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Canine-ality™ 101. Knowing a bit about a dog before bringing him home can really help the romance last. How do we know this? The Meet Your Match (MYM) Canine-ality Adoption Program (MYM), our new color coding method for matching shelter dogs, ages six months and older, with adopters, is making it possible for you to know a little about a dog’s behavior before deciding to make him a part of your family. Finding the perfect pooch is a serious undertaking. That’s why we developed the MYM program—to help match the colors of your personality to your new friend’s canine-ality. Shelters using MYM are reporting reduced return rates, better customer service and increased adoptions. Every dog has a colorful canine-ality. The Canine-ality AssessmentThe Dog Adopter Survey The Canine-ality Assessment: This assessment takes some of the mystery out of the selection process by evaluating a pooch's: The Dog Adopter Survey: Here’s where you come in.

Who says it’s not easy being green? Canine-ality chart. Poodle - American Kennel Club. General Appearance That of a very active, intelligent and elegant-appearing dog, squarely built, well proportioned, moving soundly and carrying himself proudly. Properly clipped in the traditional fashion and carefully groomed, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Head Moderately rounded, with a slight but definite stop. Cheekbones and muscles flat. Length from occiput to stop about the same as length of muzzle. Body Skin snug at throat. Dog Breeds - Complete Breed List - American Kennel Club. Responsible Dog Ownership - American Kennel Club.

Among companion animals, dogs are unmatched in their devotion, loyalty and friendship to humankind. Anyone who has ever loved a dog can attest to its hundred-fold return. The excitement your dog shows when you come home, the wagging tail at the sound of the leash being taken from its hook, the delight in the tossing of a tennis ball, and the head nestled in your lap-those are only some of the rewards of being a dog owner. Owning a dog is not just a privilege-it's a responsibility. These animals depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. The AKC is committed to helping dog owners raise happy, healthy dogs.

Follow these links to view a selection of our 101 suggestions: Think First Recognize the Commitment Dog ownership is not something to be entered into lightly. Make the Commitment Pick Your Pet When the time has come to select your pet, consider your options carefully. Get Ready Bring Your Dog Home Welcome Your New Pet At last! Keep Your Dog Healthy I.D. Play! Top 11 Myths About Dog's and Cats. Regardless if you own a dog or cat, you still have probably heard a myth or two about them. Here some facts and truths about the top 11 most common myths about dogs and cats. #1 Dogs are Color Blind The Myth: Dogs only see in black and white. The Origin: The basis for this myth is not known. The Truth: Dogs do see in color. . #2 Cats always land on their feet The Myth: Cats always land on their feet when falling from heights. The Origin: In the feline world, the most popular cliche is, "Cats always land on their feet. " The Truth: This is perhaps one of the most widely known and dangerous of all myths regarding cats, because unfortunately many children have tried to prove that it is true.

. #3 If a dog’s nose is warm, it means its sick The Myth: If a dog has a warm, dry nose, it is sick. The Origin: There is no identifiable origin for this myth. The Truth: If a dog has a dry or warm nose, it means that he has a dry or warm nose. . #4 If a dog is wagging its tail, it is happy #5 Cats have nine lives. Oral Hygiene for Dogs | Information on Oral Care for Dogs. When it comes to taking care of a dog, most pet owners think about vet visits, food, and exercise.

Unfortunately, an oral care regimen isn’t a top priority for them, but it should be because 4 out of 5 dogs over age 3 develop periodontal disease. Getting Started Routine oral care is one of the most important things that owners can do for the health of their dogs. Dogs benefit greatly from having their teeth brushed several times a week. Bad Breath in Dogs - 101 Many dogs, like many people, have bad breath, which medically is called “halitosis.”

Why Oral Care is Important For Dogs A healthy mouth is a happy mouth, in people and in pets. How to Care for your Dog's Mouth A number of things can go wrong in a dog’s mouth. Symptoms and Signs of an Unhealthy Canine Mouth One of the first things that an owner notices if his dog has sores or other abnormalities inside its mouth is a change in its eating behavior or patterns. Toy Poodle Dog Breed | Information on Toy Poodles. Introduction The Poodle, also known as the Caniche and the Pudle, is a breed of dog that comes in three sizes. The Standard and Miniature Poodles are in the Non Sporting Group, and the Toy Poodles are in the Toy Group. This is one of the most popular house pet breeds known, and poodles are famous for their companionable temperaments and extremely high degree of intelligence.

