Category: pets

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See How 100 Years of Breeding Has Changed Popular Dog Breeds

The differences between dog breeds have gotten more and more extreme thanks to centuries of breeding, as you can see in these photos of what popular dog breeds looked like 100 years ago.

In these photo comparisons, modern dog breeds basically look like over the top versions of their original selves. This is due to high levels of inbreeding meant to keep each breed “pure,” but which also results in chronic health and behavioral problems in many purebreds.

Bull Terriers, for example. To someone from 100 years ago, a modern Bull Terrier wouldn’t even be recognizable!

Photo Credit: W.E. Mason

Nowadays, Bull Terriers have shark-shaped heads. They’re prone to compulsive behavior, kidney failure, and deafness.

Photo Credit: iStock

And then there’s English Bulldogs, one of the most severe cases of in-breeding. They used to look like this.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Even back then, this breed looked unhealthy.

And now they look like this. English Bulldogs are now known for chronic health issues, and they’re largely incapable of breeding without medical assistance.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

German Shepherds have changed a lot, too. One hundred years ago, German Shepherds were much smaller and more athletic-looking.

Photo Credit: W.E. Mason

Now, they’re larger and they have dramatically sloped backs. Many dog lovers think of German Shepherds as one of the greatest tragedies of dog breeding thus far.

Photo Credit: iStock

Other examples of popular breeds that have drastically changed over the years include Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Boxers.

The post See How 100 Years of Breeding Has Changed Popular Dog Breeds appeared first on UberFacts.

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See How 100 Years of Breeding Has Changed Popular Dog Breeds

The differences between dog breeds have gotten more and more extreme thanks to centuries of breeding, as you can see in these photos of what popular dog breeds looked like 100 years ago.

In these photo comparisons, modern dog breeds basically look like over the top versions of their original selves. This is due to high levels of inbreeding meant to keep each breed “pure,” but which also results in chronic health and behavioral problems in many purebreds.

Bull Terriers, for example. To someone from 100 years ago, a modern Bull Terrier wouldn’t even be recognizable!

Photo Credit: W.E. Mason

Nowadays, Bull Terriers have shark-shaped heads. They’re prone to compulsive behavior, kidney failure, and deafness.

Photo Credit: iStock

And then there’s English Bulldogs, one of the most severe cases of in-breeding. They used to look like this.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Even back then, this breed looked unhealthy.

And now they look like this. English Bulldogs are now known for chronic health issues, and they’re largely incapable of breeding without medical assistance.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

German Shepherds have changed a lot, too. One hundred years ago, German Shepherds were much smaller and more athletic-looking.

Photo Credit: W.E. Mason

Now, they’re larger and they have dramatically sloped backs. Many dog lovers think of German Shepherds as one of the greatest tragedies of dog breeding thus far.

Photo Credit: iStock

Other examples of popular breeds that have drastically changed over the years include Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Boxers.

The post See How 100 Years of Breeding Has Changed Popular Dog Breeds appeared first on UberFacts.

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This Is What the “Guilty” Expression on Your Dog’s Face Really Means

Humans keep trying to explain and understand our pets in terms of human thoughts and emotions. Even though they’re, ya know, dogs and cats and birds and stuff.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the look your dog gives you when they’re in trouble for doing something they know they shouldn’t have isn’t what you think.

Like this guy who’s clearly guilty AF!

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I may look guilty right? That’s because I am, I chewed mummy’s trainer up, thought I may get away with it but as soon as she shouted ‘who did this Tink?’ My face automatically did this……? need more practice ???? Happy Friyay ? Tink xx #guiltydogface#happyfriyay#bettyboobeagle#tinkerbelle#justbeagles#beagleloveit#instagrambeagles#beagle#beaglesofinstagram#dogsofinstagram#dogs_of_instagram#beaglecentral#beagleworld_feature#beagleluvofficial#beaglevillage#boopmynose#dailybarker#worldofcutepets#dogsofinstagram#sendadogphoto #worldofcutepets#dog_features#dogsofinstaworld#mydogiscutest#igwoofs#dogmilk#beaglefaction#beagleloverz#beagles_petsagram#beaglepluss#beagle_us#doggytheworld @beagledream @beagle_top @boopmynose @beagleworld @beagle_loveit @beaglecentral @bestfriends_dogs @dogsofinstagram @beaglevillage @beagleloverz @beaglefaction @beagle_corner @dog.tagram @thekennelclubuk @beagleoftheday @beagle_top @beagles.gram @beaglemasters @sendadogphoto @justbeagles @mydogiscutest @beaglesplanet @thebeaglesparents @beagle_lovers @beagles_petsagram @beagles_all_day @instagrambeagles @beagle_society @beagledaily @beaglescorner @beaglestagrams @beagleig @beagle.boo @beaglesmile @beagle_corner @beaglezada @beagleloversfc @beaglecute @beagle.ins.gram @beagle_me @dogs @worldofbeagles @doglove @dogs_of_world_

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Actually, what we categorize as an adorable attempt to convey the complicated emotion of guilt is actually much more simple (and less cute) – fear.

