Everyone, in one way or another, has surely come across with America’s 11th most famous breed, the Miniature Schnauzer. This small breed of dog is famous for its bushy beard, mustache and eyebrows and rugged yet elegant look. Although little, you can not expect this dog to be delicate and toy-ish for it is sturdy, heavy, muscular and brave.

The Mini Schnauzer is the result of crossing the standard Schnauzer and Poodle or Affenpinscher. Just like its standard counterpart, Schnauzer, the Mini Schnauzer originally came from Germany during the late 1800s. In fact, its first recorded existence was in 1888.

This breed was developed for the intention of having a small Schnauzer that will hunt and catch rats and vermin that live inside the farmers’ barns. Also, it was used as a house guard and stock herder and watcher. Presently, the Miniature Schnauzer is widely known as a family pet rather than a working or farm dog.

The Miniature Schnauzer was first introduced in the US in 1924. In 1926, it was officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. In 1948, the UK followed suit and accepted the Miniature Schnauzer as a breed, too.

The official standard for this breed is said to be lively, alert and obedient. It should be friendly, eager to please and highly intelligent. It should never be too aggressive and not overly shy either.

The Mini Schnauzer is an excellent watchdog that uses barking, instead of attacking physically, to ward off intruders and warn the household. It only stops yapping when its owners recognize the stranger to be a friend. This breed isn’t too much trouble since it is trainable to do favorable tasks and obeys attentively.

This little breed is full of energy and loves to play and so it should be given activities to release its bounded energy. If not, it becomes bored easily and thus will tend to come up with its own kind activity. It is also patient and playful with children and it understands the need to be gentle around them.

Physically, this breed possesses a wiry overcoat and a smooth undercoat. They usually come in colors of pepper and salt, black and silver, black, white and parti. This breed is one of the non-shedding kinds and is therefore safe or less threatening to people with allergic reactions to dander and animal hair.

Uh oh, round hounds are taking over the world! Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but dog obesity has definitely become a major problem. Don’t believe me? All you have to do is ask your veterinarian and they will tell you that 25% (if not more) of the dogs that they treat are over-weight.

While some might think their portly pups are cute, extra weight on a dog can lead to trouble. Over-weight dogs tend to suffer from more health issues than their more svelte counterparts, experiencing increased incidents of joint and hip problems (such as arthritis), heart disease and diabetes. Worse, those extra pounds can shorten your pal’s already too-short life!

It is never too late to take the extra weight off of your dog. Rule number one, stop feeding your pup table scraps! Though table scraps are yummy (just ask any dog and they will confirm this) most “people food” is NOT good for your dog. Though most “people food” won’t harm your dog, it is best to stick to a food schedule that includes; you guessed it, regulated portions of dog food!

Some ingredients in our food simply aren’t digestible by dogs or may cause serious health issues if eaten by your pup. Some of these items include chocolate, onions, raisins, garlic, hot peppers, grapes and salt. Rather than memorizing a list of what might harm your pet, just play it safe and avoid giving your dog table scraps.

To hammer the point home, a regulated feeding schedule is the best option for your pet. Not only is this the best approach for controlling your pet’s weight, it can also help you address other issues. For example, unattended feeding can lead to potty training problems. It’s simply more difficult to predict a dog’s bathroom needs when it has a full bowl of food to graze at all day long. By sticking to a portioned, scheduled feeding routine, your pet’s bathroom habits and weight can both be more easily maintained.

Another great way to help your dog lose weight is to throw out all of the fatty, processed treats in your house. There are many healthy snack alternatives to choose from and trust me; your dog will like them! Carrots, for example are naturally sweet and crunchy. Many dogs enjoy snacking on carrots and actually beg for them! If your dog is used to eating fatty treats, you may have to coax him a bit before he takes his first bitebut don’t give up!

Of course, some dogs are as fond of veggies as they are of visits to the vet and will simply spit them out if offered as a treat. If yours is such a dog, you might want to try all natural, low sodium, low-fat turkey bacon. Yes, it violates the general “no human food” rule, but it is a reasonably healthy alternative to much of what you’ve likely fed your pooch in the past. Just remember to absorb the excess grease from the bacon after you cook it by soaking it up with a paper towel. Cook some up, soak up the grease, crumble the turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces and refrigerate in an airtight container. I don’t think it needs mentioning that you shouldn’t be feeding Fido the entire package at once.

