Black Labrador

So in my previous post, I talked about Pumpkin, a Greyhound/Chihuahua mix.  Well Pumpkin has a little buddy.  Okay, maybe he isn't so little.  But he sure thinks he is!  He lets Pumpkin run circles around him, and doesn't even try to argue.  This dog is so loving and just wants the people around him to be happy.  He's a big teddy bear.  He hates thunderstorms, running inside whenever one hits.  This dog's name is Luke.  And he is a Black Lab.  Now, I'm not going to lie and say that I know for sure that Luke is a full Black Lab.  But it's the closest I could come to describing him!

Now...on to the interesting part!

General Information:

• Most popular breed in the United States
• There are two different kinds, American and English
• American is tall and lanky
• English are heavier and bulkier
• Intelligent, even temperament, love to play, eager to please (like Luke)
• Height: 21- 24 inches
• Weight: 55-75 pounds
  

Health:

• Prone to hip and elbow dysplasia
• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and eye disorders

Grooming:

• Shed seasonally
• Brush and groom regularly
• Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary

Environment:

• Okay indoors
• Better to at least give this dog a decent yard to run around in

Type of Owner:

• Great for families
• Easily trained
• But also need a strong pack leader to overcome their playfulness

So even if Luke isn't a purebred Black Labrador, he sure has the characteristics of one, a truly loving and playful dog. This breed is just about the cutest breed in my opinion; if only they weren't so gosh darn big!

(Thanks to AKC, Dog Breed Info, and BlackLabrador for their information!)

Chihuahuas

My boyfriend's cousin's dog (I know that's a lot), Pumpkin, is a Chihuahua/Greyhound mix.  I know that sounds odd, but she mostly looks like a Chihuahua.  Now, this dog breed is probably my least favorite.  Not because I don't think Chihuahuas have a cute side, but because they just look so darn puny!  It's too small of a dog for me, but I thought I'd look into why everyone goes crazy over this little dog.

General Information:

• They like to be carried around and pampered
• Smallest breed of dog in the world
• Protective, Sweet, and Loving for their owner (Like to cling to one person)
• Radar ears (folded down when they're puppies)
• Think they're quite tough
• Height: 6-9 inches
• Weight: 2-6 pounds

Health:

• Risk of Obesity, leading to Diabetes and Dislocation of Kneecaps
• Generally healthy
• Daily walks, including playtime
• Life span: 15+ years

Grooming:

• Little shedding
• Short coat only needs occasional brushing; long coat needs it daily

Environment:

• Best to keep these tiny doggies inside
• Do not leave outside unattended (Look like prey to birds)
• Best in warmer climates

Type of Owner:

• Not very good for families
• Children may drop them
• Chihuahua may be overly babied because of its size
• Needs an owner that doesn't feed it too much and balances babying with discipline

So, maybe Chihuahuas aren't as puny as I thought; they're just a small breed!  Maybe part of the reason I dislike them is their tendency to become "divas" after being constantly babied.  Make sure not to let this happen to your Chihuahua!  You need to be the pack leader. =]

(Thanks to Dogs 101 and Dog Breed Info Center for the information!)

Yorkshire Terriers

Over Thanksgiving this past year, my aunt and uncle purchased a new puppy for my ten and twelve-year old cousins. Their dog, Jojo, a two-year old Yorkshire Terrier, had been hit by a car a couple of months earlier. They'd only had him since Christmas. My cousins, not to mention my aunt, were devastated, and wanted another little dog around the house. Of course they loved Yorkies, and since my aunt and uncle's oldest son, a sixteen-year old, has had problems with dog allergies in the past, a Yorkie was a best choice. So, they bought this new little puppy, which they named Bear, and he is the cutest, most energetic little puppy you could imagine.

In honor of Bear, and Jojo, I thought I would give you guys some information on Yorkies.

General Information:

•  Adventuresome, Energetic, Very Loyal, Clever
•  Small dog
•  6-7 inches tall
• Weigh about 7 pounds full grown
•  Docked tail
•  Glossy, silky, long-haired coat
• Protective of their family

Health:

•  Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
•  Possibilities of:
•  Bronchitis
•  Eye infections
• Hypoglycemia
• Tracheal collapse (Use harness leash to help prevent this)
• Take the dog on daily walks, but play is a better way of exercising this little dog

Grooming:

• Daily Brushing
• Monthly bath
• Little to No shedding
• Regular grooming for short coat
• Long coat requires high maintenance (Wrapping coat in tissue paper with oil)

Environment:

• These little dogs are best indoors
• Can be helpful for people with allergies, since it does not shed much, but allergies come from dander and saliva of dogs. Depends on person and dog for allergies to flare.

Type of Owner:

• Strong leader
• May be aggressive with strangers and other animals if not properly trained
• Good for families as long as the dog is not allowed to take over

Yorkies are perfect pets for people searching for an indoor pet that doesn't shed or take up much space. With that said, the dog can also take over. Make sure to train it well and establish yourself as the leader. Yorkies will be the most lovable and fitting dog for families in apartments, or for a family wishing for an indoor dog, but be sure to train it well!

(Thanks to Wikipedia and Dog Breed Info Center for their help!)

Welcome to My Blog!

Welcome to my journey!  I'm looking for a dog that my boyfriend and I can adopt one day, and I hope to help you find your own dog along the way.

I'm living on campus at my college, and my dog, Cady, is at home with my family.  I only get to see her a few times a month when I go home, and so I thought I would write this post in honor of her.  I bought Cady on the side of the road when she was 8 weeks old.  A lady was giving away these puppies that had their shots, and only asked for donations for her expenses.  My dad bought Cady for me for $20.  She was the runt of the bunch, and of course a mutt.  But she is the happiest and most lovable dog I could ask for.

I'm not sure what breeds Cady has mixed in, but her body structure and coloring has always seemed to me to be like a Pit Bull Terrier.

Here is some General Information about the Pit Bull Terrier: 

• Loving, Protective, Intelligent, Eager to Please
• Needs a Strong Caretaker (one willing to train) 
• Medium-sized dog
• Short, shiny coat
• Cropped ears 
• 18-22 inches tall at the shoulders
• Average of 30-60 lbs.

Health: 

• Life expectancy: About 12 years 
• May be prone to hip dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, allergies to grass, and congenital heart disease 
• Daily exercise, long daily walks

Grooming: 

• Bathe as needed 
• Brush regularly with dense bristle brush
• Apply chamois to make coat shine 
• Average shedder

Environment:

• Apartments are okay with daily exercise 
• Better for dog to be in an active environment

Type of Owner: 

• Multiple dogs may be an issue if other dogs are small (can be seen as prey) 
• Good for children

So, while Pit Bull Terriers have a bad representation as being an aggressive dog, all the sites I’ve seen have described this dog as a loving and loyal animal.  If trained well by a strong leader, a pit bull terrier is as obedient and affectionate as any other breed.

(Thanks to Wikipedia, Dog Breed Info Center, and Bulldogbreeds for their information!)