Treatment of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs By Kelly Marshall

Canine hip dysplasia in dogs is a very common degenerative disease, having said that it does not always affect all dogs. However there can also be many misconceptions regarding this disease, some that are known and some that are not.

A young dog who has an abnormal development of the hip joint will suffer eventually from hip dysplasia, this does not necessarily mean that it will be bilateral, affect both the left and right side. It happens because of the laxity of the muscles, connective tissue and ligaments that would normally support the joint.

The majority of dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips, although in some due to genetic and other factors, the tissues surrounding the joint can develop abnormally as the puppy starts to grow. The changes that this causes are that the bones actually move instead of being held in place.

This will cause the joint capsule and ligament between the two bones to stretch; this adds further instability to the joint. Once this happens the surface of the two bones will lose contact with each other. The separation of these two bones within the joint is known as subluxation, the results of these problems, are what are associated with this disease.

A lot of dogs who suffer from this disease are primarily the large and giant breeds, although it can be found in medium sized breeds and very rarely in the smaller breeds. The breeds who have a higher incidence of hip dysplasia are, Golden Retrievers, Labrador, German shepherd, Saint Bernards, Great Danes and Rottweillers.

Treatment for hip dysplasia can vary between several surgical procedures, although this also depends on the age and severity of joint degeneration. A lot also depends on the dog’s age and health before any surgery.

Triple Pelvic Osteotomy; (TPO) is normally a procedure that is used for young dogs under 10 months of age, these will have had radiographs which shows severe hip laxity, at this young age they will not have developed damage to the joints. This is major surgery and expensive but is very successful.

A total replacement of the hip is often advised for a dog that has degenerative joint disease due to chronic hip dysplasia. This type of surgery involves removing the existing joint and replacing it with prosthesis. The dog must be skeletally mature and weighing at least 20 pounds, there is no maximum size limit, if both hips have to be replaced then usually a three month rest period is advised between the surgeries.

Medically hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis has been improved over the years with the introduction of new supplements and drugs. Hip dysplasia is primarily an inherited disease therefore no products on the market can prevent the development. If you start by giving your dog a proper diet, exercise, supplements and pain relief, this may help to decrease the progression of the joint disease.

Weight management and exercise for your dog from an early age can help to prevent many diseases, although sometimes as mentioned hip dysplasia can be genetic. Those of you who are thinking of acquiring a puppy can always ask the breeder about hip dysplasia of the chosen breed.

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What You Need to Know About Terriers By Jeff Nenadic

Terriers are easily one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Seven different breeds of terriers exist around the world. In fact terriers are among the 50 most popular dogs worldwide. Its not surprising that such is the case. As a whole, terriers are pert companions. Playful and robust, these little dogs work well with people and offer a lot of love. As with any animal, they have certain personality quirks. But for the most part, terriers don’t require a lot of maintenance, and grooming can be kept to a minimum. The Yorkshire Terrier deviates from this standard, however. It has a silky coat of fur that needs to be brushed daily to keep tangles from forming.

The Advantages of Terrier Ownership
Since terriers are nice temperaments and socialize easily with family and others, they get along with most people. The breed has a long life expectancy and can easily live to be seniors. At the same time, terriers seem to easily get into trouble and find joy in doing things that makes people laugh or pay attention to them.

Terriers are quite comfortable sitting beside their owners on the couch or a chair. They enjoy cuddling, but they are also easily distracted. Though small, terriers need to maintain some degree of physical activity. They enjoy chasing other animals or humans. Terriers normally favor the outdoors and take a certain affinity to wet and snowy weather. Their hair is water resistant for the most part. However, terriers should be kept inside during extreme weather.
Since they are small, terriers are fairly inexpensive to feed, as opposed to their larger breed counterparts. Strong and sturdy, terriers are not prone to many medical conditions, if you purchase them from an accredited breeder. Some terriers have allergies or Von Willebrands Disease. Others may experience problems during birth, but breeders can screen for these conditions.

The average lifespan of a terrier ranges anywhere from 12 to 15 years. Even as they age, terriers remain alert and attentive to their surroundings.

