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.

Basset Hound Dog Breed Info

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With its adorable, droopy expression, long ears and waddling walk, the Basset is an easy dog to spot. These loveable dogs have a long history and are believed to descend from the Ardennes St. Hubert hounds. They were brought to Britain by the Norman invaders in 1066, and it was in Britain that they were bred with other hounds to increase their size.

The name, Basset ,derives from “bas”, which means low in French.

The Basset is one of the sweetest of all dogs. They are extremely loving with a real enjoyment of human company. They get on well with everyone, are even tempered and affectionate towards children and have no problem with other dogs, or even cats for that matter.

With their happy nature and comedic character it is easy to forget that they are also exceptional hunting and tracking dogs. These days though, it is more common to see a Basset as a family pet than in the field.

Grooming a Basset Hound is a relatively simple task. The coat is short and requires only a brush down a couple of times a week to keep it looking its best.

The ears also need special attention, because they are prone to fungal and bacterial infections. A wipe down with a damp cloth and drying them after is usually all that is needed to keep them clean.

You may also need to clip the dog’s nails every once in a while. This is a task many dog owners shy away from, but it needs to be done, so if you’re not up to it ask your vet or local dog groomer.

Bassets are famously difficult to train. Like most of the hound group they’ve been bred to think for themselves, so they don’t just follow orders blindly. You will need to be consistent in your efforts, but always keep it positive as Bassets are very sensitive and harsh treatment will damage the bond you’ve built up with your dog.

You’ll need a lot of patience to train a Basset as they are easily distracted, especially if they pick up an interesting scent to follow. But persistence wins the day, so stick with it and you’ll see results. Bassets love to eat, so using really tasty treats will definitely help your training efforts.

Unfortunately, their love of food can translate to a number of obesity related diseases. A common concern with overweight Basset Hounds is vertebral problems, as the extra weight puts strain on the spine. Other health concerns include foreleg lameness, entropion, gastric torsion, and cysts on the paws. They may also be prone to osteochondrosis.

Bassets can be somewhat lethargic, but you must ensure that they get daily exercise to keep them in shape.If you’re looking for an affectionate, sweet-natured dog that is just a joy to be around, look no further than the Basset.

Picking a name for your Basset can be a challenge. The best advice is to visit some of the many dog names, sites online. My recommendation is puppy-names-hq.com, which has a huge database, including thousands of female dog names.

Require An Impressive Dog for Hunting? Look Into an American Water Spaniel

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The American Water Spaniel is usually a kind of Spaniel that is employed to hunt birds and other smaller game by flushing them out. Despite the fact that it truly is a flushing dog, it is usually employed to retrieve as well and loves the water. Because of its smaller size, it truly is considered to be a good breed of gun dog for any one hunting on the water in a smaller boat or even a canoe.

History Of The American Water Spaniel

The exact history of the American Water Spaniel is comparatively unknown. You’ll find those that say that the breed developed from a cross between the English Water Spaniel and the Curly Coated Retriever. Others think that it may well be a cross between the English Spaniel and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

The breed was recognized by AKC in 1940 and is bred primarily as a hunting dog. The peak of the popularity for this breed of dog was in the early component of the last century. The American Water Spaniel is typically called the “Forgotten American” due to the fact it isn’t shown a great deal anymore, despite the fact that you will find sufficient fans of this breed to create positive that the breed line of this gun dog doesn’t go anyplace soon. You’ll find extremely active associations for this breed such as the American Water Spaniel Field Association.

Look Of The American Water Spaniel

The American Water Spaniel is distinct in look due to its curly marcelled coat. It truly is commonly a extremely dark brown in color, despite the fact that it can typically have a black coat. The coat is extremely thick and enables the dog to be able to resist lots of sorts of inclement weather, such as the cold. This dense and sculpted coat also enables the dog to swim very easily. The ears of the Water Spaniel are floppy like other spaniels but the coat is extremely brief and curly. The dogs weight from 25 to 45 pounds with males weighing a bit far more. They’re about 16 inches in height.

Use Of The American Water Spaniel

This breed is observed as a field dog. It truly is employed for hunting game in the field as well as water. They are going to very easily flush out game and is usually trained to return the game to you. The American Water Spaniel is employed as a hunting companion for hunters who’re typically out in inclement weather and are on the lookout for a dog which will swim and flush out as well as retrieve game. They can be employed to hunt upland birds as well as water fowl. The compact size of the American Water Spaniel makes them an perfect hunting companion for any one living in smaller quarters as they do not need a great deal of room to be pleased. Consistence ought to be employed if you are training the American Water Spaniel and you’ll want to keep away from harsh training tactics if you are trying to train your dog as these can cause the dog to become aggressive or even shy away from you.

The American Water Spaniel is an perfect hunting dog for those that are on the lookout for a smaller gun dog that enjoys the water and can flush out and retrieve smaller game, upland birds or waterfowl.

