What we can do, though, is to conduct a simple dog food comparison to determine which foods best fit our dog’s requirements and our personal schedule. After all, some foods offer much greater convenience than the more natural, less processed types which may require freezing, thawing, cooking and preparation.

Convenience aside, the best food to give your dog depends not on the brand or the style, but rather on your dog’s age and any special requirements he might have. For example, older dogs require food containing a careful balance of protein, fat and fiber. Most commercial pet food companies address this need with offerings such as senior dog food, containing about 18 % protein, and food for dogs diagnosed with renal failure, containing about 14% protein.

Dare to Compare Dry Dog Food

The vast majority of dog owners go for dry dog food. Between the supermarket and specialty pet stores, owners enjoy many brands to choose from. Dry food consists of kibble typically made from one primary ingredient such as chicken, beef or lamb. More specifically, the main ingredient is usually a meat byproduct that’s been processed, dried and sold in packs or bags for easy dispensing. Needless to say, meat byproducts are far cheaper than meat, so this type of dog food is not only easy to store, it’s much less expensive than other types.

Hard kibble comes with some advantages. For example, it gives your dog’s mouth some exercise, and kibble’s somewhat less likely to contribute to plaque than softer foods.

When comparing brands, it helps to remember that there are essentially two types of dry dog food on the market: premium food and economy food. A smart owner will avoid purchasing the economy version, which is made from lower grade ingredients (for example, economy dog food will often substitute cheap corn for the more expensive meat byproducts). The “end” result, as it were, is that your dog can’t absorb many nutrients but simply passes the food through his body. So in addition to enjoying less nutrition, your dog will produce larger stools — and you might find yourself with more frequent vet bills.

Other Popular Contenders: Canned, Semi-Moist and More

Other categories of dog food include the semi-moist type and canned food. Many owners like to mix in some canned food with dry food, to potentially cover more nutritional bases without taking too big a hit to the pocketbook.

Semi-moist food is attractively convenient to owners, and dogs love it. Unfortunately, it may cause dental problems in the mid-term and worse in the long term, because semi-moist food is loaded with corn syrup and other sugars, which dogs just aren’t designed to process.

Recently, more natural, “premium” dog food has been introduced to the market, in which higher quantities of quality, nutritious ingredients are used to manufacture the food — often human-grade, in fact. Since vegetables, fruits, real meat and quality grains are used as the primary protein source in the highest-quality dog foods, these foods are a fast route to healthy skin and beautiful fur. For the most part, they contain no artificial coloring and preservatives, but are chock-full of vitamins and minerals instead.

Although this food costs more, you can feed your dog less of it, because it’s more nutritionally dense. So in terms of both convenience and nutrition, a premium, natural dog food is one of the best choices available to your dog, whether off-the-shelf or purchased online.

A crossbreed like the Cockapoo is somewhat less likely to have many of the genetic problems that plague purebred breeds (something called hybrid vigor).

In fact, other than the normal care for a dog (grooming, cleaning ears, safety, exercise), Cockapoos have no particular health concerns — though it should be noted that without consistent care and cleaning of the ears, Cockapoos can easily develop ear infections, thanks to long floppy ears from the Spaniel side.

Cockapoos enjoy the poodle’s long lifespan, and can live 18-22 years. They come in several different varieties: Teacup Toy (height less than 10 inches and weight under 6 pounds), Toy (height 11 to 14 inches, weight under 12 pounds) and Standard (height over 15 inches and weight over 12 pounds).

Since the Cockapoo is a mixed-breed dog, thus falling under no breed standard, the dog sees variations in build ranging from slim to stocky. The Cockapoo can also be bred with three different coats: a tight curly coat, a medium curl, and a flat coat. Though different in style and color, all of these coats are less likely to shed, making them a consideration for allergy sufferers.

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Still, Cockapoos, like all dogs, aren’t free of dander (though they’ll shed considerably less than other breeds of dog), a potential allergen. The long-haired coat should be trimmed regularly to prevent matting.

Cockapoos enjoy being around people, and their intelligence makes them easy to train. Though active dogs, Cockapoos do not require large outdoor spaces to run around in, and are good in apartment settings, provided they get a walk at least once a day.

It’s their friendly personality — as well as forgiving nature and loyalty — that makes Cockapoos an ideal family pet for those with children and other animals. Even when left alone for extended periods of time, these dogs are generally not destructive. Though they can become anxious, so crating is recommend if leaving a Cockapoo alone for more than four hours at a time.