The Poodle was recognized by the AKC in 1887 and AKC approved in 1984. The Standard Poodles stands on average 15 inches high at the shoulders and weighs between 45 and 70 pounds (the males are often heavier than the females). Toy Poodle Dog Breed Quick Facts Toy Poodle - History and Health The exact origin of the Poodle is unknown, but they have been used in France and Germany since the 1400’s as hunting and retrieving dogs, water dogs, and companions.The average life expectancy of the poodle is between 12 and 15 years. Toy Poodle - Temperament & Personality Poodles have a reputation for being “sissies.” Dachshund Dog Breed | Information on Dachshunds. Introduction The Dachshund, also known as the Dachel, the Teckel, the Normalgrosse Teckel, the Dachslein, the Doxie, the Hot Dog, the Sausage Dog and the Wiener dog, was actually named for the German phrase meaning “Badger Dog.” The German word dachs means ”badger” – another animal with a sturdy body on short, crooked legs.

The Dachshund was developed because of its ability to track prey and “go to earth” to attack badgers and other burrowing mammals. True to its origin, the modern Dachshund participates successfully in field trials and earth-dog tests, showing its keen hunting instincts and go-to-ground hunting ability. Despite its exaggerated and almost comical appearance, the Dachshund is a very smart and athletic dog that makes an excellent house pet. Dachshund Dog Breed Quick Facts Dachshund - History and Health The Dachshund probably originated in Germany in the early 1600s. Dachshund - Temperament & Personality The Dachshund packs a whole lot of personality into a tiny little body. Pet Care Costs. How much is that doggie (or kitty, rabbit, rat, goldfish or guinea pig…) in the shelter window? In addition to the initial cost of adoption, there’s a whole litany of expenses that the average pet owner will incur within a year. To make it easier for you to plan for your new arrival, we’ve prepared a financial breakdown of the annual costs of caring for a variety of species.

This chart represents the estimated minimum cost of humane care. You shouldn’t expect to pay less than this, and you should definitely be prepared to pay more. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of unexpected veterinary care, as well as boarding facilities, pet sitters and dog walkers, if you plan to use them. And keep in mind that the price tags on pet-related services and incidentals differ from region to region. You can also download the Pet Care Costs PDF version. 1. Meet Your Match. Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting. Congratulations! By visiting ASPCA.org you've taken your first step toward responsible pet ownership. Caring for a companion animal goes far beyond providing food, water and shelter. It takes research and careful planning to bring the right pet into your home, and to make sure your lifestyle is the right one for your pet. Answering the following questions will get you started.

Are you looking for the loyal and steady companionship that an animal can offer? Are you hoping to fill the empty place left after a pet has passed? When adopting, you are making a commitment to care for an animal for the rest of his life—that could mean 10 to 15 years for dogs and up to 20 years for cats. Your personality and lifestyle, along with challenges such as space restrictions and amount of time spent at home, should be explored to determine what pet is right for your household.

Owning a dog or cat costs more than the initial adoption fee. Be sure to choose an animal who will thrive in your home. Preparing Your Home for Your New Pet. Adopting a pet from a shelter can transform your house into a cozy home. But without careful preparation, your new furry friend can turn the old homestead into a mess. The following household and training tips will get you on your way to having it all—furry love and a tidy home.

Put a cozy bed for your pet in every room. Pets are much more likely to keep off of furniture if they have attractive alternatives.Until your pet learns house rules, don’t give him unsupervised access to rooms with sofas, beds or any other furniture you don’t want him on. And remember to increase your pet’s roaming privileges slowly, room by room. Avoid vertical blinds, pooling drapery, ornate tassels and long cords that can become strangulation hazards. Here are some fun ways to spruce up your home for your companion animals: Internal Dutch doors between rooms make it easy for you to manage which pets are allowed where. Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog. Older dogs are open books—from the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, personality and grooming requirements.

All this information makes it easier to pick the right dog and forge that instant love connection that will last a lifetime. If you’re not so into surprises, an older dog is for you! Think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Hogwash! Older dogs are great at focusing on you—and on the task at hand—because they’re calmer than youngsters. One of the cool parts of our job is reading stories from people just like you who have opted to adopt. Grownup dogs don’t require the constant monitoring puppies do, leaving you with more freedom to do your own thing. Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. Your floors, shoes and furniture will thank you for adopting a senior pooch! Couch potato, know thyself! Need we say more? Bringing Your New Dog Home.

March 7, 2014 Preparation and patience are key to building a happy relationship The key to helping your new dog make a successful adjustment to your home is being prepared and being patient. It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to each other. The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition. First, gather your dog's supplies Prepare the things your dog will need in advance. You'll need a collar and leash, food and water bowls, food, and, of course, some toys.

Establish house rules in advance Work out your dog-care regimen in advance among the human members of your household. Plan your dog's arrival Try to arrange the arrival of your new dog for a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. Be prepared for housetraining Assume your new dog is not housetrained, and work from there. Make sure all your pets are healthy Animal shelters take in animals with widely varying backgrounds, some of whom have not been previously vaccinated. Twopalsandapup.