Hip dysplasia affects over 20 million dogs in the United States, making it one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal diseases in canines. While larger breeds like Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are at a 10%-20% higher risk, smaller species like French Bulldogs and Pugs are not immune. Over 50% of dogs affected weigh under 40…
Aging dog behavior differs from a young pup’s, and Dogs have a much shorter lifespan than humans. On average, most dogs live between 10-13 years, though some breeds, like Chihuahuas, average 15-20 years, and others, like Great Danes, average only 7-10 years. When a dog’s health begins to decline in their senior years, usually after…
Schutzhund (German for “protection dog”) is an advanced 3-phase canine sport focused on developing dogs’ obedience, tracking, and protection work. Also known as IGP (Internationale Gebrauchshund Prüfung) and previously IPO (Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung), Schutzhund/IGP originated in Germany in the early 1900s as a test for the German Shepherd breed. Today, many dog breeds can participate in…
Lure coursing, a motorized lure made of plastic strips, travels 500-700 yards along a fenced track at speeds up to 40 mph. Your dog races after the lure, propelled by their desire to capture this ‘prey.’ With their athleticism on full display, dogs can reach top speeds of 30+ mph during a coursing run. Some…
Search and rescue (SAR) dogs are four-legged heroes who save lives daily. More than 300 specially-trained canines across the U.S. are ready to be deployed immediately when disasters strike. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Belgian Malinois are the most popular breeds for SAR work, making up 45%, 32%, and 10% of working dogs, respectively. SAR…
Wet and dry dog food varieties are two popular options when choosing the right dog food for your canine companion. But which one is better for your dog? There are pros and cons to both. An estimated 90 million dogs live in over 60 million households across the United States. With so many dogs to…
