Euro Puppy BLOG

Some of Zoological Wildlife Foundation’s tiger cubs went to visit Napo, an amazing Euro Puppy USA French Bulldog male belonging to Spencer. They wrestled and played until exhaustion. Since then Napo has become friends with other exotics too since Spencer is one of the most valuable ZWF volunteers. More videos are forthcoming!!!

No wonder why French bulldogs are one of the most popular breeds in the Euro Puppy family. Their clownish and outgoing personality seduces dog lovers of all kinds.

First time ever Euro Puppy USA went to the Boston Marathon. It was a lot of fun and an experience we will never forget. No, there were no dogs running the Marathon. It was Sandor Joo from Hungary who ran under the Euro Puppy USA flag.

Sandor is a well recognized marathon and ultra marathon runner in Hungary. As many other marathon runners' dream, his dream was to run on the Boston Marathon which is probably one of the top five most recognized Marathons in the world. Euro Puppy USA was happy to sponsor him on this memorable experience. His bib number was 2118. He began the race from the second coral which is where the best 2000-2999 runners were.

He is 40 years old and his dream was to be within the first 300 in his devision and overall 1500 out of the 26000+ runners. We are very proud of him. Sandor finished 289th in his division and was 1302nd overall.

Here are a few photos of Sandor and the race. Please leave a comment if you also ran on the Boston Marathon in 2008.

Playmate sporting our new doggy t-shirts at our Miami Facility!

For those Rhodesian Ridgeback fans, who have wondered why a Ridgeback is indeed called a Ridgeback, one has to look at the cause of the ridge on their backs to get the real answers.

Taking the inititative to map the hair ridge trait in Rhodesian ridgebacks, scientists identified a segment of DNA that was found in Ridgebacks and the analysis revealed the precise genetic cause of ridges in this awesome African dog. A certain region contained three genes which were abnormally duplicated. These three genes are present in excess copies. When the genes are present in single copies, no ridge occurs - as in "normal dogs".

The same underlying genes are responsible for two traits: the rare white coat color in boxers and the inverted ridge of hair growth in the 3 Ridgeback breeds: the Rhodesian Ridgebacks, the Thai Ridgeback, and the rare Phu Quoc Dog of Vietnam, which is somewhat smaller than the Thai Ridgeback. Based on genetic-based hypothesis, both the Thai Ridgeback Dog and Phu Quoc Dog are likely to be descended from a so-called Funan Ridgeback Dog which originated over 1,000 years ago in Funan Era of the region. The Hottentot Dog or Ari Dog (as called by the tribe), a known African ridgeback ancestor of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, is now extinct. The possible genetic connection among the three remaining breeds is being investigated through DNA studies. So far, the only thing they have in common is the ridge on their backs.

In addition to showing a simple pattern of inheritance- suggesting that one gene or genomic region is responsible - the coat color and ridgeback traits are easily observed in dogs as well!

Euro Puppy is proud to have Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies for sale.

Ask the average person to tell you whether a dog is happy or not, and they will advise you to look at its tail -- if the dog is happy, the tail is wagging. Yes. But this is only partly true. Some tail wags have totally different meanings. This can be especailly important in understanding canine body language.

- A rapid tail wag, where the tail swings from side-to-side in a not very large, but constant way, is actually a sign of excitement rather than pleasure.

- A moderately fast, broad tail wag: the dog is trying to say either "I’m pleased" or "I like you."

- A slight tail wag with the tail held at its normal height, for example, usually appears when greeting someone. It can be interpreted as "Hello there," but can mean "I see you looking at me. You like me, don’t you?"

-A slow tail wag with the tail held lower than its usual height is a sign of insecurity. It often shows up when a dog is working on a problem -- trying to understand what is going on. During dog training, this can be interpreted as "I’m trying to understand you. I want to know what you mean, but I can’t quite figure it out (yet)."

- Once the dog finally solves the problem, the speed and size of the tail wags will usually increase until it becomes the broad wag that we interpret as happiness!

" My husband and I are either going to buy a dog or have a child. We can't decide whether to ruin our carpets or to ruin our lives. " - Rita Rudner

• A tame dog's bite hurts the most. – South African (Afrikaans) Proverb

Chris has done a wonderful job with this amazing Tibetan Mastiff!

This poem caught my eye...and I had to share it. It deals with something that is important to any dog lover: how to deal with the topic of dog attacks and the bad blood caused by the media...Food for thought!

