View Full Version : yerba mate
has anyone on white blaze tried yerba mate, i plan on using it on the trail:cool: neo
) Canned greens are not a viable choice for anyone serious about cal/oz ratios. The best way for long term storage of greens that is affordable and not time-consuming is to buy smoked greens; smoked greens stop oxidizing and maintain almost all their nutrients. I do not know if smoked greens maintain their vitamin C. Since C is NOT stable when given heat, light or air. What I do know is that one smokes greens without putting them close to heat (smoking is not roasting), they give them no light, and the smoking prevents air from reaching the greens: I fill a cup with 50 grams of crushed, dried, smoked greens that are from arguably the worlds most nutritious plant, Yerba Maté. It is worth noting that Argentina military rations are Yerba maté and bread: a complete diet. Drinking 50grams of yerba mate is like drinking a salad! This stuff is no joke: Vitamins b-1, b-2, a, riboflavin, carotene, colin, pantothenic acis, inositol, and 15 types of amino acids. 50grams contains 160% daily iron requirements, 53% daily potassium requirements, and 127% daily magnesium requirements. (4% vitamin C according to the label in front of me). It has over 196 chemicals that your body uses (50 more than green tea). It even has 183 calories/50grams. This stuff rocks:. Did I mention it was cheap (4$-6$ per pound: www.ma-tea.com (http://www.ma-tea.com/) or find it locally if you are lucky at www.yerbatea.com (http://www.yerbatea.com/). Another good source for information is www.guayaki.com (http://www.guayaki.com/) as they are the biggest)? Did I mention that it has caffeine in it that is bound differently than other caffeine such that it does not tense your muscles, yet it still awakens your mind. There is much research about this on the internet. This stuff is no joke: since I am not a doctor, I will give you some conservative advice: insure that you are not taking any medications or have any serious medical conditions that could counteract with a stimulant.
If you do decide to try it in a the “time-proven” method that Latin Americans have used for centuries to extract the maximum nutrients with the least amount of water: You need a special tool to extract the tea, which is a special metal straw that weighs under an ounce. The sight ma-tea.com lists the actual weights in grams of their straws. There are other companies too: Just my favorite choice is ma-tea.com because they are information based.
An experienced hiker, The Old Fhart, was wise to remind those seeking to introduce something new that they should test how their body first reacts to a new plant before relying heavily on it; brocalli reduces iodine absorption, spinach can be prevent calcium intake, peanuts can be very bad for some people, and too much of most anything would not be recommended either. In Latin America, they drink the Yerba Mate 3-5 times every day. The argentine world soccer champs drink the yerba mate before each game. Personally, I don’t drink it that much. When I am on the trail I drink it once a day; my wife prefers to drink it twice a day, sometimes I will join her on that second time. The most critical thing to be concerned about with Yerba Mate that I know of is that it is a diuretic, so it will dehydrate. This is why they drink very little water with the tea; I know this seems counter-intuitive but it is explained well at the yerbatea.com site; they state, “NOTE: Yerba Mate is about the tea, not the water. Traditionally, one uses as little water as possible to extract the maximum nutrients. One traditional use of Yerba Mate is as a tonic and diuretic; the water consumed with yerba mate should not count as part of your daily water intake. The gourd and straw combine to create a "reverse french press" in which a large amount of nutrients can be extracted with very little water.”The straw is needed to suck/extract the maximum amount of nutrients with the least amount of water. I also use a small metal cup that is specially designed to allow less tea to be used while extracting all the nutrients. Cup weighs less than 1/2 ounce. It is without a doubt the best source of greens for those on the trail. Anyone else tried this stuff on the trail? Experiences? Smoked greens are perhaps the most cheapest, high nutrient density, trail greens that I know of. I like Yerba Maté since it is already dried for you and the most nutritious, affordable, easy option that has ever been discussed at WhiteBlaze.net.
