Bird Dog Breeds – Trained for Sport

There are several bird dog breeds that can accompany their masters on hunts, and who make excellent house pets too. They are usually medium to large sized dogs, and need plenty of exercise to stay fit. Bird dog breeds are highly intelligent and loyal, and usually easy to train. It is amazing even if they normally live in a city, how their instinct takes over in the country when they sniff or see birds!

Hunting has always been a very popular sport in the English countryside, and packs of dogs have been an integral part of the hunting team. Most of the bird dog breeds we see around anywhere in the world have probably originated from Great Britain or Europe. While it may not be a way of life for most of the bird dog breeds to go hunting regularly, their characteristics and instincts are very much unchanged.

Bird Dog Breeds That Make Good House Dogs

The most popular among the bird dog breeds seen today are the Pointers, Setters and Retrievers. Most of them live up to their names even if they have not been trained. Among the other bird dog breeds, Airedales are excellent working dogs. They have great hunting instincts, and tough weather resistant coats. They can go after water fowls in very harsh conditions. As pets, they are gentle affectionate, and excellent with children.

American bird dog breeds include the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. They are not playful or over friendly dogs like Labs and Golden Retrievers. They need to be trained, but are loyal and sensitive. They are protective towards their owners, and want nothing more than to be near them! The Weimeraners are wonderful gun dogs that can be trained to be very swift pointers, flushers, and retrievers. They are loyal, easy to train, and highly intelligent. Their good tempered nature makes them very good house dogs and watch dogs.

English Pointers are extremely gentle but excellent on the field. They love children, but are too friendly to make good watch dogs. English Setters are intelligent, swift, and graceful animals. Their loyalty and gentleness makes them good house pets. They are companionable with children, and friendly towards other animals in the house. They are fun loving, and do not like to be left on their own. Golden Retrievers are beautiful animals with lustrous coats. Their temperaments match their looks, and they are friendly, trustworthy, and gentle with children. They work hard when in the field under adverse conditions too.

Family Favorites from a List of Large Dog Breeds

Every list of large dog breeds will have the names of certain popular breeds that are also suitable for homes with children. However, before going through the list of large dog breeds to select a pet, there are certain factors to be considered. Is the home large enough, with plenty of open space for the dog to run around? Are there fragile objects and furniture which may not stay intact with a large dog bounding around the house? How important is it to keep the house looking immaculate with no dog hair all over the furniture?

Having considered these problems, anyone who wants to go ahead and keep a large dog should have a family discussion about the list of large dog breeds. The most complete list of large dog breeds would certainly include names of the German shepherd, Doberman pinscher, Afghan hound, Boxer, Collie, Golden Retriever, Labrador, Great Dane and St. Bernard. In addition to the names mentioned earlier, other popular dogs which feature usually on a list of large dog breeds are the Boxer, Irish setter, Greyhound, Chow chow and Dalmatian.

Some Characteristics of Dogs from the List of Large Dog Breeds

All dogs are good with children as a rule, but if a child continuously mistreats it, the dog may eventually bite. A large dog can severely injure a small child, so never leave them together unsupervised. Large dogs weigh over fifty pounds, and some really large ones weigh over eighty. The problem is that many of them are unaware of their sizes and can knock children, furniture, and even older people flat out in their exuberance. Notwithstanding their sizes, many breeds of large dogs are gentle and can be kept indoors provided someone takes the responsibility of exercising them regularly.

While it is possible to keep some of them in apartments, they are ideal for farms or homesteads. Dogs like the Afghan Hound and St Bernard are used to a cold climate, and it would be cruel to keep them is a hot place. Similarly, Collies, German Shepherds and Retrievers are better off on farms. They are inherently working dogs, and love wide open spaces to run about.

Another thing to bear in mind while going through a list of large dogs is that many of them need a lot of exercise. All dogs need exercise and large dogs need plenty of it. They also eat more and therefore one needs bigger budgets for their meals. These dogs are expensive to maintain, and this can be a limiting factor for many genuine dog lovers.

Rare Dog Breeds And How To Obtain Them

Older dog breeds that have drastically reduced populations and new dog breeds that have been recently developed are classified by the American Kennel Club as rare dog breeds. These dog breeds have population levels that are extremely low, making member of the breed hard to find. These breeds are registered with the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service so that the service can help them compile an official registry of dogs that belong to the breed, help the breeders track the growth of the population of the breed, and create a heritage database to track the pedigree of the dogs belonging to the rare dog breeds.

About Rare Dog Breeds

There are currently over 130 rare dog breeds registered with the Foundation Stock Service. Some of these breeds are close relatives to some popular breeds, such as the Boykin Spaniel, the Irish Red and White Setter, and the Rat Terrier. Other breeds do not resemble any of the major dog breeds prized in the United States, such as the Bergamasco, the Coton de Tulear, and the Caucasian Mountain Dog. The population levels of these rare dog breeds are very low and without the intervention of concerned breeders, may become extinct in the near future.

