Dogs We Luv!

For many pet-lovers, dressing up their pooch is much like dressing up themselves. It's a must! Do you like dressing up your dogs or cats in clever, cute costumes as well? Some might prefer to make their own pet costumes, rather than spend money on a ready to wear piece. However, before attempting to make a DIY costume or clothing for your pet, consider a few things.   {photo}   Clothing Materials. What kind of materials will you use? Avoid using fabrics that might cause irritation. It is particularly important to be sure that your costume is free from choking hazards such as buttons, trims, or accents. Comfort.  A costume or piece of clothing should not make movement difficult for your pet or make it hard for them to see their way.  Your pet should be able to walk and move around without hassle. However, if your pet really dislikes wearing clothes or costumes, and this may include most cats, there are pet collars a...

A common challenge for all dog owners is finding a home their dog or dogs can stay with while they’re away on vacation.  Thankfully, there are now companies that offer in-home boarding services for dogs and other pets.   However, for most dog owners, leaving a dog – even for just a few days or weeks- in the care of strangers is often easier said than done.  This is why it is extremely important to find a trusted dog boarding company that will provide only the best care for your pooch.   Can’t wait to go on vacation but couldn’t take your dog with you?  Here are some tips for you:   {photo} Find out as much info as you can about the in-home dog boarding service provider. What kind of reputation does it have?  Are there in-house vets to supervise the pets?  Will your dog be taken out on walks on daily basis?  Are there professional groomers working in the facility?  Are the staff trained and experienced in dog ...

Mention the name pug and people who knows a lot about dog breeds are bound to describe it with the phrase “multum in parvo” which means “much in little”. True enough, there is so much more to the small package than what meets the eye. Despite its compactness, the pug has a big personality. What Meets the Eye   How would you describe a pug physically? It is easy to recognize a pug with its dark, short-muzzled face; glossy, wrinkly skin; soft, flapped ears; and a curled tail. It has a large head and a square, stocky body carried by four, pudgy but sturdy legs. The average weight can range from 14 to 18 pounds.  Males are generally larger than the females in terms of height.  They can grow anywhere from 10 to 14 inches tall.  On the other hand, females typically grow from 10 to 12 inches tall. Fawn and black are the most common coat coloring for pugs, but some pugs may have apricot fawn or silver fawn coats. A pug with a fawn-colored coat woul...

The Dachshund is a small, hound-type dog with a muscular, elongated body, and short legs.  Like  the Corgi , the Dachshund can be funny looking because its legs are remarkably short compared to its brawny body. The “Badger” Dog The name Dachshund is a combination of two German words –  Dachs  which means “badger”, and  Hund  which means “dog”.  Back in the 1600s, Dachshunds were first bred in Germany, where they were used for hunting small animals like rabbits and badgers. Their keen sense of smell and swiftness make them the ideal dogs for digging burrows and chasing badgers. Because of their appearance, they are also often referred to as the sausage dog or wiener dog. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1895, listed under the Hound Group. The Different Types of Dachshunds There are three types of Dachshunds, classified based on their coats – the short or smooth-haired, the long...

Many popular dog breeds are considered giants because of their immense size and weight.  Perhaps you might be familiar with the St. Bernard, the Great Dane, the Irish Wolfhound, the Newfoundland, the Bullmastiff, or the Black Russian Terrier? There are numerous breeds of very large dogs from different parts of the world and some of them,  you have probably never heard of.  Here are six amazing, large dog breeds that may not be as famous as their giant cousins, but are definitely worth knowing. Šarplaninac The Sarplaninac is a large dog breed that lives in the Šar mountains, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Albania. It is also known as the Illyrian Sheepdog or the Yugoslov Shepherd. These giant breeds can grow from a height of 28 inches to 32 inches, and weigh anywhere from 38 kilograms to 55 kilograms when full grown. Like many mountain dogs has a large, strong body. They have a slightly long coat (4 inches), and can either be rough or smooth....

People with dogs are strongly encouraged to take their pets out on walks daily as much as possible. Without question, daily walks are important to keep dogs active both physically and mentally. Dog walking is also beneficial as the human can get regular exercise while sharing quality bonding time with his or her pet. Benefits of Having an Outdoor Play Area for Dogs If you have a spacious lawn, you may consider creating a special area where your dog or dogs can enjoy happy play time every day.  Why not!  There are many advantages. Imagine how convenient it would be if you could spend a few minutes with your dogs out in the sun each morning without having to take your pooch to the dog park.  Dogs won’t feel bored due to a lack of things to do.  You can provide toys outdoors and not worry about finding your home a mess upon your return.  Yes, having a play area right in your own backyard is wonderful especially if you have two or more dogs. ...

