Wondering what “giving eye” means when it comes to border collies? In the world of dogs, there are many breeds selectively bred to perform several tasks. We have dogs bred for hunting, dogs bred for retrieving, dogs bred for guarding and even dogs bred for providing companionship and with a history of warming up the laps (lap dogs) and feet of aristocratic ladies. Border collies were selectively bred for herding, something these dogs do very well, hence why they’re often referred to as “the workaholics of the canine world.” In this breed, “giving eye” is something that is much appreciated by the shepherds, but can you guess what it exactly means for a border collie to give eye? So today’s Trivia question is:
What does it mean when a border collie is “giving eye?”
A The border collie is staring at the sheep so to control motion
B The border collie is making eye contact with the shepherd as he eagerly waits further instructions
C The border collie is giving a mean, hard stare to the other dogs he’s working with
D The border collie is keeping an eye on the flock making sure no wolves attack the sheep
The correct answer is: drum roll please….
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is: A, The border collie is staring at the sheep so to control motion
A Matter of Herding Style
Different herding dog breeds have different herding styles when it comes to moving sheep or cattle from one area to another. These variances may have originated because of the different needs of the shepherd or perhaps the different set-ups found in a particular agricultural region.
We therefore have herding dogs who run and bark, herding dogs who nip at heels and even herding dogs who walk on the backs of sheep. When it comes to the herding style of border collies, their style is quite unique. Border collies will stare intently at the sheep, “giving them eye.” What does the border collie accomplish from giving eye to the sheep? A whole lot we should say, considering this breed’s eagerness to get the the job done.
A Look Back in Time
A border collie’s herding style is reminiscent of the past when a dog’s ancestors were hunting. Back in the old days, in order to enjoy a meal, it was necessary to follow a precise sequence which is known as the predatory sequence. This sequence entailed giving eye, stalking, chasing, catching, killing, and of course, eating. Catching, killing and eating is something that is out of question nowadays as herding dogs should never hurt their sheep. Fortunately, for the most part, it appears that a herding dog’s predatory sequences has been “truncated.” In other words, it has been cut short.
So border collies will give eye, stalk, and chase and some may occasionally nip too particularly when dealing with stubborn sheep, but fortunately not very hard. However, it’s generally quite frowned upon for a herding dog to show the grab/bite behavior typically seen in cattle heelers and some consider it a major fault.
“If you’ve ever seen a Border Collie herding sheep, you’ve watched a predator in action. “~ Jolanta Benal
An Eye for Herding
The border collie breed gains its name from the border between Scotland and England where this dog was considered a valuable asset, courtesy of his almost inborn aptitude to follow the shepherd’s requests and his signature stare, the “eye,” with which this breed controls the flock. When border collies give eyes, they are orienting towards the sheep in a stalking position.
According to James Serpell, author of the book “The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behaviour and Interactions with People” this giving eye behavior seems to act as a reward on its own and once it’s present, the only way to stop it is to remove the dog from the stimulus contributing to the behavior.
“It’s impossible to even to try to herd sheep with a pup until it shows eye. What a border collie handler does is to train the dog when and how to go in order to use the eye. But nobody can train a dog to show eye or to point.”~Raymond Coppinger, Lorna Coppinger
Movement is a Trigger
What triggers a border collie to give eye? Experiments at Hampshire College showed that the eye giving behavior in border collies was in part stimulated by the anticipation of movement. Indeed, when the border collies were introduced to a group of sedated chicken which were pretty much motionless (poor poultry!), they were not giving eye. Instead, they were carrying out all sorts of displacement behaviors such as barking at the birds or play-bowing. However, giving eye behaviors promptly seemed to resume once the border collies detected movement (Coppinger et al, 1987)
How does the “giving eye” behavior get the sheep under control? It seems that sheep respond to it naturally because it mimics the intensity of posture seen in a wolf stalking its prey. It’s sort of a way to “exert psychological pressure,” so to say. John Holmes in the book “The Farmer’s Dog,” makes quite an interesting observation. He claims that the “eye ” is more an attitude of approach than something connected with the dog’s eye. Talk about the art of giving eye!
“A Border Collie moves livestock by controlled intimidation. He pushes them along with a threatening glare. This glare is called ‘eye’ and is probably related to the wolves’ tactic of selecting a victim in the herd by catching its eye… before starting the attack run.”~Donald McCaig
Did you know? When it comes to the amount of “eye” a dog has, dogs can be classified as having strong, medium or loose-eyes.
Border Collie At Work Using Eye
References:
- The Domestic Dog: Its Evolution, Behaviour and Interactions with People, By James Serpell, Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (January 26, 1996)
- Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution, By Raymond Coppinger, Lorna Coppinger, University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (October 1, 2002)
- The Farmer’s Dog, John Holmes, Popular Dogs Publishing; 10Rev Ed edition (1991)
Photo Credits:
The Border Collie uses a direct stare at sheep, known as “the eye”, to intimidate while herding, by – Original Work, CC BY 2.5
Border Collie herding by – Collection privée CC BY-SA 3.0
What Were Turnspit Dogs Bred For?
