Top 10 Toy Dog Breeds For 2007

Everywhere I look it seems that I see someone with one of those Paris Hilton toy dogs. It's not just celebrities carrying around these cute little dogs but even our neighbors are accessorizing their look with toy dogs. Can they really be that popular? You betcha, the American Kennel Club recognizes 21 breeds in their toy group and the top 36 ranked breeds for 2007 contains 10 toy breeds. That double what their fair share should be considering the size of the toy group is only 21 breeds. Based on that list which 10 breeds ranked the highest in 2007?

1. Yorkshire Terriers 
2. Poodles 
3. Shih Tzu 
4. Chihuahuas
5. Pomeranians
6. Pugs
7. Maltese
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
9. Miniature Pinschers
10. Papillons


If you want to join the ranks of the fashionable dog carrying crowd this is the list you want. If you're someone that wants a rarer breed then you're better off looking at Otterhounds which came in at 154 on the AKC's list. If you were tired of all the yapping there doesn't appear to be any relief in sight because the toy dog group seems to be growing in popularity.

By: Caitlin Tomas

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Tink's Dog Boutique specializes in outfitting your toy dog. www.tinks-dog-boutique.com. If you need dog training info please visit www.dog-x-training.com

Shocking Training Dog Collar Guide

All dogs need training so that they learn to behave appropriately, especially in a family environment. To this end, training collars have been created to help you with this process, and they have proven to be very effective in this role. As with many things however, in the wrong hands, dog training collars can be used to hurt and abuse dogs, so you need to understand how they work and what they do.

The prong collar looks like a medieval torture device, but is actually one of the gentler training collars being investigated here. When the leash is pulled, the prongs start to pinch the back of the dog's neck. The thinking behind this is to replicate the memory of the dog's mother's teeth nipping the scruff of the puppy's neck. The collar is quite safe to use, the only real problem occurring if the fit is poor. If your dog is one that pulls strongly at the leash though, the prong collar might not be suitable.


The fit of the prong collar should be snug against the dog's neck. There is usually some leeway with these types of collars in that you can add or remove prongs to adjust the fit. A ready guide for the fit is if you can fit your finger between the collar and the dog's neck. If the collar is looser than that, it will not do it's job properly.

The Gentle Leader dog collar (or Halti collar) looks more like a harness. It works by closing the dog's mouth when you pull on the leash. The method aims to control the dog's general movement by controlling it's head. The theory being that the body will follow where the head goes. This type of collar is well suited to aggressive animals that lunge or bite.

There is a downside to this type of collar though. Dog's, as a rule, do not like having restrainers on their face, and it might be quite a job to get your dog to accept a harness of this type. Care should also be taken bot to pull the head to hard, because the dog could suffer injuries to the neck or back.

The choke collar is one of those items that can raise some people's hackles. Those that like them point to how effective they are in controlling a dog. Those that don't like them, would say that the collars are inhumane. The answer to this probably lies in the people who use the collars. Used correctly, choke collars can be very effective. Used in an inappropriate manner, the choke collar can be quite brutal.

Correct use of a choke collar starts with correct fitting. They work by tightening around the dog's throat when the leash is pulled. Equally, the tightness should be released when the trainer eases up on the leash, but if the collar does not fit correctly, this might not happen resulting in undue distress to the animal. If your dog is one that continually pulls on the leash, then the choke collar is probably not the right collar to use.

One of the newest forms of dog collar are the electronic one's. They are considered to be a very humane way to train a dog, but equally can be abused in the wrong hands.

The electronic dog collars work by allowing trainers to give dogs small electric shocks via a remote control to control the behaviour of the dog. How much of a shock the dog gets is entirely in the hands of the trainer, so in good hands, the electronic dog trainer can be very flexible and very effective. As a rule of thumb, the shock that is applied should be just enough to make the dog's ears twitch, but obviously the amount of electricity involved will depend on the size of the dog. In any case however, if the dog cries out when the electricity is applied, then the setting is too high. Once again, this type of collar is only really suitable for experienced trainers.

