Sneak Peek: Modern Dog’s Winter Issue is Here!

Ah winter, the season for everything festive and cozy, for cool and crisp outdoor adventures and evenings cuddled on the couch. The year’s final chapter is a reminder that everything is cyclical, change is inevitable, and there are always good things coming—whether it’s under the tree or the promise of spring’s renewal. Thank you for celebrating the season—and dogs, our lessons in joy—with us!

Photo Sarah Daloise

Our goal with this issue is to entertain, delight, and inspire, all through a dog-focused lens. In need of a 2023 goal? How about registering to become a therapy dog team? (page 40) Studies indicate that giving back to the community boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being.

Hygge, the Danish obsession with getting cozy, finds its seasonal home in winter. Find your hibernation inspiration on page 24 with our canine-inspired picks to make your home your refuge, plus cold weather essentials for venturing out no matter the elements. Entertaining at home? Arm yourself with the fascinating dog trivia found on page 96.

We’ve got great gift ideas galore, be it canine stocking stuffers or perfect suggestions for the dog lovers in your life. From CBD to collagen, we explore natural solutions for common canine health problems. And we have tons of cool giveaways—see the dog swag up for grabs on page 22!

Is your house one with an ongoing debate as to whether the dog should sleep in the bed? We’ve got you covered with some science-backed facts as to why co-sleeping is good for you. We also look at longevity in dogs and why size matters.

Photo Sukhareva Aleksandra/Shutterstock

Get to know the Alaskan Malamute, the hearty Arctic breed with a playful side that will win your heart on page 88, then take a look back in pictures at Queen Elizabeth II’s lifelong love affair with Corgis (page 68). You’ll also discover people food you should share with your dog, a fix for backyard barking, and so much more. Jump right in and let us know what you think—share a photo of your dog reading the issue and your dog could appear in the next issue!

May the season bring you and your dogs much happiness. Thank you for being a part of our amazing community!

With love,

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!

Sneak Peek: Modern Dog’s Fall Issue is Here!

This fall issue marks 20 years of celebrating dogs! What an incredible journey we’ve been on together. When I launched Modern Dog with my daughter, Jennifer Nosek, from my house in September 2002, I had no idea what I was getting into. I had exactly zero publishing experience, just a love of dogs and a deep, abiding faith in my mission: to create a community of dog lovers.

The first issue was published locally but met with such incredible success that by the third issue, Modern Dog was distributed across all of Canada and the U.S. And now, here we are, 20 years later, with so many incredible milestones under our belt.

A slew of celebrity dog lovers has graced the cover (Katherine Heigl! Ellen DeGeneres! Martha Stewart!), we’ve been on The Ellen Show, headed to New York City to cover the Westminster Dog Show countless times, had the Modern Dog office taken over by foster puppies, been a title sponsor of the Hero Dog Awards and many other charitable events, and have made so many wonderful friends. Thank you for being a part of this amazing, endlessly inspiring community. You are the reason we come to work every day with smiles on our faces. Dogs forever!

With love,

"Before you get a dog, you can’t quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can’t imagine living any other way." — Caroline Knapp

Best 5 Dog Barks to Deter Burglars

Burglars confess that they are most likely to avoid a home that has a dog*, but which breed has the most effective bark?

With so many choices of pooch to pick from, security retailers safe.co.uk has teamed up with veterinary nurse Emma Bradley to rank the five family dogs with the biggest barks.

According to new data*, 72% of Brits don’t own a guard dog even though it’s proving to be one of the biggest thief deterrents available. When Safe spoke to a burglary witness, they said “Everyone’s house in the area has been burgled, except ours. The difference is, we have a Dachshund and a “Beware of the Dog” sign on the fence.”

Choosing a dog can depend on the size of the home, the circumstances of the owners and more. Below is a list of five different breeds that could fit in well with various lifestyles, but all have a loud enough bark to scare criminals:

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French Bulldogs: A family favourite, the rise in demand for French Bulldogs comes as a result of their playful nature. As well as their behavioural qualities, they have a piercing, high pitched bark which can startle a person when it’s unexpected. Emma Bradley adds “French Bulldogs have a gruff bark that has lots of depth. Its loud, sharp and deep, which makes for an ideal alert. They are very territorial and aren’t afraid to stand their ground either.”

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German Shepherd: A loyal breed that is known for its obedience and presence, German Shepherds are a great animal to patrol a larger property. They are a very vocal breed that often growl, whine and bark, making themselves known to any intruders and alerting their owners to any unwanted presences. Emma comments “German Shepherds have a very dominating bark. In fact, they bark so loud that they often can’t hear their owners instructing them to stop. They’d be perfect for big houses and grounds that have lots of entrances.”

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Jack Russell Terrier: By nature, Jack Russell’s are territorial. They tend to hunt and protect, making them ideal to guard a property. They are a small but mighty creature with lots of authority. Emma explains “A yappy and fearless dog, Jack Russell’s have no problems making themselves known. They are very instinctive and aren’t afraid of what they’re up against. They are also very loving and small, which would suit a smaller family home looking to up its security. Their bark is dramatic and powerful, and can instantly alert a human.”

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Doberman: Well-known for their commitment to their owners, Dobermans tend to only bark for a purpose. They aren’t the type of breed to randomly bark through being hyper, they bark when they sense something, or want to communicate specifically. Emma adds “Normally for a Doberman, barking is an indication that something is wrong, or they want something in particular such as food or drink. They don’t bark continuously like other breeds, which is ideal for protection, as owners will know that something is wrong when the dog tries to alert you. There bark is a noisy, deep sound that would easily scare away a burglar.”

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Staffordshire Bull Terrier: The playful traits of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier are what gives them so much character. They often jump up and crave attention and love from their owner, and also have a boisterous streak about them. Emma explains “Although they make lovely family pets, Staffie’s are also very protective and vocal. They can grunt, bark and shout at great volumes, and they won’t shy away from announcing themselves to people. Their bark is loud, has depth and can sound aggressive.”

Beware Of The Dog

Anthony Neary, managing director for safe.co.uk said: “Having a dog is useful for two reasons. Firstly, burglars may be inclined to miss a property if they see a “Beware Of The Dog” sign as a big dog threatens their safety and adds a huge risk of being caught. Secondly, a barking dog alerts the owners that someone is approaching the property, they detect noise quicker than humans, which gives a clear advantage. Most burglars will completely avoid a property if they hear a bark, so we hope our recommendations will guide people on which breed to bring into your home based on their bark.”

Sources

*Safe surveyed 2,000 people
***