Dog Research » Big Dog Blog

Do you wonder what breeds make up your beloved mixed mutt? Now you can find out, thanks to a new DNA diagnostic test developed by MetaMorphix, a company specializing in animal DNA analysis and pedigree certification. With the Canine Heritage test MetaMorphix is able to genetically identify 38 popular breeds. The company is hoping to increase that number to 90 by the end of 2007.

The test costs $65.00. It is simple and painless for your dog. Just rub the inside of your dog’s cheek with a cotton swap and mail it to MetaMorphix. DNA cheek-swab kits, along with instructions are provided by the company. For information check out the company’s website www.metamorphixinc.com or call them toll free at (800) DNA-DOGG.

A similar DNA test will be launched by Mars Veterinary this summer. Mars Veterinary is a division of MARS Inc., a company specializing in pet care. The Wisdom Panel MX is conducted with a small blood sample and will be available through veterinarians. It is the first and only vet-administered mixed breed analysis test and can detect more than 100 AKC recognized breeds. Visit the company’s website for more information. www.marsveterinary.com

After intense playing or long walks/jogs have you noticed your dog heavily panting? tongue hanging low? lacking focus?

As noted in the Sept/Oct issue of Bark magazine (www.thebark.com), they are all symptoms of dehydration.

Other symptoms to look for are: loose skin, dry and sunken eyes, dry mouth and nose.

Though temperatures are dropping outdoors, dogs can still suffer from dehydration.

Usually shade, water and a cold surface are enough to cool down your dog after physical activities. However, if your dog is severely dehydrated and you are not able to get him to a veterinarian immediately, “K9 Kitchen” author Monica Segal suggests the “Quick & Easy Hydration Solution.”

Quick & Easy Hydration Solution:

1 qt. water
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. regular table salt*

*For additional potassium, substitute:
½ tsp. regular table salt and
½ tsp. light salt

Severe dehydration in dogs can prove fatal. Avoid potential dangers by monitoring your dog during exercise and providing your pooch plenty of water and breaks. Also observe your dog for signs of dehydration during illness. If you think your dog is suffering from dehydration, contact your vet immediately.

A report in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has just shown a link between the sugar substitue Xylitol, and illnesses in dogs. In fact, it is so bad, possibly causing acute liver failure that out of eight dogs found to have ingested xylitol, 5 died or had to be euthanized.

Xylitol is a commonly used sweetner used in sugar free gums, candies and even baked goods. So keep an eye on the ingredients when feeding your dog human treats.

Dogs are such a huge part of our lives that many of us dream of having them come to work with us. Well, more and more companies are allowing dogs in the office and yours may be next.

Google Headquarters (Googleplex)

Part of an 11 picture Photo Essay of “Life in the Googleplex“, where Googlers are permitted to bring their dogs (but not cats) to the workplace.

Research has shown that having pets in the workplace reduces stress and increases the feeling of well-being. And that’s precisely why Relay Recruitment, a company in West Yorkshire brought in Rupert, a Cocker Spaniel. What management experienced was beyond their expectations. Rupert indeed helped with the post-holiday blues, but also encouraged 4 people to quit smoking and others to lose weight by going on walks during break. It worked out so well that “Bosses now plan to provide dogs for their staff in Leeds, Halifax and York.”

Kennel Space - (or Office Space?)

Rhonda Abrams at the Arizona Republic wrote ‘A Dog-Friendly Office Good for Workers, Pets‘ that illustrates how companies benefit by allowing dogs at work. The practice improves morale, employees are likely to work later, and the environment helps to attract and retain better employees.

“In my company, we indicate we’re a “dog-friendly workplace” in our help-wanted ads. That’s increased both the number and quality of applicants. And once someone gets used to bringing their dog to work, they’re less likely to leave. Even the delivery folks love the dogs. The UPS man, Paul, gives each dog a biscuit every day, so my dog Cosmo knows exactly what brown can do for him.”

Am I working by myself here?

So has your office made the jump? If not, they may need a bit of a nudge and that’s why Rhonda added her “Key to a Dog-Friendly Workplace“.

This includes a set of rules for all dogs, and considerations for people. A few are listed below:

• Enforce the NO Fleas rule
• 3 Strikes and You’re Out
• No Barking
• Keep a Supply of Antihistamine
• Thank Your Lucky Stars

Cosmos Magazine has a story regarding researchers that have been using a test to measure intelligence among two year old children, primates, and other animals. Monkeys, dolphins and cats have been known to fail the test while dogs have actually done really well.

From Cosmos

“Dogs were a surprising exception, repeatedly passing the task in several studies in the 1990s. However, our study – involving 35 dogs of various breeds – showed they were using other simple cues to find the object and not ‘thinking’ or using logic after all,” Collier-Baker said. “

Because dogs were found to cheat, they had to change the way the test was presented, which then skewed many of their previous results. “This finding threatened the validity of studies with other species which also lacked these control conditions. Collier-Baker therefore went on to test two chimpanzees, four gibbons (siamangs) and a spider monkey.”

These dogs must have been smart as they knew how to take the shortcut to the ball or treat.