The Irish Wolfhound is known as the King of Dogs. It’s stately grace and long easy loping strides are deceiving, for it has sufficient strength and power to hunt and kill a wolf. The jaws of the dog are large and punishing, the massive shoulders and rear should have good musculature, a dog that is in condition is an impressive sight.

Illustrations portraying the ancient Irish Wolfhound have been found in Greece and Cyprus, where the continental Celts had their home. It is said that they took their dogs with them when they went to Ireland around 1500 B.C. They were as prized as valuable possessions. It is said that King John gave a gift of an Irish wolfhound to the Prince of Wales in the thirteenth century. This dog–Gelert–was immortalized in the poem by William Robert Spencer. Hence the phrase: “King of Dogs and Dog of Kings”, which is a popular slogan of the Irish Wolfhound fancier. These dogs were used by the Irish to hunt wolves, wild boar and deer. It is a historical fact that for over 100 years Ireland has had no wild wolves and this has been attributed to the hunting skill of the Irish Wolfhound.

This is a giant breed and has certain problems associated with its growth and development. They grow very fast and can do damage to their young bones during these growth periods. This same sort of thing can happen to a Newfoundland or a Saint Bernard or any of the Giant breeds which go through accelerated growth spurts. Care must be taken that they are not allowed to play too hard as puppies with dogs that are larger, body slams by the “big boys” can cause serious damage. They are not generally known as a long lived breed, but if care is taken during their rearing they can give many happy years to their owner.

The Irish Wolfhound has a wiry stiff coat and a bearded face with great long jaws . The ears are small, not hanging close to the face as in many hounds. The body should be strong and deep of chest. The dogs are quite tall, with a minimum height of 31 inches for a male and 28 for a female. The dog is longer in the back but the length should come from the rib cage and not the loin. The impression when looking at the dog in profile is one of tremendous “depth” to the body. The front shoulders should have a good “layback” and the rear legs be well angulated, as this will allow for greater freedom of movement and length of stride.

The character of the Irish wolfhound should be stable and docile, this is far too large a dog to allow for any poor temperament. A good disposition is typical of this “gentle giant” and seldom will one find an Irish Wolfhound that is not a perfect gentleman.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to

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Tags: saint bernard

She may not be able to put up with Simon Cowell and his sharp-tongued criticisms on American Idol, but Paula Abdul cannot get enough of her three Chihuahuas- Thumbelina, Tulip and Tinkerbell. There’s no doubt that if there were an American Canine Idol contest for dog breeds, Chihuahuas would receive a solid ’YES’ from Paula when it comes to cuteness, intelligence and hug-ability! When it comes to celebrities, Paula is certainly not alone in her adoration of Chihuahuas.

Marilyn Monroe grew up in Los Angeles. As a child, she had a black and white dog that followed her to school. She named the dog Tippy and played with it during recess. A neighbor shot the dog dead in 1932 claiming that Tippy had repeatedly damaged his garden. After that incident, Marilyn seemed to have cooled to the idea of pet ownership. She shared a spaniel while staying with the Goddard Family in 1940, but didn’t actually adopt her own pet until after she signed with Columbia Pictures about eight years later.

While making movies at Columbia, Marilyn adopted a Chihuahua she named ’Choo Choo’ in 1948. One story says that Marilyn saw a few grips and camera operators playing with a Chihuahua while on a break and instantly fell in love with the Breed. Another version claims that the studio encouraged Marilyn to adopt a tiny puppy for the sake of publicity. It is more likely that she choose the pup for her own reasons.

Marilyn became a bit of a trendsetter by adopting a Chihuahua during a time when glamour dogs like toy and full-sized Poodles were chic. Looking back, it was a terrific move. Movie fans and celebrity watchers began to associate her with a new and innovative group of Starlets. The more Marilyn and her Chihuahua were seen and photographed together in public, the more interest people began to have in her and Chihuahua Dogs. Another sexy blond film goddess soon followed Marilyn’s example.

Jayne Mansfield owned at least two Chihuahuas and was said to have been an animal lover. One of her dogs died in the car accident that took her life in 1967. The following year saw the release of The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield. Perhaps the campiest semi-documentary of all time, this film had four directors and was obviously a vehicle designed to make money off her death. Filled with nude scenes and real life weirdoes, the best actor in the movie was said to have been Jayne’s Chihuahua.

