Dogs 101

The Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, German Shorthaired Pointer, Havanese and Pomeranian

Episode Summary

Which dog may have helped Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel? What breed is born with spots all over - even in its' mouth? Which canine saved an entire town?

Episode Notes

Which dog may have helped Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel? What breed is born with spots all over - even in its' mouth? Which canine saved an entire town?  Find out the answers on this episode of Dogs 101, where we'll meet the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Havanese, the Dalmatian, the Pomeranian, and the Siberian Husky. 

For even more dog content, stream full episodes of Dogs 101 on discovery plus. Go to discoveryplus.com/dogs101 to start your free trial today. Terms apply.

Find episode transcript here: https://dogs-101.simplecast.com/episodes/the-dalmatian-siberian-husky-german-shorthaired-pointer-havanese-and-pomeranian

Episode Transcription

MUSIC IN

HOST VO
Is it possible that this dog is born without spots? Is this breeds howl heard the farthest? Did this dog escape from Cuba during Castro’s Revolution? Did this breed help Michelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel? Dogs 101 celebrates men’s best friend.
Today, the Siberian Husky, the Havanese, The Pomeranian, the Dalmatian and we start with the dog that can jump farther than just about any othaer.

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MUSIC IN

HOST VO
The German Shorthaired Pointer. The German Shorthaired Pointer is known as the most versatile working dog. But did you know that the German Shorthair has also been elected mayor of all pets in Mount Clair California? His opponent said he was dogmatic. And that another served along side the air force in operation Iraq and enduring freedom detecting bombs. These dogs can do it all.

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NICHOLAS
They’ve been used to pull sleds, they’ve been used to you know track, they’ve been used to hunt, they’ve been used to point.

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HOST VO
While pointers kept the Egyptians company three thousand years ago.

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HOST VO

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed in the 19th century and you guessed it, Germany!

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ANDREA VO/OC
They were originally bred to be very versatile game hunters. The fact that they’re so versatile tells you that this was a dog that somebody put a lot of energy into breeding. It took a lot of different types of dogs to create the German shorthair pointer.

HOST VO
It’s thought the old Spanish pointer the English pointer, the Dalmatian, Weimaraner, tracking hound German bird dog and the Vizsla were put together to make the German Shorthaired pointer.

NICHOLAS VO/OC/VO
They weren’t bred for their looks they were bred for their function but they ended up by looking pretty spiffy too.

HOST VO
Their coloring can be as varied as their abilities. Not sure what color is your German short hair is? Check his nose it will match his coat. Liver colored dogs have brown noses and black dogs have a matching black snout.

HOST VO
Pointers get their names from the pose they take. When they’ve spotted game head down with a steady gaze, paw lifted then tail up. The pointer takes on the shape of an arrow. All pointers were bred to do this instinctively.

ANDREA VO

You will see that puppies as young as eight weeks old if you drag a feather on the ground they will often times chase that feather and then stop and point it.

HOST VO
Bred for water retrieving the German shorthaired pointer has a short, flat water resistant coat that helps it maintain an even temperature. The German shorthair also has webbed feet to help it move through the water. Their feet are a tight spoon shape. This keeps debris from between the toes heavy nails make this dog an all terrain pooch. Shorthairs can handle land, sea and air. Have you seen this dog jump?

ZAK OC
German shorthaired pointers are among the most hyper breeds that I’ve ever dealt with they are great at dog sports.

NICHOLAS
They are amazing athletes they can run and run and run.

HOST VO
German Shorthaired Pointers are built to jump. They are very lean putting less stress on their joints. Their power comes from their strong haunches allowing them to launch themselves both up an out.

SUE VO
Come on get it, get it, get it!

HOST VO
Tanner may be ten years old but he can jump like a kangaroo. This special shorthaired pointer holds the big air world record for veteran dogs. He jumped an amazing 24 feet six inches, that’s like clearing two cars parked back to back.

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HOST VO
Today he’s competing at the Dockdogs regional in Louisville, Kentucky the first step in qualifying for the 2009 world championship.

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HOST VO
Big air is the long jump for dogs. After a running start down a 40 foot dock they leap into the water to retrieve their toy. The distance of the jump is measured where the base of the tail hits the water so that dogs both big and small have equal advantage.

GRANT REEVES OC
Dockdogs is a zero discrimination program. Any breed, any size, any mix.

HOST VO
Sue Barnes began competing with her dog Tanner in 2005 when dockdogs came to their hometown of Des Moines, Iowa.

