Dog Breeds - What's Popular For Children

No doubt the number one best dog breed for children hands down, would have to be, you guessed it, Labrador Retriever. The Labrador is well accepted because of its good nature. It is not generally aggressive or hyper. It is playful, easy-going, patient, and intelligent. No wonder it is loved by both young and old. Because of its mild manner, it is first choice in working with the handicapped. It is has desire to please as if it knows its purpose. The Lab is also a great pick if you have other pets. They are very accommodating. A well taken care of Lab can live up to 13 years. In order to reduce boredom in these dogs, they should be kept active. These dogs love playing in the yard or taking walks.

Number two on the list is the Golden Retriever. They are similar to the Lab in their personality. They are also mild mannered, kind and they enjoy being around people. They too are a top pick for working with the handicapped as well as the elderly. They too get along with other pets. These dogs are intelligent and easy to train. Playing fetch is a favorite game for them. Because of their playful nature, this breed of dog would be great for an older child who likes to be active outdoors. Regular grooming is required because of their long hair.

The next pick is the Beagle. Even though they have a baying bark, they are not aggressive dogs. What their barking is saying is that they make great watch dogs. Beagles have a friendly demeanor about them. Their tails seem to be in an unending wagging motion. Because friendliness comes natural with them, they do not like to be left alone. They become bored when left by themselves for long periods. They are a great pick for smaller children because of their smaller size.

Another great dog pick for children is the Basset Hound. They are most generally docile, yet they're known for their stubbornness. They are also known for their gentleness and are very sweet by nature. They're great with children of all ages and enjoy attention from them.

The German shepherd is another pick. Again, these are probably best for older children who enjoy playing outdoors. Because of their strength and size, they are not always suitable for younger children. German Shepherds are known for their loyalty. Police often use this type of dog for search and rescue missions. They are protective by nature and are quite tolerant. It's best to start training these dogs as pups. Without training, they can be difficult when they mature.

The black and white spotted Dalmatian is associated with fire trucks, but for families, a Dalmatian would be a trusted friend. They are very outgoing dogs with more energy than we can imagain. Dalmatians need companionship from humans.

The Bearded Collie is another great pick. These are active dogs and generly do best outdoors. They like to have open space to run and play, so being confined to an apartment would not suit these dogs. The Bearded Collie is known for its bounce. This dog is very playful and happy. They like to be around people and do not hide their excitement of being around you. Female Collie's tend to be calmer, while males are more rambunctious.

Then there's the American Cocker Spaniel. They are sensitive and sweet dogs. They are generally obedient to their master and enjoy the attention of children. They are definitely a people friendly dog.

Cockapoos not only are good around children, but they get on with other pets as well. They do not need a lot of space. Apartment life is OK with them.

In choosing the right dog for your family, always remember that there are always exceptions to the rules. Each dog is an individual, and why for the most part certain breeds are more children friendly, you should always be cautious with your child around unknown dogs.

Dalmatian: The Popular Working Dog

A Dalmatian is a breed of dog known for its black spots which cover its white coat. In the United States, Dalmatians are often portrayed as firehouse dogs.

A popular breed, Dalmatians are midsized, muscular and have great endurance. Dalmatians' coats are dense, short and very fine. The base color of this breed is white, with round spots in black or brown. A Dalmatians feet are small and round and their nails are either the same color of their spots or white. The color of their nose also depends on the color of the spots that they have. The eyes of a Dalmatian share an intelligent expression and are either brown or blue. The ears are high and thin and are close to the dog's head. Spots on Dalmatians come later, as Dalmatian puppies are born fully white.

The Dalmatian breed was named after Dalmatia, an area in the Venetia Republic, in the 18th century. The breed's origin is not known for sure, but it is believed to be either Yugoslavia, Egypt, Greece, or Rome.

