Some Information Regarding the KERRY BLUE TERRIER

The Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is one of the most mysterious breeds of terriers. This is because of the fact that even though the breed has been known by the Irish for at leas 150 years, nobody really knows where they came from or how they were first bred.

Kerry Blue Terrier. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Various legends are told in order to explain the appearance of the Kerry blue terrier breed. Some say that the peasants bred them for hunting purposes since noblemen monopolized the use of wolfhounds. Thus, noblemen hunted with their wolfhounds while peasants poached with their Kerries.

Another legend speaks of a wrecked Russian ship that contained a blue dog. This dog swam into Irish shores and there, mated with the local terrier population. This, of course, started the genetic pool of blue Kerry terriers.

Whatever the case, the blue Kerry terrier sure has a colorful history. It started as a working dog, helping hunters bring in prey. It would also be trained as a police dog by the English. Today, it is considered to be one of the best breeds of dogs that one can own. This is in part of its excellent abilities as a watchdog.

One thing that is so cool about owning a Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is the fact that this breed is adaptable to every situation. It can be a hardworking hunter’s dog. It can become the vigilant watchdog. If you want companionship, it can also provide that. People who are fortunate to have a Blue Kerry terrier pet dog even say that once you are a Kerry lover, you are forever a Kerry lover.

There are some terrier characteristics which may cause a bit of trouble for your dog. Like all terriers, the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog can get into fights with other dogs. In order to prevent this, you need to make sure that the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is properly socialized. Usually this is done by the breeder. 

Most people, when they are getting a pet often ask the question of whether or not a pet can be housebroken easily. Thankfully enough, the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog has a disposition that is easily house trained. The Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is actually quite eager to learn. This means that you will be able to train it very quickly.

Although a Blue Kerry terrier can become an excellent playmate for children, it must be taken that the children do not show any cruelty to the dog. 

The Blue Kerry terrier is also one of the more hardy types of terriers. This is because the Blue Kerry terrier has very few genetic problems. Before buying one, however, you need to ask for eye certifications and hip x-rays. These are the most commonly afflicted parts of the Blue Kerry terrier.

A Blue Kerry terrier is not really for everyone. Some people may find it a bit too playful. Some people may not really get used to the Blue Kerry terrier’s curiosity. People may not really understand its habit of following everyone around. Today, the fate of the Blue Kerry terrier dog lies in the hands of the breeders who care for them, nurture them, and make sure that they have great homes to stay in.

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Which Facts Do You Need Know About The ROTTWEILER?

The Rottweiler, also called the "Rottie", is a working breed of dog. They feature a muscular body with a black coat and tan face mask. The breed is assumed to have first appeared in the Middle Ages and guarding cattle and protecting butchers' money is the reason they were originally used for. They are now a popular choice as a guard dog, police dog or family pet. They are recognizable for their reputation as a dangerous dog as well as their strength. They are a descendant of the Italian Mastiff and are known to have originated from the town of Rottweil in Germany.

Photo by rodolfoaraiza.com 

They're recognized as a large sized breed of dog. The recommended male guidelines are 95-135 pounds with a height of 24-27 inches, while the female measurements are 80-100 pounds and a height of 22-25 inches. They are famous for their alert and imposing character. They are highly suitable as a guard dog, as they are mostly suspicious towards strangers. The breed ranks 9th compared with all other breeds when being trained to understand new things, and are known to be highly intelligent.

They are protective and playful (when trained correctly) around kids, and that means they are fairly suitable as a family pet. They do mix well with other pets like dogs and cats they're raised with. One simple job is grooming them. They require small brushing of their coat once every week or two, and a proper groom once every 8 to 10 weeks. They love to have at least a small backyard to run around in, but can be suitable for living in an apartment.

They're by and large short-lived, as with many large sized breeds, with a life expectancy of 8-13 years. Their primary health risk is hip dysplasia, and they are also vulnerable to cancer, obesity or parvo as a puppy. Hobbies like having a job, exploring, swimming or fetching balls will give them a lot of enjoyment. They require long walks each day to reduce the risk of destructive behavior due to their medium amount of energy.

If you choose to buy the Rottweiler you must be able to provide consistent discipline and obedience training. They are a perfect option for responsible owners who will be a strong pack leader, but not an ideal option for less confident owners. This breed can be appealing for a lot of dog owners, and one of the main reasons why is it has an imposing reputation and obedient nature that make it a good choice to protect your home and family.

