The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too

Friday, June 27, 2014

Washington, DC - Washington Humane Society - Thank You to Delucchi Plus for Designing and Donating Our Bold and Colorful New Signs!



A TREMENDOUS thank you to Delucchi Plus for designing and donating fantastic new signs for our New York Avenue Adoption Center! These bold and colorful signs, which were installed today, will certainly help adopters find their new furry friend.

Come by and check them out and meet your new family member at WHS! See everyone looking for their forever home online at www.washhumane.org/adopt.





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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

I Saved a 2-Year-Old Blue Pit Bull - Can You Help Me Find Her a Forever Home?


I want to first thank you for being loyal followers of The Pet Tree House. As you know my blog covers all areas from pet care to pet adoptions.

As my readers, I am asking for your help. My husband and I saved the life of a 2-year-old Blue Pit Bull, and now she needs a forever home.

Here is our story:

On Friday, June 13, 2014, I was sitting in my home watching a movie. I don't know why but for some reason I got up and looked out of the front door. It was close to 4:00 p.m., and the sun is always hot on the front of my home that time of day. I never go out my front door unless I am going somewhere. I am usually in the backyard playing with my little rescue, Jonas, a Yorkie/Shih-Tzu mix.

As I stepped out onto my front porch, I saw something moving slowly on the grassy area of the apartment complex adjacent to my home. I didn't know it was a dog a first because she was couched so low to the ground. When I realized it was a dog, I ran in the house and called the Prince George's County Animal Shelter, and got my husband.

When we got outside, she had crawled into the street. We kept our distance but were close enough to see that she looked to have rash on her skin, and her belly was very red. We knew not to approach and injured animal.

My husband immediately started directing traffic entering the complex around her. She stared directly in my face, she had the saddest eyes. I comforted her, telling her that someone was coming. Then she laid her head down on the ground…my heart fell, I felt so helpless. I said a prayer asking God to please let this baby hang on until help got here, I just kept talking to her.

It was a very hot day, and we had a hard rain the day before. I told my husband that she probably was out in the rain, the day before.

Within a half an hour, I saw a white van approaching that I recognized as being the Prince George's County Animal Rescue Van. I began waving, as she pulled up. I retreated to my front porch to allow her to do her job, which she did very well. As she opened the door to the van, I heard her say, "oh, you're going to stand for me, good dog?" She had no problem getting her into the van. I thanked her for coming. As she drove away, I looked up and said thank you God.

The next day, I called the animal shelter to check on her and found out that she was doing okay, but hadn't seen the vet yet. I asked what would happen to her now, and was told that she would need to be placed with a rescue before adoption.

Hi, my name is Fancy, and I am looking for a forever home. If you have room in your in heart and in your home for me, please contact the Prince George's County Animal Shelter.

We can not adopt her because we live in Prince George's County Maryland, and it is illegal to own pit bulls here. I suspect someone was hiding her.

I called back today to check on her and found out that the staff has named her "Fancy", she possibly has mange, and is responding very well to treatment. She will be evaluated in 7 days, and then will need to be picked up by a rescue before she can be adopted.

I was able go to the shelter's website to get this picture of her. I could not believe how good she looked. She was looking really bad when I saw her lying in the street.

I have a special connection to Fancy, and I am asking you to please share her to help get her a loving forever home.

If you are interested in adopting her, you will need to check with the shelter to get the information for the rescue.

Location:
Prince George's County Animal Management
3750 Brown Station Rd
Upper Marlboro, Maryland
(301) 780-7201 (The adoption center does not open until 12:00 p.m.)

Name: Fancy
ID #A407542
Age: 2
Breed: Female Pit Bull Mix
Color: Blue

I will keep you updated on Fancy, and of course, let you know when she is adopted!

Thank you for sharing!

