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.

Tips on Finding the Right Dog For You

Most of the time there is a wide selection of dogs to decide on from. So many you may not know where to begin! What is the right way to choose a dog that will best suit you and your family?

Look For Excellent Health

Regardless of whatever breed you decide on, you should focus on the health of the dog. It is sad to contemplate, but its true. There are lots of unhealthy dogs that are bred by unscrupulous breeders, so you need to be sure. Pups need to be full of vitality and have no problems moving around. A healthy dog usually has a wet nose and bright eyes. Should you see a dog on its own among others then don't be tempted to really feel sorry for it - chances are that it can have developmental or other health issues and also you will be the one who has to put up with them to the rest of their life.

What Size?

Among the easiest ways to begin narrowing down your choices, even earlier than picking a breed, are to determine the size of dog you want. This are going to depend on many elements such as the best way a lot space you have at home, if you have a yard or not and also your budget for pet food.

For example, a small apartment will be no area to reside for a big breed like the German Shepherd. On the other hand, it could be likely best for a dog such as the Belgian Griffon (the same breed witnessed in the Jack Nicholson movie, "As Excellent As It Gets").

What Breed?

Man has created hundreds of unique dog breeds for highly precise uses over the decades. As a result, every single breed carries a slightly distinct temperament. You would do really well to do research on a few breeds you might have in mind. For example, some dogs are amazing with infants whereas other breeds may possibly be best with a solitary adult companion.

In addition, diverse breeds have various wants. Some may perhaps want normal grooming whereas others might not. Be sure to investigate the most widespread complications for a offered breed also - pedigree dogs frequently have trouble that are different to that breed. As an example, did you understand that loads of Dalmatians have hearing situations and in addition frequently get kidney and bladder stones?

Once you have done your research and narrowed down the list of breeds you are interested in, the absolute best place for you to go is a dog show. This is not because you want a show dog, but because you want the BEST dog you can find.

You may not be aware of this, but all dog breeds have formalized "standards" that are used to judge show dogs. Some breeds specify colors and some size, or even the length of the tail! What you will find is that just about every litter a show breeder has will have a few "pet" quality pups. This does not mean they aren't as good as the other pups. It just means they don't conform to the standard so they can't be shown. You can usually buy pups like these for a lot less than you would think and probably less than a pet store would charge. One thing to be aware of, however, is that most breeders selling "pet" pups will require you to neuter the animal as part of the deal.

Think about this: no matter what dog you choose in a given breed, they will all cost you about the same amount in the long run. The food will cost the same won't it? Grooming and equipment will probably cost the same. The only thing that is different is the up front cost of purchasing the dog. So by looking at a show breeders pet pups, you can get a pup you KNOW has been taken care of, and you can often see both parents. If you get a pet somewhere else, even if you save money on the purchase price, you may spend a lot more than that later on in vet bills when you find out that the dog has health problems.

So search the internet for listings of shows coming up in your area and find out what times the breeds you are interested in will show. Go in and meet some breeders and ask who has, or will have, pups.

What Age?

Several people prefer to buy only puppies, especially families with children. Still, you should consider older dogs, particularly those that are currently homeless. Many of the breed dog clubs in each metro area have rescue organizations for dogs of that breed that temporarily do not have a place to live. This can be because of medical emergency with their former owners or even death.

The saying "you cannot teach an old dog new tricks" might be incorrect. Whilst it might be harder to train an older dog its by no means impossible or even challenging. The training practice is for the most part very similar, regardless of how old the dog is.

Queer Eye for the Bible Guy

I understand that Saturday afternoon is the equivalent of Chernobyl for television and cable stations. Just after the last Saturday morning cartoon finishes and before the game there is absolutely nothing on. So I can understand how something like "Bibleman" oozed its way onto the air. What I didn't know was that "Bibleman" has been around for at least ten years. And to be honest with you, I could of slept better at night if I had remained oblivious to this fact.

I don't care if there are shows out there preaching to people. I don't have anything against religion. You have the right to say what you're going to say, and I have the right to turn that channel faster than "Stella" flopped. Just don't tell Comedy Central about that last part. They still cling to the idea that Michael Ian Black is funny. We will also ignore the fact that the people behind "Bibleman" and their fans would possibly have the FCC and conservative Republicans crush our secular programming than flip the channel themselves. In the case of "Bibleman" though, I don't think these people should be let off the hook.

I wouldn't mind the show if it had some balls. You know, make Bibleman a raging alcoholic with a dingy office next to a strip club, and have episodes with him going into hell every so often to slap Hitler and Stalin around with his penis. Instead you've got some old guy running around in a suit that looked like it was inspired by an acid induced viewing of "Robocop." Instead of saying things like "I'm going to rip your heart out and eat it for Jesus", you get lines like "Bibleman is victim of a plot to make him disobey god!" And while that line may make George Bush Jr. clap his hands in delight, it makes the rest of us wretch.

Even the villains, the sign of a great superhero show, are as bad as the poorly written, self-important hate mail I sometimes get. Instead of Satan, complete with thirty heads and a Boston Red Sox cap, we have this guy who looks like a gay version of the Borg from Star Trek. How do we know he's gay? Because of his mannerisms, his constant attempts to give fashion advice to Bibleman, and a quick cut to Bibleman in bondage having something awkward done to him during an episode with this character. Not to mention on the Bibleman website all of his villains are described as "flamboyant." What kind of message are we being sent from this show? That muscular men in purple suits can beat up gay people in homoerotic encounters because the Bible says he can?

The theme song is on par with a high pitch squeal on repeat for eternity. And we know how enjoyable that is. Not only does the theme song suck, but also "Bibleman" again pumps the "Star Trek" well by ripping off the transporters. He even goes the extra mile and rips off George Lucas's light saber for his weapon. The creators of the show were smart enough to not use the Star Wars sound effect. But they might as well use it at this rate. Do you really think George Lucas is going to pick a fight with Jesus Christ in the media?

Not only is Bibleman a homophobe, he's also an out and out racist. His partner Cipher is black, and every time Cipher says something Bibleman blows him off or just repeats what Cipher just said as his own idea. This doesn't add to the "comedy" of the show. It is another example of a white man ripping off a black man's good ideas. And to make matters worse, Bibleman went out and found a Latino girl to be Bible girl. Who, you guessed it, acts like a stereotypical Latino woman. Don't you love how loving and accepting the producers of this show are?

The rampant product placement in this show is outrageous. Almost every scene somehow manages to include a shot of Bibleman's own bible, which you can probably purchase if you look hard enough. Where does the money go for this bible? Not to a charity for blind orphans! Not to animal shelters for Dalmatians after the Disney craze ended! I wish the producers of this show would create a fund for people who accidentally watched episodes of "Bibleman" and had a stroke.

This whole show smacks of low profile and low cost management. Do you know who Bibleman is? No! Of course not. Because you have s former cocaine addict, Willie Aames as Bibleman. Some of you might know Mr. Aames as "Buddy" from "Charles in Charge." And what did Aames do after his fifteen minutes were up beating up gay people, doing blow, and preaching about Jesus in this show? He went on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club. The producers could have gone for a star, or at least someone who seriously believed the stuff they were spewing on the show. Instead they gave us "Buddy." I wonder what Charles thinks about all this?

The bottom line here is that a show that promotes racism, intolerance, includes product placement for something that is supposed to be free (the Bible), and sucks harder than a late night meal at Dennys. It is a total disservice to the religion, and I even argue the show makes Jerry Falwell appealing. Nothing this bad should be allowed on television.