Dogs

Red Tibetan Mastiff: World's Most Expensive Dog Sells for $1.5 Million

Filed under: Pets

A coal baron living in northern China just spent $1.5 million to buy what is considered the world's most expensive dog, a red Tibetan Mastiff. It's hard to know precisely where in that sentence you spurt out your mouthful of coffee: that a dog is worth that much or that there is a millionaire willing to buy one in China.

Tags: dogs, mastiff, most expensive dog, pets, tibetan mastiff

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Luxury Pet Hotels Around the World (video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

Luxury hotels are opening up around the world catering to pets who are used to being pampered by their indulging owners. Many of these "five star" luxury hotels offer such amenities as indoor swimming pools, spa cuisine, television sets in private suites, personal fitness trainers, beauty shops and more.

The Canis Resort in Munich, Germany, for example, claims to be the first exclusive luxury hotel chain for dogs in the world. The first resort, which is located in Freising near Munich, offers nine heated lodges for up to 45 guests. Canis offers its pampered pooches personal and professional dog sitters who pampers them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Personal fitness coaches are available to customize extensive and individual training and a dietary plan for each dog. The cost to stay at the hotel is $113 a night. Check out the video below.

Tags: Canis Resort, dog hotels, dogs, gurgaon, India, Kennel 1, koi, KoiPond, luxury hotels for dogs, luxury kennels, luxury pet hotels, luxury+pet+hotel, luxurypethotel, Munich, Nippon Koi Hotel, Pets Dream Park Hotel, pets+singapore+news, petssingaporenews, Taipei, training+in+hotels, traininginhotels

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Luxist Giveaway: Platinum Pets For Dogs and Cats

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

In recent years more and more people have been buying Christmas presents for their dogs and cats. But our loyal companions have mostly been ignored when it comes to Valentine's Day. That doesn't seem quite fair. After all, we love our furry friends. Why not give them a little treat?

Enter, Platinum Pets, a company based in Valencia, California that is a manufacturer of eco-friendly, designer products for your pets. The company specializes in unique finishes that bring a new fashion and sparkle to collars, leashes and bowls. The high-gloss finish is durable and dishwasher safe. The products are manufactured in the USA. They are FDA compliant and E.U. certified to be completely food safe and do not contain any toxic chemicals.

Today we are giving away two gifts from Platinum Pets and we are asking you to choose--pamper the pup or coddle the kitty. For dog lovers we are giving away one nylon leash. The leash with a black nylon handle is argon welded, chrome plated and powder coated. Like all Platinum Pets products it is available in a variety of colors. It sells for $19.95 and comes in four thicknesses to suit all sizes of dogs. For cat lovers we are offering one embossed eight-ounce bowl for cats (complete with fishes decoration). It has a skid stop rubber base to hold the bowl in place and is eco-friendly powder coated and will never rust or chip. It is super easy to clean and dishwasher safe. The bowl is available in eight fashion colors and sells for $6.00. To enter the contest just leave a comment below letting us know which item you would like to win.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before February 9, 2011 at 5:00pm Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* Two winners will be selected in a random drawing and notified by email.
* One winner will a nylon leash from Platinum Pets valued at $19.95. One winner will receive an eight-ounce bowl for cats valued at $6.00.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See full giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

Tags: cat dish, cat supplies, cats, dog leash, dog supplies, dogs, luxist giveaway, pets, platinum pets

Rebecca Ray Designs: Equestrian and Dog Inspired Accessories

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Handbags

Rebecca Ray specializes in handmade couture handbags and fashion accessories inspired by her love of dogs and horses, as well as old-fashioned art and antiques. Her designs vary from colorful ruffled totes like the ones shown here to sophisticated leather satchels, belts, jewelry, and accessories, as well as printed home decor items like pillows and placemats. Many of the bags include removable vintage brooches (if you look closely you can see them above), a choice of over 400 antique images, and are completely hand-sewn by the Amish near Chagrin Falls, Ohio where Rebecca Ray Designs is based.

I love almost everything in her current line but these bags especially caught my eye. Called "The Reilly" on the right and "The Katie" on the left they're essentially boxy little tote/purse hybrids with funky, artistic fabric patterns, pretty ruffles, authentic equestrian hardware, and protective feet on the bottom -- plus of course the antique brooch embellishments and option of vintage images and I mentioned earlier. $545-575.