SUE OC
Once he got in he was shooting 17, 18, 19 footers all weekend and we were addicted from day one. The most fun part is watching how much fun Tanner has. His tail never stops wagging.

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HOST VO
Labs are dominating today’s event. Quasi a black lab from Scottsville, KY is the dog to beat and he’s broken the big air indoor world record a jump of 27 feet three inches. The competition is fierce today 165 teams are here. And Tanner is the oldest dog on the dock; don’t let his old age fool you. Tanner takes the dock for his first jump. And he scores a respectable 19 feet 10 inches. Is Tanner eliminated? It’s his second jump.

SUE VO

Get it, get it, get it.

HOST VO
20 feet qualifies him for the semi pro finals.
Between warm ups and disqualifying round Tanner has jumped more than a dozen times and he’s showing his age.

MALE VOICE #1 VO
Now if we have any senior members in the audience you might appreciate this next dog.

HOST VO
There’s only one more chance to pull ahead of the pack. Tanner needs to clear 20 feet to win. He takes to the dock, Sue sets his position and Tanner awaits the command.

SUE VO
Come on! Get it, get it, get it, get it!

HOST VO
Final jump: 19 feet six inches. Not enough for first but this old man finishes a respectable third. Tanner and Sue are taking home a medal today after all.

SUE OC/VO
This weekend Tanner made to semi pro finals and at the age of ten we are very pleased to say that he made it to third place against a bunch much younger dogs. So we are very proud of him. Get it!

CROWD
Woo, whoo!

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MUSIC IN

HOST VO
The German Shorthaired Pointer is a boisterous highly energetic dog that requires plenty of exercise.

ZAK VO/OC/VO
It’s a huge myth that a hyper dog is the most difficult dog to train. The hyper dog is just the one that wants to be stimulated that wants to work with a human being.

HOST VO
While the German Shorthaired pointer is suited to all climates it needs lots of exercise and room to roam. While they are great companions they do require supervision with small children.

KAREN VO/OC
German Shorthaired Pointers do make good pets because they like to be in the company of people. But they’re not the type of dog that you would get if you have a family with children because they are so energetic they might just knock them over.

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HOST VO
This robust breed lives a long life generally free from healthy problems it’s not uncommon for them to reach 16 years old. Unlike other sporting dogs German Shorthairs rarely suffer from hip dysplasia and joint problems the coat that repels water also repels dirt so this dog is an easy one to groom.

ANDREA VO/OC/VO
Looks can be deceiving. This is a dog that sheds a lot and it is very short hair that is often times hard to get out of your clothing and your furniture.

HOST VO
The all terrain German Shorthaired Pointer needs room to roam. It is a robust dog that has few health problems. It’s an easy breed that requires minimal grooming. Highly intelligent German Shorthaired Pointers require plenty of exercise and stimulus to keep them happy and they’re a great dog for families with active children.

ANDREA VO/OC
I love German Shorthaired Pointers because I think that they are not only beautiful but I love the fact that they are a dog that has a really independent spirit but it’s also very trainable.

HOST VO
When Dogs 101 continues meet the dog born with spots in its mouth! You’ll never believe how long a Siberian Husky can withstand frigid cold. Can you believe this dog is closely related to this breed? And learn what Fidel Castro and this breed have in common.

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HOST VO
The Havanese this tiny canine with a big heart has a taste for the good life and it’s no wonder for centuries these pampered pooches have adorned the laps of the rich and famous.

MALE VOICE #2 VO Good boy.

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HOST VO
Queen Victoria owned two of the toy dogs and
Charles Dickens had one he affectionately called Tim but Barbara Walters swears her Havanese is really something special.

KAREN VO/OC/VO
Her dog’s name is Cha-cha. And she said that it told her I love you. She announced that on The View so may be it can talk.

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HOST VO
There’s no doubt that what the Havanese lacks in size it makes up for in personality.

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CHERISE OC/VO
It is a very lively dog, it is a very affectionate dog, it is a very people loving dog and it is bred solely for companionship.

KAREN VO/OC
The other thing that’s good about the Havanese is they’re not yappy and snappy like a lot of the toy breeds.

HOST VO
The Havanese is an ancient breed whose origins can be traced to the Mediterranean as far back as the first century AD. These charming pets are believed to be members of the Bichon family and to have traveled aboard Spanish trade ships to Cuba in the early 16th century.

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HOST VO
When the Cuban Revolution broke out eleven of the dogs fled to the United States with their well to do owners. That means all the Havanese in the US today can be traced to 11 Havanese immigrants. While they’re still considered rare their popularity is growing.