Throughout the years, dogs have been selectively bred to perform several tasks, some of those tasks being quite noble, (just think of messenger dogs and search and rescue dogs) while others, well, less so. The turnspit dog is now extinct, but this dog seemed to play quite a big role in many British kitchens of the 16th century. Short-legged, and with a long body, the turnspit dog was also known as the “kitchen dog” or “vernepator cur.” Can you guess for what main task these dogs were used for?
What were turnspit dogs bred for?
A) To carry a cart filled with meat ready to be roasted
B) To lick off any meat grease dropped on the kitchen floors
C) To run on a wheel in order to cook meat evenly
D) To guard any roasted meat from potential mice
The correct answer is: drum roll please…..
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is: C, to run on a wheel in order to cook meat evenly.
The Kitchen Helper
Back in the 16th century, the kitchens of the British were a far cry from what they look like today. Back in those days, roasting a piece of meat wasn’t an easy task. While today, we just put the meat in a tray and stick it into the oven, or even better, use a rotisserie to obtain a perfectly cooked meal, in the olden days meat was quite vulnerable to being cooked unevenly due to the unpredictable action of an open fire.
So why not put a dog to work and turn him into a handy helper? The idea turned into reality and soon a hollow wheel was invented (somewhat resembling a hamster wheel) and in the wheel was placed the turnspit dog. The wheel was then mounted on a wall or suspended from joists so that these dogs were not overheated and as the dog ran in he wheel, the spit turned. Since the task was sometimes quite tiring, a second dog was often used so to give relief at regular intervals.
Did you know? Linnaeus originally classified the turnspit dog in the eighteenth century as “canis vertigus,” basically, “dizzy dogs.”.
More Than a Kitchen Utensil
Originally known as “turnespete,” turnspit dog were described as small dogs having a long body, crooked legs and a sort of unhappy look on their faces. It’s not too difficult imagining why these dogs looked unhappy. Being exposed to the sight and smell of slowly cooking meat for a good part of the day must have felt frustrating. They were also likely hot and dehydrated.
On top of turning meat, these dogs were also often used in a similar fashion for churning butter, pumping water and operating grain mills and fruit presses, explains Stanley Coren in the book “The Pawprints of History: Dogs and the Course of Human Events.” And on Sundays, many of these dogs were brought along to church, but not for companionship, mostly so they could act as foot warmers on a cold winter day.
Unfortunately, literature provides some insights about these dogs being treated very poorly, so much that it appears that the treatment of turnspit dogs is what may have partially inspired Henry Berg to become the founder of the ASPCA. On a brighter note, some literature seems to suggest that when not used as kitchen utensils, some of these dogs were well cared for. John Bradshaw in the great book “Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet” mentions these dogs were given names and one lucky turnspit dog, going by the name of Fuddle, even got a poem written in his honor.
Did you know? The exact ancestry of the turnspit remains still a mystery, but many believe that it might have played a role in the development of the dachshund breed, while others think it might have been related with the Welsh corgi or some type of terrier such as the Glen of Imaal.
An Extinct Dog
The use of the turnspit dog was quite in vogue in the mid-sixteenth century, but then with the introduction of mechanical devices, this dog remained unemployed and eventually became extinct. The extinction of these dogs though wasn’t abrupt. Even with the invention of mechanical devices, the British seemed to prefer using these dogs. The continued use of these dogs despite the availability of more efficient methods to roast meat, may reflect an affectionate attitude towards these dogs rather than a reluctance to welcome newer technology, suggests Bradshaw. At some point though, their use in inns, restaurants and taverns in Europe and even in some areas in the United States ran out of favor. It was some time around the mid-nineteenth century that turnspit dogs became history.
Did you know? Prior to using turnspit dogs, a servant, preferably a boy known as the “spit boy” or “spit jack,” would be used for turning the metal rod slowly and cooking the meat.
Curious about how turnspit dogs looked like? Here is a picture of a taxidermied turnspit dog from the Abergavenny Museum in Wales: turnspit dog.
References:
- American Kennel Club (2007). The Complete Dog Book (20th ed.). Random House. p. 467. ISBN 978-0-307-41699-5
- Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet Paperback – May 8, 2012 by Basic Books; Reprint edition (May 8, 2012)
- The Pawprints of History: Dogs and the Course of Human Events, By Stanley Coren, Atria Books; Reprint edition (April 2, 2003)
- Our Debt to the Dog: How the Domestic Dog Helped Shape Human Societies, By Bryan D. Cummins, Carolina Academic Press (April 16, 2013)
- The World of the American Revolution: A Daily Life Encyclopedia edited by Merril D. Smith Ph.D. Greenwood (August 28, 2015)
- The Kitchen Sisters “Turnspit Dogs: The Rise and Fall of the Vernepator Cur”. The Salt. Retrieved August 2nd, 2016
Photo Credits:
- Wikipedia, Remarks on a Tour to North and South Wales, published in 1800, public domain
- – Rev JG Wood, Illustrated Natural History, Published USA pre-1923, public domain
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
What Dog Breed Blushes When Happy?
