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  <title>The Hotdog Blog!</title>
  <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://hotdogblog.com/" />
  <modified>2008-08-20T16:24:57-04:00</modified>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1</id>
      <generator url="http://linux.ohwada.jp/">XOOPS WebLinks 0.9</generator>
      <copyright>Copyright (c) 2008, The Hotdog Blog! dachshund website</copyright>
      <author>
    <name>The Hotdog Blog! dachshund website</name>
        <url>http://hotdogblog.com/</url>
            <email>cleo@hotdogblog.com</email>
      </author>
      <entry>
    <title>Dog Facts:  Smiling is Risky</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/dog-facts-smiling-is-risky.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-18T07:50:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-18T07:50:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-5112669936934446128</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">When you approach a dog that&apos;s &quot;not so friendly,&quot; your natural reaction would be to talk calmly and give it a nice, big smile.  But, this is exactly what you don&apos;t want to do.  To a dog in attack mode ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      When you approach a dog that's "not so friendly," your natural reaction would be to talk calmly and give it a nice, big smile.  But, this is exactly what you don't want to do.  To a dog in attack mode, showing your teeth can be a sign of aggression.   If you smile with your teeth shining, it might cause the dog to attack.  In this case, smiling is not contagious!<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=6TWwgK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=6TWwgK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=DGK9GK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=DGK9GK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=jPLgpK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=jPLgpK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=smWyJk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=smWyJk" border="0"></img></a></div>
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      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Dogs: Tips for Bathing</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/dogs-tips-for-bathing.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-16T20:24:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-16T20:24:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-4765513967075405290</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Although not every dog owner enjoys giving his or her dog a bath and not every dog enjoys getting a bath, there are those times when a bath is deemed necessary.  Start to give your dog a bath as early ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      Although not every dog owner enjoys giving his or her dog a bath and not every dog enjoys getting a bath, there are those times when a bath is deemed necessary.  Start to give your dog a bath as early as possible.  This way, he will learn that it is part of his routine.<br /><br />Three basic types of dog shampoo are on the market today.  The first is a basic medicated shampoo that is readily available at most pet stores, supermarkets, and discount stores.  The second type of dog shampoo is an anti-parasitic shampoo, which may be a bit more costly.  The third type is a variety of veterinarian shampoos that are only available for purchase at the veterinarian?s office.<br /><br />When bathing your dog, select a location that is suitable for both you and your pet.  Small breeds can easily be bathed in the kitchen sink, a small basin, or an infant?s bathtub.  Larger breeds will most likely fit better in the family bathtub.<br /><br />If the climate is suitable, consider a child?s swimming pool for an easy outside bath.  However, if you allow your dog to enjoy the pool on the hotter days and he hates his bath, this is not a good idea.<br /><br />Short coated breeds may not need frequent bathing.  The dirt tends to simply fall away from the dog?s coat rather than sticking and creating a dirty look.  However, if the dog acquires unpleasant smells to his coat, a bath can be a favorable idea.<br /><br />Bathing Tips<br /><br />-Avoid getting soap or shampoo into the dog?s eyes.  You don?t like it, so why should he?<br />-Rub the dog partially dry with a clean towel immediately after you are finished.  This will decrease the amount of water that gets shaken everywhere.<br />-Groom the dog while his coat is still partially wet.  Use a comb or brush to get tangles out before his coat dries completely and makes the task more difficult.<br />-Wipe away any residue that remains near your dog?s eyes.<br />-Once your dog has shaken his bath water off, take him for a quick walk to finish the drying process.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=R9t4vK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=R9t4vK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=iqeMSK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=iqeMSK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=e77BPK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=e77BPK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=L1qiZk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=L1qiZk" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>Wedding Pictures now on-line</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://thedogpark.blogspot.com/2008/08/wedding-pictures-now-on-line.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-14T16:40:04-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-14T16:25:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26952341.post-6496090607849343220</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Hi all,The official Wedding pictures are now available for viewing (and purchasing if you like). There&apos;s a LOT of them, enjoy.....The link is as follows....http://www.pictage.com/client/event.do?event ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Bill &quot;AKA the Dogman&quot;</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Bill&apos;s Pair-a-Dachs</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://thedogpark.blogspot.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YqNyiALs8Ug/SKSV_zObtxI/AAAAAAAABYI/ZpTbtnuhR4g/s1600-h/Jasonweddingbydavid+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YqNyiALs8Ug/SKSV_zObtxI/AAAAAAAABYI/ZpTbtnuhR4g/s400/Jasonweddingbydavid+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234473590226401042" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hi all,<br /><br />The official Wedding pictures are now available for viewing (and purchasing if you like). There's a LOT of them, enjoy.....<br /><br />The link is as follows....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pictage.com/client/event.do?event=361200&amp;emailFlag=true">http://www.pictage.com/client/event.do?event=361200&amp;emailFlag=true<br /></a><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.pictage.com/361200"><br /></a>
