These best-in-breed creatures lay down and risked their own lives to protect their two-legged friends
BY GARY SLEDGE

Rufus

“He has a mind of his own,” Sgt. Chris Duke, 28, says proudly of the mongrel dog he found roaming his out- post in Afghanistan. “He likes to run in the woods and stay out all night. He was just a good old country boy.” Until one night, when he also became a hero. “I owe my life to him,” says Duke.

In 2009, Duke was stationed at a desert fortress in Paktia Province, a desolate and dangerous place. A pack of feral dogs prowled the area, and Duke, homesick for family and his own dogs back in Franklin, Georgia, befriended one of them, a brindle-and- white male he dubbed Rufus. The dog ran with a ragtag female the soldiers named Target because the Afghan border police, who believed that dogs were unclean, liked to use her for rifle practice. A puppy the Americans called Sasha rounded out the trio.

Duke fed Rufus scraps from his plate, and the two quickly became buddies. “When you’d come back from a mission,” Duke remembers, “you just wanted something familiar to get your mind off what you’d seen. I’d go play with Rufus.” On the night of February 11, 2010, however, Duke’s safe haven was shattered when an enemy intruder penetrated the compound. Between 40 and 50 GIs were settling down in their barracks for the night, laughing and talking in their rooms. Duke was in the main hallway on a computer when the other men heard frenzied barking outside. Some of the men got up to quiet the dogs. Suddenly, the main door to the barracks was flung open, revealing a stranger dressed in local garb struggling with Rufus and Target, who had sunk their teeth into his legs. Little Sasha was leaping around the intruder, yelping and snapping.

Lauren and Chris Duke credit Rufus with saving their family.
Rufus took several months to recover from his shrapnel wounds and burns.

Trapped in the doorway by the dogs, unable to move forward or escape, the trespasser blew himself up, sending metal shards down the 75-foot-long hallway. “I took shrapnel all down my left side,” Duke recalls. Miraculously, while five men were wounded in the attack, none died or were permanently injured. The dogs who had stopped the intruder did not fare as well: The day after the attack, the men found Rufus and Target gravely hurt with lacerations and shrapnel. Rufus was singed on 90 percent of his body, and Target, who gave birth to a litter of four puppies just a few days after the incident, had most of her fur burned off. Sasha died from her wounds.

From that day on, Rufus and Target were heroes to the men. After his unit was sent home in March 2010, Duke decided to try to bring the two dogs to the United States. He wrote a letter to Hope for the Warriors, a nonprofit group that grants wishes to wounded servicemen and women and veterans, and appealed for transportation money. Funds were raised by several organizations, including Puppy Rescue Mission, started by two women who had heard about the dogs’ heroism. On July 29, 2010, Rufus and Target were flown to Atlanta, where Duke picked them up and brought them home with him to Franklin. A week later, Target was flown to Arizona to be adopted by another soldier (see “Target in Memoriam”).

Rufus now lives with Duke and his family. Sometimes as dark comes on, Duke looks outside to the perimeter of his property in rural Franklin and sees a dark shape moving in the shadows. He knows it is Rufus, the vigilant sentry, guarding the periphery, strong, courageous, and free.

Target in Memoriam

	Young is writing a book, Target the Wonder Dog, with coauthor Pat Jordan, due out in December.

“Target was a goofy, happy dog,” Sgt. Terry Young, 38, says. “One day I was playing quarterback on the parade grounds of our compound in Paktia Province. I dropped back to pass, and this dog rushed me, dancing all about.”

When Target and Rufus were wounded in the suicide bomb attack, it was Young, a medic, who nursed them back to health. He adopted Target when she came to the United States. “She was getting used to our house and to our little male Pomeranian,” Young recalls. But on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010, Target, accustomed to ranging around the desert of Afghanistan, wandered off from Young’s backyard in San Tan Valley, Arizona.

Target was picked up by animal control. Young found her picture on the shelter’s website and paid the fee online to claim her. But when Young went to pick her up, he discovered that Target had been mistaken for another dog and euthanized. “I was an absolute wreck,” Young says.

