Pet Friendly Websites: Tips and Advice For Owners

Title: Pet Friendly Websites: Tips and Advice For Owners
Author: Darlene Berkel

Pet Friendly Websites: Tips and Advice For Owners
The increasing popularity of the internet means that there
are lots of web sites out there for almost any interest.
One popular niche is animals. Pet owners can now share
tips and advice with those who share their passion, and can
discuss everything from pet care to pet friendly travel
companies.

Just about all pet friendly websites provide helpful
information on pet friendly hotels, bed and breakfasts, and
vacation rentals. These are a great asset for pet owners
who wish to take their pets with them on vacation. These
pet friendly websites even list the conditions under which
pets are allowed in certain hotels. This helps the pet
owner to plan a family vacation that includes the
four-legged family members.

There are detailed pet friendly travel guides which offer
lots of information on the requirements and restrictions
imposed by different companies. You can access the
policies and rules of a huge list of airlines and airports,
and read up on veterinary certificates and microchip
requirements, all from the comfort of your own home.

Reviews of Pet Care Products

If you want to stay up to date with the latest in pet care
and grooming products, then again pet friendly web sites
have all the information you need. You can find out about
products which are available mail-order only, find
stockists for specialist toys and products, and get reviews
of expensive items before you lay down your hard earned
cash. Everything you need for care, feeding, grooming, and
transportation of your pet can be found online.

Other helpful information on pet friendly websites include
resources for pet sitting in various places, and boarding
kennels for pets that cannot travel with the family. In
addition, many pet friendly websites provide excellent
information on veterinarians, hospitals, medication, and
even beauty salons for pets. Everything for the comfort
and pleasure of your cherished pet is now literally just a
mouse click away. There are even interactive websites
which provide personalized information. This is
especially beneficial for helping first time pet-owners
handle any minor problems with their pets.

Pet web sites are great sources of information-- you can
even find guides on things such as securing your home and
garden and making it more pet friendly. There are lots of
seemingly innocuous items in your home that could be
dangerous if ingested by a pet. Specialist pet websites
offer you tips and warnings about exactly that kind of
thing. If you have some stories or tips to share, or would
like to learn more about your pet, then take a look for a
web site devoted to your chosen animal.

About the Author:

Want to travel with your pet and need helpful information
about pet friendly lodging and pet travel resources? Visit
http://www.every1loves2travel.com and discover that pets
love to travel too!

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Bullmastiff. Police Poachers And The Bullmastiff

Article Title: Bullmastiff. Police Poachers And The Bullmastiff
Author: John E Adams

"Bullmastiff Dog. The Origin of the Thief Catcher!"

The Bullmastiff was originally bred during the course of time
with a definite goal in mind – that of building and maintaining
a lineage which people could readily recognize, comprehend and
appreciate.

The bullmastiff found its origin in Britain and is actually a
part of the most ancient breeds of dogs from England, which is
the Mastiff, even though its family tree isn't as long and
illustrious as that of some other breeds.

The Mastiff itself is a member of the Alaunt and Molosser
family and it is popularly believed that this variety of dog
first came to Old England almost 2000 years earlier.

The Bullmastiff is a product of crossbreeding between the
Bulldog from Old England and the Mastiff.

The first Bullmastiff came into being only after 1860. About 60
per cent of the Mastiff was mixed with 40 per cent of the
Bulldog in order to help the gamekeepers in their job.

The properties of the gamekeepers and their stock of animals
were under constant threat from poachers who killed the deer and
a sturdy guard dog was needed to protect the property.

The bulldog wasn't effective for this work since it was tinier
in size than was necessary and the Mastiff also was not fast
enough to do the job well; hence the birth of the Bullmastiff.

The Bullmastiff, also known as the `Mastiff with a touch of
Bull' was much appreciated by the gamekeepers.

The dog itself had a dark colored coat of hair and was
surprisingly quiet which was required in order for it to
suddenly spring upon the encroaching poachers.

The dog would watch the property and when it came upon the
poachers it would pin down the victim to the earth dexterously
and didn't bite or attack the poacher as such.

Thus the Bullmastiff came to be known as the "gamekeeper's
night dog" and was originally bred to come of use in this
practical manner.

Bullmastiff breeding history of this gentle-giant dog breed

Although it was originally intended to serve as a guard dog for
the gamekeepers, with time it came to used for sentry duty,
guarding in general and was also used by the police personnel
and the army.

