Dangerous Dog Food

If you've been watching the news, you may have heard about the huge recall for many brands of pet food. Apparently, it has been linked to pet illness and even death by kidney failure. One of the big name brands that we used to feed our dogs was Nutro. For several years, that was what our Chihuahuas ate, and for several years our oldest one, Sox, has suffered from seizures. They've never been so bad that he needs medication, but nevertheless they were scary. Last year, we switched to the Royal Canine Chihuahua 28 brand, and it's been working wonders. Sox's seizures have virtually gone, so even though the news hasn't said anything about the bad food causing problems with the nervous system, I still wonder. Sox is our baby and a great model for small dog clothing, I can't imagine life without him our any of our dogs.This is something that affects all cat and dog owners of all breeds, so take heed and pass the word along. Go to www.menufoods.com/recall for all the brands.

Movie Dogs

No, I'm not talking about Lassie and all her famous canine friends. These dogs actually help find pirated DVDs and music CD's! There are two particular black Labradors having a test run in Malaysia called Lucky and Flo. They were trained to smell polycarbonates, a chemical used in the production of discs. If they detect it on a package claiming to be something else, bingo! They're on loan from the MPAA and are already proving to be quite successful as they caught a pirated set of DVD's from the show "Friends". I bet they would look great doing their thing in camouflage dog clothing. I guess Hollywood has finally gone to the dogs!

dog booties for the Iditarod

Right now the Iditarod dog sled race is going on in Alaska. It's a 1,049 mile race where 16 dogs driving a sled can go through as much as 2,000 dog boots ! I guess even four-legged atheletes need good shoes.

Collies

The Collie, known for their elegant beauty and near-human intelligence, is one of the most popular breeds in this country. Everyone knows and loves Lassie and still reads the Collie books written in the 1920s and '30s by Albert Payson Terhune.

Little is known with certainty of the origin of the Collie, but his cunningoutward appearance would seem to signify a relationship with the wild dog. Produced from the old working type, they are now practically a distinct breed. They are considered to be the superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, and are actually born perfectly trained for service.The Collie dog makes an excellent sporting dog, and can be taught to do the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. They are extremely clever with excellent noses perfect for hunting, guarding, yet they are great companion dogs.

As a show dog, the Collie is top quality. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. Attractive and Posied, the Collie truly exceeds most breeds.

The Collie is an active dog poised with stamina, intelligence and freedom. They make excellent pets for both service and companionship.

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The History of the Fox Hound

Foxhounds were the very first dogs in Great Britain to come under the domination of scientific breeding. Their origins can be traced as far back as the 13th century. At the end of Cromwell’s war, something different was wanted to specifically hunt the wild deer other than the more ancient dos like the Southern Hound and the Bloodhound. There was a need for a quicker hound. In 1650, when the English Foxhound reach America, they began breeding them to be lighter, faster and taller.

The Foxhound’s head is somewhat broad, not peaked like the Bloodhound. They are long, with very prominent eyebrows and low set ears. Their natural condition is thin and shapely, but not large. This beautiful breed had extremely bright eyes full of expression. Their look is known to be remarkable. Their coat is hard hair, but short and smooth, the texture is as stiff as bristles, but beautifully laid.

Even though they are sweet and affectionate, they have not been primarily bred to be family members. When raised from a puppy they are excellent with both children and other dogs. They do, also, tend to need a lot of exercise and are not recommended for one looking for an “apartment friendly” dog. Without a good deal of exercise, they can become destructive when restless. They are an extremely healthy breed that is basically free of any genetic disease. They must not be overfed because they are prone to obesity. Their average weight is from 55 to 75 pounds with a height of up to 27 inches.

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Chihuahua Clothes

For someone new to buying Chihuahua clothes or clothes for their small dog, it may be a bit difficult to decide what your dog actually needs and what he wants (or more accurately what you want) to have. There’s no need to worry, though, because it's much like picking out clothes for you. The only thing your dog is ever going to need in the way of dog clothes is protection from the weather. This includes sweaters, coats, boots and rain jackets that protect your little baby from extreme cold, ice and rain. Aside from those bare essentials, there are shirts and costumes and well as designer coats that will show off a dog’s style and are fun for the owner.

