Saint Bernard

Saint Bernard
One of my favourite dogs

Saturday, 26 June 2010

small breeds of dogs

Small breeds of dogs have often been called the Pocket Pet Dog Breed as they can fit very securely and safe in a woman’s bag. For example Paris Hilton often is seen with a small dog – and hence called The Paris Hilton Syndrome.


What type of small breed of dog do you prefer? Of course taste varies from person to person but you should be able to find one of the small breeds of dog for your lifestyle.

Remember hat small breeds of dogs do actually live longer then larger dogs. Also with small breeds of dogs you can basically taken them anywhere that accept dogs. Unlike larger dogs where there could be a problem

Small breeds of dogs have been growing in popularity. They make great companions and are let’s face it very cute and attractive.

Small breeds of dogs travel well in the car and many airlines do allow small breed of dogs to travel with their owners as long as their carriers can be

These dogs do well with elderly people and people that cannot get out of the house to exercise.

 

List of small breeds of dogs

Affenpinscher


Beagle

Bichon Frise

Boston Terrier

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Chihuahua

Chinese Crested Dog

Dachshund

French Bulldog

Fox Terrier

Havanese

Italian Greyhound

Jack Russell Terrier

Lhasa Apso

Maltese

Mexican Hairless

Papillon

Pekingese

Pomeranian

Poodle (Toy)

Pug

Schipperke

Scottish Terrier

Shetland Sheepdog

Shih Tzu

Welsh Corgi

West Highland White Terrier

Whippet

Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Yorkshire Terrier

hypoallergenic dogs

What are Hypoallergenic dogs? – they are dogs that are suitable if you have any type of allergy e.g. food, plants or even pets. The majority of people find ways round their allergy so that they can enjoy life. For some people this includes having a Hypoallergenic dog as apet


Of course it depends entirely on the severity of your allergies, can you bring a dog into your home as long as you take the time to find the right breed for you.

Hypoallergenic dogs are specific breeds that shed less hair and dander than other dogs, and produce fewer allergens in their saliva and urine.

It is important to remember that all all breeds carry a certain amount of allergens, but hypoallergenic dogs carry less. Allergens can become stuck in carpets, on walls, and in bedding and clothing. Due to the allergens being stuck around the home you can see why people have allergic reactions to their pets.

In order to have pets, these allergens must be removed through frequent house cleaning, designating certain spots in the house for your pets to sleep, and by finding pets that have shorter hair and do not shed their skin cells as often.

Hypoallergenic dogs are great option a great option for some dog lovers who suffer from allergies. No dog is 100% non-allergenic, but some dogs are basically "low-allergy."

So what are the best Hypoallergenic dogs for allergy suffers.

See the list below:-



• Basenji

• Bedlington Terrier

• Bichon Frise

• Cain Terrier

• Chinese Crested

• Coton de Tulear

• Fox Terrier

• Havanese

• Irish Water Spaniel

• Kerry blue terrier

• Maltese

• Poodle

• Portuguese Water Dog

• Schnauzer

• Shih Tzu

• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

• Yorkshire Terrier

Dog Training

Dog Training can be quite difficult to master and it is harder to read the book than learning from it.

There are may ways to perform dog training. Many are very effective but if used wrongly then the time spent dog training will not be worthwhile.

If you are unsure about dog training you will need to source some material. One of the best training devices on the market are the Clickers as they are the most efficient way for corrective behaviour when dog training.

Make dog training fun, treats for dogs are tested, priceless training tools.

A very crucial point to remember concerning dog training is that any type of training must be approached from the idea of 'positive reinforcement'.

Dog training is important for not only the safety of the dog but also the substance of life for both the dog and the master. In reality, dog training is a communication and it is one of the most most vital gifts you can  ever offer themselves and the dog.

The first point of dog traning is to make sure your dog has a very healthy diet and having meals on a regular basis. By doing this you help your dog with the dog training and he/she will know this is a fixed schedule and you can also check the time your  dog wants to relieve himself.