Among the intriguing world of dogs there are many myths and old wives’ tales going on, so it may be difficult to believe that there is a dog breed that blushes when happy or excited. Blushing in dogs may seem like something close to impossible considering that their faces are covered in fur. On top of that, blushing is something that tends to occur when some social norm has been broken, and last time we checked dogs seemed to care less whether they pooped in public places or dragged their bottoms across the kitchen rug! So what’s up with the news that there is a dog breed that blushes? Turns out, many owners of some dogs admit that they have witnessed their dogs blush, so our next question is:
What Dog Breed Blushes When Happy?
A Pharaoh Hound
B Saluki
C Basenji
D Italian greyhound
The correct answer is: Drum roll please……
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is A: the Pharaoh Hound
Blushing In Dogs
Blushing is an involuntary reddening of a person’s face that occurs when experiencing certain emotions such as embarrassment, shame or guilt. This physiological response is quite visible on people’s faces as blood vessels start to dilate, but since, as mentioned, dogs have faces covered in fur, blushing would be close to impossible to witness. Even if dogs would blush under all that fur, the incentive to blush from emotions such as shame or guilt doesn’t seem to part of a canine’s behavior repertoire–at least, research hasn’t shown any proof of dogs showing these emotions as of yet.
Dogs seem to care less about social norms as they lick their privates in public and care less about mating on the roadside, so how can you make a creature like that blush? point out D. Caroline Coile and Margaret H. Bonham in the book “Why Do Dogs Like Balls?: More Than 200 Canine Quirks, Curiosities and Conundrums Revealed.” Even Stanley Coren seems to agree as per his statement below.
” Based on current research it seems likely that your dog will not have those more complex emotions like guilt, pride and shame.” Stanley Coren
Exception to the Rule
So how can a dog breed blush if dogs are not capable of blushing in the first place? Well, let’s say it’s a different kind of blushing. According to many Pharaoh hound dog owners, their beloved dogs tend to blush when they are happy or excited or simply enjoying some affection. You won’t see their faces literally turn red, but if you watch closely you may see their flesh-colored nose and ears turn a deep rose color. We couldn’t find any videos of Pharaoh hound dogs blushing, but we’ll keep an eye should one come out.
This tendency to blush in Pharaoh hounds is not something new. There seems to be proof that this endearing trait has been observed since the 19th Egyptian dynasty. A letter dating back those times attests of a red hunting dog “whose face glows like a God” which most likely refers to this breed’s habit of blushing.
“It is beautiful to see a Pharaoh Hound glow with excitement or happiness—the nose and ears fuming a deep rose color, and the lovely amber eyes further enriched with a deep rose hue
.” ~American Kennel Club
References:
- Why Do Dogs Like Balls?: More Than 200 Canine Quirks, Curiosities and Conundrums Revealed, By D. Caroline Coile, Margaret H. Bonham, Sterling (September 2, 2008)
- The Complete Dog Book: 20th Edition, By American Kennel Club, Ballantine Books; 20 edition (January 31, 2006)
Photo Credits:
What Were Borzoi Bred For?
Just by looking at the borzoi dog breed, you can deduce that this dog must have been selectively bred for his speed. The borzoi’s aerodynamic looks give the impression of a dog blessed with ground-covering stride and effortless power. Even the name of this breed denotes briskness; “borzoi” is the Russian word for “swift.” Despite being built for speed, these dogs also posses an unmistakable elegance, which makes them stick out from the crowd in the show ring. But what were Borzoi originally bred for? Today’s trivia question will therefore focus on the original purpose of this breed.
What were borzoi originally bred for?
A: For quickly retrieving shot waterfowl
B: For hunting wolves
C: For racing around a track
D: For chasing puffin birds
The correct answer is:
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is B, for hunting wolves.
Have A Wolf by the Ears
Despite this breed’s noble and sophisticated look, Borzoi are hunters at heart. Also known as the Russian wolfhound, the Borzoi was used by rich landowners, nobles and Cossacks for hunting down wolves in Soviet Russia starting from the 17th century. The wolf populations were high back then, and the wolves posed a threat to livestock and humans. The strategy for hunting wolves entailed trapping them between a group of men on horses surrounded by several dogs of different breeds and a man on foot holding up to six dogs on leash. Several scent hounds were sent to track scent and upon detecting a wolf, they would start baying loudly. Their loud baying and howls served to alert the hunter, signaling that it was time to send out the “catch dogs” often consisting of a team of 2 or more borzoi. Upon unleashing the borzoi, they would run at full speed and capture the wolf holding him down by the neck and ears until the hunters took over, delivering the “coup de grâce”. Other than hunting wolves, borzoi were also used for coursing hare and other game.
