Euro Puppy BLOG

This stunning video about the true character of a Rottweiler needs to be shared, since it speaks for itself.....

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WELCOME HOME

I saw him coming up the street,
So spent and weary that his feet
Seemed like two heavy weights of lead;
Ah, he had known so hard a day,
Small wonder that he looked that way,
And slouched along with drooping head!
Then, suddenly, with frantic shout,
A little yellow dog rushed out a yard,
To greet the tired man;
He licked his hands, he kissed his face,
Then dashed ahead in eager race,
Then back again he gaily ran!
The tired worker laughed aloud,
Straightened his shoulders; through the crowd
Pressed on; his feet seemed to take wings
So fast he walked as he went up the street
towards home...
The yellow pup: all joyous leaps and caperings.
O little dog so fond and true,
Much good in life you surely do
When you can make a man so old and spent
Forget fatigue -- make him so glad
He acts like any madcap lad,
And laughs aloud with merriment!

-Louella C.Poole

• “Deal with every issue like a dog. If you can’t eat it, or hump it, then piss on it and move on”. – Anonymous

• "Beware of a silent dog and still water." - Latin Proverb

No, this dog does not have Arnold Schwarzenegger’s genes and no ….she hasn’t even spent a day at the gym. That’s right. She. Meet Wendy. The Whippet. Not exactly the most feminine representative of her breed, Wendy is a result of a genetic mutation. I first thought she was the best altered digital photo of the century, but (sadly?) she is real! Wendy - the dog whose appearance is a long way from the usual long, lean and sleek look of her breed- lives on a farm in Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada and is what scientists refer to as : “ double-muscled” or a " Bully Whippet". Due to the genetic defect, nature rewarded her with twice the muscle size compared to the other representatives of her breed. Resembling the cross between Schwarzenegger and the Incredible Hulk, Wendy still has the heart, lungs and head of a normal-sized Whippet. Only her musculature is twice that of her breed.



Her weight is 4st4lb (28 kg). It doesn’t sound that bad, but it is twice that of the normal weight of a Whippet. Her neck muscles, rippling shoulders and huge hindquarters would be the envy of any body-builder on steroids. Although her looks raise a lot of eyebrows, she is unaware of her large size and mutant form and is happy and even under the circumstances, a healthy Whippet. Her proud and loving owner, Ingrid Hansen says: "She doesn't know she's got a genetic defect. She might give you a nasty lick, that's all." She doesn’t have more testosterone than other normal Whippet females and is not aggressive at all. Sadly, with her genetic defects, 4 year old Wendy might not live for too long. Although the fellow dogs in her breed are bred for hunting, racing and showing, Wendy enjoys a slower pace of life.

Geneticists have even examined her to find out why she developed this defect. They found two mutated Myostatin genes. Myostatin is a growth protein that limits muscle tissue growth. She likes nothing better than to spend her days prowling around the fields, chasing (or scaring?) other dogs and horses and sleeping on her owner's bed. Although she is a pedigree, who is fondly nicknamed Arnold Schwarzenegger, she would probably never win “best of breed” at any show. Believe it. She’s no hoax. Hansen, the owner, has received calls from media around the world, including the Japanese television, the New York Times and the National Enquirer. Wendy really is one whopper of a Whippet! Nature works in mysterious ways…





It seems even the fastest Whippets have a mutant gene for the Myostatin. Bully Whippets, like Wendy have 2 genes for this mutant gene. It takes breeding two fast Whippets to bring out the bully in them, it seems....



And we at Euro Puppy thought only our Rottweilers and Neapolitan Mastiffs are huge! Wow...

Actress Nicolette Sheriden, from the Desperate Houswives series is the proud owner of Oliver. Taking a break from her domestic bliss, Sheridan loves to walk Oliver, who is a pale colored Golden Retriever. Golden Retrievers are intelligent, brave, loyal and have great dispositions; fitting into any dometic scene with ease.

