Mast Cell Tumor: A Common Form of Cancer in Dogs and Cats

Mast Cell Tumor: A Common Form of Cancer in Dogs and Cats

Bill to End Animal Testing for Cosmetics

AAVS Urges Congress to Support

On March 5th, the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148), legislation that would prohibit the use of animals in the testing of cosmetics and their component ingredients, was introduced to Congress by Representative Jim Moran (D-VA). If passed, the bill will also phase out the sale of cosmetic products containing animal tested ingredients.

“We are thrilled that Congressman Moran has taken up this important issue,” said AAVS President Sue Leary. “It is time for the United States to join other countries that have been saying ‘no’ to the needless testing of cosmetic products on animals.”

In 2004, the European Union passed a law phasing out the use of animals to test cosmetic products and ingredients, as well as the sale of products containing ingredients subjected to new animal tests. Israel and India passed similar laws in 2007 and 2013 respectively. Most recently, China announced plans to phase out mandatory animal testing of some cosmetic products.

In the U.S., animal tests have been used to evaluate the safety of cosmetic products and ingredients for decades, although no law requiring animal testing exists. Animal test protocols include placing chemical substances in animals’ eyes or on their skin to assess damage, and measuring the toxicity of a chemical by forcing animals to ingest or inhale it. These tests are often painful and usually result in the animals being killed at the end of the experiment.

“The U.S. can and should phase out the use of animals in cosmetic safety testing. Not only are animal-based tests fundamentally inhumane, they also rely on outmoded science that can fail to accurately predict safety for humans,” said Representative Moran. “This legislation would encourage the use of testing alternatives that are more effective and cheaper to conduct.”

There are many reliable non-animal alternative test methods available, including cell and tissue cultures and sophisticated computer and mathematical models. Companies can also formulate products using the thousands of ingredients already determined to be safe. They also can use a combination of methods to ensure safety, such as employing in vitro tests and/or conducting clinical studies on humans.

Take Action: Support the Humane Cosmetics Act

The 20 Most Important Facts Dog Lovers Must Never Forget !!!

The 20 Most Important Facts Dog Lovers Must Never Forget.

Dogs are so loyal that they love us no matter what we do. But if we want to provide the best life possible to these wonderful animals,

we have to remember they have complex thoughts and feelings, too. Here are 20 that we must never forget.

Don't be upset when I jump for joy when you come through the door.

I only live for ten or fifteen years. You are what makes that time enjoyable. It's hard on me when you go away.

Give me time to understand what you want from me.

I don't always get it right on the first try, but I promise I'm trying as hard as I can.

Give me your trust.

Just like I trust you, I need you to trust me, too.

Don't be angry with me for too long. And please don't lock me up to punish me.

You have your friends and family to keep you happy and entertained. I just have you.

Take me inside when the weather gets bad.

The backyard doesn't have air conditioning or a heater. You don't have to let me on the couch,

but a small part of the kitchen is much better than sleeping in the snow.

Talk to me.

Sure, we don't speak the same language, but the sound of your voice brightens my whole day.

Comfort me when I'm scared.

You know a lot more about loud noises, strange people, and new places than I do.

I need to know that you'll protect me from them. I always feel safer when I'm with you.

Remember that I'll never forget how you treat me.

Teach me that humans are made of love, not pain. And don't ever let me forget it.

Come outside with me.

The sights, sounds, and scents of nature are some of my greatest pleasures in life. I don't care if we play,

go for a walk, or just sit under a tree together . . . I want you to experience them with me.

Let me make new friends.

Introduce me to other dogs, cats, or even bigger animals. We might not get along in the end, but having some

more friends that look and smell like me makes my life that much brighter.

Give me a treat every once in a while.

Food is one of my greatest pleasures in life. I know you want me to be healthy, so I understand when you don't share

your own meals with me. But giving me a dog biscuit when I've been good or mixing tasty vegetables

mixed in with my dinner is guaranteed to make me wag my tail extra hard.

