Havanese

Havanese
Other Names: Bichon Havanais, Cuban Bichon
Group: Toy
The Havanese is part of the Bichon family, they originate from Havana, Cuba, where they now have the recognition of the National Dog of Cuba.
Appearance: The Havanese has a small, sturdy frame, slightly longer than tall, covered in a long wavy or curly hair. The tail is carried curled over his back. The eyes are dark and oval shaped. The ears are set high and fold over and are covered in long fur.
Coat: The Havanese has a unique long, double coat that is wavy and soft, with the outer coat a bit coarser but still soft to touch. Colours: black, brown, white, gold, gray, or a mixture of colours. This Breed does not routinely shed its fur so are less likely to cause allergic responses than many other breeds, but no dog can truly be said to be non-allergenic.
Weight: 3-6 Kg
Height: 9-12 inches
Average Lifespan: 14 to 15 years
Temperament: The Havanese is a friendly, affectionate and clever breed making a wonderful member of the household, forming strong family bonds and winning everyone’s heart. They are loyal and become very attached to their owner,a nd so need lots of human companionship. This is not a dog who should be left alone for very long. Training
Havanese have a gentle temperament and are easy to train. Intelligent and sensitive, this dog does not like to be shouted at or treated harshly. Training should be of a quiet and calm nature to obtain positive results. Their intelligence makes them quick learners and will delight their owner by performing all manner of tricks.
Exercise
The Havanese is a very playful dog that enjoys a walk but can get enough exercise from playing in the garden. Care should be taken during the winter months as, having been bred on the tropical island of Cuba, the Havanese is definitely a warm weather dog. Although this breed has that beautiful long coat, the fur’s composition is not suited to providing warmth. The purpose of the fur is to provide shade from the hot sun.
Grooming
Many owners keep the coat of this little dog clipped as, if kept long, the Havanese is a relatively high-maintenance dog in the grooming sense, requiring daily brushing. The coat should be brushed or combed in layers from the skin outward to prevent tangles. In winter and in dry climates, a light oil or coat dressing prevents static buildup and split hairs from occuring. The coat must be free of mats before bathing. Eyes and ears should be checked regularly to prevent infection. Havanese are prone to tear-staining around the eyes, which should be cleaned daily using a warm wet wash cloth.
Unless you’re highly motivated and skilled, you’re probably better off with a professional groomer. Owners can learn to groom their dogs, but it takes a dedicated person to keep this breed’s coat in good shape.
Havanese Health Issues
Cataracts is the opacity of the lens. Inherited cataracts can often appear in young dogs, in most cases a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist will have to make this diagnosis; owners are often unaware of small focal cataracts. There are also late onset cataracts that may not show up until middle or older age. Cataracts may develop because of an inherited defect, with age, or secondary to inflammation, trauma, diabetes, or retinal degenerations.
Cherry eye is the term used to refer to canine nictitans gland prolapse, a common eye condition in various dog breeds where the gland of the third eyelid prolapses and becomes visible. This condition usually must be corrected, mostly through surgery.
Luxating Patella/Slipping knee joints (also referred to as luxating patellas, slipped stifles) are a common problem in small breeds. In this condition, the kneecap slips out of its groove and moves against the thighbone (femur) instead of along its natural groove. Although this has been found to be a heritable condition, small, active breeds are likely to aggravate it through the course of their natural activities (jumping up and down) around taller objects such as furniture.
Legg-Calve-Perthes disease : affects the hip joints of young dogs when the ball portion of the joint begins to die because of a poor blood supply. If your puppy begins to limp between the ages of 5 and 12 months, have your vet do an X-ray to check for LCP.
A liver shunt occurs when the dog’s blood vessels are malformed, allowing some blood to bypass the liver as it circulates the body. Without a pass through the liver, the blood will not be cleaned of toxins like ammonia. The dog may become disoriented and show weakness and poor balance. He or she may become blind, have seizures, or drop into a coma. His or her kidneys may begin to shut down. A special diet can cut down on the amount of ammonia that builds up in the blood, but the definitive cure for a liver shunt is surgery.
Havanese History
The Havanese is part of the Bichon family. Other members of this family are; the Bichon Frise, Coton de Tulear, Bolognese, Maltese, Bolonka and Lowchen. They are often called the Cuban Bichon, because they are from Cuba. The Havanese is the only dog native to Cuba, the breed probably made its way there hundreds of years ago via trade ships from the Canary Islands. By the 18th century, the Havanese was a major fixture in aristocratic homes across Cuba.
Following the Cuban Revolution in 1959, escaping exiles brought their Havanese dogs to the United States, and eleven dogs were used to rebuild the breed in America.

