Grooming Airedale Terriers - How to Prepare Your Pup For Grooming

Grooming your Airedale Terrier pup is a happy getting-acquainted time. Read this to learn how to start right, and you will have a dog that is easy to groom and will become a good companion.

Tools for the job

All you need now is a light weight plastic bristle brush, a simple sturdy comb, heavy duty plier-type nail clippers -- your Airedale will need them soon -- and dog shampoo,

Introduce your lively, wriggly Airedale Terrier puppy to grooming after it has had its wild romp and is tired. Hold the dog on your lap and gently massage its head and body, legs, feet, pads, nails and tail. Tug the tail a little. Some Airedale pups are especially touchy here. Check for sensitive areas. Get to know your Airedale's likes and dislikes. Talk to your pet using its name often. Hug, hold but do not smother it with love.

At this important early stage, from seven weeks on, grooming the Airedale is about spending time with the dog.

Mouthing, the game a litter of pups plays as they grow, is a real difficulty when grooming and living with an Airedale terrier. A bouncy open-jawed, snappy pup with sharp little teeth is not amusing. The dog is not attentive in this mental state. Never allow any "mouthing" -- the cute puppy growling, grabbing your hands or clothing becomes very annoying, and quite painful very quickly. Hold the jaws together gently for a second and use the CLOSE command every time the pup tries mouthing; release and praise, repeat patiently, lovingly. It is quite easy to prepare your little Airedale Terrier for living in a home and for grooming at this age.

While training for grooming be calm, enjoy your Airedale. It will take its cue from you and become calm.

Start Grooming

Brush the dog from head to tail holding the animal gently, firmly on your lap. This action will remind the pup of being licked by its mother. Your are building trust. Do this daily for a few minutes whenever you hold your dog. Concentrate on the whole body. Remember the tail tug. Enjoy this time with your dog, it is the beginning of a long special friendship.

All these attentions will pay off when it is time to introduce and use nail clippers and electric hair clippers. Your dog will have learned to trust you, to make the transition from kennel to home easily, to accept grooming happily.

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Akita Puppy - The First Few Days

After the delivery, mother and puppies are best left on their own, while you get some rest. When you return to the whelping box you should find a contented scene, with the mother busily attending to her babies. By now, the puppies should be sucking strongly and their coats should have dried out and will look like shining velvet. Approach carefully, so as not to disturb the mother. She needs to practise the art of not stepping on her puppies, so give her the chance to leave the box calmly and sedately, if she wishes to do so. This will give you a good opportunity to inspect her for any discharge and make sure that she can stand easily. You may have to clean her, although she will probably have done a good job of this herself. She should also be offered food and a drink at this stage.

The bitch will want to return to her puppies as quickly as possible. Help her to position them, and then you may begin your inspection. We do not weigh our puppies, although many people do. We do not see the point, because even if they do not weigh the ideal weight, there is little you can do about it. It is far better to let nature take its course. In the first few days all the puppies will feed well, whatever their size. It is only later that a smaller one may need help to hang on to the fullest teat, so that it is not pushed aside by larger puppies.

The first few days should be ones of watchfulness, though you should also handle the puppies, so they get used to the touch of the human hand. You will need to move them to change their bedding, and if they know your touch right from the start, they will accept it as part of their life. Never take a puppy away from the whelping box; whatever you do must be done under the mother's nose, just as it was during the delivery. After all, they are her babies and she wants them. You are just the helper. Puppies are very quick to tell mother, and you, if there is anything wrong. An ill or unhappy puppy will not be contented. Sometimes the mother will tell you the puppy is "rejected" by pushing it away. You may not be able to see any problem, but in our experience the bitch knows what she is doing. It is a difficult situation, but any rejected puppy should be seen by your vet to try to establish what is wrong.

Given that they are all healthy you should check that all the puppies can feed easily. Place your little finger on to the roof of the mouth to ensure there is no cleft palate. Feel the rear legs to check for the dew-claws. These may or may not be present. If they are, they may be large, small, double or minute. Dew-claws on an Akita puppy can be located in the usual place, just above the rear foot on the inside of the leg, or sometimes right at the bottom almost on the last toe. They are sometimes so small that you can miss them on a quick inspection. The best way to check is to gently rub your fingernail from the toe up the inside of the leg to the hock joint. Repeat this process each day for the first five days, in case a claw has grown during that time. We always ask the vet to remove dew-claws at five days, and not before. It is not until five days that the blood gains clotting properties, and so then the operation can be done without causing bleeding and minimising the risk of infection. Keep an eye on the umbilical cord to ensure it dries up properly and that there are no signs of swelling or rupture. The whelping box should be kept warm, at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit for the first few days.

