Smartest Medium-sized Dogs

We all know that dogs are very intelligent but which breed is the smartest? Without accurate and scientific ways of measuring a dog's intelligence like our IQ tests, we can only deduce a dog's intelligence based on the observations and experiences of dog trainers and dog owners. Based on research by Stanley Coren, the renowned author of The Intelligence of Dogs,

- the average dog can understand about 165 words, including signs, signals and gestures. They can also count to about 5...
- The smartest dogs, he calls them the "super breeds," are on par with a 2½-year old, recognizing up to 250 words...
More in article.

And what are these "super breeds", the answer below:

1. Border Collie *

2. Poodle *

3. German Shepherd

4. Golden Retriever *

5. Doberman Pinscher

6. Shetland Sheepdog

7. Labrador Retriever

8. Papillon

9. Rottweiler

10. Australian Cattle Dog *

* medium dog breeds

Four medium-sized breeds have made it into this list including the No. 1 smartest dog breed of all - the Border Collie. Guess it's good to be medium-sized isn't it :-)

However, dogs that do not make it into the super smart club do not need to be disheartened, some are simply too independent and have too much personality to learn and obey commands readily. And since canine intelligence is typically measured by how easily the dog is able to master commands, it is little wonder that such canines are labelled as "unintelligent", when they are not.

Source:
http://www.petmedsonline.org/top-10-smartest-dogs-in-the-world.html, http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/08/07/smart.dogs/index.html,
http://www.stanleycoren.com/e_intelligence.htm

Tags: smartest dog breeds, medium dogs, medium-sized dogs, intelligence of dogs.

It's Confirmed - Medium-sized Portuguese Water Dog Is First Dog

After months of speculation, the choice of First Dog has just been announced - and it is a Portuguese Water Dog! The new First Dog, a 6-month old black and white Portie, will be named Bo and will officially move in to the White House on Tuesday.



The absolutely adorable Portuguese Water Dog is a fun-loving, highly active, intelligent and hypoallergenic medium dog. We are sure he will make a great First Dog and a wonderful companion to the Obama family. For more information on Portuguese Water Dogs, check out Medium Dog Guide and our earlier post here.

Tags: Portuguese Water Dog, Bo, First Dog, medium-sized dog, medium dog.

Interesting Facts & Video Clips About Beagles

One of the most most-loved medium-sized dog in America is the Beagle. When we think of the Beagle, it's natural to think of Snoopy, the lovable Beagle in the Peanuts comic strips. And Snoopy captures the highly intelligent, charming and playful spirit of the Beagle perfectly. Sure a real Beagle cannot do many of the things that Snoopy does, like fighting an aerial battle with the Red Baron, writing a novel or acting as Charlie Brown's attorney (;-P) but the ingenious Beagle can do many thinks that we cannot imagine that dogs are capable of doing... like climbing high fences like cats and escaping from the most secured of places (check out this video for proof!).

And besides being master escape artists (Houdini would be proud!), they are extremely vocal dogs. They bay, howl and bark when they are bored, excited, lonely, sad, happy, nervous etc.... So if you have neighbours that do not take too kindly to noise, a Beagle may not be all that suitable as a family pet. An example of a Beagle's "musical" howling can be experienced in this video:



Although Beagles like to explore and wander to wherever their powerful noses take them, they also need constant companionship, a bored and lonely Beagle is prone to mischief and destructive behaviour. So do plan time to exercise and play with your Beagle a few times throughout the day to keep him feel happy and loved.

One of the best videos about Beagles on the Net is this Animal Planet video on Beagles. This video shows the basic characteristics of Beagles in a fun yet informative way.

For more information on Beagles, check out Medium Dog Guide.


Tags: Beagles, medium dog, medium-sized dog, dog breeds.

Cocker Spaniels - American And English

The recent win of Stump the 10-year old Sussex Spaniel at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has generated much interest in spaniel breeds. The most popular Spaniel breed in the U.S. now is the American Cocker Spaniel (based on the latest AKC Dog Registration Stats). But there have been much confusion on what makes the American Cocker Spaniel (popularly known as just the Cocker Spaniel in America) and the English Cocker Spaniel different. Medium Dog Guide has compiled a list of the differences between these two medium-sized dog breeds:

American Cocker Spaniel
Smaller in size
Smaller, more dome-shaped head.
Longer, more profuse coat
Shorter muzzle
Shorter legs
Buff (light cream) colored coats common
Rounder, prominent eyes

English Cocker Spaniel
Larger in size.
Larger, flatter head.
Shorter, less profuse coat
Longer muzzle
Longer legs
Do not have buff colored coats
Less rounded eyes.

As they say, a picture tells a thousand words. So here are two side-by-side pictures of an American Cocker Spaniel and an English Cocker Spaniel, can you spot the differences?



