German Shepherds are easy to please and train, and they are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs out there. German Shepherds are also one of the best looking, thus a good German Shepherd should be strong, agile, well-muscled, alert, and full of life. Here are some things you should know when caring for German Shepherds.

Health

German Shepherds are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia and are also known to be prone to bloating. Some of them develop Von Willebrand’s disease and skin allergies. Learn what health problems your dog is prone to so you can try to avoid them. It is best to maintain the weight of your German Shepherd as being overweight can cause heart trouble and arthritis. Make regular visits to the veterinary and only feed your dog with the food recommended by the vet. It is also highly recommended to exercise and play with your dog for 30 to 60 minutes a day. The average life span of a German Shepherd is from 10 to13 years

Grooming

German Shepherds do not really need special grooming, but it is recommended to brush your dog daily. German Shepherds shed heavily all year-round. It is also advisable to bathe the dog fairly regularly. To prevent foot problems, trim the dog’s nails as needed.

Training

German Shepherds are very intelligent and obedient so they can be trained easily. From the time that it is still a pup until it grows bigger, you must train it consistently and firmly. You can keep them indoors or outdoors but they will be much happier indoors especially since German Shepherds are known to be very attached to their owner. Be sure to keep a vacuum in hand as the German Shepherd sheds a lot. When keeping them outdoors, make sure your gate is secured and your fence is high enough to prevent your dog from jumping over it.

e-germanshepherds.com German Shepherds provides detailed information on German Shepherds, German Shepherd Breeders, German Shepherd Kennels, German Shepherd Puppies and more. German Shepherds is affiliated with e-goldenretrievers.com Golden Retriever Training.

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If you are looking for a cat breed that won’t mind if your children decide they want to play dress up, you may want to take a look at the Ragamuffin cat breed. These cats are very tolerant of children and other pets and will allow children to play games that would have other cat breeds and even many dog breeds running for cover.

The same characteristics that make the Ragamuffin such a wonderful family pet make it a bad choice for people who are not home for long periods of time. This breed thrives on attention and enjoys ‘helping’ its family do routine household chores, such as putting away groceries or folding laundry. Spending a lot of time alone can make your cat very unhappy. After all, a cat breed that will ride around in your child’s doll carriage or attend a tea party obviously loves plenty of company and attention.

The Ragamuffin is one of the biggest cat breeds, weighing in at a very hefty ten to twenty pounds. Although these cats have larger than normal bones, part of their weight also comes from their tendency to carry a bit of extra fat on their bellies. This breed has a big, solidly built body, a wedge shaped head that is a bit round and large eyes that are so expressive that many people say that their cats seem to talk with their eyes. This breed has a long, gracefully tapered tail that is covered in long hair, giving it a bushy appearance. You can find the Ragamuffin in almost any coat color and any pattern. However cats with points can not be shown.

The Cat Fancier’s Association classifies the Ragamuffin as a member of the Miscellaneous class. This cat breed is the only one currently in this category. As the breed becomes more established, it will eventually move to the Provisional class. While the Ragamuffin can be shown, it can not receive any ribbons or awards until it moves from the Miscellaneous class and into a different class.

Ragamuffins have long hair with an extremely soft texture. Despite the fact that these cats are longhairs, the silkiness of their hair makes them easy to care for. This breed is not prone to developing matted hair and one of these cats only needs to be groomed about once a week to keep his coat looking beautiful and tangle free.

Since these cats have a tendency to carry a few more pounds than necessary around their stomachs, you may need to keep a close eye on your Ragamuffin’s weight. If he grows too overweight, you should ask your veterinarian about feeding your cat a weight management cat food. Except for this weight problem, this cat breed has no hereditary health conditions and is an extremely healthy breed overall.

If you want a large, gentle cat that actually enjoys being around children, then the Ragamuffin is the perfect breed for you.

I would love to share my secrets with you and my new special articles on
ebooks-marketplace.com/cats/index.html cat training do just that! Everything you need to know to train your cat is included in these special reports: See our section on Cat Breads.

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As our dogs get older, they become subject to a number of age-related diseases such as canine diabetes. Diabetes in older dogs is a common metabolic disorder in which insufficient insulin is produced to process the amount of glucose required for energy. Alternatively the dog’s insulin receptors may be insensitive to the insulin produced and again insufficient glucose is processed to provide the required energy. Overweight dogs have a large amount of body fat which tends to reduce insulin production and they are therefore more susceptible to developing diabetes. Females develop diabetes about twice as often as male dogs. With proper treatment dogs can continue to live a fairly normal life. The first step in treating our beloved companion is to recognize the symptoms of age-related canine diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms – Age-related diabetes is diabetes mellitus in which insulin is not available in sufficient quantity to remove glucose from the blood and convert it into energy. The result is too much glucose in the blood and too little in the cells which disrupts the normal functioning of the body. The early signs of diabetes that can be detected usually include increased thirst, more frequent urination and accidents or a break in housetraining. This is usually accompanied by an increase in appetite but also a weight loss. Later signs of diabetes may include bad breath that smells of ketones, vomiting, cataracts and blindness. As soon as you detect any symptoms that may be diabetes-related talk to your veterinarian. Your vet will test blood glucose levels for blood sugar control. Upon determining the presence of diabetes, your vet will probably recommend a two-pronged approach to treating diabetes. These include diet and exercise and insulin treatment.

