Editor's Pick: Thundershirt, the best solution for dog anxiety

To tell you the truth, I wasn't sure what to think about the company's claim of being "The Best Solution for Dog Anxiety," but as last night's crazy storm rolled in with thunder, lightening and wind (if you live in Seattle then you know what I'm talking about), I thought it had to be worth a try.

My boxer Scout has always been afraid of thunder...fireworks too. She starts shaking, panting and pacing... it's terrible. So last night, as soon as the thunder and lightening started up (and with it, the shaking and panting), I put the Thundershirt on her and within five minutes she was calm. Seriously.

Apparently, gentle, constant pressure has a calming effect on most dogs if they are anxious, fearful or over-excited and the Thundershirt does just that -- the shirt's stretchy material and Velcro fasteners provide a snug, but comfortable fit, creating slight pressure to the dog's torso.

In addition to noise anxiety, the Thundershirt works for separation anxiety, travel anxiety (which Ziggy has, so I'll be buying one for him), crate training, problem barking (um, again...Ziggy), and leash pulling.

So, thank you Thundershirt! A less anxious Scout and a less anxious Ziggy, means a less anxious CityDog editor!

Seattle Area Pet Stores Take The Humane Society of the United States’ ‘Puppy Friendly’ Pledge

Thanks to the efforts of local advocates, over 60 Seattle area pet stores have recently signed The Humane Society of the United States' puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, and instead support local animal adoption programs and provide literature that helps customers learn how to locate a reputable dog breeder. We applaud these retailers because their actions prove it is not necessary to support the cruel puppy mill trade to operate a successful pet-related business.

"These stores have set a positive example of corporate responsibility for other businesses to follow," said Dan Paul, Washington state director for The HSUS. "Pet stores that profit from the cruel puppy mill industry need to step up and do the right thing by stopping their puppy sales. I am thrilled to have wonderful local advocates working in our area to increase the public's awareness of puppy mills."

Store owners and managers who sign The HSUS' pledge receive a placard proclaiming, "We love puppies; that's why we don't sell them," to display in the store, as well as materials about adopting a dog or finding a responsible breeder. The HSUS encourages shoppers to purchase pet supplies at stores displaying the puppy-friendly sign.

The independent retailers in the Seattle area that have recently signed the puppy friendly pledge to not sell puppies are:

Mud Bay – (all locations)
The Pet Stops Here (Bellevue)
Walker's Healthy Pet (all locations)
Next to Nature (all locations)
Smiley Dog (Edmonds)
Simply Paws (Federal Way locations)
The Pet Market @ Dash Point (Federal Way)
Pet Country (Kent)
Denny's Pet World (Kirkland)
Dooley's Dog House (Kirkland)
Heads to Tails Grooming Spa (Kirkland)
All The Best Pet Care (all locations)
Dog Daze Natural Pet Market (Puyallup)
Eastside Dog (Redmond)
Paws Café (Redmond)
Pet Pros (Renton)
A Dog's Dream (Seattle)
Animal Talk (Seattle)
Crown Hill Pet Supply (Seattle)
Fido-N-Scratch (Seattle)
Great Dog Daycare & Shoppe (Seattle)
Mes Amis (Seattle)
Pet Elements (West Seattle)
Petapoluza Pet Supply (Seattle)
PJ's Paws and Claws (Seattle)
Wally Pets (Seattle)
Zak and Zoe (Seattle)
Lucky Dog Outfitters (Tacoma)
Purdelight's Grooming and Pet Boutique (Tacoma)
Wag Pet Market (Tacoma)
Beastie Boutique (Vancouver)
Natural Pet NW (Vancouver)
The Whole Pet Shop (Woodinville)

Facts about puppy mills:

