Stuffed Toys

Stuffed toys are filled with polyfill stuffing and are flexible, soft, and easily washed.  These toys are made of of soft materials, such as faux lamb's wool.  Many stuffed toys have a squeaky inside them as well.  These toys are good for light chewers, but are not good for average to aggressive chewers.  Again some dogs like to "kill" these types of toys.  Owners must take care to pick up pieces so dogs do not choke or swallow small pieces.

Squeaky Toys

Squeaky Toys are probably the most popular dog toy.  There are tons of different types, sizes, and varieties of squeaky toys that can be purchased almost anywhere.  These toys have a high pitched squeaker that makes noise to attract the dog.  Dogs also like squeaky toys because it reminds them of noises small animals might make.  Squeaky toys can be very helpful for dogs in obedience training that are not food motivated.  Although these toys are great for being easy cleaning, take care not to let your dog use these toys as a chew toy.  Many dogs like to "kill" squeaky toys by ripping them apart, pulling out stuffing, and destroying the toy.  The small pieces that will be chewed apart can cause choking or a blockage if swallowed.  Always remember to pick up and throw away toys that have been destroyed or are falling apart.  Keep your dog safe.

Breed of the Month--Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog


Color:  Any shade of blue, blue merle, grizzle, gray, with white marking.
Height:  Males:  22-24 inches/  Females:  21-22 inches
Weight:  60-100 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years


Breed Health Concerns:  Cataracts, congenital deafness, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and bloat.


Coat:  Waterproof undercoat with a harsh outercoat.
Country of Origin:  England

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

Many breeds contributed to the line of the Old English Sheepdog, developed in England.  The breeds original name (and still used today) is Bobtail.

The Old English Sheepdog is always protecting his flock, but he is a gentle soul.  This herding breed can have a tendency to herd his own family members and children.  The Old English Sheepdog is an excellent watchdog, yet a playful companion.

This breed is excellent petting when their coats are clean!

Exercise:
The Old English Sheepdog is athletic and enjoys being able to explore outside.  Although this breed does not require a lot of exercise, a good walk every day is still important.

Grooming:
This breed needs extra attention when it comes to grooming.  The Old English Sheepdog is a seasonal shedder, but needs to brushed regularly year round to help maintain his coat.  Non-show dogs of this breed need only be bathed and clipped every few months.  Scissors can be used to help keep the hair trimmed around his eyes and feet.


Training:
The Old English Sheepdog was bred to think independently and can sometimes seem stubborn.  Using positive reinforcement and patience, this breed will respond well to training.  Socialization is always important.

Rope Toys

Rope Toys come in variety of sizes, lengths, and shapes.  Some have additions for various entertainment like attached toys or bones, multiple knots, or handles.  Rope toys are made of cotton with highly knotted ropes, and owners must remember to take care to get the appropriate size for their dog.  A rope toy should not be able to fit completely into a dog's mouth.  Rope toys are interactive toys that should be for supervised playtime only.  NEVER leave a dog unsupervised with a rope toy.  After playtime is over, remove the rope toy and place somewhere the dog cannot get it on his own.  Rope toys can be used to play many games, including helping teach fetch, and can be soaked in cold water to help with teething puppies.  Rope toys are NOT recommended for aggressive chewers.  Because rope toys are soft, they are also not recommended for problem chewers because some dogs can mistake the rope you for fabric and clothing.

 

Breed of the Month--Basset Hound

Basset Hound


Color:  Tricolor, (black, tan, white), bicolor (lemon, white)
Height:  13-15 inches
Weight:  50-70 lbs
Life Span:  10-12 years


Breed Health Concerns:  Allergies, ear infections, eyelash and eyelid problems, thrombopathia, intervertebral disk disease, enostosis, back and joint problems.


Coat:  Dense, short, hard, smooth
Country of Origin:  Great Britain

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

The Basset Hound was developed from other French hounds used for hunting.  The ancestry of the Basset Hound is French, but the breed was perfected in England.

The Basset Hound is gentle, kind, sweet, devoted, and naturally well behaved...he is always a friend.  He is actually not clumsy, but can appear to stumble and waddle as he walks.

The Basset Hound, like many hound breeds, is not always the best choice for a city life.  This breed was reared for hunting and has a very loud, deep voice that he enjoys using.

Exercise:
The Basset Hound has no interested in moving anywhere too quickly, and will be happy with a short walk every day where he can use his nose to smell all the wonderful things outside.

Grooming:
The Basset Hound's coat is fairly easy to care for, but his skin requires extra attention.  It must be kept clean and free from infection.  The Basset Hounds ears and eyes must also be cleaned regularly and kept free from infection.

Training:
Bassets may sometimes need some extra time to learn basic obedience.  The Basset is highly motivated to please, and using positive reinforcement training will help the breed learn with more ease.

All that extra skin can make this breed quite comical at times!

