The Smartest Way to Buy a Guinea Pig

Guinea pigs make fantastic pets - extremely cute, sociable little animals who love to run about whenever they have the chance to. On the flip side of the coin, if you are a very busy person, or have little space to spare, this is not the pet for you. They do need regular care - teeth, nails, coats, weight, eyes, ears, noses, breathing, droppings and urine and even their rear ends all need monitoring and attention. Having enough space is vitally important - they must come out of their cage or house every single day to be able to run around. Although there are some who say one guinea pig needs four square feet or housing space, dedicated guinea pig welfare organisations often argue the absolute minimum should be 7.5 square feet instead.

On average, their lifespan lasts between 5 and 7 years. They'll need adequate housing, exercise space outside their house, specialist food, treats, toys, some grooming and of course, you need to think if you can always afford vets bills. They're a popular pet bought for children - however, their care needs are sophisticated enough to need an adult in charge at all times.

One Guinea Pig Or Two?

Guinea pigs are sociable creatures- two, three or even more guinea pigs can happily co-exist. Male guinea pigs will not necessarily fight other male guinea pigs. Be careful to determine their sex, as they will breed quite prolifically if you leave any male and female in together, even if they're related.

Where To Buy A Guinea Pig - Or Two

You can buy them obviously in pet stores or through classified adverts. However, if you can't inspect the facilities where they were bred, you have no guarantee that they are sold by someone who took care of them properly. This could mean a sick guinea pig- which can obviously be distressing not to mention costly for its new family.

Although people may associate it with purely altruistic ideas of saving needy animals, adopting a rescue centre pet can represent a real advantage for the new owners. Good rescue centres are able to afford vets to assess and monitor their animals. This decreases the likelihood of buying an animal that becomes sick. Of course this can never be guaranteed, no matter where the guinea pig comes from, but at least the health history of the animal is known during its time in the better quality rescue centres, cared for by expert staff. You can also get free ongoing advice on how to care for your pet- an after-sales service not every regular breeder will offer.

Will There Be A Surge In Abandoned Guinea Pigs?

Sadly, the time may never be better to re-home a rescue guinea pig rather than buy one from a regular trader. Animal charities have expressed concern that more guinea pigs will be abandoned in the wake of the Disney film 'G-Force' which features animated guinea pig heroes. This comes following incidents of impulse buying of dalmatian dogs after the release of Disney's '101 Dalmatians', only to dramatically increase the numbers seen at rescue centres a short time later.

IMPORTANT: This article is a general introduction only - if you have any concerns about any guinea pig's health or welfare, consult a knowledgeable vet professional advice. Thank you.

Adopt a Pet - Animals Make Us More Human

Imagine the following scene if you will. You have three children, the normal energetic kind who are always underfoot, always screaming and always full of life. The moment you set out a meal, they're pushing and shoving to get the bigger share, to get there first, or just pushing for fun. And then, you get a nice fluffy puppy for the children. And you notice the difference immediately. Each time a meal gets set out, each time you give a child candy or something, the children think not of themselves, but of whether Barkley the puppy has had his share. Parents don't often realize this; but when your kids ask to adopt a pet, it isn't just additional responsibilities you need to concern yourself with. Pets can make children learn a thing or two about being kind, being selfless, about caring for another. And they can do this even if they are completely irresponsible when it comes to taking care of the pet's everyday needs.

There are more pet owning families in America than families that don't have a pet (and it's almost an even way split between dog and cat households). Certainly, if you look at it in terms of how much a pet costs and all the hassles that go along with having a pet, it can be enough to dissuade anyone. But the soothing, humanizing influence that pets can be for everyone in the family, whatever time and money you spend when you adopt a pet will be spectacularly repaid.

There are other more tangible benefits that come by you too. Children who grow up in a home with pets grow accustomed (and unallergic) to everything that goes with pets - animal hair, mites, grass (that the animal rolls about in). Animals don't just make you feel good. They make the whole family physically healthier. And of course, a well-adjusted pet makes for better blood pressure and just more Prozac-free happiness. Children, especially, find that a bond with a pet is a particularly valuable one. It's the friend they get to have at home who always understands.

Going out to adopt a pet, make sure you go with a reputable breeder so that your pet is healthy and free of genetic disorders. And try to go with dogs that are known to be friendly with children. Dalmatians and Jack Russell terriers may look really cute; but they aren't really friendly as far as children are concerned. And make sure that you don't go with some kind of fad animal.

Different Type of Guinea Pig Breeds and Colors

Guinea pigs, also known as cavy, are species of rodents originated in Andes, a mountain Range in South America. How it ends up being called a Guinea pig when it's not even a pig nor is it from Guinea, is still a big question.

"Cavies" are docile in nature; they are a social animal and they rarely bite even when they are tense. Their receptiveness to handling and feeding, and the relative ease of caring for them, makes them a popular pet.

Domesticated cavies come in various breeds, which have been developed since their introduction to Europe and North America. Since their introduction to the United States and Europe, developing new guinea pig breeds gears toward development of attractive and appealing pet.

Here are some common breeds:

The American or formerly known as English cavy is the most popular, they are also the oldest breed of Guinea Pig. The good thing about this Cavy because of its short and glossy coat its low maintenance. It's also easy to handle because of its tame personality.

The Abyssinian cavy has a very distinctive appearance. Its coat is multiple swirls of hair referred to as cow licked rosettes. The ideal Abyssinian has 10 rosettes, one on each shoulder, four across its back, one on each of the animal's hips, and two on the rump.

The Peruvian breed has a smooth and straight coat that grows to several inches in length. These type of guinea pig breeds requires a lot of grooming because of its long hair, which makes it harder to take care of. The Himalayan cavy originates in Southeast Asia and is similar to the Siamese cat in coat. Himalayans' coat darkens depending on the temperature.

A Silkie or Sheltie has a silky and very long coat that smoothly flows back over its body and never forward over the face (as in the Peruvian). Compared to the well-known Peruvian, the Silkie's soft coat fails to part, at least naturally, along the back. The hair continues to grow backwards from the head. The Sheltie is normally expected to have a fairly longer sweep of hair in the back. The Teddy is a short-haired cavy characterized by a short dense coat with bent (kinked) hair streak that makes the coat stand on end, giving a very fuzzy look.

There are also a range of color varieties of cavies, aside from the typical guinea pig breeds. The familiar colors are the following:

Self: This cavy only has one color, so it can be completely black or white or any other color. This is one of the most common colors for cavies. An all-black color guinea pig is called self-black.

Agouti: Alternate dark and light bands of color on each hair; the hair roots color is different from the tip. Usually, this type of color is found in short-coated guinea pigs.

Solid: This is almost like the Agoutis, but its belly is marked as well.

Tortoiseshell: This guinea pig is a mixture of black and red; just like the Dalmatian, it comes with patches.

Brindle: Black series and red series hair colors are evenly mixed throughout their coats.

Albino: This is one of the most common colors for guinea pig. It is white with pink eyes.

Dalmatian: Just like its dog counterpart, this "pig" has a white body with black patches or spots.

Himalayan: The color of the Himalayan's body is white, while brown or black is the color of its nose and feet. The color of the eyes is either black or pink.

If you're interested in owning a cavy as a pet, there are lots of other breeds you can choose from.

Can I Use This Stone for Healing? 7 Criteria for Therapeutic Gemstones

When deciding if a crystal can be used for energy healing, 7 criteria must be considered. These are: type, shape, color, clarity, size, authenticity, and brightness.

Type

First let's talk about type. Not all herbs are medicinal, and not all fruit is edible. Likewise, not all stones have healing properties. New therapeutic mineral species can be hard to verify. Just because a gemstone's beauty may soothe the soul, doesn't necessarily mean it has significant and identifiable healing benefits.

Shape

Shape is an extremely important therapeutic parameter. In gemstone therapy, we prefer spheres or rondels, cut from the purest portion of the original crystal. The more expensive healing gems such as Ruby, Emerald, and Blue Sapphire, are typically cut into a rondel shape, which looks like a flattened donut. This shape conserves the raw material, so it can be utilized most economically. Rounded gemstones are best, because their healing energies can radiate in all directions and access your entire body and aura.

Chips are often used therapeutically, but can be inferior to spheres and rondels because the chip shape can hide imperfections in the gemstones. Also, the energies that radiate from a chip project in random directions, which can be discomforting to highly sensitive people. In certain situations, faceted gemstones can be used therapeutically. Their energies tend to project into the aura in concentrated beams, sent out through each facet.

Color

At the same time that you notice a gemstone's shape, you also see its color. Every gemstone has unique color characteristics and parameters. Therapeutic-quality gemstones have a rich, well-saturated color that is even throughout, and that has a nice tone--not too dark or washed out. But this criterion also varies among stones. Blue Topaz is naturally a pale ice-blue. Darker specimens are clearly irradiated. Therapeutic Amethyst is a rich purple color that is consistent throughout.

Clarity

Clarity is a critical for determining therapeutic quality. Clarity is a measure of the flaws, or inclusions, inside a gemstone. It also refers to the gem's opaqueness, translucency, or transparency. Flaws can be on the surface or internal. As with color, every gemstone has its unique clarity parameters. There are many types of inclusions and some are okay in certain gemstones but must be avoided in others. For example, black spots are an integral part of Dalmatian Jasper and Black Rhodonite, and often occur in Riverstone and Marble. But Blue Sapphire must be free of them. In most cases colorless cracks or inclusions are okay if minimal, and are often appreciated as evidence that the gemstone was not irradiated or otherwise tampered with--activities that can erase such blemishes.

