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Posts Tagged ‘Dutch Shepherd’

The Best Dogs for Guard Dogs

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

Guard Dogs- CCK9  - Blog -  22The guard dog has a long history of working with humans. In fact, guarding livestock was one of the first working roles given dogs. Since then, the work of a guard dog has expanded to include guarding property, personal belongings and even families. Given the importance of these things, one should always strive to have the best dogs from the best breeds watching over what’s important to them. However, there has always been debate over which dogs are best for the job.

Before aeroplanes and automobiles, transportation was limited. This lead to a wide variety of different breeds being developed in many different regions, all for the purpose of creating the best guard dog. Today, the world feels just a little bit smaller, and the same breeds that used to be found only in very specific regions can now be found all over the world. What many people don’t realise is that the breeds themselves have continued to change over the years. In the world of canine breeding, genetics can change dramatically from generation to generation.  Many breeds that were once excellent guard dogs have now been given the role of house-pet as they were unable to keep up with the strength, intelligence and nerves of other breeds. The best breeds for use as a guard dog today are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd, in that order.

Of course, one cannot assume that any dog of a favorable breed will be suitable for work as a guard dog. Every dog is different, and choosing a suitable guard dog happens on an individual basis. However, the basis of a good guard dog is good genetics, and the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd have some of the best bloodlines, which have been fine-tuned for years to be the very best.

How to Protect Your Guard Dog Against Ringworm

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Guard dogsDespite the name, ringworm is actually caused by a form of fungus. Over 35 different species of this fungus exists, but only about four can cause ringworm in dogs. Of these four, Microsporum Canis is the most common. Ringworm is very contagious, and can be passed from dogs to humans. The risk of catching ringworm is especially high in young children. Infection can be spread by direct contact with an infected animal, or by contact with the spores which can live in sheets and carpeting for several months.

Ringworm can take as much as two weeks to develop into visible lesions after initial infection. The fungus grows within hair follicles in the skin, and causes hair in the infected area to break off at the root. As a result, ringworm infections often manifest in dogs as circular patches of missing fur. Many cases of ringworm can be identified by examination under ultra-violet light. However, only two of the four species of fungi that cause ringworm will fluoresce. The most accurate test is to have your veterinarian perform a hair culture on fur from the infected area, although this form of testing can take 2-3 weeks to perform.

If left untreated, ringworm will spread and cause painful sores, but once identified, infection can be treated fairly easily through anti-fungal medications. Unfortunately, ringworm is much more difficult to remove from the home, and reinfection will occur until remaining spores are dealt with. After an infection, it is recommended that you destroy and replace your dog’s bedding, brushes, and other objects which frequently come into close contact with your dog’s fur. Items that cannot be destroyed can be soaked in a mixture of hot water and iodine, and rinsed with water and diluted bleach. Clean the house thoroughly, and have carpets and upholstery steam-cleaned.

While ringworm is not often a dangerous or life-threatening illness, its persistence can make it difficult to deal with. In a guard dog, the skin irritation caused by ringworm can have a detrimental effect on concentration and overall performance. Weather you have a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherd, it is important to check your guard dog regularly for signs of ringworm and other signs of skin irritation. Do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you detect any signs illness.

Cell Phone Detection Dogs

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Guard Dogs - CCK9 - Blog - 18There’s no questioning the incredible powers of the canine sense of smell. From narcotics detection, to accelerant detection, sniffer dogs have put their powerful noses to work for police forces all over the world. While humans have approximately 5 million olfactory receptors to detect different scents, canines have over 250 million. This incredible ability to detect minute scents has recently been put towards the unexpectedly useful skill of detecting cell phones.

Just as chemicals and narcotics have a unique scent that dogs are able to pick up on, the plastics and component materials in cell phones also leave minute scents. Cell phone detection dogs are trained to pick up on these minute traces, and indicate the location of discovered cell phones to their handlers. While this is not necessarily useful in a public scenario, cell phones are one of the most common forms of contraband in prison. Convicted criminals smuggle in cell phones to help them organize outside crimes, promote smuggling, plan escapes and riots, or worse.

The breeds of dog most commonly used as cell phone detection dogs are common working breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd. This is due to that fact that these breeds are both widely available for use by police forces as well as being extremely intelligent, obedient and efficiently trained.

While narcotics detection dogs have been used by prison officials for years, cell phone detection dogs have only just begun to make an appearance, with the first use of a cell phone detection dog taking place in 2006. Hopefully, these dogs will be continue to help prison officials prevent crime for years to come.

