Just like people living longer lives, there are many older dogs living longer lives than their ancestors. Some of the reasons for this are better foods, numerous vaccines against all types of viruses or germs, and much more advanced dog health care. There are also many treatments available for a wide assortment of illnesses that were not possible only a short time ago. Your dog today has a much better chance of making it to his older years, but there are many things to keep in mind when they get there.
An older dog has different nutritional needs than a younger one. There are special foods that cater to an aging canine, providing all the vitamins that their bodies need. You especially want to watch their daily caloric intake as they will be less active than they were when they were younger. This means their metabolism will be lower and they will be prone to gaining weight. Older dogs should not be overweight as it is a big risk on their overall health. Follow the guidelines on the food bag to keep your dog at the ideal weight in their golden years.
An older dog may also experience problems with their hearing and vision, similar to an aging human. It is always smart to take your dog to the veterinarian annually as recommended so these important things can be monitored. Like mentioned before they may also become less active and even develop arthritis. Arthritis makes it painful for them to run around like they used to, and may even make it difficult to do some of the basic things like going to the bathroom. You need to be patient with them and help them through this as it is no fault of their own. Your pet is simply aging like we all do.
One other thing to monitor as your dog become older is to make sure they get the calories they need. While you don’t want them to be overweight, you also don’t want them to be too skinny. Having dental issues can make it difficult for them to chew their food and cause them to experience a loss of appetite. They also may become depressed and not want to eat if they don’t feel well. Speak with your vet if this is the case as you need to make sure your pet is comfortable and getting the proper nutritional intake each day.
As dogs age they have different health needs than they used to. By knowing these and openly discussing them with your veterinarian you can help them stay happy and healthy through their later years. Your dog is a big part of your family. It is your responsibility to keep them healthy throughout their entire lives. With a little awareness you can insure they are as happy as possible even if they are less active.
James McDonald writes for discount-dog-products.com where you can find many types of discount dog products for a variety of uses. Plus we have many helpful articles on a variety of topics related to your canine family member.
Many people in the market for a Pit Bull puppy choose to buy that puppy from a breeder. It is important to talk to several different breeders before making a purchase so that you can make the most well informed decision. Breeders should be used to answering questions, so don’t be intimidated when interviewing one.You need to ask questions so that you can find the puppy that is the best fit for you.
Serious breeders should be able to tell you all about their breeding line. They will be able to inform you of any negative traits or behavioral issues, as well as any health problems that have occurred with their puppies. Breeders should also be able to tell you what they have done to improve their methods to avoid behavioral or health problems.
Breeders should also be able to walk you through their process for selecting which dogs to breed and what the likely outcomes of that breeding will be, such as personality, color, health, size, etc.
You should find out how many different types of the dogs the breeder breeds. Some feel that it is better to breed only one type of dog. To ensure pure blood, you would probably want to select a breeder that only works with American Pit Bull Terriers.
Good breeders have more interest in the breed than just monetary gain. They should love the animals they have chosen to breed. Many breeders not only breed animals, but are involved in dog shows, training, etc.
It is also important to purchase from a breeder that tries to keep in touch with the people who have purchased his puppies. This shows that the breeder truly does care about the puppies and where they end up, and should also be easy for owners to contact should a problem arise.
Breeding many litters each year can sometimes lead to different issues, and it is recommended to avoid breeders that do this. Health of the dogs also tends to decline if there have been a lot of breeds in a short time frame.
You should definitely ask to see where the puppies are kept, which will give you an idea of how well they are cared for.
This is just a few things that should be considered when purchasing a Pit Bull puppy from a breeder. You should research all aspects before making a final decision, which should help you end up with the best puppy for you.
To learn all about Pitbull puppies and training a Pitbull terrier, visit www.pitbullsrevealed.com/ today.
History
Although the exact origins of the Percheron have been lost over the years, there are several different beliefs about their roots. There are those who believe that this large draft horse is descended from the original horses of the Ice Age. Still others think that it’s closely related to the Boulonnais horse that the Romans used to invade Brittany. And a third group maintains that the horse is from a herd of Arabians, or some of the horses used by the Moors during the battle of Poitiers. Whatever one chooses to believe, the consensus among all is that the Percheron can be traced to Normandy at an area called La Perche. Once again, a draft breed has at its roots the Belgian-Flemish blood.
While modern-day Percherons are notable for their heavy draft work, during the 8th century the heavier native and cob stock were crossbred with Arabians and other Oriental horses. The Percheron produced by this breeding made the horses more suitable for riding and lighter draft work. As time passed, the use of a Percheron as a carriage horse developed into the more practical need as a heavier draft animal. The smaller-boned breed of the late 1800s was crossed with the heavier mares of Brittany, resulting in the stockier Percheron that is most familiar today.
