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When you’re looking for a new addition to your family that is loyal and energetic, the Parson Russell Terrier, also known as the Jack Russell Terrier, is the perfect pet to consider. This particular breed of terrier is full of surprises, offering a satisfying bundle of characteristics to explore.

When it comes to owning a Parson Russell, you should know that understanding and respecting the breed is the first step towards truly learning that big rewards come in small packages.

Brief History of the Parson Russell Terrier

Between the mid-to-late 1800s, the Parson Russell Terrier was bred to make fox hunting a much easier task. The Reverend John Russell wanted a hunting companion to track foxes both on top and below ground. By crossing the English Black and Tan Terrier with the English White Terrier, he came up with the perfect breed for fox retrieval.

Everything from the character, intelligence and mindset of the Parson Russell was bred to accommodate fox hunting. John Russell also believed that creating a stark white terrier satisfied numerous hunting dilemmas. A white dog easily sticks out against the green of a forest. Different from previous foxhunting terriers, the Parson Russell would never be confused with the hunted.

Today, the Parson Russell breed weighs about 15 pounds and stands 10 to 15 inches tall. When it comes to this dog, one of their distinguishing physical characteristics deals with their coat. There are three varieties to consider: wire haired, rough or short coat terriers. More than 50% of their coat coloring is white, decorated with tan, brown or black markings.

Temperament

One of the main things to consider when purchasing a dog is how they will fit within your living arrangements. There are certain dog breeds that better complement particular households. When it comes to the Parson Russell, their intense energy and activeness demands attention and focus from owners. Keeping this in mind, Parson Russells are perfect for the family scene.

This playful dog breed is filled with a spirit that captures the interest of children, as well as adult owners. For a daily pick-me-up or relief from rainy weather, the Parson Russell provides the most entertaining distraction.

As for getting along with other dogs, obedience training is needed to achieve proper socialization. This will cure your Parson Russell of any instinctive aggression they may hold towards other dogs and animals. Remember, Parson Russells are natural hunters! They can’t help but to surrender to their inherited habits if they don’t know it is unacceptable within your home setting.

Taking Care of a Parson Russell Terrier

Since the Parson Russell is a high-energy companion, apartment life may put a damper on their spirit. Regardless of their small size, they need room to burn up their energy. Apartment-life leads to endless hours of boredom, which the Parson Russell may choose to take out on your furniture and shoes.

One of the best environments for a Parson Russell offers access to a nicely sized yard with a fence. Allowing this breed to run freely and burn off excess energy is a great way to keep your dog happy and healthy. So, if you’re not ready for daily walks with a little bit of running thrown in, the Parson Russell breed may not be for you. Always keep in mind that this is an intensely active dog breed.

When it comes to the appearance of your dog, you may find delight that minimal grooming is needed. Removing dirt from the coat of a Parson Russell is quite simple. Using a sturdy bristle brush about once or twice a week on the coat of your dog will keep him or her comfortable.

Health Concerns

Where other dog breeds face a wide range of health issues, the Parson Russell is a hearty, healthy breed. Most of the medical concerns associated with the Parson Russell involve the eyes and ears. Special care should especially be taken with the ears and hearing of your dog. This is because, over time, the threat of deafness becomes of issue.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a dog breed that can keep up with the hustle and bustle of an energetic and fun family, the Parson Russell is for you. Like to go for runs and take walks to the end of the earth? The Parson Russell is the perfect dog to have by your side. All you have to do is make sure you have what it takes to properly care for this loyal breed and many years of satisfying companionship await your commitment.

Get more info and advice on the Parson Russell Terrier or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

There are many types of bladder stones that can affect your dog. The most common are calcium, oxalate, struvite and urate. Different medical circumstances contribute to each of these types of canine bladder stones. Some breeds are genetically predisposed to developing certain types of stones in the bladder.

How Canine Bladder Stones Form

All types of bladder stones develop as a result of excess minerals being present in the urine. They begin as crystals that are suspended in the urine. Over time, the concentration of crystals increases. These crystals fall and create “sand” at the bottom of the bladder. Eventually, this sand becomes complete bladder stones.

