Archives for March, 2008
From a fast food spokesman to a constant companion of female celebrities, Chihuahuas have not only been around for a long time but have also been in the public eye as well. The dog is known primarily for its very small stature (known as the smallest dog in the world) and comes in both short and long haired varieties. Chihuahua puppies are often snatched up quite quickly when advertised due to their popularity with both children and adults alike. Despite a reputation for being temperamental,
Chihuahuas have a high aptitude and can be trained quite easily.The health problems faced by Chihuahuas are shared with a number of other varieties of smaller
dog breeds. Chihuahuas are prone to suffer from hydrocephalus as well as hypoglycemia. Due to the large eyes that the breed possesses, it is not uncommon for them to suffer from chronic eye infections.
From the time they are puppies it is most important to pay a great deal of attention to the eating habits of a Chihuahua. Their food intake must be moderated as an overweight Chihuahua can suffer from many joint and bone issues as well as collapse of the trachea and even bronchitis. Chihuahuas are also quite picky regarding the food they choose to eat, so they are equally at risk of becoming malnourished due to failure to consume the proper amount of nutrients.
Due to many factors, the life expectancy of a Chihuahua is hard to narrow down. It is not uncommon for one of these breeds to pass on as early as eight years of age or as advanced as twenty years old. With proper care and lots of love, Chihuahuas can stay active members of their family’s lives for many many years.
Mar 11, 2008 | | About Dogs
After a year of speculation, former New Jersey Councilman Robert McCann is charged with animal abuse. McCann is accused of keeping his Labradour Retriever chained up in 15 degree weather while it gave birth to a litter of 15 puppies. Only five of the puppies survived the birth process and they along with the former councilman’s dog have since been placed with approved of families.
Mar 11, 2008 | | Animal Abuse
There is a big reason that when many people see an advertisement claiming
Shih Tzu puppies for sale, they perk up and take notice. Shih Tzus have been one of the more popular breeds of dogs for many centuries. They not only have a unique appearance, but they also have a unique history and character.The Shih Tzu breed of dog originated in China and is distinguishable by its long flowing hair and its short stature (fully grown, they stand between 8” and 11” tall). Known also as the Chrysanthemum Dog for their facial appearance resembling the famed flower, DNA analysis has proven Shih Tzus to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs we have.
The life span of a typical Shih Tzu is 11 to 14 years and as a breed they experience few health problems when compared to most other breeds of dogs. Most of the standard health problems suffered by Shih Tzus involve their facial structure and how it affects their ability to drink properly. It is best to monitor the dogs while they drink from time to time as water can enter their nose and impact their breathing ability. Shih Tzus are sensitive to high temperatures and because of this, many airlines will not ship them in their planes.
A couple benefits that Shih Tzus have is that they do not shed and are hypoallergenic, so people with dog allergies have been known to own these dogs and not suffer any symptoms. With proper care from the puppy stage onward, these dogs can bring many years of enjoyment to a family.
Mar 11, 2008 | | About Dogs
Sometimes at the whim of the owner and sometimes as a requirement to specific duties a dog may have related to law enforcement or guide services they perform, there are advanced commands that a dog may be required to learn. Working dogs are dogs that their handlers depend on to perform needed tasks, true obedience is a must in a working dog.
Advanced Dog Obedience Commands:
STEADY – The dog stays near by, it is allowed to walk freely but not run off on its own.
STOP – The dog immediately stops what it is doing and depending on method, will either lay down, sit or remain standing.
STAND – The dog stands still until released or given another command.
BACK UP – The dog retreats from its position.
GROWL/ADVANCE – The dog is commanded to make aggressive movements or noises to show security or intimidation.
DROP – The dog drops whatever it has in its mouth.
GIVE – The dog releases whatever is in its mouth into the handler’s hand.
LEAVE IT – The dog does not pick up an item it may have if the command had not been given.
TAKE IT/GET IT – The dog picks up a toy or treat on command.
ROLL OVER – The dog lies down and rolls over and then stands back up.
ATTACK – A dog will attack something or someone.
SPEAK – A dog will bark one or more times based on their training.
GO TO BED/GET IN/KENNEL – The dog will retreat to its normal sleeping area or crate and remain there until released.
A dog that has mastered even some of these advanced commands is a dog that can truly be taken anywhere without much fear of a bad reaction to either dangers in the area or crowds of people. An obedient dog is a joy to be around.
Take a look at the basic dog obedience commands.
Mar 10, 2008 | | Obedience
Coming out of the winter months, it is normal I guess to think of stretching our legs and getting away from home. There are many enticing destinations to go to around the country and world, and many ways to experience them in completely different ways. One way to have a completely out of this world experience is by doing something that a lot of people overlook.
Even with the world being so small these days because of the comparative ease of travel compared to decades earlier, the remoteness of Alaska remains both beautiful and mysterious. The frigid Arctic Ocean, the beautiful glacial views, the quaint fishing villages, Alaska has much to offer as a tourist destination. Many people who have visited our northernmost state say that there is only one way to go… by cruise ship. Alaska luxury cruise packages offer some of the most exciting travel options around. Not to mention the incredible views of this state’s natural wonders, views you wouldn’t see by airplane.
