The Red Breast Festival is a fun place to hang out with friends and family. It is worth the travel to go see all the parade, softball tournament and much more. Each year it gets better and better. It is located in Ogeechee River, Midville, Georgia. For more information go to www.thetruecitizen.com/news/2007/0606/news/009.html
If you have mastered potty training, pack leadership skills and basic to intermediate obedience skills with your previous dog, you might be up for a little more of a challenge than your average beginner dog. If this is the case you are likely feeling confident handling dogs and being around them in general. You probably know how to give firm yet gentle training and have a knack for leash walking a dog. If a challenge with a huge payoff is what you seek then you should consider one of the following breeds as your next dog.
1. Akita: Akita’s are a very large breed dog (average between 80 to 110 pounds) originating in Japan. The Akita is among the most ancient of dog breeds and was designed to track and catch large game. The breed can sometimes be aggressive towards strangers, smaller animals or other dogs, particularly those of the same sex; however, these traits can be minimized or eliminated through careful socialization and training. They are extremely loyal to their people and are often used as attack or guards dogs; however, firm yet gentle training can make these dogs great with children. They can; however, live successfully in apartments given the proper amount of exercise. Akita’s have a dense undercoat and require brushing almost every day, especially during the warmest parts of the year.
2. American Pit Bull Terrier: The APBT was once the mascot for the United States Military during WWII. This strong, loyal, square-jawed terrier has since received quite a bit of negative press and is in danger of being banned in many US Cities and Counties. This breed is one of the most understood in the canine world and can be sweet, gentle and loving just like any other dog. They were bred for fighting and bull baiting and can become aggressive towards other dogs, especially of the same sex; however, they are not designed to be aggressive towards humans. In fact, they were used in the fighting ring because their love and loyalty allowed handlers to break up fights without becoming injured themselves. There are many organizations emerging to save these often clown-like dogs; however, more effort is needed. When trained properly the breed is amazing with children and the reason for this is their high tolerance for pain. Well mannered American Pit Bulls allow children to climb on them, fall on them and step on their feet because it simply does not hurt the dog. Pit Bulls love to please, but they are terriers and can be stubborn in certain situations so they require extensive training as well as plenty of socialization.
3. Doberman: Another breed facing the mistaken stereotype of ferocity and aggression is the Doberman Pincher or Dobie for short. They were originally bred to be fearless, intimidating and willing to defend their owners, but sufficiently obedient and restrained to attack on command. Despite their reputations they are intelligent, alert, and loyal companion dogs. Selective breeding with Dobies has been used over the years to minimize some of their harsher personality traits to make them better suited for the life of family pets. They also make great house pets because of their short coat and minimal shedding.
4. German Shepherd: The German Shepherd Dog has a well deserved reputation as a working dog, law enforcement dog and military dog. These large, regal dogs posess tremendous strength, intelligence and abilities in obedience training and do not make a good beginner dog. While they are loyal and protective of their people they can be aggressive towards people and other dogs. They are extremely intelligent, but have a mind of their own so they will need training from someone who knows a thing or two about being a pack leader.
5. Rottweiler: These massive, athletic and powerful dogs can weigh in over 100 pounds and can be gentle giants or overly aggressive depending on their upbringing. They are loyal and protective and will defend their families with fierceness. They often seem immune to pain and are serious, steadfast and confident. Firm, careful training and proper socialization are essential to raising a well-adjusted Rottie. These dogs should absolutely never be chained as it will increase aggressiveness. Owners should be prepared to handle their massive size; however, they can be mellow, gentle, loving pets when handled properly.
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While Cocker Spaniels were once bred to be hunting dogs, nowadays they find themselves in the category of family dog. Their small size, energetic demeanor and relatively low maintenance requirements have made this breed a popular choice for pets. Because Cocker Spaniels have a long lifespan (12-15 years), you should read the steps below to ensure that you give your Cocker Spaniel the proper care during his long life.
