Dog Breeds: Understanding The Hound Group

Dogs in this group loves to chase fast-moving objects, which makes them the number one choice for a hunting companion. There are three groups of dogs that fall under the hound group – the scenthounds, the sighthounds, and the large-game hounds.Scent HoundsThe scent hounds are dogs that are bred to follow scent. They are trained to track down prey by using their excellent sense of smell. Their strong drive to follow a scent makes them hard to obedience-train because they can easily get distracted by any smell in their surroundings. They are affectionate to their family, great with children, and gets along well with strangers. T

hey are active, energetic dogs that need plenty of exercise.Examples of scent hounds are: Beagle, Dachshund, Harrier, Otterhound, American Foxhound, Basset Hound, Black and Tan Coonhound, English Foxhound, Bloodhound, and Petit Basset Griffon Venden.SighthoundsSighthounds use their eyesight to spot a prey before they go for the chase. The instinct to run after a prey or an object makes this breed difficult to obedience train. Early socialization, especially with small animals such as cats and birds, is mandatory in order to tame down this breed's prey instinct.

They need daily exercise and proper obedience training.Examples of sighthounds are: Saluki, Whippet, Afghan Hound, Borzoi, Greyhound, Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound, Basenji, Irish Wolfhound, and Scottish Deerhound.Large Game HoundsLarge game hounds were bred to have stamina, strength, and endurance. Their superior sense of smell makes them an excellent hunting companion. Originally bred to hunt elk and other game, this breed tends to be aggressive toward small animal. Early training and socialization is required to modify this behavior. This breed makes a great watchdog.

They are initially suspicious of strangers and does not tolerate roughhousing. Children should be taught to be gentle with breed. Owner of large game hounds must have time to train and exercise this active breed.Examples of large game hounds are: Rhodesian Ridgeback and Norwegian Elkhound.

Dog Breeds: Understanding The Non-Sporting Groups

The Non-Sporting GroupDogs that are placed in this group were originally developed for a specific task. However, because man does not rely on these dogs anymore for work that used to be assigned to them, these breeds are mainly kept as a family pet and companion. Behaviors and personalities of dogs in this group vary significantly because each of them were originally bred to do different jobs. Because of the difference in personalities and traits of these breeds, it would be wise to consult an expert such as a vet or a breeder of that specific breed before you make the purchase.

This way, you know what to expect and if that particular breed will fit into your environment and lifestyle. Below are examples of breeds that fall under this category:Lhasa Apso, Bichon Frise, Bulldog, French Bulldog, Schipperke, Shiba Inu, Tibetan Terrier, Keeshond, Lowchen, American Eskimo Dog, Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Tibetan Spaniel, Poodle (Standard and Miniature), Finnish Spitz, Dalmatian, and the Chinese Shar-PeiExotic Breeds If you are interested in owning a rare, hard to find breed, consider the following listed below:

Norwegian Lundehund: The name means “Puffin Dog.” This breed is famous for his six toes and genuine talents that are traced back to puffin hunting at the time of the Ice Age.Leonberger (Leo.): This large, energetic dog was first developed in Germany and has lion-colored coat.S

wedish Vallhund: Originated in Sweden and was used to herd sheep and cattle. This Spitz type breed makes a great family pet.Cesky Terrier: Originated in Czechoslovakia in 1949 by crossing a Scottish Terrier with the Sealyham Terrier.Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog: Originated in the United States. This versatile dog is a first-class worker both in hunting game and herding cattle. At home, he is very protective of his family and makes and excellent guarddog. Polish Owczarek Nizinny Sheepdog: A shaggy dog known in the United States as Polish Lowland Sheepdog or simply PONS. This breed is intelligent, confident, and territorial. He is loyal and affectionate to his family and suspicious of strangers. This dog is easily adaptable and makes a great watchdog.

Dog Breeds: Understanding The Sporting Group

If you are an active person who loves the outdoors and enjoys a good run on the beach, you will find that a dog breed from the sporting group the perfect outdoor companion. Dogs in this group were originally bred to aid man in hunting and gathering wild birds, on land and in water. There are four types of dogs in the sporting group: Retrievers, spaniels, setters, and pointers.

RetrieversRetrievers are large dogs with a strong, robust, well-built body. They are smart, loyal, affectionate to their owners and get along very well with children. They generally accept strangers and other dogs. Their easy-going and playful nature makes them an excellent family pet. These dogs do not do well in prolonged isolation. They may display destructive behavior such as excessive barking, chewing, and digging when left alone for a long period of time. They are very active and need plenty of exercise and a job to do to keep them busy.Examples of retrievers are: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly-Coated Retrievers, and Flat-Coated Retrievers.

