Frequently Asked Questions

A: Many like small dog breeds, because they are convenient. A small dog doesn't require as much space as a big dog, smaller dogs eat less than big ones, and so on. But, there is something special about the gigantic dogs, like Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, and Mastiffs. Here is a list with five of the world's largest dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound This is a friendly giant. The breed is not currently record holder for world's tallest dog, but if one were to take an average of individuals in a breed they would be the tallest. They are excessively friendly towards people and don't do good jobs as guard dogs. If a burglar were to enter the house and carry off some things the Irish Wolfhound would probably consider the intruder a new best friend. However, if the family is physically attacked, an Irish Wolfhound will defend its people. They are patient and generally good with children. While they take to urban living pretty well, they require a lot of exercise. The Great Dane A Great Dane currently holds the position of world's tallest dog. They are generally very friendly and get along with people, other dogs, and other types of pets. Great Danes are strong, elegant, friendly, and energetic. The earliest drawings resembling the breed stem back to around 3,000 BC, and the oldest written description of them can be found in literature of 1121 BC. The English Mastiff The Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound might compete about being the tallest dogs on the planet, but the English Mastiff is definitely the heaviest. A male can weigh up to 250 lbs, and the breed is considered the oldest in the UK. English Mastiffs make wonderful and devoted pets. They are generally very good with children and other dogs, but they tend to be lazy and needs to be activated in order to get enough exercise. The Leonberger The Leonberger is extremely popular in Europe, maybe a bit less so in the USA. They are even-tempered, unfazed by most things, and become deeply attached to their humans. They are also very agile for their size, and require lots of exercise. Leonbergers can be very energetic when they grow up, but generally settle down around the age of three and becomes gentle giants. The Scottish Deerhound This is the least commonly known breed on the list, and looks somewhat like a long-haired greyhound. The history of the breed has been traced back to pre-Roman times, and they are very popular in their home country. A Scottish Deerhound is about the friendliest animal on the planet. They are eager to please, gentle, and loving. However, they get bored easily and require plenty of exercise and something to do. They are happiest in pairs, and keeping two together can alleviate many of the boredom problems.   Can a giant dog have a dog door? Absolutely. There is a PlexiDor dog door for even very big dogs. The extra large PlexiDor is constructed to stand up to these large and powerful dogs, even if they go through the door at a full run. The dog door handles dogs approximately up to 220 lbs. If you're in doubt, contact customer service and they will be happy to help you pick the right solution for your needs

A: Most people want to help homeless animals, but it can be hard to know where to begin. Not everyone can send money, and money itself doesn't solve all problems. Here are some ideas on how to help a shelter or rescue - and being able to help save animals - without breaking the bank. Volunteering is rewarding and appreciated. Many shelters need help with caring for the animals. Some need help with cleaning, others with socializing pets. There's usually something to do. Contact your local shelter or rescue group and see if they need help. Another great idea is donating your skills. Maybe you're a great photographer, good with computers, or know how to edit videos. Good photos and videos of shelter pets help them get exposure, and can make the difference between a pet finding a new home or staying in the shelter. Donate gently used items. Most shelters and rescues always need extra supplies. Contact them first to see what they need, and clean any supplies before taking them over. Many shelters and rescues ask for towels, blanket, pet beds, water and food bowls, toys, collars and leashes, and brushes. Many shelters and rescues also ask for household items. Common items on the wish list include cleaning supplies, old newspapers, paper towels, and office supplies. Call and ask them what they need before going over. Foster a cat or dog. Rescues are always looking for fosters. Some pets need a place to stay overnight, others for weeks or even months. It is a rewarding experience that saves a life. You can also donate pet food and litter. Shelters and rescue groups go through enormous amounts of pet food and cat litter. You can actually enter to win 1,000 lbs of dog food right here, and donate to your favorite rescue - the contest is open until November 30, 2014. If you're throwing a big party, getting married, or have an upcoming birthday, you can donate part of your event registry. It is a rewarding experience that makes everyone feel good. And naturally, if you're thinking of adding a new friend to your home, consider adopting a shelter pets. There are all sorts of pets waiting for new homes. Petfinder.com lets you search for available pets in your area.