Related book

Guide to Owning an Akita: Puppy Care, Grooming, Training, History, Health, Breed Standard

It is a recent book on the Akita dog. The photos are of excellent quality. A small book jammed packed with everything you need to know about the Akita. A great beginners book for anyone considering obtaining this breed.

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What should I use to brush my dog's teeth?

If you have a young puppy introducing a tooth brushing routine will probably be much easier then if you have an adult dog. In either case start slow, keep the sessions short, and be very gentle while working in your dog’s mouth. Use lots of praise and reassurance to reinforce good behavior. You will not want to give your dog treats during this task for obvious reasons.

Since a dog will swallow whatever you use never brush your dog’s teeth with “people” toothpaste. This toothpaste is not formulated to be ingested and can upset your dog’s stomach. It’s also designed to foam which is not desirable when brushing a dog’s teeth. So use a pet toothpaste formulated for dog dental care that does not require rinsing.

You will also need a pet toothbrush. There's a great triple sided pet toothbrush that will get the job done faster than a traditional style toothbrush. Or if you have a small dog you may want to try a pet finger toothbrush. Finger toothbrushes slip right onto your finger and are easily controlled to reach the common trouble spots up near the gum line. Add some specially formulated tartar removing toothpaste and you’re all set. Dog toothpaste is even available in all-natural formulas and yummy flavors like chicken and vanilla.

If this is your dog’s first toothbrush look for a pet dental care kit to get you started. These kits typically include a pet toothbrush, a tube of pet toothpaste and a pet finger toothbrush.

Pet dental wipes are great for use on dogs that resist brushing. These easy-to-use pet teeth cleaning pads help remove food debris and plaque, kill germs and help to control bad breath. If your dog will not allow you to use the toothbrush method try using dental wipes regularly as part of your dog’s home dental care program.

You may also want to try to increase the amount of time your dog spends chewing on real bones, dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews.

This type of chewing helps remove food debris and prevents tartar build up. If your dog chews enough you may be able to reduce how often you need to manually brush your dog’s teeth.

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What's Not to Like About Airedale Terriers?

While Airedale Terriers have always been a very sought-after breed, they were at one time incredibly popular. This occurred when former President Harding, a fervent animal lover, had one as a companion while serving his term at the White House. Laddie Boy was the name of the President's Airedale and he appeared regularly at White House functions, including specific charitable events that benefited animals. Practically every move he made was reported by the press on an almost daily basis. No other White House dog has ever received such unprecedented coverage. Perhaps this was due to the fact that the President and his wife made no bones about the fact that Laddie Boy was a treasured pet.

Later after the President died, a commemorative sculpture was made of Laddie Boy as a memorial to the president. The sculpture is now housed at the Smithsonian Institute.

Sadly, during the years of the Airedale Terrier's high popularity, a lot of careless and profit-driven breeding occurred that reflected negatively on the breed. Fortunately, a dedicated group of breeders with a sincere interest in perpetuating the Airedale's best traits, carried on to restore its good reputation and standard.

Today, the Airedale, while not receiving the kind of celebrity status it had during President Harding's time, still has a very strong following and is considered one of the best all around companion dogs.

Many owners will attest to the unswerving devotion of this breed. Couple that with their toughness against physical discomfort - you really have to keep an eye on them to spot any ailments because they rarely let on - and you have one heck of a strong dog.

And, when it comes to family, you would never believe that these dogs were once such rugged and supreme hunters - especially the Ooorang Airedale strain, because their gentleness with kids is so remarkable. They are really big lap dogs in disguise, but make no qualms about defending their family if need be.

Airedale Terriers - Will They Suit Your Lifestyle?

Although there's certainly a lot to like about the magnificent Airedale, they may not be a suitable pet for your particular lifestyle. Some things to consider:

• First of all, they are high energy dogs, which is great if you are too. They like to be with a family that is active and that will include them in almost everything. It also means that they need to be well-exercised and will get bored if left alone too long.
• The Airedale is a big dog so he is more suited to owners who can handle his size. Plus a house with a yard is to be preferred over apartment living.
• Airedale Terriers are both charming, intelligent and versatile. With this amount of potential, they need an owner who has time to train them and provide structure. Without leadership, they will readily become your boss!
• He'll live about 13 years, so being able to commit to his care for this period of time is also a top consideration.

