Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs

The Australian Cattle Dog breed originated in Australia in the 1800s.

The Australian Cattle Dog was initially bred to herd cattle. Australian Cattle Dogs are working dogs developed by cattlemen in the 1830s. Australian Cattle Dog round up cattle by nipping at their heels.

The Australian Cattle Dog is also known as the Australian Queensland Heeler and the Blue Heeler.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a stocky dog with stamina and endurance. The Australian Cattle Dog has medium-sized oval eyes, a broad skull, a low-set tail and a sturdy compact body. The Australian Cattle Dog weighs 35-45 lbs and is 17-20 inches tall. The Australian Cattle Dog is blue, mottled blue, or red speckled with or without markings. Australian Cattle Dogs are born white but get their color within a few weeks.

The Australian Cattle dog is smart, hardy, independent, stubborn tenancious, energetic and untiring. The Australian Cattle Dog requires a lot of physical and mental activity on a daily basis. Australian Cattle Dogs are happiest when they have a job. The Australian Cattle Dog is amongst the most responsive and obedient of all dogs.

About the Author:
Logan Winters is a long time dog owner and horseman, provides content for for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

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Australian Shepherd Facts

Australian Shepherd Facts

The Australian Shepherd originated in the United States, despite the name the Australian Shepherd originated in the United States in the 1800s.

The Australian Shepherd was initially bred to herd sheep. The Australian Shepherd is a medium size athletic dog, they are lithe, and agile. The Australian Shepherd weighs 35-70 lbs and is 18-23 inches tall.

The Australian Shepherd has thick long fur, with a variety of coat colorings from blue merle, black red merle with or without white or tan markings. In fact each Australian Shepherd has a unique pattern of markings. The Australian Shepherd has a double coat that is weather resistant, that is medium texture and length, it can be straight or wavy.

Australian Shepherd are known for their obedience. The Australian shepherd has a great deal of stamina, they are bold, alert, confident, independent smart and responsive. The Australian Shepherd requires daily mental and physical activities. With proper exercises and training Australian Shepherds are loyal, devoted and obedient companions without stimulation they can act out and become difficult.

The life span of an Australian Shepherd is 12-15 years.

bout the Author:
Logan Winters is a long time dog owner and horseman, provides content for for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

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Recipes for Common Dog Ailments

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Training Differences Between Mutts and Purebreds

by Michael A. Domeck The pure bred dog, no manner the breed, is truly a beautiful animal to look upon. These are animals that have been refined, over the centuries, to reach their pure and unadulterated state as found today. The pure bred dogs have also been bred for temperament and bloodlines from the earliest of times. Yet there is another kind of dog that goes back in history even further than any pure bred dog! What is this unique breed?

It's the Mixed Breed, or Mutt, as they are so often called. These dogs are of a very ancient mix of pedigrees that are not always of the best of mixes but they are most assuredly very unique animals. The temperament of these dogs is usually better and they tend not to have the congenital defects of their pure bred counterparts. It is possible to even produce similar dogs thru concentrated breeding efforts but, as a general rule, the mixed breeds are unique animals that can't be easily replicated.

But what of their training capacity? Is there any reason to train these animals in any different manner than their pure bred brethren?

For the most part the simple answer is no. These animals are fully capable of learning any behavior that the pure breed is capable of and, because of a generally better temperament, they will often times learn more - faster. Due to their better temperaments and overall higher intelligence the mixed breed dogs will score quite high in obedience pre-tests and are very trainable. While pure breed animals have been refined over the centuries it has occasionally led to an in-breeding of the specific breed. This in-breeding has led the way to more congenital defects and maladjusted temperaments than the typical "mutt". This is primarily due to the simple law of nature that states "the strong will survive" - hence mixed breed dogs with congenital defects don't usually survive in nature.

Thus the mongrel, or mutt, has escaped the congential problems of many of the typical pure bred dogs. The mongrel might not always have the same handsome lines of say a Dobermen Pinscher or the gorgeous coat of the champion Pomeranian but more likely than not it has certainly inherited the better characteristics from both of these lines and sometimes even more. A mixed breed dog can have the house pet qualities of a Poodle alongside the protective qualities of a Doberman and the maternal eye of a Collie. While possessing all of these qualities the mixed breed normally may leave behind the overly aggressive and high strung tendencies of its otherwise pure bred ancesteral cousins. This figured into the equation along with the price factor of the animals and it is quite easy to see why so many households happily have a mixed breed pet. These animals have the ability to display intelligence, show care, obey commands and circumvent obstacles. They have been doing so for thousands of years and show no signs of stopping. Go to any circus and look closely at the dogs that perform their. In the vast majority of the time the dogs you see are "mutts"! Why don't you see the pure breds traiined as performers? It's because of the problems we have alrady mentioned above! The only real difference between the training of a mixed breed animal and a pure breed dog is the ability to cross platforms with less transition trouble. If your dog is a mix between, say, an Irish Setter and a Red Bone Coon Hound, then you have a dog that, quite possibly, could be trained in the hunting of both birds and game mammals without much confusion. Perhaps the mix is between a Husky and a German Shepherd? This would give you a large dog with both good defense skills and the muscle for real workouts like long days of hiking and running. Thus by a simple exchange you can gain a lot with very little loss. The animal may no longer be pure bred and the aesthetic quality may, or may not, degenerate a bit but you gain a lot in the way of a responsive and easily trained canine. When you weigh in these facts it is hard to understand why the world has such a population explosion of homeless mixed breed pets. After all, the mixed breed seems to be the better choice from the trainer's view point.

