Breed Profile: Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

Bella, a 3 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
Who's owner is Becky Walker.

Nicknames	Staffy, Staff, SBT, Stafford, Staffy Bull.
Country of origin	England
Traits Weight Male 14 to 18 kg (31 to 40 lb) Female 12 to 16 kg (26 to 35 lb) Height Male 38 to 42 cm (15 to 17 in) Coat Smooth, short and close Color Red, fawn, white, black or blue, or any one of these colours with white. Any shade of brindle or any shade of brindle with white

Well, this is going to be one of the most controversial breed profile's I write. It is also a breed that i am very passionate about, not just as a breed but about the press and negativity they receive too. Like i have always said:

There is NO such thing as a bad breed, only a bad owner.
Now that is over and done with, lets get on with the breed profile.
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The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (informally: Staffie, Stafford, Staffy or Staff) is a medium-sized, short-coated, old-time breed of dog. It is an English dog, where it is the 5th most popular breed, and related to the bull terrier.

Appearance

A very beautiful 'blue' Staffordshire bull terrier with the perfect set jaw.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium-sized, stocky, and very muscular dog with athletic ability, with a similar appearance to the American Staffordshire terrier and American pit bull terriers sharing the same ancestor. They have a broad head, defined occipital muscles, a relatively short foreface, dark round eyes and a wide mouth with a clean scissor-like bite (the top incisors slightly overlap the bottom incisors). The ears are small. The cheek muscles are very pronounced. Their lips show no looseness. From above, the head loosely resembles a triangle. The head tapers down to a strong well-muscled neck and shoulders placed on squarely spaced forelimbs. They are tucked up in their loins and the last 1-2 ribs of their ribcage are usually visible. Their tail resembles an old fashioned pump handle. Their hind quarters are well-muscled and are what give the Stafford drive when baiting.

Colouring:

They are coloured brindle, black, red, fawn, blue, white, or any blending of these colors with white. White with any other colour broken up over the body is known as pied. Liver-colored and black and tan dogs can occur but are rare and not desirable due to it being believed having a different terrier mixed into it resulting in this colour. The coat is smooth and clings tightly to the body giving the dog a streamlined appearance.

Temperament

Although individual differences in personality exist, common traits exist throughout the Staffords. Due to its breeding, and history, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is known for its character of indomitable courage, high intelligence, and tenacity. This, coupled with its affection for its friends, its off-duty quietness and trustworthy stability, make it a foremost all-purpose dog. It has been said that "No breed is more loving with its family" It is the only breed to have the words 'totally reliable' in its breed standard. Furthermore, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is one of only two breeds from over 190 recognized by the UK Kennel Club to have a mention of the breeds suitability with children.

The breed is naturally muscular and may appear intimidating; however, because of their natural fondness for people, most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are very easy to house train unlike some dogs. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are big-hearted and usually affectionate towards humans. They express their affection through jumping up, nuzzling, licking and pawing, and even when trained can still be 'fussy' with owners and others. Staffordshires are perhaps not suitable pets for those who prefer quiet, reserved dogs. Staffordshires are notably adaptable in terms of changing home or even owners, and unfortunately this can make them easy prey for dog nappers.

History:
Before the 19th century, bloodsports such as bull baiting, bear baiting and cock fighting were common. Bulls brought to market were set upon by dogs as a way of tenderizing the meat and providing entertainment for the spectators; and dog fights with bears, bulls and other animals were often organized as entertainment for both royalty and commoners. Due to the fact that bloodsports was officially eliminated in 1835 people started to create dog fighting which often involved gambling and high amounts of money bidded onto specific dogs and was significantly cheaper than bloodsports. Unfortunatly even to this day illegal dog fights are still happening but many charitys and laws are enforced to stop this and prosecute anyone who may be involved.
As time went on the modern breed evolved into one with a temperament suitable for a pet and companion. It gained respectability, becoming a dog worthy to show, and was accepted by The Kennel Club of the United Kingdom as the Staffordshire bull terrier in 1935.

Common Health Problems:
As with any breed, irresponsible breeding can cause the spread of hereditary genetic flaws. Tests are performed to screen for these conditions.
Two of the conditions that can be detected by DNA testing are: L-2-hydroxyglutaric aciduria (L2HGA), a metabolic disorder resulting in behavioural changes and dementia-like symptoms; and Hereditary Cataracts (HC). This testing need only be done once. There are another two conditions which can be checked by way of an ocular examination throughout the life of a breeding stud or brood-bitch to minimize the transfer and spread of these conditions. The first is distichiasis (commonly known as “double eyelash”) where eyelashes are misdirected and begin to rub against the eye, particularly the cornea, causing ocular surface damage. The second is Persistent Hyperplastic Primary Vitreous (or PHPV) which is a condition whereby the blood supply to the ocular lens fails to regress and fibrovascular tissue forms causing hazy vision.

The breed is known to be at a higher risk from mastocytoma (mast cell tumours) than the general population of dogs.

Good/KC breeders should do these tests on the parents before breeder in order to make sure they have the least possible chance of inheriting any of these health problems.

