Should I micro-chip my Goldendoodle?

Should I micro-chip my Goldendoodle?

Many pet owners are encouraged to micro-chip their pet to help recover them in the event they become lost or stolen. As a breeder for 11+ years, we always encourage pet owners to have their puppies micro-chipped. However, some states are now mandating mandatory micro-chipping. I had never heard of this until the other day when I came across a website that seemed to be written by a canine activist. Their website seemed to be geared towards canine politics, if you will, but I found it interesting all the same. The site goes on to say they believed that mandatory microchipping was an invasion to the privacy and civil liberties of all dog owners and that such laws would have a great impact on the lives of everyday pet owners, especially those with targeted breeds like the Pitbull, Rottweiler, Doberman, etc. The article goes on to say they believed that mandatory microchipping laws would force dog owners to chip their dogs. That this would allow the local government to track and monitor dogs and their owners. Honestly, I don't see what the problem is but maybe I'm just not a very political person and I have nothing to hide. Personally speaking, it seems that every time one hears about a child or person being attacked by a dog, nine times out of ten, it was caused by a Pitbull.

Too many people are using Pitbulls and Rottweilers as fighting dogs and it's a known fact gangs use such dogs to protect their property because they also have illegal things going on. Of course the issue isn't just a problem with the dogs mentioned. It is the violence and the type of people who own these dogs that are causing the problems. The other issue politically charged animal rights activists say are problems with the micro-chip is that the chips themselves cause cancer in the dogs who have been chipped. I don't know if they are only basing this theory on one article but supposedly a 9-year-old male French Bulldog was examined by a veterinarian for a subcutaneous mass located at the site of a microchip implant. Cytologic examination of the mass was suggestive of a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm. The lymphoid cells were positive for CD18 and CD3. No aluminum deposits were detected by the aurintricarboxylic acid method. A diagnosis of fibrosarcoma morphologically similar to feline postinjection sarcomas was made after conducting many tests. Fibrosarcomas at the site of injections have been reported in dogs and ferrets. Furthermore, neoplastic growth at the site of microchip implant in dog and laboratory rodents has been described. But who is to say that indeed this cancer was caused by the chip? Sure it seems suspicious, but how many other dogs and cats were found to have the same type of cancer after having a micro-chip implanted?

Enough to convince me that we should now stop micro-chipping our pets? Should we all have to worry that micro-chipping our family pets will somehow give the government more access into our lives? Or are these fears just suggested by paranoid activists who believe we should be concerned about why states are now making it a law to micro-chip our family pets? Is there a difference between a sex offender and a dog owner? Not according to those rallying a petition to stop states from making micro-chipping your pet mandatory! While I disagree with this notion, many have the same beliefs that its nothing more than the government stepping further into our lives by keeping pet owner information stored in their government databases. Called "spy chips" by most activists, mandatory micro-chipping of breeding dogs and family pets have been passed by Florida and Texas. Other states are proposing the same laws be passed, including New York. Over all, I have to say that I believe having your family pet as well as breeding dogs micro-chipped is a good thing. For one, its helps the breeder identify their breeding dogs if they have dogs who are nearly identical in appearance and size, to include the same gender. It helps identify the dog if a pet owner's dog should be lost or stolen.

A micro-chip will help the pet find its way back home if he or she somehow gets away from its home and is picked up by animal control or a humane society or some other service that has micro-chip scanning devices. I personally own a micro-chip scanning device and use it if I find a dog wandering the streets. Collars can be removed but a micro-chip is forever! A micro-chip will actually outlast the life of the dog and the capsule is very, very small. About the size of a grain of rice. Many breeders and dog owners micro-chip their dogs and cats voluntarily. I don't think we should become so paranoid as to believe that the government is now going to watch over us through our pets. Micro-chipping is becoming very popular not only with animals, but for credit cards and humans alike. The following article was written about the plans of American Express: " The top brass at American Express, chagrined at the discovery of its people tracking plans, met with CASPIAN (Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering) last week to discuss the issue. One outcome of the meeting was a promise by American Express to review its entire patent portfolio and ensure that any people-tracking plans be accompanied by language requiring consumer notice and consent.

