History

The Rottweiler is one of the oldest breeds of dogs still in existence today. Having its roots in the Middle Ages, when it was used mainly for herding, these dogs are said to have been brought over to Europe by the Romans during their invasion. Bred in the German town of Rottweil for their herding and guarding instincts, once the railroad became the method of transport for moving stock to the markets, the Rottweiler almost became extinct.
During the First World War the need for Rottweilers was on the rise, and they were bred once again for use as police, messenger and guard dogs.

Personality

Loyal and Protective 
The Rottweiler is a big, strong dog with a natural instinct to guard and protect his family.  He’s calm and loving, but if he suspects someone of attacking his loved ones he will not shy away from taking them on.
Self-Assured
While the Rottweiler may be a loyal, lovable companion he is also very independent and smart. You must create a bond with him while he’s young, so he knows you’re “leader of the pack.”
Alert
Rottweilers are calm and collected, and always know what’s going on around them. He may be quiet and not quick to jump or run when you might expect, but he’s an intelligent dog with a keen eye.
Clowns Around
Although he may be big, tough and smart, the Rottweiler does enjoy a good time with his family. He likes to play and is very loving.

Care

Easy Cleaning
His smooth coat is easy to clean with a brush and he only needs baths when absolutely necessary. He doesn’t shed much.
Take This Dog For a Swim
Rottweilers love exercise and cannot get enough of it. They absolutely need a good long walk or jog every single day. They love to play fetch, run fast, and even take a dip in the swimming pool. These dogs have lots of energy and need to get it out!
Formal Training
It is highly recommended that you start formal training with them at a young age. They aren’t inherently bad dogs (as sometimes depicted in the media) but it’s good to start training them as pups. By nature they are protective and territorial, and need a good leader.
Rottweilers are big, strong dogs that love clowning around and swimming. They may be protective and a little defensive at first, but all they want is a good family and a nice house to call home.

History

Believed to have its origin in Germany where it was called the “Pudelhund” (pudel meaning “to splash about” and hund meaning “dog”) the poodle gained popularity in France where it was most often used as a “water retriever.” Its coat is water resistant making it a good swimmer and great at hunting.
The poodle comes in three varieties: the standard, the miniature and the toy. The standard is said to be the oldest of the three, the miniature has been used for truffle hunting because of its small paws, and the toy has been adopted for performances and circuses.

Personality

Beauty and Brains
While the poodle is quite the show dog displaying elegance and finesse, don’t be fooled into thinking he’s got no brains. The poodle is renowned for his smarts and his adeptness in obedience training.
Highly Energetic
The poodle doesn’t like to just lie around. He’s high-energy and loves to play and go for runs.

Care

Upscale Grooming
The poodle wears a one-layer coat of dense curly fur, which is said to be hypoallergenic. It doesn’t shed much but what little it does shed tends to get tangled in its hair, which can lead to matting if not properly tended to. The poodle must be professionally groomed once at least every 6-8 weeks.
Clips
Pet clips can be really simple or really intricate (as is usually the case with show dogs). The only rules that should absolutely be followed are:
-The hair beneath the tail should be cut short to prevent matting.
-The hair on the face and feet should be kept short to prevent dirt from getting caught in the toes, and tearstains and food from the face and muzzle.
Daily exercise
The poodle is full of energy and gets bored very easily. These guys need exercise everyday or they’ll start acting up. Take them for runs and play with them often. Just don’t let them sit around getting bored, they’ll find something to get into.
Easy Living
The poodle can live anywhere as long as he’s properly taken care of. House or apartment, city or suburb, just keep him clean and happy.
The poodle is a popular show dog, but he’s also a fun, energetic, smart pup just itching to get all of that energy out in a good game of fetch.

Our star pupil, Trenton Thunder bat dog Derby, made his first-ever school appearance at the Parker Elementary School in Trenton today.

Our friend Eric at the Trenton Thunder says:

[Derby’s dad] Chase has been doing this for 10 years, but we wanted Derby to start taking over the job. He couldn’t have done it without you.

We think Derby handled it like a pro! Here he is in action:


 

History

Having originated in the British Isles, the bulldog’s name stems from its connection with “bull-baiting,” a popular sport in England where dogs were set on bulls and wages were placed as to which dog would take the bull down.  The bulldog was picked because of its courageousness, ferociousness and resistance to pain.  The Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 outlawed the sport, along with bear-baiting and cockfighting, leading to dealers training the dogs to be more domesticated so they could be household pets. Today’s bulldogs are some of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet.

Personality

Gentle and Child-Friendly
The bulldog may wear an intimidating mug on his face but it’s all for show. The bulldog is known to be very friendly and good with children as well as other dogs. He’s affectionate and patient with others.
Protective and Brave
The bulldog loves his owners and family and will protect them if he feels he has to. He’s named for his bull-fighting ability after all and will not take kindly to intruders.
A Little Bit of a Slob
Eating can get a little messy for these guys and they have a tendency to drool and snore. Their short noses and huge jaws (with an occasional under bite) make them prone to it. They don’t mean to be rude though.
Dignified
Despite their little bit of sloppiness, the bulldog always stands with a dignified demeanor. He looks so dignified that one, Handsome Dan, was the original mascot for Yale University.