Treating Canine Bladder Stones

Treatment of bladder stones in dogs depends largely on the type of stone that is present. In most cases, a veterinarian recommends surgery, prescription medication or some form of diet therapy to help your dog. Unfortunately, dogs that have developed bladder stones tend to repeat the process and have to be monitored for future bladder stone development. Prevention is the best treatment available for your beloved pet.

Preventing Bladder Stones

Water is the key step in preventing canine bladder stones. The more water your dog drinks, the more diluted the urine becomes. This means there is less of a concentration of the minerals that form into crystals and stones. Encourage consumption of large amounts of water by placing extra bowls of fresh, cool water all over the house. You may also consider a water fountain designed specifically for pets that provides continuous water flow. Feeding your dog canned food or adding water to your dog’s dry food will supply extra liquid in its diet, as well.

Frequent Urination

Another proven method for the prevention of canine bladder stones is encouraging frequent urination. The more your dog urinates, the faster crystals and minerals are removed from the bladder. This decreases the likelihood of developing bladder stones.

Unfortunately, dogs that are trained to hold their urine until their owner returns from work are prime candidates for canine bladder stones. Get someone to walk your dog in the middle of the day. Another option is a doggie door. This allows your dog to come in and out when the need arises and will help maintain a healthy, stone-free bladder.

Proper Diet

It is important for many reasons to be sure you are maintaining a proper diet for your dog. High levels of certain minerals and elements can cause quicker development of some types of canine bladder stones. These include magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and protein.

Treatment of Canine Bladder Infections

Bacteria present in the bladder may cause stones to develop faster than they normally would. If you observe any signs that your pet may be having difficulty urinating, get to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The longer you wait to have your pet’s infection treated, the more likely it is that bladder stones will develop. Prevention is as important in the care and health of your pet as it is in your own physical health.

Proper diet and exercise are very important in maintaining the health and welfare of your pet. Canine bladder stones are just as painful and debilitating to your dog as they would be if you had them yourself. Because of their inability to communicate through speech, a pet in pain is often overlooked by its owner. In these cases, the pet suffers needlessly a lot longer than it should. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to be sure your animal is healthy and well cared for. Pay attention and observe them carefully. Chances are that if there is a problem developing, you will see some sort of sign, even if it is a very slight one.

Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM, is a board-certified veterinary internist who has practiced at the Animal Medical Center in New York and the Univ. of California, Davis. She completed degrees in Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State Univ. Dr. Spector writes for Halo Pets, a maker of natural pet products.

Webster’s Dictionary tells us that cool means moderately cold, but Mr. Webster isn’t choosing dog names for us, is he? When a person is cool, he or she is looked up to, people want to be like the cool person. Cool people are popular and have a lot of friends, even if they act like they don’t want them because they are so cool. What is it that makes a dog cool, though? Do the other dogs want to be like him? Probably not, but a cool dog can certainly make the owner seem very cool, even if they’re not.

Choosing a cool breed or mix of breeds is the first step in having a cool dog, but it’s certainly not the last step. The next thing you will have to do is to come up with some cool dog names to choose from. Cool dog names can be found anywhere, especially from cool people. Elvis is the coolest guy I can think of, and Elvis makes a pretty cool dog name, too. Along the same line of thinking, Janis Joplin was a very cool lady, and a very cool dog name.

You can find some awesomely cool dog names from your favorite cool TV shows. Some cool television dogs to consider are Duke from the Beverly Hillbillies, he’s very cool the way he just lays around and makes everybody walk around him, or Eddie from Frasier, how cool is that little guy? Who can forget Buck from Married with Children? That dog is so aloof that he can’t help but be cool.

Movies gave us some pretty cool dog names, too. Remember Milo from The Mask? Okay, the mask made him cool. There was Frank from Men In Black, the cool alien dog. How about Grunt from Flashdance? I love that cool guy! And, who can forget the coolest ever movie dog, Jerry Lee from K9. How much cooler does it get than Eight Below? Yes, a tragic story but the dogs were very cool. Their names were Buck, Dewey, Max, Maya, Old Jack, Shadow, Shorty, and Truman.

