Edie MacKenzie On Dogs

Archive for the ‘Dog Information’ Category

The Bernese Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland, and is named after the Swiss capital city, Berne.

These large, friendly dogs were originally used as all-purpose farm dogs and excel at all kinds of jobs, including, guarding, herding sheep and cattle, and pulling heavy loads. Perhaps surprisingly, given their amiable personalities, the breed was also once used by the Romans as military dogs, accompanying their legions into battle.

The Berner Sennehund, as it is known in its native land, first came to America in 1926 and achieved AKC status in 1937.

With its striking tri-color coat, the Bernese is an easily recognizable dog. The coat is mainly black with rust coloration on the face and chest, as well as the lower legs and paws. The coat is thick and heavy, to withstand the freezing Alpine temperature, while the fluffy tail and folded ears also offer protection from the weather.

These are loyal, devoted and gentle pets who are exceptionally good with children and also get on well with other dogs and with non-canine pets. The Bernese is renowned for its happy disposition and kind nature.

The Bernese is a very playful dog which makes him an excellent choice for a family with kids. They are also very adaptable, meaning they’ll fit in to most living arrangements, as long as they are close to their human family.

The Bernese requires quite a lot of grooming. They are heavy shedders, with particularly heavy shedding occurring in the spring. Expect to brush your dog every day if you want to keep dog hair off your clothes and furnishings. When grooming your dog, pay special attention to cleaning the ears, which are susceptible to infections.

Bernese, unfortunately, have a very short lifespan, with a median 6-8 years. They are particularly prone to canine cancers, and also commonly suffer from a number of other serious health issues. Musculoskeletal ailments, like arthritis, hip dysplasia, and cruciate ligament rupture, are a particular problem with this breed. They are also prone eye and ear problems.

As with many large dogs, the Bernese can develop into a first class couch potato if it is allowed to. But the breed actually enjoys activity and is particularly fond of walking. You may even consider training your Bernese to pull a cart, as they were once bred to do.

A big plus point with this breed is their temperament. They are affectionate, loyal, friendly, balanced, and intelligent dogs with a genuine love of people. They respond well to reward based training, but can sometimes be a challenge to train because of their playfulness. It has been said that a Bernese remains a puppy throughout his life.

Good names for a Bernese Mountain Dog can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online puppy names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of male dog names to pick from.

Developed solely to be a companion dog, the Bichon Frise is a friendly, happy little dog. These delightful little characters have a long and interesting history.

The breed originated in Spain during the 13th century, and is thought to have been created by crossing Poodles and Barbet Water Spaniels. They were used as an item of trade by Spanish sailors and as a result reached many European countries. In France, they became a particular favorite of the aristocracy, and by the 16th century, the Bichon was entrenched as the favorite dog of the French royal court.

In addition, Bichons found their way into circuses and performing troupes due to their remarkable ability to learn and perform tricks.

The Bichon Frise is a small dog that is classified in the Toy or Companion Group by most registries. They are sturdy little dogs, weighing up to 12 pounds and standing between 9 and 12 inches tall. The coat is soft and silky and is considered hypoallergenic, making the Bichon an ideal pet for someone with allergies. Coat color is always white, although there may be apricot or cream shading on the ears.

As a dog bred to be a human companion it’s no surprise that the Bichon has a wonderfully balanced personality. They are friendly, outgoing and affectionate, forming close bonds with those they love. They are good with children and other pets, and generally just a joy to have around.

These intelligent and attentive little dogs are easy to train, except in one area – they can be a real hassle to housetrain.

In common with many small breeds, Bichons enjoy a relatively long lifespan, and quite commonly live for 15 years or more. Common health problems include canine cancers (especially in older dogs), cataracts, epilepsy, and fleabite allergies. Bichons may also suffer from a condition known as liver shunts, which needs to be corrected surgically.

As you’d imagine with that luxuriant, white coat, grooming can be a challenge. Your Bichon will require brushing every day, and the coat will also have to be trimmed regularly to keep it in shape. You can also bathe the dog once a month, but don’t overdo it as the dog has sensitive skin. Also be sure to use a mild, dog shampoo.

It goes without saying that this is an indoor dog. The Bichon is perfect for apartment living and needs to always be close to his human family. They are quite prone to separation anxiety, and should therefore not be left unattended for long periods. As with all dogs, the Bichon needs regular exercise, and while much of this can be met with indoor games, you’ll still need to get your dog outdoors for a short walk daily.