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    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Dogs: The Gundogs or Sporting Group</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/dogs-gundogs-or-sporting-group.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-14T15:36:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-14T15:36:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-6345955574641349363</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">In Britain, this group is referred to as the Gundog Group, whereas, in the United States, it is referred to as the Sporting Group.  The breeds within this group are very distinctive and easily recogni ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/RjzdV01NKaI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Mja9b5UZlR0/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Yellow_Lab_Retrieving_454627.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/RjzdV01NKaI/AAAAAAAAAWo/Mja9b5UZlR0/s200/bigstockphoto_Yellow_Lab_Retrieving_454627.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061163448286390690" /></a>In Britain, this group is referred to as the Gundog Group, whereas, in the United States, it is referred to as the Sporting Group.  The breeds within this group are very distinctive and easily recognized as being within this group.  Sizes range anywhere from 16 inches to 27 _ inches in height.<br /><br />These particular dogs have been bred for the purpose of retrieving game or hunting game.  The setters and pointers are known for indicating where birds are located.  The retrievers fetch or retrieve game that has already been shot including rabbits, birds, and more.  Spaniels are capable of achieving both of these tasks for their masters.<br /><br />Some of the breeds work well in water, while others perform better on land.  All sporting dogs hunt their prey by air scent.  This is in direct contrast to the Hound Group that hunts by ground scent.<br /><br />The dogs that retrieve game (waterfowl) from water are equipped with coats that are water repellent and feet that are partially webbed.  Some breeds, such as the pointers, will stand with their body and nose rigid, directly in front of the game.  The setters are typically trained to crouch in front of the prey or game to inhibit its escape.<br /><br />The hunting or sporting dogs are very easy going for the most part, tending to be lovable, gentle, and quiet.  Additionally, they are highly intelligent animals that are easily trained.  Obedience is one of the positive behaviors that are predominant in their make up.<br /><br />The following dogs are included in this group:<br /><br />Bracco Italiano<br />Brittany<br />English Setter<br />German Short-Haired Pointer<br />German Wire-Haired Pointer<br />Gordon Setter<br />Hungarian Vizsla<br />Hungarian Wire-Haired Vizsla<br />Irish Red and White Setter<br />Irish Setter<br />Italian Spinone<br />Kooikerhondje<br />Large Munsterlander<br />Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever<br />Pointer<br />Chesapeake Bay Retriever<br />Curly Coated Retriever<br />Flat-Coated Retriever<br />Golden Retriever<br />Labrador Retriever<br />Clumber Spaniel<br />American Cocker Spaniel<br />English Cocker Spaniel<br />English Springer Spaniel<br />Field Spaniel<br />Irish Water Spaniel<br />Sussex Spaniel<br />Welsh Springer Spaniel<br />Weimaraner<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=1UWWIK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=1UWWIK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=6fUUOK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=6fUUOK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=acqfCK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=acqfCK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=rR4dKk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=rR4dKk" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>Canine Controversial: The American Pit Bull Terrier</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/canine-controversial-american-pit-bull.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-12T14:48:01-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-12T14:48:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-8597505446254734304</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">The American Pit Bull Terrier is perhaps the most feared canine in the world today - known for his aggressiveness towards other dogs, the media has also played a key role in the controversy surroundin ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      The American Pit Bull Terrier is perhaps the most feared canine in the world today - known for his aggressiveness towards other dogs, the media has also played a key role in the controversy surrounding these compact and muscular canines, focusing on stories of dog attacks and illegal fighting rings.  Today, the American Pit Bull Terrier is the most legislated-against dog in the world, and has been banned in England, under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.  Is this truly a dangerous dog or is it simply a case of dangerous humans abusing this animal.  Some insurance companies will not provide APBT owners with liability insurance so, if you are considering purchasing one of these dogs, you will definitely want to contact your insurance agent first.  Any dog can be a good dog if trained and cared for properly.<br /><br />The American Pit Bull Terrier is descended from crossbreeds which were brought into the United States, back in the mid-1800ís, by Irish immigrants.  The APBT's ancestor, the English Bull and Terrier, was in fact, a crossbreed, itself - the result of mixing the English bulldog with various English terriers, including the black and tan terrier, as well as the now-extinct English white terrier.  Having the same origins as the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terriers were bred specifically for dog-fighting, a practice which was outlawed in most of the states, as far back as the early 1900ís, and closely resemble the APBT.  Ironically, the popular Boston Terrier is also closely related though, due to his small stature, isn't considered so threatening and is, instead, bred and sold as a favored family pet.<br /><br />While the American Pit Bull Terrier is commonly associated with extreme aggressiveness and considered a blight upon the country, many of those who have kept the APBT as a pet will argue differently.  