By Brent A McCoy If you're keen on reading more information about the Rottweiler and other breeds view this site. Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Big Secrets behind TEACUP Stress and Sugar

The average life span of teacup dogs is around 12 to 15 years, sometimes even longer. Generally, teacup puppies weigh 2-4 lbs and measure 8 inches or less during maturity. However, breeders usually keep teacup pups under their supervision during the first 12 weeks. This way, they will be eating sufficiently when they are transferred to their new home.  

A Teacup Yorkie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, changes to environment may cause a great amount of stress for teacup puppies. He may react negatively when leaving all his friends, traveling to his new home, meeting his new owners and changing routines. When he experiences stress, he will seem uninterested in playing and act extremely tired. Most of the time, the teacup will have unusually weak knees when standing and running. If you notice such symptoms, he may lose his appetite due to sugar low.

When stressed, teacup puppies become prone to having low blood sugar. If your pup doesn’t eat often or enough, he may experience a sudden drop in blood levels. However, most teacups should outgrow this problem when they reach 4 to 5 months. Many breeders recommend adding a teaspoon of Karo syrup in his drinking water to prevent hypoglycemia to puppies that are not eating sufficiently.

For teacup owners who are out most of the day, Nutrical is a high-calorie nutritional supplement recommended for puppies with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. By simply giving them a doze each morning and bedtime, you can ensure that your puppy is safe from experiencing low blood sugar even if you’re not at home. A suggested dose is around ¼ to 1/3-inch of Nutrical combined with appropriate Karo syrup until your teacup puppy reaches four or five months. 

A common misconception about hypoglycemia treatments for teacup puppies is that owners should ALWAYS feed their pups with sugar water, baby food and Nutrical. Unfortunately, feeding your pups without quality dog food is a very dangerous practice. According to various breeders, any teacup puppy that needs to be fed with sugar water, soft foods and nutrical is not ready to go to any buyer. Most of the time, these puppies are sickly or underage. 

The bad effect of sugar, on the other hand, is it causes bacteria infection. While Karo syrup and nutrical can save your teacup puppy’s life during a hypoglycemic emergency, these supplements should never be used as food staple. In fact, they should be avoided at all cost. Instead, it is best to supervise your pup’s eating habits during his first few days at home and give nutrical only when he has no appetite. This condition should only last a couple of days. If not, you should immediately seek vet assistance. Remember that an untreated hypoglycemia can worsen to seizures, coma and death of a teacup puppy

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An Expert Guide on The POODLE: The Dog For Allergy Sufferers

The Poodle is a member of the Non-Sporting Group and is currently America's seventh most popular dog breed. Their intelligence, happy nature, and hypoallergenic coat make this breed a common choice for allergy sufferers.

History

Although many believe the standard Poodle hails from France, it actually originated in Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries and was bred to retrieve waterfowl from the water. The name 'poodle' even derives from the German word 'pudel', meaning to splash about. The breed's ancestry past the 15th century becomes murky, with some historians believing that Poodle-type dogs were seen on Egyptian and Roman tombs from the first centuries B.C.

An apricot Standard Poodle. Taken in Whippendell Woods, Watford (England).
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The coat of the Poodle was styled so that it protected vital organs of the dog and keeps it from becoming cold, while also allowing it to move better in the water. The unique style of the Poodle's coat attracted French aristocracy, quickly becoming a fashionable choice for the upper echelon of society and later, the National Dog of France. The Toy and Miniature Poodle would appear shortly after the Standard Poodle to please the European upper middle-class. The Kennel Club in England registered the Standard Poodle in 1874 and the American Kennel Club registered them in 1887, although the breed did not become popular in America until after World War II.

Poodles are incredibly intelligent and easy to train, which led to their prevalence in circus shows. Circus performers saw how they delighted crowds with their tricks and began styling their coats into even more eye-catching shapes. Today, they are not used as much for waterfowl retrieval, but instead they make great family pets due to their friendly disposition towards children and hypoallergenic coat.

Description

The following is derived from the AKC standard:

• Coat: Poodles can have curly or corded coats that come in all solid colors such as café-au-lait, black, blue, silver, gray, white, red, brown, cream, and apricot.
• Head: The head is moderately rounded with a strong, arched neck. The ears lay flat on the head and are long. The eyes should be dark and alert.
• Body: They are a medium to large-sized breed, squarely built, and weighing 45-70 lbs. The legs are proportionate to its body and a tail that is set high and usually docked. The feet are oval-shaped and have toes that are arched.

Defects:

• Multi-colored coats.
• Snappy or aggressive behavior.
• Slumped posture.
• Elbows that stick out.
• Cheekbones that are not flat.

There are three different body types of Poodles:

The Toy : 10 inches and under at the shoulder.

