THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY AWESOME DOG SITTERS

Being separated from your dog can be a very stressful time. Finding the perfect person to care for your pet when you cannot is key to lowering stress for both of you. Many people find dog sitting a great way to earn additional income, but when considering a care taker, you want much more than a person just looking to earn extra cash.

The best dog sitters have a love for animals, are organized and creative and are extremely flexible and patient. Here are 7 habits of highly awesome dog sitters:

1. They know the value of preliminary introductions. Awesome dog sitters understand the importance of first impressions. Before their clients spend extended time in their care, great dog sitters will make time to introduce themselves to the pets they will be caring for. This helps to alleviate anxiety in both pets and their owners. It allows the dog to become familiar with a new care taker and gives the owner an opportunity to make sure the sitter is a good match for their pet.

2. They understand the importance of mental and physical stimulation. Long walks are a great way to relieve stress and anxiety in dogs - especially when separated from their families. Experienced sitters understand the importance of physical activity and mental stimulation. A simple game of fetch can accomplish both - keeping dogs happy and healthy and expending the energy of the most energetic pet.

3. They keep you updated. Dog sitters should take the time to find out how often you would like updates on your dog, what types of updates you prefer to receive and how you want to receive them (via text message, email, Skype, etc.). Awesome care takers will work with you to establish an appropriate communication schedule.

4. They have a great reputation. Excellent dog sitters have established a reputation of excellence. They have no hesitation in providing character or professional references that can vouch for their experience. They are comfortable providing a list of people whom you can contact prior to leaving your dog in their care.

5. They are clear on your expectations. Understanding your expectations is key to a pleasurable experience for you and your dog watcher. Top-notch dog sitters make it a priority to understand grooming, feeding, discipline and exercise requirements to minimize disruption in your dog's routine.

6. They are detail oriented. Having a plan for emergencies, keeping track of medicine schedules and likes and dislikes of your dog are all details your sitter will need to manage. Great care takers are organized and maintain attention to the important details involved in properly caring for your dog.

7. They are trustworthy. In addition to caring for your dog, many times dog sitters will have access to your home. Good sitters do not take this responsibility lightly. They treat your home with the same respect they give to their own homes. They clean up any messes your dog makes and are careful to lock your doors and arm security monitors appropriately.

 

Using the 7 habits of highly awesome dog sitters, you will be able to select a care taker that will ensure the healthiness and happiness of you and your dog.

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Dogs fact for kids

Dog facts kids Hello ! This section is specifically for dog facts for kids. There is so much that we can learn about canines and they are very interesting animals.  When it comes to dog facts, kids love to read about information that they can pass on to family and friends.  So, enjoy yourself as you have a look through our dog facts that kids will be interested in.

The oldest living dog lived until he was 29 years old, this was recorded in 1939.  His name was Bluey and he lived in Austrailia. If you are wondering about what type of breed he was, he was a Queensland 'heeler' – this breed was used for herding other animals.

Dogs can smell things that humans cannot.  The nose has sensory cells, they work to allow a person or animal to smell things.  A dog has about 5 million more than you do ! 

Dogs are omnivorous.  This means that they must eat both meat and plants (which would be vegetables and/or fruits).

They cannot eat the cores of apples, but they can eat apple slices.

They also should not eat raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate or garlic because it can make them sick.

They are the most popular pet to own. Out of all of the families living in the United States, 1 out of 3 has a puppy or dog.

Funny DogThey know what time it is by relying on their “internal clock”. They know exactly when it is time to eat, when to expect their owner to come home, when to expect walks and more. They can become very restless if something does not happen when they expect for it to.

“Sit” should be the very first command that an owner teaches to a dog.

You have some muscles to move your ears, but dogs have 2 times more than you do to move their ears!

Did you know that a dog uses his nose for smelling, but also uses it to cool himself off if he is hot?  A dog sweats their his nose! They also sweat through their paws.

Have you ever seen a dog turn around 3 times before they go to sleep? This is because long ago, wild dogs (which were their ancestors) did this to cause grasses to be patted down to the ground before they slept on them.  Today’s dog still have this instinct inside of them.

Puppies do not know how to walk when they are born – They must learn just like toddlers do. This happens between the ages of 2 and 5 weeks old.

Newborn pups are born with their eyes closed and they do not open until they are about 3 weeks old.

Puppies are born without having any teeth. They grown slowly from 6 weeks to 2 months….and then fall out again so that adult teeth can take their place.

There are 5 scenes that a person or animal can have: Touch, taste, smell, hearing and seeing. A puppy first has the sense of touch before any of the other ones.

Puppies need to stay with their mother until they are about 7 weeks old.  They need her for warmth, help with eating and she cleans them.  When they are 8 weeks old, they are much more independent and ready to go to a loving new home.

Dogs should be walked every day because they can have a lot of energy stored up in their bodies and going for a walk helps to release that energy.

The normal body temperature for a dog is 101.2 ° Fahrenheit.

If your puppy takes something that you do not want them to have, do not chase after them.  Make a game out of it, where YOU run away and make them chase you….It is a lot easier to get the item back.

It is perfectly normal for a puppy to sleep up to 19 hours per day. The average is just around 14 hours, but since each dog is an individual, that number can indeed go up to the 19 hours…and this includes sleeping at night as well as naps throughout the day. 

Dogs can see much better at night than we can. This is because they have a layer behind their eyes, called the tapetum lucidum. It works to reflect any light source and this is why you may see a dog’s eyes shining in the dark.

The first dog that was sent into outer space was named Laika.  He was sent by Russian scientists out in a satellite in the year 1957.