Frisbees

A Frisbee is a flat, disc-like toy a dog can retrieve.  Frisbees come in many types, sizes, and textures.  Many games can be played with your dog using a frisbee, including the classic fetch.  Frisbees can go for long distances and help your dog expel a lot of his energy.  Many dogs learn to watch for the frisbee and jump in crazy ways to catch it.  I find playing fetch with a frisbee to be quite entertaining and enjoyable.

Breed of the Month--Papillon

Papillon


Color:  White with any patches of color except liver, tricolor
Height:  8-11 inches
Weight:  Two categories: 1) both sexes less than 5.5 lbs, 2) Males:  5.5-10 lbs/ Females:  5.5-11 lbs
Life Span:  13-16 years

Breed Health Concerns:  Patellar luxation.

Coat:  Single coat, straight, silk, fine, long, flowing.
Country of Origin:  France

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

Papillons are descended from toy-sized spaniels.  Erect ears replaced the drop ear look for this breed in the late 1800s.  The Papillon is small enough that many people enjoy taking them everywhere, and have done so for centuries.  This breed is adept at tracking, agility, and obedience.

Papillon need lots of socialization from puppy to adulthood.  Although you may be surprised to hear this, but Papillons are not generally a yappy or barky dog by nature.  Although this breed has very high energy, he is easily trained in all sorts of different ways.

Papillons are very easy to fall in love with because of their small size and cute, fluffy coat.  Many people will find your pet of interest in you add this breed to your family, and therefore socialization of this breed tends to come quite naturally.

Exercise:
Although the Papillon enjoys the occasional cuddle, he is very energetic and needs regular daily exercise.  The Papillon is athletic and enjoys being part of outdoor family activities.

Grooming:
Because the Papillon has no undercoat, the breed sheds very little to no hair.  The coat is easy to care for and does not require any extra special grooming or trimming.  Occasional bathing is sufficient.

Training:
The Papillon is a very versatile dog that enjoys many different activities.  Motivational training and positive reinforcement make training this breed an ease.  The Papillon must be well socialized.

Tennis Balls

A tennis ball is a soft rubber ball covered in cloth.  Tennis balls make great toys for fetch and other interactive games you can play with your dog.  Take care to choose a tennis ball that is the proper size for your dog.  The ball should not be able to fit completely into the dog's mouth.  For medium to large dogs, the regular tennis ball you can buy at the local mart is perfect.

The tennis ball is a great, versatile toy that is inexpensive.  Once tennis balls are broken are your dog starts to chew them, discard them immediately.  Never let a dog chew a tennis ball.  Tennis balls should be used for game time, then put away where the dog cannot get to it.

Breed of the Month--Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog


Color:  Blue or red, solid or with markings or speckle.
Height:  Males:  18-20 inches/  Females:  17-19 inches
Weight:  33-50 lbs
Life Span:  10-13 years

Breed Health Concerns:  hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, congenital deafness, and patellar luxation.

Coat:  Dense, short undercoat, with weather-resistent hard, straight outer coat, both smooth.
Country of Origin:  Australia

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more information.

The history of the breed is in its name.  The Australian Cattle Dog was bred to work along-side farmers and cattlemen.  The Australian Cattle Dog has many breeds in its history including:  Australian Kelpie, the Dingo, and Blue Smooth Highland Collie.  This breed was favored for its ability to drive cattle over long distances and in all kinds of weather.

The Australian Cattle Dog is extremely alert, courageous, and intelligent.  This breed has a high prey drive, but is very owner orientated.  This breed excels at obedience, agility, and other field sport games.

I have personally fallen in love with each and every Australian Cattle Dog I have ever met.  They are very loyal dogs that aim to please their owners as much as possible.  Their smaller stature combined with their interesting color blends make them very eye-catching to anyone you might meet.  If properly exercised, the Australian Cattle Dog makes an amazing pet for most living situations.

Exercise:
This is a breed of dog that actually needs some sort of "job."  The Australian Cattle Dog needs extensive daily mental and physical exercise.

Grooming:
The dense undercoat requires regular brushing.  Occasional baths are sufficient for this breed.

Training:
The Australian Cattle Dog is intelligent and quick to learn.  This breed does have a very high prey drive and training in impulse control is very important.  Keeping an Australian Cattle Dog challenged is key to training this breed.

Chew Toys

Chew toys are a very important thing to have for your dog.  Proper chew toys provide mental stimulation, satisfy a dog's chewing need, exercise their teeth and gums, and expend energy.  What type of chew toy is right for your dog should be based on the dog's activity level, size, and sometimes breed.  Remember to supervise your pet when giving new chew toy items.  Some bones may cause choking if not properly chosen for size and type.

One of the best chew toys I have found is the Kong bones made to stuff yummy treats into.  These are great to help keep your dog occupied while he gets something delicious.  I highly recommend one of these for someone having trouble with chewing behaviors.  They also make many kinds of pastes you can put into the chew toy, flavored just for dogs.  Kongs are made of 100% natural rubber, are non-toxic, puncture resistant, and come in many varieties.


Other chew toys that might work for you include:  natural bones, rawhide, edible velvet bones, Nylabone, cow hooves (these can get stinky), and cow & pig ears.