How To Choose Unique Dog Names That You And Your Pet Will Love

One of the most anticipated parts of getting a new dog is giving it a name. You spend a lot of time thinking about a unique dog name. You can always go for the common names such as Max, Buddy, Lady, Sam, Lucy and others. The problem with choosing a common name for your dog is that when you are in a park there will be several dogs there with the same name as your dog. This is why it is better to go for unique dog names.

A unique way to name your dog is to name him or her after your favorite character from a book or movie. Unique male dog names would be Hercules after a mythological character, Mustang after your favorite car or the name of the lead star of your favorite show on television. For unique female dog names, you can name your dog after your favorite fairytale character or after the heroine from a novel or movie.

When thinking of unique dog names, you also have to make sure that the name suits your dog. Do not go overboard in making a unique name even if it does not suit the personality and appearance of your dog. In as much as you want to pick a unique name, you also have to make sure that it is a good one because it will be your dog's name for life.

It is also important to make sure that you pick dog names that you will be comfortable using. You want to be able to call out your dog in a huge crowd and not get embarrassed about it. This is why you should avoid using novelty dog names. They may sound fun and interesting, but you may feel embarrassed about calling out your dog in public.

A useful tip for picking unique dog names is to wait for a few days after bringing home your dog. It is a lot easier to observe your dog at home. Look for characteristics that will serve as your inspiration in naming your dog. If your dog loves to run around really fast, then you can name him Speedy. If he loves to chew on things like a rat then you can call him Mickey. It would be fun telling your friends how your dog got his or her name.

The internet is a great place to search for unique dog names. You can browse through a long list of names on various websites and choose several options. Once you have made a list of possible names for your dog, it is also important to try each one out. Say the name out loud and see if it sounds silly or not. You can also try to call out the dog with the name and see if he likes it. Your dog may remain aloof as you try out the names and then suddenly raise his head or wag his tail as you call out a name. That is a great sign that your dog loves that name. It is his name after all, so it is also important that he likes it.

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Start a Dog Walking Club and Turn Your Walks Into Social Gatherings

Starting a dog walking club is a great way to make turn your daily walk into a social event for both your furry friend, and yourself. Making it a group event can also help ensure you don't skip days, and that both you and your dog get out and get the exercise you need. If you can make new friends in the mean time, and help socialize your dog, then that is just an added bonus!

For many people, getting up to walk their dog is a chore, that can get boring and tedious at time. Starting a club can add a sense of new, and can give your dog and yourself the social element that will have you out the door regularly, and give your dog the playtime and exercise that is essential to their health. Starting a dog walking club isn't hard to do, and will probably grow much faster that you can imagine.

The first step is to print up some fliers, or even make a group page on Facebook for people who are interested in the club, and live in the area. For best results focus on your immediate neighborhood, posting signs in the local coffee shop and on local boards. Provide a social page to follow and a phone number to organize outings. Depending on your dog, it might be a good idea to specify the type of dog personalities that will be welcome to avoid dangerous or aggressive dogs.

Don't worry about waiting to have a large group, but once you have 3 or 4 members you can begin to organize outings and take your dogs out for walks during the week, and even for extended hikes on the weekends. This a wonderful activity to do with a group as you have the safety of numbers, and your dogs will have a blast meeting new playmates and exploring together. Don't be surprised if you start losing weight and get in shape as well, as you are more motivated to get out of the house and moving.

Starting a dog walking club is a great way to turn your daily walks, and weekend excursions with your dog into a social gathering for both you and your pet. Post signs around the neighborhood on local pages and boards to find dog owners in your area who are interested in joining your club. You will be surprised as your dog walks turn into something you look forward too, rather than a chore.

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8 Pet Care Tips for Dog Owners

Being a dog owner is a real joy. It promises years of pleasure and companionship to owner and dog alike. But it is also a heavy responsibility and a long-term commitment. Below are eight tips on how to care for that "friend" to which you have made such a commitment.

1. Keep Up-to-date on Rabies and Other Vaccinations

This is vital to your dog's well-being. Rabies is still a threat to our pets. Every summer brings reports of findings of rabid bats or other wild animals. Rabies is especially prevalent if you live on acreage or in a wooded area more populated by wild animals.

Owners do have the option of getting a one year or a two year rabies shot -- or, if they are concerned about the side effects of a rabies shot another option is to get their dog a titer test, a blood test that indicates whether the animal's previous vaccine is still active or sufficiently protecting him. This prevents the owner from having to get a vaccine before it is absolutely necessary. Heart worm too is a very real threat to your dog and can be avoided by a heart worm pill taken monthly.

