- Akita - The Akita: Japanese Powerhouse The large and powerful Akita is an impressive sight. This imposing breed is considered a national monument in Japan, where they were originally bred for large game hunting. Standing up to 28 inches at the shoulder, the Akita has a plush, double thick coat which can be any color including white, brindle or pinto. Another standout feature of the breed is the bushy tail that curls over the back. The first Akita arrived in the United States in 1937, when Helen Keller brought... Read full post here
- Basic Dog Care - This article "Basic Dog Care" outlines your basic responsibilities in raising a healthy, happy and balanced dog As a dog owner, you are responsible for the basic dog care of your pet. A pet dog is entirely reliant on its human "pack" for its needs and by bringing a dog into your life you take on responsibility to fulfill these needs - including proper care, food and water, shelter, safety, regular veterinary care and exercise. Here are some of the basic dog care routines you need to... Read full post here
- Basset Hound - The Basset Hound: Sweet and Low Bassets are instantly recognizable, with their heavy bodies, short legs, long ears, and sorrowful hound dog expressions. But despite its ungainly appearance, the Basset Hound is an excellent hunting dog, excelling in conformation, obedience, tracking, field trialing and pack hunting. The breed is known for its exceptional sense of smell, and will follow even the faintest scent trail. Basset Hound colors include combinations of black, tan, white, red and other colors common to hound breeds. The Basset is a French... Read full post here
- Brittany - The Brittany: Gallic Gundog The Brittany is a Spaniel-like dog named for the French province where the breed originated. Most of the early breed records have been lost, but the Brittany bears a striking resemblance to the Welsh Springer Spaniel, which leads many to believe that the two breeds have a similar ancestry. Brittanys are medium-sized dogs, with a dense, flat or wavy coat that can be orange and white or liver and white in color. They are strong, quick and agile with a hunting style more similar... Read full post here
- Bull Terrier - The Bull Terrier: Mr. Muscle The Bull Terrier is a compact and muscular medium-sized dog of immense strength. Despite their power however, Bullies are in fact playful and friendly dogs with a definite comedic streak. The breed can trace its origins back to the 1800's. At this time dog fighting was a popular spectator "sport", and there were many Bulldog / Terrier crosses as men tried to breed the ultimate fighting dog. After dog fighting was banned, the focus switched to refining a breed standard for these dogs. ... Read full post here
- Bulldog - The Bulldog: British Icon One of the most easily recognizable breeds, the Bulldog is known for its shuffling gait, its massive, short-faced head complete with under-bite, and its adorable wrinkled face. Bulldogs are known to be gentle, affectionate dogs with a love of human company. It wasn't always so. The original Bulldogs were bred to be fighters and bull-baiters. They were longer-limbed than the current breed and were known for their courage and ferociousness. When dog fighting was banned in England, breeders set about breeding... Read full post here
- Dog Aggression Towards Other Dogs - Dealing with dog aggression towards other dogs. Dog aggression towards other dogs is a problem many dog-owners have to deal with. Often, even a placid, loving pet can become a growling, snarling beast in the presence of a strange dog. If this describes your dog you need to take action immediately because should your dog become involved in a fight there could be dire consequences. Your dog could be severely injured, even killed, or you could find yourself on the wrong end of a... Read full post here
- Dog Bladder Infection - How to recognize, treat and cure dog bladder infection. Bladder infections are a common health problem caused by bacteria getting into a dog’s urinary tract, bladder, or kidneys. In the early stages, it can be hard to identify the symptoms of a dog bladder infection, but as the infection progresses, you’ll see signs that the dog is in a great deal of pain when he urinates. If you notice these symptoms get the dog to a vet immediately because, not only is it very painful,... Read full post here
- Dog Constipation - How to diagnose, treat and cure dog constipation. Dog constipation is usually a minor ailment that can be treated quite easily. However, it is often very uncomfortable, even painful, for the dog. And, left untreated, it can lead to other, more serious problems, like megacolon. It may also be a symptom of a serious medical condition or disease, and it is therefore important to have your dog thoroughly examined by a vet to determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Causes of Dog Constipation Dog constipation can be... Read full post here