We bet that with this dog fact, kids may be very surprised….There is one type of dog that cannot bark at all.  It is called a Basenji and is a wolf type dog that lives on the continent of Africa.

Dogs can hear things that we cannot.  Most of us can hear a sound that is about 25 yards from us…But dogs can hear sounds that are 10 times as far, 250 yards away!

A dog’s heartbeat is a lot faster than ours.  Theirs is between 70 and 120 beat per minute, humans are just between 70 and 80.

French Poodles actually originated in Germany.   The German word for puddle is pudel…These dogs were used as water dogs… catching birds that hunters would shoot that would then fall into ponds.

In 1989, a dog set the world’s record for being the largest one ever recorded.  He was an Old English Mastiff and he weighed 343 pounds!  He was also very long at 8 feet and 3 inches.

Even though the Chihuahua is the smallest breed, a Yorkshire Terrier was the smallest individual dog ever recorded.  He was only 4 ounces as an adult and was only 2 and ½ inches tall.  He lived in England.

A lot of people know that the ancient Egyptian civilization loved cats, but they also loved dogs too.

boxer puppyThe most popular names for male puppies are Max and Jake. The most popular names for female pups are Maggie and Molly.   People must like the letter M!

Many believe that the Taco Bell dog is a boy dog, because of the voice given to it. However, it is a girl named Gidget.

Bingo, a male, is who you see on a box of Cracker Jacks snacks.

The Chihuahua can be 1 or more of 29 different colors.

Each nose print is as unique as a person’s fingerprints or snowflakes…No two are alike.

Humans have 9,000 taste buds on their tongue, dogs have 1,700….And cats have only 473.

Newborn puppies need to receive vaccinations similar to how human babies do. 

President Lyndon Johnson had two Beagles, their names were not very original, they were named “Him” and “Her”.

Former President George Washington had 36 dogs; they were all the same breed: Foxhounds.

There have been more than 50 dogs who have lived in the White House.

The famous Davy Crockett had a dog that he named Sport.

The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog, and the Azawakh is one of the most rare (there are only about 150 living in the United States).

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10 amazing facts about dogs for kids

If you have both children and a dog, you will probably be keen to get your children involved in caring for your dog when they are old enough to start learning about responsibility, and begin to build the foundations of a lifelong love of dogs and respect for both animals in general, and man’s best friend in particular.

Keeping things interesting and making learning fun is half the battle when trying to engage children’s minds and get them enthused about a subject, and appealing to children’s appetite for the unusual or intriguing can go a long way towards achieving your goals! With this in mind, here is a list of ten fun facts about dogs and a little additional background information on them to get you started, written with children in mind.

1.  Puppies are born blind, deaf and without teeth

 Puppies’ eyes are sealed shut at birth, and only open when they are around ten to fourteen days old. Their hearing will develop at around eighteen days old, while their first set of teeth will not begin to develop until they are at least six weeks old! Human babies are able to see and hear from birth, although they too do not develop their teeth until they are older!

2.  Dogs are descended from wolves

The domestic dog descended from the grey wolf, which is native to Europe, North America and Asia. The gradual domestication of wolves into the dogs that we share our homes with today started many years ago; around 100,000 years ago, to be precise! Dogs are a sub-species of the grey wolf; meaning that the grey wolf still exists in its natural form in the wild today as well.

3.  Man’s best friend

Dogs are often referred to as “man’s best friend,” which is a reference to the popularity of dogs as pets and companion animals. It is believed that the phrase originated as part of a courtroom speech in Missouri, America, in 1870, in a case where a farmer sued his neighbour over the shooting of his dog.

4.  Dogs in space

The very first live animal to go into space was not an astronaut, but actually a dog! Laika, a Russian dog, orbited the earth in the Russian spacecraft Sputnik in 1957. One of Laika’s puppies, Pushnika, later had a litter of her own with a terrier named Charlie, which belonged to the American president John F. Kennedy!

5.  Dogs and coat colour development

Some dogs, such as the Dalmatian and the Airedale terrier, are born all one colour at birth; white in the case of Dalmatians, and black in the case of the Airedale. Only as they start to grow and develop after birth does their adult coat colour develop; black spotted in the case of the Dalmatian and a mixture of grey, black and tan for the Airedale!

6.  Dogs and smiling

You might think that smiling at your dog with your teeth showing is a friendly, welcoming sign, but to many dogs, this is seen as an act of aggression! Dogs do not smile with their mouths in the same way that people do; dogs indicate happiness and excitement by wagging their tails. When a dog shows their teeth, this is usually defensive or aggressive; and so smiling at your dog with your mouth open may be read by your dog as an angry face!

7.  Dogs and vision

The vision of the average dog is not as keen as that of people; dogs find it much easier to see movement than a stationary object. If you are standing still more than 300 yards away from a dog, they are unlikely to be able to see you; but if you move or wave your arms, you will become visible! Try it out!

8.  Tiny dogs

Small dogs are often referred to as toy dogs, lap dogs or handbag dogs. This is because they appear so small that they might be mistaken to be a toy, can fit comfortably into your lap, and could even fit into a specially designed dog handbag to be carried around in! However, even the smallest dog is still a dog, and should be treated as such!

9.  Spaying and neutering

Spaying and neutering dogs is a surgical procedure to remove the ability to have puppies. This is important, as there are already more dogs and puppies within the UK than there are loving homes to care for them. Spaying is the name for the operation performed on a female dog, and neutering or castration is the name for the operation performed on a male. The name used to describe both procedures as a whole is also called ‘neutering,’ however! Left un-neutered, just one pair of dogs and their subsequent offspring could produce as many as 66,000 dogs over the course of six years!

