A common misconception with most pets is that the larger they are, the more expensive they are to care for. With domestic cat breeds, that is not the case. Some of the most popular cat breeds grow to be the largest around, making them perfect, larger than life additions to the home!
Cats are not known for being the cuddliest of animals. Many like their own space and appreciate when their boundaries are respected, but that does not mean they cannot be affectionate. Larger cats in particular are known for seeking physical attention.
If you have ever dreamt of having your very own jungle cat, then we have got the perfect list for you. These are the top ten most popular large cat breeds that we are sure you will fall in love with too.
Due to their unbelievable fluffiness, you may suspect that the Norwegian Forest Cat breed is all fur. In actuality, they are genuinely thatbig and also benefit from impressive coats. This is probably part of the reason that they feature in so much Norwegian folklore. Despite their size, they are highly capable climbers, able to scale trees without breaking a sweat.
Not only is the Norwegian Forest Cat regal in appearance, but they also have royal connections. King Olaf V of Norway officially designated them the national cat. That is a proud title to live up to, but we suspect they know their worth. Though not as popular in the states, they remain a firm favorite in Europe thanks to their history and impressive appearance.
Average weight: Between 13 – 22 pounds
Considered to be the only long haired house cat native to the United States, the Maine Coon breed has quite the reputation. They make great companions due to their high social needs. They require care and attention, and they will certainly let you know about it. This is hardly a drawback though. Which house cat owner doesn’t live for the approval of their choosy, furry friend?
Their tail contributes enormously to their overall size. It is very long and very fluffy, often lofted above them as they swan through your house. Despite their considerable size, Maine Coon’s make very friendly domestic pets. They truly are gentle giants, perfect for a family home.
Don’t let your overwhelming affection for your new pet get out of hand, however. Maine Coons are prone to becoming overweight if their diet is not managed properly. Make sure to feed them a nutritionally healthy diet, or you will end up with a much rounder pet than you bargained for!
Average weight: Between 11 – 17 pounds
One of the more high-maintenance domestic cat breeds on our list, the British Shorthair requires daily brushing as part of its care, particularly as the seasons change. Unlike the previous two breeds we’ve mentioned, this pet is less fluff and more muscle. This contributes to its rounder stature, with a broader chest and well-developed muzzle.
This build serves its original purpose: to keep mice and rats out of the barn and home. Its thick coat means it can survive cooler temperatures without overheating when in pursuit. The texture of this coat is more durable than other domestic cat breeds, as it is designed for protection from harm.
Don’t let their hunter-like build deter you, however. They are complete gentle giants and make friendly additions to any family. They are calm in nature yet fiercely loyal. If you choose to house a British Shorthair, you know you have a friend for life.
Average weight: Between 7 – 17 pounds
Unlike the Maine Coon, the American Bobtail does not boast a long, fluffy tail. These pets earn their name due to their considerably short tail which pairs well with their tufted ears. Their appearance is reminiscent of a lynx or similar wild cat, which makes them an exotic-looking addition to the house.
In terms of personality, American Bobtails are often compared to Golden Retrievers. Depending on your preferences, you either smiled or winced after reading that. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a dog person to enjoy the care of an American Bobtail. All it means is that they are supremely friendly and love to play.
They are also a very intelligent breed. They love little more than playing with an interesting puzzle toy or being trained to perform new tricks. The latter quality alone makes them a highly unique domestic cat breed.
Average weight: 8 – 13 pounds
Known as a more luxurious breed of the largest domestic cats, the Turkish Van is highly popular due to its unbelievably soft fur. The best bit? Their coat requires minimal grooming to stay in top condition, making them incredibly easy to care for. They are even genetically predisposed to avoid medical issues, you don’t get more low maintenance than this.
Their large size is matched only by their high energy levels. You will never be bored with this playful character around. They defy multiple feline stereotypes, including a fear of water! It isn’t rare to see a Turkish Van enjoying a swim. In fact, they are highly capable in the water. This is largely due to their water-resistant coat which keeps them warm even when doused.
Adding to their unique disposition is their coloring. They feature a mostly white coat with accents of red or brown on their faces and tails. It is not unusual for this breed to feature heterochromatic eyes too, as if they couldn’t get more unique!
Average weight: 7 – 12 pounds
Speaking of unique appearances, the Savannah Cat certainly holds its own. Their genetic history emerges from the crossing of numerous African wild cats with the Siamese domestic cat. This largely explains their sharp and stunning appearance.
They surprisingly enjoy human company and care, often found to follow their owners throughout the house. They are also powerfully loyal, which can make them particularly wary of strangers. It is strongly recommended that you socialize your Savannah with multiple people from an early age to prevent complications later on.
Perhaps the strongest feature of the Savannah cat is its seemingly boundless energy. While many domestic cats may choose to live a life of leisure and care, these pets are ready to go at any point. They require a lot of exercise and interaction, so only choose to own one if you can meet their needs.
Average weight: 15 – 20 pounds
With a name like that, it is hard to imagine they would manifest as anything other than a truly individual cat. Their personalities are fun, and their appearance is beautiful, mostly due to their enormous blue eyes!
Though blue eyes in cats are not unheard of, with the Ragdoll breed it is a certainty. They all possess stunning blue eyes. They are also one of the largest domestic cat breeds, even reaching the same size as a small dog. In addition to sharing a similar size, they also possess a fierce loyalty and playfulness that you may expect from a pooch. Some may even greet you at the door after work, just to show you they care.
Average weight: 12 – 20 pounds
With their origins having roots in both wild and jungle cats, it is no wonder Chausie cats continue to be a firm favorite to this day. In fact, it is widely believed they were worshipped by the Ancient Egyptians. Now that’s a reputation.
This high esteem has contributed to quite the genetic ego, meaning Chausie cats can sometimes come across as aloof and disinterested. Do not let this fool you. They are every bit as loving and as playful as any of the other large cat breeds on this list. You just might have to work a little harder to earn it!
Average weight: 11 – 16 pounds
If their name alone wasn’t enough to earn your affection alone, their temperament surely will. They are known for their calm and soothing nature, and they adjust to changes in routine without the blink of an eye. This makes them the perfect companion for those frequently on the move or for anyone simply looking for a mediator in their life.
Their long tail and plush coat make them significantly fluffy friends, while their heavily-boned bodies contribute to their overall size. They are noted for being even-tempered, even when faced with the most testing of family members, making them ideal for any home environment.
Average weight: 10 – 20 pounds
Sometimes known as Siberian Forest cats or Moscow Longhairs, Siberian cats are a strong and adventurous breed. Their lush coats last year-round providing them with a consistently luxurious appearance. Despite this, they are not high-maintenance pets. They are as easy-going as you can get from a feline friend, meaning they are perfectly at home in busy family environments.
Some theorize that Siberian cats are the ancestors of all modern long haired cats. Despite their incredibly long history, spanning almost a thousand years, they didn’t make it to the United States until 1990. They have now solidified themselves as one of the most popular large cat breeds worldwide.
Larger than life pets can provide you with a unique form of companionship that is comparable to dogs… without all the excitability. If that sounds like something you are interested in, research further into any of the ten largest breeds we have listed! We are certain at least one of them will provide you with the perfect addition to your home.
Identifying what it is that you adore about dogs is extremely important, particularly when selecting a canine to share your life with.
Are you active and searching for a jogging partner? Do you love to snuggle and cuddle on the sofa? Do you have kids and want a pup that may be their protector and best friend?
Therefore, what are the most popular dog breeds in Texas?
All those are questions that folks ask themselves while picking a dog, and it isn’t any wonder why certain dog breeds are chosen as top tier favorites time and again.
But personal taste is simply one contributing factor as it’ll come to dog choice.
Lifestyle and geography play a huge role in what dog breeds usually live in what places and Texas has a broad variety of dogs.
There are a lot of places to locate information about which dogs usually live where yet the AKC is the authority on canine breeds by region. Here is Innovet Pet Products’ list of top five dogs breeds in Texas.
It is simple to see why this family-friendly, loveable dog has made it on our list of most popular dog breeds in Texas.
A Texas dog breed, Golden Retrievers are kind, gentle, and exceptional companions for a family setting.
Their need to be affectionate and obedient makes them an outstanding option for the family pet, and they’re known for being good with visitors and children.
Their excellent retrieving skills and high intelligence make them an excellent Texas dog breeds option for active families.
Typically called “Frenchies” these cut little dogs are both calculative and curious.
Another popular dog breeds in Texas, French Bulldogs have the reputation of being curious and attentive yet never will turn down the opportunity to sit on someone’s lap.
French Bulldogs are great observers who are always watching for new interactions with humans or other animals.
French Bulldogs are an excellent city dog and the best dogs for Texas, as they don’t require a massive quantity of exercise nor will they need a lot of physical space. Usually, one or two brief daily walks is sufficient to keep a Frenchie in shape.
The English Bulldog, another popular dog breeds in Texas, comes in at #3 for most popular breeds in Texas.
This medium-sized, stocky muscle machine is all power yet low endurance. Bulldogs only are physical in brief spurts, meaning they only will need a couple of brief walks per day.
Bulldogs are very well behaved and aptly can be described as “big ‘old sweetie pies.” Vastly loyal and dependable, it’s another dog breed whose predictability and affection make it an outstanding family dog.
At one time called a “mutt,” you will not find mixed breed upon American Kennel Club’s list of dog breeds, as they aren’t purebred.
However, this classic popular types of dogs and American dog represents an overwhelming quantity of canines registered in Texas according to the Central Texas Animal Hospital.
Mixed breeds often are the description of a dog adopted from a shelter.
The friendly pals are devoted and loving, making for a great household companion. Mixed breeds have become a more sought-after option as a Texas state dog breed when selecting a pet.
Unlike all other most popular house dogs, mutts or mixed dogs don’t have a certain history or background. Every dog is fully unique from the next and may not even share any ancestry with purebred breeds.
There once was a time in history that dog breeders didn’t attempt to interfere with dog populations. Different breeds would mate as they would please and create these mutts that were very different from each other.
These mixed breeds aren’t intentionally bred for any certain reason, nor will they belong to any certain lineage.
As you might assume, mixed breed dogs have unpredictable personalities. It actually depends upon which breeds they’re mixed with, and what characteristics are the strongest.
Their temperament might vary on their genetic makeup, yet it also can be influenced by their socialization and training as a dog.
While bringing home a mutt, there aren’t any guarantees in knowing what type of personality they might have.
But, with proper care and training, you as the pet parent may have a big effect on the dog’s general behavior later as your loyal companion.
The Lab Retriever is America’s most popular types of dogs the past 10 years in a row, and the state of Texas is right on board.
Whether the Labrador’s color is black, chocolate, silver, or golden, the Lab is better described as an active, friendly, and outgoing breed.
These pups are virtually up for whatever and are happy if it includes exercise and their pet parents.
They may be used as hunting or service dogs, yet above all, this dog breed likes to be a people pleaser. Due to this breed’s impressive qualities, it isn’t any wonder this dog breed has the #1 spot in Texas.
The Lab Retriever breed—additionally known as Labradors (Lab) or St. John dogs—originated inside Newfoundland, Canada. Within the 18th century, Labradors served as working-class pups for the island’s fisherman.
They were wise enough to ‘retrieve’ unhooked fish, as well as strong enough to swim lengthy distances. However, their use did not stop there, as the lovable pups often were pets which would come home with their pet parents after work.
Despite this, their heritage remains a mystery. Some believe they are a product of the Newfoundland Dog and additional local water dogs other people believe they came from Europe and were later on exported to Canada.
What we know is that the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury—after having the pups shipped to England within the 19th century—was the first one to call them as Labs.
Oddly enough, the Lab—which happens to be the United States most popular dog—nearly went extinct by the end of the nineteenth century.
If not for their survival inside England, there is a possibility that their lineage would have ended over a century ago. The Lab, by the twentieth century, was imported to America from England, and it thrived even among the world wars.
In 1917, the American Kennel Club recognized the dog, and at the end of the century it was number one in the American Kennel Club’s most popular list—which it stays at today.
The Lab may just have the best characteristics and temperament of any dog; there is a reason why they have been the number one dog in the United States for so long.
Full of energy and enthusiasm—which stems from a countless reservoir—for life, the canines are big lovers.
They love other dogs, their family, other humans, and virtually everything. They are amazing therapy dogs due to their naturally positive aura.
And on top of that, they are intelligent enough, levelheaded, and very gentle with kids.
Unless poorly trained, they will be extroverted and frequently the center of attention, though they aren’t narcissistic and just love to give love.
They also are eager-to-please, making them susceptible to being trainable, being that they have a desire to do what is right in their pet parent’s eyes.
Note that these canines have a significant bit of energy that’s amplified in their youth and do require lots of time on the pet owner’s behalf.
If kept by themselves for long time periods, they may become destructive, as well as develop separation anxiety.
A few of the other top three most popular dog breeds in America contenders include the Boxer, the Shih Tzu, and the Yorkshire Terrier.
Texas is a large state which provides a number of dog companions of all sizes and backgrounds. There’s an entire world of choices and breeds, and for every person, there’s a perfect canine to match.
Yorkshire Terrier breeds - or Yorkies - originated in Yorkshire. As England underwent the industrial revolution, individuals from all different areas migrated to Yorkshire for work.
One such group included the Scottish, and they brought along with them a few variants of the Terrier. It is said the Terriers were utilized to hunt rats inside the mills.
But these initial Terriers are said to be almost double the size of the Yorkie breed we know today, and also more prey-oriented, too.
In the midst of the nineteenth century, with all types of Terriers being crossbred, one little fellow named Huddersfield Ben increased in popularity around the show circuits and later was bred to additional Terriers.
Huddersfield Ben was said to be the father of the modern-day Yorkie.
As this breed started shrinking in size, they became more like toy pups instead of utilities for workers.
Then, they were exported to America in the 19th century, in which they instantly gained popularity for being elegant, proper, and posh.
This swift increase in popularity contributed to the American Kennel Club recognizing the canine before it even had a real presence within the states; this happened in 1885.
One other of the most popular dog breeds in Texas, a Yorkshire Terrier is a lot of canine in a tiny body. They experience little-dog-syndrome, which means they believe they are much larger than they actually are.
A cross between a loving home dog and sassy Terrier, the tiny pups have dynamic personalities. They, in fact, vary to the point that they are one of the very few breeds difficult to generalize.
Some have an arrogant and pompous personality, showing aggression towards other people and jealousy of their pet owner.
Other ones have extremely proud personalities yet are overtly affectionate and need to give love and receive it all at once.
Of course, puppy classes and early socialization vastly diminish the opportunities that they develop a negative temperament and personality, yet these dogs actually are the pick of the litter.
Predominantly having outgoing personality characteristics, the Yorkshire Terrier is both high-energy and social. They often will love to meet other people and stay full of enthusiasm.
Or they will be introverted, aggressive, and grouchy. Some studies will prove the point we are making; the personality of a Yorkshire Terrier isn’t consistent.
Based on DNA testing, the Shih Tzu is notorious for being among the most ancient dog breeds in the world.
They’re believed to have originated inside Tibet and became popular within China in which they were offered the name Shih Tzu, which means “little dog,” or “little lion.”
The Shih Tzu breed, in China, received a more stylized appearance as the Peking Kennel Club laid out proper breeding guidelines. The Chinese were in awe by the unique Shih Tzu look and personality.
At the end of China’s imperial rule, the canines were brought to Europe, and narrowly avoided becoming extinct.
All modern-day Shih Tzus descend from just 14 dogs and originally were categorized by English kennel clubs as Apsos.
In the year 1935, the original European standard for the dog breed was developed, and they were reclassified as the Shih Tzu. From that point the breed spread all throughout Europe.
Shih Tzus are notorious for being alert, well-behaved, and affectionate. They’re also notorious for being lap dogs, as they’re usually sweet tempered and like companionship.
Some pet owners have seen that it takes them a bit longer to pick up basic commands yet that’s just due to a somewhat stubborn streak and may be worked through with a bit of time, consistency, and patience.
Usually relatively quiet canines, Shih Tzus are not notorious for being barkers yet will inform you when they hear a strange sound or if somebody is at the door.
Boxers, oftentimes called the ‘Peter Pan’ of breeds—due to their loving rapport and tireless energy—have 3 ancestors. The first is the Bullenbeisser, an extinct hunting canine utilized for big game over several centuries.
Georg Alt, a German man who lived in the 19th century, bred a female with another dog of unknown origin, and that litter borne a sweet cream-white runt called Lechner’s Box.
This was the start of the Boxer breed known today. As you may deduce, the 2nd ancestor remains unknown. But, Lechner Box then was inbred within the litter giving birth to a female dog later called Atl Shecken.
During that time, Alt Shecken’s dog breed was called either a Bierboxer or Modern Bullenbeisser. Then, Alt Schecken was bred to an English Bulldog that paved the way for Flocki, the original Boxer registered within the German Stud Book.
Briefly after in the 19th century, one of Flocki’s sisters were bred to a Leckner’s Box’s grandson, which generated a female called Meta von der Passage; this female is coined as the ‘mother of the modern-day Boxer.’
Therefore, you have the 3 ancestors of the Boxer; a question mark, a Bulldog, and a Bullenbeisser.
A couple of years later, 3 German guys made the decision to iron out and show the breed.
They succeeded. In 1895, in Munich, the original Boxer Club was founded. Within the 20th century, Boxers came to the U.S., in which they were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1904.
The Boxer’s scarcity in the U.S. during the 20th century made them hard-to-come-by and exclusive. During WW1—because of the fact that the breed was enlisted in the United States military—soldiers would come back from their tours with their doggy companions.
The soldier-imported pup contributed to the ‘commercialization’ of Boxers which ultimately led to the presence and popularity of the dog breed today.
Boxers are a dynamic combination of the hyper-attentive and alert guard dog, and the energetic, patient, and playful dog is ideal for kids.
Even though the Boxer’s temperament widely depends on early socialization, as well as the personalities of their parents, they are by in large friendly and polite to others.
Being that the hunting canine is in their blood, they often are confident and independent.
That exact same blood also contributes to the dog’s aggression as they feel their family is in harm’s way; this phenomenon is witnessed across the majority of breeds with a ‘hunt’ instinct in them.
However, there are very distinct differences between female, as well as male Boxers. Males often are abundantly loving and extroverted, without any care of outgrowing their immaturity until years later.
Females often can be moody, protective, and introverted. It doesn’t make these dogs any less adorable or loyal, but they won’t wear their emotions on their sleeve as frequently as their counterpart.
The general rule with Boxers includes overexposing them early on, which means early socialization is important to better stable temperaments and personalities.
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Every dog breed has its own special talents and unique gifts. In fact, the American Kennel Club categorizes all dogs into one of seven dog breed groups. The groups are based off of the activities that these dogs are intentionally bred for, like sporting or retrieving.
The group we are going to focus on today is the sporting group of dogs. But before we dive into the details of the sporting dog breeds, here are all seven dog breed categories, as well as the dogs that fall into these categories.
The American Kennel Club does not call any dog breeds retrieving dogs, but the most common retrieving dogs fall into the AKC category of sporting dogs. For all intents and purposes, sporting dogs are the same as retrieving dogs.
Technically speaking, there is not a retrieving dog breed that can be deemed the best retrieving dog breeds. But out of the twenty-six dog breeds that the American Kennel Club classifies as sporting dogs, there are definitely seven dogs that are more common than the other retrieving dog breeds.
Let’s go on to talk about the details of each of seven best retrieving dog breeds! From the most common dog breeds and types of sporting dogs, to types of pointers dog and the most popular family dog breeds, we cannot wait to help find the best sporting dogs for you!
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Chesapeake bay retrievers are a sporting and retrieving dog breed that is bred in the United States of America. Also called CBR dogs, Chessies, and Chesapeakes, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a beautiful dog, recognized particularly for its large size and skill set.
Named after a body of water in between the American states of Virginia and Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an excellent dog wherever water is involved. They make for wonderful family dogs, especially for those of you who enjoy escapades in nature and adventurous weekends out in the mountains. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are the perfect kind of dog for anyone who makes a hobby out of fishing or spends a lot of time near a lake.
This may come as no surprise, but the German Shorthaired Pointer is a dog breed that originated in Germany. A dog of many nicknames, this dog breed is recognized as the Deutscher Kurzhaariger and the Vorstehhund, as well as the Deutsch Kurzhaar and the Kurzhaar.
The German Shorthaired Pointer is very similar to golden retrievers in that these dogs make wonderful additions to just about any and every family. Since they are literally bred for the purpose of being adopted by families, you could definitely consider German Shorthaired Pointers one of the most popular family dog breeds.
The average male golden retriever weighs approximately sixty-five pounds at a minimum, and seventy-five pounds at its heaviest. Females are just about ten pounds lighter than most male golden retrievers. The average minimum weight of female golden retrievers is roughly fifty-five pounds, with the heaviest female golden retriever typically weighing about sixty-five pounds.
The height difference between male and female golden retrievers is barely noticeable to the naked eye. Adult female golden retrievers tend to reach an average height of twenty to twenty-two inches tall, while male adult golden retrievers are closer to between twenty-two to twenty-four inches tall.
The typical lifespan of a golden retriever, regardless of the dog's gender, is approximately ten years, with a higher average of twelve years. The fur of a golden retriever is partly responsible for the retrieving dog breed's name because the coat is a golden, off-white, and creamy color. Many golden retrievers have straight fur except for the fur near its stomach and neck. In these places, the fur of a golden retriever tends to be curly or wavy, depending on the dog and the length of the pup's fur.
Golden retrievers are one of the most popular family dog breeds. Of all the dog breeds in the world, golden retrievers are the third most popular retrieving dog breeds.
As the name suggests, Irish Setters belong to a dog breed that originated in Ireland. Also known as Irish Red Setters, and sometimes simply as Red Setters, the Irish Setter dog breed is another one of the most common dog retrieving breeds on the planet. Visually, an Irish Setter is a stunning dog, with burgundy and mahogany brown fur that creates quite a beautiful coat. Sometimes described as a red or chestnut color, the fur of an Irish Setter is both wavy and long. The slight wave of the fur makes Irish Setters appear to be very poised and royal.
Interestingly enough, the coat of an Irish Setter tends to grow like crazy during the season of winter. The point of this is to keep the dog warm while the weather is colder than usual. Irish Setters make for one of the most popular family dog breeds, given the nature of their temperament. As a dog breed that pairs very well with children and people in general, Irish Setters do very well in family environments. Whether you are looking to welcome a dog into your household for the very first time, or you are thinking about introducing another puppy into your family, an Irish Setter might just be one of your best choices!
This is not true for every situation, though. The one very important detail to take into consideration is the fact that Irish Setters might not be the most compatible dog breed for smaller dogs, like a miniature Schnauzer or a small Chihuahua, for instance. This is not because Irish Setters are a dangerous or aggressive dog, by any means.
The reason for this important detail is that Irish Setters just happen to be very tall dogs, and as a naturally big dog breed, they do not always understand the gravity of their height and their weight combined -- especially when an Irish Setter goes through its first major growth spurt as a puppy.
For a little while, Irish Setter puppies will take some time to understand that they are not small and weightless once they grow. It will take time for them to adjust to their new size, and as natural retrieving dogs, the element of being a hunting puppy by nature will bring instincts into play. Irish Setters will not start to hunt other animals in the household, but they will come across as too playful for animals that are smaller than them, like cats.
Out of all one hundred ninety-three dog breeds registered under the license of the American Kennel Club, Irish Setters rank as the seventy-seventh most popular dog breed. The temperament of Irish Setters is made up of traits such as energetic, even-tempered, friendly, and sweet.
If you have children above the age of six and your family does not have any dogs already in the household, then an Irish Setter is the perfect first puppy! Even so, this is not to say that you should not adopt an Irish Setter under the opposite conditions. You certainly can, but please be prepared to slowly introduce your current pets to your newly adopted Irish Setter. Everything will run smoothly once the dogs are well-acquainted with one another.
The average labrador retriever is between fifty-five and eighty pounds. The exact weight depends on your dog in particular, but the range depends on the gender of your labrador retriever. For instance, a male labrador retriever is approximately sixty-five pounds on the low end, with the heaviest average weight being closer to eighty pounds.
Adult female golden retrievers, on the other hand, tend to weight slightly less than their male counterparts. This is typically true across the board for female dogs in general, and that is no exception for female labrador retrievers. Adult female labradors are usually anywhere between fifty-five to seventy pounds when fully grown. There is very little difference in the height of female and male adult labrador retrievers, and the same goes for their coat colors.
Did you know labrador retrievers come in a variety of colors, and yet, they are all still part of the same retrieving dog breed? The coat color of a labrador retriever puppy tends to depend on the fur of the mother of the litter, but no matter what, you can expect puppies to be born with fur that is either brown, yellow, red, or black. Litters of labrador retrievers are usually born in sizes of five to ten puppies per litter, and labrador retrievers live to be anywhere between twelve and thirteen years of age.
Labrador retrievers are easily the most popular retrieving dog breed of all time. According to the rankings put forward by the American Kennel Club, labrador retrievers are the most popular dog breed across the board.
Out of all one hundred ninety-three dog breeds recognized by the Kennel Club, labrador retrievers are the number one most popular dog breed! As a member of the sporting group and a retrieving dog breed, labrador retrievers are some of the sweetest, most active, and comforting dogs of all time.
Yet another breed of retrieving dogs is the pointer. Pointers, also known as English Pointers, are a dog breed that originally arose in England. The fur coats of English Pointers are not terribly long, and the fur is very dense, more so than it is fluffy.
The fur of an English Pointer rests very close to the skin of the dogs, and the fur is usually a cream or white-colored coat. However, Pointers are not completely one color. They tend to have random and sporadically placed patches of darker fur, ranging from orange, black, and brown spots.
The height of an English Pointer depends on the gender of the particular dog. Adult female Pointers can grow to be anywhere between twenty-three and twenty-six inches, whereas the male adult dogs are closer to a range of twenty-five and twenty-eight inches tall. Male Pointers weight an average of fifty-five to seventy-five pounds, while the female Pointers tend to weight anywhere between forty-five and sixty-five pounds.
Originally from German, the Weimararaner Vorstehhund -- or Weimaraner for short -- is well-known for its knack for hunting. Also called a Grey Ghost, and sometimes referred to as a Raner, the Weimaraner is actually categorized as a gun dog. This means that they are purposefully bred so that they make excellent companions for hunters. The instincts of gun dogs entail locating prey that has been shot down by the hunters and leading their owners to the animals they have hunted.
Retrieving dog breeds are very active animals. Sometimes, it can be difficult for them to slow down and relax in the evening. As a result, some retrieving dog breeds can have difficulty falling asleep in a timely manner. Every once in a while, it is okay to have an off sleeping schedule, but if it persists, your retrieving dog can start to struggle with sticking to a regular routine.
If you have a puppy that falls into the category of sporting dog breeds, then CBD for dogs might be the answer to your nightly prayers. Raising a puppy is so much fun, but it can also become very draining very quickly if you struggle to get your puppy to adhere to a sleeping schedule. Cannabidiol for retrieving dog puppies is one of the most effective supplements, and the best part is that there are absolutely zero negative side effects of CBD for dogs.
And this is not true for puppies alone. The claim holds true for dogs of all ages! Whether your retrieving dog is a month-old puppy or a twelve-year-old dog, cannabidiol can help improve your pup’s nightly sleep routine, daily activity levels, and everything in between, including stress responses and anxiety issues that may arise!
If any of these situations apply to your retrieving dog breed pet, then head on over to the inventory supplied by Innovet! You will find a wide array of CBD products for dogs. From hemp-based dog treats and chewy snacks for canines, to cannabidiol dog capsules and CBD oil for pets, there is a CBD product for every retrieving dog breed under the sun.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Innovet. We will get back to you in a timely manner, and we cannot wait to see your retrieving dog breed canine feel better with the help of CBD for pets!
No one is quite sure where poodles originated. It may have been Japan. They spent some time in Germany before ending up in France and becoming one of the most desired breeds in the 15th century, a treasure for French royalty and nobility.
Even then, there were three types of poodles, the standard poodle, the miniature poodle, and the toy poodle. They are the same in almost every way except for size. The standard poodle measures more than 15" tall at the shoulders, up to 22 - 27", while a miniature poodle will measure between 11" and 15", and a toy poodle will be even smaller.
Besides delighting the French elite, Standard poodles were predominantly used by duck hunters and other people who hunted fowl because they were highly trainable with great stamina, excelling at retrieving the fallen birds. They then began being used in circuses, again as they were highly trainable and didn't mind being kept indoors a lot.
Registered by the AKC as an official dog breed in 1887, including miniature and toy poodles, they are listed as the 7th most popular dog breed. They are also the national dog of France.
Knowing a dog breed's group can help you understand them better. Working dogs and herding dogs have unique needs, for instance. Poodles may be a bit of a stumper. What group do they belong in?
Poodles are classified in the Non-Sporting Group. This is a fairly general category for dogs that don't really fit into other groups. Poodles do have a history as hunting dogs, but this is not the majority of their heritage and plays a fairly small part in their behavior and care. What this means is that rather than using a group to help you understand your poodle you just need to get to know the poodle breed and go from there.
Poodles are thought of as dignified and maybe even snobby because of their posh lineage. It is somewhat true but in other ways not.
Poodles are unusually intelligent, and intelligence does often lend itself to dignified and confident dog personalities. They are the types of dogs who don't love everybody, preferring their family members and sometimes one family member, but that doesn't mean they are necessarily unfriendly. They are very agreeable about training and living spaces, making them great for people who live in apartments or small homes, but does mean you need to be willing to commit to routine mental stimulation. Though they're pretty dogs and maybe even considered prissy, they make good watchdogs. They aren't aggressive but they are protective over their family and will definitely alert you to strangers. They are prone to anxiety and do not like to spend time alone. Poodles do not make good pets for people who will have to leave them home alone for hours.
Poodles do require socialization, exercise, and training to have the positive qualities you desire. Without exercise and training, they'll be ill-behaved as their needs for structure won't be met. They also require socialization with people, animals, and children to interact in a desirable fashion with all of these groups and not become "aloof." While your poodle will love to spend time with you and you alone if you also desire it, you will need to regularly socialize them with others to ensure good behavior. This is particularly important if you intend to eventually have children in the house with a poodle. They can be great with children, if they are raised to be.
Poodle intelligence must be stimulated for them to be happy and well-behaved. You don't have to be constantly driving them, but they do require obedience training by you or a professional. The training should be upheld by you. This will not be difficult as poodles are so intelligent and naturally agreeable that they will quickly absorb, retain, and obey commands. They require plenty of stimulating toys and play, and you probably want to every once and a while teach them something new.
It is best to use the positive reinforcement method with poodles. They don't need you to be too aggressive with them, and it will stress them out.
Exercise is important to poodles. They need to use up their energy and get tired, but it doesn't require a lot to make that happen. 30 minutes of exercise a day should be sufficient.
Your poodle will love long walks, runs, swimming, and playing games. They'll also chase small animals.
The biggest consideration for poodle care, besides preventing separation anxiety, that's pretty high too, is grooming. This is not about vanity. Poodles require grooming to stay cool, comfortable, and healthy.
Poodles don't have an undercoat, so they don't do much shedding and are great for people with allergies, but that also means their coats require a lot of maintenance to stay matt and dirt free. Matts and the dirt that collect in and under them can cause bothersome and dangerous skin conditions for your poodle.
If you want a poodle because you want a show dog or want it to look like a fancy fashion poodle, you can certainly do that, but know that it is expensive. They weren't associated with royalty for no reason.
You will need to brush your poodle daily, groom them monthly, and look for signs of skin problems. Most poodle owners choose the sporting or puppy cuts for a great, all-purpose look.
Unfortunately, all poodle grooming is expensive. It's certainly less so if you aren't going to show quality, but it's still more than many people want to or feel like they can afford to spend. Some people learn to groom their poodles themselves, but it's difficult. Prepare to invest a lot of time to learn how to groom your poodle correctly. That's why it's expensive because it's complicated.
Because grooming is such an important, and regular, part of a poodle's life, you want it to be easy and enjoyable for them and whoever's doing the grooming. Get your poodle used to being handled the way they will have to be to be groomed by handling their paws and brushing them when they are puppies. Do it considerately. You don't want to give them a negative association with being groomed.
Trimming their nails is not a huge issue. They normally take care of themselves through the wear of an active life.
Your poodle may have an increased need for dental care. This is of particular concern with toy and miniature poodles because their mouths are so small. Smaller mouths make tighter spaces that are ideal breeding grounds for bacteria that cause tooth decay and periodontitis. It is important to brush your toy or miniature poodle's teeth 2 to 3 times a week with a dog-friendly toothpaste. Never use human toothpaste, though you can use baby toothbrushes. Your standard poodle may need toothbrushing too. You can make tooth brushing easier by getting them used to you handling their mouths when they are small. Gently touch puppies' mouths and stroke their gums so tooth brushing will seem perfectly normal later.
Poodles have sensitive eyes, and their eyes may water a lot. Make sure their hair stays out of their eyes and that you are mindful of allergens and irritants. You may have to think about tear stains around their eyes.
They need 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dog food per day in two equal meals, but they are finicky about what they eat. It may take some trial and error and patience to determine what they will eat.
Poodles are surprisingly hardy dogs.
The poodle lifespan is 12 to 15 years. Larger poodles may not live quite as long as toy and miniature poodles. That means the standard poodle may be closer to the 12 ends of that range while the smaller poodles will be more likely to reach the 15 ends.
The most pressing issue for poodles is skin problems or overheating from poor grooming. That is why it is crucial for you to regularly and correctly groom your poodle. You should also notice while petting and brushing them, or bathing and grooming them, if they have odd-looking areas on their bodies, icky or poor hair, or are inexplicably tender in certain areas.
There is a slightly higher prevalence in poodles of eye problems like retinal atrophy, cataracts, or partial or complete blindness for other reasons.
They are also slightly prone to hip dysplasia, particularly Standard Poodles because they are larger. This is a displacement between their hip and femur that can cause pain, abnormal gait, or paralysis. They may also develop other joint issues.
There is also a slightly higher prevalence of epilepsy. This produces seizures similar to humans, though they may appear in ways you wouldn't expect. Your poodle may jump up or run like something is after them, convulse, or simply collapse.
Anxiety is a problem with poodles, most notably separation anxiety. They should never be left alone for long lengths of time, even for work. Dog sitters probably won't cut it because they don't get attached to just anybody. They want who they want. Anxiety is sad, but it also leads to disruptive and destructive behaviors and can lead to other health problems.
If you've already met a poodle you love, then the choice is made for you. But if you're still in the planning stages, you might want some help determining which type of poodle is right for you and how to go about getting one.
Poodle popularity means many people want in on the poodle breeding game. This demand attracts disreputable breeding. It is always important to thoroughly check a dog breeder, but you want to be even more aware of the potential for unethical behavior when going to a breeder of such in-demand dogs.
If you would like to adopt a dog, you'll be glad to know that it is possible to find purebred dogs at shelters. If glad is the right word. It's sad that any dog has to be in a shelter, but it is convenient for those who want to help homeless animals and want a specific dog breed. Because poodles are so popular, they aren't likely to stay there long unless they are old or have health problems. Take that into consideration when planning how vigilantly to search and deciding how to set you honestly are on adopting a poodle in need.
While all poodles are very similar in most ways, there are some differences that may help you determine whether you want a standard, miniature, or toy poodle. Standard poodles are more likely to develop hip dysplasia and to not live as long as smaller poodles. Miniature poodles are usually the most active of the three types of poodles. Toy poodles are not good fits for houses with small children because the children don't know how to handle them and may hurt them. Both miniature and toy poodles have stricter dental demands because of their small mouths, prone to harboring bacteria. Standard poodles make a grander statement and are your most traditional poodle, but of course everyone thinks miniature and toy poodles are cute enough to look like plush toys.
CBD oil is growing in popularity as a natural alternative to traditional treatments for many ailments.
CBD oil is commonly used by people and given to pets in an attempt to manage anxiety. Pets may be given treats, capsules, oil tinctures, or extract concentrates as needed or daily.
CBD oil is also used to address pain and inflammation. It can be given orally in any of the above-mentioned forms or applied in a topical form for localized areas.
CBD oil is so well-thought-of as a means to reduce the number and severity of seizures in people that major research was performed and the FDA approved a drug made of CBD oil for epilepsy in humans. It is also commonly used for pets for the same purpose and should be used orally.
