Poodles come in three sizes – Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle and, Standard Poodle.

The Poodle is recognised as the National dog of France, and is generally referred to as the French Poodle. In France the Poodle is known as the ‘Caniche’ or duck dog. Poodles have been around for about 400 years and the French Poodle is believed to have been bred from the French water dog the Barbet.

In Germany Poodles were known as ‘Pudel’ which means water dog. Poodles used to retrieve water fowl. The Poodle has a thick coat that was clipped so as not to weigh them down in the water, although the hair on the leg joints was left on as protection when swimming.

Poodles have also been bred to sniff out Truffles, a fungus delicacy that grows underground.

FACTS ABOUT POODLES

Known as the Chinese Lion dog, Shih Tzu were originally developed by Tibetan Monks and sent to China as a gift for the Emperors of the Manchu Dynasty in the 19th Century.

FACTS ABOUT THE SHIH TZU

The Lhasa Apso was bred in Tibet in monasteries as a temple and palace sentinel. It was named after the Tibetan capital of Lhasa.

The Lhasa Apso was considered to be sacred in ancient times as Tibetans believed that when its master died his soul entered the body of the Lhasa Apso.

The breed was introduced outside Tibet when the Dalai Lama presented it to foreign diplomats as a gift.

Lhasa Apso’s look like a smaller version of the Old English Sheepdog.

FACTS ABOUT THE LHASA APSO

When choosing from the vast array of dog leashes on the market today, you will most likely choose the one that matches the dog collar you have picked, which is probably a good strategy in most cases.

Be aware however that the dainty little collar that you thought might suit your dog will probably have a dainty little leash to go with it and that dainty leash may not hold your dog if it sees a cat on its daily walk.

Dog leashes come in a variety of lengths and widths. Consider the size of your dog and the types of walks you take. A good rule of thumb is to have a basic six-foot leash for general walks and an extender lead for those runs in the park.

Dog leashes are not only for adult dogs. You can purchase leads specifically for puppies. Your puppy should be introduced to a leash as soon as possible. When attaching a leash to a puppy for the first time, allow the pup to drag it around for a little while. Ensure that you supervise your puppy as the leash could easily tangle. Grab the leash and walk a few yards calling your pup along. Do a little of this each day extending the distance as you go.

Dog leashes are not only suitable for walking your dog – they can also assist with training. Gentle Leaders or Haltis are a type of dog leash that can be a godsend for anyone with a dog that races ahead when walking. The Gentle Leader allows you to easily pull back on the leash bringing your dog back to a healing position. If used correctly, it is a gentle training method both for you and your dog.

Hands free dog leashes are a great option for joggers or anyone who needs to keep their hands free. Essentially it is a leash that comes with a belt that attaches around your waist. This is also great for hands free training of your pet.

All-in-one dog leashes and collars such as the Pink Traffic Lead All in One Dog Collar and Leash, as pictured, are another great invention. These are particularly useful in situations where you need to get a leash on quickly.

Dog collars are an essential item for any new dog or puppy but how do you know which is the right one for your pet when there is such a huge range to choose from? There are dog training collars, designer dog collars, leather collars, electronic dog collars, fancy, spiked and beaded collars, dog tracking collars, reflective collars, personalized collars, anti-bark collars and the list goes on.

Before you begin to choose from the vast array of dog collars, decide whether your puppy is ready for a collar. It is important to start them as soon as possible to get your pup used to the feel of the collar around its neck. You don’t want to find yourself six months down the track putting a dog collar on your dog for the first time. It will only irritate your dog and create a lot of extra problems that you don’t really need. Most puppies won’t even feel a new collar around their neck.

Ensure that you adjust the collar so that it isn’t choking your dog. Check by placing your fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. A one finger width would probably be enough for a puppy but for bigger puppies and adult dogs you may require a two or three finger width and check it regularly. For puppies it is extremely important that you check the collar every couple of weeks to ensure that as the puppy grows so too does the collar. Puppies grow pretty quick so check regularly and adjust as required.