Step 1: The eyes are the window: Cocker Spaniels have adorable eyes that always seem to reel their owners in. Unfortunately, allergies can sometimes cause mucus to build up in the corners of their eyes and owners need to be on the lookout for this. Routine cleaning of the eyes will help maintain eye health. Owners simply need to clean the eye area with a soft cloth moistened with warm water. This breed has been known to be susceptible to cataracts so owners should look for any signs of cloudiness in the eye. The breed has also been plagued with glaucoma, and in poor breeding lines, Progressive Retinal Atrophy. Cocker owners should remain vigilant about their dog’s eye health by taking note of any signs or symptoms of discomfort.
Step 2: Listen up: Those long and floppy ears add to the endearing personality of a cocker, but they can also add up to problems for a Cocker if not properly cared for. The hair in and around the ears should be trimmed frequently to avoid the possibility of irritation and infection. Ears should be cleansed frequently, including whenever the Cocker has been running through fields or brush. Finally, Cocker owners should look for behaviors such as the dog shaking his head back and forth or rubbing his head on the ground; these are typically signs of an irritation or infection.
Step 3: Exercise his rights: Your Cocker Spaniel has the right to remain trim and fit. In order to stay within the recommended weight guidelines of approximately 25-35 pounds, your Cocker should be given the opportunity to exercise daily and should be fed a healthy diet.
Step 4: The agony of the feet: A Cocker owner should plan to pay special attention to the pads of the Cocker’s feet. Because of all the hair that grows there, a Cocker is known to suffer from the tight balls of matted hair that can develop and cause pain between the toes. The best solution is for the owner to regularly trim the hair around the pads.
Step 5: Speaking of hair: A Cocker’s hair tends to grow rapidly and can become matted all over his body. His long locks can also get caught in brush as he frolics and plays. Plan to have your Cocker trimmed or shaved regularly in order to avoid painful brushing later. If you wish to keep your Cocker’s hair long, plan to brush it out daily to avoid tangles.
Step 6: More grooming advice: Because Cockers tend to have skin allergies, owners and groomers should take care to bathe them using a natural, gentle shampoo product.
Step 7: The Cocker’s social needs: A Cocker should be socialized among pets and children as soon as the dog owner feels comfortable. Cockers can become attached to his owner and may act timid or anxious around other people. In order to minimize this, expose him to people and/or obedience training early on. Like many breeds, the Cocker does not like to be left home alone for long periods of time and may bark or get into mischief if left alone for too long.
Overall, the effort it takes to give the proper care to your Cocker Spaniel is worth the loyalty and companionship you’ll get in return from him. By paying special attention to the steps mentioned above, you will be giving your Cocker the opportunity to live a long and healthy life.
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Some people may have the idea that all cats are created equal, but if you ask any cat fancier they will tell you that each one is truly unique. Cats do have their own personalities. Some are full of energy and some lie around all day while others enjoy constant companionship and others are loners. Depending on the personality and needs of their owners certain cats might not be a good fit while others are a match made in heaven. When choosing a family cat you should always consider your needs in addition to the cat’s breed and temperament before bringing home the new addition.
First, consider what your needs are before looking into adopting or purchasing a cat or a pet of any kind. Are you looking for a lap cat who showers you with attention or are you looking for a cat who does her own thing and stays out of sight and out of mind most of the time? Are you looking for a vocal and energetic kitty or one who is low key and calm? You might also consider the age of your children when bringing home a new kitty. Most children under 8 years old are not aware of themselves or their own strength and have the potential to accidentally hurt a kitten or a cat under 6 months old.
Once you have a handle on your needs it is time to consider the type of cat you want. Do you need a pedigreed breed or will a pound kitten fill the bill? If you decide to purchase a cat you will need to research specific breeds and their characteristics to determine the right one for you. While there is nothing wrong with purchasing a cat, if you are not in love with a certain breed you might also consider adoption. Shelters are full of healthy abandoned cats in need of loving homes. If you decide to go the breeder route make sure to do your homework. Get some recommendations from your Veterinarian and check references provided by the breeder. Ask lots of questions and make sure to visit the breeder and meet the mother of the potential kitten. Good breeders will answer your questions and provide plenty of feedback and references if you just take the time to ask them.
