Top 10 Drug Detection Dogs

by Mary Simpson

Published: January 3rd, 2023

The nose knows! When it comes to super sniffers, these Top 10 Drug Detection Dogs get the job done.

Think your pooch could sniff out drugs just because he discovered that errant potato chip you lost between the sofa cushions two weeks ago. Hey, we all know our pooches are uber-quick when it comes to sniffing out the good stuff. In fact, while humans typically have 400 olfactory (scent) receptors in their nose, dogs are reputed to have up to 100 million – which explains why they go into sniff-and-snort overload when out on a walk. But does that mean all dogs have what it takes to detect drugs?

In this instance, the answer comes down to both nature and nurture. You see, some dog breeds are better suited to taking on this type of role. And it’s their natural scenting ability coupled with targeted training that turns them into the secret weapon border patrols around the world rely on for detecting contraband.

So, what are the characteristics a trainer is looking for? According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), they’re seeking out a dog that is keen, driven and almost always purebred. The latter is because certain breeds have a proven aptitude for this type of work due to their predictable behaviors and reliable capabilities. With non-purebred dogs you can often get a mix of different disciplines and temperaments, making it impossible to train them for this type of highly specialized work.

And it’s not just marijuana from that vacation in Jamaica these keeners are trained to sniff out. Drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, hashish, ketamine and methamphetamines/speed (to name just a few) have also made the scratch-and-sniff list. So, this is serious business and it leads to which are the breeds that law enforcement agencies seek out when it comes to developing a top-quality drug detection dog.

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German Shepherd Dog

Probably the first breed that comes to mind when you think of police work. This versatile dog is not only intelligent, but he’s loyal and focused – both important attributes when working with law enforcement officers. And this breed is renowned for his ability to “air scent” - meaning he doesn’t need to bury his nose in a piece of luggage to know that drugs are nearby.

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Labrador Retriever

While the gentle, affable Lab is typically associated with hunting - where the ability to fetch is paramount - he’s also excellent at sniffing out things other than downed fowl. In fact, his keen sense of smell makes him a highly coveted breed when it comes to scent-related work including drugs, bombs, and even search and rescue missions where the hunt-retrieve drive becomes so important.

JELIZAVETA KARAKAJA/Shutterstock

Doberman Pinscher

You may associate the muscular Dobie with guard or patrol duty but he’s actually a highly effective drug detection dog. Like most successful sniffers, this breed’s extra-long snout means extra olfactory sensors and when you add in his strong inner drive, his superior climbing/running/tunneling ability and that relentless determination once he’s picked up a scent, you have a drug smuggler’s worst nightmare.

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Border Collie

Renowned for their intelligence, willingness to follow commands and eager-to-please personality, this highly motivated pooch is a natural for sniffing out drugs. In fact, this is one of the top detection dogs in the UK. It’s really no wonder, given their persistent nature and inherent ability to run, jump, and climb to wherever the scent takes them.

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Giant Schnauzer

Never thought this breed would make a drug detection list? Consider this: in Sweden, this big boy’s uber-sensitive olfactory capabilities now have him working in an anti-doping capacity for horse racing. Not only can he pick up the scent of contraband in and around stables, but he can zero in and detect just a hint of a banned drug in something as small as a simple stain of horse urine.

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Golden Retriever

Gentle, beautiful and a whizz at sniffing things out, this friendly, hunting breed is often seen working for search and rescue missions as well as in training for allergy/ailment detection in humans. And because of his warm, non-intimidating nature, he’s also targeted as being that perfect pooch to use in and amongst the general public where he’s often seen climbing all over luggage and through cars at border crossings. But looking really cute while he’s at it.

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Belgian Malinois

This German Shepherd doppelganger is often used by the military because of its smaller size (try parachuting into enemy territory with a full-size German Shepherd strapped to your chest). And it’s this compact size, his super-obedient nature, territorial instinct, and of course his keen sense of smell, that makes him a natural for drug detection. Because superior agility and the ability to respond quickly to commands are paramount.

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Beagle

Intimidating? Never. Able to run at top speed to take down a drug smuggler. Likely not. But the compact size and determination of this pint-sized scent hound are what make him a lethal little drug detection tool. Adept at both ground and air scent, he’s a favorite with the USDA when it comes to detecting contraband including banned foods and yes, drugs.