The meeting was organized after CASPIAN called attention to one of the company's more troublesome patent applications. That patent application, titled "Method and System for Facilitating a Shopping Experience," describes a Minority Report style blueprint for monitoring consumers through RFID-enabled objects, like the American Express Blue Card. According to the patent, RFID readers called "consumer trackers" would be placed in store shelving to pick up "consumer identification signals" emitted by RFID-embedded objects carried by shoppers. These would be used to identify people, track their movements, and observe their behavior." The article goes on to discuss further about the issues of using such tracking devices and while some were indifferent to the idea, some were greatly opposed. Just another method of big brother stepping in? The VeriChip implant is a glass encapsulated RFID tag that is injected into the flesh to uniquely number and identify individuals, or pets for that matter. The tag can be read by radio waves (scanners) from a few inches away. The highly controversial device is being marketed as a way to access secure areas, link to medical records, and serve as a payment instrument when associated with a credit card or pre-paid account. But is this all hyped up worry like what we saw when the "bar code" was introduced? Many people opposed the bar code on items we purchase in supermarkets and stores, but we seem to have now embraced the bar codes, not giving them a second thought any more. I think after all the fuss dies down, the same will be said about the micro-chip implant. Once something of the future, the micro-chip is finding its way into the market for all sorts of useful reasons.

Author/breeder: Dee Gerrish 2007. Goldendoodle World

Creating the Ultimate Designer Dog

Creating the ultimate Designer dog

Is is possible to create designer dogs through DNA selective testing? With modern technology right at our finger tips...you bet your sweet DOODLE, it is!
Faster? Stronger? Keener sense of smell? More muscles? Shorter? Thicker coat? The list could go on. But is this playing God, with dogs? We have already seen animals being cloned. Genes determine who we are as humans. They also determine what the animal will become too. But, what if we could create our Own special dog? Create pets that are designed for individual families? Is this possible?

Located in Ithaca, NY, the Baker Institute is a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. Today, the Institute serves society through discoveries that will have both an immediate affect and long term implications. Along with their historical strength in the study of infectious disease and immunology, the Institute's medical geneticists have gained prominence in recent years through the development of practical tests for detecting carriers of defective genes and strategies for control of genetic diseases. These researchers also investigate a variety of diseases affecting both animals and humans, including osteoarthritis, diseases of the eye, and reproductive disorders. In 2006, the Baker Institute Mapped out the canine rod cone dysplasia type 2 (rcd2) to a region of dog chromosome 7. Their achievements are numerous where the canine is concerned. But who will be the first in achieving a true Designer dog? A dog that is simply created by mixing a variety of specific genes to give someone seeking such a dog, something unique...only to them? Do you think this could become a reality?

Canine geneticists have come a very long way, especially since our modern technology is getting better and better. Our environment being what it is, may be the driving force for those seeking "designer" dogs. When I think of a "designer dog"...this is essentially the reality of what comes to mind. A dog that has been put together by a canine geneticist according to my desires and wishes. Dogs created to specifics. Yes. Now we are talking about "playing God". We already have hybrid dogs that have become wildly much more popular than the purebred, which angers many purebred breeders. But, it is what it is. A new fact of life. Man's best friend, the dog, is proving that it has, yet again, figured out a way to lend a helping paw. The identification of canine genes is not only improving the health of dogs, but is also helping researchers identify genes controlling human diseases and develop treatments. Yes, as much as I hate to say it, dogs are used greatly in many experiments and tests. Some agree it is for the betterment of human kind...some disagree completely.

