The American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo is a member of the family of Spitz dogs. The Spitz type breeds can trace their history back to the "Peat Dogs" of the New Stone Age. All of them possess double coats that stand away from the body, prick ears and a tail that curls tightly and is usually carried over the back. Among the most common Spitz breeds represented today are the Keeshond, the Chow Chow, the Finnish Spitz, the Shiba Inu and the Akita and several others, besides the American Eskimo. The American Eskimo has the shape of the typical Spitz type of dog, with short erect ears, a bushy stand off coat all over the body and a brushy tail curling over the back. In 1985 The American Eskimo was first registered in the American Kennel club in the non sporting group. It is considered that perhaps the name came from the numbers of these small Spitz-type dogs that were bred by the American Eskimos and were used as sledding dogs. The dogs that were bred by the Eskimos however were of a larger size and stockier. The dogs the Eskimos used were most likely descended from the German Spitz, crossed with the Keeshond and the White Pomeranian. After the admittance into the American Kennel Club the breed officially became known as the American Eskimo, with the nickname of Eskie.

The Eskie comes in three sizes, toy, measuring 9-12 inches, miniature, measuring over 12 and up to 15 inches and the standard, measuring over 15 and up to 19 inches. The coat is always white, biscuit, or cream, with black being the preferred color of the rims of the eyes, nose and lips. The coat is typically easy care, requiring only a thorough brushing once a week or so. The little dog is well built and balanced, slightly longer than it is tall, with a large ruff around the neck. This little dog loves to go walking and its beauty always attracts admirers.

The American Eskimo is an exceptionally healthy dog, having no particular genetic diseases. There may be some tearing of the eye, which needs to be watched, but other than that there seem to be no outstanding health issues. Even with its heavy coat it is considered an "indoor" dog and except for shedding it makes a fine pet. The American Eskimo is most popularly used these days as a companion dog for the house, typically it is a good watchdog that will bark a warning but will not show aggression. It is alert and watchful, affectionate and friendly. It is a playful yet mellow pet, its disposition being quite friendly and its size being non threatening for children or the elderly. The American Eskimo is a smart dog and does well in Obedience trials and in agility. He possesses an easy attitude, generally very trainable and non aggressive to other dogs as well as people.

The Norwegian Buhund Dog Breed Makes a Great Companion

The Norwegian Buhund or "Norsk Buhund," is a herding dog of the spitz group, and is the farm dog of Norway. Buhunds have the typical spitz characteristics of activity, self-confidence and independence, but are trainable and home-loving with less inclination to hunt than other spitz breeds, having been bred as herding dogs rather than as hunters and draft dogs. These dogs were taken along by the Vikings on their travels and colonising journeys over 1,000 years ago and were the ancestors of the Iceland Dog. They also are said to have influenced the development of the collie breeds.

They love their family and are known for their fondness of children. Although Buhunds do get on very well with children it would be possible for parents to take this too far. Like any breed, they should not be left alone with unsupervised young children who can easily tease, frighten or hurt a dog without realising it.

This breed has also been trained as a hearing dog, and at least one dog was taken through the training course at the RAF Police Dog training school in the United Kingdom. This dog performed protection work and tracking. It was only its lack of size, which reportedly made it unsuitable for this in a practical situation.

Genetics

Buhunds are often born with double dewclaws on the rear legs; the dewclaws are left on in Norway but are usually removed in Britain and the US.

Breed Clubs

The breed is a registered American Kennel Club Breed with its own club known as the
Norwegian (Norske) Buhund Club of America.

The Norwegian Buhund Club is the Kennel Club registered breed club promoting the interests of the breed in the UK.

Why their Owners Like Them

Norwegian Buhunds are:-

o a medium sized breed, but they are not a toy dog, and are big enough to be a "real" dog. So, for those with small homes and gardens they are particularly well suited. They are smaller than collies and, for example, Labradors, so they are not too big for anyone in reasonable health to be able to handle them with ease.

o are so good as pets because they have a real desire for human companionship. This in particular makes them an ideal family pet as they are very affectionate.

o are vocal and brave but not aggressive. This is a big asset when walking them in town parks and anywhere that chance encounters with people and other dogs may occur. The Buhund owner can relax that this breed will not normally disrupt a peaceful walk by enjoining another dog in an argument. There may be some noise at times but rarely, if ever, anything like a fight.

Breed Characteristics and Variations

The Norwegian Buhund comes in red, black and sandy brown colours.

They are lightly built, with a short, compact body, fairly smooth-lying coat, erect, pointed ears, and a tail carried curled over the back

The coat is smooth and less abundant than some of the spitz dogs and fairly easily to keep.

