A new report in the European Respiratory Journal by German boffins conclude that your pooch may be able to detect lung cancer by smelling your breath. Although the team worked with just four dogs – an Australian Shepherd, a Labrador and a brace of German Shepherds – the success rate was remarkable. In 100 samples from lung cancer sufferers, they were able to detect the disease on 71 occasions. Conversely, the successfully recognised 93 per cent of samples given by disease free volunteers – an excellent figure for false positives.

These figures are better that the tests most doctors currently run – a recent study found that seasoned smokers who had an annual scan for lung cancer only reduced their chances of death from the disease by 20 per cent.

Any dog owner who has walked their pet within twenty paces of another dog’s bum will know that they have an acute sense of smell, but how can they recognise this killer disease? The team think that a dog can recognise minute changes in certain organic, chemical compounds in human breath that occur in the presence of the disease. However, before you rush to breathe all over your pet pooch because you’re paranoid about your smoker’s cough, the experiments were carried out under strict conditions.

This isn’t the first time that dogs have impressed us with their ability to sniff out disease – in the past, they have correctly identified colon and bladder cancer, as well as low blood sugar counts in diabetes sufferers.

Although impressive, the team say that more research needs to be conducted to discover exactly what chemical their dogs are picking up.

Win 1 of 3 copies of Caring For Your Dog the Essential Guide

We have 3 copies of the doggie book 'Caring for Dogs: The Essential Guide' to give away. The guide book tells you all you need to know about caring for your dog, so is invaluable for dog owners everywhere. You can see more about this book here

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What is another name for an Alsatian?

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The National Policing Improvement Agency has said that dogs used to find missing people have not received training to the standards required.

In addition to this, the agency says that there is currently no effective mechanism for assessing the performance of recovery dogs.

The original report was conducted in 2009, but details have only just come to light after a request for information made by Sky News.

The report states:

“There is no consistency in what the dogs can do and how it is done.”

“Furthermore, there is no national standard for accrediting dogs and handlers or record keeping of the success rate they achieve.”

In addition, dogs that are trained to find dead bodies could very way hamper an investigation, rather than help it.

Police sniffer dogs are highly prized. Any dog breeder that supplies prospective pups to the force will usually see the minority of them make it through the gruelling training regime and final tests.

Cadaver dogs have found themselves in the spotlight in recent years, most notably in the investigation into the disappearance of British toddler Madeline McCann in Portugal. In that particular case, the dog detected the “scent of death”, but further investigation concluded that this was misleading.

Sniffer dogs were also used in the search for Shannon Matthews in 2008. They were able to detect the smell of corpses, but this was due to the fact that many of the houses searched had pre-owned furniture. This furniture was found to have been bought from houses where people had died.

Responding to the report, the Association of Chief of Police Officers said that it was in consultation with police forces to put national standards of training in place by the end of this year.

Paralympians sporting fantastic-looking prosthetic limbs are a common sight nowadays. The pioneering design and space age materials they employ are a far cry from the wires-and-springs ‘can opener’ used by Tee Hee to menace James Bond in ‘Live and Let Die’, but as the technology is now within reasonable reach of anyone who needs it, it was inevitable that it would soon filter down to our pets.

Three year old Mitzi had to undergo surgery to amputate a portion of her rear right leg after being trampled by a horse. However, this unfortunate incident meant that vet Dr Noel Fitzpatrick could attempt to fit this particular prosthetic for the first time ever. It was a simple choice to make for Mitzi’s owner, Viv Davies.

Ms Davies, of Dorchester, said:

“The options were three legs, euthanasia, or give her a chance to walk. We had to give her a chance to walk.”

Mitzi underwent her operation, and was let off her leash for the first time last week, leading to the moment of truth when she went for her first run.

Dr Fitzpatrick explained:

“There was always a risk that the exoprosthesis could actually break when Mitzi ran off her lead so this truly was a nail biting moment for me and for the design team as it could have failed spectacularly.”

“Mitzi is walking with an entirely normal gait, with her foot moving exactly the way it should it marks day one of Mitzi’s return to living life like a normal dog.”

A rod made from titanium was inserted into Mitzi’s leg, which left her with a peg to which the prosthetic could be attached.

Police dogs have a fearsome reputation. We’ve all seen footage of a German Shepherd chasing down a lumbering volunteer dressed in protective clothing and sinking his fangs into the poor sap’s arm. Even the most ardent hippy protestor would think twice about tangling with such a well trained animal. It’s no wonder that the police are well known for their training techniques. However, they don’t always have it their own way, as this copper discovers. What happens at 0:28 is just the cherry on the cake…

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the final video in our series.

