Author: rgoessel

Here, we present part two of our three-part series highlighting sensational Saint Bernard puppies and adult dogs!

Below are 15 additional facts about these big drooling beauties:

• Artist Edward Lanseer painted a portrait of a Saint Bernard rescuing travelers in the snow carrying a keg of brandy around its neck. This was actually a fictitious painting but somehow it was thought to be true for many many years!

• Barry, the Saint Bernard, was the most famous rescue dog at the St. Bernard Hospice. He is said to have saved between 40 and 100 people.

• Saints have been credited with saving nearly 2000 people from the harsh elements of the Alps. A 12 year old boy who was found close to death in the snow was brought back to consciousness by a famous Saint.

• Invest in some lint brushes and a strong vacuum because Saint Bernard puppies lose their coats twice a year and they shed a lot year-round!

• The original Saint Bernard was the size of a German Shepherd Dog.

• Saint Bernard puppies will grow to weigh between 130 and 200 pounds.

• The first Saint Bernard Breed Club was organized in Basel, Switzerland in 1884.

• The Saint Bernard Club of America was established in 1888.

• Saint Bernard puppies rank 50th on the most popular breed list according to the American Kennel Club.

• The St. Bernard Club of America has over 83,000 dogs registered in their system.

• One of the most famous Saint Bernards is the namesake of the movie Beethoven.

• Saints are closely related to Bernese Mountain dogs, English Mastiffs, and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

• Napoleon and his army crossed the mountains between 1790 and 1810 with Saint Bernards by their sides and there were no losses of life!

• They are highly intelligent dogs. Did you know they were never trained to be rescue dogs? Saint Bernard puppies actually just followed the lead of the older dogs.

• A Saint Bernard named Hercules was credited with saving his family just 6 hours after he was adopted. He captured a thief breaking into a car and held him by the leg until official help arrived!

Saint Bernards are giant, muscular, and strong dogs!

Like any other large breed dog, Saint Bernard puppies start out cute and cuddly and grow to somewhat massive sizes and heights! Our Saint Bernard puppies are gentle, friendly, and great with children. Saint Bernard owners rave about their sweet temperaments and eagerness to please. In a three-part series, we’ve gathered 15 facts about Saint Bernards!

• The Saint Bernard originated in the Alpine region of Switzerland, which is where they gained their well-earned notoriety as search and rescue dogs.

• Saint Bernard puppies got their names from the Great St. Bernard Hospice in the western Alps. Specifically, they were named after Saint Bernard de Menthon, the patron saint of mountaineers. The farmers gave monks at the hospice dogs for protection. They soon began to realize their exceptional sense of smell and started using them for rescue work.

• Saint Bernards would often travel in pairs of two. If someone were stranded, one would wait with the stranded while the other would return to the monks for help.

• The breed was almost wiped out after several avalanches killed most of the breed. Consequently, the monks started crossing Saint Bernard puppies with Newfoundlands.

• Like any other breed, Saints have specifically associated ailments. They are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, eczema, heart problems, and seizures.

• There is a town in Ohio called St. Bernard.

• The Saint’s coat is a beautiful mix of various shades of white, red, tan, mahogany, black, and brindle.

• Saint Bernard puppies weigh an average of 1.5 pounds at birth!

• These big babies grow for a long time because they don’t reach maturity for 3 years!

• Saint Bernards range in height from 25 to 30 inches at the shoulder.

• Saints are working dogs and are commonly used for cart pulling, agility, weight pulling, and their excellent nose work.

• Buck from Jack London’s Call of the Wild was a Saint Bernard mix.

• Many large breed dogs, including Saint Bernard puppies, faced extinction after WWII.

• Saint Bernard dogs are thought to be descendants of Molosser dogs which were brought to Europe by the ancient Romans.

• Saint Bernard puppies start (and don’t stop) drooling early in their lives! Drooling is part of the Saint Bernard puppy package! Because of their drooling, they drink a lot of water, so keep fresh water accessible for them at all times.