• Approximately one-third of the nation's 9,000 independent pet stores sell puppies.
• The HSUS estimates that 2 million to 4 million puppy mill puppies are sold each year in the United States.
• Documented puppy mill conditions include over-breeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor food and shelter, crowded cages and lack of socialization.
• Dogs kept for breeding in puppy mills suffer for years in continual confinement. They are bred as often as possible and then destroyed or discarded once they can no longer produce puppies.
• Pet stores and online sellers often use attractive Web sites to hide the truth and to dupe consumers into thinking that they are dealing with a small, reputable breeder.
• Reputable breeders never sell puppies over the Internet or through a pet store and will insist on meeting the family who will be purchasing the dog.
• Puppy mills contribute to the pet overpopulation problem, which results in millions of unwanted dogs euthanized at shelters every year.
• Over the past three years, 16 states have passed laws to crack down on puppy mills.

To learn more about puppy mills, visit humanesociety.org/puppymills.

Canine Christmas Adoption Event

Don’t miss the upcoming Canine Christmas adoption event hosted by Pawsitive Alliance. Meet hundreds of great dogs and puppies from across Washington in one location. Come meet the dogs Sunday, December 12th, noon until 3 pm at Academy of Canine Behavior in Bothell, WA. Over 97 families found their new best friends at last year’s Canine Christmas event!

The Academy of Canine Behavior is located at 4705 240th St. SE, Bothell, WA 98021. Directions can be found at http://www.aocb.com/contact.

Experienced shelter staff, volunteers and trainers will be on hand to help you find the right animal for your family. The trainers will be available to answer your questions about any dog you are thinking of adopting. Shelter staff has evaluated each dog’s behavior and temperament. Adoption fees range from $150.00 to $250.00.

Participating organizations bringing animals to adopt include:

• Barks R Us 
• Dogs Deserve Better 
• Everett Animal Services and ARF 
• Grant County Animal Outreach
• King County Animal Care and Control 
• Homeward Pet Adoption Center
• Humane Society at Happy Paws Farm 
• Love A Mutt Pet Rescue 
• Regional Animal Services 
• Yakima Valley Pet Rescue
• Wenatchee Valley Humane Society

*NEW* Food Drive - The Animals Need Your Help
Times are tough, especially for the shelters and rescues relying on donations. In conjunction with the adoption event, Pawstivie Alliance will also be holding a food drive and the food will be distributed to the shelters and rescues attending this great event.

Happy Howlidays Movie Event -- Woof!

The Dugan Foundation is hosting a Happy Howlidays movie event, this Sunday, November 14 at Grand Cinema at 606 Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma, Wash. The doors open at 9:30 a.m., and the show starts at 10 a.m. featuring the classics: A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas.

The event will also feature a bake sale, calendar and note card sales and an opportunity to meet some of the animals this pet food drive is benefiting. Admission is free with a cat or dog food donation, or a cash donation of any amount. Woof!

Medical Team Set for Record Number of Cat Surgeries

The Oregon Humane Society will be spearheading efforts this Wednesday to spay and neuter a record number of cats in the Portland metro area -- all at no charge to cat owners.

The medical team at OHS has scheduled 200 cat surgeries this Wednesday as part of the Elect to Spay event offered to low-income cat owners. Medical teams at five other animal organizations across the region will perform an additional 200 alters, bringing to 400 the number of cats to be spayed and neutered this week. "With the elections over, it's time for everyone to vote for improving animal welfare by spaying and neutering their cats," said Dr. Kris Otteman, OHS Director of Shelter Medicine.

Dr. Otteman will be leading a 40-person team at OHS that will welcome their first patient to the operating table at 8:00 am. The 200 cat alters will be about four times the number of surgeries (of all types) performed during the average day at the OHS Holman Medical Center.

The offer of a free cat spay or neuter has proved popular with the public, as all 400 slots for the Elect to Spay event filled up rapidly. But low-income cat owners can still take advantage of $10 cat alters the rest of the year through the Spay & Save program sponsored by the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland. The Spay & Save program seeks to alter 10,000 cats every year for five years in an attempt to significantly reduce cat overpopulation in the Portland area.

