a pet care magazine publish by rutaksha rawat

ISSN 0976 - 4801

THE EDITOR’S APPRENTICE EDDIE RAWAT

Editor’s Note

Dear Reader,

Summer is here and it’s time to cool off at your nearest pool. Read this month’s COVER STORY to learn if your dog is a ‘water baby’, as the story lists 10 dog breeds that not only like, but also love the water. This month, learn about the strong and fiercely loyal German Shepherd Dog in BREED PROFILE and read about weight issues in canines in HEALTH & WELLNESS.

Dr Richardson gives helpful tips to puppy owners on toilet training in DOG WHISPERER INVESTIGATES and British journalist Naomi Canton relates her struggle to help the stray cats of Mumbai in FELINE.

Read the touching story on Duke, the 10-year-old Beagle, who was rescued from lab testing in PET BRAVEHEART and read the exciting essay on animal consciousness by renowned ecologist, Dr Marc Beckoff, in ANIMAL WELFARE.

NEWS, JUST FOR BARKS, DOG WITH BLOG, AQUA, BIRDS’ EYE VIEW, PET OF THE MONTH, EXOTIC PETS — it’s all in this issue!

Happy reading.

Rutaksha Rawat Co-Editor

also find us on www.facebook.com/Creature.Companion

Appu

My husband brought home the February issue of Creature Companion and I really loved it. A magazine like this is indeed very much needed in a country like ours, where pets are taken for granted and treated as just watch dogs, chained or confined in small places/cages, with only one feed a day and without water bowls in many houses including the highly educated families.

I very much liked the colourful illustration of the article titled ‘Appu The School Dog’. The school bag with a doggie’s face and a bone — really a very endearing representation!

Shamalatha Rao Bengaluru

Pet Homes Story

I simply loved reading the cover story in your March issue, wherein such attractive pet home options have been featured. Your story came in the nick of time, as I am in the process of constructing my own home. Guess what? I’m making a den for my pet in my living room! More than my own room, I’m excited about the den for my sweet dog. Thanks to your ideas! Great job. Do continue to share new ideas and concepts.

Sujata Bhati New Delhi

Street Cats

Being an avid cat lover, it was nice to read the article on street cat adoption by Naomi Canton. I now know how to approach stray kittens and have already adopted one. Do thank the author.

Priyank Maliah Bengaluru

Holi Hai

I appreciated reading the article on Holi in your February issue. I was actually planning to let my dog partake of the Holi festivities. But I know better now. Really appreciate it.

Yamini Veer Mumbai

RIP

I liked the little RIP box on the editorial page. Yes, indeed we will all meet at Rainbow Bridge!

Daniel Waters London

LETTERS FROM PETSVILLE & BEYOND

WRITE TO US!We’d love to hear what you thought of our last issue or the magazine in general. Give us your ideas, opinions and reviews on the content and tell us what YOU want to see in Creature Companion. To voice your opinions, simply write to us at [email protected].

Contents April2013

14 �� News & Events18�� Post Show Review — Pedigree Conference19 �� Post Show Review —The Great Indian Dog

Show20�� Post Show Review — Kennel Club of

Mahakaushal Dog Show

Pet of the Month22�� Peppy Peggy

Dog Whisperer Investigates24 �� Pugsly the Incorrigible Pet Braveheart28�� 12 Days with Duke Cover Story30�� 10 Water Babies40�� Dog with Blog BreedProfile42�� German Shepherd Dog Feline48�� My Battle to Save Mumbai’s

Stray Kittens Part I

Exotic Dogs52�� The Havanese

Aqua54 �� Fish Keepers of Kolathur

55�� Fresh Water Fish for Beginners

Birds’ Eye View56�� Breeding in Lovebirds Research60�� Animal Emotions

Health & Wellness62�� Why Weight?

Pet Blog65�� Tehya

Excerpt66�� Sigmund Freud: Freud’s Dream

Companions

Edited, Printed, Published & Owned byLinda Brady Hawke

Published fromL.B. Associates (Pvt) LtdH-108, Sector 63, Noida - 201301Dist. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P.Delhi NCR, IndiaTel: +91-120-4727107Fax: +91-120-2427108Email: [email protected]: www.creature-companions.com www.lbassociates.com

Printed atUS PrintographicsE-53, Sector - 7, Noida 201301, GB Nagar UP, India

Co Editor Rutaksha Rawat

Guest WritersInderjeet Singh BansalDr Marc BeckoffNaomi CantonKim BawitlungDr Geeta SharmaDr R SelvakkumarDr Srilakshmi AmirtheshwaranNeeta GodambeJaysalA Shamalatha RaoR S Prabakar

Blog PartnerAbhishek Joshi

Photo Consultant Gaurav Thombre

Illustration PartnerAlicia Souza

Special thanks to Priya Kapoor

Director - Business DevelopmentBinoy Sahee

Marketing Amit Kumar Gupta Tel: [email protected] Malhotra [email protected] Tel: +91-9911787926

Design Atul Kumar Pradeep Singh Bisht

Webmaster: Uday N Jha

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in Creature Companion are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publisher. Although all efforts have be en made to ensure the complete accuracy of text, neither the editors nor publisher can accept responsibility for consequences arising from errors or omissions or any opinions or advice given.

Alicia Souza: All of 26, Alicia Souza is already making waves in the art world with her oh-so-cute illustrations that almost everyone can relate to, especially pet lovers. Alicia’s quirky illustrations can be found on the products of popular lifestyle brand Chumbak, inside the pages, of Tinkle Digest and even on pet products under the alicia Souza brand. Alicia joined us is in 2012 as our Illustration Partner and her doodles on pets are carried in every issue of Creature Companion. Alicia is proud pet parent to her two dogs, Lola Bear and Charles Brown.

Rohan More: Rohan More is managing director of the Japalouppe Equestrian Center, Pune, and convenor of the Annual Equestrian Games hosted in Pune every year. Established in 1998 by Rohan and his mother, Lorraine, Japalouppe has emerged to be the foremost authority on equine training in India. Rohan has been a keen rider and horse owner for 27 years and presents in depth articles on horse care and upkeep in HORSING AROUND. He lives on a farm with 5 dogs, 5 cats, 40 horses, 1 pig, and turkeys, ducks, emus, and donkeys, galore.

Abhishek Joshi: Marketing manager by day, Abhishek Joshi moonlights as prolific blogger in his free time and has created a buzz in the canine lover’s world with the creation of his blog, Dog with the Blog (www.calvy.wordpress.com), the inspiration behind which, are his dogs Rusty (late) and Kaalicharan. Abhishek is also creator of the popular Facebook community page, Dog With Blog, which uploads and showcases personal photographs of people with their pets. Dog With Blog joined hands with Creature Companion in 2012 by becoming its official Blog Partner, and the latter features pictures sourced from the former on a monthly basis, in a segment called DOG WITH BLOG.

Mathew D’ Silva: Mathew D’Silva is GM, Nautilus Aqua Systems, Mumbai, a company catering for all aspects of aquarium design, filtration, construction and maintenance of live specimens, as well as, allied equipment for marine, freshwater and planted aquariums. He instructs aquarium hobbyists on aquarium set up and maintenance in our monthly column, AQUA. John Richardson: John

Richardson aka The Dog Whisperer TM is founder of Dogtech International, a professional dog training school chain in Australia, and is an accredited canine behaviourist, accredited temperament assessor for dangerous dogs (Australian Government), and certified companion animal hygienist (PIA). He enthrals readers with his column DOG WHISPERER INVESTIGATES month after month, wherein he presents new case studies in every issue of Creature Companion, of dogs with behavioural issues, and how these issues came to be resolved by him. Mr Richardson is pet parent to dog, Whisper.

GUES

T LI

ST

Dr Spartia Piccinno: Dr Spartia Piccinno is president of the Associazione Italiana Pet Therapy, Alessandria, Italy, and is also the creator of psychomotor animal assisted therapy. She has authored Pet Therapy Psicomotoria, a book on psychomotor pet therapy, and authors a column called THERAPY DOGS, in Creature Companion, wherein, in every issue, readers are introduced to one of the therapy dogs at the Associazione Italiana Pet Therapy.

14Creature Companion | April 2013

News & Events

Mumbai: Actress Kareena Kapoor’s pet dog Elvis has become a neighbourhood favourite. The dog, who is just six months old, is such a bundle of joy and energy that every other animal lover in Bandra is fascinated with him.

Incidentally, Elvis also has a special friend called Margo in his own building. Now, there are a number of people following the antics of Elvis and his female partner Margo.

Kapoor’s actor husband, Saif Ali Khan, gifted her the Jack Russell Terrier in 2012. Reportedly, the pet is extremely attached to Khan and the latter takes him everywhere.

Kareena’s Pet, Elvis

Facebook Group organises Fundraiser for Cats

Jilly wins Crufts

New Venue for Aquarama & Pet Asia 2013

Mumbai: The Facebook group, Bombay Cat Club, hosted its second fundraising party for stray cats in Mumbai on March 8 at the Intercontinental Marine Drive Hotel. The event was organised in partnership with the Facebook group, Bombay Expats, and Network Prive, a networking and events organiser based in Mumbai.

Guests were charges `500 upon entry to include a drink (glass of domestic wine or beer) and `200 per person went to the fundraiser. A total of 216 guests attended the party and a total of `43,200 was raised for the cause. The proceeds will go to Mumbai based charities, groups and individuals supporting cats.

Although the party was for expats, all were welcome to attend. Creature Companion supported the event by distributing 150 magazines at the venue, free of cost.

Birmingham: Four-year-old Basset Griffon Vendeen, Jilly, won the Best Hound category and went on to be pronounced Best in Show after four days of competition at Crufts 2013.

Gavin Robertson, Jilly’s breeder, said he had been attending the dog show since he was a boy and had always wanted to win the prestigious prize.

As photographers took snapshots of the pair on the podium after they were presented with the all important trophy, Robertson took a call from his wife Sara and their two children, congratulating the pair on their win.

Jilly, from Oxfordshire, beat more than 20,000 dogs over the four-day competition to take the coveted title.

Singapore: Aquarama 2013 and Pet Asia 2013 will now be hosted at the expo and convention center at the Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The Sands Expo and Convention Center is Singapore’s largest exhibition and meeting venue, featuring the island’s largest hotel. At more than 120,000 square meters, the Sands Expo and Convention Center is the largest and most versatile exhibition and meeting venue in Singapore.

Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which was the venue earlier, will not be hosting the event due to renovations.

“The exhibition dates for Aquarama 2013 and Pet Asia 2013 remain as planned (from May 30 to June 2), as do all other existing arrangements we have in place for our exhibitors,” says Aquarama and Pet Asia Project Manager, Jennifer Lee.


News & Events

Mumbai: Popular Mumbai Café - Brasserie – Bar, Café Zoe, has gone dog friendly. The café has started allowing dogs on its quaint patio.

Open all days of the week, from 7.30 am to 1:30 am, the 4,000 sq ft café offers traditional European cuisine. Dogs are allowed on the premises from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm.

The decision to go dog friendly was made by the three managing directors of the cafe, Viraf Patel, Tarini Mohindar and Jérémie Horowitz, who are avid dog lovers. “Mumbai does not offer many options for pet/owner pairs and being dog lovers ourselves, we could recognise the need for pet owners to share quality time with their pets outside of the home. However, in order to keep everyone’s comfort in mind, we only allow dogs on the patio (and not inside the café). We also request patron dogs, as well as, their pet parents to be on their best behaviour!” says Horowitz.

London: Chicken-Fish and Pickywickywoowoo are some of most bizarre names that owners have given their cats and dogs, a survey reveals. Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, UK, an animal welfare organisation put together its top 20 by asking its 225,000 Facebook and Twitter fans to give them the most bizarre pet names they knew.

Besides Pickywickywoowoo, cats’ names are as outlandish as Princess Maisie Dolores, Strawberry Surprise, and Mister Fuzzy Mittens. Dog names ranged from the funny to the peculiar, such as Toe-Jam, Chicken-Fish and Towpath Tidy.

Last year, Britain’s most popular dog and cat name was Charlie, but now, owners are branching out and coming up with the most unique names they can.

Café Zoe is Dog Approved

Weird Pet Names

Pool Party for Bengaluru Canines

Knightsbridge: Marianne Yvette Perkins, 42, a barrister, says she was held in a vice like grip by four to six members of a Harvey Nichols store and her Maltese puppy was intentionally elbowed by the staff after a dispute in September 2010 over whether she was permitted to bring her dog into the luxury Knightsbridge department store.

Perkins has now lodged a High Court writ suing Harvey Nichols Group Ltd, which ironically has recently launched an ad campaign featuring models carrying oversized lapdogs in large handbags.

Perkins is claiming up to £1m damages for alleged false imprisonment and personal injury, as well as, the costs of medical treatment for injuries to her dog.

Bengaluru: Anvis Inc, the integrated pet management company in Bengaluru, is geared to host Doggies Day Out – Paw Splash on April 7 at a farm on the periphery of the city. The highlight of the event will be a farm style swimming pool at the venue, where pets can cool off while their owners socialise amongst each other. Other attractions include pet and owner games and goodies for dogs.

The event will be sponsored by Pedigree, dog boarding Pet Stepin’, Shevar Spa & Grooming Parlour, DogSpot.in, and Creature Companion as magazine partner.

Approximately 50 dogs have registered for the event and a footfall of 100 is expected.

Barrister sues Harvey Nichols for £1m after Dog was “Elbowed”

and ex-trustee of NGO, Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), Sudha Narayan; award winning animal welfare activist, Achala Paani of animal welfare NGO, Let’s Live Together; vets, Dr Thanuja and Dr Karthiga Kartheepan; pet store owners, Savita and Ramya Hemanth; SheelaVenkatesh, the only lady distributor for Pedigree in Karnataka; and, Yours truly.

