Posts Tagged ‘pedigree dogs’

Raising A Shih Tzu Rescue Dog

Tuesday, February 17th, 2009

The Shih Tzu dog is very intelligent and very capable of understanding its own situation and they are also capable of holding a grudge as well.

The problem is that a Shih Tzu never forgets and it can hold a grudge against humans for a long time and justifiably, but there is always a chance to show a Shih Tzu rescue dog that not all humans are bad and that the little dog does have a chance at being loved.

As able as they are to retain memories and hold a grudge the Shih Tzu rescue dog also wants a chance at a happy life just like any other living creature. It wants to be loved and, when it feels it is safe and comfortable, it wants to love back as well. Just like in any other situations sometimes the physical scars of abuse never heals and the mental anguish may be difficult to overcome as well but it is always worth a try to give a Shih Tzu a second chance.

A Shih Tzu rescue dog requires a lot of specialized care and attention and one of the places you can get advice on that kind of care and attention is your vet. Your vet deals with abused animals all day long and they are trained to not only care for the animals but to also communicate with them.

One great source of advice is your vet because your vet has seen all manner of abuse and they are trained on how to reach abused animals and gain their trust. Your vet can be a valuable resource here.

A Shih Tzu breeder not only deals with new Shih Tzu pups but they also deal with abandoned and abused Shih Tzu dogs as well. Part of an agreement that the Shih Tzu breeder has with its customer is that it will take back a Shih Tzu if the owner no longer wants it or cannot care from it. A Shih Tzu breeder will know how to care for a Shih Tzu rescue dog.

By their very nature a Shih Tzu dog can be very difficult to train. Housebreaking alone can take as long as six months. When you add to that the trauma of a previous owner’s abuse, it makes the job that much more difficult. You need extreme patience to get through to a Shih Tzu rescue dog as they are very intelligent and can tell when something is going wrong. Positive reinforcement and a lot of love should help you get through to your dog.

Congratulations on your Shih Tzu rescue dog and you should be thanked by all animal lovers for what you are doing. Your Shih Tzu wants to thank you too but you have to remember that it is adjusting to something new from a life where all it knew was abuse so they will make mistakes. Never punish the Shih Tzu rescue dog, as they don’t understand punishment and punishment may push them even further from you. Be patient.

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What You Need To Know About The Toy Pomeranian

Monday, February 16th, 2009

Toy Pomeranians are easy to identify and hard to forget. They look like the world’s cutest, tiniest foxes with coats twice as big as their bodies. They have a high forehead, pointed ears, huge eyes and a button nose at the end of a slightly pointed snout. Some snouts will be blunter than others. The breeding trend seems to be for a profile like that of a Chihuahua rather than that of a miniature Spitz.

The average toy Pomeranian will be about six to seven ponds and look like a cross between a fox cub and a cheerleader’s pom-pom. They have naturally pointed ears, huge eyes and a pointed nose (although they can be blunted like a Chihuahua’s in some individuals). They are covered in long, puffy hair in the recognized colors of red, sable, orange, cream and sable, black, white, chocolate and a mixture of brown and blue tones. Their coats are double layered and need daily grooming.

Toy Pomeranians look like sturdy little sled dogs with a proud head, high curling tail, profuse coat to keep out the bad weather and a blockish body. However, they are far more fragile than their looks suggest. Cats and even Chihuahuas are far more robust than toy Pomeranians. Reliable Pomeranian information books and websites are filled with instances of Pomeranians dying from falling off of a couch or being rolled on by a sleeping owner.

Toy Pomeranians are vain, highly intelligent and protective of whatever they like. If they bark and snap at strangers coming up to your door, take this as a compliment (in a way), as you are liked enough by your Pomeranian to be worthy of protection.

Toy Pomeranians will give warnings first before they bite, but as they are so small, you might not be able to see these warnings. But, Pomeranians are trainable given enough time and patience.

Because of the tiny size of the toy Pomeranian, they are difficult to housebreak completely. Males will always lift their legs to mark territory unless you get them neutered. Many toy Pomeranians have been successfully litter trained, more so females than males. Pomeranians know very well to go outside, but their tiny bladders often cannot hold onto the urine long enough for you to let them out. Pomeranians are very intelligent and very trainable.

Toy Pomeranians have excellent senses of humor, although the level of this humor will vary from dog to dog. One Pomeranian has become a small Internet sensation on the YouTube show “Cute With Chris” by pooping her pile of poo in the shape of a smiley face.

They are also generally protective and will need to be closely supervised from attacking any visitors, whether they are animals or human. They are highly intelligent and can be trained (at their own speed). They can be difficult to housetrain because of the tiny size of their bladders.

