When a certain dog breed takes center stage in popular culture, chances are you’ll notice more of that breed around your city or town. Unfortunately, there’s another place you’ll find large numbers of fashionable breeds—your local shelter.
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The Orvis Dog Blog features informative posts on wide-ranging topics, including canine health, behavior and training, and the products your dog needs. Learn more about the Orvis-Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign, and our work supporting Petfinder Foundation’s dog rescue efforts.
Common Questions and Answers about your Dog’s Tongue
Photo by Deborah, Valparaiso
Depending on your point of view, one of the most endearing—or off-putting—features of a dog is his tongue. Everpresent, busy, and often intrusive, a dog’s tongue can also be one of his most defining characteristics. Most of us have either owned or have been acquainted with a dog who insists on greeting us by planting slobbery ‘kisses’ on our hands and faces, or licking us incessantly to get our attention. And while it is commonly accepted wisdom that dog mouths are cleaner than human mouths, does this mean they can lick us with abandon, and without any negative health…
Read MoreThe Best Dog Breeds for Swimming
Portuguese Water Dogs. Irish Water Spaniels. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. These dog breeds are all excellent swimmers, but having ‘water’ or a body of water referenced in your dog’s name isn’t a prerequisite for water-loving dogs. Many dog breeds and rescue dogs enjoy splashing around and swimming. And some…
Read MoreLarge Dog Breeds: Caring for Gentle Giants
Whether a dog breed is ‘large’ depends on whom you ask: Dog owners and non-dog owners may have differing opinions, and a veterinarian could offer up another suggestion entirely. But generally, a dog is considered large if he weighs more than 55 pounds. Height-wise, most people consider a dog taller than 20 inches at the shoulder to be large, but height and weight don’t always match up—some hefty breeds are short…
Read MoreWhat to Do If You Find a Tick on Your Dog
The deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the main vector for Lyme disease.
Photo courtesy the U.S. Department of Agriculture, via Wikimedia
This is the time of year when my dog loves to run through the tall grass in the field next to our home…which means it’s high time for ticks. These tenacious little arachnids carry any number of diseases—from Lyme disease to ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever—and your dog is not the only one in danger. Dogs often bring ticks into the house, where they may find their way onto…
Read MoreHow to Remove a Tick
Though you may be vigilant and take every precaution before heading out, both you and your beloved canine are likely to collect a few ticks while spending time outdoors. Ticks don’t often begin their meal right away, so they may not be attached or have bitten you when you discover one on yourself or your dog. If the tick has already attached, you should follow these steps to…
Read MoreWhy Are Dogs So Loyal?
Labrador retrievers are legendary for their loyalty.
Photo via facebook.com/wildrosekennels
Full-body wags. Sitting with devotion in the window until you pull into the driveway. Stepping boldly between you and any possible threat. Your dog shows her affection and loyalty in countless ways. But why are dogs so loyal to their people? It’s a question dog lovers have long pondered, and one scientists are researching…
Read MoreHow to Measure Your Dog for a Harness
Photo via orvis.com
A harness provides more control over a dog than a collar and leash, and many people and dogs may find they prefer a properly fitted harness instead of a collar. A harness is often a safer option for a dog who pulls at the leash, because it takes the pressure off her throat and reduces the risk of injury. But when not fitted properly, harnesses may pose hazards: A dog may slip out of a loose harness, and straps adjusted too tightly may rub the skin and cause irritation. In order to ensure your dog’s harness is safe and effective, choose the right style and size, and adjust her harness for a proper fit. We’ll show you how.
Read MoreAsk a Vet: How to Keep Your Dog Healthy All Summer
In case you missed our Facebook Live conversation last week, here’s a video of our talk with Dr. Bo Bergman–of West Mountain Animal Hospital in Bennington, Vermont–about summertime health issues for dogs. As . . .
Read More11 Questions About German Shepherds, Answered
Photo by: Flaurentine, used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
The German Shepherd Dog (GSD)—or simply ‘Shepherd’—consistently ranks among the top ten most popular breeds in America, second only to the number one Labrador Retriever since 2010. His unfailing loyalty and intelligence earn him this distinction, together with his majestic and imposing canine presence. Like all dogs, he comes with challenges, and as such may not make the best first dog…
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