Dental Care For Dogs

Article Title: Dental Care For Dogs
Author: David Beart

It's often been said that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a
human's. That's never been proven, but the fact remains that
dogs put their mouths places humans would never dare to (or be
able to, for that matter). Dogs don't think twice about sifting
through garbage, digging in the yard and licking themselves
wherever they can reach. They also use their mouths to carry
toys as well as dirty "treasures" from the yard. With their
mouths working overtime, good dental care for dogs should be a
priority for any dog owner.

A dog's teeth can be a good indication of overall health. But
as important as good dental hygiene is for dogs, many dog owners
overlook it. Just like in humans, it's important to practice
routine oral maintenance on your dog. Not only can it help its
teeth stay healthy now, but it can also protect against more
serious issues later.

If bacteria are allowed to grow in a dog's mouth, plaque can
accumulate on the teeth. If it's not addressed, it can escalate
to more serious concerns. Since a dog's mouth is used to play
and eat, among other things, it's important to keep it in top
shape. The best way to do this is through maintenance and
prevention.

Believe it or not, most dogs three years of age and older have
some form of gum disease. If a dog's teeth are neglected, plaque
can form, setting the stage for advanced oral diseases. Plaque
can bind with minerals in a dog's saliva and create tartar,
which attaches to the teeth and can cause irritation to the
gums, or gingivitis. Left untreated, tartar can get under the
gum line and dissolve the bones that hold the teeth in place,
causing the teeth to become loose and possibly fall out.
Periodontal disease, as it's called, is treatable, but once your
dog's teeth fall out, there's little to be done. The best line
of defense is regular brushing and check-ups.

Home care is important, but it's also critical to have your
dog's teeth examined regularly by a professional. A simple
visual exam can be done in an office visit, but more
comprehensive care, such as x-rays and tartar removal, has to be
done while the dog is under sedation. It's safer for both the
dog and the medical staff, and it gives the vet an opportunity
to do a more thorough exam. Some vets even specialize in dental
care for dogs, so it's worthwhile to investigate your options.

It may take time before your dog is comfortable having its
teeth cleaned. If you use a toothbrush, be sure to get your pet
familiar with it, so he's more likely to allow you to use it. A
toothbrush allows you to reach teeth more effectively, but a
finger brush may be easier to maneuver. Just be sure it fits
well, so it won't fall off in your dog's mouth. Find a
toothpaste formulated for dogs. Human toothpaste is made to be
spit out, while a dog will swallow it, so don't use human
products, just to be on the safe side. Many dog toothpastes have
added flavors that are attractive to dogs, such as beef, chicken
or vanilla.

While brushing your dog's teeth, take this opportunity to
examine its mouth for any signs of disease. Bad breath (that
which is out of the ordinary for your dog), yellowing or crust
at the gum line, swelling, or pain when you touch your dog's
gums should be noted. These could be signs of infection and
should be addressed immediately. Not doing so could result in
tooth loss for your dog.

Another important consideration for healthy teeth is your dog's
toys. Excessive chewing on hard surfaces can lead to a dog's
teeth being damaged. If this occurs, bacteria can get into the
tooth and cause infection. Bones can splinter and lodge between
teeth, rocks can break teeth and toys can cause bleeding gums if
a dog chews too aggressively. Be sure to monitor your dog during
play time, and only give it toys that are appropriate for your
pet's size and activity level.

Your dog's food and treats can be a good tool for treating
plaque. Dry food can help attack plaque, while there are dog
treats on the market that are especially formulated to address
the issue of plaque and oral care.

Dental care for dogs consists of relatively simple maintenance.
Following these tips can keep your dog healthy for a lifetime.

About The Author: David Beart is owner of the
http://www.professorshouse.com , a site dedicated to family,
relationships, dog health, and household issues.

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Select A Pomeranian Breeder Carefully

Article Title: Select A Pomeranian Breeder Carefully
Author: Rosie A Allan

When on the search for a Pomeranian puppy, it is important that
you take care in deciding between Pomeranian breeders. Look out
for the warning signs and always check and double check a
breeder before making any final decisions. There are many
important questions you may want to ask a breeder before
deciding to do business with them. How long they have been in
the breeding business, how many types of dog they breed, and
what they charge per puppy, all of these are going to be vital
inquiries that will help you greatly in making your decision
here. The bottom line is that if you want to find a good
Pomeranian breeder you are going to need to ask the right
questions and really care about what you are doing. Far too
often people are in too much of a rush to get a puppy and simply
do not care where it comes from.