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Beagle Health Issues

Keeping Your Beagle Healthy

Of all the animals in the animal kingdom, dogs are the most commonly loved and loving. They, of all the critters man interacts with, seem to be the one that understands man to which that man can relate. It is no mistake that dogs are usually the animals that are trained to serve and assist man when physical disabilities prevent a person from living their daily lives. They are devoted and selfless in their devotion. In addition, none exemplifies that more than the Beagle. In this article, we will discuss Beagle health issues.

Regular Visits to a Good Veterinarian is a Must

Beagles are intelligent, friendly, loyal, even tempered, great with children, and are cute to boot. In addition, to keep them happy and healthy, they require regular visits to a good veterinarian. For Beagles are susceptible to unique health problems in addition to the normal concerns of rabies, ticks, etc.

Unique Potential Health Problems

Because of their long floppy ears, they need to have them cleaned regularly. Airflow can allow moisture, heat, and dirt to collect inside the ear canal. Due to their often-ravenous appetite, which urges them to eat a lot, table scraps and other human foods should not be given. Those foods are not healthy and could lead to obesity or even dysplasia. They should be fed only high quality dog food. Occasionally, Beagles will suffer from Distichiasis, which is a condition in which the eyelashes grow facing inward into the eye. It can be very painful.

Where You get Your Beagle is Key

Unless you get your pet from a reputable breeder, Beagles can sometimes have congenital heart disease problems. You should choose wisely when deciding where to buy your pet. Beagles also are prone to polyarthritis that can affect Beagles even at a young age. Again, regular visits to a good vet will help prevent your pet from the ravages of that condition which affects multiple joints and painfully “age” your dog before his time.

Beagles also are susceptible to Epilepsy or seizures. Your vet can prescribe medications for that. One of the most severe of Beagle health issues is Lymphoma. That form of cancer does not occur frequently, but enough to cause concern for regular vet visits. A less dangerous condition, but one that can affect everyone, even the very young, is Cherry Eye, or Glandular hypertrophy. This condition is a swelling of the third eyelid and results in a visible red lump in the corner of the eye. It is not life or vision threatening and can be treated with an ophthalmic ointment. Alternatively, the gland that causes the condition can be surgically removed.

Another minor but disconcerting condition is called a “reverse sneeze”. The dog gasps and breathes out heavily over and over. There are examples of that on YouTube that illustrate what it is and even some suggestions on how to help your pet stop it.

Things to Consider

The bottom line to all this is:

• When acquiring a pet, make sure you research the breed to better help you determine if you and your pet will be right for each other.
• Make sure you buy from a reliable and reputable breeder.
• Take your Beagle for regular check-ups.
• Feed him only high quality dog food
• Find out how to train him and do it lovingly

If you follow these sensible rules, you will have a happy, healthy pet that will be your loyal and loving companion for many years.

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What Your Basset Hound Inherits

This short-legged breed of dog of the hound family, a Basset Hound attracts the attention of many dog lovers because of its long downward ears, wrinkles around its sad eyes and tail tipped in white. Though this breed tends to be healthier compared to other breeds of dog, they are not exempted to inherit diseases and disorders that could damage their health and stop them from doing their usual activities.

Dog lovers, especially those who prefer a basset Hound should be aware of these diseases and disorders that could possibly be inherited by their dogs.

Bleeding Disorders - Bleeding disorders inherited by dogs are Von Willebrand's disease and Canine Thrombophatia. Von Willebrand's disease affects the blood's ability to clot while Canine Thrombophatia is a disorder of small blood cells called platelets or thrombocytes. Excessive bleeding will occur when a dog with one of these diseases is wounded because of the inability of the blood to clot. Signs of bleeding disorder include excessive bleeding from wounds, bleeding from the nose or gum, blood in stool or urine and red spots on the underside of the belly.

Bloat - Bloat is another term used to describe gastric dilatation. It is a life-threatening condition in which a dog's stomach fills up with swallowed air and then rotates. A dog normally swallows air during exercise or strenuous activity or when a dog swallows food or water. However, the swallowed air should be released through burp or else bloat develops. Bloat may quickly result in death because once the stomach has rotated, the blood supply is cut off and the dog's condition declines quickly. A swollen belly and non-productive vomiting and retching indicate this disease. 

Another indications include restlessness, abdominal pain, rapid and shallow breathing and profuse drooling.

This disease can be easily prevented. To prevent bloat from developing, veterinarians recommend dog owners to feed their Basset Hound two to three small meals a day instead of the usual one large meal. Giving water during meals or immediately after feeding is not advisable. After meal, wait for a while before allowing your dog to drink water. Avoiding strenuous activities before and after eating is also recommended.

