Reflective Dog Collars

By: John Pawlett

If you own a dog, you know one of the biggest concerns you have is making sure your dog gets enough exercise. Not only do they need to be walked for the sake of exercise, they also need to be walked in order to use the 'restroom'. Because many of us are so busy, we often don't have the time to get them all the exercise they need during the day. This means they have to be walked at night. Even in the safest areas accidents can happen. This is why you should get your pet reflective dog collars for your nighttime walks.

Reflective dog collars are a great way to give drivers a heads up when they are driving at night. It seems the moment we step out of our cars we forget how hard it is to see at night. Even the best and most alert drivers can miss things, and shadows seem to blend into shadows, especially at twilight. You may think a driver can see you, but you can never count on that. If you have reflective dog collars on your pets, you are giving the driver of any vehicle a better chance of seeing you if you dart out from between cars, or even if you are using the crosswalk like you should.

You can find reflective dog collars anywhere you find regular collars, though they may cost you a little more. It's always worth the price, however, because they can help keep your dogs and you safe after dark. Reflective dog collars often contain the same material that you might see on other reflective items like emergency uniforms, or safety markings on roadways. They should be able to reflect light from a high distance, and alert any driver that a living creature is moving about ahead of them.

You can also find these reflective dog collars online, and you may find a better price by shopping this way. If you have already spent a lot of money on quality collars, you can make your own reflective dog collars out of what you already have. You can buy the reflective material in craft or fabric stores, and then securely glue them with powerful glue to the existing collars you own. Make sure you use enough reflective material, and you may even want to attach some to your leashes and your own jacket or shoes as well.

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Collie Dog - The Companion

By: John Pawlett

The Collie dog makes an excellent sporting dog, and can be taught to do the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds. He is clever at hunting, having an excellent nose, is a good vermin-killer, and a most faithful watch, guard, and companion.

Little is known with certainty of the origin of the Collie, but his cunning and his outward appearance would seem to indicate a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon was of opinion that he was the true dog of nature, the stock and model of the whole canine species. He considered the Sheepdog superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, and that, with a character in which education has comparatively little share, he is the only animal born perfectly trained for the service of man.

At the shows this type of dog is invariably at the top of the class. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. Second to this type in favour is the smooth-coated variety, a very hard, useful dog, well adapted for hill work and usually very fleet of foot. He is not so sweet in temper as the black and white, and is slow to make friends. There is not a more graceful and physically beautiful dog to be seen than the show Collie of the present period. Produced from the old working type, he is now practically a distinct breed.

The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon combined length of skull and muzzle, and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent.

The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour of the dog may be, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound and level, very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws Clean cut and powerful. The eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog; they should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a brown colour except in the case of merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china, expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together but on the top of the skull and not on the side of the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening.

The neck should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched. The body should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful. The dog should be straight in front. The fore-legs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. The hind-legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together.

In general character he is a lithe active dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be a fair length on the leg, giving him more of a racy than a cloddy appearance. In a few words, a Collie should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true action. In height dogs should be 22 ins. to 24 ins. at the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. to 22 ins. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 lbs. The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth.

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Shetland Sheepdog Puppy And Dog Information

By: Mitch Endick

The Shetland Sheepdog is a very popular dog because of her beauty and willingness to please. She is very trainable and makes a good watch dog. She can be kept in an apartment if she can get frequent long walks. She is generally good with other pets and dogs. She loves older children, especially if she has been raised with them. 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 Shetland Sheepdog is 13 to 16 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 14 to 27 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Shetland Sheepdog is no exception. Be on the look out for epilepsy, eye problems, skin problems, bleeding disorders and Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness). 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 Shetland Sheepdog has a double coat. The inner coat is short, furry and thick. The outer coat is straight, long, harsh 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 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 examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Shetland Sheepdog can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Shetland Sheepdog is from Great Britain where they were used to guard and herd sheep. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1911.

Some Registries:
*American Shetland Sheepdog Association
*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 6 Shetland Sheepdog puppies

Category: Herding

Terms To Describe: Loyal, responsive, affectionate, intelligent,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
They keep themselves clean.
Makes a good watch dog.
Very popular breed.
Eager to please.
Very trainable.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Makes a poor guard dog.
Sheds heavily.
Can be a barker.

*Other Names Known By: Sheltie,

*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.

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Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com. www.petpages.com is a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.