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  • Purebred or Designer Breed?

    Purebred or Designer Breed?

    Now it’s time to choose a new pup! Should you choose a purebred or designer breed? Here is some necessary information to help:

    Purebreds

    A purebred dog is one who comes from a long generation of the same breed, that is, its parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are all of the same breed. 

    A typical purebred will have qualities that trace back to its ancestors because only dogs that meet the set standard are breeded. 

    If you are getting a purebred, ensure that you see real documents that confirm that it is truly a purebred. 

    Pros 

    Predictability

    Many people prefer getting purebreds because with them, you know exactly what you are getting. 

    You know your dog’s expected size, its temperament, its medical needs, and so many other things.

    Compete in Shows

     Only purebreds are allowed to compete in dog shows, and so if you would like yours to be in one of these competitions, you should go for a purebred.

    Cons

    Genetic Defects

    Some purebred dogs could inherit the genetic defects of their specific breed. 

    Designer Breeds

    A designer breed, also called a hybrid, is an offspring of two purebreds. 

    The parents of a designer breed are usually deliberately bred to produce pups with particular qualities. 

    However, there is no assurance that any two pups would come out the same. They could differ in size, color, health, temperament, etc. 

    Pros 

    Variety

    So many hybrid combinations exist, which means that there is a hybrid dog for every taste. 

    These dogs can be bred to fit any criteria as regards size, temperament, health and many others.

    Shed Weaknesses

    Some designer breeds are created free of some weaknesses or limiting factors of their purebred parents. 

    They also might not inherit genetic flaws. 

    Cons

    Uncertainty

    There are no assurances that an offspring will take some particular desired traits and leave some. This leaves owners unsure of what to expect from their dog. 

    In the end, there are no better dogs or worse dogs. There is a mix and breed for every taste and lifestyle out there, so it all boils down to your needs and wants in a dog.  

  • Leash and Harness Training For The New Year

    Leash and Harness Training For The New Year

    Asides trimming their nails, leash manners is perhaps the next most difficult thing to get dogs to learn. 

    While a head harness might get your pup to stop pulling on their leash, you would still need to conduct lots of training for proper walking and stopping at the right time.

    This is why the best time to start training a puppy is early. 

    Instill good habits in your furry friend when they are still little, so that when they are older, they would be a well-mannered pet. 

    Tips to Leash Train Your Dog

    • Introduce your dog to the harness and the leash indoors first. Let them wear it for a couple of minutes everyday to get familiar.
    • Still leaving the leash on, teach them a sound that would serve as a cue to let them know that it is food time. Make the same sound whenever you want to give a treat, and before long, they will learn to recognize the sound and come to you for a delicious treat. 
    • Teach your pet to come to you while wearing the leash and collar. You could begin teaching them to walk with you indoors. Offer treats or praise when your pup gets their steps right.
    • It is now time to take your pup outside. This would be extra challenging because new sounds, sights and smells will attract your dog constantly. However, be patient with your pet, keep your eyes on them at all times at first, keep the first few walks short and reward obedience with treats and praise. 

    Benefits of Taking Your Dog on Walks

    • Walking is a good physical activity to keep your dog active and fit. It helps them maintain a healthy weight, strengthens muscles and prevents diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. 
    • Walking gives your dog a chance to explore the neighborhood, sniff around for more mental stimulation and gives them a healthy dose of daily excitement.
    • Walking exposes your dog to more people, other dogs and engages them in different scenarios, hence brushing up socialization skills. 

    In no time at all, your pup will be the best walking buddy you could ever have.

  • A New Puppy For The New Year

    A New Puppy For The New Year

    Yay! It’s the new year! Many people have their new year resolutions outlined and are already putting them into effect. 

    For some, one of these resolutions is to get a new fur baby at the beginning of the year.

    Just like any other parenting, puppy parenting can be somewhat overwhelming but fun overall. 

    There are a lot of things for both of you to learn and you have to get started on your part before bringing your cuddly fur baby home. 

    Here are a few things to note when getting a new puppy:

    Your Schedule

    Puppies are fun to be with however, they require a lot of care and attention in their first few months. You’ll have to feed Max two to three times daily. 

    In addition, you would have to take him on walks and get him socialized later on. 

