Designer Dogs: The Puggle

A new trend has begun in the dog world and many have referred to it as an emergence of designer dogs. In fact, designer dogs can be more expensive than purebreds due to the increased demand for them. The popularity of designer dogs has soared over the last few years, and the puggle is only one of several types of designer dogs.

A puggle is a cross between a pug and a beagle that exhibits some of the characteristics of each breed and yet seems to eliminate some of the more annoying characteristics of each. The typical pug is not very athletic. He is easy going, portrays a calm demeanor, and does not show any signs of insecurity. He does not become overexcited, nor does he circle about yipping for attention.

The typical beagle is athletic and gregarious. Although he is not easy to housebreak or very obedient, he is very lovable and pleasant. Additionally, his grooming needs are minimal. Unfortunately, he is an excitable dog and does like to howl or yip for attention.

Puggles, on the other hand, do not howl or yip for attention, behaving more like the pug with an easy going manner. Additionally, they are not prone to the medical problems of the pug, including breathing problems. Puggles appear to resemble beagles with their physical characteristics and pugs with their calm temperament.

The reason behind this selectivity of good characteristics is the fact that many of the purebred’s problem traits are recessive in nature, which means that both parents must have the trait in order for it to appear in the puppies. Therefore, crossbreeding eliminates many of these characteristics.

Puggles typically have the longer legs of the beagle and the wrinkled, adorable face of the pug. Adult puggles usually weigh between 15 and 20 pounds and reach a height of 12 to 15 inches. Their muzzle is often black, while their body is tan or brown.


All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com

Dogs: The Utility Group

The Utility or Non-Sporting Group seems to be a catch all for all sorts of sizes and shapes of dogs. The dogs within this classification have been bred to perform special functions, however, they do not fall within one of the other groups.

It is important to note that Britain and the United States differentiate among the dogs classed within this group. For example, the United States does not include the Japanese Akita within this group, but rather, places it within the Working Group.

Most of the breeds that fall within this category have their origination from many years ago, and therefore, their lineage is ancient. Once upon a time, these dogs may have had a working purpose in life, but no more. These breeds make wonderful companions due to their dispositions.

Additionally, some of these breeds do quite well as show dogs. The dogs have a variety of coats, coloring, heights, weights, and body shapes.

The following dogs are included in the Utility Group:
Boston Terrier
Bulldog
Canaan Dog
Chow Chow
Dalmatian
French Bulldog
German Spitz
Japanese Akita
Japanese Shiba Inu
Japanese Spitz
Keeshond
Leonberger
Lhasa Apso
Miniature Schnauzer
Poodles
Schipperke
Schnauzer
Shar Pei
Shih Tzu
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier


All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com

The Bloodhound: The Nose Knows

Somewhat comical to gaze upon, and yet famous for his sense of smell and tracking abilities, the Bloodhound is a very old and noble breed of dog. In fact, while the true origins of this dog remain a mystery, many believe that his creation far predates Christianity. Early reference to the Bloodhound was made as far back as 3 A.D., when Claudius Aelianus made note of this incredible dog in his Historia Animalium. There, he described the breed as a dog whose ability to hunt by scent was unrivaled. He also made mention of how determined the dog was, staying on the trail until it had located its quarry against all odds.

While the Bloodhound owes most of his origins to the Mediterranean countries, it must be said that he was refined further, following his introduction to Europe. Originally appearing there, prior to the Crusades, there were two known varieties of Bloodhound at the time - the black and the white. The black variety of this breed later became known as the famous St. Huberts hounds, while the white were eventually to become known as the Southern Hounds. By the 12th century, these magnificent hounds had become a favorite of the English elite and the breed was fostered by the English church, where even the bishops were known to ride to the hounds. The name Bloodhound, is in fact a testament to the great lengths that were taken to preserve this breed and keep the strain pure; rather than referring to what this dog tracks, the name tags them as the blooded hound,î meaning that they are aristocratic and of good breeding, not unlike a blooded horse.

This hound is a large and powerfully-built dog, standing an average of 26 inches and often weighing 90-100 pounds, when full grown. With well-sprung ribs and a flat topline, the Bloodhound is beautifully put together for what he is designed to do; with ample heart and lung space, he is capable of tracking tirelessly and is large-boned, proving that they are by no means a fragile plantation flower. Of course, this magnificent dogís sense of smell is unrivaled; they remain the modern representation of what is considered to be the oldest race of scent-hounds. The Bloodhound comes in black and tan, red, and liver and tan, with limited white markings allowed.

