Euro Puppy BLOG

Mountain Cur: Old Yeller from the Book and Movie: Old Yeller (1957)

Old Yeller is a 1956 book by Fred Gipson and the title is taken from the name of the fictional Mountain Cur dog who is a main character in the book. In 1957 the story was made into a film. The story takes place in the late 1860s. The Coates family is extremely poor, having only confederate money after the war, and when the father and all the other men in nearby homes must leave on a cattle drive, Travis, the son is left as the man of the house. Soon afterwards, a yellow dog shows itself, and generally causes havoc. The dog becomes known as "Old Yeller" and stays on in the family. After a while Travis begins to love Old Yeller and the dog has a profound effect on the boy's life. Old Yeller is found to have distemper and has to be killed in order to prevent the disease from spreading.

The Mountain Cur is a type of working dog used for trailing game; mainly squirrel and raccoon, but also large game. It is a member of the Hound group and is one of several varieties of cur. They can also be used as water dogs. Mainly bred in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, it has been registered with the United Kennel Club since 1998. The Mountain Cur Breeder's Association was formed in 1957: in the year the story was made into a film.

There cannot be too many airlines in the world which dabble in dog breeding. Well, the Russian Aeroflot Airlines has its very own dog breeding centre, and a new dog breed has been developed by them for the sole purpose of having a drug and bomb-sniffing hound at the Moscow Airport.

So what is this new breed like? They are a unique breed - a cross between a Siberian Husky and a Turkmen Jackal. Before you lift your eyebrows in shock, it is worth mentioning that this rather unique combination took 27 years to perfect and the result is amazing! The Russian Aeroflot claims it has managed to produce the world's greatest sniffer dog, by combining the genes of a Husky with a Jackal. Their breeders claim that they are much more effective than the Labradors or German Shepherds that are more commonly used in the West.

At first sight, they look much like a normal Husky, although they are a bit smaller and have a Jackal's thick black whiskers. The Husky and Turkmen Jackal were picked for the breeding project because of their extremely keen noses. The former has evolved to sniff out the faintest odors in Arctic conditions when the deep cold suppresses smells, while the jackal has a nose more sensitive than its cousin, the domestic dog. Siberian Huskies are known for their obedience, while pure Jackals make poor working dogs. They are too afraid of people and are hard to train and domesticate. They hail from the warmer climates of central Asia and suffer in the Russian winter.



According to Aeroflot’s chief dog breeder, Klim Sulimov: “The best thing about these dogs is their sense of smell. They can sniff out certain explosives which ordinary machines can't trace. And they're much cheaper. My dogs combine the qualities of Arctic reindeer herding dogs, which can work in temperatures as low as -70C, and Jackals which enjoy the heat up to +40C. They're perfect for our country”.

Aeroflot says breeding super sniffer dogs has become a necessity. The rise of terrorism made all airlines look more tightly at security issues. Aeroflot, however, believes the dogs will eventually pay their way and is even planning to market them worldwide. There is already a great interest from other airlines for this new breed. Each of the dogs is worth about $5,000. So far, 40 of the dogs have been bred. Thirty are working at Moscow's Sheremetyevo-2 international airport. A name for the new breed has yet to be chosen, although Huscal and Jacky have, apparently, been ruled out.

It may be unusual for an airline to breed its own sniffer dogs, but with Russia fearing attacks from Chechen militants and al-Qaeda, anything which helps passengers feel safer in the air must be worth the expense.

Euro Puppy would like to wish every customer and dog lover a very Happy and Peaceful Easter! Please don't give a chocolate bunny to you furry friend, since ingesting chocolate can be fatal for dogs!

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Dog Lamp: This lamp is the pinnacle in animal-shaped, touch-based lighting technology. Behold, the Man’s Best Friend Light! This bad boy has four legs, features a light bulb, and the ability to be turned on and off by tapping it on the head. It also, apparently, dims when you run your hand from one side of the sensor to the other. If you can save up $150, you can have a dog-shaped lamp companion in your house, while singing to the tune of Eifel 65's "Blue" ( dabadidada... )

Many animals eat poop on a regular basis. These include rabbits, rodents, gorillas, many insects such as dung beetles and flies, and yes...even dogs. (Keep that in mind the next time a dog wants to lick you!) Herbivores such as rabbits and rodents eat their own poop because their diet of plants is hard to digest efficiently, and they have to make two passes at it to get everything out of the meal. This is equivalent to a cow chewing its cud, only cows are able to re-eat their food without having to poop it out first. Another reason why animals eat poop is that poop contains vitamins produced by their intestinal bacteria. The animal is unable to absorb the vitamins through the intestinal wall, but can get at them by eating the poop. Poop also contains a certain amount of protein.

