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I was not looking for a new dog when I found Krausser.  Fate, however, sometimes has other plans.  2:00am in the dark and pouring rain, I find myself adopting a baby from an elderly lady (nearly 80) crying in the street.  She had a Rottweiler mix pup in desperate need of a home, and had to find it a home before the other people who lived with her came back.  Couldn’t give this dog to just anyone, and didn’t dare take it to the pound for fear they would just put it to sleep.  (The owner had just shot the pup’s father for attacking him.)  I agreed to at least go see the dog. 

Long story short, I took this pup of very questionable heritage home.  The best possible life he could have had in that place would have been abuse and neglect on the end of a chain.  He was a beautiful pup, Rottie and Husky mix.  (Now lovingly referred to as our “rott’n husky”).  He was huge– we thought he was at least 10-12 weeks old, now know that he was 5-6 weeks old.  He was rather shy and timid for the first few days.  He was very unfamiliar with humans, and I’m certain had never been in a house before.  He ran and hid from those of us on two legs, but greeted the four legged house members with incredible displays of  “back off and leave me alone or I’ll tear you apart!” 

Within a week he had adapted well, no longer threated the big older dogs, came out of hiding and was learning to play.  Not having been raised in contact with other puppies (no littermates?) or any socialized animals at all, we had a big problem with the bite inhibition.  One small nip on the forearm and I found myself in the doctor’s office taking a concoction of antibiotics for a nasty infection, and socializing and “be NICE” became top priorities in his life.

Although he showed a strong tendency to be rough and over-rambuctious, he was quite a sweet pup.  He went everywhere with me outside of work.  We would spend time sitting out in front of stores just so passing people could stop and pet the puppy.  We went to all the community events, and learned to love fireworks.  He was so docile and people-loving that he didn’t mind it at all when a stray toddler flew over and hugged him.  Just the way a big dog needs to behave to be trusted in huge outdoor social events. 

We only had once incident, when he was about six months old and about 60lbs.  I had him on his leash, and he was behaving as wonderful as ever.  Suddenly, from behind, an angry Chiuahua ran up and nipped him in the hind leg.  Of course, his instictive reaction to such a thing was to turn around and eat the little devil.  (Funny, isn’t it, that I know very well that if he hurt that small dog, no matter what the reason, it would be OUR fault, due to the size difference alone.)  So of course, I had no choice but to NOT let him retaliate until the little mutt was under control by his owner.  But he is a dog.  He did not learn that one bad person had one bad Chihuahua.  He learned that “small dogs are evil, and should not be trusted.  Perhaps the world would be better if we just eliminated them…”

I recently had a dog returned to me after several years apart. I remembered her as being a wonderful puppy, always eager to please and quite personable. The older dog I got back was not. She was constantly on the furniture, and refused to move until pulled by the collar. When out in the yard, she came when she felt like it, never when called. She was sullen and distant most of the time. Except for scheduled feeding times, she did little but sleep all day. Being ten years old, I accepted that she was no longer a playful puppy. Other than being a little overweight, she had a clean bill of health.

        Although at first she had seemed happy to return to her childhood home, she slowly drifted back into a state of depression. Unwilling to play at all, she often snapped aggressively at the puppy of the house, who quickly learned to stay away from her. Her former owners were not abusive, although they claimed that over the years she had become increasingly more defiant.

        Since I had obedience trained her as a puppy, I snapped on the leash and put her through her paces. She performed almost flawlessly. Even though she had not been put through a trial since puppyhood, she responded quickly to nearly every command. Then it hit me. She wasn’t responding at all to my voice, but my hand and body signals. I went through the course again, using only words. The poor dog laid down in confusion and refused to move. I tried the course a second time, using only hands. She jumped up happily and obeyed every instruction. She was neither ignoring me nor going senile, the poor dog was deaf!

        Some breeds, such as the Dalmatian, seem to be genetically predisposed to deafness. As a dog’s hearing begins to deteriorate, whether or not due to aging, they begin to focus more and more on sight cues. The canine’s ability to read body language is almost unparalleled. It may be hard to be sure if your dog is responding to your words, “Let’s go for a ride,” or if he is merely reacting to you speaking while seeing you grab the car keys. If your older dog is beginning to show signs of a change in attitude, such as no longer responding when given commands, appearing to ignore people in the house, or even seeming more aggressive when someone comes to the door, you may wish to evaluate your animal’s hearing.

