Our Hats Are Off to the New #CatsAsHats Fashion Trend

Dalmatian

Dalmatian Basics Thanks to a large size, a bright white coat, black spots and a Disney movie or two, there are few breeds of dog more infamous in the world than a Dalmatian. Often associated as the kind of dogs who help firemen and police, Dalmatians are notoriously good workers and comprise an assertive, friendly breed. And as the only spotted breed of dog, they’re not exactly hard to spot. But what is it about Dalmatians that seems to capture our imaginations? Was it the movie? Or is it simply the spirit of the breed? After all, if you’re considering buying a dog for you family, you may find that nothing can light up your children’s eyes quite like mentioning a Dalmatian. What are the right circumstances for a Dalmatian? As you’re about to find out, Dalmatians are an active breed that enjoy attention and love to get in a good workout – especially if there’s company involved. If you’re considering getting a Dalmatian yourself, here are some facts that can help you better understand this unique breed of dog. As the only spotted breed of dog, they’re not exactly hard to spot. Origin Considering they’re called Dalmatians, one might think they’re from a made-up, far-away place like Dalmatia. Silly, right? Well, that’s the case – except Dalmatia is not made-up. It’s a region in the country of Croatia, and historians pinpoint the Dalmatians there back to the late 1700s. Although that is the official country of origin, the Dalmatian is actually quite an English dog, having been developed and bred primarily in England. The truth is that there’s not a lot know about the Dalmatian breed. Dalmatians were said to be from Croatia in the mid-1800s, as is officially known now, and were said to be used as guard dogs. Thanks to a sporty, active English breeding, Dalmatians are now known as dogs that get along with a variety of animals – especially the horse – and display strong hunting and sporting instincts. Pedigree

Poodle

Poodle Basics When you think of a poodle, what kind of dog do you think of? Many of us immediately imagine the Toy Poodle. However, that is only one of the many types of Poodle out there. Sure, the Toy Poodle is iconic, but as a breed, the Poodle has a surprising amount of variety and versatility. Poodles can be athletic, rambunctious, energetic – just about anything under the sun. At least relative to the expectations of Poodles that many people bring to the table. People are far too willing to put the Poodle in a box of limited expectations. The Poodle deserve more respect than that. They are such a rich and exciting dog breed filled with possibilities. Hopefully over time, The Poodle will finally get the respect that they deserve as one of the most exciting, versatile, and intelligent dog breeds around. The Poodle is an extremely smart dog, ranking second only below the Border Collie as the most intelligent dog breed. They are highly-trainable and make excellent service and therapy dogs. As family pets and companions, these popular dogs are loving, playful and even a bit mischievous. You’ll never be bored with a Poodle by your side. In fact, you’ll have to keep an eye on your Poodle companion to make sure that they don’t use those big and powerful brains to get up to trouble. While a lot of people might think of Poodles as the epitome of a lapdog with an elaborate hairstyle, these dogs come in all sizes- from toy to standard Poodles that weigh up to 70 pounds. If you want to find out which type of Poodle is the right one for you- or if the breed is a good match for your family in the first place- read on. As you may have gathered by now, there are so many different types of Poodles out there that almost impossible that that there won’t be one that can fit into your lifestyle. As a breed, this dog has a surprising amount of variety and versatility. Origin The Poodle might seem like a posh show dog, but these dogs actually started out as working dogs (generally as water retrievers, or “gun dogs”). Their original role was to assist hunters in retrieving waterfowl (such as ducks) from the water. Their curly coat, which is now primped up for dog shows, was valued for its moisture-resistant qualities. The German word “pudel,” in fact, actually refers to all the splashing these pips would get up to during any hunt. The English word “Poodle” was derived from it. Even though the breed originated in 19th century Germany, the standard was perfected in France, which considers Poodle to be a national dog breed. These dogs are now known primarily as show dogs and pets. Selective breeding had a great deal to do with this change in perception. There are three varieties of Poodle, and according to the American Kennel Club, the oldest of these varieties is the large or ‘Standard’ variety. The Poodle was bred to have a water-resistant coat – which helps explain the quality of the current dog’s coat – that was eventually groomed and patterned according to taste and style rather than worrying simply about functionality. Other types of Poodle today include Toy and Miniature. Although they retain the main traits of their full-sized relatives, their compact size makes them a perfect fit for condo and apartment dwellers. They are generally quite well behaved pooches who can get on well within a small space and can be left alone for extended periods of time without causing too much trouble. Other types of Poodle today include Toy and Miniature. Pedigree

