The sight of a Samoyed, commonly referred to as Sammy, strikes the same reaction as that of seeing a new-born baby. Most people, particularly children, get an automatic need to want to pat a Sammy. Given, the Samoyed is very adorable and has the loveliest personalities ever. But, it takes a lot to own a …
The upturned expression, stubby legs, and oversized head make the English bulldog one of the most recognizable breeds in the world. The fact that they are extremely popular helps a little, too. With looks like that and a personality that makes them a good fit for suburban families, apartment dwellers, and everyone in between, it’s …
There is something ethereal about owning a dog that looks like a wolf. Wolf-looking dogs are both gorgeous and whimsical, leaving you feeling a little badass each time you walk down the sidewalk or enter the gates of the local dog park with your powerful, wild looking pup. So if you’ve tapped into your Game …
Are you considering adding a Maltese to your family? This small, white bundle of white fur is a popular dog for many families in the United States, and it’s easy to see why. This pup is adorable, hypoallergenic, and full of affection and personality. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the Maltese dog is the …
There’s nothing worse than seeing your fur-baby in pain. And because they can’t explain to us how they’re feeling, we aren’t sure how, exactly, to help. Once, when my German shepherd, Bella, was about four, she howled in pain while chasing a ball. She stopped abruptly and began to limp. I ran to her, picked …
We all know about antibiotics, and how if you take too many of them, your body starts to build resistance to them and they become less effective. In the last several years, a newer term has cropped up: probiotics. Unlike antibiotics, which destroy bacteria both good and bad and are only available by prescription, probiotics …
We all know that owning a dog can be expensive – sometimes much more expensive than we expected! Between food, toys and regular vet bills, the average dog owner can expect to spend around $1,000 a year on their dog, and that’s not including major vet expenses like getting your dog fixed. It pays to …
Working dog breeds are intelligent, trainable, outgoing and high-energy dogs. The working dog class is extensive, made up of over 50 breeds including everything from the Old English Sheep Dog to the Komondor with their impressive coats, all of which would have been typically bred to carry out very specific jobs. This is also the …
You might be familiar with the Australian cattle dog breed by one of the other common names: Cattle dog, Blue Heeler, Australian Heeler, Halls Heeler, or Queensland Heeler. The moniker ‘heeler’ came from the fact that they were initially bred to herd cattle, and they did so by nipping at their heels. Because Australian cattle …
The French bulldog, or Frenchie as its affectionately known, is one of the most popular small dog breeds in the world. And for good reason. This pocket-sized bully is perfect for families, apartment dwellers, and just about everyone else in between. But the Frenchie’s popularity has its dark side as well. These little clowns can …
Behavior problems are a common reason owners give for surrendering pets to shelters or rescue organizations. Approximately 3.3 million dogs are surrendered to animal shelters each year. One in five of these dogs will be euthanized. Correcting behaviors and keeping dogs in loving homes is not only easier on dog owners, but literally saves lives. …
Have you ever noticed your dog obsessively licking or scratching his skin, biting or chewing his paws, or dragging his butt across the carpet or floors as you desperately try to redirect your dinner guests’ attention? These behaviors are nothing to sneeze at. If your dog has shown any of these symptoms, chances are good …
Everyone who loves dogs has a favorite breed. Some of us like fuzzy little pooches like Pomeranians and Maltese, while others go for the sleek, almost hairless looks of whippets and greyhounds. And then there are the daring souls who can’t resist the giant dog breeds — those 100-plus-pound bundles of joy that are so …
You may have noticed that your dog has started licking his paws and are curious about why this could be. Alternatively, perhaps your dog has done this for a long time and it’s become natural, therefore making it more difficult to spot yourself. When your dog licks his paws, it could be for several different …
Okay, I’m going to write this article and try to be as unbiased as possible, which is going to be difficult as I am the very proud parent of an adorable six-pound Maltipoo female. In my mind, my curly-haired cutie is the most precious thing to have ever graced the planet. She is sweet, mischievous, …
When we first brought our Alaskan shepherd, Eira, home last November, I jumped into training her right away. She was sweet, cuddly, and extremely loud — a problem for my son with sensory processing special needs — so I figured I could train her early. It was essential to get her well trained before she …
Every dog-lover knows the internal struggle of seeing a service dog with a “DO NOT PET” vest on. As hard as it is, it’s super important to know that service dogs aren’t defined as pets, but as workers. And for some people, they’re absolutely essential to everyday life. According to the American with Disabilities Act …
Being the pet parent of a reactive dog can be a challenge for everyone, including your dog. Dogs are reactive for a number of reasons, but for most dogs, reactivity when out and about on walks is typically due to anxiety or leash frustration, and not because they are just bad or aggressive in general. …
If you’re like me, you like to take your dog with you on camping trips, hiking trips, and even just long walks in nature. I live in Alaska, where there are limitless outdoor activities available to both Eira and me. Just forty minutes from our home is Hatcher Pass, a stunning mountain paradise in the …
A couple years ago, in the year between when our German shepherd, Bella, passed away and we got Eira Violet, we had an out-of-town student named Sammy living with us so he could attend the local school. Sammy loves dogs too, and he was thrilled because come summertime, his aunt and uncle were going to …
Everyone who owns German shepherds knows that they struggle with hip issues. When we bred Clancy, who had “excellent” hip health, with another German shepherd, all the puppies came out with “good” hips…except one, Osita. Osita was a sweet, fluffy dog who loved everybody. A family in the neighborhood purchased her and were thrilled to …
Football season is here, which for us humans means tailgating parties. Who doesn’t enjoy that big pre-game party, hanging out with friends and fans, firing up the grill and downing burgers, dogs and beer? Speaking of dogs, and tails, why not let your dog in on all of the fun? Some dogs simply love being …