Greyhound

Greyhound
Group: Hound
Known as the racehorse of the dog world, Greyhounds are incredibly fast, their sleek yet powerful build allows them to reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. With an estimated 8000 – 10000 of Greyhounds being retired from racing every year there are always adult dogs in need of a home. Greyhounds make loving, gentle family pets, remember every dog deserves a loving home. The Greyhound Hound belongs to the collection of dogs referred to as Sighthounds, which specialise in hunting its quarry by sight rather than scent. Height: Female 68-71cm., Male 71-76cm
Weight: Female 27-30kg., Male 30-32kg
Average Lifespan: 12-15 years
Appearance: The Greyhound’s appearance is of a tall, muscular dog that is powerful and elegant, when they run it appears effortless and truly beautiful. It is a pleasure to watch these dogs race, with their long neck and face set on their long, slender frame.
Coat: The grey hounds coat is very short, fine & close. Colours: black, white, red, blue, fawn, fallow, brindle or any of these colours with white.
Temperament: They are loyal, independent, intelligent, affectionate, sensitive, and good with children. This dog is quiet, calm and extremely well-mannered indoors and reasonably easy to train. They are great family pets; kind and gentle with their families and very affectionate. They may be a little aloof with strangers, but never nasty.
Whilst they are gentle by nature, their natural hunting instinct is always present and owners must be willing to take on the necessary responsibilities that go with the breed. They must be very carefully socialised with smaller dogs and extreme care should be taken around cats.
Despite what most people think, these dogs can be real couch potatoes, although they are very fast, they are not high energy dogs and after exercise will sleep for long periods.
The Greyhound does not fare well outside in a kennel and must be an indoor dog, preferably with a nice warm bed! Fortunately they are very clean dogs and have no body odour.
Training
Greyhounds are fairly easy to train and can learn almost all commands. They can, however, choose to totally ignore you if they have their eyes set on a prey. Obedience classes as a puppy are highly recommended.
Grooming: Greyhounds have low grooming requirements, bruch once a week to keep coat and skin healthy. A very low shedding breed.
Exercise
Because of their racing abilities, people mistakenly believe that these dogs need huge amounts of exercise which is far from true. As long as they have short daily walks and an occasional longer session, the Greyhound is quite happy to spend much of his day snoozing if he has a relaxed and peaceful home. Important: This breed has a thin coat and very little body fat so is extremely sensitive to long exposure in cold weather conditions.
Greyhound Health Issues
Greyhounds are a breed known to have sensitivity to anesthesia

Racing/Retired Greyhounds may suffer from a variety of muscle and limb injuries, althoughthey are among very few breeds not to suffer from hip dysplasia.

