Pawtastic Dogs

I am back.

2010-10-02T19:18:00.001-07:00

Sorry I have not posted for awhile. I had moved, and in the move I lost my computer. I am back now. Yay! Now lets get this site back in motion. Woo Woo!

Pampered pets and their owners going green

2010-07-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

By Patricia Reaney

Reuters
Wednesday, July 21, 2010; 1:06 PM

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Whether it is organic coconut chip treats, eco-friendly rope toys, hemp and bamboo collars or beds made from recycled material, pampered pets and their owners are going green.

There are still $3,000 snake-skin and diamond collars, fitness trainers for pudgier pooches and pet hotel suites but more animal lovers are eschewing luxury for green gear.
"In the last year and a half we have seen more eco-friendly products than ever before," Charlotte Reed, a New York-based pet products expert, said in an interview. "More people are leaning in that direction."
And they are realizing that their dog, or cat, can help reduce their carbon footprint.
"We see more products that will make your dog fit and healthy, products that will be natural and good for his/her hair and well being," Reed said.
Stephanie Volo, of Maine-based Planet Dog, has been providing recyclable toys and pet products from sustainable materials for more than a decade. She is convinced that pet owners are more concerned now about the environment and showing it with the types of products they buy. But pets need not sacrifice style to go green. Along with grooming products bearing organic labels, doggy water ramps for getting Fido back on the dock and portable potties for traveling canines that were on display at a New York pet product show, there was plenty of bling and stylish outfits for discerning owners and their pets."We are seeing a growing demand for products that are good for you, good for your dog and good for the earth," she explained. "It is definitely a trend."
If a standard dog collar doesn't suffice, Los Angeles-based Weizhi Inc has several snakeskin and silver and 18K gold varieties. A silver dog chain and silver fox and blue fox chain holder retails for $30,000.
"This is for people who look for something unique," said Yoko Okuaki, a manager with the company.
There was also no shortage of stylish winter coats, comfy sweaters, Halloween costumes and party dresses for all occasions for fashionable canines.
One of New York-based Royal Animals' newest items is a biker jacket, complete with an assortment of zippers.
"It's a different concept, a bit more rugged," a company representative explained.
TORU, which makes T-shirts, tank tops and hoodies for dogs, has launched a new line called Rescue Wear to promote awareness for rescue groups, adoption and spay and neuter programs. It will also publish a calendar in the autumn called Rescues Rock The Runway featuring dogs saved from shelters. Part of the proceeds will be donated to a Miami rescue group.
And to calm an anxious pet during travel, veterinary visits and thunderstorms Pet Acoustics has created what it describes as a "sound world for animals" -- relaxing music for dogs, cats and horses, and what is billed as the world's first pet speaker designed for animal hearing sensitivities.
Along with the pet sound system international pet expert Janet Marlow has composed and recorded music specifically for animals.

Provided by washingtonpost.com

Oil spill's refugee dogs snapped up in Md.

2010-07-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

Oil spill's refugee dogs snapped up in Md.

Bree is 5 months old. (Courtesy of SPCA)

It’s just Bree now.

The female Labrador retriever mix is the last dog standing after 10 dogs abandoned by distressed owners along the Gulf Coast were brought to an Annapolis shelterlast month. Local families snapped up eight of the animals. Another is being treated for heartworm.

(Jump down the page to see photos of the adopted dogs).

The Capital of Annapolis had this report:

When oil started seeping into the Louisiana waters weeks after the disastrous explosion of BP's Deepwater Horizon oil rig, things began to go downhill for Shrimp.

Shrimp, no crustacean but a young Labrador retriever, was one of 10 abandoned dogs who wound up at the Anne Arundel County SPCA late last month, an unexpected casualty of the Gulf Coast oil spill.

The dogs came from two shelters in Louisiana. Since the oil spill began, Gulf Coast animal shelters have been filling up with pets, said Sue Beatty, executive director of the Anne Arundel County SPCA. Many pet owners have lost jobs and are unable to continue to care for their dogs.

The Humane Society of the United States arranged for 33 dogs to be sent to Maryland shelters. Robin Small, director of operations at the county SPCA, picked up 10 of them from Gaithersburg, where they arrived by van from Louisiana.

"They had a long ride, so they were very happy to see the ground again," Small said.