How to Brush Dog Teeth

Learn how to brush dog teeth We know it sounds a little strange, but it’s a good idea to get into the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth. “But I give my dog special treats and bones to deal with that,” you may be saying. While there’s nothing wrong with that practice, it’s still not enough. And because they don’t have hands, the task falls to you to get in there with a brush. And we’re going to introduce you to how to brush dog teeth. If you stop to think about it, brushing your dog’s teeth makes sense. You dog is licking stuff and eating food off the ground all day. And if your dog as tooth issues, a lot of bacteria can make its way through your dog’s gums, making him quite sick. Add to the fact that dogs have, well… dog breath… and that some breeds are prone to dental problems (loose and abscess teeth being the most common problems), it’s smart to get habit of adding teeth brushing to your dog’s grooming regimen. So What Will I Need? If you’re looking to find out how to brush dog teeth, there are a few basic supplies you’ll need to stock up on. You’ll need dog toothpaste, and either a toothbrush, a nubby-surfaced rubber cap, a wash cloth or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. Personally, I use a toothbrush that fits on my finger, as it allows me to really get at my dog’s teeth. And it’s important that you only use dog toothpaste – toothpaste that’s made for us human is not meant to be swallowed, and since dog’s can’t spit, they will have to swallow it, which can make them sick. Plus, dog toothpaste comes in a variety of yummy flavors, such as peanut butter, chicken and bacon –and your dog will love this special treat! What Do I Do? When it comes to how to brush dog teeth, it should be comfortable for both you and your dog. To start off, lift your upper lips to get at the top set of teeth. Just like you would yours, brush your pooch’s teeth in a circular motion – right where the tooth meets the gum-line. And you dog’s teeth go all the way back, so get in there and brush those way-back chompers. Repeat these steps with the bottom set of teeth. Other Pointers I brush my dog’s teeth every day after I brush and wash his eyes with a face cloth, so it’s become part of our routine and he looks forward to it (thanks bacon-flavored toothpaste). Feeding your dog dry dog food or hard dog biscuits every day and giving him a hard toy or bone to chew on will help with proper teeth cleaning maintenance and keep those chompers tough. And remember, if you don’t clean your dog’s teeth, you vet will have to scrape off that nasty tarter build-up. This involves anesthesia, an unhappy pup and an expensive bill. Do yourself and your dog a favor and take care of it yourself on a regular basis. Now that you know how to brush dog teeth, will you be doing it? If you already do it, is there anything you find helps with the process? Leave us your thoughts and tips in the comments section below.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever Basics When it comes to the perfect family dog, it’s hard to go wrong with a Golden Retriever. First bred for hunting, the Golden Retriever has made a natural progression into a wonderful family pet. Obedient, good-natured, intelligent, eager to please and eager to learn, the Golden Retriever is also known for its friskiness – you’ll find that it never loses its joy for playing. Wonderful around children of all ages, this breed is the ideal companion for most dog lovers. If you’re looking for a watchdog, you’d best go with another breed – since the Golden Retriever is so friendly, it will want to play with strangers, making it a poor choice for guard duty. Because this breed is so smart, Golden Retrievers make excellent guide and service dogs. And although the breed differs slightly from Britain to North America, there’s no change in its friendly and loving disposition. Read on to learn more about the Golden Retriever. When it comes to the perfect family dog, it’s hard to go wrong with a Golden Retriever. Origin Used as working and hunting dogs, the Golden Retriever breed originated in Scotland in the mid-18th century, where it would hunt and retrieve small felled game during hunting trips. These dogs even developed water-repellent coats and webbed feet to help them retrieve waterfowl. These days, the Golden Retriever doesn’t hunt as much as it used to, but it still retains the skills that made in a successful hunter. Often referred to as Gold Retriever and Golden Labrador Retriever, it should be noted that Golden Retriever is a distinct breed from the Labrador. Pedigree

