german shepherd ears flop My German Shepherd’s ear won’t stay up?
Heya,
So I have a beautiful, healthy German Shepherd. He’s a male and is about 8-9 months old. I’m just wondering, one of his ears stands up perfectly, but the other just flops to the side. Is this ok? or should he have them both up by now? Sometimes it sits up, but only when he’s alert.
Is there anything I can do to help him get it up?
Thanks ^^
It’s too late…after about 6-7 months taping won’t even help. Your dogs ear will probably never stand up. At 5 months you should become interested in the ears. If they stand, then go back down at 6 months during teething, they’ll come back up after teething. But 9 months is way too late. You should’ve asked this question 2 or 3 months ago. You can try taping or glueing them now but I would give you a less than 10% chance to get the ears up.
Ignore the people who said this is normal and he’s just a puppy. He is just a puppy but flop ear at 9 months is NOT normal. I’d know, I breed German Shepherds…these people only seem to know they start flop and raise with age…problem is they don’t seem to know what age but talk like they’re speaking facts (don’t you just hate that!?!?!).
At what age does a German Shepherd Dogs ears stand up?
I have a 12 week old puppy, cute as a button. One ear has popped up and it stands up just fine, the other looks like he has a ‘combover” it’s flopped over the top of his head. He looks really silly, but terribley cute.
I love the comical look on their faces when their ears are starting to stand – very cute!
My daughter’s GSD’s ears started standing around 4mths and from memory were up all the time before 7mths!
german shepherd names girls What should I name my German Shepherd girl dog?
Sunny
Riley
Lola
The Pit Bull – Friend or Foe?
Is the American pit-bull terrier genetically different than other breeds? Were they born to fight? In Britain, pit bulls are considered dangerous creatures. Britain’s government ministers want to ban the breed altogether.1 The main purpose for having a pit bull was not to protect the family from dangers as with Doberman pinchers and rottweilers who were bred to guard their owners.¹ Defenders believe the dog is as harmless as any other dog, but this may not be the case. They say the owners who have the dogs have made pit bulls act this way. Pit bulls were genetically bred to become fighting dogs. Pit bulls head and bone structure allow them to attack, fight and kill other dogs.¹
According to ‘The Economist’, when talking about reasons why a dog may be dangerous, one can speculate scientifically about the chemicals that are found in the body, in general, which may encourage dogs. There are some chemicals and mechanisms which are found in the body that trigger one to attack called the RAS or Reticular Activating System. In this system is a chemical called L-tyrosine is found which sends signals from nerve to nerve. This chemical can be altered genetically through breeding. Dogs which have elevated levels of L-tyrosine attack more easily. It is suggested that pit bulls have this genetic chemical.¹ Not only does it increase attacking, but distracts a dog from feeling pain, so a dog may attack for many minutes even though someone is trying to hit them or make them release their victim. In a certain attack a pit bull attacked someone for 15 minutes. This involved a young girl, and the adults who were trying to help her could not beat of the dogs, even though the animal had begun to bleed.¹
This deflection of pain is also one of the reasons why pit bulls may attack. Usually if dogs are in fights, they shy away from the dog that beat them, but pit bulls do not. This may be related to endorphins which may decrease the feeling of pain. But of course endorphins and its man-made sister, morphine, which is a pain reliever, are addicting. The pit bull may be seeking out ways to increase their endorphins by getting into fights in order to receive the endorphins, which are also at an elevated than level than normal. They seek ways to increase pain in order to get the endorphins which are made through fighting.¹ This sensitivity seems to be found more in pit bulls because of their reaction to receiving anesthetics. Not only do they receive endorphins, they receive a higher amount than other dogs. It is like morphine for human beings, it becomes addictive to the dogs, and they seem to want to fight in order to relieve these cravings.1
In Britain, before the dog was popular, the pit bull used to be culled if it bit someone, therefore naturally modifying the behavior of the breed genetically by cutting off those dogs with a tendency to attack. Ever since the pit bull has become a sought after pet, culling has decreased, creating an attack dog that genetically will attack more often than normal.¹ Owners do have some responsibility for a pit bulls aggressiveness. In a pack of dogs there is always an alpha male who is in charge of being the bully or attacking. When in a household, the dog may become the alpha male and not the owner, causing, the dog to attack. It is recommended to teach young dogs to be submissive and obedient, yet in the case of pit bulls this may not work.¹
Certain dog breeds are sometimes made popular by movies. Lianne George, the author, states that a case in point was Disney’s movie about Dalmatians. She states everyone went out to buy one because of the movie and soon realized a Dalmatians temperament was not as docile as those in the movie.² This has also occurred with Doberman Pinschers. As the fad runs out, so do the breed of dogs. In the instance of Dobermans, Diane Jessup, an animal control officer and canine historian based in Washington, states that, “Now you hardly ever see them”.² Today’s dog breed of choice is now pit bulls. We see them in rap videos and traversing the streets with no owners in sight. They are seen walking down streets in neighborhoods in which they are considered prized possessions.² People now fear them more because of all the attacks that are being publicized.² In Canada, pit bulls are now banned from being bred, and those that have owners must be muzzled if outside. This is the first time a breed has been banned over an entire province. According to Attorney General, Michael Bryant, there are those who believe as he does; that pit bulls are “ticking time bombs”.² There are those who deal with animals daily who believe it is all media-based hype. Pit bulls weren’t always the black sheep of dogs.² They use to grace American advertisements, and were examples of America’s strength. Other use of the pit bulls image was in Buster Brown ads, and The Little Rascals series. But now pit bulls are considered a liability, and are now the most mistreated dog in the US. Pit bulls are chained up for most of their lives.
In Ontario, Canada, a law was passed which banned pit bulls in the province after several attacks. One of the stipulations of the law is that it encompasses all breeds of pit bulls, yet not all breeds of pit bulls are necessarily dangerous.² A doctor in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Gary Landsberg, an Ontario veterinarian and president of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, states that even if the breed was eliminated, the people, or owners, would switch to different dogs.² In Winnipeg, this is exactly what happened. Pit bulls were banned and attacks decreased, but Rottwieler and German shepherd attacks increased. Landsberg says that “people who want to breed and/or own vicious dogs will simply turn to other breeds”.² People abuse pit bulls in order to make them more behaviorally mean.² “If you knew what these dogs go through, you’d be amazed that there wasn’t a pit bull fatality every day of the week.” said Diane Jessup, the veteran animal control officer. She does not believe pit bulls are inherently mean, but are made that way by abusive owners.² People like Jessup are trying to create more fair laws that punish abusive owners and not those with other pit bull related dogs that are not aggressive.²
Dog Attack Statistics
Statistics:
25% of all fatal attacks were inflicted by chained dogs.
68% of all fatal attacks were inflicted by a single dog.
79% of all fatal attacks were on children under the age of 12 occurring when the infant or child was left unsupervised with the dog.
21% of the breeds involved were Pit bulls, second were mixed breeds (16%) and third Rottweilers and German Shepherds at 13% and 9%.
Most attacks were caused by unaltered males.
California topped the list as the state with the most fatalities at 47 between 1965 to 2001.