Eight of the dogs already have been adopted by local families, and one is currently undergoing treatment for heartworm. While the shelter doesn't advertise to visitors which dogs are from Louisiana, Beatty said the oil spill victims have been adopted faster than usual. "Always, people want to adopt the less fortunate ones," Beatty said. A notice posted on the SPCA's website about the dogs drew many interested families, she added.

Bryan Myers and Meredith Luttrell of Arnold adopted a 7-month-old Labrador retriever mix, whom they've named Cooper. When they first brought him home, they said he seemed sad and shy.

"It definitely took him awhile to warm up," Luttrell said. "You could tell he had been through a lot."

But after a week, they say they've seen a complete turnaround in Cooper.

"He's a very sweet and affectionate dog," Myers said. "I don't think we could have picked a better dog."

On Thursday — the same day BP announced that oil had stopped gushing into gulf waters for the first time since April — Shrimp got some good news. After a home visit, the dog was finally adopted by a local family, more than two weeks after the long trek from Louisiana.

But one other victim of the oil spill, Bree, is still available for adoption. Beatty said she hoped that all of the dogs from Louisiana will find new homes by this week.

Courtesy of washingtonpost.com/

World War II Museum Features Animals of War

2010-07-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

By JANET McCONNAUGHEY (AP) – 9 hours ago

NEW ORLEANS — An exhibit opening Thursday at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans features dogs, horses and other animals used during the war.
"Loyal Forces: The Animals of WWII" showcases the species most often brought into the war.
The first exhibit highlights the Coast Guard shore patrol, which used 3,000 horses. German horses represent the European theater.
North Africa and the Mediterranean are represented by pigeons.
An oral history from Hiram Boone, a mule handler for the Army's Mars Task Force, informs the China, Burma and India theater exhibit.
And for the Pacific front, there are the dogs, including Smoky the Yorkshire terrier, who pulled a telegraph wire through a pipe that was 70 feet long and 8 inches wide.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Smoky the Yorkshire terrier, Lady Astor the pigeon and a host of horses and mules whose individual stories are lost to history are among war heroes and heroines featured in the latest exhibit at the National World War II Museum.
"Loyal Force: Animals at War" will run July 22-Oct. 17, featuring the four kinds of animals most often brought into the war, as they were used in all five theaters.
"There was a great love and loyalty between the soldiers and the animals they worked with," said registrar Toni M. Kiser, who created the exhibit with archivist Lindsey Barnes.
The exhibit opener may seem odd to people used to thinking of the Coast Guard as offshore duty in cutters, patrol boats, helicopters and airplanes.
In the mezzanine, where a Sherman tank and a half-track represent the period's most common cavalry, will be a figure of a Coast Guardsman on shore patrol with his horse. The shore patrols were set up after German saboteurs twice landed on American beaches.
"Luckily, before they could wreak havoc they were caught," said Kiser. "But there was this great fear that we really had to protect America's coastline."
Nearly 3,000 horses, provided by the Army Quartermaster Corps, let the shore patrol cover much more ground. "The U.S. Coast Guard used more horses than any other branch of the U.S. Military during WWII," the title panel notes.
The first thing visitors will see in the special exhibits gallery is a German reconnaissance horse and soldier, representing the European theater.
Germany's 1st Cavalry Division pursued the Soviet Army through the northern marshes of the Soviet Union, but was disbanded and mechanized in November 1941, largely because horses needed extensive supplies and attention, and Adolf Hitler considered them outmoded.
But most supplies and a great deal of artillery were still horse-drawn, and a mounted infantry squadron patrolled about six miles in front of every German infantry division.
"These mounted patrol troops were referred to as the 'eyes and ears of their units,'" an exhibit panel explains.
The museum's artifacts were part of the reason for including the German horse, Barnes said. "We have a really great saddle" and a dagger from the infamous 8th SS Kavallerie Division Florian Geyer.
North Africa and the Mediterranean are represented by pigeons such as Lady Astor, which brought an urgent message to Allied forces from the front lines in North Africa in spite of pellet fire that broke one leg and took half the feathers from one wing.
An oral history from Hiram Boone, a muleskinner for the Army's Mars Task Force, informs the China, Burma and India theater exhibit.
For the Pacific front, there are the dogs.
Smoky, found in a foxhole in New Guinea, was a mascot who became a war heroine when engineers needed to run 70 feet of telegraph wire through an 8-inch culvert under an airfield.
Cpl. William Wynne, who had adopted Smoky and taught her many tricks, tied one end of the wire to Smoky's collar and had his buddies hold Smoky at one end of the culvert while he called her from the other.
Her story is among a half-dozen featured on a touch-screen display, as is that of Kurt, a Doberman Pinscher who alerted his handler to Japanese soldiers lying in wait above the Asan Point beachhead on Guam, but was killed by a mortar shell.
Bronze statues of Smoky in a "pot" helmet and Kurt, lying down but on the alert, also are part of the exhibit. Kurt's statue is a replica of one at the United States Marine Corps War Dog Cemetery in Guam.
Sculptor Susan Bahary also put Barnes in touch with the widow of Lt. William Putney, commanding officer of the 3rd U.S. War Dog Platoon, who led 110 Marines and 72 dogs from Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton to Guadalcanal and Guam. His veterinarian's kit, donated to the museum by Betsy Putney, is set up in the sort field hospital used for dogs.
"A lot of stuff they had was the same as for humans," Barnes said. "It took a while for the Army to get around to having special supplies for dogs."
There's also a mascot slideshow and a narrated "slideshow movie" about servicemen's encounters with exotic animals — playing with monkeys, riding on elephants and camels. One photo, from the Pacific, shows eight men holding the skin of a python. "The expressions on their faces are pretty telling — how foreign and exciting this was," Barnes said.
They had to omit lots of stories, such as that of the bear that carried artillery ammunition during the battle of Monte Cassino (it had been enlisted into the Polish Army because the soldiers weren't allowed to have mascots).
"We really wanted to concentrate on the animals that were used by the thousands to help the military," Kiser said.
(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects name of exhibit. Changes muleskinner to mule handler to clarify. Will be updated.)

