Mon 22nd July: Family likenesses

Toppy as a baby many years ago

I was just looking through old photos trying to find one somebody had requested and I spotted this one of a brindle puppy called Toppy taken years ago, and was struck by how similar she is to our current Cider. 

Cider on Sunday

There's definitely a DNA connection between many Hong Kong dogs, which I suppose is inevitable given the small size of the territory, and this has only started to become watered down by the number of purebreeds that have (accidently I assume) mated with the local dogs and introduced breed mixes.   The traditional 'tong gau' or village dog is tan or black (with curled tail), short-haired and with a distinct muscular and lean shape.  We still get those types of course, but more and more have varied colouring, a long coat or short legs,  all of which have been introduced somewhere along the line.

Stan is unmistakable as a Stanley Barracks dog

Free-living dogs will stay in the same area and reproduce within the local population, and this results in a "breed" look peculiar to that area, for example the Stanley Barracks dogs.  Our beautiful Stan is one of several generations of lookalikes, also sharing the same personality which is passed down as much as looks are.

Ivory (l) and dopey-faced Tusk

Another strand of the Stanley Barracks family that has appeared in the past year or so is the large white dopey-faced look, which started with Ivory, then Tusk, and subsequently some lookalike pups.  While the younger generation have been adopted, the two older ones (still only a year old) are waiting for their chance, and like all of the Stanley Barracks dogs they have been around people since they were born and share the same gentle disposition.  Ivory was showing this off at recent school visit, where she was so relaxed that she even dozed while the children peered at her closed eyes.

The kids are checking out Ivory's closed eyes

If you are interested in adoption, please fill out a simple Adoption Questionnaire: http://hongkongdogrescue.com/adopt/adoption-questionnaire/

One family line we used to get in regularly were the "Whippeties" although they have since died out, at least in their more distinctive form.  One of those Whippeties has been staying at Tai Po for a long time, but today Oscar was adopted and became one of Terry's family, another lucky dog who will spend the rest of his days having a great life.  Thanks to long-term volunteer Terry and his supportive family for giving so many senior dogs the best possible retirement home, with lots of fun and love guaranteed.

Oscar is finally leaving Tai Po for good