Thursday, August 30, 2012

Dog Days Of Summer

I Wish This Container Was A Bit Bigger

New use for a two gallon bucket. The dog does appear to be eyeing the bigger container.

Aww, my paws were killing me

I am just soaking my paws, I will get out in a minute.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Dog Days Of Summer

I Push The Thingy For You

So do you think the dog pushes the button for the little kid to get a drink?  Well of course, a dog is a boy's best friend.

Mine is liver flavored,mmmmmmmmmmm good

How many licks does it take to make a popsicle disappear?  One, two, three,.................

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Dog Days Of Summer

I Get To Hold The Hose Next

These two dogs just finished watering the yard; now it's playtime.

Geronimo!

Don't you wonder how they got the dog in the water park, must be a service animal.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Monday, August 27, 2012

Dog Days Of Summer

Give Me A Double Scoop

You know it has got to be hot when there is an ice cream truck in your neighborhood just for dogs.

I Need A Nap

I am dreaming of a snow day in August; please don't disturb me till it is a lot cooler.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Dog Days Of Summer

Dog On Ice

Here is a new use for your ice chest, keeping your dog cool on ice.

Dog On Water Raft

We have all heard of white water rafting, this is a new sport for dogs backyard pool rafting.

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Raised Feeders For Dogs

I like to use raised feeders for my dogs, gives them easy access to their food and water bowls.  They can really be useful for the older dogs.  I see a variety of raised feeders at pet supply stores and some of them are pretty pricey.  Another downside to many of them is the size of bowl they accomodate; often they are way too small for a big dog. 

You can do it youself; go to your local building supply store and purchase the square or round cement pavers.  They measure about 12 inches and are about 2 inches thick.  The nice thing about using the pavers is you can make them the height you need; they stack nicely on top of one another.  Drill some holes in the top paver and insert a nail or flat topped screw; this hardware will help keep the food bowl in place.



(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Friday, August 24, 2012

Finding A Mentor

If you are interested in owning and or showing a purebred dog; I would suggest finding a mentor.  A mentor is someone with knowledge, experience, and the desire to help others.  A good place to start in your search for a mentor is going to an All-Breed or Specialty Club meeting or dog show.  You would probably have a better opportunity to talk with individuals at a meeting; people are really busy at a dog show. 

A mentor can help guide you with the rules and regulations of dog shows.  They can also help you regarding your dog's potential in the show ring; giving you tips on how to succeed in the ring.  A mentor can give advice on health issues, grooming, purchasing a dog, and even breeding. 

Once you find a mentor, it can turn into a lifelong friendship.  That has been my personal experience and hope you will find success with a mentor as well.


(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Thursday, August 23, 2012

Moscow Watchdog

I hope you have enjoyed the entries on this breed, I am very intrigued by it.  They were first brought to Hungary in 1986 and are being found in more and more countries today.  The Moscow Watchdog was bred to be a watchdog but with a even mannered temperament.  These dogs are intelligent and loyal to their families and handlers. 

Moscow Watchdog Puppy
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Moscow Watchdog

The Moscow Watchdog measures 25 to 27 inches at the withers and weighs from 110 to 150 pounds.  Their coloring is incredibly close to that of a Saint Bernard; red and white with a black mask.  I have also noticed that the muzzle often has several black spots; many seem to have spotting of red, orange, or brown on their legs.  The spotting on the coat probably comes from the Russian Spotted Hound. 

The Moscow Watchdog has a massive head, triangular ears that lie close to the head, with medium sized round eyes.  My observation has been that the ears are a bit smaller than a typical Saint Bernard, also the eyes of a Saint Bernard are diamond in shape.  Some photos I have seen, the muzzle seems to be a bit longer than a Saint Bernard.

It is easy to see how people can mistake a Moscow Watchdog for a Saint Bernard; however if you take a closer look you will see the differences.  The Moscow Watchdog is also much more active than a Saint Bernard. 

Moscow Watchdog

(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Moscow Watchdog

The official Russian name is Moskovskaya Storozhevaya Sobaka.  Sobaka means dog.  This breed is also referred to as Moscow Guard Dog, Moscow Dog, and Russian Watchdog.  This breed was mainly hidden from the public in the early years of its development.  The first breed standard was published in 1985 and granted official status by Russia.  The Federation of Dog Breeders in Russia approved the breed standard in 1992.  Then in 1997 the Russian Kennel Club and the Department of Animal Breeding and Pedigree of the Ministry of Agriculture in Russia approved the breed standard.   The FCI (which is an International Federation of Kennel Clubs) is currently working on having this breed recognized internationally. 

