The difference between DHPP and DHLPP? The latter includes a leptospirosis vaccine. Photo: Shine Nucha What is DHLPP? This vaccine is the “core” canine vaccine given to puppies and adult dogs to protect them from several serious and possibly fatal contagious canine viral diseases. A core vaccine is a vaccine considered essential for all domestic dogs

Dalmatians have distinctive markings in their fur that develop after they’re born. Photo: iStock.com/LucyCartwright 1. Key Characteristics of Dalmatians AKC Group: Non-Sporting Height: 19–23 inches Weight: 35–75 pounds Life Expectancy: 10–15 years Dalmatians are distinctive in their coat pattern and are the only spotted breed, according to the Amereican Kennel Club. Their short coats are

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? And 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

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: 10–13 inches Weight: 14–18 pounds Life Expectancy: 12–15 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

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

On Jan. 14, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter cautioning people not to buy or feed a certain lot of A+ Answers pet food. A sample of this lot had tested positive for salmonella. The FDA went on to state that the pet food company has been refusing to issue

These brewer’s yeast dog treats feature cheddar cheese for an irresistible taste for your pup. Photos: Allison Gray/Petful Did you know brewer’s yeast is good for dogs? According to PetMD, “brewer’s yeast promotes healthy skin, hair, eyes and liver function” and “may reduce anxiety in dogs.”1 Dr. Judith K. Herman DVM, CVH, agrees, saying, “Brewer’s

Heartworm treatment for dogs is available, but prevention is the best way to protect your pup against these parasites. Photo: wunderBILDlich Heartworm treatment for dogs is not pleasant for the pup, the people or the veterinarian — so prevention is the name of the game when it comes to heartworms. “But can a dog with

The best dog breeds for someone who works all day run the gamut, from Basset Hounds to Chow Chows. But sorry, Beagle lovers — Beagles are not on this list. Photo: RogerMayhem Do you work long hours but still want the companionship of a dog? If so, you’ll probably be interested in this list of

The dangers of rawhide chews can include choking, bowel obstruction and food poisoning. Photo: MaxShutter Here’s a question for you that may help illustrate the dangers of rawhide chews: How digestible is shoe leather? Answer: Not very. So is it a surprise to learn that rawhide is arguably even less digestible? Plus, rawhide goes through more

The most aggressive dogs don’t always belong to the stereotypical “pit bull” category. Photo: Lindasay Nature versus nurture: It’s the age-old debate, especially when applied to the question of who the most aggressive dogs are. Any dog who endures an abusive, neglectful or life-threatening situation can become aggressive. Does that mean these are bad dogs?

Too much digging caused this dog’s broken dewclaw. Photo: oakleyoriginals What is a dewclaw? It’s that little digit on your dog (or cat’s) inner front leg, somewhat analogous to our thumb. Although dewclaws are nowhere near as helpful to a dog as a thumb is to a human, they still have a purpose. Some people

Rottweilers are intelligent and powerful. Photo: Pixabay 1. Key Characteristics AKC Group: Working Height: 22–27 inches Weight: 85–130 pounds Life Expectancy: 8–11 years Rottweilers (a.k.a. Rotties) are strong, powerful, intelligent dogs who are known for their high endurance and guarding instincts. This medium-sized dog has a short, black coat with either rust or mahogany markings. 2. Where

A dog ramp for a car is a great idea if your dog is already struggling with stairs. Photo: Flightbird Pet Ramp As dogs age, they’re susceptible to a number of infirmities, some of which affect mobility. A once-agile dog who could leap into the back of a car with no difficulty now struggles just

One Waukesha, Wisconsin, man started his 2019 with a face full of dog breath. According to WTMJ, Lynn Sarver woke up at 5:15 a.m. on New Year’s Day to find a stranger sleeping in her dog’s bed. This isn’t just any dog bed, but a twin mattress that Sarver keeps on the floor for her

You might want to taste these healthy dog treats, too. Photos: Allison Gray/Petful Lately I’ve been trying to use up some leftover ingredients I have stocked in my “dog treat test kitchen,” and this recipe managed to help me out with 2 of those extra ingredients: flaxseed meal and chickpea flour. Although the original recipe

Time to do a double take! Whiskey the Whippet is the Best In Show winner of the 2018 AKC National Championship Dog Show Presented by Royal Canin, which aired on Animal Planet on New Year’s Day. Get push notifications with news, features and more. + Follow Following You’ll get the latest updates on this topic

Shawn Johnson knows the secret to starting your new year off right: dogs! The AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, the largest dog show in North America, will air on Animal Planet as a 4-hour special on New Year’s Day at 6 p.m. ET/PT. Get push notifications with news, features and more. + Follow Following

Wondering how to teach a dog to fetch a ball or another toy? The process involves plenty of praise and treats. Photo: pixabay When I first got my Border Collie, Mack, I knew he loved tennis balls — on the rescue group’s website, he was pictured grasping multiple tennis balls in his jaws. I quickly

Pink, slightly shiny gums are healthy. But pale gums in dogs are not normal — and they can have several possible causes, such as anemia or dehydration. Photo: Jade87 What can pale gums in dogs tell you? As it happens, quite a lot. From anemia to heart failure, breathing difficulties to dehydration, the color of