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In my own personal opinion these dogs are fantastic IF you can handle them. Many 'younger' and even older people see these dogs as a status symbol which they are not!!! These dogs want to be loved just as much as a teeny pampered chihuahua.

These dogs more than likely will challenge you and chew everything up just to test you and if you fail and do not show them who is boss they will more than likely keep testing. They will tend to try this around 5months-1year old.

I do not mean by 'show your dog who is boss' beating your dog senseless because I for one DO NOT agree with any form of aggression towards dogs no matter what the breed.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers will respond fantasticly from positive reinforcement/clicker training because this will bring out no aggression in these dogs what so ever. Staffy's are highly intellegant dogs who deserve a high amount of respect.

This is Diva, her KC name is Pretty Posh Princess at Primonic's.
I think she is a BEAUTIFUL example of the breed and in my favourite colour too!

This is Buster, who is 1 year old and 9 months.
He is own by Karina Leggett.

A 'red' staffordshire bull terrier puppy.

Early socialisation is the key to owning a well behaved Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This breed does have a tendancy to be a dominant breed and by doing this will show they have nothing to be dominant over.

Breed Profile: Border Collie

Border Collie

Other names	Scotch Sheep Dog, Sheepdog
Country of origin	England  Scotland
Traits Weight Male 30-45 lbs. Female 27-42 lbs. Height Male 19-22 inches Female 18-21 inches Coat smooth or rough double coat Color solid colored, bi-colored, tri-colored, merle, sable. Litter size 6–8 puppies Life span 12-15 years

The Border Collie is a herding dog breed developed in the Anglo-Scottish border region for herding livestock, especially sheep. It is the most widespread of the collie breeds.

Typically extremely energetic, acrobatic, and athletic, they frequently compete with great success in dog sports, in addition to their success in sheepdog trials, and are often cited as the most intelligent of all dogs,
Border Collies are known to be the Einstein of the dog world.


Appearance: In general, Border Collies are medium-sized dogs without extreme physical characteristics and with a moderate amount of coat, which means not much hair will be shed. Their double coats vary from slick to lush, and come in many colours, although black and white is the most common. Black tricolour (black/tan/white or sable and white), red (chocolate) and white, and red tricolour (red/tan/white) also occur regularly, with other colours such as blue, lilac, red Merle, blue Merle, brindle and "Australian red"/gold seen less frequently. Border Collies may also have single-colour coats.

Eye colour varies from deep brown to amber or blue, and occasionally eyes of differing colour occur. (This is usually seen with "merles"). The ears of the Border Collie are also variable — some have fully erect ears, some fully dropped ears, and others semi-erect ears (similar to those of the rough Collie or sighthounds). Although working Border Collie handlers sometimes have superstitions about the appearance of their dogs (handlers may avoid mostly white dogs due to the unfounded idea that sheep will not respect a white or almost all white dog)

Height at withers: Males from 19 to 22 in (48 to 56 cm), females from 18 to 21 in (46 to 53 cm).
Females & Males weigh varies. Males tend to weigh between 30-45 lbs and females should weigh between 27-42 lbs.

Common health problems: 
Hip dysplasia, Collie eye anomaly (CEA), and epilepsy are considered the primary genetic diseases of concern in the breed at this time. CEA is a congenital, inherited eye disease involving the retina, choroid, and sclera that sometimes affects Border Collies. In Border Collies, it is generally a mild disease and rarely significantly impairs vision. There is now a DNA test available for CEA and, through its use, breeders can ensure that they will not produce affected pups. There are different types of hip testing available including OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) and PennHip. Radiographs are taken and sent to these organisations to determine a dog's hip and elbow quality.
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is a rare but serious disease that is limited to show Border Collies. NCL results in severe neurological impairment and early death; afflicted dogs rarely survive beyond two years.
Elbow dysplasia or osteochondritis, deafness, and hypothyroidism may also occur in the breed. Dogs homozygous for the merle gene are likely to have eye and/or hearing problems.


Activities: Border Collies are one of the most popular breeds for dog agility competitions. They also excel at competitive obedience, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and USBCHA/International Sheep Dog Society Sheepdog trials and herding events.

Livestock work

A herding Border Collie using it's intimidating stare in order to move the live stock.

Working Border Collies can take direction by voice and whistle at long distances when herding. Their great energy and herding instinct are still used to herd all kinds of animals, from the traditional sheep and cattle, to free range poultry, pigs, and ostriches. They are also used to remove unwanted wild birds from airport runways, golf courses, and other public and private areas.

Dog sports

Border Collies excel at several dog sports in addition to their success in sheepdog trials. Because of the high instinct of herding, they are excellent at this sport. Herding instincts and trainability can be tested for when introduced to sheep or at noncompetitive instinct tests. Border Collies exhibiting basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in sheepdog trials and other herding events. They perform well at some higher jump heights at dog agility competitions, so much so that in England, competitions often include classes for ABC dogs, "Anything But Collies".
The Border Collie's speed, agility, and stamina have allowed them to dominate in dog activities like flyball and disc dog competitions. Their trainability has also given them a berth in dog dancing competitions. Border Collies have a highly developed sense of smell and with their high drive make excellent and easily motivated tracking dogs for Tracking trials. These trials simulate the finding of a lost person in a controlled situation where the performance of the dog can be evaluated, with titles awarded for successful dogs.

