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Some examples for dog commands are these: fetch, sit, lie down, roll over, bark, beg, come, sniff, wag, bark, scratch etc. Teaching your dog commands and working on its character can start when the dog is around seven months because teaching a puppy is easier than grown-up dogs. At this early age they haven’t learned all the bad behaviour yet, so you have a lot less to make them unlearn. When teaching your puppy or dog commands such as COME, STAY, SIT and so forth, use only the single word. Using any other words will just confuse the poor dog or puppy and will end up frustrating you both.

Teaching your dog the basic dog tricks and commands.

It is important that when teaching your dog commands they react and come to you when called. Hence basic obedience training is not about teaching your dog commands; it is about what a dog must learn NOT to do. However, resolving behavior problems, such as house piddling, barking, biting or seperation anxiety requires more than just teaching your dog commands. This is when the hard work begins, in effect “teaching an old dog new tricks”.

Teaching owners to train a dog is much harder than actually training the dog. Keep in mind that simply repeating a command is NOT TEACHING the command. Fetch can be played without teaching your dog commands; but it works better if you teach your dog some commands for this game. Teaching him those commands are essential for him to learn and also make the game much more enjoyable for you both.

What tricks can I teach my dog?

Teaching your dog anything from tricks to simple obedience commands gives it an outlet and allows thought processes to over-ride negative behavior. Idle minds and all that applies equally to bored dogs too.

Teach your dog to do tricks.

Not-so-stupid pet tricks. Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks and practice them daily. After the sit command is mastered, other commands, and even some tricks, can be added.

We offer an informative range of dog and puppy training resources on our site to help everyone get the most out of their relationship with their best friend. Helpful no-nonsense training course reviews as well as some helpful advice on personal training. So if you’re after information on puppy house and toilet training, destructive dog behavior, lonely dog behavior, dog behavior modification, or just some cool dog tricks come visit us online at fastbreaking.info/articles/Teaching-Basic-Dog-Commands FastBreaking.info where you’ll also find our Dog Training forums and other helpful advice.

Dog beds are important. Dogs need a place to rest and sleep in, especially when its master sleeps at night as well. Having dog beds for your dog gives your dog a sense of security. You value your dog’s personal space and your dog will very much need a place of its own, away from everybody else.

Choosing dog beds

Deciding on which dog beds to buy will depend on a number of factors, the first of which is the size of the bed. These beds usually come in five sizes namely extra small, small, medium, large, and extra large. Identifying the size of the dog beds will depend on the size of your dog. Moreover, sizing of the beds vary depending on the manufacturer or supplier of the bed.

In as much as these dog beds vary in sizes, they also vary in shapes. The best way to find out what shape of bed will most be suitable for your dog, try to observe the sleeping positions of your dog. If your dog likes stretching out on your sofa then a rectangular-shaped bed will probably be best for your dog. However, if your dog likes curling up into a ball then a circular shape will probably be to your dog’s liking.

Despite the size and shape of the dog beds you intend to purchase, make certain that the materials used for the bed’s make is in accordance with health and sanitary standards. Moreover, in case your dog tries to destroy the dog bed, double-check the filling used because these materials may harm your dog when digested.

Types of dog beds

Some of the most common dog beds available include the following: sofa dog beds (sofa look-alikes); donut dog beds (donut-shaped with the outer ring higher than the inner part, also called nest dog beds); round dog beds (like the donut beds); rectangle dog beds (no raised edges); hooded dog beds (structure bed with a canopy-like hood or like an arch); and reversible dog beds (cushions with two sides of design).

For older dogs that require specialized bed features, it is advised to purchase an orthopedic dog bed. Yes, there are orthopedic beds for dogs as well! These special beds actually provide more comfort to your old dog as it might be experiencing some sore bones and joints.

All in all, a good dog bed is something that provides comfort and a sense of security to your dog. In addition, it should be something that is easy to clean and is made to withstand friction, wear and tear. Another option is to buy one that is waterproof or is moisture resistant.

While it may be surprising that dog beds come in a number of variants, it is essential that you pick the best one for your dog. Also, the idea of observing the sleeping positions of your dog may seem silly when in fact it is actually very important. You see, your dog may have certain preferences and if you buy the wrong type of dog bed, there is a possibility that your dog may not use it.

