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Our dogs are our family, and we always want to make sure that they have everything they need. Fundamental things like food, water, and shelter are a given, but what else is necessary to make our dogs’ lives the best they can be? Below are 9 things that our dogs need from us the most. Luckily, they bring so much to our lives, we enjoy keeping them happy and healthy! 1. Undivided Attention (at least some of the time) Our lives are … Read more
Do you dream in dogs? When you close your eyes do you see a wide open field with dogs as far as the eye can see? The dream was a reality during the second annual Fest of Chihuahuas held outside London! Hundreds of Chihuahuas and their owners were invited to participate in the event, celebrating the teeny breed! Festival-goers enjoyed rubbing shoulders with celebrity dogs, fun and games, shopping, and “Chi-Idol”, a talent show for Chihuahuas! The entire event was … Read more
Some dogs just can’t seem to hold their “licker”! Whether they are licking you, your furniture, the floors, themselves, or just flapping their tongues, there is usually a medical or behavioral explanation. Read on to find out why your pooch is licking and what you should do to remedy it. 1. Affection When your dog showers you with joyful licks after a long day apart, it really does mean he’s happy to see you! Affectionate licking starts at birth. Mother … Read more
Daily walks with your pooch can provide many wonderful health benefits. According to a research paper published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, these benefits extend beyond physical and social advantages. In fact, the study found that dog owners are motivated to walk their pups because it simply makes them happy! Researchers analyzed “interviews and personal written reflections” from 26 people describing why they walk their dogs. As expected, many owners listed their pups’ wellbeing, but the researchers … Read more
A mischievous pooch from Christchurch, New Zealand has been reunited with his concerned human after he disappeared early Thursday morning. The American Staffordshire Terrier named Biggie was trapped in a neighbor’s garage for approximately nine hours. Before you feel too sorry for Biggie, it turns out he wasn’t entirely alone during his “ordeal” – he had a massive stash of homemade dog treats to keep him company! The hungry pup must have followed his nose into the neighbor’s garage as … Read more
When it comes to choosing the right dog breed there are many different things to think about. Are you an individual, or do you have a spouse and children? Are you active? Sedentary? Have you had dogs before and if so, what kind of personality did they have? We need to consider more than just the dogs we think are the prettiest or most impressive looking. Sure, there’s nothing wrong with liking the looks of certain breeds. But before we … Read more
An Oregon court has ruled that a couple must surgically “debark” all dogs on their sheep farm within the next 60 days. The ruling comes after neighbors endured more than a decade of nuisance barking from the collection of Tibetan and Pyrenean Mastiffs. The Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the decision this week, stating that the dogs’ owners have not done enough to quiet their pets. The owners of the dogs claim that the barking serves an important purpose – protecting the … Read more
When 11-year-old Lucas Fuller found out his dog Bear was suffering from a potentially deadly infection he decided to take action. His family was potentially facing thousands of dollars in veterinary bills and Lucas was determined to help raise the necessary funds. His mother, Karen Fuller, helped Lucas create flyers offering his lawn mowing, trimming and car washing services. But they were not prepared for the massive viral response Lucas’ simple gesture would generate! It all started when Bear … Read more
Part of each sale through the iHeartDogs store is donated to Greater Good, which helps support various charities. Thanks to customers like you, happy endings, like the one below, are made possible. Army Sergeant, Michael, served our country for seven years. He was deployed to Germany and served a tour in Iraq. While serving in Iraq, an explosion to a nearby vehicle left Michael with invisible scars. He suffers from chronic migraines, PTSD, anxiety and depression. Michael lives with his wife and three children. He … Read more