So in terms of hiking: drink the yerba mate, but be sure you drink plenty of fluids (water!) thru-out the day.
d)Buy dried vegetables. But recall: According to Dr. Brenda L. Braaten "... because Vitamin C is NOT stable to heat, light and air, dried fruits and dried vegetables have lost over 90% of their natural Vitamin C."
http://www.ma-tea.com/?gclid=CLjJ9KD9vIQCFStzLAodzBKQLA
http://iloveyerba.com/s-cart/form.phtml?g_intCatID=1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate
Skidsteer
04-20-2006, 22:53
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11977&highlight=yerba+mate
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11433&highlight=yerba+mate
Have a look at these threads, Neo.
Dances with Mice
04-20-2006, 22:58
has anyone on white blaze tried yerba mate, i plan on using it on the trail Yeah, been drinking it for about 3 years. It keeps you alert without causing caffeine jitters like too much coffee does and that's kinda important both in my work and one of my hobbies.
It's not bad. It's not great. I imagine it kinda tastes like alfalfa tea would if I'd ever tried alfalfa tea.
Neo,
My husband has been drinking it for 15-20 years. I would but I can't stand metal and that is what is used for most bombilla straws. He won't go anywhere without. I occasionally use the tea bags.
I have been drinking it for about a year now. Love the stuff. I bought a 40 lb bag of it off eBay for cheap so if anyone wants to buy a lb or more from me send me a pm.
Neo,
My husband has been drinking it for 15-20 years. I would but I can't stand metal and that is what is used for most bombilla straws. He won't go anywhere without. I occasionally use the tea bags.
you can get bombilla made of bamboo,i am going to try the ones made of bamboo myself:cool: neo
http://www.mate-tee.de/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=197
http://www.yerbamate.com/tek9.asp?pg=products&specific=jnnngoi8
http://www.dragonwater.com/product_detail.tf/495_bamboo_mate_straw_bombilla.html
http://yerbamate.cc/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AY&Product_Code=0585SA&Category_Code=BOMBILLAS
fiddlehead
04-21-2006, 22:34
They sponsored us when we attempted our triplecrown hike in 2001/2002. Great stuff.
Neo,
My husband made me a bamboo one but it tasted more like dirt than anything. I might spring for a non-homemade bamboo. Later. After my hike.
titanium_hiker
04-23-2006, 07:43
I'm not sure if yerba is Coca, but I do know you can make coca mate. (mah-tay, ma as in massage and ay as in quail) Coca mate is used to reduce hunger, fatigue, and increase strength. It also helps with altitude sickness (soroche), something rather familiar in the Andes. The locals chew it, you see them with big balls of the leaves in their cheeks, chewed with an alkaline to realease the energy.
However, coca is the base ingredient for cocaine. There is some "tri mate" tea labeled "export quality" but I'm not sure where it goes from there.
excelent alitude sickness reliever.
titanium_hiker
titanium_hiker
04-23-2006, 07:45
oh, and yerba basically means herb- also can be spelled hierba.
Dances with Mice
04-23-2006, 08:42
I'm not sure if yerba is Coca, It's definitely not.
I discovered Yerba Matte this winter in Alta, Utah during a ski trip. I am a coffee addict and almost bypassed it at lunch for some high test. The tea gave me such great energy after lunch that I kept drinking it and bought some after returning home. I didn't know about the health value, only that it made me feel great. I sometimes bring the tea bags with me on hikes. Thanks for the information.
titanium_hiker
04-24-2006, 07:06
hahaha. coca no es droga!
(coca's not a drug, cocaine is)
Though I suppose it would be dificult to get into the states... you wonder why it's called coca cola as well!
Sorry. I know that the war on drugs is a big issue- and I know drugs are bad. The "definitly not!" statement humoured me.
There are several mate's that have similar properties,
coca and yerba are two of them.
TH
Catsgoing
04-30-2006, 20:54
You Can Come To Florida And Pick Bamboo hollow it out dry it out.
