I seen on "It’s Me or the Dog" that this one dog had a thyroid problem and it was making him mean? how does it make a dog mean?
yep that was the one

Not exactly making the dog mean, an overactive thyroid makes them on edge, constantly ready to take action, nervous… its like people with an thyroid problem can get anxiety, severe anxiety, they’re always on edge kinda thing.

Are you talking about that big white American Bulldog?? he’s a beautiful dog!!!

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Once called the Irish Red Setter, this high-spirited dog with a beautiful red coat is derived from a variety of setters, pointers and spaniels. Once having a red and white coat and much shorter legs to beautiful chestnut red color emerged during the 19th century as a result of very selective breeding. This dog was once used as a great all-around hunting dog as he has a good nose and is also very fast but today is bred mostly as a show dog.

Part of the American Kennel Club sporting group, the Irish setter was admitted to the club in the 19th century. According to the breed standard the dog should be between 24 and 28 inches in height and weight between 55 and 75 pounds. The Irish setter can be a long-lived dog and if given great care can exceed 15 years of age.

The Irish setter is somewhat of a streamlined dog with long muscular legs and a narrow chest. The crowning glory is the beautiful silky coat which comes in a chestnut or mahogany color and is long all over the body except for the face. the ears are thin and triangular and long in the nose brown or black. The eyes are dark hazel or chestnut color and detail has a fringe of hair and should be carried horizontally. These dogs are very quick and can cope with all sorts of climates and terrains.

Irish setters can be very high spirit and they are loaded with energy but also intelligent and affectionate dogs that make good pets for families that have the time to be sure that the dog gets enough exercise to expand his energy. They can be a bit impulsive and some may be high strung while others are a bit more reserved.

This breed can be prone to epilepsy and terrible skin allergies. They may also be prone to hypothyroidism and PRA which is an auto immune disease. Care should be taken with you ears as they can easily become inflamed and may actually end up having to be operated on.

Irish Setters do need a lot of energy and are not good apartment dogs. They do best with a large fenced in yard where they can run free. Regardless, you should take them for burst walk every day as this will be good for their health as well as your own.

To keep their beautiful lustrous coat in good condition, the Irish setter should be brushed every day. While he is only an average shedder, it is important to take good care of the coat to keep it free from tangles and burrs. He should be bathed or dry shampooed only when it is necessary.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/if-you-want-a-dog-that-is-high-spirited-and-loveable-then-the-irish-setter-may-be-for-you-90912.html

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a energetic, playful always on the go barking dog. They can be quarrelsome and actually pick fights with other dogs, even larger ones. They should not be trusted with other pets. They may take to older children, especially if extensively socialized when young. 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 male Smooth Fox Terrier is 14 to 16 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 15 to 20 pounds. The female ranges from 13 to 15 inches to the withers and 13 to 18 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Smooth Fox Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for deafness, congenital heart disease, glaucoma, skin allergies and shoulder dislocation. 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 Smooth Fox Terrier has a smooth, hard, flat and dense coat that is easy to care for. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, 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 Smooth Fox Terrier can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Smooth Fox Terrier comes from England where they were used to hunt vermin. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1885.

Some Registries:
*American Fox Terrier Club
*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: 3 to 6 Smooth Fox Terrier puppies

Category: Terrier

Terms To Describe: Active, lively, playful, energetic, quarrelsome, scrappy,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dog.
Easy to care for coat.
Generally very healthy.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dog.
This dog is a barker.
May be a digger.
Will leave on adventures.
Can be a biter.
May be possessive with their toys.

*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.

Mitch Endick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/smooth-fox-terrier-puppy-and-dog-information-94045.html

I work at a boarding kennels and a dog has been left uncollected for 3 days, my boss has tried contacting the owners but no reply, we think it may have been dumped.
It has never happened before so he is unsure of how long to leave it before contacting the RSPCA
Thanks

3 days after pickup date is what my vet says..he boards animals..

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It is said that dog is man’s best friend……. And sometimes more than it, it takes a place in your heart and becomes an integral part of your life. In fact, it stays with you through your thick and thin and protects you against all the odds of life. Moreover, you always want to pay him back, sometimes by loving it or getting him a present, but have you ever thought of buying him a dog health insurance plan for those wonderful years that are yet to come.

Dog health insurance above all saves a fortune for you by offering ample of services for your pet. It covers the cost of the veterinary, as vet’s fee has rapidly increased in recent times. For your information, dog health insurance covers things like visits, prescriptions, diagnostic tests, X-rays, lab fees and more. The aim of such products is to provide benefits to your beloved dog. The plans also cover reimbursements for preventive care, including physical examinations, flea and heartworm treatment and medication, vaccinations, spay and neuter, dental cleaning, blood screening and much more. So do not wait and apply online for health insurance for your beloved dog as quickly as possible. However, you will agree with the fact that in normal circumstances, all these things will hurt your pocket, so to get rid of such expenses, why not get some help in the form of dog health insurance. Hence, do not wait anymore and apply for the wonderful product that keeps your finances intact and your dog happy for forever.