10.  Dogs and smell

The sense of smell is the dogs most highly developed sense, and dogs have a sense of smell that is over 1,000 times more sensitive than that of people! The area of the brain that processes smell is over four times larger in dogs than it is in people too. Dogs can follow a scent or the smell of a person or object and track it for many miles, which is why dogs are often trained to help to search for missing persons by the police and search and rescue organisations.

If your children already enjoy playing with and spending time with your dog, or are interested in science, then you are already off to a head start! Having an animal around the home can act as an important learning tool for children, and teach them a wide variety of life lessons, from biology to empathy to responsibility and much more.

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Interesting Fact about dogs and puppies

If you love dogs and puppies you probably spend as much time around them as possible, and no doubt enjoy learning more about all things canine related. Whatever your level of knowledge, here are a few common dog myths de-bunked, and a few interesting facts which you may not know about man's best friend. Read on to find out more!

All about puppies

• Out of their five senses, the first sense that develops and becomes utilised in the baby dog is that of touch.

• You can get a good idea of the eventual size that your new puppy will become by looking at their feet- Large paws may take some growing into, but they're one of the first indications of the ultimate size the dog will reach.

• If your puppy bites or nips in play, you can often effectively train them out of this by saying 'ouch!' in a loud voice. This is a similar response to the yelps their littermates make when the same thing happens to them!

• Puppies only listen to the initial syllable of a word- So if your pup is named 'Princess Pretty Paws' then the only part of the name that your pup will come to recognise is 'Prin!'

• Puppies are born without their teeth- their first set of baby teeth start to develop from around four weeks old onwards. But they don't keep them for long- at four months old, your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth and grow his adult set.

• Puppies are not born with a sense of smell either- Surprising when you consider that the sense of smell is the most utilised sense of the adult dog. Scent glands begin to develop in your puppy at around three weeks of age.

• During their first week of life, a newborn puppy will spend up to 90% of it's time asleep.

• Puppies may potentially be rejected by their mother if they are born by caesarean section and cleaned before being given back to them, as the dam may be unable to recognise the puppy as their own.

• Puppies are most likely to interpret a person smiling at them as a sign of aggression if the person is showing their teeth!

All about dogs

• Your dog's heart rate is between 70 and 120 beats per minute. The average human heart rate is 70 to 80 beats.

• A fully grown adult dog has 42 teeth. A fully grown person has 32.

• Dogs don't sweat like people do- the only sweat glands on the dog are on the pads of their paws. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting and drinking water.

• It's not entirely sure where the (now banned) process of docking or amputating some dog's tails originates from- although it possibly began in ancient Rome with the rumour that docking a dog's tail curtailed the spread of rabies.

• A dog's sense of smell is around a thousand times more sensitive than that of people. We have about five million scent glands- Dogs have over two hundred and twenty million!

• Similarly, the dog's sense of hearing is around ten times more sensitive than that of people.

• The average dog is thought to be about as intelligent as the average two year old child, according to research by leading animal psychologists in America.

• The dog's shoulder blades are not attached by bone to the rest of their skeleton, instead being held in place by muscle and ligament. This enables them greater flexibility and extension of the leg when running.

• There are estimated to be around 500- 600 separate dog breeds in the world- although not all of them are recognised in the UK by The Kennel Club.

• Male dogs urinate by cocking their legs in order to increase the amount of area they cover with their urine, and ergo scent mark a particular area more thoroughly. Male puppies do not cock their legs to urinate until they become older, and as young pups, both male and female dogs urinate in the same way by squatting.

• Around 25% of dogs have a tendency to snore when they are asleep.

• While most dogs like to swim, some dogs cannot swim at all- most notably dogs with heads which are proportionally large for their body size (which causes them to tip forwards and not be able to keep their heads above the water) and brachycephalic dogs (dogs with squashed up looking faces, like boxers and pugs) as they cannot both regulate their breathing and swim simultaneously. Take care around water if you own any of these breeds.

• When frightened or to indicate submission, dogs will tuck their tails between their legs- this is in order to cut off access to the scent glands around the anus, which carry identifying information about the dog which can easily be 'decoded' by other canines.

• The three breeds of dog which are thought to be at the top of the canine intelligence scale are the Border collie, the poodle, and the golden retriever. The least intelligent dogs are considered to be the Afghan hound, the Basenji and the Bulldog.

• The nose prints of a dog are as unique as a person's fingerprints, and can be used to definitively identify an individual dog.

• Contrary to popular belief, dogs can see in colour, although their colour spectrum vision is not as sensitive as that of humans, and they often have many of the same visual traits as colour blind people. The dog's range of colour vision is at it's highest in low lights.

• Dogs have no sense of time in the same way that we do, although their body clocks dictate their need for food and going to the toilet, which is why owners often think their dogs are responding to specific times of the day with a conscious awareness of time passed.

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10 MOST DANGEROUS THINGS FOR YOUR DOG AT A DOG PARK

Spending time with your dog at a dog park may seem ideal, however, there is often a lot more other thing happened at the park. There are actually several occasion that your dog could become injured.  Here are 10 possible ways that a dog park could be dangerous to your dog:

1.     Sharing treats with other dogs

While sharing treats can be a kind gesture, if your dog has allergies, you need to watch him closely. You want to be sure that another dog owner doesn’t slip him a treat without asking your permission. Depending on the severity of your dog’s allergy, he or she could end up becoming quite ill.

