French Bulldogs - The Smallness of This Breeds Underplays It's Largess

French Bulldogs happen to be a family favorite in our home. Granted, before the kids, we had larger a larger bully, an American Bulldog, but now that we have children, we wanted a dog that didn't need as much room and couldn't trample our two young boys. One night we came home a little late and found our neighbors Frenchie, Peugeot, running around by our yard, so we took him in for the night. Needless to say, our boys fell in love with the little black dog with 'Batman' ears and we knew we this would be our next dog.

The French Bulldog is a small dog that has an average weight of about 19 to up to 28 pounds and about 12 inches long. Their coat is typically brindle, fawn and white or sometimes black with a smooth short hair.

Frenchies, as they are often referred to, are an affectionate and loving breed with infectious high spirits. This compact little dog is makes a wonderful family pet. Always ready for a game and never does anything half-heartedly, though not as 'wired' as some other smaller breeds. Frenchies loves human company and must be included as part of the family if they are to thrive and his sparkling personality is to develop. The French Bulldog is generally a very quiet dog rarely barking without good cause, instead watching, studying and waiting for a chance to make a connection.

French Bulldogs have a courageous nature and may attempt to defend his territory if provoked, though this can all depend on how socialized they are in their youth. Intelligent, brave, devoted dog that has short bursts of high energy activity with longer periods of relaxation on your lap or the sofa.

French Bulldogs require regular coat brushing and you should be careful to clean their facial wrinkles of debris from food or the yard as this can sometimes cause discomfort. French Bulldogs don't tend to fair well in hot, humid weather, and overheating should be avoided in order to prevent heat stroke, though 'Peugeot' mentioned above was outside often in the Florida sun and was the friendliest and happiest looking dog you could ever imagine. Frenchies do not require a great amount of exercise, however many do have quite high energy levels and require long runs and playtime.

To sum it up, if you are looking for a small breed of dog that has a great family attitude, quirky personality and an ever so cute face, a French Bulldog is a great way to go and my personally recommendation, though I may be slightly partial.

Winter Care Priorities That Will Keep Your Dog Safe

Winter will be upon us shortly and preparing your pooch for the colder months should be a top priority. Winter comes with its own set of specific challenges for your canine and we will need to do a bit more in preparation to guarantee your pets safety. The list below is the most common problems relating to health that can happen during the colder months and what dog owners can do to minimize potential dangers.

1. Pay close attention the paws of your dog. During the peak of winter, your canine's paws can become very sensitive and can require attention. The dryer air and cold temperatures can wreak havoc on this area of your dog. Consider investing in dog boots or attempt to apply lotion to keep the paws moisturized. An additional area of concern can be rock salt and chemicals used in ice melting products on roads and sidewalks. Make sure to wipe off and clean your dog's paws after a walk outdoors to make sure your pet does not ingest any chemicals or ice melting material.

2. Grooming is a must. Regardless of hair length, short or long, your dog's coat is for protection from the elements. So keeping diligent in the care of your canines coat should is important. Regular brushing should be a commitment and removing any mats or tangles that cause poor insulation will go a long way. Though it may seem silly, investing in a doggy sweater can also help provide warmth while you on a walk or playing in the yard.

3. Keep tabs on vet appointments. The same way humans can be exposed to common colds and illness during the colder months, your dog can also come down with one as well. Making regular vet visits, even during the dead of winter, should be a priority. This will provide better insight into your dog's current health and you can learn how to help improve on areas you may not have thought about.

The final area of concern is protecting your dog once he comes inside from an outdoor activity. If he or she has been playing in snow or rain, make sure to blow-dry or towel them upon their return indoors. This can be very important to preventing colds and will ensure your dog remains healthy throughout the winter. By keeping the above in mind, and a few other's from your vet, your dog should remain happy and healthy.

How To Feed Your Pitbull Dog Properly

The Pitbull dogs, like other dogs of a large breed, have to be fed very properly. If you do not feed the dog properly, it will grow out to be weak and scrawny and a very balanced diet, with all the nutrition in place, is needed for a Pitbull dog to grow and develop muscle in its body. As this breed of dogs is large and bulky, it needs more nutrition to thrive, compared to other breeds. Also, these dogs, right from the time they are puppies, are much more active than other dogs and need to be fed in a systematic manner. Also, if you over-feed the puppy, it might grow quickly and in an unbalanced manner and might face acute health problems later. This is the reason why a Pitbull puppy needs to be fed a well-planned and a balanced diet. Here are a few tips that you must follow when making the diet plan for your Pitbull dog.

The first thing you need to do, to get the feeding system right, is to stop free feeding. Feeding them at any time of the day causes problems as the puppy can show growth spurts and later face health problems. Also, if you stop free feeding, there is no chance of the puppy eating after the exercise as it is harmful. When you start taking out the puppy for exercise, make sure that the food intake remains the same and the exercise is gradually increased. Remember, starting exercise doesn't mean you reduce or increase the usual intake of the dog. However, increasing exercise gradually is a good idea.

Stock up on food that will be good for your puppy. The food packets or products that have a high protein value and meat as its highest content is the best option. Avoid buying cheap brands as they might save you some money but can be bad for the health of your dog. This is because the nutrients present in these economy brands are inadequate for your puppy's growth. Choose a brand that is of a 'premium' quality rather than the substandard ones.

Make sure you feed the puppy at the same time each day so that a good routine is built up. Feeding it at different times every other day will cause irregularities in the digestion process and might lead to health problems like constipation and diarrhea. Also, divide the food you give to the puppy into two meals and make sure it includes dry as well as wet food. The quantity of the dry food should be around 6 cups in a day and wet food should be 1.5 cups a day and the wet food should be mixed with some dry food.