The Miniature : over 10 inches at the shoulder.

The Standard : over 15 inches at the shoulder.

Temperament

Poodles are intelligent and dignified. They enjoy being with their family and need quality time with their owners; otherwise they may develop separation anxiety. Elegant and regal looking, they take pleasure in showing off their agility. They may give a warning bark, but are generally not good guard dogs. Poodles are usually accepting of other cats and dogs if introduced properly. Their intelligence makes them easy to train as long as the owner is consistent.

Care

• Grooming: Poodle coats do not shed. However, regular grooming is needed to keep it in good condition.
• Living Situation: They do better in houses, but can fare well in apartments if the exercise requirement is met.
• Exercise: The Standard Poodle needs 60 minutes of exercise daily.
• Approximate Lifespan: 12-15 years
• Common Health Problems: The Poodle is susceptible to many eye problems such as cataracts, runny eyes, and retinal atrophy. In addition, they are prone to Addison's disease, hip dysplasia, ear infections, and bloat.

The Rundown: Poodles are incredibly intelligent dogs that are easy to train and good with children. Their coat needs regular maintenance, but it does not shed and can be suitable for those with allergies. This is an active breed that needs daily exercise, but will be happy to cuddle on the couch with its family. They are prone to more health problems than other dogs.

By Beth Fletcher Visit Beth's website at: All Dog Stuff We have a great selection of all types of doggy related gear from whistles and collars to beds and crates. Check out our library of Dog Training Manuals Article Source: EzineArticles

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Raise Your PIT BULL TERRIER In A Loving Environment

If you’re considering adding a Pit Bull Terrier to your family, there are a few very important details which need to be on your puppy checklist. Pit Bulls, just like any other dog breed, are unique in their personality traits and tendencies, and it is important that you take these things into consideration and plan ahead before bringing a Pit Bull puppy home.

Photo by Tobyotter

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that your house is safe as well as suitable for a Pit Bull puppy. “Puppy-proofing” your residence can save you a lot of headaches to say the least.

Secondly, you should also consider who lives in the home. Pit Bull terriers are a great dog for families with children ages 13 and up. I’m not saying that Pits don’t do well with younger children as well, but older children are ideal for raising your APBT.

You should make sure that there will be someone home to keep an eye on the puppy and take him out to the bathroom every 30-45 minutes. Your puppy will need to get exercise and training on a regular basis, so this time early on is very important to the development of your Pit. Regular exercise will allow your puppy to get his energy out safely and in a healthy manner.

Another point to take note of is that Pit Bulls generally don’t do well when they are used to lots of love, attention, and affection, and then the situation suddenly changes. They like consistency and it is important to maintain the relationship that you’ve started with your Pit Bull. Make it a point to keep the routine going, no matter how busy you may get.

Owning and raising a Pit Bull terrier is extremely rewarding, but it is vital that you become a responsible owner and invest the time and energy needed into your new pup. I promise you that if you take this seriously and follow through, you’ll have a pet that loves you more than you could ever imagine!

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CATS Are Very Lovable Creatures

“Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?”- An Irish saying about cats, perhaps best describes what pleasure-giving creatures cats can be. 

Jean Burden, beautifully defines the feline beauty. “A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem.” Cats for many people, are really very lovable - remember ‘Snowbell’ - the cat of “Stuart Little”. 

Lulo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to many ailments. Cat grooming is a very important part of keeping a cat as a healthy pet.  Cat supplies can be defined as important things that can be purchased for cat grooming, and maintaining general good cat health.

Cat supplies is a general term that covers a variety of important cat care products. These topics could be used when undertaking an online Internet search for good value cat supply products for your pets - cat-grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, cat training supplies and discount cat supplies.

Cat Grooming:

Cat grooming is in fact a long program of cat health care that covers the entire life span a cat. It includes feline care, feline health care, feline diabetes care etc. It also includes practices like kitten care, giving a hygiene bath, general cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing cat fleas and insects and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. Cat owners should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions. 

Like children, infant cats, known as kittens, require some extra special attention. A kitten is delicate and should be handled with care. It also needs to be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Cat Grooming Supplies:

Cat grooming supplies play a key role in the process of maintaining a happy and healthy cat.  Supplies for your pet may include a special cat home or house, cat doors, cat furniture, cat carrier, cat beds, heated cat beds, cat toys, cat collars, designer cat collars, jeweled or jingling cat collars, cat odor removers, cat clothes, special cat jewelry, cat food, cat tonics & supplements and cat medication.