A 2009 study ran by scientist Dr. Alexandra Horowitz called “Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know” and “Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell,” addresses how we misinterpret fear as guilt in those moments when we’re upset with our dogs for disobeying.

“I look at a dog showing the guilty look and it feels guilty to me. It does! We’re kind of wired to see it this way, so it’s nobody’s fault.”

She describes the look as when the dog cowers, showing the whites of its eyes while looking up at you, possibly pinning it’s ears back in the process – all classic signs of fear in dogs.

They’re responding to your scolding and disapproval, basically, not to any higher thought process where they were aware they were doing the wrong thing when they were doing it, and are now feeling badly that they were caught.

“It seems unlikely that they have the same types of thinking about thinking that we do, because of their really different brains, but in most ways dogs brains are more similar to ours than dissimilar,” Dr. Horowitz told IFLScience.

The “thinking about thinking” bit refers to executive function, meaning the ability to reflect on past actions and feel a certain way about them in the present.

“There is some work showing that some animals are planning for the future and remember specific episodes in the past. With dogs, there’s not as much evidence yet. Which isn’t to say that they don’t, but it’s to say that it’s really hard to design experiments around it.”

Without solid evidence when it comes to how dogs experience emotion and memory, anthropomorphizing them is easy – and it’s essential to us, as humans, as a way to make sense of this creature now living alongside us in our home.

“When you adopted your dog, and suddenly you’re living with a dog, within a week we have opinions about the dog’s personality, what they’re like and what they’re thinking. It’s a way to try to predict what’s gonna happen next with an organism that we don’t really know. So we use the language of human explanation, and we just put it on the dog.”

Which is fine, of course, as long as you’re not expecting more from your dog that they’re really able to give.

It’s best to just love them for who and what they are – nosed-through trash bins and chewed-up shoes and all.

The post This Is What the “Guilty” Expression on Your Dog’s Face Really Means appeared first on UberFacts.

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You Need These 15 Photos of Puppy Bellies in Your Life

These photos of puppy bellies are FREAKING ADORABLE. I can barely take my eyes off them. They’re so cute I want to rub all the puppy bellies in the entire world!

Is that possible? Well, it’s now my mission in life so I will do my best.

Enjoy…

1. Two-for-one

2. Lounging

3. Awwwwww

4. Snoozin’

5. LOL

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Just my mom and I having a snooze ?

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6. He’s cool with it

7. Down for the count

8. Pink belly!

9. I really want him

10. All tuckered out

11. Teeny tiny

12. Hahahaha

13. Can’t get up

14. Cuuuuuuute

15. Let’s close with a video

Damn, those are all adorable.

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“Grumpy Cat” May Be Gone, But The Internet Has Found a Worthy Successor

A few weeks ago, the internet was saddened to learn that “Grumpy Cat” (real name Tardar Sauce) passed away. I think we can all agree that she’ll be greatly missed.

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Some days are grumpier than others…

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We all know Grumpy Cat can never really be replaced, but this guy sure is gonna do his darndest. A 6-year-old Persian cat from Austin, Texas, named Louis is being called “the New Grumpy Cat,” and I think you’ll see why.

Let’s give him a shot, okay?!?! Here are 15 pics of Louis in all his glory.

A worthy successor, I believe. I think you will, too.

1. See what I’m talkin’ about?

2. I will allow the occasional pet

3. Goes where he pleases

4. Dressed up…and still grumpy

5. Pouting

6. Wide-eyed

7. Do not disturb me

8. A little less grumpy

9. I don’t know if he’s down with that haircut

10. Close up

11. Louis in action

12. Don’t even think about it

13. The Boss

14. No more photos

15. Back off

Keep up with Louis on Instagram so you can follow all of his adventures!

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Man Discovers a Bear Has Been Bribing His Dog with Deer Bones to Gain Access to the Trash Can

Personally, I’d be scared s***less if I found a bear was hanging out near my dog/house. Twitter user Jesse Jordan is clearly a better man than I am, as he was mad about this situation for an entirely different reason.