A tri coloured Border collie.

An australian gold border collie.

A Blue Merle Border collie puppy.

A 'chocolate' and white border collie.

My beautiful Border Collie girl Suzie, she is 8 years old and is all Black&White.

Problem Barking.

Dogs will be dogs, and most dogs will bark, whine and howl at times - it's only natural. Dogs vocalize to communicate with humans and to express themselves. Sometimes we want our dogs to bark in order to warn us about potential danger or protect us from harm. However, excessive dog barking can be considered a behavior problem. What is the solution? Well, your dog needs to understand when to bark and when to be quiet, and it's your job to teach this to her. Start working on problem barking as soon as you can. The longer you wait, the harder it gets to curb the behavior.

Why Dogs Bark
It is important to understand that dogs bark for various reasons. They do not bark just to annoy you and your neighbors, nor do they bark for spite or revenge. Dogs don't bark just because they can (though it might seem that way at times). Certain dog breeds bark more than others - some types of dogs were actually bred to be barkers. Then again, the Basenji does not bark at all (though the breed can vocalize in other ways). If you listen closely, you will eventually learn your dog's different barks. Understanding the reason why your dog barks is the first step towards controlling the behavior. In general, dogs will most commonly bark for the following reasons:

• Warning/Alert: It is natural for a dog to bark when someone is a the door or when strangers pass the house or car. Many will bark if they sense some type of threat, proclaiming "I'm here protecting this place so don't mess with me." The sound of this bark is usually sharp, loud and authoritative. Honing this instinct with training can help protect your home and family.
• Anxiety: Anxious barking often seems to be an an act of self-soothing for many dogs. It is often high-pitched and sometimes accompanied by whining. This type of barking is common for dogs with separation anxiety.
• Playfulness/Excitement: This type of barking is especially common in puppies and young dogs. Many dogs will bark while playing with people or other dogs. Even the sound of the bark tends to sound upbeat and possibly musical. Some dogs will bark excitedly when they know they are about to go for a walk or car ride.
• Attention-seeking: When you hear this bark, you will usually know just what it means. This bark says "Hey! Hey! Look! Here I am!" Other dogs may whine and bark together to get attention, almost like the tone of a whining child.
• Boredom: The bark of a bored dog sounds like a dog that barks just to hear her own voice. Though it tends to be annoying, it is also kind of sad. Bored dogs often bark to release excess energy, and sometimes bark out of loneliness. They usually need an activity and perhaps even a companion.
• Responding to Other Dogs: This is probably a familiar scenario - one dog down the street starts barking, and one by one the rest of your block joins in.
  
  Prevent and Stop Excessive Barking.
  Once you determine the cause of your dog's excessive barking, you can begin to control the behavior. The best way to prevent excessive barking in the first place is to try and remove any potential sources of the behavior. You also want to be certain not to inadvertently encourage the barking. Finally, give her better things to do besides barking.
  
  Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise so there is not as much pent-up energy to burn by barking. Whether your dog is large or small they all need exercising. This doesn't mean throwing a ball in your backyard for 30 minutes. Take your dog out for long walks, practice off lead training if your dog isn't already used to it, throw balls (KONG do great balls in all sizes, from sizes XS to L), play hide & seek, there are plently of games and things you can do to tire a dog out.
  Remember ALL dogs need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.
  
  Never comfort, pet, hug or feed your dog when she is barking for attention or out of anxiety - that would be rewarding the behavior, thus encouraging it. Also never punish the dog because they also see this as getting attention, ALWAYS ignore it even if it is getting you worked up. (If you feel yourself getting angry or stressed, remove yourself from the situation, calm down and return to the situation with a clear mind.)
  
  Shouting at your dog to stop barking does not help. It may actually cause her to bark even more, this is because the dog actually thinks you are joining in and will cause the barking to become louder and longer.
  
  Try to get her attention with a clap or whistle. Once she is quiet, redirect her attention to something productive and rewarding - like a toy or treat. After getting your dog's attention, practice basic commands, like sit and down in order to shift her focus.
  When rewarding a dog for their quiet behaviour, wait 3 seconds THEN treat. If they bark during that 3 seconds wait 3 more and keep going till they are quiet. Once they have been quiet say the command of either 'Shh', 'Quiet' or whatever you choose. Be firm and authorative, just because you have a small yorkie or chihuahua they dont need to be spoken to like a baby, they need as much rules and boundrys as a large dog, if not more.
  
  Teach the commend: 'Speak' and 'Quiet'.
  Go here, to find out how to teach the commands: http://dogs.about.com/od/basiccommands/ht/speakquiet.htm
  
  Barking at other dogs on walks.
  This small part is dedicated to Lorraine Daborn and her Chihuahua, Kizzie.
  