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise Basics Just when you think you’ve gotten all the dog breeds figured out, you take a look at a dog that looks like a Maltese and find out that it’s not a Maltese at all – it’s actually a Bichon Frise. Fantastic! More time studying dog breeds is clearly called for, which means you get to expand your knowledge of pets just a little more. Okay, so maybe not everyone likes homework. With that in mind, let’s get it all out of the way and focus on this curious dog known as the Bichon Frise, French for “curly white lap dog.” Hey, the French are nothing if not a little bit literal. This dog can be considered a large toy dog and, while it looks similar to the Maltese, does have some distinctions that make it a breed in and of itself. And although the fluffy white coat can intimidate potential dog owners who don’t like the idea of a lot of grooming, the Bichon Frise is surprisingly low-maintenance, meaning that they’re not big shedders and won’t be a hamper on that roommate of yours with dog allergies. Convinced that the Bichon Frise is a unique breed worthy of study yet? Good. Because we’re about to focus on the individual characteristics of this French breed that will help you to understand why so many people walk around with Maltese-looking dogs that actually have all the positive qualities of that other breed, the Bichon Frise. This curious dog is known as the Bichon Frise, French for “curly white lap dog.” Origin The Bichon Frise is, predictably, a French breed. As you can glean from the root word “Bich,” the name of the dog has its root in quite literal and old French translations. Like the Maltese, the different Bich breeds came from the Mediterranean area and have a long history throughout the Europe and European trade. Sailors would bring similar breeds around with them and, thanks to its cheerful personality, these dogs would be a hit, especially in locations like Spain. Later on, Italian nobility found these breed types to be very enjoyable and no doubt gave them plenty of lap time. This background in sailing can still be evidence as the breed can sometimes enjoy swimming and retrieving, although the Bichon Frise is certainly not a hunting or retrieval dog. Throughout history, the Bichon Frise has enjoyed French attention from the courts of Napoleon III to the streets of Paris. The breed was formally recognized in the recent centuries just as many dog breeds have been. Pedigree

What’s The Deal With Designer Dog Breeds?

Should you bring home a designer dog? Learn more about these breeds to see if they are a match If you spend much time on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, you have probably seen your fair share of posts about the cutest new dog breeds. In reality, there are few “new” breeds – in most cases, they are actually a hybrid of two or more parent breeds that are grouped under the heading of “designer dog breed”. So what is the draw of designer dog breeds and what are some of the most popular examples? What are Designer Dog Breeds? As was previously mentioned, the term “designer dog” is often used interchangeably with the term “hybrid dog” because most designer breeds are nothing more than a crossbreed of two different purebreds. A purebred dog is one that has been bred over several generations from parents belonging to the same breed – this is also referred to as “true” breeding because the puppies all exhibit similar characteristics and temperaments to the parent dogs. Purebred dogs also typically have a published breed standard that indicates the desired characteristics of that breed – these standards are typically published by breed enthusiast clubs or larger bodies like the American Kennel Club (AKC). A hybrid breed is typically a cross of two purebred dogs – this is what distinguishes a hybrid from a mutt, because mutts have uncertain ancestry. Hybrid dogs typically exhibit a combination of the characteristics and personality traits of the parent breeds which can vary greatly depending on the breeds used for the cross. It is also important to note that designer dogs are not always a 50%/50% cross of the two breeds – if the parents are not 100% purebred, the resulting hybrid may have a greater percentage of one breed than the other. Registering Designer Dogs Because a designer dog is, by definition, a cross of two purebred dogs it is not technically a distinct breed. For this reason, designer dogs are generally not recognized by the AKC. There is, however, another governing body that was established purely for the purpose of registering and promoting designer dog breeds – the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR). This registry was established in 1995 and currently provides registration services for breeders and pet owners throughout the US, Canada and all over the world. In fact, the IDCR is one of the fastest-growing canine registries in the world. Registering dogs is very important because it helps to track the ancestry of not only an individual dog but of the breed as a whole. This is essential for tracking and eliminating inherited medical conditions such as hip dysplasia and other diseases. Popular Designer Dog Breeds What makes designer dog breeds so popular is the fact that the options are virtually unlimited – you can breed any purebred dog to another purebred dog to create a designer dog breed. The first designer breed is thought to be the Cockapoo, a crossing of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle, which first appeared during the 1960s. Some other popular designer breeds include: Goldendoodle: Golden Retriever and Poodle Yorkipoo: Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle Puggle: Beagle and Pug Labradoodle: Labrador Retriever and Poodle Maltipoo: Maltese and Toy Poodle Shihpoo: Shih Tzu and Toy Poodle Cheek: Chihuahua and Pekingese Pomchi: Pomeranian and Chihuahua Schnoodle: Schnauzer and Poodle Goldador: Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever As is true with any dog, you need to be very careful with breeding to reduce the risk of proliferating inherited diseases. Hybrid dogs/designer dog breeds are particularly at risk for certain inherited conditions because if both parent breeds are carriers, the likelihood that the pups will develop the condition is greatly enhanced. With responsible breeding, however, designer dogs can actually be very healthy and may in fact exhibit fewer health problems than the purebreds used to create them.

