Monday, December 24, 2007

The Shih Tzu Dog: Personality 101

Article Title: The Shih Tzu Dog: Personality 101
Author: Rebecca A Simpson

So you and your family have decided that you are ready to bring
a Shih Tzu into your home and lives. You have a nice home and
plenty of love to give and that is all you need to know when
picking a dog, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case, as
many different types of dogs have different types of
personality. If you select the wrong dog, you may have a
situation you did not expect to happen. It is best to know what
to expect before selecting a puppy.

The best thing that you can do to make sure that the
expectations you have for your dog match and compare that to
what the Shih Tzu dog will be able to give based on their
personality. It is best to really sit down and think about your
lifestyle and how much time you will have to devote one-on-one
attention and time to your Shih Tzu dog. Some breeds of dogs
require more attention then others so this is something you
really must consider. Write out a list of what you would and
would not be acceptable from your dog and compare that to the
typical personality of the Shih Tzu dog.

Now, it is time to think about the Shih Tzu dog and their breed
personalities. Although, not every dog, no matter the breed,
will always fit one hundred percent into this well-defined
checklist, it is a good guideline to get a feel of what you may
expect from this type of breed. You may have written down that
you are looking for a dog that does not require a lot of outdoor
exercise because of your health reasons. If so, this breed is
perfect as they do not require much exercise and they are not as
yappy as other toy breeds and therefore will not drive your
neighbors crazy.

Even with their short legs and long body, the Shih Tzu dog is a
sturdy little dog that will carry himself with a proud sense
about him. But don't worry that this breed is a snob as they are
still very playful and happy, not only with their owners but
with strangers and other pets as well. These characteristics
often makes the Shih Tzu dog a perfect choice for those who
can't get out a lot, but when they do, they want a relaxed and
well-behaved dog.

But if you are looking for a breed that will not be prone to a
lot of problems, which can require costly vet bills, then this
breed may not be for you. The Shih Tzu dog is prone to many
things but problems with their breathing are often the most
noted issue. Because of their face structure and upturned nose,
the Shih Tzu's have a lot of breathing problems which can
unfortunately lead to heatstroke if they are in hot and humid
weather for too long.

Even though those beautiful, large, and shallow eyes are
amazing to look into, they are very much at risk for infection
and eye injuries. Disk problems also generally occur in these
breeds because of their long backs and their joints are often
times a cause of a lot of pain for them. The Shih Tzu dog is
also known to have a variety of skin and kidney problems. So, in
thinking of whether or not a Shih Tzu dog is right for you,
consider all the good and bad and think hard about if they are
truly a good fit for you and your home.

About The Author: Bringing a Shih Tzu dog into your home is a
decision that needs to have a lot of thought behind it. Rebecca
Simpson knows this and tries to do everything possible to help
others understand this complex breed. With pointing out the pros
and cons to owning a http://www.officialshihtzuguide.com/ Shih
Tzu, buyers will be better equipped to handle any problems if
they occur. Even with the health risks that the Shih Tzu faces,
these dogs have a heart of gold. Even after bringing a Shih Tzu
dog into your life, it is vital that you continue researching
http://www.officialshihtzuguide.com/Shih_Tzu.php Shih Tzu
information so that you are ready for any issues or concerns
that arise.

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Everything You Need To Know About The Beagle Dog

Article Title: Everything You Need To Know About The Beagle Dog
Author: Michelle A Adams

The history of the Beagle dog is a long and somewhat fuzzy one.
No one seems to know for sure the exact origin of this breed,
but information seems to lead to the fact that Beagles came from
the Talbot Hound, a breed that is now extinct. By the early part
of the second century, Beagles were brought from France to
England, and the primary purpose of this dog was for hunting
rabbits.

Beagles were bred with distinct instincts that allowed them to
chase these critters across the countryside and coax them out of
their hiding spots for the benefit of the hunters. Understanding
these basic hunting instincts will help a Beagle owner to better
comprehend some of the habits and tendencies of their Beagle
dog. For example, Beagles required a high amount of energy to
keep up with their hunts, and the dogs of this breed today will
also need the opportunity to exercise regularly. Because these
dogs were also bred in packs, your Beagle will need the
socialization of his new pack, which will consist of you and the
rest of your family members.

Beagles were originally bred in packs, so this dog is used to
the noise and activity of others. He will love spending the
majority of his time indoors with his new family, and will not
particularly want to be left alone for long periods of time.
This means that if you are going to leave your Beagle while at
work during the day, it is best to keep him in a confined space,
like a crate, indoors. This will help to prevent the destruction
that a bored Beagle can cause, as well as the "complaining" that
this dog might do through barking and howling.