2. Regular Vet Check-Ups

This can be combined with your dog's vaccination appointment. A check-up will help the vet identify any problems while they are still in the early stages, whether it be a tumor or fleas.

3. Healthy Diet

This is not to be taken lightly as we hear so often about dog foods that contain melamine or are somehow contaminated. Many dog foods are not nutritionally balanced and fillers such as ground corn and other grains are added simply for volume. The primary ingredient in your dog's food should be meat.

4. Proper Training

A well-trained dog is a happy dog. He knows what is expected of him. He doesn't annoy guests with a display of bad manners or repel them by jumping on them or slobbering on them. Good obedience training also keeps him safe.

5. Socialization

It is important that your dog learn to play well with other dogs, not being the aggressor or snarling at his canine companions. The more quality time he spends with dogs, the better behaved he can be counted on being. So, go to the dog park, go to dog events, walk him in your neighborhood and let him visit with his neighbors. It will make him a confident

6. Grooming

Grooming is important to you dog's health. If he is matted or his nails need cutting, he is uncomfortable. He will be constantly chewing on himself and panting out of agitation. Also, a good groomer who grooms your dog on a regular basis is going to detect abnormalities or signs of distress or disease. If caught early such discoveries do not have to equate to a death sentence.

7. Exercise Your Dog

If he gets enough exercise he won't be an unholy, hyperactive terror. He will sleep well when it's bedtime and not be agitated and excitable. Exercise is also good for his overall health.

8. Obey the Leash Laws

They are for your dog's protection. His training will enable him to walk with you and obey your commands.

These are just a few of many tips to help you ensure that your have a happy, healthy dog and one with impeccable manners! Follow them and you will be exemplary as a dog owner.

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Jackets and Sweaters for Dogs - Do They Need Them?

Whether or not a dog needs a sweater or a jacket depends entirely on the dog's breed and age. Breed wise, there are many who are used to extremely cold climates and don't need any extra protection. Most pet dogs are made to wear sweaters and jackets because they are - pet dogs. Like with anything else they need food, water and shelter, they are protected against harsh climates by their pet parents.

Sometimes these decisions are more emotional than practical. For example, a Saint Bernard dog doesn't really need any protection from a cold climate. However, pet parents still like to buy dog jackets online for their pet because they love him or her.

Puppies

Puppies do need protection from cold climates, regardless of their breed. Their immune system is much weaker than older dogs and too much of anything can harm them. They can develop cold or cough (dry or wet) if they are not given any extra cover. Puppies who are within one to three months of age need this protection more than puppies who are within three months to nine months of age.

Senior dogs

As dogs become older, their resistance to extreme weather conditions tends to decrease. It is just like us humans. When we become old, we need to cover ourselves up more than we needed when we were young. Old dogs who are suffering from respiratory conditions do need sweaters and jackets in cold climates. Dogs who are suffering from diseases like diabetes or arthritis also need to be covered up for the same reason.

How to understand whether your dog needs a jacket or a sweater?

If your dog is a puppy or a senior dog, as mentioned above, he or she will need to be protected during winter months. If your dog doesn't fall in any of the above categories, then his/her breed and age need to be taken into consideration for taking an informed decision.

If your dog is a young Siberian Husky, then he/she doesn't need any protection. They are used to sub-zero temperatures and regardless of where you reside, your dog doesn't need to wear any extra clothing. If your dog is a young Labrador, on the other hand, then buying a sweater or a jacket is a good idea. They are single-coated dogs and hence need to be protected. Fleece jackets are the best options for dogs during winter months. Buy dog sweaters online and protect your dog today!

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Keeping Your Pit Bull Socialized And Friendly

Pit Bulls are naturally friendly dogs. They are smart, loyal and highly trainable. The key to having a friendly pit bull is to be friendly yourself. You must be a cheerful and loving pet parent in order to have a friendly and loving pet.

If you are a person who is not home much or who doesn't really want an active dog, you should not get a Pit Bull to begin with. Pit Bulls are active, athletic dogs who want to spend a lot of time with their people doing fun things. If you want a dog you can take on runs and bike rides and play Frisbee with, a Pit Bull is a good choice.

If you know quite a bit about dog psychology and are ready, willing and able to take your dog to obedience classes and maybe even agility classes, a Pit Bull is a good choice for you.

