Posts by Hope Smith

32 Unique Food-Themed Dog Names

What's Your Mutt DNA Small merle dachshund dog sitting behind crates overflowing with pears

Are you looking for a name for your new dog that’s a little different? A name that, when you call it at the dog park, won’t have 3 different pooches running up to you? Here are some food-themed  ideas if you just can’t quite come up with something unique on your own.   Belekoy A…

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12 Dog Breeds You’re Probably Pronouncing Wrong

Three Samoyed dogs sitting in the snow in front of a blue sky

Hundreds of unique dog breeds have originated all over the world, bred for the specific environment and necessary work of that region. As many of these breeds made their way to the United States, their names often were so frequently mispronounced that their Americanized name became the norm. Here is a list of 12 of…

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What Does The Direction Your Dog Wags Their Tail Mean?

Black Labrador retriever dog standing in a grassy yard smiling and wagging its tail

While humans can’t exactly speak dog, there are a few body language cues we are able to translate with confidence. For one, a dog wagging it’s tail means it’s a happy dog, right? Turns out, this may not always be the case. Research shows that the direction that a dog wags its tail may speak…

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Breed Spotlight: Borzoi

What's your Mutt DNA White Borzoi dog walking through a grassy yard with wooden fence in the background

History The Borzoi, also known as the Russian Wolfhound, is a majestic dog bred to course fox, boar, hare, and perhaps most impressively, wolf. These impressive sighthounds have been around since the 15th century, where Russian nobles such as Ivan the Terrible kept hundreds or even thousands of Borzois for hunting. During the Romanov rule…

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10 Unique Nature-Inspired Dog Names

What's Your Mutt DNA Dog on top of mountain overlooking sea of clouds

Are you looking for a name for your new dog that’s a little different? A name that, when you call it at the dog park, won’t have 3 different pooches running up to you? Here are some nature-inspired ideas if you just can’t quite come up with something unique on your own.   Calla A…

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Dogs in Mythology: Cerberus

What's Your Mutt DNA An etching of Hercules and Cerberus: Hercules grasps the collar of Cerberus, two demons appear at left, from the series 'The Labors of Hercules' from 6008

In Greek mythology, Cerberus was a multiple-headed dog that guarded the gates of the Underworld, the kingdom of Hades. This terrifying beast prevented the deceased from leaving as well as the living from entering. Cerberus was said to have been born from the beasts Echidna and Typhon, with multiple dog heads, snake heads growing from…

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How Many Human Years are in a Dog Year?

What's your Mutt DNA Black and white photo of a young girl and a dog sitting in a wagon in the countryside.

It is a well-accepted fact that a single dog year is equal to 7 human years. If your dog is 3 years old, that would mean that they are 21 in human years. Sounds about right! However, if you start translating the the age of a very young or older dog, this 1:7 ratio starts…

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Should Your Dog be Wearing a Winter Coat?

What's your Mutt DNA Black and white pit bull dog sitting in street alley wearing a tan fur-lined coat

With temperatures dropping and the chance of snow and ice rising, many dog caretakers are opting to put a coat or sweater on their canine companion. How do these people know who should don a doggie sweater and when? A dog’s need for a little extra insulation depends on a few factors, and we want…

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12 Unique Dog Names Inspired by Famous Artists

What's Your Mutt DNA Portrait painting of a hound dog with its paws up on a table

Are you looking for a name for your new dog that’s a little different? A name that, when you call it at the dog park, won’t have 3 different pooches running up to you? Here are some ideas inspired by famous artists if you just can’t quite come up with something unique on your own.…

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9 Dog Breeds with a Royal History

What's your Mutt DNA Border collie with blue and brown eye wearing crown in front of white background

Most dog breeds were bred to do dirty work: exterminating vermin, guarding homes or flocks against predators and intruders, or chasing down high stamina prey animals. Other dogs got to live the cushy life, serving as companion animals to royalty. These dogs were lucky enough to find their way into royal courts, palaces, and even…

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