(Statistics from Karen Delise, “Fatal Dog Attacks” 1965-2001)³
Jimmie Mae McConnell was a Kansas City woman who feared for her safety at her own home.5 She was killed when a neighbors’ two Pit Bulls attacked her while she was gardening. Her last plea was a phone call to her son-in-law to call the police. She died at a local hospital soon after. A friend of hers stated that McConnell said that “[O]ne of these days those dogs are going to get me”. 5 One dog was tranquilized and another retrieved from a neighbor’s house after getting a search warrant. 5 Most of the households in that area stated that the dogs belonged to those neighbors, which were next door. Though police had not identified the breed of the dogs, most of the neighbors agreed they were pit bulls, which are not allowed in Kansas City, Kansas. 5
The Center for Disease Control in the ‘State Legislatures’ journal states that 12 people are killed and 5 million bitten per year.4 Policymakers in at least 29 states have laws which deal with dangerous dogs. Most states create these laws after a trial in court with an animal officer present.4 In Ohio, all pit bulls are barred. Usually a dog in any other state would be banned if they attacked someone, but not because of what breed it is, as in Ohio.4 In other states, it is unlawful to ban a dog because of its breed, but Denver, Colorado is fighting to do just that. They have been successful in overturning the states statute, which bans breed-specific legislation. 4 At this point in time, most states have enacted a law which shields owners from liability for the first dog bite, but makes them accountable for the second and on. 4
Dog Attack Laws
As mentioned earlier, Colorado overturned a state statute made in 2004 to ban breed-specific dogs. The statute was overturned after a 3 year old and 59 year old minister were killed.6 At this point in time, any Pit-bull related dog or even a dog that looks like a pit bull will be euthanized. 6 Many other states are thinking about following in line. 6
This approach has sparked some controversy. Two-hundred or more pit bull type dogs have been euthanized in Houston.7 This type of legislation has only grown more prevalent. For example, the consequences of owning a pit bull are severe penalties, or the state will ban the breed. 7 Laws in Houston which occurred in August of 2006, which included creating fines for owners and banning pit bulls, has created the most number of euthanized dogs ever. 7 Many states, including California will not ban dogs based on breed. Because of the mauling of McConnell in Kansas and 3 men in Missouri, these two states are considering following the lead of Ohio and banning breeds states Janna Goodwin of the National Conference of State Legislatures. 7 Ledy VanKavage, an attorney with the ASPCA, states that they want to protect people from dangerous dogs, but labeling pit bulls as evil dogs is not fair, “any dog can bite”. 7 Cities are taking action against pit bulls in less harsh ways. Ron Boyer, an assistant director of health in Missouri, states that their plan is to have all pit bulls registered. This was in response to a number of children who had been mauled. He states that this requirement is “an immediate mechanism to deal with the problem”. 7 The City Council of Kansas, MO created a law in which Missouri can have a non-lethal way of tracking dogs, such as having them altered, or having owners put up fences and record who gets the puppies of that dog. Other states have followed suit, including Kansas, and Illinois. The governor of Missouri believes this will create stricter laws for those who own pit bulls. But Shawn Webster, a veterinarian and state representative in Ohio, states that pit bulls are not genetically prone to attacks, and states that they are “great family pets”.7
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh held a study and found that not only have states begun enacting laws which ban certain breeds of dogs, but insurance companies have also. In 1996, a well-known insurance company, State Farm, gave out 80 billion dollars to people who had been attacked by dogs, 30% of all of its medical payments. This has in turn caused insurance companies to refrain from giving out insurance to owners of attack-prone dogs. It has been said that the media has created this idea that certain dogs are inherently vicious.8 An article from American Law Reports Fourth states that certain pit bull dogs are the “natural enemy of humanity…and are never completely predictable”. 8 In Lynn city in Massachusettes, to the Lynn ordinance was passed which stated that all pit bulls were to be regulated strictly. Yet, it has not been possible for animal control officers or owners to directly pinpoint which type of pit bulls are vicious or not. There are different types of pit bulls including, “American Staffordshire, Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier or any mixture thereof”. 8 But those dogs are difficult to name as a certain breed and therefore the ordinance of a state to provide limitation on owners of certain dogs was not lawful. 8
Courtney Frank, a spokeswoman for the Houston Humane Society said that “there was no redemption for pit bulls raised to fight.”7 Frank stated that this has increased the negative connotations we think of when dealing with pit bulls (e.g. killing people, etc.) Frank does not believe that the dogs were inherently bad, but that their owners were to blame for putting them in dog fights. Over half of US states have some kind of ordinances dealing with vicious dogs according to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 7
Dog Behavior
A dog psychologist, Cesar Millan, deals with dogs everyday. He even grew up on a farm and was raised with a pack of dogs. Instead of blaming the dogs, he blames their owners. He states it has to do with the dogs being spoiled by their owners, and in return the dogs have gone against them. Millan believes dogs need to be returned to their pack oriented history. He takes a group of dogs on walks in order to reacquaint them with this, and tries to make them see that the owner is in control, and not them.9 Mordecai and Margolis, authors of a book about aggressive dog behavior, state that dogs are relatives of wolves, and therefore do share some of their traits. This includes the need for survival, dominance, and territory.10
Dog Fights
Are the bones of pit bulls and greyhounds different? David Carrier, the author of ‘Functional trade-offs in the limb bones of dogs…running versus fighting’ hypothesized, that one type of bone may be for fighting, while another type may be for running. He wondered had artificial selection by humans caused this effect in dogs. He assembled a team and decided to test this out. He put both pit bull bones and greyhound bones on a machine that would break the bones at a certain pressure. The results were that greyhound bones were less likely to break than pit-bull bones under pressure.10 On the other hand; the pit bull bones absorbed two times more energy than those of greyhounds. Those of pit bulls were of greater strength than those of greyhounds, therefore concluding that there were differences in bone structure. One bone structure was better for fighting and the other better for running.11
Conclusion
Are pit bulls friend or foe? Some believe unfit owners abuse their dogs and this why they attack others. Other people believe the dog is a boon to society. They are regarded as a genetic mistake, unable to be readmitted into society, they are euthanized. Teaching any dog to fight will make them dangerous to others. But are all pit bulls bred to fight? What about those that are not, and attack anyway? Pit bulls should then be considered inherently dangerous to people. Noting that the main victims of these attacks are young children, there should indeed be safety specific measures which will prevent these catastrophes from happening. Should they be euthanized? This probably goes against the law that deals with domesticated animals and our relationship with them. Adults with small children should not allow this dog to cohabitate with them. On the other hand, if a person wants to own one of these dogs, it should be allowed because even tigers and wolves are pets to some. With strict regulations and humane treatment, these dogs can be a part of our society, but should not be regarded as safe and non-threatening.
References
1″Killer genes ate my dog.” Economist Vol. 319 Issue 7709, p83-83, 2/3p, 1bw (1991) 21 October 2006. Academic Search Elite
10Siegal, Mordecai, and Matthew Margolis. “GRRR!: The Complete Guide to Understanding and Preventing Aggressive Behavior in Dogs”. Little, Brown and Company, Boston. 2000
11″Pit Bull Is Top Dog In A Fight” Journal of Experimental Biology. 208, 0iii, (2005)21 October 2006
About the Author
Danielle Watson is an Animal Science college graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
german shepherd outline Puppy name help plllleeeeease!?
Is Pheonix a good name for a Belgian Malinois??
If you don’t look up a picture of them – they look like slightly smaller more elegant german shepherd dogs. My puppy is a medium fawn which is a light beige brown with black “points” He has an all black face black on his paws and ears and a stripe on his tail.
He also has a white mark on his chest that looks like the outline of a bird with one floppy wing.
So… is Pheonyx or Pheonix a graceful elegant name?
That’s a nice name and sounds like it suits him.
hope you have fun with him!
How To Stop Dog Barking Without Using A Bark Collar
One of the biggest problems dog owners face is how to stop dog barking. They bark at night, they bark at anyone that comes near the house, they bark to get your attention, and sometimes they bark just to hear themselves bark. Unfortunately, barking is one of a few ways that a dog can communicate with you and with other dogs. While body language is the number one communication tool for dogs, barking appears to be a close second. There are methods to decrease your dog’s barking, and in some situations stop your dog from barking, and they are simple to learn and only require patience and consistency on your part.
Before I delve into the most effective methods to stop dog barking, it is important that you understand that your dog could quite possibly have situational barking bred into him. If he is from a Guard Dog breed, like a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, or a Doberman, he is going to bark when someone approaches you. If he is from a Hunting Breed, he is going to bark in certain situations. There really isn’t much you can do about it. What we are more concerned with here, is the dog that barks just to hear himself talk, or the dog that barks at you or other household members in an attempt to get his way.
There are two easy methods to train your dog not to bark, and neither involves shock collars or anything of the sort. Your relationship with your dog is based on mutual respect, and one of the first things you need to do is to make sure she understands who the alpha dog, or pack leader, is. YOU are supposed to be the alpha, and if she thinks she is, you have a serious problem, The first method you can use to stop barking will not only stop it, but will also show her who the alpha is.
When your dog is barking, for whatever reason, don’t say a word. Approach your dog and gently, but firmly, grasp her snout. Many dogs will try to back away or wriggle free. Use your other hand to hold her collar, and continue to grasp her snout until she stops trying to get away from you. Once she has stayed calm for a few seconds, let go of her and give her a little light praise. Don’t make a big deal of it, just tell her she is a good girl. If she starts barking again, repeat everything above. You are not only stopping her from barking by grabbing her snout, you are showing her who is in charge.
The other method to stop barking works well when your dog is trying bully you, or get something from you, by barking at you. In this case, you are going to ignore him. You are not just going to just ignore him, you are going to cross your arms, turn your back on him, and not acknowledge his presence in any way. Make a big deal out of it. Continue to do this until he stops barking, even if it takes a few minutes or so. This method requires patience and consistency. If you give in, even once, you will find yourself back at square one, as you have only taught your dog to bark louder or longer to get your attention.
If you follow the two methods as I have outlined, you should be able to eradicate most, if not all, problem barking from your dog’s behavior.
About the Author
Mark Edwards is a dog trainer,breeder,grooming shop owner, and owns more dogs than he would care to admit. If you would like to get more information on dog behavior problems, and dog training from A to Z, please visit Dog Training Dog Obedience Training
How to teach Your Dog to use the Treadmill in just a Few Minutes
german shepherd pit bull terrier mix How much exercise should i give her…?
