Above: Our little man Django (@djangothegent) sporting his doggy life jacket while vacationing with us in Capri, Italy
When our long-haired dachshund Django was 8 months old, Mike and I (Steph) took him hiking at Bear Mountain, a state park an hour's drive north of New York City. Before heading home, we went for a walk around Hessian Lake's 1.4-mile trail loop. Django was off leash and running 10 feet ahead of us the whole time.
We were halfway around Hessian Lake when Django, who had never swum before, calmly walked into Hessian Lake. Mike and I watched with awe and amusement as Django swam out 15 feet, grabbed a stick in his mouth, and swam back to shore.
Since that hike at Hessian Lake, Django has swum countless times in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He has jumped off of a boat into the Mediterranean Sea, fetched sticks out of freezing cold glacier mountain streams in Oregon, and skillfully handled the choppy waters of Italy's Lake Como. Despite his long dachshund body and short, stubby legs, Django is a natural at swimming.
Although Django has proven himself capable in the water many times over, Mike and I still have him wear a doggy life vest for most water activities.
Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, you should absolutely consider using a dog life jacket for most water activities. You know your dog best, but here are several instances where you should definitely throw a life jacket on your dog:
No. Most dogs will start to "doggy paddle" when in water, but this does not mean they can swim or even stay afloat for more than a few seconds.
Many working dogs were bred to swim and retrieve game from the water. Generally speaking, skilled canine swimmers tend to be medium and large dogs with long, muscular legs and water-resistant coats. Some of the most popular 'water dogs' include the chesapeake bay retriever, english setter, golden retriever, irish setter, labrador retriever, newfoundland, portuguese water dog, and standard poodle. Fun fact? Poodles were originally bred in Germany as water retrievers, and the name poodle comes from the German word "pudel" meaning "to splash" in water.
Although Django has proven to be quite the swimmer, dachshunds are one of the more well known breeds that often struggle in the water. Other dog breeds notorious for poor swimming skills are the basset hound, boxer, bulldog, frenchie, pekingese, pug, and boxer. Dogs that cannot swim often have one of these traits: (1) short, stubby legs (2) a large, heavy chest (3) a shortened or flat nose (a.k.a. brachycephalic breed).
Brachycephalic breeds, like frenchies and pugs, are at an anatomical disadvantage in the water. Because of their broad, flat faces, these dogs have a much more difficult time keeping their nose and mouth above water. Combine this difficulty with a heavier body, like bulldogs, and you can understand why some breeds are simply better left on dry land.
There are always exceptions to the rule, and you know your dog best. Play it safe, use a high quality dog life jacket if you have any doubt about your pup's swimming ability, and have fun in the water!
Below: Living the dream! Our little guy Django takes in the sights while boating around Capri Island with Mike and I in Italy.
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Most dogs detest having their teeth brushed. Many pups won't even let their owners come near them with a doggy toothbrush! Brushing your dog's teeth is obviously not always easy or enjoyable. It is also very easy to forget to brush your pup's teeth on a daily basis. Fortunately, one very reputable company, BARK, came up with a way to make doggy dental health much easier for us pet parents.
We discovered BARK Bright’s enzyme-powered monthly doggy dental kit last year and have been fans ever since. BARK Bright's chicken-flavored dog toothpaste and dog sticks turbocharge the enzymes in dogs' mouths to keep their teeth clean and breath fresh. They are incredibly simple and effective, and the kits are conveniently shipped straight to your door.
Is BARK Bright right for your pup? In this DJANGO Dog Blog article, we provide an in-depth overview and review of BARK Bright. It is based on our own experience getting the dog teeth cleaning kit for our sausage dog Django.
Dr. Ian Billinghurst is the father of the raw dog food diet and the founder of the BARF ('Biologically Appropriate Raw Food' or 'Bones and Raw Food') diet. In late 1993, he wrote Give Your Dog a Bone. The worldwide best seller is one of the most important books on dog nutrition ever written. It discussed why raw, whole food is best for your dog.
As an Australian veterinary surgeon with 50 years of experience, Dr. Billinghurst has one consistent message: raw-fed dogs are healthier than their kibble-fed counterparts.
We caught up with the long-time raw food champion and international lecturer to discuss the controversial raw dog food diet. We also dig into how gray wolves evolved into modern dogs, and we weigh the benefits of the raw dog food diet against safety risks like foodborne pathogens. Finally, we chew over how to solve the companion dog population boom and why so many veterinarians have raw emotions about raw pet food.
When Mike and I (Steph) moved into our new home earlier this year, we reveled in the spacious layout. Compared to our previous 650 square foot apartment in New York City, our modest new home felt like a palace. We soon realized, however, we had a lot of furnishing to do. Our hardwood floors, in particular, needed immediate protection. We have a boisterous 3-year old toddler, a long-haired dachshund, and a newborn. The last thing we wanted was for our toddler's toys, our baby's spit ups, and our pup's nails to destroy our new hardwood floors.
While researching the best rugs for families with kids and pets, Mike and I (Steph) came across Tumble. Tumble offers machine washable and spill-proof area rugs with modern patterns and colors. Mike and I ordered 3 rugs for our home—a kitchen runner and two area rugs—and we never looked back.
The following is an honest review and in-depth overview of Tumble rugs based on our family's personal experience using several of the rugs in our home.