A great summer snack for dogs, believe it or not, is the humble and inexpensive ice cube or ice-chips. This treat is particularly appreciated after a long walk in the summer heat. To really sell this to your dog as a must-have item, crumble some of that turkey bacon into the water before freezing. Not only will it be tasty, your dog will have a treat that also keeps him occupied for a while (healthy for the mind).

Having covered some food alternatives, it’s obviously important we also discuss exercise. This is where it’s time to accept that you need to set a good example. Add a lap to your usual walk around the block. You’ll both benefit from it. Just keep an eye on the weather. If it’s hot, give your pup breaks and consider bringing along a bottle of water. A nice, brisk walk is a great way for your dog to lose weight. And, who knows, you might just lose a few pounds yourself!

Keeping your furry friend happy and healthy is very important. Unfortunately, dogs do not live as long as we would like them too so isn’t important to keep them with us for as long as possible? Many people show love through food and that is a big no-no. Next time, instead of reaching for a treat when your dog does something wonderful, lavish him with praise and pet him like there is no tomorrow. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is important not only for his happiness but yours as well!

Dog lovers and owners everywhere are often faced with the issue of how to get rid of fleas! When your beloved pooch gets infested with fleas it can be an agonizing experience for both the owner and pet. There can be some dangerous side-effects of some well known dog flea products. The chemicals used in some of the nationally available household name products and major popular brands may be poisoning our pets and damaging our own family?s health at the same time. So the question remains, how to get rid of fleas safely? Our local pet food store sells an assortment of flea collars, flea powders and flea shampoo including Frontline for fleas. Even though the staff are knowledgeable and great, it is still difficult to know which product to use and almost impossible to know all of the active components of these dog flea products.

More often these days, pet owners are seeking natural or homeopathic alternatives to the issue of dog fleas. Some of the most commonly used natural dog flea remedies are outlined below:

1. Household salt remedy. Sprinkle it all over the house and particularly where your dog likes to snooze. Let the salt sit for a week or more. It seems that fleas don?t seem to like salt. Your dog will lie down on the carpet and the salt will also get on to his fur. A few days later and presto the fleas are gone.

2. Baking Soda to get rid of fleas. Cover your dog with baking soda. The baking soda will smother the fleas and kill them. This all-natural flea remedy is often recommended for puppies and kittens who are too young to be exposed to any flea remedy chemical. You can also use talcum powder or baby powder.

3. For the dog fleas on adult dogs, you could try an olive oil bath. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the fleas just drown in it and fall out. Start from the dog?s head and work your way back so the fleas don’t move to the face where it’s really hard to pluck them off. Then you just shampoo the oil out and the dog fleas will wash down the drain.

4. Other people think garlic is the only way to go in the battle against dog fleas. Use fresh garlic diced in a food processor or by hand. You can put a dab of oil into it in order to make it more paste-like plus the oil will make for a nice shiny coat. Some people use a garlic pill supplement while others use freshly chopped garlic and mix it into the food.

It would appear that there are many natural alternatives to treating dog fleas. These treatments will likely work best at the point of initial infestation. For a really bad cases of fleas you might need to try a stronger dog flea remedy such as Frontline. In figuring out how to get rid of fleas its best to do your research. However, with all matters pertaining to the health of our dogs and cats, please check with your doctor about potential side effects.

There’s still too much animal abuse in this world. If the story surrounding the conviction of football great Michael Vick doesn’t convince you, nothing will. Those of us who care about animals feel compelled to do something to help when we can, but not all of us know what steps we can take. Perhaps a little education and team work could make a world of difference.

There are many humane education programs available that teach people the importance of recognizing animal abuse and how to stop it. In 2008, the ASPCA partnered with a program called Do Something! Do Something is an on-line community aimed at teenagers. It is a place for teens to gather (via the internet) so that they may discuss ways to make the world a better place. Animal welfare is one of the “hot topics” that is discussed on a daily basis. It is one of the top concerns of teens today (thank goodness!).

Focusing on “humane education” the animal welfare resources and, in particular, its popularity with teenagers is truly inspiring. The program has been a tremendous success, awarding ten $500 grants to teens who have started their own animal welfare projects!