For more information about Spay & Save, including information on qualifying income levels, visit www.spaysave.org or call (503) 802-6755.

The groups participating in this week's Elect To Spay event are: Cat Adoption Team, Feral Cat Coalition, Humane Society of SW Washington, Multnomah County Animal Services, Oregon Humane Society and Washington County Animal Services.

Barksgiving at Dining Dog Cafe

Treat your best friend to a very special Barksgiving meal to celebrate all things dog, Sunday, November 14 at the Dining Dog Cafe in Edmonds, Wash. The menu is entirely for the dogs and includes a pumpkin daiquiri (non-alcoholic, of course), cheesy hot dog bites as a "puppetizer," turkey loaf as the entree, and pumpkin carob cupcakes for dessert. Yum-mie!

The cost is $20 per lucky dog, with event proceeds going to help fund Kirkland, Wash.'s first dog park (always a good cause!). To make reservations, download a form at www.kdog.org or email barksgiving@gmail.com. Space is limited!

Woof!
CityDog Magazine

Get Your Cat or Kitten ‘Fixed’ for Free

This November Elect to Spay your Demo’cat’ or Re’purrblican! To prevent unwanted litters of kittens from being born this coming spring, ASAP, the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland, is offering FREE spay/neuter surgeries this November in six locations around the Portland/Vancouver metro area. Caretakers of stray or feral cats can take advantage of this offer as well.

Qualified cat owners can have their fertile cats or kittens spayed or neutered for free between November 8 and 12, or schedule a spay/neuter surgery for only $10 any other time. Surgeries are performed by licensed veterinarians and subsidized through charitable donations. Up to 400 free feline spay/neuter surgery spots will be available the week of November 8 – 12.

“Add this ‘To-Do’ to your list along with voting”, says Joyce Briggs, President of the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs, and volunteer with ASAP Spay & Save Program. “The winter solstice in mid-December prompts cats to go into season, and many are pregnant by January. Preventing those kittens is the reason for this extraordinary offer. With 20,000 cats entering our area shelters annually, we need to focus on finding good homes for them, without a flood of kittens this Spring. There are not enough homes for all of them.”

How to Qualify: For a cat owner to qualify, they must receive government assistance such as Medicaid, WIC, food stamps, SSI, Section 8 public housing, AFDC, or TANF, and live in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, or Clark County. Those feeding unowned feral/stray cats need not meet income requirements.

Where: Services are being provided at the following locations, by license veterinarians and caring surgical teams. Transportation may be available for those unable to take advantage of this offer due to travel issues.

• Cat Adoption Team – Sherwood
• Oregon Humane Society – NE Portland
• Washington County Animal Services – Hillsboro
• Multnomah County Animal Services – Troutdale
• Humane Society of SW Washington – Vancouver
• Feral Cat Coalition – for strays or feral cats

How: Starting Monday, November 1, call: 503-802-6755 for a cat you own; or 503-797-2606 for feral cats. If you call prior to November 1, you can either schedule a appointment for $10 or you will be asked to call back on November 1. Free spay/neuter appointments will scheduled for November 8 through 12 only.

The free spay/neuter surgeries are being offered through the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland’s Spay & Save program thanks to generous donations. This vital program is funded through private donations as well as grant monies. Special thanks to PetSmart Charities http://www.petsmartcharities.org for their grant support. See www.spaysave.org for details on qualifying, addresses of surgery locations and more.

Pets on Wheels

Some injures can lead to paralysis and drive our pets to a dead-end. Fortunately, there are now options for pets that can make their lives go on wheels again. Literally.

For animals that have lost use of their legs because of paralysis or a disease, wheelchair devices are now available that can restore lost motion.