Taken From Google.

My Recommended Sites (updated Regularly)

2010-07-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Pooch and Mutt- Natural Supplements for dogs.
Dog Training - Get your dog to listen to you, anywhere you go. Professional dog trainer reveals dog training information on how to get maximum results in minimal time.

My View on Pitbulls

2010-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Friend or Foe? I believe friend. I have owned a couple of American Pitbull Terriers in my life time, and they were the best suited breed for me. I was raised with dogs, extending, but not limited too, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Mutts, Dachshunds, Dobermans, Rottweilers, German Shepards, Bichon Frises, Labradors, Golden Retreivers, and I'm sure more. Out of all of them, the Pitbull was the most friendly, eager to please, energized, loyal, family loving, protective dog I've been around. They are very sweet and attentive. They have a strong urge to please their owners, which is probably why they get such a bad rap. Dog fighters probably choose this dog, besides its strength, jaw, and being bred to fight, because of wanting to make them happy. Hey, you kicked that other dogs ass! Good job! Be aggressive towards everyone but me! Good Dog! Now the dog is happy it made its owner happy. The dog doesn't know any better, and the fact that people want them outlawed is, well, ridiculous. Do you ban kids who's parents raised them to steal, lie, and cheat there way through lives? No, most the time someone tries to step in and save them. Either they straighten up, or end up in prison, but thats a choice they made. Pitbulls only choose to make their owners happy. One of my pitbulls I adopted was from a fighting ring. He was going to be Euthenized. I admit, he was pretty aggressive when I first got him, but with work and training, he is now a great, lovable family dog, who gets a long with others dogs. Sure, people don't have time to save the dogs that have already been traumatized, but what about the ones who were raised in great families and wouldn't hurt a fly if their life depended on it. These dogs don't deserve to be banned. How would you like it if your Labradoodle or Chihuahau became a dangerous breed, and they were talking about exterminating them? All because a select few had owners who let them bite people, or treated them poorly and didn't socialize them, so they were aggressive? You wouldn't like it. You would stick up for your dog, with your life if you had too. Well it's the same with Pitbulls. Before you "dog" on them, find a good owner with common sense on how to take care of them, and give one a chance. The news only shows bad stuff about these dogs the majority of the time. What about the good stuff? Wheres the stuff about the Pitbull being the Nations mascot in WWI? Wheres the news about the Pitbull who saves 50 people from drowning? You hardly ever see this stuff. So quit feeding into the media, and give this dog a chance.

