Choosing The Best Type Of Dog For Your Child

Picking the right dog for your family is an important decision. On the one hand you may want to have security with a guard dog and then if you have children you'll want peace of mind that they will be safe if playing with the dog. Firstly whichever breed you have or choose please remember that leaving a youngster alone with any type of dog is not advisable. Not only should you take into account that the dog, however relaxed, could turn aggressive, there is also the worry that your child may irritate and annoy him enough that he then attacks.

Of course you probably see your child as a complete angel, but there is always going to be something new they haven't tried yet. Pulling the dogs ears, feeding it crayons, trying to see if he likes hanging by his tail, the list could go on. Of course children want to explore and learn so teaching them animal care and pet responsibility from the start is a great idea. Over time your dog will start to see your child as part of the family pack if he is on the receiving end of care and attention like being watered and fed. Don't expect your dog to tolerate your child interrupting their sleep or bone chewing time. It is solely your responsibility to teach your children these things.

Personally I wouldn't have a small dog around children as they can be quite snappy and a child may be tempted to pick them up and play with them as they're a manageable size.

I'm a big believer in rehoming rescue animals, but this could pose a problem if your dog has an abusive history. However relaxed and calm they may be, if they're hurt by your child with their latest toy you never know how they will respond. That's not to say rescue animals shouldn't be in the company of children, just that you should supervise and be aware of these factors at all times. So let's look at the various breeds of dog and what their traits and characteristics are towards children.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers.

Both of these breeds have similar natures, loyal, protective and kind. The Retriever tends to be a little bit smaller than the Labrador, apart from that they both love to play and are normally calm by nature. They also love affection which is great for kids who want to cuddle their dog. Labradors are more likely to be aggressive towards other dogs where as Golden Retrievers try to get along with everyone. Labradors have shorter hair so are usually easier to comb but are more likely to get overweight as they get older. They will be patient with children which is good for when your child is learning about how to groom their pet. Both love exercise which is perfect for kids and families.

Newfoundland

Nicknamed "natures nanny" this dog breed has a huge reputation of being very loving towards children and is also extremely protective. They're big enough to withstand rough and tumble playtime and relaxed enough not to get too annoyed when your kids get out of hand. These gentle giants are also fantastic guard dogs and usually get on with other animals. They do need lots of exercise and grooming and also drool a lot so be warned.

English Bulldog

Maybe not the most energetic of dogs, but definitely one of the most affectionate. They have a strong tendency towards protection of anything that is smaller than them. If you tell your kids off you might find that you're in the doghouse for a while as they will feel you're attacking something more vulnerable than them. They are very sensitive so don't let their laid back nature fool you, if you're upset they'll come to look after you. They're at their most content when they're owner and family is happy. Certainly not top of the list when it comes to guard dog behaviour though.

Great Dane

They're big softies when it comes to children. They are very patient with little ones and will tolerate kids wanting to play with them. They tend to forget their size and will most likely try to get comfortable sitting on your lap. They love to exercise (and definitely need it) which is good for children and are another breed that is very protective of their families and home. Sadly their lifespan is usually under ten years, so keep in mind how that may affect your children as well.

Beagle

Full of energy and fun this breed is perfect for a young family. They love cuddles and are very affectionate. Being a sturdy dog they can handle rough housing at playtime but like any animal they won't tolerate children poking or hurting them. Beagles are social animals by nature they won't be loyal to just one member of the household but will enjoy time with all the family members.

Obviously every dog breed is different and a lot has to do with how the dog has been socialised from being a puppy. So always do your homework and background check into the history of any animal before you bring it into your family. One last note as mentioned earlier, train your children too, they need to respect the animal member of the family and not treat them as a toy to throw around.

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Whatever shape, size or breed we have everything in our pet store to cater for even the most demanding, four legged diva in your household. We understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

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Tips for Choosing Dog Clothing for a Christmas Party

'Tis the season and that means it is the time of year when Christmas and holiday parties will be held. If your lovable pooch will be attending a party with you, or simply helping you host your own holiday gathering, you might want to dress him up in fancy threads to celebrate.

Decide between an Accessory or an Outfit

The first step in choosing the dog clothes for your canine companion to celebrate Christmas in is to decide if you want a complete outfit or just an accessory. What's the difference? A simple accessory would be a decorative hair bow or scarf. A complete outfit could include a sweater, jacket, tuxedo or gown, or a Sunday best dress.

A cute alternative to a formal outfit or simple accessories would be to dress your puppy in adorable Christmas-themed jammies if your party is a less formal "jeans and sweatshirt" type of affair.

