I Love Animals

History of the Miniature Dachshund

The history of these Miniature Dachshunds mirrors that of their larger relatives; Dachshunds can be traced back to Germany for many years, back to around the 15th Century, athough many believe that ancient Egyptian art depicts images of dogs similar to Dachshunds; perhaps their ancestors.

Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers (”Dachs” means Badger). Badgers were a formidable prey and Dachshunds were bred to have courage and bravery bordering on the reckless! Their size and shape makes them perfect for hunting both above and below ground.

The breed club was set up in 1888 to standardise the breed characteristics and to ensure that these dogs had beauty to match their intelligence.

Miniature Dachshunds were used instead of ferrets to drive rabbits out of their warrens.

Appearance of the Miniature Dachshund

In appearance, the Miniature Dachshund really is just like a dwarf version of the standard Dachshund. They are found in the same coat varieties; long haired, smooth haired and wire haired.

With their long, low bodies Dachshunds are one of the most instantly recognisable breeds. Often called “Sausage dogs” by children, it is easy to see why!

Despite their miniature proportions, Dachshunds are strong and muscular dogs with broad shoulders and hindquarters.

The Dachshund has beautiful almond shaped eyes that are set into a perfectly proportioned, long face.

Dachshunds come in an enormous variety of colours; tan and black are perhaps the most widely seen colours although many variations exist.

Temperament of the Miniature Dachshund

Dachshunds are faithful and good tempered though they can be wary of strangers.

Dachshunds are extremely intelligent, though are not necessarily easy to train as they have a real mind of their own! Early training and socialisation is of real benefit to these dogs; their hunting instinct is deeply ingrained so good control of these dogs off lead is essential. Socialised early with children, these dogs make good family pets. Children must be taught to handle these dogs with respect, as they will sulk if they are treated unfairly. Dachshunds have a tendency to bond particularly strongly with one member of the family.

Grooming a Miniature Dachshund

Miniature Dachshunds come in a variety of coat types; long haired, wire haired and smooth haired. A moderate amount of grooming is necessary, particularly in the long haired Miniature Dachshund.

Miniature Dachshund Exercise Requirements

Although they are small, Miniature Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs and as such, they enjoy their exercise! Miniature Dachshunds require a moderate amount of exercise; perhaps 20 - 40 minutes a day.

Care must be taken when allowing these dogs off lead because of their natural hunting instincts. If they detect a scent, they may well try to go to ground, to dig out they ‘prey’!

A well fenced, secure garden is a must for Miniature Dachshunds - they are world class diggers and may well dig themselves to freedom given the opportunity!

As a result of their elongated spine, Miniature Dachshunds should be limited in their access to stairs to prevent spinal damage.

Miniature Dachshund Health Problems

The main health concern with Miniature Dachshunds relates to their elongated spines. Ruptured discs are a common problem. Care must be taken to avoid these dogs using stairs or jumping on and off furniture, to minimise the risk of damage.

Miniature Dachshunds must not be allowed to become overweight as this places extra stress on their spines. It is essential that their weight is carefully monitored.

Some Dachshunds suffer from skin problems, such as baldness or lack of pigmentation in their skin.

Cat Food Info #1 Cats Need Protein in their Cat Food

The cat food you feed to your cat should always be rich in protein. This generally should come from meat, poultry or fish. Many cat food brands advertise chicken, beef, and tuna flavored cat food because they know that cats need protein and cat owners are looking for quality cat food. However, you need to make sure the cat food you buy has a sufficient amount of cat food regardless of what flavor it is.

Cat Food Info #2 Cat Food with Taurine

Also check the cat food you typically buy for an amino acid called taurine. This particular amino acid is very important in the overall health of your cat, and your cat will eat as much food as it has to in order to supplement this particular amino acid. So, if you are buying cheap cat food that does not have the proper nutrients your cat will eat a lot. If you buy a nutrient rich cat food then your cat will eat little and save you more money while still getting proper nutrition.

Cat Food Info #3 Canned Cat Food or Dry Cat Food?