Like humans, our dear pets can experience anxiety that can affect their behavior.  As a pet owner, what can you do to help your pet overcome the stress or anxiety?  Consider these three stress management tips for pet owners:   photo Know the cause of anxiety. There are many possible reasons why dogs and cats get stressed out.  It can be the presence of an unfamiliar object or another animal, loud noises, or an unfamiliar situation.  Find out what’s causing your pet to be stressed out or agitated and do something about it.  If it’s an object that’s inducing stress, get it out from your pet’s sight.  If it’s the surrounding, take your dog or cat to another area where it can feel safer, more calm. If it’s not possible to remove your dog or change the situation, give it a place to hide like a crate or shelter, and make it as comfortable as possible by providing cushion, toys, or treats. Don’t add up to your pet’s agitation. A pet owne...

Welsh Corgis are small herding dogs from Wales. There are two different breeds of Corgi – the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi- both named after their town of origin [Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire]. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Pembroke Welsh Corgis are known for their strong affiliation with Queen Elizabeth II, as well as with other British royalties. History reveals that no less than The Queen herself, has owned more than 30 Pembroke Welsh Corgis during her reign. Physical Characteristics of a Pembroke Corgi  source Pembroke Welsh Corgis can grow from 10 to 12 inches in height – from feet to shoulder. They have a sturdy built and adults can weigh anywhere from 25 to 28 pounds. They have a slightly elongated yet athletic body but with short legs. Pembroke Corgis are shorter than their cousins the – the Cardigan Corgis. Pembroke Corgis have a triple coat – a fine undercoat and a coarse, water resistant overcoat. The overcoat can grow up to a medium le...

One of the most common complaints from dog owners is that their dog chews on things that it’s not supposed to such as their favorite sneakers, socks, throw pillows, carpet, books, and furniture. Obviously, such behavior isn’t good and should not be tolerated. Not only is it an annoying habit, but it can also put your pet’s safety at risk. A dog with a habit of chewing on anything it sees might accidentally swallow or deliberately eat sharp objects which can damage its internal organs, or in some cases, might even cause death. What can you do to correct the problem? First, it’s important to know that chewing is a normal behavior during the puppy stage. The reason why puppies chew is because they’re going through the teething process. During this time their gums would feel painful, itchy, and uncomfortable. Puppies have a tendency to chew on any object they see because they want to be relieved of their discomfort.  Needless to say, chewing should be controlled and eliminated by t...

The Miniature Pinscher is one of the smallest dog breeds. It originated from Germany and is often called the “King of the Toys”. The Min Pin may have been a descendant of the German Pinscher [a medium-sized pinscher breed that is also from Germany], mixed with the Italian Greyhound and the Dachshund. Kennel Clubs recognize Min Pins as “toy dogs”, and because of their boldness, they are called the “King of Toys”. source What Does A Min Pin Look Like? There is a misconception that this little dog is the miniature version of the Doberman Pinscher. Despite their incredible resemblance however, they are two distinct breeds, and Min Pins are definitely not tiny Dobermans. Miniature Pinschers have a sturdy built, a proud stance, and a commanding presence inspite of their size. They can grow anywhere from ten to twelve inches in length.  Some pinschers have cropped ears or a docked tail. They have short, smooth, shiny coats which can either be of a solid black, chocolate, red, ...

Spring and summer are sure wonderful times of the year, but if you’re a dog owner, don’t forget these months are also the dreaded flea and tick seasons. Your dog can get fleas or ticks from a stray animal, or from an environment infested with the parasite. What can you do to deal with the problem?  The good thing is that they can be controlled and prevented, so it’s all about being aware and getting the right information. photo What’s the Difference Between Fleas and Ticks? Fleas and ticks are two different parasites but they often go together and attack our dear pets like dogs and cats.  Fleas are wingless insects but they’re skilled jumpers.  Ticks are arachnids and just like spiders, they have eight legs.  Fleas have a much shorter lifespan – an average of 100 days, while ticks can live anywhere from several weeks to three years [that’s how they can get so terribly big]. An adult flea can lay twenty to forty eggs per day.  A full-grown tick lays t...