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Posts Tagged ‘terriers’

West Highland White Terriers

May 21st, 2011

By about the 1700's, the Isle of Skye and other highland areas in Scotland were already breeding lots of small terriers. Scottish breeds were separated into two types: the Skye terriers and the Dandie Dinmont terriers.

The Dandie Dinmonts were categorized as a solitary breed, whereas the Skyes were deemed to include the Scotties, the Cairns and the West Highland White Terriers also called Westies.

West Highland White Terriers were hybrids of crossed Cairns, Scotties and Dandies terriers. These hybrids were reckoned to be good hunters and loyal. In fact, many members of the Scottish royal family owned terriers that were very much the same as the Westies of today.

One folktale concerns a Westie that stopped a mother from persistently yelling at her daughter. Each time the mother yelled at her teenage daughter, the Westie would bark at the mother. The dog's aggression got to such a degree during the years that the mother gave up shouting at her daughter.

It turned out that the girl was stroking and rewarding the dog for his protection after every bawling out from her mother. Many would say that the daughter was able to help her mother to change her violent ways although she was also helping herself by rewarding the dog for its actions.

West Highland White Terriers can live in or outdoors, so are very adaptable. They have a wiry coat of roughly two inches in thickness over a dense fur coat which is capable of keeping them warm. Westies are basically small dogs of between 10 and 12 inches in height and 13 and 22 pounds in weight.

West Highland White Terriers like to dig and bark, but they also like companionship. They like well-behaved children and they like to run after cats. They defend their property and territory enthusiastically.

As a breed, they can suffer some diseases such as: chronic skin issues, Perthe's disease (hip problems), jawbone calcification, cranio-mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw), patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap, liver ailments, deafness and congenital heart disease

However, there are measures that you can take to look after your Westie. For example, they should be brushed regularly using a brush with stiff bristles. You ought to bathe them only when you have to, but their whole coat should be shaved at least two times a year and trimmed every four months. The fur around the eyes and ears ought to be trimmed too.

History shows that in 1620, King James 1 asked for some small white dogs from Argyleshire, Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was thought to be the creator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very much like the Westies of today, unintentionally shot his dark terrier. From then on he vowed to have only white terriers.

In the 19th Century, terriers that were very similar to the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honour of the Duke of Argyle's interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.

In the first ever dog show, organized in the late 1800's, the Westies were called White Scottish Terriers. In 1904, they were reclassified as West Highland White Terriers.

During the mid-1900's, breeders of the Cairns in Argyle picked white puppies from the stock and interbred them to obtain white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies' lineage.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a variety of topics, but is currently involved with the canine distemper vaccination. If you want to kcurrently more, please go to our website at Distemper Vaccines

Healthy Dog Food

June 16th, 2010

The requirement of healthy food seems to apply equally to humans and their pets, because many pet owners would rather buy organic foods to feed man's best friend. One could be forgiven for being surprised at the large amount of organic dog food available on the market. Just as for humans, there are a lot of pet health issues that one could cure or even prevent in the first place by the use of organic pet food.

For instance, organic dog food could reduce the risk of the dog developing skin diseases and allergies. The reason for the positive health impact is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead the ingredients in organic dog food are only grain extracts and high quality proteins. Organic dog food provides more nourishment, which is obvious from the higher levels of energy and the weight of the dog.

Regular dog food often causes diabetes and excess weight with all the concomitant problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here? Well, organic food items for pets do not contain bulk fillers, they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat deposits. Moreover, it is best and a lot easier to prevent health issues than to try to cure them afterwards.

Good digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that come with the feeding of organic dog food. Because of the absence of chemicals normally present in ordinary pet food, your dog will no longer vomit or experience wind or diarrhea. A healthier metabolism is what you will achieve with a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, boosts the immunity functions, thereby reducing the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a routine basis.

Many veterinarian experts claim that organic dog food significantly increases the life span of any animal, not to mention the fact that it will go through old age a lot better. It is quite common that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in applying the same health rules to their own diet, sticking to clean natural products that boost bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food provider about organic dog food and if there is none available at your local shop, try to order it online. There are many web pages that sell such products at pretty fair prices.

