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December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

There are few things cuter than a new Labrador retriever puppy, but that little dog quickly loses his cuteness factor when he is brought home with you and promptly makes a mess on your beautiful living room carpet. Unless you want to spend the rest of your dog’s life cleaning up these not so pleasant messes, you will want to get savvy to the finer points of Labrador potty training as quickly as possible. The good news is that there is some fairly simple techniques that will get you on the road to a housebroken dog that will leave your living room carpet for other things besides bathroom duty.

Labrador potty training will first consist of teaching your pup the appropriate place to potty. This might mean your backyard or a papered corner in the bathroom, depending on your needs and lifestyle. Once your dog has mastered where to go, he can begin to let you know that he needs to potty by barking at you, whining at the back door or simply heading to his appointed spot.
Many dog owners find the easiest way to Labrador potty training is through the use of a crate. This shelter becomes a safe haven for your dog when you are away or cannot give him the attention that he requires. Most dogs will not potty in their crates, which means that your pup will learn to hold it until you come get him to put him outside. This is a good first step in Labrador potty training.

Since puppies have small, untrained bladders, you won’t want to leave your dog in his crate for too long in the beginning stages of Labrador potty training. Take your puppy outside every couple of hours when he is very young, and place him immediately in the spot that you want him to potty in. When he goes to the bathroom, praise him and bring him inside for some playtime with you if possible. It is also good to take him out after naps and meals, when he will be most likely to potty.
If you catch your pup in the act of going potty on your carpet or in another inappropriate spot, simply give him a firm no, and immediately take him outside. If you find a spot on the carpet after the fact, clean it up quickly and thoroughly with an enzymatic carpet cleaner that will take the smell out completely. Don’t scold your pup at this point, because he will not remember where the mess came from, even if it is a mere five minutes after the fact! When your puppy potties in the right spot, reward him with plenty of praise, playtime or a biscuit.

With plenty of persistence and patience, your Labrador potty training will be successful. Don’t get frustrated or give up if the process takes longer than you think it should. While some Lab puppies will be completely housebroken in a matter of weeks, others may take months before the accidents are finished. Rest assured that your pup will eventually get the hang of potty training, and you will not have to deal with this issue forever.

Although Labrador training is not necessarily a complicated process, it is one that requires plenty of persistence and patience in order for it to be successful. Information is the key to successful Labrador training, and dog training books and articles like this one are the first step in becoming a savvy Labrador owner.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

The Bichon Frise is one of the most adorable dogs out there. Its name literally means curly lap dog in French. This dog has a beautiful curly coat as an outer coat with a silky undercoat. There are several ways to groom this powder puff dogs. There is the easy maintenance puppy cut or the high maintenance full volume cut that is required in most dog shows.

Any way the Bichon Frise is groomed it looks adorable and makes the perfect subject for photographs and paintings. No wonder then that Spanish and French nobility commonly owned the Bichon Frise. The Bichon Frise was pictured in royal portraits of the French and Spanish royalty. This trend has continued today with many people wanting Bichon Frise pictures. Anyone who loves dogs will adore having Bichon Frise pictures in their home or to add to the collection of dog portraits they may already have.
Finding the perfect Bichon Frise pictures really depends on what type of look you are going for in the room that you intend to use the pictures for. Is it going to be the focus of the room or an interesting quirk of the room? If you have a modern look in your room with clean lines and lots of white, break it up with a contrasting colored frame with your Bichon Frise picture.

If the room has a particular look for example a soft and cuddly child’s bedroom then your Bichon Frise pictures should fit that. A Bichon Frise puppy in a cute doggy outfit is a great way to complement a girl’s bedroom that has plenty of soft toys and a princess feel. Look online for the type of picture you would like. A quick search of images through a search engine will turn up plenty of choices.
A using picture in a room is probably one of the cheapest and easiest ways to decorate. There is something fresh and alive about a picture that is sometimes lost in a painting if the artist is not very good. Bichon Frise pictures are a safer bet as you can tell almost immediately what makes a good picture and what doesn’t. You don’t have to see a picture close up before ordering it to make sure that you have something you like. You can order your picture just by looking at a smaller version of it online.

