Every year hundreds of thousands of dogs are put to sleep in the United States. These are shelter dogs. Dogs that ran away from home, dogs that were dropped off at the shelter because their owners didn’t want them, and dogs that were taken from neglecting owners.

This is a tragedy. What a horrible way to treat who we call “Man’s Best Friend”. I believe that most of this needless death could be avoided through a few responsible practices on the part of dog owners.

The main and number one reason that we have so many euthanized dogs every year is due to poor breeding practices. To put it simply, there are far too many unwanted dogs born to far too many irresponsible dog owners.

In my years working with dogs I have come across many dog owners who want to breed their dogs. I often ask them why they want to breed and the answers, in my opinion, are crazy.

“Well, I want my kids to be able to witness the miracle of birth.” I have heard this one a number of times. This is one of the worst reasons you can have to breed a dog. If your main desire is education then buy a book about animal reproduction. Rent a documentary about animal breeding, don’t bring more animals into the world. Bringing an entire litter into the world just so your kids can see a birth is irresponsible. What often happens to the poor puppies is that they are given away to friends and neighbors or out in front of the local Wal-Mart. The potential owners are never pre-qualified to determine if they would be a good dog owner. The net result is often a new dog owner who is completely unprepared for a puppy. How many of these puppies end up at the shelter when their owners decide they can’t handle a puppy? There are no accurate statistics but the hundreds of thousands of dogs in shelters are a testament to this practice.

“I think it is only fair to allow my dog to have a litter. She is such a sweet dog she should have the chance to be a mother.” Ahhhhh! I scream inside every time I hear this phrase. Just because you have a sweet, female dog doesn’t mean that you should allow her to have puppies. Your dog doesn’t have a ticking biological clock urging her to be a mom. Sure, instinct kicks in when she goes into heat but if you spay your dog she won’t come into heat. Besides, as the human owner with a better and more elevated level of judgment, you should be the one who determines if she should be a mom, not her.

I am a huge advocate of responsible breeding practices. I support dog owners and dog breeders who breed dogs in order to improve their chosen breed. That is to say, breeders who recognize a fine representative of a breed and breed that dog with another fine specimen in order to theoretically improve the breed. These breeders then responsibly screen potential owners to make sure that their puppies will be raised by good dog owners.

The consequences of poor breeding are ugly. Please, don’t breed your dog for the wrong reasons.

Author Ty Brown is a renowned dog trainer whose training adventures and clients have taken him to 18 states and 5 countries to teach others how to properly train their dogs. Go to

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeding

If you are fond of one particular breed of dog and you are a dog-breeding beginner, you might wish to consider committing to the improvement of your favorite breed. Usually this involves working with a particular bloodline and try to create specific traits for future generations.

All a dog-breeding beginner needs, as far as dogs are concerned, are one or more fertile female dogs. But a good dog breeder, even a beginner, will naturally avoid dogs that have any major flaws. While it is not unusual for breeders to want their dogs to win championships and raise the value of future puppies, the chance for the breeder to network with people knowledgeable about the breed is more important. As your network widens, the chances of meeting another exhibitor having a dog that has traits that you are looking for to improve your dogs lineage. So you might get the opportunity to breed the two dogs and get top quality puppies.

Dog-breeding beginners who are seriously intend to breed dogs for many years, should choose a kennel name and register it with the American Kennel Club. You can choose the name of one of your puppies as the kennel name.

Get a kennel permit even if your state does not require it. A permit will be needed eventually and as the number of dogs increases, the neighbors could object and create problems later on. Get a permit as soon as you get the first dog or puppy.

The first breeding of a female dog should take place with a male dog belonging to an experienced breeder. Dogs do not fall in love at first sight and remain in heat only for a few days. Experienced breeders know how to introduce dogs and how to help them breed successfully.

Take the dog to the veterinarian for at least one prenatal visit after breeding is complete. Usually the vet or an x-ray can tell how many puppies may be expected. Collect all information related to birthing from the vet and be prepared because some dogs must deliver by C-section. Remember to make note of all prenatal vitamins to ensure the dog’s good health.

Prepare a quiet spot for the dog as the delivery day approaches. Some of the items to kept handy are: whelping box, clean rags, heating pad. Also keep the vet’s emergency number within reach. Either purchase a whelping box or make one, as it is easy. Be sure to put a small ledge in the box in order to avoid the accidental crushing of the puppies after delivery.

The hardest part comes after the delivery when you realize that those adorable little puppies will soon have to be sent to new homes of their own.

Get all of your dog information at yougodog.com yougodog.com

Copyright 2006 @ Ann Born yougodog.com yougodog.com

No part of this article may be reproduced in any manner without including the author’s bio.

