Friday Fix - Breed Identification - Before and After (6/22/2012)

By Christy Hess

Poll Results from Last Week

Well the results are in (even thought the percentages are more than 100%) the overwhelming response is that people are looking for the puppy personality in photos. Yeah - those are my favorite puppy pictures!!!!

Thank you for voting.

Breed Identification

The other things that the photo is helpful in seeing is the breed. At Colorado Puppy Rescue (like other rescues and shelters) breeds and ages are our best guess based on coat, color, teeth, tail, size and feet. We use our many years of experience, books and the opinions other volunteers to help determine. Sometimes we just get it wrong or the puppy's look change drastically as they grow.

Here are some examples:

I still have no idea what Budja's breed is but what a great looking dog.

Look at how much the facial markings changed on Blake!

Spot's spots changed as well.

Koli's markings completely changed the spots on the face slid down to the back.

Tucker's mask disappeared.

Haz-Mat grew!

Sadie grew as well. I would say now that she is a Catahoula Leopard Dog.

Fritz lost that thick Chow Chow like coat!

I can't even venture a guess on Kiko - what is your best guess on breed?

Terrier of some kind? Grizzley is gorgeous!

The face on Melo really changed, almost makes me think Dane.

Be aware that even the color can change as puppies can grow. Bruce demonstrates a drastic change, but what a cutie!

I never never would have guessed looking at the puppy that Bubba was part terrier.

See all of our photo albums on Zenfolio!

If you have a before and after photo you would like to share with us - please send them to me at info@coloradopuppy.org so I can get them posted.

Friday Fix - Heelers (6/8/2012)

By Christy Hess

This week like many others we have a fabulous group of pups available for adoption. We have a number of Heelers (aka Australian Cattle Dog) this week. This is a breed that I know a little bit about. My rescue from Colorado Puppy Rescue (Sammie) is a 4 year old heeler mix. She is a fabulous dog.

The Heeler breed is very intelligent, but they were breed to work. If you don't give them plenty of exercise and something to do, they will invent a game themselves. Usually it involves herding family members into a room and trying to keep them all in a close grouping.

Heelers do have the tendency to nip at heels (which is an instinct). Yes you can train them not to do this, but you have to understand that this nipping is a way of getting your attention. Sammie will grab my pant leg or shirt sleeve if I walk by without saying "hello". It is her way of saying "wait a minute, you forgot something."

Most Heelers have very unique markings in either Blue (black and white), Red (red and white) or Tri (black, brown and white). Sammie couldn't decide her front half is Blue and her back half is Red.

If you want a frisbee dog, pal or protector, a Heeler is a great breed for you.

Here are photos of some of the heelers we have available this week.

For your further enjoyment here are some pictures of heelers that were adopted from Colorado Puppy Rescue over the year.

I choose to adopt Sammie 4 years ago. She is the piece of the puzzle that I didn't know was missing until she became part of our family. Thank you Colorado Puppy Rescue!

This is my Sammie girl

Friday Fix - Angie (6/1/2012)

By Christy Hess

It is already the first day of June - where does the time go?

I wanted to dedicate this week's blog to a great volunteer, outstanding foster and most importantly a irreplaceable friend.

Bon voyage!

Angie and her family will be re-stationed to Hawaii soon.

Angie is the mother of three of the most adorable and well mannered children I have ever had the pleasure to meet. LJ (8), Kitiara (5) and Kyle (2).

Angie (and family) fostered over 100 puppies in 2011. Fostering has to be the hardest job, because the foster family means everything to that puppy. This family gave over 100 puppies a fabulous start!!!!

Angie also played an important role as the photographer the last few months for Colorado Puppy Rescue - she made sure there were great pictures that really reflected the puppies personality so that these puppies found their furever homes fast, fast, fast.... Here are a few of my all time favorite photos.

This puppy looked so disgusted when he go splashed with water - it was hilarious. A lab no less!

We had an adopter ask specifically for the puppy playing with the stick!

Is there really a better picture out there?

May I be one of many to wish you and your family all of the best. We will miss you and hope that you keep in touch. You will always be a part of the Colorado Puppy Rescue family.

Thank you for all you and your family do!