Search and rescue dogs are very hard working heroes. They can work in earthquake aftermaths, hurricane rescues, and even as water rescue dogs. They are very loyal, lovable, and determined dogs. They also require special training, handling and care above other dogs. You will find that most often a search and rescue dog will go through training on a daily basis to make sure they have not forgotten any skills and to keep the dog’s minds active. In some cases new training is added. As a private owner of a search and rescue dog you have to keep them in tune. This means you need to go through the class with them, and provide as much support and skill to the session as they do. You should also know that a search and rescue dog usually thinks of the training and actual rescue situations as play. This means that if they aren’t having a little fun, and being useful they will want to quite- in other words it is too much like work.

There are certain dogs that work really well as search and rescue dogs. First the dog have to be a good tracker, hunter, hound, and good swimmers. Since dogs often have to smell for blood, or human scent they have to have great noses. This means that bloodhounds, Labradors, German shepherds, Old English sheepdogs, and St. Bernard’s are usually the best. Golden retrievers are also really great at working as search and rescue dogs. Keep in mind that the dog thinks it is a game; for the owners you have to be sure you can handle the issues you will be dealing with. Most people are great in rescue situations, but some individuals may have lasting problems of the death and destruction they have had to deal with. So it is not just find a dog to go with the owner, but making sure the owner can handle the job required as well.

Most of the time search and rescue handlers are volunteers, like the private dog owners we have been discussing. This means they show up when they can and must also be physically fit. They are going to be training with the dogs, working a lot of hours at a seen, and of course need to have a handle on rescue criteria for survival as well.

Training as mentioned above is very important. You can not just watch a video and say "I have a search and rescue dog." In fact what you need is a training facility that will help you learn how to be a handler as well as how to train the dog. You must have certification as well as rescue equipment. Training will last for the dog’s lifetime in the service. This means that you must keep up with the training on a daily basis and be extremely committed. Search and rescue dogs are heroes and so are their handlers, but remember you should be fully prepared for the tasks at hand.

Brain cancer or meningioma is a tumor cell that can form in several areas of the brain. The cancer can form at the base of the spine, or any part of the brain. The cells will mutate and the cancer will grow if left untreated. You should know that this type of cancer is malignant. This means that the cancer will continue to grow in the brain until the dog either dies from the cancer or from the pressure on the brain causing an aneurism. It is important that you know and recognize the early symptoms to prevent suffering and of course death of your loved one.

Symptoms of brain cancer include personality changes, stress, aggression, shyness, or depression. They are also appetite changes, lethargy, lameness, muscle twitches, eye and facial issues, coordination problems, bleeding in the nasal cavity, respiratory issues, and heart problems. The early symptoms are usually related to the appetite, weight loss, and personality changes. As the brain cancer progresses you will see more changes and of course extremely muscle weakness. The brain is the center for all things in the body. If a small section is affected it can through off the other functions of the body such as the liver, heart, lungs, and immune system. Sometimes brain cancer is a result of another cancer forming somewhere in the body and moving through the blood cells until it creates a second mass on the brain. Some of the symptoms will be determined by the location fo the actual brain cancer.

As I mentioned above there really is no known prevention making the treatment for your dog extremely important. You will have a few choices in treatment and therefore care. Surgery is often very difficult on dogs with brain cancer as they have to go in to remove the actual mass. This can cause lasting effects, so most often an owner will decide care and medication are the best choices. There are medications that have been created to prevent the actual mutation of cells. Keep in mind that the medication usually does not reduce the cells already formed; therefore you may need to try radiation or chemotherapy with your dog to reduce the cells that have already formed and prevent the cells from re- growing. If you choose medication and radiation you will need to make adjustments for care. The dog will need a different diet, more care from you while you are home, and less exercise. Exercise is important, but when they are feeling ill they tend to want to lie around. So allowing for more rest is as important as short five minute walks. You also need to realize that they can be sick from the treatment so they need you to be there to help them get over the vomiting and other issues of the treatment.

