Adam Pretty / Getty Images

Chocolate, a miniature dachshund, receives acupuncture therapy from veterinarian Satoshi Okada to help with lumbar disk herniation, at the Marina Street Okada animal hospital on April 12, 2013 in Tokyo, Japan.

Adam Pretty / Getty Images

Veterinarian Satoshi Okada prepares the acupuncture needles before treatment. The number of pet dogs in Japan has been increasing steadily to 11.5 million animals, almost one-fifth households. One-tenth of Japanese families have at least one dog, according to the survey of Japan Pet Food Association.

Adam Pretty / Getty Images

Vanilla anxiously watches as Chocolate receive his acupuncture therapy.

Adam Pretty / Getty Images

Being treated with acupuncture means the dogs can often avoid having surgery for certain ailments and degenerative injuries common to their particular breed.

Adam Pretty / Getty Images

The dogs receive acupuncture and laser acupuncture in a small room at the back of INS Dog store to help with ailments such as lumbar disk herniation, knee joint dislocation, and also to fix the flow of Qi energy and enhance their self-healing power.

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Alexsey Druginyn / Kremlin Pool - RIA Novosti via EPA

The Kremlin today released a series of photos of Russian President Vladimir Putin gamboling in the snow with his dogs Yume, left, and Buffy at his countryside residence outside Moscow.

Buffy, a Karakachan Bulgarian shepherd, was presented to Putin by his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov in 2010. A 5-year-old boy was reported to have won a competition to find a name for the dog.

Yume, an Akita Inu, was gifted to Putin by Japan's Akita Prefecture as thanks for Russia's help during the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Yume, whose name means "Dream" in Japanese, will be one year old on April 24, according to Russia's state-owned RIA Novosti news agency.

Putin's love of dogs is well-documented, and it is even said that he has used his Labrador, Koni, to intimidate German Chancellor Angela Merkel during negotiations.

Editor's note:  This post has been corrected to reflect that these photos were taken on March 24, and not as previously stated on April 10. They were released by the Kremlin today.

Alexsey Druginyn / Kremlin Pool - RIA Novosti via EPA

Vladimir Putin walks with Buffy at his countryside residence, Novo-Ogariovo, on March 24, 2013.

Alexsey Druginyn / Kremlin Pool - RIA Novosti via Reuters

Related:

'Isolated' Medvedev mans the office as protests dog Putin's European trip

Putin takes to sky to lead flight of cranes

Vladimir Putin, your friendly local dentist

This story was originally published on Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:02 PM EDT

All kinds of fur was on display in New York at the Westminster Kennel Club Show. Here are some of the furriest, four-legged competitors showing off their fluffy features. 

Mike Segar / Reuters

Swagger, an Old English Sheepdog, poses for photographers after winning the Herding Group during competition at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11.

John Moore / Getty Images

Handler Stacy Dohmeier carries Tucker, an A.S.C.O.B Cocker Spaniel, Feb. 12, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

John Moore / Getty Images

A terrier prepares to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb.12.

Mike Segar / Reuters

A Pomeranian is carried by its handler to be judged during competition in the Toy Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 11.

Mike Segar / Reuters

A Standard Poodle is judged during competition in the Non-Sporting Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb.11.

Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images

Paisley, a Wheaten Terrier, sits on a grooming table at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 12.

Mike Segar / Reuters

A Bearded Collie runs during competition in the Herding Group at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb.11.

Stan Honda / AFP - Getty Images

Barry, a Komondorok, at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Feb. 12.

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• Westminster Best in Show is Banana Joe
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Jim Cole / AP

Sled dogs Poncho, left, and his blind brother Gonzo are hooked up for a run at the Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel in Jefferson, N.H., on Jan. 17, 2013. Poncho has taken to helping his blind brother on regular runs.

The Associated Press reports — When Gonzo started tripping over his food dish three years ago, no one could explain or stop the Alaskan husky's quickly advancing blindness. But a veterinarian offered some simple advice: "Run this dog."