Elbow and Hip Dysplasia - Abnormal development of the elbow and hip joint result to elbow and hip dysplasia in a growing dog. Lameness is often the indication of this disease but if not properly treated will result to arthritis. Aside from acquiring this disease genetically, environmental factors such as nutrition, weight gain and rate of growth may also trigger this disease to occur.

Luxating Patella - Luxating patella is an inherited disorder in which the kneecap dislocates or mover out of its normal position. Trauma can also cause this disease to occur. Lameness in the affected rear leg is the indication of this disease.

A Basset Hound that is seriously affected with any genetic disorder must be excluded from all breeding programs to best prevent the occurrence of these inherited diseases.

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The Beagle - Where it Began

There are few breeds of dogs that are as popular in this country today as the Beagle. This compact pup is big on personality, and with patient and persistent training, can be a welcome addition to many homes. But how did the Beagle end up in this country? This breed of dog has a long and interesting history that can be traced back to the early years of civilization. It is thought that Beagle-type dogs existed in early Greece, and later in England. It is also possible that Beagles were used in countries like France and Italy.

However, the Beagle as we know it today probably originated in Great Britain in the first part of the second century. Beagles are thought to be a descendant of the Talbot Hound, along with Foxhounds and the Southern Hound. These dogs were primarily bred for hunting purposes, and many Beagles are still used in this function today. The most popular hunting prey for the Beagle is the hare, since the instincts of this breed are tailored specifically to locating and coaxing out these critters for hunters.

England is the country that can receive the majority of credit for making the Beagle breed what it is today. It began in the middle of the nineteenth century with an Englishman by the name of Reverend Phillip Honeywood who bred these dogs as skilled hunters without much regard for the look of the animal. Another man from England, Thomas Johnson, took the breeding process to the next level by creating dogs that were beautiful as well as skilled hunters. When Beagles first came to the United States, the same care was unfortunately not taken to keep the breed intact.

The good news is that a man named General Richard Rowett decided to import English Beagles to breed, and completed the process in a deliberate and careful fashion. This resulted in Beagles making an appearance with the American Kennel Association in 1885, and standards being established for this breed by 1888, when the National Beagle Club was formed. Today, Beagles are still used as hunting dogs, although many more are simply enjoyed as family pets, due to their abundant energy and friendly natures.

A Beagle can make the perfect pet for many families since the characteristic of this breed is usually a friendly, social nature. However, the popularity of breeds like Beagles has led to the establishment of many puppy mills where dogs are bred for profit instead of health and quality of the animals. This is why it is so important that you take the time to do plenty of research before you purchase your Beagle by reading articles like this, scanning the Internet for up to date Beagle information and talking to experts like reputable breeders and veterinarians for information and recommendations. It is also helpful to understand the history of the Beagle so that you have a good idea of what these dogs were bred for and what you should expect from your own pet. Beagles that are carefully chosen can bring their owners and families plenty of love and fun for many years to come.

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Basset Hound - Its History and Origin

Basset hounds are supposedly named from the French word 'BAS' meaning low or dwarfed. This was mainly used in reference to the low slung body feature of the hound. Basset Hound is such a breed that it was rarely known to many dog lovers even few decades back, in spite of it being popular in France. The first documented record of Basset hounds come from the writings of De Fouilloux published in the year 1573.

According to De Fouilloux, Basset d' Artois (Name of basset hounds in those days) were mainly of two varieties The Artesian which had crooked forelegs and the Flemish which had straight legs. They came originally from areas in and around Flanders. The descendents of the Flemish varieties still exists today in the Fort Noire, Voges and according to some in German dachshund. People who believe that German dachshund is a descendent of Basset hounds claims so because they believe Basset might have been imported to Wurtemberg (home of dachshunds) and made to cross with the terrier to introduce courage that is lacking in hounds. Basset hounds unlike other blood relatives, like the Hounds of Artois, Normandy, Gascony and Saintgone, survived the political turmoil which saw its lesser fortunate relatives go extinct.

For the patronage from some quarters of old noblesse Basset of Artois were preserved in purity. Basset hounds were shown for the first time in the Paris Dog show in the year 1863 and after ten years Sir John Everett Millais brought to England the Hound called 'Model' and appeared at the wolverhampton show in the year 1875. The basset hound was officially recognized by Kennel club in 1880, and was given separate classes of its own at the wolverhampton where Basset had made his debut appearance in 1875 when it had appeared in the A.V. foreign dog class. The basset hound club was formed in 1884.

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