    You have to factor all of these into your schedule. This phase may be tasking, but it’s definitely rewarding for any new puppy owner.

    Bonding Time

    The first few months of Max’s life are the perfect time to bond with him and get to know him. There’s a lot that you can learn about him just by spending time with him. 

    You can learn about your playful puppy’s personality, temperament, tastes, and intelligence. 

    Everyone loves puppy breath and you’ll definitely be getting a lot of that in your face along with licks of gratitude.

    Training

    It is essential to start training your dog early. At this young age, Max is ready to learn. All he’s waiting for is for you to work with him as soon as you can. 

    Training provides tremendous benefits to continued good behavior both inside your home and in public. 

    You can teach your Max basic obedience and then step up to potty training, chew training, and crate training.

  • Best Puppy Names for 2022

    Best Puppy Names for 2022

    Taking out time to choose a good name to call your puppy is important, as the little thing is going to keep bearing it for the rest of their life. 

    Also, Since you would be using it a lot, you should pick a name that is easy for your pet to recognize -more consonant and long vowel sounds-, and one that you can proudly call out in public or put on a name tag. 

    Best Puppy Names to Give Your Pet

    More often than not, people name their pets after characters in movies, foods, drinks, sports celebrities or random human names. 

    While some people would rather wait to meet their puppy and spend some time before giving a name that they believe is perfect, some others simply go-ahead to pick a name for them even before they arrive. 

    Whichever way you choose to go is fine, as long as you pick a name that both you and the dog would be proud of. 

    If you need some ideas, here are some pretty cool puppy names you could opt for:

    Top Names for Male Puppies

    • Max
    • Alfie
    • Charlie
    • Buddy
    • Ollie
    • Archie
    • Buddy 
    • Shadow
    • Winston 
    • Lucky 

    Top Names for Female Puppies

    • Bella
    • Lucy
    • Lola
    • Clara
    • Callie
    • Rosie
    • Minnie
    • Pepper
    • Hollie 
    • Jewel 

    Cute Pup Names for Males

    • Ace
    • Bear
    • Billie
    • Buffy
    • Chip
    • Simba
    • Teddy
    • Griffin
    • Benji

    Cute Pup Names for Females

    • Bambi
    • Ava
    • Ariel
    • Blossom
    • Alice
    • Daisy
    • Dolly
    • Molly
    • Ember
    • Pumpkin 
    • Snowflake 

    Funny Pup Names for Males

    • Biscuit 
    • Mickey
    • Boomer
    • Billy 
    • Chewy 
    • Butterface
    • Uncle Buck
    • Screech
    • Dogzilla
    • Marshmallow 
    • Juju 

    Funny Pup Names for Females

    • Sissy
    • Muffin
    • Mango
    • Mouse
    • Grandma
    • Moneypenny
    • Kitty
    • Betty Spaghetty
    • Betsy Wetsy
    • Ladybug 

    Strong Pup Names For Males

    • Archie
    • Forrest
    • Harvey
    • Rascal
    • Hunter 
    • Jethro 
    • Arthur 
    • Ranger 
    • Oscar 
    • Storm 
    • Soccer
    • Zeus 

    Strong Pup Names For Females

    • Storm
    • Summer
    • Zelda
    • Vixen
    • Odessa
    • Paige 
    • Foxy
    • Mystic
    • Sassy
    • Coco
    • Luna 
    • Piper 

    Well, there you have it. Choose away!

  • Petland In the Community

    Petland In the Community

    Petland stores pride themselves on giving back to the community that has given so much to us in terms of patronage and trust. It is mainly for this reason that we run several charity programs and events to touch the lives of several people/pets across different states where our stores are located. Here are details of some of the different programs that we are involved in:

    Safari Stan’s Children’s Charities by Petland 

    This charity program was officially launched for children in 1994, and we currently have two organizations. For the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, since 1998, Petland has helped bring over 850 pet-related wishes. Likewise, for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Petland has collected over $1.2 million for thirteen years and counting!

    Pet Therapy at Petland

    This program benefits young children and the elderly in our communities. Petland occasionally takes some of our pets on visits to schools and nursing homes for some animal and human bonding experience. This has been proven to be an incredible experience for people!

