The Right Breeder

Dogs are considered as man’s best friend. Deciding to own one whether it is big or small involves a lot of responsibility. It is not just about feeding it but includes other chores such as grooming, watching its health and diet, cleaning up after it and most importantly, giving it some tender loving care. There are many places one can get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if one wants to get a pure bred animal, one must seek a reputable breeder to get the best results. 

Finding the right breeder for the dog depends on the breed that one selects. Professional breeders do not breed frequently and will only do so when a pair is found to be healthy and temperament that will insure the birth of also healthy offspring. Breeders will also breed only when a sufficient number of homes have been evaluated and deemed appropriate. 

Given that there is no standard as to what a standard breeder is, one should do research by asking people and interviewing as many breeders as possible before making a decision. There are many categories of the type of breeders in the market and by knowing which one is the best and understanding the consequences; this will make all the difference of the type of offspring that will be produced. 

The ideal breeder should have the pair of dogs tested for every possible disease as well as have all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file. Should a breeder find no problem in the history of the pair, one must still ask details to be sure. This is one sign that shows the breeder the interest of a potential owner of such a magnificent and smart animal. One can also ask the people who have be given offspring’s in the past to check if there were any problems since the breeder maintains a close relationship with these dog owners.

Reputable breeders have certain requirements that one must have before qualifying as a potential dog owner. These are usually in the form of written contracts or guarantees with a spay or neuter requirement that limits the registration of the puppies. This is done both for the protection of the owner as well to control a possible overpopulation problem. 

The person who wants a dog must have a secured backyard and attend certain classes such a puppy kindergarten to be familiar with the challenges one will face come the time the dog has been given. 

The requirements needed by the breeder is not to delay the process of giving one a dog but to ensure that the person is aware of what will happen as a dog owner and the responsibilities that come with it as well as make sure that the puppies will have good homes. This is what makes responsible breeders different from others who are not since these people are not concerned about the health or welfare of the dogs but are just in it to earn money. 

Once a person is able to find the ideal breeder, the waiting does not end there. Since the demand for the breeder’s dogs are well sought after due to the selective nature of the breeding practices, the newborn pups will still have to be raised with the breeder and will only be released when a number of pre-screened homes have been found. If one does the all the research, it is possible that one will qualify as part of that list. 

One of the most critical factors in identifying a good breeder aside from the health and food given is the condition of the mother after birth and how well are the puppies taken cared of. The best way to do is if the breeder is just nearby so one can visit the place from time to time and monitor the condition of the puppies.

Another good quality of a responsible breeder is the voluntary assistance provided to the owners of the puppies. If the placement of the puppy did not work out as hoped with a certain owner, the breeder can require the person to return the puppy and provide it with a better home since the life of the puppies is the responsibility of the breeder throughout the dog’s life.

The Pinch Collar: Using One Ring Or Two?

Dear Adam:

I hope all is well with you. Things have been busy for me and I have not been on line much but, I did have one question for you. Have you ever done any research on the origin of the prong collar and it's original use?

Also, I've heard it used in different ways, for example, leash getting hooked to one ring or both rings? Which information are you privy to and what technique do you use? I'm always open to learning true information.

Thanks for your time,

Jag

Dear Jag:

I do not know the history of the pinch collar. It's a good question. If I learn anything about it, I'll write about it here, in my e-zine.

As far as using one ring (the D-ring) or two (the D-ring and the safety ring) ... generally, I just hook the leash to the D-ring. This is how the collar is designed to be used.

You can, however, hook the leash to both rings. This will damper the correction. You can use the pinch collar in this manner if you have a very sensitive dog or if you're training an exercises where--for some reason--the dog is self-correcting, accidentally.

For example, when teaching the dog "control" in protection work, we try to communicate to the dog that he should only lunge if the attack command is given, first. If the dog lunges before the attack command is given, then he is corrected.  However, in such a scenario, we want to error on the side of under-correcting the dog, rather than have him think that he should NEVER lunge by accidentally over-correcting.

Make sense?

That's all for now, folks!

Adam

The Gundog - A Hunter's Best Friend

When it comes to the sport of hunting - the gundog is definitely a hunter's best friend.  Gundogs have been used to assist man since the days when survival crucially depended on hunting skills, not only for food to eat, but for clothing and shelter provided by the hides of the hunted animals and to this day bird dogs still play an important role in hunting for sport.

Originally bred with the intention of assisting game bird hunting, the characteristics of gundogs have, over the years, been strengthened by further breeding with animals already displaying the necessary traits for hunting. Gundogs (also known as hunting dogs or bird dogs) are intelligent, active and alert breeds, easily trained for a variety of sporting uses such as hunting game birds and waterfowl, showing the hunter where the game birds are

located, startling the birds into the open for the hunter and retrieving the shot or injured birds and taking them back to the hunter. These hunting dogs love being around humans, and they require a great deal of attention and strenuous exercise.  Some hunting dogs are used specifically to work in water, some only on land, whilst others are capable of working in both of these environments.

Gundogs can be divided into three categories, the retriever, the pointer and setter, and the flusher dog and listed below are the roles played by each of these types of dog.

