Padded Dog Harness – Great For Dogs Who Pull On Their Walks

With so many options of dog harnesses and dog collars on the market today, dog owners share the same thought – what is the best harness or collar for dogs that have a tendency to pull during their walks? As the hunt for the best gear for dog pulling begins, the first decision is whether to get a dog collar or dog harness.

The decision on a collar or harness for a dog that pulls is really quite simple. First of all, let’s discuss collars. Whether your dog is large or small, their neck and throat area is very delicate. If they are always pulling on their walks, the force of their pull will cause their collar to constrict and may potentially, and even permanently, damage your dog’s neck and trachea.For that reason, the collar is not recommended for dogs who pull on their walks.

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With that being said, the dog harness is the best option for pullers The dog harness is favored by trainers because it reinforces that the dog is not the one in control, the owner is. It is constructed to give maximum control with minimal effort for the dog owner. The most remarkable feature is that it distributes weight evenly on the dog’s chest and legs. The collar, on the other hand, has the weight concentrated in the neck area.

Now that we’ve established why a dog harness being the best option for dog pullers, the question now is what type of dog harness is best? There are so many varieties to choose from. For example, there are soft mesh harnesses, leather harnesses, step-in harnesses, the padded dog harness, nylon harnesses (just to name a few).

Based on the activity of dog walking and dog pulling, the padded dog harness is recommended since it provides the best comfort and support for your dog. The padding reduces the chafing and rubbing on the dog’s fur and skin.

A favorite padded dog harness in the market today is designed with a foam chest plate that conforms to the dog’s chest and is adjustable to fit all contours of your dog’s body for proper fit. With the padded dog harness, you not only gain control during your walk but you know that your dog is safely restrained.

Take note, harnesses should not be left on the way collars are meant to be worn. Collars have an important role and should be used to display the identification tags and worn at all times, just in case your pooch gets loose.

Randy McCall pulling Midnight in a Hillbilly Harness

How Can I Help My Dog Lose Weight – Diet For A Flat Stomach – Free Ways To Lose Weight Fast

How Can I Help My Dog Lose Weight

Are you eager to know the answer for this question? If yes read on to know the safest and the easiest way to triumph over weight loss. There are many people who have turned over-weight and are now seeking easy and quick methods to lose weight. Though some may manage to lose weight by unhealthy methods watching them others get the urge to follow the same steps. This can be life threatening for the simple fact that what suits one may not work for the other.

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Losing weight after pregnancy is tough. Follow these easy steps to learn how to lose weight after delivery

No one wants to lose weight by starving themselves or doings lots of exercise. Once you know the correct process though it’s actually very simple to lose weight and keep it off. I am going to teach you how to lose weight fast safely with a few simple guidelines

Want to know how to lose weight in your hips? Great. If you want to know how to lose weight in your hips you have just stumbled upon a great article that will show you just that

If you want to lose weight in a systematic and gradual manner my tips on how to lose weight will help you achieve your targeted weight. These tips are basic good health tips and do not rely on diet pills or fad diets. It is possible for anyone to lose weight naturally if they have the required resolution to stick to a simple plan. However without will-power it will not work

With the temptation of all these new junk foods coming out on the market all the time it is understandable that it can be difficult to lose weight. New donut ice cream chip flavors or even new fast food products like a new hamburger are constantly being pushed down our throats – literally. Or you may find that you were able to lose the weight initially but then gain it all back. I am going to teach you how to lose weight in a week without pills with 5 simple unconventional tips

So you want to know how to lose weight fast? Simply because you are reading this article tells me that you probably have something special coming up soon and you need to get that weight off fast…or maybe you’re just tired of being overweight and want to jump-start a long-term weight-loss program. That’s great but be sure you approach your fast weight loss plan with these three things in mind

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Online Weight Loss Programs: Are They Worth The Money?