“The Borzoi were used in matched pairs or teams to run down the wolf which was always given a good head start by the sporting Russians. When alongside, the Borzoi took a grip behind the wolf’s ear and flipped it onto its back, keeping it pinned to the ground until the hunter arrived.”~The Borzoi Club of Queensland
The Borzoi Today
Understanding what this breed was selectively bred for can help give an insight on what traits to expect in these dogs before welcoming them in our hearts and homes today. For instance, unlike the baying hounds, the borzoi was selectively bred to be a quiet hunter, sprinting after the wolves at full speed. This makes borzoi overall quiet pets, generally making poor watchdogs. Of course, borzoi are bred for speed, so with a history of slicing through the air with their slim bodies, they require opportunities to run loose. They don’t need to run for miles, but need an opportunity to burn up that pent-up energy. This must occur though in a safe and enclosed area, otherwise they’ll be gone within seconds, getting lost or worse, hit by a car.
People who claim this dog to be stubborn have missed the whole point of this breed’s original purpose. With a history of working at a distance from their handlers hunting independently without much guidance, borzoi are therefore (as expected) predisposed to being independent thinkers. If one must train one, instead of labeling them as stubborn, it’s far more productive getting creative and churning out ideas on how to create motivation. An opportunity to chase or access to a flirt pole may turn handy with these guys as a way to reward desired behaviors. And of course, they will have a tendency to chase anything that moves and that may include squirrels, the neighbor’s cat and even small dogs. Introduced early though, they may get along with the family cat, but keep in mind that their attitude may dramatically change upon seeing outdoors cats fleeing, warns the Borzoi Club of America.
References:
- R.C. Sturgis, The Mammals That Moved Mankind: A History of Beasts of Burden, AuthorHouse, 2015
- The Borzoi Club of Queensland, History of the Borzoi, retrieved from the web on July 19th, 2016
- Borzoi Club of America, So You Want a Borzoi…retrieved from the web on July 19th, 2016
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
What Dog Breed Walks Over Sheep?
There are dogs who gather sheep, dogs who stare at sheep, dogs who count sheep (the lazy ones, at least) and dogs who walk over them when the need occurs. Wait, a minute, did you just say “walk over sheep?” Yes, that’s correct. There is a dog breed in particular that’s known for walking on the back of sheep. Do the sheep mind? Well, that’s beyond the scope of this article, but it’s sure impressive watching these dogs in action when the need arises. So today’s trivia question is:
Which dog breed is known for walking over the backs of sheep?
A Australian shepherd
B Australian cattle dog
C Australian Koolie
D Australian Kelpie
The correct answer is: drumroll please….
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is: D, the Australian kelpie.
Introducing the Kelpie
The Australian kelpie, also known simply as kelpie, is an Australian sheepdog that is very talented in performing several tasks. This breed is capable of moving herds of sheep, cattle and goats over long distances and gathering them up with little of no guidance from humans. In Australia, there are two different registries when it comes to this breed: working kelpies which encompass dogs purposely bred for their working ability, and show kelpies which encompass dogs mostly bred for appearance rather than working ability. Today, we will be focusing on the working kelpies.
A Great Working Partner
Kelpies are quite valuable to Australian farmers looking for an effective worker capable of gathering livestock and preventing them from moving away. Kelpies are known for quietly moving ahead of the stockman and blocking the movement of livestock until the rider arrives.
They help keep the livestock at bay and then move then as needed from the pasture to the pen or into the truck.
As mentioned, kelpies are also great drover dogs moving livestock over long distances despite difficult climate and conditions.
The signature move of this breed though is walking over the backs of sheep..
Watch Your Back!
Why did the kelpie walk over the backs of sheep? It’s easy, to get to the other side. Jokes aside, kelpies do really walk over sheep as the picture above and the video below can attest. Why do they do that though? Well, imagine several sheep packed tightly like sardines within a pen, how can the kelpie get to other side? Should he just give up? No, giving up is not an option for this breed. Should he try to fly? Well, if he could, he certainly would.
No, instead the smart and determined kelpie uses his brain and figures out that the fastest and shortest way to get to the other side is to just jump up on the back of the closest sheep and carefully move across the flock! This signature move has even a name, it’s known as “sheep backing.” Sheep backing is a natural behavior that most confident kelpies will do, but in some cases, it may require some training, explains Kevin Reeves, breeder and owner of Lyndhurst Working Kelpies. Their ability to jump and balance themselves is quite impressive, but we’re sure if sheep had something to say, it wouldn’t be very nice…”Yo, kelpie, stop stepping on our baaaaacks!”
