The Mastiff is one of the heaviest dog breeds. A large, powerful imposing looking dog.

Mastiff’s are use in police work, as guard dogs, military dogs and for search and rescue.

An ancient breed the Mastiff was around at the time of the Roman invasion of Britain.

The Romans used the Mastiff in the gladiatorial ring and pitted it against lions, bears and bulls. Throughout time the Mastiff has been used as a warrior dog.

In recent times the mastiff has become a quieter, calmer dog who is loyal and protective of its family.

FACTS ABOUT THE MASTIFF

Anyone who owns a dog will tell you that dogs make the best pets. But ask any cat owner and they will say the same about cats and a bird lover will say that birds are the best. The number of pets available to choose from is enormous so what makes the choice of a dog such a good one?

Firstly, dogs can do tricks. There are not many pets that can bring you your slippers or roll over and play dead. Dogs love to do things for you, they love to please. What other pet has these characteristics?

Unlike most other pets you can walk your dog and if your dog is energetic enough you can even have him jog along side you. How many people have you seen walking down the street with their cat – it’s a rare sight indeed.

Dogs will give you unconditional love. Most cats on the other hand couldn’t care if you lived or died. Dogs will sit at your feet for ages just happy to be with you. As pets go, dogs will provide you with the most attention.

Dogs will come when called as they learn their name quite quickly even as a puppy. Can you think of another pet that can do this?

Dogs will play with you forever. Most other pets don’t even know how to play. Dogs can play Frisbee and catch a ball and play tug of war and they will run and jump with you until you are exhausted.

Last but not least, dogs are capable of guarding both you and your home to the death. They are loyal and will do their best to look after you. There are not many pets that have the ability to do this.

Most pets have their good points and their bad points but overall dogs have the greatest number of qualities to put them at the top of the list.

Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland where they were used to assist fishermen land the fishing nets.

Nowadays, they are employed as guide dogs for the blind, for sniffing out drugs and explosives, and as field sports dogs.

FACTS ABOUT THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER

Unless you make it clear from the start who is in control then training a big dog can be a problem. A big dog can be a handful because of its size and sometimes its temperament. Unless training has commenced at puppy hood it can be difficult to train your pet. This guide will provide you with some dog training tips and hints to help you gain control over your dog.

It is best to start training your dog from the day you bring it home. If you have acquired a puppy, that is better from a training perspective. Puppies are much easier to train than a big dog. While your pet is a puppy you will easily have control which makes training that much easier.

If your dog is already full grown and is a problem to you and anyone it meets then some serious training is required. Training a big dog will require a lot of patience. A grown dog is harder to train than a puppy. Stay calm and be persistent with your training methods. Start with the basics and take it slowly.

Teaching your dog to sit is one of the first things most people teach their dogs. It can solve a lot of other related problems, like jumping up for instance. There is no point trying to physically get a big dog to sit by forcing their back down. This is not a good method to try on any size dog as it can damage their back so avoid it.

To teach a big dog to sit use food rewards.

• Get your dogs attention.
• If your dog has a tendency to run from you then train it in a small room in your house or in a small confined area of your yard.
• Take a dog treat that you know your dog loves and stand in front of your dog.
• Hold the dog treat just over your dog’s nose, say SIT in a firm voice and move your hand backward behind your dogs head.
• This should all be actioned in one fluid movement. If done correctly your dog will automatically sit. Let him have the treat and praise him. Don’t overdo the praise for hyperactive dogs.

Repeat this four or five times ensuring that you say SIT each time.  Do not overdo it on the first day.

Repeat this process for a week reducing the treats little by little until your big dog eventually sits without the treats. Ensure that you praise your dog each time he does the right thing. The praise will eventually replace the need for treats.

The English Cocker Spaniel originated in Spain.

The English Kennel Club recognized it as a separate breed in the late 1800′s. The Cocker was named for its ability to hunt out woodcocks.

Cocker Spaniels have a soft mouth which makes them excellent retrievers.

The smaller American Cocker Spaniel were bred from the English Cocker Spaniel and recognized as a separate breed in the 1930′s.

FACTS ABOUT THE ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL

KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE WHEN OUT BOATING

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Designer Pet Saver Life Jacket, Small (Colors Vary)

We love our dogs and want to include them in as many parts of our lives as we can from curling up on the bed on a rainy Saturday to riding along in the car.

Since pets are family members we want to keep them safe just like we would our children. That’s why we’re so thrilled with the Designer Pet Saver Life Jacket. The small size is perfect for smaller pooches that want to hang out with us.

If you live near the water or like to take your pet out boating then there’s no reason not to give your faithful companion the same kind of protection that you would your children.

The Pet Saver life jacket works just like one you would wear yourself. It will keep your pet safe if it falls out of the boat or can’t get out of the pool.

The eye popping colors mean that if your pet falls into the water you’ll be able to quickly locate and rescue them.

This pet life jacket is specifically designed for smaller breed dogs from 15-25 pounds.

The unit is designed to support your pet with floatation and  buoyancy in the event it falls into the water. The life jacket supports the animal letting it keep its head above water.

What We Like:

• One of the greatest features of this pet life jacket is the rescue handle built into the back. The handle runs along the back of the jacket making it easy to grab and lift your pet out of the water without having to jump in to retrieve it.

• The quick adjust Velcro straps make putting the unit on a breeze. Just slip it on and adjust the straps until they’re snug. You won’t have to worry about fighting hard to secure buckles.

Finally, we loved the price. This is a great affordable way to help keep your precious pets safe.