Most modern dog breeds will naturally act as guardians. However, some breeds have been selectively bred for a natural inclination to guard and defend. Some examples of these breeds would be; the German Shepherd, Doberman Pincher, Belgian Malinois, Akita (Japanese Police Dog), Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogue da Bordeaux (Hooch), Cane Corso, American Bulldog (Chance), and the Giant Schnauzer (to name a few).

Now keep in mind that there is a distinction between a “guard dog” and a “watch dog”. A “watch dog” will watch the home and alert its owner by barking at and intruder or possible threat. A “guard dog” can be trained to attack an intruder, or at least hold them at bay until action can be taken. In most guard dog breeds, the dog will instinctively put their life before their human’s. A guard dog will not only act as a guard dog, (more…)

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Product Description
Do you want to keep the small pets safe while they play? This brand new Playpen might meet your needs. The playpen can be used around the house to confine pets to a specific area, but it also allows them large room to play. With the pad, he would surely enjoy the comfy feeling and would like to stay in the playpen even when alone. Zippered mesh cover is specially designed for puppies without accident.

What can you do for your lovely pet?

Providing your pet with a playpen can satisfy your pet’s need for an enclosure.
A playpen can help to reduce separation anxiety, to prevent destructive behavior, such as chewing furniture.
A playpen can offer a secure room to birth and whelp.
A playpen can keep a puppy away from potentially dangerous household items, like poisons, electrical wires, etc.

The pet playpen is made of Durable 600D Oxford Cloth. It is easy to cleanup and designed to fold for storage and transport. This pen can be used as puppy pen, whelping pen, playpen, petting pen, and training pen. ** does not include water bottle.

Pet Travel, Indoor or Outdoor Dog Cat Puppies Kitten Play Yard *Pink Plaid* *Small*

The prevalence of genetic disease in dogs today can only be described as alarmingly common which is bad news for dog owners and dog lovers alike. The following is a list to illustrate the magnitude of the problem:

1. On average all dogs carry at least 4-5 defective genes.

2. Over 500 genetic diseases have been identified in dogs.   

3. Hip Dysplasia (HD) (an inherited orthopedic disease that may result in the dog becoming lame) commonly occurs in 60 dog breeds and occurs less frequently in another 110 breeds; thus this disease is seen in over 170 breeds of dog.

4. 119 dog breeds are commonly afflicted with progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), a disease that quite often leads to blindness in the affected animal.

5. Of all the dog breeds the Poodle suffers from the most number of genetic diseases…145! The reason why the Poodle is predisposed to so many genetic diseases is because not only are there 3 distinct sizes of Poodle in this breed, the large count of disease is a reflection of the popularity of this dog breed. By and large a good rule of thumb is, the more popular a dog breed the greater the number of genetic diseases inherent in that breed.

6. Several popular dog breeds are linked to over 100 genetic diseases.

7. These days dog breeders spend well over $500,000,000 annually in an effort to address this disturbing trend of genetic disease in man’s best friend.

As it is all the various dog breeds that exist today were artificially created; in other words each and every dog breed was selectively bred for a particular trait, be it coat color, coat length, sniffing ability, shortness of stature (miniatures), facial appearance and so forth…the list is virtually endless. The means by which those desired traits were obtained was to selectively breed that population of dogs that most strongly exhibited the desired trait; a breeding strategy that is otherwise known as inbreeding!

Gene Pool And Population Factors

A population may be described as a breeding group that possesses gene continuity from one generation to the next. Currently a growing body of dog experts believe that the dog evolved as a new species from the wolf to occupy a developing niche about 15,000 years ago. That developing niche revolved around human waste dumps; opportunistic wolves began inhabiting those waste dumps for easily available food supplies.

All told, 15,000 years on the evolutionary scale is an extremely brief period for a new species to evolve from another, suggesting that there must have been a considerable amount of inbreeding amongst those opportunistic waste-dump-frequenting wolves to propagate the tameness trait in so short a time span! Compounding this issue of limited genetic pool, a growing number of dog researchers now believe that the original genetic ancestry of the dog evolved from only three female wolves that inhabited China several thousand years ago (the so called eves of dog evolution).

