Posts from — December 2007

The Afghan Hound is considered to be one of the most exotic breeds to be shown in the United States. When the Afghan enters the Hound ring the crowd usually goes wild. It is one of the most popular exhibits at the dog show. As a pet, it is a “status symbol” in the apartments of upper Manhattan and yet fits in equally well into rural lifestyles.

This is a sight hound which is also known as a “wind hound” , having great lung power and using its nose for scent as well as its eyes to give chase to its prey, which historically has ranged anywhere from the fox to the leopard. It takes its name from its country of origin, Afghanistan. Many centuries before the time of Christ, this dog is believed to have been illustrated in the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt and Africa. No one knows how it came to be found at a later date in Afghanistan.

Historically this breed was prized for its ability to hunt deer and to ward off wolves, leopards and even panthers as part of its duties of being a guard dog for the flocks. Usually the sight hounds do not attack the prey that they have chased but the Afghan Hound is noted for this characteristic.

Despite the appearance of elegance and refined beauty, this is a breed that is built for speed and strength. The chest is deep and the long body is slightly arched at the loin to allow for a lengthy galloping stride. The breeds’ height is to be as long as the length of the back and the dog is tall and rangy in appearance. The coat is one of the most well known and admired characteristic, being silky and flowing. An afghan that is well groomed is aa majestic sight when moving, as the hair flows with the body and accentuates the beauty of the movement. The Afghan’s coat can be of any color. On the head there is a long silky topknot and a fine beard of hair below the chin. The legs are heavily feathered and there is a good length of coat along the sides. The tail is a “wire tail” which has a finer length of silkly hair along the bottom, but is smooth of coat along the top. The tail is carried arched in a large curl over the back or out when the go is moving.

The Afghan Hound is aloof and aristocratic but has a delightful sense of humor also. It has gained popularity as a dog that walks the sidewalks of the big cities with ease and haughty demeanor, perhaps one could think of this dog as a “status symbol” among the apartment dwellers of upper Manhattan, but in truth it is a dog that fits well into apartment living, being quiet ( but not necessarily laid back) in the household and affectionate to its owners. This breed does have a history of being independent and a “thinker”, being very smart and very dedicated to the hunt. Therefore it does have a strong character and should not be owned by just anyone, this dog needs to have firm discipline and plenty of training as a youngster.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to dog-guides.com/ Dogs

How you choose your goldfish, depends largely on two things: the type of fish you really like to see, and the kind of container you intend to keep them in.

People in warmer climates, like to populate their outdoor ponds and pools with goldfish, which is a wonderful addition to the outdoor décor of your lawns and gardens. These may be natural ponds, or manmade pools that are actually vinyl liners sunk into the ground, and provided with air and water circulation through a pump system. This circulation, natural or otherwise, is important to keeping the water well oxygenated for the fish.

But surprisingly, if your pond is deep enough, it’s possible to over-winter your goldfish outside. If you are populating an outdoor pond, it’s best to start with fish that were raised that way themselves, as there is less likelihood of losing some that are unable to adapt. Store-bought fish raised in tanks can adapt, but you can expect to lose a certain percentage of them, depending on the harshness of the weather.

If you’re just starting out, you might try just the common goldfish at first, since these will be less expensive to replace, should you have a hard winter. If your fish are not surviving, you may need to look at better air and water circulation, or deepening the pond. But once you have a thriving colony, you can begin adding some of the hardier varieties of fancy goldfish.

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Travelling With Pets

Travelling with pets can be tremendously rewarding but can also be a stressful and overly-bureaucratic experience for both pet owners and pets. If you are considering travelling with your pet, either domestically or internationally, you need to make sure you research all the relevant rules and regulations before you arrange your trip.

It is also wise to consider whether it is really fair to your pet to take them with you – after all, days spent travelling might be more stressful and tiring for an aging animal than a quiet few days in a kennel or cattery.

