There is no greater love than the unquestioning love and devotion that comes from a pet. Since the beginning of time, the dog has played a large role in our society.

As a protector, a helper, and a friend, the dog has become an integral element in the homes and lives of many families. The small dog in particular is known to be an adopted member of many families worldwide.

As a symbol of the Chinese zodiac, the small dog represents loyalty, intelligence, success and honesty, not to mention that the small dog is downright cute.

Small dog breeds carry with them a long and interesting line and history, many believed to have originated in powerful kingdoms of yesteryear. Pekingese dogs, for example, date back Beijing some 2,000 years ago!

Even though the small dog has a royal history, class distinctions between people have no effect on the degree of love shared by a small dog.

The small dog can adapt in a wealthy or poor environment and just as well in vast regions and open terrain as it can to the confines of the city life.

One common item to buy a small dog is its own wardrobe. Small in stature, the small dog is often seen adorned in dog clothing for comfort, warmth, and style. Dog clothes are fashionable amenity for a small dog owner who treats his or her companion to the very best.

The small dog has been domesticated for most of human history and continues to become more and more a vital member and companion and many homes, even today adorning similar clothing to its human counterpart.

I’ve wanted a puppy since I was six years old, but between my dad’s allergies, my allergies, and my brother’s asthma, it seemed that we were doomed to be fish owners. It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school that a family dog became possible. A friend of the family called us one evening to see if we would be interested in adopting a Cairn Terrier. His daughter had three of them, but she was moving and couldn’t take the dogs with her. So, they were on their way to the Humane Society. When my dad explained about the family’s allergies, the friend informed us that this particular breed was hypoallergenic. Cairns have a hair-like coat and shed less, creating less dander which triggers allergic reactions. We decided to give it a try and adopted the youngest of the three Cairns: Gretal. We’ve had Gretal for 10 years now, and she’s been a joy to my family. For those of you like me who have been longing to adopt a dog but your allergies have stopped you, here are five hypoallergenic dog breeds which might make that dream a reality.

Maltese- This breed has beautiful silky white hair and a loving disposition. It sheds less than most dog breeds; however, frequent grooming and upkeep is important for this dog. To prevent the coat from matting, soft brushing and once a month grooming is helpful. Also, some owners, like my grandma, do a “puppy cut” which is a 1” to 2” trim over the entire body. It gives her Maltese a fluffy, puppy look. Maltese dogs are perfect for home owners with limited space, as the dog stays pretty active inside the house. Half an hour walks during the day is also beneficial and help reduce behavior problems. These dogs are very smart, spirited, and playful.

Cockapoo- A cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, this breed is bigger than a Maltese and ranges between 12-24 pounds in size. The marbled coloring and curly texture of the coat gives these dogs a lot of character.  Low shedding and low dander producing, Cockapoo dogs require less grooming than a Maltese, but are also very playful and active, so an outdoor area and regular exercise is a plus for this type of dog. Very friendly, this breed has a sweet disposition with other dogs and people and is not known to be a “barker.”

Spanish Water Dog- A medium sized dog, they can range between 35-45 pounds. Very loyal and intelligent, these dogs have strong herding and guarding instincts. A hard worker, these dogs are very athletic and social, but because of their strong loyalty, can be wary of strangers. But, this breed has been used as rescue dogs, bomb and drug detection dogs, and the traditional herding dogs. A strong and focused working dog, a Spanish Water Dog will prove a loyal addition to your home.

Wire Fox Terrier- With an adorable long face, I would characterize this breed as enduring optimists. Tackling every task with the utmost enthusiasm, the wire fox terrier is very intelligent and can be taught to perform tricks. Originally bred to hunt foxes, badgers, and even boars, this dog is almost fearless.  Though needing firm training to redirect its fearless hunting style, this dog benefits from frequent exercise and mental stimulation. Amusing and buoyant, a Wire Fox Terrier will bring adventure to your life!

Cairn Terrier- Saving the best for last, I would recommend a Cairn to anyone. Though I may be bias because Gretal has been such a joy in my life, Cairn terriers have an adorable fox-like face and sweet, loving character. They can range between 13-18 pounds in size and can live up to 17 years of age! They aren’t big barkers (though my dog will if she’s excessively bored), and they were bred to hunt small creatures like rabbits and squirrels, so they like physical and mental stimulation. Soft, sweet, and gentle, a Cairn terrier has been the best dog I’ve ever had.

