Labrador Retriever Dogs Blog

Though not formally recognized as a breed of dog, Cockapoos, a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, have been bred since the 1950s. Breeders have taken the best traits of Cocker Spaniels and Poodles and breed them into the Cockapoo. From the Poodle side, the Cockapoo takes intelligence, relatively little dander and an almost non-shedding coat that comes in many colors. From the Cocker side, it takes a sturdy build and friendly and loyal personality.

A crossbreed like the Cockapoo is also less likely to have many of the genetic problems that purebred breeds do (something called hybrid vigor). In fact, other than the normal care for a dog (grooming, cleaning ears, safety, exercise) Cockapoos have no particular health concerns, though it should be noted that without consistent care and cleaning of the ears, Cockapoos can develop ear infections, thanks to long floppy ears from the Cocker Spaniel side.

Cockapoos can live 18-22 years and come in different types: Teacup Toy (height less than 10 inches and weight under 6 pounds), Toy (height 11 to 14 inches, weight under 12 pounds) and Standard (height over 15 inches and weight over 12 pounds).

Since the Cockapoo is a mixed breed dog and there is currently no breed standard, there are variations in the build of the dog ranging from slim to stocky. The Cockapoo can also be bred with three different coats: a tight curly coat, a medium curl and a flat coat. Though different in style and color, all of the coats are less likely to shed, making them a consideration for allergy sufferers. However, Cockapoos, like all dogs, will have dander (though considerably less than other breeds of dog), a potential allergen. The longhaired coat should be trimmed regularly to prevent matting.

Cockapoos enjoy being around people and their intelligence makes them easy to train. Though active dogs, Cockapoos do not require large outdoor spaces to run around in and are good in apartment settings, provided they are walked at least once a day. It is the friendly personality – as well as forgiving nature and loyalty – that makes it an ideal family pet for those with children and other animals. Even when left alone for extended periods of time, Cockapoos are generally not destructive, though can become anxious so crating is recommend if leaving a Cockapoo alone for more than four hors at a time.

There is a website that has great information on Cockapoos and most other breeds of dogs. It has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

The Briard is a large, powerful dog with the shaggy dog look. She makes a good watch dog and a good guard dog. She loves her human family and is intelligent and fairly easy to train. She needs quite a bit of grooming and attention to keep her coat healthy and looking good.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male briard is 24 to 27 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 75 to 90 pounds. The female ranges from 22 to 25 inches to the withers and 75 to 85 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Briard is no exception. Keep on the look out for canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), progressive retinal atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness), cataracts, stomach torsion and bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Briard has a coarse, dry and hard coat in long, waving locks. She needs extensive grooming to look good and avoid mats. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet. Her pads of her feet need excess hair removed.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her nails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

Life Span

The Briard can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Briard is from France and descended from some of the oldest dogs. It is believed that Emperor Charlemagne had them some 1200 years ago. Thomas Jefferson may have been the original importer of the Briard to America. She was first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1928.

Because of the loyal nature of dogs, humans have found it very useful to use these friendly animals and train them to work and entertain us with tricks. With a bit of patience and effort we can teach our dogs a great number of useful activities to make our lives better. Unless you really do not have the time to invest in training your dog, it is usually better for both of you to work with your pet yourself. There are professional dog trainers you can hire to teach your dog certain routines but they will not be able to help you bond with your four-legged friend.

Dog training can be divided into several basic forms. The first and most important part of a dog’s training is in the area of basic obedience. A dog that will stay when told or await your command to come to you will be mush less likely to cause problems around other people. These basic skills work both ways. It is necessary for you to be able to teach your dog specific actions to let you know what they need as well. This is especially good for knowing when your pet needs food or to go for a walk.

There are a number of working occupations a dog can be trained for. Whether it is a hunting dog that will help you gather food or a trained seeing-eye dog to help a blind person move about, dogs have a great capacity to learn how to be useful in our society. Many occupations have enhanced their efficiency with the addition of a well-trained canine partner. Dogs can be trained to bravery and make excellent rescue helpers.

There is a lot of enjoyment to be had from just teaching your dog how to do entertaining tricks. Whether it is merely a funny stunt or small task like fetching, the coordinated interaction between your pet and its ability to perform a task on command will help forge the bonds of affection between you. Dogs are quite intelligent and able to learn a vast repertoire of tricks and activities. With some time and effort you can train your dog to do an entire circus’ worth of different actions.

