Remy's Soothing Glucosamine Peanut Butter Bars

Awhile ago my husband suffered from a severe Knee/Leg injury where he tore his ACL among other things. Now both my husband and I take a lot of various vitamins, but one vitamin my husband takes for his sore joints and recovery is Glucosamine. Glucosamine is one of the most popular ingredients in joint based supplements, because it works.

Glucosamine, which is produced naturally in the body, plays a key role in building cartilage, the tough connective tissue that cushions the joints. There are no major food sources of glucosamine, so you must get it from supplements. Most supplements are made from chitin, the hard outer shells of shrimp, lobsters, and crabs. It is one of the key building blocks of the skeleton and the joints, and therefore when supplemented, it can over time supplement and rebuild the joints. Users have reported it takes time to see results, but over time the results only improve. Glucosamine is also very beneficial for dogs, especially larger breeds like our dogs who are both German Shepherds. Our one dog suffers from Hip and Elbow Dyslplasia and has already had 2 major elbow surgeries. As you can imagine his recover is very important to us. We noticed a huge improvement in both our dogs shortly after we started them both on Glucosamine Chrondirtian MSM.

Fresh, ground peanut butter is more nutritious than regular peanut butter because in every serving, you are eating 10 percent more peanuts and not the other bad ingredients. Peanuts are full of essential nutrients, such as protein, vitamin E, folic acid, niacin, B6, folate and thiamin. In order to get my dog's Glucosamine in their diet I give them a pill a day inside their bite size peanut butter bars. It's important to check with your vet in regards to how much Glucosamine your dogs need. Mix and combine 1 cup organic peanut butter (creamy natural with no added salt or sugar) 3 cups organic natural rolled oat You can either flatten peanut butter and oats in a cooking dish or a tupperware container, you can also separate into little cookie size balls place on wax paper in container, you can layer them on top of each other and by separating the layers with wax paper and freeze. I give my dogs these treats frozen, but you can give them the treats after they have been in the fridge for at least an hour so they are cold and hardened.

Every Dog Needs A Bone

When it comes to loving our pets, we all want the best for them. Providing them with love, attention, plenty of excersize, play time, good variety in diet and of course snacks. There is nothing more satisfying than preparing a delicious Bone in Rib Eye Steak for my husband and seeing the look of pleasure on his face as he bites into his juicy steak. I feel the same way about my dogs. When dog's eat bones, the act of chewing actually releases serotonin, a stimulant. There is nothing that pleases me more than watching my German Shepherds laying on the front porch tearing into a raw bone after a long walk at the dog park…it just doesn’t get much better. We like to give our dog's a snack once a day, and the type of snack we give our dog's are various raw bones. They absolutely love turkey necks, chicken necks, Bison Knuckles, Elk and Bison Rib Bones. Bones are a very important part of nutrition for dogs. When fed responsibly, bones can help with their dental, diet and mental health. Always consult with your local vet before giving bones to your dog's in regards to which bones are safe.

Supervise your pet when feeding raw bones and manage your pack if you have a multi dog household. Bones are high value resource and fights can break out. Never feed cooked chicken bones, or any kind of cooked fowl bones – EVER. They can splinter and perforate your pet’s intestines or stomach and cause severe injuries or death. Raw bones are nutritionally valuable to our dogs. They provide a natural digestible form of calcium, that is a natural balance to high levels of phosphorous found in raw meat. This calcium from raw bones can be up to four times more digestible than most common calcium supplements found in commercial and some raw food. Raw bones play an integral role in dental hygiene for dogs and can make trips to the veterinary dentist unnecessary which in turn reduces risks associated with sedation that is generally given in order to clean teeth. Even more, feeding raw meaty bones actually have a beneficial effect on the dog's digestive tract. It has a scouring effect providing needed roughage in the diet, and provides bulk for healthy fecal motions that stimulate anal gland expression.

