3. Choosing the Right DogGetting a new dog is a major event that will change your life, and choosing the right dog is a big decision. If you have decided that the time is right to welcome a new dog into your home, you must now determine what type of dog is right for you.
4. Dog Breed of the Week: Norwich TerrierWednesday September 7, 2011The Norwich Terrier is a sturdy little terrier with a wiry coat and stubby little legs. There is something so cuddly about this breed that, at first glance, it sort of resembles a stuffed animal. However, this is not your garden variety lap dog. The Norwich is full of energy and comes with a pretty high prey drive. If you decide to get a Norwich, be prepared to provide plenty of exercise and training. Because their intense prey drive applies primarily to tiny critters, the Norwich can get along beautifully with kids, other dogs and even cats after proper socialization and training.Is this the breed for you? Learn all about the Norwich Terrier before you decide. While they are not the right dogs for everyone, the breed tends to do well in many kinds of households. Are you one of the lucky ones who have lived with this amazing breed? Tell us about your Norwich Terrier!
8. Dog Breed of the Week: Soft Coated Wheaten TerrierThe Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a happy and energetic medium-sized dog that makes a loving companion. A native of Ireland, the Wheaten was historically kept as an all-purpose farm dog. Today, the breed is best known as a playful and affectionate companion. Besides its attractive personality, the Wheaten is also loved for its practical size (neither large nor small) and very low tendency to shed (in theory, hypoallergenic). However, this can also be considered a fairly high-maintenance breed in some ways. Wheatens need to be thoroughly groomed on a regular basis, including daily brushing to prevent mats. They also need owners who are dedicated to consistent training.In reality, the needs of the Wheaten do not far surpass the basic needs of all dogs. In the end, people who know and love the breed will tell you it's all worth it. As with any breed, it's important to educate yourself before making the commitment. Learn all about the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier and see if this could be a match for your household. Have you already shared your life with one of these wonderful dogs? Tell us more: talk about your Wheaten!
9. Basic Cues Every Dog Should KnowMost dog owners understand the importance of proper training. An untrained dog can make life miserable for himself and those around him. Unfortunately, the dog is usually the one who suffers most. Untrained dogs are more likely to be given up to shelters or banished to the yard. They also have pent up frustration and energy that they cannot properly express nor understand. The good news is that training your dog does not have to be difficult. It simply requires some basic knowledge and plenty of patience.
10. There are certain fundamental commands that every dog should know. These commands, also called cues, can make life with your dog more pleasant for you both. They also help you to manage a variety of common behavior problems. In some cases, they may even save your dog's life. Best of all, most of them are easy to teach. Does your dog know these top ten basic dog training commands? Check out the list to help get you started. Just take it one step at a time, and you'll be surprised at the difference it makes for you and your dog.
14. SamoyedCategory : Dogs, 9160 views The Samoyed dog has his origins in Siberia. These dogs are very active and energetic and must be trained because otherwise they become bored or depressed, which can lead to excessive barking, destruction, weight gain, irritability, and escape artist behavior. The average lifespan is between 12 to 16 years. The Samoyed dogs are prone to healthy issues. The males have between 20 to 32 kg and 54 to 60 cm while the females 17 to 25 kg and 50 to 56 cm. The eyes of this breed are black or brown and have an almond shape. The ears are thick and covered with fur, triangular in shape and erect; they are usually white. The tail is carried curled over their backs. The coat of the Samoyeds is dense. The topcoat consists of long, coarse and straight guard hairs, which give the impression of white but have a hint of silver coloring while the under layer consists of a dense, soft and short fur which keeps the dog warm. An important thing which can not be forgotten about the Samoyeds` coat is that it must not be shaved except for medical reasons, as the coat acts as an insulator against cold and hot weather and protects the dog`s light colored skin from burning in the sun.
15. DalmatianCategory : Dogs, 12440 views The Dalmatian is a well known breed which has its origins in Croatia. This breed is well- muscled, mid- sized and elegant dog. The nails of this breed can be white or the same color as the spots. The ears are thin, tapering toward the tip, set fairly high and carried close to the head. A Dalmatian may have between 48 to 61 cm at the withers and the weight is between 16 to 32 kilos. The number of puppies a female Dalmatian can give birth is between 6 to 8. The coat of this breed is short, dense, fine and smooth at touch. When born, the puppies are completely white, and their spots come in gradually over the period of a couple of weeks. The most familiar colors for this breed are black or liver spotted on a white background. Other spotting colors are blue, orange or lemon, brindle or mosaic. The Dalmatian has its eyes colored in brown, amber or blue, but sometimes a dog may have one blue eye and one brown eye.