Gallery: Rebecca Ray Designs: Couture Handbags and Accessories

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Tags: amish, dogs, equestrian, handbag, handbags, home decor, rebecca ray

The Luxist Gift Guide for Spoiled Pets

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

While every fashionable poodle worth her pastel hair bows knows that nothing beats the gift of a forever home and a reliable bowl of kibble, human companions have long sought ways to help Fido and Fluffy experience a little holiday cheer -- and that certainly doesn't include a taste of the bubbly. As such, we here at Luxist have some recommendations for pet products that set our whiskers twitching.

1) Smart Interactive Toy for Dogs -- a Nina Ottosson puzzle toy, recommended by Victoria Stilwell on Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog" show. $54.95. Dogs need to be intellectually challenged, just like our human children. Teaching them to problem solve will go a long way toward building self-confidence. And should you not be blessed with a canine Einstein, we guarantee you'll be amused for hours watching your goofy Golden figure out how to find the treat you stashed under one of the little wooden pegs. Just be careful that Dumbo doesn't start chewing the wood. Available from various retailers, including Poochie Heaven.

Tags: animals, dogs, holiday gift guide, holiday gifts, holiday shopping, pets

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Wanted: Five Real Bitches

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

Taking a little tinkle on "The Real Housewives" franchise, Bitch New York, a premiere source for designer dog clothing and carriers, has announced a New York City-wide search for new celebudogs for its upcoming Web profile series called "The Real Bitches of New York."

The site has an open casting call and is looking for "5 fabulous dogs from 5 New York City boroughs." A press release asks: "Does your dog have what it takes to be in the spotlight? Does she love to be showered in attention? Does your dog represent the best of New York City?"

Photos and stories should be sent to darren@popculturepr.com for consideration. All chosen dogs must be accessible to photographers and video crews for up to 90 days.

We imagine the Manhattan dog to be a tiny teacup from the Upper Eastside, purebred of course. Will Brooklyn offer up a yuppie Golden or a pit bull (after all, gentrification takes time)? Can't wait to see the muscle tee on the dog from the Bronx, but will the Staten Island bitch be wearing a lot of fake bling and have her hair teased? Queens? Do they even allow dogs there?

Tags: dog clothing, dogs, pets

Orvis Presents North America's Finest Hunting Lodges

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Books

Last spring we reported that legendary Vermont-based sporting outfitters Orvis had published a great new book on fly fishing's finest destinations. Now the company has come out with an equally compelling companion volume on hunting game birds. Great Hunting Lodges of North America: Wingshooting's Finest Destinations (Rizzoli) is a lavishly illustrated look at the very best upland and waterfowl hunting destinations around. Profiles of almost 20 featured Orvis destinations celebrate the great American sporting tradition and include detailed information on the local game species and wildlife, the lodge and the surrounding countryside, along with in-depth sidebars on key game birds and sporting dogs. Even if you're merely an armchair adventurer who's never fired a shotgun the great outdoor photography is worth the price of admission in its own right. Featured lodges include the Eagle Nest Lodge in Montana, Flying B Ranch in Idaho, Greystone Castle in Texas, The High Lonesome Ranch in Colorado, Mexico's Rancho Caracol, Deer Creek Lodge in Kentucky, Harris Springs Sportsman's Preserve in South Carolina and Pine Hill Plantation in Georgia. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Great Hunting Lodges of North America

Tags: books, coffee table books, Colorado, dogs, fishing, fly fishing, Georgia, guns, hunting, hunting lodge, Idaho, Kentucky, Montana, Orvis, Rancho Caracol, shotgun, sporting, sports, Texas, Vermont, wildlife

'Pooch Hotel' Offers Nation's Most Expensive Doggie Suites

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

The Pooch Hotel in Sunnyvale CA is the nation's most expensive dog hotel, with their priciest "Palace Suites" coming in at a steep $100 per night per pet. Even if they share a room.

The premise is that pets are like children to many families and so the idea of leaving them behind to wallow in stress and misery while rest of the family vacations just isn't an option. Pooch Hotel offers several different levels of accommodations: the Palace Suites measure 12' x 10' or 20' x 15' for $100/night, Presidential Suites are 9' x 9' for $75/night, and Junior Suites run 5' x 7' for $50/night. All include luxury bedding but the top two tiers also include cable tv and webcams in the room so owners have access to viewing their pet anytime they have access to the internet or a smartphone. The hotel also offers additional services like a "Spaw" where pets can get pawdicures, facials, and even hair coloring (graying muzzles anyone?), a pool for swimming, land and water treadmills, and a limo service for pick-up and drop-off.

