Choosing a dog breed can be a challenge, and to complicate it even more, there are mixed breed dogs. Technically, dogs that are not classified as purebreds are known as mixed breed dogs. Designer dogs, rare dogs, mongrels and the like, fall under this classification. The popular misconception is that these dogs are the easiest to care of, and can survive with minimal human intervention. But that is not the case at all. Mixed breed dogs are not wild dogs, and must be accorded care, regular feeding and training. So if you have a dog with mixed breed, or you are thinking about acquiring one, here are some tips on the initial steps you should take.
1. Consult a veterinarian for your pet’s medical check up and subsequent health care. It does not matter if you acquired your pet from a reputable breeder, or from pet shop in the corner, or if you took him in after the animal proverbially followed you home; you need to have the dog looked over by the vet. You need to ascertain immediately if your dog has any medical condition that you need to monitor. Incidence of canine diabetes is on the rise, as well as dental problems and digestive complications. Strays, in particular, are homing beacons for lice, ticks, worms and other parasites. Also, if you are not planning on breeding your pet in the future, you may want to have it spayed or neutered as well.
2. Get your pet a license, identification tags and even a microchip. These documentations of ownership will make your life easier in case your pet wanders about and inevitably gets lost.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Smart Tips On How To Feed Tiny Dog Breeds
Tiny dog breeds, also known as teacup dog breeds, as the name suggests are canines that are extremely diminutive in their respective sizes. The AKC or American Kennel Club has only recognized 17 tiny dog breeds so far and these include: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund, English Toy Spaniel, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Pomeranian and the smallest breed, the Chihuahua… just to name a few. However, feeding these tiny little pets can pose certain problems to first time owners.
For starters, these dogs do have small constitutions, so feeding them a lot of food can make them sick. At the same time, not feeding them enough can make them lethargic and prone to more shedding. So how do you balance these issues out? Here are some tips.
1. You feed them only at their assigned meal time. Try to resist the urge of feeding your pets with table scraps when you are eating, or any other food for that matter. Tiny dog breeds are known to be notorious when it comes to being picky with food, but that only happens when the owner actually encourages such behavior. Feed your dog its formulated meal like clockwork, and avoid tempting it with food during other times of the day. And try to limit sweet treats too.
2. Formulated meals are the best. These small dogs need to be fed about 2 to 4 times a day, but table scraps usually lack the nutrients needed for your little canine companions to get by with the day. Formulated meals are usually packed with enough calories so that your dog does not feel lethargic after meals, and that complete nutrition ensures that abnormal shedding does not happen. But due to its high calorific count, formulated meals should also be given out in small portions.
For starters, these dogs do have small constitutions, so feeding them a lot of food can make them sick. At the same time, not feeding them enough can make them lethargic and prone to more shedding. So how do you balance these issues out? Here are some tips.
1. You feed them only at their assigned meal time. Try to resist the urge of feeding your pets with table scraps when you are eating, or any other food for that matter. Tiny dog breeds are known to be notorious when it comes to being picky with food, but that only happens when the owner actually encourages such behavior. Feed your dog its formulated meal like clockwork, and avoid tempting it with food during other times of the day. And try to limit sweet treats too.
2. Formulated meals are the best. These small dogs need to be fed about 2 to 4 times a day, but table scraps usually lack the nutrients needed for your little canine companions to get by with the day. Formulated meals are usually packed with enough calories so that your dog does not feel lethargic after meals, and that complete nutrition ensures that abnormal shedding does not happen. But due to its high calorific count, formulated meals should also be given out in small portions.
The Truth About AKC Dog Breeds: Canines That Make The Cut
Ever wonder why some of our canine companions make the breed cut and some of the more popular ones do not? Getting your pet dog’s breed recognized by the AKC or the American Kennel Club means that certain criteria must be met first and foremost. For starters, your canine pet must fall under one from the six pure breed category only. These categories include: herding dogs (e.g. Old English Sheepdog, German Shepherd Dog, Collie); hound dogs (Bloodhound, Dachshund, Irish Wolfhound); non-sporting dogs (British Bulldog, Dalmatian, Poodle); sporting dogs (Golden Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Pointer); toy dogs (Chihuahua, Pug, Shih Tzu); and working dogs (Boxer, Great Dane, Siberian Husky.)
With 153 recognized AKC dog breeds; there are still surprising numbers of canine companions that are not making the cut. In fact, more than 200 breeds are being applied for acknowledgment already, but AKC sometimes finds that people’s “interest” in the dog is too low to merit recognition. And when we say “interest,” we mean that keeping the breed line going for long periods of time. A fair number of dog breeders must continue keeping the population up, while maintaining specific characteristics that make the canines “acceptable.” This means that the dog being bred hereafter should be sturdy, healthy, and preferably, with their bloodline traced and monitored.
Unfortunately, the craze for breeding “designer dogs” or crossbred dogs from two prominent and distinct breeds (e.g. Cockapoo, Puggle, Labradoodle) is not at par with the AKC standards. Although these dogs are very popular now among canine enthusiasts, these animals still pretty much lack acceptability, interest from breeders and documentation of their bloodlines.
With 153 recognized AKC dog breeds; there are still surprising numbers of canine companions that are not making the cut. In fact, more than 200 breeds are being applied for acknowledgment already, but AKC sometimes finds that people’s “interest” in the dog is too low to merit recognition. And when we say “interest,” we mean that keeping the breed line going for long periods of time. A fair number of dog breeders must continue keeping the population up, while maintaining specific characteristics that make the canines “acceptable.” This means that the dog being bred hereafter should be sturdy, healthy, and preferably, with their bloodline traced and monitored.
Unfortunately, the craze for breeding “designer dogs” or crossbred dogs from two prominent and distinct breeds (e.g. Cockapoo, Puggle, Labradoodle) is not at par with the AKC standards. Although these dogs are very popular now among canine enthusiasts, these animals still pretty much lack acceptability, interest from breeders and documentation of their bloodlines.
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