They’re big. They’re hairy. They’re messy. Yet, to Old English Sheepdog fans, these lovable oafs are the best dogs on earth. Many people aren’t prepared for exactly how quickly their cuddly puppy turns into a boisterous teen. Nine or ten month old puppies are frequently dropped off at the pound or local shelter. This little (or should I say big?) guy got lucky - he was adopted by a couple who already have two older Old English Sheepdogs and knew exactly what they were in for when his overwhelmed first owner had to give him up.

If you think you want one of these dogs, just be aware that they are adorable puppies for only a few months and obnoxious teens for two to three long years. However, if you can just make it through that time of excess energy and boundary pushing, most Old English Sheepdogs are wonderful, loving family pets.

Share This

If you are looking for an alternative to a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Cocker Spaniel, you may be interested in the Cavalier King Charles Cocker Spaniel “designer” dog breed. This spaniel hybrid is usually smaller than a Cocker and a bit sparser in coat.

I have been hanging out recently with a King Charles/Cocker hybrid. She loves kids, prefers to be with her people over playing with other dogs and tries extremely hard to please. Her owners say she was a bit mouthy as a puppy, but outgrew it pretty fast. Despite her desire to make her family happy, she is a tad stubborn and potty training was a bit of an effort - if it rained, she was more concerned about melting than about having accidents in the house. It did finally take, though and she is very quick to learn other things.

Share This

If you are a fan of Saint Bernards, you’ve probably seen enough of the Beethoven movies to get a pretty good idea of what this breed is like. They really are big, messy, goofy dogs. However, not all St. Bernards will cover the house with slobber. Many of these massive dogs are dry mouth, which means they don’t have a drooling problem.

Since the St. Bernard is a big dog, be prepared to buy a lot of food and do a lot of yard clean up. You should start training your puppy early and often, so you are in control of your dog when it starts to outweigh you. We’ve noticed that as this breed reaches 6 t0 9 months, many puppies really attempt to challenge their owner’s authority. Be prepared to stand by any command you give and stay firm or your dog may grow up to become a very big, very bad bully instead of the marshmallow hearted sweetie you should have.

Before buying a Saint Bernard, be sure to ask the breeder if the parents have been screened for hip dysplasia. Having a dog this big that can’t walk turns an already terrible defect into a nightmare.

Share This

The Cockapoo is a hybrid dog that is developed by crossing purebred Cocker Spaniels and Poodles (most commonly Miniature Poodles). Most breeders try to retain the Spaniel’s small build, and the Poodle’s wavy non-shedding coat. The breed has been popular in the United States since the 1950s, and has become so common that most of the dogs living today resulted from breeding male and female Cockapoos rather than by crossing Cocker Spaniels and Poodles.

Cockapoos have long lives, are friendly and typically have fewer genetic defects than either parental breed. The cockapoo cross-breeding resulted in hybrid vigor; a phenomenon where the best genetic qualities of both parental breeds manifest in the resulting offspring.

One of the most sought after qualities of the Cockapoo is its non-shedding coat, which it derived from the Poodle parentage. Some hairs will come out when combing or brushing the coat, but it is unlikely you will find dog hairs on the furniture or in the carpet. Cockapoos also produce very little dander, which is a primary cause of allergies to dogs. This makes the Cockapoo an ideal dog for people with pet allergies. Poodles are also extremely intelligent animals. This trait was passed to the Cockapoo as well.

Cockapoos have ideal pet personalities. They are sweet-natured, patient, and relate well to both children and adults. They are affectionate, loyal, eager to please, easy to train, and non-destructive. They also inherited the Cocker Spaniel’s sturdy build, good health, and long life. A well-cared for Cockapoo will generally live 18-22 years.

Keeping the Cockapoo’s ears clean is an important aspect of care, as they are prone to ear infections. This is typical of long-eared dogs, especially Cocker Spaniels. Some Cockapoo’s eye ducts are also prone to problems and you may need to clean the area under your dog’s eyes to keep matter from building up.

Share This

The Goldendoodle describes a hybrid dog cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. The breed is often said to have its roots in Australia, as with the Labradoodle; however, U.S. breeders argue that Australian origin is not the case. Poodle crosses have become increasingly prevalent due to the non-shedding coat qualities, so in all likelihood the Golden Retriever and Poodle cross evolved in several countries simultaneously. They have been bred in North America and Australia in the mid-1990s.

As with the Labradoodle and many other Poodle crosses, the Goldendoodle was bred in an effort to produce an assistance dog for people with allergies.

As is the case with many cross-breeds, there is no consistent size or color among Goldendoodles. Those traits are largely dependent upon parentage and can vary widely. They are generally healthy animals with no particular propensity for major health issues, and are typically hardy canines. They are typically healthier and live longer then either parent line. The Goldendoodle life expectency is about 15 years.

Goldendoodles are loyal, loving and have a keen sense of smell. They enjoy being outside as well as inside. As both retrievers and Poodles enjoy the water, Goldendoodles can be taught to enjoy swimming, however they must be taught to do so as young puppies. They are great with kids, friendly and intelligent. They are easy to train, and positive reinforcement techniques are recommended. Force training can result in behavioral issues. Goldendoodles have strong retrieving instincts and love to play.

