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This is the archive for October 2008

Friday, October 31, 2008

Let's celebrate Halloween with dogs!



Happy Halloween!

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Playful Dog Lamp - Perfect for Night Table.

Make your home dog-themed with this cute puppy night lamp! At first glance it seems rather crude, but then you realize that the essentials are all there for a very pretty piece of work.

The hollowed out eyes along with the droopy ears give the impression of intense anticipation for something. As if he/she is just about to spring!

Dog Lamp


Even the stub of the tail signifies that something's up. Caught in the very act of swishing, the whole piece is one of fun and frolic. Ideal for a child's bedroom as a night lamp.

The height of the lamp is 8 inches and is perfect for a bedstead.

So? Wacky or tacky? What do you think dear Dog lover?

Wacky or tacky, what do you think?

-- poll results --

Thursday, October 30, 2008

I often wonder at people who collect dogs for show and critically examine each for defects. It's almost as if they say - "If you have a defect, you're not worthy of my attention". In my opinion, unless the passion for "The perfect dog" is coupled with a greater love for dogs in general, then it's proof that the person is just doing it to push themselves up, and not for a love of dogs at all.

See how in this poem, a dog pleads to demonstrate that he or she isn't built of eye candy. It makes us realize that all dogs are special. And you don't need to be a pretty dog to be a great friend.

Yes, I Am A Show Dog

They asked if I’m a show dog, I heard my Mom say "No".
She said that I was better,
And didn’t need to go.


I show my family that I love them,
With hugs and kisses true,
With extra special tenderness,
When one is sick or blue.

I show my family that I care,
Almost every day,
When strangers pass by our house,
I shoo them all away.

I show my family I adore them,
When I greet them at the door,
With happy yips and wagging tail,
Who could ask for any more?

I show my family that I’m loyal,
And love them all the same,
When they make mistakes with me,
Or forget to play my favorite game.

I show my kids that I’ll protect them,
When Monsters come in the night,
I chase them all out the window,
And cuddle to ease the fright.

So I may not be a show dog,
With pretty hair and bows,
But my family, they do love me,
And it’s for them that I do show.


By Marian Whitley

Ok, so I'm not sure if this is funny or not, but after close inspection, I simply have to say ..... it's VERY funny :D

The doggy here has missed the frisbee by a mile...

What you gotta love is the absolute conviction the dog has that the frisbee is exactly where he thinks it is! He aint gonna get a cookie for this one. You can be sure of that.

Frisbee Dog


But I have to congratulate the photographer on his skill. What a shot! The precise moment when the poor woman hasn't yet fully realized that a pair of jaws are coming towards her at sonic speed! I wonder what happened after that....

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

So, just what is a Miniature Bulldog? As there is often a grey area here, it’s Important you know that there are Mini Bulldogs, and then there are Mini English Bulldogs. These types should not be confused with each other! The former being a cross/mix breed (Bulldog with Pug, Boston Terrier or/and French Bulldog) and the latter being a pure-bred English Bulldog, but just smaller in size. As you can see here, the big difference here lies in the keyword, English.

Mini or Miniature Bulldog crosses are usually 3-4 generations removed. This is to fine tune the trademark look of the Bulldog but in a more compact size. This variety is not yet recognised by any major association or kennel club such as FCI or AKC. This type is most often the shortest in the body and the more sporty, active rather than being a couch potato. Obviously the more squat, rambunctious Pug and Frenchie are having their influence here.

Mini or Miniature English Bulldogs are not a separate breed in itself. They come from registered English Bulldog parents. This poses the difficult question of how can I be sure/guaranteed that my puppy will be a Mini? To answer this, I would say that a major kennel club or association would need to start recognising the breed and set a standard that everyone has to adhere to and thus be able to register as an official Mini English Bulldog litter.

Miniature English Bulldog


If you think you know enough already, please feel free to check out our available Miniature English Bulldog puppies. If you would like to learn more, please carry on reading below.
Techniques for House training your puppy can vary depending on your lifestyle. Some people have their own garden where they let their dogs poop, which becomes manure after a while, so you don't need to be present to pick it up after them.

In this case, the only requirement is that you train you dog to poop outside. The key to doing this is to have a regular schedule. If your puppy knows that he/she is going to be let out of the house at a particular time, chances are that they will time their potty. If you have several dogs already, then the puppies pick up the pattern from them.

