H3N8 Dog Flu - New Vaccine

H3N8 Dog Flu is just another term for Canine Influenza, a type of respiratory infection that has been around since 2004. Before that, it was a virus that infected horses, but mutated into the H3N8 Dog Flu. Since 2004, about 10,000 dogs have been infected, with a 5% mortality rate. In its current condition it's a threat, but it's possible it may become even more so, with further mutations. The USDA announced on June 23rd, 2009 they have approved a new vaccine for the H3N8 Dog Flu.

Bio-medicine.org reports, "Most dogs have no immunity to canine influenza because it is a novel pathogen and, therefore, the infection can spread quickly through animal shelters, adoption groups, pet stores, boarding kennels, veterinary clinics and any location where dogs congregate. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no evidence of transmission of the virus from dogs to people..."

The USDA indicates that this vaccine may not always prevent the H3N8 Dog Flu, but may lessen the severity of it. This vaccine is only approved for use with healthy dogs, and has a one year conditional license period, while they continue to evaluate it. In my case, I've decided not to be a guinea pig for this vaccine, as I'm not in a high risk group. Most likely a high percentage of shelters, breeders, and kennels will be vaccinating for H3N8 Dog Flu, as the results of a shelter wide infection would be so devastating.

What Is The Most Popular Dog Breed?

If you've ever wondered, "What is the most popular dog breed?" the AKC reports the most popular dog breeds on a yearly basis. Labrador Retrievers continue to be America's favorite dog breed, and are rated again as the most popular dog breed for 2008. What's not to love? Labrador Retrievers are known for being gentle, easy going, well adjusted, and highly intelligent.



What Is The Most Popular Dog Breed Top Ten List For 2008:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

What Is The Heaviest Breed Of Dog

If you're wondering, "What is the heaviest breed of dog?" the worlds heaviest dogs in the Guinness Book of World Records lately, have been of the Mastiff breed, weighing in at almost 300 pounds. While the English Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, and Bull mastiff are known for being incredibly large and heavy, there are other breeds as well, such as the Great Dane, Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees, Scottish Deerhound, Irish Wolfhound, and Rottweiler.



What is the heaviest breed of dog? Average weight for heavy dogs...

St. Bernard 160-260 lbs
English Mastiff 150–250 pounds
Great Dane 175-200 lbs
Neapolitan Mastiff 145-170 lbs
Irish Wolfhound 101-154 lbs
Newfoundland 130-150 lbs
Rottweiler 110-130 lbs
Bull mastiff 105-130 lbs
Great Pyrenees 110-120 lbs
Scottish Deerhound 85-110 lbs

What is the heaviest breed of dog?

What Is The Tallest Breed Of Dog

If you're interested to know, "What is the tallest breed of dog?" The Irish Wolfhound is considered to be the tallest with an average height of 33 to 36 inches from the shoulder. However, there are always exceptions...

According to the Guiness Book of World Records, it's currently a Great Dane called Gibson. This doggie is 42 inches tall at the shoulder, and a whopping seven feet when standing on his hind legs.



Gibson is an exceptionally tall dog, even for a Great Dane, as the average height for a Great Dane is normally about 32 inches measuring from the shoulder. So the answer to "What is the tallest breed of dog?" would be Irish Wolfhounds, except of course, when they're not.

Why Is Your Dog Eating A Lot Of Grass?

Some dogs are grass munchers, that enjoy nibbling on a bit of grass every day, while other dogs seldomly eat grass. Eating grass is not a problem at all, so long as the grass they eat is free from chemicals and fertilizers. If you have a dog eating a lot of grass, that doesn't normally do so, you may want to take a closer look. A dog eating a lot of grass can indicate an upset tummy or even an irritant in the throat.

While cats are famous for having hair balls, dogs can also accumulate hair in their throat. This can be caused by grooming, and chewing on toys and other items that happen to be covered with hair. The hair lodged in the throat can cause irritation, resulting in your dog eating a lot of grass. It almost seems that dogs instinctively know that eating the grass will cause them to vomit, flush the irritant from their throat, and make them feel better.

It's not known for sure whether a dog eating a lot of grass does so simply because he likes grass, or if he is somehow aware that this act will make him vomit and ultimately feel better. What we do know is that some dogs just like to eat grass, some dogs eat grass when they have an upset tummy, and some dogs eat grass because they have a throat irritant. If you have a dog eating a lot of grass, you may have to play the detective to figure out which applies in your situation.

Dog Halloween Costume Patterns

Dog Halloween costume patterns? If you want to dress your dog up for Halloween, remember that less is more! If your dog seems uncomfortable, unhappy, stressed out...then it's not worth it. I'm sure you've seen what I'm talking about, dogs dressed in costumes that are funny to everyone, except of course the dog. Here are two photos that show exactly what I'm talking about.





OK, putting Fido in a Santa costume isn't exactly dog abuse. There are worse things going on in the world. Yet forcing your dog to be uncomfortable, simply for entertainment value, isn't a nice thing to do. That's why I said at the beginning of this post, that less is more. Forget about the complex dog halloween costume patterns, and learn how to make a simple, inexpensive dog scarf to celebrate this Halloween.

