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There are hundreds of dog breeds in existence, all with different qualities and traits. Realistically, despite similarities, there are no two identical dogs. Each dog has its own personality and mind which means each breed of dog brings something unique to the table. In this blog we are going to “dig” into a few breeds that make great family pets despite not being talked about that often.

Puli

The Puli is a very old Hungarian dog breed that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.  Many believe that this breed is a direct ancestor of the Poodle. Around World War II this breed was nearly extinct but was revived by hobbyists.  The Puli makes a great family pet and has many desirable qualities. It should be noted that their coats are high -maintenance and do require work to keep looking their best.

Schipperke

The Schipperke has a similar appearance to the Sheepdog and was originally bred to work on barges in Belgium canals in the 1800’s. This is a working breed of dog that has high energy levels and likes to be on the move. This breed of dog has transitioned into a very well-liked family dog who has a loving and caring personality. The Schipperke makes a great fit for families that want the heart of a big dog but in a smaller package.

Basenji

The Basenji is considered to be one of the most primitive and oldest breeds of dog in existence. This dog has been traced back to pyramids in Egypt. A great trait of this breed is that they are not known to overly bark, however, can be heard yodeling at times. One of the most unusual facts about this breed is that, like wolves and another primitive dog called a dingo, female Basenjis only come into heat once a year, unlike all other domestic breeds that come into heat two times a year. The Basenji is a loving and social dog that makes a great family pet.

Brussels Griffon

Also known as the bearded dog, the Brussels Griffon is known for its long hair around its snout and for its large expressive eyes. This is a playful and active breed of dog that has a very outgoing personality. They are also considered to be hypoallergenic which is great for those of us who suffer from allergies. This breed also does well in families that have children thanks to their warm demeanors.

Chinese Crested

Many experts believe the Chinese Crested is essentially a smaller version of the African hairless dog. Chinese merchants acquired African hairless dogs on their trips to the continent and bred them to be smaller, producing the Chinese Crested. They originally were known for their abilities to hunt rats on ships but have evolved into a great family pet. This breed has a double coatthat tends to be soft, silky and straight, although some may have curly hair. Both the Hairless and Powderpuff shed very little, and generally makes a great pet for people with allergies.

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier, also known as the Bedlington, is a playful and active dog breed that is known for its loyalty. They are also very friendly dogs who quickly warm up to visitors and new people. This breed emerged in the parish of Bedlington in Northumberland, England in the early 19th century. They were originally called the Rothbury Terrier, after the namesake district on the English coast. The Bedlington Terrier is also considered to be hypoallergenic, which is a big plus for those who suffer from allergies.

All of these unique dogs have a lot to offer. They make great family pets and despite being different in many ways they all share on quality. They will all win your heart in no time at all!

Many dog owners have seen their dogs’ showing signs of jealousy. Professional dog trainers actually use jealousy as a training tool by removing unresponsive dogs during training and allow dogs to watch their handlers working with another dog. A lot of dog owners observe their dog’s display of jealousy when their owners interact with other dogs, family members or friends.  

A Dog’s Jealous Behaviors May Include: 

• Biting / Snapping
• Barking
• Growling
• Whining 
• Getting between his owner and other objects
• Behavior towards an object or thing you’re interacting with
• Pushing extra attention from you‌

Behaviors that Really Need to Be Watched Include: 

• Aggression. Any kind of biting to gain the attention over a person, pet or object is a bad sign. 
• Accidents inside. Since our dog can’t talk to us, they express themselves through their physical actions. They know going to the potty inside is wrong, yet it will get your attention.  
• Aggressive growling or howling. 

Signs of Possessive Behavior 

Your dog may be showing possessive behavior if they do the following: 

• Growling
• Snapping
• Excessive whining
• Attacking another pet or person

Understanding a Protective Dog

If your dog is overly protective, it may be because that’s their natural instinct. This reaction may seem aggressive if your dog perceives you are in danger. Sometimes protective instincts can get confused with jealous or possessive behavior. ‌

Your Dog is Protective if They Do the Following: 

• Focuses on another animal, person, or situation
• Give their full attention to the scenario
• Calms down and backs down after no threat is found‌

The key difference between a protective dog and a possessive dog is the relaxing and backing down part of the equation. A possessive or jealous dog doesn’t typically back down, and his behavior remains consistent.

Changing Problematic Behavior

Be patient. First, you’ll need to use positive reinforcement and reward your dog when they act the way you want them to. If your dog comes in between you and another person, try ignoring them. If your dog keeps getting in the way, get up and move to another space. The ignoring and or not reacting to what they are doing will help your dog know their behavior is not working to get your attention. 