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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Dog Owners Please Read! Jerky Treats Lead to 4,800 Complaints, Including Over 1,000 Dead Dogs and 3 People Who Fell Ill


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are teaming up to investigate over 1,000 dog deaths and three people who fell ill after consuming  chicken, duck and sweet potato pet jerky imported from China. Following the FDA’s last update back on October 22, 2013, 4,800 complaints of illness, some including multiple pets in one household, have been reported to the agency involving 5,600 dogs, 24 cats and three people.

According to the FDA’s latest report, around 60 percent of the cases were tied to gastrointestinal and liver disease, 30 percent kidney or urinary disease, and 10 percent that included neurologic, dermatologic, and immunologic symptoms. Approximately, 15 percent of kidney and urinary cases also tested positive for Fanconi syndrome, a rare kidney disease tied to reported cases of pet and human illnesses. The FDA has still been unable to identify an exact cause for the sudden outbreak.

The FDA and CDC are collaborating on a study tracking food consumed by sick dogs reported to the agency compared to what healthy dogs ate. Researchers hope the analysis will be able to tell what type of food (human or pet food) is making pets and people sick. The FDA has already performed 26 post mortem examinations on 26 dogs reported to the agency since October 2013. It was discovered that 13 of these dogs had consumed pet jerky and 11 showed signs of kidney disease while two were identified with gastrointestinal disease.

“The agency continues to review case records, test treat samples from reported cases, screen tissue, blood, urinary and fecal samples, and communicate with the attending veterinarians and pet owners to thoroughly investigate select cases,” the FDA said in a statement. “Because of the volume of information received in response to the Dear Veterinarian letter, the agency has not completed an update to our online case spreadsheets. FDA plans to complete and post these updates in the coming months.”

Of the three humans who fell ill as a result of consuming pet jerky, two were toddlers who ingested it accidently and one adult who was snacking on the pet treat for unknown reasons, NBC News reported. One of the toddlers was diagnosed with a salmonella infection and the other suffered from a gastrointestinal illness and fever, similar to the symptoms experienced by dogs in the same household. The adult reportedly suffered from symptoms including nausea and headache.

“Testing of jerky pet treats from China has also revealed the presence of the drug amantadine in some samples containing chicken,” the FDA added. “These samples were from jerky pet treats that were sold a year or more ago. Amantadine is an antiviral that is FDA-approved for use in people. It has also been used in an extra-label manner (using an approved drug in a way that isn’t listed on the label) in dogs for pain control, but FDA prohibited its use in poultry in 2006.”





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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

It's Official!! Dog Bite Legislation Was Signed by the Governor, Today! It’s An Important Day in Maryland


Sharing from: Maryland SPCA:

It's official!! Dog bite legislation was signed by the Governor, today! It’s an important day in Maryland. After several years of trying to pass legislation that would best protect dog bite victims and hold all dog owners accountable for their dogs without singling out one type or breed of dog, the House and Senate passed the legislation and the Governor signed it into law! The law is breed neutral, no longer holds landlords liable for dog bites, and no longer deems pit bulls as "inherently dangerous."

Thank you everyone who contacted their legislators over the last several years, encouraged others to contact their legislators, spoke and/or attended hearings in Annapolis, and participated in peaceful rallies. Your help made this a reality! (Photo includes the Governor, members of the General Assembly including Senator Frosh to the right of the Governor, Katie Flory from the MD SPCA standing to the right of Senator Frosh, and representatives from other shelters and animal advocates groups who worked tirelessly on getting this legislation come to fruition.)


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Tuesday, April 1, 2014

New D.C. Apartment Complex to Offer Communal Dog Mascot


Condos and apartments are going up all across the District, and with so many units hitting the market, developers are going to new lengths to attract prospective tenants.

Emmy the Bulldog is among the lures.

"I was sitting at a cafe one day and I just saw a puppy walking by -- it was a bulldog and everyone ran across the street and had to pet this dog," said Holli Beckman, W.C. Smith Vice President of Leasing Operations.

Beckman put her 'Eureka!' moment to work -- and brought in Emmy to help bring in new tenants.

"Like a community mascot, I could get down with that, I think it's a good idea," said prospective tenant Hayley Bangley.

