Dog and Puppy News

Links To Other Great Pet Sites

2011-12-08T15:46:00.001-06:00

Great information about puppy breeders! Don’t get ripped off by a puppy mill! Information on finding a great puppy.

Big Breeds Dog Collars – get your next dog collar for less Dog collars for walking, training – superb quality, best prices!

Tear-jerking moment lab beagles see sunlight for the first time as they are released from cages

2011-11-30T08:22:00.002-06:00

Link to the MailOnline story.

Rescued beagles available for adoption in Los Angeles. For more information on the rescue operations or adopting one of the beagles, go to ARME's website.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for warning sign that a breeder is trying to rip you off.

Cyclist Shoots Dog on Thanksgiving Day

2011-11-28T11:30:00.001-06:00

The UPI article.

Please keep your dogs under control. This may have been a wonderful, frieldly animal that was just following it's natural instinct to protect his home and territory.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for recommendations on buying a puppy.

Buyingapuppy's Top 10 Comic Strip Dogs

2011-11-25T11:48:00.031-06:00

Here are my 10 favorite comic strip dogs. Let me know what your favorites are.

10) Snert from Hagar the Horrible

9) Blondie's Daisy

8) Little Orphan Annie's Sandy

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for question to ask breeders.

7) Superman's Krypto

6) Grimmy from Mother Goose and Grimm

5) Satchel from Get Fuzzy

4) Dogbert from Scott Adams' Dilbert

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for warning sign that a breeder is trying to rip you off.

3) Brad Andersons' Marmaduke

2) Odie from Garfield

1) Charles Schultz' Snoopy from Peanuts - Are you kidding? Who else?

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for recommendations on buying a puppy.

Beam of Light Shines on Fallen Soldier’s Miracle Dog

2011-11-25T11:17:00.000-06:00

ABC News article here

You can't go wrong with a story about fallen soldiers and Hero dogs.

Bikini-Clad Woman Searches for Dog

2011-11-24T15:43:00.002-06:00

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/134404603.html

I'm not sure about her method, but I wish her luck in finding her little dog.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

A Beginner's Guide to Labs

2011-11-22T12:13:00.003-06:00

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

Chicken jerky treats linked to mystery illnesses, deaths in dogs

2011-11-22T12:06:00.001-06:00

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/21/8885427-chicken-jerky-treats-linked-to-mystery-illnesses-deaths-in-dogs

There are a LOT of unknowns and speculation in this article. It would be nice if someone comes up with a few definitive facts on the situation. Dogs get sick for many reasons. Ancedotal evidence can be VERY unreliable. I hope someone with some real data gets to the bottom of this.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

Bringing pups home from a war zone.

2011-11-19T20:58:00.001-06:00

Puppy love: Stray dogs befriended by soldiers on duty in Afghanistan are flown thousands of miles to be reunited.

I LOVE this story! Great friends, these dogs and soldiers. The soldiers and dogs are all my heros. Soldiers for protecting the dogs and the dogs for comforting these great soldiers.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

This dog is a Pianista!

2011-11-19T20:45:00.000-06:00

Youtube video of dog.

Cute video of a singing and piano playing dog. Not the greatest singer in the world, but at least as good as Lady Gaga.

See buyingapuppy.com for great advice on safely finding a great pup like this one.

Couple spend £2,000 flying stray dog to Britain after falling in love with her on Caribbean holiday

2011-11-16T10:25:00.001-06:00

Go to article.

Great, heartwarming story.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

Humane Society: Pet shops buy at 'worst' puppy mills

2011-11-14T17:14:00.001-06:00

Go to the article.

From a guy DEFENDING the puppy mills: "Like in any kennel, there is a lot of noise and barking dogs."

I don't think dogs should be sentenced to a (shortened) lifetime of living in a cage with hundreds of other dogs all barking at the top of their lungs.

Also: "Are there bad breeders out there? Absolutely," York said. "In the state of Missouri we are actively trying to wipe out the unlicensed breeders."

I disagree that a license equates to safe, healthy, loving conditions for dogs to live in.

My number one recommendation for buying a puppy: Don't buy from a Pet Store!

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

Accused puppy killer once found insane

2011-11-03T22:40:00.000-05:00

Accused puppy killer once found insane

Horrible story of a sadistic and disturbed man who killed a defenseless puppy. Silly line from article: Other than previously killing his father, he has no criminal record. That's like: Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

Top 10 Greatest Cartoon Dogs from BuyingaPuppy.com

2011-07-16T23:07:00.004-05:00

Cartoons have brought us some wonderful and wacky dogs over the years. Here are my favorites for their impact on society and, basically, for the joy I find watching them.

#10 Dollar – The richest dog alive? Richie Rich’s lucky canine with dollar signs for spots.

#9 Underdog – Who can forget “There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!” The humble and lovable Shoeshine Boy transformed into the superhero Underdog when help was needed. #8 Santa’s Little Helper – The sad little pooch adopted by the equally sad Simpson’s family. Homer bets the Christmas money on the long-shot dog who promptly finishes last. The dog’s owners chases off the pathetic racing hound, Homer takes it home and the family has a great Christmas after all.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for recommendations on being a smarter puppy buyer.

#7 Mr. Peabody – Genius talking dog and master of the dreadful pun. Always hangs out with “his boy” Sherman. Mr. Peabody and Sherman added a bit of intellect to the the Rocky and Bullwinkle show.
#6 Deputy Dawg – A deputy sheriff on a bayou in Mississippi. The deputy has a strong southern accent and is always involved in one hilarious adventure or another with his pals Muskie and Vince.
#5 Goofy – The clumsy, and possibly dense companion of Mickey Mouse. He has had a long history with a few various names and stories, and a movie or two of his own.
#4 Droopy Dog – A sharp-witted little guy with an insanely slow southern drawl. Much more clever than he initially seems.

