Wednesday, February 17th, 2010
I have always wanted an English bulldog and finally my fiance and I have decided to get one. I understand that bulldogs have lots of health issues but I was wondering if there were any signs to look for before purchasing a puppy.
I don’t have an English Bulldog, but my best friend has had three. My advice would be to check out the breeder, check out the facitilities, are the dogs nice and clean? All the dogs should appear lovable and very sociable. Take a look at the parents, ask to see the pups parents health certificates and vet records, ask or the vets number and give him a call. (Any reputable breeder, despite the dog breed should have NO problem giving you this info.) Also, a good breeder will give you 24-72 hours to get the pup checked out at your own vet and if there are any expensive or life threatening conditions, a good breeder will offer to pay for them, OR replace the puppy. Hope this helps, and good luck with the puppy search! English Bullies are some of the sweetest and most adorable dogs. (other tha APBT’s that is. lol!)
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Posted in bulldog | 1 Comment »
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
I have looked in the local newspaper with no luck. I have a year old Spayed female chihuahua and she is wonderful and I want another. Please heip me find one in Pittsburgh PA. I donot like to drive far. Thank You .
Whatever you do, DO NOT get them from a pet store!! They get their dogs from Puppymills and it’s just horrible. They get sick and have behavioral issues from improper socialization and being taken from their mothers too soon. They can be harder to potty-train because they’ve always been allowed to go anywhere they want. The conditions in a puppymill are disgusting. Our dog is a puppymill rescue. She was only in one for a year and we’ve had her for 3 years. It was just this last year that she’s gained the confidence to play with another dog and to enjoy being petted.
"DO NOT, under any circumstances, buy a dog in a petstore. Our research establishes that 98% of the dogs in petstores come from what we consider to be puppymllls. You are not saving that puppy, you are sentencing it’s parents to lives of misery."
Look at the sites below for a more humane and local Chihuahua "buying" solution…
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Posted in chihuahua | 16 Comments »
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
I just moved into this nice neighborhood, and my neighbor says she is a reputable rottweiler breeder. I’ve seen a couple of her dogs (she said she has 
and they look ok.
She offered me a puppy for $300, is this a fair price? Should I buy it?
I dont think she is a BYB because most of those just breed small dogs, like poodles and chihuahuas.
I knew this was going to happen with everybody saying things only about the designer breeds and saying things like all of them are coming from byb’s and saying how can we put a stop to designer breeds and not saying anything about purebreds or large breed dogs that you can get from byb’s. I’m starting to think that people don’t like small mixed breeds. It’s very sad! Any dog, any type can come from a byb. I have a Doberman that i got from a byb. Yep i went to there house met the parents of the puppies… I thought everything was great get the dog home and the next thing you know i spent lots on vet bills. Not that i mind cause i love my dog and i loved him from day one it’s just that i was mad at the breeders. So don’t think for one min. that byb’s don’t breed large breeds or purebreds cause they do. I would defiantly check really hard into them cause $300.00 is a steal. Something has to be wrong. Check in to any breeder before you buy. Sometimes people are tricky so be careful. There are good breeders out there so if you want a Rottweiler find a good breeder. You will pay more, but it’s worth it if that is what you want. Good Luck!
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Posted in rottweiler | 7 Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
I got my 4 month old rottweiler from my sister,and I saw the papers for the great-grandparents,so I know that he’s full blooded.But for one reason or another they stop registering the puppies.Then when they started again they decided to use CKC.I’ve contacted AKC and told them what was going on and that both his parents are CKC registered.They told me that I couldn’t register him through ACK OR CKC (Canadian Kennel Club).I was told by a friend of my sisters that there is a way.Is this true and how?
Unless the parents were both registered and the litter was registered with AKC then you cannot register him.
BUT you can get an ILP number from the AKC to compete in Obedience, Rally or other performance events. Just not Conformation.
CKC can mean Canadian (as you know) or Continental. Most show people avoid anything to do with Continental as it tends to be a puppy mill registry, same with APR and other fake registries.
If his parents are Canadian Kennel Club registered that may be different, you may have a way to AKC register, but I doubt it. Continental KC will let anyone register a dog just by saying it is purebred.
AKC registration would only be important if you wanted to show or breed. And with so many Rotts being bred, it’s not like they are endangered.
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Posted in rottweiler | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
I live in my parents’ home, and they do not like dogs in their home. I have always wanted to start dog showing, but am not able to get a show dog myself. What are ways to participate in conformation showing without purchasing a show dog? (How to find someone to allow me handle their dog if they don’t even know me) I can’t get into junior handling since I am over the age limit.
go to a few dog shows and talk to the owners/handlers and talk to them about getting started in handling. this would also be a good expierence to get used to the set ups of shows and also to see how others handle the dogs.