Dr. Dennis O'Brien, a professor of neurology at the University of Missouri's College of Veterinary Medicine and an expert on neurodegenerative diseases, says he is thrilled about the recent identification of genes that cause two types of rare epilepsy in dogs and humans. "It's very exciting. I think it shows the power of canine genomics to (be able) to start answering some of these questions," Dr. O'Brien said. Berge Minassian, MD, and other scientists at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, turned to the dog in their hunt for genes that cause Lafora disease in humans. With Lafora, seizures begin in the teenage years and increase in frequency until they cause death, usually within five years after the onset of the first symptoms. The researchers had identified one gene in humans but knew there was at least a second gene, because some families couldn't be linked to the first gene. "I knew that Lafora is, relatively, frequently reported in dogs," Dr. Minassian said. "I thought perhaps if we found families of dogs (that) have this disease, it may help us find the gene and, from there, the human gene."

While dogs and cats are used for testing and experiments, they are also man's best friend. Dog and cat alike. Goldendoodles are called, by some, designer dogs but I beg to differ. Goldendoodles have not been created from test tubes or by Canine geneticists. They are selectively created by designer breeders. The dog itself is not a designer dog, but I do consider the breeder who only creates hybrids, a designer breeder. That's not a bad thing. I myself am a "designer" breeder.

Sometime in our future, REAL designer dogs will occur. We will be able to select and design our family pets in a very real specific way. As time goes by and scientists collect more and more DNA of family pets and varying breeds, they will soon have an entire collection to choose from. They can mix and match and perhaps, you'll even be able to check off a list what it is you desire in your own personal, designer dog. ALready breeders can know before their litters are born, what colors to expect through DNA testing. Canine DNA holds more keys than we realize, to knowing what to expect with offspring. Mark my words! Canine DNA is going to go to places they've never known before!

*AUTHOR/BREEDER: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World. http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/

Goldendoodles and allergies

It's not surprising that myths and misconceptions about Goldendoodles and allergies exist. Some are factual to a degree, but others are totally incorrect and often influence our attitudes or knowledge about dealing with sensitivities to pets. Here is what I believe to be true with regards to allergies and Goldendoodles:

Goldendoodles ARE NOT Hypoallergenic:

Any animal with fur or feathers can trigger an allergic reaction.These include cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters,ferrets, mice, horses, cattle, monkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, and birds. Of these, research indicates that cats are by far the worst offenders, followed by dogs and horses.

While some animals seem to be more tolerable than others, there are no dogs, cats or other furry animals that do not cause allergic responses. It makes no difference whether an animal has short hair,long hair or how much it sheds.

Cats cause more severe allergic reactions than other pets:

The major cat allergen is an extremely potent one called Fel d1. Secretions from the sebaceous glands of the skin are the primary source of Fel d1, but it is also deposited on the fur through the saliva when cats clean themselves through the licking or self-cleaning process. Eventually the Fel d1 flakes off and becomes airborne to trigger the symptoms that characterize allergies to cats. Male cats generally produce more allergens than females do.

DANDER:

The problem is not with the pet's hair. It is the dander, or microscopic scales of dead skin (similar to, but much smaller than the dandruff on the human scalp) which pets are constantly shedding that is the cause. They are so tiny that you seldom, if ever, know that they are circulating in the air or laying on the furniture and carpets.

URINE:

Recent studies indicate that urine (protein), from cats and dogs as well as from ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice, contain allergens which can also trigger allergic reactions.
Short-haired or long-haired dogs - Doesn't matter:
All dogs – short-haired, long-haired, wire-haired, curly-haired, even hairless—are potentially allergic. Allergic reactions to dogsare not caused by the hair or fur but by dander (the tiny scales ofdead skin) and by sebaceous and salivary gland secretions. Short-haired dogs can cast off as many allergens into the environment as long-haired ones do.

Goldendoodles are not hypoallergenic:

Just because a Goldendoodle may shed very little, it does not mean itis "hypo-allergenic". It is surprising how many Goldendoodle ownerspurchased this hybrid because they were told by their breeder that theydid not cause allergies. Not true! Goldendoodles DO shed...but shed inphases and shed very little.

While it has recently been established that some dogs cast off more allergens than others, there are no non-allergenic dogs. The reason Goldendoodle dogs are thought to be "safe" is probably because they are shampooed and groomed regularly and therefore cast off less dander in the home.

