The Perky Pomeranian

Article Title: The Perky Pomeranian
Author: Rosie A Allan

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, with different
personalities, colors and coats. In mixed breed dogs, it can be
hard to predict how a puppy will turn out. Sometimes it doesn't
matter, but if you're living in a studio apartment and you get a
Pomeranian puppy that grows up to be three feet tall and weigh
forty pounds, it matters!

The American Kennel Club knows that it matters and that is the
reason for the establishment specific standards for each of the
breeds it recognizes. The American Kennel Club requires that
certain characteristics of a breed be stable for many
generations of dogs before it recognizes a breed. Thus, a puppy
buyer can predict how big or small a grown dog will be and what
kind of temperament it will have. According to the American
Kennel Club, a Pomeranian puppy, for instance, will weigh no
more than seven pounds and have a perky, energetic personality.

Well-known, established standards for breeds encourage good
breeding practices. Toy dogs have fragile skeletal systems, and
preventing the breed from getting too heavy helps reduce the
likelihood of injury to bones and joints. Nearly everything
about the Pomeranian is covered by the standards of the breed,
from the dark nose to the high, plumed tail, which, according to
breed standards, must lie flat and straight against the dogs'
back. Pomeranians should have small, pointed ears, short muzzles
and dark, almond-shaped eyes.

Pomeranian standards rely on proportions for definition of the
Pomeranian's body. The breed's height from its elbows to its
withers is about the same as the height from the ground to the
elbows. The shoulder blade and the upper arm should be of
approximately equal length. The Pomeranian has a double-coat
consisting of a soft undercoat and a long, textured outer coat.
The outer coat forms feathers on the legs and a frill around the
shoulders and chest. A soft, flat or open coat is a major fault
that leads to disqualification.

All colors, patterns and color combinations are to be judged
the same, and any color of coat is permissible under the
standards of the Pomeranian breed. The most frequently shown
Pomeranians have coloration patterns that include black and tan,
brindle and parti-color. The black and tan Pomeranian dog has
light patches above the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, chest,
legs, feet and under the tail. The brindle-coated dog has a gold
or red base with black cross stripes. A parti-color dog is white
with patches of other color and a white blaze on the forehead.

Pomeranians are sometimes divided into three different groups
for judging, depending on the color patterns of their coats.
Red, orange and sable dogs to in one group whereas black and
brown dogs go in another, and other combinations are judged in a
third group.

Standards of the breed also cover the dog's temperament.
Pomeranians should be confident, inquisitive and intelligent. In
full trot, a Pomeranian should command attention. Pomeranian
breed standard information is available to any breeders or fans
of the breed. The American Kennel Club makes Pomeranian
information easy to get so breeders can familiarize themselves
with the standards of the breed.

About The Author: Rosie Allan has loved Pomeranians since
childhood and has just finished a book about Pomeranian
breeding. Proportion is important to the
http://www.officialpomeranianguide.com/ Pomeranian standards,
with upper and lower leg length being approximately equal.
Breeders can easily obtain more detailed
http://www.officialpomeranianguide.com/Pomeranian.php Pomeranian
information that specifies the precise standards of the breed
from the AKC.

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The Benefits Of Having A Chihuahua

Article Title: The Benefits Of Having A Chihuahua
Author: Sandra A Dean

The loyalty of the Chihuahua dog and the need to be close to
their owners make them an excellent companion and their compact
size makes them very convenient for most owners. Often a
Chihuahua can ride in a coat pocket, in a purse or tote bag and
just within the safety of the owner's arms. They enjoy outdoor
activity in favorable weather and are very easy to travel with.
Although at times they can also be curious and mischievous. They
will often find something to get into and make a mess if you
leave them alone for long periods of time at home. The Chihuahua
will get along fine with their own breed, but often not with
other breeds. Therefore, you should only get Chihuahuas or
choose carefully before adding another breed to the household.
You also have to be careful since the Chihuahua doesn't
recognize their small size and can often get into trouble when
they try to spar with a larger breed dog, especially if the
other dog has a dominant personality or gets too rough when
playing. Therefore, either keep your Chihuahua on a leash or
carry them in your arms when you are outside.

The movies and advertisements by companies such as Taco Bell
made the Chihuahua dog very popular. As a result it is now easy
to find poorly bred Chihuahuas if you do not carefully select
the breed to fit in with your household. Many families think the
breed is perfect because of their self-confidence and easy
trainability. However, buying simply from pet stores, newspapers
or on the internet can lead to getting a dog that was bred
without a concern for their health or temperament and you will
have no way of knowing whether or not it will work with your
household. Often times a good breeder won't place a dog in a
home with a child under the age of twelve. However, because of
their small litter size the number of puppies available from
good breeders is often limited. Therefore, you should carefully
consider the breed before determining if they are right for you
and your household.

