Information on Loughborough

Choosing the Right Dog Breed For Your Family

Pet Shops

Choosing the Right Dog Breed For Your FamilyBy Garett Flores

Choosing the right dog breed for your family and current living situation is not quite as easy as it might seem. Some people are under the impression that all dogs were created equal, and that all dogs act the same so they base their decision on selecting a dog breed purely on aesthetics.

Sure, that puppy in the window may have the look you are after, however are you ready for the genetics that come with it? Not only may they have a genetic affinity or tendency to act in a certain manner, however they may also have breed specific medical concerns you might not be aware of.

Contrary to fashionable belief, some dogs really are healthier than others. Some dogs are better with children, easier to train, more affectionate, protective, or more independent than other particular breeds. The list goes on, and you are responsible for doing the research.

The fact of the matter is that a majority of the canines today have been carefully bred so that they oftentimes have less in common with each other than lets say, a mouse has in common with an elephant. That might be a small extreme, however I think you get the picture.

One really needs to thoroughly research the breeds so that they can evaluate them on merits other than their looks to get a better idea of what they are getting into. One might wonder why a blood hound won't listen when you call their name while out on a walk. It has more to do with their instinct to pick up and follow a trail untilthey reach the end of it than anything else. They were designed to be that stubborn, and it will take a whole lot of patience and training to reverse that trend.

Some people don't believe there is a dog that is right for them, and have made the choice that they dislike man's greatest friend. I would urge them to do a small more searching, and look a small further than they have before. There really is more to a pet than meets the eye, and there is such a wide variety or diversity of breeds that I believe there is a dog that is right for everyone.

They just have to know where to look.

About The Author

Garett Flores is a Pre-Veterinary student at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. He has combined his love of animals and computers to create web pages focusing on basic animal husbandry for pet parents.

http://www.dog-breed-dictionary.com consists of breed specific profiles for prospective pet owners.

http://www.pet-care-portal.com is a site concentrating on lesser kept pets, such as Ferrets, Lizards and Snakes.

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Top Biting Dog Breeds

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Top Biting Dog BreedsBy Samantha Matheny

All dogs have the propensity (a tendency, preference, or attraction) to bite; it is in their nature. Some breeds, however, seem to have a tendency to nip and bite more than others. My list of the top ten biting breeds will surprise you; not containing the breeds commonly thought of to be the most aggressive.

In July 2008, the journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science published a study done by researches at the University of Pennsylvania. They surveyed and discussed with over 6,000 dog owners their experiences with aggression in their dogs. The researchers compiled a report containing 33 dog breeds most likely to bite. Here are the dog breeds with the greatest percentage of bites and bite attempts on humans.

  • Dachshund. Yes, the sausage dog is most likely to bite strangers and its owners.
  • Chihuahua. These are big dogs in a small package, and none are afraid to tell you so. Chihuahuas are very likely to bite strangers and owners.
  • Jack Russell Terrier. These feisty small dogs are also quick to nip. They have a tendency to try to nip at strangers and family members.
  • Australian Cattle Dog. This breed is great to have around the home, however you must be careful; they are herding dogs, which means they are very likely to nip family and strangers.
  • AmericanCocker Spaniel. A common breed in many homes in the United States, this dog does have tendencies to nip and bite at owners.
  • Beagle. Another family favorite, beagles seem to nip and bite at their families.

There are other breeds, like the Akita and Pit Bull Terrier, which are more prone to trying to nip or bite other dogs or animals.

It must always be kept in mind that small dogs often go un-reprimanded for biting. Many owners find it cute. It is also the only way a small dog has to get people to back up. Remember, you are a giant to him!

There are many breeds of dogs, like Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and Mastiffs, who often get a bad reputation for biting. These dogs have been bred to be protective dogs, plus their size makes them do serious damage when they do bite. Because of this, more stigma is put on the breed.

Want to learn more? You can check out more articles at 4 Legs And A Tail or discuss training methods and techniques at the forum.

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Choosing the Dog That Fits Your Lifestyle

Pet Shops

Choosing the Dog That Fits Your LifestyleBy

Larry Love

Research the breed that fits your lifestyle.

Many dog breeds need lots and lots of time that you will have to dedicate to groom and to exercise. Some breeds don't require much or no exercise however other breeds may need a good walk three times every day

Working dogs are those breeds that have been trained to do many jobs, like pulling sleds or guarding. The ancient Greeks and Romans developed a number of breeds including the greyhound, mastiff and bloodhound. Some dogs, especially and particulary the terrier breeds, are dogs that were bred to hunt and dig.

Common illnesses to watch out for in certain breeds are Gastric torsion, more commonly known as bloat, is found in many breeds of dogs however is most often seen in larger breeds with deep, heavy chests. Other large breeds that are over 60 pounds may also exhibit this potentially fatal condition. Typically is it rarely seen in medium, small or toy breeds of dogs. Up to 20 percent of dogs of all ages and breedssuffer from noise phobias so severe that their people seek professional or expert help for them.

Ethical dog breeders will not breed dogs and sell their dogs to pet stores. Read more about how to find responsible dog breeders and how they will be willing to discuss temperament and health problems of their breed for all of their puppies. Remember that each dog breed is different. Please make sure you are making the right decision when you choose which dog breed is right for you. Remember a Dog is for life.

Richard Heap is a writer interested in how to clean dog urine and writes for http://www.how-to-clean-dog-urine.info