Wednesday, 30 May 2012

Useful Information About Havanese Breed of Dogs
It is believed that the Havanese dog is a crossbreed of the poodle and the extinct Bichon Tenerife. It is also believed that the first breed of this dog was found in the Canary Islands. Let us look at some of the characteristics of the Havanese breed of dogs that make them unique.
One of the beautiful things about these dogs is that they have an elegant and beautiful coat. The touch and feel of the coat is similar to that of silk. To ensure that the coat remains beautiful and elegant, it has to be groomed regularly. This will prevent the coat from matting.
Some dog professionals have classified this dog as being hypoallergenic. This means that people who have allergies can have these types of dogs as their pets because they usually don't shed their coat. If you search for images of this dog breed online, you will find that many of them are small dogs. They are similar to toys which one can easily play with.
When compared to other breeds of dogs, the Havanese breed is much easier to train.
Just like human beings, the Havenese breed has to be fed 3 times a day. The food should be given in regulated amounts. You should not give these dogs leftover food. For them to grow well, you have to give them dog food which can be purchased from the retail stores. Once in a while, you can 'spoil' them with a few healthy snacks including egg whites, apples that don't have seeds and carrots. The Havanese breed can also feed on raw diet which can be obtained from butcher shops and supermarkets. Some of the advantages of feeding them with raw diet is that it improves the beauty and texture of their coat, they thrive longer and their health in enhanced.
These types of dogs are very affectionate and gentle. They love to play a lot. They are very social dogs. Dog trainers recommend that these types of dogs should not be left alone for a long time because of their temperament. Leaving them alone will make them suffer from separation anxiety. Being social dogs, it would be best if they always had company.
The above are a few facts about Havanese breed of dogs. If you are looking for a wonderful lifetime and lifestyle pet, then the Havanese breed of dog is the one for you.
Article :By G Sonali
Ticks - A Very Serious Threat to Your Dog's Health
Ticks and dogs have always been associated with each other. Whenever there is a dog, the main concern is to prevent your pet from having this kind of "insect," which might even infest not just your beloved dog but also the nooks and corners of your house. This parasitic correlation led to so many different "do-it-yourself (DIYs)" manuals and even medical researches in order to eradicate the possible out-break of ticks on your dog. But before going into exterminating this parasite, how much information do we know about these itchy leaks?
Well, first of all is that ticks are not really insects, but arachnids. They belong to the same family of mites, spiders, and scorpions. It has a one piece body, harpoon, and crab-like legs which has sticky secretion that helps it to hold on to its host. Believe it or not, in United States alone, there are almost 200 known species of ticks which lives in the woods, grasses, forests, and even in the cities.
Ticks has a four stage life cycle-the egg, larvae, nymphs, and adult. Depending on their species, a tick may take less than a year or up to several years in order to go through its life cycle. Though the life expectancy varies that much, the main fact here is the females of this animals can lat about 100 eggs at a time and 3,000 to 6,000 eggs per batch. Due to its capabilities to multiply rapidly, ticks have a numerous lists of host, which includes dogs, as well as humans. There are four primary diseases brought by this parasites which are-Babesiosis, inhibits loss of appetite, weakness, pale gums and lethargy; Ehrlichiosis, inhibits muscle aches or pains and high fever; Lyme disease, inhibits swollen joints, lameness, poor appetite and fever; and last but not the least, Tick paralysis in dogs, inhibits gradual or partial paralysis and poor coordination
Of all the fours diseases, the Lyme disease is the worst and can even infect humans. Due to this, it is advisable for your dogs to have Lyme disease vaccine so that even though your dog has ticks, you can be rest assured that your dog, your family and yourself is safe from the said disease. However, whenever you see such symptoms of this disease from your pet, bring him or her immediately to a veterinarian so that he or she can be diagnosed and be treated accordingly.
Gerald is a contributor for Glucosamine for Dogs Guide that provides the complete online resource for Glucosamine Chondroitin and treating arthritis in dogs, so that your best friend can have the comfort he deserves!
Article :By Gerald Navarro

Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Causes of Skin Allergies in Dogs
Skin problems and allergies in dogs are becoming more and more common. One in seven dogs now suffers from an allergy of some kind and the numbers are rising by the year. As a general rule of thumb, in order to suffer from an allergy, your dog must be exposed to the allergen twice. The first exposure will cause his immune system to manufacture antibodies. The second exposure causes histamine to be released causing the allergic reaction.
Whereas allergies in humans affect the upper respiratory tract, the target of an allergy in a dog is its skin. The symptoms of a skin allergy in your dog normally start with excessive scratching. Your dog will also start to lick and chew at the affected area, causing red inflamed patches, leading to hair loss, bald spots and risk of infections. Your dog may also suffer from a change in temperament, becoming snappy and unhappy.
There are four main causes of skin allergy in dogs. The first is from flea bites and other biting insects. This is the most common type o skin allergy found in dogs and is caused by a reaction to the saliva of the flea. Strangely, if a dog suffers from a flea allergy he is not likely to have many fleas on him. Excessive grooming will eliminate almost all traces of fleas. The most affected areas will be the hind quarters, rump and tail area.
The second type of skin allergy is from inhalants in the dog's environment, such as dust mites, grasses, moulds, and some tree and weed pollens. These are the second most common type of allergies and are manifested by way of very severe itching. Almost every part of the dog's body will be affected, the most acute areas being the armpits, groin, feet and flanks. Symptoms will include quite severe hair loss if not treated quickly and properly.
The third type of allergy in dogs is to food. A dog can become allergic to food at any age and testing is required to find out which food he is allergic to. The most common food allergy is beef products, although your dog can be allergic to anything. Symptoms include itchy skin, breathing difficulties and gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Veterinary advice must be sought.
The fourth type of allergy and probably the least common is a contact allergy. This is when a dog becomes allergic to something that he has been directly in contact with. The normal suspects are wool, rubber, and certain types of metal such as chrome or nickel, fragrances such as perfumes or hairsprays and lotions that may have been applied topically to the skin. Symptoms include blistered areas, red skin, and severe itching.
All dog skin allergies are easily treatable if noticed in time and treated accordingly. You should always consult a vet for a proper diagnosis so that the correct treatment can be given. Most skin allergies can be cleared up using medication or topical sprays and, occasionally a cone will need to be worn to prevent your dog from further irritating the affected area.
Article  :By Ted John Yanes