  I know how frustrating dogs can be when they bark at other dogs because Lily, My 2 year old Chihuahua/Terrier mix is the exact same.
  
  When you go for walks, bring a small bag of treats with you in your pocket. When you see another dog coming, RELAX. Don't tighten your hold on the leash, shorten the leash or even act nervous. Your dog will be able to feel you tense up. I know you're going to be worried thinking "oh no, here it comes" but don't even think about it, your dog will know how you are feeling which because you feel anxiety yourself your dog will automatically think 'OMG, what is happening' then thats when the 'BARK, BARK, BARK' will come. Roll your shoulders back and forth, take a deep breath.
  A very wonderful woman once told me to focus of a point beyond the situation, focus on your own energy (think positive, dont think BARK), tried this and it honestly does help calm the nerves.
  
  When your dog detects the other dog (not before, and not after she has gone into the barking fit) this is when you must take action. Get her attention as quickly as you can. Basically, you need to break her mind off that "mental state" where she is fixated on the other dog. You can try getting her attention by waving the treats in her face, by making high-pitched noises and jumping up and down, by saying her name, or anything that works. (You'll look pretty stupid, but just do whatever you're prepared to do.)
  
  The MINUTE she looks to you, give her the treat, pet and praise. Then, immediately turn and walk away from the other dog. Don't bring her any closer.
  
  Gradually, you will be able to decrease the distance from which the dog is to you before your dog starts going nuts.
  
  NEVER force your dog into the situation. Another useful thing to do is if your dog spots another dog turn around STRAIGHT AWAY and walk away from the dog and keep walking till she stops barking the minute she quiets down say 'quiet' and walk the way of the dog.
  If your dog does manage to meet a dog without reactive make the introducing short and sweet. A quick sniff then 'GO' and say good girl and give LOTS of praise but remember, NEVER praise your dog if she hasn't done what you want from her.
  
  Another thing i can't recommend enough is the Halti head collar. If Lily doesnt wear hers when meeting other dogs she goes nuts and is so anxious she just barks. They fit dogs as small as a chihuahua up to a great dane.
  Your dog may resist it to start with but he/she will certainly get used to it, i wont walk Lily without one. They are absolutely fanstastic and definitely calm the dog down.
  Probably the best £10 I have EVER spent on Lily, I will continue to use these of every dog I have, especially Chihuahua's.
  To read more go to the link below&also to buy one:
  http://www.companyofanimals.co.uk/products/dog-training-and-accessories/stop-pulling/halti-headcollar
  
  
  

Breed Profile: Dachshund

Wire haired, smooth haired and long haired Dachshund's.

Dachshund.


The Dachshund is a long bodied, short legged dog. Belonging to the hound family.The standard size dachshund was bred to scent, chase, and flush out badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals, while the miniature dachshund was developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits. In the American West they have also been used to hunt prairie dogs.

Because of their long, narrow build, they are often nicknamed hot dog, wiener dog or sausage dog.

Appearance: The dachshund is long-bodied and muscular, with short and stubby legs. Its paws are unusually large and paddle-shaped, for efficient digging. It has skin that is loose enough not to tear while tunneling in tight burrows to chase prey. The dachshund has a deep chest to allow enough lung capacity to keep going when hunting. Its snout is long with an increased nose area that absorbs odors. Dachshunds come in three sizes: standard, miniature^, and kaninchen, which means rabbit. Although the standard and miniature sizes are recognized almost universally, the rabbit size is not recognized by clubs in the United States and the United Kingdom, but is recognized by all of the clubs within the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (World Canine Federation) (FCI), which contain kennel clubs from 83 countries all over the world.
A full-grown standard dachshund averages 15 lb (6.8 kg) to 28 lb (13 kg), while the miniature variety normally weighs less than 11 lb (5.0 kg).The kaninchen weighs 8 lb (3.6 kg) to 10 lb (4.5 kg).

Wire haired minature Dachshund.

'Chocolate&Tan' smooth coat Dachshund.

Colour&Coat:
There are three types, classified by their coats: short-haired, called "smooth"; long-haired; and wire-haired.
Dachshunds have a wide variety of colors and patterns. They can be single-colored, single-colored with spots ("dappled"-called "merle" in other dog breeds), and single-colored with tan points plus any pattern. Dachshunds also come in piebald. The dominant color is red, the most common along with black and tan. Isabella is a silver/gray all over color with light translucent brown points or no distinct points at all. Two-colored dogs can be black, wild boar, chocolate, fawn, with tan "points", or markings over the eyes, ears, paws, and tail, of tan or cream. A two-colored dachshund would be called by its dominant color first followed by the point color, such as "black and tan" or "chocolate and cream". Other patterns include piebald, in which a white pattern is imposed upon the base color or any other pattern, and a lighter "boar" red.The reds range from coppers to deep rusts, with or without somewhat common black hairs peppered along the back, tail, face, and ear edges, lending much character and an almost burnished appearance; this is referred to among breeders and enthusiasts as a "stag" or an "overlay" or "sable". True sable is a dachshund with each single hair banded with three colors: light at the base of the hair, red in the middle, black at the end. An additional, striking coat marking is the brindle pattern. "Brindle" refers to dark stripes over a solid background, usually red; if a dachshund is brindled on a dark coat and has tan points, you will see brindling on the tan points only. Even one single, lone stripe of brindle is brindle. If a dachshund has one single spot of dapple, it is a dapple.