The important point to note here is that even before mankind began his intensive trait-specific breeding program of the dog, and due to its unorthodox super-accelerated evolution, the dog gene pool right from the get go was rather limited!

Development Of A Dog Breed

By its very nature the development of a new dog breed involves a considerable amount of inbreeding to magnify and evolve the desired trait(s) characteristic of that new breed. However this process results in a considerable number of undesired results. If we consider the Dalmatian, a breed of dog characterized by its distinctive pattern of spots, somewhere along the line during that process of selecting for the spotted pattern trait, Dalmatian dog breeders unknowingly and unintentionally also bred this dog for an abnormal uric acid gene!

By the time people realized that there was a very serious problem in the Dalmatian, this dog breed was homozygous for the abnormal uric acid gene! (Homozygous refers to identical pairs of genes that manifest as an observable trait as opposed to non-identical gene pairs known as heterozygous that confer no observable trait; i.e., recessives). This unwanted side effect means that Dalmatians are perhaps the only breed of dog that is predisposed to urine stones (from excessive levels of uric acid), a debilitating urinary tract condition. In an effort to rectify this problem the Dalmatian line was subsequently crossbred with various Pointer breeds to eliminate the inherent homozygotic uric acid gene whilst still maintaining the spotted pattern that defines the Dalmatian dog.

Gene Linkage

The abnormal elevated levels of uric acid in the Dalmatian associated with the spotting-pattern gene, is a classic case of gene linkage. Linkage is said to occur when genes expressing different properties are located on the same chromosome and are inherited as a unit. In fact the occurrence of gene linkage probably explains how the dog morphologically (shape wise) differentiated from the wolf so dramatically and so quickly; the gene that expressed the tameness trait was linked to genes that expressed other properties such as floppy ears, change in coat color, barking or simply put properties characteristic of today’s domesticated dog.

The bottom line here is that selective breeding for a particular trait (as happens whenever a new dog breed is being developed) carries the inherent risk of magnifying the expression of unwanted defective genes that would otherwise rarely occur under natural circumstances.

Genetic Diversity

During the process of natural selection genetic diversity is maintained, but contrastingly in selective breeding the opposite holds true; genetic diversity is reduced! Recent studies have revealed that genetic variation occurs frequently in normal populations of any species and that even those genes that are deleterious and defective are preserved in the gene pool as so-called recessive genes (recessive gene traits are not visibly apparent unlike dominant genes). It is now believed that such genetic variability confers adaptive properties to a population in the event of extreme environmental change.

Thus mutative genes that confer minimal benefit today could play a significant future role in the survival of the species in which it occurs. This could explain why defective or mutative genes are preserved as recessive genes in a population’s gene pool. A good example illustrating the beneficial role recessive genes can confer to a population is the case of the English Peppered moth.

Like a large number of insects the Peppered moth relies on its color to camouflage it from predators. The dominantly prevalent grayish color of the Peppered moth allows it to blend in with its environment which so happen to be tree trunks and lichen of like color. Although lighter and darker shades of the moth exist, few of such individuals survive for the simple reason their camouflaging abilities are less effective.

However with the advent of the industrial revolution in the late 19th century the resultant pollution darkened the tree trunks such that the minority recessive trait which conferred a darker shade of gray to the moths became dominant because such moths were then better able to avoid predation. As pollution levels subsequently decreased the tree trunks gradually reverted to their normal color and so also did the color of the Peppered moth revert back to its pre-industrialization gray. Thus once again the recessive dark-gray color in the moth reverted to its usual minority role!

Combating Dog Genetic Disease

Because almost every single dog possesses at least 4 defective genes (no matter whether it’s a purebred or mixed breed) unless strong active measures are taken the problem of dog genetic disease can only get worse. Such strong effective measures by necessity require the participation of everyday dog owners and not just dog breeders or dog researchers!

Dog Genome Project Wants Your Dog’s Blood!

The Canine Genome Sequencing Project (Dog Genome Project based at the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT in Boston) has sequenced the dog genome in its entirety. One of their priority goals now is to identify the genes responsible for causing dog genetic diseases, defective genes, carrier states of hereditary disease and much more. Through using the powerful resource of the sequenced dog genome, the good folks at the Dog Genome Project hope to reverse the widespread prevalence of genetic disease in dogs worldwide.