Within the spitz group the Buhund is a middle-sized breed and a typical Nordic Spitz dog, and has a lively tail that stands vertical and curls.

They may tend to bark somewhat more readily than most breeds. This probably derives from their herding background when high vocality would be an asset.

History

The Buhund is the Norwegian variant of the original small spitz dog type, which quite remarkably goes back to the stone age, and in fact is thought to have already in the stone-age have been widely dispersed throughout Scandinavia.

In the ancient Gokstad excavation in Norway, six spitz-like dogs of various sizes were found within a Viking grave dating back to about the year 900. It is clear that the buhund's ancestors were expected to continue to protect the herds of their owners, even after the death of their owner.

Interesting Facts

Recently Buhunds, together with Norwegian Lundehunds, have been involved in the experimental endeavours of breeders to achieve the recreation of the barking bird-dog of Norrbotten, which had been removed from the list of recognized breeds in1936 by the Swedish Kennel Club. The reason for this was that it was then regarded as extinct. So, one day you may see this breed breeding true again and re-registered.

Conclusion

If you decide that you seek a real dog, in a small package, with a courageous, energetic, and affectionate character the Norwegian Buhund is the dog for you.

You are lucky to have found this web page because the breed is not very well known. Very many of these dogs are simply chosen by people who know somebody who owns one, and they have been delighted with what they have seen.

If the truth be known many just fall in love with the first dog of this breed they get to know, and they decide that they really want the same delightful companionship for themselves. There can be no better recommendation than this!

Finnish Spitz - Dog Breeds

Group: Non-sporting

Weight: 25 lbs

Height: 18 inches

Overview

The Finnish Spitz was originally brought from the area of the Volga River Area to Central Russia about 2000 years ago. This breed is the national dog of Finland; and the Finnish Spitz is referred to in quite a few Finnish patriotic songs. These dogs are now extensively acknowledged throughout the Scandinavian countries. The Finnish Spitz is fine at hunting birds, and they also make good family pets.

Temperament

You will find this breed to be lively and sociable, energetic and enthusiastic, devoted and courageous - but at the same time careful. The Finnish Spitz is tolerant of children and other animals in the household. They have a good hunting instinct, so they may chase after smaller animals. This breed is very intelligent and likes to be a part of the family. On the other hand, this breed is not ideal for all families - especially in households with lots of tension or loud bickering.

Care

The Finnish Spitz has a coat that cleans itself seeing that these dogs are viewed as arctic dogs. This breed does not need a lot of overall maintenance, but if dead hair can be removed with a brush or a comb. The coats of the Finnish Spitz don't have a typical doggy odour. The Finnish Spitz sheds heavily on a seasonal basis. The coats of these dogs are very rich, and they can remain shiny and thick all year round if these dogs are maintained throughout the year.

Training

The Finnish Spitz is a very smart, self-assured and intelligent breed. They will learn new skills very quickly and are easy to train when the right training methods are used. This breed can however be stubborn when overly anxious or full of fear. It is imperative to work with the Finnish Spitz in a calm manner whenever possible. These dogs are willful and brave, and will perform at a high level once they are comfy and have admiration for their owners. The Finnish Spitz has time and again been used in competitions as show dogs seeing that they have so many good qualities and virtues. This is an impressive hunting breed, and they can also be trained to be racers and rescuers from an early age onwards.

Health problems
The Finnish Spitz is a relatively healthy, and has one of the lowest occurrences for health issues. There are however a few conditions that potential owners should be aware of and these include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and deafness.

Husky Dog - The Perfect Companion

The husky dog is a name of several types and breeds of dogs that are normally used as sled dogs in countries like New Zealand, Alaska and some parts of the United States of America. Bespoke to the northern regions of the world as sled dogs, their popularity as home pets have increased of late.

Now no more is their visage wrapped in plastic in many products and mascots for sports teams, the loyal and strong husky dog is now a prominent feature in many a dog lover's house and home all over the world. There are more than 5 breeds of huskies, from the popular Alaskan husky, the Mackenzie Rive Husky, the Sakhalin Husky and of course what list would be complete without the Siberian and Tamaskan Husky.

Huskies are considered the perfect companion by many of their owners, probably because of the fact that they are extremely loyal and especially the older breeds - which are very alert to their owners need and extremely well behaved in most situations.

Alaskan huskies are very energetic, which makes them excellent for families with energetic kids and they are one of the choice dogs for pet owners who need someone to have their daily run with. As dogs go, these breed of dogs are really very energetic, so they need a lot of space to run and play.

In much less sedate areas of Alaska, huskies are used by moose and humans alike to serve as sentries, warning if an oncoming large predator like a wolf or a bear is approaching. Like many dogs, when they form an attachment to an owner, they are very protective dogs and form a very instantaneous reaction with little kids and children.

