Posts from — December 2008

The king of terriers was developed to hunt otter in Yorkshire, England. It is the result of crosses between the now extinct English Black and Tan Terrier and the Otter Hound. The Airedale got the best of its hound and terrier ancestors. Its talents are many. Airedales have been and are still used as bird dogs, big game hunters, and military and police dogs.

BODY TYPE:

Overall impression is of a large, robust, long legged terrier full of fire and spirit.

Height: 22-24 inches (at shoulder)

Weight: 44-50 pounds

Whiskers and a goatee

Button ears are folded forward and carried to the side of the head. They are not altered.

Docked tail is carried high but not curved over the back.

PERSONALITY:

Legendary loyalty

Totally trustworthy with children

Eager to please and learns easily.

Fiery temper shows when around other dogs.

COAT:

Harsh double coat that can be either straight or wavy.

Airedales are all tan with black or grizzled saddle.

Wiry coat requires professional grooming. Pets are trimmed with clippers but show dogs are hand plucked.

Waterproof coat inherited from Otter Hound ancestors.

TIPS:

Largest of the terrier tribe.

Loves to swim.

Puppies born black.

Beloved pet of three successive American presidents: Harding, Coolidge and Hoover. Also fancied as hunting companion of Teddy Roosevelt.

HEALTH CONCERNS:

Hip dysplasia

Skin allergies and hot spots

Gastro-enteritis

For more information:
dog.com/breed/Airedale-Terrier.asp Airedale Terrier
dog.com/breed/index.asp Dog Breeds

The poisoned dog and cat food crisis with pet food producers has alarmed many cat and dog. Now, they are fighting back via legal claims and class action lawsuits.

Pets in both the United States and Canada have experienced serious problems, such as kidney failure, loss of appetite, seizures, death, and other symptoms resulting from eating poisoned petfood. As a result, there has been a recall of millions of food items.

Despite uncertainty as to the exact cause of the problem, the contaminants in the pet foods were identified, and one manufacturer, Menu Foods, has voluntarily recalled the products.

Class action suits are now being prepared in this case for this company and others. In one lawsuit, two Manitoba, Canada plaintiffs are suing over the death of a cat and several dogs, after eating the recalled products.

And while Menu Foods seems to be experiencing the majority of the legalities, other companies are affected. Royal Canin, based in is being sued for around 50 million dollars over contaminated food. In this case however, the contamination is excessive Vitamin D, which can be dangerous to dogs and cats in large enough does. And so although the symptoms appear to be the same as the other products, the underlying reason is very different.

A quick search of the Internet provdes many companies wanting your claim, with class action lawsuits all throughout North America. Importantly, these lawsuits require your participation, but don’t require any payment, as all fees will be paid out of the judgment.

A difficulty for any class action is evaluating what are the damages, if any. By law, animals are considered property, so damages are based on the actual value of the animal. But dogs and cats are much more than just property, and the law may be unable to set a proper price on the loss of a loved pet friend. Under the current legal system, ‘pain and suffering’ does not apply to dog or cat loss.

Should these issues affect your pet, you may wish to become part of a lawsuit easily. Searching the Internet will provide you various options. But no matter which lawyer you use, you must keep track of all related items: veterinarian bills and other care invoices, food and food containers, store invoices, plus anything else likely to be needed to prove a case. Gathering your paperwork, you improve your chances of both being included with and winning a judgment.

Time will tell if these claims provide any compensation for the pet owners. But by putting a price tag on pet care, there is the possibility that more attention will be shown for pet food and pet food preparation from now on.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on theworldsbesthomepage.com/blog/category/home/pets/ pets, cat and dog care and animal health and visit our associated site free-content-resource.com articles for free.

Due to constant comparison with their canine counterparts, people have said that cats cannot be trained. True, they may not be trained like a soldier but cats are incredibly intelligent animals that can be trained towards developing good habits if effort is put into work and understanding them.

Most cats that are adopted from a shelter, bought from a breeder or even just rescued from the streets don”t require a lot of instruction or guidance. Cats are quite self-sufficient but can still benefit from some training. Cat training is well worth doing because it will do good for the health and safety of both cat and owner.