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When training a cadaver dog, the end result should be a dog that will indicate even the most minute amounts of cadaver. This is especially important since often a cadaver dog is called for in the case of a possible buried victim. Setting up exercises that will improve the handler’s understanding of how the dog is going to indicate the very small amounts of scent is important for this reason.

One valuable exercise, which will help the handler gain this understanding, is to “bury” the cadaver scent in concrete. The handler needs the following equipment: a bag of ready mix concrete (five pounds is more than enough) and several flowerpots of the pressed fiber kind. Mark one or two of the pots by painting them a different color. (Research has shown that color makes very little difference to the dog.) Fill the pots with concrete and in the colored pots place a cadaver so that it is suspended in the center of the pot as the concrete dries. At the top of all the pots place a screw eye so that a rope can be attached. Allow the pots to set the required amount of time till the concrete hardens before you use them.

When handling the pots of concrete, whether or not they have a cadaver in them, it is important to handle all of them as you would any cadaver scent. Use plastic gloves at all times and be scrupulous in your care so as not to get your scent on the items. The reason for this is obvious. The cadaver dog must not be in the habit of alerting on objects, which carry your scent. Furthermore, it is also best to keep all the “empty” pots in one container and the “scented” pots in a separate container so as not to contaminate the unscented items.

When you practice with your dog, you can start with using the two pots with scent placed randomly in a group of pots that have no scent. This is a similar exercise to the utility dog with the metal “bones” that one sees in an obedience competition. The idea is to give the dog the command to search and then to watch his reactions to the different pots, praising him profusely when he indicates on the pots that have the dead scent. The pots can be used also when you take your dog out into the real world for cadaver practice. They are easy to hide without leaving traces of your own trail since you can throw them out with the ropes attached. These pots are also great for using in training the cadaver dog for water search practice out in either the water or when you are doing shore training. When you use the concrete pots for water practice, the “dead scent” pots already have a rope attached so that you can tie them off to the shore or to a buoy. Because the scent is in concrete, this weights them enough so that they will sit on the bottom. This makes for a more realistic exercise for the dog because the scent will thus rise in a similar fashion to that of a body lying on the bottom.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to

The Shih Tzu is a very cute dog that only weighs between eight and eleven pounds. The average height of a Shih Tzu is around eight inches. A Shih Tzu is considered to be a small but very sturdy dog. The Shih Tzu is often compared to the Lhasa Apso. A Shih Tzu has a beautiful long-haired coat. Oftentimes the Shih Tzu is described as having a “chrysanthemum” face.

The Shih Tzu first originated in China in the early seventeenth century. The Shih Tzu is a cross between the Pekingese and Tibetan Mountain Dog. During World War II the Shih Tzu immigrated to the United States. The Shih Tzu came to the United States with the military officers who brought the adorable toy dogs’ home as a present.

There are many benefits to owning a Shih Tzu. A Shih Tzu is very good around children and around other pets. This type of dog is happiest when kept indoors. The life expectancy of a Shih Tzu is around twelve to fourteen years.

Some Shih Tzu’s have been known to have a genetic kidney disorder. Usually a Veterinarian can determine the health of your new Shih Tzu puppy.

The Shih Tzu is considered to be the twelfth most popular dog of the AKC’s 139 dog breeds. This is because the Shih Tzu is very intelligent and is easily trained for obedience competition.

The Shih Tzu has gone from being an Emperor’s companion to a companion to millions of individuals around the world. A Shih Tzu is a dog who is known for having good manners and a big heart.

A Shih Tzu is a great dog. The owner of a Shih Tzu must make sure that the dog coat is kept neat and untangled. This will ensure a healthy coat. When owner a Shih Tzu the owner is constantly amused and warmed by this charming dog’s personality.

Written by Carl Johannsen. Find

Don’t let the title fool you. This is not an article about your pet getting old. The title is just a “hook” to encourage you to read on. Hopefully, when you do, you will find this a very informative article relating to your pet’s health, or at least your understanding of some aspects of it.

I actually want to talk to you about grass. That’s right…grass. More specifically, I want to talk to you about why dogs and cats eat grass.

