The Long Coat Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd, also known as the Hollandse Herdershond, is a medium-sized shepherd dog valued for its intelligence, loyalty and quick reflexes. Having been bred for their working ability, their build and mental capacity remain fairly consistent, but the length and colour of their coats can vary greatly from dog to dog. The breed's coat comes in three varieties: short, long and wire. The short and long coat varieties each have a very straight, coat that should lay close to the body, with the long variety being obviously longer. The wire coat variety has a thick, rough, medium-length coat. Unlike the German Shepherd, who's long-coated varieties lack an undercoat, all Dutch Shepherds have a thick undercoat, regardless of their coat's length.

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

Grooming a long coat Dutch Shepherd is typically no more trouble than grooming a short coat. Both require about the same amount of regular brushing to remove loose hairs. Without regular grooming, a longer coat may become matted more easily, but both varieties should be groomed regularly regardless of this fact. Grooming the wire coat variety can be more involving, as brushing can ruin the undercoat. Wire coat dogs often require professional grooming.

Outside of The Netherlands, the Dutch Shepherd has yet to reach the level of popularity enjoyed by other working breeds such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. However, the Dutch Shepherd is a strong, versatile breed. They are excellent Guard Dogs and Protection Dogs. Aside from the excess grooming required of the wire coat variety, the length of coat should make no difference to their working ability. Each variety has a thick, weather-proof undercoat that makes them suited for work in a variety of conditions.

KNPV And The German Shepherd Dog

CCPROTECTICIONDOGS.COM

KNPV is a term that comes up often when speaking of working dogs, and with good cause; KNPV is one of the most challenging and well-respected dog sports in the world. Between 800 and 1000 dogs get their KNPV PH1 title each year. Of these, only about 5 will be German Shepherds.

KNPV titles can only achieved in Holland, where the sport originates, and the vast majority of competing dogs will be Holland's favoured breed: the Belgian Malinois. For a German Shepherd to achieve a KNPV title is an extremely difficult task that requires a hard dog with strong nerves. KNPV also requires a dog that is intelligent, loyal and sociable as well.

Training a dog for the KNPV PH1 title takes dedication and commitment. Training normally takes been 2-3 years to complete. To train a dog for this long, with the level of intensity required for KNPV takes a true love for dog sport and dog training. Trained German Shepherd Puppies or Belgian Malinois puppies must begin at a very young age.

While KNPV is the closest dog sport to real protection work, one should never forget that it is just a sport. However, KNPV forms the basis of breeding standards in Holland. Only the best dogs make it through to achieve a KNPV title, and the litters bred from KNPV titled dogs are ensured to have the strength and nerves required of true Protection Dogs. Very few KNPV dogs are female, as the best females are always held back for breeding.

What is Your Protection Dogs Ouch Tolerance?

Not many will know the answer to this question, most will not even know what an ouch tolerance is. One of the common definitions for tolerance is, the act or capacity of enduring, and this definition coincides well with ouch tolerance. Ouch tolerance is when your protection dog gives a yelp after giving them a leash correction when disciplining them. If your dog steps out of line, by no means never should you hit, kick or yell at the dog. Instead discipline them by giving them a leash correction, which in turn triggers their ouch tolerance.

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

A scale is used to determine your dog's tolerance, it ranges from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest and 1 the lowest. Every dog has a different threshold, in terms of their ouch tolerance correction. If your dog has a low tolerance, this does not mean that they are weak. All this means is that your dogs is handler sensitive, and for some a dog with a lower ouch tolerance works better. This is especially true for elderly people who own a protection dog.

While training a Executive Protection Dog, the dog's ouch tolerance can usually be determined. When you are training your dog on a leash, you can detect it best. This is because you will be able to tell when your dog yelps or how much it takes them to yelp after correcting them on a leash. Training your dog on a leash can occur by simply walking down a street. There are certain pieces of equipment that are often necessary for this kind of training.

A prong collar is often used because it has a better effect, unlike a flat collar that has little to no effect. Prong collars are used in the learning face, obedience, basics obedience, and intermediate face of the obedience training. A very lazy and unbeneficial way to train your Personal Protection Dog is the electric collar, or more commonly referred to as the shock collar. It is important to correct your protection dog accordingly, whether its is a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherd. For example, if they do not sit when you come to a stop sign, it is not the end of the world.

