If you are interested in having a boxer as a pet, and this is the first time that you are going to have a pet, then it would be wise to follow a methodical way to this . This means that the first and the foremost thing that you should do is find out everything about boxers. And one thing that you will come across is that Boxers come in different colors. For example you have fawn colored, red, white and also brindle Boxers.

There is no color favorite among Boxer owners, although brindle colored Boxers have their own appeal. It is also common to find white markings on Boxers of all varieties.

If you have ever been an owner of a boxer, then you know how playful and feisty Boxers can be. You would also be aware of the fact that they make good pets and there is no need to be scared of their ferocious behavior.

Boxers are available in a variety of shades from red to white to fawn, and it seems that brindle boxers are far more popular than other colored boxers. But the color has nothing to do with the temperament of a Boxer so in case you are thinking that the color of a Boxer determines its characteristics then you are wrong and you should get that notion out of your head.

Boxer’s are also a friendly sort of dog and if trained at early age to interact with other pets and animals, will be able to live in comparative harmony with them. A Boxer also makes a great family dog for a number of reasons, the main one being because they are playful and affectionate, as well as being loyal.

Another important characteristic of boxers is that they are highly intelligent and can be easily trained. They have a fast learning cycle that is why they can be easily trained, although they may get into trouble sometimes. Boxers can also be used a competition dogs, not only as show dogs but also in the obedience category.

One should also note that some Kennel Clubs do not register or accept white Boxers, although they may accept all other colored Boxers such as fawn, red or brindle ones.

If you want to list your Boxer in a kennel club, then you will do well to get a fawn, red or brindle Boxers instead of white Boxers. You might also be interested to know that dogs were named so because they tend to use their front paws in a manner reminiscent of, that’s right, human boxers.

Check out those dog book on miniature dog breed.

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It is a well known fact that finding those dog breeders who breed uncommon dog breeds is very difficult as compared to finding those who breed common breeds. More common breeders such as the Border Collie breeders are readily found throughout the nation and you would not be required to travel a lot to find such a breeder.

However, it can be difficult for some people to find Border Collie breeders who meet their stringent standards. These people might expect perfection from the breeders themselves and will tolerate no latitude of failure. If however, you’re willing to come down a little from unattainable perfection, and can admit that breeders are also human you will be able to find good Border Collie breeders near you.

The main thing that you need to determine while looking for a breeder, Border Collie or otherwise, is whether the breeder is running a reputed breeding institution or just a puppy mill. Although this task may seem difficult, it can be easily accomplished by visiting the premises of the breeder and taking a look at the conditions in which the dogs are kept.

After this is done, you need to determine whether a Border Collie is the right type of dog for you and the best way to determine this is by asking Border Collie Breeders for information. These people are ready to provide you with all the information that would help you in taking your decision. This type of information can help you to get a better understanding of what type of dog a Border Collie is and whether it is suited to your style of living.

Most Border Collie breeders will also be more than happy to talk over the various traits of the Border Collie breed with you, as well as taking you through the many different needs of the dogs themselves.

Many people enter into the very serious responsibility of getting a pet without having any clear idea of what will be expected from them in the long run. If this is the first time you are having a dog or even a pet of any kind, you will want to thoroughly investigate matters before proceeding any further.

A dog in any size, shape or form is a lifelong commitment, and something that you need to take seriously. There are many people who will get into this without having a good concept of what it is they are getting into, and this is why it is a good thing if you can obtain all these facts and information that you need from the Border Collie breeders themselves.

Check out this great dog book on sporting dog breeds.

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We do not know what type of dog you enjoy, but we personally find our best friend sitting in the large dog breeds. We find that the larger breeds are easier to play with and overall, they give us a feeling of protection. However, there are a number of different things you should consider before you get a dog. For starters, are you ready to provide a home for him or her? You will need to give them a lot of exercise and the big dog is going to be eating a large amount of food. Large dogs, especially pit bulls are more prone to hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. You should also have a vet lined up for your four legged friend.

We would like to discuss one of our favorite breeds with you. This dog is of course, the American Pit Bull. You see, we view this dog as being heroic.

If you want to see a heroic pit bull, look up Stubby, who was honored in the White House and was the first dog to get a rank in the Military.

Look up Stubby, who was a pit bull and served in the Military. He was the first dog to get a rank in the Military and served during WWII. You should also look up Popsicle.

Another great dog is the German shepherd. We have had a retired police dog who was a German shepherd as a child and must say that she was a lovely dog.

