Almost everyone who cares about animals knows about Greyhounds and dog racing. It’s sad what many dogs go through, and we’ll talk a bit about that, but there are good people doing good things to help, too, so we’ll also talk about that.
We have people in our Town who adopt rescued Greyhounds. I met a couple of very nice Greyhounds at my last appointment to the vet. I’m just a tiny little dog, and these are bigger than me, very fine featured dogs with very strong hind-quarter muscles which probably is why they are fast, and used for racing. They are so gentle that it’s sad to think that they are used this way. Let’s get the sad video over with, then we can move on to the good things people are doing:
Greyhounds, or dogs that look very much like them have been found as part of the artwork on Egyptian tombs over 2000 BC. They were developed for hunting in more recent history. They make wonderful, gentle, loving house pets.
If you think you’d like to learn more about how to help Greyhounds, or would like to adopt on, there are many websites that help, Adopt a Greyhoud is just one that will lead to other helpful sites.
I am here to whimper and whine today, found out some news that I’m not very happy about. I found out that Yorkies are not at the top of the list of favored pet dogs put together by the American Kennel Club (AKC). This was really a shocker for me, here is what we found were the top 5 dogs:
Labrador Retriever
YORKSHIRE TERRIER (should be #1!!)
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Beagle
Let me tell you why I’m better than a Labrador Retriever, maybe the AKC people will read my post and change their minds by next year.
Labrador Retrievers are really big and can’t sit on your lap. If they try to, it’s not as fun as having a cute fuzzy little Yorkie like me on your lap.
Labrador Retrievers have really big mouths and tongues and when they give you a doggie kiss, it’s yucky, not a nice little lick on the cheek like I give my owners and friends.
Labrador Retrievers eat a LOT more food than a little Yorkie does, so you won’t have to spend as much money buying food if you have a Yorkie.
When you take a Yorkie for a walk, you just have to take a little Zip Lock bag along with you with a napkin or tissue to clean up after, I don’t even want to think about what it’s like for humans who have to clean up after big dogs like Labrador Retrievers.
Labrador Retrievers aren’t as cute if they do the things that Yorkie’s do to greet you when you come home…we like to run around in circles and jump all over you, but we can only reach your knees, so it’s cute. A LR would knock you over if they greeted you that way.
Labrador Retrievers shed all over you in the summer, Yorkies don’t shed because we have hair, not fur.
When a Lab goes out and plays in the yard and gets mud on his feet, it makes a much bigger mess than a little Yorkie would make.
I’m pretty sure LR’s slobber on you a lot more than a Yorkie would, we never slobber.
When you take a Yorkie for a walk who isn’t trained, we don’t drag you all over the place because we’re small.
Yorkies are just plain cute!!
If you have, or are, a Labrador Retriever, please forgive me, I’m just a little jealous Yorkie who wants to be the top dog on the AKC favorites list.
The Dalmatian has been made popular with children because of the Disney movie, “101 Dalmatians”. Their association with Fire Stations comes from various bits of information, including their help in chasing rats from fire stations in England, to training them to guide the horse-drawn fire wagons through the streets, while protecting the horses from stray dogs that would attack them. How much of this is fact, and how much fiction, I don’t know, but since the origin of the breed is in Europe, it sounds likely. Below is a lovely picture of a Dalmatian, and following is an article with more information about the breed written by Kelly Marshall.
Of all the dogs, the Dalmatian is easily spotted by its characteristic black spotted features. How these black spots evolved remains a puzzle. The Dalmatian is a European breed, first discovered in Western Yugoslavia. In the USA the Dalmatian was first introduced about 120 years ago and still remains one of the most popular dogs as a pet.
One of the great features of the Dalmatian is its energy level and ability to exercise for long duration. The Dalmatian is not a pet for a small apartment because it needs a lot of room. Training this dog is not difficult but does require a great deal of patience. Training can be difficult at times because the dog often tends to become stubborn. While the Dalmatian does make a great pet dog, it often does get ill tempered with other dogs. Ironically, it is quite friendly with other animals like cats and even horses. For those families with children, the Dalmatian should not be the first pet as it is full of energy and though not intentional, it can be a little rough with small children. However, if the dog is well trained it can make a great loving pet. Despite its size and energy, the dog will rarely harm a child or the owner.
Upkeep and Maintenance
The Dalmatian is one dog that needs regular exercise and thus, it is more suited for people who are active. Simply taking the Dalmatian out to poop will not be adequate as it prefers to go for long outdoor runs. The majority of Dalmatian owners indicate that it makes a great jogging companion. When you first buy the Dalmatian as a puppy it will gladly live in the apartment, but as soon as it grows, it will let you know where it wants to go. Throwing a ball in the park is another way to provide exercise for them as well.