Pit Bulls are highly sociable, and they cannot abide being left alone and neglected. They tend to get anxious when left alone, and this can lead to problems like chewing and excessive barking. Just as with people, anxiety is generally a bad thing and can affect every area of your Pit Bull's life.

To be sure that your dog is not anxious and is confident and friendly, you need to spend time with him and make sure he is well socialized. Ideally, this should begin when your dog is a puppy. You should handle him and talk to him regularly and allow him to be a member of your family. Never crate him punitively or keep him separate from your family. If you do not want another family member, don't get a Pit Bull (or any other dog).

Take your puppy to the vet for a checkup as soon as is reasonably possible. If you can have the vet look him over before you make the final decision to adopt, that's best. If not, do it as soon as possible afterward. Be sure to keep your new family member up to date on all vaccinations. This is an important part of being ready for socialization.

When your puppy is old enough, take him or her to puppy classes. Many large pet stores offer these. Community centers also often have this type of class to offer. Follow this up by working with your puppy regularly and moving on to obedience classes once puppy classes are mastered.

Being well trained and well socialized helps your dog know how he is supposed to behave in public. If he is used to being around people and knows how to follow voice instructions, he will not be overly excited or anxious. He will be relaxed and friendly.

Even though we have mostly discussed puppies so far, it is important that you realize that an older Pit Bull can also be socialized. If you adopt a bully dog from a shelter or receive one in some other way, take your time to get to know the dog, get all vaccines and talk with your vet about appropriate training classes for your mature dog.

All dogs can be socialized with proper care and attention. It may take a little longer with a mature dog who may have bad experiences to overcome, but it can be done. Dedication, attention and affection are the keys to having a friendly Pit Bull or, indeed, a friendly dog of any breed.

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Is It Advisable to Leave Your German Shepherd With Kids?

How safe is leaving a German shepherd with kids? Children all over the world love dogs as pet and yours should not be any different. If you bring a puppy when your kid is small, it can grow along with your kid and establish bonds of love and trust.

The behavior pf this dog with kids is mostly loving and patient and is considered extremely safe. These are intelligent breed of dogs and are affectionate by nature. Most dogs with kids will not openly display their affection and will be very protective when the kid is playing.

Although it is considered safe to leave them with kids, it would be advisable to supervise them while they play. Most pets tend to walk away when the kids pull their ears or tug at their coat. The German shepherd might not run and play actively with your kid and will have a more protective nature where they keep a watch from a distance. Their role is more of a guardian and not that of a playmate.

Most kids love touching and feeling the dog and it would mostly react in a patient and calm manner. However some dogs may also choose to walk away when the kid display lots of excitement while playing.

You would be surprised to know that each breed of dog has a different personality and their patience levels may vary a lot because of this. If you observe closely you would be able to determine the unique personality of your pet. While some dogs can be very playful with your kids there are others that would prefer keeping distance.

A German shepherd puppy may be more playful than an adult dog. These breed of dogs are considered ideal companions to humans and are always willing to please. They are large animals and you would need to consider this factor when you bring them into your family.

Depending on how they are bred and trained German shepherd with kids are very compatible. Good socialization and training will help these breed of dogs interact wonderfully well with kids. If the dog is socialized in the formative years, it would be best, especially for kids.

Although these breed of dogs are not very aggressive it would be best to supervise your kids when they are playing with them. Kids may sometimes provoke your dog into aggressive behavior as they children might not be very disciplined while they play.

Sometimes the exuberance behavior of your puppy or adult dog may overwhelm the kids and you would need to keep a check on them so that there is no harm caused in an unknowing manner. If your kid is very small, it would be best to avoid wrestling with this large dog as they might not be aware of their strength and would not be able to control it in an appropriate manner.

It would be advisable to slowly introduce your kids to the pet. German shepherd with kids are loving and caring and the bonds of love that will be established in their formative years can last a lifetime.

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Save Lives - Prevent Parvo

Parvo. It's a word that strikes fear to the hearts of shelter and rescue workers.

Parvo is a disease that attacks a dog's gastro-intestinal tract and then moves into its bone marrow. When treated at home, survival rates are less than 50%. When treated with I.V. therapy in an animal hospital, survival rates are still only 80 to 90%. Our vet called it "The Meanest Guy in Town."

Spring is a time of high incidence...probably because it is "puppy season" and the young ones are the most susceptible. Add to that the fact that everyone wants to pet a puppy...and the disease spreads.

