Petsmu

Descended from European toy dog breeds like the Bichon and Toy Poodle, the Havanese is a true companion dog for good times and bad. Although becoming the National Dog of Cuba, the breed was nearly wiped out in the Cuban Revolution. The Havanese is safe and sound in American and Europe and growing in popularity.

You might not have heard of the Havanese (also called the Havanese Silk Dog) before, but this is a breed that started in the 1500’s, soon after the Spanish claimed what is now Cuba. When the Spanish colonists came to the New World, they had to bring their dogs with them. And bring them they did – including their Bichons. Over the centuries, the Havanese, named after the Cuban city of Havana, developed their own characteristics and became the national dog of Cuba.

The toy dogs from Europe eventually grew into their own characteristic selves in Cuba. Their fur got long and silky, giving them a name Havana Silk Dog, which they are still sometimes called. The coat got wavy or curly with two layers. Some shorthaired were born and sometimes still are, but they are not considered show worthy dogs. The eye rims, nose and lips are always black. They were considered a luxury item and the dogs of the upper class. When the Cuban Revolution hit, the upper class had to flee Cuba to America and Europe, and brought along their dogs.

Not content on conquering the hearts and homes of one nation, the Havanese is now conquering North America. Although only introduced in the 1970’s after the Revolution, the Havanese is making a name for himself in and out of the show ring. The breed has now been recognized by the American Kennel Club and the American Rare Breeds Association. They colonize indoor homes and apartments best. They make great companions for individuals and families.

If you are considering a new family pet that will be lots of fun and offer lot of love, perhaps a Havanese dog is in your future. What these tiny dogs lack in size,they make up for in playfulness, loyalty and intelligence. Easy to train and easy to adore is the best way to sum up your potential relationship with a Havanese dog. Family pets are a big decision and when you are faced with the choice you want to bring home the best fit for everyone.

A Havanese pup might just fit the bill with an abundance of energy and a sweet,gentle nature that will capture your heart from the very first moment. These dogs are extremely intelligent and eager to please,making them a good choice in pets for many families. Although these dogs are generally easy to train,they are not always as easy to housebreak. Make sure that if you decide to bring a Havanese puppy home,you are ready for the time and patience that you will need to get that little pup fully housebroken.

The rewards of surviving the housebreaking stage with your Havanese puppy will be great indeed. Once your pup is fully trained, you will be able to enjoy a dog that is always ready to play and will offer you plenty of love and enjoyment for years to come.

About the author: Fiona Kelly had to have a Havanese and is now considered one of the country’s leading authorities on this rare Toy breed. Descended from Bichons and Toy Poodles, the Havanese became the national dog of Cuba. This is but a part of the story behind the Havanese that today lives mostly in the families of Americans.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, with different personalities, colors and coats. In mixed breed dogs, it can be hard to predict how a puppy will turn out. Sometimes it doesn’t matter, but if you’re living in a studio apartment and you get a Pomeranian puppy that grows up to be three feet tall and weigh forty pounds, it matters!

The American Kennel Club knows that it matters and that is the reason for the establishment specific standards for each of the breeds it recognizes. The American Kennel Club requires that certain characteristics of a breed be stable for many generations of dogs before it recognizes a breed. Thus, a puppy buyer can predict how big or small a grown dog will be and what kind of temperament it will have. According to the American Kennel Club, a Pomeranian puppy, for instance, will weigh no more than seven pounds and have a perky, energetic personality.

Well-known, established standards for breeds encourage good breeding practices. Toy dogs have fragile skeletal systems, and preventing the breed from getting too heavy helps reduce the likelihood of injury to bones and joints. Nearly everything about the Pomeranian is covered by the standards of the breed, from the dark nose to the high, plumed tail, which, according to breed standards, must lie flat and straight against the dogs’ back. Pomeranians should have small, pointed ears, short muzzles and dark, almond-shaped eyes.