Petie, the famous dog from the Little Rascals classic television show, was an American Pit Bull Terrier and, while it's true that genetics can have a hand in the temperament of an animal, most will agree that a poor owner can be just as detrimental to a dog, regardless of breed.  Not only does careful and conscientious breeding affect an American Pit Bull Terrier, but proper training and a lot of love are also key elements in maintaining a good disposition on the APBT.<br /><br />Of course, the American Pit Bull Terrier is an intimidating figure; while not overly tall (they stand roughly 18-22 inches, at the shoulder, when fully grown), the APBT is unmistakably powerful.  His head is large and slab-like, with frighteningly powerful, strong jaws, which will lock down when the dog bites.  The ears are commonly cropped very thin and short, emphasizing the blocky, thick head of this dog, and the tail is carried low, drawing attention to the muscular, compact body and thick chest.  One look at an American Pit Bull Terrier and you know that you are looking at a powerhouse of a dog.<br /><br />It's no surprise that the APBT's temperament matches his build.  Seemingly fearless and tenacious, the American Pit Bull Terrier is not one to back down or run away, even when he is on the losing end of the battle; this goes, not only for his scrapping tendencies, but in bullheaded battles of will with his human family.  While they are keenly intelligent dogs, they can be quite stubborn and even belligerent, when forced to do something they don't want, such as taking a bath.  Nevertheless, breeders and owners, across the world, argue that when these dogs are bred and raised responsibly (responsible being the key word), the American Pit Bull Terrier can make a wonderful addition to your home.<br /><br />As with any dog, careful consideration should be given, prior to going out and purchasing a puppy.  Be sure to take the time to research reputable breeders, be prepared to enroll your puppy in behavioral and obedience courses, and pay heed to how much time you will actually be able to spend at home with your pet.  They extra work that goes into finding the perfect family pet, is well worth it when you consider your new companion.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=QvjJAK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=QvjJAK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=r8vTGK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=r8vTGK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=OUy58K"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=OUy58K" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=1HKork"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=1HKork" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>Dog Groups</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/dog-groups.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-10T10:42:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-10T10:42:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-8075703896530434297</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">In Britain, dogs are divided into six basic groups.  These groups include Terriers, Hounds, Gundogs, Utility, Toy, and Working.  In the United States, dogs are divided into seven basic groups.  These  ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      In Britain, dogs are divided into six basic groups.  These groups include Terriers, Hounds, Gundogs, Utility, Toy, and Working.  In the United States, dogs are divided into seven basic groups.  These groups include Terriers, Hounds, Sporting, Toy, Non-sporting, Herding, and Working.  Variations often exist between countries and even between kennel clubs.<br /><br />The Hounds are a group of hunting dogs.  Typically, their purpose is to concentrate on their prey or the focus of their chase.  Due to this, they often ignore requests to return to their base.  Moreover, this type of dog is known to have a good set of lungs, which they are not reluctant to use.<br /><br />Additionally, the Hounds include a basic division between sight and scent hounds.  The sight hounds use their eyesight to conduct their search.  This group includes the Greyhound, Afghan Hound, Borzoi, Irish Wolfhound, Saluki, Whippet, and Deerhound.  The scent hounds use their sense of smell.  They place their noses to the ground in an effort to track their prey.  This group includes the Beagles, Bassets, and Bloodhounds.<br /><br />The Gundogs or Sporting Dogs help their masters to find and catch feathered and furry game animals.  This group includes the Setters, Pointers, Retrievers, Spaniels, and a large group of dogs referred to as the HPR or hunt, point, and retrieve breeds.  The Setters and Pointers indicate where the birds are, the Retrievers bring back the birds or small game that have been shot, and the Spaniels perform both types of services.<br /><br />Gundogs are gentle and kind.  They are also relatively quiet as dogs go.  They make good family pets, but probably do better in rural areas.<br /><br />The Terriers are good ratters.  This group includes the Airedale, which is the tallest of the group, and the Norwich Terrier and the West Highland White Terrier, which are the shortest.  Somewhere in between you will find the Fox Terrier and the Lakeland Terrier.<br /><br />As a whole, this bunch is smart and very sharp to look at.  Moreover, they make wonderful pets, although they do make a bit of noise.<br /><br />The Utility or Non-sporting Dogs are an amiable group that makes quite excellent companions.  In fact, for lack of a better group to place them in, they ended up in this group.  This group includes the Dalmatian, Poodle, Bulldog, Schnauzer, Chow Chow, Shih Tzu, and the Japanese Akita.<br /><br />The Toys, as the name implies, is a group of the tiniest dogs.  This type of dog makes an excellent pet.  This group includes the Yorkshire Terrier, the Japanese Chin, the King Charles Spaniel, the Pug, the Papillon, and the Chihuahuas.  These are smart and very obedient dogs.<br /><br />The Working or Herding Dogs is a large group that covers numerous breeds of dogs.  The group includes dogs that are good for guarding and herding.  The breeds within this group are trainable, although the level of trainability varies from breed to breed.<br /><br />Temperaments within this group vary as well.  Sizes range from the small to the large.  Breeds within the herding or working dog groups include the Border Collies, Boxers, Rottweilers, Bullmastiffs, Shetland Sheepdog, Great Dane, and the German Shepherd.  Additionally, dogs within this group make excellent pets.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=2jtUKK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=2jtUKK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=2qgcgK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=2qgcgK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=42pWsK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=42pWsK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=21RHHk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=21RHHk" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Puppy growth</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.dachworld.com/forum/?p=211" />
