Cute dog picture!

American Indian Dog

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American Indian Dog
originally uploaded by Bisig Portraits

American Indian Dog - breed information

There are so many dog breeds that make great pets and the American Indian Dog is no exception. As with every dog breed, it is important to understand their breed characteristics and ensure the dog breed you choose is suitable for your family/ household.

The American Indian Dog is often often confused with the Native American Indian Dog. It's easy to see why but they are different dog breeds. Choosing a Dog Breed hasn't featured the latter yet but we're planning it.

Appearance

Physical attributes of the American Indian Dog:

• Height: 18 to 21 inches
  
• Weight: 25 to 45 lb
  
• Muscular, energetic
  
• Short hair, excellent hygiene - one if the hypoallergenic dog breeds
• Variety of colours including mixed. Possible white markings

Characteristics

Traditionally, the American Indian Dog was a working dog. They're highly intelligent and love 'doing things'. Whether it's helping out at home, playing or being a guard dog for your home, American Indian Dogs are at their best when they're surrounded by their pack and are better suited to households with older children, rather than younger.

• Highly intelligent and instinctive
• Protective of pack (family)
• Great companions
• Great temperament but can be wary of strangers
• Needs a firm but fair pack leader (owner)
• Very loyal
• Requires a good walk everyday

History

The American Indian Dog has a long and rich history. Click here for a comprehensive and clear overview of the origins of this fascinating dog breed.

American Indian Dogs as pets

The American Indian Dog makes an excellent pet in the right household. Ensure you have a lot of outdoor space for your dog to run in. That could be your own garden or a public space. Families with older children are better than younger ones. If you're prepared to spend time with your American Indian Dog and keep him or her entertained and mentally stimulated, they will reward you with excellent companionship and a highly intelligent, loving and loyal nature.

Dog pictures gallery - cute dog photos!

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/billselak/456219558/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnlemon/399996115/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/darkpatator/2070233236/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3525984972/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/snuzzy/2582459741/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/90982314@N00/3089385333/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/soylentgreen23/3559546870/

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/left-hand/1449934880/

Terriers - including terrier mix breeds, toy terrier breeds, pure terrier breeds

Many people who are choosing a dog breed consider a terrier. These wonderful dogs vary so much, just a quick glance at the list of terrier breeds in this post highlights the sheer variety in this dog breed (and we’ve only scratched the surface).

Terriers are small dogs, ranging from teacup dog breeds though to the larger Staffordshire bull terrier or American pit bull. So, if you’re thinking of choosing a terrier, please ensure you fully research the different types of terrier, they have many different shades of character trait. That said, the general characteristics shared by all terriers are:

• Active
• Fearless (even in the face of much larger dogs!)
• Wiry
• Small
• Enthusiastic
• Sociable

Here is a list of the most popular types of terrier. We hope this helps to provide a starting point on your choosing a dog breed adventure:

• West highland terrier (westie terrier)
• White terrier
• Boston terrier
• Yorkshire terrier (yorkie terrier)
• Mini bull terrier
• Teacup terrier
• Dandy dinmont terrier
• Parson terrier
• Cairn terrier
• Scottish terrier
• English boy terrier
• Australian silky terrier
• Staffordshire bull terrier
• Tenterfield terrier
• Wheaten terrier
• Toy Yorkshire terrier
• Jack Russell terrier
  
• Airedale terrier
• Bulldog terrier
• Tibetan terrier
• Welsh terrier
• Boglen terrier
• Lucas terrier
• Norwich terrier
• Norfolk terrier
• American hairless terrier
• Blue Staffordshire terrier
• Irish terrier
• German hunting terrier
• Rat terrier
• Welsh terrier
• Wire terrier
• Brindle Boston terrier
• Poodle terrier

Australian Cattle Dog

Choosing an Australian Cattle Dog

AKA Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler

The Australian Cattle Dog was bred as a herding dog and
used for cattle droving in Australia. This lively dog breed makes a fantastic pet for the right household. As always, when choosing a dog breed it is important to understand breed characteristics to ensure your requirements match the dog’s character! Here is an overview of Australian Cattle Dog behaviour / characteristics, and pros and cons of choosing an Australian Cattle Dog as a pet:

Australian Cattle Dog behaviour / characteristics

• Intelligent
• Loyal
• Protective (of owner/family)
• Alert
• Mischievous (they can be, though training can help with this)

Australian Cattle Dogs as pets

Pros

• Extremely protective of family and very tough, they WILL protect you
• Australian Cattle Dogs do not suffer as much from hereditary health problems as other pure breeds
• Australian Cattle Dogs do not require much bathing as they do not emit a strong 'doggy smell' that other dog breeds are prone to
• Their intelligence makes them easy to train and great for agility and games
• The oldest dog ever was an Australian Cattle Dog, so expect yours to be in the family a long time