Though these breeds are hypoallergenic, that doesn’t mean they’re completely allergy free. Every dog produces some degree of dander, but these breeds are “low allergy” dogs which many people with allergies find to be tolerable. But, every person can react differently, and you should gauge your degree of allergic reaction. But for my family, our Cairn terrier was the perfect fit, and she’s given us many years of delight. So, if you’re an allergy sufferer but have been thinking about adopting a dog, I would suggest looking into one of these breeds of hypoallergenic dogs.

Claire Wilson is a blogger for Serenity Health which retails holistic products for people and pets alike. With a wide range of orthopedic and memory foam dog beds, Serenity Health provides products focused on your pet’s comfort and health.

5 Great Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

The dogs are a perfect friend for you and you want them to be healthy and fit. The vets can treat them for different diseases that have cure and medication which were a death warrant for the dogs a few years ago. Hence there is way to treat most of the diseases they suffer from and they are not considered chronic. These are diseases that entail a long bill from your vet. The vet can arrange for all the different types of complex treatments like the radiation or transplants of different parts and all these are getting easier each day.

Importance of regular insurance

The insurance for health is therefore necessary for each of the pet dogs you have with you. There are dogs that need regular checkups that are costly and these can be covered by the insurance for pet dogs. The pets are special for you and you would like to give them the best thing in the name of treatment and medication. The insurance is good when they are ill or seriously injured. The pets can get stolen and insurance is again valid for such cases. The injuries or any illness are covered and there are many extra condition mentioned for the pet which can be covered by insurance.

Accidental death and compensation for damage are regular

The insurances for pet are mostly of the same type and include a lot of options that you can choose from. The accidental death insurance is the most important part of the insurance and it covers the lost or stolen pets and the missing ones or the ones who are fatally injured. The payout from insurance in these cases is a way to bring some respite from the loss. The pay towards any compensation against the pet owner by the court if the dog brings in death or severe injury to any person or if the dog causes damage to the property of any person is another important part of the insurance.

Missing dogs, owner’s ill health and serious treatment are important

The insurance money is there if the dog strays away or if it goes missing or stolen by someone. The insurance often is the award for the person who brings the dog back and if there is no one who brings it back or it is not found, then you get the money for buying another dog with it. The dog insurance often includes the boarding fees of the dog if the owner goes for treatment in hospitals or the owner is in for any emergency treatment. The insurance company offers insurance money if you cancel your holiday or cut short the tour to some other places for your pet. The lifesaving treatment of the dog may be the cause of such cancellation of the trip and then there is a set amount that you can get from the insurance company.

The health insurance becomes important for you if your pet is important for you and you feel you have a commitment towards your pet. The cost of the treatments is rising day by day and it is really burning your pockets. Pets getting ill in such hard conditions really become a headache for the owners. Thus pet insurance for dogs are becoming more and more important. You will have to pay the regular premium that is paid monthly or yearly and they are often deductibles and coverage to bring in any difficult situation to a proper solution. Protect your bubble dogs is a good option for getting a cheap and affordable insurance for your loving pet dogs. With the advancement and technological development, now there is no need to search here and there for getting an affordable pet insurance. You can just look for them online and you surely get easy and cheap dog insurance that you will not want to neglect.

 Dogs In The Heat

Of The Summer

We are moving into the fun and sun of the summer. The fourth of July lead us over the bridge to the deep summer. The temperatures have been excessively high throughout the country. While we hit the beach, swim in our pools, and sit in our air conditioned homes, our thoughts must turn to our best friends in the world, our beloved dogs. Consider how heat affects our furry kids.

The heat can and will be as dangerous, if not more, for our pets. They do not have the ability as do we, in deciding how to stay cool. Always remember, it is the human’s responsibility to create a comfortable and refuge from the sun and heat. At the very least sufficient shade needs to be available throughout the day. That means to check where the shade moves throughout the day, don’t assume that being in the shade one part of the day is enough. Of course, we all should know that tying or chaining a dog outside is inhumane and frequently breaking the law, but even in a fenced yard, the issue of shade still prevails. Easy availability of cool water is also a must. There are many types of waterer’s to keep water fresh without increasing your water bill. A tongue activated water spout can be attached directly to an outside water tap,  bowls that refill as the water level lowers, and constantly flowing and filtered water is dispensed in a recirculating waterfall. In many cases, indoors in the air conditioning is the best situation if possible. If your dog has been properly crate trained [ see my article two weeks previous], inside your home is a perfect place to be in intensive heat.

