Now that they have been recognized by the American Kennel Club, the upcoming dog show will now include the following breeds:

American English Coonhound

American English Coonhound – This hunting companion, originally used to hunt fox and raccoons, will be added to the Hound group. These dogs are confident, sociable with humans and dogs, pleasant, and alert.

Cesky Terrier

Cesky Terrier - This little hunting terrier has a long and silky coat. They are very keen and alert and loyal to their owners.

Entlebucher Mountain Dog

Entlebucher Mountain Dog - This breed, added to the Herding group, is a native of Switzerland. This breed is not for the casual dog owner as it is a very active and energetic dog and requires thorough socialization.

Finnish Lapphund

Finnish Lapphund - This reindeer herding dog, also added to the Herding group, originates from northern Scandanavia. These friendly, intelligent dogs are very devoted to their family, making them a wonderful family pet.

Norwegian Lundehund

Norwegian Lundehund - This “Puffin Dog” originated as a hunting dog in arctic Norway that retrieved puffins which were an important meat source to local farmers. This unique dog, added to the Non-Sporting group typically has at least six toes on each paw for stability. While puffin hunting no longer occurs, this dog is now suited to be a cheerful, alert and somewhat mischievous pet.

Xoloitzcuintli

Xoloitzcuintli - This hard-to-pronounce dog breed, previously known as the Mexican Hairless, is the national dog of Mexico and is added to the Non-Sporting group. These intelligent dogs are easy to train and make a unique and enjoyable pet.

Photos and information courtesy of the Westminster Kennel Club website.

1. Stay warm! Be sure to keep kitties inside and make dog potty trips short and quick.
2. Wear a jacket. If you plan on being outside for longer periods with your dog, be sure that he can handle the cold. Some dog breeds like Huskies have thick coats that are made for cold weather. If your dog has a thinner coat, consider buying a sweater or jacket for your pup.
3. Wipe off paws after coming inside. Whether your dog’s paws have collected salt, sand, or clumps of snow, it’s important to wipe all of these off before coming inside. Some salts or de-icing chemicals can burn your dog’s paws.
4. Keep an ID tag on your pets. It is easier for pets to become lost during the winter months when snow and ice cover up scent trails that they use to find their way home.
5. Never leave pets alone in a car. Cars not only get too hot in the summer, but will also get very cold in the winter. It’s best to leave pets at home where they can stay warm.

Do you have other pet tips to share with us? Let us know by leaving a comment!

Lily, shared by Trupanion Facebook fan, Jean M.

USA Today posted a wonderful article yesterday about dogs and their benefits to our mental health. It is true that when we pet a dog, we almost instantly become happier, but now, the article states, new research can explain why.

Studies show that when petting a dog, a hormone called oxytocin kicks into high gear. Oxytocin, which is sometimes dubbed “the cuddle hormone,” helps reduce blood pressure and decreases levels of cortisol, a hormone related to stress and anxiety.

Sounds pretty simple, right? Feeling stressed? Pet your dog!

But we can take it a step further by taking our dogs on walks. Not only does the exercise and fresh air have great health benefits, but dogs have been known to break down social barriers and give strangers a reason to say hello. Now you’re providing a wagging tail not only to yourself, but to your neighbors as well!

So the next time you are feeling stressed, give your dog a pat, and then take him outside to spread happiness to others.

Read the full article from USA Today here.

The first step to a harmonious living situation with both canine and feline is a proper introduction. It’s certainly beneficial to begin when they are in their puppy/kitten stages in order to start them on the right foot from the beginning. It’s important not to just throw a dog and cat in the same room and expect them to get along or “work things out” but rather, take baby steps in which each animal is safe from the other until they are comfortable with the situation.

Do you have some experience and tips to share about introducing a dog and a cat?

One day Terry Mulligan discovered several hard lumps on the tummy of her pug Drea. A trip to the veterinarian it was determined that the lumps were cancerous and surgery would be needed to remove them. Because Drea was such an important part of Terry’s life, the decision to move forward with the surgery, while expensive, was easy – she wanted the best chance to give her dog as long and happy a life as possible.

Unfortunately, five weeks later the lumps grew back and after several tests it was found that the cancer had spread throughout Drea’s whole mammary area. The prognosis was not good – it was evident that the cancer was going to take Drea’s life and there wasn’t much that could be done. So Terry proceeded with expensive pain killers that would at least give Drea the best quality of life possible as she neared the end of her life.

The tumors because so large that they required special antibiotic ointment and shirt coverings to keep them clean. Eventually, all the treatments and care stopped working and Drea had to be euthanized to end her suffering.

The total bill came to over $5,000 and plunged Terry into debt. While she says she would do it all over again, it’s a good reminder that pet insurance would have helped save Terry the financial strain of this incredibly emotional and trying time.

We wish Terry the very best as she mourns the loss of her furry friend and send best wishes to Drea as she meets all our other special friends who have been lost.

View the whole article here.

There are currently 2700 dogs actively serving in the military, comprised mostly of German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Labrador Retrievers, and they perform a variety of specialized tasks. They job they are most known for, and most effective at, is detecting improvised explosive devices, or I.E.D.’s, frequently used in Afghanistan.

These dogs show symptoms of PTSD in different ways. Some become hyper-vigilant. Others avoid places where they had previously been comfortable. Some undergo sharp changes in temperament, becoming unusually aggressive with their handlers, or clingy and timid. And many stop doing the tasks they were trained to perform.

So, how do you treat PTSD when the patient cannot tell you how they are feeling or what they feel traumatized about? It can be tricky, said  Dr. Burghardt, a doctor who trains veterinarians to spot canine STSD. Veterinarians and handlers must make educated guesses about the traumatizing events, but care can be as simple as taking the dog off patrol and giving it lots of exercise, playtime and gentle obedience training.

To read the full story, click here.

Have you had experience with a military dog?

Dr. Manuel Sanchez, D.V.M., was also interviewed. “The most difficult part of my job is really being able to provide the level of care but a pet owner not being able to afford that level of care,” he said.

This is one of the main benefits of pet insurance we see here at Trupanion. There are so many more options for treating pets that can be offered by veterinarians, but thee new and improved procedures come at a cost. And many times pet owners want to be able to agree to the expensive treatment in order to prolong the health and happiness of their pets, but aren’t able to because of cost. That is where pet insurance can help.

To watch the ful video, visit the WebMD site here.

The top honoree is Roselle, a seeing-eye dog that led her handler down 78 flights of stairs to safety after terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Roselle and seven other finalists were chosen by public vote and were each given $5,000 to be donated to one of AHA’s charity partners. Roselle was given an additional $10,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

A broadcast of the awards ceremony will be played on the Hallmark channel, Friday, Nov 11th at 8 PM/7 PM Central. For a sneak peak, watch the video below.