Dalmatians have a quite distinct look and are great for the home. Previous breeders have come up with various characteristics for the Dalmatian, including speed, strength and health. When searching for top Dalmatian breeders, there are some things you need to think about first.

How To Find Dalmatian Breeders

Searching for dog breeders in general is not complicated. Ask for recommendations from your local breed club, a veterinarian, a dog show coordinator, or your friend. You may be thinking of getting a dog from a pet store, but know that reputable dog breeders never sell their dogs through pet stores. The best idea to meet with Dalmatian breeders would be to drop by the location where Dalmatians were born and brought up. You may also search the Internet first then meet dog breeders after.

Allow Dalmatian Breeders To Question You

Once you’ve found the best breeder do a little bit of research. This is to make sure you’re getting a healthy Dalmatian that you can build a happy life with in the next 12 to 20 years. You’d want to find out if the breeder is a responsible one. List down at least 3 Dalmatian breeders you think are the best and visit them one by one. When visiting Dalmatian breeders, find out if they actually care about their dogs.

Good Dalmatian breeders will often ask you a million questions. The main reason for this is that they want to make sure if you’ll be able to take care of their dog accordingly. You may be asked how long you work in a day, who else is living with you, if you often have guests that come over, how much you’re willing to spend and how large your backyard is. These inquiries might sound intrusive, but they are actually good signs that you’re speaking with a responsible breeder!

What To Ask Dalmatian Breeders

Now that you’ve chosen your top breeder, it’s your turn to ask the questions. Your main inquiries should be about guarantees, back up plans, and affiliations. The most reliable Dalmatian breeders are more likely to give your dog lifetime guarantees. If you’re unfortunately unable to care for your dog at any given time, good Dalmatian breeders will also be able to take responsibility over your dog. Finally, an affiliation with some animal organization always gives a breeder more points.

Analyze Your Own Capabilities

You would certainly need to think about how you’re going to provide for your new Dalmatian, too. Familiarize yourself with the breed’s original purpose. Dalmatians were mainly bred for stamina, so they tend to be energetic, playful and friendly dogs.

Speaking of the characteristics mentioned above, you’d need to give your Dalmatian lots of exercise and therefore lots of space. The only thing about Dalmatians is that they can be stubborn and so will require sufficient training. Don’t forget that these breeds shed a lot and may not be suitable for those with allergies. Dalmatian breeders would gladly give you the best Dalmatians they have, but just remember that some genetic conditions cannot always be predicted in any breed.

Whether you’re planning on joining dog shows or just want the healthiest Dalmatian, good Dalmatian breeders will gladly inform you the general show characteristics of Dalmatians. You can do your own research online by keying in Dalmatian show characteristics. Remember, Dalmatian breeders should be as enthusiastic as you are in raising a healthy, happy Dalmatian.

Determine the types of dogs you will permit to enter. There are a number of competitions already out there. Some focus specifically on a breed, such as the beagle. Others are more open. You will need to determine for yourself what dogs you will allow in.

For this type of event, your local government likely will require some type of liability insurance. Find out now what you will need so that you can get the paperwork together

Form a committee to help you with various responsibilities. Each member should commit to overseeing a specific task, such as marketing, securing licenses or checking in contestants.

Very often the Persian cat is considered to be the best looking, friendly and docile cat breed. It is also believed to be one of the world’s oldest cat breeds. Generally it is accepted that the Persian cat has its origin in Persia. This region is the Iranian plateau between the Hindukush Mountains and Mesopotamia. Hence the Persian cat was named. Owning a Persian cat is equivalent to possessing a great work of art.

The Persian cat has a dense and flowing coat of long hairs. These cats come in nearly every color. Solid color, tortoiseshell, tabby, and even blue are some of the common colors. Persian cats have big round heads, and medium built bodies with a short neck. They have wide set large round eyes, short and wide noses and small, rounded ears.

The body of the Persian is short and wide with a short bushy tail. They have thick short legs and firm round feet. Persians are medium in built weighing between 8 to 15 lbs. With proper care Persians can live up to 15 years and above. The Persian cat has a sweet, melodious voice.

