Tag: Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight

Called a terrier yet classified as a toy breed, the Silky Terrier is a joyful, active dog that loves to snuggle as much as play. This little breed truly is the best of both terrier and toy worlds. A beautiful coat and a lively personality, this dog is a pleasure to have in any living environment. Find out more about this versatile breed in the Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight on the Silky Terrier.

History & Background: First called the Sydney Silky, this breed hails from Australia and is the product of interbreeding the Yorkshire Terrier and the Australian Terrier. The goal of this breeding was to improve upon the Australian Terrier’s blue and tan coat. The Silky and Australian Terrier were recognized as the same breed for a long time and the Silky is very often mistaken for a Yorkie. After much breeding, the Silky Terriers were identified as a breed of their own, standards were set and the breed was officially called the Australian Silky Terrier.

After WWII, American servicemen brought home Silky Terriers and then hundreds of Silkies were imported from Australia after gaining popularity in the states. The AKC recognized this breed in 1959. This dog is primarily used as a companion dog, but still exhibits the terrier tendencies for hunting small animals, such as rodents.

Height: 9-10 inches

Weight: average 10 pounds

Coat: Just like the name gives away, the Silky Terrier sports a single, glossy and silky coat. The length of the coat falls below the body outline but isn’t so long that it touches the ground. A Silky has so much hair on the head that it seems to form a topknot. These dogs are groomed so that the hair around the face is parted down the middle and continues this way toward the full length of the body ending at the base of the tail. Despite the profuse amount of hair, the tail is covered, but not plumed and the ears are completely devoid of longer hair. The feet and legs of the Silky should have short hair and shouldn’t be covered up by the body coat. Read more

Today Best Bully Sticks highlights the Brittany.  Easy going, easy to please and easy on the eyes; the Brittany is a sweet and beautiful dog with a hunting instinct in its veins. A favorite of hunters and field trial competitors, the history of the Brittany is to hunt, point and retrieve game. The Brittany will also be a loyal companion in any family and because of this breed’s all around good nature, has been gaining a lot of popularity outside the hunting world. Read more about the loveable Brittany below!

History & Background: Named after a French province, the Brittany is a skilled hunting and pointing dog, and has been depicted in paintings and tapestries from the 17^th century. The first written account of this breed was from a Reverend in 1850 speaking of the wonderful hunting abilities of a bobtailed dog. There isn’t much known about the breed history of the Brittany but it’s suggested that a French hunting dog was bred with English Setters producing a modern Brittany. With their uncanny resemblance to Welsh Springer Spaniels, it’s said both these dogs have a common ancestry.

A Brittany was first shown at the Paris Dog Show in 1900 and the first breed standards were outlined in 1907. In 1931, the AKC recognized this dog and approved them for the show ring and field trials in 1934. In fact, the Brittany has more dual championships in America than any other breed.  Before 1982 this dog was called the Brittany Spaniel, but they are now know as simply “Brittany.”

Height: 17 ½ - 20 ½ inches

Weight: 35-55 pounds, Males; 25-50 pounds, Females

Coat: A Brittany has a dense, single coat that is flat or wavy but never curly (by the breed standard.) The texture of a Brittany’s coat isn’t wiry nor is it silky. The coat does feather at the ears, front and hind legs, but again, the breed standard prefers less than more fringe. Read more

Defining the perfect family dog is hard, but this week’s Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight might come close. A historical European breed, the Ibizan Hound has been a family hunting dog for ages. Find out more about this beautiful and affectionate breed below!

History & Background: The Ibizan Hound (pronounced I-bee-zan" or "I-beeth-an) originated from Eivissa, or Ibiza, approximately 80 miles off the coast of Spain. The first name for this unique looking dog was Podenco Ibicenco.  This hound was used for its speed in hunting rabbits for itself and the farming families of this small island. This hound is similar to the Pharaoh Hound, the Cirneco dell'Etna, the Portuguese Podengo, and the Podenco Canario, all of whom have ancient roots. Depictions of an Ibizan-type dog are seen on the walls of ancient tombs dating back to 3400 B.C. and it’s thought the Phoenicians brought these Egyptian dogs to Ibiza.

Height: 22-29 inches

Weight: 45-65 pounds

Coat: Ibizan’s have two coat variations: short and wire-haired. The short coat is more common and just that: short. This coat is shortest on the head and ears and then lengthens on the back of the thighs. A wire-haired Ibizan’s coat can range from 1 to 3 inches and can have a mustache as well. This coat variety finds more hair on the back, back of the thighs and tail. The texture of both varieties are hard in texture.  Read more