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.

French Bulldogs Descriptions

Description :
This is a sturdy little Bulldog with large, erect, rounded, bat ears, a flat, powerful muzzle and a pug nose. The square flat head is not as massive as the English Bulldog's. The forehead is rounded. Height doesn't matter as long as the dog is well balanced. The height at the withers should be approximately the same as the length from withers to tail set. The dog should be pear-shaped, with the shoulders wider than the tail area. The short, soft, easy-care coat comes in brindle, fawn, white and combinations of brindle or fawn with white. The skin is soft and fairly loose, making the dog very pleasant to pet. The prominent round eyes are dark colored and the bite is undershot. The tail is either straight or cork-screw.

Temperament :
The French Bulldog is a pleasant, easy care companion. A very playful and affectionate dog. Sweet and absolutely hilarious; they have a very comical personality and love to clown around. It is bright and easygoing. Curious and alert. The Frenchie gets along fairly well with strangers and other animals, but he is often bonds strongly to one person. They play well with other dogs; some males may be dog aggressive, while others get along with other dogs just fine. This breed needs companionship and will not thrive without it. The Frenchie cannot be owned and ignored. They are fairly willful, but can be trained if the owner is patient. They respond to patient, consistent training that DOES NOT include hitting or harsh jerking. They are clean, and companionable, enthusiastic and sometimes do not know when to quite, but they are not yappy and loud. This breed does best with older considerate children. Frenchies are easy going to show. This breed may drool and slobber; however a good percentage of them do not. This little dog is also a ruthless hunter of mice!

Health problems :
French Bulldogs are prone to eye and respiratory problems. If too overweight, the French Bulldog may have trouble breathing, because of a swollen abdomen. They may wheeze, snore and be gassy. It is said breed can not swim because of his physique, so be very careful around swimming pools, however some French Bulldog owners have reported that their dogs can indeed swim. Sometimes bitches must deliver by Cesarean section because of the puppies' large heads. Potential purchasers should be aware that these are high maintenance dogs and you can expect your vet bills can be big.

Living condition :
Frenchies are sensitive to temperature extremes. Overheating this dog may cause heat stroke. They prefer cooler climates. This breed is good for apartment life. They can be fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Interesting Yorkie Facts

Yorkies, or Yorkshire Terriers, as they are formally known, are fascinating dogs. They have great personalities and are very smart. They are designated in the toy group of dogs because of their small size. According to their breed standard they must not exceed seven pounds.

They have a very characteristic coat as well. Almost all Yorkies have a blue and tan coat. Their coat is also very long and silky if left to grow out.

They are always one of America's favorite breeds of dogs consistently ranked in the top ten. According to the latest statistics from the American Kennel Club (AKC), they are the number two most popular dog breed in America, second only to the Labrador Retriever.

The Yorkie originated in Yorkshire, a territory in northern England. It is believed that Scottish miners coming to England for work brought along several small long haired terriers that would go on to form what we know today as the Yorkie.

Huddersfield Ben, is the dog that is believed to be the foundation sire of this breed. He was born in 1865 in the county of Yorkshire. Legend has it that he won over 70 prizes at ratting contests, thus earning him popularity throughout the region and making him a highly sought after stud dog.

Yorkshire terriers were not their original name. Originally their name was Broken-Haired Scotch Terriers. It wasn't until 1870 that their name was changed.

The Yorkshire Terrier did not arrive to the United States until 1872, and was not recognized until 1885 by the AKC. In fact, this breed is one of the first breeds to be recognized by the AKC. Since their arrival Yorkies have always had widespread popularity in America.

This breed is considered on of the more intelligent dog breeds. In fact one study of dog intelligence ranked them 27 out of 132 breeds. Yorkies are very easy to train and pick up commands quite quickly.

Due to their popularity, breeders are always trying to cross them with other breeds. Some popular combinations are crosses with the Maltese (Morkie), the Miniature Pinscher (Yorkie Pin), and the Poodle (Yorkie-Poo).

Yorkies have also enjoyed a lot of popularity on TV and in movies. In fact one the original dog from the Wizard of Oz was a Yorkie, although it was later played by a Carin Terrier.

As you can see there are many interesting facts about Yorkies. If you want to learn more about this great breed be sure to check out websites and books about this breed.

Getting to Know the St Bernard

The St. Bernard also known as Alpine Mastiff, Bernhardiner, Noble Steeds, Barry Dogs, Saint Dogs, or just plain Saint originated from the Swiss Valley specifically in the St. Bernard Pass part of the Western Alps between Switzerland and Italy. According to history, this breed was trained by Hospice monks to locate lost travelers during winter season. Aside from being rescue dogs, they also served as watch and companion dogs for the monks. Four St. Bernard is enough to make one rescue team. Whenever they found a traveler or a body, three of them keep the person warm while the other one returns home to get more help.

