Dog racing injuries increase!

Seventy-six greyhounds broke their legs racing last year at Dairyland Greyhound Park, an 18.7% increase over the year before, state records show.

A broken leg, or hock, is considered to be one of the most serious injuries a greyhound can suffer at a track.

In all, a total of 462 injuries were reported at the track last year, a 19% increase from 2006.

Of those 462 injuries last year, 363 involved dogs that suffered muscle-related injuries, sprains or fractures. Track owners have complained for several years that the state's Gaming Division, which regulates the track and compiles injury statistics, throws together relatively minor injuries like nail or tail injuries along with the more serious injuries.

The 2007 report makes a distinction between the more severe injuries and the minor ones.

Asked to explain why more dogs are breaking their legs, state officials pointed to a number of factors, including the condition of the track, the race quality of the greyhounds and the weather. Greyhounds run year-round at the track, which opened in 1990 and is the state's last remaining dog-racing track.

Jenifer Barker, a state veterinarian on site at Dairyland who treats most of the injured dogs at the track, cited the condition of the track's surface and the overall deterioration of the greyhound industry in general as reasons for the increased injury rate.

The track has not been completely resurfaced since at least 1995, according to Bill Apgar, the track's general manager. However, he said, the track is constantly maintained and groomed for the dogs.

"Nobody likes injuries," he said. "This is an athletic contest, and injuries do happen. We spare no expense in making the track as safe as we can."

Apgar said the track employed four full-time employees to groom the track, plus three part-timers. In addition, a maintenance director, the track's racing director and Apgar himself monitor the track, he said.

Apgar said that not every injury is attributable to the track itself. "A third of these injuries were injuries when the dogs were bumped in turns. Other injuries could be the result of genetics. Maybe the dog got bumped, didn't show any effects right away and the next time he ran, he broke down," he said.

Barker said her veterinary peers around the country did not have a set policy on how often a track needs to be resurfaced, but said a rule of thumb is every three to five years.

Industry experts have differing opinions on what constitutes a well-maintained track that minimizes injury. Some say a hard surface is the best surface; others say a more forgiving surface can minimize injury.

Barker also said the greyhound industry has been in decline for years, a victim of differing tastes and the growth of casino gambling.

"Some have called it a dying industry," she said. "There's not much money in it, and there isn't as high caliber of help as there used to be."

Barker recalled a time in the 1990s when each kennel at a dog track would have several helpers on duty. Today the average is more like two helpers per kennel.

Dan Subach, the Gaming Division's chief steward at Dairyland, said a number of factors played a role in the number of injuries. But all parties are trying to address the frequency of injuries.

"It will take enormous efforts by numerous parties. . . to hopefully have a positive impact on this," he said.

According to Subach, weather plays a role in injuries at Dairyland. The dogs are subjected to rain, wind, snow, sleet and very dry conditions.

"And there is a concern that the quality of dogs Dairyland is getting is not as good as they've seen in the past," Subach said. "And that quality may be related to past health issues, or previous injuries. Finally, when dogs run well, they tend to be moved out to other tracks.

"We want to look at the kennels and the education and training at the kennels, and make sure they are putting a sound animal on the track."

Besides pari-mutuel greyhound racing, the track also offers simulcast horse and greyhound racing from around the country. In 2006, the track reported it had lost $2.84 million; track owners say they expect to report they lost millions in 2007.

The owners of Dairyland are awaiting federal approval of a proposed more than $800 million casino-convention center project that would be built on the grounds of the dog-racing track. The Menominee tribe has an option to buy the track for $40.5 million. The tribe is partners with the Mohegan tribe in Connecticut to build the complex and continue live dog racing. The Mohegans would develop and manage the casino for seven years.

Dog Lover,
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Miniature horse dies from dog attack

LUBBOCK, Texas — A second miniature horse has died after being attacked by pit bulls last month.

Kauli Sparks, co-owner of Hearts and Hooves of Lubbock, said the decision was made Saturday to put Jolly down to ease the therapy horse's suffering.

"He was doing really well until yesterday, probably around 2 p.m.," Sparks said in Sunday's online edition of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "He basically crashed."

Five Hearts and Hooves miniature horses were attacked by pit bulls last month. Oreo was killed in the attack.