Cute Puppies
Image Credit: George G. Hoffman


Initially when your pups are young, try and have a separate place for them to poop. The place should be far away from the sleeping area and when you observe them getting ready to let go (Sniffing around, moving in circles), pick them up and place them there. Ideal is a piece of news paper also referred to as paper training.

I understand that this requires constant care and supervision, but hey, that's what a puppy's all about!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Just a gorgeous puppy. Sorry, if I carried away too much with the art...


Blue French Bulldog

Blue French Bulldog Puppy



Phobe Price, who launched her new fragrance "Phoebe's Phantasy" recently, has her very own Yorkshire Terrier called Henry.

Phoebe Price and her Yorkie


Phoebe was in the news recently for Suing Chanel for not letting her into an elite party! Nevertheless, her Yorkshire Terrier looks really handsome. And his name is Henry.

Though Yorkshire Terriers are looked on as toy dogs, they are remarkably self confident and intelligent. In fact, they will occasionally challenge dogs much larger than they are. However, they never assert themselves in a mean way among other dogs, and are therefore often chosen for inclusion into families with existing dogs.

They also don't need to be pampered all the time and will be content to walk instead of being carried. A leftover trait from their lives as terriers perhaps?

Want to see some more cute Yorkies?

There is quite a bit of dispute regarding where the Poodle originated. Many sources say that while the French were responsible for the development of the breed, they are not inherently from France.

Indeed, the word poodle itself comes from the German "Pudel" meaning 'Splashing dog'. This shows that the Poodle wasn't bred for show at all, but for hunting!

Poodle
Image Credit: deanna


The story goes that the hair of the poodles were hampering their ability to properly participate in the hunt. To make things easier, the hunters sheared off the hair leaving it only in places where protection was needed like the hips and the ankles.

Today of course, they are considered more for their looks than for their hunting capabilities. But goodness gracious! Who would have thought it?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Silver Dog Lamp - Mother with pup

This lovely silver dog lamps shows a Whippet Mother who looks as if she's chastising her pup. The lamp is large - over 2 feet, though the actual dog figurines are just about a foot tall.

It's expensive though. Selling for just shy of $1500, it's not something that anyone can just pick off the shelf apart from collectors. It is rather splendid though.

Silver Dog Lamp
Image Credit: www.rubylane.com


The Whippet is a breed of dog belonging to the sighthound group. They have very little fur, and are great as apartment dogs. Interestingly, the males are as unaggressive as the females.

So? Wacky or tacky? What do you think dear Dog lover?

Wacky or tacky, what do you think?

-- poll results --


Dogs have always been utilized for man's purposes. And sometime, those purposes are merely for fun and not utilitarian like hunting. How do you think a dog feels? They can't talk and they may not understand, but they can feel pain. And they can feel love -Or the lack of it.

Don't you think a dog deserves to live for himself or herself? Not to make anyone laugh or applaud? And when a dog that is used to that treatment finally gets a chance to be normal, how do they feel? Like this:

A Greyhound's Prayer

The greatest thing I've ever known,
Someone came and took me home.
I'm away from the track; hope I never go back!
Like a nightmare in my memory, my future looked black.

Then I was adopted and my life was spared.
I thank God everyday that someone cared.
This must be heaven, I'm a winner this time,
Got a ball, a bone, and a bed that's all mine.

I'm crazy about my family;
Devoted you might say.
Like a shadow beside them,
You bet I want to stay.

I'm special too, they call me "sweetheart",
They hug me and kiss me and tell me I'm smart.
Even dreams are more peaceful; no stress, no strife,
Now I run for fun and not for my life.


You know how when your dog loves something that you put in front of him in a bowl, and they lick it clean way after it's empty? They chase it around the room making an awful racket.

Sometimes, they go a little too far, and this is what happens:
Cute Dog

Best part is, he'll never learn :) . The big baby.

Training your dog requires patience and time. It is a very important step in keeping a dog, and not only makes your life together more enjoyable, it also establishes the hierarchy in the family.

Dog Training


It is important to remember that dogs read our faces and feelings much more accurately than an adult human. This means that if you're getting frustrated or pissed off during training, your dog will sense it. When this happens, he or she will come to associate training time with unpleasant emotions and a stressful atmosphere, and this will make them difficult to train.

For this reasons, training your dog by providing an incentive to do well is much more effective than punishing them. If you find yourself trying too hard and getting frustrated, don't try and hide it and continue. You can't hide from a dog. Take a break and relax for a while. Then try again when you're fresh.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Claudia Schiffer is without a doubt one of the most successful models of all time. At last count, she was worth £ 38 Million, and has appeared in literally Hundreds of Magazine covers.

