Rabbits are fast-moving, big-eared mammals. There are about 25 different species of Rabbits. They live in a variety of environments, including deserts, swamps, marshes, forests, grasslands, and prairies. Rabbits are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. There are seven different genera in the family classified as Rabbits, including the European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Cottontail Rabbits (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami Rabbits (Pentalagus furnessi, endangered species on Amami Ōshima, Japan). There are many other species of Rabbits, and these, along with pikas and hares, make up the order Lagomorpha.
Most Rabbits live for about a year in the wild. They are hunted by dogs, foxes, raccoons, weasels, bobcats, lynxes, hawks, and eagles. They have a fast reproductive rate.
Anatomy: Rabbits range in size from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) long. They have very big and powerful hind legs which they use for hopping and for digging burrows.
Diet: Rabbits are herbivores (plant-eaters). They eat grass, leaves, bark, and twigs.
Classification: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata (having a notochord), Class Mammalia (mammals), order Lagomorpha (Rabbits, hares, and pikas), Family Leporidae (Rabbits and hares), many Genera.
Rabbits are raised world-wide for a variety of reasons. In Europe and Asia they are an important source of food. Rabbits produce white meat that is fine-grained, high in protein, low in fat, highly palatable, low in cholesterol, and that can be substituted for poultry in most recipes. Rabbits carcasses are only 20 percent bone. In the United States Rabbits are raised predominantly for nonfood purposes. High quality Rabbits skins are used in fur garments and trimmings. Medical and cosmetic research also requires a large number of Rabbits each year. Many people raise Rabbits for show or as pets.
for:http://www.rabbits-house.com
2008年9月17日星期三
2008年9月5日星期五
Dogs Beg The Question: Is There Training Available For Our Human Friends?
The focus of many pet owners seems to be directed towards their animals, which makes a great deal of sense in most cases. However, when trying to correct unwanted behavior in your dog you might want to point that finger inward sometimes and have a little glimpse in the mirror. It is easy to become annoyed with your pet when you feel as though you have tried everything and nothing seems to work.
Maybe your Boston Terrier continues to chew on your shoes or other objects while you are not at home. Perhaps the Maltese in your life still has accidents in the house rather than letting you know she needs to go outside. On the other hand, possibly you have a Yorkshire Terrier that snips at strangers, even guests in your home when they try to pet him. All of these and many other undesirable behaviors that dogs may posses can leave a pet owner feeling frustrated and at their wits end with their furry little friend.
Have you ever considered though when faced with one of these situations that the dog is trying to communicate something to you? Is it possible that Sparky just feels neglected during those long days alone at home while you are at work? Sometimes we can have a big impact on our dogs if we look at our own behavior and consider what the pooch may be trying to tell us through their difficult behavior. Obviously dogs can not talk or speak with us as a human can when they need to communicate their feelings. That is not to say that canines are not vocal because as many of us know they can express quite a lot at times through their barking, growling or whining. However, to really pinpoint what the issue is for your pet you may find that you are the one that actually holds the answers.
Dogs have a very keen awareness for their surroundings and the people in their environment. As most dog owners come to realize, the bond between your dog and you can be extremely strong. There are people who report that during a challenging illness or devastating time in their life that their dog responded as though they knew what was going on and they helped their owner through the rough time. Sometimes by just sitting near their owner or laying at their feet, other times dogs may whine and pace back and forth, especially when other people are around because they are trying to indicate that their owner needs help.
Experts have even confirmed that dogs do have an ability to detect several human emotions and many of them will respond in unique ways. For example; when there is a lot of anger or arguing occurring within a household your dog may respond by acting up in a number of ways, which is not a problem with the dog but rather your pet is responding to the hostility and unpleasantness it senses in the house. Everyone goes through difficult periods in their life and it is obviously impossible to avoid exposing your dog to any anger or hostile situations throughout their life. The important thing to remember is that your situation and how you handle it is not your dog’s choice or within their area of responsibility.
