Written by Scott Bay

The report was released on 02/13/2018.

Analysts at Your Local Security recently released a list of America’s Top Guard Dogs used by those wishing to build a safer home envrionment.  Here is the list, released February 13, 2018 indicating preferred breeds by state.  If you'd like to review the original study please visit  https://www.yourlocalsecurity.com/blog/2018/02/13/top-family-guard-dogs-by-state/ 

Akita

With roots as guard dogs for Japanese royalty, the Akita breed has a strong and powerful stance with a large head and alert eyes, making it appear ready for anything. Affectionate with family members but aloof with newcomers, the Akita makes for a dependable companion and effective family guard dog.

-> Most popular in: Arizona, Hawaii

American Pit Bull Terrier

While Pit Bulls have been given unfair side glances for years for being subjected to illegal training as fighters, this is not their natural disposition. Friendly, submissive, and cuddly with their “pack,” this athletic breed makes for fantastic family pets and guard dogs with their visibly strong jaws and deep, loud barks.

-> Most popular in: Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina

American Staffordshire Terrier

Like the Pit Bull, the American Staffordshire Terrier was once bred for dog fighting, but aggressive tendencies have since been bred away. Though friendly and affectionate to its people, this breed’s secure demeanor, muscular build, and buoyant stride still make it an imposing presence to an outsider.

-> Most popular in: Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia

Belgian Tervuren

 These intelligent, attentive, curious herding dogs are full of energy and eager to work. Belgian Tervurens possess a confident personality and a dense fur coat, making them perfect for actively protecting homes with big yards in even the most frigid winter climates.

-> Most popular in: Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Washington

Boerboel

 Originally bred as a property-guarding dog in South Africa, the Boerboel is a self confident, athletic, reliable breed with a brave disposition and intuitive protectiveness over what it regards as its territory. The Boerboel makes for a fantastic home protector.

-> Most popular in: District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina

Boxer

 This energetic, athletic breed is playful and lighthearted with family but can be a daunting presence to outsiders with its bounding gait and muscular frame. When given sufficient exercise and training, Boxers make for faithful, fun, and active guardians.

-> Most popular in: Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Cane Corso

 Equipped with a large, muscular build, intent eyes, and sizable head and neck, this Italian property-guarding breed displays an assured, dominant air sure to garner alarm in a potential burglar. Their reserve toward outsiders combined with affection for their owners makes the Cane Corso well suited for the job of guarding your residence.

-> Most popular in: Delaware, Ohio

Caucasian Shepherd

 Don’t let the poofy fur fool you. This dog is bred to guard livestock, so it is ready to stand in the way of anything that threatens what it sees as its own to protect, including its family. A nimble mover and distrusting of visitors, the Caucasian Shepherd is a great pick to help keep an eye on your property.

-> Most popular in: Wyoming

Doberman Pinscher

 With the help of several Hollywood hits, this breed has reputation for not wavering in the face of danger. Dobermans don’t stop at just looking tough either—they can display a powerful force of attack when provoked, making them one of the most formidable options for a guard dog.

-> Most popular in: Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas

Fila Brasileiro

 Unlikely to approach gleefully when seeing an approaching person, the Fila Brasileiro breed is instinctively cautious with visitors. They need to know that a person is safe before forging a bond, giving them a natural aptitude for helping to keep a home safe. 

-> Most popular in: Alaska

German Shepherd

 It’s no coincidence that police forces across the nation often choose this naturally protective breed as their go-to canine compatriots. Fiercely loyal, hard-working, and highly trainable, German Shepherds are gentle around those they love with a healthy dose of caution around strangers.

-> Most popular in: South Dakota, West Virginia

Giant Schnauzer

 A working breed, the Giant Schnauzer is true to its name. This very large dog is alert, aware, muscular, and athletic. As long as it gets plenty of exercise, the Giant Schnauzer can make an excellent, protective addition to any family home.

-> Most popular in: Oklahoma, Utah

Great Dane

 This breed’s sheer size is sure to illicit intimidation even in those well acquainted with canines. Carrying a noble and dignified appearance, the Great Dane is as grand in size as it is in devotion. This blend of traits makes it a wonderful guard dog for families with young children.