Don't get ripped off by shady breeders. Go here for warning signs he's out to cheat you.

#3 Astro – The dog everyone loves to hate! “That stupid Jetson’s dog.” Most famous for poor enunciation and that famous treadmill chase.
#2 Brian Griffin – You have to see Brian to believe him. An intellectual, struggling writer who functions as a regular member of the Griffin family (usually) on the Family Guy. #1 Scooby-Doo – The great crime-fighting Great Dane (ish) dog with a minor speech impediment (“Ruh-roh Raggy”.) Scooby and Shaggy were always together while Velma, Daphne and Fred were off doing who-knows-what.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for questions to ask a breeder.

Buyingapuppy's Top 10 Greatest Dogs in Television

2011-03-26T15:53:00.013-05:00

10) Santa's Little Helper, the family pet of The Simpsons, a sweet little greyhound who was not very good at racing.

9) Paul Anka, Lorelai's dog on Gilmore Girls. Paul Anka had more quirks and foibles than any dog I have ever heard of.

8) Fred, "Little Ricky's" puppy on I Love Lucy. Piling adorable on top of adorable.

7) Buck from Married…with Children. Buck took cynicism and sarcasm to a whole new level for TV dogs.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for warning signs that a breeder is trying to rip you off.

6) Eddie the Jack Russell Terrier from Frasier. Eddie responded to Martin and Daphne with human-like understanding, but often seemed to taunt Frasier.

5) Bullet the Wonder Dog on The Roy Rogers Show. Bullet was a master at knowing who the bad guys were, and was always eager to bite a gun out of their hand or to tackle them when his human partners were outnumbered.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for questions to ask your breeder.

4) Maximilian, the Bionic Dog, from The Bionic Woman. Injured by a lab fire as a puppy and "rebuilt" with prototype bionic parts. A very high-octane pet.

3) Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd found in a trench by an American soldier. From the batlefields of Europe to Radio,Film and TV. Rinty was always a great hero.

2) Gromit from BBC clay animation TV series Wallace and Gromit. Gromit's silence speaks volumes. His expressions tell everything that needs to be told.

1) Lassie, of course! After successful Film and Radio careers, Lassie was a huge hit on TV. Lassie was a great friend and always saved the day.

Also see: @Buyingapuppy's Top Ten Dog Movies of ALL TIME

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for recommendations on buying a puppy.

Inspirational Quotes about Dogs

2011-03-26T00:54:00.006-05:00

Here are a few of my favorite quotes about man's best friend:

* "Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy the wag of his tail." Henry Wheeler Shaw

* "What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog." Dwight Eisenhower

* "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 ruin our lives." Rita Rudner

* "Even the tiniest Poodle or Chihuahua is still a wolf at heart." Dorothy Hinshaw

* "If dogs could talk it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one." Andy Rooney

* "I would rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the allegorical paintings they can show me in the world." Samuel Johnson

* "Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well." Bonnie Wilcox

* "I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it." Abe Lincoln

* "The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs. Charles de Gaulle

* "Dogs never bite me. Just humans." Marilyn Monroe

* "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx

* "Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms." George Eliot

* "The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's." Mark Twain

* "If dogs talked, one of them would be president by now. Everybody likes dogs." Dean Koontz

* "We could have bought a yacht with what we spent on our dog... Then again, how many yachts wait by the door all day for your return?" John Grogan

* "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." Mark Twain

* "If you get to thinking you're a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else's dog around." Will Rogers

* "If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience." Woodrow Wilson

* "My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents a can. That's almost $7.00 in dog money." Joe Weinstein

* "Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog." Franklin Jones

* "We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment." George Eliot

* "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." Ben Williams

* "Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.” Emily Dickinson.

* "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." Josh Billings

* "I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that dogs think humans are nuts." John Steinbeck

* "Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies." Gene Hill

* "The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog." Ambrose Bierce

* "The dog was created especially for children. He is the god of frolic." Henry Ward Beecher

* "How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg." Abraham Lincoln

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

Two Newborn Maltese Pups - 1 day old

2011-03-26T00:47:00.001-05:00

Two newborn Maltese puppies. One boy and one girl. I guess you can literally say that "they are a handful."

Dogs to help in rescue efforts in Japan

2011-03-21T20:20:00.000-05:00

Los Angeles Firefighters, Dogs Aid Rescue Efforts in Japan

@Buyingapuppy's Top Ten Dog Movies of ALL TIME

2011-03-08T19:33:00.013-06:00

My Top Dog Movies of all time. Please contribute your own.

Number 10 "My Dog Skip" (2000) - A shy, young boy gets a terrier pup for his birthday in this WWII-era coming of age tale from rural Mississippi. It is an emotionally demanding tale of the friendship and challenges of a lonely boy and his dog.

Number 9 "Where the Red Fern Grows" (1974) - A tale of a young boy and his two redbone coonhounds in the rural Ozarks. The dogs become great friends and companions to the boy and great coon dogs. When one dog, Old Dan, is killed by a mountain lion, the other, Little Ann, is so grief-stricken that she lays down at his grave and dies. They are buried together and the red fern grows between them, making the site sacred.

Number 8 "Old Yeller" (1957) - A stray dog is begrudgingly adopted by a family when the father is away on a cattle drive. The dog proves to be a great addition to the family as it repeatedly protects and defends them. Ultimately, the teen son has to kill the dog after it contracts rabies defending the family. A classic!

