“Hey, Dad, I’ve just adopted a Pit Bull puppy and I’m bringing him home.” Jim’s heart sank. Aren’t they the most dangerous dog in the world? After all, Pit Bulls are killers, right?

Actually, Pit Bulls are one of the powerful breeds, along with German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and a few others. Powerful breeds need an owner who has a lot of energy. If the owner or handler has low energy, the dog knows it and tries to assume the role of pack leader, the dominant role.

With some breeds, such as Yorkshire Terriers, it will not matter so much if the owner lets the dog take over as leader. The dog will not be as happy and content, but no one’s life will be in jeopardy.

Powerful breeds, however, require a strong, high-energy handler. If the dog becomes the leader, he could become a threat to other dogs and even to people.

If you are more of a submissive type, don’t despair. You can learn to be dominant. To start, hold your head up and walk like you own the world. Project a feeling of energy, like you are in control.

Consistently maintain that stance of having confidence, energy, and leadership. You don’t want to appear weak, even for a minute. With Pit Bulls and other powerful breeds, it is even more important that you maintain that leadership position.

Some Pit Bulls, as with all dogs, are born submissive. These will be easier for you to dominate. Others, though, are born dominant, and these dogs will require more effort on your part. You will have to take the dominant role as soon as the dog comes to live with you, and be ready to defend that role at all times.

How do you assume that dominant role? It’s not a matter of yelling, beating, or threatening your Pit Bull. In fact, those actions will make you look weak and turn your dog into a neurotic mess. Those are the Pit Bulls who attack people and other dogs.

Being dominant is a matter of internal strength, of confidence, and what Cesar Millan calls “calm-assertive”. There’s a shortage of people with that character quality.

Calm-assertive means relaxed but in control. It takes energy. When a Pit Bull is with an owner who has learned how to lead, he will feel at ease and be happy to submit. Dogs need to be in the submissive role to be happy. That does not mean he needs to be beaten and broken. It means he needs an owner who can assume the position of leader with a calm-assertive, self-confident energy.

Pit Bulls want and need a strong leader. They will not be happy with an owner who does not assume the role of leader. They also need a lot of attention, and someone with the time to thoroughly exercise them every day. A dog worn out from a good run is a happy and content dog.

It’s sad when Pit Bull attacks happen. The attacks could have been easily prevented if Pit Bulls and other powerful breeds were handled by people who knew how to take over as leader and exhibit a calm-assertive energy. There is no need to ban certain dog breeds. There is only a need to train people to be leaders.

If you have a Pit Bull Terrier or are thinking of getting one, here's an e-book you need to read. It includes sections on how to understand your Pit Bull, how to train your dog, how to exercise your dog, how to find a good Pit Bull breeder, and much more. Click here to find out more about the e-book: Pit Bulls Revealed 

I highly recommend this book for any Pit Bull owner or soon-to-be-owner. It will teach you how to have a dog that is happy and content.

The Irish Setter is one of the most popular breeds of setters. This setter is elegant and beautiful. Irish Setters, which originated in Ireland, were bred primarily to work with hunters to hunt game birds.

The Irish Setter comes from several different breeds, including the Irish Water Spaniel, Spanish Pointers and the English and Gordon Setters. These dogs were carefully interbred to produce the stately look and demeanor of the modern Irish Setter.

This dog, which is classified as a member of the Sporting Dog Group, was first registered by the AKC in 1878. The Irish Setter is also known as the Red Setter. The spectacular coat of the Irish Setter is legendary for its rich deep chestnut or mahogany color.

In fact, because of its beauty, many breeders preferred the Irish Setter for its look rather than its hunting ability. So much attention was paid to increasing the beauty of the dog that it almost completely lost its hunting instincts. Today, some breeders are working to restore these instincts.

This breed's hair is moderately long and straight. The Irish Setter is a large dog, weighing in at 65-75 pounds and standing at a height of 26-28 inches.

The females are a bit smaller, weighing 55-65 pounds and standing 24-26 inches tall.

Apartment living is not recommended for the Irish Setter. The setter needs room to roam. A fenced large yard is the only way to contain this athletic breed, and even that doesn't always keep your dog from roaming.

Irish Setters must get regular exercise to vent their energy. If not exercised enough, this breed will become rambunctious and bored. So get out with your Irish Setter and start walking (or, more accurately, running.)

