Roll over Clover. It’s time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Irish Dog Breeds are popular not only on the Emerald Isle, but all over the world.

Back in the day of St. Patrick the dogs of Ireland were hunting and sporting dogs. The popular Irish breeds that have evolved through generations include the Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Irish Red & White Setter and Kerry Beagle.

Mixed breed dogs, also known today as Hybrid dogs, are a combination of two or more purebred dogs. The hybrid dogs, such as the Golden Irish, have the traits and personality of both the Irish Setter and a Golden Retriever. Another common hybrid is the Irish Doodle, which is a mix of a Standard Poodle and an Irish Setter.

Many Irish dogs have Irish names. The Galelic name, Madigan, (pronounced MAD i gan) and Madden, (pronounced MAD din) translates as little dog. Anlan, (pronounced ON lin) translates as great hound. Mac is the Gaelic term for son, and some Irish owners use this as a prefix in their dog’s name, such as Mac Cutie.

If you happen to be the proud dog owner of an Irish breed, part of loving and caring for your Irish dog is celebrating their heritage with them. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated March 17th by the Irish and non Irish all around the world. Parades, Irish food and wearing green are some of the festivities of the day.

Potato dog treats and lamb stew are tasty ways to taste the roots of Ireland. Potatoes are about as Irish as you can get and are one of the staples of the Irish diet. Avoderm Potato all natural dog treats are crunchy oven-baked treats your dog will love. During the festivities dogs can also sink their teeth into a lamb filled rawhide.

At the crack o’ dawn when your Irish pup is ready to play, remember their rolling green hills of their native land and play with eco-friendly toys. GO GREEN on St. Patrick’s Day and every day. Paw Planet Bone with Rope Eco-Friendly Dog Toy Natural chew toy is made with pure natural materials and unbleached linen, cotton rope and sisal filling. Eco-friendly, durable and interactive fun!

Irish dogs have emerged from a hard working breed residing in Ireland to a wonderful family dog to many dog owners around the world. With their natural affection and loyalty, Irish Breeds are wonderful human companions.

Deciding what kind of dog food and dog treats are appropriate for your dog is as important as deciding what to feed your family. Reading ingredient labels to stay aware of recalls is necessary to insure your pet is receiving safe and healthy meals.

Recent recalls include peanut butter dog treats. Not all manufacturers were affected by this recall. Claudia’s Canine Cuisine and Northern Biscuit Company are examples of dog treat manufacturers whose products were not affected by the peanut butter recall. Thankfully the contaminated peanut butter products were taken off the shelves and the recall is over.

As dogs age their metabolism slows down. Sound familiar? Older dogs require special diets. Veterinarians suggest a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates and low in fat for dogs who don’t engage in an active lifestyle. There are many brands of dog food specific for aging dogs such as Merrick 5-Star Dry Dog Food Senior Medley. Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, no animal fat and real meat make Senior Medley an appropriate choice for senior dogs.

Diabetes also affects dogs and requires special care to keep glucose levels in an appropriate range. High fiber diets are recommended for diabetic dogs. The added fiber slows the digestion of carbohydrates and regulates breaking down the carbs.

Many aging dogs and large breed dogs like a Labrador Retriever, Gordon Setter, Irish Setter and Great Dane suffer from arthritis. Arthritis symptoms may increase with age or develop the joint pain and stiffness during old age. Dogswell Happy Hips dog treats with Glucosamine & Chondroitin are not only nutritious all natural chicken breasts, but also scientifically formulated to help maintain the physical condition of a dog’s joints.

Food allergies are common among many breeds of dogs. Wheat, corn and soy can cause itchy skin, skin and ear infections, excessive scratching, hot spots, hair loss, and frequent bowel movements in a dog with an allergy to these products.

Overweight dogs need to be on a special diet. If a dog is eating table scraps too may dog treats, and not getting enough exercise they will become overweight. This happens frequently when a dog is in a crate during the day and then spoiled all evening with love and food.

Caring for your dog from puppy to senior is an educational process. During each stage there are nutritional requirements that need to be met so your dog will be healthy and have the wonderful life every dog deserves!

Hey Baseball Fans !!  Take me out to the Ball Game … The National Pastime … American as Apple pie … are some slogans used by baseball enthusiasts.  Sharing these exciting ball games with your pet makes them second to none.  If you can’t be in the Grandstand in the Stadium … hang out with your dog and root for the home team!

Baseball is a 6 month sport season with memorable moments on and off the field.  Your star outfielder is right under your nose.  Have some game time fun with a plush Talking Baseball Sports Toys with Rope Handles.  It is a great interactive pull & tug dog toy. This clever combination of plush talking pet toys, with a strong, colorful cotton rope attached to each end will entertain you and your pet for hours. Give a squeeze and your pet will hear Tug ‘N Talk Sports respond with a real life sound. Baseball dog toy says “That Ball is Going, Going, Gone….! And the Crowd Roars!

A line drive with the Baseball Boing Ball Dog Toy is caught! This plush baseball dog toy makes a fun “boing” sound — sporty dogs will have a ball! Baseball measures 4 1/2″.  Another fun baseball dog toy is the Beefy Baseball bouncing beef-flavored baseball that comes in two sizes. Major League Baseball dog toy is the size of a major league baseball and Pee Wee is slightly larger than a golf ball. Your dog will enjoy hours of fun. Awesome, Durable Toy! Prime Rib Flavor will get your dogs attention

When the ball is “outta here” – show your homerun excitement with a Grriggles Fowlers Squawking Chicken Baseball Dog Toy!   This Baseball Squawking Chicken pet toy measures 9″ and made of high-quality latex with a loud squawker inside.  This inning is looking promising!