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Eliminate dog behavior problems with these astonishing new techniques! Dog training tips that don't hurt the dog and that still get results!

Learn About Dog Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is a condition in which a dog’s windpipe and upper bronchi are irritated and damaged by infectious microorganisms. Kennel cough can be caused by both bacteria and virus. Dog kennel cough is named variously like canine cough, infectious tracheobronchitis and bordetellosis

Characteristics Of Dog Kennel Cough 


One of the first warning signs of kennel cough in dogs is a rough and dry, hacking cough that will show up with in a week of the dog having the initial infection. The damage is done through the bacteria and/ or viruses damaging the lining of the windpipe and bronchi, which exposes the nerve endings. The cough is caused when the dog breathes in and out and air is exposed to the endings of the nerves which irritates them.

Seriousness and Duration Of The Disease

Most cases of dog kennel cough are mild and do not change the dog’s overall health or physical condition. The cough though can be irritating to the dog as it is persistent and the dog will cough every few minutes throughout the day. The use of antibiotics can be used to quicken the healing process but in the majority of cases most dogs will recover without it. Kennel cough can last up to three weeks 

Transmission of the Disease 

Like colds in human’s dog kennel cough can be transmitted. Because the germ is carried through the air and can be inhaled by other dogs it can cause infections in other dogs, especially if the other dog is susceptible to the microbes. If the dog is sharing a kennel then the disease can be spread very quickly amongst the other dogs (hence the name kennel cough). But it can be acquired anytime and anywhere from an infected dog.

Treatment and Prevention 

The veterinarian will typically prescribe cough-suppressing drugs to reduce the annoying cough. They will occasionally prescribe antibiotics to help manage the recovery from the infection, though most dogs will recover from the cough without medication.

There are some coughs which are similar to kennel cough that can b caused by other serious respiratory diseases, so it is important that the dog be examined by a vet.
You can also prevent kennel cough by having your dog vaccinated against these infectious germs. Dogs that are not in frequent contact with other dogs have a reduced chance of getting kennel cough. If taking your dog to a show or having it bordered ensure that the dog is vaccinated a few week before hand to prevent from catching the disease.

By: GloriaG

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A site dedicated to the care and wellbeing for your best friend. All the information and products you need to help you maintain your dogs health is available at:www.dogsreviewed.com

The Shaggy Dog - Disney's First Ever Live Action Comedy

The Shaggy Dog is a black and white 1959 Walt Disney movie about a youngster who is transformed into a sheep dog by a magic ring. Aside from its comic merit, it is noteworthy as being the first Walt Disney live-action comedy ever made. A testament to its appeal is the number of remakes and spin-offs based on this source material.

The Shaggy Dog most famously starred Fred MacMurray as Wilby's father, Wilson. MacMurray had entertained a run of success in the late 30's and throughout the 40's, straddling the fence between likeable rubes and hardboiled heels. One of his more outstanding roles was that of Walter Neff, the insurance salesman in Billy Wilder's 1944 classic Double Indemnity. By the early and mid 50's, however, MacMurray had experienced a dearth of suitable roles. The Shaggy Dog was essentially, and reluctantly, his second chance. The success of the film catapulted MacMurray back into the limelight and led to his being cast in The Absent-Minded Professor, Son of Flubber, and, perhaps most famously, in the long-running television show My Three Sons.