Young heard from people all over the world who had followed Target’s progress on her Facebook page. Her death became a focus of the No Kill Advocacy Center’s attempt to raise awareness about the millions of dogs and cats annually put to death in this country. The Puppy Rescue Mission, which had brought Target to the United States, now encourages owners to fit their pets with microchips so they can be traced if missing.

Target, who helped save the lives of almost 50 soldiers in Afghanistan, continues to help save the lives of pets in this country.

Fierce Guardians of Our Forces

	A canine jumps alongside its handler during water training.

Among the Navy SEAL Team Six members who met privately with President Obama after taking out Osama bin Laden last May was a fearless four-legged warrior with a distinguished European pedigree. According to Rebecca Frankel, an editor at foreignpolicy.com and a veteran reporter on the war-dog beat, the sole canine commando on the mission was a Belgian Malinois that goes by the name of Cairo.

One of some 3,000 dogs currently deployed in the U.S. military around the world, Cairo upholds a long and noble tradition: Dogs have fought alongside U.S. soldiers for over 200 years, having first seen action during the Revolutionary War. Surely those 18th-century military canines would be amazed by their modern counterparts’ skills, such as the ability (and eagerness) to parachute from a plane at 30,000 feet.

They might also slaver over the special equipment now available, including Doggles (protective eyewear), bulletproof armor, gas masks, long-range GPS-equipped vests, infrared night-sight cameras, and communication systems that can penetrate concrete walls. Despite all their high-tech accessorizing, however, military working dogs are most highly prized for one superior talent: their olfactory power, which still out-performs expensive bomb-detector technology—a crucial asset in IED-plagued Iraq and Afghanistan.

Same goes for another legendary trait: their loyalty to man. During months of intensive training, a military dog develops a deep attachment to its handler. Though trained to attack and, at times, kill, canine commandos remain, in their hearts, man’s most trusting friend.

Inky

	Kruger says that he and Inky were able to communicate without words.

When Glen Kruger picked a kitten from the Allegany County SPCA in upstate New York, he expected little more than lap time and the usual amount of feline disregard. Yet right from the start, eight years ago, there was an uncanny connection between him and the small black cat with the white bib and white paws. He named her Inky.

“I grew up on a hundred-acre dairy farm and had only kittens and cats as playmates,” says Kruger, 61, a former building maintenance mechanic. “My hearing was damaged by chain saws and the noise of farm equipment, so I learned to connect with animals. They respond to what they see and what you do.”

Inky liked to roam outdoors during the day but went inside at night to escape foxes and coyotes. Indoors, she was a typical tuxedo, sharing the house with five other spayed and neutered cats. But on a January night in 2009, Inky did something that would set her apart from ordinary cats forever.

Kruger had gone down to the basement to shut off the wood stove for the night. When he was finished, he climbed to the top of the stairs and reached to turn off the lights. In doing so, he knocked aside a board that propped up a broken spring-action ladder leading to the attic. The heavy wooden contraption came crashing down. It slammed against his right shoulder and sent Kruger headfirst down the stairs. He felt bones crack.

Lying in a pool of blood on the basement floor, Kruger felt himself going into shock. He yelled for help, but his wife, Brenda, was asleep in their bedroom at the opposite end of the house. Then Kruger noticed Inky watching from the top of the stairs.

“Go get Brenda,” Kruger said to Inky. In the past, Inky had responded only to the simplest commands when food was offered. So when the cat dashed away, Kruger thought, I’m sunk.

But Inky was on a mission. She ran to the bedroom door and scratched and yowled until Brenda opened it. Then Inky led her to the basement. Brenda found her husband at the bottom of the stairs and called 911. Kruger was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with head lacerations, a shattered right arm, and fractured vertebrae in his neck and back. “I spent six months recovering and, due to spinal compression and curvature, actually lost height,” says Kruger. “But I was blessed.” Since the accident, Inky never leaves Kruger’s side.

Stormy

	Emma, Liam, and their parents believe that Stormy protected the children out of love.

