Dog and Puppy Supplies and Tips

Archive for August, 2009

Before choosing your new family member, you should consider why a non shedding puppy is the solution for allergy suffering dog lovers. The non or light shedding dog breeds are a perfect solution for people with dog allergies.

They are also ideal for people who do not want to deal with the daily dog hair clean up. There are many non shedding and light shedding hypoallergenic dog breeds to choose from.

Non shedding is the term given to dogs who shed very little or no hair and release very little to no dander.

People who suffer from allergies should spend some time around the particular breed of non shedding dog they want to bring home. It should not taker long to see if the person shows a negative reaction to the dog. It is important to do this before making the final long-term commitment.

Also know as Hypoallergenic dogs, some breeds do not shed at all while others shed very little. In dog breeds that have non shedding or low shedding coats, the hair grows continuously. Without proper grooming and haircuts, the hair will form a tangled mass of hair. It is important to realize that most non shedding puppy dogs will require a trip every 2 to 3 months to the doggie beauty parlor unless you go for the bald look.

The adorable Hairless Chinese Crested dog breed is almost hairless and hypoallergenic. They have long wisps of hair forming a crest on the tops of their heads. They also have some hair on their feet and long tail plumes. The Chinese Crested also comes in a Powder Puff variety that has a soft, full coat.

Another hairless and hypoallergenic breed is the hairless Xoloitzcuintlis, also known as the Xolo or the Mexican Hairless dog. This breed comes with or without hair in three different sizes, toy, miniature or standard. The Xolo is one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds and are good for people who are allergic to dogs. The coat of hair on the Coated Xolos is very short and dense. It is also considered a low shedding dog.

Any hairless dog would require protection from the cold, heat and sun. These dogs need to be a close member of your daily family life. They may not require much grooming, but they do need occasional baths, moisturizers and sun block. Add a few clothing outfits to protect them from the cold or sun and you should be good to go.

Just a few of the more popular Hypoallergenic, non shedding or low shedding dog breeds to look into are listed below.

1. Airedale
2. Australian Terrier
3. Basenji
4. Bichon Frise
5. Boston Terrier
6. Cairn Terrier
7. Kerry Blue Terrier
8. Havanese
9. Maltese
10. Poodle (Toy, Miniature, Standard)
11. Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard, Giant)
12. Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier
13. Tibetan Terrier
14. West Highland Terrier
15. Yorkshire Terrier

Choosing the best dog breed for your family and life style is a very important decision.

There needs to be proper planning and research. You do not need to spend a fortune and purchase a purebred dog.

There are many non and light shedding dogs found at local shelters as well as through breed rescue leagues. Choose your new family member wisely and with care.

A Dog’s Growl & What It Signals

Never under estimate a growling dog. When a dog growls he is letting you know to pay attention to him  and don’t get in his face.

There is also a playful growl and you need to know the difference.  Remember however, that even if there is a playful growl it can turn into a different growl so listen carefully in order to avoid being bitten.

Growls can stand alone or be used to modify barking sounds to add a degree of threat. Below are 5 different ways a dog may grow and what the dog means by that growl:

1. Soft, low-pitched growling: “Beware!” “Back off!”  This is used as a threat and usually causes the listener to move away, giving the dog more space.

2. Low-pitched growl-bark: This is a clear growl that leads to a bark. It means “I’m upset and I’m ready to fight!” This is a clear warning that pressing the dog will lead to aggression.

3. Higher midrange-pitched growl-bark:  “I’m worried [or frightened], but I will defend myself.” This is the threat of a less-confident animal who will, however, most likely fight back if pushed.

4. Undulating growl: This is a growl that goes from low midrange to high midrange with a kind of a semi-bark often added as the pitch rises. It means “I’m terrified. If you come at me, I may fight or I may run.” This is the fearful-aggressive sound of a very unsure dog.

5. Noisy growl, with teeth hidden from view: “This is a good game!” “I’m having fun!” It is usually part of the play sequence and may be tucked in between a series of stutter-barks. It usually indicates intense concentration, as in a tug-of-war or play-acting aggression.

Are you finding that your dog is scratching or biting him or herself more than normal? Does he/she have a rash?

Just like their owners, dogs can suffer from allergies too.

Some of these allergies can be related to the foods that they eat where some of the cheaper brands of dog food have coloring and preservatives that can cause allergic reactions.

If this is the case then it is a process of eliminating those foods that have the ingredients that cause the reactions.

This is not always as easy as it might seem as it can take quite some time to find which particular ingredient is the culprit.

By buying the better premium quality dog foods you are less likely to have these problems or alternatively if you only feed your dog fresh meat and some vegetables rather than processed foods that should help.

Most of the cheap dog foods use grain products as a filler and these are often the cause of the dog’s problems.

These food allergies can result in your dog scratching their skin, which can also cause more problems with infections.

Just as we would be very uncomfortable with an allergy that makes us constantly want to itch our skin, allergies can make a dogs life miserable.

Aside from the allergies affecting skin sensitivities your dog could also develop coughing, discharge from the nose and eyes, hair loss and breathing problems.

There are many more symptoms that can arise and these are just a few.

If you notice any changes in your dog when they have a change in diet then it will pay to take a note of the ingredients of that product to see what is in it that could be making your dog feel unwell.

Dogs can also get allergies from dust mites just as humans would and it is always necessary to ensure that your dog lives in a clean environment even if they are an outdoor pet by regularly cleaning their cage or kennel.