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Newfoundland Dog: Nana from Peter Pan (1904- )

Nana was the Newfoundland dog belonging to the Darling Family in the Peter Pan story by J. M. Barrie. Nana howled to alert Wendy's parents that the children were flying away. Mr. Darling ignored the warning of Nana and was so remorseful at the loss of the children that he slept in the kennel in Nana's place until their safe return. Nana - like her breed- is a loving, family-oriented Newfoundland and a lovely character in the story. A St. Bernard was used as a canine actor in the movie version of the story, but everyone knew (or was supposed to know) that she was supposed to be a black Newfoundland Dog like in the book.

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Dog Lamp: Dexter the Dog lamp from the Night Time Buddy™ collection adds a friendly, welcoming smile to any room and are great gifts for animal lovers of all ages. Children love them! When illuminated, the Kumo paper emits a soft, colorful glow, making the lamps ideal for any child's room. This novelty lamp features a metal frame, six foot cord with an in-line switch, and takes a 25 watt candelabra bulb.

This video showcases a cool collection of Bull Terrier photos, that show the diverse colors and characteristic of this great British dog breed!

Earlier this week, I tackled the topic of anti-barking dog collars; what they are; and how effective they are. I would like to continue with the topic a bit.

Although I briefly mentioned which breeds are the quiet representatives, I would like to continue with this thread. This is also an important factor when choosing a dog or a puppy. The amount of barking depends on three things: Firstly, the environment in which the dog lives influences his behaviour. Secondly it is genetic. Some dog breeds have been bred to be more quiet than others. Thirdly, canine physiology also holds answers. The Basenji breed for instance...ancient as it is, originates from Africa, and it has under-developed vocal cords. It cannot bark, because of a shallow larynx. It can give out sounds like yoddeling though. Some other more quiet breeds include:

-Golden Retrievers
-Newfoundland dogs
-Boxers
-Alaskan Malamutes
-Saint Bernards
-Bulldogs
-Collies
-Afghans

Of course they do bark, but in moderation. Dogs that are big barkers have well-developed vocal cords. New dog owners often don’t consider both training and dog breeds when selecting a dog and this can result in problems due to barking.



If you have done your research before buying a dog, good for you! An anti-barking dog collar is not needed if you are an owner of a quiet breed. Research into choosing a dog is imperative. However, if you are a loving owner of a rather roudy dog, then you may just have a problem there and an anti-barking dog collar in this case is a great possibility and solution. According to dog trainer and author; Ty Brown: " I get tired of people who don't do research and call these collars mean and cruel without realizing how humane they can be when used right. " With an anti-barking dog collar, slowly but surely, your roudy dog can become a quiet pet as well; much like the other non-barking dog breeds.

Please do bear in mind that puppies tend to be more enthusiastic and loud. A lot depends on the individual personality of your dog as well. If your dog has spent his early weeks among very enthusiastic barking dogs, don’t expect him to be silent, no matter what the dog breed is. Regardless of which dog breed you end up choosing, don’t overlook the importance of good training. Good training - although often requiring extreme patience and professional help; combined with an anti-barking dog collar- will ensure a happy home environment for both dog and owner. Silence is Golden. Start with an anti-barking dog collar.

Alberto Giacometti- the famous surrealist sculptor- made a sculpture of a Saluki dog in 1951. It was simply entitled: "Dog". Yet the model itself is not as simple as one would believe. Many dog researchers believe, that the Saluki - an Egyptian hunting dog - is recognized as the oldest breed of dog in the world. In 1965, Giacometti recalled the genesis of the dog sculpture: " One day I was walking along the Rue de Vanves, in the rain, close to the walls of the buildings, feeling a little sad perhaps, and I felt like a dog just then. So I made that sculpture. The sad muzzle has a likeness to the Saluki."

Made of bronze and cast in 1957, it measures 18 x 39 x 6 1/8" (45.7 x 99 x 15.5 cm). It can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art in the US.


And the model? What does a Saluki look like? Its emaciated look, was ideal for Giacometti's sculpture!

It is never easy to lose a loved-one. Dogs are family members. They either grow up with us, or join our circle of trust the moment they enter our family. Nature works in mysterious ways. Small dogs live for a long time. Large dogs live for a short time. A Havanese can live up to 19 years if properly cared for, while a Bernese Mountain Dog lives for about 8 years only. This is an important factor to take into consideration, when buying a certain breed. 8 years is not a long time. How can one say goodbye, when the time comes? Ok, so this is not a happy topic, but it is just as important as when one deals with dog training or canine nutrition. It is inevitable. Why avoid discussing it?