However to achieve that noble goal they need your help! How?

Well the only means by which recessive genes and carrier states can be identified is at the genetic level (genotype) and not by visual observation of recognizable morphological traits (phenotype). To do this the Dog Genome Project staff need a large number of dog samples to analyze and that is where you, as a dog owner, can play a significant role by sending them a blood sample of your dog.

More about the dog

For more information about how to help alleviate dog genetic disease go to:

http://www.broad.mit.edu/mammals/dog

Never let your dog run free! Even if you can trust it.

What can happen? horrible things!

Most dogs that run free have a risk in taking part in a terrible incident.

From my knowledge, dogs are usually killed or injured by cars.

A 3,000 pound car and a 30 pound dog?!

Whose gonna win!

your dog can also get lost. Dogs are not like humans!

They may not always know there way around.

Pet dogs do not know how how to survive in nature!

To prevent this, you can walk your dog, and let them know your area.

Your dog could possibly bite a stranger!

This is not good! You could get sued, and your pooch could get taken away!

To prevent a incident of your dog:

buy a electric fence

buy a in ground leash

use a walking leash

build a fence

KNOW YOUR DOG!

If your dog is running away, try this:

(more…)

Puppy trainiing is always exciting and can be very interesting as well. This is a 9 wk old Belgian Malinois puppy named ‘Simon’ that is owned by Dave Skoletsky of Sit Means Sit Dog Training and he is having fun retrieving a hula hoop in this video.

Puppy Dog Training is critical for the well being of both the puppy and the owner.

The number 1 reason that dogs are surrender to animal shelters is issues with dogs elimination, so it is straightforward to see why correct Puppy Dog Training is such a vital consideration. Generally true house coaching can’t begin till the puppy is half a year old. Puppies younger than this sometimes lack the colon and bladder control that is needed for true Puppy Dog Training. As the puppy gets older, the quantity of paper used can be reduced as the puppy starts to create a preferential toilet area.

The Do’s of Puppy Dog Training Your Puppy : Always give the puppy with consistent, unlimited access to the established toilet area.

When you’re at home, take the puppy to the toilet area every forty five minutes. When you’re not at home or can’t manage the puppy, you should be certain the puppy can’t screw up. Always supply a toilet area that does not resemble anything in your house. Puppy Dog Training the puppy to get rid of on concrete, blacktop, grass or dust is an excellent idea. The puppy should never be inspired to get rid of on anything that resembles the hardwood flooring, tile or carpet he may encounter in a home.

The puppy must learn how to associate toileting in the established areas with good things, like treats, toys and praise from his owner. Always keep a set schedule when feeding your puppy, and supply consistent access to fresh, clean drinking water. A consistent feeding schedule equals a consistent toilet schedule. The Don’ts of House Coaching Your Puppy Never reprimand or punish the puppy for mistakes. Punishing the puppy will only cause fear and confusion. Don’t leave food out for the puppy all night long. Puppy Dog Training isn’t necessarily the simplest thing to do, and some dogs have a tendency to be far easier to house train than others.

A rushed, scared or threatened dog won’t be ready to learn the vital lessons of house coaching. When you have gained your puppy’s love and respect you will find that Puppy Dog Training your puppy is simpler than you ever expected.

Hunting Dogs working in the Field are usually in Top Physical Form

Despite their athletic nature, hunting dogs can be overweight dogs and can fall into a sedentary nature if not provided with enough exercise. Without an exercise program, these otherwise fit, energetic breeds can become lazy and inactive.

An estimated 40% of dogs are considered to be overweight or obese. The most common cause of overweight dogs is obvious, their caloric intake is greater than what is burned off in a day. Excess calories turn into fat, and over time this causes the dog to gain weight.

Hunting dogs fed a high calorie, protein dense food for athletic dogs are at particular risk for canine obesity, as their exercise level must be kept high in order to use up the calories that they are being fed. A dog being fed a high performance diet must adhere to strict exercise regimen, in order to prevent excessive weight gain. Fat dogs out hunting is not a pretty sight!

Veterinarians use a standardized Body Condition Score system to categorize overweight dogs. The scoring system runs from 1-9, with one being extremely thin, and 9 being morbidly obese.

