What procedures are employed to maintain a Shih Tzu – pet or show - in optimum health? The areas important are:

1. Maintenance of high standards of health.
2. Feeding a scientifically balanced diet.
3. Establishment of a regular program of exercise.

The formality and detail of a system is a matter of personal taste, however, these three areas are of universal importance and must be included whether you are raising a single family pet Shih Tzu or you are maintaining a large kennel of Shih Tzu show dogs.

Raising Shih Tzu Show Dogs

You must employ greater care when conditioning the Shih Tzu show dog. This is true not only because the Shih Tzu represent a larger investment of money, but because the show dog Shih Tzu are forced into situations that are potentially much more damaging to their general health.

Shih Tzu show dogs are constantly on the go being transported from one part of the country to another. Shih Tzu show dogs travel hundreds of miles each week to maintain their show schedule. Such traveling is hard on people and it is hard on Shih Tzu. It disrupts the normal Shih Tzu routine of life. There is breaking of the routine for sleeping and eating. While the Shih Tzu may sleep in the crate as they travel, the situation is still not entirely the same as when the Shih Tzu are at home and sleeping. There are new strange noises that disturb the Shih Tzu’s’ rest, and the Shih Tzu does not sleep as soundly as he would at home. The Shih Tzu rest is also constantly disturbed during the night with the arrival of each new exhibitor.

A dog’s hearing is very much greater than human hearing. It is most likely the Shih Tzu will be disturbed many more times during the traveling than a human on the same trip. All of this can create a nervous strain on the Shih Tzu. The Shih Tzu may simply refuse to eat and have to be force fed. Some Shih Tzu never do make an adequate adjustment and are forced to retire from a show career, just as some humans do not adjust to the busy life of being a Hollywood Movie Star and may turn to alcohol or drugs to help them adjust or not be able to perform at all.

You must consider also that traveling from show to show in a small crate has to be physically exhausting for the Shih Tzu show dog. The motion of the car or the airplane, the noises and the strange fumes all can add to the Shih Tzu’s discomfort and does take its toll on their health and well being.

The Shih Tzu show dog has all the above mentioned areas of concern in addition to those general problems that exist for all Shih Tzu – pet or show. The general conditions of health, diet, and exercise must be watched constantly to prevent serious health problems for the Shih Tzu – pet or show.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. She publishes a FREE weekly newsletter with a focus upon health and wellness for you and your pets. Designer dog clothes are offered on the website. Discounts are offered to subscribers. Sign up at: stainglassshihtzus.com/ stainglassshihtzus.com/

This article is FREE to publish with resource box.

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Summer is here, and it’s time to celebrate with festive small dog clothes like t-shirts and dresses for your dog. With all the vacations, cookouts, BBQs and patriotic celebrations, your pooch can stand out from the canine crowd and bring a smile to everyone’s face. Most people see dog clothing as only a practical item to be used during cold weather. That may work for some owners, but for those who truly love to pamper their four-legged babies, even warm weather calls for looking cute. It’s important to be sensible with pet clothes, of course, since dogs and cats have their natural coat, but as long as it’s not too hot and uncomfortable, dressing up your dog in the summer can be very enjoyable.

A dog shirt or dress can be a cool piece of clothing even in the heat of summer and can even help protect certain breeds from sunburn. For example, a green or pink camouflage tank top will look great at any outdoor event, and it covers some sensitive areas for small, short-hair breeds. The Chinese Crested dog is one canine that has very little hair to protect it from the sun, so clothes are needed all year. If you have a short haired Chihuahua, for example, he or she may also benefit from the clothing coverage against UV rays. There are many dresses and gowns for all sorts of occasions so your little girl dog can look great wherever she goes. A big dog can enjoy a dress just as much as a tiny one, too, so don’t feel left out if you have a Labrador. There are also dressy shirts for a boy or girl pooch so they can look fancy for a party. Dog clothes in the summer don’t have to be frivolous and can definitely be helpful.

Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of littlepamperedpets.com littlepamperedpets.com with adorable littlepamperedpets.com small dog clothes for your little breed babies. Come visit Little Pampered Pets.com to find littlepamperedpets.com/dog_clothes/dog_dresses.html dog dresses for your little girl.