Number 7 "Lady and The Tramp" (1955) - Lady, a classy cocker spaniel, meets up with a mongrel from the streets calling himself the Tramp. He is from the wrong side of the tracks, but the situation at Lady's home make her decide to join him on the streets. This turns out to be a dangerous move, and results in great misadventure.

Number 6 "Benji" (1974) - Benji is a small, lovable mixed-breed dog with an incredible knack for being in the right place at the right time. Benji was always there to save the day and help people get out of any jam. Benji was a series of movies, but the first is the classic.

Don't get ripped off by unscrupulous breeders. Go here for information on buying a puppy.

Number 5 "Lassie Come Home" (1943) - After her destitute family is forced to part with her, a beautiful collie named Lassie escapes from her new owner treks from Scotland back to her Yorkshire home.

Number 4 "101 Dalmations" (1961) - A Disney animated classic. Everyone knows the story of Pongo, Perdita and the horrible Cruella de Vil. So much Americana comes from this movie.

Number 3 "White Fang" (1991) - This movie is based on the novel of the same name by Jack London. It chronicles the story of the friendship between a Yukon gold hunter and a wolfdog. Beautiful scenery and emotional drama characterize this movie.

Number 2 "The Incredible Journey" (1963) - The amazing adventure of three pets, a cat and two dogs, who lose their owners when they are all on vacation and must find their way back home. This movie was the original copied by so many similar movies since made.

Number 1 "Marley and Me" (2008) - Newspaper writers John and Jennifer Grogan get married and move to Florida. Due to the ticking of Jennifer's "biological clock", John gets her a puppy. The puppy, Marley, grows into a large dog, but loses none of his puppy destructiveness. Marley's behavior gives John continual topics for his newspaper column. As the family expands with children, Marley continues to drive everyone crazy by with his impulsiveness.

Also see: Greatest Dogs in Television
Go here for recommendations on buying a puppy.

Dog Adoption Nazis Getting Bolder

2011-03-07T21:16:00.001-06:00

I am a huge fan of shelter adoption for dogs. Growing up, we NEVER had a pure-bred dog and never even considered it. There was ALWAYS a neighbor somewhere trying to get rid of a litter of puppies. My parents even had a theory that each female dog needed (deserved?) to have one litter of puppies before she was "fixed". I have grown up with dogs of every type and flavor (always multiple flavors in every dog) sleeping at my feet (and everywhere else.)

My parents still operate their home as almost a shelter. Anyone who needs to get rid of a small dog seems to find them and they take on another. (I'm not talking hundreds or even dozens, but they seem to aquire a new one ever year or so. That can add up.)

I, on the other hand, have become a hobby breeder of Maltese. I love the little white dogs and have made MANY people happy by selling them a perky little pure-bred Malty. I believe that responsible breeding is important for the preservation of helath breeds. Mixed-breeds are wonderful, but I don't believe a world of ONLY mixed-breeds is what we really want. The same people who fret over the loss of a sub-species of some obscure fish have no trouble with the loss of pure-bred Poodles, Bassets or Collies.

Many people now castigate people for buying any pure-bred puppy (see Zuckerberg story here). Insisting that people ONLY adopt shelter dogs is heavy-handed. Taking on an older dog is not for everyone. Many people want the thrill and experience of raising a dog from a puppy. Many people simply want the choice to live their lives as they see fit.

The idea that the purchase of any puppy is a direct cause of some other homeless animal's suffering is silly. See here. for this line,

"Although Beast is plenty adorable, Zuckerberg’s purchase from a breeder means that somewhere in the world, a homeless puppy will go another day without being adopted. Dislike!"

Really? If you think about it, both puppies had no owner on the day Mark aquired Beast. It is frightening that these same people would love to extend this same logic to people. Many of the people who are against purchasing a puppy while other dogs are in shelters are against couples having their own children as long as there are children needing adoption. These people are annoying when they lecture us, they are downright frightening when they have political power.

I am convinced that many people get a lot of satisfaction not from "saving the world", as they maintain, but from acting "holier-than-thou" and forcing their personal convictions on everyone else. If the Obamas and the Bidens have the right to have a dog of their own choosing, it would seem that the rest of us should have that right too.

Facebook Page for Beast?

2011-03-07T21:08:00.000-06:00

Mark Zuckerberg’s Puppy Gets a Facebook Page

Some great pics here!

Mark Zuckerberg’s puppy "Beast" on Facebook

2011-03-07T18:37:00.000-06:00

Mark Zuckerberg’s puppy debuts on Facebook

"The puppy, named Beast, is a Puli, a type of Hungarian sheepdog."

"Some Facebook fans, while estatic that there was a new cute thing on the Internet, chided Zuckerberg for not adopting a mixed-breed dog from a shelter."

Adopting shelter dogs is a WONDERFUL thing! Thinking that you should chastise other people for not adopting a shelter dog is a bit heavy-handed...

The Governor's New Puppy

2011-03-06T21:36:00.000-06:00

New puppy arrives at Governor's Residence
"...the black German shepherd has been named Wanamingo, or "Mingo" for short."

New Pics of our Little Boy Pup

2011-03-03T17:09:00.001-06:00

A very cute little guy at 8 weeks old. He has almost no tear staining. He is also a great size, not too big and not too small. Great character, he's very playful.

Happy Ending for Puppy Mill Victims

2011-02-15T21:43:00.000-06:00

Puppies attract crowds of volunteers

Wonderful people of Mississippi - 1
Disgusting puppy mill owner - 0

Tragic Sled Dog Story - Horrible business practice!