When you combine the complete luxury of your cruise ship with the scenery of one of the most expansive and beautiful places you’ll ever visit you’ll see why very few people come back from a cruise to Alaska disappointed. When you use TravelStoreUSA.com or CruiseLocators.com to book your cruise, all the worrisome details are taken care of for you. There is nothing left for you to do but sit back, allow yourself to be pampered with luxury, and enjoy an exotic location that many travelers overlook.
Mar 10, 2008 | | Recommendations
The beagle has been a mainstay on the American pet scene for years. Any visit to your local pet store is sure to reveal a fine looking beagle puppy. Just what is it about these dogs that makes them so endearing?Though originating as a breed in the United Kingdom, the beagle has long been one of the most popular
dog breeds in the United States. The breed as it is known today began to take shape in the early to mid 1800s and was well established on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean by the turn of the century. Though popular for quite some time in the United States, the beagle didn’t reach its peak of popularity until the 1950s.The beagle has also proven itself valuable as a work dog with many people describing its highly developed sense of smell being second only to that of the bloodhound. The breed was originally developed as a hunting dog, with its specialty being the tracking and hunting of rabbits. With the decline in the popularity of rabbit hunting, so came the decline in the use of the beagle as a hunting dog.
Beagles remain one of the more intelligent dog breeds and can be trained fairly easily.Like many breeds with longer floppier ears, beagles can be susceptible to ear infections because of moisture being trapped in the ear canal. Beagles can also be affected by a number of different eye conditions, though none are extremely serious and most can be corrected with surgery. Beagles are meant to be active dogs and if not given time for activity may grow obese as they tend to eat whenever given the opportunity. With proper care beagle puppies can live to their full life expectancy of 11-13 years.
The beagle remains one of the more popular dog breeds and because of its intelligence, ease of training, and overall appeal will remain so for the foreseeable future.
Mar 10, 2008 | | About Dogs
Read about how one woman from Illinois has taken her job as a licensed humane officer and used it to its fullest powers. She not only delivers food to owners who cannot properly take care of their pets, but she goes after the bad guys too. She has broken up what was at the time the state’s largest dog fighting ring. She has recently been involved in the rescue of almost fifty feces covered dogs from a puppy mill operating in her jurisdiction. She has gone above and beyond the call to do her best to make sure that animals are treated humanely. We should all acknowledge people like this, they are the unheard of heroes that rarely get mentioned whenever there is an article regarding the arrest of animal abusers.
Mar 09, 2008 | | Animal Abuse, Dog Topics In The News
With EasyAsMyPC.com, it is so easy to put together your own computer that even your dog could do it… well, almost.
EasyAsMyPC not only offers all the information you need regarding building your own computer (DIY computer building information is one of their specialties), but if you want to take the next step and put this information into practice… they even offer computer kits that are ready for assembly by you. Their PC kits are so easy because of their well explained directions (complete with tons of illustrations) that almost anyone with a screwdriver shouldn’t have too much problem building their own computer.
Just think when friends and family ask where you got that new computer, imagine their reaction when you calmly reply: “Oh, I built it”.
EasAsMyPC.com also offers simple upgrade kits so that you can upgrade your existing computer, check out all they have to offer today!
Mar 08, 2008 | | Recommendations
Why We Should Stay Informed Regarding The Healthcare Of Dogs
When a family brings a brand new puppy into their life, it is easy to be so overwhelmed with this new little animal that we don’t think of the things that can happen down the road. Dogs bring so much enjoyment into our lives and become such a part of our family that when they become seriously ill, we sometimes don’t know how to respond. Proper health care for your dog starts with your veterinarian, but there are other health options to explore on your own as well. The more informed you are on the particulars of your dog’s health, the more help you will be to both your dog and your dog’s vet.
Some illnesses dogs can obtain are:
Dog Cushings Disease
Dog Kidney Disease
Dog Liver Disease
These are just examples of the health setbacks that can attack your dog, there are many others. Like our own health, if we stay informed on medications and treatments for different illnesses, then we are better equipped to tackle them when they arise.
The joy a healthy dog can bring into our lives is sometimes immeasurable. Their playfulness, healing abilities, bravery, and loyalty should be rewarded by taking proper care of them when they become ill.
Mar 05, 2008 | | Health
Moving Problems? Consider Them Solved!
Whether you have a dog, cat or any number of other pets or not… there are few bigger inconveniences than moving to a different home, especially when there is a long distance involved. Many of these problems can be solved just by having the correct information and reliable people lined up before the day of your move.
Whether your particular circumstances involve out-of-state moving, car shipping, international relocation, or pretty much anything else, your problems can be alleviated by checking out the valuable information at Relocation.com. Relocation.com provides tons of moving and relocating information in an easy-to-use and easy-to-find format. If you’re moving soon, you should really check them out.
Don’t let all the small tasks involved with relocating to a new area bog your life down, let someone else handle the details… you just pay attention to the more important things like your family, your pets, your job, and your new home.
Mar 02, 2008 | | Recommendations