There is no standard procedure to follow for cat training but there are a few cardinal rules in doing so. The first is that owners need to favor incentives over deterrents when possible. Cats also have self-interests so owners and trainers would want to leverage those. Using the cat’s natural preferences to induce the cat to the desired goal will prove to be helpful. Second rule is to not let training damage the important bond of trust between owner and cat. Cat training would ideally strengthen the bond between pet and owner during training sessions. The third rule is that owners need to consult with a veterinarian to investigate any possible medical issues for any observed behavior problems. Some cats that exhibit aggression with no previous incident of violence may be showing pain aggression due to an illness or injury. Training the cat during this case is not advisable.

Before starting cat training, it is advisable that a bond be established with the cat. Cats value and look forward to attention and affection that can be gained from training. But cats would only participate when they can determine that they would not be put in any harm by the handler. It would seem that the cat is more dependent due to that aspect of their training. Although cats in the wild tend to work alone, domesticated cats are quite social.

Cats may not be pack animals that carry the instincts to please a leader but due to their curious nature, they respond to learning, playing, eating and relaxing with their human owners. Although the relationship between cat and owner would aid in training, cats still have that independent streak. Any cat owner who opts for cat training must keep their expectations realistic to avoid working under false pretenses while going through the training sessions.

the author is a editor at Niche Article Directory whe he is not looking at article he is writting articles that mean something to him go here to read more articles niche-articledirectory.com/ Article Directory

If I were a fish I would hope and prey I did not go to a modern trendy home where the owners liked the latest craze. At the moment the latest trend is the fish tank coffee table. Although this type of aquarium looks stunning it is a death trap for fish. They are beautiful looking items of furniture and become the centre of attraction since you cannot fail to see and admire it.

Why the Fish Tank Coffee Table are Called Death Traps for the Fish?

The fish tank coffee table is a great piece of interior home décor; however, the same fish tank coffee table is actually murdering the fish. The reason they are cruel to marine life is because this type of aquarium gives very little place for installing proper filters, and it allows very little maintenance. The fish have height but they need the width as well in order to feel comfortable. The fish actually feel very uncomfortable if they have to swim between the different heights that make the fish tank coffee table.A solution to this problem would be mechanical fish.

If you do not want your fish in this type of aquarium to die a slow and very painful death then the best solution is to replace your live fish with mechanical fish. This way your fish tank coffee table stays as a splendid interior decoration piece without harming anyone or anything.

A Modern Looking Fish Tank Coffee Table

If you must have live fish in your fish tank coffee table then a large rectangular one would be best. This would also enable you to install adequate filters underneath the base of the table. This type of aquarium will be better for fish to live. So in order for the fish to be comfortable, they will need to be accommodated in a rectangular and long aquarium. The larger the surface the more fish can live in there.

Alternative Fish Tank Coffee Tables That Do Not Have Live Fish!

There is another choice for people who really must have a fish tank coffee table and do not like the idea of mechanical fish. You can fill a tank with colorful decorations and plants and add to it oxygen pumps which let out small and big bubbles. This, in combination with good lighting, can be as beautiful as an aquarium, without making you guilty of any cruelty. There are some lovely looking plants and colored stones and ornaments which are available to buy at very cheap prices and would really make your display the centre of attention.

This informative website at fishtankfun.com fishtankfun.com has loads of information on fish, aquariums, fish tank stands and gives advice related to keeping fish and what type of tank to buy.

It is an exciting time when trying to adopt a dog. Dogs are man’s best friend for sure. Your pet dog will give you company. Ciddle up together. Some dogs can even guard your house. First step is to eview your personal lifestyle and needs when adopting a dog or puppy. Next is to decide major whether or not you would choose to have a puppy or an adult as a pet. Before you make a decision as to which dog to adopt please review the useful information below that might help you decide.

On Puppies

* An advantage to adopting a puppy is that you would guide its growth and well being. A puppy will give you the chance to raise it up according to what you want. You can ensure that it is properly nurtured with the right dog food. You will know for certain that necessary dog shots are given. It is important to know your puppy has always had the appropriate heartworm treatments at this early stage. Personally training your puppy is always a plus. You can teach him exactly what you want him to know.