The discussion was thrown open to the floor after a welcome address from Dr Shashank Sinha, speciality pet trade (SPT) manager, Pedigree, Karnataka, followed by a speech by Dr Surajit Das, SPT manager, Pedigree, Tamil Nadu & Kerala. The conference was moderated by Dr Anita Sriram, vet business executive, Pedigree, Bengaluru.

Events

POST SHOW REVIEWPedigree Conference on Careers for Women in Indian Pet Industry

Pedigree’s initiative to empower women of the Indian pet industry and steer more towards it

Mars India (Pedigree) organised a women-only conference on March 12 at the Iris Hotel

in Bengaluru. Hosted between 3 to 6 pm, the conference aimed to belatedly celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) by discussing career prospects for women in the Indian pet industry.

Attended by approximately 50 women pet industry entrepreneurs and professionals, the conference had a rich panel of speakers including: Meenakshi Reddy, noted breeder of Labradors and president of the Labrador Club of India (Karnataka chapter); Rajlakshmi, vice president of the Bangalore Canine Club; Radhika of grooming parlour and pet boarding, Wags & Wiskers; Shweta Munjal of grooming parlour, Prince of Tails; passionate animal activist

The conference focussed on the various facets of the pet industry and how women can create roles for themselves in the same. Established entrepreneurs and vets shared stories of how they came to be part of the industry and shared tips with aspiring professionals and businesswomen. “After moving to India from the US, I started assisting vets here but found that I had new ideas and knowledge that I could only enforce if I were to start my own practice. Therefore, I established my own vet clinic two years ago,” said Kartheepan of Whitefield Pet Care.

“I used to be an invest banker but tired of the long hours spent on work that paid well but was not satisfying. That is when I decided to take a break and go to Singapore to acquire accreditation for professional pet grooming,” said Munjal.

“The pet industry in India has evolved. Back in the day, when I was in vet school, a lot of students dropped out to pursue their MDs. The scenario now is different. The vet is second to none and has a place in the industry. Pedigree aims to bolster the confidence of all individuals, and especially women, who want to join the pet sphere in the country,” said Sinha at the event.

Creature Companion was Pedigree’s magazine partner for the conference and all participants received copies of the publication.


■ Rutaksha Rawat


The 2nd edition of Blue Cross of India’s The Great Indian Dog Show was hosted on March 16 at

Patel’s Inn, Bengaluru.

The main objective of the show was to generate pride for Indian dogs, to bust myths related to them, and to help people shed biased mindsets about these wonderful companions.

Sixty five Indian dogs with their human companions participated in the show and enthralled the audience at the event.

The show kick-started on a patriotic note, with Sean Blagsvedt’s (owner of Café Jaaga) giving a musical rendition of the national anthem using a mouth organ, while his dog, Berlin, matched every musical note with his howling. This was an appropriate beginning, as people had gathered to celebrate the ‘Indianness’ of their dogs.

The organisers of the event, in an endeavour to reach out to more people than the last edition of the event, devised the innovative medium of flash mobs to spread the message of the show. One such an occasion, the team reached out to a surprised crowd on Mantri Square in the city.

The celebrity guest list at the do included Parimala Jaggesh, wife of Kannada acclaimed actor Jaggesh. Her son, Gururaj joined her as she spoke at length about her love for dogs.

Maya Sharma from NDTV spoke about how Jogi, her adopted Indian dog, changed her life and was seen cuddling all the pups at the adoption pen.

The show had an adoption camp, which was successful in facilitating adoptions of eight adorable pups.

All dog owners were called up on stage one by one, wherein each introduced their Indian dog to audience and talked about it at length. The show was judged by Dr Lohith, a compassionate and well known vet, with an MA in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology; Amrut Sridhar

Hiranya, popularly known as the Dog Guru, a canine behaviourist trained from Unitec Auckland, New Zealand; and Sudha Narayanan, founder trustee of WRRC, and ex-trustee CUPA, who has worked in the field of animal welfare for 22 years.

Best Dressed Dog: Charlie, belonging to Michelle Pereira

Shiniest Coat: Brownie, belonging to Leela Naidu

Rarest Coat: Pepper, belonging to Aparajitha, Ashwani, Nandini

Biggest Dog: Foster, belonging to Bhavya

Smallest Dog: Chuck, belonging to Prakrithi Pushp

Naughtiest Puppy: Cookie, belonging to Prakrithi Pushp

Naughtiest Dog: Minchu, belonging to Mohan Kumar

Friendliest Dog: Harper, belonging to Kara Jordan

Wackiest Name: Shunti, belonging to Amruth

Survivor of the Year: Pulla, belonging to Savitha Sharma

Pulla was thrown by a drunken gambler from the 3rdfloor and fell in a heap on hard concrete, going into a coma. Savitha Sharma rescued him and took care of him.

WINNERS

Dog with the Waggiest Tail: Honey, belonging to Shamala Balaji

Owner Lookalike: Pulla, belonging to Savitha Sharma

Healthiest Neutered (male): Zee, belonging to Neha Girish

Healthiest Neutered (female): Maya, belonging to Deepthi Hebbale

Oldie Goldie (oldest dog): Lyka, belonging to Melissa Marak

Best Dressed Dog: Charlie; Companion: Michele Pereira

THE GREAT INDIAN DOG SHOW POST SHOW REVIEW

The only dog show in India celebrating Indian dogs

Contact: [email protected], www.thegreatindiandogshow.com

Coolest Dog: Clap, belonging to Ankush Sharma. Clap rides long distances on the bike with owner, Ankush. Clap made a grand entry at the show on a bike and took away the Coolest Dog award for the second year in a row.

■ Jaysal


Events

POST SHOW REVIEWKennel Club of Mahakaushal Dog Show

Pug, Huchujk Ode to The Past, won Best in Show

The Kennel Club of Mahakaushal hosted its 1st and 2nd Championship Dog Shows at the Sports Club of Jabalpur, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on March 3, 2013. With a total of 213 registrations for the one-day event, the show was judged

by CV Sudarshan and Rajiv Shandilya. Concurrent to the championship shows was a sculpture exhibition, Sparsh, where dog head sculptures were displayed by award winning sculptor (& physiotherapist), Dr Priyanka Pawar. The following are the results of the dog shows.

KCM 1stALL BREED DOG SHOWBest in Show – FirstDog’s Name: Huchujk Ode to The PastBreed: PugOwner’s Name: Shatrughan Dubey, David Cook

Best in Show – SecondDog’s Name: Asta Von SchnitzerteamBreed: German ShepherdOwner’s Name: K Kamala Kannan

Best in Show – ThirdDog’s Name: Liquor on Rocks Von AgraniBreed: BoxerOwner’s Name: Dr Mahender Singh

Best in Show – FourthDog’s Name: I Bravi Ragazzi Just A GigoloBreed: BullmastiffOwner’s Name: Dr Ankur Choudhary

Best in Show – FifthDog’s Name: Fiery Fox SafariBreed: Wire Fox TerrierOwner’s Name: Utkarsh Rathore

Best in Show – SixthDog’s Name: Sudeo Best Bib & TuckerBreed: Labrador RetrieverOwner’s Name: Gurvinder Cheema

Best in Show – SeventhDog’s Name: Chevy of RaviaBreed: German ShepherdOwner’s Name: Rajan Thirumalai

Best in Show – EighthDog’s Name: Shapers Sharp ShooterBreed: Great DaneOwner’s Name: Manish S Chauhan

Best Puppy in Show1] Dog’s Name: Shapers Sharp Shooter2] Dog’s Name: Enakshi’s Choco Breed: Labrador Retriever Owner’s Name: EnakshiChandel

Best Breed in IndiaDog’s Name: Liquor on Rocks Von Agrani

Reserve Best Bred in IndiaDog’s Name: Chevy of Ravia

KCM 2nd ALL BREED DOG SHOWBest in Show – FirstDog’s Name: Huchujk Ode to The Past

Best in Show – SecondDog’s Name: El Diablo Brcko StarBreed: RottweilerOwner’s Name: Rahul Tyagi

Best in Show – ThirdDog’s Name: Asta Von Schnitzerteam

Best in Show – FourthDog’s Name: Sudeo Best Bib & Tucker

Best in Show – FifthDog’s Name: Enakshi’s White LilyBreed: Labrador RetrieverOwner’s Name: Enakshi Chandel

Best in Show – SixthDog’s Name: Liquor on Rocks Von Agrani

Best in Show – SeventhDog’s Name: Fiery Fox Safari

Best in Show – EighthDog’s Name: Rosy’s Carlos Von KelemenBreed: RottweilerOwner’s Name: Amar Singh Rajpoot

Best Puppy in Show1] Dog’s Name: Enakshi’s Choco2] Dog’s Name: Shapers Sharp Shooter

Best Breed in IndiaDog’s Name: Enakshi’s White Lily

Reserve Best Bred in IndiaDog’s Name: Liquor on Rocks Von Agrani

■ Rutaksha Rawat

Dog head sculptures by Dr Priyanka Pawar

Pet of The Month

PEPPY PEGGY

The Facebook Public Figure

“Peggy is a dog of the digital world. She has her own website, Facebook page and email address”

— Tina Sharma, Peggy’s human

PET OF THE MONTH

APRIL 2013

Name: Peggy

Breed: Pug

Age & Gender: 8 months; female

Name of Human: Tina Sharma

Resident of: New Delhi

Food Habits: Non vegetarian (loves chicken, meat jerky and cottage cheese).

Adorable Habits: Dancing (jumping to songs).

Funny Anecdotes: Peggy is full of adorable antics but a very sweet incident occurred recently when she’d finally accepted our other two pets,Jack & Cody (rabbits), and started playing with them. Last Sunday, just like other elder sisters, she gave food to her brothers and then started dancing in front of them to her favourite Bollywood song, “Fevicol”!

Claim to Fame: Peggy won ‘Most Creative Outfit’ at the Pet Fashion Show hosted at the 6th India International Pet Trade Fair, Noida. She also won ‘Best Bred Pug’ at the 5th Annual Dog Show hosted by Canis Welfare Pet Club in Delhi. Peggy is a reputed public figure in the digital world and has her own page, Peppypeggy, on Facebook. She also has her own website, www.peppypeggy.webs.com and is digitally savvy, able to check and reply to mails at [email protected].

Future Plans: After winning trophies at various dog shows, Peggy is now geared up for other shows and commercials.

Favourite Pastime: Playing with rabbits and sleeping.

Fears: Peggy is petrified of heights.

CONTACT PEGGYFollow Peggy on her Facebook page: Peppypeggy

Website: www.peppypeggy.webs.com

Contact Peggy: [email protected]

Best Bred Pug trophyat the 5thAnnual

Dog Show hosted byCanis Welfare

Pet Club

Outfit shopping at Sicons The Pet Safari



Dog Whisperer Investigates

Puppies come in all shapes and sizes, with many different breeds and cross breeds. But despite

puppies having different traits and personalities, raising any puppy is basically the same.They all need toilet training, and if we want to avoid a life of doggie problems and to live in harmony with our puppies, then, basic training is absolutely necessary.

Case History — Pugsly

I was contacted by Mrs Knight, who called me in desperation about toilet training her 11-week-old male Pug, Pugsly. She explained that she was vigilant in taking her Pug out to the toilet on a regular basis, and spent many minutes encouraging him to “go”. However, he waited until she brought him back inside before he did his business. As Mrs Knight had a lovely home, and an expensive carpet (Pugsly’s target of elimination), this was very frustrating for her.

One of the questions I asked Mrs Knight was what she used to clean her carpet after Pugsly’s little “accidents” and she named a commercial carpet cleaning product. I explained to her that an ingredient in the carpet cleaner may have been partly responsible for Pugsly’s repeated offences, as the smell may have actually encouraged him to continue to go to the toilet in those places. I recommended she use a mixture of white vinegar and water (approximately 30% vinegar/70% water) for cleaning those areas to eradicate the smell.

In talking to Mrs Knight, it was obvious that she would often shout at Pugsly when he messed in the house, which was understandable. However, I said that she should ignore the behaviour and just clean up the mess with the vinegar solution because shouting at her dog might make the situation even worse. What a dog will often do in this case is to continue to mess in the house but in a less conspicuous place, such as in a corner behind the furniture!

PUGSLY THE INCORRIGIBLE

The Dog Whisperer

was called to the

home of a frustrated

Mrs Knight, whose

dog, Pugsly, had taken

to relieving himself

on her expensive

carpet……….

If used correctly, a crate is an excellent tool to toilet train a puppy

■ John Richardson


Before going to bed that night, I put Whisper in a large cardboard box lined with lots of papers in case of any little

of my car, half asleep, and placed her on the grass in my backyard. With the long journey home I was reasonably sure she would want to go to the toilet, so to start her new life with us, I knew it was best to start her toilet training as I intended to continue. As soon as I put her on the grass she started to sniff. I started saying to her “go toilet, go toilet, go toilet” and very soon she relieved herself. At that point, she didn’t relate to the words I was saying, but as time went on and she got used to this phrase, this prompted her to go to the toilet.

accidents. I placed her by the side of my bed so that if she had a little whinge I could slowly dangle my hand into the box to remind her she wasn’t alone. She soon settled down. I must have dozed off for about 3 hours when I awoke with her whimpering. It was mid-winter, with frost on the ground (I live in Australia), but half asleep, I took her outside to the backyard to the same spot as before, repeating the same words: “go toilet, go toilet, go toilet”, and she quickly obliged. As soon as I put her back in her box she settled, because she had company, and I got back to sleep. This was the pattern

themselves; however, we need to be vigilant for the signs.Your puppy’s body language will usually give you some indication that it needs to go out, even at an early age. It may suddenly start sniffing the floor in a circling motion, or go to the door, or lift its tail in an unusual manner. Watch carefully and observe. You will soon learn the signs.