Of course you may be wondering what, exactly, “humane education” entails. In effect, the ASPCA anchors humane education in teaching us how to care for our world. From environmental education all the way to a more granular approach focusing on our very own pets, humane education touches on all elements of environmental, community and animal welfare responsibility. The ultimate objective is a better planet for all of us.

There are many things you can do in your own community to prevent animal cruelty. Are you ready to step up to the plate and take action? Are you ready to start making the world a safer and kinder place for animals? If each one of us takes responsibility and lends a helping hand it is possible to dramatically reduce the number of animal cruelty cases that are reported each year. Below are a few ways that you, yes YOU, can help to prevent animal cruelty. So jump on board, let’s fight animal abuse TOGETHER!

Know who to call if you witness or suspect animal cruelty or abuse. Many metropolitan areas have enforcement agents who have the authority and resources to act in animal cruelty cases. New York City, for example, relies on the ASPCA’s animal cruelty officers. If you aren’t sure who to call should you witness abuse, contact your local police non-emergency number for guidance.

Keep an eye out for dogs in your neighborhood that are repeatedly left alone and chained outside. It is especially important to monitor their food and water supply. You might just be surprised at how many animals are chained to a tree and left with NO food or water.

Make sure your children grow up to be responsible citizens by educating them on animal welfare issues. Teach them to be compassionate and respectful of animals and ensure they know that dogs and cats experience feelings and emotions such as pain, sadness and joy just as we do. By taking this step, you are doing your part to take care of our animals well in to the future.

Call for help if you see a person physically abusing or striking an animal! Never approach an abuser, instead, call one of your local agencies and file a report. Many, if not all agencies, will allow you to file an anonymous report. Though it is important to help animals that are being physically abused, you should NEVER put yourself in harm’s way.

Get involved in programs and activities geared towards the creation of stronger penalties. While laws may stop the abuse after it has begun, harsh penalties act as deterrents to prevent abuse in the first place. As an advocate for animal welfare, you can do your part by joining such movements as the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade and writing to your local legislators and representatives. If you are a real go-getter, start your own community action efforts and get some petitions under the noses of those who can make a difference.

A real difference can be made by ordinary people just like you. It costs little or nothing to be a part of something bigger. Be aware, educate yourself and your children, know what action to take and get involved in programs that can change the lives of animals for the better. They give us so much love and friendship and do so much to make the world a beautiful place to live. Don’t you think they’re worth the effort?

The Shar Pei is famous throughout the world as a distinctively wrinkled breed of dog with a blue-black tongue. It is also known as the Chinese Shar Pei or Chinese Fighting Dog, as it derives from China, but it is also called the sharkskin dog. Its name translates to sand paper skin, referring to the texture of its short, rough coat.

With ancestors dating back at least 2,000 years, the Shar Pei are definitely an ancient breed! Because the chow-chow has a bluish tongue much the same as the Shar Pei, and this trait is exclusive only to these two breeds, they are believed to be related. Due to its appearance, and its close ties to the chow-chow, the Shar Pei has links to the giant Mastiff breeds!

Of medium size and substance and squarish in profile, the Shar Pei has what is called a hippopotamus head and an endearing, melancholy expression. For many years, the Shar Pei was used as a general-purpose farm dog in the Chinese countryside, for such purposes as hunting, protecting cattle (stock), and as a guard dog for the family and home. During that period, it was bred for its intelligence, strength, and scowling face!

The loose skin and prickly coat were developed in the Shar Pei to aid it in fighting, as these traits would make it difficult for its opponent to grab and hold on to it. While they should be brushed regularly, their coat does not need to be trimmed, and they do not have an undercoat. Puppies have more wrinkles than adults, and the Shar Pei slowly lose their wrinkles as they get older.

They have three coat varieties: the horse-coat, the brush-coat, and the rare bear-coat. The horse-coat is prickly to the touch and is rough like sand, but the brush coat has longer hair and is softer to the touch. Their coats come in all solid colors and in sables too.

The Shar Pei is a very loyal dog, is faithful to his handler and bonds well with his family. They are smart, spunky, playful, dominant, and quite courageous. The Shar Pei are known for having a perpetually frowning expression, but they are calm, devoted, easygoing and independent little fellows.