Fleas are another concern for dogs and they can lead to excessive licking, particularly around the tail, which can ultimately lead to hair loss and sores.
It is very easy for your vet to see if your dog has fleas if you are unable to do so yourself and there are simple solutions to eliminate fleas.

Dogs can also get varying skin diseases and some breeds are more susceptible than others.
There are many good lotions and antibiotic pills that can be administered by your vet to control this and the sooner you get these problems seen to the better as they can lead to more intensive skin problems if left unattended.

Does you dog like to dig holes in your yard? What about digging in your carpet? Yep, my dog loves to dig the carpet and also scatter rugs. The scatter rugs he digs at all year but he’ll only dig at the wall to wall carpet on hot days and he’s looking for a cool place to lay down.

Some dogs just love to dig but this can be a problem if that lovely landscaped yard of yours looks like a minefield from all the holes that your dog has dug.

No doubt if you have a dog that likes to dig you have tried all and sundry to get it to stop from smacking it to yelling at it when it starts to dig and you probably still haven’t resolved the problem.

Once again, like all methods of dog training, if you can address the reason why the dog is doing something you will be able to eliminate the problem.

There are many different reasons why a dog will dig, from boredom and frustration to the search for a cold place to rest in humid weather.

Consider the surroundings that you have made available for your pet and see if there are any areas that need attention.

Does your dog need more shelter, or is the current shelter just a little too hot for the climate that you are living in?

Although we have “inside dog” when our one dog likes to go outside he always goes to a spot which is nice and sunny and warm in the winter but very hot in the summer. In the summer he’ll dig and dig.  So we have allowed the weeds to grow in that area during the summer. This keeps him nice and cool.

We had tried planting a few shade plants but he kept on chewing them or pulling them out of the ground. The weeds he seems to like. Funny thing, our backyard is very shady, yet he has picked the only sunny spot to lie down.

Is your dog digging to gain your attention and if so you will need to look at earlier lessons on how to give your dog the attention that it is seeking without encouraging it to continue with the behavior that you wish to stop.

Maybe your dog needs more toys to play with or more exercise to relieve some of it’s pent up energy.

Maybe you will need to fence off parts of your yard where you know your dog prefers to dig.

If you have a dog that just prefers to dig for no other reason than the enjoyment of digging you might need to offer it a dedicated area of the yard where it can dig to it’s hearts delight.

This might help to keep your dog contented while you are away.

There will always be a solution, you just need to look at the circumstances and take the appropriate action.

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As we get older, retire and stay at home more we often want extra companionship and also some extra protection. Having a dog can fit in perfectly with a seniors life.

Just like it is important to carefully look for a dog that has a temperament fit for a family with children – often of varying ages – it is also important for senior citizens to consider their needs when contemplating the addition of a canine companion to their households.

Sure, senior citizens are a lot more active and also a lot healthier than even just a little over a decade ago, and so the old adage that a senior citizen should stay away from an active breed no longer holds true.

Yet just the same it is important to consider the fact that your ability to remain active and healthy may change quickly, and for this reason it is a good idea to keep this in mind when choosing a breed to add to your household.

Similarly, while you have more time on your hands, do you really want to fill it with grooming, or would you prefer to spend it traveling with your dog, walking, or just snuggling on the couch together?

Here is a list of six pooches perfect for the AARP set

If you live alone and you want a small dog to lavish all your love and attention on, then a Chihuahua may be the perfect way to go!

These tiny dogs do not require hour long walks in freezing rain, or daily grooming, but instead will delight going everywhere with you.  Additionally, there are now so many accoutrements available for dog owners, that you will be able to dress your dog warmly in the winter, have a comfortable dog carrying purse to sling over your shoulder, and keep him warm and snuggly at home with a little dog bed as well.

This is a great dog for someone who might be more sedentary or who might have to accept apartment regulations that forbid big or even medium sized dogs.

If you are active and will love to have a small dog by your side that shares your love for life, then a Rat Terrier will be your perfect companion. Alert, quickly to participate in play, and very appreciative of long walks or just short bouts around the neighborhood, this dog is a great canine friend for an elderly person or couple.

If you do not have small children in the home, stay home most of the time, and are willing to lavish all your love and attention on a small fur ball – all combined with the desire to do some moderate grooming – you will find a perfect recipient of your attentions and love in the indomitable Yorkshire terrier.

For those who are no longer as active as they once were, and who do not wish to spend a lot of time grooming, but instead want a little companion in their laps while watching television, the Affenpinscher might be considered perfect.  Small, undemanding, yet big when it comes to giving love and attention, this dog is sure to win your heart quickly and completely!

Another perfect lapdog for those who are moderately active is the Bichon Frise.  Loving, loyal, and very sensitive to its owner’s needs and moods, this breed will be happy with little or much exercise – depending on the pace you set.

If you keep to the traditional Bichon grooming standard, you will probably want to take the dog to the groomer’s frequently.  Most pet owners usually just shave them to make them more “user-friendly” for everyday life.

The Cocker Spaniel is another one of those breeds that is famous for its loyalty, ability to adapt to any kind of lifestyle you may have, and its overall willingness to be pampered.

As you can see, there are a large variety of breeds out there that are simply chomping at the bit to share your life.  As always, keep in mind that the choosing of one breed over another does not excuse you from the need to properly train the animal.  No matter how sedate a breed is, without proper training even a saintly dog breed may become a devilish barker who will not heel and obey not matter what you say!

Don’t forget that a mixed breed from a shelter will also make the perfect companion. Just be sure to ask at the shelter what mixed breeds it may be and the approximate size that she or he will grow to be. You don’t want a very large, strong dog that could over power you unless you train it to become your aid.