Please don't hit me.

I have teeth that can crush bone. Instead, I cover you in sloppy, wet kisses. Just as I choose not to hurt you,

please make the choice to not hurt me.

Understand when I need my alone time.

I love you more than anything, but even though it's rare, I don't always want to play or cuddle. Don't be sad if I'd

rather sleep on the cold tile floor instead of in your bed on hot summer nights,

and be understanding if I don't want to play as much as the years go on.

Show me your world.

The house and yard might be the only places I ever see unless you let me come with you. A trip to the pet store,

the park, or even just a ride in the car is exhilarating for me. I can't wait to see what you want to show me.

Teach me new things

Learning new tricks keeps my mind active, but most of all, it gives me a way to impress you. I love showing off

for your friends, looking up at you, and seeing how proud of me you are.

Let me get dirty once in a while.

Your world is inside, but I thrive outdoors. Sometimes I find a lot of mud or a lake that smells like all of its fishy

inhabitants. I understand if you don't want to wash all that stuff off every day, but as long as it's safe, let me go

back to my wild roots every now and then.

Touch me.

Nothing makes me feel more loved than when you take time out of your day to rub my ears or scratch that itchy

spot on my back that I can't reach. I can't understand your words, but I definitely understand the feelings behind a hug.

Pay attention if I don't seem like myself.

It might seem like I'm just being lazy or stubborn, but I might not be feeling well. I can't get help for myself,

and I need you to look out for me.

Love me when I'm old just as much as you did when I was young.

I might not be the cute puppy that I once was, but I still love you just as much now as I did then.

Please take care of me when my body doesn't work like it used to.

Come with me on my final journey.

I know it will be difficult, but I need you by my side when the time comes for me to leave this world.

Every moment down to my last breath is easier if I have you with me.

Pitbulls Rock !!!

Post by Hot Showers.

How Do We Still Allow This In Our Society Today ???

Chinese activists recently stood up to dog meat traders and rescued 900 dogs bound for slaughter for human consumption. Many of the dogs were clearly stolen family pets, even wearing tags and collars: Huskies, German Shepherds, Poodles and the like, many extremely ill and dying from the slave ship like conditions of the truck and cages. One woman found her lost Golden Retriever on the truck, but was told she could not take him home unless she paid off the trader. The activists were beaten and after a 50 hour standoff finally rescued all of the dogs. However, by that time some dogs had died and the activists were forced to bury them at the scene.

For the entire story including updates, please see://www.dogheirs.com/lucybrucey/posts/2886-animal-rights-activisits-in-china-are-fighting-for-the-lives-of-927-dogs

And see also video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5cgg-8HynRU

The world has watched these pictures and videos in astonishment that in this day and age people could be so fiendish and barbaric. Everyday dogs and cats are dying in the smashed cages on the trucks, denied food and water for days, then skinned alive in front of the other dogs to increase terror and suffering. Some of the dogs give birth while in the cages and many pups die because of crushing, filthy conditions or simply falling out of the cages. Workers throw the cages to the ground when unloading the trucks, breaking the bones of the dogs. A recent undercover operation showed the skinned animals actually able to still lift their heads after being thrown into a pile of other dogs.

The fact that China has absolutely no laws for the care and humane treatment of animals is outrageous. We ask you, President Xi Jinping, to put animal cruelty laws in place now and to ban all aspects of the dog meat and dog and cat fur trades. The world is watching. We stand with the brave activists who saved the 900 dogs in Anwen town. (Text is sourced from the petition below)

Please SIGN THE PETITION to support the Chinese activists without fail at: https://www.change.org/petitions/stop-horrific-dog-meat-trade-demand-china-make-animal-cruelty-laws

Some Food For Thought......

Study Being Launched With Goal To Understand Canine Cancer.....

Study Being Launched With Goal To Understand Canine Cancer

A new study is being launched to document the health of golden retrievers.

