10 Questions Im Most Asked About Dogs In Heat

Writen by Louise Louis

1. What is heat?

Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs may get pregnant. It's equivalent to human menstruation.

2. What are the symptoms?

Females bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don't expect bleeding comparable to a human female.

For small dogs, it's usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Other than the bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be male dogs hanging around your house.

3. When does a dog come into heat?

The average female dog has her first cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months.

If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If she's 14-months old and still hasn't't been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian.

4. How long does the heat cycle last?

The average is three weeks or 21-days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks.

5. How often will she be in heat?

Most female dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It's quite typical to be in heat twice a year.

6. When can she get pregnant?

She can get pregnant only when in heat. Some breeders test for progesterone levels to identify the most fertile days but the rule-of-thumb is that the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle.

Note – when she's in heat, the average dog will permit any male dog to mount her. Few females, however, will accept a male when they're not in heat.

7. Can she get pregnant her first cycle?

Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you need to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not show up until a dog is approximately 2-years of age.

8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle?

Yes with care. She has no problem with the exercise but she's a walking magnet for male dogs.

Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones. You can't trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby.

For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it's a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for the walk there and drive back home. Otherwise, the scent of her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail to your home.

9. When I can have her spayed?

The answer to that one has changed continually over the 25-years I've been in the dog business. People used to be told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter.

Today, veterinarians are doing it much earlier. Some vets spay as early as 6-weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog and the vet's preferences. The state of veterinary medicine also is much improved over the past 25-years.

10. If I don't have her spayed, will she go through menopause.

No. Her fertility may decline but she will not go through menopause comparable to a human's. She won't lose her ability to become pregnant even as a senior so if you don't want to her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and the creator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com, your online resource for Toy breed dogs.

Dog Car Seats

Writen by Max Bellamy

Is your dog too short to look out the window? Chances are he's miserable, and he wishes you would buy him a booster car seat. Now is the perfect time to grant his wish because manufacturers are fast creating new models to cater to any size dog and any owner preference. Ready to shop? Here's what to look out for.

Before you get caught up in the hype of marketing, remember that dog car seats all boil down to three important must: it should be comfortable, safe, and easy to wash.

The comfort of a dog car seat has a lot to do with its booster and support features. Choose a seat that is adjustable so that your dog can comfortably watch out the window without having to get up at all. Like you, your dog is sensitive to touch, so buy a dog car seat made with breathable but durable materials such faux lamb's wool with either nylon-quilt or poly-cotton exterior. Some dog car seats even feature storage trays for dog food, water, or medicine. This is great if you travel long distances with your beloved pet.

You should likewise invest in a dog car seat with seatbelt strap slots and harnesses to hold your dog in place in case of a collision. Choose a harness depending on your dog's personality – if it likes to be able to move around a bit, then choose a harness that is not too restricting. For added fun, you can have the harnesses personalized! Some shops embroider your pet's name on the belts for you.

Finally, choose a dog car seat that is easily washable. The seat should have easily removable covers that can be tossed into the washer and dryer or cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Try to wash your dog's car seat as often as you can to prevent dog hair and fleas from building up and ruining the fabric.

Car Seats provides detailed information on Car Seats, Baby Car Seats, Dog Car Seats, Heated Car Seats and more. Car Seats is affiliated with Custom Car Seat Covers.

A Hovawhat

Writen by Michael Russell

Hovawart in the German language means "guardian of the home". The Hovawart dog is quite similar in appearance and size to the Golden Retriever, however the Hovawart can also be black or black and gold in color. The similarity of the two breeds ends with the coat color, for the Hovawart, although not aggressive, is considered very definitely to be a guardian and protector and is often a one person dog, while the Golden Retriever is a gun dog and hunting companion and quite outgoing and friendly by nature.

As early as the 17th century there were paintings that depicted a similar breed, always this dog was shown in a household or farm setting as a watchdog. It is said that these dogs were closely attuned to living within the household or on the farm property and never strayed far from home. They had weatherproof coats and were "guardians" of the home by nature. The man responsible for researching this breed and trying to resurrect this dog was a man by the name of Kurt Konig. He introduced various "shepherding" bloodlines and the Leonberger into the local dogs which he found in the Odenwald region of Germany in an attempt to re-establish the breed. He bred his first litter in 1922 and by 1937 the breed was well established and was recognized as a separate German breed.