2.     Attacks by larger, more aggressive dogs

Dog parks consist of dogs of all breeds, sizes and temperaments. Regardless of the size or breed of your dog, a more aggressive breed could intimidate and even attack your dog 

3.     Contagious illnesses

Chances are you would never believe that you need to head to the vet for immunizations just to be able to spend time at the local dog park. However, many pet owners aren’t concerned about your dog and may bring their dogs when they have contagious illnesses. Beware! 

4.     Escape routes

Fences that are in need of repair could pose a danger. There may be an opening just large enough for your dog to squeeze through, especially if he or she is an escape artist. 

5.     Sharp objects

You might want to carefully search the park before allowing Rover to run loose. There could be sharp objects that could cause your furry friend to become injured on or even impaled. 

6.     Poison

You are undoubtedly aware that dogs will scarf down just about anything that could be even remotely edible. There have been reported cases of disturbed individuals leaving enticing food items at dog parks that have been laced with poison. Keep Rover in sight at all times! 

7.     Fleas & ticks

Not all pet owners are responsible enough to rid their dogs of fleas and ticks before allowing them to hang out at dog parks. Take caution and make sure that you administer regular preventatives to your pooch. 

8.     Contaminated communal water bowls

You certainly don’t want your dog catching a nasty intestinal infection or other illness by drinking from a contaminated shared water dish. Be sure your bring water so Fido won’t go thirsty. 

9.     Unspayed and unneutered dogs

If your female dog has not been spayed, then you might want to think twice about taking her to a dog park. She could be in heat without your knowledge, which could attract unwanted male dogs that could quickly mount her before you can react.  This could leave her with nasty STDs. 

10.     Children

Not many people would expect an innocent child to pose a threat to a dog. However, some children don’t know the proper way to play with dogs and may cause Fido harm or provoke him to bite when he normally wouldn’t.

Many dog owners believe a dog park is the safest place for dogs to run freely while playing and exercising. Despite the fact that dog parks are supposedly safe, there is the possibility of your dog encountering various dangers. If you own your own home, you might want to fence in the backyard so your dog can run freely while remaining safe. If this isn’t a possibility, or you insist on going to the local dog park anyway, then you need to ensure that you closely monitor your dog to maintain his safety.

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Tips On How To Train Your Dog Dog Really Fast

Truth be told you are going to have to work harder than you have ever done before in order to train your dog successfully! I am telling you 99% people are just not capable of actually putting in the amount of hard work that is needed to train up their dogs. Believe me the only way to see phenomenal results that people are going to admire is to actually work your hair off on a day to day basis! Believe me patience is the most important skill that you can work to develop if you want to train your dog properly. My business is hinting right now that housetraining a puppy is simple when you're conscious just what you are doing.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you are lazy then you are just going to end up failing so you should not bother trying to train your dog. Please just stop reading right now if you are a lazy individual. Hard work is the core of all the obedient dogs that you see out there. Don't you think for a moment that people who have well trained dogs have done it by wishing for it!

I am telling you right now that the most important aspect of actually being able to train your puppy successfully is actually getting out there and becoming a more patient person. At the end of the day your dog is just a dog, so you need to be extremely patient until he understands what you are trying to teach him. Teaching him one thing at at time is going to require that you are really patient. This is going to be frustrating at times but believe me if you are able to stick it out you will see results!

The next thing you must develop is a level of consistency. Daily effort with your puppy dog will ensure that you will see amazing results. Believe me if you are not putting in the daily effort then you are going to fail in terms of teaching your dog anything. If you are actually looking to see results in the near future then you must apply what I've just told you.

Believe me I really and truly think that if you want to see success with your dog then you are going to have to go to your local bookshop and learn everything there is about this subject matter. I will tell you right now to go to your local bookshop and grab all the books that you can on the topic of training dogs. Then spend the next few weeks just studying everything you can on dog training. Believe me no matter how mundane of a task this is you must do it if you actually want to successfully train your dog.

Believe me I am telling you from experience that all you need to do in order to see success with your dogs is to just follow the advice that I've given you here! I am telling you take it slowly and enjoy the process. Remain patience and consistent and believe me you are going to see amazing results in no time. Trust me the world is going to wonder how you managed to make your dog so obedient. You are going to smile in joy.

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Best lap dogs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6k0ISpPH8s

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Miki Dog Breed (Mi-Ki)

Brief History

The Mi-Ki, as a breed, has been split between a few different clubs. These clubs are setting their own standards and the dog is quickly becoming very different from club to club, but all still have the same name, Mi-Ki. There are different theories to the origin of the Miki dog breed.

According to the Mi-Ki™ Club of America, Inc., the Mi-Ki is thought to be Asian. The timeframe of when this tiny toy dog is said to have appeared in the U.S. is approximately during the 1980s. It shares common ancestors with the Papillon, the Maltese, and the Japanese Chin. Unfortunately the cloudy history of the Mi-Ki makes it impossible to tell the percentage of each breed in its makeup. The Mi-Ki was recognized by the States Kennel Club in 1995. 

According to the IMR, the Mi-Ki is a new breed started in the late 1980s by a woman who went by the name of Micki Mackin, among others. She resided in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and its suburbs. She started developing a strain of small dogs from the Papillon, Japanese Chin, Maltese and the small Shih Tzu and in 1993 there was a Papillon / Yorkshire Terrier mix stud that she introduced to some of the females. Unfortunately, she did not keep accurate records, so the degree of mixture or combination of the breeds used is not known. Some credit Micki Mackin with the use of her name when she called the little dogs Mi-Kis (pronounced Mee-Kee). The International Mi-Ki Registry proclaims to be the Developing Founder. The IMR has taken that strain and through a strict breeding program, including DNA profiling through the United Kennel Club, Inc., is developing and refining the Mi-Ki into a new "made in USA" pure breed.