If a Elite Protection Dog has a certain ouch tolerance, you should take this into consideration for your correction level; for example, if your dog has a ouch tolerance of a five, then the correction level should be a three. There must always be a constant communication between you are your dog, and it is important to treat your dog fair,but firm.

The Best Dogs For Guard Dogs

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

The 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 airplanes 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. 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 this kind of work. Every dog is different, and choosing a suitable 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.

Do Long Coat German Shepherds Make Good Protection dogs

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

Most German Shepherds have a double coat, meaning that they have an outer coat layered with a thicker undercoat. The length of this coat is most commonly medium, but a long coated variety exists. However, the long coated variety only has a single outer coat, and lacks the thicker undercoat. The long coat gene is recessive, meaning that it must be passed on from both parents in order for a long coat to occur. This makes the long coated variety considerably more rare than those with medium length coats.

Von Stephanitz, the German Shepherd breeder who developed and standardized the breed in the 1800s, discouraged against the long-coated variety. The lack of undercoat makes the dogs less resistant to weather, and also makes the coat lack the waterproofing that an undercoat provides. They should still be able to perform as a Personal Protection Dog or a Guard Dog, but only if they are in a suitable climate and will not be expected to swim through icy water or be kept outdoors in frigid winter conditions. Unfortunately, the recessive quality of the long coat gene means that many long coated German Shepherds are bred from a limited gene pool in order to maintain this trait.

Their limited gene pool, as well as the fact that they are being bred for the appearance of their coat over working ability, means that many long coated German Shepherds may not have the appropriate temperament required for true protection work. However, this is not true of all long coat German Shepherd Dog.

The KNPV Small Article Exercise

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

The Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging (KNPV) is a dog sport originating in Holland that uses a number of exercises in an attempt to mimic situations encountered by police k9 units. One such exercise is centered around a search for small articles.

The KNPV small articles search takes place in a square section of grassy field. Three small objects, such as a key, a ring, a bullet casing, or a coin, are placed on the field. The dog then has 10 minutes to search the field and retrieve the objects. The handler is permitted to give basic commands instructing the dog to search, stay or release the retrieved object. A retrieval time of under 3 minutes is required to obtain a perfect score, while the dog is also graded on general obedience, the manner in which it searches the field, and how it handles the objects during the retrieval stage.

The intent of this exercise is to train the dog to act in a manner that mimics a police search for evidence. Unfortunately, the way this exercise is performed by the KNPV presents a number of problems when compared against what would be required of a search conducted by actual police forces. One of the biggest problems is that the dog is trained to mouth the object, pick it up and bring it back to the handler. In a real police search, investigators wear latex gloves to avoid disturbing the evidence any more than absolutely necessary. To have the dog mouth a piece of evidence might completely ruin it. The correct action for the dog to take would be to indicate passively by sitting next to the found article. Secondly, because KNPV is a sport, the exercises are performed with specific regulations concerning the search area. During a search, an officer can almost never rely on evidence being simply dropped in a perfectly square patch of grassy field.

The most important thing to remember is that KNPV like all other dog sports, is just a sport. Police dogs, Protection Dogs and Personal Protection Dogs a like need to be trained to handle real situations from the very beginning. Training for sport just isn't good enough for work in the real world.

Should a Protection Dog Be Spayed Or Neutered

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

There 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. Areas of bone known as growth plates wait for an increase in testosterone before closing. Without testosterone, these growth plates stay open much longer. In this article, we will outline the facts of how having your Executive Protection 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.

Given the choice, it is preferable that you do not spay or neuter your Personal Protection Dog, whether they are German Shepherds, Dutch Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois. This is unnatural and it does nothing to change the temperament of your Protection dogs. In fact, spaying or neutering your protection dog ruins his or her ability to judge their world correctly.

The German Poachers Coat

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

Many would agree with the statement that man's best friend has always been known as a loyal and loving companion. Dogs have always had the natural tendency to protect their owner, that is why for years they have been trained to become trustworthy protection/guard dogs. These dogs are intensively trained to constantly be there looking out for your family and ensuring their safety. The dogs know that their owner will protect them from harm and in return do the same for them. Often great guard dogs are born and not just trained to become one. Certain breeds are simply meant to be Protection Dogs, such as the Belgian Malinois, because they are born with a solid temperament and the natural instinct to protect. To create a dog into an excellent protection dog, constant training needs to be started from when the dog is very young. Many techniques and different types of equipment is used during the training of these dogs. For example, The German Poachers Coat is a piece of equipment that is used in the training to make a ordinary dog into a phenomenal Executive Protection dogs.

