The daily borough bark by dockside dogs

How did the Shar-pei get all those wrinkles?!

2010-01-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Science explains the wrinkly dog

By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News

Just how did the Shar-pei get its famous wrinkled appearance?

Scientists who have analysed the genetics of 10 pedigree dog breeds believe they now have the answer.

Their research identifies 155 distinct locations in the animals' genetic code that could play a role in giving breeds their distinctive appearances.

In the Shar-pei, the team found differences in a gene known as HAS2 which makes an enzyme known to be important in the production of skin.

"There was probably a mutation that arose in that gene that led to a really wrinkly puppy and a breeder said, 'hey, that looks interesting, I'm going to try to selectively breed this trait and make more of these dogs'," explained Joshua Akey from the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle, US.

Small differences

The pedigree dog has become a fascination - and a remarkably useful research tool - for geneticists.

The domestication of the grey wolf more than 10,000 years ago, and the selective breeding that followed, has resulted in more than 400 breeds - each with a distinctive physique, coat colour and temperament.

These discrete populations give scientists the opportunity to compare and contrast the genetics of the different groups, making it easier to find the causes of specific traits.

"Man's best friend" is helping scientists locate the faulty genes that cause disease in both dogs and humans, as well giving a useful insight into how evolution works at a molecular level.

Dr Akey and colleagues studied 32 wrinkled and 18 smooth-coated Shar-peis and compared a specific stretch of their DNA with that of other breeds.

The team found four small, but significant, differences in the genetics of the two skin types of the Shar-pei versus the other breeds. These single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), as they are called, were located in the HAS2 gene.

New targets

"HAS2 makes hyaluronic acid synthase 2, and it's an enzyme that makes hyaluronic acid, and that's one of the principal constituents of the skin," explained Dr Akey.

"There are rare human cases where there are mutations that lead to really severe wrinkling in humans, too.

"So, that suggested it was a good candidate to look at; and sure enough, when we sequenced it we saw that that gene explained wrinkling in Shar-peis," he told BBC News.

As well as giving insights into the Shar-pei, the research has also identified a raft of other locations in the dog genome that can now be investigated further to understand better why pedigree animals look the way they do.

"The thing that excites me most about our study is that in the last five years, five genes have been identified that contribute to this vast diversity in dog breeds," said Dr Akey.

"So our study found all five of those genes and then we found 150 new targets to explore. It's a powerful approach to look at the genetic legacy of selective breeding."

Dr Akey and colleagues report their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Jonathan.Amos-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk

Local Adoption

2010-01-10T06:37:00.000-08:00

As a new feature of our blog we will be posting some local dogs for adoption in an attempt to help some deserving pooches find a home. Our first featured pup is Ava, a Rottweiler, Lancaster Heeler Mix.

Who could resist that cute face!

Ava is located at Cathy's Rottie Rescue in North Stonington, CT. She is around 40 lbs., is spayed and has been well socialized, she loves other dogs.

For more info on this adorable pup, or if you would like to adopt her click the below link or email Cathy's Rottie Rescue at rottrsq@comcast.net.

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14059182

Golden Retriever (Angel) saves 11-year old boy from cougar attack

2010-01-05T09:42:00.001-08:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

read to your dog!

2010-01-04T13:36:00.000-08:00

1. martha speaks by susan meddaugh

2. the dogs who found me by ken foster

3. from baghdad with love by lieutenant colonel jay kopelmen

4. help me mr. mutt by janet stevens and susan stevens crummel

5. the art of racing in the rain by garth stein

6. the everything dog book by carlos devito and dominique devito

7. merle's door by ted kerasote

8. dog by matthew vanfleet

9. broadway tails by bill berloni and jim hanrahan

10. walter the farting dog by william kotzwinkle and glenn murray

a clean dog is a happy dog

2010-01-03T10:53:00.001-08:00

a clean dog is a happy dog...and healthier too! we think that every dog deserves a special little spa treatment now and again along with regular bathing and grooming. here are some of our favorite suds and duds for getting your pup squeaky clean and smelling like a rose!

