teamhandicap

The Flat-Coated Retriever was developed in England in the nineteenth century and before the Labrador was developed this breed was the retriever of choice. It is very possible that this breed came from a mixture of the Collie, Spaniel and Newfoundland bloodlines. Originally this breed was known as a gundog for hunting on land, but later came to be a retriever for both land and water and is very skilled in both.

It is highly recommended and encouraged that the Flat Coated Retriever begin socialization and obedience training early. As long as this breed is very socialized and trained very well, they are a wonderful house pet and family companion that is friendly towards al and very enthusiastic and optimistic. They bond very closely with everyone in the family and do not seem partial to anyone. Flat-coats are low-key and calm inside the house, however never seem to run out of energy when playing, retrieving and running outdoors. However, if this breed is not given enough stimulation, activity or companionship, they can tend to be destructive or overly active when by themselves for any length of time. They do well with children, but because of their high energy level are not recommended in a household with small children.

The Flat-Coated Retriever can stand anywhere from twenty-three to twenty-five inches tall and can possibly weigh anywhere from fifty-five to seventy-five pounds. The Flat-coat’s coat color is usually a rich brown color, otherwise known as liver-colored. They do not have an undercoat. Their coat is very shiny and full looking, of a medium length and it should lie straight and flat.

One and a half to two and a half cans of a product that is high-quality meat is best for this breed. They can also be fed five cups of a dry dog food complete with vitamins and minerals instead.

This breed is known for his versatility as a hunting dog. He is a very loyal house pet and establishing strong bonds with all members of his family and becomes very devoted to them. However, because of their energy level, they need to be closely supervised around children and are not recommended in a home where there are small children.

Flat-coats need fun training sessions of great variety because they can have a tendency to get bored easily and can become willful if they are bored. The trainer needs to be fun and have short training sessions where the dog cannot sense what is coming next to keep his interest. Positive reinforcement works best for them in their training sessions. They do not tolerate and shy away from any harsh correction or training. Their tendency to be somewhat willful will be on display if harsh correction takes place.

This breed seems to always be very happy and be very optimistic, proven by their constantly wagging tail. They are able to get along very well and live with cats, other dogs, small pets and strangers and do not mind if someone new is introduced once they have established their territory.

Article written by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to find dog food storage containers in every size, go to http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/food-storage/

It is believed that the German Shepherd breed was developed by “Captain Max” von Stephanitz in the late nineteenth century and originally developed for herding sheep, hence their name. Over the years, their roles have changed somewhat, but by selective breeding; they have been bred for specific tasks or working environments such as protection, tracking and obedience.

According to Kennel Club figures from 2006, German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular breeds in the UK and also one of the most popular breeds in the United States. German Shepherds have proven to be very versatile in their working roles, working as guide dogs for the blind, for police and detective work, guarding people, possessions or properties, part of search and rescue teams, any kind of therapy and working in the military. Even though they are well bred and very capable of all of these lines of work, they are also very loving, loyal and devoted pets inside the home. Early socialization is a must for younger puppies so that they do not become aggressive and exhibit dangerous, menacing or threatening behavior when they are adults. Otherwise, German Shepherds are very social, as they enjoy being around people and other animals.

The German Shepherd is a strong, sturdy breed, standing twenty-two to twenty-six inches at the shoulder and weighing anywhere between sixty and one hundred and ten pounds. His muscular, strong body is covered by a beautiful medium length, coarse shedding coat. It has a softer undercoat, which needs to be brushed daily, as they can shed quite a bit. The color of the German Shepherd may vary but can be black, black-and-tan, golden with black-tipped hairs, or gray with black-tipped hairs.

This breed’s personality is marked with an inherent direct willingness and fearless instinct to protect what it considers its “den” or territory (i.e. house, car, and property in a home situation) and “pack” (i.e. human family in a home situation). The German Shepherds temperament is usually poised, calm and fairly even keeled, however when the circumstance demands, they quickly can become very alert, ready to protect or guard and eager to perform the task at hand. They can immediately “shift gears” from loyal companion to being fit and willing to serve and perform as a watchdog, guide dog for people who are blind, herding dog, or guardian or whatever the circumstances demand, no matter how rapid the change.

