If you would really love to own a Golden Retriever but are hesitant about taking on a puppy, then adopting an older Golden may be the answer. These lovely dogs when they are mature settle in very easily to a new home and they do not need nearly as much attention as a puppy as they like to have some time to themselves. Regardless of their age you will find that your new friend very quickly becomes a welcome member of the family.

Where do you find an older Golden. Well your first stop should be your nearest breeder because strange as it may seem they often do have older dogs for sale. It may be a retired show dog, or a dog which has produced several litters and will not be needed again. There is a whole host of reasons why they might have a mature dog they wish to find a home for, so, give them a call and enquire.

When your mature Goldie comes to you they will already have been house trained, and so adjusting to your particular family lifestyle will be a lot easier. It won’t be easy, just easier, and you must expect a period of re-adjustment during which you will need to shower him or her with plenty of tender love and affection, something which, believe you me, it will not be hard to do.

If you have been thinking of adopting an older Golden Retriever, you should make sure that you learn everything you can about him. You should also determine his temperament, and whether or not it’s compatible with your family. You should also learn important things as well, such as his diet, likes, dislikes, daily routine, and his habits. Before you decide to take him, you should always make sure that the members of your family meet him as well, so you can talk it over and decide whether or not everyone wants the dog to be a member of your family.

With an older dog, you need to take care of him for the first days, and let him know where everything in your home is. You’ll need to show him where he sleeps, where he should use the bathroom, and where his food is. Take your time and be patient with him, as it will normally take him a few days to learn how things in your home work.

Its not a bad idea, once your dog has had a month or so to settle in, to take them to an obedience training class somewhere. In your initial meeting with the person who is handing over the dog to you they may well tell you that they have been to training classes in the past. But the thing is that you have not been to the classes with your dog, and this makes a big difference. Do enrol in a class somewhere near to your home, and together you will learn a lot about each other and how to harmoniously get on together.

So, let me encourage you to seriously consider giving a home to an older Golden Retriever. If you don’t think that you have either the time, or indeed the patience to take on a new puppy, then a more mature dog may well be the answer. They may well have more medical problems than a puppy, and this is something you will need to enquire about first, but I believe that any downside is more than compensated for by the benefits of owning a mature Golden.

Popularity: 11% [?]

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In 2006, the American Kennel Club announced that the Yorkshire Terrier was the second most popular purebred dog in America. They are poised to become the nation’s most popular dog – even over the ubiquitous Labrador Retriever. Where did the Yorkshire Terrier come from? What breeds went into making it? And why did it get to be so popular?

Despite being named after a Northern county in England, the direct ancestor stock of today’s Yorkshire Terrier came from Scotland. When Scottish weavers lost work because of the rise of factory made clothing, they had to move south and brought their dogs with them. These dogs were Scottish Terriers, Paisley Terriers, Clydesdale (or Clyde) Terriers, the latter two breeds are now extinct. The Scottish dogs bred with the local terrier breeds, thought to have been Skye Terriers, Maltese and the now extinct breeds of Black and Tan English and Waterside. The eventual result was Huddersfield Ben, considered the fore sire of the entire Yorkshire Terrier breed.

The ancestors from Scotland were called, appropriately enough, the Scottish Terrier and the Clydesdale (or Clyde) Terrier (which is now an extinct breed). It is thought the also extinct Scottish breed the Paisley Terrier made a significant genetic contribution to the origins of today’s Yorkshire Terrier. Scottish weavers became suddenly unemployed during the Industrial Revolution and moved south to the rough English county of Yorkshire in order to find work. They brought all of their families with them – including their dogs.

The Scottish dogs then inevitably wooed the blushing English roses of the local canine population. It is thought those breeds were the Black and Tan English Terrier (also now extinct), the Skye Terrier and the Waterside Terrier (which is – you guessed it – also extinct). According to the majority of Yorkshire Terrier information sources, the founding father of the breed, Huddersfield Ben, was born in Yorkshire in 1865. He became one of the most admired dogs of his day.

As time went on, the need for big working dogs decreased. People were living in smaller homes and needed smaller dogs they could physically control easily. The Yorkshire Terrier filled this niche admirably. They were a hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Not only did they make great guard dogs, but were affectionate and did not need a lot of exercise. They were introduced to America in 1872.

Over the last century, Yorkshire Terriers have become ever smaller. The original Yorkies were about thirty pounds and came in several colors. Today’s show Yorkies are not to exceed seven pounds and must be steel blue and tan (and have those colors in specific proportions).

The hot trend is top breed Yorkies that tip the scales at three pounds, which has lead to concerns about the health of breeding such small dogs. The Yorkshire Terrier, as of 2006, is the second most popular purebred dog in America.