1. cure those rough, chapped, cracked paws and noses with happy tails spa "bow wow butter balm", 2. every dog needs a stylish cozy bathrobe to wrap up in after a long day at the spa! we love these dog bathrobes by harry barker...they even come in lots of color combos to chose from, 3. not only do we love the name of this "bubble + squeak" shampoo by olive green dog, but it smells amazing and is 100% organic!, 4. no one wants to deal with those nasty little bugs on their pup so we recommend using this "flea the scene" skin soothing insect spray by happy tails spa. it works like a charm and even has sunscreen!, 5. you will really "dig your dog" as Lani says after you bath and condition it in their "woods" line of shampoo and conditioner! go ahead and let your pup hit the mud because this particular concoction is for dogs who love to get extra dirty. for those slightly stinky in-between-bath days spritz a little "woods" body spray on your pooch and he will be fresh and clean until you can find time for a good scrubbing!, 6. and to wrap up our last favorite thing will let you do just that- wrap up your furry friend in one of these harry barker bone towels! the perfect size for any dog! towel off fido and he is free to play...in the dirt of course so you can do the spa day all over again!

photos: lani dig your dog, olive green dog, harry barker, happy tails spa

More Products At DSD Receiving Press

2010-01-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

Did you know that the Cloudburst rain jacket from West Paw design was recently featured in Bark Magazine? These eco-friendly jackets are made from 100% recycled materials, though you would never know it from the way they look and how well they perform even in the wildest rainstorms.

Also featured as a "New Pup-Perfect Product" available at Dockside Dogs is the Great Unsinkables; durable, floating plush fish, seahorse and shark.

Worlds Tallest Dog

2009-12-29T10:43:00.000-08:00

Checkout Titan, the world's tallest dog!!

(notice his RuffWear GripTrex Boots, great for the winter!)

Meet Gaper and Gus

2009-12-28T09:04:00.000-08:00

We've had this blog now for a couple of weeks and had out store open for over 5 weeks and we haven't taken the opportunity to introduce everyone to our pooches; Gaper and Gus...

Gaper is a three and a half year old Cairn Terrier.

He absolutely LOVES to play fetch and also enjoys running in frantic circles around the yard. His favorite toys are his Ruff Wear frisbee, 3" rubber Vibram Ball and the Ballistic Ball Blaster (great for a portable easy game of fetch).

When its time for a treat, Gaper goes nutty for Olive Dog's Peanut Butter & Banana Treats (he loves fruit and peanut butter!).

Gus is our one and a half year old Yorkie...

...who is a prodigy when is comes to stealing toys and playing keep-away, while his true favorite pastime may be swimming. He is crazy for anything with a squeaker (his organic seahorse from West Paw is a fav) and also enjoys his Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Bone and Harry Barker Rope toy.

His favorite treat is Polka Dog's Lucky Duck Treats or anything else with real meat in it.

2009-12-23T11:18:00.000-08:00

New Puppy Tips

2009-12-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

Santa Paws

2009-12-21T13:30:00.001-08:00

Hungry? Thirsty?

2009-12-21T13:16:00.001-08:00

Every doggie needs a bowl or two...we have some extra special ones to share with you...

1: large lobster bowl by melia luxury pet, 2: polkadog packabowl, 3:small whale bowl by melia luxury pet, 4: hungry/thirsty bowls from wagwear

Dangerous Foods for Dogs

2009-12-18T13:25:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season for lots of eating and lots of treats...so keep in mind as you are enjoying your holiday sweets and feasts that you really should be extra careful when it comes to sharing foods with your pup. We say just stick to giving them special doggie treats and food... but if you must share be aware that the following foods can be very harmful to your furry friend!

The ASPCA's List of 13 Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet

Alcoholic beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma and death.
Avocado: Its high fat content can lead to Pancreatitis.
Chocolate (all forms): Contains caffeine, theobromine or theophylline which can be toxic to the heart and nervous system.
Coffee (all forms): Contains caffeine which can be toxic to the heart and nervous system.
Fatty foods: Can cause Pancreatitis.
Macadamia nuts: Contains toxins which can affect the muscles, digestive system, and nervous system.
Moldy or spoiled foods: Could contain multiple toxins
Onions, onion powder: Contains sulfoxides and disulfides which can damage red blood cells, resulting in anemia.
Raisins and grapes: Contains toxins which can damage kidneys, cause kidney failure and lead to death.
Salt: Can cause electrolyte imbalance if eaten in suffient quantities.
Yeast dough (Unbaked): Can expand in digestive system and cause bloat, leading to death.
Garlic: Similar to onions (above) except garlic is considered to be less toxic and safe for dogs when used in moderation. Often used to flavor food or treats but should be used sparingly.
Products sweetened with xylitol: This common artifical sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures.