Clarity also determines a healing stone's purity. When you fashion a crystal into a sphere meant for gemstone energy medicine, you extract only the purest portion of that crystal. Likewise, in herbal medicine, you take the phytochemicals and leave the fibrous, nonessential portions of the plant behind. Healing gemstone spheres give you the true essence of the crystal. They allow you to work at a high vibrational level with gems of exceptional, therapeutic quality.

Size

Size usually matters in the gemstone world-although size is relative! Ruby, Emerald, and Blue Sapphire that are under 3.5mm may be sufficient for self therapy, but gemstone therapy practitioners should not use them because they are simply too small. These tiny gems do not have enough mass to support the broadcasting of their healing energies very far into the aura, or significantly deep into the body. It is far better to have fewer, but larger rondels of these precious gemstones in a necklace, than an entire necklace of tiny rondels. A perfect solution is to combine Ruby, Emerald, or Blue Sapphire with the far less expensive White Beryl in a necklace. This will make the necklace far more affordable, and you get the benefit of larger-size gemstones.

Authenticity

A gemstone is authentic if it is natural and not treated in any way. Most therapeutic-quality gemstones are natural. However, some require heat-treatment to bring out their therapeutic qualities. Heating Tanzanite is essential to bring out this gemstone's unique bluish-purple color. Carnelian is also typically heat-treated and dyed to make its color even throughout.

Brightness

A gem's brightness relates to how it plays with light. If the stone is opaque, then it should have a good polish. Translucent and transparent gems usually have excellent brightness if they are free of cloudy inclusions. Some gems, like Citrine and Topaz, have a natural candescence, and are particularly shiny. Therapeutic-quality gemstones will display the proper brightness for their type.

Therapeutic-quality gemstones are indeed special and rare. Only one percent or less of any particular type of gemstone has therapeutic potential. To own one is a blessing, and if properly cared for it can continue to benefit your family for generations.

Choosing Your Best Dog Friend

Canines are companions, confidantes, friends, and more. Selecting a pet for yourself and your family is easy. However, making the effort to analyze your needs will make it much easier to find the ideal dog for you and your children.

Some rules to selecting are:

Do you want a lot of work looking after your pet? Some pets need a great deal more care than others. Poodles will require extra grooming. Other breeds have health problems such as Dalmatians with dysplasia, which may make care awkward over time.

What are your local requirements? In an apartment or condo there might even be requirements regarding sizes and breeds you can own while living there. This can limit your choices.

Is the dog for somebody or yourself? If you are selecting a dog for your family, for young people, you will have to get a dog that has a good temperament with people, especially kids. Some dogs do not get along well with kids, and some dogs are too aggressive for families.

Retrievers are friendly pets, considered loyal, protective, and loving, good features in a family pet. However, being larger dogs, they benefit from being outside, and are good for families who are outdoors a lot.

Likewise, collies are good with children. They are known as intelligent dogs, patient, and obedient, ideal around younger kids.

Do you need your dog to be assertive? Some breeds are naturally loud, while some are passive. While barking constantly can cause problems, a bark when needed for an intruder is very welcome!

What will your dog and you do? For instance, if you're avid hunter, you will want an animal that shares your interest. Dogs that are bred for hunting include pointers, retrievers, hounds, and trackers. So whether you stay at home, go outdoors a lot, this will help decide the kind of dog you may wish to bring into your house.

How affectionate do you wish the pet to be? Some breeds are normally quite affectionate, while other breeds are more self-absorbed. Depending on your emotional needs or the time you have to attend to them, you may want a pet that is more independent, or more needy or loyal to you.

How free is the dog to move around and live comfortably in your place? If you have a smaller house or apartment, you will likely need to find a smaller dog. Additionally, large dogs require more room for running, which makes them a problem to keep in a smaller place.

No matter how you choose your pet, you can expect the care and love you provide them will be returned by them, and expect a long and fruitful relationship!

Want To Buy A Boxer Dog?

If you are thinking of getting a pet, then you may have a tough time, trying to make the right choice. Before you finally decide, ask yourself why you need a pet. Irrespective of whether, you need a pet merely for fun, companionship or for some specific purpose, your reason will up to a large extent determine the specie and breed of your new pet. Amongst the vast variety of different species of animals, ranging from fishes, birds, reptiles, felines and canines, dogs are a favorite option. Although, breeds of dogs like Pomerians, Labradors, Chihuahuas, German shepherds, Dalmatians are common as pets, the Boxer dog is amongst the most popular ones. They make ideal pets, owing to their friendly nature and good temperament. The name of the breed is said to have been derived from their inclination towards boxing with its front paws, while standing on its hind legs.

The Boxer dog is a cross-breed between the English Bulldog and the Bullenbeisser, of which the latter breed is now extinct. It belongs to the Molosser group and was developed in Germany, during the late 1800's. As a descendant of these two breeds, the Boxer dog possesses traits like intelligence, faithfulness, playful and energetic behavior, that make it perfect as a utility dog. And hence, you will find them being reared for versatile job purposes, like that of a guard dog, guide dog, services dog, police dog and even a therapy dog. They were exhibited for the first time in Munich in 1985 and the first club for Boxer dogs was founded, a year later. The first Boxer dog was registered in 1904 by the American Kennel Club.

A very distinctive feature of this breed is its head. The head is in perfect proportion to the rest of the body, and the same applies to the proportion between his skull and muscles. Just like the Bulldog, the Boxer dog too, has a short face with muscles hanging in loose but dense folds, from both the sides. Initially, the ears were cropped and their tails were docked, but since some countries prohibited it, the inhumane tradition of cropping and docking is hardly in use anymore. While the height at the shoulder may vary from 21 to 25 inches, their weight may fall within the range of 50 to 70 pounds. Boxer dogs have short but smooth and shiny coats, in shades of brown like brindle of fawn. Many of them may sometimes have a white underbelly and white markings on their face and legs as well.

You can find numerous advertisements in daily classifieds and local newspapers for puppies. You can even buy them through the Internet. Just be careful of approaching the right source. You can be assured of buying a good breed, if you get them from a reputed breeder. It would be a good idea to check the background and experience of the breeder. Cross check for references. It would be all the more better, if the breeder belongs to an obedience club or a breeding club. Ensure that the breeding stocks are screened before the breeding, so that you can be guaranteed of a pure bred Boxer dog.

How to Choose Halloween Costumes For Your Own Pets

Having a pet to dress up for a Halloween costume could be exciting and sometimes an extra attention is required from his or her caring owner. Understanding your pet's mood and its lifestyle might help to choose appropriate pet Halloween costumes. To begin with your pick theme for this year, you could team up with your pet to go together for a fun filled evening for you and the guests that would come knocking on the door for the trick or treats.

If your pet is a female, there are hundreds of girly and funny costumes that would put smiles and giggles from people around you. You could pick a theme such as a French Maid Pet costume which includes a black dress with white lace trim and a matching hat. This outfit will make your canine cutie look very adorable with your matching costume. All you need is to measure the size of its chest and neck to fit with the dress perfectly. Sometimes, you might find that the standard pet sizes are based according to the dog breeds and the size of their necks. For example, an extra small will fit 7" to 10" neck or breeds that are similar in size to Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle dogs while a large size would normally fit 18" to 24" neck or breeds that are similar in size to Retriever, Boxer, Labrador, Dalmatian and Rottweiler.

If your pet is considered as an energetic, you are advised not to choose pet costumes that come with a veil, a wig or eyeglasses. This kind of adds on would usually make your pet not comfortable to wear the costume for too long. Another Halloween interesting costumes to choose are based from famous TV and movie characters such as Shrek, Superman, Batman, The Cat in The Hat, Zelda and the Star Wars Yoda.

To avoid your pets from overheating, you should consider the material made for a pet costume. Normally, you will find that it is made from 100% Polyester. For a fun and cool style, your pet could wear such an Aloha Hawaiian shirt and a floral lei. This outfit does look stunning for a male pet and would definitely receive many complements from the guests in the party or the people around you when you are strolling with your pet.

Although to dress up your pet for this coming Halloween might seem odd for the first time, the owner and the pet should learn to adjust to this temporary new look. Some pets will get on with an outfit immediately but others will never take to it. Therefore, the owner needs to study and understand his or her pet's body language in order to enjoy the fun and excitement of celebrating Halloween. Not to forget to capture the moment you have by taking some photos or videos that soon you could share with your friends and relatives.

Creating Firefighting Scrapbooks For Your Son - 7 Simple Tips

Scrapbooking reflects the principle of "organized chaos." You can put almost anything in a scrapbook, and creativity is a major asset for people who make scrapbooks (or scrappers). You can combine a wide range of materials, colors, textures, and images to create something as unique as you are.

Yet, every scrapbook is organized around a theme, the subject of the scrapbook. It may be a person's life, an important event, a favorite vacation location, or any number of things the scrapper wants to remember. Scrapbooks are meant to preserve and interpret favorite memories, but the best scrapbooks do it in a way that tells a story.

The theme ties every element together in your scrapbook. If you're making a scrapbook for a gift, your theme may be something that is important to the recipient. A very popular theme for young boys is firefighters.

Especially since 2001, all of us have been more aware of how heroic these public servants must be. Many grown men still dream of becoming a firefighter long after childhood is over.

Creating a scrapbook on a firefighter theme is a great project that you can ask your young man to join. Even though young boys may find the idea too girlie at first, they'll love helping find the images and embellishments representing firefighters. You and your project assistant can have a great time collecting the elements and creating a firefighting scrapbook honoring the profession and telling the child's story at the same time.

Here are some ideas for themes and supporting elements that may get your and your young potential firefighter off to a good start.

