Bully Sticks

 There's a certain satisfaction in eating at a nice dining room table. It makes you feel sophisticated, cultured, and human. My dog eats out of a simple plastic bowl I picked up at the local pet store for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that he's a dog. I can understand having a dog bowl that's raised a bit for taller dogs that have a hard time really leaning down as they get older, but spending $129 on said dog bowl seems a bit…excessive.  Your dog certainly isn't going to notice the difference, and when it really comes down to it, it's not like you're placing filet mignon in there for them either.  I know we like to personify our pets, but having their eating arrangements outstrip our own seems more like putting them in the Trump Towers while we're scraping by in a studio apartment.

Your Dog Travels Better Than You Do

Not that I've ever flown first class, but even when I'm flying in the back of the plane, I expect a certain level of service (at least I used to).  With that in mind, it confuses me that some people would spend more on a carrier for their dog than most of us spend on plane tickets…to Europe.  $690 might seem a bit excessive for a dog carrier to you, but you have to remember that this particular one is made from leather, has numerous flaps for their dog treats, and is stylish beyond measure.  This bag screams "my dog lives better than I do" to anybody that sees the two of you together.  Sure you're driving around in a minivan that's older than your kids, but as far as your dog is concerned, he's in a Bentley the entire time.

Your Dog Dresses Better Than You Do

I want my dog to look good.  This usually means regular grooming, getting his nails clipped, and brushing him.  This does not include buying my dog a mink coat.  Yes…you read that correctly.  People have been known to buy their dogs mink coats.  I don't own a mink coat.  I don't even own anything approaching a mink coat in my closet.  The idea of a mink coat for dogs is strange since dogs are, at least typically, covered in fur.  And yet, for only $70, you too can get your dog a pink mink coat that will confirm that you love your dog more than you love yourself.

Like I've said, we all love to pamper our dogs, but there comes a certain point when all of us have to be careful about crossing over into excess.  Dogs don't care about mink coats and $300 beds.They want bully sticks, lamb treats for dogs, and somebody to scratch their bellies.  Keep that in mind the next time you see that diamond encrusted dog collar that you've been wanting to buy your dog.

Just because the travel season is just about over doesn't mean that you should already be looking ahead to your next family vacation, and that includes your four legged family members.  Picking places that will welcome your dog with arms as open as those that welcome you can be tricky, so here's a list of ten of the top pet friendly cities in the United States.

San Diego, California

Thanks to the warm climate, this is a year round playground for pets and pet lovers.  With locations like the Otay Ranch Town Shopping Center, which has an off-leash park as part of the facility, and a number of pet friendly restaurants like Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar, this is the ideal location for the pet lover with travel on their mind.

Long Beach, California

Home to the Most Beautiful Bulldog Competition, Easter and Howl o'ween parades, and the only off-leash dog park in LA County.  With restaurants and bars that cater to both people and their dogs, this is a great spot to enjoy a refreshing lunch while your dog enjoys dog treats right next to you.

Carmel, California

Home to the pet friendly Cypress Inn on Lincoln Street (co-owned by the legendary Doris Day), this city is great for the active pet family as it features numerous walking tours to enjoy the towns scenic charms.

Portland, Oregon

Home to The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company, this brewery is the perfect place for you to take the edge off after a long day of travel with one of their dog-inspired brews while your dog relaxes beside you.  If you need something to wake you up instead, the Iron Mutt Coffee Company is perfect for getting your caffeine fix while your dog enjoys either a Himalayan Dog Chew from you, or a free dog biscuit from the employees.

Seattle, Washington

When staying in Seattle, the Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast should be first on your list thanks to their pet-friendly standards and great location.  From there it's easy to enjoy many of Seattle's pet-friendly amenities, especially since well-behaved dogs are allowed on all of Seattle's buses and trains.  Couple that with numerous eateries that welcome well-behaved pets and it's easy to see why Seattle is one of the top pet-friendly cities in the country.

Chicago, Illinois

While the Cubs might not be winning the World Series just yet, the White Sox do offer a Dog Day baseball game every spring.  Numerous upscale hotels such as the Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco welcome dogs of all sizes, and Lake Michigan offers more than 18 miles of paved trails that are great for exercising both you and your dog.  At the end of the day, swing by Cucina's on either N. Sedgwick or W. Diversey where your dog will be served a complimentary bowl of pasta before you give him a bully stick to really enjoy.

New York City, New York

Many of the most upscale and fashionable hotels in this city open their doors to dogs, including the Soho Grand Hotel and the Muse Hotel.  The NYC Dog Walking Tour is a great way to see the city and get your dog some much needed exercise, and of course there's always a carriage ride through Central Park to really enjoy the sites of the city.

Orlando, Florida

When in Orlando, be sure to visit Sam Snead's, the location where Governor Jeb Bush signed the doggy dining law that allows well-behaved dogs to sit with their owners at outside locations.  Thanks to the location of Disney World and Universal Studios, many hotels in the area are pet friendly and even offer dog-sitting services while you and your family go and enjoy the park.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

All about nature and the great outdoors, Colorado Springs is a great place for dogs that love to romp and have fun.  With numerous nature preserves and parks where you can let your dog off the leash and just run and enjoy themselves, it's easy to forget that Colorado Springs also offers many pet friendly hotels where both you and your dog can be spoiled and pampered.

