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What kind of pet is right for your family?

December 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

There are more than 150 American Kennel Club-recognized dog breeds and 40 Cat Fanciers’ Association-recognized cat breeds.  Choosing the right one for your family can be complicated.  Ask yourself some questions about your family.  Are you an active family?  Do you have lots of room for a pet?  Does anyone in the family suffer from pet allergies?  It’s important to answer these questions and research potential choices.  Making the right decision will ensure a healthy relationship for your family and family pet.

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So You Want a Collie

May 23, 2008 By 3 Comments

collie300 So You Want a Collie

Almost every child wants to own Lassie, the wonder Collie. Unfortunately, if the child really expects one dog to be that incredible, a Collie puppy may be a bit of a disappointment. After all, in real life, Lassie is actually played by several hard working Collies.

The Collie was originally bred to herd sheep and still has a strong protective instinct, which makes the breed an excellent choice for a family dog. Of course, not every Collie is a highly intelligent, diligent protector. Some of these dogs are high strung and nervous, but most are wonderful with children. The American Kennel Club classifies the Collie as part of the Herding Group. These dogs weigh 55 to 80 pounds and stand 22 to 26 inches tall.

The Collie is strong and graceful and has plenty of endurance. This dog’s almond shaped eyes seem to sparkle with intelligence, whether they are brown or blue in color. The Collie’s prick ears give it an alert appearance. The Collie can be rough or smooth coated. The rough coat is longer and fuller than the smooth coat. This breed can come in sable and white, tricolor, or blue merle colors.

The Collie enjoys living in the midst of an active family. This breed is not a good choice for apartment living, since it loves to spend time outside. A home with a large yard is ideal for the Collie breed.

Although the Collie is friendly and outgoing, this dog is protective of its family and takes its duties as a watchdog seriously. Your Collie will bark at intruders, whether they are people, cats, squirrels, or pieces of trash blowing around the yard.

The Collie can be quite headstrong and can get into quite a lot of mischief as a puppy. You should consider attending puppy obedience classes with your Collie, since it is easier to train a small puppy who hasn’t developed bad habits than a sixty pound dog that has. Also, be sure to be firm with your puppy about staying on the floor if you do not want Collie hair on all of your furniture. Once you allow your dog on the furniture, he will feel that he has a right to be there any time you leave the room.

The Collie breed has very few health problems. Eye diseases and PRA are the most common problems these dogs face. In fact, you are much more likely to take your puppy to the veterinarian because he has injured himself while jumping from a moving vehicle or exploring his surroundings than you will for a health problem.

Collies are quite happy to pack away plenty of food. These dogs have a tendency to overeat, so it is best to give them three small meals a day. If your Collie develops a bulge around his middle, talk to your veterinarian about switching to a food that promotes weight loss.

Although a rough coated Collie has long hair, the Collie does not need extensive grooming. Brush through your dog’s coat several times a week to avoid mats, paying close attention to the hair around his face, behind his ears, and around his legs.

The Collie is an intelligent family dog. If you want a dog who will protect your family and will play with the kids, the Collie may just be the perfect pet for you.

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The Jack Russell Terrier

May 16, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Should You Buy a Jack Russell Terrier?

jack russell300 The Jack Russell Terrier

Jack Russell Terriers are feisty, energetic dogs that gained popularity with the advent of the Wishbone series. However, in real life, these dogs are not exactly like the famous Wishbone. This dog breed is all terrier, and sometimes a Jack Russell’s temperament can be overwhelming for inexperienced dog owners.

The Jack Russell Terrier is also called the Parson Russell Terrier, because this breed was created by a parson – Reverend Jack Russell. He bred these dogs to chase down foxes. He wanted the dogs to be small enough to fit into the space the fox was hiding in, so he kept them small.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a member of the American Kennel Club’s Terrier Group. However, the AKC calls these dogs Parson’s Russell Terriers to differentiate them from British Jack Russells. This is necessary because the AKC feels that these dogs should have long legs, while British breeders prefer dogs with shorter legs.

Jack Russell Terriers are small, but strong dogs. Their dark almond shaped eyes have a bright eyed, alert appearance. While most Jack Russells have short coats, there are rough coated dogs, as well. These dogs always are more than half white. The rest of their body has a combination of tan, black and brown markings. The short tail of the Jack Russell Terrier is carried straight up, but is rarely still, as this breed is almost always enthusiastically wagging its tail over something. These dogs weigh in at 13 to 17 pounds and stand 10 to 15 inches tall.

The Jack Russell Terrier is a very high energy dog. Despite it’s small size, this dog does not do well in apartments or small spaces. This dog thinks it is much larger than it really is and will work until it wears out. A Jack Russell needs a securely fenced yard. Jack Russells will go over, under, and around obstacles to escape when they are bored. They will even climb trees.

Jack Russells enjoy living in the midst of an active family, as long as they aren’t overlooked in the bustle of family life. They love plenty of attention and thrive on playing games with children, such as chasing down and retrieving balls.

You should make sure you don’t neglect obedience training because of the Jack Russell’s small size. These dogs need the structure that commands provide. Puppy classes will also help you socialize your puppy, so he learns to play well with other dogs.

Jack Russells can suffer from eye and ear problems, including deafness. However, overall, this is a healthy breed.

Feeding a Jack Russell is not too expensive, as these dogs do not eat large quantities of food. However, if your dog becomes hyper, you may want to consult your veterinarian about using a lower protein food.

Smooth coated Jack Russells need very little grooming. However, rough coated dogs should be groomed at least once a week. Be sure to check regularly your dog’s nails to be sure they aren’t too long.

The Jack Russell can be a fun family pet. As long as your family isn’t filled with couch potatoes, the Jack Russell may be the perfect breed for you.

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