The Trials of Terrier Ownership
As with any other breed, owning a terrier comes with its own unique set of challenges. Terriers are generally known for being barkers and for their ability to entertain themselves. They would rather be with people than be alone and show their emotions quite easily.

Terriers were originally bred for their hunting and digging abilities, and many terriers still retain those abilities. Because of their independence, terriers may have a hard time adjusting to other pets, especially if the dog has not been around many people or animals. Â They can also be quite obstinate in the sense that they will ignore commands and can as a result find themselves in tragic situations.

In an effort to protect their territory, terriers may confront breeds that are larger than themselves. They should also be watched in other public situations and be kept on a leash.

Even though terriers are quite friendly, they can be hard to train and snappy at times. You should watch terriers around children as they will nip if their food or toy is touched. Terriers, though adaptable to a variety of environments, may actually get bored with certain activities and will go off on their own. They will ignore training completely if you are not firm enough.

While terriers are responsive to praise and rewards, they do not respond well to punishment or criticism. In fact, they may become aggressive, if exposed to negative human behavior.

Though terriers are great companions to almost everyone, they do some very special care. They do well when they are trained consistently, and they thrive off of socialization and love.

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Showing Your Pedigree Dog By Jeff Nenadic

There are many reasons why people like to show their dogs and it is a rewarding practice for individuals and kennels alike. You might like to enter your dog for obedience trials because he enjoys it and you are proud of him; you might like the competition element of shows or it may be that you just like to be around fellow dog owners, comparing your dogs. There are two main categories of shows: a) Pedigree dog shows requiring you to demonstrate that your dog matches the breed standards set by the kennel club in which your dog is registered and b) All dog trial and events, irrespective of breed, registration or heritage where your dog will be judged solely on his ability to perform the activity for which he is entered.

If you are considering showing your pedigree dog for the first time, it might be worth employing the services of a professional dog handler. You will be able to draw on the experience and benefit from the opinion of the dog handler, who will very quickly evaluate your dogs most positive skills. If you decide to that this the route you wish to follow, ensure that the dog handler spends time working with your dog well before the show.

Your pedigree dog will be in competition with others of his breed or judged by the standards appertaining to their national or international kennel clubs. Countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia have kennel clubs which organize events locally, nationally and internationally. Only pedigrees can be registered in these clubs and participate in the shows. No crossbreeds are allowed. Kennel clubs outside of the USA place various breeds in different categories but none of them will recognize crossbreeds or dogs that do not have proper registration papers.

Make sure that you know the standards set for your breed by the kennel club where your dog is registered. Read as much as you can about their standards because if you get it wrong, you may be disqualified from entering or participating in the show.

Visit as many shows and events as you can and observe the adjudicators or judges. Note down anything the judges say about competitors at the time they have made their selections of winners. If you know what the judges like you can take special care to train your dog so that he will please the judges. Naturally judges are bound to make their decision based on the standards that have been set by a kennel club, but each judge will place their own interpretation on those standards.

One day before the show, put a lot of effort into the bathing and grooming of your dog, clipping is nails and cleaning his teeth where necessary. This is not something you should leave until the last moment.

On the day of the show, relax with your dog, walk around the show area and make sure he relieves himself. Where possible you should try to take him to areas where there are spectators gathering and around the ring so that he can become accustomed to these new surroundings. If he is made comfortable in the environment he will perform better in the ring.

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Bichon Frise Training - You'll Love This Breed By Jack Ryan

The Bicon Frise is a very loving breed who almost always want to make their owner happy Being a pert of the family is a high priority The breed is a great choice for the first time dog owner or a family with young kids.. The Bichon has a light bark and can be noisy as well as difficult to paper train. However, the bichon is very happy with tons of energy, a outgoing persona, and is a spot on member of the family.

Puppies sometimes have beige to apricot markings, over time these will get lighter. Often times the bichon may have cream or apricot in their ears and head. But this will most likely fade to totally white.. It is essential to get the puppy used to groomong as early as possible, the whole ordeal may test your patience but requires soft handling so he may be ready to enjoy your loving home.

