Tag: Bully Sticks

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  Chihuahua.

Height: 6-9  inches

Weight: 2-6 lbs

Coat: There is a long-haired variety of Chihuahua, but the most common variety is the short-haired Chihuahua. Chihuahuas have two coat types, smooth and long. The smooth coat should be soft and close, with a perceptible sheen. Long coats can be flat or wavy, with an undercoat, fringed ears, feathering on the feet and legs, and a tail that looks much like a plume.

Color: Chihuahua coat comes in a variety of colors including fawn, sand, chestnut, silver, and steel blue. They may also be black & tan or tri-color.

Appearance: The Chihuahua is a very small-sized dog with a proportionately robust build and distinctive facial features. Their body is stout and just longer than it is tall, and they have straight limbs. They have a sickle-shaped tail that curls over the dog’s back or off to one side. They have an apple-shaped head with a short, tapered, pointy muzzle. Their large eyes are round, dark, and can sometimes be ruby or luminously-colored. They have large, triangular-shaped, erect ears that are a distinguishing characteristic of this breed. Chihuahua puppies have a soft spot on the top of their skull that closes as they become adults.

Temperament: The Chihuahua is lively, alert, proud, and makes a good companion. They seek and demand affection, and they are very spunky by nature. They are determined, courageous, and they become very attached to their owner(s). They have a jealous streak, and they will follow their owner’s every move if strangers are present. Some Chihuahuas are difficult to train, but they are intelligent and generally learn quickly. Thus are most receptive to gentle training and positive reinforcement. The Chihuahua doesn’t like to be poked, pestered, or teased, and he may snap if a child provokes him. Because of their small size, they will resort to using their teeth if they feel threatened. This breed may often be noisy and difficult to housebreak. All Chihuahuas should be properly socialized to avoid the onset of aggressive behavior.

Health: The average lifespan of this breed is between 15-18 years. There are also a number of health problems to look out for with this breed. Prone to rheumatism, slipped stifle, colds, gum problems, corneal dryness, secondary glaucoma due to protruding eyes, weight gain and susceptible to fractures. Also some Chihuahuas have a molera, an unclosed section of the skull which can remain open throughout life making them prone to injury. They often wheeze and snore because of their small, short muzzles. This breed is also susceptible to stress.

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”. 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.

Tis the season to open up your heart and home! Are you looking to support your favorite local animal shelter or rescue but aren’t ready for the full commitment of pet ownership permanently. Well, not only can you volunteer your money or  time at your local shelter but maybe you want to become a foster parent.

Fostering a needed pet can be richly rewarding & wonderful experience for you and a deserving shelter animal. There are a large number of pets that need fostering. Animal shelters & rescues are in desperate need of people to open their hearts & homes temporarily to a needy animal.

Although you may not be able to keep the pet permanently, you are providing the best possible environment, along with plenty of love until he is placed in a forever home. Plus, you are alleviating some of the burden on overcrowded shelters. Fostering just one pet helps your community and makes a world of difference for that pet.

What is a foster parent? A foster parent takes care of a needy animal in their home for an agreed upon period of time. Foster care can involve administering medications for sick pets, feeding special foods to animals on strict medical diets, helping an animal to be more sociable with other animals or humans or simply giving a homeless pet a break from the cramped cages and excessive barking and smells at animal shelters.  Now that you have decided to take a big & fulfilling heart leap to help out a furry friend by fostering. Here are some ways to get started as a foster pet parent.

1. Temporary Housing. Consider that fostering a pet is temporary and be prepared for the day when a forever home is found. Make sure you discuss it with your kids and other family members so they know what to expect & to make sure your family is ready to be a foster family.  Hey,  with all this bonding time you might even decide to make your furry foster friend a permanent honorary member of the family. As long as you are providing a loving & nurturing home the animal shelter & rescue will happily oblige!

2. Call your local animal shelter or rescue. If you are interested in fostering a shelter animal contact your local animal rescue or shelter. You can also search local pet publications and online for listings of animal rescue organizations and shelters. Most of them will have foster programs.

3. Duration of Pet Stay. Decide how long you will be able to keep the pet. If it’s a puppy or kitten it will probably only be for a few weeks until they are old enough to be adopted. If it’s an adult dog from a rescue group it might take several months until a home is found. Please don’t overlook adult dogs when considering adopting or fostering because they are just as in need of a loving home.

