The Companion, American Eskimo Dog

This is a breed originating from Germany despite its name. It is not a Husky and it is not from Alaska either. The American Eskimo Dog was originally named German Spitz but the name was changed during the first World War because of anti-German prejudice.

The American Eskimo Dog has been bred with the only intention to be kept as a companion pet and they thrive as being part of the family. They love being lavished with attention and they go great with children of all ages. Even if they are quite small, they make good guardians of their home, since they like to bark and they will whenever the situation demands it. They are very suspicious and wary of strangers. The only draw back they might have is the destructive activities they will engage in if they are left alone for longer periods of time.

When it comes to the care they require, they will need firm bristle brushing twice a week to keep tangles and mats from occurring and if they are shedding daily brushing may be necessary. Because of their dry skin, bathing should be done only if absolutely necessary.

This is a breed famous for its longevity, with individuals known to have reached the 20 years mark and with an average life span between 12 and 14 years. Daily regular exercise is a must for the American eskimo dog. They also enjoy playing in an enclosed yard or the walks, even on a secure leash. This is a dog that will enjoy and will benefit from all the family play sessions.

The American Eskimo dog should be easy to train because of their eager to please temperament. To prevent aggression later in life you should them early socialized but otherwise that are highly talented dogs that will be enjoyed in any household.

Franks also writes for http://www.greenfiddle.com , [http://www.hkbanda.com] and [http://www.iconnextion.com] .

The Expressionist, Post-impressionist, and the Fauvist World of Emily Carr

Emily Carr, a renowned Canadian Expressionist artist & writer, was born on December 13, 1871, in Victoria, a small and isolated town of British Columbia. She was brought up in a middle class environment. Her father, a merchant, commissioned a house, which is now named after her as Emily Carr House. Carr's parents died, when she was in her teens. After the incident, Carr moved to San Francisco. There, at the age of eighteen, she enrolled in the California School of Design to study arts.

In 1893, Emily Carr, also known as "Canadian Icon," returned to her hometown Victoria, and started taking classes for children. Emily created a studio in her home where she studied and practiced art. After some years, in 1899, Carr moved to England for further studies. She took admission in Westminster School of Arts in London, but could not stay there for long due to illness.

In the search of better locations and climate, she then went to the various parts of England to return to San Francisco eventually in 1905. During her travel, Carr's visit to a mission school in Vancouver highlighted her work for the first time in 1899. In 1910, she studied art for a year at the Académie Colarossi in Paris. In 1912, Emily settled back in British Columbia permanently.

Throughout this traveling transition, different cultures, communities, and the landscapes of the Pacific North-west continued to influence Carr's artwork heavily. Owing to her Post-impressionism and Fauvism styles of paintings, mainly based on nature and natives, Emily and her art though remained unrecognized to the world and the other bigger artists of that time for long. Disappointed by the apathy of the world towards her artwork, in her early 40s, she gave up painting and took up pottery for living. Later, Carr also worked as a dog breeder and a boarding house property owner.

In 1920s, Emily Carr met the leading Canadian art group of that time, 'Group of Seven.' It so happened when the Director of the National Gallery of Canada, Mr. Eric Brown, invited Carr to participate in an exhibition, "Canadian West Coast Art, Native and Modern," in Ontario in the year 1927, after an ethnologist referred Carr's name to him. There, with the help of Lawrren Harris, a member of the 'Group of Seven,' Carr submitted her work the exhibition. Due to her passionate, original, strong, and mature work, the artists at the show promptly accepted her work.

Soon after the 'Group of Seven' invited to Emily Carr to participate in a Group of Seven exhibition. This was the beginning of Emily's direct association with the group, which proved out to be a turning point for her painting career. After five years, the group named Emily the 'Mother of Modern Arts.' She was the first artist to reflect the Canadian spirit through her paintings. Carr participated in an exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, in 1937. She was honored here. At Vancouver Art Gallery too, in 1938, Emily Carr held a very successful presentation.