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The meaning Of Mastiff Dog Insurance

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Mastiff dog insurance is not high on most American’s agenda despite tens of millions of dog owners , to date this peculiarity remains a bit of a mystery. We don’t hesitate to purchase health insurance for ourselves , omitting our pets when just about everything else in our lives is insured just doesn’t make sense.

Considered by many as an unnecessary expense this attitude quickly changes when these mastiff dog owners are presented with the bills for treatment. Just as with private medical insurance, vets costs have risen sharply since the early 1990’s. The result of this has meant that mastiff dog insurance premiums have also risen as well.

So other than rising costs, what are the main reasons you should consider cover for your mastiff dog. The problem is that domestic animals are often more liable to be involved in an accident or become sick; this can happen at any time and usually when you can least afford it!

If you are in this unenviable position then a choice may have to be made , you know that treating your animal will place financial strain on you.

I had doubts about treating our dog some time ago when he was involved in an accident , all I could think about at the time was whether he was worth the cost, that’s awful, isn’t it? Especially when you know that even with the surgery and treatments, your dog could still die. There are no guarantees as complications are not uncommon.

The average person does not always consider the costs involved with owning a dog , this is even more relevant if you are experiencing financial difficulties. Raising (sometimes) large sums of money can be prove to be financially embarrassing especially when you are have money problems , which could mean contacting a relative or friend for the money.

When the cost of treatment is uppermost in your thoughts, it may cloud your judgment. mastiff dog insurance can ensure they receive the care they deserve because cost is no longer a major concern. A pet healthcare insurance plan does not have to cost the earth , plans are still affordable, especially when you consider the alternative.

Various mastiff healthcare insurance options are available . Some companies offer a discount if you have more than one dog on the plan. All dog owners should think carefully about what healthcare provision they have made for their mastiff dog , perhaps the advice here will help you make the decision you have been agonizing over.

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The Characteristics Of A Toy Poodle

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

The Toy Poodle is a very small dog. The Teacup poodle is the only poodle that is smaller than the Toy Poodle. The Toy Poodle weighs ten pounds at full maturity. A Toy Poodle is one of those dogs which people love to dress in different outfits. They are groomed to have bows in their hair and usually taken to salons for grooming treatments.

The Teacup poodle is the only poodle that is smaller than the Toy Poodle. A Toy Poodle can weigh ten pounds at full maturity and the standard poodle is anywhere from twenty to thirty pounds at full maturity. While the Teacup poodle usually weighs no more then four pounds. The Toy Poodle is popular because it is not quite as delicate as the Teacup poodle, but is still quite small and cuddly.

They are always the center of attention and are quite popular in Hollywood. Celebrities love this dog because of its size and because they can take it anywhere they go. However, Toy Poodles must be consistently groomed in order to keep their fur free from matting. It takes very little time to groom a small dog such as a Toy Poodle.

Toy Poodles can be very expensive dogs. They are considered designer dogs and their price tags express the designer price. The price of a Toy Poodle can range anywhere between eight hundred and one thousand dollars. These dogs come in many colors. Their popularity is due to their small size and the fact that they are very easy to maintain.

Their origins go back centuries when poodles were used in traveling circuses in Europe. They were used as performers for entertainment purposes. The early years of royalty caught on to the craze of the performing poodles and most had poodles with them courtside.

The Toy Poodle is a small dog but is very hearty and strong. They will always want to sit on your lap and sleep in bed with you. Because of their size it is hard to turn down their requests for such cuddling. These dogs are very healthy dogs and any breeder that tries to tell you otherwise should be reported to the American Kennel Club.

The Toy Poodle can be easily trained and loves to live on sofas and beds. These dogs are very healthy and agile dogs and love to play. They need to have a yard to play in and a good long walk everyday. Most adults treat their Toy Poodle as a baby and the dogs love it. These dogs have strong body structures even though they are small.

There are many breeders of Toy Poodles and, therefore, it is not difficult to find a Toy Poodle to purchase. It is a wise idea to read as much as you can on Poodles and Toy Poodles, in particular, before you purchase one. It is good to speak the same language as your breeder or he may not sell you a dog if he does not thinks you are ignorant about Toy Poodles. Toy Poodles are small dogs and, therefore, they will need small meals all day long to keep up their energy.

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The Adorable Teacup Pomeranian

Monday, February 9th, 2009

There seems to be a trend that has started and bloomed over the last several years and it seems to have come from celebrities who love carrying around those tiny dogs in their purses. The idea of having such a tiny dog that you can literally take them anywhere with you is something that appeals to a lot of people and the teacup Pomeranian is one of the smallest dogs you can get.