As a general rule, the An ideal range for the body condition score for dogs is between a 4 and 5.

At a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 4 and 5, the dog should have ribs that can be easily felt under the skin, but not seen. The dogs should have a waist (a narrowing of their width behind the ribcage), as well as an abdomen that is tucked when seen from the side.

Dogs with a BCS of 6 and 7 are too heavy. Their ribs may be just barely felt under the skin.

Instead of a waist, they are flat from ribs to hindquarters. Overweight dogs in this category should have their exercise level increased, and caloric intake decreased. With a BCS of 8 or 9 they are considered morbidly obese or are commonly called fat dogs.

Their ribs cannot be felt over the skin, and have areas of fat deposits over their back, base of the tail, chest, neck or legs. Instead of a waist, they have an abdominal bulge and are wider in the abdomen than in the hips.

Their abdomens may appear distended and enlarged, and hang below the level of the ribcage. These dogs should be evaluated by a veterinarian for underlying health problems, as well as begin a weight reduction program under veterinary supervision.

Beware of Diabetes in dogs and other health ailments

Overweight dogs at this level are at risk for a variety of health problems: severe joint, muscle and ligament problems, as well as respiratory and cardiac complications. Diabetes in dogs is also a threat.

It is important to remember that just because your dog was bred for an athletic lifestyle, his energy level and fitness depend on you.

Keep your dog fit, healthy and not overweight. Dogs can then be assured good health and hopefully a long life.

Now for underweight dogs

Hunting dogs are athletes. But, sometimes you can have an underweight dog. Their excellent work ethic and eager-to-please spirit make them the ideal partner for a variety of athletic endeavors.

Like human athletes, the nutritional requirements for active dogs must be adjusted to meet their unique needs.

Due to their high activity levels and the strain placed on their body during hunts and trails, performance and hunting dogs require a superior level of nutrients and calories than the average house dog.

It is not uncommon for hunting dogs to be on the thin side, and often a healthy, athletic hunter, may seem like an underweight dog compared to the same dog kept as just a pet.

However, it is important to access your dog’s nutritional requirements, and balance them with the proper diet to ensure optimum health and best performance.

Veterinarians use a standardized Body Condition Score (BCS) system to evaluate the condition of a dogs overall health and ideal weight. The BCS scale is from 1-9, with 1 being malnourished and 9 being morbidly obese.

As a general rule, the “ideal” range for the body condition score for dogs is between a 4 and 5.

At this level, the dog should have ribs that can be easily felt under the skin, but not seen.

The dogs should have a waist (a narrowing of their width behind the ribcage), as well as an abdomen that is “tucked up” when seen from the side.

In highly active, performance dogs, a BCS of 3 may be considered a healthy weight. These dogs have a high percentage of lean body mass, with ribs that can be slightly seen under the skin, and obviously felt. The very tips of their spine or pelvis bones may be discernible, and they have a waist.

Dogs with a body condition score of a 1 to 2 are underweight, and their diets and or performance demands must be adjusted. In these dogs, their ribs, hip, pelvic and backbones can all be clearly seen, and a loss of muscle mass is evident.

Dogs with a body condition score of 3 or less should be evaluated for possible diet changes, to provide more balanced, high-calorie nutrition for the dog. In dogs that are well fed, but score persistently low on the BCS system, a veterinarian should be consulted to check for possible underlying medical problems, such as internal parasites that may be preventing the pet from absorbing the nutrients from his food.

Here’s an easy method that you can use to stop your dog from jumping on friends and family. Don’t forget to rate this video, leave comments and subscribe to my channel. You can also get my FREE ebook “101 Ways To Improve Your Dog’s Behavior” at: www.amazingdogtrainingman.com

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a flock guardian dog breed that hails from Turkey. Like many other livestock guardian dog breeds the Anatolian Shepherd dog has been bred for thousands of years in its native country of Turkey. As a livestock protection dog the Anatolian Shepherd in the past would have had to protect its wards against formidable foes such as lions, wolves and bears. Thus by necessity the Anatolian Shepherd dog had to be large in size and fleet of foot in order to be able to patrol a large flock of sheep covering a sizable area especially when the alarm was sounded.