Due to the pack mentality of a dog’s nature, it will already have the instinctual predisposition to want to please you with its activities. Consistent work and reward for proper behavior is the best method of communicating your pleasure over accomplishments to your dog. Dog training is a two-way street. As you teach your animal how to perform, you will in turn be learning how to understand its moods and body language as well.

One of the most important things to remember when you are training your dog is that you have to be consistent. The reward should only be given for correct behavior. You should include a way for your dog to signal you if it is unsure as to what is expected of it. It is recommended that if you do have to discipline your dog for wrong behavior that you do not perform this punishment with your hands as this may tend to make the dog fearful of any contact through the hands. Training your dog should be geared for eliminating bad habits as much as it is for teaching them preferred actions.

A well-trained dog is usually much more confident and healthy as the contact and companionship it has received gives it a secure feeling that it is a valuable and appreciated part of the pack.

Most dog owners wish that they could have more control over their dogs. With dog training collars, however, you can get what you want, i.e., better control with more comfort, and making sure that you are leading your dog more effectively. You will find that there are basically two types of head halters that are available for dogs. One type is known as the gentle leader and the other type is known as the Halti.

Though both dog training collars are useful, the gentle leader has an advantage because of its better design that ensures better control. The design is simpler, as it settles behind your dog’s ears and then goes around the muzzle. Under the dogs chin, it is connected with nylon straps. But do not confuse it with muzzle. The dog can be controlled simply by using of general leader to control his nose. This is sure to make your dog follow.

The second type of do training collar is the Halti. It has been made following the same type of principles as the gentle leader. However the design is much more complex and this can even cause problems as it might interfere with its functioning. Infact, at times, these dog training collars have been known to cause injuries in the neck and the spine of the dog.

There is another type of dog collar available that looks kind of intimidating. This is known as the prong collar which is quite effective for controlling dogs that are large, and have a thick neck. However these are not meant for those that yank in your arms. The collar, that tries to pinch the dog’s neck by using light pressure, may remind you of a torture device used in the medieval times. However, as the pressure is mild, it does not really hurt the dog, and thus it does not cause any harm. It only helps to make sure that your dog moves in the right direction. These dog training collars must not be used for dogs that tend to steadily pull on the leash, since this is essentially a correction device, not a constant collar. This type of a dog training collar should not be used if you have just become a dog owner, and extensive studying on its use is yet to be done.

Also, it is always advisable to consult your vet before you fit it to your pet.

An old type of a standby, known as the choke chain, is also available. As it comes in last it is definitely not for the novice. There have been many studies proving that a number of neck injuries are caused with this type of collar. Therefore it is not advisable to use these dog collars, unless you are quite an experienced trainer.

So, when you are selecting a dog training collar, get some information on their proper use and use some common sense too. You and you dog are sure to make a happy pair!

Did you know that a dog might suffer from a number of diseases at an early age. Being attentive of these illnesses and the proper approach to treat them can assist you greatly in caring for your dog better. Dogs must be vaccinated and given annual boosters to keep them safe. Your dog can be vaccinated against hepatitis, distemper, rabies, corona, leptospirosis, kennel cough and parvo. At some point, he could suffer from domestic or external parasites and there are several types of infections which a dog owner should know about.

Pet insurance might be worth thinking about if you have one or more pets. Investing in vaccinations and caring well for your pet usually cost much less than running the risk of an infection and having to pay hundreds of dollars to treat them later.

The Parvo virus is the most common and deadliest dog infection. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration and eventually death.

Distemper is another form viral infection. Symptoms may include fever, loss of appetite, nasal and eye discharges.

Note that Canine hepatitis may cause like symptoms as Distemper and should be treated with IV fluid therapy, nutritional and antibiotics support(consult your vet before giving medication).

Rabies is usually spread by the bite of another animal. If your dog has rabies, he will behave oddly. A dog can be vaccinated against Rabies from 4 months of age. There aren’t any cures at this moment, vaccination is key to protect your dog.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial virus infection which often attacks the dog’s kidneys and liver. Consuming contaminated water or infected urine from another animal can cause this. High Fevers, yellow gums, sadness, depression and blood in the urine might mean Leptospirosis and should be checked.

