Finding The Right Place For The Family Dog To Sleep

The pet industry is always growing. One can purchase many items to make the family dog feel more comfortable. These products such as toys, treats, apparel and bedding come in every shape, color and size. There are so many options.

If you are shopping for a dog bed, there are many options available in that department. You first need to decide what type to purchase for you dog. Bedding collections are numerous and there are different purposes for them also.

Some beds are made for orthopedic reasons and provide extra support for the dog. Others can be medical grade for the disabled dog and waterproof and others can be rugged enough for life outside.

For just as many types of beds, there are just as many types of filler to choose from. An owner needs to consider that also. Some of the beds are filled with a polyester blend much like a typical pillow. Others have more specialized features like cedar filling to control odors and repel insects. A foam dog bed is an orthopedic type that can help with arthritis. They are manufactured with regular foam or memory foam. Memory foam gives the dog superior support.

Do not forget about size. The size of the dog needs to be considered. There are some easy tips to deciding upon that. Measure your dog from the nose or front legs to the rump or rear legs while it is lying down. Add nine to twelve inches to that number. The final number will be what the dog will comfortably be able to rest in.

Weight counts in dog beds. Estimate the dog’s weight. It is better to overestimate than underestimate. A small dog will fit fine on any size bed but a large dog will not fit nicely on too small of a bed. If you have a very large breed of dog such as a Great Pyrenees for example, then opt for the extra large dog bed.

Buying a bed for the family dog is not a difficult thing to do. It does take some time and planning. Remember to consider why you are getting the bed. It may be for a medical purpose for the dog. If so shop around as there are different types of medical beds. Do your homework and you will be able to find a pet that your dog will love to sleep on.

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Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie): The Diminutive Herder of Shetland Island, Scotland

The Shetland Sheepdog or simply known as the Sheltie is one of the dog breeds around the world whose origin is not exactly defined. What’s certain, however, is the fact that the Sheltie is a supposed original resident of the rocky region of the Shetland Island in Scotland. Physically, this breed appears like a miniature Collie but in fact, the breeding was never intended to achieve this kind of result.

The Sheltie was said to be the result of various breeding between the Scottish Rough Collie, Pomeranian, Greenland Yakki (now extinct), and the King Charles Spaniel or is a direct descendant of one of these breeds. In Shetland Island, the Sheltie was believed to do herding tasks just like the other Collies. Contradictions supply, however, that the Sheltie was not used for herding but rather for chasing small creatures such as ducks and squirrels.

Presently, this dog is popular around the world as an outstanding family companion and children’s pet. This breed is very loyal, docile and highly trainable and it intensely wills to please the master. With a firm and confident training and treatment from the owner, the Sheltie will definitely become a superiorly fantastic household companion and reliable family pet.

If not often exposed to people in the beginning, this breed has the tendency to become aloof towards strangers when it grows up. It does well around people especially children and therefore should be socialized at a young age. The Sheltie is a superb watch dog as well, barking as a signal when there is an approaching human or car towards the house.

Although never really believed to be a herder then, the Sheltie of today has an eager herder instinct that most of the time comes out through its irrepressible desire to chase and herd other creatures. Because of this, it needs to be always kept busy and so activities such as running and chasing around within a wide spaced area is necessary. The Sheltie is not hyper active; just make sure to give it the right amount of activities in order to keep its physical and mental health in shape.

The normal height of the Sheltie is 13 to 16 inches while its normal weight is between 14 to 27 pounds. It has an outer coat and an inner coat wherein the outer coat is long, coarse and dense and acts as a water-guard. The inner coat is somewhat softer and serves as a comforter against hot or cold temperatures.

The general colors of the Sheltie are sable, tri-colour and blue merle. The sable is either golden or mahogany and the tri-colour is white, black and tan. The blue merle is composed of grey, white, black and tan.

In 1909, the first Sheltie was first registered in the English Kennel Club and in 1911; the first Sheltie was registered in the American Kennel Club. This breed, even if not intended to be a herder, has a natural affinity in herding smaller creatures which is often seen through its chasing smaller animals. What’s certain, however, that herder or not, the Sheltie is still recognized as an outstanding pet of families around the world.

Rhodesian Ridgeback: A Fierce Lion Hunter Yet A Gentle House Companion

Everyone knows that when a lion gets mad, it wrecks unimaginable and irreversible havoc that’s why only those skilled enough and experienced hunters can face and elude this creature’s wrath. Humans and animals are known to shiver in fear over the sight of a lion gone mad but not this one breed of dog. Instead of running for its dear life, it unabashedly challenges and faces the king of the jungle’s fury and succeeds at it most of the time: this is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

This breed, in all its handsomeness and masculinity, is a native of South Africa where lions are a common sight. Originally, some native tribes of this country owned a ridgebacked breed of dog used as hunting aids and household companions. The Boer farmers, another tribe, realized the potential of this breed and so they bred it with the Khoikhoi dog, Mastiff and Deerhound to produce the modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback.

