A dog is a man’s best friend. But are some dogs better suited for the manly men that walk this world? And what exactly is a manly man? Is it the man who tightens lug nuts with his bare hands? Is it the man who chews on barbed wire rather than a blade of grass or toothpick? Is it the truck driving, jeans wearing, country-music listening kind of guy? My gosh, is it Brett Favre? We all have our opinions on what makes a manly man, which is why we’ve compiled a rather diverse group of top five dog breeds for men. Our dogs range from the kings of the canine, demonstrating their girth, to a much smaller breed, helping to demonstrate that testosterone can have a heart. 1. Man = Power = English Mastiff. What’s in a name? Ah, well, if you’re the mastiff, then power’s in a name. Mastiff comes ...
Breed Basics: German Shorthaired Pointer
The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) belongs to a group of dogs known as versatile hunting dogs. They are meant to fill all the roles a hunter requires including locating game, pointing it, retrieving it, tracking it, etc. They should hunt on land and in the water, working both birds and furred game. As pets they are typical sporting dogs – high energy but very trainable, ideal companions for an active family. Traits The energy level of the GSP can be surprising if you have not lived with a versatile hunter before. They need a chance to stretch their legs and run if not daily then at least a few days a week. Provided that their exercise needs are met outdoors, they should relax and curl up on the couch in the house. They do extremely well with homes with one or more runners, particularly distance runners. Training Like most sporting breeds, the German Shorthaired ...
Stray Dogs in Detroit are a Growing Problem
Bloomberg News made headlines everywhere when they published a story on August 21st that claimed 50,000 stray dogs are roaming the streets of Detroit. Although many have disputed the number, none have disagreed that Detroit has a serious animal control issue. Poverty has increased and public budgets, including those of the animal control department have decreased in recent years. Unfortunately, when unable to feed your family you are also unable to feed your dog. This leads to some people turning their pets into humane societies in the hopes they will find homes elsewhere and others simply letting them go on the streets in the hopes that a kind neighbour will feed them. Almost 70% of all dogs that end up in Detroit animal control are euthanized. The dogs are picked up off the street and can be found congregating in abandoned homes and warehouses where they end up living as a ...
6 Common People Foods That Can Kill Your Dog
While many human foods are not only safe for dogs to eat but can also be quite healthy for them, there are many things we eat which can be dangerous for a dog, and could make them sick or even kill them. As dogs themselves do not know what they can and cannot eat, it's up to you to know what not to feed your dog. It would be nearly impossible to list all the human foods that are dangerous for dogs to eat, but in this article I will list some of the most commonly eaten human foods that are dangerous for dogs to eat, in the hopes it will save at least a few dogs and their owners from unnecessary misery. Raisins and Grapes I love both raisins and grapes. Unfortunately, though, I cannot share these with my dog. Both raisins and grapes can be lethal for a dog to ...
PETA Euthanizes 2,000 Animals Each Year?
PETA is considered by many to be the most outspoken animal advocates on the planet. Why then, do they euthanize 2,000 dogs and cats each and every year at their Virginia-based animal shelter? For years PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have taken to some creative and controversial methods in order to push their mission: animals should not be killed for food, clothing, or other products. Apparently their mission does not include embracing the no-kill-shelter movement that has been gaining momentum across the nation. Their animal shelter, in fact has poor adoption-rate statistics, when measured up against virtually any other shelter in the country. State records, published by the New York Times, cited just 19 cats and dogs as being adopted in 2012, with 24 being adopted in 2011. Overcrowding shelters is, by no means, a new phenomenon. However, other shelters have found a way to integrate the no-kill mentality into ...
Can You Really Walk a Cat On a Leash?
It’s perhaps one of the strangest sights you see – somebody walking their cat via a leash and harness. But if you stop to think about it for a moment, you have to wonder: “Why do I think this is so strange? Dogs do it. Why can’t cats?” Why can’t cats, indeed. We’ve been trained to think of dogs as the outdoor walking pets, while cats are either confined to a life indoors, or, on the complete opposite spectrum, free to roam the streets like the wild beasts that they are. But either of these scenarios might not be ideal for your cat’s well being. As for indoor cats, obesity and boredom might come into play. For free-to-roam outdoor cats, cars, raccoons, other cats, and more all pose a potential risk. So how can you allow your cat to have a bit more fun without dumping him out into the wilderness? You train him ...
Top 10 Exotic Pets To Own
Having a pet is one thing - but having an exotic pet, well, that’s like having a show and tell 7 days a week. Neighbors, family and friends flock to your home to check out how you, true beastmaster, have somehow brought real-life mother nature into civilization. Not to say dogs and cats aren’t mother nature’s doing, but having a pet dog can seem like having a white t-shirt. It’s been done before. So, if you’re one of those folks who tossed out your drawer full of plain white T’s, then you’re likely the kind of person who’s got an eye toward the exotic. You may love dogs and cats, but you’re looking for something a bit more unique. You want an exotic pet. But which exotic pet is best for you? When it comes to exotic pets, or pets in general, you want to factor in a few things, including: Level ...
Top Five Most Dog Friendly Cities in the US
Forget about school districts, weather, food and location. When it comes to measuring a city’s true worth, we all know what’s top dog … our dogs. Finding a bona fide dog-friendly city is one of our top priorities, but what goes into making a city dog friendly? And which cities actually go out of their way to reach such a status? We investigate. The making of a dog-friendly city Before we could choose the top five dog-friendly cities, we needed to figure out what exactly went into “dog friendliness.” After some careful consideration, we decided that the following factors should play a large part: Vet costs – Think of it like healthcare. Cities are rated on their healthcare costs, so as a dog owner, vet care costs are important to consider Number of dog parks – Especially since there’s less open space in a city, you need a place to let your dog just ...
New Dog Sunny Joins the Obama Family
There’s a new face in the White House as Sunny joins the Obama family. Like Bo, Sunny is a Portuguese Water Dog. This breed has a coat that tends to be somewhat hypoallergenic depending on the source of the allergen. Bo is a black and white dog while Sunny is all black. The breed has become increasingly popular in the last few years because of its coat, active and friendly nature. Sunny herself was named for her disposition which tends to be pretty positive. Four year old, Bo, seemed lonely, revealed the Obamas and so they decided to get him a playmate. Sunny is a year old and Bo is having a great time playing with his lively new companion. The breed generally lives 12-15 years and is fairly active. Sunny has already joined the family’s walking routine. The Obamas are also hoping that the dogs will help keep them company when their two daughters leave home for university. The ...
Breed Basics: Dachshunds
The dachshund is recognized around the world by his distinctive shape and nickname, the wiener dog. They come in three sizes (standard, miniature, and toy) and three different coat types (smooth/short, longhaired, and wirehaired). The basic physical characteristics are the same for all varieties. There are some who claim the longhair is gentler and the wirehair the most terrier-like but there is a lot of variation between individuals and lines. The dachshund was originally bred to go to ground, chasing down badger and other rodents. Traits Dachshunds are fun loving, active little dogs. They are quite popular as pets. Their trademark long back does make them more vulnerable to injury and can also cause health problems. Typical small dogs, they need guidance and leadership from their owners or they will take over the home and can become territorial and display guarding behaviors. Bred to go to ground, they instinctively like to dig. Training Dachshunds are hounds which are generally more stubborn and ...