Remy & Rhino's Protein Power Lunch

I love to cook and I also love to experiment using a variety of healthy alternatives such as cous cous and quinoa. A great salad and healthy meal that I enjoy making for myself is a varied Greek Quinoa Salad. Sometimes it's hard to think of different recipes and what to eat outside of the typical meat and potato meals. Unfortunately I'm allergic to wheat, gluten, soy and most dairy products. Our older Shepherd has many of the same allergies as me. So I have had to become creative in cooking for Remy. Rhino on the other hand is like a doggy garborator, he can eat anything and not get sick. Just like human's, dog's prefer variety in their meals too. So I started using Quinoa in my dog's recipes. Quinoa has many health benefits, and this also applies to your dogs. Quinoa is a complete protein, which means that it contains all the amino acids necessary for our nutritional needs. Complete proteins are rare in the plant world, making quinoa is an excellent food for vegetarians and vegans, or for anyone looking for healthy protein source.

It's also high in iron and calcium, and is a good source of manganese, magnesium and copper, as well as fiber. For people who have dogs that have sensitive stomach's like our one German Shepherd does, Quinoa is a naturally gluten-free grain. It's also an excellent food for celiac patients or other people following a gluten-free diet. Quinoa flakes are a perfect substitute for oatmeal. Yesterday I experimented with cooking and made my dogs a new recipe that they literally devoured up. I use all organic ingredients when cooking for my family and our dogs, but you don't have to buy organic you can use regular products. Here is what you will need. I have included the exact brand of Organic foods that I use for this particular recipe in the event you would like to know what kind to buy. 2 Table Spoons of Natural Smooth Unsalted Peanut Butter 600 Grams of Beef Liver 1 Cup of Peas from Frozen 1 Large Banana 1 Package of Quinoa 1/4 Cup Of Pumpkin ( Natural Pumpkin, Not Pie Filling Pumpkin) Poach liver in juices slightly undercook. Dethaw in bowl of water peas while making recipe. Puree banana, cook quinoa as per package. Mix Peas, banana peanut butter, pumpkin and quinoa together. Dice into thin pieces liver and add to mixture and serve! Why I like to use Liver in my dog's meals? Liver is a good source for several important nutrients, including iron, calcium and vitamins A, D, E and K, as well as all of the B vitamins. Iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world, this applies to dog's too. Nowadays people feed their dog's kibble because it is cheaper and more convienent.

Eating beef liver can reduce your risk for several health issues related to nutrient deficiency. Boosting your dog's intake of vitamin A through consumption of beef liver can help decrease your dogs likelihood of experiencing night blindness and other vision problems. Increasing the amount of iron helps prevent anemia, and getting enough folic acid may help reduce your dog's risk for nerve and memory problems. The thing is most kibble brands do not have real high quality meat in them or the meat that they do have is very low on the order of content list and it is a meat by product. There are some excellent brands of dry kibble dog food like Orijens and Acana as well as GO and NOW which all come in Grain free so there are no fillers.

NOW which is made by PetCurean is full of nutritious ingredients like 100% market-fresh turkey, salmon and duck. 100% fresh Omega 3 and 6 oils from coconuts and canola. Wholesome berries, fruits and veggies such as peas, spinach, cranberries, pumpkin, blackberries, alfalfa sprouts, kelp, lentils and carrots. Yum! Zero grains, zero rendered meals, zero by-product meals, or artificial preservatives. But we have tried all of the premium Grain Free Dry Kibble and carefully read the ingredients in each of them, and we found the higher end brands list Real Meats like Chicken, Salmon, Beef at the top of the content list with zero grains and zero fillers. Our Dogs both really seem to like the Puppy version of "GO" dry kibble dog food the best. GO! FIT + FREE Grain Free Puppy Recipe is pure protein power, prepared with a balanced blend of premium quality chicken, turkey and salmon proteins and essential Omega oils along with DHA & EPA for your puppy's brain & eye development. Your puppy will get so much more, from eating less.