A sad fact is that not much is known about canine cancer and why golden retrievers tend to develop the disease at higher rates than other breeds. However, a new study is being launched by the Morris Animal Foundation to learn more about this canine cancer epidemic.

The $25 million lifetime study will follow the lives of 3,000 young and healthy golden retrievers. According to Dogster.com, samples from the dogs' nails, urine, hair, stool and blood with be submitted to veterinarians regularly. Additionally, the owners will undergo questioning so the researchers can gain insight into the animals' lifestyles.

The study has the potential to reveal more about canines' health beyond cancer. According to the source, researchers may learn if dogs on certain diet plans, like grain-free, live longer than their conventional eating counterparts. Additionally, the range of questions being asked to the dog owners may help scientists learn more about pesticide use in the home, vaccination frequency and how those factors, among others, relate to the health and lives of dogs.

The Morris Animal Foundation is seeking additional golden retrievers to participant in the study. To date, more than 1,000 dogs owners have pledged their furry friends to take part in the project.

Read more at http://blog.theanimalrescuesite.com/study-being-launched-with-goal-to-understand-canine-cancer/#Lq7vHAzK1qMMbmfv.99

How To Claim Your Foster Dog On Your Taxes ???

In a groundbreaking victory for animal rescuers around the country, one California animal foster fought the Internal Revenue Service in court – and won! As a result of Van Dusen v. Commissioner,  animal rescuers nationwide that are fostering dogs and/or cats for approved charities may claim the expenses during tax time.
An approved charity is one that is recognized by the IRS with the 501(c)(3) designation as a Not-for-Profit organization. Fostering expenses eligible for deduction are food, medicines, veterinary bills, crates, garbage bags, and the like. Even a portion of your utilities can be considered expenses as long as a a specific area of your home is only used for the care of the animals and nothing else.
In addition to animal rescue, the new tax laws apply to all volunteer expenses related to charitable work for an approved organization.
If you foster a dog (or many dogs!) make sure to save any and all receipts, and, if expenses add up to over $250 for the year, obtain a letter from the charitable organization that confirms your volunteer or foster status.
The Humane Society has said that their volunteers spend, on average, between $2,000 and $15,000 each year on out-of-pocket expenses related to fostering animals. “This is the first time the court has addressed these expenses,” said Jonathan Lovvorn, chief counsel of the Humane Society. “Now we want to get the word out.”
There are currently more than 1.5 million charitable organizations recognized by the IRS, with volunteers spending millions of dollars out of pocket to support them. Finally, those volunteers have an opportunity to be rewarded for their generosity and kindness.

Just One Day ....

We saved over 12,000 animals in Just One Day and we are doing it again! Just One Day is a nationwide campaign which occurs every year on June 11. We ask shelters nationwide to explore and experiment with alternatives to killing that have already proven so successful in those communities which have implemented them so that they, too, can end the killing of the healthy and treatable animals in their care by finding them loving, new homes instead. In 2013, roughly 1,200 organizations, including some of the largest animal control shelters in the nation, answered the call to participate. They put down their "euthanasia needles" and picked up cameras instead: to photograph and market animals. They reached out to rescue groups, hosted adoption events, stayed open for extended hours, and asked their communities to help them empty the shelter the good way. The number of groups participating and the number of animals finding homes was truly inspiring and showed what could be accomplished when groups come together, united by the common goal of saving lives, and laser-focus on that achievement. June 11, 2013, was a good day, a happy day, an important day, and an unqualified success: perhaps the safest day for animals in shelters in U.S. history. Over 1,000 shelters and rescue groups came together, 12,000 animals were adopted, people across the U.S. welcomed a new family member, the incinerators remained shuttered and the morgues stayed empty. We erased more than one day's worth of killing in the U.S. On June 11, 2014, we’re doing it again and hope to do even better. Join the Just One Day campaign by pledging your shelter or rescue group. Individuals can also visit the Just One Day website to learn what they can do to help:www.justoneday.ws

Above photograph: Just One Day is a celebration of life for animals like this little dog, adopted on June 11, who danced his way into a loving, new home. To see additional uplifting photographs and video, and to learn more, click here. ------------- Want to support the No Kill Advocacy Center? There are a lot of ways you can. Learn more byclicking here.

