Potcake Mystery Mix: Genetic Testing with Royal Canin

Boca is, officially, a Royal Bahamian Potcake - a mixed-breed dog native to the islands of the Caribbean - but what breed mixture actually makes up a Potcake is anyone's guess. Potcakes can vary widely in appearance, from longer-haired shepherd-types to short-haired, houndish dogs. One fascinating aspect of street dogs is that certain characteristics are apparent all over the world. Boca looks very much like some pictures of street dogs in India that I've seen, and she is smaller than the typical Bahamian Potcake. A recent study attempted to make sense of the Potcake puzzle, and determined that the gene pool of island dogs included a multitude of breeds both ancient and modern. (Some of the dogs used in this study came from the same shelter as Boca!)

When we were approached by Royal Canin to see if we wanted to review their new Genetic Health Analysis DNA testing kit, we excitedly seized the opportunity. The GHA testing kit provides breed results from 250 possible breeds as well as a detailed health snapshot which identifies over 130 genetic mutations.  I have used DNA tests in the past for Ruby and a previous dog, Lasya, and find them to be not only fun, but advantageous in understanding behavior, energy and management needs.

I'm usually fairly adept at correctly guessing the components of mixed breed dogs and love to play along any time I see a "Guess the Breed" game, but Boca has always had me stumped. She looks like...an adorable medium-sized dog! We've been asked by multiple people if she is a Basenji, and based on size, coloration, and the wrinkles she sometimes has on her forehead, as well as the graceful arch of her neck, if I had to pick one breed she most resembles, it would have to be a Basenji.

Boca came to Colorado as a 4-5 year old dog who had lived in a shelter in The Bahamas for approximately one year. I therefore have very limited information about her previous health history. Longtime readers may recall Boca's 'Ocular Ordeal,' which perplexed several top specialists in our area, so any insight into other potential risks that we can manage ahead of time will be incredibly valuable, not to mention the fun of learning Boca's breed make-up!

The process of having Boca tested was very easy - especially since she seems to enjoy trips to the vet! We had a pleasant drive to the our awesome vet's office, she waited patiently for her appointment, happily posed with our fabulous vet tech Heather, placed herself on the scale to be weighed (exactly 33 pounds if anyone is asking), and willingly followed the staff to an exam room where they swiftly drew a blood sample. This blood sample was packaged and shipped to the Royal Canin lab, and soon after we were notified that it is being processed!

I can hardly stand the suspense and bet there will be some surprises in Boca's unique island ancestry. We'd love to invite our readers to play along - what breeds do you think Boca could be comprised of? Comment with your guesses and we will be back to share the results in a few weeks!

If you are interested in testing your own dog, ask your veterinarian about the Royal Canin Genetic Health Analysis.

This post is sponsored by Royal Canin. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Royal Canin's Genetic Health Analysis test, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Royal Canin is not responsible for the content of this article.

Brentwood Home Pet Bed Giveaway

The Ginger Sisters are very happily spoiled: they have their own furniture as well as being allowed on mine. In addition to the biggest dog bed in the house (my bed), they each have beds in the dining area where they stay when I leave the house, beds in each of their dens (kennels) in the living room, and a bed in my bedroom.

Omega 3 Benefits for Pets and Their Humans with OmegaBrite

I'm not the best at taking my vitamins, but I seem to do better with giving supplements to The Ginger Sisters. We've tried fish oil, coconut oil, and several different calming supplements. The research seems like it is always changing, but the benefits of omega fatty acids for both pets and humans are consistently backed by science. That's why I was excited to partner with OmegaBrite and incorporate their Omega-3 supplement that Ruby, Boca and I could all take together!

After obtaining proper dosage instructions for Boca's 32 pounds and Ruby's 18 pounds, I started giving the girls two capusles and one capsule, respectively, with their evening meal. This was an easy reminder for me to also take my two capsules each night! I've since discovered that Boca will happily eat her capsules plain and whole.

