Find perfect pooch at Detroit dog shows

Ask any dog lover. Picking the right dog for your lifestyle is as important as selecting a romantic partner. As with a person, the secret to any good relationship with a dog is to know who you are and understand their distinct personality. Are they the independent outdoorsy type or a cuddling homebody?

One place to do some soul-searching is during the 100th and 101st Detroit Kennel Club Dog Shows, happening Saturday and Sunday at Detroit's Cobo Arena.

The canine extravaganza includes more than 2,000 dogs representing 169 breeds, competing for everything from Best of Breed to Best in Show. Last year, the Best in Show winners were a Weimaraner on Saturday and an Alaskan malamute on Sunday.

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Traveling with unrestrained pets can endanger you

Traveling with a cat or dog loose in the car can result in accidents, runaway animals, and even death to pet and driver.

Christina Selter, founder of pet safety group BarkBuckleUp in San Diego, says these disasters can be avoided by using special devices that keep pets safely restrained.

The organization drew attention to the issue at a recent Volvo-sponsored exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show. Volvo, known for its safety efforts, offers factory-installed kennels for pets in its XC90 or V70 wagons, for instance. Other car companies are considering offering equipment aimed at pet safety, too.

A look at national statistics shows the potential impact and importance of restraining pets in vehicles. More than 67 percent of U.S. households own a pet, with 44.8 million owning a dog and 71 million owning a cat, according to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association.

Free Clinic Aims To Keep Pets From The Dog Pounds

Your dog may be overweight - and you may not even realize it.

And that lack of awareness could jeopardize the health of your favorite four-legged friend.

To help combat canine obesity, Pfizer Animal Health has joined forces with the American Kennel Club Humane Fund and veterinarians across the country to launch The National Canine Weight Check, a free way to find out whether your dog is overweight.

To get a realistic picture of your dog's health, you can take your dog to participating veterinary clinics throughout February for a free weight check. Numerous local veterinarians are participating, so go to www.stopcanineobesity.com to find the one nearest to you.

The Van Dyke Animal Clinic at 6066 Van Dyke Road is among those taking part.

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