Log » Prick-Eared

Trouble in the North

Apr 142012

It has been awhile since I last logged anything on Riley the Swedish Vallhund. For much of the time, I have been dedicating time to researching. It is about time the neglect on updates of personal life of mine is taken care of.

Today, I set out to Grouse Mountain to take on the Baden-Powell Trail with Riley. It was a humbling experience because I learned the limitations of dog-ownership. Originally, I got a Swedish Vallhund because the idea of having a medium-sized dog which can fit underneath the seat of a bus or is allowed on walk-on ferries and water-taxis was rather appealing. However because the Vallhunds are a medium-sized dog afflicted with achondroplasia, they require a different kind of collapsible carrier from the ones used by companion owners: one with metal frames, strong canvas and a wide base to support the weight. It became noticeable trekking up the side of a mountain with a large framed canvas on one’s backpack took a toll throwing me off center with its drag factor and uneven weight distribution. The difference between anchoring the soft-but-framed crate to the pack and doing without is substantial on such steep terrain like a rock to a feather. So while it is feasible to have a medium-size dog which can be taken anywhere in public in a city where dogs are not free without the supplement of car ownership, there are compromises which are not always beneficial.

On the trail, it became glaringly obvious why long-legged dogs who are slow-runners with tremendous endurance was needed for hunting in British Columbia. The terrain is too rugged and too tenacious to be conquered by a normal dog or a sprinter. A dog like a trial-bred Border Collie or a Saluki will not fare well in such situation; nor would a small hunting spitz such a Finkie or a Norrbotten, or most terriers other than the Jagd, Irish or Airedales for that matter. There is only two real styles to hunt in a mountain region, either to run long distance for hours or to pressure the animal intensely to head for the trees as soon as possible. However, since owning a long-legged breed takes away the independent of being free of being bonded to loans, high maintainance and insurances necessary for owning a car, settling for a dog who is satisfied treeing as soon as possible is preferable.

The previous night, I only had two hours of sleep and ate lightly. What I did not anticipate was the mountains to be full of difficult bike trails not meant for hikers. Normally, when fatigued, I trust the dog to take the easiest path, however since Riley has learned to pick up scent and tree animals last fall, during bear season, he kept constantly going up and down the mountain bike trails. I did not realize what he was in pursuit until he suddenly ran off, ran up the mountain off the beaten path. In this scenario, recall is completely useless when a dog has a high prey drive. So, I waited for him to tree and followed.

I am still quite unsure what he has treed since getting him back was a priority over observing the tree-tops. Squirrels he will rush, but will not run great distances for such an insignificant creature. Most people have not heard of a bear on Grouse Mountain before, so it could be a marten, a bobcat, a cougar, a raccoon, a mink or a fisher; although bears are not unknown to North Vancouver. It is a rather unusual situation, since he does have an on- and off-switch, because I could always call him off a bear; and he knows if he has his backpack on, he is not expected to assist in a hunt. However the only way to call him off if he is already in pursuit is to catch up with him. He can spend hours barking at something in a tree without responding to a remote recall.

So by the time I recovered the dog, I was dead-beat tired. I had no interest in paying attention to the landmarks in my surrounding and I was lost. So, I checked my smartphone to gain a bearing with Google Maps. However the effort went to waste when he went off again, so I followed again. In the process, I dropped the BlackBerry without being aware of it. With such steep hills and ravines, a leashed dog is a liability. At this point, it was time to cut the trail short halfway through and head home and the quickest way was to navigate down the bike trails.

On the way back to home, I was not a pleasant company. The snacks readily available only spiked glucose and insulin levels, instead of releasing them slowly into the blood-stream. Riley did his best as a young dog to accommodate the intolerance for antics. He is a good sport for dealing with a cranky individual with short-tempers when sapped.

Perhaps someone will find my BlackBerry. Doubtful. However I will need to change the passwords to various accounts, then remind people responses on social-networks and via e-mails will be undergoing unintended delays until a new smartphone is ordered in. Needless to say, if we are walking up a damned mountain, I am leaving Riley’s crate behind and we are taking bloody car or taxi next time.