As was the case with many of the European breeds, the development of the dog suffered serious setbacks during World War II but directly after the war a Hovawart club was formed and now there are many fanciers. The breed was imported into England in 1980 and the first Hovawart Breed club was established in Great Britain in 1982. The Hovawart has not made strides in the American Kennel Club at this time.

The Hovawart has some health issues with hyperthyroidism and also with hip dysplasia. Both of these problems can be debilitating but are not life threatening and both are problems which can be corrected by careful breeding and genetic testing before breeding.

The Hovawart is an impressive and thoughtful dog, often a "one person dog" with outstanding qualities for it is easy to train, eager to please and yet with an aristocratic bearing and calm manner that demonstrates great intelligence. This is definitely a "thinking" dog. It is a breed that is noted for being protective and easily lives up to its name of "guardian of the home", for it is considered an excellent watch dog with a deep bark. It is a breed that has slowly gained enthusiastic followers but will most likely never be considered an "all around" family dog for this is a dog that can be dominant and strong willed and needs early training. However it is a dog that strives to please and with a good trainer this breed makes a good search and rescue dog and can be outstanding in police work or as a watchdog.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs

German Shepherds

Writen by Ken Marlborough

The German shepherd, one of the world's most famous breeds, was originated by Captain Max won Stephanitz in the late 1800's. It's intelligence and ability to train is thanks to Captain Max who wanted an all purpose working dog.

German shepherds are used as working dogs in many areas such as search and rescue, police, the military, assistance dogs to the blind and handicapped and as guard dogs.

A Shepherd's color is varied, but is primarily cream and brown. There is a white version but most organizations don't recognize it as a valid color. Longhaired German shepherds are also not recognized, as the long hair gene is recessive. German shepherds can be differentiated by individual behavior and abilities. Working dogs have their emphasis in service, while the show dogs emphasis appearance. There is a misconception that German shepherds are violent in nature; this is only due to poor training. Although a German shepherd has powerful jaws and strong teeth, it develops a strong sense of loyalty and can be trained to attack and release on command. Dogs used to working have high energy, and can seem unhappy if not exercised daily or trained to do a job. The international variety of German Shepherds has less energy and working ability and makes excellent pets.

German Shepherds are naturally prone to health problems like elbow and hip dysphasia, von Willebrand's disease and skin allergies. The average lifespan of a German shepherd is twelve years, and with the right pet/owner combination, those years will be priceless.

German Shepherds provides detailed information about german shepherds, german shepherd breeders, german shepherd kennels, and more. German Shepherds is affiliated with Dog Tags.

An Outdoor Dog Kennel Can Keep Your Dogs Safe And Secure

Writen by Bill Urell

Taking care of a dog is hard, taxing work. You have to regularly bathe the dog, keep it up to date on all of its health requirements, make sure it has plenty of food and water at all times. You also must give your dog an appropriate place to run around and get its exercise. The best solution is a daily walk with your dog, but having a safe area for him to run in ensures his needs are met if your time is short.While all of this can be difficult enough if you have enough room on your property, it can be even more problematic if your land is far too small to accommodate your dog.

Furthermore, just because you have enough land does not mean you will be able keep your dogs outdoor all of the time, as wild animals could end up invading your dog's space during the night. If you want to make your life easier as a dog owner, then purchasing and building an outdoor dog kennel is a must. The outdoor dog kennel is an excellent addition to your home if you find that there is not much space in your yard, if you live in an area populated by wild animals like wolves and raccoons or if you own multiple dogs and need a place for them all to reside.

The outdoor dog kennel is primarily constructed of concrete and fencing. This simple design allows you to keep your dogs of any size tucked neatly into the structure to prevent them from running of or being attacked while you are not watching them. Furthermore, if you own more than a few dogs, in various neighborhoods, there may be local ordinances requiring you build an outdoor dog kennel to house them.

For the most part, an outdoor dog kennel is not an expensive structure, but it should provide your dogs with enough space, safety and security to keep your dogs happy, healthy and safe. If you care about your animals' well being, then an outdoor dog kennel is definitely a good investment.

