Tag: Breed Spotlight

Smooth Coat Jack Russell Terrier

Height: 10" - 15"

Weight: 14 - 18 lbs

Coat: Smooth, Broken, Rough

Color: Predominately white with black or tan markings

Appearance: Jack Russell Terriers (or JRT) are short, with either smooth, broken, or rough double coats of predominately white hair. JRT's have a moderately sized head with a moderate muzzle and black nose. Their eyes are almond shape and darkly colored. Small ears in a v-shape sit on the forward part of the head. The tail of a JRT is set high on their body and is typically docked approximately five inches.

Temperament: Jack Russell Terriers are high energy dogs that are very well suited to being sport dogs. Obedience classes are recommended as JRTs can be stubborn at times and aggressive towards other animals or humans if not properly socialized. Despite their small size, JRTs are not recommended for small apartments or condominiums as they can be hyper and require a large amount of stimulation. While not overly destructive, chew treats such as bully sticks are recommended to keep their attention. JRTs are very much a large dog in a small body, a trait that can lead to trouble with larger dogs. Owners should be aware of this and watch them carefully around larger animals.

Health: Jack Russell Terriers typically live for between 12 and 19 years. Health concerns for the breed include: hereditary cataracts, general joint problems, cerebellar ataxia, primary lens luxation, and congenital deafness, amongst other diseases.

Famous Dogs and Owners

Eddie - played by Moose and Enzo on the show Frazier

Skip - focus of both book and movie My Dog Skip

Milo - Jim Carrey's dog in The Mask

Spot Light On a Breed: English Bulldog

Weight: 45- 55 lbs
Height: 12 -15 in
Coat: short and smooth
Color: White, Fawn, Red, Red Brindle, and any of the mentioned with white markings

Appearance
The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. The general appearance and attitude should suggest great stability, vigor and strength. The bulldog is solid, sensible, and patient.

Temperament
Bulldogs are affectionate, docile, and reliable. They can be stubborn at times, but are very friendly and loving. They have mellow personalities, and can be quite comical. They are husky, gentle and good-natured. They are jovial, amiable, and willing to please. Courageous and capable of powerful strength, they are sometimes cantankerous with other dogs.  They are also very good as companion dogs or as family dogs.

Health
The Bulldog structure causes some health problems such as difficulty in whelping puppies, respiratory troubles, and skin irritations in the creases around the face and tail. They are also susceptible to eyelid abnormalities, hip dysplasia, congenital heart disease, heart attacks, and skin conditions, and he snores, snorts, dribbles water after drinking, and passes gas.  Because of the shortened muzzle, Bulldogs often have difficulty breathing in hot humid weather, after exertion, and in stuffy rooms. Good ventilation and air conditioning are almost essential with this breed.

Famous Bull Dogs and Owners

Official logo for Mack Truck
Bud and Lou, owned by George Clooney
MatzaBall, owned by Adam Sandler
Handsome Dan, mascot for Yale University
Chesty, the symbol of the US Marine Corps

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, and of course our Bully Sticks!

Pekingese

Weight: 8-10 pounds

Height: 6-9 inches

Coat:  Pekingese have a long, coarse-textured, straight, stand-off outer coat, with thick, soft undercoat. The coat forms a noticeable mane on the neck and shoulder area with the coat on the remainder of the body somewhat shorter in length.  Long feathering is found on toes, backs of the thighs and forelegs, with longer fringing on the ears and tail.

Appearance: The Pekingese has an extravagant, long, straight-flowing coat that has profuse feathering and comes in all colors. It has a broad head that is wide between their large, dark, lucid and slightly prominent eyes. The face is flat with a dark, wrinkled muzzle, and drooping heart-shaped, long feathering ears.

Temperament: A combination of regal dignity, intelligence and self-importance make for a good natured, opinionated and affectionate companion to those who have earned its respect. For those who have not gained the respect of their Pekingese, they have been known run the house.

Health: Pekingese tend to catch colds very easily. They are prone to herniated disks and dislocated kneecaps. Trichaiasis (lashes growing inwards toward the eyeballs). Pekingese' other main problems are breathing problems, resulting from its tiny skull and flattened face, and skin allergies.