Skin conditions cause many problems, irritation, inflammation, itch, pain, and potential for infection. Topical CBD oil is used in an attempt to soothe inflammation, pain, and irritation and create a barrier against infection. It also shows great promise at killing infections that are already present.
Many medications are detrimentally unpleasant or even risky. The pet may suffer while taking the medication or they may not be able to continue traditional treatment. CBD oil may eliminate nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, and many other side effects. CBD oil could help your poodle continue a treatment that is otherwise working for them.
CBD oil in general has not been approved by the FDA because it hasn't undergone enough testing and trials yet. The scientific results are continuing to amaze for the range of illnesses that CBD oil shows promise in managing. User reports are also very positive, some people finding miraculous changes in themselves and their pets.
What has been proven is that humans and many animals have an endocannabinoid system that creates and uses its own cannabinoids to maintain the body's homeostasis and the normal functioning of many of the body's organs. Cannabidiol, the ingredient in CBD oil, works in the body much like its own cannabinoids, addressing deficiencies or giving a boost in times of need.
We create scientifically backed natural and eco-friendly products to solve pet problems. If you're searching for poodle breeds and poodle care, you may want our CBD oil tinctures, soft treats, crunchy treats, capsules, or balm to address anxiety, skin problems, epilepsy, or joint problems. You may also want to pick up our tear stain remover, dental gel, scent markers for blind dogs, or eco-friendly poop bags.
If you are encountering a pet problem no traditional treatment or natural alternative addresses, let us know. We love to innovate for pets.
If I asked you to think about a Siberian Husky, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Like many people, you probably think about how gorgeous and majestic the Siberian Husky is. It might be their icy and piercing blue eyes that you think about first, or perhaps you think about how the Siberian Husky closely resembles the wild wolf.
Siberian Huskies are certainly flashy-looking dogs, and that’s why we’re talking all about the flashiest of the Siberian Husky, the red Husky.
We’ll look into whether they have a different personality from their black and grey counterparts. We’ll find out if the rarity of the red coat leads to health issues. As well, we’ll give you our favorite tips for training a Siberian Husky.
So let’s find out if a Siberian Husky puppy is in your future.
Breed |
Siberian Husky |
Other Names |
Chukcha, Husky, and Sibe |
Breed Type |
Purebred |
Lifespan |
12-15 years |
Height |
Female: 20–22 inches (50–56 cm) >Male: 21–24 inches (54–60 cm) |
Weight |
Female: 35–51 lbs (16–23 kg) Male: 44–60 lbs (20–27 kg) |
Health Concerns |
Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts, Progressive Retinal atrophy, Corneal Dystrophy, and Bloat |
Coat Type |
Thick double coat outer coat |
Coat Appearance |
Short-Medium, Dense, Fluffy |
Coat Colors |
White, Black, Piebald, Agouti, Black & Tan, Sable, Copper, Black & White, Splash, Silver, Grey, Brown, Red |
Grooming |
High |
Shedding |
Heavy — all year-round |
Tolerance to Temperature |
Handles extreme colds; has difficulty with extreme heat |
Training |
Medium-Hard |
Good with Other Dogs |
Yes |
Good With Children |
Yes |
Good With Cats & Pets |
Ok, Needs early training and socialization to break hunting drive |
Barking |
Rare / Occasionally Howls |
Suitable for an Apartment |
No |
Preferred Home |
Family with a large yard |
Roaming |
High |
Hypoallergenic |
No |
Suitable for First Time Dog Owners |
No |
First, let’s get a big thing out of the way!
It’s important to know that the red Husky is not a separate breed from other purebred Siberian Huskies. Siberian Huskies come in many different color patterns as you’ll see. As well, they all have a similar personality, which is intelligent, goofy, energetic, and stubborn.
The red and white coat instead of the traditional black/grey and white coat is simply due to a recessive gene that’s been in these dogs’ lineage for thousands of years. Speaking of such, let’s find out the origins of this majestic breed.
The Siberian Husky originated in Northeast Asia around 4,000 years ago and was first bred by the Chukchi people for protection. It wouldn’t be until a thousand years later when the Husky became known as a sled dog.
3,000 years ago, Siberia’s environment changed and became extremely cold. When this happened, reindeer were forced to travel great distances for food, which in turn, forced the Chukchi people to do the same as reindeer were a major food source. As you can guess, the Chukchi people starting using their dogs to pull sleds during hunts. The Siberian Huskies ability to protect, hunt, and pull sleds for miles made them an irreplaceable member of Chukchi society.
Thousands of years after that in 1908 they made their way to Alaska where they became sled-racing dogs. Siberian Huskies share a close lineage with the Alaskan Malamute who both originate from the Taymyr Wolf that once roamed North Asia.
Siberian Huskies are known for their wolf-like appearance with sharp upright ears and a long nose. Their tails ploof out and curl around their backs when they’re excited, which is quite often.
Black and white is the most common coat color we associate with the Siberian Husky, but they actually come in a wide range of colors: red, grey, sable, brown, piebald, and all-white.
The red Husky’s coat comes in different shades of red from a robust burgundy to a light beige. They will often be tinges of greys and blacks in their coats as well.
Of course, besides their infamous coat, there is their sharp and often icy blues eyes. There is no link between certain eye colors and coat colors. The Red Coat Husky can have green, brown, blue, or a heterochromia blend.
Interesting Fact: In some dog breeds blue eyes is a result of the merle coat pattern gene, which causes severe health problems. Fortunately, for the Siberian Husky, their blue eyes are a result of a separate gene that causes no health issues.
Siberian Huskies are known as big-time shedders, and the red Husky is no different. You’ll want to peruse google search for a while to make sure you’re prepared the amount of hair that comes out when brushing.
Unlike their close cousin the Malamute, Siberian Huskies typically shed all year round. Even better, they will have a “blow out” session once or twice a year where they get rid of their undercoat. This usually happens around major seasonal changes.
You don’t have to bathe Siberian Huskies any differently than dogs with a single coat, but we recommend you use a dog formulated shampoo, so you don’t strip out the oils in their coat.
Interesting Fact: While you sometimes see people shave or clip their Husky’s coat, you never want to do this. Dogs, especially those with big coats like the husky, rely on their coats to regulate their body temperature. That big coat actually cools them down!
Siberian Huskies are a medium to large size dog breed The weigh between 30-65 pounds and stand 19-24 inches at the shoulder. They’re about half the size of their counterparts the Malamute.
Like all Huskies, the red Husky has a big personality that often gets them in trouble. They’re outgoing to put it lightly, often mischievous, quickly get bored, and love running and escaping.
They’re wicked smart and love testing your boundaries to see what they can get away with. However, all that intelligence and energy makes them fantastic as work dogs.
They howl instead of barking, which draws the comparison to wolves even more. They also have an affinity for making weird talking noises, often sounding like Wookies. With a little training, a large fenced-in yard, and patience, Siberian Huskies make for one of the best dogs you could ever hope to have.
We can’t state enough how big and fun their personalities are; they’re big comical dork with a good dose of stubbornness. If you mixed a cat and dog together, you’d get a Siberian Husky.
Siberian Huskies have a great reputation as family dogs. They love being around other dogs due to their pack mentality, and they’re very tolerant of children. You’ll want to watch them around smaller animals like cats because besides being bred for pulling sleds, they were bred to hunt.
But while they have a prey drive, with proper training and early socialization around small creatures, the Husky can get along well with everyone.
Due to their pack mentality and high energy needs, Siberian Huskies typically due better in family households. Because of the above reasons, and the fact that a big fenced-in yard is recommended, Siberian Huskies are not recommended for single people living in the city.
Siberian Huskies howl instead of bark allowing them to be trained as watchdogs that will howl when something is up. Though they make extremely poor guard dogs as they instantly fall in love with strangers.
Siberian Huskies are very talkative, but fortunately, they enjoy communicating with you at an appropriate noise level.
Without a doubt, the Husky is one of the smartest dogs around. All most too smart, you could say as they’re easily bored and love testing your patience.
Another reason they are almost too smart is that while they can quickly learn commands, they don’t always like following them. As well, getting them to focus can be difficult if there is any excitement happening around you.
However, they’re not the worst dog to teach commands. As a fact, they fall somewhere in the middle of purebred dogs that do well with command training.
The Siberian Husky is headstrong and intelligent, and the red Siberian Husky is no different. This makes training not the easiest, but certainly not the worse.
While huskies are stubborn, their intelligence tells them when they need to actually obey. But for this to happen, training should start soon.
When trained, you’ll have a gentle, loving, and affectionate dog that will, for the most part, listen to you. If you don’t train them, you’re going to be in for a bad time. Huskies can be destructive due to all that energy, and they will constantly test your boundaries and leadership. Do not budge, because they will remember!
We created a list of training tips that will greatly assist you when training a Siberian Husky.
Training Tips For Siberian Huskies
However much time you can dedicate to exercising your red Husky the better. Now, of course, they do have a limit, but if they’re not pulling a sled through treacherous snow for hours, then you’re unlikely to hit their limit.
They love running, exercising, swimming, you name it. If you’re an active person that wants an active dog then look no further.
Siberian Huskies have a considerably longlifespan for a medium to large dog. They can typically live 12-16 years, which more closely resembles the lifespan seen in smaller dog breeds.
One of the biggest things that contribute to their long lifespan is their ability to maintain a clean bill of health. Like all dogs, there are some genetic diseases their at risk for — mostly eye-related — but for the most part, they’re considered one of the healthiest dog breeds around.
Bloating happens when gas fills the stomach and intestines, and in severe cases, it can twist them around. If left untreated, it can kill your dog!
It typically occurs in dogs when they eat a big meal then exert a lot of energy by running, exercising, etc. Because Huskies love running around at full force all the time, bloating is seen more often in their breed.
The simple way to prevent bloating is to feed smaller food portions and wait an hour before exercising or playing with them.
Whenever you're looking at health issues for any large dog, you’ll almost always see hip dysplasia listed. Bigger dogs do a considerable amount of growing in their first year compared to small dogs, and if their nutrition is lacking, it can lead to bone improperly developing.
Hip dysplasia can occur at any age but is typically not seen until the dog reaches middle age.
About 1 out of 10 Siberian Huskies develop cataracts in their life which can lead to blindness. Cataracts typically occur between 6 and 12 months of age.
Like cataracts, Siberian Huskies are genetically at risk for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, which can also lead to blindness. The earlier they’re diagnosed with the disease, the better for helping them retain their eyesight and keeping medical bills down.
Less common than the above eye diseases is Corneal Dystrophy. It first appears as a white dot in the cornea, which can grow over time. This can lead to hazy vision, and unfortunately, there is no current treatment for it.
Like all dogs, if you want your Siberian Husky to live a long healthy life, you’ll want to make sure you’re caring for their health day-to-day. We already learned why a nutritional diet when they’re young is essential to preventing hip dysplasia, but we wanted to offer another great way you can care for their health.
More and more dog owners are finding that CBD is an essential aid for keeping their dog’s health in tip-top shape. You’ve likely heard about CBD for people because it helps with anxiety, allergies, pain, inflammation, and even cancer treatments. CBD for dogs is no different.
You can use this all-natural awesome herb for preventive health as it supports their immune system and other regulatory systems for better health on a cellular level. Or you can use it for one of the above reasons, like anxiety which huskies are prone to developing if they are left alone by themselves. Read more about how CBD can help your Siberian Husky.
If you choose to go with a breeder, you’ll want to make sure you go to a reputable breeder. One great thing by going with them is you’ll get a history on the puppy’s parents, grandparents, and their health.
When looking for a reputable breeder, you should look for the following qualities:
When purchasing from a reputable breeder expect to pay $500+ for a red Siberian Husky.
If you wish to rescue instead, there are a number of Siberian Husky specific rescues such as Free Spirit Siberian Rescue. A simple google search for “Siberian Husky Rescue in [your state]” is your best bet. As well, you can always try your local shelters. Typically adoption fees are $100-$300.
When you’re looking for a specific red Husky look, your best bet is adopting a pup that’s a year or older.
The Siberian Husky is truly one of the greatest dogs you could ever hope to have. They’re intelligent, strong, and have huge personalities. However, they are not easy dogs and should be avoided unless you can handle certain things.
They love to run. Ok, let’s say that again. Are you prepared to bolt down the street after your Siberian Husky at the drop of a dime because they saw an opening when you were bringing groceries in? Because every Husky owner has had something like this happen to them.
But when you can give them a big yard, lots of exercise, and have trained dogs in the past then you have a truly special dog on your hands. There is nothing quite like having a Siberian Husky for a dog!
]]>Before we get into the most popular dog breeds in the United States, specifically California, let’s talk about the Golden State in general. When folks think of California, they usually think of LA. Beaches and palm trees, warm weather all year long, and an abundance of space to appreciate the outdoor lifestyle. However, the reality is that CA is a huge place! As a matter of fact, it’s the second-biggest state in the continental U.S. which measures in at 163,696 sq. miles. So here, Innovet Pet Products goes over which is the most popular breed of dog in America, specifically in California.
While any breed may adapt and make the Golden State their forever home, there still are some favorites among the residents of California. To offer you a better idea of which dogs make the top of the list, the folks at Innovet Pet Products has put together the top 5 most popular dogs in California, as of today.
Is this one a curveball right off the bat? What is the most popular dog in the united states, specifically in California? The Standard Poodle that comes in at #5 on our list really should not shock you as Poodles often are a classic favorite, and popular dog breeds. As it’ll come to the fast-paced lifestyle of California dogs, alert and active include two of the leading qualities a dog should have. Standard Poodles are beloved for their grace and beauty and serve as the ideal Hollywood show dog for residents of California. Apart from their physical appearance, Poodles are attentive and intelligent, which makes them the ideal companion for owners around the U.S.
The Poodle’s lineage stretches back into the folds of time. Considered to have derived from Asia then settled into Germany hundreds of years later, it isn’t until the French gave light to the dog breed that we realize its ‘real’ beginning. What we do know is that in the fifteenth century, the Standard Poodle became among the most popular dog breeds in France, oftentimes exclusively owned by nobles and royals.
At that time, there were 3 dog variations (all were pure, which means they did not breed with other dogs to generate different variations): the Miniature Poodle, the Mid-Sized Poodle, and the Standard Poodle.
Today, the Mini and Standard are the most common, with Standard Poodles having a bigger presence.
As the years passed, the Standard Poodle started to be utilized by duck hunters. Their stamina, athleticism, as well as striking intelligence made them outstanding hunting dogs. However, their intelligence truly was what set them apart from additional breeds, and so traveling circuses started to train them to be show and trick dogs. The more the dog breed streamlined, the more French aristocracy started to incorporate them into their lifestyles, in which ultimately the posh, regal reputation developed. Then, the dog became the national canine of France.
Later on, the Poodle migrated with the original colonists, and in 1887, was recognized by the AKC (as one dog breed, even though the Standard and Miniature were included). The Poodle remains to be among the top 10 most popular dog breeds worldwide.
Standard Poodles define the term grace. They naturally are dignified, carry themselves with a very confident demeanor, and have an entire reservoir of love to provide to the ones closest to them. Oftentimes—and it’s a common misconception—the personality of the Poodle is thought of as aloof to strangers, snobby, and unfriendly, in general. While that may be the case (as most owners that invest in purebred Poodles do so for the showmanship) it actually isn’t the Poodle’s innate dog personality.
They’re startlingly intelligent. They aren’t just well-known show dogs due to their regal stature or perfectly groomed coats they are show dogs because they are intelligent enough to process and learn their training. Maybe among the most trainable and docile dogs across the complete variety of dog breeds, what’ll make the personality of a Poodle trait so popular is that they may be virtually anything.
Apart from that, they are fairly levelheaded. The Poodle’s behavior may be a little protective and guarded of their loved ones, yet they aren’t an aggressive breed. They will bark and make outstanding watchdogs because they will ensure any stranger recognizes their presence. However, if not correctly socialized, Standard Poodle’s have reputations of being standoffish towards other canines and people, introverted, and nippy. Also, poodle anxiety is common within this breed. More specifically, they’ll fall victim to separation anxiety, and aren’t the kind of dog that ought to be left alone for long time periods.
German Shepherds might be a surprising choice for California, yet it ought to come as no shock that this one is beloved by many. What is the most popular breed of dog in the United States, especially in California? Admired for their obedience and bravery, German Shepherds often are sought out to be protectors within search and rescue teams and K-9 units. The German Shepherd’s aptitude for a working environment makes them talented at several service jobs. Overall, the Shepherd is an extremely well-rounded dog breed that likes protecting their owners, social interactions, and exercise.
The Shepherd–despite being one of the most popular dogs in U.S. and worldwide, for that matter–originated within the nineteenth century. One cavalry captain in Germany had an aspiration to develop the world’s top herding canine. Maybe he did not succeed with that specific goal, yet he absolutely developed among the most popular and best dogs worldwide.
The captain, Von Stephanitz, ultimately sought to narrow down an ‘alpha’ dog breed of the herding canine and traveled all throughout specific areas to evaluate the different dog breeds. Ultimately Von Stephanitz discovered the variations he liked, bred them, then later his breed was utilized by the Germans in the first World War, which makes this breed a working-class pup.
Despite the realization that most German Shepherds came back home with United States soldiers, they actually were around America before the war, they had their rise to fame because of how well they serviced the U.S. soldiers. However, some credit their popularity to one famous Hollywood celebrity: Rin Tin Tin.
However, during that time, because of the hatred that people of America had for Germans, the AKC named them the ‘Shepherd Dog,’ instead of the German Shepherd. Later on, their name was switched back, yet oddly though, the names almost divided the breeds within a healthy way: people in the U.S. bred German Shepherds for showmanship that inherently destroyed a few of their best characteristics, and German’s meticulously screened their dog breeds, wanting only to generate an alpha species among canines.
It’s among those personalities you are more than likely familiar with. You lay eyes on a gorgeous Shepherd, and while you may want to run and pet him, you know better, as his watchful eyes are assessing and questioning you. However, you also do not have to fear them, as their temperament isn’t aggressive. The pups are aloof naturally, and typically reserved around strangers. They are loyal to no end, and as they determine you are to be trusted, will exhibit a part of their personality which feels like a reward. They are very smart and have such an impressive variety in what they’re able to be trained to do, that they are in a working class all by themselves.
They are exceptional watchdogs, and it is possible to count on them to protect the kids. They require a lot of stimulation, exercise, and constantly need to be around the ones they love (separation anxiety is a big problem with these dogs, as they’ll panic without their owner’s presence).
Within some ways, it’s really the alpha dog personality: athletic, powerful, hyper-intelligent, confident, assured, assertive, calm, and with a size that makes you hesitate. And at home their behavior is quiet, loving, calm, and sometimes even spunky.
The U.S. likes their Pit Bulls, and California isn’t any exception! American Pit Bull Terriers are a workout fanatic’s ideal companion. They’re full of energy and may run around for hours without exhibiting any indications of fatigue. It isn’t any no wonder why this pup would be a popular option in a state in which being overly active almost seems mandatory. Well-known for their intelligence and athleticism, the Pit Bull Terrier is a great training partner which may keep up with any athlete. They’re also adept, as well as well-suited for obedient training or additional sports. And because of their huge hearts, they additionally make for wonderful family companions, too.
In earlier times, the dog was prized for its impressively strong build. Also utilized during times of war and as protectors, the breed has an aggressive look which might intimidate anything or anyone. In the 1920’s, they were bred for bull baiting and additional fighting practices. In the 80’s, they gained popularity after premiering in a few films and movies. The American Pit Bull today is fairly different from its ancestors, because of its loving and calm nature.
Staffordshire terriers also are closely associated and look like the American Pit Bull Terrier we have these days. Their wide head and muscular build are their most defining features.
Pit Bulls have bad reputations for being aggressive breeds. Shocking to most, the dogs are actually pretty loving. The obedient dogs are trustworthy and loyal, however, they’re also well-known to have a funny side, too. They’re quick learners and well-behaved as they’re trained early on and may be a good addition to any home. It’s vital that you remember that they also can, at times, be very stubborn. The dog’s strong-willed attitude comes out as they’re being made to do something that they don’t have any interest in doing.
This might be the quintessential choice as you think of which pup might thrive in California. Whether his dog owner is a suburban family inside Sacramento, or a young native of Santa Barbara in her 20s who likes to camp, the Labrador Retriever is an excellent match for most households. The dogs are amazingly versatile, and their high intelligence and gentle temperament makes them outstanding working or service dogs. The Labrador has been the #1 most popular dog within the U.S. for the last 10 years because of their delightful demeanor and versatility. Whether you have plans to spend a long day at the beach or lying on the sofa on a peaceful Sunday, the Lab is the quintessential dog of California.
The Lab Retriever breed—additionally known as Labradors or St. John dogs—originated inside Newfoundland, Canada. In the eighteenth century, they served as working-class canines for the island’s fisherman. The Labs were strong enough to swim long distances and intelligent enough to ‘retrieve’ unhooked fish. However, their use did not stop there, as the lovable pups were oftentimes pet’s which would come home with their pet owners after work.
Despite that, their heritage remains a mystery. Some believe they are a product of the Newfoundland Dog and additional local water dogs; other people believe they came from Europe and were exported to Canada later on. What we actually know is that the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury—after having the pups shipped to England in the nineteenth century—was the original one to call them Labradors.
Oddly enough, the Labrador—which is America’s most popular canine—almost went extinct by the 19th century’s end. If not for the dog’s survival in England, there is a probability that their lineage would have ended over a century years ago. However, in the start of the twentieth century, the Lab was imported to the United States from England, and the dog breed thrived even among the world wars.
In 1917, The AKC recognized the dog, and by the end of that century it was number one in the AKC’s most sought-after list—which it remains to this day.
So, what is the most popular dog in the united states, specifically in California? Coming in at #1 as California’s most popular dogs is the French Bulldog. As you imagine a metropolitan lifestyle in California, a Frenchie is usually the ideal, companion. These adorable dogs may be walked along the beach or comfortably tucked underneath an arm, ideal for the fashion-forward California lifestyle. Frenchies enjoy being around people and always are looking for chances to say hi to a new pal, a must within a state with so many people. And best of all, Frenchies don’t need a ton of space, which makies them an excellent choice for both large and small living spaces. Overall, the French Bulldog is a real California canine, he will be down for whatever so long as he gets to come along!
What is the most common dog breed? The Frenchie originally derived from England. Back in that time they were strong, bulky dogs utilized for a cruel sport referred to as bull baiting. Some dog breeders adjusted the dog’s size by breeding them with more powerful dog breeds, like terrier and bull breeds so that they might be utilized for fighting.
On the flip side, some dog breeders developed a smaller dog that weighed under 25 lbs. With the occurrence of the England’s Industrial Revolution, most lace makers moved to the N of France, in which their craft still was necessary, and they brought their toy dogs with them. The people of France fell in love with the little dogs, and soon after, England was exporting Bulldogs to the French. Because of the French rapidly adapting to the Bulldogs, England did not want anything to do with them and began to call them French Bulldogs.
Back in that time, Frenchies had two kinds of ears, erect “bat” ears and “rose” shaped ears. As people in America began to visit France, they aslo fell in love with the dog breed, but they liked the erect bat ears over the rose. Now in the U.S., it’s fairly common to see a French Bull dog that has bat-like ears.
The Frenchie is a companion dog. They’re well-known to be extremely easygoing and also enjoy their playtime. Most owners of French Bulldogs report that they’re sociable, affectionate, and humorous. They love their human counterparts, yet almost to a fault. Frenchies are protective of their home and family and do not bark for no reason. While they are not big barkers, they’re still vocal with their snores, snorts, and grunts.
French Bulldogs do not require much exercise, but daily strolls help them keep a healthy weight. The majority of owners find that their dog adores a game of fetch with a tennis ball.
Did your favorite pup make this list? While these might be the most favorite pups in California, there still are an abundance of other dog breeds that own the streets of California! Whatever dog you pick to bring home, it’s possible to be sure that they’ll be a great companion for many years to come.
]]>He has a sturdy body and bone structure, however. Don’t let his short stature fool you! The Australian Shepherd can be more obedient than the Corgi tends to be but both are highly intelligent breeds which leads to a mix that also tends to be quite intelligent.
Let’s explore all of the ins and outs of both parent breeds so that we can further understand the mix thereof.
The Australian Shepherd is a herding breed, unlike his name suggests however, he is not an Australian breed. This dog actually hails from America.
He was originated from dogs that the Basque people from the Pyrenees region of Spain brought with them when they settled in the American West.
Exact origins of their name is not clearly known but speculated that it was the Australian immigrants who worked with these dogs originally for sheep herding that lent them their name. They were, however, also used in herding cattle in the American West.
Ranchers in the higher regions of the Western US, such as the Rocky Mountain region, used the dogs very successfully and found that they do very well in the arid, thin air of the region, at high altitudes.
The Australian Shepherd gained popularity via the rodeo circuit and by getting some airtime on television. Eventually, they became a well-known breed and have proven to be exceedingly intelligent and obedient dogs by nature.
The Australian Shepherd is a happy-go-lucky dog with a ‘can do’ attitude. They view work as if it is merely play. They bond with their caretakers very deeply. This dog breed is loyal, affectionate, and ready to go whenever you are.
They like to be with their owners and can be somewhat leery of strangers, though they aren’t known for aggression.
Because they are a herding breed, they tend to stick close and are a dog that is easy to keep without needing to be on a leash, unlike a hound that will take off after a smell. The Aussie will keep eyes trained on you and keep you in their sights at all times.
They can be an excellent herding dog and watchdog. They will bark when something is out of order and they do not like things out of order. They will herd the children, the ducks, the sheep, and the cattle if you let them.
They may try to herd the vacuum cleaner or the lawn mower as well. They are more solid in body than the border collie, with similar herding instincts.
This is a dog that requires a lot of exercise or they get bored easily. They’re very intelligent and need to be mentally stimulated as well. The Australian Shepherd knows he is smart and will set out it prove it every chance that he gets.
They are good with children and other pets if they are well-socialized and taught as pups not to nip at children and other smaller creatures around the house. Nipping is a herding instinct for many of the herding breed dogs but they can be taught when not to do this. It’s important that you work on this from day one.
Australian Shepherds excel at obedience. They don’t tend to be a challenging breed. They’re prone to wanting to please.
This makes them excellent at basic and advanced obedience skills. They can be found working as service dogs, as competition dancing partners, as agility dogs, search and rescue dogs, and even as seeing eye dogs.
It’s especially bushy on their rear end, where they also have no tail. This prevents being nipped at and grabbed by cattle. It’s a natural padding.
Show dogs may have a slightly different coat than working dog lines, who might have more of a wave or curl in their fur. Show dog breeders don’t like this and breed for a dog that has straighter coats.
The working dog lines may also be a bit on the larger side, weighing in at 65 pounds, plus or minus.
Therefore, if you don’t like brushing dogs and hate shedding, then this may not be the breed for you. They require regular grooming and they will shed very much in the spring each year and a bit all of the time.
You will need to train your Aussie so that they are under your control at all times. It’s important that they not pull on a leash because they are a relatively heavy dog, considered a medium to large breed.
The Australian Shepherd isn’t known for being an excessive chewer, once he’s outgrown puppyhood teething. They are a great dog that can adapt to any living situation, provided that you see to their exercise needs.
This breed can have anxiety issues if they are not exercised often and worn-out well. They like to run and play a bit on the rough side. They were, after all, bred to herd cattle and sheep. A bit of jostling is normal to them.
If they have plenty of mental and physical stimulation, they won’t be hole-diggers, barkers, or worse. They tend to be very calm and curious dogs, with plenty of supervision and training, they are rock solid and obedient.
Make sure that you feed them a proper diet, keep their teeth clean with a toothpaste made for dogs, provide them with plenty of water at all times. Their coat helps them be insulated from the heat in summer as much as it keeps them warm in winter.
They are not intended to be shaved in summer and this can cause them to get a sunburn.
If they are groomed professionally, they will receive a good blow-out of their coat and a trim of their back side, and the backs of the legs, where they have feathering that is also to keep sand spurs and thistles from penetrating their skin when they are working.
Check their feet often if they are a working dog or you’ve been hiking trails.
While they aren’t necessarily known as a breed to get ear infections, you should check their ear weekly and make sure that they are kept clean and smelling good. A pungent odor may indicate a yeast infection in the ear and black tar-like substance in the ear may indicate mites. Keep an eye out for these.
He has no tail but a lot of hair on his back side. You’ll want to keep him well-trimmed so that his rear stays clean and nothing gets stuck in his fur after bowel movements.
Brush this area daily and keep it checked. Anything sticking will cause matting and these can be very problematic to remove, sometimes needing to be cut out.
Overall, the Australian Shepherd is a fantastic, intelligent breed that is loyal and loving. They love to play and work hard and they seem to have a sense of humor.
You’ll find yourself giggling at their antics and their exuberance for life. Aussies smile a lot and will have you smiling right along with them.
Corgis are a spunky, intelligent dog that often have a mind of their own and a strong will. This serves them well most of the time and it makes for a personality that is very lovable and favored by their owners. They are very competitive and active.
Corgis love nothing more than to race after a ball with some other dogs that they can outrun.
Don’t be fooled by their short legs, the Corgi is a fast moving little dog that has a thick torso, making them quite resilient as well. They won’t be pushed around. As a smaller dog in the herding dog group, they’ve got a thing or two to prove and almost seem to have a natural tendency to want to be first at things, top finisher, and the winner, even if the goal was out-eating their siblings. This makes them an excellent working dog for the farmer with a flock that needs tending.
We’ve already touched on some of the traits of this breed. They have an opinion about things and aren’t afraid to show it most of the time. The Corgi is feisty and loves a good chase or a round of fetch.
They need exercise or they can be quite naughty. Corgis are prone to a lot of barking if they are bored and/or untrained.
You should work with them from the time they are quite small about not barking, otherwise they will tend to be the dog that rushes to the front door and causes a major disruption anytime you have a guest.
On the flip side of this coin, the Corgi makes an excellent watchdog and will let you know if anything at all is out of order. They are alert, with a keen sense of hearing and smell. They are a fearless little dog that is willing to tangle with raccoons, opossums, and possibly even a bobcat if you were to let them.
This may be a good reason to train them to be obedient (at least as obedient as a Corgi will be). Don’t get us wrong, they are great dogs. They are simply prone to doing things the way they want to do them.
If you don’t display to them very early on that you are the one in charge, the Corgi is a breed that can easily take over and empower themselves to make executive decisions on your behalf, deciding who can come in the front door and what to bark at in the courtyard.
Corgis adore attention and children. They’ll play all day long if there are children to play and run with. Do be cautious about the nipping that is a herding dog trait. Nipping is how they attempt to control the direction of the animals they are charged with herding.
They often attempt to herd children and can accidently nip skin and cause bleeding if this is not curtailed at a young age.
Involving a trainer to help with these sorts of issues is always the best idea. Begin working right away and involve children in the training process so that they understand what triggers a herding dog to nip at ankles and flailing arms.
Lastly, don’t leave the dog and children alone. This is a high priority. Never leave children and dogs unattended until children are old enough to be completely in control of situations and the dog has been trained.
The Corgi is also quite the ham and if he is getting attention for being a goofball, he’ll continue to be so. They love being the center of attention and learn very quickly what gets them treats. Any dog will repeat the behaviors that work in their favor and Corgis catch on quickly.
In total honesty, herding breeds tend to be some of the most intelligent dog breeds that exist. This is likely because they must be able to think on their feet and reason what the herd will potentially do before they do it.
This ability to anticipate another animal’s behavior is a cognitive function which many never thought that dogs were capable of.
Duke University has a program dedicated to canine cognitive function and they’ve proven that dogs have the ability to reason and plan. Herding dogs may have the aptitude of a child who is roughly five-years-old.
Corgis have a very similar coat to that of the Austrailian Shepherd. It’s thick and designed to keep thistles, thorns and other weeds from penetrating to the skin below. It functions as insulation from heat in the summer and cold in the winter.
A Corgi needs a good brushing and will do best to have one each day.
They will shed excessively in the spring but are known to shed a little year-round so if you have allergies or hate dog hair, think hard about having a Corgi or any mix thereof. You will have hair floating around your house and collections of fur under beds and sofas unless you are prepared to clean and vacuum consistently.
Pay attention to his teeth. The Corgi may chew on toys more than the Australian Shepherd, so he will need some bones or other hard chews to help keep his teeth clean and healthy.
An old dog with bad teeth will require soft food and dental care to have teeth pulled. This can be avoided though.
If your dog is not much of a chewer, he may need you to scrape tartar from his teeth to keep them healthy. Brush his teeth with toothpaste formulated for dogs that is enzymatic and contains no fluoride. Fluoride is poisonous to dogs so be careful that you don’t use it.
An untrained Corgi can be an out-of-control dog that barks a lot. His care includes proper training. If you are unsure where to begin, hire a trainer or attend group classes that will also help to socialize your dog. A well-socialized Corgi is a better behaved Corgi.
There are two types of Corgis. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The Pembroke is the most popular and has no tail. They are typically born without a tail, as is the Australian Shepherd, though on occasion a pup will have a bobbed tail that is too long or be born with a full tail that will be bobbed at the vet clinic.
Some breeders will do tail bobbing themselves if they are able to do so. It’s typically done within the first 48 hours after birth. It is said that puppies have yet to develop nerve tissue to the end of the tail and feel little to nothing, provided that it is done within the first 48 hours of life.
You will want to feed your Corgi a very good, lean food that is high in protein from a good meat source. They have a lot of energy and need a great food to keep them happy.
That said, the Corgi can also become overweight as they age and will become a couch potato if you let them. Since they are long dogs, being overweight is especially hard on their back.
You’ll want to take great care to not allow your Corgi or Corgi mix to get too heavy. This can lead to a long battle with back pain and slipped or ruptured discs. If they remain active and eat right, this is far less likely to ever be a concern for you or your dog.
Here are some health concerns that you should be aware of with both breeds:
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Whenever there is a first generation mix of pups from each of the purebred parents, the puppies can have a 50/50 shot of looking like either parent or being an equal mix of both. In some cases, when two recessive genes are passed, the pup may look different than either parent.
Typically, the mix of these dogs will be short-legged like the Corgi and coloring of the Australian Shepherd, which may be black and white, black-tricolor, red- tricolor, red and white, red merle, or blue merle.
Since both breeds are herding dogs, the need to herd will likely be strong. Show dog lines are less apt to have the strong desire to herd because they’ve been bred to work less and show more.
Some dogs come from working dog lines and these will have intense desires to herd. They will be keeping toys together on the floor from the time they are little and will likely display nipping and chasing behaviors very early on.
It’s important that you work with these puppies as soon as they come home. It is never too soon to begin training. If you don’t know where to start, hire a professional trainer who can come to your home and help you to see what needs to happen. They will get you started on how to correct the behavior and redirect it constructively.
Herding dogs are very intelligent and your Aussie Corgi mix is no exception. He will be very sharp-minded and catch on quickly to anything you’ll take the time to teach him. These guys excel at agility, frisbee, flyball, and other dog sporting events. If you are an active person or have an active family and lifestyle, these dogs will absolutely thrive with you.
These dogs are both loving and affectionate, as well as loyal to the end. Both dogs will stand by your side through thick and thin, ready to do whatever you ask of them. They prefer being with you whenever they are given the choice. Herding dogs bond very closely to their pack and they view you as such.
Don’t expect your herding dog to be lazy and lay around the house all day without having something to say about it. They need to be active and will become destructive if they aren’t given enough play time.
While the Aussie isn’t a big barker, the Corgi can be. You’ll want to work with your puppy immediately if he begins exhibiting signs of barking excessively. It can turn into a non-stop thing that neighbors will despise you for, especially if you live in an apartment building.
Herding dogs typically learn to walk on a leash with ease as long as you are consistent. Smart dogs are especially important to train with consistency. If you aren’t consistent, then they see your weak points and they will take advantage of them.
They can’t help it, it’s what they are bred to do. They herd animals by finding their weak points and using that fear against them to move them.
They’ll have you figured-out faster than you will train them and that’s a given. When it comes to longevity, you can expect a dog that remains healthy to live as long as 12-15 years of age. They will remain active for the majority of their life, though they do slow down some with age.
In their old age, they may lose their hearing and their eyesight may fail. They’re incredible adaptable and will learn to get around as long as you help them. They are tough and resilient, adaptable and rarely get down. They are happy little dogs, but they are not for the faint of heart and we’ll cover that as well.