Sparks said Jolly developed toxemia, a general infection that spread throughout his body and caused many of his organs to begin shutting down.

Hearts and Hooves is a nonprofit organization that brings miniature horses indoors to people who need therapeutic healing.

The owner of the dogs signed them over to Lubbock Animal Services.

Sources: Associated Press

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

It is a Dog Life!

I AM a dog. Well, at least according to the Chinese zodiac I am. And according to an article I recently stumbled across on the Internet, people born in the Year of the Dog “possess the best traits of human nature.”

I’m inclined to agree with this gross generalization. But then, I’m inclined to agree with anything that depicts me in a positive, glowing manner. Like all good dog people, I have a deep sense of loyalty. I am also honest and inspire other people’s confidence because I know how to keep secrets. Unlike rat, snake and monkey people, I suspect.

But ... and there’s always a but ... “dog people are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric.”

If these are some of “the best traits of human nature”, I hate to imagine what traits non-dog people possess.

But there’s more. “They (dog people) care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues.”

I don’t know about you, but I feel there’s something wrong with that last paragraph. It’s as if the author is saying that dog people come by their money in a suspicious way. And if I’m cold emotionally, what would I be doing at a party? Cold people don’t go to parties. They like to stay at home and play games like “Revenge of the Killer Dog” on their computers.

Although I normally don’t find fault with anything or anyone (don’t forget I’m honest), I don’t have anything good to say about the writer of that article. As for having a sharp tongue, I only reserve that for really irritating people, like most Malaysian drivers, pushy shop assistants, people who look at me in an odd way, women who wear strong perfume, and people who walk slowly in front of me in crowded shopping malls. Oh yes, and the designers of shopping malls. Other than that, I’m probably the sweetest, most amiable person you’re ever likely to meet.

The zodiac article does redeem itself when it concludes by saying that dog people make good leaders. But then again, perhaps an emotionally cold leader isn’t such a good thing. As far as I know, Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini were all cold leaders. And they didn’t get up to much good.

It also seems that I am compatible with people in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit. Of the few friends I do have (due to my emotional coldness) none were born under these zodiac signs. Indeed, if the zodiac article is correct, I have aligned myself with a bunch of eccentric, bad-tempered loners. Not exactly the sort of people you want to have around you at a party.

I’m not even all that compatible with my children. My son is a snake person and my daughter is a pig person. Interestingly enough, people born in the same year as my son “never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate.” He’s obviously benefiting from all the money I seem to have. Or maybe it’s because he’s memorised my credit card numbers.

My daughter, on the other hand, in true pig-like fashion, is kind to her loved ones and very loyal. When I’m old, I’d much rather have a kind, loyal pig taking care of me than a snake. Besides, the zodiac article asserts that snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. Maybe good-looking people can afford to be fickle with their partners because they know that it’s relatively easy to attract another mate if their marriage fails. I certainly don’t want to be stuck in the same house as a disgruntled daughter-in-law during my twilight years.

Dogs are also not all that compatible with people born in the Year of the Rat. Typically, rat people are charming and highly attractive to the opposite sex. But they are stingy. They are also quick-tempered and love to gossip. But all is not lost for people contemplating having a baby during this coming Year of the Rat, because rat people are said to “work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful.”

In short, children born this coming year will likely grow up to have fabulous careers and every luxury money can buy, but they won’t share it with anyone.

I think I’ll stick with the pigs.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

by MARY SCHNEIDER

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

A White House Dog-and-Pony Show

Since 1800, when John and Abigail Adams became the first residents of what we now call the White House, lots of pets also have called it home. The Adamses started things off with two dogs, Juno and Satan, and built stables for horses.

Over two centuries, the mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. has welcomed all sorts of animals, from an alligator to wolfhounds. In size, these creatures have ranged from silkworms to an elephant (he only visited, though, and lived at the zoo).

Some of these pets were faithful companions, some helped shape public opinion about their owners, and some were ambassadors for good causes.

In the early 1900s, Theodore Roosevelt's children nearly turned the White House into an ark. Besides dogs and cats, they had a pony and horses, some sheep, a macaw, guinea pigs, rats, snakes, a badger and a one-legged rooster.

Once, when 13-year-old Archie Roosevelt was very sick, his brother Quentin brought their pony, Algonquin, upstairs in the White House elevator to cheer him.

