February 15th, 2009 by Dog Trainer

In Portugal the dog is called Cao de Agua (pronounced Kown-d’ahgwa), or ‘dog of the water’, and is also known as the Portuguese Fishing Dog, Diving Dog or the Sea Dog. This refers to their use in past centuries by fishermen to guard their boats and the catch. It’s also suggested they would dive and retrieve escaping fish in water, as well as carry messages between fishing boats at sea, but in modern times the dog is primarily a companion animal.
Male Portuguese Water Dogs usually grow to be about 20 to 23 inches (51 cm to 58 cm) tall, and they weigh between 40 and 60 pounds (18 kg to 27 kg), while the females usually grow to be about 17 to 21 inches (43 cm to 53 cm) tall, and they weigh between 35 and 50 pounds.

Portuguese Water Dogs have a single-layered coat that does not shed [6] (see Moult), and therefore their presence is tolerated extremely well among many people who suffer from dog allergies. Some call PWDs hypoallergenic dogs, but any person with dog allergies who seeks a dog with these qualities should actually spend time with the animals before purchasing, to test whether the dog is truly non-allergenic to them.

While frequently mistaken for a Poodle, the Portuguese Water Dog really only has a form of grooming - the lion clip - in common. This is usually maintained on show dogs and has a full coat covering the shoulders, front legs and head, while the back legs, tail and muzzle are closely trimmed. The coat is curly and somewhat like that of the Poodle in that it’s claimed to cause fewer problems for people with allergies to animal fur.

These dogs are intelligent and easier to train than many other breeds. While loyal and affectionate, these dogs do show a degree of stubbornness. Texts suggest the Portuguese Water Dog has great stamina, which could be exhausting for some prospective owners.

February 7th, 2009 by Dog Trainer

The Chihuahua (which means Chihuahueño in Spanish) is the smallest breed of dog in the world and is named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. I had a lovely long haired Chihuahua who was my little mate for years. Sadly she passed away and where I now live isn’t really suitable for dogs. I called her Contessa.

Longhaired Chihuahua

Here is what Don Burke of Burke’s Backyard has to day about their temperament.

Talk to an owner or breeder and you’ll soon hear words like, ‘feisty’, ‘cunning’, ‘clever’ and ‘protective’. Chihuahuas will usually become very attached to their owners and you can expect them to be reserved around strangers, especially around children if not used to them. A feisty attitude may be normal, but aggression in any breed of dog, regardless of its size, is not to be tolerated. Don’t buy pups bred from adult dogs which show aggressive tendencies.

While owners say Chihuahuas are trainable it does take some time compared with other breeds. Owners report difficulties in house-training entire males. Many examples of the breed are yappy around strangers. Breeders say that with proper training from an early age, a Chihuahua is just as likely to be as obedient as any other breed.

Shorthaired Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are a favourite with the elderly and those living in apartments. Large, boisterous families are perhaps not well matched to a Chihuahua’s size and temperament, but rather singles or couples who prefer constant companionship and an impressive early warning system when strangers approach. A real lap dog, the Chihuahua will remain by its owner and demands affection, even to the point of shivering for attention!

I can certainly attest to that! They tend to be more loyal to one person in the houshold.

January 7th, 2009 by Dog Trainer

It seems that the small breeds of dogs are increasingly the more popular with seven small breeds in the 2008 top 10 KCC list.

1. Labrador Retrievers

2. Golden Retrievers

3. Yorkshire Terriers

4. German Shepherds

5. Beagles

6. Dachshunds

7. Boxers

8. Poodles

9. Shih Tzu

10. Miniature Schnauzers

December 13th, 2008 by Dog Trainer

If I was to get another dog now, my choice would be this tiny little bundle of fluff. I haven’t came across any with bad character traits as yet and they seem to be very loving.

The Maltese is one of the small breeds of dog in the toy group. The Maltese does not shed and is covered with long, silky, white fur. The Maltese breed of today is descended from dogs long associated with the island of Malta. It is one of the oldest dog breeds.

Adult Maltese range from roughly 3 to 7 lb (1.4 to 3.0 kg), though breed standards, as a whole, call for weights between 4 and 7 lb (1.8 to 3. kg). There are variations depending on which standard is being used; many, like the American Kennel Club, call for a weight that is ideally less than 7 lb with between 4 and 6 lb preferred.

Maltese seem to be fearless for their size. In fact, many Maltese seem indifferent to creatures and objects larger than themselves, which makes them very easy to socialize with other dogs, and even cats. They love time with owners. This is because they were bred to be companion dogs and thrive on love and attention. They are extremely lively and playful, and even as a Maltese ages, his/her energy level and playful demeanor remain fairly constant and do not diminish much.

Maltese are very good with children and infants. Maltese do not require much physical exercise, although they should be walked daily to reduce problem behavior. They enjoy running and are more inclined to play games of chase, rather than play with toys. Some Maltese can occasionally be a little snappy with smaller children and should be supervised when playing, although socializing them at a young age will reduce this habit. The Maltese is very active within a house, and, preferring enclosed spaces, does very well with small yards. For this reason the breed also does well with apartments and townhouses, and is a prized pet of urban dwellers. They are friendly dogs to people they know.

