Over 130 different breeds compete in major dog shows, such as the Westminster in the US or Crufts in the UK. But there’s a good deal more to developing a show dog than simply acquiring a dog of one of those breeds and teaching it to sit or stay. Within any breed there are dogs…
The next time you decide to put on a small barbecue party in your backyard during the warm, sunny summer months, make considerations for your dog and other guest’s dogs. Most friend and family gatherings are planned and entertained without a single thought of providing an atmosphere where both dogs and people can enjoy themselves…
From the tiniest of lapdogs to the most towering shepherd or work animal, dogs have been among man’s closest associates since the beginning of recorded time. Nowhere among the creatures of the earth are there two other species capable of developing the closeness which exists between humans and canines; a closeness which leads them to…
When you shop for a purebred dog, you will probably notice that many breeders use the initials AKC when they talk about their purebred puppies. What exactly is the AKC? These initials stand for the American Kennel Club, a registry for purebred dogs born in the United States. The AKC holds dog shows and obedience…
Since the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, several new laws have been passed to ensure the safety and protection of our four-legged canine friends. The animal welfare organization has come up with a better emergency plan of action and more shelters have been established to keep the pets with their owners in case such an event…
Before Hurricane Katrina, there was no law that said that all pets and service animals needed to be evacuated, rescued, and sheltered during an emergency or disaster. When the deadly storm hit the state of Louisiana, an estimated of 600,000 animals were left behind, deserted, and thousands died from drowning, starvation, and sickness. The devastating…
As the words of a sad, but sweet, eulogy was echoed over the loudspeaker of a public address system, a spotlight began to slowly illuminate an object in the center of the show ring: a leash, attached to an empty training collar. The Occasion? It was graduation night for an obedience training class. As the…
As we spend a decade or more with our dogs, they literally become a part of our lives, a member of our family, and the thought of them not being with us anymore can be too much to handle. Unfortunately, this is something that will happen. It is inevitable. And while planning for our pet’s…
The Norwegian coin features a Norwegian Elkhound and also comes with a full set of coins featuring animals and birds of that North country. These coins made their first appearance in 1958 and also included the moose, squirrel, grouse, and horse in their designs. At the collector’s discretion, one other coin could be added to…
For many centuries man has enjoyed a close relationship with the dog family, either as a foe or as a friendly companion. In their very earliest contact, the two realized that each could benefit the other. First, as a means of obtaining food and secondly as an inter-protective relationship. Unlike the cow and the horse,…