Do You Want A Male Or A Female German Shepherd?

Are you looking to get a new German shepherd? A puppy, or adopted dog? Are you wondering if it is better to get a male or a female dog? Well, according to the professionals, both are equally wonderful choices. Neither is better than the other. They do have certain attributes that are gender related though. German shepherds regardless of male or female are very loyal, willing to be trained, and, they make great family pets. And, even though German shepherds are great "guard" dogs, they are not of an aggressive nature. But, there are still differences between the two.

The male dog is usually stronger, and bigger in structure, more masculine. This means he will be looking a bit more intimidating than its female counterpart. A mature male Shepherd can easily outweigh a female by as much as 30 pounds. And, 30 pounds on a dog is a lot of structure. A male dog may be a little harder to handle, although, again, if trained properly will be a worthy addition to your family.

Male dogs can be more protective and more territorial than a female. They will do what all male dogs do, mark their territory and this could also be an issue, depending on the family home grounds. Female German shepherds can be more protective of their families. This could make them jealous of other pets in the household, especially of a relationship between you and the other pets. That is why; training your dog is of top priority.

Female German shepherds will be a little more streamlined, more feminine. This becomes quite noticeable. Actually, this difference is very noticeable even from a distance. So if the look of your shepherd in that way makes a difference to you, then yes, you may want to gender pick your new dog.

If you do not use your dog for breeding it should be neutered, for its sake and your sake. Neutered dogs are easier to handle, and have less problems connected to their gender. Male dogs are very difficult to handle when on the trail of a dog in heat. And, a dog in heat comes with its own problems of messiness, moodiness and other dogs hanging around. Neutering is best if your dog will be a family pet only.

What gender you get, doesn't really matter in the long run as long as you are ready and willing to train your dog. An untrained unmanageable German shepherd can actually be a dangerous animal. Even if not aggressive, these dogs are very strong, and they can hurt someone by their sheer strength alone.

If you are adopting, which I pray you do, then you may not have a choice. But, on the other hand, you will get the dog of your heart.

Basis Pet Grooming For Dogs 101

Ready to take on the pet grooming for your pooch? Most dog grooming can be done by owners if they know what they are doing and have the correct supplies on hand.

You should always have everything you need at hand before you get ready to do any grooming. This will prevent you from having to stop the process and hunt down the clippers, shampoo or brush. Many dogs get a little nervous during any grooming process and when you are completely organized and ready to groom it will serve both of you well and eliminate some of the nervousness on the part of the dog and the owner.

A non-slip mat will help with the grooming process and the dog should be positioned at a height that makes it possible for the groomer to reach everything without having to bend over. Place your hand under her belly and the thumb of your other hand under her collar.

Begin pet grooming by cleaning your dog's face. Look in her ears, eyes and at her teeth about once a week. Always praise your dog for sitting quietly and give her little pats of reassurance. You can use a cotton ball and water to clean around your dog's eyes. Another cotton ball can be used to clean the inside flap of her ear. Do not reach too far into the ear itself. Use a clean cotton ball for each part of the grooming process.

The next step in pet grooming is the teeth. This is a part of dog grooming that can be uncomfortable for both of you at first. Once you go through the routine a few times you will both be at ease and the process will go smoothly. You can use a specially made toothbrush and a toothpaste or gel that is made for dogs. Diluted salt water is also effective. This should be done once a week and a vet should check your dog's teeth at least once a year.

When it is time to bathe your dog you can use the tub or buy a bath tub designed for dogs. Purchase a good shampoo and be sure to rinse really well to avoid skin irritations. A non-slip mat will help your dog stay in place and after towel drying you may want to use a hair dryer set on a low speed to hasten the drying process. Some dogs become agitated with the noise of the hair dryer so this is a step you may decide to omit.

There are dogs who thoroughly enjoy being brushed and others who are totally against the idea. The best thing you can do is to begin this part of pet grooming as soon as you bring the puppy home. When approached in this manner your dog will get used to being brushed and will learn that it is just a part of his normal daily or weekly routine.

Dog grooming is not difficult and can be one more way to bond with your pet and form a healthy relationship.

Care For Your Small Dog With These Big-Impact Tips

Basic small dog care is much the same as for larger dogs, but owners need to make a few adjustments to best meet their small dog's needs. Consider the following daily dog care routines, and how they’re adapted to meet the needs of your pint-sized pup.

Feeding Your Small Dog

Naturally you're going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your small dog to eat comfortably. You'll need to be sure to buy a kibble designed to fit his smaller mouth (these are easy to find among the premium dog food brands). Canned soft foods are also perfectly suitable for your small dog.

Containing Your Small Dog

All dogs need exercise and a safe place to potty outdoors, and a fenced-in yard provides all the security they need, right? Not necessarily when it comes to small dogs. A fence that adequately holds a bigger dog may have gaps large enough for a small dog to fit between or under, allowing him to escape. Fences also can't provide overhead protection from large hawks, which sadly have been known to carry small dogs and puppies away. A covered kennel run might better meet your small dog’s needs.

Training Your Small Dog

Small dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, yet the consensus of many pet experts is that many of them end up spoiled. No matter if he fits in a purse or a pocket, your small dog still sees the world in terms of pack behavior, and if you’re not leading the pack, he is. It’s a wise idea to make sure your small dog is thoroughly housetrained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. Dog experts also suggest you make your small dog work for you, to keep him responsive to your rules. Have him sit or do tricks before you give him a tasty treat or even his meal.