Light-colored dachshunds can sport amber, light brown, or green eyes; however, kennel club standards state that the darker the eye color, the better. They can also have eyes of two different colors; however, this is only found in dapple and double dapple dachshunds. Dachshunds can have a blue and a brown eye. Blue eyes, partially blue eyes, or a blue eye and a brown eye are called "wall" coloring, and are considered a non-desirable trait in kennel club standards. Dappled eyes are also possible.

Temperment: Dachshunds are playful, but can be stubborn, and are known for their propensity for chasing small animals, birds, and tennis balls with great determination and ferocity. Many dachshunds are stubborn, making them a challenge to train.
They can have a loud bark. Some bark quite a lot and may need training in order to stop. Others will not bark much. Dachshunds are known for their devotion and loyalty to their owners, though they can be standoffish towards strangers Dachshunds are burrowers by nature and are likely to burrow in blankets and other items around the house, when bored or tired.
Dachshunds can be difficult to housebreak, and patience and consistency is often needed in this endeavor.
Although the dachshund is generally an energetic dog, some are sedate. This dog's behavior is such that it is not the dog for everyone. A bored, untrained dachshund will become destructive. Like many small dog's Dachshunds may not be the best pets for small children. Like any dog, dachshunds need a proper introduction at a young age. Well trained Dachshunds and well behaved children usually get along fine. Otherwise, they may be aggressive and bite an unfamiliar child, especially one that moves quickly around them or teases them.

Health: The breed is known to have spinal problems, especially intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), due in part to an extremely long spinal column and short rib cage.The risk of injury may be worsened by obesity, jumping, rough handling, or intense exercise, which place greater strain on the vertebrae. This breed is also prone to patella luxation, this is where the knee cap becomes dislodged. In some double dapples, there are varying degrees of vision and hearing loss, including reduced or absent eyes. This doesn't happen to all double dapples though. Other dachshund health problems include hereditary epilepsy, granulomatous meningoencephalitis, dental issues, Cushing's syndrome, thyroid problems, various allergies and atopies, and various eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, corneal ulcers, nonucerative corneal disease, sudden acquired retinal degeneration, and cherry eye. Dachshunds are also 2.5 times more likely than other breeds of dogs to develop patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital heart defect. Dilute color dogs (Blue, Isabella, and Cream) are very susceptible to Color Dilution Alopecia, a skin disorder that can result in hair loss and extreme sensitivity to sun. Since the occurrence and severity of these health problems is largely hereditary, breeders are working to eliminate these.

Breed Profile: Labrador.

Weight	Male	27–40 kg (60–88 lb)
	Female	25–35 kg (55–77 lb)
Height	Male	56–63 cm (22–25 in)
	Female	54–60 cm (21–24 in)
Coat	Smooth, short, dense and straight
Color	Black, chocolate,white, or yellow (pale cream to red)

Country or origin: Canada (original)
                           United Kingdom (development)

The Labrador Retriever (also Labrador, or Lab for short) is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for swimming, useful for the breeds original purpose of retrieving fishing nets.They are also one of the most popular assistance dog breeds in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities. Typically, Labradors are athletic and love to swim, play catch and retrieve games, are good with young children, elderly, and for protection.

Appearance: Labradors are relatively large, with males typically weighing 29 to 41 kg (64 to 90 lb) and females 25 to 32 kg (55 to 71 lb). Labradors weighing close to or over 100 lb (45 kg) are considered obese or having a major fault under American Kennel Club standards, although some Labradors weigh significantly more.

The breed tends to shed hair twice annually, or regularly throughout the year in temperate climates. Some Labradors shed considerably; however, individual Labradors vary. Labrador hair is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make them excellent swimmers. The webbing between their toes can also serve as a "snowshoe" in colder climates and keep snow from balling up between their toes- a condition that can be painful to other breeds with hair between the toes. Their interwoven coat is also relatively waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming.

Official breed standards:
There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred (bench-bred) lines of this breed in the United States, and are based on the AKC standard.
Significant differences between UK and US standards are noted.

• Size: Labradors are a medium but compact breed. They should have an appearance of proportionality. They should be as long from the withers to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. Males should stand 22.5 to 24.5 inches (57 to 62 cm) tall at the withers and weigh 65 to 80 lb (29 to 36 kg). Females should stand 21.5 to 23.5 inches (55 to 60 cm) and weigh 55 to 70 lb (25 to 32 kg). By comparison under UK Kennel Club standards, height should be 22 to 22.5 inches (56 to 57 cm) for males, and 21.5 to 22 inches (55 to 56 cm) for females.