Bordatella, or Kennel cough, is a respiratory tract disease. Kennel cough symptoms include a loud and coarse cough nasal and eye discharges. Treatment for Bordatella are usually cough suppressants, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication.

Coronavirus is one of the more contagious viral illness. Vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss are possible warning signs and should be looked into. IV fluids and Antibiotics are the usual medications in treating Corona.

Infections inside or surrounding a dog’s ears is a highly common dog infection. You can often spot a ear infection if a dog is constantly pawing at its ears and shaking its head persistently. You should examine your dog’s ears every 2 weeks and take him to your local vet for treatment if any signs are spotted, as soon as possible. Even common ear infections like blood clots may cause deafness and even lead to severe blindness if not treated appropriately.

Heat, swelling and sluggishness are a few more evident signs of an infection. Appearing to be in hurt or pain, nervousness or listlessness are also some more evident signs.

If the infection is intense, then the dog might have a high temperature and be swollen around it’s neck. Be sure to also look under his armpits and groin area for swollenness. However, if you cannot get to a vet immediately, you should always keep the dog lying down to avoid any physical exertion that might lead to the infection spreading more quickly.

Dogs with infections might reject food and water so it is important to seek your vet’s advice.

Infections can pose a serious hazard anywhere in a dog’s body but especially if the infections are around the body’s exposed regions like the mouth, nose and eyes as they could spread quicker to the blood stream. The key thing to know is that you must get your dog immunized as soon as he is old enough. Also be sure to follow up with a yearly injected booster.

If your dog does seem to be ill or have some kind of infection, call the vet to schedule an appointment at soonest. Dogs aren’t like human beings, infections in dogs can become extreme very quickly and it is not a good idea to wait and see if the infection or illness heals itself.

Known as man’s best friend, Dogs are the most loved domesticated animals in the world. Having a dog or puppy in a family is quite exciting for that family. But just having a dog or a puppy is not all. One should also pay attention to training his/her dog properly so that he can become an obedient and accepting part of the family. Dog training is not a simple job; it demands certain skills and approaches in order to make it useful, which can be learned in course of training. It is believed to be a good idea to train your dog yourself, though you can appoint or hire an expert or specialized dog trainer to look after the job. But both the ways have their respective merits and demerits.

Though you might commit mistakes and there could be instability in your approach it is always helpful to train your dog yourself as it gives you a better chance of establishing that significant contact or communication between you and your dog. You will gradually understand how your dog is reacting to any particular situation or what cause them to do a specific action – like barking. On the contrary, appointing a skilled person gives you immediate results but does not allow you to experience the “trial and error” method possible when training personally, which can be useful at some point of time.

Some will ask you to go for a blend of the two – train yourself, but also join a professional dog training class. This helps you to attend several things, its like eating your cake, and still keeping it. It also cuts down your expenses, needed in the case of professional trainer and still providing with the professional direction for the training. At the same time it also allows you to establish that special bond, which is possible when you train your dog by yourself.

Always keep in mind that patience; environment, and rewards are very important factors, irrespective of how you chose to train your dog. These factors affect a lot and give you total success if properly maintained.

While training you need patience, keeping in mind the fact that you are going to communicate with someone who does not speak your language or follow your way of using any communicative methods. If you see that your hard work is not yielding any satisfactory results or that you are not being able to proceed with it just do not give up. It will take some time to make your dog bark or sit by simply uttering or calling out some words to him as it is not a language which is natural or previously known to him. You have to go for many repetitions and must praise him, whenever he does something correctly, to get results.

Environment also plays an important part in dog training as dogs are very much influenced by their environment. It is better to do the training session in a quiet place with fewer disturbances, as any disturbance at the time of training can easily distract their attention. On the other hand you can select a noisier place for advanced training, but only after he is trained in basic obedience.

Dogs, being man’s good friend, always try to please their owners and keep them contented. So in order to get a profitable result you must let know your dog when you are happy with him and reward him with cuddles or any treat after he performs anything, the way you wanted. This will give your dog an impression that you are happy with him and he will try to hold up this act of his in future.

So, dog training can be equally challenging and easy, if you follow the instructions provided to you here.

