Archive for 'Dog Breeds'

Jun200930

0

ANATOLIAN SHEPHERD DOG

APPEARANCE
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog has a steady and sturdy build, and sports a serious yet alert expression. The Anatolian Shepherd has two basic coat types: short and rough. The short coat is approximately one inch in length; the rough coat is approximately four inches in length. The coloring of the coat can vary, and includes fawn, red, white, sable, and brindle, sometimes with black mask and ears. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog can stand at 28-32 inches, and can weigh in at between 90-145 pounds.

PERSONALITY
This breed possesses great endurance and is extremely agile. They are confident, reliable, proud, and hard-working. This is a dog that likes to make up his own mind everything, and rather than being an interactive, playful dog he likes to play more of a supervisory and protective role. These dogs are naturally calm, brave, watchful, independent, and self-assured; they are not aggressive, but can be suspicious of strangers

TRAINING
It is very important to begin training and socializing them while they are still young. Although quick to learn and easy to train he can be stubborn and dominant, so is not a dog for beginners. They will not respond to harshness or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with respect, firmness, fairness, patience, consistency, and love.

EXERCISE
Anatolian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and they will perform at their best when they can run free in the yard. If they are not outside enough, they can become restless and destructive. They tend to enjoy running alongside with you in parks and beaches, or playing with a Frisbee. They are excellent with ‘fetch’ games and can become very efficient. Ideally, two walks per day are sufficient for them to meet their daily exercise needs.

SOCIALIZATION
This breed will get along well with children that are older and more considerate, and those from his own family, but when it comes to other children proper introduction will be required. They will generally get along with dogs and other household pets they have been raised with. They are wary and suspicious of strangers.

LIVING CONDITIONS
The Anatolian shepherd dog can live outdoors in moderate to cool climates, while it is not suited for staying in an apartment. This breed is not recommended for apartment, condominium, or city dwelling. They do best in a rural farm setting where they can romp and roam; or in a home with a large securely fenced yard.

GROOMING
The Anatolian Shepherd requires very little grooming and the coat simply needs to be brushed out during shedding seasons. These dogs shed heavily, but the shedding period is relatively short and once the hair has been removed, they will not need extensive grooming. It’s important to check for ticks during tick season, and a regular checkup with the Vet.

HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Anatolian Shepherd Dog is around 12-15 years. This breed may be subject to hip dysplasia (but is not as common as some other large breeds), eyelid entropies, hypothyroidism, they are also sensitive to anesthesia and highly susceptible to fleas, ticks, and fly bites.

HISTORY
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a breed developed from Turkish “guard” dogs called chomar kopegi in Turkish. These dogs were used to guard flocks, and still have that protective, guarding instinct about them. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1999.

Jun200928

1

AUSTRALIAN CATTLE DOG

APPEARANCE
This breed has a strong and athletic appearance, and an eager expression. Coloring is either blue or red speckle. If blue, the acceptable colors and markings are blue, black, white and tan that is distributed evenly. For red speckled Australian Cattle Dogs there should be red mottling with no cream or white. The Australian Cattle Dog weighs in at around 35-50 pounds, and reaches around 17-20 inches in height.

PERSONALITY
The Australian Cattle Dog is a very intelligent and highly trainable breed. He is a loyal and dedicated animal with a strong protective streak and a confident and strong willed personality. The Australian Cattle Dog is protective of their family, home, and territory. They thrive on human interaction and activity but are easily bored which can lead to serious behavior issues. The Australian Cattle Dog has a high level of dominance and is not recommended for the novice dog owner.

TRAINING
Early intense socialization and obedience are crucial for the Australian Cattle Dog. This breed is extremely obedient. These dogs can be exuberant and stubborn, especially when they are young. They need firm handling and an owner that is willing and able to provide them with the direction and exercise they need. They are very talented in such areas as herding, agility, retrieving, guarding, competitive obedience, and in learning tricks.

EXERCISE
Since the Australian Cattle Dog is such an active breed an owner/handler must make a firm commitment to exercise frequently. Australian Cattle Dogs are great running or biking companions but don’t over exert the young dog or it will ruin its joints. Australian Cattle Dogss are also outstanding in Dog Sports - like Flyball, Agility and Frisbee.