The German Poachers Coat is a 3/ 4 length bite coat that is worn by a decoy during a defense exercise. It is an old fashioned design, which is made to permit easy movement. This coat is also used in leg transfer training as well. In training we primarily use three types of bite suits, the French Ring, KNPV bites, and the German Poachers Coat. We do not use any sleeve tugs or towels in our training, instead we use interchangeable sleeves. We use these because they allow you to use different metals, which keeps the dog challenged during training. All of our Elite Protection Dogs are trained in defense meager starting from a young age, we do not train our dogs in pray. This is why it takes a very special dog with strong nerves to do the type of training to ultimately become a protection dog. The decoy (helper) must be very experienced to withstand the compression of a strong dog on the poachers coat. Our dogs are trained not only to bite the legs, but to initially target the weapon hand. When a strong dog engages, the decoy will feel the pressure but not the pinch. The German Poachers Coat is a very valuable piece of equipment when it comes to training a strong, civil, functional Personal Protection Dogs.

To Kennel Or Not To Kennel Your Protection Dogs

A dog kennel or a dog run is an enclosed outdoor area, usually secured by a chain-link fence and gate, in which a canine is kept. The use of a kennel has become standard practise, especially among owners of working dogs and other large canines. However, while the use of a dog kennel certainly isn't terrible, it may not be the best solution for your canine.

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

When making your decision on whether or not to kennel your Personal Protection Dog you must take into consideration the natural behavior of a dog. Many people make the mistake of assuming that what feels natural to them as a human will be true of their canine. Unlike many humans, dogs are not claustrophobic. In fact, small enclosed environments that simulate natural dens make them feel protected and comfortable. However, while this applies to the dog house or crate where your canine will be spending his nights, it does not apply to the kennel or dog run where your canine may have to spend his days.

The ideal environment to keep your dog would be a large, fenced-off yard. Some kind of fence or enclosure is preferred, especially in rural environments, as it helps prevent other wild animals from wandering in. If your yard is not an option, a kennel may be the only other solution, but remember that bigger is always better. The more space you can give your canine, the happier and healthier it will be.

We at CC Protection Dogs don't believe in housing our Guard Dogs and Protection Dogs in the traditional method, which is to have dog kennels or dog runs. We feel that this creates erratic behavior in the dogs; they end up pacing back and fourth, and it creates a spinning effect. We at CC Protection Dogs prefer a more natural environment. That is why we give all of our Guard Dogs and Protection Dogs free range on our 5 acre state-of-the-art facility. This creates a much more balanced canine, and a much happier dog.

Illegal Immigrant Detection Dogs

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

Admiration should be shown for those who seek out better lives for themselves and their families in a new country. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing or able to go through the immigration process legally. Illegal immigration is a serious and often dangerous problem. The simple act of attempting to cross national borders has accounted for numerous deaths by drowning or heat exposure as people have attempted to cross through remote areas where they are less likely to encounter border security. Illegal immigrants who make it into a country are often susceptible to exploitation in the form of forced labor or prostitution. It is for reasons such as these that customs and border patrol units must be prepared to ensure the safety of both citizens and illegal immigrants by preventing unlawful entry into the country

Of the numerous tactics employed by border patrol units, one of the best and most effective is the use of specially trained illegal immigration detection dogs. These dogs must be both athletic and intelligent in order to react quickly and efficiently in a number of different scenarios. Many people guilty of human trafficking will attempt to hide illegal immigrants in unexpected places in their vehicles or amongst packaged goods. Fortunately, the keen noses of illegal immigrant detection dogs are able to precisely locate the scents of hidden human beings. For those that attempt border crossings in more remote areas, the athleticism of the dog becomes very important. Illegal immigrant detection dogs must be able to quickly traverse desert, forest and even water.

The most common breeds of dog used for this purpose are German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds due to their intelligence, athleticism and their success in other working roles such as that of a police dog or Protection Dogs. Illegal immigrant detection is just another way that these are incredible working breeds are being used to help keep our nations safe and secure.

Common Dog Health Problems

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

As with any mammal, there are a wide range of illnesses and diseases that could potentially affect your Protection Dogs. While most dogs will live their lives in relatively good health, there a number of common health problems that can occur in dogs, and should be watched out for. Remember that your protection dog is relying on its health and wellness in order to keep you and your family safe, so it is always in your best interests to ensure that your dog is in peak physical condition.

