Jonathan Franklin, author of “The Wolf in the Parlor,” has re-written the narrative about the long-time relationship between Man and Dog.  Conventional wisdom has Man domesticating the Dog somewhere around 6,000 years ago.  But Jon Franklin, through extensive research, has shown that Man didn’t really “domesticate” the Dog.  Instead, approximately 12,000 years ago, Man and the Wolf evolved simultaneously into a partnership in which Dog (the evolved Wolf) took on the responsibility of guarding over Man, and Man accepted the responsibility for the care and feeding of Dog.  At the same time — archeological records show — Man’s brain mass decreased by about 10% (because he didn’t have to guard the fort at night) and Dog’s brain mass decreased by about 20% (because he didn’t have to scavenge for food).  It’s a fascinating story, well told.  It truly explains the warm psychological bond between Man and Dog.

Curious to know the breeding of your mixed-breed dog?

Start the new year by finding out the makeup of your dog’s breeding.  Knowing your dog’s breeding can help you know how to feed your dog, how to manage its health, and how to exercise it.  All in all, it’s a great way to take better care of your dog, and your dog will love you for it.

Enter the contest by writing a short essay about your dog — as a comment to this post.  What are your guesses for your dog’s breed mix?  Why?  Why would you like to know your dog’s breed mix?  Write the best comment, and you will start the new year by knowing your dog’s breeding background.

Contest deadline is midnight, Friday, January 15, 2010.  Callie Golden Retriever’s decision will be final.

Learn more about the Wisdom Panel test here.

Can you figure out this dog’s mixed breeding?  Take a shot at it, and then listen to the “My Doggie Says…” radio show this Wednesday night to learn the answer.

You will learn about Dr. Stacey Fuchino’s dog Dante.  And Angela Hughes, representing the MARS Wisdom Panel mixed-breed test will reveal Dante’s breeding components.  So you will have a chance to test your guess!

The “My Doggie Says…” show will help you gain a deeper appreciation for “Man’s Best Friend.” The show is broadcast live from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, on KFNX 1100, Phoenix. It is streamed live on www.1100kfnx.com. Host Fred Haney interviews dog whisperers, dog trainers, authors of dog books, and experts on all aspects of dogs and dog behavior and dog nature. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, click on “Podcast,” and search for “My Doggie Says…”

Therapy Dogs: Pat Carlson, co-chair of “In Hospital Training,” for the Pet Visitation Program at Torrance Memorial Hospital, talks about the hospital’s program for using dogs to help calm and cheer patients.  She describes how dogs and handlers are screened, how the dogs assist patients, and some of the wonderful successes of the program.  Pat also talks about different dog breeds and how some breeds, like Golden Retrievers, seem more suited for the program than others.  Providing this kind of service can be one of the high callings for the family dog.

The “My Doggie Says…” show helps listeners gain a deeper appreciation for “Man’s Best Friend.” The show is broadcast live from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, on KFNX 1100, Phoenix. It is streamed live on www.1100kfnx.com. Host Fred Haney interviews dog whisperers, dog trainers, authors of dog books, and experts on all aspects of dogs and dog behavior and dog nature. Listen to past interviews at www.mydoggiesays.com/blog/. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, click on “Podcast,” and search for “My Doggie Says…”

David Frei, co-host of the Westminster Dog Show and CEO of “Angel on a Leash,” talks about dog breeds, dog intelligence, and some of the dog training involved in becoming “best of show” dog.  David has also been chaperone to Uno, 2008 “best of show” beagle, for the past year.  In addition to discussing the Westminster and National dog shows, David talks about “Angel on a Leash,” a charitable program he co-founded to provide therapy dogs for hospitals in nine locations around the country.

The “My Doggie Says…” show helps listeners gain a deeper appreciation for “Man’s Best Friend.” The show is broadcast live from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, on KFNX 1100, Phoenix. It is streamed live on www.1100kfnx.com. Host Fred Haney interviews experts on all aspects of dogs and dog ownership. Listen to past interviews at www.mydoggiesays.com/blog/. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, click on “Podcast,” and search for “My Doggie Says…”

On February 4, 2009, Tracie Hotchner, host of “Dog Talk: The Radio Program” (WLIU 88.3 FM), was the guest on the “My Doggie Says…” Radio Show.  Tracie is also the author of “The Dog Bible.”  Tracie’s “Dog Talk” program fits nicely with the dog communication approach of “My Doggie Says…”  During the show, we arranged for Tracie and a guest caller, Victoria, to receive the Canine Heritage Breed Test for distinguishing between dog breeds in a mixed breed dog.  We’ll report the results when they are in.

The “My Doggie Says…” show helps listeners gain a deeper appreciation for “Man’s Best Friend.” The show is broadcast live from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, on KFNX 1100, Phoenix. It is streamed live on www.1100kfnx.com. Host Fred Haney interviews experts on all aspects of dogs, dog breeds, and dog communication. Listen to past interviews at www.mydoggiesays.com/blog/. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, click on “Podcast,” and search for “My Doggie Says…”

Theresa Brady, of MetaMorphix, Inc., talks about her company’s “Canine Heritage Breed Test” for mixed breed dogs.  MetaMorphix was the first company to launch a DNA breed test.  The test helps dog owners determine the breeds that make up a mixed breed dog.

The “My Doggie Says…” show helps listeners gain a deeper appreciation for “Man’s Best Friend.” The show is broadcast live from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights, on KFNX 1100, Phoenix. It is streamed live on www.1100kfnx.com. Host Fred Haney interviews experts on all aspects of dogs and dog ownership. Listen to past interviews at www.mydoggiesays.com/blog/. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes. Go to the iTunes store, click on “Podcast,” and search for “My Doggie Says…”