Nowadays, the Siberian husky breed is gaining popularity as one of the best companion dogs in the world today. They are very strong and very industrious dogs, also a member of the Spitz family. Known to be a very gentle and playful dog, often cheerful with a cheeky and wilful side to it, it is an extremely docile dog and does very well with children and families. Like the Alaskan husky, it is also very protective - probably because it is known for its watch dogging capabilities in Russia.

Now many dog houses offered very cute and very tame Siberian husky. With a smooth and dense coat and some markings on the head, the Siberian husky is an easily recognisable dog. Health wise, you need not worry much because most members of this breed and the Spitz dog family are extremely healthy in any condition.

Afflictions that come with old age are inevitable but it does not suffer from normal dog related or breed specific problems. It all depends on the climate and the sort of food you feed the husky. It normally prefers to live in cooler climates and doesn't like apartments that are closed in. If you have a yard, it would be great. You will find that the husky is a perfect companion dog in every sense of the word.

Factors to Consider in Choosing A Dog Training Collar

In training dogs, the most important tool you have to acquire is the dog training collar. This type of collar is the very fundamental tool used to train your dog some basic tricks as well as sport dog training, obedience training, and even expanded training without having to hire the services of a professional dog trainer.

Services like these can be quite expensive. Hence, trying to train your dogs using dog collars can save you lots of money.

Dog training collars are specially designed collars to put your dog under proper control. It guides them on what to do, such as the proper way to behave in public places when instructed to.

Dog training collars facilitate obedience training and enable the dogs to learn the necessary "obedience commands" such as heel, stay, and sit.

Before, there are only few options in choosing dog training collar. It is as if dog owners do not have any choice at all. Now, thanks to the revolutionary dog training collar enhancements, dog owners can now choose from a wider array of dog training collars.

However, the abundance of dog training collars is not at all advantageous at some point. With so many choices, dog owners find it difficult choosing the best dog training collar for their pets.

It is a well-known fact that not all dog training collars are created equal. Each has its own varying intensity when it comes to efficiency, affordability, and functionality.

Hence, it is best to consider some factors affecting dog training collar choices. To help you out, here are some things that you need to reflect on before deciding on a particular dog training collar.

1. Size

Of course, this aspect matters most. It is important that the dog training collar will fit comfortably on your dog's neck. Do not make random guesses as to how long the collar should be.

Before going to the pet shop, try to measure your dog's neck by using tape measure or any string or tape that can be used as a guide. Then, try to make some allowances, say, 2 to 3 inches more. You can never be too sure about the actual length of the item; hence, it is best to make room for extras.

2. Budget

Each type of dog training collars may vary from the most affordable to the most expensive. Among the different types of dog training collars, the electronic dog training collar is the most expensive. Since it runs electric current throughout its mechanism, the actual value for this collar is quite expensive.

If you cannot afford to buy expensive ones, you can always resort to cheap dog training collars. However, the efficiency of developing positive results is lower than the best dog training collars available in the market today.

Keep in mind that quality is always partnered with value. Hence, the better the quality, the higher the value.

3. Function

Some experts do not approve using dog electronic training collars. The infliction of pain tends to create inhumane act towards dogs. Hence, if you think you can still train your dog without having to hurt them, you can try the other types of dog training collars.

Just keep in mind to choose dog training collars according to the function that you need. For instance, if you do not want to use inhumane devices such as shock collar but would still want to tame down a wild dog, you can use the pronged collar instead. It is ideal for dogs that are hard to control.

Indeed, buying dog training collars can be quite tedious. However, once you have considered these factors, buying the best dog training collar is possible.

Guard Dog Training Tips & Tricks Revealed

People buy guard dogs because they want protection. These pets can be very valuable and a great asset to any family. Their training takes special measures and people need to be aware of the best way to train them properly. Here you will find a short guide revealing some of the main considerations needed when training guard dogs.

The first thing you want to do is teach the dog when to bark. It might be when something unusual takes place. When the dog barks at the proper time, you can call it to your side and offer a treat. You might also try to offer a chew toy. You want the dog to understand that when something unusual happens and the dog senses this, it's good to bark and go to a family member.

Some people like to use what is known as "clicker training" to get their dogs to perform properly. When the dog behaves correctly, you make a noise with tiny clicking apparatus that lets the dog know it has done a good job. Give it a treat at the same time. The dog will soon understand that the noise and the action will get it a treat. After the dog gets the hang of this, you can replace the clicker with a treat and a verbal order like "Bark."

