Children`s World - Pets (Dogs II)

St Bernard
The St Bernard probably originated from molosser dogs, which crossed the Alps along with the ancient Romans over 2000 years ago. It is believed that they reached the Saint Bernard’s monastery in the 11th century, where this breed was first mentioned in the 17th century, while the name has been in use since the 19th century. This is a breed of very large dog - the females are at least 65 cm tall, the males are more than 75 cm tall and they weigh between 75 and 115 kg. The lifespan of a St Bernard is the same as the average for all large dogs - around 10 years. We differentiate between two types of St Bernards - the long-haired and the short-haired type. The colour of the coat is white with a rust-coloured topcoat, while the paws, chest and the tip of the tail are white. The tail is always bushy.

The St Bernard is a gentle giant who loves people and is famous for rescuing people caught in avalanches, since this is a common dog breed in the Alpine region. The most famous St Bernard is Barry, who saved 40 human lives. There are records that, upon finding people, these dogs first licked them thoroughly to wake them up and then they lay beside them to keep them warm until the arrival of the rescue team. Images of St Bernards with barrels of brandy or rum around their necks are also famous, while the films about the dog Beethoven contributed considerably to the popularity of this breed. However, the films also put many dogs in harm’s way because people would get them and keep them in small spaces and in the wrong climates, especially the long-haired dogs.

Apart from being rescue dogs, St Bernards also make very good guard dogs for both homes and cattle, since they are not afraid to come to grips even with wolves. Short-haired St Bernards make better rescue dogs because they move through the snow more easily, while the long-haired dogs face the problem of snow getting stuck in their fur. They are also believed to be able to sense an avalanche before it happens.

St Bernards are nowadays mostly bred as pets because they are sociable, calm and reasonable, gentle and endearing, infinitely loyal and very fond of children. If you get this kind of dog, you will get a trusted and loyal friend, but bear in mind that this dog needs a lot of space and activity. Moreover, this dog’s fur should be combed regularly with a bristle brush to remove the loose hair from its thick coat. Also make sure you clean your St Bernard’s ears regularly and pay attention to their eyes because of their droopy eyelids.

Pug
Pugs are a breed whose origin is unknown. They are believed to have appeared in China, but their current appearance was achieved in England in the previous century. Pugs are one of the small breeds since the females grow to a height of 25 cm with a weight of 5 kg, while the males grow to a height of 30 cm and weigh 8 kg. Their lifespan is between 12 to 15 years. The pug’s body is compact, muscular and square-shaped. They are prone to putting on weight, so their food should be portioned. The colour of their coat ranges from cream to peach, grey to completely black. Dogs with a lighter coat always have a dark snout and ears. Their coat is fairly short and it doesn’t shed a lot, so they are quite vulnerable to the cold and when exposed to the sun for longer periods. The pug’s skin is quite sensitive and requires care. The folds on its head also require special care, especially when they are walked more often. Their ears should be checked and cleaned occasionally.

Pugs are smart, curious and eager to learn, but they demand a creative training approach. They love children and the people they live with, but are also friendly with guests. They are a unique dog and a clown at heart with a brilliant sense of humour and a strong sense of pride at the same time. They are always ready for fun and games and they are happy to learn. They are very calm, adaptable and sociable. Pugs are emotional and intelligent and when they are up to something, they commit to it entirely.

Above all, pugs should be raised gently, without harsh words, raised voices or punishment. Motivational and clever methods should be used to get the pug to obey. Training should start as soon as possible because older pugs are less ready to accept commands and their stubbornness starts coming through.

This dog doesn’t require a lot of activity, but it needs constant company at home, since it can bark and become destructive when left alone. Due to their short snouts, or rather their “lack of one”, pugs have trouble breathing and snore when they sleep. This might seem like a problem at first, but with time, their “rumbling” grows on you. They are relatively good guard dogs because their bark will signal the arrival of a stranger. Still, when the pug realises that this is a trusted person, it will make friends in no time and gladly show off what it can do.

