I love Chihuahuas. I've had 4, and currently have 2 living in our house. A Chihuahua can be a wonderful pet, especially if you live alone.

But they can be very vicious toward strangers and mail carriers. Friends still remember our first Chihuahua for her tendency to attack anyone who came to the front door, even though she weighed less than four pounds.

When considering whether or not to buy a Chihuahua, whether it be for a pet or for showing, there are at least four considerations.

Hype

Don't be drawn to the Chihuahua simply because they are so small. You may have heard of phrases like: teacup Chihuahua, pocket Chihuahua and miniature Chihuahua, amongst many others. These phrases are sometimes used by breeders and pet shops as a marketing play; to make more sales.

These phrases do not apply to Chihuahuas; they do not exist in the breed standard. Implying that a Chihuahua pup is a teacup Chihuahua is simply a device to entice the customer into purchasing the pup with the hope of getting a very small Chihuahua.

Fragility

Chihuahuas are not usually suited to small children. They can actually be killed or badly injured if they are stood on or dropped, or even crushed in a well-meaning cuddle.

Being such a small dog, the Chihuahua needs constant supervision, and should always be kept on a lead when taken outdoors.

Behaviour

It's not often that you will come across an overly docile Chihuahua. Most are loud and dominant, trying to run the entire household, your other pets included. It's not unheard of for a Chihuahua to boss around a Boxer or even a Rottweiler, without any concern for their own safety.

For that reason, make sure they are not in danger from your larger dogs. One bite from a large dog can kill a Chihuahua.

What they lack in size, they make up for in spirit. You need to be firm with some consistent training to help gain the upper hand. This is also necessary if the Chihuahua has developed the bad habit of what is sometimes called 'yapping'.

They tend to bark at almost anything that moves or frightens them, and can sometimes become quite aggressive towards strangers. This behaviour could lead to biting and needs to be controlled.

Housebreaking

Of all the dog breeds, the Chihuahua would have to be one of the hardest to train. This is especially the case if the Chihuahua suffers from extreme shyness. Raising your voice and/or losing your temper will not help the matter as sometimes the deed is done on the carpet before they even get to the litter tray. Patience and easy access to facilities are the only avenues, and even then this task may never be accomplished.

Though there are a few downsides to owning a Chihuahua, there are many more upsides, like: a friend for life (can live well into their teens); a great travelling companion (travels light); doesn't need much exercise or space and will gladly give its life for you. What more could you ask for?

If you want to know all about Chihuahuas and how to take care of your little friend, here's an e-book that covers everything. It's called The Ultimate Chihuahua Care Handbook and it is filled with information such as when not to walk your dog, when to feed him/her, what to feed, the type of person that makes a good Chi owner, and much, much more.

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Boston Terriers are the top dog breed in many different respects. Bostons–or BTs–as many Boston owners often refer to them, are considered on-top for a variety of reasons:

** They're tops in playfulness.

** They're tops in eating.

** They're tops in snoring.

** They're tops in sleeping peacefully for hours on end.

** They're tops in chewing and gnawing on bones.

** They're tops in cuteness.

** They're tops in loving.

A puppy trainer once said that, "Boston Terriers are a big dog in a little dog's body…", and nothing could be more apt. BTs are not afraid of much. They'll rumble at will with much bigger Golden Retrievers and Labradors. In fact, many Boston Terriers seem to prefer playing with big dogs.

Boston's have a wonderful muscular physique. Compact and strong, they usually top out at 20 or 25 pounds, and it's not uncommon to find more petite Boston Terriers as well.

They are one of the few breeds to have originated in the United States (Boston), and the first non-sporting dog bred in America. The first Boston Terrier was a cross between an English Bull Dog and an English White Terrier. That dog's pups were bred with French Bulldogs. Boston Terriers were accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1893.

