Training Your Chihuahua

A lot of people are under the impression that Chihuahuas are a tough breed to train, but I don’t agree with that. Chihuahuas are intelligent dogs, good at doing tricks, and are highly trainable.

And you can train them by rewarding them when they get something right. For example, if you want them to sit when you go to answer the door, then reward them with a treat when they do it, and they will get into the habit of doing that.

However, if they get negative results, they are not likely to try something a second time. This is why it is essential that you understand that discipline should not be used when it comes to training your Chihuahua. It simply is not effective at all.

And when it does come right then go over the top with your praise, and your treats, and there is every good chance that they will do the same again for you.

And another thing to think about is how you plan to give your commands. Will it be by voice, hand signals, or Clicker? Unless you are going to show your dog, I would suggest using verbal commands.

As regards timing, aim for two or three short training sessions a day lasting no more that fifteen minutes, and try and do this every day, not just when you think of it.

And never forget that your Chihuahua is perfectly capable of learning any command that you want it to learn, it just may take time, so patience is a virtue here.

Remember that these are highly intelligent dogs and the secret to your success in training is to praise them reward them and give them regular treats. At first you will need to spend time on your training, but it will be time well spent.

Mastiff Insurance Do YOU Need It ?

Mastiff dog insurance is not high on most American’s agenda despite tens of millions of dog owners , to date this peculiarity remains a bit of a mystery. We don’t hesitate to purchase health insurance for ourselves , omitting our pets when just about everything else in our lives is insured just doesn’t make sense.

Considered by many as an unnecessary expense this attitude quickly changes when these mastiff dog owners are presented with the bills for treatment. Just as with private medical insurance, vets costs have risen sharply since the early 1990’s. The result of this has meant that mastiff dog insurance premiums have also risen as well.

Mastiff dog health cover costs, like many other types of insurance plans, are on the increase this should really be enough to make you think twice about delaying but this isn’t the only reason. Anyone who owns a domestic animal needs to be prepared for health problems occasionally , the more you own, the greater the chance is, and if this does occur a couple of times a year, you will soon see your savings reduce.

If you are in this unenviable position then a choice may have to be made , Really, you should never have to think about how much it is going to cost.

I had doubts about treating our dog some time ago when he was involved in an accident. I have to admit to asking myself at the time if we could justify the expense. Especially when you know that even with the surgery and treatments, your mastiff could still die. There are no guarantees as complications are not uncommon.

The financial strain of keeping your mastiff dog healthy can be overwhelming, this is even more relevant if you are experiencing financial difficulties. If you are experiencing money worries then raising additional finances can prove embarrassing.

When the cost of treatment is uppermost in your thoughts, it may cloud your judgment. mastiff dog insurance can ensure they receive the care they deserve because cost is no longer a major concern. A pet healthcare insurance plan does not have to cost the earth , plans are still affordable, especially when you consider the alternative.

Nearly all mastiff dog healthcare policies can be tailor-made to suit individual circumstances , possibly to meet certain financial requirements. A loving mastiff dog owner should really be thinking about the level of healthcare in place for their mastiff dog , do not leave it until it is too late!

The Lion Dog ? The Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu’s traces their origin to Tibet where monks, possibly, had been breeding them. Around the 17th Century these dogs were brought into Peking (China) as gifts for the Emperor. They were an instant hit with the royalty and so they then become their exclusive property.

The name ‘Pekinese’ was given to this dog because it was first found in Peking when monks gifted this breed of dogs to the Emperor of China way back in the 17th Century. ‘A rose by any name would smell as sweet’ ? as Shakespeare said ? no matter what name you use for this dog you will find it a very sweet and friendly dog.

The Shih Tzu ? owing to its temperament and looks ? has been a lot of other names. For example, for a long time in the Chinese Imperial Palaces these dogs were known as the Lion dog. This could be for two reasons. First, it looked like a miniatures lion with all the fluffy hair framing its face and second, it had the demeanor of a king.

The Shih Tzu needs very little from you other than love. To keep your Shih Tzu happy, allow it to sleep on your lap, pamper it as often as you can and talk to it all the time. Grooming this dog needs special attention because of its long coat. You need to have it brushed with a hard brush to prevent matting of hair and remove the dust that accumulates on it. You need two separate types of combs ? one long toothed for the overall coat on the body and another shorter and denser for the hair around the face and feet.

Watch out for separation anxiety signs in this dog if you leave it for too long alone. These dogs need your presence and love constantly. Other then this aspect, they are not pretentious about anything.

Shih Tzus are easy to train if you use the right techniques. These dogs can be very proud and stubborn, hence the training should be done only through positive reinforcement. As long as they get pampered and treated to tidbits in reward to their good behavior, the Shih Tzu’s will do anything you ask of them.

To their credit, these dogs are playful, loyal and very courageous. Their friendliness is very reassuring, as they have no problem sharing their space with other animals ? including cats. They tend to behave like children ? demanding love and attention at all times which actually makes this breed excellent for senior people.