You can find some cool dog names in your favorite comics, too. Ziggy’s dog is Fuzzy, Little Orphan Annie’s dog is Sandy, Blondie has Daisy, and Superman has Krypto. The coolest comic dog ever, though, is Marmaduke.

Have you found some cool dog names yet? If not, then consider some cool things that you do and maybe you can find some cool dog names to reflect them. Are you a rock climber? What about Rocky? This is a good name for an amateur boxer, too, or maybe Sugar Ray or Ali are more to your liking. You get the idea. Cool dog names can come from any part of your life. Whether you are a cool person or not you can make your pup a cool dog just by naming him accordingly. There is no shortage of cool dog names; you just have to know where to find them. Cool dog names are easy.

Ryan helps you pick dog names and gives you a list of cool dog names.

The Newfoundland is a breed of dog which some people believe is similar to the Labrador or St Bernard in many ways. This dog used to be a permanent fixture on every single fishing boat in the small province of Newfoundland in Canada. That is how the breed got its name. The dog would help in putting the nets out into the sea and even retrieving it. They were even involved in rescuing people who fell overboard. They are natural swimmers.

Since they are very big in size Newfoundland’s were used as working dogs in the olden days. An adult male Newfoundland would weigh about 150 pounds. You should be absolutely certain about owning this breed before you go ahead and buy it. They are very lovable dogs but it is important to groom them regularly, provide quality food, and make it exercise regularly. It is imperative that you have sufficient time to spend with your pet, only then is it advisable to buy this breed.

Once your little pup comes into the house now is the time to get proper Newfoundland Obedience training for your pup. Every dog needs to be trained well but the Newfoundland obedience training is probably far more important than for any other dog because of its size. It would be absolutely impossible to control your adult dog if it starts running after something. The dog in all probability is going to drag you along with it. It is not just about people’s appreciation but it is also in the interest of the dog and everybody else around that your dog is a well trained one.

The Newfoundland obedience training would involve letting the dog walk without a leash. It should come to you when called and stay when asked to do so. The earlier the Newfoundland obedience training starts the better it is as this will prevent the dog from inculcating any bad habit.

Once he develops a bad habit it will be more difficult to set it right. When you train your dog you should ensure that you praise the dog now and again as this will boost the confidence of the dog and he would be motivated to do better. Newfoundland obedience training is of utmost importance if you wish to take your dog in water or use it for carting. Patience is the most significant thing to Newfoundland obedience training. The dog is bound to make mistakes, cause accidents; try to ignore this as far as possible. Over a period of time he is bound to learn.

Look out for Newfoundland obedience training centers in your locality. It would be best to get your dog trained by a professional. Enquire with your friends and acquaintances who have dogs about the training centers. Attend a few classes of the trainer yourself to ensure that your dog is in safe hands. If you are not comfortable with the trainer’s approach look out for another place. After you have found the right trainer be rest assured and soon you will be the proud owner of a very well trained Newfoundland.

Get more info and advice on the newfoundland or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

The Japanese Chin is a tiny oriental dog that was formerly known as the Japanese Spaniel. It has been associated with China, Japan and Korea. The Japanese Chin has a long coat that does not tangle. It can be kept beautiful with careful combing and brushing several times a week.

So far as exercise, the Chin requires a small amount of exercise. Usually the backyard is sufficient enough of an outlet for its energy or a couple short walks a day. The Japanese Chin is well suited for apartment living because of its lapdog heritage and low-maintenance exercise requirements.

The Japanese Chin has a regal appearance and one function that are of a lively and lovely companion. The Chin is happiest in the lap of its owner. Though the Japanese Chin prefers to be the center of attention they are not demanding and are quite devoted to their loved ones. A chin makes a fine companion for older children who have been instructed in this tiny dog’s care and handling.

The Japanese Chin is cheerful and calm. They bond quickly to their owners and will go to great lengths to please them. Usually the Japanese Chin is easily housebroken and trained. Some might say the Japanese Chin has an obstinate side that occasionally appears, but generally, they are very accommodating. The Japanese Chin has a stronger will to please far outweigh any kind of an obstinate streak. This tiny toy breed is rarely seen in canine sports, but does do well in obedience work. The handler must be dedicated and consistent.

