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. We are excited to spotlight the Lousiana Catahoula Leopard.

Height: 20 to 26 inches

Weight: 60 to 90 pounds

Coat: The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard coat is short , dense and smooth, easy to maintain and suited perfectly for their active lifestyle.

Color: Comes in colours that vary from solid colours that are black, red, chocolate, yellow, and brindle and merle colours that vary from blue, gray, black, white, liver, red, and patched. The "leopard" in the name comes from the merled colour of some of the dogs.

Temperament: As with most smart dog breeds, the Louisiana Catahoula Leopard needs to have a fair amount of stimulation in order to stay energized and happy. These dogs are highly intelligent and quick to assess situations, making them perfect helpers in law enforcement. But at the same time, this energy they have can also match perfectly with young children. The Catahoula is gentle and loving with younger children, so unlike other sporting dogs, this breed can be a good addition to a home setting.

Because of their high intelligence, the Catahoula Leopard is often trying to learn new things and will be curious about their environment. This creates a sort of independent manner about them, and they will go off to wander and explore alone if they are compelled to do so.

Spending a lot of time with this dog is imperative for its health and happiness. This is a dog that craves interaction with others and wants to be a part of the family that it belongs to. If you do not have time to interact with this type of dog breed, it may not be a good fit for your home. What may not work for every family is the Catahoula Leopard's tendency to be very overprotective of their family and of their territory. This can cause problems in some situations.

The Catahoula can also become fierce when they are around other dogs, especially when the dogs are the same sex as they are. Though the initial protectiveness may not be seen in the first few years of a Catahoula's life, it's at the age of two that this breed begins to feel it has a responsibility to protect its owners.

What's interesting too is that the Catahoula can become mild-mannered and timid around strangers, not from intimidation, but from hesitation. These dogs are intolerant of strangers and that's what makes them seem fearful in the presence of someone they don't know. With all of these personality features in mind, some more mild-mannered dog owners may not be a good fit for the Catahoula Leopard. The owner needs to be someone that is ready to demonstrate leadership for the dog, as this breed wants to be lead and trained by an authority.

This dog breed is often encouraged in homes that have a lot of room for the dog to roam, but in city or suburbs, they might feel too caged in. When trying to control your Catahoula Leopard, you will want to make sure they attend obedience classes as well as have a place where they can be locked up when you're not around to monitor their actions.

Health: The life expectancy for an Louisiana Catahoula Leopard is 10-14 years. While generally a healthy dog overall, the Catahoula Leopard can encounter some problems during their active life.

This particular dog breed is prone to hip dysplasia, which can cause pain and problems with mobility as the condition progresses. Those Catahoulas with a white coat or with a white face are also prone to issues with glass eyes. These particular colored dogs can often have an 80% chance of developing Deafness in one or both ears.

Occasionally, this dog breed will have troubles with their eyes, leading to tunnel vision, abnormal pupil dilation, and sometimes problems with the eye opening. This is often seen in particular breeds, like the McMillin line.

Some of the Catahoula Leopard Dog breed can also develop cancer in their older years.

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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 Carrie, we are excited to spotlight your beautiful Alaskan Klee Kai's. Everyone say “Hello” by sending out warm barks and tail wags to Mochi & Lilo!

Mochi & hiking buddy Lilo

Height: Standard 15-17.5 inches (38-42 cm.), Miniature 13-15 inches (33-39 cm) Toy under 13 inches (33 cm.)

Weight: Standard 23 pounds (10 kg.), Miniature 15 pounds (7 kg.), Toy under 10 pounds (4.3 kg.)

Coat: The Alaskan Klee Kai coat is double and long enough to give a well- furred appearance that reminds you of its Alaskan Husky heritage. The undercoat is soft, dense, and the guard hairs of the outer coat are straight and neither harsh nor extremely soft.

Color: There are a variety of coat colors with shades of gray and white, black and white and even the very rare red and white.

Wonder what Mochi is looking at? Perhaps eyeing one of our famous bully sticks!

Appearance: The Alaskan Klee Kai is a smaller version of the Alaskan Husky, and physically resembles the Siberian Husky. This is a northern breed of dog in the Spitz family. Spitz-type dogs have by long, thick, and usually white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles. Their thick and furry tail's are usually curled over the dog's back to either side when it is alert or on the move.

This smaller version of the Alaskan Husky has a wedge-shaped head and a stunning masked face, picked ears and a double coat. Back length is slightly longer than their height. The full face mask is what this breed is noted for. Their heads have a moderate stop, and the skull (slightly rounded and broad) and muzzle (well filled in under the eyes) taper toward to the nose forming a broad-based wedge. The lower jaw is strong and lips are closed tightly and usually black. Liver colored lips are seen in dogs with coats that are shades of red with white. The Alaskan Klee Kai teeth need to close in a scissors bite, no over bites or under bites.

