Werewolves have been written about for centuries. Sightings and reports come from ancient times to modern days. Many would argue that these creatures really do exist, in the past and today. The legend began in Germany. The fear of wolves was like a nightmare and attacks were so frequent that people were afraid to travel from one place to another. They tried to hunt and kill these bloodthirsty wolves, until one day a wolf was cornered and the people set their dogs on it. The wolf did not run away, but stood up and turned into a middle-aged man. They recognized the man as one of their own from the village. The man was tortured where he confessed to 16 murders. People started to believe that such creatures with the shadow of wolves were living among them and they named them Werewolves.

Greek mythology also tells of the existence of werewolves. Zeus once disguised himself as a traveler and sought hospitality in the court of King Lycaon. The King recognized the god and served him human flesh. Zeus caught the trick and did not eat. Outraged, he destroyed the palace and condemned Lycaon to spend the rest of his days as a wolf. This myth created the word “Lycanthrope” which used to describe the werewolf phenomenon.

Werewolf stories continued throughout the ages. In France, between 1520 and 1630 there were some 30,000 cases. Those labeled werewolves were tortured, confessed and suffered death at the stake. There were a lot of efforts to explain the behavior. Some said it was an imbalance of humors, or the fluid part of the body. Others felt the werewolf was a projection of a demon, or the devil himself.

Today, there are many people who believe they are werewolves. One young man, after taking drugs got the urge to chase and kill rabbits. Some claiming they were possessed by the devil, hearing voices and experiencing visions were tested. Most are found to be schizophrenic or suffering from psychosis. From many modern cases, doctors have been able to formulate a psychological profile of the lycanthrope, which is not so different from the conclusion of physicians in earlier times.


Dog Breeds 101:
Working and Herding Dogs
By Christie Keith
PHChristy

Last month, we met the dogs of the Sporting and Hound groups, dogs bred for various forms of hunting. This month, we meet the groups of dogs that contain some of the smartest dogs in the world, and those who have been of the greatest service to humanity: the Working and Herding Groups.

Dogs at Work

The dog breeds of the Working and Herding Groups share one characteristic: they were bred to help humans. From these groups come sheepdogs, cart dogs, sled dogs, guide dogs, and police dogs. Some of the noblest icons of dogdom, including Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, will be found here.

The Herding Group

The American Kennel Club split the Working Group in two in 1983, creating an additional Herding Group. In the Herding Group are the Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Bearded Collie, Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Tervuren, Border Collie, Bouvier Des Flandres, Briard, Canaan Dog, Collie, German Shepherd Dog, Old English Sheepdog, Puli, Shetland Sheepdog, and the Cardigan and Pembroke Welsh Corgis.

All the breeds of the Herding Group were bred to move other animals around. Their intended charges include cattle, ducks, geese, and sheep. Several of the herding breeds are very popular as pets, and rarely get a chance to exercise their instincts on farm animals. They will, however, happily herd the cats, other pets, and even the kids. Dogs of the herding group tend to be excellent obedience dogs, and are very intelligent and trainable. However, dogs such as the Border Collie and the Australian Cattle Dog (also known as a Queensland or Blue Heeler) are challenging to keep as pets. They require work to do, and have tremendous energy to go with their intelligence. Some working Border Collies run over ninety miles a day, a very tough standard for the average pet home to meet.

The most popular member of this group, and one of the most popular dogs in America, is the German Shepherd Dog (GSD). Noble, beautiful, strong, fearless, and devoted, it's no surprise that this dog is well-loved. Unfortunately, they are also often carelessly bred, so be very cautious when obtaining a GSD that you are working with a dedicated, knowledgeable, responsible breeder.

Another extremely beloved member of the Herding Group is the Collie, no doubt due to the immense popularity of Lassie.

The Working Group

The Working Group is comprised of dogs bred to do work other than herding, including guard dogs, sled dogs, police and war dogs, livestock guardians (such as the Great Pyrenees), and water rescue dogs (such as the Newfoundland). The powerful and intelligent members of this group include the Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, and Standard Schnauzer.

