Lately I've been jammed packed with all these state tests, and school in general. Because of this, I haven't been able to update this blog as much as I'd like to. 

But have no fears! I have created all the posts for this week, and I shouldn't be missing a beat at all! Hopefully it'll work! 

Thank you to everyone who follows this blog, it means the absolute world to us! 

Average height: 9-11in (24-28cm) Average weight: 7-9lb (3-4kg) Average life span: 10-12 years Colors: Black

Sometimes called the Black Devil, the Affenpinscher is among the oldest of the European toy dogs. It retains its terrier instincts, though, and is a brace watchdog and ratter despite its size. With its bright, sometimes stubborn personality, this dog learns easily but needs to know who is in charge. It loves to play and gets along well with children who handle it considerately. 

According to AKC: One of the most ancient of toy dogs, the Affenpinscher originated in Central Europe (Munich, Germany and France), where they earned the nickname "little devil with a moustache." During the 17th century, small terriers were frequently kept around stables, on farms or in stores where they served as ratters. Bred down in size, these small terriers became companions in the home and kept mice from overrunning their mistresses' boudoirs. Affenpinschers have a fun-loving, sometimes mischievous, personality. Their intelligence, appearance and attitude make them a good house pet, but children should always be taught how to properly handle the dog. Their small size makes them ideal for an apartment. They are very active indoors and most of their exercise needs can be met with indoor play, but they enjoy daily walks. Their wiry coat should be brushed and combed twice a week and trimmed twice a year.

Toy Group; AKC recognized in 1936.

Ranging in size from 9 to 11½ inches tall at the shoulder.

Companion dog, watchdog

The following are places where you can adopt your own Affenpinscher! (If you know any remarkable places that deserve a shout out, please message me their link!)

http://www.affenpinscherrescue.org/

http://www.abgra.org/

http://www.puppyfind.com/affenpinscher.php

http://www.adoptapet.com/s/adopt-an-affenpinscher

http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/findarescue/Default.aspx?breed=6146

http://affenpinscher.rescueshelter.com/uk

♡ Pictures of Affenpincschers will follow this post, so please stay tuned! ♡

According to the AKC: The diminutive size and winsome expressions of Toy dogs illustrate the main function of this Group: to embody sheer delight. Don't let their tiny stature fool you, though - - many Toys are tough as nails. If you haven't yet experienced the barking of an angry Chihuahua, for example, well, just wait. Toy dogs will always be popular with city dwellers and people without much living space. They make ideal apartment dogs and terrific lap warmers on nippy nights. (Incidentally, small breeds may be found in every Group, not just the Toy Group. We advise everyone to seriously consider getting a small breed, when appropriate, if for no other reason than to minimize some of the problems inherent in canines such as shedding, creating messes and cost of care. And training aside, it's still easier to control a ten-pound dog than it is one ten times that size.) 

* Not to be confused with Teacup Breeds *

Average Height: 22-28in (55-71cm) Average Weight: 60-71lbs (27-32kg) Average Life Span: 13 to 14 years Colors: Any

Famed as a poacher's dog and used to hunt rabbit and hare, Lurchers were traditionally first-generation crosses of a sight hound with a terrier or a herding dog. Today they are also bred with each other and ideally are greyhound size (average height: 27-30in/69-76cm, average weight 60-66lbs/27-30kg.) In the home Lurchers are peaceful and tolerant and make fine family companions. 

According to Wiki: The lurcher is a type of dog originating in Ireland and parts of Great Britain. Brian Plummer identifies the Norfolk lurcher as the predecessor of the modern lurcher.[1] While not a pure breed, it is generally a cross between a sighthound and any other non-sighthound breed,[2] usually a pastoral dog or terrier, dependent on the attributes desired by the breeder; originally stealth and cunning. Collie crosses are popular, given the working instinct of a sheepdog when mated with a sighthound gives a dog of great intelligence plus speed—prerequisites for the hunter/poacher. In the USA midwest, crosses with large scent hounds are fairly common.