Some people may have more problems living with a dog that shed hair profusely because of the excessive amount of loose hair contaminated by dried saliva and dander clinging to it shed from the pet onto the rugs, furniture and the dogs bedding and favorite lounging places. Frequent vacuumings are usually necessary, along with the use of a moist sponge, to pick it up.
A Goldendoodle puppy begins their shedding phase at the age of 6 weeks or slightly younger.Some people may have issues with a very young doodle puppy. Goldendoodles are usually completed with their shedding phases by the age of one year. SOme allergy sufferers have less allergy reactions to an older doodle puppy because of the fewer shedding phases. Some peoplecan have allergy issues AFTER their doodle turns one year of age.Puppies usually produce fewer allergens and depending upon what exactlya person is allergic to, some have less allergy issues with young pups.

People cannot be allergic to some breeds of dogs and not to others
The possibility of dog breed-specific allergens was first investigatedmany years ago, reports Dr. David Knysak of the Department of Medicine Allergy Division of the University of Michigan Medical Center. Subsequent studies have determined both qualitative and quantitativevariations in the antigen content extracts derived from different dogbreeds, however, he adds, no breed-specific allergens have been found.

It is true, though, that an individual may occasionally become sensitized to or build up resistance to a single breed over a period of time. Another reason why people may think they are allergic to certain breeds of dogs is that some dogs shed many more allergens than others,a process which may produce a higher level of exposure and consequentlymore allergic symptoms.

Restricting your Doodle to one or two rooms of the house does not help:

The longer your doodle lives in a home, the more its allergens will have permeated the entire house to cause symptoms. Isolating your Goldendoodle to one or two rooms in the home does not contain theirallergens. Air currents from forced-air heating, air conditioning andfans spread the allergens through the house. We do not recommend restricting your Goldendoodle to just one or two rooms unless you have become allergic to him or her.

Such particles tend to remain airborne for hours, even in homes with minimal disturbance. Once they do settle, vacuuming or walking on the carpet, sitting on the furniture, fluffing up cushions pillows and thepet’s bedding, raising or lowering the blinds, and opening or closing the drapes or curtains causes tremendous amounts to be set loose in theair once again.

People cannot tell if they will be allergic the first time they encounter a pet. This is a myth and a mistake that many people make when in search of the perfect family pet due to allergies.No one is allergic to a substance the first time he or she comes in contact with it. Sensitization, or the process that leads to development of symptoms, requires repeated exposures over a period of time, anywhere from days to months and possibly years. Sometimes, though, only a few minutes of a pet's presence is necessary. People who come in contact with a cat, for instance, or who enter a room where a cat has been, may react to it within seconds. Other times a pet can be kept for many years and then suddenly its owner will become severely sensitive to it.

Being allergic does not mean that you can't own a doodle or that you must give up one you already have.....If you are allergic to six things, get rid of three of them and you maydrop below your allergic threshold, and become symptom-free. Find out from a physician what your particular allergen is, and if it turns out to be pet- related, try to reduce the allergens in the environment. Using air cleaners or filters could be a start. Your physician may also be able to prescribe medications to lessen the symptoms associated with allergies. If you are allergic to fur, a breed of dog that doesn't shed very much may be your answer.

Dander is a common culprit in allergies to dogs. A dog can be bathed up to twice weekly to try to alleviate the excessive dander production. Be sure though to use a medicated pet shampoo prescribed by a veterinarian if you have found that your dog is having skin allergies and not an inexpensive alternative which can dry out yourpet's skin and worsen the problem for the both of you. A non-allergicmember of the family should brush the dog often, preferably outside.It is important to know that a Goldendoodle can have dry skin and usinginexpensive Shampoo can further irritate the skin causing the dog itself to have allergies. We recommend Pantene as well as a tad bit ofPantene conditioner.

The Goldendoodle hair samples are from two seperate doodles of different ages. We welcome you to join our doodle world if you have found this hybrid to be the perfect fit for your family.

