Tag: Breed Spotlight

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.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Vizsla.

Height: Male 22-24; Female 21-23 inches

Weight: 45-65 lbs

Coat: The Vizsla breed comes in two coat varieties: the Smooth and Wire. The Smooth is short, dense, close to the body, and shiny. There is no undercoat. The Wire is hard, harsh, and loose fitting. There is no gloss or shine. There is a winter under-coat and the hair is brush-like on the back of the forelegs, head, muzzle, and ears. The Vizsla coat colors range from golden to russet. They are average shedders.

Color: Solid golden rust

Appearance: The Vizsla is a muscular, sleek hunting dog with an attractive short, rust-colored coat. The head of the Vizsla is chiseled and often described as aristocratic, with only a moderate stop. The square muzzle ends in a brown nose and the teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The eyes of the Vizsla are alert and expressive, and should compliment the color of the coat. The ears are pendant with round tips and are long, thin and silky to the touch. The tail is customarily docked to 2/3 length.

Temperament: Vizslas are lovingly referred to as “velcro dogs” because they want to be with the people they love 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This attachment goes back to the Vizsla's roots as a hunting dog. In the field, he never strayed too far from the hunter, which created a strong bonding experience. Vizslas are the perfect family dog for those who are already committed to an active lifestyle. Hunters can still use them to track and point in the field, and at home Vizslas make superb hiking, biking and jogging companions. They are fairly easy to train, and make a fine addition to active, outdoorsy families. The Vizsla is a versatile gun dog that is able to work in the forest, field, and water. They excel in retrieving, and are capable of covering difficult terrain in extreme weather conditions. The Vizsla has an easygoing nature and is an excellent companion.

The Vizsla is friendly, lively, and affectionate with their family and those they know. They are alert and watchful. They will bark when they sense danger or visitors. They are very reserved with strangers. The Vizsla is very demonstrative, but has a tendency to be willful and distracted. They get along well with older children and in most cases other dogs. They will tolerate cats they are raised with. The Vizsla loves to chew on anything and everything and is not a calm and placid breed. They will become destructive if they are allowed to be bored.

Health: The average lifespan of Vizsla is between 10–14  years. Potential health issues include: Hip dysplasia, Canine Epilepsy, Sebaceous adenitis, hypothyroidism, dwarfism, persistent right aortic arch, tricuspid valve dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. Major risks include epilepsy and lymphosarcoma. Vizslas can also be prone to skin and food allergies.

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

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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.  Thanks Lisa! We are excited to spotlight your adorable Chihuahuas. Everyone say “Hello” by sending out warm barks and tail wags to Dobby and Ringo!

Adorable Chihuahua's Dobby & Ringo

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 time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say "bully sticks"! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject "Spotlight My Dog"

Best Bully Sticks News!

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When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.

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.  Thanks Cindy! We are excited to spotlight your beautiful American Eskimo. Everyone say “Hello” by sending out warm barks and tail wags to Maddie! Maddie was adopted from the SPCA when she was about 3yrs old and she is about 11 or 12 now. It was love at first sight for both Maddie and Cindy!

Height: 9-19 inches ( toy, miniature and standard)

Weight: 6-40 lbs ( toy, miniature and standard)

Coat: The American Eskimo Dog has a glorious standoff double-coat. They have a dense undercoat and a long topcoat that combines to create an overall fluffy coat which sheds year round. The outer coat is straight and does not curl or wave. Eskimos are fluffy all over, but they boast a pronounced ruff of fur at the neck and the fur on the tail is also very pronounced. The backs of the front and rear legs are well feathered. This breed is an average shedder that "blows" their coat twice a year.

Color: The American Eskimo dog comes in two colors: white and white with biscuit or cream markings.

Appearance: The American Eskimo Dog, originally called the American Spitz and now also known as the Eskie. Many people think that American Eskimo Dogs are miniature Samoyeds. They have a similar look, but the Eskimos are a breed all their own. They are compact dogs who come in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard. All three versions have the same physical characteristic: wedge-shaped heads, erect triangular ears, fluffy white coats, and large, plumed tails that rest or curl across the dog's back. Their eyes are brown and they have stark white eyelashes, and their toenails are also white.

Temperament: Happy and always energetic, the American Eskimo dog loves to run, play, learn new tasks and solve problems. As the name suggests, this breed especially loves playing in the snow, so they make a perfect companion for families who live in cooler climates. They are vigilant, with a keen ear, and make excellent watchdogs.

Commonly referred to as the Eskie, this breed is compact and strong. A Nordic type dog, they are exceedingly agile and alert. They are considered to be one of the most intelligent of all dog breeds. The American Eskimo Dog is well balanced, hardy, and known for their longevity. This versatile breed possesses outstanding working skills, and makes a lovely companion.

Bred solely to be companions, the American Eskimo Dog thrives on being part of the family. This charming and playful breed is excellent with children, and loves to be lavished with attention. They are patient and loving with children, and their good nature make them a fine match for first-time dog owners. They are suspicious and wary of strangers and make good guardians of their family and home. They love to bark and will sound the alarm whenever they deem it necessary. This breed does not do well if left alone for extended periods of time or if they are isolated, as they will engage in destructive activities.

