Looking for a new furry family member but want to be sure they are good with your young children? This is the list for you. Every family is different and it is important to find the perfect fit for yours. Read below to find out which pup is the perfect fit that will complete your family.

1- BEAGLE
Beagles were originally bred to be hunters but that doesn’t mean they are dangerous. These dogs are great around active children who love to run around. Since Beagles have a tendency towards obesity with lack of exercise, it is important to take them out for regular walks and keep them on a diet. These walks will get both your child and the dog tired, giving you some much needed relaxation time! Beagles tend to shed very little and barely drool! You can’t ask for a more gentle and loving breed to help keep your child entertained!

2- BULLDOG
Although Bulldogs can look scary, they are anything but. These dogs are highly affectionate and protective. If you have young children, these dogs are great to adopt as puppies. Just like your child, they are high energy as puppies and grow more mature as they get older, they will quite literally grow up together. Bulldogs tend to shed and can get parasites or skin infections if you don’t wipe them down at least once a day. It is important to keep up with their hygiene but other than that, Bulldogs are low maintenance.

3- BICHON FRISE
For the allergy prone child, a Bichon Frise is a great choice as a first dog. Since these dogs are hypoallergenic, they rarely shed but do require regular grooming! Your child will love to brush the dog which will help to keep their hair tangle-free. This breed is small, so it is important to teach your kids to be gentle with them. These dogs are incredibly playful but are very sensitive, exhibiting the best of both worlds.

4- NEWFOUNDLAND
Newfoundlands may look intimidating with their huge stature, but that just leaves more room for a big heart. These breeds do require daily brushing with a hard brush and tend to shed more during Fall and Spring. They are easily trained and compatible with humans. Training them is easy due to their patience and eagerness to impress. And how cute would it be for your little one to have their own living teddy bear? SO cute.

5- VIZSLA
Vizslas are incredibly intelligent. These are the underdogs of the list, and are often overlooked when adopting a family dog. These dogs thrive on mental stimulation which is why they are great for children! Children are constantly running or doing something and this is what the Vizsla needs. Being so smart, these dogs are easily trained, making them a perfect dog for your family!

6- GOLDEN RETRIEVER
Everyone loves Golden Retrievers! These are the epitome of Mans Best Friend! Their gold coat, and loving nature makes them a great option for a new family pet. These dogs are easy to train and extremely loyal. They love a good game of fetch but don’t mind cuddling indoors either. If you leave them alone in the house they are likely to relax and leave your furniture alone but if you want to play a good game of fetch, they’ll be the first to run after the ball.

7 CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL
Cavaliers were originally French Royalty! They just look royal! Besides their adorable features and long hair, these dogs love to snuggle up with the kids. They are easy to train and active, thriving when playing games with your young child. If you want to feel like modern day royalty and have a cuddly dog, this is the one for you!

Dogs can make a great addition to any family! It is important to do some research before adopting a dog to find the right fit for you! Whether you want an active and attentive dog like a Vizsla, or one that matures with your children like a bulldog, it is important to remember that each breed has a different personality! Good luck on your journey!

Spetacular™

Keep Your Dog Stress-Free This Fourth Of July!

Everyone loves Fourth of July! There are fireworks, barbecues, friends, and lots of fun but it is easy to forget that it can cause stress for your pup at home! Don’t worry, we have some tips to help. 

1- Leave your dog at home for the firework display. It can get overwhelming and they may get lost in the crowd.

2- If your dog is scared of fireworks, you can play the TV or music to distract them. Pro tip: take your dog out for a walk earlier in the day to tire her out.

3- Be sure to properly identify your dog and be sure their microchip information is up to date. It doesn’t hurt to make sure to have up to date pictures of your dog in case you have to put up signs if they get lost.

4- Use pet safe bug spray. Citronella is dangerous to dogs and can cause pneumonia and other nervous system problems.

5- Keep the glow jewelry away from your dog! The dog may chew it up, choking on the plastic or ingesting the potentially harmful substance inside causing gastrointestinal issues.

6- Avoid firework use around pets. Fireworks contain arsenic, potassium nitrate, and other materials that are toxic for dogs. They can also cause potential burns.

7- “Human food” can be harmful to your pet. Foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, salt, and beer are hazardous for dogs.

8- Lighter Fluid and Matches Are Harmful to Pets. Matches contain a chemical substance called chlorate that can cause difficulty breathing, kidney disease, and damaged blood cells in dogs when ingested according to the ASPCA. Lighter fluid can cause skin, gastric, and respiratory problems in dogs.

9- Check your yard for firework remnants before letting the dog out the next morning. Stray firework remnants from the night before may find their way into your yard and your curious dog may try to eat them. Be sure to check that there are no fireworks left - fireworks are toxic to dogs.

10- Be sure the kitchen is free from harmful things like leftover skewers, knives, etc...

Remember that although the Fourth of July festivities can be fun for you it can be scary for your furry friends! Be sure to follow these steps to take some of the stress off of your best friend so you can enjoy your holiday! 

Have a Spetacular™ 4th of July!

