Chow Chow

This past week, my boyfriend and I were making our weekly round in Petsmart when we saw a lady with this cute fluffy dog.  I'm not sure if it was purebred or not, but this dog definitely had some Chow Chow in him.  He was so cute!  I knew I couldn't leave him out of my blog.  So let's find out about this adorable dog.

(Thanks AcoBox for the pic)

General Information:

• Only dog born with 44 teeth
• Known to be aggressive/dangerous
• But after training this dog, it's a great addition
• Has a blue-black tongue
• Straight hind legs
• Double coated, rough or smooth
• Loyal
• Height: 17-20 inches
• Weight: 45-70 pounds

Health:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Entropion
• Often snore
• Life expectancy: About 15 years

Grooming:

• Seasonal, heavy shedders
• Need to constantly brush

Environment:

• Okay for apartment life with daily exercise
• Cranky without exercise
• Need to be kept in cool places

Type of Owner:

• Good for adults after training, but not a great family pet
• Needs to socialize with other people and pets so as not to be too protective

So it seems that while this dog is incredibly cute, they aren't necessarily the best choice for me.  I do plan to have a family someday, and I can't have an aggressive dog in the house that may harm my kids.  However, I will definitely pet any dog that was as happy as the little Chow I met at PetSmart.  I'll just have to appreciate these doggies whenever I happen to come across them.

(Thanks to Dogs101, DogBreedInfo, and American Kennel Club for their info!)

English Bulldogs

So, we've made it to the point where I've run out of dogs that I personally know. However, there is a dog that I just find completely adorable. Every time I see one, I just have to exclaim, "Awww!." They just have a goofy look about them that makes them all the more endearing. This is the dog that I would really like to get, but the question is, will it be the perfect dog for me?

General Information:

• Protective, Affectionate, Gentle, Determined
• Related to French Bulldog
• Have an underbite
• Short coat
• Energetic when puppies
• Height: 12-15 inches
• Weight: 52-55 pounds

Health:

• Prone to breathing problems 
• Sensitive to heat and cold
• Skin infections
• Hip and knee problems 
• Easily overheat
• Drools

Grooming:

• Brush with brittle brush or rough cloth
• Wipe with cloth between wrinkles
• Average shedder

Environment:

• Good for apartments
• Better indoors because of sensitivity to weather

Type of Owner:

• Great with kids
• Need pack leader or can become too defensive and stubborn 

Maybe now you can see why I love Bulldogs so much.  I''m not an outdoors person, so this dog actually fits in with my lifestyle.  And I really would like an indoor dog, so keeping it inside with me is not a problem.  They're just so cute, even if they are stubborn.  Maybe they're like having another child!  So perhaps this dog would be a great fit for couples wanting to practice being parents.  Bulldogs may be considered lazy by some standards, but they definitely have the looks and affection to make up for any of their faults.

(Thanks to Dog Breed Info, AKC, and other sites for their help!)

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!)