Aneta Jungerova/Shutterstock

English Springer Spaniel

Odds are you’ve not seen many of these roaming the airports and sniffing luggage, but these super keen pooches are in fact the “Swiss army knife” of drug detection dogs. Yes, bred for the hunt, these determined pooches are adept at picking up both ground and airborne scents, will never be thrown off by wet or dry conditions and can even detect their target scent whether it’s hot (smoke or explosives) or cold.

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Bloodhound

This dog is a natural-born tracker with a whopping 300 million scent receptors – more than any other breed. It’s his physical characteristics including long ears that hang down to “corral” the scent and that lengthy snout with open nostrils that make it easier for him to draw him various smells, that make him such a great tracker. With their stamina and determination making them ideal for drug detection. While their size and disposition mean you’re not likely to find them roaming the airports, they’ll seek out any stash, anywhere, anytime.

Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and a feline who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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Top 10 Hearing Ear Dogs

Hearing ear dogs are specially trained to be of service to deaf or hearing impaired people by alerting them to sounds or responding to commands given in sign language. This role requires the dog to be well-balanced, have a keen sense of sound, and intelligent- and these 10 breeds fit the bill perfectly. There’s no secret that dogs improve the quality of our lives, even “just” as pets, but when they are trained as service dogs, the benefit they bring into the daily life of some people can be astounding. Hearing ear dogs or service dogs for hearing impaired people are dogs trained to support and assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing by alerting them to sounds they wouldn’t be able to hear but need to, such as the smoke alarm, doorbell, or phone. When the hearing ear dog registers a sound he’s trained to recognize as important, they will alert their owner by nudging them with their nose or paw, or leading them towards or away from the sound if need be. In addition to alerting hearing-impaired people to sounds, hearing ear dogs can also be trained to respond to American Sign Language in case their owner is non-verbal as well. To become hearing service dogs, canines have to go through a specific type of training that can last up to 16 months. The training is centered around teaching the dogs to perform specific tasks that would be of help to hearing-impaired people, but that’s not the only thing that these service dogs are taught. First, they go through basic socialization and obedience training which is the foundation for every service dog to be able to fulfill its role. These dogs will grow up to be friendly, well-mannered, adaptable to different scenarios, and obedient to their owner, knowing commands such as sit, stay, fetch, and other specific ones that make them hearing ear dogs. Naturally, not all dogs are cut out for this role. Some breeds are more suited for the job of hearing ear dogs than others, and that’s mostly because of their innate character. These dogs have a stable character, they are friendly and have a people-pleasing nature, they are alert and intelligent, confident, and focused on the work at hand. Another important trait of a service dog for the hearing impaired is that they are naturally attuned to pay attention to sounds, which is common for some breeds originally bred for hunting purposes, for instance. As a result of their unique personalities, these breeds are much easier to train and much more successful in fulfilling their role as hearing ear dogs. Here are the top 10 hearing ear dogs – read on to learn more about the best breeds for service dogs for hearing impaired people. Golden Retriever