While they are smart and loyal, they can also be a challenge and only you can really determine if you are up to that challenge. Talk to a breeder and ask them a lot of questions. Talk to trainers ahead of time. Find out what you can do to start successfully if you decide that you simply have to have an Aussie Corgi mix.
Whatever you do, understand that it is a 12 to 15 year commitment when you bring home that puppy. It is all about health, food, basic needs, training and it can be worse than bringing home a baby because at least a baby lays where you put it for the first few months. A puppy will be into everything the very first day.
Make sure that you’re ready and if you are undeterred by any of the negatives, then we wish you many years of love and happiness with your Aussie Corgi mix. Enjoy them and take care of them and they will be an integral part of your family for many years to come.
Featured Image Credit:Erin Smith (Spiritbearstudio@gmail.com)]]>
The labrador retriever is believed to have originated in Newfoundland and Labrador. They are a descendant from St. John’s Water Dog which was brought to these two islands by settlers during the 16th-century. Many characteristics of the St. John’s Water Dog can still be seen today in labs, such as their love for being in the water and retrieving things.
It wasn’t until the early 1800s that the name “Labrador” was first used with this breed of dog. The original colors were black and yellow, although the chocolate lab came around in the late 1800s.
The golden retriever was first bred in Scotland during the 19th-century. While it’s not known entirely what breed this dog originally came from, it’s believed it could have been the Russian Tracker which has a similar appearance and temperament. Golden retrievers were bred to help bring in waterfowl that had been hunted and be an athletic companion to their owners when they went out.
One of the best ways to help tell the differences between labs and golden retriever is by their appearance. Below is more behind how each of these breeds look.
A labrador retriever comes in three different colors: black, brown, and yellow. Unlike golden retrievers, labs have much shorter hair. They stand at an average of 25 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 50-80 lbs. Their short fur is very dense which helps to keep them warm. They have a wide head, floppy ears, and an iconic otter tail.
The golden retriever comes in a few different coat colors, which include gold, light, and cream. They tend to have long hair which needs to be groomed often. Golden retrievers have a little bit of a sturdy build and are known for their short muzzle and feathery tail.
Both of these dogs are very friendly, but they can vary sometimes in other temperament aspects.
Labs are very social dogs and love to be around people and other animals. However, sometimes this excitement of meeting new people can make them very hyper which some might misinterpret as aggressive behavior. Labs are patient animals making them a good addition to families, even those with young children. Labs are also very outgoing and playful, even more so than golden retrievers.
Golden retrievers are also very social and love to please others. They are very gentle and patient meaning they are also a good family pet to have. In addition to this, they are very obedient, unlike some dogs who might try to be aggressive and assert dominance.
While both of these breeds might vary in some ways, they are very gentle and friendly. They also tend to act very puppy-like even in their mature years and can be very goofy and playful.
Unfortunately, there are some common ailments that affect labs and golden retrievers.
A very common health ailment among labs is canine hip dysplasia. This is when there is an abnormal functioning of the hip bone which could be due to a type of deterioration of the bone. If not treated, it can make your pup be in quite a bit of pain and could even lead to ailments such as arthritis. Some symptoms of canine hip dysplasia include a decrease in movement, limited range of motion, lameness, a swaying gait, and a grating sound in the hip bone when your dog walks.
Because their ears are floppy, sometimes bacteria can grow in them resulting in nasty ear infections. Most ear infections will cause their ears to get very red and itchy. You might also see some strange colored wax coming out of their ears which is a common sign of an ear infection.
Both of these dogs, especially labs, tend to suffer from obesity because they love to eat. In fact, a large majority of these breeds are overweight without their owners realizing it.
While obesity in these breeds is usually due to them eating too much, it could be a sign of another health problem as well. This could include cancer, digestive disorders, liver disease, and high blood pressure,
If you don’t get your dog’s weight under control, it could lead to them getting diabetes, sore joints, and trouble breathing. Because of this, it’s important to monitor their weight.
While heart disease is not a common problem in labs, it’s still a good idea to have their heart monitored to help prevent possible heart problems in the future.
On the other hand, heart disease is somewhat common in golden retrievers, particularly a condition known as sub-aortic stenosis which causes the aorta to narrow. While this is often inherited, it can develop later on in life for some dogs. It can start out as a slight heart murmur and eventually turn into something more serious if not taken care of. Some signs of a possible heart problem in your labrador or golden are a lack of energy, frequent coughing, a swollen abdomen, or suspicious weight gain.
There are various skin conditions which are common in both labs and golden retrievers. A prevalent skin problem in golden retrievers is atopic dermatitis which causes their skin to get very flaky and red. This can cause them to be very itchy and could lead to skin infections.
Labradors also tend to have similar skin conditions to golden retrievers. They can get atopic dermatitis but also could have skin conditions due to parasites, allergies, and infections. Common skin disorders in labs include yeast infections,hypothyroidism, and seborrhea.
A common problem among golden retrievers is cataracts as they are predisposed to it. This can cause their eyes to get cloudy which can make it difficult for them to see. If not treated, it could eventually lead to blindness. Common causes of cataracts in a short haired golden retriever include old age, low calcium in the blood, exposure to a type of radiation, and inflammation in the eye.
Labs can also get cataracts, but they don’t usually happen as often as with golden retrievers. They will have the same symptoms as golden retrievers, such as cloudy-looking eyes. However, dog cataracts can develop at any stage of their life, including as a puppy. Because of this, it’s important to always check their eyes to help prevent them from progressing.
A golden retriever and lab retriever both have very different grooming needs. Below are some important things to keep in mind regarding this."
Labs have short hair, but it tends to be very thick. This means you’ll need to make sure to brush them often. You should do a quick massage through their fur before you start their grooming session. This way, you’ll be able to feel for any strange lumps which could be a sign of a skin infection, tick, or knotted hair. A massage also helps to loosen any dead skin and loose fur which helps to remove these particles better when you bathe them. You also want to make sure to invest in a thick brush with tough yet gentle bristles. This will help it to get deep into their coat to remove loose fur and dead skin.
One of the benefits of having a lab is that you don’t need to give them a bath as often as you do with a golden retriever. Make sure to do so with lukewarm water and an appropriate shampoo that will help to clean them. However, if they have sensitive skin, make sure to invest in a shampoo that won’t irritate their skin.
For a lab puppy, you want to be especially careful as their skin might be a little more sensitive. Lab puppies also don’t usually need a bath often, except if they end up rolling in the mud or do something that causes them to smell and get dirty. You can bathe your lab in your bathtub, outdoors, or in a special pet shower which is designed to be portable.
Because labs are prone to getting ear infections, you want to make sure to clean out their ears often. However, you don’t want to overdo this as it could also cause their ears to become irritated. Due to this, always check their ears for signs of dirt or wax. If you see it, gently remove it with a clean cotton ball. However, make sure not to go too deep into their ears or it could end up hurting their ear canal. If you find something questionable in their ear, make sure to contact your vet rather than trying to remove it yourself.
If you don’t stay on top of keeping your lab’s nails trimmed, they could end up getting too long. This could not only cause them difficulty when walking, but could hurt their skin when they scratch themselves. Ideally, they should be trimmed about every two months. You can trim them yourself, but you need to be careful not to trim too much or it could end up causing severe bleeding. Because of this, it’s often recommended that you visit your vet where they’ll be able to trim their nails safely.
A golden retriever has much longer hair compared to the lab meaning they will have different grooming needs.
Ideally, this breed should be given a bath at least once a week. This can help to remove dead skin and loose fur which might be irritating them. It can also help to prevent fleas from trying to make a home in their fur. You can sign shampoos and conditioners designed specifically for this breed. After using it, always make sure to dry them as best you can with a towel. You can also use a hairdryer on its lowest setting to help ensure their fur is completely dry. To ensure that their fur isn’t knotted afterward, always keep a brush on hand and run it through your dog’s fur as you’re drying them off.
Just as with labs, golden retrievers need to have their ears cleaned regularly. However, this breed has long hair in and around their ears. Because of this, you’ll also need to make sure to carefully trim this hair to prevent it from causing irritations. There are special grooming shears you can use to help with this.
Long nails on a golden retriever can also make it difficult for this breed to walk. Always take just a little bit off to help prevent trimming too much of the nail off which could cause bleeding.
You should also watch your golden retriever’s tail as it needs to be groomed as well. This breed’s tail should look like a fan and there are various techniques you can follow to help it look like this. For instance, twist the hair around the tail a little bit and then slightly cut the hair at the end of the tail so it has this look.
Both of these are very energetic as they were bred to do athletic tasks, such as hunting. Because of this, it’s important that they have adequate exercise. Otherwise, they might end up being so full of energy that they could resort to doing things like chewing or barking often as a way to help relieve their high amount of energy. Even if you just take them for a walk, this is better than doing nothing at all. In fact, both of these breeds often enjoy their walks and look forward to them each day.
Training a lab or golden retriever is somewhat easy to do because these two breeds are very eager to please.
The best way to help ensure training your dog goes well is to start as soon as possible, preferably while they are still a puppy. This way, they’ll learn early on what they should and shouldn’t do. While this will take some time and patience, both of these breeds are fast learners and will eventually learn various commands and tricks.
Clicker training can sometimes be helpful when it comes to training your dog. By saying a command, clicking the clicker, and then giving your dog a treat, they’ll soon come to learn that the clicker means they are doing things right and will get a reward. Keep in mind though that while this works with many dogs, some might not take well to it. Because of this, it might be a good idea to use a different method.
Even if your dog has understood the commands and is following them, always keep practicing. This will help them to remember the commands and keep it fresh in their mind. It also keeps your dog mentally stimulated which can be very beneficial when it comes to keeping their brain active and healthy.
A common problem with these two breeds you’ll need to be prepared for is leash pulling. Both labs and golden retrievers love to sniff and explore new things. Because of this, they’ll pull on their leash to get to these areas or to try to meet new people. To help prevent this, it’s important to work on preventing leash pulling, especially when they are young. You can use a harness or fixed-length leash to help with this training. These will make it easier for you to control your dog while also preventing them from getting hurt. Eventually, they will come to learn that by tugging they won’t get anywhere and will stop pulling on their leash resulting in better walks.
One of the best ways to help train your dog is by rewarding their good behavior. By showing them you are proud of this behavior, they will try to do more of it because they are always willing to please. You can reward them with small treats, a pat on the head, a toy, or affection.
This article explored more behind the difference between golden retriever and labrador. While these two breeds are often confused for each other, they are very different and each has their own needs, such as grooming and health concerns. Because of this, it’s important to know the differences so you determine whether a golden retriever or labrador is right for you.
Corgis have become increasingly popular among pet owners in recent years due to their celebrity status on the internet. They are short with a long body and have muscular thighs - similar to a dachshund. They also have a thick double coat of fur.
This combination of features makes the Corgi look comically delightful and, in the eyes of many prospective pet owners, absolutely lovable. They come in a variety of colors, including fawn, sable, black and tan, and red. They're usually 10-12 inches tall, weigh between 25 and 40 pounds, and live around 12 to 15 years.
The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was originally bred for cattle herding, hence their unique stature. They were first bred in the Pembrokeshire region of Wales. Corgis are one of the smallest breeds of herding dogs in the world, making the origins of the breed just as unique as their appearance.
Corgis are an exceptionally affectionate dog breed and do well with all sorts of families, making them an ideal pet for most homes. One of their most popular personality traits is that they make great watchdogs. While they aren't particularly formidable, they have a loud bark and aren't afraid to use it!
That said, Corgis are rarely - if ever - aggressive. They're extremely intelligent thanks to their herding roots and love "working" with a family - when you're doing chores they will happily follow you around.
Corgis love attention and don't do well when left alone for long periods. A normal workday isn't likely to cause anxiety for your Corgi, but leaving them alone for days at a time can create undue stress for them.
Corgis have a double coat, which means that they shed a lot of hair all year round. They have two shedding seasons - the spring and fall - where they will shed even more severely. While grooming won't completely prevent loose hair from spreading across your house, it will help.
A typical grooming routine for a Corgi should involve light brushing daily. This will keep your dog from getting too hot and completely covering you with hair every time you go to pet them. During their heavier shedding seasons, bathing them will be a more effective way to manage their grooming needs.
Because Corgis were originally herding dogs, they are wired to run and play in large open spaces all day long. Since Corgis make better indoor pets than outdoor pets, they won't have the same kind of space to play in when kept in most people's homes.
This means that your pet Corgi is likely to be rambunctious and energetic at all times. Your Corgi is going to need regular, daily exercise to stay happy and emotionally sound. Otherwise, they might start engaging in destructive behaviors to compensate.
Because of their high levels of energy and intelligence, they make great dogs for herding classes and agility courses. Though it's important to remember that because of their short legs they won't be able to keep up with you during a long run or bicycle ride.
Corgis are an extremely trainable breed thanks to their high intelligence, love for attention, and eagerness to please. However, they can be pretty bossy and independent in spite of their small size, so make sure that you are always firm and patient with them.
Like any dog, leash training them early on is a must. They will also need to be socialized early on to avoid having issues with interacting with other animals and people. Once you've got each of these out of the way, you can move on to general obedience training.
Additional types of training that can be helpful for Corgi owners are training them to stop barking on command and to let go of things when they are biting them. You can train them to stop biting things by playing tug of war with them and teaching them when to release what they are playing with.
Because Corgis are such popular pets, they are relatively easy and affordable to adopt. Adopting a Corgi means you won't have to worry about some of the negative behaviors they exhibit as puppies (like pottying in the house and biting), which can make integrating a new dog into your home much less stressful.
Many prospective pet owners considering adoption tend to worry about adopting a dog with behavioral issues from a traumatic past. However, the truth is that the majority of dogs are released to adoption facilities simply because the owner changed their mind on wanting a dog.
The downside of getting a Corgi from an adoption center, though, is that they might not have the exact color, gender, or age of Corgi that you're looking for. Still, looking to adopt a Corgi before seeking out a breeder is always a great first step in your journey as a Corgi owner!
If you've decided that purchasing a Corgi from a dog breeder is the way to go, just be sure that you purchase your Corgi from a responsible breeder. It's not uncommon for people to pose as legitimate dog breeders when they are actually puppy mills or scams.
The best way to avoid these kinds of Corgi sellers is by researching the breeder you are purchasing from beforehand to make sure that you are buying from a legitimate source. Corgi prices typically range from $600 - $1200.
Before purchasing any new dog, it's important to be equally aware of the negative aspects of ownership as it is the positive aspects because once you own the dog, you're going to have to live with the good and the bad. Here are some of the less pleasant aspects of Corgi-ownership.
Every dog barks to some extent, but few dogs bark as much as Corgis do. Corgis are known for making great watchdogs - and they do - but the drawback of that is that they are loud as often as they can be.
And a Corgi's barking isn't limited to things that are actually potential threats, like strangers at the door or other animals in the yard. They are known to bark at anything passing by in the street, any changes in your neighborhood, and so on. They're bred to bark and will find anything that gives them an excuse to do it.
To see if you're prepared for this, try spending time around a friend's dog that barks frequently to see if it's something you can put up with. If you live in an apartment building, you may have to train your Corgi to stop barking on command. This doesn't mean that they won't still bark, just that you can stop them once they start.
Because of their small size, many owners adopt Corgis thinking that they will make great lapdogs. While they are the perfect size for it, most Corgis do not like being held for extended periods. This goes back to their herding heritage, where they are constantly on the ground performing tasks and keeping watch.
When your Corgi is in your lap, arms, or bed, they aren't able to effectively keep watch over the home and patrol the perimeter, as it were. So while you may get lucky and find a Corgi that doesn't mind the extra attention, most will feel that it gets in the way of performing their duties.
Like all herding dogs, Corgis are a very intelligent breed. While this can be exciting an engaging for owners who have never lived with an intelligent dog before, it can also come with new challenges that most pet owners don't normally experience.
Most people hear the words "intelligent dog," and think of all the things they'll be able to teach their dog. While these kinds of dogs are highly trainable, they're also able to learn and teach themselves - even if it's things you don't want them to learn.
A simple example of this is that they may figure out that you can't catch them if they run off. Once they realize this, they'll simply run from you anytime they don't want to be caught.
Another personality trait of Corgis that the average dog owner has probably never experienced before is their bossiness. Corgis tend to have a clear idea of what they want and if they know that you can get them what they want, they will take advantage of it.
Some of the ways that Corgis exhibit bossy behavior is by demanding attention by nudging you, demanding treats by barking at you, pulling or pushing you, and so on. While some owners will find this behavior endearing, others will probably find that it wears thin after a while.
Corgis also have bossy habits that are more controlling than others. This includes standing still during walks when you walk away from a direction they want to go, barking rapidly until you give in to what they want, and moving things around the house to get their message across.
After barking, this is probably the most troubling aspect of owning a Corgi. They have a double coat, which means that they shed like crazy. They technically only have two shedding seasons, in the spring and fall, though they shed more heavily than most breeds at all times.
When your Corgi is going through a shedding season, you'll find balls of shed fur around the house, under furniture, and coating your clothes. You will probably notice loose fur stuck in your Corgi's coat that hasn't been shed yet and try to pull it out, only to find that it is connected to a seemingly endless stream of undercoat.
The one upside to a Corgi's shedding is that if you live in a warmer environment, their second shedding in the fall will likely not be as bad as it is in the spring. The reason for this is that they will naturally shed the majority of their undercoat leading up to the summer to deal with the warm climate.
And that brings us to the next point, which is that Corgis do best in cooler weather. They are originally from a pretty cool, temperate climate, and will always be happiest in similar environments.
Now, that doesn't mean people in warmer environments can't be Corgi owners, just that you'll need to be conscious of the fact that they can't be in the heat for too long. During the summer and spring, you won't be able to take your Corgi on walks for too long without risking them overheating.
If you do live in a warm environment, make sure that you keep your Corgi indoors in a cool place when it's hot outside.
While some dog breeds are perfectly content to live in the backyard the majority of their lives, Corgis are not these kinds of dogs. The first reason goes back to the point above, which is that Corgis don't do well in warm weather. The invention of air conditioning is just as beneficial to Corgis as it is to us.
The second reason is that Corgis are extremely social animals. Any Corgi owner will tell you that a Corgi will require almost constant attention. They love to be pet, played with, to follow you around, and share a space with you.
Corgis don't tend to develop separation anxiety when you leave the house for work or errands, but living away from you in the backyard can take its toll on your pet Corgi. Similarly, if your family tends to spend most of its time shut away in separate rooms, a Corgi might not be the ideal dog for you.
It's not uncommon for dogs to nip and playfully bite their owners when roughhousing, and most of the time it isn't a big deal. Corgis engage in this kind of behavior more often than most dogs because of their herding background; they were bred to nip at the heels of other animals.
A grown Corgi will still nip at their owners, but they're usually smart enough to know how hard to nip without hurting you, so most owners will likely become used to and comfortable with it.
When they're puppies, however, they don't have this same inhibition in place, which means they are prone to biting hard and hurting you. Most adults should be able to tolerate this, but if you have small children and want child friendly dog breeds in your home, you may want to consider waiting a little longer before buying a Corgi puppy.
The popularity of Corgis is definitely earned! They're an extremely intelligent, affectionate, and family-friendly pet. Just be sure that you're prepared for the responsibility of owning a new pet and research the breeder or facility where you are purchasing your Corgi from.
Huskies might look a little intimidating, but they are very gentle and playful dogs who love to interact with humans and other animals. They also come with some interesting traits, like a love of exploration and cold weather. However, there are a few things that you keep in mind if you’d like to buy or adopt a husky puppy. Below you’ll find more husky puppies information about this breed to see whether or not they will make a good addition to your family.
This dog breed is believed to have originated in Siberia, which is why it’s usually referred to as a Siberian Husky. The breed was created by the Chukchi people to help them hunt and pull heavy loads through frigid conditions. Eventually, they were kept by people as pets rather than working animals.
Male huskies will usually grow to be about 24 inches tall and have a weight of 60 lbs. Female huskies will grow to be 22 inches tall and have an average weight of 50 lbs.
There are a few different types of husky puppies to pick from.
One of the most common types of huskies is the Siberian Husky. They were originally bred to be used as sled-dogs to help people pull items on long distances through frigid conditions. In 1909, they were introduced to Alaska as racing sled dogs.
This type of husky is known for its small head, pointed ears, and bushy tail. Unlike other husky types, the Siberian Husky shed twice a year.
The Alaskan Malamute was named after the Inuit tribe who often used them for racing and for pulling items through the Arctic. Compared to the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Malamute is a bit taller and heavier. In fact, they can weigh up to 100 lbs. The Alaskan Malamute is known for its strong paws and happy brown eyes. They also have a double coat which needs to be groomed often. While this dog is very friendly and loyal, they sometimes can be aggressive toward other dogs.
The Alaskan Husky often looks like a mixture between the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky. However, this breed will often vary in its looks, unlike the other two types which tend to have the same appearance. This husky can weigh up to 50 lbs. and are a bit taller compared to the Siberian Husky. This breed is also very agile.
While these are the three main types of huskies, you’ll find various other types of husky cross-breeds. This includes the Eurohound and Miniature Husky Breeds.
You can buy your husky from a breeder by looking for “husky puppies near me” online or visit your local animal shelter and adopt one.
Besides their playful nature and beautiful fur coat, huskies also have a few unique traits compared to other dog breeds.
Huskies were bred to live in cold conditions which is why they love cold weather. In fact, this is when they tend to want to be outside the most. This weather also is a little friendlier to them as their thick fur coat can make them very hot during the summer.
Believe it or not, huskies love to talk. They will make various vocal sounds that will indicate whether they are happy or displeased with something. Huskies do this as a way to communicate with other dogs, as well as humans. Keep in mind that they do enjoy howling. In fact, sometimes when you talk to them, they will make howling noises back at you. Being howled at by a husky is usually a good thing because it indicates they see you as being part of their pack.
Huskies are very curious dogs. Because of this, they might take off after something or try to dig their way out of a fence to get wherever they want to go. Due to this, it’s important to keep an eye on them at all times. You should also make sure to let them have plenty of outdoor exercises where they’ll be in a safe environment but get to explore new things.
Huskies do enjoy hunting which means you’ll need to do your best to help keep them away from small animals who they might try to hunt.
Due to this hunting instinct, it’s often recommended that you don’t leave huskies along with small animals, like cats.
This dog breed can be a little goofy sometimes and try to sit on various objects, especially if they are tall, like tables and counters. Because of this, you’ll need to watch them or block off certain areas if you don’t want them attempting to try to sit upon it.
Surprisingly, huskies love toys. This can range from a tennis ball to a stuffed animal. In fact, most huskies will carry their toys around with them. They can also sometimes be a little possessive of their toys. If you have other dogs, it’s a good idea to make sure they each have their own collection of toys to help prevent your husky from getting jealous and territorial.
Unfortunately, huskies do have some medical ailments you’ll need to watch for. This includes cataracts, hip dysplasia, follicular dysplasia, zinc deficiency, and hypothyroidism.
Cataracts are one of the most common ailments that affect huskies. This problem usually forms in the first 6-12 months of a husky’s life. If not treated, it can lead to them becoming blind in future years. Because of this, it’s often recommended that you have your husky’s eyes regularly checked by their vet.
Hip dysplasia is a problem that affects many large dog breeds, especially Siberian Huskies. This medical condition ends up affecting your dog’s hip joint which will not only make it difficult for your dog to walk, but could be very painful for them as well. If not treated early on, treatment can end up becoming very expensive later on. Hip dysplasia usually starts to affects dogs in their middle to later years. If caught early on, it can be treated through various medications or therapies.
Follicular Dysplasia is yet another ailment that tends to affect young huskies. This is when there is abnormal hair growth which can lead to coarse hair and irritated skin patches. While there is no treatment for it, some shampoos can help to calm its symptoms.
Because huskies have such thick hair, it needs to be maintained not only through grooming, but their diet as well. Huskies might not receive enough zinc in their diet which could lead to them losing their hair in various areas on their body, such as around their arms, legs, and lips. If you find your husky is suffering from a zinc deficiency, it’s vital to take them to your vet as soon as possible. They’ll be able to give you supplements and other treatments to help fix it.
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland overworks and can cause various health ailments, like hormone changes. Huskies are very susceptible to this problem and might end up gaining weight (despite not having much of an appetite), lethargy, and irritated skin.
These are some of the most common ailments that can affect huskies, although there are a few other medical conditions that can affect them as well. If you find your husky might be suffering from strange symptoms or is acting strange, be sure to take them immediately to your vet.
Huskies are very gentle dogs. While there are rumors that they are aggressive this isn’t so. Below are some of their temperament traits of huskies.
Huskies are very alert to changes and are usually quite curious about them. They enjoy learning and are very intelligent.
Despite this alertness, they don’t always make the best guard dogs. While they might be alert to a burglar, they are very friendly and might end up trying to please the robber rather than scare them off.
Huskies are very friendly dogs and are usually happy to meet other animals and people. However, keep in mind that huskies who aren’t properly socialized might be a little aggressive toward others. Because of this, it’s important to make sure they are around others often.
This dog breed loves to play, especially outdoors. This makes them perfect for those who want a furry companion to travel with them while on the go.
While huskies are loveable, they are very stubborn. If they don’t want to do something, they won’t do it. This is why it can often be difficult to try a Siberian Husky puppy.
Huskies were once used to do intense work which means they are very athletic. They have a strong drive which means they can be very energetic. If you don’t let them have enough exercise, they can end up being overwhelmed with their energy level and might try to release it in various ways, such as running in your home or chewing things.
Because of this, it’s very important you give them safe outlets they can get this energy out in. This can include letting them run around in the dog park or taking them for a hike. Once they are able to get this energy out, they will be very calm later on.
However, as huskies get older, they will mellow down. Because of this, it’s often recommended that you adopt an older husky dog if you want one who is extremely calm.
Huskies tend to be very rambunctious and need to have discipline early on so they learn how to properly behave. However, they learn very quickly. Below are some tips to use when it comes to training husky pups.
Huskies enjoy being in charge, which means you need to make it clear that you are the boss early on. While this doesn’t mean to be aggressive with your dog, you need to be firm with your voice when telling them not to do things.
When your puppy does something well, such as making sure to go outdoors to use the bathroom, be positive with them. This will help to show your pup that you are pleased with what they are doing which will make them want to do more of it.
It will take a little bit of time before your husky fully understands how they are supposed to act. Because of this, it’s important to always stay calm, even when they are doing things they shouldn’t. Otherwise, they might come to despise their training sessions because they are yelled at.
Huskies often work well if there is a fixed schedule. This can help them to look forward to things and work to listen a bit better when you’re trying to train them. A fixed schedule can also help to reduce them from getting stressed by random activities.
Feeding your husky pup the right food is important to help ensure their skin and coat stays healthy. In fact, huskies have a very particular feeding schedule depending on the time of year it is. For instance, during the summer, they need a low protein diet, while in the winter they need a high protein diet. This is usually because of their coat and how thick it is during these seasons. Below are some other important food options to consider giving to your furry friend.
Chicken is an excellent source of protein for husky puppies. This will help their bones to stay strong and is a lean meat so there’s no need to worry about them consuming excessive amounts of fat. Make sure to always cook their chicken before you give it to them so as to prevent spreading dangerous salmonella bacteria.
You’ll also want to make sure your puppy husky gets plenty of Omega-3s in their diet. Omega-3s, such as from fish oil, will help to ensure their immune system stay healthy. It will also work to keep their skin and thick coat in the best condition possible.
While some wet food dog cans might be expensive, they are ideal to give your husky puppy compared to dry food. Wet food contains moisture which helps to ensure your Husky stays hydrated as sometimes they don’t always drink enough water. It also helps huskies who might have jaw problems consume their food a bit easier.
Broccoli is a very healthy vegetable to give to your husky puppy. While it should be given to them in moderation (and cooked), broccoli is high in fiber and packed with many beneficial vitamins and minerals.
Apples are a good snack to give to your husky to help keep their immune system healthy. They’re also packed with fiber and can help to keep their teeth clean. However, before giving your husky apples, make sure to wash, peel, and cut them up.
You’ll also find plenty of pre-made dog food options, many of which are designed specifically for huskies. However, some might contain common food allergies, like corn, which might give your husky a stomach ache or cause skin irritations. Due to this, talk things over with your vet who will be able to help give you the best food options for your dog.
There are a few other crucial things to keep in mind if you’re thinking about adding a husky puppy to your life.
Besides needing plenty of physical exercise, huskies also need mental exercise as well. This will help them to stay active, something they enjoy doing. Because of this, it’s important to give your dog plenty of things they can use to keep their minds busy, like puzzle toys.
You want to make sure to always keep your husky well-groomed. If you don’t, their fur could end up getting knots and looking unsightly. It could also make your dog very hot and could hide common skin allergy particles, like ragweed and pollen. This could end up irritating your dog’s skin and making them very itchy and miserable.
You can bring them to a professional groomer or try to do so yourself. You’ll need to make sure to have the right equipment though, like thick brushes, to that will get into both of their coats.
A husky is a wonderful dog that will make a great addition to any family. While they might be a little vocal and need a lot of exercise, they are lovable and patient creatures. Be sure to keep the information mentioned above in mind to ensure your new family addition stays happy and healthy.
As Ragdolls age they may have some health issues.
Some health issues common to Ragdolls include:
A Ragdoll cat will sleep in your lap all of the time, if you allow it. They are warm, soft, cuddlers who make great therapy for anxiety and other health issues. Petting a Ragdoll in your lap can certainly lower your blood pressure and bring you calm. Ragdolls are also smart and can be taught to come when called and are very well-behaved. Rarely does a Ragdoll lose his temper or use his claws, even with a puppy or another cat.
Perhaps not technically, but the Ragdoll is very doglike in their behavior. Ragdoll cats will follow you from room to room in the house and choose to hang-out in the room that you settle in. Ragdolls have been known to learn how to play fetch and bring tiny sticks or balls back to you, just like a retriever may, when thrown. They can do this for quite some time and make your wonder if they are confused. It’s just them being who they are. Ragdolls love to interact with their people.
They are generally shown in the traditional cream with dark faces. They can also come in a seal brown, blue to red and cream. They can also come in tortoiseshell or tabby markings. Ragdolls may have, in fact, many types of markings that they aren’t commonly known for. They may be something called color point, which means that they will have no white on their body anywhere.
They may have white mittens on their paws but not always. They are, however, born pale and begin showing their true colors and markings as they grow. Regardless of color or pattern, they are a gorgeous cat to behold.
The famous cat, known for her sour expressions and sarcastic memes on social media was often thought to be a Ragdoll by her fans. In truth, her parents were neither a Ragdoll and no one knows exactly how she turned out the colors that she was.
While it may seem like they’ve been around forever, they were actually bred and popularized in the 1960s. They’ve grown in popularity over the past sixty years and are now a very beloved breed of cat, more popular than many other breeds which are much older.
They have fur that is soft and luxurious, like a velvet rabbit. People love to run their fingers through the fur of the Ragdoll cat and they love it too. Ragdolls will patiently lay still while you brush them, which you should do daily if you don’t want that rabbit hair to form rabbit sized tumbleweeds of fur, under your bed.
The characteristic blue eyes of the Ragdoll are the most common color but not the only color of eyes they may have. Ragdolls can also have a golden color of eyes or greenish-blue eyes, depending on their coat and pattern variations. Kittens are all born with blue eyes, however.
Ragdolls are less likely to try to escape and go off on an exploration of the neighborhood than other cats are. They prefer being near you and hanging out at home, somewhere cozy … preferably your lap or on your shoulder.
Ragdolls seem to love the sound of running water. Don’t be baffled if yours come racing when you get in the shower. They may even enjoy playfully batting at the water with their paws. They seem to enjoy water whether it is running or in a wading pool and you may find your Ragdoll trying to get his feet wet or even take a dip. This is polar opposite of most cats who run at the sight of water.
A Ragdoll cat isn’t fully grown until he reaches the age of four-years-old. This is very slow compared to other animals which are typically finished growing by the age of two.
This breed is so intelligent and loving with humans that they will seek attention throughout being trained. Other cats may walk away but a Ragdoll can learn to do simple and even complex tasks. They are sometimes used as acts of entertainment, as performers, for this reason.
Ann Baker founded the breed in 1963 in California. She was known to have told some bizarre facts about the cats, including that they could feel no pain and that they were part alien cats.
While some cats find it difficult to integrate with others, your Ragdoll will welcome newcomers and play days with new friends. They adjust rapidly to having a new cat in the house or being the new cat in the house.
While they typically are known for loving their humans, they may decide that there is someone in the house that they don’t care for. If this happens, there’s typically little that you can do to change their minds. They just are stubborn in this respect.
Unlike a lot of other cat breeds who have zero patience with children, the Ragdoll is true to his name and will allow children to pick him up and carry him around the house. In fact, he’ll probably like it. If your child decides to play dress-up with the cat, there is a chance that the Ragdoll will enjoy this as well.
No, we aren’t insulting their parents. The breed was developed along with another breed known as the Ragamuffin. The Ragamuffin also goes limp and is a very calm demeanored kitty cat, but the two are both very distinctly different breeds. There were some arguements about the name trademark and so forth when the two breeds separated from an original line that once included both cats.
We know we mentioned this once already but it warrants its own section. These cats will play fetch with you for hours sometimes. They honestly enjoy it and will keep kids entertained for hours as well on some days. They are wonderful companions for a single person who is living in an apartment, or a great cat for a family with children because they’re just so genuinely ‘chill’ with the things that children do.
It seems like they are more at risk if they are outside kitties. The UVB light can give them sunburn and they don’t do well with it. They are much more suited for life indoors, surrounded by their family at all times. Your cat may developcancer if constantly outside in sunlight as well. They seem to be sensitive to the sunlight.
There are also some general cat facts that you may not be aware of and we’d like to enlighten you as to some of those as well.
There you have many facts and strange enlightenment’s about the Ragdoll breed and about cats in general. If you’ve got specific questions about Ragdolls you should ask a breeder who will be happy to spend hours talking to you about their cats. It’s a hobby and a love, not a business for them.
If you are ever lucky enough to have a Ragdoll cat, you may never want another breed. They are so personable and affectionate that no other breed will really seem to make you feel as special as your Ragdoll cat can. He’s also striking to look at and will be the topic of conversation when you have guests in your home.
He’ll be fine with that sort of attention, but he’ll always love you the most. He’s a long commitment, don’t forget that you’ll have him in your life for 15 to 20 years as long as he remains healthy and your children can grow up with him.
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Middle Age: 8 years
Siamese cat life expectancy: 15 - 20 years
Siamese cats, known for their personalities, color points, and striking blue eyes, are a sweet, smart addition to your family. However, before deciding to add a Siamese cat to your home, you first should know some of the most critical things about this cat breed.
This breed is some of the oldest domesticated felines, which date back to Thailand, their country of origin. They received their name because modern Thailand was, at one time, referred to as Siam. These beautiful animals were immediately regarded as royalty due to their striking appearance. As a matter of fact, only royal members were allowed to have one, which dubbed them “Royal Cats of Siam.” Records vary of when this breed came over to the western world, yet these days, all major feline fancier associations recognize this cat breed.
How big do Siamese cats get? Generally, Siamese cats are medium-sized, with females topping the scales at 8 lbs. and males ranging from 8 to 12 lbs. They’re more notably characterized by their gorgeous blue eyes, which sometimes are cross-eyed, a genetic tendency of this cat breed. Also, Siamese cats are well-known for their kinked, long tails which they’ll frequently wrap around tables, lamps, or their owners’ legs. In addition, this breed has straight, long noses and long body types.
There are 2 distinct kinds of Siamese cats that showers and breeders recognize. The first one is the more traditional one with a triangular, wedge-shaped head and a skinny, long body. This kind of Siamese cat is the cat which dates back to modern Thailand. The second kind of Siamese cat came about more recently and often is referred to as Appleheads because their body is stockier, their head is rounder, and they typically have longer hair. The cats might’ve been the result of cross breeding between Persian or Himalayan cats and Siamese cats.
Generally, Siamese kittens have smooth, short coats and are available in various colors. Although, they’re known for their pointed pattern, meaning that their ears, nose, paws, and tail are a darker shade than their body. They may be red, blue, lilac, seal, or chocolate pointed.