According to animal health insurance agencies, ear infections are the single most common health problem among Executive Protection Dogs. This is followed by skin problems, such as pyoderma, and gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. While none of these may seem immediately serious, these health problems can negatively affect the performance of your protection dog. Also, if left unchecked, they can eventually lead to life-threatening complications. Luckily, all three are fairly easy to spot. It's inadvisable to examine the ears of your dog closely without the help of a veterinarian, but you should be on the lookout for excess wax buildup or discharge that could signal an infection.

Also be aware of your dog's behavior. Dogs with ear infections will show their discomfort by rubbing their ears against carpeting or furniture, scratching their ears excessively, or shaking their heads as if there was water in their ears. To spot skin allergies, or other health problems, you should examine your dog's skin regularly for lesions or sores. This is also helpful in detecting the presence of certain parasites, such as ticks, which are another very common health problem among dogs. Finally, vomiting and diarrhea will be immediately obvious, but you should pay attention to your dogs eating habits, as changes in appetite may signal less obvious gastrointestinal problems.

Aside from the health problems that are common amongst all breeds, specific breeds sometimes suffer from certain health problems more than others. Due to the size of common working breeds, and the intense physical activity that they're expected to perform, joint problems are a common occurrence. Hip Dysplasia is a particularly common disorder that occurs often in working breeds such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois. In most cases, hip dysplasia won't become obvious until your dog has aged significantly, but you should always be on the look out for changes in your dog's stride, and any indications that your dog may be experiencing pain in the hips and joints.

Remember that if you are ever in doubt about the health of your Personal Protection Dog, you should never hesitate to contact your veterinarian. With knowledge and perseverance, you can help ensure that your dog will live a long and healthy life.

Ear Mites, What To Look Out For

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

What is an ear mite? Ear mites are tiny infectious organisms, similar to ticks, that infect the ear canals of dogs and cats. They are so small that to the naked eye, the look like a little white dot. Ear mites feed on the epidermal debris and ear wax. After burrowing into the ear canal, they cause inflammation which leads to the body creating more wax. Ear mites are usually transmitted through physical contact. This means that they are very contagious, so it is important for all of your pets to be treated at the same time. Ear mites are extremely painful and irritating because of the nonstop itching they cause your Personal Protection Dogs. As a result, the first symptom you will see is your dog constantly scratching, itching and shaking their head. A dark, waxy discharge can also be seen in Protection Dogs ears after awhile, caused from the ear mites. The amount of symptoms you see will also depend on the severity of the infestation. With more advanced infestations, the ear canals will begin to appear on the outside of your dog's ear canal.

Ear mites are very common in German Shepherds, but should be taken very seriously anyway. If they are left untreated, it could cause severe damage to the ear canal and possibly even hearing loss. If you see any kinds of signs that your dog could have ear mites, take them to the vet right away. It is always better to be safe, rather than sorry. When your dog is diagnosed, a cotton swab is used to sample the dog's ear wax. The vet will look for both mites and mite eggs, under a microscope. For treatment it is important to carefully clean out the dogs ears very gently, this goes a long way in trying to fix the problem. Dog ears are very sensitive, so any type of harsh movements could damage the ear drum. Next, a topical medication is applied to the ear. The medication contains anti-inflammatories to soothe the ear, anti-bacterial to minimize any other infection and an anti-paracidicital to kill the mites. This process of cleaning the ears and applying the medicine is usually continued for 7-10 days. The best way to prevent ear mites from every infecting your dog is to keep your Guard Dog away from any animal that could possible be infected. Most importantly just keep your eyes open for any strange behavior that your dog displays, and be ready to take them the the vet immediately.

Please remember that whether you have German Shepherd Protection Dog or any other breed of companion dog and they get a case of ear mites it's nothing to panic about just be sure to make an appointment as soon as you can to prevent any damage to the ear canal.

Do Protection Dogs Need Vitamin Supplements ?

All mammals, including both canines and humans, require vitamins and minerals in their diet. Although the nutritional needs of a dog are very different from that of a human, there are also many similarities. Each requires calcium, sodium, potassium, vitamins B, C, D, and a host of other common vitamins and minerals that naturally occur in our food. However, there are several options in terms of how to ensure that your protection dog is getting enough vitamins and minerals in its diet.

