Natural History

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments

6 Responses

1. on August 18, 2009 at 2:39 am Viatecio

   Other than the fact that they’re small (and what puppy isn’t at some point in its life?), I see no Papillon in them at all. The hair is too short, the ears are too floppy and set too low, and they are all a solid chocolate/black color. I’d be interested in seeing an updated video when they’re a little more grown in a few weeks.

   Just my non-professional opinion. I’ve never seen a Papillon that dark except for some patches and highlighting, nor have I seen Pap-pup that wasn’t fuzzy.

   Me and my soapbox call shenanigans :P

   
   
   • on August 18, 2009 at 11:39 am retrieverman

     Well, true short-hair is dominant over any other coat, and a black and white papillon crossed with a short-hair that was predominantly liver in color would produce black puppies.

     Labradors are not true short-haired dogs, so if crossed with goldens, you can get long-haired puppies.

     
     
     • on August 19, 2009 at 12:06 am Viatecio

       Ah, I didn’t know all that dominant/recessive genetic stuff. Basic phenotype is more my strength when it comes to looking at breeds and mixes. Thanks for the mini-lesson!

       Our last Lab/golden cross had the shorter hair, but it was so soft. My parents love the golden and don’t mind shedding, but they really appreciated the shorter hair Zeke had. Then again, all the goldens in the neighborhood are the “bear” type, so they get eyefuls of all that burdening hair. A field-bred golden would be good, but they know they don’t have what it takes to care for such a dog.

       
       
       • on August 19, 2009 at 12:14 am retrieverman

         Generally, we believe erect ears to be recessive (however, there are some studies, like the borgis, that showed that this might not be the case. That was an attempt to introduce the tailless gene in corgis into Boxers, because in many European countries tail docking isn’t allowed.)

         In the US, papillons also come in a drop-eared variety called a phalene. Papillons are small spaniels that have been bred to small spitz breeds to give them erect ears and curled tails. The phalenes are recessive to the typical papillons. In Europe, they are a separate breed. It’s actually possible to get a Papillene dog, which has one erect ear and one drop ear. (And I just made up that term.)

         
         
   • on August 18, 2009 at 1:14 pm Sengimage

     Oddly enough many breeds seem to have come from a larger dog breed mixed with a smaller one. The American Water Spaniel is one. There are other mixes Similar to it that may also become acknowledged breeds one day. If they don’t go the route of a “Doodle”. Or if the purist don’t send a letter bomb or Anthrax in the mail.

     
     
2. on August 18, 2009 at 7:49 pm flattie-n-Labbie

   Yippee! Apartment-sized pointers! Get ’em while they’re hot!

   (If they catch on, I can buy stock in giant gerbil balls, and retire.)

   
   

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