Dances with Mice
05-04-2006, 15:01
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution conducted a taste test of yerba mate. They chose a bagged herb tea to taste, not loose yerba mate. http://img.coxnewsweb.com/C/02/77/07/image_3607772.jpg
The comments of the four testers:
The name should be yucky tea. I have never drunk anything like this in my life. Once the tea is brewed, it smells like wet cigarettes that have been smoked 10 times over. Once I forced myself to drink the tea, I felt nauseated all day. Using all the sugar and honey in the world cannot help make this tea drinkable.
I make tea for my family using green tea and figured that the yerba maté tea couldn’t be much different. Boy, was I wrong! I first tried it as a hot tea with no sweeteners. It tasted like liquefied grass! However, when I made it like I would my usual sweet tea, with sweetener and ice, it was a LOT better. My husband, on the other hand, said that it tasted like wet cardboard and threatened divorce if I made him drink it again! It’s too soon to know about the other claims, but it’s probably not something that I would try again — especially if I want to keep my family intact.
I have never been a fan of hot tea, especially herbal tea. I’ve never gotten past the way it looks or smells. When I took my first sip, I realized it really does taste as bad as it looks and smells. While I choked on my first cup , I read what the listed benefits were, including boosting my energy level and suppressing my appetite. I drank it for a few days, and it did give me small boosts in energy and helped control my appetite. But I cannot deal with the taste of it.
My reaction after the first sip: Tastes like … wood. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, but because of the benefits (eliminating insomnia and curbing the appetite, etc.), I was determined to finish the cup. After adding two packets of fake sugar, a spot of soy milk and some ice, it was good. The next cup — no sugar, milk or ice, just honey — and it was perfect! It has a distinct flavor and aroma that takes getting used to, but if it does half of what they say, it will be worth it.
The Old Fhart
05-04-2006, 16:30
Neo mentioned I had said try everything before you use it on the trail but also before you take any medicine you should do research. If you check Loyola University Health System http://www.luhs.org/health/kbase/htm/mdx-/ame0/118/mdx-ame0118.htm you will find this about yerba mate:
Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take Mate without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:
* Clozapine (Clozaril(R))
* Fluvoxamine (Luvox(R))
* Lithium (Lithonate(R), Lithobid(R))
* Medicines used for depression or Parkinson's disease (monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), examples: phenelzine (Nardil(R)), selegiline (Eldepryl(R)))
* Phenylpropanolamine
Warnings:
* Before taking Mate, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Do not take Mate if you have heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), or epilepsy (uncontrolled shaking) (3)
* Mate should not be used long term use (5)
* Using too much Mate or using it for too long may cause esophageal cancer (8,9)
* Do not drink alcohol when taking Mate
Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.
* Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
* Chest pain
* Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
* Increased (high) blood pressure (6,7)
* Seizures (uncontrolled shaking) (6,7)
Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.
* The caffeine in Mate may make you loose your appetite (hunger), or make your heartbeat or breathing faster. Mate can also cause you to make more urine, feel irritable, have problems sleeping, and feel nervous if large amounts are taken (6,7)
* You may have a headache when you stop using Mate (4)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Or if you check Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11571.cfm?RecordID=418&tab=HC you will find this about yerba mate:
CLINICAL SUMMARY
Derived from the leaf of the plant. Yerba mate contains caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, which are responsible for the stimulant activity of this herb. No clinical studies have evaluated its efficacy, although there is extensive experience with each of the previously mentioned chemicals. Epidemiologic studies conducted in the past decade indicate that chronic mate drinkers are at an increased risk of bladder (10), oral, esophageal (8), and lung cancer (9). Frequently reported adverse effects include insomnia, restlessness, agitation, nausea, vomiting, and headache (5). Yerba mate may interact with many prescription medications. Increased or altered activity of beta-adrenergic agonists, CNS stimulants, theophylline, diuretics, and caffeine-containing beverages may occur with concomitant administration (6). Patients with hypertension, cardiac disorders or anxiety, or women who are pregnant or breast feeding, should not consume yerba mate.