Here are some of the benefits for dogs:

EPA, one of the two omega-3 fatty acids in OmegaBrite, acts as an anti-inflammatory. This will help with any condition that causes inflammation of the heart, kidneys, skin, and joints—such as arthritis etc

OmegaBrite will ease inflammation due to allergies, and reduce itchy skin and dandruff. This can also be an effective way to potentially decrease the incidence of hot spots on your pet.

OmegaBrite promotes a shiny, healthy coat, and reduces shedding. (For cats, this may also mean fewer hairballs, since your cat won't pick up as many loose hairs while grooming.)

DHA, the other omega-3 fatty acid in OmegaBrite, is important in brain and eye development in puppies and kittens. Giving OmegaBrite to pregnant or nursing pets can benefit the babies once they're born.

In some studies, fish oil has slowed the growth of cancer. Though more studies are needed to reach conclusive results, some veterinarians recommend it for any pets with cancer.

Pop Your Pup Helps Fuel My Unapologetic Dog Obsession

Everyone who knows me knows that I'm obsessed with dogs - any and all dogs, to a point, but more specifically, my dogs. I could look at Ruby's adorable face all day, and since she's on my phone, computer, office bulletin board, and oh yeah, on my arm, I can and do! Boca's antics entertain me endlessly and I have no less than thirty photos of her in my favorite potcake posture, the street dog slouch. I jump at the chance to brag about Ruby's smarts and Boca's sweetness, and pity the unsuspecting person who innocently asks "what kind of dogs do you have?" since Boca's breed/rescue story alone is another tale in itself.

I still felt there was potential to level up my passion and Pop Your Pup was the key. I previously reviewed their customized t-shirts and when they approached me for another partnership I gladly agreed. They've changed their look and now offer even more options for proudly wearing the cutest dogs in the world (your own, of course) or turning them into home-gallery-ready works of art in the way of wrapped read canvases!  I mean, how awesome are these? Just in case it wasn't clear, this post has been sponsored by Pop Your Pup. 

Choosing a Quality Canned Dog Food with Nature's Logic

I use canned food as part of the Ginger Sisters' rotation diet, and we were already fans of this post's sponsor, Nature's Logic, with their commitment to whole, natural foods. I was happy to spread the word about their food while discussing the benefits of a high quality canned diet. Ruby and Boca enjoyed Nature's Logic Canine Venison Feast for breakfast for the past month, and not only did they both love it, but I'm confident through my research that it is an absolutely top-notch food.

From Point A to Point B with Open Farm Ingredient Traceabilty + Giveaway

One week from today, Boca and I will embark on our 1700 mile road trip to BlogPaws. Our trip is being generously sponsored by Open Farm, a pet food I can proudly promote due to their dedication to humane farming practices and sustainable fishing standards. They recently added one more layer to my confidence with an ingredient traceability function on their website, which makes following the path of the food's ingredients to The Ginger Sisters' bowls as simple as mapping my route to BlogPaws. 

Cool Treats, a Fashion Show and a Potcake Playdate

It's hard to believe that Boca and I will be leaving for BlogPaws - a three-day pet blogging conference in Phoenix, AZ - exactly three weeks from today. Our trip is being generously sponsored by Open Farm, the first Certified Humane kibble. I've been reading several books about pets, ethics and animal welfare recently, and I'm glad there is a pet food option that has these things in mind.

Boca Goes Shopping to Benefit Animal Welfare

With BlogPaws fast approaching, I've been taking Boca on as many outings as possible to prepare for our road trip next month. We'll be driving over 1500 miles through the southwest, and our trip to the conference is being generously sponsored by Open Farm. Many of my choices in life are made with animal welfare in mind, and what I feed my dogs is no exception. Open Farm is the first Certified Humane dry dog food on the market, which means the standards of care for the animals are much higher than a typical factory farm. As someone who tried to reduce the number of animal products in my own life through a mainly vegetarian diet, these standards are important to me. 

