SightHounds: The History of the Sight Hound

Historically, sight hounds have often been called gaze hounds. In history, they have been working dogs and people were not so much worried about their appearance.

Once the 19th century approached, people began to breed them for appearance making them look like they do now; long, lean canines that almost look royal in appearance. They have even been known to be the favorite pet of many an Egyptian Pharaoh or world king or emperor.

Sight hounds are a breed of dog deeply rooted in history

Not only have they been used for a long time but many dogs could probably trace their roots back to the very first dogs that were domesticated for human use. That is quite a family tree.

Many people have heard of the notorious scent hound dog breed type. They are notorious for their great smellers, and for good reason; they have the ability to smell through thick grass, over a river, and for a very long time at that. A sight hound is the vision-worthy equivalent of a scent hound. While scent hounds are a type of hound with great noses, sight hounds are notorious for their impeccable sight.
Read the rest of this entry »

Generally people are very keen on animals, dogs especially,wanting to have one in their apartments or houses. The dog breeders are the persons you can contact whenever you want to take a pure breed dog. Yet, the problem of the dog breeders’s reputation arises and you need to be sure that this person is indeed looking after his animals that they are healthy and so an. It is easy to check the advertisements in your local newspaper but it would be advisable to make sure that the dog breeder you have chosen is reputable. Read the rest of this entry »

If you happen to be in the market for a purebred dog, there are over one hundred varieties to choose from. They each have their own traits and temperaments. They also come in large and small sizes.

You may be wondering what the most popular dogs in the United States are. According to the American Kennel Club’s registration figures for 2006, the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd lead the large dog breed category and the Yorkshire Terrier, Daschund and Poodle lead the small dog breed category.

The Labrador Retriever has held the number one spot in popularity since 1991. And if you were familiar with this breed you wouldn’t question why. The Lab is a friendly, kind, intelligent, loving, loyal and eager to please pet who loves to play. They belong to the sporting dog group and are considered to be the original water dog, since they have a short double water resistant coat and an otter tail. Their strong legs allow for swimming and running. The Lab is easily trained and has a reliable temperament, making them an excellent choice for children. They are non-aggressive towards humans and other animals. They are also energetic and need a lot of exercise. Exercise will keep them happy and out of trouble. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many people who love large dogs. That is obvious by the number of large dog breeds listed in the AKC top ten favorite dog breeds. The Top Ten list includes Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and Boxers. And since Poodles are eighth in the list, you could say that five large breeds are in the top ten since Standard Poodles average over 50 pounds.

Why are so many large dogs found in the top ten when they can appear so intimidating, cost a lot more to feed than smaller dogs, require more room, and require firmer training than, say, a Pug or Pomeranian?
Read the rest of this entry »

If you really want a dog with a high maintenance coat, but don’t have the time or inclination to groom it regularly yourself, you might want to consider using one of the many local dog grooming services. A lot of them are mobile, and will come straight to your house. Just factor in the ongoing costs associated with using their services when you choose your pet. An advantage of using a professional is that they will generally use a flea shampoo, which saves you the trouble of applying flea powder.

What type of grooming is required for dogs?

Generally, there are two types every dog needs. The first is basic maintenance. This usually involves cleaning his teeth, brushing and combing his coat, clipping his toenails, checking his coat for any fleas, checking his skin for any lumps, rashes, or sores, and looking over his eyes and ears. How often this needs to be done varies with the breed, but you should aim for at least once a week.
Read the rest of this entry »

The most frequently bitten people are children. By the age of 14, about half of all children have been bitten by a dog. The overwhelming majority of bites occur in children under nine years of age, sometimes resulting in both physical and emotional damage. Through an understanding of canine behavior and preparation for what to do in the event of a canine confrontation, many such bites can be avoided. Most dogs are fun and safe to be with, but certain dogs, and it’s hard to tell which ones, have their own set of “rules” regarding children. Whether or not we humans feel the rules of this minority appropriate, we must help our children become aware of situations to avoid.

This article is not meant to blame children if they are bitten. There is rarely a good excuse for a dog biting a person, but knowing the reasons a dog might bite, from the dog’s point of view, may be helpful in avoiding bites. Here are some statistics from Chicago and Dallas University which were based over a three year period of reported dog bites. Many are not reported. Of all dog bites of children under four years of age, most were bitten in early May. Sixty percent were bitten on the head, neck and face, 90 percent were bitten in their own home, 40 percent were bitten by their own dog and 60 percent of the dogs had no previous history of biting. Of all dog bites of children age four to 16, most were bitten in early July. Eighteen percent were bitten on the head, neck and face, 38 percent were bitten in their own home, 18 percent were bitten by their own dog and 50 percent of the dogs had no previous history of biting. Further studies showed that 51 percent of the infants bitten were bitten in their cots and most were bitten by their own pets. None of the reported bites were by strays, and most were not witnessed by the parents. This posed questions:

Why were the dogs allowed in children’s sleeping areas? Where were the parents?
Many of these potential bite situations can be avoided by providing the proper training and environment for our pet dogs. It is not, however, the intent of this article to give information on how to bite-proof dogs, but rather how to bite-proof children.

You can tell if a dog is upset.

Any dog can bite, but most won’t if you act the way you should around them. The signs are: tail up, hairs on its back raised, baring teeth and growling. If a child keeps on doing what makes the dog angry, it might get angrier and perhaps bite. If the dog’s ears are laid back with the tail between the legs, it is scared. It might run, but it might also bite if it cannot get away. Do not go closer if it looks like that. If a child is bitten, he/she should try to remember what the dog looked like and in which direction it went. The child should tell an adult who can wash the wound with soap and water. If a doctor has to be seen, ask for a report to take to the police.

