Choosing a Dog Breed

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Buying a new pet, especially a dog can be very exciting. It is worth considering your lifestyle choices and those who live with you before choosing a dog breed. Choosing any family pet may depend on several factors which must be taken into account. Perhaps the most important question is: are you prepared to take good care of the animal and treat it accordingly?

If the answer to the above question is yes, the next step is to decide the reason you would like a dog. There can be many reasons such as protection, as a pet for a child, as a show dog or simply for the sake of companionship. This is an important factor in choosing the correct breed.

After that you should consider your living circumstances as many of the other decisions will depend on this. You should consider the area in which you live: do you live in the town or countryside? This can limit how often and where you can take a dog for walks. Next you should consider the size of your house: do you have ample space for the new dog to cohabit with the owners and any existing pets? Does your house have a garden where the creature can play or rest? It is also worth thinking about how often the pet will be left alone each day. If you are going for an expensive rare breed this will obviously have to be very limited; however on the flipside if you decide to choose a big energetic dog then you still may not be able to leave it alone for extended periods.

Another side of lifestyle considerations is the associated costs with raising a pet. Ideally you should have a budget for basic needs such as foods and cleaning products. You should also take into account the possibility of other events happening. For example a situation may arise where you will need to leave the dog with somebody for an extended period of time on a paid basis. You should also think about health costs and possible veterinary services. A limited budget also means that your ability in choosing specially bred dogs may be more limited. However this should not stop you from being able to find a good pet.

Pets like human beings require attention and care. To many people their dog is a normal member of the household. Dogs must be given regular exercise and training to keep them active and in a healthy state. They must have necessarily health checks and be given essential vaccinations. Taking the dog down to the park for a walk is something you should fit into your weekly schedule.

Once you have acknowledged the extent of your lifestyle and your ability in raising a pet, it is time to decide the type of breed. The first thing to think about is the size. Make sure to discuss this with other members of the family as this is a big limitation on what breed of dog you may choose. Do you really have enough space for a German Shepard? Or are you prepared to deal with small Chihuahuas running around the house and having to look for them from time to time?

Perhaps one of the most underestimated things about any pet is the aging of the animal. Animals have a different lifespan to human beings. The reason that this is important is as important as buying the pet in the first place. Considering many people buy dogs for company, a family can very easily become attached to the animal. The pet becomes a 'member' of the family. For many people loosing a pet can be as shocking as loosing a very close relative.

Once you have planned and taken into account all factors, its time to make the exciting trip down the pet store or going to see a few dogs with other family members. Then you can hopefully make a decision as to who you would like to welcome to your house as new member.

Copyright 2005 Dave Markel

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London's Traditional Pubs

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Many people visit the city of London to see the numerous famous buildings such as Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. However there is often a wealth of history and character that is overlooked in the form of the traditional London pub. Everything from small taverns that barely have enough room for a table to opulent establishments adorned with murals and original timber frames cover the city. History buffs can visit the Dog and Duck in Soho where it has been since 1734 or for something more macabre try the Ten Bells pub a reputed haunt for Jack the Ripper.

London's traditional pubs are an important part of the city's personality and in them you will find a diverse crowd made up of people from every walk of life. Poverty stricken students rub shoulders with high salaried financial executives and tourists sit on tables next to locals who consider the pub their second home. Almost every traditional pub in London will serve food of some type and many of the best dishes can be found in these establishments.

If you want to sample some traditional English food it is worth ordering something off of the pub menu. Dishes such as a ploughman's lunch or cod and chips are usually available and reasonably priced in comparison to many of the restaurants.

Many of London's traditional pubs have been converted into luxury boutique hotels and brewing companies like Fuller's and Young's offer rooms in a number of their pubs. An original alternative to London hotels the rooms are usually of a very high standard and include breakfast which is served downstairs in the main bar. Because many of the traditional pubs are in Victorian and Georgian buildings the hotel rooms are normally larger than the average hotel rooms with high ceilings and original fittings.

London's traditional pubs play a great many roles in the social life of its residents. They can be a regular meeting place for clubs and societies, a favourite place for family Sunday lunch or the first stop on a night out in the city. For a quintessentially English experience visitors to London should step into one of the many traditional pubs they encounter on their visit.

Roo Sadegi is a travel writer based in London's East End, although he spends much of his time travelling around Europe's travel hotspots.

Is An Akita Inu The Right Dog For You

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The Akita, or Akita Inu hails from the Akita region of Japan where they breed has been revered for centuries. Throughout history they've been used as flood dogs, fighting dogs and for hunting deer and bear but today many people keep them as loving companions. Introduced to the United States in 1937 by Helen Keller the Akita Inu became even more popular after World War II when many American servicemen brought them back.

A member of the American Kennel Club working group, the Akita Inu was admitted to the AKC in 1972. It is a spitz type dog with the car and a triangular shaped head who weighs in at between 75 and 120 pounds. This dog has a powerful strong build with a deep, broad chest and level back. His ears stand erect on his head and he has dark brown eyes and a black or brown nose. The tail is carried high over the back. The Akita is a great swimmer due to his webbed feet. This dog has a double coat made up of a thick insulated undercoat and a waterproof outer coat and comes in white, red, sesame or brindle.