Until her new home, “2 M Street,” is ready (Get it? Emmy?), she will spend her days at the developer’s office, socializing.

Doug Crawford will manage the property, and Emmy will live with him there full time.
"...Extremely positive, it's been a huge success,” Crawford said of prospective tenants’ reactions to the adorable bulldog.

Emmy will be available for play and romps in an interior dog park, but she won’t be allowed to leave the building with any tenant:

"It's not like she can be checked out like a book and taken away and not come back," said Beckman.

Since this building is going to be pet-friendly, another benefit of having Emmy here is is giving people who are considering a pet a chance to try it out see if they like it.

“They'll get an opportunity to interact and play and see if it is something that is a good fit for them,” said Crawford.


















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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Do You Know These Cat Facts and Myths?


Cats have fascinated humans ever since the day, probably about four thousand years ago, the first domestic cat made himself at home on the hearth by the fire. From ancient times to our modern age, myths and superstitions have surrounded cats. The ancient Egyptians worshiped them as gods, but people in later centuries feared them as harbingers of witchcraft and evil.

In today's high-tech world, we may think we've outgrown such fables. Yet a surprising number of modern-day myths about cats persist.

Did you know that the following are feline fables, not facts?

Cats are "No-Maintenance" Pets:
Because cats are litter-trained, some people think that simply giving their cat food and water is enough. Not so. Cats also need regular veterinary care and, just as important, lots of love and attention.

Cats Always Land on Their Feet:
While cats can often land on their feet after a short fall, falling from heights is another story. Upper-level windows and porches, unless securely screened, should be off-limits to cats, particularly in high-rise buildings.

Cats Can't be Trained:
Cats will, of course, do things their way if left to their own devices. But most cats can be taught to obey simple rules like not scratching the couch, eating plants, or jumping up on the kitchen counter. Repeated, gentle, and consistent training gets results. Also, if a cat understands the rules and has an approved outlet for her scratching impulses, such as a sturdy scratching post, there will be no need to have her declawed, a painful and unnecessary operation.

Cat's Aren't Happy Unless They Can Go Outside to Roam and Hunt:
Cats like to play, prowl, and pounce, and they can do all those activities indoors with you and a few toys -- without being exposed to predators, disease, traps, poison, and traffic.

Cats Become Fat and Lazy After They are Spayed\Neutered:
Cats, just like people, generally become fat because they eat too much and don't get enough exercise. The fact is, cats who are spayed or neutered live longer lives and make better companions. And they don't contribute to the pet-overpopulation problem in this country, where millions of unwanted cats and dogs are destroyed every year. There's no need to wait until a female cat has had a litter to have her spayed; it can be done before her first heat cycle.

Cats Can See in the Dark:
Cats cannot see in total darkness any better than a person can. They can see better than other animals in semidarkness, however, because of their eyes' anatomy.

Cats Don't Need to Wear a Collar and Tags:
An identification tag is a lost cat's ticket home. Every cat, even an indoor cat, should wear a collar with an ID tag to help him come home if he is lost.  Many cat owners believe a collar can injure a cat. But a breakaway collar lets a cat escape if the collar becomes snagged.

Cats Who Disappear for a Couple of Days Are Just Out Hunting; There's No Need to Worry:
The prolonged disappearance of any pet is cause for alarm. Cats are no exception, and as domestic animals, they cannot cope with the dangers posed by the outdoors. For their own safety and well-being, cats should always be kept indoors, but if your cat does somehow become lost, he needs to be looked for immediately -- before it's too late.

Cats Will Suck the Breath from Sleeping Infants:
Curious by nature, a cat may want to climb into the crib to see what new manner of squalling creature her family has brought home. But she won't suck the baby's breath. She may feel a little jealous, however, so introductions should be gradual. Lots of lavish attention will also help reassure her that she's still an important member of the family. Cats can suffer from sibling rivalry, too!