Have you ever heard of an online weight loss program before? Online weight loss programs are designed to assist individuals, possibly just like you, who want to lose weight.  What it nice about online weight loss programs is that they are operated online, which is nice for those who have busy schedules; schedules that may not allow them to join locally operated weight loss programs.

If you have never joined an online weight loss program before, you may be wondering if one is right for you.  Better yet, you may be wondering if an online weight loss program is worth the cost.  In all honestly, you will typically find that online weight loss programs are well worth their costs, but it all depends.  To ensure that your money is wisely spent, you will want to make sure that you choose the online weight loss program that is perfect for you and your needs.

When finding an online weight loss program that is more than worth the costs, you will want to examine the features that you have access to. Features are also commonly referred to as membership benefits or membership perks.  The program features that you have access to plays a large part in determining whether or not the online weight loss program that you want to join is worth the money. A few of the many online weight loss features or member perks that you will want access to are outlined below.

One of the many features or membership benefits that would make an online weight loss program well worth the cost is that of healthy eating tips. As you likely already know, healthy eating is an important part of any weight loss plan.  Many online weight loss programs have healthy eating sections that include easy to make recipes for foods and drinks, as well as shopping tips and much more.  As previously stated, healthy eating is an important part of losing weight; therefore, you should look for an online weight loss program that does have a healthy eating or a healthy foods section.

Another feature that would make an online weight loss program more than worth the costs is that of an exercise program.  It has been said that exercise and healthy eating are the two most important components of losing weight.  You should be able to find an online weight loss program that has an exercise section for you to access.  This section may outline workouts that you should try, which may be accompanied by pictures, videos, or at least detailed directions. You may also find charts that outline how many calories are burned with common exercises, and much more.

One feature that you may not necessarily think of, but one that is important, is that of an online message boards or a community section.  Community sections are often comprised of online message boards. These sections often allow you to communicate with other online weight loss program members or group leaders.  This communication is nice as it may help to give you motivation.  You may even find an online weight loss buddy or partner to help you on your journey.

Guaranteed results or free trial periods are another sign that an online weight loss program may be worth the money. Often times, many individuals are unsure as to whether or not they should pay to join an online weight loss program, as they do not know for sure that they will lose weight.  A large number of online weight loss programs give you the ability to test out their programs free of charge and then there are others that give you guaranteed results.  With guarantees like these, online weight loss programs are more then worth their costs.

The above mentioned points are just a few of the many that may be able to help you decide whether or not joining an online weight loss program is worth the cost. If you are able to find an online weight loss program with a free trial period or even just one with affordable membership rates, you may want to think about giving it a shot.
 

www.AndreaAlbright.com – The best way to get weight loss help is to find the help inside of yourself. You are your own best coach and friend. These weight loss tips are to help you help yourself to stay inspired when it gets hard.
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Newfoundland – The Aristocrat Among Dogs.

The dogs which take their name from the island of Newfoundland appeal to all lovers of animals.There are now two established varieties, the black and the white and black. There are also bronze-coloured dogs, but they are rare. The black variety of the Newfoundland is essentially black in colour; but this does not mean that there may be no other colour, for most black Newfoundlands have some white marks. In fact, a white marking on the chest is said to be typical of the true breed. Any white on the head or body would place the dog in the other than black variety. The black colour should preferably be of a dull jet appearance which approximates to brown. In the other than black class, there may be black and tan, bronze, and white and black. The latter predominates, and in this colour, beauty of marking is very important. The head should be black with a white muzzle and blaze, and the body and legs should be white with large patches of black on the saddle and quarters, with possibly other small black spots on the body and legs.

Apart from colour, the varieties should conform to the same standard. The head should be broad and massive, but in no sense heavy in appearance. The muzzle should be short, square, and clean cut, eyes rather wide apart, deep set, dark and small, not showing any haw; ears small, with close side carriage, covered with fine short hair (there should be no fringe to the ears), expression full of intelligence, dignity, and kindness.

