Ever Wondered Why Pointers Point and Sheepdogs Herd?

DNA Study Unlocks Mystery to Diverse Traits in Dogs

What makes a pointer point, a sheep dog herd, and a retriever retrieve? Why do Yorkshire terriers live longer than Great Danes? And how can a tiny Chihuahua possibly be related to a Great Dane?

Dogs vary in size, shape, colour, coat length and behaviour more than any other animal, and until now, this variance has largely been unexplained. Now, scientists have developed a method to identify the genetic basis for this diversity that may have far-reaching benefits for dogs and their owners.

In the cover story of tomorrow’s edition of the science journal Genetics , research reveals locations in a dog’s DNA that contain genes that scientists believe contribute to differences in body and skull shape, weight, fur colour and length — and possibly even behaviour, trainability and longevity.

“This exciting breakthrough, made possible by working with leaders in canine genetics, is helping us piece together the canine genome puzzle which will ultimately translate into potential benefit for dogs and their owners,” said study co-author Paul G. Jones, PhD, a Mars Veterinary(TM) genetics researcher at the Waltham(R) Centre for Pet Nutrition — part of Mars(R) Incorporated, a world leader in pet care that has been studying canine genetic science for the past eight years. “By applying this research approach, we may be able to decipher how genes contribute to physical or behavioral traits that affect many breeds.”

Dogs originally derived from the wolf more than 15,000 years ago — a blink of the eye in evolutionary terms. Selective breeding produced dogs with physical and behavioural traits that were well suited to the needs or desires of their human owners, such as herding or hunting ability, coat colour and body and skull shape and size. This resulted in the massive variance seen among the more than 350 distinct breeds that make up today’s dog population. Until now, the genetic drivers of this diversity have intrigued scientists who have been trying to explain how and why the difference in physical and behavioural traits in dogs changed so rapidly from its wolf origins.

An international team of researchers, which included scientists at the National Human Genome Research Institute, the University of Utah, Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, California and Mars’ Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition in the United Kingdom, studied simple genetic markers known as Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, or SNPs, to find places in the dog genome that correlate with breed traits. Because many traits are “stereotyped” — or fixed within breeds — researchers can zero in on these “hot spots” to see what specific genes are in the area that might contribute to differences in traits.

The research used 13,000 dog DNA samples provided by Mars Veterinary, which holds one of the most comprehensive canine DNA banks in the world. This collection has been built up with the help of pet owners who have consented to their pets providing cheek swabs and blood samples for the database. Mars’ DNA bank allowed the study to cover most of the American Kennel Club recognized breeds that span a wide variety of physical and behavioural traits and differences in longevity.

“With further refinement and additional data, this method could be used to tailor products that may benefit the health of pets,” Jones said. “Pet owners and veterinarians may be able to develop better care regimes based on this knowledge. In addition, genetic information about behavioural traits, such as trainability and temperament, could also help veterinarians identify the most lifestyle-appropriate pet for an owner.”

This research may also have implications for human health, as dogs suffer from many of the same diseases that we do.

Mars is continuing its commitment to canine genetic science with ongoing investigations to better understand the makeup of a dog’s DNA to help benefit the lives of dogs and their owners. The Wisdom Panel MX(TM) mixed breed analysis test is the first product to use the knowledge gained through this research.

Article courtesy of DogMagazine.net.

Woof Woof!!
Kenrick

Always keep your dog under control when you are painting the floor!!

D'oh! Spent all afternoon painting the upstairs floor in our house. I made a barricade at the bottom of the stairs to deter him from coming up. Somehow without me even hearing, Kenrick breached the barricade and tippy toed his way upstairs and through my freshly painted floor!! Grrr!! On his way back down the stairs he left lovely little white paw prints!

Thanks
The Paw Prints Dog Walking Team
Freya, Daniel and Kenrick

Vigil For Deathrow Dog Gains Worldwide Attention

London Takes Part in Worldwide Candle Lit Vigil for Death Row Dog:

Dog lovers are travelling from across the UK to gather outside the Northern Ireland Office, Millbank, in central London to show unified global support for a pet dog condemned to death by a Magistrates Court in Northern Ireland.

The Candle Lit Vigil is being held for one hour between 9 and 10pm on Thursday 23rd July and coincides with other vigil events being held on the same day in Dublin, New York and Seattle alongside an enormous worldwide candle lit vigil where thousands of people are due to take part in their own homes and work places in recognition of the plight and suffering of a dog named ‘Bruce’ who has captured the hearts and minds of people across the world.

bruceBruce was a young pet dog living happily with his family in Northern Ireland when on September 19th 2007 he was seized as an alleged “pit bull type” and taken to secluded kennels whilst his owner was taken to court for owning a banned type of dog contrary to the Dangerous Dogs Act (Northern Ireland) Order 1991.

Owner Shannon Brown, aged 20years, supporters and neighbours have created petitions, and videos asking for help to save pet dog Bruce who has never put a paw wrong and his case has now been championed by masses of people everywhere who have reacted in horror to the news he has to die and are demanding he be spared the death penalty.

Thousands Stand Up To Defend Bruce the Dog: Politicians and officials have been inundated with letters, emails and phone calls from concerned members of the public calling for the release of death row dog Bruce.

