Samoyeds

The Samoyed breed originally lived and worked with the nomadic Siberian people, who relied on these dogs to help sustain their daily lives and civilization. Day in and day out, these pure white animals pulled their sleds, guarded their reindeer and kept the huts warm at night. Eventually, Samoyeds accompanied many of the arctic explorers on their long, dangerous expeditions. They endured indescribable hardships, withstood blood-freezing temperatures and pulled heavy sleds across miles of frozen wilderness. Samoyeds were part of Roald Amundsen’s successful expedition to the South Pole in 1911.

 In my song “White on White,” I describe the Samoyed’s huge contribution to mankind.

 Even today, these dogs cheerfully give of themselves and are always full of smiles. One of the most popular characteristics of this breed is the “Samoyed smile.” When happy, these intelligent, self-less animals literally look as though they are smiling or laughing at you.

Basset Blues

At first glance, Basset hounds look like sad dogs. Their eyes droop. Their skin sags. Their legs are short & bowed. They look depressed. A lot of people make fun of Bassets, as I describe in my song Blues for a Basset: “Well they call me droopy eyes, say my legs are undersized; When they laugh at my behind that’s where I draw the line.”

 Despite their comical appearance, Bassets are loyal dogs who become deeply attached to their owners. And if you’re one of those people who’s attracted to the Basset’s amusing build, you might just have “Blues for a Basset.”

Here are a few interesting tidbits on this unique breed:

• Because Bassets have short legs and carry 2/3rds of their weight upfront, they are poor swimmers and can easily drown. Don’t leave your Basset unattended while swimming!!!
• During the 1700’s Bassets were very popular hunting dogs. Why? Because they moved so slowly, it was easier to keep up with them when tracking game on foot.
• Don’t get confused by thinking just because Bassets are short, they are lightweight—most weigh between 50-65 pounds!

Yorkies: Popular and Easy to Pamper

Tiny. Pamper-able. Cute and adorable. In my song, “Ribbons & Bows,” I describe the Yorkie as “more than petite, more than sweet.” And in fact they are! If you are a Yorkie fan no doubt you love dressing up your pet in the latest fashions and putting ribbons in their hair. These dogs are simply irresistible. Despite their tiny size, Yorkies are terriers, and they like to act like one. They are energetic, stubborn and noisy. But they are hard not to love.

Princes, presidents and celebrities across the world have owned Yorkie Terriers. This includes people like Queen Victoria of England, President Richard Nixon, Princess Masako of Japan and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

The Cowboy’s Dog!

Want a piece of the old west? The Australian Shepherd is the very embodiment of these great legends! Riding with the Cowboys. Sleeping under the stars. Herding cattle along the prairie. The Australian Shepherd has done it all. These dogs are extremely intelligent and workaholics. Their energy is boundless as they were bred to herd cattle.

One of the most striking characteristics of this breed is their intense loyalty to their master. In my song entitled, “The Aussie Cowboy’s Song,” I describe this fierce loyalty by saying, “That cowboy, he goes on, how I’ve got the eye. How I’ll ride with him ‘til the day that I die.” Almost makes you want to cry when you think about how “true” these dog’s hearts are. You can hear the whole song by visiting www.itunes.com

Another fun part of this song is when I describe how the Aussie prompts the cattle to start moving:  “I nip at their noses and turn them around…I bite at their heels as they fly o’er the ground.”

The Aussie’s instinct to nip at heels is so strong that they will actually do this to their owners!!

The Borzoi’s Back in Town!

When you see one of these dogs walking down the street…or trotting in the show ring EVERYONE takes notice. The Borzoi is a gorgeous dog. Standing up to 36 inches in height, these dogs hold their heads high and walk proud. They are swift runners and were originally bred to hunt wolves. Their flowing coats look like a royal cape gracing their tall, slender bodies.

In my song, “The Borzoi’s back in Town,” I paint a lively picture of just how self-confident, gorgeous and stunning the Borzoi really is, especially in the show ring. You can download the song at www.itunes.com.

Throughout the United States & Canada, Borzois are highly-esteemed show dogs, being among the most dignified and relaxed in the overly-stimulating show ring.