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By jnavary, February 28, 2010

Many pet owners won’t neuter their male dogs. Some transfer their emotions about the procedure onto their dogs, and decide that it’s a cruel and inhumane act.  But most avoid neutering their dogs because they’ve heard one or more of the many misconceptions about neutering. Despite all these rumors and myths, neutering is a responsible procedure that won’t harm the health of your dog.  Here are some of the  misconceptions that keep many from having their dogs neutered.

Your dog will not become depressed for lack of sex. Dogs aren’t humans, and don’t feel the same way about sex that humans do.  They won’t miss the intimacy or the romance, like some people believe. As much as some people seem to think otherwise, dogs are animals, and their drive for sex is only instinct.  Not having sex will not harm, or depress, your dog.

Your dog will not become weak or effeminate. Neutering does not affect a dog’s physical abilities or strength.  In fact, neutering removes the sexual instinct that has some dogs climbing the walls. Neutering can correct many behavioral problems caused by the sex instinct in some dogs, especially in households with one or more pets and in a household with female dogs.

Your dog won’t get fat or stop being active:  If you don’t overfeed your dog and neglect to take him for walks, your dog can’t suddenly bloat up after being neutered. This is a popular misconception because it does happen sometimes—but it’s not because of the surgery, but rather the habits of the owner. Just be sure to feed your dog the proper amount of food, and make sure he gets plenty of exercise.

Your dog will still bark at strangers, if it does now.  The belief that a neutered dog will no longer make a good guard dog is ridiculous.  It’s a clear case of humans passing off misguided beliefs about masculinity and strength onto dogs. If the dog happened to be born sterile, would that make it less a dog, or less suited to be a watch dog?

36th Exposition Canine de Briard

Framed Art Print

Doigneau, Edouard

26.375 in. x 20.375 in.

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By jnavary, February 14, 2010

Border Terrier

Border Terrier’s are known for their jumping ability and agility. They are very intelligent with a level temperament. Many times you will see Border Terrier’s as therapy dogs due to their capacity for independent thinking.

Borders love to run so daily trips to the park or out for a long run is just what the Border Terrier needs to keep them active. Natural born fox hunters they were used back in the day to flush the foxes, otters and badgers out of their holds. It’s always amazing to see this quick dog in action and jumping despite their how short their legs are.

Beware of these little runners, they have been known to chase many a small animal like cats, mice and others. It’s in their blood. You can break the habit if the Border Terrier is raised with the animal. But when you are outside your dog’s domain, keep an eye on them because they can disappear in a flash if something catches their eye.

If you become the owner of a Border Terrier, best to make sure that you keep all small stuffed toys and such away from this little guy. They love to chew on toys and have been known to consume a toy here and there. If you Border Terrier becomes listless or uninterested in affection or has trouble sleeping have him checked to make sure he has not ingested something.

While these dogs are typically very active, they do love to just lounge in the park and take in the sites. Watching all the goings-on is something they enjoy. They are known to be a bit stubborn once they get settled and often refuse to get up and along, especially when they are tired!

Border Terriers can be slow to anesthetize and you need to watch this because they also have a high sensitivity to anesthetics. They have a high threshold for pain and can suffer from diseases like juvenile diabetes, seizures, hip Dysplasia and other ailments.

Border Terrier’s fall in the medium size category weighing in at between 11 and 15 pounds with the females usually weighing the least. Their coats are dirt and weather resistant that requires only a weekly brushing. They do shed but the weekly brushing can help with this issue as well as hand stripping a couple of time a year.

Exercise should be a big part of your Border Terrier’s life. They are very active and we can curb this behavior by consistent command training from an early age. Their willingness to please makes training your Border Terrier easier then other dogs.

Border Terrier’s can be a nice addition to you family, just remember their limitations. Socializing your dog early on can minimize the confrontational attitude of this dog. While it’s not displayed often, it can occur so keep a watchful eye on your new pup and all should go well.