The Retriever Dog

Ideally equipped with their water-repellant coat and webbed feet, the Retriever, as its name would suggest, will find the bird and take it back to the hunter.  The Retriever is particularly suited to work in water. Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Irish Water Spaniels are popular breeds for the Retriever category.

The Pointer and Setter Dogs

These two types of dogs are used where game is distributed over a wide area, for example on moors.  They operate quite a distance away from their handlers and upon locating the game birds will wait for the hunter to get close enough to shoot.  In order to let the hunter know they have located the game, and without actually causing any disturbance which may alert the game, the dog will remain still and rigid, in effect pointing in the direction of the game.  When the hunter arrives on the scene, he will command the dog to flush the game, thus presenting his sporting target.  Once shot, the dog will be expected to retrieve the game and deliver it to the hunter. English and Irish setters and English Pointers are the main breeds in this category.

The Flusher Dog

The flusher will not actually capture his prey but will creep around the undergrowth to hunt and then when he has found his quarry he will crouch in front, in a guarding manner, so there is little or no chance of escape, allowing the hunter to take his quarry. Examples of dog breeds in this category are Springer Spaniels, Cocker Spaniels and Field Spaniels.

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The Greyhound - Graceful, Sweet And Docile

The Greyhound is a medium to medium/large dog breed that is graceful and gentle. They weigh between 60-70 pounds and reach 26 inches to 30 inches in height. They are a breed that enjoys family companionship and loves routine. They love to eat at the same time each day, sleep at the same time and walk/exercise at the same time.

Recognized by the AKC, the greyhound is accepted in any coat color or color combination. Their coat is smooth, short, firm and straight. They are very easy groom, only requiring an occasional brushing and only needing a dry shampoo when necessary.

They are sensitive to cold weather and need to wear a sweater when they are outside in the winter to help keep them warm.

Calm inside and fairly high energy outside, the Greyhound can make a good apartment dog provided that they get regular outside exercise and walks. They are sweet and docile in nature and often display a bit of a timid side. Because of their timid side, they do best with older or well behaved children. Early socialization is best for other dogs and small pets. Even with socialization they might chase small, non-canine pets, particularly cats. Consistent training is important, but Greyhounds are fairly easy to train. They are not good watch dogs because of their calm, docile nature.

Dating back over 2000 years, the Greyhound originated in the Middle East. Most sources state that Egypt is their country of origin. Their strength, speed and agility made them excellent hunters and they were originally used mainly to hunt. Today they are mainly used in dog racing. When they can no longer race, they are often destroyed. Fortunately, Greyhound rescue organizations have been working hard to protect retired racing Greyhounds and they have had success with their adoption programs.

If you are looking for a calm, affectionate breed that will enjoy some outdoor exercise but will equally enjoy relaxing indoors with you, the Greyhound might be just what you are looking for. Predictable, calm family environments that will provide them with the companionship that they need are ideal for this breed.

The Cruel Fool - Gods Payback (Animal Cruelty)

Why so many campaigners are out there fighting for the rights of cruelty to animals? 

Animals can not speak for themselves, so we as caring considerate human beings with feelings act as their proxy to get a message across and that being is that animals feel pain.

Many animals are subjected to barbaric torture just for the amusement of blood thirsty callous sadists. How on earth someone in their right mind can find pleasure in watching the suffering of an innocent animal is beyond me?

Take the fur/skins trade who cash in by ordering the death of baby seals in the hundreds. Baby cubs are smashed over the head with heavy instruments till the blood flow turns to a trickle. 

The fear and pain in the doe eyed baby seals eyes is not enough to stop the fatal blow from being cast. What must mummy seal be feeling as she lay helpless watching her newborn merciless slain.

Heartless sadistic actions of cruelty inflictors needs to stop, where is the fun I ask you? In chopping off a kitten's tail or severing the neck of the swan by embedding an arrow through it.

Then we have the so called pet lovers who starve the family pet dog till his skeletal bone structure protrudes through its limp flesh.

I hasten to add at this point this is not directed towards the genuine animal lovers out there.

Perpetrators behind the killing and the maiming of innocent animals for no reason has to be brought to justice just like that of a murderer taking human life. This is about pain and suffering so an eye for an eye whether it be man or beast.

People who encourage and enforce inhumane acts to take place on defenceless animals in their absence are just as guilty as the person who takes life from any animal. This also goes for audiences of onlookers who may just as well be holding the murder weapon.

How can we help put a stop to this?

Eventful nights like Bonfire night where fireworks are used make sure to keep your pet indoors.

Be more vigilant where crowds are, gangs mobs yobs get there kicks out of kicking cats. Once again this does not apply to all.

If a friend/relative of yours has a sadistic streak where they force you against your will to watch or join in on an evil deed to cause unnecessary pain towards an animal, then call the Police or RSPCA. This person has to be warned that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. 

He/she's next victim may not be of our four legged friends but that of a human.

If inflicting pain is in their blood, ask yourself do you need to hang out with this so called friend. 

Friends feel pain too and the next on their list to endure pain and suffering may well be you.

Remember back to how mums and dads told us at a young age that when we die we go to heaven and come back down to earth as an animal. Now I don't know how much truth there is that, but what I do know is that God works in mysterious ways and if it is comeuppance time for the sinner. Then I rest my case