ANDREA VO/OC/
The Havanese is definitely in the top five breeds of dogs in New York City right now.

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HOST VO
In Cuba, the Havanese is the national dog and the Country’s only native breed, hence the name Havanese.

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HOST VO
Personable, as well as pretty, Havanese come in a rainbow of colors. Everything from black to white to chocolate to silver and any combination in between. But their most unique physical characteristic is their beautiful silky coat. Described as row silk floss the Havanese coat is wavy, soft and bountiful insulating the dog from the harsh tropical rays of its native land.

JOEY OC/VO
It’s a dog that should look like it should look messy it should look moppy . That’s their characteristic.

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HOST VO
But some Havanese owners prefer to keep their dog in shorter coats necessitating even more trips to the groomer. Short coated or long the Havanese will bounce its way into your heart with its distinctive gate. The spring in the Havanese step is a result of having slightly shorter front legs than rear legs. That’s all part of the charm just like the breeds arched tail which curls over its back.

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HOST VO

One lucky Havanese named Georgie gets a thrill each morning she’s whisked to work on the back of a Harley. Harness safely into her pet carrier this little luxury lover goes everywhere with her owner Jeri Riggs.

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JERI VO/OC
Hey cutie pie what a good girl you are this is her favorite part popping her head out the last block.

HOST VO
Jeri is the general manager of the Hotel Vintage Plaza.

JERI OC
Why don’t you tell me what you’re looking for?

HOST VO
A pet friendly hotel in Portland, Oregon realizing her potential Jeri hired Georgie for a job she is uniquely qualified to do.

MUSIC IN

JERI VO/OC
Georgie’s job is Diva of pet relations. And she cares for our pet guests. She welcomes all the dogs that arrive into the hotel. You are so glad you’re here. She does a little bit of everything.

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HOST VO
It’s the perfect fit for this fashionista.

MUSIC IN

JERI VO/OC
We have to go play with our guests! Come on! Georgie is a diva because she loves to shop for clothes she likes leopard skin, animal print. She

likes silk and she loves organic cotton.

HOST VO
She appreciates a good manicure too.

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HOST VO
But this clothes hound isn’t totally self-centered.

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HOST VO
She raised nearly three thousand dollars hosting the hotel’s pet fashion show and donated the proceeds to Oregon Dog Rescue.

JERI VO/OC
She was walking around smiling the whole time, greeting like a hostess would.

HOST VO
Georgie is not just a socialite either but like most hotel executives she finds marketing meetings tedious.

MARIANNE OC
They said they did have the equipment they needed.

JERI
And I have Zoey…

MARIANNE VO
Yeah, Zoey.

JERI VO
Also, so.

MARIANNE VO
Okay.

JERI OC

Actually we could…

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HOST VO
Assistant general manager Marianne Moisant has only praise for her canine colleague.

MUSIC IN

MARIANNNE OC
She never misses a day. She always is on time.

HOST VO
When Georgie greets four legged visitors at check in Marianne says both dogs and their human companions feel more welcome.

MARIANNE VO/OC
They’ll tell us how happy they are to see a dog that they can greet and pet and that is happy to see them.

FEMALE RED COAT OC
Oh you’re a good girl.

HOST VO
Natural companion animals to humans, Havanese get along well with dogs too before any canine visitors arrive at the hotel Georgie makes sure they receive their complimentary amenities.

MARIANNE VO
Good job!

HOST VO
But it’s at the hotel daily wine reception where Georgie really turns on the charm while her canine pals enjoy treats and sample clothing from the hotel’s woof, woof chest two legged guests schmooze and admire Georgie’s graciousness.

FEMALE BLONDE IN BLACK TOP OC
We love to come here because we are always treated like royalty by princess Georgie.

FEMALE DARK HAIR AND BROWN TOP OC
Georgie is a great HOST VO because she’s always willing to come over and hang out. She’s a party girl.

HOST VO
But even partying comes at a price.

JERI VO/OC
She’s asked for a raise so we are stepping up the treats.

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HOST VO
Just like Georgie Havanese are best suited to indoor living.

CHERISE VO/OC
These are perfect city and apartment dogs.

HOST VO
They need a moderate amount of daily exercise but can adapt to most environments.

ANDREA OC/VO
If you wanna have in the country and take it for long walks in the woods keep in mind that that coat is ideal for picking up debris which means when you get home you need to thoroughly brush them out.

HOST VO
You can say that again if you own a Havanese you better become good friends with a brush and use it several times each week.