SOCIALIZATION
Early intense socialization and obedience are crucial for the Australian Cattle Dog. This breed is generally not good with children they have not been raised with. They are typically suspicious of strangers and may be aggressive to dogs they do not know. They do not get along well with other household pets or cats. He may try to gather children and visitors into groups by nipping and biting at the heels, due to his herding instinct.

LIVING CONDITIONS
They are not recommended for apartment or city dwelling but do best in a rural setting or in a home with a large securely fenced yard. This breed mostly lives outside in moderate to cool climates.

GROOMING
The Australian Cattle Dog with its short hair and highly weather resistant coat, needs very little grooming and coat maintenance. If you brush it regularly with a firm bristle brush and they receive good nutrition, the coats will stay healthy. Since these are herding dogs, their feet really important. Their nails should be kept short to maintain their strength and the pads inspected regularly for cuts or bruises and other foreign matter. Keep the ears clean as well.

HEALTH ISSUES
The lifespan of the Australian Cattle Dog is around 10-15 years. Known health issues include hip dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, deafness, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and elbow dysplasia.

HISTORY
This breed was developed in the 1800’s in Australia because stockmen needed a dog with the stamina to handle the harsh conditions in their country. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1980.

Jun200925

0

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

APPEARANCE
The Australian Shepherd is a well-proportioned dog that can come in a variety of colors including black, blue-merle, red and red-merle. The breed is slightly longer than it is tall, has a strong but not bulky body and a coat often with white markings. Standard Australian Shepherd is around 18-23 inches in height, and weighs in at around 40-75 pounds. The miniature Australian Shepherd is around 14-18 inches high and around 20-40 pounds in weight.

PERSONALITY
The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent, active dog. These are very clever and responsive dogs, and can also be very fast and energetic. They are confident and protective. Human companionship is crucial to this breed. They can be quite demanding with their owners, as they love attention and need to be mentally stimulated and kept busy.

TRAINING
This breed is very intelligent, and learns very quickly. They excel at, and enjoy agility, rally, flyball, frisbee, and obedience. A lot of time, attention, and training is needed to handle such a strong-minded breed. It is important that they know who the master is or they will attempt to take control. The Australian Shepherd requires firm, fair, consistent, and effective direction.

EXERCISE
Australian Shepherds require a great deal of vigorous exercise, and athletic activities to keep them satisfied. Daily walks are a must to give them the opportunity to vent their energy as well as mental stimulation. Getting involved in agility, herding, rally, or obedience are perfect outlets for all that energy. They thrive on running, herding, playing, and all family activities. They are at their best when they are given a great deal of social interaction and a task to do.

SOCIALIZATION
They get along well with active, considerate older children. They are reserved and cautious with strangers. You will find that whereas some Australian Shepherds get along fine with all other animals, others will chase cats and be dominant around other dogs. Some lines can be more aggressive than others. As part of the herding group the Australian Shepherd can retain his herding instincts and may nip and circle around other animals and people in a bid to herd them.

LIVING CONDITIONS
This high activity levels breed is not recommended for apartment dwelling and requires an active owner to stay in shape, they thrive on running in a large securely fenced yard or enclosed environment.

GROOMING
The Australian Shepherd requires moderate grooming, the coat needs an occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush. Do not bathe too often, is it removals the natural oils in the coat, and can leave them with dry skin. Brushing and dematting should be done before bathing. It is important to do more in depth grooming when they are going through their seasonal shedding. After bathing, you will want to blow dry them until completely dry. Left with a damp coat can create skin problems.

HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Australian Shepherd is around 12-15 years. The Australian Shepherd is susceptible to countless health issues; like possible eye diseases especially cataracts, iris coloboma, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), PPM (Persistent Pupillary Membrane) and CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly). They may also suffer from CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia), nasal solar dermatitis, VWD (von Willebrand’s Disease), epilepsy, lumbar sacral syndrome and MHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia).

HISTORY
In spite of its name, the Australian Shepherd is not Australian at all, but was actually developed in the pasturelands of the United States in the nineteenth century to work as a herding dog, retriever, and watchdog on ranches. Although the miniature version is not yet accepted as a breed, the standard size of Australian Shepherd was registered with the AKC in the early 1990s.