All you'll need to make a dog scarf, is a piece of fabric and a pair of scissors. Since we're making a Halloween scarf, look for fabric with a Halloween theme.

Sizes of fabric you'll need, depends on size of your dog...

Extra Large Dog: 26 inch by 26 inch square
Large Dog: 22 inch by 22 inch square
Medium Dog: 18 inch by 18 inch square
Small Dog: 14 inch by 14 inch square

To create this dog halloween costume patterns scarf, cut the square diagonally, which will result in two triangle scarfs for your dog. Tada! If you want to get fancy, you can hem or even place fancy fringe around the edges, but it's not required. 99 out of 100 dogs surveyed would love to have a scarf like this.

Where Can I Purchase a Portuguese Water Dog?

If you've done your research on the Portuguese Water Dog, you may be wondering "Where can I purchase a Portuguese Water Dog?" Of course, you can find a breeder fairly easy, but have you considered rescue? There are so many dogs in desperate need of homes right now, rescuing a dog is one of kindest things you can do. If you have your heart set on the Portuguese Water Dog, and asking, "Where can I purchase a Portuguese Water Dog?" Have you considered looking for your new best friend on Petfinder?

Look at this sweet little angel. Curly is a mix between a Portuguese Water Dog and a Poodle. Curly loves everyone, people and dogs! The Humane Society of Houston County in Warner Robins, GA is hoping to find Curly a loving home.



Still wondering, Where can I purchase a Portuguese Water Dog?

Mr. Boone is a Portuguese Water Dog up for adoption on Petfinder from the Warm Hearts Humane Society Inc, in Mount ida, AR. Mr. Boone may be slightly spoiled as he refuses to be adopted out by anyone that does not live near the water. As an adult he is already well-trained, housebroken, neutered, and reportedly a "really cool gentleman."



Bear is a Portuguese Water Dog/Labrador Retriever mix that really needs your help. He was a stray running through the streets, lost and alone, until someone helped him by taking him to the animal shelter. Bear is 7 years old, had to get hip surgery, and is unable to climb stairs. He is extremely affectionate and dreaming of a family to love and call his own. Bear is at the Homeless Pets Foundation based out of Atlanta, GA.



Makey is a Portuguese Water Dog mixed with a ? He is a energetic, fun loving, happy go lucky kind of guy and is up for adoption at the The Ark Foster Care Program in Fillmore, Indiana. Makey is reportedly very intelligent and learns quickly. He is looking for his lifetime home, and a family to love.



If you want to know, "Where can I purchase a Portuguese Water Dog?" check out Petfinder to rescue a dog near you.

Bo Obama Baseball Card

Internet users can print or download a baseball card featuring Bo Obama with stats on the White House website. You can get it here, and take Bo with you wherever you go!



The Bo Obama baseball card stats includes vital information on the White House dog, including breed, family, unofficial title, birth, first day at the White House, hobbies, goals as the First Dog, favorite exercise, and favorite food. The Bo Obama baseball card also has a "Did you know?" section that answers all the questions everyone has been wanting to know. Such as, "Is it true that Bo cannot swim?" and "How did Bo get his name?"

Choosing Dog Breed Quiz

The first time that I adopted a dog, it certainly wouldn't be described as a planned event. It started with a general feeling of how nice it would be to have a dog, and ended up in a walk down death row at the city pound. The thought of choosing dog breed quiz to help me determine what breed is right for me, was not even a consideration. With no idea of what size, color, or breed that I was looking for, I scanned the kennels looking for that connection. In the very back of a kennel was an extremely frightened black and white dog with matted fur.

I paused and spoke to him softly, as he shook with fear. I decided his new name would be Elliot, as he growled at the animal control officer who was trying to put a leash on him. The officer said angrily, "You don't want this dog!" Fearing for Elliot's safety if I left him there, I exclaimed "Yes I do!" The rest is history, Elliot cleaned up rather nicely, and was the kindest gentlest dog ever. The dog adoption was a great success and Elliot lived the duration of his life with me until he passed away from kidney failure from old age.

While many successful dog adoptions occur without prior planning, some of the more organized among us are choosing dog breed quiz to help determine the perfect breed for their personality and lifestyle. I've reviewed a few of these, to help you in choosing dog breed quiz. The Animal Planet dog breed quiz was fun to take, and in my case very accurate. The Purina dog breed quiz didn't get such rave reviews because they did not have as many breed choices, and the final breed recommendation they provided was not a good match.

There is now a new dog breed quiz, put out by Good Housekeeping. It measures your desires for life expectancy, grooming, personality traits, lifestyle, size, and dislikes. The Good Housekeeping dog breed quiz made an excellent choice for me, with a breed of dog that would fit right in. If you're choosing dog breed quiz, I would take the free Animal Planet or Good Housekeeping quiz to help you find that pefect match.