JOEY VO/OC
You don’t wanna brush your dog this is not the dog for you.

HOST VO
As for their health the breed is prone to developing cataract they may suffer from progressive retinal atrophy a genetic condition that can cause blindness.

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HOST VO
But training them shouldn’t be too tough as long as you provide them with lots of positive reinforcement.

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KAREN VO/OC
What’s nice about the Havanese is they can be house trained which is huge for a toy breeded dog.

HOST VO
That means no surprises inside the house. They blend into family life well but younger children may require supervision.

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HOST VO
The long and the short of it is that the Havanese is an ideal apartment dog they may suffer from some eye problems like cataracts. They require frequent grooming they’re trainable but prefer a gentle hand. And as long as small children are supervised their mild manner makes them a good family dog. It seems that this little dog from Havana is destined to keep winding its way into people’s hearts.

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HOST VO
Still ahead on Dogs101. Find out how this lap dog is

related to a sled dog. We will find out why just about one pup in every Dalmatian litter is deaf. And how these Siberian Huskies can withstand temperatures of 50 below.

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HOST VO
Lovable, kind of corky looking, medium size white dogs with spots all over. And the spots are really, really all over.

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KAREN OC
Spots everywhere, in fact if you open their mouths…

MUSIC IN

KAREN VO
…you might be surprised to see that they actually have spots in their mouth.

HOST VO
But guess what? When they’re born they have no spots.

ANDREA OC/VO
Dalmatians are actually born all white and then the spots develop as they mature.

NICHOLAS OC
They are cute, they are mascotish.

JOEY OC
Believe it or not George Washington was the first breeder for Dalmatians that we know of in the United States.

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HOST VO
The Dalmatian. It’s the dog famous for riding along o the fire truck.

ANDREA VO/OC
I would have to guess that fireman like to hang out with Dalmatians because they are great attention grabbers. Most fireman grab my attention anyway but.

HOST VO
It’s the dog hanging with the Clydesdales protecting the beer. And it’s the dog who hit the big time with Disney’s one hundred and one Dalmatians movies.

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HOST VO
But with the Dalmatians fame, came a price, owners getting the dogs thought they would be just like the sweet loving creatures they saw in the movies but guys that’s Hollywood.

NICHOLAS OC/VO
There was a lot of indiscriminate breeding so the puppy mill type stuff. There are issues with temperament and aggression.

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HOST VO
But not all Dalmatians are problem dogs. With the right breeding and training, these eye catching animals can be great pets.

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CHERISE OC/VO
The Dalmatians origins are actually a little bit hazy, it’s a really ancient breed some people think that it

may go all the way back to Egypt.

HOST VO
In the beginning those polka dot hounds were bred as war and guard dogs.

NICHOLAS OC/VO
This is one of the only breed of dog that was bred for what they call coaching. They would run along side the stage coaches and they would clear the crowds out of the way.

HOST VO
These society dogs went from protecting rich people in horse drawn carriages to protecting horse drawn fire trucks.

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ANDREA OC/VO
Although they don’t run along the sides of fire trucks anymore they basically are wonderful mascots for the firehouse.

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HOST VO
For a few reasons these dogs really stand out. First, very obvious the spots on their coats which range from the size of a dime to a half dollar. Ever wonder how many spots the dogs can have? Well that can vary too. From just a few to almost total spot coverage.

HOST VO
Another cool quality their stocky body and strong muscles which give them the power to run and run for miles on end.

KAREN OC/VO/OC
They’re very, very active dogs. In fact if you’re a

jogger or a runner a Dalmatian is gonna hit the spot. They do like to run away and have what is called selective hearing so you can say come, come here, come here and they just don’t hear you.

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HOST VO
Yep, these dogs can be independent and stubborn.

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HOST VO
But don’t be fooled these rambunctious hounds are super smart.

CHERISE VO/OC/VO
They’re amazing dogs and are really intelligent. And because they’re really intelligent they seem to sometimes think that they know that they’re boss and not you.

KAREN OC
So you just have to make sure that you start early, consistent, patient training when they’re puppies.

MALE VOICE #3 VO Good puppy.

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HOST VO
And that’s what the folks up here in Saranac Lake, NY are doing with their newest addition to the firehouse family.

RICK OC
I like this little one because they’re all unique and she’s just like one of us.

HOST VO
This is Smokey, she’s just four months old. Fire fighter Rick Yorkey whose dad was fire chief here

has been with the department since 1985 and he says this little girl has a lot to learn.