What is the best collar for my dog? Well, for the majority of dogs, a traditional nylon or leather dog collar is enough. There are so many styles of dog collars to choose from. This depends on the size and disposition of a dog as well as your training need. There are dog collars for specific situations and these are as follows:

Traditional Dog Collars should ride high on a dog’s neck; not loose so that it slides down near the top of his shoulder blades. The collar should not be too loose since it will slip over the dog’s head. It should also not be tight as this restricts breathing and may cause coughing or choking. A collar should be snug with enough room to fit two fingers between the dog's neck and his collar. The collar size on growing puppies should be checked regularly. Use a tape measure to measure your dog’s neck, and then add on two to three inches for safety. Collar and lead width should match your dog’s size. Smaller leads are for small dogs and puppies, and wider, more durable styles are for bigger dogs.

Dog Harnesses go around the neck and around the shoulders behind the front legs. These are recommended for dogs that have upper respiratory disease or diseases of the throat or trachea, such as a collapsed trachea. A dog with respiratory problems would pull on the collar and on the leash and this would place pressure on the throat and trachea. Irritation and coughing would result. Therefore, harnesses relieve that pressure.



Halter-type Dog Collars will give you the best control over your dog since it gives you control of your dog’s head. These collars look more like a horse's halter, with a band going around the back of the head, and another around the nose. The leash snaps onto the collar under the chin. When you pull on the leash, the dog's head will either be pulled down or to the side - this makes it virtually impossible for the dog to pull you forward.

Chain-slip Dog Collars, also called check chain or 'choke collars,' provide effective training when used correctly and on appropriate dogs. These collars are used for dominant dogs. If you plan to use a choke collar on your dog, have a trainer show you how to use it correctly. Correct usage involves a quick 'tug-and-release' action. These collars should only be worn during training sessions, never in a crate, and avoided in pets with delicate builds and tracheas, such as Yorkshire Terriers. For correct sizing, measure your pet's neck and add 2-1/2"- 3". There is a right and wrong way to put a slip collar on a dog. To correctly place a collar on a dog, the top ring on a properly-looped collar forms a letter P when you stand in front of the dog and pull it snug. If it forms the number 9, it is on backward and may not release immediately as designed, which may cause discomfort or gagging.

Pronged Collars, also called pinch collars, contain blunt prongs that protrude inward from the links. Designed for only the most stubborn pullers, they are temporary training tools used to change behavior on dogs that do not respond to any other collar. Halter-type collars give you more control and are much less likely to harm your dog.

Last but not least every collar you own should have a current nametag attached to it at all times!

Dogue de Bordeaux: Hooch from the Movie: Turner and Hooch (1989)

Tom Hanks plays Scott Turner, the Police-officer, who has 3 days left in the local police department before he moves to a bigger city to get some "real" cases, not just misdemeanors. Then, a man named Amos Reed is murdered, and Turner sets himself on the case. The closest thing to a witness in the case is Amos Reed's dog, Hooch, that Turner has to take care so that it doesn't get "put to sleep".The energetic Dogue de Bordeaux promptly sets about destroying Turner's house and turning his life upside-down. Eventually Turner, with the help of Hooch, uncovers a money smuggling and laundering operation led by his Chief, and Hooch gives his life to save Turner. Dogue de Bordeaux's are strong dogs that are loyal and devoted as well. Although they drool (ideal for a movie like this), it is of little wonder that the director chose this amazing breed for the movie!

Under which group does your dog fall? FCI means the "Fédération Cynologique Internationale" which is a dog breed standards organization. It promotes and protects purebred dogs.

The list of FCI Groups for Dog Breeds:

Group 1 – Pastoral
Group 2 – Mastiffs & Pinschers
Group 3 – Terriers
Group 4 – Dachshunds
Group 5 – Spitz breeds
Group 6 – Scenthounds
Group 7 – Pointers & Setters
Group 8 – Retrievers & Spaniels
Group 9 – Toys
Group 10 – Sighthounds

For a more detailed list of dog breeds that are classified according to the 10 FCI groups, read further......

Every week Euro Puppy portrays 2 dog lamps. Is one wacky and the other one tacky? Are both wacky? Or both tacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs about them, we would love your comments...are they wacky or tacky? Enjoy....