This Is What A Puppy Mill Dog Looks Like....

 These precious momma dogs had been in a puppy mill for 8 years just breed cycle after cycle with no excess to a toy or affection of any kind by humans. They lived their entire lives up until this point in a tiny wired cage barely bigger than they were. They had two week water and food feeders attached to their cages. They were petrified of humans and completely broken dogs. The rescue who saved them paid $12.00 for each of these dogs. The real expenses came after they got them away from these heartless people. Both of these dogs had to have a minimum of 26 teeth pulled. One of the dogs had to have all her teeth pulled. 

This is Pippa who only received a name after an incredible kind women adopted her. It took an amazing amount of love and patience but Pippa now is a happy adjusted pack member who adores her momma ( Nancy ). Nancy spoils her rotten and she is in heaven in her new home now. Please DON"T EVER BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE ..... YOU ARE NOT SAVING THE PUPPIES !

You are only putting money into the greedy monsters who have no hearts and can treat these poor dogs so cruel and inhumane.

The other dog saved that day had to have one of her legs amputated due to an injury no one ever cared enough to help her with. 

MISSOURI IS THE NUMBER ONE WORST PUPPY MILL STATE IN THE UNITED STATES !!!

WE CAN STOP PUPPY MILLS WE HAVE TO ALL DO OUR PARTS !!!

National Animal Cruelty Investigations School

Founded in 1990, the National Animal Cruelty Investigations School was the first of its kind, offering a combination of specialized veterinary and law enforcement training. Students from a range of backgrounds — including federal, state and local animal cruelty officers, humane society investigators and board members, police officers and sheriffs’ deputies, court personnel and other citizens — learn from experts about all aspects of animal welfare and safety.

Training faculty

Our nationally recognized faculty of law enforcement, veterinary and animal health experts teach a systematic approach to animal cruelty investigations. These full-time instructors designed our curriculum and are involved in all aspects of the program. We also bring in outside experts to teach specific areas of study. This provides our students with an outside perspective for a well-rounded approach to learning.

Students

Our students have two things in common. They are concerned about animal welfare. And they are extremely driven. More than 1,000 agencies in the United States and Canada have sent representatives to the school since 1990. Our program has produced leaders throughout the field and on television, including investigators on the Discovery Channel’s popularAnimal Planet series.

Curriculum

The program has three different components that should be taken in order; requests to take them out of order will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Each component is composed of a 5-day, 40-hour course conducted from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Friday's course will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will conclude sometime in the afternoon. Each course offers 4 continuing education units upon completion. After completion of all three components (120 hours), you will be a certified humane investigator.

Classes

Classes are held at the University of Missouri and all over the United States. Our faculty members travel to selected locations around the country teaching Professional component the first year and returning annually to complete the Advanced and Expert components, in addition to specific requests. Our instructors teach two weeks per month, nine months out of the year and throughout the summer. Check our schedule to see if a program will be offered in your area in the near future.

How To Stop A Fence Jumping Dog....by RSPCA

Dogs jump fences for many different reasons such as:

• He sees an animal or something else that he feels compelled to chase.
• The dog sees a friendly person or dog she'd like to meet.
• Perhaps your dog is bored and looking for something to do, or looking for you. Some dogs can suffer from separation anxiety
• A dog could find it frightening to be left alone in a yard.
• A dog might learn to associate the yard with anxiety, fear or loneliness.
• Dogs can also wander to search for mates so it’s important to talk to your vet about desexing
• Sometimes dogs can hear things on the other side of the fence and jump over to investigate.

