Posts Tagged ‘Dogs’

Jamthund – Swedens Bear Dog

Friday, July 30th, 2010

The Swedish Elkhound is a very ancient breed believed to have existed in 1000s. Ancestors of this breed are speculated to be the dogs kept by the Stone Age people. Jamtland, a province in the northwestern part of Sweden is the place of origin of this breed. It is believed that this breed noted for its magnificent stature has been raised by the Jamtland people during the later period of the last Ice Age. Thus, the dog also gained the name Jamthund.

A Swedish Elkhound is a spitz type dog noted to have a wolf-like appearance. A Swedish Elkhound’s longer than tall body is smoothly covered by a light to dark close lying hair. This thick double coat is made more impressive by cream or light gray markings on the cheeks, sides of muzzle, chest, belly and legs. A tightly curled tail in the shape of a scimitar add to the already striking appearance of the dog

As the name suggests, the breed was primarily used to hunt elk. A Swedish Elkhound is a strong, courageous and energetic hunter. This breed is meant to be a working dog. The goal of the breeding program is to developed a healthy, tall, big dog . The dog has to have remarkable ability to adapt to the densely forested areas, to have the ability to climb steep rocky ledges and to easily negotiate deep snow when trailing a prey. The Swedish Elkhound has gained a name for being an outstanding hunter not only of elk but of moose, lynx, bear and other game. The name Jamthund in fact is a local dialect that means bear dog.

The Swedish Elkhound is a versatile breed. Although specifically developed to be a hunter, the dog has remarkable abilities to perform other jobs as well. A Jamthund is also a herding dog, a utility dog, a guard dog and a sled dog . Due to the bravery and intelligence, this dog was used as an army dog and was named as the national dog of the Swedish Marine. The dog was also declared as the official service canine of the Swedish Air Force.

Bold and aggressive when hunting, a Swedish Elkhound is known for its stoic demeanor. The calm and stable temperament, the friendly nature and the strong attachment the dog forms for its people are the most wanted qualities in a companion dog. A Swedish Elkhound is a breed that makes an ideal family pet as it has lots of love to give the family and noted to be gentle and kind with the children.

Learn more about the Swedish Elkhound’s appearance, history, origin, personality and how to care for it at Sarah’s Dogs.

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All You Need To Know To Make Homemade Dog Food

Friday, July 30th, 2010

I don’t know about you, but I want only the best for my dog. This means taking the extra effort to ensure that he is healthy and well fed at all times. Home made dog food is a great way to accomplish this. While there may be some outstanding pre packed pet food available in the market, preparing what goes into your dogs meal is still better. Get fantastic tips on how to make dog food that will put the wag in your doggies tail today.

1. Discuss with your veterinarian before making any changes in your pets lifestyle, especially in their diet. Some canines are born with specific needs and some food might prove to be harmful when incorporated into their diet. Find out your dog’s health status and prepare accordingly.

2. Study the food that are dangerous to canines. Not everybody knows that chocolates are dangerous when ingested by dogs. You need to learn about this so that you can keep the toxic food locked away where your pet can’t reach them. Some of these include onion, caffeine, grapes, baby food, macadamia nuts, mushrooms and citrus oil.

3. There are several who will recommend serving animal food that are raw and as close to their natural form as possible; however, for safety reasons it is best to cook all served meals as thoroughly as possible to avoid any potential infections. You can store the cook the doggie meals in advance and store them in the refrigerator for around 3 days.

4. Feed the canine the appropriate amount of starch, meats and vegetable. Many recommend a 50% starch, 25% meat and the remaining 25% for vegetable ratio; with some fruits thrown in as a healthy treat. You will need to find out what mix will work best for your dog. Potato and rice are good sources of starch for the dog. Almost all kinds of meat are acceptable for feeding. Keep in mind though that liver and other organ meat will be unsafe if used too much. Tomatoes, carrots, peas and green beans are excellent additions to the canines meal.

5. Animals have different lifestyles, as preordained by their breed or their owners personal practices. Some have a more active routine and will need a larger quantity of high protein food; while others have to watch their weight. Consult the vet on the appropriate portion size and the best feeding schedule for your dog.

6. When transitioning the dog from store bought pet food to home made dog food, make sure that you do this slowly. Feed the canine the new dishes little by little and decrease his regular pet food gradually. If there is no adverse reaction to the new food, increase the home made fare until it becomes his standard meal.

It is good practice to change the meal menu frequently to provide your dog the nutrients and vitamins he needs, as well as keep his interest. Learning how to make dog food is not always easy; but seeing the happy wag of the healthy pet always makes it worth it.

Geraldine Dimarco effectively teaches pet owners on how to keep dog food that will keep your dog healthy and happy. Visit this website for more excellent information on Home Made Dog Food today.

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The Facts About Canine Hip Dysplasia

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Canine hip dysplasia – what is it? Simply put, it is a physical deformity usually inherited by dogs when the said animal’s thigh is not fitted correctly with his hip bone. Many times it is a skeletal issue but sometimes, it is because the connective tissue that binds the ball and socket of the hip and thigh is not strong enough to keep it together. This can make life very difficult for your dog because even the basic movements can be very painful for him.

This particular condition is more often than not a genetic disorder that can progressively get worse as the pup matures. Sometimes, it is caused when the animal sustained an injury in his front legs when he was younger and proper treatment was not forthcoming. The symptoms of hip dysplasia are not easily detected and when it is not addressed properly, may result in the dogs inability to walk.

