Congratulations to GCH CH Steele Your Heart, the Wire Fox Terrier who took top dog at the 2011 National Dog Show!

One of my favorite days of the year is Thanksgiving, and here is why... The National Dog Show!!!! 

Featuring over 3,000 dogs in 150 different breeds, the National Dog Show has become a part of the Thanksgiving Day tradition and this year 50 of the top contenders were spotlighted. 

The National Dog Show Presented by Purina celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2011.

Dogs are judged in groups such as Toy, Herding, Non-Sporting, Terrier, Sporting, Hound and Working, all leading up to picking the top dog as "Best in Show."

According to the AKC, the goal of dog shows is to evaluate breeding stock in order to find the best dogs who can produce the next generation of purebreds. The judges evaluate teeth, muscles, bones and coat texture, as well as view each dog in profile to assess overall balance and see how the features fit together in action.  Judges then give awards according to how closely each contender compares to the mental image of the "perfect" dog described in the breed's official standard, including specifications for structure, temperament and movement.

Last year, all eyes and ears were on Sadie, a Scottish Terrier who took home the top honor of Best in Show.

Group	2011 National Dog Show Finalist. Breed	Finalist
Toy Group	Affenpinsh	GCH CH Banana Joe V Tani Kazari
Hound Group	Whippet	GCH CH Starline's Chanel
Herding Group	Australian Shepherd	GCH CH Propwash Reckon
Terrier Group	Wire Fox Terrier	GCH CH Steele Your Heart
Non-Sporting Group	Dalmation	GCH CH Spotlight's Ruffian
Sporting Group	English Springer Spaniel	GCH CH Cerise Tender Is The Night
Working Group	Bernese Mountain Dog	GCH CH Blumoon's Tanzenite v Blackrock

                                                                     And Best in Show was.....

Terrier Group

Wire Fox Terrier

GCH CH Steele Your Heart

Two of the Wire Fox Terriers' most distinctive traits are their enormous amount of energy and intelligence. They have a low threshold for boredom and require stimulation, exercise and attention.

The Wire Fox Terrier should be alert, quick and ready to respond swiftly with enthusiasm. However they should also be friendly, communicative and exceedingly playful if they receive the proper care and exercise. Bred to be independent thinkers, they are capable of tactical maneuvering for vermin and other sport. Their stamina, energy and level of intelligence is unusually high. But before being seduced by these clever antics and independent ways, prospective owners should attempt to understand the breed's willful nature. 

What was your favorite breed from each group and who did you think was going to win best in show?

Great Dane ~ The Gentle Giant

This week I am going to highlight the Great Dane.  They are Avery's favorite dog and I have to say, I love them too!

They are also know as the woulds biggest lap dog!  They love to love!

Great Danes are people dogs. They don't do well if left outside or if they aren't an integral part of their human's lives. They are among the most loyal of dog breeds and absolutely adore their humans. And all they want -need- in return, is to be loved back.

The Great Dane is not the heaviest of dogs -mastiffs are generally heavier.

Gibson, a Harlequin Great Dane, is certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest living dog at 42.2 inches. Standing on his hind legs, the 170-pound dog is over 7 feet tall.

But Danes have a very distinctive anatomy and it is a wonderful blend of size, muscle and bearing that make the Great Dane the "dog of dogs".

The smooth short-haired coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush and dry shampoo when necessary. Bathing this giant is a major chore, so it pays to avoid the need by daily grooming. The nails must be kept trimmed. This breed is an average shedder.

Known as the "gentle giant" and the "king of dogs," the Great Dane was originally bred as a hunting dog but is now bred as an exceptionally large companion dog. And he makes a good one. He is a gentle, friendly, docile, peaceful, and a really, really big dog.

He is exceptionally devoted to his owners, especially children. However, a six-month-old Great Dane puppy will outweigh a six-year-old child, so parents must be cautious that no one gets accidentally squashed. But the Great Dane is people-oriented and committed to pleasing them. They are playful, and will need to be walked daily, but their exercise needs are only moderate. They also love to nap with you, and will take over your couch.

They might also go steal some food off the countertop before you wake up. They make good watchdogs, and are often reserved towards strangers, but in general, they don't bark much.
They get along well with other animals. They are trainable and do well in the competition ring. They are also quick to housetrain. 

So, if you are looking for a dog that honestly believes he is a part of the family ... if you are looking for a gentle giant to have in your home ... who will be able to sit and look you in the eye at the dinner table ... if you are looking for a peaceful, devoted companion who loves his family and home, then the Great Dane might be for you.

