The Saluki dog breed is one of the oldest hound dogs to exist. This dog breed originated in the Middle East. They were honoured by the Egyptian Nobility and valuable companions. The Saluki is a very tall, but thin dog. They usually weight about 35 to 65 pounds. The Saluki height is usually 17 to 23 inches. Typically the Saluki is going to be white, cream, fawn, golden, red, grizzle, black and tan, or tri coloured. You will find the Saluki has a very short coat that allows for minimal shedding. The ears are usually floppy. Typically the Saluki has a thin, but long muzzle. You will also find they have a relatively long tail that is feathered with their fur and about the longest fur they have on their bodies.

The Saluki is a member of the hound group meaning they have been used for hunting and sighting. They were not used for scenting though as their noses are not as good as other dog breeds. These dogs offer an intelligence and inventiveness that other dogs usually don’t. They are going to be quiet, and happy pets. You will also find they are very agile. Despite the hunting instincts they have, the Saluki is full of happiness, curiosity, and loyalty. You will find the Saluki offers a great deal in the way of a companion. They tend to attach themselves to one person in a family over others, but they still enjoy the attention of the entire family. You will find that they need respect so they deal better with older more respectful children. They are going to be very protective of any children. You will also find that strangers can be an issue. They tend to be aloof and most often don’t get along with other pets. Typical behaviour will have them depressed and deeply hurt if they have been left alone for too long. They need to have a family that can be available most of the day. They also don’t like being outside, but inside with the activity.

For the care of these dogs you will find that their coat is very easy to care for. They tend to need a brushing and combing about once a week to remove any dead or loose hair. You will also find that they can be a little particular in what they eat. If they don’t like it they won’t eat it. It is best to offer small portions throughout the day rather than a bowl. This way you can monitor their eating habits more closely. The Saluki does have a few ailments they are more prone to such as an allergy to anesthetic, bloating, hip dysplasia, skin problems, and cataracts.

Training is very important at an early age. They need to have obedience and socialization training. The socialization training can help them react better to strangers. You will find that during training you can find some issues. They have deep instincts regarding hunting and will tend to follow these. You are best to try consistent, firm, and gentle training. They need love over harshness. Training should also be kept short and varied to keep their interest up.

The Saluki does really well in a small home or apartment because they prefer to be inside with the family. They do need to have plenty of exercise though. You should make sure that you offer plenty of room to run, and get that exercise if you do live in an apartment. While they do really well they still need to have lots of land to play on. So it could be the best to have a rural home or something near the woods. They definitely like the hunt. You will also find that when the Saluki is up to full speed at 50 mph they will not respond to their master.

The Chinese Shar Pei is one of the more popular dogs in China. You will find that the origins are a little unclear as some believe this dog is related to the Chow Chow. You will find that they have been around since the Han Dynasty and where used as working dogs. They were used for hunting, guarding, and protecting the stock. You will also find that they were once used as fighting dogs. The Shar Pei is a very distinctive looking dog. Like the bull dog this dog is very stocky in its frame. They also tend to have a lot of wrinkles around the face and neck area. They have a very large head with a short stocky muzzle. Typically the ears are going to be floppy and very pointed on the ends. You will also find they have rather large paws. Most often you will find very short coarse hair in the colour of tan or sable. They can be any solid colour, but will never be multi colored. The tail is usually curled. The standard size for a Shar Pei is 18 to 20 inches, and 40 to 55 pounds.

The Shar Pei is a very loyal dog. They are going to be very affectionate with their master and family, but aloof with strangers. You will find they are not always obedient, which makes training extremely important in both obedience and socialization. You will find that as a puppy the Shar Pei can deal with children and other pets, but new pets and children shouldn’t be introduced to an adult Shar Pei’s home. They tend to be very territorial and will not accept the new addition. You will find the Shar Pei is a very active breed that displays a lot of bravery. For this purpose they have been used as working dogs for guarding and other activities. They are very dominant so training can be difficult. For training you will want to offer a firm, yet gentle hand. Always be consistent during training and offer plenty of different activities. You will also find that these dogs hate the water.