Goldendoodles should not be left alone for excessive amounts of time as they are very social dogs. They are family-oriented and affectionate animals.

Share This

The Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, was the most popular “designer dog” breed in the United States until the Puggle burst onto the hybrid dog scene in 2005. The goal of this breed mix is to retain the intelligence and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, along with the loyalty, lovability, and cheerful high energy of the Labrador.

Labradoodles were originally developed in Australia in the 1970s when the Guide Dogs Victoria tried to breed a low-allergy guide dog. Their breeding program produced inconsistent results, and the project was largely abandoned. Don Evans, who experimented with cross-breeding dogs on his Northern Victoria dog farm, is credited with continuing the experiment and producing several second and third generation Labradoodles from which other breeders continued to develop the breed.

Today’s Australian Labradoodle is different from the early crosses in that it doesn’t limit parentage to strictly the Labrador Retrieve and Poodle. Australian Labradoodles may also have Irish Water Spaniels, English and American Cocker Spaniels, and Curly Coated Retrievers among their ancestors. An ancestral mix of temperament, easy trainability, non-shedding coat, and sturdy body type is the common goal of breeders. Australian Labradoodles can have one of two coat types; wool and fleece. The wool coat is completely free of shedding, while some fleece-coated dogs may exhibit very slight shedding.

There is a movement among some breeders to block the Labradoodle from becoming a recognized breed. Labradors are genetically prone to weak hips, and it is believed these types of problems will continue to manifest in the Labradoodle. Neither the Labrador Retriever Club nor the Poodle Club of America recognize the Labradoodle, and both have issued statements against the breeding.

Share This

The Puggle is a dog that is a cross between Pug and Beagle parents. Thanks to a major U.S. media frenzy in late 2005, the Puggle is currently one of the most popular breeds of “designer dogs” in the United States. The frenzy was fueled by the dogs’ appearances on popular morning TV shows, a front page article in the New York Post, and celebrity owners such as James Gandofini and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Puggles generally weigh 20-25 pounds and measure 13-15 inches at the shoulder. Most Puggles are fawn in color with black wrinkled masks (like Pugs), but some are multi-colored or even completely black. Puggles usually have the longer body and muzzle of the Beagle, as well as floppy ears.

While Pugs are prone to eye, joint and skin problems (due to the wrinkles), Puggles enjoy relative freedom from these issues as a result of the Beagle parentage. Puggles are also more tolerant of the heat than Pugs are due to their longer nasal cavity. however, they are still prone to cherry eye, which is a common eye infection among Beagles.

Puggle owners praise the personality of the breed as its most valuable pet trait. They are playful animals and clown-like in disposition. They tend to have short bursts of energy, then quickly tire. As soon as they take a short nap, then want to play again. These playful tendencies can make them slow to train, and may also manifest in hyperactivity (a trait common to both Beagles and Pugs).

Puggles do not generally snore or make snorting noises as do Pugs. However, some do inherit the nasal houndlike bay of the Beagle. That being said, many Puggles barely vocalize at all.

Share This

The spunky Yorkshire Terrier can be a devoted and affectionate family pet. However, this breed is nicknamed the “Yappy Yorkie” for good reason. The Yorkie thinks that it is a big, powerful dog that needs to protect its family from any hint of danger and will bark at just about anything.

The Yorkshire Terriers I have known are all very loving with family members, but they are so small that they can be accidentally injured by children who love them too vigorously. This breed is intelligent, but is hard to housebreak, especially if you expect your dog to go outside in bad weather and get his little feet wet.

Share This

Standard Poodles may look a bit silly when they are groomed for show, but these dogs are very intelligent and good hearted. If you want a dog that can compete in obedience trials, this breed is ideal. However, be prepared to put in a lot of grooming time! This breed is fairly large and usually weighs 45-65 pounds. Despite their large size, these poodles do not need a ton of exercise. However, they do enjoy running and playing.

If you decide to buy a Standard Poodle, you may want to consider the fact that many breeders and owners have noticed that white or cream dogs are more high strung than other colors. Also, there are several common health problems with this breed, including hip dysplasia.

Share This

The Scottish Terrier is a spunky, alert little dog. This breed may be small, but isn’t a lap dog. The Scottie has an independent streak and rarely develops extreme separation anxiety. If you’ve never owned a Scottie before, you may think that your dog is starting to growl aggressively at you when he or she wants something, but this is actually the way that these dogs “talk” to people.
Despite all the photos of Scotties in lush gardens that you see in magazines, Scottish Terriers are diggers and can do some serious damage to a garden. These dogs also do quite a lot of chewing as puppies. Mine actually tried to chew up the 100 year old wooden floor boards in the kitchen, the baseboard trim, and any number of children’s toys. Imagine what an unsupervised puppy could do. Be sure to fence off important garden areas and provide plenty of chew toys for your new Scottie.

Share This