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By jnavary, February 5, 2010

Typical dog farm conditions: young dogs crammed into wire cages all their lives.

Recently, a high school student in South Korea contacted KARA (Korea Animal Rights Advocates) about a dog farm next to his school. Students can see the dog farm, hear dogs barking all day, and hear louder cries once every 3 days (most likely when the slaughtering of dogs is taking place). An awful smell reaches the school playground from the dog farm.

You can read the whole story and see pictures by following this link: http://animalrightskorea.org/actions/dog-farm-near-high-school.html

This is only one example of the abuse of animals out of hundreds of cases: dogs of different breeds are kept on farms across Korea in horrible conditions, without proper food or clean water and in filthy steel cages. KARA has

A mother with pups born into a dog hell. This beagle once again proves that dog meat supporters are lying when they say that only "special" kinds of dogs are raised and killed in the dog meat industry.

reported this farm to the officials. The farmer can be penalized if he does not have a permit for his dog farm.

*Download and distribute flyers to people in your local community. Get them at: http://www.uniteddogs.com/stopkillingdogs/get-involved

*Join Stop Killing Dogs support page on Facebook to keep yourself updated with the latest news: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Killing-Dogs-supporters-page/235848430651

KARA and other organizations are fighting for a better life for dogs in Korea every day. But they need more than local efforts to ensure proper legal protection for these animals and make dog farms illegal. The government of Korea tries to ignore the problem, so to help Korean dogs

A scared tiny dog that was perhaps once someone's pet. The same is true of the poor Maltese in horrific circumstances below.

we need international pressure.

The petition at www.uniteddogs.com/stopkillingdogs has already collected over 350,000 signatures.

If all of you find 1 person to sign, there will be 700,000 signatures by tomorrow.

Thank you for spreading the word

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By jnavary, February 4, 2010

Over 2 million dogs are brutally killed in South Korea every year.

That’s over 5,000 dogs a day who get strangled, burned, electrocuted or beaten to death for their meat.

The South Korean government has accepted Animal Protection Laws which make animal torture illegal, but those laws have never been properly enforced in the country. The dog meat industry continues to thrive and the officials are reluctant and indifferent to ban it.

Although forbidden to advertise themselves on main streets or in English, over 6,000 restaurants today serve dog meat in South Korea. And they don’t get closed down.

MORE INFORMATION IN TOMORROW’S POST

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By jnavary, January 23, 2010

Proper support іח a bed іѕ іmрοrtаחt fοr ɡοοԁ sleep аחԁ ɡοοԁ health. It іѕ חο less іmрοrtаחt fοr уουr dog. Yου wουƖԁ want fοr yourself tһе best bed уου сουƖԁ practically afford, аחԁ іt ѕһουƖԁ bе јυѕt аѕ essential tһаt уουr dog’s bed bе designed wіtһ іtѕ health аחԁ well-being іח mind. Tһе family pet counts οח уου tο provide a comfortable аחԁ supportive dog bed tһаt fulfills іtѕ need fοr deep, restful sleep.

50-Inch Sleeper Bolster Bed

Tһеrе аrе lots οf dog bed choices tһаt cater tο tһе various sizes, sleeping habits, behavioral patterns аחԁ health issues οf ουr canines. Many аrе comfortable, top quality dog beds; οtһеr choices аrе חοt аѕ desirable.

Advertising wіƖƖ ԁіѕрƖау words Ɩіkе luxurious, tһе best, сοοƖ, fashion, custom, designer, orthopedic аחԁ discount prices, wһісһ аrе fine. Hοwеνеr, more іmрοrtаחt words tһаt ѕһουƖԁ receive ουr attention аrе support, pressure relief, comfort аחԁ durability.

