Pet Auto Safety

Did you know that Pet Auto Safety.com also owns Animal Figurine Store.com? Animal Figurine Store.com has been an active and successful site for as long as Pet Auto Safety.com (2006). We have recently expanded our animal figurines to include more dog figurines just for our dog loving friends. In fact, we have so many dog figurines available that we had to make subpages for each dog breed group.

Our dog figurines include sporting dog figurines, hound dog figurines, working dog figurines, terrier dog figurines, toy dog figurines, non-sporting dog figurines, herding dog figurines, and miscellanious dog figurines. Miscellaneous dog figurines would include dog figurines which do not fit into any one of the AKS groups or dog figurines which are only representation of dogs, but not any specific breed.

You can get a 10% discount on our dog figurines by entering discount code, naturefriend, while placing your order.

Jack Russell Terriers are very intelligent but highly energetic dogs. They require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Don’t get a Jack Russell Terrier simply because they are cute until you read this article by Anita Funkhouser:

Jack Russell Terriers - Choosing the Breed of Dog That’s Right For You
By: Anita Funkhouser

AnimalFigurineStore.com has a new page with collectible dog figurines of almost every AKC breed including collectible hunting dog figurines, dachshund dog figurines, great dane dog gifts, collectible chihuahua dog figurines, and more!  And if they don’t have the breed or color of your dog, all you have to do is email them at animalfigstore@aol.com.  Collectible dog figurines make great inexpensive gifts for these difficult economic times.  Check out all the collectible dog figurines at the Animal Figurine Store.

If you are considering getting a new dog but you are not sure what kind of dog to get, we have a wonderful solution. The absolute best way to get a dog which is right for your entire family is to go to your local animal shelter. Make it a family event and take your children with you. The staff generally know the dogs in their shelter very well and can assist you better.

If you want a purebred dog, shelters get purebred dogs too. Also, check out this great article by Jennifer Andrade called “Dog Breeds That Are Especially Good With Young Children”.

When I was 10 years old, my mom was given a 1 year old Shetland Sheepdog name Cassie. Cassie fit right in with the our family. She got along with us kids and the other pets very well. And even though Cassie was not originally considered my dog, she chose me to be her best friend. Cassie was the best dog I have ever had. She comforted me when I was sad, she followed me around everywhere I went, and she eagerly let me train her. I would highly recommend a Shetland Sheepdog to any family.

Check out this article written by Alex De La Cruz for more information on owning a Shetland Sheepdog:
Why Should You Own a Shetland Sheepdog?

What is a Vizsla?  A Vizsla is a sporting dog breed with an unusual golden rust-colored coat.  They originated in Hungary and were bred to point, retrieve, and track game.  Vizslas are gentle and affectionate so they also make great pets.  But before you get a Vizsla, keep in mind that they need lots of vigorous exercise.  Check out this fantastic article for more information on the Vizsla dog breed.

 Vizsla - The Hungarian Pride by Alex De La Cruz

Thinking about getting a Basset Hound?  If so, check out the following for great information on Basset Hounds including description, temperament, and informative health information.

Description Information on Basset Hounds
Basset Hounds are well-loved for their adorable soft sad-looking eyes, short stature, and funny feet. They wrinkled skin falling over their brow when their head is lowered and their sensitive nose to the ground. The wrinkles are also seen on their forelegs. Basset Hounds have a short coat, long hanging lips, big long ears, and a gaily curved tail. Basset Hounds are short in stature but they’re sure not lacking in size. They are generally not more than 14” tall but can weigh 40-60 pounds! Like most hounds, they are the standard hound colors of black, tan, and white.

Temperament Information on Basset Hounds 
If you think the looks of the Basset Hounds are adorable, you will love their personality. Basset Hounds are quite affectionate, even-tempered, and friendly with everyone, including children. They are also good with other pets. Even though they have a great lovable personality, they can be stubborn and difficult to train. They enjoy sniffing and it is sometimes hard to distract them from an interesting scent. Because of their love for sniffing, they also have a tendency to wander as they track a scent. Baying is also a common issue the Basset Hounds as they are big communicators. Basset Hounds are not very playful, but their affectionate nature more than makes up for it.