It is for this deed that they have saved a lot of travelers. In fact, Barry the most famous St. Bernard was erected a monument at his honor at the Cemetery of Dogs in France and his body was preserved in the Natural History Museum of Bern, Switzerland as a tribute for saving about 40 to 100 people. The St. Bernard was considered as a large dog breed weighing somewhere between 160 to 240 pounds or 73 to 110 kilograms, although there was one which reached a weight of 357 pounds or 163 kilograms. This dog was named Benedictine which was recorded as the largest and heaviest dog in the world.

The Saints reaches up to 35 and a half inches or 90 centimeters. Its fur has two types: short and smooth coat and long and rough coat. Their body is usually white with golden or dark brown patches on its back and head. The St. Bernard despite its huge size which can serve as deterrent to intruders has a very gentle personality and can mingle well with children which make it a great candidate as a family and watch dog rolled into one. It is also very loyal to its owner however proper dog training when it is still a pup is advisable to avoid any behavioral problems associated with large canine breeds.

Due to its large body health problems such as bone leg deterioration is apparent if they are not provided with the nutrition just right for them. Other diseases common with this breed is hip or elbow dysplasia, eye disorders, heart disease, seizures, epilepsy, and bone cancer which is hereditary to them. So if you are planning to adopt a St. Bernard, make sure you have that extra large space in your family and extra large allocation of your budget to keep it healthy and happy. If you would remember Beethoven in the movie of the same title you would recall its very homely nature and its good relationship with the children.

Actually the St. Bernard has a very obedient and intelligent character so it could go along with any member of the family. Today many people would associate the breed with casks filled with alcoholic drink tied around their necks. St. Bernard Hospice's monks deny it stating that the idea originated from old paintings. But some state that the dogs really did carry casks because alcohol was used to warm the lost travelers they rescued. Whether they carry alcohol or not their image as rescue dogs would remain to be their greatest help to mankind.

Pug Health - Taking Care of Your Pug For a Long and Happy Life

Good pug health care is important for these little dogs known for their small size, perkiness, and loyalty. They have a short and sleek coat, as well as a rounded and cute face. Pugs are short and stocky and usually grow to about eleven inches. They are extremely good with kids and with other animals, which makes them ideal household pets. They are typically a sociable and friendly breed. They do need a lot of attention, but in return you get a loyal and very loving pet and companion.

Pugs have a very colorful history, being bred for royalty in China and in Europe. Western and Chinese breeds of pugs grow up to eleven to fourteen inches in length and usually have a black, white, apricot, or silver short coat. They have a round face and round eyes and curly tails. At its full grown size, pugs will usually weigh up to eighteen pounds.

As for pug health, pugs are usually known to have some skin and respiratory problems or complications. Respiratory problems may arise from their condensed snouts. They also can have a problem with shedding as pugs shed a lot more than other breeds. Since they have many folds especially around their ears, this can be a place for mites and other insects, so their ears need to be checked regularly. Since pugs usually have flat faces but have protruding eyes, it makes them prone to corneal ulcers.

Another piece of information about pug health is that they are extremely sensitive to weather and are prone to cold. It is best that they avoid any harsh type of weather, whether hot or cold. When taking care of pugs and grooming them, they must be dried completely after to avoid catching a cold.

Poodle Raising Simplified

The Poodle is one of the most difficult breeds of dog to own. Grooming for this pet isn't just about brushing. This pooch requires a lot of attention for its coat, especially if your maintaining a hairstyle. As a puppy they can be a little too playful at times. Annoying if you don't give them good behavioral lessons. But nothing good ever comes free - to get something you've got to give something. It may get tiring, satisfying its many needs, but the results can be quite rewarding. Having a well-disciplined Poodle can be great. Having a restless and troublesome brat can be a nightmare.

Training and grooming for this dog are closely related. This breed actually needs to be trained for grooming - it may sound weird but it's true. The daily routines should start while it's still a puppy. They aren't so hard-headed at this age. The sessions need to be kept short; it may be intelligent, but its mind will drift while doing something for too long. Therefore, your routines must be equally divided through out the day. They must be for a few minutes only, and kept fun. They don't like being bored, being bored makes them even more difficult to handle.

You have to utilize methods that will catch its attention. You'll need to take note of its behavior as well. Give it a reward for doing something good. Never ever tolerate bad behavior. That is something that you don't want it to get used to. Spoiling it is a big no-no. If you see it doing something that isn't right, reprimand it in a gentle but authoritative way. Let it know that you don't like what it's doing so it will lose the bad habit. Ignoring unruly conduct can help as well. As part the Poodles training, you should teach it "table manners".