The plot follows the misadventures of Wilby Daniels, played by Tommy Kirk, a teenager perpetually misunderstood by his father, Wilson, played famously by Fred MacMurray. Wilson thinks his son is out of his mind due to the number of crazed, and dangerous, inventions the young man creates. On a whim, Wilby and his cohort, Buzz Miller, played by Tim Considine, escort a new French exchange student, played by Roberta Shore, to the local museum. Once there, Wilby is separated from the others and meets Professor Plumcutt, played by Cecil Kellaway. The professor informs him about the legend of the Borgia family and their shape-shifting ways. Incredulous, Wilby accidentally finds the Borgia ring, wherein he reads its inscription, and is transformed into the French student's Old English sheepdog. The crux of this transformation and misadventure is the fact that Wilby's father "hates dogs." Wilby and Buzz are soon embroiled in a case of espionage centered on the French exchange student, Francesca, who turns out to be more than meets the eye.

In 1976, Disney released a sequel to The Shaggy Dog, entitled The Shaggy D.A. It followed the adventures of a fully grown Wilby Daniels, played by Dean Jones. It was a modest success, but never lived up to the appeal of the original. In 1988, this was followed by a made-for-television third installment entitled The Return of the Shaggy Dog.

In 2006, Disney released a very loose "remake" of the original movie with an entirely different story and characters, unrelated to the original trilogy. It met with modest success. As a tie-in with the theatrical release of the 2006 film, the original 1959 movie was re-issued in the United States as a special DVD entitled "The Wild & Wooly Edition." This new edition featured two versions of the movie: the original black and white version and the newer colorized version.

By: Steve Collins..

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Steve Collins is an Author and Journalist based in Encino. A huge Disney fan, he uses the Disney Movie Club to complete his collection. REad his reviews of the Disney Movie Club

Dog Sicknesses Symptoms & Diagnosis

The downside of dog ownership is that communication can sometimes be a guessing game. This is particularly true when your dog is not feeling well.Sometimes your dog may just be “off” – not as energetic or acting odd. This may be nothing but it could be a sign of a serious health issue. Educating yourself in the signs that indicate all is not right with your dog can mean the difference between life and death.

Bloat:
If your dog’s belly starts to swell for no apparent reason, this could be an indication that she is suffering from Bloat – a condition in which the abdomen fills with gas to the point that it will become tight enough to play like a drum. This is a very serious condition as it can decrease her circulation and must be treated by a vet immediately.


Fainting: 
Often related to heart disease, fainting can occur when your dog gets excited and his heart has failed to pump enough blood to his brain. Fainting can also be caused by low glucose levels in the blood which is often a result of strenuous exercise. Either way, if your dog faints, take him to the vet ASAP.

Falling: 
When a dog falls over for no apparent reason, it can be an indication that she has an inner ear infection. This is very treatable and can be cured with a trip to the vet and a course of antibiotics.

Heat Stroke:
One of the most common summer ailments dog suffer from is heat stroke. This can come on very rapidly even if your dog has not been outside in the heat for a prolonged period of time. If your dog shows any of the following signs, move him to a shady spot and pour cool water all over his body and then take him to the vet immediately:

* Heavy panting
* Glazed eyes
* Rapid pulse
* Bright red gums
* Unsteadiness
* Vomiting

Shock: 
A dog can suffer from four different types of shock: hypovolemic, cardiac, neurogenic or septic. All four exhibit similar symptoms including:

* Pale mucous membranes (inside of the mouth, gums, eyes, etc.)
* Weakness
* Rapid pulse
* Tangible loss of heat to the extremities, particularly the ears.

The most common type of shock is hypovolemic, occurring when there is not enough blood circulating throughout the body. The cause can include internal or external bleeding or poor circulation. Cardiac shock occurs when the heart cannot pump blood fast enough. Neurogenic shock, although rare, can occur when the dog suffers a massive brain or spinal cord injury. Septic shock occurs when an infection has reached the blood stream.

If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms or experiences any type of injury that can cause shock, take him to the vet immediately.

By: Geraldo

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Gerald Njuguna runs a site dedicated to dog lovers. The site features information on selected breeds, basic care, training, shopping supplies, gifts, and news related to dogs. Also get to submit your dog photo for rating. Visit www.dogperfection.com