We all know that our pups are amazing four-legged creatures that have a mind and unique personality. Our pups always tend to intrigue us and generally keep us on our toes. Although all dogs are very special, there are some that have accomplished truly amazing things and have found themselves in the world record book. We have compiled a fascinating list of amazing dog accomplishments that are considered to be world records.

Largest litter of puppies

– Actual record: 24 puppies in one litter
– Record holder: Tia the dog
– Date of record: Nov. 29, 2004
– Location: United Kingdom

In 2004, a Neapolitan mastiff named Tia gave birth to an amazing 24 puppies on the same day. The litter consisted of nine females and fifteen males. All 24 puppies were born by Cesarean section.

Longest dog ears

– Actual record: 13.7 inches
– Record holder: Tigger the dog
– Date of record: Sept. 29, 2004
– Location: United States

Tigger the bloodhound snagged the record for the longest ears on a dog on Sept. 29, 2004. Tiger’s right and left ears measured am impressive 13.75 inches and 13.5 inches. In case you didn’t “hear” that correctly, the measure 13.75 inches! In 2003, Tigger was inducted into the Bloodhound “’Hall of Fame.”

Longest dog tail

– Actual record: 30.2 inches
– Record holder: Keon the dog
– Date of record: Aug. 18, 2015
– Location: Belgium

An Irish wolfhound named Keon hold the record for having the longest tail. In August of 2015, Keon’s tail measured in at an impressive 30.2 inches long, which is about two and a half feet long!

Longest dog tongue

– Actual record: 7.3 inches
– Record holder: Mochi the dog
– Date of record: April 25, 2016
– Location: United States

A Saint Bernard named Mochi must have never had an issue giving licks to her owner with a tongue that measured in at more than seven inches long. This female Saint Bernard was rescued by her loving family who resided in the United States and hold the world record for the longest tongue on a dog.

Most balls caught by a dog with the paws in sixty seconds

– Actual record: 14 balls
– Record holder: Purin the dog
– Date of record: March 22, 2015
– Location: Japan

Play ball! Purin, a nine-year-old Beagle female, holds the record for catching most balls on her paws in one minute. This pup sits in the record books after successfully catching fourteen balls, which is an average of one catch every four seconds. This pup resides in Japan and may be looking for a major league contract!

Shortest standing dog

– Actual record: 3.8 inches tall
– Record holder: Milly
– Date of record: Feb. 21, 2013
– Location: Puerto Rico

The shortest living pup ever recorded was Milly the dog, who measured in at just 3.8 inches tall. This tiny Chihuahua was from Puerto Rico and weighed less than one ounce when she was born. It would have taken more than sixteen Milly baby puppies to even weigh a single pound.

Tallest standing dog

– Actual record: 3.7 feet
– Record holder: Zeus the dog
– Date of record: Oct. 4, 2011
– Location: United States

The tallest dog to have ever lived was a Great Dane named Zeus who stretched out to an incredible 7 feet four inches. Although Great Danes are big pups, this one was extra big! This pup was from Michigan, US and was also a certified therapy dog. This gentle giant was known for his loving and gentle disposition.

There are hundreds of dog breeds in existence, all with different qualities and traits. Realistically, despite similarities, there are no two identical dogs. Each dog has its own personality and mind which means each breed of dog brings something unique to the table. In this blog we are going to “dig” into a few breeds that make great family pets despite not being talked about that often.

Puli

The Puli is a very old Hungarian dog breed that dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. Many believe that this breed is a direct ancestor of the Poodle. Around World War II this breed was nearly extinct but was revived by hobbyists. The Puli makes a great family pet and has many desirable qualities. It should be noted that their coats are high -maintenance and do require work to keep looking their best.

Schipperke

The Schipperke has a similar appearance to the Sheepdog and was originally bred to work on barges in Belgium canals in the 1800’s. This is a working breed of dog that has high energy levels and likes to be on the move. This breed of dog has transitioned into a very well-liked family dog who has a loving and caring personality. The Schipperke makes a great fit for families that want the heart of a big dog but in a smaller package.

Basenji

The Basenji is considered to be one of the most primitive and oldest breeds of dog in existence. This dog has been traced back to pyramids in Egypt. A great trait of this breed is that they are not known to overly bark, however, can be heard yodeling at times. One of the most unusual facts about this breed is that, like wolves and another primitive dog called a dingo, female Basenjis only come into heat once a year, unlike all other domestic breeds that come into heat two times a year. The Basenji is a loving and social dog that makes a great family pet.

