Thursday, November 10, 2005
Dog Breeds
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Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers
Author: Jennifer Brooke
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet with how attached most owners are to their dogs, they seem to chose living with their allergies rather then giving up their beloved pets.
If you find yourself getting congested or suffering a runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, coughing, sore throat, skin rashes or hives, headaches, fatigue, difficulties breathing, or asthma symptoms when you�re around dogs, then you probably have allergies.
You can still indulge in your appreciation for canines, but you will need to learn some basic techniques for protecting your health, while still enjoying your pet�s company.
Firstly, dog allergens can adhere to clothing, drapes, walls, furniture and even remain airborne for quite awhile. You can ease your allergies by observing some basic rules of cleanliness.
Keep the dog out of areas where you will be sleeping or spending prolonged periods of time. Wash your hands after playtime, petting or grooming. You may need to take an over the counter allergy medication prior to playtime, extensive petting or grooming. A shower and change of clothing may help as well.
Never allow the dog to jump, sleep or play on furniture where you will be sitting, sleeping or using extensively. Dander will pool in these areas and cause a severe allergic reaction. Keep floors swept or vacuumed, and shampoo or steam carpets every second or third month. Keep the dog�s bedding, toys and feeding area washed and clean also.
Second. A good HEPA air filter may help keep airborne dander under control, but you will need to maintain a rigorous grooming schedule if you want to prevent dander at the source. If grooming the dog yourself is a problem, you might need to recruit a friend or family member for this job.
Bathing should be once or twice a week, but be sure that the shampoo does not dry out the dog�s skin or it will create worse dander. The use of a soft body brush can be daily, if gentle. It will remove loose dander on and in the hair.
A full body scrub down should be scheduled once or twice a week, this will work loose any flakes deeper in the coat. When I say �scrub� I�m suggesting a firm body brush that will be able to massage the skin but not hurt the dog. If you brush too roughly your dog will quickly learn to dislike grooming, and it will become a miserable chore for both of you!
Third. No dog should be considered completely non-allergenic because, regardless of strict grooming and prevention techniques, all dogs produce dander, saliva and urine, which are the cause of allergies. There are some breeds, however, that produce less dander than others, and sufferers should seriously consider choosing from one of these breeds.
Airedales, Poodles and Schnauzers make the best choices for allergy sufferers. All three of these breeds shed less dander then other breeds. They also shed very little hair, and have very little dog odor if they are kept regularly groomed and cared for.
Airedales
Airedales are a medium large breed originated in England where they were bred to be a brave, strong, and intelligent hunting dog. Today it is highly prized as a companion for it�s beauty, shape and type. They�re called the �King of Terriers� by dog fanciers. They have a merry temperament and love to play games. They are good learners, good with children and adapt themselves easily to either home, yard or garden.
On the downside, Airedale�s coat should be trimmed by a professional, as they require their hair to be �plucked� or it will cause unhealthy skin problems, severe irritation, itching and of course, more dander.
Poodles
One of the best features of this breed is choice in size. The standard and giant sized Poodles are a good choice for a family or individual with a large house or yard. They make excellent watchdogs or pets, and are so intelligent that they can be easily housebroken and even taught to do tricks. The miniature and toy poodles are less then 15 inches tall at the shoulder, and are just as intelligent and loving as their larger counterparts.
Poodles are an excellent choice for allergen sensitive owners. They do not shed, and the coat can be clipped quite close by your groomer, making soft brushing less of a chore. In fact, some poodle owners even learn how to clip their own dogs. Bathing is very simple for a poodle with a short coat, just avoid those lion manes and you�ll have a perfect companion.
Schnauzers
This breed also comes in a variety of sizes from Giant to Miniature, and the best part is that they have almost NO doggy odor! Just like Poodles, the Schnauzer needs to be clipped because they do not shed out hair as most dogs do. But unlike the Poodle, most Schnauzers are allowed to keep their beard and some fuzzy socks. If necessary, however you can modify his furry attire to best suit your needs.
Schnauzers are very brave, intelligent and aristocratic. He is excellent in a family setting, and was even given the name �kinder watcher� for his loving care of the children. They are so talented and versatile that they are equally suited for hunting, tracking, retrieving, security, guarding, military work, agility, competitive obedience and even learning tricks.
So if you find yourself driving past the dog park and thinking about how much you�d enjoy having a dog in your life, now might be a great time to act upon your desires.
You don�t have to give up your love of dogs; you just need to find the right balance to fit a dog into your life. These beautiful and loving creatures truly deserve a warm place in our hearts, and the title of man�s best friend.
Visit http://www.avidpets.com for additional helpful tips and advice on caring for both puppies and adult dogs.
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Dog Breeds
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Do You Know About Boxer Dogs?