This breed is excellent at performing tricks and is extremely smart. Slow to grow up and the male side is a little easier to train. Traing the breed should begin at an early stage. The Bichon works well with food treats along with the leash and collar. Training must be gentle and firm,

Bichons are known to be intelligent and train easily, which made them popular favorites for circus acts. On the downside, bichons are prone to liver shunts. They weigh about 10 to 18 pounds, depending on size and are classified under four categories: the Havanese, Bolognese, Maltaise, and Tenerife, from which the Bichon Frise ultimately descended. Bichons require a moderate amount of exercise, including walking daily, but they make perfect indoor dogs. They were the popular choice of dog that Italian sailors used for bartering during medieval times and were the preferred choice for bartering because they were very friendly and made good traveling companions.

The Bichon Frise is a breed that is sweet tempered, merry, and eager, always wanting to please his owners and family. They love to spend time with their family and loves interaction with humans and other animals. The Bichon Frise is a cute little 'puffy' dog. This is a small but sturdy dog who can be taken on family trips, and will be sad if you leave him at home. He is a good family dog and will love everyone in his 'pack.

Remember to treat these dog with care. Of course this should go without saying as it applies to all dogs. Bichons are very fun to be around but watch out for the 'Bichon Bolt'. That is why they should always be on a leash during walks.

You will have many hours of fun and enjoyment and others will be attracted to you and your dog because they radiate such energy and fun.

Be sure to keep them groomed at least monthly but not less than every four months. It will cost you about 50 USD to get them trimmed. I recommend the puppy cut as this is shorter ant will last longer.

Finally, the bichon has hair and not fur so if you are allergic to pets they may be a good choice for your home.

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Types Of Exotic Goldfish By Bryan Halverson

This article will discuss 14 different types of exotic goldfish.

The first one is the Black Moor. These fish are double-tailed and have telescope eyes.

Then the Bubble eyed: they have bubble sacs under each eye. The bubbles are either 'boxer glove' shaped as the eyes are attached to the fish's head whereas the second shape is nearly round and the eyes appear to be looking upward or floating on the bubble. They can be various colors. They usually are without a dorsal fin. Their body is similar in shape to a cigar. They have double fins in proportion to their bodies.

We have the Celestial: this goldfish has a double-tail without a dorsal fin. They body is cigar shaped. The eyes look upward.

Also the Comet: these are more like the common goldfish but with longer fins and skinnier bodies. They have a more slender look than the common goldfish.

Then the Common: these are normally shaped fish. They can grow to be 12 inches and live 20+ yrs if cared for properly. They are often sold in pet stores as 'feeder fish'. They have short finnage and are most commonly found in the 'orange' color. They can be red and white, brownish green, or green.

Next is the Fantail: they are usually a shorter fish with double tails and more round bodied. If they have long fins they are named veil tails. They are a well-liked double-tail found in many pet stores. They have a head that is more pointed and have no head growth. Their fins tend to be more size proportioned to their bodies.

Without forgetting the Lionhead: another double-tailed fish with no dorsal fin. It has a short rectangular shape. They can have head growth as big as they are.

Here we have the Oranda: a lionhead with a dorsal fin and head growth. They are most commonly white in color with a red cap (red-capped oranda).

After the Pearl Scale: they have a fatter shape with a bulging middle and their scales look as though a white pearl is beneath each one. They are shaped similar to a ball. They have double-tails and if they have head growth they are called Hamanishiki.

Next the Pompoms: small growths called pompoms grow near their nostrils and are about the size of a pea. These fish are a variety of colors. These fish are dorsal-less with a lionhead body and no head growth.

The Ranchu: these fish do not have a dorsal fin but do have head growth. They are not long and slender but more circular in shape. The curve of their back is more noticeable than that of the lionhead.

And the Ryukin: these little guys are round bodied and have a humped back. They have double-tails. They store fat in their humps and head growth. Some older Ryukins will have head growth.

