The Norwegian national day

In Norway we celebrate our national day on May 17. Then the Norwegians clothed them self with dresses and suits and the Norwegian national dress, Bunad. All over Norway the children march to music and carries large and small flags, while shout out “hurra” as an expression of joy and celebration. First in the 17-May march there are flag bearers and the Corps that plays music.
Dogs, large and small, are also celebrating this day, and so do I. But the music, I’m not so very fond of, the noise are very high for our fragile ears.

Bubble trouble

Sometimes I make mistakes. Soap smells so good, so it can be difficult to resist. But it also can results in that I blow some bubbles afterwards.

Hide and seek

Often when I’m out on tour I like to play hide and seek. But I am often restless, so It is not so difficult to find me.

Leon

Dog vs machine

Here I am, and measure strength.
Huma ... ehh dog against machine.

Myths about dogs

Dogs don’t age 7 years for every human year. Contrary to popular belief, there is no exact formula to gauge how much a dog ages. But a rough guide is thus: The first year of a dog's life is equivalent to 16 human years. After 2 years, they are the equivalent of a 24-year-old. At 3 years, they are the equivalent of a 30-year-old. Each year after, add 5 human years to determine your dog's age. This is a rough guide, however. 


Dogs are not color blind. Dogs can actually see in color, but they can't tell the difference between yellow, green or red, but they can distinguish between shades of blue and gray. In fact, they can tell the difference between closely related shades of blue, gray and violet better than humans. 


Dog saliva was once believed to be antiseptic. Though it can kill some bacteria, but dog saliva contains its own exotic bacteria that can cause serious infections, especially in humans whose immune systems are weak.

Dogs don’t feel guilt when they do something wrong. The "hang-dog" look is not guilt – it's fear. Because he perceives you as the leader of the pack, he will act submissive if he senses you are displeased, but he doesn't feel guilty about knocking something down. If the dog is not caught red-handed in the act, your dog will not have the faintest idea what he did wrong to make you angry.


A wagging tail does not always signify a happy dog? But In most cases, it does. Tail wagging is similar to a human smile. It is a social sign meant to communicate an emotional state to someone else. Dogs reserve their tail wags for living things. A dog will wag its tail for a person, or another dog and may do so for a cat and others animals. Even when you give a dog a bowl of food, it will wag its tail just to say, -Thank you, and to show you that he’s pleased.

But dog owners need to be aware that – dogs also wiggle their tails when they are agitated, tense, anxious, annoyed and ready to fight.

Many people believe dogs that crouch or lower their heads when approached have been abused, but some dogs are so submissive that they naturally behave this way.

Leon meets a cat

I often meets cats on my many trips, and every time the same happens. I want to say hello to those cats, but my owners will not let me. So therefore the chat have to takes place at a distance.

How to photograph a dog. Part 2

Family photo albums are not complete without pictures of your dog.
It's not unusual to see a beautiful portrait of a dog alongside other family portraits on the wall. But taking great pictures of your dog isn't always easy. It's like taking pictures of a little child, they has no interest whatsoever in sitting still and look pretty for a portrait.
Regardless of the challenges, take your time and try to capture the personality of your dog. In a great photograph it is time well spent. Not only will you and your dog get to spend some quality time together, but you and your dog will also learn subtle of each other's moods and personalities.

Get on their level…. or not We often hear that we should try to photograph dogs, or any animal, from their level. For the portrait it might be aesthetically correct to take the picture from the dog’s level, but sometimes there should be exceptions to rules. Especially when it comes to capture the animal naturalness and reality, it is important to use different perspectives. You enter their world and get a glimpse of what life of your dog, is all about. It is also difficult to capture the really real situations if you constantly want to have control, and photographing the dog under control forms. So go low, go high and play with perspectives. You will be impressed by the results you achieved since the images becomes more personal, playful and more intimate.

Include PeopleOne of the best things you can do to add context and personality in the picture, is to include people in the life of your pet in the image. Shots with the owner or other family members can make the images incredibly special for years to come. You might like to try posed shots but sometimes it’s the candid shots of owner and pet that really capture the character of the pet and evoke emotion. It’s not always necessary to have eye contact with the dog, when you photograph it.

I and many with me, likes to sleep a lot

Dog owners are often worried about why we (dogs) sleep so much. I can tell that this is perfectly a normal behavior for me, and those like me. It’s not unusual for us (dogs) to sleep up to 18 hours a day. But also important, if you think we are acting outher of the ordinary though, take us (the dog) to the vet just in case, and if you are worried.

It’s also important for the owner of the dog, that they don’t feel cruelty of leaving us (the dog) home alone the majority of the time. Just make sure that you are taken us for at least two good solid walks per day. This will get our energy drained.

Why we sleep so much, here is why: We (dogs) sleep like humans, there are still two types of sleep: rapid eye movement and slow wave sleep, but unlike humans we wake up more frequently than humans do. So, although it may seem like we (dogs) is sleeping, we also have many interruptions while we sleeps.