Author: Patric Chan
Boxer Dogs Information - What Are Boxer Dogs?
Boxer dogs are great all around dog breeds, distinguished
canine and the coolest, most lovable dog out there!
Boxer Dogs are medium-built and strong breed that are
so named because of its habit of standing on the hind legs
to begin a fight and boxing with the front paws.
By nature, Boxer dogs are working dogs. Throughout
history it has been trained as:
- hunting dog
- police dog
- seeing-eye dog for the blind
- guard dog
- circus dog
- courier dog on the battlefields during World War
I and World War II
- fighting dog in the once popular sport of dog fighting.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) categorizes dogs into
7 groups of herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting,
terrier, toy and working. And the largest breed registered
in the working dog category is the Boxer.
No doubt the Boxer Dogs make for great utility dog but
the greatest advantage to owning one is that Boxer Dogs
can be your most outstanding companion on four legs
and great source of personal fulfillment.
By the way, the AKC registered over 150 different breeds
totaling nearly one million dogs in 2003. To put that in
perspective, the animal shelters in America rescue up to
12 million homeless dogs and cats every year and 25%
of these are purebreds.
Devoted and glad owners of Boxer Dogs have come up
with a long list of attributes and traits of their favorite
pet that include:
Alert
Boisterous
Boundless energy
Brave
Canine clown
Courageous
Devil dog
Devoted
Dignified
Exuberance
Family dog
Fearless
Friendly
Hearing dog
Highly trainable
Intelligent
Intuitive
Keen judge of character
Loving
Loyal
Patient with children
People dog
Poor swimmer
Playful
Quick learner
Self-assured
Smart
Soulful
Spirited
Stoical
Vigilant
Working dog
Wonderful pet
And you can add to the list�
The Boxer Dog's history could be traced back to
feudal Germany, where it was a small hunting dog that
could tenaciously hold onto a bull, boar, or bear till
the master arrived. It was also a utility dog for peasants
and shop owners, and even a performing dog in circus.
The Boxer Dogs as we know it today is a bigger breed �
a mixture of the German Boxer with a taller, more
elegant English import. The era of this modern Boxer
began in the 1880s and became really popular in the
United States in the late 1930s-1940s.
Handsome dog: Within the canine world, Boxer Dogs
are medium-sized dog standing at 21 to 25 inches at
the shoulder for a full-grown female, and weighs some
50 to 65 pounds. The male can be taller and 15 pounds
heavier.
It has a striking good look with chiseled head, square
jaw and muscled body that make for a very handsome
silhouette.
The ears are cropped and erect that enhance its hearing �
the Boxer most developed sense. It is always alert and
vigilant, an instinctive guard dog.
The shortened muzzle makes hot and humid weather
uncomfortable for the Boxer Dogs.
The coat is short, hard and smooth, and possesses
a natural sheen that can be enhanced with rubdowns
with a chamois cloth (especially after a bath).
The short coat cannot protect him well from extreme
elements of the weather and thus Boxer Dogs should
definitely not be kept outdoors. It is a housedog,
sensitive to temperature extremes, does not enjoy
the draft, summer heat or cold.
Boxer Dogs come in attractive basic colors of fawn
and brindle. The fawn varies from a tawny tan to
an especially beautiful stag red. The brindle (clearly
defined black stripes on a fawn background) can be
sparse, in between or dense.
A beauty standard for Boxer Dogs is that their white
markings or �flash� should add to their look and may
not cover more than one-third of the entire body. Some
predominantly or all-white puppies (known as �check�)
may be born in a litter.
In the US, however, the American Boxer Club members
are pledged not to register, sell or use these �whites�
for breeding so as to retain the beauty of the true fawn
and brindle colors in the breed.
Personality-wise, Boxer is a cool dog that will not bark
without cause. Its expressive face � the furrowed
forehead and dark, soulful eyes - is a charming quality
that sets the Boxer apart from other breeds.
It can mimic the moods of its master and adopting one
could bring you 9 to 11 years of joyful companionship.
In exceptional cases the Boxer can live up to 15 years.
Boxer Dogs As Pet
Pet Boxer Dogs, although low-maintenance, require
your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction,
consistent obedience training and lots of love. You
cannot leave them to their own design for too long or
they get lonely, bored and into trouble.
Being a big and strong dog as well as a highly
intelligent one, Boxer Dogs need both physical and
mental stimulations to keep them even-tempered and
dignified while still keeping their impish spirit and
fearless courage in tact.
All the best!!!
Warm regards,
Bryan Kinnear
A Boxer Dog Lover.
Discover How You Can Make Your Boxer Dog The Happiest,
Loving Dog Alive, Running Healthily With You...
http://www.boxerdogtips.com
Get free information all about Boxer Dogs at:
http://www.boxerdogs.boxerdogtips.com