Diet and Exercise – In the initial stages of diabetes, most dogs are too fat and don’t get enough exercise. Your veterinarian will probably recommend a high-fiber/complex carbohydrate diet to help reduce weight and slow down the rate at which food is digested and glucose released into the bloodstream. She will also recommend you feed your dog two or three smaller meals a day to reduce the spikes in blood glucose entering the body. The goal of a diabetes diet is to keep blood glucose levels as level or even as possible and minimize spikes in your dog’s blood glucose. Increasing the amount of exercise your dog receives will also help him to lose weight and ultimately lower blood glucose levels.

Insulin Treatment – Insulin treatment can involve giving oral diabetic medication but the vast majority of cases will require insulin injections. You will work with your veterinarian to select the best type of insulin and frequency of injections. Most diabetic dogs will require twice daily injections and regular visits to the vet to monitor the effect of dosages on blood glucose levels. Initially it is important to monitor blood glucose levels carefully as too little or too much insulin can have a very serious impact on your dog’s life. Diabetic coma can result if your dog exercises too much and/or misses a meal. Too much insulin can result in an adverse insulin reaction and your dog will need additional glucose to prevent weakness and convulsions. Insulin shots are easy to administer and most owners will become proficient in using blood and urine test strips to monitor blood glucose levels and adjust dosages.

Canine diabetes in the aging dog can be managed to maintain your dog’s quality of life and extend his life expectancy to three or more years. Untreated diabetes can result in many complications including kidney disease, blindness and death. See dog-breed-facts.com/old-senior-dogs.html for additional information on age-related canine diseases.

Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: dog-breed-facts.com Dog Breed Facts. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his new E-Book choosingadog.dog-breed-facts.com/” title”Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle

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Have you taken your dog to the vet recently? Did you balk at the cost of a regular check up or the price tag of your dog’s medicine? In a more extreme example, your dog may have eaten something that didn’t agree with them and they are convulsing and coughing up blood. This frightens you and you rush them to the emergency vet hospital. The vet has trouble ascertaining the cause of their distress and runs several tests and pumps a plethora of medicines in your dog’s body.

Of course you love your dog and will do anything to save him. However, after the fright of the situation wears off you realize that your dog has racked up quite a vet bill. In fact, the bill may be over $1,000. Wow! There is no question that you should save your dog’s life by any means possible, but if this type of situation happens more than once your bank account might dwindle to nothing. Therefore, you need to purchase pet insurance for your dog.

Pet insurance for your dog you ask? Yes, you can purchase pet insurance for your canine companion. It is a great idea to purchase pet insurance for many reasons. Was your dog born with birth defects and other chronic problems? For example, some dogs are born with misplaced knee caps, “trick knees”, and will need costly surgery in the future. Another reason to buy pet insurance for your pet is that if they are getting on in years. Many times dogs will hit a certain age and it seems as if they are struck with several health problems at once.

Pet insurance is also a good option if you have an overly active or working dog. Does your dog tend to run around the country side and come home with scrapes and bruises? Do they bring home disease infested rodents for your viewing pleasure? Do they feel compelled to eat trash that is filled with bacteria even when they know they aren’t supposed to? Do you have more than one dog and fear the spread of a dog illnesses or infections? Pet insurance is something to consider in any of these cases.

How does pet insurance work? Pet insurance is very similar to your own health insurance plan. There are several different pet insurance plans to choose from that range in the amount of services and cost. Many pet insurance plans offer coverage regarding annual checkups, lab tests, vaccinations, drugs/medications, spaying/neutering and emergency visits. Often you will visit the vet, pay for the service and then submit your claim to the pet insurance company.

The range of coverage varies as does the deductible and reimbursement percentage. Some pet insurance plans will pay up to 80% of your vet bill after you have reached the $100 deductible. Pet insurance is an especially thankful gift when your dog has an emergency and racks up the medical costs.

In addition, pet insurance plans also allow you to choose the veterinarian you would like your dog to see. You do not have to worry about veterinarians “in your network” like you commonly do with your own health insurance plan.