RICK OC/VO
Well we just got her she’s she’s still young, she’s a she’s just learning, she’s our really wild she was on the table and ate the blueberry pie.

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HOST VO
The firehouse can be a busy place with an average of three calls a day and after a heroin rescue coming back and seeing a cute little spotted doggy can be quite comforting. Julie Harjung knows.

JULIE OC/VO
You know after a bad call were people are exhausted people are you know just drained to be able to come back and get greeted by the dog kind a really gives you that rekindling of spirit.

MALE VOICE #4 OC
Now don’t chew it please.

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MALE VOICE #4 OC/VO
She has to earn this uniform you gotta grow into this so you can march with us in parades.

MALE VOICE #5 VO
That ties underneath here.

HOST VO
Yep, Smokey’s gotta earn her spots in the hearts of these guys because she is the sixth Smokey to live here. All the dogs have been loved but none like Smokey five, always by Rick’s side even away from the firehouse Smokey five was definitely Rick’s best friend.

RICK OC
She used to show her teeth with thought it looked scary but that was actually a smile, she would meet you at the top of the stairs.

HOST VO
However, after 13 years Smokey five went blind and
then suffered kidney failure and so it was unfortunately time to put her down.

RICK VO/OC
All of us were sad it was a real sad day. It’s tough you get attracted to them so much it’s amazing, it’s unbelievable. I just miss the old dog and

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HOST VO
And as much as they all missed Smokey five they new they needed to get a Smokey six.

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HOST VO
But the dog they got was deaf in one ear in fact one in three Dalmatians have hearing issues but with Smokey six they overlooked it because of the dog’s birth date.

RICK OC/VO
I don’t know if this is a coincidence but they were born on October 21st which happened to be the same date the dog we just had put down was born. So I don’t know if that was the other dog telling us go get it.

MALE VOICE #4 OC
Smokey is our newest supervisor.

HOST VO
But Smokey is not just a cute firehouse mascot.

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MALE VOICE #4
Smokey we will be back.

HOST VO
She has an important job here.

JULIE OC
Back your hand first left her smell.

HOST VO
Assisting Julie while teaching the kids in town fire safety.

JULIE OC
What number do we call if there’s a fire.

CHILDREN OC
Nine one one.

JULIE VO
That’s awesome.

HOST VO
And when Smokey six gets older she will demonstrate just like the other dogs did. How to stop, drop and roll.

MALE VOICE #5 VO
God job.

JULIE AND CHILDREN OC
Fire prevention rocks!

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HOST VO
And after a long days work Smokey snuggles in with her main man Rick. And while this Smokey obviously loves firehouse living the ideal location for most Dalmatians would be in a warm climate with lots of running room.

NICHOLAS OC
To have this dog in an apartment well in the city is just completely crazy.

HOST VO
As for training start early. Just like they ‘re doing with little Smokey. And the full grown 40 poundish Dalmatians are sort of cat like in cleanliness with little grooming. And if you decide to get a Dalmatian ask for a raise because these dogs can have health issues.

KAREN OC/VO
Bladder stones can cause a lot of problems so they need to be fed a special diet.

HOST VO
But most importantly, if you do get a Dalmatian make sure these bundles of energy fit your life style.
In general, Dalmatians need lots of running room.
They can have health issues like deafness. Dalmatians are easy to groom and trainable, can make good family pets for active families.

RICK OC
I like this little girl because she gonna take some of the pain away from the previous dogs we lost and she’s gonna be just as good as they were.

HOST VO
More ahead on Dogs 101. Meet the dog that saved an entire town. And the sled dog that was shrunk down to make a lap dog.

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HOST VO
Now it’s time to play pick the pooch. Members of this medium size herding breed live long highly active lives and in fact one of these dogs holds the record for world’s oldest canine. Can you guess

which breed it is? The answer when we come back.

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HOST VO
Which dog broke the world’s record for oldest pup on the planet? It was an Australian Cattle Dog, named Bluey who lived for almost 30 years, that’s nearly two hundred ten human years. Originally bred from the native Australian dingo. This breed usually lives two to five years longer than the average canine.

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HOST VO
Did you know that Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel with a Pomeranian at his side? Often called the Pom it’s one of only three canines to survive the sinking of the Titanic.

ZAK OC/VO
The stereotypical Pomeranian is going to be small and yappy and excited and energetic. And a great pet to their parents.

ANDREA OC
I think Pomeranians are definitely one of the cutest dogs out there. They are hard to resist.

HOST VO
Weighing an average four to six pounds these irresistible little dogs once weighed over seven times that weight.

