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A 2006 study stunned the scientific community when 5 ordinary pet dogs trained for just three weeks were able to accurately detect lung cancer 99 percent of the time. The dogs, who also achieved an 88 percent degree of accuracy (comparable to mammography) detecting breast cancer, were the focus of a study devised by the Pine Street Foundation, a private cancer research foundation based in San Anselmo, Ca.

The extraordinary ability of dogs, who have been shown to be able to distinguish certain chemicals diluted to a rate of one to a trillion, first came to light as a result of a case study in which a dog constantly sniffed a lesion on his owner. This lesion was found to be a malignant melanoma. That led to studies which showed dogs could detect bladder cancer in dried urine samples.

In this study, three Labradors and two Portuguese Water Dogs, (on loan from Guide Dogs for the Blind), successfully sussed out 55 cases of lung cancer and 31 cases of breast cancer using breath samples, differentiating them from the scents of 83 healthy control subjects. The dogs were clicker trained in the manner used to train bomb detection canines. They were cued to to sit when detecting a malignancy.

None of the test subjects had begun chemotherapy and smokers were included in both groups. Breath samples were collected in the same rooms on the same days. The only assistant who knew which breath samples came from cancer patients was out of the room whenever the dogs were working.

In 2007, Pine Street Foundation began chemical analysis on collected breath samples to try to figure out what the dogs are cueing on. Plans are underway to launch a study which should show whether the dogs will be useful in diagnosing early stage ovarian cancer.

 

TV PREVIEW!

It’s not your average buddy series. Sure, it’s plot-heavy with good looking guys having adventures in the woods; but not a muscle car, or a sheriff, and from what I saw, not a hot babe in sight.

These guys live a dog lover’s dream, spending 24/7 with puppies on 500 acres of in Upstate New York. They are, of course, the Brothers of New Skete, and Animal Planet debuts their weekly show “Divine Canine” April 16. Famous for their training methods which rely on building a bond with the German Shepherd puppies they raise, the monks, led by Brother Ambrose will showcase the pups along with outside dogs brought to their training facility.

At this time the network hasn’t detailed the storyline of each episode, but the ensemble cast includes:

 

	Brother Ambrose Brother Ambrose has had many different jobs including photographer, dishwasher, vocations director and kennel assistant!   Brother Christopher Brother Christopher runs the dog training program and has helped author several of the monastery’s dog books.   Brother David in addition to working with the dogs, Brother David has worked in New Skete Farms since his arrival at New Skete in 1977.   Brother John In addition to many other duties, Brother John is responsible for the breeding program at New Skete.   Brother Luke As an allergy sufferer, Brother Luke did not come to New Skete as a dog-lover. His opinion of dogs has definitely changed.   Brother Marc Meet one of the founders of New Skete who also designed the monastery buildings.   Brother Stavros Brother Stavros oversees the liturgy and general order of things pertaining to New Skete’s churches, including ringing the bells.

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Nearly 75 years since appearing among the top ten, Bulldogs have replaced Miniature Schnauzers on the American Kennel Club’s annual list of the most popular breeds in America based on 2007 registration figures. The Bulldog’s climb into the AKC’s top echelon has been steady. From a 26 ranking in 1997 to the 18 in 2002, 12 in 2006 it’s clear that something about that face makes the Bulldog a 21st century darling. The Labrador Retriever continues to hang on to the top spot where it has been since 1991.

Most Popular Dogs in the US - 2007
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd Dog
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Poodle
9. Shih Tzu
10. Bulldog

While 16 years is a long time at top, Poodles hold the record for longest consecutive term as America’s dog, with Cocker Spaniels leading the list as the top breed for 25 years, though not consecutively. Historically leading the number one list, Boston Terriers, German Shepherd Dogs and Beagles.

The list reflects registrations from across the country, but a look at the city by city listing of leading dogs is often counterintuitive. Dobies and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels make the list in Atlanta, while Bulldogs, the ubiquitous mascot of the University of Georgia remain out of the top group.

In Austin, Dogstuff Central territory, Golden Retrievers are second rather than fourth place (are we surprised)? Pugs and Chihuahuas edge out less portable breeds.

In Seattle, Bulldogs show up at eighth here, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are fourth. Nationally, this breed has increased in popularity more than any other of AKC’s 159 breeds in the past decade (up 406%) but is twentyh-fifth overall.