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

First and foremost, you should be feeding your dogs premium quality dog food. Cheap dog foods often contain little nutritional value to begin with, and many of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals are destroyed by heat during the manufacturing process. Many high quality dog foods often include added minerals to ensure that the food meets the recommended standards for canine nutrition. Even with the active lifestyle of guard dogs and protection dogs, high quality dog foods should contain all of the nutrients your canine requires without the need for additional supplements.

Alternatively, there are a number of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables that can be given to your dog raw alongside raw beef and bones. Carrots, pears and apples are all suitable examples. However, it should be noted that a raw food diet requires much more thought and consideration on the part of the handler. While some fruits and vegetables are healthy for your dog, others, such as grapes, raisins or tomatoes, can be toxic. Also, switching your canine directly from a commercial dog food diet to a raw food diet can be hard on the stomach. Always consult your veterinarian before making any radical changes in the diet of your Protection Dog.

Finally, there are vitamin supplements. The simple truth is that vitamin supplements are in no way a replacement for a healthy vitamin-rich diet. In fact, too much of a certain vitamin can be toxic, and vitamin supplements may inadvertently make your dog sick. The only time you should ever give your canine a vitamin supplement is under the advice of your veterinarian. Whether you have a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, or Dutch Shepherd, a natural, vitamin-rich diet is almost always the best solution.

How To Treat Lic in Your Protection Dog

Despite the best efforts of a handler to keep his or her protection dog clean, infestations of fleas, ticks or lice are sometimes inevitable. Luckily, lice is fairly uncommon among dogs in North America. However, the possibility of infestation still exists, and it is important to know what to look for, and what steps to take in the event that your dog does get lice.

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

While lice is commonly known as a human affliction, the type of lice that affect dogs is different, and cannot live off of humans. Just like fleas and ticks, dog lice can cause intense skin irritation and often carry serious diseases. However, unlike energetic fleas, dog lice move slowly and cannot jump or fly. While dog lice is different from the lice that affects humans, the symptoms and methods of treatment are largely the same. A dog with lice will scratch noticeably often, and will often be distracted by the irritation of its skin. Upon parting the dog's fur, you may find small white particles attached to the strands. These particles are eggs, and are the tell-tale sign of a lice infestation.

Luckily, lice in dogs is fairly easy to treat. An insecticide spray or bath is often enough to rid your Protection Dog or Guard Dog f the infestation, although your veterinarian may recommend that you dog have its fur shaved. If you have a German Shepherd puppy, or Belgian Malinois Puppy, you should consult your veterinarian for treatment advice before using insecticide sprays or baths. Finally, your dogs bedding and brushes should be replaced in order to prevent risk of reinfection.

Mine Detection Dogs

click on image

The use of land mines in warfare is extremely controversial. Years after a conflict has ended, minefields remain a threat to civilians in the area. Failure to record the precise location of minefields adds considerably to the number of civilian casualties and injuries that they cause.

The removal of mines is a slow and dangerous process. Land mines can be made from both metallic as well as non-metallic materials, meaning that metal detectors are often of no use in detecting mines. Fortunately, mine detection dogs are able to detect both metallic as well as non-metallic land mines by searching for minute traces of scent left behind by explosive devices. Due to the nature of their work, obedience, a calm temperament, and the ability to indicate passively are vital to their success

Sadly, no dog is perfect, and several mine detection dogs and their handlers have been lost to mine removal efforts. However, compared to other detection methods, mine detection dogs are nearly ten times as effective. Their use has effectively saved countless lives. In Afghanistan alone, several million land mines have been removed and deactivated thanks to the efforts of these dogs and their handlers.

From their early use during WWII, to the removal of mines in Vietnam and South Africa, to their current use in Afghanistan, the German Shepherd has always been a popular choice for use as a mine detection dog. Lately, similar working breeds such as the Belgian Malinois have also gained popularity for use in this role. This is largely due to the intelligence and loyalty of both breeds, allowing them to be trained quickly with minimum incidents.

Family Protection Dog and Family Friend

CCPROTECTIONDOGS.COM

Earlier this afternoon Sadie and I went for a walk together. I’ve decided that I should get in a bit more exercise and what better way than with my new buddy? I was just sitting on the couch watching TV and looked over at Sadie lying on her bed. I thought about how great she has been to us, not only as a family protection dogs, but as a friend too. Suddenly I found myself thinking of all the exercise she was accustomed to in Buffalo. We have been doing our best to take her outside as much as we can, my husband especially. However, right then I realized that I could do my part too.

