Search Results for: blog the problem with show dog science

Baby Blog Month in Review: July 2008

Two of my three children are summer babies. That is, they were born in the summer and had their first months surrounded by sunshine streaming in the windows, the sound of birds chirping, and days spent wearing nothing but a diaper and a “onsie.” I made sure that they had Fourth of July outfits ready, even though one of them arrived a week after the holiday. I guess he just wasn’t interested in the parade. Do you have a summer baby, too? We had a lot of new information to share this past month, such as recall notices and new … Continue reading →

“A Dog is Not a Barbie Doll.” (and Other “Greatest” Quotes)

Recently I wrote about how I’m loving the new reality show “The Greatest American Dog.” One of the reasons I find it so endearing is because of the people. Both the dog owners and the judges. I‘ve only watched one episode (the second, because I missed the first), but that one episode spoke volumes about the experience of being a dog owner and dog lover. There were three quotes in particular that really grabbed me. Quote #1 “She’s not a pet, she’s a companion.” Bill about his dog Star. That one isn’t word for word, but it’s the general idea. … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for February 11-17

Are you wondering what Aimee and I wrote about last week because other matters kept you away from the Pets Blog? If so, you came to the right place. Here’s what we covered on: Monday, February 11 The problem with show dog science is that it’s created a lot of genetic defects which leads to both physical and mental disorders for purebred pets. What’s a girl and her two dogs to do when they finally get a nice day to go outside? Head to dog park of course. But Aimee and her crew came home with souvenirs: mud socks! Tuesday, … Continue reading →

Dog Show Lingo

Have you been watching the dog shows lately? Maybe you saw the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship during Super Bowl weekend. Maybe you watched the famous Westminster Kennel Club Show this week. Dog shows — like any kind of competition — come with their own special lingo. Talking about the dogs: Angulation: the angles created at the joints. Gait: the way a dog moves. This is a good indicator of structure and body condition. Pedigree: a written record of a dog’s family tree. Traces the line back three generations or more. Soundness: mental and physical well-being. Handlers and handling: Baiting: using a … Continue reading →

Dog Shows For Beginners

After all the talk lately in the Pets Blog about dog shows, you may be interested in getting your dog involved! Here are some things you might want to know: To compete in an American Kennel Club (AKC) dog show, your dog has to be a registered purebred. Other shows may not require a pedigree and papers. Know the rules before you apply! There are different types of dog show: all breed shows (where more than 150 different breeds compete; this is the kind of dog show you see on TV), specialty shows restricted to certain breeds, and group shows … Continue reading →

The Problem with Show Dog Science

I’ve long known certain dogs were specifically bred with others to get desired traits, but I hadn’t realized how far back it had all started. Which is pretty remarkable considering science hasn’t always been as advanced as it is now. A few months back I caught part of an episode called “Science of a Dog” on the National Geographic Channel which addressed the topic in depth. It was about how certain breeds have come to be, why, and where they go from here. Because for some breeds their health-future isn’t too bright. That was a really sad part of the … Continue reading →

Dog Days of Summer: More Pet Deals

Last month I told you about a circular I received in the mail from PetSmart advertising their $5 Gift Days promotion. Well, I received another one from them the other day. There are new items that qualify for the coupon now, and many of them also have additional (immediate) savings if you use a PetPerks savings card. Deals end August 19. $5 Coupon Items • Iams Dog Food, 40 lb. bag, all varieties. ($4 instant PetPerks savings) • Iams Cat Food, 20 lb. bag, all varieties. ($4 instant PetPerks savings) • Purina ONE Dog Food, 37.5 lb. bag, all varieties. … Continue reading →

Are Autism Rates on the Rise?

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Some new federal data shows that there has been an increase in the number of children who have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. These new figures were released on March 30, 2012. There have been some questions about how the original data that was used in this research was collected. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have released new figures that appear to say that autism is on the rise. Their data shows that, in 2008, 1 out of 88 kids in the United States had autism, or an autism spectrum disorder. In 2006, the number was 1 … Continue reading →

Consumer Group Wants Dyes Banned

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I remember in the ‘70s when some consumer advocate groups wanted Red Dye No. 2 used in hot dogs and other foods to be banned because many feared it caused cancer. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eventually banned it. Now, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) is hoping the FDA will ban the Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 dyes because research has shown these contain carcinogens and contaminants that could cause cancer, allergic reactions, and hyperactivity in children. CSPI Executive Director Michael Jacobson said, “These synthetic chemicals do absolutely nothing to improve the nutritional … Continue reading →

The Dangers of Pet Fads

When I saw “101 Dalmatians” for the first time as a kid, I loved it so much I just had to redecorate accordingly. I had two separate designs of “101 Dalmatians” bed sheets, a huge poster, a table lamp, and stuffed toys adorning my bed. But the one thing I didn’t have was an actual Dalmatian dog. No matter how much I begged my parents for one, they didn’t give in. They didn’t want to take care of a dog, so they weren’t going to bend to my whim. Unfortunately, many other parents did, either to that of their children … Continue reading →