Wearing your good luck charm or your favorite player’s Jersey?  Your dog is a true baseball fan also with a Pet Collar Charm for the Athletic Dog.  A metallic, baseball themed charm is great for the athletic hound and owner. Charm features a lobster claw clasp for secure attachment to collar.  An Officially Licensed MLB Dog Jersey is available in 17 MLB Teams. This is a MUST have for any Baseball Fan who loves their dog (or cat) as much as they love their team.  Made of 100% Polyester. All Jerseys are numbered with “00″ and have the Official Team colors and logo plus a team patch on the sleeve. These Deluxe Mesh MLB Jerseys have a very high quality look and feel. Get your favorite team today and GET YOUR DOG IN THE GAME!

Watching one or all 162 Major League Baseball games requires game time snacks.  Hotdogs for you and 12 inch Beef Sausage Links Sausage Dog Treats for your pet.   These 12″ sausages can be broken into multiple treats or given whole. Don’t spend too much time trying to find the crumbs after your dog has had its way with this treat!  By the 7th inning you’re ready for some peanuts and a beer.  The baseball game is getting tense.  Your buddy can sense the pressure and needs some refreshments as well.   All Natural Baseball Yogurt Covered Peanut Butter Dog Treats relieve the 3:2 count 2 outs end of game stress.  Playball or better yet EAT THE BALL!!  Each all natural dog treat cookie is approx 3 inches

Wash it all down with a brewsky.  For your dog a 12oz Beefy Ale Bowser Beer non-alcoholic Dog Bee.  Bowser Beer is a beefy, non-alcoholic, non-carbonated beverage for dogs. A fun, healthy, and unique alternative to water, it can be served with a dog treat, straight out of the bottle, or as a topping on dry food. Dogs are known to love beer and now their owners can treat them with their own festive, delicious brew. Why share when you have a better alternative? Hops and alcohol free, it is made with human-grade ingredients, and is low in calories and fat. It’s a party in a bottle

Whether your favorite team is the World Series Champions, Philadelphia Phillies (National League East) leader or the other current MLB division leaders the New York Yankees (American League East), Detroit Tigers (AL Central), Texas Rangers (AL West), Milwaukee Brewers (NL Central) and Los Angeles Dodgers (NL West); enjoy the baseball game with your All-Star Pup!

We all want to feel young enough to enjoy participating in our favorite activities like bicycling, golfing, swimming or just running around to stay ahead of the game of life. The old antidote, “You are what you Eat” is very true. When we eat balanced diets, including healthy snacks we feel great!

The same is true for your dog. Every dog loves their treats. Offering healthy treats to your dog will help them maintain a balance in their lives. Obesity in dogs is a major health concern. Just as with people, canine obesity can lead to very serious health problems. Dogs need the balance of a healthy diet and exercise to maintain their wellness.

About 20-40% of dogs are overweight or obese. Veterinarians currently see more and more overweight and obese dogs. A lot of dog owners cannot resist when their dog begs for a treat. Our human diet isn’t healthy for dogs and can be a factor in their weight gain. Table scraps are one of the major causes of obesity in dogs. Feeding your dog healthy treats formulated for dogs has a nutritional balance designed for a domesticated dog. Unfortunately, dogs don’t live as long as we want them to, so it makes sense to feed them healthy treats that does not lead to obesity that can shorten their lives.

Healthy dog treats that are made with only the best natural, ingredients and still taste great help pets live happier, healthier and longer lives. Dog food treats that offer high-quality nutritional value for your dog include ingredients containing whole wheat, freeze dried meat and vegetables made with human-grade ingredients. Reading labels on pet food packaging is just as important for your dog’s food as it is for your food.

Many dogs have allergies or food sensitivities. Common culprits are dyes, flavorings, preservatives, carbohydrates and protein sources. If your pet is sensitive to any of these ingredients, look for treats that are hypoallergenic, and have minimal or no dyes or preservatives. Or better yet, homemade dog treats are very popular. You can make them at yourself or many bakers sell their homemade treats. Jake’s Dog House offers dog treats made with human grade ingredients that are bought directly from our bakers so our customers can provide healthy homemade dog treats that accommodate their dog’s special diet.

Homemade dog treats made in your kitchen are fun to make and can be tailored to your pet’s special diet. Keep in mind that in addition to wheat, some dogs also have difficulty digesting corn, so if you find a recipe that calls for corn meal or wheat, try using rice flour.

There are many cookbooks with recipes for healthy dog treats. Many dog owners also post their favorite treat recipes online. Please feel free to post your dog’s favorite dog treats and homemade dog treat recipes on Jake’s blog.

Rather than baking biscuits; baking bones is also a favorite dog treat. A dried up beef joint bone can be purchased from your butcher. Choose a bone joint from either a knee or shoulder that is too big for your dog to break or swallow. Boil the bone and then dry it in the oven at 350 degrees F until dry (15 minutes). This bone will probably last forever and will also help with plaque and tarter build up on your dog’s teeth.

Dog treats should be low in fat, good tasting, and nutritious (high in vitamins and minerals). Vegetables are great treats to offer your dog. You and your dog can munch on raw veggies together, baby carrots, broccoli, sweet red peppers, bananas, pineapple, and apple or pears. Doesn’t it make sense to share your good eating habits with your best friend? Avoiding French fries, chips, pizza and other kinds of “junk” food will benefit both of you!

Research has indicated that a dog’s happy face and love make us healthy and happy humans, so why not give your dog healthy dog food treats to let them know how much you love them.

The most important word to remember when thinking about healthy dog food or healthy dog treats is natural. Natural dog treats are healthy dog treats that keep our dogs happy.

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