Also, a lot of people automatically assume that because the dog is small that it will be easier to handle, to train and to take care of. But this is not always the case as the teacup Pomeranian comes with their own list of needs and wants that need to be kept up in order to keep your pup looking and behaving like the precious puppy that you first brought into your home. So the best thing you can do is understand the Pomeranian first before bringing one home.

If you truly want a small dog because of the benefits that come with having a dog you can physically manage, and then the teacup Pomeranian is probably the perfect fit for you. Being that the biggest of them will only grow up to seven pounds of weight and eleven inches in height, this toy dog is a perfect addition to a lot of loving homes. They also come in a nice variety of solid colors along with a few being mixed with colors.

Their coat consists of an undercoat that is soft yet dense with their outer coat being more harsh or rough. The trademark tail is something that cannot be overlooked. Their fluffy tails rests gently on their backs inside of hanging limply. It is important to keep up on brushing your teacup Pomeranian and the bathe him or her at least once a month in order to keep them looking their best.

While the teacup Pomeranian may not be the best choice for a house with small children, they will do well with other pets in the home. Even though the teacup Pomeranian loves a busy atmosphere, it is hard for them to adjust to the quick and sometimes scary movements that children can do around the small dog.

Although they don’t tend to like being around small children, they do well in homes that have other animals although this is not necessary for them to be happy.

Whether you have a small apartment in the city or a large house in the country, these teacups are able to live freely and enjoy their surroundings no matter where they are. With everything positive though, there is always need for concern as the teacup Pomeranian is no stranger to loosing teeth due to lack of proper care.

Teeth brushing is something that has to be done often, just like the brushing of their coat. Because of their size, they can also have trouble giving birth to puppies and this can often lead to having surgery.

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Shih Tzu: The Chrysanthemum Dog

Monday, February 9th, 2009

The diminutive Shih Tzu, a blend of the Chinese Lhasa Apso and Pekinese dog breeds, has a history rich with royalty, tragedy, and loyalty. Varied forms of the breed have existed for centuries, but the Shih Tzu dog we know today owes its existence to Dowager Empress Tzu Hsi of Tibet.

The Empress, who ascended to power in 1861, pampered her Shih Tzus pets and bred them to be perfect companions, alert and eager to please. Unfortunately, the breed fell out of favor when the Empress died in 1908, and many dogs were killed by the new regime.

The breed first appeared in the United Kingdom during the late 1920s or early 1930s. North American soldiers who got to know the breed in Europe during World War II became fond of the little dogs and brought them back to the United States and Canada.

The Shih Tzu can be characterized as a lap dog with a pleasant personality and an eagerness to please the humans in its life. The dogs were bred for centuries to provide companionship, and they enjoy nothing more than lounging about in the company of humans. Their small size-nine to sixteen pounds-makes them a perfect pet for apartment dwellers and people who like to travel with their dogs.

Sometimes called “Tibetan lion dog,” Shih Tzus were bred to resemble lions, with a flat face, prominent eyes, bowed front legs, and a fearsome facial expression. The breed is also known as the “chrysanthemum dog,” because their wrinkled fa?ade looks a bit like the chrysanthemum flower.

The Shih Tzu’s coat is long and slightly wavy and requires careful daily grooming to prevent mats and tangles. The results are worth the effort, as the dog’s silky coat enhances its elegant appearance.

Although the history of the breed is ancient, the Shih Tzu breed is a relative newcomer to the world of dog shows, particularly in North America. The British Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1935, but the American Kennel Club waited until 1969 to officially acknowledge the dogs, placing them in the toy group with other diminutive long-haired dogs like the Maltese, the Pomeranian, and the Pekinese.

The British Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1935, and the breed continues to be popular in the U.K. and Europe. In 2006, the Shih Tzu ranked ninth in the American Kennel Club’s rankings of breed popularity. This is a particularly remarkable accomplishment, considering that the AKC first recognized the breed in 1969. The little Shih Tzu has come a long way in the United States in just under forty years, and it is likely to continue to grow in popularity as more and more people discover what a delightful pet this breed is.

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Taking Care Of Your Yorkie

Monday, February 9th, 2009

There are many things that can and do go wrong with breeding so it is important that you carefully consider what can happen before your choosing to start Yorkshire Terrier breeding for yourself. The first thing you need to do is consider your own Yorkshire Terrier. Do they meet breed standards, do you know what specific faults they may have and how they are transmitted through genes?