The body should be long, square, and massive, loins strong and well filled; chest deep and broad; legs quite straight, somewhat short in proportion to the length of the body, and powerful, with round bone well covered with muscle; feet large, round, and close. The tail should be only long enough to reach just below the hocks, free from kink, and never curled over the back. The quality of the coat is very important; the coat should be very dense, with plenty of undercoat; the outer coat somewhat harsh and quite straight.

The appearance generally should indicate a dog of great strength, and very active for his build and size, moving freely with the body swung loosely between the legs, which gives a slight roll in gait. As regards size, the Newfoundland Club standard gives 140 lbs. to 120 lbs. weight for a dog, and 110 lbs. to 120 lbs. for a bitch, with an average height at the shoulder of 27 inches and 25 inches respectively; but it is doubtful whether dogs in proper condition do conform to both requirements.  

When rearing puppies give them soft food, such as well-boiled rice and milk, as soon as they will lap, and, shortly afterwards, scraped lean meat. Newfoundland puppies require plenty of meat to induce proper growth. The puppies should increase in weight at the rate of 3 lbs. a week, and this necessitates plenty of flesh, bone and muscle-forming food, plenty of meat, both raw and cooked. Milk is also good, but it requires to be strengthened with casein. The secret of growing full-sized dogs with plenty of bone and substance is to get a good start from birth, good feeding, warm, dry quarters, and freedom for the puppies to move about and exercise themselves as they wish. Forced exercise may make them go wrong on their legs. Medicine should not be required except for worms, and the puppies should be physicked for these soon after they are weaned, and again when three or four months old, or before that if they are not thriving. If free from worms, Newfoundland puppies will be found quite hardy, and, under proper conditions of food and quarters, they are easy to rear.

How to Stay Fit?

1.Vary your exercise routine – Keep things interesting by doing different types of exercises. Strength train with free weights, smith machines, body weight, isometrics. Wear weighted vests. Vary cardio by running outside in the park, beach, mountains, use the elliptical, treadmill, recumbent bike, jump rope. I think strength/weight training is the most important part of any exercise routine and should be done at a minimum of 3 days per week. More is better, but at least 3 days.

2.Cultivate the internal with mind/body exercise – Do yoga (I prefer vinyasa) and/or tai chi along with chi gung. This not only stretches your muscles and strengthens your bones, joints and sinews, it also allows you to mentally just relax and let go. This is the “Yang” to weight trainings “Yin”.

3.Eat well – Never ever “diet”. I rather use the term “nutrition plan” than “diet plan”. Eat good foods and stay away from the processed junk (white rice, white noodles, sugar, fast food, fried food). Eat plenty of green veggies (broccoli, spinich) and whole grain breads. Have an occasional glass of really good cabernet wine. Drink plenty of water.

4.Have at least one hobby – Find something that you just flat out enjoy and could do for hours and hours. Something that you can spend hours in a bookstore reading about. I have two hobbies: Martial Arts and Macro Photography. Teaching and practicing martial arts is my greatest joy. Trying to take that “perfect” macro photo (the hunt) is a great joy as well.

5.Love – Have someone/something in your life that you love (and loves you back). A wife, husband, kids, dog. Anyone/anything that brings you love. Everyone needs this.

There you go. This works for me. Hope I didnt go too off base from what the OP was wanting. But I really think that to “Stay Fit and Healthy” one needs to have his/her bases covered Physically (#1, #2 #3), Mentally (#2 and #4) and Emotionally (#5).

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The World’s Cutest and Most Adorable Dogs

As the popular saying goes, “dogs are man’s best friend.” Dogs are definitely one of the smarter and more adorable species second to man.

In every household expect a dog as part of the extended family. These cute, fur-coated creatures are one of God’s most prized creation.

Here listed below is a compilation of the world’s cutest and most adorable dogs.