BTs love to play and they're speedy and athletic, so be sure to have lots of fetch toys available. They may even be good candidates for agility training, a sort of obstacle course for dogs. But they also love to chew and have strong jaws, so you'll want to keep strong bones on hand, plus well-made chew ropes or hard rubber tug toys. Forget the little plastic squeaky toys… they'll be mincemeat in minutes… honestly.

Boston Terriers do play hard, but when they stop, they sleep hard too. Few dog breeds can crash into total oblivion as fast as a Boston. And if they can curl up on the bed or couch with you, so much the better. Be prepared to share your bed with your Boston Terrier… they're almost impossible to resist!

Boston's eat well too. Not picky, for the most part, they'll wolf down meals with abandon. And be sure to keep some tasty–but healthy–snacks on hand too to reward good behavior, or just to spoil your little cutie.

And talk about cute… What could be cuter than your little "tuxedo man" (or woman) with the black and white markings, big brown eyes, huge ears, smushy face, and that little pout? One inquisitive look from a Boston Terrier with his head cocked, and you melt.

Of course, Boston Terriers are also "good" at some less desirable things. With their short snouts, breathing is more of a challenge, and they'll snore better than some humans when sleeping. So, if you're not a sound sleeper, it could create some problems.

If you like to exercise, walk, or hike with your Boston, it's also important to know that their short snouts make it difficult for them to cool their bodies effectively during hot weather. Their dark coats don't help either. So, you may need to leave your Boston Terriers home on hot days… or to provide some kind of cooling, through a vest with cold packs in it or some such thing.

My aunt purchased a cooling pad that motorcyclists sit on to keep cool on long rides. That has worked well for her Boston Terrier and her pugs. On hot days she lays it down for them to lay on. Cold weather can be hard for a BT too, with their short hair and lack of extra fat. It may look silly, but your BT needs to wear a warm coat when outside on cold days.

But what Boston Terriers are absolutely the best at is… loving their owners. They love us with their total being, following us around the house, and always wanting to be close. Most dogs provide unconditional love to their people; it's one of the biggest reasons to own a dog. But Boston Terriers are absolutely devoted to people.

If you love Boston Terriers, or if you are trying to choose a dog for your family, there's an e-book that you can download and read that explains everything about Boston Terriers: Their temperaments, their likes and dislikes, how to care for them, when and what to feed them, and on and on.

It's called Boston Terrier Secrets and it's jam-packed with tips on choosing the best Boston for you, how to keep him/her healthy, how to train your dog, and lots more.

Boxers have been around for about 100 years. They are said to have originated from Germany as the crossbreed between the Brabanter Bullenbesser (from Belgium) and the English Bulldog. They are known for their intelligence, hardiness, loyalty and for being family-oriented, which makes it a great family pet. It is often said that a family with a boxer is a family that is filled with laughter and joy.

Boxers Need Constant Companionship

Boxer dogs have the natural tendency for learning new things and mental stimulation. It is widely recognized that bored boxer dogs make bad dogs. They need to be constantly trained, just like with other dogs.

Not Guard Dogs

Contrary to popular beliefs, boxer dogs are not guard dogs, they can be excellent watchdogs though as they will bark at any strangers if need be. However, they don't like isolation and are not naturally aggressive or vicious.

Actually, the majority of boxers hate to be separated from their owners. They need continuous interaction with the family and are very affectionate to their owners.

Because of their sturdiness and other "strong" physical features, they are mostly trained to become guard dogs. Sadly, many are abandoned due to their owner's dissatisfactions. In actuality, they cannot be easily trained for attack and so they end up being abused.

They are Playful

Boxer dogs are overwhelmingly playful. On a poll survey conducted, dog owners described boxers as clowns, contradicting the aggressive portrayal widely accepted today. They are exuberant from day one to their senior years.

Boxer dogs is an entertaining breed and always have the knack for making unique tricks like the "kidney beaning" and the "woo-woo". These two are often manifested when they are excited or overly happy (which is true in most cases).