That being said there are certain instances where a mixed breed of dog is just not acceptable at all. If you are training animals for the purpose of professional dog showing competitions then by all means choose a pure bred animal. Train them for the specific purposes for which that breed was created. Also for certain usages, such as military animals, pure breeds seem to be the animal of choice solely for the purpose of a uniform appearance albeit a number of military animals just do not meet this qualification. Aside from these, or similar circumstances, this author sees no reason to limit your search for a pet to strictly pure breed dogs. Rather, do something good for yourself and for the homeless pet population - adopt a mixed breed animal. Personally, I can say that after having several of both "types" of dogs I am now much more inclined to own "mutts" from here on out!

About the Author
All about the poodle breeds and dog care in general. No sales hype just facts and information you can use to help with dog training, proper dog nutrition, dog clothing and dog jewelry.

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Tips to Grooming Dogs

By Fran Black Animals generally like to be left alone and are not very comfortable when someone touches them. Hence, in the beginning, dogs don't generally respond positively to the grooming routine. In order to make the process easier teach the dog early on to allow all parts of his body to be touched, handled, and groomed without objection. The goal is to teach the dog, first that such touch does not hurt, then that touch must be accepted, then later, that such touch is actually pleasant.

Ears Check your dog's ears twice per month. The skin inside and on the flaps should be paile pink. If there is a foul odor and/or any red brown or black skin, have a vetinarian examine the dog's ears. Moiston a cotton ball with warm water or a small amount of mineral oil and use to to clean the opening into the canal and the flaps. Do not probe too deeply into the dog's ear canal.

Bathing Place a rummer mat or towel in the bottom of the bathtub or sink prior to bathing your dog. This will provide the dog secure footing. Always brush the dog before you bathe, getting a tangled, matted coat wet will only make it worse.Place a cotton ball in each of the dog's ears to prevent water from entering their ears. Rinse the dog with warm water. Use a spray hose if one is available. Be sure to keep the nozzel very close to the dog's body. Never spray him or her in the face.

Use shampoo specifically designed for dogs. Use it in small amounts, working from head to tail. Be sure to clean between toes, behind ears and under the chin. Avoid getting shampoo in the dog's eyes. Rinse the dog thoroughly with warm water, making sure that you get all excess soap out of their coat. Towel dry the dog.

Trimming and Clipping There are many things to consider when trimming a coat. Firstly, and most importantly, is the type of dog and condition of the coat. Since hair is a reflection of a proper diet, good environmental condition, each coat type will vary from one dog to another.

There is some debate about whether a summer haircut will actually help a dog. Clipping a dog is a laborious procedure, and may not be a good idea for the dog. Some professionals argue the coat insulates the dog, keeping out the heat, UV rays, and insects. Consider all factors prior to making a decision about clipping a dog.

Grooming Tips Start grooming from an early age. That way, the pet will get use to grooming. Never let the dog mistake grooming tools for toys. Don't let the dog play with brush or clippers because the dog may start treating grooming sessions as play time. Never hit your pet with a grooming tool or the dog will start associating grooming tool with punishment and will try to avoid grooming session.

Brush the dog regularly and the dog will become comfortable with the process and may even look forward to it. Let the dog sniff the brush and comb before grooming begins. Dogs don't generally like being touched with an unfamiliar object. Throughout the grooming talk to the dog in a reassuring tone. Always be as gentle as possible while brushing your pet. All dogs have sensitive areas that need to be groomed more carefully than others. Consideration will make the dog less likely to resist grooming sessions in the future.

About the Author
Francesca Black works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

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Dogs in Print: Five dogs you Must Bring Home

By Emma Snow Calling all dog-lovers! Dogs have made some of the most unforgettable characters in literature. It’s not uncommon for children to become as attached to a dog in print as the real thing. Puppy love comes in all forms. In fact, I believe I can trace my canine-cravings to my earliest days of reading, when I fell in love with Old Dan and Little Ann (from Where the Red Fern Grows). Below, I’ve compiled a list of five famous dogs you must bring home for your littlest children! (Good news…you won’t have to clean up after these champions!)