A dog’s guts have a powerful immune response to bacteria. The modern dog’s diet can be so sterile that they may even seek out bacteria in order to address the balance and keep their immune system working effectively. So, it is important to point out that your dog will not suffer many ill effects as a result of eating poop; at least not in the way that humans would. Dogs are particularly fond of cat poop because cat poop is high in protein. So don’t be surprised – as an owner of a cat and a dog - if you never have to clean the kitty litter!

South Africa's Diamond of Canines ...the Boerboel..

Starring: Madala: ( Zulu for "old" )

• When the old dog barks it is time to watch. - Latin Proverb

The beauty of a Siberian Husky has captured the hearts of many dog lovers. Those light eyes, and dense coats make them winners any way you look at it. Belonging to the Spitz group, one would never think of them as guard dogs. While leaving those tasks to the Mastiffs, it is undeniable that there is a strong working backbone in the history of the Siberian Husky as well. Having herded Reindeer for over 3000 years, while surviving the harshest of Siberian winters, this is a hardy breed. It is thus not surprising that they are one of the healthiest of dog breeds as well. Over time, the Siberian Husky has developed a strong sense of gentleness and devotion, that makes them loved even more. The Inuit tribes who used this breed for utilitarian and survival needs trained them to pull heavy sledges for great distances over frozen tundra. They are definite survivors.

So with this strong sense of devotion, hardy nature, intelligence and trainability, why can’t they excel at being guide dogs as well? Well they can indeed! Euro Puppy is not new to guide dogs, since we ourselves proudly offer fully-trained Labradors as guide dogs. So it was only natural for us to find it fascinating to think of training a Siberian Husky puppy to be a guide dog as well. We all know Labradors make great guide dogs. That is an undeniable fact. But what traits do Siberian Huskies have, that make them ideal guide dogs and assistance dogs as well?



Well, for one, Siberian Huskies are good with children and it is an important factor when considering having a dog that meets people along the way and is not aggressive or intimidating. They fair well in extreme weather, and this makes them ideal guide dogs for vision-impaired people living in colder climates- like Canada- where Labradors, would just get too cold. Their boundless energy means that they can carry on with tasks untiringly. The fact that they are a healthy breed makes it also ideal. Their hardiness is an important factor, when one thinks of investing in a dog, for many years to come. What about size? Well, Huskies are the right size to fit into tight places, like under tables and are ideal for public transportation as well; sitting next to their owners, when the need arises.

On top of this; Siberian Huskies are extremely intelligent and independent as well, which are both qualities you need in a guide or service dog. According to Kim, a Siberian Husky owner and guide dog trainer: “They need to be able to make up their own minds and be able to learn difficult things like “intelligent disobedience” where if the handler gives the dog a command and it would be dangerous to do it, the dog disobeys. I kept reading about how “stubborn” huskies are, but whenever I read that I was thinking “it’s perfect”! I’m not looking for a dog that will do everything I say without thinking about it!”

Kim is a proud owner of Keisha: a black and white Siberian Husky that is growing into a grand representative of this awesome breed. Led by Kim’s persistent hand and loving voice, Keisha is already mastering commands and will take on learning and mastering guiding tasks and service tasks as well. At Euro Puppy, we will keenly watch the developments of Keisha, who interestingly enough has a name that doesn’t differ much from the other (lesser-) known name for a Siberian Husky: Keshia.

"If you don't mind throwing tennis balls for eternity, I do have an opening in doggie heaven." - Frank and Ernest comic strip - an angel at St. Peter's gate, to a man seeking admittance.

This interesting documentary highlights the unbelievable character and protective streak of the "Beast from the East": The Caucasian Mountain Dog.



Euro Puppy is proud to offer Caucasian Mountain Dog puppies for sale to dog lovers, who have experience in raising, training, socialising and loving large protective dog breeds. This breed is not for everyone. Only serious and experienced dog lovers can truly understand this rare, bad-ass, gorgeous and phenomenally misunderstood breed.