Brussels Griffon

Also known as the bearded dog, the Brussels Griffon is known for its long hair around its snout and for its large expressive eyes. This is a playful and active breed of dog that has a very outgoing personality. They are also considered to be hypoallergenic which is great for those of us who suffer from allergies. This breed also does well in families that have children thanks to their warm demeanors.

Chinese Crested

Many experts believe the Chinese Crested is essentially a smaller version of the African hairless dog. Chinese merchants acquired African hairless dogs on their trips to the continent and bred them to be smaller, producing the Chinese Crested. They originally were known for their abilities to hunt rats on ships but have evolved into a great family pet. This breed has a double coatthat tends to be soft, silky and straight, although some may have curly hair. Both the Hairless and Powderpuff shed very little, and generally makes a great pet for people with allergies.

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier, also known as the Bedlington, is a playful and active dog breed that is known for its loyalty. They are also very friendly dogs who quickly warm up to visitors and new people. This breed emerged in the parish of Bedlington in Northumberland, England in the early 19th century. They were originally called the Rothbury Terrier, after the namesake district on the English coast. The Bedlington Terrier is also considered to be hypoallergenic, which is a big plus for those who suffer from allergies.

All of these unique dogs have a lot to offer. They make great family pets and despite being different in many ways they all share on quality. They will all win your heart in no time at all!

Many dog owners have seen their dogs’ showing signs of jealousy. Professional dog trainers actually use jealousy as a training tool by removing unresponsive dogs during training and allow dogs to watch their handlers working with another dog. A lot of dog owners observe their dog’s display of jealousy when their owners interact with other dogs, family members or friends.  

A Dog’s Jealous Behaviors May Include: 

• Biting / Snapping
• Barking
• Growling
• Whining 
• Getting between his owner and other objects
• Behavior towards an object or thing you’re interacting with
• Pushing extra attention from you

Behaviors that Really Need to Be Watched Include: 

• Aggression. Any kind of biting to gain the attention over a person, pet or object is a bad sign. 
• Accidents inside. Since our dog can’t talk to us, they express themselves through their physical actions. They know going to the potty inside is wrong, yet it will get your attention.  
• Aggressive growling or howling. 

Signs of Possessive Behavior 

Your dog may be showing possessive behavior if they do the following: 

• Growling
• Snapping
• Excessive whining
• Attacking another pet or person

Understanding a Protective Dog

If your dog is overly protective, it may be because that’s their natural instinct. This reaction may seem aggressive if your dog perceives you are in danger. Sometimes protective instincts can get confused with jealous or possessive behavior. 

Your Dog is Protective if They Do the Following: 

• Focuses on another animal, person, or situation
• Give their full attention to the scenario
• Calms down and backs down after no threat is found

The key difference between a protective dog and a possessive dog is the relaxing and backing down part of the equation. A possessive or jealous dog doesn’t typically back down, and his behavior remains consistent.

Changing Problematic Behavior

Be patient. First, you’ll need to use positive reinforcement and reward your dog when they act the way you want them to. If your dog comes in between you and another person, try ignoring them. If your dog keeps getting in the way, get up and move to another space. The ignoring and or not reacting to what they are doing will help your dog know their behavior is not working to get your attention. 

The Three Main Tips 

• Don’t verbally communicate with to them when they do this
• Don’t touch them or push them away
• Don’t make eye contact with them

Your Dog is Doing This to Get Your Attention.

By not showing them attention while they do this may deter them from continuing the behavior.To stop your dog’s jealous behavior early in life, consider trying the following ideas: 

1. Avoid showing too much attention to one pet over another.
2. Train your dog to feel safe, secure, and relaxed in their crate.
3. Make a separate feeding area for multiple animals. This way they are not competing for food.
4. Reward your dog when they’re exhibiting good behavior.

We need to remember; our pups are living creates that have real emotions and feelings. Your pup loves you and wants your attention, similar to a child. It is important to always remain patient with your dog and train him using positive reinforcement. It is also crucial to begin training at a young age as puppies are more prone to learning while their brain is developing. Although older dogs are able to be trained, the process may take longer and be more challenging.