Just gently pick the puppy up and take it outside to the same area each time, preferably a grassy one. Puppies are creatures of habit, so by taking our puppy out to the same area each time, it soon gets used to this toilet area and will prefer this spot, provided we give our puppy

of the first night, taking her out around every 2-3 hours.

I continued this procedure for the first week, but after that, found her visits outside were getting less frequent. On the second week, I started to move her box just a little at a time each night, closer and closer to our bedroom door, so that by the end of that week our new puppy was out in the hallway, where she now sleeps.

We need to bear in mind that our puppy has just been separated from its mother and siblings and arrived in a new environment and during the first weeks, we need to make an effort to care for it properly, gradually easing it into our family routine. New puppy parents will sometimes put their puppy on its own in a cold lonely laundry room, or outside in a shed, and wonder why the puppy cries or howls all night. Its owner may then get frustrated and start shouting at the puppy — not a good start to a new relationship! It doesn’t make sense, does it? But I can assure people do this.

Reading the Signs

Our puppies usually tell us when they want to relieve

I recommended to Mrs Knight that when she took Pugsly out, she tether him up in an area that was safe, and encourage him to go there. If he didn’t oblige the first time, she should continue to take him outside to the same place and tether him up until he did (of course keeping a close eye on him also while he was in the house). Eventually, Pugsly would get the message that the area his owner had chosen was his toilet place.

Getting the First Night Right

Getting a new puppy is an exciting time for most families. However, that happy feeling can change to frustration as early as the first night if we don’t know how to properly care for our puppy. I would like to share with you my own experience in toilet training my own puppy.

When I first brought home my 8-week-old puppy, Whisper,

I carried her gently out

Puppies need to urinate every 2 hours in the initial months

“Mrs Knight explained thatshe was vigilant intaking her Pug outto the toilet on aregular basis, andspent many minutesencouraging himto ‘go’. However,he waited until shebrought him backinside before he didhis business”


access when it needs it. Initially, puppies need to go out about every 2 hours, but after a few weeks this situation should improve as the puppy starts to grow. By the time my dog Whisper was 6 weeks of age, she was able to sleep all night without needing to go outside, provided we took her out prior to bedtime.

one corner of this area. (Paper is porous, allowing liquid to soak up, and this is what puppies prefer.) There are three main times a puppy will want to go to the toilet: first thing in the morning, after meals and after exercise. If you put a small amount of the pup’s droppings on the paper, it will encourage it to toilet on

chooses the correct area to go to the toilet, praise it and give it a treat to encourage that behaviour.

Crate Training

If used correctly, a crate is an excellent tool to manage a puppy. An advantage of crate training is that a puppy is usually reluctant to mess in its own area, and this makes the situation easier to control, provided you take your puppy outside on a regular basis. I suggest that some newspaper be placed at one end of the crate in the event of any accidents, should you not notice the signs that the puppy needs to go until too late.

When first introducing your puppy to a crate, you may put it in there with its favourite treat or toy, or feed it in there, but start it off with very short stays, building it up to about an hour. Eventually, just leave the crate door open and you will find that your puppy will probably go in there itself. If introduced correctly, the crate is a place where your puppy will feel safe and relaxed for brief periods. It is not, however, a place to keep your puppy whilst you are out all day.

During those first weeks, if you allow time to get your puppy into good toileting habits, it will pay dividends later on. Above all, have fun and enjoy your puppy — they grow up all too soon!

What If I Live in an Apartment?

Not everyone lives in an independent home with a yard. In fact, most people in busy cities live in high rise apartments, where they find it difficult, even impossible to take the pup 10 stories down every 2 hours. These people can actually train their dogs to “go” indoors, although this is not the ideal scenario.

To train a puppy to go to the toilet inside our home, you need a room that has a non porous floor — such as tiles or vinyl. You can dedicate one of your bathrooms or laundry rooms for this purpose.You need to put lots of paper in

the paper and at appropriate times, you need to have your puppy confined to that area until it gets used to the idea. Later, you can simply leave the door open and the puppy will know what to do.

As I mentioned above, if your puppy has an accident you shouldn’t reprimand it. Just clean up and wipe the area with the white vinegar and water solution to neutralise the smell. When the puppy

Diligent toilet training can be tedious but it pays life long dividends

Spreading newspapers on the floor is a good way to replicate grass (on

which dogs are prone to urinate)

• You HAVE to take your puppy out every 2 hours in the beginning, if you want him to learn to go outside.

• Consistency is a MUST. Feed the pup at the same time every day, so that he eliminates at the same time and, therefore,wants to go to the bathroom at approximately the same time every day.

• Take note of your pup’s body language. Certain actions will indicate that he needs to go to the bathroom. Once a little older, dogs actually start whining and pacing when they need to relieve themselves and sometimes even fetch the leash to tell their owners they need a bathroom break

• Taking out your pup every 2 hours may seem hellish at first, but if you are diligent enough, you will soon the reap the reward of having a loving, toilet trained dog for life. It is a small price to pay!

TOILET TRAINING TIPS

Dog Whisperer Investigates

John Richardson The Dog Whisperer™ Accredited Canine Behaviourist Accredited Temperament Assessor (Australian Govt) www.dogtech.com.au

I was immediately charmed by Duke’s adorable face the moment he stepped into my home. I was

drawn in by his big brown eyes. As it was a new environment, he was a little cautious at first but he slowly got into the business of sniffing and scoping out the surroundings, as well as, the other two dogs that were residing with me at the time. As I bent down to pat his head, Duke ducked and was apprehensive about letting me touch him. He brought his body down to the floor to make it difficult for me to reach him. It didn’t take me long to sense how scared he was of humans; he would flinch every time I reached out to him physically.

When his owner Anup told us Duke’s story, my sisters and I felt sorry for the poor dog, who had been suffering for 10 long years. Duke was one of the 28 Beagles that had been rescued from a pharmaceutical laboratory in Bengaluru, which was illegally importing dogs from China to use for chemical testing. These dogs were all in the age group of 10 to 11 years and had been kept as lab rats their whole lives. They were tortured mentally and physically. It was going to take a whole lot of love, patience and understanding to get them back on track

and make them trust humans again. Duke, too, was still carrying the pain that had been inflicted upon him for so many years and the decade of cruelty wasn’t going to erase itself from his memory easily.

A Lifetime in a Cage

Having inhabited a cage his whole life with little space to even stretch his legs, Duke’s bones had become very weak, further enfeebled by age. Deprived of movement his entire life, his front legs had become bow shaped and were unsteady. His teeth are all rotten. Anup got him a box full of Dentastix (dog chews that remove tartar) for his teeth as a remedial measure, but the only solution to his weak bones is to exercise them by regularly walking him. Duke’s coat had lost its lustre and he had a hard time finding a home after his rescue, as a cancerous growth had developed on his testicles. However, the growth was surgically removed and Duke eventually found a loving home with brothers, Anup and Ravi.

Giving Life a Second Chance

After the initial days of wariness, Duke eventually adjusted himself to my place.

12 DAYS WITH DUKEDuke is one of the 28 Beagles that were rescued from an animal testing lab in Bengaluru. He had spent 10 years in a laboratory cage

Pet Braveheart

■ Kim Bawitlung


He learned to trust us. When we would stroke his hair or give him a tummy rub, we could tell he was feeling at home and had begun to enjoy our company. He would often bring his paws forward whenever he wanted another round of tummy rubs! He didn’t bother anyone, not even the cats. He was at peace with everyone. He stayed with us for 12 days during which, he became healthier and stronger, his appetite increasing at a robust pace. Duke loves to eat and would spin in circles till we would put his bowl down. He’d give a loud Beagle howl when food was not served fast enough. Despite his weak bones, he learned to climb the two steps that lead to our dining hall. There was only one problem — the minute we put a leash on him, it took him back to his wretched past and he would resist terribly. It was painful to see him fight back so much. But soothing words and gentle pats on his back calmed him down and he would finally give in.

My Hero

The 12 days I spent with Duke made me

learn a lot. For one thing, my threshold for patience has gone up exponentially, as I had to be extra careful, given his painful past. The fact that despite bearing 10 years of torture and being well into his twilight years (Beagles live as long as 12-15 years), Duke was entertaining tummy rubs, walks, and displaying a zest for food and life, made me marvel at his spirit, his character and most of all his big heart. To me, Duke is a hero — a true survivor.

On the other hand, I see that life has been so unfair to him because he has just started his — at the age of 10 years.

Kim Bawitlung is the founder of popular Bengaluru pet homestay, Kim’s Place. An animal lover, she spends her time taking care of her boarders, along with her two

Persian cats and her 5-year-old Tibetan Terrier, Nacho

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10 WATER BABIESDogs that simply love to swim

The Labrador’s affinity to water can be traced back to its history of helping the local fishermen of Newfoundland, where the breed was first bred. Take your Labrador with you to the beach or a canine pool, and he’ll probably race you to the water!

Unlike felines, most dogs woof with excitement for water, be it in the form of an ocean, a

lake or even a kiddie pool. There are some dogs, however, that not only love the water, but are also excellent

swimmers. If your summer plans include poolside lounging, you’ll need a nose diving companion to help you enjoy the swimming season. Whether you’re looking for a furry companion to join you in the water or simply a pup with a

zest for summer activities, these 10 dog breeds were born to doggy paddle. So, if you have any of the following breeds, you know you need to get them near the water as soon as temperatures start soaring.

Dogs that avoid WaterAkita

Chihuahua

Basenji

Whippet

Great Dane

Shar Pei

Chow Chow

■ Rutaksha Rawat

result of being bred to retrieve game such as waterfowl.

Health: The Labrador’s life expectancy is generally 10 to 12 years, and it is a healthy breed with relatively few major problems. Notable issues related to health include hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patella, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, retinal dysplasia, hereditary myopathy and autoimmune diseases.

Labradors love to eat, and without adequate exercise, can become obese. Laziness and a penchant for sleeping contribute to this. Obesity can give rise to conditions such as hip dysplasia and joint problems, and can lead to secondary diseases, including diabetes.

One of the most loving family dogs and a reliable companion, the Labrador is known to be a water lover. The breed’s affinity to water can be traced back to its history of helping the local fishermen of Newfoundland, where these dogs were first bred. Take your Labrador with you to the beach or a canine pool, and he’ll probably race you to the water!

The Labrador Retriever is one of several kinds of Retriever, a type of gun dog. A distinct characteristic of the breed is its webbed paws, useful for the breed’s original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. Besides being the most popular dog breed in India, the Labrador is also the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

History: The Labrador’s predecessors originated on the island of Newfoundland, now part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The founding breed of the Labrador was the St John’s Water Dog, a breed that emerged through ad hoc breeding by early settlers of the island in the 16th century. The forbear of the St John’s Dog are not known, but were likely a random-bred mix of English, Irish, and Portuguese working breeds. The Newfoundland (earlier known as Greater Newfoundland) is likely a result of the St John’s Dog breeding with Mastiffs brought to the island by generations of Portuguese fishermen since the 16th century.

Appearance: Labradors are relatively large, with males weighing from 29

Labrador Retriever1to 41 kg and females, 25 to 32 kg. Labradors weighing close to 45 kg are considered obese or having a major fault under American Kennel Club (AKC) standards, although some Labradors weigh significantly more. The majority of characteristics of this breed, with the exception of colour, are the result of breeding to produce a working Retriever.

Temperament: The Labrador’s temperament is kind, pleasant, outgoing and tractable. The Labrador’s sense of smell allows it to hone in on almost any scent and follow the path of its origin. They generally stay on the scent until they find it.

Labradors enjoy holding objects and even hands or arms in their mouths, which they can do with great gentleness (a Labrador can carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it). They are known to have a very soft feel to the mouth as a

Kiwi Photo Courtesy: Meghna Mein Jaswal


breeder will minimise the risk of illness by having the health of dogs in breeding pairs professionally assessed and selected on the basis of complementary traits. They should be taken to the veterinarian for yearly check ups.

Golden Retrievers are most commonly plagued by hip dysplasia and obesity in their senior years.

2Golden Retriever

The sweet natured Golden Retriever was born to swim. Bred to retrieve fowl from water and land, this lovable companion is no stranger to the doggy paddle. With a dense water repelling coat, webbed feet and a Healthy stamina, Goldens are fully equipped for long days of fetching, swimming and playing at your favourite summer water hole. Since the breed is easily trainable, its love for water has already become an innate skill, which is why they are often used for water rescue missions. With an eager-to-please demeanour, Goldens are more than happy to help you perfect your backstroke or join you on a freelance swim.

History: The Golden Retriever has its roots in Scotland. In the mid-18th century, wildfowl hunting was very popular among the wealthy. In Scotland, a dog was needed that could retrieve from water and land because the land was covered in ponds and rivers. Early Retrievers were crossed with the best of Water Spaniels, giving rise to what we now know as the Golden Retriever.

Temperament: The temperament of the Golden Retriever is a hallmark of the breed, and is described as “kindly, friendly and confident”. They are not

“one man dogs” and are generally equally amiable with both strangers and those familiar to them. Their trusting, gentle disposition makes them poor guard dogs. Any form of unprovoked aggression towards either people, dogs or other animals, whether in the show ring or community, is considered unacceptable in a Golden Retriever and is not in keeping with the character of the breed. Nor should a Golden Retriever be unduly timid or nervous. The Golden Retriever is calm, intelligent and biddable, with an exceptional eagerness to please.