SpanielsSpaniels were bred to hunt and flush birds. They are loyal, good with children, and affectionate to their owners. They need daily exercise and fit in perfectly with an active family. Spaniels do not like being left alone for long periods of time. Isolation and lack of training will cause them to whine and become timid.Examples of spaniels are: Clumber Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, American Water Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Sussex Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, and Welsh Springer Spaniel.

Setters Setters are hunting dogs. They are very active and energetic, qualities that make them an excellent jogging partner. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do such as hunting and agility work. Lack of exercise makes them nervous and high-strung. They are bright and loyal dogs who thrive human companionship. Examples of setters are: Gordon Setter, Irish Setter, English Setter, and Brittany.

PointersPointers are large, energetic dogs who love to stay busy. With their long legs, they were originally used to spend many hours running the fields in search for fowls. They get along with children and create a strong bond with their families. If not given enough exercise, these dogs may display destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking.Examples of pointers are: Pointer, Vizsla, Weimaraner, German Shorthaired Pointer, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, and German Wirehaired Pointer.

Dog Breeds: Understanding The Terrier Group

If there is one word to describe a terrier, that word would be “driven.” Breeds in this group are tough, sturdy, and courageous. They are determined, confident, and very independent. These dogs were first developed to hunt rodents and other small burrowing animals. They have very high-prey drive and can be a little overly dog-aggressive. There are two types of terriers – The fighters and the vermin hunters.

The Fighting BreedAs the name states, these terriers were originally bred to bait bulls and fight other dogs. They are brave, confident, and aggressive. Fortunately, these breeds are no longer exploited and their fighting instincts have been tamed down. They are now kept as guard dogs and companion pets. They are active, playful and affectionate to their owners but suspicious of strangers. They need a strong, confident owner who can dominate them and be able to handle this tough breed.It is very important to socialize these dogs from puppyhood in order to avoid aggressiveness and rough behavior. They are not recommended for families with children, as they can be very aggressive and dominant.Examples of these fighters are: Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

The Vermin HuntersThese terriers are active, alert, and confident. They were originally developed to hunt for otter, badger, and other vermin. They are bright, independent, and always ready to take on a job. This breed should be kept on leash when outside because of his high-prey instinct toward small animals. However, with proper training and early socialization, this breed will be very happy walking alongside you off-leashed. Terriers have a tendency to become destructive and chew, leave marks, and bark incessantly if left alone for long periods of time. They need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Below are the names of these hunters:Scottish Terrier, Border Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Skye Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Airedale Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Australian Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Irish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Norwich Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, and the Fox Terrier (Wirehaired and Smooth).

Dog Breeds: Understanding The Toy Group

Most, if not all dogs in this group, are bred to be lapdogs and companion dogs. Many of them are miniaturized versions of hunting or working dogs. They are very small compared to other breeds. Some only weigh between 2 and 4 pounds and are 4 inches in height at the shoulder. Since they are too small to do any type of work, they have successfully achieved the art of being very cuddly and adorable.Although these dogs are delicates, most of them are generally healthy and tend to be long-lived. They have a life expectancy of at least 13-15 years on average and some live as long as 20 years old.

Toy breeds are very playful, usually high-strung, and always lovable. They are happy, lively, and can entertain you for hours with their seemingly unlimited amount of energy and enthusiasm. They are very affectionate of their owners and initially suspicious of strangers. They get along well with children, although kids should be taught not to roughhouse with them and to be careful in handling their fragile body. These dogs demand constant attention from their family.These dogs are great for apartment dwellers.

Keep in mind, however, that they can be very noisy and tend to bark excessively. They also make great pets for busy people because these breeds do not need to be exercised regularly. They get enough exercise just running around the house. Because of their size, they are very often spoiled compared to larger breeds. A toy dog has a big dog behavior wrapped in a little package. The Brussels Griffon, for example, has a high-prey drive toward small animals and can be dog-aggressive.

They can be tough, stubborn, and hard to housebreak. Training and socialization are needed for this breed.Below are examples of toy breeds: Chihuahua, Brussels Griffon, Papillon, Pug, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Havenese, Affenpinscher, Chinese Crested, Italian Greyhound , Pekingese, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Pomeranian, Toy Manchester Terrier, and the Silky Terrier.

Dog Breeds: Understanding The Working Group

As the name states, these dogs were developed to perform specific tasks to aid humans. They are large, strong, and brave. Most are very dominant and territorial. They require a confident owner with strong leadership skills. This group is divided into four types:

Rescue dogs, personal protection dogs, estate guarding dogs, and sled dogs.Rescue DogsThese are large dogs with dense coats and strong, powerful bodies that enables them to perform their rescue in cold water. They make a great family pet and enjoys the company of children as long as they don't roughhouse.