Tags: American Cocker Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, Medium-sized dogs, Medium Dogs, Dog Breeds.

All About Portuguese Water Dogs And Labradoodles

As reported in the news, President-elect Obama's choice of "First Dog" will likely be either an active Portuguese Water Dog or a bouncy Labradoodle, both medium-sized hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Portuguese Water Dog (or Portuguese Water Hound)



Appearance
The Portuguese Water Dog is robust and sturdy. Their single-layered and low-shedding coat can either be curly or wavy and needs regular trimming. They can be black, white, brown, or a combination of black and white. Unlike other dogs, they have webbed toes that aid in swimming.

Size
18 inches to 25 inches at the withers and 40 to 60 pounds.

Origin
Coastal areas of Portugal. Known as the Cao de Agua (dog of water) in Portugal. Portugese Water Dogs are excellent swimmers as they were originally bred to help fisherman in their fishing activities (e.g. to herd fish into nets or to retrieve broken fishing nets).

Temperament
Portugese Water Dogs are hardy, affectionate and energetic dogs. They are well-known for their keen intelligence and are easily trained. Although they have a strong retrieving instinct, unlike other retriever breeds, Portuguese Water Dogs like to stay in close proximity to their owners most of the time. As they are very active, regular outdoor exercise is a definite must for this breed. They usually get along well with other dogs and pets. They make good watchdogs due to their loyalty and bravery. They are notorious chewers when they are bored and they can be easily bored. They may also bark excessively and may have a tendency to jump on people when excited. As they are very affectionate and crave companionship, they should not be left alone for long periods of time, thus they are generally unsuitable as pets for busy professionals who are seldom home.

Exercise
Be prepared to put on your jogging shoes or swimming gear more frequently than usual if you are the lucky owner of this active and highly energetic dog. This canine needs to channel his exuberent energy into rigorous physical activity on a daily basis to prevent boredom induced mischief. As is befitting of a "Water Dog", the PWD loves water and is most fond of swimming and other fun aquatic activities.

Life Expectancy
10 to 15 years on average.

Grooming
Grooming is a must for the Portugese Water Dog. Like human hair, the non-shedding coat of the PWD never stops growing and requires regular trimming and clipping every two months or so to keep it in a manageable condition. The PWD does not have an undercoat and should not be left in places where temperatures are very low without adequate protection. The two most common "hair styles" for PWD are the "Lion Clip" and the "Retriever Clip". Consult a professional groomer for more details on these two clip styles. Daily brushing or at the very least brushing a few times a week is required to prevent the hairs on the coat from becoming tangled and matted.

Suited For
Active outdoorsy people who like regular vigorous exercise (with the PWD in tow) and who are able to spend a lot of quality time with their dog. Must not mind having to brush their dogs daily, bathe them regularly and take them for grooming sessions every other month. Needs to be confident and firm during training as the PWD is independent and has a mind of his own. The PWD can tolerate apartment living as long as he has sufficient daily exercise outdoors.


Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a breed that was developed from a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle.



Appearance
As the sweet Labradoodle is a relatively new breed that has not firmly settled into a breed standard yet, their appearance could vary, sometimes looking more like their Poodle ancestors and sometimes looking more like their Labrador ancestors. Their coats could consist of tight poodle-like curls or be straight like the Labrador's. And they can come in all the range of colors of the Labrador and the Poodle: Black, Cream, Gold, Apricot, Red, Brown and White.

Size
There are three sizes of Labradoodles:
Miniature (bred from crossing the miniature poodle and the labrador): 14 to 17 inches at the withers.
Medium: 18 to 21 inches at the withers.
Standards: 22 to 26 inches at the withers
Medium and Standard Labradoodles weigh between 40 to 70 pounds.

Origin
The Labradoodle was first bred in the late 1980s in Australia by the Guide Dogs Victoria Association. Their aim was to create a dog that has the low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat of a Poodle and the gentle temperament of a Labrador Retriever to serve as guide dogs for people who suffer from allergies.

Temperament
Labradoodles have the best of both worlds from their Poodle and the Labrador Retriever families resulting in a dog that is lively, friendly, good with children, highly intelligent, very trainable, protective and generally calm and relaxed. Like the Portugese Water Dog, Labradoodles love to swim too. As they are so smart and have such a great sense of humour, they may try to outsmart their owners from time to time ;-)

Exercise
The Labradoodle requires moderate levels of exercise on a regular basis. A brisk daily walk or a slow run will be sufficient to keep your Labradoodle fit and active.

Life Expectancy
13 to 15 years on average.