There is no better pet than a dog, and if you are thinking of
getting a new puppy, one of the first breeds you may want to
consider is the Pomeranian. They are small, cute and
affectionate, and adults and children love them. They make for a
great pet, but know that the process of finding good Pomeranian
breeders can often be tricky.

This is because there are lots of bad Pomeranian breeders out
there, many of which are what are known as mass breeders. These
mass breeders are dog breeders who are more interested in the
financial aspect of breeding rather than the health and
happiness of the dogs, and should be avoided at all costs.
Rather you want to find good Pomeranian breeders who breed
because there are qualities in the bitch that they want passed
on and who care for the health and happiness of their dogs.

There are a few questions in particular that you are going to
want to ask a breeder before agreeing to do business with them.
One of the first and most important questions involves
registration. You may come across a puppy that is not
registered, and you will want to find out what the Pomeranian
breeders reason was for this. You want to make sure that the
breeder cares about the dogs and about what they are doing.

You will also want to question about the breeder's background,
asking for references and an experience statement. Be wary of
any breeder who is unwilling to give you this information or who
does not understand why you are asking for this sort of
information. Also ask about the litter and why the litter was
bred. You will not want to deal with any breeder who replies
with an answer involving money. Remember that any good dog
breeder is going to expect these sorts of inquiries and be
agreeable to answer them.

Once you have had such questions answered by the breeders you
are considering, you will find it much easier to narrow down the
selections and make a final decision on one Pomeranian breeder.
It may seem like a rather long and complex process, but the
rewards you will receive as a result of taking your time here
will be great indeed.

By asking the right questions and taking your time here, you
will ensure that you are only dealing with the best breeders and
therefore getting the healthiest and happiest dogs. Some
breeders, those who do not take proper care of their dogs, will
have puppies who have behavioral and temperament problems,
problems which may not even be noticed until a few years down
the road and which are usually incredibly difficult to treat. It
is therefore going to be well worth it for you to put time and
consideration into this process and find the best Pomeranian
breeders you can.

About The Author: Rosie Allan has a lot of experience with
Pomeranian dogs and is educated on how to find a good breeder.
To find good
http://www.officialpomeranianguide.com/Pomeranian_Breeders/index.php
Pomeranian breeders ask the important questions and get to know
as much about the breeder as you can. When you have got the
http://www.officialpomeranianguide.com/Pomeranian.php Pomeranian
information you are looking for you will be able to choose the
right breeder.

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Shar Pei Breed Standard: Are They Supposed To Look Like That?

Article Title: Shar Pei Breed Standard: Are They Supposed To
Look Like That?
Author: Melissa A Coleman

Shar Peis, also called Chinese Shar Peis, are more wrinkled as
puppies than as adults. Because of the wrinkles about the mouth,
the Shar Pei drools a lot. There are many ways Shar Peis can be
disqualified from an AKC show. The Shar Pei's tongue or coat
might be the wrong color, or their hair might be too long. Shar
Peis were bred to fight and guard livestock, which makes their
temperament often ugly. A Shar Pei is a bad choice for the first
time dog owner.

When someone sees a Shar Pei for the first time, they commonly
react, "My goodness – what is wrong with that dog?" Shar Peis
have a distinctive look that you either love or hate. The
puppies are deeply wrinkled all over their bodies, but lose most
of the body wrinkles as they age. They keep almost all of the
deep folds and wrinkles around the face. Their eyes are almost
invisible, their ears are incredibly tiny and they usually drool
most of the time. The breed standard prefers a head that looks
too large for the body.

These grow into massive dogs with solid muscle, making them
look like a canine wrinkly-faced equivalent of Mike Tyson. They
need plenty of exercise, especially if they are to live in an
apartment. Their skin is usually so loose it looks as if you can
fit another dog in it. If you come across a purebred Shar Pei
with tight skin, it is still a purebred Shar Pei – just not one
that can't be shown.