As far back as Ancient Egypt, royalty mummified their favorite cats and dogs to ensure that in the after-life they would stand proudly next to them as well. In many countries, today – especially in the US and Australia- pet cremation services are highly respected. Others choose taxidermy, to force immortality into the body of their pet dog. This is more common in Europe. In Eastern Europe for instance, taxidermy is still more common. The topic of pet cremations can be found in pet forums, but its popularity is not felt yet.



However, loss is loss. And if one treats a dog as a family member, then he or she deserves that final respect as well. Some may choose a burial. There are many companies these days that offer pet cremation services as well as grief counseling services. This can be especially important for children, so that they can accept and understand, what it means for a dog to pass away. Writing poetry or creating a pet memorial blog are also means by which one can digest grief. It is thus not surprising that most dog poems are about those dogs that have gone to doggy heaven.

In a span of 21 years, I have said goodbye to 3 Dobermans, 3 Rottweilers, 1 Rhodesian Ridgeback, 1 Staffordshire Bull Terrier, 1 Great Dane, 1 German Shepherd, 3 Pavement Specials (please note the capital letters, out of respect) and 3 birds. The cause: a Gypsy lifestyle, African snake bites, old age and dog fights. There were no cremation services...and taxidermy was not an option. Burial ...and poetry were. (Hmmmm...maybe we should've had a Havanese?) However you choose to say goodbye to your beloved pet is your own choice and own right. Either way is painful. Although the saying: - “It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all”- is true, the final moments are still the hardest to live with...

Any discussion of dogs' sense of smell ultimately leads to the greatest, most imponderable question about dogs ....this question has nagged kids and adults of many ages and one may even ask this question while sleepily stirring coffee in the morning and looking at Fido eat his crunchies...why do they have wet noses?

Scientists have many answers for this. One is that evaporation or moisture from the nose helps cool the dog. It is thus understandable, that dogs that have shorter muzzles, like the Pug or Pekingese may find it harder to breathe, and thus get hotter far quicker in summer. Another theory states that added moisture in the nose makes the dog more sensitive to odors.The most boring answer is that many dogs simply lick their noses with their tongues, thus wetting them. Ruling the last one out...how about going back to Biblical times and using a folk "tail" to explain it?

When God flooded the world- the story goes- all life on the planet was inside of Noah’s ark. The two dogs Noah had chosen constantly patrolled the ark, checking on the other animals, and generally just poking around as dogs do. One day, the dogs were taking their daily stroll when they noticed a coin-sized leak, through which water was rushing in at a rapid rate. One dog quickly ran for help, while the other dog gallantly stuck his nose in the hole to plug it. By the time Noah and his sons arrives to repair the hole, the poor dog was in great pain and gasping for breath, but a major disaster had been averted. According to this tale, dogs’ cold, wet noses are simply a badge of honor, conferred upon them by God in memory of that heroic act.

Say what you will, but I like this theory the best! *grin*

All dogs bark. Is that true? Well no. Not all dogs bark, but most do. Owners of a Basenji, an Alaskan Malamute, and an Afghan Hound can take it easy and enjoy the silence around them. However there are dogs that are typically big barkers and these include the Jack Russell, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Mudi, Vizsla, Shetland Dog, Newfoundland, German Shepherd, Dachshund, Beagle, West-Highland Terrier, Toy Poodle, Doberman and the Schnauzer.

So what to do when you have to listen to incessant barking? Not only your sleep, but your neighbors’ nerves will also be affected. Although one understands that barking is natural for dogs, there comes a time when enough is enough. What to do then? Training might help…but an anti-barking dog collar might do the trick as well.

What is an anti-barking dog collar you ask? Well this is special type of collar that triggers a reaction out of a dog…and after repetitively negatively stimulating the dog with every bark, the dog slowly but surely learns not to bark. There are different types of anti bark collars available. There are dog collars that deliver a light shock to your dog as a reaction to barking. There is also a type of dog collar that sprays mists of citronella. This smell is not welcomed by dogs and they sooner stop barking than continue smelling the fumes of citronella around them. This is a more humane solution because it does not inflict pain to the dog.

So how effective is an anti barking dog collar, you ask?

- Anti-barking collars can modify a dog’s behavior while teaching the dog not to bark.
- It helps dog owners in their everyday chores of taking care of their dogs.
- It is humane and the most proper way to stop excessive barking of dogs. Dog owners support it worldwide.
- In a matter of a week, it can already be removed since dogs already get used to such a scheme.
- There are some anti-barking collars which are rechargeable so there will be no extra costs for batteries.
- There are some anti-barking collars which are waterproof which means dogs can use this device even when it’s raining outside.