I had a German Shepherd and an American Pit Bull terrier, the pit for 9 years and he passed away due to cancer (at the age of about 14 years old) and the German Shepherd for 4 years (she passed away at age 13 years old). I adopted both of them. Now, i have four small breeds. My German Shepherd i walked about an hour a day because she had arthritis and my Pit Bull i jogged with for about 2 hours a day until he also developed arthritis then i walked him for about an hour a day. I am now adopting a 10 month old 75lb Labrador Retriever/Pit bull mix. I am wondering how much exercise i should give her per day? She is extremely active.
You should not run a pup and or young adult it is bad for their joints, you can begin to jog slowly after the dog hits over a year old, but long walks, then later begin to work in the jogging or very slow runs and try to prevent concrete for the first couple of months while you get the dog use to the extra physical work.
You can damage a pup or young dogs bones and joints…
Right now, long walks, you can do power walking but start out slow for the baby….
Good luck, and I am sorry about your losses.
And thanks for adopting.
Which Dog Breeds Are More Likely To Kill People
Dog breeds in general have similar characteristics. Some dog breeds are more likely to kill than others and some breeds are more protective of their masters and physical surrounding than others. There has been a 20 year study to determine which dog breeds are more likely to actually kill human beings. This United States study was done for the years 1979 through 1998.
This study tracks 238 human deaths from dog attacks during a 20 year period. 24% of these attacks involved unrestrained dogs off their owners property. 58% of the deaths involved unrestrained dogs on their owners property. 17% involved restrained dogs on their owners property and less than 1% involved a restrained dog off the owners property.
Some of the conclusions of the study are not suprising. Yes, certain breeds are more likely to kill than others. Yes, deaths from dog attack are quite rare. Also it is sometimes difficult to determine the actual breed of a dog. Communities who try to ban specific dog breeds for public safety will find it difficult to define the parameters of what constitutes that breed.
Several factors interact with the dog to enhance the possibility of a human being attacked by a dog besides the breed of the dog. These factors include heredity, sex, early experience, socialization, training, health, reprodcutive status, quality of ownership and victum behavior. Additionally, this study did not look at intervening variable such as was the dog protecting his owner from serious harm or death or was the dog actually protecting himself from serious harm or death.
Male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite then female dogs. Sexually intact dogs,both male and female, are 2.6 more times likely to bite than neutered dogs and chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite then unchained dogs.
One suprising conclusion of several studies is the fact that many varieties of dogs have been involved in a fatal human attack for one reason or another. Topping the list of deaths by dog in a twenty year period is the Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix at 66 human deaths. The Rottweiler and Rottweiler mix was responsibe for 39 human deaths. The German Shepherd dog and mix were responsible for 17 human deaths. The Husky type dog was responsible for 15 human deaths as was the Malamute responsible for 12 human deaths. The Chow Chow was responsible for 8 deaths while the Doberman was responsible for 9 human deaths. The Saint Bernard was responsible for 7 human deaths and the Great Dane was also responsible for 7 deaths. The Akita killed 4 people, the Bulldog 2, the Mastiff 2, the Boxer 2 and believe it or not the Labrador Retriever was responsible for 1 death while Lab mixes were responsible for 4 deaths. The following dogs were responsible for killing one human each during these twenty years: The Bullmastiff, Cheasapeake Bay Retriever, West Highland Terrier, Japanese Hunting Dog, Newfoundland, Coonhound, Sheepdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback and cocker Spaniel.
The conclusion that I make from this study is that almost any dog of size can be dangerous, particularly to children. Dogs must be properly trained, supervised, and care must be taken when choosing a breed with the propensity to be aggressive. Most important, keep young children away from male, sexually intact, chained dogs.
About the Author
Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.
www.petpages.com is a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info Petpages.com also offeres information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.
High quality, full page color pictures of over 100 dog breeds including: Afghan Hound, Airedale Terrier, Akita Inu, Alaskan Malamute, American Bulldog, American Cocker Spaniel, American Eskimo Dog, American Pit Bull Terrier, Anatolian Shepherd, Argentine Dogo, Australian Shepherd, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Beauceron, Belgian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Bost…
Lucy the Pitbull Terrier/German Shepherd mix jumping through a hoop
german shepherd neutering At what age does a male German Shepherd stop peeing like a puppy, and raise his leg?
I have a 21 month old, 70lb, neutered male German Shepherd, and he still pees like a puppy (on all four paws).
I was just wondering when he’s gonna throw up that little leg of his.
For male German Shepherd owners who had your dog from a young age to adulthood, when do they usually start raising their leg to pee?
I know this is a silly question, but I’m just curious.
The last couple of days he has been barely putting his foot up a little as he goes, like he’s getting the idea to raise his leg. But most of the time he goes like a puppy still.
Sis, you are gonna get bestest dog Mommy of the year, I swear! It actually depends on the dog, some will do it that way forever and some will change it to the one legged squirt when they are good and ready! Love ya! ~Makwa/Jo:)
Sizing Up the Ideal Dog
Alot of times, we get phone calls from those who have no idea what type of dog they are looking for. It is essential to look at every aspect of your life, your living arrangements, your budget and write down the dogs that you feel would make the IDEAL dog for you and your family. After writing down the breeds you and your family have selected, read as much about each breed as possible and then break down the list until you come down to one single dog. (That is unless you plan to purchase more than one type of breed.) America’s love affair with dogs has gone on for eons! There is a growing population of older people who share their home with dogs. About 1 in 10 senior citizens have a pet in the home. Also, baby boomers are aging and are getting a bit grayer which could explain the popularity of small breeds.
Owning a dog has alot of physical and psychological benefits. When trying to determine the dog best for you or your family, there is alot to think about! Can you afford it? Do you have the room? Who is going to take care of the dog? Do you have the time to invest in a dog? Do you want a lightweight or heavyweight dog? Do you want a small breed or a large breed or something in-between? Do you live in a quiet area where alot of barking would not be a GOOD thing? Do you live in the country? Do you have a fenced area to keep the dog in or will this dog stay in the house? Do you want a short hair or long hair dog? Can you afford a dog with alot of grooming requirements? Are you allowed to own a pet if you live in a condo or an apartment? Do you need spousal approval? Do you need anyone’s approval?
Many people play the “What kind of Dogs do you have?” game with a breeder and personally, I find this very aggravating. I am sure other breeders find this aggravating as well. It is very frustrating for a breeder to go into detail with someone over the telephone about what type of dogs they have and then, not only do you have no idea what it is you want but you also have to get someone’s approval before getting back to the breeder. Your mind should be made up regarding the type of dog you are seeking well before calling a breeder. If your dog is a family issue, then this should be discussed before contacting a breeder. You should also ONLY call a breeder who is advertising the type of dog you are searching for. If you have not yet figured out what kind of dog you are looking for, don’t put it on a breeder to figure it out for you.
If you are on a budget, don’t be afraid to say so to the breeder IN THE VERY BEGINNING of your call and let them know what you can afford. Don’t just ask how much a dog is. Chances are, you are just “Comparison” shopping and where dogs are concerned, this is completely the wrong thing to do. Just because you have calling breeders advertising the same breed, does not mean you are buying the same quality of breed. If you are looking for a show dog…you are not going to want a dog who has no champion ancestors or lineage and if you are looking for a pet, don’t expect to pay just a few dollars from a breeder who has taken the time to research their dogs’ CHAMPION LINEAGE. If you are on a budget, you should try to obtain a dog that has little grooming requirements, medical needs, upkeep and who has just a pet/average lineage or ancestry…….. perhaps you can even look into adopting a dog from a rescue agency, human society or animal shelter. Breeders have to charge a certain amount for their dogs in order to recoup their expenses and pay for overhead & costs involved with their business, whereas, a shelter or rescue agency are compensated through the state or through public funding and donations. Private breeders and kennels do not get reimbursed from the state or receive public donations. Everything regarding raising, breeding and producing a puppy by a breeder is an out of pocket expense for a breeder and Kennel. Very few people have any idea just how expensive and time consuming it is for a breeder, let alone appreciate the difficult, long hours this kind of job requires . It is very frustrating to hear people make the nasty comment to a breeder that they just “live off of their puppies” or are a “puppy mill” and on and on with the name calling. It amazes me how cheap some people can be when they desire to obtain a puppy or dog from a breeder and then have the audacity to do the name calling if they have some kind of issue down the road….it’s absurd! If you live in a condo or apartment, you may want to look at purchasing a “social” dog or breed. It is important for dogs who live inside apartments to get out and mingle. It is also imperative that you NOT crate your dog for hours on end. A dog needs to get out and romp around……..they need to stretch and build up muscles and use their legs. They can not live their lives for hours on end in a crampy crate. Some of your small breeds who adapt very well to apartments and condos are:
Many of the above breeds are small, nice and easy to get along with. Some small breeds can cause BIG trouble for people….especially the INDEPENDENT THINKERS such as the Jack Russell Terrier and any that tend to be yappy or high strung such as your purebred toy poodle, Pomeranian and Rat Terrier. Breeds that are traditionally bred to hunt do far better with someone who has a house with a nice large fenced in yard. Those breeds can be the Beagle, Pointer, The English Setter, The English Springer Spaniel, The Harrier, the Black and Tan Coonhound, the Bloodhound. There are many hunting breeds and retrieving breeds that do far better outside than inside. Now here we are in 2006 and there are many very nice small hybrid dogs available that would work out just fine in various living situations.
