Archive for Dog Breeds

The Trusty Black Labrador As A Pet

The Labrador breed is one of the most popular dog breeds around the world. The Labrador can come in several colors including golden, chocolate and Black Labrador. This breed was originally used as a hunting dog, but they have evolved into being one of the most widely used breeds for assistance training, security and police dogs.

They are very smart dogs that are easily trained and want to be working dogs. They have an easy going nature and this is one of the reasons they are used as an assistance dog. They have the intelligence to be trained to work with people with disabilities and the loving nature that makes them very loyal.

The History Of The Breed

The origins of the Black Labrador begin with the St. Johns Water dog. This breed was found and used in the fishing communities of Newfoundland. It is thought that this is also the ancestor to the large Newfoundland dogs that may have been a combination of St. Johns Water dog and large mastiffs.

The Black Labrador has its roots in a similar gene pool of the St. Johns Water dog and they were breed to be smaller than their cousins the Newfoundland’s. Black Labradors were used as water fowl retrievers and needed to have water repellant coats to aid them when they were in the water.

The Black Labrador Retriever is the original color of the species and this type of dog appears in historical notes from around the 1880’s. Because of their keen hunting nature and abilities in the water, these dogs were admired by many and the black Labrador was taken back to England were the breeding continued.

In the United States the breed gained its recognition in 1928 in an article written about them. Black Labrador Retrievers quickly gained popularity as a hunting and retrieving dog. They continued their rise in popularity as it was noted that they were also a great family pet.

Their easy going temperament and gentle nature make them a wonderful addition to any family. They are well known for having a “soft mouth” which means they don’t bite down on what they are carrying in their mouths which makes them a good retriever, but also gentle around children. If not trained, they are however somewhat energetic and as a larger dog need an outlet for all of that energy.

The Black Labrador Retriever is an excellent pet for a family and will be a welcome addition.

The American pit bull terrier has received a bad rap over the years as a vicious beast that attacks other animals and humans alike. While this breed is protective of his family and territory by nature, the truth is that the American pit bull terrier can be a gentle companion that makes a wonderful pet for the right family. In fact, you might be surprised at just how friendly and playful this dog can be, unless you do your homework into the temperament of the breed and find out for yourself. Unfortunately the strength of the dog, coupled with his desire to please his master, have made the American pit bull terrier the focus of dog fighting competitions for more than a century. Because of the reputation for fighting, many still purchase pits for this exclusive purpose, resulting in many pit bulls that have not been socialized properly and are highly aggressive.

The Truth about the Pit Bull

Most of us have probably heard news reports or stories from friends about a pit bull who attacked an animal or a person, injuring and even killing him. In many of these instances, the dog in question wasn’t a purebred American pit bull terrier at all, but a mix of a variety of breeds. It is also possible that the dog was bred and raised specifically to behave aggressively, giving all dogs in this breed a bad and undeserved name. Unfortunately, these are the stories that many people think of when they see a pit bull in action, and the fear that has developed as a result of the stories has led to pits becoming illegal in many communities and closely monitored in others.

However, the American pit bull terrier is known by breeders and owners alike for its undying loyalty, intelligence and eagerness to please. These characteristics combine to create a pet that is easy to train and fun for the entire family. The American pit bull terrier is known as a working dog that excels in many competitions including herding, hunting and guarding. This breed has been owned by famous people like Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller and Laura Ingalls Wilder. The American pit bull terrier has represented companies like RCA and Buster Brown and was used to represent the United States in WWI propaganda. This dog has been around for generations, and continues to be a popular choice for dog owners that are well versed in the specifics of this breed.

If you are considering an American pit bull terrier for your own family, the first step will be to determine whether you are legally able to keep a pit bull where you live. If so, you should hunt for a reputable breeder who raises dogs as pets and not as fighting animals. With care in selecting your dog and plenty of time training it properly, your American pit bull terrier can be the perfect family pet for you.

Looking For A Quality Toy Poodle Breeder

The Poodle breed is one of the most popular breeds of dogs around. This loyal, fun and affectionate dog is one that fits right into many families. The Poodle breed can be found in three sizes, the Toy Poodle, the Miniature and the Standard Poodle.

The Toy Poodle is also called a Tea Cup Poodle due to their small size. They are around 5 pounds and about 10 inches in height. These tiny dogs do better with older children, but are extremely intelligent and very loving. They enjoy being with their families and are loyal.

This well loved breed is so popular that there are many breeders for this type of dog. It is important to find a breeder that incorporates good breeding techniques and a caring environment into their puppies.

What To Look For

A good Toy Poodle breeder can make all the difference in the type of puppy that you get. When first looking for a Toy Poodle breeder, ask your veterinarian. Since dogs need to be taken to the veterinarian to remain healthy, many have relationships with their vets and this can be a possible way to find a good quality Toy Poodle breeder.

The American Kennel Club may be another source for a Toy Poodle breeder. Many that show their dogs also breed them, and you may be able to get in contact with a good Toy Poodle breeder through this club.

If looking through the paper for a Toy Poodle breeder make sure to ask questions of the breeder. Find out if you can see both parents. If this isn’t possible, as many reputable breeders don’t own both the parents, find out if you can contact the other owner about their dog.

Find out if the pups have been raised in the home. Puppies that have had a lot of contact with humans from a young age are usually better socialized animals and make for a better pet.

Find out if the sire and dam have had any genetic testing and what the results were. A good Toy Poodle breeder should have information about the sire and dam and all of their medical histories.

Set an appointment to come and visit the puppies. It is a good opportunity to see where the puppy lives and the environment it is in. You can also spend time watching the mother with her pups and the interaction of the Toy Poodle breeder with the mother and babies.

There are many high quality Toy Poodle breeders available. Make the time commitment to make sure that the puppy you select has been breed in a good environment.