Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

Afghan Hound All About The Breed

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With the looks of a glamor model, and the physique of an athlete, the Afghan is an instantly recognizable dog breed.

These impressive dogs can be as tall as 29 inches at the shoulder and commonly weigh up to 58 pounds. They have an impressive coat that is long, sleek and lustrous. Any color is permitted within the breed standard, although white markings are not allowed.

Another common, characteristic is a black facemask, while some dogs also have a long Manchu-like moustache, called a ‘mandarin’. As the name suggests, the breed originated in Afghanistan where they were used for hunting small game. They were originally introduced to the west in the 19th century, but by the end of the First World War had all but disappeared.

Then in the 1920’s several dogs were brought to Scotland as breeding stock. These dogs caused quite a stir on the dog show circuit and were soon recognized by the major international kennel clubs. Virtually all of the Afghans we see today, descend directly from this group.

Afghans are an ancient breed, and have genetic markers in common with wolves, making them close descendants of the original domesticated dogs.The Afghan temperament is a perfect match for its stylish looks. They are known to be aloof, stand-offish, and have even been described as ‘snobbish’. They are intelligent dogs, but with a stubbornness that makes them a challenge to train.

Some even describe their temperament as cat-like, in their ability to totally disregard you. Put it this way, an Afghan will obey if he sees a good reason to, otherwise he just won’t.

That aside, the Afghan is still an excellent pet that forms close bonds with its immediate human ‘pack’. They just take a while to accept strangers, and will usually ignore someone who hasn’t earned their trust.

Like most other sight hound breeds, the Afghan can be quite lazy. They enjoy nothing more than curling up on the couch for a good nap, and normally see no reason to exert themselves.

Outdoors though, it’s an entirely different story. The hunting instinct kicks in and they will chase anything that moves, small animals in particular.The Afghan may look glamorous, but it is no softie. These are strong healthy dogs who have very few serious health problems. The major health issues relate to the eyes, with cataracts a particular problem.

If you were thinking that the luxuriant coat requires a lot of work, you’d be right. The Afghan is a high maintenance dog that must be brushed daily. In addition you’ll need to to have the hair trimmed regularly in order for it to keep its shape.

Afghans were bred for hunting, but despite this are not really suited to outdoor living. Their impressive coat provides very little protection in a cold climate, and besides that they simply prefer to be sleeping on the couch than under the stars.

Good names for a Afghan Hound can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online dog names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of male dog names to pick from.

Dalmatian History

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During the past century, there has always been a strong bond existent between British dog fanciers and the Dalmatian.  It is said that these dogs have been known there for the past 200 years, and there has even been exploration of a theory that they are actually partially descended from the early English hunting hounds, the Talbot in particular, so similar are they to these dogs in type, character, and hunting ability.

Quite possibly a century or two ago there was some Talbot blood infused into the European dogs who, by their striking appearance, caught the eyes of travelers from Great Britain, then gained their admiration by their intelligence, along with their strong guard dog tendencies, and thus were brought back to Britain with the tourists.  There seems no disputing the fact that the Dalmatian has his roots in very ancient times, and that the evolutions in the breed have been numerous.

When, in 1860, Great Britain held its second dog show there were only five breeds represented.  These included Dalmatians, and so far as history records, this was the breed’s initial appearance in dog show competition.  Were it not for a gentleman named Fred Kemp, who was President of the British Dalmatian Club and a third generation owner of this breed with which he himself was involved for more than half a century, Dalmatians might not have survived World War I.

Mr. Kemp is credited with having kept alive dogs in his kennel through the difficult and in many cases devastating period between 1914 and the Armistice in 1918, providing breeding stock at the end of this period.  It is exciting to contemplate what happened to Dalmatians in England at the close of World War I.  They fairly leaped ahead in popularity, the two Dalmatians registered with the Kennel Club in 1918 having increased to 125 by 1925 and to 889 by 1932.  When the world famous dog show resumed, following World War I, there were two Dalmatians entered.  In 1934, no fewer than 199 Dalmatian entries filled the classes for the breed, of which 15 were provided.

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Make Socialization Fun: Plan A Safe Puppy Playdate

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Puppies should be exposed to, and allowed to play with, other healthy, vaccinated puppies and dogs (as long as everyone plays nicely). Puppy playdates are a great way to let your pup socialize and learn to properly interact with its fellow canine buddies. When puppies don’t interact with other puppies, they never learn social cues from other dogs, which can lead to fear or dog-aggression as the pup grows into adulthood.

However, make sure you take your puppy out for positive experiences at the right time and in the right places. Having the right vaccinations is vital to your pup’s health. Although specifics vary, depending on your vet and region of the country, most vets recommend a core set of vaccinations be given two to four weeks apart. A common schedule is canine parvovirus, adenovirus-2, parainfluenza and canine distemper at 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

Several days after puppies have completed their initial vaccinations, they can socialize with other well-cared-for puppies, and go to small public gatherings. However, it would be wise to wait until after 12 to 16 weeks of age and the completion of the final vaccinations before taking puppies to a larger public place, such as a dog park or dog show.

Puppy socialization class is a wonderful way to have your pup interact with lots of other puppies. You can make friends at these classes and set up home playdates with other new pups or dogs.

It’s best to introduce the dogs while on-leash or on opposite sides of a fence or barrier before allowing them to interact, especially if you don’t know the other dog well. Many adult dogs are good with young dogs, and can teach them proper doggie manners, but its important to watch out for aggressive adults. When in doubt, just don’t let your pup play.

Although new and different experiences are important to a puppy’s development, it’s also important not to overwhelm the little guy or gal. Let your pup stand back, observe and move at its own pace. Owners of more than one young puppy at a time know that every pup’s personality is different, and while one may find a specific new experience exciting, the other may start out with a nervous perception, and may need extra time to adjust.

The most important thing to keep in mind when setting up puppy playdates is that the experiences are best kept positive when all dogs are matched by age, size and personality type. The key aspect of a playdate is that you have plenty of supervision and make certain you allow for rest or nap time.

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