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Beagles

By Kunika Chahal

If you want a dog a beagle is a good choice. A beagle is a small playful dog that loves to explore. A beagle may be a good dog but watch out, it has a loud voice. Beagle in old French meant open throat and in old English it means small. But in both languages beagles are well named.

            A beagle is a breed in the hound group. A beagle is a miniature version of a harrier. An old long-legged breed of an English hound. The beagle is also a miniature version of a Fox Hound.  Scent hounds are what most people call beagles because of their keen sense of smell. Most hunters train beagles to find rabbits or as the book calls it to long onto a rabbit’s scent.  A beagle that is trained will flush rabbits for its owner, a hunter. Flush means that a dog scares away a rabbit from wherever it’s hiding. While the beagle flushes that rabbit the hunter can shoot it.

            Some beagle facts I found in a book is that a beagle weighs 18 to 30 pounds or 8 to 14 kilograms. The beagle’s height is 12 to 15 inches or 30 to 38 centimeters. The beagles’ country of origin is Great Britain. It’s life span is 12 to 15 years.

            Beagles are very popular dogs. By the year 2001 the American and Canadian Kennel club listed the beagle lower than number 12. The American Kennel Club listed the beagle number 5 of the most popular breed by 2001. The Canadian Kennel Club listed the beagle number eleven of the most popular breed by 2001. This is how popular the breed of the beagle in America and Canada is.

            Hounds have been around for hundreds of years. Hounds have been around in different shapes and sizes. Dogs that were made to chase and catch mammals are hounds. Dogs like gray hounds hunt, mostly by sight. Other dogs like beagles and foxhounds hunt by scent.

            The beagles exacts root is impossible to know. Beagles and dogs like beagles have been known for more than 2,000 years. It’s most possible that the modern beagle has ancestors in France, Italy and most likely England.  A harrier may have been beagles ancestors. Harriers have been around in England for at least 800 years. A beagle has short legs to it’s easier to follow a beagle than a long legged hound.

            Old beagles came in many sizes. Some breeds were 23 centimeters or 9 inches tall. In the mid 1800’s the modern beagle was developed in England. The American Kennel club recognized two varieties of beagles. One type of beagle or variety of a beagle has a maximum height of 33 centimeters or 13 inches at the shoulders. Another larger variety of beagle can be up to 15 inches or 38.5 cm tall.

            I like beagles because they’re cute. They are energetic and loving to me. I also like beagles because I love watching them play with other dogs. I love the outdoors just like beagles. I think it looks cute when a beagle is sniffing for something. I want a beagle when I grow up. I love beagles. I think they are sooo cute. They are cuddly too. That’s all about beagles and how I love them.

Chow Chow

By Zachary Hess

The dog breed I chose is called the chow chow. The chow means food in the Cantonese language. The chow Chow Chow also has other uses in China. Chow Chows are herded animals and guard property. Some chow chows were raised by Chinese people. Chinese people did not call the chow chow, chows. They called them boar dogs.

            I didn’t know that they were raised by Chinese people. I’m just a beginner of learning about the chow chow.  The chow chow is not to be played with roughly because they can really bite. When you get them really mad or something like that. Chow Chows are very fluffy. Most of the time they are playful. There really good with kids. My mom saw a chow chow I saw it. I kind of got a little freaked out because of the way the fur is and the way the face looks like it going to eat me because I was so little. I was five years old. I was surprised when how much fun they had.

Cocker Spaniels

By Amanda Bogatka

Cocker spaniels come in a couple of different colors. They come in tan, beige, black and gold. Male cocker spaniels stand 14 to 15 inches tall and females stand 13 to 14 inches tall. Cocker spaniels are my second favorite dog. My first favorite dog is the miniature poodle. Cocker spaniels have very round, floppy ears, kind of snoopy’s ears on Charlie Brown show.   Did you know grapes, chocolate, onions and raisins and nuts are poisonous to all dogs? I didn’t. I didn’t know that until my mom and sister told me.  Also did you know that if any dog puts a turkey or chicken bone in their mouths it could snap in half and choke the dog because of the sharpness and they wouldn’t be able to swallow it? I didn’t know that until my sister and mom told me.

Dalmatians 

by Coutney Toole

Dalmatians can live up to 15 years. Most Dalmatians are born with pure white fur coats. The spots will start to appear day after day, week after week. A Dalmatian’s urinary system is different from other dogs. A urinary system is the way a body rids itself of liquid waste – a chemical called uric acid builds up in the urine of Dalmatians. Other dog breeds do not have this problem.

Nobody exactly knows where Dalmatians come from. Some say it may come from Dalmatia a region of Croatia others say they may be named after a Serbian poet and dog breeder, Juraj Dahmatin.

Dalmatians can stand up to 19-24 inches (48-61 centimeters) Dalmatians weigh up to 40-70 pounds. Females are smaller than males. Dalmatians can live up to 13-15 years.  I was surprised when I first saw a Dalmatian.