Road Travel (Domestic)

Travelling by car within your own country is certainly the easiest way to travel with a pet, but still has its own challenges and difficulties, not least when you reach your destination. Here are a few things to consider before transporting your pet by car:

• Is your pet accustomed to car travel?

• Is your destination pet-friendly?

• Do you have the right pet accessories for travelling?

Before you set off on a long trip, get your pet used to travelling by car by taking him for regular short trips. Consider how he is to be transported – if on the back seat, do you need to buy a harness to prevent him moving around too much? This is a good idea if you aren’t sure you can trust your pet to stay calm.

A thick travel blanket is also a good idea to protect your seats, along with a couple of your pet’s favourite toys. It can be a good idea to keep your cat or dog in a travel crate while it is being transported. This contains any mess they might make, and will hopefully provide them with a familiar environment that will help to keep them calm.

Remember to stop every two-three hours to allow your pet to go to the toilet and drink some water, and don’t forget to take a pooper scooper and some bags with you.

International Travel

Taking your pet overseas can be a complicated and slow process – historically, it was often necessary for animals arriving in a country to spend up to six months in quarantine, meaning that unless the move was permanent, animals never left their home countries.

Today, things are a little different, as many countries have agreements in place to allow fairly free movement of pets between them without any quarantine requirements. However, there will be other requirements – these form a generic minimum:

• Proof of the animal’s identity and ownership

• Proof of the animal’s vaccination status for various diseases

Rules vary from one country to another – research them carefully if you are thinking about taking your animal abroad, and remember you will have to repeat the process on your return – there are no exclusions for homebound animals.

This article was written by Denise Clement, co-owner of the increasingly popular online website petsupply-store.com petsupply-store.com founded in 2005

If you have a dog that has a problem staying in your yard, then you are probably worried about them wandering off or getting into traffic. You want your dog to be able to run freely in your yard but at the same time you don’t want them to be hurt in anyway.

A relative cheap alternative to fencing or putting your dog in a dog run is to have a professional company install an invisible fence. Depending on the size of your yard, installation can start at approximately $500. This is a small price to pay when it comes to the safety of your dog. Some electric fences that you install yourself are priced cheaper but without the professional training they are often not as affective. This can end up costing you more money in the long run to switch to professional installation.

The first thing you need to do is to find a professional installer in your area that is ASPC approved to be sure that the product is humane to your dog. Most places will come out to your home and give you a free demonstration and estimate for installation. You can show them what areas you want fenced in, including around swimming pools, the woods or just specific parts of the yard.

Once the fencing is installed, the company will mark the fencing with flags so that your dog can begin to associate the flags with the boundaries. They typically have a professional dog trainer on staff that can train your dog to know where they can and can’t go. Your dog will wear a collar that will emit a tone when they are too close to the boundaries. This way they will learn to stop when they hear the sound rather than experiencing a shock. You can request them to send you batteries throughout the year so that you won’t have to worry about the batteries running out.

The average time it takes dogs to respond to the fencing and understand their boundaries is approximately 3-4 weeks. It can take more or less time depending on the dog and how much fencing is installed in the yard. Once your dog learns the boundaries, you can remove the flags. If your dog ever crosses the boundaries, you can call the company and have them come out to retrain, often free of charge.

Safe for your dog and family, the invisible fence allows you to keep your dog in your yard without changing your landscape. It does not give your dog the harmful shocks that many electric fences can give. You can search on the internet for more information or for invisible fence companies in your area.

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The purpose of this article is to improve the public’s knowledge about dogs, the Greyhound in particular. Many people decide that they want a dog based off of appearance alone. While this may not be a terrible thing to do if the person has the ability to accommodate all types of dogs, for some individuals the care for specific types of dog breeds is not possible. The best way to avoid any surprises after the adopting or purchase of a dog is to understand the breed and what it takes to care for it. We will go over some of the basic characteristics of the Greyhound to help you get a better understanding of the Greyhound as a breed and possibly a new addition to your family.