Rocket began his life as a stray puppy wandering the streets of Sacramento, California. Sadly, shelter officials deemed him unadoptable due to his boisterous nature. Just one day before his scheduled euthanasia, he was saved by a group that trains dogs for search and rescue missions. This week, the former death row dog deployed to Texas with his handler, Windsor Fire Protection District firefighter, Mike Stornetta to assist in the rescue efforts. Rocket and Stornetta’s mission to Hurricane Harvey’s hardest-hit areas … Read more
Chance Patterson had just picked up his dogs from Vail Doggie Day Spa & Lodging in Vail, Colorado after working a double shift at Larkburger when he was struck head-on by a drunk driver. Carlitos, a German Shepherd, was killed instantly. Izzy, a Pit Bull, ran away from the accident site in terror and confusion. Patterson was severely injured and was in the hospital for about a week. Meanwhile, Izzy was missing for 5 days. Every day, people tried to find and … Read more
It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare—your pup slips his leash and starts sprinting after the neighbor’s cat. Or maybe you go outside to find that someone forgot to close the gate, and your dog is nowhere to be found. No matter how it happened, losing a dog is always devastating. You’ll be filled with panic, heartbreak, and the instinctive urge to do something—even if you don’t know what that something is. Your chances of bringing your dog home safely will … Read more
Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) is an urban animal shelter in Richmond, VA that is always full of Pit Bulls. Meanwhile, the rural New Kent Sheriff’s Department Animal Protection Unit is always full of Hound dogs. One day, Christie Chipps Peters, who is the director at RACC, was talking to Melissa Henry of New Kent Sheriff’s Department Animal Protection Unit when they decided to try something new that they hoped would help save more dogs’ lives. Chipps Peters told WTVR: “We were texting … Read more
A heartbroken California family is mourning the loss of their dog after a fun-filled day at the lake turned tragic. Jen Walsh, her husband, and their 8-year-old daughter spent the day at a nearby lake celebrating a family member’s birthday. Their 2-year-old Schnauzer, Hanz had a blast fetching sticks and balls tossed into the water for more than an hour and a half before Walsh noticed something was wrong. Hanz became very still in the water and started trembling … Read more
The debate as to whether grain-free diets are best for our pets remains unsettled. While some dog owners swear their pup became healthier and happier after omitting grains, others claim that it’s a necessary part of their companion’s diet. Some even consider the entire thing a fad. So what’s a pet parent to do? In short, there is no right or wrong answer; what matters is that the dietary needs of each individual dog are met. Unless your pup has … Read more
While it’s been days since Hurricane Harvey first made landfall in Texas, the people and animals that call the state home are still battling the devastating effects. Streets and homes are flooded, and areas previously thought to be safe are being evacuated. As people flee their homes, there are countless animals in need of help. There are pets being separated from their owners and strays with nowhere to go. Even if you don’t live in Texas, there are ways you … Read more
Dogs may not be able to use words to get their point across, but they’re always communicating. If you know a little about their body language and behaviors, you’ll realize that your pup’s message is loud and clear! When our companions are bored, they tend to drop some not-so-subtle hints, although it can manifest itself in many ways. Remember that no matter what behavior your dog is exhibiting, some extra physical and mental stimulation should help cure the spell. But … Read more
