If you are considering a pet, you will definitely want to take a close look into a Labrador Retriever. There are many reasons that this dog breed is becoming so popular with families these days and one of the biggest reasons is the fact that they are extremely friendly.

Labradors make the perfect family dog, because not only are they friendly, but they are great for children as well. When you have children, it is almost a guarantee that they will at some point want a pet. You of course, want to choose a pet that is friendly and very gentle, which is why the Labrador Retriever makes a great dog for the entire family.

Families also want a dog they can train not only in the basic manners of house breaking and other mandatory things, but also in fun things such as tricks. The Labrador Retriever learns very quickly.

They are also very obedient dogs and live to serve their master. All of these great qualities combined make for the perfect family pet that everyone can enjoy both children and adults.

Of course, owning a pet requires a lot of responsibility. It is a great way to teach your children from an early age the responsibilities of owning and caring for a pet.

Each pet has their own set of requirements of needs and temperament; therefore, it is important that you learn as much as you can about them. With the Labrador Retriever, for example, they require a great deal of exercise.

A very energetic pet, you will want to make sure that you take them on regular walks and give them ample space to run and play.

Another thing about the Labrador Retriever is that they require plenty of attention. It is important that you make time for your lovable friend and play with him, pet him, and love him frequently.

You will find that they crave human companionship and need it regularly. You want to make sure that if you have to leave on vacation, you have someone coming over to give him a little human interaction time.

When choosing a pet, you also want to be aware of health problems that particular breed is prone to. With the Labrador Retriever, they are typically prone to elbow and hip dysplasia.

Elbow dysplasia affects the joints in Labradors, which could range from mild forms of arthritis or severe forms, which could lead to the possibility of surgery to correct the problems. Hip dysplasia directly affects the joint in the hip.

This could cause pain, arthritis, and even trouble walking or getting up. Labrador Retrievers are also prone to PRA and eye disorders.

If you have a Labrador puppy or are thinking of getting one, the e-book Puppy Labradors is full of information on how to choose a healthy Labrador puppy, how to take care of him/her, and how to train your puppy. This is a great e-book to have to learn all about your Labrador puppy.

Another great book that focuses on training your Labrador, puppy of adult, is Zone Training Your Labrador. Zone training will actually create a bond between you and your dog that most Labrador owners will never experience. It does not create a robot dog, but it is a training method developed especially for a certain dog breed. Read more about the e-book here: Zone Training Your Labrador

Overall, the Labrador Retriever makes an excellent pet for any family. They can be housed in any type of home, such as an apartment. However, you want to make sure they get plenty of exercise. A home with a decent yard is ideal for this breed of dog. They are very obedient and faithful pets. It’s no wonder they are the most favorite breed in the United States and Canada.

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 dog 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 breeds of dog 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 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.

The Australian Shepherd isn't really Australian. There is evidence that they came from Europe with people called "Basque". These people first settled in Australia with their dogs and sheep, and then relocated to the Western United States, again bringing along their dogs and sheep. The shepherds already here in the United States gave them the name Australian Shepherd.

Working sheep in the harshness of Australia and the Southwestern United States developed a breed of dog that has a lot of stamina and is bold, loving, alert, confident, independent, smart and responsive.

If your Australian Shepherd doesn't get a chance to exercise physically and mentally he can get frustrated and be hard to live with. But with proper exercise and training he is a loyal, obedient, and utterly devoted companion.

Requirements to keeping your Australian Shepherd happy therefore include a good workout every day that provides physical and mental challenges. He also wants and needs to be with you. He has such a great need for human companionship that he will be very unhappy if stuck outside in the yard.

These dogs excel at a variety of activities including conformation, obedience, herding, and agility competition.

Many breeders, trainers, and owners have found that Australian Shepherds are great with children. The only caution is that these dogs are extremely playfull and might overwhelm small children with their size and energy. Otherwise, they make great family pets.

When breeding Australian Shepherds they warn not to breed two dogs that have a natural bobtail as the offspring can be born with serious spinal defects. Breeding two merle colored Australian Shepherds together can result in deafness and blindness.

Some basic information:

Energy level - high

Exercise - needs a lot

Playfulness - very playful

Affectionate - very

Easily trained

Great watchdog

Very protective

Weight - 50-65lbs male and 40-55lbs female

Here is a video that gives a lot of interesting information about this great dog.

The Siberian Husky came to Alaska at the beginning of the 20th century. They quickly made a name for themselves in the All-Alaska sweepstakes race. But it was in 1925 that they reached their pinnacle of fame when a team of Huskies raced 340 miles to save a town.

If you haven't heard the story, Nome, Alaska, was snowed in when a typhoid epidemic hit. There was no way to fly in because of the weather, and the only option was to depend on the Siberian Husky sled dogs.

These dogs raced through terrible weather and got the life-saving serum delivered safely, saving many lives. To show their appreciation a memorial statue was placed in Central Park.

Are you looking for a dog who is very active but still loves the company of people? If so, you may want to consider the Siberian Husky.

This beautiful dog was bred to tirelessly pull sleds loaded with supplies over frozen terrain for miles on end. At the end of the day, Huskies provide companionship to their owners.

The Siberian Husky is classified as a part of the Working Group by the American Kennel Club. Like most dogs in this group, the Husky must have a job to do to keep him from getting into trouble.

These dogs are less domesticated than many other dog breeds and are actually quite wolf like. The Husky is a thirty five to sixty pound dog that stands twenty to twenty four inches tall.

These high energy dogs have a very thick coat made up of two distinct layers. Huskies have prick ears and a wolf like face. This breed's coat comes in a variety of colors, although most Huskies have black and white or silver and white coats. The most striking feature of the Husky is his almond shaped blue or brown eyes.

The Siberian Husky is a very impulsive dog and can get into more scrapes and dangerous situations than almost any other type of dog. More than one Husky visits the veterinarian's office to be patched up on a routine basis.

These dogs are usually good with older children, but may not be the best choice for families with infants or toddlers. Huskies have a reputation for being aggressive towards cats or small animals and may not be trustworthy with smaller children.

Since the Husky is so energetic, this breed does not do well in apartments or homes with small yards. In fact, Huskies often prefer to spend most of their time outdoors during the colder months, since their heavy coats make indoor temperatures uncomfortable. Just be sure that your yard is securely fenced, as these dogs have Houdini like tendencies.

It is important that you train your dog thoroughly, since the Siberian Husky is constantly looking for signs of weakness. You may want to attend obedience classes with your puppy to get some help in training him. If you do not maintain a dominant position, your dog will become a nightmare to own. Huskies are best for experienced dog owners.

Siberian Huskies can eat a lot, although some of these dogs do not eat well when they become nervous and high strung. Of course, other Huskies eat everything, including the house siding.

Siberian Huskies should be groomed once a week to remove dirt and debris. Of course, when your dog is shedding his coat, you may want to groom him more frequently.

Overall, Huskies are fairly healthy. The majority of the Husky's health problems are accident related, although this breed can suffer from hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism.

If you don't mind owning a dog who will constantly keep you on your toes, then you may want to consider the beautiful Siberian Husky.

Some facts you will want to consider:

Energy level - 3 (out of 5)

Exercise requirement - 4

Playfulness - 4

Affection level - 4

Friendliness towards strangers - 5

Ease of training - 1

Protection ability - 1

Cold Tolerance - 5

Heat tolerance - 1