Persians tend to be adaptable pets, meaning that they will get around with more households. However, being short-legged, Persians cannot jump high, and are not an active breed. While they will interact with their household in a friendly way, all Persian cats have their own personalities. This means that some will seem to be aloof, and will prefer a quiet home. Others will relish any kind of attention from humans.

To keep a Persian cat in good health you have to take preventive and consistent care. Persians have certain common health weaknesses. Some of these are cherry eye, tear duct overflow, seborrhea oleosa, polycystic kidney disease, entropion, dental malocclusions and nostril constriction.

If you get a Persian, you will enjoy interacting with this intelligent, friendly cat. However, you will also need to work to maintain your pet properly. Persians can suffer from tear staining, and may need to have their faces washed. Their teeth should be brushed, and their coats cared for regularly. Since Persians have such long hair and can get tangles easily, you should brush your cat once a day for ten minutes. During months when the cat is shedding you should brush even more often.

Persian cats should have regular vaccinations. This means keeping their rabies and other shots up to date. Make sure to take your feline in for regular check ups to keep your pet happy and healthy. Remember that some plants are toxic to cats, including many house plants. Consult your vet for plants you should keep your Persian away from. Look for commercial cat foods that contain a high quantity of protein, and avoid those that contain a large number of grains or fillers.

Some owners choose to have their cats groomed regularly by a professional. If you do not do this and choose to groom your Persian cat yourself, make sure you have the right supplies. Appropriate grooming supplies for Persians include towels, mild shampoo, a good pet brush, and ointment for their eyes.

Anyone looking for a placid and affectionate cat should give the Persian serious consideration. If you are after a friendly and sweet natured pet then the Persian is a good choice. However, if you are not prepared to give these cats the amount of care needed such as daily and regular grooming then you should not choose the Persian.

If you’re the proud new owner of a puppy, the excitement you are feeling is incredible. You imagine all of the good times you’re going to have with your new pet. Then reality strikes and you realize that your new best friend is really messing up your home because it’s not potty trained yet. As much as you wish your new puppy would obey your commands, you quickly realize that you don’t actually know how to potty train a puppy.

If you’d like to live in a clean house then potty training your puppy is vital. Depending on the breed, this training may be easier or harder. Unfortunately, the learning curve for all breeds is not the same. If you haven’t purchased a puppy yet, you may want to keep this in mind and find out more information about the breed you are looking at purchasing.

When potty training a puppy, patience is a major key. Very young puppies really have minimal control over when and where they go potty. There’s no way they can hold it for any period of time. Because of this, you might as well not get angry. Once you puppy gets a little older it will be much easier for it to control it’s bodily functions.

The best time to potty train a puppy is right after it has eaten. This will provide a routine for the puppy to follow. Also, try to take the puppy out first thing in the morning and before you go to bed. This too, will develop a routine for the puppy to follow.

Another great idea when potty training a puppy is to use treats or affection and excitement. After your puppy has successfully gone potty where and when you wanted them to, give them a treat or praise. Pretty soon it will understand that this was a good thing and will keep wanting a treat or wanting to please you by doing the right thing.

Dry dog food is recommended for feeding your puppy. When you go to feed it, make sure you do so at the same time. This way it will go potty at the same time each day and night. If you’re not on a set schedule, there’s no way your puppy is going to develop a routine. This is very important when you’re potty training a puppy.

Young puppies need a lot of water. Make sure it has it’s water container filled at all times but take it away about 2 hours before bed time. This way it won’t need to be taken out in the middle of the night.

Lastly, try to keep the puppies area clean at all times. A dirty area may discourage your puppy not allowing it get used to the area. You don’t want to give it any excuses.

Hopefully, you’ve found these tips helpful. Just remember, when potty training a puppy, patience is critical. If you can make it through these early, frustrating times there will be many great years to come.