German Shepherds should be fed anywhere from one and a half to two and a half cans of a high-quality meaty product with a biscuit added in equal part or five cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food with vitamins and minerals.

This breed is considered the most keen, aware and perceptive of his surroundings, atmosphere and person’s attitudes, moods and dispositions. Because of this he must be socialized to cover as many differences in atmosphere and disposition as possible. If this is not done and trained as a puppy, they may exhibit an unexpected aggression or be afraid of certain surroundings or people.

Article by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to find ceramic dog bowls to match any decor, go to http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-bowls/

The German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP) was developed at the turn of the nineteenth century in Germany solely for the purpose of hunting. It is believe that there were quite a few dogs that went into creating this unique breed some of which include some German breeds such as the schweisshund, a German hound known for tracking, the Foxhound, different French hounds, assorted Scandinavian breeds, the German Bird Dog, and the Italian Pointer.

This breed is known for its ability to move quickly and with great strength. This is due to his very strong back legs that give him the ability to move rapidly and turn quickly if needed. His muzzle allows him to retrieve heavier game than most of the retrievers because it is strong and broad.

The German Shorthaired Pointer’s coat is water resistant due to his undercoat that is protected by guard hairs that are stiff. This also allows him to stay warm in even the coldest of weather. His color can vary, but is usually a dark brown, known as liver, black or both liver and black with some white mixed in. This mixed, darker coloring can make this breed harder to see in the winter seasons: a perfect dog for hunting without getting easily caught. When he is standing in snow and next to dead trees and shrubs, his white and brown coat camouflage him well.

The German Shorthaired Pointer can stand anywhere between twenty-one and twenty-five inches tall, categorizing him as a medium breed. Adults typically weigh anywhere from forty-five to seventy pounds and the female Pointer is usually a little bit shorter and slightly lighter than the male.

Although this gentle, obedient breed makes a great household pet, he needs to be trained at times to be affectionate and not “always on the hunt”. They are also very intelligent and bold. Generally speaking they are easy to train, but need a lot of attention as they can be easily distracted due to their superior scent ability. They have a tendency toward being stubborn, so early training is a necessity. Inherently, they are bred to hunt, so the ability to get much exercise and keep a high activity level is very important. He needs constant jobs to do due to his intense activity level. For everyday family life and having a GSP as a pet, this breed is recommended to be a friendly, fun and loyal addition to the family, who tend to be protective of young children. However, great care must be taken around young children because of their high energy and activity level.

If the German Shorthaired Pointer seems like they are hyperactive or very destructive, it is probably due to a lack of correct training or a lack of plenty of exercise. This breed develops very strong attachments and bondings with their owners and the families they are with. However, if they do not receive the correct amount of exercise, they will take it upon themselves to be sure that they do and thus have a potentially destructive tendency.

As the GSP is a large, active breed, the dogs can require quite a bit of food; however, they can also become obese if fed too much for individual activity levels. A healthy weight is that the last two ribs should be able to be felt under the coat and the dog should have a distinct and defined waist. Recommended feeding for the German Short haired Pointer is one and a half to two and a half cans of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal parts or five cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

Authored by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to find dog steps in all shapes and sizes, visit http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-steps/

The origins of this breed are somewhat vague and there are conflicting reports as to the origin of the Harrier. Sources have widely conflicting stories about the origins of this breed. Different sources have thought that perhaps this breed was crossed with a Bloodhound or Basset Hound, or an English Foxhound was crossed with a Fox Terrier and Greyhound. Whatever the case may be, it is certain that it is an ancient breed from Britain and the first pack of this hunting dog was recorded in 1260. This breed was supposed to hunt rabbits and foxes and is usually used in a pack with other hunting dogs.

Today’s Harrier is somewhere between the Beagle and English Foxhound in size. They are similar in size to the English Foxhound, but just a bit smaller. They are a medium-sized dog who stands anywhere between nineteen and twenty-one inches at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere between forty-five and sixty pounds.

