Ireland is the native country of some of our most beloved dog breeds, including two hounds, three gundogs, and four terriers. As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, let’s take a look at the nine Irish dog breeds that have been immersed in cultures across the world and adored for their talents and sweet demeanors.

Not everyone has an energetic personality, a lifestyle that allows for daily trips to the dog park, or a love of hiking with a dog running the trails alongside them. Some people want the companionship of a pet, but perhaps health issues, a tiring job, or an introverted personality mean the best kind of pet for them is calm, low maintenance, and enjoys cuddles more than dog parks. This doesn't mean a dog isn't the right pet for them, but they need to choose the breed carefully.

What Is Cognitive Dysfunction?

If you have ever had a senior pet, you may have noticed that as they age their behavior can change. Just like people, cats and dogs can get behavioral changes that can look a lot like changes we see in elderly people with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

When should I start behavior training with my dog?

The most critical stage in a puppy’s behavior development occurs between 5-18 weeks of age.

We know, for instance, that:

Sometimes, we witness our dogs acting strangely or doing something that makes us curious. Much like humans, dogs have habits, rituals, and personality traits that make them unique, and we're left to decipher what they mean in the absence of human conversation.

From wrapping their paws around your arm to tilting their head, we've compiled the top 10 most commonly asked questions about dogs and their surprising answers.

Dogs are awesome. Some of their behaviors aren't always so great, though. From incessant begging to jumping up on people to begging for food, there are plenty of ways that even the most loveable dog can be pretty annoying. Dogs develop obnoxious behaviors and strange habits for countless reasons, and even the most loving pet parents often become frustrated and unsure of how to put a stop to them.

Fortunately, we have some good news for you.

This post was written by our friend Melissa R. Shyan Norwalt, Ph.D., CAAB

August 26 is National Dog Day, founded in 2004 by Colleen Paige—a pet and family lifestyle expert, animal rescue advocate, conservationist, dog trainer, and author. This day honoring dogs of all breeds marks when Colleen and her family adopted their first dog, Sheltie, from a local animal shelter when Colleen was 10 years old.