According to DogBreedInfo: Lurchers were developed by the Romanichals and Mouchers in England (the Norfolk Lurcher being the typical moucher dog) and other British countries during a period when hunting game was reserved for the landed classes. The penalties for poaching were extremely severe, and greyhounds (as well as being very difficult to train) were also the dog of the aristocracy, so obviously a different dog was required. They were used for poaching rabbits, hares and other small creatures. It is never bred to a specific standard and is not considered a breed, as the Lurcher is a crossbreed: usually three quarters sighthound but can have any amount of sighthound. The most common combinations are the Greyhound / Collie and the Greyhound / Terrier. The name Lurcher is a derived name from the Romany word lur, which means thief.  The gypsies considered the shorthaired Lurcher the most prized. The Lurcher is still common in its native land. The Collie crosses were often not large enough to do the work the Lurcher was intended for. Gypsies traditionally sneered at any Lurcher that was not predominantly Greyhound, since these "lesser" Lurchers were not as good at hunting and could not stand a full day's work of the hunt. Starting a dog working too young can ruin the dog in one season; it takes about 1 -2 years to get a dog ready to work. Today some breeding is carried out in a more systematic manner, with Lurchers bred to Lurchers to perpetuate the "breed's" prowess at rabbit and hare coursing. Hare coursing is now illegal in Wales, England and Scotland. It is still legal in Northern Ireland but the two coursing clubs in NI now meet in the Republic, since the all other UK countries outlawed it and the Republic has not.

The following are places where you can rescue this precious babies! (If you know some great places, please message me their link so that I may add them!)

http://www.greyhoundandlurcherrescue.co.uk/

http://www.dogsblog.com/category/lurcher/

http://tiagreyhounds.org/

http://www.lurchersos.org.uk/

♡ Pictures of the Lurcher will come after this post, so stay tuned! ♡

Also classified as 'Random Breeds'

Dogs with random breeding are usually of unknown ancestry, with the parents themselves likely to be the result of accidental mixings. Choosing a random-bred puppy is a bit of a lottery for prospective owners as it is difficult to predict what the dog will look like at maturity. But random-bred dogs tend to be healthier than pedigree dogs as there is less likelihood of an inheritable genetic disorder being passed on. Many rescue centre dogs are random crossbreds; in the majority of cases that make excellent pets.

Also classified as 'Crossbreeds' 

Dogs of mixed breeding vary from the so-called designer dogs, with purebred parents of two different recognized breeds, to the bit-of-everything type, the result of accidental, random crosses. Some designer hybrids are now extremely fashionable. They are mostly given whimsical combination names, such as Cockerpoo (A Cocker Spaniel-Poodle cross.)

Prospective owners of a crossbreed, designer dog should take into account the personalities and temperaments of both breeds involved in the mix. These may be very different and either one might predominate. It is also important to consider both parent dogs' requirements for general care and exercise. 

All crossbred dogs are commonly believed to be more intelligent than pedigree dogs, but there is no sound evidence for this. Random breeds are often said to be healthier than purebreds, and it is true that they are at much lower risk of the inherited disease prevalent in some breeds. 

We decided that because we couldn't find much on dogs here that were cleaned and organized, we thought we'd make a informational blog ourselves! 

This is a very tentative schedule [but it is pretty much set in stone]:

Monday(s) will be Mutt Monday where we will post tidbits about the mysterious world of mutts!

Tuesday(s) will be Toy Breeds Tuesday where we will post a different either information about a certain breed that week or maybe some simple facts! 

Wednesday(s) will be Work Out With Your Dog Wednesday where we will post cute little workouts you can do that will keep both you and your canine friend in shape! We may also post about some sports that involve dogs or that branch of animals in general. 

Thursday(s) will be [Health] Tips Thursday where we will post articles or short facts for new beginners with either training or simply taking care of, as well as anything that regards with the health of your dog! 

Friday(s) will be Fun Fridays where we will post funny pictures or videos of dogs doing amusing things or maybe even some history about dogs! 

Saturday(s) will be Shelter Saturdays where we will talk about shelters across the United States and maybe even across the world that are making a difference in animals' lives.

Sunday(s) will be Submit Your Dog Sundays where we will post either pictures or videos of YOUR dogs that you guys submit! 

As this develops, we'll definitely be adding on things. If you have suggestions or comments [please keep them critical but not rude] simply submit them in our ask box and we'll be happy to answer them! 

Thank you so much and have a wonderful day! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