A Word from Amy
Hello everyone and welcome to the Fall edition of Off The Leash!
In contrast to the phrase ³lazy summer days,² we have had a very busy past couple of months — adding to both our personal and Dogtopia families!
On the personal side we have a new baby at our house. Gavin William was born on May 19th and joins his big brother Aidan and his dog brothers Griffin and Bodhi. (I am surrounded by boys!) Everyone is getting along great and Gavin has even been spending time at Dogtopia White Flint. He sleeps right through all the dog noise coming from the Gym above my office!
As for our franchise, we are really growing! We have added new franchisees all across the country. By the end of the year we expect to have new Dogtopias in Manassas, VA, Dulles, VA, Knoxville, TN and Waco, TX. All four are currently in construction, and we will keep you posted on their progress and Grand Opening news.
Warmest Regards,
Founder and CEO
Doggy Gene Mapping
We see all different shapes and sizes when it comes to dogs, and at times even we are
amazed that the tiny Yorkies belong to the same species as the giant Newfoundland. There are
more than 400 recognized dog breeds and they differ widely in appearance and behavior. Some are
great guard dogs while others are better at hunting. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research firm,
out of Seattle, WA recently conducted an extensive study into the genetic relationships
among a wide range of breeds, with hopes of applying the knowledge to help humans. Hereıs
how it works:
 The study examined genetic samples of 414 dogs from 85 breeds to show how their genes
revealed their breed. The classification system will allow researchers to study dog genes
for diseases similar to those found in humans and also learn more about their
evolutionary history
²The new map represents a real triumph," says Elaine Ostrander, of the Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center, who heads one of three groups behind the Dog Genome Project. "The
genomes of humans and dogs are very, very similar, and any disease that humans get, dogs
get also. Now we have a map with nearly complete coverage of the canine genome, and this
will allow us to take advantage of the dog as a model system." The hope is analysis of
this DNA will yield information about various diseases and the mutations that cause them.
As an example, muscular dystrophy involves the exact same gene in both humans and dogs.
Having the map also means dog owners will soon be able to learn what breeds their dogs
come from by sending a cheek swab or blood sample to a genetics lab.
Long time Dogtopia of White Flint customers Tom and Lisa McGrath decided to have their small mix Tallulah tested when they learned it was being offered by the Washington Animal Rescue League.
³When people asked what kind of dog she was, I was tired of my husband simply answering mystery meatı², Lisa joked. When the results came back 6 weeks later they were surprised to read that two of the breeds were large; Belgian Tervuren and Rottweiler. When Lisa called the company to inquire about the odd result she was told that not all breeds had been accounted for yet and that research was still on-going. They plan to try the test again in the future.
As a fun tidbit, the oldest roots were found in breeds such as Siberian Huskies,
Sharpeis, Afghans and Tibetan Terriers. The lineage for Pharaoh Hounds, generally
identified as one of the oldest of all breeds, could not be confirmed. Perhaps those
Egyptian dogs depicted in hieroglyphics are cousins several times removed!
Source: National Library of Medicine - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Halloween Costume Contest
Itıs that time of year again! Last yearıs contest was absolutely the best so far, and with 2 more locations open this year we know it will be even better this year!
To keep the holiday fun for everyone keep these tips in mind:
- Your dog will be just as tempted by that bowlful of treats as you are, but those are for the trick-or-treaters, so keep them out of reach. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous and youıll want to keep an eye on tin foil and cellophane wrappers. If you suspect your pet has eaten something dangerous, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
 The pumpkin you took so much care carving might end up looking like a big treat to your dog. They are considered nontoxic and can even be found as an ingredient in many treats, but it may upset your dogıs stomach. Also exercise extreme caution if you add a candle to that Jack-O-Lantern. It could be easily knocked over by your dog.
- We are so excited to see the creative costumes that you come up with this year, but dress-up can be a big mess-up for some dogs. Please don't put your dog in a costume unless you know he or she likes it. Some dogs prefer going ³au naturale² and wearing a costume can cause undue stress.
- If you do decide to dress up your dog, make sure the costume doesnıt restrict their movement, hearing or breathing. Youıll also want to ensure they can see. Keep a look out for small pieces or those that may be easily chewed-off.
- Always make sure your dog has proper identification. If for any reason your dog escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that theyıll end up back home with you... where they belong!
We recently learned weıll be adding a new human addition to our family. Can you give us
some tips on how to make sure our four-legged kid feels secure and happy when the new
baby arrives?
The Andersons
Congratulations! A new baby, even though it wonıt have fur, it is very exciting! And as good
doggy parents it only make sense that you want to prepare every member of your family.
Here are some tips that helped me when my family grew:
A good place to start is the babyıs nursery. If you want to restrict access to that room
do it gradually. My mom started by closing the door at night and sometimes when she
wasnıt home. When I was comfortable with that (it took me a couple of weeks) she started
closing the door while she was in the room. I normally prefer all access to the house,
but I decided I probably didnıt want to be in their for diaper changes anyway. Remember,
we have a much better sense of smell than you all do!
Itıs important to introduce the sights and sounds of a baby to the house before the
actual baby makes an appearance. That first loud cry can be scary. My mom and dad played
recordings of baby sounds a little each day and once the real thing came around, I didnıt
even notice the difference. They also sprinkled a little baby powder around as well.
To me, a baby blanket or play mat looks just as comfy as my bed. But to teach me the
difference, they borrowed some with fresh baby scent on them and laid them on the floor
or on the couch. Whenever I looked like I was about to make myself comfortable they would
give me a firm, but gentle ³off² and redirect me to my bed. I also got a treat once I
settled there, so that was great!
When the baby arrived my mom was sure to allow me to sniff and look and reward me when I
was around him. Even if it was just a pat on the head, I soon realized having him around
meant I got good stuff! He soon became my favorite person in the whole world!
I know it must have been difficult for mom and dad having me AND a new baby, but their
efforts have really been worth while as my brother and I are the best of friends - again,
even though he doesnıt have fur.
| 
Origin: Mastiffs have a long and rich history and have contributed to the history of many
breeds. There is evidence of Mastiff-like giant dogs dating back as far as 2500 BC in the
mountains of Asia. Phoenician traders are believed to have introduced them to ancient
Britain, where the Romans found them and brought them back to fight in the arena.
Hannibal took with many battalions of trained war mastiffs while he crossed over the
Alps, who bred with local breeds to become the St. Bernard. Many other breeds trace the
lineage back to Mastiffs, including surprising ones such as the Pug, originally a dwarf
Mastiff. The Mastiff's size, often requiring as much food as a person each day, lead to a
popularity decline in the late 1800s, but by the mid 1900s the breed had been revived and
are well established again.