Cat Beds:

A cat bed is a bed specially designed for the sleeping comfort of a cat. It should be the most pleasurable place for a cat where it retires to take sweet dreams. Good cat beds are actually quite important for maintaining good cat health. An improper sleep may very much affect the general health of your cat - thus the masters of cats should be very careful when buying cat beds. A cat bed and cat bedding should include a cat bed mattress, cat bed sheet, cat pillows, cat throw pillows, cat blankets and cat quilt or duvets. 

Cat beds are available in numerous styles and include designer cat beds, heated cat beds, luxury cat beds, wicker cat beds, leather cat beds, etc.

There are number of designer cat pet beds available on the market for purchase, both in physical pet stores, and also online. Many pet bed manufacturers now sell their cat beds online, through their official company websites.

Home made DIETS for Dogs

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Home made diets are important in the dog feeding. Many a times, the commercial diets consist of food items that have artificial coloring agents and flavoring agents that are harmful to the dog's body. Home made food items have the guarantee of freshness in the preparation unlike the ready-made commercial items.

The preservatives added in the commercial food items may not be the suitable ones to the dogs from the health point of view.  Even in case of renal diseases in dogs, the home made diets may be made with ground beef, slices of bread, calcium carbonate, boiled eggs etc. 

The purpose is to have the restricted protein supply in the feed items prepared.  This should be carried out with home made diets prepared exclusively for the dogs suffering from renal diseases. Water is added in sufficient quantities to help the proper metabolism in the digestion-impaired renal cases. 

The dog may have allergic symptoms like severe itching, which may not get corrected by different kinds of medications employed over a period of time.  Such cases may get easily treated once the dog food is changed from the commercial type of food to the home made food items.

Often, the home made food items are prepared using the freezing procedures to kill the germs or by adding grape seed extracts to provide sufficient antioxidants to the home made food items.  Food grade vinegar is also added in many times to the meat pieces prepared in a fresh manner.  All these can be enriched with vitamin supplements that are available in fruit essences, fish oil etc. 

Cranberry juice, bananas, fish and meat are prepared in a quality manner and no preservatives are added during the preparation of these kinds of food items and the dog becomes more active after the consumption of such food items.

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DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR Kitten - Kittens of the World

Domestic Shorhair Kitten - Kittens of the World

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Guide To Keep For Acquiring NEWFOUNDLAND Puppies

Foster (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From the room where we spend the nights at to the walls where we make some money, the long day we get through is still not done unless we find some methods of making it worth the effort. Others would prefer drinking and dancing the night out, but still some folks would recommend staying at home and making some time bonded with a pet instead.

Most people would recommend some folks they know about to just relate the stress away and find some replacement of their worries with such pet. Although it would take some time to find it, but actually your time will be minimized for selection when you consider the pointers stated here for looking some Newfoundland puppies.

Weigh your reasons. Not each pet lover is having their dog or cat just for the sake of having some company whenever they feel alone in their house. No matter how early or how late you will be going home, that pet will always be there waiting for you and always be excited to meet you again so just be responsible on dealing with its needs as well.

Read the blogs. Or maybe you can run over the forums where millions of online users are sharing their point of view and tips. Select the conference room that is close to your interest and that you can find out your reason to decide for your selection. There must be no problem about making your characteristics matching with its own traits or maybe you can just adjust and change for the sake of having it.

Get information regarding their legal documents. Those are vital factors that one must seek in this search. Without the permit and license to sell, they could be just random dealer who does not seek approval from the local town hall to distribute such kind of breed and animal. Consider this step even in whatever transaction you take because it is needed to know the background of your dealer.

It would be nice to get advice and learn from the insights provided by each of your prospect folks in your circle. The more friends you could ask for, and the more neighbor you can base your decision making on the better result there would be. Take note that each of their voices must be heard and that you must not take it for granted because that can might lead for better option and selection of shop.

There must never be a time that you will be caught up in a situation when the puppy would be gone for series of medication and stuff. Although it would be your concern and your duty due to so just like in cases when it would seem to require such attention, but still it should come as a priority of the breeder himself to attend to beforehand especially when the dog is still fragile.

Actual clients are truly not that shy on probing their protests against a breeder whom they seem not paying too much attention on their puppies. Once a malpractice is shared and known in the records of business bureau then that is a sign you should back out from the plan of getting your first every puppy from them while it is still early.

Getting to know the breed is important. Before you choose which shop you will get the breed you should learn to appreciate the worth of that breed first. Just like any other selection, you must study first how it would turn out after it is in your hands. Therefore, never get to underestimate the puppy without even knowing the fundamentals of it.