Many rare dog breeds maintain their own breeding programs and may even hold their own dog shows and events. This allows individuals with rare breeds not recognized by the American Kennel Club to participate in dog shows and display the best attributes of their animals. Rare dog breeds can be hard to acquire, given their low population levels and small number of breeders. Individuals looking to adopt one of these rare breeds will have to look hard to find a breeder and will have to pay a hefty price to acquire one of the animals.

The individual must be sure that they are not purchasing their rare dog breeds from a “puppy mill”, where the breeders are not concerned with the health of their animals. Dogs obtained from puppy mills have a higher risk of health problems, body defects, and brain malformations than puppies obtained from legitimate breeders that take good care of their animals and treat them well. In many cases, the owner of the puppy mill is only interested in producing the largest amount of puppies in the shortest amount of time without regard to the health of the parent animals or providing proper care and treatment to the newborn puppies. Some pet stores obtain their rare dog breeds from puppy mills, so it is important to research where the store obtains their animals before purchasing a pet from these stores.

Rare Dog Breeds And How To Obtain Them

Older dog breeds that have drastically reduced populations and new dog breeds that have been recently developed are classified by the American Kennel Club as rare dog breeds. These dog breeds have population levels that are extremely low, making member of the breed hard to find. These breeds are registered with the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service so that the service can help them compile an official registry of dogs that belong to the breed, help the breeders track the growth of the population of the breed, and create a heritage database to track the pedigree of the dogs belonging to the rare dog breeds.

About Rare Dog Breeds

There are currently over 130 rare dog breeds registered with the Foundation Stock Service. Some of these breeds are close relatives to some popular breeds, such as the Boykin Spaniel, the Irish Red and White Setter, and the Rat Terrier. Other breeds do not resemble any of the major dog breeds prized in the United States, such as the Bergamasco, the Coton de Tulear, and the Caucasian Mountain Dog. The population levels of these rare dog breeds are very low and without the intervention of concerned breeders, may become extinct in the near future.

Many rare dog breeds maintain their own breeding programs and may even hold their own dog shows and events. This allows individuals with rare breeds not recognized by the American Kennel Club to participate in dog shows and display the best attributes of their animals. Rare dog breeds can be hard to acquire, given their low population levels and small number of breeders. Individuals looking to adopt one of these rare breeds will have to look hard to find a breeder and will have to pay a hefty price to acquire one of the animals.

The individual must be sure that they are not purchasing their rare dog breeds from a “puppy mill”, where the breeders are not concerned with the health of their animals. Dogs obtained from puppy mills have a higher risk of health problems, body defects, and brain malformations than puppies obtained from legitimate breeders that take good care of their animals and treat them well. In many cases, the owner of the puppy mill is only interested in producing the largest amount of puppies in the shortest amount of time without regard to the health of the parent animals or providing proper care and treatment to the newborn puppies. Some pet stores obtain their rare dog breeds from puppy mills, so it is important to research where the store obtains their animals before purchasing a pet from these stores.

The More Popular Small Dog Breeds

Small dog breeds are very popular anywhere in the world. Mostly women appreciate the small dog breeds because they are usually companions to them. There are several varieties of small dog breeds and some are classified under the toy group. There are over 55 breeds of toys; some are accepted by the American Kennel Club while others are still not. There are some breeds that are larger than toys and smaller than regular dogs and these are also considered small dog breeds. They have shorter life spans than the bigger dogs and most are certainly more boisterous and excitable than the larger dogs.

Popular Small Dog Breeds

Among the better known toy breeds are the Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, Chinese Crested and Miniature Pinschers. There are others but the mentioned breeds are among the most popular and common in the United States of America.

They all share a common feature and that is their tiny size. People, women mostly, adore them because they can be brought anywhere in pet friendly hotels and restaurants with a minimum of fuss. Small dog breeds have been kept as companion dogs for centuries. In Asia, empresses and ladies of the court kept small dog breeds in their sleeves. Thus some are classified as sleeve dogs.

Chihuahuas are one of the top small dog breeds most sought after by people. They are small enough to fit in a small bag and do not make any fuss when they are well trained. The other small dog breeds are also adaptable in apartments and small homes compared to the bigger dogs that need wide open spaces to exercise and run around.

Some of the small dog breeds have long hair which can be fashioned into a hairstyle and needs constant grooming. In a way, people like the fact that they have something to take care of and fuss around with. Some smaller dogs are even fitted with clothes and coats for walking in the cold weather. They often represent a child in some childless person’s life and most people get so attached to their dogs that they mourn them when they die.