Carl is the star of seven picture books by Alexandra Day. The gist of these stories is that Carl, a responsible and caring rottweiler, is given the responsibility of caring for baby Madeleine while her parents are out. Once the adults are out of the way the fun begins! Carl includes Madeleine on some wild adventures. Sometimes they just trail the parents (keeping out of sight, of course), and sometimes they get into trouble—but Carl always manages to cover his tracks! With realistic watercolor illustrations and few words (only those necessary to suggest the storyline), Day’s books are designed for very young readers, 2-5 year olds, and will make rottweiler fans out of readers everywhere.

In 1976 Eric Hill’s son Christopher was born. Eric created a story about a small puppy to read to his son at bed-time. In 1980 Where’s Spot? was published. Now over forty Spot titles fill the library bookshelves, and the list is still growing. Cuddly and creamy-colored, with big brown spots on his back and the tip of his tail, this dog is destined to be your child’s best friend. With simple storylines and sturdy flaps, Spot books appeal to 2-5 year olds.

This is the Fiftieth Anniversary for our next dog protagonist. (Now how old would that be in dog years?) Harry, a small white dog with black spots, was created in 1956 by Gene Zion. Five installments complete the Harry collection. He is a wholesome, amusing addition to any children’s library. Whether he’s trying to quiet down his neighbor, hiding a hideous sweater, or visiting the seaside, Harry’s always into mischief! Even reluctant readers, ages 2-8 years old, can’t resist Harry!

Norman Bridwell gave birth to the next character, basing him on the kind of dog he dreamed of having as a little boy. But there’s nothing little about Clifford! Even though he’s fire-engine red and as big as a house, Clifford doesn’t do anything a real dog couldn’t do (with a little imagination.) The Clifford stories are based on ordinary events that turn extraordinary when Clifford makes innocent mistakes. His side-kick is his sweet little blonde owner, Emily Elizabeth. Designed for readers aged 6-10 years old, Clifford has been a children’s favorite since 1963. Now a PBS cartoon, Clifford continues to delight dog-lovers the world over.

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog introduces us to Hank, and it isn’t long before you get the impression that author John R. Erickson is a keen observer of dogs. Indeed, as a former cowboy and ranch manager, Erickson started spinning yarns about Hank and Drover, two dogs he worked with on the range. These “true” stories became the Hank series, which now numbers at 48 installments. Designed for middle readers, ages 6-12, these make perfect read-aloud books that will even entertain adults. There are even recordings of the author reading the books available now!

Without a dog-gone doubt, dogs in print can substitute as man’s best friend. It’s a fine reward to see your little one light up at the sight of a book. A good dog and a good book, a match made in heaven!

About the Author
Emma Snow an animal lover works in marketing for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net and Horse Stall http://www.horse-stall.net leading portals for pet management.

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Dog Treats: Should You Use Them In Dog Training?

There's always been some controversy over whether you should give treats.

Now, some people say, "Of course! Give the dog treats so he'll obey you. After all, you won't get his attention if you don't give him anything he enjoys." On the other hand, some other people will say, "No, don't give the dog treats! He'll be only obeying you for the food." There is truth to both the opinions stated above. The dog does need some incentive to obey you, right? But also, what if they dog does begin to work only for the food? What then? If he's not hungry and doesn't really want the food, then he doesn't have any reason to obey you!

So should you use dog treats? The answer is YES, but in moderation . Don't give the dog a biscuit every single time he obeys you; instead, sometimes just praise him excessively instead. Also, don't make the "prize" too big or you'll be overfeeding him. For example, break a biscuit in half or even cut it into three pieces so you're not feeding your dog too much when you train him.

Here's another idea for training young puppies. Don't feed them biscuits at all – just use adult dog food pellets. The pellets are big enough to be a treat for the young puppy's tiny mouth, but small enough that it won't overfeed the puppy.

Another very important point I'd like to make is that you shouldn't train your dog to obey you only for the food as a reward. Although you might not consciously be doing this, it's easy to slip into the habit of just rewarding your dog with a treat every single time he does anything remotely good.

Instead, you want your dog to think of you as the "strong master," or the "alpha" over him, so that he obeys you because you're the master and because he wants to please you, not just because you have a treat. You can do this by praising him a lot in a high voice when he does something good and in a deep, "you're in trouble" voice when he does something bad. You want him to distinguish between the voices and figure out that a high voice means "good" and low means "bad" and whenever you do the low voice, you are not pleased with him.

I hope this article has helped you in training your dog. I hope you have much success in developing a well-behaved, friendly dog!

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