When choosing a pet insurance plan you have a host of pet insurane companies available. Many of these companies have websites that can provide you an instant pet insurance quote. You type your contact information, the breed of your dog, and your dog’s age. You can find the costs for pet insurance plans that are basic to comprehensive and whether you want to pay the pet insurance premium monthly or once a year.

It depends on the age and breed of your dog, but you can find pet insurance premiums as low as $10-$15 per month. As your dog gets older, the cost will increase slightly due to the fact that older canines are prone to more illnesses and veterinarian visits. This rise in cost can be offset greatly by the amount of money you will save by purchasing a pet insurance plan.

Think pet insurance is too high or unnecessary? Consider the fact that if you don’t purchase pet insurance, you will have to pay the full amount for every vet service out of your pocket. This can soon add up to over thousands of dollars during your dog’s lifetime.

If your dog is susceptible to illness or you find yourself at the vet’s office often then check out pet insurance plans. You can peruse the Internet for instant quotes or contact your vet for possible pet insurance options. Finding pet insurance is as easy as signing up on the Internet. If you don’t feel comfortable with the Internet, then seek out the guidance of your vet. They may know well respected pet insurance companies that offer affordable pet insurance plans. Your pooch and your pocket book will thank you.

Katie Brandt’s website, dog-breeds-infosite.com/ dog-breeds-infosite.com is the ultimate dog lover’s resource. Research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog supplies, dog health, dog school, dog grooming, dog laws, dog products & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.

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Terriers are one of the most popular types of dogs around the world. There are seven different breeds of terriers in the top 50 most popular dogs in the world, and this isn’t by chance. Terriers as a group are lively, intelligent, playful and generally very hardy and stout little companion dogs. They do have their own specific quirks and personalities, just as all other breeds do. Most terriers are relatively easy to care for as far as grooming is concerned but the Yorkshire terrier is a bit of an exception to the rule. Its fine coat requires regular grooming to keep it tangle and mat free.

The Benefits to Owning A Terrier

As mentioned above most of the various terrier breeds are very social and friendly dogs that enjoy spending time with both familiar friends and even new people. Terriers are naturally fun and love to play, even well into their senior years. Some terriers almost seem to have a streak of mischief in them and delight in doing something that causes laughter and fun within the house.

Terriers generally enjoy sharing the couch or a chair with the owners. While not completely lap dogs they are always up for a bit of a cuddle, however will remain alert and ready to run and romp at a minutes notice. Most terriers require moderate levels of exercise and are known to thoroughly enjoy a game of fetch or a game of chase with the kids. Generally terriers love to be outdoors even in wet or snowy conditions. Their coarse outer coats are largely water resistant so they are able to tolerate rain or snow, but should not be expected to stay outdoors in extreme weather conditions.

As a smaller dog terriers are not as costly to feed as the larger or giant breeds. They are generally very hardy and have few genetic conditions that are problematic, provided they are purchased from a reputable breeder. Some lines of terriers have problems with allergies, Von Willebrand’s disease (a hemophilia type blood disorder), and some difficulties with giving birth, but careful screening by breeders can eliminate almost all of the conditions.

Generally terriers are a long-lived group of dogs often living for twelve to fifteen years. They are curious and interested in what is going on around them even as the move into their senior years.

The Challenges to Owning A Terrier

There are challenges to owning any breed of dog and terriers are no different. As a whole the group is more prone to problematic behaviors such as excessive barking, digging and chewing when left alone. They tend to prefer being with the family rather than by themselves and will quickly find ways to let you know they are unhappy with the current situation.

All terriers were originally from dogs that were bred to hunt and dig, and modern terriers still carry those traits. A terrier is a natural chaser and may have difficulty learning to live with other pets in the house, especially if the terrier is not socialized as a puppy. They may also be so absorbed in the chase they don’t listen to commands or may even run into traffic areas without paying attention, often with tragic results.

Terriers tend to aggressive towards other dogs and often will take on even very large dogs to protect their territory. They may also be aggressive even in parks and other public areas so should be kept on a leash for their own safety.

Some terrier breeds are somewhat snappish and difficult to train. It is generally not advisable to leave small children with terriers that are very possessive of toys or food as often this results in the child being bitten or nipped. Terriers, while very intelligent, often become bored of the same routines and may begin to simply ignore repetitive commands if obedience training is not consistent and firm.

As a breed terriers respond very well to positive rewards but not at all well towards punishment based training methods. Terriers may become overly aggressive or even hostile towards people through punishment-based training.

Terriers are great dogs for most people, but do require some special attention and care. They thrive best when provided with consistent training, lots of love and attention and high levels of socialization throughout their lives.

Since terriers have such spunky attitudes, you don’t want to get them fired up by buying junky dog gear at the local megastore. 4 out of 5 terriers prefer buying

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