Like the royalty they came from, the Siamese cat personality is very intelligent, caring, and dignified. They’re well-known for their capability of learning tricks, and they love to place their athletic, long bodies to use. They often can be found hopping on counters, on beds, or on cat trees. They’re an excellent companion to cat owners who want a friendly, loyal friend.
They need more attention and do not enjoy being left alone for lengthy time periods and may develop separation anxiety. If you own a Siamese cat and work in the daytime, you may want to consider getting your pet another cat friend. They are are social and like to love. They’re also very verbal and are well-known to share their opinion with anybody who’ll listen. They’re excellent for pet owners wanting a social butterfly.
Because these felines have wedge-shaped heads, they’re more susceptible to dental and respiratory issues. They also are known for their genetic eye issues, which includes glaucoma and progressive retinal atrophy. Below we list some typical health problems this breed is vulnerable to.
Typical respiratory issues like upper respiratory infections and FVR (feline viral rhinotracheitis) present themselves in younger Siamese kitties and quickly can be treated. In keeping your kitten updated on vet vaccines and appointments, it’s possible to assist in preventing this condition.
Around 1/3 of these cats have a mutated gene related to progressive retinal atrophy. Thankfully, your pet probably will not exhibit symptoms if they just have the single gene, yet if two carriers have kitties, they have a greater chance. Additional Siamese cat eye issues involve Siamese Nystagmus or feline glaucoma. Siamese Nystagmus is frequently viewed as normal and doesn’t present health risks.
Nephrolithiasis or kidney stones, are more typical in breeds like Persian, Siamese and domestic long-haired kittens.
How long do Siamese cats live? Siamese cats actually are one of the genetically healthier purebreds and may live for up to 15 years. The aforementioned conditions might be more typical in Siamese cats, yet may be also found in other cats. With proper vaccines and check-ups it’s possible to help keep your cat(s) healthy.
One reason humans have enjoyed this breed for centuries is their lack of grooming. Owners of Siamese cats receive the best of both worlds – a gorgeous coat that’s silky and shiny, but without the long hair on additional purebreds such as Maine Coons or Persians.
And with that being said, your Siamese friend will benefit from routine maintenance grooming. Consistent finger brushing and petting will assist in dislodging dead hair, as well as encourage new growth. Also, your cat always will require nail trims and ear cleanings. These cats may be an outstanding match for the ones who are allergic to the longer-haired breeds.
Siamese are playful, very intelligent, and exceptional for the entire family. If your kids know how to play delicately with these furry creatures, they’ll provide countless hours of companionship and fun. They’re social felines and benefit from playmates all throughout the day.
If you want to own a Siamese cat, be certain that you consider their degree of stimulation when you are away because they don’t like being left alone. You may want to think about getting another dog or cat as a companion. Siamese cats enjoy loving their owners and you’ll get what you give with this pleasurable breed.
Siamese cats are extremely playful and love exercise, games, and company. Before you invest in a Siamese cat, be certain to have enough play space, like a cat tower or other spaces for your cat to run and jump. Due to their athletic type of body, they adore leaping high and running far. They also enjoy playing fetch like puppies. They’re highly social and love other cats, dogs, and children. They make a wonderful companion for a pet owner who does not have the time for grooming yet has a lot of time for play. This cat breed is ideal for all ages, loving, athletic, and smart.
Like glaucoma in human beings or glaucoma in canines, feline glaucoma happens as the fluid inside their eye, directly located behind their lens, builds up and doesn’t properly drain.
The fluid is referred to as aqueous humor and isn’t to be confused with tears that coat the exterior of the eye. Aqueous humor and tears don’t interact or do the same functions. Aqueous humor is only inside the eye and exists to assist in supporting and maintaining the eye shape as well as nourish fragile tissues and structures.
The fluid is generated by something referred to as the ciliary body then drains back inside the blood stream as a method of keeping pressures inside the eye inside normal limits. The pressure inside their eye is referred to as IOP, or intra-ocular pressure. As drainage of fluid and production of fluid remains about the same, intra-ocular pressure will stay fairly steady.
But, if there’s too much intra-ocular pressure, like with glaucoma, the imbalanced pressure will push against delicate interior eye structures and press against the optic nerve. If there’s long-range pressure against the fragile interior eye workings, it may cause lasting and severe damage, and also permanent blindness.
Normal intra-ocular pressure in cats and humans (dogs, as well) ranges from 10 to 20 mmHg. As people suffer glaucoma, their pressures may be measured as anywhere from 20 to 28 mmHg. Animals tend to have sharper ends of the stick, as intra-ocular pressure in animals that have glaucoma may reach 30 to 50 mmHg and greater, which causes enormous pain and pressure in conjunction with any damage.
Like with dogs, cats suffer secondary and primary glaucoma. Primary glaucoma results from physiological and physical eye irregularities such as an incorrect drainage angle, which causes an increase in intra-ocular pressure.
Usually, the abnormality is breed-related and genetic. Unlike canines, primary glaucoma rarely occurs in cats. However, when it does occur, it is almost inevitable that the feline will obtain glaucoma in both eyes.
More common in felines is secondary glaucoma, which may happen in one or both eyes. Veterinarians don’t have the ability to predict whether or not a feline will be infected in both of the eyes or not, because it may be slightly random. A cat might suffer serious glaucoma in a single eye, to the point of permanent blindness, then never obtain it in the other eye.
Secondary glaucoma may be associated with eye inflammation, referred to as uveitis, in which the interior of the eye gets inflamed. IOP infections which cause scar tissue, as well as debris to hinder fluid drainage may cause glaucoma.
Eye tumors, cataracts, as well as subluxations and luxation, in which the lens slips out of place inside the cat’s eye also can produce damage which hinders drainage. A ruptured lens, oftentimes from trauma or injury may cause swelling, interfering with the drain angle. Blood clots inside the eye also are culprits of glaucoma, and cause increased intra-ocular pressure, as well as blocking healthy drainage of aqueous humor fluid.
As pressure is high, the interior lining of the eyeball referred to as the retina, and the optic nerve that carries signals from the retina to the cat’s brain informing your cat how to see, get compressed, which results in impaired vision.
Your pet is part of the family. As a family member, you wish to give him the best care you can, and ensure that he’s healthy, happy, and comfortable. However, sometimes, unpredictable health problems can come up, like kidney stones, and cause discomfort and additional health issues.
Also referred to as uroliths, kidney stones involve crystalized formations inside your cat’s kidneys, resulting from the concentration of mineral salts discovered in urine. They also can form in the urethra, ureters, or bladder of your cat. If you think your cat is experiencing stones, it’s vital that you get in touch with the vet as soon as you can. If possible, collect one sample of urine inside a little container right from your cat's urine stream.
While all cats may be susceptible to the development of kidney stones, some cat breeds are much more vulnerable to specific types of stones. They’re known as “stone former” cat breeds and may include Siamese and Persians. They may be uncomfortable and also cause urinary tract inflammation, infection, tissue damage, and potential urinary tract obstruction.
There are many different kinds of kidney stones to be alert to. Bladder stones may reach 3 – 4” in diameter, as well as form from mineral salt precipitation. Calcium oxalate and struvite stones comprise 85% of canine uroliths. Kidney stones may form from many different types of minerals, which includes calcium phosphate, cysteine, struvite, calcium oxalate, and uric acid.
In specific states around the country, medicinal marijuana is a solution for those who suffer with numerous ailments and are seeking relief. Now, as studies continually emerge, both vets and pet owners are discovering that medical cannabis may also offer positive benefits for dogs and cats.
Whether a pet has seizures, anxiety, or cancer, cannabis oil will serve as an alternative medicine to assist in managing symptoms. Here is everything pet owners should know about cannabis oil for pets.
Cannabis oil is a liquid that comes from the marijuana plant. There are several ways to take oil from the plant, which includes CO2 extraction.
The marijuana flower has trichomes-- glands with essential oils. As the glands get separated from the plant, they may be formulated to discover the perfect ratio of cannabinoids.
Marijuana plants have 80 different cannabinoids, which includes tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive element), as well as cannabidiol (CBD), the medical element.
As you utilize cannabinoids together, it is more efficient than separately, regarding the “entourage effect” provided by cannabis. On their own, hemp products contain less than 0.3% THC.
Cannabis oil does not have any psychoactive effect on canines when properly dosed. Depending upon the product’s nature, if it features little or no THC, the dog won’t get high.
Cannabis oil may be used in the management of nausea, seizures, anxiety, stress, back pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, and gastrointestinal problems, among additional health conditions in canines. CBD studies have been shown that it may decrease cancer in patients. Relief is offered as the cannabinoids inside marijuana interact with the cat or dog’s endocannabinoid system It is a sequence of receptors which run through the body. The cannabinoids will interact with the body receptors and modulate things such as nausea, anxiety, and pain.
Unlike some conventional pain medication for canines, medical cannabis from Innovet Pet Products does not have any life-threatening side effects with correct dosage. It does not damage the GI tract, liver, or kidney. The dogs are not sedated or high.
Although there are a few topical treatments, cannabis oil typically is given orally to canines. Also, it may be used along as a supplement with traditional treatments and medications. Emerging studies imply that there may be “synergistic benefits” between traditional medications and marijuana. There are few, if any, well-known substantial drug interactions you actually must be concerned with.
Again, the right dosage is critical. As is the case with any medicine, success has everything to do with the right dosage. If you properly dose pets, they’re going to receive the positive impact that you are searching for while not possessing any psychoactive side effects.
The best available option to cat owners during this time is to speak with a vet who has expertise with cats and dogs being treated with cannabis oil about correct dosage, as well as reputable manufacturers, such as Innovet Pet Products. Innovet Pet Products was founded by a couple of college buddies, David Louvet and Matt Terrill, who have degrees in Bio-chemistry and Engineering. All products we develop were inspired by our own pets and their special needs. Our unique pet, Maximus, was among them: he became blind at age 8, battled cancer two times, and lived to the old age of 16. Maggie, the pup who had an obsession with chocolate, was another. We have customized our line of products to match our own special needs because we found that if we require these products, other dog and cat owners likely will, as well!
Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
]]>Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
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Maybe you want a pet that can keep up with your active lifestyle. Maybe you need a sled dog to add to your team.
Maybe you were not even actually looking for a pet but this dog chose YOU. His eyes are just so soulful and he sleeps curled up, tail over eyes, at the foot of your bed. Now you need to know how to take care of him (because all you know is dogs like bacon).
Whatever your reasoning for falling in love with wolf dog hybrids, one thing is for sure : an Agouti Husky is the perfect choice.
A Husky is a medium-sized dog best known for its soft, furry coat and active, intelligent mind.
Huskies are genetically related to the now-extinct taymyr wolf of extreme northern Asia and Russia. These animals were tamed in the high latitudes of Siberia over 1500 years ago.
Other active, athletic modern wolf dog breeds (such as malamutes and akitas) share similar characteristics and have a similar history.
They are working dogs, bred in the arctic circle to pull a sled in the winter and a cart in the summer, and are agile, energetic, and playful. They are gentle by nature, loyal, and affectionate, and love to include humans in their “pack”.
Agouti huskies in the Americas can be traced back to the Alaskan gold rush. They were trained in groups to pull light sleds quickly over the snow and ice. They also guarded herds of reindeer that were used for food and chased away predators from human camps.
Now huskies have traditionally been bred as sled dogs for racing! They are ubiquitous in the teams at the Iditarod. The mushers very lives depend on their dog’s ability to trudge through the arctic and the relationship they build with their team. Huskies make the cut every time.
Modern huskies are bred in two different lines: competition show dogs and working dogs most similar to those used generations ago.
The huskies traditionally bred for appearance are typically purebred. They have pure-colored coats (white is the rarest and is highly prized in the competition circuit) and bright, clear, light-colored eyes.
Agouti huskies are not primarily show dogs. They have a distinct appearance that makes them appear “dirty”. It is closer to the wild genes of a wolf and are evidence of their history as being bred for function. They may be born gray but tend to develop certain features as they age.
‘Agouti’ is a term that is colloquially used to denote a specific line of breeding. It refers to a series of genes controlling the expression or inhibition of certain colors in a dog’s coat and skin. Agouti genes affect cells that produce eumelanin, which is the black pigmentation in mammals.
It is variation in the individual strands of hair instead of stripes on the entire animal.
This is different than brindle coloring, which is also recessive, but not at all rare in domestic dog breeds. Brindle means all over body-wide stripes of tan or brown. Not only is the entire streak of hair colored, but each strand of hair in that stripe is all one universal color.
Agouti is one of the oldest color scheme phenotypes in the natural world.
Agouti huskies have fur characterized by bands of color within each hair itself. It is a form of camouflage that several other wild animals showcase, including rabbits, rodents, and deer. It is rare in modern domesticated dog breed but is very common in wolf populations.
Of course, each animal is different because of individual genetic expression, but the bottom band of color is generally darker (it provides better skin protection, especially from UV rays reflecting off the snow). The tip of each hair tends to be darker too.
The several bands between them can be a number of colors including tan, red, and cream. You likely will not find much pure white in agouti coloring as it is a rarely-expressed genetically recessive trait.
Agouti huskies tend to have dark faces, with a dark nose bar, and dark eyes.
They, like all huskies, have a bushy brush tail. Agouti huskies generally have a black-tipped tail.
All breeds of Husky generally have perky triangular ears. Agouti huskies do, too.
Huskies are not generally barkers, but they ARE very vocal animals. A Husky howl can be heard for miles. They also have a tendency to make a noise that sounds like a rolling chirp when they want to play!
Like all dogs bred for work, you will notice your agouti Husky has a ton of energy. They walk confidently, with a smooth, effortless gait, and can jump tall obstacles and suddenly run at breakneck speed with seemingly little effort.
If you live an active lifestyle and enjoy running and hiking and swimming, a Husky will enjoy those activities right along with you!
The flip side of this athleticism is boredom. If your dog, especially while he is young, gets left to his own devices you may find he becomes destructive. He may dig at inappropriate times (like in the carpet padding of your home), bark and annoy your neighbors, or tear things up (like your favorite pair of shoes!).
You can avoid this undesirable behavior by making sure your agouti Husky (both as a puppy and as an adult!) has plenty to do- and plenty to chew.
Organized games and tasks can help. Tug of war, fetch, and agility courses are all good bets for working dogs. Make sure to follow up with lots of praise and affection.
When your dog is at rest, ensure his mind and body are occupied with safe things to gnaw on. Tough, thick rubber balls with small holes for snacks, for instance, are great options.
You would think all this excess energy combined with an intelligent mind would make an Agouti Husky easy to train.
Most owners and trainers find that, while training huskies, their patience is constantly tested!
Huskies are fiercely independent and free-spirited. They tend to realize very quickly that they can choose whether or not to obey your commands and respond to training.
Because they can be troublemakers and have a great sense of humor, they may consciously decide to ignore you!
Most pet owners have better luck with shorter, more frequent training sessions. Start out with five minutes once a day with your puppy. His attention span is very short. Work right away on basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘come’, and ‘drop it’.
When he is a little older, you can work your way up to fifteen minutes two or three times a day. He can learn more difficult commands as well as behavior modifications like not jumping on people or lying still while you cut his nails.
It is important to discipline your agouti Husky when necessary. When your dog does something wrong, avoiding physical or overly harsh reprimands will go a long way toward cementing your relationship with him!
Catching your dog in the act is helpful, but showing him evidence after the fact is sufficient. Make sure to connect the dots for him. If you are upset about a specific incident, reprimand him in that space.
Immediately lower your voice and sharpen the tone. Add a little harsh edge to your voice. Tell him firmly NO, then remove him from the situation and provide a suitable distraction or substitute.
Then it is essential to provide lots of positive reinforcement when he makes the right choice. Make sure when you are praising him make your voice a little higher, almost sing-song, and use exciting-sounding words. Physical affection in conjunction with proper verbal reinforcement should be all the discipline your dog needs.
For instance, if you see your Husky chewing on a shoe, tell him NO, remove the shoe, then give him a toy he CAN chew on. When he does, tell him he is a good boy and you’re proud of him!
Be aware that Agouti huskies are also escape artists! They can jump high fences easily. They can quickly dig their way to freedom. They will even chew their way through a chain link fence.
When you discover they have gone missing, they enjoy the game of chase that ensues - and can likely outrun you with no effort.
Your Husky’s stamina and athletic ability far exceeds even that of human endurance athletes, so it makes good sense to train your dog early to stay close to home.
Make sure your fences are secure and at least six feet high. You can dig into the dirt a bit and install paneling or chicken wire at the bottom. Then fill the trench with the dirt, then layer small decorative stones along the bottom edge of the fence. This can discourage digging through the bottom.
An emergency recall word, used judiciously, is an important part of dog training. This is a command, spoken in a staccato, tense, heavily-accented voice, that triggers your dog to immediately return to you and sit at your feet. Is it very useful in times your dog may be in danger when running from you, such as in busy traffic or around a hungry predator.
Make absolutely certain your agouti Husky (especially since they may look wild and scare people that are not familiar with their breed) is always wearing his collar with identification and rabies tags. Keep shot records handy and register him where locally required.
Because of this, agouti huskies often need extra effort from you. This starts with building a close relationship with your dog from the very start and then slowly building on his desire to please you.
Socialization is a necessary facet of any solid training plan. Your dog needs to know how to behave - around humans, around other dogs, and around other types of animals.
Make sure you train your dog to walk calmly on a leash. Use a chest harness instead of his collar to attach the lead to him.
Introduce him to a variety of people. Once he is less jumpy on a lead, take walks through crowded places. Allow him the opportunity to stop and smell things, but do not let him jump on people.
Open-run dog parks can contribute to his ability to handle other dogs well.
A key aspect with training ANY dog, but working dogs in particular, is to make sure they know immediately that you are in charge. They should see you as the alpha of their pack. This will ensure that your dog respects and loves you enough to want you to be happy with them.
As a loving, responsible pet owner, you are determined to keep your dog as healthy as you can.
Luckily there are MANY things you can do to keep your dog in top shape!
Paramount in importance is regular veterinarian check ups. This includes getting all his vaccines on time. Also make sure your dog is taking medicine to avoid heartworms and fleas and ticks. Following up on any medical conditions (joint inflammation, for instance) and following your vets recommendations are essential.
Nutrition is another key aspect of your maintaining your dog’s good health. Huskies are not generally gluttons and are not prone to overeating. Because they are so athletic, they will efficiently use every calorie they consume. It is your responsibility to ensure those calories are high quality.
Your dog, if possible, should be on a dog food specific to his breed and size. From there, supplementing with quality wet food or human foods can help make certain that his diet is varied and nutrient-rich.
Because an Agouti Husky is genetically closer to feral wolves, he may enjoy a primarily raw-food diet that mimics what he would consume in nature. There are many safe commercial options available. Your veterinarian or an employee at a pet store can offer guidance.
There is a shift in some pet care circles towards so-called ‘ancestral’ foods for dogs.
One version of this is referred to as the “whole prey model” of feeding. In their natural environment, wolves would consume an entire prey animal - a whole duck, or a whole rabbit, for instance - to make sure he was getting the full range of calories and nutrients his body needed to sustain his activities.
Some animal researchers argue that most wild dogs, while attempting to hunt, regularly end up as scavengers. There have been feral dog packs that have followed nomadic human populations for centuries, eating what they leave behind when they pack up camp. This still occurs in many parts of the world today.
Because of this intertwined history between dogs and humans, many experts believe feeding your dog healthy whole human foods is the best way of ensuring adequate calorie intake and nutrition.
This is good news for you! Most pet owners are MUCH more comfortable feeding their domesticated house pets animal food (mixed with some human food) instead of tossing them a whole dead deer.
Dogs enjoy a number of healthy human food options including:
Human foods to avoid feeding your dog include cherries, avocados, chocolate, raisins and grapes, and nuts.
A quick internet search or a call to your vet can help you choose safe and nutritious human foods for your agouti Husky.
Of course, it is also absolutely vital that your dog have enough clean water.
Your agouti Husky is, overall, a very healthy breed of dog. They have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years and have relatively few concerning health conditions.
He is, unfortunately, predisposed to a couple potentially serious health concerns.
Eye problems in particular are very common in huskies. Cataracts affect about ten percent of the breed. Other eye conditions that can affect your dog are corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. These can be treatable if caught at an early stage by your vet. Genetic testing for these conditions also exists and can help you plan for your dog’s health-related expenses and options for treatment as he grows.
Huskies also may experience hip and joint problems, like hip dysplasia, which can make their naturally athletic bodies painful to move around in.
Grooming will need to become a regular part of your dog’s life. Start at a young age and make sure it becomes a regular habit.
Huskies, like all other dogs originating from cold climates, have a double coat. It has many important uses, including keeping the animals warm.
The bottom layer, or undercoat, is a thick and soft layer and functions like down. The individual hairs are often crimped to trap warm air. A husky’s skin secretes oils that keep its skin and undercoat healthy and clean.
The visible layer is the top coat. These are made up of guard hairs. The top coat very efficiently repels water and snow, keeping the dog warm and dry. It also helps trap in body heat while protecting the skin from harmful UV days. The hairs are generally straight and course.
The Husky undercoat sheds completely twice a year in the spring and fall as the weather changes. It may fall out in large clumps (you may see them and worry your dog will be bald!) but it grows back quickly. The top coat sheds significantly less, but all year round.
Shedding is normal for these breeds. As long as the hair coming off of them is not dull, there is no skin flaking, and your dog is not relentlessly itching, there is nothing to worry about.
If he IS scratching more than normal, or the hair he is shedding looks different than his typical undercoat, check for bugs. Fleas, ticks, and lice can be hiding in their soft undercoat. Make sure to check for skin conditions and rashes too.
If there is no evidence of pests or bumps, a quick call to your vet could help explain the behavior. Stress, hormonal shifts (in particular around heats or pregnancy), food allergies, and lack of nutrition can all be responsible.
These breeds do not get dirty easily because of their undercoat. They are naturally clean, with little to no odor. They do require at least weekly grooming to control the massive amount of hair. There are a number of special brushes and tools to choose from.
It is also a good idea to invest in a quality vacuum made for homes with furry pets.
Be careful to not bathe your agouti Husky too often. It can strip his skin of essential sebaceous oils and cause bald spots and uncomfortable skin conditions. If your Husky smells outdoorsy, or musty, or otherwise less than fresh, there are non-bathing options like dry shampoo and lightly scented wipes.
When grooming your agouti Husky pay extra care to their feet. As working dogs, huskies rely on their foot pads for safety and stability on rough and slick surfaces. They also protect the tissues and joints of his feet from shock with each step. You can find lotion for the pads of their feet in pet stores and online.
Keeping their nails (and the hair between them) trimmed can contribute to his paws being clean. If the hair between his toes gets too long it can interfere with his ability to flex his feet. This can affect his balance.
If your dog is limping, check the pads of his feet. There may be a thorn or rock embedded in his flesh. They may also be tender and blistered if it is too hot outside and your Husky has been walking on concrete. Also check his nails - if they are too long he may not be able to put his feet down all the way. Then move to his ankle joints.
Improper paw care can affect your dog’s gait and ability to walk and can contribute to joint and hip problems later in life.
Getting an Agouti Husky can be somewhat difficult. There are two main options : find a breeder specializing in Agouti dogs or find one by chance at a shelter.
Thanks to the ability to search online, you can find a breeder focusing on any type of dog you want.
You may have to be willing to travel- a number of wolf-dog breeders purposely live in colder climates so their dogs will be more comfortable (and so they can train sled dogs themselves!).
You also need to be willing to pay. A well-bred Husky can run you into the thousands of dollars.
If you choose to find one available through a breeder, make certain you acquire as much information about the parents (sire and dam, in breeder language) as possible. Not only can you check coloring, but also disposition and intelligence. Ask about specific health problems.
Some agouti huskies get left in the care of animal shelters. They may be more work than an unqualified owner can handle. Others are not as cute as the owners were hoping, so they are abandoned.
Most rescues and shelters take good care of their charges. They should handle shots and deworming, and may even spay or neuter your pet. Many microchip animals as soon as they are taken in.
Look for a shelter with lots of open play space for the animals to socialize in.
When adopting or buying a new dog, take your home and yard into consideration. Slowly introduce the animals already in your life to your new addition. Make sure children understand body language. Reiterate the importance of respecting a dog’s need for space.
If possible, have a trial run with your new agouti Husky before committing. It will give you time to fix any major issues with bringing home a new pet.
Immediately contact a vet for a thorough physical. Catching health problems early can be the key to saving your dog’s life.
An Agouti Husky can be an amazing companion dog. They are smart and funny and independent. If you are considering getting a Husky, do not be turned off by the amount of work training them can be! They are beautiful and strong and intensely loyal. They will absolutely adore you if you treat them well!
Image Source: husky-owners.com
]]>Golden Retrievers are considered to be some of the most lovable and gentlest types of dogs in the world. Because of this, they are a popular breed for many homeowners to add to their family.
However, while these bundles of joy are a great addition to the family, they come with a few needs, especially if you plan to get Golden Retriever puppies. Below you’ll find more information all about Golden Retrievers and some important tips to keep in mind if you plan to add Golden Retriever puppy to your family.
The Golden Retriever is believed to have originated in the 19th-century in Scotland, mainly due to Lord Tweedmouth’s documentation of them. It is believed that Tweedmouth bought a yellow-coated retriever from a litter of mainly black retrievers.
He then bred the retriever with a Tweed Water Spaniel which eventually produced four yellow puppies. Eventually, the breed came to have the characteristic it is known for today, such as a bright yellow cup and long wavy coat.
Golden Retriever puppies will eventually grow to be very large dogs, although how big depends on their gender. Males will grow to be anywhere near 23 to 23 inches tall and weigh about 60 to 75 lbs. Females will grow to be about 22 inches tall and weigh about 55-60 lbs. Puppies will usually reach their full height and weight after a year.
Believe it or not, there are three different types of Golden Retrievers which range based on fur color and breed type. Fur can range from golden, light golden, and dark golden. The three types this breed comes in include American, Canadian, and English.
So, how do you tell the difference between the types? An American Golden Retriever will look like your average Golden Retriever with a thin body and golden to dark golden coat. On the other hand, a Canadian Golden Retriever will have a thinner coat compared to the American version, although they will usually have the same fur color. An English Golden Retriever is a bit stockier compared to the other two and their coat tends to be very light in color.
The temperament of this breed of dog is one of the many reasons why it’s so popular.
These dogs are considered to be one of the most affectionate types in the world. They are very calm and enjoy sitting and being around people. They are also very patient and will gently play around with you because they want to be around you. These dogs also enjoy cuddling.
Golden Retrievers want to be your best friend, and because of this, they will almost anything to please you. This can range from bringing you things to trying to be around you often. This makes them the perfect breed to consider if you want a faithful companion.
While they might be big dogs, Golden Retrievers are very gentle, even when playing. Because of this, they are perfect to keep around children.
Golden Retrievers are very happy dogs and love to play. For those who want a dog to stay active with them, this breed is ideal to consider because of this.
However, despite being playful, they also know when to stop because they want to please you. When they see that you are upset or sense they are causing pain, they will stop and calm down. Keep in mind though that this might be a little harder for puppies to understand as they are happy to play. The older the dog gets, the more relaxed they become.
Golden Retriever puppies have a strict diet that needs to be followed so they stay healthy and grow. While there are some pre-made food products you can buy for them, you can also add some other healthy food options like vegetables for dogs to their meals.
While carrots should be given in moderation due to their sugar content, they have many benefits. This includes keeping their teeth clean, improving their digestive system, and are high in Vitamin A which helps their immune system. When giving carrots to a puppy Golden Retriever, you should ideally grate them or cook them and mash them up.
Green beans can be given to dogs raw, cooked, or steamed. However, they need to be plain and without any type of seasonings. You’ll find they will provide your dog with plenty of calcium, iron, and fiber.
Dogs tend to love sweet potatoes which is good as they are filled with fiber and can help their digestive system stay healthy. They also contain beta-carotene which is a rich antioxidant which helps to improve their skin. Before giving your dog this vegetable, make sure to fully cook it so it’s soft.
Blueberries are packed with antioxidants and are considered a “superfood” for dogs due to their numerous health benefits. You can mash this small fruit up or give it to your dog whole.
Bananas contain Vitamin K and potassium which can help with skin issues your dog might be having. However, keep in mind that they should only be given occasionally as they are high in fiber which can result in diarrhea.
Pumpkins are a healthy sweet treat to give your retriever puppy thanks to its fiber content, high water content, and impressive levels of antioxidants. You’ll need to make sure to thoroughly cook the pumpkin though before giving it to your dog, or buy a pre-packaged pumpkin can.
Omega-3s and fish oil for dogs will not only help to keep your puppy healthy, but ensure they stay active and their bones are strong.
This supplement can also help to reduce inflammation in their body and keep their coat shiny. Because of this, it’s important to check to make sure the food has Omega-3s in them. If they don’t, you can also add some into the meals yourself with special puppy fish oil supplements.
Many dog foods contain fillers, used to cut down production costs, like corn and rice flour. Some fillers are used to provide extra volume and vitamins.
This means that your dog might be getting some benefits from eating it, they are also eating fillers and other animal by-products which are generally not good for them. Fillers could also end up giving your dog allergies because their body isn’t designed to consume them by nature.
Many large-breed dog foods contain calcium in them which is designed to help the puppy’s bones grow without problems.
This can help to prevent them from getting medical conditions such as arthritis. Because of this, it’s important to make sure your puppy’s food has enough calcium in it.
However, make sure to adjust the calcium levels depending on your puppy’s size and weight. While calcium is important, too much of it can also lead to problems like kidney disease and even some types of cancer.
Retriever puppies usually need to eat about three times per day to ensure they get enough vitamins and nutrients for their body. Each meal should feature about 1 ½ cups of food, although this can vary depending on the type of food you plan to give them.
Keep in mind that because these dogs love to eat, it could end up leading to obesity. This could end up causing health problems down the road, such as heart disease and painful joints. Because of this, it’s important to talk things over with your vet to ensure your puppy isn’t getting too much or too little food.
There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when it comes to training a golden retriever puppy. Below are some important things to consider.
As with any puppy you have, it’s important to start training your puppy as soon as possible. This way, they’ll start to learn at a young age what is and isn’t appropriate.
By doing so, it can make your training a bit easier. Some things to start teaching your puppy are potty training, basic commands (like sit), and stopping leash tugging.
As mentioned above, it’s very important to start training golden puppies with basic commands as soon as possible. Basic commands include sit, down, stay, and don’t touch.
These might take some time to do, but they are very simple. For instance, to teach your puppy to sit, you’ll just need a handful of treats. Once you have your puppy’s attention walk toward them with the treats. After doing so, let them sniff the treat and then bring the treat up over their head.
This will cause them to sit down. Once they do, say “sit” and then give them the treat. Keep doing this process until your puppy is able to do it without needing the treat.
One of the best ways to help show your dog what they should and shouldn’t do is to reward their good behavior. When they don’t tug on their leash, give them a treat and speak happily with them.
When they indicate they need to go outside to use the bathroom, reward them. Eventually, they will learn the right behavior to use because of this.
Most Golden Retriever puppies do not like leashes and will tend to pull in their leash to try to get out of them. If not stopped, this can lead to it making it difficult for you to walk your dog down the road. Because of this, it’s important to stop leash tugging as soon as possible.
To help with this, you can use a harness and fixed-length leash. The harness will wrap around the front section of their body which will let them walk around, but help you to maintain control over where they go.
A fixed-length leash will also help to keep your puppy in one place as it will only give them a certain distance they can go. When they start to pull on the leash, they will only be able to go as far as you have set the length to be.
Eventually, they will get tired of the strain on their body when trying to pull away which can stop leash tugging.
Many dog trainers also recommend tiring your dog out before they walk. This can include letting them play and run around for a few minutes. This can help them to stay calm when walking which can result in less leash tugging.
Always make sure that your puppy has plenty of time for exercising. Golden Retrievers are considered bird dogs, so they need to move around and stay active to get their energy out and to stay happy.
You can let them run around in a dog park or take them for a swim, something which they tend to love doing.
Because of their long coat, Golden Retrievers need to be given baths often. This can help to keep their coat smooth and healthy while removing any dirt or particles from their fur.
You’ll find plenty of shampoos and other grooming tools you can use on your dog which are designed especially for large breeds.
On the other hand, you could also take your puppy to a groomer who will bathe your dog and give them a haircut. However, this might be a little expensive.
In addition to giving them baths and haircuts, you also need to make sure to brush them daily. This will help to remove excess fur and any other particles that might be in their coat.
Otherwise, they will get very itchy and could end up shedding even more on furniture and floors.
Golden Retrievers will have a little more issues when it comes to spaying and neutering. In fact, some vets have found that neutering Golden Retrievers could end up causing them to have joint pain or even cancer down the road.
Because of this, some vets recommend that you consider using other means of preventing breeding.
These pups are very curious about things, which can cause them to get into places they shouldn’t be in. Because of this, they could end up chewing electrical cords, getting caught in window cords, or sniff household cleaners which could contain harmful chemicals.
To help protect your puppy, make sure to puppy-proof your home or block off areas that you don’t want them to go into.
These dogs love to chew, something which many pet owners are surprised to find. If they don’t have anything to chew on, they could end up doing do on your shoes or walls. Due to this, it’s vital that you always have something for them to chew on, whether that be a bone or toy.
You could also consider giving them a puzzle toy which can help to keep their brain active and healthy.
You’ll usually find Golden Retriever puppies at special Golden Retriever breeders. However, how do you know which breeder is best to buy from? You can tell by keeping a few things in mind.
One to look for is a contract that they will write up. This will tell of important things both the breeder and the buyer need to know. This way, you can tell that they are serious about the work and intend to provide you with healthy puppies.
You should also make sure that the breeder has health certifications. This will help to ensure your puppy doesn’t have certain health problems or heritable medical issues.
Another thing to consider is the history of the breeder. Do many recommend them? Do they have years of experience? By considering this, you’ll be able to tell whether or not your breeder is reliable and trustworthy.
You should also consider looking at Golden Retriever puppies for adoption who might be at your local animal shelter.
This option is ideal for those who don’t want to invest a lot in a breeder or who might not have a breeder located nearby. Adoption can also help to provide these puppies with a happy home rather than have to stay in a depressing kennel.
Golden Retriever puppies are great dogs to have, but they have certain needs that need to be followed.
For instance, they require plenty of exercise and a healthy diet. However, this will help them to stay healthy and give you many years together of fun adventures.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
Life with a Golden Retriever
Approved by:
Dr. Ivana Vukasinovic
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade
Ivana Vukasinovic grew up in Serbia and attended the University of Belgrade where she received a degree in Veterinary medicine in 2012 and later completed surgical residency working mostly with livestock. Her first year of practice was split between busy small animal practice and emergency clinic, and after two more years of treating many different species of animals, she opened her own veterinary pharmacy where an interest in canine and feline nutrition emerged with an accent on fighting animal obesity. In her free time, she acts as a foster parent for stray animals before their adoption, likes to read SF books and making salted caramel cookies.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
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There are dog people and there are cat people. You likely love both furry pets quite a bit yourself, but most of humanity certainly has an affinity toward one over the other. Each animal offers its own type of companionship and affection, and we’ll likely lean toward one over the other based on what soothes our specific personality.
One such common need our favorite pets fulfill is loneliness. While many pets are integral parts of a nuclear family, they are also the best friends of single adults throughout various stages of life. And as it pertains to loneliness, these animals actually play a part in the discussion of mental health.
“A number of psychologists have offered data and theories that suggest that there is a human need to be attached to somebody, to maintain social relationships, and fulfill our personal need for a sense of belonging,” writes Stanley Coren PhD., DSc, FRSC. “It has often been suggested that, in the absence of human companionship, having a pet might provide an important source of social support, and might be enough to fend off these feelings of loneliness and isolation. There have been a few studies which provided data which suggested that this is the case, but they have been a rather small scale, and not based on nationally representative samples.”
In fact, recent research has pushed for government involvement that would encourage and enable more people to have dogs and cats as pets. This includes funding infrastructure like dog parks and supporting local shelters with the resources to operate successfully, as well as providing access to pet water fountains and providing areas where dogs can be walked, and so on. Loneliness, research presented at the first Summit on Social Isolation and Companion Animals by Mars Petcare and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute pointed out, is as dangerous to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The same research equates those consequences to a health epidemic parallel to obesity.
"When we think about loneliness, we need attachment figures and pets meet that need," says Nancy Gee, human-animal interaction research manager at Mars' Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. ”You don’t have to worry about confidentiality or judgment. It just is what it is."
