Tag: Breed Spotlight

Bullmastiff Twiggy taken by flickr friend hindesite's

Height: Male 25-27 inches, females 24-26 inches

Weight: Male 110-133 lbs, females 100-120 lbs

Coat: The Bullmastiff has a short, dense, slightly rough, giving good weather protection.

Color: The Bullmastiff coat comes in brindle, fawn or red often with black markings on the head

Appearance: The Bullmastiff is massive, very powerfully built, but is not a cumbersome dog. The large, broad skull is wrinkled and the muzzle is broad, deep and usually darker in color. The forehead is  flat and the stop is moderate. The black nose is wide and has large nostrils. The teeth meet in a level of undershot bite. The medium sized eyes are dark hazel. The V-shaped ears are set high and wide carried close the cheeks giving a square appearance to the skull. The strong tail is set high, thicker at the root and tapering and is either straight or curved, and reaches to the hocks. The back is short, straight and level between the withers and the loin.

Temperament: The Bullmastiff is a devoted, alert guard dog, with a good natured temperament. Docile, affectionate, but fearless if provoked. Although unlikely to attack, it will catch an intruder, knock him down and hold him. Bullmastiff  is tolerant of children. Intelligent, even tempered, calm & loyal. These dogs crave human leadership. The Bullmastiff is extremely powerful and needs a firm master, who is confident and consistent with the rules set upon the dog. Bullmastiffs should be thoroughly obedience trained and taught not to pull on the leash,  to heel, and allow owner to enter & exit  door/ gate first as pack leader. Be sure to socialize the Bullmastiff around other dogs & people.  The Bullmastiff is more dominant than the Mastiff. They tent to drool, slobber & snore. Bullmastiffs are sensitive to voice tone and need to be spoken to in an assertive, but not harsh way.

Health: The lifespan for a Bullmastiff is generally from eight to 11 years.  The Bullmastiff is prone to cancer, hip dysplasia, tumors, eyelid problems, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) and boils on the lip. Also prone to bloat, so it is a good idea to feed them 2-3 meals a day instead of one large meal. Gains wight easily, so be careful not to over feed.

Is your dog  barking for his or her time in the spotlight?

We always love getting tweets from our Twitter friends & emails asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed in our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series. As always we are honored to oblige. Thanks everyone for submitting your dogs photo to featured and for following our @bestbullysticks tweet updates.

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 or tweet @bestbullysticks. Don’t forget to send over a photogenic pic of your dog as well.

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Picture of Beautiful French Mastiff Scarlett (photo by @stellascarlett)

Height: Males 23½ to 27 in &  females 22½ to 25½ in

Weight: Males 110 lbs & females 99 lbs

Coat:short, fine, and soft to the touch.

Color: They can come in shades of fawn (light, coppery red) to mahogany (dark, brownish red) with a black, brown or red mask. White markings are permitted on the tips of the toes and on the chest, but white on any other part of the body is considered a fault, and a disqualifying one if the pigmentation goes beyond the neck.

Appearance: The French Mastiff (aka Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff) looks quite intimidating, and indeed, it can be so. These dogs have a rectangular appearance and generally stand between 25 and 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Many specimens weigh in around 145 pounds. They have fairly thick tails that taper to a point that stretches down to the back of their hocks. Their build is stocky and powerful, but their most impressive feature is their heads.

The ideal head is massive and equipped with strong jaws. Loose jowls cause these dogs to drool. The eyes are oval-shaped and wide-set. Their skin is fairly loose and quite thick with significant wrinkles on the head, face and neck. The ears are relatively short and hang downward.

Temperament: The French Mastiff is calm, balanced and affectionate. Breeders have softened the temperament of this dog quite a bit from his original ferocity; today the Bordeaux has a good and calm temperament. This breed is extremely loyal, patient and devoted to its family. It makes a first class watch and guard dog. Despite its fearsome appearance, the French Mastiff is gentle with children and family members. This dog can be very aggressive with other dogs. Socialization at an early age is a must. It is highly recommended that this dog become fully obedience trained, requires an experienced owner. It is highly intelligent and learns quickly although it can be quite stubborn. Once the French Mastiff learns a command it rarely forgets it.