Next the Shubunkin: these fish are more long bodied and best known for their white bodies and spots of color in shades of yellow, orange, blue and black. They are calico colored and have either comet shapes or shapes similar to the common goldfish.

Finally the Telescope eyed: these fish come in a variety of shapes; however, they have large eyes that stick out similar to a telescope. They are double-tailed and have a short round body. These fish seem notorious for changing colors from black to orange.

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Choosing the Right Dog Crate By Kelly Marshall

When it comes to crate training a dog, it is very important to make sure that you are getting the right kind of crate. It is also vital to the success of the training that you make sure that the size of the crate is correct as well. When you take the time to make sure that you are shopping for the correct dog crate, you will save yourself a lot of time and frustration over the next several months of training. While at first, crate training may seem like an odd thing to do, it is in fact a very natural thing for the animal.

Safety

It is important to make sure that you are looking for dog crates that do not have rough or sharp edges that the dog can hurt itself on. There are a lot of injuries to dogs every year due to improper crates being used. It is important to make sure that all pieces of metal wire, if a metal crate is used, are smooth or rounded. It is also important to make sure that the crate comes with a removable tray or some way to easily access the inside of the crate. This is so that you will be able to clean the crate properly on a regular basis.

Size

If you are starting to crate train a puppy that is going to grow into a larger sized dog, refrain from purchasing a large crate that the dog will grow into. A crate that is too large for the current size of the dog will defeat the purpose of crate training. You will need to purchase a dog crate that is tall enough for the dog to stand and to turn around in a circle comfortably. Any larger and you will find that your dog will use one side as the bathroom and the other side as its living quarters.

Selecting a dog crate that is too small is inhumane so make sure that you are being a care judge of size when purchasing your dog crate. For those starting this training with puppies, this will mean that you will have to buy a few different crates over the next several months but the payoff is worth it. You should not worry about the expense as these crates can easily be sold to others as people are always looking for quality dog crates.

Set Up

Now that you have your dog crate home it is time to set it up. Make sure that you are placing it against a wall or in a corner somewhere. Cover all exposed sides, expect for the entrance side, with a light sheet or something or that nature. Dogs are den animals by nature and the enclosed structure gives them a feeling of security. Once everything is set up and in place you can be gin your crate training. As you begin to see the positive results you will know that all of the hard work that was put into buying the right crate was worth it.

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The Five Most Popular Reasons For Getting a Dog By Jeff Nenadic

Most of us, who have owned dogs ever since we can remember, could never imagine our lives without them. Even for those people who have only recently acquired a dog, the bond of friendship will be developing very quickly as the dog integrates into their lives and their homes. A dog really is a man’s best friend even if the expression has been done to death!

For those people who have never owned a dog but are thinking about acquiring one, it may be more difficult to make a decision. There are all sorts of considerations including the extra work involved, the responsibility and the extra attention that will be demanded of you. However, if you are prepared to commit to the above, your dog will reward you tenfold.

The five most popular reasons for getting a dog include:

Companionship: You dog will be your shadow; he will want to share every experience with you, traveling in the car, playing in the park, walking on the sidewalk, sitting at your feet and will spend his life at your side. Obviously the amount of companionship you require will be dictated by you but your dog will be there for you no matter what.

Loyalty: Your dog will never judge or criticize you and will always be on you side. There are very few animals that display the level of loyalty that the dog does whilst expecting the smallest of rewards. A cuddle, a rub of the belly, a gentle stoke, some food and water usually will suffice to achieve a lifelong friendship and unquestioning loyalty.

Protection: No matter how large or small your dog is, he will protect his owner and his territory (your home) from strangers. With is acute sense of smell and hearing you will know well in advance whether someone is coming up your drive or about to ring the doorbell. A barking dog does more to deter intruders than the most sophisticated alarm equipment.

Absolute love: Your dogs love for you will be unconditional. He will love you even if you behave badly toward him, when perhaps you are not in a good mood or have had a bad day. Your dog is only interested in making you happy and will forgive and forget even the most unreasonable behavior very quickly. Your dog doesn’t care how little or how much money you have, whether you have a job or not or what type of person you are; he will love you no matter what and only expects you to live him back. What a wonderful world this would be if people were able to behave in the same manner.