Make sure your puppy drinks a lot of water to prevent dehydration. Pit bulls are relatively more active than other smaller breeds of dogs and because of this, they need higher levels of energy. To ensure this, high quantities of water must be given to the puppy. Also, giving the puppy filtered water that is free from chlorine and other impurities, is an even better option as it will ensure that none of the contaminants reach the system of the puppy and disrupts it. This way you will be able to make sure that your puppy has a well-balanced growth and a nutritious diet.

How To Stop Your Dog From Chasing

Dogs can chase things for many reasons but at the heart of most chasing behavior is the prey drive. Whether your dog is chasing a rabbit, a jogger, a car, or a tennis ball, it's usually because the object has triggered your dog's prey drive. All dogs and wolves have this drive, which is instinctive and helps dogs hunt and find food, but some dogs have a stronger prey drive than others due to millennia of selective breeding. Many hunting dogs, for example, have a strong prey drive so they can find rabbits or other prey for the hunter. Dogs who have a strong prey drive have a great sense of pleasure and fulfillment when they can exercise this drive. Herding dogs also have a strong impulse to chase things that move.

If your dog is chasing things then he's probably seizing the opportunity to try to satisfy this drive any way he can. It can be hard to break this habit in some dogs, especially if they have a strong prey drive, because they are getting a physical rush when they chase things.

Ordinary training does not usually work for teaching a dog not to chase things. If you offer your dog a cookie, he will ignore you because it is so much more fun to chase something. If you command your dog to Come, he will likely ignore you because he is caught up in the excitement and pleasure of doing something that gives him a rush.

The first thing you have to do is try to eliminate the dog's exposure to the things that he chases, whether it is joggers, cats, rabbits, or cars. If he continues to have opportunities to chase these things, the habit will only become more ingrained as he continues to be internally rewarded when he chases. So, take temptation out of his path.

The second thing you can do is set up a training session indoors in your home. You need to use a confined space for the training. With your dog on leash, use a hallway or other small area so you can roll a tennis ball for your dog. Your dog will probably start to chase after the ball. When he does, you should tug on the leash and say, "OFF!" Do not release your dog. You are trying to teach him not to chase after moving objects. Repeat this exercise several times per day. Remember to praise and reward your dog for relaxing and not chasing the ball.

When your dog understands this lesson, start practicing it in other places in your home, and then in a fenced yard. You can gradually start trying it with your dog wearing his leash but with you not holding onto it. Be ready to step on the leash to stop your dog from chasing. Keep using the "OFF!" command to tell your dog not to chase the ball you are rolling.

Keep practicing the Off command every day with your dog. You can eventually work up to having someone pose as a jogger, or a cyclist, or whatever your dog has been chasing. Start by having your dog on leash and giving the Off command. Later you can try it with your dog off leash. Remember that these are practice sessions so have your friend go very slowly and try to control all aspects of the situation so you can keep your dog and your friend safe. Keep practicing with your dog so you can go back and correct anything that needs to be changed in your dog's training.

If you continue to work on the Off command, you can get your dog's chasing under control but remember that this is a very hard behavior to curb. It will take a lot of practice, praise, and reward. Be patient with your dog and work on this problem before your dog is excited by chasing.

Article by Nancy Cope a proud owner of 4 rescue dogs and owner of Pampered Dog Gifts an online dog boutique that specializes in special gifts for pampered pooches. Please visit Pampered-Dog-Gifts.com to shop for custom leather dog collars, gourmet treats, dog Christmas gifts and more for your spoiled pooch.

6 Ways To Help Extend Your Dog's Lifespan

In the United States, the average dog lifespan is 12 years but they can live longer than that and be healthier too. Smaller breeds tend to have a longer lifespan than shorter breeds. The longest lived dog in the Guinness Book of Records is an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey. He lived until he was 29 years old and was still working cattle at the ripe old age of 20.

How can you give your much loved canine family member the best chance of living a long life? Here are some suggestions that will help. All of them rely on you being an informed dog owner and catching problems before they become severe.

1. Neuter your dog. Female dogs won't get breast cancer and uterine infections if they are spayed. Male dogs are less enthusiastic about escaping their yard to meet a bitch in season, and get hit by a car or in a tussle with another dog.

2. When it comes to diseases, prevention is certainly better than cure. Vaccinate your dog against dangerous diseases, and keep up to date with his heartworm prevention and intestinal worming treatments. It's much cheaper to prevent these diseases in your dog than it is to treat them. Your veterinarian will be able to help you choose a regime that is best suited to your dog's circumstances.

3. Nutrition is very important. A good quality balanced diet will provide your dog with all the nutrients he needs to stay fit and well. This is particularly the case if your dog has a medical condition; a prescription diet, such as a renal diet for kidney disease, can help to reduce or slow the onset of symptoms and give him a better quality of life for longer.

4. Obesity can reduce your dog's lifespan by up to 2 years. Keep him lean and not only will he live longer, but the onset of age related diseases such as arthritis will be delayed. You should be able to feel his ribs when you run your hands over his body. Also, look for a tucked up tummy when you view him from the side.

5. A dog that runs free is a dog that is at risk of injury. A good fence will confine your dog to his own backyard. This will reduce the chances of him being hit by a car or fighting with a neighboring dog. When you are walking your dog, keep him on a leash so he doesn't run off and get injured.

6. Annual health checks, even if your dog isn't due for vaccination, can help keep him healthy for longer. A quick blood test will pick up any hint of illness that may not be obvious from the outside, so you can take steps to treat it straight away. Early treatment of illnesses often has a better outcome.

These suggestions aren't difficult, labor intensive or expensive. By spending a little time following these guidelines, you may be able to spend a lot more time sharing your life with your much loved dog.