Which Breed Is Right For You?

Article Title: Which Breed Is Right For You?
Author: Avrum Elmakis

While there are many things to consider when you have decided
to bring home a new dog, the first thing you have to pick is
which breed is right for you. With that in mind, here are a few
things to think about when selecting which breed is best for you
and your home.

Size

The size of the dog you choose can depend on a number of
factors. How big is your home? Do you have a yard? How big is
your yard if you do have one? What size dog do you have an
interest in taking home? Keep in mind that while that Golden
Retriever is cute and sweet, he requires a lot more space to
live than the Boston Terrier you're also considering.

Hair

When considering a dog, look around your home and consider if
you would like your carpets and furniture covered in the fur of
your dog. While many breeds of dogs, both long haired and short
haired, don't shed overly much, just about every dog is going to
shed a little bit. Keep that in mind and pick accordingly, as it
could be the difference between you choosing a Saint Bernard and
a Chihuahua.

Temperament

How do you want your dog to interact not only with you, but
with strangers and other dogs? While there is no such thing as a
bad dog, some breeds are more aggressive than others with a
larger prey drive to hunt. If you have small children, or are
around small children, keep in mind how the dog you select will
interact with them. Again, there's no such thing as a "bad" dog,
but some breeds are better suited to being around small children
because of increased patience.

Overall Health

Keep in mind that dogs, just like people, do get sick. Some
breeds, just like some people, are more prone to genetic defects
and will require medical care as they get older. While you
should always expect to keep your dog for its entire life, do
some research and make sure you know what some of the common
health issues are for the breed of dog you select. It helps to
know if they'll just need bully sticks to help with their teeth
and gums or hip replacement surgery.

Intelligence/Trainability

Some dogs are more easily trained then others. With some, a few
dog treats along with some basic commands and they're ready to
sit, lie down, and play dead. Others are going to require a bit
more work to not only teach tricks, but to housebreak. While
patience will be required to train any breed of dog, some breeds
are just naturally more intelligent than others and will have a
smaller learning curve than others. Keep in mind how much time
you're willing to spend training your new dog to perform the way
you want when selecting a breed.

Amount of Exercise Needed

Every dog needs to be walked, but different breeds will require
more exercise than others. Keep in mind how often your dog will
need to be walked just to use the bathroom versus how much they
need to exercise for reasons of health. Having a backyard is
great, but it's no substitute for a brisk walk and being played
with. Figure in how much time your schedule will allow you to
walk and play with your new dog when considering the perfect
breed for you.

Purebred or Mixed Breed

The decision to give a home to a dog that is purebred or mixed
breed is one of personal taste. While a purebred ensures you get
the dog you're looking for with traits you're expecting, mixed
breed dogs are often healthier than purebred dogs as they tend
to receive the best traits of their different breeds.

While some mixed breeds are now being intentionally bred (like
Labradoodles and Puggles), most mixed breeds aren't planned and
often result in interesting mixes. If there isn't a specific
breed you prefer, considering a mixed breed dog is a good way to
find the traits from different breeds that you like all in one
dog.

Give the Gift of a Home

No matter what dog you choose, there's nothing better than
giving a home to a puppy or dog in need. Remember to stock up on
dog treats, chews, food, and, of course, bully sticks to make
your new dog feel right at home. Keep in mind that there are a
number of different sites like PetFinder that can help you find
the dog you're looking for. Always consider your local animal
shelter before turning to a breeder, but above all, make sure
you get the pet you want.

About The Author: Avrum Elmakis is the owner of Best Bully
Sticks, a leading provider of dog treats, bully sticks, and
other dog chews and treats. They can be found online at:
http://www.bestbullysticks.com

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6 Significant Dog Instincts And Traits

Article Title: 6 Significant Dog Instincts And Traits
Author: Lamar Deane

Domestication:

Canines were probably the first species to be domesticated by
humans. It's a generally accepted theory that the worlds first
dogs were tamed wolves. Dogs share biological similarities with
wolves. They look much alike. Anatomically, they have almost
identical teeth, adapted for seizing and tearing. Their actions
are similar and they have extremely sensitive senses of smell
and hearing. Domesticated canines are loyal to and dependent
upon their masters. They have taken a subservient place in human
society. The only reward many dogs seek is a kind word and a pat
on the head. Still, the study of dogs and wolves teaches us many
traits that haven't changed much since before they were
domesticated.

1. Instinct:

Instinct is an inborn tendency to behave in a way that is
characteristic of a breed.

2. Body Language:

Postural display is yet another characteristic of canines.

* When meeting a strange dog or person, non socialized dogs
will raise their hackles (hair on their backs and necks). This
is more noticeable in short haired dogs, which makes them look
larger than they normally are. It is meant to intimidate other
dogs and people who pose a threat. Oftentimes hackle raising is
combined with pulling back their lips to show their teeth.

* A dogs ears and tail positions are among other postural
displays that will tell what a dog is thinking. For instance,
most dogs will tuck their tails between their legs and their
ears will fall when submitting to a greater power.

* Rolling over on their backs is another action of submission a
dog will portray.

* Kneeling, or putting their front legs on the ground and
lowering their front quarters is an indication they want to
play. Combining this with a wagging tail displays friendliness.

* A superior more dominating dog will usually assume another
significant body posture toward another dog. Standing tall on
stiff legs, the superior dog will strut around the powerless
one, often stressing this posture with frequent growls and
snarls.

* Another instinctive habit seen in many dogs, is turning in
circles before lying down. Some experts say this circling goes
back to the days when dogs turned around and around to pack down
the grass to make a soft bed. Others think the habit is more
likely connected to their checking the ground for the scent of
its enemies, since the dog has its nose to the ground during the
turning around.

* Digging is another inborn trait in that dogs will
occasionally dig dens under porches or yards. Terriers were
known to pursue their quarry underground by digging, and this
too is an inherited behavior.

* Chasing cars and/or other animals is not a bad habit, but
just another instinct in many dog breeds.

* Attacking small animals is an inborn hunting trait derived
from the time these small rodents were the dogs main food
source. These inherited instincts are so natural that they
cannot be stopped or changed completely, no matter how much
effort is used.

3. Sense of Smell:

Sniffing or smelling the wind is another characteristic long
established by wolves and other wild canines. This serves as a
dual purpose; to detect the scent of prey and to distinguish
predators in the area. Some breeds have a more keen sense of
smell than other breeds. Domestic canines have 40 times more
olfactory (sense of smell) cells than humans have.

4. Sense of Hearing:

With their erect ears dogs can hear the faintest sound and are
excellent in early warnings of danger. Able to differentiate the
distinct sounds of different cars in the distance, pet dogs
often announce the arrival of their owner even before they can
be seen.

5. Sight:

Dogs have highly developed visual capability. Their fields of
vision is different and in some ways inferior to that of humans,
but for their purposes, it is quite adequate.

6. Memory:

Dogs have an excellent memory which gives them the capability
to learn quickly. In addition to a good memory and learning
ability, a dog has the capacity to think and reasoning
capabilities with which to solve problems. Dogs are a cunning
and intelligent animal with a complex mind.

Although dogs' instinctive actions and personalities are
influenced by heredity, like other intelligent mammals, they are
the products of genetics, experience, and training.

About The Author: Lamar Deane offers important information on
how to select the right dog breed Visit
http://bestdogbreeds.info/dogs.html for more information.

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