You may also note that when we sleep do you really think we (dogs) are sleeping. We most likely will lay awake and listen and protect the house when our owners sleep.

But that said; Watch how we (dogs) sleep, why? Because if we sleep more then usual we may be ill, or pregnant and or on medications, and need to be seen by the vet. Also remember if we are on medication, which may cause drowsiness.

Many may think we (the dogs) will sleep anywhere, but some of us are very particular about where we sleep. You may notice some of us (dogs) circling or pawing at our sleeping place before we settles. This is to make a comfortable, den-like depression in which to sleep on.

Some humans love snuggling us up at night and there is no question, we (the dogs) love sharing ours owners’ bed. Advocates of this method say it strengthens the human-canine bond – not to mention the comfort and warmth we (the dog) can provide for our owners. However, this can upset the sometimes-precarious hierarchy, because we (the dog) may get delusions of grandeur. In other words, we may think we are higher on our household's social scale than some other members of the family. Keep this in mind!

What to do on cold winter evenings

Now when those long dark evening, with the cold is here, there is finally time to watch some television. I do not like most of what is sent on this box. But the promos for dog food and music programs are some of my favorites. And not forget, Animal planet of course.

Leon

Me and my friend, shadow

I know I like to be walked at least three times a day -- once in the morning, once in the middle of the day and the last one at the evening. Wherever I go, I know my companion....Shadow are with me. But even though I'm the same dog all day long also when the shadows change it's form... it’s still fill my thoughts about who we are….

Leon

Characteristics of the Shar Pei

The Shar Pei or Chinese Shar-Pei is a breed of dog known for its distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue. Because the name "Shar-Pei" means "sand coat", harshness is a distinctive feature in its two accepted coat types, either horse (short) or brush (up to an inch long).



For larger image, click on the picture

Shar Pei usually comes in two varieties: one is covered in large folds of wrinkles, even into adulthood (the Western type). The other variation has skin that appears tighter on its body, with wrinkles just on the face and at the withers (the original type).

Their tail is carried over their backs on either side exposing the anus. The first tail set is a tightly curled tail, a "coin" tail. The second tail set is the loose curl, and third is carried in an arch over the back. The Shar-Pei with his tail sticking out straight or between his legs was thought to be cowardly. The tail should denote bravery.

While viewing the body head on, if the toes were slightly turned out this was thought to help the dog with balance according to old-time dog-fighting fanciers. The Chinese crawling dragon with his feet pointed east and west was considered a sign of strength.

Other unique qualities include black mouth pigment, a slightly "hippo-like" head shape, small ears, deepset eyes and rising topline.

Read more about the Shar Pei, here.

This year's first snow

I love to be out playing in the snow. So when the first snow of this year fell on October 29, I did not need to be asked twice to go out to play. I Post some picture so you can see, my first impressions in the snow for this year. Since I have become so fond of using the slideshow, I post some pictures of this just under slideshow.

Leon

Facts about the Shar Pei

The Shar Pei or Chinese Shar-Pei is a breed of dog known for its distinctive features of deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue. The breed derives from China. The name (沙皮, pinyin: shā pí; English name probably derived from British spelling of Cantonese equivalent sā pèih) translates to "sand skin," and refers to the texture of its short, rough coat. As puppies, Shar Pei has numerous wrinkles, but sometimes as they mature, these wrinkles disappear as they "grow into their skin". Shar Pei were once named as one of the world's rarest dog breeds by the Guinness Book of World Records. The American Kennel Club did not recognize the breed until 1991.

The origin of the Chinese Shar-Pei can be traced to the province of Kwun Tung and has for centuries existed in the southern provinces of China. These dogs helped their peasant masters in various tasks such as herding cattle, guarding the home and family, and have proven themselves to be qualified hunters of "wild game, usually wild pigs."
The Shar-Pei is believed to have shared a common origin with the smooth-coated Chow-Chow because of the blue-black mouths and tongues, possibly the Great Pyrenees, a source of the double dewclaws, and the Tibetan Mastiff. It was believed in ancient times that the dark mouth of the Chow-Chow, exposed when barking, helped to ward off evil spirits. The Shar-Pei when translated means "sand-skin" or "shark skin." This uniquely rough, loose, prickly coat enabled the Shar-Pei to wriggle out of its opponents grasp while fighting in the dog pits.
(Incidentally, any dog in China that protects property is called a fighting dog, whereas in Canada and the United States they are referred to as guard dogs.)

