As part of an ambitious effort to identify genes that cause disease in dogs and humans, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle analyzed DNA collected from 414 dogs representing 85 breeds, including some of the most popular. The findings have sent reverberations though the ranks of dog fanciers, who primp and preen their beloved companions for shows and take great pride in their pedigrees.
"It was a surprise to find that some breeds such as the Ibizan hound and the Pharaoh hound, along with several others that dog aficionados have long believed dated back thousands of years, are actually much more modern animals ? re-creations that were probably produced by breeders," said geneticist Leonid Kruglyak, who helped conduct the research. "However, it was more of a surprise to find that some breeds are not even dogs."
Among other findings, the analysis determined that the Chihuahua is actually a type of large rodent, selectively bred for centuries to resemble a canine.
"This is clearly going to raise some eyebrows in the Chihuahua world," said Peggy Wilson, president of the Chihuahua Club of America. "It goes against our belief system. People are pretty passionate about their dogs. There is going to be disbelief."
The study found that several diminutive breeds had been independently created around the world from a variety of other animals, including the Lhasa apso (Tibetan snow rabbit), Pekingese (Chinese water rat), Shih Tzu (stoat), and Yorkshire Terrier (pigeon).
"Most of these do contain some actual dog genes," admitted Kruglyak, "but the percentage is no higher than ten percent in each case."
Oh this is gooood!! Thanks Shamalama, you've just made my evening! My hubby's always called these dogs R.O.A.R.s, I'll have to show him this report.
Dreamer1
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Look with the eyes of a child.
'Hope guides me. It is what gets me through the day, and especially the night.' -- A Knight's Tale "I talk to you as I talk to my own soul...and, Sassenach,” he whispered, “your face is my heart.” -- Jamie Fraser, "Dragonfly In Amber" by Diana Gabaldon @Dremnghrt on Twitter, Dreamnghrt on tumblr - come say Hi!
Chihuahua... Rat... either one would probably be good with a little bbq sauce.... Nothing like walking down a street in mexico, walking by a stand where you hear a few dogs barking then coming by a few hours later with no barking but fresh tacos...or tamales
They do. Actually taste better with some salsa, though.mmmmmm
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'Dying for being different is still better than living as a Sheep'-anon
Hey My Chihuahua is ticked! Attack the little guy hua? He's not a dog, he's a person! He votes, drives a car and runs at the track!
Oh, Annabelle! Please tell me you don't really have a Chihuahua! You drive a big diesel truck, but have a little foo foo feaux dog! That just isn't right.
Is he being chased? Whats his (or her) name, Annabelle? I always wanted to name a wee dog 'Brutis' or something. My next door neighbor has a tiny Terrier named 'Bear.' (nasty brute tried to take a chunk out of my ankle two weeks ago..)
No I really did have a WaWa he was brindel colored and his name was "Damit". He had a seat he'd go get in when I go around town. That little dog would take a big chunk out of you if you went near the truck. I could leave it running and no one would try to get into it. In the summer here with 100 + temp's I'd leave the truck running and Damit in the front seat go in eat lunch and come out. No one touched the truck.
I had a German Shepard about 8 years ago and his name was Shiza (yep, those who speak German will know what that means) We spelled it like that cause it was easier for folks around here. The girls at the Vet's office would tell us they thought that was such a pretty name for a German German Shepard. We'd always laugh! If they only knew what it meant.
I have a pure breed German Shepard named Drae now. He's a attack dog and he does the job well. He's very very aggressive to everyone except my family. Once he started to turn on me I took my hand and ramed it down his throat. Sucker turned loose real quick...he's never done that to me again.
Once Drae chewed up a sandel of mine and he knew better. I took the sandel and gave it back to him. When he got it in his mouth, I duct taped his mouth shut with the sandel in his mouth for a couple of hours. He's never touched another shoe of mine and I leave them right outside my back door.
Damit was such a great "WaWa". He would get under the covers and go down to the foot of the bed and keep my feet warm at night...gosh I miss that rat (sorry meant dog).