I think we would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has not witnessed this peculiarity of domestic animals at one time or another. When it is our pet, however, it can cause us concern and, if we let our imaginations go unchecked, it can cause us alarm.

It has been my experience that on occasion, that alarm can lead to unnecessary expense as we panic and rush our best friend off to the nearest veterinarian, only to hear him tell us with a chuckle “he’s okay, it’s normal for him to eat grass. How embarrassing is that!

Why is it normal for our pets to consume grass? They all do it if they are allowed access to it. Are they not getting the right nourishment? Are they ill? These are all unsettling, but reasonable questions.

More unsettling is that invariably shortly after ingesting the grass, perhaps 20 minutes later, they regurgitate it back up in a kind of green gooey mess (sorry to be so graphic). Why would they do this? Why would they do something that appears to be so hard on their system, or maybe even harmful to them? Should I be alarmed?

The short answer is “no, don’t panic”. As I mentioned earlier, any veterinarian will tell you that this is normal behavior. The very fact that all pets do it should suggest to you that it is not a bad thing.

The long or more detailed answer is that the outdoors is an animal’s natural world and grass is part of that world. You and I can turn on the radio or television and be kept up to date on what is happening in our world. For dogs and cats, the ground is their primary source of connection with their world.

The ground is like a giant newspaper for them. They interpret the odors and conditions to discover what other dogs have been visiting their turf and what they did there. They “read” the yard to know what is happening in the world outside the house. With their heightened senses, they perceive when another dog or cat has been on their turf, whether it rained the night before, that so and so is in heat, or that the season is changing.

Additionally, the role the ground plays in our pet’s lives does not end at bringing them the news. Through their own “contributions”, they communicate to future visitors of that site who the yard belongs to, who they are and what they are about. Sometimes the deposit is meant as a welcome, other times a warning. It just depends on what the news is for that day.

But in keeping with the primary theme of this article, the ground is also the local canine and feline drug store. Perhaps it could more accurately be called the local natural herb store.

I don’t know how many times I have heard someone ignorantly say “look at that stupid dog eating grass”. The truth is, they are not stupid at all, but are rather quite savvy natural pharmacists. I think most people would be surprised to learn that animals know a whole lot more about herbs than we do. I concede it may be more of an instinctive knowledge than cognitive understanding, but it is knowledge nonetheless.

In fact, their understanding of herbal remedies is awesome. Have you ever noticed that they don’t eat just any grass…they sniff around until they find exactly what they are looking for? Like the aisles in a drug store, each section of the outdoors holds different remedies.

For instance, certain grasses and sprouts are sought out and taken as internal cleansers. They cause vomiting; something we have all witnessed. This vomiting is the expected result for your pet. They know when they eat it that it will cause this reaction, yet they do it willingly and with purpose.

They instinctively know that it will cleanse their body of bile and other items that are not digestible. Anyone who loves and keeps animals knows that there are a lot of items that qualify in this category, from shoes to yarn to hair to some of the most extraordinary items.

While it is unsettling to know that they are not smart enough to figure out that swallowing a sock is not a good thing, it is comforting that they are usually savvy enough to know how to extricate it from their system before it becomes a problem or threat. This only emphasizes the importance of their having access to the outdoors on a regular basis.

Continuing, there is more to their natural pharmacy than just cleansers. Other grasses and herbs help evict or terminate worms and other parasites in their system. Still others provide needed minerals and nutrients and enhance digestive enzymes and acids. Uncannily, they all seem to know what remedy is needed for exactly whatever ails them at the moment.

Then, perhaps the biggest benefit to them is the presence of chlorophyll in most grasses. Chlorophyll helps to fight infection, enrich the coat and even relieves pain such as joint aches. It can also enhance cartilage soundness and offers a host of other benefits.

I know all this sounds a bit simplistic, but it really is not that complicated. The truth is that animals appear to know more about these things than you and I do and certainly more than we would think they should know. I am not sure “how” they know, but it is enough to accept that they do know, without having to know the “why”.

Modern medicine has actually taken a step backwards to develop more primitive remedies as a result of a closer study of this savvy in animals. Science is now recognizing that many of the grass roots (pardon the pun) remedies nature provides for our pets are as good as, if not better than synthetic drugs.

