Dogs have certainly earned well-deserved recognition as “man’s best friend”, having served as constant companions, sporting buddies, assistants, confidantes, defenders, uncritical best friends, and so much more. Dog lovers and soon-to-be owners who wish to acquire a dog of their own or add another puppy to their canine family need to do some serious research in order to come up with the appropriate choice.

Some of the popular dog breeds you might wish to start with are the Poodle, Border Collie, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Papillon, and the Labrador Retriever.

Poodles are not just beautiful and regal, they are also known for their astounding intelligence and trainability; in fact, they are one of the smartest dogs in the world. But if you think of the poodle exclusively as a pampered pet, you might be in for a shock, as the poodle offers a sort of Jekyll & Hyde personality. Behind the dog’s stunning appearance hides … a police dog! Believe it or not, poodles are used for law enforcement in some parts of the world.

Border Collies come from Scotland and England. If you are looking for a dog you can play tricks on and dupe and fool at will, you may be in for a surprise. These dogs are known for their cleverness, natural intuition, as well as their ability to reason and assess a situation quickly and flawlessly. Extremely hard working dogs, Border Collies shoulder their responsibilities with great poise, often entrusted with their herd’s lives without the benefit of human supervision.

The Doberman Pinscher is known for his loyalty. A robust appearance and impressive intelligence make the doberman an impressive watchdog. Another dog comparable to the robustness of Dobermans is the German shepherd. The German Shepherd also offers strength, sharpness, and versatility as a family dog and watch dog.

Looking for a good companion? The Golden Retriever has acquired a great reputation as a fantastic family dog. This breed probably evolved from the retriever and water spaniel and is appreciated today for its good looks, intelligence, loyalty and gentleness.

People with an active lifestyle would definitely admire the Papillon. Although they serve as lap dogs, Papillons enjoy showing off their superior dexterity in agility trials.

As you can see, selecting a dog involves a lot more than scrutinizing all the various dog breeds. And if you have your heart set on a small dog, not all toy dog breeds will suit your circumstances. Choose carefully, you’ve got your work cut out.

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Watching your new puppy sleeping peacefully in his bed, I’ve got to admit it’s hard to picture what he will be like in a few short months, with an extra 50 or 60 pounds or more  on him. But even if you picked a small dog breed, one thing is certain: that puppy’s brain is growing, and you may not like what it’s churning up.

Unless you start working right now to mold that little personality into a proper little canine citizen, you may well find yourself facing a four-legged delinquent sooner than you think. And then what will you do?

When it comes to bringing up puppy, relying on professional information will make sure the job gets handled well the first time. Enrolling the help of a professional dog trainer may be a good start, but that approach has an inherent flaw. Let me explain why a dog training course right in your own home will work best for you.

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Relax, all is not lost. In fact, it may be a good idea to give yourself a few days to observe your new friend and maybe choose a name based not just on dog breed, but on his or her own personality, appearance, and even mannerisms. Robust or dainty? Active or couch potato? Cuddler or independent spirit? Feisty lap dog or friendly giant?

Sports is a good arena to select appropriate dog names. But first think of the connotations behind an athlete’s name, in other words what do these names evoke: Tiger, Sugar Rae, Bailey, Rocky, Lance, Serena or Venus? Good sportsmanship, fair mindedness, laser sharp focus, exceptional style, tenacity, steadfastness, agility, competitive spirit?

Hollywood celebrities can be another great source of inspiration. Duke would certainly suit a macho dog, Presley would be super cool, and Brad would just have to look amazing. How about Lolita for a poodle? Astaire would suit a dog that moves elegantly and is lightfooted. On the other hand, a huffing and puffing short-legged full-figured bulldog by that name would only draw guffaws.

Using humor in a dog’s name is a dangerous game to play. You don’t want to start a relationship with your new dog on the wrong paw. Having people laugh every time you call your dog may undermine all your efforts at building up his confidence. Bearing the weight of a misnomer throughout a lifetime is not a burden you would wish on your new friend.

Buddy is one of the most popular dog names around. It implies a constant companion you see eye to eye with, someone you can depend on when times are tough, and yes, even a cohort you can plan your next escapades with. But take care to avoid names that might send confusing messages to your dog: if you call your dog Healey, you may not want to use heel as a command.

It is well worth taking the time to weigh suitable dog names carefully and choose one both you and your new friend will be comfortable with for a long time.

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Given that a dog’s diet requirements will vary depending chiefly on the age of the dog, its size, activity level, and breed group, it is no wonder that dog owners often turn to their veterinarians to purchase their dogs’ food. But with that comes another risk, as vet dog food allergy seems to be on the rise.

As a result, many dog owners have resorted to feeding their dogs human grade, organic food, some opting for a cooked diet, and others for a raw diet. Either way, they feel that taking charge is the only way for them to gain transparency with regards to dog food and ensure that no sub-standard ingredients or harmful additives make their way into their pets’ nutrition.

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“Over the past 40 years and 17 generations of dogs and cats, we are seeing tremendous increases in chronic ill health in our pets that was rare back in the early 1960’s. Most of these illnesses revolve around breakdown in our pets’ immune systems, and include chronic skin/ear allergies, digestive upset, thyroid/adrenal/pancreatic disorders, seizures, gum/teeth problems, degenerative arthritis, kidney/liver failure, and cancer across all ages and breeds.”

A healthy diet is the first line of defense to support a healthy immune system. Organic foods containing hormone- and antibiotic-free meats and devoid of pesticide and herbicide residues, together with fresh food form the basis of a health promoting diet. And don’t forget some daily nutritional supplements for top health.

Pets live closer to the ground than we do. Constantly inhaling chemical residues from floor and furniture cleaners and licking lawn care chemicals off their fur constitute another form of assault on your pet’s immune system. And talking of licking, the fluoride and chlorine in tap water will only add more stress to your pet’s elimination system.

By understanding which vaccinations are absolutely necessary, you can discuss a limited vaccination schedule with your veterinarian. Many holistic vets see over-vaccination as a major factor in the increase in cancer and chronic disease in both canines and felines.

Antibiotics and steroids certainly have a place in veterinary medicine, but their abuse can also lead to a weakened immune system and greater health problems in the long run. A gentler approach using natural remedies to support the immune system in healing itself can have more positive results without the stress.

Your dog’s life is in your hands. It is up to you to take charge and aim for top dog health before it’s too late.

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