Meet Bo!

Bo is a Labrador Retriever mix! Keep reading for more information on one of my favorite breeds, the Lab!

History

Labs are waterdogs actually from Newfoundland, not Labrador as one might expect. Small water dogs were bred with Newfoundlands to create Labrador Retrievers, although they were called St. John’s Water Dogs at the time. Early Labs were used alongside fisherman. They would jump into the water to retrieve fish that fell off the fishing line or they would pull large fish nets. Labs are well suited for swimming because of their water repellent coats and webbed paws. Their jobs also progressed to include duck retrieval during hunting. Here’s a video of a lab retrieving a duck!

Labs made their way out of Newfoundland to England in the early 1800s. The Earl of Malmesbury was quite fond the breed, so he helped Labs gain popularity. The Earl is also responsible for shifting the name from St. John’s Water Dog to what we know today, the Labrador Retriever. Since then, their popularity has continued to increase and they are currently the most popular breed in America.

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Care

Given the history of Labs, it makes sense that they are very energetic dogs. They need lots of exercise, and they are prone to acting destructive if they do not receive enough exercise. Although Labs will be fine with traditional means of exercise, your Lab might be more happy if you pursue alternate means of exercise including swimming, hunting, or obedience classes. Labs also make excellent search and rescue or service dogs! If you feel compelled to have a great bonding experience with your dog while also helping society, you can consider being trained with your dog as a volunteer to partake in some of these service activities! 

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Famous Labs

Endal is considered to be the most decorated dog in the world! Endal was a service dog who assisted Allen Parton who has many disabilities following his service in the Royal Navy. This extremely helpful Lab gained attention in 2001 when Parton got knocked out of his wheelchair when a car drove past him near a hotel. Endal sprung into action pulling Parton into recovery mode, getting his cell phone out, covering him with a blanket, and barking at the hotel staff until they provided assistance. For his dedication to service Endal won countless awards! He is only the second dog to win the Gold Blue Peter Badge which is given to those who demonstrate the highest levels of courage. He was also given the highest award available to animals, the PDSA Gold Medal for Animal Gallantry and Devotion to Duty. A book, and a later a movie, were created to share his story with the world.

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Thanks for your service Endal!

For more information please visit:

AKC

Meet Ruby!

Ruby is an adorable Greyhound puppy currently available for adoption from Nittany Greyhounds! If you want to know more information about Greyhounds, keep reading!

History

 Greyhounds are one of the oldest dog breeds, so old in fact that they’re mentioned in the Bible! 

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Greyhounds were quite popular in Ancient Egypt because of their speed and hunting abilities. The Egyptians were so fond of their Greyhounds that the order of birth importance went- son, Greyhound, daughter. When a Greyhound died, the entire family would mourn its death. For upper class Egyptians, it was quite common to see their pet Greyhounds mummified and buried alongside their owners. There are also many depictions of Greyhounds in ancient Egyptian art.

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Later in history, the Greyhounds were also frequently shown in Greek art. Gods and goddesses, such as Hecate, the goddess of wealth, and Pollux, the protector of the hunt, were always depicted with their Greyhound companions. In the Odyssey, Homer describes a Sighthound, which is essentially identical to the modern Greyhound. The Romans also featured Greyhounds in a similar way, accompanying gods and goddesses, and being prevalent in artwork.

Care

Greyhounds have very short and sleek coats, so they only require minimal grooming. Even though they are not hypoallergenic, they can sometimes be a good match for people with allergies. Many Greyhounds also do not bark at all, so as a result they often make excellent dogs for people who live in townhouses or apartments. They are known for being very friendly, so they live well in homes with other animals and children. I can personally attest that Ruby is one of the sweetest dogs I’ve ever met! She was very quiet, even when surrounded by many people and other dogs. Also, she was quite happy to just sit there with her head against my legs. I never would have expected Greyhounds to make such great cuddle companions!

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Greyhounds are affectionately known as the “40mph Couch Potato.” They only need a short amount of time to exercise each day where they can get their bursts of speed out, and then they are perfectly content to sleep the rest of the day! Greyhounds are the fastest dogs, clocking in at 45mph, so when they do run, they can be quite hard to keep up with on a leash. But make sure you have a fenced in yard because you won’t be able to catch them!

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Famous Greyhounds

As previously noted, Greyhounds are quite fast, so Greyhound races are quite popular. Mick the Miller is arguably the most famous Greyhound ever, and he is also considered the pioneer of Greyhound racing in Great Britain. Mick the Miller was born in 1926 in Ireland, and his owner, Father Martin Brophy, anticipated him racing in America, but he eventually raced in England instead. He won 19 races in row including two wins at the English Greyhound Derbies. His overall career record was 51-17, which is extremely impressive. He retired at the age of three and is considered a legend in the Greyhound racing world.