Golden Retrievers are also noted for their intelligence. The breed ranks 4th in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, following the Border Collie, Poodle, and German Shepherd, as one of the brightest dogs ranked on the basis of obedience-command trainability.

Health: The average life span for a Golden Retriever is approximately 11 years. Golden Retrievers are susceptible to specific ailments. A responsible

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One of the prettiest dog breeds around, the Cocker Spaniel is a water dog breed and has an inherent love for it, but it would be wise to introduce it to the idea first before letting it dive into the water right away.

Cocker Spaniels belong to two breeds of the Spaniel dog type: American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel, both of which are commonly called ‘Cocker Spaniels’ in their countries of origin. In the early 20th century, Cocker Spaniels also included small hunting Spaniels.

History: While their origins are unknown, “Spaynels” are mentioned in 14th century writings. It is commonly assumed that they originated in Spain, and Edward of Norwich, 2nd Duke of York, in his 15th century work, The Master of Game, introduces them as “another kind of Hound there is that be called Hounds for the Hawk and Spaniels”.

In 1801, Sydenham Edwards wrote in Cynographia Britannica that the “Land Spaniel” is divided into two categories: Hawking, Springing/Springer and the

Cocking/Cocker Spaniel. During the 19th century, a Cocker Spaniel was a type of small Field Spaniel.

Appearance: The male English Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized dog, measuring approximately 15 to 17 inches tall and weighing 13-16 kg. The female Cocker is 12 to 15 inches tall and weighs 12 to 15 kg.

The major difference between the English and American varieties is that the American is smaller, with a shorter back, a domed head and a shorter muzzle, while the English variety is taller, with a narrower head and chest. The appearance of the English Cocker Spaniel is strong and slender, with a longer face compared to the American Cocker Spaniel. The most prominent feature of the Cocker is its ears, which are long enough to reach its nose, when brought forward.

Temperament: Cocker Spaniels are loyal, companionable, and adore being around the family. As well as being affectionate, they’re particularly good with young children, which is why they make excellent family dogs.

They also make good gun dogs

because of their willingness to work and the fact that their

original hunting instincts are never very far below the surface.

Health: Issues common to Cockers include ear infections and a variety of eye problems. Although Cocker Spaniel ears are beautiful, their pendulous design hinders sufficient air from entering their ear canal. Due to this, Spaniels are prone to ear infection.

In serious cases, and especially if left untreated, ear infections can result in eventual deafness. Therefore, it’s imperative for Cocker owners to give high priority to cleaning their dogs’ ears on a regular basis in order to fight infection and excess bacteria.

Cocker Spaniel3


Cover Story

The Poodle was originally bred to be a water retriever—a working dog bred to jump into water and fetch waterfowl for hunters. In German, the term, pudelin, means to splash in the water. You may notice that certain parts of a Poodle’s body are left free from fur; this makes these areas of the dog lighter when in the water. Therefore, the breed is literally “designed” to be a water dog.

Originally bred as a type of water dog, the Poodle is skilful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding. Poodles have taken top honours in many conformation shows, including “Best in Show” at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1991 (Ch Whisperwind On A Carousel) and 2002 (Ch Surrey Spice Girl), and at the World Dog Show in 2007 (Smash) and 2010 (Smash).

History: The Poodle is believed to have originated in Germany, where it was known as the Pudelhund. The word Pudel is derived from the German verb

meaning “to splash about”. The breed was standardised in France, where it was commonly used as a water retriever.

The European mainland had known the Poodle long before it was brought to England. Drawings by German artist, Albrecht Dürer, established a popular image of the breed in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Appearance: The Poodle is a very active, intelligent and elegant dog, squarely built, and well proportioned. To ensure the desirable squarely built appearance, the length of the body, measured from the breastbone to the point of the rump, approximates the height from the highest point of the shoulders to the ground.

The eyes of the Poodle should be very dark, oval in shape, and have an alert and intelligent expression. The ears should fold over close to the head, set at, or slightly below, eye level. The coat should be of naturally curly texture, dense

much more of your time and energy. The Poodle owner must constantly be thinking up new games and challenges to keep his dog interested.

Health: The most common serious health issues of Poodles are Addison’s disease, gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV), thyroid issues, tracheal collapse, epilepsy, sebaceous adenitis, juvenile renal disease, hip dysplasia and cancer.

Poodle4throughout, although many registered show dogs sport a lion cut or a shaven look.

Temperament: Poodles generally have delightful temperaments. They are intelligent, learn tricks quickly, and love showing off what they can do. Poodles are lively and playful. While some dogs may be content with a few minutes of attention a day, Poodles typically demand


It is easy to mistake this small dog breed for a fox because it looks like one, with its oval brown eyes and pointy, upright ears. The Schipperke was bred in Flanders, Belgium, by a canal boat captain named Renssens. It was named Schipperke, which means “little captain”. This small fur ball has a very strong affinity for water and is considered a good guard dog as well.

History: Schipperkes were first recognised as a formal breed in the 1880s, their standard being written in 1889. Much of what is known of their origin and early history comes from Chasse et Pêche (French for “Hunting

towards the rear of the dog. Schipperkes also have longer fur on their hind legs, called culottes.

Dogs of this breed usually weigh 3 to 9 kg. Puppies are born with tails of different lengths. In Canada and the United States, the tail is usually docked the day after birth. In countries that ban docking, Schipperkes display their natural tails, which vary in type.

Temperament: The Schipperke is a quick, energetic little dog. It is high spirited, alert and self confident. This breed is very devoted and loyal, especially with children. It really bonds with its master. Pet cats will be happily accepted and it is usually good with other dogs. The Schipperke is very smart, curious and mischievous. These dogs do exceptionally well on boats. Among the Schipperke’s best characteristics is the ability to defend its home against intruders—backing down from nobody, notwithstanding size.

The Schipperke is an active and tireless breed. To be happy and mentally stable, they need to be taken on daily walks or jogs. They also enjoy playing and running. This breed is very active indoors and will get a lot of its exercise running around your house. It will greatly enjoy running free off its lead in a safely fenced in yard or park.

This breed is very clean and pretty much takes care of its own grooming, but to keep the medium length double coat in top condition, comb and brush regularly with a firm bristle brush. They shed very little until the coat “blows”, which can be as often as three times a year.

Health: The Schipperke has no aggressive health problems, and individuals often reach the old age of 17 or 18 years.

Nonetheless, inactivity, lack of exercise and over feeding are very harmful for this breed, and can lead to joint and skeletal problems and tooth, heart, lung or digestive conditions.

and Fishing”) magazine, articles of which were translated into English and published by the English magazine, The Stockkeeper.

Appearance: The Schipperke’s small, pointed ears are erect atop the head. They are double coated, with a soft, fluffy undercoat that is covered by a rougher and longer outer coat. One of the breed characteristics is a long ruff that goes around the neck and then trails down

5 Schipperke


instinct of wanting to please. Its keen sense of working as a team makes it a relatively easy dog to train and discipline. Due to its high intelligence and quizzical nature, it has the reputation of being the clown of the Spaniel family and will do ordinary things in extraordinary ways to

Spaniels were developed. The father of the breed, Justin McCarthy from Dublin, left no breeding records. All manner of dogs have been suggested including Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Barbet, Generic Old Water Dog, the now-extinct English Water Spaniel, as well as, the Northern

Better known for its stylish mop-like

mane and unique looks, the Irish

Water Spaniel is a rare find. With only a

small known number living

in America, this breed is likely found

paddling in cool bodies of water. This playful canine was born

with a rudder-like tail that contributes to its excellent water retrieving skills. The Irish Water Spaniel not only makes a great poolside companion but also a wonderful family pet.

The Irish Water Spaniel is the oldest of the Spaniel breeds.

History: Although the current breed stock is Irish, the origin of the breed is a native Irish breed for over 1,000 years. It is believed in Irish folklore to be the descendant of the Dobhar-chú, an Irish mythical creature. It is probable that more than one ancient breed of Spaniel has gone into its makeup. It is not known from which other dog breeds Irish Water

and Southern Water Spaniels, but whether Irish Water Spaniels are antecedents, descendants, or mixtures of these breeds is a matter of speculation. The modern breed, as we know it, was developed in Ireland in the 1830s.

Appearance: The Irish Water Spaniel is a sturdy, cobby dog native to Ireland. The coat, consisting of dense curls, sheds very little. The colour is liver/puce and has a very definite purple hue, unlike the colour of any other known breed. The non shedding characteristic of the coat means that people allergic to dogs may have less of an allergic reaction to Irish Water Spaniels.

Temperament: Like most dogs of the Sporting group, the Irish Water Spaniel is an active, willing and energetic companion. Because it has been bred from stock used to fetch game and return it to hand without a fuss, it has the natural

achieve that which is asked of it.

Health: Irish Water Spaniels are prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, follicular dysplasia, hypothyroidism, allergies, entropion, paronychia, distichiasis, megaesophagus, epilepsy, vaccination sensitivity and drug sensitivity.

Generations of this breed have grown to love the water. The Siberian Husky is a medium size, dense coat working dog breed that originated in north East Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognisable by its thickly furred double coat, sickle tail, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings.

Huskies are an active, energetic, and resilient breed, whose ancestors came from the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic.

History: The Siberian Husky, Samoyed, and Alaskan Malamute are all breeds directly descended from the original “sled dog”. Recent DNA analysis confirms that this is one of the oldest breeds of dog. The term “husky” is a corruption of the nickname “Esky”, once applied to the Eskimos and subsequently to their dogs.

Breeds descending from the Eskimo dog or Qimmiq were once found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from Siberia to Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Labrador and Baffin Island.

Siberian Husky7

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Irish Water Spaniel6


Appearance: The Siberian Husky’s coat is thicker than most other dog breeds, comprising two layers: a dense undercoat and a longer topcoat of short, straight guard hairs. It protects the dogs effectively against harsh Arctic winters, but the coat also reflects heat in the summer. It is able to withstand temperatures as low as -50 to -60 °C. The breed standard indicates that the males of the breed are ideally between 21 and 23.5 inches tall at the withers, weighing between 20 and 27 kg. Females are smaller, growing to between 20 to 22 inches tall at the withers, and weighing between 16 to 23 kg.

Temperament: The Siberian Husky has been described as a behavioural representative of the domestic dog’s forebear, the wolf, exhibiting a wide range of its ancestor’s behaviour. They are known to howl rather than bark. If the dog is well trained when it’s young, it can make a great family pet. The frequency of kennelled Siberian Huskies,

especially for racing purposes, is rather high, as attributed through the history of the breed in North America. They are affectionate with people of all ages.

Health: Huskies, with proper care, have a typical lifespan ranging from 12 to 15 years. Health issues in the breed are

mainly genetic, such as seizures and defects of the eye (juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy, canine glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy) and congenital laryngeal paralysis. Hip dysplasia is not often found in this breed; however, as with many medium or large canines, it can occur.

same colour as the darkest part of the coat, or darker. The eyes are expressive and set fairly wide apart. They should be hazel, chestnut or dark brown in colour, depending on the coat colour. The ears are set at medium height on the skull, and are triangular.

The Spanish Water Dog is a medium sized dog. Males are from 17 to 20 inches tall, with females standing at 16 to 18 inches. Males weigh between 18 to 22 kg, with females weighing from 14 to 18 kg.

Temperament: The SWD is diligent, loyal, affectionate and intelligent. They possess keen natural herding and guarding instincts, leading them to become the “self appointed” guardians

Spanish Water Dog8The cute, medium sized Spanish Water Dog (SWD) or Perro de Agua Español is known for its woolly and curly coat. This breed requires minimal grooming and is very robust and energetic in nature. These dogs were originally bred in the main wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula and trained to work with fishermen, which is why they love water.

History: There are many different theories as to the breed’s origin and history. Records suggest Water Dogs have been around the main wetlands of the Iberian Peninsula since ancient times. Portuguese and Spanish Water Dogs are related and have a common ancestor.

Appearance: The SWD is a medium size, athletic, robust dog that is slightly longer than tall. Their tails are usually docked in the US, but undocked tails are not a fault in conformation showing if the dog was bred in a non docking country.

The head should be strong and carried with elegance. The skull is flat and the top is parallel with the top of the muzzle. The nose, eye rims and paw pads are the

of their homes. SWDs thrive on work and play. Their athleticism and extremely hard working disposition leads them to excel at any number of tasks. They can be wary with strangers, and early and continuing socialisation with a variety of people and other animals is essential for a well adjusted, social dog. Good socialisation at an early age greatly helps them cohabit with small children.

Health: The breed’s life expectancy is thought to be about 14 years. Recent health testing has uncovered issues such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, Addison’s disease, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, allergies, cataracts, congenital hypothyroidism with goitre (CHG), distichia, and cherry eye.



TEACHING YOUR DOG TO LOVE THE WATER

Floatation devices and canine lifejackets can be used to encourage your pup to go near the water

Pairing a hesitant dog with an experienced swimming pooch in a playful outing can help encourage the former

Even if your dog doesn’t belong to one of the water loving breeds, you should still note that it’s possible to teach any dog to love the water. With long haired breeds, this can be a hassle since it can

Cover Story

result in grooming issues, but any dog that has had a positive experience when introduced to water will most likely be willing to swim with you. Just make sure to coax your dog into the water rather than forcing him to join you—and never, never toss him in. You may also choose to get your dogs water floatation devices like life jackets.