In summertime, the living is easy. At least, it is for those of us relaxing in air-conditioned comfort. For all of those dogs suffering in kennels without adequate shade, however, life in the summertime is anything but easy.

As a pet owner, you are morally and legally obligate to provide the very best care for your dog. This high quality of life includes time spent inside, and outside, the home. If you have a dog that spends time in an outdoor kennel, you must provide adequate shade from the hot summer sun with a kennel cover.

It’s easy to find and install a dog kennel shade cover, and it doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find a basic dog kennel shade cover to provide the degree of protection your pet needs, at a price you can afford.

Protect every kennel on your property with a proper shade cover. These will protect your pets, keeping them cool in summer and providing necessary shelter when the weather turns foul. Severe weather, heavy winds and extended periods of rain and snow can be very harmful and terrifying to your dog. It’s essential that you find the right dog kennel shade cover to keep your pet safe and healthy, in all types of weather.

Only the Best for Your Best Friend

Installing a shade cover can be as easy as throwing a tarp over the dog kennel. This is not, however, the best method of protecting your pet. A tarp can keep the sun out, but the material will not be able to withstand everything nature has to offer. Tarps will break down and tear over time, and will let in the driving snow and rain. They won’t deflect the sunlight, and may even increase the amount of heat within the kennel area.

Don’t settle for a plain tarp, with a proper dog kennel shade cover only costs a few dollars more. A proper shade cover will attach to the dog kennel at a slanted angle, so you can be sure than any rain, snow and melting ice will fall to the ground and no pool on top. Pooling water will cause the cover to collapse, and can harm your pet.

Tie it Tightly

After you’ve installed the kennel shade cover, take the time to check that it’s securely tightened and properly installed, before your pet goes into the kennel. If the cover is insecure it can blow away in high winds, exposing your dog to the elements and prone to injury from heavy rain, sleet or snow.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Dog kennel shade covers are available in a variety of sizes, and most can be added to an existing kennel that’s already set up in your yard. Take accurate measurements of your kennel, and purchase a cover with a proper fit. There’s no point in going to the time and trouble of installing a cover that’s too large or too small. If you haven’t built a kennel yet, you’re better off looking for a complete setup that includes the cover in the kennel package. Otherwise, you’ll end up paying extra for a cover later on.

When the weather is for the dogs, your pet needs a place where he or she can be warm, comfortable and above all — safe. Spend the time and money installing a dog kennel shade cover. After all, it’s the least you can do for your best friend.

I was not planning to buy or adopt a dog on a stormy day in 1996 in rural Mississippi. I was volunteering at an equestrian center when a pack of three strays appeared. One looked quite a bit like Benji, but had a great fear of people (and thunder of which he barked madly at). I quickly named him “Thor”.

I was lucky to stumble upon the b.a.r.f diet back in 1997 when my 8 year old stray mutt “Thor” was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. I was told he would have to take barbiturates for the rest of his (probably short) life, and be on a special hypo-allergenic dog food as well. My instincts kicked in as the vet made the diagnosis by simply looking at him and feeling some glands. I did not like the quick diagnosis. This motivated me to go to the Internet and begin my research. I was a lucky man, and Thor was a lucky dog when we discovered Dr. Ian Billinghurst, a small town veterinarian surgeon near Brisbane, Australia. He convinced me that converting Thor’s food to a completely raw diet might just restore his health, and even save his life. He was right. Thor lived another 13 years and died on Thursday, with a smile on his face, at age 21.

Before starting the b.a.r.f diet, it is a good idea to google it and learn all you can and what to expect. The pet is most likely loaded with toxins from his/her regular dog food and needs to be weaned off of it. So best not to start it all at once. I found a great way to help flush the toxins out was with herbal tinctures. Please do not use capsules or tablets. They move right through the dog or cat’s system and have very little medicinal value. Also, stop the tap water immediately and move to spring water. You will see a big difference.