Cats Are Aloof, Independent Animals and Don't Really Want a Lot of Attention from Humans:
Cats are domestic animals because they live in the home. They crave human companionship and establish loving bonds with their human families. They may not always show it, but that's just the feline way. If you toss the cat outdoors, or spend little time with him, you'll never know the rewarding -- and very special -- relationship that comes from making a cat a true member of the family.

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Do You Know These Dog Myths That Can Lead to Mishaps?


Why is it that dogs are often at fault and take the blame for human ignorance and/or error? There are some commonly held myths that are simply old wives tales, urban legend, or perhaps a combination of both.

Myth: Petting a Dog Because He’s Cute

Fact: Well, not always. I recall a dog trainer friend asking me one time if I liked strangers to hug me without warning. Apparently, dogs don’t like it very much either. I’ve gone so far as to ask someone if I can pet their dog or if he or she is friendly. Though dogs can behave differently if startled or provoked, one should never pet a dog without asking his owner first and only if the dog is exhibiting proper body language that being petted is acceptable. A dog whose ears are back or whose tail is tucked between his legs is clearly telling you to back off. If a dog feels threatened, he will bite.  Come to think of it, I might, too, if you extend an uninvited hug.

Myth: Letting a Dog in a Car Alone “Just for a Few Minutes” Is Safe

Fact: The key words of “dog in a car alone” speak volumes. Dogs should never be left alone in a car. In the warmer months, a car acts as a greenhouse and can cause harm and even death to pets. During the colder months, dogs can freeze to death even in a short period of time. Cars act as a refrigerator in cold months. A dog alone in a car, no matter the season, is a target for thieves. Just don’t do it.

Myth: Dogs do not absorb antifreeze or harmful chemicals on walks through their paws.

Fact: A dog’s pads are more resilient than other parts of his body, but chemicals can be absorbed through them. In turn, chemicals like antifreeze can be licked by dogs and cause severe problems. Wipe dog pads off thoroughly after a walk, perhaps using some warm water and a washcloth to melt any ice balls that may have formed on the feet.

Myth: I Can Tie My Dog Up Outside the Store While I Shop

Fact: You basically give your dog away to whatever stranger wants him. My grandmother used to say, “If all your friends are planning to jump from a bridge, should you do it, too?” Well, just because a pole is available in front of a store does not mean a dog should be tethered to it. You expose your dog to strangers, those with ill intentions, and those who will take your dog, run far away, and never look back. Just don’t do it.

Myth: Dogs in shelters who cower and seem afraid will not make for good pets.

Fact: If your life has been turned upside down at the hands of people, it makes sense that any creature would shy away from strange humans. Imagine being tossed in a kennel if you never knew the insides of one before. If you came from an abusive situation or fear loud sounds, cowering is likely. Dogs in shelters that exhibit fearful behavior just might need some TLC, proper training, to build trust, and gain confidence that not all human beings are simply bad creatures.

Myth:  I Don’t Have to Brush My Dog’s Teeth if He Eats Kibble

Fact: If you eat hard food, you don’t have to brush your teeth either, right? Wrong! Teeth are teeth no matter if they are attached to a dog or a human. Dental hygiene is as important to a dog’s overall well being as much as plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and a good diet. Brush daily and never with a human toothpaste—ask your pet’s veterinarian for the one best recommended for your dog. Now and then, a professional dental cleaning may be warranted. At the very least, brush a few times a week. Kibble is not a toothbrush.

Myth: Rubbing a Dog’s Nose in Feces Teaches Him Not to Do it in the House

Fact: Not only is this disgusting and unsanitary, but it teaches the dog nothing except that excreting means his pack does a terrible thing to them. Dogs might start excreting in less apparent places of the home, and housebreaking turns into a nightmare. Positive reinforcement is key. Be patient, be kind, and be consistent but not at the expense of gross and bizarre behavior.

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Twin Tibetan Mastiff Dogs Have Been Sold for $3 Million Dollars to a Property Developer in China



Tibetan mastiff dogs have been sold for 18 million yuan ($3 million) to a property developer, according to the dog's breeder. The Tibetan mastiff has become a status symbol for the rich in China.