December 9th, 2008 by Dog Trainer

By: Gerry Ronson

There are three types of Schnauzers, a miniature, standard, and the Affenpinscher. It is important to know about all three dog breeds when you go to choose your dog. In this article we are going to focus on the miniature schnauzer as a wonderful pet. The miniature schnauzer has it’s ancestry in farming. They were used to catch rats and other small animals on farms, so that there would no longer be any pests.

You will find the miniature schnauzer is an apt name as they are a small dog. They are usually 12 to 14 inches in height and weigh between 13 and 15 pounds. You will find the miniature schnauzer has pointed ears and very long fur. Typically the upper body and the back don’t have as long of fur as the rest of the dog. The legs, tail, and around the face have the longest fur. Their muzzle is rather long and thick, unlike most other dogs. Typical colours for the fur include black, white, tan, salt and pepper. You will find that the coat can get tangled rather easily on these dogs. There for grooming is especially important. The coat is more of a coarse coat so it should be brushed on daily basis with a comb as well. You will find that you may even have to clip out some of the mats. They also have to be clipped in their entirety at least twice a year. The eyes and ears need to be trimmed around, as well as making sure you clean their whiskers on a daily basis. They tend to drool a lot and the hair around their face gets really dirty. They are an average shedder so it is best to keep up with the grooming.

When speaking of care for the miniature schnauzer you also want to consider their life expectancy. Typically the miniature schnauzer will live for fifteen years when you have provided the right kind of care. The schnauzer needs to have brisk walks every day. This means that you should set a fairly fast past that lasts for a half hour to an hour. You may even wish to have play sessions in a yard without the leash for some of that exercise. While their size makes them good for apartments you have to consider the area in which you live. Typically they are going to need a lot of time outdoors so make sure there is a park nearby if you are in an apartment. You will find that typical health problems include kidney stones, live disease, skin disorders, diabetes, Von Willebrand disease, cysts, and eye issues.

The miniature schnauzer offers a wonderful personality for any household. You will find they are very affectionate, energetic, and happy dogs. They will also be very alert and protective. They are pretty great with children, but older children are definitely better to have around the house. You will find that as long as you provide socialization and obedience training for your dog they will make great pets. Typically they don’t get along with other dogs as they can be a bit aggressive. This is why socialization is very important. Even with the training you may still see a temperament that is displeasing towards some dogs and other types of pets. You will find that this breed also tends to bark quite a lot. Strangers can be an issue, but again once the dog is trained you can make this a little easier to deal with.

Article Source: http://articles-mart.com

Gerry Ronson works for the website dog accessories, you can learn more about the Miniature Schnauzer at his website.

Black Miniature Schnauzer

December 8th, 2008 by Dog Trainer

For some, buying an older dog might be a preference for someone who doesn’t have the time to spend with puppy training. But if you decide to buy a new one, be prepared to start with some basic obedience training.

House training (or potty training)

This will take some time and consistency on your part. If you have a yard, be sure to take the puppy out first thing in the morning (first one up should do this if there is more than one person in the house) and then every hour throughout the day. If the puppy has an accident inside, a firm ‘no’ if you see him do it will be enough and immediately take him out to the yard (or “potty” area inside). When he goes outside or to “potty” by himself, give him a little treat and praise him.

Teach your puppy to stop biting

Biting is a natural stage that all puppies go through. Like babies, puppies go through a teething stage and want to bite anything and everything. They have very sharp baby teeth and can hurt if they start playfully nipping you too.

Keep everything of value out of reach (like shoes, kids toys etc) and just have a few “puppy toys” laying around. your local petshop should have plenty of differnt toys to choose from. If you keep your puppy occupied as much as possible, he won’t get so bored that he needs to be chewing things all the time. Try and keep your hands away from the puppy’s face as he will bite your fingers. Don’t allow him to do this or he will think it is okay. Give him something else to play with. Throw him a toy to chew on instead. This all takes time and patience, but eventually they grow out of it.

Puppy Obedience Training

Once you and your puppy have mastered the potty training and and gotten past the biting stage, the puppy should be old enough to start obedience training. If you have the time and patience, you can begin this in the home. If you feel you haven’t the time and/or patience, then you might consider obedience classes for assistance.

Whether you train your puppy at home or in a class, be sure to have plenty of treats ready and praise your puppy every time he obeys. Some training phrases you might start with are “stay” and “come”, then you can move on to other things to make your life with your new small dog harmonious for you both.

Puppy Leash Training

Depending on your puppy, this might be the easiest training course, or it may take more time. What I found to be the easiest when training my chihuahua puppy years ago, was to buy a little collar first and got her accustomed to that. Then later, I attached a fabric lead to the collar and started the training. She objected to being led at first, but she soon got the hang of it. At the end of each longer walk, I had a little puppy treat for her and soon she was trotting off very proudly with me.

If you don’t have a yard to practice in, try walking around the room, then later from room to room just for short periods to start. Give plenty of praise when she achieves the goal. When you are confident that your puppy is ready for walking outdoors on the leash, introduce him to the street, or park.