The auburn-colored quarter horse, Stormy, has always been special. Originally a rescue horse, she’d worked as a therapy animal for kids with disabilities for three years—until the stable that hosted the program needed to move her out to make room for younger horses. The Leonard family, of Sulphur, Louisiana, had been looking for a horse for their daughter, Emma, nine; the 30-year-old steed seemed the perfect match. Soon Emma was giving Stormy pedicures, painting her hooves hot pink with glitter, and riding her almost every day.

Last September, Emma went bareback riding on Stormy. Her brother Liam, seven, accompanied them on foot, carrying his rubber-band gun in case they met any bad guys. The trio headed down a rough-mowed country road crisscrossed by deer trails leading into a forest of oak and pine. Emma guided Stormy up one narrow trail tangled with vines and underbrush, while Liam marched behind. But as they walked, the typically calm Stormy became skittish and fretful. Suddenly, Emma heard something thrashing in the woods behind her. As she turned in the saddle to look, a feral boar crashed through the underbrush. It was a huge, filthy-looking beast with sharp tusks jutting out of its mouth and ridged black bristles up its back. It stomped and snorted, pawing at the earth just six feet from Liam. “Run, Liam!” Emma cried. But the boy stood still, frozen in fear.

Stormy turned and trotted directly past the wild pig, putting herself between the boar and the boy, then gently nudged Liam to safety. The boar became agitated, but when it charged, Stormy was ready. As Emma hung on, Stormy lashed out with her hind legs, slamming her ironclad hooves into the animal’s face. With a squeal of pain, the boar shot off into the woods.

When the kids got home, “they were white with fright and crying so much that I could barely understand them,” their mother, Cathy Leonard, 38, recalls. Between sobs, Emma and Liam described the terrifying incident and how Stormy had saved them.

Why didn’t Stormy instinctively startle and run? For Stormy’s owner, the answer is simple: “She was very brave,” Emma says, “and she loves me.”

Digger

	Digger’s instinct was to sit still and not make any noise.

Teresa Oney’s ten-month-old beagle, Digger, stirred at the foot of the bed and began whining to go outside. It was past 2 a.m., 27 degrees outside, and snowing in Lexington, Kentucky. Oney was of no mind to get out of bed. Digger had already gotten her up once at midnight.

But Digger kept pleading. So Oney, who lives alone, stumbled into the kitchen and out into the garage to let him out. Then the 59-year-old high school physics teacher watched him through the kitchen window as he sat down on the covered porch, facing the backyard. He stayed perfectly still. When Oney called him, he wouldn’t budge. She tiptoed gingerly through the cold garage. “Digger,” she called out the back door. The normally obedient dog did not respond. She went to him and grabbed his collar, but he got away and hunkered back on the porch, staring at the fence that separates Oney’s property from her neighbor’s.

Then Oney heard a muffled cry. At first, she thought it might be kids playing. But the voice called again and again. “Help. Somebody help me.” Oney dashed back into the house and phoned 911. Then she pulled on boots and a coat and went out to the backyard. Now she could clearly hear a woman’s voice, and it was coming from the yard of the neighbor behind her. She got in her car to drive around the block and met up with a police car at the neighbor’s house.

Oney led the cops to the backyard. There they found her, an 83-year-old woman on her hands and knees next to the fence, conscious but disoriented. She was dressed only in a short-sleeved nightgown and soaking wet from the snow. Blood stained the snow. She told the police, “I reckon I been out here pretty near an hour.”

Oney believes the elderly woman had wandered outside, slipped on ice, and in her confusion crawled away from the house. Emergency workers later reported that the woman, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, had been in critical condition when she was discovered. Without Digger’s vigilance, she would have frozen to death. (She has since recovered from her fall.)

When Oney drove back to her house, Digger was still on the porch, patiently waiting. “If Digger had barked or done anything but sit silently, I never would have heard those faint cries,” Oney says. Today, Digger, once just a pup abandoned in a Walmart parking lot, has been inducted into the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association’s 2010 Animal Hall of Fame. To Oney, however, he is still just “a big ol’ puppy—one with dogged determination.”