Top 10 Best Indoor Dogs

Need a couch-surfing pal? Perhaps one who is covered with fur for optimal snuggling? Hey, we get it. The outdoors aren’t for everyone and that’s true of dogs as well! So check out our picks for the best indoor dogs! With the prices of houses skyrocketing, it’s little wonder that more of us can only afford small living spaces in high rises. Sadly, some people think that they can’t own a dog if they live in a small urban space. Sure, if you live in an apartment or even just an urban setting, you may not have the luxury of a fenced yard or even much outdoor space. But the fact that your living space doesn’t include a spacious yard or an outdoor enclosure shouldn’t mean that you can’t have a pup. Provided that all of their needs are met, there are pooches who would be perfectly happy being a primarily indoor only pet. Looks like you need our list of best indoor dogs. In cases like this, it is important to pick a dog who doesn’t mind spending the bulk of his time indoors. There are various factors that you need to consider to make sure you’re making the right decision, such as the dog’s energy levels, exercise needs, and space requirements. To save you the time you would have spent to research numerous breeds online, we’ve put together our Top 10 list of Best Indoor Dogs – ideal for people who don’t like to adventure outside that much or who don’t want to keep going up and down 20 flights of stairs! There are dogs for every owner and every home. The key is simply doing the research and finding the right pupper! Indoor dogs are certainly out there. You just need to find yours. (Photo credit: buchsammy/Bigstock.com) A Few Things to Think About When Choosing an Indoor Dog There are a few things that you should think about as you work on choosing the indoor dog breed that will fit in perfectly with the rest of your household. All dogs are different after all. Even indoor dogs come in a variety of bodies and personalities. So, before you dive into our slideshow to learn about a few of the breeds that have been deemed the best choices for those who spend a lot of time indoors, it’s wise to consider the following: Size: The most obvious factor to consider when considering an indoor dog, some dogs are simply going to have a more challenging time fitting into a smaller living space. This isn’t to say that a large dog can’t be low-energy and low-key. Quite the opposite! However, we sometimes have to work within limited space which can be difficult if your dog truly takes up half of your living room. Most dog parents that are looking for an indoor dog are also looking for a dog that’s small enough to curl up next to you on the couch for some relaxing downtime.Barking Habits: Whether you’re living in an apartment in a multi-family house, you’re in a townhouse, or you’re residing in a condo, you’ll have neighbors on the other side of the wall. So it goes without saying that a dog that barks a lot won’t make your neighbors happy. Choose a dog that is known for being rather quiet. A breed that doesn’t bark loudly or often is ideal in these situations.Attitude Towards Strangers: Another thing to consider is how well a particular dog breed gets along with strangers, especially if you are living in an apartment complex where your pooch will be exposed to new people all the time. You don’t want your dog to get stressed out by people he doesn’t know and you certainly don’t want to frighten other people when your dog is around. Dogs are supposed to bring joy to your neighbours! So, your move is to choose a breed that tends to do well around people of all ages and one who isn’t afraid of making new friends everywhere he goes.Shedding: When you’re living in a small space, it can be tough to keep things clean. The last thing you want is a thin layer of dog hair covering everything that you own. So, as you research the many fabulous indoor dog breeds out there, consider how much grooming will be required to keep their coats healthy and how much they’ll shed. A dog that doesn’t shed much can make it easier to keep your indoor space spotless. So, this is important.Exercise Needs: If you choose a dog that will need a lot of exercise and you lead a busy lifestyle or you just don’t like going outside much, everyone in the relationship will be unhappy. Thankfully, there are some dog breeds that don’t mind getting small amounts of physical activity every day. Choosing a dog who enjoys playing inside with his toys, and who can be mentally stimulated with a range of puzzle toys, might be your best option. That’s definitely better than getting a dog that needs a lot of exercise and prefers to run around outside in a big open space. Those dogs don’t do well in apartmentsAttachment to Owners: Dogs love being around their humans, so it’s always important to spend plenty of time giving your pet attention and affection. But some breeds are better able to cope with being alone inside the house for hours at a time. So if you lead a busy lifestyle and you don’t want your dog to get too bored or lonely while you aren’t home, opt for a breed that is more independent. Or just get two dogs so they can keep each other company whenever you aren’t around! That’s an option as well.

Top 10 Foods That Are Bad For Dogs

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Pandemic Puppies Are Behaving Badly, Study Shows