Most Alaskan Klee Kai have solid black noses, however there are snow noses (pink streaked) and liver colored noses. Eyes are medium and can be seen in any color or color combination. There are different shaped eyes as well - almond, oval and round.

Alaskan Klee Kai ears are erect and pointing upward, and slightly larger in proportion to the size of the head. The leather is thick from tip to base, with ear tips slightly rounded. These dogs are very sensitive to sounds.

Temperament: Alaskan Klee Kai are highly curious, quick, very agile and active. Very alert dogs, they are extremely loyal, making them a good watch dog despite their smaller size. They are cautious and reserved with strangers and isn't fussy about unfamiliar situations. They are very affectionate with their family.

Mochi having a blast hiking

Health: The life expectancy for Alaskan Klee Kai  is 14 years. While an amazingly hardy breed there has been concerns expressed about a hereditary bleeding disorder - hereditary FVII deficiency. Other than this disorder, this breed seems to fair very well in the health department.

MOCHI'S BEST BULLY STICK CHEW-MONIAL!

Don't forget to check ouT Mochi's bully stick chew-monial . We love your blog Mochi, thanks for the rave reviews! Carrie we now offer odor free bully sticks.

Mochi & Lilo chomping on our famous bully sticks!

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email with the subject “Spotlight My Dog” or tweet @bestbullysticks. If you are submitting your very own dog don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic  and a short 2-3 sentence bio about your canine buddy.

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. We are some excited to spotlight the West Highland White Terrier ( aka Westie).

Westie - West Highland White Terrier

Height: Male 11 inches; Female 10 inches

Weight: 15-21 lbs

Coat: The West Highland White Terrier has a weatherproof double coat. The outer coat is straight, long, harsh and wiry. The under coat is dense, short, fluffy, and soft. Their coat is brilliant white in color and lends to this breed an elegant look. They are moderate shedders.

Color: White

Appearance: The West Highland White Terrier is a compact dog with an all-white coat and a button black nose. The skull is wide and round, the muzzle blunt and a slightly shorter than the skull. There is a defined stop. The eyes are dark with a keen, intelligent expression. The teeth should ideally meet in a scissors or level bite. The ears are wide-set and sit erect on the side of the skull. The topline is level and the Westie is slightly longer than he is tall. The tail is 5 to 6 inches in length and carried gaily over the back. The white coat is two inches long and should never be soft or silky to the touch.

Temperament: he West Highland White Terrier is hardy and compact, self assured, energetic, spunky, curious, fearless, tenacious, spirited and well adjusted. They have attained the status of being one of the most popular breeds. They are intelligent and usually display good manners. The Westie is playful but can also be quiet and determined. They are devoted to their family, but are not very interested in being cuddled. They alert to danger by barking and are good watchdogs. They will bark at the slightest noise they hear, but after they are done barking at your guests, they will greet friends with a polite wag of the tail and then go about their business. The Westie is a wonderful family pet that prefers to be the only pet in the home. Westies get along well with other family dogs and enjoy playing with older children. They get along with children over the age of ten who are well behaved.

They can be demanding and assertive, and exhibit true terrier traits. They have a tendency to snap when irritated. The West Highland White Terrier is a social, fun loving breed that does best in an active and attentive household. These little dogs need plenty of walks and interactive play time, and like to be fully involved in all household activity. They are curious and like to get into everything, poking around in closets, cabinets and perching at the window to keep up on the neighborhood happenings. They still possess a strong desire to hunt rodents, so if you live in the suburbs or on a farm, you can be assured your property will remain pest-free, but beware, he is likely to present his “prizes” to you as a gift. They are a versatile dog, who make great companions for families of all sizes and ages.

Health: The life expectancy for a Westie  is over 15 years. Prone to chronic hernias, liver disease, Legg Perthes disease (hip problems), jawbone calcification and skin problems.

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email with the subject “Spotlight My Dog” or tweet @bestbullysticks. If you are submitting your very own dog don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic  and a short 2-3 sentence bio about your canine buddy.

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 Erin, we are excited to spotlight your beautiful Dutch Shepherd. Everyone say "Hello" by sending out warm barks and tail wags to Mae!

Dutch Shepherd Mae relaxing!

Height: 22-25 inches tall

Weight: 55-67 pounds.

Coat: The coat of the Dutch Shepherd is its distinguishing feature. The breed consists of three types, which vary according to the coat: shorthaired (fine and dense), longhaired (long, straight, flat and harsh), and wirehaired (medium duration and wiry). In short the coat is either long, short, or coarse.

Color: Dutch Shepherd  coat color is brindle, including gray, silver, yellow, red or gold and blue.

Appearance: The Dutch Shepherd has muscular limbs and a well-balanced frame. Its chest and belly is deep and the ribcage is slightly sprung. The facial features are dark, including the slightly slanted eyes. It has a long pointed muzzle with strong rectangular teeth. The ears are large, stiffly erect and triangular. Its tail hangs down below the hocks. The feet of the dog are relatively small. They do not have dewclaws. The dog’s toes are well arched and its nails and pads are black. In between the toes protective hairs are present. The dog’s tail is slightly curved.

