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Tug of War Dog Toy Worth Its Weight in Kibble

Okay, it might not be worth its weight in kibble, but it is definitely worth the moderate price for these three toys!

Yankers—Dog Toy Series Review

This tug-of-war toy is the best (non-rubber one) that we have found *so far.* For some reason, Riley loves the cloth tugs but won’t put the rubber ones in her mouth, so we are stuck with the ones more easily destructible.

Riley loves her snake and fish Yankers. Unfortunately, her alligator died a premature death.

The three toys are made extra strong, there is a ton of stitching which holds up well to dog yanking.

Stitched inside of the toy is a durable “belt.” The belt reinforces the toy providing for yanking fun.

Year Old Yankers

The Fish Yankers Finally Bit the Dust

Yanking with Riley:

Riley loves playing fetch and tug-of-war with the yankers. They are her favorite toys (except for bouncy balls). Unfortunately, she also loves chewing and tearing up the yankers when we are not watching. So, when we are not playing tug, we keep the yankers in the closet. The toy comes out during play sessions, and only when we are watching. With this method, two yankers lasted a whole year!! (The alligator lost a leg very early on due to unsupervised chewing. Poor alligator!) It is now time to buy another set…but we are extremely happy with the quality of this toy.

yankingriley

3.5 out of 5 paws!  (Because you cannot leave your dog alone with this toy.  It is for yanking only and not chewing!)

Riley’s Review:

I play with my snake and my fish a lot. They are good friends of mine. Dad stands at the top of the stairs and then the fish gets away. The fish always tries to fly right down the stairs! This is no problem because I catch him and bring him back. But don’t get me wrong, before I bring him back I run around the house triumphantly because I’ve caught him so easily.

Meanwhile, that snake is a slippery girl. She is hardest to yank because I loose my toothhold every now and again. Snake has no legs to get a good grip on.  But I can still yank her!! But when I loose my toothhold, then mommy wins the yanking contest! Of course I let her win other times. She does not know that. When I win, I take the snake and shake it really hard. I shake it back and forth as fast as possible just to make sure it knows I’ve caught it! Then my head hurts because I’ve been whipping it back and forth so quickly. This hurt head is called “brain freeze”. Ouch.

I added a photo of me catching the fish from his spot.  After I caught it I ran so fast I was invisible.  See the photo for evidence of my invisibility.

yankersrileyrunning


Review of City Dog: A Novel

City Dog: A Novel, by Alison Pace

West Highland Terriers are proud, cute and fun loving dogs.  The star of the book, City Dog: A Novel by Alison Pace, just happens to be Carlie, a West Highland Terrier that is true to type.  Carlie explains about her breed:  “The Westie will not be ignored!” And constantly attempts to get the attention of her beloved owner Amy.westiecitydog

In the book Carlie the Westie becomes a star of a reality T.V. show.  Perhaps the best part of this novel is when Carlie narrates a few chapters.  Carlie begins her chapter by declaring, “This is a book about me!”  She is so cute once cannot help but love her.

Most of the other chapters are narrated by Carlie’s human, Amy, a lonely writer who prefers to stay inside on the weekends than go out on dates in the city (New York).  Amy makes her living by writing children’s books called Run, Carlie, Run! (Unsurprisingly, again, the Westie is the star.)

Alison Pace knows how to write some killer sentences, and she pays careful attention to the poetry of words.  The book begins with Amy on a date.  Amy is horrified because her date says he “was divorced” whereas Amy “is divorced.”  Amy considers the difference between those two verb tenses for a hilarious paragraph.

Alison Pace is clever and funny and has a knack for writing in the voice of the dog.  This is probably because she is the actual owner of a Westie, so she should know!

Anyone who enjoys reading dog blogs will certainly enjoy City Dog: A Novel.  I also suggest it to dog lovers, frustrated writers, and loners world wide.

Riley says Hi.

Riley’s Post:

My mommy is very busy lately. She’s on her glowing screen….the ‘puter, just about every day. She clicks on the keys. Then she stops and looks very confused. She wrinkles her nose, and she rubs her face. (I remember when she used to rub my face!) Then she starts clicking on the keys again. All day long. She wanted me to say hi for you. She says she’s got working to do.