It’s very important to work out the underlying cause for the jumping. Knowing why a dog is jumping over a fence is the first step to addressing the issue.

Make sure all of your dog’s physical, social and behavioural needs are being met.

Is your dog is getting enough daily physical exercise? It’s important to provide daily exercise such as going for a walk and/or visiting a dog park. This also provides your dog with new and interesting smells and environments in which to seek and explore. 

Are they receiving enough daily attention and social company?

Does your dog have environmental enrichment? Does your dog have safe dog toys to play with? If your dog likes to dig, do they have a designated digging area?

Do they have food, water and shelter and a comfortable sleeping area? Do they have access to a toilet area?

Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety? You should talk to your vet for advice.

How long is your dog left on their own? If a dog is left for long periods alone this can lead to boredom and frustration which can then lead to wandering and jumping. It’s important to minimise the time left alone in the yard. Try organising for a dog walk in the middle of the day to break up the time period in the yard.

Is your dog desexed? Undesexed dogs are more likely to wander in order to find a mate to breed with so talk to your vet about desexing.

If you’re in the yard with your dog it’s unlikely they will try to jump the fence while you’re there as they usually prefer to stay with you. However if your dog looks interested in jumping, catch their attention by calling them or grabbing their favourite toy or tasty food treat. When your dog responds to you and comes towards you, always reward them for this. Continue to reward them when they move away from the fence and come towards you.

In addition to ensuring all of your dog’s needs are being met and ruling out other underlying causes for jumping such as separation anxiety or searching for mates to breed with, here are a few suggestions to prevent your dog even being able to jump the fence.

• Use PVC plastic piping or large rubber tubes, at least 5 to 6 inches in diameter, cut lengthwise down the centre. Place them along the top of your fence. This makes a curved, slippery surface that a dog cannot get a grip on to get over the top of the fence.

Alternatively, place a small diameter PVC pipe inside a larger diameter pipe and hang these on a cable suspended above the fence to create a ‘roller bar’ which a dog’s paws cannot hold onto.

• Erect a shorter, interior fence two or three feet from the outside fence, preventing him from getting a running start. Plant shrubs a couple feet from the inside of the fence, again breaking that running start. 

• Place "cat netting" along the fence at an angle so that your dog cannot get a foothold on the fence.

We need more people like him. - Imgur

We need more people like him. - Imgur

Ask Your Representatives To End Cosmetics Testing On Animals....

Ask Your Representative to End Cosmetics Testing on Animals

Mar 11, 2014 • Action Alerts

Rep. Jim Moran from Virginia has introduced the Humane Cosmetics Act (H.R. 4148), a bill to end cosmetics testing on animals. If successful, the U.S. would join the E.U., Israel, Norway, and India where this inhumane and unscientific practice has already been banned.

Animal testing is unnecessary and unsafe. Far more accuratehuman-based cell and tissue testing methods exist, yet numerous companies continue to rely on status quo animal models that are not predictive of human response. More than 500 brands have been certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny (of which NEAVS is a founding member). It is time all companies become cruelty-free. Learn more about cruelty-free cosmetics here.

The Humane Cosmetics Act would end U.S. animal-based testing within a year, and ban the import and sale of products tested on animals within three.

Ask your U.S. representative to sponsor the Humane Cosmetics Act.
It only takes a few seconds of your time with this form.

The Humane Cosmetics Act not only ends the needless suffering of millions of rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and other animals, it would benefit human health by ensuring safer products.

Campaign To Drive Puppy Mills Our of Business Gaining Momentum Across The U.S.

www.chicagotribune.com/features/home/sns-201403111900--tms--petwrldctnya-a20140312-20140312,0,3365817.column

chicagotribune.com

Campaign to drive puppy mills out of business gaining momentum across the U.S.