Grooming
The Labradoodle's coat will need to be trimmed and brushed regularly. But the amount of grooming needed will depend on the type of coat the Labradoodle has. There are basically three types of Labradoodle coats: Wool (tight curls, like a Poodle's coat), Fleece (soft wavy curls) and Hair (similar to a Labrador's coat). Hair coats require the least grooming and do not need clipping but may shed more than the other types of coats and are therefore least likely to be "hypoallergenic". Labradoodles with fleece coats need only light grooming until they are between eight and fourteen months old when they need more grooming to strip out their puppy coat so that it does not become tangled and matted with the adult coat layer. When their adult coat is fully developed, clipping once or twice a year and regular brushing will be sufficient. Wool coats which are similar to a Poodle's are the least shedding but need the most grooming, i.e. clipping several times a year and regular grooming is absolutely necessary.

Suited For
The Labradoodle is great as a family pet. Like Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, they love to be with people and seek human companionship so the owner of a Labradoodle will need to be able to spend quality time on a daily basis to bond with this loyal canine pal. They do best in a house with a yard but are also happy staying in an apartment as long as they have daily exercise.

Both the PWD and the Labradoodle are considered "hypoallergenic" dogs but do keep in mind that for people with allergies, it is important to spend time with the dog that you are planning to bring home first before making any decision, as some people may still be allergic to these hypoallergenic dogs.

For a list of other medium-sized hypoallergenic dog breeds, check out our earlier post here. For additional information on other types of medium dogs, check out Medium Dog Guide.

Tags: hypoallergenic dogs, labradoodle, portuguese water dog, first dog.

Hypoallergenic Medium Dogs

With all the interest in hypoallergenic dogs recently, Medium Dog Guide has compiled a list of hypollergenic medium-sized dogs (between 16 and 22 inch at the shoulders) for readers who are interested in having a medium-sized hypoallergenic dog as a family pet. It should be noted that there are no 100% hypoallergenic dog breeds, only breeds that are comparatively less prone to provoke an allergic reaction in humans as they produce less allergens either because they have little or no hair or because they do not shed much. Also, some people with allergies might not be able to tolerate even such hypoallergenic dog breeds, so if you have allergies, it is important to spend time with these dogs first to see how your body reacts before deciding to get a hypoallergenic dog.

List Of Medium-sized Hypoallergenic Dogs:

Airedale Terrier
Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Goldendoodle
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Labradoodle
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Portuguese Water Dog
Puli
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Standard Poodle
Standard Schnauzer
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Tags: hypoallergenic dogs, medium-sized hypoallergenic dog breeds, medium hypoallergenic dogs, medium dogs, medium-sized dog.

Hybrid Medium Dogs - Labradoodles And Goldendoodles

Designer or Hybrid dogs are all the rage now and many of these designer dogs are medium dogs. Two of the more popular medium-sized hybrid dogs today are the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle.

Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle. The Labradoodle has the gentle temperament of the Labrador and the hypoallergenic* and low-shedding coat of the Poodle. As the Labradoodle is a relatively new breed, characteristics of the breed are still rather uncertain, sometimes more of the Poodle is dominant and at other times, more of the Labrador is present. For example, unlike well-developed breeds which have only one kind of coat, Labradoodles have three kinds of coats - Wool (tight curls, like a Poodle's coat), Fleece (soft wavy curls) and Hair (similar to a Labrador's coat) and their coats can come in all the range of colors of the Labrador and the Poodle. Labradoodles have inherited the best characteristics of the Poodle and the Labrador Retriever, being friendly, gentle, lively and highly intelligent.

Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. Goldendoodles are also known as Golden Poos or Goldie Poos (such cute names!). Like the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle has a light shedding coat like the Poodle's. But as the Goldendoodle is a relatively new hybrid breed, coat types and coat colors can vary widely, their coats can be curly, wavy or straight, and coat colors can vary from white to tan to brown and even black. The Goldendoodle a great family dog, affectionate, joyful, smart, loves to swim and has a high energy level.

Designer dogs or hybrid dogs are great companions and are as loyal and sweet as their purebred cousins but do consider some factors before buying a hybrid dog: make sure they come from a reputable breeder and note that as the hybrid dog is a combination of radically different breeds, sometimes unpredictable results may occur!

For example, as quoted from this article in the Chicago Tribune:

But these high-priced "designer dogs" also are increasingly exploited by abusive breeders at puppy mills and unscrupulous sellers, leading to more sick puppies and unhappy owners, according to the Humane Society of the United States.

Pet-store workers told Jennifer Tvrdik that her $900 puggle puppy (pug and beagle) should weigh between 15 and 30 pounds as an adult, she said.

Two years later, Rocky is 51 pounds."He just kept growing," said Tvrdik of Indian Head Park. "He has a very enormous head, big jaw, big mouth."

And from this article in the K9 Magazine:

“Oh what’s that unusual dog you have there?”

“It’s a Pomapekeapatador” (quite obviously a Pomeranian mixed with Pekingese and a little Patterdale and Labrador thrown in)

“Incredible, I’ve never heard of them. Where would I go about finding one?”