So Long, and Thanks for All the Hikes

Log No Responses »

Mar 282012

The days are getting longer and spring-time is already here for people on the west coast. While the blog has been inactive for many reasons: fall-bear season, negotiating with overseas kennels, planning a trip abroad, anticipating the pre-summer change of residence; it is important to remember dogs come first. In April, the spring bear season will be kicking up again; however this year, I decided to opt to spend more leisure-time conditioning Riley, the featured dog on the blog, for staying with the parents in northern Canada while I am out running about in the Lapland for the next few months.

This means there is only four more weekends before Riley goes on a vacation in a smaller city than the Vancouver Metro in May. At the best of time, eight days should be available for hiking.

Vancouver is very well-known for its ease of accessibility and its green-space, in comparison to other large cities in Canada. In fact, there is an entire website for tourists and outdoors enthusiasts. According to the website, there are about 65 trails open to dogs. Awhile back, I kept an archive of all the hiking trails and dog parks with a colour-code for the limitations of these areas.

View Hiking Trails in a larger map

For anyone who plans on using the map, always check the rules before going and adhere to them upon arrivals. Rules are bound to change, and only by being responsible and following them, we can defeat highly restrictive impositions while making a case to the authorities these guidelines are counter-productive or impractical. While there are better places to sought out without worrying about cyclists, horses, pedestrians, however when pressured for time, everything goes smoother when hiking on already-blazed trails by other enthusiasts.

Out of these 65 trails in the Greater Vancouver Area, there are about 16 are off-leash within transit reach and 13 reachable via car without taking the ferry to Vancouver Island in the lower mainland. Hopefully, Riley will reach most of these before he boards the plane headed for the Albertan boreal on May 29th.

A Glimpse Into the Past

Tod 2 Responses »

Mar 132012

I found an old picture, circa 1997 or 1998, maybe a little bit earlier:

You would think the little fellow would grow up be:

But instead, he grew up to be this:

Beware of the troll.

Swedish Feist

Riley 3 Responses »

Nov 222011

There is no future for the Swedish Vallhunds as a herding breed in many parts of the world. The nature of the cattle industry has gone on a scale of a factory-farms; and droving breeds like the Australian Shepherds, along with Blue Heelers and certain strains of Border Collies, are needed for those large-scale operations of five-hundred plus heads of meat-cattle. However British Columbia has a history of using farm shepherds for hunting bears and cougars; along with varmint control, rabbiting and retrieving shot birds prior to the rise of the materialistic middle- and upper-class and their narrowed focus on owning specialized breeds for the sake of inflating one’s affluent status. [See Scottie Westfall's application of Thorstein Veblen's Theory of the Leisure Class.] So, there is no reason a Swedish Vallhund could not be used for unorthodox purposes and be accused of losing their original herding instinct.

As to date, Riley the Vallhund has pursued a bear when he was only 7-months old; nailed a rabbit; disposed a skunk; and caught a black squirrel. He is actually developing into a nice hunting dog.

Although the Douglas Squirrel is protected in British Columbia, the Eastern Grey Squirrel, introduced to Stanley Park in 1909, are not; and sadly, they started out-competing the Douglas. Unfortunately, because of the bleeding hearts, the spread of the notorious grey squirrels was also extended throughout the Fraser Valley under the foolish and short-sighted trap-and-release program. However as designated by Schedule C of British Columbia’s Wildlife Act, they are considered as an invasive species. Because of this clause, it is a past-time for some people to take their dogs to let them loose on the squirrels.

Applicable excerpts of the law is as follows:

Exemption from section 26 (1) (c) of the Act

11 (1) A person is exempted from sections 11 (1) and 26 (1) (c) of the Wildlife Act where wildlife listed in Schedule C is hunted, taken, trapped, wounded or killed.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply where the hunting, taking, trapping, wounding or killing of the animal occurs

(a) on private land without the permission of the landowner or occupier, or

(b) in a manner prohibited by law.

(3) Despite subsection (1), the exemption from section 11 (1) does not apply to the following:

(a) species of the genus Corvus — crows;

(b) Pica pica — black-billed magpie;

(c) Molothrus ater — brown-headed cowbird.

