The backyard breeder is the person that breeds dogs for a few different reasons. People breeding designer dogs (cockapoos, schnoodles, goldadoodles, shitzugs, you get the idea). Designer dogs are created when breeds are combined to create a "new breed". These breeds are not recognized by AKC, they are extremely prone to health problems (as genetics are involved), and are over bred. We highly discourage designer breeding and cannot address the issues specific to these types of breeders. Backyard breeders are also people that love "Fido", and want to make another just like him. So they don't spay or neuter Fido and they find a stud or bitch to breed him to or with and have a litter of puppies often forgetting that Fido Jr will come with multiple siblings. Finally backyard breeders are everyday folk that buy a dog and a bitch of a specific breed and make puppies without health testing, or research into bloodlines, or any of the real work involved in breeding dogs. You of…
Hobbyist Breeders
The Hobbyist breeder is who this book is designed to help. The hobbyist breeder is someone that interested in a breed of dog, and works toward improving upon the breed. They do research on the breeds and their standard (what the breed is expected to look like and do- each dog has been bred for a specific purpose from hunting to protection, to companionship, even turning prayer wheels). They carefully choose their breeding stock, researching pedigrees looking for outstanding representations of their breed, along with excellent temperament and health issues. Hobbyists title their dogs, be it confirmation (think Best in Show), obedience, rally, or other types of AKC or UKC titles. Some are involved in rare breeds, working towards having their breed recognized by AKC. Hobbyists dogs live in their homes or are rotated through their homes if they also have kennels. Their pups are whelped in a part of their home and they are carefully placed in pet ho…
Kennel Clubs
AKC and UKC are the kennel clubs recognized in the United States. Readers in other countries don't worry, most countries have kennel clubs similar to AKC. American Kennel Club is the best known in the US as AKC. UKC is United Kennel Club. Many breeds are recognized by both while some breeds are only recognized by UKC. Both clubs offer information, registration and shows in confirmation ,rally, obedience etc. around the country.
Dog shows are where you earn a dogs championship in these different areas. In confirmation the animal is judged by how closely to the breed standard they are. Duren . Many dogs are dual titled, or have multiple titles if their breeder/owner is involved in other activities like agility or obedience. There are dog shows nationwide, and during all times of the year. Most of the time you can find adog show, depending on where you live, within a 2 hour drive of your home. The bestplace to find where and when dog shows are is infodog.com. Y…
Breed Standards – what does it mean
In the dog world you will often hear or read the phrase breed standard. The breed standard is the outline of how that specific breed should be built. A breed standard will describe size, coat, build, temperament, how it should move or its gait, the general appearance, and color, and bite. It will also indicate any faults that might be disqualifications in any specific breed. The standard is what breeders use when choosing their foundation (the beginning of your kennel) dogs. That is why it is important to carefully choose the kennel from which your dogs come.
Kennels that adhere to a breeds standard are better able to provide you with the right dogs to start with. Who comes up with these standards you might ask? The breed club for any particular breed does. AKC asks them about what the standard should be, the breeders come together with a current standard and they vote on any amendments or changes that they feel might be made. Most of the time its…
Toys for Puppies
Most puppies go to their homes at 8 weeks. Some smaller breeds are kept by their breeders for up to 12 weeks. Generally puppies are to busy playing with the other puppies to be interested in toys until about 6-8 weeks. He or she may have been introduced to toys by the time you take them home, but this is the perfect opportunity to get them a toy. It's either that or get ready for lots of furniture chewing.
Translation - it's important to make sure that the toys you pick can't be swallowed or break into small pieces. Puppies enjoy pulling things, squeaky things, shaking things and just about anything they can carry around in their mouth. Tennis balls are also a must for some breeds. Certain hunting dogs also really like stuffed animals. You do need to be careful, because they don't just like to play with them, they rip them to shreds. We've come home on several occasions to a Christmas like appearance to our ho…
First Aid and Your Dog
Knowing first aid can save the life of your dog. Just like people, dogs have accidents and need medical attention sometimes. Sometimes, there is just no time to get to the vet and that is when doggie first aid is so handy to know. Knowing what should go into your animal first aid kit is the key to keeping your dog alive and well, no matter what happens. If you do a lot of hiking and walking in places like parks or on trails, then you should also have a doggie first aid kit in your car for emergencies out of the home.
Most of the items in your doggie first aid kit are similar to those you have in your regular first aid kit for the family. There are however, a few things that need to be specialized for the animal of your life.
The BasicsHere are some of the basics that your first aid kit cannot do without:
Hydrogen peroxide Sterile eyewash solution made specifically for pets Roll of absorbent cotton Some cotton …Dog Behavior
We all know the old saying, “Dogs are man’s best friend,” but sometimes beloved dogs don't always live up to this adage. It is very important to be aware of the underlying reasons why dogs' behaviors are poor or unexpected.
Fortunately, experts on dog behavior maintain that man can teach his dog the best behavior through proper training. Interestingly, dogs' behaviors are simply responses that are set off by environmental and social situations. In order to keep these responses in check, the owner, or pet companion, needs to train his dogs the appropriate responses to the environmental and social factors.
Why do dogs bite?According to statistics, dog bites affect 5 million people in the United States each year. This is alarming because 5 million people is almost 2% of the total U.S. population. Additionally, dog bites are the second most common cause of emergencies in U.S. hospitals.
The logical question is: Why do dogs bite?
Accor…
Underground Fencing
The new trend in the puppy product market is underground dog fences. These underground fences teach pets boundaries while in your yard through an electronic containment system. These systems deliver a small electric “shock”, which is transmitted through an electric collar.
Advantages of Underground Dog FencesUnderground fences have several benefits, including the ability to contain your dog within a barrier without the expensive cost of installing a real fence. Dogs like the fences too because they don't have to be kenneled up for long periods of time while you are at work or the kids are at school. Underground fences allow them the freedom to roam around the front and back yard, but only to the extent that the invisible fence allows.
A big advantage of using an underground dog fence is that you don't have to resort to options that some people consider inhumane or unhealthy for your dog, such as tethering the dog with ropes or chains or even locking …
Pet Rescue
Many people have their hearts set on choosing a certain dog breed - a Labrador, German Shephered, Spaniel, or whatever. We can't always afford our top choice of a purebred puppy, though because life and family compete for the finances. Dog Rescues can save the day and fill this need.
Dog Rescues are run by people who want to help dogs that have been mistreated, abandoned or given up on by their previous owners. A Dog Rescue's mission is to place these unfortunate dogs in a home with loving parents so that they can live out the rest of their days in a safe and caringv environment.
Find Your BreedDog rescues normally focus on a particular breed of dog. This makes your search easier, because once you have found a rescue for the breed your heart is set on, all you need to do is register and wait for the right dog to come along. Typically, these organizations have contact lists to keep members informed when new dogs come in.
You can find a Dog R…
Radio Fence for Dogs
Radio Fences are an automatic device that helps keep your dog within a specified boundary that you do not wish it to cross. Pet owners as well as their neighbors are able to live in a peaceful environment without any risk of danger from the dogs. In this way one can also do away with the hassle of installing expensive wood or metal fences, which are considered to be less efficient. Radio fences are also sometimes known as invisible fences.
The Electric Radio fences work in a very simple way. The wire of the dog fence is buried underground around the boundary that you have marked for it. Different models require different patterns of layouts, so you may actually need twice the amount of wire that you originally intended. The electric collar worn by the dog receives radio signals emitted by the wire. The wire in turn is connected to a transmitter plug that is fitted inside your home. When the dog gets closer to the boundary, the collar around the d…