But since she’s been so busy I wanted to say hi to all my bloggy friends. So I uploaded this very nice video of me saying hi.

Lots of Licks, Riley.

Why Dogs Need Martingale Collars

This post could have also been titled: How Michelle Fell on Her Bum Today.

I recently bought a Martingale collar from ClassicHound.com to use on Riley’s walks.  (The full product review will be coming soon!)

I’ve been using the very pretty collar for a couple of weeks now on our walks.  Basically a martingale collar slightly tightens when your dog pulls on their leash.  It is NOT a choke collar–so it does not tighten all the way a choke collar does.greyhound2

A martingale collar is essential for people who own dogs with necks bigger than their head (like Greyhounds).  Greyhounds can slip right out of a regular collar anytime they feel like it because…well, they’ve got freakishly skinny heads.  Today I learned that the Martingale collar must also be essential for dogs named Riley the Catahoula.

Today we were out just for a quick minute–Riley had rung her potty bell, and needed to go pee.  I was a little frustrated about this because I was in the middle of work.  Instead of putting on the Martingale collar I just took her out quickly with her regular collar and leash.

We crossed the street to pee in her favorite spot.  Before we could even begin to sniff, an old blue van passed by.  Riley, being a crazy herding dog, looked as if she wanted to chase the van.  So I pulled her aside, told her “leave it” and made her sit until it passed.ups-truck

I did not see, however, that just behind the van was the UPS TRUCK.  Good god, no!  Not a UPS truck!  Riley dreams of chasing UPS trucks every single night.

Riley, of course, knew all along that the UPS truck was within her sights.  She struggled and struggled.  I pulled her back from the road onto a neighbor’s yard.  She struggled and struggled.

Finally (for the first time ever) she managed to slip out of her regular collar!  To keep her from attacking and/or herding the UPS truck, I had to hang onto her with all my might.

I did all of this in a long skirt and a pair of boots with very high heals (2 inches).  Needless to say I had to resort to body-slamming Riley onto the ground to keep her contained.  (I may have tripped on top of her.)

Did I mention we were in a neighbor’s yard?

Once the UPS TRUCK had passed, Riley sat and stayed like the most obedient dog ever.  I put her collar back on, tightened it, stood up and shook myself off.

Just as I did this, the old blue van drove back up to us, pulled over and the man driving asked, “Are you alright Miss?”

I said, with as much self-respect as possible given the circumstances, “Yes, of course, I am fine.”

The guy explained, “I saw you in my rear view mirror and it looked like that dog was attacking you.”

“No.  She just likes to chase UPS Trucks,” I said, as if it somehow explained why I had been lying flat on the ground.

He looked curiously at Riley and then said, before driving away, “Better than firetrucks!”

I think UPS Trucks are much worse.  They come by every day.

Needless to say, I am no longer taking her out without the Martingale collar.

Riley’s Comment:

riley-martingale-comment-image

Riley wearing her Martingale collar

Today has been very fun and exciting as usual.  My mommy and I went outside and we saw a wonderful, big brown animal that makes a roaring noise.  A man wearing an ugly brown suit rides on top of the animal.  At least once a week he comes to our door.  When he does this I scare him as best as I can.  I might look handsome and friendly but I can be a frightening dog when I want to.  This man does not belong at our doorstep! Anyway, today I saw him riding the big brown animal and I almost caught them!  But then my mommy wanted to wrestle with me.  That was very fun too.

Every night I dream about the big brown animal and the man in the brown suit who rides him.  It is like a nightmare.  I just run and run but never catch up to them. Oh well, I guess I am not supposed to ever catch him.


photos by Justin at Doglirious, zyphbear, and Classic Hounds.

How to Choose a Dog Breeder

So you’ve decided to get a puppy: a sweet, cuddly, smelly-breathed puppy.  You’ve thought a lot about what type of pup you’d like.  You know the breed, the look, that is just right for your personality and lifestyle.  But what now?  Where do you go next?

