Posts Tagged ‘terriers’

West Highland White Terriers

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

By around the 1700′s, the Isle of Skye and other highland areas in Scotland were already producing plenty of small terriers. Scottish breeds were divided into two types: the Skye terriers and the Dandie Dinmont terriers.

The Dandie Dinmonts were categorized as a solitary breed, whereas the Skyes were deemed to include the Scotties, the Cairns and the West Highland White Terriers also known as Westies.

West Highland White Terriers were hybrids of crossed Cairns, Scotties and Dandies terriers. These hybrids were expected to be good hunters and loyal. In fact, many members of the Scottish royal family owned terriers that were very similar to the Westies of today.

One folktale is about a Westie that stopped a mother from persistently shouting at her daughter. Every time the mother shouted at her teenage daughter, the Westie would attack the mother. The dog’s aggression got to such a degree during the years that the mother gave up shouting at her daughter.

It turned out that the girl was stroking and rewarding the dog for his protection after each bawling out from her mother. Many might say that the daughter was able to help her mother to transform her violent ways although she was also helping herself by rewarding the dog for its actions.

West Highland White Terriers can live in or outdoors, so are very adaptable. They have a wiry coat of about two inches in thickness covering a dense fur coat which is capable of keeping them warm. Westies are basically small dogs of between 10 and 12 inches in height and 13 and 22 pounds in weight.

West Highland White Terriers like to dig and bark, but they also like company. They like well-behaved children and they like to run after cats. They defend their property and territory enthusiastically.

As a breed, they can suffer some ailments such as: chronic skin issues, Perthe’s disease (hip problems), jawbone calcification, cranio-mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw), patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap, liver problems, deafness and congenital heart disease

However, there are steps that you can take to look after your Westie. For example, they ought to be brushed regularly using a brush with stiff bristles. You ought to bathe them only when necessary, but their whole coat ought to be shaved at least twice a year and trimmed each four months. The fur around the eyes and ears ought to be trimmed as well.

Records swow that in 1620, King James 1 asked for some small white dogs from Argyleshire, Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was considered the originator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very similar to the Westies of today, unintentionally shot his dark terrier. From then on he swore to have just white terriers.

In the 19th Century, terriers that were very similar to the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honour of the Duke of Argyle’s interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.

In the first ever dog show, organized in the late 1800′s, the Westies were called White Scottish Terriers. In 1904, they were reclassified as West Highland White Terriers.

During the mid-1900′s, breeders of the Cairns in Argyle picked white puppies from the stock and interbred them to get white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies’ roots.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a variety of topics, but is now concerned with the canine distemper vaccination. If you want to know more, please go to our website at Distemper Vaccines

How To Run A Wedding Car Business

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Have you ever thought about running a wedding car business? Although it can be demanding, because you do not want to let anybody down on their big day, it is also fascinating and exciting.

Some of the advantages are that you get to own good-looking cars – maybe a Rolls Royce or a Bentley and they are tax-deductible; you meet new people under happy circumstances and you are in the position to help them have a wonderful wedding day.

It is a very demanding industry, because you always have to bear in mind the requirements of your clients and think about how you can fulfill and extend their’ wishes. That is difficult enough, but you also have to remain competitive. I hope that the following tips will be useful.

1] Take care of the conditions under which you keep your vehicles. If you can afford to garage them, they will not collect dust and bird droppings so the paintwork will look better for longer. Do not have a gravel drive, because of possible scratching to the coachwork of the cars.

2] Get one or two really lovely cars. You will need to do a bit of research to find out what couples in your area like, but as a rule of thumb a Rolls Royce or a Bentley are sure bets. Or maybe a stretch limousine. Old vehicles go down well too. Build up your fleet of cars step by step but increasingly. Offer your clients as much choice as you can realistically afford to do.

Many wedding couples will not only need the wedding car, but also vehicles for the guests. Many of them want limousines or old vehicles for their wedding day. But a lot of other cars are required for the guests. Be adaptable and agree to decorate the vehicles according to the couple’s wishes with flowers and ribbons.

2] Employ good, sympathetic personnel. A fully trained chauffeur is a necessity, but a military style chauffeur can add to your firm’s image.

3] It is a good idea to offer different packages or elements that a couple can use to build a package. So, you could offer transportation from the bride’s house to the church as one element. From the church to the restaurant as another element and from there to the chosen hotel, the airport or the railway station, as another element.

4] Make certain that your clients know exactly how long they have exclusive use of the vehicles for. This is useful for them, so that they know exactly how long they have to take photos, eat or chat.