*Eight to Ten weeks of age is a good time to adopt a puppy. Puppies need to spend adequate time with their mothers and littermates. This is a crucial stage for them. A puppy eight to ten weeks of age has a psychological advantage for both puppy and for the mother dog as well.

* Puppies adjust easily to new surroundings as compared to an adult dog. Puppies need to be housebroken. House training needs a lot of time, effort and patience from the owner.

* Most pet owners find puppies can be entertaining. They are very cute and adorable. Puppies can be easily regarded as one of the family or even as newborn babies added to the family.

On adult dog

* There is less fuss taking care of an adult dog. Their behavior is already established.

* You need to get as much information that you can when adopting an adult dog. You can acquire information from the previous owners of the dog. Some adult dogs may have behavior issues.

* It may take more time and effort for an adult dog to become comfortable with a new owner.

* You will need to introduce an adult dog to your children and other household members. This would help the dog be familiar with them and helps them refrain from biting or barking if they perceive them to be strangers.

* Adult dogs may not need your full attention. unlike puppies adults would require lesser trips to the veterinary.

* Most adult dogs are housebroken. Adults have usually have grown out of the impulse of chewing things.

* An older dog can easily adapt to other pets, like other dogs or cats, if you have a group of them at your household.

Choosing which dog or puppy to adopt can be a little tricky too. Everyone loves sweet looking puppies, but not everyone can endure the extra chores of housebreaking and having their items chewed on.

Adult dogs need no great amount of guidance but can still turn out to be a lovable pet. Whichever you choose, a dog or a puppy keep in mind that taking care of them requires a lot of time and effort. However, in return, they always keep you company and have a ready smile with an excited wag of tail waiting for you everyday. Dogs and puppies definitely can cheer you up after a long hard day.

Author: Connie Limon. Please visit us at: abouttoydogs.com We are an article and resource directory all about toy dogs. Submit your articles to your directory.

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. Please visit us at: abouttoydogs.com abouttoydogs.com We are an article and resource directory all about toy dogs. Submit your articles to your directory.

Recently, in the Florida Everglades, a 13-foot Burmese python and an alligator got into a life and death struggle with each other. At the end, both animals were dead. Everglades and the entire state of Florida, estuaries, and wildlife habitats anywhere are teeming with wild animals that had been pets in homes but were unwanted later. Park rangers and animal trappers are seeing more and more of wild animals that do not belong in their state’s natural environment.

About six months ago, my husband and I spotted a small iguana on the front lawn of a hotel in Fort Lauderdale. When we alerted the hotel clerk, he told us there were loose iguanas all over the place, because people from the northern states brought their unwanted exotic pets and dumped them here since they thought the pet would survive on its own in a subtropical climate. Nothing could be further from the truth. Animals belong to several different habitats, even when the weather conditions are similar.

Wild animal babies are attractive and lovable. We all adore an irresistibly cute and cuddly ocelot, bobcat, monkey, or a bear while a baby, but these babies grow up in no time and, if they are kept as pets, they become a nuisance and danger to themselves and to their surroundings.

Another point to consider is that care of wild animals eventually becomes very difficult, or better said, impossible. Their appropriate care demands expertise of the species, tailor-made facilities, and indefatigable dedication lifelong. When the babies become older and are impossible to handle, they are usually put away or passed from owner to owner. Worse yet, wild animals that are declawed or changed in some way to fit into a home are not accepted into the zoos. So, at times, they are let loose in an environment where their survival is, at best, iffy.

What is more, these animals are social creatures and they need and deserve the company of their own kind. Even when their physical health is taken care of, they grow up with behavior problems and act unpredictably because they are out of their natural environment.

Wild animals also may come with unknown viruses and make other pets and people in a household ill. For example, lizards are famous for carrying the salmonella virus as some primates are for Herpes B. Other animals may bring rabies or still unknown and undetected diseases, and if we can take these animals back to their initial environment, it is probable that they will transport diseases from domestic cats and dogs to the wild.

