Archive for May, 2008

posted by admin on May 30

The fastest running dog of all the canine species is the Greyhound. Because of their great speed, many Greyhound owners use these animals as racing dogs. In this case, the lifespan of a Greyhound depends on how long he can maintain his ability win. After too many losses, some owners will opt to euthanize their animals. For those Greyhounds lucky enough to be rescued, they can be rehabilitated for family pets.

If you decide you’d like to give a rehabilitated Greyhound a home, consider speaking with a trained rescuer about the issues these types of dogs may have. When training a Greyhound to race, they are taught to chase a mechanical rabbit. Many times Greyhounds will have difficulty discerning the mechanical rabbit from a small child or other pet, and will erroneously give chase. Rehabilitated Greyhounds make much better pets when they are not given the opportunity to interact with children and other pets. Being full grown at the time of their rehabilitation, unfortunately does not mean they are house broken and will likely need extra time and patience to learn what is expected of a pet.

The American Kennel Club classifies the Greyhounds as a member of the Hound Group, which first made their appearance in ancient Egypt. There they were taught to hunt down game. After making their way to England, they developed into favored animals with British noblemen who, realizing their speed and ability to turn coin, began racing them. This trend continued when Greyhounds crossed the seas to America.

Large, sleek and strong with narrow bodies, Greyhounds are muscular with long lithe tails and dark eyes. Where most dogs of a specific breed are categorized by their unique color, the Greyhound breed can be a variety of different colors.

Though not known for their energy, Greyhounds are popular for their impossible speed. When not racing, these dogs can be found lazing away in the shade, storing what energy they have for their next race. Greyhounds need plenty of room to run, in a well enclosed area. However, animals that live in more confined spaces like apartments will eventually acclimate themselves to walking on a leash.

Typically Greyhounds are amiable, companionable pets that enjoy time spent with their families playing. Greyhounds are affectionate dogs and love to be close to their owners. They love children and delight in playing with them, and are generally gentle and good natured enough to play with other animals as well. Because the Greyhound’s instinct is to prey, it’s advisable you watch them closely around other pets and children. Though they are loveable dogs, their natural instincts drive their actions.

Greyhounds require good quality food to sustain their bodies and provide energy. They are notorious for their tendency to bloat, so Greyhound owners must carefully monitor their food intake and make certain they are not eating too much. It’s recommended, for the overall health of your pet that they be allowed to eat numerous smaller meals instead of a couple larger ones. It’s always a good idea to speak with a veterinarian; they will be able to provide the best information about how to care for your Greyhound, along with recommending a vitamin supplement that will keep your pet in good health.

Luckily Greyhounds don’t shed much at all. This is because they have a short coat, which makes grooming for these animals relatively simple. Greyhounds shouldn’t need to be brushed more than once a week, and a good rule of thumb is to have their nails clipped by a professional when they begin to sound like tap dancers.

Deciding to become the owner of a rehabilitated Greyhound may seem daunting at first, but with patience and devotion, these dogs can make an excellent addition to any family.

George Adams is a staff writer at http://www.pets-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.recreation-digest.com.

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posted by admin on May 28

People wear clothes for many reasons. We wear them for modesty – it’s illegal in most places to go around without any clothing. We wear clothes to protect us from the weather. Raincoats and hats make us much more comfortable in the rain while fleece lined coats and boots are greatly appreciated in cold weather, and when there is snow on the ground. We also wear clothes to make ourselves feel and look good, to impress other people with our excellent taste, and to show that we have the money for expensive designer clothes.

Dogs wear clothes for one reason only – their owners want them to wear the clothes. Dog owners put clothes on their dogs for most of the same reasons they put clothes on themselves and their children. In fact many dog owners regard their dogs as their children and they buy them clothes and dress them up to show how much they care for them. The exception to this, of course, is modesty. Dogs don’t require clothing for that purpose and, in fact for obvious reasons, dog clothes rarely cover that particular area.