For more information on Caucasian Mountain Dog puppies for sale, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to give advice.

Any serious dog lover is at home with the term “Schutzhund”. But those dog lovers who are proud owners or fans of the German Shepherd Dog can vouch for the fact that Schutzhund is an imperative part of dog training and socialization.

Schutzhund, which is a German term meaning: "protection dog", tests a dog’s desire to work, his courage, his intelligence, his trainability, his bond to the handler, his perseverance and his protective instincts. Dogs that pass Schutzhund tests should be suitable for police work, specific odor detection, search and rescue, and many other tasks. The purpose of Schutzhund is undeniable when used with German Shepherd Dogs, since it also identifies those representatives of the breed that have the perfect character traits required for these demanding jobs.

It is not surprising that police worldwide use Schutzhund with German Shepherd Dogs, to see if the dogs they have chosen can excel at these very demanding tasks. Interestingly enough, most police departments do not allow their working dogs to breed. This is also true of many other organizations that use working dogs. The breeding stock for these working dogs is Schutzhund dogs. Without Schutzhund, the working ability of German Shepherd Dogs and other working breeds would quickly deteriorate and it would be difficult to find suitable dogs for police work, bomb detection, or search and rescue.



Although Schutzhund started with the German Shepherd Dog, many breeds can compete in Schutzhund today. Most common breeds today to participate in Schutzhund include German Shepherd Dogs, Belgian Malinois, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Giant Schnauzers, Bouvier des Flandres, Dutch Shepherd Dogs and American Bulldogs.

There are many conscientious dog lovers who also do Schutzhund for fun, but they also know that they are giving back to society by developing the next generation of working dogs. This is commendable, since it is not an easy task. Some may be professional dog trainers; while some make it a vocation and a hobby to better themselves and their German Shepherd Dogs. By learning about Schutzhund; owners can educate and train their German Shepherd Dogs to develop a keen interest in their environment while helping them become better working dogs as well.

One can learn from books, from the internet, from fellow German Shepherd fans and from practice once you get your perfect German Shepherd Puppy. To quote Martin, who is also a loving owner and trainer of two German Shepherd Dogs: "There’s a huge difference between the way you raise a pet vs. a working dog!". Although some of these techniques may differ from conventional obedience lessons, if you are an owner of a German Shepherd or any other hot-blooded working dog, there is no way you can go wrong with Schutzhund!

Labrador Retriever: "Moreover", from the Movie: The Biscuit Eater (1972)

The Biscuit Eater is a film made by Walt Disney Pictures in 1972 . It is the last 'One Boy and his Animal' themed movie made by Disney, as this subgenre would eventually grow out of fashion. The story revolves around a Labrador Retriever named Moreover who has a strong relationship with a red-headed boy, despite his mishaps. Moreover is given to a gas station clerk, but Lonnie and his best friend Text regain possession of the dog. They train Moreover to be a prize-winning bird retriever, entering him in a competition. The 1972 film is a remake of a 1940 film.

Every week Euro Puppy portrays 2 dog lamps. Is one wacky and the other one tacky? Are both wacky? Or both tacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs about them, we would love your comments...are they wacky or tacky? Enjoy....

Dog Lamp # 1: These Tiffany Candle Dog Lamps are the creations of Mountain Stained Glass. They can design a lamp based on any dog photo you give them. They are 10 inches tall each and have an Oak base.




Dog Lamp # 2: This Farm Friends Dog and Paws Lamp is a cute addition to any child's room. It is a fun and functional accent lamp that has hand-painted details and a metal socket pole.

If you come across stunning or artistic photos of Weimaraner dogs, chances are they are the works of the contemporary artist called William Wegman. Whatever your beliefs about Weimaraners, you cannot deny, that his photos are comical, and emotive. Many a time his Weims are dressed in tuxedos, baseball uniforms or even wedding gowns. For the sake of art it is amazing and can leave one wanting to see more of his awesome work (especially if you love a good combination of art, photography and dogs). I have been a fan of his for some time now, and feel he captures the surreal and funny side of that which is soooooo uncanine-like.