Did you know? Not only are kelpies capable of jumping on the backs of sheep but they also excel in jumping over very high gates. Just recently, a kelpie known as “Bailey” broke the Casterton Kelpie Muster Kelpie jumping competition record in Victoria as she cleared a 2.951-metre barrier, breaking the previous record set in 2007.
References:
- Lyndhurst Working Kelpies, Sheep Backing, retrieved from the web on July 12th, 2016
- Wikipedia, Australian Kelpie, retrieved from the web on July 12th, 2016
Photo Credits:
- Wikipedia, An Australian Kelpie walking across the backs of the sheep.Martin Pot (Martybugs at en.wikipedia) Australian Kelpie walking across the backs of sheep, The Shearing Shed, Yallingup, Western Australia CC BY 3.0
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
What’s the Strongest Bone in a Dog’s Body?
When we’re looking at a dog, we are admiring the complex sum of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons and skin. The dog’s bones and muscles are what give the dog’s body support and its distinctive framework. Just like us, a dog’s bones are made of calcium and minerals so to make them strong, allow locomotion and protect the otherwise vulnerable vital organs they enclose. Among the several bones that dogs have, there is one bone is particular that is considered to be the strongest of all. Today’s trivia question is therefore:
Which bone of the dog’s body is the strongest of all?
A Jaw bone
B Femur bone
C Temporal bone
D Pelvic bone
The correct answer is: drum roll please:
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is: C, the temporal bone
For those who answered that a dog’s strongest bone is the femur, they were very close. The femur is often considered the longest bone of the body and the one that is very strong as it plays a big role in locomotion; however, if there ever was a contest for the strongest bone in dogs (and people too!), the temporal bone would win first prize.
According to expert researchers James F. Zachary and M. Donald McGavin, authors of the book “Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease” the petrous portion of the temporal bone is referred to as “the strongest bone of the body.”
Hard as Rock
The temporal bone in dogs is a flat piece of bone situated on the sides of the dog’s skull. It encloses the dog’s inner ear and its associated little ossicles. Its petrous portion is known to be one of the densest bones of the body. Just think that the term “petrous” comes from the Latin word petrosus, which means “stone-like, hard.” This piece of bone is one that is easily retrieved in archaeological findings due to its high density. This bone’s strategic position therefore protects the dog’s hearing and balance systems.
Did you know? From an archaeological perspective, the petrous bone is quite valuable. Not only it is dense, and as such, long lasting, but it’s also good in carrying DNA. Consider that when you try to get DNA from a fossil, most will come from microbes rather than the animal, but, according to an article on The Atlantic, when you are dealing with a sample of petrous bone, you have a chance as high as 80 percent that the DNA will be from the actual animal.
References:
- 14 Fun Facts About Ears: A 15-Minute Book: Educational Version, By Jeannie Meekins, LearningIsland.com (October 2, 2011)
- Science Kids, Fun Ear Facts for Kids, retrieved from the web on July 5th, 2016
- The Atlantic, A New Origin Story for Dogs, retrieved from the web on July 5th, 2016
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
Your Dog Will Never Get This Medical Condition
In a certain way, dogs and humans (other than a few obvious differences) are quite similar when it comes to anatomy. We share several organs and our brains are designed in a similar fashion. It’s therefore not surprising that humans and dogs suffer similar medical conditions when it comes to health. For example, dogs just like us can develop muscle sprains, they can suffer from seizures and they can get urinary tract infections too. There are certain conditions though that we may never see in dogs and for some very good reasons. So today’ dog trivia question is:
Out of these conditions, which one doesn’t affect dogs?
A: Laringitis (inflammation of the larynx)
B: Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva)
C: Tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsil)
D: Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
The correct answer is: Drumroll Please!
Dogs, just like us, can get laringitis, they can get conjunctivitis, and they can also get their tonsils inflamed (tonsillitis), the only condition they will never get is appendicitis. So the correct answer is D: appendicitis. Why is that? Why do dogs not get appendicitis? For a very good reason, read on to discover why.
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
A Phantom Organ
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, a tube-shaped structure found by the colon in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. When the appendix in humans gets red and angry, it causes severe abdominal pain accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting.
While dogs may also develop these symptoms, they are rather associated with something else rather than the appendix.
Why is that? For the simple fact that dogs don’t have an appendix! So while a dog’s body shares many similar body features with us humans, the appendix is definitively an exception!
Not Useless as Thought
In humans, the appendix has been considered pretty much useless for many years, so much so that people can live without one without encountering any problems. However, recent research conducted at Duke University Medical School, has found that the appendix instead has likely a function, and a very important one too! The study’s findings suggest that the appendix works as a reservoir for good bacteria. Surgery professor Bill Parker, co-author for this study, claims that this reservoir is possibly there for a specific purpose: to help recover in the case of a sudden depletion of good bacteria as it can happen with serious diseases such as cholera or amoebic dysentery. Despite its usefulness, professor Parker though claims that the appendix should be still taken out when inflamed as appendicitis can turn deadly.