Denton County couple's frantic search for missing dog has tragic ending

2010-07-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

By PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE / Denton Record-Chronicle
pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com

SANGER – Ashley Johnson thought she was doing the right thing.

The golden retriever ambling along McReynolds Road seemed lost. She was worried it would be hit by a car. She picked it up and brought it back to her Sanger home.

First, she tried calling the number listed on the tag. The person who answered didn't speak English very well but said someone would come claim the dog. When no one did, Johnson got suspicious. Maybe the dog's true owner got a new phone, she thought.

She called the veterinarian listed on the rabies tag, reading to the person who answered the phone both the dog's name, Kenzy, and the tag number.

"She said they had no records for that name or number," Johnson said.

She couldn't risk exposing her own dogs, including a new puppy, by keeping Kenzy at home. She had rescued one of her dogs from the city's animal shelter three years ago, so she was confident that Kenzy would be all right at the shelter.

She didn't realize that her decision would create a domino effect that would culminate in the dog being put down.

"I feel Kenzy's dead because of me," she said.

A frantic search

Sam and Kelli Alexander thought they did the right thing, hiring a sitter to look after their animal menagerie – reptiles, exotic birds and the dogs – while they vacationed in South America.

They live on a large tract of land on McReynolds Road, just outside the city limits, and the dogs stay outside, Sam Alexander said. Kenzy sometimes scores treats at the neighbor's place, so he wasn't too surprised that the sitter didn't notice she was missing.

Kelli Alexander said that Kenzy was registered, had undergone obedience training and, with five years as a therapy dog, was good with the clients at Day Stay for Adults, where she visited. When the couple returned home and realized Kenzy was gone, they began a frantic search.

"I drove for miles, looking in the ditches," Sam Alexander said.

One of Kelli Alexander's first calls was to Sanger's animal control department. She called at 1:44 p.m. June 22. She made her query of two different employees – only the first of whom identified herself as with county dispatch – and was told to call Denton's animal shelter because "they take animals there."

The couple didn't know that Kenzy was still alive that day, with the clock counting down, at Sanger's animal shelter. The couple continued to make calls, put notices in local papers and pass out fliers, including one at veterinarian Lynn Stucky's office.

Fellow veterinarian Sherri Swanton said that she remembered the flier but that unfortunately, without a microchip, Kenzy could not be distinguished from any other golden retriever. She could only think of one reason why they didn't recognize the rabies tag.

"If it was old, the number for a newer tag would have wiped it from the database," Swanton said, adding that the older number would only be retrievable from the paperwork in the family's file.

Two weeks later, Johnson saw one of the notices and called the Alexanders. She told them her story and that, as far as she knew, the city animal shelter could still have Kenzy.

The couple called the Police Department and asked that someone meet them at the shelter. They waited there while the responding officer checked for their dog. When she returned, she told the Alexanders that Kenzy wasn't there, then called the dog catcher and handed the phone to Sam Alexander.

He tried to listen to the dog catcher's explanation of what had become of Kenzy while his wife howled with grief in the background.

Kenzy had been euthanized June 25.

Examining the system

Sanger does the right thing, Police Chief Curtis Amyx said, by forwarding calls to the county dispatchers when their clerks are taking a lunch break or can't otherwise answer the phone.

He said it was unfortunate that Kelli Alexander didn't realize she was talking to county dispatchers and not the city. Had the family talked with either the police or the animal control officer, the dog would have been returned to them, Amyx said.

The majority of animals the city picks up are reunited with their owners and not kept at the shelter, Amyx said. Once at the shelter, though, animals must be claimed within 72 hours or, by ordinance, become property of the city. The city has 12 cages for cats and 10 kennels for dogs.

In 2008, the city housed 183 dogs and 131 cats. Fifty-two of them were euthanized. In 2009, the city housed 76 dogs and 75 cats. Eleven of those animals were adopted, 14 were transferred to rescue groups, and the remaining 126 were euthanized.

The shelter is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Amyx said. Johnson, the Alexanders and other residents say they haven't visited the shelter in years.

Along with the water treatment plant, the shelter sits behind a locked gate, surrounded by security fence, and monitored by video surveillance. A water department employee tells visitors who punch the call button that they must be escorted by the animal control officer in order to visit the shelter.

Stucky, a local veterinarian, comes once a week, or as the city requests, to put down the unwanted animals.