Austin, Texas

Boasting 12 off-leash parks, Austin is a dream come true for both pet owners and the pets themselves.  Whether cooling off in the creek at Bull Creek District Park or taking a tour of the city in horse-drawn carriage, there are plenty of ways for your dog to enjoy themselves while in Austin.  Plenty of restaurants and stores welcome dogs, so be sure to take them out with you when you're hitting the town and enjoy the sites of this beautiful Texas city with your best four-legged friends.

The top dog breeds can be debated forever, but for the purposes of this list, we're going to use the top ten most popular dog breeds based on American Kennel Club breed registrations. That being said, I welcome any and all opinions on what you think should fall into the Top Ten List of Most Popular Dog Breeds.

10. Bulldogs – These lovable dogs have long held a place in the hearts of pet owners that are looking for a dog that is shorter, won't require as much exercise, but has a personality as big as its jowels.

9. Shih Tzu – This Chinese breed with its vaguely lion like appearance and attractive coat is popular as both a pure bred dog and for cross-breeding with other breeds for desired physical and temperament traits. These are great house dogs as they don't require a great deal of exercise and are perfectly happy staying at home chewing on a Himalayan dog chew.

8. Poodles – Known for their distinctive appearance and intelligence, the Poodle are most often associated with French elegance and an aristocratic nature.

7. Dachshunds – These short little dogs are a favorite of dog lovers everywhere, coming in both a short haired and long haired variety. These playful and fun dogs are great for families as they can entertain with their intelligence and playfulness while playing with toys or begging for dog treats.

6. Boxers – Originally from Germany, this stocky breed of medium size is known for their large chest and square jaw. Bright and energetic with a playful temperament, these dogs are great for active owners that can exercise with their pet.

5. Beagles – The winner of this year's Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show, the beagle is one of the most recognizable dogs, with animated dogs like Snoopy carrying the beagle image into the entertainment world. Their even temper and gentle disposition makes them great for families, and their playful nature will keep a family entertained for hours.

4. Golden Retrievers – A larger dog, the Golden Retriever are kindly and friendly, and are known for being friendly with any and all comers that are willing to give them a pat on the head. As the name implies, Golden Retrievers love to retrieve, and are great for those looking for a dog they can play with outdoors or watch tear apart a bully stick inside.

3. German Shepherd – Originally bred in Germany for sheep herding, this breed can be found doing everything from police work to working with the blind. Easy to train, these dogs make great house pets and are great for those looking for a dog to complete agility courses with.

2. Yorkshire Terrier – These tiny little dogs are known for their long coats and personality that doesn't seem to fit with their small bodies. Incredibly intelligent, Yorkies are also independent, which is perfect for those looking for a dog that doesn't have to be coddled all day long.

1. Labrador Retriever – The most popular breed of dog according to the AKC, this breed comes in a variety of colors, but is most loved for their mellow nature which makes them great house pets. Not known for aggressive, territorial, or pining behavior, Labrador Retrievers can fit into most household situations and because of this, have become highly sought after because of their gentle nature (they can carry an egg in their mouth).

Dog Treats For Raw Food Diets

Raw feeding is becoming more and more popular as dog owners try to get their dogs back to their natural diet, and I wanted to point out some treats and chews that I think compliment raw feeding well.

Baa-Baa Q's

Baa-Baa-Q's are dried lamb lungs and are a great treat for dogs on a raw food diet because they are 100% natural and they are organ meat. Baa-Baa Q's are especially great for older dogs as they break down quickly as saliva is introduced to them. I give these routinely as supplemental treats to my own raw feeding program.

All Natural Dog Chews

All of the natural chews that we offer on best bully sticks like beef trachea, tendons, and bully sticks. All of these treats are all natural, high in protein, and some like the trachea have the added health benefit of naturally occurring glucosamine for joint health. All of the chews will also naturally help in keeping a dogs teeth and gums healthy!

Healthy Dog Treats

Lastly, we highly recommend all of the natural dog treats provided by Plato Dog Treats. These are the healthiest dog treats that we have been able to find and they are made in the US (something that is becoming a sad rarity these days in the pet treat business!).

Antlerz and Bones - Will They Splinter ?

This is my second post for the weekly question and answer series.

 We are commonly asked this question and wanted to share our answer in the blog.  Starting with bones; bones are a common dog chew and can vary from femur bones, shin bones, knuckle bones, etc.....they are safe to eat as a dog chew as long as they are not cooked.  Once a bone is cooked (like in soup) its likelihood of splintering and becoming dangerous is magnified greatly.  However, as long as the bone is a "raw" bone it is safe to chew.  I do recommend watching how your dog chews on the bone to make sure that they are gnawing as opposed to biting on it. 

Antlerz are totally different from bones as they are grown naturally on deer.  They are comprised of many different rings of mineral deposits.  The cross section of the Antlerz looks kind of like a tree trunk with many rings around its end.  The antler wears down gradually over time from saliva and gnawing.  An Antlerz chew should last any dog between 4-12 weeks.  They are an awesome chew and totally healthy and safe for your dogs! 

About the Author

Avrum Elmakis is the owner of Best Bully Sticks, a leading provider of dog treats, bully sticks, antlerz, and other dog chews and treats. They can be found online at: http://www.bestbullysticks.com .