KAREN OC
Older Pomeranians were actually about 30 pounds

and they were white.

HOST VO
Yep, that’s really a Pomeranian.

KAREN VO
And then they were bred down to the size you see today.

HOST VO
The person responsible for downsizing this dog was England’s Queen Victoria, she loved Pomeranians. In the late 1800s she established her own kennel and began importing smaller Poms of all colors and created her perfect lap dog.

ANDREA VO
The Pomeranian actually is a descent of sled dogs from Iceland and Lapland.

HOST VO
And believe it or not this little dog’s ancestors include these heavy weights: the Alaskan Malamute, the Samoyed, the Siberian Husky and the Keeshond.

CHERISE OC/VO
While the today’s Pomeranians certainly can’t pull a sled it’s a miniaturized version of those dogs. They are very vivacious and most people know them for their very cute little face and then this big huge puff ball of fur.

HOST VO
One of the most identifiable characteristics of the Pomeranian is their abundant double coat. It’s made up of a long harsh textured outer coat that covers a soft dense under coat. Their triangle shaped ears contribute to the foxy look of this breed.

KAREN VO/OC
They actually have tiny little straight up ears that sometimes can be difficult to see because of their

plush coat.

HOST VO
The tail is heavily feathered and is set high and lies flat on its back.

MUSIC SEGUE

ANDREA OC/VO
Underneath that very fluffy coat and very cute face these are very athletic dogs that excel at a lot of different dog sports including agility, fly ball and obedience.

KAREN VO/OC
This is truly a big dog personality in a little dog package they are just lots of personality and they demand attention they demand pampering.

HOST VO
Pomeranian owner Tammy Kassis is no stranger to pooch pampering.

TAMMY OC/VO
My dogs are my life I would do anything for them my life is for my dogs. I have four dogs but Darla has a special place in my heart.

HOST VO
Darla is Tammy’s 13 year old Pomeranian that she’s been spoiling since puppyhood.

TAMMY OC/VO
She needs to be loved and pampered like a little princess that she is.

HOST VO
Tammy used to let Darla run free in her back yard but in an instant dangerous wild life near her home changed everything.

MUSIC SEGUE

TAMMY VO/OC
One evening I took Darla to go potty outside and right before my eyes an owl swooped down on her she doesn’t even know how close she came to death.

HOST VO
After Darla almost lost her life to swooping owl Tammy decided that her dog should have their own place. Not just any dog house would do for her Pomeranian.

TAMMY OC
I wanted to build an elaborate, exquisite doggy mansion and at no cost was I gonna sacrifice that.

HOST VO
Tammy had an exact replica of her French country house built right down to the shingles, the paint color and even the front porch. Everything had to match.

TAMMY OC
Do we have any mail today? No, no mail.

HOST VO
And Tammy didn’t stop with the outside she wanted the inside to be just as elaborate for Darla and her siblings.

TAMMY OC
They had to have everything in which I felt I needed if I was a dog. Darla, are you done playing? Wanna go inside now? Okay, let’s go. Come on. Come on.

HOST VO
She modeled the interior after a French boutique complete with air conditioning, heating, a ceiling fan, hardwood floors, drapery with valances and Darla’s very own bedroom niche with a leopard bed. And what dog house would be complete without its own flower garden and an enclosed dog run.

TAMMY VO/OC
They are very spoiled what can I say?

HOST VO
This 88 square foot dog house is eight feet wide and span eleven feet high. But Darla’s dog mansion didn’t come cheap.

MICHELLE OC/VO
The average price range for our dog houses run anywhere from six thousand dollars to upwards of thirty five thousand dollars.

TAMMY VO
I’ve spent probably 22 thousand. There’s no price you can put on life and happiness.

HOST VO
What does Darla think of all this?

TAMMY OC/VO
I know the dog house is very special to my dogs, it is their safe haven. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to provide the kind of lifestyle that I feel that they deserve.

HOST VO
So what is next for Tammy?

TAMMY OC/VO
I’m always thinking of ways to improve the puppies house and their lifestyle so I’m looking at doing awnings for their windows and a high definition TV so that they can watch other animals during their rest time inside their house. I’m gonna spoil my dog to the very end there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for them. Right Darla?

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HOST VO
If you’re thinking of pampering a Pomeranian there are a few things to consider. These dogs are quite versatile and they can live just about anywhere. Just don’s confuse their size with their energy level they still need a daily walk. They’re also known to bark excessively so it’s important for owners to work on barking issues early on.