Having it sit before serving it a bowl of dog food is needed. You don't want it rushing in and getting what it wants without having to work for it. An effective method of teaching him this trick is to hold the bowl slightly above its head. It will have to sit in order to reach its food. Do that every time you feed it so it will be conditioned to do so naturally. Grooming, as I've said earlier, can be difficult if it isn't trained or prepared for it. At an early age have it get used to the sound of electric clippers.

This breed has the tendency to get scared while listening to the noise, which will make it hard to keep them still while grooming. Have this pet placed in a room where he can here the sound but not see what's making it. Like all dogs, regardless of shape and size, a poodle will require exercise. It doesn't have much stamina so all it needs is some time for playing and taking short walks. Doggy training done daily not only keeps it in good shape but does wonders for its behavior as well. It runs out of energy quickly. If it doesn't have energy it can't do much of its annoying routines.

The Poodle isn't such a bad dog once trained properly. One of this dog's advantage is that it can change its appearance. There are different hairstyles available for this breed. This is great for those who get bored of seeing the same look everyday. If you play your cards right, this can be the pet you've been looking for.

Labrador Training Techniques

Have you recently purchased a Labrador retriever? Maybe you don't know it, but you now own one of the best breeds of dogs available today. In fact, maybe I should go so far as to say that you own the best breed. Anyway, you definitely have one fantastic dog that should give you a future full of enjoyment.

Labradors continually amaze their owners with what they can do. On average, they are very easy to train especially when you understand their character a little more. Being bred for gathering and hunting, they have been developed into a fine animal with tremendous smarts and ability. It basically means that you'll have a much easier time in training him.

Even though they have a tremendous capability for learning, it's always best to start out with some good Labrador training techniques. Starting with some basics will help you on your way towards a more fulfilling life for you and your dog. The more your dog knows and learns, the more he will become a fine member of the family that fits like the last fitted piece of a completed puzzle.

First, use patience when ever dealing with your Labrador. I'm not only talking about those times of formal training sessions with your dog but anytime and anywhere. Any dog will respond better to a master who exudes a calm commanding dominant demeanor. Probably the most important factor providing this result will be a continuous use of patience. Your dog will do almost anything to get your favor, simply use patience and what you desire from your dog will have a better chance of coming to fruition.

Second, start out using a leash and collar as soon as possible. There will be no better time than the present to getting your Labrador comfortable with his collar and leash. The longer you put off implementing the use of a leash, the harder it will likely be in getting your dog comfortable with it later. Using a leash not only makes it easier to train your dog but also is a basic requirement in your ability to effectively control your dog especially in public.

Third, always work towards the goal of positively reinforcing your dogs learning and training. Dogs will always respond better to positive reinforcement than negative reinforcement. In fact, you'll find it much more tiresome and difficult if you start being negative with your dog. I have yet to find another pet and/or animal that wants to please their master as much as dogs do. That especially goes for Labrador's. Therefore, it makes even more sense to only use positive reinforcement.

Fourth, basic commands are most important not only because they're generally easy to teach but also important for your ability to control your dog. Those commands include sit, stay, and come. Your pleasure will increase greatly after he learns these three commands in the beginning. You'll likely see his willingness and interest to obey after seeing how well he learns these three commands. After learning these, reinforce his training by using these commands every time you get the chance. That includes taking him outside, walking across the street, etc.

Fifth, put in place limitations and rules for your Labrador. Your dog needs to know the rules and limitations required for becoming an enjoyable accepted member of the household. He needs to know where he can relieve himself, sleep, eat, sit, etc. Eventually he should know exactly where his limits are. If you have made a rule that your dog only chews on his toys and not your shoes, he needs to know this through your continual communication. To be fair to him, your rules should be clear in his understanding as soon as possible.

Finally, everyone in the household needs to fully understand these rules and limitations by which your Labrador needs to live by. They also need to understand how to communicate those learned commands to the dog. If one person uses one command for a desired dog action while another uses a different word command, your dog will obviously get confused. Adding a word to a basic command like "sit" will also get your dog confused. If the dog hears "sit down" rather than his already learned command "sit", it will only make it more cumbersome for him as a dog to function effectively within your household.

Humans have a much easier ability to learn unlike dogs. You'll need to continually strive to use the most easiest ways of learning when it comes to your pet Labrador or any other dog. Just by his nature, he will respond to you more than half way. You and others in your household need to respond in-kind by using these good Labrador training techniques to help him function better as a member of your family.