Swimming pools are a wonderful way for us to cool off, but can be a death trap for dogs. Never leave your dog alone in the pool area unattended.  A horrifying number of dogs lose their lives in pools. This can not be stressed enough. Yes most dogs can swim, but for how long, have you taught him how to get out of the pool? Would you leave your child alone in the pool area? The same mindset should be used for your dog.

Some dogs have severe difficulty in the heat more than others. Dogs with short muzzles, such as most breeds of Bulldogs, Pekingese,  Pug, Japanese Chin, Shih Tzu, Bullmastiff, Brussels Griffon, all have no easy way to cool with such a short passage to the lungs. These breeds deserve to remain inside in a cool, air conditioned area.

Humans have an outdated belief that long coated dogs should get a short, summer cut to keep cool. The dog’s coat actually acts as insulation FROM the heat as does your home insulation. Keep them clean and unmatted, and they will handle the heat much better.

Insect invasions increase greatly in the summer. Fleas have free reign in the heat. Ants, Fire Ants, bees, hornets, and our best friends, the mosquito attack at free will. Tons of pesticides, internal and external treatments are available on the market as well as green or natural products. Talk to your vet or alternative medicine veterinarian and find the best treatment for your situation. Do use a heart-worm preventative year round. Heart-worms are deadly, and the cure is very dangerous also. Prevent any infestation, keep your pet pest free.

 Dogs In The Heat Of The Summer

Keep your dog’s activity level lower during the heat of the day, and more activity early morning and late in the day. Black absorbs heat, so keep in mind ,darker coats will get hotter than light. Light colored dogs in particular can become sunburned. Using a sunblock made for babies works well for dogs. Eyes may be sensitive as well, there are many doggy shades available in the market. The question often arises as to why we need to shelter your dog from the sun, since they would have no such luxuries in the wild. This is true, however we do not afford them the natural behavior they would have had in the wild. Instinctual a dog would rest in the shade during the heat of the day, moving and hunting after the air cooled. They wouldn’t travel too far from a stream, nature takes care of itself when man does not interfere.

Our dogs love us with unconditional love, they would do anything for you, please be a responsible pet parent and respect those that love you.

Dogs In The Heat Of The Summer Written by: Carol Pentz
35 years of animal care and training
HeartAndSol American Bulldogs
www.heartandsolab.com

Your dog can also get arthritis when he gets older. However, your pet won’t be able to tell you that he has arthritis. Most dog owners don’t even realize that their pets have arthritis and wonder why their dogs look like they’re in pain and unhappy.The best way to cure in dogs is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Preventing arthritis and monitoring dog health will help you avoid the high cost of medications and surgeries involved in treating your dog’s arthritis.

Weight Management

Weight management is the first step in preventing arthritis in dogs. An overweight dog is more prone to developing arthritis. You can ask your veterinarian for the recommended weight for the breed of your dog. If your pet is overweight, you can help your pet lose weight by reducing the amount of food and treats that you feed him and by making sure that he gets plenty of exercise every day.

Exercise

Exercise is also an important step in preventing dog arthritis. Have your dog perform exercises that promote muscle building and a good range of motion. Some of the best exercises for your pet are slow jogging, walking on treadmills and swimming. Minimize jumping exercises such as playing Frisbee because these exercises are very hard on your dog’s joints and may cause him to develop joint pain. Make sure that your dog gets plenty of exercise daily.

Physical Therapy and Massage

Physical therapy and massage are good for preventing arthritis in dogs and they also help relieve the joint pain. Your veterinarian or other veterinary staff can teach you how to perform some massages and physical therapy on your dog. Physical therapy and massage help relax your dog’s stiff muscles and help promote a good range of motion for your dog’s joints. If your pet already has arthritis, then his joints are already painful so you should start your massage slowly in order to build trust. Begin by petting the affected area and then slowly start kneading the muscles around his joints using your fingertips.