In fact, people are learning how to cultivate and produce certain herbs and grasses to help their pets, even freezing summer crops for winter dispensing when grasses are not in season. This can be especially helpful to cats and other mammals who are not allowed to venture outdoors, but who still need to ingest some of the natural cleansing agents found there.

Next time you see your pet eating grass, don’t worry about it. They are doing something to help their health. Just give them time to allow the process to culminate before you let them back in on your carpet.

* * * * * * * *
The author, Gary Kurz, helps those grieving the loss of a pet to understand the Biblical evidence that proves they live on. His most popular book, “Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates” delivers hope and comfort to the reader in a very gentle, yet convincing way. Visit at coldnosesbook.com www.coldnosesbook.com for more information, tips and gifts or write to Gary at mailto:petgate@aol.com petgate@aol.com.

If the current dog food recall has you scurrying about for a safe and healthy dog food for your pooch, look no more. A variety of resources exist to help you select and even prepare a dog food diet that you can trust for your dog. Here’s a few examples.

Davis Veterinary Medical Consulting via BalanceIT offers dog owners the ability to custom design safe dog food recipes by making menu selections much like in a restaurant. They offer ethnic recipes, traditional recipes, and even seasonal options.

An example of some of the healthy dog food menu options includes chicken breast, ground beef, pork, lamb, and salmon.

You’ll make a selection of your preferred meat protein and couple it with your choice of egg, cottage cheese, tofu, rice, potato, sweet potato, spaghetti, oats, barley, couscous and tapioca.

Once you make your menu selection, they will make a custom recipe for your dog that is a healthy and safe dog food without all of the fillers and problems associated with commercial dog food. Certainly a better option than trusting the health of your dog to commercial dog food, which continues to be suspect with new brands being recalled almost daily.

The cost for these recipes is not cheap, it’s $20 for 1 recipe. If you order several, the price becomes more affordable.

If this still seems a bit pricey to you, there is another option.

The author of “Real Dogs Don’t Eat Kibble” suggests that heat used to cook commercial dog food destroys important nutrients that dogs need for immune system support. This contradicts the premise of cooked recipes but is touted by many dog nutritionists as the best option for your dog.

The author suggests a home made raw dog food diet to maximize the delivery level of nutrients. The book states that it is easy to do and an improvement in your dog’s health can be detected in just a matter of days.

The challenge for many is how to design a healthy dog food recipe. The book includes a variety of dog food recipes and tips, if a raw, natural diet, is your choice for your dog.

Ultimately, the choice between a raw and cooked dog food diet is up to you. The key is to make sure that only healthy, natural ingredients are included in your best friend’s food. Anything less will contribute to potential health hazards, illness and a shortened life span.

If you’re not convinced that feeding commercial dog food is dangerous just take a look at what is included in many dog food brands at : dogs-4life.com/dog-food-that-kills.html

Once you do, you’ll want to do your research and make sure that your dog is not the next victim of tainted, posion commercial dog food

My small 8 year old dog suddenly became sick. The veterinarians were unable to pinpoint the cause. She died after 2 weeks of hospitalization on Mother’s Day. Don’t let anything happen to your best friend. Learn more about the benefits of feeding a natural diet to your dog at:
dogs-4life.com/raw-vs-kibble.html dogs-4life.com/raw-vs-kibble.html
This article may be reproduced unedited with the author’s link displayed

Known as the Gateway to the North, Edmonton in Alberta, Canada is a popular commercial, manufacturing, and transportation center situated in an agricultural and mining area. Having a rich agricultural area, Edmonton is known to be one of the best places to breed and buy a pet parrot.

Indeed, if there were one type of bird that is preferred by many pet lovers, that would be parrots. Over the years, parrots have become a popular choice for pets because they colorful, beautiful, entertaining, and impressive pets to have.

And since they can be trained to “talk,” or imitate sounds from their environment, parrot pets are considered wonderful companions by many seasoned animal lovers. If you’re planning to buy a pet parrot in Edmonton—or in any place for that matter—here are some of the basic things that you have to purchase to give your parrot pet a healthy and happy environment:

1. A decent and loving home. Just like any other parrot, Edmonton parrots pets are known to thrive in attention. Giving the bird a decent and loving home will keep it healthy and closer to its owner.

2. Good healthy diet. It is quite important to feed your pet parrot the best diet that you can. Try to change its diet and make it as interesting as possible.

3. A large and safe cage. Although large pet parrot cages are advisable, it’s not really necessary. What’s important is you provide your pet parrot the proper or medium-sized cage it needs to explore and sleep in. For Edmonton parrot pets, it is advisable that you buy cages that can be transformed into a play area to keep your parrot amused and safe.

4. A good range of toys. It is a must that every bird posses a variety of toys to play. At least three sets of toys are recommended to keep your pet parrot interested. Try to choose toys that are non-destructive and are large or small enough to fit into your parrot’s cage. It’s not really necessary to buy expensive toys because they can be home-made as long as the parrot enjoys it.

5. A dependable T-stand. T-stands are actually training tools, thus, they should not be placed where the bird can use it often because they can do tricks you might miss.

Other must haves include the gym or play stand, scale, and a carrier to transport them safely.

The ultimate Edmonton parrot pet site

To acquire more knowledge about Edmonton parrot pets, visit the Edmonton Pet Parrot Association (EPPA) website. The site aims to educate the general public about the proper way of taking care parrots.

To update themselves, its members conduct meetings every month. The site also features different parrot monthly and conducts talks and discussions regularly. The guest speakers present research reports and also conduct toy-making sessions.

The EPPA mainly focuses on aspects of keeping healthy and happy pet parrots. In their meetings, helpful information on topics like parrot nutrition, health, and behavior are featured. Round table discussions on suggested topics and experiences of Edmonton parrot pets are also shared. The site also features the parrots they breed like Alexandrines, Amazons, Macaws, Quakers, and Ringnecks. The site accepts interested parrot pet owners for membership.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Pet Parrots, please visit pet-parrot.articlekeep.com pet-parrot.articlekeep.com

“Honey, you know I don’t like it when you lick my ears.”

“Umm… It wasn’t me. Wait, where’s the dog?”

Studies show that about half of the people who own dogs allow them on the bed. Most dog owners I know account for the half that do. If you are one of them, here’s a few things to keep in mind.

* You should not let puppies or untrained dogs ON the bed, let alone sleeping on it. Their early training is the time when you establish your dominance and their boundaries. Only adult dogs should earn this privilege.

* Also puppies run the risk of house training accidents. Beds are difficult to clean, and the fact that they can preserve the scent means that your dog will want to be a repeat offender.

* Above all, puppies are small. Letting them sleep in the bed is extremely unsafe.

* For dominant and Alpha dogs, avoid letting them sleep in your “spot” (with you in it or not). This suggests to them that they are in direct competition with you as pack leader.

* Don’t ever let your dog on your bed without inviting them first. This is often communicated more with body language, such as a quick succession of pats on the area of the bed you’re asking them to go to.

* Have a command for them to get off the bed too (if they are being restless and disruptive this can save a good night’s sleep, and it beats shoving them off). If your dog ignores you when you ask them to get “Off,” you’ve got a bit of obedience work to do. If your dog growls at you at all, even when you attempt to adjust their position, then you’ve got some work to do (NOTE: don’t confuse a tired moan with a growl. It can sound similar, but a moan will occur without any aggressive posturing, for example, their mouth will be shut and lips not curled, and they won’t be making eye contact - their eyes might even be closed!)

* Don’t ever let your dog wedge itself in between you and your partner. This can be an expression of both jealously and attempted dominance, and can escalate into more severe behaviors. They need to know that they rank lower than both of you in the pack hierarchy.

* It’s best to allow your dog to sleep at the bottom end of the bed, and above the blankets.

* Some dogs like to burrow under the blankets, which is a risk not only because they can get squished, especially if they’re smaller than you, but they can also potentially suffocate under there. If you allow this, adjust the blankets after they settle in to be sure that they can easily stick their head out. Because they generate a lot of heat too, these burrowers will likely move when they get too warm anyway.

So take some care and avoid reinforcing unwanted dog behaviors. If you do, your dog will always be good in bed - so to speak.