Black lab, chocolate lab, yellow lab…no matter the color they are loved across the world!

Lab puppies are simply adorable, and they are cute beyond belief! Here are some facts about these precious and reliable family pups!

They Are Doctors

Okay, that’s a bit of stretch! Lab puppies can be raised to help detect cancer. Because of their powerful noses and sense of smell, they can be trained to identify the early stages of cancer. Through work with cancer cell samples, they can render a diagnosis from smelling a patient’s breath, blood, or stool.

They Are Favored

We feel like this is necessary to share and an obvious truth. According to the American Kennel Club, lab puppies continuously rank high on the most popular breeds list. They have done this for 24 consecutive years. This is the longest reign of any breed in the American Kennel Club’s history.

Labs Love Water!

They were bred to be water dogs, and they happen to have water resistant double coats. Their coats provide insulation, and their short fur keeps them warm, which allows them to swim swiftly when they’re wet. Lab puppies also have webbed toes that aids with fast swimming.

Labs Have Lovely Colors

Lab puppies can be born in a variety of colors, regardless of the parents’ color. In one litter there could be a chocolate, a black, and a yellow lab!

Labs Are Fast

Labradors are well-known for their ability to sprint. They can run 12 miles an hour in just three seconds! So they’re runners and swimmers!

Labs Aren’t From Labrador

Lab puppies didn’t originate in Labrador as one would think, based on their name. They are actually from Newfoundland. They are called Labrador Retrievers because they were used as working dogs in the Labrador Sea.

If you’re interested in learning even more about Lab puppies and taking one home for yourself, contact us today!

Big. Brown. Bold. Beautiful.

Those are just some of the ways we describe the Rottie puppy. We’ve compiled some fun facts about these big beauties and broken them down into categories.  Take a look!

Their Training

• Rottie puppies require early socialization, which includes exposure to various people, places, pets, and things. This will help to ensure that your Rottie puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
• Rottweilers need to have an established leader in their training. This person should be someone who is assertive and truly has time to devote towards training.
• They require firm and consistent training. They don’t respond well to harsh discipline, but rather one sharp word.

Their Past

• Romans used Rottie puppies to drive cattle and to pull carts for farmers and butchers.
• They were also used to protect money the cattlemen received. This was done by cleverly putting the money in a purse and tying it around the dog’s neck.
• The first Rottie puppy came to the United States in the late 1920’s, with a German emigrant.

Their Personality

• Even as a Rottie puppy, they have the inherent desire to protect their family and property. With this in mind, they should never be allowed to be aggressive.
• Both are known to be affectionate, but female Rottie puppies are more-so. Male Rotties tend to be a bit more watchful and constantly surveying his surroundings for threats.
• Rotties are not highly excitable dogs, but they possess a strong desire to work.

Their Health

• They are prone to hip dysplasia, like many dogs. This is a genetic condition in which the thigh bone doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint.
• The Rottie puppy is prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This is also called bloat and is a seriously life-threatening condition. This can happen when a dog rapidly ingests a large meal, consumes massive volumes of water, followed with vigorous exercises. Essentially the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists.
• Elbow dysplasia is a genetic malformation of the elbow joint that also affects Rottie puppies.

Other Fun Facts

• Purchase some earplugs, because your Rottie puppy will probably snore right into adulthood!
• Rottweilers have a double coat and shed heavily in the spring and the fall.
• The Rottie puppy and adult dogs are prone to obesity, because they have a tendency to overeat and gain weight rather quickly. Like humans, it’s not always easy to shed those unwanted pounds, so always monitor their food intake and provide them with high quality nutritional meals.
• Though Rotties are good with children, they have a natural instinct and tendency to herd, like the Corgi. The Rottie puppy is substantially larger, so they may bump the toddler causing him to fall. Firmly teach your Rottie that this behavior is unacceptable.

We know that when you decided to buy a dog you weren’t expecting a lecture about exercising.

