When you are ready to get a dog, you'll find that there are many breeds available to you. Whether you go to a breeder or you are curious about the background of some of the lovely dogs you can find at a shelter,
If you are someone who is looking for a dog that will require lots of regular exercise and who has a great deal of natural energy and exuberance, consider sporting dogs. Sporting dogs are very active and alert and do require a fairly constant schedule of activity. Some examples include Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers.
Dogs from the hound group were bred for hunting, whether they hunt with their eyes and with their nose. Like sporting dogs, they do require regular and fairly intense exercise, but they are also quite diverse. Make sure that you know if you are getting a breed that bays, because the sound is quite loud. Beagles and Norwegian Elkhounds are a part of this group.
Working dogs, on the other hand, have been bred to perform certain specific jobs, whether it means that they have instincts to herd sheep or guard property. Siberian Huskies, Boxers and Doberman Pinschers are all members of this group.
Terriers are often distinguished by their small size and their bright and energetic personalities. They are usually not dogs that are friendly with other dogs, and in the past they were bred to kill rats and other vermin. They are quite lively and you may want to think about it before you bring them into a house with small children. Jack Russell Terriers and Welsh Terriers are part of this group.
Toy dogs are, as the name implies, small and bred to be house dogs. They are great for people who don't have a lot of space and make good apartment dogs. Consider some of the very popular breeds like Chihuahuas or Yorkshire Terriers.
Herding dogs were bred to protect their charges from predators and to make animals move from place to place. Some members of this group might surprise you, like the Welsh Corgis and Swedish Vallhunds who are just about a foot tall and capable of driving cattle into pastures. These dogs are great companions, but do require good socialization and training. Border collies and Pulis are two examples of this type of dog.
Non-sporting dogs are very diverse, and this is something of a catch-all territory. They do not fit into any other group, but they might share characteristics with them. Poodles, Bulldogs and the Japanese Shiba Inu fall into this category, as do the long haired Lhasa Apso and the Keeshond.
When you are thinking about choosing a breed of dog, consider what your requirements are in terms of temperament and think about what the dog itself needs in terms of exercise, space or socialization. This is an important choice for you to make, so think about the options and make sure that you get a companion animal who suits your space and lifestyle.
It's my favorite time of year! Its time for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show and the Crufts Dog show. Westeminster is held in February each year and takes place in New York City at Madison Square Garden. Often called "American's Dog Show", I would be the first to agree. It's America's First and Only Champions Only Dog Show Entry limited to 2,500 dogs.
The show is divided into two days and evenings. But for us that are unable to attend, viewing is only available of the group finals. The first night covered the following groups-Non-Sporting, Terriers, Hounds and the Herding Group. The second night covered these groups-Sporting, Working and Toy groups.
Here are the winners of those groups-
Non-sporting-Standard Poodle
Terriers-Scottish Terrier
Hounds-Scottish Deer Houng
Herding Group-Puli
Sporting-Sussex Spaniel
Working-Giant Schanuzer
Toy-Brussels Griffon
The sporting group winner, the Sussex Spaniel, named Stump went on the win Best In Show. More results can be viewed at the Westminster Kennel Club website along with videos showing each breed being judged-http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/
Crufts 2009 dates are 5th – 8th March 2009 at the NEC, Birmingham England. More information about this show can be found at their website-http://www.crufts.org.uk/ along with the judging schedule.
While going thru my local newspaper I came upon this clip and decided to post it-
New Breed Standards:A Britain's Kennel Club has announced major reforms to breed standards and accepted breeding practices for purebred dogs. The changes come in response to concerns that purebreds have serious health problems as a reult of breeding for the show ring. Prominent among affected breeds is the bulldog, the Chow Chow, the Chinese Shar-pei, the German shepherd and the Labrador retriever.
This was posted in the Minneapolis Star Tribune Thursday, January 15, 2009.
‘People foods’ that can kill your pet
Created on May 14, 2008 7:28 AM by grandma_spoils_anya (55)
From chocolate to raisins, here’s what not to feed Fido — even if he begs
By Sloan Barnett
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 4:07 p.m. CT, Fri., May. 9, 2008
It feels good to treat your pet to human food every once in a while. Those puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist as they watch you eat and try to convince you that they are starving! It makes you want to give them a taste of everything you eat. But beware: Giving in to those eyes and giving dogs human foods can actually harm them.
In 2007, the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center received more than 130,000 calls. Most cases of animal poisoning were caused by common human foods and household items.
Many foods we enjoy can be dangerous to animals. It's best to stick to pet food and a diet recommended by your vet. Here are a few of the most toxic foods that can harm your pet:
Bad news foods
Avocados
They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.
Beer
Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal's liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.
Nuts
Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cat's heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.
Candy
Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal's central nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.
Grapes and raisins
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him.
Onions
Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can destroy an animal's red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.
Medicine
Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children. The most common cause of pet poisoning is from animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans.
And this is not just because furry pals are getting into their pet parent's medicine cabinets. In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal's pain. But acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.
Good news foods
There are a few things that you CAN give to your furry pal. However, you should always consult a veterinarian before introducing a new food item to your pet.
Although these foods are normally harmless, some animals have sensitive gastrointestinal tracts. So even these healthy treats should be avoided if they cause gastrointestinal upset for your pet. Keep in mind that these and other "extras" should not make up more than 5 to 10 percent of the pet's daily caloric intake.
Lean meats
Any cooked lean meat should be fine for most dogs. High-fat meats, chicken skin and fat from steaks or roasts are not recommended. Ingestion may lead to gastrointestinal upset or even pancreatitis. This can be a very painful condition for dogs. In addition, most companion animals do not need extra fat in their diets. Never give your pet meat with the bone in it. Animals can choke on the bones, and they can splinter as well.