One last tip, be very wary of dried dog food, no matter what it says on the packet. I used to have a dog that stayed at home alone during the day, while I went to work. I didn't like to leave 'wet' food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not deteriorate during the day. However, within six years she had diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. The veterinary said that it was very common for dogs fed only on biscuits to get diabetes, so check with your vet first or feed organic wet food.

If you liked reading this article on organic dog food and you would like to read more about dogs in general or dog training, please visit our website at Dog Training

How To Manage A Wedding Car Company

June 3rd, 2010

Have you ever thought about running a wedding car business? Although it can be demanding, because you do not want to let anybody down on their big day, it is also fascinating and exciting.

Some of the advantages are that you get to own good-looking cars - maybe a Rolls Royce or a Bentley and they are tax-deductible; you meet new people under happy circumstances and you are in the position to help them have a wonderful wedding day.

It is a very demanding industry, because you always have to bear in mind the desires of your clients and think about how you can realize and expand their' wishes. That is difficult enough, but you also have to stay competitive. I hope that the following tips will be helpful.

1] Take care of the conditions under which you keep your vehicles. If you can afford to garage them, they will not collect dust and bird droppings so the paintwork will look better for longer. Do not have a gravel drive, because of possible scratching to the coachwork of the cars.

2] Get one or two really nice vehicles. You will need to do a bit of research to find out what couples in your area like, but as a rule of thumb a Rolls Royce or a Bentley are sure bets. Or maybe a stretch limousine. Old cars go down well too. Build up your fleet of vehicles step by step but increasingly. Offer your clients as much choice as you can reasonably afford to do.

Many wedding couples will not only require the wedding car, but also vehicles for the guests. Many of them want limousines or old cars for their wedding day. But a lot of other vehicles are required for the guests. Be adaptable and consent to bedeck the vehicles according to the couple's wishes with flowers and ribbons.

2] Hire good, compassionate personnel. A fully trained chauffeur is a necessity, but a military style chauffeur can add to your firm's image.

3] It is a good idea to offer different packages or elements that a couple can use to build a package. So, you could offer transportation from the bride's house to the church as one element. From the church to the restaurant as another element and from there to the chosen hotel, the airport or the railway station, as another element.

4] Make certain that your clients know precisely how long they have sole use of the cars for. This is useful for them, so that they know precisely how long they have to take photos, eat or chat.

Transport plays a huge and vital part in any wedding day celebrations. In fact, poorly timed or scruffy transportation can ruin a wedding day. If you let that happen, your firm's standing will suffer badly, particularly in a town or village. You will need a high sense of responsibility; reliable, well-trained, sensitive staff and high quality cars that look the part. White wedding cars are popular, but other colours are acceptable, especially for the guests.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our web site at Welsh Products Online

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

May 19th, 2010

Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always easy. Dogs can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well adjusted and well trained dog.

Providing random positive stimuli during the day is a great way to keep the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are great ways to keep the dog's attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After the dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the treat. This can be either the afore-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.

Providing some sort of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a good method to maintain your dog's motivation while you are dog training.

If your dog knows something good is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training.

When training any dog, it is vital to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be trained to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These kinds of distractions can even be used as rewards when training your dog to come when called.

For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in the local park or with the neighbour's dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or garden and call your dog.

When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to return to playing with his pals. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes to you.

The dog will soon learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being removed from the park).

So-called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach, because dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the hardest things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you when you call may take some creativity on your behalf at first. For example, waving one of his favourite toys, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog's attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well in dog training.

Once the dog begins to become used to coming when called, you can begin to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to obey your voice alone. It is vital that the dog obeys voice commands alone, since you will not always have a toy or other lure to hand.

Does your dog need training? If you need more information on dog training, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

Dog Names

May 14th, 2010

Dog owners will say that there is no proven method for choosing a good name for a new dog. Whether they have to think of girl or boy dog names, usually they will choose something that sounds cool or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name really means. Popular boy dog names have a variety of meanings, but more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Below is a quick guide to the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

In general, one of the first things you have to do when you get a new dog or puppy is pick a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just choose a dog name out of thin air and that is the name by which the poor hound will be known forever. However, there is something you ought to think about when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose the right one.