Dog Rocks Rock By Saving Your Lawn From Pet Pee Burns

If you have dogs and a lawn, you’re probably familiar with ‘pee spots.’ But are you familiar with a safe, natural way to treat them? Check out Dog Rocks, and say, “Hello!” to greener grass! They say the grass is always greener on the other side. Or, the grass is greener on your side, if you water it well. But if you have dogs, and they pee on your lawn (as dogs do), odds are the grass isn’t greener anywhere, no matter what because your dog’s urine ‘burns’ the grass in patches. The best way to combat this problem is with Dog Rocks! Related: How Do I Save My Lawn From Dog Pee? Why Does Dog Pee Burn My Lawn? That’s a great question and one that many dog parents ask (and get really weird replies to). What is happening is really just a scientific process, and it starts within your dog. Your dog’s diet has a lot to do with it. Dogs typically have naturally acidic urine because of their carnivorous eating habits. If your dog has a lot of grains in his diet, that could increase the pH level of his urine even more. The higher the pH level, the more likely your dog’s pee will burn the grass. Additionally, dogs’ diets are typically high in protein. That’s a good thing, but what it also means is that your dog’s diet is most likely high in concentrated nitrogen. Nitrogen, in measured, consistent quantities, is actually beneficial as a fertilizer for your lawn. BUT…if too concentrated, then too much of a good thing is actually a bad thing. When proteins are broken down in your dog’s body, the nitrogen concentration increases, and that extra concentration comes out in urine and urine-burn spots. This is why many people still believe it’s only a female dog’s urine that ‘kills grass,’ while a male dog’s doesn’t. That’s not true. A female dog typically squats to pee, though, whereas a male dog tends to lift his leg and spray his urine. This spray actually helps to reduce the concentration of nitrogen-rich urine that hits your lawn, and means fewer burn opportunities. When a girl dog squats, she’s just saturating her spot, and this is why you see patches of burn. What’s a Dog To Do?

