The thyroid is a small gland located in the neck and it produces hormones that help regulate a variety of essential bodily functions. When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of these hormones, it can lead to serious health problems – this is called hypothyroidism. Dogs with hypothyroidism often exhibit symptoms such as thinning fur, dull…
If you’ve ever wondered why dogs seem to love sniffing each other’s behinds, it is because of their anal glands. Every dog has two small scent glands located just inside the anus on either side. These glands produce your dog’s unique scent which he uses to mark his territory. Your dog’s anal glands secrete an…
Hailing from the island of Cuba, the Havanese is a delightful little dog with a long silky coat. The Havanese is a toy breed that stands 8.5t to 11.5 inches tall and weighs 7 to 13 pounds at maturity. Though he may be small, he packs a lot of personality into that little body and…
Though his name might suggest otherwise, the Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized breed that originated in the United States. The Australian Shepherd was developed as a herding breed and, though he can adapt to life as a family companion, he will always be a working breed at heart. These dogs are highly intelligent with excellent…
Affectionately known as the Sheltie, the Shetland Sheepdog is a medium-sized breed developed specifically for herding in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The Shetland Sheepdog looks like a miniature Collie due to his long, multicolored coat and tapered nose. He is an intelligent and hardworking breed that always seems to be smiling which is part…
Though they may not be the most common breed around, Papillons are certainly one of the easiest to recognize with their big, erect, fur-covered ears. The Papillon is named for the French word for butterfly, though he is also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel. These dogs are one of the oldest toy spaniel breeds,…
As the owner of an indoor cat, one of the biggest problems you will ever face is keeping the litter box clean. Outdoor cat owners have it easier; they just let the cat out in the backyard to do the deed. But indoor cats need a proper litter box, and it needs to be clean…
Affectionately known as the Staffy or Amstaff, the American Staffordshire Terrier is a medium-sized breed with a muscular body and a short coat. Originally developed in the 19th century, the American Staffordshire Terrier was bred from the bull and terrier. These dogs were developed for use by butchers to help manage bulls and by hunters…
A cross between a Chihuahua and a Dachshund, the Chiweenie is often referred to as a “designer dog,” though technically it is a hybrid. Many people assume that crossing to purebreds will give you the best of both worlds. While this may sometimes be the result, crossing two different pure breeds is something of a…
If you’ve never heard of the Vizsla before, you’re not alone. This breed originated in Hungary, used primarily for hunting. After nearly going extinct several times, they came to the United States at the end of World War II and have been making a name for themselves ever since. The Vizsla is a medium- to…
The Brittany Spaniel is a beautiful medium-sized breed developed for hunting. He is easy to identify by his white and orange coat as well as his bubbly personality. These dogs are highly intelligent, and they are also one of the most active breeds around – after all, they were developed for hunting. The Brittany Spaniel…
The Border Collie is a medium-sized dog breed known for his intelligence, his herding skills, and his black-and-white coat. These dogs were developed specifically for herding sheep, though they are also highly talented in obedience and other dog sports. The Border Collie is one of the smartest dog breeds on the planet, but they are…