Famous Owners:

• Bambi, pet of Miss Marjory Warner, upon whom James Herriot based his characters Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricki Woo
• Chu-Chu from Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan
• Fifi the Peke, the girlfriend of Pluto, Mickey Mouse's pet.
• Buster, Pet of Chinese folk historian Onoj Ewalg
• Manchu, pet of Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt Longworth.
• Winnie/Wednesday, pet of Bridget Marquardt, Hugh Hefner's girlfriend, as seen on E!'s The Girls Next Door
• Sun Yat owned by Henry Sleeper Harper - Harper Brothers Publishing - was a survivor on the Titanic
• Penelope, pet of Philadelphia composer Joseph Hallman
• Plato (or pouzy), owned by Nounie (lifestyle magazine editor)

Please make sure to check out our growing catalog of dog chews and dog treats like bully sticks on our site, and let us know who we should "spotlight" next!

Spot Light on Breed - Cocker Spaniel

Weight 15 - 30 pounds
Height 14.5 - 15.5 inches
Coat
Color buff, black. and other solid colors, merle, black and tan

Appearance

The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting Group. The Cocker Spaniel has very long hanging ears, a rounded head, and a profuse, silky, feathered, medium-length coat. They stand well up at the shoulder on straight forelegs with a topline sloping slightly toward strong, moderately bent, muscular quarters. They are capable of considerable speed, combined with great endurance. Above all, they love to be free and merry, sound, well balanced throughout and in action show a keen inclination to work. A dog well balanced in all parts is more desirable than a dog with strongly contrasting good points and faults.

Temperament

The Cocker Spaniel is a happy, friendly and enthusiastic dog that is great with families and children. They are more likely to wag their tail and welcome a stranger than they are to act aggressive or territorial, although some Cocker Spaniels are good watchdogs and will bark when someone approaches. They are not a dominant breed of dog and are typically very willing and obedient and have an average ability to learn.The Cocker Spaniel is an excellent companion dog and is rarely dog aggressive especially if socialized properly

Health

Some major concern in American Cocker Spaniels are cataracts, glaucoma and patellar luxation. Some minor concerns are hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency, and cardiomyopathy. Occasionally seen are gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia. Also IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia)

Famous Cocker Spaniel Dogs and Owners
Lady from Disney's Lady and the Tramp
The dog from the famous Coppertone ad
Admiral Frederick Sherman
Richard Nixon
Barry Williams
Charlize Theron

Be sure to checkout our growing selection of all natural dog chews which are great options for small and large dogs!

A Tan and Black German Shepherd

Weight: 66 - 88 lbs (male); 49 - 71 lbs (female)

Height: 24- 26 in (male); 22 - 24 in (female)

Coat: Double-coat in either medium (most common) or long lengths

Color: Tan/Black and Red/Black are most common. Also come in: All-Black, Sable, All-White, Liver, and Blue. Liver and Blue considered serious faults, and All-White grounds for instant disqualification in some standards.

Appearance

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog with a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. Their jaws are strong and possess a scissor-like bite that serves them well as police dogs or for working their way through dog treats like bully sticks. Their medium-sized brown eyes are lively, intelligent, and self-assured. The ears are large and stand erect with the openings facing to the front. Their tail is bushy for the entire length.

The outer coat of the German Shepherd is shed all year long. The medium coat is the dominant and generally accepted version, with the long coat being recessive, rare, and considered a fault by the American Kennel Club.

Temperament

A highly active dog, German Shepherds are typically described as self-assured in breed standards. Possessing a willingness to learn, Shepherds are often trained as work dogs. Shepherds have a loyal nature and bond with people they know. That being said, they can become over-protective of their family and territory and will require correct socialization to curb this.

Shepherds do have a reputation for aggression, and have been banned in some areas because of this. In the US, German Shepherds are responsible for more random bitings than any other breed, but experts are quick to point out this number is partially due to the higher proportion of German Shepherds in the country than other breeds.

Shepherds are highly obedient, leading to their extensive use as work dogs in law enforcement and military use, but with their strong wills, they do require a firm hand when being trained.

Health

The most common ailments for German Shepherds are hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis later in life. Also, due to the large and open design of their ears, they are also prone to ear infections. Like all large dogs, they are also prone to bloat, a stomach condition. The average lifespan of a German Shepherd is 7 - 10 years, which is normal for dogs of their size.

Famous German Shepherds

Strongheart - Early canine film star

Rin Tin Tin - Canine film star

Sam the Dog - portrayed by Abbey and Kona in the 2007 film I Am Legend