Appearance

Mi-Ki is pronounced Me-Key. It has a small "apple domed" head (the International Mi-Ki Registry's Mi-Ki heads are rounded, but not domed.) It has a short, wide muzzle with a well-defined stop (the region where the muzzle joins the skull); a muzzle that is pushed in or long and narrow are considered major faults. The muzzle length varies from 1/2 inch in length to 1 1/2 inches. The teeth are level to slightly under-shot. The eyes are large, round and set well apart; dark is most desirable, but blue with a blue-colored coat and brown or ruby with a brown-colored coat are acceptable. The nose is medium in size and flat on top with wide nostrils, never pinched. Generally, the nose is black but can be self-colored on brown or lighter coated dogs. The ears are very mobile! The Mi-Ki ears can be carried erect or dropped. Both ear types are capable of "winging" their ears when extremely excited. Ears must be feathered. The neck is of medium length, and should never appear short or thick. Although the Mi-Ki appears cobby, the body is slightly longer than the height, measured at the shoulders. The back line is straight and level. The chest is of medium depth. The ribs are well sprung. The forequarters have a well-developed shoulder that is laid back to allow freedom of movement. The forelegs are always straight and never bowed. Feathering must be present. The hind legs are parallel when viewed from behind. Dewclaws are usually removed, however some clubs state leaving the front dewclaws is optional. The feet are hare-like in shape, thin and elongated.  All four feet must be shaved. When relaxed, the front feet may turn slightly outwards. The feet are dainty and slightly webbed. The tail is set high, carried gaily and well arched over the body with fringing. There are two coat types, smooth and long. The smooth coat lies close to the body and skull with no presence of a beard or mustache on the face, and has short fringing on the ears and on the front and rear legs and the tail. The long coat is fine, silky and straight, with long feathering on the ears and on the front and rear legs, and on the tail. The long-coated Mi-Ki may have a beard and mustache and must have a neatly shaved head. All colors are acceptable, including dilute colors. Solid colors are rare and highly prized. The gait should be light and smooth with a free-flowing action and when viewed from the front or rear should be straight and true. The general appearance should be one of elegance and grace, with long, silky non-shedding hair.

Temperament

The Mi-Ki is intelligent, calm, sweet natured, affectionate and its activity level is low to moderate. Friendly and alert, making an excellent companion to the handicapped, it is laid back and seldom barks. Some also make a sound much like a yodel or a type of joyful twittering. This breed possesses a high degree of intelligence, making it a top candidate for the obedience ring. They love to be around people, and readily accept strangers. The Mi-Ki has a very even temperament, which makes it an ideal therapy dog. The Mi-Ki loves kids. The Mi-Ki enjoys sunning on a window sill and washing itself like a cat. In fact, one Mi-Ki raised an entire litter of abandoned kittens. The Mi-Ki is not aggressive, nor is it intimidated by dogs. This same female who raised the litter of kittens also raised a litter of five Lamalese puppies. By the time these pups were four weeks old they were almost as big as the Mi-Ki. The Mi-Ki is extremely social and catlike in its mannerisms. It is such an adaptable little dog that many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to have a pet find they can indeed have a Mi-Ki. The Mi-Ki can climb much like one of its ancestors, the Japanese Chin, and act catlike as it pounces on, chases and swats at its toys or playmates. They are easy to train and seem eager to adapt to your lifestyle. Make sure you are this dog's firm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behavior problems. When dogs are allowed to be pack leader to humans they can develop many types of behavior issues, including, but not limited to, being suspicious of and barking at strangers, guarding, separation anxiety, destructiveness, snapping, and even biting. These are NOT Mi-Ki traits, but rather behaviors resulting from a lack of leadership on the humans’ part. Always remember, dogs are canines, not humans. Be sure to meet their natural instincts as animals. They need rules to follow, limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do and a firm, consistent, confident pack leader, along with daily mental and physical exercise.

Size

Height: 10 - 11 inches (25 - 28 cm)
Weight: up to 10 pounds (5 kg)

Grooming

For pets, use a wire comb once a week to remove dead hair. Bathe only when necessary. The show cut for a Mi-Ki is very distinct. The head, neck and ears are all shaven. The head shaving extends from the base of the skull to the base of the throat. The feet and legs are also shaven to the pastern. The shaving of the legs includes the dewclaws. It is also necessary to remove the hair from between the toes and around the pads. The reason for this cut is to reduce the risk of health problems. The Mi-Ki sheds little to no hair.

