The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a small breed with a distinctive top-knot hair on the head of this terrier dog. Primarily bred to go to the ground, this breed is a low-stationed working dog with an arched top line. They are between 8-11 inches tall at the shoulders and weighs from 18-24 pounds at the average.
Coat
The Dandie Dinmont has a coat mixed with rough top coat and silky undercoat, as demonstrated over their heads. The distinctive hairs on their heads are usually kept relatively long and may shroud the eyes if left without trimming for too long. Their coat color comes in silver and black coat, or reddish-yellow color that is commonly called "mustard".
Activity
These dogs need to be walked on a daily basis and will enjoy playing in the park, or any other securely fenced open areas.
Temperament
The breed is fun-loving and affectionate, making them an excellent companion dog. They are determined, lively, and willful, with intelligent and independent nature, bold, yet dignified. They are aloof with strangers, often protective of family and property. They are great with well-behaved kids, and babies, as long as they were reared with them. Dominance varies greatly, as some males may be aggressive with male dogs in their home, while females can be bad-tempered and snappy.
Overview
Also known as the Dandie or the Hindlee Terrier, this is a breed of dog that belongs to the Terrier group. This interesting little breed has a body similar to that of a Dachshund, but they have a wavy and long coat, with puffed white hair on top of their heads.
Care
These dogs require regular brushing. They need professional grooming, as dead hair should be plucked at about once or twice in a year.
Training
These dogs are tricky to train. They require firm, consistent, and fun training sessions to make these puppies interested. They are intelligent but intelligent enough to question the judgment of their trainers. It is therefore imperative to use positive reinforcement as your approach to asserting your stand as the leader of the pack.
Housebreaking is an important part of training for new owners of these puppies. The key is to be around all the time while they are small, and never allowing them access to the areas where they can muddle up around the house.
Crate training is known to be effective for your dog's training as this allows them the opportunity for quiet time in a space where he can make it his territory, as well as a chance for early housetraining owners can work on.
Character
These dogs are generally lively, independent, and affectionate. They are friendly but can be stubborn at times. They are bold, unafraid, but remains dignified, even when playing. They are extremely loyal and can make excellent guard dogs. The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is intelligent, playful, and fun especially when given enough attention.
People might be wondering why there is such a name as "bull dog".
Originally, Great Britain and later, America were obsessed with bloody fights between bulls and dogs. The main function of the canine is to hang on to the bull's neck and worry the poor animal until it dies. Obviously, these dogs had developed great strength in their jaws.
Among the popular choices of dogs for this sport were the pit bulls. Back then, the selection of pit bulls was so varied that many showed a variety of characteristics that made the sport highly interesting. Later in the life of the sport though, the center of attraction switched towards the fight between pit bulls and not against the bulls themselves.
From these canines rooted most of the bull dog terriers that we know of today.
One of the significant bull dog terriers we have is the American Staffordshire Terrier who is of great interest since it possesses intriguing seemingly opposing characters.
They project strength and physical power but they are not vicious. In fact, this dog is very much associated with its relationship to its family, especially among children. The physical features it has are now only due to their basic nature and orientation during their bloody fights as fighting machines. But this does not negate the fact that they can sometimes show aggressiveness which may somehow work against them. Nevertheless, this can be set off with their loving nature and devotion to human family. Thus, it has a stable temperament which makes them good pets and excellent watchdogs.
AmStaff terrier, as it is called by its shorter name suffers in reputation though since it is commonly associated with pit bulls. These dogs are known for their love for the challenge and are therefore employed in illegal dog fighting.
Most of the problems root from irresponsible training. Sadly, there are too few AmStaff that are properly trained. And what's even depressing is that there are innumerable pit bulls that are continually ill-treated by sadistic owners.
We are often confused about what true pit bulls are. In fact, many contend that these dogs must not be called by that name since it elicits unwanted images of gory dogfights. While this breed is not yet officially recognized by the American Dog Breeders Association or the United Kennel Club, the legitimate name remains to be American Pit Bull Terrier.
While it is true that American Pit Bull Terrier is violent in nature, this doesn't imply that they are made purely for brutal stuff. As we have earlier said, these dogs are only products of maltreatment and exploitive training (and inhumane) for self-serving purposes. Otherwise, American Pit Bull Terriers can be very people loving.
These are also known for their being hardworking on which they excel from. They are also fond of excessive physical activities that would exhaust their power reserves. Thus, this breed is great for those who need company during athletic training. If you are the couch potato personality, please find another breed of dog that would suit your lifestyle.