First of all, dogs sense attitude and tone of voice better than we can. If you pick a dog name for comic effect or after someone you don't like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. The result could well be that, their attitude may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs' names should mean something but should not be detrimental to their training, so you ought to take your dog's name seriously.

Despite dogs being very clever animals, they can't process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will improve your probability of training them successfully.

However, dogs' names should help them form an identity of their own. Common names don't really allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

Max: This is perhaps the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is probably why most people choose it for their pooch. It literally means "the greatest". After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the greatest.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means "conqueror". This is an apt boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the house within moments of setting foot inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a variation of Budd, which means "messenger". This boy dog name would be apt for a farm dog or one you might possibly train to retrieve the newspaper from the porch in the morning. It is a very popular boy dog name throughout America.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means "steward". This is fairly suitable if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is apt for a Newfoundland or collie puppy.

Sam: Sam apparently means "an answer to prayers". This is a great name for dogs that are obedient, easy to train and are very little work!

Not many people consider a name's meaning when picking boy dog names, so instead of just going with your first thought, it may be worth taking the time to find a dog's name that is actually apt for your dog. After all, it doesn't cost anything to spend some time thinking about your dog's name.

Does your dog need training? If you need further details on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Decorating A Wedding Cake

April 23rd, 2010

Nearly every family or social event includes the consumption of food and the drinking or drinks in the celebration. Consider Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. In this article, I would like to speak about that centre piece of any wedding reception: the wedding cake.

The guests come to eat, drink and be merry and the bride's parents always put a great deal of work into the organization of the wedding reception. The wedding cake is the focal point of the top table and the whole function in general. The wedding cake has traditional significance and it is often considered bad luck not to have a slice of the wedding cake.

There are precise rules for the timing of the cutting of the wedding cake that have become part of tradition. For example, if the wedding reception takes place at lunch or dinner, it is traditional to cut the wedding cake just before the dessert is served.

However, if the reception is to take place in the late afternoon or early evening, the cake is served as soon as the guests arrive. In some traditions the bride and groom cut and eat the first slice together as a symbol of their vows to love, honour and obey each other. The remainder of the cake is generally cut by one of the assistants, like the maid of honour or a family relative.

It can be quite difficult to select the wedding cake. Traditionally, people opt for a white cake with white icing for weddings, however these days, people are becoming more daring and are choosing more exotic flavours and colours.

Some couples prefer to have a wedding cake which has different flavours on each layer. While white icing is still the overwhelming favourite, people do order other colours like pink and yellow. Chocolate and mocha are also prevalent. These days you can have what you like. It is your day, after all.

Everybody enjoys the wedding reception. It is the favourite part of the wedding ceremony and everyone looks forward to seeing the cake cut and sharing it with the bride and groom.

If you are thinking about becoming a cake decorator, you have a couple of options to go about it. You could buy a book or a course or get a video in order to teach yourself how to decorate cakes from the simple to the elaborate. You could also go to a night school class to learn the art or cake decoration.

Without a doubt, the very best way to learn cake decorating is to take a course. DVD's, videos, and books are all well and good, but you cannot converse with them or ask questions. If you attend a class for three months or more you will learn more and get a deeper understanding of the art of cake decoration. You will learn how to put real feeling into the decoration of the cake and you will be able to translate the wedding couple's desires into a cake that you and they can be proud of.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Why Do Dogs Snore?

April 6th, 2010

It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, allowed their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can't be given by any other kind of animal. But this doesn't mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs often have complete trust in their owners, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In deed, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

For sure, many of us have already witnessed a dog paddling during sleep or, at times, barking with his eyes closed too. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For example, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe as heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to evaluate which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to some allergic reactions that cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog's anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog overweight? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they will have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around their throats, which can cause blockages. Once this problem has been fixed, the chances of snoring will be reduced. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, but you may actually enjoy a decent night's sleep too.

Snoring also has something to do with the general facial features. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more work to control breathing and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact it is best to accept the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then visit our web site called Successful Dog Training

Is She A Lady Or A Tramp?