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Posted in dog | 2 Comments »
Monday, November 16th, 2009
My other question was about a Doberman, but I think more of a hearty dog would be better suited–indoor and outdoor dog. My parents own a rottweiler and he does well outdoors. I’m thinking I could leave a Rott outside while we’re at work and keep in him other times.
Any advice about Rotts?
If you get your rottie as a pup he will do great in this situation. This is exactly what my parents did wit ours when I was a kid. I grew up with rotts so the person who made the previous post obviously isnt familiar with the breed, my dog was like my best friend. He wasnt even fixed because we bred him and charged stud fees, even then he was not agressive. So as long as its kept inside while your home and potty trained for its baby months that should be fine. But I hope you have a fair sized yard with a good fence, they dig. Be wary of any digging activity, it wont take them long to dig right under the fence.
Technorati Tags: Advantages And Disadvantages, Best Friend, doberman, Parents, Pup, Rott, Rottie, Rotts, rottweiler, Stud Fees, Wit, Yard Fence
Posted in rottweiler | 3 Comments »
Thursday, November 12th, 2009
My american bulldog is 15months old and weight in at 80lbs. she is a very lazy dog. she big, and she eats plenty of food(30lbs a week) but her longer hair and ears just don’t look like the others. I have seen both of her parents and they look like all the others. but not my Mariah. she all white with a brindle spot on the left side of her face. and the back of her ears are brindle as well.
A picture would really help.
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Posted in bulldog | 9 Comments »
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
What is involved in raising a litter of puppies? This is a question I am asked quite often. It is certainly a task that should not be taken lightly. That cuddly little puppy is going to be a full grown dog someday soon, and will have an impact on many peoples lives and you want that impact to be a positive one.
I think the first thing you must look at when you began thinking about having a litter of puppies is the sire and dams genetic qualities. You want to be sure you are passing on healthy genetic make-up. To do so you must be certain both parents are free of any genetic faults which may afflict your particular breed. In addition both parents should exhibit very stable temperaments.
Once you have determined that both parents are healthy, and your puppies have arrived successfully,the real task of raising the puppies begins. It will require a level of devotion not unlike a mother’s to her newborn child.
For the first few weeks of a puppies life the dam does much of the work. Most dams will instinctively keep the puppies clean and fed. However, it is up to you to make sure the dam and puppies have a quiet place of their own with an adequate whelping box. The bedding in the whelping box must be kept clean and sanitary. The temperature in the whelping area must be monitored and maintained so the puppies and the dam are comfortable.Probably the most important thing of all at this time is making sure your dam has proper nutrition so she can produce an adequate supply of milk. Only the breeder should handle the puppies in these first two to three weeks of life. But, they should be handled as this establishes an early trust in people.
Puppies eyes began to open at two to three weeks of age and they began to stand on their own. This is when the real work and expense of rearing a litter begins. As the puppies began to display individual character traits their emotional and physical development begins to rely more and more on the breeder and less on their dam. It is at this point that puppies must be handled daily, and handled in a positive manner,so there is never a barrier of distrust created. Puppies are never objects, no matter how many you have in a litter. Each has unique character traits and puppy conditioning by the breeder is equally as important as any other aspect of puppy rearing.
At three to four weeks you will begin the weaning phase. In most cases the dam, shortly after the puppies teeth begin to emerge, will begin to spend less and less time with the puppies. It is at this point that you will begin to supplement your puppies diet. I start off with a mush made from a high quality puppy food which has been softened with a prepared puppy milk replacer. Gradually you will decrease the amount of milk replacer until the puppies are eating their kibble dry. You must always have fresh drinking water available.
Once the puppies are eating on their own on a regular basis the dam will become less vigilant about cleaning up after the puppies and it will now fall to you to see that the puppy area is maintained in a sanitary manner. You have probably moved them out of the whelping box and into a larger area at this point. Make sure this is in a location that makes cleanup relatively simple. You must,at the least,mop several times daily. You may use a diluted bleach solution, but I prefer to use a one-step solution which is a germicide,fungicide, detergent, and deodorant. You can find this at your local animal health store or your vet may be able to help you find it.
Also at weaning time is when most veterinarians recommend beginning your puppies on a routine vaccination and deworming schedule. This is extremely important in maintaining good health in your puppies and will help to guard them against infectious diseases. I recommend consulting your vet for an appropriate schedule.
