dogs

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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Choosing dog names should be fun, but sometimes it can be a real drag. Every name you choose just seems wrong.

Days turn to weeks, and still you can't seem to find the right name.

Eventually, you find one that may work. It's not perfect, but you decide to go with it. Bad mistake! Think about it, you'll be spending a lot of years with your dogs and calling his name thousands of times. So you'll want to pick a name that works.

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Need some help? Then read our top 10 dog naming tips below.

1.Where possible pick a name with one or two-syllables. They are great for calling out and your dog will recognize them quickly.

2.That's not to say that more unique, unusual names aren't a good choice too. But remember that lower name recognition can impact performance when you start training your dog. So if you want to name your Borzoi, Rasputin, in keeping with his Russian roots, that's quite okay. Just give him a shorter "all name", perhaps Raz.

3.Some names sound a lot like voice commands, and can cause confusion when you come to train your dog. For example, Sid" can sound a lot like "sit", and "Moe" can easily be mistaken for "no”.

4.You'd also be well advised to steer clear of names that can be confused with that of another pet or a member of your household. Not unless you want to confuse everyone.

5.Don't give your dog a name that will embarrass him. Beavis may be okay, but Butthead certainly isn't! Dogs have feelings too.

6.Consider choosing a name that in some way describes your dog – think about his size, breed, any special markings. "Titan" doesn't really work for a Yorkie, does it? Neither does Sweetpea suit a Pitbull.Of course, any of these could work, if you are trying for irony!

7.As cute as your puppy is now, remember that he will grow – and normally faster than you think. It may seem like a good idea to name your German Shepherd put "Gidget", but how well will that sit with the magnificent, muscular adult he will become.

8.A dog breed’s origins often provide a rich source of names. Think of the country of origin's famous people, places, traditions and institutions, and you’re halfway there.

Need some examples? How about, "Guinness" for an Irish Setter, "Yoko" for a Shibu Inu, or "Louis" to a French Bulldog.

9.And why not look at your own interests and hobbies for inspiration? Lets say you're nuts about football – you could try Marino, Namath, Montana, or just pick your own favorite player.

What's your passion? I'll bet it has are tons of great dog names just waiting to be found.

10.Finally, where appropriate, find out a bit about the name you've chosen for your dog. With the internet, that's a simple process, but no need to start googling, binging, or even yahooing.

Stop by at Best Dog Names HQ. We've pulled together a mega collection of the best dog names on the net. Your dog's name awaits.

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When it comes to choosing a dog breed, the decision you make now will impact on your life for the next 10 to 15 years. A hasty, ill-informed choice now could have disastrous consequences later on.

It is vitally important that you pick a breed that matches your circumstances and lifestyle. How do you decide? Well you can start by thinking about the factors laid out below;

1. How big is your property?

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While a huge property is not absolutely necessary to keep a dog, it should be obvious that certain dogs need more space than others. Keeping a highly active dog, like a Malamute or Border Collie, in an apartment is not only cruel, but a recipe for disaster. You will end up with a highly stressed and, most likely, destructive dog.

If space is an issue, choose a small dog breed instead, but remember, you still have to get them outdoors for some exercise daily.

2. How much time can you spend with your dog?

Your number one responsibility as a dog owner is the well-being of your dog. Among other things, this includes daily walks and exercise. How long should they be exercised for? Well for most dogs, an hour per day will be sufficient. However, some breeds, particularly those from the herding, sporting and working groups, need even more than that. You're looking at 2-3 hours per day to keep them satisfied.

Do you have what it takes to keep up with such an energetic dog? If not you may be better matched with a more relaxed companion, a Bulldog perhaps.And there's still training to consider. All dogs need at least basic obedience training. Some dogs are eager to learn, and easy to train. Others, like most dogs classified in the hound group are famous for their stubbornness when asked to perform even the simplest of tasks.

3. Are You An Active Person?

If you love the active outdoor lifestyle, or if you have the kind of job where you can involve your dog, you'd probably do well with a dog that is a good match for your level of energy. Best choices are from the working and herding groups, but be warned, these guys don't just like to work, they absolutely demand it.

Another good option is the gun dog group. These dogs also have exceptionally high energy levels, but are less demanding than, say, a Border Collie.

4. Are there children in the household are what are their ages?

It goes without saying that if you have young kids you should pick a breed that is known to be good with children. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are renowned for their sweet natures, which explains the enduring popularity of these breeds.

Others that fit the bill are Beagles and Boxers who, despite their size, are known for their gentleness with children.Some breeds though are not suitable, especially toy dogs like the Chihuahua and, who are inclined to bite first and ask questions later.

{Choosing a dog is an important decision and one that will impact on your life for the next 10-15 years. It is therefore advisable to make an informed decision. The questions above will get you started.|Choosing a dog is a big decision. What you do now will affect your life for the next 10 years and more, so choose wisely. Answer the questions above and you'll be off to a good start.|Picking a dog is and important decision, and one you'll want

To find out more about dog breeds a-z, dog care, dog health and other helpful dog info visit dogsanddogtraining.com

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The Australian Cattle Dog is a superb cattle header with agility, speed, and exceptional courage. These dogs are simply gluttons for work, and will run all day if you let them. They are equally skilled at herding cattle on the open range, or working them in confined spaces.

The Australian cattle industry owes much to this dog, and would probably not have existed without it. Back in the early 19th century many small ranchers settled in Queensland. These ranchers needed dogs to work their herds, and as none of the existing breeds fit the bill, they started breeding a dog fit-to-purpose.

Early breed history is sketchy, but it is believed that crosses between the Smooth Collie, Kelpie, Dalmatian, and even wild Dingos went into creating what became known as the Queensland Blue Heeler.

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The earliest Blue Heelers were bred with courage, speed and agility in mind and proved to be exceptional cattle dogs. But the breed we know today was refined and standardized mainly thanks to a man named Robert Kaleski, who drew up the first standard in 1902.

In 1903, New South Wales Kennel Club status was granted under the name Australian Cattle Dog, although Blue Heeler is still commonly used in Australia.

The ACD is a single-minded dog that has absolute focus on the job at hand. They are highly intelligent, pliant, and easy to train. They are also extremely loyal and eager to please, although somewhat suspicious of strangers.

These dogs control cattle by nipping at their heels, and they have particularly strong jaws, with formidable teeth. It is therefore important that biting and nipping should not be tolerated in a puppy.

This is a hardy, robust breed with few congenital disorders. Due to the work it does, the ACD is more likely to suffer injury than illness.

These are medium sized dogs, standing about 18-20 inches at the withers. They have a broad skull and deep muzzle in order to deliver that powerful bite. The body is sturdy, and the coat is short, harsh and weather resistant. All puppies are born white and the coat later takes on the patchwork appearance that is characteristic of the breed.

Coat colors are primarily merle or red. The merle coat features blue mottling, while the red coat has red speckling. Both variants feature a spray of white on the tail.

Aside from being a herding dog, the Australian Cattle Dog makes an excellent pet for the right owner. The proviso though is that the owner needs to be an active, outdoor type who is prepared to meet the dog's considerable exercise needs.

Remember that these are, first and foremost, working dogs, so they need lots of activity and, preferably, a job to do.

If you’re stuck for dog names, for your Australian Cattle Dog, I’d recommend that you check out Puppy Names HQ, an online database that has thousands of excellent dog names including a huge list of female dog names.

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