Additional Reading: Dog Aspirin: Giving Aspirins To Dogs For Pain and Arthritis Relief

The nature of Jávea is wonderful for taking a dog out for a run in the orange groves, a stroll along the beach or an adventure of exploration in the bamboo forests along the riverbeds. The local dog rescue kennel APASA Javea currently have more than 230 dogs in their care and nowhere near enough staff to be able to take all the dogs out for excercise, fun and walks as they would like to. This is why the public is encouraged to help the dogs in Javea by simply heading down to the dog kennel, propose to take a dog walking and give it a good time out in the free.

The dogs all crave the human contact, the new interesting inputs and the excitement of discovering the area. Each and every rescue dog will love you for simply taking it for a walk in Javea.

Of course, the vast number of rescue dogs is a problem not solved merely by walking, but do not let it discourage you. It is fantastic if you can adopt a dog in Javea, donate money to APASA, give your time or effort to your local dog rescue kennel! Even if simply walking a dog seem like a petty little contribution, please do it! It may be a tiny effort on your part but it does make a dog extremely happy! A happiness many rescue dogs do not get to experience often.

A constant supply of fresh water is essential to your dog’s good health and comfort.  Water is very important, representing and estimated 70 percent of the dog’s weight.  Like man, a dog can go without food for a surprisingly long time, but if he is deprived of water, he can’t survive for more than a few days, or even hours, in a hot, dry environment.

A dog’s water consumption varies according to the climate to his activity, and to the composition of his meals.  Heat and exercise dehydrate him quickly.  He gets very thirsty in cars or any confined space.  However, excessive thirst for not good reason should be reported to your vet, because it may be an early symptom of diabetes or kidney trouble.

At home he should have a clean, full water bowl next to his food dish, another in his play area, and possibly a third one that is accessible at night.  Away from home the problem is more difficult.  A thirsty dog is attracted to water in the gutter, in stagnant pools and rain puddles.  Clean rain water is fine, but hard to find.

Caustic chemicals used to melt snow on streets and sidewalks, weed-killers and insecticides on lawns and golf courses contaminate most standing water and should be avoided.  Try to train your dog to drink only from his own bowl or what you offer him.  Try to keep a water-filled plastic container with you or in your car, especially if you plan on a lot of walking or running during hot weather.

Milk is the only liquid, aside from water, that appeals to dogs and still agrees with them, (although it may cause loose stools).  They are seldom tempted by other drinks and particularly dislike carbonated drinks.  Milk is always another good source of protein but should not be used as a substitute for meat.  Most any flavored drink should be avoided, as it only tends to irritate the kidneys, causing frequent urination and dehydration.

A Seat Belt for Me?

One of the things that I love about the spring and summer months is more time outside with my human!  He loves to be outside and I get to follow him!!  Not only do we play fetch and take longer walks but we’ll go for a ride in the car as well. I love these trips. Dad says he bought his car with me in mind and I love it!

We roll the windows down, open the moon roof, turn the music up loud and head out!!  Out the driveway- down the street to the main road we go.  I stick my head out the window- then out the moon roof- this is great!!!!!

Suddenly, Dad hits the brakes and I fall in the floor. Ouch!  Not fun.  I climb back onto the seat.  Oh good…..not an accident.  Someone pulled in front of us and slammed on their brakes.   Now Dad’s worried about me- we pull off the road to a safe place, he gets out and checks me for injuries while fussing muttering about “how many times do I have to say ‘sit!’ while in the car!??  I’m Ok- just startled.  We head on our way and enjoy the rest of our trip. 

We get home and my humans check me over really good.  Guess the jolt in the car startled him more than I realize. I need to pay more attention to staying seated in the car, I guess.

Mom suggests some kind of doohickey thingy that would keep me seated in the car.   Dad agrees but isn’t sure what to get. Seat Belt For Dogs !

Dad heads up to his studio to work on his photography and blogging for awhile.  I go up with him and lay down on my pillow, thinking about the crazy ride and how dangerous that driver was!   Dad keeps working but I drift off to asleep.  I awaken and hear Mom mentioning a new harness.  Oh no… not a harness!  Dad begins exploring on the internet and finds a few things to show Mom.