Pomeranian standards rely on proportions for definition of the Pomeranian’s body. The breed’s height from its elbows to its withers is about the same as the height from the ground to the elbows. The shoulder blade and the upper arm should be of approximately equal length. The Pomeranian has a double-coat consisting of a soft undercoat and a long, textured outer coat. The outer coat forms feathers on the legs and a frill around the shoulders and chest. A soft, flat or open coat is a major fault that leads to disqualification.

All colors, patterns and color combinations are to be judged the same, and any color of coat is permissible under the standards of the Pomeranian breed. The most frequently shown Pomeranians have coloration patterns that include black and tan, brindle and parti-color. The black and tan Pomeranian dog has light patches above the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs, feet and under the tail. The brindle-coated dog has a gold or red base with black cross stripes. A parti-color dog is white with patches of other color and a white blaze on the forehead.

Pomeranians are sometimes divided into three different groups for judging, depending on the color patterns of their coats. Red, orange and sable dogs to in one group whereas black and brown dogs go in another, and other combinations are judged in a third group.

Standards of the breed also cover the dog’s temperament. Pomeranians should be confident, inquisitive and intelligent. In full trot, a Pomeranian should command attention. Pomeranian breed standard information is available to any breeders or fans of the breed. The American Kennel Club makes Pomeranian information easy to get so breeders can familiarize themselves with the standards of the breed.

About the author: Rosie Allan has loved Pomeranians since childhood and has just finished a book about Pomeranian breeding. Proportion is important to the Pomeranian standards, with upper and lower leg length being approximately equal. Breeders can easily obtain more detailed Pomeranian information that specifies the precise standards of the breed from the AKC.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

The loyalty of the Chihuahua dog and the need to be close to their owners make them an excellent companion and their compact size makes them very convenient for most owners. Often a Chihuahua can ride in a coat pocket, in a purse or tote bag and just within the safety of the owner’s arms. They enjoy outdoor activity in favorable weather and are very easy to travel with. Although at times they can also be curious and mischievous. They will often find something to get into and make a mess if you leave them alone for long periods of time at home. The Chihuahua will get along fine with their own breed, but often not with other breeds. Therefore, you should only get Chihuahuas or choose carefully before adding another breed to the household. You also have to be careful since the Chihuahua doesn’t recognize their small size and can often get into trouble when they try to spar with a larger breed dog, especially if the other dog has a dominant personality or gets too rough when playing. Therefore, either keep your Chihuahua on a leash or carry them in your arms when you are outside.

The movies and advertisements by companies such as Taco Bell made the Chihuahua dog very popular. As a result it is now easy to find poorly bred Chihuahuas if you do not carefully select the breed to fit in with your household. Many families think the breed is perfect because of their self-confidence and easy trainability. However, buying simply from pet stores, newspapers or on the internet can lead to getting a dog that was bred without a concern for their health or temperament and you will have no way of knowing whether or not it will work with your household. Often times a good breeder won’t place a dog in a home with a child under the age of twelve. However, because of their small litter size the number of puppies available from good breeders is often limited. Therefore, you should carefully consider the breed before determining if they are right for you and your household.

When it comes to caring for your Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming. At each meal Chihuahuas only need a small amount of food. About two to three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is all that most Chihuahuas require. It is best to have two or three small meals rather than just one large daily feeding. Some larger sized Chihuahuas can eat up to a half can of dog food. Most people don’t know that the Chihuahua is actually capable of walking long distances, although they won’t object if you want to carry them around either. Typically the Chihuahua gets the majority of their exercise from playing around the house. This is why the dog is an excellent choice for the elderly. When it comes to grooming you should use a soft brush and rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their coat shine. Trim their nails regularly and keep their ears clean.

About the author: Sandra Dean is a dog lover who has cared for dogs for many, many years. Not all households will do well with a Chihuahua. Carefully consider Chihuahua information to make sure they are right for you.
Source: http://www.articlesbase.com