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Ilex paraguariensis
ALSO KNOWN AS
Yerba mate, St. Bartholomew’s tea, Jesuit’s tea, ilex, hervea, guyaki Paraguay tea
PURPORTED USES
* Appetite suppression
* Central nervous system stimulation
* Depression
* Fatigue
* Headaches
* Pain
* Promote urination
CONSTITUENTS
* Xanthene alkaloids: 1-2% caffeine, 0.45-0.9% theobromine, 0.05% theophylline
* Tannins: 4-16% caffeic and chlorogenic acids
* Amines: Choline and trigonelline
* Amino acids
* Flavonoids: Kaemferol, quercetin, and rutin
* Volatile Oils
* Other constituents: Ursolic acid (antitumor agent), vitamins B2, B6, C, niacin, pantothenic acid
(1)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Mate’s action is due to its caffeine, theophylline and theobromine activity, which are well documented.
WARNINGS
High doses and prolonged consumption of mate tea are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Warnings associated with caffeine apply to mate. Patients with hypertension, cardiac disorders, and anxiety should not consume mate.
Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not consume mate.
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ADVERSE REACTIONS
Reported: Insomnia, anxiety, tremor, restlessness, agitation, nausea and vomiting, palpitations, and headache
(5)
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Aspirin: Mate may increase absorption and bioavailability.
Acetaminophen: Pain relief of acetaminophen is increased due to caffeine content in mate.
Benzodiazepines: Effects of benzodiazepines are reduced by caffeine content in mate.
Beta-Adrenergic Agonists: Effects of beta-adrenergic agonists are increased by mate.
Clozapine: Mate may alter effects.
CNS Stimulants: Mate may increase effects.
Monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAO-I): Mate can cause hypertensive crisis.
Theophylline: Mate may increase effects and lead to possible toxicity.
Diuretics: Mate may cause an additive effect.
(6)
+++++++++++++++++++
A previous thread on yerba mate (by someone who apparently was a distributer) posted glowing reviews for the benefits of yerba mate. I haven't tried it but if you want to, you consider all the information about this drug. The two quotes I have listed are from renown research centers and I'd personally tend to believe them over a salesman for the product.
Also notice that one of the main chemicals in this drug is caffine. Those taking this and saying it doesn't give them the "coffee jitters" are deluding themselves. Remember that just because this may be sold as an unregulated "natural health product" doesn't mean it is any less a drug than something you could buy in a drug store.
Yerba mate is a drink that will kind of grow on you. When I first bought it at University, I wasn't sure what I thought... it reminded me a bit of the way cloth bandaids smell... but it sure did help wake me up for midterms and finals, without the jittery side effects! You can buy syrup flavoring for it, much like for espresso but lighter, and change the flavor. Not so practical for the trail. You might also try adding milk and making a mate latte before you leave home. I think milk brings out some of mate's more subtle flavors. On the trail, powdered milk should suffice. Another bonus to mate is that it won't upset your stomach like coffee sometimes can.
Dances with Mice
05-04-2006, 18:11
Also notice that one of the main chemicals in this drug is caffine. Those taking this and saying it doesn't give them the "coffee jitters" are deluding themselves. No, I agree that a quart of yerba mate doesn't give coffee jitters that the same amount of coffee would. That may only be because yerba tea has less caffeine than an equal volume of coffee. But yerba's the beverage of choice of some friends of mine (http://www.atlantajugglers.org/gh2006album/DSC_7470.html)who value and closely monitor their motor-coordination skills (http://www.atlantajugglers.org/gh2006album/DSC_7456.html).
Be aware that over-consumption may result in unexpected side effects (http://www.atlantajugglers.org/gh2006album/DSC_7358.html), affecting mostly the fashion sense (http://www.atlantajugglers.org/gh2006album/DSC_7298.html)portion of your brain. But fortunately there is an antidote (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://photo.pho.be/photos/2005/08/images/cimg0465.jpg&imgrefurl=http://photo.pho.be/photos/2005/08/pages/cimg0465.html&h=800&w=600&sz=190&tbnid=RkEeQ_wieo7drM:&tbnh=142&tbnw=106&hl=en&start=4&prev=/images%3Fq%3Djuggling%2Bbeer%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3De n%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG).
