Before receiving an email from the Humane Society of the US, I had not realized it has already been a year since the Michael Vick dogfighting controversy first started. In total, forty-seven Pit Bulls were taken from Vick’s residence in Smithfield, VA. Over the past year, many of the dogs taken from the Vick compound have been rehabilitated – some going a handful of rescue organizations, while 22 of them will spend the rest of their days at Best Friends Sanctuary in Utah, a no-kill animal shelter. Only one of the dogs, despite the torture all forty-seven of them endured at the hands of Vick and his crew, had to be put down for human aggression; one out of forty-seven. [Read more…]
Things to Consider Before You Adopt a Dog
Many dogs in shelters and foster care have ended up there because of ill-prepared owners that did not take into account the financial and time considerations that need to be made when bringing a dog into the family; this is especially true with puppies. While no one wants to think about the not-so-pleasing qualities that come along with dog ownership such as destroyed furniture, fleas, medical emergencies, allergies and illness, they are common setbacks experienced by pet owners. As someone that is thinking about bringing a new pet into your home, you need to carefully weigh out the pros and cons as to whether or not you, and your family, is ready for the increased responsibility that goes along with dog ownership. Below are a few topics to discuss before taking the final step in finding a new family member. [Read more…]
Lost a Dog
My dog got out – what do I do?! It is an unfortunate fact that thousands of dogs go missing each and every year. The good news is that through the use of microchipping and an increased reliance on the web, many of these dogs are returned to their owners within days, even hours of their departure. If your dog is missing, the most important thing you can do is to never lose hope, be persistent in posting fliers, calling local agencies and visiting the shelter. As a dog owner that has been in this situation myself, my heart goes out to anyone that has lost their pet; never give up. Below you will find a few key points to remember when trying to locate a lost companion: [Read more…]
Airline Pet Incidents 2007 | Dogs
Below is a list of all the dog-related airline incidents for all major North American carriers in the year 2007. [Read more…]
Flying with Your Dog – Tips for Safe Air Travel with Pets
As the travel season approaches, many pet owners will be faced with the decision of whether or not to bring their dog along as they travel. It may be very tempting to bring your best friend along with you on your travels, but each dog’s particular temperament, as well as any illnesses or physical impairments need to be taken into consideration when making travel arrangements for your pet. If you have any doubts whether or not your pet is fit to travel you should consult your veterinarian; a pre-trip visit with the vet is advisable for any owner traveling long distances with their dog, just a quick check to make sure they have all their vaccinations and assess their overall health can avoid unwanted issues. [Read more…]
Breed Profile – Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
History:
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is a rare type of bulldog that originated in Georgia in the 1800s. This bulldog was bred to perform work on cattle ranches as well as guard plantations. They descend from the same line as the more popular American Bulldog and possess many of the same traits of intelligence and a strong bond with their owner. While they are classified as a working dog, they are more known for their companionship and the dedicated way in which they guard their master’s property. Between the years 1986 and 2001 there have only been 700 registered or pedigreed Alapahas on record. [Read more…]
Breed Profile – Alano Espanol
History:
The Alano is a very ancient breed, and there are several theories concerning its origins. What is certain is that these dogs did not originate from any breed known today, but instead, was the ancestor of, many of the molosser breeds that are very popular today, such as Great Dane or the Dogue de Bordeaux. There used to be Alano dogs not only in Spain, but in other places across Europe invaded by the Alans, however, only in Spain have they survived for more than 1500 years until the present time. The breed, also called the Spanish Alano or Spanish Bulldog, was never in dog shows or bred for beauty.
The Spanish Alano, in the past, has been used in four basic purposes:
- Wild or Half-wild Cattle handling
- Bullfights (this use was banned by the Spanish laws back in the 19th century)
- Big-game hunting
- Guard and defense
- War
Today it is used for cattle handling and hunting only. Some of the Alano’s talents include herding, hunting, tracking, watchdogging, guarding, police work, Schutzhund, weight pulling, competitive obedience and agility. [Read more…]
Breed Profile – Japanese Tosa
History:
The Japanese Tosa, also known simply as the Tosa, Tosa-Inu or Tosa-Ken, is a very rare breed of dog that originated in Japan in the mid to late 1800s. The original Tosa bloodline was a cross between a Kochi, a local Japanese breed, and native Shikoku fighting dogs. The Japanese Tosas of today are crossed between the Great Dane, Mastiff, Bulldog, Bull Terrier and Saint Bernard, which was used to increase its size. These dogs have a history of dogfighting in Japan, and as a result they have been banned in many international locations. They have recently been introduced to the US, and while they are not a suitable dog for a first time owner, with the proper handling and training they make excellent family guardians. [Read more…]
Breed Profile – Valley Bulldog
History:
The exact origins of this breed remain unknown, and the first records of their existence date back about 50 years to Nova Scotia, Canada. The Valley Bulldog is genetically a cross between the English Bulldog and Boxer, but no one is quite sure how long this breed has been bred or what they may have been used for in their early days. [Read more…]
Breed Profile – Olde English Bulldogge
History:
Despite being called the Olde English Bulldogge, this is a relatively new breed that has been developed in the latter part of the 20th century by crossing half English Bulldog with half Bullmastiff, Pit Bull and American Bulldog. The goal of this crossbreeding was to create a more hearty, healthy bulldog free of the breathing issues and other ailments that today’s Engish Bulldogs are prone to. While this new breed will never be out running the fields like hounds do, they are able to breathe and can painlessly run for miles at a time. This new bulldog is being bred with the temperament to be able to serve people, instead of people serving him. [Read more…]
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