Hurricane Harvey has battered the Texas coast for several days, making it’s first landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, it weakened to a tropical storm, but still continues to unleash high winds and gallons of rain on the Gulf area. However, the Gulf Coast is no stranger to hurricanes, and though many people have lost their cars and homes, most residents take it fairly well, considering that the situation is officially a disaster. A spirit of community comes over the … Read more
When dogs reach one year of age they officially leave puppyhood behind them, but that doesn’t mean they lose their love of play. In fact, young adult dogs are more primed for action than ever! They have a full set of powerful adult teeth; their awkward “teenage” limbs are fully developed and ready to run; and their eager young minds are always in search of fun and adventure! These 10 toys are perfectly designed to keep adult doggos happy, healthy … Read more
Approximately 500 Montreal “Pit Bull-type” dog owners have received letters informing them that they have four weeks to “dispose of” their pets. According to the letter, the recipients failed to provide the required documentation on their dogs prior to the March 31 deadline, or the documentation they provided was incomplete. Since the deadline has passed, these owners are not being given the chance to remedy the documentation problem. They must now find new homes for their dogs in towns without … Read more
Here at iHeartDogs, we think there’s a dog out there for anyone who wants a companion. Maybe you’re a homebody who loves to hunker down. Maybe you’re more of an outdoor type who’s in search of an exercise buddy. Perhaps you’re somewhere in between. Whether you’re looking for a pooch that’s large, small, fluffy, short-haired, active, lazy, whatever, there’s a dog in a shelter who’d be perfect for you – you just have to find him or her. Sometimes, pinpointing a … Read more
In August of 2017 the Gulf Coast was pummeled by Hurricane Harvey, and the storm left catastrophic damage to homes and families. As humans struggled to find higher ground, many pets were being left behind. While a few shelters allow animals during a disaster, some force owners to keep them outside, and others don’t permit them at all. Even as the rain fell and the streets flooded, advocates and pet lovers did what they could to rescue our helpless furry … Read more
Betty Walter works with several different rescue groups and has 4 dogs of her own. When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston, she had her 4 dogs, plus she was caring for 11 dogs from the rescue groups. She was also pet sitting a dog for a friend. And as Harvey grew stronger, the number of dogs kept growing. She told us: “One small dog came to my window earlier Saturday morning. Two are homeless peoples’ dogs that live around there. They … Read more
An estimated one in six dogs suffer from car sickness during travel, but driving with your dog is necessary for maintaining their health and enjoying new adventures together. After all, vet visits are a must and outings to the beach just aren’t the same without the family pup. So how do you help your dog manage this unpleasant problem? The nausea, drooling, shaking and anxiety seen during car travel may be caused by the balance mechanism within the ear or … Read more
If you’ve turned on the news or logged onto social media, you’ve seen images of the disaster that is currently sweeping southeast Texas. Houston is being pummeled by Hurricane Harvey, and the storm isn’t over yet. As families struggle to find higher ground, the devastating reality is that many pets are getting left behind. While a few shelters allow animals, some force owners to keep them outside, and others don’t permit them at all. But that isn’t stopping advocates and … Read more
Storm chaser, Aaron Jayjack got more than just a fill-up when he stopped at a gas station in Runge, Texas Saturday. A soaking wet pooch began following him, eventually seeking refuge from Hurricane Harvey on the back seat of Jayjack’s Jeep! A loving dog dad himself, Jayjack posted a plea to Twitter asking viewers to reshare the dog’s image across social media in the hopes of locating his owner. Displaced dog jumped into my jeep. Please share to help find owner! … Read more