Bloat – though not a hereditary condition, frequently affects many dogs including this breed. This is a very serious condition. When a dog bloats, the stomach can turn and block, causing a build up of gas. Unless treated quickly, bloat can be fatal. Signs of bloat include futile attempts to vomit and to salivate. Bloat, which may lead to cardiovascular collapse, usually occurs when exercise too closely follows eating. The incidence of bloat may be lessened by feeding adult dogs twice a day and, of course, by allowing a dog time to digest before taking him for a run in the park. Click Here for more information
Greyhound History
Greyhounds were amongst the most highest-favoured of all dogs; Pharoahs and other Egyptian, Asian and African leaders had images of their dogs engraved into their tombs dating as far back as 4000BC. They used to hunt large prey such as wolf, deer and wild boar. The breed is also mentioned in the book of Solomon of the Holy Bible.
During the ensuing centuries, Greyhounds became extremely popular and spread through the near East and Europe, eventually arriving in Britain where they became a status symbol, so much so that in 1016 only the elite were allowed to own a greyhound. There were once laws Only 500 years later did Queen Elizabeth I reverse this law and allow commoners to own them. Indeed, they are the most common heraldic dogs to be found in the coats of arms of both Charles V of France and Henry VIII of England. They were then used in coursing hares, but only as a sporting event as neither the owner nor his
guests would eat the kill. Later track racing took over which again proved them to be the fastest dogs on earth.
The Greyhound’s name has several theories behind it. Some believe it is derived from an old Saxon word, grei, meaning fine or beautiful. Others believe it originated from the Latin word gradus, which means swiftness, and still others say it is from the Old English language with the word grech or greg, meaning dog. A final theory is that it is a corruption of the word “gazehound” or “great hound”, since it was so revered for its speed and kept by many a hunter.

Great Dane

Great Dane
Other Names: German Mastiff
Dog Group Kennel Club: Working (AKC, KC) Appearance
The Great Dane is a large sized dog that is very muscular and strong. They give the appearance of being very noble and dignified.
Coat
They have a short, smooth coat which come in colours including:brindle, fawn, blue, black or patches of black with white (Harlequin).
Weight: 120 – 160 lbs, Height: Generally they stand between 30 to 34 inches in height at their shoulder.
Average Life Span: 8 – 10 yrs

Temperament
The Great Dane is a loyal, friendly, intelligent and trustworthy companion with a big heart to match it’s size. They are excellent with children other pets making them an exceptional family dog. Supervision, is however, required around small children as they may accidentally step on them or knock them over. Great Danes are gentle giants who love human attention and being involved with family life. They are not suited as an outside dog. They make good watch and guard dogs with thier size alone is enough to scare off intruders. Although great Danes make wonderful companions owners must be prepared for their sheer size.
Important
With their large size great danes need feeding large amounts of food. Owners must understand that this will be costly. It is important to get the correct balance and type of food, as too much or too little of the wrong types of food, can result in growth problems which may not be noticed until the dog is older. It is always best to ask your local vet for advice. Due to their height Great Danes need to feed and drink from raised bowls. As with all giant breeds Great Danes mature slowly but grow quickly, at 6 months old a great dane is huge but still acts like a puppy this breed is not suitable for inexperienced dog owners.