Puppies bought during the COVID-19 pandemic are more likely to exhibit one or more problem behaviors, a new study suggests. Research by the Royal Veterinary Colledge (RVC) has found that four in five (82%) owners of pandemic puppies have resorted to using punishment-based training methods to try to curb their dog’s problem behavior. The study found that moving the dog or shouting at them were the most commonly used aversive training methods. Other owners reported using water pistols, rattle bottles, and choke chains. Only 18% of owners who participated in the study said they didn’t use any aversive training methods or aids. Not only are aversive training techniques such as yelling at the dog or pulling its lead ineffective but they are also linked to further behavioral problems. The survey which was funded by the Battersea animal rescue charity asked more than 1,007 UK dog owners to list problem behaviors exhibited by their dogs. The list consisted of 24 problem behaviors reported by the owners. They ranged from control behaviors ( pulling on the leash) and attention-seeking behaviors, to aggressive behaviors and fear behaviors (anxiety around other dogs or people).Almost all (97%) owners said their dog exhibited at least one problem behavior from the list. At 21 months, owners on average reported five behavioral problems, while 20% of owners reported that their dogs had eight or more problem behaviors. According to owners, pulling on the leash is the most common problem behavior (67%), followed by jumping on people (57%), and not coming back when called (52%).Denise Mariner-Chappell got a Labrador retriever Ted during the pandemic. Strict lockdown measures made it hard to properly train and socialize her new pooch.“He’s a crazy dog when he’s out,” she said. “He’s just manic. He just wants to play and sniff, and everything, but not with humans.” Dr. Rowena Packer, the lead author of the study explained that problem behaviors are very common in pandemic puppies. In many cases, owners exacerbate these issues by using punishment-based training methods. “Although we understand these problem behaviors can be very frustrating for owners, they are often a sign a dog is struggling to cope or that they haven’t been taught an appropriate response in a situation, rather than dogs intentionally behaving badly,” she added.Packer warned that punishing the dog can make it anxious and fearful and cause it to develop further behavioral problems, including aggression. According to Robert Bays, Battersea’s senior animal behavior manager, the charity has seen an influx in dogs with behavioral problems coming into centers. These pups are suffering from separation anxiety and show other problem behaviors, which can be linked to training challenges brought on by the pandemic. “Without the right kind of positive training and support, a small behavioral problem in a puppy or a dog can quickly escalate into a serious issue, so we are deeply concerned with this study’s findings that so many owners are using aversive training methods,” said Bays.This training approach can cause additional behavioral problems in adulthood and also significantly damage the relationship between the dog and its owner. The study found that puppies who were still exhibiting problem behaviors by the age of 21 months were at a higher risk of being rehomed or euthanized. “A key piece of guidance arising from our study is that attending puppy classes is a vital way to support owners in using the best training techniques available.”Although many pandemic puppy owners missed these training classes due to lockdown restrictions there are thankfully many certified trainers who offer training classes for adult dogs. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Ghosts of Dead Pets May Help Owners Deal With Grief, Study Finds

Descriptions of paranormal encounters with the ghosts of deceased loved ones can be found in many human cultures. According to a YouGov survey, two in five Americans believe ghosts are real, while one in five report they’ve actually seen a ghost. In most cases, these paranormal experiences involve a deceased family member. But what about paranormal encounters with deceased pets? After all, most American paw parents consider their cats and dogs members of the family.Jennifer Golbeck, a computer science professor at the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland, recently conducted the very first systemic study of the supernatural experiences of grieving pet owners. The results of the study were published in the journal Anthrozoos.Golbeck ran the study using social media, posting a question on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter): “If you have lost a dog, have you had an experience like seeing their ghost, receiving a sign, did they communicate with you?” Then, she developed a coding system to categorize the answers.Golbeck received 544 responses, which she organized into two large categories - physical experiences (hearing, seeing, and touching the ghost of the dog) and interpreted experiences (receiving visits from the deceased dog in dreams, seeing signs in nature, and attributing feelings and phenomena to the spirit of the dog). A total of 315 owners experienced sensory encounters involving their dogs' ghost. The owners felt their dog’s touch, heard ghostly sounds, and saw their deceased pet. The most common sensory experience (37% of cases) involved hearing the dog, like a bark or the sound of nails clicking on the floor. Almost half (44.4%) of the physical experiences happened at night, and 45 owners reported that they’ve felt their dog lying in the bed next to them. According to Golbeck, 264 owners experienced interpreted interactions with the ghost of their dog. These included dreams in which the dog appeared, ghostly activities, such as objects moving, and signs in nature, which owners interpreted as messages from the deceased pet. Golbeck also asked the owners to describe their feelings about their supernatural experiences. The majority of respondents (74.6%) reported positive feelings, such as a sense of comfort, protection, reassurance, and even a gift. Only in a few cases (9%) owners reported feelings that fell into the mixed/sad category, including bittersweet, spooky, and heartbroken. The remaining pet owners (16%) viewed the paranormal encounters as messages from the deceased pet. According to Golbeck, these findings are significant because “psychology largely categorizes externalized continuing bonds - particularly seeing ghosts - as negative and even maladaptive.”On the other hand, the majority of pet parents participating in this study considered their supernatural experiences comforting rather than distressing. “This suggests there is something different going on in the grieving process for dog guardians that makes supernatural encounters operate differently than they do in more typical human mourning,” Golbeck wrote in the study.The study’s author also noted that there are only a few socially accepted rituals around pet animal deaths and no recognized mourning period. Often, pet owners' grief is downplayed, which creates an experience of disenfranchised grief where the owner is denied the grieving process. Golbeck also added that ghosts typically have a bad reputation, and are considered scary or a sign of guilt. However, she argues that seeing the ghosts of dead pets can be psychologically healthy, as they are displays of continuing bonds. “A seemingly magical visit from a ghost of a beloved lost dog offers a feeling of the mystical, the special, and a signifier of the importance of the relationship,” said Golbeck. “Such experiences would reasonably be seen as validating and comforting in the face of the invalidation of disenfranchised grief.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

