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Chinese Crested Quick Facts:

chinesecrestedtwo * Originated in China in the 1920’s

* Two varieties; the Hairless and Powderpuff (with hair)

* The Hairless is one of the non allergic dog breeds while the Powderpuff sheds litle and is considered one of the hypoallergenic dog breeds (low allergy).chinese-crested

* The Hairless and Powderpuff can come from the same litter.

* The most popular of the hairless dog breedschinesecrested

* Has no dog odor

* Admitted to AKC in 1981

* First shown at Westminster Dog Show in 1992

* Has won 8 World’s Ugliest Dog contests

* Life Span – Up to 15 years. Feeding the best dog food possible, exercise and regular Vet check-ups will help to assure a long, healthy life.

Chinese Crested Appearance:

* Hairless Chinese Crested has soft human-like skin, fur on paws and long hair on the head (crest) and tail. Lacks a full set of teeth.

* Powderpuff Chinese Crested has a thick double coat.

* Not prone to fleas and ticks.

* Height 10 inches. Weight not over 10 lbs.

Chinese Crested Temperament:

* Loving, playful, loves to hug.

* Loves children but children must be careful with them because they are fragile.

* Very attached to owners.

* Alert and entertaining, easily taught tricks.

* Not barkers

* A great family dog

* Loves to dig and climb.

Chinese Crested Potential Health Issues:

* Primitive mouth (pointed teeth), missing or crowded teeth (Puffs have fewer problems)

* Eye problems

* Allergic to wool and lanolin

Special Needs:

* The Hairless Crested needs regular skin massages with body oil and needs to be bathed frequently.

* Can get acne and sunburns easily. Be careful not to expose to the sun for extended periods.

* Powderpuffs need brushed regularly.

* Need frequent walks (active dogs)

Chihuahua Quick Facts:

* Toy Group

* Smallest breed of dog

* Named after the state of Chihuahua, Mexico

* First entered Westminster Dog Show in 1879chihuahua

* Life span 8-22 years

Chihuahua Appearance:

* Two types – Long Coat and Smooth Coat. Will not find both types in the same litter.

* 6-10 inches to top of shoulder Weigh 6 pounds or less

* Any color – solid, marked or splashed

* Body longer than tail

Chihuahua Temperament:

* Alert tends to be loyal to one person.

* Terrier-like temperament (tenacious, territorial).

* Doesn’t tend to get along with other breeds.

* Can be snappy and wants to take control.

* Craves attention, eager to please, affectionate, jealous.

* Not recommended for small children as they can be snappy and their small size can lead to the dog being injured by an overly rambunctious child.

Chihuahua Potential Health Issues:

* Prone to Epilepsy and Seizures.

* Digestive problems.

* Low blood sugar.

* Have a tendency to become overweight easily if their diet is not monitored.

Special Needs:

* Birthing problems; often need Vet. assistance.

* Take care not to get water into ears as they are prone to ear infections.

* Periodic Vet. cleaning of ears and teeth is needed. Teeth have a tendency to build tartar. Due to the smallness of the mouth, food can collect and remain along the gum line.

* Don’t expose dog to the cold unless dressed warmly.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Quick Facts:

* Probably the largest of the toy dog breeds

* Companian to high stress people for hundreds of yearscavalier-king-charles-spaniel

* Popular with royalty

* Descended from the King Charles Spaniel

* Household pet in Charles I household

* Can be seen in paintings dating back to the 16th century

* Current type started breeding in 1920’s

* First entered the Westminster Dog Show in 1997

* Placed 3rd one time and 4th one time at the Westminster Dog Show

* Life Span 9-14 years

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Appearance:

* Small for a Spaniel 12-13 inches to top of shoulder

* Has full length tail, not docked

* Large round eyes

* Silky coat with no curls – most common colors are chestnut and white, black and white with tancavalier-king-charles-spaniel2 markings on cheeks, black and tan and ruby red.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Temperament:

* Eager, well-behaved, adaptable. Loves people – needs companionship

* Wants to please

* Very affectionate & playful

* Loves sitting on your lap

* Good with children and other dogs. One of the best dog breeds for families.

