motivated.
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HOST VO For both Sally and Jim these dynamic dogs are more than a breed, they're a lifestyle.
JIM HARRISON OC/VO I think that Sally and I will always have ridgebacks. Once you have one; it's tough to imagine life without one. |
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HOST VO You don’t have to live in the mountains to keep a Rhodesian Ridgeback happy they do well with country or city living but beware. This breed can be more destructive than a lab if under exercised. They require at least an hour of vigorous exercise everyday the Rhodesian Ridgeback is generally a very healthy and robust breed and have very few health issues. However, they are susceptible to dermoid sinus.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC Which is a congenital hollow tube which runs along their back under their skin and it has to be surgically…
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… removed.
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HOST VO The Rhodesian Ridgeback is generally odorless, easy to groom and has minimal shedding grooming. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very intelligent but determined and independent thinkers so they do best with experienced dog owners who are consistent and practice positive |
training techniques.
TYSON KILMER VO/OC This is a dog that is definitely not for the faint of heart. You wanna make sure you get it right with this dog the very first time cause you only get one shot.
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HOST VO Rhodesian Ridgebacks do best with athletes or active families who like the outdoors. While some may be too boisterous for young children they make great protective companions for older kids. |
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HOST VO So in general the Rhodesian Ridgeback is tolerant of extreme temperatures. They're a hardy breed that is generally healthy and illness free. Grooming is minimal. They're an intelligent breed that needs consistent obedience training from puppyhood. And they are a great dog for athletes or a family with older children.
SALLY SWENSON OC/VO They're really wonderful, unique breed that's changed my life. You guys are awesome. Good girl.
JIM HARRISON VO Good dogs.
SALLY SWENSON VO Hi. Yeah, we're going for a walk.
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HOST VO Just ahead on Dogs 101. What some consider the hardest dog in the world to train. |
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HOST VO Meet the purebred Shih Tzu. A precious package of a dog who is actually more closely related to the wolf than many other breeds.
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ANDREA ARDEN VO/OC It is hilarious to watch them sort of flowing across the ring, it looks like they’re floating with all the coat blowing behind.
HOST VO Whether a star…
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… in the ring or at home, the Shih Tzu is one of the oldest breeds of dog.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN OC/VO Shih Tzus have been charming people for over 2,000 years.
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It was actually bred in Tibet as a lap dog.
HOST VO |
The Shih Tzu was created by crossing the Pekingese with the Lhasa Apso and landed in the Chinese imperial court where she earned the name ‘lion dog.’ According to legend they slept at the foot of the noble's beds to act as foot warmers. Then, during the British invasion of China, the Shih Tzu breed was almost entirely lost. Only seven female dogs and seven male dogs remained. And today, every member of this breed can be traced back to one of those surviving fourteen Shih Tzu.
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This bewhiskered toy is famous for her luxurious, undulating coat, which is really comprised of two distinct layers. The topcoat is long and silky, while the undercoat is fleecy and feathery forming a majestic doggie cloak that keeps growing, like hair.
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Most people who own Shih Tzu keep their dogs clipped short in what's called a puppy cut.
JONATHAN DAVID VO/OC Shih Tzus that are maintained in a puppy trim should be groomed about every four to six weeks. There's a variety of trims that you can give a Shih Tzu to make them really cute.
HOST VO Whether you go puppy cut short or…
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… show dog long, the Shih Tzu comes in a multitude of colors. 19 different combinations to be exact. This pooch also has a lovely |
moustache and beard. The large, rounded eyes are set far apart and could simply melt your heart if you look too long.
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The Shih Tzu’s tail curls over her back in a pretty, arching plume.
DIANE EHRICHT OC They're just happy go lucky, they don't ever have a bad day.
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HOST VO Luke and Diane Ehricht have been breeding and showing Shih Tzu for over 35 years.
DIANE EHRICHT OC/VO I need a table to lay this on. Because I know their personality like the back of my hand, so, you know, I know what they’re thinking about every moment of their life.
HOST VO In fact it was this toy breed that brought them together.
LUKE VO/OC We have the same passions, and in many ways, you know we compliment each other, and you know it turned into a really wonderful relationship for the two of us.
HOST VO Once rivals, Luke and Diane tied the knot 1992, creating an unstoppable force in the dog show world.
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MALE IN BLACK SHIRT OC He's not being shown today.
HOST VO Today, this power couple is showing two of their own Shih Tzu in an all breed dog show in Atlanta, Georgia.
DIANE OC/VO On a typical show day, we usually get up very early…That's my babies. And then we start working with the dogs, start exercising the dogs, and then start grooming the dogs.
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HOST VO And grooming can take up to three hours per dog before she even enters the show ring.
DIANE EHRICHT VO/OC The grooming is the biggest part of the day for us, because the dogs that we show are very high maintenance dogs. You always have to get a real straight part down their back, wash their face with a no rinse shampoo and then we blow it dry with the hair dryer. And then we put the topknot in.
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HOST VO The Shih Tzu topknot is a signature feature and utilizes Luke's skill with a curling iron and comb.
