Dog Treats

Leona Helmsley, real estate magnate, has left 8 billion US dollars to Dog Care.  I couldn't believe it myself when I saw it on the news...but at this point it appears to be true.  Helmsley has directed that most of her entire fortune be left for the care and well being of dogs, even though this is pretty wide open I am sure that they will find plenty of worthy causes.  I think that this type of philanthropy will do wonders for dog care and rescue groups all over the US and in fact several hundred have already applied to the foundation for funding.  I am curious to see what the outcome of all this will be.

In case you are worried about Helmsley's own dog....don't!  In her will she left the dog 12 million for dog treats, food, and care, but a judge has recently awarded 10 million of that amount to be split between two of her grandchildren.  I thought that this actual data was also pretty interesting, the court has decided the following:

$190,000 (per year for ten years for Trouble), which includes his $60,000 guardian fee, $100,000 for ’round-the-clock security, $8,000 for grooming, $3,000 for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 for food and anywhere from $2,500 to $18,000 for medical care.

Based on this data I would have to say that Trouble is living better than most of us are!

Plato Dog Treats

Plato makes some of the finest dog treats on the market today. All of their treats are made in the US and the chicken dog treats are certified organic. Finding dog treats that are made in the US is becoming an increasing rarity and it is always nice to offer something that is made under the scrutiny of the US government.

Plato dog treats currently come in four varieties, however, they are planning on bringing out some new products out soon! The dog treats that are currently available are Kangaroo, Duck, Chicken, and Salmon; all of which have over 90% of the meat ingredient in them. The chicken, duck, and salmon varieties come in 2 sizes with the Kangaroo only coming in one.

The duck and salmon treats are particularly good for dogs with allergies as they are both considered hypo-allergenic meats. Kangaroo is widely considered the most hypo-allergenic meat for dogs, so if you have a dog with a sensitive stomach please consider these. Also, don't worry about the source of the kangaroo as it is from free range kangaroos that are naturally culled from the population; without culling the population kangaroo's would become too populous!

Plato is also introducing an excellent salmon oil for dogs and cats which we will be carrying on the site within the next few weeks. This oil is a 100% natural product and is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals particularly the Omega 3's and 6's. We are sure that this will make a great addition to an already high quality assortment of products from Plato.

As always, make sure to check out our other selection of all natural dog chews and treats, and of course bully sticks....

Trachea Chips

We are introducing a new dog chew called the "Trachea Chip"! These are flattened out pieces of our beef trachea's that are baked into a chip. The trachea chips are approximately a 4" by 4" square piece of beef trachea. This unique size and shape make them last quite a while. We would say that these last about the same amount of time as a pig or cow's ear for comparisons sake.

Remember that Beef Trachea are an excellent source of both glucosamine and chondroitin for your dog's joint health. We are positive that these new trachea chips are sure to be a winner in the dog chew market! Please also keep our other trachea dog treats in mind as well (Hollow Trachea-great for stuffing with ice cream or peanut butter, Stuffed Trachea-stuffed with brown rice and bully stick bits, and now the Trachea Chip).

Greatest American Dog

I don't know how many of you have seen the commercials for this upcoming CBS show....but it looks like it will be quite good. The show is featuring twelve dogs and their owners who will complete each week for a $250,000 prize (think about the dog treats that could buy!). The shows website says that there will be challenges each week to test the owners' ability to train their dogs and that one team will be eliminated each week.

From looking at the 12 contestants it looks to be a good mix of dogs from Chihuahua's to a Bull Dog. I think that it should be a fun show to watch as some of the dog's are from the pageant world and some have just been trained at home.

In the end, we feel like every dog could win this contest as they all have unique personalities and bring love and joy to families all over the country; just look at the smiling faces in the photo gallery!

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).