Why I like using peas in my dog's meals. Just one cup of green peas provides over 51% of the required amount of vitamin K, 42% of your daily manganese, 40% of the daily requirement of vitamin C and over ¼ of your body's daily requirement of vitamin B1 (thiamin). It also contains between 12 to 25 % of the daily requirement for folate, vitamin A, tryptophan, phosphorus, B6, protein, niacin, magnesium, riboflavin, copper, iron, zinc and potassium. You don't need a lot of extra fiber because just one cup of peas provides over 1/3 of the necessary daily fiber. Best of all, they taste good. The carotenoid in the green pea is lutein, well known for reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Studies on peas show that they help lower cholesterol, strengthen the immune system, maintain level glucose levels in the blood to keep energy levels consistent, promote bone health and cardiovascular health. The high vitamin C content is a great natural antioxidant that protects the body from cell damage.

The Benefits of Bananas! The fiber in bananas not only keeps digestion regular, but also helps maintain low blood sugar and curbs overeating. This applies to our dogs! Studies show that the high amounts of potassium in bananas (over 13% of the RDA) can lower one's blood pressure, which in turn lessens the possibility of atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. Along with lowering blood pressure, potassium prevents the weakening of the body's bones. A high sodium intake, which is typical of many American diets, can cause excessive amount of calcium to be lost through the urine, which threatens not only the strength and general health of the bones, but also negatively affects blood clotting, proper muscle contraction, and normal nervous system function. The potassium found in bananas neutralizes the high amounts of sodium in one's diet, thus allowing for healthy amounts of calcium to remain within the body.

The potassium in bananas is not the only means to ensure healthy levels of calcium in the body. Bananas also contain high levels of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) that--along with insulin--promotes calcium absorption. FOS further nourishes healthy bacteria in the colon that manufacture vitamins and digestive enzymes that boost the body's overall ability to absorb nutrients. Bananas can diminish the uncomfortable effects of diarrhea and constipation. The high amounts of potassium in bananas can restock electrolytes that are easily depleted when suffering from diarrhea -- potassium being an important electrolyte itself. Furthermore, bananas can relieve the body from constipation and help restore regular digestion with pectin, a soluble polysaccharide that helps normalize the digestive tract. Bananas protect the healthy constitution of the stomach in two ways. Firstly, they trigger the production of mucus in the stomach, which provides a protective barrier against stomach acids. Secondly, bananas possess protease inhibitors, a substance that breaks down bacteria in the stomach that cause ulcers. So every now and then give your dog a banana!

Remy's Crunch N Munch

Dogs all love crunchy stuff especially puppies! So here is a recipe I made up that is a sure way to please every dog's crunchy desire, and fuel his body for energy!

1/2 Cup Almonds Raw Diced 3/4 Cup Carrots Raw Diced or Grated 1 Apple Raw diced (Red Delicious) 1/2 Cup Zucchini raw diced 2 Tbsp smooth natural unsalted peanut butter 2 Large Eggs Hard Boiled 1/2 Cup Plain Yogurt 400 grams of Poached Chicken 300 grams of beef liver You will want to poach the chicken and the liver first. I always slightly under cook all my meat so that I don't destroy any natural nutrients in the meat. Dogs can fully digest raw meat, but I like to slightly cook my dog's meat and serve them a warm meal that isn't nuked in the microwave. Then dice and combine in a bowl the almonds, carrots apples, zucchini eggs yogurt and peanut butter. Dice up finely both the chicken and liver, and add the juices from the meat. Mix all ingredients together and serve! I love adding almonds or walnuts to my salads to not only replace the crunch you get from croutons but for it's healthy benefits. I am also lactose intolerant so I drink Almond milk as an alternative. Almonds have so many health benefits they are a rich source of vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium. It also contains zinc, selenium, copper and niacin. Almonds contain the most nutrients in comparison to all other nuts.The health benefits of almonds include getting relief from constipation, respiratory disorders, cough, hearth disorders, anemia, impotency, and diabetes. It also helps in hair care, skin care (psoriasis), and dental care.