Their color patterns can vary greatly and is any combination of white, black and tan. This breed is muscular for their hunts and possesses a short, hard coat. Because their coat is stiff and short, it only needs to be brushed regularly with a hound glove. This breed’s muscular build consists of large bones for stamina and strength. When the dog is relaxes, he is mellow and very low key. However, when he is excited, he is very alert and “ready to go”.

The Harrier gets fed similar to the Foxhound in that, because he is a hunting dog, he should get an oatmeal mash called pudding and horse flesh. Harriers cannot be fed the day before the hunt.

The Harrier’s disposition is consistently cheerful, sweet-tempered, tolerant, and it is excellent with children. He may need to be under close supervision with small children, who, because of his energy level, but no harm intended, could be pushed or knocked down and potentially injured while playing. This dog is active and because of the inherent hunting ability and tendency he likes to explore, sniff, and go trailing, so it is important for him to be on a leash or in an enclosed or fenced in area.

Once of the major challenges in training is the “Come” command because of his distraction to scent. This command should be taught early on.

The Harrier requires a walk every other day to stay fit and must have vigorous running or some type of activity daily. Any kind of long runs and game of fetch allow the dog to get the necessary exercise as well as have fun, so that they can release their never-ending energy. If the dog does not get the proper exercise, they will become destructive and rambunctious and not know what to do with their pent-up energy. They have been known to eat papers and tear apart things to get attention if their energy is not released through running, playing or walking. If he is left along for too long and has a chance to get bored, he is also known to bark incessantly or begin to dig in the yard.

Written by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to visit the largest provider of dog car seat covers online, go to http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-car-seat-covers/

The Hungarian Vizsla is the national dog of Hungary. The Hungarian Vizsla is known to have first appeared in Central Europe in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. This breed is considered a hunting dog and has been used to flush and locate birds for hunters. This breed has a short coat and thus, was able to be used where the climates were consistently warmer in southern Hungary.

The Vizsla usually stands anywhere from twenty-one to twenty-four inches at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere between forty-five and sixty pounds. His coat sheds regularly so requires regular brushing to keep it health, but otherwise is low-maintenance and easy to take care of because of its short length. The color of the Vizsla’s coat is considered a rich rust. Since he does not have an undercoat, it is not recommended that this breed be kept outside so it is not susceptible to the cold. For this reason, this breed should not be kept in a kennel for any great length of time either. One other advantage to them not having an undercoat is that they are considered less likely to cause allergies than other breeds in those susceptible to dog hair allergies. They are amazingly also self cleaning dogs and need baths only five or six times a year, and thus, do not have what humans usually call a “dog smell”. This breed likes to be physically close to its owner as much as possible, so even those that are usually adverse to having dogs as pets, may consider getting a Vizsla because of their cleanliness.

This breed is naturally very active, as well as happy and playful. This makes them an excellent family pet. They are loyal and caring, despite their high energy level and are often referred to a “Velcro” because of their devotion, loyalty and affection toward their owner. They are very close to their owners. This breed does not bark much and tends to be on the quieter side unless they are provoked. They are also a very alert, attentive and ready to hunt. Their personality is said to be a mixture of the spaniel and the Pointer. Because this breed is stubborn and sensitive, training can be a challenge. The owner needs to find the balance between firmness and not being harsh, or this breed’s sensitivity will turn him away and he will be impossible to train. On top of that personality challenge, this breed is also easily distracted by any scent and can easily ignore any commands or training if he picks up a scent that he feels is worth following or looking for. He needs to be socialized early in his training, as he can be very timid and almost shy toward anyone he does not know.

Some of this breed can have a tendency to be hard to housebreak and may be submissive wetters. Again, it is important to potty-train the firmly, but not harshly. It is important to remember that they are still learning and most probably nothing like this is done out of stubbornness or spite. The Vizsla has a tendency toward non-thinking hyperactivity and early obedience training will help to overcome this trait. Otherwise, he will be overly energetic and possibly be destructive because he does not know what to do with his energy. As it is with any breed that has a strong scenting ability, the “Come” command is especially important to train them early on, and can possibly be the most difficult command for them to learn. The training must be firm but never harsh, due to his sensitive, yet stubborn nature. Daily exercise is mandatory.