About the Author: Deana Norton To adopt purebred newfoundland puppies, pet seekers can turn to our recommended breeders for help. Use the link that appears here on http://newfiepups.com.

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What to Do With a FINICKY CAT

Cat and dry food (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many reasons your cat may not be eating. If she isn't sick, you must do a little investigating to find the cause.

A cat may actually have trouble eating from a bowl that is too small or too light. If the bowl moves too much, your cat may find it not worth the effort. And some cats don't like where their food bowl is placed - try simply changing its location.

If you have other cats or pets, other animals may intimidate your cat. A cat may find it difficult to eat from a bowl placed near a dog's bed, near a noisy appliance or near a busy area of the house. Some cats will wait until a room is completely empty before eating. Many dogs will instinctively try to eat cat food when it is placed down.

And consider how long a bowl of cat food has been left out - food left out overnight or in hot weather may be unappetizing to your cat. And cats - even indoor cats - tend to eat less in warm weather.

Some cats don't like changing food.  If you decide to change your brand of cat food, do so gradually over several days.  Mix a little more of the new food into the old food each day until you have completely changed over.

If your cat's diet consists of mostly dry cat food, try giving it a treat of canned cat food occasionally, or add a little broth to its food. Some older cats or cats with sore gums or teeth can find dry food difficult to chew.

With a little investigation, you will be able to figure out just why your cat isn't eating.  An adjustment here or there can turn your finicky cat completely around.

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Tips On How To GROOM YOUR CAT

Before we begin to give you additional information on this topic, take a moment to think about what you already know.

Cats are basically very tidy creatures. They are in the habit of grooming themselves by licking every part of their body clean with their tongue.

This habit of tongue-bathing has several benefits to your pet cat:

- promotes better circulation of the blood
- gets rid of dead skin cells
- removes excess/dead hair on their coat
- tones their muscles
- keeps the fur soft and clean

Although your feline friends groom on their own, you should still do your part in keeping your cat clean and well-groomed.

Photo by jurvetson

Here are several ways to keep your cat well-groomed:

1. Brushing

Depending on the breed, your cat can either have long or short hair. Make sure that you brush your cat’s coat well enough to promote proper grooming.

-For cats with short hair, use a brush with soft bristles so that the skin will not be scratched or hurt in the grooming process.

Use soft, gentle strokes while brushing. This should make them purr in pleasure and you will have an easier job of grooming your pet cat.

After brushing the coat with a comb, you can finish the job by wiping the fur with a dry, soft and clean piece of cloth. This should maintain the shine on your cat’s coat.

-As compared to cats with shorter hair, long-haired cats would require more brushing time.

For this, use a comb with wide-teeth that is specially designed for cats. This should initially remove the knots and tangles on their fur.

Afterwards, you can use a fine-toothed comb to work the smaller knots on the fur and eliminate the more stubborn knots.

Do not forget to brush the hair around the face with a smaller comb or a toothbrush.

Avoid the eye and whisker area when brushing.

Brushing your cats fur on a regular basis will help keep their coat shiny and healthy, and will also give the owner and the pet some bonding time together.

2. Bathing

Cats do not often require bathing because they basically take good care of themselves when it comes to grooming.

However, there are some cases wherein you need to give them a bath no matter how you – and your pet – dread the chore.

You need to bath your cat if the coat has excessive dirt.

Sometimes, a substance that can possibly poison them sticks on the fur and it is vital to give them a bath in this case.

Another instance where you need to bath your cat is in case of fleas, ticks and lice clinging to their skin.

3. Cleaning the eyes and ears.

For the eyes and ears which are the most sensitive areas in your cat’s body, there are solutions that you may use.

Choose one which is specifically designed to prevent cats with light-colored eyes to develop stains.

For the ears, cats collect a considerable amount or wax so you have to take care of it when grooming.

Removing this would maintain your cat’s health and help prevent infections.

There are also cat wipes that you can use for the ears, eyes and teeth.

4. Keeping the paws clean.

Cats are in the habit of scratching surfaces so it is better to keep them away from the furniture items in the house. It would also help if you keep those paws clean and trim their nails.

You can go to a pet store and buy a nail trimmer specially designed for cats.

Ask your veterinarian for the proper way to trim your cats nails so as not to hurt them in the process.

If you find that your cat exhibits a not-so-healthy clawing habit, you may go for the option of declawing your cat.

This is a surgical procedure where the nails are permanently removed so that it will not grow back.

However, you should still ask your vets advice if you want to go for declawing because with this, cats will lose a natural defense mechanism.

A better and kinder option is to regularly trim the cat’s nails, have them use a wooden post for scratching, or crate-training to prevent them from clawing at your most-treasured possessions.

