In the summer we worry about keeping our pets cool, come winter and it’s time to think about keeping them warm and dry. Here are some simple ways you can protect your pets this winter.

The easiest, safest way to keep your pets warm is to keep them indoors, especially overnight. Older dogs, puppies, and dogs with certain diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney problems should never be kept outside. All cats should remain indoors.

Some dogs tolerate cold weather better than others. Some dogs can take cold better than others, such as Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies. Short -haired and toy dogs will have a particularly hard time in the cold.

Snow and ice can pose problems for dogs. Snow can get packed between dog’s toes and freeze, causing pain and discomfort. To avoid this problem, keep the hair between the toes cut short.

Keeping nails cut short also helps. Shorter nails allow for better traction. If a dog is slipping on ice it tends to splay the toes, which causes more snow to pack between them.

If you are walking your dog on sidewalks or streets that have been salted to melt ice, be sure to wash his paws when you return. The salt can be drying and irritating to the paws.

If a dog must be kept outside during the day, be sure to provide proper shelter. An oversized dog house or shed will not retain enough heat. The house should be just large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around.

Do not use blankets for bedding. These will just get wet and freeze. Clean straw or hay is preferable.

Position the house on the south or east side of the house if possible, out of the wind. Raising it up off the ground helps, too.

Remember that the dog’s water may freeze if left outside. Putting the water in a deep container helps keep it from freezing. Also plastic is a better choice in this case, as metal conducts the cold quicker. Dark colored dishes will absorb more heat than lighter ones, slowing the freezing action. Be sure to break up any ice on the surface of the water each morning.

Are you aware of the dangers of antifreeze? Ethylene glycol based antifreeze is deadly to cats and dogs! Be sure to keep containers tightly capped and out of reach. Wipe up any spills immediately. For the safest bet, use one of the alternative products made with propylene glycol instead.

Outdoor cats will look for warm spots to curl up. Some cats have learned that cars and trucks offer nice warm nooks. They will crawl up into the wheel-wells or engine compartments. Banging on the hood before you get in your car is a good idea in case you have a stowaway.

Indoors, pets will often curl up next to heaters or under wood stoves. Watch out for tails and fur getting too close to heating elements! Make sure your cat does not overheat.

Some extra vigilance may be needed if you will have a Christmas tree. Anchoring the tree to the wall is a good precaution. Tinsel can be dangerous to pets if ingested, so either don’t use it, or place it well out of reach of cats and dogs. Start hanging decorations a few feet from the bottom of the tree.

If you have a puppy, don’t leave gifts unattended under the tree. Don’t use string or dangling ribbons on packages if you have a cat. Cover the base of the tree to keep animals from drinking the water.

There is debate over the toxicity of Poinsettias. Even if they are not deadly, the sap is an irritant and will probably make the animal sick. Holly and mistletoe berries are poisonous; so keep them out of reach of pets.

Elyse is the founder of The Original Dog Biscuit Company. She has extended knowledge of pet nutrition and feeding, as well as practical experience in the raising of cats, dogs and other animals. She is a herbalist, specializing in animals. Read more of her articles at: http://www.pethealthresource.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elyse_Grau

A pup with proper identification allows people to easily contact you when separated from your dog. It also helps you to prove ownership over your furry friend, should you ever have to prove ownership rights to a shelter or human society. For this reason, a number of identification methods are available.

Forms of Identification

• Microchip – a tiny computer chip which has an identification number programmed into it. The chip is encased in a smooth, strong biocompatible glass, and is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle. Once an animal is injected with the chip, he can be identified throughout his life by this one-of-a-kind number. His identification cannot be lost, altered or intentionally removed. Popular microchip include: AVID and HomeAgain.




• Dog Tags – a small charm that is attached to a dog’s collar. This charm can come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. It includes information such as the dog’s name, address, and phone number. This type of identification can be easily lost or not used if the Lab does not wear a collar often.




• Tattoo – offers a permanent and visible means of identifying your pet to others. The tattoo is applied within seconds, and requires no anesthetic or sedation. The tattoo is easily traced to the owner, and is proven to deter theft.

Each dog owner has a preference and may even choose to do all options in order to offer as much support for the dog and family during separation. It is important though that whichever method is chosen, that the family make sure that the information given to either the tattoo or microchip registry, as well as the dog tags themselves, are updates regularly with any change in information such as an address or phone number change. If the information isn’t updated, the identification is not as effective in getting you long lost pup home.

