Bradenton Dog

breed profile

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Breed Profile: Shepherd Husky Mix

By Lauren R. Tharpe

The Shepherd Husky is a mix of two breeds: The German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky.  Most Shepherd Husky owners consider this breed to be the best of both worlds.
Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Large.  Shepherd Huskies range from 20 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder.  Their weight also varies, but usually falls within the 35-75 pound range.

Coat & Color: Very thick coated dogs!  Their outer coat is coarse and their undercoat is thick, plush-like, and like their Husky-half, have the ability to thrive in cooler weather.  They also come in a variety of colors.  Black, black and white, or black and tan.  Their coats tend to shed constantly and will need to be groomed on a regular basis.

Other: While most Shepherd Huskies have brown eyes or blue eyes, some have one of each!

Also, the most decorated war dog of World War II, Chips, was a Shepherd Husky!

Life Expectancy: 10-13 years

Temperament

Shepherd Huskies are diligent working dogs who are eager to please.  Shepherd Huskies are highly intelligent (their “shepherd” half, the German Shepherd, was ranked the third most intelligent dog breed in the world!) and they adapt quickly to just about any situation.  Equally good as a service dog or a family pet.

Wags

  • Highly intelligent and fairly easy to train – if the Shepard side is dominant, if Husky is prevailing – dig in, you’ll have your work cut-out for you.
  • Highly courageous.  Makes for a great watch/guard dog.
  • People “person.”  These dogs, unless trained otherwise, get along with most people—including children—that they meet!

Challenges

  • Shepherd Huskies can be howlers!  Be prepared for a long night of howling any time a siren passes through your neighborhood.  They’re also known to be very “talkative.”  They may howl and moan more than actually bark, but expect a full bodied bark when they do vocalize in that way.
  • Require a lot of exercise!  Without daily exercise, these dogs may become destructive.   With your Veterinarian’s approval, this would be a great dog to bicycle, run or trike with.
  • The predator/prey instinct runs fairly strong in this breed.  If not properly socialized with other animals from a very early age, they may see smaller creatures as “prey” rather than “playmate.”

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Breed Profile: Yorkshire Terrier

by Lauren R. Tharp

Known as “Yorkies” to those who love them, the Yorkshire Terrier originated in Yorkshire, England (how appropriate, no?) where they were originally used to catch rats in clothing mills. Perky, fun, and utterly adorable, this toy breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1885 and currently reigns as the third most popular dog in the United States.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Extremely small, even by Toy breed standards. Yorkies are generally 5-7 inches in height and weigh a mere 3-7 pounds. “Teacup” Yorkshire Terriers can be even smaller than that!

Coat & Color: Colors are black and tan or “steel blue” and tan. Their hair is long, straight, and incredibly silky. Many Yorkies have hair that reaches all the way down to the floor.

Other: A Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky was a war hero (with the 5th Air Force in the South Pacific) during World War II. Smoky was also the first therapy dog!

Life Expectancy: 14-16 years.

Temperament

Intelligent and energetic, Yorkies are incredibly loyal to their owners and, although they don’t require much exercise due to their small size, they need daily interaction with their preferred human. Quick to adapt to almost any surrounding, Yorkshire Terriers are affectionate, fun, agile, and intensely curious.

Wags

  • Easy to train.
  • Excellent watchdogs.
  • Requires very little exercise.

Yelps

  • Grooming needs for this breed are high.
  • If not properly socialized at a young age, Yorkies can become yappy—or worse: snappy!—with strangers.
  • Yorkshire Terriers were originally ratters and those instincts still run strong within the breed today, often making them unsuitable around small animals (especially rodents such as mice, rats, and hamsters).

Do you think the Yorkshire Terrier would be the perfect addition to your family? Check your local animal shelter and/or rescue groups like the Florida Yorkie Rescue.

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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.