The Shar Pei dog breed needs a lot of care and exercise. It is important to know the type of activities and care they need as they can have a few health issues. They suffer from swollen hocks syndrome, kidney disease, skin problems, and a few others. It is important to provide a very healthy diet for these animals. You will find this dog can live in an apartment, but it is very important that they get the exercise they need. They do better in small homes with yards. You will also find they are sensitive to heat, so if you live in a hot area you may want to keep them indoors most of the time and provide more frequent walks in the summer rather than long walks. They need a daily walk as well as exercise such as playing with toys.

You will find for grooming needs the Shar Pei is relatively easy. You need to brush them on a weekly basis to remove dead or loose hair, but they generally don’t need to have baths. As they hate the water I would try to avoid any bathing, especially due to their skin issues. You will find that they don’t need to have their hair trimmed, but you should clean around their wrinkles often to make sure no dirt gets trapped there.

The Jindo dog breed originated in South Korea. You will find the Jindo dog is centuries old, but no one is precisely sure when they were established. These dogs were used to hunt wild boar, rabbit, badgers, and deer. As a working dog they were very valuable to Korea. They are still relatively popular in certain areas, especially Korea.

This husky look a like is a great dog to have. They offer a thin, sleek body with a curly tail, pointed ears, and a serious appearance. You will find the Jindo is typically white, yellow, red, red and white, tan and white, black, black and tan, and brindle. This dog has a compact body that offers agility and is one of the reasons they are considered to be a great working dog. For the grooming of this dog you should realize that they have medium length hair. This hair should be brushed daily or at least three times a week to keep down the shedding and the matting. They will also need to have their ears, eyes, and fur checked on a daily basis as they love to play outdoors. Their feet do need to have the toe nails clipped on a routine basis. Typically the Jindo is 18 to 25 inches in height. They are also going to weigh about 25 to 40 pounds. You will find the major health problem associated with these dogs is the hypothyroid disorder.

For a temperament you will find one of the best loved dogs. They offer great affection, loyalty, and happiness. You will find that they are not a good dog for a new owner or inexperienced owner. This is because of their independent nature. They love to roam the land and hunt. You will find they can also be deceptively obedient. They will seem like they are following you, but then go their own way. This doesn’t mean they aren’t a great pet. Most often you will find they love to have one master who showers affection and whom they can be near. They are very protective of those they love. The Jindo is not always the best animal with small pets or children. So, you may want to try socialization or just have a one pet household. They are also very gentle dogs despite their demeanor of independence.

For training you will need to have the puppy trained in obedience and socialization. The training needs to be firm and consistent. You also want to make sure training offers enough to keep them alert and happy. If they become bored you will lose the upper hand. It is best to try a dominant technique to help them with the independent nature. You may also have to keep them on a lead most of the outdoor time. They will come back home, but they tend to run off for long periods of time to hunt.

For this dog you really need a farm or huge backyard. They do not do well confined. They tend to experience boredom, and loneliness if they are left alone at home for too long inside a home. You will find that a walk on a daily basis for about an hour and some play will really help them. You should let them experience independence while on the lead, but make sure to always keep them within your sight. They tend to like the brisk walks or run next to a bike as opposed to something that is lazy.

Cushing’s disease is not very common in a lot of dog breeds; however there are certain dogs that are more susceptible to the illness. When you are considering dog care it is important to consider all aspects and what illnesses may affect the dog breed you have. Therefore in this article we are going to look at what Cushing’s disease is and how it can affect your dog. We will also discuss some of the dog breeds more common to having the disease.

Cushing’s disease is most common in Toy Poodles, German Shepherds, Dachshunds, Labrador Retrievers, and some terrier breeds. Although these dogs more commonly get the disease, you will find that any dog is susceptible to the illness. Cushing’s disease is also known as hyperadrenocorticism. Basically Cushing’s disease is a chronic overproduction of glucocorticoid in the body. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. Basically is works to stimulate the adrenal gland into producing the steroid hormone. We have mentioned breeds most susceptible to the disease, so we should also mention that middle age and older dogs are also targets for the disease. Most often the disease is found to be concurrent with dogs that have diabetes mellitus.