To clear things off, American Pit Bull Terrier is not officially recognized not because of its ill reputation but mainly due to beliefs that it is not a purebred. One major standard for a dog to be distinguished as a member of Kennel Clubs is that it should be purebred. Until more comprehensive findings on its origin are found, this dog will remain unfortunately tagged as "nasty".
An Australian Shepherd doing agility (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you are planning to commence agility training for dogs, there are certain considerations that you have to carefully look into. This is important to ascertain that the training will yield good results. Agility training practically offers a rewarding experience for both the handler and the dog being trained. To effectively get started with the training, it is of the essence that you take note of the following information.
Above anything else, it is critical that you pay careful attention to the overall health of your dog. Before you begin with any types of agility regimen, it is crucial that the dog is fit to participate in such activity. That being said, it is highly advised that you consult the dog's veterinarian so he/she can provide you with a comprehensive physical and mental assessment of your dog. This is important so you can devise a training course that fits your dog's capabilities.
The way dogs respond to the training will vary greatly depending on their breed, size, personality, as well as their overall energy. For instance, smaller breed of dogs is more energetic than larger breeds of dogs, like Mastiffs or Great Danes. If you have a puppy, it is best to wait until it reaches at least 9 months old before you expose it to the training.
After preparing your dog for the agility training, you should now decide whether to enroll in agility classes or set up your own agility training course. There are various agility training clubs that provide extensive training programs for competing dogs. Most of the agility classes are geared towards teaching novice agility competitors. Seasoned handlers, on the other hand, prefer to build structured dog agility practice courses on their own. Since they have more experience, they are capable of training their dog independently. Typically, handlers decide to enroll in agility classes due to these reasons:
* To acquire proper training in a more appropriate environment that is away from all kinds of distractions
* To gain access to various types of agility equipment that are hard to build and require lots of space
* To seek guidance from trained and experienced handlers
* To expose themselves to enjoyable social venues that are normally provided by many dog agility training facilities
For those who decided to independently train their dogs, it is a must that you invest in useful and functional agility training equipment. You can either construct them from scratch or you can purchase pre-made ones. However, remember that a significant amount of money is needed to buy ready-made agility equipment. So, if you have a crunched budget, it will be more practical to design your own training equipment. You can research the net to find the official size and dimension of agility obstacles used in actual competitions.
To begin the agility training for dogs, you should introduce an appealing and comfortable training environment so that your dog will be at ease. Remember to always begin your training with basic commands, like sit, come, stay, and lie down. The dog being trained must appropriately respond to these commands to ascertain that it understands you.
A greyhound lying in his wire dog crate (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
When we look at dog crates through our human eyes, we may see a lot of different things: a cage or a place where we lock dogs up, something we can use to help transport dogs safely when they're travelling by car, a dog bed or in some unfortunate cases dog's bathroom... the list goes on and on. Crates have been used for many different reasons and purposes; however, in more recent years there have been those that do not agree on whether we should or should not be using them. The majority of professional dog professionals say that crates are an extremely useful tool for training dogs, while there are some people that believe that placing a dog inside a crate may actually be cruel.
The Canine Perspective:
But if we wish to understand what creates really represent for dogs, we must look at them through their world and not our human perspective. This is not to say pets are not part of your family, but rather only that your dog has different needs than its human family members. These feelings may come up after new pet owners buy a crate and start to train their puppy, only to stop short of seeing the benefits because they cannot bear the perceived suffering or unhappiness that their new pet is displaying.
Imagine this: you're a young puppy. You live in a strange, noisy world and you're surrounded by these strange creatures who make funny noises and want to grab you and touch you all the time. All of the sudden, they place you in a cold, scary place and close the door. You're stuck in that place and all you want to do is to get out. But you can't. Naturally, you whelp and try to get out. You stay there for hours, you feel like you've done something terribly wrong and, therefore, you are being punished. You do not understand why and are very confused. You continue to cry out, bark, and beg for these strange creatures to "let me out! Let me out!", but they ignore you. What a horrible scenario, isn't it?
Human Empathy:
When people say crates are cruel, they're visualizing this scenario. That all crating is done in this fashion and that dogs would prefer not to be caged. If dogs had a human understanding of the world than it certainly would be cruel as it is certainly clear that humans do not thrive when caged. This is not the same as a dog's perspective. Please note that care should be taken to buy the right dog crate sizes so that they have adequate space to lie and sit down, but not so much that it encourages using it as a potty. Most models come with a divider that allows the space to grow with the puppy.