The American foxhound looks much likes it UK counterpart in that it has the same color pattern and body type. You will find the American foxhound is a little taller and a little light in the body, but they are still about the same. The height of this foxhound is 21 to 25 inches with 65 to 75 pounds. They have straight bones adding to the height and making them a bit more agile as foxhounds. They have floppy ears, a long tail, and thin legs. They are usually white with black spots, and a brown head; however they can be just about any colour. The American foxhound was breed from the English descendent and the French hound.

The foxhound has several wonderful qualities including hunting, tracking, being a watchdog, and a trail dog. They are a hardy breed, which means they have a lot of energy to expend and love to have some type of job or game to play during the day. They have been used as pack dogs as well. You will find they are not good around other pets like cats. Their instincts are to chase and they can end up harming the other pets. They do okay with other dogs, but again this depends on the breed of the other dog. They can do well with the same breed. You will find they are not the best of dogs to have around children or novice owners. However with the proper training in socialization and obedience they can be in family homes. Training will be difficult as they are a stubborn breed. As long as you are firm, but gentle you should have no difficulty in further training after obedience. They are often a barker, so you may need to train them when to bark and when not to bark. They are very friendly, loyal, and energetic pets to have in your home. You will find they do better in outside kennels and should not be placed in apartment living.

For proper care of your foxhound you will need to have a small or large home with plenty of backyard. The foxhound likes to run around during the day and play. They also need attention from their owner. They should not be left alone for long periods of time. Exercise should be given daily, especially long walks. Usually two to three walks a day are needed. Typically if you provide the right care they can live for twelve years. They are prone to some health conditions that are genetic like hip dysplasia and bone problems, but on the whole they are very healthy. Grooming is important on a weekly basis. The short hair requires a brushing to remove dead or loose hair. They should only be shampooed when necessary as they have sensitive skin. They are an average shedder all year long, so it helps to brush them often. For nutrition it is best to supply them with a high protein diet, with little meals throughout the day to prevent weight gain.

The dog breeds that are most commonly affected by hypothyroid include Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Greyhounds. In some cases these breeds may be affected by the counterpart, which is hyperthyroidism. You should also know there are two types of hypothyroid disorder in dogs. First autoimmune thyroiditis is where the immune system actually attacks the thyroid gland; in the other case you have lymphocytic thyroiditis which is where the gland fails to produce enough of the thyroid hormone to regulate the body. You will find that in each case the symptoms and treatment will be the same.

Symptoms of hypothyroid disorder can be a little difficult to diagnose by the unsuspecting owner as there are several reasons some of these symptoms may occur. The first in the short list of symptoms is hair and skin changes. You will start to notice that your dog is shedding more. There are inadequate levels of thyroid hormone for hair to grow which means it will begin to grow sporadically over the body and they will lose hair. Most areas that are affected by this hair loss are the legs, and back. You will also find that the dog’s hair will become scruffy, dull, and flaky. The skin is another clue. Most often dogs have sensitive skin, but in the case of thyroid disorders they can gain more irritations, in some cases they may have black pigment growing on the skin around the groin area. They will also have itchy areas and allergic reactions or infections. The toenails will become less strong, and they tend to break off or have infections.

Infertility is another symptom of hypothyroid disorder. With females the cycle they go through becomes erratic. This means that it is very hard to gauge when they will be in a fertile state or be in heat. Often times they just pass over being in heat. They may also display a false pregnancy. With male dogs you will see low sperm levels or a decreased desire to mate.

Weight is another area of hypothyroid disorder that is affected. Most usually it is hard to understand the weight gain a dog will experience with this disease because diet, a change in exercise, and other things can cause a weight gain and you may not always notice the weight gain. These are the most common symptoms to look for, but what causes the actual hypothyroidism? The cause is largely undetermined. It is thought to be a genetic disorder, but we don’t really understand why some dog breeds are more commonly affected by this ailment. The most common treatment for hypothyroid is a medication that will synthesize the actual thyroid hormone the dog is not producing. The vet will have to work with the dosage until they get it on the proper level, but the dog can live a relatively normal life by taking the medication every day. In some cases medication for a few months may be enough to help regulate the thyroid into producing the hormone again, but most dogs will be on medication for life. They should be tested every six months to make sure the thyroid levels have not changed or if they have to change medication appropriately.

