You will know the Shih Tzu dog by many names ? the Pekinese, The Lion Dog, The Chrysanthemum dog and so on.

This is why the training of this dog when done with positive reinforcement method, works like magic. At the same time you would find that this dog can be unimaginably stubborn if pushed into doing anything. If you ever want to get anything done from a Shih Tzu, never use anything else other than love and positive rewards.

The Shih Tzu ? owing to its temperament and looks ? has been a lot of other names. For example, for a long time in the Chinese Imperial Palaces these dogs were known as the Lion dog. This could be for two reasons. First, it looked like a miniatures lion with all the fluffy hair framing its face and second, it had the demeanor of a king.

The Shih Tzu needs very little from you other than love. To keep your Shih Tzu happy, allow it to sleep on your lap, pamper it as often as you can and talk to it all the time. Grooming this dog needs special attention because of its long coat. You need to have it brushed with a hard brush to prevent matting of hair and remove the dust that accumulates on it. You need two separate types of combs ? one long toothed for the overall coat on the body and another shorter and denser for the hair around the face and feet.

Watch out for separation anxiety signs in this dog if you leave it for too long alone. These dogs need your presence and love constantly. Other then this aspect, they are not pretentious about anything.

People who live with Shih Tzus find these dogs completely adorable. They have a lot of spunk for their size and they carry themselves with great dignity and aplomb. This is one reason why many people call them royal dogs.

They indeed look like royalty when they move around. Temperamentally, the Shih Tzu is very warm and happy type of dog. They hanker for attention and hate it when it is stolen from them. This is one reason why these dogs do not live too well with small children, as they tend to consider them competition for the owner’s love and can become aggressive.

They are very playful when they are young and seem to have a mind of their own. You will need to train your Shih Tzu very early in life or you could have major problems in handling it later on when it becomes an adult. The key to making a Shih Tzu the perfect pet is to have them trained very early in their life. Once they are trained, you could possibly have the best pet on this earth.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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A very unusual combination, the Brazilian Mastiff is in fact a mastiff/bloodhound mix. They have traits of both breeds; including the famed sense of smell bloodhounds are so well known for. They also have the protectiveness and gentleness with children so common in mastiffs. Hailing from Brazil, they are known (in Portuguese) as Fila Brasileiro. Formerly employed as guards for plantations, they found their way to North America with conquistadors.

These gentle giants can easily weigh over 100 pounds, and stand up to 30″ tall. Having the flabby neck and long face of bloodhounds, their fur varies in color from reddish to black, even yellow. Brindled specimens are the most popular however.

As most of their cousins in the Mastiff family, the Brazilian Mastiff is very loving in nature. They can be aggressive as well. They are gentle with children and very protective of them. Mastiffs are very obedient to their masters and very easy to train as well. The have great pride and courage.

Brazilian Mastiffs still are seen in hunting, being as good at the job as their bloodhound relatives. They specialize in tracking down and catching prey while waiting for their owners to catch up; in fact, the “Fila” in “Fila Brasileiro” is from Portuguese and means “hold”.

These are an athletic breed although some Mastiffs are not athletic at all and they even are known to become obese. Again they get their athletic abilities from the bloodhound side. The guarding side comes from the Mastiff. Mastiffs are very watchful dogs and although they aren’t aggressive in nature, they will guard their family.

A downside to the breed is that they are not good at dealing with strangers. They have been known to attack strangers with no provocation or warning. For this reason, they should be kept locked up if say, a repairman is coming.

The best way to get and stay in a Brazilian Mastiffs good graces is to spend time with it from puppyhood until it is an adult. They are loyal to a fault when it comes to their families; they have even become aggressive towards judges while entered in dog shows.

Remember to be careful as you choose your new Brazilian Mastiff puppy. You want to make sure that the breeder is a good and trustworthy one. Some breeders have other agendas when selling their puppies so it is wise to get references first hand.

Popularity: 13% [?]

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There is a special connection between dog lovers and a little known breed called the Havanese. Havanese puppies are quickly gaining in popularity across the country, and it’s not just competitors that are finding this lovable little breed to be so desirable, but families around the country are realizing that with the Havanese puppies being so mild mannered, they are the perfect little dogs for homes with children. If you have been considering getting your child their first dog, then the Havanese may well be the perfect choice for you.

There are several things that you should watch for when choosing Havanese puppies, not the least of which is to make certain that the breeder you choose from has taken excellent care of their puppies. You can do this primarily by first getting recommendations from vets in the area where your breeder is located, and second by insisting on seeing documentation of medical care for the Havanese puppies in question.

The first thing you have to understand about Havanese puppies, is that they are very energetic and playful little dogs, as a general rule. Dogs that show signs of lethargy may be under nourished, and may require special attention before they begin to act like their normal selves.

It is also very important that the Havanese puppies the breeder you choose has available are energetic and playful. These dogs are typically very high-energy, and any sign of lethargy may be a sign that the dogs are under nourished. Havanese puppies are also prone to depression, as they are typically very affectionate in nature.

If they have been mistreated by their breeders in any way they may not know how to show signs of interest in other humans.

In all, choosing the right Havanese puppies doesn’t have to be a difficult process. As long as you make certain that they have been well cared for by their original owners or their breeders, you can find a puppy that will provide you and your family with many years of love and affection.

Havanese puppies are quickly becoming more and more popular around the world as people begin to better understand what was once a little known breed.

These small dogs have fought and survived extinction, and are quickly proving to the world that what they may lack in size, they more than make up for in heart! Look into purchasing one of the many beautiful Havanese puppies available today, and see just what a wonderful addition they will make to your home.

Popularity: 7% [?]

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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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