Lamp # 1: This irresistible Tiffany-Style Dog Bobblehead Accent Lamp is sure to get a few dog lovers excited. Its features include: 151 pieces of handcrafted copper-foiled glass, 2 red or black glass cabochons for eyes and the head attached by a large spring for movement. This handcrafted Tiffany-style piece recreates a look made famous by artisan Louis Tiffany. The warm, rich glow of these pieces is truly a sight to behold!





Lamp # 2: We don't know what happened to this poor little pooch, but his injuries must have been quite serious. One day after minor surgery he suddenly turned white and morphed into a night light. It seems some artists believe sickly pooches make great ornaments in the form of dog lamps!





Check out more wacky and tacky dog lamps that Euro Puppy has collected, under our category called: Dog Lamps

BROWN EYES

In early youth I made a vow
That if to Cupid I should bow,
The one for whom he aimed the dart
At my desired, unclaimed heart,
Must have brown eyes; large, soft brown eyes.
Time came when eyes looked into mine;
Large, soft brown eyes that seemed to shine
With intellect. Did I succumb?
Oh yes! for though the lips were dumb,
Those lovely eyes I deemed a prize.
Within their depths devotion shone,
And as they gazed into my own,
They seemed to say, "My love is thine.
Please let me know that I have thine."
And Oh! I knew his heart was true.
My arms his snowy neck entwined,
And I rejoiced a love to find
So worshipful, so constant, so true.
How oft they've thrilled me through and through,
My Collie's wise, large, soft brown eyes!

-S.L.Dempsey

• In exchange for daily kibble, a place to sleep, and a pat on the head, contemporary canines will do almost anything for us - guide us when we're blind, pull our sleds across the snowswept tundra, retrieve dead ducks from a lake, even sniff through toxic rubble in search of buried cadavers. As any cop will tell you, the dullest of tail waggers still exceeds by good measure the best burglar alarm ever invented! - Jim Thornton, Men's Health

Artist, Sarah Theophilus’ distinctive style as well as her passion for dogs take the contemporary approach to the tradition of pet portraits much further. Her dog paintings capture the candid, the intense, and the more quirky nature of our beloved companions. Her art can be seen at Pet Portraits in Pastel.



Rottweilers are one of the most misunderstood and noble of all dog breeds! Their dark looks and bad reputation caused by the media has made many fear them. Yet beneath the dark facade, they are highly devoted, loyal and lovable dogs that are very intelligent as well. Used by police forces worldwide for their high work-drive and intellignce, they have gained respect from all spheres. This is not a dog breed that sits back and lazes about. Assertive, clever- and at times domineering- it needs an equally assertive owner to be the alpha male. Otherwise a Rottweiler will take charge. They are good with children but need early socialisation and care as puppies. This beautiful dog achieves extremely well in Schutzhund and obedience training. Anyone who has ever had a Rottweiler can vouch for the fact that this is one of the best dog breeds around!

• A dog with two homes is never any good. -Irish Proverb

We have probably all seen the interesting dog breeds that are labeled as the hairless breeds. Some would call them disgusting; some would call them strange, but more often than not the reactions are due to a lack of knowledge. What do we really know about the naked dog breeds? For years, scientists have believed that the hairless dog breeds originate from Africa and Asia. However there is not much evidence to back up this theory. One theory states that the Chinese Crested – one of the better known of the hairless breeds- originated in Africa and then moved onto Asia. So how did most of the hairless breeds end up in Latin America? Well scientists believe that all the hairless breeds in Latin America are descendents of the Chinese Crested that were brought to the continent in pre-Columbian times. Their popularity rose, as the Inca’s found that the naked, furless bodies were good for rheumatoid complaints. Much like a hot-water bottle!The hairlessness is due to a dominant gene. It is enough to have even one such gene to be totally naked!! Thus this trait is hard to outwit with human intervention, since it is enough for a dog to pass on only one gene, for the offspring to be hairless. It becomes easier to understand how these breeds can develop in distant areas of Africa, Asia and Latin America under these circumstances. There is only one hairless breed that needs two genes for hairlessness to occur. That is the American Hairless Terrier.




