How accurate are those pet DNA tests really? Boston's CBS WBZ Investigative Team decided to put dog breed tests to the test, and they got pretty surprising results.  According to Elinor Karlsson, a geneticist with the Broad Institute and UMass Chan Medical School, and who runs a lab called Darwin's Ark, where she digs into pet DNA science states, "I personally do have concerns about the fact that, from a consumer standpoint, you don't always know what you're getting when you work with those companies. There's not a lot of rules in this space."  So last year, the WBZ I-Team check ..read more

The effect of body size and inbreeding on cancer mortality in breeds of the domestic dog: a test of the multi-stage model of carcinogenesis Leonard Nunney Published:31 January 2024 https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.231356 Abstract Cancer is a leading cause of death in domestic dogs. Deaths due to cancer vary widely among breeds, providing an opportunity for testing the multi-stage model of carcinogenesis. This model underpins evolutionary and basic studies of cancer suppression and predicts a linear increase in cancer with breed size, an expectation complicated by bigger breeds having a shorter lif ..read more

The following article published by the AKC is the newest article on Heart Health and is essential for many purposes. Many companion owners need to be aware of the warnings and advice of a breed's Parent Club; in this case, it would be the Irish Wolfhound Club of America (IWCA.) Unfortunately, the IWCA is noticeably absent from this article in providing valuable and critical guidance to Wolfhound owners, as cardiac disease is one of the leading causes of death in Wolfhounds. In my opinion, based on the number of emails and requests I receive, it is the leading cause of death as, sadly, countles ..read more

For the Readers convenience I am posting the AKC Emergency or Disaster Preparedness Plan ..read more

Here is a good article from AKC “Kennel Emergency & Disaster Planning - Keeping Your Dogs & Facility Safe” on the basics behind prepping for emergencies and disasters. Perhaps you already have a plan in place but read on in case you may have missed something! By Stacy Mason Once again, April showers have brought May and June flowers along with severe weather across the United States. All over the weather channels and news stations, I am seeing very vivid reminders of severe weather and natural disasters that have unfortunately damaged millions of dollars’ worth of property and taken f ..read more

AKC Canine Health Foundation Discoveries By Sharon Albright, DVM, CCRT Manager of Communications & Veterinary Outreach, AKC Canine Health Foundation New treatments are needed for canine bone cancer. Current treatment options include surgical removal of the tumor and chemotherapy to treat metastatic disease (cancer spread to distant parts of the body). Unfortunately, surgery can have complications, not all dogs are good candidates for surgery due to other health problems, and many affected dogs develop metastatic disease and only survive for one year or less after diagnosis. Since 1995, the ..read more

As many of you know, eggs are a major component in my hound’s "Natural Rearing" Diet. Indeed, my hounds are fed whole, raw eggs five days per week -- one egg per dog per day, as an ingredient in their VitaMix breakfast puree.  Eggs are an essential aspect of their diet, not just because of the obvious being that they are nature’s purest form of calcium. They are complete in protein and an excellent source of vitamin A, not to mention Vitamin B complexes, lethicin, and sulfur amino acids, and so forth. All of which your dog needs in their diet. Some people have worried about feeding eggs ..read more

A quick note to share about one of two Vitamin C sources that I commonly recommend. Recently, the Ultra Fine Vitamin C Powder, Non GMO, Highest Grade of DSM's Quali-C. Pure Ascorbic Acid. 16 oz. Vegan “GMOFree Vitamins” company located in the United Kingdom were out of stock on this product. I have recommended this product in earlier Blog articles and have used it myself on a regular basis. It is one of the few Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid products NOT made in China. As I write on my Ballyhara Diet & Nutrition page 90% of all Vitamin C products are manufactured in China, and in my opinion, it i ..read more

I have posted on my website Irish Wolfhound Health Concerns the items that are absolutely necessary for an Emergency Kit. This kit is terrific for any of our Sighthounds but could be a lifesaver. If anyone has additional suggestions please send me a comment or an email. Irish Wolfhound Emergency Kits I suggest that all Irish Wolfhound owners organize and have an emergency kit available at all times, especially if you plan on traveling with your Wolfhound. In it should be several indispensable items that I have linked to Amazon for ease of purchase. Just click on each item’s photo following the ..read more

Just because we're entering into the Autumn season does not mean that dog owners can slack off about giving heartworm preventative. On my website, under Recommended Vaccinations & Wormers, I have advice from Dr. Jean Dodds, Hemopet.  She advises using heartworm preventatives for healthy dogs if the ambient temperature is above 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Centigrade) for approximately two weeks and mosquitoes are prevalent. A basic rule of thumb is Mid-April through November for the majority of the country and basically year-round for the southern states. However, we are exp ..read more