ANDREA VO/OC/VO
This is a dog who if you don’t focus his energy you’re gonna be getting a lot of notes from your neighbor saying that your dog is keeping them awake at night.

HOST VO
Pomeranians live 12 to 15 years and are prone to early tooth loss. Feeding them dry food is recommended they also suffer from luxating patellas or slipping knee caps.

KAREN VO/OC
And that’s where the knee cap which sits in the middle of the femur which is your big, large thigh bone rides in and out. It’s shifts and falls over so you see a lot of these dogs kind a skip and sometimes that needs to be corrected surgically.

HOST VO
Poms are heavy and constant shedders so daily grooming is a must with this breed to avoid tangling and matting.

JOEY VO/OC
Check the ears, make sure the nails are trimmed back and make sure you go see your professional groomer every four to six weeks.

HOST VO
Pomeranians are very happy go lucky dogs that crave human companionship.

JOEY VO/OC
This is a great lap dog. This is a great dog that is gonna seat next to you on the couch gonna to be stroked and petted the whole time.

HOST VO
They are great dogs for just about anyone. However they ‘re not recommended for family with young children because of their fragile frame.

ANDREA VO/OC
You don’t want a child picking up a Pomeranian and actually dropping it on the floor.

HOST VO
Training should start early and be consistent.

CHERISE VO/OC/VO
They are very intelligent but they are head strong and so they’re not the easiest dog to train.

HOST VO
So in general, Pomeranians can live anywhere as long as they get exercise they are prone to tooth loss and luxating patellas and need regular grooming. And if they’re trained early on they can make great family dogs.

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When Dogs 101 comes back. The breed of dog whose stamina saved a small city.

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A group of Siberian Huskies saved Nome, Alaska.

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KAREN OC
That’s quite an accomplishment for a dog.

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That’s right, in 1925 a killer diphtheria outbreak crippled the town teams of Siberian Huskies mushed through a blinding blizzard to deliver life saving serum. The lead dog Balto is even memorialized with a statue in New York Central Park. Huskies are the strong silent type but boy can they howl.

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DOG

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A Huskies howl can be heard up to ten miles away.

NICHOLAS VO/OC
They are a real dog of a dog. I mean not a toy dog, not a pretend dog this is a real dog.

HOST VO
As its name implies the Siberian Husky is from the extreme northeast of Siberia. The Chachiki people developed this dog to work in harsh arctic conditions. Huskies were brought to America by a way of Alaska in 1909.

CHERISE OC

This is the quintessential sled dog.

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CHERISE VO
They love to be out in the cold weather and they love to be pulling sleds.

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This breed has striking eyes.

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There are several color variations including mixed but icy blue eyes are most prevalent and always this is a dog built for the Arctic. Well furred toes insulate from subzero temperatures. Strong claws provide traction. These dogs are also great at digging.

NICHOLAS OC/VO
Have you sometimes in a garden but they will dig a little hole and can in the snow and can get down under the wind.

HOST VO
This dog has a double layered coat so dense arctic chills are no sweat.

CHERISE VO
And it allows them to withstand temperatures that some people have reported to be as low as up to like minus 50 or 60.

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CHILDIN THE POOLVO
Look at him swim he’s

FEMALE VOICE # 1 VO
He likes it look at him.

HOST VO
The Siberian Husky has also developed an uncanny ability this dog can change its metabolism scientists still don’t understand exactly how that works.

KAREN OC/VO
They can race for hours and hours brewing energy that was serving their fat stores so it prevents them from getting fatigued.

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They’re so well equipped for extreme conditions that Huskies will sometimes seek out their own adventures. Doug Dashiell knows first hand about that independent Husky spirit. His Siberian Husky, Moon showed signs early on of being an adventurer.

DOUG VO/OC/VO
I’ve had several instances in which she’s gotten away from me she loves to travel.

HOST VO
One day that wild streak took hold of Moon. Doug stopped at a rest area after a camping trip with his Husky they were about 80 miles from home in a particularly harsh part of Nevada. Doug tied a leash to Moon but he didn’t make sure it was secured to the truck.

DOUG VO/OC
She took off on me, she was gone.

HOST VO
Hours passed Doug had no choice but to had back to town. Along the way he scawered the landscape for any sign of his dog.

DOUG VO/OC
I was feeling particularly upset, depressed at the

same time very angry that the clasp did not close.

HOST VO
For a domesticated animal chances of surviving in any wilderness are slim at best and wilderness doesn’t com tougher than central Nevada. This is hard, unforgiving country. After the desert two impenetrable mountains ranges lay between Moon and home. Moon’s vet tech Jennifer Daughtery took the news of the missing Siberian Husky with a heavy heart.