Homemade dog treats come with a variety of benefits. For one, you know the ingredients in them. They are also less expensive than commercially produced dog treats. They are also something fun to make! Before feeding your pup anything that he normally does not eat, it is always recommended that you check with your veterinarian first. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Below is a list of our favorite homemade dog treats that we think your pup will enjoy!

Baked Chicken Treats

For a quick and easy treat, consider this homemade baked chicken dog treats from Eileen Anderson. Using a basic pyramid pan, this recipe can make about 500 small treats that your dog will drool over. After being baked, you can refrigerate or freeze the treats.

Treat Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce can of chicken, including liquid
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup tapioca flour
• cup of white flour
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Blend chicken and eggs in a food processor.
3. Pour the mixture into a bowl, and stir in flour and oil. This batter should be a little thicker than pancake batter but still pourable.
4. Spread the batter onto the silicone mold on a cookie sheet, making sure it’s in the holes, and then scrape it off the dividers.
5. Bake for 12 minutes.
6. Once cooled, turn over the mold and dump the treats out.
7. You can bag up the treats and refrigerate or freeze them.

Homemade Bacon Pyramid Pan Treats

Is your fur-legged friend a fan of bacon? If so, this simple recipe by Michelle Taylor will be a hit. With four basic ingredients, this is a great homemade treat for beginners.

Treat Ingredients:

• package of bacon
• 2 eggs
• 150 grams of gluten-free flour
• Water to thin

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Blend the bacon and eggs.
3. Add flour. Stir in water if the batter needs to thin.
4. Smooth the batter over the baking mat and bake for eight minutes.
5. Once cooled, cut the treats into bite-sized pieces.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Almost all dogs love the creamy and sweet taste of peanut butter. If your dog is a fan of it, give these treats by Eileen Anderson a whirl! 

Treat Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• cup peanut butter powder
• cup white flour
• cup tapioca flour
• cup water

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Mix the ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into the pan.
4. Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft but still drawing away from the side of the pan.
5. Once cooled, stretch the pan and dump the treats out.

Cheese and Sardine Pyramid Pan Dog Treats

Looking for a protein-packed treat for your pup? If so, this cheese and sardine dog treat is the answer. 

Treat Ingredients:

* 1 can of sardines

 * 2 eggs

 * 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese

 * A handful of roasted vegetables

 * 75 grams of tapioca flour (or plain flour)

 * Water

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 320F.

2. Blend all the ingredients in a blender to make a thick batter. Add water as needed to make it thicker.

3. Smooth the mixture over the baking mat and bake for about 15 minutes or until crispy.

4. Once cooled, cut into small pieces.

Cheddar-Apple Dog Biscuits

This classic one is from Martha Stewart and is a combination of cheddar and apple. 

Treat Ingredients:

• 2 cups barley flour
• cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons of water to form a dough. Roll out the mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to -inch thick. Remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 -inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
4. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off the oven and place the biscuits on a wire rack in the oven overnight. Remove from the oven and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

We think your pup will love these tricks, which are all healthy sources of nutrition. As mentioned earlier, always check with your veterinarian before feeding your dog anything new.

Like humans, dogs lose their first set of teeth, which are replaced by larger adult teeth. This is a relatively quick process that happens in the first few months of life.

While typically, there isn’t much an owner can do during this time, it’s essential to learn about a puppy’s baby teeth so you can provide proper dental care and alleviate any discomfort. It can also help you to know what to look for in the unlikely event that a vet is needed to check on their teeth.

Explore the Furry Babies Aurora guide to puppies and their teeth.

When Do Puppies Get Their Teeth?

Puppies are born without teeth, but 28 primary teeth erupt within the first few weeks of their life. These teeth are sometimes known as needle or milk teeth, but your vet may refer to them as deciduous teeth. Permanent adult teeth will eventually replace them.

Puppies start developing teeth at about two weeks old and usually have complete dentition by about eight to ten weeks old. The incisors, the small teeth at the front, often erupt first, then the premolars and the canines, but this can vary from puppy to puppy. Puppies do not have any molars. They will appear along with the adult teeth.

How to Take Care of Puppy Teeth

To help keep a puppy’s teeth clean and healthy and prevent periodontal disease, it’s essential to take care of them properly at all stages. Getting your puppy used to people touching its mouth and teeth from an early age is vital to develop healthy dental care habits. In a slow, playful way, touch their gums, teeth, lips, and tongue.

