Tag: Dogs entertainment

Pit Bulls Waiting To Be Adopted Get Tiny Cottage Sanctuaries

Go to any local shelter and there’s likely at least one Pit Bull waiting to be adopted. It can take many weeks, even months to place a Bully in the right home. That’s why Luvable Dog Rescue in Eugene, Oregon has taken it upon themselves to make light of a few lucky bully’s living arrangements.

At $10,000 – $20,000 a pop, the rescue has built six tiny cottages that mimic the look, feel, and style of a modern cottage home…albeit a bit smaller. They’re built with two fully loaded individual “bedrooms” to house two dogs.

Equipped with dog beds, televisions, art work, music, even heating and air-conditioning, these cottages are no joking matter.

Form And Function (And Fun!)

As you can see in the photos, these cottages aren’t just stylish buildings that replace drab kennels. The cottages are genuine replicas of a home, which provides a homelike, peaceful environment for the Pit Bulls to partake in activities that prevent depression and boredom (two traits common among the breed).

Comfort aside, the tiny dog houses are also built for function. Liesl Wilhardt, the founder and executive director of Luvable Dog Rescue, spent years raising funds for the project and researching a logical design.

‘“There are basic guidelines to creating a space for animals that is functional and easy to clean but also pleasant for the animal to live in,”’ she told This Dog’s Life.

In Case A Tiny Cottage Wasn’t Enough…

Settled on 55 acres, Luvable Dog Rescue has more than enough space for the dogs to run, play, hike, and exercise. Each dog gets a 45-minute walk per day, sometimes two!

When they’re not tending to their homes, that is…No cars, no sidewalks, no leashes…55 acres for a dog to run free is every dog lover’s/dog’s dream. 

Can Dogs Cry Tears Of Sadness?

Has your dog ever stared at you with sad eyes? Maybe even with a tear or two? If you thought they may have been crying, you aren’t alone. Many owners assume their dog cries tears of sadness, but that is actually not true. Although dogs are sensitive and compassionate creatures, dogs cannot cry tears of sadness. So what does it mean if your dog looks like they’re crying and how do they react to someone else crying? Read on to learn more.

Why Dogs “Cry”

Like humans, dogs have tear ducts that helps keep their eyes functioning properly. Unlike humans, though, the tear ducts drain liquid back towards the nose and throat area. But, just because they don’t cry out of sadness, doesn’t mean they don’t experience sorrow. Dogs grieve in their own way – not by shedding tears but by becoming aloof or lethargic.

So, if your dog looks like they are crying, it might be a sign something is wrong. Allergies can cause eye watering. Dogs can be allergic to environmental factors like dust, pollen, and smoke or food ingredients. If your dog has an infection, you may notice yellow, mucusy, or bloody tears. If your dog’s tears look like that, bring them to the vet immediately.

Dogs can also suffer from blocked tear ducts which causes eye discharge known as epiphora. You can tell it is epiphora if the area around their eye is damp. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms.

Active dogs can suffer from scratched corneas. Rough play or running through thick bushes can lead to a scratched cornea and cause your dog to paw at their eye, blink a lot, or have an inflamed eye area.

Lastly, a dog could simply have a speck a dirt or eyelash stuck in their eye. If this is the case, the tearing should clear up on its own but watch for more serious or prolonged symptoms.

A Dogs Response to Tears

Now that you know why dogs cry, it’s time to look at how they respond to someone else crying. Studies have shown that dogs respond to tears uniquely. Dogs are more likely to approach a person who is crying over someone is humming or talking. They also respond with submissive behavior to someone who is crying.

Though it is not proven that dogs can understand our pain or demonstrate empathy, the fact that they can differentiate between humming and crying points to a stronger overall response than just curiosity.

So, next time you notice tears in your pup’s eyes, make sure it isn’t a sign of something more serious. And next time you’re feeling down, watch how your dog reacts to you. You may be surprised how responsive they are!

10 Of The Best Dog Breeds For Families

Dogs may be a man’s best friend, but they also make a great family companion. Not only do dogs make life more fun, they teach children valuable lessons like compassion and responsibility. While any breed can make a great family pet with the proper training, some breeds are just naturals. Here are ten of the best dog breeds for families.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of all time – and for good reason. Labrador Retrievers adore humans and are playful, loving, protective, and reliable. They are quick and eager to learn and love to show off. They make great service dogs and are the only breed that has been accepted for training as an arson dog.