Medical treatment and medication is the main focus of study in veterinarian schools, not nutrition. Yes they get a few semesters of it, but it is often sponsored and even speakers are invited from the powerful pet food lobby. I do not mean to sound like a “conspiracy theorist, but what other choice do I have? If I want to get the world out, my pen is my instrument. And not to use it means more dying dogs and cats, new diseases that never existed before the evolution of “pet foods” and vets trying to heal something of which they haven’t a clue.

One vet told me, “But dogs will choke on the bones…some dogs have died.” That is true. But percentage-wise many more have choked on kibble. Have you ever heard of a wolf choking on a raw chicken bone? Well Thor ate raw chicken (and bones) for twelve years without one problem.

Even though the processor is important, so are bones. Thor received bones of every kind of animal from rabbits to elk to chicken to beef. He didn’t have a favorite, but bones are a very important part of the b.a.r.f diet.

Let’s face it. Seventy years ago, there was no such thing as “dog food”. People fed their pets what was left from the table, raw foods from the gardens, etc. The catastrophic diseases we see today, began at the same time processed dog food was introduced to the market.

A few months ago I was flying to Charlotte, N.C on business and to see friends. I was talking to a young woman before takeoff, sitting next to me who had two yellow labs. They were both constantly sick. I told her about the b.a.r.f diet and how most vets don’t know about it, because they are educated by the dog food industry salespersons.

A friendly woman in front of us revealed to us that she has been a vet for many years and has been suggesting the raw foods diet to all her clients. She said she has seen amazing results.

I asked her how she could possibly compete with vets in her community (She lived in suburban Washington, D.C.), and she said, “Most are already educated there and very aware of the diet.” She added, “Many have had their pets on the b.a.r.f diet long before the books were written.”

Update: Since I wrote this article several months ago, my beloved dog Thor died peacefully in his sleep at age 21. While on the b.a.r.f diet, he never had one vet bill until 3 months ago. I will miss him greatly. He died at home on the floor, on pain meds (the heart meds had affected his liver) but with his trademark smile on his face. He loved people and loved life….thanks to the b.a.r.f. diet.

As most people know, dogs are not only loving pets and companions. Many dogs also serve important functions in the community as well. Dogs help the police and military search for bombs, drugs and people. Dogs help blind people make their way through the world. Dogs work on farms and pastures and serve their masters as tough and militant guards and even soldiers. This article will discuss which breeds thrive in different tasks and why.

The organization Guide Dogs of America relies on three pure breeds to use as guide dogs for the blind. The majority of the guide dogs are Labrador Retrievers, followed by Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds. These breeds are chosen based on three behavioral characteristics: willingness, health and temperament. These dogs possess the intelligence and patience to assist their owners in the best way possible. They are robust, fit and well-suited to the task. They are also loyal and love people, which helps them stay focused in crowded situations. All three of these breeds also exhibit a variety of sizes, making them easier to pair with different owners.

The top three guard dog breeds are the Bullmastiff, Doberman and the Rottweiler. Bullmastiffs, which are 40% Bulldog and 60% Mastiff are loyal, courageous and very strong. These dogs have an inherent protective instinct and will bite or wrestle intruders to the ground. Dobermans are exceptionally intelligent dogs that vary in temperament, but generally they will not hesitate to attack if they feel their family is in danger. Rottweilers are also intelligent dogs, considered ninth most intelligent breed in the world. Rottweilers are calm and loving with their families, but also fiercely protective. They are very strong, have great stamina and are resistant to pain.

Depending on the task, many different breeds are used for police work. However, the most common police dog is the German Shepherd. The key attributes for an effective police dog are intelligence, strength, aggression and sense of smell. Most police German Shepherds are males, left unneutered to maintain their natural aggression and strength. German shepherds also possess a highly acute sense of smell and are very intelligent and trainable, making them excellent bomb and drug sniffing dogs as well as search and rescue dogs.

There are over a dozen common and well-qualified herding breeds, but the most well-known and best regarded of those breeds is the Border Collie. Border Collies are widely considered to be the smartest dogs in the world and because of this, dog obedience training of the breed is easy. With their high intelligence, the Border Collies demand difficult tasks. They are also highly agile and fast dogs, and their natural herding instinct makes them perfect farm dogs. Border Collies are also renowned for their performance in athletic competitions, and their powerful sense of smell makes them excellent search and rescue dogs.