In the first few days of your dog training process, accompany it to the spot that you have selected for dirtying. After the dog has finished you can occasionally give it a treat, not always, as it would expect this each time it poops or pees. It should understand that something good occasionally happens when he uses the selected spot to pee or dirty. After he has picked up the routine he will go to the spot alone.

An important part of dog training is pooping in a certain area. Do not combine walkies or playtime with pooping time.

With dog training it is important to praise your dog each time.

Remember a good dog trained is a happy dog.

A Shih Tzu Puppy with a Ribbon

Small dogs for adoption

You have decided that you want to adopt one of a many small dogs for adoption.

However why not consider one of the adult small dogs for adoption. No animal is too old to be cared and loved and have lavish attention spent on it.

By seeking small dogs for adoption you are making an excellent choice. You will be getting a pet for life. A good companion and homemaker.

People who have small dogs for adoption often say the bond is made instantly and very loyal. By adopting a dog they will show their appreciation of your good deed for their entire life.

It could be that by seeking out small dogs for adoption you are making a dog that has been uprooted from their home or had a very difficult home life make their new life even better and you will find your pet thinks you are wonderful.

There are a number of points to consider before purchasing any small dogs for adoption. You must consider if you are able to walk your dog many times a day (of course you can get others to puppy walk your dog these days). Do you have the patience, commitment and time to take your dog out several times throughout the night?

Remember small dogs for adoption in the adult form – you are going a good deed.

Monday, 21 June 2010

Dog Clothes

People of course love their dogs and want them to be healthy and look good. This can in some cases include dog clothes.

Dog clothes cover all you can think of sweaters, tee shirts, booties and of course it is a personal choice and your decision if you want to dress your dog in dog clothes.

It would seem that is is you and not the dog that chooses and decides my dog needs dog clothes!

Do make sure any dog clothes are not restrictive or fussy. It has been said that dogs do not mind dressing up and some dog breeds that thrive on attention and really love it.

You only have to look on the Internet for a vast wide range of dog clothes at all prices some are designer (with designer prices) and others are quite reasonable.

Of course dogs love attention and like humans, the right outfit can make your dog feel better and boost their confidence.

It has been said that there are practical reasons for your dog wearing dog clothes and this can include cold climates, following grooming, after surgery, protecting from harmful UV rays and skin conditions.

So the choice is yours.

Dog Food

I mentioned in a previous post about raw dog food and now I am going to talk about day to day dog food.

Your dog must have a well balanced diet that produces a well muscled, strong boned, healthy coated dog.

Your dog should have dog food that consists of meat which is a good source of protein and also provides fat which contains the essential fatty acids which is needed for a variety of body functions, which include good skin and coat condition.

So by feeding your dog good dog food you are keeping him a happy and healthy dog.

The rest of your dog's diet should include soluble and insoluble fibre. A good balanced diet will provide all of a dogs daily vitamin requirements.

It has been said that some dogs do like to eat grass and other vegetation.

Please note that grass, roots berries and uncooked vegetables are a poor source of nourishment and not good dog food. They can be very hard to digest. On the plus side they can provide roughage.

Boxer Dogs

Boxer dogs are very loyal, brave and are very affectionate.

Boxer dogs are also known for their expressive features.They are powerfully built and do get very excitable. They make excellent guard dogs.

It has been said that boxer dogs can be fun loving and can in many ways be a good family dog.

The general life expectancy of boxer dogs is twelve years.

Their temperaments playful and fun with friends and family, but boxer dogs are wary of strangers.

Germany is where the boxer dogs originated from and this would have been around 1800s

Their ancestor the old bullenbisser was used  for hunting bears and deers.

Boxer dogs today were developed by crossing Danziger and Brabanter Bullenbissers with other Bavarian and other foreign breeds.

The physical characteristics are:-

Head - the top of the skull is slightly arched and lacking deep wrinkles, nose is black and upturned.