Steve Dale

My Pet World

4:30 AM CDT, March 12, 2014

The goal is to drive puppy mills out of business and discourage impulsive purchases of dogs. With the impetus of the Puppy Mill Project, a non-profit educational campaign launched in 2009, Chicago joined Los Angeles, Phoenix and over 40 other cities March 5 in banning pet stores from selling dogs, cats or rabbits. My hope is that by the end of 2015 at least 40 more cities will follow suit, including major markets like New York, Houston and San Francisco.

Many pet stores tell customers the animals they sell are from "loving family breeders." The truth is, the pets are typically from puppy mills or commercial breeding facilities (much like puppy factories, pumping out puppies as fast they can). What's more, puppy mill dogs live in horrid conditions, crammed into cages, often sitting in their own waste. Females are often literally bred to death.

Still, rather than argue about where the dogs come from, I know where they're not from: responsible breeders. Ethical home breeders would never sell a dog or cat without knowing about the family intending to purchase, including whether their lifestyle is a good match for the breed. If a family rents, a reputable breeder will want to see the lease to make sure pets are allowed. Animal shelters are also discerning about who adopts their animals.

Pet store staff ask just one question: "Cash or credit?"

Making matters worse, we now know through genetic testing that what people pay very good money for often isn't what they thought they were getting at a pet shop. That cute little Yorki-Poo might not have a smidgen of either Yorkshire Terrier or Miniature Poodle in its immediate genetic history. Selling under false pretenses is fraud, yet pet stores have been getting away with it for years.

Animal rescue volunteers and veterinarians will tell you they often know a puppy mill dog just by looking at one. Even if a pup appears fine at the time of purchase, underlying illness or a congenital problem may be discovered weeks or months later.

Housetraining may seem simple enough, but not for dogs who've previously been 'trained' to relieve themselves in their kennels. Aside from such treatment being inhumane, these dogs can be exceedingly difficult to house train.

Puppy mills dogs aren't properly socialized, either. Behavioral issues, from house training to aggression, are common reasons for pets being given up to shelters.

Opponents of the pet store bans say buyers can just get their money back, at least in cities and states with lemon laws. This is true, but lemon laws don't account for the animals' suffering or families who end up brokenhearted if a pet must be returned to the store - or worse yet, dies. Live animals aren't washing machines.

Domestic rabbits were covered by the law because despite public education, they're still sold at many pet stores around Easter. Most end up at shelters or rabbit rescue organizations by the end of summer. As for cats, while catteries that breed Siamese, Main Coons, or other purebreds based on volume are rare, they do exist.

The pet superstores like Petco, PETsMART and Pet Supplies Plus, get it right. They offer animals from local rescue groups, shelters and/or animal control agencies. The non-profits are responsible for adoptions at the stores. Simultaneously, the pet shops sell accessories -- leashes, collars, pet food, hay for rabbits, cat litter, toys, etc.

The argument that small, individually owned pet stores can't follow the same humane model is rubbish. In fact, most pet stores these days don't sell dogs, cats or rabbits.

According to the 2013-2014 American Pet Product Association Pet Owners Survey, only three percent of dogs are purchased from pet stores, but that still represents thousands of animals. Only one percent of cats are purchased from pet stores, and only seven percent of rabbits, according to the survey.

Even with increased public education about the origins of animals sold in pet stores, people continue to buy them, often saying they feel sorry for "the poor animals," not realizing that their purchases keep unscrupulous breeders in business.

Certainly, it is hard to resist "that doggie in the window." We've bred dogs for thousands of years with Neoteny tendencies -- big round eyes, large foreheads and other appealing characteristics. Such characteristics are similar to those of human babies. And as with human babies, we're hard-wired to respond; hormones like oxytocin make us feel warm and fuzzy when we spy a puppy.

Opponents of the bans suggest that preventing pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits will only send more people to the Internet. True enough. But on the Internet, shoppers have to proactively search for the pet they want, eliminating impulse buying. And just maybe they'll land at petfinder.com or another site with adoptable animals.