As you can see, dogs are not just the loving, happy pets we often consider them to be. The breeds mentioned above are only a few of many types of dogs humans have bred throughout history to serve them. Though any of the breeds will make excellent pets, remember the purpose they were created to serve. Knowing what your dogs’ inherent instincts and abilities are will make you a better, more informed dog owner.

Every puppy loves to chew and they will chew on anything they can get their little puppy teeth into. Puppy owners know all-too-well that puppy’s chewing can cost big bucks as you try to repair damaged furniture and replace your personal belongings. With a few simple tricks and some basic puppy training tips, you can keep your puppy’s teeth out of your things.

Puppies are so dog-gone lovable. I admit that I am so entertained when my puppy chews on a sock. He wags his little tail playfully, does his little puppy-growl, and then chews until it lies in shreds on the floor. However, my puppy suddenly becomes a lot less lovable when it is MY sock he is chewing on. I would venture to guess that the largest expense incurred by puppy owners is as a result of replacing or repairing chewed up belongings. Naturally, a puppy will chew the most when you either aren’t home or you aren’t looking.

To begin to stop puppy from chewing you will need to puppy-proof your house. Puppy also needs to be confined to areas of your home where he can’t get into too much trouble. Puppies are like small children - you shouldn’t leave your puppy unattended - even when you are home. Go ahead and buy a baby gate to keep your puppy from wandering around and chewing up your stuff.

Keep your important things out of puppys reach. End tables need to be free of magazines, books, and definitely the remote control. Make sure these things in higher places where puppy can’t reach to do your part to help puppy stay out of trouble. Don’t forget, if your puppy gets a hold of small objects like marbles or little toy pieces, he could choke while chewing on them! Be sure these small things are picked up and out of puppy’s reach at all times to keep your puppy safe.

Puppies can get very excited and I know my puppy seems to chew more when they he is all worked up. It is a way of releasing pent up energy. He doesn’t know that he has done anything wrong unless you tell him so. If puppy does chew on stuff in the house, resist the urge to spank him. Your puppy may very well be responding to your behavior with his chewing. Leaving and entering the house showing a lot of emotion (waving wildly at puppy) will get puppy all worked up. Puppy doesn’t know what to do with his heightened emotional level, so, he chews.

Get your puppy a chew toy or ten. When he must chew, at least he will chew on something that is meant for chewing. Nylon rope puppy toys help to clean puppy’s teeth while he is releasing his emotional energy.

Always remember, if you stay calm, puppy will stay calm, too. Try to resist the urge to make a big deal to puppy when you are leaving. When you come home, forget the dramatics, and be as calm as you possibly can.

Puppies are so adorable and can be very excitable animals. The very excitement that makes puppy adorable also makes puppy chew on everything in sight. To help stop puppy chewing, stay calm around your puppy as much as possible. With consist effort on your part, training your puppy to only chew on his puppy chew toys will be obtained.

Although part of the appeal of betta fish is that they can be kept without the need for a large aquarium or with a complicated filtration system, betta fish care does require some effort. Betta fish are beautiful when kept healthy and happy, and this article will give you the basics on how to achieve just that.

The first key to betta fish care is to give your fish at least a little space. Yes, they can be kept alive in those little jars they sell them in at the pet stores, but imagine how happy you’d be if confined to a space so small you couldn’t move. Bettas kept in very small containers often grow listless and may lose color over time. While your fish does not require a tremendous amount of space, you do want it to have enough room to swim around a bit. A one to two gallon fish bowl works nicely. In addition, since Bettas do breathe at the surface from time to time, you want to make sure there is sufficient space at the surface for your fish to do that.

It is a good idea to have a cover (not an airtight cover!) over the top of your container, as bettas have been known to jump out of their containers.

