Posts Tagged ‘terriers’

The Background Of West Highland White Terriers

Wednesday, May 18th, 2011

By around the 1700’s, the Isle of Skye and other highland areas in Scotland were already breeding lots of small terriers. Scottish breeds were divided into two sorts: the Skye terriers and the Dandie Dinmont terriers.

The Dandie Dinmonts were classed as a solitary breed, whereas the Skyes were deemed to include the Scotties, the Cairns and the West Highland White Terriers also called Westies.

West Highland White Terriers were hybrids of crossed Cairns, Scotties and Dandies terriers. These hybrids were reckoned to be good hunters and loyal. In fact, many members of the Scottish royal family owned terriers that were very much the same as the Westies of today.

One folktale concerns a Westie that stopped a mother from constantly shouting at her daughter. Every time the mother shouted at her teenage daughter, the Westie would attack the mother. The dog’s aggression got to such a level over the years that the mother gave up yelling at her daughter.

It turned out that the girl was stroking and rewarding the dog for his protection after each bawling out from her mother. Many might say that the daughter was able to help her mother to transform her violent ways although she was also helping herself by rewarding the dog for its actions.

West Highland White Terriers can live in or outdoors, so are very adaptable. They have a wiry coat of roughly two inches in thickness covering a dense fur coat which is capable of keeping them warm. Westies are in essence small dogs of between 10 and 12 inches in height and 13 and 22 pounds in weight.

West Highland White Terriers like to dig and bark, but they also like company. They like well-behaved children and they like to run after cats. They defend their property and territory enthusiastically.

As a breed, they can suffer some ailments such as: chronic skin problems, Perthe’s disease (hip problems), jawbone calcification, cranio-mandibular osteopathy (lion jaw), patella luxation, a disorder in the kneecap, liver ailments, deafness and congenital heart disease

However, there are measures that you can take to look after your Westie. For example, they ought to be brushed frequently using a brush with stiff bristles. You should bathe them only when necessary, but their whole coat should be shorn at least two times a year and trimmed each four months. The fur surrounding the eyes and ears should be trimmed as well.

Records swow that in 1620, King James 1 requested some small white dogs from Argyleshire, Scotland. Colonel Malcolm, who was thought to be the creator of Poltalloch terriers, that are very similar to the Westies of today, unintentionally shot his dark terrier. From then on he swore to have just white terriers.

In the 19th Century, terriers that were very much like the Westies were known as Roseneath terriers in honour of the Duke of Argyle’s interest and patronage of this breed. Roseneath was the name of his estate at Dumbartonshire.

In the first ever dog show, organized in the late 1800’s, the Westies were known as White Scottish Terriers. In 1904, they were reclassified as West Highland White Terriers.

During the mid-1900’s, breeders of the Cairns in Argyle picked white puppies from the stock and interbred them to obtain white Cairns. However, in 1917, the American Kennel Club ruled that Cairns could be listed if they have the Westies’ lineage.

Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on a variety of subjects, but is now involved with the canine distemper vaccination. If you want to know more, please go to our website at Distemper Vaccines

How To Manage A Wedding Car Business

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Have you ever thought about setting up a wedding car company? Although it can be demanding, because you do not want to let anybody down on their big day, it is also fascinating and exciting.

Some of the advantages are that you get to own good-looking cars - maybe a Rolls Royce or a Bentley and they are tax-deductible; you meet new people under happy conditions and you are in the position to help them have a wonderful wedding day.

It is a very demanding industry, because you always have to bear in mind the desires of your clients and think about how you can realize and expand their’ wishes. That is difficult enough, but you also have to stay competitive. I hope that the following tips will be helpful.

1] Take care of the conditions under which you keep your vehicles. If you can afford to garage them, they will not collect dust and bird droppings so the paintwork will look better for longer. Do not have a gravel drive, because of possible scratching to the coachwork of the cars.

2] Get one or two really lovely cars. You will need to do a bit of research to find out what couples in your area like, but as a rule of thumb a Rolls Royce or a Bentley are sure bets. Or maybe a stretch limousine. Old vehicles go down well too. Build up your fleet of cars step by step but increasingly. Offer your clients as much choice as you can realistically afford to do.

Many wedding couples will not only require the wedding car, but also vehicles for the guests. Many of them want limousines or old cars for their wedding day. But a lot of other vehicles are required for the guests. Be flexible and agree to decorate the vehicles according to the couple’s wishes with flowers and ribbons.

2] Employ good, compassionate personnel. A fully trained chauffeur is a necessity, but a military style driver can add to your firm’s image.