First dog abuse is usually considered to be yelling, screaming, hitting, or injuring the dog in some way. This means that most often dogs who have suffered abuse will have at least some type of psychological effect from verbal abuse and may also have physical damage. In some cases physical damage can actually leave the dog handicapped for the rest of its life or at least with severe health problems. When adopting an abused dog you have to be prepared to take care of all aspects, especially the health issues they may have. So, if you feel you are prepared for the physical demands of the dog care needed for abused dogs let’s look at psychological effects.

Psychological effects generally present themselves as shy or aggressive behaviors. The behavior of the dog may also be extremely destructive to your physical property. Let’s look at the shy behaviors first. In most cases the dog will shy away from being touched or petted. They will hide under beds, in closets, or other spaces they feel you will not notice them in order to keep them from being harmed as that is what they were trained to recognize as human behavior. In some cases the dog may latch onto one person of the household. Typically if the dog has been abused by a male they will be extremely shy and will not approach or be in the same room when a male is present. It is the same if the abuser was a woman. In some cases the dog may stay in the room, but they will not allow the gender of the person to pet them unless they are sitting down. For an example a German Shepherd mix was abused. The history is unclear, but it was plain to see the dog was abused by the behavior of avoiding any large man in the room unless they were sitting down. Only then would the dog hesitantly approach to be petted, even though the dog had been in the vicinity of this person for several months.

Aggression is another way to show the effects of abuse. In most cases the dog will snarl at anyone who tries to approach and they may even attack. In this case of abuse or psychological break it is best to have the dog enter a training course to be rehabilitated. Dogs that have psychological issues can have a behavior therapy that will re- teach them proper behavior. It will also help them to overcome their fears. Lastly when discussing dog abuse we need to look at destructive behavior. Some dogs may not display destructive behavior right away in a new home. It may take time to come to the forefront. In the same example as above a dog began to slowly destroy things around the home. In one instance the dog actually broke through the backdoor. Part of the problem was that the dog needed attention during the day that the owners were not supplying, but the other part was the actual abuse. They needed to show destructive behavior in the hopes that they would get any attention and that it would be several hours worth of that attention good or bad. Again therapy is needed as well as a more active roll.

The first thing you need to look at is how old the puppy actually is. Most usually a puppy that is six weeks will be weaned from the mother and can go to a new home. This means that they have very little training if any. A puppy that is perhaps two to three months old may already have some house training. So there are supplies you need to have as well as things you should do before brining the puppy home.

It is always best to read up on the type of dog breed you have. You will need to learn about the general development of the breed, common ailments, and of course what training you should expect them to learn for a pet. You also need to have a collar, leash, dog bowls, kennel, and training supplies. Training supplies to help your puppy become house trained is usually a lot of newspaper and certain rewards. There are certain dog supplies that will help teach the dog not to pee on the carpet or in the home. You will also want to make sure to take them out frequently in the first few days they are home. When training a puppy to be house broken you want to teach them commands or behaviors to make sure they understand they need to let you know when they need to go. If a bark or just brining the leash is the command you would like you can train the dog for this. You may also want to have a dog book regarding training in your supply list.

House training is just a small part of preparing to bring a puppy home. Like toddlers who can walk and grab just about anything you will find that puppies are curious in nature. They will run around in a home, they will pick up things that are left lying out, and they may even try to eat dropped food. You need to make sure any breakable items are on a stable shelf, high up to where they cannot jump or swat it with a paw. You also need to make sure any pillows, blankets, clothing, or shoes that you don’t want ruined are placed in a closet that they cannot get into. When you are gone for the day it is important to leave them in their own room, like a laundry room. Make sure they have plenty of space to run around, but that they can’t escape into areas of the home they may have accidents in or that are not puppy proof.

You will want to establish right away where their quarters are. They may whine a little being left alone in a room, but it will eventually help them to sleep at night as well as learn who the master is. You should have a comfortable spot with food, water, and a dog bed so that they can feel at home. In the first few days it is important to establish the rules of the house for them as well as a routine for eating and getting daily exercise.

