Fact Sheet: CURLY-COATED RETRIEVER

(Original Title: Curly-Coated Retriever - Dog Breeds)

Curly Coated Retriever (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Group: Sporting

Weight: Male: 80-100, Female: 70-90 lbs

Height: Male: 25-27, Female: 23-25 inches

Overview

The Curly Coated Retriever has its origin in England and is one of the oldest dog breeds there is. English hunters favoured this breed, as they had very gentle retrieving abilities. This breed is particularly popular in Australia and in New Zealand. In the United States however they are fairly rare, and very difficult to get hold of.

Temperament

Curly-Coated Retrievers are very content and easygoing dogs. They are very bright, and always keen on pleasing their owners. This breed was formerly used as hunting and gun dogs, and this makes them very trainable. These dogs are also late to mature, and will only reach full maturity after about 3 years. This breed will make a wonderful family, and they like to be close to the family.

The Curly-Coated Retriever likes to show affection, and also makes very good therapy dogs. Seeing that these dogs are so tolerant, they are the ideal dog to have around your children. The Curly-Coated Retriever will make a brilliant watchdog and will also protect the family wherever they can. It is important to socialise the Curly-Coated Retriever well when still young, as they can be fairly reserved toward strangers.

Care

The grooming requirements for the Curly-Coated Retriever is not very time consuming. It is advised that the nails of these dogs should be trimmed, but only when it is necessary. The Curly-Coated Retriever should not be bathed excessively, and two or three times during the year should do. Too much bathing will strip their coats from the natural the oils. The Curly-Coated Retriever should not be rubbed down in order to get them dry, they should rather be left to air dry. The coat of the Curly-Coated Retriever will benefit from these dogs swimming and being out in the sun a lot.

Training

It is vital for these dogs to receive proper training, as they can be very difficult puppies. The Curly-Coated Retriever should get enough physical and mental stimulation, as they tend to get bored very easily. This will in return then lead to destructive behavior. The Curly-Coated Retriever will also bark a lot when bored. These dogs should also be learned from a young age that jumping is not suitable.

Health problems

The Curly-Coated Retriever has a few health concerns potential owners should be aware of. Like many other breeds they have problems with hip dysplasia and cancer. They can also suffer from patterned baldness, bloat and cardiac problems. Epilepsy is also a concern in this breed from time to time.

By John M Williams Visit the following links for more info on the Curly-Coated Retriever or a full list of Dog Breeds. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Fact Sheet: GERMAN SHEPHERD

(Original Title: GERMAN SHEPHERD Dog Breed Information)

German Shepherd

They are one of North America's most popular dogs. AKC has the German Shepherd Dog ranked #2 in the US. They are extremely intelligent and a very capable working dog and their devotion encourage to their family is unmatched. They are amazingly versatile being able to excel and almost anything that they are trained to do whether it is police or military service, search and rescue or simply obedience training. They are a faithful companion to any family that would have them.

Coat and Color

The German Shepherd comes in many different color variations. AKC recognizes these 11 colors: Bi-Color, Black, Black and Cream, Black and Red, Black and Silver, Black and Tan, Blue, Grey, Liver, Sable and White. They do shed. They tend to shed heavier during shedding season. More brushing than normal will be required during this time period. An occasional bath here and there along with regular brushing and grooming will help keep the dogs medium length coat in check.

Size

With the males of this breed standing 24 to 26 inches tall, the females of the breed are generally between 22 to 24 inches in height. The weight of a shepherd will range from 75 to 95 pounds.

Personality

The shepherds personality is rather aloof however they are not known for being particularly aggressive. They are a well preserved dog that doesn't make friends immediately, however, once they do they are extremely loyal to those that they love. The shepherd makes an excellent watchdog as they are easygoing and approachable when they are with their family however when they feel threatened they can be very strong and protective. They are highly intelligent and very trainable and are excited to be able to have a job to do. The German Shepherd can be trained to do almost anything making them one of the most versatile dog breeds around.

The one thing that a shepherd is not good at is being left alone at home for long periods of time. Without companionship and something to do with their time they can become easily bored and frustrated which leads to a host of behavioral issues. You'll find that they will release their pent up issues generally by chewing and excessive barking. Like every dog your German shepherd should be socialized as early as possible and regularly worked with so that they grow up to be a well rounded dog.

By F. Szczepanski Breeders Association of America Inc http://njpup.com/pure-breds-for-sale Article Source: EzineArticles

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