In the end, these thoughts act to put a real human face, with human emotions on their dog's experience when in reality this scenario is nothing more than poor crate training. This scenario contradicts the whole purpose of dog crates as a valuable training tool and is not how a puppy should be introduced to their crate.
Proper Dog Crate Training:
When the dog crate is correctly used, here's an example of what will happen: the strange (but incredibly nice) creatures place a weird box in front of you. Since you're a curious puppy, you sniff it and when you do so, they offer you the most delicious treat. Wow! You take a step forward and, oh! Here comes another treat! You start to understand that when you show any interest in that strange box, good things happen. So you decide to explore a bit further and you get inside the box. In there, you find a very comfortable blanket, as well as a toy stuffed with puppy food. This is amazing! You lay down and start to play with that chew toy; you feel warm, safe and relaxed. With time, you start to look at that strange box as a safe place; where you can sleep, relax and feel great. And when something scares you or makes you feel unsafe, you know you will always have your crate: nothing bad could ever happen to you while you're in there because it has become your den!
Crates should mean this to dogs and your training should be driven towards this objective. They should look at crates and see a safe, calm, enjoyable place to be and sometimes escape to... We just need to know how to use them and perhaps most importantly, be patient.
Curious about how you can accomplish that? Keep your eyes out for our next article!
By Joseph Isaac Pet Crates Direct is a local American business that offers North American-made pet crates and accessory products like beds, kennels, and cages. For more information on dog crate training please visit http://www.petcratesdirect.com/pages/dog-crates-101.
Chinese New Year, which occurs on January 23rd, 2012, will mark the beginning of the Year of the Dragon. The Chinese use animals to represent each of their zodiac signs: the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, pig, rat...and dog. While we won't be celebrating the Year of the Dog again until 2018 (I would know for my animal sign is the dog), I thought it would still be a good idea to dedicate this week's "Good Dog" article to dogs of Chinese origin.
The Chinese believe that dogs bring good "yang" energy into our homes. They create bright, positive, active energy and provide us with comfort and security. Dogs even influence Chinese mythology and represent some important symbols of good fortune and protection.
There are at least a dozen dog breeds of Chinese descent - these breeds include:
While I would love to go into detail about every one of these unique breeds, I have chosen to highlight the three most popular ones based on our customers' opinions. So here it is - the most widely owned Chinese dog breeds are: the Shih Tzu, Pug, and Chinese Crested (Sorry Chow Chow...better luck next year).
Did you know that the average Shih Tzu is less than 12 inches tall and range from 8 to 16 lbs.? Don't let their small stature fool you though. The Shih Tzu (which means "Lion Dog") is thought to be a descendant of the wolf - specifically, an ancient Chinese wolf known as the Senji, which had drop ears, a short muzzle, and big, dark eyes.
The colors of a Shih Tzu's coat can vary wildly. Many are solid and have coats that are black, white, brown, liver, and blue. Others can be bi-colored, including black and white, liver and white, silver and white, brindle and white, and black and gold. Their coats grow quickly and can be either long or short. In fact, the coat of the
long-coated Shih Tzu will often touch the ground even while the dog is standing.
According to the UK Kennel Club, the average lifespan of a Shih Tzu is more than 13 years with many reaching the ages of 16 to 20. However, the Shih Tzu breed is known to be subject to some not-so-fortunate health issues. Among these are IVD (Intervertebral Disk Disease), hip dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, and, like all dogs with short muzzles, they can be prone to breathing problems.
Yet don't let these concerns distress you. The "lion dog" can be an excellent companion. Their disposition is playful and affectionate and they generally get along well with other animals. Plus they make great watchdogs because they are very brave and always on alert.
The Chinese Crested dog comes in two varieties: Hairless and Powderpuff. Powderpuffs have a long, soft coat that changes in appearance depending on how they are groomed.
Then there is the hairless variety - in fact, there are actually two varieties of hairless crested: true hairless and hairy hairless. True hairless dogs have very little to no fur at all, while hairy hairless dogs have patches of hair on the head (crest), paws (socks), and tail (plume).
While the average Chinese crested has a longevity of 12 to 14 years, there are some health problems that could shorten their life expectancy. Ocular and dental problems can be common, as well as allergies and immune disorders. (Interestingly enough, the dental issues are far more common in the hairless variety.) More severe problems include patellar luxation, which can cause the kneecaps to become dislodged, resulting in lameness. Another serious issue is Canine Multiple System Degeneration. This can lead to a dog walking with a "drunken gait" or falling down while climbing stairs or making a fast turn.