First, it is important to realise puppies should not be encouraged to get into any kind of water body, especially if they are younger than four months. Very young puppies should never be in water, as they cannot regulate their body temperature and can inhale water, resulting in the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Puppies older than four months should be encouraged to wade into the water but only to their comfort level. This is perfect if you have a pond, beach or lake nearby, where you can allow the puppy to play along the shore.

Gradually, as the puppy or dog becomes more comfortable and confident, they will wade out further. Most dogs prefer to be able to walk out into deeper water, so avoid pools or other areas where there is a sudden drop off. Dog floatation devices, similar to human lifejackets can be used, but you can also simply support your dog by forming a cradle with your arms and helping it stay buoyant. After a trip or two, experimenting with the leg movement of swimming, your puppy or dog, if it is a natural

water dog, will be off and swimming on his own. Dogs under one year of age should be carefully monitored in the water, as they may become tired and need assistance.

Dog breeds that don’t enjoy the water may need a bit more encouragement. Offer treats and praise as they gradually move into deeper water. Play along the edge of the water and encourage but don’t force the dog into deeper areas. If the dog refuses to go any deeper, do not push or pull the dog forward, as this is likely to result in the dog panicking and possibly scratching or biting the handler.

Never throw the dog into a pool or body of water to get them to swim. Not only will this terrify the dog but it will absolutely mean that it will never go into water voluntarily again. In addition, your dog may no longer respond to your calls to “come”, since it resulted in trauma for them.

Sometimes, pairing a hesitant dog with an experienced swimming pooch in a playful outing can help. Often, in playing with the other dog the non-swimming dog overcomes its fears and will splash around and play in the water, even swimming in some situations. Ample praise and rewards for going into the water, even with another dog, will also help reinforce this as a desired behaviour.

Monitor your dog in the water and watch for signs of fatigue or exhaustion. If your dog is tired or has been swimming a lot, take it out of the water and have him relax for a while before heading back out again. Most dogs don’t monitor their own energy levels and some dogs can be at risk of drowning if they become overtired in the water. It is also very important to know the area where your dog is swimming, especially if there is a tide or a current. Never allow your dog to swim in areas that are potentially dangerous due to the tide or current, or because of pollution or other conditions in the water.


The Alaskan Malamute is known as a sled dog but it also loves the water. This big, powerful dog was bred to pull sleds in harsh terrain and brutal climates.

Appearance: The Alaskan Malamute is the largest of the Arctic dogs. This thick, well built dog is solid, with a plumed tail that is held over the back. The head is wide, with erect ears. The eyes are of medium size, dark brown small, and almond in shape and are obliquely placed in the skull. The dog holds an image of a wolf but with a proud, sweet expression. Dark eyes are preferred; blue eyes are a fault according to the written standard. The feet are large, of the snowshoe type, with tough pads.

History: The Alaskan Malamute is a Nordic sled dog descended from the Arctic wolf. Its name

play safely. If its canine instincts are met, it matures into a dignified and mellow adult dog. They are very friendly and, therefore, are not suitable as guard dogs. Alaskan Malamutes are happiest living outdoors as long as they receive enough companionship, but they also enjoy living indoors where their human “pack” lives.

Health: The most commonly reported health problems of Alaskan Malamutes are musculoskeletal (hip dysplasia), and hereditary cataracts. There are additional health issues including varied seizure disorders found in young puppies, as well as, adults, epilepsy, congenital heart problems, kidney problems and skin disorders.

Other health issues in Malamutes are inherited polyneuropathy, chondrodysplasia, heart defects, and eye problems (particularly cataract and progressive retinal atrophy).

loyal and trustworthy. Its huge body tends to move rather slowly. They rarely bark, but are protective and brave when they need to be. When an intruder is caught, they are more likely to hold them at bay, either by trapping them in a corner or placing themselves in between the burglar and the family rather than launch an all-out attack. They are smart enough to know who is a threat to the pack and who is not. Any dog, other animal, child, or visitor, who has no evil intention, will receive a friendly welcome.

Health: Newfoundlands are prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cystinuria (a hereditary defect that forms calculi stones in the bladder). Another genetic problem is subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS), a common heart defect in the breed involving defective heart valves. SAS can cause sudden death at an early age. The breed has an average lifespan of 10 years.

comes from Mahlemuts, an Alaskan tribe that raised and cared for these beautiful snow dogs. Originally employed 2,000 to 3,000 years ago by these Mahlemuit Eskimos of Alaska, these highly valued dogs were their only forms of transportation. These dogs have strength and endurance with a will to work. They pulled not only light travelling sleds, but they also hauled heavy loads of food and supplies for the Arctic people. Packs of Alaskan Malamutes have participated in many polar expeditions, for which they are particularly well adapted due to their tenacity, sense of direction and excellent sense of smell.

Temperament: The Alaskan Malamute is extremely loyal, intelligent, sweet,

and most affectionate toward its master. The breed is great with children, who are old enough to

Alaskan Malamute

10

9

NewfoundlandNewfoundlands excel in water related activities due to their innate swimming abilities, webbed feet, and water resistant coats. Unfortunately, their coats also make them prone to overheating in tropical countries.

History: The Newfoundland may be a descendant of the Viking “bear dog” or nomadic Indian dogs. Some also believe the Newfoundland is a close relative of the Labrador. This theory is based on the similarities between the two breeds and the fact that the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador are very close to each other.

Appearance: The Newfoundland is a strong, massive dog. The head is broad and heavy with a slightly arched crown. The neck

and back are strong. The wide muzzle is about as broad as it is deep, and rather short. The stop is moderate. The nose is generally black except on bronze coloured dogs, which have brown noses. The teeth meet in a level or scissors bite. The deep set, dark brown eyes are relatively small and spaced wide apart. The triangular shaped ears have rounded tips and are relatively small. The legs are well muscled, straight and parallel. The cat-like feet are webbed.

Temperament: The Newfoundland is a dog with an outstanding, sweet temperament, and is courageous,

generous, peaceable and intelligent. A calm, patient dog that

is mild with guests and obedient with its master, the breed is devoted,


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The German Shepherd dog (GSD), also known as Alsatian, is a breed of large sized dog that originated

in Germany. German Shepherds are a relatively new breed of dog, with their origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, German Shepherds are working dogs developed originally for herding and guarding sheep. Because of their strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training, they are often employed in police and military roles around the world. German Shepherds currently account for 4.6 percent of all dogs registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). Due to their loyal and protective nature, German Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds in the world.

History

In Europe during the 1800s, attempts were made to standardise breeds. Dogs were bred to preserve traits that assisted in their job of herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. In Germany, this was practised within local communities, where shepherds selected and bred dogs that they believed had the necessary traits for herding sheep, such as intelligence, speed, strength, and keen sense of smell. The results were dogs that were able to perform admirably in their task, but that differed significantly, both in appearance and ability, from one locality to another.

Breed Profile

GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

■ Rutaksha Rawat


The GSD is strong, intelligent, valiant,

fiercely loyal towards his family, and gets along

with other pets, as well as children, making it the

ideal family dog

To combat these differences, the Phylax Society was formed in 1891, with the intention of creating standardised dog breeds in Germany. The society disbanded after only three years due to ongoing internal conflicts regarding the traits in dogs that were to be promoted; some members believed dogs should be bred solely for working purposes, while others believed dogs should be bred also for appearance. While unsuccessful in their goal, the Phylax Society inspired people to pursue standardising dog breeds independently.

Max von Stephanitz, an ex-cavalry captain and student of the Berlin Veterinary College, was one such ex-member. He believed strongly that dogs should be bred for working. In 1899, he attended a dog show where he was shown a dog named Hektor Linksrhein. Hektor was the result of few generations of selective breeding and fulfilled what Stephanitz believed a working dog should be. He was pleased with the strength of the dog and was so taken by the animal’s intelligence, loyalty, and beauty that he purchased him immediately. After purchasing the dog he changed the latter’s name to Horand von Grafrath and founded the Verein für

Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd

Dog). Horand was declared to be the first German Shepherd Dog and was the first dog added to the society’s breed register.

Horand became the centre point of breeding programmes and was bred with dogs belonging to other society members that displayed desirable traits. Although fathering many pups, Horand’s most successful offspring was Hektor von Schwaben. Hektor was inbred with another of Horand’s offspring and produced Beowulf, who later fathered a total of 84 pups.

In the original German Shepherd studbook, Zuchtbuch fur Deutsche Schaferhunde (SZ), within the two pages of entries from SZ No. 41 to SZ No. 76, there are four Wolf crosses. Beowulf ’s progeny were also inbred and it is from his pups that all German Shepherds draw a genetic link. It is believed the society accomplished its goal mostly due to Stephanitz’s strong, uncompromising leadership and he is, therefore, credited with being the creator of the German Shepherd Dog.

The breed was named Deutscher Schäferhund by Stephanitz, literally translating to ‘German Shepherd Dog’. At the time, all other herding dogs in Germany were referred to by this name; they thus became known as Altdeutsche Schäferhunde or Old German Shepherd Dogs.

Modern Breed

The modern German Shepherd is criticised

for straying away from Stephanitz’s

original ideology

for the


Breed Profile

breed; that German Shepherds should be bred primarily as working dogs, and that breeding should be strictly controlled to eliminate defects quickly. Critics believe that careless breeding has promoted disease and other defects. Under the breeding programmes overseen by Stephanitz, defects were quickly bred out; however, in modern times without regulation on breeding, genetic problems such as colour paling, hip dysplasia, monorchidism, weakness of temperament, and missing teeth are common, as well as, bent or folded ears, which never fully turn up upon reaching adulthood.

Popularity

When the UK Kennel first accepted registrations for the breed in 1919, 54 dogs were registered, and by 1926, this number had grown to over 8,000. The breed first gained international recognition at the decline of World War I, after returning soldiers spoke highly of the breed, and animal actors Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart popularised the breed further. The first German Shepherd Dog registered in the United States was called Queen of Switzerland; however, her offspring suffered from defects as the result of poor breeding, which caused the breed to suffer a decline in popularity during the late 1920s.

Popularity increased again after the German Shepherd, Sieger Pfeffer von Bern, became the 1937 and 1938 Grand Victor in AKC dog shows, only to suffer another decline at the conclusion of World War II, due to anti-German sentiment at the time. As time progressed, the GSD’s popularity increased gradually until 1993, when it became the third most popular breed in the United States. The German Shepherd Dog’s physique is very well suited to athletic competition. They commonly compete in shows and competitions such as agility trials.

Appearance

German Shepherds are large dogs, generally between 22 and 26 inches at the withers, with an ideal height of 25 inches, according to Kennel Club standards. Weight is 30 to 40 kg for males and 22 to 32 kg for females. They have a domed

forehead, a long square cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium sized and brown, with a lively, intelligent, and self assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel, but they are often pulled back during movement. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches the hock.

German Shepherds come in a variety of colours, the most common of which are tan/black and red/black. Most colour varieties have black masks and black body markings, which can range from a classic ‘saddle’ to an overall ‘blanket’. Rarer colour variations include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties. The all black and sable varieties are acceptable according to most standards; however, the blue and liver are considered serious faults and the all-white is grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.

German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which sheds all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. The long hair gene is recessive, making the long hair

Group: Herding

Origin: Germany

Height: 22-26 inches

Weight: 22 to 40 kg

General Appearance: Tall, hairy, lion-like

Colours: Tan/black & red/black

Activity Level: High

Grooming Level: High

Intelligence: High

Affinity with Children: High

Affinity with other Pets: High

Trainability: High

Apartment Living: Preferably not

Maintenance Level: Medium

Disposition: Fiercely loyal, extremely loving and protective

Original Purpose: Herding

Lifespan: 10-11 years

Ideal for: Homes with gardens, yards or lawns

THE GSD AT A GLANCE


learn and an eagerness to have a purpose. They are curious, which makes them excellent guard dogs and suitable for search missions. They can become over protective of their family and territory, especially if not socialised correctly. They are not inclined to become immediate friends with strangers. German Shepherds are highly intelligent and obedient.

German Shepherds were bred specifically for their intelligence, a trait for which they are now famous. In his book The Intelligence of Dogs, author Stanley Coren ranked the breed third for intelligence, behind Border Collies and Poodles. He found that they had the ability to learn simple tasks after only five repetitions and obeyed the first command given 95 percent of the time. Coupled with their strength, this trait makes the breed desirable as police, guard, and search and rescue dogs, as they are able to learn various tasks and interpret instructions more quickly and better than other large breeds.

Not to be left alone in the house too long, German Shepherds crave interaction and involvement. They are fiercely protective of their homes and families — sometimes known to ‘herd’ children — and they get along with other pets. Standoffish and detached with strangers or those outside the family unit, they have been known to “over-guard” or bark protectively.

German Shepherds have great instincts and fertile minds. Lots of activity and exercise will make them happy, but tracking, obedience and agility games — or any task-oriented activity — will make them even happier. A bored or neglected German Shepherd may resort to chewing furniture, digging up flowers and other modes of mischief.

The benefits of a German Shepherd — loyalty, protectiveness and eagerness, to name a few — come from careful obedience training and authority. Everyone in the household must be prepared to show “authority” and earn the dog’s respect with a firm but loving

Controversy surrounding the Show GSDThe Kennel Club, UK, is currently embroiled in a dispute with German Shepherd breed clubs about the issue of soundness in the show strain breed of the GSD. The show strains have been bred with an extremely sloping topline (back) that causes poor gait in the hind legs. Working pedigree lines, such as those in common use as service dogs, generally retain the traditional straight back of the breed. The debate was catalysed when the issue was raised in the BBC documentary, Pedigree Dogs Exposed (2008), which said that critics of the breed describe it as “half dog, half frog” due to the formation of the hind legs.

