West Highland Terriers, which are more commonly known as Westies, are hypoallergenic dogs. This is good news for allergy suffers who love these cute little bundles of fur.

One in ten people suffer from allergies to dogs, suffering from watering eyes and even attacks of asthma. Westies pose a considerably less serious risk than most other breeds of causing an allergic reaction to their hair and dander.

Actually, pet hair is not the cause of allergic reactions in humans. It is the dander common to the dogs and more commonly to specific breeds, which causes the sneezing and breathing problems in allergy prone humans. Dander is microscopic dead skin scales like human dandruff that pets shed as a natural action. The dander is so minuscule you just do not see it, but it circulates in the air and it stays on the furniture, the drapes and the carpeting.

Besides the west highland terrier, other hypoallergenic breeds of dogs are most terriers including the American hairless, the border, the cairn, the Kerry blue, the soft coated wheaten, the Tibetan, the wire haired fox and the Yorkshire. Other dog breeds noted for their hypoallergenic traits are Basenji, Chinese crested, Havanese, Maltese, miniature schnauzer, Portuguese water dog, Shih-tzu, Spanish water dog, and both standard and toy poodle. No dog is ever 100 percent hypoallergenic.

The very good news for owners and enthusiasts of the precious West Highland terrier that on the list of hypoallergenic dogs, starting with least offensive to allergies, Westies are number seven.

Westies have their own fine qualities as well. They love to be with their owners and family and travel well. Generally they like to swim althoughthey must be supervised. Adult Westie males don’t always get along well with other male dogs that haven’t been altered, however. They are hunters by nature and must be kept on a leash out of doors or they will take off in a split second to chase a butterfly, squirrel or rabbit.

The Portuguese Water Dog is an intelligent, hard working dog that was bred to help fishermen. They generally get along well with other dogs but should be socialized when young for other pets. If at all possible, they need plenty of exercise and if there can be water involved, you have a happy dog. They are stated to love children. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the Portuguese Water Dog is 16 to 22 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 35 to 55 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Portuguese Water Dog is no exception. Be on the lookout for skin conditions, Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness) and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness). This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Portuguese Water Dog has a profuse, heavy coat of either curly or wavy hair. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her ears should be checked once a week and be kept clean. If you’ve her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to teach here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examinedfor growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Portuguese Water Dog can live between 10 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Portuguese Water Dog comes from Portugal where they were used to herd fish for fishermen. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1983.

Some Registries:
*Portuguese Water Dog Club of America
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 4 to 8 Portuguese Water Dog puppies

Category: Sporting Group, Gundog

Terms To Describe: Obedient, spirit, robust, good swimmer, alert guard, companion, loyal, brave, intelligent,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Makes a good watch dog.
Makes a good guard dog.
Little to no shed.
Slow growing coat.
Fast learners.
Love the water.

*Other Names Known By: Cao de Agua, Sea Dog, Diving Dog, Portuguese Fishing Dog

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Each year, more and more new dog breeds are added to the already growing list. Currently, the American Kennel Club, or AKC, recognizes over 150 different breeds and has seven different groups to categorize them. These groups include; sporting, working, toy, terrier, hound, herding, and non-sporting breeds.

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The working category of breeds refers to those canines who aren’t merely pets or companions for humans, but rather are working animals that are now or have been trained to perform certain tasks. The working breed category includes: border collie, boxer, german shepherd, great dane, labrador retriever, rottweiler, st. Bernard, siberian husky.

Terriers are a lively group of dogs that were originally bred for hunting small animals such as rabbits and foxes, with most types coming from the British Isles. This category includes some well known dog breeds such as: american pit bull, australian, boston, bull, cairn, fox, jack russell, rat, scottish, welsh, west highland.

Also called teacup or tiny, the Toy category features the smallest of dogs who generally weigh under 20 to 25 pounds and include: Bichon Frise, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Havanese, Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy and Miniature, Poodles, Yorkshire Terrier.

There are also categories that use other criteria to describe dogs, such as those that are considered hypoallergenic or non-shedding. Some of these include: Airedale, Basenji, Cairn, Kerry Blue, Norfolk, Tibetan, and Welsh Terriers; Chinese Crested, Poodle, Schnauzer

A growing number of ‘designer dogs’ that mix certain breeds are becoming popular. These include many dogs that are part Poodle:

- Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle)
- Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle)
- Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle)
- Maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle)
- Schnoodle (Schnauzer and Poodle)

Dog breeds may also be grouped by the size and weight of the dog.