"A wide variety of devices are now on the market to help companion animals move around, and they work very much like a wheelchair," said Dr. Alice Blue-McLendon, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Blue-McLendon says a veterinarian can take measurements of the animal's body to be fitted for the wheelchair devices, which are custom-made for that particular pet. The veterinarian can then contact one of several companies that make the wheelchairs, which usually consist of a harness-like device with straps and wheels. There are also several reliable companies on the internet that will work directly with the clients to make a custom wheelchair.

Dogs are the most frequent users of the devices, but they can also be made for cats, ferrets, goats, rabbits and other pets. Costs usually range from $200 to $400, depending on the size of the pet.

Blue-McLendon says that several medical conditions can cause a pet to need a wheelchair device. One is hind limb paralysis which can be due to injury, such as being struck by a car or a vertebral disk disease. Another cause is a degenerative condition in which the muscle or bone of the animal's leg cannot function properly, causing the animal to drag its legs or not move at all.

Once the device is fitted to the pet it usually takes several days for the animal to get accustomed to the wheelchair, Blue-McLendon explains. "But animals are quick to adapt, and after a few days, they usually can get around very well with these devices," she notes. She stresses that it takes a commitment from the pet owner before considering whether to purchase a wheelchair for a pet.

"It takes extra time on the owner's part to take off the device at night because the animals must sleep without them," Blue-McLendon says. "And many times if the animal is paralyzed it still needs assistance several times a day with urination. Also, since the animal can only use its front legs to get around it tends to get tired more quickly. So the owner needs to be aware of this, especially if taking the animal out for a long walk or other exercise."

Blue-McLendon adds that once the animal is accustomed to the wheelchair, it can lead a relatively normal life.

"These wheelchair-type devices have become quite popular in the last 20 years or so," she says.

"They give your pet an option that it might not have had otherwise -- that of regaining much of the mobility it once had. If the owner is willing to make the commitment, they can be wonderful aids for disabled pets."

This article is provided courtesy of Pet Talk, a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Photo provided courtesy of Eddie's Wheels.

Tricks, treats and cute costumes!!!

Don't forget the furry ghouls and goblins this Halloween...they want to be part of the fun too! Whatever their (well, really your) preference, there are hundreds of costumes to choose from, so how to decide? Try to find a costume that fits his personality. If your dog was a human, would he be athletic? Goofy? Nerdy? Or how about a superhero?? Here are some ideas to get you thinking.

Maybe he's got a bit of a naughty streak?

Or perhaps she's been told she resembles a bug?

"What?"

Or maybe your dog likes to eat everything in sight!

"Oink Oink"

(Check out Doggie Vogue for the devil dog, caterpillar and pig costumes!)

Is your dog your biggest fan?

"Yaaaaaay HUMANS!"

Or is he always ready to save those from distress?

"It's a bird, it's a plane, it's Superdog!"

Or is she - hmm...ok, there's really no explanation for this one,

we just thought it was cute!

(The cheerleader, Superdog and corn cob are available at Oh My Dog Supplies.)

Maybe your dog's best friend is a kitty cat? 

(Shhh, we won't tell anyone.)

Or does she love to make you laugh and entertain a crowd?

"For my next trick, I'm going to chase my tail!"

Or is he a bit of a trouble maker lately?

"Back in the dog house again?!?"

(You can find the kitty cat, clown and prisoner costumes at Glamour Dogs.)

Maybe he's really a rock star? 

"Nah, I'm just a hound dog."

Or a cape crusader, with a dark side.

"I am Batdog."

Or perhaps he's a bit of a dreamer...

"Triple crown, here I come!"

And again, this one was just too cute. 

Who doesn't love a Smurf dog?

(Elvis, Batman, Horse Racer and Smurf costumes are all available at Costume Craze.)

We hope these creative and fun costumes gave you a few ideas to work with, but if you're not one for dressing up your dog, then we hope you got a few laughs. Whatever you decide to do this Halloween, just be sure to have fun, stay safe and as always, spoil your pup with lots of love. Oh and a few treats too!