[en. B.C. Reg. 202/91, App. 3, s. 1; am. B.C. Reg. 171/2006, s. (d).]

Schedule C

[sections 10 (1) (a), 11 (1), 4, 2 (1), 6 (1)]

[en. B.C. Reg. 253/2000, App. 2, s. 9.]

1 Mammals of the following species:

(a) all species of the genus Sciurus — gray and fox squirrels;

(b) Didelphis virginiana — North American opossum;

(c) Sylvilagus floridanus — eastern cottontail;

(d) Oryctolagus cuniculus — European rabbit;

(e) Myocastor coypus — nutria.

2 Birds of the following species or their nests or eggs:

(a) all species of the genus Corvus — crows, except Corvus corax — common raven;

(b) Pica pica — black-billed magpie;

(c) Sturnus vulgaris — European starling;

(d) Passer domesticus — house sparrow;

(e) Columbia livia — rock dove;

(f) Molothrus ater — brown-headed cowbird.

3 Amphibians of the following species:

(a) Rana catesbeiana — bullfrog;

(b) Rana clamitans — green frog.

4 Reptiles of the following species:

(a) all species of the family Chelydridae — snapping turtles.

For many weeks after Riley discovered squirrels live in the trees, upon witnessing them jumping from branch to branch across the local roads, he took a keen interest in them and started treeing them and annoying the neighbourhood with his Elkhound-like bark which echoes for miles around. Recently, he also figured out if he stalked them, he could actually get close enough to catch them. In addition, he learned a trick in order catch them off-track, he would have to go behind the trunk before they make the loop-the-loop. Last week, he caught his first tree critter— and tripped the vermin up. Unfortunately, Riley blew his chance at quickly ending the poor squirrel’s life and crippled the hind-end. As obligated by the mentioned Wildlife Act:

Requirement to kill injured wildlife

4 If a person injures wildlife listed in Schedule B or C, the person must kill that wildlife.

[en. B.C. Reg. 253/2000, App. 2, s. 3.]

I had to dispatch the squirrel in the most humane way I know of as applied when I kept rodents for laboratory purposes as recommended by the AVMA: cervical dislocation by holding down the head and yanking the tail; and left the carcass for the crows and ravens to feast upon. Upon returning home, the Easterner in a chatroom gave me heck for not turning the squirrel into gravy.

Now, there isn’t a culture of squirrel-eating in the West; it is predominant on the Eastern Seaboard far north as New Brunswick down to the South where they use small dogs called feists for treeing squirrels. Out in the West, it is considered as a hill-billy thing to do to eat squirrel; consuming vermin is an activity of the lower-class. In fact, I am sure if my family knew I ate a squirrel, I would be disowned.

However that is not to say there isn’t a squirrel-hunting culture; there is, and there isn’t: some of the fur-trappers in Alberta will shoot martens and squirrels out of the tree to skin them for the European market. I know of one unverified account in northern Alberta of someone using a bark-pointer, said to be a Finnish Spitz, to hunt pine martens for commercial purposes. However the latter is just a rumour. Now, I am not entirely sure if the above is cricket under British Columbia’s trapping regulations.

Scottie Westfall, located in West Virginia, sent me this clip the next time Riley wrassle with a grey squirrel:

Now if a hipster goes the way of a redneck, what does it make him?

Underapperciated

Riley 2 Responses »

Nov 152011

Riley doesn’t get enough credits these days. To be honest, after so many years spent with a vocal dog who yodels, yips, yowls, screams and hums back at a human to carry an actual conversation, eerily close to actual words, with everyone he met, it gets pretty lonely with all the quietness; and a dog whose range is mostly limited to barks and whimpers get shoved to the back of one’s mind. Also, when one grew up with an affectionate dog whose limit is being hugged; having a puppy who crawls on the lap is off-putting. The fault is the expectations, not Riley’s.

However when it was time to sought out a dog, a more obedient, but still cheeky, and strong-willed dog who doesn’t have a problem being shoved under a bus seat without the certification of a guide-dog was wanted. Existentially, Ri meets the bill. The new-found sentiment and fondness toward the dog of old didn’t arise until a Finnish Spitz came into the picture inspiring teenage nostalgia. Furthermore, on the 14^th of February visiting the family, the old dog wasn’t in a good shape. Consequently, I became emotionally-distraught over the ordeal. When Ri came home from being babysat, the new behaviour of refusing to sleep on the bed or in the hammock with his best friend was not well-received.