Bichon Frise pictures are great because they appeal to everyone. Everyone can agree that this is a very cute breed. No one is going to come across your Bichon Frise pictures and feel repulsed, it’s just plain impossible! So go ahead and use Bichon Frise pictures to decorate your home. Remember that just like everything use them in moderation to avoid your house looking tacky.

Change the mood in any room with adorable Bichon Frise pictures. Anything you need to know about decorating and the Bichon Frise is in this article. All Bichon Frise information related to pictures can be found here.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

A native of Siberia, as their name suggests, the Siberian Husky has had a very long and distinguished history. For hundred of years the Siberian Husky breed was trained by the Chukchi people to pull sleds. As a semi-nomadic tribe the Chukchi used the Siberian Husky to pull light loaded sleds for long distances, which made the Siberian Husky an excellent companion for the tribe. Through DNA testing it was recently discovered that the Siberian Husky is one of the oldest living dog breeds. The Siberian Husky was finally brought to the United States in 1909 when it participated in the All Alaska Sweepstakes Race. After this a number of Siberian Huskies were then imported to Alaska and the breed won the same race in the following year. Not only did the Siberian Husky manage to win many different races in the years to come but it also managed to gain fame for both their great speed and endurance as well.
The American Kennel Club finally recognized the Siberian Husky as a breed in 1930. The breed is still widely used in various sledding, carting and racing events today. In fact the popularity of these activities is due to the Siberian Husky. Although it is becoming less common to see the Siberian Husky in such events since they are being replaced by the Alaskan Husky, which is bred specifically for speed. This is why some have started a movement in order to create races specifically for the Siberian Husky.

Instead of completing, the Siberian Husky is taking on their newest role as hiking companion, therapy dog and devoted house pet. Often times the Siberian Husky is confused with the Alaskan Malamute. However, the Alaskan Malamute is easily identified by their heavy build since they were bred for draft work and not speed. The Siberian Husky also have a unique appearance. Part of this is a double coat that helps to insulate their body against hot and cold weather. They also have a long tail that helps to protect their noses when they are asleep.
Typically the Siberian Husky will stand twenty-one to twenty-three and one half inches at the withers and the female will be slightly smaller. The ideal weight for a female is between thirty-five to fifty pounds depending on their size while the males are up to ten pounds heavier. The Siberian Husky should have a moderate bone density and it should never be slight or dense. Overall the Siberian Husky should be a little longer than their height. According to breed standards the ideal Siberian Husky is one that displays a picture of balance, grace and athletic ability. Eye color can be brown or blue and sometimes even one of each color or speckled. Probably a white mask around the face helps to enhance their eye color. The Siberian Husky has an overall facial expression of friendliness, alertness and even a rogue appearance. The coat color can range from white to black but most are black or red with white markings or shaded gray. However, the importance of the Siberian Husky isn’t in color but rather their ability to perform with speed, ease and stamina.

There is a long and distinguished history behind the Siberian Husky breed. The appearance and ability of the breed requires specific Siberian Husky information.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

When there is cross breeding the result could be a multi-generation cross, as more than half the purebreds are not totally pure. The Shar Pei mix can be a cross breeding with a Basset Hound or with a Pug. The Shar Pei mix with the Basset Hound is called the Ba-Shar and is a recognized breed with the American Canine Hybrid Club. Cross breeding implies that the new breed adopts the characteristics of the parent breeds. Hence one can understand the temperament of a cross breed, if you know the temperament of the parents.

The Shar Pei mix with the Pug is called the Ori Pei. An American named Aaron Silver decided to cross breed his favorite Chinese Shar Pei with a Pug. The Shar Pei often suffered from eye tacking, skin problems and hip dysphasia. When it was cross bred with a Pug, its inherent health problems diminished and the Ori Pei was a still smaller version than the Shar Pei. The FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) has recognized it as a Shar Pei mixed breed. It is a lovable and loyal dog and is popular with children, especially because of its small size.
The Black Labrador or another Shepherd Mix could be considered for cross breeding with the Shar Pei. In the new Shar Pei mix the characteristics of the Shar Pei stand out more than the characteristics of the other parent breed. The extra skin and wrinkles are enough to show that the dog is a Shar Pei Mix. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is also another option for cross breeding with the Shar Pei. The new breed has many positive features like being friendly and loving, but is also shy.

