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January, 2008 Archives | Homepage
American Kennel Club: Bulldog Joins Top Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds
 The American Kennel Club reports that the the Bulldog has muscled its way into the 10th spot on the organization's annual list of the most popular breeds in America. The AKC's data come from 2007 AKC registration figures. The Labrador Retriever retains the title of "Top Dog" -- a position it has now held for 17 consecutive years.
"This is the first time the Bulldog has made it onto the top ten list since 1935," said AKC spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "This breed appeals to a very wide range of dog lovers so it's no surprise that it is a favorite amongst AKC's 157 breeds. The Bulldog is both docile and adaptive, and can thrive in small or large homes. It's an excellent all-around family pet."
2007 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.
- Labrador Retriever
- Yorkshire Terrier
- German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever
- Beagle
- Boxer
- Dachshund
- Poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Bulldog
The AKC also noted that the bulldog is often used in Internet scams - the Better Business Bureau has also recently issued a warning about Internet scams using photos of Bulldog puppies to lure in victims. In these scams people posing as breeders place online classified ads offering free or cheap puppies. The fake breeder then asks interested parties to send them shipping fees. Once the scammer gets the fees they dissapear.
"This is certainly not the only scam to be aware of, but it is a common one," says Peterson. "Because of the emotional investment, consumers are more vulnerable to being taken advantage of when it comes to a cute, cuddly puppy than with any other purchase. Not only is it important to find the breed that's right for your lifestyle, it's just as important to take those extra steps and find a responsible breeder. A great resource is www.puppybuyerinfo.com."
The AKC also mentioned some recent pet trends.
The Miniature Schnauzer was bumped off the Top 10 list in 2007 to make room for the Bulldog.
The Yorkshire Terrier held steady in 2nd place, after making news last year by displacing the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd.
The Havanese, a small dog with a coat type that is a good choice for people with allergies, has enjoyed the greatest surge in popularity since 1997, increasing 994%. It now ranks as the 37th most popular breed.
Other small dogs (under 20 lbs.) that have gained popularity in the past decade include the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (+406%), the French Bulldog (+404%) and the Brussels Griffon (+157%).
Large dogs with notable increases are two Swiss breeds -- the Bernese Mountain Dog (+74%) and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (+127%) -- as well as the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (+130%).
Breeds on the decline include the Rottweiler (-81%) and the Dalmatian (-96%). Many breeds of Asian origins are also waning in popularity: Chow Chows (-84%), Pekingese (-79%), Akitas (-76%), Lhasa Apso (-75%), Chinese Shar-Pei (-73%) and Shiba Inu (-38%).
Posted on January 30, 2008
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Stowaway Kitty Safe After Luggage Ordeal
A little ten-month old kitten named Gracie Mae snuck into her owner's bag and ended up in a stranger's house in another state after there was a bag mixup.
The Fort Worth, Texas, man told TODAY's Al Roker on Friday about how he learned the hard way last week when he mistakenly picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport. Inside was 10-month-old Gracie Mae, who had curled up in her owner's suitcase in Florida and ended up going on the ride of her life.
After being tossed in the car, dumped on a baggage belt, X-rayed by the TSA, piled in a cargo hold, flown 1,300 miles from her home in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., dumped on a conveyor belt, taken for a ride on a carousel, and tossed into another car, Gracie Mae wasn't in the best frame of mind when Carter opened the suitcase at his home.
"She looks cute now, but she was all teeth and fangs at that point," said Carter, who admitted, "I screamed like a little girl" when Gracie Mae erupted from the suitcase.
Here's a video from MSNBC about lucky Gracie Mae. Makes you wonder about airport security if a kitty can make it through without being discovered. Always check your luggage for pets before you close it up - kittens love to find new hiding places.
Posted on January 28, 2008
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Pets and Winter Safety
Cold weather means it is time to make sure your pets are in a shelter that is warm enough. A Seattle Times article notes that the garage may not be a good shelter because too much heat can escape.
"Warm-blooded mammals can't survive the kind of cold weather we have along the Wasatch Front without adequate protection," warns Gene Baierschmidt, executive director of the Humane Society of Utah.
Baierschmidt urges animal owners to take appropriate precautions during the beastly winter weather.
Cats and dogs should be kept inside the house, in a basement or a garage. Pets that are young, old, ill or have short hair should never be kept outdoors.
"Although [pets] are out of the elements [in a garage], a garage may not be adequate shelter with the cold temperatures we have in Utah," says West Valley City Animal Shelter supervisor Karen Bird. "An animal needs to use its body heat to keep warm. A garage is just too big to hold in body heat."
Bird says the enclosure should be just large enough for the animal to sit up and lie down. More space will allow body heat to escape. The shelter should be insulated, both around and underneath, and should be elevated. The door should face south or west and be shielded by a heavy plastic flap. Clean straw is preferred over fabric for bedding, and it should be changed frequently.
The article includes several other good tips as well including checking for cats under cars and never letting a dog off its leash in snow and ice.
There are many warnings about keeping pets away from antifreeze as well. This article suggests using an antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol.
Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze (and all household chemicals) out of reach. Better yet, use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol; if swallowed in small amounts, it will not hurt pets, wildlife, or your family.
Articles also suggest wiping your pets' paws after they come back inside from a walk so they don't lick their paws and ingest chemicals that have been used to melt ice and snow.
Posted on January 18, 2008
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