No public allowed?

To do the right thing by the animals, Texas health code requires each city in a county with a population over 75,000 to have an animal welfare board overseeing their shelter, said Chris Van Deusen, spokesman for the Texas Department of State Health Services.

With a population of less than 8,000, Sanger does not have such a board, Amyx said.

Last year, Kelli Alexander worked with a youth group on various community service activities, including making dog treats and dog toys they planned to take to a local shelter. She called Sanger first, scheduling an appointment for a visit that the city later canceled.

The youth group went to the Denton shelter instead, playing with the dogs and getting to know them.

Kelli Alexander said a city employee told her at the time that the public was not allowed into the shelter.

Looking back now, she said, that news should have spurred her into action.

"I never thought my precious animal would end up there, and so it wasn't really my problem to deal with," she said.

News from -dallasnews.com

Picture from blog.bioethics.net

Eukanuba Adult Large Breed Formula Dog Food

2010-07-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Eukanuba is my favorite dog food. I use it for my dogs. When purchasing dog food, I recommend that atleast one of the first 2 ingredients contain some sort of meat, because when the ingredients are listed, it goes in order from the majority of the ingredient, to the least. Eukanuba's first ingredient is always meat, like in this particular formula, chicken comes first, meaning its the most used ingredient in this product. When I switched to Eukanuba a few years ago, I noticed my dogs energy increased, as well as them getting shinier coats. See more Eukanuba products in my store.

Short-snouted Dogs Most Likely to Die on Airliners

2010-07-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

Those who own short-snouted dog breeds, whether it be a bulldog, a pug, or any other breed with a short snout, should pay attention. Government data released Friday shows that of the purebred dog deaths on airplanes over the past five years, short-snouted breeds accounted for roughly half of the fatalities.

It's been said that riding as cargo, which is how most dogs are shipped, is rough on them. In May of 2005, airlines had to begin disclosing dog deaths when shipped as cargo, and the report said that at least 122 dog deaths were reported during that time frame.

Among the purebreds (108) involved, English bulldogs accounted for the single highest number of deaths (25). Next were pugs, with 11 deaths. After that, were golden retrievers and labrador retrievers, at 7 each, followed by French bulldogs at six, and American Staffordshire terriers with four reported deaths. Boxers, cockapoos, Pomeranians and Pekinese accounted for two deaths apiece.

It's believed that the way dogs pant, and specifically, how short-snouted dogs pant, is at issue. Dogs with short-noses, according to Dan Bandy, chairman of the Bulldog Club of America's health committee, have a skull formation that affects their air passages.

"The way all dogs cool themselves is basically through respiration, either just panting or the action of breathing in or out, is a method of heat exchange for them. A dog that has a long snout or a long muzzle has more surface area within its nasal cavity for that heat exchange to take place. So breeds like labradors or collies or those types of dogs with the long muzzles have a more efficient cooling system."

Many cargo holds are not air-conditioned, and thus present a threat to animals, particularly during warm summer months. Dogs don't sweat; they pant to cool themselves.

Stay in touch with HULIQ NEWS on Twitter @HULIQ

News story from huliq.com.

RSS Feed Me, Email, And Link to Animal Store

2010-07-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

RSS - Add Me!

Email - Skyefireproductions@gmail.com

Store - Check out my store for dog supplies, as well as other animal supplies!

Dog Breed - American Pitbull Terrier

2010-07-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm going to start with the American Pitbull Terrier, because this is my favorite breed. Their is a lot of discrimination against this breed, and if people actually met these dogs raised by good and responsible owners, I think they would fall in love with them.
Description
This is a very, very powerful Dog. They have huge heads, mostly in the jaw area to support their powerful mouths. They have a very muscular neck, followed by a very ripped body. Ears can be clipped, not that I support ear clipping, or tail docking. Tails are sometimes docked, but are not allowed in the UKC or ADBA. These dogs are very intelligent and loyal, and will do anything to please there masters. Socialization is a major importance with this dog, as they can be aggressive. They are great family dogs and great with kids, as well as making great guard dogs. They are also one of the clowns of the dog breeds.
History
This dog is a mix of bulldogs and terriers. He was brought to the US in the mid 1800's. Americans made them bigger with thicker heads. They were originally bred to fight and bull bait, but no longer are bred for those reasons (except for the people who do it illegally and should be in prison.) The Pitbull was used to represent the US WWI in lots of art work.
Breed Standards(According to UKC)
Head

The APBT head is unique and a key element of breed type. It is large and broad, giving the impression of great power, but it is not disproportionate to the size of the body. Viewed from the front, the head is shaped like a broad, blunt wedge. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by a well defined, moderately deep stop. Supraorbital arches over the eyes are well defined but not pronounced. The head is well chiseled, blending strength, elegance, and character.

