Swedish Vallhund

Original Usage: Farm dog, cattle and sheep herder.

Group: Herding(Both AKC and UKC)

Life Span: About 12 to 15 years

Fur color selection: Sable pattern in colors ranging from grey to red, with darker shades on the back, neck, and sides and has light harness markings.

Grooming: Swedish Vallhund's need to be brushed twice a week. Clip their their nails monthly. Brush their teeth daily to prevent plaque. Clean ears and eyes weekly.

Weight: Female: 30 to 32 pounds

               Male: 33 to 35 pounds

Personality: Swedish Vallhund's are alert to any sound or activity and are eager to please.

Trainabilty: Hard. To make the training process a little easier, use clicker training and treat as their reward to listening to you.

Activity Level: Swedish Vallhund's are very energetic. They need plenty of exercise.

Known Health Problems: Retinopathy and hip dysplasia.

Are Swedish Vallhund's good with children? Yes especially with older children when they are trained.

Are Swedish Vallhund's good with other pet? Yes. If trained and socialized with them.

Shuntz Disease

Shuntz disease is a type of liver disease that is cause by a poor diet. It allows blood to bypass the liver, which is not cleaned by the bodily filters. The blood moves around the liver instead of inside the liver. Sometimes, dental disease can cause increased liver enzymes activities. They have to be put on specific diets unlike other liver diseases. The dog has to be on a low protein diet, preferably vegetarian diets. You must avoid foods that contain soy, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus, peas, mushrooms, and beans. Supplements such as SAM-e (S-denosyl-L-Methionine). SAM-e is best to be taken on an empty stomach, along with vitamin B.

This disease is serious. There is a chance that may have to have surgery

Symptoms: body swaying, poor growth, seizures, pushing their head up against something for no reason whatsoever, strange behavior mostly after eating. This disease does affect the blood flow to the brain.

other names for this disease: Portosystemic Shunts

For more information, CLICK HERE

What kind of plants can dogs NOT eat?

               Marijuana

          Can Cause Symptoms of:

           *Slow Heart Rate

           *Lack of Coordination

           *Disorientation

           *Drooling

           *Tremors, that can last up to 3 days

                                                         Azalea
                                          If eaten, it can cause:
                                     *Digestive Upset
                                     *Loss of appetite
                                     *Weakness
                                     *Leg paralysis
                                     *Coma
                                     *Death

     Black Walnuts

                                 If eaten, it can cause:
                                 *Tremors
                                 *Seizures
                                 

                                             Castor Beans
                                      If eaten, it can cause:
                                        *Burning of the mouth
                                        *Burning of the throat
                                        *Excessive thirst
                                        *Vomiting
                                        *Diarrhea

                                                     Daffodils
                                              If eaten, can cause:
                                          *Vomiting
                                          *Excessive salivations
                                          *Diarrhea
                                          *Tremors
                                          *Heart Problems

                                      Dieffenbachia
                                 If eaten, it can cause:
                                  *Burning to the mouth
                                  *Burning to the throat
                                  *Swelling to the Esophagus
                                  *Blockage of airway

                                                     Grapes/Raisins
                                                       Can cause:
                                                        *Diarrhea
                                                        *Vomiting
                                                        *Kidney Failure                             

                                                 Lilies
                                        If Eaten it can cause:
                                          *Gastrointestinal upset
                                          *Depression
                                          *Anorexia
                                          *Tremors

                                                Mushrooms
                                          If eaten, it can Cause:
                                             *Vomiting
                                             *Swelling to the brain

                                                 Sago Palm
                      If eaten, go to your pet emergency room IMMEDIATELY

                                               Avocado
                                   If eaten, it can cause:
                                    *Inflammation
                                    *Damage heart cells

                                          Macadamia Nuts
                                       If eaten, it can cause:
                                        *Weakness in rear legs
                                        *Tremors
                                        *Pain
                                        *Low Fever

                                                  Raw Bread Dough
                                           If eaten, it can cause:
                                           *Decreased blood flow
                                           *Expanding Stomach
                                           *Death of tissue
                                           *Lack of coordination
                                           *Vomiting
                                           *Disorientation
                                           *Coma
                                           *Seizures
                                           *Death

                                            Chocolate
                                     If eaten, it can cause:
                                      *Vomiting
                                      *Thirst
                                      *Abdominal Discomfort
                                      *Severe agitation
                                      *Muscle Tremors
                                      *Irregular heart rhythm
                                      *High Body Temperature
                                      *Seizures
                                      *Death

                                       Onions and Garlic
                                      If eaten, it can cause:
                                   *Damage Red Blood cells
                                   *Weak or reluctant to move

                                                

                                                          Xylithol
                                              If eaten it can cause:
                                                  *Disorientation
                                                  *Seizures
                                                  *Liver failure

Wordless Wednesday: My Dog Darcy

Beauceron

American Kennel Club (AKC): Herding Group

Life Span: 10-12 years

Weight: 65-85 pounds

Height: 24.5-27.5 inches tall

Other names: Berger de Beauce, Bas-Rouge

Uses: Police, herding, and guardian

Temperament: Intelligent, great memory, reliable, eager to please, full of energy, loyal

Exercise: Needs physical and mental exercise activities daily. If they do not get their daily exercise, they may become bored and destructive

Possible  Health Issues:

Litter: 6-7 puppies

Other Information: Beaucerons are full of energy and love to spend time with their family.

Affenpinscher dog

Life span: 10-12 years

Weight: 7-8 pounds (about 3 kilograms)

Height: 9-11 inches (about 24 centimeters)

Litter: 1-3 puppies

Grooming: does not need to be brushed that often because of their short hair.

Temperament: Often thought of as a comically serious dog. They are loyal, full of energy, trouble-making, bossy

American Kennel Club (AKC) Group: Toy Group

Living Conditions: Can live in an apartment

Health Problems: prone for fractures, leg dislocation

Other Information: Affenpinscher is German for monkey dog. They are easy to train

Choosing The Perfect Rabbit for You

Are you thinking of purchasing a rabbit? Do you know anything about them?

 Rabbits are very easy to care for, but first you have to choose the best rabbit. You never want to adopt a rabbit that appears to be bald, has cloudy eyes, or has discharge on the nose. When you see these characteristics, you know that there must be something wrong. They could be the start stages of myxomatosis or "snuffles." It is also a sign that the rabbit was in a unclean environment. Having a clean environment for your rabbit is the key to a healthy pet.

You must know whether you want a rabbit that has long or short fur. You need to brush the rabbit who has longer hair. There several sizes, colors, and patterns of the rabbits to choose from.

The smallest are the Dwarf breeds. Next comes medium and then large breeds. The smaller the rabbit, the easier to take care for. You can purchase rabbits from pet stores where cats and dogs are found.

Good Luck! :)