1. Colors.

There are several colors we associate with firefighting that make great color schemes for scrapbooks. Beginning with the ever-popular "fire engine red" and white, you recall the familiar fire trucks and sirens. But you don't want to create an "ambulancing" scrapbook, so you can add other colors common to firefighting. Mustard yellow is the color of a fireman's coat or parka and the oxygen tank he wears into burning buildings.

Another nice touch is to use the colors of the traditional firefighting dog. Black spots on a white background help honor the Dalmatian and keep your scrapbook color scheme interesting. Combining red and orange with a deep blue represents flames, and adding aqua or light blue introduces water.

2. Images and Firefighting Shapes.

Images are an important basic element of any scrapbook. Using familiar images, shapes, and symbols maintains your firefighting theme and adds to your scrapbook pages. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

3. Fire Engine.

This popular vehicle is easy to recognize and easy to reproduce for your scrapbook. Your young man will quickly know what it is by its familiar shape and bright fire engine red colors. You can use it as a background image or make cut-outs to frame your photos and mementos.

4. Firefighter.

Firemen have a familiar and recognizable silhouette, with their fire hat, parka, and axe. You can show your firefighter in different poses and positions throughout the scrapbook to add a sense of action to your pages. Holding the fire hose, climbing the ladder, or bringing a person out of the flames are all exciting ways to honor their courage.

5. Fire Hydrant.

Another familiar shape and image is the fire hydrant. You can add that mustard yellow color to complement the firefighter's parka, and the hydrant shape makes a great frame. But you may want to be careful in how you use it, given the hydrant's popularity with dogs.

6. Hook and Ladder.

This vehicle has very distinctive features that represent the firefighter in action.

7. Firefighter Symbols and Shapes.

Several shapes come to mind when thinking about firefighting. The familiar shape of the fireman's badge is a nice one for scrapbooks. The fireman's hat is a distinctive shape easy to recognize. You might also consider cut-outs of Dalmatians, flames, the fireman's axe, or the siren to accent your pages and make your theme loud and clear.

These are just a few ideas for a firefighting scrapbook. You and your young boy will have a great time thinking of other ways to incorporate the firefighter theme in your scrapbook.

How to Select Dog Training Books

When looking for dog training materials, many things need to be considered. The qualifications of the author, the techniques that they use, and the layouts of the books are just some of the factors a person needs to look at. In addition, there is also the question of if dog owners should search for dog training books for their specific breeds of dogs.

Different dogs, different needs

It is true that each dog has different needs. There are also some breeds of dogs that have certain tendencies more than others do. Dalmatians tend to be hyperactive, Dobermans territorial and Basset Hounds may be more laid back. Therefore, wouldn't it make sense that there should be training material specific for each breed of dog?

This is not necessarily the case. If a dog is aggressive, there are certain things the owner needs to keep in mind while training him or her. If a dog is more active, certain commands and techniques will help him focus on the owner and make training easier.

More than anything else, it is the personality of the dog that will make a difference in the training, not the specific breed. It is the behavioral patterns that owners need to pay attention to when they are teaching new commands to a dog. Saying that a German shepherd will behave in a specific way simply because it is a German shepherd would be as if a human would act one way or another because of their ethnic background or economic status.

In some ways, they are the same

Puppies are so often puppies. Just like human babies, puppies are bundles of energy and love. Therefore, there are certain techniques that dog training books can teach owners to care for their young dog no matter what breed it is. Moreover, many of the so called, breed tendencies are sometimes confused with common canine behavior.

Dogs are pack animals. They need to understand who is the boss, and that the owner will love and care for them. If these elements are absent, the dog will try to assert itself.

This tendency will occur with a toy poodle or Saint Bernard. Sex, breed, and size do not affect the dominant behavior of an animal that is trying to assert itself as alpha. For the same reason, people need to use specific techniques that will curb that behavior without inserting human tendencies. Do not think of in human terms; think the way a canine thinks.

Speak dog

Dog training books will help you understand dogs and their behavior better. This way, when you are teaching your dog, you are using commands and techniques that they understand. This will help the training go smoother and will help the dog learn new commands at a faster pace.

Good books for training dogs cover dog breeds, dog care, and common dog tendencies. While some books may focus a specific problem, such as aggression and how to care for adopted dogs that were abused, the majority of dog training books cover general areas.

Looking for a complete care manual for your canine companion will help you and your dog. It will also help determine the quality of the book. Twenty page dog training e-books may only cover a few basics to encourage people to buy a course or a more intense manual. A large book that covers canine care, talks about breeds of dogs, and some basic training that will help owners are more beneficial. It is not always cost or what is covered in some books that makes the difference, it is noting what isn't covered that can be telling.

More Grooming Tips - Your Dog's Teeth - Detecting Gum and Tooth Disease

A Dog Depends On Healthy Teeth and Gums

The average person may not understand how critical this issue is to a dog - unless 1) they own or have owned a dog and 2) have experienced these problems - suffering the consequences.

We have raised Dalmatians for over 20 years and have learned this lesson. We watched Lady start to chew gingerly and delicately at first. Then she wouldn't take her treats or crunchy bones. A trip to the vet and we discovered just how serious the problem had become. Chewing was actually uncomfortable - it hurt to eat. That should tell you a lot right away.

Well after several hundred dollars in vet bills, we learned how critical "dental care" is to a dog and its health. Not only do healthy teeth help chewing but healthy gums are important to holding the teeth in place and comfort of eating. Additionally, some gum diseases lead to other problems just like humans. Heart disease, stomach and similar problems are caused or exacerbated by poor dental health.

It Is Easy To Overlook - If You Are New To Pet Ownership

For some reason, the common wisdom is that a dog should have "bad breath". Imagine what they eat and where they have been. The truth is simply much different. Other than some food odor - a "bad" smell should not exist and must be investigated. Because of this misconception many don't check and most don't "brush" a dog's teeth.

Watch Your Dog's Health Closely

Paying attention to your dog's health is important to you both. Your dog's well being, outlook, attitude and quality of life are important. Your wallet will also benefit from some preventive action - I promise.

If you catch a dog's teeth problems early you can avoid the pain and discomfort of more severe dental disease. The easiest way to do this is -- look at the teeth. "Look" means inspect and remember. Regular attention will alert you to unusual changes or issues that when small can be resolved by you rather than a professional.

Inspecting and Remembering Your Dog's Teeth

The first time will be a little strange but with care and some kindness, it will become a process that you will become comfortable with in a short time. Just lift your dog's lips all around the mouth. Look at the front and back teeth. The point is to observe and remember. The first few inspections set a "base line" for you and your dog's present condition.

Remember, you and your dog have a "relationship" and this inspection is an extension of that mutual care and concern. Be gentle, speak softly, move slowly and allow your dog to understand what you are doing. He or she will pull back. Be ready. Don't "jump" just wait and stroke around the mouth and nose until another chance to move the lips and look at the teeth. The whole issue is one of trust and will take a little time but it is not impossible.

Additionally, during the annual checkups your veterinarian will also take a look at your dog's teeth. Obviously, you will want to make sure there is a routine to these exams and that you report any generalized concerns during the vet visit. Your vet is absolutely the best source for education on what to look for and how to treat any problems that may crop up.

What To Look For Between Vet Visits

Between the vet visits you should watch out for:

* Bad breath or any unusual changes in breath;

* Any reluctance your dog shows chewing or unusual behavior while chewing like whining;

* Any unusual or unexpected salivation - different then when he or she sees food or a treat - you will know when it s outside the norm;

* If you see red and/or puffy gums, watch them for a period of a few days. See if there is a change in condition. How does your dog react when he or she is eating. Any concerns contact your vet;

* If any of the gums are bleeding and there is no obvious reason - that is cause for concern and a trip to the vet's office;

* Even tartar and hard coating on the teeth called calculus which is the result of plaque build-up is important. Believe it or not, dog's teeth can be cleaned just like ours if it is too serious. Try some crunchy treats, bones and other solid items. Give them to your dog and see if that helps. A constant diet of caned food will add somewhat to the problem. If it does not improve or grows worse, consult your vet.

* Be on the look out for missing and/or loose teeth during your inspection. Watch closely, your first base line will tell you what to look for in the future. In some instances you may want to keep a journal to discuss with the vet.

* Then there is the general "catch all". Anything that just doesn't look "right". We learned quickly that this will come natural to almost any pet owner. There is a sense we develop that warns. Just be open to those concerns and act as you feel best.

Always consult with your vet. Watch for early signs and resolve the problem early. In a future article we will describe the more serious aspects of dental disease and its more detailed care.

Dog Health Symptoms - Does Your Dog Itch Like Crazy But Has No Parasites?

Many of us dog owners get really amazed to see our dogs scratching away to glory in spite of the fact that there is not a single flea on its body! This is one thing that most dog owners will know. Many a time, our dogs just keep on scratching their skin although they do not have fleas or any other parasites. This is one thing that all dog owners have to be careful about. Continuous itching without any reason might have larger health implications.

This incessant itching can highly be an early symptom of dermatitis. Dermatitis is similar to fever in human beings. When we have fever, we just start sneezing like crazy or have congestions. But in case of dogs, their skin becomes itchy and they keep on scratching their skin. Fever in dogs happens generally when they inhale a large amount of pollen.

If you notice, you will see that your dog starts itching more during the months of August and September. This is a time when you need to take extra care of your beloved pet. Pets become especially sensitive to things around them during these months. Thus, this is the time when you have to look out for Dermatitis because your dog will be highly susceptible to it.

The other months when your dog will start itching indiscriminately are March and April. Since these two are the pollen months, dogs become very likely to catch hold of Dermatitis during this season. The grass pollen season of May, June and early July are also particularly troublesome months.