Cons

• Without enough exercise and mental stimulation, an Australian Cattle Dog will cause trouble, so they don't make good pets for very quiet households
• Australian Cattle Dogs have been bred to bite, so don't be surprised if you get a little nip now and again (therefore this breed is not ideal for households with small children)
  
• This dog breed is very territorial and will defend what's theirs, no matter how big the challenger is!
• Stubbornness can be a problem though again, with good training from an early age, this can be well managed

Australian Cattle Dog training

Whenever you're choosing a dog breed, it's important to consider training your pet. This benefits both owner and dog - if you're happy, your dog is happy and vice-versa. It is a good idea to consult an expert on Australian Cattle Dog behaviour and training before you take one on as a pet.

Australian Cattle Dogs can be wonderful pets, though this is up to the owner more than the dog - ensure that your household offers a suitable environment and that you can provide the time and commitment necessary to raise a well-behaved pet!

Dog beds

Designer dog beds, cheap dog beds, extra large dog beds and chew proof dog beds - your dog will appreciate a comfortable, supportive dog bed which meets their needs. There's so much choice so here is an overview of different types of dog bed. With some excellent pooch havens available, being sent to the doghouse will be a treat!

Chew proof dog beds

Some dogs make light work of regular dog beds and if yours is partial to destruction, you should definitely consider a chew proof dog bed. These kind of tough dog beds are built to withstand sharp canine teeth and lots of thrashing around! The soft inner cushion is surrounded by a super strong lining made of nylon/plastic and a removable cover makes the bed comfy and great for long naps
If you're still not convinced that there's a dog bed your pooch won't have for breakfast, how about an indestructible dog bed with a lifetime guarantee. Orvis, the makers of the ToughChew dog bed are so confident their creation can withstand any treatment, if your dog does chew through it, they'll replace it!

Extra large dog beds

While very big dogs will have less choice when it comes to beds, there are great extra large plastic, donut, orthopedic dog beds and more. Good dog bed retailers will include measurements and it's essential to measure your dog to ensure they will fit and be comfortable. A dog bed that is too small would be like trying to sleep in a dining chair - impossible!

Orthopedic dog beds

Orthopedic, or therapeutic dog beds are designed for older dogs or dogs with joint pain or other health issues though any dog could sleep on one. An orthopedic bed is designed specifically to provide a physically supportive bed.
They are firmer than other dog beds but a soft cover, like a fleece cover or similar, would add the luxury your dog will love.Often called memory foam beds, this name is more descriptive than orthopedic dog beds! The dog bed becomes tailored to your dog and can offer pain relief for disabled and elderly dogs.
Heated orthopedic dog beds are very beneficial for dogs who reside outdoors or feel the cold more due to their older age. These are generally energy efficient because the heating is activated only when the dog lies it; the dog bed has a pressure sensor in it so as soon as the dog gets up, the bed begins to cool down

Designer dog beds

The haute couture of dog beds; luxury dog beds are wonderfully comfortable and of course most dogs would be happy to sleep on one. But that doesn't mean they are always the best dog beds around. That is to say, you can still get a great dog bed if you have a budget! Designer dog beds certainly look fabulous but, as with all dog beds, ensure it is the right size and an appropriate material for your dog's environment.

Unusual dog breed picture

dog from Kalimpong,
originally uploaded by Sukanto Debnath.

We were trying to find a picture of a dog and Flickr came up trumps! This dog from Kalimpong is incredible! Have you ever seen anything like this? If you have, please let us know, Choosing a Dog Breed is very intrigued.

Cute dog picture

Size isn't everything!

Cheap dog beds

New Dog Bed,
originally uploaded by TheGiantVermin.

Recommending a cheap dog bed could end up being expensive if it doesn't last long and continually needs replacing! While the initial cost of a virtually indestructible dog bed can seem expensive – if it has a lifetime guarantee then in theory you need never buy a new dog bed again. Plastic dog beds are some of the most popular around and it’s easy to see why! A plastic dog bed is very durable (but there are always a few dogs who will try and prove that statement wrong), easy to clean and comes in a range of sizes to suit the smallest and largest dogs. It is nice to put a blanket or cushion – or both – into the dog bed because the hard plastic may not be totally comfortable. This is where a cheap dog bed can become more expensive but using old blankets or making a cushion out of old material is a great way to make an inexpensive dog blanket.

Dog breeds, dog news, dog stuff!

Choosing a Dog Breed is delighted to be back! It’s been a while away but we’ve kept up to date with dog breeds, dog accessories, tips for new dog owners and of course all the great dog news... celebrity dogs; Obama dog, Bo, Sophie the heroic castaway dog... We'll be writing about all of this and more!