An Alternate Structure
Even though several animals along with the dog don’t have an appendix, they seem to depend on some alternate structures, which, even though they might not be as effective as the appendix, they’re still capable of storing good bacteria, explains professor Parker, this time in an article for Duke Magazine.
The cecum, a pouch-like structure located nearby, may therefore work as a reservoir for beneficial bacteria in the eventuality of severe diarrhea, just like the appendix does in humans, explains veterinarian James C. Coghlan, in the book “Paleopet: The real reason your dog or cat eats grass.”
References:
- Paleopet: The real reason your dog or cat eats grassKindle Edition, by
- NBC News, Scientists May Have Found Appendix’s Purpose, retrieved from the web on June 28th, 2016
- Duke Magazine, Volume 94, No.2, March-April 2008, An Evolutionary Curiosity, retrieved from the web on June 28th, 2016
Photo credits:
- Cieco (parte dell’intestino crasso) by – Own work. CC BY-SA 3.0, modified to add captions.
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The Difference Between Fear and Anxiety in Dogs
Fear and anxiety are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are actually words that have a different meaning when it comes to dogs and people is general. While both can generate similar physiological responses, a closer look reveals that the dynamics are a tad bit different and may occur in different contexts. For example, Bella is a 5-year old Weimaraner that, the moment she notices her owner is putting on her shoes, she starts pacing and whining because she predicts her owner may be leaving soon Today’s trivia question therefore concerns the main differences between fear and anxiety, so the question is:
Is Bella, in the exact circumstance described above, likely showing signs of fear or anxiety, or perhaps, neither of them?
A Fear
B Anxiety
C Neither
The Correct Answer is: Drum roll please….
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is B, anxiety.
Anxiety
Anxiety in dogs and people takes place in anticipation of a future event. Have you ever found yourself unable to sleep at the idea of a job interview or, if you dread flying, the thought of a future flight? Well, dogs can feel this way too, only their anxiety may develop closer in time with the event, once they detect stimuli suggesting what’s coming next. Perhaps the most classical example of this is observed in dogs suffering from separation anxiety. These dogs are often hypervigilant and readily recognize subtle pre-departure cues before the owner even actually leaves the house. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety will therefore start pacing, panting and whining at the mere sight of their owners putting on their makeup or changing their clothes. These cues therefore generate an increasing anxious state as these dogs anticipate their owner’s departure.
In the same fashion, dogs who dread thunderstorms may start getting anxious as they sense the first signs of an impending storm. These dogs may therefore start building up increasing levels of anxiety at the mere detection of increasing winds, darkening skies and even changes in barometric pressure. Owners of these anxious dogs often report that they no longer need to watch weather reports as their dogs have become quite reliable in detecting “rain-with-a-chance- of-thunderstorms” forecasts!
“Anxiety can be defined as the apprehensive anticipation of a threat.”~Jon Bowen (BVetMed.), Sarah Heath
What’s The Function of Anxiety?
Anxiety may seem like a useless state, especially when it’s exhibited in anticipation of harmless events. Sure, for those anxious flyers out there, there are tiny chances that an airplane may plunge into the sea and crash, but statistics tell us that we’re more likely to get injured or killed on our car ride to the airport, yet the curious fact is that we use our cars every day without giving it a second thought! Whether it affects humans or dogs, anxiety though has a precise function: to prepare us in the eventuality of threats. The body will therefore produce a similar biological response as seen in actual fear. The heart rate and respiratory rate may increase and we may have trouble sleeping as our body becomes more alert as if to to fight or escape a threat.
Anxiety may seems like a waste of energy when it presents itself in anticipation of irrational fears, but under the right circumstances, anxiety may be helpful. Those folks who are anxious prior to an exam may find that their anxiety (when not too overwhelming!) makes them perform better. Back to dogs, anxiety may also turn out helpful (adaptive) some times. Imagine a dog who wanders in the country and gets attacked by a black bear in front of a farm. The anxiety felt the next few days when walking nearby the farm may help him stay safe and avoid the area, or, should he still manage to make an unfortunate encounter, his alert state would hopefully help make a swift retreat. This state of anxiety despite the possible absence of a direct danger may therefore turn out helpful (adaptive) keeping him safe in the eventuality of another encounter.
“Anxiety is more of a future-focused emotion. Your body is putting you on alert for some possible future dangerous situation.”~Alexander L. Chapman PhD, RPsych, Kim L. Gratz PhD, Matthew T. Tull, PhD
Fear
Fear is the state of apprehension associated with a particular stimulus or event. Unlike anxiety, it’s likely to take place the moment the fearful stimulus is presented or the moment the scary event unfolds. Fear is therefore a more in-the-moment response you may experience when an off-leash dog starts barking at you and chasing you or when a stranger starts knocking at your door in the middle of the night. In dogs, fear may be felt when they hear a sudden startling noise or when a bigger dog approaches them and gives signs of wanting to fight.