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"I can't overstate how pivotal John and Mckenzie's move to Stray Rescue is for the companion animals here in St. Louis, and for the citizens of the city," said Randy Grim, Founder of Stray Rescue. "Their presence here is one giant step towards making our city one of the most pet friendly in the entire country."

John's numerous accomplishments include managing Dogtown at Best Friends, helping to mount a huge rescue effort near New Orleans for the stray and abandoned dogs who were victims of Hurricane Katrina, being featured on the front page of the New York Times highlighting his efforts to rehabilitate the dogs from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennels, and appearing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Live with Larry King. John believes every dog deserves a second chance, and there's not one he won't try to teach, from those who are shy and lacking basic survival skills to those who have a history of both human and dog aggression.

"We are excited to be part of something so revolutionary; Stray Rescue is truly one of a kind," said John Garcia. "We look forward to helping save more lives and educate more people."

Mckenzie's impressive accomplishments include acting as the Animal Care Outreach Coordinator at Best Friends, where she worked with a national network of trainers to increase the retention rates of pets in homes and also worked with the Search and Service Dog program, which gives qualified shelter dogs an opportunity to go from being homeless to being heroes. She also assisted with two rapid-response animal rescue operations through Best Friends, both during Hurricane Katrina and with the Great Kitty Rescue mission of 2007, during which she helped to oversee the intake process and the medical, mental, and physical care of more than 800 neglected cats. Starting in December 2007, Mckenzie also operated out of Dogtown and worked directly with the dogs from the Vick dogfighting case. During this time, she implemented the individual training plans and rehabilitation programs for the dogs.

With John and Mckenzie's invaluable help, Stray Rescue will continue their mission to lead the way towards making St. Louis a compassionate city where every companion animal knows health, comfort, and affection, and no stray is euthanized merely because he or she has been abandoned, abused, or neglected.

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June 21, 2011 – Dundee, Illinois – Independence Day is quickly approaching and it's a great time to enjoy with friends and family. But, sadly the July 4th holiday weekend can be very stressful for four-legged family members, as thousands of dogs suffer needlessly from the loud noises of fireworks and the added anxiety associated with busy holiday activities and travel. Dogs all over the country can experience restlessness, drooling, panting, hyperactivity, and whimpering during loud noises, like fireworks. Traditional solutions of drugs and training can be ineffective, and families with anxiety ridden dogs spend a lot of time and energy trying to help their dogs cope with what should be a fun holiday time.

Fortunately, there is a safer, healthier solution to help these dogs. Canine CalmTM all- natural mist from Earth HeartTM Inc., can help dogs relax and cope more effectively with loud noises and other stressful situations.

Canine Calm is formulated with all natural ingredients, including pure essential oils, such as lavender, tangerine and geranium that have been traditionally used in remedies for relaxation. The product has been recommended by dog lovers and professionals as a safe and effective natural remedy providing relief to over 95% of dogs who experience noise and stress anxieties. "Sinjun, my white collie, has noise issues," shared Heather Lenz of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. "During fireworks and thunderstorms he paces, pants and drools constantly. I have tried different things to calm him but nothing has worked. When I sprayed Canine Calm on my hands and rubbed it onto his ears and chest, he lay down beside me at the computer and proceeded to snooze through the whole event. We love Canine Calm," added Lenz.

Vicki Rae Thorne, master herbalist, certified aromatherapist, and founder of Earth Heart, Inc., saw the need for a safe and natural way to help dogs with a variety of stressful situations. "I saw dogs have a hard time dealing with fireworks, thunderstorms, and all the activity and change associated with holidays, and I knew there had to be a solution that could help calm dogs naturally and safely," said Thorne.

Canine Calm mist is made in the USA and packaged in a BPA free spray bottle. The ready to use spray is easy to use, won't stain or leave a sticky residue on materials or fur, and can safely be sprayed and rubbed onto the dog's ear tips and abdomen, or directly onto bedding or clothing and inside the car or travel crate. The product is a family friendly product, and is safely diluted for use with puppies as young as eight weeks old.