Dogs that have grooming requirements should be passed over if you are NOT able to afford the time, cost and care they require to keep their coat in tip top shape or feel comfortable taking on this task yourself. Such breeds can be the Bichon Frise, The Poodle, The Borzoi, the Maltese, The Yorkshire Terrier, the Shih Tzu, the Lhasa Apso, the Schnauzer, the Havanese, the Goldendoodle, the Pekingese, the Pomeranian, the Lowchen, Tibetan Terrier, the Bearded Collie, the Shetland Sheepdog, The Old English Sheepdog and all long haired Poodle hybrids.
Never purchase a large breed dog if you do NOT have the time to give this breed many walks outdoors or have an enclosed area to allow this breed to use its muscles. Breeds such as the Golden Retriever, the Rottweiler, The Mastiff, the German Shepherd, Great Dane and other large breed dogs need room to romp and stretch! Crating for hours on end can cause many medical problems for the dog. Many people who crate their dogs for endless hours each and every day mistake a dog’s difficulty walking for hip dysplasia! A dog who is not allowed to build up its muscles…….who is not allow the opportunity to have room to grow, stretch, run and be the dog it should be will have all sorts of aches and pains! Of course, there can be joint pain as well due to NOT using the limbs enough. If your dog is crated for endless hours, you are stunting the growth of your dog. There is no way its muscles can fill out and work the way they are suppose to work. Your dog is achy…..in muscular pain and stiff. You’d have to imagine YOURSELF being cramped inside of a crate all day long for hours and hours and never seeing anyone until the end of the day. Even if you have no fence for your yard…..there are kennel pens you can purchase that will allow your dog to be outside and able to jump up…..walk around and breathe fresh outdoor air. Make sure, however, that your dog has plenty of shade and water as he or she can die of heatstroke quite easily during the summer months. Canvas shelter tops can be purchased for as little as $79 for kennel runs and they last for many years. Some hold up quite nice if you do not get alot of snow in the winter. Kennel runs start at approx. $179- $299 and up. The nice thing is they are easy to put up and you can always add panels as your dog grows or as you need them. This is quite cheap compared to the vet bill your going to have should your dog begin showing signs of medical problems from all the hours and months you have kept him or her confined. So, small dogs fit in well for those who have small living areas or who do not have the time to take fido on long jogs or walks. Large dogs need lots of space! Large dogs also have to be walked regardless of the weather. With small dogs, you may be able to get away with paper training.. Good natured dogs give people a physical and psychological boost. People tend to lead a better life when they own a pet. They get more exercise……they get fresh air…..They can socialize more with others while outside taking their pet for a walk…..People benefit from their pet’s unconditional love. But while a dog can bring benefits to your life…..they can also increase your financial responsibilities and hamper certain aspects to your life….especially if you travel frequently and can not take your dog with you. This is why it is very important that you can fit a dog into your budget and life. This is why it is important to know what type of dog you can afford before you contact the breeder. Puppies are demanding like infants and Toddlers. They require alot of training, alot of your time and can be costly. While many purebred dogs are great to own….there are wonderful mixed breeds who make great pets and will shower you with just as much attention. Sometimes the benefit of owning an older dog is that they have had all of their vaccinations…..they can be healthier than a puppy…..they have outgrown the chewing stage….they are use to noises and people…..they can be housebroken already and they can sometimes just fit right in with your home. Of course, there are downsides to purchasing an older dog as well. Some can have behavioral problems…..some can still have problems with digging and chewing….some can be wary, nervous and may have a tendency to bite out of fear…especially if they were abandoned, mistreated and abused. You can’t blame the dog! Some dogs can be scarred for life due to the way they were treated as a puppy from an abusive home. Abuse comes in many forms and is not always just about hitting. Abuse within the family unit home can spill over to the dog. Older dogs may also already have developed illnesses or conditions that require medical care, so what may seem to be “cheap” can actually cost you more in the long run through many vet bills. Quite sadly, many older dogs make fine, instant companions, yet few are willing to adopt an older dog. The downside to owning a puppy is of course the fact that they need vaccinations……they need to have obedience training…..they need to be housebroken……they need to learn NOT to chew on your furniture….. they can cost you alot of money by the time they become an adult. But, this is the territory that comes with owning a pet! There is NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT PET. Dogs and cats have their flaws just like humans. They all have their quirks….the medical problems as they go through life….their need for attention and detail…..the need for a bath….the need for teeth cleaning and care…..eye problems……need for vet care and of course…the need to eat, sleep and be happy. No amount of medical testing will guarantee you a defective free animal! Puppy’s who have parents that are tested for everything under the sun can still come down with a defect , illness or a disease. That’s life! Don’t believe you can own an animal and never have to prepare yourself for emotional or financial loss. That’s not going to happen. As with all living things….they eventually die from one cause or another. Even dogs who have been tested for everything can still die from a hereditary disease or from age related or medical related problems. It’s a fact of life. I personally believe that you SHOULD NOT purchase a dog based on the testing its parents had from the breeder. You are holding on to a false security blanket if you believe that because a breeder had your puppy’s parents tested for every ailment known to man (and dog) that your puppy will NEVER DIE OF ANY AILMENT, ILLNESS OR Disease or come down with any genetic ailment. Well, chances are your dog could get ran over by a car and NOT die of any ailment, illness or disease……There are no guarantees in life! I am not going to paint you a rosy picture where everyone lives happily ever after……you may live well and your pet can live well, but nothing is forever.
The Basics in dog care…….
When you finally decide to select your canine….you hopefully will have also given some consideration as to where your new pet is going to sleep and what areas your pet will have free reign. For crate training tips, CLICK HERE. Since puppies are well known for chewing on anything they can get their mouths on (just like a baby teething), it is important that you have plenty of toys, knotted ropes, large balls and other great items for your puppy to play with. Never entice your dog to play with your shoes, slippers, socks or other personal items. A dog can not differentiate between your new stuff and old stuff. Parenting a dog is much like parenting a child. They have to learn between right and wrong. It is important to “puppy proof” your home. This means that before you bring your new puppy home….make sure you do not have any extension cords laying about. Pick up any item that is small enough for your puppy to place inside its mouth and possibly swallow. A puppy wants to taste everything! They can choke to death if they get a small item lodged in their throat…such as a marble or other small toy that may belong to your child. Make sure you don’t have any glass near the floor or at “puppy level”. It is a very good idea to have a crate….a nice large one….ready for your new puppy. Bedding can be placed inside and a stuffed toy to keep him or her company. But don’t mistake this crate as a substitute baby sitter. As stated before, never crate your dog for hours on end every single day. Your puppy wants to explore its new living areas….the same thing with an older dog. This includes the trash can, so make sure your dog or puppy can not get into the trash. Serious illness can occur from eating the wrong thing. Food is another important factor regarding your new pet. The food you select during the first year of your pup’s life is critical to its adult development, health and growth. There are many products on the market and selecting the one that is right for you and your dog is important. Complete nutrition is crucial, so make sure you read the back label on the product you select. Corn meal is something you should stay away from. For feeding tips, CLICK HERE. You will be faced with many choices……so, it is important to keep in mind that you don’t want a high protein food for your puppy because a high protein food can cause your dog to grow too rapidly. Rapid growth can then cause joint and bone problems. You should keep in mind the activity level of your dog. Is he a runner? working dog? couch potato? Science Diet, Pedigree, Eukanuba and Iams are very good products on the market. Pedigree cost less than Science diet. Science Diet costs less than Eukanuba and Iams costs less than Eukanuba. While some stores will tell you that feeding with Iams or Eukanuba is cheaper in the long run, don’t believe it! Some dogs absolutely LOVE the taste and will eat just as much as they would the Pedigree. Some owners like to feed with Alpo. I personally have never liked the consistency of Alpo. We have found very good results from Pedigree, however, we have also discovered that sometimes our puppies will develop an “allergy” to pedigree and get dry or itchy skin or not do well over a long period of time with this food. We don’t know why, but it is usually just one or two pups in a litter every so often. A dog can become sensitive to their food no matter how long they have been eating it. Many people don’t realize that when their dog has intense itching over a period of time and no fleas or parasites can be found, that it is their food causing the problem. Dogs can have sensitivities just like people. When hair loss, weight loss, itching or scratching develops and everything seems to check out fine, take the food your dog is eating into consideration. Sometimes changing the diet can make a world of difference. So, while we start all of our puppies out on Pedigree……not every puppy will do well with it as they continue to age. Foods with antioxidants provides a healthy defense system. Free radicals attacks the cells, causing damage which can result in a weakened immune system and possibly serious diseases. The antioxidants such as vitamins E & C, Beta Carotene and Selenium have shown to reduce the damage caused by free radicals. They also help maintain your pet’s immune system and help reduce it against the risk of diseases.
