Tag: Dog Toys

Today, you’ll learn about a dog that has an ancient history, fierce love for family and is also probably one of the cutest puppies. Best Bully Sticks brings you the Shar Pei. Read about this historic Chinese breed! We think you’ll be surprised! 

History & Background: Considered one of the oldest breeds on earth, the Shar Pei hails from the Guangdong province of China where it was originally bred to be a farm dog, and served many roles. The earliest Shar Pei’s were guard dogs, hunters, trackers and herders.  The Shar Pei’s unique physical characteristics, the black tongue and intimidating “scowl,” were prized qualities to this breed’s early Chinese owners because they believed these traits would ward off evil spirits.

One of the earliest records of the Shar Pei’s existence is seen from pictures on pottery from the Han Dynasty circa 206 B.C. It’s thought this dog has a common ancestry with the Chow Chow, especially as they share the same distinct blue-black tongue.

During the Communist Revolution in China, this breed’s numbers dwindled dramatically. A Chinese business man, Matgo Law, appealed to Americas in 1973 by way of a magazine article.  That same year, 200 Shar Pei’s were smuggled into America.  Most American Shar Pei’s can be traced to back to these 200.

The English form of this dog’s name “Shar Pei” probably came from the British spelling of the Cantonese equivalent, “sā pèih.” This translates to “sand skin” or “sand coat.” This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1991. Read more

This week, Best Bully Sticks takes you to historical Zimbabwe and back for a surprising look into the history of a great hound dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback. This week's Breed Spotlight is sure to not only inform but create a newfound respect for this graceful and athletic canine.

History & Background: The Rhodesian Ridgeback’s forerunner was first native to South America where the breed is thought to originate from the Khoikhoi people’s dogs. These dogs were known to be extremely fierce and loyal and were used to hunt and bay lions, meaning they would hold the lion until the hunter would make the kill. This dog was also used to bay wild pigs and hunt baboons.

This Khoikhoi dog was first called the African Lion Dog while in the Rhodesia area of Africa and then progressed to the standard Rhodesian Ridgeback we now know through breeding by European settlers and traders. The standard Ridgeback came about in 1922 and was accepted into the AKC in 1955. Read more

Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight finishes off our new AKC breeds this week with the Finnish Lapphund. This dog has a very interesting ancestry and unique features, which makes it clear why it is one of the newest breeds recognized by the AKC. Read to find out more!

History & Background: The Finnish Lapphund is historically known as the helper dog of the Sami tribe, a semi-nomadic tribe in what used to be Lapland (now the northern region of Finland, Sweden and part of Russia).  After the Sami people settled down, they kept reindeer herds which the Lapphund helped herd and maintain. With the invention of the snowmobile, the popularity of this dog lessened. However, in Finland and Scandinavia, they are still extremely popular pets.

Height: 18-21 inches (male), 16-19  inches (female)

Weight: 33-53 pounds (depending on size)

Coat: The Finnish Lapphund has a very thick double coat.  The outer layer is straight, long and water-repellent. The Lapphund's under coat is soft, dense and fluffy. Males have a very thick mane of fur around the neck. This very thick and abundant coat makes this dog resistant to extreme cold.  Because of this, the Lapphund is only one of two dogs legally allowed to be kenneled outdoors during winter in Finland.

Color: This breed has many different color variations, but there is usually one predominant color. Black, white, brown red, sable and wolf-sable are often seen.  One of the most common combinations is black and tan (mostly black with tan legs and face.) Facial markings are often seen on Lapphunds, one of the most unusual being "spectacles."  These are a light rings that appear around this dog's eyes and gives the impression of wearing spectacles. Read more

At Best Bully Sticks we consider your pets part of our pack and family. Like our beloved pugs Sushi & Espy, we only want to give your furry family member the best in healthy, safe pet products. We are constantly searching for the best of the best so if you have any feedback or product suggestions please let us know. So here is what’s new on the site and in our wag of the woods! Please be sure to check out our barkworthy new products for everything we have added in the last month.

Hyper Pet: For Training...Exercise...Fun!

Hyper Pet products offer unique patented interactive toys for you and your four legged furry friend. Our high quality designed line include training aides, storage solutions, rugged toys, and other cool gear that make playing with and exercising your dog more entertaining. Discover how Hyper Products can make hanging out with you best friend a tail waggin' good time.

Hyper Pet Hyper Dog Replacement Balls

Hyper Pet Flying Duck Slingshot Dog Toy

Hyper Pet Soccer Dog Ball

Hyper Pet Fido Football Dog Toy

Hyper Pet Mini Hyper Dog Ball Launcher for Dogs

Hyper Pet Mini Hyper Dog Replacement Tennis Balls

Hyper Pet Hyper Fling Tennis Ball Launcher for Dogs

Hyper Pet Hyper Gnaws Dog Bone Toy

Best Bully Sticks News!

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Sometimes the excitement of bringing a new puppy home for the first time can cloud your judgment and you can end up spending a lot of money on dog supplies that you really don’t need. You may think that that extra toy is really going to make the difference but in reality, most new puppies don’t actually need a lot of things and you can actually save yourself a lot of money by doing some research before purchasing.

There are some bare essentials that any puppy needs in order to live a happy life in their new home but you don’t need to go overboard. You do need to be aware that some dog supply stores may try and get you to spend more money that you need to and recommend all sorts of things that you really don’t need. If you feel like spoiling your dog then by all means go ahead but if you want to do things on a budget follow this guide for a full list of all the dog supplies you will need.

First of all you need to get your new puppy food and water bowls. These are clearly essential and the best option is to choose one that is stainless steel as it is likely to be durable. Plastic is not a good idea as some plastic products contain a substance that can be toxic to your pet. Ceramic bowls tend to look good but can chip and crack easily and if you want to safe money, choose something that is durable.

Your new puppy will need a collar or a harness. There is a wide range of both but you do need to make sure that you choose something that is suitable for your dog’s size. As a general rule of thumb you should be able to fit 2 fingers under the collar. It is a good idea to check your dog’s collar regularly to make sure it is not becoming too tight or loose. This is one of the dog supplies that you really need to get right so make sure you take your time over it.

Buy your new pet some tasty bite-sized dog treats as these will really make him feel at home and happy. This dog supply is also important when it comes to obedience training and house training. You need to reward your dog’s good behavior in some way and dog treats are the perfect solution.

A retractable leash is a good idea for a boisterous puppy. This allows your puppy to run around freely and get some really good exercise but gives you the sort of control you need to keep them safe. A retractable leash is a better option than a standard leash as your puppy won’t experience the same sort of uncomfortable resistance.

Your dog will need a bed so this is a very important one to add to your list of dog supplies. When choosing the bed you need to make sure that your pet can fit comfortably inside it. Don’t be tempted to get something too big as this can make a dog feel insecure and uncomfortable if they have too much space. Make sure his bed is as comfortable as possible as this is where he will spend the majority of his time.

Chew toys are a great addition to any list of dog supplies. As puppies are well-known for their destructive chewing behaviors and chew toys can stop this problem and keep them entertained. Get as many interesting chew toys as possible as this will greatly reduce the risk of your new puppy chewing your favorite shoes.

Dog supplies for a new pooch don’t have to cost the earth, if you do your research and decide what you need before visiting the dog supply store then you can save yourself some money and kit your new canine companion out completely!