Gifts That Give Back

2009-12-17T07:18:00.000-08:00

2009-12-16T08:23:00.000-08:00

GO FETCH

2009-12-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

The classic came of fetch is a dogs favorite! It's great fun and great exercise. Weather your dog is a seasoned pro or needs to be taught how to play fetch we have lots of fun things that can help with their game. If you are looking to teach your pup how to retrieve things start by throwing a ball and when they bring it back reward them with a yummy treat!

Here are some of our favorite things for fetch!

PLANET DOG'S SNOWBALL IS GREAT BECAUSE YOU CAN STUFF TREATS INSIDE TO GIVE THE DOG EXTRA INCENTIVE TO "GO GET IT"

THIS ROPE BALL BY MY GOOD DOG IS GREAT FOR FETCH BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO TOUCH THE DIRY BALL YOU JUST PICK IT UP BY THE ROPE! GREAT FOR HEAVY DUTY CHOMPERS!

FOR THE POOCH WHO LIKES TO JUMP THESE HOVER CRAFTS BY ROUGHWEAR ARE SUPER! THEY ARE REALLY DURABLE AND COME IN SMALL AND LARGE SIZES. OH, AND THEY FLOAT!

Protecting Paws In Winter

2009-12-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Winter can wreak havic on your pooches paws. For starters, rock salt and icemelts used on roads and sidewalks can irritate your dog's paws (also leading to the risk of injesting chemicals if your dog licks his/her paws). Dog's paws are also suseptable to frostbite and the fur around your doggie's paws often collects snowballs when they play in the snow.

However, there are many things owners can do to protect their dog's paws and ensure they enjoy the outdoors even in the colder months. First of all, be sure to use pet-friendly icemelts to clear your driveways and sidewalks. Since we can't control what other people use its important to be sure to rinse your dog's paws off after a walk. If you notice your their paws have become cracked or frostbitten there are many soothing solutions. We recomend Happy Tails Spa's "Bowwow Butter Balm", available in our store, to sooth cracked paws and help alleviate discomfort.

Of course, be sure to consult your vet if any serious problem areas appear on your dog's paws.

Another good method to prevent snow buildup is to trim the fur bewteen and around your dogs paws. Trimming your pooches nails also helps (when a dog has long nails it's toes spread easier, creating more surface area for snow to collect).

To truly prevent damage to your dog's paws pick up a pair of our doggie boots, Ruff Wear's "Bark'n Boots Grip Trex".

DOGS vs CATS (we say the dogs win!!)

2009-12-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

The Sydney Morning Herald details the latest dog vs cat competition that has taken place-- who truly is "man's best friend"? ... and the WINNER is the dog! They may say cats are smarter but we agree that when it comes to a true friend a dog will never let you down! WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD WIN?

(This article was written...tomorrow...by an Australian paper...)

Is it reigning cats or dogs?

PETER HAWKINS December 13, 2009

THE claws are out after an international study comparing dogs and cats confirmed that the former has earned the moniker of man's best friend. Canines and felines were put to the test in 11 categories (and dogeries!), with dogs winning "by a whisker".

The pet showdown, which New Scientist magazine compiled from scientific journals, declared tractability (or manageability), bonding and understanding gave dogs their "superior vocabulary and eagerness to engage".

Pooches collected bonus points for being an older species – historically speaking – and for problem solving and being all-rounders.

Cats scored highly for having almost twice as many brain cells and a greater population.

They also won in vocalisation and for having better senses: a more acute nose, superior night vision and a higher auditory range than the average dog.

The study also found cat food had a smaller ecological pawprint.

But Associate Professor Paul McGreevy from the University of Sydney's faculty of veterinary science said the calculations were questionable. The "best in show" title was best left up to the individual.

"It depends on what sort of an interaction you are looking for," said Dr McGreevy, author of A Modern Dog's Life. Humans and dogs may have a more profound relationship because their interactions were not confined to the home. "Plenty of people travel with dogs, go to work with dogs, and exercise with dogs," he said.

Bradley Trevor Greive, author of Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats, said it was like comparing a polar bear with a flamingo: "People think cats are a low-cost, low-effort equivalent of a dog but they're entirely different and because of that we have these huge problems with so many dumped pets."

Bambi Edwards, who has been breeding cats at Cronulla for 30 years, said cats were perfect for the elderly: "The more time you give a cat the more you get out. Cats are very intelligent . . . they respond to their owner's voice and footsteps."