10 Non Allergic Dog Breeds

There are many non allergic dog breeds for allergy sufferers to choose from. While there may be no such thing as a 100% non allergic dog, certain breeds are known to create less problems with allergies in humans. The following is a list of 10 non allergic dog breeds.

Non Allergic Dog Breeds #1 - Poodle Whether you want a toy, miniature, medium, or standard sized dog, the Poodle has got it all. Known to be one of the smartest dogs, with a gentle temperament.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #2 - Bichon Frise An excellent companion dog that does not shed, and is known for having a fun loving happy go lucky attitude.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #3 - West Highland White Terrier Westies are another non-shedding dog, but do require regular grooming.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #4 - Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier If you're looking for a larger non-allergic dog, a Wheaten Terrier may be the perfect choice. They are usually about 40pounds full grown, and tend to be protective.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #5 - Tibetan Terriers Hypo-Allergenic dog that are intelligent, and make wonderful family dogs.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #6 - Wire Haired Fox Terrier High energy dog that loves plenty of exercise!




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #7 - Basenji Ancient hunting breed that likes to yodel instead of bark.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #8 - Portguese Water Dog President Obama's favorite breed of dog.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #9 - Coton de Tulear They call this breed the Coton de Tulear, because this breed of dog has hair just like cotton.




Non Allergic Dog Breeds #10 - Havanese Absolutely gorgeous dog that weighs about 10-15 pounds full grown.



Source of photos: Wikipedia Commons

What Kind Of Dog Is Benji?

Benji movies provide heartwarming family entertainment, and increase the popularity of shelter dogs and adoption. Many see the movies and want to know, "What kind of dog is benji?" Four dogs have played the Benji role over time, but they believe the current Benji may be a cross between a Tibetan Terrier and some type of Spaniel.

Below is a photo of Benji who played in "Benji Off the Leash" and has a real life happy story to tell. It started off badly when Benji was abandoned and wandering the streets of Mississippi in 2001. Luckily she was found and taken to an animal shelter, where a producer discovered and adopted Benji.

What kind of dog is benji?




What kind of dog is benji? All Benji's are mixed breed dogs, and shelter dogs who need to be adopted. The producers of Benji are teaming up with Pets911.com to promote dog shelter adoptions. If you're thinking about adopting a dog check out your local animal shelter, and PetFinder.com to find a Benji near you.

Justice For Dog Set On Fire

Here is an email that I received today, requesting that I forward it on to my readers. It's so incredibly sad and heart wrenching, admittedly, a part of me didn't even want to post this, as it's so horrible, it's hard to even imagine. Yet, it's important not to be silent, in cases of animal cruelty. Please sign this petition, requesting that the perpetrators of this crime receive the maximum penalty.

"This petition is asking for the perpetrators to receive due prosecutorial attention and if found guilty, sentence for the burning of a pitbull to death. This poor dog was fought, lost and then had gasoline poured on her and was set on fire. She lived three agonizing days before being put down due to her failing kidney's. The petition seeks 10,000 signatures and we are not even close at 1900. This type of behavior needs to be addressed not only for animals, but, for people as well as it reveals just how bad things have deteriorated in our culture. People actually stood by and laughed while this dog rolled, screaming in agony. Men stood by and a lady police officer was the one to put the dog out and took it to a hospital."

Petition: Justice For Dog Set On Fire

Some of you may know the story, some may not, so if you're not aware, the story and video is at:

http://www.wbaltv.com/news/19583287/detail.html

I thank you for your time and signature and ask that you forward this to all people, asking them to do the same, passing it on until we send a strong message that people do care...if you don't, the authorities will find it easier to assume that we will tolerate this acts in our streets.

Visit Pit Bulls at:

http://aspcacommunity.ning.com/groups/group/show?id=658300%3AGroup%3A29955

We should recognize Police Officer Syreeta Teel who did her best to save this poor dog. She came upon the scene, and did everything in her power to save the dog. She extinguished the fire with her own sweatshirt, and then rushed her to the hospital for emergency care. "This was one of the most cruel things I've ever seen. It hurt me to my heart," Teel said. It's good to know we have some Police Officers out there who really care. With this petition, we can let the authorities know that the public cares as well, and demand the harshest penalties to be extended for those that are deliberately cruel to animals.

Which Dog Breed Has The Strongest Jaw?

National Geographic conducted a test to find out which dog breed has the strongest jaw. The competition was between a APBT, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd. The Rottweiler had a much stronger bite force at 328, the German Shepherd came in second at 238, and the APBT with a bite force of 235 pounds. Warning: The video below to determine which dog breed has the strongest jaw is kind of frightening.



In another video where dogs are being trained by National Geographic to attack intruders, the Mastiff blows them all away with a bite force of 550 pounds.



Though there are no extensive scientific studies that definitively prove which dog breed has the strongest jaw, National Geographic testing may indicate that there is nothing unique about the jaws of any certain breed. Jaw strength may simply be a matter of the overall strength and muscle mass of a dog, regardless of the breed.