2011-01-31T22:14:00.000-06:00

100 sled dogs slaughtered in Whistler when tourism slumped

Man Stabbed Puppy During Argument, Police Say

2011-01-14T22:33:00.000-06:00

Man Stabbed Puppy During Argument, Police Say

Way too many of my news posts seem to involve animal cruelty. I'm not a huge fan of Pit Bulls, but they deserve to be treated well and cared for. There is just no justification for killing a pet this way.

I hope they throw the book at him.

Puppy Discovered Nearly Frozen In Dumpster

2011-01-14T16:07:00.000-06:00

Puppy Discovered Nearly Frozen In Dumpster

Bittersweet story. Sad for the abuse and miserable cold the puppy endured, joy for its survival and recovery. You can judge a person by how he treats his animals. The person who left this puppy alive in a dumpster in the freezing cold is a horrible, wretched piece of human debris.

Update: Puppy Recovering, Given The Name 'Mia'

Richmond landlord receives probation, home detention for brutal dog beating

2011-01-13T21:32:00.000-06:00

Richmond landlord receives probation, home detention for brutal dog beating

There is NO excuse for this kind of criminality. I can't understand the logic. I could see jail time just for the chase, for driving on the sidewalk and for running the lights. Add on top of that the theft (dog-napping?) and torture of the animal and I really don't get this.

Martha Stewart Head-Butted by Her Own Dog

2011-01-13T21:18:00.000-06:00

Martha Stewart Head-Butted by Her Own Dog

Any dog can snap at you like this. Getting your face right in their face can be dangerous. I LOVE my dogs, but this is a natural instinct for them. They will do it playfully.

I'm not sure if this was a real head-butt, or if the dog nipped her with her teeth. Either way, Martha is probably covering for francesca, like any good owner would do.

A Hitler-Mocking Dog

2011-01-11T22:49:00.000-06:00

Bizarre tale of dog trained to mock Hitler with Nazi salute

An interesting historical tale from the Nazi archives. Hitler's henchmen obsessed over a dog that mocked Hitler.

Hero saves pregnant woman from attack by dogs

2011-01-11T21:36:00.000-06:00

Pregnant woman rescued after attack by dogs

Please take care of your dogs. Have them vaccinated and keep control over them.

These dogs will likely be destroyed, but the fault lies with the owner.

Puppy Friendly Pet Store Puppy Policy

2011-01-11T21:28:00.000-06:00

Pet store puppy policy helps dogs across U.S.

A nice blog post from San Fran. I believe in breeding healthy pups. I believe that the key to that is committed breeders who deal directly with their customers and who have nothing to hide concerning how their dogs are treated and cared for.

Never! Never! Never! leave a dog in a hot car!

2010-08-13T14:49:00.000-05:00

Cincinnati police dog left in hot car dies

Totally unnecessary suffering and death of a fine animal and companion.

Four Arrested In Burned Puppy Case

2010-07-30T19:38:00.000-05:00

Four Arrested In Burned Puppy Case

An update to the burned puppy case I posted earlier. Four juveniles were arrested for torturing the poor puppy that was found burned earlier.

I have very little sympathy for the kids, but I hope they get their lives straightened out soon. Anyone who can torture an puppy is capable of all kinds of mischief and criminality over the course of their lives.

Que-Tee-Pi's Little Boy - Chief Ocee

2010-06-28T21:00:00.001-05:00

This little guy is about 3 weeks old in these pictures:

North Carolina Puppy Mill Bill Debated

2010-06-22T16:38:00.000-05:00

Supporters, opponents speak on NC puppy mill bill

Chelsea and Scout's Boy Puppy

2010-06-07T22:56:00.001-05:00

Here is Chelsea and Scout's Boy puppy at about 12 weeks old.

He is a playful little guy with a brother and a sister.

This little guy was born on St. Patrick's day (March 17th, 2010).

Maybe he'll get named Pat, or Paddy. Or even Clover?

Puppies from Dali and Paw Prints

2010-04-17T13:04:00.000-05:00

The smallest of the three girls, our little runt.
The bigger two pups, both girls.
The biggest girl, kicking back and relaxing.

Boy get his puppy back

2010-03-21T18:47:00.000-05:00

Stolen puppy, boy reunited with stranger's help

No Puppies in Pet Stores?

2010-02-20T14:57:00.001-06:00

Hollywood City Council votes to ban most puppy, kitten sales in pet stores

I am a bit torn on this one. I abhor puppies from puppy mills being sold in pet stores and I preach against people shopping for puppies in pet stores non stop, but I also believe in freedom. These nanny-state people do not tend to stop when they get what they want. They usually go after the next level. My wife and I are hobby breeders. We may be next.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/27/2009

2009-11-27T17:23:00.000-06:00

When you go to buy a puppy, take someone with you who can be objective. The puppy seller wants to get you emotionally involved with the puppy. You need someone with you who can be detached and can make a rational decision. Talk to the person away from the seller. Listen to them and let them help you make an objective decision.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/25/2009

2009-11-25T08:43:00.000-06:00

Get a contract in writing before you agree to buy the puppy. The contract should specify what the breeder will do for you if there are health issues with the puppy and how long the guarantee is good.

Return of your money is best, but most breeders want to give you a puppy from a future litter. Also, most breeders will not pay for medical treatments your pup may need. They want you to fall in love with the puppy and then their offer to have you return the puppy for another in the future gets them off the hook as you will refuse to return the puppy.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/25/2009

2009-11-24T09:52:00.000-06:00

See and play with both parents of the puppy before you buy. Puppies are cute. They soon become dogs. Make sure you want the dog he will soon become. His parents are the best indicator.

You cannot do this at a pet store. But that is OK, since there is ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE that you will be shopping for a puppy at the pet store.

