Archive for February 2012

It's Thursday and that means Best Bully Stick's Breed Spotlight. This week we continue with our six part series of the newly registered AKC breeds.  So far we've look at the Cesky Terrier, the American English Coonhound and the Xoloitzcuintli. This week we look at the short and strong Entlebucher Mountain Dog.

History & Background: The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a part of larger breed of dogs called the Sennenhund breed.  Coming from a Swiss background, this dog is used to move cows from pasture to pasture. As the name suggest, this breed originated in Entlebuch.

Height: 17 -21 inches (male), 16-20 inches (female)

Weight: 45-65 pounds

Coat: The Entlebucher Mountain Dog has a double coat. The topcoat is short, close fitting, hard and shiny.  The undercoat tends to be thick with varying colors.

Color: This breed is tri-colored with the basic color being black.  Tan markings are usually above the eyes, on cheeks, muzzle, sides of the chest, under the tail and on the legs. White accents usually appear on the forehead, bridge of the nose, on the feet and tail.

Appearance: The Entlebucher is medium-sized, compact, and well muscled.  This dog has small triangular ears and small brown eyes.

Temperament: Because this dog is a working dog, this breed should be socialized early in life with other dogs and people.  The Entlebucher is neither shy nor vicious, is very active and requires lots of exercise. This dog is very loyal to its owners, highly intelligent and makes a great companion.

Health: Inbreeding was common for the Entlebucher because of a small foundation stock number, which led to health problems such as hip dysplasia.  Retinal Atrophy can be present in this breed as well.

Product Suggestions: The Entlebucher is going to love our Elk Antlers.  They are extremely durable chews that this tenacious breed will spend hours on.  West Paw Design Dog Toys offers nearly indestructible toys that even the Entlebucher will have a hard time getting though.

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Would your dog like to be in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”. If you are submitting your very own dog don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic and a short 2-3 sentence bio about your canine buddy.

At BBS, we believe any good casual party starts with a big, floppy piece of pizza.  A cheese pizza with veggies on top of a crispy crust and savory sauce… sounds good, right?  Well, this pizza isn't for you, it's for Fido.  Make this hearty pizza for your next neighborhood puppy play-date or party and you'll easily be the coolest doggie mommy or daddy on the block.

Pizza with Carrots

Crust

3 cups organic whole wheat flour

1 cup organic uncooked oats

2 tbs organic margarine or shortening

1 organic egg, beaten

1 cup water

1/2 cup organic pizza/pasta sauce

Toppings

Olive Oil

Garlic powder

1/3 cup organic pizza sauce

1 cup organic Parmesan

1 large carrot, shredded

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. In large mixing bowl combine flour, oats and margarine. Add beaten egg and water, and 1/2 cup pizza sauce. Mix thoroughly and then knead. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3. Divide into desired-size balls and, on a floured surface, roll out into circles.  Make edge thicker for crust. Place on a greased baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, then sprinkle garlic powder over surface. Coat with remaining pizza sauce and sprinkle Parmesan and carrots on top.

4. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool before serving. Store in refrigerator.

(Recipe courtesy of Brooklyn Dog Bites via Good Housekeeping)

Best Bully Sticks wishes you and your pup a HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!  For this day of love we chose to talk about doggie dental care.  It may not seem to have any connection, but we know that truly loving your dog means really caring for them as well.  February 14th is the day of love, but the month of February recognizes National Pet Dental Health.

National Pet Dental Health Month is dedicated to educating pet owners about good dental hygiene for their furry friends. If you didn't know, poor oral hygiene in dogs and cats can lead to serious health complications such as periodontal disease so upkeep of your pet's teeth and gums is very important.

"Most people have no idea that dental health is so important to their pets, and that's why Pet Dental Health Month is such a great idea," explains Dr. Larry Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "In fact, veterinarians report that periodontal disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in dogs and cats.

Proper pet oral hygiene helps your dog & cat ward off bad breath, tarter build up, plague, sickness, periodontal gum and heart disease. If proper dental care is not taken seriously, dirty plaque can be the breeding ground for bacteria which can wreak havoc on your dog's bodily systems and cause heart, liver and kidney problems. So, during your grooming & teeth brushing sessions check for pain, swelling, redness, abscesses, foul odors (halitosis), and loose or broken teeth in need of immediate vet attention. If your dog is having trouble chewing and swallowing then a dental checkup is in order.

Tips for Top-Notch Teeth!

Regular teeth cleanings are very important. You should clean your pets teeth 2-3 times per week. Purchase a special pet toothpaste & toothbrush. Never use human toothpaste since pets cannot spit or rinse. The key to successful teeth brushing is to start your pet off slowly so your pet can adapt. Teeth brushings aren't normal for dogs, so be gentle and use positive reinforcement. To make teeth brushing easy for the both of you, it is important to acclimate your anxious & often fearful pet. Start by placing toothpaste on your fingers and gently rubbing them in your pet's mouth. Not only will this get your pet accustomed to the taste of toothpaste and fingers, it will be a lot easier to introduce a toothbrush.

Also, plan a yearly physical which includes an oral checkup from your vet. Your vet will let you know of any oral hygiene issues you might have missed. Your vet might also suggests a professional cleaning if they deem it necessary. Consult with your vet further about any specific health risk for your pet prior to procedure since anesthesia will be used. Remember each pet's circumstance is unique.

Another great and way to help your pup's dental health is chewing bully sticks from BBS! Our bully sticks and most of our other treats act as natural flossers for dogs and help clean tarter and bacteria off of teeth and gums. We've pulled together a list of perfect dental dog chews for all shapes and sizes of pets at on our website to show how much oral health means to BBS.

Everyone knows February is the month of love, but for dogs it's the month of teeth! February is National Pet Dental Health Month and our bully sticks naturally promote dental health! To reward those dogs with happy, healthy smiles, we want to see their teeth! Post a photo of your dog's best smile to the BBS Facebook Fan Page. The two (1st & 2nd place) most "liked" Dog Smile photos will receive a box of treats and toys ($100 value!) Show us your Best Bully's Smiles and you could win!