Today, Paris Hilton is the trendsetter when it comes to Chihuahua popularity. While Paula Abdul tends to keep a low profile when she is not judging talent on American Idol, Paris is everywhere and often brings her beloved Tinkerbell along for the wild ride. Tink is one of two beloved Chihuahuas she has adopted (so far). Britney Spears, her friend and latest Club Companion, also owns several Chihuahuas which are said to rule over her west coast mansion.

Paris once told reporters that she was inspired to adopt a Chihuahua after seeing Legally Blond, starring Reese Witherspoon and the unstoppable Bruiser. Film inspired dog adoptions are nothing new. Films like Benji, 101 Dalmatians, Beethoven and As Good As It Gets had moviegoers scrambling to find look-a-likes for themselves or their children. This wasn’t always a good thing for the dogs or breed in question.

Most people who wanted a ‘Benji’ for themselves chose Yorkies, Silkies and Terrier mixes that just love to chew on anything they can find. Contrary to what was portrayed in the film 101 Dalmatians, those who adopted a Dalmatian probably made the unfortunate discovery that this breed can be very temperamental and downright mean with children. Saint Bernard Dogs like Beethoven are just plain BIG and few people have the space for their exercise needs or the messes they make. Jill, who played the Brussels Griffon that took on the very paranoid Melvin Udall character played by Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets, was a well trained Animal Actor. Most of Brussels Griffon dogs are temperamental and not easily house broken. Fortunately, not all movie fans were disappointed with their silver screen inspired pet adoptions.

Those who saw Legally Blond and decided they wanted a Chihuahua were pleasantly surprised. Chi’s are generally sweet animals that do not have a tendency toward destructive behavior and love to be with people. They may well be the easiest of all dog breeds to care for and potty train. These tiny titans are intelligent and have an instinctive desire to please people that adopt them. One of the big advantages to owning a Chihuahua is that they love to go everywhere and are easy to transport because of their size. That suits the lifestyle of most celebrities who always seem to be on the go. It’s no wonder that so many have chosen a Chihuahua as their canine companion.

Anne Heche loves her Chihuahua and has been known to spend big bucks on all kinds of goodies for her pet. It’s been reported that Anne likes to shop at high fashion doggie stores like the pricey Fifi and Romeo which is based in Los Angeles (where else?). The Osbournes, the world’s most famous four-letter word family, also have a thing for Chihuahuas. Ozzie probably appreciates having a small dog breed that hasn’t turned his home into one large litter box as some of their bigger dogs have. Despite all the advantages of Chihuahua ownership, these canines have not always enjoyed the amount of popularity they do now.

Nasty rumors about the use of Chihuahuas in traditional Aztec ceremonies many centuries ago once left a bad taste in the mouths of small dog breed enthusiasts. Many archeologists and historians believed that Chihuahuas were eaten as part of religious ceremonies! Some still believe it. This incorrect interpretation of history was based on notes taken by conquistadors and missionary priests. They failed to understand the symbolic nature of rituals depicted on stone carvings and were likely the victims of native propaganda offered up to make the Aztecs appear even fiercer then they already were. Such stories were probably the result of the outgunned Aztecs attempting to instill fear in an enemy that possessed superior weaponry.

We now know that the Aztecs believed Chihuahuas could be used as spirit guides to help the dead find their way through the underworld. As a result, many were probably killed for the sole purpose of assisting nobles and royalty on their journey through death. They were not eaten! These ideas may have come from religious ceremonies practiced over a thousand years ago by the Toltecs. After their conquest by the Aztecs, Toltec ceremonies and rituals were adopted by their conquerors. However, there is sufficient evidence to prove that many of these rites had already been changed or abandoned by the time the conquistadors arrived.

Montezuma II, the last emperor of the Aztecs, had hundreds of Chihuahuas. Each dog had its own keeper and these animals were given royal protection. The Emperor’s love for the Breed is said to have been handed down to him by several of his predecessors who may have outlawed the killing of Chihuahuas and changed their part in religious ceremonies. By the time the Conquistadors arrived, these dogs were more pets and living good luck charms of the Emperor and Aztec nobility then anything else.

