The Importance of Spaying and Neutering Your Dog

When you go into a shelter, I’m sure you’ve noticed that they are usually full of dogs. The actual statistics on how many dogs die each year in the shelters vary, but I think I’d be safe to say that at least 60% that go in, don’t come out. I thought that I would explain why this issue is so important and what we can all do to help save the dogs in our country from becoming another shelter statistic.

Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders are one of the main causes of dog overpopulation. They breed dogs as a commodity, not caring about the health and welfare of their breeding stock, or the puppies they produce. These dogs usually are sold in Pet Stores as pure breed or designer breed dogs. They are sold at a premium price and oftentimes are sick and their temperaments are suspect and usually end up in shelters and rescues with serious illness or behavior problems.

People who allow their dogs to remain unaltered are also a main cause of dog overpopulation. The resulting puppies are almost always mixed bred who are sold in newspapers and grocery store parking lots. The people who sell their puppies this way have no way of knowing where these puppies are going and most will end up in the shelters due to a variety of reasons.

People who don’t think through the process of getting a puppy or adult dog also contribute to the dog overpopulation problem. These are the ones who end up getting rid of their dog several months or sometimes years later, because; the dog got too big, the dog needs too much attention, the dog needs too much exercise, or the dog doesn’t get along with the new baby.

The solution to this problem is simple.

1. Don’t buy puppies from puppy mills, backyard breeders, Pet Stores or grocery parking lots. Cutting off those that supply sick puppies or dogs breed purely for money will force them to get into a different business as soon as the money runs dry. When purchasing a puppy, either adopt them from a shelter, rescue or a reputable breeder. How do you know they are reputable? They allow you to come to their kennel and meet BOTH parents. They care about the breed and they care about YOU. They should ask you a variety of questions to ensure their puppies are going to a good home. You should feel as though you are going through a serious inquiry. This means they care.
2. Always have your dogs altered at six months of age. They will be healthier, less hormonal and thus, easier to handle, and they will not have puppies and contribute to the problem.
3. Consider adopting an older dog from the shelter. People tell me all the time that they want a puppy so it will bond with them and so they can ensure they grow up well socialized with good manners. These assumptions are INCORRECT. An older dog may have some “bad habits”, but most can be alleviated with a good dog behaviorist and a couple of months;  while a puppy will take over a YEAR to raise. All dogs require time and effort….why not give that time to a dog that will otherwise be put down?
4. And last, but not least, THINK before you get a dog. Consider all the things that go with owning a dog and make sure you are prepared for it.  Do you have the money, the space, the time to devote to another living thing in your house? And make sure you choose the RIGHT dog for you. This will eliminate the dog from being brought to a shelter or rescue when it’s discovered that dogs need all of the above to be happy.

Owning a dog is one of the most wonderful things in the world. EVERYONE should know the love of a dog. Please make sure you are informed when you decide you are ready to add more love to your family and help us who advocate for the dogs to keep them out of shelters and rescue and keep them in the home; where they belong.

Care and Feeding of a Havanese Rescue Dog

A Great Dane is a huge dog that makes a great family dog and can hold its own against the kids. A Havanese rescue dog, if you look at the available Havanese information, is not a huge dog and would probably have to run from the kids. The Havanese don’t get very big at all as they usually only measure 29 centimeters in length when full grown and 6 kilograms in weight. Hardly a huge obstacle to the kids and really not the kind of dog to get if a big dog is what you want.

But for all they lack in size the Havanese make up for in intelligence. They are one of the smarter breeds of dogs but they are also one of the more hyperactive as well. It takes a very patient person to train a Havanese but when you are done you have a Havanese that listens to your commands and offers you a lot of love.

For everything a Havanese rescue dog seems to lack in size they make up for in their ability to warn you if intruders are entering the house or if there is some emergency. They are alert dogs and they can make quite a noise when they feel that something is wrong or that a warning needs to get out. They are also playful little dogs that love to show off their wit and intelligence. Just try and match wits with a Havanese.