In 1877, a Reverend Helm brought two of these new breed to Bulawayo, Rhodesia- today’s Zimbabwe, and it was there that more people discovered this dog’s ferocity towards lions and excellent hunting skills. In 1922, the first standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was created and the breed was remarked as a game hunting breed. There had been a debated conundrum regarding this dog’s classification in terms of hunting as it is both excellent in hunting big games as the ferocious and large as a lion and hunting small games as tiny as a squirrel.

The breed’s name, Ridgeback, is a manifestation of its appearance because it certainly possesses a symmetrical ridge running along its back. The ridge is made prominent by its growth which is in the opposite direction of the dogs overall coat. This breed’s coat appears sleek and glossy colored in either light wheat or red wheat.

In hunting, the Ridgeback is ferocious and accurate but inside the home, it transforms in to a gentle, calm and biddable pet. It is playful and patient with children, kind and strongly protective of its owners. It is also an outstanding watchdog as it is intent, sharp and alert in observing unfriendly people or forces.

Additionally, this renowned hunter is naturally intelligent, cunning, and independent and these sometimes may lead to difficult training sessions. However, if you have a firm and patient disposition towards this dog, you will gain its trust and thus will never have to handle difficult trainings. This breed has a tendency, too, to be aloof towards strangers and will always be on its guard if it chances upon one.

It is also a suitable dog for apartment living so long as it is provided with an everyday lengthy and fast-paced walking or jogging. Inside the house they are relatively dormant but once outside they tend to be energetic and eager huge pets. Their exercise needs to be done in an open space such as large backyards or parks.

Knowing the harsh conditions of Africa, we can easily understand why this dog can stand unforgiving situations at times. In fact, this dog can withstand flaring hot days and damp and cold nights. It can also go on for 24 hours and more without food and water.

The Vicious and Courageous Hunter of Lions, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed

Everyone knows that when a lion gets mad, it wrecks unimaginable and irreversible havoc that’s why only those skilled enough and experienced hunters can face and elude this creature’s wrath. Humans and animals are known to shiver in fear over the sight of a lion gone mad but not this one breed of dog. Instead of running for its dear life, it unabashedly challenges and faces the king of the jungle’s fury and succeeds at it most of the time: this is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

This breed, in all its handsomeness and masculinity, is a native of South Africa where lions are a common sight. Originally, some native tribes of this country owned a ridgebacked breed of dog used as hunting aids and household companions. The Boer farmers, another tribe, realized the potential of this breed and so they bred it with the Khoikhoi dog, Mastiff and Deerhound to produce the modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback.

A man named Reverend Helm introduced two of these new breed to Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe, in 1887 and it is there that this breed gained additional popularity as an excellent lion hunter. The first standard for this breed was written in 1922 in Rhodesia stating that this breed is of the game hunting kind. This distinction brought about several debates as there are different classifications for big game hunting and small hunting and it turned out that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is excellent at both.

This breed is called Ridgeback because of the distinct symmetrical ridge formation along its back. This ridge is a hair growth growing towards the opposite direction of its natural coat growth. This breed’s coat looks sleek and glossy with colors of either red or light wheat.

In hunting, this dog is courageous and fearless but inside the home, it is placid, gentle and docile. It is naturally good to people, playful and patient with children and protective of its owner. It is wary of strangers although this can serve as an advantage when it comes to its watchdog duty because it tends to be vigilant and watchful.

Additionally, this renowned hunter is naturally intelligent, cunning, and independent and these sometimes may lead to difficult training sessions. However, if you have a firm and patient disposition towards this dog, you will gain its trust and thus will never have to handle difficult trainings. This breed has a tendency, too, to be aloof towards strangers and will always be on its guard if it chances upon one.

An apartment dwelling is fine with the Ridgeback as long as it gets its daily exercise of long brisk walking and jogging. Inside the house they are inactive but once outside, they pour out all their energies thats why you must bring them to a wide space outdoors to jaunt and run around in. Bring them to open- spaced yards or parks for example.

The Ridgeback has a natural instinct to survive harsh conditions because its ancestors are pliable to the unforgiving situations of Africa. The Ridgeback can withstand hot climates and damp and cold nights. It can also last up to more than 24 hours without water or food.

The Fluffy and Famous Pomeranian

Who wouldn’t recognize this fluffy and adorable little breed when all its magnificence is shown in countless movies and TV repeatedly? This celebrity breed is the Pomeranian and it is on the American Kennel Club’s top 15 most famous breeds of America for 10 consecutive years. Today, the Pomeranian or Pom Pom is being adopted as a companion dog but it is also competitive in terms of agility, competitive obedience and ticks performance.

Evidence of this breed’s ancestors was found in Egypt as shown in various Egyptian paintings, sculptures and pottery inside the tomb of prominent people. Overtime, this breed was brought to the region of the now non-existent Pomerania, a place now occupied by Germany and Poland dividedly. It is in this place that the then 20 pounds Pomeranian-like breed was further refined to possess a luscious coat and a disposition befitting a city life.

