The Maltese Dog Breed Makes A Great Pet And Show Dog

Author: Lee Dobbins
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A member of the American Kennel Club Toy Group, the Maltese was admitted to the AKC in 1888. They stand eight to 10 inches tall and weigh between 6 1/2 and 9 pounds. They can be long-lived if cared for properly and may have a life span of 15 years.
Though small, the mall tease Is fairly hearty and is well-known for his beautiful long white, silky coat. this breed has a single code of thick shiny hair which is very heavy and drapes down to the floor being over 8 inches long. The ears and tail are also thickly covered with hair and the tail drapes over the dogs back. The eyes are rather large, rounded and dark. This is a small dog but sturdy. Acceptable colors for the Maltese include white and light ivory.
The Maltese makes it great bad as it is gentle and loving as well as playful and lively. Devoted to their owners, these dogs are very intelligent and quite adept at learning tricks. Though small, they can be rather bold and will let you know if there are any suspicious noises about. They typically get along quite well with other animals, however some can be snappish and they may be difficult to house train.
with the Maltese Sea to need to watch out for a few health problems the strangest of which is that they can get sunburned a long the part down the middle. Other problems could include skin problems, eye problems, respiratory problems, tooth problems and slipped stifle.
The Maltese is active indoors but can do fine in an apartment as long as you take them for regular walks. This dog will be playful well into its older years so it kind of creates its own exercise and a yard is not necessary.
This breed does require a bit of grooming and should be brushed daily as well as have his eyes cleaned daily. Since the hair does fall into the eyes, some owners will tie the hair on the top of the head in a ponytail to make cleaning the eyes easier. To avoid staining of the hair, you should clean your Maltese around the mouth after each meal. You also need to clean the ears regularly and remove hair growing inside. They can be bathed or dry shampooed as often as you wish. The good thing is that despite their mass of hair they do not shed much.About the AuthorLee Dobbins writes for Dog Breeds 123 where you can see photos and learn more about your favorite dog breeds like the Maltese.
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Don’t Kill Your Dog: Understand The Dog Food Ingredients He’s Eating

Submitted By: Kelly Marshall
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What’s On The Label?
The ingredient portion of the label must list all the food items and additives that are contained in the food. In most developed countries the items in dog food are controlled by a federal agency to ensure they are appropriate for consumption and are not a danger to the animals. The substances in dog food must by generally recognized as safe, or GRAS. No diseased meat, improperly processed meat or vegetable material or other items may be used in the food.
The items listed on the ingredient portion are listed by natural weight at time of processing, starting with the heaviest item and working down. That means that the meat is weighed in its moist, natural state just like the soy meal or ground wheat will be listed in their natural dry state on the ingredient list. Since processing removes most of the water, especially in dry food, the first ingredient on the list may not be the predominant ingredient in the final dry kibble. In reality most dry foods will list beef, chicken or meat as the first ingredient but on full analysis of the final dry ingredient there will be far more of the wheat fillers in each kibble. Avoid dog foods that list animal or meat by-products as the main ingredients as these have almost no nutritional value for the dog.
Since there is almost no way to know how much of the original ingredient is in the final result the information on the ingredient label is not as useful as it may seem. The better information that is provided on the label is the actual analysis of the feed, which is based on the final product and its actual breakdown.
The analysis will list the crude protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals. Generally a dog should have between 21 and 26% protein in the diet depending on their age and level of activity. The more active a dog is the more protein they will need to sustain energy levels. Puppies and senior dogs should not be fed high protein diets as it can cause problems in puppies with bone growth and may cause excessive weight gain in older, more sedate dogs.
How much to feed?
If you are feeding a good quality premium dry dog food it is important to follow the feeding recommendations. Poor quality foods will have you feed more and will lead to increased mess to clean up. Premium dry foods usually are fed by current body weight of the dog as well as the growth stage of the dog. Be sure to feed the correct food for the correct growth stage to optimize the benefits to the dog.
If you are in doubt about the correct feeding amounts or are concerned that your dog may be gaining or losing weight due to the food immediately seek the advice of your vet. Often rapid weight loss or gain has nothing to do with the food but may be a serious health concern or even a genetic condition.About the AuthorVets also recommend feeding your dog from an elevated dog feeder to reduce the amount of air ingested when eating.
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Dog Cleaning Tips: How To Keep Clean & Germ Free When Raising Your Dog

