A hearing dog is a service dog which has been trained to assist a handler who is deaf or hard of hearing. Hearing dogs are trained to offer “sound alerts” to their handlers to indicate that a noise of interest or concern is occurring, ranging from a fire alarm to a friend shouting out a…
A lap dog is a small pet dog that can fit on a person’s lap. It is a general term that can be applied to several dog breeds. The most common group of bred lap dogs is called the toy dog group. It includes popular small dogs like Yorkshire terriers, chihuahuas and toy poodles. Lap…
A police dog is a dog which has been trained to assist police with law enforcement tasks. There are a number of different specialized tasks which can be performed by police dogs, ranging from assistance with apprehending suspects to sniffing out hazardous materials. As a general rule, police dogs are treated legally much like police officers, which…
In the United States, The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 21 canine Toy breeds, or breeds of diminutive stature. The term “teacup dog” is not a breed, but slang for an undersized dog from one of these groups, most commonly the Chihuahua. Such dogs are small enough to fit in a teacup, giving rise to…
The American Bulldog has the hardy, hard-working nature of the early American colonists who brought their predecessors from England. Classed as a working dog, the American Bulldog is loved for its friendly, loyal temperament and its drive to work, hunt and guard. Although the American Bulldog has many differences from its forefathers, it is most…
An arson dog is a dog which has been trained to respond to trace amounts of flammable materials which could have been used to start a fire. Materials like gas, naphtha, butane, and kerosene, among many others, are known as “accelerants,” referring to the fact that they can be used to accelerate a fire. Arson dogs are…
Contrary to its somewhat ferocious appearance, the English Bulldog is a kind, docile breed that is especially patient and does not demand a lot of physical activity. Bulldogs have existed for centuries, but were reduced in size by adding Pug blood to the breeding process. The dogs also descend from the Bull Mastiff. The resulting…
The most popular dog in the United States is the Labrador Retriever, which ranked first in popularity in 2013 for the 22nd consecutive year. The popularity of the Labrador Retriever is thought to be because the breed is family friendly and good with children. These dogs also are considered to be one of the easiest…
The Komondor is the dog breed that has the heaviest fur, with a coat that weighs about 15 pounds (6.8 kg). Within the first two years of the dog’s life, this breed generally develops long cords of hair that make it resemble a mop. Komondors have historically served as protectors of sheep and cattle flocks,…
Police dogs can be trained to detect a variety of items through smell, depending on the needs of the specific law enforcement department in which the animals work. Common things that these dogs can be trained to sniff out include narcotics, explosives, blood, weapons and dead bodies. In 1997, the US Secret Service trained its first canine…