None of us can remove all chances that our puppies will contract this disease, but there ARE steps to take to minimize the risk.

First, make sure all of your adult dogs are vaccinated, de-wormed, and carrying a healthy weight. The de-worming is important because worms weaken the stomach lining, giving the Parvo virus an easy target. Then, be sure that all your puppies get their first shots at 6 weeks of age. Give another shot every 3 weeks...making sure that they get two after 12 weeks of age. You can take them to the vet, or you can purchase the shots at a feed store or pharmacy and give them yourself.

If you bring a new dog into your home, especially a puppy, keep it isolated from your other animals for 14 days. That is, unless you KNOW its history and know it has been vaccinated. And, since older, stronger dogs can carry the virus without becoming ill, keep your pup away from older dogs until he's had two shots after 12 weeks of age.

A pup who looks perfectly happy one day can be deathly ill the next. At the first sign of intestinal upset, get that dog to the vet. If you catch it soon enough, you may be able to save the dog.

Protect All the Dogs you meet...

Humans often spread Parvo without even noticing. By forming some new habits...and instilling them in your children...you can help stop the spread of this dread disease.

First...Wash your hands. Before you touch a puppy... wash your hands. After you pet a dog... wash your hands. You don't know where you might pick up this virus... it could even be sitting on the handle of a grocery store cart...left there by some other customer. So wash your hands!

One significant outbreak of Parvo traced back to kids walking home from school and petting the puppies in yards along the way. They carried the disease along their entire route from school to home.

YES...they're adorable, and YES you like to give them attention and pet them... but by doing so could kill them. Don't.

Next, if you happen to step in a pile... don't just wipe your shoes. Wipe them with a mild bleach solution. If you know you've held a dog with Parvo, bleach your clothes as well. And if you've had a sick puppy in your home, you need to bleach all areas it occupied.

Vaccination is the first line of defense and careful habits is the second. Please use them both to keep your dogs alive and healthy.

CATS ARE ALSO AT RISK!

Parvo doesn't affect cats...but there are other diseases that do. And they are just as deadly. Use the same precautions with kittens as you do with puppies... but more. Cat diseases are airborne, so don't take your kitty visiting anywhere until he's had all his shots.

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Top 20 best quotes about dogs by the famous personalities of the world

As all of us knows about the friendship of Dogs with human being. Every one referred the moment of his life to the loved one and also the behavior of dogs always quoted by the famous personalities of the world. in this article we selected 15 best quotes and saying about our four leg buddy by the famous people all over the world.

1.     "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'”

Dave Barry (author, Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway: A Vicious and Unprovoked Attack on Our Most Cherished Political Institutions)

2.     "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

—Josh Billings (a.k.a. Henry Wheeler Shaw; humorist and lecturer)

3.     “Dogs are wise. They crawl away into a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more.”

—Agatha Christie (author, Death on the Nile)

4.     “The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.”

—Johnny Depp (actor, Pirates of the Caribbean)

5.     “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog.”

—Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th President of the United States)

6.      “There are three faithful friends: an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.”

—Benjamin Franklin (Founding Father of the United States)

7.     “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.”

—Aldous Huxley (author, Brave New World)

8.     “A dog can’t think that much about what he’s doing, he just does what feels right.”

―Barbara Kingsolver (author, Animal Dreams)

9.     "When the Man waked up he said, 'What is Wild Dog doing here?' And the Woman said, 'His name is not Wild Dog any more, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.'"

—Rudyard Kipling (author, The Jungle Book)

10.     “A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”

—Jack London (author, The Call of the Wild)

11.     “Dogs don't rationalize. They don't hold anything against a person. They don't see the outside of a human but the inside of a human.”

—Cesar Millan (dog trainer)

12.     “Dogs never bite me. Just humans.”

—Marilyn Monroe (actress, Some Like It Hot)

13.     "If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them."

—Phil Pastoret (author, Our Boarding House)

14.     "Happiness is a warm puppy."

—Charles M. Schulz (cartoonist, Peanuts)

15.     "I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts."

—John Steinbeck (author, The Grapes of Wrath)

16.     “Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.”

—Elizabeth Taylor (actress, Cleopatra)

17.     “A hungry dog hunts best.”

—Lee Trevino (golfer)

18.     "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."

—Harry S. Truman (33rd President of the United States)

19.     "Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul, chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!"