Standard Poodle

The Standard Poodle is a gentle and extremely smart breed. In fact, they are one of the smartest breeds. They are good-natured and make excellent family companions. Poodle’s are great for families with allergies as they do not shed as much as other breeds.

Golden Retriever

Like the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever’s are gentle, loving, and protective. They are extremely patient – a plus around boisterous children – but have enough energy to keep up with the kids. Originally bred as gun dogs, Golden Retriever’s love to swim and are excellent service dogs.

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Irish Setter

Playful and energetic, the Irish Setter makes an excellent family dog. They love to play and are best suited for families with a yard filled with energetic children. Irish Setters do have a lower life expectancy than other breeds, though. Many Irish Setters only make it to age twelve and few live to be fifteen.

Vizsla

The Vizsla was originally bred as hunting dog in Hungary. They are a loyal, gentle, affectionate, and quiet breed. They have a high energy level and require a lot of exercise – perfect for families with children. Vizsla’s do, however, love to spend time with their family. They are eager to learn and enjoy showing off.

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Newfoundland

With a natural love of children, the Newfoundland is known as “Nature’s Nannies.” Though they are large, they are quite gentle and sweet. Newfoundland’s do tend to shed and drool a lot and do best in families with large spaces due to their size. They love to be around their humans and will love nothing more than to make them happy while keeping an eye on them.

Bull Terrier

An intelligent and friendly breed, the adorable Bull Terrier makes a great family companion. They are energetic and will put up with a lot when it comes to children. They rarely complain about rambunctious children and will even help kids learn how to relate to dogs. Their high energy levels will help tire children out and tend to be protective of their family.

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Collie

Though their gorgeous long coat can be high maintenance, their desire to herd kids will certainly make up for it. Collies are a friendly and intelligent breed that love to please their humans. They’re highly trainable, too, which makes them great family companions.

Beagle

The Beagle is an energetic and friendly breed. They can be a bit high maintenance in terms of bathing and brushing, but they make an ideal family dog. Beagles are sturdy and make great nannies as they would be happy to help you round up the kids for bed. They do have a habit of howling, which is cute in small doses.

Bulldog

Not only are bulldogs absolutely adorable, they are a sturdy breed that will put up with a lot. They’re not overly energetic and have a high tolerance for playful children. Bulldogs are also highly adaptable and are suitable for both apartments or houses.

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Mixes

Another great option for families? Mutts! Mixed breeds are great as they combine the personalities of different breeds into one dog. Visit your local shelter and look for a dog with an energy level that matches with your family. A good rule of thumb, especially if you have younger children, is to focus on the mid-to-larger dogs. Small dogs are more prone to injury either by accidentally stepping on them or knocking into them.

Some dogs are naturals when it comes to families. But that doesn’t mean other breeds aren’t! With the proper training, any dog can be a shining star with a family. These ten dog breeds just happen to shine the brightest.

12 Dog Breeds Whose Names You’re Probably Pronouncing Wrong

Like certain human names, some dog breeds are quite difficult to pronounce. And when you mispronounce one? The worst! But Nuzzle is here to help. Here are 12 dog breeds you’re most likely pronouncing wrong – and the correct way to say them.

Shih Tzu

One of the most widely mispronounced dog breed names is this pint size, fluffy breed. While you may have heard it pronounced “s**t sue” it’s actually pronounced shee-dzoo.

Bichon Frise

Another commonly mispronounced breed is this adorable ball of fur. There are technically two ways to pronounce this one: Bee-shon Freeze or Bee-shawn Free-zey, the latter being the traditional French pronunciation.

Dogue de Bordeaux

This French Mastiff’s name looks more difficult than it actually is. “Dogue” is pronounced like “Vogue” and “Bordeaux” is pronounced like the wine. So, it’s Dohg-duu-Bor-doe.

Norwich Terrier

Though this may not seem too difficult to pronounce, there are actually two different ways to say this cuties name. Nor-Witch or Norridge (the traditional English version) are both correct.

Bernese Mountain Dog

This one isn’t so much about the spelling but more about the fact that it sounds similar to people from “Burma”. Bernese Mountain Dogs are actually from the Swiss Alps and their name is pronounced like “Bur-Nees” not “Bur-Mees”.

Kuvasz

In this Hungarian sheep herding dog’s name, the “z” is silent, so it’s pronounced Koo-vah”.

Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen

Just looking at this name may make you want to bury your head in the sand – or at least avoid saying it at all costs! But with enough practice, you’ll become an expert in no time. Just keep practicing, Puh-tee Bah-say Gree-fohn Von-day-uhn over and over again!

Portuguese Podengo Pequeno

The last word may throw people off on this breeds name as it’s actually pronounced Por-cha-geez Poe-den-go Pe-ken-o – not “Pe-ken-yo”.

Lagotto Romagnolo

Hailing from a sub-region in Italy, this Italian dog’s name is pronounced La-got-toe Rrrro-man-yolo and means “Lake Dog of Romagna”.

Berger Picard

Though it looks like “Burger Picard”, the correct way to pronounce this French herding dog’s name is Bare-zhay Pee-carr.

Cesky Terrier

This interesting-looking pup bears a resemblance to Schnauzers and originated in Czechoslovakia. The correct way to pronounce their name is “Chess-Key Terrier”.

Pekingese

If you pronounce this long-haired beauty Pee-kuh-neez, you’re technically right. But, there is a lesser-known version – Pee-king-eez – that is often considered incorrect. However, this breed was named after the Chinese capital city “Peking” (now known as Beijing), so that version is perfectly acceptable.

So next time you spot one of these pups, impress your friends and fellow dog lovers with the correct pronunciation of these dog breeds!

12 Wonderful Things Humans Have Done For Animals In 2016

Whether 2016 was a great year for you or not, there is no denying that some pretty amazing things happened. It just so happens that 12 of these awesome things were animal related. Here are 12 wonderful things humans did for animals this past year.

Goat with anxiety wears duck costume to make her feel safe:

When Polly’s owner bought her a duck costume, she didn’t realize it would help with Polly’s major anxiety problems – and make for one of the cutest pictures ever.

Pup lives in his own Harry Potter-like room:

After moving to a new house, the Chihuahua’s owner decided to create a space for him. She turned the cabinet under the stairs into his very own bedroom – furnished with a dresser, tiny bed, and lots of snacks. Just like Harry Potter.

Chicken on bed rest gets to watch nature documentaries:

After an injury, a chicken, named Strawberry, was put on bed rest. So she wouldn’t get bored, her owners set up an iPad with shows for her to watch. Her favorites were nature documentaries and shows with other chickens.

Dog receives his own letters:

Pippa is obsessed with getting the mail for her family. So, if there isn’t any mail that day, her mailman will write her a letter she doesn’t go home empty pawed.

Cat gets wrapped in Christmas bandages:

When Missy was bitten by a snake, she had to be hospitalized. Her nurses wanted to make her time there more festive, so they put Christmas-colored bandages on her.

Pup takes last walk on beach with hundreds of new friends:

Walnut’s dad had to make the difficult decision of putting him down. He wanted to make Walnut’s last walk memorable, so he asked people on Facebook to join them. To his surprise, hundreds of people showed up!

Mice are given their own storefronts:

Thanks to a group of artists, some mice got to experience their very own trip to the mall. The artists wanted to build some storefronts with mice in mind. The mice definitely approved.

Dog that was abused gets stuffed animals that look just like her:

When Justice was rescued, her mouth and legs were bound with electrical tape, leaving her with a scar across her snout. The shelter that saved her wanted to raise awareness and money to stop animal abuse, so they created a line of stuffed animals modeled after her.

A family celebrated Christmas early for their dying dog:

After Scooby’s family realized he wouldn’t make it to Christmas, they decided to celebrate it early. They even decorated the house and gave him presents!

Shelter dogs get treated to Puppuccinos:

One shelter decided to treat their pups to some afternoon Puppuccinos. It gave the dogs something to look forward and improved their chances of getting adopted.

Man surprises cat by dressing up as his favorite toy:

A man decided to surprise his cat and dress up as his favorite shark toy. The cat seemed more confused than surprised, but it was a nice gesture to say the least.

Man surprises dog by dressing up as his favorite toy:

And finally, one of the top trending animal stories of 2016. Unlike the cat with the shark toy, Jolena was very excited when her dad surprised her dressed up as her favorite Gumby toy.

The 10 Smartest Dog Breeds

We all know dogs are smart creatures. But have you ever noticed that some seem to be smarter than others? Like human intelligence, dog intelligence occurs in many different forms. Certain breeds have particular inherit qualities and are bred to be more intelligent in certain areas.