Here are some well-known people who have owned Great Danes:

Brad Anderson, author, comic strip ‘Marmaduke’
Mario Andretti, Indianapolis 500-winning race car driver
Otto von Bismarck, German chancellor: Odin and several others
Sid Caesar, TV comedian: Julius (obviously)
Roger Caras, author of animal books
Wilt Chamberlain, basketball star: had several
Mike Douglas, TV talk show host: (also) Duke
Faisal, king of Saudi Arabia
Kelsey Grammer, actor
Maxwell Knight, author: Lorna
Olivia Newton-John, singer: Zargon
Greg Louganis, Olympic gold medalist in diving: Freeway and several others
Alexander Pope, English Poet: Bounce
Franklin D. Roosevelt, US prez: President (what a suitable name)
Willaim Shatner, actor

Funny Fotos... What's Happening Here?!

                              What‘s Happening Here?  We want to hear from you!

Hi Lil’ Dog Whisperer Readers!  I have recently decided to start a new column called "What's Happening Here?!"

I would love to hear from you what you think happned before, during or after this photo.  Just leave a comment with your thoughts.  Here is my first picture:

I think the dogs wanted to get the burgers before the cat!

I hope that you like this post and I can’t wait to hear from you in the comments!

WELCOME TO THE LIL' DOG WHISPERER

Hello Dog Lovers ~

Welcome to the Lil' Dog Whisperer, the site for anything DOG!  I have always been passionate about dogs and everything about them! I think that they are one of the most amazing animals in the world!  That is why I started this blog.  I am going to write about everything dog, all about dog breeds, the latest dog trends, ego friendly dog supplies and more!  I also write a column for a newspaper called Beach Pups and it's all about dog breeds and dogs I have met along the way.  And I meet lots of dogs of all breeds every day!  I will post the articles I write for the newspaper every week on this blog.  I live in the Pacific Northwest, and it is a HUGE animal, especially dog loving area!  I have two dogs and it's important for me to learn what is best for them!  If you have any story, feel free to send me a post on anything dog to lildogwhisperer@gmail.com and I will post it on the blog!  I would love to see photos of your dogs, funny stories, jokes, you name it!  

I hope you enjoy, @raya

Bella the Beach Bulldog

Short and mighty, strong and brave, the English Bulldog!  I have always loved English Bulldogs!

One day when I was on the beach, I met a Bulldog named Bella.  She is a two-year-old brindle English Bulldog and has a great personality.  When I asked her owners for a funny story, here is what they told me:

Funny stories? How about every day???

Bella is the only bulldog I know that LOVES the water. Last summer when she was 1 year old, she went on a 1-week river-rafting trip. She hunkered down and rode out class 4 rapids with the best of the retrievers on the river. She collected a lot of admiring attention as all the river folks she met that week on the lower salmon river of Idaho NEVER saw a bulldog on the river...especially one that was willing to sport a life preserver!!!

With their courageous personality and brave hearts, the English Bulldog was bred to be fierce fighters, but are now loving family pets. 

One of the things that make them most endearing is their wrinkly face.  Even the puppies have wrinkles.  They also have loose skin around the neck and shoulders.  Although the wrinkles make this breed extra cute, it is important for their health to clean their wrinkles often to prevent any infection.

Grooming your Bulldog is very easy, but even though the Bulldog's hair is short, they will shed.  So brushing them often will keep his/her hair off the floor and couch.  And brushing any dog will keep their skin and coat healthy.

Not to be confused, the American Bulldog and the French Bulldog are not classified under this breed. These are different and totally distinct breeds.

Fun Facts: Adam Sandler has had three Bulldogs named Matzoball, Meatball and Babu.

From fierce fighters to loving pets, the Bulldog is a brave and loving breed.

Welcome to Lil' Dog Whisperer

Hello Dog Lovers ~

Welcome to the Lil' Dog Whisperer, the site for anything DOG!  I have always been passionate about dogs and everything about them! I think that they are one of the most amazing animals in the world!  That is why I started this blog.  I am going to write about everything dog, all about dog breeds, the latest dog trends, ego friendly dog supplies and more!  I also write a column for a newspaper called Beach Pups and it's all about dog breeds and dogs I have met along the way.  And I meet lots of dogs of all breeds every day!  I will post the articles I write for the newspaper every week on this blog.  I live in the Pacific Northwest, and it is a HUGE animal, especially dog loving area!  I have two dogs and it's important for me to learn what is best for them!  If you have any story, feel free to send me a post on anything dog to lildogwhisperer@gmail.com and I will post it on the blog!  I would love to see photos of your dogs, funny stories, jokes, you name it!  

I hope you enjoy, @raya