How Can I Tell If My Dog Had A Stroke

If you're wondering, how can I tell if my dog had a stroke? The signs to look for in dogs are a lack of coordination and balance, impaired vision, tilting of the head, and frequently circling. The most common cause of a stroke is a lack of blood and oxygen to the brain. It's usually less severe than in humans, but will typically take a few weeks of nursing at home to get your dog back to normal.

The only test that will provide a definitive answer to the question, "How can I tell if my dog had a stroke?" is to have a brain or CT scan performed. Based on symptoms, your vet may assume your dog had a stroke, but there is no way to be certain without a CT scan. This is a rough estimate, but a brain scan along with the required anesthesia will probably cost around $1000 in most areas. It may be worthwhile since the scan can tell you if your dog has a brain tumour, inflammation or infection of the brain, which are conditions that can cause strokes to occur.

If a brain scan is out of the question, you can not be certain whether your dog had a stroke. While you may not be able to answer, "How can i tell if my dog had a stroke?" with certainty, there are other things you can do. Blood tests are less expensive, and are recommended to rule out any conditions that may have caused your dog to have a stroke. Health conditions that can cause strokes in dogs, and can be identified with blood work are; thyroid conditions, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and Cushing disease.

10 Best Dog Food Recipes

Here's a list of the 10 best dog food recipes I've found lately. I've tried to include a sampling of both simple and complex recipes, and added a few vegetarian dog treat recipes for good measure. A few of these recipes contain garlic, if you don't want to give garlic to your dog, just disregard that ingredient. Here are the 10 best dog food recipes for this week.


1 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Salmon Treats:

1 can salmon, canned, pink
1/2 cup chopped parsley
3 eggs -- shells included
1/2 cup sesame seeds -- ground in coffee grinder
1/2 cup flax seeds -- ground in coffee grinder
2 cups potato flour -- (2 to 3)

Put these ingredients into a food processor, mix VERY WELL. Pour potato flour through the opening while the motor is running. I can't tell you exactly how much, but I would guess about 2-3 cups. When the dough forms, like a pie crust, and rolls into a ball it is ready to take out. Dump this mess onto potato floured counter or board. Knead more flour into this and when it is a rolled out cookie consistency, it is ready to roll out into about 14 inch thick. I use a pizza cutter to roll our long strips and then cut crosswise to make small squares.

If you want FANCY you may use a cookie cutter. Bake on cookie sheets, sprayed Pam or line the sheet with parchment paper. I put in as many as will fit. Usually two whole cookie sheets suffices. I bake this in a 375º oven for 20 min. Turn and rotate the cookie sheets and bake about 10 more minutes. You can make them as soft or as hard as you want.


2 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Turkey Treats:

2 cups cooked turkey -- cut up
2 cloves garlic
4 teaspoons grated cheese
1 tablespoon parsley -- freshly chopped
2 egg
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons brewer's yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Combine turkey, garlic, cheese, parsley and mix well. Beat the eggs in a bowl and pour over turkey mixture. Add the flour, yeast, and oil. Stir until thoroughly mixed and all ingredients are coated. Drop into small lumps onto ungreased cookie sheet. Cook in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until brown and firm. Store in
refrigerator.


3 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Vegetarian Dog Biscuits:

2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup Powdered Milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbs. brown sugar
3/4 cup Vegetable Broth
1/2 cup carrots -- optional
1 egg

Preheat oven to 300F. Mix all ingredients into a ball and roll out to about 1/4" thick. Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter, or strips, or a cutter shape of your own choice. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes at 300F.


4 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Veggie Vittles:

1 egg -- beaten
1/3 cup applesauce
1 cup vegetables -- *see Note
1 cup cooked rice
1 tablespoon brewer's yeast

Mix all ingredients well. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes, or until lightly browned and firm. Cool. Store in the fridge, or freeze. Note: mashed or grated small. Any desired veggies can be used, such as zucchini, peas, carrots, potatoes, etc...


5 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Seafood Dog Food:

3 pounds walleye pike fillets
2 ounces chicken livers -- diced fine
2 cups fish stock
3 cups cooked brown rice
1/4 cup cooked wild rice
1/4 cup kale, frozen
1/2 cup green beans, frozen
1/4 cup collard greens, frozen
1/4 cup corn, frozen
1/4 cup potatoes, frozen
1 tablespoon cod liver oil

Pre heat oven to 350. In a baking dish add walleye fillets diced chicken livers, pour in fish stock and cod liver oil, add frozen veggies, cover and bake 20 to 30 minutes or till done.

In a large bowl add cooked rice, and the juices from the baking dish along with the cooked veggies, mix well. chunk the walleye into a size for your dog and mix well, if needed chop vegetables to a size for your dog. Allow to cool and serve. freeze leftovers or keep in fridge covered.


6 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Sushi Dog Food:

1 can salmon, canned, pink -- reserve liquid
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water -- plus salmon liquid
1 whole egg, hard-boiled -- chopped
1/2 cup peas and carrots, frozen -- or more if desired
1 tablespoon fresh parsley -- chopped
2 tablespoons cod liver oil
1 package Nori Sheets -- *see Note

Drain salmon, reserve liquid for rice. do not remove bones or skin, flake with fork. Defrost peas and carrots. In a sauce pan add salmon liquid, water, brown rice, cook. let cool to touch.