Very Serious Fault:

Overly large, heavy heads.

SKULL - The skull is large, flat or slightly rounded, deep, and broad between the ears. Viewed from the top, the skull tapers just slightly toward the stop. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent but free of wrinkles. When the dog is concentrating, wrinkles form on the forehead, which give the APBT his unique expression.

MUZZLE - The muzzle is broad and deep with a very slight taper from the stop to the nose, and a slight falling away under the eyes. The length of muzzle is shorter than the length of skull, with a ratio of approximately 2:3. The topline of the muzzle is straight. The lower jaw is well developed, wide and deep. Lips are clean and tight.

Faults:

Snipey muzzle; flews; weak lower jaw.

Very Serious Fault:

Muzzle too short, which impairs breathing capability.

TEETH - The American Pit Bull Terrier has a complete set of evenly spaced, white teeth meeting in a scissors bite.

Fault:

Level bite.

Serious Faults:

Undershot, or overshot bite; wry mouth; missing teeth (this does not apply to teeth that have been lost or removed by a veterinarian).

NOSE - The nose is large with wide, open nostrils. The nose may be any color.

EYES - Eyes are medium size, round and set well apart and low on the skull. All colors are equally acceptable except blue, which is a serious fault. Haw should not be visible.

Serious Faults:

Bulging eyes; both eyes not matched in color; blue eyes.

EARS - Ears are high set and may be natural or cropped without preference. Prick or flat, wide ears are not desired.

Neck

The neck is of moderate length and muscular. There is a slight arch at the crest. The neck widens gradually from where it joins the skull to where it blends into well laid-back shoulders. The skin on the neck is tight and without dewlap.

Faults:

Neck too thin or weak; ewe neck; dewlap.

Very Serious Fault:

A short, thick neck that would interfere with functional ability.

Forequarters

The shoulder blades are long, wide, muscular, and well laid back. The upper arm is roughly equal in length to the shoulder blade and joins it at an apparent right angle.

The forelegs are strong and muscular. The elbows are set close to the body. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are set moderately wide apart and perpendicular to the ground. The pasterns are short, powerful, straight, and flexible. When viewed in profile, the pasterns are nearly erect.

Faults:

Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.

Very Serious Fault:

Legs shorter than half the total height at the withers.

Body

The chest is deep, well filled in, and moderately wide with ample room for heart and lungs, but the chest should never be wider than it is deep. The forechest does not extend much beyond the point of shoulder.

The ribs extend well back and are well sprung from the spine, then flattening to form a deep body extending to the elbows. The back is strong and firm. The topline inclines very slightly downward from the withers to a broad, muscular, level back. The loin is short, muscular and slightly arched to the top of the croup, but narrower than the rib cage and with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is slightly sloping downward.

Very Serious Fault:

Overly massive body style that impedes working ability.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters are strong, muscular, and moderately broad. The rump is well filled in on each side of the tail and deep from the pelvis to the crotch. The bone, angulation, and musculature of the hindquarters are in balance with the forequarters. The thighs are well developed with thick, easily discerned muscles. Viewed from the side, the hock joint is well bent and the rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another.

Faults:

Narrow hindquarters; hindquarters shallow from pelvis to crotch; lack of muscle; straight or over angulated stifle joint; cow hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs.

Feet

The feet are round, proportionate to the size of the dog, well arched, and tight. Pads are hard, tough, and well cushioned. Dewclaws may be removed.

Fault:

Splayed feet.

Tail

The tail is set on as a natural extension of the topline, and tapers to a point. When the dog is relaxed, the tail is carried low and extends approximately to the hock. When the dog is moving, the tail is carried level with the backline. When the dog is excited, the tail may be carried in a raised, upright position (challenge tail), but never curled over the back (gay tail).

Fault:

Long tail (tail tip passes beyond point of hock).