Eyes - dark brown in colour, not too deep set

Ears - Thin and wide set

Body - sturdy

Coat - Fawn or brindle in colour, short, shiny and tight to the body

Tail - was traditionally docked

Sunday, 20 June 2010

Dog Shelter

What is a dog shelter - a dog shelter is where you can go to find the right dog

Sadly due to canine over population in USA it has been claimed that 2-3 million dogs are put to death each year.

So please do go to a dog shelter - as every family that gets a dog from a dog shelter is one less dog that loses its life.

There is great comfort from getting a dog from a dog shelter. Do make sure you can cope with the dog and always think about your life style.

When you are taking your dog from the dog shelter you must remember that patience is the key and the first time you separate a puppy from his pack is the one time you must literally have the patients of a saint!

What dog shelter - well globally there are thousands and thousands. I recommend a visit to your local vet as they should be able to recommend a good dog shelter.

Remember tough a dog is for life and not just Christmas.

A good dog shelter accepts every animal or partner with another local shelter facility. They accept any animal without a fee.

Check the dog shelter is clean and comfortable and also a safe environment for each dog.

Dog shelters normally hold strays for around 5 days and they spray or neuter all dogs at the time of adoption

Saturday, 19 June 2010

Dog Toys

Dog toys can be fun but they are among the most important items you provide for your dog.

Dog toys all have a purpose, it can be chewed, or made to squeak or play tug o war with.

The dog toys are his and you do not get involved with - this covers the chewable toys. However other dog toys eg ones that squeak and chase belong to you not your dog.

Make sure that your dog toys are stored well out of reach. It can make them more interesting when you bring them out to play with your dog.

Dogs toys can be chew toys, Dogs need and love to chew . Meat flavoured nylon bones or rubber rings are excellent chew toys. Again be careful and avoid raw hid from countries where unknown preservatives might be used.

Squeaky dog toys are excellent fun but could lose their squeak if chewed too forcibly so ration the squeaky dog toys and they will last longer

There are some inappropriate dog toys - do not leave any electric cords dangling or your dog will tug on them and damage not only the appliance but could harm himself.

Keep rubbish in a pedal bin it is less distracting to your dog then a plastic bag.

Do not give your dog an old shoe to play with. Dogs do not know the difference between your old gardening shoe and your best party shoe!

Dog Collars

All dogs should wear dog collars and also an ID tag.

Dog collars when first put on a dog may scratch its neck and may feel very uncomfortable, however over time the dog will get used to the collar.

When buying dog collars make sure it is the correct size and ideally you should be able to slip two fingers between the neck and the collar.

Different dog collars suit different dogs and one of the most cheapest and comfortable is a simple buckle.

Dog collars that are wide flat and leather collars are ideal for necked breeds including whippets.

Dog collars that are rolled leather collars are great for breed with heavy coats.

Half check collars are a safe alternative to the choke chains which are designed to control a dog without causing any discomfort and are excellent for big lively dogs.

Dog Crates

During the journey home from acquiring your dog and taking the dog to the family residents the best way to ease the way is to bring some clothing or toys that have the scent of their mother. This provides comfort for the first few days away from the support system the dog has relied on.

To transport your dog you need one of a choice of dog crates.

You can ask the breeder for advice on what type of dog crates are best. When your dog crate is chosen make sure you have something of yours eg a towel that has your scent it - make sure the item is totally sanitised and has not been into any non immunized dog or other pet!

Dog Crates come in several different types. I shall expand on two different dog crates

Wire Crates
  • Stay cooler in hot environments
  • More ventilation
  • 360 degrees view of the puppy
  • Can be covered with a towel to minimize distraction.
Hard Plastic Dog Crates
  • Have comfortable smooth floors, that can be easily arranged with bedding for raised sleeping area
  • Are light weight and better for portability.
  • Easy to clean
The choice of what dog crates are best is entirely up to you. Make sure the dog crates are big enough to that there is enough room for the dog to stand up and turn around and also make sure the dog can lie down and sleep in a comfortable position allowing for the dogs growth.