The American Eskimo dog has a long history dating back to German settlers. Apparently the dog breed is descended from the Spitz breed. You will also be glad to learn that this particular dog was a working in circuses for many years. This means that along with the affection and intelligence they show you will also find an agility and alertness that makes them a true companion. They can learn many skills in training from tricks to actual work with dog sleds. They are a hardy breed, which means they do not have many health issues. You will also find that they enjoy large families. The American Eskimo dog will be really great with children as well as other pets. They can be suspicious of strangers, but most often you will find they are quick to get over these feelings. In fact they will bark as a stranger approaches and make great guard dogs. American Eskimo dogs need a lot of attention, which means part of their care is the amount of exercise, playtime, and general time you spend with them.

You will need to be around the dog for most of the day. This means frequent trips home during the day if you work out of the home to offer playtime as well as exercise. They should have at least an hour of exercise a day and you should never leave them alone while you are on vacation. They tend to become destructive if they are isolated for long periods of time. You will find that they are great at giving love as well as receiving it. For training you will find they are easy to please. This means that they will enjoy the training because they get to play and they will listen to your commands and be very alert. You may have some trouble with obedience, but most often that is short lived with a firm, but gentle hand.

This dog breed needs a large backyard and home. They can do okay in apartments as long as most of the day is spent out side playing. They are also very active indoors so make sure you have plenty of toys for them to enjoy. For grooming you will find that the care is a little more in depth than other pets. The American Eskimo dog needs to have a daily brushing after their walk in the evening. This will help keep the hair from matting as well as tangles. It will also get rid of any dead or loose hair they may have. They have dry skin so bathing is not recommended.

The dachshund is a very small dog and often referred to as a Weiner dog because of their shape. The dachshund is a very sleek looking dog that rises about 5 to 9 inches off of the ground. A health dachshund should never be more than 20 pounds, most usually they are about 11 pounds. You will find this breed is typically cream, white, black, or tan. They can also be a mix of colours like black and tan. It will depend on what the parents looked like as to what colour they may be. You will find that the dachshund has floppy ears and a silk appearance to the coat. The coat or hair is going to be short and very easy to groom. In fact when you consider the care of these dogs you will find that they do not need to be groomed, but once a week to help remove any dead or loose hair they may be carrying around. They have a muscular body that offers a sleek look about them and their muzzle is generally narrow and long.

Dachshund dogs are usually very affectionate pets. You will find they do really well in families with little children as well with other types of pets. They are a loyal and intelligent breed that has often been used for hunting badgers, foxes, and otters. The dachshund can even be a good watchdog. They tend to bark a little more than some of the other dog breeds, but most usually on the approach of a stranger or car at the residence. You will find that the dachshund characteristics mean that they will be dominant unless it is trained out of them. The intelligence of this dog breed will allow its training to go rather easily once obedience has been seen too. During obedience they may be a little stubborn. They also need socialization training to make sure they do well around children and other pets. It is best to train this dog with a consistent, gentle, but firm hand. Most dogs are very sensitive so you should never be unduly harsh.

The proper care of a dachshund means that you give them the proper nutrition daily and offer a short walk on a daily basis. The dachshund, unless you prod it tends to be more of a docile creature. They can exhibit energy, but most often they will be content to sit at your feet and play with a toy every now and then. They do well in apartments for this very reason. If you have a backyard they will go out and play every once in a while. They tend to overeat, and the lack of exercise can make them over weight. It is important to set up a feeding regime with these dogs rather than leave the food out during the day. You should always give them plenty of water though. Some of the problems a dachshund can have include skin irritations, heart disease, and back issues. Since they are prone to back issues it is important that they do not jump a lot when they are playing. In other words you should never hold up a toy and have them jump three or four feet to try and get it.