    Pets in the Classroom 

    This is a program run by the Pet Care Trust, with Petland as an active member. This program seeks to generate funds to enable teachers to purchase pets and pet-related supplies for their classrooms. The aim of this is to promote a healthy relationship between kids and their pets if/when they have one.

    Adopt A Pet

    Petland takes in homeless pets from various sources such as pet rescue groups, local animal shelters, or people with more pets than they can properly take care of. Petland counselors work hand-in-hand with the welfare groups to find satisfactory homes for these pets.

    Other activities include:

    • Providing funds and feeding for several therapy dogs,service dogs, and k9 units.
    • Providng therap and companion dogs for incapacitated veterans
    • Providing extra protection for all their pets through technology

    Now, this is our little way of giving back, and we would definitely be looking to do even more!

  • Small, Medium, or Large Breed Dog?

    Small, Medium, or Large Breed Dog?

    The resolution to have a dog should come after a phase of thorough decision making, careful planning, and the assurance that you have the necessary means to make your pet comfortable and happy. 

    One major thing to decide upon before finally going to the pet store is the size of the dog that you want. Size is important because it determines a lot of things, such as how much food your dog will consume, how easy it would be to transport them from place to place, and how much space they will need. 

    Here are a number of factors to put into consideration when determining what breed of dog to get with respect to size:

    Family

    The size of your family, as well as the age range of the members of your family, go a long way in determining what kind of dog to get. For example, if you have little kids, you should get small dogs, such as a Dachshund or a Papillon. If you have teenagers, you might want to consider getting a much larger dog, such as a Boxer. 

    Indoor and Outdoor Space

    You should consider the amount of space you have within and without your house while getting a dog. Smaller dogs can live comfortably within apartments with little outdoor space, however, bigger houses might be better for bigger dogs as they need lots of space. 

    Lifestyle

    What exactly do you want from your dog? Do you need a cuddle buddy -Chihuahua or Pug- or perhaps, a security dog -Bullmastiff or Rottweiler? Your pet needs should influence the size of the dog you get. 

    Maintenance Costs

    This is probably the most important factor to consider. Expenses on food and treats, leash and harness, crate, and medicals are more expensive for larger dogs than they are for smaller dogs. If your monthly income is not exactly huge, you might want to get a smaller dog to avoid getting overwhelmed by costs. 

    On a final note, you should keep in mind that the size of a dog does not dictate its personality. There are small dogs that are full of energy, and large dogs that are just big couch potatoes. Either way, ensure you opt for a breed size that works just great for you!

  • A New Puppy For The New Year

    Yay! It’s the new year! Many people have their new year resolutions outlined and are already putting them into effect. For some, one of these resolutions is to get a new fur baby at the beginning of the year. Just like any other parenting, puppy parenting can be somewhat overwhelming but fun overall. There are a lot of things for both of you to learn and you have to get started on your part before bringing your cuddly fur baby home.

    Here are a few things to note when getting a new puppy:

    Your Schedule
    Puppies are fun to be with however, they require a lot of care and attention in their first few months. You’ll have to feed Max two to three times daily. In addition, you would have to take him on walks and get him socialized later on. You have to factor all of these into your schedule. This phase may be tasking, but it’s definitely rewarding.

    Bonding Time
    The first few months of Max’s life are the perfect time to bond with him and get to know him. There’s a lot that you can learn about him just by spending time with him. You can learn about your playful puppy’s personality, temperament, tastes, and intelligence. Everyone loves puppy breath and you’ll definitely be getting a lot of that in your face along with licks of gratitude.

    Training
    It is essential to start training your dog early. At this young age, Max is ready to learn. All he’s waiting for is for you to work with him as soon as you can. Training provides tremendous benefits to continued good behavior both inside your home and in public. You can teach your Max basic obedience and then step up to potty training, chew training, and crate training.

  • Are You Getting a New Puppy This Year?

    Choosing a pet eventually boils down to various factors such as upkeep requirements and space available, amongst others. These factors are of vital importance in the selection process, so, here are the major ones in detail:

    Breed Type
    Each breed comes with a unique set of characteristics such as size, temperament, intelligence, and general behavioral features.