Dog games

Dog games are vital to bond with your dog.

One of the most popular dog games is to have an obstacle course.
This does not have to cost a great deal of money and is one of the best dog games you can play with your do. You can use an empty cardboard box, an old tyre, in fact anything that will keep your dog mentally stimulated. Your dog will love running through or over or beside these "obstacles".

To start this game use food or scent as a lure, then progress to the point where you save the food reward until the end.

Of course all dog games depend on the type of dog you have.

You can of course take your dog for long walks and playing fetch. By fulfilling your dogs day with play you will open up a better communication between the two of you.

Playing with your dog means that your dog learns how to show tolerance, friendliness, lack of aggression and willingness to co-operate. - These aspects of a good future relationship with humans.

Tug of War is also been classed as excellent dog games. However some people do say that by playing tug of war with your dog it could mean the dog can engage in a contest of strength and of course if you have for example a bull dog this would be very unwise

I will be expanding on this vital area of dog games later in my blogs with reference to particular types of dogs and the best dog games for that particular breed.

Portuguese water dog

The Obamas made a wise choice when choosing the Portuguese water dog as their family pet.

The portuguese water dog are very friendly, playful and very active pets.

The portuguese water dog is from an ancient breed from the AKC's working group.

It is not only the Obamas who like the portuguese water dog it also appears that the Kennedys were also fans, and they raised several portuguese water dogs in their family over several decades.

Of course the media were overjoyed when the Obamas presented their portuguese water dog to the world and Bo was introduced to the world in April 2009.

The Obamas made a good choice of their dog. It is important that you do the same when choosing your dog also.

Dog

A dog thrives in the company of other dogs.

Through trial and error, ritual display and sometimes physical dispute a dog finds his/her place in the pack.

The brain of a dog is adapted to communal activity, this can include (but not limited to) hunting, sleeping, eating and playing together.

The success of a dog as a hunter relies on acute sensnes. Its laterally placed eyes provide accurate peripheral vision and this allows the dog to detect the slighest movement at a distance.

The hearing of  a dog means it can detect the high pitched sound of small rodents and similar prey,

The most outstanding sense of a dog is its ability to smell. It has been said that a dog has hundreds of million of scent receptors in its nose - if you laid the nose of a dog out flat then the surface area of its nasal membrances is far greater then the surface area of its entire body.

A dog is built to endure. A dog can survive without water four times longer than humans before suffering sadly irreversible kidney damage.

A dog can also live without food for days at a time without a drop in energy giving blood sugar.

A dog can walk, trot, canter, run or gallop far longer than humans without building up debilitating waste chemicals in its muscles.

A dog is remarkable.....

Raw Dog Food

Raw Dog Food is the feed of dogs (and other animals) a diet mainly of uncooked meat, edible bones and organs


Dogs and their wolf ancestors have been eating raw food for over a million years. It is what their teeth and digestive systems are designed for and, as you can imagine, they thrive on it.

There are many supporters of Raw dog food who believe that the natural diet of raw meat, bones and organs is far better for the dog then highly processed commercial pet food.

Raw dog food is a similar diet for their domestic compansion who believe that raw dog food is a balanced diet and will give your pet a much healthier coat, cleaner and stronger teech and also fresher breath. In addition reduce the stool volume and odour d generally your dog will have better health.

Benefits include a glossy coat, healthy skin, lean muscle tone, robust immune system, sweet smelling breath, healthy teeth and gums, increased energy, better digestion, strong heart and more energy and vitality.

Finally still not convinced that Raw Dog Food is good for your dog. Well in order for you dog to be healthy think about how your car runs. You have to put the correct fuel in the car for it to run smoothly. Think the same for your dog.

There are several web sites on the internet that supply Raw Dog Food and I would recommend you check them out and make your decision.

Teacup dogs for adoption

When starting this blog I was not aware of Teacup dogs let alone Teacup dogs for adoption.



