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.

Brittany All About The Breed

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The Brittany, sometimes referred to as the Brittany Spaniel, is a versatile sporting dog, that is also popular as a companion and family pet, due to its wonderful temperament. The name comes from the French province of Brittany where the breed originated. Unfortunately, much of the early breed records no longer exist, but what is clear is that the Brittany has always been used as a retriever and pointer by bird hunters.

The breed was first shown at the Paris Dog Show in 1900, and was introduced to the United States in the 1920’s. AKC recognition followed in 1934.These athletic, medium-sized dogs have a compact build, with long legs. The tailed is either naturally short, or may be docked, although docking is now outlawed in many countries. Acceptable coat colors are The coat can be orange and white coat, liver and white, orange roan, liver roan, or black and white. (NOTE: The AKC considers black and white coats a fault, although all other registries accept it).

These are wonderfully balanced dogs, energetic, intelligent and affectionate. They bond closely with their human ‘pack’, and are know to get on with everyone, and to have a special affinity with children.They are highly intelligent dogs, which makes training very easy. They are however, quite sensitive and don’t respond well to harsh words or rough treatment.

Brittanys are generous with their affection, although they often form a special attachment to a particular person. They also get on well with canine and non-canine pets, although you will have to watch them around pet birds.

Brittanys are generally healthy, robust dogs who suffer from few health problems. They may however be prone to ear infections, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Average lifespan for the breed is 12 – 14 years. Grooming is easy, requiring only a brush down a few times per week to keep the coat looking its best. Dogs that spend time in open fields will need to be checked regularly for ticks, and you’ll also have to remove, grass seeds, burrs and mats from the coat.

A big plus with this breed is that they are single coated, and therefore shed very little.

These are active, energetic dogs who require a lot of exercise to keep them happy. With sufficient exercise, they can live in an apartment, although it is not really recommended. A much better living arrangement is a house with a large garden, or better still, the countryside. Dogs that lack physical and mental stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and the Brittany will be no different. However, for the right owner, this dog will be a wonderful pet.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online puppy names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cute dog names.

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.

Akita Inu Dog Breed

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The noble Akita Inu is an impressive dog. These large, dignified animals are so revered in their native Japan that they are considered national monuments, and owning one is said to bring good luck.

Originating in the rugged Akita Prefecture for which it is named, this was originally a hunting dog. Akita were used to track large game, like wild boar and the dangerous, grizzly-like Yezo bear.

The Akita Inu was first introduced to the United States in 1937, when two of the dogs were presented to Helen Keller as a gift. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1956, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.

These formidable dogs can stand as tall as 27 inches at the withers and weigh anything up to 125 pounds. They have a dense coat that can be brindle, red, fawn. sesame or white. They shed heavily twice a year, but other than that, are medium shedders.

Other defining features are a large head with fox-like features, and a thick, plumed tail that sweeps over the back.

The Akita has few health problems, and a life expectancy that ranges from 10-14 years. They are prone to Hypothyroid disease, but this can be easily treated with hormone therapy. Other health problems include impaired night vision, and progressive retinal atrophy. Hip and kidney problems may occur in older dogs.

Owning an Akita can be either a joy or a challenge. They are extremely loyal and protective dogs who form strong bonds with their family and are generally gentle with children and with other pets. They are known to become very excited when the see their owners, squirming around and making happy little grunting sounds.

These intelligent dogs are easy to train, but can be hard headed at times. If you want to succeed in this you will have to gain their trust and respect, otherwise they’ll simply ignore your commands.

The Akita is a dignified, self assured breed of dog that will seldom demand attention. However, you will have to exercise your dog daily, if your want to keep him trim and in good health.

Their high intelligence does mean that they bore easily. This can become a problem if they are not given regular physical and mental activity. They can become destructive and aggressive if they are bored, so training, early socialization, and a regular exercise regime are a must with this breed.

Don’t let that deter you from considering an Akita as a family pet though, because they are truly wonderful dogs.

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

Focus on the Airedale Terrier

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A medium-sized, athletically built dog, the Airedale can stand up to 24 inches at the withers, and weigh as much as 65 pounds. It is the biggest of the true terrier breeds, and is often known as the ‘King of Terriers’

They have a wiry, black and tan coat and a unique ‘square’ profile, which makes them easily recognizable. The Airedale has the typical, ‘game’ terrier temperament, with an alert and energetic demeanor that suggests they are ready to meet any challenge.

The breed originated in Yorkshire, England in the area between the Rivers Aire and Wharf. The original cross was between the Otterhound and Welsh terrier, and was called by a number of names, including Waterside terrier, Bingly terrier, and the Rough coated terrier

The breed was recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 1886, and thereafter was known as the Airedale Terrier.

By this time the breed had already gained a reputation as a hard working, trustworthy dog, and this saw it make the transition from a purely hunting dog, to one that became a favored breed of the police and military.

These are active, independent and highly intelligent dogs. They are generally easy to train, but have a decidedly stubborn streak and also become bored quite easily. It is therefore important to base training on short, very focused sessions.

But the Airedale isn’t just all work and no play. These fun-loving dogs have a decided sense of humor and a genuine love of life. They love to play and make excellent pets for the right owner.

The Airedale is a generally healthy dog although it is not immune to the medical problems that typically affect purebred dogs. Hip displaysia, eye problems and skin disorders (especially hot spots) occur in the breed. Bloat, a serious, often fatal, condition can also occur if the dog is exercised too soon after a meal. Average lifespan for the breed is 12 years.

The rough wiry coat of the Airedale requires a daily brush down to keep it in good condition. The coat will also have to be professionally hand stripped a couple of times a year.

The Airedale is a low shedding breed, so it is a good for those who have a particular aversion for dog hair. It may even be suitable for allergy sufferers.

They ideal owner for an Airedale is someone who is reasonably active and can give the dog a lot of attention and daily exercise. These dynamic terriers are simply not suited to the lazy life, and will not do well in an apartment.

As with most active breeds, they will look for ways to amuse themselves if they are bored, and this can lead to destructive behaviors like digging, chewing and problem barking.

If you’re looking for a name for your Airedale Terrier, the best advice is to visit a dog names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of girl dog names.

Everything to Know About the Golden Retrievers

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Golden Retrievers are very popular dogs and generally make great family pets. They are very intelligent dogs that do well with proper training and a lot of exercise as they can be quite boisterous and playful. Golden Retriever puppies are attention seeking by nature and can go overboard looking for attention but establishing boundaries and rules can help make them more manageable.

Golden Retrievers are of the working dog category and are highly sought out for their ability to perform invaluable tasks such as search and rescue. They make excellent guide dogs and are used by the police for drug detection. Their high intelligence makes them ideal for advanced training. Getting a Golden Retriever at an early age is best as you can begin obedience training while the puppy is still young and moldable. Older Golden Retrievers that haven’t received proper socialization and obedience training can be a bit of a handful.

They are large and powerful dogs that can grow to 24 inches in height and they can weigh from 55-75 pounds. They are of a muscular build and have long flowing coats which range in color from a very light, pale beige that is almost white to a dark honey color. Medium golden colored individuals are favored for show purposes.



Amber Contant is a featured adviser and author discussing the issues that all pet owning families will experience. Amber works with Pet-Super-Store. Visit her site for a great selection of pet beds.

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