"The greatest gift of animals is they remind us we can love and be loved unconditionally,” says former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who spoke at the conference as well. In fact, Murthy’s work since leaving office has been heavily focused on the subject of loneliness, with animal interaction and pet ownership receiving a lot of his attention. According to Murthy, however, there’s still no final distinction as to whether or not pet ownership leads to healthier people or healthier people are simply more likely to own pets. It’s often a “chicken or the egg” discussion within the mental health research community and a reminder that correlation does not necessarily equal causation.
So, which animal is better at “curing,” or at least soothing our loneliness? A new study in Germany set out to uncover the answer to that exact question. Their data came from the German Aging Survey which began back in 1996, surveying individuals older than 40 who live in communities for the elderly. The study focused on seniors living without a partner, specifically widows and widowers older than 65-years old, divorced, separated, or simply still single in their later years. Of the entire German Aging Survey, this accounted for 1,160 adults, of which each was interviewed and asked to rate their relatability or “truthfulness” in statements like "I feel like I do not really belong to society" or "I feel that I am left out.” The participants were then grouped into three cohorts: those with dogs, those with cats, and those who had neither pet.
When it comes to feelings of social isolation, owning a cat or having no pet at all resulted in the most socially isolated individuals. In fact, there’s no psychological benefit to having cats, according to Corner. Living with dogs is a net positive, however. Dog ownership in this study was found to reduce the sense of social isolation and further, the effects seem to be greater amongst women compared to men.
“When you look at the results for feelings of loneliness, it turns out that the loneliest people are individuals who do not own pets and, just as in the case of social isolation, the researchers found that simply owning a cat does not reduce these feelings,” writes Corner. “Dog ownership, however, does decrease feelings of loneliness significantly in women, although only marginally for men. The researchers suggest that this sex difference comes into play because, in Germany, where the study was conducted, older men generally have more formal and extensive social supports, which means that human contact is available and the pet is not leaned upon as much to provide psychological comfort.”
So what is it about dogs that allows them to have such a notable scientifically-supported effect on our mental well-being, whereas cats seem to be missing this special gift? According to Corner, the answer may come from the most obvious of dog care duties.
“I was out walking my younger dog when I ran into another retired professor who lives in my neighborhood,” Corner writes about his revelation. “He was walking his schnauzer. We stopped and chatted for a few minutes, and he brought me up to date on some gossip about matters at the university. I, in turn, provided a bit of news to him about one of our mutual friends.
For that brief moment at least, I felt fully plugged into society and my social environment. As we parted and I headed for home, it dawned upon me that if my only pet had been a cat, that conversation would never have occurred. The simple needs of a dog for exercise force a senior (like me) to get out of the house—and thus provides the opportunity for social encounters and interactions. Cats simply do not move you out of the door where you can make contact with the rest of the world.”
]]>Part Pug, part beagle, the Puggle is a precious little dog that has the personality of a much bigger dog. He’ll likely have you in stitches most of the time and you’ll be able to enjoy being entertained by this adorable little dog that has grown in popularity as a designer breed.
Designer breed dogs are not registered as pure breeds because they have not yet been accepted into any major breed associations as pure breeds. It can take thirty years or more of breeding history to establish a breed.
For now, this is a mix of two pure breeds, done for purposes of personality and health benefits.
The pug is an adorable, big-eyed dog known for having very human-like facial expressions. The pug is often the subject of cartoonists and artists, photographers and more. Known to be very well-behaved and mild-mannered, the pug is a fun subject for artists to work with.
His facial expressions include raising eyebrows over a face that is typically flattened as if he had run face-first into a window. Not to worry, he’s supposed to look like that. When he smiles, his tongue will flap out of his mouth and his cheeks will draw back into an enormous grin.
Due to the shape of his head and nose, he’s got a round face that humans associate as a tiny person.
In fact, his personality will make him seem as though he is a very tiny human being. The pug can be stubborn and hard to train, but is typically very good with children and other household pets.
They enjoy going for walks and being the center of social life, but don’t expect them to run any races. This little dog can be active but not in a sporting event sort of way.
The pug is prone to breathing issues, thanks to that nose that is flattened on his face. When the weather is hot, he’ll have a hard time outside in the heat for long.
He can overheat very easily due to the way his nasal passages are crammed into that small space and he’ll enjoy taking a nap in the air conditioning far more on hot days.
Pugs can be surprisingly active when the weather suits them though. They enjoy a good romp outdoors and they love to play with kids in the yard.
They vary in personality, so while one pug might enjoy playing fetch with you, the next pug may look at you as if you are daft. It is that very look that has made him such a popular breed.
With wrinkles on his forehead, his legs, and his back, the pug almost has no neck. He will come in all black or fawn color with a black face, referred to as his black mask. He’s built wide across the chest and shoulders.
You could mistake him for a miniature bulldog at a glance, but he is more trim in the middle and has a small tail that is only a few inches long and curls over his back, almost like a corkscrew.
In fact, it’s hard to even look at a pug and not smile. When they smile at you, you simply have to smile back.
They are very happy to bring you comic relief in exchange for treats, this is a food motivated dog, but don’t expect him to be overly obedient if there isn’t something in it for him. They’re smart and they don’t like to work for free.
Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome (BAOS) is the result of that cute little squished up face they have. With reduced skull length, there is excess soft tissue in their airway and it can inhibit their ability to breathe.
Sometimes they sound terrible and their airway is being obstructed. This is why you need to keep a close eye on your Pug to be sure that he is breathing and getting air to his lungs if he starts to make a lot of rattling noises and gasping.
Eye problems are also an issue with Pugs. Because they have those enormous brown eyes that protrude from their skulls, they have a habit of running into things and causing eye injury. They also can have issues with dry eyes or inverted eyelids. You should also be aware that sometimes they can cough hard or run into something hard and one of their eyes can pop out of the socket.
It’s disgusting to see but it doesn’t cause them pain. Keep the eye wet and get them to the veterinarian who can pop it back in quickly and can also teach you how to do it at home. It is sort of disgusting if you are squeamish person but knowing how to do it yourself will save you a lot of vet visits with dogs who are prone to this issue.
Pugs are also prone to skin allergies and will itch like crazy if they have them. If they do inherit skin issues, they’ll have hot spots, dry skin with dandruff, and chew on themselves rather relentlessly. It is horrible to watch them be so uncomfortable.
You’ll want to visit the veterinarian and have them screened for skin allergens and see about getting a prescription that will help alleviate the symptoms for them so that they aren’t miserable. Luckily, most of the triggering allergens are seasonal.
Skeletal issues, particularly with the joints, can plague this breed. They’re a sturdy dog being supported by short legs. They have a tendency to have bad joints in their legs that can become painful. If you notice limping, favoring one side or the other, holding a leg up, sitting sideways or anything abnormal with the way they walk, see your veterinarian. You don’t want them in pain and their doctor can make suggestions based on the extent of the condition.
Pugs are also unfortunate victims of hereditary seizure disorders sometimes. Seizures are quite scary to witness and they can also be harmful and dangerous. If your Pug has a seizure, see your veterinarian as soon as possible. While a seizure may not be life-threatening, a condition may exist that could be very harmful and put your dog in a dangerous position one day. Medications exist that can help control seizure activity.
A pure breed Pug will weight between 14 and 18 pounds if he is a normal weight. They are prone to getting rather portly, so be careful not to overfeed your Pug. Being too heavy can lead to some of that joint pain mentioned before and cause back issues as they age too.
Your Pug should stand approximately 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulders, referred to as the withers. If he is a healthy Pug, and you are careful with his exercise and weight, he will likely live a very long time. Pugs are quite capable of living 12 to 15 years which is rather long for a dog.
The beagle is a member of the hound group. Known for smelling a single skin cell, this breed is often used at airports to casually walk around and sniff luggage as it is being carried or wheeled through the airport. They can smell an orange and customs will remove it from your bag. No transportation of certain fruits and foods across borders or even state lines in some cases.
The Beagle comes in different sizes. The 13-inch Beagle is small being 13 inches at the wethers or smaller. The 15-inch Beagle will be larger than 13 inches and as tall as 15. They are otherwise identical.
Bred be scent hounds, the Beagle will track rabbits with passion, howling and barking in a joyful sound often referred to as The Beagle Bray. They are pack hunters by nature. If you have ten Beagles, they will work together to find a scent and follow it. They sound like bugles moving through a forest. Very badly played bugles, but nonetheless there is not a better description.
They will flush any small game and give chase yet they will learn to be very accepting of cats and other household pets if they are socialized and taught young.
Beagles have gentle eyes and a demeanor that is so sweet that they’ve been used for scientific experimentation for many years, sadly. They allow nearly anything to be done to them without fighting, so they are tortured in the name of testing cosmetics and other products.
There are many protests about this treatment and the breed is seeing fewer losses to laboratories and more love in homes, thanks to groups like the Beagle Freedom Project.
Beagles are highly intelligent, are surprisingly cuddly and are highly food motivated. This makes them agreeable and trainable to the person savvy enough to use food rewards. Beagles work in many capacities besides hunting.
They can be airport dogs, mascots, reading assistance dogs, service dogs with a keen nose to detect seizures and glucose fluctuations. They have an incredible nose and you won’t hide the treats anywhere that they can’t find them either.
Beagles are wonderful with children and will follow them around everywhere they go. They will sleep in your bed, on your sofa and, in typical hound fashion, will sleep most of the time until you grab a leash. They can go from 0 to 120 mph in a flash if you are taking them somewhere.
Beagles are very social dogs, enjoying the attention of people and they are typically great with other dogs and animals as well.
A beagle will happily sleep in your lap and snuggle with you for hours, making you think that they could never be a working dog, but they are very capable of switching gears and getting that nose to work.
Beagles excel at search and rescue work and are genuinely depressed if they find a victim who has perished. They are enthusiastic about all that they do, including finding missing persons.
Overall, the Beagle is known for being a pretty healthy breed but they can be susceptible to a few things that we shall mention here.
As mentioned, there are two sizes, the 13-inch Beagle and the 15-inch Beagle. They range in weight from 20 to 30 pounds, depending on which size they are. They are the 6th most popular dog in the world and were bred just for their size.
Beagles were considered the hunting dog for those too poor to afford a horse. Thanks to their short stature and legs, they can’t run as fast as foxhounds, allowing a human to give chase on foot when the dogs are flushing and chasing game. A hunter need only be able to follow the sounds of the bellows of the pack to know where their dogs are.
You can expect a healthy Beagle to live as long as 10 to 15 years.
Puggles are a wonderful mix of both of the above breeds. By breeding a Pug to a Beagle, many of the Pug’s health issues are less of a concern because the Beagle tends to be healthier.
The breathing problems are also alleviated because the Puggle will most typically have the head shape of a Beagle, without the flattened nose. This alleviates all of the problems with overheating and breathing in the summertime.
Most Puggles with have the color of a Pug, the head of a Beagle and a body that is a mixture of both shapes. Puggles are normally more slender like a Beagle but may have the legs of a Pug. It is a crap shoot when you are mixing first generations of designer dogs. They can be 50/50 or take more after one dog or the other.
Puggles will generally take their size from the Beagle but there is little difference in height between the Pug or Beagle; the Puggle is bound to be small. If a 13-inch Beagle is used in the breeding of the designer puppies, miniature Puggles are the result.
Puggles are cute, energetic, have fewer overall health issues, have the same expressions as the Pug, with the loving personality of both parent dogs. In fact, Pugs and Beagles make great dogs to mix together. They are both loving family pets. They both enjoy cuddling, kids, and being the center of attention.
It is a match made in Heaven in many ways. To those who have owned a Puggle, they will never have another breed of dog because they’ve been smitten.
A Puggle will live anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and have few health issues in most cases. They do have the potential to inherit any breed specific issues that were mentioned above. The odds are simply reduced that inheriting these things will happen as the gene pool has been expanded by breeding two different breeds together.
Puggles tend to be very social with other dogs and with people. Aggression is exceptionally rare from either of the parent breeds. Puggles have never been known to show aggression towards people or other pets in the household.
You won’t need to worry that you can’t keep up with a Puggle but they may be more active than a Pug. Since the Beagle is a very strong runner and athletic hound, the Puggle does enjoy some games of fetch, frisbee, or runs on the beach. They will enjoy dog friends to play with too.
You’ll want to be very consistent with potty training. Both breeds can take a little longer in that respect, but once they catch on, they’ve got it forever. Part of the problem is that they are very wiggly and excitable babies and they lose self-control. They’ll catch on. Don’t worry.You’ll likely have a puppy with the Pug tail but there are variations of both and mixes between. No matter what it looks like, it will wag or wiggle at 120 mph. Beagle tails wave constantly when they are on a trail or happy. Pug tails wiggle as if they are vibrating.
Your Puggle will be a combination of both most likely and you’ll get many years of happiness and snuggles from your Puggles. Sorry. Couldn’t resist.
We’ll get to the bottom and answer whether the White Boxer is a less healthy dog than their fawn and brindle counterparts. As well, we’ll find out what kind of personalities they have and if it’s unique.
With multiple reports showing that white or mostly White Boxers occurring 18-25% of the time, the White Boxer is not a rare sight to behold. So don’t let a breeder talk you into a higher price for one.
In fact, White Boxers do not meet the American Kennel Club and American Boxer Club standards, and this has resulted in some breeders euthanizing the puppies or throwing them into shelters because they don’t want them.
They are not considered a breed standard, cannot be shown, and only in recent years has it even become possible to register them under certain conditions.
They are not considered good breeding material because of the color and were banned from competing in any AKC events for many years.
So if anything, a White Boxer pup should cost less due to their being less demand for them.
White Boxers are not a result of albinism. Albino is defined as a lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes, which results in white skin, white hair, and red eyes.
White Boxers very much do have pigment in their skin, often have blue eyes, and will likely develop black spots.
The white coloring of the White Boxer is the same kind of white you see in any other white dog.
For the Boxer, the white coloring is a recessive trait that they’ve carried over from their ancestor the bulldog.
Whenever you have recessive genes in both parents, the odds of that trait showing up in puppies is much higher.
In fact, In the early days, the majority of Boxers were white, but breeders bred the color out of them because it made these guard dogs too easy to spot.
In more recent years, since the late 1990s, more people have been seeking white boxers because of the way they look and because they’ve been slightly taken in at the thought of their dog being more unique.
While we’ve debunked that myth of rarity, the dogs are very pretty and eye-catching. This has caused them to gain favor in some circles again.
The fact that more people are trying to find white boxers is what has caused breeders to begin charging more for the dogs.
It’s a bit like price-gouging. These were largely unwanted puppies that were not worth anything that are now being ‘hoped-for’ in litters so that breeders can charge more for them.
This is a trend that also began when designer dog breeds started to come into favor. People are now seeking dogs that are poodle mixes or other specialty breed mixes, for the purposes of having pets with traits from two specific breeds.
Often the goal is a dog that sheds less or causes fewer allergic responses in people.
WIth white boxers, the goal is simply a beautiful and eye-catching dog that has the breeding, temperament, and personality of the boxer, while not looking like the garden variety boxer.
Deafness at birth occurs slightly more often in all white Boxer puppies than it does in fawn and brindle boxer puppies. Besides this, White Boxers do not see more health issues than their counterparts.
Old-time breeders would often humanely dispatch white puppies at birth, believing that they would always be deaf and sometimes blind as well.
We now know this isn’t necessarily true and those puppies are now given a chance at life.
It was this process of culling at birth that earned the white pups the nickname of ‘lethal white’ pups.
Likely, it was this culling at birth that led people to believe that white puppies were rare. Breeders new that they weren’t rare, they just weren’t wanted.
You sometimes see people say they are more prone to allergies, but there isn’t concrete evidence for this. Their white coat can make them susceptible to sunburn, however.
White Boxers do not have a different personality than their brindle and fawn brothers and sisters. Boxers are high-spirited, energetic (super bouncy), friendly, and love playing.
They make great family pets, though they may knock over the little ones with all the bouncing they like to do.
They are very patient and obedient, which has long made them an exceptional choice as a guard dog, though they are a bit better as just watch dogs due to their friendless and low affinity for barking.
Because the white coloring in Boxers is a trait that comes from their ancestor the bulldog, it’s not considered a defining breed trait of the Boxer breed.
As such, for a long time, they were not recognized by the AKC and other organizations.
It’s important that you work with them to train them early in life. If you have children, you should always supervise them very closely.
Don’t ever leave children and dogs alone until you’ve succeeded in training the dog well and the children even better.
Boxers generally love children and will play well with them, once proper rules and boundaries have been established.
They are very patient and obedient, which has long made them an exceptional choice as a guard dog, though they are a bit better as just watchdogs due to their friendless and low affinity for barking.
Being very bright, the boxer can easily catch-on to most types of training and will happily learn obedience, agility, and even how to catch a frisbee if that is your cup of tea. Boxers love nothing more than to be with their humans.
With intelligence also comes humor. Boxers are a breed that can keep you in constant stitches, especially as curious puppies, which means you need to be on your toes with those puppies in the house.
Boxers make fantastic dogs for a lot of people and do great in both single and family households. They are friendly, highly intelligent, and easily trainable. There are a couple of things that might not make them a great dog for you, though.
The biggest thing with the Boxer is making sure you’re hitting their exercise requirements as they have a lot of energy. But think about all the ways that benefit your health.
Boxers do like chilling out and cuddling up on the couch, but that’s after they’ve gotten their energy out. In fact, no dog can keep up with the Boxer when it comes to being a couch potato.
Grab your car keys, however, and watch them go from 0 to 65 mph in less than two seconds. They are always ready for a run, a car ride, or a play session.
Another thing is you’ll want to train them to not jump so much, especially when they are puppies and their bones are quickly growing. This is an especially important part of training and it is critical.
When Boxers are fully grown, they are heavy dogs. They are capable of knocking children and adults to the ground and this isn’t safe. If you’ve got house guests, they aren’t going to enjoy coming over if your dog is rude and jumping all over them.
Signing your Boxer puppy up for some puppy training classes will be a great idea to begin getting your puppy started on the right path and you’ll learn a lot too. The socialization that your puppy gets from these early life lessons is also invaluable.
They will carry the things they learn about socialization with other dogs through the rest of their lives. This cannot be stressed enough. Proper socialization helps them to not be anxious and stressed in social situations, both with people and with other dogs.
Taking care of his exercise needs doesn’t have to be a huge issue. Going to a dog park once per day and letting him play with other dogs is a great way to get his exercise and keep him socialized.
If you’ve got a fenced back yard, going outside and throwing a ball or a frisbee is often more than enough to keep him happy, provided that you are willing to stay outside with him for at least an hour to make sure he stays busy.
He’ll be easily bored if he is left alone and it is highly likely that your Boxer will find things to get into, chew, and dig-up. You should spend that outdoor time with him each day to ensure he’s getting his exercise and that he’s well-behaved at all times. You’ll be happy and he will be happy too.
Then you can go inside and cuddle with a high probability that a nap will be in both of your futures.
Your boxer needs a good source of protein, with the right amount of carbs, fiber, and fat. Choose his dog food carefully, paying attention to his energy needs. Boxers tend to be more active than smaller breeds.
He’s an athletic dog and if he exercises each day, he’ll need good nutrition to ensure that his body is getting the fuel that he needs to grow properly and keep him fueled for whatever the day may bring.
You will also want to provide something hard for him to chew on and make it available to him at all times. He needs this to keep his teeth clean and healthy.
Boxers tend to be ‘hard chewers’ meaning that they can be very strong and chew things up easily, also continuing to be chewers into adulthood. This doesn’t mean that they will shred your sofa.
With training and teaching them to chew on the things you’ve provided for them, they’ll happily chew on a bone and leave your shoes and the sofa alone.
Another thing is you’ll want to train them to not jump so much, especially when they are puppies and their bones are quickly growing.
Image Credit: thehappypuppysite.com
That’s because miniature Beagles go all the way back to Medieval times making them one of the first “teacup dogs” to exist - almost 1,000 years before the term was first coined.
So that begs the question, is the Teacup Beagle different from other teacup dogs? What’s the difference between Pocket Beagles vs. Beagles? Today we are exploring all the and more.
Let’s discover the world of the irresistible Pocket Beagle.
Personality / Temperament |
Gentle, Sweet, Smart, Funny |
Feeding |
Low |
Colors |
Tricolor (white, brown, & black) and Two-Tone |
Size |
Height: 9-12 inches Weight: 10-15 pounds |
Lifespan |
12-15 years |
Good With Kids |
Yes, if kids are 10 or over |
Miniature Beagles have a long history and were first popular in early England. The Glove Beagle was an extremely popular dog during Edward II (1307 AD - 1327 AD), Henry VII (1485 AD - 1509 AD), and Elizabeth I (1533-1603) reigns.
The Glove Beagle was said to be so small that it could fit into a glove and while it was the inspiration for today’s Pocket Beagle, they are not the same dog. In fact, the Glove Beagle otherwise, known as the Olde English Pocket Beagle stood shorter than the Pocket Beagle of today (9in vs. 11in.).
For whatever reason, the Olde English Pocket Beagle went extinct around the 19th century.
Beagles are known for having a smooth and tricolor coat that is brown, white, and black, though, two-tone variations do exist.
They have floppy medium-large ears that sit flat against their face, speaking of which it is adorable with their large almond-shaped eyes. Their legs and body are both fairly short, and their tail sticks straight up, sometimes with a tilt inwards.
The Pocket Beagle weighs no more than 15 pounds, with many hovering around the 10lb mark and they stand 9 to 12 inches tall.
Bubbly, outgoing, and head-strong are the three best terms to describe the personality of the Pocket Beagle. These dogs are simply a joy to be around with their larger than life cheery personality and friendliness.
They are incredibly loyal to their owners and super intelligent, but like the Siberian Husky, that big brain can quickly make them bored. As such, these dogs do well when you can give them a lot of attention.
If you can’t do that, think about giving them a furry companion they can spend their days with.
When you already have a dog in the house but want another, Beagles are a great choice. Their small size means they won’t take up much room. As well, they love being around other dogs, both big and small.
Pocket Beagles are a bit easier to exercise than a regular-sized Beagle. Both are known for their high-energy, which makes them great hunting dogs.
The Pocket Beagle small size tuckers them out faster, but out of all the teacup dogs, the Pocket Beagle definitely has the biggest exercise demands. Most other miniature dogs are too fragile for hunting, but not the mini beagle.
The average lifespan of a Beagle is 12 to 15 years, and a Pocket Beagle’s lifespan is similar though they tend to fall on the lower side of the scale due to their small size which often brings along complications.
They may experience more health issues, and even something like jumping off a couch can result in a serious injury.
Mini Beagles for sale typically run anywhere from $800-1200 depending on the breeder and where you live. When looking to buy a pocket beagle puppy, you need to be on the lookout for breeders looking to make a quick buck and scam you.
Pocket Beagles are just regular beagles that come out small. A good breeder will slowly breed down the size of these dogs over generations, but this takes time.
This has gotten shady breeders to breed the ruts of the litters together to better the chances of really small puppies. However, doing this can result in puppies that are weaker than their regular-sized brother and sister — make them more prone to illnesses and injuries.
The beagle's instinct to hunt is a strong one, and this can get them into trouble if corrective training isn’t taken. First, you’ll need to be careful about having these dogs around animals similar to the ones they were bred to hunt like rabbits and other pocket pets. Cats seem to handle these dogs just fine, so no worries there.
Second, they will naturally want to bark a lot, so if you’re looking for a dog that rarely barks, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Third, Beagles like digging and tearing things up so make sure to nip that in the bud as soon as you see it happening. Having a lot of toys around is a good idea because when they get bored is when the trouble starts.
Last, beagles become entranced by scents, and if they find something they like, they will take off to find it even if their owner is yelling at them to come back. When you’re out and about with your Beagle having a leash is essential.
The Beagle has a lot of intelligence that’s mixed with a whole lot of energy, and this can make training stressful. They are quickly set off like a coil if they pick up a fun scent or noise. If you get too excited, they will get 10x more excited and forget all about training.
You’ll want to stay calm, patient, and keep up with daily training. If you do that, you’ll soon have a fantastically trained dog on your hands.
While created to look like the Olde English Pocket Beagle, today’s Pocket Beagle is simply a regular Beagle that is smaller than normal.
The Pocket Beagle also commonly referred to as Teacup Beagles, Toy Beagles, and Mini Beagles.
Beagles like barking a lot, and where you can get most dogs to stay fairly quiet with training, don’t count on it with the Beagle who is easily one of the most vocal dogs around.
Pocket or teacup dogs need special care due to their small size, which makes them more prone to injuries and illnesses. The Pocket Beagle is no exception to this. Now, they do seem hardier compared to other teacup dogs who are much too small and fragile to hunt.
Like all teacup dogs, their small size makes them get cold extremely fast, so you have to keep a constant eye on them. As well, they are prone to issues like diabetes, and this means they typically see more vet visits.
Families with children old enough to understand the fragility of their small size make ideal candidates.
Even when both parents are small, there is no guarantee that their puppies will be. As well, a small puppy can easily have a growth spurt and come out regular-sized. The only way you can ensure that your teacup pup will stay that way is rescuing or adopting.
From time to time, Pocket Beagles or just small beagles will pop up in rescues or shelters. Your best bet in finding one is to search your area for rescues that specialize in saving Beagles or hounds dogs.
Image Credit: thehappypuppysite.com
So is the Lab/Dane mix the right dog for you? Does their ginormous size make them a good fit for families? Today, let’s meet this incredible designer breed and find out.
Because the Labradane is part Lab and part Dane, it will likely display a mix of both parents traits. However, there is always a chance it could favor one of the other parents more.
For example, Labs usually don’t get taller than 25in at the shoulder, Great Danes, on the other hand, can hit 32in. Most Labradane will likely fall between 25-30 in, but this won’t always be the case, and there are Lab/Dane mixes that have hit over 30in. So keep that in mind when you look at the stats chart below.
Personality / Temperament |
Gentle, Sweet, Smart, and Loyal |
Feeding |
High |
Colors |
Black, Fawn, Yellow, Cholate, White |
Height |
25-30 in |
Weight |
100+ |
Lifespan |
8-12 Years |
The Great Dane was first bred to hunt wild boars at the turn of the 17th century in Germany. But the Great Dane gentle nature quickly took over and by the end of the century, they were more popular among royalty where they received endless pampering. If we go all the way back to 3,000 BC and 2,000 BC, we find drawings and pictures of a similar-looking dog in both Egypt and Babylonian respectively.
The Labrador Retriever is a newer breed compared to the Great Dane with early reports showing the Lab popped up sometime during the 18 or 19th century. At that time, they were called the St. John’s dog. The Labrador Retriever takes it name from Labrador, Newfoundland.
So what about the history of the Lab Dane mix? Well, we don’t really know much as there is little information. As well, there have been several dozen new hybrid mixes created in the last two decades due to the designer breed craze.
Like many designers breeds the appearance of The Labradane can vary with some looking just like the Great Dane, others like the Lab. However, the majority will dawn a unique blend of the two.
Both parents are larger dogs, with the Great Dane being particularly tall, so you can count on their puppies being big and most likely weighing around 100lbs. As well, with both dogs having genes for a black coat, the majority of Labradanes have a short and silky obsidian coat.
However, since Labradane puppies can take either side of their parents’ genetic makeup, and come out looking like one over the other, let’s go over what both the Lab and Great Dane look like.
A medium-large to large dog, the Labrador Retriever stands between 22 to 25 inches and weighs between 55 to 80lbs depending on the sex.
They have large block-shaped heads that sit on an equally bulky body.
The AKC recognizes three coat colors: yellow, chocolate, and black, but sometimes you will see coats that are more red, white, or sliver. Their coat is short, but dense due to its double layer.
A large to a giant dog, the Great Dane stands between 28 to 32 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 100 to near 200lbs.
They have a large block-shaped head like the Labrador, but unlike them, they have a very lean and hard body with a big chest that slopes into a tight stomach. Oh, and they also have those incredibly long legs that define their appearance.
Their ears naturally hang flat against their face like the Lab, and when you see one with their ears pointed up, it’s usually due to someone cropping their eyes to stand upright.
The AKC recognizes six varieties of coat colors: fawn, brindle, harlequin, black, mantle, and blue. The Great Dane can come in several colors not recognized by show arenas, however: white, fawnequin, brindlequin, merle, merlequin, blue merle, chocolate, and fawn mantle.
Both the Great Dane and the Labrador Retriever are known for their intelligent, loyal, and friendly nature. The Great Dane is often called a gentle giant, and the Labrador is easily one of the best family dogs around.
The biggest difference in temperament is the Lab loves to run and be active while the Great Dane prefers to relax. Now, Great Dane puppies are very active, but this naturally goes away with age, as well, hyperactivity is discouraged because it puts their rapidly growing bones at risk.
All-and-all, the Labradane is a designer dog whose personality is easier to predict because the Lab and Dane share so many traits.
Lifespan can really vary with designer dogs making it hard to predict how long your Labradane will live for. Unfortunately, Great Danes have a very short lifespan with most only living between 6-8 years.
The Labrador Retriever, on the other hand, typically lives between 10-14 years. The Lab/Dane’s mix lifespan will likely fall in between.
A Labradane puppy can inherit genetic diseases from both sides, which increases the number of health conditions they are prone to. On the bright side, they have better genetic diversity than their parents, and this is the key to avoiding inherited health conditions. Essentially, genetic diversity helps good genomes block bad genomes from expressing themselves.
As such, mutts like the Lab/Dane mix are slightly heather on average than purebreds because of this.
When it comes to the Labradane’s health overall, the biggest concern is mobility issues like hip dysplasia as both breeds are prone to them.
The Labrador is overall a moderately healthy dog. Their biggest fight is often with obesity, which puts them at risk for several health conditions.
The biggest health concern with Great Dane occurs in their first year due to the rapid growth they go through. The larger the dog, the more important their diet is because they rely on getting a certain set of minerals and vitamins to help with all the rapid bone development.
There room for error with a small dog’s diet because they don’t grow fast, this isn’t the case with a giant like the Great Dane. As such, hip & joint issues due to improper bones formation are some of the most common issues these dogs face.
Should we start with the good news first or the bad? Let’s do the bad!
Despite a short coat, the Labrador is a big shedder. You can thank that water-resistant and insulating double coat for that. Labs need frequent brushing, and when it’s shedding season, you're looking at multiple grooming sessions a week.
On to the good news, which is the Great Dane is a very mild shedder thanks to their slinky single coat. So whether your Labradane will shed a lot or not is hard to say.
You’ll definitely need to keep a watch on your Lab/Dane mix’s ears, as both the Great Dane and Labrador have floppy ears made for trapping in dirt and bacteria.
We recommend you always have an ear cleaner on hand, which you can find in our store.
Exercising the Labrador-Great Dane mix can be tricky. Labs need an abundance of exercise because they are prone to putting on fat and overeating. Great Danes don’t need anywhere near the same amount of exercising, which is good because extensive exercising is often discouraged for the first two years due to their bones rapidly growing.
We recommend talking to your veterinarian who can monitor their growth and better asses how much exercise your pup needs.
Training the Labradane is fairly easy as they are both loyal and intelligent same as the pitbull lab mix. The biggest training hurdle is getting them to settle down when there is excitement going on.
You’ll want to teach them to mind their enormous size as they aren’t naturally great at it and can easily knock down kids and people when jumping up to greet them.
Whenever we can, we really recommend that you adopt a dog from a rescue or shelter, but we understand there are times this isn’t possible.
While it likely won’t be an easy search as there are currently no Labradane adoption rescues, we recommend you look at breed-specific rescues that specialize in rescuing either Great Danes or Labrador Retrievers. The Lab has been the most popular dog for years now, and this has resulted in a lot of Lab mutts. This means finding a Labradane isn’t as difficult as finding other designer breeds.
If you simply want a dog similar to the Labradane, it can be a smart idea to just look for either Great Dane mixes or Labrador Retriever Mixes.
If you’re looking to purchase a Labradane, expect to pay a good bit due to their designer origins.
Image Credit: thehappypuppysite.com
LABRADANE
]]>Dogs that originate from Japan are known as some of the most out-going, smart, snazzy, and well-behaved dogs around, and today we are talking all about them.
In this article, you’ll meet the Japanese Husky, known for their big coat and rarity. We’ll give you the lowdown on the Shiba Inu whose recent internet popularity is making them a dog on everyone’s want list.
When you’re looking for a new dog, you’ll definitely want to research dogs that come from Japan, so how about we do that now!
In a moment, you’re about to see a lot of dogs with term “Inu” and “Ken” in their names like the Shiba Inu or the Kai Ken.
However, this doesn’t mean that all dog breeds with “Inu” or “Ken” are similar or share a bloodline. Both Inu and Ken mean dog in Japan.
Another term you’ll commonly come across in our article is Foundation Stock Service (FSS).
If you see a dog breed with this term, it means that while they are not an officially recognized breed by the AKC due to their rarity, the breed is considered the foundation of an unofficial/unique breed.
Other Names: |
Great Japanese Dog |
Temperament: |
Brave, Loyal, Friendly, and Independent |
Coat: |
Soft, Thick, and Medium |
Color: |
Red, Orange, Brindle, and White |
Weight: |
80-120 pounds (male), 50-90 pounds (female) |
Height: |
24-26 inches (male), 22-24 inches (female) |
Lifespan: |
10-13 years |
Category: |
Working Group |
Let’s start our list off with one of the most well-known dogs both inside and outside Japan, the Akita. The Akita is so popular that they are Japan’s national symbol and sometimes referred to as the Great Japanese Dog.
There are two variations of the Akita, though depending on the country you’ll find backlash to this statement. The United States and Canada consider the “American Akita” an alternative version to the “Japanese Akita Inu”.
However, outside of those countries, you’re more likely to find that most people consider them two different breeds.
The American Akita and Japanese Akita do look quite a bit different after all.
Akitas are dogs with big personalities, and this results in both good and bad things.
First, let’s talk about the good. Akita Inus are wonderful guard dogs and are cautious around strangers without becoming aggressive.
However, they can become aggressive with other dogs, and two males in a room together isn’t always a good idea.
Back to the good, the Akita does well with children, though they do like their independence from time-to-time.
They are incredibly easy to train when they aren’t feeling an independent streak, but with regular training, that behavior can be corrected.
The Akita is such a good learner and disciplined dog that law enforcement in many different countries use them as police dogs.
Other Names: |
Ainu dog, Ainu-ken, Do-ken, Seta |
Temperament: |
Intelligent, Brave, Loyal, & Docile |
Coat: |
Double Coat, |
Color: |
Red, White, Brindle, Black, Gray, Black, and Tan |
Weight: |
45-66 lbs |
Height: |
Females: 18-19 in Males: 19-21 in |
Lifespan: |
11-13 years |
Category: |
Working, Hunting, Spitz |
The Hokkaido sits comfortably between the appearance of an Akita and the Shiba. They are smaller than the Akita, but larger than the Shiba, and like them, Hokkaido has a thick, fluffy, and soft coat.
However, the Hokkaido takes that up a notch by having a double coat which most other Japanese breeds don’t have.
That thick coat makes them great at staying warm during the Hokkaido region’s winter, which is the most northern island in the country. Speaking of Japan’s history, some believe the Hokkaido is the oldest living Japanese dog breed.
Some historians think they evolved from the existent hunting dog, the Matagi-ken, sometime around 3,000 years ago.
The Hokkaido makes for one faithful hunting companion with a personality that’s similar to the Shiba Inu and Kai Ken. Their natural hunting ability gives them a great sense of smell and a whole lot of confidence.
However, when at home they are docile and obedient making them great with kids. You will want to train them to be around kids and small animals when they are puppies to break natural hunting instincts.
Fortunately, the Hokkaido dog is an intelligent breed, and this along with their love of food makes them easy to train.
Other Names: |
Japanese Mastiff, Tosa Ken,Tosa Tōken, and Japanese Fighting Dog |
Temperament: |
Alert, Fearless, Patient, and Sensitive |
Coat: |
Very short and Sleek |
Color: |
Tan, Black, Fawn, and White |
Weight: |
100-200 Pounds |
Height: |
21.5-23.5 inches (minimum) |
Lifespan: |
10-12 years |
Category: |
Foundation Stock Service, Working, Watchdog |
The biggest dog on our list by far, meet the Tosa Inu, also called the Japanese Mastiff as they closely resemble the Bull Mastiff.