VITAMIN E: One of the most versatile antioxidants. Vitamin E helps support the body’s healing process. It has also shown to help prevent heart and neurological diseases. Vitamin E reduces the effects of aging.
VITAMIN C: Works to boost the power of vitamin E in the body to fight the damage caused by toxins and pollution. For this reason, vitamin C is used to help protect against cancer and other diseases.
BETA CAROTENE: Research suggests that carotenoids, like beta carotene, helps build a strong immune system and are considered a powerful tool in the fight against many diseases. Current studies support their use to fight cancer and other serious illnesses.
SELENIUM: An essential trace mineral that works with vitamin E and helps to create important enzymes. These enzyme systems help protect against cell damage. Selenium also works with other antioxidants in fighting cancer.
Your puppy needs alot of nutrition to get him or her through their first year. This will also keep your puppy and dog healthy and happy. Fat, protein and minerals like calcium and phosphorus help build strong bones and muscles and they also provide plenty of energy to grow and play. Too much of a good thing? Most certainly, too much of these nutrients can actually stunt the growth of your puppy and can also contribute to problems like obesity, bone disorders, heart and kidney disease and other serious ailments. Dogs come in many different sizes and shapes…so their nutritional requirements will vary. Feeding your dog cheap and poorly put-together food is also a very bad thing to do. This is why it is important that you can fit a dog into your budget. Think of how your system would react if you could not afford proper nutrition for yourself.
PRODUCT BENEFITS:
Controlled level of calcium: for healthy joints and bone development. L-Carnitine: Helps develop strong muscles and healthy bones. Converts fat into energy. High quality protein: Includes all 10 essential amino acids needed for proper growth. Energy: Controlled levels of fat and calories to help large breed puppies grow at the proper rate. Essential fatty acids: Help promote healthy nervous and immune systems. 23 vitamins and minerals: An ideal balance for growing, large breed puppies. High Digestibility: Reduces stool volume, which makes for easier housetraining and clean up. Omega 3 & Omega 6 fatty acids: Support healthy function of nervous and immune systems; promote healthy skin and shiny coat. Digestible Carbohydrates: Supply abundant energy for lively pups. Calcium: For strong teeth and bones. Vitamin D: To properly absorb calcium. B vitamins: For an appropriate metabolism and appetite.
DEFINITE DON’TS:
*Don’t ever feed your dog chocolate! This can kill him or her. *Don’t feed your dog cookies. High in fat…low in nutrition. *Use caution on dairy products. Many dogs are lactose intolerant which can cause diarrhea. *Bones: NEVER FEED YOUR DOG CHICKEN BONES! These bones are brittle and have sharp edges. Chicken bones can cause damage to your dog’s intestines and throat. They can also stick in your dog’s throat causing choking which can lead to death. Bones of any kind can also crack your dog’s teeth.
Good grooming and veterinarian care is of great benefit to both you and your dog! Regular check-ups and grooming habits can play an important role in keeping your dog healthy, but it is also a great way to bond and spend quality time together. Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is also important to good health. Senior dogs may require soft food if they have lost teeth or have bad teeth.
*Dental kits are available at most pet stores and from your vet’s office. Doggie toothpaste is usually included as well as instructions on how to keep your pet’s teeth clean. *Professional teeth cleaning is available through your veterinarian. *Selecting a professional groomer is just as important as it is making your selection on vet care. While grooming is healthy for your pet, selecting the wrong groomer can be deadly to your dog! We discovered that some groomers actually place your dog under anesthesia. WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW CAN KILL YOUR PUPPY OR DOG! Using unnecessary anesthesia can be detrimental to your dog. It is dangerous and certainly NOT A PROPER WAY TO GROOM A DOG! While this can make a lazy groomer’s job easier, anesthesia should never be used for convenience sake! We highly recommend that you use a groomer that you know, trust or check out carefully. Word of mouth is always a good way to find a good groomer too! The best groomer for a pet is yourself! If you are not placing your dog in a show event, you really should groom your dog yourself. There are many wonderful videos, books and other materials over the Internet to help you learn how to take care of your dog’s coat. Grooming your dog is a great way to bond and your dog has come to trust you. Getting your puppy use to having its coat brushed, ears cleaned and nails trimmed will also make your dog familiar with this routine. Each session will get easier and easier as time goes by.
SPAYING AND NEUTERING:
Every year in the United States, between four and six million companion animals end up in animal shelters. Many of these animals are euthanized. Animal activists and those who are holier than thou want to blame breeders for this problem. It is NOT always because of a breeder. The last place a good breeder wants its dogs is in a shelter. Animals make their way to shelters via their irresponsible as well as uneducated owners. Or sometimes they go to shelters due to an owner’s death or severe illness. Provisions for your pet’s care after your death is essential. Always include your pet in your will. Many people never give it a second thought. Dogs can make their way to shelters by being allowed to roam the streets and they can make their way to shelters due to irresponsible breeders NOT taking care of their dogs. The best age to sterilize your pet is before he or she turns six months of age. This is the age that male dogs are capable of siring a litter. A female will usually go into her first heat at the age of six months. Having your dog spayed or neutered before the hormones kick in reduce many unwanted behaviors and also prevents unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. My personal beef with those who advocate spaying and neutering such as veterinarians and some kennel clubs is that they do NOT make it easy for dog owners to spay or neuter. Many owners WANT to have this procedure done, but prices on sterilization have gotten out of control and many Kennel clubs, such as AKC, who hold show events pretend to ADVOCATE the spaying or neutering of dogs, yet they REFUSE TO ALLOW AN ALTERED DOG IN THE SHOW RING….which is complete nonsense and shows a double standard! As a matter of fact, it is BECAUSE of kennel clubs who don’t advocate this procedure that there are many unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. A male dog or a female dog can be just as beautiful whether they are intact or altered. Many vets charge outrageous prices and there are many people who can not afford their out of control fees. A clear example: To have a cat neutered or spayed costs over $180! As of the year 2006, we have watched the cost of spaying and neutering reach over $400! This is the entire cost for having the procedure, hospitalization and other shots, etc; I personally believe that if vets would set their spaying/neutering fees on a sliding scale based on the owner’s income, we would have fewer puppies and kittens making their way to shelters where they will most certainly have only been born to die an early age. Homeless and unwanted. Dog owners would then be able to afford this procedure which could possibly help the population explosion of unwanted and unplanned pregnancies in their dogs. Many shelters or humane societies are now spaying and neutering dogs prior to them leaving their shelters which is great….but you have to remember that they are getting state funding or donations from the general public to make this possible. It is important that you can afford this procedure when thinking about purchasing a new pet. Depending upon your area, spaying & neutering will vary in price. DO NOT assume that a breeder will sell a puppy or dog to you with the cost of spaying & neutering included. There are times when canine will be advertised in a local paper or online who have been altered and the owner is not seeking any money or is only asking for a small, reasonable fee to allow you to adopt the dog. Most of the time such owners are having to suddenly move or their lives have changed that can not include their pet. We are not above spaying & neutering our own dogs. As time goes by, our dogs do age or we no longer want to continue breeding a specific breed or specific dog. Many of our dogs are spayed and neutered “senior” dogs. Every year, as our dogs age and we remove dogs from our breeding program, they are spayed or neutered. Although we advertise these dogs to approved, adoptive homes…..the fact remains that those who call us only want puppies or they want dogs who have not been altered so they can “breed” them. Sadly, senior or dogs ranging from 4-6 years of age, have difficulty being placed into adoptive homes because of the lack of quality homes being available to them. We have learned, over the years, that when someone calls and claims they are interested in our older dogs….they are only seeking a “FREE” breeding dog. When we tell them they have to complete an application and that the dogs are altered and if they have not yet been altered, they must be altered before being allowed into their homes…we get the usual “okay, thanks anyway” response. This shows us that the home, number one was NOT a quality pet home we wanted our aging dog to go to and it also shows the lack of homes available to older dogs who could still contribute love and companionship to someone seeking it.
DID YOU KNOW?
