Bradenton Dog

Dog News

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Breed Profile: Great Dane

Known as the “Apollo of all dogs,” Great Danes are a very old breed dating back to the ancient Egyptians and Chinese. Drawings of dogs resembling the Great Dane appear on Egyptian monuments and currency from 3000 B.C., and descriptions a similar dog can be found in Chinese literature from 1121 B.C. With their huge size and regal appearance, Great Danes are a majestic and striking breed that makes for an imposing dog. In reality, Great Danes are really just “Gentle Giants” who are friendly and attentive with their families.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Male Great Danes stand between 30-34 inches at the shoulders, and females between 28-32 inches. A Great Dane’s weight can range from 100-200 pounds depending on gender, and males should have a very masculine appearance, while females should appear finer boned and more feminine.

Coat & Color: A Great Dane’s coat is short and thick with a glossy appearance. Their color can be any one of six variations: fawn, brindle, blue, black, harlequin, and mantle.

Life Expectancy: 7-10 years

Temperament

Great Danes can be intimidating at first sight, but they truly live up to their nickname of “Gentle Giant.” A very friendly dog, they are gentle and loving towards people and other animals, and show great patience with children. Their charming personalities make for a great family pet, but they also possess the courage and spirit needed in a watchdog.

Something to Bark About: Over the years Great Danes have held the record for world’s largest dog many different times. The current record holder, Giant George, is a blue Great Dane who stands at 43 inches (that’s over 3 ½ feet)!

Wags

  • Great Danes are trustworthy, dependable dogs who can be counted on to love and defend their families.
  • Great Danes are easy to groom and are not excessive shedders.
  • Great Danes get along well with children, adults, and other animals, as long as they are properly socialized at a young age.

Yelps

  • Great Danes are prone to congenital heart problems and have short life-spans, giving them the nickname “The Heartbreak Breed.”
  • Because their bones grow so quickly they are at risk for bone and joint problems, and should not be over-exercised, especially while they are young and still growing.
  • Great Danes require consistent training and rules from a young age so that they learn not to jump or lean on people.

If you’d like to learn more about adopting one of these Gentle Giants in our area, visit the Great Dane Rescue of Southwest Florida for more information.

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Manatee County No-Kill Update

This is an update as to the progress of Animal Services as we move forward with our No Kill plan.
from Chief Kris Weiskopf
Thank you to everyone who has been instrumental with assisting, volunteering, fostering and overall support of our programs and efforts.

Our medical director, Dr. Luke Berglund revised cleaning protocols for the shelter operation which will better the quality of life for the pets in our care since their health is of utmost importance.

To provide the public with a variety of pets for adoption, we are placing some small breed dogs into our adoption program. If, after seven days, the dog has not found its forever home, any rescue may adopt the dog for the adoption fee offered at the time.

More adoption events are in the works. We are planning regular off-site adoptions at two of the local feed stores who have welcomed our program.

Nicki Bentley has been instrumental in taking the lead coordinating volunteers, dog walkers, setting up the pit bull program and several other projects. We are always in need of volunteers for a multitude of duties and assignments. Please contact Nicki by email at [email protected] if you are interested.

Rescue groups (animal welfare organizations) are instrumental in the success of a no kill community. With the new addition of a certified veterinary technician on staff and our medical director, new protocols are in place for intake procedures. Upon intake, each pet is vaccinated, visually checked and photographed. Be assured that we do our best to make sure any pet you transfer to your organization is in the best health. Also understand most of these dogs and cats impounded have no known medical or behavioral history. We encourage you to check our website often and transfer dogs and cats to help us reach our goal. We cannot do this without the help of your groups.

The impound time limits has changed recently. Currently dogs are held for five calendar days and cats are held for 3 calendar days before disposition is made. The reduction in impound time helps us to move the pets through our facility to their new home more quickly.

Shelter staff schedules have changed, shifting staff to varied days off, making for the maximum staff working each day to provide the best possible care for the impounded pets in our shelter.

Several of us went to Washington, D.C. on August 11-12 for the National No Kill Conference.

Cheryl Thompson, Sue Kolze, Joel Richmond, Nathan Winograd (father of the “No kill movement”, Kris Weiskopf and Jean Peelen
We took back a wealth of information and shared our own experiences. We continue to learn new things and will make use of our new found knowledge.

A contractor has been awarded the contract to install an engineered air handling system throughout our impound, treatment and adoption cat areas. This system will provide exchanged air and reduce the chances of respiratory disease.

A fenced area has been installed on the south side of Animal Services as a play area for multiple dogs. This will help with exercise and socialization.