The Tosa Inu is a complex mixture of dog breeds, occurring sometime in the 19th century after people started breeding the Japanese Shikoku Inu with European dogs like the Mastiff, Bulldog, St. Bernard, German Pointer, Bull Terrier, and Great Dane.
What you get is a dog that varies between 100-200 lbs and can stand taller than an adult human. Tosa Inus’ in Japan tend to fall on the lower side of the size scale with the American variety almost doubling their size.
The Tosa Inu has gotten a rap as a fighting dog. Several countries have banned them or require permission to own, and this includes some regions of Japan. However, with the advancement of dogfighting laws, today you are much more likely to find the Tosa Inu working as a guard dog.
Because of their large size and strong protective nature, Tosa Inus are not great dogs for first-time owners. They need a lot of training, especially when it comes to them being around other dogs and animals.
They are very trainable, however, due to their sensitive nature that really binds them to their owners. Some people call the Tosa Inu the peaceful war dog.
Other Names: |
Japanese Brushwood Dog, Japanese Turf Dog, and Shiba Ken |
Temperament: |
Alert, Active, Attentive |
Coat: |
Short, Fluffy, and Soft |
Color: |
Red, Orange, White |
Weight: |
23 pounds (male), 17 pounds (female) |
Height: |
14.5-16.5 inches (male), 13.5-15.5 inches (female) |
Lifespan: |
13-16 Years |
Category: |
Non-Sporting Group |
Along with the Akita, The Shiba Inu is easily the most recognized Japanese dog around the world.
The Shiba’s small size and spirited springy nature defines this breed, separating them from similar-looking breeds like the Hokkaido Inu and Akita.
Shiba’s are known for their rich and robust orange, red, and white coat. While tiny, the Shiba is a sturdy and muscular dog which makes them great at hunting.
Shiba’s make great dogs for both country and city living and go well with both large families and those that ride solo.
Shiba’s are confident, so much so that they can get a good bit defiant, so we really recommend obedience training when they are young. If left untrained, they can get too rowdy around children and small dogs.
Besides that these dogs don’t take a lot of work. They are bursting at the steam with a personality that will surely leave you with memories of their antics.
Other Names: |
Okinawa Native Dog, Tora Inu |
Temperament: |
Intelligent, Alert, and Quiet. |
Coat: |
Soft, Short, and Sometimes Long |
Color: |
Red Brindle, Black Brindle, White Brindle, Black, White, Sesame, Ivory, and Red. |
Weight: |
40-80 pounds |
Height: |
18 - 19 inches (male) and 16-18 inches (female) |
Lifespan: |
12-13 years |
Category: |
Working and Hunting |
Originated In: |
We’ve covered the two most well-known dog breeds from Japan, so how about we talk about one few people have heard of.
Originating from Okinawa, the Ryukyu Ken is a medium-sized dog whose numbers are quickly declining. In fact, we once thought they went extinct right after WWII.
Today, there are approximately 400 Ryukyus left in the world as of 2015, though they are great efforts to save this incredible breed that is often used as therapy dogs.
The Ryukyu is not a big barker and mostly enjoys relaxing around. They are extremely confident dogs and difficult to intimidate. This makes them great at hunting wild boars which they’ve done for over 100 years.
This also means they aren’t the best with small children and animals, but with training they can be perfectly fine around both.
Other Names: |
Tora Inu, Tiger Dog |
Temperament: |
Loyal, Agile, and Keen |
Coat: |
Fairly Short and Corse |
Color: |
Brindle, Black Brindle, and Red Brindle |
Weight: |
20-40 pounds |
Height: |
15.5-19.5 inches |
Lifespan: |
12-15 years |
Category: |
Foundation Stock Service |
Continuing on our path of rare dogs, up next we have the Kai Ken which belongs to one of the six indigenous dog breeds in Japan. This makes it a national treasure in its homeland of the Kai province in Yamanashi Prefecture.
They look similar to the Ryukyu and likewise are equally great hunters. However, they are not related.
The Kai Ken’s biggest feature is their distinctive brindle coat that comes in three colors: brindle, black-brindle, and red-brindle. Funny enough, most puppies are born with a pure black coat that turns brindle for up to the first five years of the dog’s life.
Fast and agile, the Kai Ken is an intelligent dog that loves running and hunting. They are determined and will chase prey through water even if that means swimming in a river with strong currents.
This all means the Kai Ken prefers living in the country where they have room to run out all their energy. So they might not be the best dog for city living.
Other Names: |
|
Temperament: |
Faithful, Noble, Docile |
Coat: |
Short and Smooth |
Color: |
White |
Weight: |
30-60 pounds |
Height: |
17-22 inches |
Lifespan: |
11-13 years |
Category: |
Foundation Stock Service |
The Kishu Ken is a classic dog to represent the Japanese dog breeds. In fact, they are one of the original six breeds. Like many of the other breeds on this list, they were bred for hunting.
However, unlike the vocal English and American hunting dogs Japanese hunting dogs are known to quietly stalk their prey.
They also differentiate themselves from American and English hounds with their pointed up ears and curled back tail similar to the Siberian Husky.
How far back these dogs go is unknown as much of their history has been lost. Some historians speculate the may have first appeared around 3,000 years ago.
The Kishu is one of the quietest dogs around and can easily sneak up on you without you noticing. Fortunately, they are wonderfully loyal, and unlike some of the other hunting breeds on our list, the Kishu is great with kids.
Plus, as long as you socialize them with cats and small dogs at an early age, they fit well with everyone.
Training is recommended, as they can be quite determined and like to be the boss of the house, so this should be nipped in the bud fast.
The Kishu also makes a fantastic guard dog due to their observational skills, and even though they rarely bark, they’ll still let you know if anything is running afoul.
Other Names: |
Karafuto Ken |
Temperament: |
Intelligent, Devoted, Alert, and Patient |
Coat: |
Thick, Dense, and Soft |
Color: |
Black, russet, biscuit, cream |
Weight: |
66-88 pounds |
Height: |
22-26 inches |
Lifespan: |
12-14 years |
Category: |
Working group and Sled Dog |
Meet Japan’s rarest living dog, the Sakhalin Husky who is unfortunately near extinction after the last known breeder of these majestic dogs died in 2012. Before his passing, Sergey Lyubykh commented that the Sakhalin Husky no long has a population size to support genetic diversity.
As of 2015, there were only seven known alive, though more could still be wondering the island of Sakhalin.
The Sakhalin Husky, also known as the Karafuto Ken, was once popular as a sled dog due to their great size and mammoth coat.
Temperament is hard to determine due to this breeds lack of numbers, however, Sakhalin Huskies are said to have a similar personality to the Siberian Husky. They’re extremely loyal, but can often be a stubborn butt due to their high intelligence that makes them prone to boredom.
Other Names: |
Nihon Supittsu |
Temperament: |
Loyal, Playful, Smart |
Coat: |
Long, Undercoat, and Soft |
Color: |
White |
Weight: |
11 to 20 pounds |
Height: |
10 to 16 inches |
Lifespan: |
10-16 years |
Category: |
Foundation Stock Service |
The Japanese Spitz is a small dog that looks like a mix between the white Pomeranian and American Eskimo dog and first emerged during the 1920s. Though it wouldn’t be until the end of WWII until they became an officially recognized breed.
Their popularity has grown over the years, and now every major international kennel club beside the AKC recognizes the Japanese Spitz. The reason the AKC doesn’t recognize the breed is due to their similar appearance to the American Eskimo dog.
Unlike many of the other dogs on our list, the Spitz is not known for their hunting skills. As well, they bark occasionally, for example, when there is a visitor at the door.
The Spitz is a great dog for the family, whether that’s a younger family with small kids or an older one whose kids have set off on their own adventures. Loving, loyal, and friendly are the three best words to describe the Japanese Spitz.
Other Names: |
Japanese Spaniel |
Temperament: |
Charming, Noble, Loving |
Coat: |
Long, Silky, Easy-To-Maintain |
Color: |
White and Black |
Weight: |
4-9 pounds |
Height: |
8-11 inches |
Lifespan: |
10-14 years |
Category: |
Toy |
Meet the Japanese Chin, often called the Japanese Spaniel, due to their close resemblance to spaniel breeds. The Japanese Chin is naturally crossed eye, though this does not hurt the breed in any way.
Unlike many of the other dogs on our list, the Japanese Chin is not native to Japan, but historians aren’t sure where they originated from. There are three superb guesses, however.
First, most people believe the Japanese Chin originated from China, which helps explains their name. One of the reasons for this is the breeds’ depiction in several art pieces and temples.
Another guess is they first came to Japan from Korea in the 6th century when gifted to the Empress at the time. Others think it wasn’t around 732 AD before the Chin came to Japan — again as gifts from Korean rulers.
Like a lot of small dogs, the Chin has a much bigger personality than their size. They are a bit independent, but they can make great therapy dogs, and they love being the center of entertainment. In fact, at one time these dogs were bred to entertain Japanese nobleman with tricks like the “chin spin”.
However, despite a big personality and the bond they form with people — which can cause separation anxiety — due to their small size, the Chin can be shy and doesn’t always do well with young kids.
Alert, quirky, and out-going are the three best terms to describe this vivacious dog.
Other Names: |
Kochi-ken |
Temperament: |
Energetic, Alert, Enthusiastic |
Coat: |
Very Short, Mixture of Soft/Corse |
Color: |
Black & Tan, Black Sesame, Red, Red Resame, and Sesame |
Weight: |
35-55 pounds |
Height: |
17-22 inches |
Lifespan: |
10-12 years |
Category: |
Foundation Stock Service |
Meet the Shikoku Inu, one of the six original dogs Japanese breeds that are still around. They first originated from the southern island of Japan, Shikoku Island. When you remove their naturally dark black and brown coloring, you find a dog that closely resembles the Shina Inu.
They both share pointed up ears, a small size, short thick coat, and curled tailed.
Like most of the dogs on our list, the Shikoku was originally bred for hunting, making them fast, active, and brilliant smellers.
Shortly after WW1, the declining economy almost saw this breed go exist. Fortunately, this is a breed that knows how to survive. Today, there is a push to bring the Shikoku Inu into the mainstream’s eye.
Despite their superior hunting skills or because of it, the Shikoku Inu is often said to be a less stubborn Shiba Inu. They are fast learners, and training is a breeze making them wonderful pets to have for an active family.
Other Names: |
Nihon Teria, Nippon Terrier, Nihon Teria, Nihon Terrier |
Temperament: |
Active, Cheerful, and Affectionate |
Coat: |
Short and Sleek |
Color: |
Black & White, Tri-Color (Black, Brown, & White) |
Weight: |
5-9 pounds |
Height: |
8-13 inches |
Lifespan: |
12-15 years |
Category: |
Toy or Lap Dog |
The Japanese Terrier is thought to have emerged after Japanese breeders started mixing Fox terrier and Pointer with dogs indigenous to Japan. As such, they closely resemble the former breeds but don’t expect to see one in your life.
The Japanese Terrier is so rare it is only recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club.
Their point of origin, as you can guess, is as such mysterious, with some believing the Dutch brought these dogs’ ancestors along with them on merchant ships to control the vermin population.
The Japanese Terrier is said to be wonderful family dogs as they were bred to live on small ships with lots of people. They make fantastic lap dogs, and while they are good at hunting mice, don’t expect them to hunt anything much bigger than a mouse.
They have a very short coat that makes near hypoallergenic, but this also means they need a coat if they’re going to live in a colder climate.
Other Names: |
N/A |
Temperament: |
Affectionate, Loyal, and Sweet-Natured |
Coat: |
White, tan, Red, Fawn, Gray and Pied. |
Color: |
White |
Weight: |
44-55 lbs. |
Height: |
16-20 in (female) 18-22 in(male) |
Lifespan: |
N/A |
Category: |
Not Recognized |
A cross between the Chinese Chow Chow, Aichi, and other Japanese dogs, the Shanshu Inu is a high-energy and affectionate dog rarely seen outside Japan. However, in Japan, they are considered rather popular and are commonly found as family dogs.
Though strangely they are not recognized by any kennel club even the Japan Kennel Club.
They sit in-between the Akita and Shiba size-wise, however, they often have an all-white coat and an appearance that resembles the Hokkaido Inu — though their tail is straight. As well, unlike Japanese dogs, the Sanshu coat comes in a wide variety of colors.
Sanshu Inus quickly build a close bond to their owners, making them wonderful for families who want a dog that can babysit and guard their kids.
They are fast learners, like following commands, and are highly affectionate. They are intelligent, especially emotionally, so make sure to use positive reinforcement when training them.
One part German Shepherd, one part wolf, the German Shepherd Wolf mix is a majestic and commanding dog that has become one of the most well-known dog hybrids around.
They first appeared over a century ago, making them one of the oldest designer or hybrid dogs. A designer breed is any dog that is crossed between two purebred dogs to create a new hybrid.
The designer dog breed industry has gained momentum in the previous thirty years. Designer breeds are now outselling many pure breed dogs around the world.
With their gorgeous appearance and exotic nature, the hybrid has become a hot commodity, with more and more people thinking about getting one. However, this isn’t your normal dog, so much so that many places ban you from having one.
The German Shepherd Wolf hybrid can be a complicated dog to own. He could even pose a fair amount of risks that you should be well-aware of before having one.
They are not recommended for a first-time dog owner either, because they can be more like owning a wild animal.
Today, we are looking at the 9 facts you need to know about this exceptional breed if you’re considering getting one.
The German Shepherd Wolf mix is truly a sight to behold. They are as gorgeous as they are intimidating with their graceful but curious gait. They have long legs that connect to an equally long torso that’s covered in a thick double-layered coat.
This is a formidable dog, in every way. He’ll grab your attention and keep it, making you feel the honor of just being in his presence.
They hover around 100lbs, though there can be big discrepancies due to the blending of their parent's divorced genetics. Their coats are usually a mixture of fawn, brown, white, and shades of grey.
They can come in other colors though. They can also vary a great deal in size, depending on which parent they take more from, genetically speaking.
Their face pulls you in with their vibrant yellow eyes that connect to a long snout that’s matched by big upright ears. The erect ears are very furry, always alert, and able to turn in any direction to hone in on a sound as far as five miles away.
Unlike most purebreds and the designer mixes that follow, the German Shepherd and German Shepherd Wolf mix occurred within just a few years of each other. Both owning their origins to the same man, Max von Stephanitz.
In 1899, Von Stephanitz was on the lookout for a dog that he could call the perfect working dog. Soon he stumbled on a dog called Hektor Linksrhein, who he was completely in love with remarking that it was perfectly strong, intelligent, loyal, and beautiful.
After purchasing the dog, he renamed it Horand von Grafrath, and Horand went on to become the first German Shepherd after Von Stephanitz started the Verein für Deutsche Schäferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog).
The German Shepherd of today has changed a great deal, sadly. The straight line of the back and square back legs has been bred out of them in favor of a more slanted body posture.
This has caused some problems with the breed and their hips. Sadly, many German Shepherds bred outside of Germany are going to have genetic hip problems.
You should have your young German Shepherd screened as soon as possible. Your veterinarian can do screenings early for any warning signs of hip dysplasia which can wreak havoc on your GSD’s joints.
This is also a dog that should not be bred, unfortunately it is happening though. This is how the problem continues to be an issue in the dog’s genetics.
Shortly after, Von Stephanitz bred Horand von Grafrath and his offspring with wolves giving us the first German Shepherd Wolf mixes.
These dogs are not around today because unlike the German Shepherd, the wolf hybrid’s popularity did not take off. In fact, many states have made this hybrid illegal to own because of the issues with their behavior.
Wolves do not mature at the same speed that dogs do. Researchers at Duke University in North Carolina have also discovered that domesticated dogs still have puppy-like behaviors well into old age.
Old dogs still play. Wolves are far less likely to be interested in play and do not behave like puppies.
Therefore, it is postulated that domesticated animals differ from wild counterparts in that they do not mentally mature to the extent of wild animals. This is especially the case in dogs.
Because of the way they differ, a person can get far more than they bargained for when they choose a German Shepherd Wolf hybrid. In fact, it may be an outright mistake, so do your research!
The German Shepherd Wolf Mix is not a dog for first-time dog owners or even the casual dog owner. The German Shepherd Wolf mix can make for a super loyal and friendly dog, but at the same time when left untrained or bored, they can be incredibly destructive.
Another big factor is you never know how much wolf side the dog may take, and they can become incredibly aggressive with small animals, and it will beg the question of whether your dog is tame or not.
You will need to closely watch for signs of the wolf side developing for the first two years, as they slowly pop up until they reach maturity. As puppies, they often act exactly as if they were purebred German Shepherds.
This is where Duke University research comes into play. Your wolf pup was a pup, but now that he is an adult, if he takes more after the wolf genetically, he may be a wild animal that you simply cannot control. It may be a dangerous situation waiting to happen and the liability is great.
Your German Shepherd Wolf hybrid may never be safe around other animals or even children. What will you do if he escapes your yard? He could do a lot of damage. In fact, they can jump a six-foot fence with ease. You’ll need to take special precautions just to ensure that he cannot leave your property.
Many people consider it highly inappropriate to have a wolf-dog in the same household as kids. As we’ve already pointed out, they may not be safe. There have been cases of wolf hybrids attacking children and even jumping into cribs and killing babies. This is not an average pet and it is not a domestic animal.
First, wolf mixes can be trained to like kids and do well around them. Instead, the problem is leaving kids unsupervised with these dogs, and that’s something that’s near impossible to avoid when both are living under the same roof.
Children who are young, as well as infants, should absolutely never be left alone with one of these dogs. The risk is simply too great. Ask the Virginia family whose eight-day-old baby was mauled and killed by their wolf hybrid. They thought they knew the dog.
It’s not even a dog, it’s a wolf and you cannot make the comparison. If the animal takes more after the wolf in his genes, then you’ve got a huge challenge on your hands. It is a criminal liability as well. Are you prepared for this?
Young kids have a hard time understanding the sensitive nature of the wolf mix, and one wrong tug on the ear or pat in the wrong place can trigger the wolf side to come raging out. It’s better to play it safe rather than sorry and only let kids interact with wolf mixes when they are behind a fence.
Thanks to genetic diversity and both parent breeds which are quite healthy themselves, the German Shepherd mix is overall a very healthy dog, and you can expect them to live for around 15 years — which is impressive for such big dogs.
There are a few health conditions that you should still be on the lookout for such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, bloat, and cancer. Neither the wolf or the German Shepherd are particularly susceptible to illnesses or chronic conditions.
They tend to be very robust animals that aren’t easily injured and can recover from muscle pulls and minor injuries with ease.
Some German Shepherd police dogs have been wounded in the line of duty and continued to fight assailants, even with a bullet wound.
These hybrids tend to be fearless, as both parent breeds are not known for backing down from much. They are fierce protectors and could potentially make a good working dog if the hybrid takes more from the domesticated genes of the Shepherd, for control purposes.
A raw diet comprised of chicken, beef, turkey, and bison is the best diet for the Wolf hybrid. Dogs have evolved to better handle carbohydrates, where wolves have not, and this makes kibble an ill choice for the mix breed.
You do need to be careful with a raw diet, as it’s easy to mess up the proper ratio of nutrients your wolf mix requires. As well, you need to be careful about salmonella.
These are the two big reasons vets recommended kibble over raw for most dogs, but with the wolf mix raw still the best choice.
You may find that a mixture of raw and kibble works well for your hybrid. The best thing to do is to monitor his health very carefully and work with your veterinarian to ensure that your dog is doing well and remaining healthy at all times.
It’s a wolf and German Shepherd hybrid, if you don’t think you’ll have to exercise these guys and gals a lot then maybe this isn’t the best dog for you.Both the shepherd and the wolf have big exercise demands as German Shepherds are bred to work all day and a wolf is a wolf.
Both animals are capable of running long distances. A wolf can run all day, quite literally for hours, chasing prey. They follow the scent of deer for days until they find a herd. Then they single out the weaker animal and hunt as a pack.
Their instinct to run is very strong and their stamina is incredible. The German Shepherd was also bred with this same quality for police and guard dog work.
The trained German Shepherd Dog (GSD) has a tenacity that is nearly unrivaled by other breeds. They are amazing. A GSD can leap over walls as tall as 8 feet.
They can wrestle grown men to the ground, run through burning buildings, carry a pack all day long, balance on beams high in the air as they sniff for bombs, and work with soldiers in the field doing bomb seeking and more.
Any mix of these two animals is not going to want to lay around and sleep while you watch soap operas all day long.
As well, with other dogs, not giving them enough exercise can result in health problems, not giving the wolf hybrid enough exercise will result in health issues and them getting bored and destroying things.
You can’t even imagine what damage a wolf-hybrid can do. When they destroy something, it will be something big - like eating a whole recliner.
1-2 hours a day of exercise is the recommended amount for the German Shepherd Wolf mix. As well, it’s recommended that your pup has access to a fenced-in yard they can run and play around in when they need to.
These dogs often get anxious when cooped up for too long.
If you’re not prepared to do some intensive grooming, then you’ll want to run away from the wolf hybrid. Both the wolf and the German Shepherd are notorious for being big-time shedder with both growing incredible [] coats in the winter.
As well, since your wolf hybrid is part wolf you may have a harder time finding a groomer to groom them, so make sure you check out How to Stop Dogs from Shedding for all the grooming tips you could possibly need.
To say that they shed massive amounts of fur each year is possibly an understatement.
They will lose enough fur each year to piece together an entire pack of more dogs. Invest in a shedding blade and groom your dog daily, outside. Let the fur blow away and birds and other small animals will use it as nesting material.
We’ve mentioned training and why it is an absolute necessity for these dogs a few times already, but it’s a big deal, so let's really focus on it.
Training a German Shepherd Wolf mix is not like training a regular purebred dog because you’re dealing with wolf instincts that can come out at any time — even after tons of consistent training.
If you struggle to train a regular dog at all, the wolf hybrid isn’t for you. Some dog trainers will not even want to work with you if you have a wolf-hybrid because they know the risks associated and there is a liability on their part as well.
You may have to sign special waivers and even then, many trainers will refuse to work with an animal that is part wolf. You’ll need to do some research and seek a trainer that has experience with these animals.
It’s important you understand and verse yourself in the dog’s psychology and mindset; you have to understand when they are pushing back against you and what the appropriate response to that is.
Taking a course to help you learn about wolves is a great idea. Your local zoo may be able to give you some tips as well. Read all you can about wolves before you get your hybrid, to ensure that you know what you’re in for.
All-in-all, if it’s your first time training a wolf hybrid, it’s a smart idea to work with a trainer who has experience training these dogs.
Ask for references and choose someone who uses positive reinforcement, rather than punishment. This will be far better. You are much better off to not teach a wolf how to be aggressive. Using force isn’t recommended.
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Service dogs are dogs that are trained to perform specific tasks for people with physical and mental disabilities and ailments. This includes mental health issues as well. While service dogs are every bit as cute and cuddly as any other dog, they have a specific job to perform and are not considered pets.
An example of a service dog that most of us are familiar with is guide dogs for the blind - also known as seeing-eye dogs. These dogs are trained to lead a blind person to where they want to go while also protecting them from hazards, like roads, steps, and other people.
Service dogs are different from other dogs with jobs (like police or cattle dogs) in that their job is to help a specific person with a disability, while other dogs simply fill in a job position. Dogs are the only kind of domesticated animal that can legally qualify as a service animal.
Training a service dog is a long and painstaking process, as they need to be able to perform their roles and remain professional at all times. Most service dogs are bred and sold to owners for the sole purpose of becoming service dogs. It is possible to train someone's pet to be a service dog, but only if they show an initial capacity for being highly trainable.
Most medium and large breed dogs can be service dogs, though Golden and Labrador retrievers are the most common service dog breeds.
If you feel like you might be able to benefit from a service dog, speak to your doctor or therapist about the possibilities of owning one, what you would use a service dog for, and the problems you would try to solve by owning a service dog. Anyone who's life is seriously restricted or affected by a disability/mental illness could likely find a use for a service dog. Just remember that service dogs aren't a miracle cure and can't help with every condition.
Anyone can technically own a service dog, but whether or not the dog is classified as a working service dog or is assigned to a person is another story. Simply owning a service dog doesn't necessarily make your dog a working service dog, and many service dog trainers won't work with individuals who don't meet certain qualifications. This is why it's important to speak with your therapist or doctor about your options.
While service dogs have traditionally performed tasks for physical disabilities, service dogs trained to help people with anxiety and depression are becoming more commonplace. One of the major issues that people with anxiety and/or depression face is self-imposed isolation.
Individuals with severe anxiety and depression isolate themselves for a variety of reasons, though most commonly it stems from a fear of the outside world, other people, and the stress those things can create.
Service dogs help break that isolation and fear in a variety of ways:
This gives people who might feel undeserving of love and attention a constant source of it and provides people who are too anxiety-ridden to seek out these things from other people. As anyone who's ever owned a dog knows, one of the best things about being a pet-parent is that dogs show their owners, unconditional love. Dogs don't judge their owners, place expectations on them, or have any requirements for showing affection.
For people struggling with mental illnesses, simple things like changing clothes or getting out of bed can be a major ordeal. Having a service dog there during these daily routines can help people feel less alone and more confident.
Another challenge that people with depression and/or anxiety face is keeping up with their daily chores, errands, and duties. People with these mental illnesses struggle with simple things like getting to work on time, keeping up their laundry, maintaining their finances, and so on.
A service dog adds to that list of chores - they need to be fed, walked, bathed, loved, and cared for. Unlike their laundry or checking their bank account, performing the chores of dog-ownership aren't optional. A dog has to be fed and walked, and since they provide an obvious and immediate reward for their owner, there is more motivation for the owner to perform these chores.
This can help those with anxiety and depression in two big ways. First, it gives them a sense of purpose and duty. Their dog needs them, and that means they have to keep themselves together for their dog. And second, it can help that individual with finding the motivation and discipline to start completing other chores on a routine basis.
Panic attacks are when a person with anxiety enters fight or flight mode over a circumstance that does not require that level of adrenaline or stress. For example, something as simple as ordering food might push an anxious person into a heightened state of stress.
On top of being scary, distressing, and embarrassing, panic attacks can be very hard to recognize for the people around the struggling individual. For everyone else, nothing has changed, but for the person having a panic attack, the world has entered a state of immediate turmoil.
Even though people might have a hard time recognizing panic attacks, that doesn't stop service dogs. Thanks to their heightened senses and training, they can detect panic attacks as soon as they start and begin working with their owner to minimize the effects of the attack - generally through soothing techniques.
And lastly, having a service dog around at all times can help an anxious or depressed person stay grounded in reality. Anxious and depressed people tend to live in their heads, worrying about what might be or dwelling on what already was. When left on their own, it can be hard to break out of these negative thought patterns.
Having a service dog with them can remind them to stay focused on the present. Whether that's through asking their owner for affection, needing to be fed, or simply spending time together, a service dog gives their owner fewer opportunities to stay stuck in their thoughts.
The service dog that most people are familiar with is the guide dog. Guide dogs help their owners navigate around obstacles, through buildings, and in other aspects of their day-to-day lives. Guide dogs are generally used by the visually impaired.
Alongside being the most familiar type of service dog, guide dogs are believed to be the oldest. There is evidence to support that people have been using guide dogs as far back as Roman times.
As a result, the majority of legislation surrounding service dogs was created with guide dogs in mind. This can make it a little tricky to find concrete legal answers in certain situations when it comes to other kinds of service dogs, though this is improving over time.
Next up is hearing dogs, who perform a very similar role to guide dogs. Hearing dogs - as the name implies - help alert hearing-impaired owners to sounds they wouldn't otherwise hear.
This includes letting their owner know when the doorbell has been rung, when someone in another room is calling their name, or when there is some kind of alarm going off. Hearing dogs usually alert their owners by touching them and leading them to the source of the sound.
Hearing dogs are one of the few kinds of service dogs where size doesn't matter. So while labradors and golden retrievers are still the most common breeds used for hearing dogs, Chihuahuas, miniature poodles, and Shih Tzus are commonly used as well.
Mobility assistance dogs help people aren't able to move around as easily as most people. This includes a fairly broad category of disabilities, both in type and severity. As a result, there are several different kinds of mobility assistance dogs, both in size and duties.
Typically, you'll see a mobility assistance dog perform tasks like pushing the buttons on automatic doors, bringing things to their owner and putting them back, and even acting as a brace for partially mobile owners.
Individuals with disabilities like arthritis, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and muscular dystrophy are the most common people to use mobility assistance dogs. The size and breed of the dog will depend on what level of assistance their owner needs and the kinds of tasks that the dog will be required to do.
One of the most interesting kinds of service dogs are diabetic alert dogs. One of the biggest challenges that diabetics face is keeping up with changes in their blood sugar. Because these changes are imperceptible to humans - until it's already too late - people with diabetes have to carry devices for checking their blood sugar.
Dogs, however, do not have to rely on these devices to detect changes in a person's blood sugar. Thanks to their heightened senses, dogs can be trained to detect changes in blood sugar as they happen. When they notice their owner's blood sugar hit a dangerous limit, they alert their owner to check their blood sugar. This allows people with diabetes to check their blood sugar levels proactively, lowering the risk of the owner needing medical assistance.
There are two types of service dogs trained to assist with epileptic individuals: Seizure alert dogs and seizure response dogs.
The role of seizure alert dogs is to perform some behavior that tells their owner and others that their owner is about to have a seizure. This allows their owner to move to a safe area, take seizure prevention/reduction medication, and to preemptively call for help.
You might be wondering, "How can a dog predict when someone is going to have a seizure?" That's an excellent question and one we don't seem to have the answer to, not yet at least. Seizure alert dogs are somewhat controversial for this reason. While many individuals with these dogs and seizure alert dog trainers claim that they can accurately predict seizures, there is no concrete evidence supporting this claim.
Seizure response dogs, on the other hand, are there to aid an epileptic person after a seizure starts and ends. They do this by letting others nearby know when their owner is having a seizure, moving their owner to a safer area if possible, and bringing their phone/medication to them once the seizure ends.
Psychiatric assistance dogs are service dogs trained to help people who struggle with mental illness. This includes the different forms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Most psychiatric assistance dogs are trained to help individuals with PTSD, however, as it is the most severe condition of the three.
PTSD develops in a person after they experience a traumatic experience, like military combat, a car crash, natural disasters, working as a first responder, or being abused. One of the main challenges that PTSD survivors face is feeling safe in their daily lives. The trauma of their experiences can leave them feeling unsure of their surroundings and those around them.
Therefore, psychiatric assistance dogs assigned to PTSD victims serve as a point of reference for their owners - something they can trust and rely on. Psychiatric assistance dogs also perform tasks like entering buildings before their owner to see if it is safe, turning on the light via foot pedals, and acting as a physical barrier between their owner and others.
Autism support dogs are trained to aid people with autism in a variety of situations, particular children with autism. Autism, especially for younger kids, can be an isolating experience. It makes it hard to connect with others, to be accepted by others, and to express yourself to others.
Autism support dogs help with this in two ways. The first is by acting as a loyal companion for their ward. They break up the isolation that children with autism often experience, provide comfort during stressful situations, and act as an unconditional friend to their owner.
The second way autism support dogs help is by acting as an icebreaker for kids with autism. Autistic children can have a hard time bonding with their peers, but a support dog gives them something that just about everyone can bond over - a dog! Being able to have a dog with them everywhere they go can boost their confidence, help them feel soothed, and make it easier for them to befriend others.
Allergy detection dogs are trained to detect allergens in food before their owner eats it. These kinds of dogs are typically assigned to kids with food allergies who are still learning what is and isn't safe to eat. Their allergy detection dog can sniff out things like gluten and peanut butter in foods and alert them before they eat it.
This is important, as young kids with allergies tend to have a hard time knowing what they can and can't eat. And many kids are simply too shy to communicate their needs to the cafeteria workers, not to mention that many cafeteria workers don't always know what's in their food and what isn't. An allergy detection dog can give their ward (and their parents) a greater sense of independence and confidence when deciding what to eat.
Or, better put, where aren't service dogs allowed. You've probably noticed signs on some of your favorite restaurants and shopping centers welcoming service dogs and their owners. Under the ADA, governments, businesses, and other organizations are required to allow service animals on their premises. This includes areas where pets generally aren't allowed, like a movie theater or dining area.
In other words, it's safe to assume that your service dog can go anywhere you can.
That said, there are some restrictions. First, it is the owner - not the service dog - that has a right to access these areas. This means that your service dog can go with you into these establishments, but it cannot go without you.
Also, service dogs are permitted to go everywhere you are permitted to go and are restricted from every area that you are restricted from. For example, when you go to a restaurant, you are allowed in the dining area, so your service dog must also be allowed in the dining area. However, since you can't go into the kitchen, your dog can't go in the kitchen either.
Service dogs can also be excluded from areas where they might pose a threat, fundamentally alter their environment, or place an undue burden on an establishment and/or its patrons.
You also must have a certified and legal service dog in their service dog uniform to qualify for these privileges. Training your dog to perform service dog tasks without certification doesn't count, and bringing your service dog with you while they are in "pet-mode," (not actively performing service dog tasks) isn't allowed either.
A misconception that many people have is that businesses and individuals are not allowed to ask you about your service dog when you bring them into a building. If this were true, anyone could put a vest on a well-mannered dog and bring them everywhere, no questions asked. That might be fun as an owner, but for obvious reasons, it's not such a great idea.
This misconception is based on a real rule, which is that businesses and people can't ask you why you have a service dog. They can't ask about your disability, why you need the dog, why the dog is with you, and so on. However, they can ask you if your dog is a legal service dog and check for relevant proof (are they wearing a vest, are they trained, etc.), and ask what tasks your dog performs (i.e., acts as a guide, detects allergens, etc.). If these questions aren't answered appropriately, they are allowed to ask your dog to leave.
If you are considering bringing your dog into a building as a service dog without them being a true service dog, please consider otherwise. On top of being a federal crime, poorly trained dogs and rule-breakers make it harder for those with legitimate service dogs to be taken seriously.
Before considering getting a service dog, it's important that you seriously consider your own needs and reasons for behind getting a service dog. Everyone loves pets, and having a highly-trained dog that can accompany you anywhere would be a dream come true for just about everyone. But wanting a service dog and needing a service dog is - unfortunately - not the same thing.
A service dog, like any other dog, comes with several responsibilities and duties that need to be fulfilled by the owner. Before starting the process of getting a service dog, make sure that you are both up to the task and in a position where owning a service dog would truly benefit you. If there are tasks that you aren't able to perform on your own or without great difficulty, then you are a good candidate for benefitting from a service dog.
All you need to qualify for service dog ownership is written documentation from your health professional explaining that you have and are seeking treatment for a physical disability or emotional/psychiatric disorder. Once you have that, you'll need to find a service dog provider that offers service dogs that can meet your specific needs. While training a service dog yourself is possible, it can take several years, and not all dogs are trainable enough to become service dogs.
Emotional support animals are similar to service dogs in that they perform a support role for their owners, though it is much less rigid. Emotional support animals can be any domesticated animal, though the most common are dogs and cats.
The only role of an ESA is to provide their owner with emotional support. They don't need any special training, so you can register one of your existing pets as an ESA if you'd like. All you need for a pet to qualify as an ESA is a letter from a mental health professional stating that you have a mental health condition and that your ESA helps with it.
ESAs are a great alternative to service dogs for people with mental health issues that could benefit from the extra support of an ESA but don't necessarily need the extensive training or requirements that make a service dog. People with anxiety and/or depression usually do much better with an ESA than a service dog, especially since any pet can be an ESA.
ESAs don't have all of the same privileges as service dogs, though they do have a few perks. For one, an ESA must be allowed to live in a home even if there's a no-pet policy. ESA owners also can't be charged additional pet fees by their landlord. You can bring an ESA on a flight free of charge as well, so long as they are considered a "small" ESA.
Other than that, however, ESAs are not allowed anywhere that pets are normally restricted from entering. This means that you cannot bring an ESA into a business or government building unless they give your ESA permission.
English Bulldogs are up there with Dalmatians and Golden Retrievers for being one of the most easily recognizable dogs around. They have a distinctive look to them, with their most prominent characteristic being their short snouts and chubby faces.
English Bulldogs are short - only about a foot tall - and extremely stout. They're tough little guys and were originally bred to fight bulls. These days, they've lost all of their fight and have turned into super lovable dogs.