People who have lived with a Shih Tzu are convinced that these dogs are human on the inside, as they reflect in their behavior a maturity and understanding of human behavior that cannot be explained otherwise. If you want a dog that loves you forever and cannot live without you ? the Shih Tzu is your choice.

The History Of The Yorkshire Terrier Dog Breed

Today’s Yorkshire Terrier is a far different dog than when the breed appeared in 1865. In over just one hundred years, the size has been greatly reduced from an average weight of thirty pounds to a mere seven pounds today. And the trend is to have the Yorkie (as the breed is affectionately called) get even smaller, with adults tipping the scales at a mere three pounds. But who knows? Perhaps in the future, there will be a demand for the Yorkshire Terrier to grow back into a thirty pound dog.

Like many breeds of dogs, the name does not reflect their point of origin. For example, German Shepherds were actually developed in France. And Australian Shepherds originated in America. The geographical difference isn’t nearly so big, but it is still significant. The main stock for today’s delicate, adorable and pampered Yorkshire Terrier came from the unforgiving landscape of Scotland.

Back in 1865 - the year of Huddersfield Ben’s birth - dogs were bred to exhibit useful qualities, not for their looks. There also was not much interest in keeping breeds pure. There are very few accurate records of dog breeding at this time. It is also thought that dog breeding was considered such a secret business that no records were kept for fear of the knowledge getting out to competitors. Yorkshire Terriers got their name because the breed was perfected in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Terriers were bred to be specialists in killing rats. They were (and still are) thought to be more reliable at killing mice and rats than cats. They were also bred to bark when they found their prey and to let their masters know where they are. The mining industry thrived in Yorkshire at this time - and the mines were full of rats. They were until the Yorkshire Terriers got to work.

The Yorkshire Terrier was bred back then for a specific purpose and not for looks. Rats were a terrible problem in farms, homes and the Yorkshire mines. Small, brave terriers were found to be better than cats for quickly dispatching these rats.

Also back then, the sport of rat killing was very popular. Rats were put in a barrel and then a terrier was dropped in. The winner was the dog that killed the most rats in the least amount of time.

Just one hundred years after Huddersfield Ben’s birth, the breed standard listed the weight of a Yorkie to be “no more than seven pounds”. The current trend is to breed them even smaller. Who knows how small the Yorkshire Terrier will be by 2065?

The Beautiful Brazilian Mastiff

Tracking and sniffing is the Brazilian mastiff’s job, the gentle giants are a cross between a mastiff and a bloodhound. Giving them their full title of Fila Brasilerio they originate from Brazil and were introduced to the United States of America by the Conquistadors. In the early years of the breed its main purpose was to guard plantations.

the colouring of the large dogs can vary from tan to black, also brindled dogs been desirable. These friendly giants can reach up to weights over 100 pounds and be 2 feet to the shoulder, the neck and face have characteristics of the bloodhound.

mastiffs can be gentle or aggressive when the situation requires it, very very loyal and make a valued member to anyone’s family, very good with children also.

the hunting instinct is real in the Brazilian mastiff because of its half brother the blood hound, the Fila part of the breeds full name means to hold in Portuguese which is part of the dogs role in the process of hunting, the mastiff will track, catch and hold the capture until it’s master arrives.

Much more athletic than other mastiff breeds, they are less prone to been fat which makes for a much healthier dog, their loyal and protective nature is a large part of the Brazilian mastiff’s nature.

Strangers be ware, the Brazilian mastiff has the same traits as the others, strangers are not welcome, this is their protective side which comes out and they have been known to attack without any reason if the face don’t fit, so be nice to strangers and make sure the dog is kept out of the way.

The Brazilian mastiff is like all dogs, they need love and attention and a lot of food, spend time with your dogs and they will become a big part of your family, and I mean a big part. They are loyal and will protect you till the bitter end.

So if your in the market for a Brazilian mastiff be sure to ask the right questions, make sure your breeder is above board and will provide references upon request, and if you do not know ask some one who does.

AKC Standards For Pomeranians

Have you ever wondered whether your Pomeranian could be a show dog? Well, here’s your chance. If you want to know what the American Kennel Club considers a good Pomeranian, read on. Get out the bathroom scale so you can find out how your dog measures up to the American Kennel Club standards for Pomeranian dogs. You could have a potential American Kennel Club champion on your hands.

If you want to see you your Pomeranian compares to the show dogs that win American Kennel Club championships, grab your dog and your bathroom scale. You’re about to find out whether you have a potential champion on your hands.

Another benefit of having standards for different breeds of dogs is to encourage good breeding practices. Dogs in the toy group are notoriously fragile, and restricting the weight of the Pomeranian to seven pounds maximum helps prevent the breed from getting too heavy and risking injury to bones and joints.

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.