When it comes to caring for your Chihuahua dog you need to
focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming. At
each meal Chihuahuas only need a small amount of food. About two
to three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy
biscuits is all that most Chihuahuas require. It is best to have
two or three small meals rather than just one large daily
feeding. Some larger sized Chihuahuas can eat up to a half can
of dog food. Most people don't know that the Chihuahua is
actually capable of walking long distances, although they won't
object if you want to carry them around either. Typically the
Chihuahua gets the majority of their exercise from playing
around the house. This is why the dog is an excellent choice for
the elderly. When it comes to grooming you should use a soft
brush and rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their
coat shine. Trim their nails regularly and keep their ears
clean.

About The Author: Sandra Dean is a dog lover who has cared for
dogs for many, many years. Not all households will do well with
a http://www.thechihuahuaguide.com/ Chihuahua. Carefully
consider Chihuahua information
http://www.thechihuahuaguide.com/Chihuahua.php to make sure they
are right for you.

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Where To Find Shih Tzu Breeders

Article Title: Where To Find Shih Tzu Breeders
Author: Rebecca A Simpson

Make sure the National Kennel Club is the place you start your
search for a Shih Tzu breeder. Your vet should be able to give
you advice on finding a good Shih Tzu breeder or you can search
the Internet and look at the breeder's websites. Internet forums
like message boards and chat rooms dedicated to Shih Tzu's are
also great resources for finding a good Shih Tzu breeder.

If you have decided what your new family dog will be, and you
have decided on a Shih Tzu, then you will then need to find Shih
Tzu breeders in your area. It is always a good idea to have more
than one breeder to consider, as you want to feel totally
comfortable with the breeder you are buying from because you
will be dealing with that breeder for many years to come. A good
relationship is important to a good ownership experience with
your new Shih Tzu dog.

The first place you want to look for a reputable Shih Tzu
breeder is with the National Kennel Club. The National Kennel
Club is the standard used by any reputable breeder in the United
States and other parts of the world and if a breeder is not
listed with the National Kennel Club then chances are you do not
want to deal with that breeder anyways. You can either mail the
National Kennel Club for their most recent information of you
can give them a call at (865) 932-9680. This is probably the
best place to start when looking for a good Shih Tzu breeder.

It is possible to find a local Shih Tzu breeder that is not
listed in the National Kennel Club registry and the first place
you can try that is on the Internet or in your local phone book.
The Internet is probably your best bet because if the breeder
took the time to create a website then they are less likely to
have something to hide and your chances of a good experience
increase.

Another great source of information for finding a good Shih Tzu
breeder is your local vet. If you already have a vet for your
current pets then ask your vet about getting in touch with a
reputable breeder in your area. If you do not have a vet then
find the vet closest to you and ask them their advice. If you
have friends or family with pets then ask them to recommend a
vet for you.

The world is a smaller place thanks to the Internet and you can
access any kind of information you can ever want with a search
of the World Wide Web. The Internet is home to many forums and
message boards including valuable message boards and chat rooms
dedicated to Shih Tzu breeders and dogs. Not only can folks on a
Shih Tzu message board help you find a breeder but they can also
answer any questions about Shih Tzu's that you may have.

A Shih Tzu breeder is just as important as the dog itself as
your relationship with your breeder is very important to you and
your dog. Make sure you take your time looking for the right
breeder and also make sure you feel completely comfortable with
the breeder you finally decide on. Your family's happiness, and
your new puppy's life, depend on you choosing a good breeder.

About The Author: Rebecca Simpson owns many indoor pets of his
own and has all of his life. The information in this article is
designed to help you find a good
http://officialshihtzuguide.com/Shih_Tzu_Breeders/index.php Shih
Tzu breeder. This article will show you where to find important
http://www.officialshihtzuguide.com/Shih_Tzu.php S hih Tzu
information.

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Why German Shepherds Get The Reputation For Viciousness

Article Title: Why German Shepherds Get The Reputation For
Viciousness
Author: Jan A Ryan

The amazing trainability and eagerness to please give German
Shepherds both good and bad personalities, as they can be easily
trained to do just about anything – including attacking people.
German Shepherd dogs worship the people they live with. They
need to be active and have a job to do in order to keep them
from being destructive. German Shepherds will worship you and
need your attention. Any German Shepherd dog trained to do bad
things can be retrained with patience.

What qualities would you look for in a friend? You would hope
they would stick by your side through good times and bad. You
pray that they will never betray your secrets. You wish that
they would help you out when you needed help. You can find all
of these qualities in a German Shepherd dog. And, as added
benefit, they won't sue you, either.

You need to do your part in this friendship, as well, in order
for it to work out. You have to be patient, have a sense of
humor and learn all you can about the German Shepherd breed. You
have to be committed to exercising your German Shepherd dog
every day, with a walk and play. They need to be active, or else
they get a bit hyperactive. They also need regular trips to the
vet for inoculations and check ups. Purebred German Shepherds
are more inclined to have genetically caused problems than many
other breeds of dog. You must be willing to pay any and all
medical costs for your friend.

