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.
If you enjoy hiking with your dog and live in an area with seasonal hunting, hitting the trails takes an extra measure of prep and precaution. Dog safety during hunting season starts with the understanding that you’re sharing the great outdoors, and with an awareness of how hunters engage in their sport. Here’s what you need to know to keep your dog safe when hiking, walking, or running with her during hunting season:
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Murph’s quizzical look could have one of several meanings.
Photo by: Paul Fersen
There’s something irresistible about that quizzical head cock in a dog—the tilted noggin, with her eyes and ears akimbo: she looks as though she’s listening with a mixture of attention, excitement, and curiosity, and it’s beyond adorable. While there’s no research to back this up, it’s a safe bet that some people choose to get a dog because of it—they observe a puppy tilting her head to one side and can’t wait to bring home their new best friend with this endearing habit. So why do dogs tilt their heads? There’s a scarcity of research on the subject, but let’s explore some of the top scientific theories.
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The Land Rover Defender is an icon of off-road dependability, a remarkable 4WD vehicle famous from the savannah of Kenya to the wet fells of the Lake District. Launched in June of 1948, the first Land Rover® brought unprecedented versatility and . . .
Read MoreWritten by: Deb German
The single best way to find your lost dog is to outfit her in a personalized dog collar, embroidered or engraved with your phone number, before she goes missing. The reason is simple: the person who finds her is most likely to check her collar or tags first, and call the number on them before making ‘found dog’ posters or fliers, or dropping her at the local animal shelter. That one phone call will lead a good Samaritan instead directly to you, and hopefully your pal will be back in your arms again in short order. A redundant system is better still—adding ID hang tags to your dog’s collar and having her microchipped are smart backups.
Read MoreBy: Deb German
It is so exciting to bring a new puppy home. What’s not to love about a warm, fluffy, wriggling mass of energy who delights in playing with her humans and exploring her new surroundings in search of trouble? A puppy brings so much life and energy to a household, it’s easy to get carried away, overindulging her exuberant behavior and insatiable desire for attention. While that behavior might be novel and charming now, it’s not going to be so cute when your dog becomes an out-of-control, full-grown dog.
You should certainly enjoy your new puppy and her hilarious antics, but need to set the groundwork to help her develop into a well-adjusted, obedient adult dog. Hopefully by now you will have read a book or two about raising and training a dog and have some idea about needed structure and discipline. But if you’re like most new puppy owners, you may have lapses where you don’t follow the advice of experts. Here are some guidelines you should never ignore:
Read MoreBy: Orvis Staff
Among the most beloved, ubiquitous, and recognizable dog breeds, the enthusiastic and sociable Labrador Retriever not only makes an excellent pet, but is also an outstanding working dog. Originally bred as a water-retrieving hunting dog, the Lab possesses a combination of intelligence and eagerness to please his humans, making him highly trainable for a wide variety of work. Long pressed into service aiding those with disabilities, the Lab also has an excellent sense of smell, making him invaluable for police and military work.
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A UK-based company called The Co-operative Insurance has a quirky website that often offers blog-post-like articles. Recently, they posted a tool that allows you to see what many. . .
Read MoreBy: Orvis Staff
By: Orvis Staff
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 for the last six years. 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 for a novice. Are you ready for a German Shepherd? Here are answers to five oft-asked questions about this rewarding, but occasionally difficult dog.
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As awful as it sounds, canine pododermatitis is not a disease, but a condition caused by any one or more of a multitude of underlying problems—think of it as a catch-all term to describe an . . .
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Very few parents get through their kids’ childhoods without recurring—maybe even incessant—requests for a dog. If you’re finally saying “yes” and adding a furry bundle of joy to your family, . . .
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