Chihuahuas have always had an almost supernatural appeal to humans. Their ability to warm the hearts of people is legendary. When you add to this the fact that Chihuahuas are the world’s smallest dogs and longest lived, is it any wonder why celebrities like Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, George Lopez, Noah Wylie and others can’t get enough of them? These tiny dogs have also cast a spell on newcomers to the world of the rich and famous.

Generation Next and New Brat Packers like Jordan Pruitt, Hailey Ann Nelson, Hillary Duff, Christina Ricci and members of Simple Plan and Panic!At The Disco have also joined the ranks of Chihuahua enthusiasts. Even Filmmakers and Directors who notoriously hate working with Animal Actors love Chihuahuas. David R. Ellis (Snakes on a Plane) and Robert Luketic (Legally Blond) had nothing but good things to say about their canine pint-sized performers.

Apart from being commercially successful when it comes to Box Office appeal, Chihuahuas are also successful in Commercials. Over the past few years we have seen them helping Advertisers to sell everything from Tacos to Cable Services and there seems to be no end in sight. A few actually appeared in political ads during the last couple of national elections. Is it any wonder that they get Paula Abdul’s vote? And considering all the fighting that goes on among politicians, maybe one should run for office. How does Senator Tinkerbell sound? I wonder where they stand on the Environment? I’ll bet they are in favor of saving trees!

To adopt Chihuahua puppies or more about Chihuahua Dog Breed history, fun facts, health and training tips, visit ArizonaPups.com ArizonaPups.com

Author: Bill Knell
Author’s Email: mailto:billknell@cox.net billknell@cox.net
Terms To Use Article: Permission is granted to use this article for free online or in print. Please add a link to or print my website address: ArizonaPups.com ArizonaPups.com

A native New Yorker, Bill Knell is a guy with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He’s written hundreds of articles that offer advice on a wide variety of subjects and several books. A popular Speaker, Bill Knell presents seminars on a number of topics that entertain, train and teach. A popular radio and television show Guest, you’ve heard Bill on thousands of top-rated shows in all formats and seen him on local, national and international television programs.

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Tags: chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeds, saint bernard, snake

The St. Bernard has a long history of servitude to mankind. Their origins are the Swiss valleys around the centuries old Hospice of St. Bernard, where the original dogs were used as guard dogs and companions for the community of monks living and working within the Hospice.

The Hospice was used as a way stop for travelers crossing the passes that linked the Swiss Alps with Italy. Because of the treacherous snows, wayfarers often became lost or disoriented or tragically died. Eventually some of the monks began to train these large and gentle dogs to go out on missions to save these passers-by. These dogs seemed to posses an inherent desire to seek out and locate the lost and the missing people, and also possessed the kind of coat that not only protected them from the fierce winds but did not cake with snow and ice.

The dogs worked in teams of four. Two would lie down with the victim and keep him warm, one would lick his face to try to keep him alive, and the other would go back to the Hospice to bring back human rescuers. Eventually they became known as the Hospice dogs, and this name was most common until the early 19th century, when they began to be called the Saint Bernard.

The actual origins of the breed are most likely a mingling of the Alpine dogs such as the Tibetan Mastiff and the large Roman war dogs brought to Switzerland by the Romans in the second century A.D. In the year 1350 the likeness of a Saint Bernard was placed on the Swiss Coat-of-Arms.

The typical picture in one’s mind of the Saint Bernard carrying the flask of whisky beneath his chin is not true, this most likely came from a painting of the Landseer Newfoundland done by Sir Edwin Landseer.

The Saint Bernard, like the Newfoundland, has an uncanny instinctive ability to seek out and find humans. This is a strong instinctive desire and those folks who train these dogs for that purpose don’t have a difficult job, since the strong instinct of the breed already pre-disposes the dog for the Search and Rescue function.

The Saint Bernard is gentle and yet protective. They have an imposing look about them, standing at a shoulder height of 25 to 27 inches, and can weigh as much as 200 pounds although the standard calls for an average weight of 150 pounds for an adult male. The body is massive, the coat is short and dense and resistant to cold winds and icy conditions. Their large feet are built to form a “snowshoe” effect in deep snow and their thick fur and loose neck allows for protection of the lungs and chest in cold conditions.