Mom mentions to Dad about the statistics she read in an article written by the American Automobile Association (AAA) which stated that a dog without a harness becomes a flying object in an accident that could seriously hurt you, someone else or itself, the dog could get scared and take off running somewhere, the dog could bite someone and could prohibit the emergency people from helping the injured.  Also, you should never let the dog ride in the front, even with a seat belt or harness because it could go out the windshield in an accident.  AAA recommends putting a harness or Seat Belt For Dogs on your dog whenever you go anywhere in the vehicle.   Good grief, that takes all the fun out of a dog’s ride in the car!

Well, they got me one.  I feel and look silly.  Dad took me for a ride again and I quickly noticed that it isn’t so bad after all.  Dad had to stop quickly and I didn’t go falling into the floor.  However, it does keep me from being able to get up to the front seat.  DRAT!!!

Commit to setting up a Seat Belt For Dogs to keep your puppy safe!

Allen Pearson, www.allenpearsonsphotos.com, blog.allenpearsonsphotos.com
Noah Pearson, Pawthor of dullesdog.blogspot.com
Photography by Tammy Ratliff (Used by Permission)

Boston Terriers are known to be great family pets; they are intelligent, friendly, and outgoing.  Take your Boston terrier on a ride in your car to run some errands, he will enjoy this activity as they are very social dogs and therefore can benefit a great deal from changing environments and from the attention they can get from strangers. This will be a great contribution to your Boston terrier’s mental well-being.

Boston Terriers like to be included as part of the family, so make them feel included as often as possible, but make sure to maintain a clear dog/leader barrier because Boston terriers often tend to feel they are running the show. Creating a healthy balance of authority and family inclusion is crucial with Boston terriers, as they will be unhappy if they are not included as part of the family but can also begin to feel authoritative if the owner does not assert its leadership.

Like all pet animals, dogs too are prone to many diseases. To keep the dogs free from diseases, they should first be understood and treated accordingly with the guidance from the veterinarian. Some of the common dog diseases are discussed below:

Rabies: Rabies is a very common dog disease caused by a virus affecting the central nervous system of the dog. Rabies is known to be spread through saliva. There are several stages observed in the dogs. In the first stage the dogs are seen with a behavior change, in the second stage the dogs become very violent and in the third stage body parts of the dogs stop coordinating with each other. There is no cure till now for this deadly disease.

Bloat: This is a serious condition of the dog. The stomach of the dog gets twisted, which is due to over eating. The symptoms of bloat are restlessness and depression combined with dry heaves.

Distemper: It is considered to be the worst dog disease worldwide. This leads to fatal condition of the puppies up to 80 percent and adult dogs up to 50 percent. The common symptoms of this disease are congestion in the chest, coughing, diarrhea, gunky eyes, nasal discharge etc. At later stages it affects the nervous system of the dogs leading to paralysis. It is a highly contagious dog disease. It can be transmitted from the feces of the infected dog. This dog disease too does not have any cure.

Parvovirus: It is a very contagious disease affecting the intestinal tract of the dogs. It is also said to affect the heart of the dogs. The symptoms of this disease are severe diarrhea, depression, decrease of appetite. The feacel matter of the dog is found to be in a different color with blood stains. The symptoms appear within hours of the infestation and can even kill the dog within 2 to 3 days of infection. Hence, it is considered as a deadly disease.

Kennel Cough: It is very common among dogs. It is a kind of respiratory disease. This can be easily treated.

Canine Viral Hepatitis. This disease affects the liver, kidney and the blood vessels of the dogs. The common symptoms are profuse thirst, vomiting, hemorrhages, loss of appetite etc. This virus too spreads through the feces of the dogs.

Leptospirosis: This disease is caused by bacteria and, even human beings get affected by the bacteria. There are several species of bacteria found to produce the disease in dogs. The common symptoms include lethargy, fever, kidney inflammation, clotting of blood and conjunctivitis. In more chronic conditions it can produce pneumonia, intestinal inflammation and jaundice.

Heartworm: Heartworms are a kind of parasites which multiply and grow, causing infection in the chambers of the heart and arteries of the lungs. The symptoms may start with mild cough, fatigue and lethargy. If it is not treated properly it can lead to congestive heart failure.

Retinal Dysplasia: Abnormal development of the retina is the disorder. This is very common in most of the dog breeds. The minor forms lead to vision problems and the acute forms leads to total blindness in dogs. Cataract can also accompany with this disorder.

These are just a few common dog diseases and should never be taken lightly alway’s consult with your Vet to properly diagnose any pet disease