The precise origins of the Anatolian Shepherd dog are not properly known but it is believed that this large dog breed is descended from a cross mix of Roman mollosian war dogs, mastiffs and the indigent flock guardians that were native to Turkey. Since as far back as 7000 B.C. man has owned domestic animals thus flock guardians are some of the oldest of all dog breeds.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Temperament

Like most flock guardian dog breeds the Anatolian Shepherd is a large and independent minded dog. In other words the Anatolian Shepherd is not the type of dog that will eagerly participate in frivolous pursuits such as playing fetch and indulging the whims of its human companions. If you try to engage the Anatolian Shepherd in such activities the dog is more likely than not to give you a look that says “you’re plain crazy” before relocating itself elsewhere.

Over the span of many thousand of years this dog has been selectively bred to accomplish one task and that is to protect livestock from all manner of predators be they large or small. For sure, the setting in which the Anatolian Shepherd Dog finds itself in the modern world may have changed and the flock it watches over today may be two-legged as opposed to four but the hardwiring innate to the dog remains the same!

The Anatolian Shepherd takes its duty as a protector and guardian very seriously no matter the nature of ward it is entrusted to look after. In fact it is not unusual for nursing female Anatolian Shepherd Dogs to suckle the lambs that they are entrusted to protect; that is the measure of how passionately these dogs bonds. So it should come as little surprise that these dogs get along well with children although the child may find it lacking as play mate since it is just not in the Anatolian’s nature to indulge in frivolous pursuits. This innate good nature of the Anatolian Shepherd is probably as a result of Turkish Shepherds dispassionately dispatching of any dog that showed untoward aggression towards either livestock or people.

However as with all dogs any interaction with children, especially small children, should be carefully monitored. Also be aware that though the Anatolian Shepherd dog may be very compliant and trustworthy around kids within the family the same may not apply for friends because as far as the dog is concerned they are not part of its flock. Keeping this distinction in mind is very important especially since the dog may not be able to differentiate between rough kid play and a real threat!

The Anatolian Shepherd is not recommended for the first time dog owner or for apartment life.

Form And Function Of The Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd falls within the category of the working group of dogs and as such is a dog of exceptional endurance and ability required of tough and rugged work. If the Anatolian Shepherd Dog were a vehicle it would be a serious off-roader SUV designed to tackle the toughest of terrain (think back to the old square-shaped Landrovers or today’s or yesterday’s Landcruiser) and not some pretentious wannabe SUV that is all athletic looks but no muscle! In other words any potential owner of the Anatolian Shepherd should make no mistake and understand this dog comes from hardcore working stock and is not just a delightful oversized pet like the Great Dane.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is an independent thinker that was often expected to use its own powers of insight and initiative to guide and keep the flock of sheep safe. In fact it was not uncommon for the Anatolian Shepherd dogs to be left alone days on end tending to the livestock without any contact from the shepherd who’d return to the comfort of the village and only check in on the animals from time to time. During such sabbaticals the dogs would often take turns to watch the flock while others hunted for game. Such was this dog breeds loyalty that even when extremely hungry the dogs never attacked their wards.

Considering that wolves and stray dogs constituted a good portion of the predators that the Anatolian Shepherd had to keep at bay unsurprisingly the Anatolian Shepherd is not dog friendly. Thus it is extremely important that this large dog be timely and optimally socialized with other dogs and animals if “terminal accidents” are not to happen in the urban setting. Accidents that could result in a hefty fine for the dog’s owner and possibly resulting with the shepherd dog being put down.

The Anatolian Shepherd is most certainly a large dog breed but not in the sense of barrel-chested massive. The body form of the Anatolian Shepherd is athletic in type befitting a dog that has to be fast and versatile on its feet. In Turkey to this very day the best flock guardian dogs are expected to be excellent wrestlers and quite often competitive matches are held each year. In fact it is said that a capable dog can leap in the air at a full run and turn round and land on top of its target. In essence the body structure of the Anatolian Shepherd promotes power and grace in one perfectly designed package.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Breed Controversy

In Turkey the Anatolian Shepherd finds itself in the unique but somewhat unenviable position of being a Turkish dog breed that happens not to be recognized in its very own country. In fact if you were to quiz the average Turkish person about their national dog the Anatolian Shepherd they probably respond with a “huh” and a blank stare! To this very day what began as an innocuous skirmish over a name has now escalated into a full scale war of words characterized by salvos of accusations ricocheting across west to east and vice-versa.