Jun200923

0

AUSTRALIAN TERRIER

APPEARANCE
The Australian Terrier is a small, medium-boned dog that is significantly longer than it is tall. His coat is dense, long, straight, and harsh, and he also has a softer undercoat. The color of the coat comes in dark blue, silvery blue with tan markings on the legs and head, solid red, and sandy. The Australian Terrier has small, pointed ears and nose and the jaws have a powerful appearance. The Australian Terrier reaches a height of around 10-11 inches, and weighs in at around 12-18 pounds.

PERSONALITY
The Australian Terrier is extremely affectionate with their family, loyal, and highly intelligent. This little dog adapts to different environments and is very versatile, making him a great companion dog. He loves to play and romp, and likes plenty of fun and attention, but at the same time also has a strong sensible streak. The affectionate nature of this breed makes it a great companion pet.

TRAINING
The Australian Terrier is quick to learn but is easily bored by repetition. This breed is somewhat prone to stubbornness and that can include housetraining and simple obedience training. This breed does best when trained with consistency, firmness, fairness, praise, and motivation. They are naturals at agility tests and Earth-trials.

EXERCISE
This breed requires exercise on a regular basis to keep them physically and mentally fit. If they become bored they will become destructive. Nice long walks are just as important as is regular playtime, especially with puppies. They are often found playing with toys and balls when left to their own devices. They are not always good with other dogs, so letting them off at off-leash parks may not be a good idea.

SOCIALIZATION
Around strangers the Australian Terrier is usually polite and reserved, and he gets along well with older, considerate children as well as with children that he has been raised with. They get along with other dogs and household pets, but do have a propensity for chasing the family cat as well as small outdoor animals such as squirrel and rabbit.

LIVING CONDITIONS
They do well in an apartment or condominium dwelling provided they are given sufficient exercise and stimulation. This breed can live outdoors in moderate to warm weather, though it would prefer to be with its owners most of the time

GROOMING
You will need to brush the harsh coat of the Australian Terrier around once or twice every week, and you should ensure that you keep the hair around his bottom trimmed for hygiene reasons. Baths should be limited to once a month, and the fur should be combed while it dries to prevent tangles. It is also important to pay attention to oral hygiene with your dog. When this dog is properly groomed he tends to be a low shedder, which means that he could be ideal for those with allergies.

HEALTH ISSUES
The Australian Terrier is a healthy breed and has a reputation of longevity, also he’s free of any major hereditary diseases. However, they may suffer from patella luxation, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, diabetes, epilepsy, hot spots and skin eczema, and thyroid disorders. The life expectancy of the Australian Terrier is around 11-15 years.

HISTORY
The Australian Terrier was bred for the very specific purpose of killing the local rats and snakes in 19th century Australia.The breed has a history going back around a century and a half, and was registered with the AKC in 1960.

May200928

1

BASENJI

APPEARANCE
The Basenji is a small, short haired and athletic dog with a smooth shiny coat and the size of a fox terrier. The head is finely wrinkled, especially when the ears are erect. The eyes are almond in shape and range in color from hazel to dark brown. They have a shiny coat of a number of different colors usually having white feet as well as white on the chest and tip of the tail. The coloring can vary and includes brindle, copper or red, black and brindle, or black and tan, all with white markings. The height of the Basenji is around 16-17 inches, and the weight is around 20-25 pounds.

PERSONALITY
They are very alert, energetic and affectionate, yet they are also demanding. The Basenji need to be handled and have human contact from a very young age to truly make a good pet. The Basenji can have a dominant streak too, and can be manipulative sometimes, and is therefore best suited to more experienced dog owners. This dog does like to chew, and this should be taken into consideration if you are planning to leave this dog alone for any period of time.

TRAINING
Obedience training is a must for this energetic and very alert breed. This breed should have a variety of training methods to keep his attention, as he tends to bore quickly. Dogs need affection, enthusiasm and exercise. If they get all these, the training will be must easier. Due to their great prey drive, which is what they were bred for, most Basenji excel in lure coursing.

EXERCISE
They are highly energetic dogs that need more than just an occasional walk around the block. It’s great if you have a large fenced in back yard where they can run all they want, however, this will not replace exercise with you. the fence should be planted deeply into the ground and rather high to prevent escape as this breed can be an escape artist if proper precautions are not taken.