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeding

Before you can determine whether or not a particular dog will be of value to you there are two basic items that must be addressed. One, you must know the breed of dog you want. Are you after a German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain dog, Newfoundland, Yorkshire Terrier or other type? If it’s a German Shepherd that you want you should be looking for german shepherd dog breeders. And two, you must be aware of some specific information about that breed. The information you need to be versed on includes the correct size for your dog breed, how often it needs to be brushed, how much activity or exercise it needs daily, if there are genetic diseases that are common with this type, have there been tests performed that have ruled these diseases out in this pup, and what else is required in maintaining it’s health such as clipping its nails.

There is a lot of additional information that is important for you to know as well. Some dog breeders don’t actually do the breeding themselves, but buy their animals from other areas. You should stick with a breeder that breeds and raises the pups on site. The reason for this is because you can better determine if this puppy was raised in a clean environment. Without examining its place of birth you have no idea what sort of environment it was raised in. Puppies can end up with mental or physical deficiencies if brought up in a cruel or unkempt environment.

Another item for concern is the age of the puppies that you are interested in. The puppies should be at least seven weeks old before they are placed. Their parents should be at least two years old before breeding and should have been tested for any possible genetic diseases.

When purchasing puppies it’s important that the pups have had some interaction with other animals and children. This is to help ensure that the dogs will be friendly and sociable. It’s also a good idea to get your puppy from a dog breeder that will allow you to call him later with any questions or concerns you may have about your animal.

There is a lot to know about breeding dogs and it’s very hard to find a competent experienced dog breeder who raises more than 4 or 5 different breeds. If he raises 6 or 8 or more it’s probably a good idea to look else ware for you puppy. Also, most experienced breeders belong to one or more breed clubs so ask them if that’s true with them.

As you are concerned about the specific breeder he should also show some concern with you as well. If he asks you questions about they type of environment that you will raising the pup, your family, and your experience with animals it’s usually a good sign that the animal has been raised with love. The breeder should have concern for the placement of his puppies.

Once you have made a decision to buy a specific dog there are few other items that should be addressed. A suggested diet should be provided for your animal. You should receive a registration certificate with your purchase. You should also require the seller to give you a 3-generation pedigree chart for the dog, a health record of the animal that includes dates the puppy was inoculated or received other veterinary care. Another important item is a health guarantee and you should require one. If it’s later discovered that the dog suffers from a genetic disease, for example, you should have some recourse. Along these same lines you should have in writing that you are allowed, within a reasonable amount of time, to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian at your own expense. And if it is found that the dog you have purchased has any defects, as determined by the veterinarian, you can return it for a full refund.

Finding the perfect dog can be a long and tedious process, but with a little preparation, education and effort it’s possible to obtain a quality animal that you will be proud to own.

This article is presented to you by best-dog-breeders.com Best Dog Breeders, an online source about best-dog-breeders.com dog breeders. For more information about dog breeding visit Best Dog Breeders.

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeding, yorkshire terrier

Many factors need to be considered by a family, before bringing home a new pet.

Some are as followed:

GENDER – SIZE - HAIR:

What about the gender of the dog? Are you interested in a male or female? Will you breed the dog once it is grown? If a breeding program is not in its future, consider neutering the dog. Are you interested in a large or a small dog? Often, potential owners don’t consider the frame size and weight of the puppy when it becomes an adult. Also think about the grooming needs of a long-haired dog versus a short-haired one.

VETERINARY CARE:

The dog will also need regular veterinary care. All these costs can add up, especially if you’re on a limited budget. What type of dog do you want? Purebred or mixed breed? Research the traits of the breed that interests you. Be aware that some breeds have specific benefits or problems. In addition, some purebreds can be very expensive. Perhaps adopting from your local animal shelter is an option.

TIME:

Another important factor is your family’s lifestyle. Do you work all day? How much free time do you have? Remember, a new puppy will require four or more feedings a day and will need to go out just as often. Do you spend a lot of time traveling or entertaining? Do you have small children or other animals at home? Are you physically able to handle a dog? What about your location? Do you own a home or rent an apartment? Will your landlord allow pets? Do you live in the city or in a rural area? Is there enough fenced-in yard space for the dog to properly exercise?