Dogs deserve and hopefully get, the majority of times anyway, a good, loving and stable home. They respond well to a structured environment, complete with rules and routines. If you typically get up each morning and walk your dog before you go to work and then you suddenly stop doing it all together, your dog will respond in some way, possibly a negative one. It is not the dog’s fault that you changed your behavior and they have no other way of communicating other than to chew up stuff or have an accident in the house as their way of saying, “hey what is going on.” In some cases dogs can even become depressed, this happens most frequently in situations where the dog was once loved and well cared for and then suddenly became ignored and forgotten about. It is really sad to see a dog that is in this form of doggy-depression because again, they did not ask to come to live with you, you chose them.
There are obviously other concerns you must deal with when you are going through a difficult time, like loosing your job or going through a divorce, and you should always take care of the important aspects related to these situations. It is understandable that a dog can suddenly become a lower priority in your life however, if you are unhappy with their behavior because they are acting out in response to their environment; take that into consideration before disciplining your pet or giving up on them all together.
Dogs may secretly harbor the desire to have all humans attend some sort of training school before they decide to become a pet owner, however, since that is not very likely to happen, remember to think about your own behavior when examining your dog’s. That precious pooch can sometimes be just what you need to get through a difficult time and maintaining their routine for their benefit can in many ways benefit you also.
Maybe your Boston Terrier continues to chew on your shoes or other objects while you are not at home. Perhaps the Maltese in your life still has accidents in the house rather than letting you know she needs to go outside. On the other hand, possibly you have a Yorkshire Terrier that snips at strangers, even guests in your home when they try to pet him. All of these and many other undesirable behaviors that dogs may posses can leave a pet owner feeling frustrated and at their wits end with their furry little friend.
Have you ever considered though when faced with one of these situations that the dog is trying to communicate something to you? Is it possible that Sparky just feels neglected during those long days alone at home while you are at work? Sometimes we can have a big impact on our dogs if we look at our own behavior and consider what the pooch may be trying to tell us through their difficult behavior. Obviously dogs can not talk or speak with us as a human can when they need to communicate their feelings. That is not to say that canines are not vocal because as many of us know they can express quite a lot at times through their barking, growling or whining. However, to really pinpoint what the issue is for your pet you may find that you are the one that actually holds the answers.
Dogs have a very keen awareness for their surroundings and the people in their environment. As most dog owners come to realize, the bond between your dog and you can be extremely strong. There are people who report that during a challenging illness or devastating time in their life that their dog responded as though they knew what was going on and they helped their owner through the rough time. Sometimes by just sitting near their owner or laying at their feet, other times dogs may whine and pace back and forth, especially when other people are around because they are trying to indicate that their owner needs help.
Experts have even confirmed that dogs do have an ability to detect several human emotions and many of them will respond in unique ways. For example; when there is a lot of anger or arguing occurring within a household your dog may respond by acting up in a number of ways, which is not a problem with the dog but rather your pet is responding to the hostility and unpleasantness it senses in the house. Everyone goes through difficult periods in their life and it is obviously impossible to avoid exposing your dog to any anger or hostile situations throughout their life. The important thing to remember is that your situation and how you handle it is not your dog’s choice or within their area of responsibility.
Dogs deserve and hopefully get, the majority of times anyway, a good, loving and stable home. They respond well to a structured environment, complete with rules and routines. If you typically get up each morning and walk your dog before you go to work and then you suddenly stop doing it all together, your dog will respond in some way, possibly a negative one. It is not the dog’s fault that you changed your behavior and they have no other way of communicating other than to chew up stuff or have an accident in the house as their way of saying, “hey what is going on.” In some cases dogs can even become depressed, this happens most frequently in situations where the dog was once loved and well cared for and then suddenly became ignored and forgotten about. It is really sad to see a dog that is in this form of doggy-depression because again, they did not ask to come to live with you, you chose them.