Jim Cole / AP

Ben Morehouse guides a team of sled dogs, including Gonzo and Poncho, through a field below the Presidential Range in the White Mountains in Jefferson, N.H.

Gonzo, one of 120 dogs at Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel, was happy to comply. With help from his brother, Poncho, he soon resumed his place pulling a sled all over New Hampshire's North Country to the delight of tourists and his caretakers, who quickly realized that if Gonzo didn't treat his blindness like an obstacle, neither would they. 

Kennel owner Neil Beaulieu describes a spring day when he took the pair for a ride on a trail known for its deep snow, and Gonzo strayed to the edge of the trail and stumbled. With the team still moving forward, Poncho reached over, dug his head in the snow and pulled his brother out, grabbing his harness with his teeth.

"He essentially picked him out of the powder ... threw him back on the trail and never skipped a beat," Beaulieu said. "I've run dogs in a lot of places, all over the country, and it was the most amazing thing I've ever seen sled dogs do." Read the full story.

Video: Huskies train for famous sled dog rally in Scotland

Jim Cole / AP

Sled dogs at the Muddy Paw Sled dog Kennel in Jefferson, N.H. The kennel takes in rescues and "second-chance" dogs.

Patrick Semansky / AP

Inmate John Barba works with Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training, at Western Correctional Institution in Cresaptown, Md. Dill is one of three dogs assigned since September to inmates at the maximum-security prison for basic training as service dogs for disabled military veterans.

The Associated Press reports from Cresaptown, Md. — Hazard Wilson's new cellmate is a hairy bundle of energy whose playful zeal can't be contained by steel doors: a five-month-old golden retriever. Yardley is one of three canines assigned since September to inmates at a maximum-security prison in western Maryland for training as service dogs for disabled military veterans.

The number of programs nationwide using inmates to train service dogs is growing, but the program at Western Correctional Institute might be the first to use incarcerated veterans to train dogs for other veterans.

Patrick Semansky / AP

Dill looks on as inmate John Barba walks away after commanding him to sit and stay. The inmates, who are also veterans, are among the state's first prisoners to join a national trend of training service dogs in correctional institutions.

Professional trainers say prison-raised dogs tend to do better than those raised traditionally in foster homes, because puppies respond well to consistency and rigid schedules. That's just what they get in prison.

Patrick Semansky / AP

John Barba looks at a calendar as he sits in the 6-by-9-foot cell that he shares with Dill, a veteran assistance dog in training.

Wilson, a former military police officer honorably discharged in 1982, said he's proud to help another veteran.

"I feel as though they don't get what they deserve when they come home," he said. "This is a part of why I do what I do." Read the full story.

Editor's note: Images taken on Nov. 26, 2012 and made available to NBC News today.

Patrick Semansky / AP

John Barba walks out of his cell with Dill. Professional trainers say prison-raised dogs tend to graduate sooner and at higher rates than those raised traditionally in foster homes because puppies respond well to the consistency and rigid schedules of prison life.

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Ulrich Perrey / AFP - Getty Images

German hobby shepherd Wolfgang Grensens bottle feeds his lamb, Wally, in Luebeck, northern Germany.

Ulrich Perrey / AFP - Getty Images

Wolfgang Grensens bottle feeds his lamb Wally as his Australian shepherds play in Luebeck.

Ulrich Perrey / AFP - Getty Images

Wolfgang Grensens goes for a walk with his lamb Wally and his three Australian shepherds in Luebeck, northern Germany.

Hobby shepherd, Wolfgang Grensens, decided to raise Wally, a six-week-old East-Prussian Skudde lamb, after its mother died. 

• Animal Tracks on TODAY
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Slideshow: Animal Tracks: Oct 31 - Nov 7

Sara Stathas / Reuters

From voting doggies to silly monkeys, to baby rhinos and cats competing, get your cuteness fix with irresistible photos of creatures great and small.

Launch slideshow

(Updated Nov. 14)

GRAPHIC WARNING: This post contains graphic images which some viewers may find disturbing. 

Minzayar / Reuters

Minzayar / Reuters

The puppy with its mother a day earlier on Nov. 5.