JENNIFER OC
I know that Doug was really discouraged because I know he loves his dogs. I tried to remain optimistic but I didn’t think she was gonna come back.

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But somewhere out in a high desert Moon was making her way home she will need more than a brave heart to surmount this wilderness though. When Dogs 101 comes back. The conclusion of Moon’s epic struggle.

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Moon the Siberian Husky is in a heap of trouble.
She is 80 miles deep into the high desert of Nevada. Los t and hungry trying to get home. The only way for Moon to survive is to live of the land her husky hunter instincts are tested to the limit. Moon’s vet tech Jennifer Daughtery knows how impossible this terrain can be.

JENNIFER VO/OC/VO

There’s a lot of challenges that a lost animal experiences they don’t have someone just putting a bowl in front of them so they have to actually go back to their roots and capture their meals themselves.

HOST VO
Meanwhile 80 miles away in Ely, Moon’s owner Doug had lost hope. It had been seven days with no sign of Moon.

DOUG VO/OC
I had begun to think that she was gone and I would never see her again.

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The only one who didn’t give up was Moon. The Husky kept fighting through 80 miles of harsh wilderness. Moon focused on just one thing: getting home.

HOST VO
Seven days and 80 miles later a tired, thin, dirty bundle of fur stumble Ely. A good Samaritan spotted the disheveled, new something was wrong and checked the tags Moon wore and for Doug that would lead to the best phone call he ever received.

DOUG VO/OC
I was probably one of the happiest men on this land, I was like wow good things do happen.

HOST VO
The celebration was short lived Moon was weak. Seven days in the desert had taken a toll and Doug feared for her life. He immediately brought Moon to the vet but given all Moon went through vet tech Jennifer was pleasantly surprised by Moon’s condition.

JENNIFER VO/OC/VO

I thought Moon was going to be in a lot worse shape when we saw her it goes to show that Huskies they’re survivors but she did have a bit of a noters to her

HOST VO
Moon was treated for parasites from the wild animals she ate otherwise she received a clean bill of health. And Moon was finally able to complete her journey home.

DOUG OC/VO
She went got in the truck just like she always does and we went home.

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HOST VO
Moon’s adventure may have been in keeping with this breeds hard headed reputation but in general Siberian Huskies can be trained just don’t try to outsmart them.

KAREN VO/OC
They’re smart enough to figure out hum you know maybe I don’t want do this today. Where other dogs are just gonna go with the flow.

HOST VO
Huskies need plenty of space to expand their considerable energy. These dogs were bred to work in the Arctic.

CHERISE VO/OC
I usually don’t recommend them for tropical, subtropical areas.

HOST VO
That dense double coat demands attention.

ANDREA VO/OC

You need to make sure that you groom them at least weekly because they do have a very dense undercoat and you don’t want that to get matted.

HOST VO
Though robust this dog does have a few health issues.

NICHOLAS VO/OC
Huskies have issues with their hips, they can also have some eye problems too.

HOST VO
This is a pack oriented animal.

KAREN OC
Siberian Huskies have an affinity for children and they make a wonderful family pet.

HOST VO
There are a lot of breed variations but in general the Siberian Husky does better in colder climates, they have some hip and eye problems, but are generally healthy. A weekly brushing is recommended training Huskies requires patience. The Siberian Husky loves to be part of a pack and will fit in well with the right family.

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So to recap: the German Shorthaired Pointer is an energetic hunter bred to do one thing very well. When it senses game it freezes, lifts the front leg and points to the bird with its nose. Even puppies who have never seen a bird can point even if it’s at a squeaky toy. The Havanese came into America from Cuba when Castro took power. Today it’s growing in popularity as a companion dog thanks to celebrities like Barbara Walters. The Dalmatian was popular with firemen until a little Disney movie called One Hundred and One Dalmatians then

everybody wanted one of these amazing spotted dogs. Pomeranians today are little lap dogs but in the 1800s they were large close relatives of rough and tumble sled dogs.

                  VIDEO                                                                      AUDIO 

Manager of Development Sara Helman

HOST VO
Siberian Huskies were the northern sled dogs that saved the town of Nome, Alaska. They have a mysterious way of controlling their metabolism which allows them to run for extreme distances. Remember each individual dog is unique and may not conform to breed standards. If you’re adopting a dog do your homework and check out petfinder.com to search for specific breeds near you. Choose your next best friend wisely.

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