However, dog insurance policy depends upon the breed of the dog. So while deciding upon a health policy for your pet, make sure that you have chosen the right kind of premium. These health policies come in an array of categories you can always choose from, whether you want to invest in for more coverage or a lower monthly payment. These dog health insurance policies also offer you routine care option services. However, the policy goes into effect in three days for accident cover and takes another 14 days for illness cover. If you have opted for routine care option, then it goes into effect in 14 days or more. However, if you have more than one dog, then the policy providers usually reduce the interest rate after the first policy. The dog health insurance deductibles vary and the minimum deductible amount could be about $100.

The advantage attached to such policies is that you can purchase policies based on your dog’s pre-existing medical conditions also. However, the age of the dog can severely affect the insurance coverage. Generally, such health plans begin coverage when the pet is 6 to 8 months old, but usually many insurers offer services when the dog is much younger. It is, however, advisable to seek assistance from people who have already insured their pets in various health related plans and schemes or you can approach pet insurance agencies for a better perspective on coverages. So do not wait and apply for dog health insurance immediately for a healthy future of your beloved pet.

Robert Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/keep-your-pet-happy-with-dog-health-insurance-292743.html

Having a Dog comes with many responsibilities. The key explanation for restrictions imposed on dogs by many countries and states in America is because of irresponsibility of dog owners.

People get dogs for all the wrong reasons which they regretted at the end. Owning a Dog should never become troublesome, which is why it is essential that if you want to own a dog, do it for the correct reason before getting one.

You should not get a dog for:

1. Protection

The wrong understanding for people who have this rationale in owning a dog, is that the dog will automatically be protective for their family which absolutely will not come true. Wrong way of training like keeping the dog away and not socializing them properly with people for trying to make them to be protective could turn the dog to be fearful and wary of strangers. Instead of protecting the dog owner, when face with certain critical situation, this dog would probably run for life.

Worse still some owners, train the dog to be aggressive and bark by tying him in a certain location and training him to have the territorial aggressiveness. This is wanting for lawsuits to come knocking on your door. Thousands of children and people had been hurt all over the world just because some children often found wondering within the territorial supposed to be protected by your dog.

If your intention for getting a dog, is for protection, then a better way is to get those electronic alarm devices that can sound like vicious barking which can be turn on by motion detectors. This would probably much more useful than getting a dog.

2. Children companion

A lot of children often beg their parents for a dog, just for a reason of cuteness or fun to play with. Usually this comes with a promise of taking good care of the dog well being and cleaning up the messes they will create. Well this is definitely a very bad choice to be made. Because the effect of cuteness and fun to play with will be gone after days or weeks, and now the dog will be left with no care.

Typically this job is deliberately shift to the busy mom who does not have the enough time to train the dog and such the dog would acquire bad habits which can not be tolerated by the busy home makers. This is probably why there are so many dogs end up in the shelter and some on the streets. If you are not prepared to train the dog to be a good part of the family, then give stuffed toys to your children instead of getting them a dog.

3. Competing with your neighbor. : )

Out of all the silly things people do, possibly this is one of the worse one. Just because early in the morning one day, your neighbor brought his dog for a jog and shows you how good it is to have a dog and how beautiful his dog is, you get jealous and get one for yourself so that you can show it to your neighbor too.

Although you probably not be the one who do this, there are people out there who did these stupid things. Having a dog is a lifetime devotion and it takes effort to be able to enjoy and have a meaningful relationship with your dog. So pride and competition should not be a factor in getting a dog.

Actually, if you look at it, there is not much different in having the correct reason of wanting a child and wanting a dog. You should purpose to do all you can to make him a contributing member of the community. You should be dedicated to correctly socializing him, teaching him how to behave in any kind of circumstances, loving, providing and caring for your dog.

Responsibility in having a dog starts before getting one, you should start studying on how to best care and provide your dog. Get obedience training manual and learn from those so that you know what to do when you bring the dog home.

Leo Enoch
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/being-a-responsible-dog-owner-140501.html

I am looking for an inexpensive way of keeping my puppy chow from Sunday night through Wednesday evening.I need to travel to DC and can’t travel with the dog because we have a little car and i’m traveling with every one at home,including three adults and two children there’s just no space for the dog to go.
Please some one give me suggestions.I will greatly appreciate any help.Great thanks.

Call a local vet and ask for a pet sitter’s phone number. Some vet assistants will do it. It’s cheaper than boarding, because you need all the shots and what not. Also, they can check up on your house and play with your dog without the stress of a kennel.

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