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Dog Breeds: Golden Retriever

Written by on June 17, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Golden Retriever PosterGolden Retrievers have similar characteristics to bloodhounds and water spaniels. It is believed that they were bred by Lord Tweedmouth at Inverness-Shire, Scotland around 150 years ago.

Golden Retrievers are noble dogs with coats that come in shades of gold or cream.

Their intelligence and great temperaments make this an ideal family dog.

FACTS ABOUT THE GOLDEN RETRIEVER

Size Male:     22-24 inches (56-61 cm)
Female:  20-22 inches (51-56 cm)
Weight Male:     60-80 lb (27-36 kg)
Female:  55-70lb (25-32 kg)
Temperament These intelligent dogs are easily trained and are gentle with children. Golden Retrievers make good watchdogs, and while they are unlikely to attack they will loudly signal when strangers approach. Golden Retrievers are affectionate, well mannered and have great charm making them ideal family pet
Grooming Golden Retrievers shed a fair amount. They require daily brushing with a firm bristle brush. Pay attention to the dense undercoat.  Only bathe when necessary and dry shampoo regularly.
Exercise They require regular, vigorous exercise. A long daily walk with the opportunity to run freely.  Golden Retrievers should be allowed to swim whenever possible.
Living Area Requires plenty of space and exercise. Not suitable for apartment living.
Health Prone to hip dysplasia and eye diseases.  Can suffer from skin allergies which need immediate treatment.
Life Expectancy 10-12 years

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Dog Breeds:Doberman (Doberman Pinscher)

Written by on June 12, 2009 · Leave a Comment

doberman2The Doberman was bred as a guard dog by a 19th century tax agent named Louis Dobermann of Apolda in Thuringia, Germany.

He needed an animal that could accompany him on his rounds and protect him against thieves.

Louis Dobermann was the keeper of the local dog pound and therefore had access to a number of strays with which he could continue to breed until he developed a dog that displayed the qualities he required such as courage, alertness and stamina.

Dobermans exhibits all these qualities as well as being suitable as a family pet, providing it receives the correct training.

FACTS ABOUT THE DOBERMAN (DOBERMAN PINSCHER)

Size Males:     25-27 in (63-69 cm)
Females: 23-26 in (58-66 cm)
Weight Males:     55-75 lb (25-34 kg)
Females:  50-70 lb (23-32kg)
Temperament The Doberman not only makes an excellent guard dog, being obedient and courageous it also makes a devoted and loyal pet. An intelligent breed, the Doberman may be aggressive if not properly trained. Dobermans have been bred to interact with man and are not a breed to be left outside in a kennel.  They need to be included in family activities for their mental stability and stimulation. They are a very gentle breed of dog if trained correctly
Grooming Dobermans need little grooming although a daily brushing to remove loose surplus hairs is a good idea and shampoo only when necessary.  Wipe the coat over with a damp cloth to make it gleam. The breed is an average shedder
Exercise The Doberman does well in an environment where it can run free. They require regular, vigorous exercise.
Living Area Dobermans are not suitable for apartments or small yards unless they are exercised regularly and vigorously. They need to be able to run freely. Very sensitive to cold which is why they should not be left outside in cold conditions. Do not exercise directly after they have eaten
Health The Doberman is prone to bloat so it is important to feed them two or three small meals daily rather than one large meal.

Also prone to hip dysplasia, eye problems and heart disease. If you are considering the purchase of an albino Doberman, be aware that they tend to have a number of serious genetic problems such as extreme photosensitivity, poor vision, high risk of melanoma, heightened aggression and a shortened life span.
Life Expectancy Approximately 13 years

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Tips and Hints for Effective Flea & Tick Control

Written by on June 11, 2009 · Leave a Comment

frontline-plusIf you own a dog then at some point you will probably have a problem with fleas. Flea control is important for both you and your dog. If fleas are on your dog then they are probably in your home. Summer is generally the time when fleas appear in large numbers so flea control around this time is vital.

Fleas can be seen with the naked eye and can be found anywhere on your dog but are more commonly seen on the lower back near the tail. For effective flea contol you need to treat the fleas when they are spotted. The longer you wait the more fleas you will get.

There are a large number of products available to control fleas but for effective flea control you need to kill fleas not only on your dog but also in their bedding, in your house and in your garden.

Best Offers

  • DELUXE FLEA COMB with HANDLE – This comb can be used easily to remove fleas from your pet. Chrome plated steel with rounded teeth for a gentle touch. The teeth are spaced ultra close to trap fleas when combing. Complete with easy instructions for maximum effectiveness.
  • Flea and Tick Shampoo -  A variety of shampoos to choose from. The easy way to  kills fleas and ticks very quickly, but also clean the animals skin and coat, leaving it shining and pleasantly scented.

Flea Collars are an effective form of flea control with herbal flea collars becoming more and more popular. Flea collars are generally a deterrent rather than a cure and should be used as such.

Flea Combs are quite effective as they are made specifically to catch fleas and drag them out. Use the comb everyday and also after each wash.

Ensure your dog is bathed regularly. Bathing will kill some of the fleas but not all of them. Use your flea comb after each wash as any fleas that aren’t killed will be stunned and easier to remove.

Wash your dogs bedding regularly and keep the area around your pet’s bed as clean as possible.

Vacuum regularly. Shake flea powder into the vacuum bag before using otherwise the fleas will just jump back out once vacuumed. Better yet, if you can afford to, throw away the vacuum bag after each vacuum.

