Dog Breeds

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and some breeds have some really recognizable and outstanding features. While all breeds, by definition, are unique and easily defined there are some breeds that simply go well past the mark of being unusual. These breeds often require special care and are definitely not dogs for everyone.

The following are some very unique or extreme dog breeds from around the world:

Chinese Crested – this dog can be either with or without hair, but the more known variety has hair only on the top of the head, the feet, and the feet. There is also a variety of Chinese Crested called the Powderpuff that has hair all over the body. They are a very fine boned dog that only grows to about 11-13 inches when fully mature.

Ibizan Hound – this is a natural born hunting dog with very clean lines and abundant energy. The Ibizan has very light skin tones and pigments, which makes it a very unique looking dog. They can be up to 27 inches in height and have an amazing ability to jump from a standstill.

Komondor – one of the most unique looking breeds this huge dog is covered by masses of ringlets that hang down to the ground. The hair actually looks like a coat of cords and is almost totally weatherproof. The Komondor is almost 27 inches at the shoulders when full-grown and can weight up to 100 pounds. This coat is always white but may have some cream or buff coloring in the cords.

Puli – another of the herding breeds, the Puli has a distinctive long shaggy coat that drops down to the ground. The outer coat of the Puli will often form cords like the Komondor, but the Puli can be gray, white, black, or rusty black. The Puli is usually about 17 inches when full grown.

Scottish Deerhound – this large dog is very gently and excellent for almost all living arrangements. It is very tall, almost 32 inches at the shoulders, and has coarse, 3-4 inch hair all over its body. The Scottish Deerhound has a very expressive face and is excellent with children.

Shar-Pei – also known as the wrinkle dog, this breed has a definite physical appearance that sets it apart. The extra wrinkles on the coat require frequent care and cleaning to avoid skin conditions, but the breed itself is generally healthy and adapts well to most living conditions.

There are many other rare or extreme type dog breeds available throughout the world. If you are considering one of these breeds be sure to research the needs of the breed and make sure that you are able to commit to any special environmental conditions or health concerns that the breed may have. Many of the miniatures or “tea cup” varieties of the toy dog breeds are also extremes of the breeds, but these often have a wide variety of health issues that tend to occur throughout the dog’s life. As with all breeds always buy from a reputable breeder to ensure that you get a happy and healthy puppy.

Sporting dogs as a group are some of the most intelligent and easiest to train of all the breeds of dogs. They have been bred for generations to work closely with humans and seem to have an uncanny ability to understand just what their owner is expecting of them. The sporting breeds include the spaniels, retrievers, pointers and setters, and are often called bird dogs or gun dogs. Many people mistakenly believe that tracking breeds and breeds used for chasing game are also included in this category. The sporting dogs are only dogs that are used to hunt fowl and game birds, no other types of game, mammals or animals.

When working with sporting breeds it is important to remember that they are not naturally guard or watchdogs and generally are not territorial or possessive of items. They have, in fact, be bred to be willing to turn over game birds to their owners without even damaging the carcass of the bird. They tend to be very gentle and sedate dogs most of the time. If they have been used for hunting they immediately become excited when guns are handled or it looks like they are going to a hunt or an event.

Sporting breeds as a whole need more exercise than the average mid to larger sized dog. They enjoy being outdoors, exploring, and walking in new and unfamiliar territory. They can easily be trained to work off leash and naturally will respond well to verbal, hand signal and even whistle commands. A sporting dog generally has a lot of patience and will sit for long periods of time without moving, only to take off in a split second when commanded to do so.

Most of the sporting breeds including spaniels, retrievers and many of the setters absolutely love to be in the water. When on a walk or even just getting out of the car for a break they are likely to head straight for a pond or ditch if there is water present. Even the pointers may be inclined to go for a good swim even though generally pointers and setters are not used in hunting waterfowl.

Training a sporting dog to hunt is something that is entirely up to the owner. Most dogs of the breed will naturally use some aspects of their behavior in everyday activities. Pointers and setters may naturally point or indicate birds or even farmyard chickens or ducks even without any formal training. Spaniels and retrievers tend to excel at games such as fetch or even Frisbee even though they may have had little training.

If you are considering training your sporting dog for competitions consider joining a sporting dog group or organization and attend field trials or events to learn about this sport. These dogs require positive training and do not do well with harsh or punishment based methods. They love to please their owners and with clear direction and consistent commands and training they will soon understand exactly what you want.

In todays age, Chihuahuas are one the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. For us Chihuahua owners, it's hard to imagine life without them. However, with all the growing popularity surrounding them, many people don't know the different breeds of Chihuahuas. In this article, I will help you seperate the truth from the fiction regarding the different breeds.

