e shtunë, 25 gusht 2007

Buyer Beware: Purebred Dog Myths

Every month I am approached by dog owners of my breed who complain about how poorly behaved, how sickly, how

untrainable, and generally my breed is and how deeply they resented spending money on this breed. I listen

patiently, but time taught me not to defend 'good' breeders, or explain to the angry owners how their own ignorance

cuased them to become victimized.

There are many myths that abound in the dog world. Unfortunately, each allows unscrupulous breeders to take

advantage of eager, prospective, puppy buyers.

Here are some of the most common myths:

Registered dogs are good quality. Even puppy mills register their puppies and get the papers.

If the parents have papers, the puppy is a good one. Wrong. Actually, if the parent's papers do not have a blue

boarder, then the puppy's parent is registered as "Not good enough for breeding." In many cases, these breeders show

the parent's papers to prospective buyers, but explain that the litter is not registered in an attempt to save

money. This is a lie. They didn't register the litter because the puppies are not purebred, and unregisterable. It

takes less than $25.00 to register a puppy.

"You don't need to take breeding stock to 'dog shows,' because it is all political." Sorry, but I hate hearing this

one from hobby breeders. I have been in the dog world for more than 20 years and have shown more than 4 breeds. Yes,

when it comes to the BIG shows, or the Best In Show wins, there are politics involved. But, when it comes to getting

the LOWEST award a dog can get (which is becoming a champion) there is little to prevent any breeder from showing

and winning – unless they know their dogs are not good quality. All the title of champion means is that more than

one judge considers the dog is good enough for breeding.

Poor quality parents = poor quality puppies. Many people believe they only need two purebred parents to produce good

quality puppies. This is not true. Many hereditary diseases, like joint problems, are avoided by good breeders who

understand bloodlines and structure. If the breeder thinks they can breed different body types together, and get

consistently healthy puppies, they shouldn't be breeding.

If both parents are champions, the puppies are good. Again, buyer beware. It is relatively easy to make a good dog a

champion. Hobby and unscrupulous breeders know this, so they finish one or two dogs (not most of them), and then con

new buyers into believing that 'championship' is the pinnacle of a dog's career, instead of the lowest award it can

achieve.

So, how can you protect yourself? Here are some helpful hints that will help you avoid ending up with a puppy you

cannot live with.

Visit at least 10 breeders, before looking at a puppy.

Never let a breeder put a puppy in your hands, or tell you it will be gone tomorrow if you don't buy it now. In

fact, most good breeders will not let you have the puppy after a first visit. Most good puppy owners do not take

money on the first visit.

Never take your children when looking at puppies.

Contact the national breed association and ask questions.

Make sure the breeder does not consistently use males and females from their own kennel. The males most good kennels

use come from top winning stock.

A health guarantee is only valuable if you, the puppy buyer, is willing to go to court. In many cases, they are not

worth the paper they are written on. Instead, ask for the names of 5 – 10 people who ownes one of these dog's

puppies for more than a year.

Ask the breeder for vet records showing when the breeder had the parents checked for hereditary defects.

Don't buy from breeders who always have puppies. Also, when it comes to kennels, bigger is not better. Large

operations, even 'show' ones, are businesses. They are more concerned with income than the relationship between you

and your new puppy.

Don't buy a cheap puppy. Find the average price of a puppy, and look for puppies in that price range. It is

expensive, 'properly' raising a litter of puppies. And, it is easy for a good breeder to sell puppies. So, if a

breeder is selling bargain puppies, then something is wrong.

Beware of breeders who breed their female pet. Rarely do they possess the knowledge needed to breed a good litter.

More important, I have known about entire networks of people selling puppies, believing they are helping a breeder.

Instead, these people are selling puppies for a puppy mill. No one will go to a stinky farm and select their puppy

from dozen's of litters. No one is that naïve anymore. So, puppy mills have become very savvy, even buying 'show

ribbons', to make themselves appear more legit.

If you can avoid these mistakes, you will reduce the risk of buying a poor quality puppy.

There are some facts I can give you. All the reputable, concerned breeders I have met have three things in common.

1. They love to talk about their breed.

2. They are not in any hurry to sell a puppy.

3. They only breed 1 – 5 litters a year.

Suzanne James is instructor of the online course "Pick the right dog for you" at http://www.universalclass.com. She

ran a dog training school, and has shown and bred 4 breeds of dogs. And, she is the author of the book,'How to Pick

the Right Puppy for You' available at http://www.todaybooks.com Currently she breeds Chinese Crested dogs under the

name Orchid Kennels

e premte, 24 gusht 2007

Keep Your Pet Safe with an Outdoor Dog Kennel

If you are a dog owner without a backyard and don't like the idea of chaining your pet to a tree but also do not

like to let him run free then an outdoor dog kennel may be the perfect way to keep you pet safe when you are away.

An outdoor dog kennel works well if you don't mind having your dog in the house with you when you are home but not

when you are at work or out doing other things. If you are concerned that your pet may run away or get hit by a car

then a kennel will give you the peace of mind that your four legged friend is safe.

Your can get an outdoor kennel in almost any configuration that best suits the needs of you and your dog. When it

becomes to decide which type of kennel will work best here are a few things to think about. If you are renting or

leasing your home it may be best to go with a kennel that can be easily dismantled and relocated if and when you

move. If you own your home something more permanent that can be integrated into your yard will probably work best.

A permanent outdoor dog kennel has the advantage of being bigger as well, giving your dog more room to move around

when you are not home. A smaller portable dog kennel will obviously not have as much room and it can be something of

a hassle to put up and take down at times.

If you are leaning more towards a permanent outdoor dog kennel then you will have to decide if you want to build it

or have someone else do the dirty work for you. If you decide to build your own dog kennel then spend some time

researching plans and materials. You can find all sorts of plans and ideas just by searching on the internet. Be

sure to measure the area in your yard where you want to place the kennel before you decide on a plan to make sure it

will fit. Once you find a plan or design your own to the size and specs you want it is time to get the material and

set up you dogs new kennel.

An outdoor dog kennel is a great way to keep your pet safe when you are not home. It may take a little time for your

dog to get used to being confined in his new kennel but before long it will be like his second home and you will

like the peace-of-mind you have knowing he will be safely awaiting your return whenever you go to work or out to run

errands.

e enjte, 23 gusht 2007

5 Things Dog Owners Should Consider Before Buying a Portable Dog Kennel

Portable dog kennels help thousands of dog owners save space and give their dogs a place to relax.

Before you decide on any kennel for your dog you first need to determine what the kennel will be used for and how

much space you will need to set it up.

When choosing a portable dog kennel a few things to consider are:

1. The size of your dog. If you have a puppy you will want to get a smaller kennel this also goes for owners of

small dogs.

The kennel shouldn't be huge but it should be large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down in

without any problems.

2. Where you want to put the kennel. Most dog owners prefer to put the kennel in an area that is out of the way but

still provides the dog interaction with household traffic.

3. Type of material the kennel is made out of. Portable dog kennels come in wire, nylon, or plastic. Some of the

more elaborate kennels have bamboo or Rattan panels built onto a wire body for style.

What material the kennel you decide on also depends on your dogs personality. Can they eat through nylon? Will they

break a tooth on wire? Will that stylish Rattan be chewed to bits while you are away?

Take some time to consider your options before going out and purchasing the cheapest one you find or the one that

you think looks the best.

Looks really have nothing to do with getting a portable dog kennel. Function should be considered the most important

aspect during your buying decision.

4. Are you going to be using it in the house or will you be moving it around a lot?

If you are only going to be using it in the house you might want to consider a larger wire model.

However, if you want to use it for travel or if you will be putting it in a car then you might consider a nylon

kennel that is easily folded down flat for transport and easier set up.

You can get wire kennels that fold up and transport fairly easy but the nylon kennels are much better for this type

of use.

5. What is your budget?

Portable dog kennels are not all made the same and some are more expensive than others.

You can save yourself a lot of time and money by remembering what you are going to be using the kennel for.

If you are going to be using the kennel to kennel train your dog then you might consider going with the nylon

versions as they are usually less expensive.

Wire kennels are most often times a bit more expensive but are still reasonable priced.

Portable dog kennels made from plastic are more than likely going to cost you the most.

Do some price shopping before you decide on which style and material you want to save yourself some money.

The advantage to using a portable dog kennel is they are less expensive than other options and they can be moved or

put away to save space.

By knowing the answers to these questions your dog will end up with a nice place to rest and hang out and you will

have peace of mind knowing you took a giant leap as a responsible dog owner.

e mërkurë, 22 gusht 2007

Building a Dog Kennel - Instructions and Tips

It's obvious if you have a dog, you probably care a great deal about them. You want them to have the best of

everything, including shelter. When considering whether or not you even want to take on the ask of building your own

dog kennel, you have to ask yourself if you possess the skills and knowledge to do so. Although building your own

dog kennel isn't a job for a rocket scientist, it does still involve some handy work.

Now that you have decided to take on the task, you must remember a few things. It's good to build a large-sized

kennel, even if your dog isn't very big, giving it lots of space to move around and be comfortable in. One thing to

remember when building your kennel is that pressure-treated timber is terrible to use on any parts your dog might

chew. It contains preservatives that may be poisonous or unhealthy for your dog's body.

Your dog kennel must be designed in accordance with the convenience and comfort of you and your pets at heart.

Considering these things will be crucial in dividing what materials and designs to use when building your dog

kennel. Also keeping the cleaning aspect of a dog kennel in mind, it will better prepare you for designing one that

will make it easier for you when it comes to sanitation. It's important to make decisions that will make things

easier for you and also safer for your pet.

Drainage is another important thing to take into consideration. You might want to build your kennel at an angle so

it slopes, making for easier drainage. This is one of the many benefits of creating your own kennel.

The dog kennel is placed on a concrete slab. You will place posts in concrete to support the rails. The posts and

rails create a frame that keeps up the chain link. Dig at least six inch holes in the ground to place the support

poles that will connect it all together.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn more about building dog kennels then you should visit our dog

kennel website for more information.

e martë, 21 gusht 2007

The Top 3 Reasons to Consider an Outdoor Dog Kennel

There are many dog kennel options to choose from, and sometimes it can be hard to decide which is the best for your

pet. One of the better options in many cases is an outdoor dog kennel. Here are just 3 of the reasons why an outdoor

dog kennel may be a great option for you and your pooch.

Size

While many kennels are small and don't give your pet much room to move, outdoor dog kennels are generally large

enough to give your dog plenty of space to run around and get exercise. Both you and he will be much happier knowing

that he isn't cooped up in a confined area all day long.

Versatility

Contrary to what many people believe, not all outdoor dog kennels are permanent. There are also portable models

available. This can make things a lot easier if you move to a difference house, or if you simply want to take it

down to make full use of your backyard. Of course, you may still find that a permanent kennel suits your needs

better as they are often more resistant to damage and harder for a dog to escape from.

Cost

Many outdoor dog kennels are quite reasonably priced. Sturdy and dependable models can be found for as little as

$200 with premium kennels generally still under $1000. This is not terribly expensive when you consider how valuable

a good dog kennel can be to both you and your pet for many years to come.

Remember that there are only 3 reasons why you should consider outdoor dog kennels. Make sure to do your own

research and shop around, and I'm sure you'll find many more.

If you enjoyed this article and would like to learn more about outdoor dog kennels then please visit our dog kennel

website which is packed with articles for you to read.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Byers

e hënë, 20 gusht 2007

Modular Dog Kennels - Should You Consider Buying One?

Whether you have decided to buy a dog kennel for the first time, or your pet's old one is simply not in the best

condition anymore, one thing you may want to consider is a modular dog kennel. A modular dog kennel is a reasonably

priced and highly versatile alternative to the standard type of kennel.

What is a modular dog kennel?