You will find a lot of love in the large dog breeds, but you need to make sure you are ready to take on the responsibility. So many times, we see these pets end up in the pound only because the owner took in more than they could handle.

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Adopting a Patterdale Terrier as a companion is no easy task so take note of the following helpful facts. First, be aware that this dog is extremely energetic and energetic dogs have special needs. Second, know that the Patterdale is one tough hunter therefore don’t be shocked if it suddenly attacked smaller animals.

The northern part of England is known for unforgiving weathers, infertile land and rocky terrains. This is the condition that the Patterdale grew up with and it developed in him a fearless and determined disposition. Because of its famed toughness, people referred to him as “tough as nails”.

While other terrier breeds flourished under the care of the kennel clubs, the Patterdale remained isolated in the remote villages of Northern England. Until its discovery in the 1950′s, the Patterdale served as hunting aids and pets to the villagers. There they hunted for vermin such as rodents and foxes that damage the stocks and crops.

The northern part of England was all hills, rocky terrain and harsh weather. Vermin would usually hide beneath rocks and deep holes that it was very difficult to chase them out. The Patterdale grew up in this situation and it became good at hunting and chasing out animals that lurk in the hard and deep holes of the rocks.

Today, there are many people who opt to have a Patterdale for a pet but be forewarned. This breed may be small and loves to sit on your lap but it in no way has become a lap dog. Just like the nature of all terriers, the Patterdale is still very energetic, curious and loves to hunt small animals so keep it away from cats, squirrels and mice.

Outdoors, the Patterdale Terrier is an irrepressible hunter for small fury creatures but inside the house, it is tame and particularly quiet. Moreover, towards other people and children, it is sociable, smart and willing to please. When it comes to obedience training, the Patterdale is a bit difficult to teach to but with patience and firmness, you will be able to get very desirable results.

It is said that this breed came from the Ferell breed or the then black-and-tan terrier. This breed may come in three different types of coats and they are: smooth, rough and broken. The smooth type is very short, the rough one is long all over the body, the broken is long only in the head, ears and snout and all three coats are coarse.

The Patterdale gets bored easily and when this happens, it tends to wreck havoc inside and outside the house. To avoid this catastrophe, it must be kept constantly busy by means of intense activities that will surely release all its threatening energy and curiosity. Daily exercise must also be implemented in the forms of daily walks and other energy-busting dog workouts in order to ensure its health physically and mentally.

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When youre about to bring a new dog into your family it is important to carefully choose which kind of dog breed youre getting. Different kinds of dogs suit everyones varying lifestyle.

Having a dog that requires a lot of activation can be great if you have a house where nature is all around you. In this way you can be sure the dog gets to play and run around as much as it wants and you can bring it with you in the forests. Larger dogs such as Labradors, German Shepherds, Pointers will be great for you or perhaps a smaller dog like a Jack Russel.

For the city folks it is often more suitable to have a smaller dog. Maybe you want to bring your dog with you to places where there are a lot of people, then a small dog is great.

Even though smaller dogs like Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terriers are cute to look at and, small, they do have a lot of energy so you must be aware that you will need to be able to spend quite a bit of time training your dog. Those dogs also have quite a bit of territorial and competitive behavior and may therefore not be suitable if you have small children.

There are many dogs that are great if you enjoy a calmer lifestyle. Many larger dogs like Labradors and Great Danes have a stable and calm temper. They do need quite a bit of exercise of course. You may also enjoy different breeds of Spitz dogs, for example the Japanese Spitz. Those dogs have a lovely temper in general.

If you want to have a long, healthy and happy lifestyle, it definitely is a good choice to get yourself a dog. Youll find yourself out walking, in any kind of weather and youll be enjoying smiling and playing a lot, which is a natural part of the life with a dog.

Even though all dogs are extremely charming as puppies, it is important that you consider what that specific breed will bring to your life. Some people love to spend a lot of time brushing and grooming their dogs while others prefer to have a dog with very little maintenance.

Make sure that you take the time and do the research and you can be sure that youll find a dog that will bring happiness to your life.

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Labrador Retriever is a pet name popular all over the world particularly in North America. When you have seen this breed, you will agree with the descriptions: genuinely kind-hearted, affable, family-friendly, reliable and clearly sharp in intellect. They are unquestionably lovable creatures and in fact, the American Kennel Club hailed them as the US’s most famous pet.

The Labrador Retriever is a native of Newfoundland Canada but because of its pleasant and very agreeable disposition, it quickly gained popularity not only in the US but around the world as well. Fondly called the “Lab”, this dog is originally bred in order to have a quality and reliable companion for the fishermen and hunters. On the icy waters of the region, this dog vigorously helps in pulling in of nets and catching stray fishes on the boat; in hunting, they are an excellent and durable game retriever that fearlessly swims the freezing waters.