-> Most popular in: Wisconsin

Great Pyrenees

 Naturally serene and even tempered, Great Pyrenees dogs have a statuesque appearance with a thick, soft white coat. Bred for guarding sheep and packing a large bark in their even larger frame, they are sure to cause a jolt of surprise in a potential burglar.

-> Most popular in: North Dakota

Great Swiss Mountain Dog

 Built for the towering mountains of Switzerland, this beautifully tri-colored breed is tough, strong, and agile. Relaxed in a home environment but enjoying good working exercise outside, the “Swissy” makes an excellent family guard dog.

-> Most popular in: Montana, New Hampshire

Komondor

 Born with unusual cord-like strands of fur that extend to the ground, the Komondor was bred to protect and blend in with sheep. The Komondor’s inclination to be wary of those it doesn’t know but friendly with its pack gives it an ideal guard dog temperament.

-> Most popular in: Idaho, Iowa

Kuvasz

 This independent, courageous breed will not shy away from employing offensive measures toward anything that threatens its property or loved ones, including potential criminals. Bred for hundreds of years to guard livestock, the Kuvasz is well suited to guard your family.

-> Most popular in: Kansas, Minnesota

Moscow Watchdog

 Created in Russia to help stave off crime, the Moscow Watchdog is a mix of breeds, including a Saint Bernard and Caucasian Shepherd. It instinctually  protects, herds, and serves while maintaining  a loving disposition toward family, making it an excellent option to be a guard dog over your home.

-> Most popular in: California

Rhodesian Ridgeback

 Distinguishable by a “ridge” of backward-facing fur along its back, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred to hunt lions and is built to protect. This dog’s combination of being great with kids but reserved with outsiders makes it an ideal candidate for helping to theft-proof your home. 

-> Most popular in: Colorado

Rottweiler

 Not many burglars would stay long when confronted by a Rottweiler. This powerful, sturdy breed is not immediately trusting of strangers and has been known to bite when openly threatened. With proper love and training as a puppy, Rottweilers are affectionate with their families and receptive to instruction, perfect for helping to keep your home from becoming a target for criminals.

-> Most popular in: New Mexico, New York

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Pet Dental Health Month Encourages Pet Owners to Brush Up on Oral Disease Prevention

AUSTIN—February marks National Pet Dental Health Month, a time to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining optimum oral health in cats and dogs for the sake of their overall health. Reliable and accurate information on pet dental health can be found on TexVetPets.org, the veterinary professional-written and peer-reviewed pet health website of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA). The website houses several articles on dental care, one of which covers common signs of dental disease and outlines a comprehensive oral care program: https://www.texvetpets.org/article/basic-dental-care-for-your-pet/

The articles explore how poor oral health can negatively impact the rest of a pet’s body, including the heart valves, liver and kidneys. The culprit is often periodontal (gum) disease, which is one of the most common diseases in cats and dogs. By age three, most dogs and cats show signs of periodontal disease, according to the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC).

“Periodontal disease involves bacteria that can cause significant infection in the mouth, and this infection can impact the health of the rest of the body, from the kidneys and the heart to the liver and lungs,” said Heidi Lobprise, DVM, DAVDC, a board-certified veterinary dentist and TVMA member who practices at Main Street Veterinary Hospital in Flower Mound, Texas.

Pet owners can reduce the risk of periodontal disease by following a quality oral hygiene program, which includes taking pets for routine physical examinations, professional dental treatment and home dental care. An at-home preventative dental care regimen may include providing dental chews, water additives and specially formulated dry pet food as well brushing pets’ teeth daily with specially formulated toothpaste. TexVetPets encourages pet owners to watch this instructional video on how to brush a dog’s teeth: https://tinyurl.com/yaaseo98

“With good dental care from puppyhood or kittenhood through the senior years, you can make a difference in the quality of life for your family pet,” Dr. Lobprise said. “As a veterinary dental specialist, I believe you can even improve the lifespan of these important family members as well, keeping them around and as healthy as possible for years to come.”