A: Most people know something about dogs, and if you have found your way to the PlexiDor page you probably know a lot about them. Besides being good company, they make excellent conversation starters. Here are five fun trivia-facts about dogs you might not know. 5. New Zealand town has buildings shaped as sheep and dogs Tirau is a small town on New Zealand's north island. The town was traditionally a farming community, but has started to make money as a tourist attraction. They have a tradition of using old, discarded, corrugated iron to create art, and they have a craft store shaped as a sheep along with an information center shaped like a dog. Sheep and dog building, image from strange buildings. 4. Who cleans up after a seeing eye dog? These dogs are highly trained professionals. They guide their handler through complex environments, traffic, and more. They only do their business on command, and the males are taught not to lift their leg when peeing. This makes it possible for a handler to pet the dog once it's doing its stuff and figure out what's going on. If the dog's back is rounded, cleanup will be required. 3. Seeing eye dog was first dog to become a "Million Miler" Speaking of seeing eye dogs, service dogs are allowed everywhere open to the public. That includes planes. Nesbit was a seeing eye dog who earned over one million Delta airline miles in his life. He even had his own frequent flier card. 2. Stray dogs in Afghanistan saved 50 soldiers The troops made friends with a few stray dogs, and when a suicide bomber tried to enter the soldiers' quarters to kill the 50 men inside, the dogs attacked. One of the dogs was killed in the incident, but the others were celebrated as heroes. It turned out to be pretty expensive and difficult to bring the dogs to the US, so a Facebook group raised $21,000 to fly the dogs to America. 1. The average dog knows math Most dog owners think their pooches are smart, but few people know exactly how smart. One Border Collie understands a vocabulary of over 1,000 words, and has shown a grasp of grammar. The average dog can understand up to 250 words and gestures, can count at least up to five, and perform simple mathematical calculations. Bonus trivia:  While pet "holes" have existed almost as long as cats and dogs have accompanied humans, Sir Isaac Newton is credited with inventing the modern pet door.

A: Love dogs? Here are some fun facts about dogs you might not know. Ever wonder why you can't outrun your dog even on the best of days? The average dog can run around 19 mph. The Greyhound is generally considered the fastest dog breed, and they can reach speeds of 45 mph over shorter distances. When it comes to long-distance running, the Saluki is the fastest. They "only" run 43 mph, but they can keep that up for miles. Smaller, but super-quick, the Whippet is also amongst the top speeding dogs. A Whippet can run 200 yards in 12 seconds. The Border Collie might not be a breed many associate with speed, but they have physical abilities to match the role of super-smart workaholic. These dogs can make hairpin turns, keep control and speed while throwing themselves into a new direction, and keep a pace of 30 mph. A herding Border Collie can easily run 50 miles in a day. Dogs aren't just fast when it comes to running - an average dog can locate the source of a sound in 6/100ths of a second. They also hear a larger range of frequencies than a human, and are estimated to hear about four times better than humans. Many dogs dislike loud noises - if it's loud to us, it's really loud to them. Many dog owners claim their dogs speak to them. Dogs can indeed show emotions through their face, and have around 100 different facial expressions to accompany a long row of different vocal sounds.