This dog health symptom is something that affects your dog particularly badly. Once your dog gets affected by Dermatitis, it will practically suffer from scratching problems throughout the year. This gives rise to another problem of increased sensitivity which means that something like dusting your sofa will also make your dog uncomfortable and scratchy.

The owners who have a dog who is less than six months old are lucky because young dogs do not get Dermatitis. It is a disease seen in dogs that are three or more years of age. Also, almost every breed of dog can get Dermatitis as it is not a breed specific disease.

However, despite of not being a breed specific disease, Dermatitis is something that affects certain breeds of dogs, like Dalmatians, West Highland White Terriers, White Haired Fox Terriers and Poodles particularly badly. Dermatitis is something that should be treated immediately because it can make your dog suffer a lot and live in great discomfort.

As for the treatments of Dermatitis, you must consult your dog's vet. There are multiple treatments available but you have to choose one that suits your dog's breed and age, so it is best to go for whatever your dog's vet suggests.

Apart from the treatment, you also need to take care of the fact that your dog gets regular grooming so that its skin remains in perfect condition. If your dog is not groomed regularly, it might suffer from skin problems that are extremely uncomfortable.

Designer Dog Beds For Your Chihuahua

These days, people are becoming more and more aware of the numerous designer dog beds that are quickly becoming more available. As a result, many are learning that they no longer have to resort to unsightly or tack-looking options in order to make their favorite friend comfortable, regardless if it's for a larger-sized breed, or even for smaller toy breeds such as the beloved Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas have been a well-pampered type of breed for nearly centuries, even if thoughts of the breed's origins are mixed, with previous evidence of them being said to date back all the way to 1482 and earlier. There are various sizes and standards to the breed, itself, being anything from six to ten inches in height, although some may grow as tall as twelve to fifteen inches.

There are actually many different colors that this particular can be found in, giving a wide range of possibilities to potential owners of Chihuahua-loving fanatics alike. For instance, there are sable, Irish spotting, brindle-colored, black, red, white, merle, orange, fawn and tri-colored. There are also ones that are dark brown, blue, black spotted, dalmatian spotted, masked, tan-pointed, piebald and many others as well.

This wonderful type of canine can typically live anywhere from ten to seventeen years, although it may vary on each particular dog's breeding and individual circumstances. As with most breeds, some health problems are seen with this one in particular such as with potential epilepsy and seizures. Some may be prone to hypoglycemia as well as hydrocephalus, which is a common and often painful disease typically found in toy breeds, to where their head is abnormally large and they have a patchy skull plate as a result, rather than a solid skull.

As with many toy breeds, the temperament of this breed can vary, generally based on their environment, breeding and the animal itself. Some may be prone to aggressiveness, especially if provoked and they're ill-tempered; however, many of these animals can also be fiercely loyal, loving and overall affection. Some may not do well with small children, strangers, or other types of breeds, making it particularly important to choose one wisely and with care, and to also utilize proper behavioral training if necessary.

The breed in general can often make for a wonderful pet under the right kind of circumstances and in a good environment. However, it's important to stress proper training, especially if they will be around children or other animals. Proper feeding is also stressed, since many people are prone to overfeeding these animals, likely due to their sweet demeanor and looks in general. However, this can often be something that puts a great amount of stress on their little bodies, as well as when it comes to their big yet small hearts.

Due to this breed's long-lived popularity, which continues to be on the rise even in today's society, it's no wonder many owners are on the lookout for the ideal bedding to suit their pet's gorgeous personality. Fortunately, there are plenty of selections available that are specially designed for these small, but lovable creatures, many of which cater to the breed's desire to burrow and be warm.

If you're curious to find out about designer dog beds, particularly for Chihuahuas, then there often many places that offer a wide variety of tasteful options. A good place will be happy to help you select the right one for your particular pet's needs, helping to ensure that they're happy with their new bed for years to come.

TRAINING FOR DOGS: 5 POINTERS TO CONSIDER

When you have finally decided to have a dog, you should be able to determine first on what breed you think would suit you and your family. Apart from considering their personality, it is also important to know that training for dogs may vary depending on their breeds. There are some breeds that may not be capable of doing some tricks that you may want your dog to have. While some breeds are also difficult to train others may be easy and would seem normally behaved than the others. So it is important to have this in your considerations before choosing your dog breed.

As mentioned earlier, there are some factors that you should consider when getting a dog. Here are some pointers that are good to think about:

1. The size of the dog that you prefer. It is important to consider the place where you would have your dog stay. For an obvious reason, preferring a big dog is not practical if you are staying in a small place. Although there are some big dogs who can, but as much as possible, it would be nicer to give your dog enough space to move around. But if it's big dog that you really want, go ahead and get one, just be able to make sure that you can spare some time to walk them out in order to also exercise them.

2. How ready are you to clean your house free from dog fur? This should be decided on an earlier stage in order to avoid regrets of getting a certain breed. If you are someone who is not that patient to clean dog fur, do not go for breeds such as golden retriever, Dalmatians and Pug for they shed fur heavily. Unless of course if you are willing to have them undergo regular grooming session daily.

3. Consider your family or people staying with you. If you have children in your house and prefer to have a dog, it is important to choose a breed that is sociable and can go well with kids. You don't want to end up having any of your kids get hurt by your dog don't you? Labrador and Golden Retriever are just some of the dogs that are recommended in this case.

4. In choosing a dog breed, it is also important to consider your budget. There are breeds that you would need to spend more when it comes to maintenance. Their grooming and food are the most common things that you need to spend on. For other breeds, the list could be longer. So make sure that you know how to take care of the breed that you are choosing so that you can determine that the expenses related to it.

5. You should already be able to determine before getting a dog the trainings that you would have him undergo. Since you also need to know its suitability with the breed. If you need a more disciplined dog that could watch over your belongings then you should choose dogs such as Doberman, German Shepherds and Rottweilers.

Deciding to have a dog does not only entail fun but should also come with responsibility. For more information on training for dogs, feel free to subscribe to our newsletter.

Pet Grooming For Dogs - Things You Should Know Before You Snip Your Dog's Hair

There are different types of coat within the double and single coated categories and it is worth looking at these types because it can help to define your dog's coat and thus how you groom it much more effectively.

Here are 2 types of dog coats:

Smooth Coat

Breeds like the Basset Hound, Beagle, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog, Dalmatian, Great Dane, Greyhound, Labrador Retriever, Miniature Pinscher, Pug, Rottweiler and Weimeraner all have smooth coats.

The fur is sleek, shiny and very short as a general rule and thus do not need as much grooming as most other dogs. The general grooming routine for smooth coated dogs should contain regular brushing and occasional baths.

Brushing is necessary to ensure that the natural oils produced by the coats are spread evenly across the surface of the fur in addition to ensuring that all stray hairs are removed.

Medium Coat

The breeds that fall under this category include the Akita, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Brittany, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retriever, Great Pyrenees, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Saint Bernard and Siberian Husky.

These breeds have coats that exceed an inch thick but still appear to be relatively short and are easy to groom. These coats do not typically get tangled or matted and tend to retain little in the way of dirt.

Although you may have to incorporate a trim into your grooming routine, experts recommend a brush once a week and a bath once a month for these dogs.

Although these breeds generally have an undercoat as well as guard hair, they do not tend to shed as much as heavier coated breeds.

However, you should still take care to ensure that they are dry following baths because any lingering dampness can cause illness.

Finally, a dog's health can be measured by it's coat.

Learning About Basic About Dog Skin Problems

Dog skin problems may not seem worth worry, but in reality, they often develop complications. The term that is generally used for skin problems of dogs is eczema. It is used to refer to sore, swollen skin. But pinpointing the actual cause of eczema is not easy and sometimes even impossible.

Dog skin problems are chiefly caused by soreness or dermatitis that leads to itch and irritation. Naturally, the dog, feeling uncomfortable scratches the swelled skin with its teeth and claws, thus causing hair loss and worse inflammation. Hence, this kind of skin disease of dogs is called itch-scratch-itch cycle. This may also cause rawness of skin, which will thus be an easy prey to bacterial infection.

There are a few definite symptoms of this kind of eczema:

o Scratching

o Rashes

o Reddened skin

o Loss of hair

o Body parts wet from licking (in white dogs, the infected parts grow brown by coming in constant contact with the saliva)

o Black and rough stuff in the fur

o Dryness of skin

o Worms attracted by the fur

o Infected spots, dandruff and mats

As you must have understood by now, the most effective way to avoid dog-skin problems is to keep your pet hygienic and clean. Regular bath and cleansing is necessary to keep the fur as well as the skin of your dog totally dirt free.

Many people still believe that grooming a dog is strictly optional and needed only for cosmetic reasons. Don't pay heed to them. Good grooming is mandatory if you want your pet to be healthy. It is a useful way to test the presence of fleas, ticks, and other signs of diseases, that can cause skin problem to your dog.

You must be wondering now about how many times to give your dog a bath. First of all, it's obvious that if your dig was playing outdoors or gets into something dirty, he needs a bath at once. Otherwise you have to decide upon the number of times you should bathe it, according to the texture of its fur.

If your pet has a smooth coat like a Dalmatian or a Whippet, it requires bath only twice a year. The same rule prevails if it's a Golden Retriever or Saint Bernard.

If the fur of your dog is long like a Bearded Collie or a Maltese, it faces greater risks of entanglement and other dog skin problems. He needs at least once in a month bath schedule to stay fit.

On the other hand, a wirehaired dog like the Schnauzer or Norfolk Terrier, will require a month at the interval of 3-4 months.

Finally, if your dog has cute, curly fur as a Poodle or a Curly-Coated Retriever then be sure to face entanglement and knots to occur frequently. For these dogs, a bath becomes necessary every 6-8 weeks to keep them away from skin problems.