Vegetables
Carrot sticks, green beans, cucumber slices and zucchini slices are all OK.
Fruit
Apple slices, orange slices, bananas and watermelon are all OK. Make sure the seeds have been taken out; seeds are not good for your pet!
Baked potatoes
Plain baked potatoes are fine, but make sure they are cooked — no unripe potatoes or potato plants.
Bread
Plain cooked bread is fine; just make sure there are no nuts or raisins added.
Rice and pasta
Plain, cooked pasta and white rice are OK. Often veterinarians recommend plain rice with some boiled chicken when gastrointestinal upset is present.
In case of emergency
Despite all the precautions you take to keep your pet pals safe, accidents do happen. That's why the ASPCA, Humane Society and animal advocates advise pet owners to keep the telephone numbers of their local veterinarian and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — (888) 426-4435 — in a prominent location.
Common signs of poisoning include muscle tremors or seizures; vomiting and diarrhea; drooling; redness of skin, ears and eyes; and swelling and bleeding.
If you suspect your pet has consumed, inhaled or come in contact with a toxic substance, stay calm and call for help immediately. If you see your pet consuming anything you think might be toxic, seek emergency help immediately even if she or he is not exhibiting any symptoms.
The election is over, finally. We have a new family moving into the White House and a promise was made to his daughters. That promise was when the campaign was over the family would purchase a puppy. So the new media frenzy is now involved around the question "what breed of dog should go to the White House?"
The most popular breed in the White House so far has been the Scottish Terrier But check out this site for a list of all of the White House inhabitants- http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/whitehousepets-1.htm
I would like to encourage you to express your opinion on this matter. Here is the only requirement stated so far, one of the Obama girls has allergies. To the right of this post is a response form. Fill it out and voice your breed choice. I will have this up til Nov. 16 and then post the results.
Stella is a handful. Stella is my dog and she is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Being a terrier she has lots of energy to burn. She is a lovely dog but needs alittle control in her life! And mine for that matter. We first attended a local puppy class to just get her use to other puppies and owners. But as time goes on, I can see she needs more guidence!
I have searched the internet for online programs as my job doesn't allow for an local evening class. I was confident that I could work on this in my own time and at my own pace. I think I found the perfect solution for Stella and myself. The program is Sit, Stay, Fetch.
This program addresses several dog behavior problems including-dog aggression, biting, jumping, wetting and many more. My plan is to start Stella with this program and report to you her progress. The first lesson starts tomorrow so stayed tuned and check back for her progress.
I hope everyone has a great day with your dog. A friend sent me this video clip of a local group of Bulldogs celebrating Halloween-
http://wcco.com/video/?id=49131@wcco.dayport.com
Check it out, they're quite cute!
Dog training collars are in demand year around but I think with the onset of fall hunting in many states the need increases at that time of year. You will find dozens of dog training collars when searching for dog training supplies and there are also several types of collars.
To determine what type you what will depend on the type of training you want to do.
It very important to research all the different types of collars are available and determine your end goal.
Common types of dog collars are choke collars, electronic collars, no-bark collars and harnesses.
Dog training collars are different from regular every day collars because they help you discipline your dog when needed. For example choke collars are used by gently tugging on your dog to keep it from misbehaving.
Electronic collars are used with a remote control to keep your dog out of trouble or from barking when not desiresd. A light and harmless electric pulse is sent to your dog through the collar when pressing the button on the remote control.
All types of collars are useful but it is important that you check with your vet or online to make sure that the collars are safe for your dog and if they address the training needs you have.
Remember training should be fun, do not overuse dog training collars and make sure that your dog is comfortable and does not become afraid. You want your training to have the right outcome.
As your dog gets older, you will witness noticeable differences in him or her physically. Their teeth will begin to wear down and will change color. Their eyes may begin to change color as well and start to appear gray or blue. The tone of their muscle will decrease and they won't be able to get around as fast or as easily as they once could. As your dog ages, they also will begin to experience various illnesses and chronic health problems.
Because dogs are often like part of the family, you will want to be able to care for them as best as you can and in a manner that the dog is still experiencing a good quality of life. You want to make sure that you are very vigilant and that you watch them closely. Study them and see if they begin to act differently, or if they seem to be in pain. It will be more important than ever to get checkup visits on a regular basis so that your vet can pinpoint any serious problems. You may want to do this as often as two times every year. These exams should include a blood workup.
If you are not sure of what warning signs to look for as your dog gets older, consider the following list.
Separation anxiety is a disorder that not only occurs in human beings, but also in dogs. You may find that your dog exhibits certain behaviors when he or she is left alone. This goes beyond simply whining or looking a bit sad when you leave. Instead, it is a dramatic response that occurs almost every time you leave the house. Owners may find that their dog cries, howls, chews, digs, pees or defecates inside the house even if when they are trained not to do so. They may also scratch, claw and bark.
While professionals don't totally understand why this occurs, it is important that owners realize that the dog is really feeling panicked because the owner is leaving, and they dog or puppy is not out to be mean or to punish their owner for leaving. Some things which heighten the likelihood of separation anxiety include your dog or puppy not having spent a lot of time alone or if you or your family are gone for long period of time. For example, if you go on vacation and then come back your dog may panic when you leave the house again, because they aren’t sure when you might come back.
If your dog has had a real bad experience, for example getting hit by a car or prior abuse, then they may not want you to leave their side. If there has been some big changes in the family, such as you taking a new job and you now have a different schedule, if you have recently changed cities or if your son or daughter goes off to college, this may cause mental anxiety for your dong.