Transportation plays a huge and fundamental part in any wedding day celebrations. In fact, poorly timed or scruffy transportation can ruin a wedding day. If you let that happen, your firm’s standing will suffer badly, particularly in a town or village. You will need a high sense of responsibility; reliable, well-trained, sensitive staff and high quality vehicles that look the part. White wedding cars are popular, but other colours are acceptable, especially for the guests.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Organic Dog Food

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

The requirement of healthy food seems to apply equally to people and their pets, since many pet owners prefer to buy organic foods to feed their four-legged friends. One could be forgiven for being surprised at the large amount of organic dog food available in the market. Just as for humans, there are a lot of pet illnesses that one could cure or even prevent in the first place by the use of organic pet food.

For example, organic dog food could lessen the risk of the pet getting skin diseases and allergies. The reason for the positive health effects is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead the ingredients of organic dog food are only grain extracts and high quality proteins.

Regular dog food can cause diabetes and excess weight with all the concomitant problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here, then? Well, because organic pet food does not contain bulk filler; they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat. Moreover, it is far better and definitely a lot easier to prevent health problems than try to treat them later.

A more efficient digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that come with the feeding of organic dog food. Because of the absence of chemicals usually mixed in regular pet food, your dog will not be sick or experience wind or diarrhea. A healthier metabolism is what will result from a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, boosts the immunity functions, thereby reducing the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a routine basis.

In general, veterinarian experts claim that organic dog food significantly extends the life of any animal, not to mention the fact that it will go through old age a lot better. It is not uncommon that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in eating organic foods themselves, sticking to clean natural products that boost bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food provider about organic dog food and if there is none available in your local shop, try to buy it online. There are plenty of web sites that sell such foods at pretty decent prices.

One last tip, be very, very wary of dried dog food like biscuits, no matter what the label says. A few years ago, I had a dog called Becky that stayed at home alone during the day, while I went to the office. I didn’t like to leave her ‘wet’ food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not go off during the day. However, within six years she had contracted diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. Sometimes, she would have a fit. The vet said that it was quite common for dogs fed only on dry biscuits to contract diabetes, so check the food with your vet first or feed organic tin food.

If you liked reading this article on organic dog food and you would like to read more about dogs in general or dog training, please go to our our website at Dog Training

Wedding Cakes

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Nearly every family or social occasion includes the consumption of food and the imbibing or liquids in the celebration. Consider Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. In this article, I would like to talk about that centre piece of the wedding reception: the wedding cake.

The guests come to eat, drink and be merry and the bride’s parents always put a great deal of effort into the organization of the wedding party. The wedding cake is the central point of the top table and the whole reception in general. The wedding cake has traditional importance and it is often thought bad luck not to have a piece of the wedding cake.

There are precise rules for the timing of the cutting of the wedding cake that have become part of tradition. For instance, if the wedding reception takes place at lunch or dinner, it is traditional to cut the wedding cake just before the sweet is presented.

However, if the reception is to take place in the late afternoon or early evening, the cake is served as soon as the guests arrive. In some traditions the bride and groom cut and eat the first slice together as a symbol of their vows to love, honour and obey each other. The remainder of the cake is generally cut by one of the assistants, like the maid of honour or a family relative.

It can be quite hard to choose the wedding cake. Traditionally, people opt for a white cake with white icing for weddings, however nowadays, people are becoming more adventurous and are picking more exotic flavours and colours.

Some couples prefer to have a wedding cake which has different flavours on each layer. While white icing is still the overwhelming favourite, people do order other colours like pink and yellow. Chocolate and mocha are also prevalent. These days you can have what you like. It is your day, after all.

Everybody likes the wedding reception. It is the most well-liked part of the wedding day and everyone looks forward to seeing the cake cut and sharing it with the bride and groom.

If you are thinking about becoming a cake decorator, you have a couple of options to go about it. You could buy a book or a course or get a video in order to teach yourself how to decorate cakes from the simple to the elaborate. You could also go to a night school class to learn the art or cake decoration.

Without a doubt, the very best way to learn cake decorating is to take a class. DVD’s, videos, and books are all well and good, but you cannot converse with them or ask questions. If you take a class for three months or more you will learn more and get a deeper understanding of the art of cake decoration. You will learn how to put real emotion into the decoration of the cake and you will be able to translate the wedding couple’s desires into a cake that you and they can be proud of.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our web site at Welsh Products Online

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Keeping the attention of your dog during training is not always an easy task. Dogs can be very easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well-adjusted and well-trained dog.