As with anything else, any of these options could be harmful if care is not taken. Dog collars can get caught on items and choke the pup. The microchip can be implanted by someone who is not a professional and can cause medical problems such as infections. As with microchipping, dog tattooing should also be done by a professional as all items should be sterilized and the facility must handle your pup with the best of care.

Whatever you choose to do, please make sure your Labrador Retriever is able to be properly identified as soon as it comes home with you. Labs are full of energy and can easily escape or wander. Unfortunately, they also make great guinea pigs in laboratory experiments and we have personally heard stories of Labs being snatched up from their own front yard in a split second just to be sold to a laboratory. You Labrador Retriever is counting on you to make sure it stays safe. Don’t let it down!

Reference: http://www.8pawsup.com/articles/life/dogid.html

• Labrador Retriever (137,867)
• Golden Retriever (48,509)
• Yorkshire Terrier (47,238)
• German Shepherd Dog (45,014)
• Beagle (42,592)
• Dachshund (38,566)
• Boxer (37,268)
• Poodle (31,638)
• Shih Tzu (28,087)
• Miniature Schnauzer (24,144)

Compare this list with the top ten dogs from the United Kingdom’s list:

• Labrador Retriever
• English Cocker Spaniel
• English Springer Spaniel
• German Shepherd Dog
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Golden Retriever
• West Highland Terrier
• Boxer
• Border Terrier

Interesting that there are several dog breeds in the U.K. top ten list that are not near the top ten in the United States.

In the United States the Labrador Retriever has been in the number one position for 16 years in a row. Meanwhile the Chihuahua slipped from 10th place to number 11th, replaced by the Miniature Schnauzer.

It’s not surprising that the two most popular dog breeds in the United States and Canada are the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. Both are such wonderful dogs to own with their easy-going nature and high intelligence.

These two dog breeds, along with the German Shepherd Dog, made the top ten dog list in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever make great dogs for families and are listed in a top ten list of dogs for children.

In the same list of “child-friendly dogs” are the Beagle, Poodle, French Bulldog, Pug, Cairn Terrier, Old English Sheepdog, King Charles Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel, several of which made the AKC top ten dog list.

Looking at the United States AKC top ten dog list the Yorkshire Terrier has moved up to third place, it’s highest point since it became recognized by the AKC in 1885. With their spirited, loving yet willful personality, they deserve to be among the top ten popular dog breeds. Their only drawback is the daily grooming required, but that’s little inconvenience compared to the love they give.

While the Labrador Retriever has been number one since 1991, the breed that held the number one position the longest is the Cocker Spaniel, from 1936 to 1952 and again from 1983 to 1990 for a total of 23 years. Watch for the Labrador Retriever to beat that record.

The Poodle comes in a very close second for the number of years as America’s favorite breed; 1960 to 1982, a total of 22 years. It was in 1972 that the large breeds took over as America’s favorites when the Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers and Chow Chows rose in popularity throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

By comparison, small dogs held anywhere from one to four slots in the top ten at that time. However, as we entered into the new millennium small dogs have increased in popularity among Americans, perhaps due to their portability or perhaps because celebrities are making these smaller breeds more visible.

Notice all the small dogs that are in the list of the 11-20 most popular:

• Chihuahua (23,575)
• Pug (22,064)
• Bulldog (20,556)
• Pomeranian (19,511)
• Cocker Spaniel (16,343)
• Rottweiler (15,916)
• Boston Terrier (15,852)
• Shetland Sheepdog (14,278)
• Maltese (13,676)
• German Shorthaired Pointer (13,273)

Four of these dogs are from the AKCs Toy group and another, the Boston Terrier, is a small dog from the Terrier group. Add the five small dogs from the top ten list and that’s why the new millennium seems to belong to the small dog.

Whatever your favorite breed, we can all agree that dogs continue to hold a very special place in the hearts of millions of Americans, and this is a bond that needs no special breed at all.