A Chinese dog breeder said Thursday that a property developer paid him 18 million yuan ($3 million) for Tibetan mastifftwins, highlighting how the breed has become a status symbol for China's rich.

Breeder Zhang Gengyun said he sold the 1-year-old twin male dogs to a single buyer at a luxury dog fair Tuesday in wealthy Zhejiang province, located on China's east coast. The sales were reported by the local Qianjiang Evening News.

One of the twins — a golden-haired Tibetan mastiff — was sold for $12 million yuan, and his red-haired brother went for $6 million yuan.

Zhang said the buyer, from eastern Shandong province, paid him the 18 million yuan with his credit card.

Zhang denied the sale was a ploy by breeders to hype the price of Tibetan mastiffs and said he was reluctant to sell the twins. "It's a real deal," he said.

The more expensive golden-haired dog was 80 centimeters (31.5 inches) tall and weighed 90 kilograms (200 pounds).

"His hair is bright and he has a dead-drop gorgeous face," said the breeder. "Usually he's quiet and gentle, but when a stranger shows up, he could bark endlessly and bite."

Zhang said the unnamed buyer might start breeding Tibetan mastiffs himself.

"The Tibetan mastiff is as treasured in China as the giant panda, so people consider it a symbol of higher social status," he said.

Liu Na, organizer of a Tibetan mastiff fair in Beijing, said the average price for one of the dogs is several hundreds of thousands of dollars. The price tag usually depends on the breeder's expectations, the buyer's appreciation of the dog and the bargaining between the two, she said.

"It's just like deals done when buying antiques," Liu said. "But it isn't uncommon for a breeder to hype a price in order to raise his profile in the industry, just like a celebrity can inflate his or her appearance fee."


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Giant Angora Rabbits



 The Giant Angora is the only 6-Class animal in the breed. It is to have a commercial type body with a very dense coat of wool. The head will be oval in appearance that is broad across the forehead and slightly narrower at the muzzle. The Giant Angora will have forehead tufts (head trimmings) and cheek furnishings. The head trimmings are to be noticeable, however, does are not as heavy in trimmings as the
bucks. The ears should be lightly fringed and well tasseled.

The Giant Angora is also the only breed of angora that is only shown as a ruby-eyed white.

The Giant Angora coat contains three fiber types for its texture. The underwool is to be the most dominant over the other two types of hair. It should be medium fine, soft, delicately waved and have a gentle shine. The Awn Fluff has a guard hair tip and is a stronger, wavy wool. The Awn Fluff is found between the Underwool and Awn Hair. The Awn Hair, also known as guard hair, is the third type of fiber. The Awn Hair is a straight, strong hair that protrudes above the wool and must be present and evident.

The classification of the Giant Angora is different than the other three breeds due to the fact it is a 6-Class animal. The junior buck and junior doe must be under 6 months of age and have a minimum weight of 4 ¾ pounds. The intermediate buck and intermediate doe are 6-8 months of age. The senior buck and senior doe are 8 months of age or over. The senior buck must weigh at least 9 ½ pounds. The senior doe must weigh at least 10 pounds.

In judging the Giant Angoras the majority of the points are based on the wool, which includes density, texture, and length. The points for ‘General Type’ include the body type, head, ears, eyes, feet, legs and tail.

Additional information may be found in the ARBA Standard of Perfection.











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House Votes To Hold Dog Owners Liable For Bites


Annapolis, Maryland - The Maryland House has joined the Senate in passing a compromise measure on dog bite liability.

The House passed Del. Luiz Simmons' bill unanimously on Wednesday. The Senate passed a parallel bill from Sen. Brian Frosh last month. Now one chamber must adopt the other's bill before it can go to Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley for a signature.

The measure would hold dog owners liable for biting "innocent victims" unless they could prove they had no way to know their dogs were dangerous. It also overturns a 2012 court decision that designated pit bulls as "inherently dangerous."