Health: The life expectancy for French Mastiff is about 10-12  years. As with many heavy dogs, hip dysplasia is a significant problem. Dogues de Bordeaux are also susceptible to some forms of cancer. One breed-specific ailment has to do with the Dogue's larger-than-average head, which can cause trouble for female Dogues during the birthing process. Veterinary assistance should usually be secured if you plan to breed your Dogues de Bordeaux--the breed has a fairly high litter size, but problems with birthing (and with the extremely large dogs accidentally crushing or smothering their litters) can reduce this very quickly.

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

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

Two Best Bully Sticks adoring fans! Italian Greyhounds from Chicago on vacation in Folly Beach, SC. Roscoe chewing on a Bully Stick (Bailey in background drinking water)

Height: Males 28 to 30 in &  females 27 to 28 in

Weight: Males 60 to 88 lbs & females 60 to 75 lbs

Coat: Soft, smooth, fine, short, firm coat that sheds a little.

Color: Vary from white to black, including fawn, gray, red, or brown, and any pattern from solid to pinto to brindle.

Appearance: Built for speed, the greyhound features long, muscular back legs, straight front legs, and a streamlined body. Its back is muscular and strong, featuring a very flexible, arched spine. The feet offer great leverage with their long, narrow shape. Overall, the head is long and narrow, and it features a long, powerful muzzle with strong, even teeth. With a spirited and intelligent expression, the eyes of the greyhound are both dark and bright. The ears are small, generally folded back, and sit on the widest part of the skull. The neck is graceful and blends smoothly into the arched back. The long tail is curved slightly upward and is carried low.

Temperament: Although greyhounds are extremely fast and athletic, and despite their reputation as racing dogs, they are not high-energy dogs. They are sprinters, and although they love running, they do not require extensive exercise. Most are quiet, gentle animals. An adult greyhound will stay healthy and happy with a daily walk of as little as 20 to 30 minutes. Greyhounds have been referred to as "Forty-five mile per hour couch potatoes.Gentle, quiet, and affectionate, the greyhounds make wonderful pets. This breed is loyal, friendly, and sensitive.

Unlike breeds that must be socialized as puppies to temper their dominant tendencies, the Greyhound needs early socialization to give it confidence and build self assurance. A Greyhound puppy that is not accustomed to noise and people at an early age can be excessively fearful of loud or persistent sounds and painfully timid with strangers. The greyhound is good with children but rough-housing with the dog should be discouraged. The greyhound is not prone to excessive barking and is generally easy to housebreak. This breed is even-tempered and graceful – a loyal dog that makes an excellent companion.

Health: The life expectancy for Greyhounds is about 10-13  years. Greyhounds are typically a healthy and long-lived breed, and hereditary illness is rare. Some greyhounds have been known to develop esophageal achalasia, bloat (gastric torsion), andosteosarcoma. Because the greyhound's lean physique makes it ill-suited to sleeping on hard surfaces, owners of companion greyhounds generally provide soft bedding; without bedding, greyhounds are prone to develop painful skin sores.

Due to the unique physiology and anatomy of greyhounds, a veterinarian who understands the issues relevant to the breed is generally needed when the dogs need treatment, particularly whenanaesthesia is required. Greyhounds cannot metabolize barbiturate-based anesthesia as other breeds can because they have lower amounts of oxidative enzymes in their livers. Greyhounds demonstrate unusual blood chemistry, which can be misread by veterinarians not familiar with the breed; this can result in an incorrect diagnosis.

Greyhounds have higher levels of red blood cells than other breeds. Since red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, this higher level allows the hound to move larger quantities of oxygen faster from the lungs to the muscles. Greyhounds have lower levels of platelets than other breeds. Veterinary blood services often use greyhounds as universal blood donors.

Famous Greyhounds

Santa's Little Helper- Simpson's Cartoon
Peritas- owned by  Alexander the Great
Byron & Blucher owned by General George Custer

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

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

The Beagle Bunch

Beagles

Height: Generally between 13”-16” high

Weight: 18 – 35 lbs.

Coat: Short, dense, smooth and weatherproof.

Color: White, black, tan, red, lemon and blue mottle. They can be any combination of Hound colors other than liver. Chest is always white. Tricolor Beagles are almost always born black and white, with brown and other spots appearing later on in life. Some Beagles change colors most of their lives.