For the Shar Pei there is a very small gene pool, and so the breed itself is becoming a problem in structure and temperament. Only with a larger gene pool it is possible to breed a healthy population of dogs. Then it is possible to have a larger scope of genetic variation. Gene frequencies can be conserved and there is competition of the genes.
When you buy a Shar Pei mix, make sure that you go to a responsible and reliable dog breeder. A good breeder has the knowledge to select two breeds in order to cross breed. His aim is hybrid vigor. When he crossbreeds he looks at the genetic diversity of the parent dogs. If there are health problems in one of the dogs or in both the dogs, they can be bred out. He will also ensure that the breeding makes the next generation of dogs better, healthier, more intelligent and live longer.

Of course the kennel club rules regarding breeding and cross breeding of dogs are quite strict. For purebreds as well as for cross breeds, there are exact combinations according to their specifications, and only then the cross breeds are recognized by them.

Purebred dogs like the Chinese Shar Pei can receive accident coverage from insurance companies. But now even mixed breeds, especially those that have been recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club are eligible for such coverage.

The Shar Pei mixed breeds show that the features of the Shar Pei overshadows the features of the other dogs. If you are looking for Shar Pei information and their cross breeding, this article is ideal for you.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

Originally bred in the mid-19th century Yorkshire, England to catch rats, the Yorkshire Terrier was first introduced to Americans in 1872. In 1878, it was one of the first breeds to be acknowledged by the American Kennel Club as eligible for registration. Since then, these cute little pups have warmed our hearts and our homes, earning a spot as the second most popular breed in the United States. Like all the Yorkshire Terrier types, the Teacup Yorkie is bright, energetic, and a favorite of dog lovers everywhere.

The Teacup Yorkie isn’t technically considered a breed on its own. Instead, they are Yorkshire Terriers bred specifically for their small (or “teacup”) size. Despite being small in stature, however, Teacup Yorkies are known for being very energetic, extremely intelligent and exceptionally bold. While they generally get along well with other dogs, they are also quick to try to establish leadership as the alpha dog. In keeping with this spunky personality, Teacup Yorkies aren’t afraid to challenge larger dogs, and this can get them into trouble. It’s also another reason they are not recommended for families with small children.
When it comes to intelligence, the Teacup Yorkie has been ranked as being an above average working dog. They are very quick to pick up new commands, and take to training easily. This makes them wonderful competitors in dog shows, where understanding and carrying out their handler’s commands are important. Add that to the fact that they are brimming with energy and it’s easy to see why they’re always a favorite in show. Because of their sharp, active minds, a large selection of toys is a good idea to keep them happy and occupied.

Another facet of the Teacup Yorkie’s personality is independence. They are happy to either simply be near their owner, or to curl up in a warm lap. Unfortunately, it is their independence that makes Teacup Yorkies so hard to housebreak, a fact acknowledged and recognized by most breeders. They are also fiercely loyal and territorial, and will make their owner aware of even the slightest possibility of intruders, even defending them if necessary.
Yorkshire Terrier types of all kinds make wonderful household pets for families with older children. Due to its small size, the Teacup Yorkies is often a good choice for those who live in apartments. Weighing less than seven pounds, they are easy to carry and generally problem-free when it comes to family trips. Their disposition makes it simple for them to adjust to homes with multiple animals, and they are excellent performers when in show.

Joining the ranks of Teacup Yorkie owners has never been easier. Thanks to the Internet, there are hundreds of websites offering Yorkshire Terrier information that will give you all the facts you need to know about Teacup Yorkies and the various Yorkshire Terrier types. Like most small dogs, Teacup Yorkies can suffer from several illnesses, so it’s important to know what to look for when you’re selecting your pup. You’ll also find lists of reputable breeders who take great care of their animals, and who’ll help you in finding a healthy, happy puppy.