Both the male and female breeding partners need to have bacteria cultures and brucellosis tests done before breeding in order to help reduce the infections transferred during breeding. Before breeding it is also important to have the dogs thoroughly checked out by a veterinarian to make sure they have no conditions that can be transmitted to the litter such as luxating patella’s, cardiomyopathy or hypothyroidism.

Even if both the female and male are healthy and good options for breeding you still want to educate yourself about all possible hereditary faults that can result in the line you’re breeding. Take the time to research the family lineage on both sides and know what you can do to reduce hereditary conditions.

Before Yorkshire Terrier breeding another thing you should consider is what can go wrong during the gestation period. There is always the chance that before, during and after whelping the mother dog can die. Just a few of the more common complications include uterine inertia, prolapsed uterus, eclampsia, metritis or mastitis.

As the whelping time draws near the female Yorkie should never be left alone and most of the time a Yorkie will need assistance when whelping. So before and after the whelping it may be necessary for you to stay home for several days. It is also important to consider the cost. C-sections may need to be required for small breed dogs such as Yorkshire Terriers and you need to make sure you have enough money saved up should this be necessary. It is also important that you know the signs of any troubles that can occur during breeding and what steps you should take in order to resolve the problem.

For several days before and after the whelping it may be necessary for you to stay home. You also need to take into account the cost of breeding. For small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, C-sections may need to be done and you should make sure you have enough money saved up for this just in case. You should also make sure you have researched all the signs of trouble that can occur during breeding and what steps you can take in order to resolve the problem.

There may be a chance that a birth defect is present when a puppy is born and if the defect is serious enough you may have to choose to put the puppy down.

In case something happens to the mother and you are required to raise the litter for several days, could you take the time off work on short notice? If bottle-feeding or tube feeding are necessary would you be comfortable with this? As with other parts of breeding you need to consider the costs. Vaccinations, looking for a home for the puppies, paying vet bills and raising the puppies for several years or their entire life if you are unable to find a home for them are just a few of the costs you may have to pay for.

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The Lion Dog ? The Shih Tzu

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

The Shih Tzu breed is a miniature dog that has a very lovable and warm personality. You will find that this dog loves company ? whether this is from humans or other pets in the house. A great characteristic of the Shih Tzu’s is that they live to please you. There is nothing that this dog would love more than doing something that gives you pleasure.

The tiny animals stayed protected by Imperial orders for two long centuries. In the 1930 a pair of these lovable dogs were brought to England and from there they reached the USA soil in 1969. Wherever these dogs went they have conquered hearts. Today, the Shih Tzu is one of the most popular breeds across the globe, both in terms of glamorous looks and as a companion.

The Shih Tzu ? owing to its temperament and looks ? has been a lot of other names. For example, for a long time in the Chinese Imperial Palaces these dogs were known as the Lion dog. This could be for two reasons. First, it looked like a miniatures lion with all the fluffy hair framing its face and second, it had the demeanor of a king.

The Shih Tzu needs very little from you other than love. To keep your Shih Tzu happy, allow it to sleep on your lap, pamper it as often as you can and talk to it all the time. Grooming this dog needs special attention because of its long coat. You need to have it brushed with a hard brush to prevent matting of hair and remove the dust that accumulates on it. You need two separate types of combs ? one long toothed for the overall coat on the body and another shorter and denser for the hair around the face and feet.

Have the nails checked and cut regularly as these dogs tend to grow long nails for lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. In case you are not comfortable with the cutting of nails at home, visit your vet periodically to get the job done. This should be done as often as necessary.

Shih Tzus are excellent dogs for introvert people. They are the happiest when they are indulged by their owners with praise and tidbits. These dogs are difficult to train unless it is done through positive reinforcement. If handled incorrectly, the Shih Tzu can be amazingly stubborn. This is the reason why initially you might have problems in housebreaking them and giving them general training.

To their credit, these dogs are playful, loyal and very courageous. Their friendliness is very reassuring, as they have no problem sharing their space with other animals ? including cats. They tend to behave like children ? demanding love and attention at all times which actually makes this breed excellent for senior people.

Overall the Shih Tzu breed makes for extremely sweet pets that bring joy and happiness wherever they go. You need to keep one thing in mind when you bring home a Shih Tzu dog ? they need your love more than anything else ? and if you cannot give it to them by being there for them, it is better to choose another breed of dogs.

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The History Of The Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

In 2006, the American Kennel Club announced that the Yorkshire Terrier was the second most popular purebred dog in America. They are poised to become the nation’s most popular dog - even over the ubiquitous Labrador Retriever. Where did the Yorkshire Terrier come from? What breeds went into making it? And why did it get to be so popular?