The Kennel Club’s position is that the issue of soundness is not a simple difference of opinion; it is the fundamental issue of the breed’s essential conformation and movement. The Kennel Club has decided to retrain judges to penalise dogs suffering these problems. It is also insisting on more testing for haemophilia and hip dysplasia, other common problems with the breed.

Everyone in the household must be prepared to show ‘authority’ and earn the dog’s respect with a firm but loving touch. They do not respond to negativity or anger. Once achieved, this respect may need to be earned again and again

variety rarer. Treatment of the long hair variation differs across standards; they are accepted under the German and UK Kennel Clubs but are considered a fault by the AKC.

Temperament

German Shepherds are highly active dogs and are marked by a willingness to

Breed Profile

touch. They do not respond to negativity or anger. Once achieved, this respect may need to be earned again and again.

Shepherds don’t need to be bathed very often, but they tend to shed in great quantities. Brush them daily, outside if possible. Like any large dog, they can handle apartment living quite well but need daily walks and, if possible, vigorous exercise to stay sharp.

Use as Working Dog

German Shepherds are a very popular selection for use as working dogs. They

dogs found that 45 percent were affected by degenerative spinal stenosis, although the sample studied was small. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, USA, found that 19.1 percent of German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia. Due to the large and open nature of their ears, Shepherds are also prone to ear infections. German Shepherds, like all large bodied dogs, are prone to bloat.

According to a recent survey in the UK, the median life span of German Shepherds is 10.95 years, which is normal for a dog of their size. Degenerative myelopathy, a neurological disease, occurs with enough regularity specifically in the breed to suggest that the breed is predisposed to it. Additionally, German Shepherd Dogs have a higher than normal incidence of Von Willebrand Disease, a common inherited bleeding disorder.

In Popular Culture

German Shepherds have been featured in a wide range of media. Strongheart, the German Shepherd, was one of the earliest canine film stars and was followed by Rin Tin Tin, who is now acclaimed as being the most famous German Shepherd of all times. Both have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Batman’s dog, Ace the Bat-Hound, appeared in the Batman comic books, initially in 1955, through 1964. Rex, a German Shepherd is the eponymous police dog character of the Austrian television drama, Inspector Rex.

The animated movie, All Dogs Go To Heaven, stars a German Shepherd named Charlie Barkin. The 2007 Hollywood movie I am Legend starring Will Smith as a virologist shows a German Shepherd Dog as the only companion of the protagonist in a deserted New York City, where a lethal strain of virus has spread and wiped out the human population.

search and rescue, cadaver searching, narcotics detection, explosives detection, accelerant detection, and mine detection, among others. They are suited for these lines of work because of their keen sense of smell and their ability to work regardless of distractions.

At one time the GSD was the breed chosen almost exclusively to be used as a guide dog for the visually impaired. In recent years, Labradors and Golden Retrievers have been more widely used for this work, although there are still German Shepherds being trained. A versatile breed, they excel in this field

are especially well known for their police work, being used for tracking criminals, patrolling troubled areas, and detection and holding of suspects. Additionally, thousands of German Shepherds have been used by the military. Usually trained for scout duty, they are used to warn soldiers to the presence of enemies or of booby traps or other hazards. German Shepherds have also been trained by military groups to parachute from aircrafts.

The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most widely used breeds in a wide variety of scent work roles. These include

due to their strong sense of duty, their mental abilities, their fearlessness, and their attachment to their owner.

German Shepherd Dogs are used for herding and tending sheep grazing in meadows next to gardens and crop fields. They are expected to patrol the boundaries to keep sheep from trespassing and damaging the crops. In Germany and other places, these skills are tested in utility dog trials also known as Herdengebrauchshund (HGH) herding utility dog trials.

Health

Many common ailments of the German Shepherd are a result of the

inbreeding practised early in the breed’s life. One such

common ailment is hip and elbow dysplasia,

which may lead to the dog experiencing

pain in later life, and may cause arthritis. A study by the University of Zurich on police working



When I moved to Mumbai in 2007, the last thing on my mind was cats. I went there

to work as a journalist for an Indian newspaper, to watch Bollywood films and to party. But it was street cats that ended up dominating much of my time.

After being in Mumbai for a few days, I came down with food poisoning. Recovering on a day off, I went for a walk. Passing through the dusty ground floor of my apartment block, I spotted a cardboard box, peered inside and was astonished to see three newborn black and white kittens.

I rang up an animal welfare NGO assuming they would send someone to rescue them, as would happen if I had rung the RSPCA or Cats Protection in the UK. But the man who answered my call only spoke Hindi and slammed the phone down. I pointed out the kittens to the watchmen, but they looked through me.

I asked my colleagues on the newspaper and was told there was no organisation that could rehome or rescue them and no one would want to adopt them.

No one knew who the mother cat was either, till I asked the rubbish collector, an angry-looking woman with wrinkled skin, who wore a scarf round her head. “That’s the mother,” she said in Hindi, throwing an ugly tabby cat that looked like she had been a stray her whole life, inside the cardboard box.

She disinterestedly licked the kittens.

I couldn’t believe the three clean kittens could be the offspring of such a dirty cat.

Soon I discovered that stray cats were on every street corner and were roaming around every apartment block. They were producing litters everywhere and no one bothered to get them sterilised. There was the odd Indian animal welfare

MY BATTLE TO SAVE MUMBAI’S STRAY KITTENS PART I

Canton’s struggle to help out a stray cat and her kittens turns into a long term commitment to the stray cats of Mumbai city

■ Naomi Canton

Feline


charity at the time, but their focus was on dogs, not cats, and all they did was sterilise them; they had no facilities for rescuing or rehoming. Few people kept pets in those days and if they did, they were pedigree dogs.

So, realising that no one else was going to do anything, I started to feed the mother cat. She soon worked out I was a food source, so she hung around and looked after her kittens.

I kept the kittens in the box downstairs. But then the monsoon rains came and I had to move them under the staircase. I put newspapers down and created a little home for them.

Before long they started jumping out of the box and racing up and down the communal corridor and playing around the rubbish bin. Some building work was taking place and there were piles of cement around, which the kittens started using as cat litter.

Quickly, I started to gain enemies.

The residents of the society started harassing me and complained about me to the management. “Stop feeding those cats; you are creating a smell and a mess,” one said. “I really appreciate what you are doing, but this is India, not the UK or USA. These cats are a nuisance. Get rid of them or I will,” said another. Before long, a man had offered to drown the kittens in the sea, another to abandon them at the fish market.

Before long, I was forced to dismantle their makeshift home under the stairs. The mother moved her kittens into the electricity cupboard, a mess of tangled up wires. I was also told I had to stop feeding them. So the mother cat started dragging in a dead rat or bird each day and the kittens would reluctantly eat it raw. I admired the mother cat for her survival skills. But the kittens looked really depressed and stayed in the electricity cupboard all day. I couldn’t bear to watch that so I caved in and started feeding them again.

Soon, one of the kittens, the runt of the litter, looked very ill. I took him to the vet, who said: “His stomach is full

of worms; there is nothing we can do.” Yet, to me he seemed so full of life and personality. I took him into my flat for the night, hoping the rest would help. I forgot to tell the maid, who came every day to clean. I got home from work and found him lying outside my flat in the rubbish bin, still alive and too scared to venture anywhere. But that was where the maid had thought he belonged. A few days later, I came home from work

and found him lying dead on the ground. Then, in front of me the mother cat came over and ate him. I was so upset I couldn’t control myself from crying. A neighbour walked past and reiterated: “Those cats will have to go.” I ignored the harassment and continued to feed them.

Then I had to travel to London for a week, so I bought a load of cat food and gave it to a young boy in the Society so


Feline

he could feed them. When I got back, the white kitten with black patches was bravely pulling himself around on his front legs — his rear legs were paralysed. I was shocked. I asked the boy what had happened and he refused to say. Another child told me that a group of kids had been playing with the kittens, using them as tennis balls and one had thrown up the now-paralysed kitten in the air.

I rang the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals in Parel and they sent an ambulance to collect him. Every night after work I went to visit him. He was kept in a small metal cage in a room packed with other cats, all meowing constantly. My kitten was so excited to smell me each night, knowing I came from his “family”. A week later I had a phone call to inform me he was dead.

I named the single remaining kitten in the electricity cupboard Domino, after the board game. I continued to feed her and the mother and at night would spend an hour or so throwing balls of scrunched up newspaper for Domino to catch. It was a cathartic antidote to the stresses of city life.

“The residents of the Society started harassing me and complained against me to the management. ‘Stop feeding those cats; you are creating a smell and a mess,’ one said. ‘I really appreciate what you are doing, but this is India, not the UK or USA’”

Naomi Canton worked as a journalist in Mumbai for three and a half years. In 2008, she started a Facebook group called Bombay Cat Club to help people rescue and adopt Mumbai stray catsa

licia

’s T

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One day I got home from work and Domino was missing.

I asked the watchman and he repeated the words, “Shooting” with a grin. I nearly fainted thinking she had been shot dead and then I understood he meant filming. I lived fairly close to a film studio. This happened a few times and each time, Domino would reappear in

the apartment block several hours after disappearing. Each time the watchman looked happy: I suspected he was taking a bribe. Soon, I went marching across to the studio to tell them to stop taking her.

There were various film, TV and Ad shows being shot in different areas. No one admitted they had taken Domino. One Ad man told me that even if someone had taken her, they would never own up as it was illegal, as they were meant to get permission from the Animal Welfare Board of India to use cats in a film but they often used strays to get round it. “A horror film was being shot here all week and I suspect your cat may have been used in that as they like having cats in horror.

Some days later the mother and remaining kitten started vomiting. I took the kitten to a vet. “You will have to take her inside your flat, otherwise she will be killed,” he said. I had never planned to adopt a cat as my stay in India was temporary and I was living on the sixth floor. But determined that she would not die, I carried her straight up to my apartment.

She got out of the plastic basket and tiptoed round my house, marvelling at the clean floors that she had never seen before, having grown up around rubbish.

Before long, she had collapsed into a deep sleep. When she woke up, I took her downstairs to her mother, lifted the cover off her basket, so she could get out and return to live with her mother, if she wanted to. She got up, leaned forward, rubbed noses with her mother then sat down back down inside and waited, as though she was saying she didn’t want to go back. So I took her upstairs and she stayed in my flat. The next day the stray cat mother left the Society —never to return.

Domino, meanwhile, became my best friend. In fact, it soon became pretty obvious that I had not rescued her, rather she had rescued me.

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disposition, and is notable for its springy gait, a characteristic that distinguishes the breed from all others. The Havanese is considered an ideal family pet and a true companion dog. They are highly adaptable to almost any environment, and their only desire is to be with their human companions. Due to their strong social needs, Havanese will not thrive in an environment where they are isolated for several hours each day.

The Havanese’s popularity in the show ring has grown quickly, and they are also in high demand as family pets.

History

Political events like the French, Cuban and Russian revolutions led to the total elimination of the old bloodlines of the Havanese from Cuba. After the revolution in 1959, the Havanese became almost extinct in Cuba with the exodus of many wealthy Cubans to the United States. Luckily, they smuggled their Havanese along: a special group of 11 canines imported to the USA prevented the breed from becoming obsolete. Their descendants have survived and comprise the modern breed.

The Havanese was officially recognised in 1995 by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a toy breed.

Appearance

While a toy breed, the Havanese is sturdy and not overly delicate. Most weigh 4.5 to 7.3 kg and stand 8.5 to 11.5 inches tall at the withers. Its body, from point of shoulder to point of buttocks, is slightly longer than the height at the withers, giving the dog the appearance of being slightly longer than tall. The length of the body results from the long ribcage, not the loins.

A unique aspect of the breed is the topline, which rises just slightly from withers to croup (rump), creating a topline that is straight but not level. Known for their flashy, lively gait, when on the move, their strong rear drive and slightly shorter upper arm produce a springy motion rather than a far reaching one. The angle of the topline does not change while moving at a natural gait.

The Havanese, a breed of Bichon type, is the national dog of Cuba, developed from the now extinct

Blanquito de la Habana (little white dog of Havana). The Blanquito descended from the also now extinct Bichon Tenerife. It is believed that the Blanquito was eventually cross bred with other Bichon types, including the Poodle, to create what is now known to us as the Havanese.

The Havanese is small in size and sturdy in structure, with a tail carried over its back and ears that drop and fold. The coat is abundant, long and silky, and comes in all colours. The Havanese has a spirited personality and a curious

THE HAVANESEThe National Dog of CubaThe toy breed is the perfect lap dog without being overly delicate

The Havanese has a spirited personality and a curious disposition, and is notable for its springy gait, a characteristic that distinguishes the breed from all others

■ Neeta Godambe



The muzzle is full and tapers slightly at the nose. It does not have the appearance of being short. The length of the skull measured from stop to the point of occiput (back portion of the head or skull) is equal to the length of muzzle. The top of the skull is flat and the back skull is rounded.

Modern Havanese are acceptable in all coat colours and patterns. All coloured dogs should have a black nose and black pigment around the eyes, with the exception of chocolate (brown) dogs, which may instead have dark brown pigment on their nose. Examples of coat colours are white, cream, fawn, red, brown, orange, silver, blue and black. The coat may be one solid colour or have markings in one or more other colours.

The coat of the Havanese is long, soft, lightweight, and silky. The Havanese’s coat is slightly wavy, profuse, and undulating. Unlike other double coated breeds, the Havanese’s outer coat is

neither coarse nor overly dense, but rather soft and light. The undercoat is sometimes completely absent. The Havanese coat should be very soft, almost cool to the touch, like unrefined silk (compared to the Maltese coat, which feels like refined silk). However, in some dogs the coat can become too silky, thus appearing oily. The breed’s fine and lightweight coat is designed to act as a sunshade and cooling agent on hot days.