About the Texas Veterinary Medical Association Founded in 1903, the Texas Veterinary Medical Association is a professional association composed of more than 3,700 veterinarians committed to protecting public health, promoting high educational, ethical and moral standards within the veterinary profession and educating the public about animal health and its relationship to human health. For more information, call 512/452-4224 or visit www.tvma.org.

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Good dog trainers are faced with a variety of situations requiring them to utilize their insight and creativity to solve training problems.  Here's a small test to see whether you have the perseverance and detective skills that good dog trainers use in resolving their training issues.  Don't feel bad if you need a piece of paper.  Good dog trainers write down their thoughts all the time. Good luck!  Next month the answer...

The Dog Bone Problem

Rover, Fido, and Spot were three dogs sitting in a circle on the grass.  Each dog had his own treats.  Rover passed three biscuits to the dog with brown hair.  Which dog was which color?

Spot passed three bones to the dog who passed his treats to the dog with white hair.   Which dog was which color?

Each dog passed three treats to the dog on his left.   Which dog was which color?

Rover, Fido, and Spot were dogs with brown, white, and yellow hair.  Which dog was which color?

The dog that was brown did not get a biscuit. Which dog was which color?

The dog that had yellow hair passed along three cookies.  Which dog was which color?

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Even though your small breed dog might act like a big guy, he truly does have some unique nutritional needs.  Here are 5 tips to help you keep your smallest BFF healthy and happy!

They eat small amounts:  Small dogs may have big personalities, but they don’t have big stomachs.  That means the food we feed them has to be positively packed with nutrition to get them all the vitamins, minerals, protein, fat and carbohydrates they need to maintain their busy schedules.  Since they need to consume large qualities in relation to their body weight, they require small meals, several times a day. 

They need smaller pieces of food: Their mouths are obviouxsly smaller than their larger counterparts, so they need smaller bites to accommodate.  Look for a food that is customizable for their bite size or already comes in smaller bites for their little mouths. When you choose your dog food, keep an eye out for products specifically made for them. I like to use Freshpet Select grain free bite sized morsels – they are fresh real foods in the perfect size.

 They are prone to becoming overweight:  We love to carry around our little pups, so often they don’t get the exercise that they need to burn off the calories they’re consuming…especially when Mom and Dad give them treats all day just for being so darn cute!  So even though it may look like a tiny amount, make sure you’re feeding them just enough calories to maintain their optimal weight.  For a small breed dog, even one or two pounds can be devastating to their little joints and set them up for arthritis, heart disease and even a greater risk of cancer in the future.

They grow up faster than larger breeds:  Small dogs grow faster than large breed dogs reaching maturity at a younger age, usually long before their first birthday.  They also have a faster metabolism compared to large breed dogs which mean that small breed dogs have a higher caloric requirement per pound of body weight than their larger cousins.  It also means that more protein and fats in the diet are necessary for optimal health.

They are prone to dental disease:  Even if you feed a hard kibble to your small breed pup, you still need to engage in proper dental hygiene.  Talk with your veterinarian about which toothpaste and brush combo they recommend, and how often you should be brushing your pup’s teeth.  A minimum of three times weekly has been shown to prevent tartar buildup and ward off gingivitis. 

Dr. Katy Nelson is the host and executive producer of “The Pet Show with Dr. Katy” on Washington, D.C.’s news channel 8. She is the medical director of Pet Health for Stop Aging Now, a leading nutrition and lifestyle company that relies on the latest clinical research to guide them in their efforts to help people and pets. She is also an Ambassador for Freshpet, fresh pet food company that can be found in your pet food aisle in its own refrigerator. She is a Certified Veterinary Journalist (CVJ) accredited by The American Society of Veterinary Journalists (ASVJ) and is passionate about health and fitness, striving to help dogs and cats to live the longest, fullest life that they can lead by staying fit and trim.

About Freshpet
Freshpet has a single-minded mission – to improve the lives of dogs and cats everywhere through the power of fresh, natural food. Packed with vitamins and proteins, Freshpet foods offer fresh meats, poultry and vegetables farmed locally. The Freshpet Kitchens then thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials, cooking them in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best. Freshpet refrigerated foods and treats are kept cool from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet refrigerators in your local store.

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