SOCIALIZATION
Socialization from the puppy age is crucial for a well-adjusted Basenji. The breed is not always suited to younger children that may tease it, and should only be housed with other pets if he has been properly socialized. The Basenji can be somewhat aloof around strangers making him a very suspicious breed. They are very intelligent dogs and bond very strongly with their family members.

LIVING CONDITIONS
With its short coat, this breed does best in warmer climates, as it tends to be unhappy in wet weather. This breed being a hunter has the stamina of such and does best with a fenced in yard. They love to run and climb so you will need a very high fence (at least 6 feet) if you have hopes of keeping in.

GROOMING
The Basenji requires less grooming than most other dogs. He will love being brushed, however, as they are always craving attention from their owner. They wash and clean themselves like cats, always licking themselves clean. Occasional rub down with a damp cloth will help to keep the coat glossy and in good condition. Basenji dogs do have sensitive skin, so be cautious about using strong flea shampoos. Always, do a sensitivity test on their belly before fully shampooing their body.

HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Basenji is around thirteen years. Health concerns of note include Fanconi syndrome, progressive retinal atrophy and Basenji enteropathy. Other problems sometimes seen in this breed include pyruvate kinase deficiency, persistent pupillary membrane, hypothyroidism and umbilical hernia.

HISTORY
The Basenji was originally developed in central Africa for hunting purposes in what are now Zaire and the Sudan, but the first traces of a dog similar to the Basenji have been found on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs of five thousand years ago. The Basenji was introduced to Europe in the mid 1930s, and was registered with the AKC in 1944.

May200928

0

BASSET HOUND

APPEARANCE
The Basset Hound weighs in at around 40-80 pounds, and reaches heights of around 11-15 inches. The Basset Hound has a long, heavy body with wrinkly-cute, short stout legs. The head of the Basset is its strong point with a rounded skull and loose-fitting skin, falling in folds around the head. Long soft ears should meet beyond the top of the nose when extended, having the ability to fold. The coat of this breed is hard, sleek, and short, and coloring of the coat includes white and tan, red and white, and most commonly, black, tan, and white.

PERSONALITY
The Basset Hound is a gentle and devoted dog that is ideal for households with children. They are brave yet mild in temperament, friendly and obedient when trained properly. The breed tends to be calm, polite and amiable around strangers. These dogs have a great sense of humor, and make wonderful companion and family pets. They can be taught tricks, but tend to be stubborn so patience is key.

TRAINING
They respond well to gentle and patient training with lots of love and kindness, with positive reinforcement as they learn their commands. Unfortunately, they are known to combine stubbornness with their training program, so choosing a training program needs to be an excellent one. Consistency works best with this short and stubborn breed. The Basset Hound has the tendency to go off sniffing completely disregarding his master so fun techniques work best.

EXERCISE
Normally a lazy breed, this dog should be taken on regulated walks and should be allowed a free roam in a safe, fenced in area. Walking them around the block just is not enough. Lack of exercise causes obesity, stress on the joints and bones, with many health problems developing. Regular exercise regimes are important to keep the health of the Bassett Hound both physically and mentally.

SOCIALIZATION
The Basset Hound is a breed of dog that is ideal for inexperienced dog owners and those with children or other pets, as he is a sociable creature and gets along with other animals as well as kids and adults.
Because their personality is mild, this breed has become one of the most popular family dogs, known for their extreme tolerance. A naturally well-behaved dog, they are the most easygoing of breeds with a good-natured personality.

LIVING CONDITIONS
Though the Basset hound will take an opportunity to run and play outside, it tends to be idle inside, which makes it amenable to apartment life. Extended periods of time outdoors can keep this dog happy and fit.

GROOMING
A brushing once or twice a week removes any dead dander hair, while keeping the skin circulated. But during heavy shedding cycles, the hair will need to be removed by brushing and bathing. The hair around and inside the ears needs to be carefully wiped and cleaned, as when the dog is hunting, drinking, or eating, debris or food matter has a tendency to become entangled in this area, causing fungus or bacteria to grow.

HEALTH ISSUES
The Basset Hound has a life expectancy of around 10-12 years. Recurring health problems in this breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, glaucoma, von Willebrand’s disease, gastric torsion, entropion, ectropion, osteochondritis dissecans and thrombopathy. Patellar luxation can also occur in this breed.