Nobody benefits from keeping wild animals as pets, except for their breeders and sellers who exploit wildlife for huge financial gains. These people take animal babies away from their mothers at too young an age and transport them under deplorable conditions to the markets to be sold as pets.

During the transportation, many of the babies die in outrageous numbers; 90% of the reptiles and 95% of the birds are dead, long before reaching their prospective owners. In addition, as the result of the wild animal trade, natural habitats are disturbed and quite a few species become extinct, as in the case of several West Indies species of Macaws.

Owning a wild animal is not a status symbol. The actress or singer with a python, boa, or an anaconda wrapped around her (or his) body is neither being adventurous nor sexy. Moreover, she is advertising to the entire world that her artistic talent amounts to zero and she can be sure that people who feel like I do will boycott her work as long as she stays in the public eye.

Sometimes wild animal merchants crossbreed wild and domestic species. This too is an appalling practice because it makes the animals inapt to survive both in the wild and in a household with other pets and young children.

Also, the rainforests of Central and South America are diminishing in size daily. In Florida, migrating birds are running out of places to stop and rest. If the wild animal pet owner really cared about animals, instead of imprisoning his pet under intolerable conditions, he would work toward keeping natural habitats, estuaries, jungles, and desert environments intact.

Several states ban the sale and keeping of wild animals as pets. Still, this ban is not enforced or the wild animal owners manage to fall through the cracks. Pet shops are not inspected daily, and if they are inspected, the inspectors may not be well versed in wild animals to detect or separate the wild species from the tame ones. Even if some of those animals may be orphaned or injured and then found by a person and brought to the pet shop, they still belong in the wild.

The sale of wild animals does not involve the pet stores only. It has taken hold of a sizable piece of the internet. This is scary, since internet has little control over itself.

These facts point to one important certainty: if we truly care for animals, we have to control our behavior. If we really want a pet that will be a positive addition to our homes, our local animal shelter is waiting for us to adopt a kitten, a puppy, or any tame pet, and if we find an orphaned or injured wild animal, our state’s wildlife officials or a professional wildlife expert are there to help the animal.

We are a nation of animal lovers. Most of us strongly feel that animal welfare is our responsibility. I can understand the wild pet owner’s feelings in wanting to get close to an animal, but we have to respect the way nature works. So, please, let’s not encourage the wild animal trade.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with PetLovers.Com/ PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for PetLovers.Com/ Pet Forums.
Joy Cagil is an author on a site for writers ( writing.com writing.com). Her education is in foreign languages and linguistics. She is an animal lover.

Most cat lovers also love items that feature cats so when you are looking for a gift for a cat lover you can’t go wrong with a gift that has a cat theme. You can choose from items like pictures, posters, calendar, scrapbooks, greeting cards and more. Buying a subscription to cat magazines or a gift certificate at a pet store is also a good idea.

If you are going to give a gift to a cat lover you know try to find out what kind of cat they have if you don’t know already. This will help you to really personalize the gift by giving them one that is specific to their cat. You can also take pictures of their cat; you want to be sneaky about this though as not to let on what you are up to.

After you have taken the pictures use them to create things like scrapbooks or framed pictures. If you are computer savvy use them and create a screensaver for the cat lover. They would really love this and will greatly appreciate all the time and effort you took to create such a personalized gift.

Some other great cat lover gift ideas are clothing with a cat theme, personalized cat doormats, blankets, and figurines that are the exact breed and color of your friend’s cat. Some of the figurines and stuffed animals on the market today look very real.

There are some really gifts that your friend would love in their kitchen as well such as customized hand painted or photo embossed coffee mugs and dinnerware. Another favorite is a kitchen rug with cat images and cat refrigerator magnets. I have seen a rug that has an image of a cat lying on it that looked so real I stepped over it as not to step on the cat!

Get your friend a license plate frame with a kitty on it or one that says something like “I brake for cats”. You can also find bumper stickers and other emblems with the theme. I personally like the Garfield stuffed animal that hangs in the rear mirror on a suction cup.