#WeruvaDog Gives Us More Reasons to Love Kibble

There is a lot of information to keep up with when it comes to deciding what to feed your dog. Trends change and new brands pop up every day. Rotation feeding has been the right choice for me and my dogs, and I am always excited to find a new food to add to our rotation. While we feed a little bit of everything, I keep kibble in The Ginger Sisters' rotation for many reasons, not the least of which are high quality options like WeRuVa^® Caloric Melody. 

A New Approach to the Dog Dinner Plate with Weruva

The Ginger Sisters' diet is one of my top priorities. Their 'grocery budget' is comparable to my own, I keep the pet pantry stocked with a variety of foods and formats for their rotation routine and I am always on the lookout for new offerings from our favorite brands. I was thrilled to find out that Weruva was entering the kibble market with their Caloric Harmony and Caloric Melody lines. Ruby and Boca love the Weruva canned dog cuisines, which look like people food! The Weruva dry dog food stands out from other premium kibbles with its unique approach to calories, and I learned so much about evaluating what I feed my dogs in taking a closer look at protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Turdlebag Makes Dog Poop Less Embarrassing + Giveaway

Dog poop is an unavoidable part of life with dogs. It's gross, it's stinky, it's embarrassing, and as responsible dog guardians we have pick it up whenever and wherever they go. Turdlebag promises to make this job a little easier with their poop bag carriers. Not only do they hold a roll of bags, but they are secure and roomy enough to hold a full bag until you reach the nearest waste bin!

A Protein Variety with Brothers Complete Ultra Premium Dog Food + Giveaway

I've written often about The Ginger Sisters' rotation diet, which allows us to try out different kinds of quality dog food. Not only does this allow flexibility and augmentation with top tier foods, but regularly changing the proteins that they eat has benefits of its own. Allergies can develop when dogs eat the same thing over their entire lives, and rotating proteins may help prevent this. I was excited to learn about Brothers Complete, offering grain- and potato-free dog food and biscuits. 

Taking a Bow for Weruva Treats in the #TrickOrTreatDogs Giveaway Hop

The Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop is sponsored by Lionel Trains, the Art of AJ, pawTree, Dr. Harvey’s, Jones Natural Chews, Puppy Style Treats, Clear Conscience Pet, Whimzees, Loving Pets and Weruva. All content and opinions expressed are my 100% my own.

I love trick training, I love dog treats (or rather, I love giving them to my dogs) and I am so excited to be participating in the Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop brilliantly conceptualized and perfectly executed by Jessica at Beagles and Bargains and Jodi at Kol's Notes. Just look at all these amazing sponsors! 

THE TRICK: Ruby offers a play-bow all the time so it was one of the first things I put on cue (I use 'bravo' because 'bow' sounds too much like 'down'). Watch the video below to see the steps I used to teach it:

THE TREATS: Ruby and Boca are giving away an awesome prize package from Weruva - I didn't even know they made treats but The Ginger Sisters love their gourmet canned food, especially their Paw Lickin' Chicken. U.S. residents are welcome to enter to win a prize package including Paw Lickin' Chicken or Blue Water Whitefish Treats and Pumpkin Patch Up! Be sure to stop by all the other participating blogs before tomorrow - learning new tricks and entering each treat giveaway. You can go trick or treating from home in your pajamas! Every treat entry will also go toward a chance to win one of three grand prize packages, including a Peanuts Halloween Train from Lionel Trains, a custom Halloween pet portrait from The Art of AJ and a $300 treat package from all of the other sponsors!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our Easy Freezy Foray into Raw Feeding with #InstinctRaw Bites

This post is sponsored by Instinct® and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Instinct Raw but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Instinct is not responsible for the content of this article.

Reasons We Love Rotation Feeding with Open Farm Dog Food

This post is sponsored by Open Farm. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Open Farm's ethically produced pet food, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Open Farm is not responsible for the content of this article.  

Open Farm Makes This Vegetarian Feel Good About Feeding Her Dogs

This post is sponsored by Open Farm. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Open Farm ethically produced pet food, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Open Farm is not responsible for the content of this article. Open Farm is not a vegetarian dog food. I don't believe in feeding a vegetarian diet to dogs, because their ancestry and physiology suggest that they are primarily carnivores. 