Your pet deserves the best! We provide the best information making it easy to select the appropriate dog kennel for your needs. Dog Kennel

Frustrated Over High Veterinarian Bills

Writen by Kim Bloomer

Over the past 30 years we have learned so much about taking good care of our pets, right? We feed them "premium" high dollar pets foods, give them tasty packaged treats, vaccinate them yearly, bathe them with expensive shampoos, give them heartworm preventative, use flea collars or flea and tick preventative, brush their teeth, and get yearly checkups with our vets.

Then why are our pets not healthier? Why, instead, are they getting more and more humanlike diseases such as allergies, diabetes, thyroid problems, cancer, and on and on? Why are their coats not so shiny anymore, and they seem to scratch and itch all the time? Why are they so lazy and sleep all the time? Why do they still smell bad, have waxy ears, and bad plaque on their teeth?

The biggest problem points to nutrition, or lack thereof. But I feed my pet a high premium pet food recommended by my vet you might say. Exactly – that, however, is the problem. These so-called premium foods are full of "byproducts", corn meal, and many other things our pets were never designed to eat nor utilize in their bodies. The preservatives alone are not allowed in human products so how could our pets be expected to digest these toxins without repercussions to their health? The "byproducts" are things that should just be destroyed and not used for anything let alone pet food.

Another problem is exactly the thing you thought were protecting them: yearly vaccinations. This is a huge problem because the rabies vaccine is the one that is mandated by law and it the very worst one for your pets. These yearly vaccinations are not only not necessary but could be a major contributor to the diseases that are plaguing our pets. Vaccinosis is the result of all this over vaccinating and possibly even the culprit behind all the diagnosed diseases resulting in the decline of the health of pets.

Combine poor food, over vaccinating, with the toxins from flea collars, pet toothpaste, packaged treats, and preventative medicines and you've got unhealthy, immune suppressed pets that lack the energy to do much more than sleep.

Okay, so now what? Fortunately there are solutions and the best one to start with is food; preferably raw. If that doesn't appeal to you there are other solutions and answers to help you help your pets on the road to wellness. There are now pet foods on the market that have human grade ingredients without all the toxic preservatives and byproducts. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.canidae.com
http://www.pets4life.com/
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petfood.htm
http://www.holistichorse.com
http://www.herbsnbirds.com

There are solutions to protect your pet in lieu of vaccinations and still comply with the law. Holistic veterinarians have alternatives to help you in this area: http://www.altvetmed.com, http://ahvma.org

When a pet has a healthy immune system, they won't smell bad, have waxy ears, and cruddy teeth. There are alternatives to using toxic flea collars and preventative medicines for your pet. Use the resources provided in this article and you will find the best solutions for you and your pets. You can lower your vet bills and your pets can live longer, healthier lives.

Kim Bloomer operates a home and internet business in wellness for both people and pets! She also publishes a pet wellness newsletter, Aspenbloom-WellPet. Go to http://KimBloomer.com for details on all her business ventures.

The Boston Terrier

Writen by Michael Russell

The Boston is among a small group of dogs who were "made in America". Originally it was bred from crosses between the bulldog and the terrier, and careful selection has produced a dog that is consistently marked and very true to type. He has distinctive white markings on a background of black, seal or brindle. Ears are upright and may be cropped or natural. Backskull is flat, muzzle is short with a well defined stop. His nose is of the braccocephalic type and he can be heard to snore at night. Most dogs with this type of nose are not highly athletic in nature since they do not have the breathing room required to be highly active, especially in the heat.

Also most dogs of this type tend to have some problems with natural birth because of the large head, so he is not used a great deal in the "puppy mills" as a breeding dog. therefore his numbers are small in comparison to other small breeds, (he is not "over-bred") and this has helped to protect the breed from too many health problems. The eyes are somewhat large and round and protruding. Because of this he requires a daily eye inspection as he may be susceptible to eye injury. Other than a history of skin problems there do not seem to be any other notable health concerns. His movement should be free and easy, never lumbering in gait.

The Boston is a delight to own and train. He is generally easy to housebreak. If brought up with children he is tractable and gentle in nature. He was bred as a companion dog and despite his title is a member of the non-sporting Group, not truly a "terrier" in nature or habit. He is adaptable to a small apartment and does not need an inordinate amount of exercise. Usually he is under 25 pounds in weight. Bostons are generally easy going and not prone to pick a fight.