The Havanese rescue dogs are also referred to as apartment dogs because they really do not require a lot of exercise at all and their compact size means that they do not take up a lot of space in general. They are very loyal dogs and wonderful to have around children as they are very gentle and love to play. Their small space requirements make them a popular pet for city dwellers.

Havanese rescue dogs do require a great deal of attention and patience especially when you are trying to train them to follow your rules. But that is the wonderful thing about Havanese dogs, they respond very well to the proper kind of training and they can learn to follow many types of rules that other dog breeds cannot. But they are still energetic little guys that can drive you crazy if you let them so patience, as was mentioned before, is a virtue.

Your Havanese rescue dog is going to require daily grooming not only to keep their coat healthy but to keep them healthy as well. A tangled coat on a Havanese can lead to health issues so make sure you keep their coat clean and free of tangles. With a Havanese rescue dog you absolutely get out what you put in so if you take the time to train them right, show them the love they require and the attention they crave, and keep them clean and healthy they will repay you for years to come.

Important Tips on Chihuahua Breeding

You must know all you can about the process of pregnancy and raising these Chihuahuas because in all honesty, it is not that easy to successfully raise these small sized and often temperamental dogs. These are 4 tips on Chihuahua breeding, and while I will try to be as detailed as I can, you need to talk to a professional like a vet or a pet expert before making any decisions. The information that you are going to read will concentrate on issues of pregnancy and raising these puppies to ensure that you have a good breed on your hands.

Firstly, you need to decide on a breed. There are many types of Chihuahuas on the market and they are mainly differentiated by either their sizes or their coats. Most of the time, breeders choose from short haired Chihuahuas or long haired ones. Colour and marks are part of their other options, but this is more cosmetic then anything else.

The difference between the two is how you need to groom them. Issues like shampoo, combing, lice and shedding mainly affect the long haired breeds, with the short haired ones not really that affected due to the length of their hair. Once you have decided on the breed, you must know that Chihuahuas are very famously known for their C-section births. This is because they are a breed with large heads and small bodies, and this procedure can be very expensive.

Within that, there are somethings you need to look out for. Chihuahuas often bear more than one pup, and sometimes they cannot carry all of them to term, which means during labour or even birth, their body might even reject any one of their pups which do not fit into their biological capacities. Also, Chihuahuas are known for killing or eating pups they do not recognise, so ensure that when they do go for sedation for their C-section procedure, they need to be awoken immediately after, so that they may recognise their pups and not do anything drastic to them.

As for health concerns, you need to know that these small dogs suffer from protein, calcium and mineral loss throughout their pregnancies, which could lead to issues like seizures of even death. You need to bring them to a very regularly because oral tabs to not work for them, they need to get calcium and vitamin shots, and this includes the pups as well.

Fading puppy syndrome is another big, big issue when it comes to Chihuahua breeding. No one really knows why this happens, but sometimes a puppy will just stop eating and lay barking in the corner, initially dying. For now, there is no way to avoid this problem as it seems a natural progression of some advanced form of natural selection. But you need to note this when raising them. These are some of the important things to note when taking on Chihuahua breeding, and while this is not a discouragement, it is meant to prepare any breeder for the complications that might come along.

Chihuahua – Choosing the Right Breed of Dog

Getting a dog can change your life. If you get a dog that is compatible with your lifestyle, it can be a very rewarding experience, but all dogs require love, attention, care and training, so before you make that decision, ask yourself these questions:

* Do I have time to give a dog the attention it requires?
* Do I have the ability to provide proper grooming, exercise and training for a dog?
* Can I afford the expenses that come with a dog?
* Do I have what it takes to be a strong pack leader?
* Do I want to buy a dog from a breeder or adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue?

If, after answering the above questions, you decide to move forward with getting a dog, it would be wise to learn about the different breeds and their characteristics, personality/temperament, possible health conditions and exercise and grooming requirements in order to make an informed decision.

This article is a basic overview of one particular breed — a Chihuahua. Read on to decide if this breed of dog is compatible with your particular lifestyle.