By following these tips and making time in your busy schedule to groom your cat, you would have a healthy and happy cat and be a happy owner as well.

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Information Regarding the PETERBALD CAT

A relatively new feline breed, Peterbald has emerged from Russia. It traces its origin to St. Petersburg in the mid nineteen nineties when a Don Sphynx male was crossed with an Oriental Shorthair female. The resulting litters contained kittens of an individual and distinct disposition. They had inherited attributes from both their parents and yet were unique in their appearance. 

Photo by NancyK!

Their breeding was thereafter started and the development continues to date. With time they are gaining gradual recognition by international registration bodies. However, it is one of the newest feline breeds and requires time before universal acceptance by cat fanciers is achieved.

Peterbalds have an elegant and slender physique. They are finely built and have a long and sleek body type. Head is triangular with bright almond-shaped eyes, well developed cheek bones and big high-set ears. Owing to a genetic transformation, Peterbalds have very short down hair in their coat. All fur colors and patterns are currently accepted. Tail and legs are thin yet strongly built. Overall appearance is that of a lean well muscled cat.

Peterbalds are still quite recent as a breed and not much is known about their health and the presence of any hereditary recurring medical conditions in them. They have an oriental look and are bred variously to Siamese, Orientals and Russian Blues to maintain genetic diversity and incorporate desirable attributes into their gene pool.

Owing to their short fur, Peterbalds are prone to losing heat quickly in winter and thus should be kept indoors. They have a very rapid metabolic rate and eat more and heal faster from their injuries than most other cats. Friendly and active animals, they adjust well to all members of a household. They shed little and don't require excessive grooming. Not overly vocal or demanding, the graceful Peterbalds are very calm and adoring by nature.

By Omer Ashraf The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Peterbald cat. Article Source: EzineArticles

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CAT Myths and Wives Tales

Alternately feared and revered, worshipped and reviled, the cat’s natural ability as a mouser ultimately won them a place in the lives and hearts of people.  

A Wedjat/Udjat 'Eye of Horus' pendant (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Now we think of them less as pest control methods and more as members of our family.

But it wasn’t always so. Since the domestication of cats some 5000 years ago, they have been alternately welcomed into our homes and shunned as evil spirits.

It is interesting that the descriptions of the treatment of cats in Egyptian times sounds amazingly similar to our modern treatment, with the fortunate exception of punishment by death for anyone killing a cat.

The Egyptian goddess Bast was part woman, part cat. She represented the sacred eye of Horus, the God of Light. Regular feasts and holidays were celebrated in her honor.

The Romans adopted the cat more readily than other nations of the time. They were probably originally brought there from Egypt.

Roman armies traveled with their animals, including the cats. Some Roman towns were named for the cat.

In 936 the King of Wales enacted laws regarding the monetary value and desired traits of the cat. Expected qualities were to see, hear and kill mice; to have sharp claws and to be able to rear their kittens.

According to the law, if a person purchased a cat and it turned out to not posses one or more of these qualities, the buyer was entitled to a refund.

The cat’s mysterious character probably led to the many myths and superstitions surrounding it. Cat’s eyes were believed to tell many things – from the time of day to the state of the tides. Cats were also believed to be clairvoyant, and were used in charms and potions to bestow that talent on people.

A Black cat  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many body parts and substances from the cat were used for healing. The tail was particularly favored. In parts of England it is still used to cure sties.

Nautical superstitions involving cats are numerous. There are also quite a few nautical terms with “cat” in the word – a cat-boat is a small one masted boat; the narrow walk-way on a ship was called the catwalk, and whippings were often carried out using a cat-o-nine-tails.

Cats were believed to both foretell and affect the weather. Throwing a cat overboard was thought to bring about storms at sea.

In the 13th century, witchcraft trials began in Europe. Since cats were often named as a witch’s “familiar” (a spirit helpful to the witch), they acquired at this time an evil reputation.

Black cats were most strongly associated with witchcraft. 

A book written in England in 1854 stated that a witch could only take on a feline form nine times. This is most likely the beginning of the myth that cats have nine lives.

Some modern day myths about cats still persist. For instance, while cats are extremely agile, it is not really true that they will always land on their feet.

It was once believed (and may still be) that cats could suck the breath from infants. The truth is that they just like the milky smell.

Though they may like it, milk really isn’t good for cats. A small amount probably won’t hurt, but too much can give both cats and dogs diarrhea.

Many people still believe that a black cat crossing their path brings bad luck. 

Cats are inscrutable and mysterious; and can certainly look evil as easily as lovable. But all in all, they are wonderful companions and have been serving and entertaining us well for thousands of years.

