Dog Breeds – Part 1

Experts disagree on the exact number, but estimate there are more than 300 breeds of dogs. Each is valued by someone or by a group of people. In fact, they exist because they were bred to have characteristics that make them well suited for specific tasks. Over thousands of years, dogs were bred to meet a variety of human needs.

Toy breeds are the very small types of dogs, often weighing less than ten pounds. This group is the only one in which the dogs were bred to be mainly companions and “intruder alarms” rather than perform physical labor. Natural “lap” dogs, these cute canines are great for small dwellings.

Dogs in the Hound group were all originally bred to assist with hunting. Many hound types have an amazing sense of smell; others are best known for their stamina during the chase. Their talent for hunting is the main trait these dogs share, since hounds come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Working dogs have the size and strength that makes them well suited to guarding property, pulling carts and other intense physical tasks. They are well known for their extremely high intelligence and deep devotion to their human companions. German shepards, Doberman pinchers, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Giant Schnauzers and Boxers are just a few of the better known types of working dogs.

Like the Hounds, dogs from the Sporting group were bred to assist with hunting. Alert and active by nature, sporting dogs fit in well with active owners. If you plan on adding any type of Sporting dog-spaniels, pointers, setters and retrievers-to your family, keep in mind that these high-energy dogs need frequent exercise.

The dog breeds included in the Non-Sporting group vary greatly in appearance and abilities. Dalmatians, because of their amazing stamina and strong sense of territory, were set to run alongside carriages to guard the travelers inside. Later, firemen employed these unique dogs to guard fire wagons. Poodles, which most people associate with high-society, were originally bred as work animals. In addition to pulling small carts, poodles were used to retrieve items from the water.

Terriers are known for their distinctive personalities. Tenacious by nature, these lively dogs require owners willing to provide lots of physical and mental stimulation. Their group name is derived from the Latin “Terra,” meaning earth. Bred to hunt vermin, terriers are instinctive, active diggers.

Sight hounds were bred to assist the hunter by virtue of their excellent eyesight. Instead of finding prey by scent, these lean hunters spot their quarry from a great distance. They have amazing stamina and energy and all members of this group need plenty of exercise.

Today, most breeds are partially “unemployed.” Many of their jobs have been taken over by machines. Yet, no machine can comfort you when you’re down, make you laugh with its antics or see into your soul the way a dog can. Until a machine is invented to fill the human need for companionship and devotion, dogs will always have a place in our homes and hearts.

The best places to walk your dog in Denver

Really you can walk your dog in Denver most any place as long as you clean up after him or her. There are a few doggie parks around that are strictly areas for owners to take their dogs for exercise and socializing with other digs. Dogs are so neat and their love for their masters is so unconditional. I love my children and ny grandchildren dearly and would do anything in the world I could for them but my Golden Retriever Sasha has never gotten mad at me and yelled at me or called me any names. She does get a little impatient some times when I don’t jump up and take her for another walk when she would gladly go again. but she is always happy to see me and loves to go on walks or just lay quietly beside my desk on the floor. I would be a lost soul without my dog.

Denver unlike Boulder to the northwest is a very friendly city toward dogs. I can’t remember going to any park or hiking trail around Denver where dogs are not allowed. They need to be on a leash and you need to pickup any droppings they may leave.. There are some areas in some of the bigger parks that have areas where they can just run free but those areas are well marked. Many of the parks and a lot of the paths have plastic bags and plastic gloves expressly for that purpose. Most of the people are very conscientious about cleaning up but there are always a few that have to be reminded and they are usualy not very appreciative of the reminder.. It is just common courtesy to clean up after your pet.

When we lived in Highlands Ranch, there were a lot of open spaces and paths to walk and hike on . Ninety nine percent of them were paved and it was a lot of fun to go on walks early in the mornings and meet other dog lovers walking their pets. It was always interesting to me to see what type of people had what types of dogs. People say that dogs are a lot like their owners. There was one little old lady that couldn’t have weighed a hundred pounds soaking wet that walked to big Bull Mastiffs every morning. Those two dogs must have weighed a hundred and fifty pounds a piece and could have literally drug her anywhere they decided to go but they were well behaved and minded better than many kids I have been around. I used to tease her about them walking her instead of her walking them. On the other hand we used to see sometimes a big guy that could have easily been an offensive lineman for the Denver Broncos, about 6′6″ tall and probably 350 that walked two miniature Schnauzers. He was real nice and so were the Schnauzers.

Now we have moved over to Harvey Park and there is a probable 10 mile long path along Bear Creek where we walk and then up by the Harvey Park Recreation Center there is a lake with a path around it that we like to walk on. A couple of miles to the north at 17th and Sheridan there is Sloans Lake that has a path all the way around it and it is big enough that they water ski on it.

Washington Park is a huge park with lots of paths for the joggers, walkers and dog walkers. There is a creek in the middle of the park that the dogs love to play in and there are two good sized lakes at the South end of the park. We like to go over there once in a while but really there are plenty of places to walk with your dog most anyplace you are.

So… where is the best place to walk your dog in Denver? Pretty much any trail or path in any park as long as you clean up after your dog. There are a lot of hiking paths in the foothills and up in the mountains where you can walk with your dog. The main requirements seem to be, have your dog on a leash and under control and clean up after them.