Well, skip the exotic animal issues and enjoy a little bit of both with the adorable, monkey-like Brussels Griffon!

These dogs have a sturdy, terrier-like body and come with either a rough coat (Griffon Bruxellois) or a smooth one (Griffon Braboncon.) Unlike a monkey, the Brussels Griffon smells just fine and won’t empty your cabinets for fun.

These little dogs have more than their share of “cute.” They stand 9-10 inches, and weigh a solid 9-12 pounds. Their faces somewhat resemble pugs, and some believe the smooth-coated Griffons come from pug lineage.

The Brussels Griffon has an excellent temperament. It’s often compared to a terrier, but without the excitability that can make terriers a bit difficult. They’re happy and affectionate, but not high-strung and neurotic. They’re also obedient, intelligent and loyal.

Physically, despite its cuteness, the Brussels Griffon looks like a little powerhouse. They were bred to be tough ratters in Belgium in the 18th and 19th centuries, until they caught on as attractive house dogs. This breed was just starting to hit its stride when World War I broke out. And then, like every aspect of daily life in their native Belgium, their progress was severely interrupted. Since then, they’ve spread throughout the world with only slight variations in breed.

Brussels Griffons make great watch dogs, and so tend to be a little reserved around stangers. They can also be slightly aggressive with other dogs if they’re not socialized early on in their training.

Training the Brussels Griffon is a little tricky. They require early efforts, and you need to be consistent and precise in conveying desired behaviors. It takes some patience, but the result will be a bright and energetic dog.

In terms of feeding and exercise, the Brussels Griffon is delightfully low-maintenance. They make great apartment dogs, as long as they’re walked daily. 6-8 ounces of raw meat and vegetables provides a healthy diet.

Grooming this breed is a little big trickier. Both rough and smooth type Griffons only shed a little, but need regular brushing and a clipping every 3-4 months. For show, it’s best to hand-strip to maintain the shine and texture of the coat. The nails should be trimmed regularly also.

One look at the Brussels Griffon, and you know you’ve got a little powerhouse full of love, energy and happy disposition. That’s not something you can be sure of if you opt for the pet monkey.

The similarities to Han Solo’s sidekick don’t stop at looks though. Like his Star Wars counterpart, the Affenpinscher is alert, gentle, intelligent, affectionate and always ready to defend his humans from strangers, making him a top-notch watchdog.

The Affenpinscher is on the smallest end of the Schnauzer and Pinscher’s breed, and has an adorable long-haired monkey-like face. In fact, the Affenpinscher’s name comes from ‘Affen’, which is the German word for Monkey. In some parts of Germany they’re known as Zwergaffenpinscher, which means “Dwarf-Monkey.” The French nickname for the Affenpinscher – “mustachio’d devil” isn’t quite so flattering.

Although the Affenpinscher is a great watchdog, strangers need not fear for their lives. Its average height is 9 to 11 inches, and the average weight between 6 and 9 pounds.

The Affenpinscher goes very far back in German History, being depicted in portraits by Van Eyck and Durer in the 15th and 16th centuries. However, some lineage experts believe the Affenpinscher believe them to be descended from the Brussels Griffon, while others argue that it’s the other way around. A third theory holds that they descended from the German short-haired Zwergschnauzer.

Up until 1896, Miniature Pinschers and Affenpinschers were classified as a single breed. But that year, for the first time, the Berlin Dog show decided to separate the breeds, dubbing the long-haired version the Affenpinscher.

The popularity of the breed caught on only slowly. They were introduced by the American Kennel Club in 1936, the United Kingdom in 1936 and finally made its appearance for the first time at the Crufts Dog Show in 1980.

The Affenpinscher certainly won’t “pinsch” your food budget. Breeders recommend 4-6 ounces of meat daily, with an equal part biscuit. If you prefer dry dog food, breeders recommend 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry food per day. As with all dry foods, make sure there’s an ample supply of water to help them choke it down.

The Affenpinschers are low maintenance. Like most small breeds, a short daily walk around the park will suffice, but they’ll be happy to walk as long as you want.

The long hair that gives their exceptional cuteness just requires regular brushing along with the regular regimen of dog grooming.

If you want a cute, loyal and often comical companion, the Affenpinscher is the breed for you.