Almonds are good for the brain, they are a source of many nutrients which help in development of the brain. Almond induces high intellectual level and has been considered as an essential food item for growing children and dogs too! Almonds also regulates cholesterol, regular consumption of almonds helps to increase the level of high density lipoproteins (HDL) and reduce the level of low density lipoproteins (LDL), thereby effectively controlling cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is called bad cholesterol. Mono-saturated fat, protein and potassium contained in almonds are good for the heart. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and reduces the risk of heart diseases. The presence of magnesium in almonds helps to avoid heart attacks. Almonds help reduce C-reactive protein which causes artery-damaging inflammation. Almond is also a good source of folic acid. They therefore help to reduce the level of homocystein, which causes fatty plaque buildup in arteries. In previous blogs I talk about the importance of fish oils as they are great for your dog's skin and coats. The benefits of almond for skin care are well known, our older Shepherd often gets sore legs so we massage him with an almond oil which is great for his skin, and safe for him if he decides to lick it off. Potassium present in almond helps to regulates blood pressure. Almonds are very low in sodium which also helps in containing blood pressure. Almond improves the movement of food through the colon, thereby preventing colon cancer. Almonds also help in reducing the rise in sugar and insulin levels after meals. This offers protection from diabetes. The mono-saturated fat contained in almonds satisfies appetite and prevents over-eating. Studies have revealed that almond rich low calorie diet is good for obese people to assist in shedding their weight. Almonds are rich in fibre. Like most other fibre rich food, almonds also help in preventing constipation. The presence of manganese, copper and Riboflavin helps in energy production. Happy cooking!

Rhino's Apple Burger Patties

Summer time is around the corner, and we all love to BBQ Hamburgers for the family. The other day I was BBQ and Rhino was sitting next to me while I was flipping the burgers. His little nose was propped straight up as he caught a wiff of the burgers on the grill. His little brown eyes looked right at me and spoke for themselves.

So I decided the other day I would make my dog's a healthy doggy version burger. Now in my other blogs, you will have already read that I give both my dogs a pro biotic pill and an Omega 3 fish oil pill daily. How ever if you don't give your dog's vitamins you can always add a tsp of cod liver and salmon oil to your dog's meals and there are various probiotic powders you can sprinkle over your dogs food. Here is Rhino's Apple Burger patties. Lightly pan cook Regular Ground Beef till it's brown on the outside and slightly pink on the inside. Cook a Hard Boil and Egg (20 mins) and discard shell peel, and mash the egg coarsely. Pulse the carrots, apple and honey together. Add oat's, egg, and tomato sauce with remaining ingredients and stir. You can mix all the ingredients with the ground beef and hand make them into patties and serve your special home made Apple Burger Patties to your dog! For dog's who love cheese and don't have any stomach issues with cheese you can grate some cheese over the dog's patties while they are still warm and the cheese will melt on burger.

1 Cup of diced apples with skin raw 640 Grams of Beef lightly cooked (pink on inside) 1/2 Cup of grated carrots 1 Large Egg Hard Boiled 1 Tsp spoon of honey 1/2 Cup of Tomato Sauce (plain no salt added) 1/2 Raw Organic Oatmeal (uncooked oats) I hope you enjoy making this meal, and that your dog's love it as much as mine do! Everyone is familiar with the expression "An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away". Apples are so great for our dogs too. Not only does it help clean your dogs teeth but it also helps strengthen their gums.

Apples are great for lowering the level of cholesterol in your dogs and it also Detoxifies the body and has an antiviral property. Apple's will also prevent constipation because it helps digestion. One large apple supplies almost 30% of minimum amount of fiber that should be consumed daily. If your dog's have sensitive stomachs like mine do, you will find that another benefit of eating apples is that it helps with indigestion, and may be helpful in cases of diarrhea. In this recipe I include Tomato sauce to give the patties a bit of a tangy flavor. I use Organic Tomato sauce ( In Glass jar)