For all his genius, it was interesting for me to come across this statement, by someone who is very much against his art:

" I hope Wegman stays with his non-Weimaraner art. Wegman has HARMED this breed by making them a popular "fad" dog. People get one and THEN find out they are NOT easy dogs to own and required LOTS of exercise, time and attention. Thousands of Weims have been dumped on shelters and abandoned (and killed) by people who saw Wegman's photos and ran out and got a Weim. Weimaraners are not calm unless you give them hours of exercise or they are old."

Every coin has two sides. Thank goodness not everyone likes the same thing. It would be a boring world if everyone did. The same can be assumed about the Dalmatians. The "101 Dalmatians" created a stereotype about this breed, but in actual fact, they are also nervous dogs that need lots of exercise to be as calm and collected as the cartoon portrayed them to be.

Ultimately "To err is human; to forgive is canine." Please watch the two videos below and tell me your thoughts. I would love to hear your beliefs...If you are a proud owner of a Weimaraner and KNOW what this dog is like, would you say that art has indeed created a fad about this breed? Or no harm has been done and it remains comical and surreal to look at William Wegman's Weimaraner art which morphs that which is canine with that which is human?

1. A dog's parents will never visit you.
2. A dog loves you when you leave your clothes on the floor.
3. A dog limits its time in the bathroom to a quick drink.
4. A dog never expects you to telephone.
5. A dog will not get mad at you if you forget its birthday.
6. A dog does not care about the previous dogs in your life.
7. A dog does not get mad at you if you pet another dog.
8. A dog never expects flowers on Valentine's Day.
9. The later you arrive, the happier a dog is to see you....
10. A dog does not shop.

This has to be shared! Although I am a gal, I still find it funny. I came upon it , while reading another puppy blog, called "Miniature Yorshire Terrier" Blog. I do hope they won't mind me quoting them, but this is just too cute.

Nature rewarded me with a love for dogs and an allergy for cats. Had it been the other way around, I might not be writing this article right now. Yet, although I steer clear of cats – for mostly this reason- I would find it unbearable if I were allergic to dogs. Yet some people are not so lucky, since they are allergic to dogs as well. For those dog lovers out there who suffer from allergies, upon high-fiving a doggy-paw, there really is a cure. A cure? Well…..apart from the anti-histamine tablets and nose-drops to alleviate post-nasal drip, the trick really lies in finding the right dog - and more correctly, the right dog breed - for you.

What are the reactions that cause humans to suffer from allergies? The allergic response is triggered when our immune system reacts to a perceived threat. Some people have a bad reaction to dander (flaky dead skin cells), saliva or secretion from the sebaceous glands of their dogs. Allergy sufferers can also react to the dust, pollen and dirt that gets caught up and spread around by their dogs.

So what is a hypoallergenic dog breed? Well, hypoallergenic dog breeds, are those breeds that are considered the most suitable for those who suffer from allergies. Although they do produce some dander, the amount is so small that very few people experience allergy symptoms when in contact with these breeds. Hypoallergenic dog breeds are usually single-coated, non-shedding (or low-shedding), generally smaller dogs, those dogs that retain the dander due to their curly coat, or are naked!

A list below shows those breeds that are best suited for allergy sufferers. If you have your sights set on another breed, then the best test to determine whether your allergies will be affected, is to spend 20 minutes in a closed off and confined area with the dog. Cars tend to work well for this. This is a simple test which can save the owner from heartbreak in the future.

However, do bear in mind, that no dog is completely 100% hypoallergenic. The ones below only have a much lower dander producing and shedding activity than the other 100 or so breeds and are thus recommended.

• Airedale Terrier
• American Hairless Terrier
• Barbet (a.k.a: French Water Dog)
• Basenji
• Bedlington Terrier
• Bergamasco (a.ka: Italian Shepherd Dog)
• Bichon Frisé
• Bolognese
• Border Terrier
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Cairn Terrier
• Chacy Ranior
• Chinese Crested
• Coton De Tulear
• Dandie Dinmont Terrier
• Fox Terrier (Wire)
• Greyhound
• Havanese
• Hungarian Vizsla
• Komondor
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Italian Greyhound
• Kerry Blue Terrier
• Lagotto Romagnolo
• Maltese
• Miniature Poodle
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Peruvian Inca Orchid
• Portuguese Water Dog
• Puli
• Samoyed
• Scottish Terrier
• Shih Tzu
• Silky Terrier
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
• Spanish Water Dog
• Standard Poodle
• Standard Schnauzer
• Tibetan Terrier
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Toy Poodle
• Welsh Terrier
• West Highland White Terrier
• Wirehaired Dachshund
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Xoloitzcuintle

