Welcome
Welcome to The Dog Zone
Dogs truly are man's best friend. There
is no other animal on the
planet that is as devoted to please and obey man than your domesticated
dog. Nor is any other animal as versatile as the dog, which can be
trained to do as many different tasks as there are breeds. Man's love
affair with the dog is well deserved.
The
different breeds of dogs
by Wendy Yeager
The American Kennel Club recognizes 150
different dog breeds.
There are seven different groups in which the dog can belong.
They are assigned to one of the groups based on what the breed of
dog was originally developed for. There is also a miscellaneous
group if the dog doesn't fit into one of the seven. The seven
different dog groups are as follows. The first is the sporting
group. These dogs were developed to work with people who hunted
birds. A Labrador Retriever would fit into this group. Labs can
also be beneficial as guide dogs and in search and rescue. The
second group is the hound group. These dogs were developed to
hunt using their scent and sight. This group includes the
Whippet, which is the fastest domestic animal of their size. They
can run up to 35 mph. Thirdly, is the working group, which
includes the Saint Bernard. They have been known for hundreds of
years for their rescue work in the Alps. Other dogs in this group
are useful for herding or guarding. The fourth group is the
terrier group, first developed to hunt vermin. The Australian
Terrier, one of the smallest terriers, is a part of this group.
They were developed to work side by side with the Australian
pioneers to aid in tending the sheep or chasing off invaders. The
fifth group is the toy group, developed to be companions. A
Japanese Chin is a good example. They like to play, show off, and
spend lots of time trying to keep clean and tidy. The sixth group
is the non-sporting group, which overall do not perform the tasks
that they were originally developed for. A good example would be
the American Eskimo Dog. These dogs were sometimes used in circus
acts at the beginning of the century. The seventh group is the
herding group, which was meant to be used in working with
livestock. The German Shepherd is in this group. They are not
only useful in herding livestock, they are also great companions
to humans.
Originally, many dog breeds were first developed for specific
uses, such as hunting, companionship, herding, etc. Today,
because man has created such a large variety of dog breeds, there
is a dog out there to make almost anybody happy. Currently, the
most popular dog breed in America is the Labrador Retriever, with
the Golden Retriever coming in second.
Published by: Wendy Yeager
http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2
Winterizing
your dog:
by Debbie Ray
It's beginning to get cooler and as such it
is also time to plan
for all your outside animals' safety. As with all mammals, the
winter months pose a particular disadvantage -most especially to
those outside pets many of us have.
Below, you'll find a few tips to help you get ready for the
winter months and to help your pet in the transition from fall to
winter.
First, store all antifreeze type products safely out of the way
of any animal. When using antifreeze, be careful concerning
spills and wipe up any amounts quickly and completely. The sweet
taste and smell is hard to pass up for any pet. Next, keep all
indoor pets in an area free of draft. Elevating you pets favorite
bedding area is one way to help your pet stay warm. Keep all your
outdoor pets in an insulated type area, free of drafts, that is
warm and dry and protects the pet from the wind. In extreme
conditions, bring the animal (s) indoors to protect it from the
elements.
Always maintain a good supply of clean, fresh, and unfrozen,
drinking water. Remove ice, mud, salt and any other irritants
from your pets coat ASAP. If you suspect frostbite, contact your
veterinarian immediately.
Feeding requirements change drastically in the winter months-
caloric needs may even increase to help the animal stay warm. Ask
your veterinarian for further advice concerning caloric needs.
Also during the holidays, be careful to keep your pet away from
alcoholic beverages, chocolate, fish and poultry bones.
Many holiday plants are toxic to your pets. Keep these out of the
reach of your pet. Keep tinsel, glass ornaments and other holiday
decorations out of your pets reach. Place all electrical cords in
out of the way spots. Remember that cats and kittens or your dogs
may sleep underneath your car. Before leaving always knock on
the hood, honk the horn lightly and wait a few minutes before
starting the engine.
Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.
Debbie Ray, owner of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com is a lifetime
dog lover and owner and breeder of german shepherd dogs for over
15 years.
Rescue dogs
by Simon Harris
We have all grown up with at least one hero
in our life, but
how many people can call their hero Duke or Kiva? The answer-
anyone who has had their life saved by a rescue dog.
Whether it is a house fire, tornado rubble, leftovers from an
earthquake, or flowing water behind a hurricane front, these
specially trained rescue dogs rush in with no concerns for
their own welfare, pulling out victims, some dead and some
still alive. They do this time and time again.
With a powerful snout and the ability to smell things a human
may not, rescue dogs are hard-working and very loyal to doing
what is expected of them. And what do they ask for in return? A
hug, a treat or a little one-on-one play time. Not a huge
reward, however for these special dogs, it is very satisfying.
There are different types of breeds who make better rescue dogs
than others. For example, bloodhounds have a talent for prowess
and are known for uncovering criminals. Newfound lands are good
avalanche rescue dogs and Labrador Retrievers are good cadaver
dogs. Any dog can become a rescue dog as long as they can
concentrate on tracking scent, such as German Shepherds,
Belgian Malinois, and Golden Retrievers.
Before being allowed to track, each rescue dog is put through
extensive evaluations. Scent detection training is then started
and their skills are developed through regular sessions. In
order to track, the dog will pick up on the odor of the
person's skin cells that flake off the body. These skin cells
float in the air and hit the ground as a person moves along,
and they float to the surface of the water if the victim has
drowned.
The men and women behind these furry heroes are all volunteers
who are fit, enjoy spending time outdoors, and take pride in
training and communicating with their rescue dogs. These men
and women may also belong to rescue teams such as SOSARD or
SWOSAR, who are called out by the police department and may
travel several hours to reach a search site. Along with their
rescue dog they search in all different types of weather and
terrain for lost children, missing fishermen and hunters,
accident victims and injured hikers.
There is yet another type of rescue dog, who can sniff his
trail from the air. Air-scenting rescue dogs work directly and
specifically from aircraft, tracking the air and searching for
victims. These dogs specialize in structural collapses and
drowning victims. Because these air-scenting rescue dogs work
on scent trailing above the ground and away from handlers, they
become very useful in areas that have been contaminated by human
searchers, after it is allowed to be aired out for awhile.
In many survivors eyes, these furry canines, which make
wonderful family pets, make the best heroes of all!
About The Author: This article courtesy of
http://www.better-dog-training.net
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