Temperament

Havanese are natural companion dogs, gentle and responsive. They become extremely attached to their human families and are excellent with children. Affectionate and playful, with a high degree of intelligence, these cheerful dogs are very sociable and will get along with everyone including people, dogs, cats and other pets. They are easy to obedience train and love to observe what is going on in their surroundings.

The Havanese has a long standing reputation of being a circus dog, probably because it learns quickly and enjoys doing things for people. It is not in their nature to bark a lot. Havanese make good watch dogs, and are sure to alert owners when visitors arrive; but they will quickly warm up to the guest once they see you welcome them.

Health & Care

The Havanese is generally healthy and sturdy, with relatively few serious health issues. They suffer primarily from luxating patella, liver disease, heart disease, cataracts and retinal dysplasia. Havanese sometimes tear and may develop brown tear stains, especially noticeable on white or light coats.

A healthy Havanese can live for as long as 15 years. The Havanese requires regular brushing and grooming. Its coat, if kept long, needs to be brushed every day, and its eyes and ears should be checked regularly to prevent infection.

Havanese are good for apartment life. They are very active indoors and will do just fine without a yard. Havanese are born to live in your home, and not on/in a patio or kennel, but at the same time, they require ample play and exercise.

Neeta Godambe is a Pune based certified trainer and canine behaviourist, and breeder of Havanese dogs. She is also founder of Itspawssible, a professional service providing agility and obedience training


Kolathur in north Chennai has become a hub for ornamental fish trading in the country,

not because of any special policy of the State Government, but because of the persistent efforts of individual entrepreneurs.

When a few enterprising people started breeding varieties of fishes in the 1980s in the sprawling backyards of their homes, they did not imagine that Kolathur would one day be the destination for fish trade in the country. The reason Kolathur emerged as a sourcing hub for ornamental fish enthusiasts and retailers is that the area was endowed with abundant fresh ground water

The Kolathur ornamental fish industry enjoys a current retail value of `40 crore ($7.5mn) per annum

of their own. Thus, business thrived, and Kolathur gradually became a fish breeding destination.

Today, Kolathur deals in wholesale distribution of ornamental fish and aquarium products. However, Kolathur has seen better times. The locality where fish breeding was carried out as a cottage industry comprises only aquarium shops today, with fish farming shifted to Gummidipoondi (an industrial town in Thiruvallur district) and nearby areas due to the drying up of the Retteri Lake and escalated land prices.

At present, there are approximately 80 shops dealing in ornamental fish, aquaria and fish accessories spread out across School Road and Mada Street in Kolathur. There are around 600 varieties of fish available in the market, with mollies, catfish, angel fish, giant gouram is and Indian golden fish, being the most popular. Despite the hurdles of lack of water bodies and high land prices, business transactions in Kolathur amount to more than `40 crore** per annum currently.

The State Government could give a boost to the ornamental fish industry in Kolathur by setting up an ornamental fish aqua park for research and development.

Aquarium keeping, once a hobby only for a few due to the tedious procedures involved in maintaining fish, is now looked upon by many as a serious occupation, with the advent of imported fish tanks, accessories and wholesome fish feed.

There is plenty of scope for this industry, particularly in Kolathur, but government aid is vital for growth.

sources due to Retteri Lake in the region. Moreover, as ornamental fish breed in different types of water and with the water available in Kolathur having

a balanced pH (potential hydrogen)

value of 6 to 7.8, the business thrived.

In the 1980s, when fish breeding was at a nascent stage

in Kolathur, one Ashok (no last name) was instrumental in starting

breeding of ornamental fish. He started imparting his knowledge to friends, who in turn, started fish breeding farms

At present, there are approximately 80 shops dealing in ornamental fish, aquaria and fish accessories spread out across School Road and Mada Street in Kolathur. There are around 600 varieties of fish available in the market, with mollies, catfish, angel fish, giant gouramis and Indian golden fish, being the most popular R S Prabakar is director, Taiyo Feed Mill Pvt

Ltd, Kolathur, Chennai

■ R S Prabakar

Aqua

Many hundreds of tropical fish species can be added to aquariums. There are both hardy and delicate varieties available. The beginner hobbyist may have

less knowledgeof delicate fish and,therefore,adding hardy fish first makes it easier to start newly setup aquariums.

Hardy & Delicate Fish

Water has various parameters, such as pH, GH, KH, NH3/NH4, NO2, NO3, temperature, etc. Fish that survive in a wide range of parameters with poor water conditions are called hardy fish. Those fish that can only survive in good water condition and more controlled environments are called delicate fish.

Aquarium Filtration

In newly set up aquariums, the most important and time consuming part is establishing biological filtration. This can easily be done by recycling the aquarium. Generally, it takes about a month or more for new aquariums to recycle, which can be done in many ways. Some of the ways are, adding biological

bacteria cultures, water from old aquariums and adding hardy fish. Some experts even add liquid ammonia.

There are two families of beneficial bacteria that are responsible for establishing biological filtration. The Nitrosomas bacteria that decompose Ammonia (NH3) to Nitrite (NO2) and Nitro bacteria that further decomposes NO2 to nitrate (NO3). NO3 is consumed by plants as fertiliser in planted aquariums. In aquariums without plants, it can be removed through water changes. NO3 is decomposed by anaerobic bacteria. In aquariums with aeration, it is not easy to recycle NO3. Excess NO3 in tanks without plants generally leads to algae problems.

When the biological filtration is matured, the beneficial bacteria has formed enough colonies to decompose NH3 and NO2 and the aquarium has been recycled. A test kit is generally used to keep a check on the levels of NH3 and NO2, and partial water changes are also helpful during recycling. In a recycled aquarium, delicate fish can be added without any hesitation.

How Hardy Fish help to establish Biological Filtration

Hardy fish like Tinfoil Barb not only survive in newly set aquariums but also helps the recycling process. Fish waste is Ammonia (NH3). When fish are added to aquariums,they continuously release liquid NH3 through gills and fish waste. Any leftover food will decay and add more NH3 built-up. NH3 further decomposes to Nitrite (NO2), which is more toxic

Hardy fish are the safe bet for new aquariums

to fish. This NH3 and NO2 present in water act as fish killer. Most of the delicate fish do not tolerate higher levels of NH3 and NO2. They will start dying at this point. Hardy fish can tolerate NH3 and NO2 and will still continue to survive in these conditions. They will further help the aquarium to recycle by releasing NH3.

Some of the hardy fish that can be used to recycle newly set up aquariums are Tiger Barbs, Tinfoil Barbs, Rosy Barbs, Giant Danio, Zebra Danio, Mollies, Guppies, Platies, and Swordtails.

■ Inderjeet Singh Bansal

Rosy Barb

Tiger Barb

Inderjeet Singh Bansal (B Arch) is chief aquarist, The Living Colour, a leading Architectural Aquarium System company in Pune


To breed lovebirds successfully, one must pay attention to sex identification, nesting, diet of the lovebirds, incubation and hatching, as well as, learn to care for the chicks upon their arrival

SUCCESSFUL BREEDING IN LOVEBIRDS

Birds’ Eye View

Lovebirds are one of the best creatures to have as pets. They were named lovebirds because if

kept in pairs, they will constantly groom each other and sit as close together as possible when sleeping or resting.

Lovebirds are one of the smallest in the parrot family and have large, hooked upper beaks. They make lively and energetic pet birds and are available in a variety of attractive colours. They are usually 13 to 17 centimeters in length and weigh 40 to 60 grams. They are able to produce a wide range of articulations, including the imitation of human voices.

Lovebirds belong to the genus Agapornis, comprising nine species. Eight of them are native to the mainland of Africa and the

• RedheadedLovebirdorRedfacedLovebird (Agapornis pullarius)

• GreyheadedLovebirdorMadagascarLovebird (Agapornis canus)

• BlackcollaredLovebirdorSwindern’sLovebird (Agapornis swindernianus)

Breeding Management of Love-birds

Before contemplating breeding lovebirds, the first things you have to do is determine its sex. A pair of same sex lovebirds will bond and act the same as a pair comprising a male and a female. So, first learning the sex of your lovebird is essential for breeding.

Sex Identification

Sex determination in lovebirds is difficult but behaviour patterns can

give one an idea about the sex of individuals. Upon reaching

maturity (around one year), the bird may display certain behaviours, which can give

one an idea of whether it is male or female. These behaviours include tearing up paper and

stuffing it into one’s feathers (in females)

or regurgitating of food (in

males). Normally,

female

Madagascar Lovebird is native to Madagascar. In the wild, the different species of lovebirds are separated geographically. The nine species of lovebirds are:

• YellowcollaredLovebirdorMaskedLovebird (Agapornis personata)

• Fischer’sLovebird(Agapornisfischeri)

• Lillian’sLovebirdorNyasaLovebird(Agapornis lilianae)

• BlackcheekedLovebird(Agapornisnigrigenis)

• RosyfacedLovebirdorPeachfacedLovebird (Agapornis roseicollis)

• BlackwingedLovebirdorAbyssinianLovebird (Agapornis taranta)


■ Dr R Selvakkumar


lovebirds have larger bodies and are heavier than their male counterparts. A female lovebird will have a wider pelvis, making her look wider and broader than a male. Most often, this will cause her feet to rest farther apart on a perch. Her pelvic bones can be a little further apart and you may be able to feel the difference by gently feeling it with your little finger. Male lovebirds are often more upright than females. A male lovebird’s tail feathers will appear to be more rounded than females, who have more square tails.

Nesting & Nest Box

Nesting behaviour is demonstrated mainly by female birds. The female will carry nesting material into the nest in various ways. Just before the breeding season, the female lovebirds start constructing their nest. During this time, the lovebirds will mate repeatedly. Eggs follow three to five days later. The female will spend hours inside her nesting box before eggs are laid. Once the first egg is laid, a new egg will follow every other day until the clutch is complete, typically at four to six eggs. Without a nest, lovebirds will not produce eggs. The warmer months of the year are the most ideal for breeding. If you do not want your lovebirds to breed, remove all additional nesting materials from their box, leaving only a layer of peat in it.

Many varieties of nest boxes are suitable for lovebirds, ranging from hollow logs to square timber fashioned out of unplanned timber. A good average size nest box for lovebirds should have be 25 cm in height, 20 cm in width and 15 cm in depth. The box should be constructed out of timber at least 2 cm thick in order to withstand the whittling activities of the birds and retain thermal temperature. The entrance opening is about 5 cm in diameter, and is made near the top of the box. A small perch, about 7 cm long, should be placed just below this. The nesting box should be placed inside the birdcage.

When the breeding pair of lovebirds start showing interest in their nesting box, put some foliage, shreds of newspaper, dried grass, and bits of paper towel in their cage. The lovebirds will pick up these materials and carry them into the nesting box.

Feeding Lovebirds during Breeding Season

During breeding time, adult birds have to be fed a good diet consisting of a seed/pellet base, along with fruits and vegetables. Sprouted seeds contain much more nutrition than dry seeds and you may wish to add some to their diet. Hard boiled eggs that are mashed up with the eggs shells provide good nutrition. Fruits, vegetables and greens should account for approximately 20 to 25 percent of the birds’ diets. A few examples of ideal food for your lovebirds during breeding season would be broccoli, banana, apple, pears, grapes, oranges, papaya, dates, figs, apricots, pineapples, carrots and tomatoes.

Egg Laying & Incubation

The female will start to incubate after the second or third egg is laid. The hen does all of the incubating but the cock will feed the hen during the day and roost with her at night. The incubation period is about 23 to 25 days, during which time, you should not disturb the

birds unless it is an emergency. As soon as you think the eggs are hatched, you can have a look at the chicks by opening the hinged door of the cage. Limit these inspections to the minimum and preferably, make them when the hen is absent. Both male and female will feed the chicks, which will grow rapidly. Extra food should be made available during this time, with a good supply of soaked seed and green food. Some chicks will be ready to leave the nest in six weeks, although a majority of them take about seven or eight weeks to fledge.

Caring for Chicks

If we plan on hand-feeding the chicks, the time to take them from the parents is approximately two weeks of age. This is the time that they will accept food willingly, yet, they have had time with their parents to give them a good start.

If you have never handfed a bird, you should not start without watching and learning from an experienced breeder. It is much too easy for an inexperienced hand feeder to make a mistake that could cause the death of a tiny baby lovebird.

Most breeders will allow the hen to feed the babies from hatching to the age of two or three weeks. Thereupon, they will pull the babies out of the nest and place them in a brooder for hand feeding. Most lovebirds need to be handfed until they are between six and eight weeks old, after which, they can be weaned onto millet, soft pellets, and fresh fruits.

Nesting behaviour is demonstrated mainly by female birds. The female will carry nesting material into the nest in various ways. Just before the breeding season, the female lovebirds start constructing their nest. During this time, the lovebirds will mate repeatedly. Eggs follow 3 to 5 days later

Dr R Selvakkumar is assistant professor, Department of Livestock Production and Management, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai


Research

ANIMAL EMOTIONSDo animals think and feel?

Every now and again I receive an email message I ignore after reading the subject line. I know

I’m not alone in following this rule of thumb, but today I broke down and opened a message, the subject line of which read “Scientists Declare: Nonhuman Animals Are Conscious”. I honestly thought it was a joke, likely from one of my favourite newspapers, The Onion. However, it wasn’t.