Kidney beaning is a dance, which is characterized with a semi-circle turn then a turn for a full circle. On the other hand, "woo-woo" is a distinct sound they made which appeals like a bark but is actually not.

They Have Lots of Energy

Boxer dogs have the personality that is unique in their breed. They need to be given large amounts of physical and mental exercise as an outlet for their tremendous amount of energy.

Boxer dogs are not known for sleeping the whole day away or going off on their own. If they are not sufficiently exercised, they may be very destructive. They do this to amuse themselves. At least twice a day they must be exercised or jogged.

Obedience Training is a Must

One good way of providing worthwhile activities for boxer dogs is obedience training. In fact, it is a must for all owners of this breed. Obedience training is a win-win situation for both the owner and the dogs.

During training it is not unusual to see stubborn boxers. Due to their intelligence, they tend not to listen to commands given to them. But above this, they are quick to learn and are eager for further learning.

A Boxer dog can not tolerate extreme weather conditions. They have a short coat and a short nasal cavity; both are not appropriate for cold weather and hot weather respectively. Additionally, they are lap dogs however large they get.

If you have a Boxer or are thinking of getting one, Boxer Dog Secrets is a great e-book that teaches you all about this terrific dog breed. It includes sections on grooming, training, feeding, health problems, choosing a good dog, and more. And the author has priced it so it's within reach of just about everyone.

This video gives a good overview of what Boxers are like.

The county fire department got the call from the animal shelter that a large dog was trapped in a storm drain pipe. It took awhile but they finally succeeded in freeing the large black dog and she was taken to the local shelter for care.

They had to completely shave her to get rid of all the mats. She was obviously old and the days spent trapped in the drain pipe had affected her health. Who would ever adopt such a creature? They considered euthanizing her. But there was a shelter employee who would not give up on finding this dog a home.

The shelter employee called her neighbor, who happened to know someone who was interested in Newfoundland dogs. That is how Suzie ended up at our home.

Sweetness is the hallmark of the Newfoundland temperament, and Suzie was very sweet. They are also loyal, dignified, fun-loving and soft-natured, all characteristics that make them a great family dog.

They are also huge. Having Suzie lying across the family room floor was like having a black bear in the house. A male Newfoundland can weigh about 150 pounds. Suzie weighed in at 115 pounds. She ate as much as our other three dogs combined. Keep that in mind if you ever think of bringing one home.

The history of the Newfoundland could trace back to about 4 AD. Indian graves dating to that time have been found with skeletons of giant dogs. Whether those dogs were the ancestors of the Newfoundland is not verifiable, but it is known that the Newfoundland is one of the older dog breeds of today.

It is thought that the extinct American Black Wolf might be an ancestor to the Newfoundland. In turn, the Newfoundland is an ancestor of the present day Labrador and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and the St. Bernard owes its coat to the Newfoundland.

Today’s Newfoundland makes a wonderful pet. They are obedient, easygoing, fairly inactive indoors, and will even adapt to apartment living as long as they are taken on brisk walks every day. Their keen sense of responsibility makes them an excellent companion dog for children of any age.

How such a sweet-tempered dog ended up stuck in a drain pipe we will never know. Suzie, like so many dogs, was apparently abandoned and left to fend for herself. It is becoming more and more common in today’s world to discard anything that is no longer wanted, whether a cat, a dog, or a human.

Suzie was with us for a year, living a life of leisure and comfort, before we had to euthanize her for her own sake. Her age had caught up to her and she was in pain. She is dearly missed.

If you have a Newfie, or would like to get one, I highly recommend you read this e-book that tells you everything you need to know to live with your Newfoundland and to keep him/her healthy.

Some of the things included in the e-book are three major health problems that Newfoundlands experience, how to choose the best Newfoundland for you, how to keep your Newfie healthy, and much more. Check it out here: Newfoundland Dog Owner's Guide

The great thing about e-books is you can be downloading it just minutes from now and read it right away.