As a dog owner you can enjoy many benefits, from the entertainment value of having a lively and alert little pet around the home to the companionship of having a loving and reliable dog at your side. However, for many people dog ownership doesn’t seem possible, simply because of allergies that can cause terrible discomfort for the potential dog owner.

Many people suffer from allergies to cats and dogs for various reasons, but if you are an allergy sufferer and feel that you are missing out on the joys of dog ownership, all is not lost. There are a number of dog breeds that are ideal for those that suffer from dog related allergies, and will prove to be loving, loveable, and entertaining pets.

Why do people suffer from allergies to dogs?

People that are allergic to many dog breeds are actually allergic to the dander that is produced. Dander is the dry flakes of skin from the dog that can become airborne, and is known to contribute towards allergic reactions, causing symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and respiratory problems.

Although there is no dog breed that is going to be totally free from dander there are certain breeds that produce far less dander than others, which means fewer allergic symptoms for the owner.

Small dog breeds for allergy sufferers

Bichon Frise: This is a cute, alert looking, small dog with a beautiful curly coat and lively expression. The curly coat of this breed means that there is less shedding, and this makes the breed suitable for those suffering from mild allergies.

Chinese Crested: This is a unique looking small dog with smooth skin and a crest of hair on its head. Because of its lack of bodily hair, this breed has nothing to shed, and this makes it ideal for allergy sufferers.

Maltese: The cute, small, and lively Maltese is a dog that boasts a beautiful, glamorous white coat. Although you need to groom this breed regularly, the Maltese does not shed a great deal and does not produce much dander.

Toy Poodle: The beautiful Toy Poodle is another breed that will need regular grooming to help make the most of its gorgeous coat, but produces little dander and does not shed much, making this a suitable breed for allergy sufferers.

Miniature Schnauzer: Another breed that sheds little and produces little dander, the Miniature Schnauzer is a lively and loveable small dog that should suit those that suffer from pet allergies.

Why these dogs are suitable for allergy sufferers

As you will see from the descriptions, all of the small dog breeds listed above are ones that do not shed much hair, and produce far less dander than many other dog breeds. Most people that suffer from pet allergies are actually reacting to the effects of the hair or dander and not to the animal itself, which is why these dog breeds could prove ideal for people that are allergic to dogs.

Accurate descriptions and photos of allsmalldogbreeds.com/ small dog breeds to help you find the perfect small dog that’s right for you. allsmalldogbreeds.com/ allsmalldogbreeds.com/

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, groom

Although the day-to-day care of the show dog exceeds the grooming required for a pet dog, the groomer has a responsibility to perform a work of art in both cases.

Training and experience helps a groomer to look at a photograph of any Shih Tzu and to know instantly which bits of hair are clipped or scissor.

Expert brushing is an art. You might be shocked to find out your carefully brushed Shih Tzu still has tangles when a more experienced person gets a bin full of hair when complete brushing takes place. There is more to brushing your Shih Tzu than you probably realize.

Brushing Steps:

1. Put the Shih Tzu on the table.

2. Start on the bottom of the fore left leg. Lift the hair above the section you are working on, and brush the section below.

3. Comb through the coat. Use a grooming spray if necessary. Continue up the leg.

4. Continue the brushing and combing across the Shih Tzu’s quarters, along the back and neck. Pay special attention to behind the ears and underneath the legs. Matting is often more likely to occur in these areas.

5. Brush the head, ears and whiskers. Use a small comb on the Shih Tzu’s whiskers. The hair at the base of the Shih Tzu’s ears will need to be combed to remove tangles.

6. Lay the Shih Tzu on its side. Pay particular attention to the armpits where hair often mats.

7. Brush the hair on the hindquarters where the coat often grows thick and mats.

8. Brush the tail.

Mat breaking:

1. A mat-breaker or slicing the mat with scissors may be required.

2. Splitting the hair with your fingers will also help to break apart the tangles.

3. Always hold the Shih Tzu’s skin or the base of the mat when pulling; otherwise, you will pull at the Shih Tzu’s skin and cause great pain.

The finished result is called turning out a dog or in our case, turning out a Shih Tzu.