There are obviously other concerns you must deal with when you are going through a difficult time, like loosing your job or going through a divorce, and you should always take care of the important aspects related to these situations. It is understandable that a dog can suddenly become a lower priority in your life however, if you are unhappy with their behavior because they are acting out in response to their environment; take that into consideration before disciplining your pet or giving up on them all together.
Dogs may secretly harbor the desire to have all humans attend some sort of training school before they decide to become a pet owner, however, since that is not very likely to happen, remember to think about your own behavior when examining your dog’s. That precious pooch can sometimes be just what you need to get through a difficult time and maintaining their routine for their benefit can in many ways benefit you also.
2008年9月1日星期一
Home Insurance: Home owner insurance restrictions for dogs owners.
In recent years, many homeowners have found themselves unable to get homeowner insurance. Some have had their insurance cancelled, based solely on the breed of a dog.
The fact is that since the mid-1990s the growing popularity of aggressive breeds has resulted in a drastic increase in incidents. Dog attacks have become the biggest single cause of home policy claims, with costs running to more than $300 million a year.
Consequently home insurance company policies have become increasingly restrictive about insuring households with dogs.
If you are a dog owner here are a few tips on how to improve your chances of getting and keeping your homeowner insurance:
- Enroll your dog in obedience classes and work on helping the dog earn a diploma. Consider taking your dog to obtain Canine Good Citizen certification.
- Neuter male dogs: this step can significantly reduce dominance problems and some other types of aggression.
- Make sure your dog gets lots of appropriate exercise. Dogs with predatory or herding instincts need to channel those inherent tendencies in socially acceptable ways.
- Keep dogs on leash or in a fully, physically fenced area when outside. That will keep dogs from running after animals and people.
- Never leave young children alone with your dog.
- Be watchful or how your guests behave around animals. There are a few basic safeguards to follow. For example, don't disturb dogs while sleeping or eating. Don't bother mother dogs who are with their puppies. Don't tease or yell around dogs. Stay away from chained dogs. By the way, chaining tends to aggravate and frustrate dogs, increasing the chances of aggressive behavior.
- Be aware of the signals that you yourself send to your dog. For example, if you are nervous, that can make your dog nervous. If you are not confident around strangers, do not walk your dog near strangers.
Dog owners should be aware that an insurance company could potentially find a way to impose a dog exclusion or cancel a policy, depending on the municipality's vicious dog laws (invoked if a dog has bitten) or any breed bans in place. For example, an insurance company could cite exclusions in a homeowner's policy about not covering damage or injury caused by a dog who was not supposed to be in the county.
When contemplating the purchase of a new home be also aware that a few homeowners associations have enacted or attempted to enact rules and regulations that discriminate against certain dog breeds.
Mark Van Neem
The fact is that since the mid-1990s the growing popularity of aggressive breeds has resulted in a drastic increase in incidents. Dog attacks have become the biggest single cause of home policy claims, with costs running to more than $300 million a year.
Consequently home insurance company policies have become increasingly restrictive about insuring households with dogs.
If you are a dog owner here are a few tips on how to improve your chances of getting and keeping your homeowner insurance:
- Enroll your dog in obedience classes and work on helping the dog earn a diploma. Consider taking your dog to obtain Canine Good Citizen certification.
- Neuter male dogs: this step can significantly reduce dominance problems and some other types of aggression.
- Make sure your dog gets lots of appropriate exercise. Dogs with predatory or herding instincts need to channel those inherent tendencies in socially acceptable ways.
- Keep dogs on leash or in a fully, physically fenced area when outside. That will keep dogs from running after animals and people.
- Never leave young children alone with your dog.
- Be watchful or how your guests behave around animals. There are a few basic safeguards to follow. For example, don't disturb dogs while sleeping or eating. Don't bother mother dogs who are with their puppies. Don't tease or yell around dogs. Stay away from chained dogs. By the way, chaining tends to aggravate and frustrate dogs, increasing the chances of aggressive behavior.