The standard poodle will generally reach a height of 15 inches to about 20 inches. They will also weigh about 45 to 70 pounds. The standard poodle is considered a medium dog with a large body and smaller head. The head of the poodle is generally characterized by a narrow, but long muzzle, floppy ears, and a small angular skull. You will find the coat is generally curly, unless it has been sheared short. The coat should be soft, with natural oils, and rather luxurious looking. You will find that the coat is usually white, cream, black, blue, red, pink, gray, silver, and other single colors. A poodle will not have a mixed coat. They have a medium length tail to go with the rest of the body, and it is usually fluffy on the end.

The standard poodle has one of the most pleasing temperaments for show dogs. They tend to be elegant when they walk, full of dignity, and they are very well behaved. You will find they are extremely intelligent as well as trainable. The intelligence and eagerness to please will make training easy even in obedience classes. Unlike the miniature poodle you usually won’t find the standard poodle doing tricks that are beneath their elegance. The standard poodle is also the calmest of the three types. They don’t tend to be really energetic in play and they do not like being left alone. They are very dependent on their owners for affection and play time. They are great with children, but again it may help to socialize the poodle for the best results. The standard poodle tends to be wary of strangers, but on the whole friendly. They make good guard dogs, and don’t bark as much as the miniature poodle.

For care you should realize that the standard poodle coat does take a great deal of grooming. It is best to seek a professional groomer at least once a month to keep the coat looking beautiful and soft. You should also brush the standard poodle daily to keep the hair from tangling or matting. The standard poodle does need a daily walk and they love to play in water. They are not as demanding as some breeds when it comes to exercise, but it is best to give them plenty of time outdoors to exercise. They can live in apartments as they tend to be inactive indoors as long as they get exercise outside. You will find this breed can suffer from hip dysplasia, eyes and ear infections, and Von Willebrand’s Disease. For most standard poodles the life expectancy is going to be 12 to 15 years. When you are considering owning a dog it is important that you are willing to make the commitment for their life. Most dog breeds, and especially poodles will get attached to their owners. This can make it difficult if you can not handle the care of the pet and have to give it up. It is recommended for any adoption that you weigh all aspects of owning a dog before adopting.

The pug is originally from China. They are thought to be a cross between a Pekingese and a bulldog. You will find that the pug usually grows to ten or eleven inches and they are about fourteen to sixteen pounds. You may recognize the pug from some of the movies or commercials as they have been in quite a few. The pug was actually used in Men in Black, among others. Characteristically you will find the pug has a wide face, but a short snort, a muscular body that actually makes their head look larger, and floppy ears. They usually have a black mask around the eyes and black on the ears and some on the legs. Typically this dog breed is going to be tan, but they can be silver. They have short hair making grooming fairly easy on the owner. Grooming usually needs to be done on a daily basis for the ears, eyes and face. They tend to have eye and ear infections and the slobber can get into the folds on their face and cause skin irritations so it is really important to take a soft wet cloth to their face and ears. Their coats are short haired, which makes it easy to brush or rub down with a towel once a week to remove dead or loose hair.

As for other care they do need to have a little bit of exercise daily. They don’t usually take long walks, but fifteen minutes at a time with a little playtime around the house is great. They like to play with toys for the most part. They tend to be susceptible to heatstroke so don’t over exert them when they are out of doors. You will find that a healthy diet usually consists of protein, and you may want to speak with a vet about heart problems they can have. They tend to have genetic issues related to heart disease and therefore may need special diets.

The pug can be a jealous dog, which means they don’t do well in households with small children who require a lot of care. In fact the pug would rather have all of the attention. So it is important that they go through obedience training as well as socialization training. They can be extremely happy, friendly, and loyal dogs. The pugs are also sensitive to voice changes. This means that they tend to exhibit the emotions around them and can feel despair. The pug should never be aggressive or shy, but constantly happy. If they are not left alone for several hours each day or while you are on vacation they will definitely continue the happy life. When you train these dogs it is important that you use a gentle, but firm hand. Consistency is going to be the key to this dogs training as well. They can be a little lazy so some times you may mistake laziness for intelligence. Just keep in mind that diligence as a part of training will be most successful.

With the many dog breeds that exist it can be a hard decision to make, but you should know that pugs are wonderful in households with older generations as well as a one pet family.