A: In many parts of the USA it can be difficult to find a pet-friendly rental. Many landlords have lists of breeds not welcome, and some limit the number or size of pets. While arguing with centrally mandated policies is a waste of time and energy, there are other things a family can do to find a perfect rental to accommodate even the furry family members. Plan ahead The rules for giving notice and time-frames for finding somewhere to move will vary from state to state. Make sure you know what's mandated and what's considered good form where you live, and start looking for your new home ahead of time. You might have to call many landlords before you find the right one. Be polite, and ask about pet policies. Questions to ask can include: Whether they have a ban on specific breeds or sizes Is there a pet security deposit? If yes, is it per pet or per rental unit, and is it refundable? Is there a pet fee on the rent? Consider a private rental Many apartment complexes have policies the on-site crew can't change. They might also think it's silly you can't bring your big dog, but it's out of their hands and arguing won't help. It's often easier to find an individual homeowner who wants to rent their house, and who will welcome your pets. Check online listings - most of the larger home-search sites like Trulia and Zillow have a rental section - and keep an eye on newspaper listings. Also tell your friends on Facebook that you're looking. Word of mouth is powerful, and someone might just know someone looking for a tenant. Many real estate companies manage rentals for their clients, and the real estate agents might own properties they rent out. Check their websites and give them a call. They might say no, which isn't the end of the world, or they might say yes. If you still can't find something, ask for help. The local humane society might know of pet-friendly landlords. Some counties also have lists, or can give suggestions. Have all papers in order You might need to show proof of vaccinations and vet visits. Certifications or other documentation  can also help sway a hesitant landlord. Ideas of documents to show to prove how good your doggie is include: Canine Good Citizen Certification Contest wins Diploma from an obedience class Letter of reference from your current landlord When you go look at a rental, show pictures of your well-groomed and cute pets. If you find a place you really want but the landlord seems hesitant when it comes to your pets, ask if you can introduce them in your home. That's a great opportunity to show how adorable and well behaved your dogs are, and how well you take care of your home. Put everything in writing When you've found the perfect place and gotten approval from your new property manager or landlord, get it in writing. Most commercial properties have a pet addendum that will be signed by both parties and added to the contract. Last but not least, don't give up.  

A: Dogs have many wonderful traits and enrich human life in many ways. While many breeds prefer to lounge on the sofa, some are workaholics and possess extraordinary endurance. Many breeds love sports. Here are three breeds that might not immediately come to mind, but could be perfect if you seek a partner that will keep up with you all day. Border Collie The Border Collie is not an easy breed, or well suited for a first-time dog owner living in an apartment. However, if you're looking for a smart and agile partner that can keep up with running, swimming, and jumping through the day every day, the Border Collie might be perfect. This breed constantly tops lists of dog intelligence. This isn't just because they're trainable and eager to please; they are quite independent and able to make their own decisions. They are designed to move quickly, can turn on a pinhead, and keep a pace of around 30 mph. A herding Border Collie can run 50 miles every day and still have energy left to protect the herd. Downsides? Border Collies get bored easily and need something to do. If they don't have a task they tend to invent one. Huskies The Siberian Husky, Alaskan Husky, and similar breeds are able to travel long distances while pulling or carrying a burden. They can be goofy and funny, and are bred for speed and endurance. An Alaskan Husky can, for instance, run around 28 mph. In teams they pull sleighs for hours with an average speed of 10 mph. Think marathon runners created to deliver goods and supplies to remote areas. The Alaskan Malamute isn't exactly a Husky, but they possess many of the same qualities - they were bred to haul heavy loads over distance. All these breeds are intelligent, independent, and can be stubborn. Vizsla This is a powerful and versatile Hungarian hunting dog. They are easy to train, affectionate, fantastic runners, and amazing swimmers. Vizslas excel at all sports. If you want a companion for hiking, running, playing ball, or agility, this might be the perfect dog. A Vizsla thrives as part of an active family - they're not happy left alone. They have a can-do attitude, as long as whatever they're asked to do involves their human. These dogs require large amounts of exercise, but are also known for being gentle and tightly bonded with their family.  