The 60 and 40 per cent miraculous mixing of the Mastiff and the
Bulldog continued to be used for all practical purposes but
finally, after some time passed, a purebred lineage came into
being.

The English Kennel Club officially recognized the Bullmastiff
in the year 1924 after some amount of consistency came to be
maintained regarding the breeding of this dog.

In 1933 the Bullmastiff was recognized officially by the
American Kennel Club as well.

This breed came in quite handy as guard dogs and became
illustrious as a guard dog in many a prominent place. The south
African Mines of De Beer Diamonds was guarded by the Bullmastiff
as well the New York property of John D. Rockefeller.

Bullmastiffs were also used in extreme situations and
emergencies such as the Kenyan Mau-Mau unrest. The purpose of
breeding a Bullmastiff was very specific – they were trained to
pin men down to the earth without mauling them or biting them
till the time the owner of the guard dog appeared.

Many poachers started wreaking havoc on the properties of
England during the 19th Century. A lot of estate animals and
livestock came to be stolen and the Bullmastiff was used to put
an end to all this poaching.

The Bullmastiff was perfect because it was huge and threatening
to look at and yet surprisingly calm and used only to capture
the victim and hold him down.

This very strong variety of dog was thereby a result of
crossbreeding between the powerful races of Mastiffs and
Bulldogs with 60 per cent of Mastiff and 40 per cent of Bulldog
used for the first basic variety.

It was popularly called the "gamekeepers Night Dog" in the
beginning which was a common term usually attributed to almost
all of the big and sturdy dogs which were used by the
gamekeepers for guarding the estates.

But in time these dogs were bred with more caution and more
carefully and finally came to be known as the Bullmastiff – by
which name it is known even today.

A Bullmastiff has straight legs in the front which is different
from a normal Bulldog's.

The head of such a dog is square in shape and quite large in
size and the brows are somewhat wrinkled. The nostrils are
turned upward to some extent and it also has a short muzzle
which is quite broad. The neck and the head of the Bullmastiff
is almost as broad and square as the head and the shoulders of
this guard dog are also strong.

The hind portion is quite short even though the chest has
depth. Therefore we may safely say that the body of a
Bullmastiff is almost square in appearance. The dog itself is
the epitome of strength and vigor. The dog weighs usually
something between 110 to 130 pounds and at the withers is about
24 to 27 inches.

The build of the Bullmastiff is smaller than a Mastiff's but it
looks more sturdy and stocky in comparison to the Mastiff which
is more rangy and has more height.

The Bullmastiff may be fawn or red in color or even brindle. It
generally has a short and thick coat of hair and has a face
which has a black mark across it.

The bullmastiff is truly a wonderful dog.

They are however, not for everybody, but a perfect companion
for the right owner. Some mastiff owners say the gamekeeper's
night dog is their best friend in the whole world!

About The Author: John Adams Dog breeds explained. The
Bullmastiff is dedicated, loyal, alert, honest and a true
companion for the right person. Is that you: Bullmastiff
explained. Is this dog breed right for you?
http://www.dog-breeds-explained.com/bull-mastiff.html

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Common Golden Retriever Health Problems and Diseases

Title: Common Golden Retriever Health Problems and Diseases
Author: Moses Wright

Common Golden Retriever Health Problems and Diseases
There are around six major conditions or diseases that
Golden Retrievers most frequently suffer with. Golden
Retrievers are by no means unhealthy animals. In fact, they
are one of the healthier breeds out there. But there are
common problems that Golden Retrievers can struggle with
and it behooves the owner to know what they are in order to
keep an eye out for them.

Skin diseases are one of the top problems with Golden
Retrievers. They can have something as simple as a mosquito
bite or a flea itch that will cause an itchy part of their
skin. These dogs will then chew the area until they create
a lesion or something known as a hot spot. A hot spot is a
raw, red and moist patch that will get larger every time
the dog messes with it. It will usually require a bandage
or a special collar to keep the dog away from this area in
order to give it a chance to heal.

Golden Retrievers can suffer from allergies faster than
most other breeds. Wheat is typically an offending factor
and a lot of commercial dog foods have wheat in their
recipes. It's not toxic for the animals, but it can cause
them some digestive issues or cause them to itch
uncontrollably. If the dog licks its face excessively or
scratches constantly, you might have a dog that is allergic.

Underneath the outer layers of skin, more serious forms of
skin disease can be formed. There are different types of
fatty lipomas and the severe liposarcoma that can become
common as the dogs grow older.