Minor concerns: Patellar luxation Occasionally seen: PRA Avg Size of Female: Height: 8-9 inches Weight: <7 pounds Life span: 12–16 years Suggested tests: Liver ultrasound, (knee), (eye) Major concerns: Portacaval shunt, tracheal collapse, Leggs–Perthes Avg Size of Male: Height: 8-9 inches Weight: <7 pounds Brief History on Yorkshire Terrier Origin The Yorkshire Terrier’s original function was to hunt and kill rats and other rodents in the cotton mills and mines in Yorkshire, England. Initially it was looked down upon by … Read more
Minor concerns: Copper toxicosis, cataract, patellar luxation, Life span: 12 – 14 years Major concerns: Globoid cell leukodystrophy, Legg-Perthes, CMO, Occasionally seen: Deafness Avg Size of Female: Height: 10 inches, Weight: 15-21 pounds Avg Size of Male: Height: 11 inches, Weight: 15-21 pounds Suggested tests: Hip, knee, Brief History on West Highland White Terrier Origin This breed was initially named after the town of Poltalloch, where they had been raised and bred for nearly a whole century prior to their … Read more
Minor concerns: Spinal dysraphism, CHD, entropion, distichiasis, vWD, hemophilia A, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, Life span: 10 – 13 years Major concerns: Gastric torsion Occasionally seen: Ununited anconeal process, eversion of nictitating membrane, Avg Size of Female: Height: 23-25 inches, Weight: 70-85 pounds, Avg Size of Male: Height: 25-27 inches, Weight: 70-85 pounds, Suggested tests: Hip, eye, blood, Brief History on Weimaraner Origin It is uncertain where the Weimaraners steel grey coloring originate, however it goes far back to being an important … Read more
Occasionally seen: None Avg Size of Male: Height: 22-24 inches, Weight: 45-65 pounds Major concerns: None Suggested tests: Hip Minor concerns: Hemophilia A, CMO, CHD Life span: 10 – 14 years Avg Size of Female: Height: 21-23 inches, Weight: 45-65 pounds Brief History on Vizsla Origin Hungarian hunters were seeking a quick, agile and close-working dog that could point and retrieve birds, as well as track smaller sized mammals. Barons and warlords had discovered the breed and sought it out … Read more
Minor concerns: OCD, diabetes, heart conditions, cardiomyopathy, pyotraumatic dermatitis Occasionally seen: Epilepsy Note: The Saint Bernard does not tolerate heat well. Suggested tests: Hip, elbow, cardiac, eye Avg Size of Female: Height: >25 inches, Weight: 120-200 pounds Avg Size of Male: Height: >27.5 inches, Weight: 120-200 pounds Major concerns: CHD, gastric torsion, entropion, ectropion, distichiasis, elbow dysplasia, osteosarcoma Life Span: 8 – 10 years Brief History on Saint Bernard Origin The Saint Bernard is a massive working dog from the … Read more
Minor concerns: None Occasionally seen: Cataract, CHD Note: The high pain threshold may mask problems Life span: 12 – 14 years Suggested tests: CERF, OFA Avg Size of Female: Height: 17-18 inches, Weight: 30-35 pounds Avg Size of Male: Height: 18-19 inches, Weight: 35-40 pounds Major concerns: None Brief History on Staffordshire Bull Terrier Origin Stories suggest that this breed was a result of crossbreeding the Old English bulldog with the black and tan terrier. The result was the small … Read more
The Shih Tzu is a breed favorite of many and quickly becomes a family member. Avg Size of Male: Height: 8-11 inches, Weight: 9-16 pounds Minor concerns: Renal cortical hypoplasia, entropion, trichiasis, PRA, KCS, CHD, otitis externa, portacaval shunt, inguinal hernias Suggested tests: Eye Avg Size of Female: Height: 8-11 inches, Weight: 9-16 pounds Life span: 11- 14 years Major concerns: None Brief History on Shih Tzu Origin Originating around the 17th century, it is assumed that the Shih Tzu … Read more
Avg Size of Female: Height: 13.5-15.5 inches, Weight: 20-30 pounds Occasionally seen: None Major concerns: None LifeSpan: 12 – 15 years Avg Size of Male: Height: 14.5-16.5 inches, Weight: 20-30 pounds Minor concerns: Patellar luxation Suggested tests: Knee Brief History on Shiba Inu Origin The Shiba Inu was actually not given the name “Shiba Inu” until the 1920s. The origin of the breed descended from spitz heritage. The fact that it could roam traverse steep hills and mountain regions that … Read more