For example, if a dog is bred to retrieve, herd, or hunt, they are more likely to be eager to work, quick on their feet, and more willing to please you. Livestock guard dogs or scent hounds, on the other hand, can sometimes seem dense or distracted.

So, while certain dog breeds are smarter in particular areas, all dogs have the capability to be trained. Some might just take a bit longer to catch on!

Stanley Coren, a neuropsychologist and author of “The Intelligence of Dogs”, uses trainability to assess a dog’s intelligence. He used research from over 200 professional dog obedience judges on more than 100 breeds. The judges scored the breeds on obedience/working tests. These ten dog breeds learned commands in no more than five repetitions and obeyed these commands at least 95% of the time.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is often thought of as a workaholic and is the world’s best sheep herder. They have extraordinary instinct, extreme intelligence, and a strong work ethic.

Poodle

Poodle’s are smart and active. They were originally bred as water retrievers. Poodle’s are a devoted family dog and make excellent companions.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a wonderful family companion along with a highly respectable guard, police, and military dog. They were bred to herd.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever’s are eager to please and highly intelligent. They were originally bred as a hunting companion and work exceptionally well as guide dogs as well as search-and-rescue helpers.

Doberman Pinscher

This is a breed known for their speed and stamina. They were bred as guardians and also work as police and war dogs.

Shetland Sheepdog

Also known as the “Sheltie”, the Shetland Sheepdog is a miniature working Collie. They have a keen intelligence and are excellent herders.

Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers are very social dogs. They are also extremely gentle and highly intelligent. They make a wonderful family and sporting dog.

Papillon

This is an alert and happy breed. They are not known to be shy or aggressive. Though small, they are an energetic, highly intelligent breed.

Rottweiler

This breed is happiest when it has a job to do. They are powerful and hearty yet make a devoted companion. They make excellent police, service, and therapy dogs as well as herders and obedience competitors.

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs are very intelligent and energetic. They love when they have a job to do such as obedience, agility, or herding.

Although these are the “smartest” dog breeds, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the “easiest”. Chris Redenbach, a dog trainer based in Atlanta said that having a smart dog “is like having a smart kid. They’re always into something and will get into trouble if they are bored”. (Pets.WebMD).

Highly intelligent dogs require a lot of time, training, and patience as they get bored easily. They tend to be more energetic than less intelligent dogs, requiring more time and training. However, many dogs that don’t appear to be very intelligent, may just be bred to be more independent.

So, it’s not necessarily a matter of “smart versus dumb” dogs, it’s more about breed, instinct, and – most importantly – training. Even the most stubborn dog can learn with enough training!

Dog Breeds That Can Have Blue Eyes

There is no doubt there is something striking about a dog with blue eyes. That’s not to say we don’t love our brown-eyed pups, but we can’t help but stare a little longer at the dogs with those baby blues. But what breeds have blue eyes? And why do some have them and others don’t? We’re here to explain.

To start, there are four ways a dog can have blue eyes. One is completely genetic while the other three are due to pigment loss in their coat.

The Merle Gene

The most common reason a dog is blue-eyed is due to a side effect of the merle gene. Merle dilutes random parts of a dogs pigment – including the nose and eyes – and causes the blue color in their iris. Because of this, “merle dogs” often have “butterfly” noses as well as completely blue, split, or wall eyes.

Split eyes are when the eye has some blue in it while the rest is brown or amber. Wall eyes are when one eye is completely blue and the other is completely brown or amber.

The more diluted the coat of a merle dog is, the more likely they’ll be blue-eyed or butterfly-nosed.

A dog with one dose of the merle gene will show effects such as scattered spots of missing pigment – which includes the iris. Dogs with two doses of the gene are often deaf.

White Around the Eyes

Another cause is when they have a significant amount of white around their eyes. White spots or areas on a dogs coat means the cells are not able to produce pigment. If these spread to the face, there could be pigment loss in the nose and in the eyes – causing the eyes to be blue and the nose to the pink.

C Series

The third cause of blue eyes is when a pup is affected by the “C series” – also known as “albino.” While there are no confirmed albino cases in dogs, “white Dobermans” have an extremely light coat, blue eyes, and a completely pink nose. They are thought to be a form of albinism.white-doberman-blue-eyes

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A Separate Gene

The last cause is due to inheritance of a completely separate gene – unaffected by the coat color. It’s a rare gene, however, and occasionally occurs in Border Collies but is mainly seen in Siberian Huskies. Siberian Huskies can either have one blue eye or two – no matter what their coat color is.