March 28th, 2010

So you may wonder, what is in a dog's name? Just what does it matter what your female dog's name is? The answer is a lot, because your dog's name defines him or her in the eyes of your friends, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind's eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very joyful dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it reduces the masculine image that male dogs should have. Still, there are some male cute dog names out there. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do need to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be handled. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

While dogs are quite intelligent creatures, they cannot really process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should not be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is seldom that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can improve your prospects of training them.

Moreover, dogs names should assist them shape a character of their own. Common names do not encourage them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to obey a command.

I am quite willing to bet money that most pet owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if for no other reason.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Welsh Terriers A Facing a Struggle

March 24th, 2010

Initially, Welsh terriers were bred for hunting rabbits, foxes and badgers, but public opinion and the decline in the lust for blood in general have gone against blood sports and so this native breed of Wales has become a show dog and a pet. Breeders attempt to outdo each other by breeding the Welsh terrier to have a denser wiry coat and deeper colouration. The Welsh terrier is also a popular pet because it is one of the most easy-going terriers.

The Welsh terrier is a fun loving dog. It just loves to run, chase and play, which makes it a smashing companion and a perfect pet. Welsh terriers require lots of exercise, so be prepared for plenty of walking, if you make your mind up to get one.

It is a good idea to 'socialize' your dog as early as possible. This means that you should introduce your Welsh terrier puppy to children and other dogs at an early age. The more you encourage your dog to play with other dogs as a puppy, the less trouble you will have with your dog fighting or barking at other dogs and cats. It's the same story with children. Children can play very roughly, and a dog could be forgiven for biting back, but it can be avoided by introducing your Welsh terrier puppy to children while it is still young. The child might learn respect, but the dog will learn tolerance.

The Welsh terrier is easily trained, if you like your dog to perform tricks. it is an intelligent breed and, being former hunters, they are good at learning commands and tricks. Train your Welsh terrier with kindheartedness and reiteration. They like to retrieve sticks and play with a ball. Many people train their Welsh terriers to catch a flying Frisbee too.

A Welsh terrier will groom himself quite scrupulously, but you can help out by brushing him once a week in order to eradicate the dead and loose hair. This will also help cut down the amount of hairs dropping inside your house, although terriers in general, and wire-haired dogs in particular do not lose as much hair as soft coated dogs. You could also lend a hand by wiping him over with a moist cloth from time to time in order to pick up any dust on his coat.

A Welsh terrier is very energetic and very curious, so it is prudent to keep your dog in a yard that has been fenced off. However, the fence needs to be reasonably high, because the Welsh terrier has an excellent capacity to jump due to its long legs.

The Welsh terrier is Britain's oldest breed of dog, but it is now under pressure. The British kennel club registers only 300 Welsh terrier puppies a year, whereas it registers tens of thousands of puppies of other, more popular, breeds. The Welsh terrier is a strong-willed animal, so it does need a strong-willed and patient owner.

However. if you want a Welsh terrier and you persevere with it, you will never look back. They have a lot to give and, as with so many things in life, you only get out what you are willing to put in.

If you are interested in Welsh corgi puppies, or Wales in general, visit our website at Welsh Products Online

Trendy Dog Names

December 19th, 2009

Fashion appears to decree everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is decreed by the need to be cool. Cute dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because as soon as something is in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to choose a cool dog name that may not be fashionable next year? So, people usually play it safe, which is why the same names have been around for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cool dog names are given below with the reasons why you should pick one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cute dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is rooted in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cool dog names because it has so many connotations that you can have a hard time finding out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that excels in a particular field. It is a high form of praise and thus is definitely a cool dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cute dog names because of the Disney cartoon film, Lady and the Tramp, which was a massive hit. The film made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case, popularity comes second to cuteness.

Elvis: The coolest of cute dog names. Elvis Presley was undoubtedly cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to name your dog after an icon who never goes out of fashion.

Shadow: There is a dark and mysterious quality about Shadow that makes it a cool dog name. It would be used to best effect on a big dog however because it wouldn't have the same strong effect with a small breed.

Whatever cute dog names you consider for your mut, it is one sure way to give your dog an identity of their own and make your dog unforgettable to others.

Does your dog require training? If you require more details on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training