We're still sorting through our New Year's resolutions, most of which seem to involve our pets (walk them more, brush their teeth more often). As we swing into the new year for real, we thought we'd share some information from two of our favorites of the books we've written together, "BowWow" and "MeowWow" (both from HCI).
Don't bite the man who names you: A handful of breeds were named for people. Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector in the mid-19th century, developed the elegant and protective breed that bears his name. Another is the Parson Russell terrier –- more commonly known as the Jack Russell -- named after the Rev. John Russell, a Victorian-era clergyman with a fondness for hunting terriers.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was named after King Charles II, although centuries after his death. There's also the Gordon setter, named after the Duke of Gordon.
An All-American Cat: The Maine Coon cat is an American original. This hardy, long-haired breed was developed as an all-purpose, all-weather New England farm cat and companion. The markings for which the breed is best known -- a distinctively marked tabby -- leaves the cat with a fluffy tail that somewhat resembles the tail of a raccoon.
Despite the persistent idea that the large cat came about because of mating with raccoons ... well, hate to ruin a good story, but it's just not true. Nor is the idea of that the cat developed from matings with North American bobcats. Maine Coon cats are all cat, and a lot of cat, for all that.
White can be a fright: Not all white cats are deaf, but it's certainly not uncommon. White cats with blue eyes are more likely to be deaf than white cats with eyes of any other color. As protected indoor cats, however, a deaf cat can still be a wonderful pet.
Just say "Aaaaahhhh!": All dogs have pink tongues, with two notable exceptions: the Chow Chow and the Chinese Shar Pei -- breeds with tongues variously described as purple, black or blue-black. Both breeds originated in China, and Shar Pei (the name in Chinese refers to "shark skin") was in the 1970s described as the rarest breed in the world -- a distinction lost long ago as the breed has become more popular.
Cats who chitter-chatter: Chattering is an involuntary reaction of a cat who sees something she wants very badly -- a fluttering bird or a feline enemy -- but can't get to for some reason, such as being on one side of the window when the bird or other cat is visible on the other.
If the keyed-up cat could pop her knuckles or chew gum to let out that extra energy, she would. By the way, a cat that's wound up is probably best left alone. A little redirected aggression could leave you with some nasty claw tracks on your arm! Sometimes when it comes to cats, it's best to keep your distance.
Beware ... watch out ... don't enter: The phrase "Beware of dog" is so old that its Latin equivalent -- cave canem -- has been found on signs in Roman ruins. The word "watch dog" isn't quite as old, but it has been around a long, long time. The first known mention of it? By Shakepeare, in "The Tempest."
We'll share more tidbits in the months ahead. We're both chronic savers of interesting pet facts, and we have files of our best clippings for future books.
Q&A
'Learn to earn'
teaches manners
Q: I have a golden retriever who's almost 2 years old. She's a loving dog, but she's just too hyper. I know big dogs take time to mature, but she's so big and strong that I'm afraid she's going to knock one of us down. She doesn't mean to be bad, but she just doesn't think. We can't afford professional training right now. Can you help? -- via e-mail
A: Yes, retrievers are often slow to mature, but you don't have to put up with bad manners in the meantime. More exercise is a must -- a tired dog is a good dog -- but you also need to lay the foundation for good behavior by showing your dog with every interaction that she has to earn what she wants.
This "learning by earning" starts with the basics of dog obedience -- sit and stay. Chances are your dog already knows these commands. If not, check out a class (group classes aren't expensive), a book or a video (try the library for free) to help you to teach her. Once your dog understands and performs these behaviors more or less on command, you're going to use them to reinforce your authority, gently but persistently.
Ask your dog to sit before you put her leash on for a walk; to sit before you pet her (which will also keep her from jumping up) or before you throw a toy for her to fetch; to sit and stay when her bowl is placed before her, and hold that position until released; to sit and stay before the door is opened; to sit and stay before being let out of the car into the park, and so on.
Be patient. Your dog will soon catch on as long as you're consistent in insisting on her good behavior before good things come her way.
No sit, no reward, no discussion.
The real beauty is what's happening deep down. Without raising your voice, jerking a leash, spanking or otherwise roughly handling your dog, you've made it clear to her that there are household rules that must be followed. And that's going to make everything else about living with and training your dog easier. -- Gina Spadafori
THE BUZZ
Pet population
trends to canine
-- Cats or dogs? Forty-three million American families owned at least one dog in 2007, the latest year statistics were available, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. That accounted for 37.2 percent of American households. About 37.5 million families owned at least one cat in the same year, or 32.4 percent of households.
-- Dogs with arthritis can increase their mobility by performing certain exercises. Australian researchers found that walking uphill and climbing over small obstacles can help dogs develop increased flexibility.
-- Locusts and cockroaches hold chemicals in their brains with anti-microbial properties that are strong enough to kill up to 90 percent of drug-resistant bacteria without harming human cells. The insects' brains likely have developed their anti-microbial compounds as a way to survive in the dirty, infectious conditions in which they live. Scientists hope the findings can be used to create new antibiotics to attack severe infections in humans.
-- A genetic test is available to indicate whether a racehorse would do best at short-, medium- or long-distance racing. Research teams have isolated the myostatin gene -- a crucial indicator of athletic ability in Thoroughbred horses. Japanese researchers further found that the characteristics of the area surrounding the myostatin gene are also linked to athletic ability, which further suggests what racing followers have known all along -- that racing performance and athletic ability are hereditary traits. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Dr. Becker can also be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker.