Posts Tagged ‘mammals’

Border Terrier As Man\’s Best Friend

Catherine V. Testaratti | February 20th, 2010

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

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

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

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

The funny thing about these active dogs is that sometimes on a walk, they like to also sit and watch all the activity going on around them. They will often stop and lay in the grass to take a rest and at times it\’s difficult to get them up and going when you are ready. They do have a stubborn side that often displays itself when they are tired.

As with all breeds, these dogs tend to be prone to cataracts, retinal disease and hip Dysplasia. Seizures and juvenile diabetes are also an issues and it\’s very important to know that they are very sensitive to anesthetics however they are slow to put under despite their small size. This little dynamo can also have a high threshold of pain so if injured you might not even know.

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

Border Terriers respond well the command training. If you work with your dog as a puppy, you are more likely to curb their impulsive nature to bolt. Their eagerness to please their owners is a genuine quality of the Border Terrier. And don\’t forget the exercise regimen and that too will help to tire them out.

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

Have a Dog that you Love? Check out Catherine\’s recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs site that only uses nature\’s best ingredients. They have the greatest selection of amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos on the market.

Can My Dog Be Allergic To Fleas

Rafael Zabala | January 27th, 2010

If you have a dog that is driving you crazy up all night chewing and itching, then he most likely is suffering from an allergy to fleas. Sounds ridiculous but it\’s more common than you think. For some dogs, this can turn into a serious problem, especially if left untreated.

You can see something like this start in your puppy but it is also very common in much older dogs. The adult flea does the biting but they don\’t live long unless they are on the host dog. Hmmm, is that supposed to make you feel better?

Did you know that adult fleas are the only ones that bite? Once they fall off the host dog or cat, they don\’t live. That\’s good to know, however, the process continues because the adult flea leaves behind eggs that will hatch and continue the process.

If you want to keep your dog flea free, then you need to continue treatment. The symptoms can be painful to the dog and an annoyance to the owners. This chronic condition left untreated can lead to behavioral problems in your pet as well.

Constant itching and chewing is a sure sign of fleas on your dog. You can also search the dog to see if you notice the fleas themselves or flea dirt. Your vet might also want to test a skin scrapping for mites if no fleas are visible.

Fleas can also bite humans so if you think you might have an infestation in the house or yard, it\’s best to treat those areas as well. Really it only takes a couple of bites to set your dog\’s flea allergy in motion. Treating the dog without treating the home or yard can just lead to another infestation.

Help your dog get relief from this itchy allergy by taking immediate action. Treat them with a dip or flea shampoo and a continued application monthly of the topical applied to the back of the neck. You dog will surely thank you, if he could!

Quick diagnosis and treatment will help relive your dog from his suffering. Chewing and itching along with hair loss are sure signs of a flea allergy. Additionally you might see lesions in numerous places over the dog\’s body.

More serious infestations might require multiple treatments before results are noticed. Continued monthly treatments will eventually take affect ridding your dog of those nasty little nuisances. And you will see a happy healthier dog for all your efforts.

Have an Animal that you Care For? Check out Catherine\’s recommended Pet Supplies for Dogs website that uses nature\’s highest quality ingredients. They have the most amazing Natural Organic Dog Shampoos available.