As with every type of collar, it is important to choose the right type for your dog. This should of course depend on the size of your dog as well as their barking habit. You should buy a small, thin, delicate collar for small dogs, while thicker, stronger collars are the best option for large-bodied dogs. The fitting of the collar is very important! You don’t under any circumstances want to buy a collar that is too tight, since this may lead to choking!

If you are thinking of buying online…look at their return policy. This will help you in case the collar is too big, or too small for your dog. If you are aiming to buy it at a pet store, they may be kind enough to give you advice about the type and effectiveness of the collar that is perfect for your dog. So try it out. You might just catch up on a few hours of lost sleep!

WE HAVE ROTTWEILERS NOW !

My feet are covered with sores and marks.
My nerves are shattered from sudden barks.
My wallet's empty from paying the Vet,
and those Rotties are eating me into debt.

I sit down to rest in my favorite chair
And quick as a flash, the Rotties are there.
They've hauled off my shoes and chewed up my pipe,
But act so damned hurt, if I venture to gripe.

I rise in the morning, the new day to greet,
To find a Rottweiler standing firm on my feet.
I trip over another as I'm combing my hair,
While the puppy pulls hard at my underwear.

My fresh cup of coffee is now on the rug,
'Cause the bitch gave my arm a sweet playful tug.
I'd pour me another, but sure as can be,
The Rotties would dump it all over me.

Please believe me people, it's darn hard to write,
While my hand still hurts from that last loving bite.
The puppy is sneaking up in my lap,
While the one on my feet is down for a nap.

So to Hell with home life as it used to be,
And to Hell with quiet evenings with my family,
And to Hell with the money I'd spend anyhow!
Who needs them all......We've got Rottweilers now!!

-Author unknown

• Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas. - Italian Proverb

"I don't care who you think you are or where you think you came from; everybody at some point in their life has wanted a dog. And I'm pretty sure I know the real reason. The real reason is: Everybody at some point in their life has wanted to have a stuffed animal come to life and be their pal. Tell me I'm wrong and I will laugh and laugh and laugh." – Jon, San Francisco

Neapolitan Mastiff: Fang from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2003)

Aside from his enormous size, Fang appears to be an entirely ordinary dog. While his appearance is intimidating, he is, in Hagrid's words, "a bloody coward". Boisterous and loving with people he knows, he seems especially fond of Harry and at times, Hermione. Fang, like Hagrid, is not as fierce as he looks. In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone he accompanied Harry, Hagrid, Draco Malfoy, Hermione and Neville into the Forbidden Forest to look for an injured unicorn. In the following book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, he joined Harry and Ron into the forest where he was scared stiff. Ironically, Neapolitan Mastiffs were used in Gladiator fights in the past. They were bred as fighting dogs. However, these giant creatures have developed into more lovable creatures. Fang’s fear is not in proportion to his immense size and history, of being a fighter dog. He is thus, lovable even more. Not to mention, a half-giant like Hagrid, would have hardly looked very “professional” as a game-keeper, with a lap- dog by his side!

If you don't already think animals are far more spiritually advanced than we humans, think again.

Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon tethered sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay...definitely makes you re-evaluate your feelings...

The photographer was sure that he was going to see the end of his dogs when the polar bear wandered in. He held his breath as the animals encountered each other for the first time....but...to his suprise...








....the polar bear returned every night that week to play with the dogs. Now tell me what you know!

I am going to put this post under the humor category, although if the Euro Puppy blog would have a category called "Doggone Daft Dog Ideas", it would definitely be placed there. So what am I on about you ask??

The "Original Puppy Purse". You can now take your best friend wherever you go in open-air comfort and pampered elegance with the Original PuppyPurse Carrier System. This versatile puppy purse pet carrier is lightweight, adjustable, and supportive. It minimizes the stresses on your body while maximizing your ability to interact with your dog or cat. (what about the body of the dog??) You can wear it like a shoulder bag, carry it like a purse, or use the straps as a leash. It is available in a variety of sizes, styles, and colors. It also comes with pet fashion accessories designer sterling silver, swarovski crystal, glass, and turquoise jewelry charms crafted exclusively for PuppyPurse to be worn on your handbag, purse, key rings, and cell phones.

Suffice it to say that Paris Hilton has one. Ok, I may have sounded a bit cynical there, but I have to go make a cup of tea after seeing that. I sometimes truly believe there is no hope for mankind. ....and yet, while I contemplate the disastrous effects that this "original puppy purse" has on the spinal developments, skin, lungs, heart of a toy dog..others are spending loads on it. And so ladies and gentlemen, there really are quite a number of rested-brained individuals still out there.... < double sigh>.