Does this seem scary? It’s a sad fact for some dogs but there are options to help you deal with it. Surgery is used to correct physical deformities of your pet’s skeletal structure. The thing is, surgery itself might be a bit too costly; not to mention the hospital visits and maintenance. Now, don’t feel bad if this is you. You can use a natural treatment for hip dysplasia that many pet owners have availed of successfully.

Chondroitin and Glucosamine are two supplements that aid in the restoration of the joint and cartilage tissues of dogs. While these natural elements are not pain killers, you will be happy to know that consistently using it will show a marked improvement in your dog after about 6 weeks. There are only a few known side effects of Glucosamine and Chondroitin; but your dog will have to be on these for the rest of his life.

Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane or MSM is a compound that will enhance the connective tissues and reduce joint inflammation which is the common cause for arthritis pain. Herbs like rosemary, licorice, yucca, alfalfa and dandelion are also helpful in easing the painful effects that this condition brings.

Feed your dog a healthy diet that is rich in fatty acids and vitamins C and E. It is vital that you monitor their food intake because weight maintenance is critical in a disease such as this. You should integrate light exercise as recommended by your vet, with the natural treatment for hip dysplasia as previously mentioned.

Exercises should not put too much stress in the joints and ligaments of the canine (avoid extreme sports like Frisbee). The important thing to remember is that the goal is not only to build muscle, but to further develop a wide range of motions. You can try strolling around the park, swimming or slowly climbing up and down the stairs. Because hip dysplasia is usually hereditary, your best course of action is to lower his weight and boost his immune system.

I hope you gleaned a lot of helpful information about canine hip dysplasia for you to be able to help your dog effectively. Do what you can to keep your pet as healthy as possible and enjoy the best years of his life when you do.

A safe and effective natural treatment for hip dysplasia is invaluable for the suffering canine and his worried pet owner. Find out more about canine hip dysplasia in this premier website that solves all your pet-care questions HealthyHappyDogs.com as you learn from the experts!

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Cage Coaching The Yorkie

Friday, July 30th, 2010

If you have ever owned a Yorkie, you know they can be tricky to potty-train. However, crate training can make the process far easier for plenty of reasons. In this post, I can discuss crate training your Yorkie.

Yorkies are intelligent dogs. In fact, studies have shown that they can learn commands faster than a substantial number of other breeds. But, they can still be mulish when it comes to potty-training. Employing a crate will keep them confined so they can stay out of difficulty.

Dog crates come in several different sizes, but you want to make sure you find one that’s the right size for your Yorkie. You do not want one that is so small that they can’t move in, and you don’t want one that is too massive, or your Yorkie will urinate in it. You want to find one that’s sufficient room for them to walk around in.

You’ll need to put a comfortable blanket or doggie bed in their crate to keep them comfortable. Don’t put too much in there initially in the event your Yorkie has an accident in it.

Your Yorkie should stay in their crate during the night and when nobody is at home. This keeps them from rambling the house freely and hinders them from having accidents in the house. Just remember to take them outside to go potty first thing in the morning or when you get home.

If your Yorkie has an accident inside the house, don’t punish them by making them go their crate. You do not want them to suspect that their crate is a form of punishment. It should be a secure, snug area for your Yorkie. Most tiny dogs will basically like being in their crates because they feel safe and comfortable in it.

Crate training does wonders if done right and even after your Yorkie is trained, they may still wish to sleep in it.

Chihuahua Training – You can find them on the internet too. Click here to know more about Bulldog training

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Reasons Why Dogs Pant

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Dogs don’t sweat like we do. Sweating is an important mechanism that allows humans to fight the heat. When we sweat, the moisture that is produced on the skin’s surface evaporates causing excess heat to be dispersed from the body. This is not possible with our canine friends. There is a misconception that dogs do not have the capability to produce sweat. It is commonly believed that because of the fur, dogs cannot sweat. You may have had dogs for years but it is highly probable that you have not seen one sweating. The very few sweat glands dogs have are mostly found on the foot pads. The notion that dogs cannot sweat is simply untrue. On a very hot day, the wet paw prints of the dog can be seen on the floor.

What methods does a dog have to combat the heat? Panting like barking is a trademark of dogs.. Panting is a dog’s effective technique of coping with the heat and ensuring that cooler blood will be circulated to all parts of the body and to prevent the brain, the most heat sensitive part from being affected by excessive heat. Not much energy is needed by a dog to pant. The dog would simply hang out the tongue and the excess body heat will be chased away. The tongue therefore plays a very important role on how a dog manages the heat.

Because of the location of the very few sweat glands, a dog cannot cool the body if it is running on hot pavement. Cooling off is achieved through the tongue. When the tongue is lolled, evaporation is facilitated on its surface. While the dog pants, a steady stream of air cools the tongue, the mouth and the blood vessels in the head. The blood made cooler by the dog’s panting will now be circulated to the parts of the body achieving a normal level of body temperature.

Dog panting can have other causes. Dogs commonly pant when the weather is hot. Excitement, stress or exhaustion from a strenuous activity will make a dog pant. The physical structures of short faced dogs requires them to pant excessively. Dogs with medical concerns would pant.

Dogs normally pant but pet owners have to be watchful. Heavy panting can be a manifestation of heatstroke. Dogs find it hard to manage heat. Left inside a car, a dog would pant heavily further heating up the confined space. Heatstroke is one of the common causes of canine deaths.

Want to know more about why dogs pant? Then visit Sarah’s Dogs. Sarah’s Dogs has answers to this and many other questions about dog behaviour.

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