Archive for August, 2018

• 25 Beagle Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

  Want to know why people across the world just love Beagle puppies?

  Continue reading because we’ve gathered 25 fascinating facts about this lovable breed.

  Origin Facts

  • It is believed that the name “Beagle” comes from the Middle French words “bee gueule.” This means “wide throat.” Beagles are known barkers and called “loudmouth.”
  • Beagles were recognized by the AKC in 1885 and won Best in Show in 2008.
  • In the 1840’s, four different standards of Beagles were developed. They were the: fox Beagle, medium Beagle, the rough-coated/terrier Beagle and the dwarf/lapdog Beagle.
  • Way back in the day, Beagles were only 8 to 9 inches tall and could actually fit in the pocket of a hunter. They were aptly called Pocket Beagles.

  Personality Facts

  • Beagles require exercise! They aren’t good as couch potatoes. If you’d like a running partner, then get a Beagle and enjoy your workout.
  • Beagles are well-known to be rather even-temper and very gentle, however, they are also very excitable and can be classified as hyper.
  • They are stubborn!

  Nosey Facts

  • The Beagle breed has been described as having a “nose with feet.” They will pick up a scent and follow it until they can’t anymore!
  • Beagle puppies have noses that are black and large in proportion to their muzzles. We guess it’s no surprise that they hold approximately 220 million scent-receptors. Compare that to humans who have about 5 million.
  • The small and friendly Beagle is used to sniff around unsuspecting visitors at airport security, which also allows them to fit into small spaces to check cargo and airmail depots.
  • Well-trained Beagles can learn around 50 different scents.

  Training Facts

  • We mentioned earlier that they are quite stubborn. This means that training them can be tricky. It’s doable, but you’ll need lots of patience and persistence.
  • Stick to basic one-word commands, when you begin training your Beagle puppies. This will lessen the chances of confusion with them.
  • To get the best out of training your Beagle, exercise her before you start training. This will help release any pent-up energy she may have and keep her focused.

   

• Saint Bernard Fun and Interesting Facts – Part 3

  We have taken such joy in sharing information about Saint Bernards.

  This is the last of our three-part series highlighting Saints and all of their glory. Below are 15 more fantastic facts!

  • There are other names for Saint Bernard puppies. They are Alpine Mastiff, St. Bernhardshund, and Bernhardiner.

   

  • A Saints’ coat can be either short or long haired.

   

  • Do not allow your Saint Bernard puppies to jump up and down frequently. Overactivity can hinder their bone and joint development.

   

  • While the Saint Bernard dogs stopped doing search and rescue in 1955, the hospice kept several until 2004. At that time, the Barry Foundation purchased the remaining 18 dogs and used them in a breeding program.

   

  • In addition to their keen rescue abilities, they are also instinctively good watchdogs. They are great at sensing danger and will alert their families accordingly.

   

  • Always monitor your Saint Bernard puppies during the summer months. They simply can’t handle the extreme changes in temperature.

   

  • If you can believe it, the Saint actually requires minimal exercise, so they are great as apartment dogs (if you have the space of course)!

   

  • In addition to being great with kids, they also get along swimmingly well with other pets.

   

  • In the sequel to the movie Beethoven, the Saint mated with another Saint producing a litter of Saint Bernard puppies. They apparently grew so fast that it required the production team of the movie to use over 100 different Saint Bernard puppies to finish filming the movie!

   

  • The American Temperament Test Society tested 44 out of 52 Saints and they passed with a rate of 84.6%.

   

  • The average Saint Bernard eats approximately 6.5 cups of food a day!

   

  • A Saint Bernard named Benedictine V Schwarzwald Hof earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. He was recorded as the most massive Saint weighing in at an astonishing 315 pounds.

   

  • Because of their size and associated health concerns, Saint Bernard dogs have a short lifespan of 7 to 10 years.

   

  • Saints are prone to bloat. When you’re feeding your pups, use elevated bowls and do not allow them to eat too fast or too much in one sitting.

   

  • Saints very rarely bark, so if you hear them you should check to make sure everything is okay!

• Saint Bernard Fun and Interesting Facts – Part 2

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

  Below are 15 additional facts about these big drooling beauties:

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

• Saint Bernard Fun and Interesting Facts – Part 1

  Saint Bernards are giant, muscular, and strong dogs!

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

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

   

• 5 Labrador Retriever Facts

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

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

  They Are Doctors

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

  They Are Favored

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

  Labs Love Water!

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

  Labs Have Lovely Colors

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

  Labs Are Fast

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

  Labs Aren’t From Labrador

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

   

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