So I got up, threw on some tennis shoes, and walked over to Sadie. Just like any dog, as soon as she heard me say, “walk” her ears perked up with excitement. Within a few minutes, we were out the door and making our way down the driveway. It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, perfect temperature and barely any clouds in the brilliant blue sky. I couldn’t help but smile as I looked down at Sadie, who looked equally as happy. Before she came to us, I would have been a little cautious walking by myself, but with a personal protection dogs at my side I had no worries whatsoever.

We continued throughout the neighborhood at a calm, comfortable pace, cherishing our surroundings. There were kids playing, birds chirping, and even other dogs running throughout yards. Suddenly I saw my friend Natalie walking towards us with her dog on a leash as she pushed her baby in a stroller. Once we reached them, I commanded Sadie to sit and she did without any hesitation. The presence of the baby and even the other dog did not phase her much, she just sat there calm and collected. On the other hand, Natalie’s golden retriever became incredibly hyper and wanted to sniff and play with Sadie very much. So much that Natalie had to pull her leash back and use all of her strength to keep him back. I knew that everything would be okay and as I looked down at Sadie, I realized once more how lucky I was to have such an amazing German Shepherd protection dog.

What To Do If Your Protection Dog Has A Dry Nose

Click on image

It is believed by many that a cold and wet nose is a sign of good health in a dog. While this is true to an extent, the health of your dog is not so black and white that it can be determined from a simple touch of the nose. A Executive Protection Dog cannot speak, so it is up to the handler to look for other signs of good or poor health.

Concerning a dog's nose, it is not necessarily true that a dog with a warm or dry nose will always be sick, nor is it true that a dog with a cool and wet nose will always be healthy. In many mammals, humans included, the purpose of the nose is to help clean and condition the air we breath in order to reduce the stress on our lungs and passageways. To a certain extent, the moisture from a dog's nose helps humidify the air that they breath in. However, this humidifying effect has much more to do with the inside of your dog's nose than the outside. Truthfully, the primary reason that a dog's nose will be wet is because dogs frequently lick their noses.Certain breeds of dog, such as the bulldog, often have dry noses due simply to the fact that the dog's tongue cannot reach its nose. Similarly, your own dog's nose may be dry during certain times of the day when less licking occurs, such as while it sleeps. Neither of these cases indicate a dog that is sick or unhealthy.

However, many dogs avoid licking their noses when they become ill. While a dry or warm nose by itself is certainly no indication of sickness, it may be one symptom accompanying a number of others, such as lethargy or difficulty breathing. As a general rule, you should always consult your veterinarian if your dog shows any other signs of illness, regardless of whether its nose is wet or dry. In rare cases, your dogs nose may not only become dry, but will begin to crack or produce sores. Excessive dryness lasting more than a day, or the appearance of sores on the nose should both be examined immediately by your veterinarian.

Whether you have a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois,  knowing the signs and symptoms of sickness in your Protection Dog is the most important step in ensuring it a long and healthy life. When in doubt, you should never hesitate to seek the advice of a trained and licenced veterinarian.

Puppies For KNPV

The Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging (KNPV), roughly translated as "Royal Dutch Police Dog Sport", is an intense dog sport that developed in the Netherlands as a way to test the breeding potential of working dogs to ensure their bloodlines remained strong and capable. While a variety of breeds are permitted to participate in KNPV, the sport is largely dominated by the Belgian Malinois. Although the breed does enjoy a fair bit of popularity in the area, its widespread use as a sporting dog for KNPV is a result of the Belgian Malinois' ability to prove itself in KNPV trials time and time again.

Click on image

Breeders put an incredible amount of time and effort into keeping their bloodlines strong and training their dogs to perform their absolute best. Whether they are training working dogs for police work, or sporting dogs for KNPV, it is important that training begins while the dogs are still puppies. A breeder must also determine the capabilities of his puppies very early on. While KNPV sporting dogs often produce very strong litters whose pups go on to be full-fledged police dogs or Protection Dogs, it is important to realise that the type of training they receive must be centered around the work they will be doing from the very beginning. Training a Belgian Malinois as a sporting dog will make it unsuitable for work as a true Personal Protection Dog, even if it were to be cross-trained. It takes a huge amount of skill and expertise on the part of the breeder to ensure that their Belgian Malinois are living up to their full potential and continuing to improve their bloodline.