- Dog Diarrhea - Dog Diarrhea: Causes, treatment, and how to tell when it's a serious problem. Dogs are robust creatures which a digestive system adapted to digest a wide variety of foods. So when a dog develops diarrhea it is not only upsetting, but a cause for concern. It may simply be an upset tummy, but you can never be sure. The best you can do is to be alert for other symptoms and, if in any doubt, to speak to your vet. Dog Diarrhea Symptoms ... Read full post here
- Dog Food Allergies - What every dog owner should know about dog food allergies Dogs are robust, energetic animals but they are also surprisingly susceptible to all manner of ailments. Some of the more common problems are allergies, and often these are dog food allergies. In fact, after flea bites and irritants in the environment, food is the most common cause of canine allergies. But, how do you know if your dog has a food allergy? Then answer lies in watching your dog's behavior, keeping a close watch for increased... Read full post here
- Dog Gastroenteritis - How to recognize, treat and prevent dog gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is a general term that applies to any inflammation of the intestinal lining or stomach. The causes can vary greatly – ranging from anxiety or a change of diet to parasitic infection to severe disease. Usually, if there are severe digestive system problems involved, you'll see other symptoms along with the gastroenteritis. Dog Gastroenteritis Symptoms The first indicator that a dog has gastroenteritis will usually be acute vomiting or diarrhea, along with dehydration,... Read full post here
- Dog Nutritional Requirements - Dog Nutritional Requirements: What You Should Know Although dog nutritional requirements will vary based on factors such as breed, size, age and activity level, all dogs require nutrients from a wide range of sources. Unlike cats, dogs are not pure carnivores. Meat, of course, is an important component of a dog's diet but should ideally only account for about half of daily calorie intake. The balance should come from carbohydrates obtained from sources such as cereals, rice, potatoes or dry dog meal. In addition to protein and carbohydrates the balanced canine... Read full post here
- Dog Paw Care - Dog Paw Care: Top tips to ensure good paw health Dog paw care is important because, even though a dog's footpads are the toughest part of his skin, they are not immune to injury. In fact, because of their function, paws are prone to all kinds of injuries including, cuts, punctures, abrasions and blisters. Incorporate a thorough examination of the paws and footpads into your daily routine and you'll pick up any problems early. Also watch out for signs that your dog has a problem with his... Read full post here
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- Dog Skin Allergy - How to recognize, treat and prevent dog skin allergy. Dogs are robust animals, with bags of energy. So it might surprise you to know just how many ailments and sicknesses they are susceptible to. Skin allergies are just one of the health problems dogs have, and while they may seem minor compared to other canine illnesses, they can be very uncomfortable for your dog. Left untreated they can also lead to more serious problems. If your dog starts to lick, chew and scratch at his coat... Read full post here
- Facts About Dogs - Some pretty amazing facts about dogs you may not be aware of Dogs have been our constant companions for over 15, 000 years, so you'd think that we'd know just about everything there is to know about them. Yet I seem to come across more new and fascinating facts about dogs every time I pick up a book or magazine. Here are just some of the interesting facts about dogs I've uncovered recently; 1. Super Sense of Smell - Dogs have... Read full post here
- Golden Retriever - The Golden Retriever: Scottish Sunshine One of the world's most popular breeds, the Golden Retriever is an intelligent, affectionate dog, with a genuine desire to please. The breed originated in the Scottish Highlands around the late 1800s where it was used predominantly for hunting. A certain Lord Tweedmouth was the main developer of the breed. Wanting to create a retriever suitable for the local conditions, he crossed his "Yellow Retriever" with the, now extinct, Tweed Water Spaniel. Later, Irish Setter and Bloodhound genes produced the retriever we know today. ... Read full post here
- Irish Setter - The Irish Setter: Ireland's Finest With its mahogany red coat and noble bearing, the Irish Setter is one of the most distinctive of all sporting breeds. The breed has been popular in Ireland since the 18th century, and remains so to this day. The Irish Setter was developed from a mix of Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Terrier, English Setter, Spaniel, Pointer, and Gordon Setter. It was originally a "pure" setter, crouching down near the bird so the hunter could net it. However, once firearms were introduced, pointing and flushing traits... Read full post here
- Kennel Cough - How to recognize, treat and prevent kennel cough in dogs. Kennel cough is an infectious disease that causes cold-like symptoms, and heavy honk-like coughing in a dog. It is highly contagious and can be very dangerous if not treated immediately. Dogs are most likely to get kennel cough if held in a location with a number of other dogs. In fact, such are the risks that most boarding kennels will require proof of vaccination before accepting your dog. Young dogs and puppies are particularly susceptible,... Read full post here