When confronted with a fearful stimulus or event, the fearful reaction may vary between one animal and another based on individual factors and circumstances. Some dogs may decide to escape (flight), while other may choose to defend themselves (fight).
In addition, some others may just become paralyzed by fear and hope for the best (freeze) or engage in out-of-context behaviors (fiddle about) as a coping strategy.
“While a certain amount of anxiety or fear may be adaptive in some situations, an animal that experiences fear or anxiety frequently, especially if unable to safely escape from fear-inducing stimuli, will begin to suffer from stress and its effects.”~ Valarie V. Tynes, DVM, DACVB
What is the Function of Fear?
Fear is important for an animal’s survival, without it, entire species would be wiped-out from the face of earth. Imagine the catastrophic consequences if gazelle would have no fear of lions, cheetahs and crocodiles! Fear is therefore an adaptive response that’s meant to aid an animal’s safety and survival. The heightened state of awareness associated with fear and its amplified startle response can make a difference between life and death.
Adaptive fear can be exhibited through direct exposure with a stimulus that an animal has an natural fear of, as in the case of gazelle running away from a lion or crocodile or moving away from a rampant fire. The fear is also adaptive when animals react fearfully to exposure to a stimulus that has been associated with another stimulus they have a natural fear of. For example, gazelle that run away from the the noise of roaring (denoting presence of lions) or water moving (denoting presence of crocodiles) or the sight and smell of smoke (denoting presence of fire) are escaping despite not directly encountering the fearful stimulus.
“Fear is an adaptive emotional response to a specific event or situation that threatens to produce injury. The elicitation of fear activates animals physiologically and behaviorally for immediate emergency action appropriate to a situation. “~Steven Lindsay
A Roller Coaster Ride of Emotions
As seen, fear is depicted as the onset of an emotional response geared towards the presence of a specific threatening stimulus or event. It takes place the moment the apprehension-eliciting stimulus or situation presents. On the other hand, anxiety is a state of anticipatory apprehension and vigilance exhibited in the eventuality of a possible threatening event (there is no certainty that the owner will leave the house when he changes clothes or that a thunderstorm will pop up when the sky darkens but the dog develops anticipatory anxiety regardless). The threat is therefore not really present in the immediate present time, but anticipated. Fear is present tense, anxiety is future-based.
*Note: A word of clarification is warranted though when looking at these definitions: things can get a bit fuzzy when we say that gazelle show fear when they are exposed to the smell of smoke as this doesn’t fit the definition of fear being exhibited in the presence of a specific threatening stimulus, as the fire (the specif threat) is not directly seen by the gazelle.
To sum things up, a good way to think about the difference between anxiety and fear is to imagine being on a roller coaster ride. If you’re like me, all sort of scary, paralyzing anticipatory thoughts may cross your mind before before being strapped in such as: “What if I am not properly strapped in well and fall out? Or, “What if I feel like throwing up?” Then, as I get off the ride, well, alive and with my lunch still in my stomach, I feel like kissing the ground and think to myself “Phew! So glad it’s all over! The below quote from the book “The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Anxiety” therefore offers a great explanation that’s surely worth of remembering when thinking about the difference between anxiety and fear in dogs.
“Anxiety is what you experience as you get strapped into your seat and make it towards the first gigantic hill. Your anxiety may increase, peaking as you reach the top of the hill and experience that slight pause right before you drop. Fear is what you experience as you rush down that hill.”~Alexander L. Chapman PhD, RPsych, Kim L. Gratz PhD, Matthew T. Tull, PhD.
Food for thought: Curse of blessing? Anxiety depends on the ability to anticipate. While this ability is present to a certain extent in animals ( mostly, as a response to anticipatory cues that are close to the actual fearful event) it’s highly refined in humans who have demonstrated a great ability to dig into past events and project in the future like no other other creature can. We can put this ability to work in productive ways making our lives better, but we can as easily turn it into something negative, worrying ourselves excessively over things, explains Joseph Ledoux , Professor of Science and Neural Science.
Human Versus Animal Anxiety
References:
- Behaviour Problems in Small Animals: Practical Advice for the Veterinary Team, By Jon Bowen (BVetMed.), Sarah Heath, Saunders Ltd.; 1 edition (6 Sept. 2001)
- The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Workbook for Anxiety: Breaking Free …By Alexander Chapman, Kim Gratz, Matthew Tull, New Harbinger Publications; Workbook edition (November 3, 2011)
- Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Etiology and Assessment of By Steve Lindsay, Iowa State University Press; 1st edition (2001)
- The New York Times, Searching the Brain for the Roots of Fear, retrieved from the web on June 21st, 2016
- DVM360, The physiologic effects of fear, retrieved from the web on June 21st, 2016
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The Mystery Behind the Dachshund’s Long Body
We are used to seeing a dachshund’s long body so much that we have nicknamed this dog breed as the “sausage dog” or “wiener dog” but why are these dogs’ bodies so long in the first place? If we look at this breed, we cant stop noticing how its body is shaped so differently from many other dog breeds. The “hot dog on legs” feature of this breed is not casual though, but is actually there for a reason. So today’s trivia question is:
Why is a dachshund’s body so long?