We aren’t going to lecture you necessarily, but we are going to strongly make a point of the importance of exercising your dog and why it’s beneficial. Much like humans, dog require exercise. Sure, it varies depending on the breed and size, but the fact still stands that most, if not all, will require some form. When you buy a dog, you’ll soon learn that this comes with the territory. There are benefits that also come with exercising your puppies, so read on to learn about them.

Exercising strengthens their muscles

Regular exercise helps to build up their muscles and strengthens their bones. This is helpful in their youth. Consistency will help to fight arthritis as your dog matures and ages. Muscle atrophy is commonly diagnosed with dogs who have joint pain. Building and maintaining strong muscles will prevent such pain in the long run.

Exercising boosts their immunity

Establishing a routine exercise regiment with your puppy will help to boost and strengthen their immune systems. When you buy a dog, you have to take care of them, just as you do for yourself. Having a strong immunity system will protect your pup from dog related diseases and illnesses.

Exercising prevents obesity

When you buy a dog, you should know a lot about the breed that will be in your home and life for years to come. One specific physical trait you should know is whether your pup is prone to obesity, for instance like the Pug. They’re also known to be overeaters if given the opportunity! In addition to well balanced doggy diets, physical exercise is needed. Obesity is just as bad with dogs as it is with humans, and in both cases humans control the process and outcomes. Be a responsible pet owner and be mindful of what you feed your pup and exercise them so that obesity doesn’t affect their quality of life.

Exercising increases sharpness and agility

When you go to work and leave your dog, he’s cooped up in the house all day long. It’s true that dogs have the keen ability to adapt to human behaviors and schedules, but they’re still relatives to wolves (even that little Yorkie of yours) and aren’t designed to be left alone all day with nothing to do. Innately, dogs are active, outdoor animals who need regular exercise to maintain their mental health. Many behavioral problems are a direct result of the lack of play and exercise. They include: hyperactivity, rough play, destructive chewing or digging, garbage raiding, and barking and whining for attention. Exercise will greatly reduce and discourage this behavior.

The importance of regular exercise to your puppies cannot be overemphasized and there are boundless benefits!

Allergies are no fun and it doesn’t matter if they’re mild or severe or in reaction to food or furry friends!

Thankfully, there are breeds that lessen the chances of allergic reactions to dogs. All dogs naturally shed, but these, and several others, shed an almost non-existent amount and the dander is at a minimal. Read on to learn more about these no shed puppies!

Bichon Frise

The Bichon puppy has a beautiful coat, but what makes it even more spectacular is that they are hypoallergenic. Their coats shed very little and is rather comparable to that of a Poodle. The longer their hair grows, the cuter and curlier it gets. Consequently, professional and regular grooming is necessary to maintain the purity of the powdery white coats. Visiting the groomer every 6 – 8 weeks will keep your Bichon looking radiant!

Teddy Bear Dogs

The teddy bear dog “breed” is a relatively new type of dog that was first discovered and introduced in 2000. These no shed puppies consist of and is commonly known as the Zuchon or Suchon, which is a cross breed between the Bichon Frise and Shih Tzu. Now, although this is the technical definition of the teddy bear dog breed, the name has become synonymous with the hybrid mix of Shih Tzus, Cocker Spaniels, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodles, Daschunds, Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, and Schnauzers. Regardless of the mix, they share the same friendly, sweet, playful dispositions. Their weights range from 11 – 20 pounds.  Their coats are fluffy, soft, and shed very little.

Shitzpoos

The Shitzpoo is a crossbreed of a Shih Tzu and Toy or Miniature Poodle. They are simply a dream, with their fluffy hair and captivating eyes. He is cute and alert and absolutely adorable. They originated in the United States, with the hopes of creating a new hypoallergenic dog. The Shitzpoo was also crossed to be small companions, just enough to be lap dogs and be carried around, but not too fragile.

Poodles

Ah, Poodles! They have been mixed time and time again specifically for their intelligence and lately because of their hypoallergenic coats. They are a favorite and at the base of many no shed puppies and we’ll just leave it at that!

