My Pets: useful information about dogs

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Choosing a dog

Among the different pets that people can choose from, one of the most animals are dogs. Dogs are considered man’s best friend, and they are known to be loyal and give their owners with unconditional love. However, since there are quite a number of dog breeds to choose from, the task of choosing a dog can be a little overwhelming. People need to arm themselves with information on the different breeds of dogs so that they can pick a dog that they can effectively take care of and manage. In addition to this, the right knowledge on the breeds can also help pet owners know the necessary steps they need to take to ensure that their pets would live long and healthy lives because of the specific needs that certain dog breeds have that dog owners need to fill.
In picking out a specific dog breed, two of the most important considerations that people should look into are the size and the amount grooming that certain dog breeds require. This is because these two factors can play an important role in helping people decide on a certain breed. For example, people who get the larger breeds of dogs should be prepared to face the problems that usually come in doing so. Some of these include the fact that larger dogs are more vulnerable to joint and bone diseases like hip displasia. Moreover, larger dogs require more space and they also consume more food, which can make them the more expensive option. However, getting a small dog also comes with certain problems, which includes the fact that smaller dogs are more susceptible to breathing problems.

With regard to grooming, people should also be aware of how much time and effort creation breeds of dog require for grooming, as this can also help them decide on which type of dog they can provide with the proper grooming given their lifestyle. The good news is that information on the different dog breeds and on how to care for them is readily available from a number of sources, which include dog breeders and the Internet.

Two of the most important factors that people should consider when picking a dog include the breed and the amount of grooming that they require. This is because carefully considering these can help people get the right type of dog that they can provide with the proper care and attention that it needs to be able to live a long and healthy life.

At a meeting with unfamiliar dogs

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Sometimes we encounter dogs that we don't know in friendly circumstances, and sometimes dogs aren't so happy with our company. This can happen for example, when we go to an acquaintance's house, stumble upon their dog in a room or on a couch and their dog may growl at us. Or it can happen outdoors where we come across a stray dog, or someone else's dog comes right up to us and gives us a good startle.

The following tips apply when you encounter unfamiliar dogs without their owners right beside them. It especially applies to kids, toddlers and babies.

1- It's best not to approach unfamiliar dogs. Admire their beauty from a safe distance.
2 - Don't let your kids (especially young kids) play with unfamiliar dogs without your direct hands on supervision. Period. Kids are notorious for coming right up to a dog, waving their arms above the dog and doing a whole host of threatening behaviours. Dogs do bite when they feel threatened.
3 - When outdoors, never run away in fear from a dog you just 'bumped into'. Dogs have an innate predatory response, and will chase you if run away. The best solution is to fold your arms, turn away from the dog and don't make direct eye contact. The dog will probably move on shortly. Yawning a few times, as well as deliberate blinking, may help as it may be seen by the dog as a pacifying gesture.
4 - If a dog is tied it is still not safe to approach. In fact it's probably even less safe since the dog has no escape route. A dog that feels threatened or cornered can bite. Most accidents or dog bites are the result of misreading a dog's body language. In general dogs won't bite unless threatened.

• Threatening behaviour to a dog can include; Direct eye contact, touching a dog over its head, getting too close, approaching too quickly, approaching in a jagged uncontrolled way, and standing over the dog. Taking something valuable (to the dog) that the dog thinks belongs to him/her is a definite no no.

•Signs the dog is unhappy with your presence may include; growling, hackles (hair on back) raised, teeth visible, wrinkled nose, erect tail or a tail that looks like it's vibrating slightly. If you see any of these signs just back away SLOWLY, cut off direct eye contact and the dog should simmer down.

useful information about dogs

Life expectancy of popular dog breeds.

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We all want our pet dogs to live as long as possible, but the fact of the matter is that on average, certain dog breeds live longer than others. This might be a consideration when choosing a dog breed and it is therefore useful information to know before hand.

The average life span of the North American or European dog is 12.8 years. This is a large increase in life span over the past 100 years and is mostly attributable to better food and better medical care. Within this 12.8 year average for all dogs is a large range of life spans where certain breeds live longer and certain breeds live less long. In general, larger dogs live shorter lives than smaller dogs. This is due to the fact that the bodies of larger dogs must work harder (are more stressed) than the bodies of smaller dogs. That said, the life expectancy of any one dog in particular is ALSO determined by the stresses in its life (both physical and psychological), what it eats and how well it is taken care of.

Afghan Hound (12.0 years)