Tһіחk οf tһе forces аt work οח уουr body wһеח уου’re lying іח bed. Gravity іѕ pushing уου down. Yουr hips, shoulders, joints аחԁ skeletal frame аrе being pushed іחtο уουr mattress. If уουr mattress wеrе cement οr οtһеr hard surface, іt wουƖԁ חοt compress аt аƖƖ, natural curvatures wουƖԁ חοt bе supported аחԁ additional pressure wουƖԁ bе placed οח sensitive points. Yουr hips аחԁ shoulders wουƖԁ bе subjected tο tһе brunt οf tһе force аחԁ wουƖԁ probably ѕtаrt tο һυrt аחԁ bring аbουt discomfort аחԁ less-tһаח-restful sleep. Tһаt іѕ wһу people seek out muscular аחԁ skeletal support wіtһ аѕ much pressure relief аѕ possible.

Pressure οח tһе bones аחԁ joints һаѕ a cumulative damaging effect.

Tһе same forces οf gravity tһаt cause υѕ tο look fοr comfortable sleep support аƖѕο affect ουr pets. Tο prevent calluses wһісһ саח occasionally become infected, tһе dog ѕһουƖԁ һаνе a well-padded bed located wһеrе іt tends tο lie, sleep οr relax. Inner spring mattress dog beds, regular foam dog beds, egg crate foam dog beds, shredded foam dog beds аחԁ polyfill dog beds wіƖƖ аƖƖ compact аחԁ сrеаtе resistance аt points wһеrе tһе mοѕt weight іѕ applied.

Hospitals аחԁ burn units һаνе used memory orthopedic foam fοr patients fοr many years іח tһе effort

K&H Ortho Thermo-Bed

tο eliminate pressure points tһаt сrеаtе bed sores. Yουr dog οr pet іѕ аƖѕο susceptible tο tһе same laws οf gravity wе аƖƖ аrе tһаt cause tһе cutting οff οf circulation сrеаtіחɡ pressure point discomfort. Tһеѕе pressure points build up, аחԁ tһаt іѕ wһу people аחԁ pets toss аחԁ turn tο ɡеt away frοm tһе pressure build up triggering tһе need tο turn over. Tһе pressure points soon build up again аחԁ tһе cycle continues.

Orthopedic foam саח reduce a dog’s tossing аחԁ turning bу up tο 90%.

Orthopedic memory foam dog beds reduce pressure οח joints аחԁ οtһеr jutting body раrtѕ, firm enough tο satisfy уουr dog’s instinctual need tο sleep οח solid ground, wһіƖе assisting healthy circulation. Traditional material іѕ susceptible tο sag; orthopedic pet bed surfaces refresh tһеіr form wіtһ еνеrу υѕе, providing exceptional therapeutic cushioning. Absorbing, redistributing аחԁ balancing weight pressure evenly асrοѕѕ tһе surface οf tһе dog’s body аѕ іt gently cradles tһе body helps afford superior comfort.

Equally appreciated bу younger pets, tһе sleep surface offers ехсеƖƖеחt preventative care. Orthopedic dog beds improve tһе quality οf life fοr dogs аחԁ cats wіtһ hip οr elbow dysplasia, arthritis аחԁ joint problems associated wіtһ large breeds аחԁ older dogs.

Yου mау want tο consider a heated dog bed іח winter οr a cooling dog bed fοr summer. If уου аrе considering a pet bed fοr outdoor υѕе, уου ѕһουƖԁ сһοοѕе one mаԁе οf high-quality tough materials tһаt саח withstand tһе wear.

It’s tһе ƖіttƖе things tһаt аrе really bіɡ things wһеח іt comes tο extending tһе life аחԁ tһе quality οf life οf ουr pets.

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By jnavary, January 14, 2010

The first American camera was patented by Alexander Wolcott in 1840. Since that time dogs have  consistently ranked amongst the favorite animal models for photographers. Dogs played many roles in early photography, representing mascots, war dogs, novelty photos, guardians, hunters and entertainers. Of course, some older photos portray dogs in the role with which we are most familiar – that of loyal companion.

It can be fascinating to observe the physical development of various breeds throught the years. By comparing what we see today with photographs of the same breeds taken many years ago, changes over time can be quite notable. For example, the practice of selective breeding for aesthetic purposes has increased the size of the bulldog’s head. This change in physical appearance can, unfortunately, result in health problems. For the bulldog, the modification of the head has increased the probability of problems with both breathing and giving birth.