Good names for a Bichon Frise can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online dog names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of cool dog names to pick from.

The Brittany, sometimes referred to as the Brittany Spaniel, is a versatile sporting dog, that is also popular as a companion and family pet, due to its wonderful temperament. The name comes from the French province of Brittany where the breed originated. Unfortunately, much of the early breed records no longer exist, but what is clear is that the Brittany has always been used as a retriever and pointer by bird hunters.

The breed was first shown at the Paris Dog Show in 1900, and was introduced to the United States in the 1920’s. AKC recognition followed in 1934.These athletic, medium-sized dogs have a compact build, with long legs. The tailed is either naturally short, or may be docked, although docking is now outlawed in many countries. Acceptable coat colors are The coat can be orange and white coat, liver and white, orange roan, liver roan, or black and white. (NOTE: The AKC considers black and white coats a fault, although all other registries accept it).

These are wonderfully balanced dogs, energetic, intelligent and affectionate. They bond closely with their human ‘pack’, and are know to get on with everyone, and to have a special affinity with children.They are highly intelligent dogs, which makes training very easy. They are however, quite sensitive and don’t respond well to harsh words or rough treatment.

Brittanys are generous with their affection, although they often form a special attachment to a particular person. They also get on well with canine and non-canine pets, although you will have to watch them around pet birds.

Brittanys are generally healthy, robust dogs who suffer from few health problems. They may however be prone to ear infections, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Average lifespan for the breed is 12 – 14 years. Grooming is easy, requiring only a brush down a few times per week to keep the coat looking its best. Dogs that spend time in open fields will need to be checked regularly for ticks, and you’ll also have to remove, grass seeds, burrs and mats from the coat.

A big plus with this breed is that they are single coated, and therefore shed very little.

These are active, energetic dogs who require a lot of exercise to keep them happy. With sufficient exercise, they can live in an apartment, although it is not really recommended. A much better living arrangement is a house with a large garden, or better still, the countryside. Dogs that lack physical and mental stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and the Brittany will be no different. However, for the right owner, this dog will be a wonderful pet.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online puppy names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cute dog names.

Dogs have probably been pulling on the leash since the first time someone thought it might be a good idea to loop a rope around one. They don’t like being restrained. So when you pull them back they instinctively pull the other way.

In most cases, the dog isn’t being dominant, or trying to make you mad. It’s just that there are so many interesting sights, sounds and smells to explore. He can’t wait to see what’s up ahead, so he pulls to get there faster.

And therein lies the secret to stopping your dog pulling. Start to teach your dog that, until he calms down and stops his pulling, he’s going nowhere. Here’s how;

Laying the Ground Rules

Dogs are creatures of habit so they are very observant when it comes to routines. You’ve probably noticed that, even before you pick up his lead, your dog is already getting himself worked up. I’m sure you’ve wondered how he knows what’s coming.

Most likely you have some pre-walk routine that you’re not even aware of, but that your dog has picked up on.

If you want to improve your dog’s behavior on the walk you should start right here. Don’t put up with any misbehavior. Specifically, don’t allow any boisterous behavior – barking, running, jumping up. Get him to calm down before attaching the lead. If he get’s out of hand, stop, get him to sit, then start over.

At first this can be very frustrating, but you need to be firm and consistent. It gets easier.

When the dog is calm, and you’ve attached the leash, leave the house right away. If the dog gets over-excited again, make him sit, and wait for him to calm, before proceeding.

The dog will likely want to relieve himself as soon as he’s outdoors. Allow him to do so. Once he’s done, control and limit the amount you allow him to sniff around and mark territory. Ideally you do not want to allow this at all for large sections of the walk. Allow him to explore only when you say so.

The Best Way to Stop Your Dog Pulling

If you want to stop your dog pulling, you need to stop pulling back. The way to control this behavior is to teach the dog that pulling has a negative rather than positive result. When he pulls, stop the walk and get him to sit. Only carry on with walking when he has calmed down.

At first, this will be incredibly trying. But dogs are quick learners and he’ll soon make the connection. In a short while he will understand that his walk gets interrupted every time he pulls.

Once he breaks the pulling habit start getting him to walk beside, instead of in front of you. This will also help to curb the inclination to pull, especially if a cat suddenly darts across his path!

It is also a good idea to take some of his favorite treats along while he is in training. Give a treat whenever he is walking calmly beside you and you’ll further re-enforce his good behavior.

To read more about dog training, dog care, dog health and other useful dog info drop in at dogsanddogtraining.com