As the saying goes, “dog is man’s best friend,” and now we have proof. Pets, especially dogs, can help you live a longer life. Various studies by the National Institute of Health, the American Heart Association and universities confirm that dog ownership can help you live a longer, healthier and more productive life.

Cardiovascular Health

Dog owners get more exercise just by taking their dog out for a walk. The American Heart Association says that 54 percent of dog owners are likely to get the recommended amount of exercise for good health. All this exercise lowers cardiovascular risks and cholesterol levels, making pet owners more healthy and more likely to live longer lives.

Lower Blood Pressure

Due to the calming effect petting a dog has on people, dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure than those who do not own pets. Dog owners lower blood pressure also may be due to the amount of exercise they get.

Socially Connected

Dogs can help you stay socially connected, which is vitally important for people who are at risk of social isolation. Walking with a dog often leads to more conversations and more connections with people. The National Institute of Health states that people who have more social contact and more friends live longer and are unlikely to decline as quickly as those who do not.

Anti-Depressant

Studies done at St. Louis University and Miami University by psychologists showed that pet owners were less likely to suffer from depression, had higher self-esteem and experienced less loneliness. When people see dogs, their brains release endorphins, which are natural antidepressants.

Visiting Therapists

Dogs are used more and more for therapy in hospitals. Although few studies have been done on therapy dogs and the effects on patients, most clinicians say they can see the benefits, according to the National Institutes of Health. Dogs help patients by reducing their anxiety and improving their mood. These benefits clearly help patients heal and may help improve the prognosis for their illness.

Pugs are one of the oldest dog breeds, having been around for more than 3,000 years. The breed has been a member of the American Kennel Club’s toy group since 1885. People know pugs by their wrinkled faces, stout bodies and curled tails. Pugs are popular dogs, and while they are generally healthy, they can suffer from some health issues.

Skin Infections

Pugs have wrinkles in their skin, and dirt and debris can become trapped in the folds. Make sure you keep those folds of skin clean because bacteria can cause painful skin irritation or infections. Bathe your pug regularly to avoid skin infections.

Pug Dog Encephalitis

Pug dog encephalitis was once thought to be an affliction that affected only pugs, hence the name. It has since been reported in other breeds. Pug dog encephalitis is a disease that causes inflammation of the brain and the central nervous system, causing seizures, depression and blindness, among other symptoms. There is no cure for this disease, but medications can be used to help with its symptoms. Pug dog encephalitis is a terminal diagnosis.

Tracheal Collapse

Pugs and some other toy breeds are prone to tracheal collapse. This happens when the windpipe narrows, making it hard for the dog to breathe. Your dog may be experiencing tracheal collapse if he has a cough, breathes harshly and gags. Surgery can repair the problem, but this is a serious health issue.

Stenotic Nares

Pugs with this birth defect are born with nostrils that are too small. The pug will have a hard time breathing though his nose. This will put a considerable strain on his whole body and can result in an enlarged heart, chronic bronchitis and tracheal collapse.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is often seen in large dog breeds, but the pug may be susceptible because of its size. While pugs are only 10 to 14 inches tall, they can weigh up to 20 pounds. Hip dysplasia caused by the malformation of the bones that connect to form the hip, resulting in a bad fit. This disorder causes intense pain and sometimes lameness. Surgery can repair the problem.

Whether your dog is a champion or a stay-at-home pet, you need a grooming table if the breed’s grooming requires a moderate amount of your time. The right grooming table reduces your back strain and can make your dog feel more at ease while you are caring for his physical needs. An unsuitable grooming table, however, can make grooming a nightmare. Your table should be appropriate for your height, for the dog being groomed and for the frequency of use.

Size of Dogs Being Groomed

A grooming table must allow a dog to stand and recline in comfortable positions without giving him too much room to move around. Commercial grooming tables are frequently 18 or 24 inches wide and 30 to 48 inches long; however, sizes can vary between manufacturers. If you will be grooming dogs of different sizes, choose a table that takes the comfort of the largest dog into consideration. A small dog grooming table, which typically consists of a round, rotating tabletop on a frame with a nonslip base, is suitable for use with toy- and small-breed dogs. It can rest on top of any counter or table to make grooming a small dog more comfortable for both parties involved.

Size of the Groomer

A grooming table should be appropriate for the height of the groomer in relation to the size of the dog. The table should bring your dog up to approximately the level of your waist, to prevent bending or stretching while brushing, combing or attending to ears or nails. Grooming tables with adjustable legs allow you to groom dogs of different sizes. They also permit you to stand or to sit while grooming. Hydraulic grooming tables can be expensive. Regardless, they are worth the investment if you need assistance lifting a dog onto the table or if you will be grooming often. You can adjust a hydraulic table even with the dog in place.

Construction and Portability

Your table should be sturdy enough to withstand the weight and energy of your dog. A lightweight wooden fold-up table would not stand up to use with a Siberian husky, even if the dog would fit on top: Its base would wobble and the tabletop would eventually buckle or crack. By the same token, a 5-pound dog does not need a table with all-metal construction. Sometimes, portability is important. If you will be keeping your table at home, a well-made, slightly heavy table might be the better investment. If you will be traveling with it, however, a folding table constructed of lightweight metal or wood is ideal.

Frequency of Use and Storage

If you have more than one dog or if your dog requires frequent grooming, you may prefer to keep your grooming table set up all the time. In this case, you will want a table that fits into the space you have set aside for grooming. If you will be grooming infrequently, a table that suits the size of your dog and folds to store under a bed or in a closet is likely more appropriate.

Fifty-nine percent of pooch owners have patronized food trucks, and 48 percent would likely take their dog to lunch or dinner at a truck that offered food for dogs if one was in their neighborhood, according to a recent survey by Chef Michael’s, a line of dog food.