The Three Main Tips 

• Don’t verbally communicate with to them when they do this
• Don’t touch them or push them away
• Don’t make eye contact with them

Your Dog is Doing This to Get Your Attention.

By not showing them attention while they do this may deter them from continuing the behavior.‌To stop your dog’s jealous behavior early in life, consider trying the following ideas: 

1. Avoid showing too much attention to one pet over another. 
2. Train your dog to feel safe, secure, and relaxed in their crate.
3. Make a separate feeding area for multiple animals. This way they are not competing for food.
4. Reward your dog when they’re exhibiting good behavior. 

We need to remember; our pups are living creates that have real emotions and feelings. Your pup loves you and wants your attention, similar to a child. It is important to always remain patient with your dog and train him using positive reinforcement. It is also crucial to begin training at a young age as puppies are more prone to learning while their brain is developing. Although older dogs are able to be trained, the process may take longer and be more challenging.

Homemade dog treats come with a variety of benefits. For one, you know the ingredients in them. They are also less expensive than commercially produced dog treats. They are also something fun to make! Before feeding your pup anything that he normally does not eat, it is always recommended that you check with your veterinarian first. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Below is a list of our favorite homemade dog treats that we think your pup will enjoy!

Baked Chicken Treats

For a quick and easy treat, consider this homemade baked chicken dog treats from Eileen Anderson. Using a basic pyramid pan, this recipe can make about 500 small treats that your dog will drool over. After being baked, you can refrigerate or freeze the treats.

Treat Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce can of chicken, including liquid
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup tapioca flour
• ½ cup of white flour
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Blend chicken and eggs in a food processor.
3. Pour the mixture into a bowl, and stir in flour and oil. This batter should be a little thicker than pancake batter but still pourable.
4. Spread the batter onto the silicone mold on a cookie sheet, making sure it’s in the holes, and then scrape it off the dividers.
5. Bake for 12 minutes.
6. Once cooled, turn over the mold and dump the treats out.
7. You can bag up the treats and refrigerate or freeze them.

Homemade Bacon Pyramid Pan Treats

Is your fur-legged friend a fan of bacon? If so, this simple recipe by Michelle Taylor will be a hit. With four basic ingredients, this is a great homemade treat for beginners.

Treat Ingredients:

• ½ package of bacon
• 2 eggs
• 150 grams of gluten-free flour
• Water to thin

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Blend the bacon and eggs.
3. Add flour. Stir in water if the batter needs to thin.
4. Smooth the batter over the baking mat and bake for eight minutes.
5. Once cooled, cut the treats into bite-sized pieces.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Almost all dogs love the creamy and sweet taste of peanut butter. If your dog is a fan of it, give these treats by Eileen Anderson a whirl! 

Treat Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• ½ cup peanut butter powder
• ½ cup white flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour
• ½ cup water

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Mix the ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into the pan.
4. Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft but still drawing away from the side of the pan.
5. Once cooled, stretch the pan and dump the treats out.

Cheese and Sardine Pyramid Pan Dog Treats

Looking for a protein-packed treat for your pup? If so, this cheese and sardine dog treat is the answer. 

Treat Ingredients:

• 1 can of sardines

 • 2 eggs

 • 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese

 • A handful of roasted vegetables

 • 75 grams of tapioca flour (or plain flour)

 • Water

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 320ºF.

2. Blend all the ingredients in a blender to make a thick batter. Add water as needed to make it thicker.

3. Smooth the mixture over the baking mat and bake for about 15 minutes or until crispy.

4. Once cooled, cut into small pieces.

Cheddar-Apple Dog Biscuits

This classic one is from Martha Stewart and is a combination of cheddar and apple. 

Treat Ingredients:

• 2 cups barley flour
• ½ cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons of water to form a dough. Roll out the mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to ¼-inch thick. Remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 ½-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
4. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off the oven and place the biscuits on a wire rack in the oven overnight. Remove from the oven and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

We think your pup will love these tricks, which are all healthy sources of nutrition. As mentioned earlier, always check with your veterinarian before feeding your dog anything new.

From time to time, The American Kennel Club (AKC) adds new breeds of dogs to its registry. Being added to their list as a new breed is not something that happens with ease. The American Kennel Club has a rigorous screening process with extremely strict eligibility requirements in order for a dog to be recognized as a new, pure breed. These requirements include a national breed club with at least one hundred members and a population of third-generation dogs numbering at least three hundred. That is not easy to find. The dogs must also be found in at least twenty states in the U.S. To demonstrate how selective this process is, there have only been fifteen new breeds added to this registry since 2015. We rounded up five of these new breeds registered in the last five years to help you get more familiar with them.

