Dachshund doing what he does best
Ammo the Dachshund burrows into one of his dog beds. www.facebook.com
Finding the Best Urban Dog Breeds
If you are an urban dweller but would still like to get a dog, don’t worry, it is possible but there are a few factors you will need to consider when choosing the right dog for your situation. The size of your apartment or house and its locality will have an effect on your dog so you should choose a breed of dog that can thrive in your home environment. You may want to consider getting a smaller breed of dog as they are easier to manage and the last thing you want to come home to after a long day at work are giant doggie stools in your apartment!
Owning a dog is a big responsibility and a lifetime commitment. If you don’t have a backyard it can be difficult. Your dog relies on you for all his needs and you are ultimately responsible for keeping him happy and healthy. City apartments can be small so you will have to keep that in mind when choosing a dog breed, some dog breeds need a lot of space and exercise.
Here is a list of some breeds of dog that are suitable for city living. Most small breed dogs do well in an apartment setting and despite their small size, they have a lot to offer in terms of loyalty, companionship and love.
Pugs:
Pugs are quirky and endearing dogs that are easy to maintain. They don’t need a lot of exercise and a daily walk around the block will fulfill their physical needs. They are very affectionate and loyal dogs that are easy to train. Another great thing about these dogs is that they have short haired coats that don’t require a lot of grooming and shedding is minimal.
Boxers, French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers:
Boxers, French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are dogs that are full of spunk and personality. Boxers although larger sized dogs, are quite content to spend the day lounging about the house as long as you take them on a daily walk. Boston terriers and French Bulldogs are very popular dogs among city dwellers and their funny looks combined with their fun loving personalities make them ideal dogs for urban living.
The Dachshund:
The Dachshund or “sausage dog” is an energetic little dog that does well in an apartment setting. They are amusing little dogs that do well with older children (younger children may hurt their fragile backs).
Basenji:
Basenjis are among the best dogs for apartment living. They rarely ever bark and make a great choice for those living in apartment buildings with strict laws about noisy pets. Basenjis are also very clean dogs to the point of being obsessive about cleanliness. Owning a Basenji is almost like owning a cat!
Pomeranians and Chihuahuas:
These dogs fall under the toy dog breed and their tiny sizes make them ideal for city life. They are easy to train and small enough to be carried in a bag. They don’t require much space and a small daily walk is enough to keep them exercised and mentally stimulated.
ShihTzu:
Another small breed of dog, the Shih Tzu is a very popular apartment dog. These highly intelligent dogs are easy to train and learn new tricks surprisingly quickly, however their long hair requires regular grooming and they do need to be taken on daily walks.
Schipperke:
The Schipperke is a less well known breed but is very well suited for city life. They are very small black dogs that make great companions. They do require a certain amount of exercise and will need to be walked daily.
If you prefer larger breeds, there are a few that do reasonably well in an apartment setting such as the Mastiff and Newfoundland but they can be cumbersome in an apartment as they are very big dogs. They also drool considerably the Newfoundland requires regular grooming as they have very thick coats.
Dachshund Puppy and German Shepherd Best of Friends
Baby Dachshund (Beni) and German Shepherd (Tia) playing.
How To Identify The Best Dog Food For Dachshunds
With a lot of alternatives on the market nowadays, how do you know what the best dog food for dachshunds is? When you know what to search for and much more significantly how to interpret the label, you also will be a expert on feeding your dachshund, so your dog lives an extended joyful life.
It is important that you initially know that the AAFCO sets the principles for dog food safety in addition to nourishment, however the AAFCO will scale both low and high quality elements as being nutritionally satisfactory since there’s a interest in pet food in all price ranges. Therefore you will need to learn how to read past the AAFCO approval statement on your pet foods labels, so that you simply will be giving your dachshund just the very best and meeting his daily dietary requirements. Do you know that your dog can obtain allergic reactions and a delicate stomach from ingredients which are contained in dog food? This comes from elevated fat content, extreme sodium content and many preservatives and artifical flavors.
Learning to appreciate the pet food labels is the most important thing you can do for your pet. The label tells us numerous important information that may otherwise dissuade or sway us from deciding on the food. In short, it especially is significant that you choose to comprehend the labels. To actually decipher that label, and not to only give it a brief look.
A fantastic way to reveal the higher quality dog foods by understanding the ingredient list would be to look for that initial source of fat. Everything that is listed before that fat source, and including it, is the primary part of the food. Everything else is usually used for taste, preservatives, vitamins, and minerals.