Muscle Atrophy In The Older Dog: It is natural that every mammal's muscles grow weaker and smaller with advancing age. But still, there are two muscle disorders on dogs, which initially look like normal weakness but are actually poorly comprehended complex problems.

The first disease is often termed as polymyositis, which causes inflammation of one or more muscles in the body. The chief symptom is that the dog feels weak at its leg muscles after a period of physical exercise and may fall down. After a time, it will seem to get better only to reveal in a while that it is not and would thus fall down again.

This disease generally affects dogs during late middle and early old age. The root cause may be various but apparently deficiency in the dog's immunity system is primary. Treatment with corticosteroids has proved to be effective. Although sometimes the muscles of the esophagus are affected and swallowing becomes difficult, they are successful to an extent.

The second disorder that occurs mainly in older dogs is muscular dystrophy. It is very similar to the muscular dystrophy that we see in human beings. Affected animals become inflexible in its movements as the muscles go on becoming smaller in size and weaker in strength. The cause of this disease is yet to be discovered and thus, the only treatment possible is to sooth the patient, trying to make him comfortable and is often based on the specie concerned.

How to Pick the Perfect Dog For Your Family

If you are a parent, at some point your child will approach you and ask about getting a dog as a family pet. Of course, your child will have no idea how much responsibility in involved in dog ownership. You have to train your dog to do its business outside, walk the dog, feed the dog, take it to the vet, clean furniture and carpet from shedding, and provide some form of flea and tick control. There is also the expense involved; paying for it, getting the dog spayed or neutered, plus the shots from the vet, dog food, vet visits, and pet supplies. There is also the question of who can take care of your canine friend when no one is home, either due to work and school or a family vacation. Most parents who buy a dog for their kids quickly find that it is not their child's dog, but their own! Kids have a way of forgetting to feed their pets, or take them for walks, and they certainly won't be paying for the dog food or vet visits, much less cleaning up after it with a pooper scooper.

None of this is meant to deter you from getting a dog as long as you have the space for the breed you want and your family, including your child, seem ready for dog ownership. Dogs can be very loyal and loving and make great companions. But before you pick out your new dog or puppy, you should do a little research on the different breeds available; their temperament and the size they will be when fully grown. You might also want to know how easy a certain breed is to train, since it is unlikely your new pet while have much training when you bring it home.

Suppose that you have a large, fenced-in yard, and your family leads an active lifestyle. You might consider a Dalmatian. These are working dogs that were originally breed to pull carriages, so they are athletic and have a lot of energy for playing. Another good dog for outdoor activities is the Labrador Retriever. Labs are friendly, loyal, and good with children. They can be a great companion for hunting, camping, or hiking. A dog that does well in cold weather and has great stamina is the Husky. Huskies are hard-working, but stubborn, so if you chose this breed, make sure you have the patience for training your new pet.

If you don't have a lot of space for your dog to run, consider a smaller breed. Smaller dogs, especially when they are young, can be even more active than larger breeds. Even a dog the size of a Chihuahua needs lots of exercise and smaller dogs tend to be a tad hyper. Still, a smaller dog can use a smaller space for its exercise. A Jack Russell terrier, a true bundle of energy, can get a workout running around a kitchen table. Chihuahuas are popular now due in part to the high profile of Paris Hilton's dog, Tinkerbell. But they are not the best breed around young children. A dachshund is a nice compromise; smaller in size, but smart and good with children. The "wiener dog" was originally breed for hunting badgers, so they are not pushovers, but they are gentle around people. A major drawback to this type of dog is that they are highly susceptible to back problems.

This is just a small sampling of the many dog breeds available. There is also the mixed breed mutt, which can suffer from fewer negative genetic traits. Pure-bred dogs often have problems due to inbreeding, and picking a dog from the SPCA or other shelter can save money and help an animal in need. Whichever dog you chose, make sure that you have done your homework regarding the type of pet and gotten your home ready in advance.

If your child is desperate for a pet dog, but you don't have the space or budget, or just feel that your child isn't ready, there is a simple alternative. You can placate your child and avoid a lot of temper tantrums with a plush dog! There have been great advances in stuffed animal manufacturing and design so that now you can get an incredibly realistic plush dog in the breed of your (or your child's) choice. That way you won't have to worry about vet bills, shedding, late-night barking, cleaning up with a pooper scooper, or an expensive de-worming. Plus, a stuffed dog can help give you an idea of whether your child is ready for the responsibility of a real canine. If they can "feed," walk, and exercise their plush pet at appropriate times, they may be ready for the real thing. Likewise, if your child fails to show responsibility for their plush dog, then no real animal suffers and your child may learn a valuable lesson about the need for responsible behavior. It's really a no-lose proposition, and your family gets a cute and cuddly plush toy in the bargain.

Dog Food Is Important For Your Dog's Health

As dog ownership becomes more and more prevalent, owners are more aware of the quality of the products that they feed their dogs. The choices of dog food in comparison to the old days are virtually unlimited. These types of products are gaining more and more notice. This is leading to increasing growth in the pet food industry especially in dog food.

When you visit the shelves of your local pet store, you will find aisle after aisle of choices for your dog. If you are new to the world of canines, what is the best method to make a choice? Dogs can be picky eaters. Remember that the senses of dogs are highly evolved from their shared history with wolves.

For that reason, we must give our dogs the proper food that will ensure their growth and health. Each breed of dog can have its own nutritional requirements, and if so, those needs must be satisfied. A Great Dane that is given food meant for a smaller dog, such as a Dalmatian or Maltese, will not stay healthy. Dalmatians are among the breeds of dog that have very special requirements for their diet, and that won't do well unless all of those requirements are met.

Information about dog food can easily be found online. Dogs of different sizes have different dietary requirements. Small dogs obviously do not require the same diet as large dogs. You should careful examine the types of food for your particular dog and their particular diet. In particular, learning their food habits can help you determine the right kind of food for your dog.

All dogs require a balanced diet. The proper nutrition is needed to prevent a myriad of different types of diseases and help your dog's development. Different types of foods are especially needed for a dog's health and can even improve their digestion. Three requirements are needed for any great dog food: carbohydrates, proteins, and calcium.

Brown rice, broccoli, boneless lamb and chicken, steamed carrots, and other such food make a fine meal for a dog when combined. "Honest Kitchen" dog food is far and away the best and most nutritious food that you can feed to your dog. Searching for "dog health" on the Internet will produce thousands of search results. To investigate specific brands of dog food, you can read reviews that have been posted on the web, so that you know what you should or should not feed your dog.

Dog Breed Characteristics - Medium-Sized Dogs

Not too sure which type of dog to buy? This is part 2 of 3 articles that addresses the different needs and characteristics of some of the popular dogs.

Bulldog

This is a commonly misunderstood dog. Although its name and appearance (and those cartoons that depict fierce bulldogs) suggest that it is not-so-friendly, it is generally friendly and docile. Due to this nature, they get along well with children and other dogs. They love attention and are really loyal creatures. They can also be easily trained. They need daily exercise and overweight bulldogs can lead to health problems related to the heart and lungs. Interestingly, it was used in the 1600s for bullbaiting, but has since lost its aggressiveness after the sport was outlawed.

Dalmatian

This is probably one of the most filmed breed (think 101 and you get what I mean) and you cannot miss it with its trademark white coat with black spots. It is believed to be one of the oldest breed around and they are generally free from illness. They usually get sick with old age. Note that Dalmatians are dogs with lots of energy and they require frequent exercise. You should not buy a Dalmatian if you do not have the time to take care of it.

Siberian Husky

Originated from Siberia, it has a thick-furry coat and tail. It looks very much like its ancestor, the wolf. They are known to howl rather than bark. Because of their intuitive hunting nature, they make good hunting dogs. They are also stubborn creatures and proper obedience training is needed. Siberian Huskies are very intelligent and are therefore popular with dog shows. They are also used in sled dog racing because of their high level of fitness.

Australian Shepherd

It was not originated from Australia as its name suggests, but was brought up on ranches in the United States. It is a popular herding dog, but has slowly made its way into homes due to its obedience and eagerness to please its owners. It is usually a sweet and affectionate dog which is faithful to its owners and is great with children. There are, noticeably, two distinct types of personalities. One is an energetic dog that requires frequent exercise and enjoys doing tricks, while the other enjoys being a couch potato. Due to their herding nature, they bark warnings when they notice anything unusual. Intelligent and good with tricks, they make good pets.

Poodle

They are considered one of the most intelligent breeds of dog. They can be easily recognised with very short hair around the body, except for the head, legs and tail (Google for the pictures). Owners can choose to groom their own poodles in any way they like, but I think they look funny though. Poodles are known to be active. They can get bored easily and have been known to create bad mischief. In general, they are eager to please and are easy to train. They make good pets for those families with children.

Are you having problems training your dog? Discover how you can quickly and easily train a dog.

How to Find the Best Domestic Dog Breed For Your Personality Type

If you want to bring a dog into your family you may be wondering what type of domestic dog breed is best suited for your personality. After all owning any animal, especially a dog is a long term commitment. You want to be sure that you choose the right breed and specific dog for your lifestyle, family and personality. Finding the right dog for your personality type is easier than you might think. Read the personality descriptions in this article to find the right dog breed for your demeanor.

Every human being has a truly unique personality. However, most people display certain personality traits more often. Choose a dog based on your most dominate personality traits.

TYPE A: Outgoing and Funny

People who have a type A personality are very happy the majority of the time because they look at the bright side of life. These people love to be apart of something bigger than themselves, and they strive to make other people laugh. Type A personalities have a happy go lucky innocent approach in life. They are very successful people who love to spend time with family and friends. People who are outgoing and fun to be around should opt for playful energetic dogs. Top domestic dog breeds for this personality type are: Labs, Golden Retrievers, Pomeranians, Yorkshire terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Shih Tzu, Poodles, Alaskan malamute, German shepherd, and Collies.