Next you will need to meet some cats to find the one with the temperament you want based on your lifestyle and needs. If you are going through a breeder than you already know the temperament and characteristics of the breed you selected. You should also have met the mother and determined if she was consistent with your expectations. If saving the life of a shelter kitty is the choice for you then you will need to go visit your local county shelter or Humane Society. When looking through the kennels pay attention to the way each cat behaves. If the cat rushes to the front of the cage trying to paw at the door and get your attention then she is an extrovert who will enjoy being around you. This type of cat will want attention and playtime. If the cat simply stays put lounging in the back of the cage staring aloofly then she will likely do the same at home. She might even be prone to hiding from you from time to time.
While these factors are a place to start there are a few others that bear consideration. Do you want a kitten who requires more care and has more energy or do you want a mature cat who knows the ropes already and is content to chill out most of the time? Do you want a cat with short hair or long hair or no hair? If you have any type of cat allergies this could be a major factor in your decision. Regardless of the criteria you use you should always find a cat that fits with your needs and lifestyle. It is much easier to find a cat to fit your needs than it is to change your needs around a cat.
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You just brought in a load of groceries and left the door ajar or opened the car door without fully fastening the leash and off he goes. Your dog bolts in pursuit of a squirrel and there is no way to catch him. Most of the time we can use the promise of treats or the power of our most persuasive voice to get him to come back, but sometimes he just gets away. The resulting fear and dread we feel is overwhelming. What if he gets hit by a car or looses his collar and no one calls? We immediately spring into action recruiting friends to flyer the neighborhood, calling local shelters to see if he has been picked up and crossing our fingers hoping for the best. Unfortunately some dogs become statistics, but most of the time proper identification will help to bring him home. While the standard ID tag is a popular method of identification there are several others to consider that increase the probability of Fluffy’s safe return.
The standard method of placing metal tags on your dog’s collar work well, but there are a few things you can do to increase their effectiveness. First, make sure that you get new ones from time to time as the words can wear down and become difficult to read. Next, you should always use a real key ring like you use for your keys to attach the tags. You can purchase these in various sizes at your local home improvement superstore. These are sturdier than the flimsy rings that come with most dog tags. Next you should always engrave “needs meds” on the tag. This will increase the urgency to return your dog in the person who finds him and will decrease the chances of someone keeping him for themselves.
Similar identification methods include embroidered collars and identification tubes. Embroidered collars are standard web collars with the name of your dog and your telephone number embroidered on them in bright white thread. These collars are wonderful options for dogs who frequently lose their tags or manage to pull them off themselves. In larger dogs the embroidery can be seen from a few feet away. This can be helpful to catch timid dogs. If people can read their names then they can use their names to call them and hopefully catch them and call you. There are also metal tubes on the market designed to hold a list of information rolled up inside on a mini-scroll. This is helpful because you have the ability to convey more information than simply your name and number. Information such as your Veterinarian’s name, any health problems or medications your dog needs and back up phone numbers in case you do not pick up.
If those methods are not enough to give you peace of mind then you could try other more permanent methods such as tattooing or microchipping. Tattooing is just what it sounds like, an identification tattoo for your dog. This practice involves a tattoo artist tattooing a specific number on the inside of your dog’s groin and then registering that number with a national registry. Animal control, Veterinarians and other animal care service workers have access to these registries and can get the owner’s information from the registry.
If tattoos aren’t your thing then you might consider microchipping as a means of permanent identification. The microchip is a computer chip wrapped in a tube of glass and is about the size of a grain of uncooked rice. Your Veterinarian places the chip into a special needle and injects it under your dog’s skin between his shoulder blades. Shelters are equipped with handheld scanners, similar to those used to take inventory by store clerks, to scan animals when they are found by animal control workers. The scanner will inform the worker if the pet is chipped and will allow him to access your contact information. The key to tattooing and microchipping is remembering to update your information. If you move or change your telephone number then the methods are useless because your contact information is outdated.
Millions of dogs are lost every year so regardless of the method you use, always use at least one. If your dog ends up in a shelter with no identification then there are no guarantees that you will find him. On one hand he might be adopted out to a new family and on the other he could run out of time and be euthanized. Don’t let your dog become a statistic; always make sure he is protected with proper identification.
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