Doing so early eases their fear and helps them become accustomed to people around sensitive areas. It also helps familiarize you with their mouth, allowing you to recognize any problems or oddities that require vet care.

To help keep teeth clean, introduce teeth brushing by brushing with a soft-bristled pet toothbrush or finger brush with pet-appropriate toothpaste. Brushing can help remove stuck food and bacteria that can form on the teeth and cause decay and gum disease.

When Do Puppies Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Puppies lose their baby teeth in the same way as humans. Baby teeth begin to fall out at about three months old. The last teeth to fall out are typically the canines, which fall out at about six months old. A typical puppy teething timeline is:

• Incisors: 3 to 5 months old
• Canines: 5 to 6 months old
• Premolars: 4 to 6 months old
• Molars: 4 to 7 months old

It’s important to remember that some small and short-nosed breeds, such as Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs, may retain some of the baby teeth. Your vet can determine if this is normal or if a tooth extraction is necessary to help the process.

When Do Puppies Get Permanent Teeth?

The permanent adult teeth grow in at the same time the baby teeth fall out. Some permanent teeth begin to appear as early as three months but will vary significantly with each puppy. When a puppy is seven or eight months old, it should have all 42 teeth.

How to Take Care of Your Teething Puppy

When puppies teethe, they chew to relieve discomfort. A soft, squishy chew toy can alleviate pain and keep your puppy chewing on appropriate things instead of your furniture, kids’ toys, or shoes. Look for flexible and soft toys that flex in your hand. Toys that can’t flex or bend in your hand are too hard for your puppy’s mouth.

If your puppy continues participating in everyday activities like exploring, socializing, drinking, and eating, then the discomfort isn’t anything to worry about. If your puppy is no longer doing these normal things, the vet can determine if there is an underlying issue.

There’s little else owners can do to help this transition. It’s a good idea to avoid trying to wiggle or pull out any loose teeth and let them fall out naturally. Dog teeth have long roots; pulling teeth may break its root, causing a piece of the root or tooth to remain in the gums, causing an infection.

That being said, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how the teeth are coming in. If baby teeth stay in place as the new tooth grows in, this disrupts the adult tooth’s location. This can lead to tooth misalignment, which leads to problems closing the mouth, eating, and drinking. If you think there is an issue with a baby tooth or the new tooth coming in, you should talk to your vet.

Learn More About Puppies at Furry Babies Aurora, IL

If you’re looking for a puppy in Aurora, Illinois, check out our available puppies. Our staff of puppy experts can help you research puppies and learn about each stage of your puppy’s development to help you raise a healthy, happy dog. Contact one of our counselors or explore our list of available puppies to find the perfect puppy for you and your family.

Bringing home a puppy is an exciting and challenging time. Getting a dog can give you and your family a fun new companion, but a puppy requires a lot of time and effort to raise it correctly. Even as puppies become more independent and well-trained as they age, a grown dog needs just as much love and devotion as a new puppy.

To ensure you aren’t rushing into getting a puppy, our professional staff from Furry Babies Aurora, IL have compiled a list of questions to ask before deciding to adopt a dog.

Am I Ready for a New Puppy?

When thinking about a new puppy, it’s easy to only focus on the positive aspects of adoption: cuteness, cuddles, and a new companionship. It’s important to remember that raising a puppy is not easy. Like babies, puppies are brand new to the world and don’t yet understand or have the capacity to be well-behaved.

Puppies require a lot of time and patience to train. Getting a puppy at just a few weeks of age can mean dealing with house training, puppy bites, chewing toys and shoes, and socializing your pet with people and other dogs. These responsibilities can lead to frustration if you are not prepared.

Ask yourself a few questions to ensure you’re ready for a puppy:

• Does your schedule allow you to spend time training your puppy?
• Does your lifestyle provide free time for you to spend with your dog? To go on walks, to the dog park, or to socialize with other dogs and people?
• Is anything coming up that would make having a puppy difficult, such as a big move, having a baby, or a busy work schedule?
• Do you have the funds to pay for all your puppy’s essentials, like vet bills, toys, food, and a bed?

Which Dog Breed is Right for Me?