    <modified>2008-08-07T15:37:09-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-07T15:37:09-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1.7</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">I have a 10 week old mini and I am wondering what to expect as far as growth. At what age do most minis reach there adult weight? He was 2lbs when we got him and he has already gained a little over ha ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>pnutsmom</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Dachshund World Forum</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.dachworld.com/forum">
      <![CDATA[
      <p>I have a 10 week old mini and I am wondering what to expect as far as growth. At what age do most minis reach there adult weight? He was 2lbs when we got him and he has already gained a little over half a pound. Does this sound normal? We are guessing he will weigh around 8 lbs full grown because his mom was 7 1/2 lbs and his dad 9 lbs and he was smaller than his brother. Also, how much should I expect him to be eating at his age? He eats about 1/2 cup a day right now. Any insight from more experienced mini owners would be great.</p><p>Melissa</p><p> </p><p>Melissa</p>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Dog Breeds ? The Japanese Chin</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/dog-breeds-japanese-chin.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-07T14:57:13-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-07T14:57:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-7308138018516570125</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">The Japanese Chin is though to have descended from the Pekinese and this wonderful little lap dog hails from Japan.  The Japanese Chin has a wonderful coat and an even more wonderful personality, maki ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/RjzU7E1NKTI/AAAAAAAAAVw/AGgKHxLLfBk/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Chin_Pup_1137353.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/RjzU7E1NKTI/AAAAAAAAAVw/AGgKHxLLfBk/s200/bigstockphoto_Chin_Pup_1137353.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061154192631867698" /></a><br />The Japanese Chin is though to have descended from the Pekinese and this wonderful little lap dog hails from Japan.  The Japanese Chin has a wonderful coat and an even more wonderful personality, making it the perfect lap dog and the perfect dog for apartment dwellers and homeowners alike.  These small dogs do not require much exercise other than a good brisk walk once in a while, and this makes the breed a great choice for those with limited space.<br /><br />The Japanese Chin is a small dog, standing just 7 to 11 inches high at the shoulder and weighing up to 9 pounds.  Even though well bred animals are generally quite healthy, puppy buyers should be aware of a number of conditions that are more prevalent in the breed than in the general dog population.  These breed specific health concerns include breathing problems, issues with low blood sugar, and tooth problems. The large and prominent eyes of the Japanese Chin also mean that eye injuries can be more common.  Puppy owners should be sure to discuss these health concerns with their veterinarian.<br /><br />It is also important for new puppy owners to learn about the special grooming requirements of the Japanese Chin.  This breed has a long and silky coat, and that coat can become matted quite easily.  It is important to brush and comb the coat on a daily basis to keep it looking its best.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=bwB7fK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=bwB7fK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=x3qLuK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=x3qLuK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=CxS7lK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=CxS7lK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=jFOPAk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=jFOPAk" border="0"></img></a></div>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Live Like Your Cat</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/live-like-your-cat.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-05T15:12:01-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-05T15:12:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-6343728202376574621</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">One of the best ways to spend time with your kitty is to simply hang out and watch him. Cats really know how to live right and we could learn a lot from them. Take Leroy, for instance. Leroy&apos;s a big g ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      One of the best ways to spend time with your kitty is to simply hang out and watch him. Cats really know how to live right and we could learn a lot from them. Take Leroy, for instance. Leroy's a big gray Maine Coon cat who, at the age of three, is about 2/3 grown. With paws and mane like a lion, Leroy presents a regal face but is really a goofball at heart.<br /><br />I got snowed in with Leroy recently and spent several days observing him closely. As far as I could discern, Leroy has no bad habits and several excellent ones. He eats only when he's hungry and never too much. He snoozes when he's sleepy and always takes a leisurely stretch whenever he wakes up from a catnap. And what a wonderful creation the catnap is--I've learned to love them myself and often take one with Leroy curled up against my back.<br /><br />You never see a cat worrying over his wallet or grumbling about not being able to find the remote control to the television. Cats know they look good but spend very little time in the mirror. They bathe often. Seems to me that cats could teach us all a few things-- and the world would be a better place if every home had a kitty.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=thzAEK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=thzAEK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=35vyVK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=35vyVK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=2e6LHK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=2e6LHK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=qc8Omk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=qc8Omk" border="0"></img></a></div>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>How do you tell if it?s a false pregnancy or real pregnancy?</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.dachworld.com/forum/?p=210" />