Serious faults

: Gay tail (not to be confused with challenge tail); kinked tail.

Disqualification:

Bobbed tail.

Coat

The coat is glossy and smooth, close, and moderately stiff to the touch.

Faults:

Curly, wavy, or sparse coat.

Disqualification:

Long coat.

Color

Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for merle.

Disqualification: Merle

Height and Weight

The American Pit Bull Terrier must be both powerful and agile so actual weight and height are less important than the correct proportion of weight to height. Desirable weight for a mature male in good condition is between 35 and 60 pounds. Desirable weight for a mature female in good condition is between 30 and 50 pounds. Dogs over these weights are not to be penalized unless they are disproportionately massive or rangy.

Very Serious Fault:

Excessively large or overly massive dogs.

Gait

The American Pit Bull Terrier moves with a jaunty, confident attitude, conveying the impression that he expects any minute to see something new and exciting. When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful, and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the backline remains level with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance.

Faults:

Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; rear legs moving too close or touching; rolling; pacing; paddling; sidewinding; hackney action; pounding.

Disqualifications

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Unilateral or bilateral deafness. Long coat. Bobbed tail. Albinism. Merle.

Note: Although some level of dog aggression is characteristic of this breed, handlers will be expected to comply with UKC policy regarding dog temperament at UKC events.

Breeders

If you feel this is the pet for you, here is a list of some registered breeders with the UKC

superpitbulls.com

Pitdemon.narod.ru

h_dkennels

riversedgepitbulls.com

ironmanpits.com

ajsreds.com

Other stuff

Train Your Dog to Sit

2010-07-17T17:40:00.001-07:00

Dogmatic Hands-Free Leash System Review

2010-07-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

Wonderful. It's great for when your out on walks, or when you first get a dog. I use this to train new dogs to follow their owners. I have the owners keep it hooked up to them all day when around the house, so the dog learns to pay attention to its owner. I do not recommend for large, out of control dogs, especially on kids. Its not fun being dragged around. View more details on this product here.

2 Dogs Found Dead

2010-07-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

2 dogs found dead at house with 85 chihuahuas

By Peter Mucha and Robert Moran

INQUIRER STAFF WRITERS

The discovery of two dead dogs complicates the legal case involving the hoarding of 85 live chihuahuas and chihuahua mixes at a South Philadelphia home.
Investigators are trying to determine if the dogs died of natural causes. If neglect or abuse was involved, the homeowner could face misdemeanor charges, according to Liz Williamson, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania SPCA.
For each of the 85 living dogs, and two cats also found, a summary offense of unsanitary confinement could be charged, with a possible 90 days in jail and a $750 fine, Williamson said.
Lack of veterinary care, another potential charge for each dog, carries similar possible consequences, she said.
Wednesday night, humane officers wore protective suits and air-filter masks as they entered the three-story residence in the 700 block of Earp Street.
The stench of urine was strong outside, and inside, dog feces was everywhere, said George Bengal, director of law enforcement for the Pennsylvania SPCA.
A woman in her 50s lived the house, Bengal said.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections condemned the house, Bengal said.
"It's unfit for human habitation, let alone animals," he said.
A neighbor, Angel Crusha, 50, said that she has known the woman since 1988, and that they quickly became friends because they both loved animals. She said the woman has a job, interacts with neighbors, and has kept private whatever was going on inside her house.
The woman "got too attached" to her dogs, Crusha said.
"It's like a tattoo," Crusha said. You get one, you want another one."
Bengal said the woman had been a breeder of chihuahuas, but apparently stopped selling them and they began to accumulate.
"We see these types of hoarding situations regularly," he said. "Most people believe they are helping these animals but are quickly overwhelmed and are unable to take care of them, sometimes with tragic results."
The PSPCA was tipped off to the situation in December, but was unable to get enough evidence for a warrant until Wednesday, Bengal said.
The woman agreed to surrender all the dogs, he said.
The removal effort Wednesday followed another hoarding situation that required the PSPCA to respond Tuesday night to the 5700 block of North Mascher Street in Olney.
Humane officers found 90 living animals, plus 30 dead ones in a freezer.
The deceased creatures - dead cats, dogs, chinchillas and wildlife, according to the PSPCA - were found dead on the street and stored in the freezer until trash day, the owner told the Daily News.
The rescued animals included cats, dogs, pigeons, squirrels, chinchillas, beavers and a fox, Bengal said.