Back in the 1870’s, word was getting around about the great pups from a sire named Huddersfield Ben, who was born in 1865. Huddersfield Ben was considered an ideal dog - a champion ratter as well as being friendly and handsome. Any dog that resembled Huddersfield Ben had to have been from Yorkshire, where Ben lived. Yorkshire dog breeders kept their breeding methods secret so they could be assured of buyers. His puppies eventually became known as Yorkshire Terriers.

The Yorkshire Terrier did not originate in the English country of Yorkshire, despite their name. The breed became famous when they were perfected in Yorkshire. Huddersfield Ben’s ancestors came from various tough little Scottish breeds of terriers, which are thought to have included the Scottish Terrier, the Clydesdale (or Clyde) Terrier and the Paisley Terrier. All of these breeds (except the Scottie) are no longer with us, but do live on in the form of Yorkshire Terriers.

The Scottish breeds inevitably bred with the terrier breeds already in Yorkshire, which experienced a great wave of Scottish immigrants in the late 1800’s. The Scottish breeds were purposefully put to breeds that were known for killing rats. Yorkshire Terrier information sources guess that these breeds included the Maltese, the Skye and the now extinct breeds of Black and Tan English, Waterside and quite possibly the Manchester Terrier (which still survives, but is considered an extremely rare breed). The result was a rat-killing machine that was extremely friendly with people.

As time went on, the need for big working dogs decreased. People were living in smaller homes and needed smaller dogs they could physically control easily. The Yorkshire Terrier filled this niche admirably. They were a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Not only did they make great guard dogs, but were affectionate and did not need a lot of exercise. They were introduced to America in 1872.

Also back then, the sport of rat killing was very popular. Rats were put in a barrel and then a terrier was dropped in. The winner was the dog that killed the most rats in the least amount of time.

However, the Yorkshire Terrier also became loyal and friendly companions around the home. They became excellent guard dogs and soon won their way into the wives and daughter’s hearts. With the advent of dog showing, the breed became fashionable and ever smaller. The breed was introduced into America as early as 1872 and quickly conquered the New World. In 2006, Yorkshire Terriers became the second most popular purebred dog in America.

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Poodles Make Great Pets

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

Teacup Poodles are basically the same as their giant counterpart or the standard Poodle. They have the same normal traits such as their gentleness and loyalty to their owners. They are intelligent, non-shedding, elegant and obedient, as well as very perceptive. The only difference in the two is the size. A Teacup Poodle weighs between two and four pounds. A Toy Poodle can weigh ten pounds at full maturity and the standard Poodle is anywhere from twenty to thirty pounds at full maturity.

They are usually carted around in a ladies purse or a designer carrier. They are always the center of attention and are quite popular in Hollywood. Celebrities love this dog because of its size and because they can take it anywhere they go. They need to be consistently groomed to keep their fur free from matting and messiness, but the time needed to groom such a tiny dog is very short.

Teacup Poodles are very expensive dogs. They are considered designer dogs and their price tags express this. The price of a Teacup Poodle can range anywhere between eight hundred and one thousand dollars and come in many colors. Their popularity is due to their size and the fact that they are very easy to maintain. Their origins go back centuries when Poodles were used in traveling circuses in Europe.

They are pampered pooches and can be found at many dinner parties and luncheons sitting right next to their owners or sitting on the table. Their roots go back centuries when Poodles would entertain in circuses all over Europe. Then it was quite gauche to have a Poodle at Court sitting with the King or Queen. These royal families would pamper their Poodles in outlandish ways and was actually the beginning of the personality trait of the pampered Poodle.

Teacup Poodles evolved with the same traits and plus these tiny dogs are absolutely adorable. It is very important when choosing a Teacup Poodle for your family pet to consider the breed’s four pound size if you have young children in the household.

Teacup Poodles should be no taller then eight inches tall or weigh more then four pounds. These dogs are very healthy dogs as long as get the proper nutrition in their diets. Sometimes they can get a low sugar hit and a little karo syrup on your finger will take care of this problem. But if food is left out for him during the day there should not be any problem of low sugar.

Even thought Teacup Poodles are tiny and fragile they are not sickly dogs. If a breeder tries to sell you a sick Teacup Poodle and tells you that this is the normal Teacup and that they are usually sick should be reported to the breeders associations. A Teacup Poodle should not be taller then eight inches and not weight more then four pounds. Anyone who tries to sell you anything bigger is selling you a Toy Poodle and not a Teacup Poodle.

These dogs are great fun to have around and quite the conversation piece because of their size. They are easy to care for and have a genuine personality and will be very loyal to their owner.

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