Cheap Pet Insurance

April 30th, 2009 by Colin Peters

Owning your own labrador involves various costs which may not be obvious up front. There are costs covering food, immunization and kennel fees which are part of the package.The labrador is one of the most popular breeds and is relatively expensive probably due to its size.

What helps set the labrador apart form other dogs, is its good natured temperament making it an ideal choice for the family. As well as that it is one of the best for training to help the disabled.

Labradors are colored in one of 3 ways : chocolate, black and gold.There are further pigmentations. For example the gold labrador can vary from cream to gold and the chocolate labrador from mid brown to dark brown.

The American Kennel Club is a well established dog site and provides full information on all breeds. Should you have a Labrador worthy of showing, you will find a calender of events of dogs shows.

Before you buy your puppy,bear in mind you will have to give up some of your time to look after it and exercise it. As a large dog it will need regular daily exercising in order not to be boisterous in the house.

Your puppy may cost you an initial $400 to $700. But on top of this there are various inoculations you will need for extra protection. For example there are the basic 2 shots and an annual one. If you are going on vacation you will need to pay kennel fees and a shot to protect again common illnesses. You will probably want worming and fleas protection as well. A visit to some local vets sites will tell you what you can expect to pay.

Be aware of covering your dog for longer term illnesses. Treatment for chronic (on going) conditions will cost plenty if you are not well covered. Just be sure to read in the fine print that you are not being restricted to say, only a 12 month period of cover.

The AKCs Breeder Classifieds Service provides contact information for breeders who currently have AKC-registrable puppies available for sale. This would make a good starting point if you are looking to buy your first puppy. At least the online info will keep you headed in the right direction.

April 29th, 2009 by Cheryl L. True

There are many different types of dog fences and it can be confusing to pick one. You must take into consideration the function and safety of various fences as well as their durability, upkeep and appearance. Here are some types to consider:

The Wooden Slat Fence – also known as the picket fence, the wooden slat fence is popular among many homeowners due to its age-old reputation as a fence of status. In earlier years, the picket fence symbolized a happy and healthy home even if the fence wasn’t the healthiest for the family pets.

While very decorative, the slat fence isn’t all that practical, is often quite expensive and can pose a hazard to your pet in that they can either escape out of the boards or get their heads trapped trying to get out. Additionally, the slat fence keeps your dog enclosed but allows ill-meaning people to still poke sticks and other items at your dog.

The Privacy Fence – privacy fences are often considered one of the best dog fences. Unfortunately, they have some drawbacks. While the solid walls of wood prevent people from poking at your dog or sticking their hands in through the fence, the privacy fence is very expensive and, considering most are at least six feet tall, will block the view.

Additionally, dogs will often dig in an attempt to tunnel out from the confines of the privacy fence. To prevent this, you have to dig up the perimeter of your yard and bury a generous length of chicken wire around the entirety of your backyard.

Not only is this time-consuming but it can be very costly. Others opt to place rocks and stones around the entire fence but unless you’re into rock gardens and want to play pick up every time you mow the lawn, this isn’t a good option either. In addition to this, mischievous youths also delight in turning local privacy fences into graffiti boards which can quickly turn your beautiful, expensive fence into a local eyesore.

The Chain Link Fence – chain link remains one of the most common styles of dog fences available. Comprised of a series of pipe posts for support with heavy-gauge diamond-shaped wire stretched between them, this is often used for commercial dog runs.

The chain link fence provides a sturdy form of pet containment but it should ideally be installed by a professional (it has to be stretched and fastened to the pipes or it will sag). Chain link fencing can also be very costly.

Additionally, many larger breed dogs are able to scale the chain link fence. Those who don’t may resort to digging underneath to escape. Chain link fencing doesn’t protect your pet from those who like to poke sticks at your dog. Nor does it keep children from poking fingers through the fence either.

When choosing a quality dog fence, don’t shop the bargain bins and go for the cheapest kind of fence. By doing this, quite often you end up getting what you paid for and you usually end up paying more in the long run. Choosing a top-notch and well-recommended dog fence provides your pets with a safe and secure environment where they can wrestle, roam and romp without fear of injury.

Are you losing your pets to accidents? Do they wander and never return? Show them that you care. Keep your pets safe from harm with the wireless fence.

April 29th, 2009 by Tanza Tripp

The Catahoula Leopard or Catahoula Cur is a native American breed with a colorful American history. Hailing from the Catahoula Lake area of Louisiana, this dog is a common sight among farms and ranches across North America. Considered as an excellent creature for hunting and tracking, it hunts small and big games; and as an outstanding herder, it successfully contains and traffics animal herds by means of intimidation and effective restriction.

For this breed, their history started in 1536 upon the arrival of Hernando De Soto and his massive war dogs, the Mastiff and Greyhound breeds. These vicious breeds were used to extort information from Indians regarding treasures and gold in the area. When the Spaniards left unsuccessful with their quest, they left some of the wounded war dogs and the Indians were soft-hearted enough to take them in and allow inter-breeding with the Red fox, the Indians’ hunting companion at the time, and the new breed of Indian fox dog began.

During the settlement of the French in Louisiana in the 1700s, they immediately noticed the mysterious skillful hunter and glassy-eyed native fox dogs. At that time, these fox dogs were all over the state and were well-received by the people of the state. With their own breed called Beauceron, the French bred the two and the result is the present day Catahoula Leopard.