Allow me to share a handful of suggestions that you can go by:
Be certain there are no generic fats or proteins, but sources of beef fat, chicken fat or lamb meal in the food.
Inspect the packaging, to find out if it in fact is USDA approved and meets AAFCO specs. For even healthier quality of dog food products, check for hormone and antibiotic free meats. You may also check for natural dog foods, because they really are more healthier.
Avoid foods that include corn or wheat gluten meats. No question, there is nothing poorer for your your pet than products that have these ingredients in them. Rice protein concentrates are healthier in quality, than these two.
Make sure there is no imitation preservatives like BHA or BHT or Ethoxyquin, since they are certainly an additional caution of low quality pet foods.
Look for by products which don’t have non-natural colors or sweeteners like corn syrup, sucrose or propylene glycol.
As you can see, by understanding the labels, you will be ready to detect the best dog food for dachshunds. As a result of feeding your pet merely the best, you can actually assure that he will be a healthier dog, and live a happy life.
Keep Your Best Friend Happy & Healthy with these Top Tips
Do you really know all that there is to know about your beautiful dogs nutritional needs? Many well meaning pet owners think they are doing what is best for their dogs when it comes to food, but the truth is that they are relying more on pure instinct than science.
Lets be clear about this, nutrition is not a guessing game, even when it comes to your pooch. Think about it for a moment, if you were left to feed yourself based only on what you craved for, and had no knowledge of what your body needs to function, would you be eating 5 servings of fruit and veggies a day, or would you head straight for the burger and fries section at the supermarket?
So, lets look at some vital tips which will help keep your pooch happy and healthy.
1. Cover all of the bases.
A dogs diet can be as complex as any humans (including yours), and it is absolutely essential that you, as an owner, hit all of the vital nutritional bases. A deficiency of certain vitamins and nutrients can lead to upset tummies, overly dry or oily skin, brittle bones, weight issues, and, in some of the worst cases, death.
A balanced and proper diet is the building block of your dogs overall health, and if he does not get the right blend of nutrients, the most impeccable care otherwise will not mean a thing. But with the right diet, his defences against disease and disorders are infinitely stronger than a dog whose owner does not put much thought into an eating plan.
2. Mix it up
For the most part, pre packaged food will help you cover all of the major nutritional requirements that a healthy, fairly young dog has. But sadly, this is where many owners trip up simply because of the ease of the decision; Most caring dog owners think that the major choice is between dry and moist food, when in reality the best diet you can provide your dog is one varied in ingredients, textures, and nutritional value.
Wolves in the wild were carnivores, and that instinct remains still with our modern day dog; They continue to hunt prey (poor Kitty), love sausage flavoured treats, and adore the great treat they get when crunching on a bone. Those varied elements should give you a little bit of insight into how diverse your dogs diet can be.
3. Move beyond meat.
Building some portion of his diet from meat gives you many of the crucial nutrients he needs for energy and growth, but he also needs fiber and carbohydrates to aid in digestion and stability.
You could throw down a bowl of dry food every day and maybe give him a treat of moist food once a month, but how would you like it if the tables were turned and he insisted on feeding you pancakes every day for the rest of your life? Not such a sunny outlook, is it?
4. Make it a real meal.
Listen, nobody ever said you had to rely on a bag or can of food to feed your dog. You cook for your family all the time. Well how about your dog, does he or she not deserve similar treatment? Most owners say they would love to cook for their pups but just do not know where to start, and that is where I can make some further suggestions.
There are a number of books available which offer very mouth watering recipes for dogs, and they have some great suggestions. Simply do a search for Dog Recipes, and you will be surprised at what you get.
5. Give him some green.
Your dog needs a well balanced diet, and the best way to accomplish that is through a wide variety of ingredients. Did you know that many dogs love veggies? In fact, if your dog likes to nibble on grass, he may appreciate some of the veggie oriented recipes. Give it a shot and see what you, and your dog, think.
After all, the worst that could happen is an improvement in your Best Friends health!
john savage is a dog lover and lives with two beautiful poochs. He keeps a Blog which provides insider secrets on dog training.
Click Here to visit the Blog
Speeches and Presentations – Guidelines on How to Say it Best
Everyone can find the right words – all it takes is practice and some guidelines to help you structure an effective presentation.
Firstly, and most importantly, start with the end in mind. Set aside enough time to determine your purpose and intention in preparing and presenting your speech. Your purpose may be to entertain, to educate, to inform, to persuade or even a combination of the fore mentioned. A clearly defined purpose is a blueprint or a template that structures a meaningful and focused speech.
