Archives for About Dogs category
An Old Favorite: The Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is one of the all-time favorite breed of dogs. Golden Retrievers are popular with hunters and families alike. These noble dogs have a reputation as being one of the most gentle and friendly dogs in the world. The Golden Retriever is truly one the great dogs in the world.
Because of its gentle demeanor, Golden Retrievers have long been a popular choice by parents every where as family pets. Their overall nice behavior, high intelligence, and friendliness make them the perfect pet for children. The only strike against a Golden Retriever as a family pet is that they are not necessarily the best dogs in terms of property security. It has often been said that a Golden Retriever will behave almost as well for an intruder as it does for its family.
Golden Retrievers were bred specifically as hunting dogs. The soft mouth they possess was one of the key points of the breeding so they would not damage small ground animals or waterfowl while retrieving them for the hunter who shot them. Some of the same characteristics that make Golden Retrievers good hunting dogs also make them good guide dogs, illegal drug detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
Because of their versatile use as family pets, hunting dogs and work dogs, Golden Retriever puppies remain some of the most sought after puppies on the market.
Based on their traits and demeanor, the Golden Retriever will remain one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the world for the foreseeable future.
Apr 17, 2008 | | About Dogs
The History Of The Pit Bull
There is a stigma against the Pit Bull as a breed due to numerous reports of attacks against humans, both adult and children. But, where did this dog come from?
The predecessors of the modern pit bull are the bulldogs and terriers of England. The dogs were originally intended for the ferreting out and killing of rats and other vermin. Once the sport of dog fighting gained in popularity, the bulldog was crossed with different English terrier breeds in an attempt to breed a dog exhibiting both aggressive and intelligent traits.
In the mid 1800s, when immigration from Europe to America hit its height, many people from England brought their pets with them to their new country. Mainly settling in the northeast, the pit bull was bred to be bigger and stronger and eventually developed into what is now referred to as the American Pit Bull Terrier. Because of their breeding as both intelligent and aggressive, pit bulls were seen as great family pets because they could bond with their owners and play with the children but also be called on to protect the family when danger approached.
In the early 1900s, the pit bull was such a popular breed of dog that it was actually featured on the cover of Life Magazine three times. The pit bull also appeared prominently on numerous patriotic posters and flyers during World War I encouraging the United States to get involved in the war or to buy war bonds. One of the most famous pit bulls ever was “Pete the Pup” from the Our Gang films (later, Little Rascals). It wasn’t until the 1970s and then 1980s that the stigma of dog vs. human attacks brought the pit bull out of favor with the American public.
A 2000 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association contended that roughly 50% of all dog attacks that resulted in fatalities involved either pit bulls or rottweillers. A later study involving attacks in both Canada and the United States that was published in 2007 shows the pit bull alone as responsible for 65% of dog attacks against humans that result in a fatality.
The pit bull was originally bred for its aggressiveness and then stigmatized for that exact same aggressiveness. In between it was shown as being a wonderful and loving family pet. The pit bull breed has indeed come full circle.
Mar 13, 2008 | | About Dogs
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
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
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
The Reclassification Of The Dog
We tend to think of science as definite, but science is always evolving and changing. A perfect example of this is the scientific classification of the domestic dog. In 1758 Linnaeus classified the domestic dog as Canis familiaris. This classification stood until 1993 when the Smithsonian Institution and the American Society of Mammalogists reclassified the domestic dog as Canis lupus, a subspecies of the gray wolf.
Dec 27, 2007 | | About Dogs
A Dogs Sudden Burst Of Speed
Dogs have a phenomenal ability to exert a tremendous amount of energy which seems to come from out of no where. The fact that almost all dogs, regardless of breed, can do this indicates that there is a genetic reason for this. Where do dogs get that sudden burst of energy?
There are two main factors that allow dogs to accomplish this, organ size and red blood cell count. Dogs have more blood cells than humans do, at rest these are stored in the dog’s spleen. Dogs also have heart and lungs that are oversized in relativity to their body size and their body’s normal needs. When the time comes for a dog to need that extra burst of energy, those extra red blood cells are released into the blood stream and then the oversized heart and lungs are actually performing at their optimum level.
After a varying amount of time, the dog internally heat up due to this activity and need to cool down. Because dogs do not sweat, this is accomplished by panting.