Popularity: 12% [?]

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The Teacup Poodle is very similar to the Toy and the Standard Poodle except for the size. Teacup Poodles weigh anywhere between two and four pounds where the next size Poodle, the Toy Poodle, is ten pounds at maturity. Teacup dogs get the name teacup because they can almost fit into a teacup. These dogs are intelligent, obedient and elegant dogs. They have a non-shedding fur, which makes them very popular. They are very perceptive dogs and love companionship.

They are usually carted around in a ladies purse or a designer carrier. They are always the center of attention and are quite popular in Hollywood. Celebrities love this dog because of its size and because they can take it anywhere they go. They need to be consistently groomed to keep their fur free from matting and messiness, but the time needed to groom such a tiny dog is very short.

Teacup Poodles are rather expensive dogs. They are so popular now that a Teacup puppy can run anywhere from eight hundred to one thousand dollars. They can be carried in a pocket or a purse and are extremely popular dogs. They are available in many colors and their country of origin is France.

They are pampered pooches and can be found at many dinner parties and luncheons sitting right next to their owners or sitting on the table. Their roots go back centuries when Poodles would entertain in circuses all over Europe. Then it was quite gauche to have a Poodle at Court sitting with the King or Queen. These royal families would pamper their Poodles in outlandish ways and was actually the beginning of the personality trait of the pampered Poodle.

A two to four pound dog is a very delicate dog and one must think twice before adopting one of these pets if there are young children or irresponsible children in the home.

Teacup Poodles can be easily trained but one must remember that this is a very tiny dog and cannot jump up on a sofa or bed by itself. If the Teacup Poodle were to fall off a bed or a sofa they could break a leg because they are very delicate and fragile dogs. Toy Poodles the next size up are more sturdy and agile, but the Teacup needs to be treated as a baby. Some people get the idea of fragile confused with sickly. These are not sickly dogs and they do not get sick more than any other dog. They have a hearty constitution even though they are just tiny dogs.

Even thought Teacup Poodles are tiny and fragile they are not sickly dogs. If a breeder tries to sell you a sick Teacup Poodle and tells you that this is the normal Teacup and that they are usually sick should be reported to the breeders associations. A Teacup Poodle should not be taller then eight inches and not weight more then four pounds. Anyone who tries to sell you anything bigger is selling you a Toy Poodle and not a Teacup Poodle.

Because these dogs are so small they will use up their energy quite quickly. They will need to small meals throughout the day in order to keep up their energy.

Popularity: 11% [?]

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Tracking and sniffing is the Brazilian mastiff’s job, the gentle giants are a cross between a mastiff and a bloodhound. Giving them their full title of Fila Brasilerio they originate from Brazil and were introduced to the United States of America by the Conquistadors. In the early years of the breed its main purpose was to guard plantations.

As mastiffs go this breed is big, they can reach up to 2 feet tall and weigh in at over 100 pounds .The fur ranges from black to tan and even yellow, brindled dogs been high in value. The faculae features are very similar to that of the cross breed the bloodhound.

mastiffs can be gentle or aggressive when the situation requires it, very very loyal and make a valued member to anyone’s family, very good with children also.

the hunting instinct is real in the Brazilian mastiff because of its half brother the blood hound, the Fila part of the breeds full name means to hold in Portuguese which is part of the dogs role in the process of hunting, the mastiff will track, catch and hold the capture until it’s master arrives.

this breed is not prone to obesity so they are more athletic and a generally healthier dog’s, along with this comes the loyalty and protective side of the mastiff.

The Brazilian mastiff is like all others, they don’t like strangers, they feel at home with their own family but have been known to be aggressive to people who are unknown to them. So if you know you are going to have an unfamiliar face visit make sure the dog is out of the way.

The Brazilian mastiff is like all dogs, they need love and attention and a lot of food, spend time with your dogs and they will become a big part of your family, and I mean a big part. They are loyal and will protect you till the bitter end.

if you are purchasing a Brazilian mastiff puppy then make sure you do research into the steps to take to prepare yourself for the arrival of a small giant into you house, ask question to the right people if you are not sure of anything and make sure the breeder can give references upon request.

Popularity: 10% [?]

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The American Kennel Club establishes standards of various dog breeds, including the Pomeranian. Before the American Kennel Club recognizes a breed, the breed has to have certain characteristics, referred to as standards of the breed, that remain stable generation after generation. Breed standards serve several functions. A dog owner buying an American Kennel Club recognized breed of dog knows how big a puppy will be when it grows up. All puppies start out small, but a Pomeranian owner knows he or she will end up with a dog that weighs in at seven pounds or less. Breed standards also predict temperament, and the owner of a Pomeranian puppy knows the grown dog will be playful, energetic and extroverted.