Suggested tests: Eye, hip, DNA for vWD Major concerns: Dermatomyositis Avg Size of Female: Height: 13-16 inches, Weight: 20 pounds Life span: 12 – 14 years Minor concerns: CEA, PRA, trichiasis, cataract, CHD, hemophilia, Legg-Perthes, patellar luxation Avg Size of Male: Height: 13-16 inches, Weight: 20 pounds Occasionally seen: PDA, deafness, epilepsy, vWD Note: May be sensitive to ivermectin. Merles should not be bred to merles because homozygous merle is lethal or detrimental to health. Brief History on Shetland Sheepdog … Read more
Suggested tests: Hip Avg Size of Male: Height: 18.5-19.5 inches, Weight: 40-45 pounds Occasionally seen: None Avg Size of Female: Height: 17.5-18.5 inches, Weight: 35-40 pounds Life span: 12 – 14 years Major concerns: None Minor concerns: CHD, follicular dermatitis Brief History on Standard Schnauzer Origin Stories suggest that the Schnauzer is a blend of both hunting and working terriers. It was a cross with wirehaired pinschers, black German poodles and gray wolf spitz. The result of crossing them was … Read more
Avg Size of Female: Height: 19-21 inches, Weight: 35-50 pounds Major concerns: CHD Occasionally seen: PRA Life span: 10 – 12 years Minor concerns: Gastric torsion Suggested tests: Hip, eye Avg Size of Male: Height: 21-23.5 inches, Weight: 45-65 pounds Brief History on Samoyed Origin This breed takes its name from the Samoyedic peoples of Siberia. These spitz dogs were utilized to hunt, pull sleds and protect their families from predators. Both as a worker and as a companion, the … Read more
Minor concerns: OCD, entropion, vWD, panosteitis Life span: 8 – 11 years Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, SAS, osteosarcoma, gastric torsion Suggested tests: Hip, elbow, cardiac, blood, eye Avg Size of Male: Height: 24-27 inches, Weight: 85-135 pounds Occasionally seen: PRA, cataract, epilepsy Avg Size of Female: Height: 22-25 inches, Weight: 80-100 pounds Brief History on Rottweiler Origin The Rottweiler is a breed of domestic dog, regarded as medium-to-large or large in size. The dogs were known in German as … Read more
Life span: 12 – 15 years Avg Size of Female: Height: 10-11 inches, Weight: 14-18 pounds Occasionally seen: Epilepsy Avg Size of Male: Height: 10-11 inches, Weight: 14-18 pounds Minor concerns: Elongated palette, stenotic nares, patellar luxation, Legg – Perthes, entropion Note: Skin fold dermatitis occurs if wrinkles are not regularly cleaned. The pug cannot tolerate heat and is sensitive to anesthesia. It is prone to corneal abrasion and obesity. Major concerns: None Suggested tests: Eye Brief History on Pug … Read more
Major concerns for toy and miniature: PRA, patellar luxation, Legg – Perthes, epilepsy Life span for standard: 10 – 13 years Major concerns for standard: Sebaceous adenitis, gastric torsion, Addison’s Occasionally seen for standard: PDA, vWD Occasionally seen for toy and miniature: Urolithiasis, intervertebral disc degeneration Life span for miniature: 13 – 15 years Minor concerns for toy and miniature: Trichiasis, entropion, lacrimal duct atresia, cataracts, glaucoma, distichiasis Minor concerns for standard: Distichiasis, entropion, cataract, CHD, epilepsy Suggested tests for … Read more
Occasionally seen: Tracheal collapse, PDA Avg Size of Male: Height: 8-11 inches, Weight: 3-7 pounds Minor concerns: Open fontanel, hypoglycemia, shoulder luxation, PRA, entropion Suggested tests: Knee, eye, cardiac Major concerns: Patellar luxation Life span: 12-16 years Avg Size of Female: Height: 8-11 inches, Weight: 3-7 pounds Brief History on Pomeranian Origin The first Pomeranians did not look like Pomeranians at all actually, and they were not called by that name up until they were introduced to England. Majority of … Read more
Minor concerns: Elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, KCS, patellar luxation, distichiasis, trichiasis, skin fold dermatitis Major concerns: None Avg Size of Female: Height: 6-9 inches, Weight: <14 pounds Note: The breed is sensitive to anesthesia and does not tolerate heat well. It is also prone to corneal abrasions. Puppies must often be delivered by Caesarian. Life span: 13 – 15 years Avg Size of Male: Height: 6-9 inches, Weight: <14 pounds Suggested tests: Knee, eye Occasionally seen: Urolithiasis Brief History … Read more