She's certainly chosen a worthy companion in her German Shepherd Dog.

Oscar the German Shepherd


The Alsatian is just another name for the German Shepherd. The name comes from Alsace from WWII and was another word for German. The German shepherd is extremely self assured, and though they are fearless, they're never hostile.

They are known for their intelligence, and this had made them very popular. They are noted for their distinct golden and black coats.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn some thing from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
- When loved ones come home , always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
- Take naps.
- Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

Monday, October 20, 2008

One of the scariest movies involving dogs has always been "Cujo". It involves a St. Bernard, and is listed at #58 in the "100 scariest Movie Moments".

Saint Bernard Puppy


However, there's no reason to be really afraid of a St. Bernard. They are noted for their friendly nature, and their loyalty. However, their size (they are one of the largest breeds) certainly can be scary!

Benedictine, a St. Bernard, was the largest and heaviest dog in history, weighing 162 kgs (357 lbs)! They were originally bred for rescuing travelers, and indeed, they were named after the St. Bernard Pass where Barry - The most famous St. Bernard of all time reportedly saved upto a 100 lives!

Want to find out more about this giant breed? Visit our Saint Bernard breed info page!


Friday, October 17, 2008

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

The Cocker Spaniel Dog Lamp

This Vintage Cocker Spaniel Lamp is a real find! It's a beautiful touch to any home that wants to have a non-modern look. It's a foot long and is labeled as a "Brooks Creation".

Complete with real glass eyes and a velvety feel, it's very realistic, and won't even feel the cold plaster underneath. The expression on the face, along with the wonderfully detailed ears give a great overall impression, and is sure to turn the hears of dog lovers.

It comes with a 6 inch electric cord.

Cocker Spaniel Dog Lamp
Cocker Spaniel Dog Lamp

So? Wacky or tacky? What do you think dear Dog lover?

Wacky or tacky, what do you think?

-- poll results --

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Time for a few Home truths. You remember Cliff Richard's "Bachelor Boy" right? Well, that still holds true, and Bachelors need not be lonely....they can get a dog!

Here are some reasons why Bachelors can substitute a dog for a woman in their life:

TOP TEN REASONS WHY A DOG IS BETTER THAN A WOMAN
1. A dog's parents will never visit you.
2. A dog loves you when you leave your clothes on the floor.
3. A dog limits its time in the bathroom to a quick drink.
4. A dog never expects you to telephone.
5. A dog will not get mad at you if you forget its birthday.
6. A dog does not care about the previous dogs in your life.
7. A dog does not get mad at you if you pet another dog.
8. A dog never expects flowers on Valentine's Day.
9. The later you are, the happier a dog is to see you

The last hurdle has been removed. Go Bachelors!
Far too many people feel that a dog is more like a toy. An inconvenience when they're bad, and a nice diversion when they're fun. We look at the dog from the point of view of how he/she affects us. Good dog if we're happy. Bad dog if we're not.

Have we ever thought that your dog has an existence apart from you? That they have their own existence and goals of life that may not be linked to yours? In other words, have you thought that they have their own soul?

A Dog's Soul

Every dog must have a soul
Somewhere deep inside
Where all his hurts and grievances
Are buried with his pride.
Where he decides the good and bad,
The wrong way from the right,
And where his judgement carefully
Is hidden from our sight.
A dog must have a secret place
Where every thought abides,
A sort of close acquaintance that
He trusts in and confides.
And when accused unjustly for
Himself, He cannot speak,
Rebuked, He finds within his soul
The comfort he must seek.
He'll love, tho'he is unloved,
And he'll serve tho'badly used,
And one kind word will wipe away
The times when he's abused.
Altho' his heart may break in two
His love will still be whole,
Because God gave to every dog
An understanding Soul!

Author Unknown

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

More so with this breed than others, there is a vast difference in quality, and unfortunately there are a lot of not so good looking Bulldogs out there. To help your important decision, we’ve complied this guide.

WHO IS SUITED TO THIS BREED?

