Thursday, June 28, 2012

Good family dogs- which dogs are best for larger families?

Good family dogs- Which dogs are best for larger families?

Black Labs: The Perfect Family Pet

Author: Rebecca Glessner

One of the most popular breed of dogs is no other than black Labs, or Labrador retrievers because not only has this sort of breed found its favor amongst a number of humans as the perfect pet but they are capable of playing working roles.

The black Labradors origins lie in the North Eastern region of Canada where the dog we see and know today are descendants of the Newfoundland Dog and even though here has been reports recorded of similar animals that date back in the 16th century, they are accepted as a near relative of the Newfoundland dog.

Black labs are the perfect family dog for elderly as well as children because of their loving and protective nature. They have webbed paws that make them exceptionally good swimmers and have been used to fetch nets, and going back in the late times these black Labradors as well as other retriever breeds have been used for hunting to fetch game. Labrador retrievers are also known to be used for official use because of their outstanding detection skills as well as their working abilities. Labradors work well with every other breed of dog as well as people, so it makes them the perfect kind of dogs when it comes to assistance as they have also been widely used as assistant dogs in which they help the disabled with everyday tasks with the help of trainers.

What makes the black Labradors perfect for children and elders? Labrador retrievers are friendly and gentle animals and they play fairly well with people. Unlike some of the breeds of dogs, Labradors are not as aggressive as most and are easily trained because of their intelligent characteristics. Labrador retrievers are athletic breeds and love to play catch, swim and play retrieve games – thus from their name ‘retrievers' and what makes them even better is their protective nature. When they know that trouble or perhaps an unwanted guest has arrived or perhaps broken in; the Labrador retriever will respond almost immediately to protect the people of the house.

There are two kinds of Labradors; the American and English Labradors. The English lab bred come from the English bred stock and their general appearance differ from that of the American lab. The English lab have a particularly heavy structure, blocker and thicker. The American lad comes from the American bred stock with a taller structure compared to the English lab bred and is more angular. Labradors have smoother coats and have fewer waves than most dogs with broader head, thick nose, fairly wide muzzle, proportionally wide neck and its body slightly taller as it is longer.

Black labs have water resistant fur and they shed once every year, all depending on the temperature as well as the masters care for its coat. Because of the praises and the breed's success, it is quite enough to say that it is in fact the best dog to have because of its abilities when it comes to adapting to local conditions.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/black-labs-the-perfect-family-pet-5991694.html

About the Author

Learn more about black labrador and black lab puppies for sale online at AshlandKennel.Com.

Getting the Perfect Family Dog

Author: Amber Constantine

There are many factors you should consider when choosing a family dog. Brining a dog into your household is one of the most exciting things and an experience your whole family should enjoy and this is why it is very important that you do your research properly in order to be able to choose the right dog for your family environment. Properly educating yourself to make the right choice can make the difference between a successful and enjoyable experience and a disappointing experience that may leave your family fearful of dogs for life.

Before deciding on the perfect family dog for your household you should decide who the primary care giver will be. The primary care giver should be someone who is at home a lot of the time and who has the time to care for the dog. Caring for a dog doesn't only mean feeding him; dogs are social animals and require a lot of attention as well. If you travel a lot you should reconsider getting a dog unless someone can take care of him while you're away. Are you an active person or a couch potato? All these things will influence the type of dog you ultimately choose.

If the primary caregiver is a child you will have to have a serious conversation with them about responsibility and what taking care of a dog entails. Make sure the child understands that this is a lifetime commitment and that he or she will be responsible for the dog's needs for the rest of its life. The child should understand that even when the novelty of owning a puppy wears off, the dog will still need to be given a lot of attention and care.

If the caregiver is a senior you should decide if they are physically able to take care of a dog, and if so then you may consider a smaller breed dog or a breed that is easy to handle. Take some time to visit nearby shelters to get an idea about the different sized dogs available for adoption. Talk to the shelter staff and try to learn about different breeds of dogs and their different traits. Just because a dog belongs to a breed known for its manageability doesn't necessarily mean even dog in that breed is manageable – dogs are individuals with individual personalities. Don't take home the first dog that manages to tug at your heartstrings, keep in mind that the dog you choose to take home will rely on you for the rest of its life, so make your choice wisely.

If your family is the outgoing type and you enjoy participating in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, you should look for a dog that you can include in your hobbies. Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds make great companions for active dog owners. These dogs make great pets for households with athletic, young adults as they love to play and exercise vigorously. Some of these dogs also enjoy swimming, so if you like swimming these are good dogs to own. Spaniels are very active dogs as well but require regular grooming as they have long haired coats.

