ForYourCanine.com

The Reclassification Of The Dog

The Reclassification Of The Dog

We tend to think of science as definite, but science is always evolving and changing. A perfect example of this is the scientific classification of the domestic dog. In 1758 Linnaeus classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris. This classification stood until 1993 when the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists reclassified the domestic dog as Canis lupus, a subspecies of the gray wolf.

Progressive Insurance Takes Care Of Pets

Progressive Insurance’s new commercial touts pet insurance.

The latest nationwide commercial from Progressive Insurance focuses on a new feature of their insurance plans. They state that now they cover all pets as part of their auto insurance plans. The commercial says that if you get into an accident, your pet is now covered in addition to whatever other coverage you carry.

Not sure what other companies have taken this route, but seems to be a good step forward.

A Dog’s Sudden Burst Of Speed

A Dogs Sudden Burst Of Speed

Dogs have a phenomenal ability to exert a tremendous amount of energy which seems to come from out of no where.  The fact that almost all dogs, regardless of breed, can do this indicates that there is a genetic reason for this.  Where do dogs get that sudden burst of energy?

There are two main factors that allow dogs to accomplish this, organ size and red blood cell count.  Dogs have more blood cells than humans do, at rest these are stored in the dog’s spleen.  Dogs also have heart and lungs that are oversized in relativity to their body size and their body’s normal needs.  When the time comes for a dog to need that extra burst of energy, those extra red blood cells are released into the blood stream and then the oversized heart and lungs are actually performing at their optimum level.

After a varying amount of time, the dog internally heat up due to this activity and need to cool down.  Because dogs do not sweat, this is accomplished by panting.

9 Things You May Not Know About The Iditarod Sled Dog Race - Part 2

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Trivia

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the most famous sled dog race in the world. It was first held in 1973 and is held once a year and covers the approximately 1,151 miles from Wasilla to Nome, Alaska. There is a ceremonial start of the race that takes place in Anchorage before the actual restart in Wasilla.

So, here are:
9 Things You May Not Have Known About The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – Part Two

• There is actually a northern and a southern route to the Iditarod Race. The northern race is run on even numbered years and the southern race is run on odd numbered years.
• The Mackeys (Father Dick and brothers Rick and Lance) have all three won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
• Dogs that become exhausted on the trail and cannot continue are dropped off at checkpoints, transported to the Correctional Center at Eagle River and cared for by inmates until picked up by their handlers or owners.
• Rick Swenson has won the race five times, including winning it in three different decades (70’s, 80’s, and 90’s).
• Near the end of the race, the route passes in front of a saloon once owned by Wyatt Earp.
• The trail route passes through the one-time mining town of McGrath. McGrath should be noted as it is the first town in Alaska to receive mail by air in 1924.
• Unalakleet, a small village along the Iditarod Trail is the largest Native American community the sled race goes through with a population of just over 700.
• In 1985 Susan Butcher, who would go on to win the Iditarod Race on four occasions, lost the lead when her dogs were attacked by a pregnant moose.
• The Red Olson Trail Arch in Nome has traditionally been the finish line of the race. In 2001, the arch was destroyed by dry rot and years of inclimate weather and replaced by a new arch. The old arch carried the words “End of the Iditarod Dog Race”, while the new arch added a word and reads “End of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race”.
• The last musher to cross the finish line is awarded the “Red Lantern” in significance of the spirit of perseverance.

8 Facts About Bloodhounds

8 Facts About Bloodhounds

• Bloodhounds were bred specifically for the tracking of humans.
• Bloodhounds are known to have tracked using scents that are days old.
• Due to their large skeletal structure, most of a Bloodhound’s weight is concentrated in its bones.
• On average the Bloodhound is one of the shortest living of all the recognized pure bred dogs, most usually pass away when they are between six and seven years old.
• Bloodhounds were first bred in about 1000 AD.
• The leading cause of death in Bloodhounds is Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, commonly referred to as “bloat”.
• Famous fictional Bloodhounds: Disney’s Pluto, Augie Doggy and Doggie Daddy, Chuck E. Cheese’s Jasper T. Jowls, Duke from the Beverly Hillbillies, Ladybird from King of the Hill, Huckleberry Hound, Copper in The Fox and the Hound, McGruff the Crime Dog, Bruno from Cinderella, and Trusty from Lady and the Tramp.
• Under the best conditions, a Bloodhound can detect as few as one or two skin cells.

9 Things You May Not Know About The Iditarod Sled Dog Race

Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Trivia

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is the most famous sled dog race in the world. It was first held in 1973 and is held once a year and covers the approximately 1,151 miles from Wasilla to Nome, Alaska. There is a ceremonial start of the race that takes place in Anchorage before the actual restart in Wasilla.

So, here are:
9 Things You May Not Have Known About The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race – Part One

• The first person to win the Iditarod Race who was not from Alaska was Doug Swingley of Montana in 1995.
• In 1985 Libby Riddles became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
• The section of trail that goes down Dalzell Gorge drops 1,000 feet in five miles.
• 34 mushers entered the first true Iditarod race in 1973 and 22 completed the course.
• The actual Iditarod Trail which the Iditarod Race covers portions of was one of the first trails designated as a National Historic Trail in 1978.
• The race was suspended for the first time in 1985 when bad weather prevented the delivery of the supplies to the checkpoints ahead of the racers.
• The Iditarod Race was named after the Iditarod Trail which in turn was named after the town of Iditarod. The origin of the word Iditarod is thought to come from Athabaskan word “haiditarod” meaning “far off place”.
• Race rules state that anyone who has ever been convicted of animal neglect may not participate as a competitor in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.