Don Abney Catahoula Puppies

Don Abney Catahoula Puppies

Choosing a dog breeder is an extremely important step.  Your dog’s health, happiness, temperament and even life-span all depends on this choice.  Many people do not realize, but choosing the wrong breeder might mean that your dog is slow to become potty trained, or worse, is plagued by a breed-specific disease.

A great breeder does not breed for profit.  They do it for the love of the breed.  This means that they know everything there is to know about that particular breed, they are always learning new things through research or their breed association, and that they try to get the perfect dog in every litter.

5 Steps for Choosing a Responsible Breeder

  1. First, I know you are excited to get a dog.  But take your time! Finding the right breeder is sometimes time-consuming and you won’t go home with your puppy right away.  That is okay.  Remember, this is an important decision for your puppy’s (and your) happiness and health.
  2. Research the breed before you begin. (You’ve probably already done this because you’ve got a specific breed you like, right?)  Buy a book and read up on any health issues relating to the breed.  And read about their proper care (do they have special grooming needs?)  This information will be a valuable tool in evaluating the breeders own knowledge.
  3. Email or call the national breeding club that represents the breed you are interested.  The club makes the breed standards known, and also research breed-specific diseases and other issues of great importance to their specific breed.  They should be able to give you a list of the top breeders in your area.
  4. Visit multiple breeders.  You’ll know who is good and who is not by comparing them for yourself.
  5. Check the breeders websites to see if they have a breeding policy posted.  If not, when you call to schedule a visit ask if they have a paper copy of a breeding policy.

Questions You Should Ask the Breeder (and Yourself) When You Visit

Take these questions with you to visit the breeder.  A good breeder will be willing to answer them.  And they’ll be happy you asked.  They will also take your questions seriously.

Ask yourself:

  • Are the breeder’s own adult dogs friendly and sociable?  (After all, these are probably going to be your puppy’s relatives!  They just might take after them.)
  • Is the kennel area cleaned often?  (If not, then your pup might have more trouble getting potty trained.)
  • Is the breeder asking me enough questions? (A good breeder will want to make sure you will be a good puppy parent.  They might ask you for an interview, or ask you to fill out an application form. They won’t sell their dogs to just anyone.)

Ask the breeder:

  • What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the breed?  (This question tests their knowledge of the breed–and their commitment to having the best puppy litters possible.)
  • When would I receive the pup’s registration papers?
  • What type of diseases are prone to this particular breed? (You should already know this answer because of your research.  If they don’t know the answer–or claim that it isn’t really a problem then don’t trust them.)
  • Have the parents and grandparents been tested for that health problem?  In other words, if a breed is prone to hip dysplasia, then the breeder should only be breeding OFA certified breeding animals. (That means dogs without hip problems).  Or if bad eyes are a problem, then the breeder should be doing CERF testing (Canine Eye Registration Foundation).
  • Do you have the phone number to previous buyers?
  • What is the life-expectancy of the kennel line?  (How long do the relatives live?)
  • How soon could I bring a puppy home?  (A really great breeder will have a waiting list.  Some breeders won’t even breed dogs until all the dogs in the litter are spoken for, making sure that none end up without a home or in a shelter.  Remember, patience here is key!)
  • How often are the mother’s bred? (Once a year at most.)
  • How do you choose which dogs to breed?
  • Do you give the puppies their first vaccination?  (Yes)

Six Warning Signs (to Turn Around and Run as Fast as Possible)

  1. Kennel is too messy. Of course dogs make messes.  But a filthy kennel means dogs are not be cared for properly.  This can lead to poor health, difficult housebreaking, and be a sign that the pups are not getting proper interaction with humans.
  2. They will give you your puppy before he is six weeks old. The puppy needs to be with its mother for the first six weeks.
  3. They don’t care anything about you. You don’t want to buy a dog from someone who’d sell their dog to just anyone.  That means they don’t care about the dogs at all, they are just in it for the money.
  4. They want to sell you a puppy as soon as you walk in. Remember, waiting lists are good.
  5. They let you handle the newborns. This is not healthy for the puppies.
  6. They want to meet you at your house, half-way at some agreed upon location, or drop the puppy off to you. Yes, they are hiding something.

