Breed Spotlight

We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Otterhound!

Height: Male 27 inches tall, Female 24 inches tall

Weight: Male 115 lbs, Female 80 lbs

Coat: “Shabby chic” is a good way to describe the coat of the Otterhound. The weather-resistant double coat is made up of a rough, thick top coat that is anywhere from two to six inches in length, and a wooly, oily undercoat. The coat is designed to protect the dog from cold water.

Color: The most common coat colors are black and tan and grizzle.

Appearance: The Otterhound is a shaggy, rough-coated hound who sports a shaggy beard and bushy eyebrows. The head is similar in shape to a Bloodhound, measuring 11 to 12 inches from the end of the nose to the occiput for a 26 inch tall dog, and similarly proportioned for other sized dogs. The muzzle is square, the jaw powerful and the flews deep. The nose should be large and is black or liver in color, depending on the color of the coat. The eyes are deep set and range in color from black to hazel, always complimenting the coat coloring. The ears are set low and should reach the tip of the nose when pulled forward. The tail is high set, long, and tapered, reaching at least to the hock. Webbed feet assist in swimming. The most common colors are black and tan and grizzle.

Temperament: Otterhounds are big, shaggy dogs who love to run and swim, but don't like being told what to do. They are friendly and easy going, happy to greet newcomers with a wag of a their tail. Otterhounds are independent animals, however, who don't like being told what to do or when to do it. Their easy-going nature makes this trait easy to overlook, as it's not likely you'll ask him to do too many things he doesn't want to, other than say, come in from playing outside. Otterhound are best served by experienced dog owners who love the outdoors.

The Otterhound is a great family pet who is enthusiastic, gentle and fun loving. It may not realize its size at times and can be clumsy, so despite the dog’s great love for children, it should be supervised while playing with them. Although affectionate and intelligent, they can be hard to train, so a firm, loving and patient hand is essential. The Otterhound is exceptionally friendly toward other dogs as well as people, making it a constant people pleaser but a lousy guard dog. The breed enjoys baying occasionally but does not bark excessively, and most people would describe the dog as a generally laid back and amiable companion.

Health: The average life span of the Otterhound is 11 to 13 years. Otterhounds are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they're prone to certain health conditions. Not all Otterhounds will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be aware of them if you're considering this breed. Prone to Gastric dilatation-volvulus (aka bloat), Hip Dysplasia, Canine Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia (CIT) an immune systems disorder.

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Smooth Fox Terrier!

Height: 14-16 inches

Weight: 15-20 lbs

Coat: Smooth Fox Terriers has a smooth, hard, dense coats that sheds very little.

Color: Predominately white and can have black, tan or black and tan markings.

Appearance: The Smooth Fox Terrier is an active, lively dog with a short white coat and black or brown markings. They are small but strong and powerful with well-defined muscles - qualities necessary in the world of fox hunting. The skull is flat and tapering and the ears fold forward in a V. The eyes are small, deep set and dark in color. The head is wedge shaped and chiseled, the neck strong. The tail is customarily docked to ¾ length and stands upward. The coat, as the name suggests, is smooth and lays flat against the body.

Temperament: Fox Terriers are spunky, fearless, loyal dogs who adore the outdoors as much as they enjoy people. They were developed to work as part of fox hunting parties, bolting foxes from their dens out into the open where Foxhounds and hunters then took over. Their small size allowed them to get into the foxes dens, and t heir long legs helped them keep up with the hounds. Today, Fox Terriers still enjoy running and digging, and are happy to do so alongside kids of all ages. They are active dogs who require a family who is committed to exercise, but for experienced owners, these terriers make a great family pet.

Health: The average life span of the Smooth Fox Terrier is 12 to 15 years. Breed health concerns may include cataracts, congenital heart disease (pulmonic stenosis), insulinoma, shoulder luxation, congenital vestibular disease, congenital deafness, distichiasis, glaucoma, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, primary lens luxation, refractory corneal ulceration, ectopic ureters and skin allergies.

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 10,000 fans.

When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.

We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Puli.

Height: Male: 17; Female: 16 inches

Weight: 25-35 lbs

Coat: The Puli has a very unique coat. The coat is fairly weather resistant and is dense and profuse. The outer coat should be wavy or curly, while the undercoat is soft and wooly. In an adult Puli, the coat should form cords naturally and never be man made. The coat should never be clipped, always natural.

Color: solid black, rusty black, gray, and white

Appearance: The Puli is a sturdy, shaggy dog with a profuse coat that hangs in long cords like the coat of a Komondor. When fully grown, the cords can reach all the way to the ground. The coat comes most often in a weathered black, but sometimes in gray or white. The tail curls closely over the back. The almond-shaped eyes are dark brown with black lids. The medium sized, V-shaped ears hang down, blending in with the rest of the coat. The muzzle is long and straight ending in a large, black nose. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The gait should be lively and animated, exhibiting the agility needed for the dog to herd sheep in the field.

Temperament: The Puli surprisingly makes a very good watchdog, as they are very protective of their master and territory. This is a very intelligent breed making him fairly easy to train. This breed does very well in obedience and agility and is a favorite in the show ring. His light and agile movement give this breed an advantage when it comes to guarding flocks of sheep.