How Much Outdoor Time Does My Dog Need?

Spending time outside is very important for overall physical and mental health, both for humans and animals alike. Our pets, dogs especially, can be quite dependent on the time they spend outdoors. It helps stimulate them, keep them mobile and active, and also helps them spend all that extra energy they have stored which in turn impacts their behavior for the better. But as it is with everything in life, there is always too little and too much of a good thing. So in the end, it does make you wonder – just how much outdoor time does your dog need? And, can you really overdo it? Let’s find out!How Much Outdoor Time Does My Dog Need?The amount of outdoor time your dog needs can vary based on factors such as their breed, age, health, and individual preferences of your dog. It can’t really be the exact same for all dogs out there. Just like humans, some pooches have preferences of their own. Some love to snooze and relax, and aren’t really fans of going outside and zooming about. Others, however, can’t get enough of adventures in the great outdoors. Still, in general, all dogs require at least a small amount of daily outdoor exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. With that in mind, these are some main factors that could influence the amount of time your pet needs to spend outside of the house:BreedDifferent breeds have different energy levels and exercise requirements. High-energy breeds like Border Collies or Labrador Retrievers may need more outdoor time compared to lower-energy breeds like Bulldogs or Basset Hounds. As you get to know your pet and the specifics of their breed, this too will become apparent. AgeAge plays a major role in dog energy levels. Puppies generally have more energy and may require several short play and exercise sessions throughout the day. Adult dogs on the other hand usually need at least 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise per day, depending on the breed and individual needs, whereas seniors usually don’t have as much energy so one walk a day will do just fine for a pooch in his golden years.HealthDogs with certain health issues may have specific exercise restrictions. Consult with your veterinarian to determine an appropriate exercise plan for a dog with health concerns. Don’t overdo it with your dog, if the vet prohibits it. The same goes for seniors, who can’t really play all that much outside. SizeDog size is a big factor in determining energy levels and the need for outdoor fun. Smaller breeds may get sufficient exercise with a shorter walk or playtime, while larger breeds might need longer and more vigorous activities.Individual PreferencesSome dogs are more active and enjoy activities like fetching, running, or hiking, while others may be content with a shorter walk or playtime in the yard. On the other hand, some breeds, due to their inherent traits, might love relaxing outside, even when it's chilly. Others, though, will love the warmth and coziness found indoors. 

How Often Should I Feed My Fish?

Keeping aquarium fish is such a rewarding experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy to do so – there are many things to know about these wonderful creatures, and caring for them can require a lot of patience and plenty of learning. Of course, it all starts with the basic stuff, and it doesn’t get more basic than feeding your pet! A common question by pet fish owners is related to feeding frequency, as their aquatic friends can’t really let them know when they are hungry. So, without further ado, here’s how often should you feed your fish depending on their unique characteristics.How Often Should I Feed My Fish?There are a lot of factors that will determine the feeding schedule you have for the inhabitants of your saltwater or freshwater aquarium. The frequency of feeding your fish depends on the type of fish, their age, and the specific conditions of your tank. Adult tropical fish are most commonly fed once or twice a day. You can feed them a small amount of food that they can consume within a few minutes. Cold-water adult fish, on the other hand, such as  goldfish, can be fed two or three times a day. In any case, be cautious not to overfeed as it can lead to water quality issues.Young fish, however, may require more frequent feeding, at least three times a day, because they are still growing rapidly. Of course, some specific types of fish have equally specific dietary requirements. Research the particular needs of the species you are keeping to ensure you are providing the right type and amount of food. Your local pet fish store can also provide guidelines, as can your vet. When you are feeding your fish, it is important to stick around and observe them, at least initially. Paying attention to your fish during feeding can provide you with plenty of information. If they consume all the food quickly, you can consider increasing the amount slightly. If there is uneaten food after a few minutes, you may be overfeeding. Try to find that perfect balance. Another thing to consider is the so-called “fasting day”. This means not giving your fish any food for a period of 24 hours – and don’t worry, this won’t harm them. It's a good idea to incorporate a fasting day into the weekly routine. This helps mimic their natural feeding patterns and allows their digestive systems to rest. Most aquarists fast their fish for one day of the week, which is more than enough for your fish to reap the benefits.How Much Food Should I Give My Fish?A good rule of thumb is to always give less food than you think your fish need – and add more additionally throughout multiple feedings during the day if needed. Remember that overfeeding can lead to poor water quality as uneaten food breaks down and produces waste. It's crucial to maintain a balance and not exceed the recommended amount. In such cases, it is good to have a  special aquarium water quality monitor, which can tell you the key information about the water in the tank. Additionally, some fish species are more active during certain times of the day, so adjusting feeding times to coincide with their natural behavior can be beneficial.