You should provide random positive stimuli during the day in order to keep the attention of your dog. Doing things the dog like, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are great methods to keep the dog’s attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For example, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After the dog has come over to you and obediently sat down, attach the lead and begin the reward. This can be either the afore-mentioned stroll in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog enjoys doing.

Providing some kind of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a tickle behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want him to, is a good way to maintain your dog’s motivation while you are dog training.

If the dog knows something great is going to occur every time he obeys your command, he will be more motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training.

When training a dog, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These types of distractions can also be used as rewards when training the dog to come when told.

For instance, if your dog like playing with other dogs, whether in a local park or with the neighbour’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or garden and call your dog.

When he comes to you, give him lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately let the dog to go back to playing with his friends. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes over to you.

Your dog will quickly realize that coming to your call results in good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being taken away from the park).

This so-called distraction training is one of the most difficult things for your dog to learn, because dogs are social animals by nature, and leaving the pack is one of the most difficult things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably unwilling to leave their doggy companions, but it is vital to persist in dog training.

Training your dog to come to you when you call can require some creativity on your part at first. For example, waving a favourite toy, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog’s attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well, when training your dog.

Once the dog begins to become used to coming when called, you can start to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on making the dog respond to just your voice. It is vital that your dog obeys voice commands alone, as you will not always have a toy or lure to hand.

Does your dog require training? If you require more information on dog training, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training

What’s in a Dog’s Name?

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Dog owners will explain that there is no proven method for choosing a good name for a new dog or puppy. Whether they have to come up with girl or boy dog names, they will normally pick a name that sounds cool or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name actually means. Popular boy dog names have meanings, as do human names, so more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Here we give a list of the top five boy dog names and what they really mean.

In general, one of the first things you have to do when you get a new dog or puppy is think up a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually takes little thought. They just pick a dog name out of thin air and that is the name by which the unfortunate animal will be known forever. However, there is something you ought to think about when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose a suitable one.

Firstly, dogs can sense attitude and tone of voice better than we can. If you choose a dog name for comedy value or after someone you dislike, your dog will see straight through you. As a result, their attitudes may change or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs’ names should mean something but should not be detrimental to their development so you should really take the decision of the dog name seriously.

Despite dogs being very clever animals, they can’t process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will improve your probability of training them successfully.

However, dogs’ names should help them form a character of their own. Popular names don’t really help them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters grow a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

Max: This is perhaps the greatest boy dog name and the meaning is surely the reason why most people pick it for their hound. It literally means “the best”. After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the best.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means “conqueror”. This is a suitable boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the house within moments of setting foot inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a familiarization of Budd, which means “messenger”. This boy dog name could be apt for a farm dog or one you might possibly train to retrieve the newspaper from the porch in the morning. It is a very popular boy dog name throughout the US.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means “steward”. This is pretty suitable if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is probably suitable for a Labrador or collie puppy, for example!

Sam: Sam apparently means “an answer to prayers”. This is a good boy dog name for sedate dogs that are easy to train and are very little work!

Very few people consult the meaning of names when choosing boy dog names, so instead of going with your first thought, it may be worth taking the time to choose a dog’s name that really suits your dog. It costs nothing to spend a little time in thought about your dog’s name.

Does your dog require training? If you require more details on dogs in general, then visit our website called Successful Dog Training

Is She A Lady Or A Tramp?

Friday, April 16th, 2010

So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your girl dog’s name is? The answer is maybe a lot, because your dog’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your friends, especially if you have a rather small dog. For what a small dog lacks in size it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog’s name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all speak of a cute appearance and a very joyful dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This may be because it detracts from the masculine image that male dogs should have. Still there are some male cute dog names out there. Teddy, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do need to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, ridicule is the result.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

While dogs are quite intelligent animals, they cannot really process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should not be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can improve your chances of training them.

However, dogs names can assist them shape an identity of their own. Common names do not allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters no end without hurting their ability to respond on command.

I am willing to bet money that most dog owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs mental health if for no other reason.

Does your dog require training? If you require further information on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Why Dogs Snore

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to permit their pets to sleep with them on their beds at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs readily provide a companionship that can’t be shown by any other kind of animal. However, this doesn’t mean to say that cat owners do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern that is very similar to our own. Dogs often trust their masters completely, which makes them a bit more relaxed during the night. This explains why most dogs fall asleep easily and later on, go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog enters this stage, the owner may need to call them several times before they can truly be woken up.