The sleeping in a crate wasn’t the only change. Sleeping out on the patio instead of watching movies became a new precedent; and staying about five feet away became the new norm. Very atypical of people-orientated breeds.

As of late, the yearling started sleeping on the bed again. In addition, he started asking to be assisted onto the hanging furnitures once again. It occurred he might be quite socially-sensitive and now he is interactive again, always paying attention to every action and word. For awhile, the one-time babysitter was blamed for the disassociative attitude due to the alpha methodology borrowed from Cesar Milan. However the new trend began once the sorrow over the old dog passed; coupled with going through an existentialist crisis. Whatever the case, when the zeal for life returned, Riley’s spunk has come back.

Now it is clear he is the ideal dog: cute, attentive, interactive, confident, not easily cowed and has good judgment. He is almost too human to avoid anthromorphizing. So what if he is not naughty enough to experiment independently? He is well-liked by everyone for good reasons. A confident dog comfortable in his skin is a rare gem.

Dwarf Meets Giant

Riley 1 Response »

Sep 272011

I came across these photographs from February 4^th, 2011 on my BlackBerry’s microSD card while looking for images to post for diary-esque posts. The quality is horrifying, but I do think the size disparity of a 7-months old Vallhund and a 5-months old Bullmastiff, according to the owner, is interesting to note. Click to view.

The only time I see dogs dig is when they are thirsty, which occurs when the water valves have been turned off to prevent freezing of the pipes resulting in the fountains and pumps being placed out of commission.

Many Colours of Summer

Riley 8 Responses »

Sep 202011

The autumn equinox is approaching, and soon summer will be over. Over the summer about two dozens bandannas were acquired since the West Coast is known for its scorching heat. Although a cooling vest could be purchased, the classic handkerchief is more traditional. Most of the neighbourhood probably think I am a homosexual now.

So far this year has been mild. Over the last two years in Victoria, it was tortuous to keep the ferret cool since they don’t sweat or pant. However at least none of the mammals had to go into the beer fridge like the cold-weathered geckos of New Caledonia, the frogs and skinks of Solomon Islands and mountainous Indonesia; and the native salamanders of the Prairies back when keeping reptile was the hip, cool thing for every young adult. Although the Pacific Northwest has a similar climate to the coastlines of the Scandinavia, Riley can vouch he prefers playing in deep snow instead.

Originally this collage was supposed to be more like a super-model in a rainbow portfolio, however given two things recently hit the fan in July, there haven’t been any additional photographs since. So this is what I have to show for the upcoming last day of summer.

Click to enlarge and to view the titles.

Hot Stuff Strut

Riley 3 Responses »

Sep 132011

Keep in mind, when I acquired a Swedish Vallhund, I knew nothing about them. I knew the history of the Corgis and checked out books on them while in university.

Logically, I rationalized Vallhunds are better balanced: longer in the legs, shorter in the back, thus they are the “healthier” breed.

However it is becoming clear to me, no matter how I rationalize things, the primary reason why I went with a Swedish Vallhund instead of a Corgi is personal preference. See, Vallhunds have this gait: the hot-stuff strut. Many spitzes have this cocky demeanor about them; and thus we interpret their personality as such. Tod the Shiba had this strut; Elkhounds have it; Finnish Spitzes have it; some Laikas have it as well. Not all spitzes have it, and some of the non-spitz breeds have this movement.

Can’t visualize it? Try this footage from a walk to McDonald Beach on Sea Island in Richmond, B.C.:

No corgi moves like this. I don’t know if it is an indicator of their personality, or if they have low ground clearance, but they don’t.

When I say “[Riley's uncle] reminds me so much of Tod,” I really means it.

The Gazehund

Riley 3 Responses »

Jul 262011

It was time to take Riley out to the Farmers Market in middle of Vancouver. We were to share a loaf of sour-dough bread after two weeks of being on a rice diet. How mundane.