Dog collars should always have some form of ID attached. How many times have you seen advertisements in the paper for lost dogs? The rate of lost dogs could easily be reduced by the use of dog tags that are kept up-to-date and legible.

So just what collar should you choose for your new pet? The following list will provide you with a run-down of the various dog collars available on the market today and hopefully provide you with the information you need to make a valid choice.

Regular Dog Collars

The collar that your dog will wear everyday will depend on a number of factors including the size of your dog, its coat, and the type of environment your pet spends most of its time in.

If you have a brand new puppy you will need to buy a collar specifically for puppies. You don’t want anything too cumbersome or heavy for your little one. They need to start off small to give them time to get used to the feel of a dog collar around their neck. Try and avoid the hard leather collars as they will most likely irritate your puppy.

For an adult dog, you have a vast array of dog collars to choose from. The nylon style collar has become the most popular superseding the regular leather collar. They are generally long lasting and come in all sorts of colors from your basics to fluorescent. Generally the nylon style collar has a softer feel to the leather version which is probably why it is more widely used.

Hemp dog collars are also becoming popular. They have several advantages over nylon or leather dog collars including being more resistant to tearing and abrasions, and less likely to shrink. They are also machine-washable.

Designer Dog Collars

Designer dog collars are becoming all the rage with studded or beaded dog collars being a mainstay of any over-the-top dog owner. This is the best way to show of your dog but other types of fancy dog collars are available that don’t include studs or beads. Collars overlaid with interwoven ribbon can also provide your pet with something different.

Reflective Dog Collars

Reflective dog collars are great for those night-time walks. The reflective collar glows when light is reflected onto it, from a car or street light for instance.

Training Dog Collars

The most commonly used training collar for dogs used to be the choke or slip chain but this sort of training collar is being used less and less. It is effective if used correctly but unfortunately most people do not have the required skills. If not used correctly it can cause damage to your pet. It has been known to cause the death of some dogs when it has been left on as a regular collar as it can easily hook on to a fence and choke the dog.

More commonly used is the halter collar also known as the Halti or Gentle Leader collar. Although it looks like a muzzle, it isn’t – when fitted correctly the dog is still able to bark, eat, drink and bite if necessary. However, this wonderful product allows you to control your pet without tugging and pulling which only results in hurting both you and the dog. To control pulling a gentle pull back on the lead is all you will need for small to medium sized dogs and a slightly firmly pull back for larger dogs. This is perfect for teaching your dog to heal.

Flea Dog Collars

Check out our Flea Control page for Flea Dog Collars.

Are you are considering taking a trip with your dog? It doesn’t matter whether it is a short drive down to your local park or a plane trip to another town, you should ensure that you choose an appropriate dog carrier. Dog carriers come in a variety of shapes and sizes from designer dog carriers, dog carrying bags to basic airline carriers.

If you are moving to another town and need to take your dog on a flight then you will need an airline carrier. Each airline has slightly different specifications so ensure that you contact the airline before you travel to ensure that the dog carrier you buy meets their requirements. Most airlines will want the dog carrier to be large enough for the dog to easily lie down in but not so large that your dog will be tossed around if the plane hits turbulence.

Don’t cut corners and think that the airline will let you get away with an inappropriately sized carrier, one that is too small for the size of the dog. Airlines have strict requirements regarding the transportation of pets that they are obligated to follow. If your airline dog carrier does not meet their requirements, their staff will leave your dog behind if they think that the trip will be uncomfortable for your dog.

If you frequently travel with your dog in the car, then for safety reasons you should purchase a car carrier. You can purchase dog carriers that can be fitted permanently in your car or you may prefer to purchase a carrier that is fully removable.

If you own a small dog it is often easier to carry him/her around in a pet carrying bag. This is the perfect way to protect your little pooch in high pedestrian traffic or when crossing busy roads. These carriers come in backpack style, pouch style or even the highly fashionable handbag style used by modern day movie stars.