Appearance: The general appearance of the Beagle resembles a Foxhound in miniature, but the head is broader and the muzzle shorter, the expression completely different and the legs shorter in proportion to the body. They are generally between 13 and 16 inches (33 and 41 cm) high at the withers and weigh between 18 and 35 lb (8.2 and 16 kg), with females being slightly smaller than males on average.

They have a smooth, somewhat domed skull with a medium-length, square-cut muzzle and a black (or occasionally liver), gumdrop nose. The jaw is strong and the teeth scissor together with the upper teeth fitting perfectly over the lower teeth and both sets aligned square to the jaw. The eyes are large, hazel or brown, with a mild hound-like pleading look. The large ears are long, soft and low-set, turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the tips.

Beagles have a strong, medium-length neck (which is long enough for them to easily bend to the ground to pick up a scent), with little folding in the skin but some evidence of a dewlap; a broad chest narrowing to a tapered abdomen and waist and a short, slightly curved tail (known as the "stern") tipped with white. The white tip, known as the "flag" has been selectively bred with the sole purpose of allowing the dog to be easily seen when its head is down following a scent. The tail does not curl over the back, but is held upright when the dog is active. The Beagle has a muscular body and a medium-length, smooth, hard coat. The front legs are straight and carried under the body while the rear legs are muscular and well bent at the stifles.

Temperament: The Beagle has an even temper and gentle disposition. Beagles are "merry", amiable and generally neither aggressive nor timid. They enjoy company, and although they may initially be standoffish with strangers, they are easily won over. They make poor guard dogs for this reason, although their tendency to bark or howl when confronted with the unfamiliar makes them good watchdogs.

Beagles are intelligent, but as a result of being bred for the long chase are single-minded and determined, which can make them hard to train. They are generally obedient but can be difficult to recall once they have picked up a scent and are easily distracted by smells around them. They do not generally feature in obedience trials; while they are alert, respond well to food-reward training, and are eager to please, they are easily bored or distracted.

Beagles are excellent with children and this is one of the reasons they have become popular family pets, but they are pack animals, and can be prone to separation anxiety. Not all Beagles will howl, but most will bark when confronted with strange situations, and some will bay (also referred to as "speaking", "giving tongue", or "opening") when they catch the scent of potential quarry. They also generally get along well with other dogs. They are not demanding with regard to exercise; their inbred stamina means they do not easily tire when exercised, but they also do not need to be worked to exhaustion before they will rest, though regular exercise helps ward off the weight gain to which the breed is prone.

Health: The Life expectancy for Beagles is about 12-15 years. Beagles may be prone to epilepsy, Hypothyroidism and a number of types of dwarfism occur in Beagles. Two conditions in particular are unique to the breed: Funny Puppy, in which the puppy is slow to develop and eventually develops weak legs, a crooked back and although normally healthy, is prone to range of illnesses; Hip dysplasia, common in Harriers and in some larger breeds, is rarely considered a problem in Beagles. Beagles are considered a chondrodystrophic breed, meaning that they are prone to types of disk diseases. In rare cases, Beagles may develop immune mediated polygenic arthritis (where the immune system attacks the joints) even at a young age.

Their long floppy ears can mean that the inner ear does not receive a substantial air flow or that moist air becomes trapped, and this can lead to ear infections. Beagles may also be affected by a range of eye problems; two common ophthalmic conditions in Beagles are glaucoma and corneal dystrophy. "Cherry eye", a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, and distichiasis, a condition in which eyelashes grow into the eye causing irritation, sometimes exist; both these conditions can be corrected with surgery. They can suffer from several types of retinal atrophy. Failure of the nasolacrimal drainage system can cause dry eye or leakage of tears onto the face.

As field dogs they are prone to minor injuries such as cuts and sprains, and, if inactive, obesity is a common problem as they will eat whenever food is available and rely on their owners to regulate their weight. When working or running free they are also likely to pick up parasites such as fleas, ticks, harvest mites and tapeworms, and irritants such as grass seeds can become trapped in their eyes, soft ears or paws.

