Benefits of an Igloo Dog House

Some people like to always be at the cutting edge of new technology and designs.  If this sounds like you and you want your dog to live in the most modern dog kennel available on the market today then will be wanting to think about buying an igloo style dog house.

As the name suggests, igloo dog houses are modelled on the design of Inuit igloos.  They are basically a dome shape with a short tunnel for an entrance and are designed specially to stay warm inside even when the outside temperature drops to as low at -45 degrees C.

Obviously family pets will not be expected to sleep outside in such temperatures but many dogs stay in their kennels overnight or on cold winter days.  One of the main benefits of a dog igloo is that they are well insulated with a special foam lining and the floors on the better models are slightly suspended which helps to stop the cold from being conducted up through the floor and into the kennel.

Other useful design features are a little trough running round the inside edge to catch any excess water and a place to fix a water bowl on the outside which will prevent your pet from being able to knock over his drinking water.

These kennels can be bought in a variety of sizes to fit all but the largest breeds of dogs and they also come in a fantastic range of colours to fit in with your house decor.

Other benefits also apply to any plastic dog kennel.  They are fantastically easy to clean by simply washing them down, don’t retain a doggy smell and are light enough to be moved anywhere in the garden or in the house without too much effort.  They are also relatively cheap compared to wooden or metal kennels.

Dog Beds: Funny or Functional?

You can spoil your dog in many different ways, with candy, bones but also with special made beds for dogs. Sleep is very important in the life of a dog because it contains more than 30% of his entire life. With a dog bed you will not only let your dog sleep more comfortable, but it also has many useful features for your dog, but also for the dog owner.

Nowadays there are many choices to make if you are deciding to buy a bed for your canine friend. There are many companies that offer these beds in all shapes and sizes and one of the is coolaroo dog beds. They offer simple crate beds which don’t take too much space in your living room, but they also sell dog couches or orthopedic dog lounges.

For many people all this luxury might sound like a bit too much because it is just a dog and most dogs just sleep on the cold floor. In most cases they are right, but when your dog has arthritis, an orthopedic dog lounge will help your dog keeping his joints warm and thus better functional. Other dog beds provide great features which will help your dog keep up with his hygiene. They are made of specific materials that are very hard for bacteria to grow and also easy to clean which depletes the chance on flea infection. Less cleaning and a better hygiene for your dog will also mean less work for it’s dog owner to keep up with the health of his dog.

Most dog beds are made with the intention to let your dog sleep on it and skip sleeping on your bed or couch. The funny thing is that some beds just look like ordinary couches or lounges and are a great addition to your living room. Your dog will appreciate having his own special place and it will prevent you from constantly cleaning your couch or bed.

Useful Facts about Dog Clippers

It’s helpful to know the important facts about dog clippers before making your final purchasing decision. Although most models will be able to trim hair, there are several factors that could make the one you choose ideal for your particular needs. This article will explore several of the most important options you should consider to ensure that you end up with the dog grooming clippers that are right for you.

Different dog breeds have different types of fur, and it’s important to select a dog clipper that matches your dog’s type. Some furs are thinner and more easily trimmed than others. Because thinner fur is easier to cut, you have more models to choose from. Thicker or very course hair on the other hand may require professional dog clippers with multiple speed choices and motors with much more power. If the unit isn’t up to the task, instead of a clean cut it often pulls at the hair, causing your dog discomfort and resulting in a more challenging task for you.

Besides the power rating of the unit you’ll want to consider whether you can take advantage of the convenience of a rechargeable cordless model or have to stick with the traditional electric dog clippers that come with a cord and plug. If your pet has thinner fur and your trimming task will take less than an hour you stand a good chance of benefiting from one of the cordless pet clipper varieties. If not, it may be an advantage to look into a traditional model that has a longer cord so that you have a little more freedom to maneuver around your restless pup.

Some groomers suspend the cord above the work area. This helps manage the cord in a way that lends some of the advantages of a cordless model. As the price ranges of these two different types can vary widely, it would be to your advantage before you spend a lot of time shopping for dog supplies to first decide whether corded or cordless dog clippers would work best for your situation.

English Bull Terrier in the Family

Fancy inviting a rescue English Bull Terrier to join the family?

Then here’s some advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). It applies to all dogs, but is particularly relevant for big, strong muscular specimens like the EBT.

Meet the parents

First of all, they say, you should go and meet the mother. Preferably the father, too, if he’s around. Always be suspicious of breeders who are unwilling to let prospective doggie owners meet the dam and the sire.

Check the parents’ temperament and don’t pick out the tiniest puppy because you feel sorry for him, or the one with the round fat tummy because he looks so cute. The runt of the litter could be tiny because he has problems feeding. The one with the huge tummy could have worms. It’s also wise to check the rear end of each puppy for signs of diarrhoea. Puppies with runny eyes and noses or a cough should also be investigated.

All of these problems can be resolved in time and the puppies restored to full health, but it is not a good idea to adopt them until they are healthy.

Fleas and ear-mites

Puppies with fleas and ear-mites should also have their problems resolved before being adopted. The parents may well need treatment too. Gums should be pink and healthy, the breath should not smell.

Assuming that everything is in order and all parts of the puppy’s anatomy pass with flying colours and that he is at least eight weeks old, then the adoption process should run smoothly. But do ask the breeder to provide as much background information as possible.

Vaccination certificate

The puppy’s original owner should have had the little one vaccinated before changing hands. The certificate should be handed over with the animal and the name of the veterinary surgeon should be clearly legible. It is wise to check with the vet that the puppy has a clean bill of health. It is also advisable to check what type of diet the little one is used to so that he can continue eating the same food.

Not like your Tesco order

From all of this it will be gathered thatshopping for a pedigree puppy is a complicated procedure and bears no relationship to shopping for food… where you can simply place the grocery order on line, someone else selects the goodies and they’re delivered next day. This is not your Tesco order. It’s a real, live, breathing ball of fun that will grow up to be a big, strong bundle of mischief, that will hopefully be part of your family for years. The English Bull Terrier is not a dog to be taken on lightly.

Not for the myopic elderly

These dogs need a lot of training and can be destructive if left on their own for too long Serious consideration should be given to how appropriate a choice they might be for the family.

The ‘bullie’ breeds are not always suitable in a house where there are toddlers and very small children, likely to pull their tail or poke their eyes. By the same token they are not ideal for the elderly either. A short-sighted pensioner is likely to tread on the dog’s tail, or trip over him when he’s lying down, fast asleep at the top of the stairs. Having grandma and the dog piled together in a heap at the bottom of the stairs is not exactly what you want for a harmonious household.

Unloved and unwanted

An alternative to buying a pedigree puppy is adopting one who is unloved, unwanted and possibly the victim of cruelty and neglect.

Adopt a rescue dog from the RSPCA and the cost will have covered microchipping, neutering and (where relevant) vaccination.

Animals in their care are not just dogs. They are also constantly in search of new homes for cats, horses and ponies.

Silent sufferers

A recently new innovation Pet Retreat (begun in 2002) has already helped 500 families and 600 pet victims of domestic abuse. Its function is to help pets belonging to families going into refuge. It works through a network of animal fosterers, in collaboration with Women’s Aid, which supports victims of domestic abuse.

These animals are known as the ‘silent sufferers’ and foster parents are in constant demand.