The Shar Pei needs a firm, gentle, and consistent figure of authority to treat as alpha dog, as they are very clever and will end up dominating a weak trainer. They have a tendency to be stubborn, due to their instincts as fighters, but early training, socialization and exercise will easily remedy this. The Shar Pei have had myriad roles in history, including catching vermin, herding, and tracking, but if you know how to handle them, there is no reason they could not make perfectly desirable house companions for you.

In the wild, cats have a natural ability and instinct to care for themselves. House cats, on the other hand, depend on humans for care and feeding. They require a considerable amount of attention. Bookstores and local humane societies can provide cat owners with a plethora of educational materials on the responsibility of cat ownership and the care of cats.

Some people have the misperception that cat’s can’t be trained. That’s not true. Cats can be trained through gentle, positive reinforcement. Reward good behavior with a treat. Try to ignore bad behavior, if your cat’s bad behavior illicit a reaction from you that is attention, which the cat considers a reward.

Even though cats are relatively clean, it’s good to bathe your cat about every three weeks. You can use a mild soap which you have at home, or purchase a specialty product made just for cats. Some cats are difficult to bathe. Prevent bath time from becoming difficult by bathing your cat from the time it is a kitten. When bath time is over, reward your cat with a snack.

Don’t yell, hit, or otherwise punish your cat during the bath process. You should keep bath time as easy and comforting for your cat as possible. Tension will only make your cat apprehensive about the bath.

Use a q-tip to gently clean and dry your cat’s ears and nails after bathing. Do not use a hair dryer because your cat’s skin is much too sensitive and can easily be burned. Not only that, but the noise and strong, hot air will probably cause your cat to freak out and try to run away. Towel dry your cat and finish with a good, gentle brushing.

It’s a good idea to buy your cat its own bed. While it is common for cats to sleep with their owner, your cat will be just as satisfied sleeping beside your bed. This will keep your clothes and bed linens from always being full of cat hair. Some people are allergic to cat hair, and you don’t want to have to choose between your cat and your sleeping mate.

It’s best to place the litter box where the odor will not bother the family. Keep the litter box clean or your family may not appreciate you or your cat!

As a cat owner it is important for you to take extra precautions for your cat’s health during hot weather, otherwise, your cat may suffer from dehydration. Since your cat can’t tell you when it is feeling dehydrated, it is up to you to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and provide cooler living conditions if necessary to prevent overheating.

Bring your cat indoors when you notice the temperature is rising. Stray cats learn where to keep cool, but your cat is a pet and may not have the instincts to find a cool place to rest. If it does find a cool place, you may not even know where your cat is all day because it will stay there until the sun sets.

If your cat travels in your car with you, never leave your cat in a parked car in the heat. The temperature in a closed car rises extremely rapidly in the heat. It can be harmful or even deadly to your cat.

Don’t leave your cat in the car even if you are parked in the shade. As the sun moves your car may end up in the sun, or it can get too hot from the sun heated air. A dog barking or panting is a signal to you or passers-by that it is in distress. A cat can’t communicate like that, so get your cat out of the car whenever you get out. A cat can pass out and die in as short as fifteen minutes in a stuffy, hot car.

Keeping your cat’s fur needs to be kept short and well groomed to help it stay cool. Frequent combing will allow you to remove shed fur that may still be on your cat. Cat’s which have natural long fur often give you no option but providing a cool environment. This includes cats like the Persian and Siberian.

Make sure your cat has access to clean water. Regardless of the season, it is important to allow your cat to stay well hydrated. Keep water cool by changing it a few times each day during hot weather. The goal is to keep your cat’s body temperature constant.

You have just picked up a brand new aquarium tank at the pet store, and have the decor left. The tanks were beautiful at the pet store, but that’s not what you bought. You only have the tank without the decor. It’s up to you to decorate it.

The first thing to do is decide on a theme. You can choose anything between sunken ships, plants, and Disney theme. The theme you select for aquarium decor is simply a matter of what you want. After that it is a good idea to create a rough sketch and scale everything to size. By doing this, you will help fit everything in the new tank. You will also make sure it looks good. A little planning goes a long ways.