Keep in mind that my advice is mostly related to buying a purebred dog as a puppy. If you are adopting an older dog, the rules are completely different and my tips may or may not apply.

Bubble's New Pups - Born 10/26/09

2009-11-22T16:01:00.000-06:00

Two boys (pictured together) and one little girl (pictured alone).

Ready just in time for Christmas.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/22/2009

2009-11-22T14:24:00.000-06:00

Never, ever, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. Pet stores are a key part of the puppy mill industry.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/20/2009

2009-11-20T16:35:00.000-06:00

Make certain that you have a health guarantee in writing as a part of your puppy purchase contract. Breeders can (and will) promise anying to get your money. If it is not written down (with details), it never happened.

Daily Puppy Buying Tip - 11/19/2009

2009-11-19T21:28:00.000-06:00

Always get your new puppy vet-checked BEFORE you fall in love, show the kids, take him to show friends, etc. You have to make sure the puppy is healthy before you "invest" in him. Once he becomes "part of the family", you lose objectivity in the process of negotiating with the breeder.

Resort guest charged with cruelty to his puppies

2009-11-19T15:26:00.000-06:00

Resort guest charged with cruelty to his puppies

I say, "Throw the book at him!" This behavior is totally unacceptable. I applaud the heros that turned him in.

Let's hope they are not creating "designer pups"

2009-11-19T15:20:00.000-06:00

24 Yorkie, Maltese dogs seized from Lehigh Acres puppy mill adopted

From the article:

The animals included 24 Yorkies and Maltese, one German Shepherd...

Seriously, those are some designer cross-breeds I would not want!

Euthanizing a famous dog?

2009-11-19T15:11:00.000-06:00

Public outcry follows ASPCA decision to euthanize Oreo, 'miracle' dog who survived six-story fall

I am much more logical than emotional. I find it strange that people become passionate about the euthanization of a dog that has been in the news, but not the thousands of (anonymous?) dogs that face the same fate daily.

This dog was not social (likely due to its previous abuse) and will always be a danger and a nuisance. Many friendly, social dogs are put down every day because no one is willing to take them.

Que-Tee-Pi's Little Girl

2009-10-02T14:59:00.000-05:00

This little Maltese is a couple of days old. (And she is quite a handful!)

I have to put her back in with Que-Tee-Pi now. Mommy is missing her little girl.

Our current pups - Chelsea's four pups

2009-09-18T17:05:00.000-05:00

This squirming mass of four puppies is Chelsea's two-week old litter.

Our current pups - Cassie's three

2009-09-18T17:03:00.001-05:00

Here are Cassie's three pups at about 6 weeks old.

Pit bull puppy chews off baby's toes

2009-09-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

Pit bull puppy chews off baby's toes

Sad story. From the looks of it, it could be neglect on the part of the parents, or it could be a terrible series of misfortunes leading to an unpredictable disaster.

It seems the dog was locked in a bathroom, but the 3-year-old let it out in the night. The parents were not awakened (drugs - legal? or illegal?) and the baby was not in a crib. I would not call a baby sleeping somewhere other than a crib child abuse. I know my children fell asleep in places other than cribs a lot.

An update on the five-legged puppy story

2009-08-08T22:55:00.000-05:00

Dispute over no-longer-five-legged puppy to go to court (TV court, that is)

An interesting twist to the five-legged Puppy News story.

A nice article for those with a new puppy

2009-07-31T20:22:00.001-05:00

A few hints about a new puppy

Heart-Warming Five-Legged Puppy Story

2009-07-20T16:48:00.000-05:00

Five-Legged Puppy Saved from Side Show

A very heart-warming Puppy News story about a lucky little dog who will likely now lead a charmed life.

Pets should be restrained in vehicles

2009-06-23T16:56:00.000-05:00

Wisconsin fatal crash blamed on dog jumping into lap

Pets, like people, need to be restrained while riding in vehicles. They can cause accidents, as in this case, or more commonly, be greatly harmed in accidents that don't injure those who are restrained. Pet carriers, or strapped-in harnesses can be used. They are available at pet store everywhere.

Great dog story...questionable ethics

2009-06-20T17:08:00.000-05:00

Puppy power: Heroic 9/11 rescue dog is cloned five times after winning competition

Some people have issues with cloning in and of itself. I do not. Clones are not scary, they are identical twins (or triplets, etc) separated in time. Other people have ethical issues with cloning because of known health defects. This is more troublesome to me. I can understand the scientific need to create clones in order to learn how to make better ones, but I still don't like knowingly creating defective animals.

Human carelessness, canine suffering...

2009-05-28T15:04:00.000-05:00

Police dog, alone in SUV, dies - probe launched

Sadly, this type of Dog News story happens way too often. I suspect that the officer was very fond of this dog and had no intention to hurt him. Too many people take shortcuts and eventually one of them turns into a disaster.

Something I don't understand...

2009-05-27T10:51:00.000-05:00

Steeler player's son home recovering from dog bite

I know of several Pit Bulls. They are as sweet as can be. What I don't understand from all of these "Pit Bull Attacks" Dog News stories is whether the particular animal that committed the attack was trained to be aggressive or whether it was a sweet gentle dog until the attack. Is it just the nature of the dog to be aggressive and any Put Bull is subject to attack at any time, or are the attacks a matter of the ones that are trained to attack getting loose?

Puppies facing death sentence

2009-05-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

Puppies facing death sentence

I am always biased in favor of the dog, but I can concede that this supposed Puppy News article is also biased in favor of the dogs. There could be more to this story. The dogs could be a menace and the SPCA could be doing the community a favor. I doubt it. I think the likely story is an overzealous bureaucrat flexing his muscles against a helpless citizen. I wish I could trust the media enough to know the real story here.

