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One of the most important chores when grooming your pet, is definitely the trimming of the nails. Pet owners with wooden floors are likely to hear the long nails on their pet very clearly, as they tick, tick, tick when they walk. This usually means more than an irritating noise, it also means the time has come to groom your pet and trim his nails. Trimming of the nails is very important since they can be painful on your pet when he walks, and in some cases they can prove to be dangerous and cause unfortunate accidents, either on purpose or by mistake. We are not going to even start talking about what long nails in your pet can do for your carpet and furniture.

Professional pet groomers active in the trade use special tools for clipping nails on felines and canines. The trimmer tool must be able to surround the nail completely, never in an angle but straight all around. In order to attempt this at home you must be trained in some aspects of nail clipping. First, you should know how far you can go in relation to length, and where to apply a cut. The secret is to identify the cuticle and not cut into it. There are veins, blood vessels and nerve endings that run part way up the nail. If you should cut into this area by accident, there will be bloodshed and a great deal of pain involved. The case may also be one in which your pet shows some discomfort because your cut was too close to this area.

Animals in general dislike any type of grooming activity and will turn away from it every chance they get. In order to be successful, approach your pet and calmly start caressing him. Create a soothing moment that makes him comfortable, and then slowly pull out his paw and begin caressing it without showing him the clippers. Massage his paw as if you where playing a pet game with him, and then slowly take out the clippers and begin working.

Note that professional groomers clip the nails differently, faster and more efficiently than novice groomers at home. Be aware however, that professional groomers are able to do this by holding down your pet tightly, mostly due to the fact that they are not interested in a relationship with him, and won’t have to see him again tomorrow. You, on the other hand, want to remain being friends with him, thus, you are best advised to take the slow approach.

Let’s face it, for some animals the entire process of clipping the nails is a gruesome experience. Your pet may react violently, and try to hurt himself or the person doing the grooming. If for any reason you are hesitant about trimming nails on your pet, thing about getting help before trying anything. Ask your veterinarian for advice, and let him decide whether you are ready for the job or not.

Thankfully, for the owner that does not want to put up with too many problems, the Labrador retriever is known as one of the more mellow breeds of dogs. It also has a great track record for working with children. As far as bringing home a dog that will work well in a family atmosphere and allow the owner to feel safe leaving the dog alone with the children, a Labrador retriever would be a perfect match.

As with all good things, there are some less desirable ones. In the case of a dog like the black Labrador puppy (and all variations and ages of this breed), it will eat whatever is put in front of it. Therefore, it is up to the owner to monitor what the dog is eating and make sure it does not overeat which would result in various health problems.

These dogs are also known for being highly energetic, willing to play catch with a ball or Frisbee for long periods of time. The exercise outside that this dog gets is what keeps it in shape and the owner must be available to play with it. In order for this dog to remain healthy, an owner must be willing to spend time outside with it by playing the aforementioned game of catch or taking it for a walk. A black Labrador puppy will have an added level of energy and the owner must be ready for that.

A dog like the black Labrador puppy is an ideal one for people with a family. It is also a coveted dog for hunters and people who spend plenty of time outdoors. A potential owner must weigh these traits and determine if this is the right dog because that will ultimately decide the happiness of both the owner and the dog in the long run.

The Whippet is a sensitive, intelligent and sweet dog. They make good watch dogs. They need plenty of exercise and a safe place to let them run would be ideal. They are generally not to be trusted with other pets as they may consider them fair game. They are said to do well with other canines and children, especially if well socialized when young. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Whippet is 17 to 20 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 18 to 28 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Whippet is no exception. Be on the look out for skin problems, upset stomach, genetic eye disease and sunburn. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Whippet has a smooth, firm, short, close and easy to care for coat. She should be brushed and rubbed down with a damp chamois regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Whippet can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Whippet comes from Great Britain where they were used for hunting fast small game and later radcing. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1888.

Some Registries:
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 4 to 8 Whippet puppies

Category: Hound

Terms To Describe: Elegant, fit, speed, power, strength, balance, affectionate, friendly, gentle,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Pretty much odor free coat.
Makes a good watch dog.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Does poorly in cold climates.
Makes a poor guard dog.

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Although we are unable to identify the exact time period in history when the Bassett Hound was created, some historians have noted that the first mention of this type of dog was found during 16th-century text that made mention to “short-legged dogs used for badger hunting.

We also know that comparable dwarf breeds that had short legs were used during the ancient times, but it is very difficult to focus in on exactly when and why the Bassett Hound was intentionally bred.