So which are the other 8 dogs that fall under the hairless category? Well…the most well-known is the Chinese Crested. This dog includes two varieties; namely the totally naked one and the one with a bit of fur, which is called a “Powder Puff”. They are hairless except for the tufts of hair on the head (crest), feet (socks ) and tail (plume). The “Manchurian Candidate” of the hairless breed is called the Manchurian Hairless and it is a cousin of the Chinese Crested…from the Northern Regions of China. The Hairless Khala is a Bolivian dog whose name means: “Without Clothes”. The Peruvian Inca Orchid, which is also called the Moonflower dog, the Inca Moonflower Dog or the Inca Orchid dog was bred for nutritional purposes for the Ancient Peruvians. (Yes...well...quite sad, isn't it?) The Peruvian Hairless is considered to be the same dog breed as the Peruvian Inca Orchid except its skin is much darker. The Ecuadorian Hairless dog is the rarest of all the hairless breeds and also the most naked. It has long legs and a golden skinned body. Last but not least, the two strangest dogs are showcased. If you can pronounce their names, I take my hat off to you. The one is the: Xoloitzcuintle (a.k.a Mexican Hairless) and the Tepeitzcuintli. The Xoloitzcuintle is pronounced: sholo-its-quintli and means “Slave”. It is often nicknamed Xolo, for convenience. The Tepeitzcuintli is the same dog as the Xolo, but the miniature version. The Xolo comes in 3 sizes. Namely: Standard, Mini and Toy. The Afrian Hairless is the only hairless dog from Affrica.

Whatever your views on these rare and hairless dogs, you can’t deny that they are unique. Euro Puppy is proud to be able to offer Chinese Crested Puppies at times. On top of it all, they are odorless, flea-less and ideal for allergy sufferers since they are hypoallergenic as well. True wonders of nature, they are! So what do they look like? Well.....follow me and I will lead you through the naked gallery....let's take a look.....

Euro Puppy is proud to have purebred, champion-line Portuguese Water Dog puppies as an addition to the list of puppies offered! This rare dog breed originally herded fish into nets; retrieved lost tackle and acted as a courier from ship to ship in Portugal. In Portugal, the breed is called Cão d'Água (pronounced Kown-d'Ahgwa). Cão means "dog", while de Água means "of water". Its closest cousin is the Standard Poodle. Portuguese Water Dogs are very loving, independent and intelligent dogs. They love attention while being glued to their master's side. Although they get along with other animals, they will usually only really bond with one family member. This breed makes an excellent guard dog as well due to its determination to defend its territory.

Black is the most common color found in Portuguese Water Dogs, but Sliver tipped, black and white, or brown can also be seen. "Parti” colored ones are rare but they are becoming more popular in the US nowadays. White ones are still rare and interestingly enough the white hair is finer than the black hair. Two coat types can be found. A wavy coat falls gently in waves while a curly coat has tighter curls. The hair is usually worn in a "lion cut”, whereby the hindquarters, muzzle, and the base of the tail are shaved and the rest of the body is left full length.

This dog has four unique traits that have to be mentioned! Firstly, their skin has an interesting bluish tinge that is hard to notice underneath the black fur. They also have webbed feet that is ideal for swimming. Thirdly, they do not shed and they are hypoallergenic meaning that they are ideal for allergy sufferers. Last but not least, they can actually laugh! Yes..laugh! They have a very loud and distinctive bark that is often called a laugh, because it is loud, irregular, and used during playtime or during greeting. Now you can find purebred Portuguese Water Dog puppies for sale at Euro Puppy. They come from the finest champion-lines of Europe, where caring breeders look after the breed standards. For more information, contact Euro Puppy.

Mariah Carey's Jack Russell, called "Jack" ( or Jackson P. Muttley, to give him his full title) can be seen with her wherever she goes. Except when she flies these days. She lost her cool after she was informed her Jack Russell was “too big” and not famous enough to join her in the executive cabin. Mariah was furious at the airlines who won't let her beloved dog Jack fly first class with her. “They actually won’t let me put him on a first class seat because he’s too big. They would only allow it for a famous dog. Please! He has three websites dedicated to him!”, fumes Mariah. Jack Russells are actually small dogs, and are energetic and devoted companions. Many a heart has been captured by their spirit.