Submitted By: Dan Irwin
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1. Premix in spray bottles appropriate cleaning products, such as vinegar and water or detergent and water, so the products are ready when you need them. Label the spray bottles with their contents and store them in a convenient place. Often, just the strength of the spray on the spot where your dog accidentally left you a “present” helps loosen the residue and prevent stains from forming.
2. Upholstered furniture is made in all styles and fabrics; some are easier to clean than others. To help us with our cleaning tasks, manufacturers have marked their furniture with a cleaning code or set of directions to let us, the consumer, know what type of cleaning is suggested for that fabric.
The codes are usually on the furniture platforms under the cushions. A "W," for example, means that the product should be cleaned only with water, while the letter "S" means the furniture should be cleaned only with solvents. You should check the manufacturer's instructions and test-clean a spot in an inconspicuous place before using any cleaning product.
3. Treat your carpet and upholstered furniture with a stain-resistant product such as Scotchgard.
Taking Care of Germs
In the whole scheme of things, we have a greater chance of being exposed to harmful germs from other people, or even the food we eat, than we do from animals; however, eliminating bacteria from surfaces on which our dogs walk or from our hands can help make our homes and us more sanitary. Here are some weapons for your battle against germs:
1. If you're on a walk with your dog, take along an individually packaged antibacterial wipe to clean and sanitize your hands after picking up your dog's wastes. Antibacterial wipes can be purchased in most supermarkets and grocery stores.
2. Use common household bleach to wipe down surfaces or clean floors to get rid of harmful bacteria. Rinse well and don't allow your dog to walk on the surface while it's wet. If the bleach gets on your dog's paws, he might ingest it when he licks his feet. Be sure to pretest a surface before cleaning with bleach to avoid any color changes.
3. Another option is to use an antibacterial cleaner with an odor neutralizer to eliminate bacteria and leave your house smelling clean.
4. Wash dog food dishes with detergent daily to prevent bacterial growth. If your dog's food and water bowls are dishwasher safe, place them in the dishwasher where the high temperatures will kill bacteria.
Taking the time to prepare for the inevitable messes your dog will make is a good idea. Caring for a dog can be a lot of work, but it should be an enjoyable experience. By practicing common sense hygiene as discussed above you will help keep yourself healthy, and both you and your dog happy.About the AuthorDan Irwin has been 'in love' with the Golden Retriever breed for nearly twenty years now. For a limited time, receive a free copy of "101 Ways to Spoil Your Dog for Under $10" when you sign up for his free golden retriever newsletter. http://www.AllGoldenRetrievers.com
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Homemade Dog Food Recipe That Can Makes Your Dog Lives Longer

Author: Dede Purneim
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Dog biscuit
This dog biscuit recipe is very simple. You start with a fourth cup carrots, three cups of parsley chopped up very fine, one forth of a cup of cheese, grated fine. A good tip is to make sure your dog likes the particular kind of cheese before you make the biscuits. Usually, mozzarella or Parmesan is the best to use.
No Chocolate
As we know that chocolate contains bromine, which is very toxic to dogs. None-sweet chocolate is by far the worst to feed to your dog, as it contains a large amount of bromine. Bromine is a very harmful chemical, one that normally leads to death of your animal should he be fed any type of chocolate.
Kibble
This is known as dry dog food, is the most popular kind of dog food, and it's also the easiest and most inexpensive to feed. Some dried foods are pretty decent; others are heavily processed and low on the nutrition scale. Read the label carefully to make sure that meat and not grains are the primary source of protein. Human grade whole meat such a chicken, beef, or lamb (not meat byproducts or "meal") is the best choice, and should be listed first on the ingredient label.
Bones
Dogs love bones of all types. However, some bones can be dangerous. The one of the safest bones you can give your dog is a shinbone. If you must give your dog a bone, make sure you supervise your pooch and if he or she shows signs of bleeding, then you should call your vet immediately for some advice.
Choose pet food with this ingredient ratio. It is important to understand that a typical dog's diet consists of 40% protein, 30% fiber and 30% starch. Read the guaranteed analysis to be certain. If you really want to know what's in your dog's food, try making your own dog food. There are plenty of recipes and meal plans available online. Consult with your veterinarian to make sure the diet is well-balanced.About the AuthorFor more information about homemade dog food recipe, please visit to: Homemade Dog Treat Recipe.
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A Good News For Dog Owners: Owning A Dog Help You Lose Weight

Author: Ashish Jain
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A recent Canadian study found that owning a dog almost doubles the time spent on walking, which of course has a telling effect on one's health. These sweet and affectionate creatures make people get up and going day after day. The fact of the study were reported in the American Journal of Peventive Medicine. Around 351 adults participated in the study and it was found that the average duration of walk per week for the dog owners was close to 300 minutes while those without dogs walked for only 168 minutes every week. That's quite a considerable difference and can make huge difference to those who walk to lose weight.
The general idea that dogs inspire one to be physically active seems to carry a lot of weight. This is possibly because dogs not only make you run with them by pulling you around but also make you do it happily as when you are with your dog you are not burdened with the thoughts of exercising and keeping yourself fit, for you are happy playing with the creature.
This makes you lose weight and stay effortlessly. This aerobic workout become a pleasure activity and not a strenuous exercise which increases the likelihood of continuing with it for a longer duration. However, do not go out and get a dog simply because you want to lose weight. That would be an erroneous approach.
Dog is an affectionate creature and unless you enjoy its company, it is unlikely to enjoy yours. In that case it will be a lose lose situation. So, get yourself a dog only if you like having them around or else find some other alternative method to lose weight. For those who already have dogs must take them out for a walk every morning. It is good for health and can help you manage your weight effectively. You and your pet both will enjoy it immensely. After all, there is nothing better than having a healthy beginning early in the day.About the AuthorTo get more information on pet dogs, dog breeds and dogs and health visit http://www.thepetdogs.com/
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