—Anne Tyler (author, The Accidental Tourist)

20.     "If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience."

—Woodrow Wilson (28th President of the United States)

Out of hundreds quotes we selected the best 20 by the best personalities of the world.

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Dog Games - Top 5 Games That Will Tire Your Dog Out

Playing dog games with your canine pet provides your beloved with his much needed physical and mental stimulation. This also gives you the benefit of reinforcing his obedience training in a fun way as you establish a deeper relationship with him.

However, not every dog is thrilled with playing ordinary fetch all the time especially if he is very intelligent. Many dog breeders, vets, and trainers agree that the best dog games are those that provide exercise and challenge accompanied with positive reinforcement by giving the animal a reward for accomplishing what you want.

FETCH When you're dog has become tired of the basic throw-a-stick-give-it-back-to-me fetch he will refuse to play. To solve this problem, think out of the box and vary how you play the game with your dog.

Instead of using a stick, use a ball or his favorite toy then climb up the stairs. Throw the ball or toy gently then tell your dog to fetch the item.

This game is perfect for those winter or rainy days when you can't take him out of the house. Be sure though that you're dog already knows how to go up and down stairs.

BACKYARD TUNNELING Dogs love obstacle courses so this a game Fido will surely love. Not only is this a good mental exercise for him this game will also improve his agility.

You can set up tunnel in your backyard and coax your dog with his favorite treat to go through the tunnel. You can run along at the side of the tunnel or opt to wait at the other end just to convince Fido to follow you.

You can gradually add more obstacles to make it more fun. Although pre-made equipment is helpful, if you are creative enough I'm sure you can create a homemade backyard tunnel and obstacles at minimal cost.

HIDE AND SEEK This third in our list of dog games will give him a chance to put to use his scenting abilities as well as provide him with mental stimulation. You can opt to hide yourself or you can get one of his toys or a special toy just for this game and hide it at any safe place around your property.

Start easy then gradually make it more complicated for him to find hidden toys. This game is a great way to teach Fido how to find other objects as well.

FRISBEE CATCHING A modified form of the Fetch game this is a great way to teach Fido agility. Beware, this is an intensely physical game that is not recommended for old dogs.

To do this throw a Frisbee nearby until he learns that he must return the Frisbee to you. Gradually throw the thing farther and farther until he learns how to catch it.

The nice thing about this is you can opt to join Frisbee competitions with Fido if he gets really really good at this game.

SWIMMING The last in this list dog games is beneficial to his entire body not just his muscles. If you love swimming and there is someplace that you both can do this, why not swim with your dog?

Dog games not only allow you train your dog to do stuff this also helps to create a disciplined dog provided that whenever your dog does something good you use positive reinforcement and give him a reward. It's also important that you make the rules and not the other way around, one way to establish this is to stop the game while the dog is still excited and not when he is already bored.

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5 Questions To Ask A Dog Breeder

Getting a new puppy is always exciting but there are a few questions you want to ask your breeder before you take your puppy home. In this article I want to discuss five of those questions for you.

1. Genetic testing

This is an important one. Has your puppy's parents been tested for the genetic problems that may occur in this breed of dog? And if you're considering a breed that can have hip dysplasia have the parents been OFA'd and if so do the breeders have certificates from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to prove that. There's nothing worse than taking a puppy home and a few months later discovering that it has a genetic problem.

When it comes to Labradors, Goldens, German Shepherds and any of the big breed dogs that could have hip dysplasia I would never take a puppy whose parents haven't been OFA certified.

2. Can we see the parents?

This is an important question to ask. Now I will admit there will be times that the sire will not be on the property because the female was sent out to be bred. However in that case I want to see at least the mother of the litter. If a breeder says that you can't see the parents for any particular reason I would completely pass on the litter.

Breeders should be proud of their breeding stock and be willing to show them to prospective new puppy owners. However if the dogs are overly aggressive or have some other type of problem they may want to keep them away from you.

3. What is your guarantee?

I would like to know what the breeder offers for a guarantee on the puppies. Does their guarantee cover genetic issues? And how long the guarantee is good for is an important question as well.

4. Do you have a contract?

Does the breeder seem to be professional and have a pre-done contract outlining your responsibilities as well as the breeders responsibilities related to the sale? Is the guarantee included in the contract?

5. Current shots and have they been to a vet.

Have the puppies been examined by a veterinarian and are they current on all their shots. Does the breeder have shot records from the vet or did they give the shots themselves at their kennel?