Author:Elyse Grau

More Information Regarding GOLDENDOODLE Puppies

Most of the time it is very confusing to choose a breed for a canine that you want to adopt because of the number that they have. Aside from that, it is even more confusing now that there are cross breeds. One example of a cross breed is the Goldendoodle. From the name itself, it originated from the Labrador Retriever and the designer Poodle. Because of this appearance, breeders were able to develop a canine that is close to an adorable bear.

This is just one of the breeds that you can get if you are thinking of purchasing a canine as a pet. Most people in the city of Texas, especially families, have Goldendoodle puppies for their pets. If you have your own family, it would be a good idea to consider their choice. If you are interested, read on for some of the most basic information regarding this interesting canine.

2½-month-old Goldendoodle pup. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are many notable features about the breed that you should learn if you are thinking of adoption. First are the interesting coats that they have, which by the way comes in various shades. It is very beneficial if you are looking for a specific shade. You just have to be careful about the coat texture. There are those that can be really frizzy while others are really soft.

When it comes to physical activities, they are in need of the average exercise. This means that they are slightly athletic. But even if it is just moderate exercise like walks or running around the yard, you still have to do it everyday. They do not really feel comfortable when they are idle for the entire time.

One trait that serves as the highlight of their personality is their naturally caring attitude towards people. They are especially empathic to those who are not feeling well or people they feel are going through something at the moment. When you feel that your day just keeps getting worst, a hug with them would be very therapeutic.

If you are the one who adopted them, you can expect their loyalty as well. This is due to the fact that they are easily and strongly attached to their humans. This is the trait that makes them really different from others and makes them the best type of canine to be around children. Families with children and have this type of dog adore them.

Teaching them several things such as what are the things that they can and cannot do inside the home would not be too hard of a task. They are very intelligent and they can pick up instructions and tricks easily. But you have to improve the way they interact with others.

If you are looking for a dog that you do not have to take to the grooming shop every now and then, this is the canine for you. Their coats are usually a mixture of both their parent breeds. But they usually take after the Poodles when it comes to the shedding part. It is necessary however that you comb their coats every now and then.

You always have to remember that research is a very important part of knowing which breed is the right one for you. You need to know their needs first to determine if you can keep up with it. And you also need to know their personalities and see if both of you would agree with each other.

About the Author: Beryl Dalton You can visit southerndoodlin.com for more helpful information about More Information Regarding Goldendoodle Puppies.

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HIP DYSPLASIA And Golden RETRIEVERS

Hip dysplasia is a poor formation of the hip joints, which is a common growing disease with younger dogs of virtually every breed.  With larger breeds, unsteady hip joints are common, although hip dysplasia can be a serious problem that will limit the physical activity of your Golden.  Although many Golden Retriever owners don’t realize it, hip dysplasia is something that dogs inherit from their parents, and gets worse with age.

A Labrador Retriever standing with hind legs close together to compensate
for weak hips caused by an altered gait from hip dysplasia.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The signs and symptoms of hip dysplasia is nearly impossible to detect with Golden puppies, although it will start to show once the pup has reached the age of nine months.  Even though you may take your Golden to the vet to have him looked at, your vet will tell you that you need to wait to see if the symptoms are there, once the Golden Retriever has reached a certain age.

The symptoms and signs of hip dysplasia vary, although the most common include crippling or the inability to walk properly.  This disease can get better once the dog gets older though, due to the joints stabilizing, the inflammation going down, and the muscles in the hips getting stronger and more mature.  Keep in mind however, that Golden’s who have hip dysplasia when they are younger will more than likely develop arthritis when they get older.

Golden Retrievers that suffer from hip dysplasia aren’t fit for breeding, although they can still live a long and healthy life.  There are certain drugs that your vet can prescribe to your dog, which will help him control his weight and help control the disease.  These drugs can also cut down on the pain as well, helping your Golden enjoy himself as much as possible.

Some Golden Retrievers that have hip dysplasia won’t begin to show any signs at all until they get a few years old, once the muscles start to wear down and the damage to the hip muscles start to become more noticeable.  Although your dog may be active and healthy for most of his puppy years, dysplasia can slow everything down and make your dog look as if he is old and is suffering from the physical attributes of arthritis.

To eliminate the pain of hip dysplasia, there are surgery options available.  Golden Retrievers have a high threshold for pain, and won’t normally show any signs of being in pain, even though you know they are.  X-rays won’t show any signs of pain, although the limping or slow walking will tell you that your dog is hurting.  Golden Retriever’s who have this disease won’t know it - which is why you should help as much as possible.  If you do your part and help your dog seek relief - he will feel better than ever before - although he won’t let you know he hurt any at all.