Training
Great Danes are intelligent make them fairly easy to train. They do grow very quickly into a very large dog so training must start when they are puppies otherwise they will be more than a handle full. All training must be consistent and due to their sensitive natures it must be gentle and positive. As puppies they do require lots of socialisation with animals and people.
Grooming
The coat of the great dane and is easily cared for with a good weekly brushing being enough to keep it healthy and shiny.
Exercise
Great Danes need daily long walks. Care needs to be taken during puppy hood not to over exercise them as this can lead to bone and joint problems when older.
Great Dane Health Issues
Bloat (gastric torsion), though not a hereditary condition, frequently affects many breeds including the great dane. This is a very serious condition. When a dog bloats, the stomach can turn and block, causing a build up of gas. Unless treated quickly, bloat can be fatal. Signs of bloat include futile attempts to vomit and to salivate. Bloat, which may lead to cardiovascular collapse, usually occurs when exercise too closely follows eating. The incidence of bloat may be lessened by feeding adult dogs twice a day and, of course, by allowing a dog time to digest before taking him for a run in the park. Click Here for more information
Hip dysplasia: a malformation of the hip joint resulting in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the hip socket. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, at some cost to dog and owner. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): is a family of diseases all involving the gradual deterioration of the retina. It is diagnosed by a retinoscopic exam or by means of an electroretinogram (ERG). Early in the disease, affected dogs become nightblind and lack the ability to see in dim light; later on daytime vision also fails. As their vision deteriorates, affected dogs adapt to their handicap very well, as long as their environment remains constant. Certain breeds are affected early in life, whereas in other breeds, PRA develops much later in onset.
Cervical Vertebral Instability (CVI or Wobbler’s Syndrome) – is suspected to be an inherited condition in this breed. Dogs (usually in mid-life) suffer from spinal cord compression caused by cervical vertebral instability or from a malformed spinal canal. Extreme symptoms are paralysis of the limbs (front, hind, or all four). Neck pain with extension and flexion may or may not be present. Surgical therapy is hotly debated and extremely expensive with questionable success. In some surgically treated cases, clinical recurrence has been identified.
Great Dane History
Often called the “Apollo of dogs”, the Great Dane can trace as far back as time of the Egyptians. Drawings of dogs resembling Great Danes were found on Egyptian monuments dating from 3,000 B.C. The dogs depicted have the same massive body and long, powerful legs as today’s Great Dane.
The Great Dane we know today is thought to be originally bred in Germany for hunting large wild boar. The origin of the “Dane” appellation is unclear; the breed almost certainly did not originate in Denmark. It has been claimed that the Great Dane is German in origin, which is not certain. However, what is evident, is that German breeders contributed largely to bringing the Great Dane to its glory. From the middle to the late 1800s, breeders both in Germany and England became very interested in the breed and more or less developed it to the standards, which are recognised today. Today it is known in German as the Deutsche Dogge and in French as the Dogue Allemand, both meaning “German mastiff”.

Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever
Other Names: Goldens
Dog Group Kennel Club: Sporting (AKC) Gundog (KC)
Appearance
The Golden Retriever has a friendly and intelligent expression, and are very well suited as a family dog.
Coat
The Golden coat is dense and water-repellent with a good undercoat. The outer coat is firm and resilient and can be straight or wavy. The legs and tail are feathered with longer hairs. Colour is rich and lustrous in various shades of gold. Although the colour may shade to cream on some parts of the dog’s body, particularly with the lighter-coloured dogs.
Weight: 60 – 80 lbs
Average Life Span: 10 – 12 Years
Temperament
Golden Retrievers are active, well mannered, loveable, friendly, reliable and trustworthy. Sweet and gentle towards children, and good with other animals the Golden excels as a family companion. They enjoy being part of family life and do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The Golden is very aware of the moods of its owner, and responds with a sensitivity that is extraordinary. They do not make good guard dogs. Important to note is that goldens take a while to mature and settle down. Be prepared for puppy like behaviour for up to 5 years.
Training
Golden retrievers are easy to train due to their intelligence and willingness to please. They do have sensitive natures so training must be gentle and positive but consistent. Early socialization and puppy classes are important for the Golden puppies who must learn to calm their natural friendliness to other dogs and their excitement for greeting people
Grooming
Golden Retrievers shed a fair amount and should be groomed weekly with a firm bristle brush or comb. They feathering must be trimmed occasionally. Ears should be checked and cleaned regularly. Bathe as needed.
Exercise
Golden Retrievers are very active so need long daily walks and the opportunity to run freely. Owners must have time to commit to give the large amount of exercise this breed requires. Golden Retrievers love to swim and should be allowed to do so whenever possible. Care should be taken by owners to ensure safety in the water.
Golden Retriever Health Issues
Bloat (gastric torsion), though not a hereditary condition, frequently affects many breeds including the golden retriever. This is a very serious condition. When a dog bloats, the stomach can turn and block, causing a build up of gas. Unless treated quickly, bloat can be fatal. Signs of bloat include futile attempts to vomit and to salivate. Bloat, which may lead to cardiovascular collapse, usually occurs when exercise too closely follows eating. The incidence of bloat may be lessened by feeding adult dogs twice a day and, of course, by allowing a dog time to digest before taking him for a run in the park. Click Here for more information
Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint resulting in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the hip socket. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, at some cost to dog and owner. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian.
Von Willebrand’s Disease (vWD) – is an autosomally (not sex-linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time (somewhat similar to haemophilia in humans) and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. A DNA test for vWD is now available. Carrier-to-carrier breedings, in theory, will produce puppies that are 25% clear, 50% carriers, and 25% affected. Ideally, only clear-to-clear or clear-to-carrier should occur, so that no puppies will be affected. Not all dogs that are vWD affected will have severe bleeding problems, but they ARE at risk whenever they need to have surgery or have an accident. Some unlucky affected dogs will actually bleed out from a needle stick or minor wound.
Cataracts:As with humans, dogs can get cataracts, but the presence of cataracts in young dogs, called juvenile cataracts, have a hereditary foundation. Cataracts are diagnosed by means of an ophthalmoscopic exam. If the dog is in good health, cataracts can be surgically removed with usually good results.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): is a family of diseases all involving the gradual deterioration of the retina. It is diagnosed by a retinoscopic exam or by means of an electroretinogram (ERG). Early in the disease, affected dogs become nightblind and lack the ability to see in dim light; later on daytime vision also fails. As their vision deteriorates, affected dogs adapt to their handicap very well, as long as their environment remains constant. Certain breeds are affected early in life, whereas in other breeds, PRA develops much later in onset.
Allergies: in dogs usually involves the skin but can also involve the ears, nose and other parts of the body too. Allergies are common in the Golden retriever. The reasons can be many and it is difficult to pinpoint the underlying causes. Often it is a question of a reaction to some food or additive to the food formulation. Flea bites are a major problem with many dogs. When confronted with skin allergies, first, check for flea bites. Dogs are very sensitive to them and often mutilate their bodies by chewing the area, trying to get some relief. The best allergy test is intradermal skin testing, which is usually done by a veterinary dermatologist. It is possible to test for inhalant allergies using blood testing, but this is not yet considered to be as accurate as skin testing.
Golden Retriever History
Golden Retrievers were “developed” in Britain during the 1800′s. Believed to be included in the formation of the Golden Retriever breed are the now extinct Tweed Water Spaniel, the Newfoundland, the Irish Setter and a variety of water spaniels.The need for a hunting dog that worked equally well in woods, marsh, or river bends and with a keen nose to locate the birds was in demanded in the late 1800s The need for this type of retriever was a concern to Sir Dudley Majoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth at Inverness, in Scotland. Lord Tweedmouth takes credit for the development of the Golden Retriever with his vision for a pure yellow retriever dog. The Lord purchased a yellow coloured puppy, whose litter mates all possessed black wavy coats, from a Brighton cobbler in 1865. This yellow colored puppy was named Nous, and was later bred to a Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. Lord Tweedmouth kept one female from this breeding, and gave away the rest. For twenty years he would line breed any yellow pups produced by this one female, named Cowslip, and her litter mates, and any yellow pups produced by subsequent offspring. In the early 1900s this yellow dog had become quite popular in Great Britain and was known as the Golden Retriever
Early golden retrievers ranged from medium gold to dark gold to a “copper” gold. As the golden retriever developed and became more popular in the show ring, the lighter colours, seen in today’s Golden Retrievers, emerged. Today Golden Retrievers range from cream to dark gold with the lighter colours seemingly more preferred by many than the darker colours of the original Golden Retrievers.