The warning body language of aggressive dogs is: Ears erect, body stiff, tail high, hackles up.

A fearful posture is: Ears back, body crouched, head low, tail tucked in.

Other signs to watch for are: Growling and barking, lips lifting, teeth bared

Dogs that have assumed either a defensive or offensive threat posture frequently have a “critical zone”. A child is safe around this zone until entering the imaginary circle the dog has projected. The problem is that this zone varies between dogs and can even be different for the same dog if the situation changes. So it’s impossible for humans to accurately determine the critical zone. A defensive threat posture is adopted by the shy or fearful dog. It is hesitant, easily frightened, timid, tends to avoid certain persons or things. Frequently, these traits are not noticed until the dog encounters a new situation. The dog might assume elements of the defensive threat posture when frightened.

Shy dogs can be gentle, loving, obedient pets, but may try to bite when frightened. The dog’s motive is to chase that person away. The problem is, we cannot always tell which people or actions frighten the dog. The fearful dog may fool you by appearing brave. The dog growls and raises the fur along the neck and back like a brave/aggressive dog, but ears may be pinned back, body lowered, tail between the legs. The tail may even be wagging, but a wagging tail doesn’t always mean a friendly dog. The dog might bark and stare, but then turn away, only to turn toward you again and start all over. This dog would really rather not deal with you and hopes to frighten you away but, if pushed, it might bite.

An offensive threat posture is when a dog is hostile, assertive, ready for combat, dominant and self-confident. It does so when provoked. The dog can be a loving and loyal pet to his immediate family if given proper training, but this type of dog can bite if challenged. The motive is to hurt the challenging person. The problem is, we do not always know what the dog may regard as a challenge. The brave/aggressive dog’s offensive threat posture, may include growling deeply, raised hackles, staring, a show of fangs, standing tall with ears and tail erect and leaning toward the opponent. If the situation is not handled carefully, this dog might bite.

So how does a child avoid getting bitten?

- Never touch a dog when it is feeding.
- Do not tease a dog, its ears are not hankies.
- If chased by a dog while cycling, get off. Place the bike between you and the dog. LOOK AWAY.
- Avoid packs of dogs, if confronted, do not run away or scream.
- Do not disturb a sleeping dog.
- If meeting a new dog, pat him on the side of the face, under the chin or on the chest. Never place your head above a dog’s head. Crouch down, and approach on his level.
- Ask an owner if it is permissible to pat their dog. If it is, let the dog sniff your knuckles to show you are a friend.
- Do not pat dogs in cars, it is a space they consider worth defending.
- Do not try to separate dogs fighting, go for help if necessary.
- Never approach a dog when it is chained up.
- If a strange dog comes up to you, stand still, like a lamppost.

Children and dogs can live happily together as long as they follow the rules we have just been through. The presence of an adult is a deterrent. Never leave dogs and children alone.

Commitment, Firmness, but kindness.

You can always find unusual or uncommon dog breeds in the dog world. The Akita Inu is a clear example. This dog breed is absolutely interesting and has so many virtues that it will reach your heart immediately. However this is not a very usual breed among regular dog breeds and among pet owners. But we are here to invite to get to know it a little more and see how much it has to offer. Come with us!

The Akita Inu is a breed originated in the Japanese province of Honshu, in its inner district of Akita, from where it takes on its name. The word Inu means “dog” but it is not always said when people refer to this breed. It is today considered the national dog breed of Japan. The main purposes for which this breed was brought up refer to the imperial era, and this is because these dogs fulfilled the role of imperial guardian alongside with soldiers. They were also used as hunters and security jobs. Traditionally, Japanese people used to believe they had spiritual and magical properties and even today they are seen as healers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Airedale Terriers are those big and brownish dogs that have a dense and curly coat covering all of their body and that also have an alert but still gentle and friendly expression. This is a super interesting breed to know so if you want, you are invited to keep on reading and discover lots of other things about Airedale breed Terriers.

This Terrier breed was originated in the nineteenth century in the British county of York where it was used for hunting tasks as any other Terrier breed. They were also used as police dogs in the beginnings of the twentieth century and especially in World War II. Traditionally they covered different work activities like guardian dogs, hunting, rescuing, tracking lost persons, and many others, activities that last till the actual days. They are also used as company dogs nowadays.

Read the rest of this entry »

f you think of small cute dogs, the first breed that will surely come to your mind is the Yorkshire Terrier.

These tiny and hairy dogs are absolutely glamorous and we are used to seeing them in the arms of Hollywood celebrities and famous people. They have a strong personality so if you want a determined and interesting dog but you don’t want to lose space at home then you definitely need to go for a Yorkshire Terrier. They will cheer your day up and you will be relaxed since their independence will allow you to mind your own business. If all of this sounded interesting to you must keep on reading this article and find the most important information you need to know about them.

Read the rest of this entry »

This particular breed is original form China as many others. What makes this breed stand out from the crowd is its deep wrinkles.

The name comes from the Chinese name Sha Pi, which when translated would mean something similar to Sand Skin. If you know the coat color of the breed you will immediately realize this is completely true. At that time, this breed was used as guardian dogs or fighting dogs. Due to their tough grabbing, they made their opponents think twice before committing any type of crime.

Read the rest of this entry »