The Old Fhart
05-04-2006, 20:10
Dances with Mice-"But yerba's the beverage of choice of some friends of mine..........."The beverage of choice of someone you may know, which you may find interesting, is of little or no scientific value. I will agree that "that a quart of yerba mate doesn't give coffee jitters that the same amount of coffee would". Yerba mate may have about 1/2 the caffine of an equal amount of regular coffee but as a non-coffee drinker I can't picture drinking a quart of either yerba mate or coffee.
While your response was amusing, I don't think it does anything to suport the benefits of yerba mate. The scientific evidence from every reliable research organization shows just the opposite. If you want to drink this because you "think" it makes you feel good, fine, just don't try to pass this off as a panacea unless you can back it up with real, not voodoo science.
Dances with Mice
05-04-2006, 20:22
I can't picture drinking a quart of either yerba mate or coffee. LIGHTWEIGHT!! If I had a camera I could picture it several times during any Monday morning meeting at work.
But jugglers do have their science moments (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3417045.stm)... Note clear evidence of yerba overdose (http://www.juggle.org/gallery/AJA2005artgallery/DSC_6310) in the cited reference.
Skidsteer
05-04-2006, 20:53
LIGHTWEIGHT!! If I had a camera I could picture it several times during any Monday morning meeting at work.
But jugglers do have their science moments (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3417045.stm)... Note clear evidence of yerba overdose in the cited reference.
Voxel-based morphometry? :-? Dances, are you sure that's not juggler slang for a prostate exam? Level with us Bro. Nothin' worse than going in for medical tests with false expectations. :eek:
Dances with Mice
05-04-2006, 20:55
Voxel-based morphometry? Dances, are you sure that's not juggler slang for a prostate exam? Didn't it say they were scanning jugglers' brains?
Skidsteer
05-04-2006, 21:10
It did say they were scanning juggler's brains...
If this were a basketball game, that response would be the finale in an impressive "Alley Oop". :D
Dances with Mice
05-06-2006, 16:07
Dear Coffee,
I know we agreed to just be friends. Hell, I was the one who suggested it. But your absence truly does make my heart grow fonder. You're the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I want to take care of at night. I want you dark and rich and whole bean. I crave you organic and loamy and hand-picked by virgins. You are worth every cent at ten dollars a pound. I know that checking in with each other multiple times a day was getting to be too much I know I said that we could see other people. I saw you sitting there, lost and alone on the counter while I dallied with Herbal Tea. But sometimes some things need to be gone for you to realize how much you miss them.
Coffee, I'm sorry. I missed you. I want you. I need you.
Let's never fight like this again.
vaporjourney
01-17-2007, 11:32
does anyone know if there is a difference between the yerba that comes in tea bags, or the loose form that requires you to use a bombilla to drink from? I usually use the loose variety, but on the trail, it may be more convenient (but more expensive) to use the bags, and ditch the bombilla. I'm just concerned that using the stuff in the tea bags is perhaps dried out even more, and has lost some the positive ingredients and antioxidants that are so attractive in the loose variety.
Hammock Hanger
01-17-2007, 11:49
Dear Coffee,
I know we agreed to just be friends. Hell, I was the one who suggested it. But your absence truly does make my heart grow fonder. You're the first thing I want to see in the morning and the last thing I want to take care of at night. I want you dark and rich and whole bean. I crave you organic and loamy and hand-picked by virgins. You are worth every cent at ten dollars a pound. I know that checking in with each other multiple times a day was getting to be too much I know I said that we could see other people. I saw you sitting there, lost and alone on the counter while I dallied with Herbal Tea. But sometimes some things need to be gone for you to realize how much you miss them.
Coffee, I'm sorry. I missed you. I want you. I need you.
Let's never fight like this again.
DWM, that is cute!! Enjoyed seeing you at the SoRuck.