What To Do When Your Protection Dog is Pregnant

Protection dogs that get selected for breeding should always be the pick of their litter, and the best of their bloodlines. However, even the strongest and sturdiest protection dog will need special attention during pregnancy. This article will offer tips on how to ease the process of pregnancy and prepare your canine for labor and whelping.

Click on image

After conception, the newborn puppies should arrive in about 54-72 days. The average is about 62 days, but you should always be prepared at least a week in advance. Unlike humans, the hormone levels do not change in a dog during pregnancy. Because of this, the only way to determine if your canine is pregnant is through an ultrasound. Puppies should be detectable through ultrasound after about 25 days from conception. After about 45 days, the skeletons of the pups should be visible through x-ray. While an x-ray it is not required, it can help to know the number and size of the pups beforehand in order to be better prepared for any problems during whelping.

During pregnancy, you should avoid giving your dog nutritional supplements. High quality dog food should be enough to give your dog and her pups the vitamins and calories they need. You should also start taking your dog's temperature. The average rectal temperature of a dog is between 100 to 102.5 degrees, Fahrenheit. Approximately 24 hours prior to whelping, your canine's temperature will drop by a couple degrees. This should be a good indicator that she is very close to giving birth.

About a week before whelping is expected, you should prepare a suitable area for the whelping to occur. Encourage the Dam to sleep in this area in order to allow her to get comfortable with it. It is important that this area be a safe, quiet place, away from activity and noise. The purpose of the whelping box is to help keep the puppies warm and safe. The box can be built out of plywood or cardboard. The sides of the whelping box should be high enough to protect the puppies from drafts, but leave the front open to allow the Dam to enter and leave the box comfortably. The box should be lined thickly with newspapers, or an old blanket if one is available. You should also gently wash the underside of the mother before whelping. As the puppies are born, you will want to put them in a warm place, kept in their mothers' sight. A basket with a heating pad or warm water bottle will work well.

Regardless of whether your dog is a Personal Protection Dog, Guard Dog or Executive Protection Dog, the above steps will help the pregnancy of your German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois or Dutch Shepherd go as smoothly and comfortably as possible.

Check Ups For Your Protection Dog

Some people may argue that if they feel healthy, then they have no reason to visit the doctor. Unfortunately, many of these people learn the hard way that they are mistaken. Any medical doctor will tell you that regular checkups are crucial to maintaining good health, and especially crucial to the early detection and prevention of disease. Your physician is sometimes able to detect the early signs of disease long before you would feel any pain. The exact same is true of canines, if not more-so. While you are able to verbally communicate any pain you might feel, your dog cannot. By the time your dog becomes visibly ill, it may be too late

click on image

On top of early detection of disease, there are a number of things that should also be taken care of by a vet. First and foremost is immunization shots. Some shots need not be given more than once, but many require an annual booster to maintain their effect. Another important aspect of a visit to the vet is dental and oral health.

The importance of maintaining your canine's health should be apparent to anyone. A Protection Dog cannot protect, and a Guard Dogcannot guard, if it is sick. While the majority of well bred working line dogs will be free of hereditary disease, there are still a number of contagious diseases that your dog can pick up from other dogs. We do our best to ensure that we breed only the strongest and healthiest German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds, but no dog is invincible and there is no excuse to avoid taking your dog to the vet. Early detection and prevention is key in preserving your dogs health. Veterinary check-ups should be performed at least annually.

KNPV Rules And Titles

Koninklijke Nederlandse Politiehond Vereniging (KNPV) is a popular dog-sport based out of the Netherlands. The name literally means "Royal Dutch Police Dog Association", and it was founded in the early 1900's as a way of testing the ability of dogs for their suitability for breeding and work as a police dog. As with any sport, the rules and exercises are clearly defined to ensure fairness among competitors. After over a century, the rules and titles involved in KNPV have changed and grown considerably, but the basic concepts remain.

Click on image

In KNPV, a team consisting of a dog and its handler compete to obtain varying levels of certification. Points are awarded or deducted based on performance in various exercises, and certificates are awarded to dogs who are able to obtain a high enough score. The most basic title in KNPV is known as Politiehond 1 (PH1). Competing dogs must first obtain this title before attempting any of the more challenging titles, and in Holland, a dog must have this title before it can work as a police dog. Obtaining this title involves completing exercises in obedience, scent work, water work, and protection. A score between 302 and 347 out of 440 possible points is enough for the dog be awarded Certificat A, which lasts for one year. A score above 348 awards the dog a full PH1 certificate, and a score above 402 awards the dog a Certificat Met Lof (certificate with honors).