When you are home, your dog will want to spend plenty of time
playing with you, and will love all of the members of your
family in the same affectionate manner. Keep your Beagle active
by taking him out to a fenced yard for playtime or indulging him
in a long walk – on his leash of course. Beagles are easily
distracted by scents when they are outdoors, and will think
nothing of taking off on an adventure of their own if they are
not properly confined.

Beagles have become such a popular family pet because of their
friendly, social nature. If you are considering one of these
adorable Beagle dogs as a new addition to your family make sure
that you take the time to educate yourself about the proper ways
to care for and train these animals. Preparation and education
will help to ensure that your relationship with your new family
pet will be a positive one.

Beagles will make a great addition to many families because
they get along well with adults, children and other pets alike.
Just make sure that you socialize your new dog carefully to his
surroundings and never leave your Beagle alone with other pets
or small children. No matter how sweet-tempered a dog is
accidents can still happen! However, if you proceed with care
your Beagle puppy will be a fun and welcome addition to your
family for many years to come.

About The Author: Michelle Adams is a dog owner and breeder who
has had extensive experience with the Beagle breed of dogs. If
you are considering a http://www.beagledogguide.com/ Beagle as a
new addition to your family, you are in good company indeed.
Beagles are one of the most popular breed choices for family
pets today. The information in this article explains
http://www.beagledogguide.com/Beagle.php what to expect with the
Beagle puppy.

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An Honest Havanese Breeder Is A Quality Find

Article Title: An Honest Havanese Breeder Is A Quality Find
Author: Fiona A Kelly

For any dog lover, having a healthy pup means the world. But
what happens when your pup comes from a puppy broker who is
unconcerned with the health issues that can plague a certain
breed? Havanese puppies are quickly gaining in popularity around
the world for both dog lovers and competitors alike. Havanese
breeders are hard pressed to keep up with the demand for these
loveable dogs, as the strict testing that pups must undergo to
ensure they are healthy often leads to a wait of several months
to a year or more for a healthy pup.

Many potential owners do not want to have to wait that long to
get the puppy they so badly desire. These impatient dog lovers
often turn to their local pet stores to find the dogs they want.
Unfortunately, those puppy brokers who do not perform the
necessary testing to ensure buyers are getting healthy animals
often supply these pet stores. If you are concerned that your
dog may be coming from one of these brokers, instead of a
respectable Havanese breeder, there are a number of questions
you can ask that will help to ensure you are getting your
money's worth.

Respectable Havanese breeders will make a potential buyer wait
as long as it takes to ensure that the pups born are healthy.
There is a rather extensive medical testing process that all
Havanese pups need to go through, in order to make certain that
they do not have any of the genetic problems as mentioned above.
If the Havanese breeder you have chosen is honest, there will be
quite a bit of documentation associated with this testing
process. Make sure that you ask to see these papers, and be sure
to check them out, either online on over the phone.

Another important question that should be asked of all Havanese
breeders, is whether or not they will breed the same female
every time she is in season. If the answer to this question is
yes, then you are most likely dealing with a dishonest puppy
broker, as opposed to an honest puppy breeder who respects the
dogs that he or she is breeding. A respectable Havanese breeder
will only breed a female every other season, or even every two
seasons. This helps to ensure that the female has plenty of time
to recover between litters.

You would think that the high price of these sweet little pups
would be enough to ensure that potential owners would check to
see that their pups had properly tested and registered prior to
sale. Unfortunately, so many dog lovers are in such a hurry to
own one of these precious dogs that they have created an open
market for puppy brokers who can meet demands faster than
Havanese breeders can – caring only for the money they can make,
instead of the health of their dogs.

If you want to make certain that you are getting your money's
worth when buying a Havanese pup it is important that you pay
special attention to the practices of the Havanese breeder you
have chosen to work with. An honest Havanese breeder will have
no problem with letting you see everything to do with their
dogs, while a puppy broker will be more apt to try to rush you
into a purchase.

About The Author: Fiona Kelly understands that it can be
difficult to choose a quality Havanese breeder, having loved
these adorable toy dogs for many years. Understanding how to
choose between the many Havanese breeders
http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/Havanese_Breeders/ available
is an important part of owning one of these special little dogs.
This article is for anyone looking for Havanese information
http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/Havanese.html in general and
information regarding Havanese breeders in particular.

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