Brutus the Dachshund

Today's daily puppy is Brutus the Dachshund.  In my opinion, I do not match "Brutus" with "Dachshund" - his sweet eyes and small, cuddly body do not seem intimidating enough for such a tough name as Brutus.

The Dachshund is a friendly breed dating to early 17th Century Germany.  At that time, breeders were looking for a fearless, small, and long dog to dig through ground to attack and kill nuisance badgers.  The Dachshund name - pronounced "dak sund" - translates to "badger dog."  Dachshunds found popularity in the United States in the early 1900s, but lost interest after World War I for unknown reasons.  American breeders brought the Dachshund breed back into popularity some years later when importing German dogs.  For a further history, visit the American Kennel Club.

True to their hunting instincts, the Dachshund is curious, intelligent, and brave.  The Dachshund is likewise known for affection and devotion.  This breed requires strong lead by its human owner.  Lack of authority will lead to separation anxiety, biting, obsessive barking, and other poor acts of behavior.  This breed can also become unpredictable around strangers and owners if gone without lead.  An owner with experience with smaller dogs is ideal for the Dachshund.  If a Dachshund is adopted into a family with other pets and there comes to be a lack of authority, this dog can become jealous and irritable.  Dog Breed Info describes such  negative traits as that of small dog syndrome and not in any way that of the loveable Dachshund breed.

In the United States, the American Kennel Club classifies the Dachshund in two sizes - standard and miniature.  Standard height stands at 8 to 11 inches.  Standard weight is over 11 pounds by one year of age (12 months).  Miniature height stands at 5 to 7 inches.  Miniature weight is 11 pounds or less by one year of age (12 months).  In Europe, the Dachshund is classified as Toy size - 12 inches in height and 8 pounds in weight by one year of age (12 months).  Nicknames such as "Wiener Dog," "Hotdog Dog," "Tweenie," "Dwarf," and others are not official American Kennel Club titles.  For further information on the description of the Dachshund, visit Dog Breed Info.

Dachshunds come with serious health concerns.  This breed is prone to spinal disc problems leading to paralysis, urinary tract problems, heart disease, and diabetes.  Dachshunds tend to become overweight, causing further back ailments.  However, life expectancy is quite long at 12 to 15 years.

Apartment settings for urban adopters are fine as the Dachshund is active indoors.  Daily walks and outdoor play are still requisite.

As described by the American Kennel Club and Dog Breed Info, the Dachshund is an ideal dog to own for its temperament and familial companionship.  If the Dachshund sounds like the right fit for you, look to your local animal shelter or Petfinder.com for possible adoption availabilities.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers on Petfinder

I believe in adoption advocacy.  Dogs (and cats) thrive in forever homes and loving families.

I hope that my promotion of available pups at PAWS Chicago helps even if only in the slightest of ways.  I am thrilled to say that three pups I featured on Puppy Love - Ham, Bisquick, and Blue - have in fact been adopted.

So I am here with Petfinder.com.  Staffordshire Bull Terriers have their own page on the United States-based adoption center, Petfinder.com.  If you loved Harvey and the history of adorable Staffies, visit http://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/Staffordshire-Bull-Terrier.  There may be a sweetheart near you!

Bulah Belle the Bloodhound

Today's daily puppy is Bulah Belle the Bloodhound.  How she looks ready to go!

The Bloodhound breed is best known for tracking humans by scent.  Originally, however, Bloodhounds hunted deer and wild boar.  This breed's standout capability is sensing scent hours or days old and tracking down the source.  Quite naturally, then, the Bloodhound is greatly utilized by law enforcement in finding escaped prisoners, missing persons, and missing pets.  Wikipedia offers a most detailed history of the Bloodhound.  For further reading about the Bloodhound breed, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodhound. 

The Bloodhound is gentle and affectionate by nature, thereby making this breed a great fit for families.  Standard weight of this dog, however, is 80 to 110 pounds.  So caution should be taken around small children.  Always note that the Bloodhound is on the go, as its trailing instincts once sparked can last for quite some time.

Bulah Belle is a sweetheart in a loving home.  Yet there are so many in need of a forever home.  Petfinder offers a sample of adorable Bloodhounds available for adoption in the United States - Reed in York, South Carolina and Teddy in Summerville, South Carolina.  To see more adoptable Bloodhounds in your area, visit http://www.petfinder.com/dog-breeds/Bloodhound.  (Click on "adoptable Bloodhound dogs" and enter your location information.)