What is a BARF diet???? With its rather descriptive name, it conjures up interesting images. All is not what it seems! Euro Puppy has looked into what is becoming so popular today: the BARF diet… The word BARF is an acronym for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food. Every living animal on earth requires a natural and healthy, biologically appropriate diet. If you think about it, not one animal on earth, is adapted by evolution to eat a cooked food diet. The BARF Diet looks only at giving the freshest whole raw food sources rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.

So what role does it play in preventing bone diseases? Well, a lot of larger breeds are prone to getting bone diseases; such as: Osteodystrophy (defective bone development due to poor nutrition) and Osteochondroses (bone disorder which affects the maturing skeleton). These two diseases come about in two ways; either due to genetics or due to over-feeding or over-supplementing a dog. Scientists have realized that bone diseases can be prevented by reducing the intake of calcium and phosphorus as well as reducing calorie consumption. Dog owners often over-supplement with calcium, believing that it is a good supplement for bone development. They mean well, but the natural balances are overthrown and this results in bone disease. As with humans, overfeeding can also result in disease. Limiting the calorie intake of dogs can definitely reduce the risk of developing bone diseases. But what is considered to be a calorie bomb?



Foods for large breeds contain rice flour, dried beet pulp, grain sorghum, and dried eggs: all of which are high in calories. If you think about it….how did the large ancestors of today's dogs and wolves manage without these ingredients? If we think of our large dogs not as family members (for the moment of course!) but as canines…who are actually closely related to wolves, then their daily nutritional intake should equate with a “would-be prey”. Scientists believe this would equate to: 62% meat, 11% organs, 2% bone, 25% vegetable. So why do we feed processed food to our dogs? In one word: convenience. But convenience results not only in bone diseases, but a persistent itch, eczema, dental problems, colitis, food hypersensitivity, lethargy, a dull coat, kidney disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. A “premium” food is usually high in fat and protein. “Generic” foods are even worse, as they have a grain base with meat being the minor ingredient. This is pure bone disease paradise! A “premium” may also be a “generic” nutritionally, since try as hard as they might, pet food manufacturers cannot stuff the “would-be prey” into a 22 lbs bag!

It doesn’t matter if the raw meat you give your dog would be enough to make you “barf”. It matters though, that it will make him healthy and happy! Let that be the key! Dogs love it. And whether the bones end up in the intestines or in the backyard, buried for convenience; never to surface again; a natural diet seems to be the key to a healthy dog these days. Euro Puppy believes that having a purebred puppy is not enough. You need a healthy and happy puppy that will grow into an equally healthy and happy adult dog! All lies in nutrition and care. Of course, it is important to mention here, that food choices are not a matter of right or wrong, black or white – they are shades of gray. By reading up on the BARF diet, and by understanding what is ideal and what is not; intelligent decisions can be made which at least take us ever closer to the healthiest ideal for our beloved dog.

Dalmatian: Pongo, Perdita and Lucky from the 101 Dalmatians (1961, 1996)

101 Dalmatians was the title of the live-action film produced by Walt Disney Pictures in 1996. It was a remake of the 1961 animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians , which in turn was based on Dodie Smith's 1956 novel; also by the same name. The stars of the animated and live-action film include Pongo, Perdita and Lucky. Their adventures revolve around outwitting and escaping from the henchmen of Cruella de Ville, the maniac fur-collector, who hopes to make her dreams come true by slaying 101 dalmatian puppies. The light-hearted cartoon and movie had a sequel called 102 Dalmatians, which a lot believe didn't even come close to the original. Released in 2000, the story continues as Cruella de Ville gets out of prison and goes after the puppies once more. Dalmatians with their unique coat of spots and playful disposition, have captured the hearts of many dog-lovers.

