Originally from Belgium, the Bouvier des Flandres is a versatile working dog. These large, powerful and imposing dogs were created by crossing the Beauceron to various Griffon breeds. They were commonly used in the cattle trade to herd livestock to market and to guard butcher's establishments. In fact, the name "Bouvier" means "butcher."
In the early days the dogs were bred exclusively for their working abilities. No attention at all was paid to appearance and Bouviers came in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, distinguishable only by their attitude and willingness to work.
During World War I they were used extensively for delivering messages, and as a result their numbers declined to a point where the breed almost became extinct.Fortunately, a group of breeders took it on themselves to save the breed, at the same time defining a breed standard and developing the dog we know today. The Bouvier is a multi-talented dog, and excels at all kinds of work, including guarding, search and rescue, police and military work.
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The Bouvier is a heavy, well-muscled dog that gives the impression of power. The build is squarish, with a strong muzzle and a bushy eyebrows. The coat is rugged and can be a number of colors including black, blonde, brindle, fawn, grey, and salt-and-pepper.
The Bouvier looks intimidating, but is actually a friendly, balanced dog. However, this is not a dog to be trifled with, the Bouvier has strong guarding instincts and is fiercely protective of its family. In general though, they are obedient and well-behaved with a playfulness that extends well into adulthood. They are intelligent dogs, and take well to training.
A Bouvier that has been trained and socialized makes an excellent pet, that gets on well with children, other dogs and non canine pets. And training is most definitely required. Not that this is an aggressive breed, but any dog this big will be difficult to control if it hasn't been trained.
This is a generally robust and healthy breed although they are prone to hip dysplasia and various eye problems. These dogs have a very pain tolerance, and will actually hide symptoms from you, so you'll have to be alert for any sign that all is not well.
Grooming is a serious consideration with this breed. The rough, heavy coat requires daily brushing, and cutting at least three times a year.
If you've decided to adopt a Bouvier, be prepared for a lot of exercise. Remember that, these are working dogs so they need plenty of exercise. You'll need to give your dog a long walk every day, plus games and other activities to keep him happy. While a Bouvier can adapt to an apartment, a house with garden is a much better option.
If you’re looking for a name for your Bouvier des Flandres, the best advice is to visit a dog names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of boy dog names.
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Kennel cough, also called bordetellosis, infectious respiratory disease and infectious canine cough, is an infection that is transmitted easily between dogs. It is one of the most common canine diseases, occurring worldwide and in all dog breeds.
The disease is often associated with dogs kept together in large groups, such as in kennels (hence the name), at dog shows, or in shelters. But in fact, it is so contagious that even dogs not exposed to those conditions can get it. Think of it as being similar to the human cold. All it takes is one infected dog coughing for the virus to become airborne. Once that happens, any dog in the area may contract kennel cough.
The virus attacks the dog’s windpipe and upper bronchi, although the dog will show little or no obvious signs of being ill. The most obvious symptom is a dry hacking cough that has been described as sounding like a "honking goose".
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This often panics dog-owners, but actually most cases of kennel cough are nothing to be concerned about. The dog's overall health will generally be fine, with only the persistent coughing indicating that anything is amiss.What you should be concerned about though is the risk of kennel cough escalating into pneumonia, which is dangerous. That is why, any occurrence of kennel cough, no matter how mild, must be referred to a vet as soon as possible.
After examining the dog, the vet may decide to prescribe antibiotics for your dog. If the vet decides that the infection is minor he may decide not to treat it at all. He will, however, ask you to keep a close eye on your dog and to report any worsening in his condition.
The easiest way to protect your dog from exposure to kennel cough is to keep him away from dogs you don't know. This includes dogs you encounter on the street or at the doggy park and is even more important if your dog is a puppy, with an underdeveloped immune system.
Be sure to also quiz the owner of any kennel or doggy day care your dog spends time at, although these facilities normally have strict rules and insist on proof of vaccination before they accept a dog.
Vaccinating your dog against kennel cough is an absolute necessity, even if he's never likely to see the inside of a dog kennel. The vaccine is usually given with the annual "five in one" booster shot, but speak to your vet if you have any concerns in this regard.
Of itself, kennel cough is not a threat to a healthy adult dog, but you need to be aware of the dangers of secondary infection and take appropriate action.
To find out more about kennel cough, dog care, dogs 101 and other useful dog advice drop by at dogsanddogtraining.com
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Most peoples idea of the Bloodhound is based on Hollywood movies, where packs of these hounds lead lawmen through the forest in pursuit of an escaped prisoner. But there's a lot more to the Bloodhound than that.
For starters, these dogs are often used in search and rescue work, scenes of natural disasters, and even to find lost children. And, they are also also surprisingly good as pets.
The breed traces its origins to Belgium, where it went by the name, St. Hubert Hound. It originally came to Britain with the invading Normans in 1066. Because of the dog's exceptional scenting ability and its value as a tracker, strict measures were put in place to ensure that there was no cross breeding with other dogs. These attempts to keep the bloodline pure, let to the breed being called the 'blooded' hound, and the name, Bloodhound, derives from that.
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These are large, heavy dogs, standing up to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing as much as 1i0 pounds. The coat is smooth and loose-fitting, with characteristic skin folds, the ears and long and pendant.
Another defining feature is the sad, droopy facial expression. Three coat colors are permitted by the breed standard, red, black and tan, and liver and tan.
These dignified hounds are gentle, easy-going and affectionate. They are extremely loyal and have been known to go into mourning at the loss of someone close to them.