I’m sure, many of us have already witnessed a dog paddling during sleep or at times, barking with his eyes closed. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. For example, there are breeds which breathe more heavily while there are those who breathe very lightly. The heavy breathers are much more prone to snoring than those who do not breathe as heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A dog that snores very loudly should be examined for different issues to see which treatment could be best provided. Some dogs are especially susceptible to specific allergies that can cause constriction in the windpipe. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are inhibiting proper breathing. It is best for a veterinarian to check out different factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and physical symptoms in general.

Is you dog overweight? I ask this because, like with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more flesh surrounding their throats. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.

The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have squashed faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their problems in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who have to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It costs them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. Be sure though that, before any decision is made, you are well educated about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you permit. In fact, it is best to follow the guidelines offered by your veterinary doctor.

Does your dog require training? If you require more information on dogs in general, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

Welsh Terriers A Facing a Struggle

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Initially, Welsh terriers were bred for hunting rabbits, foxes and badgers, but public opinion and the decline in the lust for blood in general have gone against blood sports and so this native breed of Wales has become a show dog and a pet. Breeders attempt to outdo each other by breeding the Welsh terrier to have a denser wiry coat and deeper colouration. The Welsh terrier is also a popular pet because it is one of the most easy-going terriers.

The Welsh terrier is a fun loving dog. It just loves to run, chase and play, which makes it a smashing companion and a perfect pet. Welsh terriers require lots of exercise, so be prepared for plenty of walks, if you make your mind up to get one.

It is a good idea to ‘socialize’ your dog as soon as possible. This means that you should introduce your Welsh terrier puppy to children and other dogs at an early age. The more you encourage your dog to play with other dogs as a puppy, the less trouble you will have with your dog fighting or barking at other dogs and cats. It’s the same story with children. Children can play very roughly, and a dog could be forgiven for biting back, but it can be avoided by introducing your Welsh terrier puppy to children while it is still young. The child might learn respect, but the dog will learn forbearance.

The Welsh terrier is easily trained, if you like your dog to do tricks. it is an intelligent breed and, being former hunters, they are good at learning commands and tricks. Train your Welsh terrier with kindheartedness and reiteration. They like to retrieve sticks and play with a ball. Many people train their Welsh terriers to catch a flying Frisbee too.

A Welsh terrier will groom himself quite meticulously, but you can help out by brushing him once a week in order to eradicate the dead and loose hair. This will also help cut down the amount of hairs dropping inside your house, although terriers in general, and wire-haired dogs in particular do not shed as much hair as soft coated dogs. You could also lend a hand by wiping him over with a moist cloth from time to time in order to pick up any dust on his coat.

A Welsh terrier is very active and very curious, so it is prudent to keep your dog in a yard that has been fenced off. However, the fence needs to be realistically high, because the Welsh terrier has an excellent ability to jump due to its long legs.

The Welsh terrier is Britain’s oldest variety of dog, but it is now under pressure. The British kennel club registers only 300 Welsh terrier puppies a year, whereas it registers tens of thousands of puppies of other, more popular, breeds. The Welsh terrier is a strong-willed animal, so it does need a strong-willed and patient owner.

However. if you want a Welsh terrier and you persevere with it, you will never look back. They have a lot to give and, as with so many things in life, you only get out what you are willing to put in.

If you are interested in Welsh corgi puppies, or Wales in general, go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Trendy Dog Names

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

Fashion appears to dictate everything nowadays days. From what you wear to what you call your dog, everything you do is dictated by the requirement to be fashionable. Cool dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because no sooner is something in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to choose a cool dog name that may not be fashionable tomorrow? People usually play it safe as a result, hence why the same names have been so popular for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cute dog names are listed below with our reasons why you should choose one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cool dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is located in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cool dog names because it has so many connotations that you can have a hard time finding out where to start. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that excels in a particular field. It is a high form of praise and thus is definitely a cute dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cool dog names because of Disney. Lady and the Tramp was a huge hit and made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case popularity is second to coolness.

Elvis: The coolest of cool dog names. Elvis Presley was definitely cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is immeasurably cool to call your dog after such a tremendous icon who has never gone out of fashion himself.

Shadow: There is a dark and mysterious quality about Shadow that makes it a cute dog name. It would be best used on a large breed of dog though, because it wouldn’t have the same striking effect with a small one.

Whatever cool dog names you use for your mut, it is one definite way to give your dog an identity of their own and make your dog unforgettable to others.

Does your dog require training? If you require further details on dogs in general, then go over to our web site entitled Successful Dog Training

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