The Catahoula Cur breed was famous and is said to have affected the lives of many known personalities such as the brothers Jim and Rezin Bowie who were believed to adore this breed so much they let them sleep in on their beds. Teddy Roosevelt also favored the Catahoula as hunting companion and the then La. Gov. Earl K. Long collected and bred Catahoula. Because of these inclinations to famous people, the breed became a household name all over the country and in 1979, it was made the official state dog of Louisiana.

This breed is one of the few breeds which are favored not for their physical appearance but for their characteristics and abilities. Physically, this breed has a single, short and dense coat but each one differs and varies in colors and patterns. The common variations are black with mottles of blue and gray, red or brown with a light touch of red or liver, and any other colors with a touch of blue or gray merle.

In texture, the coat of this breed also varies such as slick, coarse, shaggy or wooly. The course coat, when wet, dries out longer but maintenance of it is quite easy while the wooly or shaggy coats shed incessantly but grows back as course coat or double coat. The slick coat dries out in minutes when wet and is referred to as the wash n’ wear coat, obviously referring to its manageability and low-maintenance requirement.

The Catahoula is one dog not to be dismissed and according to Don Abney, “You must be ready to teach and exercise a Catahoula. If not, he will eat your house. The Catahoula will not let you forget that you own a dog.” This funny statement serves true for the Catahoula is inherently smart, hyperactive, a superb hunter, tracker, and herder; and a great family pet and household companion. At times it can be persistent and dominant but it is not born aggressive.

Because of its nature as an intense worker, this dog needs a regular outlet of energy in the form of daily exercise, house or farm chores or an ample amount of playtime. Without these activities that keep them busy, they tend to suffer physically and mentally. As they grow older, they have a negative tendency to over protect their territory from other dogs and animals which often results to fights and deaths.

April 28th, 2009 by Cheryl L. True

All dogs need some training. Without it, they’ll always be dogs and do what dogs typically do. A dog training collar can help reinforce commands and signals and help your pet alter its natural behavior. Your dog will be trained to do what you want it to do.

Usually a dog training collar will emit a small shock when the person offering the training presses a button on the remote control. When the dog feels the shock, applied usually to the throat, and hears the negative command, chances it will stop the behavior that resulted in slight pain. Once the dog understands that a firm “no” means a shock is coming, the dog training collar is no longer needed.

If your dog barks a lot a dog, a training collar can stop this annoying habit. Normally the dog will learn pretty quickly that if it barks it will be shocked and will decide that barking is not worth the pain.

For those who shy away from shocking their animal, a no-bark dog training collar has been developed that emits a short spray of a lemon scented mist towards the dog’s nose. Its unpleasant odor will remind the dog not to bark without the electric shock.

Some dog owners and professional trainers use electric dog training collars to help the dog learn new tricks. Usually if you slap your leg and tell the dog to come, you’ll probably get a dumb look. If your pet gets a slight unpleasant shock, it may listen a little better.

If you’re using a radio fence containment system, make sure it’s installed correctly and there is no threat of serious injury to your pet. Keep in mind that once your dog knows where its boundaries are, even if you shut off the power to the underground fence, your pet will be reluctant to cross that line even at your urging.

Keep in mind that a dog training collar is not something your pet needs to wear its entire life. Once its behavior has changed, the collar has done its job.

Are you losing your pets to accidents? Do they wander and never return? Show them that you care. Keep your pets safe from harm with the wireless dog fence system.

April 27th, 2009 by Cheryl L. True

Every year, large numbers of pets undergo surgery due to accidental poisoning. With a few safety precautions, you can prevent your pet from becoming a statistic.

Even the most innocent of substances can poison your pet. These include onions, coffee grounds because of their high caffeine content, chocolate and even bread dough.

Plants are a prime target for many pets. Always keep houseplants in areas where your pet won’t have access to them.

Take note that many plants we keep as garden ornamentals are extremely toxic to pets. Oleander, lilies, rhododendrons, foxgloves and azaleas along with a host of other plants are responsible for numerous pet deaths every year.

Search the Internet to check which plants are poisonous to your pet. If you have any of them in your garden, dispose of them at once.

Garden sprays are also a hazard. If a spill occurs and your pet gets some toxic material on its paws, it will be in serious trouble as soon as it licks them. Herbivorous pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits are particularly at risk from ingesting toxic substances used on lawns. Another danger is when your pet “touches” spray-dampened foliage and cleans itself afterwards. It could ingest the toxin this way.

If you insist on spraying your garden, use an animal-friendly product. Better still, avoid using toxic substances.

Household substances can be lethal to your pet. Dishwasher powder, fragrant oils, detergent, liquid soap, batteries and even your child’s play dough can all have fatal consequences for a pet. Always ensure these are out of your pet’s reach.

Antifreeze is a problem during winter. This sweet tasting substance attracts pets. It only takes less than a teaspoonful to kill a large dog. If any of this substance is spilled, flush the area with fresh water.

Spilled coffee grounds or instant coffee should be cleaned immediately. If your pet eats or walks through them and licks its paws, this can have fatal consequences. Cigarette butts are another hazard, especially with puppies. These can make your pet extremely ill.

Are you losing your pets to accidents? Do they wander and never return? Show them that you care. Keep your pets safe from harm with the wireless containment fence.