It is recommended that this breed be fed one and a half to two and a half cans of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or five cupfuls of a complete, dry dog food.

A house with a fenced yard is a necessity for the Vizsla to release some of his energy.

Written by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to visit the largest provider of dog car seat covers online, go to http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/dog-supplies/dog-car-seat-covers/

The French justice minister, Rachida Dati, has once again shown that she has a less than a firm grasp of her job by doing a complete volte face in a case that has been making the headlines here in France over the past week.

On Monday Dati asked the public prosecutors office to appeal a court ruling, which had annulled a marriage because the wife had lied about being a virgin.

When the case first came to public attention last week, Dati refused to intervene (she actually supported the decision by the court). But a heated debate has since raged – largely fuelled by the media – and the justice minister (or is it the president, Nicolas Sarkozy?) has now decided it’s time to act.

The case involves a man who suspected that his bride – also a Moslem – had lied about being a virgin before they were married in 2006.

His wife at first assured him she was “pure” but later revealed that she had indeed had sex before marriage. The wife returned to her family “in disgrace” and although she was initially reluctant to assent to her husband’s request to seek an annulment, she eventually agreed.

In April a judge in the northern French city of Lille granted the couple’s request for an annulment on the grounds that the man had been “mistaken about the essential qualities” of his wife-to-be. Such a term of course leaves the door wide open for a myriad of potential interpretations.

The media didn’t actually get wind of the story until last week but not surprisingly once it broke it created an uproar with many politicians, women’s rights campaigners and leading French Moslem figures denouncing the court’s ruling as both a breach of a woman’s privacy and an offence – in legal terms – to the equality of men and women.

While the debate raged Dati appeared to say very little and do even less – until that is her immediate boss, the prime minister, Fran

Pets are one of God’s greatest gifts to us. They are special in many ways. Pets can have therapeutic effect on people. They have become family members because of their loyalty and faithfulness to us. The best way to reward our pets is make sure that they are healthy. Knowing how to choose the right pet medicine is always as important as choosing the right medicine for your own health.

Pet lovers need to understand their pets better before they even take care of one. It’s not enough to own a cat, a dog or a bird without knowing well their needs. Once we own a pet or pets, we accept the responsibility to take really good care of them. We need to consider the fact that they are already part of the family and we would treat them with outmost care and love that they need.

Oftentimes are amazed with the heroic deeds that pets do to their owners and wonder how we can get the same qualities from out own pets at home. Well, some pets are originally born with talents and others were trained to do so. But like humans, pets have that instinct. They have the ability to respond to their owner in the same way they are treated. This is the reason why some pets are charming than others.

A few months ago, I had a pet name Princess and she is one adorable dog. We lost her because we failed to give her a shot of Parvo. She seems to be a healthy dog until she started not to eat and get weaker each day. It was too late to give her a shot as she had been vomiting with blood. Losing her was like losing a family member. It took us about a week to recover from her loss until my sister gave me another one of the same color and we call him Prince to remind us of our late Princess.

There are a lot pet medicines available in the market today. As early as possible we should give them the shots and proper medications recommended by veterinarians. A regular check up is needed to ensure that our pet is healthy. Physical assessment is not enough to determine their health status.

Some evident symptoms of pet diseases are loss of appetite, weigh loss or weight gain, vomiting, restlessness and less playful. When we notice any of these signs, we better bring our pets to vet as soon as possible. There are discount medicines over the counter or you may buy them over the internet if you have no time to shop around. The advantage to shop online besides freeing yourself from the hassle of finding the right store, you can compare prices and choose the brand you want in the internet. With that, you will be able to find cheap pet medicines.

