Brad Weintraub

Hi everyone, after a weekend in the mountains I'm back with the rare Irish Red and White Setter. Many believe this is a new breed of setter coming from the Irish Setter, but in truth it's the opposite. The Red and White Setters were the original of these two breeds dating back to the 1700s and its ancestors can be traced back to spaniels. In the early 1800s dog breeding changed from not only to produced dogs with hunting ability but also to include color preference. This ...is where the Irish Setter began. The main difference between these two dogs being color but also difference in size with the Irish being taller and heavier. The Red and White Setter is a cheerful, lively, and friendly dog that makes a great family companion and excellent gun dog. A bit calmer then the Irish setter, the Red and White still has a ton of energy to burn. Some can seem to crazy due there high energy and being easily distracted, especially by birds of any kind. A natural bird dog, they need little training in this area. Obedience training is helpful to channel these dogs high energy. Not a barky dog, they do make excellent watchdogs but make poor guard dogs since they are so friendly. Red and whites are happiest when they are next to there family and should not be kept in a kennel outside. Grooming. This dog can be a bit of challenge to keep their long feather coats in good shape. They need to be brushed three times a week, and more if they spend time in the filed. But luckily they feathers don't fully develop til their are about 3 years old. A healthy breed since it isn't as popular as its red cousin, the red and white doesn't suffer from many of the big dog health issues. But hip dysphasia can affect older dogs. Gentle me patience with children they make excellent family pets as long as they get there exercise needs. Size Height: Males 24-26ins, Females 22-24ins Weight: 50-75lbs, Males and Females the same Pros Gentle, clam indoors, excellent gun dog, healthy for a big breed, great with children, and intelligent Cons Easily distracted by birds, high needs in grooming, don't fully mature til 3 years old, and can be hard to find

Few dogs have earn the right to be called man best friend like the Labrador Retriever. Originally a all purpose water dog, these dogs come from Newfoundland. Originally there were two sizes to the Newfoundland breed. One the large size that we see today and the smaller one which become the parent to the modern day Lab. After Newfoundland had heavy dog taxes, a group of the smaller dogs were taken to England and crossed with other retriever breeds to give us the modern Lab.... Happy go lucky, friendly, easy-going, high energy and intelligence are all ways you can describe a Lab. There is no dog job or sport in which Labs don't part take in. Labs have literally done everything. From search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, hunters, and companions there is nothing they can't do or will do for there family. With being one of the most versatile of dogs it's not hard to see why these dogs are the most popular dog breed in America. A Lab maybe one of the best dogs but a lab puppy can be a handful. Labs can take up to 3 years to fully mature and in that time there high energy may wear on you. Labs are hunters at heart and love to be outside and especially near water. They will chase a ball all day and at the end of it snuggle up to you on the couch. Lucky labs are smart and you don't need to be the best trainer but you do need to put some effort into it. Coming in a double coat of yellow, black, and chocolate coat colors they are easy to clean. Labs will get dirty! They love it. In the health department they suffer from most big dog issues such as hip dysphasia and bloat. Also Labs are enthusiastic eater and can get over weight really easily. As family dogs they are great. Kids and Labs are great together since both have the same mind set. Labs can be a bit much for smaller kids when they are younger. Size Height: Males 22-24.5ins, Females 21-23.5ins Weight: Males 65-80lbs, Females 55-70lbs Pros Smart, wants to please, everybody's friend, great family dog, and can pretty much do any job Cons Gets overweight easy, has high-energy as puppies, and can suffer from big dog health issues

The German Pinscher may look like a small Doberman or a large Mini Pin, but this was the original model for both Pinschers and Schnauzers. The German Pinscher was developed in the 1600s in Germany to be the all purpose vermin hunter and guard dog on the farm. Originally called wire-haired or smooth Pinschers since both were born in the same litters, they were later developed into separate into different breeds and the German Pinscher and Standard Schnauzer were born. Being... courageous, vivacious, and a high spirit for life these dogs are the self-appointed property guardian. With a zest for life that's hard to rein in, it's no wonder that they were bred down to create the Miniature Pinscher. A natural guard dog, these guys aren't unnecessary barkers. They only bark when they is a reason for it. Although that reason may be up for debate between dog and owner. Being highly intelligent with a drive to please they owners, hey learn extremely quick. They may be quick learners but get bored quickly and should never be trained using harsh methods. Affectionate and playful with its family these guys can be a bit standoffish with strangers and take a bit to warm up with new people. High energy the German Pinscher wants to be in the middle of everything. They need both mental and physical exercise everyday. This is not a dog that you can come home and sit on the couch and ignore. These are the go getter and doers of the dog world. After they have run around a bit then they want to snuggle on the couch with you. A short coat bred, they are really easy to groom. A wet wash cloth over them will do the trick. Born with floppy ears and a long tail, they have been traditionally docked and cropped. A playful breed, they do well with children, but may be a bit high-energy for small and young children. Early socialization will take care of any dog aggression towards dogs. With cats they need to be raised with them to learn that cats aren't vermin. Size Height: 17-20ins, Males & Females the same Weight: 25-35lbs, Males & Females the same Pros Very smart, very lively and spirited, easy to groom, and a natural guard dog Cons Gets bored easy, needs both mental and physical exercise daily, not a common breed so can be hard to find