There is practically no end to the varied quantity of cat lover gifts available for you to select from for any cat loving individual. In addition to that, is the fact that I guarantee you will be able an appropriate gift that is within your price range from among the many different gifts displayed online.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find out more about pets and

Vaccinations play an important part in the preventive healthcare of your pet. There are nasty doggie diseases out there, and for some of these, vaccination is your pooch’s only real protection, as there may be no cure once the disease is contracted. After initial vaccination, many types require a schedule of follow-up shots, or boosters, to maintain a safe level of immunity.

Here are a few of the most common distressing, even fatal illnesses you can prevent with some timely injections:

Canine parvovirus:

This is a viral disease which is highly contagious and can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting. Puppies are especially at risk, and if contracted, parvovirus can kill a pup in just two to three days after the onset of symptoms.

Rabies:

This disease is NO JOKE! It is caused by a virus that attacks the brain, and it is always FATAL. That means, once symptoms are displayed, there’s no cure, so that ounce of prevention is all you’ve got! It is spread to animals and humans by bites from infected animals. Vaccination against rabies is required for dogs by law.

Canine distemper:

Along with parvovirus, canine distemper is the leading killer of puppies. It is a highly contagious viral disease spread through direct or indirect contact with nose and eye discharge of infected dogs. Symptoms resemble a bad cold progressing to vomiting and diarrhea, and muscle twitching and seizures.

Lyme Disease:

Also called Borreliosis, this bacterial infection is primarily spread by carrier tick bites. A dog with Lyme disease will display symptoms like fever, lethargy, depression, muscle stiffness and lack of appetite. The infection can lead to lameness due to severe muscle and/or joint pain.

Canine Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza, and Bordetella:

This “complex” of viral and bacterial infections is responsible for “kennel cough” in dogs. Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough and runny nose and eyes.

So, it’s pretty clear, given what’s out there, that vaccinations to prevent certain illnesses are a good thing. Be sure to discuss with your vet the rationale behind your dog’s vaccination schedule and follow his or her recommendations based on your dog, his health, and his environment.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

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The good thing about training a puppy to walk on a leash is that you can prevent any problems before they eventuate. It’s much easier to start leash training early on with a puppy, than to re-train an older dog with established leash behavioral problems.

Having a properly leash trained puppy makes life much simpler and safer for the dogs future. And of course it means that taking your dog for a walk is an enjoyable experience, for both you the owner and also your dog.

How To Train A Puppy To Walk On A Leash

The first step can take place as soon as you get your young puppy home. Just get your pup familiar and comfortable wearing a collar. A simple buckle collar is fine for this purpose. Put the collar on when you feed your puppy or when you are playing with him. Most puppies don’t have a problem with the collar, it may just take a little getting used to. If your puppy is rolling around or trying to scratch the collar off, don’t take it off him at this time. Wait till he has settled down or forgotten about it, then take it off.

The next step is similar to the first, it involves the leash. This time get your dog used to the look and feel of his leash. For young puppies all you need is a light weight, thin leash. You can upgrade to a fancy leather leash when your puppy is properly leash trained if you like. Put the leash on your puppy and just let him check it out and drag it around with him (always under your supervision). Once again your goal is to make your puppy comfortable with the leash and not fear it in any way.

When your puppy is comfortable wearing the collar and dragging the leash around (may take up to a couple of weeks) it is time for you to pick up the other end of the leash. Make these first leash training sessions short, sharp and fun. And always keep in mind that your goal is to communicate to your dog that pulling on the leash is never acceptable. Therefore you must never reward his pulling by giving in to him. Be consistent with your message to him and always praise his good behavior (in this case, walking on a loose leash).

To start with just walk around the house with the leash in hand, and your puppy trotting along side you. Give him plenty of vocal praise, petting and even a few treats. At this early stage puppies love to follow their owners around, you should use this to your advantage. If your puppy pulls on the leash (which he will, don’t expect him to just know this stuff) immediately stop. Don’t yank him back over to you with the leash, just call him over and praise him when he comes. Then set off for more of a stroll and repeat this correction each time your dog pulls on the leash. It must be every time he strains on the leash, you have to teach him that when he pulls, it gets him nowhere. The same correction applies when your puppy sits down while you are walking. Don’t yank him forward to you, just stop and call him toward you.

