Answering the question “Why do dogs lick their paws?” is rarely straightforward, so work with your vet to find out why your dog engages in this behavior. Photo: isakarakus “Why do dogs lick their paws?” This ranks right up there with queries clients regularly ask. But while foot licking is a common problem, getting to

Golden Retrievers are among the dog breeds that have never won Best in Show at Westminster. Photo: angela n. Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) ranks the most popular dog breeds in America, and every year, representatives of those breeds compete along with many others for “Best in Show” — the top prize at

The longest-living dog breeds tend to be smaller dogs. Photo: Peter077 Ever wonder what the shortest- and longest-living dog breeds are? Here’s another question: Remember your grade-school reading lists, where you learned the ins and outs of life through books like Old Yeller and Where the Red Fern Grows? Dogs and humans make the perfect

Training a dog to come when called can be a lifesaver for your pooch. Photo: werdepate Wondering how to train a dog to come when called? Here’s a little story to illustrate why doing so benefits everyone involved. When my Border Collie, Mack, was around 2 years old, my family and I went hiking with

Wondering how to clean a dog’s ears? First, determine whether doing so is necessary by performing the sniff test. Photo: Ermolaev Alexander Is ear cleaning good or bad for your dog? If it’s good, what’s the right way to do it? The truth is, cleaning a dog’s ears wrong damages the ear. But clean them

Leth Oun went from the killing fields of Cambodia as a child in the 1970s to being a U.S. Secret Service dog trainer. (Photo illustration by Petful) Leth Oun has always been passionate about dogs. When Oun was a child, a French Bulldog named Dino saved his spirit during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia.

Pugs are full of personality. Photo: pixabay 1. Key Characteristics of Pugs AKC Group: Toy Height: 10–14 inches Weight: 13–20 pounds Life Expectancy: 11–15 years One of the oldest dog breeds, Pugs are small dogs with round heads, short muzzles and large eyes. The face is wrinkled — sometimes deeply — and the high tail curls

Maker: Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc.Cause: Elevated levels of Vitamin DAnnouncement: FDA announcement dated Jan. 31, 2019 (archived here)What was recalled: The following canned dog foods: Hill’s Prescription Diet: c/d Multicare Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew, 12.5 oz., SKU #3384, Lot #102020T10 or 102020T25 i/d Canine Chicken & Vegetable Stew, 12.5 oz., SKU #3389, Lot #102020T04, or 102020T10, or

Woody’s Pet Food Deli recall Maker: Woody’s Pet Food DeliCause: Potential for salmonellaAnnouncement: Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announcement dated Jan. 28, 2019 (archived here) and expanded/corrected on the company’s Facebook page (archived here)What was recalled: 15 oz., 2 lb. and 5 lb. packages/tubs, as well as bulk orders over 25 lbs., of Woody’s Pet Food Deli

These chickpea and sardine dog treats were a big hit with my dog, Banjo. Photos: Allison Gray/Petful A while back, I jumped on Pinterest to see if I could find any out-of-the-ordinary dog treats to try out. I was feeling adventurous — and I’d like to think Banjo was, too. We had, after all, just

Wondering how to socialize a shy dog? There are many different methods to help your dog grow into a confident, happy pooch. Photo: Winsker If you’re wondering if it’s worth it to socialize a shy dog, take it from me: It most definitely is. Case in point: When I first brought my Border Collie, Mack,

Does grain-free dog food cause heart problems? Photo: Gladskikh Tatiana A summer 2018 report from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerting consumers to a possible connection between certain types of grain-free dog foods to a heart condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has put some people in a panic. With the safety of these

If your dog’s tummy turned black and used to be white or pink, the cause could be trauma from constant licking, biting or scratching. Photo: Russamee When a dog’s tummy has turned black, and it used to be cute pink or white, some pet lovers get concerned. People often think this is a sudden change

Bloodhounds are known for being excellent scent hounds. Photo: pixabay 1. Key Characteristics of Bloodhounds AKC Group: Hound Height: 25–27 inches (male); 23–25 inches (female) Weight: 90–110 pounds (male); 80–100 pounds (female) Life Expectancy: 10–12 years Bloodhounds are powerful, large scent hounds known for their tracking abilities. The “blood” in the name refers to breeders working