Many people do not know whether they should buy canned or dry cat food, or whether it even matters. Because of this, many people simply buy the cat food that is most affordable or convenient for them. This is actually a mistake. Cats should be fed a mixture of cat food. The dry cat food should be given for free feeding, especially if you are away on vacation or out for the day. Canned cat food should be supplemented at other times as well because it has water in the food and significantly more protein than the carbohydrate rich dry cat food. Not to mention the same food over and over might bore your cat and cause him to stop eating that cat food altogether.

Cat Food Info #4 Avoid Cat Food Fillers

Cats need to eat a cat food that is rich in protein, so make sure the amount of fillers is kept to a minimum. Carbohydrates are not essential for a cat’s existence, so don’t buy cat food that is full of them. Instead, read labels and buy cat food that is not filled with fillers and other by products.

Bulls are national dogs of England. These dogs were bred as fighting dogs of yore. Of late these dogs are trained and used as guard dog. These bulldogs are powerfully built animals and are aware of their strength and use them when it is necessary. These dogs will love to play with children and get involved in the game totally. Let us discuss here about the bulldog health problems.

The muzzle of the bulldog is delicately shaped that these dogs cannot breathe perfectly. The pet owner must keep this in mind and never indulge these dogs in over exercise. Extra care needs to be provided for these dogs at puppy stage and when the climate is hot and muggy. Subjecting these dogs for brisk walk is more than enough.

These dogs tend to become lazy and easily become overweight. In order to avoid this, keep the animal busy as much as possible like allowing the dog to play with children, taking while you go for morning walk.

It is better to keep the dog in tether, as these dogs loves fighting with other dogs, in that melee, they may get injured. These dogs do not need special care for grooming, once in a bathing will suffice. The males will weigh nearly 25 kilos and the females will weigh 22-23 kilos, usually two to three kilos less than the males.

Like all other diseases the canine distemper affects bull dog breed also. This is a highly contagious disease caused by paramyxovirus. This disease can affect the bull dogs at any age. The virus enters by direct contact and through inhalation. The virus thus entered the respiratory tract multiplies in the bronchi and tonsils.

The incubation period for the virus is for four to eight days. There won’t be any symptoms during this period. The fever [40 degree Celsius], yellow discharge from the eyes and nostrils and pustules in the region of abdomen can be noticed once the incubation period is over. The animal will have these symptoms for three to four days and enter in to the clinical stage.

Here in addition to the fever and discharge the dog will have diarrhea, inflamed mucous membrane, and tracheobronchitis. Rhinitis, bronchial pneumonia, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, and vomition may develop soon. Some animals will show nervous signs such as convulsion, paralysis; coordination problems and involuntary muscle contractions etc. Since this disease is of viral origin, immunizing the dog against the dog is the best solution.

Bulldog health problems are many like the one mentioned and discussed above. By proper care, nutrition and immunization the bulldog health problems can be minimized.

The average life expectancy of a cat is around fifteen years, but many lead active and happy lives into their twenties and a few even manage the early thirties. The oldest cat recorded was thirty-four years five months old when she died.

So what can you expect from your kitten as he grows up? As a baby (under four weeks of age) everything has to be done for him; as a toddler (at five to eight weeks) he has to be carefully supervised; as a child of two to nine months, he is active, playful and adventurous. All these stages are expected, but the teenage phase can take many owners by surprise.

Just like human teenagers, many cats seem to have a super abundance of energy. If they have a feline friend they can use up some of it in play, but if they do not, they may start playing boisterously with their owners, jumping out and ambushing them and giving them painful nips. They should be kept fully occupied or they can get into mischief. Regular play sessions, where the play is of the owner’s choosing, will help ward off boredom, and plenty of company is important, as is understanding if the cat becomes hyperactive.

Plenty of high quality, varied food should be given, as cats at this age will eat a lot, and probably a quarter as much again as an adult cat. One word of warning: if you are feeding a prepared cat food, hyperactivity can be caused by the food you are giving, as some cats react to certain brands by becoming ‘hyper’, their behavior returns to normal when their food is changed; this is another good reason for feeding a wide variety of food and not just one brand of canned food.

However boisterous and time-consuming your teenage cat turns out to be, remember it is just a phase, and one you will probably miss once it is past. Your cat’s middle years, however, are often the best. If he was a contented kitten, he is now truly a contented cat, he has a good relationship with his owner, he is well adjusted to family life, he returns affection with affection, and is at the peak of his physical powers. For the owner, he is less demanding, and he should be enjoying excellent physical health. Remember to keep up the yearly booster injections for enteritis and cat flu, and the complete health check at the same time.