The easily recognizable dog of the north, the Siberian Husky is a beautiful dog that comes with energy to spare. Hailing from northeast Siberia was developed by the Chukchi people. The actual ancestry of this dog is unknown since it's such a old breed. These striking blue eye dogs are fun-loving, independent, and mischievous Husky is always ready for a adventure especially if that adventure takes place outside and in snow. Bred to pull sleds these dogs are built for speed... and endurance these dogs can run, run, and run and will never tire or drop. Clever and smart, Huskies usually only have one of two things on their minds, run and food. Huskies should never be trusted to run off leash unless it's in a enclosed area. With a high prey drive and not being be on listening to recall from their owners, they aren't the most trustworthy dog to let room free. Huskies under the age of 3 are sometimes considered neurotic because of their high energy and them being young and not being able to stand still. But if their high exercise requirements are meet they make excellent family dogs. A friend to all, Huskies make the worst guard dogs. They will alert you to a intruder but are more likely to hold the door open for them and show them where they can fine the good chinaware. Huskies are friendly with other dogs and cats if raised with them. Huskies don't bark but they do howl and have a wide variety of sounds that they make, which most owners call talking. Huskies are not quite dogs and with often talk back to their owners and families, just for the hack of it. These dogs shed! Twice a year they will turn your house into a snow globe. Twice a year Huskies blow their coats and you will wonder how they is any fur left on them. They will shed throughout the year but it will be light compared to them blowing their coats. Brushing once a week during the year and everyday when they are blowing their coats when keep them looking good. As for health huskies do well for a larger dog and suffer few of the major big dog health issues. Size Height: Males 21-23ins, Females 20-22ins Weight: Males 45-60lbs, Females 35-50lbs Pros Friendly to all, fun-loving, great family pet, striking eyes, healthy breed, very clever and smart Cons Will never tire, very vocal, sheds a lot, and will become destructive if it's high energy doesn't get met

The national dog of Ireland, the Kerry Blue Terrier is a versatile terrier that can hunt, herd, and guard the home. The exact history of the Kerry is unknown but it is believe to have Portuguese Water Dog and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier in its ancestry. Spirited, strong-willed and alert here medium sized terriers live up to there name as terriers. Being a except vermin hunter, they will take on rats, foxes, badgers, otters, and hares. For a Kerry to be shown in the Irish ...kernel club they have to prove that can bay a badger. With enough mental and physical exercise these dogs make well mannered indoor pets who will alert its family to anyone or thing that's comes to the door. While they can be protective against strangers hey will greet friends with great enthusiasm. While friendly towards people they have been described as downright mean towards other dogs. So early socialization is a must with these dogs to avoid this behavior. A gentle and affectionate dog towards it family and children these dogs are independent and stubborn. The Kerry has a amazing sense of humor and ideally owners should also have a sense of humor about themselves. The coat of the Kerry is described as a cross between fine human hair and wool. Depending on the type of cut a owners chooses, will determine how often these dogs need to go to the groomer. All Kerry Blues puppies are born black and develop their blue color between 9 months and 2 years old. Size Height: Males 18-20ins, Females 17-19ins Weight: Males 30-40lbs, Females 28-38lbs Pros Very versatile, a unusual color, very soft, very smart, gentle with children and family, and a excellent watchdog Cons Can be dog aggressive and clipping the coat can be time consuming and expensive