Home Decor for Dog Lovers from Minted.com

This post is sponsored by the online stationery store, Minted.com. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the art collection, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers; minted.com is not responsible for the content of this article.

If you're anything like me, your love of dogs extends to your clothing, accessories and home decor. I have canine coffee mugs, art work and t-shirts and unique items with dogs on them always catch my eye. I was recently introduced to Minted's new art collection, offering a variety of prints from a changing collection of artists. I will of course be focusing on the dog-themed art, which ranges from contemporary to whimsical, from photography to painting, but they have art in many categories to suit every taste. I found something for every room of my dog-friendly home! 

For my guest bath, American Idyll 2 by Annie Seaton. I have an ocean theme with retro-style surfing postcards and I think this would fit in perfectly. I love the textures and the quiet moment between the girl and her dog on the beach. Prints are available framed or unframed in a choice of sizes. 

For my kitchen - Pit Stop by Misty Hughes. We all know not to leave our dogs in cars in the summertime, but we'll imagine this a cool day and the owner is coming right back with some tasty diner food! I love the colors and the vintage nostalgia of this photograph. 

For my bedroom, Fox Shadow by Natalie Groves. The Ginger Sisters always remind me of foxes, and I love the unique perspective and soft colors of this wild cousin of theirs, slipping elusively out of sight. One of the coolest things about the art from Minted.com is the option of customization - you can choose your paper, frame, and some of the designs even come in different colorways! 

For my living room, Runny Bunny by Eve Schultz. I have a purple sofa and Ruby is a member of the local bunny patrol, so I think this would be a perfect fit. I think the symmetry and simplicity of the design give it a very modern appeal. I would frame it with the distressed charcoal stain. 

I think that Play Date by Michelee Scott - an uplifting scene of dogs playing on the beach - would look great on my landing. I have an ongoing bird theme throughout my house and think the flock in the sky and the shadows on the sand are both striking and serene. 

It would be difficult to choose just one, and they are adding new designs all the time through crowdsourced design competitions with artists from all over the world submitting their work. Minted's new art collection can be viewed here. Along with art prints, minted.com also has darling personalized stationery, customizable pet holiday cards and dog walker business cards! Check them out Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Tour On Its Way to Vail, Colorado

This post is sponsored by Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel 3.0. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the new version of the Wisdom Panel DNA testing kit and the Wisdom Panel 3.0 Tour, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Mars Veterinary Wisdom Panel 3.0 is not responsible for the content of this article.

Ruby's Wisdom Panel DNA test results have helped me immensely in understanding the breeds that contributed to her personality and understanding her exercise and training needs. The more I learn about Jack Russell terriers and border collies, the more confident I am that Ruby's test results were accurate. She has so many of the physical, behavioral and temperamental characteristics of both breeds. Since it's a product I am both familiar with and believe in, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Wisdom Panel to promote their new test kit and their summer "Swabathon" Tour, in which dogs can be DNA tested on-site at several events around the country for a discounted price, including the GoPRO Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado. 

DNA testing is helpful for a variety of reasons, including size prediction, breed-specific health concerns and characteristics or just purely for fun. The Wisdom Panel 3.0 test adds one more extremely important element to their results, that of MDR1 mutation screening. The MDR1 mutation is found in some herding breeds, sighthounds and mixed breeds and can cause extreme sensitivity to some common drugs, including ivermectin. I learned about this mutation recently in a heartbreaking situation where a friend lost her collie due to accidental ingestion of horse deworming paste containing ivermectin. Since Ruby is part border collie, the MDR1 mutation screening is something I should strongly consider for her. 

Not only does Wisdom Panel 3.0 provide potentially lifesaving genetic information, but the expanded breed database can identify over 250 breeds, including all those recognized by the American Kennel Club. The testing is as easy as swabbing your dog's inner cheek and sending the swab back to the lab via regular mail. Results are available in 2-3 weeks and include a detailed profile with three generations of probably ancestry, predicted weight range and the MDR1 genetic mutation screening results.