DOG ROLE IN YOUR FAMILY:

Think about the role your new dog will play in your family. Will it be used as for:

a) My son/daughter/children

Trust me; this will be YOUR dog! After the ‘honeymoon period’, the kids may only play with the dog, occasionally. They may groan and grumble about any dog-related responsibilities, doing them, begrudgingly, only after significant prodding from you. As children’s interests and activities change, over the years, their level of involvement with the dog will most likely be, inconsistent, at best. Additionally, your children, especially, young children, will need to be ‘trained’ in how to behave with the dog and will need to be supervised when with the dog.

b) Protection

I know some may disagree but, it is my opinion, that the only time is it a good idea to get a dog for the purpose of protection is in professional or agricultural situations and only when the owner/trainer is humane and knowledgeable of dog behavior and dominant dog training/handling. In all other situations - probably 99.9% - an alarm system, security fence, or other measures are much more appropriate and effective.

c) To breed puppies

If you’ve read the third paragraph of this piece and still feel this way, there is probably little I can offer to change your mind. But, just in case, let me restate the case a little more thoroughly. The breeding of dogs is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. If it is not your intention to remain responsible for all of your puppies for their entire lives, including being willing to take back and care for those who may find themselves homeless, do not enter into this endeavor. If you are planning on breeding for profit, understand that there are much easier, more profitable and ethical ways to make a buck. Dogs are living beings and dog breeding requires a significant investment of time, money, labor, knowledge, both academic and practical, patience, and emotional fortitude, to be done responsibly and humanely. Please visit a few of the shelter and rescue websites, or your local shelter, and witness the problem yourself. View the faces of the homeless dogs and talk to the volunteers and staff who, all too often, must take that ‘final walk’ with them.

BUYING STRATEGY:

Once you’ve decided on the type of dog you want and where you will purchase it, do not buy a puppy on the first visit. Instead, potential owners leave, think about the decision, and then go back. Avoid the temptation of buying two or more puppies. A single puppy will bond to its owner better and will be easier to train.

Depending on the breed, the best time to purchase a puppy is between 7-9 weeks of age. As soon as possible have the puppy examined by a veterinarian. If possible, ask the seller if you can have the puppy checked by a veterinarian before you purchase it.

Mike Freije A Pets Health Guide Specialist
pets-guide.com pets-guide.com
health-shop.info health-shop.info

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeding, dog training, groom

Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua ‘Tinkerbell’ may be solely responsible for bringing the term ‘toy dog’ to the attention of the world and the fascination with using one’s dog as an accessory to its owner’s outfit. Designers like Gucci and Burberry who have created haute couture fashion for dogs and high price tags for consumers exemplify the obsession with how a dog’s breed and style reflects upon an owner. The trend with designer dogs does not end there. In some of the latest breeding technology, dogs have been genetically created and crossbred for optimal behavior and looks. The Labradoodle, Yorkipoo, cockapoo and Schnoodle are the hottest dog breeds to walk the streets of 5th avenue, with or without high heels and sitting in designer handbags.

The Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle, was created to combine the intelligence, dainty bone structure, formal nature and allergy-and asthma-friendly, non-shedding aspects of the poodle with the favorable, fun-loving, fidelity of a lab. This mix has taken the dog world by storm with dog owners willing to shell out $2,500 USD for one of these animals. In the 1970’s, the Labradoodle was originally crossbred in Australia after requests for a low-allergy guide dog was needed for individuals with special needs, while providing a low-key and amiable companion. The popularity of Labradoodles has taken off wildly and has become the must-have dog in certain social circles.

Editor-in-Chief Allan Reznik of Dog Fancy and Dog World fame notes, “It’s indicative of a society that loves labels. Having a dog that is part spaniel and part poodle isn’t enough—it has to be a cockapoo.”

Many of these newly created hybrid dogs include the genes of a poodle to make new inventive breeds that don’t shed their fur. Yorkipoos, cockapoos and schnoodles are poodles mixed with Yorkshire terriers, cocker spaniels and Schnauzers, respectively. These hybrids do not always create a healthier dog than purebreds, which are notorious for their health problems due to inbreeding. This current craze of designer dog breeding has the possibility of going too far, bringing up issues of genetic selection and the natural order of things. But if there is demand, then supply will be provided and many amateur breeders are taking a crack at homegrown hybrids with some detrimental results. If a breeder were to match a Pug with a Pekingese the resulting breed could create a dog with eyes falling out of its head, as both breeds have exaggerated eyes and eye sockets as distinguishing traits in each breed. Smart genetic engineering on the part of breeders is imperative to creating a healthy, happy and hybrid dog of the future.

Toy dogs, like Tinkerbell of Paris Hilton fame, are also genetically created dogs and were developed specifically to be cute and charismatic companions. In our image-conscious and name brand consumer world, this writer harkens to say ‘what will they think of next?’ cross breeding elephants and monkeys, or chipmunks with snakes to create the perfect, over-the-top must-have animal of tomorrow? I’d say, they are barking up the wrong tree. Until genetic scientists create a dog that can toilet-train itself and use a human bathroom, it’s still a dog’s life for owners and mutts alike.

Eric Hartwell oversees “The World’s Best Homepage” intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on theworldsbesthomepage.com/blog/category/home/pets/ dogs and pets and visit our associated site free-content-resource.com articles for free.

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Tags: chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeding, dog breeds, heel, snake, yorkshire terrier