If your Christmas party is more formal, a tuxedo, tuxedo scarf or tank or a velvet gown would be a great choice. If your dog is a little girl, there are plenty of adorable frocks available that are too cute for words.

If you choose to go simple, a hair bow featuring gingerbread men, peppermint stripes or traditional Christmas colors of red, white and green would be great options that certainly fill the bill. For more glamour and shine, choose a hair bow in silver or gold

A decorative scarf in a kerchief style ties around your dog's neck and is a cute addition to any furry friend. A decorative Christmas scarf in a more traditional style is another cute alternative type of dog clothing that dresses up your pooch.

For your favorite little boy, a simple bowtie and collar ensemble is a great choice that simply makes you smile when you see it.

Combine the accessories with outfits (a hair bow with a cute dress) to create a gorgeous ensemble that rings in the holidays and celebrates at your party.

Whatever dog clothes you choose for your pampered pet, remember to choose the best fit and check care instructions. After the season is over, launder and put away your pup's clothes for next season then your dog can be dressed in style again next Christmas.

After deciding what you want, browse through all selections on the online store website or local store then make a choice. Your choice will reflect your personality, creativity and personal taste.

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Doggie Clothesline offers dog clothing for pets of all sizes. Chosen specifically for fashion, style and comfort, their dog clothes are a hit for pooches and their owners.

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What To Consider When Choosing Healthy Gourmet Dog Treats

People have never been as concerned about what their dogs eat as much as they do these days. Because a dog forms an integral part of the family, it makes humane sense to treat is as such, thus the emergence of dog treats.

Treats are normally doled out on a reward system, for instance, for acceptable behavior, training or simply because of an innocent adoration for a pet. Previously a milk bone was considered the standard for dog treats, but times have changed considerably. These days there is so much more you can offer your dog.

Gourmet dog treats are a recent variation of traditional dog treats, coming in a deliciously healthy form. Of course these gourmet treats are expensive, but they make a world of difference if your dog is healthy, and happy. It is safe to say you will reduce your visits to the vet because your pet will be in good physical shape. In this respect dogs and humans are quite similar. What you eat plays a significant part to your health, so why would you not wish the same for your pet.

It is fairly easy to fall prey to the evils of confusion since these treats come in so many different forms. So how then are you supposed to select your dog’s treats? Which criteria do you have for determining the healthiest treat? You will find some useful tips right here in this article.

1.Consider the ingredients: This is very important. Do not allow yourself to be misled into thinking it is unnecessary to look at ingredients simply because it is just “a treat”. You need to look for organic treats because these play an important part in the overall health of your beloved pet. Whole grains such as wheat, oats and rice are excellent ingredients to add to protein derivatives like beef and chicken. Always remember to look out for the first few ingredients since these form the bulk of any food item or treat. Sugar and fatty acids are not good for your pet.

Be on the lookout for anything making any mention of by-products, like beef by-products. Simply put, this means a part of a chicken or cow which is not conducive for human consumption. Therefore, if a by-product is not good for you as an individual, then it is certainly not fit for your dog.

Scour around for those treats with vegetables rich in oxidants, like beans, spinach or kelp, and not just for whole grains and single source proteins. Do not get confused here, dogs can be vegetarian as well, plus vegetables are equally healthy for dogs as they are for humans. In addition to the aforementioned, ingredients with Omega 3 (for a healthier skin) and vitamins E and A for good eyesight and hearing, are also important.

2.Calories: Pay particular attention to the number of calories. Obesity is a condition which affects dogs as much as it affects humans, so you do not want your dog to be overweight because this means more visits to the vet than usual. The good news is that a large portion of gourmet dog treats take this into consideration, thereby resulting in low calorie levels.

3.Texture: Though this might appear unimportant it actually is. Texture is worth the mention for a number of reasons. Hard treats contribute immensely to making a dog’s teeth strong and eliminating the gradual accumulation of plaque. Soft treats should therefore be avoided at all costs. However, the older your dog gets, the “harder” it will be for it to eat such hard textured treats. So if your dog is old it is recommended that you prescribe to soft treats.

At the end of the day it really does not matter which treats you give to your dog, so long as you pay close attention to healthy constituent ingredients. This is definitely worth the repetition. Please make sure you avoid those treats with by-products, while at the same time ensuring that there are enough organic or natural ingredients for a healthy and well balanced meal. Nevertheless, if you own a dog which is not a huge fan of meat, –it does happen once in a while-then you will be glad to hear that there are several treats made with peanut butter. There are also those treats that come with vegetables or fish only; it all depends on the retailer. The best treats though are those which can be taken in a single bite. These are normally made up of a lot of natural ingredients, plus, they have a low calorie count. At the end of the day it is your dog which stands to benefit from healthy eating habits.

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