Jordan, who lives in a remote part of Canada, was shocked to find that his dog, Brick, has been accepting deer bones as a gift from a smart bear who is, in turn, granted access to Jordan’s trash. And you know how much bears loooooooove trash.

As you can see, Brick was bribed with some pretty big bones, so you can sympathize with his situation. I mean, how could he possibly turn those bad boys down?!?!

Jordan had to face the hard truth that Brick is just not cut out for this kind of work.

Indeed, this is an impeachable offense. And although Jordan was pretty miffed by this offense, he had to admit that Brick is a damn good boy.

People on Twitter loved the story and shared their thoughts about Jordan and his sidekick, Brick.

And Jordan had one final thought for all the Tweeters out there.

Oh Brick, you really did it this time…

But we shouldn’t be too hard on him, right? I mean, find me a furry doggo that would ever turn down a heaping helping of deer bones.

Go ahead…I’ll wait.

That’s right, the answer is, they would all do the same exact that good ol’ Brick did in this situation.

Do you have any similar stories with your pets? Share them in the comments below, por favor!

The post Man Discovers a Bear Has Been Bribing His Dog with Deer Bones to Gain Access to the Trash Can appeared first on UberFacts.

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Researchers Find That Losing a Pet is Almost as Bad as Losing a Person

Losing a pet is a shock to the heart. No matter if our beloved furry friend passes because of illness or due to an accident, we feel as if we have lost a member of the family–because that’s exactly what they areL family. We develop emotional attachment to their sweet fuzzy faces.

Photo Credit: Pexels

Researchers (Quakenbush & Glickman, 1984) at the University of Pennsylvania found people risked particularly extreme grief when they had to euthanize their animals. Pet owners felt a tremendous sense of guilt, as well, around deciding to euthanize. They agonize over whether or not all care options were considered. Was there truly nothing else left to do?

According to the study:

Feeling guilty often is a component of the grief, especially if the owner is conflicted about a decision for euthanasia, or feels that appropriate care was not provided. Grief for an animal, though becoming more socially accepted, remains somewhat disenfranchised. For example, time off work is typically not an option.

Photo Credit: Flickr

The worst possible thing to hear at such as sad time is it’s just a dog or a cat or a hamster or whatever. 

Comments like these only pile on our feelings of loss.

Our pets are still loved just as much as human family members, even if others don’t understand.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Grief after losing a pet is real and natural. But it hurts and many people, including myself, have found doing some of these things can help with the process of moving past the pain.

  • Note how you feel having toys, leashes, collars and other reminders of your pet around you. If these items bring you comfort, leave them out. If they distress you, there is nothing wrong with putting them away.
  • Embrace the idea of the “Rainbow Bridge” – an image meant to suggest that we could all meet again in the afterlife – and take comfort in knowing your sweet pet is there.
  • If you had to euthanize, you did it to ease your pet’s suffering. There is nothing wrong with that. You did the right thing at the right time.

Photo Credit: Flickr

  • Remember all the love and attention you gave to your pet and how much you got in return in your beautiful relationship.
  • Memorialize your pet. Having a ceremony or creating a physical memorial with photos and mementos can help you grieve.
  • Journaling, writing letters, reading books, visiting friends and playing with their pets or keeping busy with volunteering and other activities can also help you fill the void you feel.

No one can tell you the proper way to grieve or how long the grief will last. But it will pass soon and you’ll be left with warm memories of your furry best friend to carry in your heart.

The post Researchers Find That Losing a Pet is Almost as Bad as Losing a Person appeared first on UberFacts.

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You Can Now Buy Matching BFF Necklaces For You and Your Dog

WHERE HAS THIS BEEN ALL MY LIFE?

Ok, so I’ve only been a puppy parent for a few months now, but still, I need this in my life.

You’ve no doubt seen those necklaces that two human BFFs wear so they can always be thinking of their partner in crime. Well, now you can do the same thing with your dog! Because let’s be real, human friends are fine and everything, but our dogs are our real best friends, no doubt about it.

Photo Credit: Max Pixel

You can get these matching necklaces/dog collars from an Etsy vendor named SlashpileDesigns.

The human (that means you) gets an 18″ chain with a silver dog bone attached, and your doggo gets a cool collar pendant with the bone silhouette. Together forever, right?!?!

Photo Credit: Etsy

You can also get a heart design as well.

If you want to engrave your new set of jewelry, it’ll cost you an extra $25.

I think both you and Fido will be very happy with this purchase.

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