The American Kennel Club establishes standards of the breeds it recognizes for several reasons. First, breed standards document what the breed is supposed to look and act like. Dogs bred for generations to look exactly the same are reliable dogs. If you get a Pomeranian puppy, you know you can count on your full-grown Pomeranian to weigh less than seven pounds. Without standards of the breed, Pomeranians could eventually weigh as much as bulldogs! Pomeranians are also known for their playful, intelligent personalities.

Another benefit of having standards for different breeds of dogs is to encourage good breeding practices. Dogs in the toy group are notoriously fragile, and restricting the weight of the Pomeranian to seven pounds maximum helps prevent the breed from getting too heavy and risking injury to bones and joints.

The American Kennel Club knows that it matters and that is the reason for the establishment specific standards for each of the breeds it recognizes. The American Kennel Club requires that certain characteristics of a breed be stable for many generations of dogs before it recognizes a breed. Thus, a puppy buyer can predict how big or small a grown dog will be and what kind of temperament it will have. According to the American Kennel Club, a Pomeranian puppy, for instance, will weigh no more than seven pounds and have a perky, energetic personality.

The Pomeranian has a double-coat consisting of a soft undercoat and a long, textured outer coat. The outer coat forms feathers on the legs and a frill around the shoulders and chest. A soft, flat or open coat is a major fault that leads to disqualification.

The Pomeranian coat can be virtually any color. All colors, patterns and color combinations are judged the same. The most often seen Pomeranian patterns include black and tan, brindle and parti-color. Black and tan Pomeranians have light patches above the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs, feet, and under the tail. Brindle-coated Pomeranians have a gold or red base with black cross stripes. A parti-color Pomeranian is white but has patches of one or more other colors in its coat.

In specialty shows, Pomeranian dogs are categorized into three different groups according to the color combinations of their coats. Red, orange and sable dogs are judged together while black and brown dogs are judged in a second group, and other variations are judged in a third group.

The AKC also judges a dog’s temperament. The Pomeranian should be confident, intelligent and extroverted, spirited and full of personality. Breed standards define the dog and promote predictability. The American Kennel Club makes Pomeranian breed information available to anyone who wants to know what a champion Pomeranian looks like.

Popularity: 8% [?]

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Springer Spaniels are extremely smart and learn very quickly. The Springer is the right choice for either a city or country home because they are so eager to please, loyal and like people. Playful and energetic, the Springer Spaniel can bring its owner many hours of amusement. Springers are excellent all around dogs. Good training can bring excellent results in many fields, including agility, tracking, retrieving, obedience, hunting, and field trials. They are the perfect choice for families because they are so wonderful with children. Adult supervision of children around any breed of dog is necessary to ensure the dog doesn’t become irritated.

Springers are quite friendly, and eager to please their owners. Some people have compared their temperament to the popular Golden Retriever. They are happy to go home and lie around the house if that is what their families are doing at the time. Human contact helps them to adjust and adapt to different levels of activity. Being a long breeder of a variety of puppies, we can attest to their absolute friendliness.

As a breed, the English Springer Spaniel is a medium sized sporting dog, and can weigh anywhere from 35-55 pounds at adulthood. They are generally very strong dogs that live anywhere between ten and fourteen years. There are two types of Springer Spaniels, those that are field bred, and those that are show bred. The field bred variety has a shorter coat and a more active temperament than the show bred variety. All Springers have their tails docked shortly after birth, but the length of the tail differs between two “lifestyles.” The tails are docked shorter for Springers who are shown, whereas the working, field-bred Springers have longer tails so as to be an efficient signal for hunting.

A purebred English Springer Spaniel has a coat color of either liver and white or black and white. There does exist a tri-color combination in the breed where the coat is black, liver, and white, but it is much more rare and generally requires both the sire and dam to be tri-color also. These are easily recognized by the white flash that runs down the middle of their faces.

If you need a good hunting dog, with plenty of energy, who is ready to sniff out some ‘game’, English Springer Spaniels are the breed for you. Springers are happy to spend all day outside with their masters, they love water and are not particularly sensitive to weather in general. Because they are an old breed, they have been a favorite canine for many years. They are one of the oldest and best established hunting and gun dog breed.

So I hope you can see why we think Springers are a wonderful fit for many different situations, lifestyles, and families. We certainly believe and have experienced how these loving animals can find a place in anyone’s heart and home.

