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DOG BREEDS FROM CANADA. LEARN WHICH BREEDS CAME FROM THIS NORTHERN COUNTRY, WHAT THEY ARE LIKE, AND WHICH WOULD MAKE A PERFECT PET FOR YOU?

As is to be expected in a cold climate, Canada is not the home of small or fragile dogs.  Dog breeds from Canada tend to be thick coated, hardy, and large, or smooth coated working dogs – no tiny lapdogs here! Many of Canada’s dog breeds have with thick, water-repellent undercoats able to withstand a harsh, long winter.  Several originated in the far north as working dogs and protectors, others were bred for coastal conditions.  Here are a few you’re familiar with, and a couple you probably have never heard of: CANADIAN ESKIMO DOG STATUS – THREATENED. Fewer than 300 dogs still exist. HISTORY First bred by the Inuit of the Arctic regions, the date of origin of the Canadian Eskimo Dog cannot be determined.  In the years between 1950 and 1970, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police slaughtered thousands of Inuit sled dogs.  Exact figures are unknown, but the loss of canine life was overwhelming. Although the Inuit claim that this was done for intimidation, the RCMP still maintains that it was to weed out diseased animals. Whatever the purpose, the…

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DOGS FOR SENIORS. OVERCOME OBJECTIONS AND FIND THE BEST DOG TO ADOPT NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE.

Dogs for seniors - the love and companionship of a pet is a wonderful thing at any age. Owning a dog confers all sorts of health and emotional benefits.  From increasing the owner’s physical fitness to providing unconditional love, dogs give much more than they take.  Yet, it is often difficult for senior citizens to adopt a pet. Here are some of the reasons why, and some of the things you can do to mitigate the mindset.  Seniors should be able to enjoy having pets no matter how old they are. AGEISM Yes, unfortunately, ageism is alive and well at some shelters.  These organizations take one look at your gray  hair and say a resounding “no”.  They don’t advertise this, or ever tell you the reason for a denial.  To avoid these places, read some online reviews. But just because a shelter has some bad reviews doesn’t mean that it’s a bad shelter. Some people who just shouldn’t have a dog due to living arrangements, or past history with pets, will become enraged when their applications are denied.  These are often…

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WHAT VEGETABLES CAN DOGS EAT? HERE’S THE VERDICT ON WHICH COMMON TYPES ARE SAFE AND WHICH ARE TOXIC.

WHAT VEGETABLES CAN MY DOG EAT SAFELY? Below are a few of the more common types of household vegetables.  Some are safe for your dog to have, and some are not. We like to treat them like our children, but dogs are a different species and can’t always safely eat what we do. Although a few vegetables included with your dog’s food, or as a special treat, may add important vitamins or minerals to his diet, remember that dogs are carnivores.  A few carrots, or a piece of broccoli every now and then is fine; but anyone who tells you a dog can live on a vegetarian or vegan diet is wrong.  Trying to force a carnivore into surviving without animal products leads to malnutrition and death.  Dogs do not thrive without meat and other animal products – unlike humans, they are not able to process a diet based entirely on plants, even with supplements. CAN I FEED MY DOG……? ASPARAGUS NUTRITIONAL VALUES Asparagus is a low calorie, high nutrient vegetable.  It contains the following vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C, Vitamin…

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CAR TRAVEL WITH CATS. TAKE A LONG DISTANCE RIDE WITH YOUR CAT WITHOUT ALL THE STRESS.

Car travel with cats - on hearing these words, no one jumps up and exclaims "wow, that sounds like fun"!  But traveling with your felines doesn't have to be difficult.  Here are a few tips to help you and your pet cope. As an affiliate of Lovimals, I earn on qualified purchases. IF YOUR CAT HAS NEVER GONE ON A LONG CAR TRIP BEFORE Take a practice ride. Make sure you drive at least ½ hour outgoing, to make it a one-hour round trip. There are two reasons for this: 1. Acclimatization – One major cause of anxiety is unfamiliarity. Getting your cat used to being in the car for longer periods may lessen his fear. 2. Showing You What to Expect. Some cats will never be comfortable in a car, no matter how familiar it becomes. And there are few things worse than finding your yowling cat won’t stop yowling, when you’re hours away from her veterinarian’s office. If your cat is still showing significant fear after a couple of practice runs, it’s time for a visit to the doctor.…

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EIGHT JOBS WHICH ALLOW YOU TO WORK WITH DOGS. GET YOUR “PUPPY FIX” AND MAKE MONEY AT THE SAME TIME.

EIGHT JOBS WORKING WITH DOGS Getting a job working with dogs every day is a dream of many animal lovers.  Good news. There are many positions available throughout the country where you can do so.  Unfortunately, most are extremely poorly paid, which means you’ll either have to have a partner who makes a good salary, or struggle financially.  Still, for many dog lovers, the financial sacrifices are well worth it. Also, since some of these positions are part-time, it's easier to make them a second job. Below are several occupations which involve handling dogs, listed from highest paying to lowest. VETERINARIAN EDUCATION REQUIRED UNDERGRADUATE Forty-five to ninety hours of prerequisites including such courses as biology, physics, animal nutrition, etc. POSTGRADUATE Graduation from a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.   Many veterinarians then go on to serve a one-year internship at a veterinary practice. LICENSES REQUIRED All veterinarians must pass a state-wide test – the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination – before being able to practice.  An aspiring vet must also know the regulations and laws of their state.  Unfortunately, this means…

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DO DOGS NEED TO WEAR COATS? HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PET FROM HYPOTHERMIA AND FROSTBITE IN BITTER WINTER COLD.

DO DOGS NEED TO WEAR COATS? Do you live in a cold climate and wonder if your dog should wear a coat when outdoors?  How about booties? Ear muffs? The correct answer depends a lot on how cold it is, what type of dog you have, and, to a lesser degree, your dog’s personality. WHAT TYPE OF NATURAL COAT DOES YOUR DOG HAVE? Different dog breeds have different types of natural coats.  At what temperature your dog will start to feel the cold depends a lot on what type of coat he has. SMOOTH COAT This category includes miniature pinschers, dachshunds, and chihuahuas.  Dogs with this fur type will feel the cold sooner than those with other types of coats.  An external coat or sweater is advisable for these guys whenever the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. DOUBLE COAT Some of the dog breeds which have a double coat are German Shepherds, Huskies, Great Pyrenees, and Shiba Inu.  These dogs are usually the hardiest in the cold – Huskies, for example, can tolerate extreme low temperatures.  That having been said,…

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