Their gentle nature makes them excellent with children, and despite their serious demeanor they can be quite playful when the mood takes them. Bloodhounds just love attention and are sensitive souls who don’t respond well to harsh treatment.
They are independent dogs, bred specifically to think for themselves. Unfortunately, this has the effect of masking them difficult to train, despite their obvious intelligence.
The Bloodhound is a dog that was simply born to track. These dogs are simply unable to resist any interesting scent they encounter and for this reason it is imperative that they dog is not able to escape from your property. You should also never walk your Bloodhound off the leash. Not unless you want to spend your time chasing after him!
If you're thinking of adopting a Bloodhound, you'll need to be prepared for to do quite a bit of mopping up. Bloodhounds are droolers, and they also have a habit of leaving puddles behind whenever they drink. They are also one of the loudest snorers of the dog world!
Grooming is quite easy, but needs to be done regularly. The dog will require a brush own a few times a week, and daily during the shedding season. You will also have to keep the ears clean and dry and wipe the skin folds with a damp cloth, as both of these areas are prone to bacterial and fungal infections.
Typical lifespan for a Bloodhound is between 10 and 12 years. They are a relatively healthy breed, but do have some health issues. In common with many large breeds, they can suffer from hip dysplasia, and they are also prone to elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion and inversion of the eyelids.
If you’re looking for a name for your Bloodhound, the best advice is to visit a dog names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of cute dog names.
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The Basset is an easily distinguishable dog, with its long ears, solid build and droopy mournful face. These dogs, which first arrived in Britain with the invading Normans in 1066, are believed to descend from the St Hubert Hound. Later in their history, they were crossed with other hound breeds to add size.
The name, Basset comes from "bas", the French word for low.
The Basset is one of the sweetest of all dogs. They are extremely loving with a real enjoyment of human company. They get on well with everyone, are even tempered and affectionate towards children and have no problem with other dogs, or even cats for that matter.
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With their agreeable temperament and happy disposition you'd be excused for thinking that this has always been a companion dog. But in fact, the Basset's history is as a hunting and tracking dog, a role it excelled at.
Caring for a Basset Hound could not be easier. They have a short and smooth coat, which means that they have minimal grooming needs. A brush down once or twice a week is all that is required to remove dead hair and keep the coat in tip top condition.
In addition, you will have to pay special attention to the ears, which are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, being careful to dry them afterwards, and you'll avoid most problems.
You may also need to clip the dog's nails every once in a while. This is a task many dog owners shy away from, but it needs to be done, so if you're not up to it ask your vet or local dog groomer.
As with all hounds, Bassets can be difficult to train. It's not that they lack intelligence, but rather that they've been bred to think for themselves, and this can make them appear stubborn at times. The key is to be consistent and use positive reward based training. Bassets are sensitive souls and are easily hurt by harsh words and treatment.
Basset training takes tons of patience. They have a short attention span and are inclined to just trot off if the mood takes them. Stick to your guns and you will succeed, especially if you tap into the Basset's love of food and use really tasty training treats.
Like many purebred dogs, the Basset suffers from a number of inherited diseases. Common health problems for the breed include, osteochondrosis. entropion, gastric torsion, cysts on the paws, and lameness in the forelegs. Obesity is a common concern and can put extra strain on the vertebrae and cause back problems.
Bassets can be quite lazy, but it is important that they have daily walks to ensure they don't become overweight.All in all, this is a wonderful, affectionate pet that is easy to live with and an absolute joy to have around.
Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of boy dog names.
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Canine distemper, just the mention of the name sends dog owners into a panic. And with good reason too, because this disease is incurable, highly contagious, and quite ofter deadly. Caused by the canine distemper virus, a paramyxovirus quite similar to that which causes human measles, this disease attacks the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems.
The canine distemper virus (or CDV) can be transmitted through the air, or through bodily fluids such as urine. Dogs that show symptoms should be treated straight away, and once the veterinary diagnosis confirms CDV, quarantined immediately.
Dogs of any age can be infected by CDV, but those most at risk are puppies in the 3-6 month age range. It is therefore vital that your puppy receives a preventative vaccine. Usually this will be included in the set of core vaccines your dog receives annually.
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One of the reasons that canine distemper is so dangerous is that it is multi-systemic, meaning it attacks many of the body’s vital systems simultaneously. A dog that has been infected with the virus will display a number of symptoms, including, discharge from the nose and eyes, coughing, diarrhea, and/or vomiting, fever, seizures and convulsions. If the disease is left untreated it will go on to cause heart and respiratory system failure.
Many dogs will not display all of these symptoms. If the infection is mild, the dog may only cough, and it is not uncommon in these cases for the disease to be misdiagnosed as kennel cough.
In other instances, the dog may also contract pneumonia. And even dogs that recover from distemper will be left with severe tooth enamel damage, thickening of the footpads and nose, vision problems and damage to the central nervous system.
A veterinarian faced with a suspected case of CDV will run several tests to confirm the diagnosis. These include analysis of urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood samples. In addition, a skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the presence of the canine distemper virus.
If the tests confirm that the virus is present, intravenous fluids will immediately be administered to offset dehydration. Anti-seizure medication may also be given if neurological signs are present.
Canine distemper is a lethal disease that spreads rapidly and can quickly decimate a kennel, particularly if not all dogs have been vaccinated. Not all dogs that contract the virus die, but a significant number do, and it is particularly brutal on puppies and older dogs.
Currently, the disease is considered to be incurable but fortunately great advances have been made in veterinary medicine. An effective CDV cure, with minimal side effects, may be available sooner rather than later.
Find out more about distemper in dogs, dog care, information on dogs and other helpful dog information at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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