The Breeds that Have Them

There are certain breeds that have blue eyes regardless of their coat color. These breeds include the Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Dalmatian, and Shetland Sheepdog.

Siberian Huskies can have blue, brown, or amber eyes or one blue and one brown eye, among others. Their blue eye color is not associated with deafness at all, unlike other breeds with blue eyes. Deaf Huskies are actually extremely rare.

Australian Shepherds typically have amber, brown, blue or azure eyes. Border Collies, contrary to popular belief, do not get their blue eyes from their ancestor – the Husky. In fact, a blue eye color always appears in a Border Collie and is thought to be desirable as it considered a “watch eye.”

Dalmatians with blue eyes are thought to be more at risk for deafness than those with brown eyes. Blue-eyed Shetland Sheepdogs are due to the dominant “merle coat color gene,” which has been linked to deafness.

Some dogs, like Weimaraners, may have blue eyes as a puppy but will change color as they age.

Though it is rare, some dogs can have blue eyes regardless of their breed or coat (since it is a recessive gene). Puppies, for example, can be born with blue eyes even if their parents don’t have them.blue-eyes-dalmatian

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So if you’ve ever wondered why certain breeds have blue eyes and others don’t, here’s your answer! But no matter what color our pups eyes are, we love them just the same.

4 Very Real Ways Your Dog Is Making You Healthier

It’s no secret dogs makes us happy. The joy they bring into our lives is incomparable. And now, some scientists think dogs can actually make us healthier, too. Here are four ways our pups are helping our health.

They Boost our Immunity

If you have a dog that loves to give kisses, you may not want to push them away. Studies have shown that dogs can help boost our immune system by spreading microorganisms through our environment. Humans and dogs actually carry many of the same bacteria, so the additional exposure helps us fight off infections.

And for those who worry about allergies, some studies have shown that children who share their homes with dogs are less likely to develop asthma and allergies over the years. They are also less likely to develop the skin condition eczema.

They Help our Hearts

Many heart conditions can actually be improved through owning a dog. Pup owners tend to have lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels. People who have dogs are also less likely to suffer from heart attacks. Not only are they less likely to suffer from heart attacks, they are more likely to survive one.

They Improve our Mental Health

Studies have shown that being around pets causes our brain to release oxytocin, also known as the “feel good hormone.” Pup owners are less likely to have a high production of cortisol, the hormone that is linked to higher stress levels.

Pet owners are also known to have lower levels of anxiety and depression. They are also known to have a higher self-esteem and calmer nerves.

They Get Us to Exercise

One on the greatest benefits of owning a dog is their ability to make exercise fun. Thanks to walks and games of fetch in the backyard, dog owners are 50% more likely to get their recommended 30 minutes of daily physical exercise.

If this doesn’t make you want to run out and add a dog to your life – if you don’t already have one – we aren’t sure what will. And if you already share your home with a pup, perhaps it’s time to add another. The more dogs you have the healthier you are – right?

Enjoy The Water With These 7 Swimming Safety Tips For Dogs

Summer means fun in the sun, and in the water! These detailed swimming safety tips for dogs will help you make the most of the favorite seasonal activity. Water safety is an extremely important part of being a responsible dog owner.  While you may have mastered the ‘doggy paddle’, don’t assume your dog is a natural swimmer.

Before venturing into the waves or pool with your dog, make sure you abide by these top safety precautions to keep your dog safe. Remember, a safe dog is a happy dog!

7 Swimming Safety Tips For Your Dog

  • If your water activities involve a boat, make sure your dog is dressed for the occasion with a life vest. Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, accidents happen. It’s always best to be prepared.
  • If your plans involve some beach fun, make sure you are aware of any rough water.
  • Monitor what snacks your pet may find in the sand at the beach.
  • If you’ll be sitting pretty poolside, you may want to find a pool with a fence to keep your pet contained. You’ll also want to make sure that if your dog does decide to dive in the water, they know how to get out.
  • No drinking the pool water! Look out for those Do Not Drink signs – pool water is not for dogs!
  • If you’re off on an adventure and you come across a river or a lake, be mindful of currents in the water. These can be extremely dangerous for dogs.
  • Check the cleanliness of the water. Make sure it doesn’t appear to have any lurking bacteria or algae which can make it unsafe to swim in.

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