* One of the friendliest of the toy dog breeds

* Can be cat-like, perching on the back of furniture.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Potential Health Issues:

* Prone to:

Eye disease
Dislocating of knee caps
Back problems
Ear infections
Hearing problems
Hip dysplasia

Special Needs:

* Must be brushed daily

Brussels Griffon Quick Facts:

* Toy Group

* The result of breeding the Pug and King Charles

* Named for the city of their origin, Brussels, Belgium

* Nicknames: Griffon, Griff, Brussbrussels griffon brownbrussels-griffon

* Popular in late 1800’s, almost extinct during WWII

* Used to eliminate rodents in stables

* First entered the Westminster Dog Show in 1902.

* Lifespan 12-15 years

* Rumored to be George Lucas’ inspiration for the Ewoks in Star Wars

* Generally considered an uncommon breed

Brussels Griffon Appearance:

* Face has human-like expression

* Can be rough coat or smooth coat

* Comes in red, a mix of red-brown and black, black and tan and solid black

* Flat face (looks like Ewok from Star Wars)brussels-griffon2

* Should be muscular and compact

* Weighs about 8-10 pounds

* Coat is dense and wiry, little or no shedding, considered one of the hypo-allergenic dogs

Brussels Griffon Temperament:

* Very sensitive, alert and inquisitive

* Known to have a “big heart”

* Bonds with one person usually, loves to snuggle with it’s masterbrussels griffon black

* Not best dog for family because of it’s tendency to bond with one person

* Unhappy if left alone – a true “Velcro dog”

* A generally happy dog with a terrier personality

* Can be difficult to housebreak

* Good with other dogs and cats

Brussels Griffon Potential Health Issues:

* Cleft palate (can be fatal for puppies)

* Cataracts as dog ages

* Glaucoma common

Brussels Griffon Special Needs:

* Can’t be left outside for periods of time; due to their short snout, heat stroke is a major concern

* Have large, relatively unprotected eyes that can be a target for damage from foreign objects

* Can have complications giving birth and often needs Cesarean Section

Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is a tiny terrier type of the Miniature and Toy Dog Breeds.

Considered one of the non-shedding dog breeds and non-allergenic dog breeds.

Called the “Monkey Dog” because of it’s monkey-like expression.

Origin was in Germany. Bred to catch rats. Affe means monkey in German.

Great mouser and watchdog.

Became housepet in 18th century

Admitted to AKC in 1936

First entered into the Westminster Dog Show in 1938.

At Westminster Dog Show – has won 1st one time, 2nd one time, 3rd one time and 4th three times.

Lifespan 10-12 years

Affenpinscher Appearance:

Small

7-9 pounds 11″ at shoulders

Shaggy, long coat that is all over the place

Black or gray in color

Monkey-like expression

Affenpinscher Temperament:

Fun-loving, playful, affectionate toward family members, but protective, active, stubborn, confident and curious.

Can be difficult to housebreak.

Becomes bored easily; constant training helps keep them busy.

Has a sense of humor.

Will guard their food and toys.

Tends not to back down from larger dogs or strangers.

Not particulary recommended for very young children because they tend to be territorial towards their toys and food.

Affenpinscher Special Needs:

Needs to be kept busy as they tend to bore easily. Provide plenty of quality dog toys and play and exercize time.

Sensitive to extreme cold.

Affenpinscher Potential Health Issues:

No major health problems

Dog Pet insurance plans are becoming popular options for responsible dog owners. Pet owners are frequently faced with difficult decisions about pet health. Dogs often get sick, injured, or suffer from hereditary problems that require frequent visits to the local veterinarian or emergency facilities.
In the early 2000’s, veterinary costs started rising rapidly and people began looking to an option that has been available for over two decades in the United States, and for the better part of a century in Europe: Pet Insurance Plans.

