Thursday, May 29, 2008

Siberian Husky - Show Dog Standards




The Siberian Husky is medium in size and a graceful working dog that has a wolfish appearance and despite a powerful persona is nevertheless calm and friendly as well as attentive and even sociable in temperament. Good Siberian Husky care requires allowing them to exercise a fair bit and about an hour a day should do fine. However, they are very adept at losing themselves and so need to be kept within high and sturdy fenced areas. Other than that, they need to be groomed regularly which will include bathing, brushing and also caring for their ears, eyes, teeth as well as feet and nails.

There are a number of aspects to proper Siberian Husky breeding including realizing the need to ensure that the breed continues to remain a good show dog which is essential if you want the Siberian Husky breed to continue having great physical as well as mental attributes. In addition, if the breeding is done properly, it will ensure that the Siberian Husky continues to remain a breed that is able to both perform its required working dog tasks while at the same time being a good pet and be the fun animal which you know it to be.

When it concerns the best Siberian Husky breeding practices, as a breeder you must be aware of all possible hereditary problems that can affect the breed. Even after having provided it with the best Siberian Husky care, and once you become aware of potential problems, you need to then strategize so as to not have them affect your litters. One of the more common of these hereditary problems is juvenile cataracts, while others include corneal dystrophy and in poor Siberian Husky lines the condition known as hip dysplasia is commonly found to affect the breed.

In addition, there is hereditary epilepsy to think about that is a growing problem among the Siberian Huskies though it is by no means the only problem to be wary of. Another condition known as von Wilebrand's disease can cause disorders in the blood of your Siberian Husky leading to premature death in some instances. You will certainly have a lot on your plate when it comes to proper Siberian Husky breeding and it is only by being totally aware of all possible problems that you can do something to prevent them from affecting your breeding activity.
Siberian Husky breeding is not to be taken casually or lightly because then you would be no better than puppy-mills or like other unscrupulous breeders who care little about proper breeding practices and are more concerned about making a fast buck. And, with the present day trend of cesarean sections becoming a lot more common, it has led to many poor lines of Siberian Huskies being bred, all because of a problem with something called uterine inertia. It is problems such as these that are ruining the Siberian Husky breed, and as a responsible breeder you need to do something about this and also other problems such as thyroid problems which affects the skin and coat as well as reproductive system in the breed, causing poor lines to be bred in the process.

In addition, you need to ensure providing good Siberian Husky care, and to also ensure that all required testing is performed on the dogs prior to breeding. You must have enough funds available to meet the costs of conducting these necessary tests. It also does mean needing doing at least the genetic screening and failing to do so would indicate that you are not serious about proper breeding practices, which will be a reprehensible act on your part.

Andrew Preston knows much about the history of the Siberian Husky breed. The Siberian Husky has a long and distinguished history. Siberian Husky information can help you to learn about the specific appearance and ability of the breed.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_A_Preston

Monday, May 5, 2008

Pets and Exercise - A Great Fit

By Erik Weinstein


It may seem surprising, but one of the reasons that you think of your pet as your best friend is that you actually have a lot in common. Whether you own a dog or a cat, you both like to have fun, you both crave affection, and you both need exercise to stay healthy. In fact, making sure your pet is getting the right amount of exercise for its size can involve many of the same common sense approaches you would apply to your own exercise regimen.

Just as it is with their owners, pets need exercise if they are going to stay healthy, active and live a long, quality life. Nowadays, many pets live in urban environments that can make adequate exercise a real challenge. Unfortunately, many owners simply don't care for their pet's need for exercise. Consequently, many pets suffer from health problems that could easily be avoided by the proper amount of activity. By following a few simple rules, you can make sure your best friend is getting the right amount - and right kind - of exercise.

A great many ailments and conditions can arise from an inadequate amount of exercise, the most serious and widespread of which is obesity. How many times have you or a friend joked about the funny way one of your overweight pets waddled across the kitchen floor? In fact, obesity among pets is no laughing matter.

Obesity commonly arises from a number of factors. Many dogs are left alone, inside for long periods of time. Some cats spend all their time indoors. Many small pets don't have exercise wheels in their cages, or - in the case of birds - adequate space to fly about. All of these situations restrict movement and create a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, many pet owners don't take their animal's relative lack of activity into account when it comes to their pet's diet. As a result, many pets are fed far too many calories in relation to the amount of energy their inactive lives actually require.

The deleterious effects of obesity can vary, but all are serious. Primarily, obesity puts a great deal of stress on the body, exacerbating pre-existing conditions like heart disease, orthopedic disease, and some skin conditions. Obesity can also play a role in causing chronic diseases like diabetes.

If you own larger pets, the need for exercise is greater than with small pets. Large breed dogs, or even big cats can require much more exercise than their smaller counterparts. This is partly do to the fact that a larger animal needs much more space to get adequate exercise, where a smaller pet may get a good amount of activity in a much smaller area. Larger animals should get at least 20 minutes of exercise, twice a day. Just like with their human counterparts, this should be vigorous work that emphasizes strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. For a large dog, a traditional game of fetch can be great exercise, especially when combined with some good old fashioned tug-of-war between throws. Try using the My Good Dog Vibram Stick, for a new twist on this favorite, canine pastime. For a bigger cat, a similar game with a Cat Dancer Cat Charmer can provide great fun and aerobic activity.

If you own a smaller pet, you can arrange for adequate activity with less space. Many times intermittent game-playing can be adequate. Anything from friendly rough-housing with a small dog, to ball rolling can be a great way to keep your pet fit, and spend quality time together in the process. Add extra challenge by throwing a My Good Dog Vibram Ball into the fun. With smaller cats, a toy like the Cat Dancer Mouse in the House can provide lots of fun, fit play, even when you're not home to enjoy it together.

Always consult your vet with questions regarding exercising your pet. If your pet hasn't been getting enough exercise, start slow and work your way up the same way you would if you just joined a new gym. With a little common sense, both you and your pet can become healthier - and closer - than ever!

Erik Weinstein is the proud parent of 2 giant maine coon cats and the VP of http://www.pawschoice.com/ - the webs #1 destination for health conscious pet owners for all natural and organic pet food, treats and toys.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erik_Weinstein