Small dog breeds often have difficulty giving birth since big dogs’ puppies and small dogs’ puppies are much the same size when they come out. Some breeds need medical attention when giving birth and may even need a cesarean section due to the largeness of the puppies’ heads. This is particularly true to bulldogs and French bulldogs.

Acceptance Of White German Shepherd Dogs

White German shepherd dogs are beautiful to watch as they move so effortlessly and gracefully yet it is their great appearance that has led to the white German shepherd dog being disqualified for years as being eligible for registration with important international dog clubs. The history of the white German shepherd has twists and turns and its future will probably gain more turnings as it gains greater acceptance as a purebred member of the German shepherd family.

The white German shepherd dog is firmly entrenched in the stock of the German shepherd breed despite the disagreements over whether the white coat is a defect or an accepted trait of the breed. There are now many clubs devoted to white German shepherds as people realize the value of their dog whether the American Kennel Club accepts the breed as material for all competitions or not.

Horand The White German Shepherd

Since the white coat was a trait of the first dog registered as a German shepherd, it makes you wonder what the fuss is about because it seems like having a white coat should be an accepted trait of the German shepherd. The Deutsche Shaferhund (German Shepherd) club was first founded in 1899 with Horand the white German shepherd as the first entry in the club’s studbook. Horand was the grandson of Grief, another white German shepherd that Max Von Stephanitz believed had the traits of a superior working dog. It was upon the appearance of these white German shepherds that the first German shepherd registration was based. White German shepherds fell out of favour when Nazis determined that the white German shepherds were responsible for defective genes and color fading.

White Coats Can Register

Despite this, the German shepherd is not recognized as eligible to compete in all American Kennel Club competitions although white German shepherds are allowed to register with the club if both of a dog’s parents are also registered with the club. German shepherds can compete in obedience, agility, tracking and other non-conformation type competitions. Regardless, the recessive gene for a white coat is firmly fixed in this breed’s gene pool and white German shepherds are common.

There are no differences in temperament and abilities between the white German shepherds and the more colourful German shepherds. You can have the same expectations for intelligence and lively attitude from a white German shepherd and these great traits give this dog its wonderful attitude and beautiful appearance.

A White Labrador –Not Actually White

There is really no such thing as a white Labrador; it is categorized as yellow. The American Kennel Club recognizes only three colors in Labradors, namely yellow, chocolate, and black. All others are variations of these, and a white Labrador is actually a very pale cream. Thus, a white Labrador is registered as yellow, the color under which cream is categorized. A pure white Labrador is considered a fault by AKC standards. As a puppy, the white Labrador may look very white, but as it grows older, the color deepens and changes to cream, with perhaps a darker shade down the middle and on the ears.

White Labs are very popular in the yellow group, and a person who is keen on a white Labrador may have tough time locating a good one. Some breeders breed whiter labs only for their colors, but these dogs do not meet the other requirements and physical standards of Labradors. They may not have the temperament and health of good Labradors. It is common for Labs to have problems with their hips, so it is important to have the breeder certify the hip health of the parents of the chosen white Labrador puppy.

Perpetuating the Myth of a White Labrador

Since many pale cream Labradors look white as pups, unscrupulous breeders try to promote these pups as rare specimens. These puppies will grow to look more cream in color as they mature, particularly on the tips of the ears, back, and hocks. Cream Labradors have black pigment on their noses, eye rims and lips. This may fade to a brown or pink color in winter, and get dark again in summer. A yellow Labrador that lacks pigment may have pink or brown eye rims, noses and lips but this is considered to be a fault. It often is a result of breeding yellow with chocolate Labrador, and this should be discouraged.

There may be a rare case of a documented white Labrador that has been a result of advanced breeding. According to the AKC however, white is considered a fault. It is common for enthusiastic buyers to choose any puppy by its appearance, though its temperament and good health are more important. In the case of the so called white Labrador, more caution has to be exercised. Choose a puppy that appeals to you, and it does not matter if lily white is actually cream. You are sure to enjoy the pet far more than you had imagined!

Miniature Dog Breeds – Joy in a Tea Cup

Miniature dog breeds, or small dog breeds are very popular as pets in small apartments. They are usually very attractive, but tend to be snappy and prefer to be lap dogs.
Miniature dog breeds may seem easier to look after, as they eat less and need less exercise. However, they are more delicate, and get dehydrated more easily. Vets usually have a problem treating them, as they do not have surplus weight to lose, and every illness can be dangerous. Many of them are low on energy indoors, though there are a few high spirited ones too. Many are fragile with delicate bones, so may not be suitable in a house with small children who may inadvertently injure them.

Miniature dog breeds include dogs that are also known as toy dogs or lapdogs. They are well suited for the disabled and elderly. They may seem like an accessory, the way they are either on their owners’ laps or in their arms. Their owners treat them like that too, or more like toys. Miniature dog breeds are the ones who are most often taken to spas and beauty salons for dogs. Their accessories such as collars and leashes are often bejeweled designer goods, and it is not unusual to see the long haired varieties with their heads full of clips.