- Be aware of the signals that you yourself send to your dog. For example, if you are nervous, that can make your dog nervous. If you are not confident around strangers, do not walk your dog near strangers.
Dog owners should be aware that an insurance company could potentially find a way to impose a dog exclusion or cancel a policy, depending on the municipality's vicious dog laws (invoked if a dog has bitten) or any breed bans in place. For example, an insurance company could cite exclusions in a homeowner's policy about not covering damage or injury caused by a dog who was not supposed to be in the county.
When contemplating the purchase of a new home be also aware that a few homeowners associations have enacted or attempted to enact rules and regulations that discriminate against certain dog breeds.
Mark Van Neem
2008年8月24日星期日
Humming Birds – Raising Pets in Their Natural State
Pets are not always that are kept in a cage or locked in your place and adore it. They are some times left free or natural in state and still referred as pets, just like humming birds.
Humming birds come in all colors of the rainbow. A special feature of humming bird which attracted many people is that the color of the humming bird feathers change in sun light. Fortunately, people today have recognized that the feathers look great on the bird, rather than separating them from the bird.
In broad-spectrum, wild humming birds are not good pets, because these birds need a specialized diet and when not fed properly they get sick and die soon. A humming bird has very high metabolism rate.
They eat much food and need 3.14 to 7.6 calories per day. When compared with human’s metabolism, the bird’s metabolism rate is 77 times higher. A humming bird can digest a big fruit in just 10 minutes.
Humming birds prefer to live in large territories, which do not have any limits, where they can use their specialized flying techniques for finding food and mates for company. All these are impossible to provide in a small cage.
How to attract humming birds and maintain them as pets?
You do not need any big set up to attract humming birds; all you need is a garden full of flowers and a humming bird feeder (which attracts wild birds).
There is nothing more relaxing than having a sight of humming birds flying in your garden. Rather than shrubs, plants that bear flowers attract hummingbirds, as they drink nectar from the flowers.
Azalea, Butterfly Bush, Cape Honeysuckle, Manzanita, Mimosa, Red Buckeye, Coral Honey Suckle, Cypress Vine, Morning Glory, Trumpet Creeper, Bee Balm, Cardinal Flower, Columbine, Coral Bells, Four O’ Clock, Hummingbird Mint, Penstemon, Yucca, Fuchsia, Jewelweed, Petunia and Shrimp Plant attract humming birds to your garden.
It is a myth that hummingbirds are only attracted to red colored flowers. Humming birds apart from red colored flowers attracts to other colored flowers and light colored flowers.
Do not spray pesticides to kill the insects on the flowers. These pesticides can also harm your humming birds because these birds also feed on insects. So, stop bothering about insects that will spoil your plants and flowers. Humming bird will help in removing all the insects from the plant.
Bird feeders:
Usually the hummingbirds are not fed in bird feeders; they can search their food which is sufficient for their appetite. But, in winter, there is lack of food as the flowers shed and bird feeders are necessary to help feeding the birds.
Selecting a proper bird feeder is important. Primary need of a bird feeder is that should be in red color. Providing red color bird feeder will initially attract the birds and once they are used to the bird feeder, the feeder can be in any color. Some times, they can also be hung or kept in between flowers to recognize food source.
The main source of food that is provided in the feeder is nectar and even seeds can also be provided some times. Never use honey or artificial sweeteners in the feeder.
Honey is different from nectar, nectar is pure form obtained from the flowers and honey is fermented form with added sweetness.
Tips for caring bird feeder:
• Feeder should be cleaned every time before it gets refilled.
• Nectar should be changed for every 3-4 days.
• Never use harsh cleaning agents to clean your humming bird feeder.
• Rinse with hot water every time you change the nectar.
• Do not fill nectar in the feeder to its neck, maintain some space. Half fill the feeder, as the birds will not drink all the nectar and satisfy their hunger. Keep in mind that humming birds love to search food.
