Types of Bulldogs

There are actually several different types of bulldogs. Many people assume there is just one type of bulldog but there are actual there different breeds that go by that name. These breeds are the American, the French, and the English bulldog. As you will learn these breeds are very different from each other despite similar sounding names.

English Bulldog

This is the classic bulldog that most people are referring to when they talk about bulldogs. This bulldog originated in England and has a large broad head and a wide stance with short legs. It comes in a variety of coat colors and the adult weighs about 50 pounds. Their ears droop over slightly at the tips.

French Bulldog

The French bulldog is believed to have been derived from the English bulldogs. It is believed that over two hundred years ago, lace workers from England went to France looking for work. When they went to France they took bulldog runts with them.

Eventually the French fell in love with this smaller version of the bulldog and it took off in popularity. The most unique feature of the French bulldog is the "bat like" ears. The ears are wide at the base and come to a point quickly. The ears are short so they stand up, as opposed to those of the English bulldog which droop over. The French bulldog weighs at most 28 pounds, which is half the size of the English bulldog.

The French bulldog used to be a very fashionable dog to be seen with. Everyone from French prostitutes to the Russian royal family owned this type of bulldog.

American Bulldog

The American bulldog is the largest of the three types and there are acutely two different American bulldogs, the Johnson type and the Scott type. They are named after the breeders who developed them.

This bulldog is the most athletic one. It has much longer legs, a narrower head, a more athletic body than the English.

American bulldogs weigh anywhere between 70 to 125 pounds, and stand 20 to 28 inches tall at the shoulders.

In summary the American is larger than the English, which is larger than the French bulldog.

As you can see there are three different types of bulldogs, the English, the French, and the American. Each one has unique features that make it stand out from the crowd. So the next time anyone talks about bulldogs, ask them to be more specific about which one they are referring to.

Choosing a Vet For Your Shih Tzus

The vet is an important person in caring for your shih tzus. Regardless of your dog's size, color, health condition and even breed, regular vet visits are necessary to allow you and your vet to spot any problem before it gets worst. In other words, the health and life of your shih tzus partly depends on your vet. You must therefore make sure to choose someone whom you can trust.
In choosing veterinarians, most owners usually pick from phone book and then contact the one that is closest to their location. However, for some reasons, some felt uncomfortable with the chosen vet after few appointments. But despite that, most dog owners stick to the same vet.

To save your from vet issues, here are some tips to consider:

Ask other pet owners.

Ask friends, relatives or neighbors who are also pet owners. They can suggest a reliable vet and will gladly share their vet experiences with you. You can also ask recommendation from your local pet shop.

Location of your vet.

Location of your vet is important here. Some pets aren't fit to travel too long and too far. And besides, in emergency cases, a longer distance is a major disadvantage.

View the facilities.

It is a great idea to check the center and the facilities they have. Is the center clean and tidy? Check how many staff members are there, procedure during appointments and emergency and the services they offer.

Some centers have specialists services such as behavior therapy, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology and others.

Operation hours.

Make sure that the operation schedule is convenient to you. If you are working during the day, select a vet that opens clinic during the evening or on Saturdays. Check what is available in case of emergency.

Specialist clinic.

It is better if you will choose a dog-only clinic to make sure your pet will not get excited or upset by the presence of other pets such as cats, birds and so on.

The price.

Some veterinarians cost higher than the others. Ask about credit cards and payment plans. Remember also to ask if your vet accepts insurance plans if you have one or if planning to get one.