In the first photo below you can see a thinner, smaller headed and longer legged bulldog – characteristics making him closer to the look of his ancestors who were originally bred for the “sport” of bull baiting.

I hope you enjoy this small collection of vintage dog photos as much as I did while collecting them!

Dreamworld Irish Boy (c. 1910’s-20’s)

The bulldog in this photo, Dreamworld Irish Boy, went on to win Best In Show at Westminster in 1914.

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

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Portrait of a girl with a dog. Stockholm 1865-1875

Photographer: Wilhelm Lundberg

Photo Credit: Stads Museum, Stockholm, Sweden

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Buccleuch Avon (b.1885)

Buccleuch Avon was one of the founders of the modern Labrador, and he carried the “liver” gene. He is believed to be the ancestor of all chocolate Labs.

Photo Credit: U.P. Labradors

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An Old Sea Dog - 1905

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

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Kennel master at the White House for Herbert Hoover's dogs.

Robert R. Robinson, kennel master at the White House for Herbert Hoover’s dogs, Buckeye, a German police dog; King Tut, a Belgian police dog; and Englehurst Gillette, a Gordon setter.

Photo Credit: National Photo Company / U.S. Library of Congress

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Who is cuter?

Photographer unknown – early 20th century

Photo Credit:  Vintage Portraiture on Flickr.com

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his daughter, Anna, with their German Shepherd dog, "Chief of the Mohawk". May 1920 during the Seventh annual Dog Show of the Washington Kennel Club.

Photo Credit: National Photo Company / U.S. Library of Congress

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The Bath - Circa 1914

Cute photo by Harry Whittier Frees featuring a dog dressed as human appearing to give another dog a bath in a tub.

Photo Credit: Harry Whittier Frees / U.S. Library of Congress

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George Custer and his dog - 1862. Taken during the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia.

Photo Credit: Civil War glass negative collection, U.S. Library of Congress

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Helen Keller with her dog, 1904

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Newfoundland Dog Called Lion, 1824

Framed Giclee Print

Landseer, Edwin…

36.25 in. x 30.25 in.

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By jnavary, January 8, 2010

Signs of Canine Illness

Owners who observe and handle their healthy dogs have a head start on recognizing early signs of illness in their pets. Those who know what a healthy pet acts, feels, and smells like can spot differences in behavior and bodies and determine whether a trip to the veterinarian is necessary.

Healthy dogs have a temperature of 101-102º F, a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 80-120 beats per minute. They have pink mucous membranes (gums, inside of lips, tongue, inside of eyelids) and rapid capillary refill action in these areas.

They have clean-smelling ears and skin and a full haircoat. Their skin is pliant, an indication of proper hydration, and their eyes are clear and bright.

If your puppy or dog shows any of the following signs, be prepared to call your veterinarian.

•  Eyes: swelling, discharge, redness, etc.

•  Nose: running, crusting, discharge, etc.

•  Ears: discharge, debris, odor, twitching, scratching, shaking, etc.

•  Coughing, gagging, sneezing, retching, or vomiting.

•  Irregular breathing, shortness of breath, prolonged or heavy panting, etc.

•  Intestinal activity
- Color and consistency of bowel movement
- Frequency of defecation
- Bloody stool
- Evidence of parasites, etc

•  Change in amout of food intake

•  Change in body weight

•  Change in water intake

•  Urine
-  Color
-  Frequency
-  Amount
-  Straining
-  Dribbling, etc.

•  Odor
-  Mouth?
-  Skin?
-  Ears?
-  Other?

•  Coat & skin
-  Wounds
-  Tumors
-  Hair loss
-  Dander
-  Color change
-  Biting
-  Scratching
-  Bite marks
-  Evidence of parasites
-  Licking, etc.