Different breeds are well suited for different kinds of dog clothes. Small dogs such as Shih-Tzus and Pekingese are perfect for fancy designs because of their uppity demeanor. Ravishing ribbons, fashion bandannas and leather collars and leashes are the best for dressing up these small dogs. Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers can pull off the fancy stuff as well as the everyday necessities. Chihuahuas are known to shiver because they constantly lose heat, so they may also need warm Chihuahua clothing for around the house. In that case it needs to look really good against their natural coat and be very comfy. Large dog breeds usually only need clothing under the most extreme circumstances. Unless it’s extremely cold or raining heavily, there’s no need to cover them, but there are shirts and other styles that can go on them just for fun. Each breed has its own needs and style.

It’s important to make sure you have the essential Chihuahua clothes for all seasons as well as clothing for those small breeds that are especially vulnerable to the elements. A small dog sweater is a must for any little one and sometimes needs to be worn inside, too. A small dog coat is also great for those doggies in colder climates or regions smitten with snow. Many little pampered pets won’t even step outside in bad weather without coverings. When picking out small dog clothes, remember that the most important part is to have fun. Pay attention to all the beautiful miniature detail, and have fun expressing yourself and your dog.

Bringing Home a New Kitten or Puppy

One of the most important parts of being a new pet owner is doing the research in how to be a responsible pet owner. Make sure you learn the proper feeding and grooming techniques to care for your little one. Many long-haired breeds require special and constant grooming. Consider whether or not you’re going to groom them yourself or take them to a professional. Remember that smaller breeds need to have their teeth cleaned often, as they are susceptible to tooth decay. Be sure to budget all of this first as it can become very expensive. Most importantly, make sure that your family is pet ready. Take care to especially educate younger children in proper pet care.
There may be a need or a special diet, so learn all that that entails. Puppies always require a special diet of higher calories and protein. Seniors and overweight dogs also have special diets made just for them. It may help to research the breed you are getting and many breeds are predisposed to being overweight. Also, there are some genetic problems associated with many breeds. For example, Chihuahuas have been known to be born with hip and spine defects. Basset Hounds are predisposed to being easily overweight. Finally, don’t forget to pick a cute name!

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Custom Cats: How Genetic Engineering is Changing the World of Pets

When people hear the phrase “genetically modified organism” (GMO), They picture fruits, veggies or grain that’s been altered in some way to be cheaper or produced more abundantly. Plant GMOs are usually made with the purpose of solving hunger problems around the world by producing enough food to feed humanity’s exploding population. However, now the term GMO can be applied to something many of us hold dear in our lives…our pets. The company Allerca Pet Lifestyles from California announced last month that they will be selling kittens next year that have been genetically modified to be hypoallergenic. Humans have altered animal genomes for thousands of years through artificial selection (breeding), and even though this new form of genetic tinkering needs to be thoroughly tested before it’s put up for sale, demand is bringing it rushing into the market.
It is hard for one to argue completely against humans altering other animals’ genomes, especially since we’ve already been doing it for much of our history. Diverse breeds of dogs and cats have arisen over the millennia through human efforts of artificial selection. Natural selection created the wild wolves and dogs from which our domesticated friends descended. One could argue that since we’ve already changed animal DNA to fit our desires and needs, there is nothing unethical about genetically modifying today’s pets. It just accomplishes in one generation what usually takes several generations of breeding. It also creates phenotypes that we might never see arise naturally.
One thing that many people agree on is the need for extensive testing before this technology goes to market. The PETA has argued that there is no way of knowing the long-term effects of genetic engineering on a cat’s genome, and they’re right. To date, no such study has been done proving that genetic engineering is completely safe for any animal. In this particular case, scientists have silenced a gene is cats that produces their most common allergen. The gene still exists, but it’s not able to produce it’s protein. What needs to be done is extensive research over many years to study not only the genetically modified individuals but also their offspring.
In spite of this, there seems to be nothing that can slow the tide of selling GMO pets. Proposed bills that would ban their sale failed in California last year. Though many people protest, GMO pets are coming to market. Hopefully there won’t be too much damage done.

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