Also lovingly called as “Labs”, the Labrador Retriever is a superb family pet of thousands of households all over the world. How can they not be noted as superb when they are inherently cheerful, sweet spirited, amiable, soft-hearted, energetic, and never aggressive? Not only are they suited with children’s play and spirit but are suited also in socializing with strangers and other pack of animals or dogs.

What makes this dog even more lovable is the fact that it is gentle hearted, naturally and sincerely sociable, and easy to train. Their intelligence and affectionate and kind spirit makes them very manageable and likable that you can’t help but love them and make them your favorite. Wherever you may take this dog, you can only expect excellence, obedience, and high intellect; so whether in hunting, dog shows or simple play times, this dog is an absolute winner and is without a doubt terrific!

The standard and only acceptable colors of Labrador Retriever are yellow, chocolate and black; any other color or combinations of the primary color is tagged for penalty by various kennel groups. Touching the fur, it would feel a bit hard or course as it is dense with short and thick inner and outer coats. This system of coat protects the Lab from harsh weathers and water temperatures and in fact, the coat is weather-proof and water-resistant; through this coating the Lab has been able to survive the conditions of Newfoundland.

Labs make excellent playmates with children for they are inherently playful, gentle, friendly, and naturally affectionate and kind. As a house dog, they make reliable watch dogs but not as guard dogs as they are equally sociable to strangers and other dogs or animals. As a hunting buddy, they are what a retriever is supposed to be; fast, intelligent, agile, has a good nose for retrieving the game, and an absolutely great swimmer.

The Labrador Retriever is unquestionably great in terms of family affairs and their skills and talents are just overwhelmingly versatile and efficient that people of different sectors trusted them with other critical stuff. Now, this breed is not merely a favored family companion but a trustworthy and credible aid of the society in fight against disabilities, crimes and drugs. Labrador Retrievers are great for police work, narcotics detection, and guide for the blind, service dog for the disabled, search and rescue, sledding, and carting.

Being versatile and excellent in almost every field they are placed in, the Labrador Retriever was categorized in to two groups accordingly; the show lines and the field lines. Show line Labs shows a heavier weight as they are honed for obedience competitions mostly while the field line Labs are more active and requires a more intense form of exercise as they are prone to restlessness without it. Labrador Retrievers are without doubt docile and gentle creatures and just like any other breed, in order to bring out the best in them, must be raised with a consistent and skillful leader.

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Perhaps, one of the most mysterious dog breeds around the world is the Shetland Sheepdog or simply known as the Sheltie, because of its undistinguished origin and reasons behind its intriguing temperament. This breed is a tiny creature that formerly strived on the rocky terrains of Shetland Island in Scotland. Its appearance resembles that of a Collie only it was never intentionally bred to look as such.

It is concluded that the main contributors for the development of the Sheltie are the Scottish Rough Collie, Pomeranian, Greenland Yakki (now extinct), and the King Charles Spaniel. During it’s prominence in Shetland Island, this little breed was believed to do herding tasks just like any other Collies. It was discovered though that while its larger look-alike herded stocks, this breed did the chasing and herding of smaller creatures such as ducks, squirrels and vermin.

Today, the Sheltie is a well-known family pet and companion and it excels in this field outstandingly. Moreover, additional likeable disposition of the Sheltie is its eagerness to please the master, obedience and extreme loyalty. With proper and correct training, the Sheltie is a potential skillful dog and reliable household companion.

It is natural for the Sheltie to shy away from strangers but through proper exposure during its pupppyhood, this aloof temperament can be altered to become sociable and accepting. Moreover, the Sheltie can become a potential buddy to children and so constant exposure and guidance on both sides are essential, for them to be able to treat each other safely and properly. This breed makes an excellent watchdog for it warns the household of an incoming person in the doorway or a car in the driveway.

Even though the Sheltie has never been bred to become herders, it still possesses a natural herding instinct and this brings puzzlement to a lot of breeders. This herding energy should be released through various activities such as running and chasing in a wide area. Doing this will also help the Sheltie become healthy and fit mentally and physically.

Generally, the Sheltie stands 13 to 16 inches in height and weighs 14 to 27 pounds. Its long and thick coat consists of an upper coat that serves as a guard hair and an undercoat that serves as comfort against hot or cold temperatures. The outer coat is thick, long and coarse and is water-repellant while the undercoat is soft and shorter.