Copyright 2006 Carol Stack

Carol Stack has been working with dogs for over three decades. She and her daughter Christy have put up a web site to help others discover how to choose, care for and train their dogs: http://www.christysdogportal.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Stack

Origin:

The origins of the Labrador are rather obscure but two types of dog were known in Newfoundland – a large heavy dog used to pull boats into land and a lighter, smoother coated variety used by fisherman to retrieve game and fish. They were both known as Newfoundland dogs and it was not until 1812 that the larger breed was known as Newfoundlands, and the smaller as the lesser Newfoundland or Labrador. In 1814 Labradors were taken to England where, in a book ‘Instructions to Young Sportsmen’, the breed was described as ‘by far the best for every kind of shooting’.

Personality:

An adaptable and devoted companion with a kindly nature, Labradors easily adopt the role of children’s playmate or elderly persons pet. The keenness to learn and willingness to please make the Labrador an ideal choice as a guide dog for the blind. The puppies are placed with a family for the first 12 months of their life and then return to the Guide Dog School for an intensive training course. After graduation the dog is matched with a compatible owner and devotes itself to the safety of its owner.

Trainability:

The excellent sense of smell possessed by Labradors, coupled with their eagerness and agility, makes them suitable as bomb detection or drug sniffer dogs. These dogs are trained to detect certain substances and, by their behaviour, alert their handlers. To the dog it is all one big game of ‘hide and seek’, although in the case of bomb detection dogs they save many lives.

Physical characteristics:

The tail is very thick at the base, of medium length and gradually tapering to the tip, densely coated with short, thick hair giving a characteristic ‘otter’ tail. The head is broad with medium sized brown eyes expressing intelligence and good temper and ears hanging close to the head.

Colours:

Although the Labrador is commonly referred to as the ‘golden’ Labrador, the colour is officially called ‘yellow’ and ranges from light cream through to a red fox shade. Other permissible colours are black, liver or chocolate.

60Coat:

The coat is a distinctive feature – short, dense without wave or feathering and with a fairly hard feel and a weather resistant undercoat.

Height:

A strongly built dog with a broad and deep chest, the normal height is 56 – 57 cm for males, and 54 – 56 cm for females.

Lifespan:

12 – 14 years

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Johnston

The Labrador Retriever, more commonly known as “labs” are the most common breed of dog in the United States. Labs are large dogs, normally around fifty to seventy five pounds.

Labs come in three colors – black (Black Labs), brown (Chocolate Labs), and yellow (Yellow Labs). Yellow labs can vary from nearly white to fox red, but the other two colors are pretty much all the same.

Labs are excellent swimmers, and most greatly enjoy the water, even in the winter. For this reason, labs make great duck hunting or fishing dogs. A lab’s coat is relatively resistant to water, which helps it in water activities.

Labs are very friendly, loving dogs, and generally love being around people and children, making them a great family dog. Being large, active dogs, Labrador retrievers need plenty of exercise and activity.

Labs are generally easy to train and very responsive. Labs are rarely overly aggressive (though they will normally bark at intrusions), hyper, destructive, or overly territorial. They are great to get along with.

Labs do like chewing on things, so they often must be trained to chew on the correct things and not your furniture.

Labs, as mentioned before, love people. Most labs can’t get enough human attention. Labs especially love retrieving, whether it be a ball, stick, or whatever. Most will continue bringing back a ball as long as you will throw it for them.

Labs generally live about twelve to thirteen years, and are not overly prone to many health problems. Labs do have some susceptibility to hip dysplasia, ear infections, or knee problems. Probably the most common problem is gaining too much weight, though. Labs love to eat, and their food intake must be controlled carefully.

Overall, labs are an excellently well rounded, even tempered dog. Really, they are great for anyone, as long as you can give them enough exercise.

For up to date Dog Health Info check out DogFlu.ca your one stop destination for Dog Health Information.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_J._Adams

Retrievers were originally bred as hunting dogs. Their job was to sit by the hunter and wait until game was shot and then retrieve it on command. This often meant swimming through cold water or running through dense brush. Labs were also taught not to damage the game upon returning it to their master.

Knowing what type of tasks the dogs were bred to perform assists us in analyzing what type of behaviour to expect from a breed. In the case of labs, they are fairly insensitive to touch. They readily leap into cold water and sit patiently in the cold in order to please their master. Physically tough dogs, they are very tolerant with children and respond well to training techniques that engage their strong desire to please.

They are also sound insensitive so that the loud bang of a hunter’s gun won’t disturb them. Loud noise, such as that from children, does not tend to bother labs and yelling at them will generally not get a response.