What’s So Bad About Puppy Mills and Pet Stores Anyway?

First off, you are choosing a particular breed because you like the look and temperament of the dog you’ve chosen, right?  When  you buy from a pet store or unknowingly, from a puppy mill, the problem is you never know what you are going to get.

Did the mother of your pup have a genetic disease?  Was the father mean and aggressive? The pet store doesn’t know and neither will you!  The likelihood that your pup will be like their parents is pretty high, so if you are getting a purebred dog, you want to know who the parents and grandparents were.

Mass produced puppies are not socialized properly.  When dogs are bred purely for dollars, they don’t care if a puppy gets to spend time being handled by a human.  In fact, all of their contact with humans might be really scary experiences.  Causing the dogs to distrust all humans.  Or, they might take the puppy away from the mother prematurely.  This means the puppy might have more health problems.  And may be improperly socialized with other dogs.  You don’t want the neighborhood bully do you?

Look at it this way: if you were going to get a dog whose parents were unknown, why not just go to the not-for-profit animal shelter and save a dog’s life?

Choose a breeder wisely, and you may be able to avoid some of the big doggy problems.

Need More Puppy Info?

Try these great books:

The Art of Raising a Puppy

or

The Simple Guide to Puppies

Riley’s Petition for Mango Minster 2009 Best in Show

Riley’s Post:

Riley smiling closeup

There is a very important dog show competition going on over at Mango’s bloggy.  I am working very hard to win my group–Herding.  (Yes, us Catahoulas are in hearding group.  We are not offically recognized in the AKC…and I am a mix anyway.  But, the AKC has already given us herding group status.)

I am standing tall and most handsomest so that I might win.  Here I present to you, dear readers (and oh, so dearer judges) my most handsomest photogrpahs that show me in all my Catahoula glory.  Now remember, Catahoulas are very important and handsome dogs.  We are special and unique.  So keep that in mind when you judge my photos.  I have included a wonderfulest head shot of myself.  Also, a picuture of me hanging at the beach.  And a photo that shows my bestest gait.  In al its glory.  In some close-ups, you will also observe my “cracked eye”.  Not every dog can claim to have both blue and brown eyes.  I can.  Additionally, dear readers, you can observe my wonderful Blue Merele coloring which gives me the look of a true herding doggy.  This is how we get our long doggy name of: Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Picture 160 MMRileyStanding peeka-boo couch kongstick cuteheadshot classichound closeup beach1 beachbum gait sidewayslook proud

Playing at Doggy Daycare

Riley is off to dog daycare today.  Which means I get some peace and quiet.  (And hopefully I will also get a lot of work done).   Riley goes to Bark-Atl, and we really like it.  They don’t have any cages, and Riley comes home exhausted.  They have a bark-cam so you can see your dog play during the day.  They also take adorable photos.  There is the most hilarious photo of Riley during Christmas time.  They dressed her like a Reindeer.  I’ll never stop laughing about it.  Riley doesn’t want me to post the photo though.

Anyway, she was getting pretty hyper so it is perfect timing for a trip to daycare.  She is jumping around in the background right now acting a fool.  She wants to add her two cents:

Riley’s Post
Everybody chant it with me and wag your tail on beat: “Day-Care, Day-Care, Day-Care!”  Whooo–hoooo!  Playing at Doggy Daycare ImagePlaying at Doggy Day Care is where you’ll find me today.  I love that place.  Every time I go I have so much fun.  Most of the day I walk around making sure the other dogs are all where they are supposed to be.  Some people call this… herding… I believe that is the word.  I also very much enjoy having puppies chase me.  If you don’t know already…I am very fast.  (Just check out my fetch video and you will see the fastest bestest dog in the universe!)  There is only one day at daycare that was particularly horrible.  They tried to dress me up as a Reindeer.  No, I am being serious.  I am not joking…I wish that I was.  Then they took a very humiliating picture of me.  I can’t say that I am proud that I let them get away with that.  My Mommy wanted to post that picture up right here on this page.  But I put my paw down.  There is no way I was going to let her get away with that.  I mean, can’t a dog get some respect? But every other day is so much fun.  I jump right out of the car and into the daycare.  I don’t even miss my parents much–I know they’ll be back for me when its time for dinner.  I better go.  It is time for some barking fun!