As you can see there are some important questions for you to ask a prospective breeder that you're considering for your puppy purchase. There are many great breeders out there that are very conscientious and care about their dogs and where they go for their new home. However there are many other breeders out there that shouldn't be breeding and really don't care about the puppies, only the money.

The last thing I want to mention and it's very important you should never bring a puppy home and away from its litter until it is eight weeks old. A breeder that wants to sell you a puppy at five or six weeks old is not a good breeder and you should not even consider a purchase from him. A good conscientious, reputable breeder will not allow you to have a puppy until its eight weeks old.

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy that new puppy!

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Tips For Socializing Your Dog

Socialization for a dog is very important and it's something that must be done when the dog is young. Quite often people think they're doing the right things when it comes to socialization but they are actually not because they don't know exactly what socialization means.

I will start off by telling you that the period of socialization for a young pup is from birth to 20 weeks of age. If your dog doesn't get socialize with other people, small children, dogs and strange environments during that period you may have a dog that never gets socialized. This is the dog that then exhibits aggression or fear sometime between 12 and 24 months of age.

Let's start off with what is socialization. Socialization means that your puppy is exposed to all types of people, kids and dogs in all kinds of environments. This isn't something to do only at home this should be done in as many areas as possible away from home.

As far as a dog is concerned kids are a different creature than an adult human being, so exposing your dog to little ones while it is a young puppy is a plus. Now that doesn't mean your children, it means other children that are not part of the pack.

During this period of socialization, your puppy should be exposed to other dogs and again not just at your home or with your current dog but with other dogs as well. Of course you want to make sure that the dogs that your puppy meets are dog friendly and are current on all their vaccinations. A good source for this type of dog is through family, friends and neighbors.

Be sure to get your puppy out of the house. Take your pup to as many places as possible. In fact I recommend that a new puppy owner take their puppy to three new places each week so that it can experience lots of new sites, sounds and smells.

Taking the time now to socialize your dog will be very much worth the effort when your dog reaches maturity. If you don't socialize your dog properly you will begin to experience aggression issues or fear usually sometime between 12 and 24 months of age. Once your dog reaches that age it may be too late for socialization and you will possibly end up with an aggressive dog.

So take the time now to take your dog to strange places meeting lots of new people and dogs so that you can have a well socialized dog that you can enjoy for the rest of its life.

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Good Dog Breeds for Families

Everyone has their preferences on great dog breeds,but you have to admit that not all dogs are created equal. Some breeds are more prone to violence and dog bite claims than others. Have you or a friend ever been bitten by a dog? It certainly hurts, but it can get the owner into a world of trouble with the law. Here are the breeds with the highest dog bite statistics:

1. Pit bulls

Pit bulls are cute, but are also notorious for dog bite claims against them and their owner. According to dogsbite.org, pit bulls contributed to 78% of dog bite related fatalities. If you want to avoid a dog attack claim, it would be best to stay away from these.

2. Rottweilers

Unfortunately, rottweilers are dealing with the same type of dog bite statistics as pit bulls. They have about half of the fatality blame as pit bulls, but they are still a good breed to avoid if you don't want any dog bite claims.

Have no fear! There are plenty of options, big and small, if you want to avoid getting bitten by a dog. Some of the calmer favorites include:

1. Retriever

Sweet and loyal, retrievers are great with children or adults alike. Their calm disposition is to only bark, not bite.

2. Mastiff

A loyal and protective breed, these quiet guardians love their people but aren't prone to anything more than a loud bark and some drool.

3. Saint Bernard

A perfect combination of size and enthusiasm. They are sweet giants who generally enjoy a good "lay down" with full view of their property.

4. Collie

Collies are generally non-aggressive and prefer people to the outdoors. A little training can quiet them down and they love to "herd" their people.

5. Basset Hound

Bassets do need some exercise but they are most famous for their lazy disposition and floppy ears. They are very loyal creatures and generally adore children and families.

6. Shar-Pei

These pups have a suspicious side, only displayed with a little bark. Shar-Peis are generally quiet and affectionate.

7. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A flexible breed, the spaniel enjoys lap time and outdoor adventure. They are sweet and patient, and are often a good choice for young children or seniors.

8. Bulldog

They are a very laid-back breed, with little exercise needs. They are content to be indoors and are very mild-mannered with adults and children.

Do some initial research, and you will be able to choose a breed that is well suited to your family.

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