TYPE B: Creative and Artistic

People who have type B personalities have a great deal of talent. They are very creative, crafty and they can be social, yet quiet when they need their space. They love to find new friends traveling all over the world. These people tend to be very caring, and emotional individuals. They treasure their close relationships. Creative people do well with all kinds of different breeds because these people are so versatile. Top dog breeds for this personality type are: Pugs, German Sheperd, Alaskan Husky, Lab, Golden Retriever, Saint Bernard, Collie, Shetland sheepdog, Great Dane, Greyhound, Dalmatians, Chihuahua, and Smooth Fox Terrier.

TYPE C: Sensitive, Loving and Emotional

People with type C personalities are very loving, and emotional. They strive to treat everyone fairly and avoid fighting. Type C personalities have strong marriages because they work hard to keep everyone together. They forgive easily although they can be naïve and too giving at times. Sensitive people do very well with affectionate playful dogs. Top dog breeds for this personality type are: Labs, Golden Retrievers, Border collie, Blue Heeler, Petit Basset Griffon Vendee, Pug, English Setter, and Poodles.

TYPE D: Successful, Aggressive, Charming

People who have this personality type can be very successful because they are either aggressive or assertive. They put plans into action rather than dreaming or thinking about what they want to do. Type D personalities tend to be charming over-achievers. They also focus on their appearance and sex appeal a lot. They love having a good time and getting attention from the opposite sex. Type D personalities do very well with athletic and unique dog breeds. Top domestic dog breeds for this personality type are: Bloodhound, Plott Hound, German shepherd, Alaskan malamute, Akita, Golden Retrievers, Australian Cattle Dog, Beagle, Border Collie, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Trottweiler, Bull Dogs, and Brussels Griffon.

How Often Do I Wash My Dog?

This is not an easy question because each breed, of course, is different and requires separate consideration. We have raised Dalmatians for over 25 years and have some excellent experience with their needs. Many other "short hair" dogs have similar needs and characteristics. How often do I wash my dog is an important question for every dog owner for many reasons described below.

Early Training

The simplest answer for washing a dog is - teach them early! We have raised most of our Dals from pups. You probably know you wash and groom your dog as frequently as their level of activity demands. Dalmatians are very active so they get a more frequent - as much as weekly - washing. You better believe that requires some training. So the first thing part of the answer to How often do I wash and groom my dog is in the training. The more enjoyable it is for you and your dog - the more agreeable to a necessary frequency you will have.

There are many owners that don't have a reasonable schedule for washing and grooming their dog. We have to remember the obvious, your dog cannot just stay clean on his or her own. They may be capable of cleaning themselves to a certain degree, they still need more help.

So your early schedule should be no more than on a two week cycle until you have established an acceptable routine.

Routine Schedule

We start out with the puppy as soon as weaned. Most of us are families and use the family bath. We have a detachable shower head that hangs down almost to the base of the tub. We put the pup in the center of the tub and let the water "flow" over their feet, legs and then their back. Expect a lot of excitement early on. But be patient. Puppies are generally very active. They are also very trainable when done firmly and with purpose. We simply put our hand on the puppy's back and hold him close the tub.

A few "tussels" and all of our kids have gotten the message. Winston, today actually hops into the tub now! Believe me, when he started he was looking for any way out - fast. It just takes time. So training is the first ingredient.

Maybe you need some motivation to wash and groom your dog every week or every two weeks. It is that two week cycle that we draw the line. So how often do I wash my dog is a critical question. After that, their skin seems to draw dirt and the ever present doggy smell starts to assert itself.

This Routine Will Encourage Good Physical and Mental Health - For You Both!

Washing and grooming your dog encourages health of its skin and coat. Regular brushing and grooming is also important. These two regular regimens encourage new hair, remove the old or loose hair, invigorate blood flow and help encourage muscle development and maintenance.

A dog's skin is an organ just as important as its heart or lungs. That organ needs regular attention and care to ensure it is clear and free of obstructions. It has to be able to throw off toxins and other normal waste in order to maintain a health body circulation. Washing the outside is like the body working on the inside to flush out toxins through the kidneys.

If you think of it that way - it makes perfect sense to wash them as frequently as needed to keep them clean. This is because clean equals healthy. There are a number of soaps at the pet's store. Look for one that is gentle and has a mild scent. If you have more than one dog - be sure to wash them both at the same time. Trust me, I learned early that will make a big difference in their "social interaction".

Washing and grooming your dog will ensure that your dog stays in good mental and physical shape. Dogs, much like people respond very well to personal and frequent attention. The washing and grooming are ideal opportunities to encourage that attachment and improve mental health for the dog and the owner as well.

Washing and grooming also discourages the development of problems that lead to illness, infection and infestations of all descriptions. No need to be graphic here. Just suffice it to say - just like humans a dog will faire much better when regularly washed and groomed than if neglected or left to its own natural devices.

We are constantly concerned with keeping a clean and healthy environment for the whole family - which includes our Winston, Lady and Mia. Winston and Mia we have raised from pups. Lady came as a rescue when she was nearly 8 years old and cast off by her owner. In fact Lady was abandoned in her back yard for days. Fleas and other pests did their worst - so Lady's skin is very sensitive. We know how to be attentive - believe me. This point applies to both your dog and your home.

Gentle Conversation and Soap - Do The Trick

Finally, frequent washing and grooming cuts down on all the bills you can imagine. The vet's costs will fall - we can attest to that fact. Once we got Lady, for example, on a bi-weekly schedule, her health improved markedly. Sure there was a lot we did to improve her health, but we are convinced that the basis for the success started in the tub with our favorite dog soap, warm water and a lot of gentle conversation and encouragement. She "warmed up" to the washing in a few sessions. You can imagine her reaction to humans when she arrived in our home after weeks of maltreatment. It just took a lot of patient encouragement to overcome her fears. Now she takes to the washing much like Winston.

And that leads to the last and most important point. The whole experience of washing every two weeks has created a bond with each of our best friends that has lasted for years. There is no way to describe how much that means to us and we believe to them as well.

There you have it. Training early, routine schedule, gentle conversation and soap and patience. How often do I wash my dog becomes a secondary issue. You do it when it is necessary and the rest of the issues just seem to wash down the drain. But you need to learn as much as you can about your dog's needs.

Choosing a Dog Breed For Your Family

Every household is unique, and your new canine addition will be too. It's too easy to visit the RSPCA and fall in love, they're all so adorable! But before you leave your house, it's important to consider what kind of breed would suit your household best. How much time do you have for exercising your dog; how big is your back yard or do you live in an apartment; how much cuddling time will you have for your new friend?

My best advice - do your homework. Believe me, it will be far from boring! It's simply amazing the range of different breeds that are out there. If you abide by this first rule, you're going to meet a great new friend who's everything you wanted - and whose needs are not impossible for you to meet.

Now the fun begins, draw up six columns; time, space, activity level and temperament, health, expenses, family considerations (some of these will overlap):

Time: How much time do you have for your new pal? And you'll definitely need some - every day. Each breed requires a different amount of exercise, socialising, play and grooming. For some breeds it's a must to get down to the dog park each evening. Others love a fetching session twice a day. An Afghan hound's charming coat requires regular bathing and brushing, with techniques suited to its hair - period. And well, puppies need more...of everything! Put aside much more time and consideration in those first few months and get as much training and quality time in. Make sure you bring home a pal for whom you have the time to keep in optimum condition.

Space: Where do you live? Where will your dog live, dawn 'til dusk? Will he spend mornings and evenings inside? Will you be home or out and about with your dog most of the day? Your buddy will be sharing space with you and your family; some are better suited to being around children than others will share more in common with older folks. If you don't have a big yard, getting an active dog who requires lots of space can be a big mistake. A placid and sweet Newfoundland, though huge, would be better suited to taking up the whole rug in your apartment than a little "Speedy Gonzales" Jack Russell. Also, it's good to take some time to consider if you'll have visiting animals and what arrangements you'll need then.

Activity level & temperament of breed: Can you handle an active, determined breed or do you need a mellow pet? A gorgeous Malamute may be strong minded and a challenge to train while a Dalmatian may not be able to handle being left at home alone. A Chihuahua is likely to need heaps of attention to keep him feeling safe and calm, so if you don't have the time and devotion, a different breed may be a better match. What characteristics are you looking for in your canine companion?

Health of Breed: Some breeds may be prone to hereditary diseases or conditions. This is a much-needed consideration for your life together, as you will need to keep an eye out for symptoms of diseases and conditions that your breed is prone to. You need to be careful to check the skin of Bulldogs regularly, Collies need you to check their eyes, Mastiffs their eyelids (that they aren't rolling in), large or giant breeds in general, hip dysplasia. The list goes on so make sure you've got all the info you need to properly check the health of your new pal.

Expenses: Ahem... First up - can you afford the dog? Dogs deserve and require quality food and regular veterinarian care. Pet Health insurance can be a great option for responsible pet owners. I have policies for all my animals and it has sure shown its worth! But seriously, you can only add to your family if your budget shows you can afford it.

Chat to your local vet about the breed you're thinking of adopting and you'll be able to figure out expenses around diet, gear (a carrier, portable water bowl, etc.), regular amenities (flea and tick prevention, special shampoos) and the shots and possible problems your dog could get into (and their costs!). Estimate generously so you won't be caught out.

Family considerations: What sort of dog suits your family? Puppy or adult? Active or relaxed? Good with young children? Playful? Do you have other animals living with you?