History/Background: The Chihuahua is said to be the oldest breed on the American continent and the smallest breed in the world. It is native to Mexico but likely came from the ancient Techichi dogs of the Toltec, crossed with hairless dogs of the Orient. It was named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua, from where it was brought to the rest of the world by travelers. This breed was used in religious ceremonies and is believed to have been sacred to the pre-Columbian Indian nations. It was brought to Europe at the end of the 19th century.

Physical Characteristics: The Chi, as it is sometimes called, is a tiny dog with an apple-shaped head and a short pointed muzzle. It has large, round, very dark eyes and large ears. Its body is stout, and it is longer than it is tall. The tail is curled over the back or to the side. There are two varieties — a short-haired type and a long-haired type. The various coat colors include fawn, sand, chestnut, silver and steel blue, black and tan and parti-colored. A Chihuahua weighs from 2 to 6 pounds and is 6 to 9 inches tall.

Personality/Temperament: The Chihuahua is a good companion dog with terrier-like qualities. Because of its small size, it makes a good traveler and usually loves outings. It craves attention, affection and petting and is intensely loyal, becoming very attached to its owners. It is a courageous, lively, proud and cocky little dog with a saucy expression. It moves swiftly to avoid being stepped on.

This breed may be slightly difficult to train but is intelligent, learns quickly and responds well to proper positive reinforcement training. It may require patience to housebreak. If the owner does not display strong pack leadership, this little dog can become strong willed and will develop other behavior issues such as jealousy and becoming suspicious of people other than its owner. This breed is not recommended for children as it is easily provoked to attack and may snap at them. If not walked daily, it may become yappy, protective, snappish and untrustworthy with children and people it does not know. The Chi should be socialized as a puppy to avoid excessive aggressiveness towards other dogs and being reserved with strangers.

Possible Health Conditions: The Chihuahua tends to wheeze and snore because of its short nose. Its prominent eyes are susceptible to corneal dryness and secondary glaucoma. It is also prone to slipped stifles (a knee injury caused by joint weakness), eye infections, gum problems, colds, stress, rheumatism, epilepsy, seizure disorder and low blood sugar. It tends to gain weight if overfed. It is vulnerable to fractures and other accidents as a puppy. This breed of dog is born with an unclosed section of skull which usually closes but can remain open throughout life and make it prone to injury. Life expectancy is about 15 or more years.

Exercise/Grooming: Although playing takes care of a lot of its exercise needs, the Chi requires a daily walk and also enjoys a good romp in an open area off leash such as a fenced-in yard.

The short-haired type should be gently brushed occasionally or wiped with a damp cloth. The long-haired type should be brushed daily with soft-bristle brush. Bathe both types only about once a month, taking care not to get water in the ears because of possibility of ear infections. The ears should be checked regularly and the nails kept trimmed. The Chihuahua is an average shedder.

Living Conditions: This little dog hates the cold and may shiver. It tolerates and even appreciates a warm sweater on cool days. It must be kept indoors and is a good dog for apartment life.

Summary: Chihuahuas make good companion dogs, travel well and require little grooming and exercise, but they may be a little difficult to housebreak and can become strong willed if not given proper pack leadership. So, now that you’ve learned a little about this breed of dog, one question remains — Is a Chihuahua the right breed for you?

How To Deal With A Chihuahua Pregnancy

Congratulations! Now that you have successfully bred your Chihuahua, it is time to wait for the birth of the new Chihuahua pups. As you wait with glee at the birth of the new Chihuahua babies, as the owner, you got to learn how to deal with a Chihuahua pregnancy first. You definitely only want the best for your mama Chihuahua don’t you?

Chihuahua pregnancy can be very difficult. As such, it is only recommended for those experienced breeders. You might be interested to breed our Chihuahua because you love your Chihuahua and you want another one. But now that your Chihuahua is pregnant, it is important that you give her 100% attention and care to make sure that she gives birth to healthy pups.

Chihuahuas usually have many complications when it comes to delivery. Some might even die during whelping. Other complications would include pups that are born premature.

So, you got to be prepared to care for the pups if your Chihuahua dies during whelping.