For more info on Bark-Atl or choosing a great doggy daycare check out our article on the paw-fect dog day care for your pooch.

Update: he! he! he!  Riley’s gone today so I can post this:

rileyreindeer

Adventures in Pulling, Part II

We finally got a backpack for Riley to wear on her walks.  As you may know, Catahoulas are working dogs, so we thought a backpack would help Riley to focus during walks.  So Riley, Justin, and I tested out three different dog backpacks and ultimately decided on the RUFFWEAR Approach Dog Backpack for its durability, comfort, and design.

Baked Beans Make Great Walking Weights

Baked Beans Make Great Walking Weights

We began by loading the pack with car keys, poop bags (empty), and two cans of baked beans.  The total weight was about 5 pounds (10% of Riley’s total body weight). According to Ruffwear, most dogs can carry up-to 1/3 of their body weight, so we can certainly increase the workload in the future.  But, at this early stage, we just wanted to ease Riley into it. We dutifully and quickly rewarded Riley with lots of treats as we put the pack on, so she thinks it is a fun thing to wear.  We also were plentiful with the treats during the walk.

Every morning that we walk  Riley now wears her pack.  (We sometimes go on runs–she isn’t wearing the pack for those.)  And she’s even getting compliments on how cute she looks.  Success! Also, a quick side benefit: by adding additional weight, our trainer tells us that a 30-minute walk actually feels more like an hour to Riley.  I don’t think that is true.  It seems more like 45 minutes…but who’s counting?  (Me!)

Riley putting on her backpack Riley sitting proudly with her backpack on Riley smiling closeup Riley sitting on her walk Closeup of the RUFFWEAR Approach dog backpack Riley waiting for a command Grant Park in downtown Atlanta, Georgia Riley at the zoo Riley up close Riley getting treats at the zoo Justin and Riley at the park Justin and Riley walking down the street Justin and Riley at the Zoo

Even though Riley doesn’t pull like she used to, every once in a while she’ll try to sniff something. But she doesn’t pull ahead of me at all.  It’s loose-leash walking the whole way; sometimes I feel like I don’t even have a dog attached to the leash at all!  And I can even see that Riley enjoys the work. She looks forward to her “job” each morning, and I can see the focus in her eyes and body language during walks.

I am beginning to think a training tool is only as good as the owner who wields it (and I am still learning).  But, her behavior is seriously magnificent with it on.  This backpack was so worth it!

adventures-in-walking-partii-riley-headshot

Riley’s Opinion
I do lots of things around the house on a daily basis to help my people out.  I bark at the UPS guy: a very important job.  And I spend most of the day looking out the window just in case he’s coming up to our doorstep.  But I just got a brand new job…a promotion!  I’m now the “Chief Baked-Bean Carrier”…can you believe it!! Yup,  I carry those super heavy cans in my new backpack.  People pass me on the street and see how hard I’m working. Usually they want to talk or pet me, but I’m just too busy thinking about my new job for chit-chat.  The best part is that I walk with this pack, I get a ton of treats!  I’ll be carrying the beans for a few steps and bam: a treat.  Wow! I love this job.  Don’t get me wrong though, it’s hard work.  I wouldn’t recommend this job for puppies.  You’ve got to be big and strong like me.  I just hope one of these days I get to eat some of those beans!

Dog Backpack Review

We’ve considered trying a dog backpack with Riley for a while but just weren’t convinced the rewards would equal the relatively high cost of a quality backpack.  Well this review turned out to be the perfect opportunity for us to try several dog backpacks on Miss Riley (our lovely model and review pooch).