Exercise & Grooming Information on Basset Hounds 
Basset Hounds can be great indoor dogs. They require only a little leisurely exercise and their short smooth coats need only minimal brushing. However, their face may need regular cleaning as they are inclined to drool. Also, their ears should be checked regularly and their toenails should be kept trim - especially if they are primarily indoors.

Health Information on Basset Hounds
Common health issues associated with Basset Hounds include elbow and hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye problems such as misshapen eyelids and glaucoma. Gastric torsion which is a digestive problem can be an issue with Basset Hounds. If left untreated, gastric torsion, also called bloating, can lead to death. Another possibly fatal health issue connected with Basset Hounds is von Willebrand’s Disease. This disease is a blood disorder where the blood does not clot well and excessive bleeding can occur through even minor cuts.

Brief History Information on Basset Hounds
Basset Hounds originated in France with common ancestry with the Bloodhound. The word Basset comes from the French word bas which means low thing. Basset Hounds became popular in France after the French Revolution and were brought to England and America in the late 1800’s.

Cute gifts of Basset Hounds, click here.

The word, “griffon” is a general term used to describe dogs with wiry hair and certain facial features. In fact, the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was bred to recreate an extinct griffon hunting dog breed. The modern Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a hardy and all-around hunting dog. His brown nose is highly sensitive to smell. He can be trained to hunt both birds and mammals; he can both point and retrieve game; he will eagerly retrieve from both land and water; and he is well adapted to hunt under almost every weather condition. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is a great swimmer and his stiff, harsh, double-coat helps to protect him from the colder elements.

Even though the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon was bred to be a hunting dog, he also makes a great family dog. He is a loyal people-oriented dog who is easy to train because he is eager to please. Positive reinforcement works best with this dog as he can be rather sensitive to harsh methods of training. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is great with older children and good with other pets. A dog like this, though, needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon may take his time to be thorough when on the hunting ground but his overall nature is to be sociable and always raring to go. If he is not properly exercised or stimulated he tends to be destructive.

If you are considering a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, keep not only their high energy level in mind, but also be aware of certain health issues. Like most large-dog breeds, you need to be concerned about hip dysplasia. Make sure both parents are certified with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (www.offa.org). Wirehaired Pointing Griffon also tend to get ear infections. This is more due to the ear-type than the breed.

Grooming requirements need to be considered as well. Wirehaired Pointing Griffons need their coats brushed regularly. And twice a year they may need to have the dead hairs of their coat removed with hand-stripping. Hand-stripping, as defined by Wikipedia, is a “process of pulling the dead hair out of the coat of a non-shedding dog, either by using a stripping knife or the fingers”. Hand-stripping is not necessarily a requirement unless you plan on showing the dog.

The Wirehaired Pointing Griffon colors are generally a mixture and can be described as gray or silver or white with splashes of brown or chestnut or orange. The standard size and weight of the Wirehaired Pointing Griffon is approximately 19-23 inches and 50-70 pounds. He has a long head and muzzle with long eyebrows and a mustache. His nose is brown and he has a straight tail which is sometimes docked to about a third of its length.

For more information on dogs, visit http://dogbreedinfo.synthasite.com.

References:

Angela Sayer (1985). The Complete Book of the Dog. New York City: Gallery Books.

AWPGA Web Team. (2000-2008). To the Point. Available: http://www.awpga.com. Last accessed 18 January 2009.

D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D. (2007). The Dog Breed Bible. Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

Ernest H. Hart (1968). Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

Wikipedia. (Last updated 12 January 2009). Dog Grooming. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand-stripping. Last accessed 18 January 2009.