The 1950’s conjure up images of stars wearing fur. Be that Sophia Loren or Elizabeth Tailor. But draping a skin around one’s neck or wearing a large coat of fur is sadly still with us; even in the 21st century. Stars like Jennifer Lopez admit even today – after controversial sightings of her being swathed in a floor-length stitched-together mink fur coat- that fur is still one of her favorite accessories. Whatever your views, those people fortunate enough to be able to walk their dog instead of draping a Gucci-designed fur shawl around their shoulder will agree with Charlize Theron. The stunning South African actress, who can also boast with an Oscar Award, is a proud supporter of PETA: the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her controversial, but highly effective PETA campaign shows her with her dog Tucker. The slogan reads: “If you wouldn’t wear your dog, please don’t wear any fur”. This campaign was a reaction against the electrocution of chinchillas, so that fur coats could be made out of them. The “Fur is Dead” campaign aims to bring to light the fact that our love for animals should not be ignored. We all love fur…but I sincerely believe that we love them when they are still supported by all fours, with a happy tailwag and a healthy, pink tongue hanging out of a dentine-rich canine smile! Surely that is worth more than what any fur coat could offer?

Euro Puppy has been making families happy for the passed 7 years. Bringing love and hope to families who have dreamed of owning a healthy, socialized and purebred puppy. Our children grew up with Disney's 101 Dalmatians, where Cruella de Ville hoped to make that long fur coat out of the puppies too. We were all shocked then as well…so what has changed now? Disney may have sent subliminal messages back in 1961 with the 101 Dalmatians…and now PETA is perpetuating the message even further. Love your dogs…adore your puppies. And most of all….whichever animal species catches your attention; make sure it is for the sole reason of gazing at the wonders of nature, instead of imagining it draped around your neck! With more people like Charlize Theron and PETA, hopefully the message will get delivered. Forget the 1950’s, love your dogs and animals, and don’t wear fur. Euro Puppy’s team of devoted dog-lovers also believe in the fight for the ethical treatment of animals. Let us not become Cruella de Ville's of the World. Please.

Euro Puppy is fascinated by Flyball... What is Flyball? Well, Flyball is a relay dog sport in which teams of four dogs run a race against each other from a start to finish line. They have to jump over a line of hurdles, to reach a box. When the dog presses this spring-loaded box-pad, a tennis ball is released and caught by the dog. The dogs then run back over the hurdles once more; to their handlers while carrying the ball. Flyball was invented in California in the 1970s, and mostly took off during the 1980s when the first flyball organization, the North American Flyball Association (NAFA) was created. Their aim was to promote the sport and to design uniform competition rules. A second for-profit organization has emerged in the last few years. They go by the name of United Flyball League International (U-FLI). There may be slight changes in the rules in the US, the UK and New Zealand, where Flyball is very popular.

A Flyball course consists of four hurdles placed 10 feet (3 m) apart from each other, with the starting line 6 feet (1.8 m) from the first hurdle. The flyball box is placed 15 feet (4.5 m) after the last hurdle. This creates a 51-foot (15.5 m) track length. The hurdle height is determined by the shoulder height of the smallest dog in the team. The North American Flyball Association stipulates that that hurdle height should be 4 inches (10 cm) below the withers height of the smallest dog, to a height of no less than 7 inches (20.3 cm) and no greater than 14 inches (40.6 cm). Each dog must return its ball all the way across the start line before the next dog crosses. Ideal running is nose-to-nose at the start line. The winning team is the one that has all four dogs cross the finish line without an error. If the ball is dropped or the next relay dog is released too early, teams are penalized.

Flyball is one of the non-hunting dog sports in which dogs are essentially pet dogs with a hobby, rather than dedicated sporting or working dogs. Flyball is not limited to the size of the breed since smaller dogs such as Whippets and Parson Russell Terriers have also been known to compete with great success in mixed-breed teams, which consist of various sizes and breeds. Smaller dogs are often a happy addition, since the hurdle height is based on the height of the smallest dog. Smaller dogs’ only disadvantage may be that they have to fully jump on the release-pad, to release the ball. One of the reasons that Flyball is so popular is due to the fact that it is one of the dog sports that mixed-breed dogs are also allowed to play. Rescued Pavement-Specials are given the chance to shine next to their purebred canine friends. Herding dogs, like Border Collies currently dominate the courses; although many champion teams have mutts on them. Even a Shar-Pei has been known to be a champion at Flyball! Flyball enables owners and dogs to actively interact with each other. It is not only fun, but the dogs are allowed to enjoy exercise and praise. For dogs with a high drive to work; like the Border Collies and Terriers, it is an especially great way to burn off energy. These days there are many dedicated people who have created teams and portals of useful information on the internet, so that lovers of Flyball can unite in their experiences. One of these can be viewed on i-flyball. Many interesting facts can be viewed here, with also a list of Flyball Associations around the globe. For more fun information, check out this video on Flyball!