The breed standard for Shar Peis (also called Chinese Shar
Peis) described the ideal Shar Pei as standoffish. They should
act superior, as if they know they are worth a lot more money
than you are. This is not a breed that eagerly greets strangers
or easily wags his tail. However, they can be affectionate and
playful with their people, usually preferring one family member
above the rest. Puppies need to be introduced to other dogs and
other people very early in life in order for them not to be
aggressive.

The Shar Pei is thought to be descended from the Chow Chow,
and, like the Chow Cow, has a blue-black colored tongue (the
only breeds of dog to have this quirk). They are incredibly
wrinkly when born (as puppies are kind of wrinkly anyway) and
they tend to loose most of their body wrinkles as they mature.
They usually retain a lot of wrinkles around the head. Their
skin is usually loose.

The Shar Pei temperament is perhaps the most surprising,
considering the breed is considered so cute in North America.
They were bred to be fighting dogs. The loose skin and wrinkles
give not only a scowling appearance, but less of a solid hold
for an opponent to sink his teeth into. Chinese Shar Peis are a
lot like Japanese Sumo wrestlers. They were also bred to fight
off human and animal predators from livestock.

As a consequence, these are not very friendly dogs, on the
whole. They usually do well with children, but become aggressive
to other dogs and to adults. They often bond closest to one
member of the family. They make great watchdogs and need a lot
of exercise in order to burn up their energy. They are fearless
dogs that feel superior to the rest of the world that need few
excuses to ignore you. These are not the dogs for first time dog
owners.

About The Author: Melissa Coleman has interviewed numerous
owners, vets and trainers about Shar Pei history. The Shar Pei
usually gets along with kids and other pets except other dogs.
Shar Pei information is easy to find if your search the web or
go to the library. http://www.sharpeiguide.com

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The Siberian Husky Breed Standard

Article Title: The Siberian Husky Breed Standard
Author: A Preston

Never get a Siberian Husky puppy from a pet store or Internet
site, because that supports inhumane puppy mills. Get a Siberian
Husky from a breeder or rescue, and know the breed standard when
you go. Siberian Huskies come in a wide variety of colors. They
should look like they are strong athletes that can pull sleds on
marathon runs. Other faults for show-quality Siberian Huskies
include too curly a tail, floppy ears and cow hocks. It is very
hard to find a show quality Siberian Husky.

If you are thinking of getting a Siberian Husky from a shelter
or Siberian Husky rescue, a good place to find out about the
kind of dog you are getting is through studying the breed
standard. If you want to show your Siberian Husky, then you
really should get your dog from a reputable Siberian Husky
breeder. If you do go that route, then you will need to know the
breed standard just to be sure you are getting your money's
worth.

Never get a puppy, Siberian Husky or any other kind, from a pet
store or an Internet site that sells puppies and ships them to
you anywhere in the country. These places are usually supplied
directly by puppy mills, and the Internet sites are usually
fronts for the puppy mills themselves. In a puppy mill, dogs are
stuck into wire cages stacked on top of each other so the dung
and urine passes through. The owners perform all veterinary
functions. They are grisly places.

It has only been in the last few decades that Huskies were bred
for looks rather than for function. This shows in a great many
purebred Siberian Huskies, which is one of the reasons why they
can be abandoned. Some people not only want a purebred Siberian
husky, they want one that looks like the fictional ideal of the
Siberian Husky set out in the American Kennel Club. For the most
part, Siberian Huskies are abandoned through no fault of their
own.

The ideal Siberian Husky is about fifty pounds and twenty-two
inches high at the shoulder. His or her coat is double layered
and not too frizzy, silky or too long. He or she does not have
dewclaws, knock-knees, an overbite or a muzzle that is either to
pointed or too blunt. All of his or her body parts in proportion
to give a look of a smoothly flowing, athletic little wolf.

According to reliable Siberian Husky information, not all
purebred Huskies have pointed ears. The puppies are born with
floppy ears that do not stand up until the puppy is about six
months old. But sometimes, the ears just stay floppy. Huskies
also should not have a tightly curled tail for showing, or have
too low a tail set however, this happens a lot in purebred
Huskies.