Pet insurance plans may not be the right decision for every dog owner, as coverage and costs vary depending on factors, such as: options and conditions covered and the health and age of your dog. If you are considering pet insurance, there are some things to consider before making any final purchases. This is a purchase, after all, which will greatly affect the life of your pet, and you as the pet owner not only through your bank account, but your personal relationship with your pet as well.

Pet medical insurance works much the same way as human health insurance. Policy coverage depends on a number of variables such as age of pet, species and breed, and preexisting and hereditary health problems or concerns, and of course on the current health condition of your dog. For instance, pet insurance for olderdog-pet-insurance dogs will most-likely cost more than for a young dog. Careful consideration must be taken when choosing whether or not to purchase a dog health insurance. If you are someone who routinely brings your pet to have checkups, prescriptions, and general wellness care, a pet insurance plan may be something to look into. However you must also consider how much budget you will have and if it makes more sense to pay for the health and care of your pet over a spread out period of time through insurance payments, or if you have enough set aside in case your pet requires any major care such as surgery.

Veterinarians have broken a lot of ground in the abilities to care for pets and the procedures available. MRI scans are much more readily available than in the past, as well as radiation therapy and organ transplants. Along with these new procedures, the cost of veterinary care has raised sky high, with some procedures doubling in price. Veterinary care options that may seem small at first can increase the bill very quickly as well. Such things as overnight stays, shots and minor surgeries can quickly add to the cost. Insurance policies can cut down on the vet bill considerably, with some paying out as high as eighty and ninety percent. There are sometimes caps on pay out though, as well as other costs to the policy holder such as deductibles and co-payments. Pay out options also vary, with some companies offering a percentage on the entire vet bill and others offering a fixed rate depending on the policy agreement at the time of signing. Many pet insurance policies are available right away, of course depending on payment and underwriting procedures. Read the fine print; however, as some are limited for a probationary period and some policies exclude certain conditions and procedures. It is common for diseases such as hip dysplasia and certain other medical procedures to be excluded from insurance policy coverage, though not all companies exclude these. Also, some policies that have exclusions only exclude them for the first month, year, or other probationary period.

Payment for dog pet insurance is done the same way as health insurance for humans. Co-pays, deductibles, and monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual payments can be made to the insurance provider. Many policies allow you to keep your own veterinarian, and it is also common for insurance policies to allow you to use any licensed veterinarian in the country. This of course is very important to know if you plan to do any traveling with your dog, but make sure to find out if the policy you choose includes coverage on your pet when traveling outside of the area.

Often your veterinarian has worked with insurance companies in the past, or has clients who use insurance policy coverage on a regular basis and can give a good list of recommendations. Another option is bundle rates offered by the Veterinarian for things such as routine checkups, dental care, and medical prescriptions. This can be a smart choice for you depending on the needs of your pet and the commitment you as the dog owner want to make to the health and care of your pet.

With the large array of options available, it is important to do ample research and talk to your veterinarian about pet medical insurance. It may be the right decision for you to make regarding the health and care of your dog, and it has the potential to greatly assist in payments in case anything bad happens to your pet. It is becoming increasingly popular due to the continuous rise in veterinary costs and the new technologies that allow procedures that were not available even a few years ago to be available today. Expensive treatments such as MRI, radiation therapy, and transplant surgeries can be an option for pet owners with pet insurance that otherwise might have to say goodbye to a beloved part of the family. Your dog is an important and valued member of your family and he deserves the best care you can give. Dog pet insurance plans can be a valuable assist in allowing you to assure he has that care.

Extra Large Dog Breeds; The Gentle Giants Of The Dog World

Many Extra Large Dog Breeds May Surprisingly Be The Right Dog For You

Good things do come in large packages – Extra large dog breeds packages. There is a whole lot of joy packed into those 100 – 200 pound bodies.

