What Families With Small Children Should Consider When Selecting a Toy Breed Dog

Some people would say that no family is complete without a pet - and more specifically, a dog. However, not all breeds of dog are the right fit for every family, especially if the family in question includes small children. There are also many people who say that a small dog isn't necessarily a good choice for families with young children, but is by no means always the case. Of course, it's also true that some families simply don't have the space for a larger dog and in this case, toy breeds may be a better fit.

A wisely chosen small dog can be a perfect companion for young children, although there are some important considerations which need to be made before making a decision about what kind of dog to adopt. Different breeds have been selectively bred for different traits and of course (and this is very important!) there are individuals within every breed of dog, whether you're talking about the toy breeds or larger breeds, which don't quite fit in with what you'd expect given their breed.

There are some things that families should know about toy dogs which may make them an especially good (or problematic) choice, depending on the temperament of their children. Toy breeds tend to sleep a bit more than their larger counterparts and require a little less exercise as well. For some families with small children, these may be very desirable traits, while they may make them a little less of a good match for other families.

One thing that you'll have to decide is whether to adopt a puppy or an adult dog. Despite how cute puppies are and how much fun small children may have playing with a puppy, there are some advantages to adopting an adult dog instead. For instance, their personality is already developed, so you'll know what the dog is like before you take them home. Generally speaking, they've also been trained and housebroken already, so accidents, chewing and other undesirable behaviors are far less likely.

One thing about small dogs is that they generally don't act like it. They're just as territorial as larger dogs and don't seem to have a concept of how fragile they can be. They move fast, but they can get underfoot easily - or can be accidentally hurt by overly rambunctious children. That's actually the reason that toy breeds have a reputation as not being a good match for young kids; a small dog may feel threatened more easily by a child's innocent play than a larger dog and instinctively growl or bite in response.

Obviously, adopting any dog is something which should be done with careful consideration not only for your family's best interests, but those of the animal as well. Adopting a pet is a serious commitment and you'll need to be sure that you're ready and able to care for your new family member. As long as you know what you're getting into ahead of time and have taught your child how to treat your new dog, they can be a wonderful addition to your family and can help even small children to learn responsibility by helping to care for the dog.

With these words of caution in mind, you'll be ready to confidently select your new canine family member. A well-chosen toy dog will be a part of your family's happy memories for many years to come.

Read about specific recommendations on toy breeds and small children. Check out my favorite pet store, Friendly Paws Pet Supplies, for everything you need for your dog.

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What You Should Know About the Most Common Health Problems of Dogs

There's no doubt that dogs are the most popular pets to have. They can range from the cute and cuddly to the tough and vicious breeds. No matter what breed or type of dog it is however, you can be sure that they will remain loyal to you.

Now, dogs can communicate with us. As we live with them longer, we learn to interpret their various behavior. If there is one thing that they cannot tell us directly however, that is when they are not feeling well and that means we have to know when to look for the signs when they are sick.

Dogs can get sick and if we want to enjoy their companionship for a long time, then we need to learn what their most common ailments are. To help you out we have made a list here:

Heartworms- Dogs are particularly prone to parasites, especially with the way that they romp around, but there is one particular parasite that can cause more than just a minor inconvenience. These are the so called heartworms which can infect the heart and sometimes the arteries of dogs. Symptoms include excessive coughing and lethargy.

Diarrhea- Dogs are very prone to diarrhea because of their tendency to put anything in their mouth. This is usually accompanied by vomiting and is pretty normal. The problem is that if it happens for a prolonged period then you should take the dog to a vet.

Obesity- It is not only humans who can suffer from obesity but dogs can too. Some breeds of dogs can gain excessive weight if their eating is not controlled so you should be on the lookout for this if your pet is of the breed that can get too heavy.

Kennel Cough- This is a highly infectious form of bronchitis in dogs and it can be acquired through exposure to infected animals. Normally the infection takes place in grooming shops and even animal clinics.

Skin Problems- Dogs are just as prone to skin problems as humans. Allergies and parasites are the most common causes of these health problems. You should pay attention to it immediately if your pet shows signs of excessive itching.

Arthritis- Dogs are just as prone to arthritis as humans and they could have an even worse time because of the fact they might not get medical attention until it is too late. If your dog shows signs of slowing down or of limping then most likely it has this condition.

Cancer- Dogs are also prone to suffer from cancer of all types. The problem is that it is normally not detected until it is too late, when there is nothing that could be done.

These are just some of the more common health issues from which your pet dogs could suffer. It would be a big deal for you to know all about this so you can start helping them the moment that you see signs that there is something wrong with their health. If you love your dogs then you would watch out for their health.