As a family dog they exhibit courage and loyalty, truly their nickname of the “saint” fits the breed well.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to animals-guide.com/ Animals

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Tags: saint bernard

Often dog behavior problems are caused by boredom. Is your dog left alone all day or left alone for hours at a time? Is your dog confined to the backyard rather than allowed in the house?

Most dogs need the companionship of people. They crave interaction with their family members. A dog stuck in the backyard gets very little human companionship. They get bored and they become destructive or constantly break out of the yard and run away

There are also dogs that require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Dog breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds go crazy if they are confined to a small area with no chance to run. Not only do they need plenty of physical exercise, but they need a healthy amount of mental exercise.

Dogs that have behavior problems are often simply dogs that do not get the exercise, companionship or mental stimulation that they need. If your dog sits in the backyard barking all day (or all night), or if he digs up the flowers and chews on the patio furniture, he is simply trying to find ways to fill the hours and hours of loneliness.

What can you do to prevent these behavior problems? Every healthy dog needs some form of exercise every day. Whether you have a Pug, Chihuahua, or Labrador, you need to take him for a walk every day. Exercising relieves built up tension and stress, improves the dog’s temperament, and makes him easier to handle at home. The exercise is also very good for you.

There are some breeds that simply must not be left outdoors year round. Pugs and other similar dog breeds cannot handle cold or warm temperatures. Other dogs, such as Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards, enjoy cold weather but cannot endure hot temperatures.

If you are thinking about getting a dog, keep this in mind. If you cannot put in a dog door for your dog to go in and out during the day while you are gone, then do not get a dog that cannot handle the temperatures in your area.

Also, if the dog is going to sit home alone all day, be sure you can devote some time every morning and evening to taking the dog for a walk. This will help a lot towards alleviating many dog behavior problems.

Besides exercising your dog, you can also provide toys for him to play with during the day. There are toys, such as buster cubes, that dogs find very interesting. A buster cube, among other toys, can keep a dog busy trying to get the treats hidden away inside.

Giving your dog daily exercise and providing toys for him to play with and chew will help a lot in relieving behavior problems. Letting him be inside with the family will help tremendously. And of course, as your dog ages he will naturally calm down as he has less energy that he needs to run off.

Discover great information about dogs, training.christysdogportal.com dog training, breeds.christysdogportal.com dog breeds, and dog care at christysdogportal.com christysdogportal.com, brought to you by two dog enthusiasts. Carol Stack has been working with dogs for more than three decades. Carol and her daughter Christy have created this Web site especially for other dog lovers.

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Tags: chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeds, dog training, healthy dog, loneliness, saint bernard

Dogs are great rescuers. We all know that, but some of them are better at the job than others. What could be nobler than saving lives. Barry, who lived and made history between 1800 and 1814, was one of the greatest rescue dogs the world has ever seen. Barry was a Saint Bernard dog who earned worldwide fame for the brave rescue operations he carried out during his lifetime. His painting by Salvatore Rosa still hangs in a hospice in the Alps of Switzerland.

Saint Benard dogs have such a keen sense of smell that they can smell out people burried deep in the snow. Barry, like other Saint Bernard dogs, was trained by the monks to rescue lost travelers in the Alps. The Bernards, on finding a man to be recued, lie on top of the person and start licking his face to wake him up. Simultaneously they bark out aloud calling the monks for assistance, hearing which the monks would come with a stretcher and warm blankets to keep the person warm. The fellow is then taken to the monastry and is served warm tea and food.

Barry was an expert rescue dog well versed with the rescue drill and amongst his famous rescue adventures there is this famous story about a young boy who was found stranded on an icy ledge, all covered with thick snow under an ongoing, heavy snowfall. It was not possible for any man to climb that icy ledge, but Barry braving all adversity crawled inch by inch to the injured boy. As the drill has it, Barry started licking the boy’s face but the snowfall was too heavy and the ledge too difficult to climb for any monk to reach the boy. So, there was no help coming. The boy, however, woke up due to Barry’s warm licks and wrapped his arms around Barry’s strong neck. The dog pulled him carefully and bravely from the ledge and brought him to safety.

It is just one of the many gallant rescue stories of this great rescuer Saint Bernard. He lived from 1800 to 1814 and saved more than 40 lives in his lifetime.

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, saint bernard