Today we have a dog that has many nicknames, the Jack Russell Terrier. The Russell Terrier has been called many things, including devil dog, crazy, intense, and insane. The Russell Terrier is basically a rocket in dog form. With endless energy and high intelligence these little dogs have a habit of getting into trouble. Bred in England by John Russell to be a fox hunter, there are two types of Russell Terriers. The Parson Russell Terrier and the Russell Terrier. The onl...y difference being is the Russell Terrier is short legged and the Parson is long legged. Otherwise they have the same personality and temperament. Both types thrive on action and become bored quickly. Most tend to bark and dig, but can make a ideal companion to a active person of family. One of the friendlier terriers, the Russell's get along well with children and other dogs. Being a good watchdog, they tend to be friendly towards strangers. Coming in both a smooth and rough coat variety, both are easier to care for and clean. Which is good since they will get dirty at some point. The biggest thing with these little dogs is providing them with enough mental and physical exercise. If their needs aren't meant, they will find something to do and that will be something that you don't want them to do. Early socialization is needed to avoid dog aggression and with only a few minor health issues, these little guys can easily live for 15 years. Size Height: 13-18ins, Males and Females are the same Weight: 12-15lbs, Males and Females are the same Pros Big dog in small pocket, easy to train, very smart, very friendly, very healthy, and easy to clean Cons Very smart, extremely high energy, will get into trouble if not mental and physical exercised

Another ancient breed but new to the AKC is the Norwegian Buhund. This medium sized dog was the farm dog of the Vikings. The word Buhund roughly translates to farm, homestead, or mountain hut. The Buhund was a essential part of life for Norwegian farmers to herd sheep, reindeer, cattle, pigs and other livestock. The breed began to diminish in the early 1900s after the introduction of other herding breeds. After a rocky history with World War 2, the Buhund made its way to... England and then to America. The breed was officially recognized in 2009 to the AKC. Affectionate, cheerful, lively, and full of energy the Buhund makes a great family and companion dog. Having a desire to please, the Buhund is considered to be the one of the easiest spitz type breeds to train. But like all spitz breeds, they are independent thinkers and will sometimes forget to listen. The Buhund is a excellent watchdog and can sometimes be a exuberant barker. But with early training this can be taken care of. Playful and active they make great companions for kids. When given enough exercise they are calm indoors. Buhunds are extremely friendly dogs with little to no aggressive towards other dogs, but will chase cats and small animals. A extremely healthy breed the Buhund doesn't suffer from many of common dog health issues. With a double coat that needs to be brushed once a week and everyday when they are blowing their coat, it's actually a low maintenance dog. Size Height: Males 17-18.5ins, Females 16-17.5ins Weight: Males 30-40lbs, Females 25-35lbs Pros A desire to please, easy to train, extremely friendly, a medium size, easy to clean, affectionate and a healthy breed Cons A exuberant barker and has a ton of energy

This week we have one of the most versatile of all breeds, the German Shepherd. Despite its wolf like appearance, the German Shepherd is a fairly recent breed having only been a recognized as a breed since 1899. These dogs are the result of conscious efforts to create the ideal sheep dog. The result was a dog that excels at anything that requires athleticism, courage, and intelligence. The German Shepherd has a desire to please it's owner and will do anything to protect ...them, including taking a bullet, which many have. When most people see a German Shepherd they think police dog rather then a sheep dog. While a great protector, these dogs also make great companion dogs. Their love of children makes them excellent family pets and guardians with the size and strength to back it up. The German Shepherd is a large dog that needs both mental and physical exercise every day. Without this, they can become bored and destructive. While devoted to their families, they are aloof with strangers until they know that they can be trusted. However they need early socialization to avoid being domineering and aggressive with other dogs. Being a large dog, they are susceptible to the normal large dog health issues such as hip and elbow dysphasia. But they are also subject to back issues: Mainly with slip disks. But like all popular breeds, you need to find a pup from a reputable breeder or a German Shepherd rescue center. The normal look of a German Shepherd is a double coat dog that comes in Black and Tan coloring. But they also come in several other colors. In addition, there is a long haired type. The coat needs to be brushed weekly and every day when blowing their coat. But overall these dogs have the versatility to patrol the street with the police and guard the baby at home. Size Height: Males, 24-26ins, Females 22-24ins Weight: 75-95lbs, males and females are the same Pros Extremely loyal, easy to train, great watch and guard dog, brave, never backs down from a challenge, and great with kids Cons Is a large dog, can be aggressive if untrained and unsocialized, in recent years tends to have major back issues

The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a ancient breed from Portugal but is a fairly new breed to the AKC having only gained recognition since 2013. The Pequeno is the smallest of the Podengo breeds with the other two being medium and large in size. These little hounds were the constant companions for rabbit hunters. These independent hunters who are both a sight and scent hound. They emit a high-pitched bark when chasing its prey called a maticar. While these little dogs are ...extremely cute they prefer to explore and find adventures to cuddling on the couch. A primitive breed, they are not the easiest to train and are not big on listening to their owners when there are things to chase and explore. They should never be trusted to be off leash unless it's in a enclosed area. Coming in two coat types, the rough and smooth, these hounds are easy to clean and care for. While many people may think it's a good idea to trim the rough coat type it isn't. The rough coat developed to hunt in thick thorny vegetation to protect them. These friendly little guys make great family dogs since they get along well with other dogs, children, strangers, and other pets (if raised with them). While they do make good watchdogs, they are ineffective as protectors because of their small size and friendless. Size: Males & Females are the same size Height: 9-13ins Weight: 8-12lbs Pros Extremely healthy breed, extremely friendly, a little dog that can do any dog sport, easy to clean and maintain, small Cons Not big on listening, has tons of energy for its size