In 1863, Tad Lincoln interrupted a wartime Cabinet meeting to plead with his father to spare the life of a turkey that was about to become Christmas dinner. Abraham Lincoln did as 10-year-old Tad wished, pardoning the bird.

You can learn more about White House pets in an exhibit at the White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. The center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit is free and runs through March 9.

Exactly one year from today, a new president will be inaugurated and move into the White House. Maybe some new pets will move in, too.

Source: washingtonpost.com

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.Dogmillion.com

Amazing dog For 2007!

This will my last post of year 2007. I would like to end this year with this amazing dog video again!
"Faith" the amazing dog.

This dog remind me to the challenge we have in our life.



Happy New Year 2008!

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.dogmillion.com

Puppy Promises

As hundreds of dogs rescued from a puppy mill in Hillsville earlier this month are prepped for adoption, scores of potential owners up and down the East Coast have already lined up to take one home.

But before making the next addition to your family, area animal health and welfare experts urge, do your homework.

"You're talking about a 14- to 16-year commitment, so it should not be a sympathy purchase with those big sad eyes looking at you," said Mark Finkler, owner of Roanoke Animal Hospital. "I think a lot of people get the wrong breed or wrong temperament for their lifestyle."

Potential mistakes are plentiful when choosing a dog.

Some people underestimate the financial commitment. Others make an impulse purchase. Still others don't know the dog's background, which might include abusive owners or less-than-ideal breeding conditions, Finkler said.

At the Roanoke Valley SPCA, some dogs that are adopted are later returned to the shelter because their new owners didn't realize what they were tackling when bringing a dog into their homes.

For more reading go to

http://www.roanoke.com/pets/wb/140317

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Dog Restaurant

Do you believe in eating dog meat? definitely not for me!

A Chinese restaurant in southwest Moscow is being investigated on suspicion of rounding up dogs on the street, killing them and passing their cooked meat off to customers as lamb, city police said Monday.

Two residents went to police after seeing suspicious activity near the restaurant, located at 88 Prospekt Vernadskogo, near the Yugo-Zapadnaya metro station, police spokeswoman Irina Volk said.

for more story

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2007/10/30/012.html


Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

English Bull Dog!

One of the calmest canine breeds known on earth, the English bull dogs are believed to have developed from an ancient breed of Asiatic mastiff. It was first born in Great Britain and was named bull dog simply for its robust appearance of a little bull. Although considered as the gentlest kind, the English bull dogs were originally developed for bull baiting in the medieval Britain. They were sent to fields to attack bulls during that time, before the said sport was prohibited by law in the dawn of nineteenth century.

The English bull dogs are noted particularly for its unique, intimidating appearance. It stands very short, but has a compact and wide body. Its head is known for being so thick, massive and broad with cheeks that expand to the sides of its eyes. It also has lips that are pendent and undershot, and its eyes are dark, round, and are located far apart.

To complement its face, the English bull dogs have small ears that are thin and folded back. In terms of coat, the English bull dogs have a coat that lies close to its body. The coat of this breed is noted for its texture and appearance, with smooth, flat and straight hairs. Just like the rest of the canine breeds, the coat of the English bull dogs comes in different colors and shades.

Typically, you can see shades of red, brindle, pale yellow, white, fawn, and washed out red, or a combination of these colors in an English bull dog. Black is not common and is not even acceptable. These colors look great with the dogs short and small size with squarely set and stocky legs.

The English bull dogs intimidating looks does not speak much for its character and temperament. In fact, this breed is often described as the calmest and most reliable kind. It is gentle and loving, with a tendency to seek for more affection and attention.

Also, the English bull dogs interact well with other canine breeds and even felines. They also make a good companion for adults, as well as kids. With such qualities, its no wonder that the English bull dogs are often treated as a family dog. But more to that, the breed is also considered as perfect for guarding, the reason that more bull dogs are now trained for guarding and watch dogging.

This is also considered knowing the fact that the breed is courageous enough to withstand from all challenges. But, as mentioned earlier, the English bull dogs will only do well in this field given the correct and proper training and enhancement.

You can maintain the great looks of your English bull dogs if you will exercise a regular care session. The breed only needs regular brushing or combing to remove any dirt and loose hair. It should also be bathed only when needed for the bull dog is a kind that sheds regularly. Its mouth and other parts of its body should also be cleaned on a regular basis to keep the English bull dog in good health. However, all of these tasks should only be performed by a dominant owner. The same is true for the training.