Do dogs provide health benefits? Believe it or not they do! Did you know that owning a dog and pet ownership in general, can help a person in many ways? Owning a pet can improve your mental wellness, reduce your visits to the doctor, improve your cardiovascular health and allow for faster recovery time from surgery as well as higher survival rates. Recent research suggests that dogs may be able to detect cancer on a person’s breath! Lets’ explore these amazing health benefits of pet ownership:

It has been proven that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. These factors, in turn, reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, just stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a study from the New York State University concluded that these benefits continue even without the pet being present!

Hospital studies have shown that senior citizens and recent post-op patients respond better to treatment and recover faster while in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Did you know that dog owners have a greater chance to survive a serious illness than non-dog owners? In fact, a study revealed that a pet affected a person’s survival rate even more than the presence or company of family members or friends!

Studies conducted at Cambridge and UCLA concluded that there is a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved overall health, which leads to fewer visits to the doctor. The Journal of American Geriatrics Society notes that pet ownership has a positive effect on a senior’s physical and emotional well being. Additionally, a Medicare study of elderly patients also shows that people who own a dog have fewer doctor visits than patients who do not.

Pet owners have better emotional health and mental wellness than people who do not own a pet. Pets offer unconditional love and affection and their presence alone helps reduce loneliness. For people who are isolated, disabled or handicapped, a pet offers friendship and can even add a element of safety to their lives. Dogs are used as a form of therapy in hospices, nursing homes and as companions for the disabled and blind. In fact, there are studies that prove that people with a major illness fight the stress of having the illness better by having a dog as a pet.

There is new research that suggests that dogs may be able to detect certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California and the Polish Academy of Sciences exposed dogs to breath samples from breast and lung cancer patients and samples from healthy people. They claim that the dogs were able to detect cancer with astonishing results and accuracy. The dogs were able to identify 99% of lung cancer breath samples (which included early stage cancer patients) as well as 88% of breast cancer samples. The study, which has been met with skepticism, will be released early in 2006 and published in the March edition of the Journal for Integrative Cancer Therapies. Experts agree that this holds promise, but must be evaluated and researched further.

As you can see pet ownership or having a dog comes with many benefits for an individual. Owning a pet encourages social interaction, reduces stress levels, boosts self-confidence and self-esteem and encourages exercise. Having a pet is a great investment, not only in the joy and pleasure that the animal brings into your life, but the many health benefits that come with the territory!

That mouthy puppy, only a few months old, is out of control to say the least … and you know it! You have had several dogs before, and absolutely never seen something like this. Puppy training seemed so natural before. You put “mommy mode” into your mind, in the form of how you would deal with a human child. You have tried to rationalize with this puppy. You have tried to distract him. You have yelled in frustration, and felt as though you were a bad parent. Why, you even swatted his rear end! … And he just keeps biting, and biting, and biting ….

Instinctively, you know this is out of your league and you need professional help… but you feel a little intimidated for various reasons. You have had several dogs of this breed, and you are afraid somebody might treat you like an amateur when you have a lot of experience… or even that they may say that you are a bad owner.

You stay up part of the night to think about it. In the morning, you gather your courage. You contact a dog obedience trainer well out of the area in an effort to prevent people who know you from finding out. You are surprised at the professional’s reaction. She asks you several questions as though she knows the answers before they come out of your mouth.

She says: “Let’s get right to the point and fix this problem as soon as possible.”

“First, this puppy is not really dominant-aggressive yet. He knows you do not know how to lead a dog with his personality, so he is ‘teasing’ with his dog dominance behavior. This is dangerous, but much easier to solve than a puppy who is practicing dominance. The puppy is also challenging you because he is physically restless and psychologically unchallenged.”

What to do? “Change your routine completely with him. Put a British style slip lead on him, since he pulls like a lunatic on the leash. Pull UP as a correction, not to the side. Do not make any excuses for his attitude. Your feeling sorry for him because you do not know what to do is what is creating this problem. Just snap him out of it, and keep going.”