Having done some research I have found the following information on teacup dogs for adoption.



Teacup dogs are very popular and it seems that breeders seem to charge more for smaller then the average size dogs.



This means that if you want teacup dogs for adoption you may have to pay slightly more money. You must also think of any health risks that the pets may (or may not bring), and also the vet bills.



Why do people want teacup dogs for adoption – well they are a pure breed, very outgoing and also very good with children and other pets.

Dog Doors

Dog Doors are not a problem if you live in a flat/apartment or if you have a tiny

dog.

Dog doors are an issue for someone with a big dog. Lets face it you do not want to keep getting up in the night to take your dog out to the garden. With a dog door you can have a peaceful sleep and know that your dog can go in and out when she/he likes.. Also if you have a tiny dog then dog d

Dog doors are great for any household that has large dogs that are mainly outdoor dogs but provide a warm and dry room for colder or snowy days.

There are several things you need to consider before purchasing dog doors, these include the size of your dog, remember dogs grow, so you may purchase what you think is the correct size dog doors only for your dog to grow so fast the dog doors are going to need to be replaced.

Think also where the dog doors are going to go. Check that your dog can get in and out. However, that also means other animals can get in and out.

Latching dog doors are also good if you want to be able to restrict your dog’s movements. For example, there are some dog doors that you can latch so that it will only open in one direction. This is great if you want to allow your dog to go outside at any point during the day, but don’t want it coming back inside until after you’ve finished doing something.

It is of course up to you if you want to pay for dog doors that allow you to lock the door to one direction or the other, you definitely will want to get one of the dog doors that can be latched closed.

As above I mentioned that maybe other animals could come in through your dog door. A solution to this would be if you can latch the door at night, then you can make sure that other animals can’t get inside.

The last thing that you should consider about dog doors is to get the best you can afford. Try and get a high quality dog door that closes well, you can save heat better than you would with a lesser dog door. This is especially important during the winter – open dog doors can cause a draft that cools the rest of your house considerably.

Dog doors are mainly for people who have large dog breeds

Are dog doors  useful for smaller dogs - well it is vital to remember that smaller breeds can be more difficult to keep track of outside without a leash.

I hope this information on dog doors does help in your decision.

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

Dog Names

Dog names are just as important as boys and girls names.

Choosing a name for your dog may seem an impossible task. As you know there are hundreds of names you can call your Dog.

A dogs name should be simple and easy. Thereby when you call your dog his/her name it will be easier for them to recognise their own name when you are calling them.

When naming your pet try to use just one or two syllables. If you have any other pets make sure you can make your dogs name distinstive  so there isn't any confusion when you use their names.

How to get a dogs name - well sometimes it can be obvious, the colour of the dog, the actions etc.
A few good dog names are as follows:-

Spot
Tiger
Sunny
Pepper
Lightening.

The most dog names often change over a period of time depending on trends and fashions.

Here are some of the most popular dog names that have been used in the UK:

Alfie
Barney
Charie
Rufus
Jack

Some popular dog names that are used frequently outside of the UK are listed below:

Bella
Buddy
Ben
Max
Rocky

Many people like to choose a dogs name that is a relection of characteristics of the breed they are.
A few examples are below

Chihuahuas are a small dog but they can have a big dog attitude. This cute little dog is a very popular breed and they usually have more bark than bite. Some of the dog names below reflect the big dog attitude in a little package.

Dogs names can include Angel, Baby and Dinky

Golden Retrievers are great family dogs and are loyal companions. They are naturally affectionate and are very intelligent which makes them easy to train.


Dog names can include Bambi , Brandy and Cupcake 

Yorkshire Terriers are small, regal looking little mites. They are loyal and just adorable pets who love attention and to cuddle. Dog names can include Bambi, Chewbacca and Bon Bon

Do not get stressed when choosing dog names, you will find a name eventually, what is your favourite book, film or tv show. There might be a good set of dog names from there.