Information on Loughborough

Choosing the Right Dog!

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Choosing the Right Dog!By Nicky Van Der Bijl

A good relationship between you and your dog can be a rewarding experience. This positive relationship begins with choosing the right pet. You need to consider your home environment, life style and your family needs.

Often dogs are chosen with small thought or consideration resulting in displeasure and heartbreaking consequences. The key to a happy, fulfilling relationship between you and your pet is to make the right choice in the first place.

Before taking on the responsibility, make sure that everyone in the family is willing to help take care of the dog. Feeding, playing, exercise, training and grooming are essential to canine care. If after careful consideration you find that you will not be able to attend to all these tasks properly, perhaps a more low maintenance pet should be considered for now.

Other important determining factors:

• Family dog allergies• Financial burden - feeding, training, grooming, spaying, veterinary care, leashes toys etc

The right dog for you

Learn as much as possible about the characteristics of the breed of dog you are interested in buying. Although each dog has it's own individual personality, breeds tend to have distinct appearances and behave in certain ways. A large fenced yard would be suitable for an active dog such as a retriever whereas an apartment may be suitable for a less active dog.

Coat length should also be taken intoaccount. Long, thick-haired coats require a great deal of grooming. Some short-coat dogs require small grooming however tend to shed their hair all year round. Breeds such as poodles that don't shed need to be clipped regularly.

Think about the climate your dog will be living in. Dogs with thick coats will be extremely uncomfortable in hot humid temperatures. If you live in conditions with extreme climates, consider a dog or canine whose coat type permits easy adaptation.

Then there is the gender of the dog that needs to be considered. In general males have more behaviour problems and are more aggressive than females. While both male and females make excellent companions, first-time owners or families with children might want to look at choosing a female. Males and females make equally good watchdogs.

Mixed breed dogs often make the greatest pets. Adopting a mix breed dog is one of the greatest ways of avoiding inherited diseases.

Playful family breeds: Border Collie, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Yorkshire Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog

Feel free to visit my blog for further discussions or comments on the above topic. http://dog-dilemmas.blogspot.com

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3 Popular Dog Breeds For Families

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3 Popular Dog Breeds For FamiliesBy Joseph M Sabol

When you are planning to get a dog or canine for your family, nothing beats having everyone pitch in when choosing which particular breed to get. For sure, your children and even your spouse would have a lot of suggestions, and these might be in terms of size and temperament. Choosing one particular dog breed just might become daunting on your part. Thus, it would be better to do some research on the chic / stylish / trendy / hip / cool family dog breeds that you just might want to get. Here are some of the chic / stylish / trendy / hip / cool breeds.

The Golden Retriever

This breed makes an excellent choice because this dog is very sociable and enjoys outdoor activities. If you are considering getting a Golden Retriever, then you should know this interesting fact about the breed. Back in the day, the Golden Retriever was actually trained to retrieve birds whenever hunters would go on expeditions. However, it did not take too long for the hunters to observe that the breed was more of a family companion rather than a hunting companion. Thus, it soon became one of the chic / stylish / trendy / hip / cool family dog breeds. One major downside of the Golden Retriever, however, is its fur. Its fur has to have serious maintenance to keep it healthy so this would require brushing daily. Much fur would also be shed, which is not too good for families who have asthmatic members.

The West Highland Terrier

More popularly known as the Westie, this small terrier is very playful. Because of its playful nature, dog owners would have to be ready to do some exercises with the dog, justto keep it active and happy. Westies are very loyal to their owners and they also make great watchdogs. However, because of its small size, younger children could somehow mistreat it quite a bit. Thus, it would be better to get this small dog if the children in the house are a bit older already. Much like the Golden Retriever, the Westie also needs to be groomed so that his coat is maintained free from tangles.

The Cairn Terrier

This is still a small dog, much like its cousin, the Westie. The Cairn Terrier likes to be with a lot of people and needs a lot of exercise to stay happy as well. You have a lot of choices when it comes to colour with the Cairn Terrier because this breed comes in the following colors: cream, red, grey, sandy, wheaten, and even in combinations of these colors.

These are just some of the chic / stylish / trendy / hip / cool dog breeds you should consider. For more information and details on the other breeds, do not hesitate to contact your local vet. Vets are the most qualified people who can share valuable information and details about all dog breeds in the market.

Joseph M. Sabol is a world class Doberman breeder. Please go to http://petvitamins4u.com or to http://theroadhousedobes.com for further information

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Choosing the Correct Breed For You

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Choosing the Correct Breed For YouBy Geoffrey English

Some people choose a particular dog breed because they like the way it looks. Appearance is only one of many factors you should consider. Here are some tips to help you find the right breed for you.

Identify your needs and lifestyle before you start looking at puppies.

Answering these questions will assist and help you choose a breed that fits your family's lifestyle. Do you have children? What are their ages? Some breeds do well with young children (young people) and others don't. Do you have a home or an apartment? Some breeds need room to roam, some are couch potatoes.

Is your yard fenced or will you have to take your dog for walks? You might not want to walk a massive dog several times a day. How much time can you spend with your dog? If you're gone most of the day, choose a breed that doesn't mind being alone for long periods of time.

Are you an active person or a couch potato? Be honest. Do you spend a lot of time outdoors? Select a breed that matches your energy level. Where will your dog be spending most of his time? Outside or inside? If outside, make sure the breed you choose can handle the temperature changes in your area.

There are many factors to consider when looking at dog breeds. Once you've identified your families needs, it's time to start researching breeds. One caveat: Breeders raise a particular breed of dog because they love (not the same as infatuation) that breed. They truly believe that their breed of dog is the best. Do your research before you visit a breeder.

How do you find the perfect breed for you? Armed with your family's "lifestyle profile", read and research breeds that interest you. Here are some important points to consider:

Size

How big will this dog get? Look at height and weight. Even though a Bulldog is short, it can weigh 50+ pounds as an adult. Can you lift a 50 pound dog? Probably you think a small dog would be the perfect choice for a family with small kids. Maybe not. Small dogs have small bones that are easily broken ifstepped on. Dog breeds come in every shape and size. Find one that fits your needs.

Hair and Grooming

Do you want a long-haired or short-haired dog? The amount of grooming each breed requires varies greatly. On one end of the spectrum you have the easy care coats. These breeds need an occasional wipe down with a damp cloth and a bath once or twice a year. On the other end, you have coats that need extensive grooming and care. Afghan Hounds, for instance, require daily grooming. From the time an Afghan puppy (dog typically under 1 year old) is 8 weeks old you can expect frequent baths, cream rinses and daily brushing to prevent tangles. Most dogs fall somewhere in between. Decide how much time and money you want to spend on your dog's grooming needs.

Energy level

How much exercise will your dog require as an adult? Will a game of fetch be enough to wear him out? Some smaller breeds are easily exercised indoors. Dog breeds are separated into groups. Breeds in the Working and Herding groups, for example, are usually high energy and require lots of exercise. This is not the rule, however, so be sure to read everything you can about your chosen breed.

Doing your research before you shop for a puppy (dog typically under 1 year old) is the easiest way to minimize frustration later on. Now you can be sure that you and the breed you choose are a good fit for each other.

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated to hunting dogs. Visit their site for more information and details on training bird dogs and dog training supplies including a wide variety or diversity of electronic dog collars and shock collars.