The frequency of Factor XI deficiency remains unknown. While in the past there have been difficulties to get dogs screened for this deficiency, the new DNA test has not yet been embraced by the KBT owners and breeders. Few dogs have been screened and some were screened because relatives were diagnosed with the bleeding disorder. It would be helpful to the breed to screen a random group of champion and breeding KBTs to further determine the prevalence.

The Foundation accomplishes its mission by (1) providing free information through its web site and newslist, (2) helping rescue dogs abandoned by owners or breeders, and (3) preventing future genetic problems by providing funds for health & genetic research.

However, the Foundation has a direct relationship with the Canine Health Foundation (CHF), a nonprofit subsidiary of the AKC. Foundation funds earmarked for Health & Genetics are periodically deposited with the CHF for future funding of breed-specific studies. The current balance is about $5,000.

The Blue was called the "Irish Blue Terrier" in Ireland for many years but in England it was known as the "Kerry Blue Terrier", and all were not happy with this name for the Irish Breed. Southern Irish fanciers objected to the title by which these terriers have been registered by the English Kennel Club, for they asserted that County Kerry has no right to the monopoly of the breed. If any prefix is required, they asserted, the dog should be known as the "Carrick Blue.

The mode of inheritance is still not completely understood. It was said this was a dominant trait with incomplete penetrance while it might be more a recessive trait. With dominant traits there are no carriers. With recessive disorders carriers are by definition asymptomatic. Based upon our screening results it appears that only homozygous affecteds are at risk of bleeding.

Some publications claim so, but actually, the Irish government never has given this designation to any dog breed. Michael Collins, one of Irelands most famous patriots, was a Kerry Blue fancier in the early part of last century. He introduced legislation to elevate the Kerry Blue, or the Irish Blue Terrier as they were then called, to the National Dog of Ireland. After his murder, the interest in the initiative was lost.

The Board of Directors is staggered so that every year 1/5 of the Board is new, and 4/5 has experience running the Foundation. This provides continuity in management and ensures smooth operation into the future.

The Central Asia Dog in fact is not very common in Italy, while the Caucasian Mountain Dog is present with a very remarkable number of subjects (only in 1998 more than 600 have been registered to the genealogical registers). Both the breeds anyway are very ancient and have the undeniable advantage that they have not been manipulated too much by man. They are fascinating and mysterious breeds that hide in their eyes a millennial history.

In a recent survey we conducted, 93% of the 600 Maltese owners reported that they did have a tear staining problem with their Maltese.

Kerry Blue puppies are not easy to find. Check out the list of breeders. You should not buy a Kerry puppy from a pet store because you may not be able to check the pedigree or receive support from the breeder. It is better find a reputable breeder on this web site or through a local Kerry Blue Club.

In general, the Cairn is a healthy breed. For more information, see www.cairnterrier.org/reboot/health.html. One advantage to adopting an older Cairn is that it is easier to determine if there will be any health issues than it is with a young puppy.

You should never breed just to obtain puppies or with a substandard mate. To breed responsibly you should first properly research all candidates - both their background and pedigree for three generations is very important. Be aware of any health problems in the dog to avoid weakening the gene pool of its offspring. You should never breed two dogs that show similar health problems or weaknesses.

Susie, the first Scottish Fold cat, was discovered in 1961 in the Tayside Region of Scotland, at a farm near Coupar Angus. She was a white barn cat with ears that folded downward and forward on her head. Her face resembled an "owl" or an "otter's face". A shepherd by the name of William Ross first noticed Susie's unique ears at a neighbor's barn. Since William and his wife Mary were Cat Fanciers they were fascinated with Susie.

Quite common! Many lifestyle factors favor undesirable microorganisms over probiotics in your intestinal tract: stress, poor diet (sugar and fat), alcohol, prescription drugs, travel, frequent colds or infections, and aging are the big ones. It's hard for a modern person not to have a probiotic deficiency to some degree.

Kerries make fine dogs for apartment dwellers as long as their exercise requirements are met (a couple 20 minute walks each day is sufficient). Their size is convenient, they are exceptionally sociable, and do not disturb neighbors with excessive barking.

In Running With Man's Best Friend, by Davia Anne Gallup, Alpine Publications, 1986, Kerries are rated as 'good' runners, out of the categories 'fair,' 'good,' 'superior.' I quote: Dogs with a "Good (G)" rating make fine running partners, but may be less capable of running daily or for long distances. I advise no more than 18-25 miles per week. Running five days a week, this is equivalent to 4 or 5 miles a day.

Interestingly, the best companion for a Kerry is not a dog, it's YOU! Far more than nearly any other breed, Kerries are people-oriented. They are most happy and content when they are with someone, and are well known to follow their masters around like shadows! Kerries need to be where the action is, included in family act ivies, and treated as an important family member.

Health problems in Shilohs are much like the health problems in German Shepherds and other large breed dogs including: hip dysplasia, pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, bloat/torsion, mitral valve murmurs, SAS, and allergies.

Aerogel has a blue cast for the same reason that the sky is blue. The very small particles that compose the aerogel scatter blue light, the same as our atmosphere scatters blue light. Similarly, when you look through the aerogel the light appears yellowish or reddish, like that of a sunrise or sunset.