How much shedding will work for you? Different breeds shed different amounts. You may prefer a "hairless" dog or you may enjoy really enjoy brushing your dog as a special activity that brings you closer together. Barking. Some breeds tend to vocalize quite a lot while other breeds such as the Basenji don't bark... while they do yodel. Taking the time to ensure that your new pal will check all your boxes can really pay off.

Having a Pet for Kids

You can count on fingertips the number of people who would not like to have pets at home. Those who have grown up with pets will love to have them even when they have grown up and have their own home. If you have moved into your new home and settled down, may be it is time to get a pet home.

Now comes the question as to deciding which pet you would like to bring home. You can choose from between a dog or a cat, a parakeet to love birds, a rabbit to a monkey. But then choose one keeping in mind the following factors.

Having a pet means having to spend time with the animal. They need attention as well as looking after. Who in your family has the time and is able to give attention? This is the first question you should ask yourself. Secondly does your neighborhood support residents having pets? Check it out.

Before you say yes to having a pet, you need to check your budget and financial allocation for household expenses to determine if you can afford to maintain a pet at home. This will call for quite a lot of expense in terms of food, other stuffs like shampoo, flea collar etc besides of course the cost of medical care and visits to the bet.

Depending upon the size of your home and the gardens, you should choose the kind of pet. If you are thinking of a huge dog like a Doberman or Dalmatian, then you should have a huge compound and garden space for it to roam about. If you have a small and cozy home then it is better to go for a poodle or a bulldog which is very happy with small space.

Now you have come to the last part of deciding where you wish to pick up your pet from. You can choose to buy from a pet shop or from the breeder directly. There is yet another alternative that you can buy from the local animal shelter. This has several advantages for you because the animal that comes from the shelter is already used to living with families and hence can adjust better. They are already trained and you can get to know their nature from the care taker. Lastly they would have already been vaccinated and neutered at the shelter.

One final check of your family members is required to ensure that no one has any allergy to pets, in which case you can go ahead and get your pet home right away.

A Pet is a true friend who loves you a lot without expecting anything in return from you.

Prevent Dog Heart Disease or Dog Liver Disease With Proper Dental Health

Dog Teeth and Heart Disease or Dog Liver Disease Can Be Linked

Last time we described how important "inspecting" your dog's teeth and gums was to his or her health as well as your peace of mind and wallet. After 20 years of raising our Dalmatians, we have learned a lot about critical dental care. We want to share what we have learned to help others as they care for their own "best friend". Dog teeth and heart disease and periodontal disease are linked.

Routine Veterinary Visits are Important

A cardinal rule regular vet exams. The plaque we described earlier actually turns into tartar, or calculus- quickly. Bacteria can develop, It can eat away at the teeth and gums.

Many problems like dog bad breath, dog periodontal disease, dog heart disease, oral pain and tooth loss occur. The bacteria can cause disease in the mouth, dog liver disease or heart disease in a dog.

The key here is prevention. When that does not work, early detection and correction are important. Take care of dental disease as soon as you suspect it, no matter how minor it may at first appear. Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so, work hard to prevent it!

Prevention Is the First Line of Defense

You know the steps in preventing dog dental disease. Keep a regular regimen of inspecting your dog's teeth and gums. Observe problems and attend to them early. Brush your dog's teeth. This will reduce the chance of dog heart disease or dog liver disease.

Professional Care Issues

From time to time, a professional dental cleaning may be necessary. The first time we had this done for Lady - it was a shocker - and expensive. But it was critical and we did have to have it completed. Some dogs need dental cleanings one or more times per year, while others can go longer.

The entire procedure requires the same work as you and I have at our dentists. The process usually requires a general anesthesia. With the dog sedated, the vet will clean your dog's teeth and clean the gums. That is also an excellent time to get a thorough and expert examination for problems.

Each procedure will most likely be fashioned to meet your dog's individual needs. But generally, the vet will scale and polish the teeth. The vet may find that some problems a best resolved with a tooth extraction. Your vet may even refer you to a - wait for it - a veterinary dentist for specialty procedures.

Sedation Has It's Risks

Now for the final warning. Your daily care is critical to preventing dog heart disease and dog liver disease, your wallet and even your dog's safety. You should discuss this with your vet in detail. Sedating a dog is serious and requires a vet and staff that know their responsibilities. Our experience was a real awakening for us. During her procedure, Lady was "rolled over" to get to a few teeth in one part of her mouth. Sedation relaxes many muscles in a dog - include those supporting their digestive system and stomach. The "rolling" actually twisted her stomach and caused a constriction that the vet "missed" the next day.

We picked Lady up and took her home in less than 48 hours from her procedure she swelled up and began salivating severely. It was late at night - off to the emergency vet clinic we went. Over 15 hours and a lot of very tender care were needed to save Lady. We rubbed, an sat with her for hours.

Top Five Dog Breeds for Homes with Children

Top five dog breeds for homes with children

* Beagle

* Bernese Mountain Dog

* Bichon Frise

* Bloodhound

* Boston Terrier

* Boxer

* Brittany Spaniel

* Bulldog

* Coonhound

* English Setter

* Foxhound

* Gordon Setter

* Irish Setter

* Keeshond

* Labrador Retriever

* Mastiff

* Newfoundland

* Pugs

* Samoyed

* Siberian Husky

* Springer Spaniel

* Standard Poodles

* Vizsla

With proper training of both the children and the dog, any one of the above breeds should be able to adapt without many problems. Of course, there are some individuals, both human and canine, that simply refuse to get along.

Watch for warning signs like overprotection of food, toys, bed, or an area that he has claimed as his own. Be especially careful with very young todlers that may crawl right up to the dog while it is eating. Even small dogs can leave a nasty bite on a small child. Be careful not to let children play tug of war or wrestle with dominant breeds, when the dog wins, he will feel empowered and will consider your child inferior. This may lead to more aggressive actions against your child.

Some dog breeds to avoid, or at least be wary of are listed below. Obviously there are exceptions to every breed, but research shows that the following are some of the worst breeds for homes with small children (alphabetically):

* Chihuahuas - Intolerant, especially toddlers and infants

* Chow Chows - Often bond to just one person, can be very cranky with kids

* Dachshunds - Intolerant

* Dalmatians - Too excitable, prone to jumping on and knocking down kids

* Dobermans - A dominant breed, may consider child inferior

* Giant Schnauzers - A dominant breed, may challenge even adults

* Heelers - Prone to nipping at legs and heels of children

* Lhasa Apso - Intolerant, may be intolerant of some adults too

* Malamutes - A dominant breed, may consider child inferior

* Mini Pinchers - Intolerant, fierce for their size

* Pekinese - Intolerant

* Pit Bulls - Either adore children or hate them, Powerful bite can break bones

* Rhodesian Ridgeback - A dominant breed, may consider child inferior

* Rottweiller - A dominant breed, may consider child inferiorv

* Toy Poodle - May be injured by children, may bite in self defense

These following breeds may adapt to family life but should have come with warning labels attached. Dogs chosen from these breeds should be very carefully screened individuals that were raised in homes that also had children. They should be well socialized with many children from puppyhood, and they should most definitely be obedience trained.

* Akita

* Cocker Spaniel - Inbreeding has caused personality defects in some pups

* Collie

* German Shepherd

* Golden Retriever

* Great Dane

* Great Pyrenees

* Irish Setter - Inbreeding has caused personality defects in some pups

* Irish Wolfhound

* Old English Sheepdog - Either like children or hate them

* Saint Bernard - Either like children or hate them

So which dogs are the very best breeds for homes with children?

In my opinion, there are five.

I think the very best suited for the position, is the Labrador Retriever. They are intelligent, affectionate and can take a lot of abuse from children without getting grumpy. A Lab is most likely to lie on the floor, wagging its tail, as your toddler plays his stomach as a drum set. They should receive firm obedience training, but they will make excellent pets.

Second is the Golden Retriever. They are reliable, loving and very sociable dogs that will also be able to take some rough handling from children without getting too upset.

Third is the Basset Hound. Lazy and stubborn they most certainly may be, but also very sweet and gentle. They adore children and can be very affectionate with them.

Fourth is the Beagle. They are affectionate, intelligent and lively dogs best suited for children over the age of six, but somewhat adaptable.

Fifth is the Bulldog. They can be very good with children over the age of six if the child is taught to respect them. They are generally good natured, but very strong dogs.

The best choice for young children is always going to be a puppy born and raised in a household with children. A good dog is one that already has a history of pleasant interaction with youngsters.

Introduce the dog to your children before you agree to purchase or adopt, and make sure that there aren't any personality conflicts. The dog should be attentive, loving and gentle even if the children are a little rough with their affection. If the dog or puppy plays well with your children in it's current home, it will probably play well with them in your home.

Best of luck, and happy puppy hunting!

A Guide For Parents Looking For the Perfect Family Dog

Most parents can probably expect to hear their child ask for a dog some time during their life. This can be a dreaded question, because there's a good chance your child has no idea what's involved in dog ownership. They don't consider the time and money involved, like walking the dog every day, taking it to the vet, shedding, and other problems that can cause a mess in the house, and the need for a dog sitter when your family goes on trips. In fact, many parents soon find the dog to be their responsibility! Besides paying for its needs, they have to feed it, walk it, and use that pooper scooper every day!

But if you do decide to go forward with dog ownership, there are a couple of things that you'll need to consider. First, you need to investigate the temperament and behavior of the dog you want to adopt. Remember, pets rarely come perfectly trained, especially if you plan on getting a puppy.

