Bradenton Dog

Sarasota

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Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Looking for an idea to keep your kids off the Internet?  How about the No-Kill Pumpkin Decorating Contest?  As a benefit for Pip’s Pantry, Bayside Pet Resort has established this project to allow kids and adults to demonstrate their creativity in pumpkin decoration without ever wielding a knife.
Checking around town, pumpkins are running about.49 cents a pound at Dettweiler’s (we found pumpkins there just a little smaller than a bowling ball fro $1.99.) You can use paint, buttons, glitter, or ribbon to adorn your jack-o-lantern. For kids, you might consider washable markers and non-toxic fabric glue.

Grand prize is $100.00!

The entry fee is $5.00, please drop your pumpkin off before 10/30 at Bayside Pet Resort, 8154 Tamiami Trail, or call 941-351-0730.

 

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Breed Profile: Pugs

by Lauren R. Tharp

Rumored to have first appeared before 400 B.C., the Pug is one of the world’s oldest dog breeds.  Originating in Asia, the Pug shares a similar bloodline to that of the Pekingese.

People pleasers by nature, the Pug reigns as the 12th most popular dog breed in the United States (according to AKC registration records) and was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Small.  Pugs are in the Toy group and generally weigh 14-18 pounds.

Coat & Color: Black, silver fawn, or amber fawn.  Their coats have a short, coarse, outer coat with a very fine undercoat.

Other: Next to the Chihuahua, Pugs are one of the favorite dogs of celebrities (including Jessica Alba, Hugh Laurie, Gerard Butler, and Maria Bamford).  Pugs have also shown up in many movies, television shows, and books!

Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

Temperament

Small, sturdy, and eager to please: the Pug is a perfect choice for a first-time dog owner.  Pug’s are very even-tempered and adapt quickly to almost any and every situation they’re thrust into.  They are charming, loving, and all around wonderful companions.

Wags:

  • Extremely low maintenance: Minimal grooming, minimal exercise, minimal training!
  • Good with children and other animals.  Pugs are extremely calm and generally good-natured.
  • Perfect for urban living!

Challenges:

  • Prone toward obesity.
  • Pugs commonly develop breathing problems.  Even Pugs who do not develop serious conditions are known to snuffle and snore.
  • Excessive shedding.

If you are thinking of adding a Pug to your family, please visit Pug Rescue of Florida or Compassionate Pub Rescue of South Florida for more information about adoptable dogs.

Pug owners tend to be passionate enthusiasts of the breed.  In Sarasota, a special PUG PARADE is hosted each year by Sarasota Magazine.  The location and date has not been announced yet but keep an eye on the BradentonDog.com calendar.

Special thanks to Dog Mountain for this featured image of the Pug by Stephen Huneck.

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Breed Profile: Golden Retriever

By Lauren R. Tharp

The second most popular dog in the United States (according to AKC registration records), the Golden Retriever originated as a hunting dog, roaming the Scottish Highlands, in the late 1800s. Now known for being excellent guide dogs and search and rescue dogs, the Golden Retriever was officially recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1925 and has been a favorite among dog-owners everywhere ever since.

Stephen Huneck Gallery

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Medium to large. Females are smaller, generally around 20-22 inches tall and 55-65 pounds. Males are much larger, measuring 23-25 inches tall and weighing 65-80 pounds.

Coat & Color: Dense, water-resistant, outer coat with a softer undercoat. Their coats also have some feathering at the neck, back, thighs, and underside of the tail. The color is, true to their name: Golden.

Other: Digby on Pushing Daisies, Shadow in Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, Dug in Up, and Buddy from the Air Bud movies were all Golden Retrievers. President Gerald Ford, the 38th President of the United States, also had a Golden Retriever, Liberty, as his Presidential dog while in office.

Life Expectancy: 10-12 years

Temperament

The ultimate people dog! Friendly, happy, and reliable, Golden Retrievers are a wonderful dog choice for people of all ages and living situations. They’re energetic, requiring daily exercise, but they aren’t overly demanding. Eager to please, these dogs will go to great lengths to make sure you’re happy with them.