Animal Services has openings for anyone who would like to foster a pet. We are in need of foster parents for “bottle baby” kittens and any other dog or cat, including those pets who are sick and in need of rehabilitation. We ask giving them a temporary home, a place to live away from the shelter until they can find their forever home. We will provide all medications and food for anyone who would like to foster. We need your help!

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Breed Profile: Puggle

So what do you get when you cross a Pug with a Beagle? Why, a Puggle of course! These adorable wrinkled hounds are a “designer” breed of dog that were first bred in the 1980’s when dog breeder Wallace Haven bred a male Pug with a female Beagle.  They are currently the most popular crossbreed ever, and with their endless energy and sweet dispositions it’s no wonder why!

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Puggles generally stand between 10-15 inches at the shoulders, and weigh between 15-30 pounds. They are relatively small dogs with thick-set bodies, and males are usually larger and more muscular than females.

Coat & Color: Puggles have short, smooth coats that come in a variety of colors. The most common color combination is fawn or tan with a black mask (like their Pug parent), but they can also be all black, white, or tri-colored. Their foreheads are deeply wrinkled, another trait inherited from the Pug.

Life Expectancy: 10-15 years

Temperament

While cross breeding can result in any combination of characteristics found in the original breeds, Puggle parents insist that Puggles truly inherit the best of both Pugs and Beagles. They are very sweet-natured, affectionate, and extremely social dogs. They love to be close to their families, and will often follow you around the house from room to room, and happily greet you when you get home. And it’s not just people that they love—Puggles love making new dog friends at the park, and will even buddy up with the family cat. You could say a Puggle has never met a stranger!

Something to Bark About: First generation Puggles are bred from a purebred Pug and a purebred Beagle. These pups usually have the fawn coloring with black masks. Second generation Puggles are bred from two Puggle parents, and can result in lots of color variations. Because the size of the pups can make births difficult for Pug moms, usually the mother dog is a Beagle and the father a Pug.

Wags

  • Puggles have coats that are easy to care for and require minimal grooming.
  • Puggles love people of all ages, as well as other animals.
  • Because they are treat motivated Puggles are easy to train, and will easily learn all the basic commands of sit, stay, fetch, and roll over.

Yelps

  • Potty training can sometimes be a challenge. It’s important to use reward and repetition, as Puggles can be stubborn puppies.
  • Because they are so social, some Puggles may bark at the slightest noise or a knock at the door (what dog doesn’t?), and may even howl every now and then, but it’s only because they want to say hello!

If you’d like to learn more about adoptable Puggles in your area, visit Petfinder.com for more information.

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Spa Day for Manatee County Shelter Dogs

Volunteers pitched in to help shelter pets feel clean and loved this weekend.  How nice it must feel to be the center of attention when you have been left off or surrendered to a kennel.

Want to join in this feel good for everyone fun?  You can sign up to wash dogs or pet and comb kitties here – either at the Manatee County Animal Services facilities in Palmetto or Downtown Bradenton.  Choose the date and location that works best for your schedule.

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Volunteers for Dog Wash Needed!

This Saturday August 11 from 10-12 noon, Manatee County Animal Services is organizing a dog wash for shelter dogs.  By now  you probably know that Manatee is making its way toward a No-Kill County.   Part of this compassionate initiative includes making the dogs who are in the shelter more comfortable.  Dogs like to be clean!!

If you are interested in assisting with bathing the dogs or petting the kitties in the shelter, please visit this link to sign up.  What a fun way to help needy animals and meet other local dog lovers.

Just bring yourself, some patience and an old towel or two if you have one, and be prepared for some puppylicious fun!

The event will be held at the Downtown Bradenton Adoption Center

1002B Manatee Avenue West

Bradenton, Florida  34205

941-742-5824


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Save a Life Day: Saturday, July 28

Manatee County Animal Services invites everyone to the Support No Kill Manatee Challenge on “Save-A-Life Day,” July 28, 2012 at the Palmetto Animal Services location from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Dogs and Cats will be available for only $35 and some will even be FREE to a good home. The specials will be available at the downtown adoption center too.

“Join us for a day of fun and help us save the animals” said Animal Services Chief Kris Weiskopf. “All animals deserve a second chance at a good life; Adopt today.”

If you haven’t seen this in the news, you should know that pet ownership can be a health benefit.  From stress relief and lowering your blood pressure to helping kids fight allergies, pets rule!  Dogs can also help you get up off the couch for a daily walk or even a meet and greet at your local dog park.

This adoption event is another step in the County’s plan to become a no-kill community. Please help up save lives today! The animals greatly appreciate your support.

The special is event will be held at our Palmetto shelter location: 305 25th Street W, Palmetto (open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Preview available animals by visiting www.mymanatee.org/pets. For more information, call (941) 742-5933.