Today, this breed weighs 3 to 7 pounds and the credit goes to the English people who developed the Pomeranian breed to be much smaller and colorful. When it became tiny and recognizable as a toy dog, it gained popularity all over Europe through the ardent fascination of Queen Charlotte and Princess Victoria. Famous personalities are said to have an affinity to the breed and such people are Marie Antoinette, Mozart and Emile Zola to name a few.

The Pomeranian is labeled as a toy dog and it belongs to the Spitz type. In many European countries, this dog is called Zwergspitz, a German word meaning dwarf spitz or toy German spitz. The name Pomeranian came from the root word Pomorze or Pomern, a Slavic language meaning “along the sea”.

Describing the look of this tiny breed, many attest that it looks like a fox, a baby doll, or a pansy-faced creature. This may be attributed to the fact that the Pomeranian owns a bright, almond-shaped, and intelligent- looking stare. It also possesses a dense, long and soft hair that is often seen in colors white, black, brown, orange, sable, wolf, or white with colored markings.

The original Pomeranian used to weigh 20 to 30 pounds but through the Mendelean breeding technique, breeders were able to decrease its size to 3 to 7 pounds. This breed may also live up to 12 or 19 years given that it is kept healthy. To achieve its prime health, it is important to give this little dog a dose of daily walks in order to keep it fit and sane.

The Pomeranian is a natural entertainer, sociable, energetic and loyal type of dog. It excels in competitive obedience and tricks performance even in circus acts. Furthermore, the Pom Pom is an independent type of dog therefore you dont have to constantly lavish it with attention and time as it will keep itself busy on its own.

To keep its appearance at its best, frequent brushing and combing, regular dental check up and daily ear and nose cleaning are needed. On the downside, the Pomeranian is an excessive shedder therefore allergic individuals are not suited to own this breed. This dog also strives well in a small apartment dwelling because it doesn’t really need a wide space to exercise.

West Highland White Terrier: A Magnificent Breed Saved From Cruelty

Filled with spunk and a mighty determination- this is what the tiny West Highland White terrier is popularly known for and more. With a compact little body and a wonderfully luminous white fur, this dog is an undeniable charmer and a surprisingly energetic and agile little gamer. Also widely known as “Westie”, this little fluffy creature has a wide following and is still counting.

A lot of dog owners favor the West Highland White terrier today but going back in time, it is but a pity and a shock to know that they weren’t so favored as they are today. In Scotland, where this breed first appeared, they were merely treated as invaluable, least productive and scruffy dogs of peasant and poor workers. These cruel and unjust assessments then widely prompted the people of that time to abandon, allow perishing, and ultimately killing these poor terriers.

Thanks to the influence of a soft- hearted man of rank, however, that this dog was saved from harshness and was started to be recognized as one having unique abilities and useful strengths as a watchdog and vermin hunter. Col. Edward Donald Malcolm of Poltalloch, Scotland was the first man to give importance to this breed and so it was called the Poltalloch terrier then. Col. Malcolm developed several colored terriers but it is the white colored one that gained the most concentration for this typical color is the most useful in bushes and woods setting.

This creature is a relative of Scottish terriers Skye, Cairn, and Dandie Dinmont and inter-breeding made it the West Highland White terrier that it is today. The efforts of Col. Malcolm resulted in the conception of the first West Highland White terrier club in 1905 and in 1906, it was given official recognition by The Kennel Club in the UK and was given the name The West Highland Terrier Club. The West Highland White terrier was shown at that same time in the US and has been a part of the American Kennel Club (AKC) by 1908.

Being a typical terrier, the Westie is unsurprisingly game, hardy, fairly trusting to new people, playful to children; active, self-assured, and feigns companionship. It’s common for this breed as well to be inclined in running, playing, and runningaround small animals such as cats; it is never to hurt other animals but that this terrier loves chasing them around but merely as a form of entertainment. If surrounded by other dogs, this breed will interact just fine for it is never touchy and antagonistic, but rather affable and possesses a high self-esteem.

Outwardly, this dog is covered with 2 inches length of hair that’s thick, soft, and pearly white in brilliance. It sturdily and robustly boasts its 10-12 inches of height and its hair that has a softer and thicker undercoat and courser and tougher overcoat. Maintenance for the hair minimally requires daily brushing and regular trimmings and clippings.

This dog is also tractable, is an innate showman within and is fairly intelligent; truth is, it wins a lot during obedience and dog show competitions. As per its health, just like any other animals, it requires daily walks in order to exercise its body fairly and to prevent them from learning unpleasant behaviors. Daily walks, however, are not enough for this dog needs an ample amount of playtime so as to enhance its physical and mental fitness.

The West Highland White terrier, despite its morbid and pitiful past, is overflowing with praises and spoiling nowadays. Clubs for this breed are popping out in almost every city in all parts of the world and this additionally proves the adoration it receives today. Without the effort of the Malcolm family, this creature must not be of existence now and we would have never known a sweet, charming, and protective little dog called Westie.