However, it’s important to remember that dogs aren’t just here to tug at our heart strings and impair rational thought. Many dogs earn their keep by working; in fact, it’s a necessity to give your dog something to do to fulfil his natural instincts and prevent boredom setting in. One instinct that all dogs possess is to act as a guardian to their owner, but even so some are better than others. Let’s take a look at which breeds make a fine guard dog, but bear in mind the difference between a pet that will bark at the postman, and a slavering hell-hound trained to go for the throat on sight. That’s an attack dog, and Dream Dogs recommends that such animals are best left to professionals who can get away with setting them on people, such as the police.

The Rottweiler

Bit of an obvious pick, this. This breed makes a great family companion, and their protective instincts make for a great guard dog. They do not usually bark without good reason and their size – they can grow to around 27 inches (69 cm) and weigh 110 lb (50 kg) – can deter even the most determined of intruders. They learn quickly but are strong willed and so require a lot of discipline. Even so, if they’re good enough to protect the Antichrist in the Omen movies, they should be good enough for your 52” LCD TV.

The Doberman

Being the attack dog of choice for moviemakers everywhere fuels the Doberman’s fearsome reputation, but in real life they’re affectionate, loving pets. They’re a favourite with military and police forces due to their intelligence, obedience and trainability rather than a predilection for ripping out windpipes, and pretty much like the Rottweiler, the mere sight of one should send an interloper packing. Unless you’re unlucky enough to have Cesar Millan burgling your house, that is (although we don’t believe Cesar engages in such activities, so you should be ok).

Bull Mastiff

This cross-breed can grow as tall as a Rottweiler, but can weigh as much as 10 kg more. They tend to protect their owner by refusing to let a stranger past them, and will go so far as to knock someone down and stand above them, Muhammad Ali style. Bull Mastiffs are fiercely loyal and wary of strangers, so early socialisation is crucial to check any aggression towards innocent parties.

German shepherd

German shepherds (or Alsatians if we’re talking circa WWI) are actually quite gentle, especially around children, but don’t let this fool you. Combining high intelligence with notable ferocity, they can be trained to attack and release on demand. With courage to spare, they’re highly affectionate towards their owners, but can experience separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. It’s no coincidence that the police use German shepherds to catch burglars, they’re good at it!

The Puli

The Puli may look like a docile, well used mop head, but the opposite is true. Originally bred to herd sheep in Hungary, they’re not an overly aggressive breed but are highly intelligent and have a sensible, suspicious nature which makes for an excellent watch dog. Weighing in at 28 – 33 lbs, they’re also a great choice if you don’t want a pet as big as Bull Mastiff or one that eats more than Homer Simpson at an ‘all you can eat’ buffet.

Yes, kids can be a right handful.

If you have young children, you may be putting off getting a dog. It might be that you have concerns about your child’s safety around a pet, you may have your hands full enough with your little one without the responsibility of a dog, or you may be unsure what breed may fit in best with your current circumstances.

You may have also heard a lot of different stories about which breeds of dog are best to have around children. Speaking from personal experience, I have a friend who swore by her yappy, territorial Yorkshire terrier and another who let his daughter play with his massive, slavering Rottweiler without batting an eyelid.

What is universally true is this: there is no totally safe dog to have around your children. We may think of dogs in terms of stereotypes, but a major element of safety is down to the temperament of the individual dog. Golden Retrievers are just as liable to bite as the Pitbull/T. Rex cross owned by the chav down the street. Smaller dogs may be snappy and nervous, whilst a big lump like a Newfoundland can be gentle, despite its size.

Also, you need to know your children. Are your kids gentle bookworms, or Tasmanian Devils? An athletic dog would obviously be more suited to someone more active, whilst a placid breed would be perfect for the shy, retiring child.

With this in mind, let’s look at some of the breeds of dog that are generally accepted as being great with kids.

Labrador retriever

The Labrador retriever is possibly the first breed that springs to mind when considering children. It’s generally accepted that it has a sweet nature, and because of this, it’s the first choice of dog to work with the handicapped. It likes to be active and can be prone to boredom, so it’s a great choice if your kids want to while away the hours playing fetch.

Someone wants his dinner

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This handsome animal is one of the most popular dogs in the UK. It’s affectionate and playful, and is great around other pets. This breed requires a lot of grooming, and so owning one is a great opportunity to show your children how to care for their pet.

Beagle

This may be a surprising choice, as it is a pack dog and therefore associated most with hunting (and cigarette trials, but that’s another story). They’re naturally friendly, and crave company as they can get bored if left on their own. They’re great for smaller children due to their size, but beware: they can be hard to train. If they become obsessed with a scent, they will ignore your commands.

The German shepherd

This larger breed is better for older children, due to their strength. Don’t let their perceived ferociousness put you off – police use these breeds because they are loyal, and not because the enjoy sinking their teeth into miscreants. They’re very protective by nature, and can be very tolerant with children.