For the record, most people who desire to own a dog, desire to own their dog as a companion/pet. There are large numbers of people who do participate in the show ring and on the field in competitions with the dogs that they purchase, but the majority of people only desire to own a pet. People in other nations such as China, Thailand, Vietnam and other Asian countries take pride in their dogs because they consume them as a meal. The manner in which they are slaughtered is completely outrageous! The beliefs are that if the dog is beaten, boiled alive, burned alive or hanged, they will release their adrenaline which supposedly makes their meat tender and the myth goes that the meat boosts a man’s virility. Of course there is no scientific evidence of such and this abuse is outrageous! South Koreans consume over 1 million dogs a year. Horrific? This is of no concern to those who believe there is no wrong doing in consuming a dog for a meal. To those of us who love them & worship them as pets, it is mortifying! South Koreans believe that there are health benefits such as easy digestion if they consume dog meat. Fortunately since many groups have tried to change this practice, this tradition is dying out. JUST NOT QUICK ENOUGH!!! The practice of eating dog meat seems to be exclusively with the older generation living outside of South Koreans’ major cities. About 3 million (fewer than 10%) of the country’s 46 million people, eat dog meat and consider it a delicacy. This means that millions of dogs are killed each year for this country’s purpose. Many of the younger generation find this cruelty to animals (and indeed it is) and hope this practice will fade into history. Thank God, this is not a practice within the United States, but there is still a large amount of animals who suffer at the hands of their owners & breeders. There is still a problem in the United States with dog fighting rings and those who beat them, train them for fighting purposes. We urge ANYONE who knows of this type of behavior going on to notify their local police. There are many breeders who breed their puppies and ship them to Asian countries and know full well that they are selling their pups to be consumed as meals or kept for breeding purposes to have puppies for consumed meal purposes. There are breeders who do not care where their puppies end up and sell them to pet stores or for commercial purposes. This type of breeder is a worthless human who should not even own a single dog. We have never sold a single puppy or dog to a pet store or for commercial purposes and we definitely will NEVER ship a puppy or dog to an Asian country.
To Micro-chip or NOT to Micro-chip….that’s the question:
We believe in micro-chipping all pets! This reality hit home for my eldest son who moved into a new home/area in California and his beloved Golden Retriever (which came from us many years ago) ran away with her pal, a Labrador, when a storm blew through and caused their gate to swing open. During the terrible storm, their dogs became scared and hit the road. For days, my son searched high and low for his dogs. Some weeks later, he happened upon a shelters’ website where he saw one of his dogs’ picture showing the dog up for adoption! Needless to say, he immediately drove down there and regained his dog. The Lab has never been located or found. Had his dogs been micro-chipped, as we urge everyone to do, Their dogs would have been scanned immediately and found their way home. He is very fortunate to have been able to retrieve at least one of his beloved pets …..however, on a sad note, their Labrador who was their Golden Retrievers’ best pal, never made it back home. The two became separated during the storm. We urge everyone to join PETTRAC, the national recovery system backed nationally by state Veterinarian Medical Associations. Nearly every dog and cat that makes its way to a shelter is scanned upon entry. Unless you and your pet belong to this recovery system, there is no way to identify your pet or to know where it came from. Many animals lose their collars or are removed by those who steal them. Should your pet become stolen, this system also notifies agencies and vet clinics to be on the look out for your pet. Micro-chipping is NOT a luxury….its a necessity. Its a very simple procedure that can be done at the same time your pet receives his or her vaccinations and the cost is minimum. All of our canine are micro-chipped and we highly recommend it!
SO, YOU WANT TO PURHASE A PET FROM A PET STORE?
If you have stumbled upon a very cute dog at your local pet store….here’s what you need to know about the puppies who make their way to these pet facilities. Breeders who sell their puppies to pet stores are irresponsible breeders who have difficulty selling their pups to the general public or They can also be private uneducated breeders who don’t want to “deal” with their litter of pups that they just HAD to let little Susie watch being born. More than likely, they sold a few and then had pups they just didn’t want to “deal with”. People always assume that puppies in pet stores come from “Puppy Mills” or “Commercial Breeders”. NOT ALWAYS SO! More uneducated, private breeders sell their pups to pet stores than any one else. Unfortunately, we are even seeing Goldendoodles being sold to pet stores from the kinds of breeders mentioned above. Pet stores scour the nation through newspaper and Internet ads for breeders who are either giving their puppies away or who have very low prices because they know that by marking them up by at least 300%, they’ll make their money back and then some. Pet store owners purchase many of their puppies under false pretenses and present themselves to the breeders as a family seeking to replace a dog that has died or seeking a puppy for their “children”, knowing full well that the puppy they just bought will go to their store to sit in glass cages for the general public to view. Many become sick and unhealthy from being shuffled from one pet store to the other, if the store is a chain. Believe it or not, the majority of puppies inside of pet stores are registered with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB…the supposed GOD of all Kennel Clubs who has “nothing but responsible” breeders registered with them!!! Hmm! Yeah, right! Another sad fact is those who sold their puppies to the pet stores don’t even care who buys them or whether or not they will be taken care of properly. No responsible breeder would ever dare sell their puppies to a pet store or any kind of facility like this. One of the ways a responsible breeder can deter pet stores from contacting them is to NOT bargain with a person who wants the breeder to “lower the price” or “give them a break” in the price. When a potential customer claims they’d “give the puppy a good home, but can’t afford much to pay”. This is a red flag. If a customer can not afford the price a breeder is asking, most likely they can not afford the dogs’ unexpected vet bills either. Most pet stores will ONLY purchase puppies from the above mentioned breeders that are registered with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB. This is because they can get TOP DOLLAR for the puppies from people who believe that dogs registered with this kennel club are QUALITY dogs. What amazes me even more is how many people assume that all breeders who register their puppies and their breeding dogs with AKC, are RESPONSIBLE BREEDERS with quality dogs! Where do these AKC registered puppies inside of pet stores and pet shops come from??? If your first answer was “a puppy mill”…you just got an “F” for failure to respond correctly! These so called responsible breeders who sold their puppies to the pet stores and pet shops are private breeders and commercial breeders who register their litters with the AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB, CONTINENTAL KENNEL CLUB and other canine registrant services, who breed to make a quick buck! Yes…many quick bucks can be made when all you do is produce a litter of puppies and six weeks after they are born, sell the entire litter to the pet store. It’s very simple! Pet stores across the country buy entire litters and then spread them out across their chain of other stores. It is very sickening. The breeder never has to spend a dime in taking care of the puppies…never has to spend any time or effort either! Any breeder…commercial or private can make many quick bucks in doing this. WE KNOW! WE GET CALLS FROM PET SHOPS AND PET STORES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WANTING OUR PUPPIES and since I began in 1996….I can proudly claim and scream I HAVE NEVER SOLD A SINGLE PUPPY THAT I HAVE CREATED TO A PET SHOP OR A PET STORE! Private breeders who sell their puppies and litters to pet stores and pet shops across the country are the real “puppy mills” and this is exactly what I personally believe a puppy mill to be. The puppy mill is NOT the breeder who spends an arm and a leg on their litters….who has enormous outgoing expenses and who has put in an enormous amount of time with their pups and dogs. I don’t care how many dogs a breeder owns….that is NOT WHAT MAKES A BREEDER A PUPPY MILL. Private breeders who dump their litters off at pet stores don’t give a rats ass who buys their puppies…..what kind of home their puppies are going to…how long they have to sit being gawked at by passers by through a window…don’t care whether or not a pet store or pet shop will take good care of their created pups…all they care about is that they have dumped a litter of 5-12 puppies off and picked up their “pay” check from the pet store. That’s fact whether people select to believe it or not! I personally know breeders who do this…don’t condone it…don’t do it….but know it to be a fact that this practice happens all over the United States on a daily basis. What you don’t know too is that a PET STORE AND PET SHOP don’t want anything to do with an older puppy. They also pay very little to the breeder for each puppy….but to the breeder who does this…they’d rather rake in $200 per puppy than pay out more than they know they will take in, by keeping the pups until someone calls them to buy one. They also have less hassle and don’t have to pay out any advertising costs. Breeders who dump their pups off at these stores do not have to speak to anyone about the puppies they have created, except the pet store and pet shop they sell to. Hence, you never know about them until you buy one of their puppies from the store and see their name listed on the pup’s registration documents as the breeder.
About the Author
Dee Gerrish has been a private, professional breeder since 1996. She founded Goldendoodle World in 1999 and has written about Goldendoodles extensively. Her Goldendoodle World website is very educational, extensive and shows a comprehensive look at the Goldendoodle hybrid. Dee Gerrish is the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle hybrid with a kennel club in the United States. Dee is also one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog in the southern region of the United States.
Baby French Lop Rabbits & German Shepherd Cute Family
german shepherd labrador retriever Is My German Shepherd Jealous ?
I have two outdoor dogs a labrador retriever and a German shepherd,, well everytime i pet my Lab my German Shepherd bites the hell out of my lab what is the problem?
