Breed Spotlight

A Tan and Black German Shepherd

Weight: 66 - 88 lbs (male); 49 - 71 lbs (female)

Height: 24- 26 in (male); 22 - 24 in (female)

Coat: Double-coat in either medium (most common) or long lengths

Color: Tan/Black and Red/Black are most common. Also come in: All-Black, Sable, All-White, Liver, and Blue. Liver and Blue considered serious faults, and All-White grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.

Appearance

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog with a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. Their jaws are strong and possess a scissor-like bite that serves them well as police dogs or for working their way through dog treats like bully sticks. Their medium-sized brown eyes are lively, intelligent, and self-assured. The ears are large and stand erect with the openings facing to the front. Their tail is bushy for the entire length.

The outer coat of the German Shepherd is shed all year long. The medium coat is the dominant and generally accepted version, with the long coat being recessive, rare, and considered a fault by the American Kennel Club.

Temperament

A highly active dog, German Shepherds are typically described as self-assured in breed standards. Possessing a willingness to learn, Shepherds are often trained as work dogs. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond with people they know. That being said, they can become over-protective of their family and territory and will require correct socialization to curb this.

Shepherds do have a reputation for aggression, and have been banned in some areas because of this. In the US, German Shepherds are responsible for more random bitings than any other breed, but experts are quick to point out this number is partially due to the higher proportion of German Shepherds in the country than other breeds.

Shepherds are highly obedient, leading to their extensive use as work dogs in law enforcement and military use, but with their strong wills, they do require a firm hand when being trained.

Health

The most common ailments for German Shepherds are hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis later in life. Also, due to the large and open design of their ears, they are also prone to ear infections. Like all large dogs, they are also prone to bloat, a stomach condition. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 7 - 10 years, which is normal for dogs of their size.

Famous German Shepherds

Strongheart - Early canine film star

Rin Tin Tin - Canine film star

Sam the Dog - portrayed by Abbey and Kona in the 2007 film I Am Legend

Spot Light on a Breed: Boxer

Weight - Male: 60-70 lbs, Female 53-65 lbs
Height - Male 22-25 inches, Female 21-24 inches
Coat - smooth, short haired coat, average shedder
Color - fawn, black, white, brindle

Appearance
The Boxer's body is compact and powerful and the shiny, close-fitting coat comes in fawn, brindle, white and various shades of red, with white markings. They have a boxy head and their tail is usually docked. Ear cropping is optional (Docking and cropping is illegal in some countries, we aren't big fans of it).

Temperment
Boxers are a bright, energetic and playful breed and tend to be very good with children. They are active dogs and require adequate exercise to prevent boredom-associated behaviors such as chewing or digging. Boxers have earned a slight reputation of being "headstrong," which can be related to inappropriate obedience training.

Health
Some major concerns are cardiomyopathy and other heart problems, sub-aortic stenosis, and thyroid problems. Boxers are also prone to cancer and skin allergies.  Sometimes prone to epilepsy and hip dysplasia. From age eight on they are more likely to get tumors than other breeds.  These dogs may drool and snore. May have excessive flatulence. Some white Boxers are prone to deafness.

Famous Owners of Boxer's
Humphrey Bogart
Billie Holiday
Nat King Cole
Benji Madden
Rocky Marciano
Charlton Heston
Pablo Picasso
Sylvester Stallone
Carroll O’Connor
Robin Williams
George Clooney
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Flea (musician)
Craig Phillips
Kimmie Meissner
Brandon Prophet
Greg Biffle

Check out Best Bully Sticks for all of your all natural dog chews and treats at great prices!

A reddish-brown Dachshund

Weight: 16 – 28 lbs (11 lbs for a miniature)

Height: 10 – 15 inches

Coat: Smooth, Long Haired, Wire (least common)

Color: Red is dominant, but also black, faun, brown, chocolate, tan. Can be tri-color or dapple as well as solid color.