Setting standards for breeds encourages good breeding and helps weed out qualities that might be bad for the dog’s health. Take, for instance, the size of the Pomeranian. The Pomeranian is fragile, and its weight should be restricted. Setting a standard for the Pomeranian’s weight discourages breeders from breeding heavy dogs.

The Pomeranian coat can be virtually any color. All colors, patterns and color combinations are judged the same. The most often seen Pomeranian patterns include black and tan, brindle and parti-color. Black and tan Pomeranians have light patches above the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs, feet, and under the tail. Brindle-coated Pomeranians have a gold or red base with black cross stripes. A parti-color Pomeranian is white but has patches of one or more other colors in its coat.

In specialty dog shows, Pomeranians are split into three different groups for judging, according to the color patterns of their coats. Red, orange and sable dogs make up one group, black and brown dogs make up another, and other variations are judged together in a third group.

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.

Brazilian Mastiff

A very unusual combination, the Brazilian Mastiff is in fact a mastiff/bloodhound mix. They have traits of both breeds; including the famed sense of smell bloodhounds are so well known for. They also have the protectiveness and gentleness with children so common in mastiffs. Hailing from Brazil, they are known (in Portuguese) as Fila Brasileiro. Formerly employed as guards for plantations, they found their way to North America with conquistadors.

These gentle giants can easily weigh over 100 pounds, and stand up to 30″ tall. Having the flabby neck and long face of bloodhounds, their fur varies in color from reddish to black, even yellow. Brindled specimens are the most popular however.

Gentle like most mastiffs, they are capable of aggression when called for. Excellent guard dogs, they are nonetheless very good with children. They are also famed for their loyalty.

Brazilian Mastiffs still are seen in hunting, being as good at the job as their bloodhound relatives. They specialize in tracking down and catching prey while waiting for their owners to catch up; in fact, the “Fila” in “Fila Brasileiro” is from Portuguese and means “hold”.

These are an athletic breed although some Mastiffs are not athletic at all and they even are known to become obese. Again they get their athletic abilities from the bloodhound side. The guarding side comes from the Mastiff. Mastiffs are very watchful dogs and although they aren’t aggressive in nature, they will guard their family.

More than most other varieties, Brazilian Mastiffs are not at all fond of strangers. The only sure way to get on a Brazilian Mastiffs good side, it seems, is to spend a lot of time with them as puppies if you want them to remember and show that famed protectiveness towards you.

It is best to keep your mastiff locked up if you will have houseguests, as Brazilian Mastiffs have been known to attack without provocation - this unfortunate quality extends even to mastiffs entered in dog shows and the judges.

Remember to be careful as you choose your new Brazilian Mastiff puppy. You want to make sure that the breeder is a good and trustworthy one. Some breeders have other agendas when selling their puppies so it is wise to get references first hand.

Why Everybody Loves The Toy Chihuahua

Do you believe that small is beautiful? Well, then you will love the toy Chihuahua. This breed of dogs seems to be one of the oldest purebreds in North America as per the records of the American Kennel Club ? and also the tiniest. The Chihuahua when fully grown will only be about six to nine inches tall and weigh about two to eight pounds.

The Chihuahua is beautiful and so much loved because it is tiny. However, this trait can work against it as well. If you have a house full of children and other occupants having a Chihuahua around could mean serious accidents for it or even death. All that is needed to hurt (or even kill it) is that someone sleeps, steps or stamps on it while it plays or sleeps somewhere.

The advantages of owning this dog is that you have everything you would love in a dog with less exercise than most other breeds. They are great companions, highly entertaining pets and excellent guard dogs. They live long ? about fifteen to eighteen years ? and all this while they will fiercely and possessively love you.

They can behave like little spoiled brats, a trait which the majority of their owners adore about them. And though they love romping outdoors, they do not need a daily walk in the park like most larger dogs do.

There is another reason why you should keep children away from this breed. This dog looks very small and is often taken for a toy by young kids who in their wish to cuddle and pet it might squeeze a little too hard or sit or stamp on it, hurting or even killing it.

There are a few downsides for people who possess or want to possess a toy Chihuahua. First of all it is very fragile ? not in strength but in its vulnerability. He is the size of a cat and not even half as agile. It is very easy to find it crushed to death by mistake by stamping or sitting on it. For this reason, you cannot have a toy Chihuahua if you have young children in the house, as they would be likely to harm it.

These little sweethearts think they are your babies after a while and will directly challenge anyone human or animal who has any claims on your attention or affection. This is not the right breed to have around young children, as these dogs tend to get very jealous and excitable when you pay attention to the children. Also, there is always the danger that children will inadvertently harm them by squeezing, handling or simply sitting on them by mistake.

This dog needs a lot of cuddling and if you are an outdoor person, you need to ensure that your dog is protected from cold and rain. They do not tolerate cold well and they tend to catch infections if water enters their ears. Overall, the toy Chihuahua is an excellent pet provided you are prepared to smoother it in love.

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