for my organic turkey chili, or my husbands favorite organic sweet spaghetti sauce. But there are many benefits to tomato sauce, thanks to an ingredient called lycopene. Lycopene is a phytochemical that acts as a powerful antioxidant, potentially helping to reduce the risk of prostate, esophageal and breast cancers. As most dog lovers know, our beloved pets are also prone to various Cancers. The reason I use tomato sauce in this recipe for my dogs is because you will receive the best absorption of lycopene from cooked or processed products such as tomato-based pasta sauce, tomato paste, sauce, soup, juice, bottled salsa, chili sauce and ketchup. A bonus: When these foods are eaten with a little fat like ground beef, the lycopene is even better absorbed. Now the Reason I stated that I use Glass tomato sauce over canned is because of Bisphenol A (BPA) which is an industrial chemical widely used in common plastic products, such as baby bottles, children’s toys, and the linings of most food and beverage cans. Many scientific studies—including the largest study of BPA ever conducted on humans—have found links between BPA and serious health problems, from heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities in adults to developmental problems in the brains and hormonal systems of children. Given the wide use of BPA in so many products we encounter every day, it is probably impossible to completely eliminate your exposure to this potentially harmful chemical. Still, you can lower your exposure—and your risk of possible health problems associated with BPA—by taking a few simple precautions.

The easiest way to lower your intake of BPA is to stop eating so many foods that come into contact with the chemical. Eat fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, which usually have more nutrients and fewer preservatives than canned foods, and taste better, too. Choose Cardboard and Glass Containers Over Cans Highly acidic foods, such as tomato sauce and canned pasta, leach more BPA from the lining of cans, so it’s best to choose brands that come in glass containers. Soups, juices and other foods packaged in cardboard cartons made of layers of aluminum and polyethylene plastic (labeled with a number 2 recycling code) are safer than cans with plastic linings containing BPA.

Rhino's Breakfast Of Champions

As many of you know I truly enjoy cooking. I also enjoy cooking for my 2 dog's.

I have never been one to cook and create meals from recipes. I have watched the occasional cooking show while running on the treadmill but that is really the extent of my exposure to any idea's in creating my own recipes. I never really write anything down either, and often I just cook from memory of the previous dish I made. But it got me thinking, why not share my recipes with other people when it comes to cooking for my dogs. In my earlier blogs I talk about the importance of Omega fish oils and Pro biotics for your dogs, and because I already give my dog both pills every day, I don't add any fish oils like cod liver or salmon oils to my recipes, but by all means please add them if you are not using omega fish oils or pro biotics in your dog's home made prepared meals or kibble. Here is what you will need. 650 grams of Ground Beef, 3 Cups of plain Oatmeal, 3 Eggs, hard boiled diced up, 1/2 Cup of raw Carrots finely chopped or grated 1/2 Cup Peas Thawed From Frozen and 1 Cup of Low Fat Cottage Cheese. Cook the ground beef in a pot till its lightly browned and slightly still pink in center. Prepare oatmeal according to packaging I like to buy Organic Oatmeal but you can use any kind of oatmeal so long as it is plan with out sugar additives. Boil 3 eggs. Stir and mix together the beef, oatmeal, eggs, carrots, peas and cottage cheese and serve. You can add 1 tsp of cod liver oil if you want to make sure your dog is getting it's omega fish oils if you are not giving them an Omega 3 vitamin. I hope you like this recipe and that your dog's enjoy it as much as mine do! I like using Cottage cheese not only in my own diet but as well for my dogs. Cottage cheese is high in protein and is known to have benefits for fat and weight loss. Studies have shown that higher protein consumption was related to increased fat loss in women.