Picking the appropriate hunting dog supplies is very important. Pay a visit to http://www.gundogsonline.com for a lot more information and facts on Radians and hunting with dogs.

The Bullmastiff

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Bullmastiff History and origin:

The Bullmastiff is believed to have been evolved between 200 or 300 years ago by crossing the Mastiff with the Bulldog. He was used as a guard dog against poachers (who were hunting on large estates) without actually harming them. The Bullmastiff was bred to be courageous, quick, strong, and willing to challenge humans.

Description:

The Bullmastiff stands 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 100 and 135 pounds. He has a powerful, heavily muscled and boned body and a short, low-maintenance shedding coat that needs regular brushing. Ears may be cropped or uncropped. The color may be fawn, reddish brown, or brindle; a small white patch on the chest is acceptable.

About the Bullmastiff:

The Bullmastiff is a trustworthy, affectionate, lazy, powerful breed with a natural instinct of guarding his home and family. These dogs are usually very suspicious of strangers and other dogs and are one of the most territorial of breeds. Though normally gentle with children in their own family, Bullmastiffs can be unpredictable with friends, relatives, and co-workers. Keep in mind that this breed was designed to challenge human beings and will do so without hesitation if a threat is perceived. When a Bullmastiff becomes aggressive, it is explosive and unstoppable. This breed is capable of killing another dog in seconds, so do not consider letting him off leash. The only way to minimize this instinctive behavior is to socialize and train the dog from day one, allowing the Bullmastiff puppy to interact with people and dogs in a controlled, positive environment. Males should be neutered by the eighth month. Females tend to be less aggressive and are quite more timid than males. The Bullmastiff is normally content to lie around the house. Though less energetic than the Boxer, he does tend to be slightly more active than the Mastiff. Training should begin early and should be firm but not overbearing, as this breed matures slowly and can become worried if pushed too hard. Patience and consistency are required, as well as positive, confident attitude. Spoiling will create a pushy dog that lacks confidence, a combination that could be dangerous. Mature children are permissible provided absolutely no roughhousing is permitted. This breed eats large quantities of food. He usually lives ten to twelve years, and is susceptible to bloat, hip dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory problems. He snores and drools and is often flatulent.

Feeding:

Recommended feeding for this breed is at least 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a dry, complete food.

Ideal home:

A large house in the country with a fenced yard or kennel is preferred, though this breed is easygoing in the home. The owner of a Bullmastiff must be a strong, easygoing, confident leader who is fully aware of the power of this breed and who does not project worry or concern. Time must be available to train, socialize, and handle this breed. Though very affectionate with his family, the Bullmastiff may be unpredictable and aggressive with your children’s friends. Spoilers and weak, nervous, or overbearing people should avoid this breed, as should the elderly and the disabled. The Bullmastiff needs regular exercise; a child or lightweight person may have a hard time controlling the lead.

Black and Tan Coonhound

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Black and Tan Coonhound History and origin:

First used in Medieval England, the Black and Tan Coonhound was perfected in the southern United States.  This breed is one of six types of Coonhound and was used as a tracker of opossum, raccoon, and bear.  It is a working hound that is not usually seen in the show ring.

Description:
Standing 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 70 and 90 pounds, this is a big, strong, agile scent hound.  The shedding coat is short, dense, and requires regular brushing with a hound glove.  Regular ear check is important with this breed.

About the Black and Tan Coonhound:

This is a very strong, hardy, active, driven breed that is primarily a” hunting dog and should not be considered for use as a family pet.  The Black and Tan Coonhound is not as adaptable to the home as the Beagle or Basset.  He is best owned by a hunter who can put his natural abilities to the best use. The Black and Tan is eager, alert, and possesses a superb sense of smell and will be easily distracted by any scent wafting through the neighborhood.  Similar to the Bloodhound and to a lesser extent, the Basset, this breed can be provoked to aggression if required to obey when he does not want to or when he does not understand what he is expected to do.  This is an explosive, non-thinking type of aggression that comes with very little warning.  The instinct to track in this breed is usually stronger than his owner’s ability to control; the dog goes into a driven, trance-like state that is hard to break through.  The Black and Tan Coonhound is normally suspicious of strangers and is not recommended for families with children because of his potential for aggression.  Though bred to be a pack hunter, he can be very dog-aggressive.  The Black and Tan Coonhound is also very vocal, making him best suited to life on a farm or in the country.  He is susceptible to hip dysplasia and ear infections and must have his ears cleaned regularly.  His owner must handle the dog liberally from day one or risk being bitten.

Feeding:
Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Ideal Home:
A house with a fenced yard or a kennel is essential.  This breed does not make a good family pet because he does not understand and will not tolerate children.  He does much better if owned and used by a hunter on a regular basis.  He is a working hound that needs regular exercise as well as supervision and firm no-nonsense leadership.  Obedience training and socialization from day one are necessary for the Black and Tan Coonhound.

