Selected Breeds

Bichon Frise

http://www.akc.org/breeds/bichon_frise/index.cfm

Afghan Hound Breed Standard

http://www.akc.org/breeds/afghan_hound/index.cfm

How to detangle mats from dog hair

When your pet's hair becomes matted, it is necessary to detangle it.   Here are some  helpful hints to make the process go smoothly for you and your pet.

http://www.wikihow.com/Brush-Matts-out-of-Dog-Hair

Trivia

Dogs and wolves yawn as a sign of contentment.

Dog Breeds

There are over 800 being recognized by various kennel clubs worldwide. As all dog breeds have been derived from mixed-breed dog populations, the term "purebred" has meaning only with respect to a certain number of generations. Let's examine the Beagle, Great Dane, Jack Russell Terrier (Parson Russell Terrier), and Maltese.

Beagle

Great Dane

Jack Russell Terrier

Maltese

Trivia

Dogs only sweat from the bottoms of their feet and the only way they can discharge heat is by panting.

Pet Health

Welcome to Healthypet.com!

Summer tips for pets

With summer just around the corner, by following these safety tips, your pets will stay healthy and enjoy the months of fun and sun with your family.

· Never leave your pet in the car

· Keep plenty of fresh water available

· Pets need sunscreen too

· Make sure your pet doesn't overexert herself

· Take it easy on pets that can't deal with the heat – bring them inside

· Keep an eye out for heatstroke. Heatstroke is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, you must act quickly and calmly. Have someone call a veterinarian immediately. In the meantime, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after only a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. It is imperative to get the animal to a veterinarian immediately. Once your pet is in the veterinarian's care, treatment may include further cooling techniques, intravenous fluid therapy to counter shock, or medication to prevent or reverse brain damage.

Signs of Heatstroke

• Panting
• Staring
• Anxious expression
• Refusal to obey commands
• Warm, dry skin
• High fever
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting

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Housing for your pet

As a member of the family, your pet needs a warm, quiet place to rest, away from all drafts and off the floor. You may wish to buy a dog bed, or make one using a box or wooden crate that is appropriate to size.  A training crate is ideal. Place a clean blanket or pillow inside the box and make sure you wash the dog’s bed often.

If your dog will be spending time outdoors, be sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather.

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Senior pet health

Senior health

When is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs. Beyond that, the life span will vary with each individual, and your veterinarian will be able to help you determine what stage of life your pet is in. Keep in mind that some small dog breeds may be considered senior at 10-13 years, while giant breeds are classified as seniors at ages as young as 5. Your veterinarian is your best source for more information to determine when your pet reaches the golden years.

Scheduling regular veterinary examinations is one of the most important steps pet owners can take to keep their pets healthy. When dogs and cats enter the senior years, these health examinations are more important than ever. Senior care, which starts with the regular veterinary exam, is needed to catch and delay the onset or progress of disease and for the early detection of health problems. It is recommended that senior pets visit their veterinarian every six months for a complete exam and laboratory testing. It is also recommended that check-ups be scheduled twice-a-year.

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Baths

You should bathe your dog whenever he needs it. Use a shampoos that are specifically formulated for pets. Dogs that spend the most of their time indoors will not need much bathing, while dogs who are outside a lot, romping in the mud and trees (and possibly other smelly things) will need to be bathed more often. Also, some dogs' coats will accumulate grease and oil more quickly than others. Breeds with a thick, double coat only need bathing about three or four times a year. Washing a dog with an undercoat more often than this can make the coat softer and less waterproof and insulating. If you're concerned about causing dry skin, there are moisturizing treatments available at most pet stores, which you rub into your dog's skin after you shampoo him. Your pets will love you for it.

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Pet friendship

Animal love or animal friendship is the feeling of affection people have towards animals. For most people, love for an animal is a part of the affection they have for their pet, an emotion of bonding or companionship which can border on affection, fondness, or love.

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Dog coat
A dog's coat is its fur. A dog can be double coated—that is, having both a soft undercoat and a coarser topcoat. Some dog breeds are single-coated—having only one type of coat or the other, more often only the topcoat. The state of the coat is considered an indication of the animal's breeding and health. Most dogs shed their undercoat each spring and re-grow it again as colder weather comes in; this is also referred to as blowing the coat. Many domesticated breeds shed their coat twice a year. In many climates, the topcoat and undercoat might shed continuously in greater and smaller quantities all year. Go ahead and put that sweater on. It will help a little, but you can't depend on it entirely to keep her warm. Pets lose most of their body heat from the pads of their feet, their ears, and their respiratory tract. The best way to guard your animals against the cold is keeping a close eye on them to make sure they're comfortable.