Meanwhile complex legal proceedings are ongoing as the news breaks this week that the law which has condemned Bruce and countless others like him, appears to have been Amended a staggering eight years ago, seemingly unnoticed by officials and adding utter confusion to the whole sorry situation. The life of Bruce hangs by a thread but as his persistent battle to survive continues more and more people are screaming for his release.

Politicians have been asked to change the legislation, veterinary groups have been deluged with letters from dog owners pleading that every veterinary surgeon refuses to administer the fatal injection, even Her Majesty the Queen has been requested to intervene and grant a Royal Pardon and the protests keep flooding in as the news spreads across the Internet.

As the legal wheels turn slowly, the campaign to ‘Save Bruce’ intensifies and eyes from around the world are now attentively watching Northern Ireland. Bruce remains isolated from his family on canine death row awaiting his fate, unaware of the world wide support he has.

Regards
The Paw Prints Dog Walking Team
Freya, Daniel & Kenrick

New Website - Coming Soon!

Hi everybody,

Putting the finishing touches to Paw Prints new website today - very excited!! Should go live in the next couple of weeks.

Our new website will contain everything you need to know about our prestige Dog Walking service in Brighton & Hove.

Freya and I both feel very privileged to be dog walkers and very much look forward to walking many more dogs in the future.

As well as Brighton we also collect and walk dogs in Portslade, Shoreham, Lancing and even as far as Worthing.

Happy Walking!

The Paw Prints Dog Walking Team
Freya, Daniel & Kenrick

Paw Prints Soon To Be Volunteer Dog Walkers in Shoreham

Hi Everybody,

Today Paw Prints handed in the necessary forms to the Dogs Trust in Shoreham to become volunteer dog walkers for the centre. We both can't wait to get started and meet lots and lots of loveable dogs in need of a new home.

We will be walking dogs on their own and more sociable dogs will be walked in groups. We will be walking around the park next to the centre, along the Adur and down on Shoreham Beach.

To become a volunteer dog walker simply visit your local centre and fill in the necessary forms.

Happy walking!!

The Paw Prints Team
Freya, Daniel and Kenrick

Family's urine bid to locate dog missing dog Simon

A family who tried to lure back a lost dog by leaving a trail of their urine on streets near their home have been criticised by the city council.

The Baltesz family, of Clifton, Bristol, lost their 10-year-old pet labrador Simon on the night of 4 July.

When Simon failed to return, the family chose their unorthodox method.

A Bristol City Council spokeswoman said: "We would not consider this to be a good idea from an environmental health point of view."

Louise Baltesz, 43, said the whole family had been "chipping in" to help lay down the scent trail.

She said she was aware of criticism aimed at the family, but they were willing to do anything to get Simon back.

'Very diluted'

"There are people who are upset about it, but I'm too emotionally drained to think about it," she said. "I'm worried about it - I really am.

"If everyone peed in the street it would be disgusting, wouldn't it? But it's very, very diluted."

Jonathan Baltesz, 44, wife Louise, and children Henry, 15 and Clara, 13
The family said they were desperate to get Simon back

Mrs Baltesz said the idea for the scent trail came from a website which offered a range of advice to owners of missing dogs.

She said: "I do feel mad doing it, but I'm driven to desperate measures.

"Apparently it's quite a normal way of doing it. You just put a little bit in a bottle and then top it up with water.

"You put some smelly food down, they come towards the food and then catch the scent [of the urine]. You only have to do it once. We've left two trails."

'Owner's scent'

The family have put up "missing" posters and have received several possible sightings of Simon, who is described as "not very approachable" and naturally timid.

But a vet at a nearby practice was less than optimistic the plan would succeed.

Ian Wills, from the nearby Zetland Veterinary Hospital in Bristol, said: "I think it's an interesting idea but I would be pleasantly surprised if it worked.

"When a dog wanders off from home they will generally wander back when they have had enough.

"If the dog was going to follow the owner's scent it would be from something they wore, like a jumper. Unless they have an incontinence problem."

A Bristol City Council spokeswoman said it was unlikely the authority would take any action against the family.

Paw Prints says, "Lets just hope Simon is returned safely to his family".

Cheers
The Paw Prints Team
Freya, Daniel & Kenrick

Sourcing Our New Dog Van

Hi all,

Here at Paw Prints we are busy sourcing our new Doggy Van, which will be the beating heart of our bespoke Dog Walking Service in Brighton and Hove as well as surrounding areas, including Portslade, Shoreham, Lancing and Worthing.
We have decided we will buy a Citroen Dispatch because it has the advantage of a sliding door on both sides of the vehicle as well the double doors at the rear. This makes access for getting the dogs in and out of the vehicle very easy and convenient.

As soon as the van arrives it will be sent away again to be fitted with custom made dog cages. We will then furnish each cage with blankets/cushions, water bowl, towel and of course cuddly toy. Maybe the most important thing, especially considering the hot weather we have had lately will be the addition of a TCX Flettener Ventilator, which will keep all the dogs cool whilst they are inside the van.

Lastly, just so you recognise us we will have our logo and contact details written onto the sides of the van, we hope this finishes of the complete professional look of our van and dog walking and pet care service as a whole.

Don't forget that our specially designed dog van is also available as a 'Pet Taxi' service. So if for whatever reason you can't get your dog to the vet or the groomers etc give us a call and we will be happy to transport your beloved pooch in style and comfort.

Hope to see you soon!
The Paw Prints Dog Walking Team
Freya, Daniel & Kenrick