Bright and energetic, all Yorkshire Terrier types, including the Teacup Yorkie, have a wonderful even temperament and are well suited to almost any family. In this article you’ll find Yorkshire Terrier information, focusing on the temperament of the Teacup Yorkie.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

A pocket beagle was a very popular breed of dog back in the 1300’s and 1400’s with royalty and prized by the royal family. They were called pocket beagles because they were measured at no more than 9 inches at the shoulders. Currently the American Kennel Club, the standard that many breeders use for determining the health and other important factors of a dog breed, only recognize beagles that are 13 inches or 15 inches in size. So what happened?

Pocket beagles are considered to be the results of either very bad breeding or a dog that has serious health problems. In the early 1900’s the line recognized by official American and British pocket beagle breeds was declared extinct and today you cannot get a pocket beagle that is officially recognized by the widely accepted breeders’ standards in the world. But yet there are many breeders that maintain they are breeding pocket beagles.
Confusion over exactly what the modern day pocket beagle really is comes up when you see that there is a breed of pocket beagle being offered by what appear to be reputable breeders called the old English pocket beagle. Many of these breeders are part of other breeding organizations and use a different standard than the main breeding organization. The criteria they are using for their old English pocket beagles include any beagle 12” in size or less. Debates rage over the validity of this breeding practice.

If the old English pocket beagles are indeed truly healthy animals then they will not be suffering from ailments such as hip dysplasia and epilepsy that normally accompany dogs that are destined to be pocket beagle size. It is naïve to think that someone has not found a way to breed healthy pocket beagles but it never hurts to ask questions and be sure before you buy one.
It is very difficult to look into the eyes of what is being called a modern day pocket beagle and think that there could be any kind of controversy surrounding such a cute little animal. But there are breeders that claim they are more than able to offer healthy modern day pocket beagles and then there are the main breeders’ organizations that claim that the breed went extinct over 100 years ago. It is a very difficult discussion.

There are very specific criteria that a dog must meet when it is being classified as one breed or the other and the main breeding organizations of the world consider a dog outside their criteria to be unhealthy. Are old English pocket beagle breeders selling unhealthy dogs? To this point there has been no major outcry to stop the breeding of modern day pocket beagles so the debate will rage on for some time to come.

One of the beagle types is a pocket beagle and this article talks about that breed. You will find valuable beagle information in this article about the pocket beagle.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

In order to be totally in tune with what your Rottweiler is thinking or to understand why he or she behaves in a certain manner, you will what to go back in time and learn about the history of your dog’s breed. Many today still fear the Rottweiler, just as they did many years before now. The Rottweiler was always considered a smart dog and one that would scare off thieves. This is as true today as it was in the past.

To fully understand and to take full advantage of the nature of the Rottweiler, it cannot be stressed enough why it is so important to take a few moments and understand where this breed comes from and what its ancestors went through. By doing so, you may actually walk away better equipped to handle your own Rottweiler. It doesn’t take but a moment to educate yourself so that next time a guest in your home is scared of the look the Rottweiler has, you can share knowledge with them and lessen their fear.
Although many people would not think of it when looking at a Rottweiler, the ancestry of this dog actually dates back into ancient Roman times. It was then that this breed started as what was called the Roman drovers. The drovers were dogs used to serve the soldiers, as during the nights they would serve as guard dogs and alert them to any dangers, including surprise attacks from enemies and then the drovers would herd cattle during the daylight.

During the travels of Caesar, some of the drovers were left behind in Germany, and it was in Rottweil, Germany, where the dog got its name as they began to breed this dog in order to serve them the way they served the soldiers. They would serve as work dogs just like they did for the soldiers. There was no doubt in the minds of anyone that this was a dog to respect and respect them they did.
While it seemed a natural choice to use the Rottweiler to pull carts and barges, the railroad soon came through and replaced the dogcarts. This advancement in travel left the Rottweiler without a job and the future was not looking good for the breed. That is until 1910 when the police officially recognized the Rottweiler as a police dog. Not only did the Rottweiler serve its country on the streets with police, but also they served their time in World War II when the Nazis and the Allies utilized their great strength and loyalty.