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Fun fact: All the dogs at Nittany Greyhounds are retired racing dogs! Since they retire so young (2-5 years), this means you’ll have plenty of time still to spend with an adopted Greyhound!

For more information please visit:

AKC

Nittany Greyhounds

Meet Bunk!

Bunk is a doggo from America’s third most popular breed, Golden Retrievers! If you want to know if this adorable, Penn State reppin dog is right for you, then here’s some more information about Golden Retrievers!

History

The Golden Retrievers were first bred by Lord Tweedmouth in Scotland. From 1840 to 1890, he worked to create his ideal breed that could work as a hunting dog but also withstand the rainy weather and rugged terrain common in Scotland. After mixing Yellow Retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniels, Bloodhounds, and Irish Setters, Lord Tweedmouth was able to create the Golden Retriever. In 1908 at a British dog show, others began to take notice of Lord Tweedmouth’s remarkable work. People were attracted to the Golden Retrievers’ impressive hunting skills, beauty, and friendly personality, so the breed quickly spread across the world.

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Care

Golden Retrievers are members of the Sporting Group, which means they require lots of exercise. If you’re looking for a running, hiking, or biking companion, Golden Retrievers make the perfect work out partner! Be cautious though, if your Golden Retriever does not get enough exercise, they are known to misbehave. Golden Retrievers are relatively healthy dogs, but make sure you consult with your vet if your Golden frequently partakes in strenuous activities with you. Another popular way to keep Golden Retrievers healthy is to enroll them in canine sports.

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Golden Retrievers’ gorgeous water repellent coat contributes to their moderate amount of shedding throughout the whole year. However, if you thoroughly brush your Golden Retriever once or twice a week, then it will keep the shedding under control. They only require occasional baths, but after a bath it is crucial to make sure the fur is completely dry before you brush out their hair. Golden Retrievers are known for their loyalty, so they are one of the easiest breeds to train. It’s important to note that the owner should play a central role in training the puppy because the Golden Retriever will form a strong bond with its trainer. Above all else, they are eager to please which contributes to their reputation for being friendly.

Famous Golden Retrievers

Since Golden Retrievers are so easy to train, they are a very popular choice to be actors in movies! Some movies and television shows that feature Golden Retrievers include Full House, Air Bud, Dr. Doolittle, Homeward Bound, Old Yeller, You’ve Got Mail, and everyone’s favorite…

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For more information please visit:

AKC

Meet Luna!

Luna is a lovable Siberian Husky and if you’re wondering if this adorable dog is the right fit for you, here’s some more information about Huskies!

History

Huskies originally come from Northeastern Asia where the Chukchi people used them as sled dogs. The word “Husky” comes from a shortened version of the word “Eskimo” which is typically used to refer to Arctic people. Of course, I’m sure we are all well aware of the story which really brought the beloved Huskies to the global stage. In 1925, more than 100 Huskies were part of a dog sled team in Alaska which transported a life saving serum over 650 miles in less than 6 days! In Nome, Alaska there was a diphtheria epidemic, but Musher Leonhard Seppalla and his teams of dogs were there to save the day! Despite the treacherous Arctic winds, and temperatures below -30 degrees, these incredible huskies were able to push through and successfully transport the serum.

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Care

Similarly to the Border Collie, Huskies are full of energy! If you plan on owning this lovable breed, you need to understand your responsibilities as the owner. Huskies require lots of exercise, but they also tend to be great escape artists! They must be kept on a leash at all times or in a fenced in yard. Since Huskies are Arctic animals, they have adapted over time to living in cooler environments. Sadly, if you live in a warmer area, your Husky is going to overheat very easily. This means that perhaps a Husky is not the right breed for you, or you need to recognize that you will need to constantly run the air conditioning as well as providing lots of shade and water for your pup!

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Huskies have two coats- an undercoat and a guard coat, so they do need to be brushed weekly. There is a common misconception that Huskies shed a lot, but they really only shed during their shedding season twice a year. If it is not that time of the year, then Huskies actually do not shed much. Huskies also naturally clean themselves, so you only need to bathe them a few times a year!

Famous Huskies

The most famous Husky in the State College area is Luna!!! 