The Akita Inu is very affectionate with his family and while docile and home, can be aggressive towards other animals when he is outdoors being taken for walk. He is intelligent and fearless - a dog faithful to his family that craves companionship. This dog can be willful, however, so training will require patience as well as diversity since he can also become bored easily.

Like many purebred dogs the Akita does have some health issues that he is prone to. Hypothyroid and autoimmune thyroiditis can come up in this breed as can hip dysphasia. They can also suffer from terrible skin problems in immune diseases such as VKH. They can also have problems with their knees and our eyes.

Although they are a large dog, the Akita Inu can adapt well to apartment life as long as he gets sufficient exercise. In fact, a moderate amount of exercise is all this dog needs to keep in shape than happy.

This dog does not have any excessive grooming considerations, however the thick coat does shed heavily twice a year. They should be brushed with a firm bristle brush as often as needed and, of course, daily when shedding. Do not bathe your Akita unless it is necessary as giving him a bath will cause the natural waterproofing on their coat to be disrupted.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.dogbreeds123.com where you can learn more about dog care as well as information and photos of your favorite dog breeds inlcuding the Akita Inu.

The Purina National 2010

Enjoy Pomp, Pageantry and Purebreds England has Crufts. New York has Westminster, and now Canada has The Purina National, where you' ll experience non-stop excitement and fun! It's Canada's most prestigious dog show, with top international judges on hand as hundreds of purebreds from around the world compete for their share of honour and prize money. A charity event for the Canadian Kennel Club Foundation Three action-packed days! Watch championship dog shows, obedience trials, and Rally Obedience trials. See breed demonstrations and educational displays. Meet breeders, see dogs being groomed to perfection, and shop for the perfect gift. It's the place for dog enthusiasts and families looking for some March Break fun. www.purina.ca

Working Group at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

The wonderful Working Group on Feb 12, 2008 at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, including a new breed to the AKC, the Tibetan Mastiff. You can buy the complete show on DVD from www.westminsterkennelclub.org The AKC Working Breeds are: Akita, Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Bernese Mountain Dog, Black Russian Terrier, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher, German Pinscher, Giant Schnauzer, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Komondor, Kuvasz, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland, Portuguese Water Dog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed, Siberian Husky, Standard Schnauzer, and Tibetan Mastiff. Honors (Feb 14): #88 - Most Viewed (Today) - Pets & Animals #57 - Top Favorites (Today) - Pets & Animals Feb 15: #33 - Most Viewed (Today) - Pets & Animals #46 - Top Favorites (Today) - Pets & Animals

Coat Care of Long Haired Sporting Dogs

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The luxurious locks of Irish English and Gordon Setters, Flat Coat, and Golden Retrievers are what beauty in a dog means. Keeping them that way means a lot of work on the part of their lucky owners, enjoy these tips to keeping these beautiful animals looking and feeling their best.

1. In The Spring Time- Fleas begin infesting grass and carpets again, after a slowdown period from the winter. Borax in the carpet overnight once a week and a bi yearly spray on all of your grass should be started. Dogs with very dry skin can show allergies this time of year, and keeping tabs on the long haired guys is a must when everything is blooming and pollen is high, as dogs typically show allergies not by sneezing but by an irritated coat. Fur will also need extra brushing, as the winter fur sheds out and is replaced by new summer fur. If you are brushing once a week, step that up to twice a week until the winter coat is completely gone. If you took a break from your Frontline, start it up again.

2. In The Summer Time- Fleas are in full rage now and you will really benefit from that spray job on your lawn you did that spring. Keeping it mowed will give fleas a smaller hiding spot as well. If you have gone camping with your dog, make sure you are checking that gorgeous coat for ticks, check it well that is a lot of hair to hide in. Pollen is dying down in the summer, but keep that dog cool by shaving the belly, or foregoing that they are sporting dogs and love the water, a small plastic pool will help them and you will laugh all summer long at their antics. It is a must that these long haired dogs have access to water at all times, that fur keeps them extremely warm.

3. In The Fall Season- This is when you are going to do your second bi annual lawn spray for fleas. Fall is tricky, Indian summer in many places can keep temperatures raging to 90 degrees, and dog hair knows that winter is on its way so keep that grooming going to make sure you know what your dog's body is up too. You will find that wispy summer coat all over your carpet; keep up that Frontline and Borax. Bathe on sunny days and enjoy watching the leaves turn.

4. In The Winter Time- Older dogs may not grow the kind of robust coat they did when younger, so make sure they have a downy fuzz to keep them warm. A blanket, like one a horse might wear, can be purchased if the dog is cold. Some Dogs grow such a robust coat that grooming must again be stepped up to twice a week. This is the time of year many areas can take a break from the Frontline, but I keep up the Borax in the carpet, fleas still breed in warm houses.

Caring for long haired dogs can be a hassle, but some of the breeds are definitely worth the time. Some of my favorite long haired sporting dog breeds are Golden Retrievers and the Flat Coat Retriever.

Westminster breed: Bernese Mountain Dog (with puppies)

More videos: tinyurl.com One of a series of videos highlighting the different breeds from the Hudson Valley competing in this year's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.