Fatty lipomas are typically benign and will be able to be
removed the next time a dog gets his teeth cleaned and gets
general anesthesia. They might grow bigger, but they are
not a health concern and can be left alone without worry.
Liposarcomas, however, are malignant and need to be removed
as quickly as possible. They need to be treated as soon as
they are diagnosed.

Eye problems, such as cataracts, can be common in Golden
Retrievers that are older than the age of 10. These eye
problems can lead to blindness or at least reduced vision
in the animal. There is no treatment for these conditions.

Heart conditions are less common in Golden Retrievers, but
if they do occur, you will see either subvalvular aortic
stenosis or cardiomyopathy. Subvalvular aortic stenosis is
an obstruction in the ventricle left vein that will cause a
reduction in blood flow. Sometimes, the condition is
harmless, although the dog will not be allowed to run
around as much. When the condition is serious, the heart
has to work harder due to the heart muscle thickening. This
heart problem is usually genetic and the treatment can be
beta blockers to mild antibiotics. Surgery is always a
possibility but unlike human heart surgery, it has had
limited success.

Cardiomyopathy is an acquired disease which is more
serious. It tends to happen in dogs that are 4 to 10 years
old and the cause is unknown. The heart muscle will become
thin and flabby, progressively getting worse until the dog
passes away.

Nevertheless, most Golden Retrievers live a long and
healthy live. With the right diet and plenty of exercise,
your animal has a better shot at living a wonderful life.

About the Author:

Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet
owners deal with their pet problems at home. You can find
more pet problems and solutions for free here:
http://www.petquery.com/

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German Shepherd Grooming Tips and Guide

Title: German Shepherd Grooming Tips and Guide
Author: Moses Wright

German Shepherd Grooming Tips and Guide
Despite its double layered coat, the German Shepherd does
not require a lot of grooming. The outer coat of the German
Shepherd is coarse with a medium-length. The undercoat, on
the other hand, is soft and dense. This inner level is
responsible for keeping the dog warm during the winter
months and protected from the sunshine during the summer.

The best way to take care of your German Shepherd is to
make sure that he is getting the right nutrition he needs.
The German Shepherd is, after all, a strong carnivore and
you need to make sure that the food he is getting is high
in protein and vitamins. The dog requires a high-protein,
high-fat diet. Chicken, lamb or beef are excellent choices.
If you decide to make your own dog food, be sure that it
has the right balance and all of the components the dog
needs to stay as healthy as possible.

Vegetables are more difficult for dogs to eat. Rather than
the curved stomach like a human, dogs have a straight
stomach. This can cause them to have problems while
digesting their vegetables. Wheat, corn and other
plant-like materials can be tough for the animal and they
should only make up a small portion of the dog's overall
digestive diet. Once you are sure that the dog is getting
an excellent diet, you can move on to the grooming needs.

It is generally recommended that you brush your dog's hair
at least twice a week. You want to be sure that the oil in
the fur is evenly distributed to prevent matting and
tangles. You can also be sure to remove the dead skin cells
and loose hair clogging the coat. A standard metal brush or
slicker will work well if it is used properly. You must
take care not to cause a lesion or scrape the dog's skin
while brushing.

When you start to brush, take the brush in the same
direction as the coat hair. Using a variety of brushes with
different size brush heads will help to ensure you reach
all parts of the dog.

Depending on the dog's typical routine, you will have to
bath your dog more or less once a month. The bathing will
depend on where you live and what your dog loves to do. For
example, if your dog loves to be outside in the dirt and
dust, he will require a bath more frequently than an
animals that loves to be indoors. If the dog is an indoor
dog, taking a bath every few months will be sufficient.

If you pat your dog and dust puffs off his skin, that's a
good sign he needs a bath. Also, if he is starting to
smell, a bath will quickly solve that problem and make him
more enjoyable during cuddle time. If the coat is very
greasy, that can be another sign that he needs a bath.

Proper shampoo can be important to the dog's coat hygiene.
German Shepherds can be very sensitive to wheat and other
allergic reactions, so the right shampoo can be important.
Oatmeal shampoo, for example, can provide soothing relief
to your animal, but they can also allow material to build
up on its coat faster, causing you to bathe it more
frequently. An aloe shampoo might be a good solution if you
are not worried about fleas. Nevertheless, with regular
care, your German Shepherd is bound to look beautiful all
year long.

About the Author:

Moses Wright is a pet lover and loves to help new pet
owners deal with their dog problems at home. You can find
more dog problems and solutions for free here:
http://www.petquery.com/dog.htm

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