A modular dog kennel is different from a regular kennel in that it can be built and arranged in many different ways,

to serve different purposes. It is made of separate sections which can be assembled in any way that you choose in

order to suit your dog's unique needs or because of space limitations in the location where you will be putting your

dog kennel.

Why would I want a modular dog kennel?

There are many reasons why you might choose a modular kennel over a standard pre-built kennel. Perhaps your dog is

still a puppy, and you realize that as he grows he will need more space in order to be comfortable. In most cases

you would simply have to buy a brand new kennel, but if you had started with a modular dog kennel you could simply

rebuild it in a way which allows for more space. As you can imagine, this could likely be a big money saver.

Modular dog kennels are often made of the same high quality materials as other types of kennels, such as steel wire

mesh, high gauge steel, or chain link fencing. Be aware that a dog kennel made of plastic might be easily damaged by

a larger dog that tries to escape. You should never compromise when it comes to dog kennel materials, as a kennel

that is poorly made could have sharp edges which could injure your pet or your dog may be able to break free and run

away.

How much will a modular dog kennel cost me?

A good modular dog kennel can cost anywhere from under $500 to nearly $2000, depending on the size and the quality.

The cheaper models should work just fine for the average dog owner, unless the dog is very large or if multiple dogs

will be sharing the kennel. There are many websites on the internet which offer modular dog kennels, so you can

easily shop around for the best price.

As you can see, modular dog kennels can offer a wide range of uses at affordable prices. If properly maintained the

kennel should last you and your pet many, many years. I'm sure your dog will appreciate a quality modular dog kennel

even more than you will!

e diel, 19 gusht 2007

4 Tips for Choosing a Dog Kennel

Today more than ever it is important to provide our canine companions with a safe living environment regardless of

where we live. Many states and cities require dogs have proper housing both inside and out.

Neighborhood associations are jumping on this bandwagon and requiring that dog owners keep their dogs confined to

their yards using outdoor kennels that are surrounding by fences.

Whatever your thoughts on the subject providing a nice kennel set up for your dog is a great way to give them a

secure way to enjoy the outdoors or for keeping them out of trouble during the night in your home.

We have a lot to cover so lets jump right in shall we...

Tip #1: Location, Location, Location.

If you are planning to put the kennel outside you will require a different set up than if you want to set the kennel

up in doors.

Indoor kennels are bit smaller and are made of either wire, chain link, or plastic.

Outdoor kennels are usually larger and are made of chain link fencing. Either way you need to know where you want to

put the kennel before you decide on what kind of kennel you want to buy.

Tip #2: Size.

Kennels both indoor and outdoor should be big enough for the dog to move around in.

Outdoor kennels should offer plenty of room to move around in so the dog can move from one side to another easily

and have plenty of space for resting as well.

Indoor kennels will be a bit smaller but should still offer your dog plenty of room to move around in so they don't

have to lay in their own mess or if the water spills they won't get soaked to the bone.

The final size of your kennel depends on how much room you have and how big your dog is. Tip #3: What is the kennel

made of.

You will find dozens of different materials used in the creation of kennels but the more durable and tough the

material the better.

Indoor kennels made from plastic are easily destroyed by some dog breeds. Wire kennels offer more freedom of sight

and are stronger than their plastic counterparts but some dogs can still escape from them.

For indoors wire, chain link, and plastic are options but I would suggest you go with a wire or chain link indoor

kennel before you go plastic. However, if space is an issue the plastic kennels are an option.

For outdoors chain link is the most popular choice. You can get custom kennels made by some companies the prices for

those are quite a bit more than a regular chain link kennel.

Tip #4: Comfort.

If you are going to put up an outside kennel be sure to provide a roof or some cover from the elements.

Putting an igloo dog house with a flap over the front will give your dog a nice place to seek shelter in bad weather

and putting a top on the kennel will shield your pooch from the sun.

In the end, there is more to a dog kennel than some fencing and a dog. Put some thought into your set up to ensure

your dog has a secure, happy, home to live in.