Survey Finds America’s Most Dog-Friendly Cities, You May Be Surprise

The number of Americans embracing a pet-friendly lifestyle is on the rise, and we’re here for it! We read announcements and news articles daily about businesses introducing pet policies and welcoming our furry friends into their establishments.However, if you’ve been traveling with your pup, you know that not all cities are created equally. Some locations truly shine—not only welcoming dogs but also creating an environment where they can live their lives to the fullest. From dog-friendly patios and shops to beautiful park spaces, these cities are rolling out the red carpet.Interested in finding the best locations for our best friends? MarketWatchGuides studied the country's 98 biggest cities, ranking them based on seven dog-friendly metrics, including:Number of pet activities per 100,000 peopleNumber of dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 peopleNumber of dog-friendly apartments per 100,000 peopleNumber of dog-friendly weather days (days where the high did not exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the low did not drop below 0 degrees Fahrenheit)Number of dog parks per 100,000 peopleNumber of vet offices per 100,000 peopleAverage vet costsUsing these findings, they gave each city a ranking out of 100 in 3 categories—Dog Friendliness, Dog Walkability, and Pet Health—as well as an overall score out of 100, allowing them to rank the cities from most dog-friendly to least dog-friendly. The findings may have you reconsidering what part of the country you call home!According to the study, Raleigh, North Carolina, was the most dog-friendly city in the United States, with an impressive overall ranking of 80.3. While the city did rank low on a couple of factors (namely, the number of dog-friendly weather days and the number of dog parks), it scored high enough in the other metrics to earn the top spot.Most impressively, the city scored 91.2 on the Pet Health Score, which considered the number of vet offices and average vet costs.Other cities that managed to earn a spot in the top 10 most dog-friendly cities included:Nashville, Tennessee (78.2)Madison, Wisconsin (77.4)Lexington, Kentucky (76.7)Boise, Idaho (76.5)Austin, Texas (74.3)Portland, Oregon (73.9)Cincinnati, Ohio (73.4)Seattle, Washington (72.6)Greensboro, North Carolina (71.1)Of course, ranking these cities on an overall score may not appeal to every dog parent. While one may prioritize finding a city with the lowest vet costs, another may be willing to pay a little more to enjoy a location with more dog-friendly restaurants.Recognizing this, they then broke down a few fun stats to consider:The city with the most dog-friendly restaurants per capita was Orlando, Florida. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, North Las Vegas, Nevada, took the title of the fewest dog-friendly restaurants per capita.The most accessible pet health care in the United States can be found in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.Does your dog love heading out for a “Pup Cup” on a warm day? The Starbucks chain first popularized this tasty treat, referring to the small cup of whipped cream as “Puppuccinos.” If the very mention of a Pup Cup has your dog’s tail wagging, you may want to visit Atlanta, Georgia, where you can find the most locations offering pup cups per capita.Wherever your pet-friendly travels take you, check out our list of Dog Travel Essentials to set you (and your dog) up for success!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

