With three medium to large-sized dogs milling about my home, it is inevitable that conversations turn to dogs when friends visit over the holidays.
During these times, I often find myself correcting old wives' tales about dogs that are either outdated beliefs or just plain bad information, such as the comment from a devout cat person who insisted that the amount of hair between a dog's toes determined how warm a dog's body temperature is.
"I read it on the Internet and it's true!" she exclaimed. When this comment was made I was three glasses into a bottle of red wine and my response was, well. .. never mind. But to answer that question for those who may have heard something similar, the amount of hair between a dog's toes has to do with the genetic traits of a dog breed and has nothing to do with a dog's internal body temperature. All dogs, regardless of size or breed, have the same internal body temperature, which is 38.3 to 39.2 C. Just like all humans have a body temperature of 37 C. Dogs cool themselves by panting and sweating through the pads of their feet.
This woman is not alone in having misinformation about dogs. These are some of the more humorous conversations I have had over the years: My dog Alex, who passed away of old age many years ago, was an unneutered male Doberman. I recall a scenario where I was standing out front of a convenience store. A woman approached us from behind and said, "Oh, I think your dog is in heat.
Me, sounding a bit confused, said, "Umm.. .. what?" She, now sounding a bit annoyed, as if I didn't hear her the first time, said a bit louder, "Your female dog is in heat, look she's swollen down there," pointing to my dog's rear end.
Me.. .. "Uh, my dog is a male and those are testicles."
*crickets* That was a classic case of how a little bit of information mixed with little or no life experience can be dangerous. This next one is just as funny.
I had gone to a consultation at the home of a new puppy owner. The owner had never had a dog before and I came over, as I often do, to arrange a training and socialization program for the young dog and owner. Partway through the session the owner said, "I think my dog is both male and female."
Me: "Umm.. .. what?" Him: "Look, he has a penis and nipples! He's a boy and girl dog, is that normal?" Me, trying hard to choose my words correctly so that I don't offend but rather educate my new client, said, "Uh, you're a boy right? You have your boy parts and you have nipples, right?" He, after a long period of contemplation says, "Ya, well I guess that makes sense that dogs would have them too." Sigh. And, yet another incident regarding the bits and pieces of dog parts. While at a consultation regarding a young male dog with house training issues I observed something very odd.
Me: "Didn't you say your dog was neutered?" Him: "Yes, the breeder had it done before he was eight weeks old." Me: "Well, that round thing there is a testicle." Him: "Umm, what?" I turned the dog onto its back and pointed a finger at the small single peanut-sized shape on the six-month-old chihuahua. "That is a testicle!" It seems as though the veterinarian may have missed removing one of the testicles of the small dog. This can sometimes happen when small breeds are neutered very young.
The last story has to do with my dog Zumi, who is a solid black German shepherd. While out socializing her as a puppy I found myself in a local hardware store. A woman approached and said, "What a lovely looking puppy, what is it?" Me: "She is a black German shepherd." Her: "Oh that's not true, I've had a German shepherd before and he wasn't black, so what is she really?" *crickets* Me: "You are right, I'm making that up. She is a border collie crossed with a bull dog." Her: "Oh my, what an interesting mix!" Sigh.
Hope you enjoyed a bit of Christmas cheer. From me and my canine family to you and yours, have a very merry Christmas!
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