- Toy breeds are 10 pounds or less.
- Small breeds are 10 to 25 pounds.
- Medium breeds are 25 to 50 pounds.
- Large breeds are 50 to 75 pounds.
- Extra Largebreeds are over 75 pounds.

While any dog can be trained to be good around children and toddlers, there are those who seem to have an extra affinity and tolerance for kids. And of course, any dog who isn’t trained or poorly socialized won’t do well with children. Some of the breeds known for being good for families with children include:

- Basset Hound
- Bulldog
- Collie
- English Setter
- Golden Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Samoyed
- Standard Poodle

How to Choose the Right Dog Breed for You

There are many different variables to considerwhen trying to decide on the right breed of dog for you and your family. Before trying to pick which type of dog would do best in your home, ask yourself the following questions:

Training: All dogs require some type of obedience training and house training, but some need a bit more work than others. Do you have the time and patience necessary to train certain types of dogs?

Size: Do you’ve the room in your home and yard to accommodate a dog, and if so, what size?

Exercise/walking requirements: Do you’ve the time and energy it takes to see that a dog has the proper amount of exercise they need to stay happy and healthy?

Grooming and shedding: Is anyone in your home allergic to animals? Do you’ve the resources and time to devote to grooming your dog on a regular basis?

The Golden Labrador is a designer dog’. A mutt, cross-breed, or mongrel, but in general, it certainly is a lovable one. It is the cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Labrador Retriever. The look and the temperament of the Golden Labrador can vary as much as that of its proud parents, the Retrievers.

In many ways, the Golden Labrador will look like both parents. It could have the chunky head of the Golden Retriever or the refined head of the Lab, as well as the refined sleek body of the Lab or the long haired, stout body of the Golden Retriever. The Golden Lab will most likely be a good water dog and most certainly can be trained as a ‘gun dog’. It also could be considered seriously as a service dog and would be quite capable of making decisions without prior training.

The ideal thing about a Golden Labrador perhaps, is the fact that it is a cross breed and therefore, would be less likely prone tohave certain genetic failures of the two parent breeds. Hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, certain cancers such as hemangiosarcoma, followed by lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumor, epilepsy and osteosarcoma are all common in the retrievers, that are not so frequently seen in the Golden Labs. Heart, joint and skin diseases are also somewhat lessened while cross-breeding.

All in all, a Golden Labrador is a mighty fine dog to have. They are sensitive, intelligent, active and live long, healthy lives, if well cared for. They make superiorcompanions, children’s pets and the Golden Lab should never be over-looked as a perfect ‘Man’s Best Friend’.

My dear darling Aurique – the Golden Prince – is a Golden Labrador. He was designed by chance and not because of human interference. HisMom was a pure bred black Labrador Retriever and his dad was a yellow purebred Golden Retriever. Aurique was one of the resulting litter of 12 puppies. He came to me by a friend, who wanted only to rescue him, since the owner was going to shoot the puppy, because he followed people who would walk on the road for exercise, rather than stay home. My friend thought since I lived in the woods and my beautiful Border Collie, Gemstone was very old and crippled, that I would need a dog to replace her. In spite of not wanting another dog, I took him to save his life. He was three months old on August 21st, 1999, the day he was brought home for good. In bringing Aurique into our home, he saved the life of my precious Gemstone. Because of his tenacity, he forced Gemm to get up and walk, forced her into his type of therapy and played with her another four years, before she finally died painlessly at 18 years old. Because of his loved and care for Gemstone, he has found a place in my heart that no other can take. Of the twelve puppies he’s the only survivor. Ironically, the other siblings to my golden prince were all killed on the road, one-by-one.

Here is an post I discovered on this subject matter:

The “herniated disc” is often a common again injury in folks who acquire a fall or strain their backs. Likewise, dogs can suffer from herniated vertebral discs that may result in serious ache or paralysis. Dr. Dianne Dunning, veterinary surgeon formerly at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, explains that though these injuries could be serious, you will find successful treatments, such as physical rehabilitation and surgery.

Between every pair of vertebrae there sits an intervertebral disc, which Dr. Dunning compares to a jelly donut. “An outer fibrous ring called the annulus fibrosis is for example the cake donut, and it is filled having a dense, shock-absorbing materials referred to as the nucleus pulposus, that is like the jelly.”

When the “jelly” gets calcified and tough, it looks to shed its shock-absorbing capability. Pressure or trauma might cause the calcified substance to bulge or explode into the nearby spinal canal, which houses the spinal-cord, a procedure called herniation. The resulting strain for the spinal cord can result in medical symptoms ranging from discomfort to full reduction of feeling and function with the limb.