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.dogmillion.com

Skateboarding Dog! It is Amazing

Have you ever wonder what your dog capable to do? I found this video show a dog Skateboarding. It is Awesome….i wish my future dog able to do this.

Let me know if you have any amazing Dog story or video to share.Thanks for watching
this video.

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Dog Talk?

Do you believe Dog can talk? If no, you better check out this video

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Huntington Kennel Club Dog Show

Dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors took the spotlight Sunday at the Veterans Memorial Field House for the Huntington Kennel Club Dog Show.

The three-day event, which kicked off Friday with a bulldog club specialty show, was similar to the nationally televised American Kennel Club dog shows, but on smaller scale.

There were 650 dogs that were registered Saturday, while 621 were registered Sunday, said Tim Childers, show chairman and vice president of the Huntington Kennel Club.

for more details go to

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/

Cheers!

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Faith: The Wonder "Dog" Walk like Human Being

Hi all Pet Lover, do you believe that a dog can walk like human being. I bet you will believe after watching this video. The Dog name is "Faith"

If dog can do it, why not we human being doing something that beyond our capability.

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

World Biggest Dog-Hercules

Hi All Dog Lover,found out this Extraordinary Dog called "Hercules". It is the biggest Dog recorded at Guinness World Records

"Hercules" is an English Mastiff and has a 38 inch neck and weighs 282 pounds.

With "paws the size of softballs" this monster is far larger and heavier than his breed's standard 200lb limit.

Not sure this monster still growing or not? Do anyone know the progress? Wonder what kind of dog food he/she eat.

Dorothy
www.Dogmillion.com

Russian Wolfhound

Of the many foreign varieties of the dog that have been introduced within recent years, there is not one among the larger breeds that has made greater headway in the public favour than the Borzoi, or Russian Wolfhound.

Nor is this to be wondered at. The most graceful and elegant of all breeds, combining symmetry with strength, the wearer of a lovely silky coat that a toy dog might envy, the length of head, possessed by no other breed all go to make the Borzoi the favourite he has become.

Borzoi Characteristics as follows:–

HEAD — This should be long, lean, and well balanced, and the length, from the tip of the nose to the eyes, must be the same as from the eyes to the occiput. A dog may have a long head, but the length may be all in front of the eyes. The heads of this breed have greatly improved the last few years; fewer “apple-headed” specimens, and more of the desired triangular heads being seen.

The skull should be flat and narrow, the stop not perceptible, the muzzle long and tapering. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of the head being well filled up before the eyes. The head, from forehead to nose, should be so fine that the direction of the bones and principal veins can be seen clearly, and in profile should appear rather Roman nosed. Bitches should be even narrower in head than dogs.

EYES - should be dark, expressive, almond shaped, and not too far apart.

EARS -like those of a Greyhound, small, thin, and placed well back on the head, with the tips, when thrown back, almost touching behind the occiput. It is not a fault if the dog can raise his ears erect when excited or looking after game, although some English judges dislike this frequent characteristic. The head should be carried somewhat low, with the neck continuing the line of the back.

SHOULDERS — Clean and sloping well back, i.e., the shoulder blades should almost touch one another.

CHEST — Deep and somewhat narrow. It must be capacious, but the capacity must be got from depth, and not from “barrel” ribs a bad fault in a running hound.

BACK — Rather bony, and free from any cavity in the spinal column, the arch in the back being more marked in the dog than in the bitch.

LOINS — Broad and very powerful, showing plenty of muscular development.

THIGHS — Long and well developed, with good second thigh. The muscle in the Borzoi is longer than in the Greyhound.

RIBS — Slightly sprung, very deep, reaching to the elbow.

FORE-LEGS — Lean and straight. Seen from the front they should be narrow and from the side broad at the shoulder and narrowing gradually down to the foot, the bone appearing flat and not round as in the Foxhound.

HIND-LEGS — The least thing under the body when standing still, not straight, and the stifle slightly bent. They should, of course, be straight as regards each other, and not “cow-hocked,” but straight hind-legs imply a want of speed.

FEET — Like those of the Deerhound, rather long. The toes close together and well arched.