Temperament: The Dutch Shepherd can easily be labeled its owners best friend.  The Dutch Shepherd is a intelligent, lively, and playful family companion with great endurance excellent for active households. The breed is not only devoted to its owner and family, but actually offers expressions of joy when around its family. It is an energetic breed that is a skilled worker and one that knows how to play. They will do all right around children and other pets, but due to their high energy should be monitored when interacting with children that are very young. It is intelligent and will actually enjoy training. This dog possesses a keen and cunning intelligence and does not tolerate other dogs or thrive in close confinement. If raised with kids or in apartments, they accept the situation, but the Dutch Shepherd pup has indefatigable curiosity and is in perpetual motion, challenging its master to provide activity, new experiences and training. Dutch Shepherd Hounds tend to have dominating natures although they can be trained to be very obedient. With natural protective instincts, this breed is excellent at guarding. While relatively aggressive with other dogs, Dutch Shepherds are gentle and calm with children and family members. Typically these dogs will form a strong attachment with just one person but their affectionate natures also make them excellent family companions.

The Dutch Shepherd breed is not recommended for those with sedentary lifestyles. The Dutch Shepherd thrives on exercise, activity, and having a job to do. They are not recommended for apartment living and do best with a large securely fenced yard or rural setting. Physical and mental stimulation is absolutely crucial. They excel in agility, herding, obedience competition, and field trailing. Dutch Shepherd's also make excellent walking and jogging companions provided they are securely leashed.

Health: The life expectancy for a Dutch Shepherd is 12-14 years. Due to the rarity of the breed there are no recorded health issues for the Dutch Shepherd.

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email with the subject “Spotlight My Dog” or tweet @bestbullysticks. If you are submitting your very own dog don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic  and a short 2-3 sentence bio about your canine buddy.

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. We are excited to feature the Whippet!

Whippet

Height: Male: 19-22 inches; Female: 18-21 inches

Weight: 20-40 lbs

Coat: The Whippet has a short, tight, and smooth coat. Firm in texture, yet soft. Coat patterns range from spots, and patches to blazes. Coat does not adapt well to colder climates so this breed needs a considerable amount of protection from cold weather. Coat should remain fairly weather resistant given the length, and texture.

Color: Beige, red, fawn, brindle, blue, roan, black, black and white, or white with streaked or yellow patches.

Appearance: The Whippet is a lean, graceful sight hound that looks like a tiny Greyhound. The head and muzzle are long, the chest is deep and the neck, back and loins are arched. The ears fold back when in repose and are semi-pricked when the dog is alert. The eyes vary in color, depending on the individual, but the darker they eye color, the better. The strong teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The short coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns including black, fawn, blue, solid or mixed. Since Whippets are so thin and have very fine coats, they do not tolerate cold weather and need to wear a coat when going outside in the winter.

Temperament: Whippets are amiable, fun-loving, docile, energetic, quiet and gentle dogs yet are quite happy sleeping on the couch all day. They are commonly known as the world's fastest couch potato. This trait makes them excellent apartment dogs coupled with the fact that they do not bark very much. When they are outside, they love to run and play, but care must be taken when exercising a Whippet, if they see anything that catches their eye, they are gone in a flash! Whippets are also surprisingly good jumpers and a well fenced yard is a must! Rather independent, this breed is also a quick learner but does require consistent training methods and variety as they bore quickly.They are easier to train than most sight hounds. Whippets have many athletic traits, and are great sprinters and excel at such sports as agility and fly ball. The Whippet is a very sensitive breed and should never be roughly handled, as shyness is a factor. They are very affectionate with their family members, but care must be taken with smaller children since this dog is quite fragile. Not recommended as a kennel pet, the Whippet is best suited as a household companion. They generally get on well with other dogs and house pets, but are not above occasionally chasing the cat. Some bloodlines can be timid and shy, so early socialization is important to have a good canine citizen.

Health: The life expectancy for a Whippet is about 12-15 years. They are generally healthy, and are not prone to the frequent ear infections, skin allergies, or digestive problems that can afflict other breeds. Genetic eye defects, though quite rare, have been noted in the breed. Hip dysplasia is unknown in whippets. Undescended testicles are common in the breed. The heart of a whippet is large and slow beating, often being arrhythmic or even intermittent when the animal is at rest. This sometimes causes concern to the owner, or to the vet not experienced with the breed. Whippets will, however, demonstrate a regular heartbeat during exercise. Cardiac problems were shown to be the second leading cause of mortality in Whippets.

Is your dog barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

If you would like your dog spotlighted or want to recommend a dog breed you love for our next Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed entry please send us an email with the subject “Spotlight My Dog” or tweet @bestbullysticks. If you are submitting your very own dog don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic  and a short 2-3 sentence bio about your canine buddy.