When you pet your lab, it acts submissive and happy because that is what happy dogs do when their leader pets and praises them. What is most likely happening is that your Shepherd is mixing up the signals and seeing this exchange of love between you and the Lab as you Dominating over it and it is taking the opportunity to get its licks in and re-assert its dominance over the other dog. It is kinda like a cowardly bully that never picks the fight but always jumps in after one is started.
You are not doing anything wrong. You are going to have to divert your Shepherds attention when you are petting your lab. One of the many tricks that you can use is to go to your petstore and get 4 Kongs. Take two of the kongs and put a treat or cheese or P.Butter inside. Then when you go outside you toss one of them for the Shepherd and when it runs off to get it you give the other one to the Lab and pet and love on the lab while it is sitting with you. Meanwhile the Shepherd is happy and occupied with its prize and is not obsessed with dominating the other dog.
But why the two other kongs? That way you don’t have to take them away form the dogs when you go inside. Next time you go out… just grab the two other loaded kongs and do the smae thing a collect the ones that you used last time on your way back in. Make sense?
This is just one of several little tricks that you can use.
I would very much suggest that you call a good dog trainer in your area that can give you some hands on tricks and tips so that you can put a permanant stop to this unwanted behavior.
Good Luck to you and I hope that this has helped you.
~Tyed~
Look Here for a Dog Breed Best Suited for You
Dog breeds are certain types of dogs which have distinctive looks and temperament. Dog breeds can reveal a lot about the size, appearance, and personality of a canine. Doing research to find out which dog breed will suit your personality and lifestyle is essential. Dog breeds are plentiful and you can always find a reputable dog breeder, but it is important that you understand the dog breed you are interested in before going to the dog breeder.
Size should be a factor when deciding on which type of breed would be best for you. Naturally, if you live in a small house or apartment, a smaller dog would be better, where as a larger dog would be better suited with a large yard or out in the country.
There are different dog breed groupings consisting of: The Sporting Dogs…The Hound Dogs…The Working Dogs…The Terriers…The Toy Group…The Non-Sporting Dogs.
The Sporting dogs were developed as bird dogs. These include the Pointers, Retrievers, Setters, Spaniels and others.
The Hound dogs were developed to hunt using sight (sight hounds) or scent (scent hounds). These include the Beagle, Coonhound, Bloodhound and others.
The Working dogs were developed for a variety of jobs, including guarding property, guarding livestock, or pulling carts. These include the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Bernese Mountain Dogs and others.
The Terrier dogs were developed mainly to hunt vermin and rodents and to dig them from their burrows or dens. These come in various sizes, from the small Cairn Terrier to the large Airedale Terrier.
The Toy dogs are small companion breeds that include the Toy Poodles, Chihuahua,Toy Spaniels, Miniature Pinscher and others. The Toy Group make up for their small size with their big personalities.These are well suited for older or disabled people, because they are easier to look after, as they eat less and need less exercise. Usually, small dog breeds are just ten inches or less tall at the shoulder. In most breeds, the male is slightly larger than the female, but the difference is generally small.This is referred to as breeding true
The Non-Sporting dogs that do not fit into any of the other groups, are usually larger than Toy dogs. These include the Miniature Poodles, Boston Terrier, Bichon Frises and others.
For those who suffer from allergies, a Hypoallergenic dog is a breed that might enable them to have a pet in their home. Some dog breeds have been considered as hypoallergenic, such as the Yorkshire Terrier and the Afghan Hound whose is the same pH as human hair, therefore, creating no threat. Some other good breed choices for those who have allergies are the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier…Bichon Frisé…Shih Tzu…Bolognese…Poodle…Barbet…Portuguese Water Dogs…Schnauzer…Maltese. These dogs shed very little of their hair. However, they do produce dander, but the amount is so small that very few people experience allergy symptoms when in contact with these breeds.However, no canine is known to be completely 100% non allergenic. Hypoallergenic dog breeds are usually single-coated, non-shedding (or low-shedding), and generally smaller dogs.
The top 5 dogs registered for 2007 with the AKC are:
* Labrador Retriever * Yorkshire Terrier * German Shepherd * Golden Retriever * Beagle
Breed types include Hounds, which are bred to hunt and work with humans; Toys, which are great adult companions; and Terriers, which are excellent dogs for training.
From cute to tough breeds, toy dogs to working dogs – there are many different dog breeds for you to choose from.
This is a box of 10 Xmas Cards printed in England on heavy card stock.The Greeting is: Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year. The cards are 4 x 6 and come with 10 plain white envelopes….
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Go Fetch! Mr. Monopoly celebrates Man’s Best Friend in this special edition of The Dog Monopoly game showcasing America’s most irresistible canine companions. Wheel and deal for popular pooches including the lovable Labrador Retriever, the pugnacious Pug, the dutiful Golden Retriever and the ever-faithful German Shepherd. All are house-broken and are ready for you to take them home!…
This high quality nylon patches come separate from our harness so people could remove it and have additional patches for our harness. Great option to have several different patches for different purposes. Easy to attach and to remove!…
Nintendogs Lab & Friends is an animal simulation where you can raise one or more adorable puppies and play with them to your heart’s content. Teach your pups new tricks. Just speak into the system’s microphone and they’ll respond to the voice commands you’ve taught them, then use the DS touch screen to play with your puppy. Breeds available in the game include Labrador retriever, miniature …
Nintendogs Dalmatian & Friends is an animal simulation where you can raise one or more adorable puppies and play with them to your heart’s content. Teach your pups new tricks. Just speak into the system’s microphone and they’ll respond to the voice commands you’ve taught them, then use the DS touch screen to play with your puppy. Breeds available in the game include: Dalmatian, Boxer, Germa…
This wonderfully detailed black Labrador Retriever outdoor garden or porch statue has a solar powered lantern light hanging from his mouth. The lantern turns on automatically in dark conditions, and lasts up to 10 hours under a full charge. The light is a super bright White LED, and casts a nice soft glow under dark conditions. Made of cold cast resin, the dog measures 14 1/2 inches tall, 12 inche…
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German Shepherd Labrador Retriever Tandem Obedience Dogtra
german shepherd origins is the swedish vallhund made of german shepherd and a small dog or is it an original?
The dog called swedish vallhunds i just found out about looks like they are half german shepherd half something else? Is the right if so what dogs is it a mix off. If not a mixture were is its place of origin?
I used Google and I typed in “history of Swedish Vallhund” and here is what I got. Remember Google is your friend.
OF COURSE it does not have German Shepherd in it.
If you read you will see it is a VERY OLD breed of dog.
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This is a basic history of the Swedish Vallhund and our Club.
The Swedish Vallhund is an original Swedish breed as well as a very old Spitz breed.
Sweden states that the Swedish Vallhund goes back over 1000 years to the time of the Vikings when it may have been known as the ‘Vikingarnas Dog.’ During the eighth or ninth century, historians state that either the SV was brought to Wales or the Corgi was taken to Sweden, hence the similarities between the two breeds. The historian, Clifford Hubbard thought that the Swedish Vallhund was the older of the two breeds. The SV is an alert, eager to please and learn, energetic, hardy dog that is longer legged, not as long in body, and not as stocky as the Corgi. The Swedish Vallhund was bred to work on farms and ranches and originally herded cattle. The SV is low to the ground and herds by rounding up & nipping at the hocks. In 1942, the breed was almost extinct. In this year, Bjorn von Rosen, who had worked to save several old Swedish breeds from extinction, remembered the SV from his boyhood and became involved. He placed an advertisement in the paper regarding these beloved dogs from his childhood and luckily got a response from K. G. Zettersten. They worked together to save the breed. The men found a few of the old SV’s and began a breeding program to revive this old breed which had been common prior to World War I. They started with one male named Mopsen and three females named Vivi, Lessi, and Topsy. According to Nicky Gascoigne in her book, The Swedish Vallhund (Dalsetter Designs, 1989), Mopsen and Lessi produced a dog, Jerry265OTT; a breeding of Mopsen and Vivi produced a female, Tessan 3999VV; and a breeding of possibly Topsy with Mopsen produced Borgalls Mopsan 7871VV. Together these five Swedish Vallhunds were the source of their new breeding program. In 1943, after a year of exhibition showing, the Swedish Kennel Club recognized the breed. The SV was known as Svensk Vallhund, Swedish Vallhund, where “Vallhund” meant “herding dog.” In 1964, with the Swedish standard revised, the breed became known as Vastgotaspet after the Swedish province Vastergotland in which the revived breeding program originated. In 1974, the first SV came to England. Ms. Nicky Gascoigne helped to organize the Breed Society there in 1980 and Championship Status for the breed was received in 1985 from the Kennel Club in the UK. The first two SV’s were imported to a private owner in the United States from Starvon Kennel, England in early 1984. Marilyn Thell of Rhode Island, USA, brought two SV’s to the United States in 1985, and her first litter was whelped in 1986. In 1987, Mrs. Thell founded the Swedish Vallhund Club of America, first known as the Swedish Vallhund Enthusiasts Club. The Swedish Vallhund is now recognized and found in many countries: Sweden, Britain, Finland, USA, France, Netherlands, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, and Switzerland.