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Husky dogs (Siberian Huskies)

Brief History

Siberian Huskies were used for centuries by the Chukchi Tribe, off the eastern Siberian peninsula to pull sleds, herd reindeer and as a watchdog. They were perfect working dogs for the harsh Siberian conditions: hardy, able to integrate into small packs, and quite happy to work for hours on end. The dogs have great stamina and are lightweight. Native to Siberia, the Husky was brought to Alaska by fur traders in Malamute for Arctic races because of their great speed. In 1908 Siberian Huskies were used for the first All-Alaskan Sweepstakes, an event where mushers take their dogs on a 408-mile long dogsled race. The dogs gained popularity in 1925 when there was a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska. Siberian Huskies were used to bring in the much needed medicine to the people. In the early to mid-1900s Admiral Byrd used the dogs in his Antarctic Expeditions. During World War II the dogs served on the Army’s Arctic Search and Rescue Unit. The Siberian Husky’s talents are sledding, carting and racing. The Siberian Husky was recognized by the AKC in 1930

Appearance

Siberian Huskies are strong, compact, working sled dogs. The medium-sized head is in proportion to the body, with a muzzle that is equal in length to the skull, with a well-defined stop. The color of the nose depends upon the color of the dog's coat. It is black in gray, tan or black dogs, liver in copper dogs and flesh-colored in pure white dogs. The medium-sized, oval-shaped eyes are moderately spaced and come in blue, brown, amber or any combination thereof. Eyes can be half blue and half brown (parti-eyed), or dogs can have one blue eye and one brown eye (bi-eyed). The erect ears are triangular in shape, and set high up on the head. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The tail is carried over the back in a sickle curve, not curved to either side when the dog is excited. The large "snow shoe" feet have hair between the toes to help keep them warm and for gripping on ice. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The medium-length, double coat is thick and can withstand temperatures as low as -58° to -76° F (-50° to -60° C). The coat also comes in a longhaired variety called a wooly coat. The wooly (sometimes spelled woolly or wooley) coat length comes from a resessive gene and is not in most of the kennel club's written standard. Coat colors include all, from black to pure white, with or without markings on the head. The face mask and underbody are usually white, and the remaining coat any color. Examples of common colors are black and white, red and white, brown, gray and white, silver, wolf-gray, sable and white, red-orange with black tips, dark gray and white. Piebald is a very common coat pattern.

Temperament

Siberian Huskies are loving, gentle, playful, happy-go-lucky dogs that are fond of their families. Keen, docile, social, relaxed and rather casual, this is a high-energy dog, especially when young. Good with children and friendly with strangers, they are not watchdogs, for they bark little and love everyone.  Huskies are very intelligent and trainable, but they will only obey a command if they see the human is stronger minded than themselves. If the handler does not display leadership, they will not see the point in obeying. Training takes patience, consistency and an understanding of the Arctic dog character. If you are not this dog’s 100% firm, confident, consistent pack leader, he will take advantage, becoming willful and mischievous. Huskies make an excellent jogging companion, as long as it is not too hot. Huskies may be difficult to housebreak. This breed likes to howl and gets bored easily. Does not do well if left alone  for a long period of time without a great deal of exercise beforehand. A lonely Husky, or a Husky that does not get enough mental and physical exercise can be very destructive. Remember that the Husky is a sled dog in heart and soul. It is good with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood. Huskies are thrifty eaters and need less food than you might expect. This breed likes to roam. Siberian Huskies can make wonderful companions for people who are aware of what to expect from these beautiful and intelligent animals and are willing to put the time and energy into them.

Size

Height: 

Males 21 - 23½ inches (53 - 60 cm) 

Females 20 - 22 inches (51 - 56 cm)

Weight: 

Males 45 - 60 pounds (20 - 27 kg) 

Females 35 - 50 pounds (16 - 22½ kg)

Grooming

The coat sheds heavily twice a year. During that time they need to be brushed and combed daily.

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Border Collie

Brief History

The Border Collie was originally called the "Scotch Sheep Dog" and originated in Northumberland along the borders of Scotland and England. It is a descendant from dogs used by the Vikings to herd reindeer, the old British droving breeds, with spaniel added. Named a "workaholic" for its sheer drive and love for working, the Border Collie has an eye that can hypnotize cattle. It can master any type of herd by crouching down and mesmerizing the animals with its intense stare. One of the most trainable breeds, the Border Collie also serves well as a narcotics and bomb detection dog and is a frequent high performer in obedience, agility, Frisbee™ trials, police work, search and rescue, Flyball, performing tricks and competitive obedience. Some Border Collies have been trained very successfully as guide dogs for the blind. Currently very good results are obtained with them for general assistance to the handicapped in The Netherlands. The Border Collie was first recognized by the AKC in 1995.

Life span of this dog breed is about 12 to 15 years.

Appearance

The Border Collie is a medium sized, energetic working dog. Its body is slightly longer than it is tall. The relatively flat skull is moderate in width. The skull and muzzle are about the same length, with a moderate stop. The strong teeth meet in a scissors bite. The oval eyes are set well apart and brown in color, except in merles where one or both eyes may be blue. The medium sized ears are set well apart, either carried erect or semi-erect. The front legs are straight when viewed from the front, but slightly sloping when viewed from the side. The medium sized tail is set low reaching at least to the hock, rising somewhat when the dog is excited. Dewclaws are usually removed. The double coat is weather resistant, dense and close-fitting. There are two coat varieties: a short, sleek coat (about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long) and a coarse, rough coat (about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long). The coat colors come in black and white, tricolor, red and white, black and gray, yellow, yellow and white, sable, and all black. The longer haired variety should have a mane and tail brush. The hair on the face, ears and front legs is always short and sleek. Since Border Collies are bred for working ability and intelligence rather than for physical beauty, conformation varies widely.