DIANE EHRICHT VO/OC His finishing grooming is phenomenal. |
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LUKE VO/OC She looks pretty in pink.
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HOST VO Now that Gidget's got her lucky pink bow, she’s ready to go, but winning this competition takes more than just a pretty face. These Shih Tzu must perform flawlessly.
LUKE VO/OC Luckily for me, Diane is probably the best trainer that there is. She works with our puppies; and she conditions them and gets them until they're at the age to be shown.
HOST VO It's time to see if all that primping will pay off because today's competition is fierce.
LUKE VO/OC Everyone that shows dogs wants to win and that's why we're all here.
FEMALE IN PURPLE APRON OC It's a tough competition. There's some good dogs out there.
FEMALE IN GRAY JACKET VO/OC That is my biggest concern, yes, the Hallmark Jolie bitch.
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HOST VO Hallmark Jolie Surfer Girl is her formal show |
name. But her nickname is Gidget.
LUKE VO Here's a good girl, let's go. Come on baby. Let's go.
HOST VO And today she's got her big brown eyes on the big blue ribbon. The judge is the lady in black, so what is she looking for?
DIANE EHRICHT VO/OC Well normally it's a very large head, beautiful eyes. She knows the specifics about the breed and that's what she's gonna be looking for.
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LUKE VO/OC You know, you just hope that your dog performs the best that, you know, your dog can and that you put on a good enough show. Thank you for kisses. What a good girl. She's a baby.
HOST VO Gidget puts on an excellent show and advances to the next round.
BONNIE GUGENHEIM VO/OC She was a lovely example of the breed. Very well trained, shows beautifully and she had a very pretty expression, I really liked that.
LUKE VO Thanks very much, thank you.
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From here, Gidget will go up against all the other best in breed toy winners. But with these bustling rings and loud crowds, can Luke and Gidget maintain their winning composure?
LUKE VO/OC I try and keep her focused on me. I want her, you know, basically to respond to me and do what I need her to do. Good girl.
HOST VO Will Gidget win best in the toy group? |
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HOST VO Find out when Dogs 101 continues. |
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HOST VO She’s had hours of grooming, and won best in breed…
LUKE OC Good girl.
HOST VO … but now she’s up against all the other toy dogs. Each dog walks around the ring once strutting their stuff. Our judge is looking closely for the dog that best meets its breed standard. Will she pick Gidget?
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LUKE VO/OC Winning is definitely something that, you know, we all strive for.
HOST VO The judge motions to the Shih Tzu.
LUKE VO Good girl.
HOST VO Making Gidget number one in toy group.
LUKE VO Good girl. Good girl. Thank you. Good girl Gidgy.
DIANE EHRICHT VO There have been a lot of wonderful moments and we've done it together and been able to share in it together. |
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HOST VO Although all Shih Tzu have distinct dispositions, it can be said they share a few of the same traits.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC Even though they were bred for royalty, they don’t need a palace. You live in a tent, they'll live with you in a tent.
HOST VO The Shih Tzu is a generally healthy breed, but they can suffer from kidney and eye problems. As for grooming, if you want the show dog look, be prepared to do a lot of work. Considered one of the hardest dogs to train it |
can take 40 or 50 repetitions before they comprehend a command.
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So, in general, the Shih Tzu excels in busy environments and will go anywhere with you. They live long lives with not many health issues, but if you want that long beautiful coat, you’ll spend a lot of time grooming the Shih Tzu. For training, teach this little one early on and you’ll be rewarded with obedience. Finally, the Shih Tzu fits into just about any family. A warm, cuddly, loving lap dog the Shih Tzu will win you over every time. |
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HOST VO So to recap, the Great Dane is a contradiction. It's one of the largest dog breeds and it's called a lap dog.
DR. KAREN HALLIGAN VO/OC They'll just sit on your lap. They'll lay on the couch. You better have a big bed because they are couch potatoes.
HOST VO It has a regal bearing and yet it's the inspiration for goofy cartoon characters. This huge dog's good nature makes them surprising pets. The Yorkshire terrier is a cute little dog with a surprising talent, it honks like a goose. It's like a reverse sneeze and it's harmless. A feisty personality gives them unexpected courage around much bigger dogs. The bloodhound is a sniffing machines. |
GIRL IN PINK OC My God, I'm still.
HOST VO The first dog whose scenting abilities were admissible in a court of law. Their ears and wrinkles around the face were designed to waft scents to the strongest nose in the dog world. The Rhodesian Ridgeback gets its name from the patch of hair on its back that grows against the grain. This dog has amazing stamina because they were bred to chase lions. Today human athletes use Ridgebacks as training companions. The Shih Tzu is an ancient Asian breed that is closely associated with the wolf. |
HOST VO Legend claims the Shih Tzu was a companion of Buddha. Today they make wonderful family pets and are always a contender in the world of dog shows. Remember each individual dog is unique and may not conform to breed standards. If you are adopting a dog, do your homework and choose your next best friend wisely.
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FEMALE IN DARK SHIRT VO Miss little diva.
FEMALE VOICE VO She looks great. |
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