American Cocker Spaniel

Height:    15.5 inches (males) 14.5 inches (females)

Weight:   11-15 kilograms (24-33 lbs)

Life span: 10-11 years

Bichon Frise

Height:     23-30 cm

Weight:    7-17 lbs

Life span: 15-20 years, 16.5 in UK

Catalan Sheepdog

Height:      17-19 inches

Weight:     20-27 kilograms (45-60 lbs)

Life span:  12-14 years

Chow Chow

Height:    48-56 cm (males) 46-51 cm (females)

Weight:  55-70 lbs (males)  45-60 lbs (females)

Life span: 9-15 years

Dandie Dinmont Terrier

Height:      8-11 inches

Weight:    18-24 lbs

Life span:  12-15 years

Japanese Spitz

Height:      30-38 cm

Weight:     5-6 kilograms

Life span:  12-16 years

Lhasa Apso

Height:   10.75 inches (average)

Weight: 14-18 lbs

Life span: 17-25 years

Maltese

Height:      4.7 lbs

Weight:    8-10 inches

Life span:  12-14 years

Miniature Siberian Husky

Height:     20-22 inches

Weight:    45-60 lbs

Life span: 12-15 years

Mioritic

Height:     65-85cm

Weight:   50-65 kilograms

Life span: 12-14 years

Old English Sheepdog

Height:     61 cm for males, 54 cm for females

Weight:   36-46 kilograms

Life span: 11.19 years

Papillon

Height:    8-11 inches

Weight:   8 lbs

Life span: 12-16 years

Poodle

Height:       10-15 inches

Weight:      12-18 lbs

Life span:   12-15 years

Pug

Height:        10-11 inches

Weight:       13-18 lbs

Life span:   12-14 years

Sapsali

Height:       10-15 inches

Weight:      10-15 lbs

Life span:   10-15 years

Sealyham Terrier

Height:         10-12 inches

Weight:        23-25 lbs

Life span:    10-15 years

Shih Tzu

Height:         20-28 cm

Weight:        4-8 lbs

Life span:    14-18 years

Thai Bangkaew Dog

Height:        17-19 inches

Weight:       35-50 lbs

Life span:   15-20 years

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Height:         10-12 inches

Weight:        30 lbs (40 kg)

Life span:    12-14 years

Yorkshire Terrier

Height:         10-19 cm

Weight:        10-20 lbs

Life span:    10-15 years

Is Your Dog Overweight?

Dogs are not that different from human beings in so far as if they eat too much of the wrong kinds of food and don’t get enough exercise then they put on weight. Having gained weight they may be even less inclined to take exercise and so gradually put on even more weight.

How is it that they get the wrong kinds of food?  Some dog owners like to give their pet snacks and treats to help in training, and some just to show their love for their dog. Too many treats of the wrong kind can upset a dog’s natural dietary inclination towards high protein foods like neat and direct them increasingly towards an unhealthy diet that’s high in carbohydrate.

Dogs will naturally favour high protein foods like meat, but they can easily be persuaded to eat other things like biscuits and cakes, things that they would never find in nature. These high carbohydrate foods are as a bad for dogs as they are for humans, leading to excess weight gain, heart disease and other health problems. If you over- feed your dog with the wrong kind of food you will certainly shorten its life span and make its latter years miserable.

Dogs, like humans need a balanced diet with plenty of protein for growth, and for maintaining muscle mass. They also require vitamins and fibre. They get energy from both fat and carbohydrate in their diet, although can even convert protein into energy if required, and should therefore only need a little carbohydrate if any. Carbohydrate in refined form should not be given, as it’s high in calories and low in fibre. A healthy dog, like a healthy human, should have a diet as natural as possible with a minimum of processed food.

It may not be practicable to feed your dog  on 100% home cooked food of course, but there are plenty of good quality dried foods that are available that can be mixed with meat to provide the right diet. Relying on canned dog foods is not a good idea because they are often bulked out with too much carbohydrate, or are made from the lowest quality meat sources including animal organs.