Health: The average life span of the American Eskimo is 15-16 years. This breed tends to become overweight easily, so proper diet and exercise is needed to maintain an overall well being.  Although generally very healthy, possible health issues include: PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), luxating patella, and hip dysplasia. The breed can have a tendency towards allergies and most commonly, tear-staining. This breed also is known in some cases to have dental issues.

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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 Samoyed.

Height: Male: 45-65; Female: 35-50 lbs

Weight: Male: 21-23.5; Female: 19-21 inches

Coat: The Samoyed has a long and thick double coat and requires a lot of grooming. The outercoat should be harsher than the undercoat, but still fairly soft. Undercoat should be short, thick, and should have wool like texture.

Color: The extra-thick double coat may be white, cream, white and biscuit,  or all biscuit in color.

Temperament: This is a very peaceful breed that tends to be very active. Very loyal, the Samoyed usually favors his master but will be friendly to most people. A very sociable breed, he is not only beautiful but makes a wonderful companion. Samoyeds are perky, dependable playmates, often wearing "smiles" on their faces. They are full of fun, and love nothing more than an afternoon of frisky activity in the snow. They are active and alert, indoors and out.

Samoyeds are lively, happy dogs who adore people and often have a mischievous sense of humor. They are excellent with children and always have time for a romp in the yard, especially in the snow. Samoyeds will bark to announce a visitor, but they are not guard dogs as once they are done announcing the newcomer, will most likely cozy up to the visitor to solicit a rub down. Samoyeds are great family dogs, though they tend to favor one person above all others – usually the person who is in charge of feeding and exercise. They are excellent companions for people who like the outdoors. Samoyeds are always up for a good hike in the woods, and will be happy to keep you warm overnight on a camping trip. They can be difficult to train, but Sammies are generally well behaved and make a great choice for fist time dog owners.

Health: The average life span of the Samoyed is 12-15 years. Here are some breed-specific hereditary diseases to be aware of:

• Diabetes mellitus similar but not identical to human Type I (insulin deficiency): The disease occurs in middle-aged Samoyeds, the mean age at diagnosis is seven years. The cause is a chronic inflammation of the pancreas and / or autoimmune destruction of beta cells of islets of Langerhans. Moreover, in affected dogs auto antibodies were found to insulin.
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). The disease leads to a slowly progressive loss of vision, which eventually leads to blindness. The first symptoms appear between two and five years of age.
• Short legs in conjunction with eye abnormalities.
• Pulmonary stenosis occurs more frequently in Samoyeds. The disease can cause shortness of breath, cardiac arrhythmias and tiring on motion and increases the risk of congestive heart failure
• Hip dysplasia
• Eye problems such as cataracts and glaucoma and other retinal problems
• The breed can also be affected by Sebaceous adenitis, an uncommon idiopathic autoimmune skin disease.

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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 Irish Water Spaniel.

Height: Male: 22-24; Female: 21-23 inches

Weight: Male: 55-65; Female: 45-58 lbs

Coat: The most distinguishing characteristic of the Irish Water Spaniel is the coat. The majority of the body is covered with tight ringlets of hair. The tail, face, and ends of the rear legs have smooth short hair. The coat is crisp in texture and solid brown in color. The curly outer coat is lined with a dense under coat that serves as insulation from frigid water. To cover and protect the eyes a top-knot of curls hangs down from the head. This breed sheds little to no hair.

Color: Solid Liver, described as deep reddish brown. There are no white markings, except for those due to graying from age.

Temperament: A breed of ancient lineage, the Irish Water Spaniel is an active, energetic, and willing companion. They are strongly built and have rugged endurance. A true sporting dog, they are bold, alert, and inquisitive. Irish Water Spaniels are often referred to as the clown of the Spaniel family.

Irish Water Spaniels are highly intelligent, confident, and devoted. They demand attention and are a "whole family" dog. This is a breed that truly enjoys human contact. They are best suited for families with older considerate children. If properly introduced, they will get along well with other pets. They are generally quiet and bark only when necessary. The Irish Water Spaniel is protective, reserved, and wary with strangers. However, they are not aggressive. This breed displays a joyous exuberance and zest for life.

Health: The average life span of the Irish Water Spaniel is 10 to 12 years. The Irish Water Spaniel has a few Health concerns that it's owner should be aware of and keep a keen eye out for. The most common of these would be Ear infections as this is common in many swimming dog breeds with longer ears and the Irish Water Spaniel is no exception. Ear infections often occur as a result of the water that does not drain from the ears properly and can pool inside causing an infection. Drying your Irish Water Spaniel's ears throughly after swims may help to prevent some Ear infections, but any sensitivity around the ears should immediately be checked by a veterinarian.

Other Health Problems to be aware of with this breed is Hypothyroidism, seizures, eye Entropion which can all be inherited and you should inquire about any health concerns with the parents of your puppy before adopting or buying him or her. Because the Irish Water Spaniel is a larger breed of dog hip dysplasia is also a common health condition for the dog as it ages and can be uncomfortable for the dog, proper nutrition and health check ups can help to prevent some hip dysplasia.

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 10,000 fans.

When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.