I love Cottage cheese and it is a great alternative to fattier proteins such as meats. Cottage cheese is not only rich in protein, but it also provides amino acids that your body uses to build muscle and other tissue. Cottage cheese is rich in calcium. If your dog is on a diet, and he tends to get hungry at night or before bed time, there are other benefits of cottage cheese. Eating cottage cheese before bed can be helpful for controlling your appetite. This is because cottage cheese contains a type of protein called casein, which your body digests at a slower rate than other types of protein. According to research published in the March 2011 edition of "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," casein is more filling than other types of protein, such as whey, a popular protein supplement. Because of the slow digestion and high level of satiety, cottage cheese may keep you from getting hungry during the night and encourage you to eat less in the morning. I discovered within the first week of us bringing home Rhino, our now 12 week old German Shepherd puppy, and brother of Remy that he loves hard boiled eggs. I like to eat 3 hard boiled eggs every morning, but I only eat the egg white's and throw the yolks out. Well a few weeks ago I thought rather than waste the yolk, why not see if my dog's will eat it and like it. They absolutely love egg yolks! Eggs are a great source of protein and fat and low fat for dogs. So then I decided to get creative and made up a breakfast meal for my dogs using the egg yolk's from my morning breakfast. Eggs can be a good source of protein, and is a great early morning meal, so why not fuel your dog's as well with eggs for breakfast! Now as I mentioned earlier I buy most of my ingredients in Organic. But Organic can become costly. However when it comes to Eggs this is one place where buying organic can make a big difference. If you're trying to improve your diet and eat more responsibly, make the switch from commercially produced eggs and reap the benefits of organic eggs. It's an easy way to make your kitchen a healthier place in the new year. Pasture-raised organic hens produce eggs that have 2/3 more vitamin A, three times more vitamin E, seven times more beta carotene and twice the omega-3 fatty acids compared to commercially produced eggs, according to a study conducted by "Mother Earth News" and reported in the October/November 2007 issue. Make the switch to organic eggs, and you could more than double the nutritional value you get when you eat an egg.

Eggs are little protein powerhouses that tend to get a bad rap because they're high in cholesterol, but organic eggs tend to have 1/3 less cholesterol than commercially raised eggs, according to "Mother Earth News," making them a healthier choice. Even better: Organic eggs have 1/4 less saturated fat than commercially raised eggs, according to the "Mother Earth News" study. Reducing the amount of cholesterol and saturated fat in your everyday diet can decrease your risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart disease. Fewer Toxins Eggs that come from chickens who've been fed organic food are less likely to have pesticide residue than commercially produced eggs. Trace amounts of pesticides can be particularly hazardous for children and pregnant women, so if you're feeding people in those two categories, organic eggs may be a good choice. Eggs from organic chickens also come without added hormones or antibiotics, which some commercial farmers may use to treat poultry to increase their production. When tasters compared the flavors of organic eggs and commercially produced eggs, they noticed that organic eggs had a stronger flavor and color.

I love carrots and thankfully my teething puppies love crunching on Carrots. Carrots contain more than 490 phytochemicals (plant, or fruit derived chemical compounds). Beta-carotene is one of the most antioxidants in the carrot, and helps the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells in the body. It also prevents DNA variation and fat oxidation, and protects cells against free radicals. The carrot contains calcium, potassium, vitamin B and C. Calcium helps prevent the narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contracting of the muscular wall of the vessels. Potassium promotes regular heartbeat. Vitamin B improves metabolism. Vitamin C protects cells against free radicals and strengthens blood vessel walls. Vitamin A in carrot is important in vision; a deficiency in vitamin A will inhibit the reformation of rhodopsin and lead to night blindness. It also improves coughing and high blood pressure. Enough sun exposure everyday helps vitamin A take effect. .  

In the morning's I usually have hard boiled eggs and Organic Oatmeal. There are so many benefits of Oatmeal in the morning. I buy most of my foods and ingredients in an Organic version. However, Organic and non-organic rolled oats have the same nutritional facts. They both contain equal amounts of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants and are particularly high in B vitamins, phosphorus and iron. In 1 cup of cooked oats, there are approximately 150 calories, 6 g of protein and 4 g of fiber. Besides price, the difference between organic rolled oats and their conventional opponent is what is not found in organic oats; intense chemicals, additives or genetic modifications. Organically grown oats are produced using organic farming methods such as crop rotation, green manure fertilizers and natural pest control like predation, instead of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers. In order to be labeled organic, rolled oats must meet the minimum standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

How We Picked Our German Shepherd Puppy

If you are anything like my husband and I, you have a special place in your heart and soul for dogs. Being a dog fan, the likely hood of also being fans of The Dog Whisper is probably pretty good.