A professional groomer will have to know before the groom whether they are working on a show Shih Tzu or a pet Shih Tzu. There are many aids and coat-enhancing properties that are great for a pet Shih Tzu, but may be illegal substances in the show ring. In North America, Shih Tzu and other breeds are prepared for the show ring by clipping and coat aids like hair spray. This same technique may be seen as breaking the rules according to the British Kennel Club. Most handlers prepare the show Shih Tzu themselves. They do not often fall into the hands of the average groomer. But, do ask the owner if the dog is likely to be shown. Better to be safe than sorry.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. We have standard and smaller imperial/teacups. Sign up for our newsletter and purchase online at: stainglassshihtzus.com stainglassshihtzus.com

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Tags: groom, shih tzu

It’s easy to find people with puppies to sell. However, there are some things you can’t tell just by looking at a puppy. If you want to be sure about the character and health of your dog your best bet is to choose a reputable breeder. They will be able to provide a guarantee and you can be sure about what kind of dog you are getting. If you are serious about finding a good purebred dog then here are some tips for choosing a good breeder.

Reputable breeders know a lot about the breed they specialize in. If you are really serious about choosing the best breeder then the best thing to do is ask various people. Ask veterinarians, groomers and other people directly involved with dogs on a daily basis. They will have some good suggestions for you.

If you want a reputable dealer its best not pick one out of the classifieds. As with everything, if the breeder really is top quality then they will have no reason to be advertising in the classifieds. Some breeders have puppies booked years in advance. Another reason you don’t want to find someone in the newspaper is they offer no guarantees. Usually forty-eight hours is all you get and if something happens to that puppy six months from now most will just say it’s not their problem. Most reputable breeders will not only give you a year guarantee or more but they will also give you lifetime support.

Another sign of a good breeder is they involved in some rescue of the type they breed. Breeders will usually look to help their breed. Also notice if they will take a puppy back if for some reason the buyer can’t take care of it. Most will not refund any money but at least they care enough about the puppy they’ve bred and will always have a home to come to.

The most obvious clues about the quality of the breeder is by looking at the puppies themselves. Puppies are a product of their upbringing and a healthy puppy will have a pleasant temperament as well as a healthy look. This means no runny noses, clear eyes and, of course a wagging tail. If you are buying over the internet see if the breeder can send you a video of your puppy.

The environment in which the puppies are kept will also tell you a lot about the standard of the breeder. If the environment is clean and the puppies have space then it is more likely that the breeder is a good one.

It’s a good idea to talk and find out about your intended breeder before seeing the puppies. See if they have children and are involve in social activities. Most Puppy millers wouldn’t have time for this. Often once you see them you can be much easier to convince - because you have been convinced by those big eyes! Ask to see the dog’s parents and try to assess their demeanor. Stay away from dogs that seem unusually fearful or aggressive.

You should already know quite a bit about the breed you are interested in. Ask your breeder any questions you might have left. Don’t forget to ask about chronic conditions and special care. After all, this is their passion and many have spent years learning about their chosen breed and living with them! If a breeder is good then they will be just as concerned about figuring out if you are going to be a good dog owner. A good breeder cares a great deal about the puppies and the homes they are sent out into.

For most good breeders, the main goal is not to make money. In recent years however finding a puppy on the internet has become popular. It’s a little harder to find a good breeder on the internet but every tip I have given here will still help you. You may not personally be able to go to see where the dogs are raised however you can tell a lot by a conversation. Just by talking to people you can tell if they are educated or not and they still should be able to tell you about the breed (s) they breed.

Now that you know what to look for there are some things you should avoid at all costs.
Any puppy that comes from a backyard or puppy mill can be a dangerous buy. A backyard breeder will know little about the breed standards. Often they don’t maintain puppy’s health properly. Backyard breeders and puppy millers will sell the puppies often at six weeks of age because they have just got too many; having to move them out for the next litter.

Puppy mills produce large amounts of puppies often in horrible conditions. There isn’t appropriate medical care and more often than not, the puppies are not fed well. Puppy mills often sell directly to pet stores. For this reason it is best to avoid puppies bought from pet stores. Often the puppies are separated from their parents at much too young an age, often as early as 4-5 weeks old as well as the other problems of lack of healthcare, love and attention.