The Chinese Crested makes a great family animal as they are very affectionate, charming and quite loveable. Just make sure that your kids are gentle with this pup. Since they don't have the protective coat that other breeds have, Chinese crested can injure easily.
Pugs - A Symbol of Chinese Mythology
The pug resembles the ancient Chinese mythical creature, the Fu Dog. Fu dogs were thought of as imperial guardians and according to folklore were said to be able to transform into dragons. It is actually very common to see statues of these animals placed at the doorways of Chinese businesses and in the home to protect against burglars and evil spirits.
Similarly to the Shih Tzu, pugs have a short muzzle and a scrunched face. They are also similar in size, weighing 14 to 18 lbs. Other distinctive features of the pug include a curved tail and predominant wrinkles that cover the face and head.
While Pugs can come in a variety of colors, including black, white (extremely rare), fawn, apricot fawn, silver, and brindle, the American Kennel Club only considers black and fawn colors to be "standard".
Pugs have an average lifespan of 12 to 14 years, but obesity can be an issue if the dog has a fairly sedentary lifestyle. Pugs can also suffer from Pug Dog Encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), Hemivertebrae (congenitally deformed vertebrae), hip dysplasia, reverse sneezing, and (I'm not joking) overheating.
They are known for displaying an even temperament and are dogs that love to please their owners. Pugs are rarely aggressive and are good for families with children.
I hope you enjoyed this article about Chinese dog breeds. May you have good fortune, prosperity, health, wealth, and happiness.
By Robert Mueller Robert Mueller, BSc, Pharm. is a registered pharmacist, author of "Living Enzymes: The World's Best Kept Pet Food Secret", and co-developer of BARF World's BARF diets patties, nuggets and supplements - the first company to make the Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods (BARF) diet conveniently available to animals everywhere. He and his wife love to travel around the world with their dog, Ubi - a sheltie/beagle mix. For more articles like these and to learn more about the benefits of raw food for your pets, sign up for The Intelligent Pet monthly e-zine at http://www.barfworld.com.
The Caucasian Mountain Dog also is known as the Caucasian Ovcharka is an ancient breed that for centuries was little known outside the remote regions from which it hails, namely the Caucasus which incorporate: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Dagestan, Iran, and Turkey. The Caucasian Mountain Dog or Ovtcharka (in Russian Ovtcharka means shepherd or sheepdog) is a member of the working group of dog breed and despite its appellation of sheepdog/shepherd, this dog was never a livestock herder but rather a guardian or protector which goes a long way in explaining it's not inconsiderable size!
The Caucasian Mountain dog was bred to protect livestock against wolves, bears and other predators; in fact, the Caucasian Ovtcharka has an uncanny resemblance to a bear!
Considered until fairly recently by many to be a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, updated archeological evidence suggests that its ancestry originated from ancient dogs that lived in the woody hills of Iraq and Mesopotamia. It is believed that assorted dog types that accompanied nomadic tribes that settled in the Caucasus regions, with little intervention and interference from outside influences, eventually evolved into the Caucasian Mountain Dog.
Up until the 1930s, the Caucasian Ovtcharka was little known outside its home range until it started appearing in European dog shows in Germany. Around 1952 the Caucasian Mountain Dog was sub-divided into two distinct breeds: the Transcaucasian Ovtcharka which is typically the heavier-boned, massive dog that hails from the mountainous regions; and the Caucasian Ovtcharka, the less heavily built type that originates from the steppe regions.
In 1976 the two sub-breeds were consolidated and reclassified as one breed, and these days the Caucasian Mountain Dog is expected to conform to a single standard. Be that as it may, however, the various sub-breeds can still be differentiated regionally from the various territories of the former USSR and nowadays one of the most coveted types of Caucasian Mountain Dog is the so-called Georgia sub-breed which is characteristically a thick-coated, heavy-boned, massive dog that most closely resembles a bear.
The potential of the Caucasian Mountain Dog as much more than a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) was quickly realized by the now-defunct Soviet Army and soon enough this dog breed was employed both during peace and wartime as auxiliary military "personnel" within the expanse of the Soviet Union. In the late 1960s, the Caucasian Ovcharka was widely introduced to East Germany specifically for border patrol duty, foremostly to patrol the infamous Berlin Wall. When the Berlin Wall came toppling down in 1989, the by-then, at least 7000-strong unit of Caucasian Mountain Dogs employed to patrol the Wall's perimeter was disbanded and many of those dogs found new homes within the newly emancipated civilian population!