Now that you found out that your Chihuahua is pregnant, it is time to make some adjustments.

Firstly, you will have to change your Chihuahua’s diet. If you wish your pet to give birth to top quality babies, good food is definitely a must. Check out some of the foods that are suitable for pregnant dogs. Do take note that if your Chihuahua gets ill, it will affect your pups too. Your Chihuahua will also tend to eat more, so try not to deny her of any food.

Secondly, you will need to visit the vet more frequently. Well, this will definitely cost you money. But you would not want to endanger the life of your Chihuahua and her puppies would you? This is to make sure that the babies are growing healthily inside the mama. Once the puppies are born, you will need to do the same too. This is to ensure that your pups are always fit and healthy. If otherwise happens, your vet will be able to guide you. Checkups can be pretty costly, but it is definitely worth the money!

Thirdly, if you are not an experienced breeder, than it is a good idea to have your vet present while your Chihuahua is giving birth. All sorts of complications can happen and your Chihuahua or her pups can die if things do not go as planned. Having a vet on call is definitely a good thing to ensure a smooth running delivery.

As the Chihuahua owner, it is your responsibility to take care of the mother and her unborn puppies. Provide her with a healthy diet and always remember to send her for regular check ups to keep her healthy and happy.

Keep in mind to provide a clean and quiet place for your Chihuahua to give birth. Try to keep the father of the puppies away from the mother or puppies after birth.

During the 9 weeks long of pregnancy period, remind everyone to be gentle with her. She should be allowed to rest at all times. She will spend more time wanting to be in a quiet room.
So, try to keep her under your nose at all times and give her your 100% attention, for that is all she needs now.

Recognizing An Honest Chihuahua Breeder

One of the most popular small breed dogs in the world is the Chihuahua. Ever since the sweet, little face of one of these adorable dogs graced our televisions to ask us if we wanted some tacos, the world has gone crazy with people looking for the perfect little pup. Unfortunately, this has created a wide open market for the dishonest Chihuahua breeder who is looking to make a quick dollar. These unscrupulous breeders are churning out pups by the dozen in breeding centers known as puppy mills.

The sad thing is, most people do not realize that when they purchase a Chihuahua puppy from a pet store, they are contributing to the inhumane conditions in which these puppy mills keep their dogs. Because, unbeknownst to buyers who only see the sweet little faces in the window, the majority of pet stores are being supplied directly by many a dishonest Chihuahua breeder. Even store owners which claim they only buy from respected breeders are playing into this fallacy.

The puppy mills that supply pet stores around the country breed their dogs in horrible conditions. Often a Chihuahua breeder that runs one of these mills will breed the same female every single time she comes into season. This is dangerous because a Chihuahua is so small to begin with, that each pregnancy deteriorates their body quite a bit. By not allowing a season or two to pass in between litters, you wind up with very sick females – and consequently, sick puppies.

Worse yet is the fact that a dishonest Chihuahua breeder will not take each litter of pups to a quality vet to receive the proper medical attention that small breed puppies need. By the time the pups reach the pet store they can be quite sick and often dying. Many an unsuspecting would-be owner has found himself or herself with a brand new puppy that costs them thousands of dollars in veterinarian bills, only to die shortly thereafter.

You can do your part in the battle against the dishonest Chihuahua breeder by simply refusing to purchase any pup from a pet store. The conditions in which pet store animals are forced to live aren’t much better than those in the puppy mills. This has led to many new dog owners discovering that their new puppy needs extensive medical attention, or worse needs to be put down immediately. All too often, the pups bought in pet stores die within just a few months of going home with their new owners.

The most important thing to remember is that an honest Chihuahua breeder will never sell a single puppy to any pet store. Respectable breeders will make certain that their pups receive the medical attention they need to ensure they are healthy, and will never breed a female before she has completely healed from her last litter. Join the fight against puppy mills by talking to your vet, and asking for a recommendation for a respectable Chihuahua breeder today!