One would think such lavish indulgences would be suffering due to the current recession but apparently not, as the owner reports it's not unusual for patrons to drop several thousand dollars just for the peace of mind of leaving their dogs in a safe and happy environment. In fact the California Pooch Hotel location boasts a 99% occupancy rate for its four $100 Palace Suites and an expansion is in the works to almost double occupancy and go from 69 rooms to 133.

Gallery: The Pooch Hotel, Sunnyvale CA

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Tags: dogs, pet hotels, pets, pooch hotel

Lazy Bonezz - Exclusive Interview with the Makers of Luxe Pet Furnishings

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Pets

When I heard the brand name "Lazy Bonezz," I wasn't sure what kind of company it was. Curiosity got the better of me, and I was pleased to discover luxury pet furnishings made with an eye toward sleek, modern interior fashion as well as smart functionality. The attractive, unobtrusive items for dogs and cats include an adjustable-height food/water dish, a scratching pad for cats that's not an eyesore and an impressive set of pet bunk beds. Finally, pet products that don't insult the integrity of your home design (see The Modern, $399, above, available in small or large).

Intrigued, I inquired about an interview with Lazy Bonezz designer Lorraine Shamie. My wish was granted and what follows is a surprising conversation about this unusual, mother-daughter company.

Luxist: So, are you a cat person or a dog person?

Lorraine Shamie: I love both cats and dogs. When we [Lorraine and her mother] started designing products we designed for both.

L: How did you get the idea for Lazy Bonezz?

LS: About two years ago, my mom and I were shopping for a gift for a close relative. She had a new baby Yorkie and just moved into a beautiful apartment in Manhattan. We wanted to buy her a stylish and comfortable pet-bed, but could not find anything that we felt she would want in her new apartment. We realized that there was a need for this type of product, and with our style and my father's manufacturing capabilities -- he runs Simmons Juvenile, a leader in the baby furniture world for 87 years -- we could solve this problem.

Gallery: Attractive Pet Products from Lazy Bonezz

Tags: cats, dogs, home, lazy bonezz, pet, pets

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Bon Christiani Dog Collars

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets, Green

Dog collars that are beautiful, durable, and sustainable are what bon Christiani is all about . The creative force behind the company, Jennifer Christiano, says she was initially inspired by two things: her background working with ancient Nubian jewelry at The Oriental Institute and a lack of beautiful but sturdy collar options for her German Shepherd, Padma. "There was nothing really interesting on the market for him. So, I took it upon myself to reach back in time and cultures, to create a unique piece for him."

When it comes to business bon Christiani operates on a model based in the Buddhist philosophy of "doing right by doing well." All the collars are equestrian grade and cruelty-free (5% of profits go towards sheltering animal survivors of biomedical research), made by hand by local master artisans, and created from start to finish with sustainability and the environment in mind. The collar shown here is called "Gainne" and features leather, your choice of bronze or sterling silver hardware, pretty Celtic 3-sided knots cast in pewter, and your choice of gemstone. Check out other designs (as well as some shots of the artisans in action) in the gallery below. $300-$400

Gallery: bon Christiani Handcrafted Luxury Dog Collars

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Tags: bon Christiani, dog, dogs, eco-friendly, green, pets

Andrea Levine Exotic Leather Dog Collars

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

Some dogs wear clothes but for most their single chance to accessorize is in the collar, and Andrea Levine is delivering style in bundles with her Exotic Leather Dog Collars collection. Featuring all the skins usually reserved for handbags and shoes like python, lizard, crocodile, and even stingray, the collars come in a variety of colors and textures so you can best complement your pet's coloring, coordinate her with your outfit, or just show off your excellent taste. The polished stingray collar shown here sells for $210, plus you won't want to miss topping off the look with one of Levine's pretty diamond pavé charms.

