Welcoming a New Puppy

We will soon be welcoming a new addition to our family, an American White Shepherd! Our 4 year old Pekingese is certain to fear some competition for the new puppy, but she makes friends fairly easily with other dogs after a time. My kids will hold the honors of naming the new puppy, they are toying with Duke, a fitting name for a White German Shepherd!  I will keep you updated on the events, a new puppy,
Oh My!                                           

Some Pics of American White Shepherds

Posted by Amanda at 11:21 AM 0 comments  

How Old Is Your Dog In Human Years?

Dog Years Human Years

Author: Dog Care Tips

The life expectancy of any dog is commonly expressed in terms of dog years by us and it depends entirely on the dog's breed, size as well as the dog's surroundings. Various other factors affect the life expectancy of a dog. A dog's life span changes according to the diet provided to him and also by the number of medical problems the dog tends to face over the years.

The average life span of the small dog like Chihuahua is about 15 to 16 years, while medium sized the dogs like Border Collies have a life span of 10 to 13 years. It can be noticed big dogs like Great Dean live up to only 7 to 8 years. The calculation of the life expectancy of particular dog can be accurately done with the help of "size or the specific breed calculator", which is said to be one of the most accurate age measurement schemes available. The size or specific breed calculator gives approximate results about the dog's predictable lifespan based on the size as well as the breed of the dog.

It is generally assumed that, on an average, "one human year equals to seven dog years". This statement may not be appropriate, since the first two years are jointly represented by 18-25 years in such schemes and because the entire ratio cannot be generalized for all the dogs though, they belong to different sizes and breeds. An exact ratio of dog years vs. human year cannot be formulated. However, some obvious features remain similar between both aging humans and dogs.

It is generally assumed that the human equivalent of a one-year dog is supposedly fully grown by both mental and physical aspects. Dogs like humans tend to develop advance muscular features as they grow along with a similar mental development. Through a major dog study, it has been estimated for dogs of all breeds and sizes that, nearly "64 percent of dogs" were euthanized because they were affected with some kind of diseases. Only 8 percent of the total dogs live beyond 15 years and nearly 16 percent of them die yearly due heart diseases and cancer. Human lives are not terminated even if they suffer from rare and incurable diseases; and this is the main reason why the lifespan of an average human being is reasonably long.

The effects of aging in dogs is said to be dormant for several years. But like humans, dogs to undergo physical changes as well. The first sign of aging in dogs is said to be the decrease in its activity levels. The sleeping period in these dogs also becomes longer. The canines experience a drastic change in their skin condition, limb usage, appetite and they experience tooth loss as well. Their sense of hearing and vision also diminishes gradually. Older dogs tend to experience stiffness in their body. All these obvious signs of aging can even be found in humans. The human years are extended only because of advance modern medicine and various other drugs that are designed to deal with symptoms of old age.

Dogs and humans may not have the same physiology, yet some obvious similarities can be noticed when both species age. Dog years and Human years may not be directly related by some advance equation, but to the naked eye the equivalence of corresponding features of Dog years and Human years are quite visible.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/dog-years-human-years-301243.html

About the Author

Now that you know dogs grow old faster than we do, learn how to care for your dogs the best you can and give them a good life. They deserve it. Learn more at: http://www.2knowabout.com/dog/how_to_care_for_a_dog_with_a_broken_leg.php

Posted by Amanda at 11:39 AM 0 comments  

The Causes of Bad Breath (Halitosis) in Dogs

If your dog has bad breath (halitosis) it is reason for concern. Not only is the odor unappealing, but it may also be a sign of an underlying problem. There are a variety of conditions that cause bad breath in dogs that warrant investigation. The solution may be simply providing effective dental care or perhaps, more seriously, an underlying gastrointestinal problem.

What Causes Bad Breath?

In most cases bad breath (halitosis) in dogs is caused by  gum or dental disease. Small dogs are especially prone to dental problems such as tarter and plaque buildup warranting special attention to these areas.  If after proper dental attention the problem does not resolve, further investigation is needed. Bad breath results from the accumulation of bacteria most often in the mouth, but may also occur in the lungs, liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. A serious underlying problem may be present which requires prompt medical investigation and treatment. If your dog’s bad breath is persistent he or she should be taking to a veterinarian for examination and testing.

Treatments for Bad Breath in Dogs

Oral Care

Daily oral care is needed to prevent plaque and tarter buildup. There are many great, natural products on the market, such as Leba III Dog Dental Spray and Triple Pet All Natural Toothpaste(Only use toothpaste formulated for dogs as human formulas may upset  his stomach) that provide for optimal, natural oral care. There are also brushless, chewable toothpaste's available such as Ark Naturals Breath-Less Brushless Toothpaste S/M. Your dog may require a specialized cleaning by a professional if all methods still result in continuing tarter and plaque buildup.

Change of Food

If your dog’s diet is contributing to halitosis, change his diet to easily digestible food that is of high-quality

Chew Toys

Make available chew toys, such as Terrabone Dog Treat Fresh Breath Regular Value Pack, that naturally clean tarter and plaque from your dog’s teeth.

Signs of Concern

Observe your dog’s drinking habits. If he has been drinking more than usual and urinating frequently, accompanied by fruity, sweet smelling breath, this may be a sign of diabetes.

An indication of kidney disease is breath that smells of urine

Foul breath accompanied by yellowed whites of the eye, vomiting, decreased appetite could indicate a problem with the liver.

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Posted by Amanda at 9:22 AM 0 comments  

Understanding Puggles

By Aliceshown

There have been many new hybrids of dogs created recently, and one of the most interesting new hybrids available now are puggles. Online puggle breeders use a male pug and a female beagle to create this amazing new breed, and many people are interested to see what this new type of dog is all about. Fans of pugs and beagles are particularly interested in this new breed because they want to see which features were taken from each breed of dog. The truth is, puggle puppies usually take different characteristics from their parents. There is no set amount of pug or beagle that will be in each puggle, so every puggle can look rather different from any other one. This means the online puggles for sale come in all colors, shapes, and sizes. You will definitely have a lot of dogs to choose from if you start contacting an online puggle puppies breeder. These dogs simply look great and they are very easy to keep track of because of their amazing ability to stay relaxed as much as possible.

Pugs are very small, strong, and happy dogs, and they are often looked at in an affectionate and loving way. Puggles take these qualities and combine them with the curiosity and sociability of a beagle. Pugs are often more laid back than beagles, which makes this combination even more interesting. When you put these two dogs together, you get an amazing breed of dog that is always a joy to be around. They want to play when you get them a new toy, but puggles are fine just laying around on a rainy day too. Puggles usually get the cute pug tail from their father too, which is just a small part of what makes them so adorable.

The simple fact is that puggles are very pleasant pets to have around the house. Puggle puppies will enjoy playing with everyone, including people and other breeds of dogs, and they very playful at all times. They can keep up with you all day, but they are certainly hard to get up after a long day of playing with other people and dogs in the neighborhood. Puggles are rather low maintenance, so you don't need to worry about them all the time. They have a go with the flow attitude, so they'll be always be happy, no matter what the circumstances of their situation happens to be. Training a puggle can be rather tricky because all the want to do is play around, but they can be trained with enough effort just like any other breed of dog. As long as you are able to keep your puggle active, you shouldn't run into any health problems and they are actually considered to be more healthy overall than pugs.

About the Author

Choose the most wonderful Puggle Puppies for sale from well-known breeders. Visit Puppymatch4you.com.

Posted by Amanda at 6:44 PM 0 comments