Pugs make beautiful pets, especially for a family with grandparents who are babysitting grandchildren, since one to two walks a day are all it takes for their daily activity needs to be fulfilled.

CavalierKing Charles Spaniel
It is believed that the cavalier is a breed that appeared in Great Britain in the 16th century. It was created from small spaniels used for hunting, but also for chaperoning court ladies. There are countless tales and legends about this breed, one of them saying that court ladies kept them in their laps for warmth or that doctors used to recommend patients have these dogs lie with them in order to help their treatment. They owe their name to two English kings, Charles I and II, who adored them. Charles II issued a decree in 1660 allowing these dogs to enter all public spaces, including Parliament.

This breed has changed with the fashions for centuries, but the 20th century finally saw a certain standard being set and adopted by the whole world. The cavalier is a dog weighing between 5.5 and 8.5 kg, reaching a height of 33 cm, with a semi-long silky coat that doesn’t need trimming, only combing.Cavaliers can be found in four colours - the two-coloured red-white, the tricolour black-red-white, the single-colour red and the so-called black & tan - black with tan highlights above the eyes, on the cheeks, within the ears, on their chest and below their tail. The coat can be slightly wavy, but not curly. Their legs have highly desired feathering, completed by a lovely tail. Since they have floppy ears, they should be checked and cleaned regularly.

Because this breed has been bred for many years, their character and other characteristics are set. The lifespan of these dogs is 15 years. They are very good-natured and loyal to their owner and family members, they love guests as well and there is running joke that if burglars were to break in, spaniels would help them carry the loot. Their sense of smell is excellent, a trait preserved from the past since they used to be hunting dogs. They are common pets due to their gentle nature and their relatively long period of growing up, which lasts up to two years.

Cavaliers love children a lot and they are smart, so they can learn tricks quickly and love to obey commands. Since they don’t like to be left alone, they are not recommended for families that spend a lot of time away from home, because that’s when they get nervous and can do damage. Considering their stable nature and cheerfulness, any tense behaviour could be a signal that there is something wrong - either that they are ill or that they are feeling neglected.

Siberian Husky
The Siberian husky is a medium-sized dog belonging to the spitz family, originating from the Chukotka Peninsula, where it was a working dog used for pulling sleds. These dogs were bred by the Chukchi people, very similar to the Eskimos. Millennia of breeding and cross-breeding have made them into dogs that can endure the harsh Siberian winter since the temperatures they had to endure in their homeland drop below -60 °C.

A husky’s coat can be a black-white, grey-white, or even red-white colour, while their eye-colour can be blue - a feature typical of this breed - but also brown, with some specimens even having different eye-colour combinations. They have a characteristic dark mask on their head - the more regular it is, the more valuable the dog. Their coat is thick with an undercoat and it needs to be brushed regularly to avoid tangling.

Females can reach a height of between 51 and 56 centimetres and a weight between 16 and 23 kg, while males are between 53 and 60 cm tall, weighing between 20 and 27 kg - their relatively low weight allowing them to be one of the fastest breeds in the North. Their lifespan is between 13 to 15 years. At the beginning of the 20th century, these dogs arrived in Alaska where the breed started blooming thanks to their fantastic results in sled racing and countless films of these races. The American Kennel Club recognised them as a breed in 1930, marking the beginning of their popularity and impending transfer to Europe. Interestingly. these dogs got their second name - husky - which in English jargon means a hoarse sounding voice, from their hoarse bark, which is common among all northern dogs.

The slightly slanted eyes, the face mask and the cheerful but fiery attitude have made huskies into one of the most popular dog breeds for pets. What also contributed is the fact that they are smart, they love children, they are resourceful and they are quick at learning different tricks and skills. Owing to their high intelligence, they may second-guess a command they usually respond to to avoid harm at a given time. Considering that their temperament calls for a lot of activity and space, it is not advisable to keep them in a flat.

Boris Cebović
Breeder of Small Animals