• Coat: The Lab's coat should be short and dense, but not wiry. The coat is described as 'water-resistant' or more accurately 'water-repellent' so that the dog does not get cold when taking to water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat. Acceptable colours are black, yellow (ranging from ivory or creme to fox red), and chocolate.

• Head: The head should be broad with a pronounced stop and slightly pronounced brow. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Appropriate eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and are set slightly above the eyes.

• Jaws: The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length, and should not be too tapered. The jaws should hang slightly and curve gracefully back.

• Body: The body should be strong and muscular with a level top line.

Colour: Labrador Retrievers are registered in three colours: black (a solid black colour), yellow shades, anything from light cream to "fox-red", and chocolate shades, medium to dark brown. Some Labradors can have markings such as white patches on their chest and other areas, but most commonly they are one solid color. Puppies of all colours can potentially occur in the same litter. Pigmentation effects appear in regard to yellow Labradors, and sometimes chocolate, and hence the majority of this section covers pigmentation within the yellow Labrador. The most common places where pigmentation is visible are the nose, lips, gums, feet, tail, and the rims of the eyes, which may be black, brown, light yellow-brown ("liver", caused by having two genes for chocolate). Yellow Labradors usually have black noses, which may gradually turn pink with age (called "snow nose" or "winter nose"). A colouration also known as "Dudley" is also possible. Dudleys are variously defined as yellow Labradors which have unpigmented (pink) noses, yellow with liver/chocolate pigmentation, or "flesh coloured" in addition to having the same colour around the rims of the eye, rather than having black or dark brown pigmentation.

Temperment: Labradors have a reputation as a very even-tempered breed and an excellent family dog. This includes a good reputation with children of all ages and other animals. Labradors' sense of smell allows them to hone in on almost any scent and follow the path of its origin. But some lines (particularly those that have continued to be bred specifically for their skills at working in the field rather than for their appearance) are particularly fast and athletic. Their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times to ensure it does not get out of hand - an uncontrolled adult can be quite problematic. Females may be slightly more independent than males. Labradors mature at around three years of age; before this time they can have a significant degree of puppy-like energy, often mislabelled as being hyperactive. Because of their enthusiasm, leash-training early on is suggested to prevent pulling when full-grown. Labradors often enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and other forms of activity (such as agility, frisbee, or flyball).  Although they will sometimes bark at noise, especially noise from an unseen source ("alarm barking"), Labradors are usually not noisy or territorial. They are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers, and therefore are not usually suitable as guard dogs.

Labradors have a well-known reputation for appetite, and some individuals may be highly indiscriminate, eating digestible and non-food objects alike. Lab's LOVE their food and will be very persistant in order to get it, for this reason, a Labrador owner must carefully control his/her dog's food intake to avoid obesity and its associated health problems.

Health: Labrador's tend to be an overal healthy breed but they do have some problems. These are some:
Obesity
Labradors like to eat and without adequate exercise, can become obese. Laziness also contributes to this. A healthy Labrador can do swimming wind sprints for two hours, and should keep a very slight hourglass waist and be fit and light, rather than fat or heavy-set. When they are fat, they usually develop hip dysplasia or other joint problems and get diabetes. Osteoarthritis is common in older, especially overweight, Labradors.
Inherited Problems
Labradors are prone to hip and elbow displasia, especially in the larger dogs. Hip scores are recommended before breeding and often joint supplements are recommended,
Labradors also suffer from knee problems too. A luxating patella is a common occurrence in the knee where the leg is often bow shaped. Eye problems are also a possibility.

History: The founding breed of the Labrador was the St. John's Water Dog, a breed that emerged through ad-hoc breeding's by early settlers of the island in the 16th century. The forebears of the St. John's Dog are not known, but were likely a random-bred mix of English, Irish, and Portuguese working breeds.
The first St. John's dog was said to be brought to England around 1820; however, the breeds reputation had spread to England long before.

Yellow and chocolate pups, would occasionally appear (although often culled), until finally gaining acceptance in the 20th century. The first recognised yellow Labrador was Ben of Hyde, born 1899, and chocolate Labradors became more established in the 1930s.
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This is Hazel, she is a 3 year old Chocolate Labrador. Her Mum is Maggie Pine!
Hazel loves nothing better than stealing food at the park and tormenting other dogs. HE HE.
Isn't she just gorgeous though?! :-)

Breed Profile: Chihuahua.

Chihuahua.

Despite being the worlds smallest breed of dog, they most certainly make up for that with their personality.

Origin: Mexico.

Breed Purpose: Lapdog, companion.

Kennel Club Dog Group: Toy

Height: Both, 15cm – 23cm

Weight: Both, 1kg – 3kg

Lifespan: 15 years on average.

Exercise Needs: Even this little dog needs exercise. They need regular, daily exercise. Remember, just because they are a small breed it doesn't mean they don't need walking.

Even though these dogs are small they are VERY intellegant so will need mental exercise as well as physical.

Lots of training will help with mental exercise and you can also invent and create games to help too!

Feeding Needs: The Chihuahua needs a well-balanced diet with extreme care being taken over the quantities of food given as being overweight puts too much strain on their delicate bones and will shorten the lifespan.