The English bulldog, the pride and symbol of Brittan. Nowadays, a great companion with a gentle/docile demeanour, but a few centuries ago it was bred for Bull baiting and a very rugged and tough customer indeed. This aggressiveness has thankfully now been bred out, and the Bulldog has become more appealing on the eye, especially for the show ring. Unfortunately, this breeding has caused health problems, which makes it not an easy nor cheap breed to own and always some money is needed to be set aside for vet consultations (cherry eye, skin problems, dysplasia issues, patella luxations...). What I am saying here is that it is probably not suited to those on a tight budget. Bulldogs do not need a great deal of exercise especially as they get older (they can be very playful as pups), so suited to lazy indoor coach potato lifestyle such as in an apartment. Elderly people like them for this and may just take them for one leisurely stroll once a day around the block or let them play in a small yard for a bit. A little downside to this inside living is that they can be messy eaters and snore. With considerate kids Bulldogs are great, so make excellent family companions. Bulldogs are best suited to temperate climates and not very hot/humid weather where they can overheat fast, especially if expected to run or walk in it. If looking for a “lifetime companion” you should note that this breed on average lives til only 7-10 years. Bullies range from 600 – 6000 USD upwards. We do suggest you go for quality and not price as what you save in price at the beginning, you may make up for in vet visits later if you catch my drift (we do not suggest to go under 1500 USD for your Bully). This is one breed you must truly have a passion for to appreciate it and spend quality time with. It thrives on human attention.

MALE OR FEMALE

Usually, this breed gets on well with other dogs whether male or female. Sometimes can be a little scrappy with strange dogs, but the secret here is good early socialization in the puppy hood. Males are going to be bigger/grander and will show the true Bulldog traits more, which is a big draw card for some. On the other hand, females are likely to be a little more relaxed and cleaner as they do not mark their territory with sent everywhere.

English Bulldog


COLOUR AND SIZE

- Brindle
- White (can be patched/pied with this list of colours too as the adult above)
- Light fawn through to a rich red (can have white markings as the below pictured pup)
- Black (not usually kennel club accepted, but people like it because it is rare and unique)

The average size for a Bulldog adult is around 23–27 kg (50-60 lbs). Although not so high of the ground (31-36 cm) it should be classed as a medium sized breed, so if you wanted a small dog, it might not be the one for you. It’s not a bad idea to keep around the average and make sure you at least see photos and know the weights of the parents before your purchase. There is also a new hype called the Miniature Bulldog (same look, just bred smaller but not mixed) and the weight is ranging from 11–18 kg (25-40 lbs).

CONFORMATION OVER COLOUR!

Conformation (shape) is sadly often overlooked and colour/markings takes precedence, which is wrong and should only play a part if 2 dogs are similar in build and you have to choose between them! On the contrary to the bow legged cartoon Bulldog in Tom and Jerry, the legs should be straight and set wide apart by the chest and shoulders. Facial wrinkles are great but can mean more health issues as cherry eye and extra work cleaning between them to avoid skin irritations. These furrows are not always favoured by show judges either. A flat/squashed nose with one big thick hotdog nose rope is a real trademark of the breed, along with a massive square head. The body should be stocky, with a low to the ground profile, supported by dense bones (fore and hind legs) as thick as tree trunks so to speak. Also look for some loose folds of skin as easily seen on the gorgeous puppy below. A short bun-looking tail is usually preferred, to a longer one as Bulldogs often can have. A useful tip to judge conformation is to start at the head and work your way along the body. Although a young puppy is changing fast, these are early traits to look for, as likely to be carried through.

English Bulldog Puppy


It’s worth noting that there is a tendency that the best ones come from Europe and from European lines. Please feel free to contact Euro Puppy to ask us questions and check out our quality English Bulldog puppies for sale.

Do feel free to leave any comments and your thoughts on this article? Since there is so much to write about this breed, a 2nd part is coming soon.
Famke Janssen, is well known for her role as Dr. Jean Grey in the X-Men series. As a one time fashion model, she is also well known for her role in the "Golden Eye" movie.

She is devoted to her Boston Terrier called Licorice. She takes Licorice with her when she travels too!

Boston Terrier


Boston Terriers are American Dogs. They are considered to be "American Gentlemen" because of their markings and also their temperament.

Interestingly, they were originally bred as a cross between the Old English Bulldog and the English White Terrier. These breeds are now extinct, and find expression in the Boston Terrier.

Monday, October 13, 2008

So many people feel that a dog belongs on a leash. They either don't have the time, or patience to keep up with a young dog that's running around all over the place, so they make the dog stay in the backyard on a leash.

That is just not right. A dog wasn't made for people to tie up permanently. They were meant to run wild, be free, and explore.

Dog

Keep in mind that tying up your dog for extended periods of time, or as a habit is a sure way to ruin the dog's temper. They're not healthy, both mentally and physically. They are likely to get aggressive and bolt at the first opportunity - Wouldn't you?