The coat when stroked against the grain may be abrasive, producing a burning, itching sensation. Their tail is carried over their backs on either side exposing the anus. The first tail set is a tightly curled tail, a "coin" tail. The second tail set is the loose curl, and third is carried in an arch over the back. The Shar-Pei with his tail sticking out straight or between his legs was thought to be cowardly. The tail should denote bravery.
While viewing the body head on, if the toes were slightly turned out this was thought to help the dog with balance according to old-time dog-fighting fanciers. The Chinese crawling dragon with his feet pointed east and west was considered a sign of strength. Because of these poor breeding practices many of the Shar-Pei have bad fronts. A dog with straight forelegs is correct.

Following the establishment of the Peoples' Republic of China as a communist nation, the dog population was virtually wiped out. If not for the efforts of Matgo Law of Hong Kong, the Shar-Pei would not be here today. Due to his dedication to the breed, a small number of Shar-Pei was brought to the United States in the 1960s and early '70s. In 1974 American and Canadian fanciers answered Matgo's appeal for help and in 1976 the first Shar-Pei was registered. The foundation stock brought over from Hong Kong were of poorer quality than the Shar-Pei we see today. In August of 1991 the Shar-Pei officially completed the requirements for recognition by the American Kennel club and was placed in the Non-Sporting Group. In 1992 the Canadian Kennel Club also officially recognized and grouped the Shar-Pei in group 6, Non-Sporting n g events. Since that time several Shar-Pei are now and continuing to become CKC and AKC champions.

Shar Pei comes in many different colors such as fawn, red (rose), sand, cream, black, lilac and blue. They resemble the Chow Chow due to having the same blue-black tongue. There are over sixteen recognized colors in AKC. The coat must be solid in color and any Shar-Pei with a "flowered coat" (spotted) or black and tan in coloration (i.e. German Shepherd) is a disqualification. Colors include black, cream, fawn, red-fawn, red, sable, apricot, chocolate, isabella, and blue. The nose may be black or brick (pink with black), with or without a black mask. A Shar-Pei can also have what is called a "dilute" coloration. Meaning the nose, nails and anus of the dog is the same color as the coat, (i.e. chocolate coat with chocolate nose, nails and anus). All of these color variations are acceptable and beautiful, but the coat color must be solid and well blended throughout the whole body of the dog.

Shar Pei comes in three different coat types; horse, brush and bear coat. The unusual horse-coat is rough to the touch, extremely prickly and off-standing and is closer to the original Shar Pei breed in appearance and coat type than the Brush or Bear Coat. This coat is fairly prickly, and can be rough or irritating when petting in the opposite direction of the fur. The Horse Coat is generally thought to be more active and predisposed to dominant behavior than the Brush Coat. The brush-coated variety has slightly longer hair and a smoother feel to them. The Brush Coat is generally considered to be more of a 'couch potato' than the Horse Coat.

The Chinese Shar-Pei is a unique and intelligent dog most often recognized for its wrinkles. Initially developed as an all - purpose Chinese farm dog, the breed does well today in obedience, agility, herding and tracking, with skills that would have been needed on the farm. Because the name "Shar-Pei" means "sand coat", harshness is a distinctive feature in its two accepted coat types, either horse (short) or brush (up to an inch long). Other unique qualities include black mouth pigment, a slightly "hippo-like" head shape, small ears, deepset eyes and rising topline.

All Shar-Pei, but especially the horse coat needs early socialization with children, strangers, and other animals. They can be stubborn, strong willed and very territorial. Early training can help control these traits before they become problem behaviors. Some people may experience sensitivity to the harshness of the coat of either length. This is a mild, short-lived rash, that can develop on the skin that has been in contact with the coat, most commonly on the forearms.
The brushcoat matures early to be a stocky strong dog, therefore early socialization and training are essential, in order to have a dog that is a good family member as well as a welcome member of society. The brushcoat is not always as active as the horsecoat, and are often more content than the horsecoat to laze around the house. Like their horsecoat brothers, they are strong willed, stubborn and territorial, but these are often exhibited to a lesser degree. Both coat types, brush and horse are true Shar- Pei.

Wrinkles
Shar Pei usually comes in two varieties: one is covered in large folds of wrinkles, even into adulthood (the Western type). The other variation has skin that appears tighter on its body, with wrinkles just on the face and at the withers (the original type).

Temperament
The Shar Pei is often suspicious of strangers, which pertains to their origin as a guard dog. In general the breed has proved itself to be a loving, devoted family dog. The Shar Pei is also very independent and reserved breeds. Nevertheless, the Shar Pei is extremely devoted, loyal and affectionate to its family, and is amenable to accepting strangers given time and proper introduction at a young age. If poorly socialized or trained, it can become especially territorial and aggressive. Even friendly and well-socialized individuals will retain the breed's watchdog proclivities (such as barking at strangers). It is a largely silent breed, barking only when playing or when worried. The Shar Pei was originally bred as palace guards in China. While this breed is adorable it is also very protective of its home and family, a powerful dog that is willing to guard its family members.

The breed is amenable to training, but can get bored from repetition. Overall, the Shar Pei is a dog that is loyal and loving to its family while being very protective and independent.

Source: Internet