Several months ago we watched a really good episode on the Dog Whisper on "How To Pick the Right Puppy for Your Family". My husband and I had been wanting to have a family dog for a few years. How ever both our lives were too busy between our career's, travel, and my husband going back to University, and so we felt it wasn't fair to bring a dog into our home until our lives slowed down a bit. I decided to take some time off from my career, which finally allowed us more time to be home, so we began our search for a family dog. In Oct 2011, we added our first addition to our family. Remy who is now 9 months old, is a pure bred German Shepherd and even more recently we decided to get a second dog. Remy's brother who is from a second litter of the same parents of Remy. Rhino is only 12 weeks old, our dogs are exactly 6 months apart. Both our dogs have very different personalities. Remy the older pup is sweet, gentle and very laid back and well mannered with a very easy going high tolerance personality. Rhino on the other hand is fiesty, high energy and non stop action with him. Remy is relaxed confident and so laid back.

Rhino will steal anything he can get his little paws on, we have to watch him like a hawk. Rhino wants to be involved in all the action, and Remy wants to participate in all the hugs and kisses. Both dogs bring us so much joy, and go every where with us. We did a lot of back ground work before we got both our dogs. First off in deciding what type of dogs to get for our family, we made a list of what was most important in a breed. We wanted a good family pet, with high intelligence. We live on a large acreage where we tend to get packs of coyotes and other wild life, so we wanted a good protective guard dog as well. We enjoy the outdoors and we wanted a dog that would enjoy being outdoors with us. We have an active life where we like to go for long walks and jogs every day. We also had interest in working in the Search and Rescue Volunteer program in our city. We live in Canada where we can get wonderful warm summers, but also very cold winters. So we wanted a dog that could handle both extreme climates. Once we were ready to bring a new family member into our household we understood what was required to become responsible dog owners - and were prepared to do it.

So we began the process of choosing a dog breed that would suit our lifestyle, personality and requirements. We realized that this is an important long term decision for our family and anyone we live with. It certainly pays to put in some research to ensure we reached the right decision in getting both our German Shepherds who have brought us so much joy. I think it is important to visualize the type of dog you picture yourself living with for the next 15 years as the dog's breed is just one of the many factors you need to consider. I get so upset when I see add's on public selling sites like Kijji where some one has to get rid of their dog that is now too big for their 1 bedroom condo. Or a family who surrenders their dog to a rescue foundation because their dog is destructive in their home. Which as a responsible dog owner we know that it is not the dog, it is the owner who is at fault when dogs miss behave. I also see time over time people who with little confidence and lack of character get a stronger dominate breed of dog like a Pit Bull, or Rotti or a Doberman or even a German Shepherd and the dog becomes a potential risk to the family and the neighbourhood. Some people simply do not have the experience or Alpha in them to be owners of more dominate dogs and end up getting rid of their dogs because they can't handle the dog. This is not fair to the dog, and often these dogs are bounced around shelters and foster homes. We picked the German Shepherd because first off we love the breed, we love their high working drive, we love how wonderful they are with children, and how protective they are of their home. They make great volunteer dogs, in which we would like to volunteer as a family with the SARS program in our community. They are highly intelligent, and if selected right, from a good breeder, with parents who have good temperments I believe German Shepherds are one of the best family dogs in the world. They are brave, very smart, and incrediably loyal.

Now breed is certainly important and I don't disagree with that. But there are other just as crucial criteria in order to determine what type of dog you will share your life with. Do your research in where you purchase your dog from - always buy from a conscientious and reputable dog breeder if possible. Before we brought both our dogs home we spent time with the litter, it is important to spend time with the litter making sure you know which puppy to choose out of the litter. You want a puppy that suits your family energy in the home. If you are a fast paced athletic on the go family you don't want a laid back low energy dog who tires easily. It is also important to consider the puppies socialization prior to you bringing the dog home. A good breeder will play with the puppies giving them attention and affection ensuring they have human contact daily so that the dog transitions well into your family.