In 1937, due to a series of heart attacks, she took up writing to give vent to her creativity. Carr was bedridden for the rest of her life. The 'Nuu-Chah-Nulth' community of Ucluelet, Vancouver Island had nicknamed Carr as 'Klee Wyck,' meaning, "the laughing one," on which Carr named her book. Klee Wyck, released in 1941, was a book about her personal experiences with the natives of this island. The book won the Governor General's Award in the year of its release. Other than Klee Wyck, Carr also wrote, "The Book of Small (1942)," and "The House of all Sorts (1944)." Emily Carr died on March 02, 1945. Her three books, "Growing Pains (1946)," "Pause and The Heart of a Peacock (1953)," and "Hundreds and Thousands (1966), " were published posthumously. In 1997, Mascall Dance created a dance piece titled, 'The Brutal Telling,' retelling her life.

Annette Labedzki received her BFA at the Emily Carr College of Art and Design in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. She has more than 25 years experience. She is the founder and developer of an online art gallery featuring original art from all over the world. It is a great site for art collectors to buy original art. Is is also a venue for artists to display and sell their art . Artists can join for free and their image upload is unlimited. Please visit the website at http://www.labedzki-art.com

WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW NYC 2011 #-26

The Westminster annual dog show.

JLO Fashion Line

Jennifer Lopez Fashion Line..Westminster Dog Show..are we seeing double? the tippystory

Toy Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group

The Toy Group includes most of the very small and miniature lap dogs and apartment-sized companion dog breeds. Toy dogs play a critical role in the lives of people that live alone and their presence can have beneficial effects on the health of the sick, the elderly and the housebound. Toys are popular companion dogs for people living in cities and adapt well to apartment life. Many Toys distrust strangers and make great watchdogs and don't need a lot of exercise beyond what they get running around and playing indoors. Toys make great traveling companions and are readily accepted just about everywhere. Toy dog breeds are always difficult to housebreak but usually adapt well to apartment life.

If your Toy isn't completely house trained after 3 months then you should seek professional help. Toddlers and small children are too rough for toy dogs that may bite in self-defense. The top 10 most popular Toy breeds in the US according to the American Kennel Club 2005 registrations are discussed below and their registration rank is included in brackets. The inclusion of the Toy Poodle as #2 is incorrect as its rank is a composite total of all 3 Poodle varieties - Toy, Miniature and Standard. It probably belongs somewhere in the top ten but not in the #2 position.

Yorkshire Terrier

The Yorkie (#3) almost overtook the Golden Retriever as the second most popular dog in the US in 2005. This rugged toy dog is very popular because it has all the admirable attributes of larger dogs but in miniature. The typical Yorkie plays hard and has limitless energy. With persistence a Yorkie can be obedience trained. Some are bright and learn quickly, while others are more obstinate and opinionated. Yorkies get along well with other pets but they can be very possessive of their food and toys. The Yorkshire makes a better pet for older and calmer children. The Yorkshire will bark at strangers, often in a high pitched voice. Early socialization is required so that the dog doesn't become too shrill and to ensure barking is controlled.

Poodle (Toy)

All the wonderful things that you can say about a Standard Poodle don't all apply to the Toy or Miniature versions. Toy Poodles (#8) are less than 11 inches at shoulder height but the same American Kennel Club standards apply across all sizes. Toys are generally more sensitive than the Standard and are also more active, louder and less confident. Early socialization and training to curb excessive barking and leg lifting is required. Even though these dogs are very small, they still enjoy lots of playtime and long walks. Toy Poodles will do fine with older considerate children.

Shih Tzu

The exotic looking Shih Tzu (#9) is one of the sturdiest and most robust of the toy dog breeds. Shih Tzus are intelligent, playful, affectionate, friendly, self confident and outgoing. Shih Tzus make great apartment dogs and companion dogs for the elderly. These charming and personable dogs are devoted to their owners and their families. They make great traveling companions and rarely show any aggressive behavior toward strangers or strange animals. The breed gets along extremely well with older, considerate children.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua (#11) is the smallest of the toy dog breeds. Chihuahuas are intelligent, charming and loving dogs who are devoted to their owners. This breed needs close contact with its family and make great companions. Chihuahuas can have delusions of grandeur and self-confidence and will challenge much larger dogs. Chihuahuas are good with older children if raised with them. Chihuahuas are intelligent and can be trained fairly easily. Some Chihuahuas can be overly insecure and are prone to excessive barking and early socialization and training while a puppy is recommended.