At 22 to 24 inches tall and about 55 pounds, the dog breed is known for being a working dog. Although not specialized in one area, often Dalmatians herded and hunted. It was also used as a carriage dog - a type of dog who used to run next to a carriage and clear the way, help control horses and to guard the carriage. With training, Dalmatians can gain a high level of obedience.

As past history of being a carriage dog shows, the Dalmatian breed is active and needs exercise. Though they may be too rough and big for younger kids, they are good companions for teens with their playful attitude. They need companionship and affection too, as they can become depressed. Dalmatians are known as having good memories and being loyal and kind.

Unfortunately, some Dalmatians (about 10%) tend to have hereditary deafness, which is somewhat common in all-white breeds. There is a strong relationship between blue eyes and deafness, too. The average lifespan of a Dalmatian is 10 to 12 years. Dalmatians also suffer from a lack of uricase, an enzyme which breaks down uric acid. Without this enzyme, uric acid can cause bladder stones or gout, as it builds up in joints. To reduce the likelihood of stones, owners should not feed Dalmatians organ meats.

The Dalmatian breed got very popular after the 1956 novel "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" and the Disney animated film with the same name. Sadly, some owners bought Dalmatians because of the film but were unaware of the high amount of exercise that Dalmatians need. Dalmatians even like to swim, but owners must be careful as wet ears can cause an ear infection.

Although they are easy to keep breed, Dalmatians need to be frequently brushed to deal with the constant shedding. Their nails also need to be kept trimmed as they tend to grow quickly. However, they only needs baths when necessary as they have no doggy odor and like to stay clean.

A Short History of the Popular Dog Breed - Dalmatians

First references to Dalmatians as a breed of dogs are found in history since mid 18th century. However, the breed was well known throughout the world long before the 18th century. Spotted dogs of the same size and type have been found in paintings, engravings, models and early writings. These dogs were commonly found in Africa, Asia and Europe. These dogs probably accompanied ancient gypsies, which can explain their vast spread and popularity. The term Dalmatians is derived from the place of origin of the dogs, a region known as Dalmatia. Dalmatia is located in the Adriatic region in Western Yugoslavia.

Although a favorite pet of man since ancient times, Dalmatians became truly famous after the elite class of Great Britain brought them home. The upper class of the British society used to tour Europe in the 18th century. They often brought back these spotted dogs. The breed attracted attention of the masses due to its striking looks. The English aristocracy used the Dalmatians to accompany their horse drawn carriages. They were placed below the rear axle of the coach. They also trotted below the pole separate the two horses. Many a times, they led the procession by trotting ahead the horse up front. Such impressive sights and feats drew the attention of the public and made the breed even more popular.

Another reason why Dalmatians are very popular is that they are firehouse dogs. Dalmatians were used in 18th century England as ratters. They were experts in locating and killing the rats that infested the stables and firehouses of London. The Dalmatians loved horses and fire engines and their role expanded to include racing along with or ahead of the fire engines when the alarm was sounded. The dogs became associated with fire engines and firemen. Even today, you can find many Dalmatians ride on fire trucks. They are still considered as mascots of firemen and are found in the firehouses in Great Britain, United States and other countries as well.

Dalmatians captured the hearts of the public by performing their duties with diligence and dedication during the war times. Dalmatians were preferred for sentinel duty during the wars. They also served as draft dogs and dogs for the shepherds.

Dalmatians are very commonly used in circus shows. Dalmatians are intelligent animals and have the aptitude for learning tricks. Their showy appearance also makes them very popular. They are used as assistants for the clowns. Needless to say, they are a hit with children.

Some tips for feeding your adult Dalmatian dog

Given below are some tips and guidelines related to the diet of adult Dalmatians. These tips and guidelines are the result of various researches conducted over the years.

One should not feed any organ meat such as liver, sweetbreads, brains, kidneys or any such organ in any form to the adult Dalmatian. Organ meat should not be given raw or cooked or as an ingredient in any food or snack.

One should not feed any game meat such as venison or elk meat in any form.