If your dog is all ready overweight then you need to instigate a plan to gradually alter its diet and make it less reliant on carbohydrate, and more protein rich, coupled with a gradual increase in the amount of daily exercise that your dog takes. This may mean more exercise for you too!

Special weight reduction dried foods are available, and are a little more expensive than the ordinary, but are higher in nutrition and lower in calories, so are worth the investment. A good idea is to cover kibble for ten minutes with hot water before serving, as this causes the food to swell and makes the dog feel fuller and be less likely to overeat.

In –between meal snacks should be curtailed as much as possible, and, when given, should be protein, not carbohydrate based. Do not allow your dog scraps from the table or any human junk foods like biscuits or cakes, as these are a sure way to make your dog put on weight. It is a good idea to feed your dog first before sitting down to dinner yourself, as that will help minimise begging at the table

You should try to restrict your dog to its one or two regular meals per day, and remove the bowl once the dog has finished, rather than leaving it down all day. This routine ensures that your dog does not get into bad habits, but has adequate proper nutrition.

As a dog owner you have the responsibility to make sure that your dog gets enough exercise. Dogs love to run about and you should encourage this. Throwing a ball or stick for your pet when out walking will ensure that he covers more ground than you do and gets a good work-out

A sensible, controlled diet and daily exercise is all that a dog needs to stay healthy. A dog that is overweight may not live as long as it should, and may suffer health problems once it gets older. Also, like humans, once the excess weight builds up, it is difficult to get rid of it.

Top 10 Animal Recruits in War

I have to admit this is probably the best piece of information i ever read.

10. Bat Bombs

These nocturnal flying mammals became part of a bizarre animal experiment during World War II. A dental surgeon upset by the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor proposed attaching tiny incendiary bombs to bats. The creatures were meant to set thousands of small blazes across Japan’s cities as they flew to roost beneath building roofs. But the idea floundered after receiving the green light from President Roosevelt. Many uncooperative bats simply dropped like rocks or flew away, despite the U.S. Army using as many as 6,000 of the mammals in their experiments. The U.S. Navy spent million after taking over the effort, before finally giving up. Still, the bat bombs did manage to set fire to a simulated Japanese village, a U.S. Army hangar and a general’s car. Nowadays, Pentagon scientists study how bat flight mechanisc could inspire future aircraft designs and spy robots. – livescience.com

9. Camel Cavalry

Camels only provide a few modern militaries with patrol mounts, but camel cavalry once flourished in certain regions of the world. Camels found much use in the arid or desert regions of North Africa and the Middle East during ancient times, given their ability to survive harsh and often waterless conditions. The smell of camels reportedly frightened enemy horse cavalry, even if the camels did not provide as much of a shock to enemy troops during charges. The Parthian and Sassanid Persians sometimes armored their camels as heavy cataphract cavalry (picture camels equipped with armor, artillery and carrying cavalrymen), and Arab warriors often rode camels during raids against other tribes or during the Muslim conquests of North Africa and the Middle East. Camels fared less well outside their natural ranges, where horses became the preferred battle mount. The combat role of camels rapidly declined with the development of guns throughout the 1700s and 1800s, but they still saw some action with British general Lawrence of Arabia and Arab forces during World War I. – livescience.com

8. Angry Bees

Stinger-equipped bees could become effective weapons when provoked. The ancient Greeks, Romans and other civilizations occasionally used the insects as tiny weapons of war to deter enemy troops. Besiegers would sometimes catapult beehives over the walls, and Greek defenders of Themiscyra supposedly returned the favor by barraging Roman attackers with hives. The Heptakometes of the Trebizond region in Turkey even tricked Roman soldiers under the command of Pompey with a tribute of toxic honey, which led to the defeat of the subsequently vomiting, intoxicated Romans. A more direct use of angry bees continued during castle sieges of the Middle Ages, as well as during World War I and the Vietnam War. These days, U.S. scientists have found more peaceful uses for bees by training the insects to detect land mines. – livescience.com