Both chambers passed an amendment to hold the owner liable anytime a dog bites someone while it's running at large, unless the person was trespassing or provoking the dog.

Simmons told WBAL News that with passage of this bill, "the issue is done," in the Maryland General Assembly.

In a special session in 2012, and during last year's session lawmakers could not come to an agreement on the issue.

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Friday, March 7, 2014

The Humane Society of the United States - Victory! Big News! Canada Has Enacted a National Ban on the Lifelong Confinement of Pigs in Cruel Gestation Crates!



Millions of pigs are confined inside gestation crates—cages so small they're unable even to turn around.

The pork industry's leadership continues to defend the indefensible: Locking animals in these tiny, cramped cages. It's hard to imagine a more miserable existence than being immobilized day and night.

TAKE ACTION - Say NO to Cruel Crates for Pigs
Please join us in calling on the pork industry to get animals out of these iron maidens: write to the National Pork Board and let them know that you say “NO” to gestation crates for pigs.



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Thursday, February 27, 2014

Spencer, A 2-Year-Old Paralyzed Bulldog Takes his Very First Steps Thanks to Prosthetic Legs


Spencer is a 2-year-old Bulldog, who has been paralyzed in his back legs since he was a puppy. His veterinarian suspects he became paralyzed either from being dropped or from abuse. His guardian, Linda Heinz, found him on her doorstep and took him in. The curious dog has never gotten a chance to walk around like a regular dog.

Linda said he's always been at her feet pleading to be lifted up and carried around to explore the world. Westcoast Brace and Limb took on the challenge to help Spencer walk for the first time. They equipped him with custom braces outfitted with green Crocks for "feet". He took to the prosthetics instantly and ran up and down the hallways at the clinic until he tired himself out.

Soon after, he got to enjoy his first walk on his own with his buddy Porkchop the blind pig. Linda says Spencer is "the happiest creature you'll ever meet. He wakes up happy. He never has a bad moment."





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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Talking Dog Device Ready to Hit Market Soon - Would You Get This for Your Dog?


What if your dog could greet you with more than a growl, or announce the reason he's scratching at the door?

It sounds absurd and much like the storyline from the Pixar film, “Up,” but Scandinavian scientists are working to develop a headset that could soon allow your furry best friend to speak his mind.

The Nordic Society for Invention and Discovery is the brains behind “No More Woof” -- technology that aims to distinguish canine thought patterns and then issue them as short sentences via a microphone.

“The brainwaves differ quite a lot from different races as well as individual dogs,” NSID writes on their website. “However it is possible to detect some common patterns and we have no doubt that in the future this technology will open up a vast new era of communication between dogs and humans, or animals in general and humans.”

The research team, who previously brought the world such inventions as the pet flying carpet, weren’t immediately available for comment on Wednesday, but explained the most recent project on their website.

“No More Woof is the result of combining the latest technologies in three different tech-areas - EEG (electroencephalography) sensoring, micro computing and special [brain-computer interface] software,” the researchers wrote.

The operating system relies on sensors in the headset which detect electric signals in the dog's brainwaves. Technology from an in-built processing device then analyses the signal patterns and deciphers them into distinct feelings like anger, curiosity or tiredness.

Sample sentences such as “I’m hungry – but I don’t like this!” or "I'm curious who that is?" will be programmed into the device and emitted through a loudspeaker.

English translations will be available, but Putonghua, French and Spanish language headsets will come later, the researchers say.

How exactly scientists will attach the sensors into a dog's brain has yet to be ironed out. Issues like this, as well as the ethical and social concerns, are the reason why there’s a whole lot more research to be done before the technology becomes available.

The headsets are, however, available for pre-purchase on indiegogo as part of the research funding campaign, with three different versions that range in functionality and price, from $65 for the micro to $300 for the standard version or $1,200 for the Superior customizable mini-speaker, replete with engraved dog tag.

You might have to wait a while for the first prototype to arrive in the mail, but the implications are enormous, the researchers say.