We went to a dock tucked away in middle of the reeds by the lake, so I could catch up on my readings and Riley wouldn’t be distracted by pedestrians walking their dogs. I took off his purple slip-leash. He wouldn’t go anywhere, and if he did– I could always grab him by his orange backpack. He laid down beside me, and rested his head on my crossed knees.

About twenty minutes later, his radar went off, ears moving in all direct. His head perked up. He glared at an indistinguishable far off object. All that was in sight was greenery. “Stay,” firmly I reminded him.
He looked back, and gave me the stink-eye, No.
“Stay. You need to stay,” reaffirming him.
No. I see something.
“You know better. You are supposed to stay here.”
Hah, no.

I reached over to grab his backpack, but it was too late: he bolted. I had no idea what he saw, until I walked out into the field. In broad daylight, he was pursuing a rabbit toward the parking lot into the thickets in front of dozens of people. “God-fucking-damnit, Riley,” hoarsely escaped from my breath as the Irish cap was thrown into the ground and nearly breaking my foot from kicking a nearby post out of frustrating embarrassment.

Picking the hat back up, I knew at this point, recall was fundamentally useless. What was more important was trying to figure out where Ri went. Scanning the horizon for a blazing orange, he was nowhere to be seen. What if he ran out into the roads? Did he get hit by a car? Did it means I have go back home without a dog? The heart raced.

Suddenly, an Elkhound-like dog came up behind me. Smiling and panting. “Good boy, you came back,” I praised him while kneeling down to stroke his face.
I always come back. You worry too much, he panted with a grin.
“I know, but we are at a park. People don’t like free-roaming dogs.”
Cocking his head, staring at me wondering if I lost my marbles, Not their problem.
“Other dogs don’t like being approached.”
Then they are assholes. Who wouldn’t want a cute puppy like me?
“But we are by a road.”
He sat down and panted heavily, Ha, I won’t get hit by a car. You know that.
“Perhaps. Don’t be so cocky. Where did you run off too?”
Come, I show you. He took a few steps, then looked back. As I got up, he paced toward a nearby juniper bush. Here.

Picking up the limp black and white rabbit, I inspected it. It was a domesticated feral. There is quite a few of them around. For some reason people think it is more humane to release their pets in the park, even though they would fall prey to stray cats, tower-dwelling hawks and street-savvy coyotes. It was a fine buck, about three–five pounds. No puncture marks. No laceration. Nothing. It was difficult to tell if he actually caught the rabbit or if the rabbit died of a heart attack.

He reared back and placed his forelegs on my knee. What’s that?
“It’s a rabbit.”
Huh?
“Rabbit.”
Okay, got it!
“Guess it’s dinner for the ‘yotes tonight,” I said before chucking it into the bush. I never cooked with rabbits before, and was ill-prepared to skin one. Maybe some day, but not now, I thought.
Hahahaha. It was fun. Then he went into the juniper to pull out the carcass and panted with a grin.
“No, leave it. Not today.”
He dropped the body, then picked it back up again, Why? It’s mine.
“Leave it, Riley. We are not taking it home.”
Hahahaha, okay! Let do this again sometimes.
“We shall. I never gone rabbiting before. I wonder how well you would take to the boomstick.”
What’s that? He cocked his head, with an inquirying shine in his eyes.
“You will find out someday.”

Moonlighting

Tod No Responses »

Jul 222011

There was a bold claim made about hunting dogs being used as farm dogs. It was a pretty gutsy call as some things are innate and some things are learned. However they were not called herding dogs for a reason.