It seems God does indeed work in mysterious ways, since he realized that to create hypoallergenic dog breeds would be like designing sugar-free chocolate for diabetics. At Euro Puppy, we are proud to help dog lovers, who also happen to be allergy sufferers by offering “allergy-friendly”, hypoallergenic puppies for sale. If you suffer from allergies, take a moment – between popping that antihistamine tablet- and wander through our breed infos. If you happen to be an allergy sufferer and a dog lover at that, we are here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

A FAITHFUL DOG

A Faithful Dog Will Play With You
And Laugh With You -Or Cry-
He'll Gladly Starve To Stay With You
Nor Ever Reason Why,
And When You're Feeling Out Of Sorts
Somehow He'll Understand
He'll Watch You With His Shining Eyes
And Try To Lick Your Hand.
His Blind, Implicit Faith In You
Is Matched By His Great Love -
The Kind That All Of Us Should Have
In The Master, Up Above.
When Everything Is Said And Done
I Guess This Isn't Odd
For When You Spell "Dog" Backwards
You Get The Name Of God.

- Anonymous

We have all heard about the Chinese horoscopes that assign animals to your year of bith! Well interestingly enough, some canine affirmative discrimination is going on in a Chinese company since they only want to emply "dog' staff".

A Chinese human resources company has announced it would like its new staff to include plenty of "dogs". Jilin Jiangshan Human Resources Development Company, in its recruitment advertisement, invited only people born in the Year of the Dog to apply. A personnel manager for the company said those born in that particular Chinese astrological year tended to demonstrate qualities such as loyalty. Chinese law forbids discrimination in employment but is vague in its terms, so it seems dogs are favored nevertheless.

"We believe that people born in dog years are born with some good characteristics such as loyalty and honesty," Mr Dong, personnel manager and himself a dog, told The Associated Press. "As a human resource company, those characters are exactly what we need," he said.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, people born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people, show confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric as well. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit.

So which of us would fair well in China, when looking for a job? According to the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Dog begins at the end of January, 2006. Those born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 and 1994 were all born to this astrological sign.

I have to stay at my current job is seems, since I was sadly born in the Year of the Monkey.....But hey, I can at least say I am the erratic genius of the cyle according to the Chinese zodiac, so all is not lost! < grin >

• "You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, `My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry

• A dog that steals, sells its body. - Kenyan (Luyia, West Kenya) Proverb

Jack Russell: Eddie from Frasier, the Comedy T.V Series (1992-2004)

The Jack Russell named Moose - that played the character of Eddie in the sitcom called Frasier- made his first appearance on the long-running Cheers spin-off in the first episode on 16 September 1993. He retired 10 years later; in 2003. The show finished in 2004. Moose shared the part of Eddie with his son, Enzo. During the height of Frasier's popularity, Moose received more fan mail than any of his human counterparts. Believed to be one of the most disciplined TV/Movie animals in the history of television, he was superbly trained, and was also one of the most lovable dogs as well. He died aged 16, in Los Angeles.

Jack Russells are friendly, alert, playful and very intelligent little dogs.

There must have been times in your life when you had wished that your dog would just stop barking! Or maybe the neighbors have threatened to go to the police, if Fido carries on without a break. Well if you are one of those people, who loves dogs, but cannot stand the barking, there is hope! Have you ever heard of the “Dog that doesn’t bark?”...Or more commonly known as the Basenji?

This amazing dog comes from Central Africa, and while civilizations were only starting to blossom, this dog was already established as a known breed! With a gazelle-like sleekness, an almost feline grace; and a movement that resembles more of a trotting horse, than a slumbering canine - the Basenji truly is a unique breed. They clean themselves like a cat; they have no doggy-odor and most interestingly: the Basenji cannot bark. They can howl like a wolf…they can yodel playfully...and they can scream when in pain…yet they cannot bark. Although they have the same vocal cords as other canines, it is believed that they truly are the representative breed of the cradle of canines, since dogs of the past, had little barking abilities as well. Autopsy results have shown that the breed has a very shallow Larynx compared to all other breeds; thus preventing them from normal woof woof! Their extremely high intelligence – that can be easily spotted from any photograph- with their keen eyes sparkling knowingly- means that they are not as easily trainable as other dogs, but they remain loyal, devoted and extremely friendly dogs, that do not fair well, when left alone.