Coat&Colours: The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom and the American Kennel Club in the United States only recognize two varieties of Chihuahua: the long-coat, and the smooth-coat, also referred to as short-haired They are genetically the same breed. The term smooth-coat does not mean that the hair is necessarily smooth, as the hair can range from having a velvet touch to a whiskery feeling. Long-haired Chihuahuas are actually smoother to the touch, having soft, fine guard hairs and a downy undercoat, which gives them their fluffy appearance. Unlike many long-haired breeds, long-haired Chihuahuas require no trimming and minimal grooming. Contrary to popular belief, the long-haired breed also typically sheds less than their short-haired counterparts. It may take up to two or more years before a full long-haired coat develops. Chihuahua's come in virtually any colour combination. White, cream, fawn, blue, black, brown also known as chocolate, brindle and many other 'splash' colours. The merle colour is not tradionally known to be part of the breed standard. In May 2007, The Kennel Club decided not to register puppies with this coloration due to the health risks associated with the responsible gene, and in December of that year formally amended the Breed Standard to disqualify merle dogs.However, in May 2008, the Chihuahua Club of America voted that merles would not be disqualified in the United States, and would be fully registrable and able to compete in American Kennel Club (AKC) events. Opponents of merle recognition suspect the coloration came about by modern cross-breeding with other dogs, and not via natural genetic drift. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temperment: Chihuahua must be chosen with care, as the temperament of its owner(s) can make a difference in the temperament of the pup. Chihuahua's have 'terrier' like personalitys and can be very alert and guarding. Chihuahua's are 'people' dogs and love to always be around other people and other animals. Many chihuahua's are 'one person' dogs and love to stick to one particular favourite person. Chihuahuas love their dens and will often burrow themselves in pillows, clothes hampers, and blankets. They are often found under the covers or at the bottom of the bed, deep in the dark and safety of what they believe is their den. Health disorders: This breed requires expert veterinary attention in areas such as birthing and dental care. Chihuahuas are also prone to some genetic anomalies, often neurological ones, such as epilepsy and seizure disorders. Chihuahuas have moleras, or a soft spot in their skulls, and they are the only breed of dog to be born with an incomplete skull. The molera fills in with age, but great care needs to be taken during the first six months until the skull is fully formed. Some moleras do not close completely and will require extra care to prevent injury. Many veterinarians are not familiar with Chihuahuas as a breed and mistakenly confuse a molera with hydrocephalus. Chihuahuas can also be at risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which is especially dangerous for puppies. Left unattended, hypoglycemia can lead to coma and death but can be avoided with frequent feedings. Chihuahuas are also known for a genetic condition called 'luxating Patella,' a genetic condition that can occur in all dogs. In some dogs, the ridges forming the patellar groove are not shaped correctly and a shallow groove is created. In a dog with shallow grooves, the patella will luxate or slip out of place, sideways. It causes the leg to 'lock up' and will force the chihuahua to hold its foot off the ground. When the patella luxates from the groove of the femur, it usually cannot return to its normal position until the quadriceps muscle relaxes and increases in length, explaining why the affected dog may be forced to hold his leg up for a few minutes or so after the initial displacement. While the muscles are contracted and the patella is luxated from its correct position, the joint is held in the flexed or bent position. The knee cap sliding across the femur can cause some pain due to the bony ridges of the femur. Once out of position, the animal feels no discomfort and continues with activity. Chihuahuas are also prone to some heart related disorders such as heart murmurs and Pulmonic Stenosis, a condition in which the blood outflow from the heart's right ventricle is obstructed at the pulmonic valve. Description of breed standards: The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard calls for dogs ideally between 1.5 and 3.0 kg (3.3 to 6.6 lbs.), although smaller ones are acceptable in the show ring. Pet-quality Chihuahuas (that is, those bred or purchased as companions rather than show dogs) often range above these weights, even above ten pounds if they have large bone structures or are allowed to become overweight. This does not mean that they are not purebred Chihuahuas; they do not meet the requirements to enter a conformation show. Oversized Chihuahuas are seen in some of the best, and worst, bloodlines. Typically the breed standard for both the long and short coat chihuahua will be identical except for the description of the coat. There is also no such thing as a 'teacup' chihuahua or 'miniature' chihuahua, this is just a selling techniques for a breeder to sell their pup's. It has even been recorded for some litters to turn out completely different! I read a story not so long ago of two chihuahua brothers, one was 2lbs and the brother was 6lbs and they both came from the same litter. Oh, and just because a chihuahua is 'tiny' when they are born doesnt mean they will be 'tiny' when they are grown up. People have a very niave perseption of these small dogs. Puppies: Chihuahua puppies tend to range in price. On average you are looking at paying £800+ for a Chihuahua puppy. Personally i would only buy a Chihuahua puppy from a registered breeder who understand the breed and the bloodlines and can provide you with a top quality pup. The colours of Chihuahua's tend to effect the cost of these puppies, you can buy a standard cream long coat boy for £700, yet if you were looking for a 'lilac', 'blue' or 'chocolate' girl you are looking at paying £1000-£2000. I have found over the past few years Chihuahua prices have gone up dramatically since they are seen as 'hangbag' dogs (which i think is ridiculous), it almost seems as if the true Chihuahua lovers can't even afford to purchase Chihuahua's nowadays. Can i also just state: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASEEE think about what breed you want, just because these puppys are cute and tiny it doesn't mean they wont take much effort and they dont want to sit in your handbag all day and look pretty. They have legs, they like to be free and walk and play!!! :-) To find out more look here: http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/183

These four beautiful Chihuahua's below belong to Shawna McCain.