The word “Basset” is French and is derivative from bas, which means “dwarf”. We know that short-legged dogs were normally used for slow paced hunting during the French Revolution. History of this dog breed indicates a much clearer snap shot after French Revolution.

During this time period that Basset Hounds became a whole lot more common as a hunting companion. Many Hunters needed a dog that was intelligent enough with its scent ability to hunt prey and at the same time was slow enough so that they could be followed and hunted with guns. This is where this animal received its small dwarf-like body; it became the perfect hunting formula for these needs.

Ultimately, there are four different variations of the short-legged kind were created. One of these variations is know as the Basset Artesien Normand. The Basset Artesien Normand is what closely resembles today’s Basset Hound. In the late 1800s and then again around 1930, crosses were developed with Bloodhounds to bring up their size. The first Bassett Hounds were sent to England and the United States during the late 1800s.

Personality

You will discover that the Bassett Hound is one of the most calm and relaxed dog breeds alive today. They are very good-natured with nearly every other animal and human they come into contact with. The Basset is enormously suited for kids and is well behaved even in the company of other strange dogs. Even though these dogs are considered high in affection levels and friendliness, do not underestimate its watchdog capabilities. In addition, these Hounds made great watchdogs.

Taking Care Of A Basset Hound

Basset Hounds need a dose of daily exercise, but not an over dose. One or two walks each day on the leash around your blog will suit just fine. But, like any animal, it is always good for extra playtime and games when possible. Bassett Hounds should sleep indoors with the family during the evening. During the day, having these dogs should have access to an enclosed yard. There’s no need for that much grooming. Just a little brushing and bath times throughout the week will be fine. Also, make note that these dogs tend to drool frequently.

Health Information

Basset Hounds have a live around 9 and 12 years, sometimes they live longer, it all depends on their health. Big health concerns are ectropion, vWD, CHD, gastric torsion, OCD, thrombopathy, otitis externa, and elbow dysplasia. Minor health problems may include patellar luxation. Obesity is a common issue with these animals when owners overfeed them. Make sure that you place caution on how much food you provide.

The Finnish Spitz is recognisable for its bright red fur, they have a double coat with the undercoat being a lighter colour than the longer and courser outer coat. They have an almost fox-like face with pricked up ears, a narrow snout, and dark eyes. They are square in appearance, a deep set chest and profuse amount of fur on their tail which is carried curled up over their back. They have rounded catlike paws and their dew claws are often removed. They are generally between 15-19 inches in height with females weighing between 20-27lbs and the males between 27-33lbs.

History. The Finish Spitz is the national dog of Finland, they are thought to have originated around 2000 years ago when they were brought, by a group of people living in central Russia, into Finland. Due to the area where they lived, which was secluded, the breed managed to stay almost pure throughout the years and developed to the hunters needs. They were first introduced to the UK in the 1920’s and to this day they have remained relatively popular not only as working dogs but also as family pets. The Finnish Spitz was used to hunt small game and would alert the hunter with a distinctive bark, it’s even been known for these little dogs to chase bears.

Temperament. The Finnish Spitz is an affectionate and inquisitive companion, who loves nothing better than to be part of the family. They can be lively and playful and do not fully mature until between 3 and 4 years of age. They need to be socialised well, from a young age, or they can develop the habit of being aloof with strangers. It’s important to train them well and to make sure that the dog knows it is not the one in charge, or they can become dominant and even aggressive. They are loyal to their family and, due to their breeding, bark when they have found game, they make excellent watch dogs alerting the family to trouble, however they do not make good guard dogs. Health Issues. Thanks to the careful and responsible breeding of the Finnish Spitz they suffer from very few health problems and are generally a feirly robust dog. On rare occasions though they can suffer from luxating patella, which is when the knee cap slips out of position, epilepsy and hereditary cataracts. They can also suffer from hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Their average life expectancy is around 12 to 15 years.

Grooming. The Finnish Spitz has an almost self-cleaning coat and only requires brushing around once a week. However, they do shed seasonally for a few weeks twice a year, during this time they will need to be brushed daily to remove all the excess coat. This process of removing the old coat will help the new coat to grow out in a better condition, also excess undercoat can cause skin conditions.

Living Conditions. The Finnish Spitz prefers a cooler climate and can be relatively inactive indoors. They can do well in an apartment but do need daily walks and plenty of attention. They are well suited to family life and get on well with children and other pets.