Pet Stores and Puppy Mills

2009-05-22T10:53:00.000-05:00

Large pet store chains breed puppy mills

Simple puppy buying advice: DO NOT BUY FROM A PET STORE!

This Puppy News article is just further information validating the advice I have long advocated at Buyingapuppy.com.

Dealing with a Dog Breeder

2009-05-22T10:48:00.000-05:00

Suggestions for puppy shopping

Check out this Puppy News article for another of the many things that can go wrong with buying a puppy.

Do dog have souls? Let's hear from the affirmative vote.

2009-05-16T18:46:00.000-05:00

Dogs have souls, but you already knew that

Read this Dog News article and decide on the arguments for yourself.

Man Sentenced for Killing a Police Dog

2009-05-16T18:29:00.000-05:00

Police dog's killer gets a life term: Conviction was man's third strike

Unable to argue the sentence, Barrar expressed hope the case will get people to think about how poorly society deals with the mentally ill.

The basic problem here is that we as a society don't want to lock up the mentally ill indefinately. This is a sad Dog News story where no one wins in the end. We'd have to lock up many mentally ill people who may never be violent to make sure we get the ones who will be. In letting many mentally ill people free in society, some will inevitably hurt themselves and others.

Tougher Laws Proposed for Puppy Mills in Texas

2009-05-16T15:35:00.000-05:00

Legislation to Clean Up Texas Puppy Mill Industry Heads

The rules proposed here seem reasonable. There is some paperwork required for the health records. That could be a bit of a nuisance. I don't see a definition of "large-scale breeding operation" in the article.

Advice for Children and Puppies Coexisting

2009-05-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

Can dogs and kids can go hand in paw?

This Puppy News contains some great advice here for happy coexistence between children and dogs. I would also include picking a puppy that matches the lifestyle and characteristics of your child. Active, outdoor child? Active, outdoor dog. Quiet, bookworm child? Docile, companion dog.

Concise and Important Advice on Worms and your Puppy

2009-05-14T17:31:00.001-05:00

Puppies and worms

Here is advice from this Puppy News article:

Caution: if you see any signs of worms you will need to take a sample of faeces to the veterinary surgeon. Do not handle your puppy without wearing gloves and constantly wash your hands.

I'd take the puppy, not just the sample. Puppies should be seen by a vet for basic care. Find a good vet you like and can afford and let him care for your pup.

Bo's Beanies

2009-05-14T17:18:00.000-05:00

Bo, our country's First Pooch, has been honored with a Beanie Baby lookalike.

Here is a Puppy News story about it:

First Puppy has furry lookalike

And here is a Dog News story about it:

Dog gone! Bo Beanie Babies scamper off shelves

Animal cruelty charges filed in puppy mill case

2009-05-08T22:22:00.000-05:00

Animal cruelty charges filed in puppy mill case

There is not a circle of Hades deep enough for people who abuse pets.

From this puppy news article:

The case stems from a raid on Jan. 16 in which authorities say they seized about 160 dogs, many of them covered in urine and feces.

PEOPLE! DO NOT BUY A PUPPY FROM A PUPPY MILL! It is not good for you, the puppy or the other dogs at the puppy mill. You are not saving a puppy; you are providing cash to a disgusting breeder and encouraging him/her to continue mistreating more and more animals.

Dog saves man who saved him

2009-05-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

Dog saves man who saved him

A great dog news story.

Sad story...

2009-05-07T16:18:00.000-05:00

Sad dog news:

Coyote snatches Chihuahua off Englewood trail

There seems to be little that can be done about this. Leashes are very confining. I never walk my dogs with leashes. They walk with me. I coyote is too stealth and too wiley to completely avoid.

From the article:

...people who come across coyotes should haze them - yell, or throw stones or sticks - in an effort re-instill a fear of humans in the animals.

I can't imagine this is a PETA-recommended strategy.

Dog Whisperer visits puppy mills

2009-05-07T16:03:00.000-05:00

Dog Whisperer visits puppy mills

Info from the dog news and puppy news story:

The show premieres at 9 p.m. Friday, May 8, on the National Geographic channel. It will also air at 6 a.m. Sunday, May 10, and 2 p.m. Friday, May 15.

This sounds like a show that people involved in the world of dogs needs to see, even if it is not pleasant.

More Defense of Responsible Breeders

2009-05-06T22:45:00.000-05:00

It's Where the Obama's Didn't Purchase Their Pup That Matters

Here is a nice puppy news article that makes an intelligent and impassioned defense of responsible breeding.

I completely agree with this assessment of pet stores:

Totally at fault are the pet stores (whose supplies are from puppy mills and commercial warehouses) selling to anyone who has cash (credible breeders are discerning and interview perspective buyers).

More recommendations against buying "cute"

2009-05-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

How to choose the right puppy for your family.

People picking out a puppy for its "cute appeal" and then when it needs constant attention and exercise and gains 100 pounds, they can't take it.

Don't buy a puppy because it is cute. Make sure you would want to own the parents of the pup before you buy it. I have many other recommendations on this site. Do your research before buying a puppy.

A Cute Story with a Horrible Twist

2009-04-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

Meet The Puppy That Glows In The Dark

Awwwww! How cute. A ruby red puppy that glows in the dark...

But then there are these little gems:

Team member CheMyong Ko of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, said of the breakthrough: "The next step for us is to generate a true disease model."

The hope is that, following the Ruppy breakthrough, transgenic dogs will become more effective stand-ins for the study of human disease.