The height of a Japanese Chin should be 8 to 10 inches and weighs generally around 5 pounds. The smaller size is the better size with this breed.

The purpose for creating the Japanese Chin was to provide lapdogs for Japanese fanciers with the imperial aristocracy’s ranks. They perform very well as loving and affectionate companions. They were carried to Europe and America in the mid-1800s. They were first known as the Japanese Spaniel. The name was changed to Japanese Chin in 1977 by the AKC.

According to some writers the Japanese Chin originated in Korea. Others give Japan as its native land. Still yet another set of writers agree that the Chin came from China, where it was bred and maintained for the aristocracy. Date of origin is sometime before 700 A.D. At this time there were several accounts of the Japanese Chin being presented to the emperor of Japan. From that time the Japanese Chin was adopted and developed by the Japanese into a lapdog.

The Japanese Chin does resemble the English toy spaniel. They may have common origins. The Japanese Chin may have been crossed with the English dog sometime during his development.

The Japanese Chin is a dainty little dog with an Oriental pug face, a lively, high-stepping gait, and a coat that is long and generally tangles free. The colors are mostly black and white patterns, although there are some lemon and white, red and white or brindle and white.

The Japanese Chin is perfect little lapdogs for small homes and apartments. They are also perfect for cute little dog outfits, and a good choice for older children, but not such a good choice for small children.

Get more info and advice on the Japanese Chin or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.

Mastiff dogs, surprisingly, don’t need much more than the average dog but just like any other breed of dog, they want and need lots of love and patience. Mastiffs, whether they are the English, the Magnificent American Bandogge or even the Brazilian are loving and trustworthy companions. They are “inside the home” dogs, not backyard dogs. They need social companionship, and want to be treated as members of the house. Without this social interaction with family members, they can be prone to social problems.

A big household is best, but they can be happy and healthy in a smaller home as long as they can get out for enough exercise. They tend to be very well behaved in the home, but you need to lookout for the wagging tail that seems to be at just the perfect height to bash over the can of soda that just happens to be on the nightstand or table. Generally, fully-grown Mastiffs are not prone to stealing food off the table or other such indiscretions; although you may need to pay attention while they are motionless .

Overall, Mastiffs do not bark a lot. They frequently seem totally unaware of what is going on around them, however they are in fact paying close attention to what is typical and what is not. When they notice something not quite well, they will sit up at attention to check stuff out. They may bark if they hear an something strange from outside, or if someone comes to the door.

Once you acknowledge the person as being friendly, your Mastiff will as well. If your Mastiff is apprehensive around someone, there may be a good cause for it that your dog can sense. Mastiffs are not purely guard dogs, but they do pay attention to their environment. When let outside, they will frequently make their rounds around the yard to make sure everything is OK.

They become somewhat protective, and defensive of their people and home. Mastiffs are excellent dogs around kids, and seem to have an exceptional feeling of the fragility of young children. They are very tolerant of the abuse that young ones can inflict upon them, including ears, riding on them, tugging at the tails, etc. They will become protective of kids in the home; regularly wanting to put themselves between offspring and strangers that may come to visit. They will never deliberately hurt a child, but because of size you do need to be cautious with little ones that may get bumped by a Mastiff walking by, or swatted by a mastiff’s wagging tail.

Mastiffs are expensive to raise and maintain. While they don’t eat as much as you may believe for such a great dog, they do eat a lot of food, usually because they are gaining up to five of mass per week. A Mastiff may go through 40 to 80 lbs of dog food in a month. Mastiffs are also more expensive when it comes to and health costs.

Most treatment and dosages are based on the mass of the dog, and Mastiff’s are the heaviest type of dog. Also, not everyone is equipped to treat a Mastiff. You need to take into account the size of medical gear, understanding of giant breeds expressly in regards to anesthesia, and even the requirements for sufficient personnel to move a wounded 200 lb Mastiff onto a surgical or x-ray table.

A Mastiff is not for just anyone, due both to its size and its need to be an active member of your household. Owning a Mastiff is a big responsibility, but it will reward you a million times over with its love and affection.

Get more info and advice on the mastiff or a full list of dog breeds at this Dog Behaviour website.