Best Dog Breeds - No Such Thing

On first consideration, it would be quite easy to determine that there is really no such thing as best dog breeds. When you take into account the large number of dog types and the roles that they have been bred to do, trying to choose the best of them all becomes daunting if not an impossible endeavor.

Beyond that, expecting breed alone to be the deciding factor in choosing your best friend is risky at best. You know what I mean. All of us know a neighbor, friend or family member who has adopted a dog from the pound or inherited a canine with dubious lineage, only to end up with the most adorable, obedient, smart companion possible. Mind you, it helps that the pet was treated kindly and cared for by the previous owner. Add children to the equation and the question of best dog breeds goes out the window. They just care that their new companion is fun-loving and playful.

So, are there truly best dog breeds?

It is true that if you do have special needs, or are looking for a dog to assist with very distinct activities such as hunting, search & rescue or patrolling you back yard for critters, then there are best dog breeds for these situations. In fact, it's evident that most dogs have been specifically bred over many generations to excel at very particular duties or to display defined personality traits useful in a variety of applications. For example, you might not want to send a terrier to retrieve a duck or a mountain dog to ferret out a squirrel. On the other hand, if you really did want to recover a duck, choosing between the many retriever breeds would be the way to go. Seems obvious, but much effort, genetic experimentation and expense has led to the breeds we know of today and their inherent specialties, attributes, personalities, temperament and size for which they are known.

Are you an allergic person? Do dogs bother you; make your life miserable but would like to own a dog?

It may mean that you just haven't met your best dog breed. Dogs that address this need generally do not shed or shed very little. Shedding can be a major cause of an allergic reaction. Limited or no shedding dogs therefore could be perfect for you. Also, breeds that do not drool or manufacture less saliva can be better companions to an allergic person. Dander also is a contributing factor so be on the look out for breeds that minimally produce it. An allergy doesn't have to mean that you can't enjoy the companionship of a dog. It does mean that you must do your homework regarding the characteristics of particular breeds to find a subset of dogs that don't "get under your skin."

On a different level, you may have the need to protect a home or place of work or wish to have a particular area guarded. Numerous dog breeds are perfect for just this type of requirement. They tend to be especially protective of their owners and their owner's family. This gives them an inherent mistrust of those that are not recognizable or might be a threat. With proper training and socialization as puppies, these breeds can be simultaneously loving and watchful at the same time. They can be bold and daring when necessity requires but only when they perceive a threat. As a result, early and effective training is essential for these types of breeds.

Just two examples of how specific dog breeds can be the answer to an owners preferences or needs. There is no utilitarian dog breed in my opinion. Oh sure, some breeds, by their nature, size and bearing, will be more successful in more diverse situations, but generally speaking, dogs are very much the product of their breed. You need to determine exactly what is it that you are looking for in a companion, protector or both. Will children or elderly be significantly involved in the relationship? If so, the dogs demeanor is very important and therefore critical to a successful pairing.

Throughout this article, we have primarily discussed breeds. It is worth mentioning that dogs of mixed breed can be every bit as playful, loving, protective, smart and talented as a pure breed. City and county pounds are full of just these types of dogs. In fact, it could be said that your best dog breed is just such an animal. Rescuing a dog is not only an honorable thing to do but could very well reward you with a best friend that meets all you requirements.

Also, breeding alone doesn't produce the perfect dog. Owners must return the affection they receive, care for, protect and effectively train their dog to ensure a happy, healthy and emotionally balanced companion.

Your best dog breed is for you to determine. With the proper research you will find your companion, protector or hunting buddy and be rewarded with many years of affection and enjoyment.

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Common New Born Puppy Health Problems and Diseases

Most newborn puppies are very weak and are vulnerable to health problems. Prevention is always better than cure as recommended; to prevent the opportunity of infections or other health problems, basic to intermediate knowledge about caring for your new born puppy is very important.

Here are some of the few common puppy health problems and diseases that a weak puppy might be susceptible to.

Hypothermia:

Hypothermia is one of the major problems. A tiny new born puppy has difficulty regulating it's body temperature as it's thermoregulatory system may not be fully developed yet. One common solution is to keep a new born puppy in a moderate heated environment of 85-90F degrees for the first two to three weeks.

How can you do that? Simple, use a heated dog lamp or warming lamp. Also, it is a good practice to use warm bottles (not hot as they might be dangerous) and a puppy warming blanket. Use hypoallergenic cotton blankets as an alternative because they retain some body heat.

Parvovirus:

This is a common diseases for a young puppy and a dog. As a dog owner, ensure that your puppy is adequately protected against the deadly Parvovirus disease. Parvovirus is a contagious disease that attacks the lining of the dog or puppy's digestive system. It is usually spread through feces of another infected dog. Parvo can also be carried on kennels, crates and accessories of another dog.

Symptoms include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weariness and putrid smelling dog stool. These symptoms have also been linked to high fever which could lead to congestive heart failure.

Make sure that your puppies are vaccinated under a proper program and a health time table. Veterinarians recommend that infected puppies should not be taken to the dog park or even the yard where they can interact with other dogs, until the proper vaccination and injections are administered.

Colostrum:

This is an anti-body that can be given to your new born puppy at approximately 24 hours after birth.

How? Simple, by feeding your puppy the full-bodied first milk of it's mother. This step if available, is critical to your puppy's health and health problems prevention.

If you are concerned about your new born puppy' slower absorption rate; it is quite common, visit your local vet for a consultation about their Colustum's absorption rate. Your vet will usually do a blood test to check your puppy's anti-body absorption rate and if needed, your vet will then proceed to inject some serum from it's mother to speed up the process.