In a mixing bowl add salmon, brown rice, chopped egg, peas and carrots, and parsley, cod liver oil. Mix well. Place one nori sheet on a flat surface and spread mixture 1/4 inch over nori, leave 1/4 inch edge of nori and dampen with water and roll, repeat till nori sheets are used, or mixture is gone. Individually wrap in plastic wrap, refrigerate till ready to serve. Cut rolls into size for your dog.

Note: Nori Sheets is dried seaweed found in the oriental section of your grocery store or specialty shop. This recipe freezes well also.


7 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Veggie Bones:

3 cups minced parsley
1/4 cup carrots -- shredded
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup water -- possibly more

Preheat oven to 350 F, rack on middle level. Lightly greased baking sheet. Stir together parsley, carrots, cheese, and oil. Combine all the dry ingredients and add to the veggies. Gradually add 1/2 cup of water, mixing well. Make a moist, but not wet dough. If needed add a little more water. Knead for one minute. Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness. Using cookie cutter, cut out the shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and continue until dough is all used up. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until biscuits have browned and hardened slightly. They will harden more as they cool. Store in an airtight container.


8 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Mutt's favorite rice n' hamburger:

2 cups rice
1/2 pound hamburger meat
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup carrots or broccoli or spinach
4 cups water

Put all ingredients into a large pot, boil until done, then cool off and serve.


9 of the 10 best dog food recipes is MuttLoaf:

1/2 cup amaranth -- *see Note
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds ground chicken -- or turkey
1/2 cup cottage cheese
2 whole egg
1/2 cup oats, rolled (raw)
1/4 cup carrot -- finely chopped
1/4 cup spinach -- finely chopped
1/4 cup zucchini -- finely chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil

Add amaranth and chicken broth to sauce pan and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Set aside and let cool. Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl add meat, cottage cheese, veggies, and eggs. Mix thoroughly. Add wheat germ, cooled amaranth and olive oil mix well. Add mixture to loaf pan, bake at 350 for 1 hour or until done. Note: Amaranth can be found in a health food store, if not use barley. Barley will need 4 cups of broth and 50 minutes to cook.


10 of the 10 best dog food recipes is Munchie Crunchy Meat Treats:

1/2 cup powdered milk -- non-fat
1 egg -- beaten
1 1/2 cups rice flour
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup water
5 teaspoons chicken broth -- or beef
1 jar baby food, meat, beef, strained -- meat, any flavor

Combine all ingredients well. Form into a ball. Roll dough out on a floured surface. Cut out desired shapes. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes. Let cool. The treats should be hard and crunchy.

Puppy Weight Estimates

While puppy weight estimates and charts are a helpful way to guage the weight progress of your puppy, they are not as reliable as a physical examination. If you gently run your fingers along your dogs rib cage, you should be able to feel the ribs fairly easily. While you're at it, check above the base of the tail for any extra padding or even a mini roll of fat. You can also stand over your dog looking at his back, and you should be able to see an indentation, where his waist should be.

The following information was compiled from puppy weight estimates and charts to give you a general idea of the weight difference between small, medium, and large dogs.

Puppy weight estimates at birth for toy/small breeds, are between 2-7 ounces. At three months they will grow to 1-3 pounds, and as an adult will weigh between 4-10 pounds. Examples of a few dog breeds in this category would include pomeranians, silky terriers, Papillons, Chihuahuas, maltese, and Pekingese. A bit larger, are small/medium sized dogs that will usually weigh 10-20 pounds when full grown. A few of these breeds would include Bichons, Lhaso Apso, Jack Russell Terriers, Shih Tzu, pugs, and the Havanese.

Medium breed dogs typically weigh between 25-55 at when full grown. The puppy weight estimates for a beagle are about 10 pounds at three months, and 26 pounds when fully grown. Examples of medium sized dogs include Basset Hounds, Border Collies, English Springer Spaniels, Portuguese Water Dogs, Whippets, and Australian Shepherds. Puppy weight estimates for a large breed, such as a German Shepherd, would be about 7-9 pounds at one month of age. At four months the puppy would weigh around 40 pounds, and as an adult would be between 70-90 pounds.

The puppy weight estimates of an x-large breed such as a Mastiff, are between 25-30 pounds, at only two months of age. At three months they may weigh in close to 45 pounds, and a two year old male would be a whopping 200 pounds. Examples of some other x-large breeds would include the Newfoundland, Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, and Doberman Pinscher.

Note: Small breed dogs are fully grown between 9-12 months, but large breed dogs continue to grow for 18 months.

Portuguese Water Puppies For Sale

The popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog has skyrocketed, along with the demand for portuguese water puppies for sale, with a price ranging between $2,000-$2,500. A spike in popularity of any dog breed is a concern, especially when it's created by a fad, and not by an appreciation of the breeds true characteristics. We all know his Majesty Bo Obama is hypo-allergenic, but what else? If you're searching for portuguese water puppies for sale, you may want to read this for the not so flattering inside scoop.