Pit Bulls, having strongly defined features and personalities, have a lot in common with each other. All are a product of a long legacy of physical and mental courage and toughness that allow their ancestors to survive. In short, Pit Bulls are exceptional dogs — and they need exceptional owners. Whether the Pit Bulls’ remarkable traits are a blessing or a curse to the owner in question depends entirely on him or her.

Here are four reasons why the Pit Bull may not be a good choice for you:

1. A Pit Bull is muscular, strong and energetic. He is not a lap dog who can be happy sitting at your feet all day. If you’re the type of person who loves an adventure and is willing to take your Pit along for the ride, you’ll probably make a great pair. But if you tend to be more sedentary and would rather hand your kid a quarter to walk the dog around the block, or work late hours with no one at home, a Pit Bull is decidedly not the dog for you.

2. The Pit Bull is a confident, almost disconcertingly intelligent dog. If you know how to properly train such a dog, and have figured out how to engage his wonderful sense of humor and love of play, you’re likely to find great pleasure in his intense intelligence … more than you’d experience with any other breed of dog. But if you expect your dog to hang onto everything you say without your having clearly established your dominance, or if you believe his training is done with a SIT and a DOWN STAY command, then the Pit Bull is not for you.

3. The loyal Pit Bull bonds deeply with his family. There is no other breed of dog more likely to give his life to protect the humans in his “pack.” This trait is a beautiful thing if you are equally loyal to him, treating him like a member of the family, and taking him along on your journeys and adventures. But if you consider having a Pit Bull to be something provisional, depending on how convenient it is — or worse, if your Pit gets left home alone while you’re out and about — then the Pit Bull is not for you.

4. A Pit Bull is perceived as a tough guy, a macho dog — or sometimes, an unpredictable monster to be feared. Occasionally this can have an upside; for example, if you live alone and want to feel more secure (although Pit Bulls make terrible guard dogs and are the most likely dogs to be stolen by strangers, because they are so trusting of humans). On the other hand, this can be a liability. Your neighbors may worry about your dog; mothers may fear if their children approach. With a Pit Bull, you’ll need to take care that you’re an exemplary dog-owning citizen at all times.

Some Pits were taken from illegal dogfighting operations. If this is the case, the rescue will let you know it. Such a dog will require extra care and rehabilitation from an experienced owner. Usually, the rescue group will want to monitor such a dog, and adopt him out to a family that lives nearby.

A search will turn up a number of Pit Bull rescue groups, all of which screen their animals carefully for temperamental and health problems. But rescue groups don’t stop their investigation there — they’ll turn an eagle eye on you as well. Most rescue groups will do anything they can to ensure that a dog they place doesn’t end up homeless again. They’re very picky about where their dogs end up. As one rescue I worked for put it, “We don’t find the dog for a family. We try to find the best family for the dog.”

It’s best to do your part to make sure you can be the “forever owner” a rescue dog is looking for. Choose your animal carefully. Do your research about any legal or insurance issues that may arise, and make sure your home can be his for the duration. Are you ready to find your own Pit? Contact your local animal shelter, and ask them to call you when a Pit Bull becomes available. Or you could start your search online now by trying one of the many Pit Bull rescue sites, such as http://adopt-a-pit-bull.1-800-save-a-pet.com/.

Being the owner of a Pit Bull can be intense. It amounts to what the insurance companies call a “lifestyle change.” It’s anything but a sideline hobby that you do when you have the extra time.

Pit Bulls, put simply, are not dogs for inexperienced owners. They are smart, game, resourceful, and they will definitely vie for dominance. They are also incredibly protective of children and downright clownish. Unfortunately, they live under a cloud of ignorance, media hype and persecution. If you ever “outgrow” your Pit Bull or offload him because your circumstances have changed and you’ve had to downshift from the family manor into a studio apartment, in all likelihood you’ve just handed your dog a death sentence.

If you’re considering a Pit Bull, you need to ask yourself some tough questions. First of all, these dogs are bred for strength and stamina. They’re going to have to get those ants out of their pants somehow, and that means plenty of play and exercise. Because of their big brains and bodily strength and endurance, Pit Bulls are ideal candidates for demanding competition events, such as weight pulling, agility or Schutzhund. Do you have similar energy levels, and a big enough sense of fun and adventure to trot side-by-side through the world with this adventurous breed?

The ideal owner will jump at the chance to spend an afternoon romping at the beach, playing catch in the park, or jogging briskly down a long country road with their Pit Bull.

But if you’re honestly more of the sedentary type, then you need to think twice about taking on this energetic descendent from a long line of warrior dogs, and look at something more lap-oriented, like the toy breeds.

