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Every large-bodied animal deals with ups and downs, and dogs are no exception. That said, there are a select few members of the doggy kingdom who are more prone to depression. Whether it’s down to separation anxiety or too much time spent indoors, these are the dogs you need to handle with tender loving care. Border Collie Border Collies are smart and hard-working. But their intelligence and zeal come at a cost. Left without enough to do, they can grow bored and indulge in destructive behavior: like ripping apart household furniture and damaging things in the home. All round, they’re… Read More

Happiness – it’s that most elusive of feelings, one that we all crave but can’t always keep hold of. Our doggy friends are much the same. They too have their ups and downs and get craggy, sad and upset. So how do we minimize those lows and ensure our pets are spending much of their time in a state of contentment? Give your dog a space in the house they can call their own Dogs are pack animals who will follow your lead, but they too need a space they can call their own. Demarcate an area somewhere in the… Read More

One of our most enduringly popular stories on the Under One Woof blog is about the happiest dog breeds. Clearly, people want to know about companions that will lift their spirits, and as an offshoot of that original piece, we want to examine the best dogs for anxiety. There’ll be some overlap with the aforementioned story, but by and large this is about finding a pup to ease your worries and give you a positive distraction to boot. French Bulldog Though they’re a little tricky to train, Frenchies are personable, sweet and good-natured. Best of all, they don’t mind… Read More

The New Year is upon us, and here in the Northern Hemisphere, that means the Fahrenheit has dropped. While we all know how to stay warm, we sometimes forget about our furry friends and the discomfort they might be feeling. In this week’s article, we detail a few key ways you can ensure your dog is not feeling any discomfort. Check for snowy toes If you live in a part of the US where snow falls, those wintry walks take on a new dimension. Dogs with lots of hair can often get snow between their toes, and it can be… Read More

As we say goodbye to 2021, we look ahead to 2022. What the year has in store is anyone’s guess, but as dog owners, it’s a good chance to reflect on how we can do better. With that in mind, here are five resolutions to keep top-of-mind as the year unfolds.   Resolution #1: Get your dog properly trained While proper, full-bodied training normally commences at 6 months of age, you can start teaching simple obedience commands from as early as 7 weeks. These take the form of “sit”, “stay”, “stop” and so forth, and are an important step in your… Read More

Christmas has come and gone. As we pack away the tree, the treats and the discarded wrapping paper, it’s time to sit back and reflect on the year that’s passed. In part one of our 2021 review, we looked at five great stories from the previous 12 months: including great dog cities, harmful foods for your dog, and weird dog behaviors that can seem mystifying at first glance. In part two of our series, we’re going to profile yet more great article content delivered to you, our readers, over the course of the year. Hopefully there’s something here of… Read More

Dogs can be weird. They’ll sniff things, lick others, and bury their precious toys. Why? In today’s article we’ll explain these behaviors and more, with the goal of giving you a better look inside your canine’s mind. Sometimes even the oddest habit has a natural – and evolutionary – explanation. Burying Dogs are domesticated animals that get meals on tap. But their wilder – more feral – descendants had to bury their food to stop thieves from running away with those tasty morsels. Domesticated dogs have inherited this quirk, and they’ll bury items that they see as their own. Smelling… Read More

For some owners, a constantly barking dog is a reality they have to face. We’ve talked in the past about how to curb this bad habit and what their bark might mean. Today, we’ll look at breeds that simply don’t feel the need to bark much at all. They’re often perfect for built-up cities where neighbors are in earshot and noise complaints are more likely. Our list runs in descending order, from least noisy to most vocal, yet all these dogs are comparatively quiet. Basenji The Basenji is Africa’s “barkless dog”. As the name suggests, this smart, independent… Read More

In today’s edition of the Under One Woof blog/newsletter, we’re introducing a dog breed you’ve probably never heard of. A cattle dog from Appenzell in Switzerland started to make waves in the 1850s. It was known to have a high-pitched bark and a ferocious appetite for work. It soon became more popular in other parts of Europe and numbers are growing in North America today. The breed is rare but well worth exploring. What’s special about the Appenzeller Sennenhund? These dogs are remarkably intelligent animals who can be trained to perform complex tasks. They’ve been used for search and rescue… Read More

Teaching a young pup the ropes can be challenging, whether you’re a first-time dog owner or a veteran. In the article to follow, we’re going to pinpoint a list of things you should avoid with the goal of making their pathway to adulthood as smooth as possible. Looking to get a puppy for the family home, but not sure which breeds are best? Refer to our companion article on the breeds that make the best family pets. These dogs are all easy to train and great social companions for adults and children alike. Tip #1: Don’t change the rules… Read More