The grooming needs of Portuguese Water Dogs are much greater than say a black lab, or a golden retriever. The water dog has hair more like a poodle, and their coat will continue to grow longer and longer. They require brushing twice a week, and professional clipping on a regular basis. Portuguese Water Dogs may require about an hour of exercise a day, if they don't get it, they tend to be destructive.

In addition, this breed has numerous hereditary problems you should know about. This includes Hip Dysplasia, Juvenile Dilated Cardiomyopathy, hair loss, Addison’s disease, GM-1 Storage Disease, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, and gastrointestinal problems. Portuguese water puppies for sale by reputable breeders should be able to provide proof that the parents have been tested for Hip Dysplasia, eye conditions, and GM-1 Storage Disease.

If you're searching for portuguese water puppies for sale with online classifieds, you may run into numerous puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders. Since profit is their bottom line, they will be more likely to breed dogs suffering from these hereditary problems, resulting in expensive veterinary bills for you down the road.

If you would like advice on how to avoid puppy mills, the Portuguese Water Dog Club Of America has put together a free PDF file with a checklist on what to look for when searching for portuguese water puppies for sale, and advice on how to properly care for your puppy once you adopt him/her.

A List Of The Smartest Breeds Of Dogs

Dr. Stanley Coren created a list of the smartest breeds of dogs, published in the book "The Intelligence Of Dogs". The book is somewhat controversial, simply because it's difficult to measure intelligence in dogs. A list of the smartest breeds of dogs was created by conducting a survey of dog obedience judges and trainers. With the souce of data being obedience trainers, the results may be more biased towards dogs that are easier to train. The ability to learn quickly could indicate intelligence, but thinking, analyzing a situation, and problem solving are factors as well.

If a dog doesn't pick up on obedience training, is hard to train, it isn't necessarily a reflection on intelligence. As an example, the Chow Chow breed is rated lowest for intelligence in Dr. Stanley Coren's book. I don't believe that, they just tend to get bored with repetitive tasks, and by nature may not be as eager to please. With that in mind, take this list with a grain of salt, and read on, for a list of the smartest breeds of dogs.

1. Border Collies rank the highest for a list of the smartest breeds of dogs. On Science News, an article was published recently saying, "Border collies quickly realize that their owners want them to fetch a toy from another room when shown a full-size or miniature replica of the desired item and given a command to “bring it here,” say biological psychologist Juliane Kaminski of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, and her colleagues. Even a photograph of a toy works with some dogs as a signal to fetch that toy from an unseen location, the researchers report in an upcoming issue of Developmental Science." Juliane Kaminski has been published in Science News as well, for a Border Collie named Rico, who has a 200 word vocabulary. Border Collies rule!



2. Poodle - It should come as no surprise, poodles are regarded as highly intelligent, and rank second on a list of the smartest breeds of dogs. Throughout history Poodles have claimed many roles, including as a water dog to retrieve game fowl, performers and entertainers, therapy dogs, and faithful companions.



3. German Shepherd - In the book by Dr. Stanley Coren he notes that German Shepherds are able to learn faster than most breeds, and obey the first command given 95% of the time. German Shepherds are bred specifically for their intelligence, are used extensively by the police force, and are third on a list of the smartest breeds of dogs.

Here are the other 9 breeds on a list of the smartest breeds of dogs...
4. Golden Retriever
5. Doberman Pincher
6. Shetland Sheepdog
7. Labrador Retriever
8. Papillon
9. Rottwieler
10. Australian Cattle Dog
11. Pembrook Welsh Corgi
12. Miniature Schnauzer

It might be more accurate to call this "a list of the breeds that are easiest to train", rather than "a list of the smartest breeds of dogs". It's interesting though, as it gives us more insight into the psychology of dogs. We have to be intelligent enough to understand our dog's own unique personality, so that we may become more effective at communicating and training.

Bo Dog Mania

Bo dog mania was set in motion the day Obama promised to get his daughters a dog after the election. From the beginning, animal welfare groups began to talk incessantly about Obama adopting a rescue dog. News articles about the pending White House dog were in many cases, much more popular than news coverage on the economy. The media was abuzz with words of wisdom and advice on the perfect dog for Obama.

With the adoption of Bo dog, debates raged about whether he is actually a rescue dog, and most of us thought Bo was a bad name, because it sounded too much like "no". The Dog Whisperer warned Obama to be a pack leader, the Humane Society issued a position statement about Bo dog, and PETA urged Obama to have him neutered right away. Our Bo dog madness does not stop there, it wouldn't be complete without Bo dog merchandise from books to beanie babies.

On CoCo the Blogging Dog we wrote about the book, "How I Became First Dog of 1600 Pooch'lvania Avenue" on May 7, 2009 - This is a book with colorful illustrations showing how Bo dog is making a difference in America, and for rescue animals everywhere. A TV series is currently in the works!