For where to wear these cute costumes, check out the CityDog Social Calendar and/or tune in today at 2 p.m. to The Dog Talk Show. We'll be discussing fun Howloween events taking place this weekend and next.

Portland tops the list for best places to live with pets

 

Livability.com, a website offering in-depth information about America’s best places to live, has just released a list of Top 10 Pet Friendly Cities. The cities on this list have pet friendly parks and trails, quality veterinary care, active animal welfare groups, as well as an abundance of pet boutiques and retail shops. But to make the list, these cities also had to offer an incredible quality of life for pet owners as well.

Livability.com researched cities around the country and looked for cities that were both pet AND people friendly. From quality healthcare and higher education to diverse job opportunities and active artistic and cultural scenes.

These cities are some of the best places to work, live, play and own a pet in America. Here are the top 10, with Portland as number one:

Top 10 Pet Friendly Cities:

1. Portland, OR

2. Colorado Springs, CO

3. Rocky Mount, NC

4. Boulder, CO

5. Santa Cruz, CA

6. Eugene, OR

7. Asheville, NC

8. Albuquerque, NM

9. Nashville, TN

10. Louisville, KY

Candidates Endorsed by Save Washington Pets and the League of Humane Voters

At CityDog Magazine, we are a-paw-litical, but Save Washington Pets has teamed up with the League of Humane Voters, Washington Chapter to identify candidates for the state legislature who have demonstrated they are most supportive of animal welfare legislation in our state.

Save Washington Pets reviewed animal welfare bill voting records of incumbent state senators and representatives running for re-election. They also reviewed responses candidates provided to a humane legislation questionnaire that the League sent to each candidate.

Why did they do this? Because they are working toward passage of spay/neuter assistance legislation and other important animal welfare laws. CityDog agrees, we need to elect state senators and representatives who care about and understand these issues and will vote accordingly.

Save Washington Pets' recommendations for the state senate and house of representatives are posted here. They have each candidate's name linked to his or her website or email address.

Your vote may be decided based on political party preference; candidates' positions on social, economic or other issues; or other factors. However, please also consider candidates most supportive of animal welfare legislation when you're deciding how to vote in the November 2 election.

If you're not sure what legislative district you live in, just use this handy district finder.

Woofs & Wags!
CityDog Magazine

Mark your calendar: Muttster Mash, Saturday, October 30th

For all you four-legged ghosts, goblins and Lady Gagas, West Seattle's Muttley Crew Cuts is hosting Muttster Mash -- So, don your canine costumes and join your fellow furry friends for a spooktacular night of fun!

When:
Saturday, October 30th from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Where:
Muttley Crew Cuts
4200 SW Admiral Way, Suite C, Seattle
Parking available in the underground parking garage just north of Muttley Crew Cuts.

Doggie costume contest, beer and wine for your humans, pet food drive to help dogs in need, and more! All charity donations will go to the Furry Faces Foundation.

If you need some canine costume ideas...stay tuned for our next blog!

Poisonous mushrooms cropping up in the Pacific Northwest

As dog lovers know...our furry friends will eat almost anything, so it's our job to ensure they are safe by keeping toxic substances far out of reach. Here's one more thing to add to the list: mushrooms...or a specific kind of mushroom known as a "death cap." Just yesterday, King County health officials issued a warning about "death caps," and while this warning is meant for humans, it also applies to canines.

Death caps -- or Amanita phalloides -- were thought to be rare in the Pacific Northwest, but this season they are cropping up in the wild, in local parks, and even in our own back yards -- some were spotted in Seattle's Carkeek Park a few weeks ago -- easy pickings for our intrepid pooches.

So, here are a couple of photos of what they look like and sadly, we are also including this link to a flyer sent to us by a woman who lost her dog in August to this deadly mushroom.

Even with these photos, it's best to err on the side of caution...if you find any mushrooms growing in your yard, pick them, bag them and throw them away. Woof!

Bring your dog to the 2nd annual Frogs and Dogs in Issaquah!