Canine Calm, and the full line of Earth Heart products, including Travel Calm™, Buzz Guard™ and Guard Well™, is available for purchase through online and retail stores throughout the US and Canada, via the Earth Heart website at earthheartinc.com, and by calling 847-551-1806.

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Powder hounds, rejoice! It's that time of the year. Slaloms and slopes, pole and puppies. Puppies? You read right! FIDO Friendly magazine clears the snow pathway to uncover the top 10 ski destinations that welcome both two-legged and four-legged varieties. So strap on those boots, binding and barky best friend and head for the white stuff. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

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All good parents know the importance of having a first aid kit ready for their children in case of accidents or emergencies. With nearly 85% of pet owners considering themselves their pet’s mom or dad, it’s just as important for pet parents to take precautions to keep their pets safe and healthy. April’s National Pet First Aid Awareness Month serves as a reminder to always have a pet first aid kit prepared and handy.

One new item to consider keeping close at hand is Anti-Lick Strip Prevent™ from Nurtured Pets™, a company focused on health and wellness products for pets. These unique pet adhesive bandages are made with natural ingredients — including cayenne pepper, lemon powder, clove oil and oregano. This exclusive blend deters pets from licking, biting and chewing surgical sites, minor wounds, cuts and abrasions as well as helping to alleviate issues stemming from separation anxiety, boredom or other behavioral issues.

Anti-Lick Strip Prevent products can either be used as a therapeutic bandage or applied at the earliest sign of a problem, eliminating a pet's drive to lick, bite and scratch before skin irritations can occur. Anti-Lick Strip bandages are constructed with a peel and stick medical-grade adhesive that lasts up to five days.

“Whether you’re at home or on the road, having a pet first aid kit handy can be a helpful and possibly lifesaving precaution,” said Dr. Robin Valentine, VMD. “Assembling such a kit can be easy and inexpensive.” Though a first aid kit should never replace proper veterinary care, some simple remedies and devices can prevent a situation from going from bad to worse until professional help can be obtained. A basic kit should include:

• Waterproof container that opens and closes easily but securely to hold first aid items.
• Pet bandages, such as Nurtured Pets’ Anti-Lick Strip Prevent, gauze pads and cotton gauze in case of cuts, scrapes or bites.
• Hydrogen peroxide and anti-bacterial ointment to clean wounds.
• Scissors and tweezers for cutting adhesive tape, removing splinters, etc.
• Eyedroppers for dispensing liquid medication or for cleaning wounds.
• Phone numbers for your pet’s regular veterinarian and any nearby emergency animal hospitals. (When traveling, include numbers for animal hospitals in destination area.)
• Hot/cold pack for soothing injuries and reducing related swelling.

Anti-Lick Strips are available in small, medium and large sizes, and come in a (6) Six Pack or (2) Two Pack. Look for them at PetSmart and other fine pet specialty stores. For more information, visit www.nurturedpets.com or please call 877-PETS-771. All Anti-Lick Strip products are veterinarian-approved and manufactured in the United States.

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Springtime is here and that means coming out of hibernation to enjoy everything that's happening outdoors. EzyDog, a company focused on combining the best in sports technology with pet accessories, has the perfect gear for both you and your dog to get the most out of your springtime adventures.

Whether it's a quick walk around the block or an all-day journey, EzyDog offers a variety of leashes, collars, and other great

Warmer weather also brings spring showers, and chilly winds. For those days, EzyDog's Field Jacket covers every dog in style and comfort. It's a "no fuss" jacket that's easy to put on, and the convenient Velcro adjustment provides a perfect fit. The jacket is made from 500-denier shower-proof polyester and has a taffeta breathable lining filled with Dacron. Plus, as a safety feature, dual marine-grade reflective piping enhances dog visibility during dawn and dusk treks.
 

EzyDog is also the innovator of the perfect Walking System, comprised of the Pyramid Pull System Handle, EzyDog Shock Absorbing Leashes (available in three different shock absorbing levels, depending on the dog's size and ferocity of pull), and the EzyDog Dog Harness. The Walking System will ensure you and your dog the most enjoyable and beneficial way to enjoy a spring walk or adventure.