Examples of this breed are: Saint Bernard, Newfoundland, and Portuguese Water Dog.Personal

Protection DogsThese large, powerful dogs are bred to guard. They are strong, intelligent, and devoted to their owners. They are affectionate to their families but reserved with strangers. These dogs need a confident owner or they can become very dominant and aggressive. Early training and socialization as well as daily exercise are required for this breed.Examples of these breeds are: Doberman Pinscher, Standard Schnauzer, Giant Schnauzer, and Boxer.

Estate Guarding DogsIf you are looking for a strong dog with a muscular and powerful body, a dog who will protect your family and your territory, then these dogs are exactly what you need. They are extremely loyal, devoted, and will literally protect you to death. They are very territorial breeds who, without proper training and early socialization, can become overly aggressive and dominant. They need an owner who is capable of handling this strong-willed breed. However, with early socialization, proper leadership, and the right training, this breed can be gentle and friendly toward strangers. Exampled of this these powerful breeds are: Mastiff, Rottweiler, Komondor, Great Dane, Bullmastiff, Kuvasz, Akita, Anatolian Shepherd, and Great Pyrenees.

Sled DogsThis breed of dog, also called the Nordic breed, were first developed to pull sleds. Their thick, insulated coat protects them from the cold. Warm climate makes them miserable. These dogs shed year round and require regular brushing. Do not get this breed if you are allergic to dog hair or if you are fastidious about having a spotless house. However, if you like a large, friendly and powerful breed, someone who you can play with in the snow, then this is the breed for you. Early obedience training and socialization are required for these dogs, as well as regular exercise.Examples of this breed are: Samoyed, Siberian Husky, and Alaskan Malamute.

Dog Health Care: 4 Ways To Reduce The Cost Of Taking Care Of Your Dog

Owning a dog is the equivalent to having a child and he deserves the absolute best in veterinarian health care that you can provide. If you want to ensure that you and your beloved pet will have years of good times together then it is imperative that you provide your dog with the necessary annual checkups, vaccinations, and any other medical care that may arise in order to protect his health.But I can tell you from firsthand experience that providing health care for your dog can be quite expensive, especially if there are health problems or injuries that arise.

In today's article you will find a few money-saving tips that will keep you from breaking the bank account so that your dog can remain healthy.

1. There are some states in the US where rabies are more prevalent than in other areas. And because of this situation, the law may require you to get annual rabies shots done on your dog. In order to help save on the cost of these annual shots, you may have local shelters or other animal organizations that offer rabies shots at a significant savings. The costs associated by local shelter services can be dramatically lower than what the veterinarian would charge.

2. Low-cost rabies shots are not the only services that some local shelters offer at a reduced cost. In fact, there are some shelters that have in-house veterinarian care. These are known as “shelter clinics” that are open to the public and is designed to help reduce the cost of animal health care. These services can range from vaccination needs to emergency care needed in case your dog gets injured. Please contact your local shelter for more information.

3. If you own more than one dog like I do, then you may be lucky to find a veterinarian in your local area that offers discounts for multiple dog owners. It took me about five different locations in order to find a veterinarian that offered such a discount, but it was worth it and have saved me hundreds of dollars in health care costs for my pets. Don't be shy to ask your veterinarian for this possibility because many do not advertise it publicly but are happy to provide a multi-pet discount.

4. Last but not least, it is always best to spay or neuter your dog. It is a known fact that many dogs who are not spayed or neutered will cause unwanted births which lead to increased chances of injury to other puppies. As far as your personal health care costs are concerned, dogs that are in heat tend to get into very inappropriate situations that are associated with a dog's reproductive cycle.

Getting your dog fixed may also prevent certain type of cancers. For these reasons alone your veterinarian costs will be minimized greatly

Dog Intelligence: Learn Why Adult Dogs Can Lose Up To 25% Of Their Brain Mass

After only seven weeks of being alive, a puppy's brain and response patterns are almost identical to that of an adult dog's brain. This statistic is recorded using an EEG. Because of this reading, it would be normal to think that a dog at this young age would be able to have the same ability to learn as an adult dog. However, this is not entirely true, regardless of what the brain wave patterns show.A puppy's brain may be fully developed, but their ability to learn and their coordination skills must be practiced repetitively over time, just like any motor skill.