Temperament

The Border Collie is very intelligent and aware of its surroundings. It is able to be trained to a high degree. This is one of the hardest working dogs thriving on praise. Border Collies are represented among the leaders in competitive levels in various sports, excelling in agility skills, obedience, sheepdog trials and Frisbee™. These competitions are right up their alley, and they are commonly used and often win. For those who wish to reach high levels in dog sports, the Border Collie is a gift from heaven. Farmers are also happy with them, as they were originally bred as a farmhand. The Border Collie is highly energetic with great stamina. Provided they get sufficient activity to keep them occupied and ample exercise, the Border Collie will get along quite happily with other dogs and children, however they may be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex if you are not showing 100% leadership with them. They should not be trusted with small non-canine pets, however there are plenty of Border Collies that live and get along with family cats. This breed can be sensitive and should be very well socialized as a puppy to prevent shyness. To be truly happy, they need a lot of consistent leadership, extensive daily exercise, and a job to occupy their minds. Border Collies will often challenge their owners’ authority when they are adolescents. Dominance levels vary greatly, even within the same litter. You need to be this dog’s firm, confident, consistent pack leader, or he may try and take over. If you allow him to take over, without enough socialization and mental and physical exercise, he can be highly reactive and sound sensitive, making him a poor choice for families with young children. The Border Collie is a perfectionist with a permanent will to please. This breed lives for serving you day in and day out. It is not an ideal pet for people who do not plan to spend a lot of time with it. These dogs are too intelligent to lie around the house all day with nothing to do. If you are not willing to put many hours a day into keeping these dogs well exercised in both mind and body, then it is recommended you do not adopt a Border Collie. There are other breeds that are similar yet not as demanding. If there is insufficient activity then it will find its own work to do, and that may not be what YOU had in mind when we say the word WORK. When not challenged daily they can and will become destructive. They cannot be left alone for too long with nothing to do if they have not been exercised to the point where they are both mentally and physically tired. A bored Border Collie will not make a good pet, as it can become neurotic and may start using its escape artist talents, among other behavior problems. They have strong herding instincts and may try to herd children and strangers and must be told this is not acceptable.

Size

Height:  

Males 19 - 22 inches (48 - 56 cm) 

Females 18 - 21 inches (46 - 53 cm)

Weight: 

Males 30 - 45 pounds (14 - 20 kg) 

Females 27 - 42 pounds (12 - 19 kg)

Grooming

The Border Collie needs regular combing and brushing to keep the coat gleaming. Extra care is needed when the soft, dense undercoat is shedding. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary. Check the ears and coat regularly for ticks. This breed is an average shedder.

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The Rottweiler

Breed History

The Rottweiler is probably descended from the Italian Mastiff, which accompanied the herds that the Romans brought with them when they invaded Europe. During the Middle Ages, it was used as a herder, as a guard, messenger dog, draught dog and for police work. It was bred in the German town of Rottweiler in Wurttemberg. Practically extinct in the 1800s, the breed population began a comeback in the early twentieth century due to the efforts of enthusiastic breeders centered in Stuttgart. In Germany on January 13, 1907, the DRK (Deutscher Rottweiler-Klub (German Rottweiler Club)) was established. Shortly after on April 27, 1907, the SDRK (Süddeutscher Rottweiler-Klub (South German Rottweiler Club)) was formed, which later became the IRK (International Rottweiler Club). The Rottweiler standard was then set. The breed was first recognized by the AKC in 1931. Some of the Rottweiler's talents include: tracking, herding, watchdog, guarding, search and rescue, guide dogs for the blind, police work, carting, competitive obedience and Schutzhund.

The life span of this dog breed is about 10 to 12 years. 

Appearance

The Rottweiler has a muscular, massive, powerful body. The head is broad with a rounded forehead. The muzzle is well developed. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The wide nose is black. The lips are black and the inside of the mouth is dark. The medium-sized eyes are dark and almond shaped. Some Rottweilers have been known to have blue eyes or one blue and one brown eye. This trait is not recognized in the show world and does not meet the breed’s written standard. The ears are triangular and carried forward. The tail is customarily docked. Note: docking tails is illegal in most parts of Europe. Rear dewclaws are often removed. The chest is broad and deep. The coat is short, hard and thick. It is black with rust to mahogany markings on the cheeks, muzzle, paws and legs. A red color with brown markings also exists. There is a deficiency in the hair gene that makes the coloring a lighter red.

German Rottweiler vs. American Rottweiler: some claim there are variations of Rotties, the German Rottweiler and the American Rottweiler. German Rotties are said to be shorter, stockier and have a bigger, blockier head, while American Rotties are said to be taller and leggier without as blocky a head. Others claim a Rottweiler is a Rottweiler and there is no such thing as a German Rottie. Some who have stated this argument have said, "A German Rottweiler is one born in Germany and an American Rottweiler is born in America." In any case, there are breeders breeding for the German Rottweiler look of larger and blockier, while others are breeding for the American Rottweiler look, less blocky.

Temperament

The Rottie is powerful, calm, trainable, courageous and devoted to its owner and family. Loyal and protective, it will defend its family fiercely if needed, seemingly immune to pain. Serious, even-tempered, brave, confident and courageous, this breed needs an owner who is strong minded, calm, but firm and able to handle this dog’s massive size. The Rottie is a docile, natural guard dog with a laid-back, reliable temperament. It is highly intelligent and has proven its worth beyond question in police, military and customs work over many centuries and can be trained for competitive obedience. Because of its size, training should begin when the dog is a small puppy. This breed needs a lot of leadership and socialization. It will not be happy confined to a kennel or backyard. The objective in training this dog is to achieve pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a success. When the Rottweiler receives consistent leadership and is trained, it will be a good playmate for the children. It will accept cats, other dogs and other household pets as long as the dog has been socialized well and has owners who assert their authority over the dog. Friends and relatives of the family are normally enthusiastically welcomed. Strangers from whom the dog senses bad intentions can get no further than the sidewalk.