Temperament
This dog breed was developed to guard flocks and livestock and hence has a strong inherent guardian/protector trait. Much as a Border Collie family dog will tend to herd its family as a substitute flock of sheep, the Caucasian Mountain Dog will have the tendency to be somewhat protective of its immediate family, a characteristic that has obvious benefits but perhaps less obvious consequences. The Caucasian Ovcharka is a strong-willed (some might say stubborn) breed of dog that requires a firmer hand for proper socialization and training. The so-called stubborn nature of this dog type is not surprising when one considers that it was bred over hundreds of years for these exact qualities.
This dog was bred to largely exist independent of humans (except for its shepherd) and was bred to co-exist with the livestock it was guarding; thus the Caucasian Mountain dog breed is inherently wary of strangers be they people or animals. Unsurprisingly, the Caucasian Ovtcharka is most active at night (livestock predators tend to hunt under the cover of night) and though it may give the impression that it's a big lazy dozing dog, at the slightest hint of intruders the Caucasian Mountain Dog will nimbly get to its feet, sound the alarm (barking) and immediately go to confront the threat!
The Caucasian Ovcharka takes the protection of its territory (these days consider that the family yard) very seriously and will consider any encroachment by a stranger as a threat. Despite its formidable size, this dog is characterized by the use of minimal force to dissuade any threat. Such minimal force may likely take the form of confronting the predator and barking and growling aggressively; usually that is enough to change the minds of most intruders because much like its wild Canid counterparts, this old dog breed still retains the mindset that physical (or deadly) force should be a last resort since it tends to be counterproductive (i.e., injury to either party).
Any Good With Kids?
As previously noted this dog breed tends to substitute its immediate family for the livestock it was selectively bred to protect; in other words, this dog is strongly protective of members of its family. Hence it is important to understand that this dog could perceive rambunctious or rough child's play between a family member and a friend (as is the tendency with boys) to be a threat and its hardwired protect-the-flock genetics will immediately kick in!
Thus it is vitally imperative to properly socialize this dog breed and also explain to your kids that just because they know that "Shaggy" would never hurt them, they should understand that the same may not go for their friends unless the dog knows them well (i.e., has accepted them as an extension of its flock). Obviously, with a dog this size all activity around small children should be supervised because though the family pet may not intend harm, it's a big dog that during the heat of play may easily forget its formidable strength and size and could accidentally hurt a young child!
The Question Of Apartment Dwelling?
By and large, the Caucasian Mountain Dog does not make the ideal apartment dweller. Although like most big dogs its energy level is somewhat low this dog breed is inherently nocturnal and was bred to alert and warn of and off intruders. In other words, your love for your Caucasian Mountain Dog could well translate into hatred from your neighbors because your Caucasian Ovcharka is driving them crazy with its nightly cacophony (barking...which is especially true if your neighbors are creatures of the night aka party animals).
Interactivity With Other Dogs
From a genetic viewpoint, the Caucasian Mountain Dog was never bred to be overly friendly with other canids be they dogs or wolves, because as a flock guardian it would have been expected to ward off all potential predators which naturally would have included feral dogs. However as with most any breed of dog timely and proper socialization usually overcomes any unfriendliness towards other dogs or animals in this breed!
Caucasian Mountain Dog Breed Standard
Currently, there appear to be conflicting breed standards which could be in part explained by the different sub-breeds and the late acceptance of this breed into the AKC; as of now, this dog breed has no AKC ranking. Only recently has the AKC moved to officially recognize this dog breed (May 2007) even though the Caucasian Ovcharka has been on record with the FSS (Foundation Stock Services) since 1996. From January of 2008, the Caucasian Mountain Dog will be allowed to formally compete in the AKC Companion Events.
Size Requirements:
The following height measurements are for the mature dog and are measured up to the shoulder bone.
Height of Males: 25.5 - 30 inches (64cm - 70cm)
Height Females: 24.5 and upwards
Weight of Males: 100lbs + (45kg - 70 kg)
Weight Females: 80lbs + (37kg - upwards)
It should be noted however that for the Kavkazskaya Ovcharka Breed (the Georgian Caucasian Mountain Dog sub-breed that most closely resembles a bear) the requisite dimensions differ considerably:
Height of Male: 28.3 - 29.5 inches (72cm - 75cm; minimum is 68cm or 26.8 inches)
Female Height: 26.0 - 27.2 inches (66cm - 69cm; minimum is 64 cm or 25.2 inches)
Naturally, the weight of the Kavkazskaya Ovcharka Breed will tend to be somewhat heavier and it is not unusual for males to top 180lbs!