© 2007-Author/Breeder: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World

When Goldendoodles are void of a facial beard

When Goldendoodles are void of a facial beard


When we think about the Goldendoodle dog, we usually think of them as being one part Golden Retriever and one part Poodle. Since 1999, we have gathered enough researched information from our own experiences to now know Goldendoodle fact from fiction. From Mara's litter (see photos on our website under the link "available doodles"), we have come to know that using a Goldendoodle sire to a Golden Retriever dam will produce Goldendoodles who have twice the Golden Retriever DNA. Not only will it produce Goldendoodles with twice the Golden Retriever DNA, but at least 1 or 2 of the puppies in the litter will have an identical appearance of the Golden Retriever. However, a unique sequence occurs as the puppies become closer to 4-6 weeks of age.

From September 1st, 2007 we have watched each puppy begin to obtain a very simliar appearance and coat as that of our Goldendoodles when they have one parent the Poodle and one parent the Golden Retriever (ie...50/50) with the exception of ONE Goldendoodle (the only female in this litter) who is void of the normal facial beard. She has picked up more Golden Retriever traits BUT has not shed a single hair as of yet. Her body coat in the beginning was smooth like the Golden Retriever but then it began to become thicker. However, as of September 25, 2007 her coat has not become fluffy like her brothers and has remained very similar to the coat of the Golden Retriever. We had encorporated a male Goldendoodle with beautiful sky blue eyes into our breeding program for Goldendoodles in hopes of offspring not only carrying the blue eyed gene but perhaps of having blue eyes themselves. Each puppy in this litter was born with brown eyes, to our dismay. BUT, they do have the blue eyed gene within their genetic structure.

We use to get alot of calls from people who bought a Goldendoodle from other breeders and they had questions about their Goldendoodle not having a facial beard or the shagginess of most Goldendoodles they saw in photos. Their breeder had told them their Goldendoodle was a 50/50 mix or a mix with a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. This litter has proven what we knew all along to be true. You can pretty much be sure that if you own a Goldendoodle that resembles the Golden Retriever in nearly every way....is void of the facial beard.....and has nearly an identical appearance as that of a Golden Retriever...... the sire to that puppy's litter was a Goldendoodle who was bred to a female Golden Retriever. Interestingly enough, when a Goldendoodle is sired to a female Poodle, the Goldendoodles pick up twice the Poodle DNA and each of those puppies will have more of the temperament of a Poodle as well as the body structure of the Poodle and yet when a Goldendoodle is sired to a female Golden Retriever, the Goldendoodles pick up twice the Golden Retriever DNA.

EVERY GOLDENDOODLE IN THIS LITTER EXCEPT FOR THE ONE FEMALE, has begun to obtain a facial beard and shaggy coat. The female has still not shed a single hair. That's the cool part about this litter. It was my original belief that if a Goldendoodle was bred to a Golden Retriever, that the puppies would shed. I still believe that if a Goldendoodle has alot of Golden Retriever DNA in its structure and is bred to a Golden Retriever, that the offspring will shed. But we elected to use a Goldendoodle who had twice the Poodle and had more Poodle within his DNA structure so that we could encorporate enough Poodle into the offspring to reduce the shedding that is very similar to the 50/50 mix. It has now been our exerience that the Goldendoodles that came from a Poodle mother and Goldendoodle father, had more curls to their coat and picked up more of the Poodle personality/disposition.