A puppy stays by the remains of a dog who local residents say is its mother on Nov. 6 (above), days after it was killed in an area burned in violence at East Pikesake ward in Kyaukphyu, Myanmar. The exact circumstances of the dog's death are unknown.

Update (Nov. 14): Many readers wondered about the fate of the puppy. We contacted Reuters and they informed us that after the pictures were taken the puppy was taken to a nearby monastery. The photographer, who uses the byline Minzayar, also responded in our comments section: 

When I was walking around the burnt areas in that villages, I saw this scene which broke my heart. Before taking pics, I asked the local people around who would adopt the puppy. No one couldn't because they are all in difficulty themselves suffered from the communal violence. Then, I dropped all my cameras, just sitting and watching the little puppy with the deepest sympathy and sorrows, cries inside me. Then I took the pictures. I rubbed its head... He licked my hands.. Then after a few minutes, took the pictures again.. When my time comes that I must leave, I was about to take the puppy back to the hotel but then, there was one very kind local man who has been watching me and the puppy. He said he also wants to adopt it but cannot because he is poor. Then finally, we decided to send the puppy back to the Buddhist monastery in the village. In Myanmar, monasteries are believed to be the most peaceful place than everything. I believe I did what I could do best in my given situations.
I will surely pay a visit to the puppy again sometime in the future.

To add, me and the local man picked up the puppy together..

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• PhotoBlog: A dog takes its loyalty to the grave in Brazil
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Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

A dog catches a wave during the Surf City Surf Dog contest in Huntington Beach on Sept. 30.

Diggity dog! These surfing pooches are hysterical!

Some 46 pups took part in the fourth-annual Surf City Dog competition watched by 1,500 spectators at Huntington Beach in California. All surf-doggies received a participation medal and received a bag of treats.

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Hanzo, a 4-year-old German boxer, learned how to skateboard when he was only 10 weeks old.

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

An English bulldog fights a wave.

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Hanzo, a 4-year-old German boxer, jumps a wave.

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Whether you have two legs or four, staying on the board isn't easy.

Joe Klamar / AFP - Getty Images

Check out these moves!

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

West Highland terrier Joey checks out a wave.

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

Wipeout!

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

A bulldog catches a wave.

Lucy Nicholson / Reuters

A dog is carried back out to the break to catch another wave.

Follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more great stories and photos.

TODAY.com multimedia producer Mish Whalen loved looking through all the photos of the surf dogs and found them way more talented than most of her two-legged friends.

Biswaranjan Rout / AP

One-and-a-half-year-old sloth bear Buddu plays with Juli Kisan outside her family's home in Lakhapada, India.

Is there anything better on a Friday than adorable photos of a sloth bear acting like a dog? We don't think so!

Check out these pictures of the playful Buddu below.

Biswaranjan Rout / AP

Buddu wandered into the village following a herd of goats, and ended up staying with the Kisan family.

Biswaranjan Rout / AP

If you're concerned about Buddu's fate, worry no more. The cub, seen here getting his hair combed by Juli, was taken from the family by wildlife officials Friday.

Biswaranjan Rout / AP

Faithful companion: Ghasiram Kisan rests next to the young sloth bear.

More:

• 17 of this week's best animal photos
• Video: Snow leopard cubs debut in New York
• After 10 long years, woman reunited with her stolen horse

Tina Fineberg / AP

Dachshunds dressed for the occasion, Dee Dee, foreground left, and her cousin Clifford, foreground right, are held by their owner Valerie Diker, as they and other dogs and people wait for the start of the most expensive wedding for pets Thursday July 12, 2012 in New York. The black tie fundraiser, where two dogs were

Dachshunds dressed for the occasion, Dee Dee, foreground left, and her cousin Clifford, foreground right, are held by their owner Valerie Diker, as they and other dogs and people wait for the start of the most expensive wedding for pets Thursday July 12, 2012 in New York.  The black tie fundraiser, where two dogs were "married", was held to benefit the Humane Society of New York. Dee Dee and Clifford were part of the wedding party.

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