Beagles may exhibit a behaviour known as reverse sneezing, in which they sound as if they are choking or gasping for breath, but are actually drawing air in through the mouth and nose. The exact cause of this behaviour is not known, but it is not harmful to the dog.

Famous American Beagles

Snoopy- Peanuts character
Odie- Comic strip Garfield
Bagel- Barry Manilow’s Beagle Kim & Freckles- Former US President Lyndon B. Johnson beagles

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

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, and of course our  bully sticks , the breeds chew of choice!

Benny Bix Ochman Labradoodle, known as BenBeans to his buds, is Top Dog at Pawfun.

Labradoodle

Height/Weight :

Standard - between 23-26 inches high and 45-77 pounds

Medium - approximately 18-21 inches high and 45-77 pounds

Miniature - ranges 14-17 inches high and 40-55 pounds

Coat: Their coat is curly or wavy and is 4-6 inches in length. There are three coat types:

1. Wool: does not shed, should be the most allergy friendly, feels similar to that of a pure bred Poodle and is usually tightly curled.

2. Fleece: minimal shedding, also allergy friendly, feels wonderfully soft and fleecy, and has loose curls.

3. Hair: light shedding, less allergy friendly, coarser texture, can be curly, short or long.

The wool and fleece coats do not have a dog odor.

Color: The coat comes in various colors: cream, gold, red, black, chocolate, apricot, cafe, silver, and chalk.

Appearance:

A slightly larger-built dog than their Poodle parents, the Labradoodle is a muscular and athletic animal that shows a pleasing blend of the two breeds. His muzzle and face are more refined than that of a purebred Labrador Retriever while his build is sturdier and his temperament more even than that of a Poodle. The length of the Labradoodle coat is roughly 4-6 inches and it can be either fall in a gentle wave or a relaxed curl.

Temperament: Labradoodle’s are highly social creature, affectionate and loyal by nature, friendly, non-aggressive, loveable, happy, relatively good watchdogs, and very tuned in to its human companions. It also tends to get along well with other canine companions, being less territorial than some breeds.

Like most Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, Labradoodles are generally friendly, energetic and good with families and children (although as with any dog the temperament may vary between individuals). Labradoodles also often display an affinity for water and the strong swimming ability present in both their parent breeds. Below is a fun video of Benny Bix, Australian Labradoodle and spokesdog for pawfun enjoying a game of fetch in the lake.

Doodle training has also proven to be a success. These dogs easily learn what is required of them for daily family life. Plus, they have also made their mark in the service dog arena becoming guide dogs for the blind and terrific therapy dogs.

A fairly large and athletic dog, the Labradoodle requires a moderate amount of exercise. While he is well-suited to either country or city living, be forewarned that this hybrid is happiest if he gets frequent lengthy walks or trips down to the dog park, particularly if he is a younger dog. In addition to his need for physical exercise, the Labradoodle also needs mental stimulation and social interaction - not a dog that tolerates being tied up and left to his own devices, the Labradoodle likes to do whatever his human is doing and his boredom and lack of exercise can result in vices, such as chewing or excessive barking.

Health: The Life expectancy for an Labradoodle is about 13-15 years. Since Labradoodles are a mixed breed or some might say hybrids. They are susceptible to health problems common to their parent breeds the Labrador and poodle. Your dog’s breeder should provide you with proof that such problems are not present in your Labradoodle’s family line.

Labradors are susceptible to hip dysplasia and other joint problems, eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and retinal dysplasia.

Poodles, also generally very healthy, have been diagnosed with genetic disorders such as hip dysplasia, patellar luxations, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and seizures, among others.

Over the past couple of years, a number of Australian Labradoodles have also been found to suffer from Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), an inherited disease that causes blindness, which occurs in both Miniature Poodles and Cocker Spaniels.

Famous Labradoodles:

Sir Donald Campbell, who broke land speed records in the 1950s in Bluebird, was one of the first Labradoodle owners.

^{Golfer Tiger Woods has two Labradoodles named Yogi and Riley.}

U.S Vice President Joe Biden owns a Labradoodle named Brother

^{Singer/songwriter Neil Young has a Labradoodle named Carl.}

^{Actress Jennifer Aniston owns a Labradoodle, bought for her by former husband, Brad Pitt.}

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

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