        There is a great deal an owner can do for a deaf dog. The loss of an animal’s hearing doesn’t have to lessen their quality of life, or limit their family involvement. Dogs have an innate desire to please their masters, and even old dogs are willing to learn. Replacing verbal commands with hand signs gives the dog confidence and security. Getting the dog’s attention, of course, is essential. Often times, stomping the floor (which creates a vibration), waving your arm, or throwing a ball can be highly effective. Many people have found the use of a vibrating (NOT SHOCK) collar to be of great benefit, especially when in public or outdoors.

        If you suspect that your dog may have a hearing ailment, you may wish to experiment by calling your dog or jingling the car keys from another room, where the dog can’t see you. You can also try giving commands or making noises from behind. Remember, if a dog is only deaf in one ear, they can hear the noise, and not be sure where it is coming from. Does your dog go to the WRONG person when called? If any signs of hearing loss are present, it’s time to visit your vet for confirmation. There could be a more serious problem, or perhaps something correctable!

        My dog’s hearing loss was termed “acquired,” meaning that there was no disease present, no genetic predisposition, and was most likely age related. It also is most likely progressive, and she will eventually lose what little hearing she has left. I made it a point to use body language more than words to communicate with my older dog, even inventing new signs for common household commands. Once again, she is happy and playful, no longer snapping at the puppy, but playing together instead. Her hearing loss had made her feel isolated from her human pack. Our learning a new “doggy sign language” was the key to teaching an old dog a few new tricks.

Dogs have been touted as being “man’s best friend” for eons, and with good reason. Unlike other domestic animals, the dog contained the DNA to be bred into an incredible variety of subspecies. Humans began breeding dogs to suit their individual tastes and needs, and will continue to do so. There are hundred of recognized breeds available already, and yet new rare breeds still continue to appear. There are currently over 200 rare dog breeds seeking recognition in this country! Some of these breeds are new creations to suit a new modern lifestyle. Others are ancient, and struggling at the edge of extinction.
    Looking for a guard dog? The Akbash, a sheepdog from the Himalayas, is gaining popularity on farms as well as in the city as a prime watchdog. Watch out, though, as this animal won’t do so well in obedience school without a great deal of patience, and is recommended for experienced dog owners! This beautiful dog is well suited to cooler climates. Weighing in at over 100 lbs., this canine needs ample room to run. It should be noted, however, in the wrong hands this animal may be a heavy liability. They can be aggressive towards other animals, including other dogs, which they may view as a threat to their “pack” or family. They are bred for defending homes and livestock from wild predators, and are naturally fearless. They aren’t going to think twice about protecting their territory.
    Interested in something a little smaller? The Japanese Chin is a pet well suited for city life. This toy dog is a mere 8-11 inches tall. Its long silky fur is easy to clean. Being bred for companionship, this little creature is highly alert and social. These tiny dogs are easy to care for and easy to live with. They thrive on social interaction with people. It’s said that once they were so small that the Japanese Imperial Court once kept them in birdcages. It is said that this dog is so sharp, it often seems to know what its owner is thinking, and responds before given a command!
    Another fascinating breed, the New Guinea Singing dog, is now finding its way back from the edge of extinction. Discovered in 1957, it was at first kept in zoos, showcased as a feral dog believed to be related to the jackal. Being declared a subspecies of the domestic dog and related to the dingoes, zoos have lost interest in keeping them. Recent DNA studies show now that this canine is more closely related to coyotes than to other breeds of dogs, or even wolves, accounting for its unusual voice. The New Guinea Singing Dog Conservation Society has adapted these animals, through training and socialization, to be suitable pets for the modern household. They remain an ongoing center for scientific research as well as information about these unusual canines.
    The Alaskan Klee Kai is a new breed, only achieving UKC recognition in 1997, and still awaiting AKC acceptance. Standing between 13-18 inches tall, this dog is a perfect miniature of its Alaska Husky ancestors. In spite of its diminutive exterior, this wonder dog still contains all the energy and playfulness of it’s larger cousins. Originating in Wasilla, Alaska, this handsome creature has begun making its appearance around the country. Being smaller, they are easier to keep than the larger huskies, and are more suited towards urban living. They are still a husky, and require plenty of exercise. It’s not uncommon for the Klee Kai to be shy around strangers, so proper socialization is critical.
    Anyone with an interest in dogs in general owes it to themselves to take a look at some of these lesser-known subspecies. Many do posses traits that make them harder to handle, thus accounting for their lack of popularity. Others, however, are wonderful additions to a family, and are perfectly suited to apartment life. If you’re thinking about purchasing a rare dog, there is also the security of knowing that most breeders are very precise! They will generally interview YOU to determine if you are suited to their particular breed of dog. Most breeders are interested in maintaining the integrity of the breed, and have very high standards regarding show vs. pet quality. As always, one should do their research before choosing a new pet.