This summer, Wisdom Panel 3.0 is on the road at several events around the country:

• June 4th-7th: GoPRO Mountain Games in Vail, CO
• August 1st: Amazing Pet Expo in Austin, TX
• TBD October: Mars Pet Adoption Fair in Franklin, TN
• Date TBD: Amazing Pet Expo Holiday in Los Angeles CA

At any of the above dog-friendly events, Wisdom Panel will be providing on-site DNA swab testing for $39.99 and take-home testing kits for $49.99. Kits can also be ordered directly from Wisdom Panel (MSRP $84.99). Boca is hoping to hitch a ride to the beautiful mountain town of Vail, Colorado, and find out what breeds might be present in her Bahamian ancestry! 

Please visit Wisdom Panel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest or at one of the stops on their "Swabathon" Tour this summer. If you decide to DNA test your dog, I'd love to hear about the results! 

Making Healthy Changes with Natural Dog Food #PawNatural

This post is sponsored by Only Natural Pet and the BlogPaws Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the new Canine PowerFoodTM, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Only Natural Pet is not responsible for the content of this article.

Recently I asked Rubicon Days' Facebook followers what was important to them in selecting a dog food. Some of the responses were "no allergens" "made in USA," "grain-free," and "natural ingredients."

I'm not proud of some of the food that I bought for my previous dogs, but I think there has been a revolution in the pet food industry in the last several years, inspiring us to be more educated and make healthier choices for our companions. By reading labels, researching ingredients, and buying the highest-quality foods our budgets allow, we can help our dogs reach their nourished, healthful potential. Lasya and Freya lived long lives and did not always eat top-shelf dog food, but I am determined to do better with the Ginger Sisters' diet.  I was therefore thrilled to partner with local Boulder, Colorado-based company Only Natural Pet for the launch of their new natural Canine PowerFoodTM  which was developed by a holistic veterinarian and is allergy-friendly, grain-free, and made in the USA.

We selected the limited-ingredient Just Fish Recipe of Only Natural Pet Canine PowerfoodTM  and I was very pleased with what I saw on the label. The food is made in the USA, and de-boned whitefish is the first listed ingredient, followed by vegetables, fruits and other nutrients. Two of the more interesting ingredients are green lipped mussels and sea cucumber, which are included in the PowerBoostTM Blend, a freeze-dried coating. Both of these oceanic ingredients are indicated for joint health. The coating also includes pumpkin, digestive enzymes and probiotics, all things I feel are beneficial to my dogs. 

On the first day, I fed 1/4 new food and 3/4 old food in our Slo Bowls

Ruby and Boca are already on a high quality rotation diet which I've talked about quite a bit here. They eat freeze-dried or dehydrated raw for breakfast and kibble for dinner. I am always open to adding new brands to our pantry as I believe variety is good for them. We generally switch dog food brands and/or varieties by the bag or box. The Ginger Sisters have never had any trouble changing foods on their rotation diet, but for the purposes of this food trial we followed the gradual transitioning guidelines provided by Only Natural Pet. Some dogs are sensitive to change, especially if they have been eating the same food for their whole lives. When introducing a new dog food, begin by incrementally increasing the ratio of new food to old food over the course of at least ten days.

Both dogs (even picky Ruby!) ate the Just Fish Feast enthusiastically and are now fully transitioned to it, with the addition of camelina oil, which I rotate seasonally with salmon oil and coconut oil. Although neither of my girls have allergies, I prefer to avoid grains and particularly corn, and Only Natural Pet Canine PowerfoodTM is free of corn, wheat, oats and soy. My dogs are at ideal weights with shiny coats, white teeth and no digestive issues and they have maintained this condition through the transition. I feel I can put my trust in a company that maintains a list of unacceptable ingredients for the products it manufactures and carries and I feel confident about adding this new natural dog food to our regular rotation. In addition to the fish variety, Only Natural Pet will also release a poultry and a red meat blend on October 6th, and the kibble is available for pre-order here.  You can also visit Only Natural Pet on Facebook and Twitter.