If your family is active but you'd prefer a smaller sized dog, terriers are very active little dogs. Jack Russell terriers are known for being hyperactive and as is the case with most dogs in the terrier group, they need a lot of exercise to remain healthy and happy. Chihuahuas make great pets for senior citizens because of their tiny sizes. They enjoy sitting on their owner's laps while they watch TV or knit and they are of a very easy to handle size. Chihuahuas also make great little watchdogs as they will alert if a stranger approaches the door.

If you're a fan of big dogs, there are quite a few you can consider such as the Pyrenees or Akita. These are impressive dogs but are high maintenance due to their long haired coats. If these dogs aren't groomed on a regular basis they are prone to developing skin conditions. Bernese Mountain dogs and Saint Bernards are massive dogs that enjoy light exercise and love to lounge about. Due to their slow, laid back natures, they may not make the ideal pet for households with teenagers or very active children.

Poodles make great family dogs and come in all shapes and sizes. They are a highly intelligent and easily trained breed and you can find the perfect poodle for almost any type of lifestyle. There are even tempered individuals as well as hyperactive poodles so you'll need to spend some time with a poodle to determine if its personality will suit your household. Poodles require professional grooming however, and you should keep this in mind before getting one.

The more you educate yourself about the different dog breed available and their traits, the better you'll be when choosing your new dog. Read about breeds you like and try to learn about their particular traits as well as any health issues they are predisposed to. The last thing you want to do is bring a dog into your home only to discover he may develop a genetic condition that will end up breaking your heart. Try to visit breeder's kennels to learn more about a breed you like. Reputable breeders have no problem educating prospective customers about their dogs.

Read all you can about the breed of dog you're considering to decide if it will be happy in your household and if your family can provide it with the care it needs. Some dogs have different requirements than others and you should pick a dog that will fit into your particular lifestyle. If you're a laid back person who spends more time indoors than out you shouldn't choose an active breed to bring into your household. Spend time with a dog you're interested in to learn more about its personality, you wouldn't buy a car without inspecting it, would you? The same applies to pets. Remember that owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and one you shouldn't take lightly.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/getting-the-perfect-family-dog-2672708.html

About the Author

Amber Contant is a featured adviser and author discussing the issues that all pet owning families will experience. Amber works with Pet-Super-Store. Visit her site for a great selection of electric dog fences and dog training collars.

Good Family Dogs

Author: Kelly

Mild tempered dogs are dogs that are not aggressive, dominant or stubborn. They make great family pets for the elderly, people with children or those who do not want to spend a lot of time on training. Many breeds are popular because of their easy temperament and unfailing devotion to their people.

The temperament of a dog has nothing to do with its size or looks. Irish Wolfhounds, Golden Retrievers and Maltese are three breeds that could not look more different but are unfailingly gentle and affectionate. They look to people for direction, and are happy with whatever that direction might be.

Just because a dog is mild tempered does not make them boring. They still want to get out and romp in the yard, jog or take a walk around the neighborhood. They might not demand attention and exercise but will always be happier when it is provided, and it is up to the owner to make sure that their sweet and lovable pet gets all the stimulation that it needs.

There is an important distinction between mild tempered and timid. A timid dog is anything but easy to care for. Easy going dogs want to investigate new people and situations, while a timid dog avoids them. When picking out a new dog prospective dog owners should always give a second glance to those dogs that go out of their way to check out these new people looking at them.

Dogs and children go together, but good-natured dogs and children develop fierce bonds that will last a lifetime. This forms a great foundation for a future dog-loving adult. Children will learn how to handle, care for and love dogs, which helps them to build a sense of responsibility.

Training mild tempered dogs is normally easy. Once the dog figures out what you want them to do, they are happy perform on command. They will sit, stay, down and heel and never get tired of it. It is important to train all dogs regardless of temperament. This helps to establish the humans as the alpha dog, keeps the dog safe because they are under the control of a human and makes living together much easier.

No matter how easy going a dog is, he will always want to do dog stuff like barking at strangers, chasing squirrels and chewing up an occasional slipper. The difference is when the owner tells a mild tempered dog to stop the unwanted behavior, he does.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/good-family-dogs-5983664.html

About the Author

I hope you enjoyed this article. My site http://informationaboutdogs.biz has a lot of information about dogs, diseases, and types of dogs.

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