The Greyhound is a very loveable, even tempered dog with very demanding qualities. At about 80 lbs and 30 inches tall, the Greyhound is large, sleek and bred to run. If on the leash they will be very physically demanding on the person that tries to keep up or a challenge for those that let them off the leash in a public area with other dogs present. The Greyhound requires very little grooming and has a medium appetite. Overall this is a great family dog and is often even available to adopt as a retired tack racer.

We hope that we have assisted you I your quest for knowledge and understanding of the Greyhound. Please look below for some additional resources. The first thing you will want to do is see what the Greyhound looks like. The next thing you will need to do is house train your Greyhound. We find that one of the most common reasons that someone will get rid of Greyhound’s is that they are not house trained. There is a wonderful manual that can be used and you will find the link below. Lastly we want you to show off your new Greyhound. There is a wonderful online dog community complete with a forum for you to post pictures to. Check it out.

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The Anatolian Shepherd is usually a fawn dog with black points and mask that is quite striking in appearance. In the United Statees the standard is not quite as strict and the color may be a light cream with or without a facial mask. It was used as a guardian dog in Turkey for the flocks of sheep and goats and is a bold dog that will fend off predators without any fear or hesitation. The dog originally was known as the Anatolian Karabash until it was entered into the registry of the Kennel Club of Great Britain. It is a large mastiff type dog without any heaviness to the jowls as with some mastiffs, being of clean lines and heavy boned and solid in appearance through the body. This is a dog that can and should prevent predator attacks and also humans who have a bad intent towards its flock, but should not be overly aggressive, simply watchful and alert. He should be reserved when away from his own territory and not at all possessive or aggressive in those circumstances.

The Anatolian Shepherd has a tight, dense coat about one inch in length all over, although there is a variety called the “rough coat” with longer hair, it is much more rare and not as well known. The Anatolian has been known in Europe and Great Britain for many years but only recently (1996) was the Standard approved by the American Kennel Club. The A.K.C. has registered this dog as a member of the Working Group.

His movement is rangy and well balanced. The dog is a large dog, standing 27-29 inches at the shoulder with a weight of 110 to 140 pounds, but in movement he should be “light on the feet” and agile. This is a dog that is an easy care breed, relatively free of genetic problems and easy to groom, (especially the short coated variety.)

The Anatolian is an independent breed and not necessarily a house pet, although he is a faithful guard dog in the house he becomes bored easily and is happiest when doing outside work. He is a dog that should have a job to do. Most of the people who own an Anatolian, if they are not showing him, are actually using him for his intended purpose. He is becoming more popular in the southwestern and midwestern United States since his prowess as a coyote killer has become evident.

This is a breed that needs a great deal of socializing as a puppy since he is a thinking dog and not a “follower”. He is highly protective of his own people or flock. With children he may not recognize them as “little people” and may treat them more as members of his flock, this can lead to problems when strange children come over to play. It is necessary that the person who owns an Anatolian recognizes that this is a breed that has a purpose and a job, this is not a dog who is intended to be “just a pet”.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to

Owning a dog requires a lot of care and maintenance. You are responsible for a living creature from whom you receive so much love and attention, and your pet definitely deserves the best. However, with the introduction of so many kinds of dog supplies available in the market, a dog owner such as your self is often confused on what is essential and what is not.

A human’s most basic needs include food, money, shelter, and clothing. Your dog’s needs may not be too different after all.

Sufficient food and water

Apparently, a living creature’s needs do not vary that much where food is concerned. Humans and animals alike need clean and safe food and water to sustain life. Thus, ensuring your dog receives adequate amounts of food and water should be properly observed.

Choosing the right dog food is very important in maintaining a healthy dog. In recent years, animal doctors have advised dog owners to stop feeding dogs table scraps. Moreover, it has been said that the food of the owner is not necessarily good for his dog because of special dietary requirements of dogs. Thus, dog foods were created and developed to be able to provide dogs with the sufficient vitamins and minerals.