- Lymphoma in Dogs - How to recognize the symptoms of lymphoma in dogs, and what to do about it. Lymphoma is the most common form of cancer found in dogs. This fast-growing malignancy is able to grow wherever there is lymph tissue, which is virtually every organ in the body. The cancer can be aggressive and, if untreated, has a high mortality rate. However, treatment with chemotherapy can be very successful, adding months and sometimes years to a dog's life. Lymphoma in Dogs: Which dogs are at risk? ... Read full post here
- Maltese - The Maltese: Adorable, Ancient Dog of Malta The Maltese is an ancient breed that has been around for close to 3000 years. Once known as "Ye ancient dogge of Malta," the breed has spent most of that time as a pampered companion dog to the aristocracy. It has been said that even as far back as the 1500’s you could pay up to $2,000 for a Maltese. Despite their small stature and status as a lap dog though, Maltese are no pushovers. They are brave little dogs, prepared to stand... Read full post here
- Mastiff - The Mastiff: Canine Colossus A heavy boned and powerful dog, the Mastiff is an ancient breed that has been around for thousands of years. These giant dogs are seen depicted in drawings on Egyptian monuments dating back as far as 3000 BC. When the Romans invaded Britain in 55 B.C. they were impressed by these fearless dogs fighting alongside the Britons. Many were taken back to Rome where they were used as war dogs and gladiators. Later, Mastiffs were used to guard homesteads against wolves and other dangerous predators.... Read full post here
- Portuguese Water Dog - The Portuguese Water Dog: Presidential Pooch Known as the Cao de Agua (dog of water) in his native Portugal, the Portuguese Water Dog has for centuries been a prized water dog. These robust, medium-sized dogs have strength, spirit and soundness, and are renowned as tireless workers and loyal companions. The breed has exceptional swimming ability and a water-proof coat which can be curly or wavy and is black, white, or brown, or combinations of black or brown with white. The Portuguese Water Dog was bred... Read full post here
- Sick Dog - Advice on nursing a sick dog back to health. Unless your dog is seriously ill and needs to be hospitalized, you have the option of nursing your dog at home and although it can be a challenge it is worth the effort. Dogs heal faster in familiar surroundings close to their human "pack". Here are some pointers to ensure that your sick dog gets the best possible home nursing. Always consult your vet for advice on your dog's unique condition. Nursing a Sick Dog ... Read full post here
- Standard Schnauzer - The Standard Schnauzer: The Original Schnauze Oldest of the three schnauzer breeds, the Standard Schnauzer originated in Germany, where it was bred to guard livestock, kill rodents, and provide protection to its owners. The breed’s name comes from the the unique beard and moustache on his muzzle, which in German is "schnauze". A medium-sized working dog, the Schnauzer is sturdy and athletic, with trademark arched eyebrows, a bristly mustache and whiskers, and a harsh, wiry, black or salt and pepper coat. Today, the Schnauzer is a stand-out... Read full post here
- Taking Care of a Puppy - Taking care of a puppy: What to do, what to avoid, and what to be aware of. Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time for everyone in the family, especially children. But stop a while to consider the feelings of the pup. He's only eight weeks old and has just been taken away from the comforting world of his mother and siblings. He's in a strange place, with strange sights, smells and sounds. Surrounded by people who must seem to him like giants, and other pets... Read full post here
- Toy Fox Terrier - The Toy Fox Terrier: True Blooded Terrier in Miniature An American breed, the Toy Fox Terrier is a classic big dog in a small dog's body, with intelligence, courage and a feisty demeanor. The breed neatly broaches the Toy and Terrier groups, being small in stature but with true, terrier-like attitude. They love to work, whether it be chasing squirrels or flushing out rodents. The breed’s colors are white, chocolate and tan; white and tan; white and black; or tri-color. Toy Fox Terriers were created by cross-breeding... Read full post here
- When to Start Training a Puppy - Advice on when to start training a puppy Okay, so you've just gotten your new puppy, brought him home and settled him him. Now he's running around exploring his new surroundings and meeting the family. Cue plenty of oohs and aahs as this wonderful little creature works his magic. Then, the inevitable happens, the puppy squats down and leaves his first little puddle on your carpet. You probably start wondering when you can start training him, what to train, and how intensive that training should be. ... Read full post here
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