“Now for that mouth. Give up the yelling. I don’t have to tell you that he jumps and bites harder when you start that. Raising your voice works with a dog who is trained and has learned to take a loud voice seriously, but certainly not with a challenging pup.”

To your amazement, the professional actually sits you down and has you practice saying your correction word over and over, until you have the tone exactly right – calm and firm. She also works with you on the posture that you need to take.

Boy, after that demonstration, you feel like you could take on the world … much less this little pup. You try the correction she has taught you. The dog freezes. Amazed, you tell the trainer: “Hey, that’s pretty cool!”

She seems proud, yet very expectant of the results of your new-found puppy training skills. No more puppy bad dog behavior and dog bite … SHUT THAT MOUTH, PUP!

Selling horses means big bucks in many parts of the world. There are people who are in the business of acquiring and selling horses. If you want to sell a horse there are some things that are good to know about the venture. Selling horses is not a sure thing. It is usually feast or famine. There are few horse sellers who enjoy steady sales. Most horse sellers will have side jobs in addition to their horse selling business.

However, if you just want to sell a horse your best bet is the classifieds. You can do this either in print publications or online. It is somewhat easier to sell a horse online because you reach a much broader market. When you sell a horse online there certain things to consider. For instance, when you make the sale and the buyer is in Rhode Island, but you are in New Mexico, how will the horse get to its new owner? Will the owner be responsible for transporting the horse? Will you pay all or part of transporting the animal? If the buyer did not travel to you to see the horse in person, do you offer some sort of guarantee if he does not like it when he gets it, or if he feels it is not as described? If so, who pays for the return? These do not necessarily need to be problems, but you do need to consider them if you are going to be selling horses to buyers who are not nearby.

When you decide to sell a horse, whether it is print or online, give as much information as possible. If you sell a horse online, make sure you include your location in the ad, preferably in the headline. This is a great service to your buyers who may only want to buy in a particular region. You should sell a horse that is sound unless you are up front about any defects. Any attempt to sell an animal that is unsound without giving full disclosure can quickly destroy your reputation as a horse seller. Horse people stick together and if one of them gets wind of a horse seller’s unethical behavior, you can bet that many, many of his horse people friends will know soon! If you sell a horse online, be as honest about the animal as possible, in your communications with the potential buyer. You do not want to sell an animal, have it transported several hundred miles only to have the buyer reject it because there was something that you did not tell him. It is bad for your reputation, but, more importantly, it is very stressful to the animal. And you want to avoid that at all costs.

So you are looking for a dog crate and you want the highest

quality you can get for the best price. What options are

available to you, and what are the pro’s and con’s of the

various types of dog crate.

Firstly, let first look at the black epoxy coated crates. They

look great when they are new, but they chip so easily and look

tatty after only a few uses and let’s be honest if you are

spending good money then you will want real value for your money

and not something that is going look tatty within a short period

of time.

Secondly, let’s consider those plastic bases that some companies

put in the crates. Plastic bases often crack, and split and as

well as this dogs often chew them, so in reality there is no

advantage to a plastic base except for possibly saving the

manufacturer a little money on material and labour costs?

Thirdly, there is chrome for cages - they look great, at first

and then you find they also chip and flake because chrome is

just another coating. Be aware that the flaking chrome if

ingested by a dog could make them unwell. In fact you don’t

really see many chrome ones around these days which is a good

thing. So what are you left with?

Well you are left with galvanised crates. These are by far the

best option, and the top quality galvanised crates have the

following features:

* Galvanised for non-rust long lasting * Polished finish *

Anti-tamper locks * Very heavy gauge mesh frame * Metal tray

that can’t be chewed and wont split or crack * Assembles in

three moves * Wont chip or flake * Lasts for years * Slide out

tray * Wholesale Prices

The major difference between types of galvanised dog crates is

the gauge of the mesh used. Some companies are now offering 9mm

gauge wire mesh which has incredible strength and lasts a long,

long time.

Dog Crates / Dog Cages offer an effective way to housebreak

puppies, keep your pets safe either at home or away or dog

crates can also be used by professional show dog owners. Some

crates now offer an innovative build and design that allows

simple assembly and disassembly in seconds and are galvanised

which prevents against rust and deterioration and is safe for

your dog - this means they will look great for many years to

come. When not in use, the cage/crate folds flat for easy

transport and storage.

