Tag: AKC Breeds

This week Best Bully Sticks continues it's breed spotlight with a truly unique dog.  The Xoloitzcuintli, called the "show-low" (Xolo) is the proper name for what many call a Mexican Hairless.  Although this dog is one of the six breeds just recognized by the AKC, this dog is one of the world's oldest and rarest breeds.

History & Background: The Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced show-low-eats-queen-tlee) is an ancient, natural breed from Mexico.  It is sometimes called the "First Dog of the Americas" and from archaeological evidence accompanied man on his first migrations across the Bering Straits.  The name is derived from the Aztec Indian god Xolotl and the Aztec word for dog, Itzcuintli.  These dogs had a reputation as healers and were put to use in Mexican and Central American villages to treat ailments like arthritis, asthma, toothaches and insomnia.  Xolos were also believed to guard the home from evil spirits and intruders.

Height: 10-14 inches (Toy), 14-18 inches (Miniature), 18-23 inches (Standard)

Weight: 10-50 pounds depending on breed size.

Coat: Obviously, the Xoloitzcuintli being a "Mexican Hairless" correctly characterizes the state of the dogs appearance.  However, some Xolos have a short amount of short course hair on the top of their head, feet and tip of the tail.  The Xolo's skin is tough, protective, smooth and close fitting.  In a Xolo litter, there are hairless and coated puppies, yet the lack of hair is the more common trait.

Color: This coloring of this breed is most commonly uniformly black or bluish-gray. However, red, liver and bronze colors exist as well.  Splashes or spots of white are common as well.

Appearance: The Xolo has a graceful outline because of this breed's strength and agility.  The body proportions are rectangular and muscular.  This dog has dark, almond shaped eyes and upright bat-like ears.

Temperament: This breed is very calm, attentive and highly intelligent.  They are very loyal dogs and have a guard dog type temperament. In other words, they won't back down from a fight, but if trained well are well-behaved and very affectionate.

Health: Xolos originated in tropical climates and are not suited for cold outdoor temperatures.  Because of their hairless nature, this dog can have skin problems if bathed too often.  Light grooming is recommended.  A Xolo should have soft and hardy skin. These dogs anywhere from 15 to 20 years.

Product Suggestions: The Xolo would most likely enjoy any of BBS's lamb products that range from ears to lungs, to filets and bones.  They're healthy, all-natural and dogs think they are tasty!  Because this breed is very intelligent, BBS carries toys that will truly demonstrate this dog's genius.  The Nina Ottosson Dog Toys challenge your dog to find the treat hidden within the toy.  These toys will keep your pooch entertained for hours.

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Would your dog like to be 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”. 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.

Best Bully Sticks loves dogs. It's undeniable. In fact, we love them so much we talk about them all day. Our weekly breed spotlights are especially made for that.  Last week we talked about the Cesky Terrier as a part of the new batch of AKC registered dogs.  This week we continue our New AKC Breeds Series by talking about the American English Coonhound.

Height: 24-27 inches (male), 23-25 inches (female)

Weight: 50-75 pounds

Coat: This coonhound has medium-length coarse, hard hair.

Color: The American English Coonhound's coloring has several color and ticking combinations.  Ticking refers a pattern of small spots found in the white part of a dog's coat.  Color and ticking combinations include red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tri-colored with ticking, red and white and white and black.

Appearance: This hound has a strong and lean body with a deep chest. Other features include a strong back, well-defined muscles, a broad head and low-set soft ears.  All these features make for a graceful and athletic dog.

Temperament: Pleasant, alert and sociable are all strong behaviors for this hound breed.  Although this breed can be somewhat meek at times, they are avid hunters.  They are known for being great companions and are fiercely loyal to their owners as well as easily trainable. They aren't quiet dogs and tend to bark or "bawl" at people or prey.

Health: The American English Coonhound needs lots of exercise because of their working dog background.  There are some cases of hip dysplasia, but this breed usually lives 12-15 years.

History & Background: This specific breed of coonhound evolved from English Foxhounds, which were brought to the New World and called Virginia Hounds.  As a hunting dog, this breed was used to hunt fox during the day and raccoons at night.

Product Suggestions: This Coonhound is strong and loves a work out. We would give this breed something tough to tackle, like our 12 inch Monster Bully Stick.  This stick truly is a monster and will keep this hound, and hounds like him, occupied.  For a toy, this breed would enjoy the Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Glow for Good Ball.  This ball not only is extremely durable, but allows playtime to last all night and day.

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Would your dog like to be 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”. 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.

At Best Bully Sticks, we love all breeds of dogs--pure bred to mutt and everything in between.  That being said, dog lovers should note six new AKC registered dogs on the books. These breeds include the Cesky Terrier, the American English Coonhound, the Xoloitzcuintli, the Entlebucher Mountain Dog, the Norwegian Lundehund and the Finnish Lapphund.  All of these dogs will be added into the competition at the Westminster Dog Show which will be televised February 13th-14th.  In honor of this exciting news, BBS will be highlighting each of these breeds over the next six weeks in our Breed Spotlight. This week we look at the Cesky Terrier.

Height: 10 to 13 inches

Weight: 16-22 pounds

Coat: Ceskys usually sport long hair with a fine texture, which is wavy and glossy.  If this terrier's hair is shorter, it curls.

Color: Cesky puppies are born black, or black and tan.  Mature dogs (3 years and up) show shades of gray from charcoal to platinum gray.  Black colors usually show up around the head, ears, feet and tail.  White, brown and yellow colorings are usually seen on the head, beard, cheeks, neck, chest, limbs and around the vent.

Appearance: The overall appearance of the Cesky Terrier is a short-legged, long-bodied terrier which looks similar to the Scottish Terrier.  This terrier has a long head, bushy beard, mustache and eyebrows.  Their bodies are solid, but not heavy.   The blue-gray varieties have brown eyes and black noses and lips. Brown varieties have yellow eyes and liver-colored noses and lips.

Temperament: This breed of terrier is calmer than most but can still be playful, especially loving to dig. They can be reserved around strangers but are loyal to their owners.

Health: The Cesky sometimes suffers from the Scotty Cramp, which is a minor problem causing awkward movement but isn't painful or life threatening.

History & Background: The Cesky Terrier was created by a Czech breeder in 1948 and is a cross between Sealyham and Scottish Terriers.  This breed was created to be suitable hunter in the forests of Bohemia.

Product Suggestions: At BBS, we have lots of great treats and toys for dogs. For the Cesky Terrier, we would recommend a 4, 5, or 6 inch bully stick, which are great for smaller dogs. Because of the reserved nature of this breed, the Cesky might like Simply Fido Dog Toys, which come in a range of animals and sizes.

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Would your dog like to be 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”. 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.