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  • 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.

  • This is Why You Need a Goldendoodle

    A new dog breed is fast becoming a favorite amongst American families and for a range of reasons. At first sight, a Goldendoodle, which is a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle, captures your heart with their adorable appearance.

    However, that isn’t all there is to a Goldendoodle. Here are some other essential highlights that would make you fall in love with this furry baby breed:
    Smart & Trainable
    Goldendoodles are extremely smart and take to command easily. They are also great at picking up tricks easily, and bring to life the old expression, “You can teach old doodles new tricks.”

    Minimal Upkeep
    This breed doesn’t demand a lot in terms of attention. In addition, you can opt for your preferred size; large, medium, or tiny. And while they require minimal attention, they still deserve to get all your love.

    Great With Kids
    Goldendoodles make for the perfect family pet. They are great with babies, toddlers, and adolescents. They are an explicitly trustworthy companion. They also have lots of energy, and would definitely match up to the playful antics of kids.

    Low Shedding
    This breed is especially noteworthy because of the fact that they barely shed. Compared to the Golden retriever, you would be doing a lot less cleaning. They are also hypoallergenic, implying that they have less allergens, which is great for people with allergies.

    Top Hybrid
    The Goldendoodle is a cross of two top breeds; the golden retriever and the poodle, and this endows them with lots of extra cuteness. Also, studies have shown that they are at a lower risk of exhibiting disorders prevalent in their parent breeds. This implies that their genetic health is at a much better level.

    Given all of these qualities, it’s no surprise that this breed is fast winning hearts and turning heads.

  • Top 5 Designer Breed Puppies for 2022

    Designer breed puppies are taking the internet and in turn, households by storm for a range of reasons.

    Top on these is the fact that they are bred from crossing two purebred dogs to retain some specific desired characteristics. In other words, these breeds are the elite. So, here are the top 5 designer breed puppies for 2022:

    Teddy Bear (Shih Tzu x Bichon Frise mix)
    With their round eyes, hanging ears, black, white, and brown colors alongside curly hair, you could mistake them for an actual teddy bear. The Teddy Bear is super cute, always ready for playtime, and is hypoallergenic.

    Goldendoodle
    This breed is quite popular owing to their adorable look and intelligence. They are after all a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. The Goldendoodle teems with energy and is known to be thoroughly loyal.

    Bichon Poo (Bichon Frise x Miniature Poodle mix)
    These pups are small, happy, and super smart. They basically took the best qualities from both parents. The Bichon Poo are low-shedding, cuddly, playful, and while they might bark excessively, you can always nip that in the bud.

    Pomsky (Siberian Husky x Pomeranian mix)
    This breed boasts a whole lot of energy and loves to play. They have an independent nature, so you might spend some extra time training. However, the Pomsky’s lovable nature and cute size make the extra worth it.

    Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Bichon Frise mix)
    This is one playful breed! They are characterized by their friendliness, loyalty, and intelligence. The Cavachon aims to please, and take to training easy. To keep them happy, moderate grooming and exercise does it.

    You know what they say about good things coming in small packages, this defines most designer breed puppies.

  • Top 5 Holiday Recipes for Your Dog

    It’s the holidays! What better way to celebrate than to put out some special food and treats. You can stay rest assured that your pup would have the most amazing experience. 

    So, here are 5 holiday recipes that your dog would absolutely love: 

    Dog Candy Canes

    Baking these dog candy canes from Dog Treat Kitchen can be quite a bit of work. However, they do pay off in the long run. They can be frozen for as long as six months, and the chicken and peppermint flavor would set your dog salivating. Thinking of a way to make it into a present, how about placing them in a nice gift box?

    Dog Treats With Pumpkin and Peanut Butter

    2 Bees in a Pod guarantees that these dog treats with pumpkin and peanut butter are super easy to make. All you need is some canned pumpkin, whole wheat flour, peanut butter, eggs, cinnamon and salt. Mix up all six ingredients and use a cookie cutter to make shapes that you want. 