Generally speaking, it’s best to get a puppy if you have a child. This way, you can ensure that it is thoroughly trained and socialised, and it will understand its position in the family ‘pack’. There’s also the last golden rule: always supervise your children when they are with their pet. Even the most tolerant dog can become agitated when teased, whilst puppies – and children, for that matter – can be clumsy and unintentionally hurt their new friend.

According to The Kennel Club, sable and all black coats are perfectly acceptable; blue and liver are considered serious faults and all white is considered grounds for instant disqualification. This is because the white coat is much more visible if it is a guard dog, and it makes the animal harder to see if it is herding sheep or if it is snowing.

So what is the difference between the two? In fact, there’s none at all; the divergence in name came about as a result of the nationwide anti-German sentiment after World War I.

The breed is a relatively recent one, and its origins can be traced back to 1899. In an effort to standardise dog breeds in Germany, the Phylax Society was conceived in 1891. The venture was to be short lived, and ended after three years. However, it was successful in inspiring breeders to pursue standardisation independently.

Max Von Stephanitz

Once such person was Max Von Stephanitz, who purchased a dog at a show and, naming it Horand, founded the Society for the German Shepherd Dog. Horand was named as the first German Shepherd and was noted on the society’s register.

Horand was the focus of many breeding drives, and fathered lots of pups with dogs with desirable traits who belonged to other members of the society across Germany. The Society for the German Shepherd dog succeeded in its goals mainly because of Von Stephanitz’s uncompromising vision and strong leadership; he is widely credited as creating the breed. Nowadays, such a task would be much easier with the availability of stud dog directories that offer a wide variety of dogs to complement a bitch’s weaknesses.

Bred to herd sheep, the English name ‘German Shepherd Dog’ is a direct translation of Deutscher Schäferhund. The breed’s intelligence, strength and loyalty soon found it in favour with the police and the military and it was first introduced to Britain in 1908. When The Kennel Club first accepted the breed for registration in 1919, 54 dogs were catalogued. Within seven years, their numbers had swelled to 8,000, with the likes of Rin Tin Tin popularising the breed.

The direct English translation of its name was used for the official breed registry, but at the end of World War I, it was thought that the inclusion of the word ‘German’ would harm its popularity. The Kennel Club renamed it the ‘Alsatian Wolf Dog’, later shortening it to just ‘Alsatian’. The name remained, until a campaign succeeded in persuading the Kennel Club to allow them to be registered as German Shepherds once again from 1977.

Incredibly, the brave dog survived the vicious attack from the two assailants and is now being cared for at an animal shelter. The police were alerted by a neighbour of Lawrence Mick, Melissa Compau. She stated that the dog wasn’t being aggressive, or making a noise, and was merely sleeping in his cage before the two men began shooting at him with a .22 calibre pistol.

Lawrence Mick is in jail awaiting trial, and as an already convicted criminal (for drugs) he is facing up to five years for firing the gun. His friend in the assault, Adam Collins, didn’t contest his animal cruelty charge and will face trial next week, on 21st July.

The neighbour, Melissa Compau, was very brave to notify the police as she could have ignored the incident.

Perhaps the most incredible thing about this story, even more so than the fact that the dog survived the awful attack, was the comment by Lawrence Mick’s girlfriend. She claimed that the dog was aggressive, and defended her boyfriend stating:

“He’s not an animal abuser – he loves animals”

We hope that Lawrence Mick gets what is coming to him, and hopefully he’ll meet up with this dog one day!

Guard dogs however are different. They are, or should be, specially trained to fend off intruders and to defend your property. Dogs have great hearing, and should be alerted to any potential dangers that threaten either you or your property.

Of course, the keyword there is ‘should’ as not all dogs, even guard dogs, are the highly trained machines they’re sometimes mistaken for. One guard dog in particular, from Devon, recently slept through a burglary where he lived – the first burglary in 12 years.

The guard dog’s name is Taz and he’s a Doberman Alsatian cross. He works at the Dartmouth Arms, a pub in Devon. Taz has successfully guarded the Dartmouth Arms since he was bought in 1998 – of course, there haven’t been any attempts to burgle the pub in that time, until now.

While Taz slept upstairs, dreaming of juicy bones and slow postmen, thieves broke into the pub and raided the downstairs of alcohol supplies, and cash from the charity boxes and the quiz machine.

When Mark Keel, the landlord, opened the pub the next morning he found the pub had been robbed and the ‘alert’ guard dog snoring in his basket.

Mark explained:

Taz just didn’t wake up. He should have been straight down the stairs, and he would have been if he’d woken up.

He’s 11 years old now and he’s getting on – getting blind and deaf.

When he was younger, he’d wake up at anything, even people walking along the street outside. We’re now putting in a burglar alarm.

The thieves made off with large bottles of spirits, and even the jar of tips for the staff. The thieves were also very clean and tidy with their burglary because the pub’s cleaner had been in the next morning and hadn’t noticed any signs of theft.