Couch Potato Mutts
Posted on December 1, 2007
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Some dogs belong on fire engines, and some dogs want nothing more than to stand guard. Some prefer to hunt game, while others choose to herd whatever is around them – whether that be kids, ducks, toys – you get the picture. Some animals help rescue swimmers, some wear kegs around their necks filled with hot cocoa, while still others want nothing more than…to…just…lay…around.
Maybe you partake in a bit of television over the weekend, and every weeknight. Maybe you prefer to slow things down and enjoy some rest and relaxation. Are you not just as entitled to dog ownership as the fitness freaks? Sure you won’t be taking your Weimaraner for a fox hunt, but you can still enjoy all the benefits of dog ownership without sacrificing the vitality of the pooch. That being said, you must provide at least a short walk everyday to ensure the overall health of your pet. If you don’t plan on any physical motion or activity for your dog, then adopt a cat – they are a heck of a lot more independent. They’ll take care of their own agenda.
What we’re talking about here are the best breeds for the couch potato. Now, we’re not condoning the negative impacts of a sedentary lifestyle – for you or your pet. We’re just providing some entertaining info that might help match you with the correct breed when considering dog adoption.
Top Five Breeds for the Couch Potato
Basset Hound – low to the ground, short legs, they even look lazy. This has to be our number one breed for the couch potato. Sure, they will need a short walk everyday, or a brief run on the yard. But they will love nothing more than to curl up by the fire while you read a good book, and they snore.
Dachshund– yes they can get yappy, and may seem quite high-strung. But actually this breed doesn’t require much exercise beyond the normal walk. Certain breed characteristics even point to orthopedic problems which limit prolonged periods of activity. A perfect lap dog. Check out the Minnies for a scaled down version of this big dog in a little body.
Bulldogs – take your pick, French, English…maybe not the American so much. How opposite is that of real life? Aren’t the Americans the biggest couch potatoes in the world? Not so for the canine universe I guess. The French and English Bulldogs both offer great companionship for the couch potato. They will be playful and even a bit rambunctious, but will not turn unruly if their time is spent indoors enjoying the easy life. Because of their skull structure most dogs of these breeds experience some type of respiratory difficulty. Exercise will only exacerbate this condition.
Ch
Our Ridgeback/Bloodhound Mutt– if you’re lucky enough to come across such a fine specimen (yes I am completely impartial), be sure to adopt immediately. Above even the Bassett Hound, this gigantic mutt clocks about 14-18 hours of bed and couch time daily. Ridgebacks were bred to hunt lions on the savannah you say? Bloodhounds are the best trackers in the canine world? Try getting our magnificently massive mutt off the couch! Sure he loves
This is in no way a complete list of dogs that are ideal for the lazy person; it’s a sampling of dog breeds that don’t require much exercise. Again, you need to walk any dog EVERYDAY as an integral part of their overall health and happiness. We’re just providing a list for entertainment purposes. Just because you’re a lazy couch potato doesn’t mean you can’t enrich your life with the pleasure of dog ownership.
Bloodhound Bodywork
Posted on December 1, 2007
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Bloodhound Bodywork
Yes, just like you could benefit from a walk around the block, or a game of catch, so to can your prized pooch. In fact, exercise is essential to the health and overall well-being of your pet. Second only to proper nutrition, exercise will help keep your pooch physically fit and lead to an overall better quality of life. Of course, the first thing I should mention is to take a ride over to the vet and make sure your dog can handle the activity – whatever that may be. ‘Nuff said – don’t be stupid and take your Pug on a 5 mile beach run! Or anything else that wouldn’t make sense. To touch on proper nutrition again; Nutrition is the number one concern with keeping your dog physically fit. Feed your pet according to quality, not price. I think the recent scares within the pet food industry made us all aware of that fact.
Start with a foundation of solid nutrition (again, ask your vet) and enlist your dog into a daily fitness regimen. You try to eat healthy and exercise, allow your precious pooch the same opportunity. You’ll realize the dog is experiencing many of the same benefits you do. In addition to increased stamina, flexibility, and better rest, physiological benefits will also result. A simple jaunt around the track can help increase your pet’s bone and joint health, and even improve cardiovascular fitness. Just as a jog helps your heart, lungs, and spirit; your pooch deserves the same. Get out and take a walk!
Doggie fitness classes are available at our local gym.
Top Ten People Foods That Are Bad For Your Dog
Posted on November 30, 2007
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Top Ten People Foods That Are Bad For Your Dog
Although we sometimes slip up and bring a bone home from the steakhouse, or add some fresh ground chuck (cooked) to some dry kibble; as a general rule we should abstain from feeding any of our pets so-called “people food.” When we give our pets food meant for human consumption, we are not bonding or sharing with our beloved family members as some may interpret, but rather interfering with the dog’s natural metabolic process. As harmless as it may sound to let Bosley lick the bowl, or throw Zeke a nice juicy T-Bone, we need to keep the best interest of our animals in mind. We’re all guilty of it, just think twice next time. I’ll be you ten to one odds there is already some type of doggie treat already in your home - give them that, they’ll love you just the same. And you can be confident you are giving your dog the best opportunity for a long, healthy life! Through some research done by more qualified people than us, we’ve compiled a list of the absolute, unequivocally most dangerous people food for your pet.