I bet you've heard the term "Teacup", "Miniature" or "Toy" Chihuahua, you may even think these are a specific breed of Chihuahua. Well, the truth is that these terms are not recoginized by any major kennel association. Terms like these are used by breeders soley for the purpose of trying to add more monetary value to their Chihuahuas. Whats unfortunate is that when breeders start trying to breed their Chihuahuas to become so small, they start to develop serious health problems, some life-threatening. If you are looking to purchase a Chihuahua you should consider staying away from sellers who claim to have these. You don't want to deal with unethical breeders.

So, what are the different Chihuahua breeds? There are only two different ones; short-haired, and long-haired Chihuahuas. The long-haired Chihuahua has, as you probably might have guessed, longer hair than the other breed. They may have more hair, but the long-haired Chihuahua actually sheds very little. This makes them a perfect choice for people who suffer from allergies. The short-haired Chihuahua has a much shorter coat of hair and sheds a bit more than the long-haired.

Chihuahuas are one of the most loving pets one could have. They are loving, affectionate, and downright cute! However, we are responsible for their well-being and safety. Let's take care of our Chihuahuas and show them the love that they deserve.

I hope this article sheds some light on the facts about the different Chihuahua breeds. Remember to avoid breeders claiming to have breeds other than long-haired and short-haired, and pass this information on to any other Chihuahua lovers that you may know.

Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years and some breeds have some really recognizable and outstanding features. While all breeds, by definition, are unique and easily defined there are some breeds that simply go well past the mark of being unusual. These breeds often require special care and are definitely not dogs for everyone.

The following are some very unique or extreme dog breeds from around the world:

Chinese Crested - this dog can be either with or without hair, but the more known variety has hair only on the top of the head, the feet, and the feet. There is also a variety of Chinese Crested called the Powderpuff that has hair all over the body. They are a very fine boned dog that only grows to about 11-13 inches when fully mature.

Ibizan Hound - this is a natural born hunting dog with very clean lines and abundant energy. The Ibizan has very light skin tones and pigments, which makes it a very unique looking dog. They can be up to 27 inches in height and have an amazing ability to jump from a standstill.

Komondor - one of the most unique looking breeds this huge dog is covered by masses of ringlets that hang down to the ground. The hair actually looks like a coat of cords and is almost totally weatherproof. The Komondor is almost 27 inches at the shoulders when full-grown and can weight up to 100 pounds. This coat is always white but may have some cream or buff coloring in the cords.

Puli - another of the herding breeds, the Puli has a distinctive long shaggy coat that drops down to the ground. The outer coat of the Puli will often form cords like the Komondor, but the Puli can be gray, white, black, or rusty black. The Puli is usually about 17 inches when full grown.

Scottish Deerhound - this large dog is very gently and excellent for almost all living arrangements. It is very tall, almost 32 inches at the shoulders, and has coarse, 3-4 inch hair all over its body. The Scottish Deerhound has a very expressive face and is excellent with children.

Shar-Pei - also known as the wrinkle dog, this breed has a definite physical appearance that sets it apart. The extra wrinkles on the coat require frequent care and cleaning to avoid skin conditions, but the breed itself is generally healthy and adapts well to most living conditions.

There are many other rare or extreme type dog breeds available throughout the world. If you are considering one of these breeds be sure to research the needs of the breed and make sure that you are able to commit to any special environmental conditions or health concerns that the breed may have. Many of the miniatures or "tea cup" varieties of the toy dog breeds are also extremes of the breeds, but these often have a wide variety of health issues that tend to occur throughout the dog's life. As with all breeds always buy from a reputable breeder to ensure that you get a happy and healthy puppy.

There are several dog breeds that have an inherent issue with tear staining. The most obvious ones are the white or light color dogs such as the Bichon breeds. Although they by no means are the only ones, the bichon breeds, being long-haired, non shedding breeds, tend to need daily eye-care to avoid tear staining. Tear staining is the reddish-brown discoloration that may be found at the inner corners of the eyes and under the eyes.

Staining around the eye is caused by tearing excessive issues. This excessive tearing is a medical limitation called "epiphora."

There are a variety of potential factors that can cause epiphora and the resulting staining. These include heredity, infection, negligence in grooming, improper diet, allergies, drinking water factors, fleas, and teething,

We'll check out each of these possible causes of excessive tearing and staining. As well, we'll consider some of the actions that we, as owners of an at-risk dog, can take to successfully address these issues.

HEREDITY

Studies indicate that 20% - 25% of small dogs are born with closed, shallow, or narrow tear ducts. One function of properly formed tear ducts is to connect the eye vicinity with the naso-pharyngeal area and provide a drainage between these areas. When the tear ducts are closed, shallow, or narrow, the tear ducts overflow because there is an inadequate (or closed) channel for the passage of fluids.

If the tear ducts are clogged or narrow, there is a veterinary procedure which may help mitigate the complication. When this is a viable option, a veterinarian may flush the tear duct while the dog is under light anesthesia. Successfully performed, this procedure not only flushes out the tear duct, but helps to open and occasionally slightly stretches the duct. If a congenitally narrow tear duct can be slightly stretched as a by-product of this procedure, it can allow extra adequate drainage to occur.