Miniature Dog Breeds that People Love

The various miniature dog breeds that make popular house pets include some whose names are miniatures. They are the Miniature Pinscher or Minpin, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Dachshund and Miniature Schnauzer. The Minpin is not related to the Doberman Pinscher, but many miniatures are a result of inbreeding and cross breeding. Schnauzers, Terriers, and Dachshunds are seen in larger varieties too. These are all high energy dogs who are constantly yapping around strangers. Hair shedding is not a problem with these four.

Other miniature dog breeds that are very popular with ladies are the Pomeranian, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua and the Pekingese. They are long haired, and need constant grooming, and enjoy it too. There are short haired varieties of Chihuahua as well. These varieties are rather self sufficient animals, and though the Pomeranian is very energetic, the others are not. Some miniature dog breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, and Shih Tzu are exceptionally alert, and can be good watch dogs despite their small size. They get excited very easily when strangers are around, and bark continuously.

List of Small Dog Breeds – Plenty of Choice

People, who live in apartments and want to keep dogs, would do well to go through a list of small dog breeds. They need much less space and exercise, and are easier around the house. Unfortunately, many on a list of small dog breeds are yappy, noisy little creatures. It is almost as if they want to compensate for their sizes by barking continuously!

Choosing a puppy from a list of small dog breeds can be simplified by making a choice between a short haired breed, and a long haired one. Shorthaired dogs are easier to groom, and preferred by those who do not have much time for all this. A breed that falls in both categories is the Chihuahua, as you can get long haired and short haired varieties. They are really small and along with the English Toy Spaniel, Papillon, Toy Fox Terrier, and Toy Poodle, are part of the toy group on any list of small dog breeds.

Some others on the list of small dog breeds are popularly known as lap dogs. They enjoy sitting on owners laps, and being petted or groomed all the time. This does not mean that larger dogs do not sit on laps! Pomeranians, Pekingese, Maltese, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Pinschers, also known as Minpins, are some popular lap dogs. The Papillon, Lhasa Apso, Silky Terrier and Pekingese, are some of the better known long haired dogs.

Characteristics of Some Dogs on the List of Small Dog Breeds

Small dogs are often colorful characters, but surprisingly not so patient with small children. While some are essentially lap dogs others prefer to romp around outside. It can be difficult to choose a particular breed from the list of small dog breeds to bring home as pets, as most of them are very cute.

The King Charles Spaniel is an extremely friendly dog that gets along exceptionally well with people and other animals. Chihuahuas seem to forget they are tiny, and have the temperament of large dogs. The Papillon or Continental Toy Spaniel is amongst the gentlest and most affectionate of dogs. It is fond of outdoor exercise and is quite a tough dog.

Pekingese can rule the house and is the perfect lapdog. Pomeranians can be highly intelligent and are good companions. Some people think they are more cat-like by temperament. Pugs and Fox Terriers are both ideal to have with children around. They enjoy company and are very energetic and playful. At the end of their play they love to curl up in the lap!

The History And Standards Of The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a beautiful dog that has a long history. It is believed to have its roots in the island of Newfoundland. Although not native to Newfoundland, many believe it evolved from the St. John’s Water Dogs. The Labrador retriever is a close cousin of the Newfoundland dogs which share the same ability in the water. They were named Labradors by several breeders in the United Kingdom. There are some who believe that these dogs may have actually originated from Portugal and was later spread out to Newfoundland by cross breeding with several other breeds of dogs to make them what they are today.

Standards of the Breed

The two kinds of Labrador Retrievers are classified as English Labradors and American Labradors. The English Labradors were bred from English Labrador dogs. These dogs are consistently more stocky and heavier than their American cousins. The American Labradors are slimmer and taller but not so much that you might say they are two completely different breeds.

Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a well built muscular dog that is at home in the water and out of it. Their coat is water resistant comes in basically three solid colors. The colors are black, yellow and chocolate. There are variations to these colors in a way that some Labrador dogs may have lighter or darker colors but of the same shade. Other colors than these may result in a disqualification from the show for show dogs.

The head of the Labrador is broad with a pronounced stop. The nose is thick while its hazel or brown eyes are very kind and expressive. The neck is also broad and powerful and it has hanging pendant ears that lie close to the head a little above the eye line. The most distinguishable feature of the Labrador is its tail. The tail is fairly plump and of medium length, tapering towards the end. It lies just above the hocks when it is down and acts as the dogs’ rudder when it swims in the water.

Temperament of the Labrador

The Labrador is a sweet tempered dog that is basically stable and eager to please. It has the intelligence to enable training for it to be a working dog. These dogs love to be with people and often bonds well with its human family. They are very dependable when it comes to children and often bear with the rough and tumble of the kids and other animals.