    <modified>2008-08-04T18:53:27-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-04T18:53:27-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1.10</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">My dachshund was in heat about 50 days ago&amp;#8230;we had to board her and our male dachshund one day and they promised to keep them seperate but we are afraid they did not. A few weeks ago her nipples  ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>longdoglover</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Dachshund World Forum</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.dachworld.com/forum">
      <![CDATA[
      <p>My dachshund was in heat about 50 days ago&#8230;we had to board her and our male dachshund one day and they promised to keep them seperate but we are afraid they did not. A few weeks ago her nipples started to become larger and yesterday we noticed that her tits are getting larger also. In addition her stomach is starting to feel a little swollen and hard. I have been reading things about how dachshunds are prone to false pregnancies&#8230;is there any way to tell if it is a false pregnancy or do we just need to take her to the vet for a blood test?</p>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Littermates</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.dachworld.com/forum/?p=209" />
    <modified>2008-08-04T11:57:20-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-04T11:57:20-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1.11</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Hi again,I have the opportunity to adopt littermates and after reviewing every online article I could find, I&amp;#8217;ve decided I can do it. I would still like some input though, regarding crating sepa ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>olsonick</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Dachshund World Forum</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.dachworld.com/forum">
      <![CDATA[
      <p>Hi again,</p><p>I have the opportunity to adopt littermates and after reviewing every online article I could find, I&#8217;ve decided I can do it. I would still like some input though, regarding crating separately or together.<br />My breeder tells me she&#8217;s never ever had a problem crating littermates together and would recommend it to anybody. I feel like she&#8217;s being honest with me. On the other hand, my fiancee brought up a valid point about either dog having a sanctuary from everybody, including the other dog. She also thinks it&#8217;s a good idea to crate separately so later on in life we can crate them separately for airline travel and other things without worry of separation anxiety. I thought part of the benefit of adopting littermates was that they CAN sleep together to ease the transition from their birth home to their forever home. To that end, can I crate them together up to a certain age and THEN separate them? Or would that make things worse&#8230;</p>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Barking up the right tree</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/barking-up-right-tree.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-04T08:11:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-04T08:11:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-5251134531339995225</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Kingwood Barktoberfestis a fun-filled, one day event that benefits local animal shelters and rescue organizations who work year-round to make a difference in the lives of animals.Caring for hundreds o ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/SJOm36MRWvI/AAAAAAAAAjs/JxiIeB9HLKI/s1600-h/LogoRed-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/SJOm36MRWvI/AAAAAAAAAjs/JxiIeB9HLKI/s200/LogoRed-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229707071751019250" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.kingwoodbarktoberfest.com/">Kingwood Barktoberfest</a>is a fun-filled, one day event that benefits local animal shelters and rescue organizations who work year-round to make a difference in the lives of animals.<br /><br />Caring for hundreds of thousands of neglected and abandoned animals each year is an expensive endeavor. Since these shelters are not funded by the city, state or government, every penny really counts! These shelters and rescue groups count on events such as this to help continue their mission to help the animals of our community and beyond.<br /><br />Mark your calendars!<br />Saturday, October 4, 200811am-6pm<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=aJ7rnK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=aJ7rnK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=O1nXhK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=O1nXhK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=YNfRAK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=YNfRAK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=RoIpKk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=RoIpKk" border="0"></img></a></div>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Dachshund Puppy is whining a lot!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.dachworld.com/forum/?p=208" />
    <modified>2008-08-04T00:27:58-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-04T00:27:58-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1.13</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">We just got our new Dachshund puppy from the breeder (Tucker, 8 weeks old).  He is very well socialized and great around people and other dogs. When we put him in his play pen or the crate he whines f ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Tuckerfamily</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Dachshund World Forum</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.dachworld.com/forum">
      <![CDATA[
      <p>We just got our new Dachshund puppy from the breeder (Tucker, 8 weeks old).  He is very well socialized and great around people and other dogs. When we put him in his play pen or the crate he whines for long times until somebody comes around to pay attention to him.  We are trying not to give in to the whining to allow him to learn to be alone.  He does do OK over night.  He sleeps in his crate in our bedroom and sleeps well and for quite a few hours before he needs to go potty. How can we make this easier on him and us?</p>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Looking to get doxie puppies, need advice.</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.dachworld.com/forum/?p=207" />