Having a dog is a responsibility. If you've bought a dog by mistake and realize too late that you don't have the ability to care for him or her, then at least try and find a good home that will take care of them properly. It's no shame to you. Everyone makes mistakes. But you must take responsibility to correct those mistakes.

So who did the Wicked Witch of the West have to comfort her in her evil? Some say it must have been a cat, but why not a dog? A dog is much more interesting, and comes in many more shapes and sizes.

Here is what the witch must have looked like, with her dogs...

Dog Art


The drawing is one of Ink on Paper, which nicely brings out the black and white element in the drawing. The image of the witch is nicely done right down to her stockings, and the terriers are well represented too.

Every week Euro Puppy showcases a dog lamp. Is it tacky or wacky? We will leave it up to you to decide. While having our own beliefs, we would love your comments...Enjoy....

Spooky Dog

It doesn't look as if there's anything special about this dog lamp. Not until you turn in on anyway. Made out of lightweight polypropylene, when lit up, the lamp glows from inside to reveal a skeleton!

Even the color of the eye changes to red. This can mean one of two things. Either the dog is really a ghost under the guise of a harmless pup, or he/she is being electrocuted!

Dog Lamps
Image Credit: www.freshpilot.com

A great way to make visitors and dog lovers smile. Enjoy!

So? Wacky or tacky? What do you think dear Dog lover?

Wacky or tacky, what do you think?

-- poll results --

This is somewhat controversial, but the figures speak for themselves. Every year, Americans spend four times the amount of money on Dog Food, than on Baby food.

The reasons for this are open to interpretation, but my guess is that more and more people are choosing to have dogs instead of rearing kids. No judgments there! Dogs are great for people who don't want the "hassle" of being responsible for a human being for 18 years or so.

Dog food
Image Credit: Roadsidepictures


Or it could mean that dogs just eat a hell of a lot more than babies! But given that Baby food is so expensive, that could nullify the effect.
Anyway, imagine spending $1.5 Billion a year on Pet Food!

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Sometimes, I swear it really seems as if dogs have all the luck! I mean what do they need to do at home? Just sit around for hours doing nothing (how do they do that!?), they never brush their teeth (and rarely have issues), don't have to shave.....

Dog's life
If the phrase "It's a dog's life" means this, then I want to have a dog's life too!


Adorable puppies! We all love them, and wish they never grew up....


A Dog's Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,
The king-size bed is soft and deep..
I sleep right in the center groove
My human being can hardly move!
I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night
No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"
I sneak up slowly to begin
my nibbles on my human's chin.
She wakes up quickly,
I have sharp teeth-
I'm a puppy, don't you see?
For the morning's here
and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.
The one who hugs and holds me tight
And shares her bed with me at night!

Recently, we received a request for a guide dog for a 10 year old child. The family has been trying to locate a suitable seeing eye dog for their daughter but without any luck. They found that responsible trainers don't allow children under 17 to have guide dogs. The obvious question is, 'Why can't my child have a well trained guide dog if she is 10?'

Here is the question asked by one of her parents:

'My daughter is the one who is in need of a dog. She is almost 10. We adopted her from China when she was 4. You can actually "google" her on internet under "Cricket Bidleman." In the US, we cannot find a guide dog provider who will provide a dog to any child under 17 years. Cricket is in regular school, and her only difficulty is when she moves from class to class or to the field because even with a cane, she ends up running into things a quite a bit since she can't see.'

As much as we all would love to help Cricket, training and placing a Guide Dog is a huge responsibility on the owner as well as the dog. It can take years to properly train a guide dog. However, it doesn't stop there! The blind or visually impaired person needs training as well. This includes learning how to be a responsible and understanding dog owner, how to sense the dog's signs and messages and how to respond to them.

In addition, to complete their training, the dogs need a "follow up training" with their new family and owner in order to accustom them to the personality of their master.

The best advice I can give you, is to wait till your child is at least 16 years old as she has to learn how to handle a seeing eye dog. Even if someone would provide a guide dog for a child under 16, you should understand that it might do more harm than good.


Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Wordless Wednesday
Image Credit: Grant MacDonald

Happy Wordless Wednesday!


Tuesday, October 07, 2008

This dog is out on mission, and only one thing can satisfy him - The complete obliteration of those means balloons!


That's a Jack Russel Terrier by the way.