Love beer? Love dogs? Love frogs? Okay...maybe not frogs, but this event is sure to be hoppin'! Issaquah Brewery is located next to the salmon hatchery in downtown Issaquah, just 15 miles from Seattle's Space Needle. Issaquah Brewery's family of Frogs are created in a 15 barrel brew system. The brewery has garnered 30 awards for taste and quality. Yum!

Details: 35 West Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027 Phone: (425) 557-1911

CityDog Editor's Pick: Rockin' hoodies for hounds

I'm a big fan of the Foo Fighters and now an even bigger fan of this hoodie featuring the Poo Fighters by Torudog. Warning though...Once your dog's inner rock star is unleashed, it may be tough to fend off those furry groupies when wearing this garb! $32 and up, plus more hoodies, tanks and tees at torudog.com.

Time to vote for the next CityDog cover dog! Vote today!

 

 

 

 

Drumroll please...here are the five winners from the 2010 CityDog Cover Dog Model Search at Kirkland Uncorked (Harry), West Seattle Thriftway (Spencer), PAWSwalk (Violet), Fremont Oktoberfest (Dohjo) and FidoFEST (Ruby)! And, if you click here...you will find ALL of our canine contestants...close to 500 in all their smiling glory!

And, now it's your turn...we need your help in choosing the final dog to grace the cover of CityDog Magazine! Simply click on the dog of your choice from the five winners above, then type his or her name into the subject line and click send. We will tally the votes by October 31, 2010 and announce the winner in our November 2010 CityDog E-News!

Thank you to ALL of our canine contestants -- you helped raise close to $5,000 for animals in need! Woofs and wags from all of us at CityDog Magazine, two- and four-legged alike!

Dogs rule the pool at the Pooch Pool Party!

Dog owners looking for a fun new way to socialize with their pets can treat their furry friends to a dip in Stewart Heights Pool in Tacoma, Wash. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010.

Following the end of the swimming season, four-legged friends will have the opportunity to paddle around with other dogs, lunge through the Lazy River and splash in the sprayground.

The shallow end of the pool has a zero depth entry where the pool bottom slopes like a beach providing easy access in and out of the water. The maximum depth of the pool is 4 feet, 3 inches.

The Pool Party will feature two pool sessions: 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to romping in the water, dogs and their owners can visit the vendor fair in the park next to the pool. This dry land fun includes contests and games for dogs, doggercise demonstrations and dog-related vendor and agency booths.

The vendor fair will run continuously from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so visitors can come for the morning pool party and stay after for fun and games in the park, or come early to the park and then take the plunge during the afternoon pool session. Either way, it's a day full of fun for dogs and their people!

Stewart Heights’ last day for public swimming is Monday, September 6. Later that week Metro Parks’ staff will turn off the pool chemicals in preparation for furry visitors. After the Pooch Pool Party the pool will be drained, cleaned and closed for the winter.

“The pool party provides dog owners and their pets a unique experience after the pool closes for the season. It’s great to be able to put this park asset to a different use before it’s drained and cleaned for the winter,” remarked Jim Biles, Aquatics Supervisor.

Admission is limited to two dogs per person. Entry fee is $7 for the first dog, $5 for the second dog. Humans are admitted free of charge. Entry may be limited if pool reaches capacity.

Participants are encouraged to bring unopened pet food to the event for donation to the Dugan Foundation to support their work establishing Pierce County as a no-kill community.

Stewart Heights Pool is located at 402 E 56th St. For more information call 253.591.2042 or visit www.StewartHeightsPool.com.

Check out photos from the 2009 Pooch Pool Party here.

CityDog Summer Muttmixer: RSVP today!

You are Invited to the CityDog Summer Muttmixer presented by Natura Pet!
 