Description Of A Labrador Retriever: Part 2

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It is important for the Labrador Retriever to be well balanced. He should  not be as tall and thin as a pointer, and he should not be as short and fat as a potbellied pig. No one feature should be so prominent as to detract from the total picture. If you look at a Labrador and notice only his huge head, the dog is probably unbalanced. If you look at a Labrador and see only his big feet or a long scraggly tail,  you are probably not looking at a good specimen of the breed.

The Labrador Retriever ears should be set off the side of the skull, not too high and not too low. They should be of medium size, hanging so that the bottom tips are about two inches below the eyes. The ears should not be so big or so small that they draw attention to themselves. And they should never be long or folded as they are on many hounds.

The Labrador Retriever eyes are where we see that irresistible, sweet, kind and alert expression. Some are shaped like a rounded diamond.  Although some round eyes can be attractive, they should not resemble the round eyes of a Cocker Spaniel, nor should they be too almond-shaped. A good color would be a warm brown-eye on all three colors (black, yellow or chocolate), maybe a bit darker on a yellow Labrador Retriever. If the eyes are too light, the dog’s expression will be ruined.

There should never be a harsh or mean look about a Labrador. When you look into a Lab’s eyes, you should feel instant friendliness. Usually, the moment your eyes meet, the Lab’s powerful tail starts wagging automatically.

The desirable Labrador Retriever head should sit on a strong neck of medium length. If the neck is too short, the dog looks as if his head is sitting on his shoulders; if the neck is too long, the dog appears elegant, like a setter, which is not correct. There is nothing elegant about this dog. He is agile, strong, and sturdy. As you continue down the neck, past the withers, the top line (the back) should be rather level, never sway-back or sloping to the degree that a Setter’s back does from the neck to the rump.

The Labrador Retriever chest should be deep with well-sprung ribs like a barrel. The shoulders should be long and sloping. The correct look requires long bones that form a ninety-degree angle as you look at the dog from the side, from the withers, to the sternum, to the elbow.

The front legs of a Labrador Retriever are well underneath the dog, allowing a prominent breastbone to show and creating the picture of a powerful chest.

Grooming Your Golden Retriever

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Grooming your Golden Retriever is a never ending process.  The entire process should be down once or twice a week, and will take you around a ½ an hour of time.  Brushing your dog while he is shedding will help to control shedding quite a bit.  While outside, if your Golden Retriever manages to get burs or other defects in his hair, you should instantly take a few moments of your time and get the burs or other matter out of his coat.

When you groom your pet, you should always start with a good brushing.  Brush his entire body, then once you have finished brushing you can switch to a comb to get out any loose hair that remains in the coat.  While you are getting out the hair, you can also inspect your pet for ticks, fleas, and other types of skin ailments.  If you wish, you can also check his ears and trim his nails as well.

Bathing your Golden is essential to grooming, and can be somewhat complicated.  Before you attempt to give him a bath, you should always brush him first, to get rid of tangles.  During shampooing, you should always use shampoos that are specifically for dogs, since human shampoo can dry a dog’s skin out.  You don’t need to bathe your dog often, once every other week is good enough.  If you properly maintain your Golden’s coat, you’ll find it’s much easier to clean.

To prevent matting, which is very common with Golden Retrievers, you should always make sure that you brush your pet on a daily basis.  Metal combs and brushes work extremely well, and will help you to get a great deal of the hair out.  Although some people choose to use scissors and cut the mats, you can easily injure your Golden Retriever if he happens to move or jerk.  Scissors aren’t recommended, as brushing and proper bathing will help to prevent matting of the hair better than anything else.

When you cut your dogs nails, you should trim them a great deal, all the while avoiding going down into the quick.  You should never let the nails of your Golden Retriever get too long, as long nails can easily take the shape of the dog’s foot, resulting in a splay.  Therefore, you should always check your Golden Retriever’s nails and trim them every few weeks.  If you trim them just right, you’ll have at least 2 weeks before they need to be trimmed again.  If you do happen to trim the nails past the quick, bleeding will occur.  To stop the bleeding, always keep some styptic powder on hand to make sure that you are prepared if you do make a mistake.

With other types of grooming, you should also make sure that you clean your Golden’s ears as well.  They can get ear infections quite easily, if you don’t clean their ears on a regular basis.  To get the best results and protect your pet from ear infections, you should clean his ears once a week using a quality cleansing solution.  This way, you can rest assured that your Golden Retriever has healthy ears.

Grooming is an essential aspect to the health of every Golden Retriever.  All it takes is a little bit of time from your day to groom your pet and keep him healthy.  If you don’t have the time to groom your Golden, you can always take him to a professional.  Whether you do it yourself or take your Golden Retriever to a pro – grooming is something that simply must be done.

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