Get Ready For Your New Chihuahua Puppy

For your Chihuahua puppy’s safety, you need to not only puppy-proof your home and have a regular and emergency vet’s number by the phone, but you need to make sure your Chihuahua puppy’s name is sensible. Your pup will get into a lot of mischief – some of it potentially lethal. Your Chihuahua puppy will need to learn to pay attention to you and look to you for guidance. You can’t do that if you don’t give the pup a name that he or she ignores.

Chihuahua puppy names should make them look at you. They should be two syllables or less. They should sound different from any of the commands the puppy needs to learn for training. Even “Puppy” is a better name than “Senior Taco Bell Loco” or “Sit.” You never should physically reprimand your Chihuahua puppy because one blow could kill them. You need to voice train them, which is only possible if they recognize their name.

Chihuahua puppies do not mix well with other dogs, since they can be easily killed by one bite. They need constant supervision, such as any other newborn. They need to be protected from extremes in temperature because of their small size. It is best that they live inside the home with you all the time. Chihuahua puppies (especially the short haired kind) shiver often and very easily. This is not always because they are cold, but also when they are agitated or nervous.

You need to keep a close eye on your Chihuahua puppy’s health. Since they are so small, they dehydrate very quickly and can die from it. Any vomiting more than twice a day and any diarrhea needs to be dealt with immediately. Don’t give them lots of table scraps or milk as this can give them diarrhea. They need good quality dry and wet dog food. Dog food is actually more nutritious than the stuff you are eating.

If you bought your Chihuahua puppy from a breeder, you probably noticed the slow, shuffling walk they use, never picking their feet off of the floor. This is to prevent any accidental stepping on the Chihuahua puppies. For this reason, you should never get a Chihuahua puppy if you have a young, active child. Also, load your laundry one piece of clothing at a time to be sure the puppy did not mistake the laundry basket for a bed.

Chihuahua puppies are actually stronger than some other slim breeds of dogs, namely the Italian Greyhound. They are also one of the most intelligent breeds of dog and learn about house safety in a matter of weeks (as opposed to years in a human child). Teach your puppy his or her name as soon as possible. Keep any Chihuahua puppy names short, in case you have to call them away from any potential danger.

Methods You Can Use to Find a Chihuahua Rescue Group

It is a cold and cruel person that would abandon or abuse a little Chihuahua dog and if you know of a situation where a little Chihuahua dog is being abused or has been abandoned then you can do the right thing and contact a Chihuahua rescue group right away. There are resources all around that can help you find a rescue group and it is the right thing to do rather than let the little dog suffer.

One of the best resources for any humane group contact information is your vet. Your vet is very concerned about the health and well being of all animals and does not want to see a little dog suffer any more than you do, so they would gladly give you any contact information they may have. If you do not use a vet then just contact one from the phone book and they would be able to help.

For some reason people always forget that the local newspaper is a collection area for a lot of important community contact information and they may just have Chihuahua rescue group contact information for you. Many local newspapers publish the animal rescue groups contact information on a regular basis or at least have it available to distribute should someone call looking for help. So it never hurts to call your local newspaper and see what they have in the way of contact information for local animal rescue groups.

Never forget about the Internet, as it is a great way for people all over the world to get the information they need. With an Internet search you may find contact information for local animal rescue groups or you may find the websites of national animal rescue groups. Check the national groups to see if they list any satellite offices near you and if they do not then give them a call and see what advice or assistance they can offer you.

Check your area for any reputable Chihuahua breeders and chances are that they can act as a Chihuahua rescue group for you. Many reputable breeders have no problem taking in abused or abandoned pets, as the breeder does not want to see an animal suffer any more than you do. So contact a breeder and explain your situation to them and ask them if they would be able to take in this poor neglected little animal and give it a second chance at life.

Never turn your back on an abandoned or abused Chihuahua or any other animal that is suffering. In many cases all you have to do is make a phone call and an animal rescue group will come out and take care of the rest. Every animal deserves the chance to be happy and no pet deserves the horror of being abused or abandoned so if you see a situation that requires immediate attention then track down contact information for a local animal rescue group and give a little pet a second chance.