A: So he can fit inside the sleeves of royalty
B: So he can burrow himself in hiding spots
C: So he can curl up and burrow under blankets
D: So he can effectively enter a badger’s burrow
The Correct Answer is: Drum roll please………
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is D: so he can effectively enter a badger’s burrow.
A Lesson in Anatomy
The dachshund dog breed is categorized as being “chondrodysplastic.” Chondro means “cartilage” and dysplasia means “abnormal growth.” Put these two words together and you will get abnormal growth of cartilage. In this case, it mostly refers to the cartilage of the dachshund’s legs which appear to be shorter than usual. Other breeds sharing such conformation include the corgi, basset hound and Pekingese. Also known as “dwarfism,” this characteristic is desired in the dachshund breed standard which, according to the American Kennel Club, calls for a dog that is “low to ground, long in body and short of leg.” However, in certain dog breeds, chondrodysplasia is highly frowned upon as it can have crippling consequences, and as such, is considered a serious fault.
Burrowing with the Badgers
The Dachshund Club of America claims that the dachshund dog breed was born in Germany when foresters in the 18th or 19th century were seeking out a dog breed that could fearlessly fight badgers. The dachshund has the perfect conformation for the task. His short paddle-shaped legs could effectively dig while his long, low-to-the ground body could easily access the burrows. The rest is offered by a dachshund’s courageous, temperament, loud bark (so hunters could easily locate him) and well-developed senses, which make him particularly suitable for the task. There is also belief that this breed’s long, sturdy tail must have worked as a “handle” to pull these fellows out of the burrow.
Still as of today, dachshunds remind us of their past, when they dig in the yard or burrow themselves under tunnels made of blankets!
References:
- American Kennel Club, Dachshund breed standard, retrieved from the web on June 13th, 2016
- Dachshund Club of America, retrieved from the web on June 13th, 2016
Photo Credits:
Natedog, Photo by Jessica (Jessadactyl) CC BY-SA 3.0
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
What’s that Bump on Top of a Dog’s Head?
You may have at some time or another stumbled on a dog with a prominent bump on his head and may have wondered why some dogs have a bumpy head while some others do not. In the fictional world, Pluto is a great example of a dog with a bumpy head and despite being a cartoon character, Disney was inspired by real features considering that bloodhounds are notorious for having a bumpy head. Today’s trivia question therefore revolves around this bump on the dog’s head. The question therefore is:
In the old days, this bump on a dog’s head was indicative of what?
A Intelligence
B Stubbornness
C Loyalty
D Obedience
The correct answer is: drum roll please….
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]
The correct answer is: A, Intelligence.
Introducing the Smart Bump
The bump on the dog’s head is technically known as “occiput” which comes from a Latin word meaning “back of the skull.” Many dog owners though still like to proudly refer to it as their dog’s “smart bump” for the simple fact that in the old days having such a bump at the top of the head was considered a sign of intelligence. Some other dogs owners may choose to call it instead “knowledge knot, brain bump or wisdom bump.” Regardless of how it’s called, one thing is for sure though (and sorry to burst someone’s bubbles) this is an old wives tail as there is no proof that a bump on a dog’s head is associated with superior cognitive abilities.
More Prominent Than Others
The dog’s occiput is a bony protuberance on the dog’s head and its primary role is to protect the dog’s bones of the skull and brain. On top of this important protective function, the dog’s occiput also promotes movement of the head in relation to the spine. While all dogs have an occiput, it’s more prominent in certain breeds compared to others. We often see it in hounds, particularly the bloodhound and several sporting breeds such as golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and English setters.
Did you know? Because the occiput is commonly prominent in hounds, it was also once considered to be an indicator of a dog with a superior sense of smell.
Signs of Trouble
While the presence of an occiput is normal part of a dog’s anatomy, an occiput that appears to be more prominent that usual may denote a health problem. Usually, this is an indicator of some level of muscle wasting going on, points out veterinarian Dr. Marie. It’s important therefore to investigate what could be causing the muscle atrophy in the first place. Some types of cancer or masticatory myositis may be underlying causes. This area is also prone to getting bumped and when this happens, a bruise can form on top of it, making it appear more prominent, adds veterinarian Dr. Pete. So any changes to the dog’s occiput should be investigated by the vet. On a less alarming note, the occiput may appear temporarily more prominent due to hair loss and in developing adolescent dogs.
Did you know? The occiput is blessed with several nerve endings and as such, it’s a location of interest to many canine therapeutic massage specialists.
[otw_is sidebar=otw-sidebar-1]