Archive for the 'Breeds' Category

September 29, 2009

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Maya Still Playing Outdoors in Winter

Summer is over but your sporting dog is still going to need exercise. Fall is the time when the sporting dog goes hunting with their people. But not all people go hunting so not every sporting dog gets to hunt. So take him out to the park instead. It’s a great time of year to play fetch. The sporting dog loves to fetch in a field and in the water. Since the weather is cooler, the water will be cooler too, but the sporting dog probably won’t even notice. Play fetch with a Frisbee, ball, Kong, rope toy, plush toy… you get the idea. Try a fun game of keep away but make sure the game is fun for your dog, not an aggravation. Another fun game for your sporting dog is hide-and-seek. If there are two people, one can hold the dog while the other goes to hide. Hide behind a tree, in a tree, behind the shed, in the shed, under the patio… just like when you were a kid. Then the other person lets the dog go and encourages him to find you. Some sporting dog breeds are bred for search-and-rescue so this is a great game. Don’t you wish you enjoyed your work as much as the sporting dog does? Hide-the-treat is another great game for your sporting dog. It’s not as active as the other games but it can be just as challenging and fun.

Have a great fall season with your sporting dog. To learn more about sporting dogs, click here:  The Sporting Dog Group.  For a cool sporting dog figurines, click here:  Sporting Dog Figurines

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Sandi Wearing Her Pet Travel Seat Belt

Here is an excerpt from an article which provides great information about the wonderful Shih Tzu dog breed:

“It is a strange name but a Shih Tzu is a very popular dog breed in the US today. Amazingly, the US never even heard of this dog breed before the 1930s because only the members of the Chinese royal family were permitted to own them. “Shīzi Gǒu” in Chinese literally means “Lion Dog”. The Shih Tzu is a lap dog bred to resemble a lion. They have a long and silky coat which needs careful brushing at least every other day….

…The Shih Tzu dog was bred to be an indoor lap dog. And as such, they should not be left outdoors in extreme hot or cold weather. When you travel, you should take your Shih Tzu dog with you or leave them with a friend. The Shih Tzu dog breed generally does not like to be left alone and may get stressed out in a kennel environment. If you take your Shih Tzu dog with you they are perfectly happy travelers. Because they love people and they love to get attention, they may try to ride in your lap when you drive. This can be a distraction, and it can also be a danger. Consider getting your Shih Tzu dog a pet travel seat beltor a pet car seat. The Shih Tzu dog is small enough that you can also take them with you when you fly. An appropriately sized kennel and a health certificate form your veterinarian are two of the many things your Shih Tzu dog will need before they can go on an airplane.”

To read more on this article, visit “The Shih Tzu Dog Breed”

July 15, 2009

Maya

Labrador Retrievers are great dogs, but they can be a bit difficult to handle at times. Someone told me that my dog, Maya, has GLS. “What’s GLS?” I asked in a worried tone. “Goofy Lab Syndrom!”. Goofy Lab Syndrom is the perfect way to explain why Maya acts so crazy sometimes. She gets so excited that she doesn’t hear my commands and just jumps around and whines as though she had won a trip to Camp Snoopy. Maya is a great dog, very smart, and mostly well-behaved. But when she sees people or other dogs, she just goes nuts. There is no cure for GLS. You just have to keep working with your labrador retreiver and hope that someday he or she grows out of it. (in 5 or more years ?). To read more about the greatness of Labrador Retrievers, check out the article, About Labrador Retreivers.

June 28, 2009

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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

Collectible Dog Figurines

Author: SephiAndMaya
March 24, 2009

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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.

March 18, 2009

Maya

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”.

March 14, 2009

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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?

The Vizsla Dog Breed

Author: SephiAndMaya
March 6, 2009

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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

Great Information on Basset Hounds

Author: SephiAndMaya
February 16, 2009

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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.