• If ants find your bird feeder, steps should be taken to control them. Ant moat is a small plastic cup that keeps ants away from the bird feeder.
If the birds find your plants interesting or your bird feeder interesting, they will visit again and again. Maintain a clean and hygienic garden and bird feeder to attract humming bird. Visit Pets Central Blog
Humming birds come in all colors of the rainbow. A special feature of humming bird which attracted many people is that the color of the humming bird feathers change in sun light. Fortunately, people today have recognized that the feathers look great on the bird, rather than separating them from the bird.
In broad-spectrum, wild humming birds are not good pets, because these birds need a specialized diet and when not fed properly they get sick and die soon. A humming bird has very high metabolism rate.
They eat much food and need 3.14 to 7.6 calories per day. When compared with human’s metabolism, the bird’s metabolism rate is 77 times higher. A humming bird can digest a big fruit in just 10 minutes.
Humming birds prefer to live in large territories, which do not have any limits, where they can use their specialized flying techniques for finding food and mates for company. All these are impossible to provide in a small cage.
How to attract humming birds and maintain them as pets?
You do not need any big set up to attract humming birds; all you need is a garden full of flowers and a humming bird feeder (which attracts wild birds).
There is nothing more relaxing than having a sight of humming birds flying in your garden. Rather than shrubs, plants that bear flowers attract hummingbirds, as they drink nectar from the flowers.
Azalea, Butterfly Bush, Cape Honeysuckle, Manzanita, Mimosa, Red Buckeye, Coral Honey Suckle, Cypress Vine, Morning Glory, Trumpet Creeper, Bee Balm, Cardinal Flower, Columbine, Coral Bells, Four O’ Clock, Hummingbird Mint, Penstemon, Yucca, Fuchsia, Jewelweed, Petunia and Shrimp Plant attract humming birds to your garden.
It is a myth that hummingbirds are only attracted to red colored flowers. Humming birds apart from red colored flowers attracts to other colored flowers and light colored flowers.
Do not spray pesticides to kill the insects on the flowers. These pesticides can also harm your humming birds because these birds also feed on insects. So, stop bothering about insects that will spoil your plants and flowers. Humming bird will help in removing all the insects from the plant.
Bird feeders:
Usually the hummingbirds are not fed in bird feeders; they can search their food which is sufficient for their appetite. But, in winter, there is lack of food as the flowers shed and bird feeders are necessary to help feeding the birds.
Selecting a proper bird feeder is important. Primary need of a bird feeder is that should be in red color. Providing red color bird feeder will initially attract the birds and once they are used to the bird feeder, the feeder can be in any color. Some times, they can also be hung or kept in between flowers to recognize food source.
The main source of food that is provided in the feeder is nectar and even seeds can also be provided some times. Never use honey or artificial sweeteners in the feeder.
Honey is different from nectar, nectar is pure form obtained from the flowers and honey is fermented form with added sweetness.
Tips for caring bird feeder:
• Feeder should be cleaned every time before it gets refilled.
• Nectar should be changed for every 3-4 days.
• Never use harsh cleaning agents to clean your humming bird feeder.
• Rinse with hot water every time you change the nectar.
• Do not fill nectar in the feeder to its neck, maintain some space. Half fill the feeder, as the birds will not drink all the nectar and satisfy their hunger. Keep in mind that humming birds love to search food.
• If ants find your bird feeder, steps should be taken to control them. Ant moat is a small plastic cup that keeps ants away from the bird feeder.
If the birds find your plants interesting or your bird feeder interesting, they will visit again and again. Maintain a clean and hygienic garden and bird feeder to attract humming bird. Visit Pets Central Blog
2008年8月19日星期二
Was the Hound of the Baskervilles really a Galician Palleiros?
OK hands up those who are familiar with good old Sir Art C-D’s book about the legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and the amazingly savage pooch he encountered somewhere on Dartmoor.