It is very similar to how people must learn a new skill. In fact, humans and dogs are identical in many ways when it comes to how their intelligence develops over the years and throughout their life span. In people, developing intelligence increases at a rapid pace between infancy and into the mid-adolescent years. And this typically peaks when a person has reached their latter teenage years. Brain measures have shown that there are very small changes the ability to gain more intelligence, if any, between the age of 16 and 27. After these years there is a slow and gradual decline of fluid intelligence. However, there is what is called “crystallized intelligence” that is based on what a person actually learns, that does not reach its peak in people until around their mid-40s. Some people actually maintain a slow increase in crystallized intelligence throughout their entire life.

Dogs are much the same way. Their brains experience almost an identical pattern except for the fact that their lifespans are considerably shorter. Brain Changes In The Older DogOnce a dog starts to reach his older years, there are very noticeable changes in their physiology. When a dog reaches the age of four or five years old, the brain starts to lose weight at a large rate of almost 5% for every year that goes by. For example, the brain of a healthy German Shepherd who is 12 years old may weigh almost 30% less than it did when this dog was five years old.Much of this decrease in brain mass is the result of brain cells that are shrinking and breaking down. And because neural connections become lost, information travels at a very slow pace within the dog's nervous system. This invariably causes delayed reactions and slow response time to noises and commands

Dog Leash Training: Teaching Your Dog The Let's Go Command

There are many things that you'll have to get used to as a new puppy owner, especially when it comes to training your puppy with the basics. Are you up for the challenge? Great, because in today's article we are going to discuss a simple method that can help you leash train your dog and teach her to obey the “let's go” command.Because new puppies are easily distracted by anything and everything around them, it is important to start your “lets go” leash training in a relatively quiet area.

There should be very little distractions from other cats and dogs, children, and loud noises. The perfect area would be a private backyard or a quiet sidewalk in front, so long as you have a little bit of privacy.The equipment you will need is simple: a leash, a loose fitting collar for your dog's neck, and a squeaky toy that you will use to divert his attention towards you.The first thing you will need to do is to get your dog interested in the squeaky toy that you have brought with you. Play with it and show it to her in a friendly manner while talking to your dog at the same time and asking “what's this”, “pretty toy huh”, or “look what I got” - doing so in a tone of voice that makes your puppy feel comfortable and playful.

Everybody has that “cutesy voice” that like to talk to their pets with, so use yours!At this point your dog should be very turned on to the squeaky toy and will want to follow your hands and the fun noises that follow. To test this out you should get your dog's attention diverted away from you, perhaps towards another animal, and then start squeezing the toy to see if she forgets the activity around her and darts towards you and the noise.

Now The Training BeginsStand with your dog at your left side while you have coiled most of the leash in your right hand. Your left hand should be holding the end of the leash near the collar as well as the squeaky toy. When you're ready to move, give a loud “Let's Go!” command and begin to walk away. It is important that your command is in a cheerful and positive tone of voice.Your dog should then start moving at your same pace because there is little room for the leash to extend and the fun in a squeaky toy that she loves so much is right near her face, keeping her entertained and wanting to move towards that direction. Be sure to utilize the simple training procedure for only a few steps at a time.

If you make the mistake of trying to keep your dog walking on the leash after giving the “let's go” command for too far lengths at a time, she will get bored quickly and will stop watching you in the toy, as well as your movements.Repeat this protocol as often as needed until your dog will follow in your direction without the use of a diversion (the squeaky toy).

Dog Leash Training Tip: Use A Diversion To Keep Your Dog's Attention

Dogs and puppies do not take to the leash as naturally as you may think. In the beginning part of leash training your toughest job as a dog owner is to teach your puppy that you are to be the center of attention instead of everything else that's going on around her. This can be quite the challenge because there are so many exciting things moving and making noises that can easily distract your little pup. Such distractions can include other cats and dogs that are roaming the streets, interesting looking fire hydrants and other vertical objects such as trees and bushes, and of course other people walking back and forth.

All of these distractions are almost irresistible for a new puppy or dog. At first you will want to carry around a squeaky toy or some other object that makes a noise in which your dog will immediately turn his attention to. This will help you compete with the other noises and movements going on outside. As soon as your dog is not paying attention to your commands or your leash, you simply squeeze the toy and it brings him right back to you.Of course this does not mean that you should prevent your dog from sniffing around a bit or exploring interesting areas.

In fact, allowing your dog to sniff the outdoors is an important part of his social conditioning. Have you ever noticed when walking your dog that they absolutely enjoy sniffing were the last dog urinated? Well what is going on inside your dog's mind is that he is taking notes of what type of dog it was, how big or small the dog was, and whether it was male or female. You should allow your dog to do this now and again as it helps him familiarize with other animals.