Your second step to finding the right words will be to brainstorm the topic by spontaneously writing down your keyword ideas.
The third step is the planning phase. People tend to rush through this important phase, but it is time well spent. Plan your speech here. You may wish to use a mind-map, a flow chart or even a horizontal plot-line to help structure your thoughts. Concentrate on the introduction, the development of the body of your speech and finally the conclusion.
These three phases can be likened to a sausage dog. Picture a sausage dog in your mind.
The head is your introduction. It should introduce your topic, capture your audience’s attention and lead the audience into the purpose of the presentation. Remember, that the sausage dog’s head is relatively small in comparison the rest of its body – so short, pertinent and gripping work well here.
The introduction is followed by the body of your address. A visual reminder is the long body of the sausage dog. This section of your speech should consist of four or five paragraph that individually develop a different aspect of your speech, but at the same time are all linked to a common purpose – pretty much like the body of our dog.
Finally, the tail – possibly with a twist or a loop? The conclusion should sum up your speech. It may tie up loose ends, finalize an argument or highlight the end of your speech. Either way, your audience should clearly see that this is the end of your speech, just like the tail is the end of our dog!
It is only now that the planning phase is over, that you will choose your words to achieve your initial aim and the purpose of writing your speech.
This is the easy part. There are so many resources out there to help you to find the right words to say it best. The internet, book stores, friends, magazines and libraries are all invaluable resources at your disposal. Finding the resources is relatively easy, but it is very important that you personalize the content.
Trust your instinct. You have within you right now the necessary skills to find the words.
Companion Dogs – Finding Your New Best Friend
Countless dog lovers will argue that most any dog is a good companion. Certainly dogs by their pleasant nature are great companion dogs. In the strict sense though and for differentiation, dogs that don’t work and usually do not particularly excel at any task other than companionship is really a companion dog. When the decision for adopting a dog is to have a companion, the options will be limited normally to smaller dog breeds which are likely to serve no particular task other than as a pet and as a comforter.
This lifestyle of having small dogs for decoration goes back thousands of years to Chinese nobility where the Pug and the Pekingese where favorites. In Europe, lap dogs also are popular with royalties and the wealthy throughout history and are still used as presents today. In fact because of their generally small breed, companion dogs loves to sit on their owner’s lap that earned them the term of lap dogs aside from their comforting warmth.
Many companion dogs for example the Maltese, terriers and spaniels were breed with the intention of serving great company for refined ladies and gentlemen during the 19th century. Children and dogs though have this pure appreciation to one another that interest in companion dog breeds increased. In the 20th century, middle and lower classes began having companion dogs to chum up with their children. In fact, the parameter in which a good dog breed is assessed on is in the dogs being a great family pet. By that it shows that the dog is warm and friendly to both man and other smaller animals and gentle.
Companion dogs have a life expectancy of up to 16 years. They weigh, according to breed, from 4 to 16 pounds and are prone to ailments that are associated with their size. Before adopting a dog for a companionship, it would be well to do a little research regarding health, ailments, and other breed specific issues on health.
Companion dogs being usually small dogs are energetic and rambunctious. While they are not ideal around children because they move very fast, they are great company to older individuals who could use extra cheer at home. One of the downsides to having a companion dog is that because of their size, they are vulnerable to larger animals. When you are located in areas where winters might be very cold, you should consider companion dog breeds which are fluffy or are longhaired.
The huge benefits far outweighs the risk though as these dogs are content to follow wherever their owners go, are very easy going, and are content to sit with their owners for long periods of time. They are excellent pets for people living in small apartments, they also cost less to maintain and are excellent for people which are less active since running at home is exercise enough for them.
Some of the preferred companion breed dogs are the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Dachshunds, and Shih-Tzus.
Designer Dog Collar – Perk Your Dog Up With The Best Collar In Town!
Many dog lovers doubt the use of designer dog collars when they already have a harness for their little pet dogs. Well, a unique designer dog collar, made especially by designers is used for identification purposes and to make your pet look nice. It is absolutely important to have a personalized dog tag with all your details and contact numbers on your dogs’ collar. In spite of the latest microchip used for easy identification of your dog, a dog collar is important for immediate recognition.
Basically the functionality of the collars and the leashes is to help you control your dogs, so obviously whatever material is used, it should be flexible enough. They are available in various colors and designs decorated with these tiny sparkling stones. You can even personalize the collars of your dog by ordering for the name of your pooch to be flashed in precious and semi-precious stones. This will make the designer dog collar exceptionally beautiful and attractive. Many dog parents feel that even if you don’t spend too much on your dogs’ attire you could vouch out some cash for a trendy and personalized dog collar for his personal identity. Personalized dog collars give your little Pekinese or Doxie his own personal identity and of course make him stand out of the crowd!