3] It is a good idea to offer different packages or elements that a couple can use to build a package. So, you could offer transportation from the bride’s house to the church as one element. From the church to the restaurant as another element and from there to the chosen hotel, the airport or the railway station, as another element.

4] Make certain that your clients know exactly how long they have exclusive use of the vehicles for. This is useful for them, so that they know exactly how long they have to take photos, eat or chat.

Transportation plays a huge and fundamental part in any wedding day celebrations. In fact, poorly timed or scruffy transportation can ruin a wedding day. If you let that happen, your firm’s standing will suffer badly, particularly in a town or village. You will need a high sense of responsibility; reliable, well-trained, sensitive staff and high quality vehicles that look the part. White wedding cars are popular, but other colours are acceptable, especially for the guests.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Organic Dog Food

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

The desire for healthy food seems to apply equally to humans and their pets, since many animal owners prefer to buy organic products to feed man’s best friend. One could be forgiven for being surprised at the large variety of organic dog food available on the market. Just as for humans, there are a lot of pet illnesses that one could cure or even prevent in the first place by the use of organic pet food.

For example, organic dog food could reduce the chance of the pet developing skin diseases and allergies. The reason for the positive health effects is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead the ingredients of organic dog food are just grain extracts and high quality proteins. Organic dog food provides more nourishment, which is obvious from the higher levels of energy and the weight of the dog.

Regular dog food can cause diabetes and excess weight with all the other problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here, then? Well, because organic pet food does not contain bulk filler; they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat. Moreover, it is far better and definitely a lot easier to prevent health issues than try to cure them afterwards.

A better digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that accompany the feeding of organic pet food. Due to the absence of chemicals normally present in ordinary pet food, your dog will no longer vomit or experience wind or diarrhea. A more efficient is what you will achieve with a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, boosts the immunity functions, thereby reducing the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on an everyday basis.

A high number of veterinarians claim that organic dog food substantially extends the life of any animal, not to mention the fact that it will go through old age a lot better. It is not uncommon that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in eating organic foods themselves, sticking with healthy organic products that enhance bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food supplier about organic dog food and if there isn’t any at your local shop, try to buy it online. There are many web sites that sell such foods at pretty good prices.

One last tip, be very, very careful with dried dog food like biscuits, no matter what it says on the packet. A few years ago, I had a dog called Becky that remained at home alone during the day, while I went to the office. I didn’t like to leave her ‘wet’ food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not go off during the day. However, within six years she had gotten diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. Sometimes, she would have a fit. The vet said that it was very common for dogs fed only on dry biscuits to get diabetes, so check the food with your vet first or feed organic tin food.

If you liked reading this article on organic dog food and you want to read more about dogs in general or dog training, please go to our our website at Dog Training

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

Saturday, May 22nd, 2010

Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always an easy task. Dogs are very easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be ruined by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is essential to making a happy, well-adjusted and well-trained dog.

You should provide random positive stimuli throughout the day in order to keep the attention of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are good methods to keep the dog’s attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For instance, to thank the dog for coming to you when you call him, tell your dog to come to you, without giving any ideas about going for a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After your dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the reward. This can be either the before-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog enjoys doing.

Providing some sort of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a good way to keep your dog motivated while you are dog training.

If the dog knows something good is going to happen every time he follows your commands, he will be more motivated to do want you tell him every time.

Distraction training.

When training any dog, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These kinds of distractions can also be used as rewards when training the dog to come when called.

For example, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in a local dog park or with the neighbour’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or yard and call your dog.

When he comes to you, give him lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to go back to playing with his pals. Repeat this a few times and praise the dog every time he comes to you.

The dog will quickly learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being taken away from the park).

This so-called distraction training is one of the most difficult things for your dog to learn, because dogs are social animals by nature, and breaking away from the pack is one of the most difficult things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably unwilling to leave their doggy companions, but it is vital to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you when you call can require some creativity on your behalf at first. For instance, waving one of his favourite toys, or a lure, is a good way to get your dog’s attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well in dog training.

Once the dog begins to become used to coming when called, you can begin to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to respond to your voice alone. It is vital that your dog responds to voice commands alone, since you will not always have a toy or other lure to hand.

Does your dog need training? If you need further details on dog training, then visit our web site entitled Successful Dog Training

What’s in a Dog’s Name?

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Dog owners will explain that there is no proven formula for selecting a good name for a new dog or puppy. Whether they have to come up with girl or boy dog names, they will normally pick a name that sounds trendy or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name actually means. Popular boy dog names have meanings, as do human names, so more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Here we give a list of the top five boy dog names and what they really mean.