For those not familiar with the plot, the story goes thus: Holmes and Watson are visited by Dr. James Mortimer, who wishes to ask their advice before he meets with Sir Henry Baskerville, the last of the Baskervilles, and heir to the Baskerville estate in Dartmoor. Dr. Mortimer is unhappy about letting Sir Henry go to Baskerville Hall, owing to a supposed family curse.
He then proceeds to explain to them the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles, a strange and savage dog that first killed Sir Hugo Baskerville several hundred years ago, and is believed to kill all Baskervilles in the region of Dartmoor.
Holmes as per usual dismisses the whole story as a fairy tale and then Mortimer tells them the story surrounding the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville, Henry's uncle. Although he was found dead in his garden without any trace of physical damage, his face was distorted as if he died in utter terror. Dr. Mortimer then reveals something that he had not mentioned at the official inquest. He alone had noticed footmarks at some distance from the body when it was found; the footmarks of a gigantic hound.
So that’s a brief resume of the basic plot. Holmes travels to Dartmoor and with the help of Watson and some others solves the plot, shoots the dog and most of the cast live happily ever after (excepting the dog of course).
Now in truth the story behind what sort of dog the Hound actually was really falls into two camps. It is alleged that good old “Sir Art” had actually spent some holiday time spent in North West Spain and had become rather enamoured with the Galician Barn Dog – the Palleiros. Quite why he would want demonstrate his apparent affection with this type of dog by turning it into a slavering, half mad, canine vision of hell on four paws nobody is too sure about but it is a good story nonetheless.
In truth, the Hound was probably more based on a cross between a Bloodhound and an English Mastiff but this is not one hundred percent accurate either but in all probability is more believable.
In real life Palleiros (the Galician Barn Dog) are strongly built dogs and have been a likened by many to wolves which they most definitely are not. They come basically in four colours: wheaten, cinnamon, chestnut and black. Basically Celtic Shepherd's would have been bred by the Galicians as an all-purpose farm dog. They were used for herding watching livestock and hunting. As far as temperament goes they are intelligent dogs, calm but they are reserved to strangers. They can be gentle and loyal and they can get along well with children and sometimes other animals.
So in reality the above description hardly fits the bill of the large savage beast that inspired an entire story by Conan-Doyle but since when has the truth ever got in the way of a good story?
For those not familiar with the plot, the story goes thus: Holmes and Watson are visited by Dr. James Mortimer, who wishes to ask their advice before he meets with Sir Henry Baskerville, the last of the Baskervilles, and heir to the Baskerville estate in Dartmoor. Dr. Mortimer is unhappy about letting Sir Henry go to Baskerville Hall, owing to a supposed family curse.
He then proceeds to explain to them the legend of the Hound of the Baskervilles, a strange and savage dog that first killed Sir Hugo Baskerville several hundred years ago, and is believed to kill all Baskervilles in the region of Dartmoor.
Holmes as per usual dismisses the whole story as a fairy tale and then Mortimer tells them the story surrounding the recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville, Henry's uncle. Although he was found dead in his garden without any trace of physical damage, his face was distorted as if he died in utter terror. Dr. Mortimer then reveals something that he had not mentioned at the official inquest. He alone had noticed footmarks at some distance from the body when it was found; the footmarks of a gigantic hound.
So that’s a brief resume of the basic plot. Holmes travels to Dartmoor and with the help of Watson and some others solves the plot, shoots the dog and most of the cast live happily ever after (excepting the dog of course).
Now in truth the story behind what sort of dog the Hound actually was really falls into two camps. It is alleged that good old “Sir Art” had actually spent some holiday time spent in North West Spain and had become rather enamoured with the Galician Barn Dog – the Palleiros. Quite why he would want demonstrate his apparent affection with this type of dog by turning it into a slavering, half mad, canine vision of hell on four paws nobody is too sure about but it is a good story nonetheless.