5. Budget. Figure out your budget and how much you will be able to allot for food, maintenance and medical attention for the pet. And keep in in mind–if you have love to give and it’s only your budget that’s standing in the way–many rescue organizations and shelters will cover the cost of veterinary services, and in some cases food for the duration of the pet’s stay. It is normally your responsibility to transport the pet to the vet and to any adoption events.

6. Suits your Lifestyle. At a local animal shelter or rescue you will find dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds, ages & temperaments. So, chose a foster a pet that fits your lifestyle. For instance, if you live in an apartment, you can request an older dog that is low energy or a dog recuperating from an illness or a cat. If you are an active family or have a house with a big yard, you can foster a pooch that needs plenty of exercise.

Don't wait to give bark, make a difference and become a foster parent today! Your heart & life will be enriched! Hey, you never know your foster pet may even become a permanent family member.

We would love to hear your foster pet parent or pet adoption story. Leave a comment below!

How Can You Give Back To Barkworthy Rescues and Shelters Across the Globe?

Well, we we tell you how you can help Best Bully Sticks support them. With your help we can save lives one $1 at a time and no animal needs to suffer.

Click to Give a $1 at Checkout! Participate in our Best Bully Sticks $1 Donation Program by shopping on www.bestbullysticks.com and clicking to donate a $1 at checkout. For every $1 you donate at checkout we will donate a $1 with a 100% of the proceeds going to rescues and shelters in need across the country. The money raised will help with out reach, basic animal necessities and rescue programs. Donations raised monthly by you will be given to 3 lucky rescues during our ongoing monthly Best Bully Sticks Rescue Shelter Giveaway.

The Holiday's is not complete with out some carols. It's time to get in the Holiday spirit with a dogs rendition of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Bark along!!

On the first day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
The Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the second day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the third day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
Eleven unwrapped presents
Ten Christmas cards I shoulda mailed
My wreath in nine pieces
Eight tiny reindeer fragments
Seven scraps of wrapping paper
Six yards of soggy ribbon
Five chewed-up stockings
Four broken window candles
Three punctured ornaments
Two leaking bubble lights
And the Santa topper from the Christmas tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my puppy gave to me
A dozen puppy kisses And I forgot about the other eleven days.

Contributed By Elise Lewis

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Give the gift of a good chew. Delicious & all natural, the way nature intended!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats & chews, and of course our bully sticks. Try our odor free bully sticks!

Take The Guessing Out Of Gift Giving With A Best Bully Stick Gift Certificate!

But what do you do for the pampered pup or feline that has everything? Hmmm..For the pet that has everything give a Best Bully’s Gift Certificate and take the guessing out of gift giving! This is a great way for you to give that furry special someone in your life or loving pet owner a special gift by allowing them to select the exact products their furry companion are looking for.

A picture is worth a thousand words, or shall we say free bully sticks!

Our photo gallery is growing constantly, please submit a photo of your dog enjoying any of our products to enter our twice monthly contest! Each month we will have a drawing on those customers who submitted pictures to the gallery and a winner will be chosen and posted on the site. The winner will win more bully sticks!

Bark the Word! Join the Best Bully Sticks Free Affiliate Program & Earn 6% Commission or 6% Product Discount

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 Finnish Spitz.

Height: Male 17½ - 20 inches, Female 15½ - 18 inches

Weight: Male 47-53 lb, Females 40-47 lb

Coat: The Finnish Spitz has a typical double coat, which consists of a soft, dense undercoat and long, harsh guard hairs that can measure one to two inches long. The coat should be stiffer, denser, and longer on the neck, back, back of thighs, and plume of the tail, whilst shorter on the head and legs. Dogs should sport a slightly longer and coarser coat than the females, who are slightly more refined. However the plume of the tail is important to the overall look of the dog but should not be too long. Feathered long tail hairs without sustenance can give the dog an unkempt look. Additionally the tailset is important and the Finnish Spitz should be able to move its tail from one side to the other. Most Finnish Spitz have a preferred side and this is not incorrect.