Our experience has taught us thus far, that If you are a Golden Retriever fan, you will completely enjoy either the 50/50 mix or the mix we are talking about....a Goldendoodle with twice the Poodle sired to a purebred Golden Retriever. We have found also that if you are a Golden Retriever fan, you will NOT be able to appreciate the personality or temperament of any doodle that has twice the Poodle DNA. It has also been our experience that such a mixture does NOT work out that well for those who either have young children in their home or who befriend the entire neighborhood or do alot of socializing. Our experience thus far has taught us that Goldendoodles with more Poodle do much better with families who have adult children...no children or children who are at least over the age of 13. Goldendoodles with twice the Poodle are somewhat skiddish; do not befriend strangers easily and do not want to befriend your entire neighborhood. I won't lump all doodles with twice the Poodle into this category but am just discussing what has been our experience thus far. Althought in 11 years of being a professional breeder, we've had only a couple of rehoming issues and 2 of the rehoming issues was with doodles that had twice the Poodle. To date, since 1996, I can only remember three rehoming issues from the top of my head and we've produced quite a few litters since 1996. 2 out of the 3 had twice the Poodle. The other rehoming issue was from a doodle that had been abandoned at a boarding facility and adopted by an elderly couple. From those three issues, we've discovered it was the owners inability to understand their doodle and their reluctance to actually incorporate obedience training that caused their issue. Had they made the effort to actually use a professional dog trainer to help them with their situation, I believe the placements would have worked out. Some people call a dog trainer and then never use them.
Either the training was going to cost more than they could afford or would cause them to actually make an effort at changing their dogs' behaviour....it's hard to say what the reason was that they did not actually stick with a training program or use a training program.

Those who are experienced with the Poodle....have owned Poodles before or are at least very familiar with the Poodle have the most successful placements with Goldendoodles who have twice the Poodle DNA. We actually only desire people with more Poodle experience to adopt doodles with more Poodle so that they don't become surprised or frustrated with the personality. We encourage everyone with young children or children who are NOT adults, to adopt a Goldendoodle with more Golden Retriever DNA because children usually have alot of friends and children want their dog to participate in activities with their friends. Most doodles that have twice the Poodle do not want to become involved with numerous people at any one time. They seem to be wary of large crowds of people or screaming, running, yelling children. There are some people you can't convince of this but it is those people who have the most placement issues. Those who do not listen to the advice of their breeder always have the most problems.

This is the first time that we intentionally used a Goldendoodle sire with more Poodle traits to breed to a female Golden Retriever. I have always been leery of matching a pair like this because I was not sure about the shedding element. I did want to know, however, if a Goldendoodle would be void of the facial beard, the plume tail and the shaggy coat if it came from this sort of pairing. As such, this litter and our litters that turned out to have more Poodle DNA has taught us a great deal concerning breeding methods and what to expect. We were able to notice the difference in coat type from this most recent litter, at approx. 6 wks of age. This further backs up our original claim that a breeder would be fully aware by age 6 weeks whether or not their doodle puppy will either be void of the facial beard or have a facial beard as well what coat type the doodle would have.
Many people in the past emailed us regarding their doodles purchased from other breeders whose doodle was void of the facial beard asking if their doodle would ever have one and we now can back up our prediction that any doodle with a smooth face and void of the "V" shape by six weeks of age will NOT have a facial beard as an adult and the breeder is fully aware of this fact if they are an experienced breeder. We noticed the difference between this particular female and her brothers right at the time the puppies began to get their fluffy coat and this generally takes place between 4-6 weeks of age. All of the puppies in this litter have the Golden Retriever temperament and disposition but we noticed another difference!

The female in the litter that we are discussing has more of a stocky, Golden Retriever build but she has the long, narrow "field retriever" appearance in her face that we saw in alot of our purebred Golden Retriever litters when we bred them. We do not breed purebred Golden Retrievers that often because my allergies have become much worse as I've gotten older and I've remained more of a Goldendoodle fan just for allergies alone. The males on the other hand have a much smaller body structure and are smaller in size. The female has taken more of her mothers' appearance and size and the males have taken more their fathers' size and body structure but still have the Golden Retriever temperament. The males in this litter are very shaggy and have the full facial beard already! I'd like to also note that many people who are not experienced with the Goldendoodle dog do not realize that there are numerous coat changes and phases before their doodle turns a year of age.

Even the facial beard will change in texture. I always hear people tell me...well...that puppy doesn't seem to have very long hair and it doesn't seem to have a very full facial beard. Yes! That's correct! Because the dog is just a puppy! So many people assume their doodle should automatically have a thick, fluffy coat....a full facial beard and a really thick plume tail. No. That is not what happens.