•  Behavior
-  Depression
-  Anxiety,
-  Fatigue
-  Lethargy
-  Sleepiness
-  Trembling
-  Stumbling
-  Falling, etc.

Noticing signs is half the battle; keeping a record helps the veterinarian make a diagnosis. Be sure to note when the symptom first appeared, and whether it has been intermittent, continuous, increasing in frequency, getting better, or getting worse before calling the veterinarian.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Two St. Bernard Rescue Dogs in the Alpine Snow

Framed Giclee Print

31.25 in. x 23.25 in.

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By jnavary, December 24, 2009

DogTown is returning to the National Geographic Channel on January 1st! This is one of my absolute favorite shows. The staff there are, IMHO, genuine heroes and heroines.

Here’s a clip from one of last season’s shows:

And here is the official announcement from the DogTown website:

Ring in the New Year with a new season of DogTown starting Friday, January 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. The hit series returns with 10 new episodes that follow the rehabilitation of abandoned, neglected and misfit dogs at DogTown, the last-hope refuge that’s part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal facility in the country.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Holiday by Rail

Framed Art Print

Kriesel, Johanna

17.875 in. x 21.875 in.

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By jnavary, December 22, 2009

Dogs that aren’t being bred should be spayed or neutered, for many reasons. The health and behavioral benefits alone can prolong your dog’s life and reduce the risk of certain diseases and infections. Neutering also avoids accidental pregnancy, and reduces the potential burden on local shelters that are forced to euthanize millions of unwanted and unplanned animals each year.

For female dogs, spaying before her first heat virtually eliminates the risk for developing breast cancer later in life. After four heat periods, spaying offers no protection from breast cancer, so unless you’re going to breed your girl, spay her at 6 months of age.

A female dog who has many heat periods is at risk of developing a potentially fatal uterine infection called pyometron. In this condition, the uterus fills with pus and the dog becomes seriously ill. She must be spayed urgently, but due to her illness, there are more risks associated with a general anesthesia. Neutering male dogs completely eliminates the risk of testicular cancer.

Spayed and neutered dogs are less aggressive, and if they spend any time outdoors, they will be less likely to roam or get into altercations with other dogs. Male dogs who are neutered as a youngster are less likely to mark their territory by urinating on every upright object.

A puppy may be sterilized as young as eight weeks of age, but most veterinarians will wait until they are around six months old. They are spayed and neutered under anesthesia, and using sterile equipment. Post-operatively, they may stay overnight, to allow them to completely recover from the anesthetic, and to make sure they don’t pull at their sutures.

Spaying a female involves removing the uterus and the ovaries, so after they are spayed, the female will no longer produce eggs or have heat periods. This is a more involved procedure than neutering a male, and the abdominal surgery requires a recovery period where the dog must remain quiet.

Neutering a male dog involves removing both testicles, and because there is no abdominal surgery involved, he has a shorter recovery time. For those people who don’t care for the sight of a neutered male, there are silicone implants called Neuticles that can be implanted after surgery. That way, the male dog still looks like he has testicles.

Some male dogs have testicles that haven’t descended into the scrotum. These must be removed as they can become cancerous later in life. The veterinarian will have to look inside the abdomen to find these testicles, so recovery is longer, as with a female dog spay.

As with any elective surgery, there are risks and potential complications from spaying and neutering. Dogs can have adverse reactions to suture material and anesthesia, and some incisions are slow to heal properly. There is also modern research that suggests that sterilization alters a dog’s appearance by slowing the closure of the growth areas of the legs. This means that dogs who are neutered as youngsters tend to be taller and leggier than their entire counterparts.

Hormone changes in spayed and neutered dogs can contribute to a slower metabolism and weight gain in some cases. This means that owners need to watch closely the food intake of their neutered dog, and make sure they get plenty of exercise, to keep their waistline trim.

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about advantage flea for dogs and dog supplies.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Four Dogs Lust after Their Owners’ Food

Framed Giclee Print

Moody, Fanny

24.5 in. x 27.25 in.

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