Belgian Malinois - Protector Of Home, Family And Livestock

Belgian Malinois - Protector Of Home, Family And Livestock
The Belgian Malinois is a medium/large size dog that weighs between 40-80 lbs and is between 22″ to 26″ in height. Their name is pronounced MAL-in-wah. They are one of four Belgian Sheepdogs and are very work oriented and are protective of home, family and livestock. The AKC recognizes the Belgian Malinois in the colors of fawn to mahogany to red with a black mask, ears and tips. Minimal white on the chest and feet is permitted. The short, smooth, straight and hard outer coat and dense undercoat require minimal grooming and are very easy to care for. Regular washing is not recommended as their coat has water proofing. This intelligent, energetic, protective breed is still more of a working dog than companion. They have a strong drive to work. The Belgian Malinois makes an excellent farm dog, watchdog, police dog and herding dog because of their instinct to protect their family, home or whatever else they are trained to protect. They can make a great family pet as well. Early socialization is a must for children, other dogs and pets. In fact, they do best if they are socialized from the time they are born. They can be dominant towards other dogs. Early, consistent, firm but not harsh training is important. They are harder for a novice to train than someone who is more experienced. The Belgian Malinois has a lot of energy and loves to be on the go. They require a yard and plenty of room to run and play. They are not meant to be indoors all day. They enjoy being with their family and are not meant to be left alone for long periods of time as they will get bored and find some way to fill their time. Originating in Belgium, the Belgian Malinois is one of four Belgian Sheepdogs. Their name comes from the Belgian city of Malines. It is recognize as its own breed by the AKC however, in some countries, all four Belgian Sheepdogs are considered to be one breed. The Belgian Malinois is popular in Belgium and is used for herding, police work and as a search and rescue dog. A breed with such a strong work drive, protective instinct and high energy makes an excellent watchdog and farm dog. They do best with families that are active and will meet their work and exercise needs. An active, busy Belgian Malinois is a happy Belgian Malinois. Learn more about the <a href="http://www.deardoggy.com/dog_breeds/belgian_malinois/">Belgian Malinois</a> or discuss <a href="http://www.deardoggy.com/">Dogs</a> with other dog lovers at <a href="http://www.deardoggy.com/">www.deardoggy.com</a>
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Great Tips For Breeding Your Dog
Choosing to breed your dog is a big decision and it?s natural to feel a little uneasy about the process. These dog breeding tips will help things go smoothly and help you enjoy the entire process. One of the most important steps is choosing the right mate for your dog. The mate you choose should possess the qualities you want to see carried on in the puppies. Both male and female should be healthy and possess no genetic faults that could jeopardize the health of the puppies. You also want to make sure the female is very healthy so that her pregnancy and birth are easier. You?ll want to support her prior to breeding with excellent nutrition and supplements. Of course she should always have excellent nutrition, but a boost will help her energy and help her stay healthy during her pregnancy. Good record keeping on both the male and female can help increase your breeding success, but it is especially important with the female. You should keep a history folder on your female which records important dates such as when you first see signs of the bitch going into heat, any changes in behavior, and any medical issues. You should also have a good working relationship with your veterinarian who can be a very helpful resource throughout the breeding process, during the pregnancy, during labor and of course once the pups are born. Male dogs have less reproductive problems than female dogs but they can be more difficult to correct. Anatomical defects, low sperm, and infection of the reproductive organs are the most common problems to watch for in a male dog. Hypothyroidism, arthritis of the spine, and Brucellosis should also be checked for in males that show no interest in breeding. With the female, the main reason for failed breeding is wrong timing. Because of the length of time a female is in heat, without hormone tests it can be difficult to tell when the ?right? time really is. Your vet has a variety of ways to test hormone levels to try to narrow down the best breading time, but at the end of the day it still really is hit and miss. Female dogs usually go into heat every 6 months starting at around the age of one year. It?s important to allow your female to become full-grown and developed before you decide to breed her as she is more likely to have a pregnancy with fewer complications. In some of the larger breeds this doesn?t occur until the age of 2. At around 10 to 12 days after going into heat the bitch will be ready to stand and hold. You start to count the days at the first signs of blood discharge. Each dog is different so you?ll need to get to know your dog, how she acts, changes in temperament, and the amount of discharge because day one might actually be day three. You?ll know your timing is right by the willingness of the bitch. When the bitch is ready the discharge will often change from a dark red to more of a tan color so you can watch for this signal as well. Try to place the bitch and stud together several days and several times throughout the heat period up to about the tenth day. If you want to be safe then put the bitch and the stud together early and try and try again. It?s better than being late because you?ll have to wait another 6 months. If impregnation occurs your vet will be able to tell around the 22nd day after breeding. Now?s the time to start calling those parents to be, congratulating them, and letting them know their new bundle of joy will arrive in a couple of months. The act of breeding is rather a natural one that requires little intervention from you other than placing the male and female in a safe and secure environment together. If the time is right you will be the proud owner of a beautiful litter of pups in no time at all. If the timing is wrong you?ll need to wait for the female to go into heat again in about 6 months. These breeding tips should help you find success in breeding your dog. Gray Rollins is a writer for CreatingDogs.com. Visit us to learn about <a href="http://www.creatingdogs.com/raredogbreeds/">rare dog breeds</a> and the <a href="http://www.creatingdogs.com/bestdogbreeds/">best dog breeds</a>. Come check us out if you love dogs.
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The Shih-tzu Spa - Grooming Tips for your Shih-tzu.
Bathing - It is very important to bathe your shit-tzu every other week. Use a tablespoon of shampoo for a litre of water. Whisk up some foam generously, in a baby tub and rinse your dog thoroughly.Dilute some conditioner in water in pour a generous amount on your Shih-tzu. This will help reducing tangles as well as keep the coat soft. Be very careful when you choose the shampoo. Check the pH so that you do not end up buying a shampoo that is too acidic. They can dry out the coat of your dog. Even bathing too often will reduce the natural shine of the coat. Your doggie has a short muzzle, he will tend to get more dirty in the process of sniffing or rubbing things. So it is important to clean the face of your dog twice a week. Use a soft brush to do this. Clean the feet and the area under the eye and rinse well. Brush your dog before and after bath. Plug the ears with cotton balls so that water does not seep into the ears and cause infection. Also take care not to let any shampoo get into the eyes. Use a benign ointment for the eyes if necessary. If any residual shampoo is there, just wash with lukewarm saline water. Clean the anal gland of your dog regularly. Take the help of the vet if necessary. Wrap your dog in a towel and give a thorough blow dry but do not blow hot air directly on the face.Brushing & trimming - The coat of the Shih-tzu requires regular brushing in order to prevent it from getting tangled and matted. If you prefer floor length hair for your dog, keep a wire brush handy. Start brushing from the extreme ends like feet and legs. Brush in gentle downward strokes to reach the belly and then the back. Use a coat conditioner to keep hair silky and shiny.Be gentle with tangles. Never ever pull them as this may cause pain to the dog. Treat the hair as you would treat your own! Use a softer comb near the eyes, feetpads and under ears. In case you want to remove excess hair in the ear canal, apply some ear powder and pull gently.Also keep the hair around the mouth short so that your dog does not gather food there. The last stage is trimming around your puppy s bottom area and tail. The tail should be brushed and trimmed short. This way your puppy can go to the toilet easily. The hair can be trimmed with scissors to keep this area free from hair. It is a good thing to check this area daily to ensure that no deposition of excreta is attached to the hair.Teeth - Shih-tzu teeth are prone to Periodontal disease, Gingivitis and Plaque. So brush yor dog’s teeth twice everyday with dog toothbrushes and dental cream. Also encourage your dog to chew on a dog kibble so that it does not develop plaque easily.Ear Care - Examine your dog’s ears once every week. Use a cotton swab daubed in ear solution to wipe the ear canal in order to remove all dirt and ear wax.Eye Care - As the Shih-tzu has big eyes, it is more susceptible to eye infections. Use a moist cotton ball to clean the skin around the eye. Do this atleast once every week.Take care that no discharge gets deposited for a long time. Consult your vet in case of any redness or imflammation.Nail Care - Always clip nails after bath when they are soft and easy to clip. Do not cut the red streak as this may cause bleeding. In case it bleeds,use styptic powder to stop it. Hair-do - You can also make fancy hair-dos with your Shih-tzu’s long tresses.You can part the hair and tie it up with light rubber bands and then pin the pig-tails up in top knots. This will also prevent the hair from getting into the eye. Only make sure that it is not too tight to make the dog feel uncomfortable. Even whiskers can be attached upwards with pins. In case your dog is going for a show,keep the hair plaited all day in thin braids. When you will undo them, your Shih-tzu will have soft flowing curls all over. This way you can easily give your Shih-tzu a wonderful new makeover. So take out some time and let your imagination take wings. Have fun grooming your pretty Shih-tzu. Visit http://www.toydogtrainers.com to know about all kinds of toy dog training and care. About the author : Nancy Richards has been a dog lover for the past 12 years. She has owned and handled dog of different ages and have helped many fellow owners in training their dog. The Toy Dog Training Institute was born out of a need to educate Toy Dog lovers across the globe on how to train and take care of their pets easily at home, without breaking the bank. Nancy Richards, a devoted dog lover, started this Institute a year back. The Toy Dog Training Institute is a leading organization in the world dedicated to the welfare of Toy Dogs . The aim was to promote public interest in Toy Dogs and convey by all possible means an unbiased presentation of the use of Toy Dogs . Terms of use: Anybody is free to use the article in their website as long as an acknowledgement is given to the author 'Nancy Richards' along with a link to the Site http://www.toydogtrainers.com .
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