Riley Wearing her New Dog Backpack

Riley Wearing her New Dog Backpack

Backpack Benefits

Dog trainers say backpacks change a dog’s mentally. This is because your pooch becomes more focused on the job at hand (walking, and carrying the load), better behaved, and even receives more strenuous exercise.  This is especially true for working breeds who need a job.

Well, let me begin by saying that backpacks really work!  Everything we heard about “giving your dog a job” is true. We simply loaded the pack– two cans of baked beans, poop bags, and car keys–strapped it onto Riley’s back and then hit the road.

But after reviewing several models, we highly encourage you to find the correct backpack for your specific pup, as it’s important to find a pack that fits well and provides the utility you need.

The Contestants

For this comparison, we purchased three backpacks from REI.com, one of our all-time favorite outdoor gear stores. With Riley tipping the scales at 50 pounds, we ordered all 3 backpacks in size medium.

1. Adventure Dog Backpack by REI

The REI Adventure Pack is stunning in it style and appearance. We actually bought the orange/yellow backpack which looked beautiful on Riley.

rei-pack-new-side rei-pack-new-top rei-pack-new-underside rei-pack-right rei-pack-top rei-pack-left rei-pack-buckles REI Adventure Dog Backpack rei-pack-riley-laying-down-top

Pros
Out of all the packs, the REI Adventure Pack was the easiest to get on and off.  As you can see in the pictures, the buckles are accessible and snap together very easily. Overall the pack is light and portable.  Additionally, the underside of the pack contains meshing, which allows for continuous airflow on hot days.  The pack also features three body straps, two deep pockets on each side, a snug form-fit, and a metal D-ring to attach your leash for ultimate control of your pooch.

Cons
First of all, the front strap fits around the dog’s neck.  This immediately struck us as awkward, since this placement could potentially place too much pressure around Riley’s lower neck. And even though a piece of mesh fabric protects the dog’s skin from being pinched inside a closing buckle, this same mesh material isn’t quite large enough to serve is full purpose. If your pup has medium/long hair then beware of this pack as their locks may get caught in the snaps. One other downside to this pack is how its straps got looser as Riley walked around. In fact, on one of our walks to the dog park, I had to stop once to re-adjust the pack…this is not an easy feat for a dog who’s impatience (and excitement) about a dog park in the distance keeps her body bouncing around. Also, the pack has no reflectors, so beware of traffic when walking your dog during the twilight hours.

Conclusion
This pack works well for shorter neighborhood walks, but we don’t recommend it for camping, hiking, or carrying heavier loads. With its light weight and mesh ventilation, this dog back pack should work great in warmer climates. And even though we had a few gripes, we do recommend the REI Adventure Dog Backpack for its comfort, durability, and easy on/off qualities.

rei-adventure-riley-headshot

Riley’s Review
“I really have to concentrate hard with this thing on my back.  But I really don’t like how it slips around when the straps get loose, so I try to walk straight and get it right. I’d say this pack thingy is comfy—except for those darn cans of beans I have carry around as weights!  But I ‘m glad to work.  Best of all when we get home I get treats super fast because it only takes 2 seconds to get this thing off me.  And, of course, I look beautiful in my yellow/orange pack.  It shows off the different colors of my coat.”

Prices
Small $40.00, Medium $45.00, Large $50.00

Doglirious Rating (out of 5)
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2. RUFFWEAR Approach Pack

Similar to the REI pack, the RUFFWEAR Approach Pack also has three body straps. However, unlike the REI backpack, the front strap on this RUFFWEAR pack fit more like a harness. As you can see in the picture, you’ll have to lift your dog’s paw in order to get the backpack on and off. This is a bit more time consuming but does provide for a better fit with greater support.