“The Internet. But be warned, they’re very rare” (and therefore expensive, desirable and I’ve got one and you haven’t)

See how this works?

The Pomapekepatador is what many generations refer to, rather cruelly, as a Heinz 57 (a bit of everything). A cross breed, a mix, a mongrel, a mutt. And they are as important, as clever, as giving and as worthy as any pedigree breed and there’s more than likely a rescue shelter near you chock-full of them. But don’t be fooled, ALL dogs are designer dogs. They all have the same ancestors remember!

Until next time :)

* Not completely 100% hypoallergenic

Tags: hybrid dog, designer dog, medium dog, medium-sized dog, breeds, labradoodle, goldendoodle

History Of Medium Dog Breeds - American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel is arguably the best looking and most popular medium-sized dog breed in America, frequently topping the registrations on the American Kennel Club from the 1940s to the late 1980s. Although, no longer as popular today as before, we are sure this beautiful breed still holds a special place in everyone's hearts.

The American Cocker Spaniel came from the same family tree as the English Cocker Spaniel. But after years of different breeding practices (the American Cocker Spaniel was developed as a show dog and the English Cocker Spaniel was developed as a hunting breed), the differences between the two became more and more evident. They were regarded as the same breed until the 1940s when the English and American Cocker Spaniels were officially recognised as two different breeds with their own traits and standards. Although they still look very similar, the American Cocker Spaniel is smaller, lighter, has a more rounded head, a shorter muzzle, and a longer, denser coat.

The very first English Cocker Spaniel was said to have arrived in America in the 1600s on the famous ship - the Mayflower. Originally bred to hunt small birds, the American Cocker Spaniel still has a bit of the hunter in him but they are now mostly regarded as loving family pets or show dogs.

And here is a wonderful tribute to the American Cocker Spaniel on YouTube. These dogs really are the sweetest and most endearing medium dogs that we have seen.




Tags: American Cocker Spaniel, breed history.

History Of Medium Dog Breeds - Airedale Terrier

Medium Dog Guide will be bringing you some interesting information on how each of the medium-sized dog breeds in the Medium Dog Guide came about. The first medium dog that we will be blogging about is the Airedale Terrier.

The Airedale Terrier breed could be said to be the most multi-talented all-rounded dog breeds around today. Being smart, protective, humorous, and BIG (the Airedale Terrier is the largest member of the terrier family) the Airedale Terrier is definitely deserving of the prestigious moniker - King Of Terriers.

The Airedale Terrier originated from Airedale, a Dale or valley located near the River Aire in Yorkshire, Great Britain in the mid-19th century. The breed developed from a cross between two old British dog breeds: the Old English Black and Tan Terrier and the Otterhound (left picture). The breed was originally intended as a sporting dog that could swim well so that it could hunt otters, badgers and water fowl with ease in addition to hunting land prey like rabbits, hares and rats. Due perhaps to the Airedale's excellent swimming skills, it was also known as the Waterside Terrier then. The name "AiredaleTerrier" was only established as the de-facto name of the breed in the 1880s.

During the First and Second World Wars, the Airedale Terrier worked as messanger and rescue dogs. Their loyalty and bravery were unquestionable as they often cotinued to deliver messages even after suffering serious injuries. And before German Shepherd Dogs became the popular choice as police dogs, the Airedale Terrier was the breed of choice for law enforcement work in many parts of the world.

Hunting, retrieving, guarding, rescuing, swiming... none of these activities are too difficult for the Airedale Terrier. The Airedale Terrier is truly one of the most multi-talented dog breeds in the world, and with their great personality and sense of humour, what more could you ask for in a pet ;-)

For more information on the Airedale Terrier, check out the Medium Dog Guide - Airedale Terrier.

Tags: Airedale Terrier, History Of Airedale Terrier

Which Dog Breed Should I Choose?

You know that you want a medium dog for a pet but it is still pretty tough to choose a breed that has characteristics that will meet your needs for a pet as there are just so many breeds of dogs that are medium-sized. You may want a docile lap dog that does not mind being in an apartment most of the day or you may prefer an active pet that you can bring along on treks to the great outdoors. If you do not choose the right breed for your needs, you may become frustrated when your dog does not behave in the way that you think a furry best friend should be like.

Although it is possible that there may be some dogs that don't seem to behave like how their breed is supposed to behave, for the most part, pure bred dogs will possess the characteristics of their breed (more or less). So always check if the breed has the right characteristics for your needs first.

Some good sites to help you in your decision include:

1. Animal Discovery's Breed Selector - a popular interactive questionnaire that helps you choose the right dog breed.
2. SelectSmart.com's Dog Breed Selector - another interactive quiz.

Also check out Breeds on Medium Dog Guide - our site has extensive information on medium-sized dog breeds that can help make the choice on the right dog breed for you.

Tags: Dog Breeds, selecting a dog.