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By Jimmy Cox
 The right dog can be a source of fun and companionship for many years. But the wrong dog may well turn out to be a nuisance and cause of family dissension. So, give some serious thought to the matter of picking your dog.
Purebred, Crossbreed, or Mongrel
To paraphrase Gertrude Stein: "A dog is a dog is a dog." No one breed or mixture is better than another. It all depends on why you want a dog and what kind of a dog your particular situation will maintain. There's only one species of dog, Canis familiaris, with 116 breeds registered in the American Kennel Club. As to the crossbreeds and mongrels, their numbers and combinations are best left to the mathematicians. You may be sure, though, the crossbreeds and mongrels far outnumber the purebreds.
The purebreds, crossbreeds and mongrels are much alike in their general behavior and instincts. Any one of them will offer friendship, loyalty and companionship. And with reasonable care, a dog from any of these groups will turn into a fine pet.
Purebred dogs
A
purebred dog is one whose parents and ancestors are of a single breed. It is a dog with a traceable pedigree. In America, purebred dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club. Foreign purebred dogs are registered in the official kennel club of the specific country. The American Kennel Club now registers 116 breeds, divided into six groups.
Crossbreeds and mongrels
You may have decided that you just want a dog, nothing fancy - animal or price. If so, you have a wide range of choice from among the many combinations of crossbreeds and mongrels. They have little monetary value, but they'll give every bit as much loyalty and companionship as the purebreds.
Don't think that because crossbreeds and mongrels are purchased cheaply or obtained gratis, they are not highly prized by their owners. Of the 26 million dogs in the United States, more than two-thirds are crossbreeds and mongrels. And, along with the purebreds, these "cheap" dogs are the best-fed and best-cared for dogs in the world.
There are some disadvantages in getting a crossbreed or mongrel dog. To be sure, the crossbreed will grow up to look somewhat like his sire or dam. But not the mongrel; what he will look like is anybody's guess. Neither the crossbreed nor the mongrel can be entered in dog shows or field trials. So take this fact into consideration if you want to take part in the competitive areas of the dog world.
You will not experience much difficulty in finding a crossbreed or mongrel. And often they are yours for the asking. Consult the classified ads in your newspaper, visit a humane society, or reputable pet shop, and check with any neighbors who have puppies they cannot keep.
Male Vs. Female
The choice between a male or female should be based on facts, not prejudice. There are pros and cons for both sexes. The usual objection to the female is her estrus cycle or heat periods. She has a discharge during her periods, wants to go out and roam, and attracts a horde of canine Romeos. Add to this the excellent chance of unwanted puppies and you have the case against the female.
It's really not a very strong case. Let's consider some of the pros for the female. You'll find she is cleaner around the house, with better control of her bladder than the male. This is an important factor if you live in an apartment. You will recall that the male dog has an instinct for lifting his leg and urinating against trees, poles and fireplugs. He won't hesitate to use table and chair legs, doorjambs or floor lamps as substitutes.
The female has a strong maternal and protective instinct. She will guard children (especially if raised with them) as closely as she will guard her puppies. Some dog trainers consider the female to be more tractable, more willing to learn and with a longer attention span than the male.
You now should be in a stronger position to find a dog which will really suit you.
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By Gerry Ronson
 The American Eskimo dog has a long history dating back to German settlers. Apparently the dog breed is descended from the Spitz breed. You will also be glad to learn that this particular dog was a working in circuses for many years. This means that along with the affection and intelligence they show you will also find an agility and alertness that makes them a true companion. They can learn many skills in training from tricks to actual work with dog sleds. They are a hardy breed, which means they do not have many health issues. You will also find that they enjoy large families. The American Eskimo dog will be really great with children as well as other pets. They can be suspicious of strangers, but most often you will find they are quick to get over these feelings. In fact they will bark as a stranger approaches and make great guard dogs. American Eskimo dogs need a lot of attention, which means part of their care is the amount of exercise, playtime, and general time you spend with them.
You will need to be around the dog for most of the day. This means frequent trips home during the day if you work out of the home to offer playtime as well as exercise. They should have at least an hour of exercise a day and you should never leave them alone while you are on vacation. They tend to become destructive if they are isolated for long periods of time. You will find that they are great at giving love as well as receiving it. For training you will find they are easy to please. This means that they will enjoy the training because they get to play and they will listen to your commands and be very alert. You may have some trouble with obedience, but most often that is short lived with a firm, but gentle hand.
This dog breed needs a large backyard and home. They can do okay in apartments as long as most of the day is spent out side playing. They are also very active indoors so make sure you have plenty of toys for them to enjoy. For grooming you will find that the care is a little more in depth than other pets. The American Eskimo dog needs to have a daily brushing after their walk in the evening. This will help keep the hair from matting as well as tangles. It will also get rid of any dead or loose hair they may have. They have dry skin so bathing is not recommended.
The American Eskimo dog is one of the most beautiful dog breeds you will find. This dog is of medium size offering a white, cream, or biscuit colour. Theyre size proportions are 30 to 40 pounds and an average height of 12- 19 depending on the gender of the animal. You will find that in most cases the male dog is slightly bigger than the female. Going back to the coat for a moment you will find that with the longer hair they tend to shed a little more in warmer months, but typically in Alaska and other cold parts of the country they will not shed very much. The coat is a double fur with a thick undercoat for warmth and a top coat that is very soft and bushy. The coat will usually be straight. The tail on this particular dog will curl up like most of the Husky breeds to lie on the back. The muzzle is long, and they have short pointed ears.