In all likelihood this ongoing exchange arose from the misinterpretation of the meaning of the phrase Coban Kopegi by western fanciers of the dog breed. Coban Kopegi is a Turkish word that in English translates as “shepherd’s dog.” Western admirers of the Turkish livestock guardians probably corrupted this term to mean “shepherd dog,” hence the name Anatolian Shepherd dog. However the misinterpretation of the phrase Coban Kopegi probably in and of itself wasn’t enough to have escalated this verbal onslaught to the point it eventually attained, what truly got the Turkish people’s ire was what to all intents and purposes looked like another country(s) usurping a good potion its canine heritage. However when is all said and done all sides love the Anatolian Shepherd dog so perhaps the best approach is to celebrate the dog, bury the hatchet and agree to disagree!

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Characteristics

HEIGHT:

Male: 29 inches and upwards

Female: 27 inches and upwards

WEIGHT:

Male: 110 – 150 lbs

Female: 80 – 120 lbs

COLOR: All colors are allowed although nowadays the fawn with black mask is the most prevalent.

HEALTH & LIFESPAN

Major Health Issues: CHD

Minor Health Issues: Entropion

Recommended Tests: Hip & Eye

Lifespan: 10 – 13 years

Other Health Issues: The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is extremely sensitive to barbiturate anesthesia and you should pass this information on to your vet if ever your dog requires surgery.

Learn more about the dog

All about puppies is to understand how your puppy develops, both physically and socially. You can tailor your puppys’ training and play time to include sessions that fit you and your pups schedules and abilities. Following this guideline will help to ensure he is getting the most from his or her new world of all kinds of people and places. It also helps limit training failures-which are most common when your puppy is either bored or asked to perform a task of which he is unable to perform to satisfaction. However, with all about puppies, keep in mind that these are generalized guidelines and your puppy will develop at their own pace.

What to expect from your puppy as it grows and develops within the first year

3-5 weeks of age
Your puppy is just now learning to hear , see and smell. As their senses are quickly developing, each puppy is becoming aware of their surroundings. With this awareness, your puppy starts to socialize with other family members; (brothers/sisters/mother). The puppy will also begin walking, barking, jumping, and playing with his /her family and playmates. At this time, their teeth will begin to show through and they want to and should be encouraged to eat solid foods.

5-7 weeks of age
Your puppy is now trying to wean himself/herself away from Mommy. This stage of development is one of the most important and the true start of their growing independence and curiosity of the big world around them. As a result of the puppys’ growing curiosity, they have no fear, making this age the perfect time to begin expanding your puppys’ environment and introducing them to a wide variety of items that will peak curiosity and promote learning.

7-9 weeks of age
By week seven, your puppys’ senses have continued to enhance, as he/she continues to investigate their surroundings, especially anything that is new and exciting. After weeks of interaction with their playmates and family and introduction of unfamiliar people into your puppies world, they have begun to develop a sense of how they should behave during interaction with others.

9-12 weeks of age
Your puppys’ interaction with their surroundings continues to grow as their motor skills continue to improve. Most importantly, your pup has begun to learn which behaviors are proper for which time, even if their attention span has remained short. Best of all, your puppy now has a strong desire to earn your attention now that you and your family have taken the place of their family and playmates.

Beyond 12 weeks of age
Your pup begins to push his way around his/her world as he tries to show who is the ruler of their surroundings and household. He also starts teething, which is marked by their increased chewing of any available object. In addition, your puppy starts to demonstrates more independence and willfulness. As a result, your puppies urge to please you may decrease and they may ignore even the most basic training commands.Your puppy will enter a second chewing phase around seven months of age. This chewing has little to do with teething and everything to do with their continued sense of exploration and curiosity. By this time, your pup also has a heightened awareness of dominant and submissive rankings.

All about puppies, what to expect the first year of the puppies life are very important for proper socialization with humans and other animals. It is preferable during this time to expose the puppy to anything they might be exposed to in the future.