Care

A Little Bit of Exercise Every Day
Bulldogs don’t need a ton of exercise. They’re indoor dogs and make great pets in urban areas.  But they do need to get out for at least one big walk a day. They like to wander and need to get enough of a workout so they don’t get overweight.
Grooming Made Easy
The Bulldog has very short, fine hair and can be brushed with a firm bristled brush as needed. Their faces should be washed once a day with a damp washcloth to keep their wrinkles clean.
They Can’t Stand the Heat
Bulldogs can overheat easily so special care should be given to them during the hotter months. They need a lot of shade and water, as well as an air-conditioned home if possible.
The bulldog’s an easy pup to get along with. While he may get a bad rep for chasing down Tom in the old Tom & Jerry cartoons, all he really wants is love and affection.

History

The Yorkshire terrier originated in Yorkshire, England in the 19^th century, and was used to catch rats in clothing mills. The breeds that make up the Yorkie are unknown, but it’s believed that the Skye terrier, Maltese, black and tan Manchester terrier, Leeds terrier (now extinct) and the Dandie Dinmont terrier are all possible forebears.
In the late 1860s, a Yorkshire terrier named Huddersfield Ben was seen at many dog shows throughout Great Britain, and in 1870 would be the dog that defined what a Yorkshire terrier was.

Personality 

Friendly, Feisty and Fearless
The Yorkie is a friendly, lovable dog with a heart of gold and unmatched loyalty. They have a loud bark, which makes them perfect watchdogs despite their small size (they never grow over 7 lbs). Because of their protective nature, they’ll sound off when strangers approach. Their barking can be tamed with a little training if needed.
Adapt Well and Travel Easily
Because of their small size Yorkshire terriers tend to travel easily. They also make good pets for all types of homes and adapt to their surroundings easily. As long as they are given the attention and love they deserve, they can live almost anywhere.
Independent but Love Attention
Yorkies are easily trainable because by nature they are independent dogs that adapt to their surroundings quickly, usually without human help. But that doesn’t mean they don’t want love. Yorkies are cute and they know it, and they want you to know it too. They need to be showered with attention, and they love to interact with people.

Care

Brush That Hair 
The Yorkie wears a long coat of hair and needs to be brushed and combed on a daily basis to prevent tangles. It’ll also grow a little shag over its eyes and some owners will clip it or comb it, but either way make sure to keep it out of your Yorkie’s line of vision. 
Take Them Everywhere
The Yorkshire terrier gets its exercise by following its owner everywhere. Whether it’s to the yard to do some yard work, the basement to do laundry, or the corner store for a coffee, bring your Yorkie everywhere. They may not require as much exercise as bigger dogs, but they are energetic and love to run around town.
Keep Those Teeth Sparkling
The Yorkshire is prone to teeth problems but as long as their teeth are cleaned frequently they should continue to have a nice set of chompers.
Give Them Treats
Training a Yorkie is fairly easy but requires positive reinforcement. While they can be a bit stubborn at times, keeping their lessons simple, giving them rewards and repeating often will have them trained in no time.
Energetic, loveable, protective and tiny, Yorkies prove that good dogs can come in small packages.

History

The golden retriever is the 4^th most popular dog in the United States today.
Originating in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s, when Lord Tweedmouth crossbred his “yellow retriever” with a tweed water spaniel (now extinct) found on his land, they were primarily used for hunting waterfowl and other game.
Referred to at first as “golden flat coats,” it wasn’t until the 1920s that they were called golden retrievers.

Personality

Smart and Eager to Please
Golden retrievers are fast learners and always up for anything. Whether at home playing fetch in the backyard or being trained as a seeing-eye dog for the blind, they exhibit a profound understanding of what’s expected of them.
Plays Well With Others
Man, woman, child or cat, the golden retriever is just looking for friends. While this might make them terrible candidates for guard dogs, it does make them the perfect family dog. They are patient with others and amicable with strangers and friends alike.
Fun-Loving and Hardworking
While golden retrievers love to play and exercise to their full potential, they also will work themselves until they collapse. During a hunt they will sit and wait quietly for hours while in a chase they’ll run until their legs won’t go anymore. There’s never a need to overtrain these guys.
Calm and Confident
Golden retrievers are never nervous and are always aware of their unique abilities. They have no problem exhibiting friendliness towards others immediately and are never shy in the face of any task. They are very social dogs.

Care

Exercise
Golden retrievers are exceptionally active dogs, and while they’ll have no qualms about sitting on the couch watching TV with you for hours, they are, by nature, energetic and need an outlet for that energy. Playing some kind of sport or taking them for long runs is highly recommended.
Daily Grooming
While flaunting the most beautiful golden coat, the golden retriever does shed a lot and needs to be brushed on a daily basis. It has a water-repellent double-coat that must be kept clean of any mud, mats or tangles. Brush, brush, brush!
And don’t forget to clean his ears regularly, to avoid disease and/or infection.
Training
While golden retrievers excel in intelligence and fitness they should still be treated with the same amount of patience and concern as any other canine. They function best with positive reinforcement and friendliness.
The golden retriever’s intelligence makes them one of the most versatile breeds of dogs. They are often used as guide dogs for the blind, rescue dogs, drug-detecting dogs, and hearing dogs for the deaf. Their friendliness and loyalty make them one of the most popular pets on the planet.

Green Leaf swim instructor Erica Etchason talks all about them in this interview with Annie Brody on “The Dog Connection.” Canine water sports are all about people and dogs working together in the water. Learn about team swimming, submersion work, tow work, nautical nosework, boatwork and more!

Our next beginners group obedience class is starting up soon – Dec 15th! Space is limited, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible. More details below:
Continue reading “Beginners Group Obedience!”