Dog Breed Characteristics – Medium-Sized Dogs
Article by George Yeo
Not too sure which type of dog to buy? This is part 2 of 3 articles that addresses the different needs and characteristics of some of the popular dogs. Look out for my other 2 articles 'Dog Breed Characteristics - small dogs' and 'Dog Breed Characteristics - large dogs'.
Bulldog
This is a commonly misunderstood dog. Although its name and appearance (and those cartoons that depict fierce bulldogs) suggest that it is not-so-friendly, it is generally friendly and docile. Due to this nature, they get along well with children and other dogs.They love attention and are really loyal creatures. They can also be easily trained. They need daily exericse and overweight bulldogs can lead to health problems related to the heart and lungs. Interestingly, it was used in the 1600s for bullbaiting, buthas since lost its aggressiveness after the sport was outlawed.
Dalmatian
This is probably one of the most filmed breed (think 101 and you get what I mean) and you cannot miss it with its trademark white coat with black spots. It is believed to be one of the oldest breed around and they are generally free from illness. They usually get sick with old age. Note that Dalmatians are dogs with lots of energy and they require frequent exercise. You should not buy a Dalmatian if you do not have the time to take care of it.
Siberian Husky
Originated from Siberia, it has a thick-furry coat and tail. It looks very much like its ancestor, the wolf. They are known to howl rather than bark. Because of their intuitive hunting nature, they make good hunting dogs. They are also stubborn creatures and proper obedience training is needed. Siberian Huskies are very intelligent and are therefore popular with dog shows. They are also used in sled dog racing because of their high level of fitness.
Australian Shepherd
It was not originated from Australia as its name suggests, but was brought up on ranches in the United States. It is a popular herdingdog, but has slowly made its way into homes due to its obedience and eagerness to please its owners. It is usually a sweet and affectionate dog which is faithful to its owners and is great with children. There are, noticeably, two distinct types of personalities. One is an energetic dog that requires frequent exercise and enjoys doing tricks, while the other enjoys being a couch potato. Due to their herding nature, they bark warnings when they notice anything unusual. Intelligent and good with tricks, they make good pets.
Poodle
They are considered one of the most intelligent breeds of dog. They can be easily recognised with very short hair around the body, except for the head, legs and tail (google for the pictures). Owners can choose to groom their own poodles in any way they like, but I think they look funny though. Poodles are known to be active. They can get bored easily and have been known to create bad mischief. In general, they are eager to please and are easy to train. They make good pets for those families with children.
Are you having problems training your dog? Discover how you can quickly and easily train a dog.
About the Author
George is the owner of AskGeorgeYeo.com, a Q-&-A-based information portal. You can find more information on training a dog. Feel free to drop by and post questions or add a link back to your own site.
When selecting a standard poodle, consider the high-maintenance grooming requirements of the breed, their goofy and playful nature and their non-shedding fur. Provide the mental and physical stimulation required for a standard poodle with helpful information from an experienced dog trainer in this free video on dog breeds. Expert: Heidi Dixner Contact: www.redrovercomeover.com Bio: Heidi Dixner has been training dogs professionally since 2001 and a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers since 2003. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Dog Breed Characteristics – Small Dogs
Article by George Yeo
Not too sure which type of dog to buy? This is part 1 of 3 articles that addresses the different needs and characteristics of some of the popular dogs. Look out for my other 2 articles on 'Dog Breed Characteristics - medium-sized dogs' and 'Dog Breed Characteristics - large dogs'.
Chihuahua
A small, fast-moving toy dog named after the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. It stands between 15 cm to 25 cm tall, but some grow as tall as 35 cm. There are only 2 recognised varities of Chihuahuas, the long-coat and the short-haired. Long-coat Chihuahuas have a downy undercoat, which makes them look 'fluffy'. Short-haired Chihuahuas, on the other hand, require minimal grooming. Although Chihuahuas are small, they are not suitable for families with very young children because they have the tendency to bite when frightened. They can also be quite picky eaters. OVerfeeding is definitely a no-no because overweight Chihuahuas are prone to joint injuries, diabetes and shortened life span. And they don't really cool that cute.
Maltese
This is one of the oldest breed around and is believed to be originated from the island of Malta. A Maltese is a toy dog that iscovered with long, silky fur and is usually pure white in colour. They have very expressive facial features, which makes them popularas pets. They are companion dogs and love attention from their owners. They are also extremely playful, and are good with children.They thrive well in small enclosed areas, and are popular with those living in the cities. However, Maltese can get very aggressiveand they have the behaviour of barking constantly.
Australian Silky Terrier
They are a friendly lot. They orignated from Australia (hence its name) and this breed is classified as a toy dog in Australia but a terrier in Europe. It has a silky coat and it is usually non-shedding. This breed is suitable for those who are allergic to pet hair. Similar to the Maltese, they love the attention of their owners. A playful breed, it is suitable for those families with older children. They respond well to obedience training, coupled with rewards and praise. The only main problem with this breed is that it's coat tangles easily and will need daily grooming.
Pomeranian
This is one of my favourite breed. It looks lively and graceful with its trademark tail. They are typically friendly and active, but they can develop a bad habit of barking excessively if allowed to do so. They are also intelligent creatures and can be trained easily. Note that they are extremely loyal and will lay around their owners' feet. Owing to this loyal behaviour, they will follow the owners from roomto room, thus risking getting stepped on. It is important to train them not to do so.
Shih Tsu
It's name was derived because it looks like a lion (Shih Tzu literally means "lion dog" in Chinese), and it originated from China. They are very sensitive to high temperatures, so it is important to keep them in cooler conditions. They need regular grooming to maintain their coats, and they shed little if proper care is given. Supervision is recommended during drinking because water can enter their flat noses easily and cause breathing problems. Not suitable for busy professionals due to its constant grooming needs.
Are you having problems training your dog? Discover how you can quickly and easily train a dog.
About the Author
George is the owner of AskGeorgeYeo.com, a Q-&-A-based information portal. You can find more information on how to train a dog. Feel free to drop by and post questions or add a link back to your own site.
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