HISTORY
The Basset Hound comes from French lineage and is name mean “low”. They were breed to hunt through dense cover for badgers, rabbits, and hares. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885.

May200926

0

BEAGLE

APPEARANCE
The Beagle a small and sturdy hound that is squarely built and a hardy breed. These dogs have short, sleek, and dense coats, and the coloring of the coat can vary and includes red and white, tan and white, lemon and white, blue shading, and the most common, which is tri-colored with black, tan and white. Long wide ears are a pendant shape, and the characteristic pleading expression has made it famous. There are two sizes of Beagle, and in terms of height these vary from up to 13 inches and from 13-15 inches.

PERSONALITY
The Beagle is gentle, lively, curious, and sweet and manages to attach itself to anyone giving him attention and affection. This highly sociable dog is excellent for families with young children and will bond immediately with children and adults of all ages. He is always happy to see you when you come home, and will wag his tail of and greet you with kisses. Since they are highly sociable, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. They will be more likely to become destructive and even neurotic if they are left alone for too long.

TRAINING
The Beagle is very intelligent and very eager to please making him a wonderful student to work with. These dogs can be very stubborn, so training should start as soon as the dog is brought into the home. Obedience training of a consistent nature is essential for this breed. Younger Beagles love to chew, so don’t leave this breed alone with your best furniture. If properly trained, the Beagle should listen however, if not trained properly, ignoring is a big problem.

EXERCISE
A daily walk is essential, and this can take place in the early morning or late evening. Running with the dog is a great way to stay active and Beagles enjoy exploring new territory and parks. Considering they have a very strong hunting instinct, this breed should always be kept on a leash or in a fenced in yard as he is bound to run off if something catches his interest. The Beagle enjoys running, walking, and swimming on occasion.

SOCIALIZATION
This highly sociable dog is excellent for families with young children and will bond immediately with children and adults of all ages. They are also generally good with other dogs as well, but cannot be trusted with non-canine pets. They have a tendency to chase smaller animals. With strangers the Beagle can be vocal and territorial and their alertness and tendency to bark as a warning makes them good watchdogs.

LIVING CONDITIONS
Apartment life is all right for a Beagle that is given ample time to roam and play outdoors. He is an excellent digger and climber, and will dig under, or climb his way over, the fence if he sets his mind on it, so you must ensure that your fence is secure enough to keep him secure.

GROOMING
Brushing the dog with a firm bristle brush on a regular basis is all that is necessary to maintain their glossy coat. They will need to be bathed with mild soap on occasion, and a dry shampoo is all it takes to keep them healthy and clean. Prone to back and eye problems, dwarfism, and epilepsy, the Beagle is usually a very healthy and sturdy breed. Their large ears will need to be monitored for infections as this can be a common ailment for them.

HEALTH ISSUES
The Beagle has a life expectancy of around 10-14 years. Prone to thyroid problems, epilepsy, spinal problems, cataracts, glaucoma, retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and bleeding disorders, the Beagle is usually a very healthy and sturdy breed.

HISTORY
The Beagle is a dog that originates from Great Britain, and boasts a history that spans centuries. The Beagle was primarily used for hunting hare, and by the 1800s, even smaller dogs of this breed became popular. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1885.

May200915

0

BEARDED COLLIE

APPEARANCE
A herding dog of great stamina and high intelligence, the Bearded Collie is noted for its shaggy coat and never flagging wagging tail. The Bearded Collie has a short muzzle, a broad skull, and large teeth. The Bearded Collie has a shaggy coat that covers the entire body, even under the chin. The outer coat has a softer, close set undercoat. There are various colorings to choose from with the Bearded Collie, and this includes black, slate, various shades of blue, fawn, or brown. The height of the Bearded Collie is around 20-22 inches, and the weight around 40-60 pounds.

PERSONALITY
The Bearded Collie has a charming personality that will surly please its master. Cheerful and affectionate, the Beardie is a perfect companion for children and the family. This dog is without a doubt one of the largest clowns in the canine world. This dog needs to be a part of the family unit and would wither without human contact. Some Bearded Collies can be very independent and stubborn, so this should be taken into consideration when training, although these dogs are still well suited to both inexperienced and experienced dog owners.

