Dog Clothes make Great Gifts!

Thinking of Giving Clothes as a Gift? There's one Recipient on your Gift List Who's Sure to be Thrilled. When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We've all had encounters from the receiving end. We all have stories to tell. If you don't, you will, just give it time. Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar....

Continue Reading

"Sheltie" - Shetland Sheepdog Breed Profile

Stephanie Bayliss


History
The Shetland Sheepdog can be traced back many years to the Shetland Isles, where they were bred as a herding dog.
Smaller, hardier animals were required to survive the harsh conditions in the Shetland Isles and thus, the Shetland Sheepdog was developed. No official records exist, but it is believed that Sheltie's probably derived from Scottish Collies, which were smaller than today's Collies.
Appearance
Shelties are very pretty little dogs with almond shaped eyes, giving them a very sweet expression.
Shelties should stand at approximately 36 cm tall for females and 37 cm tall for males.
They have very long, thick coats and come in a wide variety of colours; Sable, Tri-coloured, Black and White, Black and Tan and Blue Merle, with many variations inbetween.
Temperament
Sheltie's have wonderful affectionate, gentle temperaments with their owners, but can be a little reserved with strangers. They are certainly not 'lap-dogs', but make wonderful pets because of their kind nature. They have wonderful characters, with an endearing stubbornness that makes them a pleasure to own.
Their strength and intelligence mean that these hardy little dogs excel in many competitive fields, such as obedience and agility.
Grooming
They do require a considerable amount of grooming because of the thickness and length of their coats.
Exercise
Sheltie's are very active little dogs, and are described by many as almost tireless. They enjoy being outdoors and do require a moderate amount of exercise.
Health Problems
The breed is largely free of any major health problems, however Collies and Shelties are known to suffer from some hereditary eye conditions, namely Progressive Retinal Atrophy (P.R.A) and Collie Eye Anomaly (C.E.A).
P.R.A is a rare but serious disease which inevitably leads to total blindness. It is unlikely to be detected until the dog is approximately 2 years of age and although nothing can be done to stop the progression of this disease, responsible breeders are careful to have breeding animals tested so that new litters are not produced from affected parents.
C.E.A is much less serious; statistics suggest that up to 75% of Shelties are affected to some degree, however it is unlikely that the condition will worsen in most cases and a mild affliction will not cause great inconvenience to the dog.
About the author: Stephanie has written many articles on dogs, which can be found at the Kennel Corner website.

Shih Tzu - The Importance Of Reward During Obedience Training

Rewards just may be the single most important motivator in shih tzu training. Obedience training through the use of rewards and other positive reinforcements has long been recognized as the most effective method of reaching most dogs and getting the best possible results. Making obedience training fun, and even making it a bit of a game, can be very important to keeping both the shih tzu and the handler motivated and willing to learn. Incorporating a period of playtime at the beginning and end of every training session will make sure that every session begins and ends on a good note. The most...

Continue Reading

Google

Dealing With A Dog Food Allergy?

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze or rash, your dog's allergies can manifest as itchiness or even ear infections. In fact, if your dog's allergic to his food, it can cause him to scratch himself constantly, even with no obvious parasite problem. Dog allergies rarely get solved with medicine, so the best we can do for our four-footed friends is focus on prevention. Providing the right type of food is essential to stopping your dog's scratching habit. Many people like to share their food with their dogs or let them help clean up the kitchen after a meal. Little do they know, their...

Continue Reading