Symptoms of the disease can very and often look like other symptoms of diseases dogs can get. The reason for this is that the pituitary and adrenal glands have a lot of functions for regulating the body, and when they malfunction other aspects of the body soon follow depending on the type of problem. Therefore it is important to know all of the symptoms to better help you understand the disease and what the early signs are. When the hormone levels rise there are going to be lesions that form on the skin. These lesions can actually take quite a bit of time to appear, so it is also important to look for the other symptoms. Most often you will find your dog has an increased water consumption and need to urinate with Cushing’s disease. You will also find the appetite tends to increase. This can be difficult to diagnose because it is usually a sign of good health. So you will want to look for other symptoms that could occur such as abdominal enlargement, hair loss and a thinning to the skin. There are also excess panting, urinary tract infections, loss of reproductive abilities, and other symptoms.

You should also be aware that there are two types of Cushing’s disease. The pituitary Cushing’s disease and the Adrenal Cushing’s disease are the two types. Both have the excess steroid mentioned above that will throw off the other systems; however it is just the different location the disease starts in that will offer which type your dog may have.

There are also a few treatment options that you have available to you. In some cases there is a surgical option based on what has caused the malfunction of the gland. In some cases there can be a tumor that has formed giving rise to the change in hormone and steroid levels. This is usually something that must be surgically removed. Lysodren is a drug treatment that can help to regulate the pituitary gland. Your vet may choose Ketoconazole, L- deprenyl, or trilostane depending on the type of the Cushing’s disease and which may be more affective treatment. These drug treatments will vary depending on the severity of the problem as well.

The Shar Pei is one of the only dogs to deal with the swollen hock’s syndrome. While there are others they are not considered to be genetically predisposed to the disease. This means that the Shar Pei needs to have special treatment during their lives to make sure they don’t suffer needlessly. We are going to look at the swollen hock’s syndrome from the signs to the treatment and even the cause. It is important to understand what your dog is going to go through if they are ever diagnosed with the disorder.

First of all the Shar Pei and other breeds have an increased level of cytokine interleukin. This is something the body creates. The overproduction of this element causes a fever response in the dog. When this is triggered an acute phase reactant syndrome sets in. Basically the immune system is affected by the overproduction so that your pet has issues. In none clinical terms amyloid is overproduced resulting in a fever and inflammation. The inflammation causes the cells to be compressed so that they don’t work properly. This means that the organs and kidney cells will be damaged. Since the kidney is what produces the amyloids in the first place you will usually see signs of kidney failure with the disease if it is not treated properly. You will also find that death can occur if the disorder is left untreated.

For Shar Pei, swollen hock’s syndrome is very serious. There are several things to look for. There is often unexplained weight lose, increase thirst and urination, vomiting, bad breath, and pain in the abdomen. You will find that with the Shar Pei the swollen hock’s syndrome can affect dogs from as young as eight months. You will also find that most of the Shar Pei that are affected with this syndrome will die around 3 to 5 years if they have the genetic defect. This means that most often the dog will not live a very long life. If you monitor the swollen hock’s syndrome your dog does have a chance to live a little longer. When your dog is in a fever episode they will have swelling in the joints, swollen or painful muscles, and they may be reluctant to move because of the pain they are feeling in the abdomen.

The swollen hock’s syndrome cannot be prevented in a dog that suffers from the genetic disorder. The only thing an owner can do is treat the issue. You will find that colchincine, glomerulonephritis, and other medications are offered to treat the issue. There are some aggressive treatments that are similar to helping with heat stroke when a dog is in the fever stage of the disease. Most often the dog will end up dying from the kidney failure the disease causes even with treatment.

The swollen hock’s disease is a very serious illness that most dogs do not suffer from. The Shar Pei are going to be the most common dog to suffer from this type of disease. Remember that it is best to offer treatment even if the outlook is not good because it can help lessen the suffering they are going through. You may also prevent the eventual kidney failure. It will really depend on how much you are willing to take care of any dog that has this illness and should be a huge consideration if you are thinking of adopting one.