When we brought both our puppies home we put them both through Puppy Classes. Obedience Training is very important no matter how much experience you have with dogs. You want your dog to learn things like household etiquette, leash training and the basic obedience commands l like sit, stay, come, down etc... We all want our dogs to be happy balanced dogs. When applying all the crucial criteria, everything comes together to determine the health, well-being, character and behavior habits of your dog. When choosing a dog breed it's a good idea to talk with people who have first hand experience with the breed you are interested in. Your local veterinarian, dog breeders and obedience trainers are a valuable source of information. Also if you visit any dog shows you can talk with the owners of just about any breed - this will make the picture clearer for you. There are some things that potential dog owners need to consider as well. What size of dog breed do you favor? Size does matter but it doesn't necessarily mean that a big dog needs a big yard and a small dog breed is suited to apartment living. Some large breeds like the docile Greyhound are perfectly suited and easy to manage in a smallish yard. Can you handle a dog that sheds heavily? Almost all dogs shed to some degree but some like Golden Retrievers, Pugs and Dalmations are shedding machines! Unless you are prepared to allocate some dog grooming time each day you may be better off with a breed that sheds minimally. Is it important that your dog is good with children? Do some research to discover which dog breeds are best for children - there's lots of great options.

How important is it for your dog to be well trained? Some breeds are more suited, willing and capable if you plan to get involved in advanced obedience training - does this apply to you? Will your dog be living with other animals and dogs? Many breeds find it difficult to happily coexist with other animals, while there are some dogs that love the company of others. What energy level should your dog have? Do you long for a dog who lounges around on the couch with you or one who continually drops a ball at your feet looking for a game? It's important for the human-dog relationship that you share a similar level of energy to your dog. Please note that energy level comes down to each individual dog rather than by breed. Is affordability an issue for you? Think not only of the initial purchase price but also feeding, grooming and health care - with some dogs the list goes on and on?

Do you want a dog who will guard you and your possessions or one that may just "sound the alarm" and act as a watchdog? Is it likely that your lifestyle, commitments or requirements will change drastically in the next 12-15 years? Choosing a dog breed is an important long term decision - it pays to look ahead for the well being of the dog. Will your dog be left home alone for long periods? Many dog breeds (such as Golden Retrievers and Chihuahuas) suffer badly from separation anxiety if left alone and bored for long periods. If your career demands a lot of your time you'll need to consider your choice of breed carefully - you may even want to reconsider your decision to get a dog at all. Will your dog be an inside dog, an outside dog or a bit of both? Some breeds are simply not suited to being kept outside and it's not fair to enforce this upon them. Will your climate present any problems to your chosen breed? Dogs that were bred for specific purposes and in one part of the world will often find it hard to climatize into other areas. Does the breed you are interested in have any breed specific health problems? Again this is just a matter of doing some research and talking to people who would know. Do you have a secure and large enough property to safely confine your dog? We live on an acreage so we have the luxury of being able to give our dog's lots of space to run and play. But we also take the time to walk our dogs daily for socialization at the dog park. Puppy proofing your home checklist. How much and what kind of exercise are you prepared to give on a daily basis? This is an important one, if you are not prepared to properly exercise your dog the dog's energy will come out in other, destructive ways. Some dogs don't require much exercise at all - they'd rather curl up with you on the couch. Will you be able to get your chosen breed in your area? It's no good falling in love with a certain breed only to find out that you cannot source a puppy in your area. What is your level of experience with dogs? Some dog breeds are not recommended for first time dog owners - they will walk all over you!

What was the breed originally bred for? Many breeds still retain the strong drives and instincts which they were bred for. For this reason if you enjoy having a nice and tidy flower garden you may want to avoid some of the terrier breeds (they love to dig!). Do you suffer from any dog related allergies? Hypoallergenic dog breeds such as Poodles, Bichon Frise and the Bedlington Terrier have a decreased tendency to cause allergic reactions. The above questions are designed to make the process of choosing a dog breed a clear and straight forward process - if answered truthfully! As soon as your new dog arrives home that is the time when your hard work begins. You will be responsible for shaping his/her character and behavior habits and helping him to thrive in our human society.