German Shepherd

German Shepherd
Other Names: GSD, Alsatian
Dog Group Kennel Club: Herding (AKC) Pastoral (KC)
Appearance
German Shepherds are one of the most easily recognised breeds in the world. They have a well muscled body which is very athletic and agile.
Coat
They have a double coat of medium length. Their outer coat should be as dense as possible, hair straight, harsh and lying close to the body. German Shepherds vary in colour, with most colours acceptable. Strong rich colours are preferred. Black and tan are the most common, with sable, gold and black coloration also seen frequently.
Weight: 75 – 95 lbs
Average Life Span: 12 – 13 yrs
Temperament
German Shepherds are intelligent, energetic, loyal, protective, and affectionate. A well trained german shepherd is good with children. They get along with other animals if properly socialised from an early age. This dog is not suitable for everyone, and they will demand a lot of your time. If treated with kindness and trained responsibly they make wonderful family pets who build up a loyal bond with their owners. However if these dogs are not trained and not socialised they can become dominant and badly behaved. In summary a german shepherd will be a loyal and dedicated dog if they have a loyal and dedicated owners. They make excellent watch and guard dogs. They love to be involved in family life, and do not respond well if left alone for long periods of time. This breed is known to suffer from separation anxiety. If you are out at work all day this is not the breed for you.
Training
The German Shepherd is exceptionally trainable. Training should be positive and consistents and begin in early puppy hood. They are a highly intelligent breed and as such, needs a great deal of mental stimulation. From basic obedience, the GSD can go onto learn agility, tracking, rescue work or personal protection workSocialisation with people and animals is a must for this breed.
Grooming
German Shepherds shed alot and so require daily brushing to remove dead hairs. This is a shedding dog but the more you groom it, the less it will shed. Checking the ears and nails should be carried out regularly.
Exercise
Though relatively calm and quiet indoors, the German Shepherd needs lots of outdoor exercise to maintain condition. Long daily walks are essential as are physical activities such as retrieval. If you don’t have time to commit to lots of exercise to fulfill this breeds needs this is not the breed for you. Care should be taken not to over exercise this breed when in puppy hood, time is needed for them to build strong joints and muscle tone.
German Shepherd Health Issues
Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint resulting in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the hip socket. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, at some cost to dog and owner. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian.
Elbow Dysplasia- may be due to different growth rates of the three bones making up the elbow. In affected dogs, the joint is lax or loose and, in mildly affected dogs, leads to painful arthritis.
Bloat (gastric torsion), though not a hereditary condition, frequently affects many breed including the german shepherd. This is a very serious condition. When a dog bloats, the stomach can turn and block, causing a build up of gas. Unless treated quickly, bloat can be fatal. Signs of bloat include futile attempts to vomit and to salivate. Bloat, which may lead to cardiovascular collapse, usually occurs when exercise too closely follows eating. The incidence of bloat may be lessened by feeding adult dogs twice a day and, of course, by allowing a dog time to digest before taking him for a run in the park. Click Here for more information
Von Willebrand’s Disease(vWD) – is an autosomally (not sex-linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time (somewhat similar to haemophilia in humans) and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. A DNA test for vWD is now available. Carrier-to-carrier breedings, in theory, will produce puppies that are 25% clear, 50% carriers, and 25% affected. Ideally, only clear-to-clear or clear-to-carrier should occur, so that no puppies will be affected. Not all dogs that are vWD affected will have severe bleeding problems, but they ARE at risk whenever they need to have surgery or have an accident. Some unlucky affected dogs will actually bleed out from a needle stick or minor wound.
Panosteitis (Also known as “long bone disease,” “wandering lameness,” or “pano.”) Most commonly seen between the ages of five to 12 months, and for unknown reasons, is common in the GSD breed. Pano is caused by excessive bone production on the long bones. Normally, a dog affected by this condition will grow out of the problem, but it is painful.
German Shepherd History
The early shepherd dogs of Germany were of several types suited to their environments. Coat length and texture, color, and build all varied but these types all possessed ruggedness, intelligence, soundness, and the ability to do specialized work. Captain Max Von Stephanitz, is this man who is acclaimed as the father of the breed. It all started in 1889 when he visited a dog show in Karlsruhe in western Germany with a friend. He saw a dog that impressed him greatly to all accounts so much that then and there he purchased the dog. This dog, named Hektor Linksrhein, then renamed Horand von Grafrath, became the first registered German Shepherd Dog. Von Stephanitz also formed a society, the Verein fur deutsche Schaferhunde or SV as it is called.This was a milestone in the breed’s history and marked the beginning of a new era for it. From this date the German Shepherd as a specific breed had arrived. The captain’s motto was “Utility and intelligence”.
As Germany became increasingly industrialized and the pastoral era declined, von Stephanitz realized the breed might also decline. With the co-operation of police and working dog clubs a set of specific tests was developed in tracking, formal obedience, and protection work.
He persuaded the authorities to utilize the German shepherd dog in various branches of government service. The dog served during the war as Red Cross dogs, messenger dogs, supply carriers, sentinel, tracking and guard dogs.

