"I have never encountered a more caring, dedicated, and responsive group of folks than the foster community and management at UMGDR. What they do for these dogs is above and beyond."
— sybil s.
Volunteer / foster
"This rescue helps many gentle giants find forever homes, 100% volunteers and 15-year anniversary, it shows how with the help of others and their wonderful volunteers can come together and save Great Danes."
— pauline s.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue priorities the needs of each dog and has excellent open communication for an organization run by volunteers with people and dogs located throughout the Midwest."
— katie s.
Volunteer / foster
"Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue is a rescue that I have been with for the past 5 years. What I like about them is not only their compassion for the Danes that come into the rescue but the compassion they have for everyone within the rescue, be it an adoptee or volunteer or just someone who has hit hard times and thinking of surrendering. I know a lot of rescues try to educate about rescue animals but not only does UMGDR teach people about Danes, behaviors of rescued animals, they also have basic classes for some of their volunteers, a mentoring program for foster families, and a library of helpful resources. Finally, I am a female veteran who suffers from significant depression. We have recently lost our very special Dane, whom we foster-failed. I truly believe that if it hadn't been for the understanding and compassion that UMGDR, the loss would have been even more difficult than it has been."
— rebecca p.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
"UMGDR is like a family group caring for dogs. The main goal is always what needs to be done to best serve the animals. Each dog's care is fully planned and vetted to make sure the very best outcome happens for the dog. I am amazed at the rescues and recovery of the dogs that were rescued that seemed almost impossible to save, and yet they are happy and healthy in their long-term foster or forever homes. I am really proud to be part of such a loving and caring and hard-working organization."
— tim m.
Volunteer / foster
"Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue is always so supportive. They help new and long-time fosters. And they always find a way to increase donations when there is a dog in crisis. Everyone works together to be sure the best interest of the Danes is prioritized."
— kim w.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter, Fan
"I have been a volunteer, foster, and adopter for UMGDR since it began. It's a great rescue working hard to save Danes."
— julie g.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Supporter
"Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue gives 200% for all the dogs they bring into the rescue. Even when funds are tight, they manage to pull an urgent rescue or medical emergency. The volunteers go above and beyond for these dogs. Not only is it a community for the dogs, but to be a volunteer is being part of a family. Nothing great gets done alone and UMGDR proves it."
— kendra b.
Volunteer / foster
"We have fostered, adopted, and transported for this rescue for years. This rescue is so well organized and so focused on the care and support of the animal … even after being adopted. They are just a SUPER rescue!!"
— kristin c.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster, Fan
"Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue is a well-established rescue and provides new adopters with mentoring. I have served as a volunteer, foster parent, and adopter. The sense of community among volunteers and adopters is one of the best features of the rescue."
— lori h.
Adoptee, Volunteer / foster
Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience, but what do you do when adventure calls you to a place that’s a bit too far for a drive? If you're a pet-owner who want to jetset with your pup, then you’ll want to find the best dog-friendly airlines.
Discover the Great Pyrenees, a breed celebrated for its affectionate, loyal, and independent nature. Recognized as a large dog, the Great Pyrenees have their origins in France where they were initially bred as livestock guardians starting in the roots back to 3000 BC century.
Discover the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a breed celebrated for its loyal, playful, and friendly nature. Recognized as a medium-sized dog, Staffordshire Bull Terriers originated in the United Kingdom, where they were initially bred for bull-baiting and later for dog fighting starting in the early 19th century.
Discover the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed celebrated for its friendly and affectionate nature. Recognized as a small dog, Pembroke Welsh Corgis have their origins in Wales, where they were initially bred for herding cattle, sheep, and horses starting in the 10th century.
Discover the Boxer, a breed celebrated for its playful, friendly, and alert nature. Recognized as a large dog, Boxers have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting large game starting in the late 19th century.
Discover the Great Dane, a breed celebrated for its friendly, affectionate, and curious nature. Recognized as a large dog, Great Danes have their origins in Germany, where they were initially bred for hunting and guarding starting in the 16th century.
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
As almost every dog owner is aware, the nose of a dog is an amazing thing. Just as they can pick up sounds we can’t hear, their sense of smell and ability to pick up scents is well beyond ours. In fact, dogs have 40 times the number of olfactory receptors as humans.
More than 80 million Americans rely on their service dogs to help them navigate the world. Task-trained assistance animals perform a huge range of life-changing—in many cases, life-saving—services: These dogs act as eyes for visually impaired handlers, provide mobility support, alert to seizures and blood sugar crashes, interrupt anxiety attacks, remind their people to take medications, and so much more.
You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
Ah, poop. We humans think it’s disgusting… but many of our dogs seem to love the stuff. If you’re wondering why your canine companion tries to eat feces (either their own or that of other animals) you’re not alone!
Do you have a water-loving dog looking to burn some energy? There are countless dog parks to visit throughout our country — but some of them become far too hot in the midday sun to be safe for your pets to play. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best dog water parks throughout the United States! At these locations, your pup can frolic, splash, and swim to their heart’s content.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle—or worse, get bored of—them in just a few days?
You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.
Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.”
Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.
Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.
Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.
Looking for a space to play with your dog no matter what the weather’s like outside? Look no further than our list of the best indoor dog parks in the United States! These climate-controlled spaces are growing in popularity as pet ownership increases throughout the country. As a bonus, many of them also offer dog training, boarding, grooming, or daycare services on the premises.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered! It’s hard to narrow down, but we’ve put together some of the best off-leash dog parks throughout the country so you can plan your next adventure — along with a checklist of what to bring, what to know beforehand, and some frequently asked questions.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Las Vegas? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks to plan for your next adventure in Sin City.
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog in Portland? We’ve got you covered! Take a look at the best local dog parks and plan for your next adventure in the City of Roses.