When choosing a breeder look find out how many breeds they breed. Usually two or three different breed types is what seems to be the standard. However this is not the case any longer. If a breeder breeds more then this most likely the person started out with one. Find out when they started out with that one and you can find out a lot by how it progressed. Judging by the conversation on the phone with them you can usually tell their level of knowledge. If it’s just a puppy and they don’t know anything then that’s a clear sign to move on.

Most reputable breeders will not let there puppies go before they turn eight weeks of age or more depending on the breed. Most puppies are not completely weaned and self sufficient any younger then that. This varies among the breeds. Most breeders will talk about the there age, when they let them go and also about the transition from one home to the next before selling the puppy.

There is so much more that could be said about choosing a good breeder however the space here does not permit it. If you will just follow these few simple steps you will have already beat the odds of finding a good puppy. It goes both ways, not only do you the buyer wants a happy puppy but the breeder also wants you to have a happy and healthy puppy for the years to come.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at allmypuppiesonline.com All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, carpetsecrets.com Carpet Secrets and movingsecretsguide.com Moving Secrets Guide.

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Tags: dog breed, groom, shih tzu, yorkshire terrier

The purpose of this article is to improve the public’s knowledge about dogs, the Greyhound in particular. Many people decide that they want a dog based off of appearance alone. While this may not be a terrible thing to do if the person has the ability to accommodate all types of dogs, for some individuals the care for specific types of dog breeds is not possible. The best way to avoid any surprises after the adopting or purchase of a dog is to understand the breed and what it takes to care for it. We will go over some of the basic characteristics of the Greyhound to help you get a better understanding of the Greyhound as a breed and possibly a new addition to your family.

The Greyhound is a very loveable, even tempered dog with very demanding qualities. At about 80 lbs and 30 inches tall, the Greyhound is large, sleek and bred to run. If on the leash they will be very physically demanding on the person that tries to keep up or a challenge for those that let them off the leash in a public area with other dogs present. The Greyhound requires very little grooming and has a medium appetite. Overall this is a great family dog and is often even available to adopt as a retired tack racer.

We hope that we have assisted you I your quest for knowledge and understanding of the Greyhound. Please look below for some additional resources. The first thing you will want to do is see what the Greyhound looks like. The next thing you will need to do is house train your Greyhound. We find that one of the most common reasons that someone will get rid of Greyhound’s is that they are not house trained. There is a wonderful manual that can be used and you will find the link below. Lastly we want you to show off your new Greyhound. There is a wonderful online dog community complete with a forum for you to post pictures to. Check it out.

Learn about

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Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, groom

Anyone who intends to have a dog as a pet should be aware that this is an important decision. A dog will not only make changes in your family’s everyday life, it will also, at times, cause problems. A dog is a living creature that needs your presence and care on a permanent basis. In return, your dog will provide much joy as a loyal, affectionate, and faithful companion.

You must determine whether you are in a position to cater to the animals various needs for as long as it lives, which is generally from 10 to 15 years. You must also consider the other expenses involved apart from the purchase price: food, grooming, and veterinary care. Besides the expense, your life – style, your activities, and your age should influence your choice of a dog.

You must also decide what you intend the dog to be: a pet, a watch dog, a guard dog, or a hunting dog. In the country, and suburbs, adequate space is no problem. City dwellers however, are well advised to choose a medium size animal since a big dog is likely to cause damage and be unhappy in a small home. Large breeds need up to 180 square yards of space, at least an hours walk every day, and should be allowed to play freely outside one day a week.

On the other hand, even small dogs can make poor urban pets. Any type of dog that has been bred to hunt needs to run regularly. Toy dogs that bark frequently, if not nervously, do not belong in thin walled apartments buildings where footsteps in the corridor or in the upstairs unit could confuse any animal that has territorial issues.

Finally, try to match the temperament of the dog with your disposition. For instance, a nervous person with limited living space might be happy to own a dog that barks readily. An athletic person will choose a muscular animal to jog with. A fastidious housekeeper would not be happy with a long haired breed. Before you take the plunge, weigh all your options carefully, theirs nothing more heartbreaking than to have to give up a pet after you have become attached to it.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest joncopets.com/ small dog sweaters and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at joncopets.com joncopets.com

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