Then finally, in 1931, the American Kennel Club Stud Book admitted the first Rottweiler. The popularity of the Rottweiler had been growing for a decade, as the Rottweiler has come in on the American Kennel Club ’s top ten registered breeds. But even though in the year 2000, the Rottweiler slipped into eleventh place, the breed still is one of the most popular dogs to date and with the history that is behind this dog, there is no wonder as to why.

The Rottweiler is much more then a dumb guard dog as this breed is dedicated to their owners, not out of ignorance but out of love and respect. Rottweiler information can be found all over the place if you really need it. Using that information is the best thing you can do when bringing a Rottweiler into your family.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

If you are thinking about getting a small dog, you are probably thinking about getting a Pomeranian, since they seem to be all over the place. You already know not to buy from a pet store, as they get their puppies from inhumane puppy mills. You also know never to even buy supplies from pet stores that sell puppies. So, you have two options left to you for a Pomeranian – breeders or a rescue.

For the sake of argument, let’s say you decided on getting a puppy from a breeder. How can you tell if your prospective breeder’s stock has good quality Pomeranians or not? One puffy pointed eared dog is just as good as the next, right? Wrong! There are very unscrupulous people selling Pomeranians of questionable parentage for purebred prices. You need to be somewhat familiar with the breed standard. One easy way to do this is by comparing a breeder’s stock to Pomeranian pictures.
The great visual appeal to Pomeranian pictures is that even adult Pomeranians look like puppies. They have been bred for centuries to look like puppies all of their lives. Believe it or not, they used to be about thirty pounds – now they rarely tip the scales at eight. People instinctively react to young, cute animals – they bring out our parental instincts. A dog that looks tough, self-sufficient or too exotic will turn off rather than attract the casual viewer. Pomeranians are cute and fluffy – but still entirely recognizable as dogs.

Pomeranians are incredibly intelligent and portable – and the camera loves them! Brad Pitt has nothing on the eyeball magnet factor of a well-groomed, healthy Pomeranian. If you can’t find a free Pomeranian picture on the web that can be used, then you should seriously consider hiring a Pomeranian to model for your event or product. Pomeranians and Pomeranian pictures are hard to forget.
When looking through any number of Pomeranian pictures, you will notice a wide variety in color, coat length and even how long the ears are. Only a small number of Pomeranian pictures look anywhere near the average Pomeranian, let alone the breed standard. Although diversity is encouraged in the human world, it is not encouraged in the dog world.

It is important to get pictures of subjects that look like what most people think Pomeranians should look like. They look like a little bit larger versions of puppies all of their lives. You will know the right Pomeranian picture not by the dog’s color, size or pose, but by the way you are about to automatically say “Awww!” The camera loves even malformed Pomeranians. This is one of the most photogenic breeds on the planet, which is why you will find thousand of Pomeranian pictures to enjoy and wade through.

It is impossible to take bad Pomeranian pictures. Pomeranian information is easy to find if you know where to look.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

The American Kennel Club has registered the German Shepherd dog in its club since 1908. Actually in the 19th century it was bred for herding, because of its strength, intelligence and its excellent temperament. At that time it was already a German Shepherd mix because it was a cross breed between three types of shepherd dogs found in three different regions of Germany. They were the long-haired, short-haired and the wire-haired shepherd dogs. Used extensively by the police and the army, they became excellent guard dogs and guide dogs. They were also used for search and rescue purposes.

The Shepadoodle is a new hybrid dog, which is a cross breed between a German Shepherd and a Standard Poodle. It is one of the recognized crosses of hybrid dogs by the American Canine Hybrid Club. There are other combinations of cross breeding with German Shepherds, but unfortunately not all purebred dogs are 100% purebred, and hence it often becomes a multi generation cross.
Another name for the German Shepherd is the Alsatian. This dog is known for its obedience and loyalty, and because of these characteristics it is often used as a working dog. It learns extremely fast because of its intelligence. It can be trained very well and is always eager and alert to learn. But it is mainly a bold and confident dog, which can be direct and fearless. It is more or less a family dog, sometimes even a one-man dog and dislikes strangers.

