A detailed genome map of the giant panda completed by Chinese scientists has shown that the notoriously shy animal is genetically similar to the dog, state media reported Sunday. Scientists from the Beijing Genomics Institute finished sequencing the giant panda genome in October last year but a detailed genome map was only recently completed, Xinhua news agency said. “The research found there is a high genomic similarity between giant panda and dog,” the report said, but added that the research also supported the view of most scientists that the giant panda may be a subspecies of the bear family. The detailed mapping showed that the giant panda has 21 pairs of chromosomes and more than 20,000 genes, Xinhua said. >>Panda genome resembles dog: Chinese media (12.13.09)

James Delorey’s dog hung its head outside the window of a hearse at the boy’s funeral service Monday, a moment that symbolized the loyalty the faithful family pet displayed for the seven-year-old boy. Chance sat in the front passenger seat as the funeral procession arrived at a church in Cape Breton, where hundreds gathered to mourn a boy who captured hearts across the country. James got lost after following Chance – a mixed-breed – into the woods near his home in South Bar, outside Sydney. >>Dog who led search crews to lost seven-year-old N.S. boy attends funeral (12.14.09)

Strathclyde Police is to substantially reduce is dog branch. The force said that from next year new shift patterns and better ways of working would allow it to cut the number of dogs and handlers by half. The officers affected will be able to redeploy to other areas of the force. They will also be offered the chance to keep their dogs. >>Police dog unit to be cut by 50% (12.14.09)

While pet owners would prefer their dogs’ bark be worse than their bite, constant barking can be particularly biting to the ears — and patience. A dog that jumps up on people, is too aggressive, or does not come when called can be difficult to live with as well. That’s why experts say behavioral training is so important — and that lasting training isn’t about treats and physical punishment. It’s about understanding the way our furry friends think and communicating in a way that establishes the owner as top dog. Dogs are pack animals. They have a specific way of interacting, which includes an instinctual manner of communication. Learning how to communicate effectively with your dog in a language it understands is the first step toward establishing leadership and control. Sylvia and Danny Wilson, the Australian founders of Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company, are pioneers in animal behavior and developed a natural training technique that uses the same communication methods — body language and voice control — that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. >>Canine Corner: Aussie method trains any dog in hours, not weeks (12.15.09)

It’s the time of year when you sort of expect miracles. And they actually do happen. Here’s evidence. In November, Joy Gioia, head of the St. Louis chapter of the House Rabbit Society, which takes in and re-homes some of the growing number of pet rabbits landing in animal shelters, got a heartbreaking call. It was from a woman who’d been abused by her husband for a very long time and had finally screwed up her courage in October to flee … with nothing but her rabbit. (The woman’s name is not being divulged here to protect her safety.) >>Pet Talk: Rabbit helped woman survive, escape domestic abuse (12.15.09)

Of aaaaaall the things that America could hate, of aaaaaaaall the world’s most annoying things, it’s rather amazing how high dog poop is on the list. In it’s January 2010 issue, Consumer Reports includes a survey of America’s “top gripes.” Dog poop is No. 6. That’s just before “unreliable Internet service” and right after “incomprehensibble bills.” No. 1 on the list? Hidden fees. >>What bugs America? Dog poop, apparently (12.15.09)

The Nebraska Humane Society is seeking a new home for two small dogs that police say fed on their owner’s body after he killed himself. Police in the Omaha suburb of Papillion found the pugs named Harry and Sally late last week. Lt. Chris Whitted said Wednesday an autopsy showed the man was dead for two weeks of a self-inflicted gunshot before his body was found. Humane Society spokesman Mark Langan says he can’t verify the dogs had fed on the body, but he says it would be normal behavior for dogs left without food or water for two weeks. Langan says the dogs appear to be well-adjusted and in excellent shape. He says they’re unlikely to suffer from long-term psychological effects because “they don’t have memories like people.” >>Police say 2 dogs fed on Neb. owner’s body (12.16.09)

A 9-pound Chihuahua that roams his owner’s medical offices in a white lab coat and poses fetchingly in sunglasses has survived several medical crises to win a contest that will help homeless animals for decades. Dr. Papidies, 3, was declared the Cutest Dog Competition’s top dog after an online contest that drew more than 60,000 entrants. And Sunday, the first part of his $1 million prize — to be awarded by All American Pet Brands in $33,000 annual chunks for 30 years — will be delivered by the pint-sized pooch and his owner, Denver-area dermatologist Leslie Capin, to two Denver animal shelters. “This little guy who almost died is responsible for getting $1 million to animals. It’s a great feeling,” Capin says. >>Now, it’s a dog-help-dog world (12.16.09)

AN RSPCA inspector investigating a cattle dog that reportedly had no food, no shelter and had been tied to the same spot for months found the deprived pooch was actually a concrete statue. The incident is just one of several whacky customer service centre calls the Queensland RSPCA branch gets daily. Another “hysterical” caller was so upset after seeing what appeared to be an injured blue-tongue lizard in their driveway that they didn’t dare go near it. On closer inspection, the RSPCA found the lizard was in fact a rolled-up newspaper. >>RSPCA inspector finds at-risk dog was a statue (12.16.09)

For several years, Jude Stringfellow and her Lab-chow mix have toured the country with a simple message: Faith walks. Born without front legs to a junkyard dog around Christmas 2002, Faith the puppy was rejected and abused by her mother. She was rescued by Rueben Stringfellow, now an Army E-4 specialist, who had been asked to bury other puppies in the litter. “Can we fix her?,” Stringfellow, then 17, asked his mom. “No, but maybe we can help her,” she said. >>Two-legged dog gives hope to disabled vets (12.16.09)

We know he can sit down and shake hands. But can Bo Obama engage in high-speed police chases on the mean streets of the city? OK, probably not. He does, however, recognize a great photo op when he sees one. Bo jumped into a D.C. police motorcade escort car yesterday — conveniently, the door had been left open, providing ample opportunity to steal the spotlight from his famous family. >>Yes, Bo Can (Drive Cars) (12.17.09)

This Week In Dog News (Saturday, December 12, 2009 – Friday, December 18, 2009)

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