Are you considering getting a puppy? If you have never owned a dog before, it is important that you understand the responsibilities involved in raising a puppy so you will be more prepared to handle what is to come. It may also help some of you realize that perhaps a puppy just isn’t right for you. You may want to consider an older dog instead, or perhaps even a cat. Puppies take a lot of time and patience. There are going to be difficult times and many messes to clean up. But if you are prepared, you and your puppy will be much happier. And eventually the task of taking care of a puppy becomes easier as he learns the routines and rules of the house.

The first step before getting a puppy is to do research. You need to know what breed or breed mix is best for you and your family, whether your living situations can accomodate a pet, and finally, where you are going to get your puppy. Today’s article is about doing the research on what kind of dog or puppy to get. Later in the week we will talk about the other research that is needed. And later still, we will talk about the responsibilites involved in owning a puppy.

Research - What kind of dog or puppy to get
Before you decide on a breed, research dog breeds for their temperament, grooming requirements, and size. This will give you a lot of information on what to expect if you want a purebred dog. Don’t select a certain breed for superficial reasons until you have done your research on the breed and you are certain you can handle the responsibilities involved with that particular breed. You can get information on breeds from books, vets, various rescue groups and shelters, and from online sources such as blogs, articles, and forums. This will also help you learn about certain genetic diseases and health issues that are associated with certain purebreeds.  JustDogBreeds.com is an excellent on-line source for getting information about specific breeds.

Most dog breeds can learn to get along with children and other pets, but some breeds tend to get along with them better than others. So if you have children or other pets, researching dog breeds will be very helpful.

You also need to condider if you can handle a dog which requires special grooming. If your dog is going to be mostly indoors, do you care if it is a breed that sheds? Do you want a dog that requires a periodic hair-cut? Will you take the time to periodically brush a long-haired dog?

The size and activity level of the dog your puppy is going to grow into is another thing to consider. You don’t want a large or highly energetic dog if you live in an apartment unless you plan on regularly taking the dog out for exercise. If you have children, the size and energy level of the dog may also be considered. Small children may not be good with a small dog and a large energetic dog may not be good for small children.

If you don’t care if your puppy is a purebred or not, knowing about breeds is still helpful. Sometimes it is easy to tell what sort of breed-mix a puppy is and this could help you in making your decision. Mixed breeds can also be good because your dog will most likely not have the genetic issues involved with purebreeds.

Defining the terrier group by the look of the dog may not be as easy as you think. Most of us think of terriers as having wiry hair but not all terriers in this group share this trait - Consider the Bull Terrier, for example, which has a short dense coat. Another difficulty is that all kennel clubs do not agree on which dogs belong or don’t belong in the terrier group. For example, the United Kennel Club (UKC) in the United States includes the Jack Russell Terrier but the American Kennel Club (AKC), also in the United States, does not.

So what defines a terrier? The origin and occupation of the breed play a large part in defining the terrier. Most terrier breeds originated in Britain and the surrounding areas. Terriers were bred to track down and pursue prey from their holes or lairs. In fact, the terrier group gets its name from the Latin word, terra, which means earth. The character of a terrier, however, is its most defining trait. But note that the terrier’s character is probably what made the original occupation of terriers so successful. For a dog to be able to pursue animals from the ground, they had to be brave and tenacious. As a result, most terriers are defined as being courageous, feisty, and relentless, often to the point of being single-minded and head-strong. Terriers generally do not tolerate other dogs and have a tendency to fight. (This particular trait is what unfortunately makes the American Pit Bull Terrier be used in illegal and inhumane dog fighting.)Terriers range in size, most having a wiry coat which requires special grooming. They tend to be vocal dogs and are well-known for being eager and alert, as well as intelligent. Dogs in this group include the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Welsh Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Fox Terrier (Smooth), Fox Terrier (Wire), Airedale Terrier, Irish Terrier, Jack Russell Terrier, Kerry Blue Terrier, Lakeland Terrier, Manchester Terrier, Norfolk Terrier, Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier, Skye Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Border Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, and more.