The general colors of the Sheltie are sable, tri-colour and blue merle. The sable is either golden or mahogany and the tri-colour is white, black and tan. The blue merle is composed of grey, white, black and tan.

In 1909, the English Kennel Club first registered the Sheltie. In 1911, the first Sheltie was registered in the American Kennel Club named Lord Scott. The Sheltie is an adorable and fascinating little breed and because of these and its many positive features, it became a favorite of many families around the world.

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How astonishing is it to know that one creature, although little in size is one of the most highly regarded competitors in the field of agility, obedience competition, and tricks performance? Moreover, not only does this creature have a small body but a big and flaring luscious ears that depicts of butterfly wings as well. The Papillon, meaning butterfly in French, is exactly this description and it was intentionally bred to be a companion and lap dog.

The Papillon possesses large and lusciously fringed ears that stand and sway like a butterfly on its head. Its body has a single coating of long and fine fur that often appears in varieties of colors but never in white alone for this is considered a disqualification by the kennel clubs. The Papillon’s coat should appear in white plus another color or a combination of a few such as: white and black, white and lemon, white and sable, black, brown and white, black, red and white and more.

With this dog being a toy dog, it is natural that you expect it to be high maintenance like its other breed mates. Surprisingly though, this creature is just the opposite of it meaning, you dont have to spend much in order to make this dog neat and clean. Aside from being naturally clean and odorless, the Papillions coat only requires daily brushing or combing and a once in a while bathing and dry shampooing.

It is believed that the Papillon was developed for over 700 years and evidence to this claim are the plenty of Italian frescoes, which dates back to the 13th and 15th century, that depicts the existence of this creature in the household of many royal families in Europe. One of the most important paintings found that depicts the Papillon are that of the famed artisan named Titian. Moreover, during its 700 years legacy, this creature has been called by many names such as Continental Toy Spaniel, Squirrel Spaniel, Epagneul nain Continental and the present day Papillon name or Butterfly Dog and Pap.

Do not be complacent with the Papillon’s sedate and diminutive appearance because this breed may be little but their energy and disposition fit that of a large dog. In fact, owners would testify that their Papillons are “big dogs in little dog suits”. You would never expect that for a toy dog as adorable and as tiny as the Papillon, they have an unexpected athletic talents, high intelligence and bursting amount of energy.

The Papillon ranks 8th in Stanly Cohen’s The Intelligence of Dogs so it is not a surprise that the Papillion can outsmart those breed larger than itself. Crediting its high brain capacity, the Papillon is very easy to train in tricks performance, agility competitions and competitive obedience. Even at national and international circuits, this dog is a warrior and will often beat the larger breed Border Collie in some routines.

Outside the battle ring, however, the Papillon becomes what it is bred to be, an affectionate companion, a fearless protector and a playful toy dog. Inside the home, this dog is calm, gentle, loving, affable and loving and will prevent any harm from coming upon its master and its masters possessions. The Papillon makes a great watchdog despite its size because it keenly dissuades threatening and suspicious strangers.

Truly, the Papillon is one amazing and surprising kind of breed for it definitely fit the adage, small but terrible. Judging from its colorful and vivid history, it is clear that this breed is quite a favorite of many royal and common families of the Renaissance period. Additionally, as further proof to its importance to many prominent people, it is believed that Marie Antoinette, leading to her death, carries in her bosom her beloved Papillon companion.

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Who wouldn’t recognize this fluffy and adorable little breed when all its magnificence is shown in countless movies and TV repeatedly? This celebrity breed is the Pomeranian and it is on the American Kennel Club’s top 15 most famous breeds of America for 10 consecutive years. Today, the Pomeranian or Pom Pom is being adopted as a companion dog but it is also competitive in terms of agility, competitive obedience and ticks performance.

Evidence of this breed’s ancestors was found in Egypt as shown in various Egyptian paintings, sculptures and pottery inside the tomb of prominent people. Overtime, this breed was brought to the region of the now non-existent Pomerania, a place now occupied by Germany and Poland dividedly. It is in this place that the then 20 pounds Pomeranian-like breed was further refined to possess a luscious coat and a disposition befitting a city life.

The current Pomeranian size is due to the efforts of the English people to further downsize it to 3 to 7 pounds and make it more colorful. As the breed became a passably toy dog, it gained popularity all over Europe mostly among the royals such as Queen Charlotte and her grandchild Victoria. Other famous people who were known to own a Pomeranian were Mozart, Emile Zola and Marie Antoinette.

