DogTails

We recently brought you a post all about the poodle: a highly intelligent, determined, and athletic dog that has been man’s faithful companion and workmate for hundreds of years. In fact, poodles are so beloved and their temperaments and traits so desirable (especially the fact that they don’t shed – a trait which they pass on) that they have become a breeder favorite for crossing with other dogs. These pairings have produced some amazing, interesting (and in some cases, quite amusingly-named) new types of dogs.  Here are a few of the more common mixes followed by a list of some others you might encounter.
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It’s an unfortunate fact of life: at some point, you are going to catch the flu. You may even have suffered through it already this year. But did you know that your dog is also susceptible to a canine version of this ailment? In fact, Canine Influenza, more commonly referred to as the dog flu, has been causing quite the stir these last few years. Read on to learn about Canine Flu, how to recognize it, and what to do about it.
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Old Man Winter has made his presence known in most of the country by now, and both people and dogs are preparing themselves for the even colder days ahead. While many dogs blanch at the prospect of a long trek in the ice and snow, there’s one category of dogs that approaches it with sheer, unbridled eagerness and joy: they are the sled dogs, denizens of the frozen tundras and icy poles. Their athleticism and endurance is unrivaled, and their heroics, intelligence, and loyalty have been lauded around the world. This week, DogWatch would like to pay tribute to these hard (and hardy) workers, and we hope you’ll fall as in love with them as we have.

For thousands of years, man has used dogs as draft and pack animals, tapping into their endurance and strength to haul both people and goods across increasing distances and harsh climates. The earliest evidence of man using dogs to pull sleighs exists in the Thule people of Canada – the precursors of the Inuits – and dates back to around A.D. 1000. However, it is believed that domesticated working dogs existed in North America as far back as 15,000 years ago. For the Thule, Inuit, and Athabascan people of the great white north, as well as other northern native cultures, using these dogs for transportation of people and goods was a part of daily life. Read post »

Many New Year’s resolutions are already in the rear view mirror. These DogWatch dogs are keeping their resolutions. If your dog had a New Year’s resolution, what would it be? We consulted with a panel of dogs and cats, and here’s what they came up with. We hope this gets your new year off on the right paw!

The Panel