Just in time for Holiday Shopping; the top 10 List
Best Dog Coat: Fido Fleece from Premier. Easy to put on for you and the dog with a Velcro strip along the dog's back. No reaching under or pulling tubes over your dog's head which is better for everyone. Sizing is easy to follow and the coat keeps the tummy warm, too. Many fancy coats ignore this all important feature. It's washable, of course. Available at many of the usual retailers including Amazon.com.
Best Hound Collars: 2HoundsDesign.com Several websites sell handmade with brass martingale collars but 2 Hounds has luxurious fabrics. If you are going to get a custom collar, might as well have the full effect of elegance. For a second choice, Lupine has martingales in sporty patterns available from Amazon.com.
Leash Accessories: Jerk-Ease. com What a great idea! A short bungie cord to add to the leash between the collar and clip. Prevents you or your dog from suffering a harsh reaction to a sudden change of direction or velocity. I use mine all the time.
Collar Accessories: Itzadog.com. Even if your dog is microchipped and you don't leave a collar on your dog, this little tag envelope is a nice addition on walks because the jingle of the collar is silenced. Even though we grow accustomed to the sound, this must drive our dogs crazy. This neoprene item is lightweight and can be washed.
Leash/Collar Combos: leashesbydesign.com Have a show lead made to order. With a dog as tall as your average Borzoi you may not think you need a pull tab but for coursing or just the sheer beauty you should check out the Kangaroo leather choices. For a non animal product version, there are parachute chord options as well.
New Idea in Toys: dogtoys.com Last year, the new idea was fire hose for (almost) indestructables by Katie's Bumpers. This year it's spiders with seat belt legs. The stuffed portion of the toy has nylon mesh sewn in so that chewing through it in 5 minutes is much less likely. The Luna Ball from Planet Dog is another new idea that glows in the dark and is like Nerf in its safety features. They are the new favorites around here.
Best Portable: Digitpet.com It's not easy to find a portable sturdy crate for a 32" tall dog, that is easy to clean. Well this one has it all AND is attractive with UV protection panels on all sides. It also has a top opening and corner stake grommets which makes the Go Go Soft Crate the complete package.
Air conditioning: Mistymate.com This one has been around for a long time and has many uses. I've used it for parrot baths as well as keeping a dog cool in the field on a hot day. The fine mist can't be compared to any other squirt bottle and the pressure pump means no need for you to wear out your trigger finger. You could also use one for olive oil in the kitchen -Just saying.
Training Books/DVDs: dogwise.com Anyone who has ever decided it would be fun to take a Borzoi into the obedience ring, needs this book and DVD. Control Unleashed is a blend of exercises, operant conditioning and learning theory that will take you to the next level.
Holiday Cards: borzoiinternational.com Lovely holiday cards with two color varieties in beautiful poses for all your clients and BFFs.
Just for Fun: borzoifiles.net If you've always wanted to see your heart dog's great grandmother, it's now a possibility. By entering your dog's relatives' names, you can connect with Swedish and Russian grand sires 8 generations back with photos. Fun, of course, but also a great way to see dogs from the past from all over the world.