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If you are considering getting a dog, it’s wise to explore the characteristics of different breeds of dogs to determine which one is right for you and your family. You’ll want to find a dog that goes with your personality, lifestyle, and pocketbook.

The importance of choosing the right breed cannot be emphasized enough because a major cause of issues between dogs and owners revolves around unsuitability between the two. For example, an avid gardener probably would not be happy with a Fox Terrier, which is bred to dig vermin from their underground burrows. He’s born to dig up the garden!

So how do you choose the right breed? Let’s look at some key considerations:

What kind of experience is required? Some breeds like Border Collies are strong willed by nature and will challenge you for leadership. An experienced dog owner would likely do better with them. However, the Smooth Collie and Bearded Collie are easier to train and are suitable for new dog owners.

How is the Breed with Children? If you have kids or your dog will be around them, it’s important to get a dog that does well with children. More importantly, you need to teach your children how to handle the dog properly. Even the most easygoing and tolerant breed of dog can bite if it is hurt or frightened.

Size – Size DOES matter, when it comes to choosing the right dog breed. Do you have a house with a large yard, or an apartment or condo? Do you want to take your dog with you when you travel? Are you willing to clean up after a large dog? Do you want a dog to cuddle on the couch with you?

Exercise Requirements – With the exception of a few, almost all breeds enjoy brisk exercise. Do you have time to walk your dog regularly? Does the breed need daily vigorous exercise to prevent it from being hyper? If you work long hours you may be happier with a dog with lower exercise requirements.

Grooming and Coat – As for grooming, dog breeds run the gamut. Some have no-fuss coats and need occasional brushing, some breeds require regular trips to the groomer, and others fall in between. Think about the time and money you are prepared to spend on brushing and combing your dog and groomer visits, if required to keep your dog stylish.

Shedding – Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a truly non-shedding dog. However, there are breeds that shed less than others. Some breeds shed profusely, particularly at certain times of the year. Consider possible allergies and the amount of vacuuming you are willing to do before you settle on a breed.

Ease of Training – Typically only really little dogs, like toy dogs, don’t require much training other than potty training. Some breeds, such as Jack Russell Terriers, are strong-willed and harder to train. This is something else to consider when narrowing down your breed.

Sociability – How do you see your dog behaving around strangers? Do you want a happy-go-lucky dog that is friendly to all, or a more reserved dog that barks to alert you when strangers come to your door?

Now that you have answered some important questions, research the characteristics of the breeds you are considering to find the best fit for you. Check your library, bookstores and the American Kennel Club for profiles of breeds. Taking time to do your research will pay off tenfold, and you will have a great companion for years to come.

Valerie Goettsch is web master of my-favorite-dog.com my-favorite-dog.com featuring articles and information on my-favorite-dog.com dog breeds and where to find the best of everything for your dog, from flea meds to beds, training and designer dog clothes.

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, dog clothes, groom, potty training

For someone new to buying Chihuahua clothes or clothes for their small dog, it may be a bit difficult to decide what your dog actually needs and what he wants (or more accurately what you want) to have. There’s no need to worry, though, because it’s much like picking out clothes for you. The only thing your dog is ever going to need in the way of dog clothes is protection from the weather. This includes sweaters, coats, boots and rain jackets that protect your little baby from extreme cold, ice and rain. Aside from those bare essentials, there are shirts and costumes and well as designer coats that will show off a dog’s style and are fun for the owner.

Different breeds are well suited for different kinds of dog clothes. Small dogs such as Shih-Tzus and Pekingese are perfect for fancy designs because of their uppity demeanor. Ravishing ribbons, fashion bandannas and leather collars and leashes are the best for dressing up these small dogs. Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers can pull off the fancy stuff as well as the everyday necessities. Chihuahuas are known to shiver because they constantly lose heat, so they may also need warm Chihuahua clothes for around the house. In that case it needs to look really good against their natural coat and be very comfy. Large dog breeds usually only need clothing under the most extreme circumstances. Unless it’s extremely cold or raining heavily, there’s no need to cover them, but there are shirts and other styles that can go on them just for fun. Each breed has its own needs and style.