They're very friendly, don't require much exercise, and have a lot to offer for new families. However, they do have a tendency to develop health issues later in life and require some extra attention in certain areas.
As the name suggests, the English Bulldog was originally bred in England for a sport known as bullbaiting. In this medieval sport, Bulldogs would attack and taunt tethered bulls, eventually pinning the bull down to be executed.
Bullbaiting was outlawed in 1865, however, which seemed like the end for the little fighting machines. They were notoriously aggressive, and only bred for a singular purpose - so why keep them as pets?
Well, over time, passionate breeders were able to turn these little fighters into the chubby cuddlers we know them as today. They're now one of the more revered breeds of dogs, and often can be found on display at dog shows around the world.
English Bulldogs have a very distinctive look. Their heads are large and round, with a flat muzzle. They have large, broadly set jaws, and have droopy jowls and skin all around their face. They have a short and thick body, with broad shoulders and stocky legs. They come in a variety of color patterns, though the most well known is white and brown.
Despite their fierce appearance and history, they are some of the gentlest dogs around. The English Bulldog personality portrays to be very sociable, especially with people, so you don't have to worry about introducing them to new animals and friends.
That said, they are still loyal and brave, making them great watchdogs. They don't scare easy and will do more than just bark if they sense an intruder.
The Blue English Bulldog is a variation of the traditional English Bulldog with two major differences. The most obvious is its coat color. Blue English Bulldogs have a grey and white coat mix, as opposed to a brown and white coat.
The second difference, and the characteristic most people seeking out Blue English Bulldogs are interested in them, is their blue eyes. Blue eyes are rare on just about any dog, but especially when it comes to English Bulldogs, who traditionally have dark brown and black eyes.
While this may not seem like a big deal to most, this one change can be very difficult to breed for. And as a result, these dogs are much, much more expensive than traditional English Bulldogs.
British Bulldogs are the standard English Bulldogs that you think of or see the majority of the time. They have a brown and white coat with dark brown eyes and are the least expensive of the English Bulldog variations.
The Mini Bulldog - sometimes called the Toy Bulldog - is a variation of English Bulldogs that is the same in just about every way, except that they are much smaller. They also tend to have less wrinkly and chubby physiques, which may appeal to certain owners.
Unlike other toy breeds, though, the Mini Bulldog is not as small as you might expect. It's somewhere in between the standard English Bulldog and a Chihuahua. So think of them as a slightly smaller Bulldog rather than a tiny one.
Mini Bulldogs have been bred since the 1800s, though they didn't really find their footing until the 1970s and 1980s. They were created using DNA from Pugs and English Bulldogs in an attempt to reduce the number of health issues that English Bulldogs experience. While the breed became popular, the reduction in health issues has mostly been negligible.
Fortunately, English Bulldogs don't have any particularly special dietary requirements. They can eat any dog food and be ok, though high-quality dog food is generally recommended. Just make sure that whatever dog food you are feeding them is relevant to their needs (puppy, adult, senior, indoor, outdoor, etc.)
The one thing to keep in mind about English Bulldogs when it comes to their diet is that they can be particularly prone to becoming overweight. This is because they don't exercise as much as other dogs.
So, make sure that you aren't ever overfeeding your English Bulldog. Treats are ok to give them during training, although it's easy to overfeed them on treats if you aren't careful.
English Bulldogs are prone to shedding more than most dogs, so you'll need to make an active effort to keep their coats in check. This can be done by giving them a thorough brushing two to three times each week. When shedding is heavier, you may find that a rubber curry brush works best.
The wrinkles around your bulldogs face will need to be cleaned periodically, as food, dirt, and moisture can all become trapped there. A cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide is helpful for cleaning their wrinkles.
For drying their wrinkles after cleaning, applying cornstarch to moist areas works best. Just be sure that cornstarch is not applied near their eyes. Their nails should be trimmed every two weeks or so as well.
English Bulldogs are not very athletic dogs, so laidback owners will have a nice time relaxing with their Bulldog. That said, like any dog, moderate exercise from time to time is still recommended.
Casual walks or an hour or so in the backyard is usually enough exercise for these little guys. It's important to keep in mind, though, that English Bulldogs do not do well in heat. So during the summer, it's best that they stay inside, near an air conditioner if it's particularly hot.
English Bulldogs will have a hard time going up and down stairs, so if you have stairs in your home, it might be good to build some kind of ramp or carry them up the stairs yourself. They should also be kept away from pools and bodies of water unless supervised closely since they are not strong swimmers.
Like most dogs, English Bulldogs are eager to please their owners, so they are reasonably trainable so long as they are started at an early enough age, and checking out our Puppy Growth Chart may help you determine the best age for puppy training. They should also be socialized while they are young as well, or they may have a hard time interacting with new people and pets.
Bulldogs love to chew, so they'll need lots of chew toys all throughout their life. However, it is also important to train them to release what they are chewing on command, as they may end up chewing something important to you or harmful for them.
English Bulldogs can be very protective of their food, which can cause them to be aggressive as they get older. In order to curb this behavior, train them to get used to people and other animals taking food from their bowl at a young age.
The primary health concern that most English Bulldog owners will face on a regular basis is overheating. English Bulldogs, due to their size and the way they breathe, are not good at keeping themselves cool.
This means that it's your responsibility to keep an eye on them on hot days and keep them indoors during the summertime. If you live in an area of the US that is particularly hot year-round - like the southwest - it might be advisable to consider adopting another breed.
English Bulldogs typically weigh around 40 to 50 pounds and live to be between eight to twelve years of age.
The ideal environment for an English Bulldog is a home with plenty of space and a few stairs. They should stay indoors most of the time, and only go out for occasional exercise and playtime. They do not do well as outdoor pets because of their sensitivity to heat.
While any well air-conditioned home will be suitable for an English Bulldog, they are very prone to overheating. So if you live in a particularly hot or desert-like climate, your Bulldog will end up spending the majority of its time indoors.
They do extremely well with families, and in fact, love all of the extra attention and social interaction that comes along with kids. They can be territorial when it comes to other animals, though, as they prefer to have the attention on themselves.
English Bulldogs are notorious for their health issues, with some of the most common being related to their eyes. They often have inadequate tear production to keep their eyes as moist as they should be.
This can lead to them developing a blue haze on their eyes, which can damage their vision and cause significant pain. Fortunately, there is a medication that your vet can prescribe to combat this issue.
Another issue that Bulldogs are prone to get in their eyes is cherry eye. This is when one of the glands in their eyes starts to protrude, resembling a cherry in the corner of their eye. This will sometimes need to be surgically removed by a vet.
Sneezing may not sound like a serious health issue - in fact, most of the time it's a normal part of how your dog's body functions. In the case of English Bulldogs, though, they can have challenges related to sneezing and their health.
Reverse sneezing, also known as inverted sneezing, is when nasal fluids drip into your Bulldog's soft palate, causing it close. This can be scary for them and cause them to cough and choke.
It's generally not serious, however, so the best thing you can do is comfort your dog during a reverse sneezing fit.
Brachycephalic syndrome is pretty common among dog breeds with short snouts like the English Bulldog. While the name is a little medical for most of us, the condition itself is pretty straightforward.
There can be a few different causes, but the general issue with this syndrome is that your pet's airway is obstructed. This can be due to issues with their nostrils or palate.
In mild cases, this just means your English Bulldog will have labored breathing and is likely to snort. In severe cases, though, your dog may have trouble breathing at all. This can require surgery and regular oxygen treatment to resolve.
Head shaking in English Bulldogs is exactly as the name sounds. Your dog will start to shake their head up and down or side to side over and over again for no apparent reason. While your dog may appear conscious of the movement, it is usually involuntary.
This is usually caused by stress as well as low blood sugar. Most breeders recommend giving your dog a spoonful of honey if you notice their head shakes seem uncontrollable.
If this doesn't work and you aren't able to come up with a reasonable explanation for your dog's head shakes, there could be a more serious health issue just below the surface. In these cases, take your dog to the vet to figure out what is causing their head shakes.
You've likely heard of hip dysplasia in dogs before, as it is relatively common in dogs of all breeds. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, so Bulldogs whose parents have hip dysplasia are likely to have hip dysplasia as well.
This condition is when your dog's thigh bone doesn't fit snugly into their hip joint, causing it to move improperly. Most English Bulldogs will appear to have hip dysplasia just based on their natural build, which can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. If your bulldog is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, be sure to get a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis.
While hip dysplasia is usually an inherited condition, it can also be caused by rapid growth, a sudden change in weight, or long term obesity in your pet.
English Bulldogs are great pets to adopt if you have an easy-going family looking for an extra member. Aside from their health issues, they're pretty low-maintenance and don't require much exercise.
English Bulldogs are also quiet for the most part, so you won't have to deal with loud barking in the middle of the night. They're also very loyal as well, making them decent guard dogs for your family.
All in all, English Bulldogs are very laidback pets who love to socialize and chill with their owners. If that sounds like you, then an English Bulldog will more than likely make a great addition to your home.
That said, English Bulldogs are not for everyone. The biggest drawback to owning an English Bulldog is the health problems all throughout their life. You'll need to be prepared for this, as well as be an extra vigilant owner who isn't afraid to visit your local vet.
While English Bulldogs are able to be kept around other pets, they tend to be pretty possessive of their owners' attention, as well as their food. So bringing an older Bulldog into a family that already has pets or introducing new pets into an older Bulldog's life can sometimes go awry.
English Bulldogs are also one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world, making them on the more expensive side of pet ownership. This upfront cost - coupled with the long-term costs due to their health issues - means you'll need to be willing and able to invest in them over their lifespan.
First and foremost, like any new dog, socialization is extremely important. If your new English Bulldog is a puppy, make sure they spend plenty of time around people and other animals.
It also helps to get your puppy used to other people and animals messing with its food early on, as this can prevent them from being territorial and aggressive down the road.
And lastly, make sure that you are on top of your Bulldog's health needs. This includes watching for common signs of health issues, visiting your vet regularly, and keeping them clean and healthy.
Approved by:
Dr. Ivana Vukasinovic
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade
Ivana Vukasinovic grew up in Serbia and attended the University of Belgrade where she received a degree in Veterinary medicine in 2012 and later completed surgical residency working mostly with livestock. Her first year of practice was split between busy small animal practice and emergency clinic, and after two more years of treating many different species of animals, she opened her own veterinary pharmacy where an interest in canine and feline nutrition emerged with an accent on fighting animal obesity. In her free time, she acts as a foster parent for stray animals before their adoption, likes to read SF books and making salted caramel cookies.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
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Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.
The world can mostly be divided into two groups of humans: dog people and cat people. And when asked which species is the smarter of the two, our answer is probably dictated by nothing other than which animal we have a greater affection for.
Of course, there are many ways that cognition, aptitude, intelligence, or any other way you want to put it can be tested among domesticated and wild animals alike, and almost any species can and will outperform another based on which test they are given. In reality, almost any test of intelligence is really only going to measure an animal’s aptitude in a specific skill as needed throughout their species’ evolution. Dogs have a sense of smell superior to our own, for example, but then again, pigs may have an even stronger sense of smell than them. And according to authors Stephen E. G. Lea and Britta Osthaus, dogs aren’t exactly “geniuses,” or at least exceptionally intelligent when compared to some species when it comes to their communication skills with people. Can dogs learn and be aware of hand signals and auditory cues from humans? Yes, but as the authors pointed out, this is in no way unique to the species. “The reigning champions of the ability to follow human hand signals are the bottlenose dolphin and the grey seal,” the authors said. In fact, the research pointed out that “social cognition” is the domain we actually have the greatest amount of information on when it comes to dogs and their intelligence. “Dogs perform as well as or better than other domestic animals on social learning tests. As regards tests inspired by theory-of-mind considerations (perspective taking, deception, and empathy), we have too little comparative data to draw any conclusions. In experiments carried out so far, chimpanzees are more likely than dogs to solve tasks requiring perspective-taking, though the evidence base for dogs’ perspective-taking is improving, and dogs may do better than chimpanzees in cooperative situations.“
“Dog cognition may not be exceptional, but dogs are certainly exceptional cognitive research subjects,” they wrote. “Our knowledge of nonhumans’ understanding of pointing, gaze, and other human signals has been greatly expanded through studies on dogs. There are several fields of cognition—empathy, for example—where almost our only nonprimate evidence comes from dogs, and the number of these seems likely to grow because the cooperativeness of dogs means that more complex research designs can be carried through than could be contemplated with less obliging subjects (e.g., cats). And although dogs may not be typical carnivorans, or typical social hunters, or typical domestic animals, what we know about cognition in all those groups consists to a substantial extent of what we know about dog cognition.”
And this brings us right back to the centuries-old dogs versus cats debate. Which of the two is actually smarter? Can that determination actually be made? According to researchers, one significant measure shows that dogs actually have a hefty leg up on many hunting species, especially cats: sheer brainpower. The team of researchers analyzed the physical brains, not through scans or measuring brain activity during specific stimulation, but by actually examining their physical properties and makeup. If neurons — the most basic building block of the nervous system — offer a reliable measure of intelligence, a dog’s remarkably dense cerebral cortex makes them virtual geniuses in the field of hunting species. The demands of hunting, the researchers theorize, require a higher count of cortical neurons and therefore a greater expanse of actual brainpower.
The study couldn’t simply conclude that the overall size of a brain dictates a species’ intelligence, rather the final measure comes from taking into account its size relative to the animal’s body just for starters. This is known as the encephalization quotient, which then led researchers to also discover the anatomy of each species’ brain, and finally, the number of cells within them. It’s a similar idea to account for the processing power of a computer.
"I believe the absolute number of neurons an animal has, especially in the cerebral cortex, determines the richness of their internal mental state and their ability to predict what is about to happen in their environment based on past experience," said neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel from Vanderbilt University.
By this measure, the final count of neurons at the disposal of our four-legged friends is impressive. Past studies suggested that cats possess about 300 million neurons while dogs have about 160 million. When the new research looked at eight different meat-eating hunters — ferret, mongoose, raccoon, cat, dog, hyena, lion, and brown bear — they actually found this time that dogs have closer to 530 million neurons to the 250 million of cats. In fact, dogs have the most neurons of all the carnivores studied. Larger meat-eating species, they found, have relatively fewer neurons for their overall size. Brown bears, for example, are 10 times as big as cats but both animals have the same number of cortical neurons, according to the researchers.
"Meat eating is largely considered a problem-solver in terms of energy, but, in retrospect, it is clear that carnivory must impose a delicate balance between how much brain and body a species can afford," says Herculano-Houzel.
This measure simply reinforces a logical idea that being bigger, stronger, and likely faster negates the need to be smarter when it comes to chasing down prey.
"I'm 100 percent a dog person," Herculano-Houzel says, "but, with that disclaimer, our findings mean to me that dogs have the biological capability of doing much more complex and flexible things with their lives than cats can."
So it may not be the end all be all of another never-ending dog versus cat debate but it’s certainly an interesting bit of insight into the differences between two of our favorite domesticated animals. Dogs, as it turns out, have a bit more brainpower than one might guess. Whether or not they put it all to use, or even need to, is another question altogether.
]]>Sometimes dogs find us. Someone we know has puppies or we see a dog in need of rescue and we don't give much consideration to breed, we're already in love. Other times we have just decided we need a dog and we're planning our doggie addition carefully. Breed is important. It can impact the type of relationship we have with the dog, how to care for it, and health concerns we need to be watchful for. In this post, we'll help you determine whether you want a herding dog and which of the most common herding dog breeds is right for you.
Herding dogs are dog breeds with the instinctual desire to herd, or control, other animals. These breeds were developed over time as humans taught dogs how to use their natural instincts to direct livestock. This breeding has resulted in a vast group of dog breeds that are intelligent, friendly, active, agile, and very receptive to training. They are typically fun and agreeable animals.
It is easy to confuse herding dogs with working dogs. In fact, until the American Kennel Association created a separate name for them in 1983, even experts lumped the two into the working dog category. Yes, herding is a form of work, but it is a distinct kind of work giving different characteristics than ones working dogs get from having been bred for other types of labor. Think more of pulling sleds and serving as guard dogs.
Working dogs are intelligent and great for training like herding dogs are, but they are more protectors and built for endurance rather than agility.
While similar, there are unique benefits, unique concerns, and differences in character that make herding dogs or working dogs a better fit for different pet owners.
Herding dogs make fun pets. Their intelligence, friendliness, and high activity level are perfect for the pet owner who wants to spend a lot of quality time playing with their dog.
If you can't spend a lot of time with your herding dog, you shouldn't have one. They can easily become overweight or obese, may develop behavior problems, and will suffer depression if they can't be kept occupied and exercised. it isn't possible to provide the mental and physical stimulation a herding dog needs without your presence.
Some herding dogs have such a strong herding instinct that they will attempt to herd their family members. They may nip at you, your child, or other animals like they were bred to do with livestock. It isn't supposed to be dangerous, but it could be if they cut you or trip you. And it can be scary.
Some individual herding dogs may not be able to be around children, but most can, particularly those who were raised with children. Some may require special training to keep them from attempting to herd. This is a greater concern with some breeds than others.
These dogs are born with white coats and develop as they grow either blue-gray or red-spotted coats with mottling and/or speckling. They are medium-sized dogs, standing between 17 and 20 inches tall and weighing between 35 and 50 pounds. Their life expectancy is 12 to 16 years. They have short, dirt-resistant coats that only shed a little, so they don't require a lot of grooming.
They are pleasant, loyal, and curious dogs. Wary of strangers and more on the protective side, they make good watchdogs. They need a lot of quality time with their owners and a lot of exercises. If you and/or your family want a nearly constant play companion who isn't interested in playing with everyone they meet, an Australian Cattle Dog may be for you.
These dogs are most commonly depicted as black and white and a bit fluffy, but they can come in a variety of colors and patterns. They're always fluffy. Their most distinctive physical attribute is their intense almond-shaped eyes. They are medium-sized dogs that stand between 18 and 22 inches tall and weigh between 30 and 55 pounds. Their life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. With either soft or rough coats, they require moderate grooming and are moderate shedders.
They are adaptable, quick to understand and anticipate your requests, not overly affectionate, and have a high endurance level. These dogs are excellent for those who want more of a mental companion in a dog, who understands and minds exceptionally well without being physically demanding, but who also wants to engage in outdoor activities with their dog. They are less likely to get along well with children than some of the other popular herding dogs, but you shouldn't automatically rule them out on that basis either.
These dogs have a long, shaggy coat, the reason for the name Bearded Collie. They are medium-sized dogs, reaching as tall as 18 to 22 inches in height and weighing between 45 and 55 pounds. Their life expectancy is 12 to 14 years. Their long coat is not hard to care for, but it does require a daily brushing.
They are playful, intelligent, and charismatic dogs, better for easy-going, silly fun than training. They will usually be great with kids. Like other herding dogs, they need to be active, but they are not the most demanding in this area.
These dogs have coats in sable and white, tricolor, blue merle, and pure white. They're a larger dog, measuring 22 to 26 inches and weighing between 50 to 75 pounds. Their life expectancy is 12 to 14 years. They come in both soft and rough coats that require a little maintenance to keep from getting matted.
They are intelligent and sensitive dogs that are capable of anticipating their owner's needs. Lassie was a Collie, and the reputation fits. They are protective of and devoted to their families without being wary of strangers. These are beautiful, dignified dogs who make intelligent companions, and they require a slightly more than moderate amount of exercise.
One of the most commonly preferred dog breeds, these dogs are black and tan with short coats. They're large, measuring between 22 and 26 inches and weighing from 50 to 90 pounds. The downside is that their life expectancy is only 7 to 10 years. Their coat is rougher on the outside and softer underneath, so they require less brushing but do shed heavily when they shed.
These dogs are loyal dogs that get along with people but are not overly friendly with strangers, so they make good watchdogs, while being great fun around the house, easy to train, and getting along well with kids. They need regular exercise but don't have unusual stimulation requirements.
These dogs are known for their adorable short and lengthy body, and their coats can be sable, fawn, black and tan, red, and with or without white. They measure 10 to 12 inches tall, may weigh as much as 30 pounds, and have a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years. They need daily brushing and may need baths during shedding periods.
They are very playful dogs, but are not unusually demanding about it, and get along great in families.
These dogs have a long coat in black, sable, and blue merle, all with white markings. They are small dogs, measuring 13 to 16 inches tall, weighing 15 to 25 pounds and have a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. Their long coat is actually not as demanding as you might expect, requiring weekly brushing and the need to check them for matting.
They are beautiful, playful dogs that are sensitive to their home environment and are quick to bark at strangers. The latter makes them a good watchdog. They are intelligent and eager to be trained, and while they are active, they are not as demanding as some other herding dogs.
When adopting a new dog of one of the herding dog breeds or any other breed there are likely to be unique health concerns.
More active dogs require more calories and protein to maintain weight along with the appropriate amount of exercise to ensure they don't become overweight.
An overweight herding dog is an unusually unhappy dog. If they can't be active, due to the excess weight itself or joint pain associated with the weight, it'll take a heavier toll on their mental health than your typical dog.
Different dog breeds may be prone to developing different diseases. To properly care for a dog, you may need to be watchful for signs of certain diseases or ensure they get regular screenings for a disease.
Collies can develop something called Collie eye anomaly that can lead to blindness. They will usually develop it before they are two years old. There is no cure for this condition.
Education, watchfulness, and preventative care and checkups may make all the difference in stopping scary, debilitating, and potentially life-threatening diseases before they negatively impact your dog.
If you already have a herding dog and are trying to understand more about how to care for them, you may find CBD oil to be a helpful tool.
Some herding dogs like Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs are particularly sensitive to their environments, meaning that if the home environment is full of tension, your dog could easily become stressed. CBD oil is a popular anti-anxiety treatment that may help your dog stress less, enjoy their life more, and avoid suffering from anxiety-related health conditions.
Inflammation and pain treatments are particularly important for your herding dog so they can remain active longer.
It is also particularly beneficial to your herding dog to not suffer these side effects as they may impair the dog's ability to do the things it needs to do to remain happy and healthy.
There is a wealth of choices for CBD oil products, so your dog gets what works and what they like.
Extract concentrates are, as they sound, just cannabidiol, making this the purest and most cost-effective means of giving your dog CBD oil. It comes out in little beads that you dose by counting the number of beads. They may not like the flavor, so it may need to be masked in another strong-tasting food or beverage.
Tinctures mix cannabidiol with a carrier oil, and often a flavoring, to make taking CBD oil a more enjoyable experience. It comes with a dropper or sprayer so you can measure the dose by counting the drops or sprays. You can add it directly to the dog's mouth or to their food.
Capsules eliminate the taste issue for dogs who are good about taking pills.
Treats make giving your dog CBD oil super fun, and they come in both crunchy and chewy forms to suit your dog's taste.
Topicals like lotion allow you to apply CBD oil directly to a localized area, like the dog's legs. This is particularly helpful for dog's with arthritis or hip dysplasia.
Concentrates and tinctures require you to determine the right dose for your dog's ailment and measure it out. This is good because it gives you control, but sometimes it isn't necessary.
Capsules and treats dose simply by giving them a certain number of capsules or treats. These are often sold for treating a certain ailment, like CBD oil treats for anxiety say on the package how many treats to give your dog of a certain size.
Unusually small, large, young, old, or sick dogs may have special dosing requirements.
There isn't a lot of hard data on what doses work for what ailment, so you often have to tweak the dose for your dog. Start with the lowest recommended dose and work up to what makes your dog feel better.
CBD oil is pretty safe, which is one reason it is growing so much in popularity. Humans like to use CBD oil for themselves and their pets as a natural treatment option to replace medications with scary side effects and risks, to lessen side effects of a medication so the medication can keep being taken, or to continue to treat an illness when medical professionals have deemed an illness incurable.
There is no evidence that you can overdose your dog on CBD oil. If you give them an excessive amount, they may experience sedation, loss of appetite, or diarrhea. You want to avoid those, of course. That's part of why it is recommended to start with a lower dose and work up to an effective dose.
CBD oil interacts with other medications because it changes how the liver absorbs medications. All this means is that the doses don't work as expected. You should discuss CBD oil use with your veterinarian if any other medications or treatments are involved.
CBD oil is not FDA approved at this time, because it hasn't undergone enough testing. It takes a lot of testing and a long time to get FDA approval. Results are not guaranteed, so it is not recommended to use CBD oil as the primary or only treatment for a life-threatening illness unless another treatment cannot be used.
Educate yourself before purchasing to get the safest product for your dog.
CBD isolate is just cannabidiol while full-spectrum CBD oil is made up of cannabidiol and other cannabinoids and nutrients from the hemp plant. A lot of customers often find themselves asking what the difference is between full spectrum and CBD isolate. Full-spectrum is actually the most popular option because people feel they'll get more benefits, but some people also swear that CBD isolate works better for them. Full-spectrum can be of particular benefit for dogs who are not eating well and need the extra nutrients.
Some disreputable CBD oil manufacturers have sold products with poor quality cannabidiol or less cannabidiol than customers were promised. Sometimes it contained none at all. Reputable CBD oil manufacturers provide the results from third-party lab test results so you can ensure you are buying what you think you're buying for your dog. Look for the test results on the manufacturer's website and read them.
Manufacturers should also tell you where the hemp was grown so you can know it came from a country with safe growing practices.
Look for mention of the CO2 extraction method as it is the safest and purest one.
Like just about everything else you buy, fewer ingredients are usually safer, because the company isn't using unnecessary ingredients and you can more easily research the names of what is in there.
We invite you to start your CBD oil journey with us here at Innovet because we meet or exceed all of these criteria.
We're always looking for new ways to treat pet ailments and to improve their lives, including treatments, toys, and supplies to keep your herding dog happy and healthy. If your dog has a need that is not addressed with current products from the rest of the pet market or our website, let us know so we can find a solution for your pet. It's our pleasure.
Approved by:
Dr. Sara Ochoa
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. Georges University
Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
]]>Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.
Shih tzu dogs are part of a breed that was originally designed to complement the royal families in China. With China as the origin of shih tzus, it makes sense that this name of dog breed is Chinese for little lion. And if you take a look at a shih tzu, you might even agree that shih tzus look like smaller versions of the ferocious lions, too.
However, shih tzus are nothing like lions in terms of personalities and temperaments. They are royal dogs, after all. They love to hang out in close proximity to their favorite humans, and even though a reputation of being high maintenance precedes them, shih tzus are some of the sweetest, kindest, and most loving dogs in the world.
Shih tzu characteristics, such as height and weight, make for a smaller dog. There is not much difference between male shih tzus and female shih tzus in relation to how much they weigh. Male shih tzus, when fully grown, are often anywhere between just under nine pounds and sixteen pounds. Female shih tzus, on the other hand, average between eight-point-eight pounds and fifteen-point-seven pounds. When it comes to height differences, there actually aren't any real differences between male and female shih tzu heights. Both genders grow to be an estimated seven-point-nine inches tall on the lower end of the spectrum, and the tallest the average shih tzu tends to be is about eleven inches tall.
Let's talk a bit more about where the shih tzu dog breed started and how they came to be one of the most popular dogs today. On a list of the oldest dog breeds around the globe, shih tzus fall into the category of the top fifteen oldest breeds. Shih tzus are also known as Chinese lion dogs, as well as Chrysanthemum dogs.
The fur of Shih tzus varies from shih tzu to shih tzu, and as shih tzu puppies age into shih tzu dogs, their fur color can change ever so slightly, too.
Something else to note about shih tzu fur color is that their fur is rarely just one color. Highlights are very common for shih tzu coats, and their long, straight, silky fur creates a coat that looks like human hair almost.
On average, shih tzus live anywhere between ten and fifteen years of age. The most common age that shih tzus reach is about twelve years old, which is very comparable to the average lifespan of dogs in general. Interestingly enough, shih tzu puppies tend to be born in litters of one to eight puppies in total. It isn't common for shih tzu litters to only have one puppy in them, so this is a fun fact to know about the shih tzu dog breed.
The personality of a Shih tzu will differ ever so slightly from one shih tzu to another. Things like how your dog tales to new squeaky toys or how your pup likes to spend most of his or her time are all influenced by your dog's personality. But one aspect of a shih tzu that owners can always count on is that they can be very hard-headed at times. As a stubborn dog by nature, shih tzus are not terribly inclined, willing, or likely to do anything you are trying to get them to do if they are not in the mood to do it.
Shih tzu personalities are also comprised of endless love and affection for their owners. When a shih tzu has a connection with a human being, it is hard to break, and you'll have a loyal companion for life with a shih tzu by your side. They are intentionally bred to be a canine companion that values the bond between an owner and a pet, but with their loyalty comes a lot of confidence and self-assured behavior. Shih tzus are not the easiest dogs to train because they know what they want and what they don't want, so convincing a shih tzu to listen to you is no easy endeavor.
Training is not impossible, but the shih tzu personality comes across as arrogant, and they are very picky about what they will and will not do. They are not trying to come across as conceited, self-important, or better than their owners, even though that might be your first impression when trying to command a shih tzu to do something. With a bit of patience and a dash of compassion, you will get your shih tzu trained to the level that you want for them. This part of their personality aside, shih tzu dogs absolutely love to be exposed to new adventures and experience their environments to the utmost degree.
Shih tzu dogs have an impressive ability of processing their environments, situations, and new scenery at a rate that not many dogs can, which is attributable to the insane intellect of shih tzus. Shih tzus will greet nearly every dog they come in contact with, which can be cute and beneficial for the social life of your dog, but keep this in mind whenever you take your shih tzu on a stroll through the neighborhood. Not all dogs are as welcoming and friendly as a shih tzu, so if your little dog walks up to a dog that has social anxiety or nervous, does not like other dogs, or just isn't as open to being greeted for whatever reason, it could end in a way that your shih tzu didn't anticipate.
To prevent your dog from being nipped at or bitten, always make sure you ask the owners of other dogs if they are friendly before your shih tzu can greet them. As friendly as they are, it can sometimes be to the point of putting themselves in harm's way unintentionally. Your shih tzu is just eager to make a friend, and the confidence shih tzus naturally possess prevents them from considering that it's not a good idea.
Shih tzu personality also entails kindness and gentleness. Shih tzu dog breeds are not bred for aggression, volatility, or defensive. If you end up adopting a shih tzu and finding that he or she is quick to jump at other people or other animals, then the breeder might not have properly bred the litter that your shih tzu was part of, which can be frustrating. Shih tzus are not meant to be attack dogs, and they are not designed for the sake of defending property, being guard dogs, or anything that requires aggressive behavior.
Of course they will bark to get your attention if someone is coming near your front door or getting too close to your shih tzu for comfort, but it should not be common for your shih tzu to bark at everyone or everything that moves. Shih tzus need downtime, just like any dog. But something you can always count on your shih tzu for is a casual walk around the neighborhood, through the park, or anywhere calm and scenic. The shih tzu personality is one that is down for anything, so there is not a lot of environment-proofing that you need to do in order for your shih tzu to be content.
They can live in cool places, as well as survive in warmer areas, though it's best not to keep your shih tzu in environments of extremity. They don't love freezing cold temperatures, nor do they appreciate high temperatures. Speaking of environments, your shih tzu will likely do just fine in homes with other pets, and they are well-behaved around children, too. Shih tzus bode well with other dogs, as we touched on earlier when discussing the ways that shih tzus interact with other dogs. Shih tzus are very loving by nature so they will feel that everyone in the house is someone they love and need to respect. Shih tzus are very compatible with families, big or small.
Shih tzu traits in terms of their temperament include extroversion, optimism, and quietness. Shih tzu temperament is different in shih tzu puppies and shih tzu dogs. As puppies, shih tzus are friendlier than you could ever imagine, and they will not hesitate to welcome everyone they meet with open arms. It's important to keep an eye on your shih tzu so that he or she is never in harm's way. Running up to an unfriendly person or dog can end badly for your shih tzu, so as an owner of a shih tzu puppy, you'll want to baby them for a year or two until the shift in temperament begins to take place.
Your shih tzu will likely always be very excitable, outgoing, and extroverted. It is a key point of their temperaments, after all. But over the years, your shih tzu dog will mellow out a bit and keep its friendliness at bay, only displaying its love and affection for those that your dog is closest to. One part of your dog's temperament that will remain consistent over time is the way shih tzu dogs are in a good mood naturally. They are excellent when it comes to elevating the moods of others, and shih tzus are well-known for their role as therapy dogs. If you have ever been around a dog that makes you feel uplifted and they just bring a vibe of happiness, then you practically already know what it's like to own a shih tzu.
They can raise the mood of a room just by strutting into it, which comes down to the kindness of shih tzus. Their temperament allows for them to be a bright light in everyone's lives. This contagious happiness is an attribute that shih tzus are well-known for, and even though shih tzu puppies are pretty upbeat as puppies, their energy levels start to drop as shih tzu dogs age. They are very reactive, in the best of ways, and their temperaments are all-around positive. This baseline level of temperaments in shih tzus is the reason why shih tzus respond well to just about everything.
Shih tzu dogs are not naturally predisposed to anxiety. This might not sound like much of a surprise given the way shih tzus yearn for human connection, crave interactions, and love to engage with everyone around them. The extroverted nature of the shih tzu dog breed is an added bonus because it detracts from the otherwise anxiety nature of dogs. This is not to say that shih tzus cannot experience anxiety, but it's less likely that a shih tzu will suffer from anxiety disorders. However, in the rare case that your shih tzu is enduring the unlucky circumstances that anxiety inflicts, don't lose hope. There are many ways of lessening the symptoms, and eventually, you'll probably be able to find a remedy that eliminates the anxious tendencies in their entirety.
When it comes to relieving anxiety in shih tzu dogs, your best bet is going the route of natural medication. Cannabidiol is an all-natural way of helping manage anxiety in shih tzus. Unlike prescription drugs that are intended to treat anxiety in dogs, CBD is not harsh on the body, does not contain anything man-made, and causes absolutely zero adverse reactions. There aren’t any negative side effects of CBD because you are not giving your shih tzu anything that is artificially created.
CBD is derived from cannabis plants, as well as hemp plants. There is a misconception that CBD will get your dog high. The reason for this assumption is the sole fact that CBD is derived from cannabis, which is also called marijuana and used for the person of getting high. The part of this thought process that is the most flawed is the misguided belief that cannabis itself causes people and pets to get high. This is inaccurate.
While cannabis plants are needed in order to derive the high-inducing substances, it is not the plant as a whole that creates these body- and mind-altering experiences. Instead, there are various cannabinoids in cannabis that can be extracted and used for their individual purposes. When it comes to calming anxiety, CBD is extracted. But the cannabinoid that causes psychoactive effects is THC, not CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol creates changes in the brain and in the body, whereas cannabidiol reduces stress levels, anxious behaviors, and rapid thinking in the mind of your shih tzu.
Calming an anxious shih tzu sounds like no easy task, but the good news that we are here to deliver to you is that anxiety in shih tzus is not necessarily a lifelong sentence. If you have not heard about CBD for dogs yet and the benefits of CBD for your dog, now's your chance to learn all about cannabidiol and how it can help relieve shih tzu anxiety! CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD that is sold by Innovet is extracted from cannabis by a highly popular process known as cold CO2 extraction process, but CBD can certainly be extracted safely and efficiently in other ways, too. The confusion that comes with talking about cannabis for pets is that the general assumption is that cannabis, as a whole, is what gets people and animals high.
The caution we advise you to take when searching for pet CBD is the ratio of THC to CBD within the branded oil. See, CBD oils and anything labeled as a CBD-dominant product must not contain more than 0.03% of THC. If there is more THC than permitted by rules and regulations, then the CBD oil has the potential to get your dog high.THC in such low doses is perfectly acceptable, but it's problematic when the contents of your dog's CBD oil surpasses the maximum THC percentage allowed in a CBD product for pets. In fact, a small amount of THC actually enhances the effects of CBD oil for dogs. This phenomenon is called the entourage effect and it explains the way that the presence of some THC as well as a few other cannabis terpenes makes the CBD you give your dog far more effect and beneficial overall.
Innovet is a one-stop place to find CBD for shih tzus who need some calming relief. We offer hemp-based cannabidiol for dogs of all breeds, and shih tzus can surely benefit from the use of CBD oil for anxiety. We offer CBD oils, doggy treats, chewy snacks, balms, and cannabidiol capsules for shih tzus with anxiety, inflammation, and any other health concerns that CBD can improve. Feel free to look at our inventory so you can find the CBD product that will be suit your shih tzu the best!