Dog Car Carriers - Important Considerations For Dog Lovers

Dog car carriers and dog car seats provide your dog with a safe and secure place within your car while travelling, and will limit your pet from wandering about inside your car which can be dangerous for both you and your dog. If you are travelling with a child you would not consider driving without the child being securely strapped in. Why then do some dog owners not give the same consideration to their pets?
When choosing dog car seats there are a few important things you need to consider:

* You should make sure that the seat comes with built in storage trays for treats, toys, food and water.
* The cover of the seat should be easily removable for washing. Don't forget that it is likely you may return to your vehicle after your dog has been wet and as you are no doubt well aware, the smell of wet dog is difficult to remove.
* Try to ensure that the seat is easily removed from the car and has the ability to double as a bed for use in a hotel room. This means that the one product will suffice and you will not have to carry with you a separate bed and car seat.
* Many dog car seats on the market nowadays are made from material that repels pet hair, dirt and moisture and it makes sense to try to buy one that is made from that particular material.
* Dog car carriers also come in a more enclosed fashion similar to a small crate.
* With these type of dog car carriers your pet is completely enclosed and you should ensure that the carrier includes trays for treats, water and food.
* These are great for small dogs and should have two access points, one to put your hand in hand to comfort your pet and a larger one to easily let your dog in and out.
* These auto pet carriers tend to come with a click and go base for easy access, so that each time you need to remove or put your carrier into the car it is a simple operation.

With the vast array of dog car carriers on the market now there is no need any more to suffer from separation anxiety when you can bring your most beloved companion with you on your trips knowing that he will be safe in your car and not cause himself or you any harm.

Dog Carrier - Bicycle Fun With Your Dog

If you are considering buying a bicycle dog carrier there are some things you must consider before making your purchase. Let's face it, you want to be sure that your faithful friend is safe and secure and not confused and dazed half a mile back up the road.

* The first thing to consider is the weight of your dog, as most dog carriers on the market today only cater for dogs up to 24 pounds. If you are unsure of your dogs weight there is an easy way to weigh him. Stand on the scales yourself and take note of how many pounds you are, next, lift your dog and get back on the scales and the difference in the two weights is the weight of your dog
* If it is your intention to attach your bicycle dog carrier to the rear carrier rack on your bicycle try to buy one that has reflective tape attached to it. It just helps make you more visible to motorists.
* Try to find a washable dog carrier. Bicycle rides can sometimes leave you caught in a shower of rain and everyone knows what a wet dog smells like. If you and your dog do happen to get wet the carrier will retain the smell of the wet dog so you need to be able to wash it.
* A fleece lined dog carrier will keep your little pet as comfortable as possible. Don't forget if he is sitting over the top of the back wheel he will feel every bump along the way so that more comfy the carrier the more he will enjoy the ride.

Bicycle dog carriers are especially great for older dogs that might not just be as fit as they once were, but ideally when your dog is young is the best time to introduce it to a dog carrier. Bicycle rides with your dog safely in its carrier are great fun and much safer than having your dog run alongside.

Dog Booster Seat - What You Need to Know Before You Buy

For the safety of your dog and yourself it makes perfect sense to ensure that your best loved companion is safely secured when travelling in your car. In the past, before I had a dog booster seat I spent a lot of time looking in the rear view mirror checking up on what my dog was doing, and if I wasn't looking in the mirror I was probably trying to get him off my knee. Nowadays you would not even consider travelling with a child who was not secured in a booster seat so why do it with your dog.
Here are a few things you need to consider before you purchase your dog booster seat.

* Ensure that the seat you are going to buy will take the weight of your dog as there are many different makes of dog booster seat on the market and different ones hold different weights, so make sure and check this carefully.
* Make sure the seat will attach properly to your car seat both with and with out headrests. Some booster seats are only designed to be fitted with headrests and if your car does not have headrests you may not be able to attach it.
* It is important that the lining of the booster seat is easily removable and also machine washable. You may return to your vehicle with a wet dog and as we all know the smell of wet dog is a very difficult to get rid of, so if you cannot remove the lining to wash it, you are going to have a very smelly car.
* Ensure that the dog booster seat you are going to buy has the ability to sit up high and provide an unobstructed view for your dog. The higher your pet sits up off the car seat the more comfortable the ride will be, and this is especially important if travel sickness could be an issue for your pet.

A dog booster seat allows you to take your dog in your car in safety. You no longer have to leave your dog at home and suffer from separation anxiety and can now take your dog on all of your trips no matter whether they are for work or pleasure, and enjoy his company everywhere you go.