7. Sea Lion Patrol

California sea lions have gained odd fame in the service of the U.S. Navy’s marine mammal program, alongside dolphins and a beluga whale or two. The marine mammals have excellent low-light vision and underwater hearing, can swim 25 mph (40 km/h), and do repeated dives of up to 1,000 feet (300 m). The U.S. Navy has accordingly trained sea lions as minesweepers that can locate and mark mines. The animals can even attach a special leg cuff to human divers or saboteurs, which allows sailors to haul the suspects to the surface. A special sea lion harness also carries cameras that provide live underwater video. Just one sea lion, two human handlers, and a rubber boat can replace a full-sized naval vessel, its crew and a group of human divers in searching for objects on the ocean floor. – livescience.com

6. Messenger Pigeons

Carrier pigeons carried messages for conquerors and generals throughout much of human history, based on their homing ability and navigational skills that enable them to return home across hundreds of miles. But the pigeons gained much of the military fame during World War I, where Allied forces used as many as 200,000 of them. One pigeon named Cher Ami even earned the French “Croix de Guerre” for delivering 12 messages between forts in the Verdun, France region. He made his last message delivery despite suffering serious bullet injuries, and is credited with saving the “Lost Battalion” of the U.S. 77th Infantry Division, which had become cut off by German forces. Another group of 32 pigeons earned the British Dickin medal for animal valor during the D-Day invasion of World War II, when Allied soldiers kept radio silence and relied upon the pigeons to relay messages. The birds have since retired from military service because of advances in communications technology. – livescience.com

5. Navy Dolphins

Bottlenose dolphins have served alongside sea lions in helping the U.S. Navy patrol the seas since the 1960s. The brethren of Flipper use their sophisticated biological sonar to search for mines based on the concept of echolocation. A dolphin will send out a series of clicks that bounce off objects and return to the dolphin. That allows the marine mammal to get a mental image of the object, and it can then report to its human handler using certain yes or no responses. The handler can also follow up on a yes response by sending the dolphin to mark the object’s location with a weighted buoy line. Those mine-marking abilities came in handy during both the Persian Gulf War and the Iraq War, with Navy dolphins helping to clear the port of Umm Qasr in southern Iraq during the latter. Dolphins can also tag enemy swimmers, but the U.S. Navy denies rumors about training dolphins to use weapons against humans. – livescience.com

4. War Elephants

The largest living land mammals on Earth left their mark in warfare as creatures capable of devastating packed formations of enemy troops. Elephants could trample, pierce soldiers with their tusks and even throw hapless humans with their trunks. They sometimes wore armor or carried archers and javelin throwers. Ancient kingdoms of India may have been first to tame elephants as living tanks, but the practice soon spread to the Persians in the Middle East. Alexander the Great encountered enemy elephants during his conquests of the ancient world, and eventually the Greeks, Carthaginians and Romans made use of war elephants at certain times. Horses feared the sight and smell of elephants, and human soldiers also had to deal with the psychological terror of facing down the huge animals. Still, elephants could go mad with fear or pain after taking too much punishment, and the advent of cannons on the battlefield essentially ended their combat role. – livescience.com

3. Military Mules

Mules have played an unsung but crucial role throughout the history of warfare by carrying or pulling along much of the food, weapons and other supplies needed by armies. Born from a male donkey and a female horse, they became preferred over horses for carrying loads because of their greater endurance. They also displayed more intelligence and unwillingness to push to the point of injury, which led to the stereotype of being stubborn. Still, the ancient Roman legions marched with about one mule for every 10 Roman legionaries. Napoleon Bonaparte himself rode a mule across the Alps, in addition to using the animals in his baggage trains. The U.S. Army alone used about 571,000 horses and mules in Europe during World War I, and lost about 68,000 killed in action. Mules have continued to find use even today, as U.S. Special Forces, marines and soldiers rely upon the animals to keep supply lines open for remote outposts in the mountains of Afghanistan. – livescience.com