French Bulldog

nch Bulldog
Other Names: Frenchies
Dog Group Kennel Club: Non Sporting (AKC) Utility KC (GB) Appearance
The French Bulldog has a slightly smaller, less boxy head and fewer wrinkles than their cousin the British Bulldog, and are easily recognized by their trademark “Bat” ears.
Coat
They have a short, fine and smooth coat. Colours include brindle (which can have white but is mostly brindle), pied (mostly white), and fawn.
Weight: 22 – 28 lbs
Average Life Span: 11 – 13 yrs
Temperament
French Bulldogs are happy, friendly, loyal, affectionate, comical little dogs who love human attention. They can become destructive if left alone for long periods of time. They love to be adored, get along with children and other animals making them ideal family pets. Though small in size, they are far from being fragile compared to other small breeds. French bulldogs make good watch dogs. All bulldogs have short airways so be prepared for some loud snoring.
Training
French Bulldogs are intelligent and can be trained fairly easily. However they can become extremely stubborn, so it is best to start training in early puppy hood. Training should be positive and consistent.
Grooming
Grooming is minimal, a brush once a week with be adequate to keep the coat healthy and free from dead hairs. Nose wrinkles must be checked and cleaned at least 4 times a week to prevent infection. Ears must be cleaned, and nails be trimmed on a regular basis.
Exercise
They do not require long walks, a few shorter ones every day will be enough. Care needs to be taken when walking in hot weather as Frenchies are heat sensitive. See below for details. French Bulldogs love to eat, so their diet should be monitored to keep them from becoming overweight.
French Bulldog Health Issues
Hot weather can be fatal to a bulldog, they don’t even need to be moving about in it to succumb to the heat. Please make sure that any exercise is given early in the morning or late in the evening, don’t be tempted to go for a nice Sunday afternoon stroll when it is very sunny or hot. Also please don’t allow your bulldog to lay out in the sun for long periods, they do not know when they have had enough and it doesn’t take long for their panting to become out of control. Always provide enough fresh water and shade. Click Here for More Information
Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint resulting in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the hip socket. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, at some cost to dog and owner. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian.
Sore Wrinkles: Looking after a bulldog involves daily care of the face and the deep folds. Wash their faces on a daily basis with either a soft cloth and water. Be sure to dry the face properly, extra care is needed to the nose roll which in some bulldogs can be very deep.
Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.
Cherry Eye: Where the gland under the third eyelid protrudes and looks rather like a cherry in the corner of the eye. Your vet will need to remove the gland (some prefer to tuck but it’s not recommended). Occasionally removal of the gland causes dry eye but dry eye is a very common bulldog problem anyway regardless of if the dog had cherry eye surgery as a pup. More recently we have heard of vets that refuse to snip, try and find one that will if possible. The risk of dry eye is increased but we see so much dry eye in dogs that haven’t had this surgery that it’s not usually a factor – bulldog tear glands often block even if they still have this gland.
Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.
French Bulldog History
The History of the French Bulldog originates from the 1850s – 1860s in Nottingham, England which was a great centre for British Bulldogs, including the toy or miniature bulldogs.
During the industrial revolution, in the mid nineteenth century the lace workers of Nottingham travelled to France, mainly to Normandy, Paris, and Calais. They took their miniature bulldogs with them because of the dogs’ size, companionship and being good ratters (living conditions were cramped in the apartments and small houses in which workers lived).
In the 1860s the export of miniature or toy bulldogs from England to France was so great that they practically became extinct in England. The miniature bulldogs are thought to have been crossed with terriers and pugs and the French Bulldog evolved. Unfortunately the French neglected to record pedigrees making it impossible to know exact lineage of these animals.