In truth, the Hound was probably more based on a cross between a Bloodhound and an English Mastiff but this is not one hundred percent accurate either but in all probability is more believable.
In real life Palleiros (the Galician Barn Dog) are strongly built dogs and have been a likened by many to wolves which they most definitely are not. They come basically in four colours: wheaten, cinnamon, chestnut and black. Basically Celtic Shepherd's would have been bred by the Galicians as an all-purpose farm dog. They were used for herding watching livestock and hunting. As far as temperament goes they are intelligent dogs, calm but they are reserved to strangers. They can be gentle and loyal and they can get along well with children and sometimes other animals.
So in reality the above description hardly fits the bill of the large savage beast that inspired an entire story by Conan-Doyle but since when has the truth ever got in the way of a good story?
2008年8月12日星期二
Want To Start With Dog Shows? Show Small Dogs!
The lights, the ring, the glamour! Ever think you might like to become involved with showing dogs? If so, then starting with "toy" or small dogs can offer a great way to enter into this hobby with fewer demands on your time and space than a larger breed might involve.
The purpose of a dog show is to compare all entered dogs of a specific breed against a pre-established, written breed standard of perfection. The winners, or Best of Breed dogs, then compete against each other for Best in Group within one of the seven basic groups to which their breed has been assigned (the Herding Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Sporting Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group or Working Group). The winner of each group then goes on to compete for the coveted Best In Show title and hopefully, earn more points toward a Championship.
As a new entrant to the world of dog shows, you'll find there are advantages to showing small dogs over larger dogs.
Sitting Pretty
First, small show dogs generally take less time and effort to bathe and blow dry before a show. You may think this detail almost inconsequential, but after you attend a number of shows it becomes more important. Small show dogs are also easier to lift in and out of a tub, and require less water, soap and conditioner. With the exception of long-coated breeds, less dog equals less hair, which equals less drying time. As a result, it's possible to thoroughly bathe and groom six toy-sized show dogs, like Chihuahuas, in the time it takes to groom one large Standard Poodle show dog!
Git Along, Little Doggies
Secondly, showing small or toy dogs means you can show more dogs because they take up far less space. Each small show dog requires a small traveling crate, but crates of that size are light to transport and simple to store. Small show dogs also require the use of grooming tables, but as long as they get along, two small show dogs can share one table.
Easy Does It
The third factor is, showing small dogs requires less physicality on the part of the person handling them. You'll seldom see small show dog handlers huffing and puffing as they race around the ring. Instead, small show dogs work harder to cover ground and keep up with the handler, whereas large show dogs cover ground in great strides, requiring the handler to work to keep up. In addition, "setting up" a small dog for viewing is a simple physical task, whereas a larger dog can involve much more effort.
As you can see, showing small dogs enjoys a bit of an advantage over showing large dogs. As a result, you may find that showing small dogs makes a very rewarding start to a downright addictive hobby that you and your mini champ can enjoy together for years.
The purpose of a dog show is to compare all entered dogs of a specific breed against a pre-established, written breed standard of perfection. The winners, or Best of Breed dogs, then compete against each other for Best in Group within one of the seven basic groups to which their breed has been assigned (the Herding Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Group, Sporting Group, Terrier Group, Toy Group or Working Group). The winner of each group then goes on to compete for the coveted Best In Show title and hopefully, earn more points toward a Championship.
As a new entrant to the world of dog shows, you'll find there are advantages to showing small dogs over larger dogs.
Sitting Pretty
First, small show dogs generally take less time and effort to bathe and blow dry before a show. You may think this detail almost inconsequential, but after you attend a number of shows it becomes more important. Small show dogs are also easier to lift in and out of a tub, and require less water, soap and conditioner. With the exception of long-coated breeds, less dog equals less hair, which equals less drying time. As a result, it's possible to thoroughly bathe and groom six toy-sized show dogs, like Chihuahuas, in the time it takes to groom one large Standard Poodle show dog!