This week we are introducing the dog that coined the phase "to hold a lion at bay". The Rhodesian Ridgeback or African Lion Dog or Lion Hound is one of three breeds of of dog that have a ridge of hair that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of there fur along their backs. Ridgebacks get this unusual trait from the dogs of the Hottentot tribes of South Africa. The Ridgeback came about from crossing the Hottentot dogs with Mastiffs, Great Danes, Pointer, Bloodhound,... Greyhound, and several other sighthounds. These crossing created the marathon runner of the sighthounds. Bred to hunt and guard in the harsh climate of South Africa these dogs can withstand extremes of hot and cold, go on limited water, and handle rough terrain. Bred to hunt big game such as lions and antelope these dogs are extremely brave and strong willed. As tough as these dogs are they are actually really sensitive. Ridgebacks form strong bonds with there families and become protective of them, especially children. A big and powerful built dog that can go for miles and miles and show no signs of tiring, Ridgebacks need a lot of physical exercise every day and hopefully in a large enclosed area where they can run at full speed. These are fast dogs! Like all hounds, Ridgebacks need to be trained on recall and are usually good with other dogs. Size Males: 25-27ins tall and average 85lbs Females: 24-26ins tall and average 75lbs Pros Loyal, Brave, a great guard dog, a healthy large breed, willing to please, and easy to clean Cons Needs a ton of both physical and mental exercise every day, are very sensitive and can fall to pieces if yelled at

This week we are talking about the French Bulldog. More often called the Frenchie, it's no wonder why these little clowns have become the 6th most popular dog with the AKC (American Kennel Club). The Frenchie was developed in the 19th century to be a companion dog for lace factory workers as a companion dog. These little dogs were bred down from the English Bulldog. These little clowns are lapdogs through and through. Eager to please and entertain their families with the...ir endless antics. Not needing a ton of exercise, it's no wonder these little guys have become the most popular city dog. However owning a Frenchie is not cheap. Not only are they expensive to get since they can only give birth though cesarean section, they can also have multiple health problems. Being a brachycephalic dog (short muzzle and pushed in face) they can have major breathing issues, especially in warm weather and during exercise. They are also prone to back issues and severe allergies issues. But most owners say they are wroth it. The Frenchie is a sweet, amiable little dog that is great at cuddling and snoring. But like all Bulldogs they can be stubborn when it comes to training. Size (Males and Females are the same size) Height: 11-13ins tall Weight: not exceeding 28lbs Pros Small, Playful, Easygoing, easy to clean and groom, these little clowns love to cuddle with their family. Cons Are expensive both to get and at the vet, tend to drool, need to have their faces cleaned daily, and don't do well in hot weather

Hello everyone, so once a week I will be doing a little mini breed profile. So this week I'm starting with my dog Obi's breed, the Shiba Inu. The Shiba Inu is the smallest and oldest of the Japanese spitz breeds. Originally bred to be a hunter of birds and small game they think nothing of chasing a squirrel across the street. Because of their hunting ancestry and their independent nature Shibas can't be trusted off leash in a non-enclosed area. Also they will hear you rec...all them and they will ignore you. Extremely loyal towards their owners and those they trust, they can be a bit aloof with strangers to the point of being unfriendly. Because of their strong wills and wanting to do things on their terms they are not a dog for the first time dog owner. Without a strong leader they will rule the house and can become tyrants if you let them. Will the right person though they can be a lovable fox like companion. Size Male: 14-17ins tall, and weigh 20-23lbs Females: 13-18ins tall, and weigh 17-20lbs Pros Fox like, small, loyal, very clean, low maintenance, smart, extremely healthy breed, and extremely cute Cons Not big on listening, escape artists, stubborn, smart, can become a tyrant if untrained

Welcome to my page future dog owners! I'm a dog consultant to help you find the best canine companion for your lifestyle. I bring over 20 years of dog knowledge to help you find your jogging buddy or your t.v. snuggle buddy. My sole goal is help you find the best match for your lifestyle and tell you the pros and cons of your future companion. I will make recommendations based on my experience and will recommend vets, dog trainers, and day care for your lifestyle.