Dogs at War

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

Belgian Malinois- Protection dogs - CCK9 - BlogCanines have been a vital part of war efforts for thousands of years. Since ancient times they have been used by countless civilizations warring against each other. Certain civilizations even went so far as to honor the memories of dogs who fought bravely through the painting of murals. Since those ancient times, the roles of dogs in warfare have changed considerably, but there is no denying that the military working dog is an essential part of any military campaign.

Military working dogs today are rarely deployed to the front lines of heated battle. Instead, just as military roles for humans have largely shifted to smaller, and more covert operations, military dogs are being deployed for more specialized purposes. The battlefield of today is worlds apart from the battlefields of our forefathers. Enemy soldiers are often hidden among civilians, wearing civilian clothes. Military canines must be able to react in a split-second in the event of a surprise attack from an armed aggressor in civilian attire.

Another important role is that of scouting, surveillance and detection of explosives. Improvised explosive devices can be disguised and hidden in a wide variety of ways. While these devices can quickly catch a human off-guard, a military canine can pick up on the minute scents of explosive materials before they cause harm. Some canines are being outfitted with new technologies to help small teams scout ahead of an area. Small cameras attached to the head of a dog allows the handler to see everything the dog sees before their team moves into position.

The majority of military working dogs are German Shepherds, although Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are becoming more popular. Sadly, although many military dogs are made to wear specially designed bullet-resistant Kevlar vests, they are far from invincible. Numerous military memorials bare the names of canines who have fallen in service to their countries. They are a true testament to the loyalty and bravery of dogs at war.

Women and Personal Protection Dogs

Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Woman & Protection Dogs- CCK9 -BlogMany women come to us trying to decide if a Personal Protection Dog is right for them. The truth is that nearly 70% of our clientele are single women and mothers. Knowing this, we ensure that all of our protection dogs undergo training with female handlers in order to make a smoother transition to their future owners. We also ensure that all of our protection dogs are well socialized and good with children. Our dogs are ideal for canine protection because they can be taken anywhere including airports, to the mall, or to public parks. This means that you get true 100% protection no matter where you go.

The dogs we sell here are very special. We do not buy from wholesalers because they do not produce high quality dogs. Only about 1% of the dogs we see are actually good enough to go through our training program. The breeds we use are also very important. German Shepherds are the most common and most popular breed that we train to be protection dogs, while Belgian Malinois are a close second. All of our German Shepherd puppies and Belgian Malinois puppies come from top of the line litters. They are the best of the best.

To conclude: if you feel that you or your children deserve the safety and security of true protection, then a CCK9 Personal Protection Dog is right for you.

Will a Beauceron Make a Good Guard Dog?

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

Guard Dogs- CCK9 - Blog -23The Beauceron,  less commonly referred to as the Berger de Beauce, is a centuries-old breed that originated in Northern France.  While the name might imply that the breed is specifically from the Beauce region, its origins are actually spread across several regions in the North of France. The breed was originally developed for use as a shepherd dog, and to guard livestock. Since then, the breed has gained a reputation in France for it’s abilities as a guard dog and its service in both World Wars.

Physically, the Beauceron is  a large, muscular dog. The coat is short, course and most commonly Black and Tan. Several color variations also exist, but they are not included in the breed standard. Unlike many other breeds which may or may not have a dewclaw, the Beauceron is known for having a double dewclaw on each rear leg. Similar in appearance to many of the Pinscher breeds, the Beauceron is one of the breeds from which the Doberman Pinscher was developed.

The history of the Beauceron and its natural guard instincts make the breed a suitable candidate for use as a guard dog. However, the mental development of the Beauceron is slower than in other common working dog breeds such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. As a result, care must be taken to avoid rushing into vigorous training exercises before the dog is ready.

What is a Cadaver Dog?

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Protection Dog  - CCK9  - blog -  00Cadaver dogs perform a grim task, but it is a task that is every bit as essential to modern police forces as the work of a detective or a crime-scene investigator. A cadaver dog is a special type of sniffer dog trained specifically to recognize and pin-point the location of human remains. Extensive research goes into the training of cadaver dogs in order to make them as accurate as possible. Some cadaver dogs are even able to detect the presence of human remains under flowing water. This is especially important to the investigation of homicides.  Locating the body of the recently deceased in a homicide case is crucial in obtaining the evidence required for the police to make an arrest, and for the jury to make an informed verdict.

Even in the case of accidental death, locating the body is often an important step in the process of grief and recovery for the families involved. After the attacks of 9/11, while search and rescue dogs were on the look out for survivors, cadaver dogs were also deployed to locate the bodies of unfortunate victims. For many, locating the remains of their loved ones was an essential step in accepting the terrible tragedy that had occurred.