On April 15, 2009 CoCo the Blogging Dog wrote about "Bo, America’s Commander in Leash" - This book shows Bo dog participating in a wide variety of activities at the White House. This book is published by Mascot books, and highlights all of Bo's crazy adventures in the White House!
If that's not enough, in September, a new comic book will be released by Bluewater Productions about Bo dog, called "Puppy Power: Bo Obama". This comic book promises to give us an insiders look on what's it like to live in the White House. If you can't wait for that, the new Bo dog Ty Beanie babies are currently available.



The Bo dog TY beanie babies have been enormously popular, and have sold out in certain areas at times. With the Bo dog obsession in full force, who knows what will come out next? Will there be exercise videos by Bo, showing us how to keep in shape? A new Bo dog line of dog clothing and doggy treats? What's next, Bo?

15 Most Dangerous Dogs

I've created a listing of the 15 most dangerous dogs. It's not based on size, but exclusively based on temperament. It's based on the most recent ATTS Breed Statistics, which have been accumulating since 1977. You know what they say, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics." In other words, don't be concerned if your dog is in the top 15 most dangerous dogs. These statistics may represent an inclination, not a fate, it's all in how you raise your dog! The ATTS Breed Statistics measure behavior toward strangers, reaction to auditory stimuli, reaction to visual stimulus, and self protective/aggressive behavior. The 15 most dangerous dogs listed here, are the breeds with the worst temperament scores.

1. SKYE TERRIER 37.5% The Skye Terrier is at the top of the 15 most dangerous dogs list, with the worst ATTS score, EVER!



2. TIBETAN MASTIFF 38.5% The Tibetan Mastiff averages between 100-160 pounds full grown, is the second lowest on the temperament scores, and is highly valued as a guard dog.



3. SPINONE ITALIANO 40.0% The Spinone Italiano is third, of the 15 most dangerous dogs, based on the low ranking of the ATTS statistics. However, this breed of dog is known for being easy going and friendly under normal circumstances. Maybe they just don't like taking tests?



4. TREEING FEIST 50.0% A Treeing Feist rates at 50%, ranking it at number four, for the 15 most dangerous dogs. This type of dog is used mainly for hunting small prey, I've never actually heard of a Feist biting anyone EVER, but a concerned squirrel asked me to list them anyway.



5. POLSKI OWCZAREK NIZINNY 50.0% This breed of dog is also known as a Polish Lowland Sheepdog. They are extremely beautiful and intelligent dogs, but tend to be wary of strangers, and may dominate a weak willed owner.



The rest of the breeds that made it to the 15 Most Dangerous Dogs list are:

6. BEARDED COLLIE 53.3%

7. TIBETAN TERRIER 54.5%

8. TREEING WALKER COONHOUND 62.5%

9. SHIBA INU 62.5%

10.ALAPAHA BLUE BLOOD BULLDOG 62.5%

11.SCOTTISH TERRIER 63.6%

12.NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF 64.3%

13.STANDARD SCHNAUZER 66.1%

14.CAO DE FILA DE SAO MIGUEL 66.7%

15.FINNISH LAPPHUND 66.7%

Please don't take the "15 Most Dangerous Dogs" too seriously, I don't. CoCo the Blogging Dog doesn't want to have to sort through hate mail from Skye Terrier enthusiasts! As stated previously this list is based on the ATTS score, and that alone. As any Pit Bull owner will tell you, "It's the deed, not the breed!" BTW, Pit Bulls score about 85%, which is the average temperament score for dogs.

That's about it for the 15 most dangerous dogs, if you're interested, here are the breeds of dogs which have a perfect 100% score on temperament:

AMERICAN FOXHOUND, AMERICAN TUNNEL TERRIER, AZAWAKH, BELGIAN LAEKENOIS, BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND, BLUETICK COONHOUND, BOERBOEL, BOLOGNESE, BOYKIN SPANIEL, CAROLINA DOG, CAUCASIAN OVCHARKA, CHART POLSKI, DOGO CANARIO, DUTCH SHEPHERD, ENGLISH JACK RUSSELL TERRIER, ENGLISH SHEPHERD, ESTRELA MOUNTAIN DOG, GRAND BASSET GRIFFON VENDEEN, ICELANDIC SHEEPDOG, JAHUAHUA, JAPANESE CHIN, KARELIAN BEAR DOG, KING SHEPHERDS, KOREAN JINDO, LURCHER, MINIATURE BULL TERRIER, PARSON RUSSELL TERRIER, PUNGSAN, REDBONE COONHOUND, RUSSO - EUROPEAN LAIKA, SEALYHAM TERRIER, SLOUGHI, SUSSEX SPANIEL, SWEDISH VALLHUND, TEXAS HEELER, TIBETAN KYAPSO, TOSA, WELSH SHEEPDOG, WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL, and YUGOSLAVIAN TRICOLOR HOUND.

Demodectic Mange - Ivermectin or Mitaban Dip?