German Shepherds

by Rylee McMurray

German Shepherds are cute. Some of them are very mean and vicious but some are very nice. I used to have a German shepherd, his name was Simba but he died from eating garbage. He got sick from eating it.  Some German shepherds are guard dogs, and some herd. I really love German shepherds when they are puppies.  Usually German shepherds weigh 75-95 pounds. Their height is 22-26 inches to 55-66. They’re from Germany and they can live up to 12 or 13 years. They can also be police dogs, also they can be guide dogs or seeing eye dogs.  Some are used to sniff out drugs, explosives or lost or injured people.  Some get trained for obedience trials. 

            German shepherds are aggressive choosing a German shepherd is not easy at all. Germans come in many different personalities. They can be wise or careful. Breeders are usually wonderful dogs- handsome, brave and obedient dogs.  Some are aggressive to other types of dogs too. Many North American German shepherds are good natured and calm. These dogs are usually more aggressive than their North American cousins.

            When Germans are pups their ears are floppy but when they grow up their ears will stand up straight. White Germans are the top number three purebreds in North America.  Most German shepherds are kept as family companions, not as working dogs. I really love German shepherds and always will.

Labrador retrievers:  facts and feelings

By Michael Carnavos

I am writing this essay on Labradors because as you might guess, I have one.  I am dedicating this essay to my dog Murphy because I love him and he gave me the inspiration to write about Labs.  I will share with you my love and knowledge of Labs.

          Labs are usually 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall.  They originated in Canada. They usually live 12-13 years.  Labs have a natural instinct to retrieve.  That is why they are called Labrador Retrievers.  A Lab obviously likes to retrieve (Def.:  to recover).

          Living with a Lab is like living with your best friend.  When I practice piano, there Murphy is just lying there and listening.  He loves us so much that he lies on our shoes so that we cannot leave.  When I walk in the door, I am greeted by his wet tongue.  One of his favorite things to do is bringing a tennis ball back after we throw it.  He loves “playing ball”.

          You may have read the book My Life in Dog Years by Gary Paulsen.  If you have, you will remember Ike.  Gary Paulsen tells the story of a black Lab and a boy longing for a friend.  If you haven’t read it, you should.  It tells of a great hunting relationship and two great friends.

          A Labrador can be a great friend, companion, and for Gary Paulsen, a great partner.  However, for me and Murphy, we have more than that; we’re like brothers.

Pugs

By Remo Beliveau

I think that pugs are cute. They are one of many toy breeds. Their average height and weight are 10-11 inches high and 14-18 pounds.  Did you know that pugs are from China, I didn’t! For a small dog they live quite along time. They live 13-14 years!  They also have a lot to like in a small package. They typical pug is playful but can be stubborn and independent. There are 21 different toy breeds they pug is only one of them… boys that’s a lot of dogs! Pugs are also companion dogs. I did already know that pugs are the dog of choice if you have little space or want a lap dog. They make good watchdogs. They are very alert and quick to bark, I did not know that.

Shetland Sheepdogs

By Stephen Ferraro

Shetland sheep dog, otherwise known as a Sheltie originated in Scotland and have been around since the 1900’s . Shelties are a pure breed that were developed by Shetland Islanders who wanted the beautiful looks of a large collie, but not the large collie size.

            Shelties main job was to work as a farm dog and herd farm animals.  Such as ponies, sheep and chicken on the Shetland Island of Scotland. They were also very good watchdogs. The Shetland Sheepdog are unable to protect their owner but they do like to bark so they make good watch dogs.  Shelties are smart, playful and friendly.

            A characteristic of the sheltie is that they are longer then they are tall. The dog is covered by long straight hair. People say that their hair looks like a mane. The colors of their hair can be black and white, brown and white or a mixture of different colors.  A sheltie can weigh 15 to 30 pounds. Is usually 13-16 inches tall and lives 13-15 years.

            It did not surprise me when it came from Scotland because its name sounds like Scotland. I Liked the color of the dogs’ fur. My other favorite part is that it is a great watchdog.

Yorkshire Terriers

by Ashley Carpenter

These dogs are very pretty. Their country of origin is England. They weigh up to 7 pounds and no more than that. Their lifespan is from 14-16 years.  Yorkshire Terriers looks like a fancy toy with a button sized eyes and nose. No other breed for its size has a coat as long and silky as the Yorkie. Yorkies are also very playful and friendly dogs.  They love games and especially love to fetch. Anyone who knows a yorkie should be ready to play with them. It is hard to teach these dogs because they are so independent but they can be taught obedience or agility if it is taught by a patient owner. Most owners show their yorkies.  Despite the yorkies size they are good watchdogs. The waterside terrier was probably a major ancestor of the yorkie. A Scotish dog the waterside terrier was small with blue-gray terrier with fairly long hair.  Yorkies are the most popular terriers on the planet.. The Yorkshire terriers roots are not in fancy grooming and show rings. Instead people in Yorkshire England developed the Yorkshire terriers in the 1800s as ratters.

            I love them because they are my cousin’s dogs and I know a lot about them. When I get older and can have my own dog I will get 1 or 2 yorkies. I think these yorkshire terriers would make great pets. I hope a lot of people like this dog.

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Last modified on 06/16/08