Size

Height: Males 24 - 27 inches (61 - 69 cm) 

Females 22 - 25 inches (56 - 63 cm)

Weight: Males 95 - 130 pounds (43 - 59 kg) 

Females 85 - 115 pounds (38 - 52 kg)

Grooming

The smooth, glossy coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

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Golden Retriever

Brief History

Originating in the Scottish Highlands in the late 1800s, the Golden Retriever was developed by Lord Tweedmouth, by crossing the original yellow Flat-Coated Retriever with the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel. He later crossed in the Bloodhound, Irish Setter and more Tweed Water Spaniel. The dogs were called the Golden Flat-Coat and only later were they given the name Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular breeds known today, not only as family companions but for obedience competitions, hunting and tracking, as a birddog on both land and in the water, narcotics detection, service dog for the disabled, a guide for the blind and as a therapy dog. The Golden Retriever was first recognized by the AKC in 1925.

Life span of this breed is 10 to 12 years.

Appearance

The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, medium-large sized dog. The skull is broad and the muzzle is straight, tapering slightly with a well-defined stop. The nose is black or a brownish black. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The medium to large eyes are dark brown. The relatively short ears hang down close to the cheeks. When pulled forward the tip of the ear should just cover the eye. The tail is thick at the base with feathering along the underside. Dewclaws may be removed. The water-resistant coat is dense with a firm, straight or wavy outer coat. There is an untrimmed feathering on the underbelly, back of the legs, front of the neck and underside of the tail. Coat color comes in cream to a rich golden.

Temperament

These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Charming, devoted and self-assured, they are a popular family dog. Energetic and loving, Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be very rewarding. They excel in competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people who display leadership to be happy. The Golden Retriever may become destructive and/or high-strung, over-exuberant and distractible if he is lacking in daily mental and physical exercise. Be sure to remain this dog’s firm, but calm, confident, consistent pack leader to avoid behavioral issues. Some of the Golden's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience and performing tricks. These dogs also love to swim.

Size

Height: Males 22 - 24 inches (56 - 61cm) Females 20 - 22 inches (51 - 56 cm)

Weight: Dogs 60 - 80 pounds (27 - 36 kg) Females 55 - 70 pounds (25 – 32 kg)

Grooming

The smooth, medium-haired double coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

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Australian Labradoodle

Brief History

This classic example of logical and planned crossbreeding was created in the country of Australia in the 1980s. The goal of the Australian clubs is to create a new "breed" with the best attributes of the original breeds. Wally Conron's objective was to produce assistance dogs that do not shed hair (for people with allergies). Australian Labradoodle guide dogs have been successfully trained and placed in Australia and Hawaii, but as yet the non-shedding characteristic of the Standard Poodle has not become a fixed a tribute. The Australian Labradoodle started out as a simple cross between the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle or Miniature Poodle and is still widely the case in North America. Australians, on the other hand, have taken the Labradoodle a few steps further. In mid-2004 it was announced that the Australian Labradoodle was not just a Labrador x Poodle cross but was a breed in its own right developed over many years with particular goals in mind. To accomplish these goals, further development was done with parent breed infusions added to the already blooming Labrador x Poodle cross lines. The developers of the breed sought out the best way in which to compliment the Australian Labradoodle breed, and to develop the qualities that they find and love in these dogs. In 1997 the very first Australian Labradoodle Breed Standard was written which reflected these goals. The Australian Labradoodle currently consists of 6 different breeds in its origin. The confirmed and approved parent breeds of the Australian Labradoodle are the Poodle (Standard, Miniature, Toy, Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, Curly Coat Retriever,American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel.

Appearance

There are three different types of Labradoodles currently being bred: the Australian Labradoodle bred in Australia, USA.

        1. The Australian Labradoodle bred in Australia and recognized by the Labradoodle Association of Australia and the International Australian Labradoodle Association, Inc., is being bred with the goal of creating a purebred dog. It is unclear how far the Australians have come in their development.

      2. The American Labradoodle is a hybrid dog, bred by crossing the Poodle with the Labrador Retriever.

         3. Some breeders are calling multi-generation Labradoodles Australian Labradoodles (sometimes there are other breeds mixed in besides Lab and Poodle). Multi-generation Labradoodles are hybrids and are different than the ones being bred by the Australian clubs.

The dogs pictured in this info section are the Australian Labradoodles bred in Australia, with the goal of creating purebred dogs. When contacting a breeder selling Australian Labradoodles, be sure to ask what type of Labradoodle they have.

Click here for the Australian Labradoodle Standard for dogs being bred by clubs in the country of Australia.

Temperament

The Australian Labradoodle is good with children and is easy to train. It gets along well with other dogs. It is extremely clever, sociable and joyful, and quick to learn unusual or special tasks. Active, a little comical at times, it can attempt to outsmart its owner if undisciplined. It is very important that you are this dog’s firm but calm, consistent pack leader and provide him with daily mental and physical exercise to avoid behavior issues. Friendly, though obviously loyal to its own family, this dog is non-aggressive.

Size

Standard: Height 22 - 24 inches (53 - 60 cm)

Standard: Weight Females 45 - 60 pounds (20 - 27 kg)  Males 55 - 77 pounds (25 - 35 kg)

Miniature: Height 17 - 22 inches (44 - 56 cm)

Miniature: Weight 30 - 50 pounds (14 - 25 kg); males are larger

Grooming

Curly coats need regular grooming with a slicker brush at least every two weeks and maybe two to three times a year, a trim, scissoring or clipping to keep tidy. Most Australian Labradoodles shed little to no hair and are possibly non-allergenic. 

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