At the same time, there are dogs that bark too much. Then you will have to teach them a "quiet" order. When you want them to be quiet you might have to shake a can full of coins or say "Quiet" and squirt their mouth with some water. The dog will quit barking in order to suck up the water. Follow this by letting the dog have a treat. Soon the dog will learn to respond to the word "Quiet" and you won't have to give it a treat or squirt it.

Guard dogs may get aggressive about protecting their territory. You may need to put up a "Beware of dog" sign. Good guard dogs don't need to scare people. They can be trained to be obedient to commands.

Although guard dog training can work well with older dogs, it's best for the dog to learn these skills while they are young. That's because you don't want them to get training that might interfere with the guard dog training. For instant, if you teach your dog not to jump up on people, the guard dog might be hesitant to jump up on a trainer that is supposed to be an intruder.

Guard dog training is something you can do yourself or let a professional trainer do. There are a couple of fantastic guard dog training guides available which you can read about in more detail using the links at the bottom of this article. If you prefer to let a professional trainer train your dog, you should be able to find a one by asking at your local vet clinic or pet shop.

In a good training program, the guard dog will first learn some basic obedience lessons. Those lessons will be very rigid. Guard dogs must learn to follow each and every command instantly. These dogs also get trained to only obey commands or take treats from owners and handlers. This is important because nobody wants an intruder to have power over the guard dog.

When the owner wants a dog to alert them if an intruder enters the property, the dog must be trained to spot strangers. This is usually accomplished through barking and going back to the owner. Barking and returning to the owner's side can be repeated often, until the owner recognizes the stranger and the dog knows he successfully finished the job.

Sometimes the guard dog is actually trained to attack an intruder. This is done for protection purposes. After this kind of training, the dog shouldn't be left alone. The dog might perceive a movement by a visitor as a reason for attack. Dogs trained to protect owners are not as sensitive to noise or threatening movements. This is to help the dog respond properly to loud noises or strange gestures used by intruders.

The guard dog must be taught how to properly respond to all family members. The dog should know all the children in the family, as well as other family members. The dog should also be familiar with other household pets. This is how to make the guard dog an agreeable member of the family.

Guard dogs make gentle and sweet companion dogs. They enjoy having company, but they will put up a fierce face when intruders arrive. Owners will feel secure having these dogs in the house. Training them can the beginning of a fabulous relationship. Don't forget to praise them when they do a good job, and you will be rewarded with lots of love.

A couple of links are provided below which you can use to find out more information about dog training and in particular guard dog training.

Using a Good Dog Training Tip

Sometimes using just the right dog training tip can make all the difference in achieving your training goals. If you would like to have the most productive dog one can ever have, let your dog be trained by a professional dog trainer. A professional dog trainer has the skills necessary to teach the dog about the primary skills about obedience and agility. He or she is knowledgeable about the physiological and emotional needs of the dog. He/she can ensure that the dog gets proper care and attention. A dog trainer is wary of the various diseases that the dog can be at risk to, thus he/she can prevent it. Furthermore, you really need a professional dog trainer if you would like your dog to engage in proper attack dog training or dog field training.

In choosing the perfect professional dog trainer, do check the past work experiences of your prospect. Check for the possible specializations in terms of the breed that the trainer usually trains, and the type of training that he gives. Fit your choice of trainer with the characteristics and the personality of your dog. Choose the dog trainer that your dog easily gets along with. If faced with the dilemma of choosing between equally competent dog trainers, do choose the one that your dog likes best and the one that loves your dog as well. If you don't have any dog trainer in mind and you would like to challenge yourself in handling dogs, then you can opt to be your dog's 'personal' trainer. Such choice is more rewarding and fulfilling for you as a dog keeper, but you ought to remind yourself that dog training is not just about spending lots of quality time with your dog. Instead, dog training requires a huge load of perseverance, time, effort, and determination on your dog's part, but even more on your part.

When training your dog, the most important tip or technique that is advised by professionals is to you're the reward system. Dog studies show that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to teach the dog something. No matter what type of training- may it be toilet training, attack dog training, or dog field training, or police dog training- be sure that you give rewards and privileges to your dog if he/she responds well to the lessons. Usually, dog trainings should be done following a step-by-step procedure, with a chronological order. In cases of doing such trainings, the privilege or the reward given should increase as well. This will then motivate your dog to move on with the training no matter how difficult the next step will be. Also, make sure that the pleasure given by the reward is proportional to the effort given by the dog and the level of difficulty posed by the trick being taught. Moreover, reward your dog more if he/she increases the skills he/she shows each trick trial. Such reward system can motivate your dog to achieve a higher level of performance each time he/she responds to the training.

If your dog happens to ignore the training you are providing, a good dog training tip is, do not lose hope. You may reassess or consult a professional if the type of training is fit for your dog, or you may also try new ways to motivate your dog.