Approach Pack - New - Side View Approach Pack - New - Top View Approach Pack - New - Inside Lining Approach Pack - Right View Approach Pack - Left View Approach Pack - Back View Approach Pack - Front Harness View Approach Pack - Side Padding View

Pros
The overall fit of the backpack is stellar. The harness design, coupled with plush padding throughout, takes pressure off the neck. This allowed Riley a wider range of movement in her legs and also allowed her to jog and even lay down while wearing the backpack. This pack features two D-rings: one metal and one fabric, which provides more options for you with attaching the leash.  Reflectors run down the entire length of either side for ultimate visibility during nighttime city jaunts. Unlike the REI Adventure Pack, the padding surrounding the buckles on the RUFFWEAR pack is spectacular. If you have a hairy or fluffy dog, you can rest assured that you won’t easily buckle your pup’s fur in the clips. Additionally, this same padding protects your dog’s skin by distributing heavier weight loads across a wider body area. The Approach Pack’s straps remained firmly in place while Riley walked, and each strap is enclosed in soft padding, which increases doggy comfort on those longer hikes and camping trips.

Cons
The sizes are strange. For example, RUFFWEAR makes the Approach pack in XXS, XS, S, M, and L. Since Riley was a medium in the other packs, we bought a medium Approach pack as well…big mistake. It was too big. In fact, a 50-pound dog is actually between sizes, so we went back to the store and tried a Small on for size; that was much snugger and more supportive. On the downside, it’s pockets were smaller than the Medium. Also, as described above, putting on (and taking off) the harness is more time consuming, and it is a bit difficult to adjust the straps—although once you adjust them, they won’t slip or come loose during the walks.

Conclusion
We love this pack! Even though it’s the most expensive pack in our review, it’s by far the best of the bunch. The RUFFWEAR Approach Pack is one of our favorites, and the company’s reputation is built upon solid design, comfort, and durability. There’s even a higher-level RUFFWEAR backpack that we’re looking at for hardcore biking, hiking, and camping trips.  Oh, and remember, these backpacks run large, so you may want to get a size smaller than other brands. In fact, we’re going to return our medium pack and get Riley a small.

approach-pack-riley-headshot

Riley’s Review
“I’m ready to take this puppy (is that what humans call a “pun”?) hiking, running, to the lake…everywhere!  This RUFFWEAR Approach Pack makes me the most stylish pooch on the trial. Oh, and I know I’ll be able to carry my weight without the straps digging into my sides with all of this padding. So now, I can concentrate really hard while I work and carry tons of heavy stuff. The best part is I can still jump around with this backpack on, and I can comfortably do my business while out on my walk—the bag doesn’t get in the way at all.  I even carry my own dog poop bags (empty ones of course).  I can’t say that I love getting in and out of this thing, but my parents always give me lots of treats when they do—which by the way, is the very best way to get your pup to enjoy the backpack experience. Overall, this backpack makes me feel so important. After all, I really love working for my food and water. I bet your dog does too. Ruffwear!  Ruffwear! “

Prices
Small $65.99, Medium $76.99, Large $76.99

Doglirious Rating (out of 5)
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3. Granite Gear Ruff Rider Backpack

The Granite Gear Ruff Rider immediately struck us as an inferior backpack. A quick visual inspection revealed its two body straps (compared to the three straps on our other reviewed packs) and no neck support.

granite-gear-new-side granite gear dog backpack granite-gear-left granite-gear-laying-left granite-gear-right granite-gear-front granite-gear-buckle

Pros
The underside of the backpack is lined with soft fleece, and it sports a couple of huge pockets and reflectors.

Cons
We just can’t get over the two straps!  And if that wasn’t bad enough, only one of the straps buckles; the other just tightens (no buckle). The first time we put it on Riley, we thought maybe it was defective…”Is this thing missing strap?” Granite Gear should have spent more time designing this pack. For the price, it isn’t the most expensive model out there, but it isn’t the cheapest either. In fact, it’s in the same price range as the REI Adventure Pack in this same review. I wouldn’t suggest putting much weight inside of this backpack.