He is a popular figure in the show ring. Coat care is minimal, all he needs is a quick wipe down. He is not heavily used as an agility dog since his bulldog background can lead to breathing problems if overly exercised. He does however make a fine therapy dog because of his smaller size and winning personality, especially because he can be so easily trained to do tricks and was specifically bred as a companion dog. His first love is to be with people. He was bred first and foremost as a pet and because of his distinctive markings became popular as a show dog and a dog to "show off"; it is considered stylish to own a Boston.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Animals

Pose Your Dog For Holiday Photos

Writen by Suzi Sevcik

The Holidays are just around the corner. This year you'd like to something unique with your Christmas cards. You know your friends would get a kick out of seeing your pet either on your Christmas card or a picture in it. Getting Fido to pose for that perfect Kodak moment is another story though. Here are some tips to make it easier on you & your dog.

You have two options. First is to take your dog to a professional photographer. The other is to do it yourself. While there are many qualified photographers out there, this article will cover the do-it-yourselfer. With a little patience and help from a friend it's actually pretty easy & the photos you get will show the dog more relaxed than if you bring them into a busy mall photographer.

Now that you made the decision to take your Dogs' holiday photos yourself. The first step is to choose an appropriate background. A festively decorated fireplace is always a nice choice. If you have a small dog, a miniature Christmas tree will look great – maybe even decorate it with a doggie theme. What to consider when choosing your backdrop is the number of dogs, the size of them, their coat colors and the weather conditions if you're taking them outside. Choose a backdrop that complements your dogs coat color & accommodates nicely the size and number of dogs. For instance, your white bichon will be washed out if you take her picture outside in the fresh snow and your chocolate lab will blend in with your brown carpeting next to your fireplace.

Once you have your backdrop chosen, you'll have to decide if you're going to dress your dog up. Whether it's a cute holiday sweater or silly antlers, either choose items that they've worn before or let them get accustomed to it for a several days before your shoot. Or you can just let the dog go au-natural. I'm sure they'll thank you for it.

You're almost ready. You've chosen the backdrop & have it decorated, you've had time for your dog to get used to wearing silly Santa hats and it's time to get down to work. If you have a friend willing and able to help you, this always makes the task easier. The main thing to remember is to keep it light & fun. Start by a quick 1-2 minute training refresher. Have on hand small, but really delicious treats - the kind that your dog does anything for. Go through sit, stay, down. Keep it simple and fun, but not highly playful. You want your dog to be paying attention to you, but not jumping up and down in excitement.

Work with your dog in five minute increments. Bring them to where you want them posed and in what position: sitting, standing or lying down. It works best to use a digital camera for these types of shots. This allows you to take as many shots as you'd like & then delete the ones that don't turn out. If you feel yourself start to get frustrated, take a break. The dogs can sense frustration and become tense. This will come through in the photos as well. Your dog will look stiff and unnatural. This break sometimes is all the dog & you need to get it all together & finish off that perfect holiday photo.

The two main things to remember in taking your dogs' Holiday photo is preparation and patience. Have your setting prepared. Your dog groomed & accustomed to any clothes you'll put on him & then a little bit of patience when working with them will go a long way.

Suzi Sevcik is photography buff & owner of PetLabels.com, a company that produces high quality, full color address labels with your pet's photo on them. For more information, go to: http://PetLabels.com or email her at suzi@petlabels.com

An Introduction To Dog Clothes

Writen by Ross Bainbridge

Dogs are just like people – they need a lot of attention, and they want to feel warm during winter. Dog clothes are very common these days, and they certainly draw attention and some do help keep your pet warm. So if you have extra cash in your budget, show your pooch some love by giving a gift of fashion.

All dog lovers treat their dogs like members of the family. Some studies even show that in bigger cities such as New York, dogs can sometimes be substitutes for kids. In 2004, Americans actually spent more on pet grooming and supplies than they did on kid's toys. If you love your dog as much as every true blue dog lover, then you probably invest some money is dog clothing.

If you live in a state where winters can get very bad, a winter coat is a must for your dog. Choose a coat that is sturdy but comfortable and made from material that is also easy to wash. Now your dog can walk take walks with you on those cold winter days without freezing.

Dogs feel very comfortable in jersey shirts, and you can buy them with your dog's name embroidered on them. There are also nifty dog shirts with funny messages available in dog specialty shops. Sometimes, regular children's shirts fit your dog. These are much cheaper but will attract just as much attention.