Contact them at http://www.services-professional.co.uk/Retailer-Dog-Crates

-UK.html

The Pug is known as the Carlin in France, Mopshond in the Netherlands, Mops in Germany and Chinese Pug or sometimes the Dutch Pug in Great Britain. So how did he come about with a name of the “Pug?” The name Pug may have come about from the shape of the dog’s head or the name refers to the dog’s resemblance to a marmoset or monkey.

The Pug was developed as a pet and entertainer. His clownish face and happy demeanor wins friends just about everywhere he goes. The little Pug is an ancient Oriental breed and was probably first developed in Tibetan monasteries prior to the first century A.D. He resembles the Pekingese and other Oriental breeds. The Pug was seen in Japan in early years as well. Some claim the Pug originated from Mastiff stock. This is not a proven fact and is doubted by many because several other toy breeds with large heads and curled tails came from the Orient. It is more probable that the Pug was carried from China by Holland’s trading ships and on into the Netherlands where he became the Clown Prince of many European courts in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The Pug is said to be a wonderful companion. He fits in nicely with young families if the small kids are well informed about handling small dogs. The Pug makes a good companion to the elderly and is sufficiently active enough for young adult as well.

Pugs love to run and play. A backyard is usually enough space for their exercise. They enjoy leashed walks and make good hiking partners in cool weather or shady environments.

The Pug is affectionate, ready to please and sensitive. The Pug can provide hours of entertainment for its owner with many comical antics. He is sensitive to the moods of its owner. They are trustworthy, loyal and socialize easily with other pets. The Pug can exhibit a jealous streak if not given enough attention and may even pout. He is extremely trainable.

The Pug’s coat is short, lies flat, and requires regular brushing and combing to control shedding, which can be a lot. A rubber slicker brush is effective in removing loose hair and a grooming glove is often used.

The Pug’s coat is fine, smooth, soft, short and glossy. It is neither harsh nor woolly. The colors are usually fawn or black. They have a black mask, ears and facial wrinkles. The nails should be black.

The Pug is easy to maintain. It only needs regular brushing. The overnose wrinkle and ears should be checked daily and kept clean. If a sore develops, a vet should be consulted. Special attention should be given to the Pug’s eyes. The eyes should be kept clear and a vet consulted if not clear. The older Pug’s eyes are particularly vulnerable and occasionally require eye drops.

You will need a brush or a grooming glove, a selection of combs is useful. Brush the coat daily. Bathe in a suitable natural-ingredient shampoo and rinse well.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Many pets just do not like to take a bath so this important duty of being a pet owner can be a struggle. A good pet grooming tub can make a world of difference. One of these devices can make a difficult job easier. A good pet grooming tub can make the job easier for the owner, and the bath more pleasant for a treasured pet. One of the problems with giving a pet a bath is the drenching that happens with some dogs who really do not want that bath. The bigger the pet, the more thorough the drenching as the pet struggles to get out of the clutches of a determined owner.There are a wide variety of pet grooming tubs on the market currently. These can be purchased at a good pet supply store or through some of the outlets with a presence on the internet. The internet sites have great pictures of the available products, but then at the store the bath can be checked out personally and completely. It is a really good idea to have a look at what friends and family members use and ask for some advice. If any of these people have a pet grooming tub that they really like, check it out. The reverse is also true. If they have one that does not help with the task, avoid that type of pet grooming tub.A Good Pet Grooming Tub Will Make a DifferenceOne positive feature to look for in a pet grooming tub is height. If the pet grooming tub is raised to a proper height, the task will be much easier. Bending over the pet grooming tub could be very hard on the back of the one in charge of the bath. A raised tub is great for the back, but it is even better for the knees. A good tub has restraints so the one in charge of bathing does not have to chase a sopping wet dog around the house. The proper restraints can make a significant difference in the success of the bath.A good tub also has an effective shower head that will get the job done fast. The pet does not want a bath so the faster the job gets done, the happier the pet. A good shower fixture in the tub will get the pet wet, washed and rinsed quickly. Some features including a shampoo holder and a mat in the tub will just make the job more efficient.