The Dalmatian prefers the cool temperate weather more so than the hot humid climate. When outside, one has to make sure that it is provided with lots of water and a shade to rest under. The dog does tend to become attached to humans and loves people company. Even though the Dalmatian loves the outdoors, it also prefers to be with humans once inside the home.
Health Information
While the Dalmatian generally is disease free, it does suffer from deafness with age. Other common medical ailments that may afflict the dog include an under active thyroid gland, allergies, visual problems and seizures. While CHD has been reported, it is very rare and no where near as common as what occurs in Rottweilers. All Dalmatian owners are recommended that the dog be checked regularly by a veterinarian to screen for the above mentioned health problems
The majority of pet dalmatians live at least 12-15 years. There are even reports of some Dalmatians living a lot longer. While comparisons are difficult, the dog can be as loving and gentle as a Labrador when it is well trained.
A few posts back I said we were going to share information about other dog breeds now and then, and we did one post so far…but this is blog by a Yorkie, so it seems only natural to make sure we have a good post about my breed, the Yorkshire Terrier. My owner found one, and it’s pretty interesting. I don’t feel like the vicious little beast that they writer describes at the beginning, but this is the history of my breed. Enjoy this article by David Beart:
“In another land and time the Yorkshire terrier was not a small long haired show dog and pet. Rather, he was a larger rat killing (more…)
I thought it would be fun to have posts now and then about different kinds of dogs, not just Yorkies like me. This is the first post, but in time, if you want to find all the posts that are about different kinds of dogs, then click on “Dog Breeds” under “Categories” to the right, and you’ll find them.
At the same house where I was born, the owner had a Basset Hound, he was a great big dog, I think I am smaller than his head was. But in memory of him, because he has gone over the “Rainbow Bridge”, I thought I’d start with an article we found about Basset (sometimes spelled “Bassett) Hounds.
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Although we are unable to identify the exact time period in history when the Basset Hound was created, some historians have noted that the first mention of this type of dog was found during 16th century text that made mention to “short legged dogs used for badger hunting.
We also know that comparable dwarf breeds that had short legs were used during the ancient times, but it is very difficult to focus in on exactly when and why the Basset Hound was intentionally bred.
The word “Basset” is French and is derivative from bas, which means “dwarf”. We know that short legged dogs were normally used for slow paced hunting during the French Revolution. History of this dog breed indicates a much clearer snap shot after French Revolution.
During this time period that Basset Hounds became a whole lot more common as a hunting companion. Many Hunters needed a dog that was intelligent enough with its scent ability to hunt prey and at the same time was slow enough so that they could be followed and hunted with guns. This is where this animal received its small dwarf like body; it became the perfect hunting formula for these needs.
Ultimately, there are four different variations of the short legged kind were created. One of these variations is know as the Basset Artesien Normand. The Basset Artesien Normand is what closely resembles today s Basset Hound. In the late 1800s and then again around 1930, crosses were developed with Bloodhounds to bring up their size. The first Bassett Hounds were sent to England and the United States during the late 1800s.
Personality
You will discover that the Basset Hound is one of the most calm and relaxed dog breeds alive today. They are very good natured with nearly every other animal and human they come into contact with. The Basset is enormously suited for kids and is well behaved even in the company of other strange dogs. Even though these dogs are considered high in affection levels and friendliness, do not underestimate its watchdog capabilities. In addition, these Hounds made great watchdogs.
Taking Care Of A Basset Hound
Basset Hounds need a dose of daily exercise, but not an over dose. One or two walks each day on the leash around your block will suit just fine. But, like any animal, it is always good for extra playtime and games when possible. Basset Hounds should sleep indoors with the family during the evening. During the day, having these dogs should have access to an enclosed yard. There’s no need for that much grooming. Just a little brushing and bath times throughout the week will be fine. Also, make note that these dogs tend to drool frequently.
Health Information
Basset Hounds have a live around 9 and 12 years, sometimes they live longer, it all depends on their health. Big health concerns are ectropion, vWD, CHD, gastric torsion, OCD, thrombopathy, otitis externa, and elbow dysplasia. Minor health problems may include patellar luxation. Obesity is a common issue with these animals when owners overfeed them. Make sure that you place caution on how much food you provide. Author Resource:-> Written by Kelly Marshall of http://Ohmydogsupplies.com, which has a huge selection of over 300 http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/grooming-tools dog grooming tools and dog grooming supplies
