JANUARY 2014 DOG of the MONTH
IS ZIVA
To start the New Year off right, we present a beautiful, noble, dog named Ziva, as our Dog of the Month! Ziva joined the “gang” at Central Bark in February of 2013. She came to day care and didn’t know that she was going to be a student. Yes, she was gorgeous, but she needed some training!
Ziva and her littermates were found on the side of the road where some heartless person dropped them. They were then taken to the Medina County Dog Pound. It was a memorable day when Ziva was adopted by Steele and his wife, Chris. Who loves Ziva more is debatable. It was a match made in heaven.
Ziva appears to be a cross between a German Shepherd and a Belgian Malinois. The Malinois is a type of Belgian sheepdog. I think we all know what a German Shepherd is. Ziva has inherited the splendor and grace of both breeds. She has also inherited a loving and sweet personality, which is a good thing considering her size and intimidating breed types. The Malinois is an alert, high-energy breed that is popular as both a police and military working dog. Ziva is most definitely alert and filled with energy. She works hard…hard at having fun! She plays all day and particularly likes when there is water for enjoyment – like in the pool! She loves lounging in the pool, climbing on the slide, chasing after toys, and cuddling with the handlers. There isn’t a day care activity that she isn’t eager to tackle. Ziva is also the perfect sleepover guest. After playing hard all day long, she sleeps soundly at night. (Thank you, Ziva!)
A Malinois can sometimes be mistaken for a German Shepherd, but this breed is more elegant in build and lighter boned. It does not lack for strength, agility or herding skills. Ziva embodies all that, for sure! She loves to herd the playgroup into a more structured and organized group – although they pretty much don’t care about that.
Other qualities typical of a Malinois would include their intelligence, obedience, and trainability, sledding, tracking, and guarding talents. They are happiest with regular activities, like coming to Central Bark Day Care! This breed can be colors ranging from rich fawn to mahogany, with black tips on the hairs and a black mask and ears. Its name comes from the city in which it was developed, Malines, Belgium. Ancestry of a Malinois includes the Belgian Sheepdog and the Belgian Tervuren.
This breed historically loves their family and is quite protective of their owners, but is reserved with strangers. Ziva came to her family with an outgoing, winning, and confident personality, but she did need training. Steele and Chris recognized this need in her and immediately began her training program here at Central Bark. Ziva, a quick learner, easily earned her American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen title. There was never any doubt.
Say hello to Ziva when you see her with her parents, Steele and Chris, and congratulate them all on Ziva’s achievements and on being named the January Dog of the Month!
