Subzero Dog Blogger

04/11/2025

25/10/2025

𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇: A Milestone for Rottweiler Welfare in Zimbabwe
We are immensely proud to announce the official publication of our groundbreaking research paper in The D**e, a peer-reviewed journal from Midlands State University.
𝗧𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲: Behavioural Risk Profiling in Rottweilers (Canis lupus familiaris): A Survey-Based Analysis
This study, a first of its kind in Zimbabwe, provides crucial insights into the prevalence and risk factors for behavioural issues in our beloved Rottweilers. Key findings highlight the significant impact of training methods and housing conditions on behaviours like fear and aggression.
𝗔 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂!
This work would not have been possible without the 256 dedicated Rottweiler owners who participated. Your contributions are invaluable to advancing canine welfare and responsible ownership practices in our country.
As a consortium dedicated to the excellence of the thoroughbred Rottweiler—in training, showing, and work—we believe that knowledge is the foundation of excellence. This research empowers us all to be better advocates, trainers, and caregivers.
🔬 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://thedyke.msu.ac.zw/index.php/thedyke/article/view/455

25/10/2025

🚨AGGRESSION- EPISODE 02🔔

🫑FIRST THING TO DO :

📀There is going to be aggression in all dogs at some point, even in the gentlest dogs.

🎥Remember, this is inherently ingrained within their genetics and DNA. One of the first things one should do when noticing aggression in dogs, especially if it is unlike the dog to act in this manner, is to see the
veterinarian.

🛎️WHEN DO DOGS SHOW :

🥦Dogs with painful conditions, thyroid abnormality, cognitive issues, sensory deficits, or seizure disorders, might show aggression at times.

🐨Dogs who are geriatric might become confused and exhibit aggression. If a dog is taking certain medications, it might make them aggressive and even if they eat a strange diet, they might be prone to aggression.

🩻🩺If the veterinarian discovers a medical
issue, the aggression could be taken care of, after treating the condition.

IN PICTURES 📸📸:: THAMU LUPHAHLA GSDs 🇿🇼📍

23/10/2025

🚨AGGRESSION-EPISODE 03🔕

👷‍♂️WORKING WITH AN EXPERT ::

🦁Because aggression can become quite dangerous, quite quickly, one must correct the behaviour, by working with a professional behaviour expert.

🧱Why an expert? Because many of the behaviour modification techniques that people use to correct these issues can actually have detrimental effects
on the dog. Also, keep in mind that an aggressive dog will bite - and even the professionals will get bitten, on
occasion.

☢️These professionals, however, can help to create a treatment plan and will work with owners, to help the dog improve. These professionals will also work with owners to look at the dog’s quality of life - and if the risks to humans or other animals is too high and if the dog is too agitated,
euthanasia might be the only choice.

🛎️IS IT POSSIBLE TO CURE AGGRESSION ❓

📀People often wonder if aggression can be “cured”. It is true that many types of aggression can be reduced in severity and, in some cases, completely eliminated.

🐧Sometimes, the only solution is to
keep the dog away from its triggers, such as other people, other dogs, or even situations.

🎱Dealing and handling an aggressive dog is risky and even after years of being well behaved, something could occur to create a “perfect storm” of triggers.

🎥It is best to never consider an aggressive dog to be cured, even if behavioural modification has worked.

IN PICTURES 📸📸:: Mosi-Oa-Tunya Rottweilers 🇿🇼

23/10/2025

🚨AGGRESSION-EPISODE 01🔔

1️⃣One of the most common and most undesirable behaviours in dogs is aggression. The term “aggression” refers to a range of behaviours that might occur, for a number of reasons.

🦁Almost all wild animals are aggressive at times, especially when they must defend their territory, offspring, or themselves.

🐕‍🦺Since dogs are a bit removed from this, thanks to domestication, saying that a canine is aggressive can mean several different things.

🔕WAYS OF AGGRESSION

Typically, dogs show aggression in the following ways:

🕹️Still, rigid bodies
🕹️Deep, guttural bark
🕹️A forward lunge
🕹️Mouthing, which is applying pressure with the teeth, but not biting completely down
🕹️“Muzzle punch”, where the dog uses its muzzle, as we might use our fists
🕹️Growling, Showing teeth, Snapping,Snarling, Nipping at the skin
🕹️Quick bite, that tears the skin
🕹️Strong bites that cause bruising or puncture wounds
🕹️Several bites in a row, with rapid succession
🕹️Biting and shaking

🛎️DO DOGS SHOW

📲Though some dogs do all of these actions as listed above in order when showing their aggression, not all of them do. Plus, it might only be a second between a growl and a bite.

💎However, it is very rare for a dog to bite, without giving a warning before they act.

IN PICTURES 📸📸:: A.L.G KENNEL BULLS🇿🇼📍

23/10/2025

Evangelist Phillip Chipungu

23/10/2025

🚨NEW SERIES ALERT ‼️-AGGRESSION🚨

👺INTRODUCTION::
If you have been following these past series , my guess is that -you most likely have a good relationship with dogs and you most genuinely care about dogs.

🔥You might even have a dog of your own. Though most people love these furry companions, not all of their behaviours are desirable.

😈The undesirable behaviour that is often
exhibited by dogs, first appears between puppyhood and adolescence and might take the form of jumping on people, destructive chewing, or play biting.

🤖Many people see these traits as “normal” puppy behaviour, but the truth is, it is not acceptable.

🧬Genetics do play a role in behaviour and it is common for young puppies to take on some of the behavioural traits of their parents.

🐶Additionally, there are some breeds that are more prone to behavioural issues than others, so this must also be taken into account.

🦾However, dog owners and those who work with dogs must understand that these behaviours can be remedied with work.

👍It is important that people working or living with dogs that exhibit these behaviours address them, as soon as possible - and this is what this lesson series aims to do.

IN PICTURES 📸📸:: ROYAL LEGACY GSDs🇿🇼📍

15/10/2025

🚨TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN 🔔

Lorimak is Hiring a Dog groomer, contact details on poster📍🇿🇼

14/10/2025

14/10/2025

14/10/2025

🚨 EPISODE 7🅱️:: A DOG’s BREED AND ITS BEHAVIOR 🚨

#3️⃣TESTING THE MEMORY

🧠Memory was tested, by allowing the dogs to play a series of games, all of which measured the dog’s ability to remember information and then manipulate it. In one game, the dog watched its owner put
food under a cup, but then point to another cup. The purebred dogs were more likely to choose the cup that the owner was pointing at, whereas the mixed breed dogs were more likely to go to the cup with the food.

#4️⃣ EXPLANATION 📢

One explanation as to why this is the case, refers back to history. Before the Victorians, remember, the emphasis for dogs was placed on the function, instead of the look. So, many dogs were bred to
be working dogs, which relied on the act of reading gestures from humans.

🦮🐕‍🦺For instance, a Labrador Retriever was originally meant to hunt and German Shepherds, to herd. Both of these “jobs” required gestures from humans, in order to complete the tasks successfully.

#5️⃣ GESTURES AND MEMORY

🦾This doesn’t mean, of course, that mixed-breed dogs cannot read gestures from humans, but many of the purebred dogs simply have this skill ingrained in them, thanks to domestication and evolution.

👁️Mixed breeds have the edge, however, as they can rely on their memory and other traits.

IN PICTURES 📸📸:: DZIMBAHWE RAGNAR🇿🇼 📍(weeks old vs 3 years)