Today, the Pomeranian is grouped in to the toy dog category and belongs to the spitz type of breed. In many counties all throughout Europe, this dog is known as the Zwergspitz, a German word for dwarf spitz. Additionally, the Pomeranian name came from the Slavic root word Pomorze or Pomern meaning “along the sea”.

Describing the look of this tiny breed, many attest that it looks like a fox, a baby doll, or a pansy-faced creature. This may be attributed to the fact that the Pomeranian owns a bright, almond-shaped, and intelligent- looking stare. It also possesses a dense, long and soft hair that is often seen in colors white, black, brown, orange, sable, wolf, or white with colored markings.

The ancestors of the Pomeranian weighed 20 to 30 pounds but through an articulate breeding technique called the Mendelean theory, breeders have been able to turn this breed in to a light weight 3 to 7 pounds toy dog. This dog’s life expectancy, if properly taken care of and healthy, is 12 to 19 years. To help keep this breed at its prime, indulge it with daily walks or playtimes in order to keep its mind and physical state healthy.

The Pomeranian is innately friendly, playful and energetic; eager to learn and please its master and very loyal. These qualities make it a superb competitor in dog sport competitions and tricks performance. Unlike other toy dogs who constantly crave for attention and companionship, the Pomeranian is quite independent and can keep itself busy through curiosity, alertness and intelligence.

To keep its appearance at its best, frequent brushing and combing, regular dental check up and daily ear and nose cleaning are needed. On the downside, the Pomeranian is an excessive shedder therefore allergic individuals are not suited to own this breed. This dog also strives well in a small apartment dwelling because it doesn’t really need a wide space to exercise.

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The Catahoula Leopard or Catahoula Cur does not only possess an obvious colorful coat but an interesting and colorful history as well. Being a native of Catahoula county in Louisiana, this dog is not only trusted among farms and ranches in the state but of the whole North America as well. This dog is well-known and well-loved for its ability to hunt and track games outstandingly, and stir and guide any herd of animals commandingly.

The history of this breed started in 1536 during the time of Hernando De Soto’s quest for gold and treasures in America. It was said that De Soto brought with him the massive breeds of the Mastiff and Greyhounds and left some of them wounded when they retreated from the battles. The Native Indians took these damaged war dogs and cared for and socialized them with the Red fox, a hunting fox used by the Indians by that time, and this led to the conception of the Indian fox dog breed.

When the French settlers came to Louisiana in 1700, they noticed this new breed of dog and were mystified by their mottled coats and strange glass eyes. These so called Indian fox dogs were rampant and popular all over Louisiana and they were known to have great agility and skills in hunting big and small animals. With the French’s own breed called Beauceron, they managed to inter-breed these two kinds of dogs and the outcome is the present day Catahoula Cur.

The Catahoula became famous all over America because of its inclination to many well-known people at the time. Some of these people were Jim and Rezin Bowie who allowed their Catahoula to their beds, Teddy Roosevelt who had a Catahoula for a hunting dog, and Louisiana Gov. Earl K. Long who was known to be an avid Catahoula collector and breeder. Finally in 1979, because of its inclusion to many Louisiana historic events, this breed became the official Louisiana state dog.

Some breeds are measured for their coats, height or weight but not the Catahoula. This dog is given importance according to its characteristics and abilities while its coat, although beautiful all its own, is accepted no matter what color or texture. The Catahoulas coat can come in different varieties and colors such as black with mottles of blue and gray, red or brown with a light touch of red or liver, and any other colors with a touch of blue or gray merle.

In texture, the coat of this breed also varies such as slick, coarse, shaggy or wooly. The course coat, when wet, dries out longer but maintenance of it is quite easy while the wooly or shaggy coats shed incessantly but grows back as course coat or double coat. The slick coat dries out in minutes when wet and is referred to as the wash n’ wear coat, obviously referring to its manageability and low-maintenance requirement.

Having this breed for a companion prompted a comment from a breeder saying, “You must be ready to teach and exercise a Catahoula. If not, he will eat your house. The Catahoula will not let you forget that you own a dog.” This quote is true indeed for the Catahoula is highly intelligent, extremely energetic, an outstanding hunter and herder, and superb family and household companion. This dog has the tendency to be dominant and demanding but they are not born aggressive.

To keep them in shape mentally and physically, they must be busied with at least an hour of exercise everyday, household or farm chores that will keep them occupied, and playtime with its masters or other people that they know. This breed, however, becomes aggressive and intolerant as they grow older and will tend to be very protective of their property. If they see other animals or dogs wandering in their space, they will drive them away or worst kill them.

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