The border collie originates from the border of England and Scotland hence the name border collie. They were originally bred for sheep herding the breed has since gone on to cattle herding and in later years agility and flyball. With the border collies history in so much work it has produce a very high energy, high drive breed of dog.

Border collies are known for there intelligence, speed and agility, these aspects have made them the number on breed for just about every dog sport. If you look around any agility, obedience or flyball competition you will see a sea of border collies. They really do rule all of these sports and will continue to do so due to there intelligence and keen work ethic.

Border collies are a diverse breed that comes in many different colours and often many different shapes and sizes. Some of the main colours border collie can come in include black and white, tri, red, blue merle, red merle and blue. There are also many different variations of these colours and even some rarer colours such as golden. The size of these dogs can also varies greatly border collies can range from cocker spaniel size right up to German Shepard size. Even the eye colour and how the ears stand can varies in the breed. There eyes can be blue, green or brown and in many cases there eyes do not need to match. The ears on the border collie can range from down, up or even between the two. There ears also do not need to match you see many border collies with one ear up and one ear down. Although for breed show purposes eyes and ears should match.

Due to there diversity many countries do not count the border collie as a pedigree dog in there breed club, Canada is one of these countries. This has put countries competing at international events from these countries at a significant disadvantage. There diversity can also make breed shows difficult as the breed diverse so much. Many different countries have different ideas on how the breed should look.

The main genetic health concerns that effect the breed are hip dysplasia and Collie eye anomaly. If you are thinking of buying a puppy try and make sure the parents are tested for these conditions. Dogs can be DNA tested witch guarantees there puppies will not suffer from Collie eye anomaly. Hip dysplasia is more difficult to test for. Dogs can be hip scored which will help to diagnose hip dysplasia but its no guarantee against it. There are other genetic conditions border collies suffer with these include epilepsy and Osteochondritis.

The border collies high work ethic can cause problems with there temperament and behavior. Many border collies can be aggressive with other dogs this can be extremely are to fix and should be taken into consideration before deciding if a border collie is right for you. The best course of action is to buy from a reputable breeder who's dogs have a long history of good temperaments.

The German Hovawart has been around for the last 100 years. You will find that they were actually established in the middle ages in the Black Forest and Hartz mountains of Germany. They are closely related to the Hungarian Kuvasz, German Shepherd, and Newfoundland. They have been used in the past as working dogs for tracking, and search and rescue.

You will find the German Hovawart is going to mirror the Golden Retriever in looks at the face. Their face is small, with droopy ears, and a thin medium length muzzle. The difference from a Golden Retriever is in the hind end. They have thick back legs and a very thick tail. The rest of the fur is short in length. Their body is on the thin side, but stocky in the hips and chest. You will find they are typically 23 to 28 inches, and 55 to 90 pounds. They have a life expectancy of ten to fourteen years. For color they can be gold, black, or black and tan. They do have specific markings depending on their color.

Since they have a rather thick coat you will find that they need daily grooming. For grooming you can use a comb and brush to remove the dead or loose hair. They can tend to get tangles in the tail and further back on their bodies where the hair is longer. Since they are working dogs you want to check their eyes, ears, teeth, and feet on a daily or twice weekly basis to make sure they have not injured themselves during the day. They are an average shedder, which makes grooming extremely important for a cleaner house. The typically don’t need to be bathed, but if you do use a mild shampoo and do so infrequently.

The German Hovawart is a very energetic dog when he or she is let outside. You will find that they just love to play, be affectionate, and go for long walks. Inside they are usually mild mannered and respectful. They tend to display obedience, determination, and love for their masters. They are also very loyal so they can be aloof to strangers. Most often they also become devoted to one family member in particular. This means that they have one master overall that they try to please. You will find that they need to have socialization and obedience training. However their brave, protective nature makes the training rather easy. They are also highly intelligent creatures. They can be a watch dog, search and rescue dog, or just a working dog. They are also great hunters with their noses as they have good sensing abilities. When you train your German Hovawart you need to be consistent, firm, yet kind and gentle. You should never be harsh as they are very sensitive.