    <modified>2008-08-03T11:44:13-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-03T11:44:13-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1.14</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Hi all,I&amp;#8217;m looking to get a couple dachshund puppies.I&amp;#8217;d prefer to get 2 females, as male dogs (in general) tend to try my patience&amp;#8230;  However, I will be picking the puppies based sol ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>xylob</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Dachshund World Forum</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.dachworld.com/forum">
      <![CDATA[
      <p>Hi all,</p><p>I&#8217;m looking to get a couple dachshund puppies.</p><p>I&#8217;d prefer to get 2 females, as male dogs (in general) tend to try my patience&#8230;  However, I will be picking the puppies based solely on personality so getting a male is not out of the question.</p><p>I&#8217;ve only personally had larger breeds in the past (Black Lab, Norwegian Elk Hound/Wolf mix, Doberman, mutt/coyote mix) and found that although males are often more playful and &#8220;fun&#8221;, they also tend to have ZERO attention span and are just kinda dumb in general &#8212; harder to train, more destructive if not constantly entertained, peeing on things all the time&#8230;</p><p>Are there specific gender traits with Dachshunds?  Do girls tend to be more stubborn/hard to train, etc?</p><p>I&#8217;m not wanting to breed or show the dachshunds, I just really love crazy weiner dogs!  My dogs will definitely be &#8220;fixed&#8221; onec they are old enough for the surgery.  I&#8217;d certainly prefer the short haired/smooth breed and coloration is largely unimportant, but long hair are not out of the question.<br />I was hoping somebody could recommend good, reliable breeders with a history of quality dogs in the Colorado area.</p><p>The AKC site really doesn&#8217;t have as much info as I hoped and the local club site is a disappointment as well.</p><p>Additionally, I am intending to crate train the puppies.  Would it be better to get a separate crate for each or a larger crate for both of them to share?</p><p>Thanks in advance!</p>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Mouthing Problems</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.dachworld.com/forum/?p=206" />
    <modified>2008-08-03T09:51:08-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-03T09:51:08-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:hotdogblog.com,2008://1.15</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">My 9 month old red smooth mini dachshund seems to like to mouth people&amp;#8217;s hands/fingers during play.  I&amp;#8217;ve tried making a loud &amp;#8220;yelp&amp;#8221; and crossing my arms and turning my back to ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>ginger</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Dachshund World Forum</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.dachworld.com/forum">
      <![CDATA[
      <p>My 9 month old red smooth mini dachshund seems to like to mouth people&#8217;s hands/fingers during play.  I&#8217;ve tried making a loud &#8220;yelp&#8221; and crossing my arms and turning my back to her when she does this, but as soon as I engage in play again she wants to mouth my hands.  I&#8217;ve also noticed she does this when we pet her.  She has lots of toys and loves to chew on them.  Thank goodness she doesn&#8217;t chew on furniture.  We broke her of that habit early on with &#8220;apple bitters&#8221;.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to &#8220;break&#8221; her from mouthing?</p>
      ]]>
    </content>
      </entry>
    <entry>
    <title>Lovable Hounds: The Beagle</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/lovable-hounds-beagle.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-03T09:02:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-03T09:02:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-7168233741547476579</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Beagles are a medium-sized breed of hound with short legs and soulful eyes. The beagle comes in a wide variety of colors, though the most common appearance is tri-color with a black nose. These dogs a ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      Beagles are a medium-sized breed of hound with short legs and soulful eyes. The beagle comes in a wide variety of colors, though the most common appearance is tri-color with a black nose. These dogs are usually black and white when they are born and develop their brown patches as they get older.<br /><br />Beagles are curious by nature and this may make them harder to train because they are intelligent and stubborn. The Beagle is a gentle dog, with a good temperament, making this dog breed great for any age child. These dogs are playful, energetic, and very loyal to their owners. Beagles, unlike other dog breeds, don?t just bond with one person in their home; they bond with the entire family.<br /><br />Beagles are prone to separation anxiety because they are pack animals. If you are going to leave your beagle along for a long period of time, (ex. going on vacation) your pet would do best being kept with other dogs or a person they are familiar with.<br /><br />Overall, beagles are a rather healthy dog breed, though they do have some common health problems. The beagle?s ears are floppy and very long. This can prevent air from getting into the ear canals and moisture can get trapped in the ear, which can cause ear infections in your beagle. Regular cleaning and a diet including lamb and rice dog food are good ways to prevent this in your pet.<br /><br />Another common health problem in beagles is obesity. This occurs when people overfeed their pet or reward with treats too often because of their gentle, exuberant nature. In a healthy beagle, you should be able to feel your dog?s ribs and see an hourglass shape to your dog?s length when looking at it from above. This breed of hound can also be prone to congenital heart disease, seizures, and arthritis.<br /><br />This breed of dog is very versatile. Beagles have an exceptional sense of smell, making them a great companion for hunters. Because they are loyal and very gentle, they make great family pets. These dogs are also often placed in dog shows because of their beauty and agreeable nature. The beagle is a lovable hound dog, that is low maintenance, and very hard not to love!<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=ARFk4K"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=ARFk4K" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=O1B1QK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=O1B1QK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=ZH1CzK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=ZH1CzK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=QEBEak"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=QEBEak" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>Min Pin or the Miniature Pinscher</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/08/min-pin-or-miniature-pinscher.html" />