Mini Schnauzers

Mini Schnauzer puppies have a thick, wiry, double coat, which came in handy while they dug into the ground, as it naturally kept off debris. As an added benefit, they do not shed much! They, too, are often mixed with Poodles creating perfect no shed puppies!

We just love dogs, large and small.

For now, we’re going to show some love to the large dog breeds out there! Here are some fun and somewhat comical cons and pros to housing and having big dogs.

Protection

Pro: Large dogs undoubtedly are crime deterrents! Their sizes are intimidating and so are their barks. Depending on which of the large dog breeds that you own and the situation, of course, they may go the extra physical mile to protect you.

Con: Not all large dogs are guard dogs. Forget about their sizes, because many are big old friendly pals and they’d rather play than capture a crook!

Showstoppers

Pro: They are simply fun and they garner lots of attention. Large dog breeds are so popular and you can rarely go out with them, without it being some type of show!

Con: Conversely, all of the attention can become a task to just go for a walk. You’re gonna have to factor in extra time no matter what!

Gentle Giants

Pro: Most large dog breeds are gentle and goofy giants! They can handle a little rough play with toddlers and they’re far from fragile like little purse pets. They also don’t require a lot of exercise. Size doesn’t correlate to increased physical activity, so you won’t have to take extended walks or jogs!

Trailblazers

Con: Well, they leave a trail is more like it! A lot of large dog breeds slobber and there’s nothing you can do about it, except keep paper towels handy!

Warm Blankets

Pro: If you are cold and need a little warmth, your big dog can provide it for you! They will more than likely want nothing more than to sleep beside you anyway!

Have we made our case for buying large dog breeds? We think so! They’re tons of fun and you should get you one! Come by our store today.

Fear of dogs is not uncommon.

Many people unfortunately suffer from it and they are especially afraid of big dogs, like German Shepherd puppies. It’s partially because of their fear, but it’s also because there are common misconceptions about them. People think that because they are commonly side-by-side of police officers and the like, that they all must be aggressive. That is not the case. We are going to debunk and dispel many of these myths about German Shepherd puppies.

German Shepherds Aren’t Intelligent

Say what?! That’s simply the biggest misconception. German Shepherd puppies are actually one of the smartest breeds, hands down! Perhaps this misperception comes from the fact the they can sometimes seem to be disinterested or aloof. In any case, German Shepherds are very intelligent and extremely loyal animals. They are not anti-social, but rather selectively social.

German Shepherds Aren’t Kid-Friendly

From their birth, our German Shepherd puppies for sale have been known to be great around families with kids. They get along well with children and are quite gentle with them actually.

German Shepherd Puppies Don’t Get Along With Other Pets

Once again, this isn’t true and it really comes down to training and early socialization, as with any dog.

German Shepherd Puppies Are Hard to Find

Well, that’s not true either and we can personally attest to that. We have German Shepherd puppies for sale and they’re purebred and healthy. They aren’t a rare breed, so we aren’t sure from where this misconception comes.

German Shepherd Puppies are Violent

Now this one is the most popular and most inaccurate, we might add. It’s commonly perpetuated by people who simply don’t know much about this breed. Their fear is rooted in this misconception being spread around time and again. Sure, they may have strong and powerful barks that can be intimidating, but it’s to be expected from such a large dog! Ultimately, their barks don’t mean anymore than a Yorkie’s.  

Ultimately, German Shepherd puppies are intelligent, loving, protective dogs. Visit our store and see for yourself!  

This is something you should inquire about before you acquire apartment puppies.

If you are thinking of adding a puppy to your family but are hesitant because you live in an apartment, don’t fret. We take the utmost pride in educating our pet parents. Here are three things you can do to make your apartment puppies have an easy and comfortable transition into their new home.

Do your apartment have any breed or weight restrictions?

There are some apartment complexes and communities that do no permit specific breeds on their premises. Furthermore, there are some places don’t only allow apartment puppies that will grow to a certain size. Say for instance, Rottweilers start out small and soon grow to be quite large! Contact your leasing office to obtain all of this information, including any associated fees. Those fees could be nominal and only a deposit, or they could be more costly and on a monthly basis.