Now for evaluating and placing your litter. You have probably been unconsciously “grading” your puppies from the day they were born. An experienced breeder is able to see beyond color and markings, looking at things such as bone, head shape, angulation, and other criteria that vary with each breed. But keep in mind that most puppies change dramatically as they develop. Some puppies may show early potential for show or future breeding stock, but some will almost certainly be of pet quality. It is very important for you to be able to recognize this in order to properly place each puppy. Personality is also improtant when placing your puppies. The quieter puppy will not do as well in the show ring as the puppy whose exuberant personality says”Look at me!!”
As well as grading your puppies, you must be able to “grade” prospective owners. I care about each dog I bring into this world and treat it as part of my extended family when I place it in its new home. Some of the things you may want to ask a prospective owner are whether or not they have had pets previously, if so, do they still have the pet and if not what happened to it. This lets you know what type of other pets the puppy will be around and how responsible the owner was with their previous pet. You will need to know what they intend to do with the puppy. Show, housepet, agility candidate? Will someone be home with the puppy and if not will someone at least be able to come home at lunchtime to check in on the puppy? Will the puppy stay in the house or outside in a pen. What kind of space do they live in? A small apartment or a house with a fenced yard. Some breeds are well suited to apartment living while others require more space in which to exercise. Does the new owner fully understand the time and financial commitment they are making. Give them an average of annual costs, including, vet visits, grooming, food, and supplies. Also let them know, that while we never want it to happen, sometimes things occur which require emergency vet care and this can be quite costly. If the future owner is young ask what their plans are for the future, while it may be awkward, you want to know that your puppy is going to a stable home.
Last, but certainly not least, is having a well thoguht out contract for everyone to sign. Include things such as any health guarantee you are prepared to offer and, if the puppy is being sold as a pet, require proof of spay/neuter by four months of age. Require appropriate vet care throughout the life of the dog. Another thing a conscientious breeder will include in a contract is a clause which states the breeder be afforded first opportunity to acquire the puppy back if the owner is unable to keep the dog for ANY reason. If it is not feasible for the breeder to take the dog back they will be willing to help find a new home for the puppy. These are just a few of the things you may want to consider putting in a contract. But always insist upon a written agreement, even if the new owner is a friend or family member. It just avoids confusion and misunderstandings resulting in bad feelings later on.
Letting your puppies go to their new homes is difficult for any caring breeder. You have invested a lot of yourself in each and every one of them. But, when you have taken the time to establish a relationship of trust with the new owners, it can be a very rewarding experience. I receive pictures on a daily basis from satisfied owners who have acquired a puppy from me and it is very heartwarming when you know you have been able to provide that puppy and that family a happy life together.
Charles Christian
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-raising-a-new-liter-of-puppies-130831.html
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Posted in puppies | 9 Comments »
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
I have a chihuahua named Maya and I want to get a german shepherd because I have always wanted one. We already have one picked out but I am still thinking about it. I am scared that the german shepherd, when it gets older and bigger if it will attack maya.I dont know what to do. Please help.
First off, check what type of breeding you’re getting your GSD from before you buy-that in of itself is CRUCIAL. There are West German show lines, West German working lines, DDR(East German working), Czech/Slovakian working lines and American CH lines. The higher the prey drive, the higher the potential for problems later. The working lines are definitely higher drive and have stronger prey drives, which could lead to problems. This may require some time getting educated in the German Shepherd breed as a whole, which I strongly suggest if you’re really wanting to buy a puppy.
My suggestion would be to go with a breeding that produces a mild drive(WGR show lines and/or American CH lines). Ask about the litter’s parents and their reaction to cats and other small animals(and what kind of bloodlines they have). If the parents are ok with smaller animals, then you have a greater chance of getting a pup who is ok also. We personally raise our pups with our very docile resident male cat from the time they’re born so they learn to love him, not wanna hurt him.
That should help you avoid problems before you buy. Generally, if a puppy is raised with a small dog/animal, they will learn to respect that animal. Getting the opposite gender of what your Chi is would be wise, too. I would be equally concerned not to allow the Chi to bite/hurt/harrass the GSD, either! Best wishes!
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Posted in german shepherd | 15 Comments »
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009
I have a 6 months old chihuahua and he’s losing so much hair that it drives my parents crazy. I know chihuahuas lose a lot of hair. Brushing him doesn’t help much. I heard there are pills and sprays that prevent hair lose. What are they? Can any one tell me the name of the pills and sprays?
Amazing how much they shed, isn’t it?
He’s probably changing from his puppy coat to his adult coat. There’s nothing you can do to stop that.
Otherwise, just brush him daily and give him a high-quality diet (not supermarket crap).
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Posted in chihuahua | 3 Comments »