COAT — Long, silky, not woolly; either flat, wavy, or curly. On the head, ears and front-legs it should be short and smooth; on the neck the frill should be profuse and rather curly; on the chest and the rest of the body, the tail and hind-quarters, it should be long; the fore-legs being well feathered.

TAIL — Long, well feathered, and not gaily carried. It should be carried well down, almost touching the ground.

HEIGHT — Dogs from 29 inches upwards at shoulder, bitches from 27 inches upwards. (Originally 27 inches and 26 inches. Altered at a general meeting of the Borzoi Club, held February, 1906.)

FAULTS — Head short and thick; too much stop; parti-coloured nose; eyes too wide apart; heavy ears; heavy shoulders; wide chest; “barrel” ribbed; dew-claws; elbows turned out; wide behind. Also light eyes and over or undershot jaws.

COLOUR — The Club standard makes no mention of colour. White, of course, should predominate; fawn, lemon, orange, brindle, blue, slate and black markings are met with. Too much of the latter, or black and tan markings, are disliked. Whole colour dogs are also seen.

Until next time! Cheers

Do you have any Russian Dog Breed to share? You are welcome to leave a comments.

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

World Smallest Dog

Guinness Records website lists "Big Boss", a Yorkshire Terrier, as the smallest dog in the world. It was listed at 11.94cm (4.7in) tall when guardian Dr. Chai Khanchanakom from Thailand registered the toy dog with Guinness.

Small dog also classified as "Toy dog" is the breed classification including the Chihuahua, Pekingese, Shih-Tzu and Yorkshire Terrier. These diminutive doggies may be small in stature, but size doesn't matter in the dog world as long as you care and love them.

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Cute Dog Pictures

Find this cute Dog website and it contains all kind of Dog breed. Just would like to share with everyone

http://www.livevideo.com/video/cute-dog-pictures.aspx

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Owning A Dog Is Good For Your Health

A UK study reveals that owning a dog is good for your health. And having a pet dog improves your physical and mental wellbeing more than having a cat.

This is the conclusion of a study by a senior lecturer, Dr Deborah Wells, from the Canine Behaviour Centre of Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Dr Wells has published her study in the British Journal of Health Psychology.

The study is a review of research papers that have explored the connection between domestic dog ownership and human wellbeing.

In her research Dr Wells found papers that suggest domestic dog ownership can prevent people from getting ill, recover more quickly when they do fall ill, and give warning of early signs of cancer, seizures and hypoglycaemia. She also explored the research into dogs and human psychological health, including the therapeutic role that dogs play in aiding the disabled and also in hospitals, prisons and residential homes.

An Israeli research paper said it was likely that animal companions helped people with schizophrenia feel motivated and calmer. And another UK study suggested that the companionship of a dog helped children with chronic illnesses endure painful treatments. Some of the evidence was found to be weak, but in other areas Dr Wells found strong evidence to suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and are less likely to have minor and serious health problems.

In one paper dated 1985, Dr Wells found that dog owners had an 8.6 higher one year survival rate after a heart attack compared to people who did not have a dog. Dr Wells suggests there could be a number of reasons for the health benefits of dog ownership.

There is the more obvious direct effect of increased physical activity, but then there are also indirect effects such as that brought by increased social contact and the possibility that the human-dog bond provides a psychological buffer against stress.

Comparing cat and dog ownership, Dr Wells found evidence that people who take cats and dogs from rescue centres reported reductions in minor health problems such as headaches, dizzy spells and colds as soon as one month after taking their new companion home.

However, it was only those people who had taken dogs, as opposed to cats, that still had the improved health conditions up to ten months later.

Hope this articles will help you aware how improtant is Dog to our life.

Cheers!
Dorothty
www.DogMillion.com

Peru’s unique hairless dogs

Do you have a hairless dog? A unique hairless dog is found at Peru.

His eyes gleaming with joy underneath a yellow mohawk and his tail with a little brush at the tip wagging playfully, Josh the Peruvian Hairless Dog heads out to greet tourists at Lima’s Pucllana ruins.

About the size of an English pointer, Josh and his kin are not guard dogs, but, rather, are guarded behind the walls of this and other historic monuments on the Peruvian coast — the hairless sight hound’s habitat for more than 3,000 years.