Simply getting out and running probably won’t be enough to fully occupy your Pit Bull’s busy brain, however. Remember, this dog was born and bred to outwit raging bulls with painful holes poked in them. He needs something to think about. If you don’t give it to him, he’ll probably have a tendency to get into trouble — although if you share his peculiar sense of humor, you may find yourself laughing in your sleeve.

Try to give your Pit Bull as many jobs as you can think of, such as training him to find your keys or collecting socks around the house. If you have a fenced yard, put your Pit Bull in charge of patrolling the perimeter for rabbits or other intruders. And agility training is ideal for his powerful, muscular and very quick body.

The creative Pit Bull is a classic escape artist, so keep an eye on his fencing and make sure it stays intact.

Also, while many dogs can safely accompany you off-leash, the Pit Bull is not one of them. It’s not that he poses a danger to people — he doesn’t, unless he’s a poor specimen bred by some exploitational backyard breeder.

But he does pose a potential danger to other dogs. Unlike most dogs, your Pit Bull simply doesn’t know how to back down. If he enters a fight, he will end it ““period.

No other dog in existence can fight like a Pit Bull, and no other dog has the heart to see it through to the end like he does. These qualities aren’t bad — they’ve led to the extraordinary, great-hearted creature that he is. But they do mean you need to take some simple precautions with your Pit Bull, and keep him under control when you’re out and about, even though with proper training you’ll probably never have an incident at all.

For these reasons and others, you’ll need to be a strong and experienced leader to train and guide your Pit Bull. Start with obedience training and socialize, socialize, socialize from the very beginning, especially with other dogs.

Contrary to their reputation, Pit Bulls are among the likeliest dogs to give their lives to protect their families — they have, and they do. Also contrary to reputation, they don’t make particularly good guard dogs, because aggression against humans isn’t part of their breeding.

Unfortunately, this world contains some sick people who are attracted to what happens when you breed two poorly-bred, unstable “Pit Bull” mongrels together and train them to fight. After all, Pit Bulls are the canine world’s premiere fighters. Now you have dogs going by the name of Pit Bulls that demonstrate random aggression against man and beast alike — and the press has a field day. What can we say? This much-maligned breed can’t defend itself against Ghetto-culture “breeders” who like to use the Pit Bull as an icon of uncontrolled violence.

The real American Pit Bull, properly known as the American Pit Bull Terrier, is a dog of another world entirely. Quite possibly, it will take our society a long time to figure out the difference. But the experienced dog owner already knows that given the Pit Bull’s creative fire, boundless energy and goofy humor, no other breed of dog can really offer up the same rewards to its owner.

Ever noticed how when you say something to your APBT, he tries so hard to understand? It’s like magic — you utter some words, and his ears prick up. He cocks his head, and swivels his neck in the direction of your voice. And as often as not, when you take him for a walk, his ears rotate all the way back like miniature extras from The Exorcist, just to catch what you’re doing.

He really wants to decipher your words, and know where you’re coming from. Not only does your APBT marshal his considerable mental resources in hopes of understanding you, he also tries to talk back. But can you read his body language? Part of being a good dog owner is recognizing that canine/human communication is a two-way street.

Experts have pretty much determined that all our domestic dogs stem not from jackals or coyotes or any mixture thereof, but from wolves. And our modern dogs, from the tiny Pug to the mighty Mastiff, still speak the same language. Here are a few simple tips to help you understand your APBT’s way of “speaking” a little better:

1. If he wags and lowers his head at your approach, this is your APBT showing submission. (Enjoy it while it lasts.)

2. Does your APBT yawn a lot? Typically, this indicates that he’s nervous. If on top of his yawns, he also drools and pants, then you might have an extremely nervous pup on your hands.

3. A severely (an overly) submissive dog of any breed will lower his body and tuck in his rear, possibly even rolling over or urinating slightly.

4. If your dog is exposing his teeth and shows raised hackles, a square posture, and a direct and challenging stare, then you’re seeing the aggressive behavior and an outright bid for dominance, though in some dogs this may serve as a cover for their fear.

5. The language for “play with me” is universal among the canine set. It’s that distinctive posture with the rear in the air and elbows on the ground. It even has a fitting name — it’s classically called the “play-bow” position.