Pug

The Pug (#12) is a sturdy small dog that is one of the most popular and largest of the toy dog breeds. This charming, adorable and playful small dog will make you laugh. The Pug is an even tempered, easygoing, pleasant and friendly companion. This sturdy, small dog breed gets along well with children and with other pets although toddlers and small children should be supervised carefully to ensure they don't injure the dog. The Pug doesn't need much training but enjoys the process and is fairly easy to train.

Pomeranian

Pomeranians (#14) or "Poms" are one of the smallest toy dog breeds. The Pom is lively, spirited and animated. This breed is a keen-eyed extrovert who is very inquisitive and must check out all activities going on around him. The Pom is a proud and confident, even cocky, toy dog that requires early and thorough socialization with strangers to minimize its tendency to bark. This toy breed is intelligent, eager to learn and takes readily to positive and gentle training methods.

Maltese

The Maltese is one of the most intelligent and most gentle of all the toy dog breeds. This lively and agile little toy dog loves to play games. This toy breed is cheerful, loving, playful, smart and has lots of personality. Maltese should have early socialization while they are puppies to give them more confidence and overcome their distrust of strangers and minimize their tendency to bark. Maltese enjoy obedience training and some will do well in competitive obedience and agility competitions. This toy breed does fine with older and considerate children.

Miniature Pinscher

The Miniature Pinscher or Min Pin is the most active and lively of all the toy dog breeds. Miniature Pinschers are full of energy, alert, loyal, intelligent and very courageous for their size. Min Pins think they are much larger than their toy size and can be aggressive towards other dogs. These toy dogs can be stubborn and need lots of early socialization and obedience training while puppies. The breed does fine with older considerate children and household pets. Outdoors, this toy breed should be on a leash or in a securely fenced yard as they can disappear quickly.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (#31) is a graceful and happy toy spaniel that is larger than its close relative, the English Toy Spaniel. The Cavalier is a gentle, even-tempered, happy and playful small dog. Cavaliers make excellent family dogs who even like to play with small children (always under supervision of course). The Cavalier finds all humans delightful and loves to cuddle in their laps and snuggle in their beds. However, these comfort-loving Spaniels love to run in the yard and chase chipmunks, squirrels, and birds. Cavaliers are easy to train but require early socialization as puppies to overcome their natural timidity.

Papillon

The Papillon (#35) is one of the oldest European toy dog breeds and the French word for butterfly was used to describe this lively toy breed with the erect butterfly ears. The Papillon is a friendly, affectionate and intelligent dog that is much more robust than it appears. The Pap is definitely not a lap dog and is high spirited, active and loves to play outside and go for walks. This breed is very smart and can be trained to be a good agility and obedience dog for competitions. If the Pap is socialized early and trained properly, and not pampered and spoiled, it becomes a confident and outgoing companion who gets along well with older children and pets.

About the Author - Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: http://www.dog-breed-facts.com He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his free report on Dog Training.

The Terriers in the Working Group

Dog shows have so many groupings, that it can be difficult to keep all of the dogs straight...

Contrary to popular belief, not all of the terriers are in the "Terrier Group". There are 27 breeds in the Terrier Group itself, according to the AKC.

Some are in the Toy Group (Australian Silky, English Toy or Black & Tan, Maltese, Manchester, Yorkshire, Toy Fox, sometimes Tibetan or Boston depending upon the kennel club), and some in the Non-Sporting Group (Boston, Tibetan depending on the kennel club).

There are 4 terriers in the Working Group.

Terriers in the Working Group:

1. Black Russian Terrier

2. Giant Schnauzer

3. Standard Schnauzer

4. Miniature Schnauzer (depending on the kennel club)

The fact that they are in the Working Group simply means that they are purebred dogs that were specifically bred to help assist humans with different types of work.