Approved by:
Dr. Sara Ochoa
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. Georges University
Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
]]>Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.
Did you know that golden doodles are not a purebred breed of dogs? While golden doodles are recognized as an individual breed, they are created by breeding golden retrievers and poodles. Golden doodles were first bred in the later part of the nineties, and ever since, they have continued to be one of the most cherished, prized, and desired dog breeds.
The very first golden doodle came to be in 1969. The golden doodle results from crossing a golden retriever with a poodle. There are five different types of poodles, including the Klein poodle, miniature poodle, standard poodle, teacup poodle, and toy poodle. Since there are five different types of poodles, there are five different variations of golden doodles that breeders can intentionally create.
From mini Goldendoodles and teacup golden doodles to the other three variations in between, golden doodles are some of the absolute cutest dogs around. Golden doodle characteristics make them one of the sweetest, softest, and most loving dog breeds you will ever encounter. Many golden doodles live to be around ten years old, with the oldest age of geriatric golden doodles being about fifteen years old.
There is not much of a difference between the average weight of male golden doodles and the average weight of female golden doodles. Golden doodles can weigh anywhere between forty-five pounds and one hundred pounds when fully grown. Male golden doodles are slightly taller than females, with a height of twenty-four to twenty-six inches tall. Female golden doodles on the other hand reach a height of around twenty-two or twenty-three inches, give or take a few centimeters.
Speaking of female golden doodles, they often give birth to litters of about five puppies at a time, but litter sizes range anywhere between three golden doodle puppies and eight puppies. As briefly mentioned, golden doodles can live up to fifteen years old. The fur of golden doodles is more of a wave than the tight curls that purebred poodles have. Golden retrievers have slick and straight fur, so the combination of golden retriever coats and the curly Q nature of poodle fur combine to create a slight wave.
Golden doodles came about after other dogs were being bred with poodles, and breeders started seeing what would result from a mix of golden retrievers and poodles. In fact, golden doodles are not the only dog breed that is part poodle, part another dog breed.
Golden doodles were originally designed with the goal of producing hypoallergenic puppies so that people who are allergic to dog fur could still enjoy all the fun that comes with owning a dog. But the hypoallergenic aspect goes further than simply creating a dog that people with allergies are able to house and care for. If that were the only reason behind the breeding of golden doodles, then it would not set golden doodles apart from other dogs that are part poodle, part another breed. Poodles contribute hypoallergenic fur to the equation, but golden retrievers are very commonly adopted into programs that teach dogs how to become service pups.
Since golden retrievers are excellent service dogs, the thought behind a combination of poodles and golden retrievers is that there would then be a service animal available and accessible to people who are in need of canine service assistance but have an allergy to dog fur. The most common circumstance where golden doodles are recruited as service dogs is when someone is visually impaired, if not completely blind, and allergic to most animal fur. The hypoallergenic aspect of golden doodles is a very appreciated bonus of a golden doodle as a service pup.
Though goldendoodle temperament is relatively identical from one goldendoodle to another, goldendoodle personality varies on an individual level. Goldendoodles temperament is described as being very apt at making friends, engaging in human interaction, and greeting fellow dog friends. While the temperament of a golden doodle is very interaction-oriented, the personality of an individual golden doodle might make the golden doodle less likely to approach strangers and more likely to restrict its friendliness to people and other dogs that the golden doodle already knows.
Temperaments and personalities influence one another, but goldendoodles temperament sets the stage for goldendoodles personality. We touched on the fact that golden doodles are very smart. But let us emphasize the intellect that golden doodles carry. They are fast learners, and eager to learn, at that. Golden doodles can be the life of the party if their personalities allow for it, but other factors like socialization during their puppy years and their past experiences in social settings will determine whether or not a golden doodle's temperament shines through in their personality. Tying into their wisdom and wit, golden doodles are curious creatures as well. They will sniff every corner of a room, explore every rock you come across on morning walks, and try to take in as many details of their environments as they possibly can.
An incredibly interesting yet often overlooked fact about golden doodles is that their personalities are harder to predict than purebred dogs. This is a result of being the offspring of two different dog breeds. Breeders cannot control the personalities or temperaments of golden doodles, and as a result, a litter of golden doodle puppies might have a variety of temperaments and personalities going on in the mix.
Some puppies might have temperaments that are more aligned with the temperament of a poodle, whereas others might be more in sync with the temperament of a golden retriever. Similarly, golden doodle puppies can have a perfectly split temperament between poodles and golden retrievers. There is more variety and less certainty when it comes to puppies born from a combination of two different breeds.
The high intellect levels of golden doodles make them very easy to train. The golden doodle dog breed is actually so compliant and friendly that golden doodles are often suggested as the perfect dog for anyone who has yet to own a dog of their own before. If you are a calm person and you are looking for a pet that will match your temperament, then golden doodles are the puppies for you.
They love to make their owners smile, laugh, and just happy in general, so you'll find that there is not a lot of nagging or bribing necessary in order to properly and successfully train a golden doodle. As with nearly every dog breed, golden doodles respond best to training that incorporates positive reinforcements. Golden doodles will learn best if they know when their behavior is aligned with your expectations, and showing love to your golden doodle through tummy rubs, head scratches, and treats as an award for great behavior is key.
Golden doodles, like many dogs, face a lot of health problems as a result of their genetic makeup, predispositions, and temperaments. While personalities do not play as much of a role in common health-related issues for golden doodles as temperaments do, their personality might shine through if and when problems arise.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a health issue that concerns the stomach. If you take a look at a photograph of a golden doodle, you will likely notice that their chests take up a majority of their front torso. Dogs with this body structure are most likely to experience gastric dilatation-volvulus at some point in their lives because a long torso is a contributing factor to what happens in cases of gastric dilatation-volvulus.
This health problem is denoted by an excess amount of gas that enters the stomach, becomes trapped within the organ, and then causes the stomach to twist around itself. This results in an inability for golden doodles to properly release air as it normally would, usually by way of flatulence, burps, or the most undesirable experience of vomit. The inability to get rid of the air in your dog's stomach causes your dog a great deal of discomfort, and the twisting of your pup's stomach is accompanied by improper blood flow in situations of gastric dilatation-volvulus as well.
Once blood pressure levels plummet, it is not long until a golden doodle will faint as a result of the symptoms of gastric dilatation-volvulus. This bloating problem arises most often when dogs eat their food too fast and don't fully chew the pieces before swallowing. Keeping an eye on your golden doodle puppy during and after feeding time is the best way to prevent bloating, torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus altogether.
Looking at golden retrievers and poodles separately, these dog breeds both have a higher risk of the onset of epilepsy at some point in the dogs' lives. So, as you can imagine, breeding two types of dogs that both already have a heightened risk for epilepsy means that golden doodles are very prone to developing epilepsy during their lifetimes, if epilepsy is not present from birth. Epilepsy is not necessarily a fatal illness, nor should the possibility of epilepsy fully deter you from adopting a golden doodle. If you or your dog's vet detect the presence of epilepsy symptoms, steps can be taken to treat the symptoms as well as prevent seizures entirely in most cases.
Separation anxiety is not uncommon for golden doodles. It is a response that most golden doodles have when they are left alone for even the most brief of moments. Golden doodles absolutely love humans, especially the ones who love them, care for them, and spend the most time with them. Since they as such people-oriented dogs, golden doodles do not bode well with alone time. Golden doodles definitely thrive in circumstances where their owners are with them for the majority of the time, and this is absolutely something that needs to be taken into consideration before you adopt a golden doodle.
If you are often away for business or traveling on leisurely trips many days out of the year, then we advise that you not invest time, energy, love, and care into a golden doodle. Unless you are able to bring your golden doodle along with you on your vacations, then a golden doodle might not suit your situations very well. In theory, you could hire a pet sitter to care for your canine companion while you are away, but golden doodles really need the emotional connection and physical closeness with their own, more so than most dog breeds.
Thankfully, separation anxiety is not the end-all, be-all of your golden doodle’s sanity, comfort, and overall happiness. Aside from separation anxiety, other types of anxiety can arise in the disposition of your golden doodle over the years. If you are realizing that your golden doodle is having a lot of anxious symptoms, your best bet is to do your research on cannabidiol for dogs with anxiety. If you are unfamiliar with CBD and the plethora of health-related benefits that cannabidiol can offer your golden doodle, let us give you a brief overview of what CBD is and how it reduces anxiety symptoms in the temperaments of golden doodles.
Cannabidiol is one of many phytocannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. There is a lot of confusion surrounding CBD to this day because the fact that it is associated with cannabis tends to send people into a defensive mindset. Many people are hesitant to look further into CBD and the countless number of benefits it provides to golden doodles solely because there is an assumption that CBD is weed.
The thing about CBD is that it can certainly be derived from marijuana plants, but it is in no way, shape, or form an ingredient that causes the same effects that weed inflicts. Although plenty of people are fond of cannabis for recreational purposes, dogs should never be exposed to what the general public thinks of as weed.
But if weed is toxic and anything but good for golden doodles, why would we suggest that you look into cannabidiol for your pets? Well, the reason for this is that cannabidiol is not psychotropic, making it completely safe and incredibly beneficial to the overall health of your pup. When you think about marijuana, you most likely immediately think about it as a natural drug that gets people high. You are not wrong, per se, but it is not cannabis itself that induces a mental and bodily high.
Rather, a cannabinoid by the anagram of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is responsible for the perceptual and physical changes that weed brings about. CBD, or cannabidiol, is like THC in that it is also a cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, but it does not contain any psychoactive properties. CBD brings about serenity, calmness, relief, and elation without any of the perception alterations or physical lightness that accompanies THC.
If you are in the market for the best cannabidiol oil that is specifically designed for dogs, then Innovet welcomes you to explore our diverse inventory of CBD products for golden doodles! CBD works wonders for pets that are experiencing a bit of anxiety here and there, as well as for dogs that have a chronic case of separation anxiety, or any other type of anxiety disorder, for that matter.
CBD oil tends to bode well with a variety of dogs, but there are certainly instances in which a golden doodle might not be the biggest fan of oil on their fur. For this reason, we also offer cannabidiol capsules that your golden doodle can swallow, doggy treats for your pup to snack on, and chewy pieces of CBD-infused dog food that will reduce the anxiety levels of your canine companion. There is a cannabidiol balm for canines, too! With so many different options of CBD for your golden doodle, follow your heart when it comes to deciding which form your dog will love the most.
No matter how you administer CBD to your golden doodle, we know for a fact that your precious pup will be better off with cannabidiol in its system. You’ll never have to worry about the possibility of your dog ingesting THC because our CBD for dogs is always in compliance with the rules surrounding the contents of CBD. We have trusted individuals to check our products before they are packaged, listed, and distributed to our customers in order to ensure that we are offering nothing but the best CBD for your golden doodles! If you have any questions, definitely feel free to reach out to the team at Innovet! We are looking forward to serving you and helping your dog feel less stressed with CBD oil for golden doodles.
Approved by:
Dr. Sara Ochoa
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. Georges University
Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
]]>Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.
Poodles are some of the cutest dogs in the entire world. From their tight curls and inviting vibes, to their reputation as a designer dog and upbeat attitudes, poodles are a highly sought after breed of dogs. Poodles are not only popular in their purest form, either. In fact, poodles are very commonly bred with other dog breeds in order to create other breeds of dogs. For example, you might have heard of dogs like Golden Doodles and Yorkie Poos, or Maltipoos and Labradoodles.
The easiest way to detect if a mixed dog breed is partly poodle is to take a look at the name of the dog breed. The names will have some rendition of poodle as part of the name of the breed. Labradoodles have oodle in them, which is the part of the name that derives from poodle. Maltipoos take the poo part of poodle and combine it with the first half of the dog breed name, Maltese.
Poodles can be born with any of an array of colors, including blueish grey, apricot, rusty orange, brown, tan, black, cream, eggshell, amber, silver, and white. A mix of these colors can also result from breeding poodles of different colors, which will produce a baby poodle with either spotted fur or fur that is a color made from combining the fur of the parents. The eye coloring, nose shapes, and other specifics of poodles often coincide with fur color and coat patterns, so these traits tend to vary from one poodle to the next.
When talking about poodles, it’s important to note that there are various types of poodles within the one dog breed. To be exact, there are five different types of poodles.
While Klein poodles are technically different from standard poodles, they are not officially recognized as being a breed of their own. Even so, people looking to adopt a poodle and breeders who sell poodles alike often agree that Klein poodles are a poodle breed of their own. Klein poodles are most often shown in dog shows, and they make for viable candidates in showcases because of their natural beauty, poise, and eloquence. On average, a Klein poodle will weigh anywhere from forty pounds to fifty pounds. Klein poodles are also known for reaching a height range of anywhere between fifteen and twenty inches tall.
Miniature poodles are anywhere between eleven inches tall to fifteen inches in height. Though their name might suggest that these poodles are incredibly small, miniature poodles are not actually the smallest poodle type. Toy poodles and teacup poodles have shorter statures and overall average height measurements than miniature poodles. Even so, miniature poodles are smaller than standard poodles and Klein poodles as well. The average weight of a miniature poodle is within a range of fourteen pounds to eighteen pounds when full-grown.
Standard poodles are the most common type of poodle that people own as pets, as well as the most popular type of poodle that is bred on an annual basis. The shortest known height of a standard poodle is about fifteen inches tall, but most often, a standard poodle measures at anywhere between twenty and twenty-three inches in height. Since standard poodles are relatively tall in comparison to the other four types of poodles, it only makes sense that they weigh the most, too. Usually, a standard poodle will weight anywhere between forty-five and eighty pounds as an adult.
Teacup poodles are known for their very small sizes. Even tinier than miniature poodles, teacup poodles tend to remain under or barely above seven pounds, even when fully grown. The one piece of advice that we would like to offer regarding teacup poodles is that breeders who sell them do not often take the health and safety of teacup poodles into consideration. Instead, teacup poodles are bred for a smaller size, whether that size is actually a healthy height and weight or not.
Teacup poodles are not always bred with health concerns being a given, but just know that teacup poodles are not always the wisest route to take when looking to adopt a poodle. You could be supporting a breeder with unethical or lazy practices, so be sure to look into the breeder and educate yourselves on the circumstances that go into play when breeders breed for toy poodles.
Toy poodles are named as such because of their short stature and minimal weight. Toy poodles are recognized for their petite features, and holding a toy poodle is like cradling a toy puppy dog or stuffed animal version of a puppy. In the most rare of circumstances, a toy poodle will weight ten pounds, but more realistically, toy poodles do not exceed nine pounds, on average, with the lowest weight of a toy poodle being around six pounds, give or take a few ounces.
Toy poodles are perfect lap dogs because they never reach a weight, height, or overall size that would make them too big for naps in their owners' laps. Toy poodles tend to be anywhere between eight and ten inches tall, so just imagine a small little puppy prancing around your home and you'll have an idea of what it's like to have a poodle companion in your home.
The temperament of a poodle refers to what the poodle is like when born. Personalities change, adjust, and blossom over the course of a poodle's life, but poodle temperaments tend to predict the reactions, habitual behavior, and baseline mood of a poodle. So, in terms of temperament, poodles are described as being attentive, loving, loyal to owners and friends alike, full of wisdom, very intelligent, energetic, hyperactive, easy to train, led by their instincts, and wise beyond their years.
The standard poodle temperament and the toy poodle temperament are very similar, which is just one of many examples that goes to show how closely-aligned every type of poodle is, despite being categorized separately. However, just because the temperaments of poodles across the board are similar, it does not make them identical. There are discrepancies here and there when it comes to standard poodle temperament, toy poodle temperament, and miniature poodle temperament.
Miniature poodles are best for families that have children because they are so small that there is little to no risk posed to children in terms of physical size. A miniature poodle is the perfect height and weight for babies, toddlers, and smaller children alike. Standard poodles are truly great for families of any size and for people of any age. If you are concerned about the height of a standard poodle and how that might play out with young kids in the home, just know that standard poodles are not going to pose a threat to anyone in the home. Their size aside, standard poodles are very docile.
They are very relaxed outside of playtime and they are gentle souls as well. Toy poodles are not as ideal for small children as you may think. Believe it or not, toy poodles are actually viewed as being too small for kids to play with, particularly because young children might handle the poodle pup a little too harshly, which is damaging to an already-tiny dog. Also, toy poodle temperament makes toy poodles very sensitive to loud noises, angry tones, and upset voices, so toy poodles are best for adults whose children have either aged into adolescence or moved out of the house entirely.
Personality traits vary from one individual puppy to another, just like they do for humans. Not all poodles have the same personality traits, but there are many characteristics that poodles share with each other as part of the same breed. One of the most commonly attributed descriptors for poodles is that they are very smart, intellectual dogs. Poodle personalities contribute to dogs that already have incredible brain power and a knack for picking up on everything going on in their environments.
Their high intelligence levels make it fairly easy for owners to train their poodles from the get-go. Poodles are active, outgoing, and ready for adventures where physical activity is involved. They love to be involved in activities, and their favorite activities are anything that they get to do with their beloved owners. Poodles are very family-oriented in the sense that they prefer to be around their owners and people with whom they have a lot of familiarity. If a poodle is left in a situation where he or she does not know anyone around them very well, then situations of anxiety may arise - particularly separation anxiety in dogs.
Though the anxious symptoms should subside eventually, it is not uncommon for poodles to experience long-term anxiety out of fear that they will be in an unwanted situation again in the near future. If your poodle is having a bout of anxiousness or stress-related nerves, then you might want to look into natural and alternative treatments for anxiety.
Poodles do not often experience a lot of stress and anxiety, and it is not a given that your poodle will run into an anxiety-filled episode. However, stress and panic are unavoidable circumstances because things do happen and your pup is susceptible to experiencing anxiety as some point in his or her lifetime, whether it is the result of a predisposition in your poodle’s personality and temperament, or if it takes place outside of natural tendencies.
Thankfully for poodles and pet owners alike, your poodle pal does not need to succumb to a life of anxiety. There are various ways to help your dog’s anxiety settle down and enable your dog to return to a happy life full of playtime, adventures, and fun with the family. Cannabidiol is a widely- and heavily-researched supplement for dogs that experience anxiety and need relief from the unfortunate symptoms that anxiety inflicts, both physically and mentally.
If your poodle faces seriously anxious symptoms or behaviors, then we certainly urge you to look into purchasing CBD for your dog with anxiety. Though we understand that CBD sounds like a frightening alternative for the parents of pets who do not understand the implications or benefits of cannabidiol, we would like to take an opportunity to educate any pet owners who are not incredibly familiar with CBD for poodles with anxiety. Something worth mentioning before anything else is that CBD does not contain the ingredient that is necessary in order for people, pets, or any other creatures to experience the feeling of getting high.
See, even though cannabidiol is related to the cannabis plant, it has very little to do with what you think about when you bring to mind marijuana. Cannabis is so often associated solely with its psychoactive abilities, but people forget to remember that cannabis as a whole does not get you high. Rather, there are "ingredients," if you will, that exist within the cannabis plant, and they are referred to as cannabinoids. In order to get high from marijuana or anything cannabis-related, the cannabis product must contain the cannabinoid by the name of tetrahydrocannabinol.
You might recognize this phytocannabinoid much better by its anagram, THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol is not present in CBD oil. In fact, you can even consider THC to be a polar opposite cannabinoid in relation to cannabidiol.
Tetrahydrocannabinol is responsible for the psychoactive properties that people so often chase when using marijuana for leisure or medicinal purposes.While THC poses a myriad of benefits for people whose brains are compatible with psychotropic effects, animals are not able to ingest THC in any amount. Tetrahydrocannabinol poses many health concerns, risks, and internal injuries for your poodle, if he or she were to ever get ahold of cannabis that contains THC.
But CBD is the exact opposite. In fact, you might be surprised how beneficial cannabidiol is for dogs of all breeds, including poodles of each category. The main reason that pet owners travel down the road of CBD for dogs is when anxiety arises in their poodles. From separation anxiety and situational panic attacks, to low-functioning anxious behaviors and the occasional anxious moment, CBD can calm your dog naturally, efficiently, and safely. The biggest perk of CBD for anxious poodles is the way that it is the most natural way of treating anxiety. This is especially true when you purchase CBD from Innovet for your dog!
At Innovet, every cannabidiol product that we offer is fully checked for quality and produced with nothing but naturally-grown CBD that is certainly suitable for pets. Our CBD is derived from hemp plants grown in the USA state of Colorado, and our trusted partners triple-check our products prior to us listing them as available on our website.
The hemp that we implement in our products for dogs is made from 100% phytocannabinoid hemp plants, and you can trust that all Innovet pet products are free from harsh chemicals, detrimental additives, unnecessary preservatives, or pesticides of any kind by checking our Certificate of Analysis Records. To comfort pet parents even further, we make sure to note that our CBD for pets falls below the minimum amount of THC that cannabidiol can contain in order to remain psychotropic-free.
The rule is that CBD cannot contain more than 0.3% THC, and we adhere to that like our lives depend on it. We strive to make sure that our CBD products are accessible to dogs of all breeds, preferences, sizes, and more, so we offer CBD for poodles in a few different ways. Our most popular CBD product is our cannabinoid oil for pets. It can be administered by way of a bottle and an easy-to-disperse dropper. Even though our CBD oil for poodles is very simple to administer in this form, it is not always the best method for every single poodle out there.
Some dogs do not appreciate having something applied to their fur or dropped into their mouths, so we took that into consideration and made sure to design other methods of CBD for pets. Our other four options regarding CBD for poodles include hemp dog vitamins, swallowable capsules, balm that you can apply to their sore sports, and doggy treats infused with CBD.
Cannabidiol for anxious poodles is the safest, most natural, and smoothest way of resolving anxiety in your pet. We know your dog will feel a million times lighter, happier, and less stressed with CBD from Innovet. Feel free to view our inventory of CBD products for poodles, and let us know if there is anything we can help you with!
Approved by:
Dr. Sara Ochoa
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, St. Georges University
Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
]]>Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.
“Many scientific studies show that bringing a dog into your house can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress,” says Lauren McDevitt, co-founder of Good Dog, which is a platform that helps prospective dog owners find the best match as their new four-legged best friend. “Dogs provide companionship without judgment, offering unconditional love and acceptance that many people struggle to find in human connections. They bring true friendship to the table, along with a sense of security and, at times, a great deal of stress relief. Additionally, dogs can help their owners stay active and outdoors.”
Research is showing that even just the act of petting an animal has a recognizable effect on our brain chemistry and adds to the list of reasons canines make our lives better overall. Thanks to our anterior cingulate cortex, our brain is able to process sensations of touch and different textures as “pleasant,” “neutral,” and “unpleasant” experiences for us. The act of petting a dog actually releases serotonin and dopamine, the most recognizable “feel good” hormones or chemicals we can create naturally. People who are experiencing depression or even something like separation anxiety are often physically low on serotonin and dopamine levels, creating a very logical and obvious explanation for how having dogs around makes us feel better. That isn’t all though, as even just staring into a dog’s eyes has been found to release oxytocin, a hormone that helps bond a mother and a child to one another.
In 2015, one study observed how all this can be influenced by simply looking at one another in human/dog relationships. The dog and human pairs were observed while interacting during a 30-minute timeframe, and the simple discovery was that dogs who stared at their human owners longer were found to have higher oxytocin levels than dogs whose gaze or attention wasn’t held for very long at all.
But are some dogs better suited for this role than others?
Of course, the answer to that question depends on a number of factors that can vary from dog to dog and owner to owner. In fact, you don’t even need a dog as your emotional support animal.
“Although emotional support animals typically tend to be dogs, they can also be other types of common domestic animals such as cats, mice, rabbits, birds, mini pigs, and hedgehogs,” McDevitt said. “The type of animal will depend on your personal needs and whether the specific animal can give you the benefits that you seek.” An emotional support animal helps our mental well being by offering us companionship, affection, and even structure, which are all influences that can help us climb out of depression or steer clear of anxiety. According to McDevitt, however, there are three specific dog breeds that are consistently and specifically the most beneficial to their owners in promoting mental health: Golden Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. While technically any dog can be classified as an emotional support animal, these three, in particular, stand out to her as having an exceptionally loving and gentle demeanor that’s suited best for the role.
Goldens may be the most affectionate breed imaginable, which plays a great role in them being such popular family dogs and making them so great with kids. They are also excellent all around partners in large part to their loyalty and desire to bond with and please their person, meaning they’re great exercise partners, they make excellent and obedient service dogs for special needs owners, and even great hunting dogs.
Cavaliers are another affectionate breed with a friendly demeanor as well. They often seek physical contact and affection, aka snuggling, which can influence our own hormonal levels in a positive way. Coupled with the fact that they’re a smaller breed makes them a near perfect lap dog. And since they’re significantly smaller than Golden retrievers, for example, they’re going to be a better fit for the less active dog owner or somebody living in an environment that wouldn’t allow for running around and exercising constantly.
Again, we have another affectionate and loving animal, just as McDevitt suggested. Most Bernese Mountain Dogs will not only always be happy to see their owner, but they’re also pretty much always happy to see anybody. They’re incredibly attentive and are very rarely aggressive animals.
If you’re still not sold on the idea of or necessity for emotional support dogs, consider that there’s even recent research calling for local governments to increase human interaction with pets in the name of mental health. Research presented at the first Summit on Social Isolation and Companion Animals by Mars Petcare and the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute revealed loneliness is as dangerous to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. The same research equates those consequences to a health epidemic parallel to obesity.
"When we think about loneliness, we need attachment figures and pets meet that need," says Nancy Gee, human-animal interaction research manager at Mars' Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. ”You don’t have to worry about confidentiality or judgment. It just is what it is.”
Of course, loneliness isn’t the only mental health threat that can necessitate the companionship of an emotional support dog. According to the United States Dog Registry, they can assist with conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder/mood disorder, panic attacks, fear/phobias, and other psychological and emotional conditions. According to ESA Doctors, that qualifies more than 25 percent of the American population who could benefit from having one of these dogs by their side. There’s an explicit difference between these animals and service animals, however, in that emotional support dogs are only meant to offer emotional stability and love for their owner, while service dogs are trained specifically to perform and assist in tasks for people with disabilities.
Adopting a puppy is one of the most exciting adventures you will ever experiences, no matter how old you are. How could you not be jazzed about the idea of inviting a puppy into your family? Dogs are man’s best friend, after all. Some people argue that you should choose a purebred dog over a mixed breed dog, while opponents for this opinion advocate for mixed breed canines. Let’s do some myth-busting and talk about why there is no right answer, and as a result, there is no wrong answer either.
Mixed breed dogs are so commonly referred to as mutts. This widely regarded nickname has caused mixed breed dogs to carry around a not-so-attractive connotation. In the media, mixed breed dogs are not depicted in an appealing way. Just think about the word mutt on its own. That is the furthest thing from endearing, but don’t let that deter you from considering a mixed breed dog. There are far more benefits to mixed breed dogs than meet the eye.
Purebreds are also called pedigree dogs, which is very easy to understand if you know what pedigrees are. To summarize, pedigrees refer to diagrams that depict the ancestors of a certain dog. Pedigrees can go as far back in familial history as you want them to, with the eldest family member at the top of the chart and all of his or her descendants appearing lower down on the chart.
Depending on which generation each dog falls into, the younger members of the family will decrease in age the lower down you move in a pedigree. So, when it comes to determining the familial ancestry of a dog, the puppy that you are focusing on will more likely than not be located at the very bottom of the pedigree.
Long story short, pedigrees are the exact same thing as family trees. When the context of a pedigree is dogs, you are speaking in terms of ancestors, and pedigree dogs are named as such because they descend from dogs of the same breed. There is no genetic diversity among purebred dogs.
The most prized purebred breeds are referred to as designer dogs, like the Louis Vuitton or Balenciaga of canines, if you will.
Something to keep an eye on is the breeder from whom you are purchasing your dog. The puppy breeding industry can become very shady very quickly, and not all breeders are reputable, let alone ethical. Please be sure that you are doing your research and fact-checking everything you come across. While adoption is definitely the right option, considering the high rates of dogs in canine foster care, we understand that some people will go through a breeder rather than to their local shelter.
That is a personal decision, which you have every right to make. However, we just want to emphasize the importance of being cautious about breeders. Not only would it be unfortunate to go through a breeder who was not honest about his or her breeding process, but it would also be quite the bummer to financially support a breeder who does not treat the dogs very well.
Once you’ve ensured that the breeder is professional and ethical in his or her practices, then you are encouraged to move forward with everything. There are so many mixed breed dogs out there, and unless you know exactly which breed you want as a pet, you could very easily become overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of mixed breed dogs in the world.
In theory, it would really help if we were to talk about specific dog breeds in terms of health, just for the sake of narrowing down some of the best-mixed breed dogs available. But that is nearly impossible to do, in all honesty. A question that is likely on many people’s minds is if mutts are healthier than purebred dogs. The truth of the matter is that there is no finite answer to this question. Similar to what we mentioned when discussing the costs of purebreds versus mixed breed dogs, everything should be looked at from a case-by-case basis.
Some mutts are healthier than some purebreds, whereas some purebred canines are healthier than certain mixed breed pups. It is entirely situational. There are instances where many similarities are found among certain dog breeds, but the reality is that you cannot say with absolute certainty that one category of dogs is superior, in terms of health, than the other.
There's a widespread misconception that purebred dogs are inherently less healthy than mixed breed dogs. Inbreeding leads to a greater chance of the development of genetic diseases. This belief is founded on the basic principle that purebreds are more prone to genetic predispositions to certain ailments and diseases.
There isn't any genetic variety among purebred dogs, which is the literal definition of purebred canines. As a result, any complications that a breed faces just by nature will be repeated from one generation to the next, due to the fact that there is no genetic variation among the dogs of the same breed.
With mixed breeds, the thought process is that they are more capable of fighting diseases that come their way because their hybrid nature offers a higher possibility of defending themselves against invading illnesses. These claims do make sense, but the idea that purebreds are always less healthy than mixed breed dogs is not necessarily true.
So, are mutts healthier than purebred dogs? Sometimes.
Are mixed breeds healthier? Not always.
Mutts are healthier than purebreds if genetic diseases are continuously passed down from one generation of purebreds to another. Purebreds are healthier than mutts if the purebreds won the genetic lottery, and mutts are healthier if there is compatibility between the various breeds of the mixed breed dogs.
The trend that we are seeing here is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to any question that compares mixed breed dogs to purebreds. You see, life expectancy is much the same. There are multiple factors that play a role in the lifespan of a dog, whether purebred or mixed breed.
That said, there is definitely a decent amount of data that shows inbreeding as reducing the lifespan of dogs. As we've mentioned briefly, there is a heightened risk of diseases and illnesses when inbreeding is involved because there is no genetic variation. So, unlike mixed breed dogs, purebreds are more likely to run into health problems somewhere down the road. Purebred dogs do have a shorter lifespan than their mixed breed counterparts.
Everything we have touched on so far in this blog post should be used as information to help you decide between a purebred or a mixed breed. There isn’t just one characteristic to take into consideration. The decision process is far more complex than that.
Another one of the major determining factors involved in the thought process behind getting a dog is the cost. The dollar amount associated with a certain dog tends to make or break your decision. A common belief among the general public is that purebred dogs are far more expensive than mixed breed dogs. But is this true across the board?
Well, not necessarily. Not all purebreds cost more than mixed breeds, and not all mixed breed canines have a higher price associated with them than purebred pups. Although purebreds tend to be more expensive than mixed breeds, the cost of buying a dog depends more on the breed of the dog than whether or not the dog is purebred or a mixed breed dog.
That can sound confusing at first glance, so let’s break it down briefly. The dog breed is more important than the purity of the dog. If you have a purebred dog of a breed that is very rare, the purebred will cost more. If you have a mixed breed dog that has a genetic makeup that is hard to find, then that particular mutt is going to be far more expensive than a purebred that can be found in abundance.
As a disclaimer, we want to mention that many breeders will charge more for purebred dogs than for mixed breeds, or mutts. This is a way of capitalizing on people’s conviction that purebred dogs are worth more than mixed breeds, and in some instances, this is true. If it’s important to you that your dog is a purebred, then paying more will be worthwhile. However, purebreds are not pricey because they are purebreds. They are pricey because people believe that they are worth more, so breeders can get away with charging more for purebreds than for mixed breeds.
Let's look at some of the most costly breeds of dogs, and then we'll continue talking about the common discrepancies in price between purebred dogs and those of mixed breeds.
Of course, making the initial purchase and buying a dog to welcome into your family is a big step. But something that many first-time dog owners neglect to recognize is that the initial price you pay to own a dog is usually a pretty accurate reflection of the level of investment you are taking on by getting a dog. When it comes to costly dog breeds, you are not just paying a large fee upfront and then settling into an affordable range of costs associated with your new canine friend.
Expensive dog breeds are often high-costing for the entire duration of their doggy lives. You have to take into consideration all the various costs associated with your dog, from grooming and training to specific diet-friendly foods and visits to the veterinarian’s office. The type of dog fees that rack up the highest bills is vet appointments, both those that are scheduled and those that are emergency-related.
The decision of whether to bring home a purebred pup or a mixed breed doggy is ultimately entirely yours. We’ve provided a decent amount of information documenting the differences between the two, as well as the similarities. There are so many differences that set purebred dogs and mixed breed canines apart. From initial costs and preparing to give your dog the best life, to lifelong expenses and everything in between, purebreds and mixed breed dogs each come with their own obstacles and advantages.
When thinking about investing in a puppy, you should buckle in for the longest thought process of your life. There’s a lot to take into account, as well as a plethora of options to weigh before making your final decision. Deciding on a dog is the hard part. The easy part? Knowing how to treat your dog, should he or she ever come down with chronic pain, immobility, unwanted illnesses, or anything of the like.
When it comes to canines, there is a universal way of managing ailments that you can always count on in times of desperation. After all, one of the most terrifying experiences as a dog parent is the moment you realize your canine companion is feeling under the weather. From the occasional bloating and waves of nausea, to anxiety disorders and discomfort that doesn’t go away, CBD for canines can be your secret weapon.
Cannabidiol offers an impressive array of health benefits to dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes, and genetic compositions. If you elect to adopt a purebred dog, rest assured that CBD oil may help in managing nearly every physical symptom and reduce the intensity of any anxiety-related mental condition. If you bring home a mixed breed puppy who has separation anxiety, CBD may be your answer. Believe it or not, cannabidiol makes just about every unfortunate health circumstance far more bearable.
In the process of preparing for adoption day, consider stocking up on CBD oil for dogs. Even if you do not have an immediate need for canine cannabidiol, it’s always better to be prepared for anything like a dog owner than it is to let surprises come out of nowhere and throw you off course. Thankfully, Innovet has CBD for dogs stocked all year long!
CBD oils are the most common form of CBD for dogs, but you don’t have to rule out CBD if oils aren’t well-suited for your dogs. From CBD doggy treats to soft chews and capsules, Innovet has CBD oil for dogs with all sorts of preferences. If you think your fluffy friend would handle lotion far better than oil, then you’re in luck, because we have CBD creams, too! If you have any questions in particular about cannabidiol for dogs, feel free to reach out to us with all of your inquiries and concerns. You are also more than welcome to look through our blog posts and learn more about CBD for dogs. Trust us when we say your dog will thank you!
Sara Redding Ochoa, DVM was raised in north Louisiana. She graduated from LA Tech in 2011 with a degree in animal science. She then moved to Grenada West Indies for veterinary school. She completed her clinical year at Louisiana State University and graduated in 2015 from St. George’s University. Since veterinary school she has been working at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she has experience treating all species that walk in the hospital. In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband Greg, bake yummy desserts and spend time with her 4-legged fur kids, a dog Ruby, a cat Oliver James “OJ”, a rabbit BamBam and a tortoise MonkeyMan.
Thanks for stopping by!
P.S. We Love You!
Sincerely,
The Innovet Team
]]>Please do not ask for emergency or specific medical questions about your pets in the comments. Innovet Pet Products is unable to provide you with specific medical advice or counseling. A detailed physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinarian are required to provide specific medical advice. If you are worried that your pet requires emergency attention or if you have specific medical questions related to your pet’s current or chronic health conditions, please contact or visit your local/preferred veterinarian, an animal-specific poison control hotline, or your local emergency veterinary care center.
Please share your experiences and stories, your opinions and feedback about this blog, or what you've learned that you'd like to share with others.