The Goldendoodle's coat is a gradual process from the day they are born until the day they turn a year of age. Once they are an adult, that's it. The coat is what it is. The coat will always continue to grow and will always be in need of coat maintenence if it is a shaggy dog. That's a given for any dog with such a coat. But we think that if someone really wants a Golden Retriever but can't handle all the shedding that comes with a Golden Retriever, they'll be happy with a doodle that is void of the facial beard and the shaggy coat and has more of the Golden Retriever appearance.
Their coat will not be long and thick or shaggy, nor will they have a shaggy, facial beard. The coat will be easy to maintain and they will not have the shedding coat like their purebred counter part. The doodle that I mention up above will make a perfect companion to your neighborhood...your friends....your children of any age. Now we have given the purebred Golden Retriever breeder something to be jealous of! A Goldendoodle who could very well pass for a purebred Golden Retriever yet NOT shed! You are very welcome.

Author/breeder: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World. All rights reserved. 2007

People love to love dogs

People love dogs. People love to love dogs. People love to own dogs. What type of dogs do people love to own? Well, all sorts of people have fallen in love with dogs over the centuries. Famous people own dogs. Poor people own dogs. The average person owns dogs. Dogs even sometimes live at nursing homes and dogs have performed many functions for centuries. In some Asian countries, dogs sometimes even become food.

Have there been famous people with famous dogs? Yes! Through out history, many famous people have owned famous dogs. Will Rogers once said, "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." Most people who are dog people will agree that most dogs are nicer than most people.

Dogs are not judgemental nor do they care how much money you earn. Dogs do not even care if you have a job so long as you make it YOUR job to give them love and lots of hugs. Joe Weinstein said, "My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3 a can. That’s almost $21 in dog money." Dogs are very basic, simply creatures and they are surely not as complicated to understand as humans are. People make life complicated. Dogs do not.

Dogs make great pets for many people, especially senior citizens. They provide companionship and instant friendship. Dogs do not mind how old you are. Dogs will love you even if you are in diapers! Young or old. Over the centuries, dogs have provided valuable service to people. From assisting fire fighters to helping locate victims of earthquakes! Dogs can be trained to help people who need assistance with personal chores. From ringing bells, to picking up small items to helping the blind get around. Dogs can even learn to perform multiple tricks!

Many people who love to own dogs have a need with learning how to train their dogs. Casar Milan is a well respected dog trainer with alot of terrific information on how to train your dog! His website provides alot of great information. Some people go to college to learn how to become a better dog person. Seriously! Check out this link if you are interested in getting a degree on becoming a better dog person! Dogs think, feel and react very much like humans. That's why people and dogs go together like peanut butter and jelly! But you'd have to be a dog person to agree with this notion.

Dogs actually help people understand themselves better as human beings. There are millions of people on our planet who own dogs. Some people shouldn't own dogs and some dogs shouldn't be around people. You can see dogs virtually anywhere! You see people throwing a frisbee for a dog in a park. You see people walking their dog on a sidewalk. If you visit Germany, you will even see dogs riding on a trolly or sitting besides its master at a local cafe. Some people have more pictures of their dog than of their children. Some children prefer their dog over their friends. Some dogs prefer one person over another.

Many people will tell you long stories of how their dogs have enriched their lives. Some people don't even want to discuss dogs at all! Sometimes a person will think they are not a dog person at all until they meet a dog. Then suddenly that non-dog person becomes magically transformed. Some people are morons around dogs and some dogs think some people are morons. Dogs can make us laugh. Dogs can make us cry. Dogs can make us mad and dogs can make us happy. Not everyone loves dogs and not every dog loves a person. One thing is for sure, however!

Dogs have been around for centuries and we will continue to see dogs for as long as we see people.

*Author/Breeder: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World cc@2009

*Photo courtesy: Goldendoodle World: http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/ and Goldendoodle owner, Cheryl as well as Goldendoodle, Sonny.

(Sonny is a male Goldendoodle that was purchased by Cheryl from Goldendoodle World. Sonny has been featured in a magazine article