This is Huntlee, a long haired Chihuahua

This is Bentlee.

This is Brystal

This is Bailee.

Thundershirt- Is it really the best thing for dog anxiety??

 Well, as most of you know Lily has some 'issues' in her life.
She has anxiety towards other dogs, she is VERY demanding (such a diva) and she is a barker, apart from this she is all perfect (in my eyes). She gets SOO over excited on her walks and sometimes she in uncontrollable to the point i just feel like giving up.
I have heard about the Thundershirt for a while now but i never really thought about getting it until i saw a video online of all these dogs having a good reaction to the shirt.

I made sure we got the correct size for Lily. We ordered her a small because she is a 17 inch round her chest BUT i had the dilemma of the XS was for 10-18 lbs with a chest size of 13"-18" OR the small which was for 15-25 lbs dogs but the chest size was for 16"-23". I decided to get the small because the chest would have fitted better but Lily only weighs 12lbs. Luckily it fitted her perfectly, it needs to be snug but not too tight your dog cant move or breathe. The only problem i had was the front strap is too wide so i have to adjust it properly so it doesn't stop her from running/jumper.
The shirt comes in a few different colours but the main colour which is supplied to UK is grey, you can get pink&blue rugby style but it cost's more.

Well, when we first got the shirt we took her out with Bobby and well, it didnt seem to help at all, she was still barking and still demanding her ball. BUT, today we gave it a better chance and had more of a calm approach toward the product. We decided to cut Lily's nails today and well, she usually doesnt react very well to this, she panics and squirms so we have to hold her down which is very distressing but it just has to be done! So, we applied to shirt to her and SHE WAS FANTASTIC, she just went to sleep on her back and let Ryan cut her nails, afterwards we took her straight out for a 'Socialising walk' to just test the shirt and let her meet other dogs. She was VERY calm on the walk compared to her usual excited/jumpy self, she didn't demand her ball or run off and expect to go running, she just walked with us. We only saw two dogs and the first dog she was fine on the approach but then she got over excited and started barking at the dog, we decided that the approach of her meeting dogs needs to be short and simple, a quick meet and greet and then walk off. Then after 10 minutes of more walking we met a labrador, and she reacted perfectly, no barking or pining, she just met the dog, sniffed butts and faces and walked off it was amazing and i felt so proud compared to her usual reaction!

I would definitely say it is a good product BUT you can't expect a miracle cure!! You will NEED to train at the same time. I think it takes the edge off of things but don't just think "Right if it doesnt work thats it, its going back". Give it a fair chance, do some training and actually help your dog with their insecurities. You get a 45 day guarantee on the shirt too so you can always send it back if it isnt correct for you. (Please check with the supplier first of all if they accept returns)
If you need any help with training idea's too please dont hesitate to ask or you can email pawfectpetz@hotmail.co.uk for confidential advice.

We got our Thundershirt from this supplier, it cost £30.95 excluding P&P (prices depends on what postage you pick). Pooches Pawadise had pretty quick delivery too which is always a bonus because i hate waiting LOL http://www.poochespawadise.co.uk/Shop/thundershirt.html

Just remember, this product isn't a miracle cure. You may need to include training too to get the best benefits!

Collapsible dog bowl!

We got a new silicone fold away bowl for the dogs for when we take them out.
We thought we'de get Lily to show you how to use it LOL.

 We got ours from Jolleys for £3.99.
I found it here for slightly more expensive, but the cheapest online was out of stock :-(

It's a really easy to clean silicone material, it also holds a fair amount of water so perfect for all sizes of dogs. It is really durable too so will last for a long while.
Its just perfect how it folds up almost flat so it doesn't take up as much space in bags.

Lily say's: 'Always remember to take water out with your dogs'

Travelling with Lily!

Since I got Lily we have always done a lot of travelling, mainly on buses.
This is due to the fact my Mum lives in one place and my Fiance lives in another place.
Lily is used to travelling now and always get's her own seat. (That is if the bus drivers don't tell me off LOL)

Since getting the new camera i just seem to be taking pictures of everything and i got it out on the bus and started taking pictures of Lily.

Once we got into 'Town' we done a swap over on buses to get from town to home.
Here is Lily with My Mum and Sister (Who appears to have VERY messy hair, shes 4 years old)

FINALLY home, after being in the rain for about 3 hours :-(
Poor Lily was wet and cold and looking pretty grumpy on the bus. LOL.

Lily looking nice and snuggled up.
:-)