Margaret and Rob Walden, from Sydney's northern beaches, who have three Rhodesian ridgebacks, said a home without dogs lacked life. “I show them, take them on holidays, walk them and they're happy when you come home," Mrs Walden said.

SMARTS

Winner: Cats. A cat's brain mass compared with its body mass is much bigger than that of the average dog, according to New Scientist. Cats have 300 million neuron cells in the brain, compared with a dog's 160 million.

HISTORY

Winner: Dogs. Evidence suggests cats have been around for 9500 years, while dogs have been traced back to between 16,000 and 135,000 years ago.

FELLOWSHIP

Winner: Dogs. "By nature, cats are loners," the study said. Yet dogs have descended from pack animals. "Give a four-month-old puppy the choice and it will choose a human companion over a dog."

MASS APPEAL

Winner: Cats. In the top 10 cat-owning countries there are almost 204 million cats, while in the top 10 dog-owning countries there are fewer than 173 million pooches.

UNDERSTANDING

Winner: Dogs. "Dogs can follow human pointing gestures such as an outstretched finger or nod of the head to find food," the study said. The "superior vocabulary" of a dog and "eagerness to engage with its owner" also made them winners.

PROBLEM SOLVING

Winner: Dogs. They favour a collaborative approach. Being guide dogs for the blind and their ability to step in and solve problems for their masters are listed as positives.

VOCALISATION

Winner: Cats. This is supported by a study this year which reveals that cats can use their "crooning to ensnare us . . . they produce a sound that brings out our nurturing side".

TRACTABILITY

Winner: Dogs.

Finding it easy to learn and obey rules makes dogs the winners here. They "learn the same way as human infants . . . with the dog attending to cues such as eye contact, gesture and vocalisation", the study said.

SUPER SENSES

Winner: Cats. The average cat with its 200 million smell receptors has a more acute nose than a dog. Cats can also see in light levels six times lower than we can, while dogs can only see five. A cat's auditory range of 45 to 64,000 hertz is also greater than a dog's 67 to 45,000 hertz.

ECO-FRIENDLINESS

Winner: Cats. The average cat requires 0.15 hectares of land a year to keep it fed, while a medium-sized dog needs 0.84 hectares.

UTILITY

Winner: Dogs. They are the clear winner here, owing to their ability to hunt, herd and guard. They are used to detect drugs and bombs with their noses, race for sport and pull sleds. They also have health and social benefits for owners by needing to be walked.

The Bark Magazine Safe Dog Toy List

2009-12-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

These are some great toys for dogs that are safe and fun! The brands recommended by The Bark Magazine (seen below) are all ones that we carry in our shop. These companies (among many others) are really doing a great job creating fun, interactive and healthy toys to keep all of our furry friends busy and active!

PLANET DOG

A “values-based” Maine company that offers a full spectrum of fetching, nontoxic, recyclable U.S.-made toys. The Orbee-Tuff toys, from the TUG, with its mighty “flip-grip” technology, to spongy pastel-hued baby bones, come in a range of strengths; chew on the website’s “Chew-O-Meter” to determine the right ones for your dog.

WEST PAW DESIGN

This Montana-based company focuses on environmentally friendly production. Its “Zogoflex” is a tough yet flexible proprietary material that utilizes 10 percent post-industrial waste. While that “green” claim may sound as appetizing as “eat your greens,” the toys are recyclable (if returned to the company). Zogoflex is advertised as nontoxic, FDA-compliant and free of “any known sources of lead, cadmium, mercury, latex, natural rubber, phthalates, hormones, Bisphenol A, or asbestos.” The dishwasher-safe Tux has an inner lip for hiding treats, adding another layer of fun and challenge.

GO DOG

Realistic plush toys that will thrill most dogs, but aren’t suitable for aggressive chewers. A new proprietary process (Chew Guard technology) has been added to some stuffed products, enabling them to withstand more rigorous play. The toys, made in China, are double-stitched, reinforced and machine washable. Their label, “New Material Only,” means the product is not made from reprocessed fabric, vinyl or plastics.

(company descriptions from www.thebark.com)

images from planet dog, west paw design, go dog

molly mutt on the TODAY show

2009-12-10T12:12:00.000-08:00

Molly Mutt dog duvet and stuff sack is for sale in our store and today it was featured on the TODAY show!

Watch the clip above to learn about this amazingly practical and cute bed.

We have all three sizes available in our store (small, med and huge)!