Protective clothing for small and toy dogs such as Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese, Pugs and any of the miniature or teacup dog breeds is a good idea. These dogs generally feel the cold much more than larger dogs – that’s why they do not enjoy going outside for walks with their owners in rainy, snowy or cold weather. They even resist going outside to the bathroom in inclement weather which makes it very difficult to house train toy dog breeds in cold or wet weather.

Raincoats and hats made of vinyl or waterproof nylon are available for wet weather, as are rain boots. These boots are usually fastened with Velcro and/or zippers. Fleece lined, shearling and wool coats are available to keep your dog warm in cold weather. Boots are useful to protect your dog’s paws from the effects of ice and salt. For hot summer days, sensitive paws should wear sandals to protect them from hot asphalt or sand. You can also buy sunglasses for your dog but perhaps you could discuss this with your veterinarian to see if they provide any benefit to your dog’s eyes. Protective clothing is also beneficial to short-haired and older dogs of all sizes as well as the small dog breeds. Even some of the larger short-haired dog breeds like the Bulldog, Boxer and Greyhound appreciate protection in the cold weather. See the Directory of Breed of Dogs to see which dog breeds are particularly sensitive to cold weather. Owners of most large dog breeds are probably not as interested in dog clothes but might consider obtaining reflective vests for their dogs. These vests make the dogs easier to see when walking at night and also make the dog easier to find if you are camping and hunting – especially good for black or dark-colored dogs.

Reflective vests have a practical purpose. So do some much more frivolous-looking clothes. Toy dogs and even some small dogs should wear harnesses rather than collars for reasons of health – they can easily injure their trachea with a collar. Some very sensible people have designed coats and other outfits with a ‘D’ ring on them which make extremely attractive harnesses for small dogs. Practical, attractive, and sometimes quite lavish clothes are available for toy and small dogs. Pajamas, bathrobes, dresses, sweaters, formal outfits for weddings, and costumes (you can dress your dog as a lamb, a lion, a vampire or even buy him an Elvis jumpsuit) can be found in stores and at discount prices on the Internet. Creative entrepreneurs advertise on-line that they will custom design and make outfits for your dog. Of course, if you like to sew, you can buy sewing patterns to make a blanket, cushion, dog coat, dog coat, leg warmers and boots for your dog and a matching scarf and hat for you to wear.

Dog clothes come in an amazing range of styles and prices. We hope you have fun choosing the right clothes for your dog.

Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: http://www.dog-breed-facts.com. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.

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posted by admin on May 26

Regardless of where you live, your dog must always have its own private domain where it can feel at home. Find a quiet place for the dog to sleep. The location should be convenient for you and suitable for your pet. Make sure your dog feels comfortable there, and do not change the location afterwards.

An uncarpeted room, not too cold, with a floor that is easy to wash, is a good choice. A puppy must be well protected from draughts. Beware of cold air seeping in around doors and windows. A dog will automatically settle with its back against a wall, so arrange your pets spot next to a wall or in a corner but not too close to a radiator or heating vent because the dogs coat will dry out and become brittle.

The dogs place should be away from heavily traveled areas because the animal will probably need a lot of sleep, initially. But the dog should also be able to observe everyone’s comings and goings so it can start taking part in family life. Your pet can probably sleep comfortably in a crate lined with cushions, a towel or shredded newspaper. Large dogs generally just sleep on a blanket.

If your dog will weigh less than 30 pounds when fully grown, you can use a wicker basket lined with a soft, easily washable cushion. The main concern is to see that the animal is well insulated from the floor. Air the dogs bedding every day and clean it once a week. In summer, if your dog gets fleas or tics, treat the bedding with flea and tick powder or replace it completely.

You can put the dog’s two bowls – one for food the other for water, near its bed. If the dog’s muzzle is pointed, use deep bowls, if its muzzle is blunt, shallow bowls are preferable. For a toy, give your dog a bone made of animal hide. It can cut its teeth safely, on the hide because even if it swallows a piece, the material is digestible. You may find that your dog will choose its own plaything; if so, make sure the choice is not an old shoe. This may encourage it to start chewing new shoes.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://www.joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check them out at http://www.joncopets.com.

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