As far back as Ancient Egypt, the Basenji stood proudly next to Egyptian royalty and adopted the noble and aristocratic bearing of their owners as well. Native Africans have used the Basenji for hunting as well and only in 1895, did this breed become known outside of its native Congo. Also known as the the Congo Terrier, the Basenji breed was first established in 1939, in England. While the World Wars did nothing to perpetuate this awesome breed, conscientious breeders have done their job and are still doing their job in keeping this breed alive and well. These breeders and lovers of the Basenji can be found all over the world today- even as far as Australia. This is a medium-sized dog and males reach a height of 17in (40.5cm) while females reach a height of 16in (38cm). The ideal weight of males is 24lbs (11kg) and 22lbs (10kg) for females.

So while more and more breeds come to be established in today’s world, where hybrid dogs are (sadly) the norm, one should take a moment and bow in respect to this ancient dog breed that is often referred to as the “barkless dog”, and which has been with us, since the ancient Egyptians blossomed and ruled Northern Africa. These dogs are cute, intelligent, alert, playful and have affectionate dispositions. But most unique of all it is their lack of barking abilities…that makes the Basenji a truly unique breed of dog.

Ok, so you live on a property with a high wooden fence? So what happens when your furry friend gets cabin fever? I mean seeing the proverbial 4 walls day in and day out, is FRUSTRATING!!!! Well, Euro Puppy has found something awesome....a solution....

Every dog should have a point of view and now, with the PetPeek™ window, the problem of cabin fever can easily be remedied. The PetPeek™ window is a durable, clear, hard acrylic dome 9.5 inches in diameter, with a black trim-ring and all necessary hardware that is easy to install into any wooden fence. It is an attractive addition to your fence and your curious dog who loves to know what's cooking on the other side will love you for it! They can now satisfy their curiosity and make it possible for them to take a peek at the places beyond what they know as their entire universe.

Isn't that just really, really cool? At Euro Puppy we reckon a dog with a point of view, is a happy dog...

Did you know that the Komondor is the breed of dog with the heaviest amount of fur in the whole canine world? That's right! The Hungarian Komondor has the most fur and even among it's sheepdog colleagues it reigns supreme at spot number 1! It's fur resemles a mop or collection of dreadlocks and therefore it is safe to say it is much like a European Rasta Dog! (or at least one of two, since it's Hungarian cousin , the Puli, has to come first, in that department!) Nevertheless, the fur of a Komondor is stringy and thickly corded. As a puppy, the fur is fluffy and soft, but as it grows into adulthood, the strands becomes more and more wavy and thus grow naturally long and cord-like.

The length of the coat is in direct proportion to the age of the dog!How so, you ask? Well the oldest dogs have the heaviest and longest of coats. Once the cords are fully formed, the Komondor does not shed. It is thus a hypoallergenic giant and although one would think a huge, hairy dog like this would shed, interestingly enough, it doesn't! But that is the magic of a Komondor! The only shedding that does occur is during the puppy phase, when the puppy finally reaches a stage when the dreadlocks are fully formed. So if you suffer from allergies and love big dogs, fear not!


Unlike it's cousin, the Puli, the Komondor only comes in white. However due to living mostly in the open, it does become off-white or discolored over time, if not washed regularly. Being a working dog, the Komondor has been known to meet a couple of wolves along the way, while protecting sheep . A wonderful fact about the dreadlocks, is that it protects the Komondor from wolves! Although a wolf may attack a Komondor, not even a wolf-bite could pass through the thickest fur of all the canines! Now beat that! It sure is worth being a sheepdog, if one has dreadlocks of steel!

At Euro Puppy, we are proud to offer champion-line, purebred Komondor puppies for sale. This rare breed is a companion, a friend, a guard dog and a proud representative of European breeds and sheep dogs alike.