This leash training method results in your dog not pulling and you not pulling, just a nice loose leash hanging down between you and your dog. It will take a bit of persistence and patience on your part, but it is well and truly worth it.

Chris Smith is a dedicated dog owner and creator of dog-obedience-training-review.com dog-obedience-training-review.com

Discover the right way to obedience train your dog at home. The latest cutting edge and proven techniques.

If you are just starting out with your first aquarium you may want to know what the essential fish tank supplies are are. This will include such necessities as water filters, air and water pumps, cleaning equipment, and lighting systems. The choice of fish tank supplies that you need will depend on the shape and size of your fish tank.

One of the first items on your list for fish tank supplies should be a fish tank stand. Fish tank stands are available in many materials with metal and wooden tending to be the most popular. When picking out a stand try to choose one that will blend in with the design of the rest of the room.

Fish tank hoods are equally as important, and should be at the top of your list of fish tank supplies. They are necessary to prevent the fish form jumping out of the tank and also to reduce the evaporation of the water. The highest quality hood tends to be those that are made of aluminium. They are fitted with a window for feeding the fish, have a condensation tray, a compartment for installing the lighting unit, and are light in weight.

A critical item on your list of fish tank supplies for medium and larger tanks should be a high quality water filter and pump. This will ensure an effective and efficient disposal of waste, water circulation and, recycling of the nutrients. Fortunately, many of the custom designed fish tanks will be come pre installed with pumps and filters so this is usually something the beginner need not worry about. A simple tap water filter can be used to deionise the water making it safe, and is a useful part of your fish water supplies

It may be a wise investment to select a water testing kit when you are picking out your fish tank supplies. This will enable you to determine the nitrite, PH and salt content in the water. If any problems are detected these can than be quickly corrected.

Lights will add different colours to you fish tank, and form another important part of fish tank supplies. They are available in three colours red, green or blue, and will add an attractive tint to the fish tank. Fluorescent and metal halide fish tank lights seem to be by far the most popular choice.

No list of fish tank supplies will ever be complete unless an assortment of corals, rocks, driftwood and maybe some battery powered toys are included. These accessories include battery powered wheels and divers. Ice shells, ice crystals and tiny fountains are also very popular fish tank supplies and will make your tank look more beautiful. When including any ornaments in your fish tank make sure that they are specifically labelled and intended for use in aquariums.

Do not forget to give your fish tank a green touch by installing some plant life. The plastic plants which are easy to install in your fish tank come in various designs, such as arrowhead, green and yellow spike, hair-grass and many more. They should definitely form a useful part or your fish tank supplies.

Cleaning the fish tank will be more problematic than it needs to be if you do not have the necessary fish tank supplies. Algae growth on the sides of the fish tank and collection of waste material can pose as a threat to the fragile ecosystem if not removed from the tank. Also, your fish tank will look much more attractive when it is not covered in dirt. Your fish tank supplies should therefore include an algae scrapper and also gravel cleaners, which will allow you to clean the tank and remove any dirt that sinks to the bottom of the tank.

It is important not to let the thought of cleaning the tank put you off buying your first fish tank as the pleasures of owning your own aquarium will greatly outweigh the limited amount of time needed for a cleaning routine. An ideal schedule to perform regular fish tank maintenance is every two to three weeks.

The great thing about fish tank supplies is that they are so easy to obtain with so many specialist online stores and local pet stores around, making it simple to set up an aquarium.

Darren Lintern is the author and owner of Aquarium Supplies World. For more information on Aquarium supplies, visit aquariumsuppliesworld.com” target=”_blank Aquarium Supplies World where you will find a wealth of information on Fish Tank Supplies including Filters, Gravel, Heaters, Lights and other aquariumsuppliesworld.com/Articles/Do_Not_Forget_Fish_Tank_Maintenance.php” target=”_blank Aquarium supplies for a vibrant thriving Aquarium.