New Dogs

The Super Bowl is over. We know the winner and the season has ended, but if your a dog lover, your big competition to watch hasn't begun. The "Super Bowl" of dog shows is coming your way next week! The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show be televised on USA Network and CNBC Monday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 14. from Madison Square Garden in New York.

This year marks the 136th Westminster Dog Show and continues the yearly tradition of America's oldest organization dedicated to purebred dogs.  This year, over 2,000 dogs are competing for Best In Show title.  What's great about this years competition is that six new breeds will be gracing the stage at Westminster. BBS has been covering these breeds in our Breed Spotlights every week. They include the Cesky Terrier, the American English Coonhound, the Xoloitzcuintli, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Norwegian Lundehund and the Finnish Lapphund.

Monday night's competition will showcase the Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups airing on USA starting at 8 ET on USA Network and continue at 9 on CNBC. Tuesday night audiences will see the Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups as well as Best In Show starting at 8 ET on USA Network.  So, curl up with you pup and some treats and watch the Westminster Dog Show this Monday and Tuesday.

Fun Facts About Westminster

-First held in 1877, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is America's second-longest continuously held sporting event, behind only the Kentucky Derby.

-Westminster pre-dates the invention of the light bulb and the automobile, the building of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Washington Monument, the invention of basketball and the establishment of the World Series.

-A portion of the proceeds from Westminster's first show in 1877 was donated to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to establish a home for stray and disabled animals.

-There have been a total of 301,650 dogs entered in Westminster's 134 shows through 2011

-Westminster was established in 1877, pre-dating the founding of the governing body of the sport, the American Kennel Club, which was established in 1884.

The growing trend in dog ownership is the purchase or adoption of designer dogs – those dogs that have been deliberately bred from two purebred dogs with an expected result.  While I would never discourage the adoption of any dog, designer or otherwise, there are certain pros and cons that come with giving a home to a Designer Dog.

Pros

The pros to giving a home to a Designer Dog (besides the obvious good karma of giving a home to a dog in need) typically relate to the health of the dog in question.  While many purebred dogs are prone to health problems related to the lack of genetic difference between one generation and the next, Designer Dogs, much like mutts, bypass many of the health problems that purebreds are known for.  The difference between the Designer Dog and the mutt is that while a mutts heritage isn't know, Designer Dogs often have papers stating what their heritage is, including the breeds and history of both parents.

Along with avoiding many of the health issues associated with purebred dogs, Designer Dogs are often bred to combine favored traits of two breeds, such as a lack of shedding and the size of one dog with the playful nature and affection of another.  The hope with Designer Dogs is that the penchant that one of the breeds may have for chewing on your shoes will be countered by the penchant the other breed has for eating dog treats from your hands.

Cons

The cons to bringing home any dog of mixed parentage is that you never really know what to expect.  You can breed two of the most affectionate, loving dogs, and at the end of the day you might still get a Designer Dog that sees your slippers and thinks chew toy.  Temperament and size are very hard to judge with Designer Dogs, especially those that come from two dogs of largely varying sizes (you might end up with a Labrador/Dachshund mix that is either the size of the Dachshund, the Labrador, or somewhere in the middle).  Poodle Designer Dogs are known to exhibit many of the Poodle's often aggressive nature, in spite of being bred with a more docile breed.  While giving you hope having a Boxer mixed with a Chihuahua will curb its need to chew on things better than giving it bully sticks, at the end of the day, you can't know what you will get from the dog until you've spent time with it and tried to train it.

Don't Go in With Any Expectations

When bringing home your Designer Dog, remember not to have any expectations.  You may bring home the most perfect puppy that will be easy to train, have all the best traits of both their breeds, and be a ray of sunshine in you and your family's lives.  Or you may bring home a little terror that will drive you all insane…just like any other puppy.  Don't assume that the new trend in Designer Dogs means that you don't have to put in the time to properly train your dog.  Good genes are no replacement for proper training and love.

About the Author

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

Every year around the time of the Westminster Dog Show, the debate of adopting dogs from shelters versus purchasing one through a breeder is brought up.  Each side has their argument, but for somebody looking to bring a dog into their life for the first time, it's a question that needs answering.  Which way of finding a dog is better?  Rescue adoptions or breeders?