These gentle giants usually have a mild, often comical temperament. Many are great family dogs.

Consider These Things Before Deciding On A Gentle Giant Dog Breed

Be prepared to adjust your budget to their often large appetites. They need high quality foods, low in carbohydrates and supplements to keep them healthy.
Life expectancy can range from 8 – 14 years. High quality dog food and nutritional dog supplements can help extend and add quality to the extra large dog breeds life.
An extra large dog breed will require equipment tailored to their size; large dog feeding bowls, large dog beds and large dog toys.
Prepare for some work in the grooming of these giant dog breeds. Your home bath tub can prove a bit small when attempting to wash these dogs. Consider professional dog grooming or rent a tub at a self serve dog wash. Many of these are popping up across the country for those with neither the space or inclination to use their home tub..
Extra large breed dogs can be prone to some health problems less common in the small dog breeds and medium size dog breeds. For instance, hip dysplasia is common in the large dog breeds. Be sure to check the genetic problems common to the dog breed you choose. If you buy from a breeder, insist on history and references. Better yet, adopt from a local dog shelter or breed specific dog rescue group. True, some of these dogs come with their own set of problems but they are already here and need a home. I think they tend to make the best pets and hey, we all have baggage.

MOST POPULAR EXTRA LARGE DOG BREEDS

Great Dane – One of the tallest dogs. Friendly, known as “the gentle giant”. Short hair.
Saint Bernard – Extremely gentle. Long hair.
Rottweiler – Reliable and loving with their family, very protective. Short hair.
Mastiff – Gentle with family, excellent with children. Shorter hair.
Bull Mastiff – Good natured, docile and affectionate. Shorter hair.
Newfoundland – Calm and gentle. Long hair.
Irish Wolfhound – Gentle, also one of the tallest dogs. Shorter hair.
Akita – Docile, affectionate, courageous. May be dog selective.
American Bulldog – Loves children, loyal, not hostile. Short hair.
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog – Not aggressive, loves to please, excellent with children. Long hair.
Black Russian Terrier – Protective, loves children, needs to be close to owner. Longer hair.
Bloodhound – Mild-mannered, lovable, very gentle. Short hair.

Many of the extra large dog breeds do quite well in apartments and smaller spaces as long as they are provided with regular exercise in the form of walks and trips to dog parks. These big dog breeds can also be great with kids and love to play and romp with them, often seeing themselves as one of the kids. Care must be taken when selecting a giant dog breed if you have very small children. Often these larger breeds do not realize their size and can be quite clumsy, knocking over smaller kids.

An extra large dog breed will require equipment tailored to their size; large dog feeding bowls, large dog beds and large dog toys. A good quality food for large breed dogs is a necessity, one with premium ingredients. Quality supplements added to the large dog breed diet will help to keep him active and healthy.

When considering dog adoptions and deciding which of the extra large dog breeds to add to your family, check out some of the dog rescue organizations specific to the breeds you are interested in. They will help you to decide which are good dog breeds for children, which are best dog breeds for your lifestyle and answer any questions you may have. These dog rescue shelters are there for the benefit of the dog and they want to make sure the match-up between the dog and it’s new guardian is a successful one for all involved. You can find the dog rescue groups through your local yellow pages, through local Vets and on-line by searching under the breed name and adding your state and the words “rescue groups”.

Small Dog Breeds

Small dog breeds ; energetic whirlwinds of boundless energy. People choose small dog breeds for many reasons. They fit well into smaller homes and apartment living. Small dog breeds are easy to take with you when traveling. They love to curl up on your lap. Small dog breeds work well for older people who may have neither the time nor the desire to struggle with larger dogs.

Small dog breeds include the tiny teacup dog breeds, the toy dog breeds and the miniature dog breeds.

The small dog breeds may be tiny in size but they more than make up for it in tenacity, bravery and endless supplies of affection.