Git Along, Little Doggies
Secondly, showing small or toy dogs means you can show more dogs because they take up far less space. Each small show dog requires a small traveling crate, but crates of that size are light to transport and simple to store. Small show dogs also require the use of grooming tables, but as long as they get along, two small show dogs can share one table.
Easy Does It
The third factor is, showing small dogs requires less physicality on the part of the person handling them. You'll seldom see small show dog handlers huffing and puffing as they race around the ring. Instead, small show dogs work harder to cover ground and keep up with the handler, whereas large show dogs cover ground in great strides, requiring the handler to work to keep up. In addition, "setting up" a small dog for viewing is a simple physical task, whereas a larger dog can involve much more effort.
As you can see, showing small dogs enjoys a bit of an advantage over showing large dogs. As a result, you may find that showing small dogs makes a very rewarding start to a downright addictive hobby that you and your mini champ can enjoy together for years.
2008年8月11日星期一
Building A Chain Link Dog Kennel
For those of us that already own dogs finding a place to keep them can be as easy as a fenced backyard. But what if the backyard doesn't have a fence or one day your wife and kids come home with a cute puppy but you have no place to keep the new family addition. Fencing in the entire backyard can be cost prohibitive but keeping the little guy in the house all the time is not a good idea either, particularly if he grows up to be a big dog. The answer to the problem may well be to build a chain link dog kennel.
This type of kennel is not difficult to build. Of course before you build your dog kennel you will have to formulate a plan and decide how big the kennel needs to be. The size of the kennel will depend on the size of the dog when he is full grown. A small dog will obviously only need a small space but a bigger dog will need plenty of room to move around, not to mention the size of a shelter or dog house in the kennel. The height of the fence needs to be considered carefully for bigger dogs because some breeds have the ability to easily jump a four foot fence.
After you decide how big to make your chain link dog kennel the next step is figuring out where you will build it and what materials you need to build it with. There are different types of chain link fence out there with different spacing between the wires and different heights that can range from three feet to ten feet. Planning ahead will make certain that you choose the correct materials before you start building your dog kennel because you don't want to have to tear it down and start over after you find out you didn't make it big enough for that cute little puppy that's now over one hundred pounds.
When choosing the posts for your kennel you can go with the standard metal posts that most chain link fences are built with or you can choose landscape timbers. Metal posts will have to be cemented into the ground which means the kennel will be permanently located in the position you have chosen. Landscape timbers don't necessarily have to be concreted which gives you the option of moving the kennel or even taking it with you if you move.
Building your own chain link dog kennel can be done rather quickly and easily if you plan correctly. It is also cheaper then hiring someone else to build it or buying a pre-built one.
This type of kennel is not difficult to build. Of course before you build your dog kennel you will have to formulate a plan and decide how big the kennel needs to be. The size of the kennel will depend on the size of the dog when he is full grown. A small dog will obviously only need a small space but a bigger dog will need plenty of room to move around, not to mention the size of a shelter or dog house in the kennel. The height of the fence needs to be considered carefully for bigger dogs because some breeds have the ability to easily jump a four foot fence.
After you decide how big to make your chain link dog kennel the next step is figuring out where you will build it and what materials you need to build it with. There are different types of chain link fence out there with different spacing between the wires and different heights that can range from three feet to ten feet. Planning ahead will make certain that you choose the correct materials before you start building your dog kennel because you don't want to have to tear it down and start over after you find out you didn't make it big enough for that cute little puppy that's now over one hundred pounds.
When choosing the posts for your kennel you can go with the standard metal posts that most chain link fences are built with or you can choose landscape timbers. Metal posts will have to be cemented into the ground which means the kennel will be permanently located in the position you have chosen. Landscape timbers don't necessarily have to be concreted which gives you the option of moving the kennel or even taking it with you if you move.
Building your own chain link dog kennel can be done rather quickly and easily if you plan correctly. It is also cheaper then hiring someone else to build it or buying a pre-built one.
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