They are part of the historic scenery here, but the canine breed almost became history several years back. “Now we can say they are safe, saved by this project, but a few years ago the Peruvian Hairless Dog was under threat of extinction in Peru,” said Pedro Vargas, coordinator of the Huaca Pucllana archaeological project excavating an ancient temple site of the Lima civilisation dating back to 500.

The breed normally has hair resembling a mohawk on the head and a tail brush, but otherwise has naked dark, very warm skin. Its history is long and rather sad, especially after the Spanish conquest starting in 1532.

Native pre-Incan civilisations used the dogs for hunting and as pets for company. They are represented on the ceramic pottery of the Chimu, Moche and Chancay cultures found on the coast.

They were sometimes mummified and buried along with people to help the departed find their way to the world of the dead or to continue serving their owners in the afterlife. The Spanish brought giant war dogs to fight the natives and would often amuse themselves by setting off one such dog against a small pack of the smaller local breed.

“There are reports it could tear four, five hairless dogs in pieces easily,” Vargas said, caressing Josh’s head.

The breed got to the 21st century on the brink of extinction, and that’s when the government decided to safeguard it by ordering all archaeological sites along the coast to have at least a pair — after Huaca Pucllana’s 1989 initiative. They are now also Peru’s only own world-registered breed.

“We know there are quite a few now, and there are people breeding them and people buying them here and for export - it is a luxury dog now,” Vargas said, adding though there was still a lot of prejudice against the dog’s naked skin.

Do you have a hairless dog? Tell me what is your felling about this types of Dog?

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Obedience for Dog?

• Do you want to know how to stop your dog behaviour problem?
• Do you have a generally disobedient dog?
• Does your dog embarrass you in public?
• Are you sick of excessive biting, barking, whining, etc?
• Are you sick of dealing with dog aggression issues?
• Do you want to know how to fix virtually any dog behavior problem?
• Or, perhaps you just want the best relationship that you can possibly have with your dog...

Whatever your reasons are, Daniel Steven have designed a cutting-edge dog training package with YOU in mind, so that you will get immensely satisfying results FAST...

For more Information click here

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Labrador the Top Dog in US

The Labrador Retriever was crowned the most popular U.S. purebred dog on Monday for the 16th straight year, but the Yorkshire Terrier — a celebrity favorite — stole the spotlight by jumping to the second spot.

The American Kennel Club said the tiny terriers fondly known as "Yorkies" beat out the traditional U.S. favorites, the German Shepherd and Golden Retriever, according to 2006 registration data.

"To have such a small dog overtake America's iconic dogs is really amazing," said the club's spokeswoman, Daisy Okas. The last time a small dog, weighing less than 20 pounds (9 kg), won such status was when the Boston Terrier was the second-most popular breed in 1939.

"Celebrities have had a lot of influence," Okas said. "We do not advocate dogs as fashion accessories. Before you get a dog, no matter what breed, you have to make a lifetime commitment."

Celebrities with Yorkshire Terriers reportedly include actresses Tara Reid, Naomi Watts and Kirsten Dunst, singers Anastacia, Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey, model Gisele Bundchen and tennis star Venus Williams.

New Yorker Tasasha Chavis, a nanny who lives on Manhattan, estimated she has spent thousands of dollars on her two Yorkies, named Mz Peanut Brittle and Little Bit of Honey, who have their own bedroom and wardrobe.

Mz Peanut Brittle, who was wearing a tiny tiara and pearl collar, travels in style.

"I have a Coach carrier for her but she is not an accessory. She has shoes and jackets and a stroller. She sleeps in my bed," Chavis said. "I don't have any kids — these are my babies."

According to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, U.S. pet owners spent more than $38 billion on their animals in 2006.

"People are just treating dogs like family more and more," Okas said. "They want to have that companionship."

She said the Labrador Retriever was the consistent favorite because it is "one of the most versatile breeds." "They want to be with people, they are very trainable, they want to be their owner's best friend,"

At No. 3 in the American Kennel Club's top 10 was the German Shepherd, followed by the Golden Retriever, Beagle, Dachshund, Boxer, Poodle, Shih Tzu and Miniature Schnauzer.

But in New York City, the poodle was top dog.

Hope this news keep you on track the Top Dog in US.

Cheers!

www.Dogmillion.com