Barbet

Initially registered in 2020, Barbet Dog is one of the AKC’s most recent additions. The Barbet has been shown off in French artwork that dates back as far as the early 16th century. This breed gets its name from the French word “barbe,” which means “beard,” and by looking at this pup you will understand why. The Barbet Dog is a rare dog breed, with a long coat similar to a Poodle, that consists of thick fur that transitions into tight curls. The Barbet is a very loyal and smart breed of dog that has an appearance as unique as its personality.

Azawakh

The Azawakh originated in West Africa and is a tall and slender dog. Although this breed has been around for a very long time, it wasn’t listed on the registry until 2019. This dog was originally developed to be a hunting dog. The Azawakh is a very rare breed and consequently, a very expensive breed. They have a similar, but not identical, appearance of a greyhound and are very athletic. Today’s Azawakh is still commonly used as sighthounds. The Azawakh does make a great pet and tends to be happy when his family is happy.

Dogo Argentino

The Dogo Argentino is a strong and muscular dog which was developed in Argentina for hunting large game. This rare breed, which was initially registered in 2020, is also very expensive. The Dogo Argentino is a strong looking and focused dog that has a very alert mind and a strong will. They are known for their loyalty and protective personalities. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, they are not known to be aggressive dogs. This breed does make a good family pet if you are able to find one.

American Hairless Terrier Dog

Despite their name, the American Hairless Terrier can be found in both hairless and coated varieties. This breed descended from a single Rat Terrier that was selectively bred for its hairlessness qualities. In 2016 the American Hairless Terrier dog breed was officially recognized. This breed is known to be outgoing, energetic, curious, and loyal. They are also very good at hunting small rodents. They make great family pets and are not known to excessively shed.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondjie Dog

The Nederlandse Kooikerhondjie was originally bred in the Netherlands to serve as a duck decoy dog. They were very good at luring fowl to their doom into “Eendenkooi,” which is a man-made pond trapping cage. Their Dutch name translates to “small cager dog,” and their unique tails helped entice ducks into these areas. Despite the Nederlandse Kooikerhondjie being very popular in the Netherlands for centuries, they were not registered with the AKC until 2018. This is a quality breed of dog that does well in families of all dynamics.

Did you know that there are 339 breeds of dog on Earth? That’s a lot dogs! Each dog breed comes with very distinct traits. Besides physical attributes each has its own personality, skill, and demeanor. Although every dog is special, some are just more “pupular” than others. Below is a list of the top ten dog breeds in the United States and a little information about each dog.

Ranking #1 – Labrador Retriever

For over thirty straight years, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed of dog in the United States. This pup is not only as handsome as they come, but has a personality to match. They are kid friendly and mom approved dogs that are always happy to see their family. They do great with other pets in the house and do not require excessive amounts of work.

Ranking #2 – Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle’s popularity continues to take off much thanks to her sweet and playful personality and very approachable demeanor. This breed has a lot to offer and is a joy to be around. They enjoy playing, do great with children and are not known to be aggressive. The Goldendoodle is also a very attractive dog who cleans up well!

Ranking #3 – Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is not only a very smart breed of dog but a very loving and loyal breed. They are family friendly dogs who easily train and who remain very loyal. This breed is known for its companionship and simply enjoys being around his family. For families that are active, this pup is able to keep up and looks forward to making his family happy.

Ranking # 4 – French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is the perfect combination between adorable and lazy! This breed enjoys the company of his family and other pets. They are also mild mannered which allows for them to interact well with younger children. They enjoy taking naps and being close to their family. For those who want a good-looking pup without having to invest a lot of time in grooming, this should be one to consider.

Ranking #5 – Labradoodle

What do you get when you mix a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle? The Labradoodle. This very attractive dog is also very smart. They make amazing family pets and enjoy being the center of your attention. They are also social dogs who enjoy the company of other pets in the home. If a smart and good-looking pup is what you are searching for, this breed should be considered.

Ranking #6 – German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is quality pup who is known to be loyal, smart and protective. Despite being protective, they can also be very gentle and caring. They enjoy staying busy and they do best with families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Thanks to their intelligence and physical attributes, this breed is also used in law enforcement and the military.

Ranking #7 – Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is an elegant dog who is not afraid to get her paws dirty. Despite having a luxurious coat and pretty features, she loves to play and play hard. This breed is very popular and has been for years. If you are looking for a gentle lapdog who is ready for a game of tug of war, the Shih Tzu should be considered.

Ranking #8 – Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a small yet feisty dog that doesn’t back down from anyone. These pups are also very loving and have caring personalities. They enjoy spending time both indoors and outdoors with family and have been a family favorite for generations in the United States. This breed does well for those who are first time dog owners because they are low maintenance and relatively easy to care for.