Popularity: 18% [?]

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I hope you enjoy reading this article on Yorkshire Terriers.

Yorkshire terriers are considered by many people to be a very intelligent dog, and they are also considered to be extremely loyal to their owners. I’m sure that comes as no surprise to you if you already own a Yorkie. They are indeed a most wonderful dog.

Some tests were carried out a while ago by a Stanley Coren, an animal intelligence expert, and this showed that Yorkies are indeed above average in intelligence. The Yorkie came 27th out of 132 breeds, not bad for a little dog! But not only can Yorkies obey simple commands, like most dogs, they can also respond well to long and complicated commands.

You may be tempted to think at times that your Yorkie knows and understands all that you’re saying. Well if you think this it’s probably because you’re absolutely right. Yorkies are indeed perfectly capable of understanding all that you say and mean.

For example, when you hug and kiss your Yorkie, and tell him, verbally, that you love him, he will come to understand that those words mean something good, even if he doesn’t understand fully what they mean. However, when you tell your Yorkshire Terrier to get his ball, he will understand exactly what you mean, and he will be able to pick that ball out of a toy box full of other toys and bring it to you. When you ask your Yorkie if he wants to eat, he associates the word ‘eat’ with food, and he will respond in his way.

Well now, we know that Yorkshire Terriers are intelligent dogs, but are they Loyal? I say that yes, they most certainly are, in fact they are fiercely loyal. OK, so they will run off and chase squirrels and rabbits and ignore your commands to return, but what do you want, a dog, or a robot. Its natural for them to chase, but as soon as the chase is over they will be back at your side again.

Would you believe it if I told you that history is full of instances of brave Yorkshire Terriers defending their owners in the face of all sorts of dangers. Can you imagine the bravery of a little dog facing grave dangers and enormous opponents all to defend their owners? Well believe it or not, its true.

So, if you are looking for intelligence and loyalty, don’t disregard the Yorkshire Terrier, mistakenly thinking that he is no more than a pampered lap dog. You will be pleasantly surprised to learn that he is among the most intelligent, and the most loyal, of all canines.

Popularity: 16% [?]

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It is an incredibly humane thing to do when you venture down to an animal rescue center and give an abused or abandoned pet a second chance. A Pomeranian rescue dog is a wonderful investment and will bring you joy for years to come. But be patient with the little dog and give it time, as it will need to adjust from a previous environment that caused trauma to its new home with you and your family.

Sometimes the rescue shelter will tell you that their vet has already looked the dog over but it is always a good idea to get your own vet to look the dog over as well and as soon as possible. You never know what an abused animal has been through plus you will want to introduce your new vet and your new pet as soon as you can so your vet can get to know your dog and help with any questions you may have.

A Pomeranian by nature likes to bark and yip at the slightest noise or movement and when a Pomeranian rescue dog has been taken out of a bad situation the chances are that the barking will be worse when you get the dog. Just be patient and remind the dog, sternly but not in a mean temper, that the barking is not necessary and it needs to stop. Eventually they will listen.

Housebreaking is always a challenge with any of the toy breeds and a Pomeranian is no different. A well-adjusted Pomeranian can take quite a while to housebreak and some owners report that in the end it does not work on every dog. Start with standard housebreaking methods. If your dog is already housebroken it will take to the training right away and you should be fine. If it is not housebroken then be patient and keep working with your dog. Remember that housebreaking a Pomeranian takes time so be patient.

So be patient and take your time with your new dog and work with them on housebreaking. You can start with traditional housebreaking methods and see how that works. Remember that housebreaking a Pomeranian normally can take months to accomplish, so be ready.

If you show your dog love and attention and let it know that it now lives in a safe place then it will eventually come around and show you personality traits you never knew it had. They love to be independent thinkers so just be ready for an entirely different dog when it gets comfortable.

Your new dog has been through a lot so give it time to adjust to your home and your family. It will take time but with love and affection your dog should be able to turn the corner and take up a happy life with you.

Enjoy your new dog and always be sure to use positive reinforcement training when you are training it and never punish your dog.

Popularity: 9% [?]

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There are many things to consider once you begin to think about Shih Tzu breeding. One of the key things that many people who breed dogs of any breed fail to think about is their purpose for breeding dogs. Many puppy mills are created and ran in order to receive a profit and they care about nothing else.

When profit is the bottom line, the Shih Tzu care is often neglected. It is vital to make sure that you are in it for the right reasons, even though the dollar amount you can make is pretty flashy.

Many puppy mills are created every year in hopes of turning a quick buck and this often means that puppies and their parents live in conditions that are not suitable and they do not get a lot of attention. It is important to consider what other reasons you have your getting into Shih Tzu breeding. If you can come up with a list of several different reasons, then you are probably on the right track.