If you are looking for affordable pet insurance for your precious furr family members, then you are in the right place. We offer dog insurance and cat insurance at prices you can afford. Our cheap pet insurance plans provide you the best coverage for your money.

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Why Should We Use Dog Poop Bags?

Why should we use dog poop bags to pick up our dog's waste? Well, actually there are many good reasons. Some we are well aware of, and some maybe not.

1) Common courtesy to our neighbors. How often have you stepped in dog poop and tracked it into your home or into your vehicle? Hard to get off of the carpet isn't it? And it's also very difficult to scrape off of our shoes. Common courtesy and good will to all means that if your dog did it, we must take care of it.

2) Dog poop poses a real threat to our water. It is an environmental pollutant. Studies done in the last few years put dogs third on the list of contributors of bacteria in contaminated waters. Dog waste adds nitrogen to the water. Excess nitrogen depletes the oxygen in the water that is necessary for fish and wildlife.

3) Dog waste is a health hazard. It contains 23 million coliform bacteria per gram and potentially heartworms, whipworms, hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms. These worms can live in soil for long periods and are easily transmitted to humans or other animals. Dog poop bags will safely contain and eliminate all of these health hazards.

4) Dog waste is not a good lawn fertilizer. It is actually toxic to your lawn, causing burns and unsightly discoloring.

5) Fines for not picking up dog waste range from $250 in New York to $750 in London to $1000 in Colorado and even a whopping 2000 Euros or $2651 U.S. dollars in the Gulf of Naples in Italy. DNA registration of dogs is required on that remote vacation island to successfully catch offenders. DNA registration is becoming more common around the world with resounding success and cleaner environments.

So there are many good reasons to use poop bags to pick up our pet's feces. However, one recent study indicates that 41% of dog owners rarely or never clean up after their friend. Maybe they are not aware of the very good reasons to do so. We may have a lot of educating to do before dog owners realize that their pooch can be a canine sewage pipe.

And the easiest, cheapest, most sanitary and most discreet method of taking care of dog waste is by using plastic bags and a dog poop bag holder. The bag full of dog poop is best carried hidden and protected from breakage and there are many available holders that help with this task. Some have the option of being attached to leashes or carried on belt or belt-loops. A unique dog poop bag holder will help show proof of your concern for your pet, for yourself and for your community.

Please consider this new, unique and discreet dog poop bag holder, which is the safe way to carry your dog poop bag and other necessities. This convenient poop pouch will safely and discreetly carry your poop bags and also has interior and exterior pockets for empty waste bags, dog training supplies and an inverted bottle of hand sanitizer. It also has a handy clip for a dog poop bags dispenser, keys or a flashlight. This new way to carry your dog waste bags and more is convenient, discreet and sanitary.

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Why You Should Keep Your Pets on a Healthy Diet Too

Everyone knows that it is important to keep a fit and healthy lifestyle. Eating healthily is important for a number of reasons; it prevents diseases, benefits your brain and looks after your hair, skin, your heart and more.

The foods that are important to stick too are fruit, vegetables, white meat, nuts, whole grain foods and lots of water. Consuming all of these will give you a steadier level of blood sugar, prevent hunger cravings and keep you fuller for longer.

More and more people are becoming more health aware due to the media and scientists publishing articles on a regular basis on the importance of looking after yourself. They say you are what you eat and if you don't look good on the outside e.g. with your skin, hair, shape and so on then imagine what your inside will look like?

There is a lot of pressure to take care of yourself more and its important to not only eat well but to have a healthier lifestyle. This means taking regular exercise such as going to the gym, swimming or joining a sports team such as football or netball. On average each person should work out between 3-4 times a week to get the blood pumping healthily around your body.

If you aren't a fan of the gym then you can take your dog out for a long walk each night. What people don't realise is if you're unhealthy then it is more unlikely that your dog will be unhealthy too because you will feel obliged to give it treats which are extremely dangerous to a dogs health.

By over-feeding a dog it can cause them to be in crippling pain which can lead to diseases such as arthritis or preventing them from being able to walk. In America about half of all dogs and cats in family homes are over weight or obese. According to a recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention this is because many of these pets are treated like beloved children which are causing them to have severe and unhealthy problems.

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, in 2011, pet insurance for diabetes increased by 253% whereas, heart disease rose by 32%.

Dr. Carol McConnell, chief veterinary medical officer for VPI Pet Insurance stated: "The most heartbreaking thing is having to put a pet to sleep just because it can't mechanically get around anymore; you need to make sure the pet is healthy either through calorie restriction or an exercise plan. Whatever you do, you need to do it gradually."

Adrienne is an enthusiastic writer in the subject matter of health and pets. The websites recommended by Adrienne have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at Diet food for dogs today.

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