World’s Oldest Dog Posthumously Stripped of His Title

Last year, the world’s oldest dog was thought to be Bobi – who was reportedly  31 years old. However, a recent investigation into this claim led to him being posthumously stripped of the title by none other than Guinness World Records. The lofty title was suspended this January, as doubts rose about the dog’s reported age. Bobi lived in Portugal and sadly passed away last fall, and according to his owner, at a grand age of 31 years. However, a recent review by Guinness World Records revealed that they didn’t have the necessary evidence to support that claim."Without any conclusive evidence available to us right now, we simply can't retain Bobi as the record holder and honestly claim to maintain the high standards we set ourselves," Guinness Director of Records Mark McKinley said. "Of course, as with any record, we'll gladly assess any new evidence should we receive any."Before Guinness World Records actually grants a world record, they require ample evidence of a claim. Pictures, videos, statements from witnesses, documents, and anything similar are all required. And when pets are concerned, microchip data can also be examined. "Central to Bobi's evidence was microchip data sourced from the Portuguese government database, the SIAC, which it transpires, when chipped in 2022, did not require proof of age for dogs born before 2008," McKinley said. "With the additional veterinary statement provided as evidence for Bobi's age also citing this microchip data, we're left with no conclusive evidence which can definitively prove Bobi's date of birth."So, who is the real oldest dog in the world? Well, before Bobi’s lofty claim, there was the famous Bluey, an Australian cattle dog who held the record, being 29 years and 5 months old. But with these recent events, the future of this record will certainly change. McKinley claims that microchips need to be widely adopted around the world for serious claims to be made."Until that time, we'll require documentary evidence for all years of a pet's life, we'll continue to ask for vet and witness statements and we'll also consider microchip data as well where available," he added. "It's for this reason that we're not yet in a position to confirm a new holder for the record, although we certainly hope that the publicity around the record title encourages pet owners from around the world to get in touch."Sadly, Bobi died in October 2023, just months after celebrating what was reportedly his 31st birthday. He was a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, a native Portuguese dog breed that is known for its ability to protect livestock. These magnificent dogs have an average life expectancy of 12 to 14 years, and it was thought that Bobbi managed to live twice the time expected – but we’ll never know if that’s actually true or not.

Humans Are Getting Their Pets Sick – Here's What You Need To Know

Zoonosis are diseases that can be transmitted from other vertebrate animals to humans, such as rabies or Lyme disease, and has been around ever since we started domesticating animals. However, recent studies reveal that a new and lesser-known form of zoonose is becoming increasingly common: the reverse zoonose. This is the latest phenomenon, where disease can be transmitted from humans to their pets. Dr. Benjamin Anderson from the University of Florida was amongst the first to warn about the increase of reverse zoonoses. He said that more attention should be paid to disease transmission “in the opposite direction”, and that both pets and their owners can be threatened by it, especially when sharing close quarters with one another.“We’re starting to see a lot of examples of reverse zoonosis. Pets are more susceptible than, maybe, we previously thought,” he said. “Typically, the viruses that I will have as a human are not going to fit into the receptors that a dog or cat has.”This means that reverse zoonoses typically appear when a pathogen in humans mutates and then adapts to a new animal host. In the past, however, it was much rarer for this to happen, because humans and animals have a totally different biology.But now, the viruses like  coronavirus or influenza have a much higher chance of cross-species transmission. This is mainly due to their RNA-based genetic material, which is more likely to mutate or have replication errors. According to Dr. Anderson, there are several diseases that have been documented to transmit from humans to their pets. These include COVID-19, tuberculosis, swine flu, dengue, human-norovirus, and other viral, fungal, parasitic, and bacterial infections.To make matters worse, the highest chances for this to happen is with pets such as dogs, cats, horses, and ferrets, as they have the most genetic similarity to humans, being mammals. “We have to first ask how the pathogen gets into those animals in the first place,” said Dr. Anderson for  Phys.org. “The pathogen doesn’t develop out of thin air in animals before suddenly spilling over into humans. While pathogens certainly can move from animals to other animals and can be picked up from the environment, exposure to humans also plays an important role. It’s this constant back and forth exchange that happens over time, increasing the probability of a mutation taking place that allows the pathogen to infect a new host.”Dr. Anderson also noted the difficulty in tracking reverse zoonoses, as it is a big challenge to link the transmission of diseases between humans and animals. Because of this, Dr. Anderson advises pet owners to be cautious around pets, particularly if they are sick with communicable diseases, like COVID-19 or the flu. Maintain good hygiene around your pets, and avoid direct contact.

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