There is, however, an existing opposing belief about dog foods and studies have shown some dog food to be actually detrimental to a dog’s health. The type of dog food that is not recommended by some if not most animal doctors, are the mass-produced type which are considered low quality and are said to contain a number of harmful chemicals and preservatives. Thus, choosing the right dog food for your pet is very important to ensure a long healthy life.

Decent shelter

Your dog will be living with you and you must make certain that your home is suitable to accommodate a dog. There are sanitary and health standards that must be observed where a dog’s home is concerned. For one, dogs are prone to fleas and ticks and your home must be free of such pests.

There are dog supplies available in the market today that will make this task easier. There are sprays and cleaning agents that can be used to guarantee a house free of such harmful elements. Moreover, your dog must be bathed regularly with the use of specially formulated soaps and shampoos which will help in maintaining the healthy coat of hair on your dog.

Dog beds are optional, although a number of these are available in your local pet store. Their beds and/or cages must also be cleaned regularly so they will pest-free.

Clothing for protection

Fashionable clothing is also available for dogs. This however is not necessarily a must, although they may be helpful in cases of extreme weather. Other dog supplies such as collars and leashes among others fall under this category as well.

Despite any budgetary constraints that you may have, your dog has essential needs that cannot be disregarded. Furthermore, no amount of money and dog supplies can replace your love, care and attention.

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There are many sources of information on the internet in relation to how to train your dog. I have tried to briefly summarize these and compile a simplified article to give a brief overview. Please bear in mind that undertaking a dog training program requires time and patience and will need your full involvement. Here are my 5 key points to successful dog training.

1. Praise
It is of paramount importance that your dog is praised for everything he does right. He will soon learn that the way you speak to him while will indicate whether he has done something right or wrong. Praising cements the bond between the tone of your voice and knowing he has done something right. This is one of the simplest ways of speeding up the training program and quite often on of the most overlooked.

2. Discipline
As well as consistent praise where appropriate, your dog will require some ‘telling off’ when he has done something wrong. This does not involve hitting the dog in any way! Under no circumstances should your dog be physically punished. The simple answer is the use of a stern voice where appropriate. Use of the words ‘stop!’ or ‘no!’ are the most common forms of discipline. ‘Stay!’ is also a good example of a strict instruction but with a positive outcome if it’s obeyed. The dog will soon learn the difference between a correct or incorrect action by the tone of your voice alone and the promise of a treat! If these simple vocal signals are not used, the dog will take along time to learn the difference between right and wrong.

3. Attention
This is a key element in training your dog. Many people take on a training program in earnest and fail to actually make a point to ensure the dog is paying full attention. The easiest way to do this would be to talk naturally to him and reward him with a small treat. After doing this a few times, the dog will learn that he is able to get a treat easily by listening.

4. Equipment
Use of the correct equipment can aid in your training program. It is essential that you have a suitable collar and lead to train your dog. Usually a 6 foot lead and standard collar would be sufficient, especially if it is a well behaved dog. A more ‘lively’ dog that needs a little more control may require a training collar which are easily obtained. Also ensure that the collar is the correct size for your dog as its comfort will help in the training program.

5. Consistency
Work regularly with your dog and try a small amount of training every day. Too much in one day will more than likely not work. Try and ensure that your dog understands each part of the training well before moving on to other things.

These are just some of the key elements of dog training. Please use them as a starting ground for a proper training program and you will soon see the vast improvement in your dog’s behavior in a short period of time.

For more information about dog training, you may wish to read these reviews:

In the wake of an FDA alert halting the importation of contaminated vegetable proteins that caused kidney failure and death in dogs, new evidence points to a deadly combination.

Acid has now been linked to dog kidney failure and death in dogs.

Researchers in the United States and Canada believe that melamine, a chemical used to make plastic may have mixed with another toxic agent, cyanuric acid, producing deadly crystals.

The FDA confirmed that rice protein and wheat gluten from has been China tainted by cyanuric acid as well as melamine.