    Broadly, breeds may be classified as Designer breeds, Pure breeds, Small breeds, Medium, and Large breeds. To determine which is best for you, evaluating your needs and using that as a guide is ideal.

    Upkeep Requirements
    Some breeds require more frequent grooming than others. Some are high-energy and would need to be frequently exercised.

    Others may need special foods kept out of their diets. These are all factors you should consider before choosing a new puppy.

    Space Available
    This factor mainly plays into the eventual adult size of the dog. If yours is a rural farmhouse with lots of space, you could opt for a large breed or one with lots of energy.

    On the flip side, living in a metropolis, perhaps an apartment building, might require a considerably smaller breed size with low energy requirements. Designer breeds and small breeds could be a good call here.

    General Needs
    In addition to routine visits, how often would the puppy need to see the vet? What are their nutritional requirements? Does the breed require lots of physical attention? These are questions that fall into the general needs of the pup, and one you should consider closely. The idea is to opt for a breed that you can take adequate care of.

    Dogs come in various breeds, sizes, colors, temperaments, and have various maintenance requirements. Ensure to go for one that suits your lifestyle perfectly.

  • Best Gifts To Buy Your Dog this Christmas

    Christmas is Santa season and your dog shouldn’t be left out. This is a perfect time to get your fur baby some practical gifts. They don’t necessarily have to be expensive. Just items that would be of great use in the long-term. So, here are some ideas to help you along:

    Toys!
    Squeaker toys, outside toys, stuffless toys, name it. This should top your list of gift ideas for Buddy. Even if he’s got a favorite, adding another to the collection only makes it better. After all, the more, the merrier.

    A New Bowl
    You could decide to gift Buddy with a brand new bowl for his chow. This is definitely going to be a very important one for him because, let’s face it, pups are humongous food lovers. Similarly, you could put in some more thought to personalize it by customizing the bowl with his name or perhaps, a cute picture of him.

    A New Collar and Leash
    If his previous collar and leash were wearing out, Christmas is a perfect time to get Buddy a new leash and collar. This is a practical purchase choice, wouldn’t break the bank, and he would definitely love his new collar a whole lot.

    A Bed
    What better way to make Buddy’s Christmas than to invest in some comfort item for him. And of all items available, a new bed definitely sounds like an awesome idea. You could get a softer and bigger bed to serve as your fur baby’s new kingdom. For the most part, these items are pretty inexpensive and would not break the bank. However, going for designer brand products is a pretty good idea too. Provided they are practical and durable, you’re good to go!

  • Winter is the Siberian Husky’s Favorite Season

    The Siberian Husky is one of the most beloved dog breeds in the US. This comes as no surprise as they boast a lot of great qualities. This article highlights important and interesting facts about this exquisite breed.

    History
    The Siberian Husky’s origin can be traced to the Chukchi people of the Chukchi Peninsula located in eastern Siberia. They bear no relation to wolves.

    In 1908, they were brought to Nome, Alaska to be used as sled dogs. The breed evolved and was developed to be used in sled dog racing. Over the years, they have evolved into beloved household pets.

    Snow & Winter
    The Husky loves snow and winter generally, and the white background makes for a picturesque one for Husky photography. They are biologically adapted to cold and can tolerate cold temperatures as low as -75°F (-59°C).

    Coat
    Siberian huskies feature what is referred to as a double coat. They have a top coat and an undercoat. This serves to keep them insulated or cool, as needed. The overcoat is long and water-resistant, while the undercoat is shorter and warm.

    Colors
    The most common coat colors of the Siberian Husky include the following:

    • White
    • Black
    • Gray & White
    • Sable & White
    • Black & Tan
    • Silver-gray
    • Black & White
    • Grey
    • Red & White

    Some huskies may feature some other colors, but those are quite rare. They also have spectacular eye colors.

    Huskies have a common base eye color of brown. However, all Husky pups are born with blue eyes. This remains until they are about 1-2 months old, after which you can tell which would turn brown and which would remain lighter.

    Some pups experience heterochromia which makes their eyes bi-colored or parti-colored. Some huskies also have green eyes which are pretty rare. Huskies are an interesting breed indeed; they are very playful, adorable, and make for great pets.