Life span: 12 – 15 years Minor concerns: PRA, patellar luxation Suggested Tests: Knee, eye Occasionally seen: None Avg Size of Female: Height: 8-11 inches, Weight: 9-10 pounds Avg Size of Male: Height: 8-11 inches, Weight: 9-10 pounds Major concerns: None Brief History on Papillon Origin The Papillon originated in France, where the breed was called the “Dwarf Spaniel”, and featured spaniel-type dropped ears. The court of France’s Louis XIV was particularly passionate about the Papillon, and imported many of … Read more
Major concerns: CHD Avg Size of male: Height: 22+ Weight: 70 – 90 Avg Size of Female: Height: 21+ Weight: 60 – 80 Life span: 10 – 12 years Suggested tests: Hip, eye, hearing Minor concerns: Gastric torsion, otitis externa retinal detachment, cataract, deafness Occasionally seen: None Brief History on Old English Sheepdog Origin There are many stories that suggest the true origin of the Old English Sheepdog, most of which being a link between the Bearded Collie or the … Read more
Note: Newfoundlands do not tolerate heat well; some are sensitive to anesthesia. Occasionally seen: Epilepsy Avg Size of Female: Height: 26 inches, Weight: 100-120 pounds Avg Size of Male: Height: 28 inches, Weight: 130-150 pounds Major concerns: SAS, pulmonic stenosis, elbow dysplasia, CHD, gastric torsion Minor concerns: OCD, entropion, ectropion, vWD, cataract Suggested tests: Hip, elbow, cardiac, blood, (eye) Life span: 8 – 10 years Brief History on Newfoundland Origin Regardless of its exact origin, the result was a large … Read more
Avg Size of male: Height: 10-12.5 Weight: 8-10 Minor concerns: Legg – Perthes, patellar luxation Suggested tests: Knee, (eye) Major concerns: None Occasionally seen: PRA Life span: 12 – 14 years Avg Size of Female: Height: 10-12.5 Weight: 8-10 Brief History on Miniature Pinscher Origin When it comes the the Doberman and the Min Pin, the Miniature Pinscher is actually the older breed. Stories suggest that the Min Pin resulted from crosses between the German Pinscher, the Dachshund and the Italian Greyhound. … Read more
You’ve seen your dog dine on things you’d never think about putting near your mouth, but the “snacks” he pulls out of the cat’s litter box are by far the worst. Eating cat poop is an unfortunately common problem for dogs, and it’s a bad habit all dog owners hope to break. His muzzle gets coated with those chunks of litter, his bad breath reaches a new level of awful, and he seems to always choose the minutes after his … Read more
Have you ever realized that you may have created, or at least reinforced, your dog’s worst behaviors? We all make mistakes. But like it or not, your dog’s behavior is a reflection of your life, attitude, and training style (or lack thereof). Dogs repeat behaviors that get reinforced, so understanding why your dog is behaving the way he is may help you better handle his training in order to get the results you desire. The first step is to figure … Read more
Hurricane Harvey, which hit land yesterday, was the most powerful hurricane to hit the United States in more than a decade. Texas got hit hard, pummeling Rockport with 130+ mph winds. Widespread flooding is expected all along the Texas coast, and as of this writing, there is one confirmed death. Not all the news is bad, though. Three Good Samaritans rescued a woman and her two dogs from a pickup truck that had become stranded in thigh-deep water in Rockport, … Read more
A Tampa, Florida puppy is lucky to be alive after spending anywhere from half an hour to 3 hours stuffed into a backpack that had been placed in the bed of U.S Air Force veteran Jerry Murray’s pickup truck while he was in a meeting. Murray didn’t notice the backpack until he got home and heard a noise when he went to pull his briefcase out of his truck. The puppy’s head was poking out of a New York Yankees … Read more
Anxiety associated with separation from loved ones, storms, car rides, etc. plagues many of our furry friends. Solutions like desensitization therapy, soothing pheromones, and prescription drugs can help provide relief, but there is another technique that is catching on with pet parents. Not only is it simple and safe, but it is also highly effective and totally free! The calming technique is known as the “half wrap” and all you need to pull it off is a scarf or an … Read more
Toledo, United States.