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Dachsunds The Little Dogs With Attitude

First, let me explain myself. I am not impartial to Dachshunds. I owned two beautiful Long Haired Miniature Dachshunds for 15 years. My boss had a Miniature Wire Haired Dachshund that often came into the office. And close friends of mine Long Haired Miniature Dachshunds as pets.

We had miniature dogs at that time because we worked, and they fit perfectly into our working schedule. They were little enough to keep in the house while we were gone to work.

Evidence of the Dachshund as a breed is not found till the sixteenth century. Back then they were called the Little Burrow Dog, Dacksel, or Badger Dog. The modern name means badger (dachs) and hund, meaning dog in German.

These dogs would follow its prey, enter the burrow, pull it out and kill it.

The original Dachshund was smooth, with the possibility of the long haired being bred with the German Spaniels and the wire haired were bred with Pinschers and the Terrier.

The Dachshund is very bold, extremely curious and always up for adventure; and I can attest to this first hand. The Dachshunds is very good with children in its own family, but may snap at other kids. They are not really sociable dogs. They love the outdoors.

If you give it moderate walks on a leash that will fulfill their exercise requirement. But again, they love the outdoors.

One of the major issues with these dogs is disc disease. They have a lifespan of 12-14 years. Obesity can be a problem, so feed it good premium food, but not too much.

The Dachshund has a very pleasant expression. They are very loveable within their own family.

Facts:

AKC Ranking: 5

Family: Scent hound

Area of Origin: Germany

Date of Origin: 1500's

Original Function: Flushing badgers

Today's Function: Earthdog trials, Dachshund field trials

The Dachshund comes in two sizes: Miniature and Standard. It comes in three coats: Wire Haired, Long Haired and Smooth.

It has a high energy level but will be satisfied with moderate walks. It is not too playful, but loves walks, running and playing outdoors. It is not a lover of other pets. The Dachshund can be stubborn, and therefore not too easy to train.

The Hound Group:

Hounds are one of the very oldest groups of dogs. The sight hounds obviously pursue by sight, the scent hounds pursue their prey by scent. Some breeds pursue their prey by both sight and scent, and yet others do not seem like hound dogs at all. All hound dogs have in common their pursuit their quarry. The hound dog does not wait for direction, rather it leads the way in pursuit.

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My Dog Is Eating Grass, Is He Sick

From time to time even the most normal of dogs will show signs of puzzling behavior. While some of these seemingly weird behaviors make you laugh other behaviors make you wonder if perhaps your beloved pet is ill or if you are doing something wrong in your care for your pet. You love your dog so worry is a natural extension of that love and there are times when our dog's behavior indicates we definitely have cause for worry.

New dog owners are often puzzled and concerned when they see their beloved pet eat grass for the first time. This concern grows if the dog continues to indulge in this behavior on an increasingly regular basis. To make matters worse if you have spoken to other dog owners about your dog's behavior no doubt you have gotten confusing answers. There are many people, long time dog owners as well as people who never owned dogs who believe that dogs (and cats) eat grass when they are feeling ill. While some will tell you that eating grass settles in the dog's stomach, others tell you they eat the grass in order to regurgitate something in their stomach that is making them sick.

Still other people will tell you that your dog is eating grass because there is something missing in the diet you are feeding him. All these differing opinions are enough to worry any dog owner and send them rushing to their vet in mild panic, needing to know who is right and what they can do to help their dog.

The truth is none of those theories as to why your dog eats grass are true. The real truth is that no one knows for sure exactly why your dog is eating grass, but it is perfectly normal behavior and studies have shown that dogs eat grass even when they are fed a well balanced diet and when they are both healthy and ill. Studies also show that younger dogs and puppies are likely to eat more grass than older dogs. However, some dogs will eat grass throughout their life every time they are outdoors. While the behavior may seem strange to you it is obviously not at all strange to your dog that just happens to enjoy it.

You shouldn't be concerned if you dog vomits after eating grass, as this seems to be quite normal for some dogs as well. If your dog seems playful and just fine after regurgitating the grass then chances are he is just fine and there is no cause for alarm or worry.

So, if your dog happens to be a grass eater, then the next time you go hiking with man's best friend why not pick a field with lush green grass and let your dog snack to his heart's content. It won't hurt him so you may as well allow him to enjoy himself and indulge in this seemingly odd but benign behavior.

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A Dog Life Jacket For Man's Best Friend

If you are an owner of a dog who loves being in or near water then buying a life vest is a smart thing to do for your pet. Even though most dogs are good swimmers it is still possible they can face danger from fatigue or cramps. So investing in a dog life jacket will keep your canine safe.

When you decide to buy a life vest for your pet, it is important to look around at the different types that are available. Make sure you keep track of any features that they all have and which ones you really feel are necessary to get and which one are not.

Will you want one made of nylon or maybe one that is just a simple swim vest. You will need to know if you want one that has reflective strips or one with a chest protector. Also the material, like how well it will float in water. Knowing the necessary things are essential when you buy a life jacket for your pet.

The next thing you want to do is to start comparing prices. There are several and some will be better than others. Some will have features that you may or not really need. So be sure to keep note of these things by writing them down when shopping.

The size of the dog will be an important part of your decision when you make your purchase. Remember very smaller dogs, like a Yorkshire or a Toy Fox only need XXS sizes. Bigger dogs, like Pekingeses or Toy poodles will need XS sizes and if you have a canine like a Terrier or Dachshund, than you will want S size. The larger dogs like Rotweilers or Labradors will need sizes from M, L, XL up to XXL.

You can go online to find many varieties of life jackets for dogs. Also visit a store that sells them so you can have a look at the vest which will give you a better idea on the one you may need.

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