I don't drink coffee, try it but just not a coffee drinker.
Dances with Mice
01-17-2007, 12:34
I don't drink coffee, try it but just not a coffee drinker.I've always wanted to ask:
What do people who don't drink coffee think about all morning?
Here's a question.. Does eating 50g of yerba mate have the same nutritional benefits as drinking a cup of tea brewed with 50g of dried leaves? :confused:
[
quote=neo;195800]has anyone on white blaze tried yerba mate, i plan on using it on the trail:cool: neo
smoked greens stop oxidizing and maintain almost all their nutrients. I do not know if smoked greens maintain their vitamin C. Since C is NOT stable when given heat, light or air.
I hear a lot of hikers smoke greens.:D Couldn't resist.
It is worth noting that Argentina military rations are Yerba maté and bread: a complete diet. Drinking 50grams of yerba mate is like drinking a salad! This stuff is no joke:
If you're looking to kick coffe mate is great. If you're looking for nutrition I'd say this is better. http://www.dr-schulze.com/p14.asp
I drink it everyday and I'll be drinking it everyday on the trail.
Oh and I just learned how to multi-quote. Wooo Hoooo:banana
My best friend (and former college roommate) drinks it all the time. She says it gives her a pleasant buzz and keeps her regular. But she's argentine so of course she says that.
I hated the taste, but I would get so jealous about the bombilla.
Nightwalker
01-24-2007, 15:02
I've always wanted to ask:
What do people who don't drink coffee think about all morning?
Tea, in my case. Start the day with English Breakfast and head to Earl Grey in the afternoon. Move to green tea in the evening. Mmmmmmm...
Of course, I often as not end up using Luzianne or Lipton's. Can't always have my much-beloved Ceylon tea. :)
Tea has a sedative that quiets the caffeine jangles. Tea is wonderful. Tea is your friend.
GlazeDog
02-03-2007, 11:48
I love Yerba Mate--Try it for a week. It definitely has an usually smoky flavor, but I beleive that the body relizes the benefits and subconscusiously starts to enjoy the flavor. You know the infamous "AQUIRED TASTE". What is that really?
Also I've read reputable site on tea about Yerba Mate. It seems there is some misinformation stated here as fact. Be careful and go to actual tea sites to get info as it will be hard to sort through the different "opinions" and facts above.
Also, a personal note--Mate doesn't leave me feeling toxic like coffee.
Mate!!
GlazeDog
The Old Fhart
02-03-2007, 12:32
GlazeDog-"Also I've read reputable site on tea about Yerba Mate. It seems there is some misinformation stated here as fact. Be careful and go to actual tea sites to get info as it will be hard to sort through the different "opinions" and facts above."Actually most of the misinformation is coming from users who are pushing the drug. If you read my post #16. Note that I underlined the fact that one of the main ingredient in Yerba Mate is caffine, dispite claims by users to the contrary. there are 2 references that I'd believe before I'd believe a Yerba Mate salesman. Briefly, here are quotes from:
Loyola University Health System (http://www.luhs.org/health/kbase/htm/mdx-/ame0/118/mdx-ame0118.htm)
Warnings:
* Before taking Mate, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Do not take Mate if you have heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), or epilepsy (uncontrolled shaking)
* Mate should not be used long term use
* Using too much Mate or using it for too long may cause esophageal cancer
* Do not drink alcohol when taking Mate
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69297.cfm)
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Mate’s action is due to its caffeine, theophylline and theobromine activity, which are well documented.
WARNINGS
High doses and prolonged consumption of mate tea are associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
Reported: Insomnia, anxiety, tremor, restlessness, agitation, nausea and vomiting, palpitations, and headache.
GlazeDog
02-05-2007, 09:57
Old Phart--
No reason to come on strong. I wasn't disagreeing with you. In fact there is no clear indication of what I thought was fact or fiction. I already read post 16 the first time and thought the links looked very reputable. Also the research data links from the cancer center are very good-- it's always a good sign when they site their studies and give links.
sincerely--
GlazeDog