The Irish setter is one of the most affectionate breeds and loves to be with people. This breed needs constant interaction with humans and does not like being left alone. Unfortunately, their large size and tremendous energy means that these dogs are often left in the yard for much, if not all, of the day.

To show you their displeasure, they will often chew up items and bark constantly. If you work all day or want a dog that will spend most of its time as an outside dog, then this is not the breed for you.

Training the Irish Setter is not always easy. The Irish Setter is an intelligent breed and most of these dogs have an exceptional memory. The breed will remember everything it is taught, both the good and the bad.

Early training is mandatory, because without training, the setter can be a very stubborn and willful animal. This dog is overflowing in enthusiasm and will quickly develop bad habits if left unchecked.
Grooming the Irish Setter is a pleasure. Many owners take pride in brushing and combing the silky coat regularly to keep it free of matting. You may want to have the coat professionally trimmed every few months.

A professional dog groomer can keep the Irish Setter's coat gleaming. Irish Setters shed quite a bit. Their hair will come off on everything they come in contact with.

If your dog romps in the woods, you should be prepared to do additional grooming to keep the coat free from burrs and tangles. You should also pay special attention to the coat when the dog is molting.

Irish Setters are fairly healthy dogs, but they are prone to several genetic disorders. Thyroid or epilepsy problems are common, as is bloat.

If you want a good natured dog with plenty of energy, then an Irish Setter may be the perfect choice for you. Just be prepared for some serious obedience work when your dog is a puppy, or you may be the one being walked when you take your full grown dog for a stroll.

Some helpful facts -

Energy level - 5 (out of 5)

Exercise requirements - 5

Playfullness - 5

Affection level - 5

Friendliness towards other pets - 4

Ease of training - 3

Protection ability - 1

The Irish Setter definitely needs a lot of your time and attention. Being such a sociable and energetic dog, they require lots of exercise and lots of time spent with you or the family. This breed begs (and needs) to be a part of every family activity.

Did you know that the Greyhound is known as the world's fastest couch potato? Despite their speed outdoors they are quiet, calm and very well-mannered indoors.

They are fairly large. Males weight about 65-70 pounds and stand about 28 inches and females weigh about 60-65 pounds and stand about 27 inches.

Outdoors Greyhounds tend to chase anything that moves. They were originally bred to be fast enough to run after and catch game. Around since ancient Egyptian times, they were prized in Great Brittain by both the nobility and the commoners. The commoners appreciated their ability to put food on the table and the nobility enjoyed hunting with the Greyhound.

Grehounds are built for speed. Their long legs and arched back enable them to contract and stretch maximally. They also have tremendous muscle mass and light legs, giving them even better speed capability. Everything about the dog, from their feet to their long tail to their short coat, is made for speed.
Greyhounds need daily exercise. They are sprinters and love to run and chase outdoors. But be careful, because their speed can put them in danger unless exercised in a safe area.

Dogs bred for racing are smaller, sturdier and faster than show dogs. They are also more likely to chase small animals.

Greyhounds are the 131st favorite dog in the United States. I think with their sweet disposition and good manners they deserve more recognition. If you are thinking of adopting a Greyhound you might consider adopting a retired racer.

We had a Great Dane living two houses away for a few years. He didn't bark very often, but when he did the whole neighborhood heard it. His bark was deep and loud, and very impressive-sounding.

Originally they were bred for hunting wild boars in Germany. They had the speed, endurance, strength and courage to chase and bring down the wild boars.

They are decended from the Molossus war dog and the Greyhound and have been around for hundreds of years, although they didn't come to the United States until the late 1800s.

You might remember seeing one on the Pemberly estate in the 1990s production of "Pride and Prejudice". That was quite accurate, as these dogs were favorites of the landed gentry, of which Mr. Darcy belonged.

Great Danes are spirited, courageous, friendly and dependable. Generally good with children (although they might be a bit overwhelming for little children) and friendly towards other household pets and dogs, they make a good family dog if you can deal with their large size.

In 2003 they were the 27th favorite dog in the United States, having become very popular despite the challenges of owning a giant dog.

If you want to learn more about Great Danes, whether you are looking for one or already own one, there is a fantastic e-book available called Great Dane Secrets.

This e-book (which you can download and be reading in a minute) covers issues such as if the Great Dane is the dog for you, the health issues specific to this dog breed, how to train you dog, how to groom your dog, how to introduce him/her to your children, and much more.