While many know of the Bloodhounds uncanny tracking abilities, few seem to be able to see far beyond the nose and this large hounds wrinkled countenance. While he may look like one of the clowns of the canine world, the Bloodhound is, in fact, a wonderful companion. Extremely affectionate, the Bloodhound is a gentle-natured giant and is rarely aggressive with his human companions or with other dogs. If anything, he is a very quiet, solemn, and almost shy dog, that is quite content to lounge about on a shady porch when not out tracking a scent. While their size and their reputation may intimidate, in truth, the Bloodhound is a good example of mans best friend.

All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com

A game of Tag

Ok - not the game of tag you are thinking of. The blog game of tag. We usually don't do this - but who knows! Heck - it is Monday and it could be fun! I've been tagged by Pet Rescuer Central and now I am it! The rules of the game are as follows:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player than tags 4 or 5 people and post their names,then goes to their blogs and leaves a comment,letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you have posted your answer.



1.What was I doing 10 years ago?

Hmmmm....1998
Let's see, I was working in an ad agency and single and carefree.

2.What are the 5 things on my to do list for today (not in any particular order). I usually don't make lists, maybe I should.

* Take the baby and dogs on a walk
* Go through emails
* Get orders that came in over the weekend for Big Paw Designs ready and out the door
* Think about unpacking those last boxes from last December's move. Nah....
* Do laundry

3. Snacks I enjoy.

chocolate covered almonds, cheese, wine (does that count as a snack), apples and peanut butter

4. Things I would do if I were a billionaire.

* Pay off bills, mortgage
* Buy a vacation house
* Not work so much and do whatever I felt like that day
* Start a non-profit
* Pretty much live as I do now but not worry about anything and if I should or should not buy something


5. Three of my bad habits.

* Perfectionist sometimes
* Impatient - I want what I want when I want it
* Too much on my plate

6. Five places I have lived.

* Dallas, Tx
* Austin, Tx
* Hilton Head, SC
* Lynchburg, Va
* Hmm - that is it

7. Five jobs I have had.

* waitress
* library asst
* graphic design asst
* Ad agency guru
* sales

Okay - that was not so bad. Don't know if I would want to do this on a regular basis - but maybe it has been fun for our readers too! Drop a comment and let us know. You can also tag other people too, just does not have to be if you are listed below :)

Tag your it!!
- Chocolate Dog Blog
- Golly Gear
- Daisy the Curly Cat
- Tip Tail

Cool Test - How old is your dog?

Take the Dog Age Test - really cool! It asks some questions to customize how old your pooch really is.
Woof!

Cats and Milk

Kittens live off their mother's milk for the first several weeks of their lives. After that period a startling change often occurs in their digestive systems. If a cat fails to ingest dairy products for too long, the bacteria in his intestinal tract will change. He will become unable to properly digest dairy.

Cats in the wild are not exposed to milk products after they have been weaned, and modern domestics still go through that primitive system alteration. Cats generally love dairy, though, and will ask for it. In older cats, ingestion of dairy products can cause diarrhea and flatulence. If you choose to treat your cat with dairy, do it infrequently and in small amounts. There are also alternative "milk" products at your local petsmart.

All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com

Why Should You Play with Your Dog?

Besides the simple fact that it can be a lot of fun, playing with your dog can have other important ramifications. Both the dog and the owner will learn to communicate better with each other. The more time that they spend together, the better they will know each other.

Each of them will begin to understand facial expressions, voice intonations, and gestures more fully. Verbal expression may take a back seat occasionally as these other forms of communication become better understood and perhaps even more expressive.

Additionally, playtime can be an excellent opportunity to teach your dog good manners. This is turn will turn the dog into a better family member. After all, taking turns is not only part of playtime, but also, it is part of daily living.

People who play with their dogs often meet other people who are also playing with their dogs. They can share useful information that can help them to be better pet owners. Perhaps they will learn more about their dog or dogs in general. Information about specific behavior problems or illnesses can be shared and solutions can be discovered.

Activity is good for both the dog and the dog owner. Activity or exercise boosts the immune system. It also helps maintain a balanced weight. Plus, it reduces boredom, an element that can easily get any animal into mischief. Interaction with your dog can have a positive influence on your mental outlook on life. Play with your dog, whether you choose dog toys, a game of fetch or a romp in the park and have some fun, and stay healthy.

All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.
View more at www.bigpawdesigns.com