1. Chocolate, Caffeine
Milk, dark, coffee, semi-sweet, baking…whatever it is, keep anything chocolate or caffeine related away from your pet. If any of us can consider ourselves responsible pet owners, this one should be a no-brainer. There are certain enzymes and chemicals in chocolate that seriously disrupt the canine digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems. Much like you and I may get the coffee “buzz” to wake us up in the morning, the same symptoms will be experienced by your pet if ingested. This could lead to diarrhea, vomiting, panting, excessive urination…you get the picture. Not pleasant for your dog. No Hershey’s or Starbucks for your pets.
2. Alcohol
Allow me to retort! Another no-brainer here. It doesn’t take a DVM to tell you that alcohol consumption for your pet is a bad idea. Sure, a beer or glass of red wine each day may be great for the humans of this planet. But avoid giving alcohol to your pets at all costs! You don’t live in a frat house and they aren’t looking to loosen up, or take the stress of a rough week - a walk around the block will do them just fine. Not to mention it might be a better route for you to go as well. No problem you say, just strap on the 2 beer baseball helmet and hit the bricks! Sounds good to me - just don’t be giving Fido any nips off the ‘ol bottle…or can…or mason jar…depending on your preferred method of consumption.
3. Raw or Undercooked Meat of Any Kind
This one might not be so obvious to all of us, and I must admit to feeding raw or undercooked meat once or twice to a couple of my dogs some years back. I would look at it as a treat for them, they seemed to love it. Thankfully I learned that couldn’t be further from the truth. Although dogs in the wild are able to consume and digest raw meat, bones and all other sorts of rotten matter, this should not be common practice for your house pet. Just as in humans, salmonella and e coli bacteria are just as dangerous to our canine companions. Furthermore, tossin’ a fresh steak bone into the yard after a butcher visit might seem like you’re rewarding your pooch. But, along with the concerns about raw meat, there are also choking and digestive problems that can arise. Bones can splinter and puncture the digestive tract or worse yet get lodged and prevent the animal from breathing. Think twice here. Good intentions, bad outcome.
4. Yeast/Dough (Uncooked)
Although it is ok for your pet to consume very small quantities of cooked bread, uncooked dough/yeast should definitely be avoided. This is sorta an easy one to remember. Most of us wouldn’t look at throwing some uncooked dough over our shoulder as a great treat for our dogs. Small amounts to regular store bought bread are ok for your pet, but again no real reason to be feeding them bread. I use it sometimes as an aid when administering supplements or medications, but even then just a little rolled up ball. According to the ASPCA, bread should not be more than 5-10% of your pet’s daily caloric intake. Serious digestive problems result with consumption of yeast or uncooked dough. The yeast produces gas that will accumulate in the dog’s digestive tract leading to possible stomach and intestinal problems, even causing death. Keep them off the carbs!
5. Milk (Dairy)
Our dogs don’t possess the same enzymes that help our systems break down the lactose in milk products. We all know people who are lactose intolerant - and we really don’t want to be anywhere near them if they mistakenly ingest some dairy!! Same goes for our mutts, best to just keep from turning your dog into a milk drinker. Here’s one fact the Dairy Lobby can’t argue with - Milk does not do your dog’s body good. Stick to water and proper dog nutrition. Ask your vet if you’re unsure about your pet’s nutritional requirements, as with all things related to your pet’s overall health.
6. Avocados
Birds are the biggest worry when it comes to avocados, usually we don’t need to worry about feeding any to our dogs. In fact, I advise anyone out there feeding their dog avocados to check themselves into a mental institution - or go grab a hard days work somewhere - you have too much time on your hands! Fruit or vegetable, Hass or Fuerte? When it comes to your pet’s eating habits, keep the avocados away. They may be a great source of “good fat” and high in vitamins and minerals for us upright walkers, but for our pets it’s a big no-no. Avocados contain Persin, which is a type of fungicidal toxin. Harmless to you and me, but will lead to sever digestive problems if ingested by the family dog.
7. Macadamia Nuts
You don’t have to be all high maca maca to enjoy the sweet nutty goodness of these royal Hawaiians of the nut world. Macadamias, seemingly omnipresent during the holidays in all the cookies and assorted treats, should never make their way to your dog’s mouth. It may be easier to whistle and have the dog come running over to play floor sweeper when Grandma’s cookie hits the deck, but unless you want to inflict some painful tremors, digestive problems, and even paralysis, bend over and clean it up - if only for your dog’s sake.
8. Onion and Garlic Poisoning
OK double shot here, two more foods that can seriously harm your dog. Onions and garlic both contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate. Although onions contain more of this dangerous toxin, both foods should be avoided at all costs. This means pizza cheese that falls on the floor, onion rings, left over pasta, and even some types of baby food are all dangerous to your pet. Now hopefully none of us are feeding those types of foods to our pets anyway. Dogs affected by onion toxicity will develop what is called haemolytic anaemia; this is where the pet’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. This leads to listlessness, weakness, general malaise, and no interest in food. Keep these aromatic foods away from your pet.