Being a cadaver dog is a trained skill requiring both obedience and a strong nose. Common tracking breeds such as the bloodhound often rely on recently shed skin cells that naturally fall from the skin of living beings. It is because of this that these breeds have greater difficulty in tracking the deceased. The most common breed of dog used as a cadaver dog is the German Shepherd. However, other working breeds such as the Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd, as well as retriever breeds such as the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever also make excellent cadaver dogs.

The History of the Bloodhound as a Working Dog

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Guard Dogs - CCK9 - Blog  -16The bloodhound is a classic working dog with a long history. As with many hounds, it is speculated that the bloodhound was developed by the Belgian and french people, centuries ago. The bloodhound is mentioned in writings dating back as early as the 14th century, where they were bred for the purpose of hunting deer and wild boar. The bloodhound’s long history of use as a hunting dog have given the breed a reputation for remarkable tracking skills. It is a misconception that bloodhounds were frequently used in packs. In fact, most bloodhounds track solo in order to minimize noise and to avoid startling their game.

As hunting changed over the years, so did the role of the bloodhound as a working dog. Local police forces began to take note of the breed’s incredible ability to track human beings by scent. Before the abolishment of slavery, bloodhounds were imported to the United States and used to track runaway slaves. Since then, they have found more noble work with police forces who have used them to track criminals and locate missing persons.

Today, bloodhounds are a popular cultural icon and often seen on film or on TV. However, the actual use of bloodhounds by the police has diminished. The gentle nature of the bloodhound combined with difficulties in training and obedience have caused the police to take on more protection-oriented breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherd. However, bloodhounds are still sometimes used in tracking situations where there is little to no risk of danger to the police officer and the dog.

Should a Working Guard Dog be Spayed or Neutered?

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Guard Dogs- CCK9 - Blog - 12There are many misconceptions about the purpose of hormones in the development and temperament of a dog. For instance, while many people believe that more testosterone will produce a larger dog, the truth is that testosterone causes the bones of a dog to stop growing earlier. In this article, we will outline the facts of how having your guard dog spayed or neutered will affect it’s growth, temperament, and ability work.

Firstly, you should always wait until your dog is at least 2 years of age before having them spayed or neutered. While it is true that having them spayed or neutered early may produce a larger dog, their bones will not develop evenly, and they will have problems with balance. After 2 years of age, it is mostly a matter of preference. For house pets, having a dog spayed or neutered is an effective method of lowering the number of accidental births and the creation of stray dogs. However, this not something that the responsible owner of a working dog should be concerned with.

We at Command Control K9 don’t spay or neuter our guard dogs, whether they are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois. We feel that this is unnatural  and it does nothing to change the temperament of your Protection Dog. In fact, spaying or neutering your protection dog ruins his or her ability to judge their world correctly.

Introducing Your Protection Dog to Babies

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Guard Dogs - CCK9- Blog - 08Whether it is the introduction of a new protection dog into a home with an infant, or the introduction of a newborn child into a home that already owns a protection dog, the initial introduction is important in establishing a good relationship between your protection dog and your child. A well-trained dog should already be comfortable around children and infants. However, safety should still be a concern. There are a number of steps you can take to help ensure that the introduction goes smoothly.

Introducing a new child into a home that already owns a protection dog can sometimes be troublesome when it causes an abrupt change in your canine’s routine. Negative changes in routine such as suddenly reducing the amount of time and attention spent on your dog will quickly be associated with the new child. In order to prevent this, it is best to change your dog’s routine well in advance of the child’s arrival. It is also advisable to introduce new furniture into the home sooner rather than later. Before the baby is brought home, you can use an article of clothing or a blanket used by the child to familiarize your protection dog with the scent of the newborn. While your dog is in its crate, place the article of clothing next to the crate, and your dog will pick up on the smell. This will help the dog associate the scent with the comfort and familiarity of the crate. It is important that you do not let the dog mouth the article of clothing in any way.

When the time comes for the actual introduction, do not introduce your protection dog to your  child immediately upon entering the home. Wait until your dog is in a calm and relaxed state. Your dog will want to sniff the child to investigate the new arrival. You should allow this briefly, and then return the dog to it’s normal routine. As your child ages, he or she may be inclined to pull the hair or ears of your dog. It is up to you to teach your child the correct and incorrect ways to interact with your canine, and to monitor your child closely until he or she is able to make this distinction.

Common protection dog breeds such as the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd are well known for having good temperament and being good around children. Taking the proper precautions when introducing your protection dog to an infant will help reinforce the correct behavior and help build a strong relationship between your canine and your child.



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