After completing PH1, it is up to the handler to decide whether or not to continue training for a more advanced title. Possible titles are Politiehond 2 (PH2), Object Bewakinghond (ObjBW), Speurhond (SpH), and Reddingshond (RH). PH2 includes the same exercises as PH1, but at a more advanced level. ObjBW is considered a specialised Guard Dog title. It includes many of the same exercises as PH1, but does not include water work, and has a stronger focus on guarding. SpH is a very specialised title that focuses on complex tracking and scent work exercises. The exercises are judged harshly, and only about 20% of dogs attempting this title are able to obtain it each year. Finally, RH is a specialised title that focuses on search and rescue operations with exercises that simulate the rescuing of a drowning person, or a person trapped under rubble.

KNPV is both incredibly important in maintaining the quality of working breeds such as the German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois, as well as promoting standards for the training of police dogs, Protection Dogs, and Guard Dogs. However, as honorable as the sport is, one should always remember that KNPV is just a sport. 

Allergy Problem in Your Protection Dogs

Sensitivity to environmental substances is incredibly common among human beings. While severe reactions to substances occur in many people, mild allergies to pollen or dust mites are much more prevalent. However, humans are not the only mammals affected by these strange sensitivities. Canines are just as likely to have allergies as humans are. However, the way in which these allergies present themselves can be very different. It is important to know what signs to look for in your Executive Protection Dog, and what actions to take if you suspect your dog may be having an allergic reaction.

Click on Photo

Unlike in humans, where mild allergies to pollen or mold manifest as a stuffy nose, or watery eyes, dogs with these types of allergies often suffer from skin irritation, especially around the ears, paws, flanks and groin. While this is often nothing to be overly concerned about, excessive licking and scratching can create sores in the skin that may become infected.

It is also possible for your dog to have a food allergy. In severe cases, vomiting, diarrhea or even seizures may occur, but often the symptoms are harder to spot. Flatulence, sneezing, and general irritation of the mouth, throat, or intestinal tract may all result from a food allergy.

Finally, canines can sometimes be sensitive to certain types of insect bytes. This is especially true of dogs who have previously had very little contact with this type of insect. A dog with an allergy to flea bytes may suffer from irritated skin and itchiness in the area for as long as a week after the byte.

Detecting and pin-pointing allergies can be a very difficult task. It is common for allergies to develop over time rather than being present for birth, which makes the task of narrowing down possible allergens even more difficult. In all cases, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian if your German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois is suffering from any of the above symptoms. Every case is different, so it is up to you and your veterinarian to pin-point possible allergies. Of course, knowing what symptoms to look for is the first step in keeping your Personal Protection Dog happy and healthy.

Can Your Protection Dog Smell Cancer ?

In today's world, the risk of cancer is incredibly high. Thankfully, society has been working harder than ever in the effort towards cancer prevention and treatment. Considering the importance behind early detection of cancer, the thought that a canine might be able to detect early signs of cancer by scent alone is extremely promising.

Click on Photo

The idea that a dog's sense of smell might be powerful enough to detect cancer took off after a victim of skin cancer noticed their canine repeatedly sniffing and showing an interest in a skin lesion, which turned out to be melanoma. It is well known that certain breeds of dog are able to detect certain chemicals in the air in quantities as low as parts per trillion, and considering that certain cancers release specific toxins not released by healthy cells, it may be entirely possible for a dog to detect cancer. Over the past 4 years, there have only been a couple studies testing the theory that a dog can detect cancer in a patient. While both studies have had promising results, showing a rate of accuracy as high as 88%, they were both only preliminary tests, and used only a small sample of the population.

Regardless of whether or not a dog is actually able to detect cancer by scent, it remains that any type of sniffer dog must be specifically trained for that purpose. However, the incident that originally sparked interest in cancer detection brings up an interesting point about dogs, such as Personal Protection Dogs , that work closely with their owners; canines are incredibly in-tune with the health of their handlers. Whether or not your German Shepherd or Belgian Malinois has been specifically trained to sniff out cancer, there is a good chance that it will recognize and respond to any kind of illness.