TRAINING
This breed is highly trainable for various activities. Obedience training is a must as they have a tendency to be headstrong. They excel in tracking, agility, herding, performing tricks, and competitive obedience. Obedience training must be fun, consistent and fair. It should also start at a young age and continue into adulthood. As independent thinkers, the Bearded Collie will occasionally decide that they know best.

EXERCISE
The Bearded Collie is a highly energetic breed and needs daily occasions to work out the excess energy. An ideal workout for your Beardie would be game of fetch with balls or a Frisbee, throw in some swimming, running along side you while you bike and hiking. The best exercise regimen for your Beardie would be at least two 45 minute walks a day. You need to also include at least 20 minutes of obedience training, trick training or other activities that keep your dog’s mind sharp.

SOCIALIZATION
The Bearded Collie is good with children, and is fine in households with older children. Since they are herding dogs, this breed may attempt to perform the task with everyone and everything that moves. Friendly and active, the Bearded Collie is a great companion pet that will get along well with other pets, and although he can be reserved around strangers to begin with will soon start to welcome them.

LIVING CONDITIONS
The Bearded Collie is not recommended for apartment dwelling, as they prefer to have free run. Fairly active indoors, they do best with a large yard or on a farm. The Bearded Collie prefers to live outdoors in temperate to cool climates, as it is able going out in any weather condition.

GROOMING
The Bearded Collie need lots of grooming. Around half an hour to an hour and a half of grooming is recommended each week, and this includes combing and brushing of the shaggy coat. During the time that he is shedding more heavily, you will need to groom your Bearded Collie more regularly. Make certain to check for ticks during tick season and pay attention to the length of the toenails.

HEALTH ISSUES
The Bearded Collie has a life expectancy of around 12-14 years. This breed is prone to allergies, hip dysplasia, eye problems, and auto-immune disease. They are also extremely sound sensitive to things like thunder or large trucks. Have your Beardie Vet checked for Hypothyroidism.

HISTORY
The Bearded Collie is a descendant of the Polish Lowland Sheepdog which was brought to Scotland in 1514 by a Polish sea captain that traded his dogs with a Scottish shepherd. For centuries was used as a cattle and sheep herder. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1976.

May200912

0

BEDLINGTON TERRIER

APPEARANCE
The Bedlington Terrier is a graceful medium-sized dog of good proportion. The head is well-rounded yet narrow, with a short skull and long jaw. The thick coat has a combination of soft and coarse hair, and this is curly and crisp in texture. The coloring of the coat can be sandy, liver, or blue, and this can be with tan trimming. The Bedlington Terrier weighs in at around 17-23 pounds, and the height of these dogs ranges from around 15-18 inches.

PERSONALITY
The Bedlington Terrier is known as a dog with a good nature and mild manners. This is an agile and energetic dog, which carries itself with grace and style. Despite their gentle appearance it is important to remember that the Bedlington Terrier is a terrier breed. If they are challenged they are ferocious and terrifying fighters. These dogs also love to explore and have a curious streak. The Bedlington Terrier is an intelligent dog, and is affectionate and alerts, which makes him a good watchdog.

TRAINING
Training your Bedlington Terrier is made more difficult by the fact that like all terriers, the Bedlington Terrier is highly self-willed. Two problem behaviors that you’ll want to eliminate in early training are digging and barking. They will not respond to harsh or heavy-handed training. The Bedlington Terrier thrives on human companionship and is trained best with firm, loving and consistent guidance. They excel in agility, obedience, and flyball.

EXERCISE
Bedlington Terriers are an exceedingly active breed that requires a great deal of exercise and stimulation. It’s necessary to walk your Bedlington on a leash-Bedlingtons are quite nervous, and will think nothing of breaking away to chase a squirrel, rabbit, cat, or even another dog-sometimes a much larger and more dangerous dog. They enjoy outdoor play provided the yard is securely fenced and they are supervised.

SOCIALIZATION
The Bedlington Terrier will get on well with older, considerate children and with children that he has been raised with from an early age. They will get along with cats and other animals they have been raised with, but will not tolerate dominating or threatening behavior. They are fairly friendly with strangers. They make excellent watchdogs as they are extremely protective of their family and will alert them to danger and visitors.