Proper care of the coat is most important. The Finnish Spitz blows coat or loses its undercoat twice a year. It is imperative that owners brush out the old undercoat so the new coat can grow properly. Excessive undercoat can cause skin problems and although a dog may look fluffy and full, the undercoat may be causing serious skin problems.

Color: They are golden-red in color, and the hues range in shade from a pale honey to a deep auburn. The undercoat is always more pale than the outer coat, giving the dog a “glowing” appearance. Finish Spitz are solid in color with white markings at the toes and the chest.

Appearance: The Finnish Spitz is a medium size dog with a square build, meaning that the length of the body is the same, or slightly shorter than the height of the withers to the ground. It should look like a fox with a fluffier coat. The length of the body is measured from the point of the shoulder or forechest in front of the withers to the rump, giving a truly square dogs a short back. Females are usually a little longer in the back. Both dogs and females should appear slightly longer in the leg.

They have pointed muzzles, prick ears and come in bright colors ranging from pale honey to vibrant golden-red. The nose, lips and rims of the eyes are black in color. The ears sit high atop the head, are erect, pointed and open towards the front of the dog. Their feet are round, like the feet of a cat and the tail is plumed and curls over the back and down the side of the dog

The Finnish Spitz is a double coated breed but the outer coat should not exceed 2½ inches at the ruff. The undercoat is soft and lighter in color than the red/gold outer coat. The undercoat will shed twice a year, and if a Finnish Spitz is to be kept healthy, a good shedding of the undercoat when the dog is ready to "blow coat" is needed.

Temperament: This breed is active, alert and lively. They need one or two long walks each day and they will be fairly inactive indoors. This breed will not adapt well to a strictly kenneled living situation; they need a balance of outdoor exercise and indoor time with the family. Finnish Spitz are considered to interact well with people and they are especially good with children. They are always ready to play with children but if ignored, they will usually walk away. As with all dogs, young children and dogs should always be supervised when together. It is an independent breed and will attach to the family while remaining aloof with strangers. The Finnish Spitz is a protective breed, with males tending to have more domineering traits than females. Most Finnish Spitz get along well with other dogs in the home. They are bred as a hunting dog and thus are unreliable around small animals, but may do alright with cats.

Health: The life expectancy for Finnish Spitz is 12  to 15 years. The Finnish Spitz is typically a very healthy breed, and health concerns are rare. Here is a short list of health problems that may occur: Hip dysplasia, Patellar luxation Elbow dysplasia and Epilepsy.

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.

Treat your dog to a stocking full of goodies and a tasty treat! Nothing say's yuletide cheer more then homemade dog treats for your four-legged family member. So make the holiday's more festive and delicious with this Nutter Butter Dog Treat Recipe. Seasons Eatings!

Ingredients:

3 1/2 c Whole Wheat Flour (you can substitute white flour)
1 c cornmeal
3/4 c. oatmeal flakes
1 medium apple
1/3 c peanut butter (or use 1/2 c. Chunky Peanut Butter)
1/2 c crushed peanuts (skip if you’re using Chunky Peanut Butter)
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. water
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Makes about 40-1″ dog treats

Directions:

1. Dice up apple. Don’t bother to peel the apple.
2. Add to a food processor, diced apple, peanut butter, oil, water, eggs and vanilla. Blend until apple is completely emulsified.
3. Add the cornmeal and oatmeal and blend.
4. With the food processor running, gradually add the Whole Wheat Flour until completely incorporated.
5. Add nuts and pulse 2 or 3 times, just enough to mix nuts into the dough. Dough will be thick and sort of rubbery to the touch.
6. Remove dough to a small bowl.
7. Roll 1 tsp of dough into a ball. Depending on the size of your dog, you may want to make a smaller sized ball.
8. Place each ball of dough on a parchment lined baking sheet and press down to form a flat disk. Dog treats do not rise when baked, so whatever size they are going into the oven, is the size they will be when baked.
9. Bake at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes. When treats are done, turn off oven and crack open oven door. Leave treats in oven overnight to dry out.

Courtesy of  Big Black Dog

Stay tuned for delicious dog recipes every Wednesday in our Weekly Drool Recipes blog series. Check out our other drool-worthy recipes! Also, remember food is meant to be shared! So be a pal and submit your favorite dog recipes to be featured in this delicious blog series by emailing us at bestbullysticks@gmail.com.

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