Dog Skijoring, New Royal Pups, April Dog Days, and More!
Skijoring may be the latest craze among mountain dogs. photo by Dan Pilver
DIY Iditarod? Check Out Dog Skijoring
It may be a bit late for this year, but if you’re a winter sports fan you’ll definitely want to check out dog skijoring next season. Derived from a Norwegian word meaning ski driving, skijoring is a winter sport in which a person on skis is pulled by a dog, horse, or – yikes - motor vehicle (how do you say bad idea in Norwegian?).
Clearly the sanest of the three options, dog skijoring features a dog or dogs towing a cross-country skier across snowy fields or trails. The Pacific Sled Dog & Skijor Association notes that skijoring dogs must be motivated by their own desire to run and be able to follow voice direction. Athletic or Northern dog breeds are ideal for the sport, but any large, energetic dogs may find it fun.
Please note that skijoring dogs should weigh at least 40 pounds each. Combined weight doesn’t count so, no, you may not get a pack of Chihuahuas to pull you, no matter how cute they’d look in their tiny reindeer antlers.
Source: bendsource.com
The Queen has two new pups! photo by Julian Parker, Getty Images
Meet the New Royals: No Curtsy Required
Just when the British royals were in dire need of some good publicity, Queen Elizabeth has adopted two new pups. Fergus, a Dachshund Corgi mix (aka Dorgi), is reportedly named for Her Majesty’s uncle, Fergus Bowes-Lyon, who was killed in action in World War 1. The second pup, Muick (pronounced Mick) is a Corgi who takes his name from Loch Muick on the family’s Balmoral estate in Scotland.
A lifelong dog lover, the Queen was down to a single Dorgi, Candy, before Fergus and Muick showed up. No word on how Candy is taking to the new arrivals, but at least she hasn’t scheduled an interview with Oprah yet.
Source: townandcountrymag.com
Get ready to celebrate the dog days of …. April?
Put Your Party Hat On for April Dog Days!
Who said April is the cruelest month? In fact, April is also Canine Fitness Month, Active Dog Month, National Adopt-a-Greyhound Month, National Heartworm Awareness Month, National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. And that’s before we even get to the daily and weekly holidays.
International Pooper Scooper Week ends April 7, but you can still get in on National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week (April 11-17), National Pet ID Week (April 18-24), and National Little Pampered Dog Day (April 27). Of course, let’s not forget National Hug Your Dog Day, which technically falls on April 11, but which Bay Woof observes all year round.
In other species’ news, April also brings us National Cat Lady Day (April 19), World Penguin Day (April 25), and Hairball Awareness Day (April 30). Not quite sure how to celebrate that last one…maybe T.S. Eliot has some tips.
Source: sfanimalcare.org
Does your dog howl for joy? photo by Getty Images
Does Your Dog Howl?
Could Be a Canine Ode to Joy
Howling is an evolutionary behavior held over from wolves who use it to communicate in the wild. But what does howling mean to the modern pampered pet?
If your pup is an occasional howler, it’s likely still just a form of communication - letting another dog know he’s there, claiming his territory, or just issuing that old standby “get off my lawn!” Certain breeds - such as Huskies, Malamutes, Beagles, and Coonhounds - are more prone to howling, possibly because they may be more closely genetically linked to their lupine ancestors. But chronic howling could also be a sign of boredom, separation fears, or generalized anxiety so, if your dog’s howling seems excessive, you may want to check with your vet.
Finally, some dogs seem to howl for pure pleasure, singing along with sirens, music. or other high-pitched sounds. Talk about an ode to joy – were the writers of Beethoven aware of this when they picked their lead actor’s name?
Source: apple.news
We’re Number Two! Frenchies Move Up
The American Kennel Club (AKC) reports that French Bulldogs are now the second most popular dog breed in the U.S., right behind Labrador Retrievers, which have held a lock on the top spot for 30 years running. Other most popular breeds include German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Bulldogs, Poodles, Beagles, Rottweilers, German Shorthaired Pointers, and finally Dachshunds, who are back in the top ten for the first time since 2013.
Not to dis the AKC, but we’ve always thought the most popular dog is the one you love. At our house, that’s a good old Heinz 57.
Source: wokv.com
Too Late for April Fools? We Don’t Think So
Word on the street is the AKC is officially changing the Bulldog breed name to Snuggleblob.
Kidding!