You will find they can live in small homes, but apartments are not recommended. They need to have space and a yard to roam around in. You will also find they prefer the warmer climates. This breed does exceptionally well on farms. You will find they need to walk every day for at least an hour. They need the chance to run, to play, and to have fun. It is best to offer them as much exercise as you can and interaction with you. You will find that with the proper care you can avoid some of the health issues they are prone to. Health issues include thyroid disorders, hip dysplasia, and cancer.

The Boykin Spaniel is not as old as some of its relatives, but it is one of the best hunting dogs you will probably find. The Boykin Spaniel was created in the early 20^{th century by a guy named L. Whitaker Boykin. Boykin breed together an American Water Spaniel, Springer Spaniel, Pointer, and Chesapeake Bay Retriever in order to create this hunting dog. The Boykin Spaniel is known for its bird hunting abilities in America.}

You will find the Boykin Spaniel has the typical looks of a spaniel right down to its ears and fur. The coat on the dog is wavy or curly, but very soft and silky. Typically this dog breed is going to be brown or liver in color. You will find that it is a larger spaniel breed, but offers smaller floppy ears. They have a relatively short muzzle that is medium in width, and a docked tail. The typical height for the Boykin Spaniel is 15 to 18 inches and weighing in at 25 to 40 pounds. With proper care and exercise the Boykin Spaniel can live for 14 to 16 years.

Grooming is an essential part of owning this dog breed. Their long fur coat needs to have daily brushings to make sure the coat doesn’t mat. You will also find that the daily brushing will remove any loose or dead hair they may carry around. Since they do like to hunt and play they need to have their feet, ears, and eyes checked on a daily basis as well as their teeth. The nails need to be trimmed on a regular basis. Like most spaniels you don’t want to give them unnecessary baths, but they can handle the occasional shampoo. One of the reasons the eyes have to be checked daily is that they tend to have health issues regarding their eyes. They can also develop hip dysplasia, heart issues, and skin irritations.

We have discussed how the Boykin Spaniel makes a great hunting dog, but have yet to touch on their personality. The typical personality of the Boykin dog breed is docility, happiness, and obedience. They are also very loyal and affectionate creatures. You will find that they are usually going to ask the owner if a behavior is okay and what job to perform next with little training. The Boykin Spaniel loves to swim and play. You will also find they love to search, making their abilities one of the best. They are also very happy to comply with owners wishes, but be careful they could follow their nose into danger if they are not on a lead. Training should be early in their lives and consist of obedience and socialization. For the most part they already are wonderful pets, but the hunting abilities can be difficult to deal with in just a pet, when they wonder off or try to hunt smaller pets in your home.

You will find the Boykin Spaniel can live in an apartment. However proper care entails making sure they get a daily walk. It is better if you have a small yard to place them in. On their daily walk a brisk pace is usually needed and a fairly long walk. They have a lot of energy and need to have jobs daily or they will become bored. Boredom usually leads to the dog’s destructive behavior, especially since they love to be outdoors and useful. The Boykin Spaniel will make an excellent pet for anyone, and most especially hunters.

We have all heard about rabies affecting dogs and cats when we first adopted a pet. We even hear of cases happening around our city or town on occasion. The state often has laws that you must follow, especially with dogs regarding rabies shots to make sure there are no outbreaks, but what is rabies? Why can it be such a traumatic experience for both you and your dog?

Rabies is a virus. The dog or human can actually contract the virus, which is why many states have made the vaccinations a law. A carrier of the disease can spread it through biting. This means if your dog comes into contact with a rabid animal and is bitten the virus will be transmitted. You will find that rabies does not live long outside of the host and therefore the transmission via air is usually impossible unless you are in some enclosed space like a cave with bats. Most often the rabies is shed by the saliva and that is why when bitten it transfers to the new animal. For dogs the disease can be deadly and there are really no ways of testing for rabies in animals without harming the dog. For humans there is treatment.