CityDog Magazine | Summer Muttmixer
Wednesday, August 25th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
W Hotel, 1112 Fourth Avenue, Seattle

CityDog Magazine is rolling out the red carpet at the swanky and super dog-friendly W Hotel Seattle to celebrate a milestone...our fifth anniversary! You are invited to join us and fellow dog lovers at the CityDog Summer Muttmixer to enjoy cocktails, tasty hors d’oeuvres and of course, mixing and mingling with two- and four-legged friends alike.

The event is FREE to attend and be sure to pick up a swag bag that will make your dog’s tail wag! Please RSVP to rsvp@citydogmagazine.com with the number of humans and number of canines attending in your “pawty.” Dogs must play well with others (that goes for humans, too) and remain on-leash at all times. If you've never been to one of our Muttmixers and want a glimpse of what they're like, then check out this fun video. Woof!

And, a big shout out to our Presenting Sponsor Natura Pet...thank you!

Vote for your CityDog Magazine TopDogs!

In the upcoming Fall issue of CityDog Magazine, we are featuring the Best of the West, chosen by you and of course, your pooch! We pick the categories, you pick your favorites (and, your dog's favorites) and then we feature them in the magazine. Tell us your favorite dog park, pet store, toy, treat, veterinarian, doggy day care and more!

Click here to nominate your TopDog pick in each category and submit it to us no later than August 23, 2010. Your opinion is important to us, so we want your vote. Once the ballots are in, we will tally the votes, nominate a TopDog in each category and announce the winners in the Fall issue of CityDog Magazine. Feel free to share this with all of your dog loving friends and colleagues, so they can vote too! Woof!

CityDog Guest Blog: Health Concerns for Popular Breeds

Picking a breed of dog for your family is always a tough decision. If you grew up with a specific breed as your family pet, you may be inclined to choose the same for yourself. Or, you may want to try a breed you’ve heard about in magazines, books, or from friends.

When you are making your decision, there is one additional thing you should think about – the pet health concerns of different breeds. Many breeds have a history of specific health concerns, and some of them can be quite expensive over the lifetime of the dog. While measures can be put in place to help offset the costs of these illnesses, such as purchasing pet insurance, it’s still a good idea to be aware of what you could encounter. And remember...if you are looking for a specific breed, be sure to check your local shelter first.

Following are the top five dog breeds in the United States and the most notable health concerns for each:

1. Labrador Retriever – It’s no secret that Labrador Retrievers are great family pets. They are friendly, eager to please, and easy to train. Some of the major health concerns for this breed include cataracts, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation (displaced kneecap), and Osteochondritis Dissecans (a cartilage disease).

2. German Shepherd Dog – Known as the great protectors, German Shepherds are often utilized as police dogs. As a pet, they offer a sense of security for a family. This breed is prone to cardiomyopathy (heart dysfunction), cataracts, dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), and elbow dysplasia.

3. Yorkshire Terrier – Yorkies’ personalities far outweigh their little bodies, as they are fearless and bold and love adventure. Patellar luxation is the main health concern for this breed, but they also can suffer from achondroplasia (a genetic disorder causing dwarfism), Legg-Perthes (a degenerative disease of the hip joint), and portacaval shunts (a serious liver condition).

4. Golden Retriever – Like the Lab, the Golden Retriever is a family-friendly pet who loves to please. Be prepared to be smothered with love and affection from this sweet pooch! Some of this breed’s most common health concerns are elbow dysplasia, hemangiosarcoma (a fatal form of cancer), lymphoma (a disease that causes immune system cancer), and progressive retinal atrophy (deterioration of the retina).

5. Beagle – The beagle is known to be one of the happiest of all dog breeds. This dog will love his family unconditionally and is regarded as being a great pet for children. Beagles are prone to Cherry Eye (a congenital eye defect), glaucoma, epilepsy (recurring seizures), and hip dysplasia.

An informed owner is a happy owner, so remember to take these health concerns to the table when you make your final decision on adding a pet to your family.

And when you decide on the right breed for you, consider investing in pet health insurance to help offset the costs of veterinary care over the lifetime of your pet.