The Caucasian Mountain Dog falls under the category of Working Dogs as a Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD).
Rhodesian ridgeback head study (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Patrick Swayze had one. Kylie Minogue misses hers. In the most recent years, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have been increasingly popular among celebrities and dog lovers alike. Originating in South Africa and initially bred to help hunt lions, these highly remarkable dogs are quite known for their boundless energy and guard dog characteristics. Being protective of their owner and family is a Ridgeback's almost inherent trait; the challenge is to make them a good in doing so. Rhodesian Ridgeback guard dog training should not be that complicated. If you just bought a new pup or a professional Ridgeback breeder, the following tips will be of help to you.
Start early. You can train a ridgeback to be a guard dog at any age, but it is highly ideal to begin while he is still a puppy. He will be delighted in learning new things, and so dog training at the age of 6 months to a year old would be best.
Socialize. One of the best ways to get started with training a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup is to socialize them. Get them acquainted with their surroundings. Noises and distractions should be something that they can be indifferent to.
Schedule. Providing a set schedule allows both you and your Ridgeback to have a routine. Remember that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are highly energetic dogs that need a lot of exercises; running around the block or starting with a long walk can warm them up and help them focus more on training.
Sit! and others. It is always beneficial to start dog training with basic commands. "Sit", "down" and "stay" should be combined with clear hand signals for your ridgebacks to obey easily. Treats are also going to help greatly in getting them excited about dog training, but be cautious: you do not want your dog to be treat-dependent in following your orders.
Speak! Barking is considered "dog-speak" for canines, and in training your Ridgeback, you should be able to teach them to bark when someone arrives at your home. While this is almost like a dog's default reaction, it would be helpful to also teach them to stop when they are told. Start with praising the dog for barking and customize another command to let them know that the visitor is not a stranger.
Secure. Unlike other dogs, Ridgebacks are eager and expected to follow orders from their master. While it is tempting to show others that your dog is obedient, a good guard dog should be able to distinguish the master's commands and that of strangers.
Select. In the event that your dog needs to deal with a potential trespasser, only choose the parts of the body that your Rhodesian Ridgeback should attack. Extremities such as arms or legs are the most common, and dog training should also include the command "drop" to release the dog's mouth from the stranger.
Rhodesian Ridgeback training should not be so difficult if you just continue to be consistent, patient with them and quick to praise. Like any other dog, ridgebacks also need the love and warmth that comes with taking care of a pet. Dog training should be a fun bonding experience for you and him, no matter how aggressive and dangerous these guard dogs may seem to be.
By Lea Mullins Lea Mullins discusses all Rhodesian Ridgeback training as a Guard Dog. Learn more about Dog training, Walking your Dog without pulling on leash and more from TrainPetDog.com. Article Source: EzineArticles
Identifying which food is the right fit for your beloved dog can be a daunting task for dog owners! There are thousands of varieties of dog food on the market that may claim to be “premium” and “all natural,” but there are very few regulations on what it takes to meet these qualifications.
Bad ingredients are rampant in mainstream dog foods and misleading marketing tactics can make it difficult to determine which brands are safest.
This is why the researchers at Reviews.com poured months into analyzing 2,223 formulas on the market to find the top 13 picks that offer optimal nutrition for our four-legged friends.
Description:
The Vizsla is a medium-sized dog. This is a more lightly built dog than the Redbone Coonhound with which it is sometimes mistaken. The Vizsla dog has a shoulder height of 22 to 26. The bitch will be 2 less. The weight of this dog is 40 to 60 pounds depending on sex. The coat of the Vizsla is a rusty reddish color. The tail of the Vizsla is generally docked to about two-thirds of its original length. The Vizsla will generally live for 12 to 15 years. It is also known as the Hungarian Pointer, the Hungarian Short-Haired Pointing Dog, and Rovidszoru Magyar Vizsla.
History:
Long, long ago Magyar tribes arrived in what is now Hungary with their hunting dog, the forerunner of the Vizsla. The oldest pictorial reference to the Vizsla is an old stone etching showing the dog with its owner, who also has a falcon for hunting. The Vizsla was first mentioned in writing in 1357. As the aristocracy developed a fondness for this dog, it was also bred in with the Transylvanian Hound and the extinct Turkish Yellow Dog. Down to only about a dozen dogs after World War II, the Vizsla made a comeback thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders.