16. WeimaranerCategory : Dogs, 12067 views The Weimaraner is a breed which was used at first for hunting. A Weimaraner can be loyal and can give love to his family. The Weimaraner has an elegant structure and athletic appearance. At the beginning their tails were docked to a third of its natural length at birth and dewclaws were removed but nowadays those dogs are shown with their natural tails. The coat of this breed is short, hard, and smooth at touch , and the eyes may be light amber, grey, or blue- grey. The coat may range from charcoal- blue to mouse – grey to silver- grey. The size of the males is between 63 to 68 cm while the females have between 58 to 63 cm. This breed does not heavy much according to their large structure. A Weimaraner carries its weight proudly and gives the appearance of a muscular, athletic dog.
17. Kuvasz Pictures SpecsCategory : Dogs, 15652 views The Kuvasz is a dog which has its origins in Hungary. At the beginning these dogs were used to guard, but lately these dogs are used as pets. The Kuvasz is a large dog which has a dense coat and is usually colored in white and can range from wavy to straight in texture. The skin pigmentation of this breed is dark, the nose is black and the eyes have an almond shape. Females have between 35 to 50 kg while males between 50 to 70 kg, which makes this breed look very powerful. The head is long with the eyes set slightly below the plane of the muzzle. When being a puppy, the dog looks exactly like ball with hair which makes it be a very cute “toy”. The Kuvasz has a light colored coat, medium hair and has a large stature. The Kuvasz is a very intelligent dog, very loyal to those who are very close to them. These dogs appreciate attention but can also be aloof or independent, particularly with strangers. These dogs which have their origins as a livestock guardian must be trained. They can protect their families because of their power and stature. A Kuvasz can be courageous, disciplined and stable, while hyperactivity, nervousness and shyness are to be faulted.
18. BoxerCategory : Dogs, 36667 views Boxer is a breed of medium size and short hair which developed in Germany. The coat of this breed is smooth at touch and fawn or brindled. Boxers have short skulls, square muzzle, very strong jaws and they can bite very hard because of their power. Boxers can be fawn or brindle , with or without white markings, which when unrestrained are conventionally named white Boxer. Fawn signifies a range of color, the tones of which can be distinguished variously as light tan or yellow, reddish tan, mahogany or stag and dark honey- blonde while brindle refers to a dog with black stripes on a fawn background. It also exists white boxers which have more than one- third of their coat covered with white markings. White Boxers have a higher risk of sunburn and associated skin cancers than colored Boxers this thing happening at human as well. This breed is very harmless in the family, is showing affection but distrustful of strangers. The Boxers are very bright and friendly of temperament at play but brave and determined when aroused. The intelligence of the dog and willing tractability make him an extremely desirable family dog and perky companion. Even if it exists a child in the family, the dog will be very careful with them and playful. It is an active breed , energetic and which can be very easy trained. Moreover, this breed is not aggressive or vicious but like any other dogs needs socialization.
19. KomondorCategory : Dogs, 7041 views The Komondor is a large white colored Hungarian breed which has a long corded coat. This breed is a powerful one which has a natural guardian instinct. In Hungary, this breed is preserved and protected from modification. The Komondor is a large dog which has the body covered by a heavy, matted ,corded coat. Their bodies are robust, the muscles are strong and the legs are long. The lips and the nose of this breed is always black. The height of this breed depends, the females may have between 65cm to 70cm while the males may have between 70 cm to 80 cm. Another very important aspect is the height of this breed; the females may have between 40 kilos to 50 kilos while the males may have between 50 kilos to 60 kilos. The coat of the Komondor is long, thick, strikingly corded white one, which have about 20 to 27 cm long which resembles dreadlocks or a mop. When these dogs are puppies their cote is soft at touching while when they become adults their coat tends to curl. The temperament of this breed is like that of most livestock guarding dogs: it is calm when things are normal but it can be as well very defender. The Komondor is very affectionate with its family and gentle with the children. Moreover, this breed may live together with other family pets but is very intolerant to trespassers and teasing, and definitely is not a good breed for city life. This breed is very active at night, moving, patrolling places while in the daytime it will rest. People who are not familiar with this breed are frequently surprised by how quick and agile these dogs are.
