It’s no surprise that during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people got dogs. Being home all day by themselves, dogs seemed to be the perfect antidote for their isolation and loneliness.  People had plenty of time and nowhere to go and many new puppies and dogs that came into people’s lives during the pandemic got used […]

If your dog has an inflammatory condition, is getting an organ transplant, or has been diagnosed with Addison’s disease, your veterinarian may prescribe a drug called prednisone. What is Prednisone? Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid (a class of steroid hormones) that’s similar to but more potent than cortisol, an adrenal hormone produced naturally in a […]

Just like humans with Alzheimer's disease, dogs can suffer from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or dog dementia. Learn the signs and how you can treat it.

Puppies, like human babies, do a lot of learning to do in their early months, especially when it comes to navigating their new environment and adopting good manners. For tips on how to facilitate that learning, we turned to certified dog trainer Kate Naito, who is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator and Manners […]

Usually, when we ask if a dog is smart, we really want to know how trainable they are. Although intelligence is a major component in a dog's ability to learn, each breed has a distinct personality, instinctive drive, and genetic heritage, which will affect trainability. For example, some breeds were developed to work cooperatively with […]

You didn’t breed your female during her last heat cycle, yet she acts and looks like she is pregnant. Her nesting instinct has kicked in, and her mammary glands are swollen as though in preparation for lactation. A false pregnancy may be to blame. “Essentially all dogs that go through estrus, or have a heat […]

No matter how experienced you become at dog breeding and whelping litters of puppies, you may sometimes face scenarios you have not seen before. Purina Pro Plan turned to experts to answer questions related to dog breeding. Purina senior research Nutritionist Arleigh Reynolds, DVM, Ph.D., DACVN, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, and Andrea Hesser, DVM, DACT, […]

There are many large, muscular dog breeds. And several have droopy flews (big, hanging upper lips). But can you tell them apart? For those unfamiliar with the breeds, the Mastiff and the Bullmastiff in particular can be tricky to distinguish. Read on to learn about these two formidable protectors. Mastiff Mix-Up When Diane Collings, two-time […]

Acute or chronic kidney disease in dogs is a serious and progressive health concern. Early detection and proper management can extend your dog's life.

Curiosity didn’t just kill the cat. It did in the duck, too. Over the centuries, bird hunters have come up with creative ways to close in on their quacking prey, in part by breeding specific dogs to help in that endeavor. Centuries ago, hunters in the Netherlands came up with perhaps the most outside-the-box idea for […]