And as friendship is a two-way street, it’s only fitting that the scientists are also aiming to develop a reverse headset for humans to bark their way into the hearts of their canine buddies.

Other applications and accessories the researchers have in their far-sighted future include a “Pavlovian training kit,” with original instructions by the physiologist Ivan Pavlov, to further the owner-pet bond through the use of play and classical conditioning.

“Right now we are only scraping the surface of possibilities,” the researchers write. “The first version will be quite rudimentary. But hey, the first computer was pretty crappy too.”





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Friday, February 7, 2014

Labradoodle Creator, Wally Conron, Regrets Designer Dog Craze



He's deemed the man who unleashed the designer dog craze, this wave of Maltipoos, Puggles and Shorkies.

A Doberhuahua? Not quite.

But from that new Super Bowl ad to Hollywood boulevards and nearly to the White House, these pooches with cute names are pretty popular.

Hardly what Wally Conron expected, or ever wanted. back in the late 1980s when he first bred a pair of prize canines and called the result a Labradoodle.

"I've done a lot of damage," Conron told The Associated Press this week by phone from his home in Australia. "I've created a lot of problems."

"Marvelous thing? My foot," he said. "There are a lot of unhealthy and abandoned dogs out there."

No Labradoodles are entered in Saturday's agility competition at the Westminster Kennel Club show, but for the first time in the event's 138-year history, mixed breeds are welcome. Called "all-American" dogs by some and mutts by many, they'll weave, jump and run through an obstacle course.

Only purebreds are allowed in the main event, though, and more than 2,800 of them are entered in the nation's most prominent dog event. The rings open Monday and the best in show ribbon will be awarded Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Conron isn't from the show world. He was working as the puppy-breeding manager at the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia when he tried to fulfill a request from a couple in Hawaii. She had vision problems, her husband was allergic, and they wanted a dog that would satisfy their needs.

After a lot of trial-and-error, Conron came up with a solution when he bred a standard poodle with a Labrador retriever. The mix was a personal triumph, yet not a success outside his lab.

"I was very, very careful of what I used, but nobody wanted Labrador crosses. I had a three-to-six-month waiting list, but everyone wanted purebreds," the 85-year-old Conron recalled. "So I had to come up with a gimmick."

"We came up with the name 'Labradoodle,'" he said. "We told people we had a new dog and all of sudden, people wanted this wonder dog."

Over the years, demand grew for Conron and other breeders. Labradoodles became a hot dog — Jennifer Aniston, Tiger Woods and Christie Brinkley are among their owners — and President Barack Obama's family considered a Labradoodle before picking a Portuguese water dog as the First Pet.

"When I heard he was thinking about a Labradoodle, I wrote to him and said to make sure he checked its pedigree," Conron said.

There's the problem that troubles him.

Conron said there are far too many unscrupulous people eager to make a buck at a dog's expense. Rather than check the history and science, he said "horrific" puppy mills are springing up and producing unstable dogs that go unwanted and eventually are euthanized.

"Instead of breeding out the problems, they're breeding them in," he said. "For every perfect one, you're going to find a lot of crazy ones."

That's a concern Conron has echoed in the past, blaming himself for opening a "Pandora's box" and creating a "Frankenstein."

PETA appreciated that Conron is "speaking out to stop the loss of lives that his 'invention' has created."

"Breeding 'purebred' or 'designer' dogs for exaggerated physical characteristics such as flat faces or sloping hips can cause them severe health problems. The kindest thing that anyone can do for dogs is to adopt them from a shelter — and make sure that they are spayed or neutered," said Daphna Nachminovitch, senior vice president for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Conron said he's never owned a Labradoodle as a pet, and stopped breeding them when he retired 20 years ago.

Since then, he's often witnessed the effects of his work.

"You can't walk down the street without seeing a poodle cross of some sort. I just heard about someone who wanted to cross a poodle with a rottweiler. How could anyone do that?" he said.

"Not in my wildest dream did I imagine all of this would happen," he said. "That's a trend I started."


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