The first question that you have to ask yourself before even considering to adopt a dog using either method is what kind of dog do you want?  This doesn't always mean which breed to you want (though that can certainly help), but what kind of temperament are you looking for in your dog.  Are you looking for a guard dog or one that will cuddle up next to you in bed at night?  Do you want a dog you can carry around in a bag or one that small children can ride?  With these things in mind, here are the arguments for both the breeder and the rescue adoption.

Breeders tend to get a bad reputation because of puppy mills that have gained notoriety for turning out puppies en masse that are often less than healthy.  While a certified breeder is very different from a puppy mill, looking into a breeder's credentials is a crucial first step when looking to get a dog from a breeder.

One advantage to going to a breeder is that they can give you the dog that you're looking for, usually with documentation to prove the health of the dog.  If you're looking for a Boston Terrier or a Poodle, you can find them at breeders that specialize in these particular breeds, and you can even find breeders that specialize in mixed breed dogs such as Labradoodles (Labrador and Poodle) or Puggles (Pug and Beagle).  The dogs purchased through a breeder tend to have fewer surprises for the new owner, and often come with guarantees to their health and temperament. 

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While there are many things to consider when you have decided to bring home a new dog, the first thing you have to pick is which breed is right for you. With that in mind, here are a few things to think about when selecting which breed is best for you and your home.

Size

The size of the dog you choose can depend on a number of factors. How big is your home? Do you have a yard? How big is your yard if you do have one? What size dog do you have an interest in taking home? Keep in mind that while that Golden Retriever is cute and sweet, he requires a lot more space to live than the Boston Terrier you're also considering.

Hair

When considering a dog, look around your home and consider if you would like your carpets and furniture covered in the fur of your dog. While many breeds of dogs, both long haired and short haired, don't shed overly much, just about every dog is going to shed a little bit. Keep that in mind and pick accordingly, as it could be the difference between you choosing a Saint Bernard and a Chihuahua.

Temperament

How do you want your dog to interact not only with you, but with strangers and other dogs? While there is no such thing as a bad dog, some breeds are more aggressive than others with a larger prey drive to hunt. If you have small children, or are around small children, keep in mind how the dog you select will interact with them. Again, there's no such thing as a "bad" dog, but some breeds are better suited to being around small children because of increased patience.

Overall Health

Keep in mind that dogs, just like people, do get sick. Some breeds, just like some people, are more prone to genetic defects and will require medical care as they get older. While you should always expect to keep your dog for its entire life, do some research and make sure you know what some of the common health issues are for the breed of dog you select. It helps to know if they'll just need bully sticks to help with their teeth and gums or hip replacement surgery.

Intelligence/Trainability

Some dogs are more easily trained then others. With some, a few dog treats along with some basic commands and they're ready to sit, lie down, and play dead. Others are going to require a bit more work to not only teach tricks, but to housebreak. While patience will be required to train any breed of dog, some breeds are just naturally more intelligent than others and will have a smaller learning curve than others. Keep in mind how much time you're willing to spend training your new dog to perform the way you want when selecting a breed.

Amount of Exercise Needed

Every dog needs to be walked, but different breeds will require more exercise than others. Keep in mind how often your dog will need to be walked just to use the bathroom versus how much they need to exercise for reasons of health. Having a backyard is great, but it's no substitute for a brisk walk and being played with. Figure in how much time your schedule will allow you to walk and play with your new dog when considering the perfect breed for you.

Purebred or Mixed Breed

The decision to give a home to a dog that is purebred or mixed breed is one of personal taste. While a purebred ensures you get the dog you're looking for with traits you're expecting, mixed breed dogs are often healthier than purebred dogs as they tend to receive the best traits of their different breeds.

While some mixed breeds are now being intentionally bred (like Labradoodles and Puggles), most mixed breeds aren't planned and often result in interesting mixes. If there isn't a specific breed you prefer, considering a mixed breed dog is a good way to find the traits from different breeds that you like all in one dog.

Give the Gift of a Home

No matter what dog you choose, there's nothing better than giving a home to a puppy or dog in need. Remember to stock up on dog treats, chews, food, and, of course, bully sticks to make your new dog feel right at home. Keep in mind that there are a number of different sites like PetFinder that can help you find the dog you're looking for. Always consider your local animal shelter before turning to a breeder, but above all, make sure you get the pet you want.