SnoutsWise: plain answers about breeds, care, health, training and behavior
SnoutsWise is a free, independent guide for dog owners. It explains breed groups, everyday care, health basics such as vaccines and normal vital signs, reward based training and dog behavior, and every page lists the veterinary and kennel club sources it relies on. Start with the tools below if you have an urgent question.
Can my dog eat this? Food lookup Dog age calculatorTools
Can my dog eat this?
Our signature lookup: about 70 foods rated Safe, Caution or Toxic, with the reason, the source and what to do if eaten.
Dog age in human years
Calculator based on the 2020 epigenetic clock study, not the old "times seven" rule.
Dog ate chocolate?
Estimate the dose from the type and amount, then call your vet.
Guides
Breeds and breed groups
What the AKC and Royal Kennel Club groups mean and how to choose a breed.
Everyday care
Feeding, weight, exercise, grooming, teeth, ID and hot weather.
Health basics
Normal vital signs, vaccines, warning signs and when to call a vet.
Training
How reward based training works and the first skills to teach.
Behavior
Body language, socialization, the dominance myth and problem behaviors.
Dog FAQ
Short, sourced answers to common dog questions.
Glossary
Plain English definitions of dog and veterinary terms.
Blog
Answer first articles on one question at a time.
Quick facts
- A healthy adult dog's average body temperature is about 101 to 102.5°F (38.3 to 39.2°C), and its resting breathing rate is about 18 to 34 breaths a minute (more on normal vital signs).
- Grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, chocolate, macadamia nuts and the sweetener xylitol are all on the ASPCA's list of foods to keep away from dogs (see the full table).
- The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior calls the first three months of life the primary window for puppy socialization (how to use it safely).
- In a 14 year study of Labrador retrievers, dogs fed 25 percent less than their littermates lived a median 1.8 years longer (how to check your dog's weight).
Latest from the blog
- Can dogs see color? Yes, mostly blues and yellows
- My dog ate chocolate: how much is dangerous?
- The puppy socialization window: when it closes and what to do
- How often do dogs need vaccines? Core and non core vaccines explained
- Is the "alpha dog" idea true? What the research says
- Is my dog overweight? How to use the 9 point body condition score
SnoutsWise is general education, not veterinary advice. If your dog may have eaten something toxic or seems unwell, contact your vet or an emergency vet now. In the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is on (888) 426-4435.