German Shepherd dogs worship the human beings they either live
with or are ordered to protect. They would rather hang out with
their people than with other dogs. The approval and affection of
their people is vital to their sense of well-being. These are
not dogs that like to be alone, chained out in the yard. Any
German Shepherd left to this fate will overcompensate with
hyperactivity in order to get his people's attention. Since they
are such large and powerful dogs, even playful boisterousness
can possibly hurt someone.

German Shepherds excel when given specific jobs to do. This is
why they are often one of the first breeds of choice for police
dogs, search and rescue dogs, assistance dogs and for working in
entertainment. Throughout the centuries, they have also played
the roles of sheepherders and draft animals as well as their
more familiar roles as guard dogs and military dogs.

A German Shepherd dog needs regular exercise, attention and
grooming. Getting them spayed or neutered will also not only
lengthen their life span, but also make them more willing to pay
attention to you. German Shepherds really are not suitable for
apartment life, unless they get a lot of outdoor exercise. They
learn to leash train very well (and can often be voice trained),
whether their owners are walking, jogging, riding a bike or
riding a horse.

Hopefully, armed with this German Shepherd information about
their basic personality, you will know if a German Shepherd dog
is right for your home and lifestyle. There are variations in
each dog's individual personality, as there are with each dog's
physical traits. Some are more timid than others. Some are more
serious than others. Some seem more psychic than others. But
they need a lot of activity and attention in order to really
become a member of your family.

About The Author: Jan Ryan has written hundreds of articles on
all things canine, including dozens about German Shepherd Dogs.
It takes a special person to adopt a
http://www.officialgermanshepherdguide.com/ German Shepherd and
do a lot of research about the breed to ensure proper care.
Libraries and the Internet are the best places to find the
latest in
http://www.officialgermanshepherdguide.com/German_Shepherd.php
German Shepherd information.

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Rare And Fluffy: The Havanese

Article Title: Rare And Fluffy: The Havanese
Author: Fiona A Kelly

Descended from European toy dog breeds like the Bichon and Toy
Poodle, the Havanese is a true companion dog for good times and
bad. Although becoming the National Dog of Cuba, the breed was
nearly wiped out in the Cuban Revolution. The Havanese is safe
and sound in American and Europe and growing in popularity.

You might not have heard of the Havanese (also called the
Havanese Silk Dog) before, but this is a breed that started in
the 1500's, soon after the Spanish claimed what is now Cuba.
When the Spanish colonists came to the New World, they had to
bring their dogs with them. And bring them they did – including
their Bichons. Over the centuries, the Havanese, named after the
Cuban city of Havana, developed their own characteristics and
became the national dog of Cuba.

The toy dogs from Europe eventually grew into their own
characteristic selves in Cuba. Their fur got long and silky,
giving them a name Havana Silk Dog, which they are still
sometimes called. The coat got wavy or curly with two layers.
Some shorthaired were born and sometimes still are, but they are
not considered show worthy dogs. The eye rims, nose and lips are
always black. They were considered a luxury item and the dogs of
the upper class. When the Cuban Revolution hit, the upper class
had to flee Cuba to America and Europe, and brought along their
dogs.

Not content on conquering the hearts and homes of one nation,
the Havanese is now conquering North America. Although only
introduced in the 1970's after the Revolution, the Havanese is
making a name for himself in and out of the show ring. The breed
has now been recognized by the American Kennel Club and the
American Rare Breeds Association. They colonize indoor homes and
apartments best. They make great companions for individuals and
families.

If you are considering a new family pet that will be lots of
fun and offer lot of love, perhaps a Havanese dog is in your
future. What these tiny dogs lack in size,they make up for in
playfulness, loyalty and intelligence. Easy to train and easy to
adore is the best way to sum up your potential relationship with
a Havanese dog. Family pets are a big decision and when you are
faced with the choice you want to bring home the best fit for
everyone.

A Havanese pup might just fit the bill with an abundance of
energy and a sweet,gentle nature that will capture your heart
from the very first moment. These dogs are extremely intelligent
and eager to please,making them a good choice in pets for many
families. Although these dogs are generally easy to train,they
are not always as easy to housebreak. Make sure that if you
decide to bring a Havanese puppy home,you are ready for the time
and patience that you will need to get that little pup fully
housebroken.

The rewards of surviving the housebreaking stage with your
Havanese puppy will be great indeed. Once your pup is fully
trained, you will be able to enjoy a dog that is always ready to
play and will offer you plenty of love and enjoyment for years
to come.

About The Author: Fiona Kelly had to have a Havanese and is now
considered one of the country's leading authorities on this rare
Toy breed. Descended from Bichons and Toy Poodles, the
http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/ Havanese became the
national dog of Cuba. This is but a part of
http://www.havanese-puppy-guide.com/Havanese.html the story
behind the Havanese that today lives mostly in the families of
Americans.

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