My colleague, Michael Mountain, published a summary of a recent meeting held in Cambridge, England at which, “Science leaders have reached a critical consensus: Humans are not the only conscious beings; other animals, specifically mammals and birds, are indeed conscious, too”. At this gathering, called ‘The Francis Crick Memorial Conference’, a number of scientists presented evidence that led to this self-obvious conclusion. It’s difficult to believe that those who have shared their homes with companion animals didn’t already know this. And, of course, many renowned and award winning field researchers had reached the same conclusion years ago.

Mountain was as incredulous as I and many others about something we already knew. It’s interesting to note that of the 15 notables who spoke at this conference, only one has actually done studies of wild animals. It would have been nice to hear from researchers who have conducted long term studies of wild animals, including great apes, other nonhuman primates, social carnivores, cetaceans, rodents, and birds, for example, to add to the database. Be that as it may, I applaud their not so surprising conclusion and

Let’s all work together to stop the abuse of millions upon millions of conscious animals in the name of science, education, food, amusement and entertainment, and clothing. We really owe it to them to use what we know on their behalf and to factor compassion and empathy into our treatment of these amazing beings

now I hope it will be used to protect animals from being treated abusively and inhumanely.

Some might say we didn’t really know that other animals were conscious but this is an incredibly naive view given what we know about the neurobiology and cognitive and emotional lives of other animals. Indeed, it was appeals to these very data that led to the conclusions of this group of scientists. But did we really need a group of internationally recognised scientists to tell us that the

■ Marc Bekoff


data are really valid? Yes and no, but let’s thank them for doing it.

I agree with Mountain that it’s a really important statement that will be used as evidence by those who are pushing for scientists to develop a more humane relationship with animals. It’s harder, for example, to justify experiments on nonhumans when you know that they are conscious beings and not just biological machines. Some of the conclusions reached in this declaration are the product of scientists who, to this day, still conduct experiments on animals in captivity, including dolphins, who are among the most intelligent species on Earth. Their own declaration will now be used as evidence that it’s time to stop using these animals in captivity and start finding new ways of making a living.

Cambridge Declaration on Con-sciousness

The scientists went as far as to write up what’s called The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness, which basically declares that this prominent international group of scientists agree that “Convergent evidence indicates that non human animals have the neuroanatomical, neurochemical, and neurophysiological substrates of conscious states along with the capacity to exhibit intentional behaviours. Consequently, the weight of evidence indicates that humans are not unique in possessing the neurological substrates that generate consciousness. Non human animals, including all mammals and birds, and many other creatures, including octopuses, also possess these neurological substrates”. They could also have included fish, for whom, the evidence supporting sentience and consciousness is also compelling.

Marc Bekoff, PhD, is a former professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and co-founder of Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He has won many awards for his scientific research including the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society, Indiana, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Books he has authored include the ‘Encyclopaedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare’, the ‘Encyclopaedia of Animal Behavior’, and the ‘Encyclopaedia of Human-Animal Relationships’, amongst others. He currently lives in Colorado and lectures internationally on issues of animal behaviour, cognitive ethology (the study of animal minds), and behavioural ecology

Animals are Conscious; Now What?

It’s fair to ask what these scientists and others are going to do now that they agree that consciousness is widespread in the animal kingdom. We know, for example, that mice, rats, and chickens display empathy but this knowledge hasn’t been factored into the Federal Animal Welfare Act in the United States.

I’m frankly astounded that these data and many other findings about animal cognition and animal emotions have been ignored by those who decide on regulations about the use and abuse of other animals. However, the Treaty of Lisbon, passed by member states of the European Union that went into force on December, 1, 2009, recognises that “In formulating and implementing the Union’s agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage”.

Let’s applaud The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness and The Treaty of Lisbon and work hard to get animals the protection from invasive research and other forms of abuse, in many cases horrifically inhumane, they deserve.

Some recent essays I’ve written point out that there still are some people who feel comfortable killing individuals who they call “unneeded” or “surplus” animals

and at least one animal welfarist, Oxford University’s Marian Dawkins, continued as of a few months ago to claim we still don’t know if other animals are conscious and that we should “remain sceptical and agnostic (about consciousness) ... Militantly agnostic if necessary, because this keeps alive the possibility that a large number of species have some sort of conscious experiences ... For all we know, many animals, not just the clever ones and not just the overtly emotional ones, also have conscious experiences”.

Perhaps, what I call “Dawkins’ Dangerous Idea” will now finally be shelved, given the conclusions of the Cambridge gathering. I frankly don’t see how anyone who has worked closely with any of a wide array of animals or who lives with a companion animal(s) could remain uncertain and agnostic about whether they are conscious.

There’s now a wealth of scientific data that makes scepticism, and surely agnosticism, to be anti science and harmful to animals. Now, at last, the prestigious Cambridge group shows this to be so. Bravo for them! So, let’s all work together to use this information to stop the abuse of millions upon millions of conscious animals in the name of science, education, food, amusement and entertainment, and clothing. We really owe it to them to use what we know on their behalf and to factor compassion and empathy into our treatment of these amazing beings.

Marc Bekoff and Bessie, a rescued dairy cow at the Farm Sanctuary, California

Health & Wellness

In recent years, we have learned how important diet and exercise are to a healthy lifestyle and a long life. We

have learned that excessive weight causes wear and tear on our hearts and other organs, as well as, exacerbating diseases such as cancer, diabetes or high blood pressure. Extra weight also puts stress on arthritic joints.

The same is true for our dogs. Unfortunately, dogs cannot make a conscious decision to lose weight. They must eat what we give them and their exercise often consists only of a stroll around the block or being turned out in the backyard. To control your dog’s weight, you must change your habits. An estimated 25 to 40 percent of dogs are

overweight, yet many dog owners may not even be aware their dog has a weight problem. The ideal weight depends on the dog’s breed and even within a single breed, there is variation.

Measuring Fat

Excess weight doesn’t appear overnight. It creeps up over an extended period of time. So how can you tell? Place your hands on each side of your dog’s rib cage. You should be able to feel each individual rib easily. If you can see the ribs or they are protruding, he may be underweight. If you can’t feel his ribs at all, he’s probably overweight. Next, look at your dog from the side. Is his abdomen tucked up slightly? This is more prominent in some breeds than others, but he should have a waistline. Underweight dogs will have an extremely prominent tuck. Overweight dogs will have no waist, and their abdomen may drag.

Mixed breeds don’t have an established ‘ideal’ but you can draw an estimate by measuring your dog at the withers. Make the dog stand so its front feet are directly under the shoulders. Hold a ruler over the tip of its shoulder blades, making sure the ruler is at level, and measure from the ruler to ground to obtain the dog’s height. Then, compare your dog’s weight to the standard weight of purebreds with similar height and bone structure.

Dogs at Risk

Toy breeds have a particular predisposition to obesity as owners find it tempting to spoil them with treats. One extra kilogram can make a big difference with these dogs, whereas the same wouldn’t be noticed on big dogs. Keep track of your dog’s menu for a day. It’s surprising how much weight a dog can gain when it’s given only two cups of dry dog food. If you don’t believe that inactivity or too many calories are the causes of your dog’s sudden weight gain or appetite change, check with your veterinarian before starting a weight control programme. Dogs who suffer from obesity develop health issues due to the added stress on their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and joints. Also, these physical issues, combined with lack of exercise, often result in behavioural

Extra kilos exacerbate diseases such as cancer,

diabetes or high blood pressure, while exerting stress on arthritic joints. Therefore, as in humans, weight gain in pets must be treated seriously, and a weight loss regime put

in place promptly, in coordination with

your vet

WHY WEIGHT?


■ Dr Geeta Sharma

problems. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can help your dog to get back to his or her ideal weight. If you determine that your dog is carrying a few extra kilos, develop a weight reduction programme. Ask your veterinarian for advice and follow the steps below to eliminate your dog’s excess weight.

Weight Control

Consult your Vet: Your vet can best inform you of the ideal weight for your dog’s breed and height and develop a strategy to get him back on track. He can also make you aware of any potential health concerns or things to watch out for as you start the new routine. Always consult your vet before changing your dog’s exercise schedule or starting any weight loss programme.

Exercise: Many dogs develop weight problems for the same reason they develop behaviour problems – they are not receiving enough exercise.

THIN, ROBUST, OR FAT?a

licia

’s T

OO

N


Health & Wellness

For your dog’s safety, it is important to incrementally increase the exercise routine. Start with short sessions, and gradually add more time and greater intensity.

Overweight dogs are also at higher risk for overheating and breathing problems, so it’s important to keep a keen eye on these matters. Your vet can tell you what your dog can safely handle, in terms of physical exertion.

Take care not to exhaust your dog. Dogs love to please their owners and some will do it to the point of endangering themselves. Stop immediately if you notice your dog limping or slowing down. Heavy panting are serious signs of potential collapse, unless the breed is known to pant often.

Walking and jogging are not the only ways to exercise dogs. You can toss Frisbees and rope toys. Combine obedience training with exercise, making sure your dog comes in nicely on a ‘sit’ after every retrieve. You can encourage stair climbing by tossing a favourite toy down the steps and directing your dog to bring it back up.

With all activities, keep safety in mind. Don’t encourage your dog to do anything that might injure it.

Diet Change: Certain foods can help your dog get back to a healthy weight, while still providing the energy and nutrients it requires. Remember, the earlier an ingredient appears on a label (in sequence), the more it will

be present in the food. Look for high quality meat ingredients in those top spots. If your dog is more than seven years old, consider switching to a diet formulated for older dogs. These diets contain a reduced amount of fat, protein and sodium. Consider adding a few vegetables to your dog’s bowl to make it look fuller and satisfy your pet’s stomach.

Cut back on Snacks: Dog treats can add a significant amount of calories to your dog’s diet, as can human snacks. If you’d like to give your dog a special reward, find healthier alternatives.

Ignore Begging: Many dogs have mastered the art of begging or peering sadly at their food bowl if the food is not exciting enough, but it is important to recognise that your dog is manipulating you. The more you reward that behaviour, the more he will continue it. If you stop feeding, your dog will stop pleading. Find out how much food your dog should be fed, and stick to it — no matter how forlorn your dog seems. Remember, it’s in his best interest.

Don’t blame Sterilisation: This is a myth. Dogs do not get fat simply by being spayed or neutered. Just like humans, dogs gain weight if they eat too much and exercise too little or if they are genetically programmed to be overweight. The weight gain that people witness after sterilisation is most likely caused by continuing to feed a high energy diet to a dog that is spending less energy upon reaching adulthood.

Involve the Family: Everyone in the household needs to do their part in helping your dog achieve its goal (even if he is unaware of this). If you have children, be sure to explain to them the importance of helping your dog with his new weight loss regime. Your dog will live a longer, happier life because of it.

Feeding table scraps adds to your dog’s weight more than you realise

Many dogs have mastered the art of begging or peering sadly at their food bowl if the food is not exciting enough, but it is important to recognise that your dog is manipulating you into feeding him more. If you stop feeding, your dog will stop pleading. Find out how much food your dog should be fed, and stick to it

Dr Geeta Sharma, B.V.Sc& A.H, M.V.Sc (Surgery), MBA, is a record holder with the Limca Book of Records and India Book of Records. She has authored books, Dog Care —

A Guide to Pet Lovers and Cat Care — A Guide to Pet Lovers


This foxy lady came to be a part of our family by a stroke of fate (hers) and luck (mine). I had

just volunteered to be a foster parent at one of the animal shelters I came across via Facebook. My boyfriend introduced me to a lovely lady who works hard to make sure Indian dogs get a chance in this craven society. And this wonderful woman had posted a picture of a sweet little black and white Indian pup, all of 30 days old, who had been attacked by a

TEHYAA foster puppy becomes a permanent resident

■ Dr Srilakshmi Amirtheshwaran

Pet Blog

This little princess came, saw and conquered everyone in the house. And two days later, I knew she was never going back. I picked up the phone, called my friend and said, “I want to keep her.”

And she was mine.

It is a decision I treasure to this day. She is healthy now and her fur is thick and glossy as a bear’s, with no sign of the painful wound she once sustained. She is gorgeous, frisky, playful, intelligent and so loving, it takes my breath away. She is my Vodafone dog, who follows me everywhere I go, and waits outside the bathroom when I am showering. She is the rascal who talks back when I scold her and dances with me when I hum a tune. She is my joy. And I hope I am hers.

Taken from the blog, ofdogsandgods What the love of a d(g)og(d) can do…

A tiny little thing with such shining brilliant eyes that I felt I was drowning in them. Her lovely black fur was marred by a jagged wound on one side

Tehya as a pup

Wounds of the past

pack of dogs and had undergone surgery. This darling little one was in need of a foster home. I remember taking one look at her and telling Auro, “Hon, I want her.” Always the practical one, Auro told me that I could not adopt every pup I saw but I could help in other ways. So, I signed up to foster her. That night, the little beauty was brought home by a volunteer from the shelter (and this is someone I have greatly come to respect

as well because his commitment is amazing). I held her in one hand and she was smaller than the size of my palm. A tiny little thing with such shining brilliant eyes that I felt I was drowning in them. Her lovely black fur was marred by a jagged wound on one side. My heart ached for this wee thing that had endured so much in such a short span of her life.

The moment her feet hit the ground though, I saw that this was a girl with character and a personality of her own. In 10 minutes, she had my other two dogs crawling in formation. She had stolen their bones, usurped their bed and established her rights in her foster home. It was an awe inspiring experience for me because my dogs, Maya and Robin are mostly docile.

Excerpt

Taken from the book, VIPs: Very Important Pets, published by Roli Books and compiled by Priya Kapoor and Nandita Jaishankar

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