Gerry Ronson is a freelance article writer for the websites Large Dog Beds and Dog Toys. How to Begin Obedience Training for Your Dog
By Jimmy Cox
 Simple commands such as "Come," "Sit," and "Lie down" should be taught at three to four months of age. Your puppy will learn very quickly to come when he is called if every time he answers the call, he receives a pleasant reward such as a piece of meat, dog candy, or a word of praise.
He will quickly learn the command "Sit" if his head is held high and a little pressure is applied to his hindquarters. He will learn the meaning of "Lie Down" if you press on his shoulders and pull down on his collar. When you do these things, keep telling the puppy that he is a "Good Boy."
The young puppy should learn not to pull on the leash. Use an ordinary leather collar for this training and tug gently on the leash until the puppy learns not to pull ahead.
When you train your dog obedience at six months, you need a chain slip collar for the big strong dog.
A chain leather one or a nylon slip collar is needed for the small dog or the puppy.
You need a leash a foot longer than you are tall. Get one with strong leather. A round one or a chain leash will hurt your hands.
How to Hold the Leash
Take the leash in BOTH hands. Hold your hands close to your body and keep your left elbow straight.
Know Your Dog's Temperament
Handle the shy dog gently. Gain his confidence through encouragement and praise. Pep up the lazy worker. Move quickly yourself and your dog will move quickly. If your dog is a clown, speak more sharply and correct with firmness. If he is stubborn, make each correction more severe.
While training, keep your dog's attention. When he looks away, nudge him with your knee. When he sniffs the ground, give the leash a tug. For all corrections, snap the leash! Never drag on it.
For best results, praise your dog when you give him a command. Praise him when you use the leash.
Heeling
Heeling means to walk at your side without pulling. Every time your dog passes your knee, say "Heel," jerk the leash backward, and pat your side to encourage him to stay close.
If he passes your knee a second time, stand still and jerk the leash harder!
If your dog holds back instead, don't jerk the leash. Pull on it gently and keep saying "Good Boy! Good Boy!" After he takes a few steps, slacken the leash and pat your side.
While training, stand up straight and don't slow up when you turn!
Don't let your dog play with the leash. Don't let him climb on you.
Before long your dog will understand that if he runs ahead or darts off to the side, he will hear the word "Heel!" and feel a sharp tug on his collar. If he stays close to your knee, praise him and pat him.
Sitting
To make your dog sit, shorten the leash in your right hand and pull up. Say "Sit!" and push on his hindquarters with your left hand. Dogs like to be praised, so while you make him sit, tell him he is a good boy.
If he braces himself, spank him once on his rear and tell him more firmly "SIT!" Now pat him with the same hand you spanked him with so he will think you spanked him in play. At the same time, push his hips over. Make him sit straight!!
In time and with patience, your dog will become accustomed to all of these commands, and will obey.
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http://www.dogtrainingtip.net/ Dog House Mats and Heaters - That Time is Just About Here
By Douglas Hanna
 It's starting to get cold in our part of the country and if you live in the West, East or Midwest, you're probably also feeling a chill and may already be thinking about dog house mats and heaters.
Our dogs spend their nights in the house, but how about yours? If your dog sleeps in a dog house, you need to ask yourself how warm and safe it will be as the weather grows colder and colder?
Our winters are cold but generally on the mild side. And our dogs spend most nights inside. So keeping them warm is usually not an issue. But if you live in a very cold part of the world, and your dog house is not super-insulated, you should be thinking about adding a dog house mat or heater to your doghouse - to make sure your dog stays healthy and comfortable no matter the weather.
Dog house heaters
Dog house heaters come in two types. The first is heater only and is for places like Minnesota where the summers normally do not get terribly hot. The second is a heater/cooler for those areas where the winters are very cold and the summers very hot - think North Dakota or parts of Montana.
Dog house heater only
One heater I found, The Hound Heater I, is 5.5" x 5.5" x 5.5") and is said to produce dry, reliable heat. When it's zero degrees Fahrenheit outside, the dog house will stay around 40-degrees F. This manufacturer also offers a small version called the Hound Heater II. It uses a light bulb to keep the unit's temperature at a constant 130 degrees when the outside temperature is below freezing. The manufacturer says, "The best part is, it is so safe and easy to install. It is made out of galvanized metal so it is super strong and will last for many years. The cost of Hound Heater I is $54.95 and Hound Heater II is $52.95.
Combination dog house heater/cooler
A combination heater/cooler is great for areas that are both cold in the winter and hot in the summer. There is apparently only one of these available - the portable PetCool unit. This unit looks very easy to install with 2500 BTU heating and cooling capacity. The manufacturer says that it "adjusts automatically to maintain a constant comfortable range of temperatures both as a dog house heater for winter and dog house air conditioner for summer, while also providing additional functionality as a de-humidifier lowering humidity levels 70%."
Be forewarned that the PetCool is not cheap with a price tag of $415.95.
Heated mats and throws
If your part of the country gets cold but doesn't get below zero for many days, then a good way to heat a dog house (and the dog) is with a heated mat or pad. The advantages of a heated pad are that it requires no maintenance, has no moving parts to get out of whack, is completely safe and can also be used in an unheated garage and basement. Most heated pads have an internal thermostat and some manufacturers offer an optional temperature control rheostat for heat adjustment.
Another alternative is to buy your dog its own heated throw or dog bed. A heated throw will cost about $73 for a large size.
The cost of a heated pad varies from $43.59 for the small size up to $66.99 for the large. A thermo throw will normally cost about $73 for the large size.
In other words, it won't cost you an arm and a leg to keep that best friend snug and comfortable all winter.
If you'd like more information about building a dog house, hop over to http://www.doghouseplans360.com
Douglas Hanna, and his wife, have owned many dogs over the years. They currently share their home with a Wheatland Terrier named Emma Lou and Jake, a Cairn Terrier. Share Your Opinion. (0 posts)
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