Products such as Frontline have been known to be a highly effective form of flea control as they kill not only the fleas but also the eggs and the larvae for up to three months. It is easily applied to your pet and is completely waterproof so your dog can continue to swim and be bathed without losing the effectiveness of the product.

Flea control can be difficult but fortunately there are products out there that can help. By following the tips described above and using some of these products you should find your flea problems are over.

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Dog Breeds: Jack Russell Terrier

Written by on June 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment

jack-russell-terrierThe Jack Russell Terrier has been around for about 100 years.

Bred for hunting foxes it is agile, fast with plenty of stamina.

Not a breed for the inexperienced dog owner.

FACTS ABOUT THE JACK RUSSELL


Size Male:      10-15 in (25-38 cm)
Female:    9-14 in (23-36 cm)
Weight Male:      15-18 lb (7-8 kg)
Female:   14-17lb (6-8 kg)
Temperament The Jack Russell Terrier is an energetic excitable breed that will chase anything that moves. They make excellent watchdogs and are loyal and devoted.  Jack Russell Terriers require firm training as pups.  Tends to get restless and can be destructive if not kept occupied.
Grooming Jack Russell Terriers can have either a smooth or rough coat.  Regardless of the type of coat that your Jack Russell has, it requires regular grooming with a comb and a firm bristle brush. The Jack Russell needs only to be bathed when necessary.
Exercise The Jack Russell Terrier loves to run and play and requires regular moderate exercise. Allow Jack Russell pups to play with other dogs to teach them social skills.
Living Area Suited to apartment living and copes well with a small garden area. Makes an ideal house pet. Good with children who have been taught how to behave with a dog, that means no teasing.
Health Jack Russell Terriers are a hardy breed although they can suffer with eye diseases and can be prone to dislocating their kneecaps

The Jack Russell does not have any special feeding requirements.
Life Expectancy 15 Years

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Dog Training Tips & hints To Help You Train Your Pet

Written by on May 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Dog training is an essential part of the socialization process of any dog. Without it your dog will be a problem to both you and anyone it meets. Nobody likes a dog that jumps up when greeted, barks all day and night or bites at unwary passers-by. Dog training may require some effort on your part but in the end it will definitely be worth it. You will have a pet that you will be proud to own.

If you haven’t yet purchased a dog then think about the temperament of the breed before purchasing. If you are buying from a breeder ask them about the temperament of the puppy’s parents. Dog training will tend to be a little easier with gentler, less volatile breeds and smaller breeds are often easier to control.

If you have already purchased your puppy or already have a fully grown dog and are ready to start dog training then check the following list of tips and hints:

  1. Start dog training from day 1. This is so important and yet many believe that puppies are too young to train. The best time to train your dog is from the day you bring it home regardless of its age.
  2. Be consistent. This includes your family and friends. There is no point teaching your dog not to jump up when greeted if your partner or friends allow it.
  3. Don’t yell at your dog. This will only cause your dog to be scared of you and a scared dog is less likely to do what you want. You want a happy dog that is willing to do everything you say.
  4. Don’t hit your dog or physically abuse it in anyway. This will only create a bad relationship between you and your dog and your dog will be less likely to do as you say.
  5. Use positive rewards and ignore bad behaviour. When your dog does something good then reward it. If it does something bad, like jumping up on you, then ignore it.
  6. Attend obedience classes. You don’t need to spend the rest of your life at obedience classes but if you can make the effort to attend at least ten lessons this will be a great start and give you and your dog the confidence you need.
  7. Don’t expect too much too soon. Some dogs learn faster than others but if you are consistent then your dog training efforts will be rewarded.
  8. Don’t leave your children alone with a new puppy. I put this one here only because young children don’t always understand how to look after a puppy and some have been known to hit them without reason. Any damage done at this early stage can have detrimental affects on your training program.

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Dog Breeds: Pomeranian

Written by on May 24, 2009 · Leave a Comment

pomeranian Originating in Pomerania, in Prussia, the original Pomeranians were a much larger dog at around 30 lbs.

The Pomeranian was bred down to meet the fashion in the nineteenth century, of having miniature dogs.

Queen Victoria favoured the miniature Pomeranian and established her own breeding kennel. She was also successful at showing her Pomeranians.

FACTS ABOUT THE POMERANIAN


Size
7-9 in (18-23 cm)
Weight
Male:    3-5 lb (1.5 -2 kg)
Female: 4-6 lb (2-3 kg)
Temperament

A lively little dog that can be wilful. Pomeranians are easy to train. Even though it is a little breed it can be a useful watchdog as, if not trained, it will bark constantly at strangers.

The Pomeranian can be trained to only bark briefly as a warning and then settle down.  Can be demanding if the owner does not assert authority
Grooming The Pomeranian sheds constantly and requires frequent brushing to keep the coat in good order. Pomeranians shed their undercoat a couple of times a year.  Dry shampoo as required.
Exercise Pomeranians don’t require a yard; however, if there isn’t an area for the dog to run around in, the Pomeranian enjoys being taken for a walk.
Living Area Ideal for apartment living
Health Keep the teeth and gums healthy by feeding dry food and have the Veterinarian check the teeth regularly. Pomeranians can suffer from heart and eye problems. Clean the eyes and ears daily.
Life Expectancy Around 15 years
Books

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