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The OTTERHOUND: a Playful Giant

The Otterhound is a breed of substantial size and great amiability. It is somewhat of a clown and enjoy rough and tumble play with other dogs. Otterhounds were originally bred as a pack hound, (to run with a pack) they generally get along well with other dogs. As the name implies, they were developed to give chase to the otter and so they do have swimming instincts. Otters at one time were so plentiful in the British Isles that they endangered the fishing industry and the hounds would be set upon the otters to keep this from becoming so great a problem. 

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 However, the Otter is now on the endangered species list and of course their hunting is banned. The dog still remains popular as a pet and a Show dog and makes a gentle but protective guardian as well. They are not really a guarding breed but their voice alone is enough to sound quite an alarm not to mention their large size. Their bay is actually a delight to hear, being melodious and deep and the bark is gruff but soft.

The Otterhound looks rather rough in a natural state, the coat is shaggy and wiry or coarse. Historically, he has both Terrier and Hound in his genetic makeup and the coat reflects the characteristics of the Terrier type of coat. Colors are mostly tans and salt and pepper. The outer hairs are water resistant with a dense protective undercoat. He is a large breed standing 24 to 26 inches at the withers, with a large head and pendulous ears. His coat is easy to maintain as being of terrier type it easily sheds dirt and brambles and bits of leaves, etc. 

This is not a dog that is for a neat housekeeper since he is continually bringing in such items on his coat and dripping them off onto the floor. Although he usually doesn't slobber he has a large mouth that can produce a lot of saliva when the smell food is in the air. Furthermore his hairy face will collect the water as he drinks and if his face is not wiped immediately it drips off of his hairs as he makes his way across a room. Many owners will keep a towel handy near the water dish or will allow access to water only when he is outside.

The Otterhound is in the same predicament as many of the large breeds when it comes to hip dysplasia. It continues to be a problem in the breed and care must be taken to x-ray this dog before breeding. Also the possibility of bloat or gastric torsion can be a problem. There is no way of knowing is this condition is genetic in nature though it is suspected that it is "familial".

After the Otterhound outgrows his puppyhood (which will last at least until the age of two) he usually settles down somewhat and at least is not so awkward . 

 He retains a bit of stubbornness in his personality, after all, he is a pack dog and has a tendency to tend to his own desires rather than those of his master. He is also a playful and boisterous breed, quite active and energetic. However he is intelligent and will respond to training. He needs plenty of exercise and of course needs a fenced in enclosure. He enjoys nothing more than being with his family on a regular basis but is not unhappy if in the yard and is not demanding of constant attention, especially if he has another dog to keep him company.

By Michael Russell Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Animals [http://animals-guide.com/]. Article Source: EzineArticles

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CRATE TRAINING a Puppy

Quite a few owners are employing crates to help teach their puppies. Several dog owners consider crates to be mean, terrible and restrictive but for those who have never used one you probably should look at the rewards.

A greyhound lying in his wire dog crate (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Many pets look at the crate as being their personal spot. This is particularly true if it has been utilised since they were a puppy. Young dogs usually do not perceive  the crate as a punishment, but as their den. If the crate is in a location where the puppy is able to go in and out many pets will use their crate on their own as a place to nap.

If your puppy is accepting and comfy with his crate he will be more than happy to be in it if you have to leave your house. This means that you don't worry about your dog chewing or destroying things when you're not at home.

Crates will also be wonderful when you have infants in the home. The dog will often take advantage of this space to escape while he wants to be left alone. It's important that you teach children to respect the dog's crate and not use it to play in. Kids should understand that this spot belongs to the dog and just the puppy and to leave the pet alone when he is in his crate.

Crate training may also help with house training. Puppies hate to dirty their bedroom. You will see that a puppy who sleeps inside a crate is less likely to have accidents. Keep in mind that the dog must be allowed out at regular times particularly when he is small. You do not want the animal to be forced to do his business inside the crate, if he's left in it too long. This might grow to be a pattern if the puppy spends a lot of time in his crate.

Crate training is also beneficial to help with additional instruction. In case your young puppy does start to play rough you can utilize it for a time out spot. You can even use the crate to keep your pet quietly restricted should you have visitors over who are not people who love dogs.

Dog crates can be a very valuable training tool, and will make living with a dog a great deal easier in lots of various ways. If you are thinking about buying a puppy you need to really look at the merits to getting a crate. 

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Vintage Collection - Dogs (4)

Otter Hounds

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