Appearance

Dachshunds are long bodied (which is why they are often called "weiner" dogs) and muscular. Their hair can be smooth, long, or wire. The wire hair Dachshund is the least common, and is often mistaken for another breed. Their eye color is typically dark, though lighter Dachshunds can have lighter eyes, and dapple colored Dachshunds are known to have different colored eyes (heterochromia).

Temperament

Dachshunds are playful, fun dogs with a propensity for chasing small birds, small animals, and balls with great ferocity. They are quite clever and rarely shy (considered a poor trait if they are). While not shy, they can be wary of unfamiliar people and may bark or growl at strangers until they get to know them. Fairly energetic, it is not unknown for some to be sedate, but they can become destructive if bored, so keeping them stocked with chew toys like toys and bully sticks is a good idea.

They may or may not be good with small children. Some will avoid children, whereas others will be fiercely loyal to them as family members. However, due to their back problems, small children should be taught to be gentle with them, and you may want to avoid having small children around them

Health

Dachshunds are prone to spinal problems, especially Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) due to their long spinal column and short rib cage. They can also be prone to Patellar Luxation, a condition where they knee doesn't move along the joint correctly. Dapples are prone to blindness and deafness.

Famous Dachshunds and Dachshund Owners

Andy Warhol (artist) – Archie and Amos

Kevin Smith (film maker) – Shecky

Pablo Picasso (painter) – Lump

Odie – Garfield comics and movies

Slinky – Toy Story and Toy Story 2

Schatzi – That 70's Show

Spotlight on a Breed Great Pyrenees

Weight:  From 85 pounds

Height:  25 -32 Inches

Coat:   Outer coat is straight or slightly wavy

Color: solid white, or white with patches of tan, wolf grey or pale orange

Appearance

The Great Pyrenees dog conveys the distinct impression of elegance and unsurpassed beauty combined with great overall size and majesty. He has a white or principally white coat that may contain markings of badger, gray, or varying shades of tan. He possesses a keen intelligence and a kindly, while regal, expression. Exhibiting a unique elegance of bearing and movement, his soundness and coordination show unmistakably the purpose for which he has been bred, the strenuous work of guarding the flocks in all kinds of weather on the steep mountain slopes of the Pyrenees.

Temperament

The Great Pyrenees is a capable and imposing guardian, devoted to its family, and somewhat wary of strangers - human or canine. They are often used to guard livestock. When not provoked, it is calm, well- mannered, and somewhat serious. Courageous, very loyal and obedient. Gentle and affectionate with those he loves. Devoted to family even if self-sacrifice is required. It is very gentle with its family and children.

Health

The Great Pyrenees, like many larger, purebred dogs, is prone to hip dysplasia, a degenerative joint disease related to arthritis.  In addition, because of their long, thick coats, they can be prone to heat related issues if in warm weather for too long.

Famous Great Pyrenees and Great Pyrenees Owners

None to be found
Thank you for following our latest blog post, for all natural dog chews and dog treats like bully sticks make sure to checkout our shopping section!

A Tri-Color Beagle

Weight: 18-35 lbs

Height: 13-16 inches

Coat: Smooth coat

Color: tri-color (most common), two color (tan and white), various others

Appearance

Beagles are a mid-sized breed with a generally lean body, a broad chest, and eyes that appear to be pleading much like a bloodhounds. Eye color is typically brown or hazel. Strong jaw and neck makes them excellent at tug games or at working over bully sticks or similar chews.

Temperament

Beagles are even tempered and are a great family dog, as they get along great with children and other dogs. They are playful and while they can be standoffish towards strangers at first, they can easily be won over. For this reason, Beagles are typically very poor guard dogs, though their tendency to howl or bark does make them good watch dogs.

Beagles are pack animals and can be prone to separation anxiety. Intelligent, they have been bred for the long chase and can thus be very single-minded and determined, which can make them hard to train, though they do respond to training with dog treats. Not demanding with regard to exercise Read more