While they may look just like a scaled-down Doberman, these dogs aren’t directly related. The Min-Pin developed long before the Doberman; it’s the product of breeding a German Pinscher with a much smaller breed. Even though American Kennel Club deems the Min-Pin breed to be a “˜toy’, they aren’t at all lapdogs. Bred to be a tough, aggressive ratter, the Min-Pin weighs between 8 and 10 pounds and stands 10 to 12 inches high.

Miniature Pinschers are compact and muscular. Their short coats can be any combination of red, black, and brown. The Min-Pins tail is docked (meaning it was developed not to be long and wag-able, but short and stubby). Also, some owners crop their dog’s ears, which is unnecessary, as most will develop upright ears as they mature anyway. A Min-Pin’s soulful eyes are very dark brown; almost black.

Even with their high energy level, these dogs will fare well in apartments if they get a long daily walk. Naturally, the Min Pin will also enjoy the freedom of a fenced yard. These dogs love to roam, and they’ll search high and low for escape routes, so make sure your fence is secure. A Min Pin’s escape could result in a quick tragedy, since they’re too small to be seen from cars.

Miniature Pinschers are genuinely loyal dogs, and completely devoted to their owners. Unfortunately, such loyalty doesn’t extend to young kids – they’re often nippy with glad-handling babies and toddlers. If you’ll frequently have any toddlers around, you should crate your dog while your visitors are over to avoid problems. Also, some Min-Pins are strung a little tight and can become mean towards adults, especially those in uniform, such as mailmen and deliverymen.

While they’re still puppies, they can be stubborn and hard to control. Attend obedience classes with your Min-Pin, and take care to follow up on each command. They’ll excel in agility training, and competition can give them their chance to shine. The Min Pin’s work ethic is strong, and he was bred to take vermin very seriously. If there’s a mouse in the house, your dog will work tirelessly to catch it.

Miniature Pinschers can develop some serious health problems, such as heart or thyroid conditions, or epilepsy. Also, they’re prone to hip dysplasia, which is rare in most small breeds. While Miniature Pinschers don’t consume tons of food, they can be little gluttons. You might need to find a food which controls weight gain to avoid seeing your pup turn into a walking blowfish.

Min Pins don’t need much grooming, but they can have nail problems. Be sure to check your dog frequently and trim them when they get too long.

Granted, Miniature Pinschers aren’t for everyone, but if loyalty in a sleek little package is what you seek, then they’re the dogs for you.

Newfies are massive dogs, weighing around 100 to 150 pounds and standing 26 to 28 inches tall. The Newfoundland’s trademark is its waterproof double coat, which can be black, brown, gray, or white. A Newfie’s eyes can be anywhere from deep chocolate to light brown.

The American Kennel Club naturally classifies these guys as Working dogs. Their thick, waterproof double coat and large size make them ideal for extreme sea rescues.

Their sheer size makes them a bad apartment/small room dog. But consider also that they’re not high strung and don’t need too much exercise, so a fenced-in yard will be sufficient. Of course, they won’t reject a leisurely evening stroll with their owners.

Due to their enormous size, these dogs need training so they won’t jump up on people. Strangely enough, though, they have inherent understanding of how delicate kids and animals are, and try hard to avoid hurting them. Newfoundlands will sit, as if on a throne, and take in the world around them. Right up until someone wants to play! Then they give up all dignity and happily romp around.

A Newfie’s exuberance and loyalty make it both a great dog and a handful to raise. These guys should attend puppy obedience class to learn their limits as well as basic commands, and to make some new puppy friends.

A dog weighing more than 100 pounds will eat a lot, so be ready for the hike in grocery bills. They’ll also need the right vitamins/nutrients to grow strong and healthy, so talk to your vet about getting the right food.

Hip dysplasia and a lesser-known problem, SAS or subvalvular aortic stenosis, are common to the breed, so be sure your breeder has checked for them before taking one of these giant furballs home. Between the Newfie’s membership in the endearing but short-lived class of “gentle giants,” and the problems that crop up with less-than-exacting breeders, the Newfoundland on average lives for only about nine years.

Yes, Newfies have long hair, but grooming them isn’t too time-consuming. The top coat doesn’t mat easily, so as long as you take time to brush as least once a week, your dog’s coat will always look great. Another grooming item you’ll need to keep on top of is his nails. Check them at least once a month to be sure they don’t need trimming.

If you just couldn’t ever own a romping pet dog the size of small pony, don’t buy a Newfoundland. On the other hand, if you’re okay with their size, you’ll have a loyal and fun-filled friend you’ll never forget.