Happy, cheerful, and devoted, this dog does very well in a home environment, however is not recommended for a home with small children. The Puli can do well with other animals if they are properly socialized at puppyhood, but should not be trusted around smaller and more passive animals. If children are taught how to handle a dog properly, this breed can do well providing the children do not pester or pull on the long cords of hair.

Health: The average lifespan of the Puli is 12-16 years. The most common orthopedic disease in Puli's are: hip dysplasia, luxating patella (loose knees) and elbow dysplasia. Serious eye diseases include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and retinal dysplasia. Heart disease has become a concern in the Puli. Inherited deafness can occur, and hypothyroidism has been reported.

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 10,000 fans.

When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.

We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (aka the Swissy).

Height: Male: 25.5-28.5; Female: 23.5-27 inches

Weight: Male: 105-140; Female: 85-110 lbs

Coat: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has an average-shedding double coat. The undercoat is thick and the outer coat is dense and stands one to two inches in length. They shed lightly throughout the year, but twice a year they will blow their entire undercoat

Color: Black and rust, with white feet, chest, tail tip, muzzle, blaze, and possibly collar; rust color present on legs between white and black

Appearance: The Greater Swiss Mountain dog is a large, strong draft dog with a broad chest, large head and a gentle expression. They have strong front legs that should be straight and end in rounded feet. The muzzle is blunt and ends in a black nose, and teeth that meet in a scissors bite. The eyes of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog should be dark brown, and the rims of the eyes are black. The ears are triangular, medium-sized, and pendant in shape. The tail is long and should reach to the hocks. The thick, double coat comes in a distinct pattern of three colors: black with rust and white markings. The rust markings appear over each eye, on the cheeks and on either side of the chest. Show dogs should have symmetrical markings. White appears on the tip of the tail, a blaze on the muzzle and on the chest. Some may have white patches on the neck. 

Temperament: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was designed as a draft dog and was often referred to as “the poor man's horse.” They are serious dogs who still enjoy pulling carts and sleds, but have grown to be faithful, dedicated and loving family companions. They are fiercely loyal to their families and require constant companionship to be happy. Families with children may shy away from such a large dog, but the Swissy gets along well with kids of all ages. Small children should be supervised, as they can easily get knocked down by an excited Swissy, but the dog never means to harm. They are alert watchdogs, letting everyone in a three-block radius know that a stranger is approaching, but they are not aggressive guard dogs and can be trusted to be polite to house guests, once properly introduced. This dog is very courageous and will bark at the sign of intruders or odd noises.

Health: The average lifespan of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is between 10-12  years. For the most part, this breed is relatively healthy for their size; Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have far fewer problems than more populous breeds in the similar size range. They are prone to having: Urinary incontinence , distichiasis and entropion (eye lash issues), Lick fit (frantic licking), Idiopathic Epilepsy, Canine hip dysplasia, bloat, Canine Elbow dysplasia, and Osteochondrosis (cartilage becomes abnormally thickened, and small fissures and cracks may develop).

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 10,000 fans.

When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.

We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Vizsla.

Height: Male 22-24; Female 21-23 inches

Weight: 45-65 lbs

Coat: The Vizsla breed comes in two coat varieties: the Smooth and Wire. The Smooth is short, dense, close to the body, and shiny. There is no undercoat. The Wire is hard, harsh, and loose fitting. There is no gloss or shine. There is a winter under-coat and the hair is brush-like on the back of the forelegs, head, muzzle, and ears. The Vizsla coat colors range from golden to russet. They are average shedders.

Color: Solid golden rust

Appearance: The Vizsla is a muscular, sleek hunting dog with an attractive short, rust-colored coat. The head of the Vizsla is chiseled and often described as aristocratic, with only a moderate stop. The square muzzle ends in a brown nose and the teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The eyes of the Vizsla are alert and expressive, and should compliment the color of the coat. The ears are pendant with round tips and are long, thin and silky to the touch. The tail is customarily docked to 2/3 length.

Temperament: Vizslas are lovingly referred to as “velcro dogs” because they want to be with the people they love 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This attachment goes back to the Vizsla's roots as a hunting dog. In the field, he never strayed too far from the hunter, which created a strong bonding experience. Vizslas are the perfect family dog for those who are already committed to an active lifestyle. Hunters can still use them to track and point in the field, and at home Vizslas make superb hiking, biking and jogging companions. They are fairly easy to train, and make a fine addition to active, outdoorsy families. The Vizsla is a versatile gun dog that is able to work in the forest, field, and water. They excel in retrieving, and are capable of covering difficult terrain in extreme weather conditions. The Vizsla has an easygoing nature and is an excellent companion.

The Vizsla is friendly, lively, and affectionate with their family and those they know. They are alert and watchful. They will bark when they sense danger or visitors. They are very reserved with strangers. The Vizsla is very demonstrative, but has a tendency to be willful and distracted. They get along well with older children and in most cases other dogs. They will tolerate cats they are raised with. The Vizsla loves to chew on anything and everything and is not a calm and placid breed. They will become destructive if they are allowed to be bored.

Health: The average lifespan of Vizsla is between 10–14  years. Potential health issues include: Hip dysplasia, Canine Epilepsy, Sebaceous adenitis, hypothyroidism, dwarfism, persistent right aortic arch, tricuspid valve dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. Major risks include epilepsy and lymphosarcoma. Vizslas can also be prone to skin and food allergies.

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 10,000 fans.

When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.