Classically, you can find two kinds of disc herniation: “disc extrusion” occurs when the nucleus pulposus explodes to the spinal canal and “disc bulging” is when the nucleus pulposus protrudes in to the spinal canal. This latter kind may be the type generally suffered by people.

Some dog breeds, specifically “dwarf” breeds with lengthy bodies and brief legs (such as Basset hounds, dachshunds, and Pekingese), are at risk of disc extrusion as they encounter a condition know as chondroid metaplasia, where the discs begin to deteriorate and calcify as early as a single year of age. Large breed dogs (such as Labradors, German shepherds, and Doberman Pinschers) are much more at risk of disc protrusion, just like what is witnessed in individuals.

The medical signs stemming by means of the disc herniation depend upon the location with the pain; a disc pain inside the lower back might trigger issues only inside the hind limbs, whereas an damage within the neck may cause dysfunction in all limbs. Dr. Dunning explains that with spinal accidents, neurological function is lost in a particular order, and also the opportunity for recovery is significantly influenced by searching for prompt medical interest.

In the very first stage an animal manages to lose proprioception, or its ability to know specifically where its limbs are. When this happens, an animal will show a “drunken” walk, known as ataxia. If your difficulty worsens, the compagnon will shed its capability to move its legs. Inside the last stage of paralysis an animal manages to lose its capability to really feel it legs. Paralysis can be progressive, proceeding from bad to even worse, so an animal displaying any of these indicators should be seen by a veterinarian quickly.

The treatment for disc herniation depends on the degree and duration of neurological dysfunction. For mild disc incidents without loss of strength or voluntary motion, a veterinarian will prescribe rest and restricted action, just as a human doctor advises against heavy lifting or other action which could stress the spine.

For animals who have not responded to conservative management or who have experienced many relapses of scientific indicators of disc disease or have paresis or weakness through the limbs, surgery is really a likely recommendation. Just before surgery, diagnostic imaging for example an MRI, myelogram, or CT scan is proceeding to be performed to confirm the trigger and place of issue.

Decompression surgery can alleviate pressure about the spinal-cord brought on by disc debris. The veterinarian generates a hemilaminectomy, comparable to a surgical “sunroof,” out with the bone overlying the spinal-cord and removes the problematic disc substance, relieving stress about the spinal cord. Over 90 percent of dogs enhance with this surgery, if health care attention is prompt and the degree of neurological impairment isn’t as well extreme. Each extrusion and bulge herniations can be taken care of with decompression surgery.

In lieu of or in add-on to surgery, rehabilitation (generally identified as actual therapy in human medicine) can be an important component of spinal pain therapy. Rehabilitation can involve underwater treadmills and exercises designed to strengthen muscles and neurological function. The University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital is among the very first institutions to put into action veterinary rehabilitation.

Sadly, disc herniation can be an pain that can acquire place repeatedly, in diverse vertebrae, especially in breeds which have been predisposed. The most frequent internet sites for disc herniation would be the lower back and guitar neck places, where the immobile rib cage joins places of higher movement, leading to anxiety on those people vertebrae.

Masters of dwarf-breed dogs or other dogs which have been predisposed can minimize risk of disc accidents or prevent repeated episodes by keeping their dogs weight down. Excessive total body weight adds biomechanical load and anxiety for the discs. A lean, well-muscled, and match dog is also much better in a position to recover from accidents if they occur, so Dr. Dunningadvocatesday-to-day moderate exercise.

Also, use a chest harness instead of attaching leashes to buckle collars which could pull all of a sudden on the guitar neck. If possible, prevent sudden stops and begins which could stress the spine, for example launching away furnishings. Education a tiny dog not to jump away furniture can curb risky routines.

“Most importantly,” Dr. Dunning emphasizes, “owners should not feel guilty. Disc accidents are never actually anyones fault but instead a functionality of how the ami is constructed.”

For more information about disc herniation or other spinal incidents, get in touch with your neighborhood veterinarian.

Kim Marie Labak
Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine

and here’s another 1:

It might acquire months prior to impacted dogs heal totally. Restricting jumping pursuits is very crucial in stopping reoccurrence. Using a glucosamine and chondroitin merchandise supplement can also be very recommended to help speed recuperation and strengthen the broken cartilage. A lot more disc Information at the bottom of this page.

from: http://bulldogsworld1.homestead.com/Spinal_Nerve_conditions.html

Update: Cocoa arrived again and experienced a normal day actively playing with Goji on Friday. This was a lot previously than expected. It was apparently a pinched nerve and he experienced been far better for a number of days. He was very bored, so we got the two dogs back collectively.