We must beware of overpriced supplements that promise good health for our pets. Look for discounted pet medicines that have the same or even healthier effects on your pet. There are lots of pet stores that offer 50 to 70% discounts on pet medicines. A more practical way than spending so much for the pet medicines.

How healthy is your pet? This is a question that we would probably ask ourselves. We would better be alarmed now than wait for something to happen. Prevention is always better than cure. Though easier said than done, it is not yet too late to act. Choose the right pet medicine and you will be assured your pet stays with your for life.

About The Author : Syahrul Azlan Idris can help you find solution for your pet meds needs. For discount pet meds needs get his free advice from his pet meds website at http://www.callpetmeds.com/.

Most believe that the Collie came from a breed of shepherd’s dogs that the Romans brought to Scotland somewhere in the 400’s. It was bred and originally developed for herding. The collie is most though of as “Lassie”, which is the Rough Collie with short hair.

The Smooth Collie can stand anywhere from twenty-three to twenty-six inches and can weight anywhere from fifty-five pounds up to seventy-five pounds. In Canada and the United States, this breed tends to be larger in size.

The Smooth Collie tends to be more long than tall. This breed is a good show dog because of their soft expression of sweetness that is often in their face and eyes. The undercoat is very straight and very dense and thick and the outer hairs can be harsh and almost stiff. The outer hair also tends to be fairly long, ranging from two to three inches. Because of the length of the hair and the rough outer coat, this breed needs to be regularly brushed at least once a week. Twice a year, the Collie’s coat sheds very heavily, but otherwise, for the rest of the year, shedding is fairly normal. Rough Collies’ coats are usually any combination of sable and white. The Rough Collies have a double layered coat, and unlike the Smooth Collie the Rough Collie’s coat does not require a lot of care other than frequent brushing.

Known as a very sociable breed, both the Rough and the Smooth Collie makes a great dog for a family and is trained easily because they are very intelligent and pick up quickly. They are also always wanting to please their owners and trainers, so ready to obey any commands or training given to them. This breed is not known to be aggressive at all, but if trained to be so, can make a good watchdog. This dog has almost a supernatural ability to know what humans want and a rare love for their owners and humans alike. This dog is very sensitive, so no harsh training or correction is needed. They run from harsh treatment. Because this dog bonds so well with humans, many time Collie are used to assist the disabled or the blind. This breed also does very well with children and other dogs and gets along with just about anybody, human or animal.

A Rough or Smooth Collie can be fed anywhere from one and a half to two and a half cans of a high-quality meaty product or five cups of a complete, dry dog food, with vitamins and minerals included.

If the owner allows them to roam free, they have a tendency to chase anything from children, bikes, cars to joggers. This is because of their inherent herding instinct. Both kinds of Collies are very sociable and must have humans around most of the time. If not around humans or alone for long periods of time, they will become bored easily if outside and will bark incessantly. Inherently, they are very gentle and domesticated, however, if confronted with a dangerous situation, they become fearless and uninhibited and rush to their owners to defend and help.

Article by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - where you can find designer dog bowls to match any decor

The Curly Coated Retriever (often referred to as a Curly) was thought to originally be bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. Out of all the retrievers, the Curly is the tallest and easily identifiable by the tight, crisp curls that cover their bodies. It is thought that this breed is a mix of the Poodle, Water Spaniel and setter bloodlines. The Curly’s origins can be traced back to sixteenth century England, which would make him the oldest of the retrievers.

The Curly is a very active and well-muscled dog but built a little differently than most of the more common retrievers. The well-bred Curlies are a little longer than they are tall. The Curly is somewhat different in structure than the more common retrievers. This breed is very agile and versatile and has a presence of extreme grace and strength. The Curly also possesses an amazing amount of endurance.

The Curly Coated Retriever’s coat is usually either a solid liver (brown color) or a solid black. The Curly-Coated Retriever can be anywhere from twenty-two to twenty-five inches tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere from between fifty-five to seventy-five pounds. Their medium-sized strong body possesses a single coat with no undercoat. His coat, although covered with tight curls, is very easy to maintain and very weather-resistant, which is an advantage when out for hours to retrieve. The coat should just be dampened and massaged using movements that are circular; it should never be brushed or combed. Their grooming is not detailed or fancy, but they do need to be kept clean and the curls kept free of mats. They do not shed any more than most normal dogs.

