August 24th, 2009 by admin

History and origin:

Believed to have been evolved from spaniels, the English Setter was first seen in 16th century England and was perfected as a hunting dog in the 19th century.  In function they are almost identical to the Pointer.  The major difference is the longer coat, which allows them to hunt in colder weather and gives them added protection against heavy undergrowth.

Description:

The English Setter stands 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 70 pounds.  The shedding coat is of medium length, flat and slightly wavy.  Daily brushing and combing is required to keep the coat in good condition.  The silky hair under the ears should be removed, as well as hair under the throat and below the ear down to the breast bone.  The background color is normally white, with intermingled black, lemon, tan, or liver spotting.

About the breed:

English Setters are gentle, beautiful, dogs that make for an excellent companion and a reliable gundog.  They are very active dogs that needs regular exercise and should be given a job such as hunting or agility work.  Their scenting ability is a great distraction to them. They can be quite stubborn and driven because of their strong hunting instinct.  This will make the recall command a difficult one to teach.  English Setters are usually quite good with children and are generally friendly to strangers after an initial period of investigation.  They make excellent jogging partners, given their lithe, athletic build.  Early obedience training and socialization are essential.  They love the company of humans and can be horrid barkers if left alone for long periods.

Feeding:

Recommended feeding for the English Setter is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of high-quality meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry food.

Ideal home:

A house with a fenced yard is very important for this breed.  Children should be taught to respect the dog and should not be allowed to wrestle or chase him.  The owner of an English Setter should be an active, patient, firm leader who regularly gives the dog a task such as hunting, agility work, or tracking.  Early obedience training is mandatory.  The English Setter may be too active for the elderly or disabled.  Time to train, exercise, and groom this breed is essential.

August 24th, 2009 by admin

Fortunately, the aging dog has relatively few disorders of the brain and spinal cord associated with the process of growing old. Arteriosclerosis, that bane of human aging and a primary cause of senility, is quite rare in dogs. Hence it is unusual indeed to meet a truly senile dog.

Cerebral hemorrhage, also called apoplexy or stroke, is likewise a very infrequent occurrence in the canine. Rabies is caused by a virus which is attracted specifically to nerve tissue and is transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal. However, there have also been rare reports in recent years of airborne transmission. It has been traditionally believed for centuries that once symptoms of rabies develop, death is inescapable, and because of the hazard to other animals and people, such dogs are euthanized if they have not yet bitten anyone.

Recent reports of two human rabies cases which were treated successfully and survived the development of rabid symptoms, if confirmed, may possibly alter the present grim outlook for rabid dogs. With the extremely effective and safe vaccines available today to protect your aging dog, however, there is no excuse for you to ever have to worry about this disease.

August 12th, 2009 by admin

History and origin:

The Bullmastiff is believed to have been evolved between 200 or 300 years ago by crossing the Mastiff with the Bulldog.  He was used as a guard dog against poachers (who were hunting on large estates) without actually harming them.  The Bullmastiff was bred to be courageous, quick, strong, and willing to challenge humans.

Description:

The Bullmastiff stands 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 100 and 135 pounds.  He has a powerful, heavily muscled and boned body and a short, low-maintenance shedding coat that needs regular brushing.  Ears may be cropped or uncropped. The color may be fawn, reddish brown, or brindle; a small white patch on the chest is acceptable.

About the breed:

The Bullmastiff is a trustworthy, affectionate, lazy, powerful breed with a natural instinct of guarding his home and family.  These dogs are usually very suspicious of strangers and other dogs and are one of the most territorial of breeds.  Though normally gentle with children in their own family, Bullmastiffs can be unpredictable with friends, relatives, and co-workers.  Keep in mind that this breed was designed to challenge human beings and will do so without hesitation if a threat is perceived.  When a Bullmastiff becomes aggressive, it is explosive and unstoppable.  This breed is capable of killing another dog in seconds, so do not consider letting him off leash.  The only way to minimize this instinctive behavior is to socialize and train the dog from day one, allowing the Bullmastiff puppy to interact with people and dogs in a controlled, positive environment.  Males should be neutered by the eighth month.  Females tend to be less aggressive and are quite more timid than males.  The Bullmastiff is normally content to lie around the house.  Though less energetic than the Boxer, he does tend to be slightly more active than the Mastiff.  Training should begin early and should be firm but not overbearing, as this breed matures slowly and can become worried if pushed too hard.  Patience and consistency are required, as well as positive, confident attitude.  Spoiling will create a pushy dog that lacks confidence, a combination that could be dangerous.  Mature children are permissible provided absolutely no roughhousing is permitted.  This breed eats large quantities of food.  He usually lives ten to twelve years, and is susceptible to bloat, hip dysplasia, eyelid abnormalities, gastrointestinal disorders, and respiratory problems.  He snores and drools and is often flatulent.

Feeding:

Recommended feeding for this breed is at least 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of a branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal amount or 5 cupfuls of a dry, complete food.

Ideal home:

A large house in the country with a fenced yard or kennel is preferred, though this breed is easygoing in the home.  The owner of a Bullmastiff must be a strong, easygoing, confident leader who is fully aware of the power of this breed and who does not project worry or concern.  Time must be available to train, socialize, and handle this breed.  Though very affectionate with his family, the Bullmastiff may be unpredictable and aggressive with your children’s friends.  Spoilers and weak, nervous, or overbearing people should avoid this breed, as should the elderly and the disabled.  The Bullmastiff needs regular exercise; a child or lightweight person may have a hard time controlling the lead.