I haven’t really found out what Vallhunds are supposed to do other than herd, but from what I understand, they are supposed to be farm dogs that can do it all like the American Scotch Collie. It kind of makes sense because Norrbottenspets and Finnish Spitz were supposed to be farm dogs too that could bring in the horses and cows into the stables. However the concept of breed only arose what? 120, 150 years ago? So really, it’s all nebulous, no?

via littleheelers.wordpress.com

Don’t know about the other Nordic spitz types, but I have great doubts whether the Finnish Spitz was ever widely supposed to drive cattle and horses back to the stables. I’ve never heard of it, it’s not in any Finnish breed histories I know of (not that many, admittedly), they don’t exhibit any tendencies for it and I’ve certainly not seen it in Finland. This of course doesn’t mean it didn’t ever happen, but still… I don’t think so. It’s not that kind of dog. Great all-round hunting dog for the forests, though.

via littleheelers.wordpress.com

The comment following the claim is right: Norrbottenspitz and Finnish Spitz are not bred to herd, nor is there any history associated with them herding anything. Every account just calls for them being all-around hunting dogs in the forests on small farms. However, they are not associated with any of the hereditary traits which make other hunting breeds such as the English Setter, German Shorthaired Pointers or the Münsterländers stand out. What makes barking spitzes unique, at least according to Vangen and Klemetsdal in 1988, is their intelligence and eagerness to work.

So, what constitutes a farm dog? It largely depends on context, and how people define them.

Most people know Shiba Inu as a hunting dog. There are no traditional herding dogs in their native homeland of Japan. Even so, most Shiba Inus fill the niché of pursuing small games. Why would this come up?

Well, while we were visiting the relatives in central Alberta, they were crop farmers with only a handful of chickens, a milk cow or two and a pair of Border Collies. These people were not keen on livestocks. However everyday just before dark, the Border Collies would fetch the cows and bring them to the barn. Then in the morning, the relatives would let them out of the barn to graze. The Border Collies’ job description wasn’t to herd– they were meant as family pets who could roam when they wanted to ranging from visiting neighbours to barking at coyotes. Everything else was secondary. For the most part, the Collies left the cows alone except at dusk.

Apparently off-leashed Shiba Inus among cows are rare.

via littleoslo.com [Image: littleoslo]

Well, of course, we brought our Shiba Inu along. He got along fine with the Collies, which was surprising since he always got into a scruff with the dogs belonging to relatives on my stepdad’s side of the family; never with my mother’s side. Anyway, he was left tied up since it was uncertain if he would take off and be unseen for a couple of days. So he spent the days watching the Collies.

Well, the Shiba managed to slip out of his harness after the second day. We thought, “okay, he’s not going anywhere– let him be. We are in the middle of nowhere. He is not going to do anything, cause anything or stir up any troubles.” Sure enough, just before dusk, before the Collies got around to the cows, the Inu was fetching the cows and driving them back to the barn. Must be a fluke? He did the same thing the day after, he beat the Collies at their routines and did it again– same time of the day at dusk on the dot. And so on.

Now that being said, Shiba Inus are not known to herd. There is nothing in their breed history signifying this. There are no anecdotes of this. Most of the trial folks probably would call it a predatory drive or “livestock chasing.” So what gives?

Tod was about five or six years old when he did this. He never grew up on a farm, except in a kennel run on a ranch for the first eight months of his life. He didn’t pay any attention to cattle or deer for that matter prior to the visit. There was no display of hunting behaviours, and the cows were never bitten; nor did they run for their lives. However the relatives called him a smart farm dog.

The Border Collies were called “good herding dogs.” The unexpected turn of event earned Tod the title of “a good farm dog.” Two different concepts. In their book, anyway.

See, this Shiba Inu would never pass a Herding Instinct Test, nor would he be biddable enough to obtain titles. It is dubious he would be able to handle more than a couple of livestocks. As emphasized: he never listened. However he picks up on routines and emotions, then put them into context quite well. Actually, he never really did anything that would be disapproved by others or anything worth giving him heck for.

However the relatives asked if they could keep him as they were astounded a dog who never obeyed was able to do these things. They needed a dog that could also flush birds and catch mice. Nope. No how. No way. The dog belonged to the kids.

I say this because herding dogs can hunt, and hunting dogs can help out with the chores. They are still farm dogs by definition. Helping out with bringing home a few cows or bringing the horses into the stables is not herding; it is part of a routine. The only difference is, if someone wants a dog that could control more than a handful of livestocks, they probably will go for a herding breed. If they want to hunt with a dog, then a hunting breed would be a priority. Everything else is just bonus points.

If dogs don’t partake supplementary tasks, no harm no foul. The dogs probably weren’t purchased for those reasons. If they can, then it is an unexpected asset.

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