Purchase a crate and become educated on crate training.

Crate training is great for apartment puppies, as it helps to keep relatively small spaces cleaner and provides structure for your pups. We provide in-depth details on crate training to all puppy parents. We also carry a wide variety of crates. Our staff can assist you with finding the perfect crate for your new apartment companion.

Find the nearest park.

Apartment puppies, especially some of the larger ones, will require exercise and will love some playtime with other pups! Venture out or hop online to locate some parks in your area. Early socialization is important, but so is establishing a routine with your pup for elimination purposes. Your apartment community may actually have designated walking trails and areas for its residents’ dogs. Some are spacious and some are just patches! Do your research – it could be a fun venture for you and your pup!  

Yippee! You’ve done it.

You followed through with your dreams to buy a pup. Now the fun and work begins for you. Your new puppy is a new member of your family and you must care for him just as you would for your human counterparts. Part of that care involves preparing your home for his presence by removing any hazardous materials, liquids, and items. Room by room they exist, unbeknownst to you! Below is our guide of how to prep your home, since you’ve decided to buy a pup and happily welcome him!

Bathrooms

Firstly, we recommend that you use child-proof cabinet locks where possible and install toilet clamps for the larger and more curious dog! There are tons of dangerous items such as medication, razors, cotton balls and swabs and even soap. When you buy a pup, some things don’t necessarily seem harmful, but they are. Shampoos and tissue can be digested and cause unnecessary discomfort to your dog. It’s best to keep those items high atop or simply away so that they’re inaccessible. It’s actually best to keep your door closed as much as possible!

Kitchens

Just as we’ve recommended installing kid-proof cabinet locks, you should definitely do the same in the kitchen. There is normally triple the space of a bathroom so that’s triple the number of things your pup can get into! Make sure that your trashcans are sturdy and can’t be pried open. Sometimes it’s helpful to place something heavy on top of it to keep them from nosing about those trashy smells they love so much.

Living Rooms and Dens

This family room is a place where your dog will feel just as comfortable as you, so you want to make it safe for him. Move magazines and remote controls in places where he can’t reach. Put away loose items, including decorative throw pillows. Teething puppies will enjoy them, so move them! Cover electrical power cords and strips and also install outlet covers.

Home Office

When you buy a pup you have to even consider your home office as a place that may need to be off limits. This, of course, depends on what you have in there and how accessible they are. For instance, if you have a large dog, he may easily be able to hop on your office chair and thus your desk! He could just sloppily knock over some things or he could decide to chew on your pens or take in some paperclips. Either way, there are plenty of “no no’s” in your office. Much like in other parts of your home, protect the electrical outlets and power cords. Move your copy paper and working documents.

Bedrooms

Probably more than any other rooms in your home, this is where your dog will most tempted, because of the sheer stuff that you’ve got. There are shoes, clothes (both clean and dirty), jewelry, knick-knacks, toys, hampers, hair accessories, random coins, etc. All of these are welcoming temptations for your doggie. Before you buy a pup, consider keeping your room tidier so that none of the aforementioned are accidentally or purposefully ingested causing your pup harm.

Other Rooms, The Garage, and The Yard

These items might be a bit easier to detect as hazardous, when you buy a pup. Things like fertilizers, rodent poison, oils, paint, and various cleaners are obvious. Secure all containers and boxes of these items. Pay close attention to antifreeze, for it has a particularly sweet taste and just a small bit ingested can be fatal!

In and around your yard, some plants are harmful. Beautiful daffodils and birds-of-paradise, can be poisonous to your pup. The physical reactions include the development of a rash to vomiting to diarrhea.

In other open areas of your home (i.e. stair landings, foyers, and hallways) you may have potted plants. Dogs like them too! Move them to higher shelves or other rooms as a precaution.

All of these tips are for the benefit and preservation of your pup’s good health and well-being. You should keep the local animal poison number handy and readily accessible.

Contact us should you have questions or concerns about how to puppy-proof your home and keep them safe at all times.