Let's take the example of a Lab. This larger dog is extremely active, and it needs a family that's just as high energy. The Lab is a great dog for outdoorsy types; if your family loves things like camping and hunting, then this dog would be a great match. Also a great match for the active family would be a Dalmatian. These animals were originally bred to be a working dog as carriage horses, and so they are agile with a lot of stamina. Another great match for the energetic family, and probably the most active dog around, is the Husky. Bred to race, these large, long-haired dogs are known for their athleticism. They are also stubborn without training, so before getting a Husky you need to make sure your family has the patience and dedication to train hard. On the other hand, if you do not have such an active family, then a smaller dog like the Chihuahua might be a better match. While these dogs can be wound up like any animal, they are certainly more mellow overall. They also crave attention and are territorial, which means they aren't good dogs for families with small children.

These are just some examples of common traits for dog breeds. Carefully evaluate your lifestyle and the needs of the animal before making a decision. Some dog types are also less prone to health problems, which can cut down on your vet bills. So remember, there is a lot to consider when deciding if a dog is right for your family.

But if you decide a dog isn't right for your household, there is a way to cut off any child tantrums before they start. Get them a plush dog! A plush dog is still cute, but there's no shedding, barking, biting, cleanup, or vet bills. This could also be a great "in-between" stop before making the final decision on whether or not to get a real dog. Have your kids take care of their plush pet as if it were real, giving them a chance to get used to the idea of all the responsibilities that come with dog ownership. Get them into a routine where they "feed" the dog at specific meal times and give the stuffed toy and themselves regular exercise. They'll either perform well and give you the confidence that they can handle a real dog, or they'll realize that an animal would be too much work for them. Either way its win/win, and in the meantime, you get an adorable placeholder for the real thing.

The Perfect Gifts For the Dog Lover

If you love your pup then treat him in a special way. For the dog lover, there are many dog gifts that you can give to your pup to make him feel good and love you just a little bit more. Dogs are not hard to please whether you have a Maltese, Shih Tzu, Rottweiler, cocker spaniel or a golden retriever, every type of dog breed will fall in love with these types of doggie lover dog gifts. You will find gifts for a variety of price ranges.

For the dog lover, you have many selections to choose from when it comes to dog gifts. There are even specially made dog gifts for the dog lover such as yourself. Many doggies love the smell of a new treat. There are a variety of flavored dog treats that you can purchase for your dog as a dog gift. Dog owners know how much their pride and joy will love to nibble on these treats. Some treats come in the following variety of flavors: chicken, bacon, duck and cow ears.

There are many types of gifts that the dog lover can purchase for his pup. These gifts can include dog beds, dog clothes, dog toys and chews, dog grooming kits and much more. These items come in large and small sizes. They can also be gifted to your dog whenever you deem it right to give him a special treat for the day. Sometimes you don't even need a special occasion to find a doggie gift.

Nevertheless, sometimes for all of the hard work that owners put in to taking care of their dog, there are specific gifts just for dog lovers. If you have a friend or relative that loves dogs and you are looking for a gift, purchase a gift just for dog lovers. One of the most popular gifts is a t shirt with the dog owner's dog of choice on it with a cute logo such as "Got Dalmatians" or I Heart Shih Tzu's. These are one of the most popular types of gifts specifically for people that real love dogs.

Such brands that are available for these comfortable and special t shirts include the following dog breeds: Dalmatians, Airedale Terrier, Cane Corso, Pit Bull, Poodle, Corgi, Pomeranian, Basset Hound, Australian Sheppard, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Greyhound, cocker spaniel, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, golden retriever, Saint Bernard, Scottish Terrier, Mastiff, Old English Sheepdog, Yorkshire Terrier, Sussex Spaniel and many, many more.

People who love their dogs want to express their appreciation for their pet. Therefore, they use every chance they can to express it. You will notice great gifts include jewelry. Such jewelry pieces that you can find include bracelets, necklaces, earrings, belt buckles, broaches, pins, pendants, rings, hair clips and much more. They also adorn your favorite dog.

Another great gift that dog lover's love are garden statues and figurines of their favorite furry friend. Some of these statues are very life like and are used as indoor statures. They are made of porcelain and painted exquisitely to look life like. They are then finished in a shiny finish. Others for the garden are made of stone which can resist the harsh weather much better.

If you love dogs or you are looking for gifts for someone who does the choices are endless. Such examples include aprons, calendars, clocks, towels, coasters, key chains, stationary, flags, picture frames, cosmetic bags, candles, pillows, playing cards, pajamas, and cookie jars. They also have a variety of prices so you can find one that fits your budget and you can pick up these gifts online or at pet stores.

Proven Strategies for Dissolving Urate Bladder Stones in Dogs

Ammonium urate stones are the most common type of urolith/bladder stone in dogs. Risk factors for their formation include internal and external factors.

Foods-those high in purines contribute to the formation of these stones because purines are a precursor to uric acid. Any type of meat is higher in purines than vegetarian sources, with organ meats and yeast having the highest amount of purines. Dry kibble is more likely to contribute to stone formation than canned food. Higher amount of protein also increase the formation of stones. Puppy foods are higher in protein than adult foods, and the incidence of urate bladder stones in dogs with liver shunts is common in dogs less than one year of age.

Risk factors increase in male dogs of certain breeds, eg. dalmatians, English bulldogs, miniature schnauzers, yorkshire terriers and shih tzus. Liver disease, especially when bile acid results are elevated, increases the likelihood that a dog will form urate stones. For example, dogs with portosystemic shunts or hepatic microvascular dysplasia are at increased risk for forming urate bladder stones. When fed a meat-based protein, levels of uric acid increase and subsequently ammonia also increases and urinary pH becomes more acidic.

I've had many dogs with severe liver problems whose bladder stones have been dissolved. Augie is an 18 month old, four pound yorkie with a presumed liver shunt that was surrendered to our rescue. Previously, he had multiple seizures and bladder stone surgery when he was 13 months old. His owners did not provide any type of prescription food or liver support supplements, and at the time of his surrender, he already had a conglomeration of bladder stones that measured about 2.5 mm to 5 mm.

His post bile acids were around 250 and he was placed on prescription food, (low protein/vegetarian) with water added, multiple small meals and given PediaSure Vanille with fiber mixed with water to increase hydration. Within about 6 weeks, his bladder stone had dissolved completely. Liver support supplements and probiotics were an important component to his bladder stone dissolution. Azodyl, a probiotic for kidney failure, also decreases ammonia and normalizes the urea cycle. Another probiotic that decreases ammonia is VSL3. Zinc is also important in stone dissolution. One vet had also recommended the use of Actigall, a prescription liver antioxidant usually used in dogs with gall bladder problems. The low purine food that he is on, combined with supplements, should prevent the formation of further urate stones by controlling the amount of urice acid in his system.

Another foster dog, a 5 month old maltese puppy, already had a 3mm bladder stone. Within 3 weeks, when he had his liver shunt surgery, this stone had dissolved (verified with ultrasound). He had been on similar prescription food and supplements.

I've been taking care of dogs with liver disease for about 5 years and had success managing symptoms of liver disease and dissolving bladder stones. I'm not a veterinarian or nutritionist but have lots of hands-on experience and have researched liver disease. The prescription food and medications have to be obtained from your veterinarian, and any suggestions checked with them.

Ten Tips For Choosing the Perfect Dog

Dogs can help teach us, and our children, compassion, love, and friendship. The right dog for you will be a true friend who will stay by your side throughout all of life's troubles.

Choosing a special dog that fits your lifestyle can be a long, difficult process. These tips are designed to help guide you through the difficult decisions you need to make in as easy and fun a way as possible.

The most important stage in getting a dog is determining what you want in a dog, and what kind of dog fits in well with your family.

Don't buy from a pet store! A large number of pet stores sell dogs from puppy mills - horrible places where dogs are bred in huge numbers with little regard for their health or socialization.

Research any potential breeder carefully! There are a lot of disreputable breeders out there who are in it for the money. Don't ever buy from a breeder who refuses to show you his breeding facility, or who only seems interested in getting your money.

Some of the best dogs come from shelters and rescues. It's a myth that all dogs in shelters and rescues are someone's problem dog. For the most part, dogs of all ages are surrendered through no fault of their own (allergies, divorce, moving abroad, and, often, an owner who didn't carefully weigh all the work involved in having a dog).

People trying to sell you a puppy will tell you that a puppy with purebred papers is of better quality than a puppy without papers. This isn't necessarily true. Registration simply means that the puppy's parents are members of a recognized breed, and that the puppy's ancestry is of the same breed over many generations. Purebred registration does not mean that a puppy is of breeding quality, healthier than a non-registered puppy, more intelligent than a non-registered puppy, or an example of an excellent temperament.

Getting a non-shedding or short-haired dog does almost nothing to reduce asthmatic or allergic reactions, since all dogs have the proteins in dog skin, saliva, dander, and even dog urine that cause problems. There are some non-allergenic breeds of dogs, however, that produce fewer of these irritating proteins.

Extremely popular or trendy breeds or cross breeds, such as Labridoodles, Malti-Poos, and even Dalmatians, tend to attract bad breeders that are only in the business to make money. These disreputable breeders may cut corners on the health and socialization of your puppy, so be especially careful to buy these trendy breeds or cross breeds from a reputable breeder.

The best way to determine what a puppy will be like as an adult is to see the puppy's parents. This is true for both purebreds and mixed breed dogs.

You should never give a puppy as a gift!Animal shelters are flooded after Christmas with dogs that were given as gifts. A puppy is an enormous decision that requires a lot of commitment and time.

Spay or neuter your dog! It's a myth that spaying or neutering makes dogs fat and lazy. Most dogs are overweight because they're fed too much, and not exercised enough. Each year in the United States between three and four million animals are euthanized. Spaying or neutering is an important step in reducing the number of unwanted dogs that end up at animal shelters.