Grooming Your Small Dog

Small dog care includes some special grooming needs you’ll need to keep in mind. Small dogs require more frequent nail trimming than larger dogs, because they typically spend less time on rough surfaces wearing them down. You'll also need to brush your small dog's teeth twice a week if you’re feeding a soft canned food diet.

As you can see, small dog care largely follows the same route as care for any other sized dog. The differences may seem like minor details, but paying attention to them can make a big impact when it comes to meeting your small dog’s special needs.

What You Should Know About Tigers, An Endangered Species

In general, tigers tend to avoid each other rather than fight. When tigers do fight, they seldom fight to the death, but injuries may occur that later cause death. Both male and female tigers will fight other tigers if necessary to defend, expand, or acquire a territory. Male tigers may fight another male if both are attracted to the same breeding female. Male tigers may occasionally attack and kill young tiger cubs. Conversely, female tigers will attack male tigers and other predators to protect their young.

Tigers are essentially solitary animals, except for courting pairs and females with young. Tigers with adjoining ranges may have friendly relationships, but even individuals with overlapping ranges usually keep 2 to 5 km (1-3 mi.) apart. Though they hunt alone, tigers sometimes share their kills with other tigers. Female tigers regularly share kills with their young dependent cubs. Sibling tigers, when learning how to hunt independently in their mother's range, occasionally share kills. Male and female tigers may share a kill during courtship.

Groups of two or more tigers, of various ages and sexes, may share a kill if food is plentiful. These aggregations are most often observed at manmade feeding stations where prey is regularly provided (to attract tigers). When young tiger cubs share a kill with each other and/or their mother, they often feed simultaneously. When adult tigers share a kill, usually only one tiger feeds at a time.

Tigers are essentially nocturnal. Most tigers are active and moving primarily at night (sunset to sunrise). Night activities include hunting (a tiger's prey is also active at night), patrolling and marking home ranges, courting mates, and tending to young. These same activities may also occur during the day, but less frequently. If hunting is unsuccessful during the night, a hungry tiger will hunt during the day. Mother tigers will also hunt during the day to provide enough food for their cubs.

Tigers are least active from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Activity steadily decreases after sunrise, reaching its lowest point at mid-day. Movement gradually increases again until the hour before sunset, when the majority of tigers are active. Mid-morning to mid-afternoon is the hottest part of the day. To stay cool, tigers often rest in dense vegetation, or lie along, and in, streams and rivers. Most daily movements take place on land, but tigers are also good swimmers. Tigers can easily cross rivers 6 to 8 km (4-5 mi.) wide, and have been known to swim distances of up to 29 km (18 mi.).

Dog Fences Keep Your Dog Safe and Healthy

Every dog needs exercised to be healthy. A dog chained in the backyard will not grow into the happy pet that you want. For this reason, it is important to use a dog fence to provide a secure space where your dog can run and play, safe from traffic and pedestrians.

When deciding what type of dog fence to use to keep your dog on your property, you have two main types to choose between: visible dog fences and hidden dog fences.

Erecting a visible, or traditional dog fence is the most straightforward way for you to contain your dog.

The cheapest and quickest way to make a dog fence is to use a snow fence. The holes on a snow fence will be small enough to prevent smaller dogs from escaping. If you live in a colder climate, however, you will know that snow fencing is unattractive. In addition, it can be easily bent out of shape, so it will require periodic maintenance. Nonetheless, if you are not troubled by the aesthetics, it will give you an effective fence in a pinch.

Moving up aesthetically from snow fences are chain link or picket fences. These more permanent fences can effectively act as dog fences. Given their more solid construction, they will also last longer than cheaper alternatives. If you plan to use a picket fence, however, it is important to consider the size of your dog in relation to the spaces between the pickets in your dog fence. Not surprisingly, as these fences are more attractive and permanent than snow fences, using them as a dog fence could cost considerably more.

A common problem with all the visible dog fences listed above is that even if they can keep your dog on your property, they may not prevent pedestrians from harassing your dog from the other side of the fence. While your dog will likely be unable to fit its head through a chain link, a child could put his or hand through the fence. The only sure fire way to prevent this from happening is to build a brick wall. Of course, this is by far the most expensive option.

Another importance consideration when erecting a visible dog fence is the types of fences allowed in your community by local zoning regulations.

If you do not want to erect a visible fence, either because of cost or aesthetics, you may consider using a hidden dog fence. There are two main types of hidden dog fences: wireless and underground.

In wireless dog fences, a transmitter is placed in the middle of the area where you would like to contain your dog. The transmitter sends a signal to the surrounding area that sets out the perimeter of your property. Your dog wears a receiver collar that beeps when your dog is reaching the edge of your property. If the dog continues to move towards the perimeter, the collar will give your dog a mild shock. An underground dog fence is similar to a wireless dog fence, except that the perimeter is defined by laying underground cables that trigger your dogs receiver collar.

The main advantage of hidden dog fences is that, quite simply, you don't have to put the time and money into building a fence. This also means you don't have to be concerned with meeting any zoning regulations. The disadvantage of hidden dog fences is significant, however: if your dog ignores the shock, there is nothing stopping it from leaving your property. Indeed, hidden dog fences will not work with dogs that are hard to train since getting to dog to stay within the perimeter is essentially a training process. And even the most perfectly trained dog might have enough reason one day to ignore the shock and run after something.