Tag: retrievers

An interesting breed, the Kerry Blue Terrier has a truly unique appearance matched only by its incredible history. Find out more about this fascinating breed on this week’s BestBullySticks Breed Spotlight.

According to Irish folklore, the story goes a little something like this:

One stormy evening a lone canine swam ashore. Leaving his owner’s wrecked ship behind, he braved the rough coastal seas and soon found himself on the plush grass of County Kerry, Ireland. Covered in a handsome coat of curly slate-gray fur, he set out across Ireland mating with all the Wheaten Terriers he encountered.

While the verdict is still out on the validity of this legend, we do know for certain that the Kerry Blue Terrier is from County Kerry, a lush and mountainous coastal region of southwestern Ireland. Able to trace their lineage to the Portuguese Water Dog, Kerry Blues are very at home in the water as legend would suggest. A working dog by nature, this energetic and fun-loving breed has a playful sense of humor and is eager to please at a moments notice.

Originally used by Irish farmers as a retriever for hunting, the Kerry Blue Terrier was an all-purpose working dog of the peasantry class. Loyal and obedient, the Kerry Blue found numerous roles in and around farms fitting of it’s breed characteristics. From tracking and hunting vermin to herding sheep and cattle, this versatile breed would eventually become the layman’s Irish Wolfhound.

The first breed to be registered with the Irish Kennel Club, the Kerry Blue Terrier was the breed responsible for the foundation of the organization in 1922. Read more

Golden Retriever

Height: 22-24 inches (male); 20-22 inches (female)

Weight: 65-75 lbs (male); 60-70 lbs (female)

Coat: straight or wavy

Color: reddish; can range from nearly white to dark mahogany

Appearance

Golden Retrievers are shorter than Labradors, with deep chests and a dense coat of waterproof hair that can be either straight or wavy. Coloring ranges from nearly white to a dark red mahogany color, though the extremes of both ranges aren't typically acceptable in competitions.

Temperament

Often referred to as friendly, kindly, and confident, Golden Retrievers make excellent family dogs. Great around groups of people they know as well as strangers, their trusting nature makes them poor guard dogs. They are eager to please, are usually calm, and are very intelligent.

As they grow older, Golden Retrievers will become more active and fun-loving. They love to work, but will work to collapse, so they must be monitored to ensure they don't overwork themselves. Golden Retrievers make excellent service dogs, as well as Search & Rescue, hunting dogs, and illegal drug detection dogs.

Health

The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is 10 to 12 years. They do well in small areas as they don't require as much exercise as one would expect for a dog their size. Due to careless breeding, they are prone to certain disorders. These include: hip dysplasia, cancer, cataracts, glaucoma, heart problems, allergies, general joint problems.

Famous Golden Retrievers

Buddy - Air Bud movie series

Comet - family dog in Full House

Duke - from the Bush's Baked Beans commercials

Liberty - dog of former President Gerald Ford

Luke, Layla, and Gracie - Oprah Winfrey's dogs

Speedy - from The Drew Carey Show

If you would like to recommend a dog breed for our next Best Bully Sticks spotlight on a breed please send us an email!

The top dog breeds can be debated forever, but for the purposes of this list, we're going to use the top ten most popular dog breeds based on American Kennel Club breed registrations. That being said, I welcome any and all opinions on what you think should fall into the Top Ten List of Most Popular Dog Breeds.

10. Bulldogs – These lovable dogs have long held a place in the hearts of pet owners that are looking for a dog that is shorter, won't require as much exercise, but has a personality as big as its jowels.

9. Shih Tzu – This Chinese breed with its vaguely lion like appearance and attractive coat is popular as both a pure bred dog and for cross-breeding with other breeds for desired physical and temperament traits. These are great house dogs as they don't require a great deal of exercise and are perfectly happy staying at home chewing on a Himalayan dog chew.

8. Poodles – Known for their distinctive appearance and intelligence, the Poodle are most often associated with French elegance and an aristocratic nature.

7. Dachshunds – These short little dogs are a favorite of dog lovers everywhere, coming in both a short haired and long haired variety. These playful and fun dogs are great for families as they can entertain with their intelligence and playfulness while playing with toys or begging for dog treats.

6. Boxers – Originally from Germany, this stocky breed of medium size is known for their large chest and square jaw. Bright and energetic with a playful temperament, these dogs are great for active owners that can exercise with their pet.

5. Beagles – The winner of this year's Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show, the beagle is one of the most recognizable dogs, with animated dogs like Snoopy carrying the beagle image into the entertainment world. Their even temper and gentle disposition makes them great for families, and their playful nature will keep a family entertained for hours.

4. Golden Retrievers – A larger dog, the Golden Retriever are kindly and friendly, and are known for being friendly with any and all comers that are willing to give them a pat on the head. As the name implies, Golden Retrievers love to retrieve, and are great for those looking for a dog they can play with outdoors or watch tear apart a bully stick inside.

3. German Shepherd – Originally bred in Germany for sheep herding, this breed can be found doing everything from police work to working with the blind. Easy to train, these dogs make great house pets and are great for those looking for a dog to complete agility courses with.

2. Yorkshire Terrier – These tiny little dogs are known for their long coats and personality that doesn't seem to fit with their small bodies. Incredibly intelligent, Yorkies are also independent, which is perfect for those looking for a dog that doesn't have to be coddled all day long.

1. Labrador Retriever – The most popular breed of dog according to the AKC, this breed comes in a variety of colors, but is most loved for their mellow nature which makes them great house pets. Not known for aggressive, territorial, or pining behavior, Labrador Retrievers can fit into most household situations and because of this, have become highly sought after because of their gentle nature (they can carry an egg in their mouth).