Temperament:
The Vizsla is very gentle with the family. It is also a dog that has a very high energy level that needs to be addressed every day. This dog does best with children if it has been given enough exercise, otherwise, it might be too excitable for young children. This is a working dog and thrives on training and the chance to hunt or perform at agility. Not being given enough exercise can be very detrimental to this dog's mental and physical health. The Vizsla can be socialized to get along with other dogs. Unfortunately, the Vizsla can probably never be trusted with small household pets.
Health Issues:
Despite the restricted gene pool from which this dog made a comeback, the Vizsla is surprisingly free of most genetic disorders. This dog can suffer from hip dysplasia and food allergies, however.
Grooming:
The grooming requirements of the Vizsla are minimal. The dog should be brushed once a week to keep the coat free of dead hairs and to distribute the natural oils. This dog does not often need a bath but can be given a dry shampoo instead. As with all dogs with floppy ears, the ears of the Vizsla should be checked regularly to make sure they are clean and dry.
Living Conditions:
The Vizsla will be perfectly happy in the house with its human family, as it craves attention. The Vizsla will not mind being able to sleep on its owner's bed if allowed. This dog is not at its best in an apartment, however, it is quite active inside and with no easy outlet for its energy, it can become highly strung and destructive. Regardless of where it lives, the Vizsla must be given a great deal of exercise every day. It will love a walk of several miles and should have a chance to run off the leash occasionally.
Balinese cat is a long-haired feline breed of oriental origin that is similar to the Siamese. It has the same traits and appearance as the Siamese apart from its flowing long hair. The cats were recognized as early as the initial decades of the twentieth century, with sporadic mutations of Siamese litters. However, it was not until 1950's when its beauty was truly appreciated and development of the breed started in earnest. The name 'Balinese' was given as a depiction of its grace, akin to that of exotic Balinese dancers.
Over the years two variants of the cat have emerged. One is the 'traditional' Balinese with semi-long hair on whole of its body. Other is the 'contemporary' Balinese that has short hair on its body apart from its fluffy tail that has long hair. Both types have the same markings as Siamese cats, their only distinction being their ermine coat. Body is slim, long and muscular. Head is wedge-shaped with sapphire eyes somewhat slanted in accordance. Recognized colors are the traditional Siamese blue, chocolate, lilac, and seal. Other colors such as red and cream also occur, though such cats are often characterized as Javanese rather than the Balinese.
The silky fur and aristocratic appearance make the Balinese a sought-after breed of felines. They are often considered to be the most intelligent of the longhaired cats. This alongside their single coat that does not get matted nor shed or require constant grooming means they are quite well suited to be the ideal house cat.
Despite their longish hair, the Balinese have a robust physical appearance and are sleek and attractive. Being quite active and playful, they require constant love and attention for their continual intellectual stimulation. At times may gain weight owing to lack of regular exercise. They are on the whole very good pets and companions.
By Omer Ashraf The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Balinese cats. Article Source: EzineArticles
Pets are substantially important to human life. They are not just used to erase away all boredom that a person feels. As a matter of fact, they can relieve stress which most people experience. Cats, in particular, are truly well loved and admired by many individuals, young and old. Almost all types of cats are very sweet, charming, friendly and intelligent to name a few.
As you imagine becoming an owner to your future pets, are you also prepared for many challenges ahead? First of all, you must find an animal shop and seek a reputable pet such as the Siamese kittens for sale. People know less about them but they are still admired. To have more ideas and learning with regards to them, consider the following paragraphs below. Learn a thing or two.
First things first. Their colors are the most discernible characteristics. All of them typically have a creamy coat. In addition, their face, tail, paws and even their ears are darker. Should you want something with a light hue, they are perfectly the ones for you. Before you search for animal shops, work on some research first and foremost to expand your knowledge.
Talking about their bodies, they normally have distinguishable characteristics. The first thing to look for them is their pointed and large ears. Moreover, their graceful bodies is another special feature that makes them different. Their figure is slim and its likely that their paws are oval in shape and are also clean and neat. Generally, their physical figure is splendidly excellent.
The voice and eyes of Siamese are possibly the things that make them excellent. Their eye shapes and colors are surely different. Most of them have blue colored eyes and are almond in shape. Additionally, Siamese has an excellent voice. Many owners have found out that when you heard them, you will never forget it. Some kittens with the same breed can even make baby sounds.
