The Terrier Dog Breed

terrier The Terrier Dog Breed
The terriers are among the broadest group of breeds around. They range in size from a tiny toy Yorkie to the huge Airedale, from the scrappy but small Westie to the sometimes sweet, sometimes ferocious American Pit Bull Terrier.

In between are a whole smorgasbord of breeds. Jack Russells remain a great favorite, thanks to their happy nature and endless energy. Cairns and Scotties retain their ranks near the top, thanks to a good dose of Scottish charm and their stellar good looks. Fox Terriers, whether Wire-Haired or Smooth, are another breed that captures the hearts of many, just as the famous Asta did decades ago in the Thin Man films.

Most of these breeds began over 200 years ago as working dogs, developed to hunt game, control rat populations or chase off varmints. The attributes that were selected for to produce the needed behavior - fearlessness, endless endurance, great strength in a small size and others - have sometimes come back to haunt modern owners. Terriers can be a trial.

The terrier temperament continues all these generations later. Their sometimes stubborn, but always-ready-for-play attitude can make training a challenge. Terriers, even more so than the average dog, require great patience and persistence. The rewards are great, though. Terriers are extremely loyal. They bond well with their family or special person.

Continue reading

CleoSignature The Terrier Dog Breed

Why Your Miniature Schnauzer Is Overweight

  1. You, the owner, are primarily responsible for your "best friend" being obese.
  2. Most dog owners over feed their pet by 20% or more.
  3. Table scraps are not the right kind of food for your miniature schnauzer.
  4. Most table scraps contain too many calories because of large amounts of fat, starches and sugar.
  5. The unburned calories will be absorbed into your schnauzer's body and turned into "fat".
  6. Keeping your dog active will help burn up the additional calories contained in table scraps.
  7. Your local veterinarian should be consulted before putting your dog on a diet.Your vet will be able to determine if your pet is over weight. Weight alone is not conclusive. Other factors such as boon density should be considered. The expert advice of your vet will help determine this for you.
  8. Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to being overweight.Studies have shown that genetics may play a role in a dog's weight.A few of these breeds are, Collies, Bassett Hounds, Shelties, Labrador Retriever, Dachshunds, Cockers and others. This does not mean every dog in the breed is going to get fat. However, it does mean you should be on guard for the possibility. Schnauzers may not be genetically predisposed to being overweight but that doesn't mean they can eat everything in sight.
  9. Age is a factor in overweight dogs.A great many dogs began to put on weight starting around the age of two years. This is generally around the age when they begin to mature and become somewhat less active. As the dog becomes older, weight gain tends to level off and in fact will decline with proper diet and exercise.
  10. Medications can contribute to obesity in your pet.Just as in humans, dog medication may well increase their appetite and even cut down on their metabolic rate. Thus, the medicines may lead to eating a lot more food while decreasing the amount of exercise.

These are just some of the facts you need to know to help prevent your miniature schnauzer from becoming overweight. dog. Keeping your pet's weight under control will help you keep your dog healthy and give you and your dog many years of companionship.

CleoSignature Why Your Miniature Schnauzer Is Overweight

Protect Your Dog From These Common Dog Diseases

Keeping your pet healthy is probably your number one goal.  One of the most important ways to keep a healthy pet is to protect it from diseases.  Many of the most common dogs diseases can be prevented by timely immunizations.  The risk of other common diseases that have no preventative shots can be avoided by proper attention to your dogs care.  Here are some of the more common diseases you need to be aware of:

Distemper

Distemper is contagious and has no known cure.  It is  fatal in 80% of puppies and 50% of adult dogs.  The best way to protect you dog from distemper is by vaccinations. The vaccinations for puppies usually start between 6 and 8 weeks of age with a booster every 3-4 weeks until they reach 16 weeks of age. Adult dogs may only need a vaccination every other year to maintain immunity.

Parvovirus (Parvo)

Parvo is extremely contagious, especially among puppies, and can lead to death within 48 to 72 hours after exposure. Symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting and severe diarrhea.  The is no known cure. Puppies should be vaccinated at six, nine, and twelve weeks, and should not come into contact with outside dogs until at least two weeks after their last vaccinations

Rabies

Continue reading

CleoSignature Protect Your Dog From These Common Dog Diseases