For more information or to learn where to purchase EzyDog products, please call 877-339-9364 (877-3EzyDog) or visit www.ezydog.com.

ABOUT EZYDOG
Based in the mountain ranges in Idaho, EzyDog makes a line of products encompassing the rugged outdoor lifestyle dogs love along with the comfort and style pet owners prefer. EzyDog is the manufacturer of the Original Shock Absorbing Leash that combines the latest in sports technology with the durability dog owners demand. Their unique and highly functional leash systems are designed for comfort, control and safety, paying special attention to dogs that pull or are in training. The EzyDog leash line was recognized as one of the "Top Pet Fitness and Weight Loss Products for 2009" by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. All EzyDog Products are designed to help both owners and pets get more out of the great outdoors. For more information, please visit www.ezydog.com.

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EzyDog Helps Raise Money for Local Idaho Shelter

On January 17, approximately 150 dogs of all shapes and sizes lined up to help raise money for the Panhandle Animal Shelter during the annual K-9 Keg Pull.
 

This popular event is an annual crowd pleaser at the Sandpoint, Idaho Winter Carnival. The canines met in an alley behind Eichardt’s Pub, Grill, & Coffee House, sponsor of the event, where they were fitted with harnesses and hooked up to beer kegs. Once outfitted, they sprinted to the finish line to the delight of the cheering crowd.

John Hatcher, president of EzyDog, manufacturer of unique canine products for outdoor dogs, fitted the dogs with the company’s harnesses, which gave the support needed to make the pulling easier. Of course, the kegs were appropriate to the size of the dog. While empty full-size kegs worked fine for the retrievers and shepherds, a beer can was just the right size for a Chihuahua to pull.

“This event has been going on for about 10 years,” said Hatcher. “We are pleased to be a part of it. Besides the fun it generates, it also serves an important cause — raising money to help our local shelter.”

The Keg Pull, with a record-number of entries this year, raised just over $1,000 for Panhandle Animal Shelter in Ponderay, Idaho. The activity also gave the shelter additional recognition for the services it provides to approximately 1,300 lost, abandoned, neglected and abused animals annually. The non-profit organization advocates adoption and also provides outreach programs, such as humane education, spay/neuter cost assistance and free pet identification.

ABOUT EZYDOG
Based in the mountain ranges in Idaho, EzyDog makes a line of products encompassing the rugged outdoor lifestyle that dogs love along with the comfort and style pet owners prefer. EzyDog is the manufacturer of the Original Shock Absorbing Leash that combines the latest in sports technology with the durability dog owners demand. Their unique and highly functional leash systems are designed for comfort, control, and safety, paying special attention to dogs that pull or are in training. The EzyDog leash line was recognized as one of the “Top Pet Fitness and Weight Loss Products for 2009” by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. All EzyDog Products are designed to help both owners and pets get more out of the great outdoors. For more information, please visit www.ezydog.com.

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colored pugs have black ‘masks’. Pugs have expressive little faces; in fact, they almost look like they are fretting about something

History
The pug comes from China, where squashed-faced dogs were bred for their resemblance to little Chinese dragons. They were kept to entertain the Chinese court, acting as canine court jesters. One of eight breeds bred in Ancient China, the heritage of the pug goes back to the Han and Tang dynasty.

How it made it to Europe is not precisely known, but the pug was a beloved companion of Queen Victoria, Marie Antoinette, and Princess Grace of Monaco. In modern times, famous Americans like Andy Warhol, Sammy Davis Jr, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. They have been popular for centuries.

Temperament
Pugs are loving and loyal but have a short attention span and tend to be strong-willed. So, they may not train to easily. They also get jealous easily. Bad behavior in any dog, however, can be corrected with attention. Pugs so well with children and make fantastic apartment dwellers, since they need minimal space and a short walk. They make ideal family dogs. They tend to snore and wheeze. Pugs also bark a lot.