Generally, first thing you have to do when you obtain a new dog or puppy is choose a name for him or her. For most dog owners, this doesn’t require much thought. They just choose a dog name out of thin air and that is the name by which the unfortunate animal will be known forever. However, there is something you should think about when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose the right one.

Firstly, dogs can sense attitude and tone of voice better than we can. If you choose a dog name for comedy value or after someone you dislike, your dog will see straight through you. As a result, their attitudes may change or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs’ names should mean something but should not be detrimental to their development so you should really take the decision of the dog name seriously.

Despite dogs being very clever creatures, they can’t process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will improve your chances of training them successfully.

However, dogs’ names should help them mould an identity of their own. Common names don’t really allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters grow a great deal without damaging their willingness to respond to a command.

Max: This is probably the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is probably the reason why many people choose it for their dog. It literally means “the most”. After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the ‘most’.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means “champion”. This is a suitable boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the whole house within a short time of getting inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a familiarization of Budd, which means “messenger”. This boy dog name may suit a working dog or one you might possibly train to retrieve the newspaper from the porch in the morning. It is a very popular boy dog name throughout the USA.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means “steward”. This is fairly apt if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is suitable for a Newfoundland or collie puppy.

Sam: Sam apparently means “an answer to prayers”. This is a great boy dog name for dogs that are easy to train and are very little work!

Few new dog owners consider a name’s meaning when picking a boy dog’s name, so instead of just going ahead with your first idea, it may be worth taking the time to find a dog’s name that is really suitable for your dog. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything to spend some time considering your dog’s name.

Does your dog need training? If you need more information on dogs in general, then visit our web site entitled Successful Dog Training

Why Do Dogs Snore?

Monday, May 10th, 2010

It is not unusual for pet owners to permit their pets to sleep with them at night. In deed, one third of pet owners have at some time, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other kind of animal. But this doesn’t mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is made easier too because dogs have a sleep pattern that is very much like ours. Dogs often rely on their owners with complete trust, which makes them a bit more relaxed during the night. This explains why most dogs fall to sleep easily and later on, enter into deep sleeps where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once dogs enter this stage, the owner needs to call them several times before they can truly be woken up.

Certainly, lots of us have observed a dog ‘running’ during sleep and barking while asleep too. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For example, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The dogs that are heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe quite so heavily.

Some people find that dogs that snore are quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various reasons why dogs snore, although most have to do with the blocking of the passage of air in the throat, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with human beings.

A dog that snores very loudly ought to be examined for different issues to evaluate which treatment could be best provided. Some dogs are especially susceptible to some allergies that can cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are inhibiting proper breathing. It is best for a veterinarian to check out different factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and physical symptoms in general.

Is you dog obese? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they will have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around their throats, which can cause obstructions. Once this problem has been corrected, the chances of snoring will be reduced. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, but you may eventually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.

Snoring also has something to do with the general facial features. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty of breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more work to control breathing and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. Be sure though that, before any decision is made, you are well educated about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you permit. In fact, it is best to follow the guidelines offered by your veterinary doctor.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then visit our web site entitled Successful Dog Training

Is She A Princess Or A Lady?

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is a lot, because your dog’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are usually meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Beauty, Becky and Princess. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This could be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names out there. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent animals, they cannot process the same amount of information that humans can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can increase your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names can help them form a character of their own. Common names do not allow them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to respond to a command.

I am prepared to bet money that most dog owners do not think of the points outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at random, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs mental health if for no other reason.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

Decorating Wedding Cakes

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Nearly every family or social event includes the eating of food and the drinking or drinks in the celebration. Think of Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. In this article, I would like to speak about that centre piece of the wedding reception: the wedding cake.

The guests come to eat, drink and be merry and the bride’s parents always put a great deal of effort into the preparation for the wedding party. The wedding cake is the central point of the top table and the whole function in general. The wedding cake has traditional significance and it is often thought bad luck not to have a piece of the wedding cake.

There are precise rules for the timing of the cutting of the wedding cake that have become part of tradition. For example, if the wedding reception takes place at lunch or dinner, it is traditional to cut the wedding cake just before the dessert is served.

However, if the reception is held in the late afternoon or early evening, the cake is cut as soon as the guests arrive. In some traditions the bride and groom cut and eat the first slice together as a symbol of their vows to love, honour and obey each other. The remainder of the cake is generally cut by one of the assistants, like the maid of honour or a family member.

It can be quite hard to choose the wedding cake. Traditionally, people opt for a white cake with white icing for weddings, however these days, people are becoming more adventurous and are choosing more exotic flavours and colours.