Ok, not so cute anymore. They want to breed puppies with genetic mutations that cause them to quickly get cancer, heart disease, Parkinson's and other diseases so that they can test medical procedures on them. I'm very happy with them testing medical procedures on rats. I can even deal with them testing with pigs (good stand-ins for humans, and I don't mean that in any negative way.) But, I am definately NOT happy with performing medical tests on dogs. Yes, I realize that it happens now. I'd like to see that stopped and I definately do not want to see new dogs bred just to be used for testing.

I will continue to follow dog news and puppy news stories like this and bring them to you here.

The Government Continues Its Assault on Breeders

2009-04-27T21:47:00.000-05:00

Oregon Alert: HB 2470 Gaining Momentum - Continued Opposition Needed!

Sometimes it seems the government is not interested in safe, healthy breeding, but in the elimination of the breeding of dogs. I realize that "anti-puppy mill" legislation has been in the news for many years, but the efforts seem to be more coordinated and intense.

Many people want to reduce the supply of puppies to increase the demand for shelter animals. I fully support the adoption of shelter pets, but I do not support forcing people into this option by removing other options they may desire. The other options must include purebred and designer puppies.

I will continue to watch for puppy news and dog news and continue to post links to stories here.

Fantastic Story About A WWII Hero Dog

2009-04-24T22:20:00.000-05:00

Medal for Dog Rip, Who Saved 100 People, Fetches 24,250 Pounds

The current story is about the amazing auction price of the medal the dog recieved. I am more interested in the original story of the lives the dog saved digging people out from bombed out buildings. That, to me, is the real dog news story.

Dog Fighting Video - Not really...

2009-04-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

Que-Tee Pi and puppy "fighting"

I hope you enjoy this cute clip of one of our moms and pups playing.

It's not exactly dog news or puppy news, but it is fun.

Puppy Mill News from Oklahoma

2009-04-23T15:51:00.000-05:00

Senate Passes “Puppy Mill Bill“

Some lawmakers like Senator Jay Paul Gumm also say the bill lacks teeth and actually punishes good breeders.

This is very typical of legislation. It is far easier to target laws against people who follow the law. They are public and visible. Those who skirt the law are far more stealthy.

More News on Puppy Mill Legislation

2009-04-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

Dog lovers urge Ind. to crack down on puppy mills

There seems to be more and more dog news and puppy news lately concerning puppy mills.

The House version outlined specific standards of care and limited breeders to 30 adult female dogs that are not spayed.

I'm not sure how enforceable this would be. If you have 150 adult female dogs, would you just create 5 businesses in 5 different people's names (Husband, Son, Daughter, etc.)

Two People Who Should Not Have A Puppy

2009-04-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

Woman Arrested After Puppy Taped To Fridge

These people should NEVER be allowed to have a dog. This crazy puppy news story shows a couple of immature and irresponsible people taking their anger out on a poor defenseless pup.

Apparently, the boyfriend took the side of his pup against the girlfriend, as he was arrested for whatever well-deserved response he meted out.

Puppy Buying Tip - The Cold Fish

2009-04-17T22:19:00.000-05:00

Take someone emotionally uninvolved with you to see the puppy.

Take someone who has no stake in the decision with you to see the puppy. Take a sibling, a parent or a friend. Give them veto power. If they say no to your buying that puppy, back away from the purchase. Take them aside and listen to why they are uncomfortable. Making a good decision to buy a puppy means putting aside emotions and looking at facts. Someone uninvolved can be a great help in doing just that.

I have seen many people who are otherwise very rational become very irrational when the holding a cute, loveable little fur-ball. You will be living with this puppy for more than a decade if things work out well. Saying NO to a few puppies before you say YES to one is a great idea.

The opposite of taking someone emotionally uninvolved with you is taking kids with you. The puppy could have three legs (all in the front) and the head installed backward and the kids would still fall in immediate and permanent love with it. Show the kids the puppy AFTER it passes your test. If possible, show it to them AFTER it passes the Vet Check. Why get them emotionally attached only to find that it has a heart condition, or a kennel-disease? (You should avoid getting emotionally attached, too.) At this point, it is just a candidate. There are hundreds more out there just like it and more are being made everyday.

I know it sounds cold, but buying a puppy has to be an unemotional business decision. Once the deal is done and the puppy passes the vet check, then you are REQUIRED to fall head-over-heals in love with it, but not a minute before.

Dog walkers help homeless pooches find owners

2009-04-17T21:42:00.000-05:00

Go here for the article.

This dog news article finishes with a great piece of advice:

"Open your heart and your home to a rescue animal."

I just finished watching Marley and Me. I have been a dog person all of my life. I grew up on rescue dogs and now I breed Maltese. I have loved them all. I have had to bury way too many dogs to count in my 40-some-odd years. Marley and Me is a great movie. If you have not seen it, you must.

Stolen Chihuahua pup returns to NY store with note

2009-04-17T11:29:00.000-05:00

Go here for the story.

My parents have a little black Chihuahua. I can fully understand why the thief would return this puppy.

Seriously people, I am only kidding. There went my Chihuahua-loving audience. They will no longer be visiting me for Dog News and Puppy News.

I hope the thief will visit my site for advice and then buy a puppy next time.

Birmingham Tea Party

2009-04-15T21:45:00.001-05:00

Rick (of Rick and Bubba) at the Birmingham, Al Tea Party.

Two camera-phone pics from the Birmingham (Shelby County Veteran's Park) Tea Party.

It is hard to estimate the crowd. Maybe 3000-5000. It was A LOT of people. The crowd extended way past the designated area, to the pavillions, behind the stage.

That's a Long Way Down!

2009-04-15T09:11:00.000-05:00

Dog Survives 130-Foot Fall Off Cliff

From the dog news report:

His fall didn't make a sound.