Every week Euro Puppy portrays 2 dog lamps. Is one wacky and the other one tacky? Are both wacky? Or both tacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs about them, we would love your comments...are they wacky or tacky? Enjoy....

Lamp # 1: This Personalized Lithophane Dog Light is based on an old magical art form called lithophanes. Lithophanes date back to the late 1800’s, found both in France and China. Lithophane is originally a porcelain engraving based on a photo that comes alive when illuminated from behind. Today, these pieces use modern, long lasting materials. The key is in finding that favorite photo that captures a moment and brings back feelings and memories...in this case it is of someone's favorite Siberian Husky.


Lamp # 2: Industrial designer Nicolas Gonzalez Garrido has created this cool Dog lamp. It’s called the Guide Dog because when you enter a dark room and whistle, it illuminates to show you the way. At this point the lamp is just a design concept, and Nicolas hasn’t announced plans to produce it. Would be cool to though, don't you think?







Check out more wacky and tacky dog lamps that Euro Puppy has collected, under our category called: Dog Lamps

You sit, looking at your dog that has been with you for a countless number of years. You wonder..."If Spot was actually a human...how old would he be? Would he still play ball, or sit under the tree in the garden like Grandpa?"...Well dogs age differently and the magical 7 years does not always apply. Euro Puppy is proud to present some very interesting and useful statistics -that was performed in the US. The results are based on a chart developed by Dr. Fred L. Metzger, State College, PA. All dog-lovers who want to know the real age of their dogs...in human years, look at your dog's age...then look at what weight category in pounds he or she belongs to. You will then see the age equivalent in human years.



It is also important to note that larger breeds of dogs have a shorter life span than smaller dogs, and a small dog may mature more quickly in the first few years than a large dog would.

A Poem for New Puppy Owners

Don't smell crotches, don't eat plants.
Don't steal food or underpants.
Don't eat my socks, don't grab my hair...
DON'T RIP THE STUFFING FROM THAT CHAIR!
Don't eat those peas, don't touch that bush,
Don't chew my shoes, what IS this mush?!?
Eat your cookies, drink your drink,
Outta the toilet! Outta the sink!
AWAY FROM THE LITTER BOX, IT'S FOR THE CAT!
(and must you kiss me after that?!?)
Raising a puppy is not for the lazy,
Those rugrats are funny but also quite crazy.
Don't despair through the toil and the strife,
'Cause after three years you'll get back your life!
So let's go for walkies, so you can do your "thing",
And maybe I'll get back my good diamond ring!

Author unknown.

• “A dog breeder is at once an artist and a scientist. It takes an artist to envision and to recognize excellence, and a scientist to build what the eye desires.”- Anonymous

The shipping and exporting of puppies and dogs to Columbia, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and many other South- and central American countries has never been an easy task. Dog-lovers living in South and Central America have had a difficult time in finding the best quality puppies of their choice. Nowadays, however, it is a smooth proceedure and can indeed be done from Europe! Euro Puppy has been making dog-lovers proud and satisfied in Latin America. With the help of its sister company, Euro Puppy USA which is located in Miami, the shipping of the puppies and dogs has become much easier. Euro Puppy USA not only alleviates the problems, but the Salespersons and Staff are Spanish-speaking so the procedure is hassle-free and customer-oriented.