There are many dog training techniques and styles and some vary according to the dogs breed. There are various items and training tools to help even the novice train a dog successfully. The one thing that is always required when training a dog is patience, understanding and the ability to read your dog successfully.

There are different types of training and they can differ depending on what you want your dog to do. The most basic of training for all dogs is basic commands such as sit, heel, stay, come and fetch. Another basic training for all dogs is house training. All of these training methods are essential to having a good relationship with your dog.

There are training methods for easing a dog’s aggressive behavior, teaching a dog not to bark or whine, basic behaviors, biting, chewing, digging and many others. All of these, however, should be taught only after basic commands are taught and they are successfully house trained. This stops the dog becoming confused and keeps your patience and sanity intact!

Obedience in dogs is not automatic; while some dog breeds are albeit better than others, they still have to be taught to obey their owners. If they are not taught obedience, the dog may become unruly, aggressive and you may find yourself unable to cope.

Let’s look at housebreaking your new puppy or your rescue dog. When you first get your new dog is when you should start to work on getting the dog broken into the routine. Puppies will want to relieve themselves much more than an older dog, so you have to be able to take note of the times your puppy will want to go.

The usual times a puppy needs to go is straight after food or water, so take care to note what your dog does when. The important thing to remember is to not get angry with your puppy if they do make mistakes or have any accidents. Accidents will happen and they may be plentiful, so stay patient and don’t scold the animal if they get it wrong.

It isn’t until a dog is 12 weeks plus that they will be able to have any sort of control over their bladder functions. This is why it is imperative to start training straight away and get them into a good routine. The dog will soon realize that when you take him outside it is time to go, it may take a while and don’t take your eye off the dog when outside. This way you can be sure it has actually done what it needs to do before you take him back inside!

Other forms of dog training such as agility commands and activities will take time, but they can be a lot of fun and exercise for both of you. You may wasn’t to get a professional dog trainer to help you, especially if you are considering entering the dog into agility competitions.

There are other forms of dog training that are more serious; there are dogs that are trained to lead blind people, help disabled people, the elderly, to help find surviving victims of disasters, fire dogs, police dogs and many more. These are always trained professionally and usually by specialty organizations that deal specifically with training for those occurrences.

Ear mites must be one of the most annoying health concerns your pet may acquire. Ear mites are parasites dwelling on your pet’s ear.

Once they’re there, they would thrive on the wax and dirt found in the ears. The moment they reach a certain number, infection would show. And that’s when you observe the abnormal discharges and smell foul odor on your pet’s ear.

Actually, it is almost impossible to tell ear mites apart from all other types of ear infections and parasites. Ear mites are microscopic organisms. Without the right equipment, it is hard to know for sure. The best and surest way to go about the problem is to bring your pet to the vet. However, there are certain things that may indicate that your dog indeed has ear mites and that you could would help alleviate the condition if you use some anti-parasite medications on its ears.

First, check the discharge. Ear mites create a dirty, usually reddish-brown or dark brown discharges or debris on the ears. Try to inspect it closer with a swab of cotton. Be careful though. The discharge is going to have a foul odor. Make sure that you don’t go deep inside the ear as you take a swab.

There will also be black crusts forming on your dog’s ear. Try to see whether the crusts are already clogging the passages to your dog’s ear. If it already does, you really have to take your pet to the vet for proper medication. Your dog’s ear need proper air circulation or else the problem would only aggravate.

The ears of your dog will generally be moist, dark, and warm. Needless to say, it would look far from normal. And your dog would exhibit pain and irritation by scratching its ears a lot or by shaking its head too much. When all of these symptoms appear, you have to do something to eliminate the mites or else they may proceed to damage your dog’s eardrums, which would lead to total loss of hearing.

The usual treatment for ear mites involves flushing the ear with an anti-parasite solution. Normally, vets do this as the procedure inside their clinics as it is a little too tricky for the untrained. Improper flushing may push the mites deeper into the ears. The liquid may also clog the ear canal, causing further damage to the middle ear.

Other form of treatment for ear mites in dogs involves the use of oral antibiotics. Don’t attempt to give your dog any of these without consulting a vet first. Antibiotics are helpful if given correctly. Otherwise, it can do more harm than good to your dog’s health.

