Some dogs are bred for hunting, others for herding, and some for just being adorable and wanting to cuddle up! These pups are known as companion dogs and generally have extremely lovable and caring personalities. They enjoy a lap and relaxation. If you are looking for a companion dog, consider one of the five below as they are our picks for the top companion dogs. Papillon The Papillon is small, soft and loving breed of dog. They are at times playful and active, but love the comfort of a lap. They make great family pets and do well with children. …

Are you looking for a fast-paced high energy dog that will keep you active? If so, here is a list of the most energetic dog breeds that will keep you and your kids on the move! It is very important though to know that these dog breeds will require a lot of outdoor activity time with their family to prevent them from engaging in indoor no no’s. (Chewing furniture, etc.) Border Collie The Border Collie is an extremely intelligent, loyal, playful and energetic dog breed. They are well known for their agility and stamina. These dogs make great family pets …

They are known as man’s best friend and recent research indicates that they may have been given this title longer than we first believed. Although many dog breeds date back centuries, there are a few that date back well before that. Below is a list of the oldest dog breeds on record and a little information about each breed. Dating Back 10,000 Years – Akita Inu The Akita Inu is a historic breed of dog who originated in the mountains of northern Japan. The two separate varieties of Akita are a pure Japanese strain, also known as Akita-ken and a …

As the saying goes, they’ll fight like cats and dogs… Not necessarily if you find the right dog. But what qualities does a dog need in order for it to get along well with a cat? The first thing to take into consideration is the dog’s breed group. Dogs in the Terrier Group were by designed bred to hunt small game. (Such as a cat!) Dogs in the Hound Group were bred to chase and follow, which would mean a cat on the run could cause this type of breed to chase it. Dogs that fall under the Herding Group …

Adding a dog to your family is a very fun and exciting part of life, however, does come with some challenges. Realistically, your pup is a part of your family and will be for many years. There are certainly many plusses to adding a fur-legged friend but there are also certain challenging aspects that come with this. Potty training, basic obedience and you being able to leave home for long periods of time while your pup is home alone are just a few. The key is finding a dog breed that best fits your family’s dynamics and routine. Certain dogs …

With winter here, we all know the challenges of staying warm and safe. We must also take into consideration the well-being of our pets as the temperature drops. Here are a few simple tips you can take to make sure your fur-legged friend stays warm, comfortable, and healthy this winter season. Keep a Time Limit on How Long Your Pup is Outside The key is monitoring your pup and making sure he is not left outside for more than a few minutes at a time. Things such as frostbite can set in quickly, which can be very painful for your …

Dogs have helped humans out over hundreds of years. From rescuing people, to tracking missing persons, to detecting bombs, to herding sheep. One of the most amazing abilities that dogs are also known for is their ability to detect certain types of cancers in people. Recent studies have confirmed that certain trained dogs may be able to detect cancer in people about 40% of the time. Although this is very far from being perfected, it does go to show just how amazing dogs are. How do Dogs Detect this? Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. Our fur-legged friends have …

Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety experience tension, stress, mental discomfort, and confusion. This anxiety manifests when a dog feels insecure when left alone at home and is separated from its family. Like how a young child misses a parent, your pup misses you! Symptoms of Separation Anxiety in Dogs There are different symptoms that dogs can experience from separation anxiety, from basic whining to very destructive behavior, such as chewing furniture and household fixtures. Below are common symptoms associated with separation anxiety: Excessive panting and whining Excessive drooling Barking and crying  Urinating or defecating indoors. General destructive behavior Excessive …

Roundworms are a parasite that can commonly affect house pets such as dogs and cats. There are two primary species of roundworms. The first is Toxocara Canis. This type of parasite can move around the body once they become mature. The second is Toxascaris Leonin. This type of parasite remains in the intestinal tract. Nevertheless, both of these types of roundworms do absorb the nutrients from your dog and need to be taken care of as soon as possible. Roundworms tend to look like long strands of thin spaghetti. These parasites commonly attach to the lining of your dog intestines. …

We often associate our fur-legged friends being bit by ticks and fleas. These pesky creatures are known for their persistency and potential health risks. Ticks and fleas are parasitic insects that require hosts to complete their life cycle. In contrast, spiders, such as the Black Widow, are not parasitic, meaning that they do not require a dog or cat to live off of. Although many spiders would prefer to hide from other animals, there may be situations when this does not happen and a spider bite occurs. Generally, almost all spiders inject venom into their bites. For the majority of …