That’s why Nestlé Purina PetCare debuted a traveling food truck for dogs in July 2012 to promote its Chef Michael’s brand. “People who want to share the food truck experience with their dog can now do it in a healthy way,” says Niky Roberts, a spokeswoman for Chef Michael’s. The truck, which visits numerous cities throughout the country, passes out free samples of Chef Michael’s products.

Yet, Chef’s Michael’s isn’t the only truck on the block, so to speak. In Orlando, Fla., for instance, you’ll find the Sit ‘n Stay Pet Café, a food truck that operates year-round on varying days. Two sisters — Lauren Hicks, a veterinary technician, and Kathy Trimble — are the brains behind this two-year-old operation, which attends regular monthly events but doesn’t have a set route.

It does have crowd pleasers, though. The sisters have created more than 30 different treats, which they rotate on the menu. Their most popular items? Doggie cupcakes, Italian Mutt-Balls, and jerky treats. “We try to mimic human goodies as much as possible,” says Hicks, adding that she once had to stop an owner who almost popped a Quesadilla Cookie in her mouth.

Meanwhile, in Austin, Texas, Lara Enzor is dishing out doggie treats and ice cream through the Bow-Wow Chow food truck. She opened her truck in July 2012, and the response when she pulls into dog parks, groups for dog owners, or special canine events has been overwhelming. “It gives people a way to enjoy special time with their pets,” she says.

Fortunately for dogs, the trend isn’t going away soon. Enzor, for instance, has purchased two more trucks and is offering licensing opportunities to grow her food truck brand. As she says, “Whether you’re a person or dog, eating from a food truck is just plain fun.”

Masks aren’t just for superheroes; a number of dog breeds sport multicolored facial markings that give them a masked appearance. Large and small breeds alike may sport masks, and while this list does not cover all breeds, it gives a comprehensive overview of masked dogs.

Small Masked Breeds

Pugs are one of the most recognizable of all masked breeds. These jovial little dogs come in a number of colors, but the fawn and apricot with black masked markings are most common. The shih tzu also sports masked markings, although the mask may be any color that is different from the base color of the coat.

Medium Masked Breeds

The Siberian husky comes in a plethora of colors, and may be born with or without masks. Huskies tend to fade as they age, so a heavily masked puppy may mature into a minimally masked adult. The Australian shepherd is one of the most colorful breeds in the dog world, and their masks follow the same colorful trend. Aussie masks often come in black or tan like many other breeds, or may be a lighter or darker variation of the base coat.

Large Masked Breeds

German shepherds are known for their rich tan or red coats and black saddles, although many people do not realize that their characteristic black muzzles and ears are a variation of the masked gene. Great Danes also display masked coloration, which may be present in all coat patterns and color varieties.

If you’re considering adopting a four-legged best friend, you have a few options. Adopting a dog form a shelter or rescue center will save a dog’s life, and be much less costly than purchasing from a breeder or pet store. Approximately 7 million animals arrive in shelters per year; up to 4 million never find homes and are euthanized, according to the ASPCA. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

1Decide which breed and personality will best fit your lifestyle and if you’d prefer a puppy or more mature dog. Dogs have different temperaments, and certain breeds require more upkeep and attention than others. Visit animal shelters, parks with dog runs and animal rescue groups to learn which breed you feel most compatible with. Research dog breeds on interactive websites, such as those of The American Kennel Club and Animal Planet, which offer personality profiles, temperament and other behavioral information to help you make the best decision.

2Check animal rescue centers and shelters in your area. Shelters usually have a large selection of puppies and adult dogs, which have been screened for good behavior and health. Meet with the animal shelter staff who handle the dogs on a daily basis and ask for their input on the dogs’ temperament and behavior, and learn which are their favorites. Search the databases on the websites of The Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA and The Shelter Pet Project to locate shelters and rescue groups that may have the pooch you’re looking for.

3Research nonprofit organizations that take some of the dogs off the hands of shelters and rescue centers to relieve overcrowding, and work to find them good homes. Rescue Me! Animal Project acts as a middlemen to find loving families for dogs through websites, like Petfinder. The adoption fee often is higher than those of shelters, which covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations, a microchip and initial pet supplies. Use the Petfinder database to help locate the dog who will steal your heart.

4Call vets in your area for a local breeder recommendation if you’re searching for a purebred to adopt. Don’t rule out adopting a purebred from a shelter, as 25 percent of purebred dogs can be found in animal shelters and rescue groups, according to the ASPCA. Type the breed into a search engine, such as Google, along with the words “breeder” or “rescue” to locate a purebred pup for adoption. You also can check the database on the website of The American Kennel Club, which will help you find a breeder.

Perhaps you aren’t at home during the day to take your puppy outside to potty or maybe it is insistent upon relieving itself in your house instead of when you take it outside. Whatever the reason, using training pads as a way to teach your puppy not to go on the floor can solve your problem. Once your puppy learns that the pad is the only appropriate area to potty, it will cease going on your floors. 1Designate an area for your puppy while you are teaching it to potty on the pad. If necessary, set up a baby gate to confine it to a certain area, particularly one with hard floors that are easy to clean.

2Spread training pads all over the surface of the confined area of floor at first so that the puppy won’t miss its mark. If you just put one or two pads in the area, you can’t expect the puppy to know that’s where you want it to go.

3Remove soiled training pads and replace them with fresh ones as needed. Make note if there’s a specific area the dog tends to relieve itself upon.

4Remove a training pad every three days, but not the ones that cover the areas the puppy seems to favor.

5Keep removing training pads every three days until there’s just one left. Discard and replace the training pad as needed.