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Exercise Your Dog For Long Life & Good Health

Written by Wanda on April 3, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Do you take your dog for regular walks?

Walking your dog is not only good exercise for your dog but also for you. A nice steady thirty minute daily walk will do wonders for the both of you.

Dogs love going out.

Can you imagine being stuck in your home day after day and never going out? This is the life for many dogs so no wonder some of them go crazy when they see the dog leash come out.

Exercise has great benefits for your dog.

It relieves boredom which is a problem for many active dogs. A dog that is bored will take out its frustration by digging, excessively barking and chewing anything in sight. Going for a walk will provide an outlet for overactive dogs and help vent excess energy.

Regular exercise also helps to keep your dog fit and well. It helps with digestion and also helps to prevent obesity in those dogs that are prone to putting on weight. Obesity can cause disease and a quick decline in a dogs health.

Not only is the exercise a great benefit but taking your dog out will also provide you with a means of socialising. How many times have you walked down to your local park and have had someone stop to talk to you? If you are with your dog do you get more comments? I bet you do. A dog is a great ice breaker.

If you don’t have the time to walk your dog then think about a pet walking company who will do it for you. Your dog will have the benefits of socialising with other dogs and will get its daily exercise at the same time. Or you might prefer to invest in an exercise pen such as the 30″ H x 24″ 8′ Panel GoGo exercise pen shown above.

Take a ball or Frisbee to the park or simply throw a stick for your dog to chase. Only let your dog off the leash if it’s properly trained and obeys your commands. There is nothing more disconcerting to non dog lovers than to be confronted with a dog who will not obey its owner.

Remember though that some larger breeds can suffer from joint damage if they do too much of this type of exercise. So always check with you vet if you have any concerns about the type of exercise you should give your dog.

Never run with a dog that is six months under age and do not run your dog on very hot days.

Categories: Dog Health - Tags: Dog Health, exercise your dog

Breeds of Dogs – Sporting, Working, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Terrier, Herding & Miscellaneous

Written by Wanda on April 1, 2009 · Leave a Comment

There are approximately 150 breeds of dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The AKC assigns each breed to a category depending on the dog’s original use. These categories include sporting, working, hound, toy, non-sporting, terrier, herding and miscellaneous.

Sporting dogs were originally bred for hunting to assist with retrieving the prey. This group includes dogs such as spaniels, retrievers and setters. Most breeds of dog in this group generally have a soft mouth, are quite energetic and have a love for the water. These dogs require regular intensive exercise.

Hound dogs were bred to assist with hunting due to their sense of smell or sight. Breeds of dog in this group include any of the known hounds as well as Beagles, Basenjis, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Whippets and more.

Working dogs were bred to guard people and property, pull sleds and herd livestock. Breeds of dog in this group are generally big muscular dogs and include breeds such as Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Boxer, Bull Mastiff and Rottweiler. Although they make good loyal companions these breeds of dog are generally considered to be too large for the average family where a smaller or more medium sized dog is better suited.

Terriers were originally bred to hunt and kill vermin. These breeds of dog are feisty and don’t mind scrapping with other animals and dogs. They generally have a determined streak and require firm handling. Toy dogs are ideal companions for the elderly or anyone who wants a dog who is affectionate and easy to train. These breeds of dog were often bred down to meet the fashion requirements of the nineteenth century.

Toy dogs are ideally suited to apartment living Non-Sporting dogs have diverse breeds of dog in all sizes, colours, personalities and temperament. This group contains breeds like the Poodle, Chow Chow, Lhaso Apso and French Poodle. There is bound to be a breed of dog in this group that will suit lots of families.

Herding dogs are the latest group added to the AKC listings. These breeds of dog have a herding instinct that will come into play when rounding up the children of their family group or other animals. Even those breeds of dog that never come into contact with farm work will use their herding instinct. Just some of the breeds included in this list are the Australian cattle dog, Collie and German Shepherd.

Miscellaneous breeds of dog comprise of purebred breeds that are not recognised in any of the other categories by the AKC. The AKC does provide a pathway to recognition for these breeds of dog and once a breed is shown to have stability and expansion in breeding and sustained interest is shown in the breed can apply for registration in the AKC stud book. Some breeds of dog in this category are the Black Russian Terrier, Neapolitan Mastiff and the Redbone Coonhound.

Categories: Dog Breeds - Tags: Dog Breeds, hound dogs, sporting dogs, toy dogs, working dogs

How to Groom Your Dog

Written by Wanda on March 31, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Dog grooming is an important part of looking after a dog.

Even if you have a short-haired breed, grooming is still essential. Dog grooming does not only involve brushing your dog once day, there are other tasks that need to be performed such as nail clipping, examining ears and checking for fleas and ticks.

Grooming your dog on a regular basis will help you get to know your dog and the signs to look for if your dog is unwell or suffering from some sort of irritation.

This short article will provide you with some tips and hints to help with grooming your dog.