Even though Luna is a Husky mix (she’s actually part Border Collie!), she has many obvious Husky traits, starting with her love for the snow! Her doggy smile is on full display whenever she plays in the snow! Here in this picture below, you can see her desperately clinging to the small mound of snow that is still left. Whether it’s snowing or sunny and 100 degrees, Luna loves to be outside. In fact, her fur which started out pitch black now has distinctly faded sun spots! Many people think of Huskies as being terrible and scary wolf-like dogs, but Huskies are actually too friendly to make very good watch dogs! Luna affectionately greets each and every person who comes to the door, even total strangers! And she will be licking your face about 10 seconds after you arrive!

Shout out to Grace for having a great pup!

For more information please visit:

AKC

Meet Roscoe!

Roscoe is a Border Collie puppy and if you’re wondering if this adorable dog is the right fit for you, here’s some more information about Border Collies!

History

When the Roman Empire invaded Britain in 43 AD, they brought their herding dogs with them. Later when the Vikings invaded Britain in 793, they brought their own variation of herding dogs. As the Romans’ dogs cross bred with the Vikings’ dogs, the first modern day Border Collie was born. “Collie” is actually the Scotch word for sheepdog, and the “Border” part comes from their geography since they were most prevalent on the border between Scotland and England! Queen Victoria is also known for her love for the Border Collie breed.

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Care

Border Collies can have two different types of fur- rough coats, which are medium length, or smooth coats, which are short. Regardless of the coat type, Border Collies need to be brushed two or three times a week. Since Border Collies were historically used for herding purposes, they are extremely energetic. If you do not plan on having your Border Collie work, then it needs to be given plenty of time and space to run. Sadly, if you cannot commit to providing your Border Collie with space, or if you prefer to stay indoors, then this adorable breed is not best suited for you. However, if you are interested in enrolling your dog in obedience classes or agility competitions, then a Border Collie is the perfect fit!

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Famous Scottish poet Robert Burns featured his beloved Border Collie, Luath, in his poem “The Twa Dogs.” He was able to accurately portray the characteristics of a Border Collie in his poem by describing Luath as wise, faithful, and energetic. In fact, Border Collies are widely regarded as the most intelligent dog breed! Border Collies thrive when they have work to do and are naturally very smart, so they are eager to learn and easy to train!

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Famous Border Collies

Since Border Collies are so intelligent and easy to train, they are the breed of choice by movie and TV directors! Border Collies have been featured in movies ranging from “Babe” to “Animal Farm.” They have also been excellent actors in TV shows such as “Mad About You” and “Little House on the Prairie.”  Many celebrities have also been known to have Border Collies such as James Franco, Tiger Woods, Anna Paquin, and James Dean.

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For more information please visit:

AKC

Meet Dixie!

Dixie is a beagle and if you’re wondering if this adorable dog is the right fit for you, here’s some more information about beagles!

History

Although historians cannot be certain when beagles first existed, there is evidence to suggest that even in the 5^th century beagles were used by the Greeks for hunting purposes. Beagles were mostly uses to hunt rabbits, and there are many famous historical figures who were quite found of this breed. William the Conqueror brought beagles with him during the Norman Conquest back in the 1000s. There are also many paintings which depict Elizabeth I with her beagles.

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Care

Beagles make great companions, but that also means they don’t do well being alone for long periods of time. They are historically hunting dogs, so they require plenty of exercise. However, keep in mind that they are unhappy being alone, so you cannot expect to just let them outside unless you have another dog outside as well. Otherwise, beagles are happiest if you accompany them on a walk. If you have a fence in your yard, it needs to be at least five feet tall because beagles will pursue scents, even if that means escaping the yard to keep following the scent. The fence also needs to stretch underground, so the beagle cannot dig and escape that way.

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Some people who have not trained dogs before may find beagles difficult to train because of their stubborn nature. However, once they are fully trained, beagles are relatively low maintenance. Although they shed a moderate amount, they only need to be brushed once a week. They also do not require frequent baths, unless your beagle tends to get into some messy trouble! Beagles are not known for drooling and they do not have the dreaded dog smell. If you can commit to spending time with your beagle, then it will reciprocate your love and affection, making it a perfect family pet!

Famous Beagles

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Arguably the most famous beagle in the world is the beloved Snoopy from the Peanuts. Some people may question whether Snoopy is an actual beagle since the normal beagle has white, black, and tan features whereas Snoopy has just white and black. However, most beagles are born just white and black, looking very similar to Snoopy, and then develop the tan color when they are a few months old. Even though Snoopy may not look like the typical beagle, his characteristics are true to real beagles. Both are very energetic, intelligent, and loyal above all else.

For more information please visit:

AKC