Every week Euro Puppy portrays 2 dog lamps. Is one wacky and the other one tacky? Are both wacky? Or both tacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs about them, we would love your comments...are they wacky or tacky? Enjoy....

Dog Lamp # 1: This Dog Motif Touch Lamp is like a trusty hunting dog since you can count on this lamp to light the way on those dark nights. The oak base matches the traditional look of your library or office. All you need to do is touch it to light on and light off. This feature makes using these Dog Motif Touch Lamps simple. It has three brightness settings and comes in a size of 14".

Dog Lamp # 2: This Sottie Dog Lamp can be considered by many to be a lamp with Pedigree. This little canine is sure to brighten your room with those expressive eyes. Crafted of ceramic with a crackle finish, the fabric-shaded lamp will delight animal fans or anyone who just can't resist puppies. Felt on wooden base protects furniture from being scraped. It is 17 1/2" tall and can be found at Linda Anderson stores.

Tell me…do women look better with breast implants? You are probably thinking “what the hell does silicone have to do with dogs?” Not much, I agree, but as an analogy, it is striking. Today I was walking in a shopping mall and saw a woman with “fake boobs”. My train of thought steamed ahead of me and I found myself thinking: “Hey! This is much like cropping a dog’s ears or docking its tail! So….I would like to talk about docking and cropping. (At the end, feel free to answer my initial question, if you feel like it, of course)

Much like with silicone implants, tail docking and ear cropping have been met by a lot of opposition. The tradition first originates from selecting breeding practices and it is seen as cosmetic modification of that which is God-given.

So let me start by explaining what ear cropping is. At about age 9-13 weeks, puppies go under the knife and their whole look changes. While the puppy is anesthetized the outside edge of the puppy’s ears are cropped. The cuts are sutured closed and the ears are placed in a rack so that they stand up, while they heal. Breeds that undergo this procedure include the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Schnauzer, Boxer, Great Dane, and Doberman Pinscher. Cropping was originally done on fighting dogs…to decrease their chances of having an injured ear. On hunting dogs it was also done, but in this case it was done, so that they wouldn’t get tangled in the bushes. Now the main question arises: Is it good to have this procedure done? Well, I have to be honest with you; I like the look of a hardcore Great Dane with cropped ears….or the sleek look of a Doberman with cropped ears. But…- and yes, there is always a but - ....Cropping is no longer necessary. Dog fights have been banned and working dogs have become more family dogs.

Tail docking on the other hand, is a procedure that is done when the puppy is only days old. The tail is twisted off, after a scissor-like instrument has been clamped onto the tail. Length varies according to breeds, with Rottweilers having a shorter docked tail than Weimaraners for instance. If the tail has been docked properly, the fur will grow on the end of it. Yes, again I have to admit it looks good. Stilettos or flats? Hmmm….tough question, even for a gal like me. But while there is little excuse for cropping, there are reasons for docking. A breed standard often dictates it.

A factor which can help us understand the basis for tail docking is a phenomenon called “Happy Tail”. There are those breeds, like the Labradors and the Golden Retrievers that have immensely “Happy Tails”. Although we think of an energetic tail as a sign of happiness, there is more to it than meets the eye. These dogs were physiologically bred to be good swimmers, and the strength of their tail wag helped them with swimming, much like that of an otter. With the immense strength in their tails, they have the power in them to break the tail as is. What results is a painful docking procedure that is much more painful for adult dogs. Other hunting dogs, like the Weimaraner for example has a docked tail because it would be especially painful for the dog to get stuck in underbrush, or a wired fence as such.

So what of breast implants? Well, Women of any age go under the knife and their whole look changes. While the woman is anesthetized, the breasts are opened up at the sides; the silicone is placed inside, under the muscle and the cuts are sutured closed. The breasts are then wrapped up while they heal.

So what is the bottom line here? Well, while I don’t see any use in ear cropping, there may be reasons behind tail docking. A companion dog that will be a family member and a playmate of children doesn’t need to undergo these procedures. If you are adamant on showing your dogs…well then…you may have to adhere to breed standards. However, many reputable breeders don’t believe in cropping or docking, so you can have your pick, if it really bothers you. When it comes to breast implants, should I repeat myself and say, if she is a show-quality bitch she should be allowed to have it done and if she is a companion she should be left in peace? Oh man, what a can of worms I opened with that one…