    Christmas Carob Mint Dog Cookies

    These scrumptious Christmas carob mint dog cookies made by Paw luxury come with a delicious chocolate flavor thanks to the melted carob that they are dipped in. Stack them up in a gift box or ribbon-tied cellophane bag and make a grand gesture of gifting your pup. 

    Nutty Bacon Dog Treats 

    These treats are filled with all the favorites your dog moves; all-natural peanut butter, bacon, and maple syrup. The blogger behind Dog Hill Kitchen declared that her dogs loved them, and yours would definitely do too. 

    Irresistible Christmas Cookie Dog Treats

    These Christmas-cookie dog treats are a great way to save preparation time.  According to BarkPost, you only need five ingredients, which are easy to get too — flour, peanut butter, baking powder, water, and non-fat plain Greek yogurt. You can cut them up into various shapes too.  

    Make your dog’s holidays with these amazing treats! 

  • Treats, Toys, or Both For Christmas?

    Deck the halls with treats and toys! Santa Paws is around the corner with his sack of gifts and your puppy has stayed off Santa’s naughty list. You are looking forward to sharing the festive spirit with Lucy but you have no idea what exactly to get her for Christmas. Does she want treats or does she want toys?

    You can never go wrong with toys. Toys keep your puppy busy and playful while taking her attention off some other things.

    Self-amusement toys
    These are more durable toys your Lucy can play with while she’s alone. You can get bone-shaped chew toys.

    Training toys
    These are toys that help with teething and help your puppy know what is okay to chew on. This includes chewing toys and balls.

    Comfort toys
    These toys are typically plush items your puppy bonds with. This includes stuffies Lucy can snuggle with.

    Interactive toys
    These toys help build and strengthen the bond between you and your puppy. A tug rope, a pacific loop, or frisbee fit into this category perfectly.

    Treats
    No doubt, aside from toys, Lucy deserves special treats for Christmas. After all, Christmas is the season of giving and no one is more appreciative than she is. You indulge in a lot of goodies that can’t be shared with your puppy. Instead, treat your puppy to a stocking full of treats for Christmas.

    To start with, you can get your puppy different treats. These include dental treats to keep your puppy’s pearly whites in the best shape, training treats, bones, and fake bones.
    As an excellent puppy parent, you should not just get just toys or just treats for your puppy. Find a good mix of toys and treats instead!

  • Here Is Your Puppy “DO NOT EAT” List For The Holidays

    Christmas time is a time to indulge. It’s expected that you want to spoil your puppy too with some extra treats during this period. 

    However, most of the foods you enjoy eating during Christmas aren’t necessarily good for your canine buddy. You need to be extra careful because this period can bring along extra dangers you need to look out for. 

    Here’s your puppy’s “DO NOT EAT” list for the holidays.

    • Chocolate

    Chocolate is a common treat for many during the holidays. However, chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Ensure you keep it completely out of your puppy’s sight and reach.

    • Onions

    Onions are commonly used in Christmas stuffings. It contains thiosulphate, a substance harmful to dogs. Ensure you avoid onions in your puppy’s diet. 

    • Grapes

    Grapes can be highly toxic to dogs and just one or two, if consumed, could turn out fatal. Make sure you keep them away.

    • Raisins

    Just like grapes, raisins can be highly toxic to dogs. Stay vigilant so your puppy does not eat any treats containing raisins.

    • Granulated Sugar

    Sugar is generally bad for dogs and is unhealthy. Sweeteners like xylitol, common in peanut butter, are also dangerous to your puppy’s health.

    • Raw Potato

    Raw and green potatoes contain solanine in their skin which can cause poisoning.

    • Garlic 

    Garlic belongs to the same family as onions, leeks, and chives and is equally toxic to dogs.

    • Avocado

    Avocados make a nice addition to human dishes but can be fatal for dogs because of a toxin called persin.

    • Macadamia Nuts

    Sweet macadamia nuts are a common snack during Christmas. They can however be dangerous for your canine buddy.

    • Caffeine & alcohol

    Leaving cups of alcohol, tea, or coffee around with dogs in the house is never a good idea. Dogs are sensitive to alcohol and caffeine in coffee and other drinks.