Episode 9 - Merle matings, faulty research, faithful Pitbulls and more

The Dog News Show

In Episode 9 of The Dog News Show we start with very good news which will have a positive impact on the future of many breeds. The Kennel Club has announced that it will no longer register pups born from merle-to-merle matings. This will affect many breeds including Shetland Sheepdogs, Dachshunds, Beaucerons, Chihuahuas, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers and Bull Terriers (Miniature). The merle colouring may be very attractive but it can be associated with serious health problems - Debbie talks of her personal experience of this issue.
The psychology department at Leicester University have been carrying out research comparing human character traits with dog breed preference and have come up with the conclusion that jerks like aggressive dogs. This research is based on a study where subjects filled out a personality questionnaire and indicated which breed of dog they liked - however both Julie and Debbie take issue with the way the study defines aggressive. How have the researchers decided on levels of aggression? Have they relied on breed stereotypes? Is the research actually unhelpful in its depiction of some breeds? Plus could Debbie and Julie get some funding for some fun research of their own? Probably not, but a girl can dream!
In Arizona two Pitbulls were discovered stray beside the road, but sadly one had been killed in a car accident and the other, a male dog, refused to leave her side. He lay by his dead friend for several hours, licking her face confused as to why she was unresponsive. This case brings up many questions - such as why did the authorities take so long to arrive? Why did the dog stay with his friend for so long? Will the dog - who is in care and exhibiting signs on depression - get a happy ending? And could it be true that Debbie really has a softer side?
What arrangements do you make for your dog when you go on vacation? If you don't or can't take your dog with you, you can opt for a pet sitter who will visit your house, or put your dog into kennels, but a new website in America called Dog Vacay offers hosts who will board your dog for you. The great thing about this business is that not only do the organisers of the website check out the hosts they supply, but dog owners and their dogs are encouraged to meet the host in advance of the vacation to check they are a good match. What do you think is the safest provision to make when you holiday without your dog?
In deepest darkest Hackney in London, a "beast" has apparently been terrorising the neighbourhood. One student was so scared she barely had the nerve to take photos before she fled. But the mystery has been solved, the myth has been busted and the solution involves a large Newfoundland dog and the drummer from Kula Shaker. Listen and all will be revealed.
Finally, Episode 9 comes to a close with Schmaltz Corner. A stray dog attached himself to a group of cyclists on a trek across China after they gave him some food, and one of the cyclists will now adopt the dog. A simple enough tale you might think, but no, controversy rears its head, and Julie and Debbie have very different takes on the story, so the show comes to a close with disagreement raging, and one of the presenters going off in a huff - feel free to chip in with your opinion on the matter via the Facebook page or Twitter account.