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Saturday, February 23, 2008

Is a Chihuahua the Right Dog for You?

The answer to this question lies in getting to know more about these little dogs. Chihuahua dogs are the smallest of all breeds. Most weigh in at 6 pounds or less and they only stand about 6 to 9 inches tall. They come in a variety of colors and have both long and short hair. Understanding the aspects of a Chihuahuas personality and needs can help a person determine if this is the right breed of dog for them.

A Chihuahua is a delicate looking dog. It is born with a soft spot, like humans, but in a Chihuahua the soft spot may never close. They are very energetic and love to play. If left alone a chihuahua may tear into anything they can rip apart, like toilet paper or other trash. They have a natural tendency to become attached to one or two people whom they are become very loyal and protective. Chihuahua dogs love attention. They also have a long life span, up to 16 years. Due to their small body size they are not very good at tolerating cold temperatures. They also require minimal grooming, only needing one bath per month and an occasional brushing. They can be hard to train, but once trained are very well behaved.

These traits of a chihuahua make him ideal for some owners and not so ideal for others. They are great for those who live in an apartment or other smaller, restricted area as they do not need a large space for exercise.

They are not good with children because of their delicate and nervous nature. Also they do not get along with other breeds of dogs, so a person with other pets would not make a good owner for Chihuahua puppies. The best owner for a chihuahua dog is an adult without other pets or children, who can devote plenty of attention to it.

Reese Spiers is an avid dog lover and writer. You can learn more about chihuahuas by visiting his website http://www.all-chihuahuas.com.

Lyme Disease And Your Dog A Deadly Combination

Lyme disease is primarily spread to both dogs and humans through the bite of an infected tick. Many different species of ticks can be involved, including the deer tick, the western black-legged tick, and the black legged tick. Ticks are tiny parasites that are difficult to see with the naked eye and can easily hide on people and pets.

Ticks, however, are not the only way the disease can be spread, fleas and other biting insects are capable of spreading it as well. There have been incidents in which Lyme disease has been transmitted by direct contact with infected body fluids. This ease of transmission has made Lyme disease one of the most commonly reported tick-borne diseases.

The symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include lethargy, loss of appetite, high fever, swollen lymph nodes and joint, and/or a sudden onset of lameness. Veterinarians have the ability to test for this disease in house and should be consulted immediately if any of the symptoms develop. Rapid treatment of a diagnosed case of Lyme disease is essential to prevent permanent damage to the joints on internal organs.

To lessen your dogs chances of contracting lyme disease, you should vaccinate him. After the initial immunization, a booster is recommended three weeks later, followed thereafter by annual re-vaccinations. The symptoms of Lyme disease in humans are similar to those found in dogs, and vaccination of the family dog will help to prevent the spread to humans.

A tick must feed on the host for approximately 24 hours before spread of the disease takes place. When you return from an outing, carefully check your dogs skin and coat, including the groin, around the ears and tail and between the toes. If a tick is found, remove it immediately with an alcohol swab and tweezers. After applying the alcohol to the tick, carefully pull the tick upwards. Try not to squeeze the tick while removing it as this may force bacteria from the tick, back into the animal.

If possible, save the tick in a jar or sealed container. If the dog becomes sick or exhibits any of the symptoms described earlier, your veterinarian can identify the type of tick to aid in the choice of antibiotics to use. When it comes to ticks, do not take any chances.

Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time. Recently they formed http://www.joncopets.com. On the site, customers can shop for the latest dog collars, dog clothes, pet supplies and more. Check them out at http://www.joncopets.com.

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