Gallery: Andrea Levine Exotic Leather Dog Collars

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Tags: andrea levine, dog collar, dogs, exotic leather, pet collar, pets, Stingray

Woman Builds $20,000 Dog House for 3 Pampered Pets

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

What does a $20,000 dog house look like? A lot like a regular house, only smaller and with furniture lower to the ground. 42 year old Tammy Kassis lives with her husband outside of Los Angeles and when an owl almost carried one of her 3 dogs away she decided to give them, Chelsea, Coco Puff, and Darla, a home of their own. She commissioned Alan Mowrer of La Petite Maison in Denver for the job and the result is an 11ft replica of the family home with luxury features like hardwood floors, heat, A/C, screened doors and windows, mini-blinds, handmade curtains, and landscaping complete with a white picket fence. She's even planning to install a plasma TV so the dogs can all watch Animal Planet together, their favorite show.

Mrs. Kassis was quoted as saying "My dogs are my life," but I can't help but wonder how much time are the dogs spending in this $20,000 doghouse instead of in the regular house with the family? Regardless, it's quite the accomplishment. See more shot, including the interior, in the gallery below.

Gallery: Tammy Kassis' $20,000 Dog House

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Tags: dog, doghouse, dogs, pet, pets

Montana's Paws Up Resort Preparing the Second Annual Wine & Bitch Weekend

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Wine, Pets

Let's not pretend the recession hasn't been hard on Fifi, too – a solid year-and-a-half of listening to you and the rest of the gang go on and on about the economy. And don't even get her started on this whole staycation thing. If you want to show her some love and get a whole bunch of it yourself, The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, just outside of Missoula, will be putting on its second Wine & Bitch Weekend next month.

Three days and two nights in a land that only Ken Burns could do justice will be spent in a vacation home on a 37,000-acre property. Everything is included: three gourmet meals for two, every day, training and wellness seminars, doggie massages and hikes, and wine tastings from the thematically appropriate Mutt Lynch Winery. A canine fashion show is also on the cards, and you'd be surprised how well the dogs dress in the state of gold and silver.

Your calendar will be looking for room from April 23-25 for the event, and your Luxembourg account will be looking for $1,825 to transfer, which takes care of two adults and one pooch. Having stayed there ourselves, the resort and its views are phenomenal, so if you can't make it that weekend you might hop on over to Gilt's Jetsetter where they're having a sale on stays at Paws Up for other dates as we ~~speak~~ write...

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Tags: dogs, hotel deals, HotelDeals, montana, paws up, wine and bitch weekend

Molly & June Designer Dog Fashions

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

Molly & June is a boutique for small dogs founded on the idea that not only does your dog appreciate quality craftsmanship because it fits better and is more comfortable to wear, but that dogs can pick up on the benefits of fine fashion as well because they get more positive attention and their owners are happier. Named after the owner and designer France Simard's two best friends, the designs have a mixture of vintage and contemporary elements and are all handmade in Toronto, Canada using luxe materials like wool, cashmere, and organic cotton. $45-$180

Gallery: Molly & June Designer Dog Fashions

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Tags: dog, dogs, molly and june, MollyAndJune, pet, pet fashion, PetFashion, pets

$52,000 Diamond Dog Collar for Valentine's Day

by Deb West (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Pets

We've seen an explosion of luxury products for dogs in the past years. Gone are the days when pampering your pet meant ordering the extra-large dog bed from L.L. Bean and even they now carry a fancy orthopedic foam lounge for dogs. We've written about more expensive diamond dog collars on Luxist but the unique twist on this collar is that it has a practical application.

Dog-Power is offering a hand-crafted PetSafe diamond dog collar created by jewelry designer RenaMary. For those who want to dress their pets like royalty but still let them live an outdoor lifestyle this collar is for you. PetSafe underground fencing keeps your dog secure in your backyard and the price of the collar includes installation of the PetSafe system at your home.

The collar itself has a connecting heart motif which the designer felt represents the loving bond between an owner and their dog. In terms of the particulars the collar consists of over 18 carats of brilliant round cut diamonds of F/G color and VS1 clarity set in 18kt white gold and is 15 inches in length and 1 inch in width. Should you decide to purchase the collar it will be hand delivered to your home by Dog-Power owner Cherie Corso and creator RenaMary. Your pet will also will receive the bonus of being given a personal dog trainer and being named 2010 Pet of the Year.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the North Shore Animal League, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, located in Long Island, New York.

A point of consideration maybe the necessity to own a second dog, perhaps a German Shepherd or Rottweiler, to keep an eye on the pampered pup who is wearing such a valuable collar around the backyard!

Tags: diamonds, dog collar, DogCollar, dogs, north shore animal league, NorthShoreAnimalLeague, PetSafe

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