Wags

  • Easy to train!
  • A great family pet. Works well with people of all ages.
  • Exceptionally friendly. Great with strangers and other animals.

Challenges

  • They shed a lot. If you’re fussy about your household cleaning, this might not be the breed for you
  • Not the best watch dogs. They’re just too friendly!
  • Can become destructive if left alone for long periods of time.

If you are interested in adopting a Golden Retriever, please visit Golden Retriever Rescue, based in South Florida, they will help you to match family your with the right dog.

Special thanks to Stephen Hunack’s Dog Mountain gallery for use of this Golden Retriever featured image.

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Breed Profile: Beagle

Beagle Profile by Lauren R. Tharp

The Beagle: Number Five with the AKC, but Number One in Our Hearts!

What do Shiloh, Snoopy, and Underdog all have in common?  They’re all Beagles!  It would be insulting to claim that a Beagle “ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog” but they are in the Hound Family.  The Beagle has long been considered a “favorite” dog (since the 1500s!) and currently reigns as the 5th most popular dog in the United States according to AKC registration records.


Energetic and friendly, Beagles may be short on height, but tall on personality!  The Beagle was officially recognized by the AKC in 1885.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Beagles are a smaller breed and are generally only 15 inches tall at the shoulders.  As for weight, twenty pounds is about the “average” for Beagles; however, Beagles have a tendency to want to pack on the pounds in their later years and can sometimes end up being much larger.

Coat & Color: Beagles have short hair and can be found in any of the typical Hound colors.  The most popular/recognizable color for a Beagles coat is the brown-black-white tri-color coat.

Other: Beagles are similar in appearance to a Foxhound (but much stouter!).

Life Expectancy: 12-15 years

Temperament: Beagles are naturally curious and tend to follow their noses—which makes sense since, outside of the Bloodhound, the Beagle has one of the most highly developed senses of smell of any of the recognized dog breeds!

Known for being affectionate and good-natured, the Beagle is often thought of as the perfect “family dog.”  Beagles are friendly, energetic, and enjoy having company (whether it’s from humans or other dogs).

Wags:

  • Great with children and other dogs.
  • Their short coat is easy to maintain and requires very little grooming.
  • Compact in size and adapts well to urban living.

Challenges:

  • Following their noses can sometimes get them in trouble.  Curiosity can often lead to destructive behavior if not given alternate stimulation.
  • Can be somewhat difficult to train.  Beagles can be easily distracted and have a tendency to wander off when bored.
  • Some Beagles become very dependent on having companionship and will whine/howl if left alone.

If you are looking for a beagle, we recommend contacting Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue.

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Meet Manny at Dog Day Afternoon: May 14th

Dog Day Afternoon!

If you have ever considered adopting a Greyhound, you’ll have a chance to meet and greet some of the wonderful dogs that are now with the Racing Dog Rescue Project on May 14th.

This is Manny, I know it sounds like a guy’s name, but Manny is a five year old brindle female.

Manny prances like a princess on her walks, and loves chill out with people.  After racing professionally for 4 years, she’s ready to kick back and enjoy her family.  She’s not recommended to go into a household with cats, but does get along with other dogs.

Join us at Gettel Toyota in Bradenton on May 14th to meet Manny and some of the other adorable adoptable dogs that will be on site for Dog Day Afternoon.

If you already have a dog, this day is for you.  Come out and try some agility in the air-conditioned showroom, chat with a trainer, or enter your dog in the Doggy Fashion Show!   Double Bubba with be cooking up some awesome, affordable BBQ while DJ Valerie spins the tunes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Understanding Dog Food

Dr. Frances Backer

Dr. Frances Baker chats with our Rover Report to help demstify dog food.   The bottom line is that each dog’s needs are unique.  Listen in to see how you can determine what is best for your dog.  Want to know more about Dr. B? Click here. To listen to our chat about dog foods, prepared or raw – just click on the little arrow to play.