Usher, the winner of five Grammy Awards has a Standard Schnauzer named Scotty. Usher's R&B and Pop singing skills have earned him a place in the Top 100 All time artist List, having sold over 30 Million Albums worldwide.

Usher and his Schnauzer


The Schnauzer is a German Breed, whose name comes from "Snout" in German, due to it's distinctly furry snout. They are divided into the Giant, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers.

The Giant Schnauzers were originally created by crossing Schnauzers with Great Danes. Miniature Schnauzers make great pets and are rarely aggressive towards anyone at all!


Monday, October 06, 2008

All too often, choices of what dog to buy are based on seeing a puppy picture. The puppy wins over your heart, and your hand steals to your wallet.

But wait! Remember that ALL puppies are cute, and while puppies are a delight to be with, remember that when they grow up, they will lose all their puppy qualities and take over the mantle of the breed they belong to. The puppy you are about to buy will resemble to one or both of the parents. If that is what you want GO FOR IT!

Adult and Puppy


Your choice of dog should depend on many factors including what sort of dog you finally want - large, hairy, playful, aggressive, and whether or not you are ready for one.

Look at your house, your surrounding, your family and your future plans before deciding to commit to a dog which is no less of a responsibility than a baby.

For puppy and adult photos please visit Euro Puppy USA.
So imagine showing your Chow Chow to a friend who's never seen one before. Your dog is hot and panting, and your friend recoils in surprise - "Whadya know? He's got a black tongue"!

That's literally black and not just a figure of speech to indicate psychic powers. The Chow Chow is the only dog on earth that has a black tongue, while all other dogs are content to have pink ones.

Chow Chow's black tongue


The Chow Chow breed is well known for the love of it's home and reluctance to take to strangers immediately. Be warned! Certain insurance policies specifically make the Chow Chow exempt from their protection due to this.

However, the Chow Chow shows remarkable loyalty to it's owner and therefore highly prized for this quality.
Hundreds of years ago cropping (surgically changing the shape of the ears) was done for practical purposes. For example, to stop the ears being snagged in rough territory and being injured while hunting or working. For dogs that were bred for fighting it gave less for an opponent to grip on to rip off and sure gave a real “don’t mess with me” look. For guarding breeds, it made them look very alert and in tune with everything around them. Some of those purposes have carried on through to today and it’s an important part of the breed’s feature for many people, for aesthetical reasons (they like the look). It can be looked at as a breed’s trademark so to speak and has been said to have even given the upper hand in the show ring on more than the odd occasion. However, nowadays, I must mention that it is becoming less and less popular generally with an ever-growing resistance and controversy to it and even banned in some countries, especially in Europe such as Germany. This is rather interesting, as many of the breeds that typically have the ears cropped, originate from there. In Great Brittan, dogs with cropped ears are actually barred from entering shows.

Types of Crops?
Long Crop: skinny and tapered at the end and here are some typical breeds that experience it. Usually taping, splinting and bandaging will occur with this crop and it is not always guaranteed to hold that perfect erect posture, especially if done poorly of course.

- Doberman (pictured)
- Great Dane
- Schnauzer (Giant – Miniature)
- Boxer
- Miniature Pinscher

Doberman Ear Cropping


Short Crop: Cut rather short and no taping required, but may need a support moulded inside the ear for a while. Even with this cut there is a difference between being good or bad and show judges will look for perfect crop true to set breed standards.

- Cane Corso (pictured)
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Caucasian Mountain Dog
- Canary Dog
- Dogo Argentino

Cane Corso ear cropping


By whom and when should it be done?

You will hear various different ages for various different breeds. For this reason, it is better to seek good advice from experienced breeders and specialist veterinarians that actually do perform crops on the breed you are considering as they will shed the best light on the subject. Many vets will actually not go near cropping for various reasons. A couple being, awkward after treatments such as infections or complaints about the look. Early puppyhood most will agree on to get the surgery done and let’s say between the tender age of 7-12 weeks old typically to give you an idea. Ear cartilage sets early in dogs so this explains one reason why needed so soon. The puppy goes under general anaesthesia during the surgery (made to sleep), which always poses a risk of the puppy not waking up!

Taping your dog's ears will be required after the long crop (for Dobermans, Great Danes, Schnauzer, Boxer and Miniature Pinscher). Here is a great blog post on "How to actually tape your dog’s ears!"

Do feel free to have your say and leave any comments or advice as it is a huge topic.


Friday, October 03, 2008

For those readers who liked Dussia, here she is again. This time in colored paper and colored pencils.