Joy. The word joy is old fashioned but there simply isn’t another way of describing what you will feel when your dog greets you with a wag of his tale and an expression of sheer delight when you return home.

When you have experienced the unconditional love and loyalty a dog offer, you will wonder how you lived without it.

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Pomeranians - Introduction By Jeff Nenadic

Large dogs are not for everyone so if your preference leans toward a small dog read up on the Pomeranian. Intelligent, lively and affectionate, the Pomeranian is a remarkable little dog which loves to learn. The Pomeranian will make himself at home in your mansion or you condo.

The Pomeranian is often looked upon as a lap dog but taking a look at his heritage shows us that he originated in the Prussian region of Pomerania and is a direct descendant of the Spitz breed and introduced into Europe primarily as a sheep herder. Famous owners of Pomeranians include Marie Antoinette, Mozart, Emile Zola and Queen Victoria who set up her own kennels to breed and show the dogs. Originally these dogs were much bigger, weighing in excess of 25 pounds but as years passed the size diminished mainly because people preferred the smaller version of the dog, following the lead of Queen Victoria.

Today, the average male Pomeranian weighs around 4 to 4½ pounds and his female counterpart approximately 4½ to 5½ pounds. There is now very little difference in the height and weight of the Pomeranians.

As a toy breed the Pomeranian is probably one of the most independent in this group and he can even charm his way into the affections of people who normally don’t like miniature dogs by displaying curiosity, alertness and performing any number of unsolicited tricks. Whether the Pomeranian is pampered or leads an energetic life, going for long hikes with his owner, he will adapt to any situation and enjoy what is offered to him. Never be concerned that he cannot keep up with you because Pomeranians love exercise and possess much more stamina than you would imagine.

This little dog doesn’t eat very much around half a half a can of dog food mixed with biscuits or 1½ cups of dry complete food. His food intake needs to be balanced with his nutritional requirements so it is important to feed him the right foods.

If you decide to welcome a Pomeranian into your home, be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time grooming him. He has an undercoat and an overcoat so you may need to wet the coat before brushing so that you can see whether the brush is going through the two coats. You will need to frequently perform this procedure especially if you have been out for a walk and his coat has become dirty or wet. If you don’t brush him through immediately, his fur will become a tangled and knotted mass and it is likely that you will have to cut chunks of his fur away rather than put him through the pain of brushing.

The Pomeranian makes an excellent companion for single people or families. They are one of the most entertaining and affectionate of all the small breeds. The only possible negative is the maintenance of his coat but if attended to on a daily basis this will only take around 10 minutes of your time; such a small price to pay for your own in-house circus performer!

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Plants Harmful to Dogs- Indoor and Outdoor By Jeff Nenadic

Wondering how plants can cause harm to your dog? Research says that there are some indoor and outdoor plants which are harmful to dogs. Unfortunately most of the dog owners do not accept to this fact. Some of the plants both indoors and outdoors are poisonous and toxic to the dog, irrespective of their quantity of intake. With this article we make you understand, how to what are the plants which are actually toxic and which are not. This article will help you analyze the plants and learn more about them, so that you make sure that your house does not have the poisonous and deadly plants which will harm your dog.

There are different characteristics of different plants. Some of then plants are toxic or poisonous in the leaves, for some of the plants, bark is little poisonous, and for some of the plants stem is deadly for dogs. We list out some of the plants below; this will help you channelize your reading about the plants harmful to your dogs. In case you need any more information about these plants, you can surf on the internet or consult a veterinary doctor or just pick a gardening book form the book shop.

Garden or outdoor plants
The plants which are commonly available in our backyard and garden are most deadly for the dog. The following list, tough not exhaustive can be handy for you while deciding plants for your garden.

The stem, bark and the seed pits of Apricot plant are very toxic for the dogs.

The castor beans, if chewed by the dog can cause abdominal pains, weakness, muscle pain, coma,

The tomato plant has leaves and stems which can prove deadly for your dog.