Staying true to their name, German Shepherds originated in Germany. These dogs were developed in the late 1800s by crossing various herding breeds in hopes of creating the perfect canine with excellent work ethic, courage, and physical aptitude. They were first introduced to the United States when soldiers returned home from World War I. By World War II, German Shepherd Dogs were the breed of choice in the military. German Shepherds rose to fame on the big screen when Strongheart, the retired police dog, starred in the movie Strongheart the Dog in 1929. This is when Americans started to love GSDs (German Shepherd Dogs). Besides the movies they starred in, GSDs also became the first guide dogs and are still one of the most popular dogs today.

Intelligence runs deep in German Shepherds making them very easy to train. Male and females typically weigh from 75-95 pounds and live 10-12 years on average. Most German Shepherds don’t shed a lot due to their double coat of medium length, though they do shed heavily twice yearly. To help with shedding, it is important to brush your dog a few times a week but overall these dogs have a moderate need for grooming. German Shepherds tend to be well-proportioned, and have a broad head and sharp muzzle. They have a thick and rough coat, muscular back and bushy tail. They can range in color from black, tan, black and tan, or gray.

German Shepherds tend to have an average energy level but they do require ample exercise daily. It is recommended that they get 40 minutes or more of exercise per day. Luckily, these dogs have a low tendency to drool, snore, bark, and dig.

Social and obedience training is a must for young German Shepherds. Without this training, these dogs may develop bad behaviors such as over-guarding or aggression and may become leery with strangers. German Shepherds are great with children and other animals, especially when raised with them. It is important to never confine a German Shepherd to a kennel or backyard, especially when they are young. These dogs require extensive exercise daily, they aim to please and need to stay busy unless they get high-strung.

All in all, German Shepherds are great dogs. With ample brushing, >40 minutes of daily exercise, and training from a young age, these dogs make great family dogs. Be sure to give your German Shepherd lots of love and remember that they were bred to be active! Keep this in mind when deciding if this dog is the right breed for you.

Transitioning from mother’s milk to solid food is one of the biggest milestones in a puppy’s life. Not only is eating from a bowl a different experience for her but so is drinking water. Puppies are often confused when given water for the first time. Staying hydrated is really important for your pet’s health. Just like humans, a dog is about 80% water.

Drinking water helps dissolve and carry substances throughout your dog’s body. Hydration helps with digestion, blood circulation, promotes a healthy coat, filters waste and adjusts body temperature. A dog can lose all of its fat and half of its protein and still live. A simple 10% loss of body water will cause a serious state of dehydration which can lead to health complications, affecting your pup’s kidneys and heart.

Needless to say that it’s important to make sure that your dog has access to clean water at all times, especially if she’s active. For instance, when hiking or playing frisbee on the beach, make sure to pack water! Dogs pant to cool themselves whereas humans sweat. So it’s not as obvious as it is for us. Make sure to watch your pooch for excessive panting. Most dogs will need to drink about an ounce of water for every pound of their weight on a daily basis. This amount should increase with more activity or warmer and dryer weather. They might also need more water if they are taking medication that dehydrates them. 

A good rule of thumb is to keep a good-sized, sturdy bowl with twice the amount of water they need on a daily basis. And for the little ones, make sure to get a bowl that is too deep so they can reach. And remember to clean those bowls daily!

With water being an obvious solution to hydrating your pups, using water enhancers is highly recommended by veterinarians. Just like we are told to drink Gatorade when we are dehydrated. Spetacular water enhancers help refuel your dog, boost energy, promote positive mineral balance for healthy digestion while providing daily boosts of vitamins and electrolytes. Spetacular Pet Water Enhancer With Electrolytes is also a fun treat for your 4-footed friend with natural flavors and infused with aromas to encourage water consumption. Water with peanut butter flavor? Paw-fect! Yes, please! 

Going out and enjoying the sun is one of the best parts of spring, but having your furry friend beside you while you do it will make it a season to remember.Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to wag your dog’s tail this spring.

Tip #1: Un-Leash Your Dog on the Beach

Every dog owner knows that if there are two things certain breeds of dogs love to do outdoors, it’s digging holes and enjoying the water. What better way to combine the two than a trip to the beach?

Luckily for pet owners, Miami has many paw-fect dog parks open to the public along the beachfront. There are plenty of other popular spots nationwide. Be sure to check them out at Myrtle Beach, Santa Monica, Haulover Beach, and Hobie Island! Visiting the beach is a great way to get your best friend out in the sun and socializing with other dogs, but it’s also an excellent way for you to have some fun as well. Go out and play frisbee or fetch with your furry friend.

Tip #2: Go For a Woodland Walk

Springtime isn’t just for beaches and dog parks, it’s also a great time to take your dog on a hike through the woods!

Mountains and forests are a great place for weekend trips because they get you away from the stresses of city life and offer your dog a whole new world of sights and smells to explore.

Before you go for a relaxing hike with your pooch, ensure that your favorite parks and campsites are pet-friendly and safe for your four-footed friend.

Tip #3: Grab a Treat at Yappy Hour

Have you always wanted to take your canine companion out for a night on the town? Well, you’re in luck!

“Yappy Hour” is a growing trend among restaurants where pets and their owners are welcomed in on special days for fancy eats and tasty treats.

You’ll see your dog pampered like never before as the events include live music, amazing food from Miami’s best restaurants, and a great environment for you and your hound to socialize with other pooches and pet owners.

Spring is the perfect time to get your dog outdoors, but make sure they are properly hydrated and refueled to keep the fun going. Visit us online for more great tips on how you and your dog can have a paw-fect spring season together.