The Curly Coated Retriever is very athletic and is known for his endurance. This breed is most content when they have plenty of exercise, stimulate of the mind and plenty of play time. They were bred for their endurance in exercise, be it work (retrieving) or play. They love any kind of activity where dog agility, running, working with people, romping or jumping are involved. They also love to swim and are very agile and skillful when crossing a river or a stream. They are very enthusiastic while they are outside running around, but, contrary to what their outside personality is like, they are very calm indoors and at home. At home, they make an excellent house pet and are very laid back and calm. They love their family members and show their loyalty and are very affectionate. A Curly is an intelligent dog and is happiest when it has adequate exercise, mental stimulation and play.

With strangers, the Curly can appear to be aloof and “standoff-ish”. Because Curlies like to be stimulated and are very enthusiastic, they can sometimes get bored with any sort of training that is repetitive. Overall, they are very smart and pick up quickly. .

This breed can be fed five cups of a dry dog food that is complete with minerals and vitamins or one and a half to two and a half cans of a high-quality meaty product.

Article written by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - visit for dog food storage containers in every size.

It is believed that Doberman Pinschers were bred by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in Germany somewhere around 1890. He wanted to breed a different type of dog that would be a great combination with strength, ferocity, yet loyal and intelligent. The Doberman Pinscher, also known as simply the “Doberman” is a common breed of domestic dog and a very common pet because of their loyal companionship and devotion. This breed is known for being not only loyal, but also very alert and smart. For this reason, they have been used throughout history as police dogs, guard dogs and watch dogs. It is thought that this breed is a combination from the bloodlines of the Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier, German Shepherd and Pointer. They are inherently also a tracker and guardian.

Doberman Pinschers typically have a very powerful, compact, and medium-sized muscular square muscular body. They generally stand anywhere from twenty-four to twenty-eight inches tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere between sixty and one hundred pounds. Their coat sheds, but no more than a normal dog. Their coat has very short hair is known for it’s glossy sheen and being low-maintenance.

Dobermans can be variations of color, however most people recognize the black color of this breed. However, they can be anywhere from black, reddish and a fawn color, depending on the genes in a specific breed. In American, the rust color Doberman Pinscher are most recognizable with their variations of a reddish rust mixed with the common black.

Generally known for their gentle nature, this breed is extremely intelligent, loving and loyal. Dobermans generally do not attack unless they sense they have been mistreated or if they sense that their family or any of the property, possessions or “territory” is in danger. This attack instinct when their family is in danger is because of their loyalty and devotion to their families and owners. This breed is considered to be very socialized and therefore do well as companions and pets and do well with other dogs. They are also very good with young children, but just need to be watched because of their large size.

Since this dog needs much food to maintain their energy, they can have anywhere from one and a half to two and a half cans of a high-quality meaty product or five cups of a complete, dry dog food with minerals and vitamins added. In the winter they can be given cod liver oil and yeast tablets to help their skin and coat stay healthy and shiny.

In addition to be a loyal house pet, the Doberman Pinscher has also been used as a guard dog to protect his domain. Because of his ability to physically challenge human aggressors with his great strength and size and his loyalty and intelligence, most that would try to do harm to a house with a Doberman would think twice before doing harm. It is important to keep in mind that this breed will not be aggressive unless provoked or placed in a situation to protect.

The breed is believed to have been created from several different breeds of dogs that had a combination of the qualities that are encompassed in the Doberman today. Some of the breeds that the Doberman was created from are thought to be the Pinscher, the Beauceron, the Rottweiler, the Thuringian Shepherd Dog, the black Greyhound, the Great Dane, the Weimaraner, the German Shorthaired Pointer, the Manchester Terrier and the German Shepherd Dog.

Article by Kelly Marshall from Oh My Dog Supplies - to find designer dog beds, visit dog beds.