Moscow Watchdog


(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Monday, August 20, 2012

Moscow Watchdog

The Soviet Army's goal in creating the Moscow Watchdog was:
  • Large Breed Dog
  • Ability to handle harsh winter conditions
  • Protection and guarding of military sites
  • Easily trained
  • Loyal
  • Excellent scenting ability
  • Vigorous
The three breeds that were crossbred to create the Moscow Watchdog brought one or more of these traits to the breeding process.  Saint Bernards contributed the following; its excellent scenting ability,even tempered, reliable, ability to handle harsh winters, overall versatile working dog.  The Caucasian Shepherd contributed the following; large and solidly built dog, excellent guarding, and easily trained.  The Russian Spotted Hound contributed the following traits; lean, muscular, vigorous, calm demeanor, and excellent tracking abililities.  The Moscow Watchdog is described as even tempered (like a Saint Bernard), excellent for protection and guarding (like the Caucasian Shepherd), and excellent scenting ability (like the Russian Spotted Hound). 

Caucasian Shepherd

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Sunday, August 19, 2012

Moscow Watchdog

I first became aware of the Moscow Watchdog in 2010; a friend had been in Moscow and actually got to hold and pet a Moscow Watch puppy.  Like most people the first thing you notice is the incredible resemblance to a Saint Bernard.  There is a reason for that and it is in the breeding.

Sometime in the 1940's, development of the Moscow Watchdog began.  The Soviet Army began this endeavor in a military base near the Veshniaki village just outside of Moscow.  The project was headed by biologist and professor, N.A. Iljisin; and Major-General G.N. Medvedev, Bortnikov Nikolai Ivanovich.  It took many years before success was attained by General Gregoriy Pantelenovich Medvedey.  The Moscow Watchdog is the result of cross-breeding of a Saint Bernard, Caucasian Shepherd, and the Russian Spotted Hound.  The first litter was born on July 12, 1949.


Moscow Watch Puppy
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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Moscow Watchdog

The Moscow Watchdog is a unique Russian dog that combines great guarding and watching abilities with the temperament of a pet.  The Moscow Watchdog was developed by the Soviet Union after World War II.  This Soviet bred dog is a large breed dog with a massive head, very muscular powerful body, with a coat that is very thick and of medium length.  The massive head of the Moscow Watchdog has a black mask; the coat colors are mainly white with patches of red, orange, and or brown. 

Moscow Guard Dog
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Friday, August 17, 2012

Dogs On The Titanic

There were around a dozen dogs on board the Titanic.  Only three survived that ill-fated voyage.  One of the surviving dogs was a Pekinese named Sun Yat Sen; owned by Henry Harper.  The other dog that survived was a Pomeranian, named Lady; owned by Margaret Hayes; and the third dog was also a Pomeranian; owned by Elizabeth Barrett Rothschild  A dog show had been planned on the Titanic for the first class passengers but the ship sank before it was held.

Sun Yat Sen

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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Canary Islands And Dogs

The original inhabitants of the Canary Island worshipped and mummified dogs; they treated dogs as holy animals.  There are theories that suggest the islands were linked to Egyptians; in particular the dog-headed god, Anubis.  It should be noted that hard evidence to prove this theory has not been found.  The Latin word for dog is canis; one of the islands is named Insula Canaria or Island of Dogs.  The symbol for the Canary Islands is two collared dogs holding up a shield.


(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Thursday, August 9, 2012

Otto Eerelman

Otto Eerelman was a Dutch painter; many of his paintings are of horses or dogs.  He was born in Groningen, Holland on March 23, 1839 and died in Groningen as well on October 3, 1926. 


(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Sunday, August 5, 2012

Edmund Henry Osthaus

Edmund Henry Osthaus was another well known painter; he is well known for his paintings depicting dogs from the sporting breeds.  He was born in Hildesheim, Germany in 1858.  Many commented on his skill of portraying the sporting breed as they actually looked in the field.  Edmund Henry Osthaus died in Florida in 1928.  The Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, Tennessee; is home to many of his paintings.  There are a few paintings of Saint Bernards done by Edmund Henry Osthaus.



(provided by Brandykegs Saint Bernards)
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Saturday, August 4, 2012