Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Best in Dog Breeds – Are you planning to get a little pup companion? Or are you a family looking for a fun buddy for your kids to grow up with? Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: dogs are the cutest pets to have around. They offer unparalleled love, loyalty, and friendship.

However, today, there are numerous dog breeds one can choose from. So, it may be a difficult decision if you’re faced with too many options. But one way to make this easy is to know how dogs are special for us. Apart from being family pets, dogs can be kept for security purposes and also for providing therapy.

If you have any of these purposes, below is a carefully selected list of some top breeds in each of the three categories.

Security Dogs

The best breeds of security dogs offer protection, vigilance, and physical strength.

Rottweiler

Rottweiler is one of the best guard dogs. They were initially kept on cattle farms to protect herds, but slowly, they adapted to urban life and were kept as security guards for large open areas. They are known for their courage and physical strength.

German Shepherd

German Shepherd is one of the most popular dogs when it comes to protection. Their physical built and sharp observation skills make them perfect for night patrols and other security purposes. Not only this, but they are excellent at learning commands which makes them easy to train for special operations. As such, you can find a German Shephard as sniffer dogs at airports and during a criminal investigation.

Bullmastiff

Bullmastiff has multiple benefits. They are excellent at providing security with their strength and keen sense of smell. This makes them great at detecting intruders. However, this dog breed can also be a family-friendly dog with its friendly behavior when not on duty.

Doberman Pinscher

Known as the fifth-fastest dog in the world, Doberman Pinschers make for excellent security dogs. Their ability to catch intruders and their alertness to all movement make them a suitable choice for those who have big houses or large open estates.

Therapy Dogs

Therapy dog breeds consist of dogs that are friendly, fun, and full of personality. Some of the top breeds include:

French Bulldog

A French Bulldog is one of the most popular therapy dogs because of its nature. They are loving, outgoing, and can easily detect if their owner is feeling low. You can count on French bulldog to give you comfort and unconditional love, no matter where you are in life.

Poodle

The best thing about having a poodle as a therapy dog is its cute size, so you can take it with you everywhere dogs are allowed. Apart from this, their clingy nature and outgoing personality make them great as therapy pets. Moreover, you can train them easily to become therapy dogs, reducing a professional’s time and cost.

Pomeranian

Before we get down to exploring why Pomeranians make the best therapy pets, let’s agree that their adorableness and size are heartwarming. With an abundance of cuteness and playful nature, it is not surprising why people choose them as therapy dogs. Their outgoing personality and fun characteristics can lift anyone out of a bad or sad mood.

Collie

Collie is an intelligent dog breed that can learn commands quickly. This makes training easy, and hence, they are a perfect choice for therapy pets. However, it is their caring and affectionate nature that distinguishes them from other therapy pets. Moreover, this dog type can easily detect changes in the owner’s behaviors and feelings, making them alert companions.

Family Dogs

A good family dog is known for its easy trainability and friendly nature. Best family dog breeds include:

Golden Retriever

If you’re a family who enjoys outdoor activities, then golden retriever is just the dog for you. They are very playful and fun, which is they make a great addition to a family. Moreover, they are friendly towards babies and children, often coming across as protective of them. Because they are not security dogs, they can easily make friends with strangers and anyone who crosses their path.

Beagle

Beagles are one of the first few choices when families select a pet dog. This is because of their small size and playful nature. Additionally, they are known as hunting dogs too because of their obedient nature. This quality makes them a good choice for a big family as they can be trained easily. However, a beagle does not like being left alone for a long time, and so, it can be clingy for companionship.

American Leopard Hound

One of the best dog breeds that offer some level of security along with affection is the American Leopold Hound. They are one of the oldest tree dog breeds, which means they can also hunt for game, such as squirrels. However, they are known for their loving nature, especially towards children. As family pets, you can expect them to be protective and also intelligent to following orders.

Bichon Frise

Not only is a Bichon Frise a cute dog breed, but they are also a great addition to your family, especially if you have children. They are playful and can keep you on your toes. Not only this, but they can be a source of entertainment for your family because of their clever tricks. They also crave companionship from their owners and cannot be left unsupervised for a long time.

Bottom Line

Knowing which dog to buy can be a hassle if you’re unsure why you need one. The best way to do this is to think about it in terms of the categories above. However, the chances of buying a family dog are higher since therapy and security dogs are usually trained and procured by professionals. But this list is not set in stone, and you may choose whatever dog you like, considering you are well aware of its characteristics, nature, and care-taking demands. The only thing you should make sure of is that you’re showering your pet dog with love and affection.

by Maria A Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.