News Provided By - philly.com
Image Provided By - helpinganimals.com

Pedipaws Nail Trimmer Review

2010-07-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

You've seen it all over on infomercials. Is it a good product? Is it worth the money? I would say yes. I bought this for my dogs and cats. It works absolutely wonderful, if you can get your pets used to it. There are directions on desensitizing your dogs to his handy tool in the package. The trick is to not hold it on your dogs nail for more that 3 seconds, otherwise it starts to burn (and smell bad.) It works a lot better then regular dog nail clippers though, in my opinion. No splintered nails. No accidents of taking off to much nail because of a sudden movement. IMO buy this and replace your old clippers.

Clever Canine Ducks Death Row

2010-07-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Clever canine ducks death row

KANSAS CITY, MO (USA)
Apr 18, 2007

Let's have a pop quiz...
If you were a dog about to be euthanized, what would you do?

a)Pee on the floor.b)Claw, bite, maul someone.c)Yell, "Freeeeeeedommm!"

(hey, it worked for Mel Gibson) d)Shake the executioner's hand.

If you answered a, b or c, then have a nice afterlife, pal. The correct answer is d. Or at least that's what worked for a stray dog in Kansas City.

The unidentified Labrador mutt (later named "Lucky") was scheduled to be euthanized at the Kansas City, MO Animal Shelter. But at the moment she faced her executioner, Lucky did a very unusual thing, says canine caretaker Andrea Galeski. "She shook the guy's hand as he was going to put her to sleep."

Kansas City Animal Control euthanizes an average of 19 dogs per day¹, and Lucky was about to be just another statistic, but the dog's pitiable gesture of goodwill was all it took to get a reprieve from the man with the needle. "He put her back in the cage," says Ms. Galeski.

Who could deny this appeal?
It was enough to win Lucky a last minute paw-don. (Photo: CBS 8)

SIT, STAY, STAY
OF EXECUTION
This loopy looking Labrador was smart enough to cheat her way off of death row. Now that's one helluva trick (sure beats playing dead). Photo: KFMB CBS 8

After that, Ms. Galeski felt something had to be done. Her doggie daycare organization Puppy's Playpen was not looking for another pooch, but Lucky was persuasive.

"She just looked at me with the look of, What do you want me to do next? Just tell me what to do!" says Ms. Galeski.

"So I'm going to take her. She deserves a second chance."

Puppy's Playpen, which sponsors animal rescue, will be holding an adoption drive on April 21 in Overland Park where one lucky family may be able to take Lucky home. Drop by if you're in the area, and if you see our hand-shaking heroine there, be sure to give her a hi-5.

Well, ok, a hi-4 would do just as well.

"In the agony of death a dog has been known to caress his master, and every one has heard of the dog suffering under vivisection, who licked the hand of the operator;
this man ... unless he had a heart of stone, must have felt remorse to the last hour of his life."—Charles Darwin,
The Descent of Man (1871)

Sources:
¹ "Dog saves its own life"
KMBC-TV 9. 13 Apr 2007

Not all situations call for the Gandhian discipline of peaceful resistance as in Lucky's case. Sometimes you just gotta run like hell.

Last year in Virginia Beach, a bulldog named "Roscoe" found himself locked up, falsely accused and facing a possible death sentence. But he wasn't licked yet.

Note - I thank Doginthenews.com for this article. Be sure to check them out for all sorts of dog news!

Welcome Note

2010-07-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Pawtastic Dogs! Here I will provide you with anything and everything about dogs, from breed of the week to product reviews. I will find dogs in the news, as well as recommended trainers. If you have any ideas you would like to see added to this site, feel free to email me.

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Pampered pets and their owners going green

Oil spill's refugee dogs snapped up in Md.

Oil spill's refugee dogs snapped up in Md.

World War II Museum Features Animals of War

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Denton County couple's frantic search for missing dog has tragic ending

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Dog Breed - American Pitbull Terrier

Train Your Dog to Sit

Dogmatic Hands-Free Leash System Review

2 Dogs Found Dead

2 dogs found dead at house with 85 chihuahuas

Pedipaws Nail Trimmer Review

Clever Canine Ducks Death Row

Clever canine ducks death row

Welcome Note