Conclusion
We don’t recommend this dog backpack. Not only isn’t it sufficient for carrying heavy loads, but for the price, you’d do way better with the REI Adventure Pack. This Granite Gear dog backpack *might* work for smaller dogs, but again, for the price, just go with REI’s brand. We’ll give this dog backpack a single star just for the fleece lining and reflectors.

granite-gear-riley-headshot

Riley’s Review
“Well, I am not sure what that thing was—maybe a shirt with big pockets?  I never got to carry my heavy cans of beans around town while wearing it, so I was kind of bored. And for some reason Mommy wasn’t comfortable putting stuff inside these great big pockets.  Oh well, I can’t complain. It was kind of comfortable with the soft…fleece…I think it’s called.”

Prices
Small $50.00, Medium $55.00, Large $60.00

Doglirious Rating (out of 5)
doglirious rating point

Breed Spotlight: Pug

At 14-18 pounds, Pugs are the largest of the toy breeds. Pugs are famous for outrageous looks, a smushed-in flat face, and wrinkles like an old man. Starring in the movie Men in Black, an alien was even disguised as a Pug. In fact, many casual observers lovingly agree that Pugs do appear somewhat extraterrestrial.

pug-breed-spotlight-image

'Frank the Pug' from MIB

Alien…Or Little Clown?

The Pug’s outrageous appearance meshes well with its over-the-top personality. If you’re searching for a dog you can dress up in the latest designer threads, the Pug may be for you. They love pleasing their owner, and these little comedians even thrive on making people laugh. They don’t just love attention, they live for it! And as you can probably guess by now, they don’t like to be alone.

Pugs are coach potatoes at heart. Always available to catch a movie or read a book (with you of course), this breed is very sensitive to the tone of your voice and can detect when you are happy or sad. And even though they are incredibly intelligence, Pugs are also famous for their stubbornness. So here’s what you’ll get…you can teach them loads of tricks for showing off, but they might not always want to do them. This stubborn nature is the inner Pug clown, no doubt, as they are always fooling around (and testing you).

Snore, Sniff, Snort (and, ummm, other things)

The Pug isn’t much of a barker, so they’re ideal apartment dogs. Oh, but don’t misunderstand. You see, even though they aren’t loud barkers, Pugs do make noise…lots of it. Anyone who’s ever spent time around a Pug knows about their signature snoring, sniffing, snorting, and wheezing. This is due to the compressed shape of their faces.

Caring for a Pug

Pugs require work. Although they don’t require long walks or exercise sessions, Pugs do need a constant, watchful eye.  Also, due to their unique facial shape (see above), they cannot pant like most dogs. As a result, be careful when outside in the heat with your Pug since panting is how dogs cool off. In fact, a Pug should never be left outside alone—and shouldn’t stay outside in warm weather (80 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. Also, never leave this dog (or any other) inside a hot car while you shop or talk to your friends.

pug-on-hardwood-image

Could You Love This Face?

The pugs’ wrinkles can actually trap moisture, which leads to yucky bacteria. To prevent yuckiness (a very sophisticated medial word, I know;) you should clean off your Pug’s wrinkles at least once a week with a tissue or small towel. As for shedding, don’t be fooled by their small size! Pugs actually shed a lot, so a good brushing once a week will keep those hairs off of your clothes and couch.

Training

Due to the stubborn nature, Pugs may be difficult to housebreak—like many other small dogs. Of course, this doesn’t mean it can’t be done. You’ve just got to invest time and remain patient. If you’re considering a pug, then talk to a trainer about the best ways to teach your pup to go outside. You also may need some puppy paper and a quality all-natural odor eliminator.

Health

Pugs are prone to a several health problems. In addition to breathing ailments, they also may develop minor knee problems. Also, Pug Dog Encephalitis is a condition specific to this breed. It’s actually a swelling of the brain that may cause seizures in younger dogs. Despite these problems, Pugs are actually quite hearty. They typically live 12-14 years, although many pugs live much longer.

Smile and Laugh

If you enjoy life and love to smile and laugh, then a Pug may be the perfect pup for you. And if you can put up with snorts, snores and wheezes, then you’re armed with the proper temperament for this small bundle of joy.

If you are considering a pug, please check out our artilce on how to find the perfect breeder.  Do you have any Pug stories? We’d love to hear them!
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