There are many different types of decorations for your aquarium available. And by many I mean hundreds, even thoushands to choose from. Anything from driftwood to gravel, rocks to ceramic decor, and even plastic plants are just a small range you have to select from. Once you pick a theme, the rest is easy. One simple thing to keep in mind, is that you will want to generally arrange the smaller items in the front, and the larger in the back. Just so you can see them.

You will want to avoid putting random, yet good looking, items into your aquarium. They may look good, but are not always healthy for the fish.

Before placing everything in the aquarium, you will want to wash them. Average household bleach, soaps, and other cleaning productions can actually harm the fish. Your aquarium decor should be cleaned about once a month with cleaner made for cleaning aquariums. You will want to look at cleaners that remove biological deposits, and mineral deposits.

Some tips to keep in mind when choosing your decorations, are to go with a variety of decorations. You will be creating more flexibility in the types of fish you can put in the tank. And by variety, I mean that when you setup your decor, try and leave plenty of caves, nooks, tunnels, and shelters for your fish to explore. And they wont just explore them, some fish will actually retreat to shelter when they feel threatened. You will want to keep plenty of free swimming room as well, so don’t over do it.

Bear in mind the types of fish when initially planning on how to decorate. Some fish don’t like all setups that other fish do like. Researching what types of environment fish like can go a long way when planning.

Aquarium decorations can be there for other reasons than simply looking good. They can be used to disguise ugly pluming and other necessities of the fish tank. The fish will enjoy the shelter as well, and even may start little fish families in the shelters.

Fish will sometimes create territorial boundaries out of the rocks and structures. Fish love to explore, and the more ridges and holes the better. Whenever you clean your tank, it is a good idea to rearrange the aquarium decor. In turn, keeping the aquarium fun and new for the fish, and you!

Today as you will soon discover there are many different types of chicken coops for sale. But before you think about purchase one which can be quite a large investment there are certain things that you will need to consider beforehand. In this article we offer some tips with regard to what to look for when you are buying a chicken coop that not only protects the hens but provides them with plenty of space.

Tip 1 - The coop should be of the most solid construction possible as you want to ensure that it lasts for many years to come. The best types of coops to buy are those constructed from pressure treated and tanalised wood. These one’s require very little maintenance and last for as long as 20 years.

But these coops may prove expensive and if your budget is limited that go for the standard treated coop instead. However, make sure that it has been treated using non toxic materials and remember to annually retreat it.

Tip 2 - You must make sure that the coop you purchase is one that is going to provide good protection to your hens from the weather. You need one that has roof which overhangs the main part of the coop so that rainwater is easily allowed to flow off it. The type of roof which is best is the apex style one although flat roofs which come with a slight slope to the front are also suitable.

Plus the roofing material should be of a kind that not only is impervious to water but provides a good level of insulation as well. Most chicken coops for sale today will have roofs that have good quality roofing felt on them or a material like Onduline, which prevents mites from finding places to live.

Serious consequences can develop when the family pet unwittingly transfers an illness to its human family members. If reasonable precautions are taken, there is no need to fear. The best thing you can do is know what kind of diseases can be transmitted and how to prevent it from happening.

Rabies is a serious problem in some parts of the world. It is best to vaccinate your pet against rabies in these areas.

Toxascaris is a disease caused by a parasitic roundworm and is commonly found in dogs and cats. It has received more attention lately, because an American child was recently blinded by the disease. Puppies and city pets seems to be those most affected. Tapeworms (hydatid disease) can be passed on similarly. Skin diseases like ringworms can also be transmitted through contact or mites.

Psittacosis can be found in caged birds like parrots, pigeons, and poultry. The bird may appear to be healthy, but psittacosis can actually cause flu and pneumonia in people. It is promoted by overcrowding and artificial conditions and can be transmitted by inhaling dust containing dried bird droppings or by contact with a sick or a dead bird.

Practicing good hygiene can keep you and your pet healthy Not having to worry about your family’s health will make time with your pet much more enjoyable. Taking care of your pet’s health will actually be a step toward taking care of your family’s health. Enrolling in pet insurance is an important factor in keeping your pet healthy.

You can go a long way toward preventing the spreading of diseases from your pet to your family by investing in a pet insurance programs. To get the best pet health insurance, it pays to view the posted pet health insurance review online.

Having horse pet insurance will help keep your pet healthier, and therefore help prevent the spreading of diseases. You can compare different plans online and decide which is best for your family.