Sniffer Dogs Could Be Used To Screen for COVID-19

Once again, dogs are proving they’re (hu)man’s best friends as researchers from the United Kingdom are training dogs to detect the scent of coronavirus in an effort to aid in mass screenings. We know a dog’s nose knows amazing things, and researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LHTSM) think they’ve got the solution to the need for better and quicker COVID-19 screenings with man’s best friend. The team of researchers and scientists believe they can train dogs to smell the distinctive odor that the coronavirus gives off. They’re doing so with a project that is being funded through crowdsourcing, and they hope that dog screeners can be effective warriors in the battle against COVID-19. Related: How You Can Help Your Local Shelter During COVID-19 Crisis While they are not fully sure that the dogs will be able to be trained to give consistent and accurate results, there’s no reason to believe they couldn’t. Already, dogs’ noses are used as sniffers for different diseases like cancer and diabetes, and they’re even used to warn their humans of impending seizures. They’ve been shown to be able to detect bacteria and even Parkinson’s disease, so there’s no reason to believe they couldn’t do this. In previous research, the LSHTM has worked with Medical Detection Dogs, a charity that works to help train dogs to detect things that could save the lives of humans. One training program sowed that dogs could successfully detect malaria, and the testing exceeded the standards required by the World Health Organization standards.

Best Cat Trees

A feline needs a tree to call her own – and it needs to be inside your house. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the best cat trees.

Revolutionary New Blood Test Helps Diagnose Canine Cancer

A user-friendly electronic system for diagnosing lymphoma and remission monitoring in dogs is the first of its kind. For many of us, our pets are our best friends. They bring us love and joy in return for our care and protection. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to make the impossible choice in their best interest. In a perfect world, our dogs would live as long as we do, but that’s not the case. A few years back, I was faced with that decision and it was the hardest of my life. But it is our responsibility as pet owners to decide things when our dogs can’t. Statistics show that one in four dogs will end up getting cancer, and 20 percent of those cases are lymphoma. Avacta Animal Health teamed up with the University of Leichester and together came up with a revolutionary new test to help diagnose and monitor lymphoma cases in dogs. A simple blood test can determine an initial diagnosis, and help test for remission. If a dog is diagnosed with lymphoma, the owner then decides whether or not to put the dog through chemotherapy. For the first round, the chemo is typically very effective. But afterward, the only test to see if there’s a recurrence is to palpate the lymph nodes. Owners are taught to feel the dog for lumps. This method tends to catch it when it’s too late, and the chemo is less effective the second time around. With the canine Lymphoma Blood Test (cLBT), it can be detected before there are any physical lumps, making it much easier to treat. The test has been wildly successful, and gives us hope for our furry friends. Chief Scientific Officer at Avacta Animal Health, Kevin Slater, said: “The collaboration we have with the University of Leicester’s Department of Mathematics is having a dramatic impact on the types of new tests that we can offer to vets and their owners. We are already widening the application of multivariate analysis to other diseases which commonly affect our pets, and subsequently, this work could also have benefits to human health.” With a breakthrough of this magnitude, I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for pet medicine. For more information on the cLBT visit Avacta Animal Health’s website [Source: Science Daily]

Best Cat Weight Gain Supplements

Does your cat need to put on a few pounds? It’s not as easy as it sounds. Here are our picks for the best cat weight gain supplements.

These Puppies Frolicking Through Dandelions Will Make Your Friday [Vid

That`s funny… this is exactly how we look at 5pm on Friday as we leave the office… There are few creatures in the world can exhibit sheer, unbridled joy the way a puppy can, and these little guys are no exception. YouTube user Sam Nevens decided to go make what might be the most adorable use of a GoPro ever by having his dachshund puppies chase it around his expansive backyard. The result? One of the most joyful videos we’ve seen in a looooooong time. And really, what better way to celebrate Friday than by watching a pack of jubilant wiener dog puppies bounding through a field of dandelions? …Can we do this every day? Please? Press play on the video below. Just do it. You know you want to. Why? Because puppies, that’s why.