Once the now deadly combo of melamine and cyanuric acid were added to pet urine, killer crystals were determined to form within a matter of hours in laboratory experiments.

The crystals can block tubes from the kidneys to the bladder by filling those tubes with melamine-like crystals.

With the FDA confirming the reported deaths of more than 2200 dogs as a result of eating poisonous commercial dog food, this latest revelation is a likely indicator of an ever widening problem for the dog food industry.

The latest dog food recall is the biggest recall in history but is not the first due to contaminated dog food causing sickness and death in dogs.

For example, as recently as 2006, the FDA reported the death of 76 dogs after eating commercial dog food contaminated with a toxic chemical called aflatoxin.

It has long been the premise of leading dog nutritionists that commercial dog food is not only unhealthy on its face, but hazardous and potentially fatal to your dog.

These are pretty bold claims and only an evaluation of the ingredients actually included regularly in many dog food brands can prove the charges as true or false.
You can make this evaluation yourself by reviewing the ingredients included in many dog food brands at : dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html

A close look will reveal the inclusion of some rather suspect ingredients such as by-products, feathers, blood, feet, undeveloped eggs, bones, heads, and intestines.

The problem with commercial dog food is more extensive than the current poison dog food crisis which has been making dogs sick and killing them for several weeks .

The real problem lies in the unregulated nature of an industry that was born in order to find a commercial use for slaughterhouse and industrial waste in postwar America. A commercial and profitable purpose was found in the packaging of a product which is little more than toxic trash and marketing it to an unsuspecting public as a safe and healthy diet for their cherished dogs.

In fact, many dog owners believe that their dog must eat commercial dog food in order to be healthy. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most dogs have a life expectancy that can reach and exceed 20- 25 years or more. With the introduction of poor quality dog food, full of toxins, fillers and carcinogenic chemicals is it any wonder that more than 50% of all dogs get cancer at some time in their lives? And is it any surprise that many dogs live for just 10-12 years?

The recent dog food recall should be a call to action for any dog guardian to take back the health care of their dog and do what is simple and necessary to provide their dog with a healthy natural diet, while extending the life of their dog and saving money at the same time.

Try feeding a natural dog food diet that you prepare at home. Both your dog and your wallet will thank you!

If you could feed your dog a truly healthy and natural dog food diet and save money at the same time, would you give it a try? It’s easier than you think when you visit : dogs-4life.com/raw-vs-kibble.html dogs-4life.com/raw-vs-kibble.html
This article may be reprinted with the author’s links.

Getting a puppy needs a lot of thought, you need to make sure you have plenty of free time to take care of all its needs, including making your home safe for your puppy to live in without it harming itself in anyway, you would be surprised what mischief they can get up to!

Puppy obedience training should begin as soon as you get your puppy home, Obviously let it settle in for a few hours, but the earliest you can start puppy obedience training the better for you and your puppy.

1) Potty Training Your Puppy
This is one of the first obedience training lessons you will want to teach your young pup if you do not want it messing in your home, the number one rule is to make sure you catch your puppy in the actual act of weeing and then quickly pick your puppy up and put it outside or wherever you have chosen for its place to eliminate.

2) No Biting
Your next step in puppy obedience training is to stop your puppy from biting, regardless if it is only play biting because when your puppy grows even play biting can do serious damage to someone. So as soon as it play bites give the command “No” in a low but loud tone and keep repeating it until your puppy gets the idea and stops biting altogether.

3) Come Back to you on Command
The third puppy obedience training tip is to get your puppy to come to you on command, especially useful if your puppy gets out and escapes which they are prone to doing once in a while, and it will most likely save it’s life one day.

A helpful tip is to have some treats handy so when you call your puppy to you it has a reason to come back! Never admonish your puppy when it returns to you for any reason whatsoever or you will find that it will not return the next time you call it out of fear of being told off.

As long as you follow these three puppy obedience training tips you will have the basic training done and can move on to more advanced puppy obedience training.

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