Dec 11, 2007 | | About Dogs
A Dog’s Sense Of Hearing
Anyone who has spent any time around dogs is well aware of their heightened sense of hearing. Dogs seem to not only hear a specific sound better than humans can, but also seem to be able to pinpoint the origin of the sound faster and better than their human masters. Why is that?
Dogs hear sounds as low as the 16 to 20 Hz frequency range as compared to humans who normally hear in the range of 20 to 70 Hz range. There is also a physical difference in a dog’s ear that allows for their ability to quick decipher where a particular sound is coming from. Most breeds of dogs have eighteen or more muscles that can rotate, tilt, raise, or lower their ears; this enables them to hone in on a sound in a way that humans are not anatomically equipped to.
Another factor that can vary a dog’s hearing from breed-to-breed is ear shape. Dogs who have ears shaped more closely to the ear shape of a wolf or fox tend to have better hearing than dogs that possess floppy ears or ears covered with long fur.
Nov 29, 2007 | | About Dogs
Owners of dogs often enter them in competitions, whether show (breed conformation shows) or sports, including dog racing & dog sledding. The winners garner much prestige and prize money. These dogs are often bred specifically for competition, which may not be entirely beneficial for the breeds due to the magnification of hereditary defects.
Variety Of Dog Competitions
There are a wide variety of available competitions that dogs compete in. Some involve athletic competitions while others are based on the appearance of the dog itself.
Dog Show – Dog shows are competitions where dogs are evaluated by judges to see how closely they match the ideal characteristics of the breed. The most famous competition for dogs is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Dog Racing – Dog racing is similar to horse racing and takes place at dog tracks where betting is available. Usually Greyhounds are the participants and they reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. Dog racing can also be done by other breeds, but usually as a novelty sport.
Agility Competitions – Dog Agility Competitions involve dogs competing on a timed obstacle course. The course usually includes jumps, ramps, runs, and other obstacles that the dogs must maneuver through.
Dogsled Racing – Dogsled racing is mainly held in norther climates and usually involve Alaskan Huskies or Eurohounds. The dogs pull a sled and a driver over a snow covered course. The course can be quite short, or in the case of the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race held in Alaska (approx 1,151 miles) it can also be long and arduous.
Dog Fighting – Though illegal in almost every jurisdiction, dog fighting still takes place in some areas. In dog fighting, two owners pit their dogs against eachother while often they and other observers make bets on which dog will win. Most often these fights involve one dog being killed by the other, though an owner can also end the fight by admitting his dog has been defeated.
Throughout history, dog owners have long come up with competitions to prove that their dog is superior to the dogs of others. Many competitions are protested over suspected mistreatment of the animals, though many others are seen as hosting the best of all breeds of dogs.
Nov 04, 2007 | | About Dogs
A Look At Utility, Assistance, And Work Dogs
Let’s take a look at a sampling of the different types of work a domestic dog is able to accomplish when given the proper training.
Search And Rescue Dogs – Any dog with a better than average sense of smell can be trained to be a search and rescue dog. The most famous version is the St. Bernard.
Herding Dogs – Many breeds of dogs have trained over the years to assist with the herding of livestock, as well as protecting them from predators. Sheepdogs are the most famous dog to perform this task.
Therapy Dogs – Some dogs with gentle, friendly, and loyal traits are trained to provide comfort and affection to patients who have been institutionalized or hospitalized for an extended amount of time.
Guard Dogs – Dogs that possess exceptional traits of loyalty, controllability, and attack skills are often put to work as guard dogs responsible for guarding people, property, or possessions. The most common breeds for this purpose are Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers.
Assistance Dogs – Sociable dogs, such as Labrador Retrievers, are often trained to assist the visually or hearing impaired, as well as patients suffering from epilepsy or various types of psychological disorders.
Hunting Dogs – Dogs have long been assisting hunters in search of prey. The main dog breeds used for this task are Retrievers and Pointers.
War Dogs – Various militaries have often used dogs for a number of different jobs, from mine detection to enemy soldier locating.
Detection Dogs – Many different breeds of dog have been used to detect a number of usually illegal substances, from explosives to illegal drugs.
Police Dogs – Many police dogs have some training of the same training that detection dogs undergo, but they are also trained to assist law enforcement in other ways as well. The main dog used for this purpose is a German Shepherd.
Different breeds have different natural abilities and areas of intelligence, but a highly intelligent dog with the proper training can yield big dividends when it comes to assisting humans with various tasks and services.
Oct 26, 2007 | | About Dogs