Adoptable Dog of the Week – Tanner

This dapper little fella is looking for his furever after- who can resist this cutie pie? Our Adoptable Dog of the Week is Tanner, a 7-year-old silver and tan Yorkshire Terrier from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This lovely pooch is neutered, up to date with his shots and heartworm negative. Tanner does well with other dogs and cats but would do best in a kid-free home. Tanner’s Tale Before he was rescued, Tanner lived in rough conditions–he was malnourished and had heartworms. Luckily, after months of therapy and care, Tanner is now at the right weight, heartworm negative and has a clean bill of health–as well as a great desire to find a family to call his own. And, boy, will the family that chooses him (or the other way around?) be lucky! Tanner is the sweetest petite pooch you’ll ever meet. He loves cuddling, snuggling, sleeping right next to you- in other words, everything that involves being showered in affection. Tanner is a clingy pooch that will become your cute shadow–where you go, he goes. After years of neglect, Tanner is now enjoying being in the center of attention and loves nothing more than being hugged, petted, and carried around. While he does well with other dogs, his clinginess might be an issue if your other pet is also clingy- he might get jealous, so it’s best if your other pet is easy-going. Smart and loving, Tanner also enjoys playing with toys- he knows how to fetch, and even brings toys on command. In other words, this little doggo is full of great surprises and you’ll love sharing your life with such a fun and affectionate furball. He also doesn’t mind living with cats, but due to his tiny size, his rescuers recommend he be adopted in a home without children. In case you want to know more about Tanner and how you can adopt him, contact Yorkie Haven Rescue, Inc for more information.

Best Cat Food Storage Containers

Once you open your bag of kitty kibble, where do you store it? If you’re looking for a solution, we’ve got our list of the best cat food storage containers.

This Brew’s For Bowser: Beer For Dogs Is A Cool, Refreshing Trend

Beer for canines? The growing industry lets you share a drink with man’s best friend How often have you sat on your couch, watching the football game, and wished you could have a beer with your best friend, your dog? Or even open your beer on your dog’s tag hoop? A whole growing industry is making these wishes a reality. Beer Paws, a Kansas City, Mo. company, is selling beer for dogs. The beer is not real beer of course. It’s a combination of beef broth, Kosher malt extract and glucosamine. They’re sold in eight ounce bottles. But that’s not the only thing Beer Paws sells. They also offer beer biscuits, a bottle opener that you can attach to your dog’s collar, and even a collar studded with beer bottle caps. The biscuits are the most popular item, made from leftover grains from local breweries. Founder Crystal Wiebe told Kansas City Business Journal that her first product was in fact the bottle opener. “Both the beer industry and the pet industry seem be really recession proof, and continue to grow and stay strong even at a period where other industries weren’t,” Wiebe said. “With Beer Paws there’s a cool opportunity with two things that people are really passionate about. … Craft beer people just get it right away.” This isn’t just about a fancy drink for your dog though. It’s part of the growing trend among dog owners to want to share their experiences with their pets – from pet-friendly trip to an afternoon beer you’re your dog. Beer Paws isn’t the only company that is making beer for dogs. Several companies have come out with similar products. Bowser Beer is the first, and probably the most well known in the states. 3 Busy Dogs was founded in 2007, and they make Bowser Beer from either beef or chicken, with malt barley and glucosamine. They also make Bowser Bits, peanut butter-filled pretzel bites for dogs. You can also customize your Bowser Beer label – for special doggy cookouts, maybe? Snuffle Dog Beer is for those who prefer their Blue Moons and Stella Artois. Snuffle also bills itself as the first dog beer and it’s made in Belgium. Here’s the description on the Snuffle website: “We, men, drink beer with our buddies, our palls to share moments, special moments, the Best Moments. To laugh, discuss and sometimes cry together. And preferred way of doing that is… right, around a beer.” Snuffle also comes in beef or chicken varieties. It’s made with malt barley extracts, mineral oils and vitamin B. Snuffle isn’t sold in North America though, at least not yet. Dawg Grog: A man working in an Oregon brewery came up with Dawg Grog because his dog kept trying to drink his beer (real beer is bad for dogs by the way). Dawg Grog uses spent grains from the brewery plus beef broth and vitamins and minerals to make a non-toxic drink. It’s now available online and in several states. Of course, if you’d rather not give your dog something like that, you could always go with a toy. Tuffy makes beer-bottle looking squeaky toys. Then there’s Dog Diggin’ Designs. They make parody dog products that are a bit more chic – like Barkardi rum, Grey Dog vodka and Dogs Equis chew toys.