The first Moscow Watchdog, Caucasian Mountain Dog and two healthy Bernese Mountain Dog puppies have been shipped to Mexico, where they have loving families now. Komondors – a rare Hungarian breed- have also safely arrived to Brazil and to Venezuela with a Lifetime Guarantee - which all puppies come with. Sales to many of the Latin American countries is challenging since often the shipping of puppies goes with more paperwork than expected. Some companies struggle to ship the puppies there directly. Another challenge for dog-lovers living in South America - wanting purebred, champion-line puppies- is that they end up paying an exuberant amount of import tax at their end, if the procedures don’t go as smoothly as planned from Europe. However these problems have been alleviated by Euro Puppy. With Euro Puppy and Euro Puppy USA working hand-in-hand, the puppies are sent directly to Euro Puppy USA in Miami from the heart of Europe and from there the puppies are sent in a speedy and convenient way to South and Central America! Spanish speaking Latin Americans also have the opportunity of getting acquainted with the Spanish version of the Euro Puppy website. It has been specially created for the Spanish-speaking community so their search for the right puppy is easy, comfortable and hassle-free. All puppies are checked by a staff veterinarian prior to being shipped to Miami, and strict quality control programs make certain that the puppies from European breeders are of the highest quality. Every South - and Central American's dream of owning a puppy can now become a reality!

Artist, Sarah Theophilus’ distinctive style as well as her passion for dogs take the contemporary approach to the tradition of pet portraits much further. Her dog paintings capture the candid, the intense, and the more quirky nature of our beloved companions. Her art can be seen at Pet Portraits in Pastel.



The Doberman Pinscher, also called the Dobermann in many countries or just simply Doberman, is a popular breed of dog that originates from Germany. Dobermans are among the most popular of pet breeds, and the breed is well known for its intelligence, alertness and loyalty as a companion dog. Although in the 1970's-1980's, it was used more as a guard dog, a watch dog, or as a police dog, this is less common today. In many countries, Doberman Pinschers are one of the most recognizable breeds, in part because of their actual roles in society, and in part because of media stereotyping them as viscious creatures. Although they can be assertive, careful breeding and care has improved the temperament of this breed, and the modern Doberman Pinscher is an energetic and lively breed which is ideally suited for companionship and family life, making any family proud. Anyone who has ever owned a Doberman, can vouch for this fact!

• If a man be great even his dog will wear a proud look. - Japanese Proverb

When one’s life revolves around dogs, one can’t help but pay tribute to those dogs that in some small or big way stood out even in a canine crowd. Sure. There have been a lot of popular paws…that Euro Puppy showcases every week. But every so often, a legend is born, and Euro Puppy was so touched by the incredible story of Skidboot, that we are not ashamed to say it brought tears to our eyes! So who is or was Skidboot? Well, Skidboot was an Australian Sheepdog cross Pavement Special with a very special spirit! He was a working ranch dog that brought fame and fortune to his owner: Mr David Hartwig, from Texas. Skidboot was one of the smartest dogs, and is best known for winning the $25,000 championship on Animal Planet TV nework's Pet Star competition in 2003. That title led to appearances on the Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman and Jay Leno TV shows. Years before that, however, he was already catapulting into fame by doing the most advanced of tricks that he had learnt from Mr Hartwig. Skidboot entered the Hartwig family in 1992, as a last-minute Christmas present for Mrs.Hartwig. What started off as an innocent gift, rocketed into one of the most adorable and lovable – not to mention intelligent-pooches of our time! Skidboot was a true canine prodigy! He learnt very intricate tricks including the one called: “Stuffed-ball trick”. Mr. Hartwig would tell Skidboot to grab the ball on the count of three. The owner would count "one ... two ..." and then throw out a long series of unrelated numbers, until casually adding "three" –wherein the dog would sink its teeth into the stuffed ball with fervor.

Skidboot was a regular visitor to local schools and charity organizations, where he brought joy and happiness to children, fans and the elderly alike. Although his health declined, he stood by his owner in ferocious loyalty and utmost devotion; never giving up on his tasks, and his tricks. Living for 14 years, he truly touched lives. Not only the lives of the Hartwig's, but that of countless people in America and the world! To quote Mr Hartwig: “What a wonderful life of fourteen years he lived! Never has a last minute, second-thought Christmas gift ever shone so brightly as Skidboot."And why the name Skidboot? Well a skidboot refers to a cover used to prevent horses' hooves from sliding. In some ways his name is quite symbolic since with heartwarming stories like Skidboot, one’s life is touched in so many ways, that it sure prevents it from sliding into the mundane. Whoever has heard of the magical story of Skidboot, will surely understand, why Euro Puppy can’t help but be proud that dogs make up a larger part of our lives! R.I.P Skidboot…