You also have to know that ear mites are not necessary concentrated on the ears of your pet. During medication, they may find solace on other parts of the dog’s body like the neck and head. Be sure to treat your pet thoroughly. You don’t want these parasites coming back after some time. You also have to clean your pet’s bedding at all times. Keep it fresh and clean because the mites could be lurking inside them.

The best way to treat a canine ear infection is by catching it early.  Knowing the early symptoms can help you recognize the problem and seek treatment before it develops into something serious.  Owners of dog breeds especially prone to infections should be particularly diligent in their inspections.

Infections are divided into outer, middle and inner ear infections.  Outer ear infections are usually easy to visually spot.  These are also the easiest to treat.  A weekly inspection of the dog’s ears will be the only thing required to find such problems.

Middle and inner ear infections are both more difficult to spot and more serious.  Often the dog will scratch the ear or rub the ear on the ground to seek relief.  Sometimes you will notice a discharge coming from the ear.  Any time you dog is acting strange and irritated, a good suspect is an ear infection.  These types require a trip to the vet to acquire medication.  Things such as bacteria, parasites and even allergies can be the cause.

Many types of infections can be prevented by simple hygiene.  In the beginning, your dog will not be cooperative, but most dogs learn to eventually tolerate the cleanings quite well.  You can obtain a gentle cleaning solution from a vet or a pet store.  Apply it to a clean cloth and gently apply it to the inside of the ear.  Dirt and wax will loosen and can be removed.

Cleaning your dog’s ears does not need to be performed too often.  Once a month will usually suffice.  If you have certain breeds of dogs, especially those with floppy ears, you may need to clean more often since lack of air flow to the inside of the ear can facilitate infections.  Proper grooming can help with this by preventing ingrown hairs from the ears.

If you can’t make it to the vet and you suspect your dog has an ear infection, a temporary home solution can help.  Both vitamin E and Cod Liver oil can reduce the pain a nd severity of infections.  Simply place a few drops in your dog’s ear each day.  Also, white vinegar can be used to clean the ears.

Don’t ignore the signs of ear infections.  Left untreated they can turn into something serious and cause your dog unnecessary pain.

Dog training is very important if you would like to ensure that you and your new pet will be able to live in harmony. Dog training can correct or modify a number of the dog’s natural behaviors, making the dog much more suited to life being taken care of in your home. There are a number of different ways available to train your dog and by following these 7 basic dog training tips, you will find that the training goes smoothly and is fun for both you and your dog.

1. If you are unsure of how to train your dog, seek help.

Individuals that would like to train their dog often have no idea how dog training is conducted or how the personality of their dog will factor into the training process. There are a number of different books and reference materials available to help a person train their dog, and if the owner is still unsure or uncomfortable with the training methods, they can ask a professional dog trainer for assistance and additional dog training tips.

2. Negative reinforcement is the least effective training method.

One of the dog training tips that most dog training professionals wish more people knew is that using negative reinforcement or punishment to train the dog is the least effective way to get the dog to obey you, but is the most effective way of making the dog fearful or aggressive towards you and others.

3. Making dog training fun also makes the training more effective.

Another one of the most important dog training tips to remember is that dogs love to please and are eager to learn in all stages of life, so making the dog training fun for the dog not only makes the training more enjoyable but also makes the lesson easier to learn for your dog.

4. Don’t be afraid to use small treats as rewards.

Giving the dog a small treat for a job well done will not hurt the training process and will make the training more enjoyable for the dog. The treat chosen as the reward should only be given during the training process and on the successful completion of the task the dog was asked to do.

5. Research training products extensively before deciding which to purchase.

There are a large number of different training products on the market today and some of these products are intended for a specific use, not for general obedience training. Some of the products will have features that are not necessary to the training that you are trying to conduct, while some others may have features that will make your training sessions easier.

6. Dog training takes time.

Just as you didn’t learn how to read in a day, your dog will not master a command or a trick within the space of a day. It takes time for a dog to remember and execute a desired behavior after it has been introduced to them, so this important dog training tip is to give the training time to work and the dog time to understand what you are asking him to do.

7. If at first you don’t succeed, try again.

This last tip of the important dog training tips is that if your dog fails to understand a training method or a command, try a different teaching method. Just like different people learn in different ways, different dogs learn in different ways as well.