The next part of betta fish care that is critical to the health of the fish is to keep the container and water very clean. Part of keeping the container clean is to use care when feeding your fish. Excess food will accumulate at the bottom and cause bacterial growth and cloud the water. I suggest feeding your fish with the standard betta food pellets by dropping in just one pellet at a time, perhaps 3 or 4 times per day. Not only will this help keep the container clean, it will also prevent overfeeding which can cause swim bladder problems which can kill betta fish.

Another way to make sure the water is clean is to change part it on a frequent basis. How much water to replace and how often is largely dependent on the size of the container, as waste products build up much more quickly in small containers than in larger ones. If your fish is in a container with half a gallon of water or less, it is a good idea to change at least a third of the water every 3 days or so. For larger containers of one to two gallons or more, a once per week schedule changing out a third to half the water should work just fine.

A simple way to change your betta’s water is to simply buy bottled distilled water. Distilled water is free of toxic chemicals like chlorine and has a neutral pH, which is favored by betta fish. This is a much simpler approach than using chemicals to neutralize toxins and/or balance pH.

Because bettas are from tropical regions, an important part of good betta fish care is to keep the water relatively warm - about 75 to 80 degrees.

Smooth objects without sharp edges make good decorations in the betta fish container because bettas like to rest on objects above the bottom. Bettas have delicate fins, so anything with sharp edges must be avoided, even artificial plants that are particularly rigid.

Using the tips you have just learned, you will be well on your way to keeping a healthy, happy betta fish. The show of brilliant color on your fish will be your reward for your excellent betta fish care.

Burmese cat has its origin in Thailand, Malaya and Burma. It is generally believed to be descended from a breed of cats called Thong Daeng that lived in the Thai temples. In the cat poems of Thailand they were portrayed as heroic protectors of their homes. They first arrived in the West in the 1930s in the form of a Burmese called Wong Mau. A sailor from the East gave the cat to Dr. Joseph Thompson of San Francisco. From this cat came the modern Burmese breed today.

The Burmese cat is muscular, heavy boned and medium in size. It has a round head, a long neck and a short muzzle. The eyes of this cat are large and are set widely apart. The color of the eyes is usually golden yellow. Burmese cats have legs that are long and slender and paws that are oval shaped. The Burmese cat is a cat breed with short hairs. The coat is short and glossy and comes in many colors. Some of the colors are brown, sable, chocolate, red, lilac, cream, blue, silver, platinum and tortie. The Burmese cat has a lighter colored under parts than the rest of the body. They have a long lifespan usually between 18 and 20 years. The litter size of a Burmese cat is around 1 to 8.

Burmese is so much like a dog in many ways. They enjoy playing fletch like the dogs. They are outgoing, social, acrobatic and quite talkative. Burmese cats are intelligent and love to be with humans. They enjoy sleeping on your lap and in your bed at night. Burmese does not like to be left alone on its own without company.

Burmese cats are suitable for either a single owner, or for a family. They love water, and will play with a dripping faucet for hours. Since they can get bored and lonely, you should provide your cat with a companion to play with, as well as toys to keep him or her occupied. Burmese cats are great talkers, and will communicate in their own way for long periods of time.

Burmese cats are easy to care for, requiring little special attention. Regular bathing and brushing will keep your Burmese clean and shiny. If your cat goes outside, or is in contact with cats that have been outside, be sure to check for fleas and other parasites regularly. Make sure vet checkups are up to date, in case of health problems, although Burmese are generally fairly robust. They do, however, regularly suffer from a condition where skin or hair becomes attached to their cornea. This condition, called Corneal Dermoid, must be treated by surgery.

Since Burmese cats shed little, they require minimal maintenance. Be sure that you feed your cat high quality cat food, with little filler and lots of good proteins, to maintain optimal health and a shiny, attractive coat. Remember that while Burmese cats can be great companions, they are not for everyone. They can be noisy and demanding if they do not receive enough attention, especially if you have a female Burmese. Be prepared to pay a lot of attention to your Burmese cat, and he or she will make a great companion.