Posted by Aggie at 07:11 AM. Filed under: Doggy Humour

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Dogs are seen as beloved family members worldwide. Yet research shows that young children are at a greater risk from injury resulting from dog bites, than any other age group. Young children are known to treat dogs as playmates and this frequent and close contact can be dangerous at times. Majority of dog bites occur in the home environment while children play with ( - cuddling, hitting, kicking, squeezing, massaging, riding, sitting on, tickling, hugging and pulling ears and tails of ) their beloved pet dog. Research also shows that young children are not good at understanding the body language of dogs. Children more often than not look at the face of their pet dog and have difficulty in distinguishing between fear and friendliness.

These days there are many dog bite prevention programmes aimed at teaching children how to behave around dogs, and how to understand them better. Prevention starts at home…and the first step is to educate the parents to create a safe environment for cohabitation between children and dogs. It is important to focus first and foremost on teaching not only children but their parents as well on how to recognize and understand those situations which can be potentially dangerous in a household.



If you have young children as well as dogs in your home, it is highly advisable for you to look up organisations which can help you teach your children about their canine playmates. Because this is more complex than one would think, a team of behavioral veterinarians, Pediatricians, child psychologists and teachers form the Netherlands have united to tackle this seemingly innocent, yet very grave problem. There are now organizations in Australia and the UK as well. Look up these organisations in your country and make an effort. After all it is about the development of you child and the safe handling of your dogs as well.

However, it is also important to note that rules are meant to be broken, as children would like to believe and therefore increased knowledge does not necessarily increase behavioral intelligence. Ultimately efficient parental supervision is what is needed as a basis and this –together with correct and ongoing education- can lead to long term results. Good luck! Euro Puppy supports the safe interaction between children and dogs!

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Dog Lamp: This Rottweiler Porcelain Lamp is made from finely decorated white porcelain and is a gold banded lamp. It could possibly be an attractive center piece to any dog lover's living room. The talented artist Vladimir Tzenov designed the breed image. 27" tall and 6" across the base. Vladimir Tzenov also designed the "Best of Show" line featuring 115 dog breeds and 10 varieties of cats. This line of dog artistry is exclusive to Porcelain by Rosalinde and shows off one's favorite dog or cat. It also comes in black and white, as can be seen with the Bernese Mountain Dog lamp.

George Rodrigue is a Cajun artist who became a famous artist worldwide. He is known for his creation of the Blue Dog, attributed to his deceased dog named Tiffany and influenced by the "Loup Garou" legend, which was a story of a devil dog in the Cajun tales. The Blue Dog was made popular by Absolut Vodka in 1992, when Rodrigue was honored as an artist for Absolut Vodka, joining famous artists such as Andy Warhol and glass artist Hans Godo Frabel. The Blue Dog was used by both Absolut Vodka and the Xerox Corporation through national ad campaigns. The blue-hued, ghostly spaniel/terrier is often featured with a white nose and yellow eyes.

Loving, lovable and very patient. Highly intelligent and good-natured. The Labrador Retriever is one of the friendliest breeds in the world.

This comprehensive video, courtesy of Eukanuba, is a great way to gain an understanding of the history, characteristics and care for this amazing breed, that we have all come to love one way or another.

Terrier:

I am a little terrier dog
As feisty as can be.
So don't you come in to my yard
And don't you mess with me!

I know my rights, I have my ways,
I'm always on the go
(Not like some dogs I could mention
Who are lazy, fat and slow).

Devoted to my owners
And of that there is no doubt,
But strangers? I may let them in -
But I won't let them out!

I'm a cocky little terrier dog
As you can plainly see,
But if you want a loving friend,
then that is really me!

Liz Heslop

Every so often, one hears of some canine miracle. At Euro Puppy, we are always happy to be able to give a small place for those dogs that one can really respect..look up to...and even admire.

Meet Max. He is an eight-year-old springer spaniel. Max is a retired police sniffer dog, and after he became crippled with hip, back and leg problems, he was let down from active duty.

After Max retired, his former colleagues organized a special 'chariot' to help him fight his disabilities. The device consists of two wheels attached to a frame strapped across his back to provide balance and support. With this, he can move, and even run...enjoying his retirement that much more. Although it is not an easy life, Max seems to be making the best out of an otherwise hopeless situation.

• Even a dog knows the difference between being stumbled over and being kicked. - US Proverb

Actress, and wife of Ben Affleck: Jennifer Garner can be seen here posing with her beloved Labrador Retriever, who she named Martha Stewart! Labradors are loving family pets, that thrive on the domesticity that a family has to offer.