Accessories aren't a "must," but will definitely make your dog stand out from the rest of the pack. There are very cute collars available in all sizes in specialty shops. They are made from all kinds of materials including colorful plastic, chains, leathers, and even real crocodile skin encrusted with semi-precious stones. You can order personalized collars so your beloved pet will have a very unique accessory to set him apart.

Clothes provides detailed information on Clothes, Maternity Clothes, Baby Clothes, Dog Clothes and more. Clothes is affiliated with Baby Clothing.

Birds The Whooping Crane

Writen by Michael Russell

Whooping cranes are an endangered species although the population was never high due to over hunting in the 1800s. In the 1940s, the population decreased even more to less then 20. Due to the Whooping Crane's low population, bird care organizations do not allow them to go outside a protected area and they are now protected by law. Their habitat is very limited because they need clean wetlands, and there are only a few left. Notably, a small area of Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Canada and in the Southern US states near the coast. Organizations are working to increase the crane population that today is about 377.

Whooping cranes have white feathers, long pointed bills and long necks. Cranes also have long thin black legs. However, they do not use their legs for swimming as when cranes are not standing in the water, they fly around their environment with the neck straight out in front and legs trailing behind. Cranes have noticeable black tips on the ends of each wing that you can see when they are flying with their young. Younger cranes do not have white feathers, although they are almost the same height as older cranes; they have brown feathers that gradually turn white when they grow older.

Whopping cranes eat snails, larval insects, leeches, frogs, minnows, small rodents and berries. When whooping cranes are in Texas, they will eat shellfish and small fish from the ocean.

Previous generations' migration routes help Whooping Cranes learn to migrate. Smaller cranes will follow their parents from the fall nesting grounds to the winter nesting grounds. Many cranes will have previously used the same migration route for thousands of years and continue to do so today. Researchers also help cranes to migrate by teaching them how to follow a truck on a set migration path they want them to follow so they can memorize it themselves. They also use cranes from the wild and set them free, then they recapture them and release them again. The researchers do this in the hopes that the cranes will connect the dots during migration.

These methods are effective, but the most successful method is the ultra light aircraft method, because it closely replicates the parents leading their children south during migration. Ultra lights are the only aircraft that can fly slowly enough (without stalling) so that the cranes can follow. Normally chicks are attracted to the first creature that nurtures them. To teach the chicks, prior to hatching, a recording of the aircraft is played to them, and then in 7 days the researchers introduce the chicks to ultra lights themselves.

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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Birds
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What Makes Humankind Unique To All Other Animals

Writen by Lance Winslow

The age old question of what makes humankind unique to all other animals is a fascinating question indeed. It is one which man himself would surely like to know the answer too and one, which a modern day online think tank took up Recently. One of the principal investigators and researchers in the group asked another question of interest. When was the first mention of the question in ancient philosophy of what makes mankind different and the researcher stated:

"First we need to establish the point of origin the question."

Yes, that would be interesting to establish the origin of the question. Who made mention of it first? The biblical references might be of interest to the reader of the research; you know the "god made man in his image" thing. I am not a religious type, but I am of a "marketing type mind" and thus such a research project following scientific methods, which puts out a document will want folks to read it. And if such information is included then the report will be read by more people cover to cover if you make mention of this.

In fact "Celebrating Being Human" might be a good thing for humans as it puts them together in a "common cause" and brings them back together (marketing mind at work). You know if humankind had a "common cause" or some sort of bonding, maybe they would not fight so much (have wars).

So, in starting the introduction to this research white paper, why not make references to many different cultures and writings; ancient, present, etc. Maybe even a famous Sci Fi author quote or two? In which case perhaps all religious references to that point might be worthy to mention too? Kind of like this:

http://ezinearticles.com/?1111-What-Opportunities-Are-Waiting-For-You?&id=39365

http://ezinearticles.com/?03-The-Significance-of-the-Number-3&id=120730

This way you can put many references together and try to find the earliest recorded mention of it along with as many different cultures as possible. Maybe stop after a couple of short paragraphs? Could be a good intro idea?

Especially since if the research establishes groupings; Animal, Human and The Combination Group. Even if Humans are found to be animals, which I am certain of, at least they can be happy to know that they are of the highest known level of animals, rather than the lowest form of another potential grouping. Interesting topic of conversation indeed, so perhaps you will think on this in 2006.

Lance Winslow