Once you’ve decided you are ready to bring a puppy home, the next question to ask yourself is which breed is best for you. Every breed has a distinct personality and characteristics, energy levels, size, training needs, and grooming requirements that impact how you train your puppy and take care of it as it ages.

Ask yourself the following questions when thinking about specific breeds to help you understand which one is right for you:

• Why do you want a dog? For example, as a companion, for home safety, or to be more active.
• Do you have other pets? Some breeds are better suited to be with other dogs, cats, or other house pets.
• Do you have a backyard? A small or no backyard will make having a large or active dog more difficult.
• What’s your activity level like? Inactive people may find having an active dog challenging.
• What is your experience level caring for animals? Larger or more high-maintenance dogs, like Huskies, may be difficult for those with less animal experience.
• Does anyone in your home have allergies? A pet allergy might mean choosing a hypoallergenic dog like a Bichon Frise to accommodate allergies.
• Do you have children in the house? Some breeds are better than others for families, such as Labrador Retrievers or Irish Setters.

When deciding on a breed, consider joining a kennel club or breed club to help support you in caring for your new puppy.

What Are the Store or Breeder’s Puppy Health Standards?

Unfortunately, many breeders in the industry aren’t careful with the health and well-being of their puppies. To ensure you are dealing with a reputable breeder or store in Aurora, IL you should research the store or breeder’s puppy care standard from the time puppies are born.

Responsible breeders should take care of their dogs, ensure they aren’t overbreeding, and have a licensed vet check on the health of their dogs and puppies. No matter the store’s or breeder’s reputation, ask several questions on puppy care practices and overall routine maintenance of their facilities.

Hearing first-hand how they care for their animals can help you determine if the breeder or store is a good fit for you. Some questions to ask include:

• Are your breeders licensed?
• How do you socialize your puppies?
• What type of food do the puppies eat?
• How old are the puppies? At what age can I take them home?
• What do the parents look like? What are their personalities?
• Can I meet the puppy’s parents?
• How often do you breed your dogs?
• What vaccinations do the puppies have?
• Do you provide a health certificate?
• Are puppies microchipped?
• Are they purebred/what breed are they?
• Are the puppies spayed or neutered?

Asking these questions can help you determine how responsible the store, breeder, or rescue group is. If the breeder is unable or unwilling to answer any questions, they might be hiding information, such as where the puppies are from, potential health problems, irresponsible practices like overbreeding, or not providing adequate vet care for the puppies.

Only work with organizations willing to answer questions and accommodate your reasonable requests.

Do I Need to Puppy-Proof My Home and Backyard?

Just like a baby, you’ll need to ensure your puppy’s safety by puppy-proofing. The only difference with a baby is that puppies are fully mobile at a very young age and will be curious to explore every inch of your house and backyard.

Puppy-proofing your house has twofold benefits: it protects your puppy from injury and protects items in your home from damage caused by your curious puppy. Take the following precautions before bringing your new puppy home:

• Move/hide loose electrical cords
• Place cleaning supplies in a high or locked cabinet
• Move poisonous plants out of reach
• Hide food toxic to dogs: chocolate, grapes, onions
• Keep toilet lids closed
• Pick up and hide small items to prevent eating or choking, such as coins, rubber bands, and legos
• Secure trash cans
• Check the backyard fence for places to crawl through or under

Puppies, especially those under 12 weeks, are curious. It will feel like you are constantly following your puppy around the house to keep them out of trouble. By puppy-proofing your home and yard, you eliminate many issues that may occur after buying a puppy.

What Puppy Supplies Do I Need?

It’s easy to forget how many things a puppy requires. To ensure your new puppy is comfortable and properly taken care of, you should get the following:

• A comfortable dog bed
• Food and water bowls
• Puppy food
• Training treats
• Toys
• Dog crate
• Collar
• Leash
• Dog brush

These essentials will help your puppy adjust to their new environment and meet its needs. As your puppy grows, its needs will fluctuate. Their food, toys and collar size will change, but this preliminary list will help you get started with your new puppy.

Add a New Puppy to Your Family with Furry Babies

Getting a new puppy requires planning and preparation. Thinking about all aspects of puppy care before jumping into adoption is essential. However, if you’ve answered all the questions and are ready to add a new puppy to your family, it’s time to find the right furry friend at Furry Babies.

At Furry Babies Aurora, IL you can search through our available puppies and speak with our pet counselors and staff to help you find the perfect puppy for your family.