9. Grapes and Raisins
We can put men on the moon, convert cooking oil into Diesel gas, but we have yet to identify the toxic substance in grapes and raisins (and probably prunes…) responsible for causing our pets a pain in the kidney. Whatever it is, keep the wine, Sun Maids, and dried prunes away from your pets. Ingestion may result in kidney failure, exacerbated in dogs who already exhibit certain health problems.
10. Cigarettes, Tobacco, Cigars
Although there are certain underground elements within the canine community who choose to frequent the dark, dank, smoke filled rooms of the speakeasy K9 poker circuit; smoking is harmful to your pet’s health. Smoking By Pregnant Mutts May Result in Fetal Injury, Premature Birth, and Low Birth Weight. Do not be an enabler and make these poisons available to your animals. And lay down the law, like McGruff! How do you know what they do when your not home???
Mixed Breed vs Pure Breed
Posted on November 27, 2007
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There are many questions facing the potential dog owner; big or small, lazy or high-strung, pure or mixed breed. Do I want a running companion, or do I want a couch buddy? The important thing to remember is to match your lifestyle with that of the breed…or mixed breed, you choose. Whether it is a Champion Bichon Frise, or a run of the mill pound mutt, YOU are going to be momma, sleeping partner, best friend and leader of the pack all in one. And then some! This isn’t a checklist for getting a new dog in your house, the emphasis here is to showcase the mutt when considering adopting a new pooch.
How does the dog interact with others, what are the overall breed characteristics (health, temperament, size…etc). Is the place where I am adopting the pooch reputable? Should I worry about that? Why am I getting the dog in the first place? There are just as many questions to ask yourself before even considering being responsible for owning a dog. My point here is – fundamentally it doesn’t matter whether it’s a mangy Minnie Pin or a blue blood Basset Hound. We’re getting a dog for the companionship, the responsibility and because we feel we will give the dog a better life. Sure, some of us are professionals and are in the show arena. And some of us are mutt lovin’ owners who adopted our beloved breed mixers from the local shelter. Some rely on generations of true traceable bloodlines to define future adherence to breed standards, and they do everything to embrace that, and keep the history and integrity of the breed. That’s great; I love dog shows and everything they represent. But let’s get real, and give the athletes most of the credit there. The dogs are the real professionals in the show ring; they know exactly what they are doing!! And yes, their generations of pure bloodlines are represented every time they step paw into the ring. No argument from me, pure breeds are great, I own a Schnauzer and Lab, they are amazing!
Equally amazing is our crew of mutts – a Bloodhound/Ridgeback mix, and a Beagle/ Bassett mutt. Now don’t get me wrong here, these two will not be winning dog shows anytime soon. At least until we start showing mutts as their own distinction! But they are every bit as smart, athletic, and loving as their pure breed brethren. On the opposite end of the spectrum comes the normal everyday dog owner looking for some companionship, no professional or financial interest in showing or breeding the dog. For this segment of potential dog owners, the average mutt will add years of enjoyment and enrich your daily life. There is no need to go to the finest kennel responsible for 18 generations of Grand Champions when looking for a suitable companion dog. Especially if you aren’t going to be out there duck hunting, or herding sheep; but rather taking a stroll along the beach, or a jaunt through the park; the average mutt may sometimes make more sense when considering ownership. For their quality of life, and yours! We don’t need to be so ignorant as to think a pedigree would bring us more pleasure than a mixed up orphan. There are way too many animals that go unseen in all of our shelters, when considering dog ownership look local, and look at the shelters. Speaking from experience, I wish I could clone my Bloodhound mutt and register him as a new breed – he’s a shelter mutt. And a magnificent one at that! Yes, pure breeds can be more predictable to maintain certain characteristics within the breed. But only mutts can say they are truly one of a kind!
In all seriousness, both options promise a great pet – just do your homework and don’t rely on common myths out there to sway your opinion either way. From mutts living longer to pure breeds requiring a larger investment; good ol’ hands on experience, gut instinct and common sense will never lead you down the wrong road. Educate yourself before starting the process, it’s only fair to the dog, and ultimately your quality of life.
Of mutts and bloodlines…Let us not separate our dogs according to some archaic aristocratic class structure. We are a land of mutts!! Embrace it!
To be a mutt, is to be American!!!
Our dogs bring out the vitality in all of us.
Who am I?
Posted on November 25, 2007
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Hello my fellow dog lovers. My name is Wayne and I have been working hard to ensure that your experience at Muttspace is a pleasant one. I’m looking forward to getting the chance to chat with all of you and would love to hear your feedback. Thanks!
Hello Everyone!
Posted on November 25, 2007
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Welcome to Muttspace’s Blog! Please check back shortly for new posts!
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Hello, I'm Wayne - Welcome to my Dog Blog
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