2. Dogs of War

Most people may look upon man’s best friend as a cuddly creature, but humans have let slip the dogs of war for thousands of years. Large breeds served as war dogs on the battlefield and as defensive sentries for everyone from the Egyptians to Native Americans. The Romans equipped some of their dogs with spiked collars and armor, and the Spanish conquistadors also used armored attack dogs during their invasion of South America in the 1500s. Many European factions and nations used war dogs in ancient conflicts and throughout the Middle Ages, but more modern warfare reduced the battlefield role to that of messengers, trackers, scouts and sentries. The U.S. military and others have more recently trained dogs as bomb-sniffing detectors to work in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the four-footed companions get their own bulletproof vests. – livescience.com

1. Horses

Perhaps no other animal has played so great a role in the history of warfare as the horse. Humans domesticated horses as early as 5,500 years ago in modern-day Kazakhstan, and the spread of horses across Eurasia soon gave rise to their use in large-scale warfare. The ancient Egyptians and the Chinese used horse-pulled chariots as stable platforms to fight from, before the invention of an effective saddle and stirrup gave mounted warriors a decisive edge. Armored knights on horseback could deliver devastating charges against all but the most steadfast foot-soldier formations. The stability provided by the saddle-and-stirrup combo allowed the Mongols to fight and shoot arrows effectively from horseback, and gave them the mobility to conquer much of the known world. A thunderous appearance of horses on battlefields often signaled the beginning of the end for civilizations that lacked similar warrior mounts. Major combat use of horses did not waver until the modern era of warfare, when tanks and machine guns entered the fray. – livescience.com

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Pet Food Knowledge

Dog food ranges is price and there are many nourishing choices to choose from.  Dry dog food is a very good choice for your pet.  Dry dog food is usually economically priced, and is good for your dog’s teeth also.  The chewing action helps reduce tartar on your pet’s teeth.  Dry pet food helps proper development of puppies and dog’s jaws.  Talk to your veterinarian about their advice for the best dry pet food to choose for your pet.

Another benefit of dry pet food is the ability to store it easily and its shelf life.  Dry pet food is created by a machine called an extruder. The mixture of dough and other measured ingredients is put together and inserted into the extruder where it comes out into precut sizes and shapes. After the food drys, fat is sprayed on it with other flavors to enhance the taste of the food.   It is packaged and put on the shelves where consumers purchase the pet food in huge numbers.  Dry food that is not produced through the extrusion method, is baked at 500 degrees.  The advantage of baked pet food is that fat and other flavorings is not sprayed on it, because the food is naturally tastier, due to its crunchiness.

Some dog food is designed for the active pet, and some are made to help with specific health needs.  Some people are loyal to certain manufacturers. There are many types of dog food to choose from and it is a good idea to educate yourself about the products that exist.

Semi moist food is another alternative to feed your pet.  This food looks more appealing to the consumer, although it has chemicals, preservatives, and additives and food coloring.  Canned or wet food is different from semi moist food. Wet food is an excellent choice for dogs and cats who are having difficulty chewing due to loss of teeth or other issues they may have. Wet food puts more pounds on your pet.  So if your pet needs to gain weight, canned food is an excellent choice. However, if your dog or cat  is overweight, you may want to avoid this type of pet food. Wet food is a good choice when your pet is having digestion issues.  Wet food is also made by an extruding machine, but before it dries, it is cooked and canned immediately for freshness. The food is put through a process of sterilization at the manufacturer and has more protein than other types of pet food. Canned food has moisture is makes it particularly good for cats to consume.  You will find wet food packaged in pouches and cans. 