Last fall, changes in the Animal Welfare Act mandated restrictions on selling animals online, so it's not as easy as it once was. There will almost certainly be future restrictions.

While it's true that even cities the size of Chicago, Los Angeles and Phoenix can't alone close down all puppy mills and unscrupulous breeding facilities, the more cities that pile on, the better. The hope is that if demand dissipates, so will supply. Meanwhile, pet adoptions may rise, and puppy mill breeding decline.

(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is http://www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.)

(c) 2014 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.

5 Most Laid-back Breeds Chosen by Veterinary Professionals

BY KRISTEN SEYMOUR | JANUARY 30, 2014

Do you prefer an evening in, snuggling on the couch and watching Turner and Hooch for the 60th time, to going out for a big night of dancing? Does your exercise come in the form of a nice, relaxing stroll? When it comes to canine companions, does just the idea of a dog who needs someone to run and play with him for hours on end exhaust you? If so, one of these five dog breeds might be your new best friend.

We asked 122 veterinary professionals for their opinions on which dog breeds they considered the most laid-back, and their five top choices are listed below. One important thing to keep in mind with all these dogs (and any others, for that matter): "Laid-back" does not equal "needs no stimulation." All dogs need at least some level of exercise (mental and physical), not to mention some human interaction, and these breeds are no exception.

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Most Laid-back Dog Breeds

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Sam Clark, Animal Photography

No. 5: Basset Hound

The good-natured Basset Hound is happy to cuddle on the couch with you, but he's also a fan of long (but leisurely!) walks. But he's one of the most talented dozers out there; after that long walk, don't be surprised if he falls into a sleep so deep nothing but the smell of food will wake him for a few hours.

Sam Clark, Animal Photography

No. 4: Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is a member of the Working group and has a long history of serving on fishing boats in his native land, but this pup is perfectly happy spending his time chilling out indoors with his family. He's no couch potato, though — he's always up for a little activity. Maybe just not all the time like that other dog with a Canadian name.

Sam Clark, Animal Photography

No. 3: Bloodhound

Sweet and lovable — but with a reputation for stubbornness — the Bloodhound might have the most recognizable bay in all of dogdom. This hound is a solid worker whose tracking abilities are nothing short of legendary. While he might display a laid-back attitude, don't confuse that with laziness. He's happy as long as he's with his people and occupied, but if left to his own devices, he can easily become bored — and a bored Bloodhound is often a destructive one.

Karin Newstrom, Animal Photography

No. 2: Great Dane

The Great Dane is a loyal companion who loves nothing more than sharing the couch with you. That being said, his large size means that "sharing the couch" could equate to him sprawling out on the sofa while you perch on an armrest. As long as he gets a short walk each day, he's generally calm enough for spaces you might consider too small for a dog of his magnitude. So, apartment dwellers, don't be intimidated.

Karin Newstrom, Animal Photography

No. 1: Mastiff

Another gentle giant, the Mastiff can weigh 200 or more pounds, but he's a loving dog with a loyal and protective disposition. He's powerful and somewhat stubborn but tends to be a sweet and quiet member of the household — although his flatulence has been known to clear a room in less than five seconds flat.

• The Year's Top 50 Puppy Names
• Big Dog, Small Home: What's the Problem?
• Tips for Keeping Your Dog Active Inside the House
• Choosing the Perfect Puppy for Your Family

More on Vetstreet:

• Whatcha Looking at? Why Your Dog Stares at You
• Amazing Dog Breeds You've Never Heard of
• The Country's Most Popular Pedigreed Cat Breeds
• How to Keep Your Dog From Chewing on Everything
• It's Never Too Late for House Training

Are high-energy dogs more your style? We've got that covered, too.

If you loved this, make sure to check out our lists of most intelligent dog breeds and not-so-clever breeds, too!

And, of course, we wouldn't dare leave out the top 10 high-maintenance dog breeds.