A: Every year, children and pets die in hot cars. Regardless of information campaigns, people keep leaving babies and dogs in cars, and Texas has topped the number of fatalities around the USA for the past twenty years.  Texas Corporal Jessie Peterson made an experiment, and posted a video to YouTube of himself staying inside his parked patrol car in the sun. He held out for 30 minutes, and had to leave the car to recover. When the temperature outside nears 100 degrees, the temperature inside the car quickly jumps up to as high as 170 degrees. Heat-related injuries can cause organ failures, seizures, and hallucinations, and if the exposure to heat remains, death. Peterson is a trained officer in good shape, and did his experiment in a safe environment with help nearby. This is not something that should be tried at home. And please, do not leave your children or your pets in the car. To read more about the experiment, follow this link.

A: Dogs help law enforcement in many different ways, but few would have predicted the talent golden labrador Thoreau uses in his service to the Rhode Island state police. Thoreau has been taught to sniff out hard drives, flash drives, and other computer components. This is of value to the police in the fight against child pornography. Storage devices with evidence are small enough to be hidden in places where the officers can't find them, which allows child pornographer to go free. Thoreau can join in on a search warrant and find object impossible for a human to detect. Thoreau is new on the job after five months of specialized training, and has already helped secure an arrest warrant. He found a flash drive with child porn stashed deep inside a metal filing cabinet. The four-legged crime fighter was trained in Connecticut at a program that currently trains over 60 dogs in different types of detection work. Image from providence journal.com

A: Image from dallasnews.com A cheetah and a dog might not be the first combination that comes to mind when thinking about animal friends, but at Dallas zoo, Winspear the Cheetah and Amani the black Lab are best friends. A few days ago they celebrated their first birthday - they are born just two days apart and have been raised together. Labradors are generally cheerful, outgoing, and curious. Amani is not an exception, and his personality is a polar opposite to the shy and cautious cheetah. Their handlers say this is part of the winning formula. Amani's outgoing personality makes Winspear feel confident and safe, and together they travel to schools, hospitals, and other events to educate people about wildlife. For their birthday celebration, they got a 200 pound popsicle created by zoo nutrition specialists. It contained canned milk, low-sodium chicken broth, and ice.  

A: Dogs and children can be a great combination, or an absolute disaster. Small children and dogs should always be supervised, and it is important to read the dog's body language. If the dog is licking, pulling its ears back, yawning, or turning its head away, it is probably uncomfortable. Never let a child hug a dog; hugs don't mean the same thing to dogs as it does to humans, and even though they can be trained to accept it, it doesn't come naturally. Every year many children are bit and dogs put down, and the adults say, "It came out of the blue," or "She was just hugging the neighbor's dog." Children don't know and dogs can't speak, so it's the adults' responsibility to watch over the situation. That said, some dog breeds are better with children than others. Here are some breeds known to be patient with kids. Beagles are sturdy and never too tired to play. They're smart, cheerful, and friendly. They might feel that chasing other pets is a good idea, but other than that they get along with almost everything and everyone. The Bulldog is loyal, friendly, and docile. Most Bulldogs get along well with children, other dogs, and other types of pets. They're not exactly bundles of energy, but love to lounge on the sofa while watching TV, reading, or playing video games. The Bull Terrier was bred to be a companion dog, and is frequently used for kids' TV shows in many countries. In the USA, the Bull Terrier is probably best known for Target commercials. The average Bull Terrier is friendly, loving, and patient with rambunctious children. Golden Retrievers are confident, smart, loyal, and kind. A typical Golden Retriever is patient and neither aggressive nor timid. They need a lot of exercise and love to play. The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the USA and many other countries. The Labrador is playful, loving, patient, protective, and reliable. Newfoundlands are huge and loving. The breed has been nicknamed "Nature's Babysitter" and is known for being kind, gentle, and patient. The Newfoundland is also very protective when it comes to children. Poodles are extremely intelligent and gentle. They make great service dogs, and are wonderful, good-natured, and patient companions for children. While poodles require regular grooming, they shed very little. The Vizsla requires a lot of exercise and makes a great breed for active and energetic families with older children. The average Vizsla is energetic but gentle, obedient, loyal, confident, and smart. It forms close bonds with the family and would be happy to follow the children everywhere.