For sure, the character is probably the aspect you have been longing to know. Every Siamese has their own certain personality. However, they are most energetic and active type of cats. Kittens like them have endearing character, yet some people believed they can sometimes be moody. Still, it's up for you to evaluate their overall personalities and characteristics.
In general, most Siamese cats live a very long life. They can live up to twenty healthy years, especially if they might be taken cared of. Don't hesitate to ask a shop about their age. And if health complications arise, go to the veterinarians. Ask for their help and advice. Make sure that you don't do anything that will jeopardize their health and well being. Their safety should be the top priority.
Just like with the other sorts of cats, they mostly love to bathe themselves under the sun. And they seem adventurous enough. When your personality is an extrovert type, you can enjoy things together. Make a plan for the various outdoor activities you will do.
Make your mind and finances ready. Visit a shop to know the money to invest. Moreover, determine the best amount to spend, particularly in their future needs. When you are really uncertain whether to consider them or not, decide very carefully.
About the Author: Betty Bennett
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Epilepsy in dogs and cats is
similar to that in humans. The main symptom is a type of seizure.
Seizures can come in many forms and several of these are listed
below:
Generalized Seizures
Generalized
seizures are the most common type of seizures in dogs and cats. There
are several variations of these seizures:
1. Absence
seizures (petit mal): sudden brief loss of consciousness, rare in
animals
2. Myoclonic seizures: muscle jerk of one or more
muscles
3. Clonic seizures: rhythmic muscle contractions
4.
Tonic seizures: increase in muscle tone in all skeletal muscles
5.
Tonic Clonic seizures (grand mal): the most common form of seizure in
pets
Tonic Clonic Seizures
Tonic Clonic (grand
mal) seizures account for 60% of seizures in cats and 80% of seizures
in dogs. They are usually accompanied by a loss of consciousness, and
consist of a tonic phase, where the increased muscle tone causes the
animal to fall on its side with its limbs extended, and a clonic
phase, consisting of intense muscle jerking or paddling movements.
In order to diagnose true epilepsy, other causes of
seizures must be first ruled out. Once a tentative diagnosis of
epilepsy has been made (by excluding all the other known causes of
seizures), the animal can be prescribed anticonvulsant drugs. These
drugs are not appropriate for animals with seizures caused by a
problem outside the brain. The overall goal of anticonvulsant therapy
is to eradicate all seizure activity, but this is rarely achieved. A
more realistic goal is to reduce the frequency of the seizures to a
level that is acceptable for the owner, without having negative side
effects for the animal.
Since epilepsy is not curable, the
owner must be prepared to give the medication for the rest of the
animals life.
High Mag. Image: Parvovirus infection (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you want to talk about the parvovirus - often shortened to "parvo" - as it relates to dogs, there are two main categories to consider. Depending on the age of the dog being affected, the virus in question may be associated with the intestines or the heart, both of which are vital for the dog's long-term condition. As serious as this condition is, you may still wonder what it is all about. For those who do not know, here are a few details to consider, aspirin for dogs included.
Like one could imagine with any virus, the way that parvovirus is spread is from one being to the next. When a human or creature comes in contact with an infected dog's waste, they stand the chance of passing that condition along to others. This is even more noteworthy when you consider that the illness in question can last for a number of months in the open air. For this reason, as well as others, the idea of solutions has a greater level of importance.
To some degree, I think that there is a help to be had with alternatives to aspirin for dogs. As for Assisi Animal Health, in addition to other companies, will tell you, this particular condition can be characterized by a number of symptoms. However, with the discomfort that vomiting and the like can cause, wouldn't it make sense for the aforementioned alternatives to be brought into the fold? It's just a matter of understanding what's safe for dogs to use.
If you want to talk about long-term solutions to this very problem, vaccinations cannot be overlooked. Your dog is unlikely to catch the condition when he or she is young, meaning that you should see your vet for the appropriate shots. For dogs with the parvovirus already, veterinarians may issue antibiotics in addition to extensive therapy sessions. Once these are given and carried out, it's easy to see that your dog's condition will become better.
These are just a few of the essential details to cover when it comes to the parvovirus. Dogs may contract this disease, which makes it all the more important for pet owners to exercise the greatest level of care imaginable. You have to know that a condition like this can only be helped by respectable authorities, veterinarians being the most helpful. Make it a point to consult those in the medical field and, before long, you'll have all of the information and care you could want.