The following is the list of garden plants which can prove to be fatal for your dog.

• Avocado
• Black Cherry
• Black Walnuts
• Catnip
• Chokecherry
• Eggplant
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Mustard plants/greens
• Onion
• Plum
• Potato
• Pokeweed
• Spinach

You can monitor and stop the dog from eating the above mentioned plants, can be helpful. You can also try and alienate the dog play area with the area in which these plants are planted.

All of use love to see out garden to be very beautiful. But this intention of beautiful garden should not ruin the life your dog. We present to you a list of ornamental plants which can be fatal for your dog.

• Amaryllis
• Baby’s Breath
• Bird of Paradise
• Black Eyed Susan
• Bleeding Heart
• Bluebonnet
• Boston Ivy
• Calla Lilly
• Chrysanthemums
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil
• Daisy
• Elephant Ear
• Easter Lilly
• Ferns
• Flamingo plant
• Geranium
• Honeysuckle
• Hyacinth
• Rhododendron
• Tiger Lily
• Yucca

This is just a informative list of the plants which can be harmful to your dog. If you feel that your dog has eaten something poisonous immediately get it to a veterinary doctor and start medication. Do not forget to bring a sample of the plant which you suspect your dog must have eaten.Unfortunately most of the dog owners do not accept to this fact. Some of the plants both indoors and outdoors are poisonous and toxic to the dog, irrespective of their quantity of intake.

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The Labrador Retriever - And Its American History By Jeff Nenadic

There are few breeds among dogs that have achieved the success of the Labrador retriever which has held first place in the most popular American dog stakes for the last 15 years. In excess of 137,000 Labradors are registered with the American Kennel Club. In the novel, Chesapeake, Sir James Michener wrote about a new breed of dog which had arrived in Maryland during the early 19th century. The first registered Labrador retriever in the American Kennel Club appeared in 1917 and originated in Scotland. The dogs name was Brocklehirst Floss although the Labrador Retriever Club would dispute this and name Brocklehirst Nell as the first. The breed was more widely recognized in 1928 as Americans began to appreciate the Labrador retrievers hunting skills both as game finders and water fowl dogs. Originally referred to as English Retrievers, American shooting clubs began to train them in the American way of hunting, which is quite different from methods used in the UK. American Sportsmen were keen to bring more Labradors to the United States as the dogs popularity increased.

In 1931 The Labrador Retriever Club was founded and on the 21st December 1931 the club held a field trials event for the breed on Robert Goelets Glenmere Court Estate in Chester, New York. This first field trial events, was which was held on a Monday attracted 16 entries and was mainly attended by wealthy competitors. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Field won first and second prize in the Open All-Age stake with their Golden Labrador retriever, Carl of Boghurst, whilst the American Bred stake was won by W. Averell Harriman, breeder of Labrador retrievers and owner of the Arden Kennels. His kennels are still considered to be among the best in America where Arden trophies include four dual winners, eight bench winners and five ground winners. Currently , in excess of 150 Labrador retriever field trials are held annually in the United States.

On the 18th May 1933 The Labrador Club of America held the first specialty field trials and attracted 34 competitors. Franklin P. Lord won the competition with his dog - Boli of Black. Boli came from good bloodstock having been purchased from Lady Howe, an English breeder who was the first American Labrador retriever bench winner.

In December 1938 a Labrador retriever named Blind of Arden was the first dog to appear on the front page of Life Magazine. This dog became the first American field champion and his sister, Decoy of Arden, went on to be the first female American field champion. Labradors from the Arden line are much sought after because they have produced so many champions over the years. One notable celebrity Labrador named Shed of Arden is owned by Paul Bakewell and won the National Championship competition three times during 1942 (her first year), again in 1943 and then in 1946. No Labrador has achieved this since. This Labrador bitch was described by her owner as having talent in the field, beauty, intelligence and the ability to produce quality puppies the embodiment of everything a Labrador retriever should be
There is a wealth of information about Labrador retrievers on the internet for Labrador enthusiasts.

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