When a puppy is just 1-2 days old, many of them will have already been exposed to demodex canis, a mite that lives in hair follicles. It's considered normal, humans carry them as well, just a different variety. It only becomes a problem when the immune system isn't functioning correctly, and these microscopic critters start taking over, causing a condition called demodectic mange. While there are dogs that may develop demodectic mange from stress or poor diet, many dogs just have a genetic predisposition for a weak immune system, resulting in a constant battle with demodectic mange. A good friend just wrote that her dog has demodectic mange, and was wondering what treatment is the best, Ivermectin or Mitaban Dip? Wow, that's a tough choice to make, as both of these drugs have possible side effects...

While Ivermectin is used commonly to treat dogs with demodectic mange, the FDA only approves Ivermectin to be used as a heartworm preventative in dogs. For this reason, the use of Ivermectin to treat dogs with demodectic mange is considered "off label" usage. Therefore, to learn about possible adverse reactions and side effects of Ivermectin in dogs, you can view the Ivermectin Heartguard product warning label.(PDF) One thing to keep in mind, is that a higher dosage of Ivermectin is given to treat dogs with demodectic mange, than is used as a heartworm preventative. Here is the adverse reactions listed on the label:

ADVERSE REACTIONS: The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of HEARTGARD: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation. SAFETY: HEARTGARD has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs (See PRECAUTIONS for exceptions) including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. ln clinical trials, many commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines, and steroid preparations have been administered with HEARTGARD Chewables in a heartworm disease preventive program. Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions, which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended.

Since Ivermectin is given in a higher dosage to treat demodectic mange, it's considered a safer option to test Collies for sensitivity, before Ivermectin treatment. Ivermectin seems to be the drug of choice for many veterinarians treating demodectic mange, and on the plus side it doesn't require clipping hair or weekly baths.


What about Mitabin Dip to treat demodectic mange?

Mitaban Dip is approved by the FDA to treat demodectic mange, but it has some side effects to be aware of as well. Mitaban Dip Product Warning Label (PDF)

ADVERSE REACTIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS
Ingestion of MITABAN may increase the risk of adverse effects. Therefore, appropriate care should be exercised both during and immediately after MITABAN application to minimize the opportunity for exposure by the oral route. The most frequently observed adverse reaction in the clinical studies was transient sedation, which occurred in approximately 8% of the generalized demodicosis patients. This effect was observed within 2 to 6 hours post treatment, and usually dissipated within 24 to 72 hours. In approximately 40% of the affected generalized demodicosis patients, the effect dissipated in less than 24 hours. Sedation often was less apparent when additional MITABAN (amitraz) treatments were applied, however in approximately 35% of the generalized demodicosis patients sleepiness was observed after each treatment. Transient pruritus, which clinical investigators considered to be an indirect effect due to an inflammatory reaction associated with dead mites, occurred in less than 3% of the generalized demodicosis patients. This effect usually occurred and dissipated within 24-48 hours post treatment. Other observations noted by the clinical investigators and/or clients were a low incidence (less than 1%) of convulsions, ataxia, hyperexcitability, personality change, hypothermia, appetite stimulation, bloat, polyuria, vomition, diarrhea, anorexia, edema, erythema and other varying degrees of skin irritation. Three fatalities were recorded.

An additional pre-caution with the Mitaban Dip is that it can NEVER be used in small dogs, or dogs under four months of age. This is purely ancidotal, but I've read some scary stories about this dip at 1800PetMeds. JellyBean was treated with Mitaban dip for demodectic mange and had to be rushed to the emergency clinic. Then Dotson, who suffered from demodectic mange as well, could not even stand and involuntarily defecated, after he had the Mitaban dip.

There are three different types of demodectic mange, they are localized, generalized, and demodectic pododermatitis. With localized demodectic mange, that means the mange is in one small area, usually on the face. With localized demodectic mange, treatment is not normally necessary, as it clears up on its own.

However, most veterinarians will say that a dog cannot recover from generalized demodectic mange or demodectic pododermatitis without medical treatment. Generalized demodectic mange is easy to identify, because that means the mange has spread all over the body. With the demodectic pododermatitis, it is exclusively on the paws, and is considered very difficult to cure. One thing all types of demodectic mange have in common, is that they are all influenced heavily by stress. No matter what type of mange your dog is suffering from, start with nutrition, and buy the healthiest dog food you can possibly find. You can also reduce stress by...

- Giving your dog a natural supplement designed to strengthen the immune system.
- Make sure your dog is not exposed to extreme hot or cold.
- Isolation can cause stress, so it's important to spend extra time with your dog.
- Get plenty of exercise and play.
- Studies prove dog massages reduce stress.:)

Demodectic Mange - Ivermectin or Mitaban Dip?
Either way, it's a tough choice. While both of these drugs present risks, it would also be dangerous to allow a case of generalized demodectic mange to advance unchecked. Whichever drug or treatment you decide on, strengthening the immune system may be the key to prevent future reoccurances.

If any one has a story about how they effectively treated demodectic mange, please write to tell us about it!

Watch That Doggy Door!

Could you imagine coming home from work to find this tiny creature napping on your couch with your dog? Guess who came home for dinner? It followed this beagle home, right through the doggy door. This happened in Maryland recently. The owner came home to find the visitor had made himself right at home...