    <modified>2008-08-01T18:30:01-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-08-01T18:30:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-2547140536610620739</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">The Miniature Pinscher has his beginnings in Germany where it was bred as a ratter.  It was bred to control the rat population of stables.  Contrary to what some might believe, this breed is not relat ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/Rju0-01NKGI/AAAAAAAAAUI/frvvgKkx71I/s1600-h/bigstockphoto_Min_Pin_853099.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ZuwqjnrhgyA/Rju0-01NKGI/AAAAAAAAAUI/frvvgKkx71I/s200/bigstockphoto_Min_Pin_853099.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5060837597707577442" /></a><br />The Miniature Pinscher has his beginnings in Germany where it was bred as a ratter.  It was bred to control the rat population of stables.  Contrary to what some might believe, this breed is not related to the Doberman Pinscher.  In fact, in German, the word pinscher means terrier.  It is thought that the Miniature Pinscher might have been bred from terrier breeds that originated in Germany.<br /><br /><br />The Miniature Pinscher is known for his high spirit and charming personality.  He does not like cold weather and prefers to remain indoors when it is cold or damp outside.  The Miniature Pinscher does not need lots of exercise to keep him happy.  Weekly runs and walks as well as playtime are generally sufficient to maintain his health and pleasant nature.<br /><br />Grooming needs are simple since this breed has a smooth and shorthaired coat that is hard or rough to the touch.  Brushing on a weekly basis with a brush that has firm bristles is usually sufficient.  The Miniature Pinscher sheds and loose hair can be removed with a damp cloth as needed.<br /><br />The Miniature Pinscher is a small size dog.  The adult dog usually weighs about 3.5 kg or 7 1/2 lbs.  Bitches usually weigh between 8 to 9 lbs or 4 kg.  The typical height of the adult male falls between 25.5 to 30 cm or 10 to 12 inches.  The typical height of the adult female falls between 25.5 to 28 cm or 10 to 11 inches.<br /><br />Health issues that may affect this breed are few.  The average lifespan of the Miniature Pinscher is about 15 years.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=VIkypK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=VIkypK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=hKFnKK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=hKFnKK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=7BQkpK"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=7BQkpK" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=Wd6oQk"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=Wd6oQk" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>The Saint Bernard</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/07/saint-bernard.html" />
    <modified>2008-07-30T10:20:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-07-30T10:20:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-4161954922022159217</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">The Saint Bernard is a very ancient breed and originates from Switzerland. These dogs were widely used in the valley farms and Alpine dairies for guarding, herding and drafting. Eventually they went o ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      The Saint Bernard is a very ancient breed and originates from Switzerland. These dogs were widely used in the valley farms and Alpine dairies for guarding, herding and drafting. Eventually they went on to be used as avalanche and rescue dogs in the snowy passes. Their excellent sense of smell enabled them to find people hidden under many feet of snow. This breed has also been connected with the hospice at the Great St. Bernard Pass.<br /><br />These powerful giants are extremely gentle and friendly and very tolerant of children. They are highly intelligent, easy to train, patient and obedient and make excellent watchdogs. They do need plenty of regular exercise and must be trained to walk well on a leash from an early age, before they get too strong. Due to their enormous size, plenty of indoor space is required to keep one of these dogs.<br /><br />Appearance<br />The Saint Bernard has a large powerful body, which is muscular and stands at around 25.5 ? 27.5 inches (61 ? 70cms) and weighs around 110 ? 200 lbs (50 ? 91kg). The head is equally as powerful, with dark brown, friendly eyes and an intelligent expression. The ears fall in the shape of a triangle and the broad and powerful tail curls slightly at the tip. The feet are well arched to make the dog sure-footed in the snow and ice. There are in fact two varieties of Saint Bernard - the shorthaired and the longhaired. The shorthaired variety is better in the snow, as it can withstand very cold temperatures and its coat repels icicles. The coat comes in a few colors: tan, mahogany, brindle and black, in various combinations.<br /><br />Grooming<br />Both types of coats are easy to groom. Brush and comb regularly and only bathe when necessary. These dogs shed twice a year; so extra grooming will be required during this time. Check the eyes regularly too, as they have a tendency to water quite a lot.<br /><br />Health problems<br />The very fast growth rate of the Saint Bernard can lead to serious deterioration of the bones if the dog does not get proper food and exercise. Puppies should not have too much exercise at first until their bones are well formed. They are also susceptible to heart problems, skin problems, hip dysplasia, entropion, ectropion, bloat and bone cancer. These dogs have a lifespan of between nine and eleven years.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=aUlMcJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=aUlMcJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=32JNsJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=32JNsJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=5BBDWJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=5BBDWJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=C3LmGj"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=C3LmGj" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>Political Pups!</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/07/political-pups.html" />
    <modified>2008-07-29T07:00:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-07-29T07:00:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-1631080463433764782</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Well it is getting to be that time again - election time!  Time to get your pups dressed in their best political garb and get their voting paws ready.We have found some great tools to prepare those po ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