The German Shepherd mix could, like any other mixed breed, be freed from some of the genetic diseases which are typical of the German Shepherd breed. Such a disease is hip dysplasia and often in the German Shepherd Mix the genetic disease could be absent because of the mixed breeding. Normally mixed breed dogs live a healthier and longer life than the purebred ones. Of course if both the parents have the same genetic disease, there is a great possibility that the disease will be automatically transmitted to the German Shepherd mix.
Cross-breeding between the German Shepherd and the sweet-tempered dogs like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever and the Collie are not recommended, as the German Shepherd mix retains more of the neurotic characteristics of the German Shepherd breed than the better temperament of the other purebred parent. The cross breed could then be shy but aggressive.

The cross with the Alaskan Malamute is also not recommended, because it’s stubborn and aggressive temperament is overbearing in the German Shepherd mix. In the bargain the hybrid dog can be a source of danger to families, if it does not receive proper handling and training. The same can happen by cross breeding the German Shepherd with the Chow Chow, the Akita, the Rottweiler and the Doberman Pinscher.

A good and successful German Shepherd mix is the cross breed with the Great Dane which makes it an affectionate, loyal and a pure family dog.

German Shepherd mixed breeds have a longer and healthier life than their parents. The purebred German Shepherd is a fearless and loyal family dog. The common cross breeds and the cross breeds to be avoided with the German Shepherd and a lot of German Shepherd information is available in this article.

December 30th, 2008 by KittyKitty

There are many people in the world who love the toy Chihuahua not only for its diminutive size but also for their very sweet temperament. This dog is the smallest of all the dog breeds known to man and also the oldest. Its origins can be traced to a place in Mexico after which it is named. The Aztec bred this dog for their royalty in ancient times. However, at that time the Chihuahua was slightly larger than what it is today.

By description, everything about this dog is cute and endearing. It has a tiny apple shaped head, eyes that seem too large for their head and sharp, pointed upright ears. Its eyes are slightly bulging and the muzzle is tiny and sharp. Do not be taken in by its looks though –the toy Chihuahua might look extremely fragile, but this dog is muscular and quite strong for its size
The advantages of owning this dog is that you have everything you would love in a dog with less exercise than most other breeds. They are great companions, highly entertaining pets and excellent guard dogs. They live long – about fifteen to eighteen years – and all this while they will fiercely and possessively love you. They can behave like little spoiled brats, a trait which the majority of their owners adore about them. And though they love romping outdoors, they do not need a daily walk in the park like most larger dogs do.

You can carry the toy Chihuahua anywhere you want, as it fits very well in your pocket if you want to take it and it will not make a sound as it anticipates your needs. It is the happiest when it sits on your lap or sleeps in your bed. Everything about this dog is highly endearing including the fact that it will courageously defend its territory against other animals and even humans.
There are a few downsides for people who possess or want to possess a toy Chihuahua. First of all it is very fragile – not in strength but in its vulnerability. He is the size of a cat and not even half as agile. It is very easy to find it crushed to death by mistake by stamping or sitting on it. For this reason, you cannot have a toy Chihuahua if you have young children in the house, as they would be likely to harm it. Alternatively, the Chihuahua will be tempted to bite the children out of jealously because you are showering your attention and love to them.

This dog needs a lot of cuddling and if you are an outdoor person, you need to ensure that your dog is protected from cold and rain. They do not tolerate cold well and they tend to catch infections if water enters their ears. Overall, the toy Chihuahua is an excellent pet provided you are prepared to smoother it in love.

The Chihuahua types of dogs are exceptionally well fit for people who love the indoors and have a lot of time on their hands to love these cuddly animals. You will find all the Chihuahua information you need and more in the article that you are about to read.