The first two USA SV’s were imported to California around early 1985 but were not bred at that time. Also in 1985, Marilyn Thell of Rhode Island, was visiting England and saw SV’s at Crufts. Being of Swedish descent, she wanted to know more about the Swedish Vallhund. After learning more about the breed’s background, Marilyn brought two SV’s to the United States in July 1985. Two others followed shortly and the first litter of nine SV’s in the United States was whelped at Jonricker Kennel, September 4, 1986.
This Swedish Vallhund Club was founded in 1987 by Mrs. Marilyn Thell of Jonricker Kennels, Connecticut. When this Club was initially developed it was known as the Swedish Vallhund Enthusiasts of America (SVEA). Work was done to develop Club documents in 1988. In 1994, the Club name was changed to Swedish Vallhund Club of America (SVCA) to more descriptively reflect a club status and the geographic distribution of the Club. Mrs. Thell remained president through 1996, when she became President Emeritus.
The Swedish Vallhund Club of America was formed to preserve and promote the prosperity and true qualities of the Swedish Vallhund. The Club emphasizes the breed’s natural qualities in the breeding of the SV’s and provides education to the public about this wonderful breed. The SVCA is dedicated to preserving the health, quality and temperament of the breed.
SV’s are self-confident, lively, inquisitive, courageous, loyal and independent. They are agile, fast, and eager to please and take well to training. They are friendly, healthy and hardy. The SV is alert, watchful and will stand his ground to observe what is happening but is not aggressive.
SV’s have delightful personalities. Their temperaments are sound, loving, and sweet. They are calm and adaptable and delight in sharing your life. Being a spitz breed, they sometimes have a tendency to bark; however, this can be corrected with training. They find new uses for toys and are quite good at problem-solving. They enjoy being stimulated by learning new tasks.
Swedish Vallhunds are versatile family dogs and companions as well as working dogs. They can accompany their owners on hiking and riding trails, drives, and vacations. They are muscular and energetic. They are most often red-sabled or gray-sabled in color with specific harness markings; however, they come in all the colors that are seen in a wolf. Swedish Vallhunds are playful, friendly, and marvelous with children, adults and other animals. They have a fox-like appearance and are enthusiastic. SV’s are great all-around pets and companions. They have become champions at conformation shows and have received titles in obedience, herding, and agility.
The breed is most common in Sweden, Britain, Finland, Norway and Australia and is becoming better known in the USA. SV’s are recognized by the United Kennel Club, the American Rare Breed Association, the Canadian Kennel Club and several other registries in North America. The SV is registered with AKC-FSS. The SVCA is working to gain AKC recognition of the breed.
Because this is a relatively new breed to the United States, breeders have also imported SV’s to add to their stock’s diversity. USA stock of SV’s have also been exported to Britain, Australia, Sweden and other countries. Breeders here are constantly working to ensure quality in our stock of “The Little Viking Dog.”
Interesting Facts about the German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog is one of the most popular breeds in the world. It consistently rates among the most common household pets in the US and UK, predominantly due to its vast intelligence, loyalty and obedience. Below are some interesting facts about a popular, but often misunderstood breed.
Today, German Shepherd Dog’s are used in numerous countries as police dogs. Due to their breeding, the German Shepherd enjoys working with humans and loves to be active. However, it is partly due to its work as a police dog that the breed has a fearsome reputation. Although they make splendid working dogs, they are equally suited to family life and can be wonderful companions.
As the name suggests, the German Shepherd Dog has its origins in Germany as a herding animal. However, until the 19th century, there was no standardization of dog breeds in Europe. An advocate of standardization, Max von Stephanitz, had very clear views about the physical form and character traits of the ideal working dog. By chance, he found the dog that matched his ideal, purchased it and used it as a breeding animal. Stephanitz founded the German Shepherd Dog Society and is credited with creating the breed.
Through a careful breeding program, Max von Stephanitz’s first German Shepherd, Horand, produced numerous pups. This second generation was also selectively bred, leading to the birth of Beowulf, who is an ancestor of all subsequent German Shepherd Dogs.
Compared with most breeds of dog, the German Shepherd is a relatively modern addition. Established in 1899, the breed was not recognized by UK Kennel Clubs until 1908.
The breed’s popularity exploded after the conclusion of the First World War. Returning soldiers spoke very highly of the breed, which led to a dramatic rise in the number of German Shepherd Dogs in the UK.
Ironically, after World War 1, an epidemic of anti-German sentiment led to the UK Kennel Club changing the name of the German Shepherd Dog. Shortly after the war, the breed was registered under the name Alsatian Wolf Hound. However, the name was soon shortened to Alsatian and adopted by many Kennel Clubs around the world. It was not until 1977 that the name German Shepherd Dog was restored.
The German Shepherd can be found in a variety of colors. The most common color combinations are tan and black or red and black. However, it is also possible to have all black, all white, blue, brindle, sable, liver and panda.
In some quarters, the all white German Shepherd is not deemed acceptable, because its color would not allow it to herd effectively or be seen in wintry conditions.
According to Kennel Club specifications, the German Shepherd Dog should have a long muzzle with a black nose, medium sized eyes that are brown in color and large erect ears. Other noticeable features of the German Shepherd Dog is the bushy tail, which should reach to the hock and the long neck, which is outstretched when the dog is excited.
Max von Stephanitz was very particular about which dogs he bred and was implicit that defects should be bred out quickly. Today, however, with a lack of breeding regulations, some terrible defects have crept into the breed. Subsequently, hip dysplasia, missing teeth and a number of other ailments can affect the German Shepherd Dog.
Despite their fearsome reputation, the evidence for aggression in German Shepherd Dogs is refuted by reputable source, including the American Veterinary Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most owners find that the German Shepherd is docile, loyal and obedient. If properly trained, they are happy to share their home with other animals and although naturally wary of strangers, a German Shepherd is not viscous or aggressive by nature.
If you’re looking for a loyal, devoted and loving family pet, you can’t go far wrong with a German Shepherd. However, prospective owners are advised to research the breed and ensure that you can provide the right home for a dog.
About the Author
Samantha Markham is a professional freelance writer. She is currently working for Remmeer.com, an online supplier of unique pet products and gifts, including German Shepherd dog owner gifts and dog picture frames.
ORIJEN PUPPY LARGE BREED Dry Dog Food: Biologically Appropriate for LARGE BREED PUPPIES By nature, all puppies possess a biological need for a diet high in protein, rich in fresh meats and low in carbohydrate. Biologically adapted to process proteins as an energy source, puppies need animal protein for healthy growth and building strong organs, skin and coat. Grain-free and low in carbohydrates…
This unparalleled reference is a treasure trove of vital information, tracing the breed’s origins, discussing Standards, inheritance of coat color, and judging, as well asand detailing genetic principles and defects, reproductive traits, and behavior….
german shepherd yellow lab mix puppies the difference between a golden lab and yellow lab?
My puppy looks exactly like a golden lab and german shepherd mix. Is there a difference between a Golden lab and Yellow Lab? Or is it just a term incorrectly used for the yellow labs wide color scheme?
I know the difference between a “Yellow” Lab and Golden Retriever. I grew up around many Goldens. I was asking because i’ve heard many of my friends call their labs “golden” labs which made me wonder. but thanks everyone!
There is no such thing as a Golden lab. When someone says a golden lab i think of a Golden retriever x lab. There is only yellow(as well as black and chocolate), and the different color variations of the yellow. Yellow labs can come in white, all the way to fox red, but they are still a yellow lab.
edit: im not quite sure what to think of the new silver lab. ive heard rumors that they are mixed with weimaraners, or that they are a shade of chocolate- just like yellow has different shades, but i dont think its its own color.
What’s the difference in a Burmese mountain dog and a Bernese mountain dog, other than where they are from?
I googled both names and looked at images. They look the same to me. I don’t know which one my new mixed puppy is! He is part yellow lab + German shepherd + Burmese or Bernese.
Is there a big difference in size and temperament?
They’re the same breed…. Bernese Mountain Dog is the correct spelling, while it is often misspelled “Burmese.”
Size – 23 to 27.5 inches (58-70 cm) at the withers; 65 – 120 pounds (pretty big).
Dog saves & protects his mother on New York expressway
It actually depends on the dog, some will do it that way forever and some will change it to the one legged squirt when they are good and ready! Love ya! ~Makwa/Jo:)
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