      <![CDATA[
      Well it is getting to be that time again - election time!  Time to get your pups dressed in their best political garb and get their voting paws ready.<br /><br />We have found some great tools to prepare those political pooches.  The<a href="http://thedogvote.com/">Dog Vote</a>has a place for your dog to vote - Obama or McCain.  Your pooch can vote<a href="http://thedogvote.com/">here</a>and fido can review results up to the election at this cool live map:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.thedogvote.com/electoralmap/us/" HEIGHT=220 WIDTH=250 align="center" scrolling=no><br /><ilayer src="http://www.thedogvote.com/electoralmap/us/"><br /><p align="center">Check out<a href="http://www.thedogvote.com/">TheDogVote</a>to see who the dogs are choosing for our next president!</p><br /></ilayer><br /></iframe><br /><br />They also have<a href="http://thedogvote.com/?page_id=25">bandanas</a>once Fido has voted to show all of his friends in the dogpark.<br /><br />Woof!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=JbxBAJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=JbxBAJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=97PJGJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=97PJGJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=5oJO9J"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=5oJO9J" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=9ljeQj"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=9ljeQj" border="0"></img></a></div>
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    <entry>
    <title>Dogs: Travel Sickness</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.bigpawblog.com/2008/07/dogs-travel-sickness.html" />
    <modified>2008-07-28T10:05:00-04:00</modified>
    <issued>2008-07-28T10:05:00-04:00</issued>
    <id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7434955.post-6576362277265279500</id>
            <summary type="text/plain">Dogs and puppies are pretty much like adults and children when it comes to traveling in the car.  Some exhibit signs of travel sickness, while others don?t.  However, if you nip it in the bud immediat ...</summary>
        <author>
      <name>Big Paw</name>
                </author>
        <dc:subject>Big Paw Blog</dc:subject>
            <content type="text/html" mode="escaped" xml:lang="en" xml:base="http://www.bigpawblog.com/">
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      Dogs and puppies are pretty much like adults and children when it comes to traveling in the car.  Some exhibit signs of travel sickness, while others don?t.  However, if you nip it in the bud immediately when the dog is still a puppy, you can probably break the puppy from experiencing travel sickness.  Older dogs that have been allowed to continue to experience travel sickness may not be so easy to cure.<br /><br />However, if you have a new puppy and he is having trouble traveling in the car, there are a few things that you can do to try and circumvent travel sickness.  It is essential to begin teaching your pet to overcome this immediately before the puppy has time to associate the car with feeling ill.<br /><br />This is especially the case if your pet is vomiting while in the car or immediately after exiting the car.  Once the puppy begins to vomit, he may become predisposed to salivate in readiness of vomiting whenever he is placed inside the car.  If this does happen, then your task will be that much more difficult.  Moreover, if you allow travel sickness to persist in your pet, then he will learn to detest and abhor the car and car travel.<br /><br />Begin by shortening the time that the puppy will spend in the car.  Only take the puppy on trips that will have a short duration.  If the travel time is short enough, you may be able to avoid the puppy feeling sick at all.  This will teach him that traveling in the car does not lead to being sick.<br /><br />You can hasten the transition from a puppy that has a nervous reaction to traveling in the car to one that does not with a few minor practices.  Plan enough time at the need of the short journey in the car to allow for a game of fetch with the puppy.<br /><br />You can also incorporate any of the puppy?s favorite games as a reward at the end of any traveling by car experience.  This gives the pet something to look forward to and it will distract him from any sense of nervousness.<br /><br />Additionally, you can also offer your puppy or dog a dog treat at the end of the journey.  Exercise some caution with this strategy because you do not want to encourage your pet to become overweight.<br /><br />If your pet continues to experience travel sickness despite all of your efforts, then the only remaining option is to defer to travel sickness pills.  Although the pills are a viable solution, you need to remember that the pills take time to become absorbed into the pet?s system.<br /><br />Therefore, to experience any real benefit from the travel sickness pills, give them to your pet about an hour before you will begin to travel.  Travel sickness pills may encourage your pet to feel drowsy, so this may prove beneficial on long, boring trips.<br /><br />Remember that the longer you wait to help your pet overcome travel sickness, the harder it will be, and the longer it will take.  Additionally, try to be as consistent as possible with this type of training to realize the quickest success.<br /><br />All articles copyright bigpawdesigns.com. Do not repost or copy without permission.<br />View more at<a href="http://www.bigpawdesigns.com">www.bigpawdesigns.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--google_ad_client = "pub-9446522069209644";google_ad_width = 120;google_ad_height = 600;google_ad_format = "120x600_as";google_ad_type = "text_image";google_ad_channel ="";google_color_border = "B0E0E6";google_color_bg = "FFFFFF";google_color_link = "000000";google_color_url = "336699";google_color_text = "333333";//--></script><script type="text/javascript"src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="feedflare"><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=eatcwJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=eatcwJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=q4edLJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=q4edLJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=30thwJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=30thwJ" border="0"></img></a><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?a=kLSPSj"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/BigPawDesigns?i=kLSPSj" border="0"></img></a></div>
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