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There’s no doubt that pedigree breeds are beautiful pets. If you’re a diehard German Shepherd lover or you had only Border Collies growing up, this article probably won’t convince you to adopt a mutt instead (though you could always get a dog that’s mostly one breed). However, if you’re looking to adopt a dog– any dog– you should definitely consider getting a mutt instead of shelling out thousands of dollars for a pedigree pup. Here are some reasons you should consider getting a mutt instead.

Personality Beats Looks Every Time

It doesn’t matter what your dog looks like. Seriously. Your dog’s adorable eyes are not going to make a difference when that dog bites you in the ankle. When you choose a dog, never be swayed by a dog’s appearance instead of its personality. Choose a good-tempered dog that has an equal energy level to yours. You’re paying for a breed’s characteristics and looks, so unless you’re absolutely set on one breed there’s no reason to do so.

Mutts Need Homes

Dogs of questionable parentage are often left to die in shelters due to pedigree pound dogs being snatched up first. Take time to fall in love with a mutt. You’ll quickly see that looks mean nothing.

Mutts Are Cheaper

If you’re dead-set on having a puppy, check out your local paper’s classifieds section. You’ll probably find a listing for “Free Puppies to a Good Home.” These listings usually occur thanks to a family dog getting unexpectedly pregnant. Go give one of their mixed puppies a great home.

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Did you know that one of the most recent exotic pet trends around the world is keeping foxes as pets? Foxes are popular for many reasons: they’re a manageable size, they’re intelligent, and owners picture pet foxes the same way they picture pet cats or dogs. However, just as pet dogs are different from pet cats, pet foxes are very different from both species. Here’s everything you need to know about keeping a fox as a pet.

The Three Main Kinds of Pet Foxes

• Fennec fox. The fennec fox is the most popular type of domesticated fox. Fennec foxes are small desert-based foxes with very large ears. They’re much smaller than “wood” fox breeds.
• Domesticated Silver Fox. A farm in Russia is working on domesticating a breed of silver fox and they’re having definite success. Don’t expect getting a domesticated silver fox to be easy; prices hover around $5000.
• Red fox. The red fox is the least common type of fox pet because the breed isn’t largely domesticated. Many states prohibit having a red fox as pets.

The Hard Fox-Training Process

A puppy wants to please its owner because dog’s owner is its pack leader. A fox is an independent animal that has no desire to please you. Your fox will pay much less attention to your needs than a dog would. Foxes are not impossible to train, but they’re definitely food-motivated, not praise-motivated.

Fox-Proofing Your House or Yard

Foxes aren’t meant to be kept inside a house. There’s no way to stop your fox from destroying things– get them a pen or a fox-proof room instead.

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What once was a little-known sport is turning into a major national event. Here’s everything you need to know about the sport of flyball.

What is Flyball?

Flyball is a team sport for canines. Just like you did track in high school, dogs can perform similar activities in a “team.” Flyball basically works like this: a relay team of dogs lines up. The first dog shoots out of the gate, jumps over several hurdles, and runs to the end of the course, where a spring-loaded flyball box is located. The dog jumps on the box. When the pup pounces on the box, a tennis ball shoots out. The dog must catch the ball and leap back over the hurdles. The next dog in the team does the exact same thing as soon as the first dog runs back over the finish line.

Where did Flyball Originate?

Flyball’s origins date back to the 1960′s and 1970′s when the sport appeared in California. No one knows exactly who invented flyball.

Who’s in Charge of the Rules?

The North American Flyball Association governs all rules on the sport in North America.

Where can I Find a Local Flyball Club?

In addition to maintaining the specific rules of the sport, the North American Flyball Association maintains a huge list of flyball clubs in various regions. You may be able to find one in your area!

What Other Countries Have Flyball?

The U.K., Belgium, and Australia all have official flyball leagues.