One of the reasons I keep mentioning humans along with dogs is that most dogs have owners and when they become infected it will affect your care just as much as the dogs. It is important to understand that you and your dog can be harmed if you don’t take the proper care. When you are out walking with your dog you should take care that they don’t run off in the woods, or that they don’t engage another animal in a fight or play that could be a carrier. It is best to always pay close attention to your dog and make sure you stay in the safe zones. Even if you are in the woods there are precautions you can take. You will also find that the vaccinations of rabies required for your dog will help them be immune to the disease in the unlikely event they do come into contact with a carrier. There are about 15% of exposed individuals that will contract the disease. For dogs there has been only about 100,000 cases a year that contract rabies in the entire world.

There are symptoms to look for if you believe your dog has come into contact with a rabies carrying animal. First the incubation can last for 3 to 8 weeks. Then they will experience the first stage, which last 2-3 days. There is a difference in character from apprehension nervousness, anxiety, and fever. They then move to the second stage that last 1 to 7. They become restless and irritable. The third stay is marked by an inability to swallow, face muscle weakness, and labored breathing. They then go into respiratory failure and can die.

To test for rabies a brain exam is needed. In some new testing the skin or blood can be studies, but this is not as effective as doing a microscopic exam of the brain. Unfortunately there is no treatment once the disease develops and most often death will occur. There have been rare cases that a dog has survived. This means that it is very important for the vaccination and prevention of the disease. If you do not take care you are at risk in life as well once infected. Make sure that you speak with your vet about the proper vaccinations and if there are requirements for more than one vaccination in the life of the dog. Usually there are stages in the growth period where the rabies vaccination should be given.

The Belgian Malinois closely resembles the German Shepherd breed, although they are usually a little smaller. They tend to be 60 to 65 pounds and 22 to 26 inches in height. You will find the Belgian Malinois is a shorthaired dog, which is typically fawn or mahogany in color. They also have black tipped ears and face. They have a long tail that is usually hanging down. Their body is sleek and muscular. You will find the Belgian Malinois has short hair that is often coarse to the touch with a denser undercoat that is slightly longer in length. They tend to be average shedders.

When you adopt a Belgian Malinois you want to make sure you know everything about them in order to make sure you provide the proper care. For grooming needs the Belgian Malinois needs to have daily brushings to remove the dead or loose hair. Since the hair is short they don’t require clipping or an extreme brushing because it will not get matted or tangled. You should only give the Belgian Malinois’ baths when it is absolutely necessary. They can suffer from skin irritations if bathed too often. You will find the shedding is usually seasonal so they may shed a little more at certain times of the year. On a daily basis you should check their feet, nails, teeth, ears, and eyes to make sure they have not injured themselves.

The Belgian Malinois is in the herding breeding group. This means they typically display dominant behavior and can be protective as well as very muscular. You will find they are defensive of their property. This also makes them great as guard dogs for any home. Typically behavioral characteristics you will find in the Belgian Malinois include alertness, agility, and a lot of energy. You will find their high intelligence makes training rather easy. They do need to have socialization and obedience training; as puppies to provide the best behavior. You need to assert who is master and help them get along with children and other animals. They are best around larger animals that are not as passive. You also need to have respectful children as the dogs demand respect and gentle care. The Belgian Malinois is a pleasing dog for any owner and loves to have jobs.

For training you will find they are easily trained because of the intelligence and their working ability. They love to have tasks that work them both physically and mentally during the training. Remember that you need to be consistent and yet firm during the training to get the best results. You may want to seek a professional trainer to help you with some ideas regarding training. You will find also that they need a lot of space. They are medium sized dogs so they need to have daily exercise for at least an hour. It is best to have a home with a medium or large backyard; however if you do live in an apartment they will be okay, as long as you provide more exercise during the day. They are very active and being cooped up while you are at work can be stressful. It is best to have a job where you can go home for lunch and offer them some exercise and play.

The Belgian Malinois does best with a lot of exercise, room, and loving owners. They are eager to please anyone and do require some training. It is important that they are feed on a routine as well as exercised with routine to provide healthy living conditions.