Huskies should have jaws that match each other with what's
called a scissors bite. They should not have an under bite like
a bulldog or an overbite. Huskies should appear athletic and
ready for action. Huskies are built for economical speed in
harsh climates. They should stand squarely. Purebred Huskies can
get a disqualifying fault called "cow hocks", which are
knock-knees of the hind legs. Many purebred Huskies fall short
of the breed standard somewhere. This is why a show quality
Husky is so hard to find.

About The Author: Andrew Preston collects and researches about
dog breeds, including Siberian Huskies. The Siberian Husky breed
has very specific standards as laid out by the American Kennel
Club. If potential owners had more Siberian Husky information
before getting a dog there would be far fewer abandoned.
http://www.siberianhuskyguide.com

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The Truth About Beagle Breeders

Article Title: The Truth About Beagle Breeders
Author: Michelle A Adams

Due to the growing popularity of beagles, there has been a rise
in the number of dishonest beagle breeders and puppy mills in
this country that supply their dogs to the pet stores. These
dogs are often sick or dying when delivered, due to the
horrendous conditions in which they are forced to live. These
puppy mills breed their dogs in terrible conditions, and very
rarely deliver healthy dogs to the pet stores. This makes it an
almost certainty that any pup bought from one of these stores
will be sick or dying when you get it home. By doing the right
amount of research, and only purchasing your pups from a well
respected breeder, you can help do your part to put these
terrible puppy mills out of business. Remember, a well respected
beagle breeder would never supply pups to a pet store, so by
staying away from pet stores you can help to better ensure you
are getting a healthy beagle pup.

There is a growing epidemic in this country. A recent spike in
the popularity of beagles has led to the rise of a great many
dishonest beagle breeders who run puppy mills to meet the
growing demand for these sweet little dogs. These puppy mills,
as a general rule, supply the majority of pet stores in this
country; which is why many would-be beagle owners wind up taking
sick or dying dogs home with them.

Even honest pet storeowners are buying these puppy mill pups,
never knowing that they are purchasing unhealthy dogs from a
dishonest beagle breeder. The only real way that you can be
absolutely certain that you are getting a healthy beagle these
days, is to be certain that you only buy a pup from a well
respected beagle breeder that your trusted vet has experience
with. This will help you to ensure that your new pup has
received the proper care and treatment before being delivered to
you.

The biggest issue with a dishonest breeder is that they will
often continue to interbreed their dogs, so as to produce the
largest amount of pups. Since beagles are prone to certain
genetic health issues to begin with, this is a very dangerous
practice. An honest beagle breeder recognizes the danger of
interbreeding so many generations without bringing in any new
blood, and will absolutely refuse to do so. They will try to
keep the genetic lines as far apart as possible, so as to
prevent further aggravation of these conditions.

It is a sad shame that so many pet storeowners are unable to
distinguish an honest beagle breeder from a dishonest one. But
so many pet storeowners are simply concerned with keeping up
with the growing demand for beagle pups, that they never take
the time to research the conditions the dogs they are buying
come from.

An honest beagle breeder will generally do as much research
about the person who wants to buy a pup from them, as you should
be doing about the breeders. It is not uncommon for an honest
beagle breeder to refuse to sell a pup to someone, simply
because they do not believe that the person is ready for the
responsibility of taking care of a beagle in the way they
deserve. But you don't have to be one of them.

Understanding that beagles require extra care and medical
attention because of the many years when interbreeding was such
a common practice, is the first step to becoming the owner of
one of these sweet little dogs. Having the responsibility to
carefully research any beagle breeder you are considering buying
a pup from is the second step. By refusing to buy pups from pet
stores supplied by puppy mills, you can rest assured that you
are doing your part to ensure a long and healthy future for
these little dogs.

About The Author: Michelle Adams's love for the beagle breed
has led to a personal mission to educate others about the
disparaging practices of puppy mills. It is of the utmost
importance that would-be beagle owners understand how to tell
the difference between honest and dishonest
http://www.beagledogguide.com/Beagle_Breeders/index.php beagle
breeders. This article is for anyone looking for
http://www.beagledogguide.com/Beagle.php beagle information
about how pet stores are supplied by puppy mills and dishonest
breeders.

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