If the excessive tearing is due to hereditary or congenital factors, daily care will be a primary factor in alleviating the associated problems. (Proper daily care will be addressed in the GROOMING section of this work).

INFECTION

When the facial hair stays damp from excessive tearing, it is the breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. In this situation "Ptyrosporin" or "Red Yeast" is one of the most conventional yeast infections that can result. It causes a deep reddish-brown stain. Similarly, a low-grade bacterial infection can, in turn, cause excessive tearing. A viscous cycle of excessive tearing and infection can ensue. What begins as a tiny staining problem can develop into the signs of a extra alarming underlying health
issue.

When infection is suspected, it is urgent that a veterinarian be consulted, as prescription antibiotics will be needed. These may be in the form of oral medication or drops. It is of little value to work on discoloration without identifying and treating the cause of the problem In combination with medication, the eye area must be cleaned. A daily routine will be needed to keep the eye area healthy and looking good.

GROOMING

An effective grooming routine for the enclosure around the eyes is a critical part of the solution to excessive tearing and the resulting stain issues.

Competent grooming should begin with recondition hands. Any matter that has accumulated in the corners of the eyes should then be removed. It may help to use a cotton moistened with warm water to loosen the matter. A commercial cleaning product for hair around the eyes, as long as it is designated as safe for daily use, is another way to purify off the accumulated matter.

Hair near the corners of the eyes naturally gets moist from tears and then fosters the growth of bacteria and yeast. Therefore, trimming the hair in this zone (and keeping it trimmed) is a big step in eliminating the breeding ground for matter accumulation, infection, and staining. Similarly, some breeds have a classic hair style that, unchecked, may allow hair above the eyes to raise far enough down so that it hangs in the eyes and causes irritation. This, in turn, causes
excessive tearing. Trimming this hair so that it cannot touch the eyes is also urgent for stopping irritation that triggers excessive tearing.

ALLERGIES

Nourishment allergies, plant allergies, and allergies to shampoos and other household chemicals (such as air or carpet fresheners) can cause excessive tearing.

DRINKING WATER

High mineral levels in the drinking water can cause excessive tearing. Bottled or filtered water can be a healthier alternative for all dogs for abundance reasons, including excessive tearing issues.

FOOD

Numerous commercial dog foods (and treats!) contain preservatives, additives, foodstuff dyes that can cause staining. It is in the best curiosity of your dog that you read the labels carefully, not just on their main foods, but also on their treats.

FLEAS

Fleas need wetness to live. The eye surface produces an ideal place for them. Flea feces can contribute to the red stains around the eyes.

Hopefully this data has provided some very effective ways to address the causes of excessive tearing so that the associated staining and health challenges do not have to be chronic issues for your 4-legged buddy.

Numerous dog breeds exist today. The last reported official recognized breeds were over 900. All dog breeds derive from mixed breeds and it is important to recognize the fact that a purebred can only be called so if it hasn't bred with a different breed for a certain number of generations.

The major few dog breeds have evolved during early civilization, but most modern breeds are relatively new. Choosing a dog breed as a pet is not a straight forward process. Many times, unfortunately, the selection is wrongly made, resulting in the over population of dog centres. What are the main characteristics in choosing the right breed from all the dog breeds?

1. Choose a puppy suited to you and your circumstances, whether you live alone, or with other adults and children.
2. Are you a first-time dog owner or an experienced one?
3. Consider the needs of that particular breed; training, exercising, grooming, etc.
4. The space in your house allocated to the dog. Inside and/or outside living is an important factor.
5. The full size the dog is expected to grow to.
6. The amount of time you will be spending with the dog.
7. Watchdog or friendly dog
8. Allergy to dogs
9. Is the dog going to be left alone or not?

Not all dog breeds are appropriate to your lifestyle. Before determining the breeds you like, make sure the above requisites are considered and adhered to. Doing some research now is very important before you make your final decision.

Of all the factors one needs to consider in choosing a breed, the relationship one is ready to give to his dog is the most important of all. The main purpose of owning a dog could be different. Different dog breeds are ideal for different situations. A dog can be:

1. your family pet for companionship
2. specifically chosen for security
3. used for training, exhibitions and shows
4. utilized for sports, like for example, hunting

It is also ideal to make some good research in order to determine the characteristics of the dog breeds one is interested in. Talking to friends and relatives who had experience with dogs is also an important factor as there is nothing better than hands on experience for these decisions.

As usual, when dealing with pets, especially dogs, the final decision should be taken anonymously and with the help of all the members of the family. The dog breed selected should be one which is in harmony with the characteristics and lifestyle of everyone who is interacting and involved in taking care of the dog.