Working retrievers had no use for aggression since handling birds roughly or growling at other hunters is not required. Labs are friendly dogs that will gladly hunt with anyone, or, in other words, play fetch with anyone who is willing. They are great around guests in your home, your children’s friends and they tend to see everyone as a friend or potential playmate.

All retrievers and labs are of course no exception, love to have items in their mouth. They are extremely oral and this is not to be confused with aggression: this is in their breeding, it is instinctual. Chewing on sticks, toys, balls, socks and so on is dog heaven for them. If you are considering owning a lab, you must tech them what to put in their mouths and what not. Otherwise your furniture and belongings may suffer.

Labrador retrievers are, in general, fantastic dogs. Great with children, great family dogs, fun loving, energetic and beautiful, it’s little wonder that they are number one in the American Kennel Clubs ranking. However, this extreme popularity can lead to a wide range in quality of dogs so be very careful in selecting your breeder. Some labs could be fearful and aggressive so make certain to observe your pup before you decide on your choice.

Labs are very enthusiastic, lively and smart. They respond well to training and should be trained to engage their brains and control their exuberance. Their sheer excitement often causes them to jump up, steal your socks, pull on lead, or counter surf the kitchen but this can be corrected through proper training, supervision and exercise. Labs need a lot of exercise and this is easy because they love doing everything – running, swimming, fetching, romping, or just plain walking. Most of all, they just love being with you.

The coloring of a lab can run from almost white to pale cream to brown and black. They require minimal grooming and shed moderately. Their coats are silky and smooth and dry quickly when wet. They will reach a height of approximately two feet and weigh, on average, from 55 to 80 pounds although some can weigh much more.

Common health concerns for this breed include hip dysplasia, cataracts, retinal atrophy and bloat. Labs have low bite potential and interact with other pets quite well. When selecting a lab for family use you should avoid dogs that have been bred strictly for field use. These field dogs have absolutely incredible energy which is difficult to harness in a domestic setting.

Michael Russell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

The Labrador Retriever is presently at the top of the list in popularity in the American Kennel Club. Unfortunately popularity in a dog breed often leads to problems with over breeding and this often leads to an over population of the dog in the humane shelters across the country. This is the case right now with the Labrador Retriever. Often people do not recognize that when they get a puppy, it is going to grow up. Also people seem to believe that a hunting dog can be left outside and kenneled and yet not all hunting dogs make good “kennel dogs” and the Labrador Retriever is one of those. This is a breed that is a close relative of the Newfoundland, it is a people oriented dog with a natural desire to be with people. When kept outdoors it can become quite unmanageable since it will jump enthusiastically on people and bark at the sight of people and generally make trouble out of boredom and anxiety.

The Labrador Retriever was originally called the “Lesser Newfoundland”, being from the island of Labrador (right next door to Newfoundland) and being black, but smaller than the Newfoundland dog. The dog performed a number of tasks for the fishermen of Labrador, pulling in boats and fishing nets and a variety of water related activities. Labrador Retrievers can be fairly good sized dogs, ranging in height from 23-26 inches and in weight from 60-110 pounds. They should have plenty of bone but should not appear bulky. Labs are a water breed, they carry a water resistant double coat that is dense and often it is difficult to get them “wet to the skin” if bathing them. They are excellent swimmers and should have a good square appearance to the muzzle, with plenty of depth and strength of jaw, for they should be capable of carrying a Canada goose back to shore when retrieving. The North Atlantic seas are cold and fierce, the dog is well equipped to swim in such an environment, for it has a deep chest and plenty of power in the front shoulders. Labs can be black, yellow, or brown, (called “chocolate”).

A Lab is an all around hunting dog also and will retrieve on both land and water. A well trained Lab at a hunting trial is a totally awe inspiring sight, they will “mark” the dummy and swim over and through many obstacles to retrieve “to hand” with great skill. Hunters who have a well trained dog will often find that they end up with more birds than they actually shot, since the Lab will bring back any bird that is downed.

The temperament of the Labrador is outgoing, steady, enthusiastic and extremely people oriented. This is a dog that should never show aggression towards people and seldom shows any aggression towards other dogs or animals in general. It is a breed that possesses great intelligence and a playful personality, its propensity to retrieve anything that is thrown for it makes it a delightful dog for children to play with. Lab puppies are not hard headed and learn quickly, if trained when they are young. They are very obedient for they are dogs that are anxious to please their owners.

Michael Russell

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell