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Animal Shelter Support
 Show your support with a magnetic ribbon. Recent Pet News, Tips & Info...Choose the Airedale Terrier as a Pet and Say Good-Bye to Boredom“The King of the Terriers”, the Airedale terrier comes from Airedale, Yorkshire, England, and it is the largest of the terrier breeds. It comes from crossing the old and vanished breeds of the Black-and-Tan terrier with the Otterhound. It is also said that they have the Manchester terrier in their blood. They were initially bred to hunt otters (reason for which they are also called the Waterside Terrier) and hares in the valley of the Aire river - that also gave its name to the breed - and to herd sheep, being both shepherd and hunting dogs. The Africanis Dog From the South African Plains to Your Home Dog breeders do not officially recognize Africanis as a breed. Also known as the Bantu Dog or the Zulu Dog, the breed developed in South Africa and it is basically comprised of similar breeds that are originally from the area. However, dog historians have acquired enough evidence to conclude that, originally, the breed lived in the East and Middle East and migrated to Africa in ancient times. The Zulu Dog is a perfect companion for people, whether we are talking about more traditional activities like hunting or herding, or simply about the pleasure of having a dog companion. The Afghan Hound Elegance and Distinction If the old saying that claims that dogs and masters resemble each other is true, then the Afghan hound is surely the dog most likely to be seen in the presence of an aristocrat. Its silky, thick coat will match any of its masters' designer dresses or elegant suits. Distinguished in looks and personality, this is one of the breeds that you can't stop looking at when seeing on the street and that you are very likely to see at a dog show. The Aidi Dog A Perfect Watchdog Of Moroccan origin, the Aidi dog evolved as a watchdog for herds of goats and sheep. For this reason, it has heightened senses that are very good at detecting threats and its instincts are perfectly in tune, resulting in a speedy and efficient reaction. These characteristics are also perfect for a hunting dog - so it is also very good at filling that role. Very courageous, this breed has evolved in the Morrocan mountains, protecting itself and its owners from many vicious predators like wildcats, but also from strangers. Also called the Berber (it was commonly used by Berber tribes), this breed is very similar to Pariah dogs - to which it is believed to be related. |
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Lets get a dog for the kids.
Kids and dogs, puppies and kids, all those cute images from dog food commercials and camera ads and old "Lassie" reruns. Ahh, the power of myth! A dog will be a real part of the family! Yes, it seems quite natural to think that children and dogs go together. I've heard it said hundreds of times that "we're thinking of getting a dog for the kids." For many prospective dog owners, it seems logical to assume that the dog will entertain the children, teach them a sense of responsibility, and be a willing and affectionate companion.Well, if you're still in that starry-eyed thinking stage, stay there until the idea matures into the realization that you're bringing another living being into your home, and that this new family member deserves an unconditional and lifetime commitment. Be aware also that not every dog is an entertainer, a teacher, or even a willing companion. And to top it off, just like people, the new dog or puppy may take an instant dislike to one or all of your children! Still with me? Great! It could very well be that getting a dog or puppy "for the kids" will still turn out to be the best thing you could do for your family. But understanding your dog's needs and your children's limitations is the key to getting off to a good start. Understand also that expecting a new dog to fill a void in a child's life caused by divorce or the death of a parent is expecting too much from a canine companion. Yes, it can work on rare occasion, but the odds are really against you. While some people are instinctively good with animals, most of them are not. I have a gut feeling that the ones who are "good" with dogs somehow learned from the generation before them just how to live with a dog. Mom and Dad were probably there to supervise the interaction between dog and child from the start, and served as good role models in caring and coping with the new canine member of the family. Similarly, you must anticipate doing the same for your children if this venture is to succeed. Assuming that you've done all the right things in searching for the kind of dog you want - reading up on breeds, visiting litters, talking with owners, etc. - and have picked out the dog of your dreams, bringing him home is the first important step in the process. Bring the animal home when there's not a lot of commotion going on (Christmas, Easter, birthdays are not a good time for this!) Pick a time when you have a weekend at least or a few days off to spend lots of time with the kids and the dog. Start a feeding and exercise schedule for the dog, and stick with it. It isn't as important who does the chores for the dog as the fact that they get done with consistency. It may help to write the schedule down, stick it on the refrigerator door and check things off when the jobs are done. Show your children how to play with the new dog. (We throw the ball 'for' the dog, and not 'at' the dog, Junior"). Dogs have very sharp hearing, and so keep the youthful squealing and yelling to a minimum. Show them how to pet the dog - easily, gently, with no tugging, scratching or pulling hair. Step in and stop the child who puts a "bone-crusher" hug on the new pet. Teach your toddler that dog food is not human food, and to leave the dog dishes alone! Fido can get quite upset about competition from Junior at his food bowl, and ugly feelings can develop. Teach all your children not to hand-feed the dog. It's not good for the dog's diet, and it's certainly not appropriate and possibly dangerous if your toddler tries to mimic this on his own. Also, it might result in your dog being fed Play-Doh when you're not looking! Remember, if you have very small children and decide to buy a very small, cute puppy, in six months Junior will still be about 25 pounds. Rover, on the other hand, could weigh upwards of sixty pounds, all wrapped up in a wiggly, rambunctious package that can make your toddler's first steps an obstacle course! If you are truly committed to getting a dog for the family, keep in mind these three rules: 1. Rationally consider the demands of caring for a new pet while taking care of small children, and decide whether this is the right time for you to take on this extra responsibility. 2. Supervise all dog-and-child interactions so that both children and pet are protected. 3. Teach by example, and learn how to care for the dog. Let your children learn from a good role model. |
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Animal Shelter Facts