Some people choose to have a wedding cake which has different flavours on each layer. While white icing is still the overwhelming favourite, people do order other colours like pink and yellow. Chocolate and mocha are also popular. These days you can have what you like. It is your day, after all.

Everybody likes the wedding reception. It is the most well-liked part of the wedding day and everyone looks forward to seeing the cake cut and sharing it with the bride and groom.

If you are thinking about becoming a cake decorator, you have a couple of options to go about it. You could buy a book or a course or get a video in order to teach yourself how to decorate cakes from the simple to the elaborate. You could also go to a night school class to learn the art or cake decoration.

Without a doubt, the very best way to learn cake decorating is to take a course. DVD’s, videos, and books are all well and good, but you cannot converse with them or ask questions. If you attend a class for three months or more you will learn more and get a more profound understanding of the art of cake decoration. You will learn how to put real emotion into the decoration of the cake and you will be able to translate the wedding couple’s dreams into a cake that you and they can be proud of.

If you are interested in a Welsh gold wedding ring, or Wales in general, go to our web site at Welsh Products Online

The Welsh Terrier

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Initially, Welsh terriers were bred for hunting rabbits, foxes and badgers, but public opinion and the decline in the lust for blood in general have gone against blood sports and so this native breed of Wales has become a show dog and a pet. Breeders attempt to outdo each other by breeding the Welsh terrier to have a denser wiry coat and deeper colouration. The Welsh terrier is also a popular pet because it is one of the most easy-going terriers.

The Welsh terrier is a fun loving dog. It just loves to run, chase and play, which makes it a smashing companion and a perfect pet. Welsh terriers require lots of exercise, so be prepared for plenty of walks, if you make your mind up to get one.

It is a good idea to ’socialize’ your dog as early as possible. This means that you should introduce your Welsh terrier puppy to children and other dogs at an early age. The more you encourage your dog to play with other dogs as a puppy, the less trouble you will have with your dog fighting or barking at other dogs and cats. It’s the same story with children. Children can play very roughly, and a dog could be forgiven for biting back, but it can be avoided by introducing your Welsh terrier puppy to children while it is still young. The child might learn respect, but the dog will learn tolerance.

The Welsh terrier is easily trained, if you like your dog to do tricks. it is an intelligent breed and, being former hunters, they are good at learning commands and tricks. Train your Welsh terrier with kindness and reiteration. They like to retrieve sticks and play with a ball. Many people train their Welsh terriers to catch a flying Frisbee too.

A Welsh terrier will groom himself quite meticulously, but you can help out by brushing him once a week in order to eradicate the dead and loose hair. This will also help reduce the amount of hairs dropping inside your house, although terriers in general, and wire-haired dogs in particular do not shed as much hair as soft coated dogs. You could also lend a hand by wiping him over with a moist cloth from time to time in order to pick up any dust on his coat.

A Welsh terrier is very energetic and very curious, so it is prudent to keep your dog in a yard that has been fenced off. However, the fence needs to be realistically high, because the Welsh terrier has an excellent capacity to jump due to its long legs.

The Welsh terrier is Britain’s oldest variety of dog, but it is now under pressure. The British kennel club registers only 300 Welsh terrier puppies a year, whereas it registers tens of thousands of puppies of other, more popular, breeds. The Welsh terrier is a strong-willed animal, so it does need a strong-willed and patient owner.

However. if you want a Welsh terrier and you persevere with it, you will never look back. They have a lot to give and, as with so many things in life, you only get out what you are willing to put in.

If you are interested in Welsh corgi puppies, or Wales in general, go to our website at Welsh Products Online

Fashionable Dog Names

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Fashion appears to dictate everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is dictated by the need to be fashionable. Cute dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because as soon as something is in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to choose a cool dog name that may not be fashionable tomorrow? People tend to play it safe as a result, hence why the same names have been so popular for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cute dog names are given below with the reasons why you should choose one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cooler than a bird that goes up in flames, but then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cool dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is rooted in history. It has a timeless air about it, which has somewhat surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cute dog names because it has so many meanings that you can have a hard time finding out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that outperforms in a particular field. It is indeed a high form of praise and so is definitely a cute dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cute dog names because of Disney. Lady and the Tramp was a huge hit and made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case popularity is second to cuteness.

Elvis: The coolest of cool dog names. Elvis Presley was undoubtedly cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to call your dog after an icon who never goes out of fashion.

Shadow: There is a dark and ethereal quality about Shadow that makes it a cute dog name. It would be best used on a big breed of dog though, because it wouldn’t have the same strong effect with a small one.

Whatever cool dog names you use for your pooch, it is a certain method of giving your dog an identity of its own and your dog memorable to others.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training