Description and Conformation
The preferred Percherons are black or grey but browns, sorrels, and bays are acceptable for registration. Due to the Oriental-type blood throughout their history, while a heavy horse, the elegance of the heritage shows. The Percheron is not as choppy in its movements as other heavy draft horses tend to be. The head is ideally medium sized, has a lean, clean cut, and a broad width between the eyes. While the chest is deep and wide, the shoulders of the Percheron should not stand out prominently, as they tend to do on other drafts. The back is straight and strong in proportion to the neck length and shoulder height.
Today’s average Percheron measures 17 to 18 hands (68 to 72 in., or 173 to 183 cm.) at the shoulder. Mature Percherons can weigh from 1600 pounds (113.6 stones) up to, and in excess of, 2400 pounds (170.4 stones).
This breed of draft horse has been acclaimed as being very adaptable in any environment And it is characterized by a long smooth stride which shows determination and willingness. It is also known for its intelligence, affable temperament, willingness to work, and reputation for ease of handling.
Draft (Draught) Horses - The Shire
The last of six articles about Draft (Draught) Horses, this one is about the Shire, and English draft horse which can be traced back as far as the Roman Conquest.
History
The Shire, an English draft horse, can be traced back to the days of the Roman Conquest. The horse has been depicted in paintings, as far back as the 15th century, in full war regalia. There are those who do not doubt that this heavy draft was used by knights in battle. Others, however, do not share this belief. In any event, once the tournaments and heavily armored knights passed into history, the ancestors of the Shire were put to use pulling wagons on the roads and ploughs in the fields. It soon became the largest and most powerful horse in Britain. Still today, brewers in English cities use the Shire to pull beer wagons and, they are used for weight-pulling and ploughing competitions.
Although the Shire was found and developed throughout England, what is know today as the Midlands (Lincoln, Huntington, Derby, Norfolk, Leicester, Cambridge, and Norfolk shires) were where the highest concentration of this draft could be found. As with other draft horses, the Shire bloodline was improved with the mixture of other breeds throughout history. There are relatively accurate records, which date back about 1000 years, that show when the Belgian and Flanders breeds were crossed with the Shire.
The Shire was first imported to America in 1853. In the early 1900s it seemed that the Shire might overshadow the Percheron as America’s favored draft horse. However, the Percheron prevailed.
Description and Conformation
The typical colors for the modern Shire includes grey, brown, bay, and black. There is the occasional white, but it is a rarity. The mature stallion stand 16.2 to 17.2 hands (165 to 175 cm., or 65 to 69 in.) at the shoulder and weighs up to 2200 pounds (156 stones). The mares and geldings are slightly smaller.
This draft has the convex, or “Roman”, nose. Its eyes are large, wide-spread, and intelligently expressive. The shoulders are large and prominent. The body is relatively thick. And the legs are long with a good deal of feathering around the feet.
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Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Horses
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There is nothing more relaxing than a fish aquarium. You can actually sit and watch it for hours. The key behind a beautiful aquarium is the proper lighting. This will not only show off you fish and corals better, the right aquarium lighting will keep your tank environment stable and free of algae. When putting together all the equipment you need for your fish tank, aquarium lighting is one of the most important items especially for those of you who are tackling a reef aquarium. Lighting is critical to the plants, corals and other invertebrates for them to stay healthy as they require photosynthesis to generate required energy. Without the proper aquarium lighting, these will likely die over time. An aquarium light timer is the perfect way to control your tank’s lights without you having to be there to either turn them on or off.
If you want an aquarium with coral, reef aquarium lighting is critical to the longevity of certain types. Species requiring low to medium lighting will do just fine with VHO fluorescent or Power Compact fluorescent lighting systems. Corals that require intense aquarium lighting will do best with metal halide systems. The rule of thumb with metal halide lighting is 1 bulb for every 2 feet of tank you have. Larger tanks will require more lights of course to help with some heating as well as controlling algae. Metal halide lighting systems are designed to run 12 hours a day so this is where a good aquarium light timer can come into play.
Aquariums require a number of different supplies including heaters, chillers, air pumps, filters, ornaments and decorations. Aquariums can be quite expensive to put together so we always recommend putting a budget together before you get going. If you can plan out your fish tank, you can buy items such as aquarium lighting that you can grow into. You can find some excellent products at discount prices if you shop around and watch for sales. You may start out with fish only, and continue to add plants and corals to someday have an outstanding reef aquarium. Just remember, the most important thing about any aquarium is keeping the environment stable for your fish. The water temperature must be held constant at all times at the right temperature as too hot is just as harmful as too cool.
Amy-Jo Strutt is an expert author and regular contributor to http://www.aquarium-lighting-lights.com/index.html. For more information on aquarium lighting, reef aquarium lighting and aquarium supplies, check out:
http://www.aquarium-lighting-lights.com/aquamedic-aquarium-lighting.html