The by products ingredients you often see on pet food is made from the leftover products not deemed qualifiable for people food.  The poultry, fish, and meat used consists of a wide range of nutritional value.  Cereal grains and starchy vegetables make up a large part of dry pet foods.  These products are high in carbs and calories, are usually included as fillers and to enhance the texture of the pet food. These products add very little nutritional value and do not enhance the quality of the food for your pets. Corn gluten is used in the majority of petfood to add “protein” in place of more costly animal based protein.  It is important to be aware of the amount of vegetable proteins in the pet foods so that your pet achieves the maximum nutritional value from his/her diet.

Among other choices you have for your pets diet are the natural and organic pet foods.  These products do not use by products. Usually the meat, poultry, and fish are the first ingredients listed, which adds to the quality of the food your dog and cat will be consuming.   These pet foods have better standards and qualifications for their products. These products avoid artificial ingredients and food coloring.  They have additional vitamins and minerals which are good for your pet. Especially look for products that have added antioxidants.  The combination of quality and higher standards for ingredients help make the food easier for your dog and cat to digest.  The added nutritional value make these premium pet foods worth buying for your pet.    

Low carbohydrate dog and food is pet food made from starchy vegetables such as potatoes and green peas. If your pet is allergic to grains, this type of food may help.  Generally, dry, low carb pet food gives no benefits to a pet’s diet.  In order to be tasty, these foods are high in fat and may cause your pet to gain weight.  Canned varieties are often used for diabetic cats as a prevention and treatment program.

 An education about feeding your pet is worthwhile to know. Your loyal friend will return the love you give them right back to you. Look for more of my articles about pet knowledge. 

Good watchdogs

Good watchdogs

There are many breeds that make a good watchdog. Here is my personal top ten list:

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is a working dog originally developed for herding sheep. It’s a dog of great strength and intelligence and is often employed in police or military roles. Known for it’s guarding and protection abilities the German Shepherd makes a real good guard dog and is one of the most registered breeds worldwide.

Height: 22-26 inches  Weight: 60-88

Malinois

The Malinois or Belgian Shepherd is similar in appearance and it’s qualities to the German Shepherd, but with less weight. So the Malinois is able to react quicker.

Height: 22-26 inches  Weight: 44-66 pounds

Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a german dog breed, originally used as a herding dog. It’s a very intelligent and powerful breed with excellent guarding and protecting abilities.

Height: 22-27 inches  Weight: 90-110 pounds

Doberman

The Doberman is known as a intelligent, alert and loyal dog breed. They are compactly built and athletic with endurance and speed.

Height: 24-28 inches  Weight: 60-100 pounds

Ovtcharka

The Ovtcharka or Caucasian Shepherd is a strongly-boned and muscular Molosser. Very loyal to their family, they will stand by and defend at any circumstances.

Height: 25-29 inches  Weight: 102-180 pounds

Great Dane

The Great Dane is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, with only the Irish Wolfhound being taller on average. As described by the American Kennel Club, “The Great Dane combines, in its regal appearance, dignity, strength and elegance with grand size and a well-formed body. Being intelligent and very loyal the Great Dane knows what to do to if his family needs his protection.

Height: at least 28 inches  Weight: 100 pounds minimum

Airedale Terrier

The Airedale Terrier is the largest of the terrier type breeds. It’s an intelligent and athletic dog. Like the German Shepherd it is used as a working dog by police and military.

Height: 22-24 inches  Weight: 40-66 pounds

Wolfspitz or Keeshond

The Wolfspitz is a dog breed originated in germany. It’s a very intelligent and alert breed that is loyal to it’s family. Like other Spitz type dogs he loves to bark and makes an incorruptible watch dog.

Height: 18-22 inches  Weight: 35-55 pounds

Do-Khyi

The Do-Khyi or Tibetan Mastiff is a very ancient breed that is originally used to protect the sheep from wolves. It is very loyal to it’s family and always ready to defend.

Height: 25-28 inches  Weight: 100-160 pounds

Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a large italian molosser type dog breed. It is well muscled and athletic, always by it’s family and ready to defend.

Height: 23-26 inches  Weight: 88-110 pounds

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