When thinking about breeding your dogs, you should consider Shih Tzu care. Are you able to testify that you truly know the medical and emotional background of your breeding pair?

If the adult dogs you intend to breed were just recently brought into your home, you may want to think about keeping them around long enough so that you really get to know them before beginning any breeding.

A good idea would be to have your dogs checked out by a vet and talk about breeding them. Ask as many questions as possible and have a full examination done on the dogs to make sure that they are healthy enough to proceed. This is very important for the mother dog, as you do not want her to suffer or even end up passing away because she was not able to carry pups. Your vet will be able to give you the okay to proceed with that particular pair.

One of the most stressed issues about Shih Tzu breeding is that breeders will not allow the mother dog enough time to recover from her first birthing experience before trying to breed her again. Puppy mills are famous for neglecting their dogs in this manner. Give her the time she needs before trying again and once you have the hang of Shih Tzu care and breeding, you could possibly bring in another female so that the two take turns breeding. This way, you can continue to share the love of Shih Tzu puppies with others but still keep tabs on the mental and physical well being of your dogs.

And one the most important things to do is to make sure your adult dogs are getting proper nutrition during the entire process, just like a human female would have to do during her pregnancy. Even though you are always cautious of the dogs diet, you want to be extra careful during this time, as it is vital to her recovery and the health of her pups. Talk with your vet about what special diets or even maybe vitamins that you would want your female to take.

Popularity: 9% [?]

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Wouldn’t it be great to have a picture of your adorable, loyal Yorkshire Terrier on a tee shirt, a sweatshirt, a screensaver, a mouse pad, or a coffee mug? By following a few simple tips for taking outstanding Yorkshire Terrier pictures, you’ll be able to take high quality photos of your Yorkshire Terrier with an inexpensive digital camera, a disposable 35 mm camera or even a camera phone.

We all know that taking pictures of a pet can be problematic. You have to get your Yorkshire Terrier to sit still, pose and look into the camera. There are lighting and backdrop issues to deal with, and you need to be sure you’re shooting at your dog’s eye level. Here you’ll find all the tips and tricks you need to solve these problems and get you started taking fabulous pictures of your Yorkshire Terrier.

Taking digital photos can save you a ton of money over old-fashioned prints from 35-mm. film. With digital photography, you only pay for the pictures that you want to print. Blurry shots, overexposed frames, red eyes and other rejected frames all disappear into the digital trashcan with a single click.

Choose a setting for your pictures. For an indoor setting, make sure there is plenty of light shining on your Yorkshire Terrier, and arrange any backdrops you will need so you can grab them quickly between shots. If you are taking pictures outdoors, secure the area for your Yorkshire Terrier’s safety. A fenced back yard makes a great outdoor setting.

Before you pick up your dog to start the photos, get out your camera and check the memory cards to make sure you have plenty of room for photo storage. Put fresh batteries in the camera if you are taking pictures outdoors or if you don’t have an AC converter for your camera. Decide where to pose your dog, and gather any backdrops or props you want to use.

The Yorkshire Terrier, with its shiny coat, looks best photographed against a dull background that does not reflect the light. Velvet or canvas fabrics make great backdrops. Consider using a chromatic green backdrop, available at any photography supply site or store. With a chromatic green backdrop, you can add other digital backgrounds to your photo to add interest to your Yorkshire Terrier pictures.

The best Yorkshire Terrier pictures all seem to be at the dog’s eye level. Don’t be afraid to get down on the floor with your dog and take pictures, or set your dog on a tabletop or bed to raise its height. Remember, safety first! With these great tips, soon you’ll be taking amazing pictures of your Yorkshire Terrier. ## Your choice of background can make or break your Yorkshire Terrier pictures, so put plenty of thought into your backgrounds. Cloth backdrops should be matte, not shiny. You might want to use a chromatic green backdrop. With a chromatic green backdrop, your background disappears in digital images, and you can place your Yorkshire Terrier into any backdrop you can find. You can add surf, turf or snow to your picture without every going to the beach, the park or the mountain.

Toys and props not only add interest to your photos, they keep your dog engaged during the photo session. When you’re photographing a puppy, the objects will emphasize how small the puppy is and make him or her look even younger. You should always photograph your dog from your dog’s eye level, not your eye level. Yorkies are so light and easy to lift, so you can easily put your dog on a tabletop or bed to make it easy to get at eye level. These helpful tips will help you get the very best pictures of your Yorkshire Terrier.

Popularity: 13% [?]

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