Orlando is one of the few cities where the Labrador is not numero uno. Holding that position is the Yorkie, with Labs at number two. For some reason German Shepherds are enjoying tremendous popularity - rocketing from ninth position in 2006 to third place in this year’s ranking.

Here at Dogstuff East, the list holds a few surprises. Bulldogs don’t make the Washington DC Top Ten despite being Georgetown University’s mascot. I can attest to the popularity of Boston Terriers, number eight on the local list. They seem to show up everywhere with their Pug buddies (number nine locally). And, while Rotties slide in the rankings nationally, here they hold down the tenth spot.

See listings for America’s 50 largest cities here http://www.akc.org/reg/topdogsbycity.cfm

Tripping over the family dog is not an uncommon cause of accidents, according to emergency room statistics. I accrue multiple hematomas monthly from collisions with furniture and cabinetry as I lurch over sleeping dogs to answer the phone.

Tripping over a guide dog, however, may be serendipity.

The British publication Dog Biz chronicles the fall of John Lawrence, blind for four years, who stumbled over his guide dog on the stairs, hitting his head as he fell, immediately regaining sight in both eyes. Presumably he jarred the optic nerve according to the book.

A similarly amazing recovery was reported in 2001. According to the New York Times, Lisa Reid, totally blind from the age of 14 due to a brain tumor, was cooking supper at the age of 24 when she bent over to kiss Ami, her guide dog, hitting her head on a coffee table in the process. According to Reid, “it wasn’t unusual. When you are blind, you hit yourself all the time. I got up, continued making dinner, and went to bed. When I woke up, I could see.”

According to the British newspaper the Telegraph, tripping over guide dogs and being injured were cited in reports of restored sight in 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1988.

Talk about wide open spaces. With 43,000 acres and 143 miles of trails through stupendous scenery and a municipal government with a canine-friendly worldview, Boulder, Colorado remains a dog lover’s Nirvana. For the past eight years, Boulder area residents have been able to buy a special tag allowing their dogs to run off-leash in all areas administered by the department of Open Spaces and Mountain Parks (OSMP).

Dogs sporting the tags were considered “legally free” by park rangers and assumed to be under “voice and sight control” which means that when called, the dog is expected to respond immediately, despite any temptation. While this program had been applauded by dogowners and generally considered successful, rising complaints about behavior of dogs and owners on the trails caused the dog community to partner with the OSMP to try to come up with a plan that would address the concerns of all trail users

The Voice and Sight Dog Tag Program (TAG) , the educational outreach program introduced by local lawmakers in 2006, resulted from negotiations between the parks department and the local dog lobby, Friends Interested in Dogs and Open Space (FIDOS). In an update of the original regulations, registered dogs wear special tags which indicate their human has watched a ten minute video explaining the Boulder “voice and sight” ordinance and has reviewed basic dog/human etiquitte. What seems to be the most difficult part of the regulation, the “come immediately” command, has been part of this progressive dog community’s sweeping off-leash ordinance since it was first enacted in 1996. 94 percent of OSMP trails remain open to off-leash dogs as detailed in the department’s website osmp.org

With their webbed feet and water-resistant coats, Newfoundlands are natural swimming champs and have proven themselves invaluable for centuries as working dogs, both on land and in water. It only makes sense that “Newfies” would make ideal lifeguards, and the Penwith Lifeguards of Sennen Cove are already receiving praise for the heroic efforts of their furry new recruit, Bilbo.

BBC News reports why someday soon you may be asking the hero that saved your life at the beach to “sit and shake” in order to thank him…

A small but growing number of fire departments around the nation are acquiring oxygen masks for pets through the kind donations of animal lovers like you.

Firefighters in Gwinnett County will soon receive 25 oxygen masks for dogs and cats.

The county commissioners voted Tuesday to accept a donation of the pet masks, a gift that will let firefighters help dogs and cats suffering from smoke inhalation.

Full article can be found at ajc.com, web home of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

According to the BBC News, Explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell has spotted a rare breed of Double-Nosed Andean tiger hound, which has two noses, on a recent trip to Bolivia. His name is Xingu.

He added that Xingu was “quite an aggressive little chap” who stood about 16 inches in height and loved salt biscuits but “wasn’t a terribly handsome dog”. Read more…