Best Products to Remove Aquarium Algae

It’s completely natural, but it sure does make your tank look gross! Here are the best products to remove aquarium algae.

Golden Irish

Golden Irish BasicsSometimes, a combination of two dog breeds simply works like a charm. Like peanut butter and chocolate, the Golden Irish offers to great flavours that taste even better together. Combining the good looks and personalities of the Golden Retriever and the Irish Setter, the Golden Irish makes a wonderful family pet. They offer everything that a growing family could possibly want from their fur baby. These dogs will be thrilled to meet you, excitedly race to the door to see you at the end of every day, and they will remain lovingly loyal to the end. They enjoy getting and giving loads of attention and affection, and they are a lot of fun to be around. These pups make life a little sweeter just by being at your side.Before diving in and bringing a Golden Irish home, though, check out the information below to learn more about this popular designer breed. While these dogs are indeed wonderful, they won’t be the right fit for every household. The only way to find out whether or not they will fit into your home is by doing the research. You’ve come to the right place for that. So keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. Everything that you could possibly want to know about owning a Golden Irish is about to be revealed.The Golden Irish is a cross between a purebred Irish Setter and Golden Retriever.Origin

Utonagan

Utonagan Basics There are many reasons why owners settle on a specific dog breed. Often it all comes down to aesthetics. Some want a dog that looks as close to a teddy bear as possible for obvious reasons. Others seek a pup that resembles like a hot dog or large rodent due to their specific taste in cuteness. Then there are the owners who want a dog that looks less like a toy and more like a predator. They essentially want to own a pet wolf without any of the inherent danger. It’s that specific type of dog owner that we’re targeting today. If you fall into that category, then you are going to love the Utonagan. When you see the Utonagan dog breed for the first time, you might think that you are looking at a wolf. That’s no accident. In fact, the Utonagan breed was specifically developed to look like a wolf. Originally sold as a wolf hybrid, this dog is actually a mix of three distinct breeds. Despite their wild appearance, Utonagan dogs make wonderful companions and family pets, though they may be a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. This is not exactly an ideal first dog to train, requiring an owner with a very specific set of skills. Owing to their unique parentage, largely based on working dog breeds, these hybrids require a firm hand and someone who can act as the leader of the pack. They are not aggressive dogs but they can be strong-willed and can develop behavior issues if their owners don’t work with them on time. If trained and socialized on time, Utonaganas are fantastic companions for families with children or active singles and couples. They do need a fair amount of exercise, so the wolf-dog might not be the best choice for a small apartment in the city. Farms and houses with big fenced-in backyards are dream furever homes for the Utonagan. Do you have the right temperament to raise an Utongan right? Or is this a dog destined to walk all over you? There’s only one way to find out. Keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away. We are about to reveal everything that there is to know about this remarkable breed of dog. By the end, you’ll either be racing out to find a Utongan breeder or researching other dogs that might be more suitable for your home. The Utonagan breed was specifically developed to look like a wolf. Origin Originally known as the Wolf Dog, the Utonagan breed was developed during the 1980s by Edwina Harrison. Harrison created the breed by crossing five mixed-breed rescue dogs of unknown origin with Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, and Alaskan Malamutes. The goal of this crossing was to produce a dog that had a wild and wolf-like appearance combined with the sweet and gentle nature of a domesticated dog. Throughout the years, various breeders took to developing the breed, making sure to select the finest dogs for breeding through meticulous genetic screening for health issues. The Utonagan breed was first created (and later developed) in the United Kingdom, and has had a few name changes since its start including wolf-dog, and Northern Inuit. There are also British Utonagans, which are the result of Utonagan dogs bred to one of the founding breeds- Alaskan Malamute, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky- or a Northern Inuit dog. The breed has yet to gain any recognition from major breed clubs including the AKC, the UKC, and the British Kennel Club. It will still take a few more generations of development before any of those clubs will be willing to even consider recognizing the Utonagan. Pedigree

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