Flat Coated Retriever

Flat Coated Retriever
Other Names: Flat-coats
Dog Group Kennel Club: Sporting (AKC) Gun Dog KC (GB)
Appearance
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a lean muscular dog with a intelligent expression
Coat
They have beautiful black or liver-coloured coats which are sleek, medium in length, thick, and well-feathered at the legs, tail and chest.
Weight: 55 to 77 lbs
Average Life Span: 9 – 15 years
Temperament
Flat coats are smart, active, friendly, affectionate and loyal dogs. They crave human attention and love to be involved in family activities. The are good with children and other animals making them excellent family pets. They could be too energetic around small children, would be more suitable for a family with older children. They do however remain puppy like for three years or more so be prepared for this time scale for them to begin to settle down and mature. This is a sweet, high-spirited dog that loves to play and retrieve. A gentle and playful tail-wagger.
Training
Slow to mature (three years or more) early puppy play training is encouraged and good manners can be strictly enforced, but formal training should be kept brief, cheerful and enthusiastic. Flat-Coats are bright, catch on quickly and are easily bored.Flat coats are intelligent and eager to please making them easy to train. Training should be positive and varied to keep them mentally stimulated. They excel in retrieving, agility and obedience trials, and showing.
Grooming
They need brushing on a weekly basis to keep their coats healthy and shiny.
Exercise
Flat coats are very energetic and require daily long walks with the opportunity of a off leash run. They are excellent water dogs and natural swimmers, enjoying this form of exercise. Care should be taken to ensure their safety in the water. They also love to play and retrieve. A varitey of walks, off leash runs and activities should be used to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. If you don’t have the time to committ to long daily walks and activities this is not the breed for you.
Flat Coated Retriever Health Issues
Hip dysplasia: a malformation of the hip joint resulting in a poor fit between the head of the femur bone and the hip socket. This condition can be alleviated by surgery, at some cost to dog and owner. Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested have been rated clear of hip dysplasia. Do not take yes for an answer without seeing a certificate, and ask for a copy to take to your veterinarian.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a hereditary disease of the eye that has been identified in Border collies. PRA is a blanket term for many types of retinal diseases, all of which result in blindness. All Border collies, regardless of age or breeding status, should be examined yearly by a member of the Veterinary Opthalmologists.
Malignant Histiocytosis (MH) an heritable cancer which is a highly breed-specific disease that affects both Flat-Coats and Bernese Mountain dogs in disproportionately higher numbers than other dog breeds. When caught early and surgically removed the progression may be halted, but unfortunetly it can be fatal.
Hypothyroidism
This is a generalized metabolic disease characterized by atrophy or malfunction of the thyroid gland. Clinical symptoms include obesity, lethargy, and/or coat problems. Affected animals may also have various reproductive problems, including irregular or absent estrus (heat cycle), and lack of fertility in both male and female.
Flat Coated Retriever History
Retriever breeds were developed in the early 19th century as dogs whose sole purpose was to pick up shot game. The strains thought to have been used to develop the breed were Labradors, setters, spaniels and sheepdogs. Flat-coats have the added skills of flushing game from cover and will hunt game in upland areas. The credit for establishing this breed is given to Mr. J Hull who began breeding them in 1864 and they came to be commonly used on estates throughout Great Britain.
In the 20th century their numbers began to decline and after the Second World War numbers fell drastically. Although the breed was re-established by the mid 1960s numbers remain relatively low. This has had its benefits with the breed as the lack of demand for this breed has consequently kept quality breedinG