You can create your own designer dog collar with charms that can help you identify your dog easily when he is among the same breed of dogs. Some owners like to make their little puppy dogs wear charms in the shape of hanging bells or dainty bows. The charms will instantly liven up a plain collar and complete any look perfectly. They come in different price ranges so you can buy some for daily wear and others just for special occasions. These dog charms can be worn just about anywhere so they are a great buy. Even a simple walk in the park can be made more glamorous if you put a charm on your dogs’ collar.
Large designer dog collars are made sturdy with durable leather and are usually enhanced with metal spikes and studs, whereas small dog collars are made with lightweight nylon so that the small furry buddies are not pressurized by the heavy weight of the collar. Some of the main differences among the various types of designer dog collars lie in their material, size and thickness, as well as in the areas of colors, pattern, design, brand, etc. as well.
Shopping for your pet has never been so easy and exciting! Dog lovers are not restricted to only local shops, but can view amazing designer dog collars from all over the world! Yes, they can, by logging on to the Internet and browsing through various doggy boutiques, providing them with the latest and trendy outfits and accessories. Shopping online is easy and hassle free. All you need to do to order online is provide your credit card number along with your personal details and the items will be shipped to you! Get your pet a designer dog collar to make him look trendy!
Donald is an expert in the field. For dog accessories and for more information on designer dog collars Please visit: http://www.upscalepup.com
Best Dogs For City Life
Keeping a dog in an apartment or house is not as easy as one would think. There are many factors to consider, such as the size and locality of your house or apartment, the breed of the canine, its needs and requirements. And then of course there is the process of potty training involved, since the last thing you want to clean is doggy litter all over your abode after along days work.
Keeping a dog in your city home is a huge responsibility. You have to make sure you keep you pet healthy and happy. Keep in mind the fact that city houses are generally very small with limited space, so breeds that are big and built for outdoor activities will not be able to live happily.
Below is a list of dogs that are meant for a life in the city. Of course most city dogs are small in size and do not provide much in terms of real protection. However, their loyalty and companionship make keeping them worthwhile.
Pugs:
Pugs are an all time favorite with city dwellers since they are affectionate, well behaved and have a coat of short hair that does not require much maintenance. They do not require much exercise; a walk around the block will suffice. They are quite sedentary and can weigh up to 25 pounds, but they make interaction quite pleasurable.
Boston Terrier, Boxers, French Bulldogs:
Other city favorites include Boston terrier, Boxers and French Bulldogs. Although boxers are bigger than the others, all of them happily spend the day napping peacefully in a quiet house, and are satisfied with a quick jaunt around the block once or twice a day. These city favorites provide the much-needed loyalty and companionship one looks for after a stressful day at the office.
Sausage Dog:
The Dachshund or sausage dog is another small dog ideal for city houses. This dog is well tempered and great with children. It is quite energetic for its size, but expends its energy running around the apartment or condo.
Basenji:
Owning a Basenji is like owning a cat, mainly because it hardly ever barks. This dog is great for people in apartment buildings that have strict rules about keeping noisy dogs that may offend neighbors. Its small size and obsession with keeping itself clean quality the Basenji as a good breed for the city.
Chihuahua and Pomeranian:
The Chihuahua and Pomeranian can also make perfect city dogs because they hardly require any exercise and are small enough to be carried anywhere in a bag. These gentle dogs are easy to train and clean up, and do not require much living space.
Shih Tzu:
Shih Tzu is another breed suited for city life, because it is small in size, easy to train and very smart. They will require a daily walk however, and regular grooming.
Schipperke:
The Schipperke is a less common dog but great for apartment or condo living. Weighing about 10 to 18 pounds, this active small black god with a docked tail is very entertaining and makes a faithful companion. However, a quick jaunt around the neighborhood is a must for this fur ball to help stretch its legs and get some fresh air.
If a larger breed is what you have in mind, there are a few types that can fit the bill, but each has its own set of challenges. Mastiff and Newfoundland are sedentary dogs that do not require much exercise, but they usually weigh up to 100 pounds. Another aspect to consider is their drool. These dogs slobber over furniture and spread their drool over the apartment. The Newfoundland also has a long thick coat that needs regular grooming to keep it shiny and tangle free.