It’s important to make sure you have the essential Chihuahua clothes for all seasons as well as clothing for those small breeds that are especially vulnerable to the elements. A small dog sweater is a must for any little one and sometimes needs to be worn inside, too. A small dog coat is also great for those doggies in colder climates or regions smitten with snow. Many little pampered pets won’t even step outside in bad weather without coverings. When picking out small dog clothes, remember that the most important part is to have fun. Pay attention to all the beautiful miniature detail, and have fun expressing yourself and your dog.

Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of littlepamperedpets.com www.littlepamperedpets.com with littlepamperedpets.com/DogClothes.html Chihuahua Clothes

Visit Little Pamered Pets for littlepamperedpets.com/dog_clothes/small_dog_clothes.html tiny dog clothes

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Tags: chihuahua, dog breed, dog breeds, dog clothes

Pet expos and fairs are a great way to get your products and name out to the public and to make some extra cash, too! However, like many things in life that are valuable, they aren’t easy. It takes planning, hard work and lots of budgeting to get all the profit you can from an event. The keys to success are preparation, location, and booth design.

The importance of preparation for an event can never be overstated. For most expos, all they tell you is where your 10’ x 10’ space is located when to show up. Then the rest is up to you. From the start, you need to find out what materials you need in your booth to effectively sell your products. If it’s outdoors you should consider getting a tent. Also, look into getting a banner with your store name. Many people attend these things and your booth needs to stand out in the crowd. Another important aspect is to have attractive displays for your products.

If it doesn’t look nice, people probably won’t buy it, at least not for your asking price. Don’t forget essentials like plastic bags and a cash box or register. Once you have all your materials, do a practice set up to decide how everything will be arranged. It’s also important to practice setting up so that the process can go as quickly as possible on show day. You don’t want to still be setting up when customers start walking through. Another way to prepare is to have back ups for everything. It seems to be some sort of law that things will break at the worst possible time. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by not having any extras of things like displays or extra tent parts. Aside from back-up materials, you also need a back-up plan. Be ready for things to change at the drop of a hat, because they often do.

If, for instance, it starts to rain, be ready to cover your inventory or rearrange your booth. On the issue of weather, when you’re outdoors you need to be prepared for rain and wind. Having a tent and tarp can solve much of the rain problem, but the wind can be far worse. Be sure to weigh down your tent with sand bags at the bottom and water jugs at the top of the four posts. Be prepared to weigh everything down if needs be. It will seem a bit daunting at first, but once you are ready and get rolling, you’re sure to have tons of fun and make money for your business.

Just like in real estate, the most important factor to a successful event is location, location, location. There are literally thousands of shows for your to choose from each year, so take your time and research to find which ones are going to have the most targeted traffic. The producers of the event are of course going to say it’s the greatest one that ever existed, so you need to talk to other vendors to get a real picture. Go to some events and make observations about what kind of competition you’ll be facing, and how to market your products. Also, is the location worth the price you’re paying? Ask others if they feel it’s worth it and if they’ve made any profit. As long as you’re not talking to a competitor, you’d be surprised how much vendors open up to you.

Designing a successful booth can be as much an art as a science. I can tell you right now that you’re going to learn most in this area from experience. Try different set ups and see which one works best for your sales. However, there are a few basic ideas that seem to work for everyone. Set your sale items or your top sellers out in full view of passing people. Whether it’s a display that advertises your products or actually sells them, do whatever to catch people’s eyes. Remember that you’re competing for their attention. It might also work for your to make bright signs telling people about whatever sale or special promotion you’re doing for the event. Customers come to these things expecting something special, so give them what they’re looking for.

Grant Carroll proud father of four dogs and co-owner of littlepamperedpets.com www.littlepamperedpets.com with littlepamperedpets.com Dog Clothes and Dog Clothing

Visit Elizabeth Austin Wholesale for elizabethaustinwholesale.com Wholesale Dog Clothing and Wholesale Pet Products

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