Martin Olliver has over 12 years experience in dog training and is a proud member of the Kingdom of Pets team ( kingdomofpets.com kingdomofpets.com). For more great articles about dogs on furniture, visit: kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/dog_jumping_up.php kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/articles/dog_jumping_up.php

If a vet listens to the heartbeat of a cat and if they hear any unusual sounds, they may require more tests, but generally, they give the diagnosis of a heart murmur. The vet listens to the heartbeat, heart rhythm and the heart sounds to determine if the heart has any irregularities. The health of the cat determines if any concern for this heart condition exists.

Types of Cat Health Heart Murmurs
Two types are physiological and pathological conditions. The physiological murmur results when a fever or anemia is present. The pathological murmur results when a condition affects the valves and heart muscle of the cat. Researchers conducted tests to find out more information on cat health heart murmurs.

A Boston animal hospital conducted a test on one hundred cats and found that twenty-one percent of the cats had a heart murmur. Out of the twenty-one percent, seven cats were given an echocardiography and six cats actually had a heart problem called hypertrophy cardiomyopathy. The result of the study showed that healthy cats may show signs of a heart murmur, but without proper testing, the outcome and diagnosis is inconclusive.

Heart murmurs are measured by grades. Six different types of grades exist from I to VI with grade VI the most severe and grade I mild. Veterinarians grade the heart murmur, but the murmur graded VI does not make it the worst heart murmur to have in a cat.

Cat Health Heart Murmur Issues
Some kittens are born with heart murmurs that disappear by the time they reach six months. The incidental heart murmur occurs in cats that appear healthy, but they may show signs of weakness and color changes in the skin and tongue. A cat that shows signs of poor health may also experience heart murmurs. The only way to determine if a heart murmur exists is to run tests.

The only way to determine the severalty of a heart murmur is by an ultrasound. If you need to have your cat spayed or neutered, a veterinarian may insist on an x-ray or n ultrasound to determine how severe the heart murmur is before doing the operation. The cat that is born with a heart murmur usually receives a lower grade type, rather than an older cat that develops a heart murmur later in life.

For the most part aboutcathealth.org/cat/Cat_Health_Issues/Skin_Health.php cat heart murmurs need no type of treatment unless they become severe or cause other health problems. Cats do have potential for congestive heart failure, although rare, this may lead to your vet ordering tests for your cat if it has a heart murmur. If you suspect your cat has a heart murmur, the only thing to do is have an exam to determine the grade of the murmur and then follow the veterinarian’s advice on the care and treatment of your cat. The cat needs a healthy and happy life and only you know your cat’s personality and activities.

You can also find more info on aboutcathealth.org/cat/Cat_Health_Issues/Sneezing.php Cat Sneezing and aboutcathealth.org/cat/Common_Cat_Health_Problems/ Common Cat Health Issues. Aboutcathealth.org is a comprehensive resource to find more information about cat health.

The Golden Retriever is a highly intelligent, people loving dog. She is the fourth most popular pure bred dog in the United States. She is loyal, eager to please, takes obedience like a champ and loves children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog. She is generally good with other dogs and makes a great family pet.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Golden Retriever is 22 to 24 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 60 to 80 pounds. The female ranges from 20 to 22 inches to the withers and 55 to 70 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Golden Retriever is no exception. Be on the look out for Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), epilepsy (common in dogs), allergic skin problems (immediate Veterinary care required), congenital eye defects and Von Willebrands disease (a problem with blood clotting), kidney problems, Lymph Cancer. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Golden Retriever has a dense and firm, water repellent outer coat and a medium inner coat. She is a shedder so brush regularly but only bathe when necessary. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

Life Span

The Golden Retriever can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Golden Retriever comes from Great Britain. A Lord Tweedmouth was said to have interbred Yellow Retriever to a Tweed Water Spaniel to develop the Golden Retriever. Some say that the Newfoundland and possibly Bloodhound were also involved. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1925.

Some Registries

Golden Retriever Club of America
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

6 to 10 Golden Retriever puppies

Category

Gundog, Sporting Group

Terms To Describe

Powerful, active, kind, self-confident, eager, alert, reliable, friendly, trustworthy

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

They make a medium watch dog.
Sensitive to moods of owner.
Wants to please.
Wants to be friends with everyone.
Very gentle.
Very obedient.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

They make a poor watch dog.
May shed a lot.

Other Names Known By

Yellow Retriever, Golden Flat-Coated Retriever

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

About the Author

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com petpages.com, a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info. petpages.com Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.