These types of Work may include:

• Eradicating vermin


• Pulling sleds


• Water rescues


• Guarding property

What talented terriers! It is said that these "Working" dogs are quick to learn, very capable, and very intelligent, making them fabulous companions as well.

From what I've seen, terriers are very eager to please and are extremely hard workers, if trained to do so. They focus on their task well, whether it be chasing a squirrel, trying to get their favorite kibble out of the bottom of the bowl, or practicing and competing in earth dog competitions.

Since many of the working dogs have such sheer size and strength, they need to be properly trained, and it is said that they are often not great "family" dogs.

It is in my opinion that these dogs are great family dogs, provided they are properly trained.

by Kimberly Edwards

Kimberly Edwards is the founder of Terrier Lover - Awesome Information and History on the Terrier Breed, Health, Dog Grooming, Dog Breeding, Tips & Tricks, Dog Training, Stories and More. Learn all you need to know about the Terrier dog @ http://www.TerrierLover.com

"I won, I won! Mommy, I won!"

2011 Westminster Kennel Club, Best in Breed shih tzu celebrates. This video was uploaded from an Android phone.

Your Pooch is Getting Older, Things You Should Know

It's mind boggling how time can fly by, it seems not so long ago your dog was an energetic puppy. The years have a way of creeping up on us and sooner than you would expect, you're dealing with an older dog and you will have to accept and adapt to certain changes in your dog's behavior and needs. There are subtle signs that signal your dog is getting on in his years that you will have to look out for, some are normal due to the natural aging process while some can be avoided. Observing your dog as he ages can make the difference between your dog aging gracefully or aging badly.

The majority of dogs slow down as they age. You may notice your dog's energy levels decreasing and as a result so will his metabolism. This can lead to obesity so you have to watch out for that and adapt your dog's diet to suit his activity levels. Obesity, especially in an older pet, can lead to very serious health concerns. It is important to introduce any dietary changes gradually to avoid upsetting your older dog's fragile dietary system.

As they age, a dog's protein requirements may decrease. Increased fiber content may be helpful as well as lower fat content. If your dog's appetite seems to be waning you should consider providing supplements to ensure your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals he needs. If your dog experiences any sudden changes in weight you should take him to the vet as this generally indicates something is seriously wrong with your pet.

Just as humans go grey as they age, so do dogs. You may notice your dog developing white hair around the muzzle and eyes. Your dog's coat may become less shiny and this could be an indication that there may be a nutritional deficiency so consult with your vet to make sure you are feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet appropriate for your dog's age. You dog's skin may also lose condition becoming thinner and less elastic, this could be a symptom of dehydration, you should always make sure your dog is drinking enough. Excessive drinking, on the other hand, could be a sign of serious problems so always observe your dog's drinking habits. Fish oil supplements can be very beneficial for older pets so check with your vet on which supplements will help your dog.

A common problem many owners of aging dogs may face is urinary incontinence. A formerly housetrained dog may begin to have frequent "accidents" in the house or may even leak urine while asleep. There could be underlying medical reasons for this and you should consult with your vet to see what can be done. Hormonal treatment is sometimes given in these instances and can correct the situation. Letting your dog out more frequently to "do his business" is also helpful. Aging is a sad part of life, and you should have some comfort in the fact that your dog has lived to a ripe old age, not all dog owners are so lucky. Be sure to take good care of your pet in his old age and remember the many years of love and joy he's given you.

This article was provided by Josh Hall of Pet-Super-Store.com, where you can find the Garmin Astro and Tri-tronics products.

Dog Behaving Badly (or just playing around)

Live-Blogging at 2008 Westminster Dog Show in New York City.

David Frei talks about Angel on a Leash at the NYC Pet Show 2010

NOW READ THIS: www.angelonaleash.org http www.angelonaleash.org http www.angelonaleash.org http www.angelonaleash.org http Thanx again to David Frei Host of the Westminster Kennel Club Show and founder of Angel On A Leash. And the www.nycpetshow.com

JERKCITY: THE WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW

Canine watches TV

Ginger the poodle watches the Westminster dog show on february 15 2011.