Of these dogs, the Great Dane and the Samoyed could both claim membership in other groups. The Samoyed is traditionally a herding as well as sled dog among the Nordic Samoyed people, and is permitted to compete in AKC herding trials for this reason. The Great Dane was originally used as a boar hunter, and could historically have qualified for the Hound Group.

While sled dogs are popular for their great beauty and wild look, they are dogs with a great need to roam their territory, which they define as the continent of North America. Keeping a sled dog safely confined to your property might be more of a challenge than most families are up to, as they can jump, dig, climb, and perhaps even perform spells in order to escape confinement.

Dogs of the Working Group tend to be powerful and independent, suiting the tasks for which they were created. In the wrong hands, dogs of some of these breeds have become plagued with temperament and health problems. Some, such as the Newfoundland, are renowned as wonderful family pets, while others, such as the Doberman and Rottweiler, have gained infamy as killing machines. The first reputation is well-deserved, but Dobermans and Rottweilers can be the soundest and sanest of dogs, if responsibly bred. It is imperative when selecting a dog of the Working Group, especially one of the breeds suited to be a guard dog, to work with a knowledgeable breeder or someone who has years of experience in the breed. Only a few of the dogs in this group are suitable for first-time dog owners.

What Breed is Right For Me?

The answer to the question "Which breed is right for me?" lies less in the looks of a dog, and more in the history and purpose of the breed.

One of the best resources for basic information and photos of most dog breeds is The Complete Book of the Dog by the American Kennel Club. It's no surprise this is the best-selling dog book of all time. It's loaded with facts, trivia, and the history and purpose of all 140 AKC-recognized dog breeds, illustrated with glossy photos, and also contains useful information on dog training, showing, first aid, and care. The revised 19th Edition is the handsomest yet, with a dazzling photo of America's most popular dog, the Labrador Retriever, on its deep green cover.

People searching for the right dog breed for them should look at more than the photos, though. That scruffy little charmer might have a few traits you won't be able to live with in its background, and there's no better way to figure that out than to read the history and standard of the breed. If the dog you fell in love with was bred to work long hours herding sheep, and the task you have in mind for your new best friend is keeping your feet warm while you watch TV, it's time to keep looking.

Looking for a Purebred Dog?

If you have your heart set on a purebred dog, consider giving a home to a dog who needs a second chance. Contact the American Kennel Club at AKC Breed Rescue Groups or by calling 919-233-9767 to obtain a referral to the breed rescue organization of the breed of your choice. You can also get a referral to the National Breed Club's breeder referral by calling the same phone number or visiting AKC Breeder Referral.

Other Resources

DogHobbyist.com Purebred Forums

Which Breed Do I Want?

Copyright 2002 by Christie Keith. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Coming Next Month: Terriers and Toys!


Arooo Old and New Readers
>From PHdaMutt

I took an educational walk just the other day around the grounds of PetHobbyist.com. This place is a small city in itself. I looked around and wondered who else might be here.

Out of the corner of my eye I caught a vision of loveliness of the dog world. I had only seen pictures before, but now right before my eyes there she was. A sleek beautiful Greyhound. Immediately I had to sniff Hi. She was so gentle and friendly and told me all about her racing days.She is now retired and has a forever home with a nice couple. I was taken aback by this fine lady and hoped we would meet again.

My human said, "PHDaMutt, time to move on." So I wagged my tail with a happy Good-bye and sniffed around to see who else might have visited here.

No others were there this day, but I did notice that the dogs were doing their job, but some of the owners weren't. I thought to myself, whether in the city or country, humans should respect others and pick up after their dogs. So I think I will put a a note in the suggestion box at work to put up sign to pick upafter your pooch and have some plastic bags for them to use. Humm, you think I could suggest a doggie water fountain also?

I didn't solve any big cases this time, but it was a beautiful day for a walk with my favorite Human.



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