LIVING CONDITIONS
The Bedlington terrier should live indoors, although it must be taken outside for its exercise needs. It is a good apartment dog, while its indoor activity is moderate. It can do well without a yard, although will need to be brought to a secure area to run off leash.

GROOMING
The Bedlington terrier needs brushing once or twice a week, and only requires a full trimming and grooming once every six weeks. It’s not a good idea to bathe this breed too frequently-their fur can become looser and less attractive (and healthy) as a result of too many washings in too short a time. You should make sure that you also check and clean the dog’s ears on a regular basis to reduce the chances of ear infections. The Bedlington Terrier is not a shedder and this makes the breed well suited for allergy sufferers.

HEALTH ISSUES
The Bedlington Terrier has a lifespan of around 12-16 years. The Bedlington Terrier is prone to one particularly serious Health problem: copper toxicosis. This genetic disorder allows copper deposits to build up in the liver, eventually leading to cirrhosis and death. Other health problems and disorders linked to this breed are allergies, luxating patella, cataracts, detached retinas.

HISTORY
The Bedlington Terrier originated in Bedlington in England, from where he gets his name. Originally bred as a hunting and fighting dog, this breed has been known by a number of other names. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1886.

May200906

0

BELGIAN MALINOIS

APPEARANCE
The Belgian Malinois has a sturdy and athletic build, and sports a very intelligent and alert expression. It has a long tail that reaches to the hock. The hair is short coated, eyes are dark and almond shaped, and ears are erect and alert. He has a dense, double coat, which is short, and the coloring of the coat can vary and includes fawn, red, or gray, with a black mask and black tips on the hair. The height of the Belgian Malinois ranges from 21-26 inches, and these dogs weigh in at around 45-75 pounds.

PERSONALITY
The Belgian Malinois is a very smart and obedient dog that makes a great police dog. These dogs are watchful, alert and loyal with strong protective and territorial instincts. These dogs are attentive and sensitive, but some can be stubborn, which can make them more suited to experienced dog owners than to novice dog owners. They have a tendency to become loyal to one or two people and will bond very strongly with these people.

TRAINING
This breed is fairly easy to train. The Belgian Malinois is eager to please, great working breed, and very intelligent. The Belgian Malinois excels in obedience, tracking, agility, flyball, lure course, herding and even Schutzund. Positive reinforcement works very well with this dog as all he wants to do is please you. Do not be verbally negative with the Malinois as they are very sensitive to negative tones and will not respond as well.

EXERCISE
The Belgian Malinois exercise activities such as hiking or running, and he does need plenty of mental stimulation. The Belgian Malinois thrives in an environment where tasks must be performed, and without anything to do the dog can become bored or even depressed. Many Malinois even participate in lure course, which is chasing an artificial lure around an obstacle course, following a certain line.

SOCIALIZATION
These dogs are fine around older, more considerate children and children that it has been raised with, and most will be okay with other pets providing they are properly introduced and socialized. The Belgian Malinois is usually reserved with strangers. Some can be quite shy, and others suspicious. Owners should ensure that pets are carefully introduced to ensure that he realizes that smaller animals are not prey.

LIVING CONDITIONS
The Belgian Malinois will do well in an apartment environment, if given sufficient exercise. They do not do well living in a small kennel. While they enjoy being indoors with you, they prefer to be playing outside so it is recommended that this breed have a medium to large yard. The Malinois is adaptable to any climate, but prefers cool weather.

GROOMING
They require a regular brushing with a firm bristle brush. Because they have a double coat, they will shed constantly, but they do their heavy shedding twice a year. Be sure to keep his ears clean and dry. Special ear wipes for dogs work excellently in cleaning the ears and removing wax. Proper dental care is also important for your Belgian Malinois.

HEALTH ISSUES
The lifespan of the Belgian Malinois is 10-14 years. They are occasionally prone to hip dysplasia, which is a crippling genetic problem. Elbow dysplasia is also a problem with the Malinois. Other healt problems include eye ailments, and skin hypersensitivity.

HISTORY
The Belgian Malinois is named after the Belgian city of Malines. These dogs were originally bred for the herding and guarding of sheep in Belgium. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1912, but until 1959 was registered as the Belgian Sheepdog.

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