I'm betting that to poor Laddy, it did!

11 Week Old Maltese Boy

2009-04-14T16:01:00.001-05:00

Give that Dog A Bone!

2009-04-14T11:40:00.001-05:00

Puppy Helps Save Lost Toddler's Life

You just gotta love a heartwarming puppy news story like this.

Interesting News from a Interesting News Source

2009-04-13T21:53:00.000-05:00

Honda introduces 'Dog Friendly' components in its fall 2009 Element

Dog-friendly vehicles? I'm still not sure it is a good idea to leave a pet in an automobile with a vent and a fan. Hot summer days down south can be brutal.

And another dog news story:

Vaccinations and your dog: how often is really necessary?

"I'm not a Veterinarian, but I play one on the internet!" Take this info with a grain of salt, and always, always check with your vet.

Puppy Training Tip - Consistency

2009-04-12T22:14:00.000-05:00

There is probably no more important element in puppy training than consistency. The puppy is learning non-stop. If you take the puppy outside to relieve himself once or twice a day, and he uses the carpet inside three or four times a day, he is not learning the right lesson. I know...your life is busy and you can't take him out every three hours for a month. Find a way. More consistency of training when he is a pup means more consistency of behavior when he is older.

The general rule is that pups can hold their bathroom for as many hours as they are months old. A 4 month old puppy needs to go every four hours. Obviously, there is some variation. When you provide your pup with food and water, you can expect him to need a bathroom break soon. Learn the pattern and try to have him go where you want him going as many times as possible. Success creates more success and failure creates more failure.

(There are several ways to housebreak your pup. This post does not address which way you should train your pup. Consistency is improtant no matter which way you use.)

Obama girls name their new puppy 'Bo'

2009-04-12T17:59:00.000-05:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090412/ap_on_go_pr_wh/obama_promised_puppy

I hope 'Bo' has a nice time chewing the carpets in the most exclusive house in the country. Also, I hope he completes his potty training well. It is our house, after all...

In older puppy news, Biden's puppy, named 'Champ', resulted in much grief for the breeder.

Biden's Puppy Breeder: "Never, Never, Never Again" Are you next?

2009-04-11T21:58:00.000-05:00

Biden's Puppy Breeder: "Never, Never, Never Again" - Philadelphia News April 10, 2009

This part is frightening:

Dog wardens from the state showed up at Brown's Wolf Den kennel, repeatedly, for inspections.

"I was cited for a piece of kibble on the floor and five strands of dog hair. They took a picture of that, they walked around, snapped pictures and don't tell you why," Brown told the newspaper.

Are we hobby breeders supposed to hide? Keep a low profile? These were not crazies from PETA or ELF that harassed this lady, these were duly authorized representatives of the government.

Where is the appropriate line? A breeder with 200 dogs needs regulating by the state, right? 20? 2? A normal citizen with a few pets? Someone with children?

Must the conditions be better for dogs than, say, children? Should children be removed from homes because of food on the floor? Other trash? What if a family doesn't sell puppies, but just has multiple pets? Should they be regulated? Why are their pets less valuable in the eyes of the law than any other animal?

More government regulation of puppy mills would be good for me. They make thousands of puppies while I produce only a few. With fewer puppy mills, the supply would be dramatically reduced. It would no longer be good for me when they try to regulate me. I don't make enough money to be able to afford to learn and comply with onerous regulations.

Should buying a puppy really be this complicated?

Congratulations to Deb and Gypsy

2009-04-11T20:47:00.001-05:00

Congratualtions to our friend Deb and her new Champion Maltese Gypsy.

GREAT WORK by both of you!

Legislative Action Against Puppy Mills

2009-04-10T08:04:00.000-05:00

Puppy Mills are back in legislation in Ohio:

http://wksu.org/news/story/23246

And in Wisconsin:

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2009/04/06/daily47.html

Hobby Breeders versus Shelter Adoptions

2009-04-09T19:57:00.000-05:00

There is a great deal of debate about whether anyone should ever buy a dog or whether everyone should adopt one of the millions of dogs and puppies that are euthanized each year. It would be nice if people would be willing to adopt a pet from a pound, but most people are just not willing to do this.

It would be difficult and speculative for me to try to list all of the reasons that people prefer to buy a purebred puppy from a hobby breeder over an unregistered pet from a shelter. (PLEASE DON'T EVER BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE OR A PUPPY MILL.) It is likely very similar to the reasoning behind the vast majority of people having their own baby over adopting one that is available in need of a home. Sadly, that is human nature.

My wife and I are hobby breeders. We love our dogs. They often sleep with us, sit on the sofa with us and take walks with us. This is, sadly, not the case for way too many breeding dogs. My parents were of the philosophy that a dog should be allowed to have one litter, then it should be spayed. It was a member of the family and this is what it deserved. We would find friends and neighbor to adopt the puppies or we would raise them. This is also somewhat out of favor these days. My parents were also of the school of thought that no one should ever pay money for a dog. There were always people looking to give one away. This includes people looking to give away purebred dogs that they could no longer keep.

As I grew up, we had many random new dogs and puppies come randomly into our lives over the years. Most people do not wish to live this way now. People expect to be able to pick the breed of dog they want, with characteristics that they want, when it is convenient for them. This almost always means buying a puppy. Given this fact, we strive to do the best we can with breeding healthy and high-quality puppies from well-cared for and loved dogs.

Introductory Buying A Puppy Blog

2009-04-09T19:31:00.000-05:00

New puppies born yesterday. Two boys and a girl born to our little girl Bubbles. Pictures will be up soon. Please see my articles about buying a puppy.