The Decorative Deerhound

August 3rd, 2010 No Comments   Posted in Dog Articles

The Deerhound is one of the most decorative of dogs, impressively stately and picturesque wherever he is seen, whether it be amid the surroundings of the baronial hall, reclining at luxurious length before the open hearth in the fitful light of the log fire that flickers on polished armour and tarnished tapestry; out in the open, straining at the leash as he scents the dewy air, or gracefully bounding over the purple of his native hills. Grace and majesty are in his every movement and attitude, and even to the most prosaic mind there is about him the inseparable glamour of feudal romance and poetry.

From remote days the Scottish nobles cherished their strains of Deerhound, seeking glorious sport in the Highland forests. The red deer belonged by inexorable law to the kings of Scotland, and great drives, which often lasted for several days, were made to round up the herds into given neighbourhoods for the pleasure of the court, as in the reign of Queen Mary. But the organised coursing of deer by courtiers ceased during the Stuart troubles, and was left in the hands of retainers, who thus replenished their chief’s larder. More »

Are Portuguese Water Dogs Hypoallergenic?

April 18th, 2010 No Comments   Posted in Dog Breeds

Portuguese Water Dogs have short hair that does not shed and is considered a working dog, meaning that it is a breed that needs to stay busy. This breed is considered a hypoallergenic dog. Traditionally used to assist in fishing expeditions, the Portuguese Water Dog is now kept as a house pet. While this breed is not as common as other breeds, if you want to dog that is hypoallergenic, lively, and enjoys companionship, then this breed may be the one for you.

Since the Portuguese Water Dog is not bred as often as other breeds of hypoallergenic dog, you will have to search for a breeder online, in the newspaper, or by calling breeders in your area until you find one. Generally happy dogs, the PWD needs to stay busy or it will get bored. You should have plenty of toys for it to play with and you may want to consider crate training when you are not at home. This means that the dog will stay in a crate when you go out so it does not destroy your home. When the PWD gets bored or lonely, it will chew on anything it finds. More »

Vegetarian Dog Diet

April 11th, 2010 No Comments   Posted in Dog Diets

You have recently welcomed a furry companion into your home. Your four-legged friend has adopted you as her own. Now that you have become a true pet owner, you need to decide what to feed your pet. You eat a vegetarian diet, so you would like your new dog to follow these same guidelines. Is a vegetarian diet right for your dog?

Let’s take a look at what dogs eat in the wild. A wolf or stray dog typically will kill an animal or scavenge until she finds an acceptable fare. In the wild, a dog will consume grains and vegetables, but the dog’s diet also contains meat.

Taking a look at your pet’s teeth, you may notice that grinding and tearing surfaces are present. This is one indication that dogs are omnivorous. This means that dogs are biological meat and plant eaters. Straying from nature can be a difficult task, but may not be impossible. More »