Get into the habit of brushing your dog’s coat at least once a day. This is especially important if you have a long haired breed. This will not only prevent tangling and matting of the fur but also provides a time to spend with your dog. Short-haired breeds should also be brushed to remove dirt and fleas.
Ensure that you purchase the correct brush for your dog. Long-haired breeds require a completely different brush to short-haired breeds. The slicker brush type is more suitable for dogs with a long coat. This type of brush would be too harsh on a short-haired dog.
If you think your dog has a problem with fleas then use a flea comb regularly. These combs are designed specifically to remove fleas from your dog. Used in conjunction with other flea control products it is an effective way of removing fleas.
When washing your dog, use a good dog shampoo or soap. Some dogs can be highly sensitive to inferior soaps. If your dog has skin problems use a sensitive skin shampoo and ensure that your rinse your dog thoroughly of all soap suds. Brush your dog before washing to remove mats, tangles and dirt.
If your dog requires professional dog grooming try and choose a company that specialises in your dog breed. You will find that your dog will look so much better if you find someone who knows their job.
Check your dogs ears weekly to ensure that they are free of problems. Dogs with long ears such as Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections so check often. Don’t pour anything into your dog’s ears without the advice of a vet.

Categories: Dog Grooming, How To - Tags: Dog Grooming, how to groom your dog

How to Choose the Best Dog Food & Dog Treats

Written by Wanda on March 28, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Choosing the best dog food for your pet can be a daunting experience. The range of dog foods available on the market today has exploded with a huge variety for all shapes and sizes. Whether you are looking for a specific dog food or just simply some dog treats you need to keep in mind that to maintain the health of your dog you need to feed him or her quality products.

The first step is to feed your dog a wide variety of different foods to ensure that your pet is receiving all of the required nutrients. This will assist in maintaining its health. If you don’t have the time to prepare your dogs meals then by all means use a prepared dog food. The key however is maintaining variety. Don’t continue to use the same dog food day after day as it will most likely not have the recommended nutrients and your dog won’t be happy either.

If you are using prepared dog foods then ensure that you allow your pet a meal of raw meat at least once or twice a week. Raw chicken wings are cheap and dogs love them. Never give your dog cooked bones. These will only splinter and get caught in your dog’s throat. Raw bones are great, particularly the large soup type bone. Dogs will chew on them for hours.

Although vegetables are not considered a traditional dog food they are eaten and liked by many dogs. Mix them in cooked with their food or provide raw as dog treats. A lot of dogs love chewing on a raw carrot. Don’t overdo the vegetables; dogs will eat them but it should not be the mainstay of any dog’s diet. They are after all carnivores and require meat to survive.

If you have an overweight dog then consider many of the dietary dog foods available on the market today. Some of these products can be expensive but if they serve to bring your dog’s weight down to an acceptable level then you are not only improving your dog’s health but are saving money in future vet bills. Overweight dogs have greater health problems and the trips to the vet will cost you way more than the cost of the dog food.

Categories: Food & Treats, How To - Tags: dog food, dog treats, how to choose the best dog food, how to choose the best dog treats

Dog Tags – Don’t Lose Your Pet

Written by Wanda on March 25, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Dog tags are one of the simplest ways of ensuring your dog is easily returned to you if it strays. Although Pet ID tags are cheap and easily available many people don’t take the time to manage the simple task of acquiring one for their pet. Dog tags are available online making the task easy.

Dog tags have two basic purposes. Firstly, they are used to communicate contact information to anyone that finds your pet. This will include your dog’s name and your contact phone number and/or address. Secondly, dog id tags can also indicate any health problems your dog may have.

Dog tags are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Don’t choose a dog id tag that is too big for your pet. It will only annoy your dog and look silly. Pet ID tags should be large enough to suit the size of your dog and contain all of the necessary contact details.

Ensure that you choose a dog Id tag that will last. Ensure it is waterproof and rustproof, particularly if your dog does a lot of swimming. You want a dog tag that is tough and virtually unbreakable.

Dog tags are a relatively inexpensive method of ensuring your dog is easily returned to you if lost. Check out our list of recommended merchants today and see how easy it is to buy a pet id tag online.

Categories: Dog Supplies - Tags: dog tags

Dog Breeds: American Cocker Spaniel

Written by Paula on March 22, 2009 · Leave a Comment

american-cocker-spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel was developed from careful breeding of the English Cocker Spaniel and is a smaller version of the English Cocker Spaniel with a silky, flat or slightly wavy coat.

Today’s Cocker Spaniel is generally a family pet, companion and show dog, it was primarily bred to flush out game, as a retriever, for hunting, tracking and as a watch dog.

FACTS ABOUT THE AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL:

Size	Male: 14-15 inch Female: 13-14 inch
Weight	24-28lbs (10.9-12.7kg)
Temperament	American Cocker Spaniels are playful, energetic and responsive. They need firm but gentle training as they are sensitive to voice tone. A lovable, gentle dog that is obedient and intelligent, take care to protect them when children begin to play rough.
Grooming	American Cocker Spaniels require regular combing and brushing. Bathe or dry shampoo as required. The hair around the feet needs to be kept trimmed. Not a breed for the person who does not have the time to spend on grooming. Cockers are an average shedder. Professional grooming will be required for a good cut.
Exercise	The American Cocker Spaniel requires moderate to vigorous exercise. These dogs have a lot of stamina and love to swim and retrieve.
Living Area	They adapt well to apartment living and a small yard is enough providing they are exercised regularly.
Health	Prone to eye problems such as cataracts and can also be prone to hip dysplasia. American Cocker Spaniels may also suffer from skin and spinal problems.
Life Expectancy	12-15 years

Categories: Dog Breeds - Tags: american cocker spaniel, Dog Breeds