Grooming and Health
Pugs shed a lot. They shed gobs of short hairs all over the place. Like other breeds with short muzzles, they are prone to respiratory problems. The breed is also susceptible to allergies.

Keeping a well-groomed pug is very easy. They do not benefit from too much bathing, since their sensitive skin might react badly to shampoo. A good, firm brush is best for their coat and cuts down on shedding. A wipe down with a damp cloth every now and then is also helpful. Pay special attention to the little folds of skin on their faces, since bacteria can hide there and cause irritation.

Pugs are adorable. They love families, and because of their small size and easy temperament, children love them. They may have begun their history as clowns in the Imperial Courts of China, but for its long heritage of loyalty and service to the crown, pugs deserve to be taken seriously.

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As the name implies, the Irish Wolfhound originated in Ireland, where these large and sturdy dogs were used to hunt wolves, deer and other large game. The Irish Wolfhound remains one of the largest dogs in the dog fancy, and one of the most faithful as well. The sheer size of this large dog makes it an excellent watchdog and deterrent to burglars, and despite its sweet temperament this breed makes an excellent family protector.

The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest of all dog breeds, standing between 28 and 35 inches high at the shoulder and weighing in at between 90 and 150 pounds. The female Irish Wolfhound tends to be a bit smaller than the male in this breed.

As with other large breeds of dog, hip dysplasia can be a problem in Irish Wolfhounds, and puppy buyers should use care when selecting a breeder. Good breeders are trying to eliminate these undesirable traits from their breeding stock. This breed can also be prone to heart disease, bone cancer and other problems, so it is important for puppy owners to establish a good relationship with their vet and to take the dog in for regular physical exams.

The coat of the Irish Wolfhound is quite unique, with a rough, hard and wiry texture. These dogs will need regular grooming and brushing to look their best, and this regular grooming will help to keep their coats healthy and shiny. Those dog lovers with plenty of space in their homes and their hearts may want to consider this large and beautiful breed.

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The Jack Russell Terrier is intelligent.

The Jack Russell Terrier is considered to be one of the more intelligent dog breeds which means they are quite responsive to training. If you want a dog that has limitless potential to learn clever tricks, this dog may be for you. Unfortunately, their intelligence can be a double edged sword. If you don’t stimulate their mind and keep them occupied, they can become bored and destructive.

The Jack Russell Terrier is good with children.

The Jack Russell Terrier has a reputation of getting along well with children. Despite their boundless energy and rather high strung personalities, they also have a kind

The Jack Russell Terrier has a long life span.

The Jack Russell is one of the longer living breeds of dog. It’s not uncommon for a Jack Russell to live more than fifteen years. They also tend to have fewer of the genetic diseases that are seen in extensively inbred purebred dogs.

The Jack Russell Terrier is an affectionate breed.

The Jack Russell Terrier tends to be affectionate with both adults and children and are tolerant of strangers. Their loving nature makes them a very popular dog breed.

The Jack Russell Terrier doesn’t require special grooming.

You can generally get by with a daily brushing and a bath carried out at home whenever his coat takes on a yellowish cast. There’s no need for professional grooming or fancy cuts.

Disadvantages of adopting a Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier is high energy.

This dog breed was bred to be a working dog which means the Jack Russell needs to stay active. If you don’t have the time or energy to devote to daily walks and exercise sessions, this may not be the breed for you.

The Jack Russell is not good with other pets.

The Jack Russell has a tendency to be aggressive with other dogs and can be particularly unfriendly towards cats. If you have other dogs in your household, you may want to reconsider adopting a Jack Russell.

The Jack Russell Terrier is not a good apartment dog.

Due to this dog breed’s high energy level, apartment living doesn’t suit the energetic, high strung Jack Russell.

A Jack Russell Terrier can be an excellent choice in dog breed if you’re looking for a loving family pet and have the time to devote to exercise and training. Caution is in order if you have other pets in your household. A Jack Russell Terrier adoption may be ideal for a household that only wants one pet.

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Michelle Dasher is with Labrador Friends of the South. Check them out online at www.labradorfriends.com.

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