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Archive for the ‘Hunting Dogs’ Category

If your dog spends his time licking himself repeatedly, it may be time to pay closer attention to your dog’s licking habits and dog licking symptoms.

Some dogs lick themselves to the point of self-mutilation for a variety of reasons. Boredom, lack of entertainment or stress could cause your dog to begin licking his paws, legs or some other body part. Is your dog constantly following you and sitting down when you sit then starts to lick himself? If this is the case, he’s probably simply looking for something to do. Could you take him out for a walk now?

Dogs are like humans in the sense that they also have unhealthy quirks or habits that they start doing when they are bored. For example, take a look at people waiting in line in grocery stores. Can you spot some of the sneaky habits that people have to entertain themselves when they are bored or anxious while waiting in line?  Dogs also have little habits that grow out of boredom. Some women may run their hands through their hair without even thinking about it and some dogs lick their paws or other body parts out of habit or boredom.

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors bred and domesticated dogs for the purpose of being worked. Now that society’s needs have changed, dogs are no longer used as workers unless they are used on a farm for herding sheep or Hunting. The purpose of dogs has evolved from helping people to survive to a being a fury friend with loads of energy.

Other dog licking symptoms result in open wounds and lesions on your dog’s body. These lesions could become infected with bacteria and spread to the rest of his body via your dog’s bloodstream. Such infections could cause severe health problems if not dealt with promptly.

There are occasions when licking is beneficial. For example, when a puppy first comes into this world, the mother will lick him clean to remove all natal debris. The licking also helps puppies breath and it stimulates bowel movements. There is no evidence to suggest that excessive licking at birth by the mother would result in puppies developing a licking habit that could cause health problems later on.

Another reason behind your dog’s excessive licking could be allergies. If you believe that your dog suffers from allergies, you should document your dog’s licking symptoms and take him to see a veterinarian. The vet may suggest an allergy test and should provide possible treatments for your dog. You should know, however, that allergy tests for animals can run as high as $300 for a dog.

In order for the vet to perform the allergy test, your dog will likely be put under some mild anesthesia. The procedure shouldn’t last more than 20 to 30 minutes and your dog will be a little drowsy afterwards. The vet normally uses another drug to reverse the anesthesia and your dog should feel a little more awake after the second drug. There will be a shaved patch on the underside of your dog, but the hair will grow back soon.

After the vet has completed the allergy test, he or she will probably discuss the various treatments available. You should consider the options wisely without forgetting about the financial consequences. Now that you can recognize some dog symptoms for licking, you should be able to help your dog feel more relaxed by properly addressing the issue and getting the right kind of medical treatment for your dog.

dwaser

Some people are driven to acquire the fastest possible car. Or amass wealth. Or get the corner office. Others are driven to build a strong family unit, or to find the perfect romance.

What drives you?

Humans are composed of many drives and desires. We humanoids are complicated creatures. Dogs, however, are much simpler in their major needs and desires, or what I’ll call drives.

A dog’s most important need is the desire for social order, to follow a strong, compassionate leader. I call this Pack Drive. Pack drive can be best summed up like this; it is the desire to follow and collaborate with a clear leader. You can see this drive in action when you notice your dog trying to please you.

But dogs do possess other drives as well. Here is a list of the other most important instincts that literally drive dog behavior…

Prey Drive: the urge to chase, catch, kill and consume moving animals. You see this in action every time your dog chases a squirrel. Unfortunately, you may also see it when your dog chases your cat.

Play Drive: a modified form of Prey Drive, Play Drive is the urge to engage in mock Hunting behavior. Play Drive is at work when your dog pounces on a squeaky toy and pretends to shake it to death.

Defensive Drive: the urge to defend himself, his pack mates, or his territory. Not all dogs have the drive to defend, and not every dog can stand up to the pressure of defending. A dog who reacts with a desire to defend, but who lacks the confidence to do so, generally shows fear before aggression. You may note this if your dog barks at the door, but runs away when you let someone in.

Fight Drive: If your dog stands his ground when confronted by threats, real or imagined, he may be high in Fight Drive, the instinct to take action to defend.

Flight Drive: A dog who does not stand his ground when facing a so called enemy or frightening situation, flees, and he is said to be high in Flight Drive. This and other drives are well explained in the works of authors Jack and Wendy Volhard.

It is important for us to understand what drives a dog, what makes him tick, in order that we may not only live with him peaceably, but also so we may train him in the easiest possible manner. To train a dog naturally, in a way that makes sense to his way of thinking, means the dog will learn to do what you want at incredible speed.

If that sounds hard to believe, think about it this way. When dogs play or interact, from the second they meet, they are exchanging information using body language. They speak much faster than humans because they can say “don’t come any closer,” merely by squinting an eye. So their language is quick and most dogs speak it fluently. This is why you’ll see dogs introducing themselves carefully at the dog park before playing. First each must know where he ranks in the pack, who he can be boisterous with, and to whom must he yield. Rarely does a dog fail to understand when another dog explains to him, “I am dominant. I would like to play with you, but please allow me to control the play.”

This happens in the blink of an eye and is the main reason there aren’t constant fights in dog parks. In fact, one of the rare times dogs do fight is when two dominant dogs meet and cannot negotiate a power sharing arrangement. This is rare, because they normally can work out a solution. Fights can also occur when a dog lacks confidence, is high in flight drive, and is cornered by other dogs.

Generally, though, dogs communicate quickly, and for a great reason. If they can instantly determine what their relationships are to be, there is limited need for fighting. And that is good for the species. Evolutionary success demands that social creatures work out their problems peacefully within the species, lest the animals expend more energy on killing one another than thriving. Dogs are a very successful species, and their drives, coupled with their ability to adapt, is the reason.

So what does any of this have to do with training your dog? Let’s go back and remember Pack Drive, the urge to follow and collaborate with the Leader. Dogs have this instinct for a good reason. If no one is in charge, chaos reigns. This means in the dog pack, no one has the authority to determine when we hunt, which deer is slow enough for us to catch, which dogs should pass along the best genes by breeding, and so forth. Lacking clear Leadership, dogs become nervous or aggressive…or both. In the wild, neurotic or unproductive aggression spells doom for the individual so afflicted, or for the entire species if those traits become common.

Dogs are born with Pack Drive so that their species does not live in chaos, thereby dying out. Instead, Pack Drive allows a Leader to emerge and keep the pack safe, content and well fed.

Training your dog is an important step in teaching him to meet your expectations. By recognizing how he his psychology functions, you’ll have a better chance of helping him understand what you want. Appeal to your dog’s need for social order by being a clear and compassionate Leader. By all means, share resources with your pet, just be sure you go first.

Here are a few tips that can help engage your dog’s Pack Drive so that he’ll see you as a Leader, and want to cooperate with you.

One, exit doors ahead of your dog. Encourage him to wait while you step through first.

Two, when walking your dog, don’t permit him to pull ahead of you. Instead, use any fair training method to teach him to walk at your side on a loose leash.

Three, ask your dog to sit before you feed him. Do not release an excited dog to his food bowl. Simply get the sit and stand quietly until he relaxes for a moment, then feed him.

Four, if you enjoy close contact with your dog, allow him to snuggle with you, but only when you have invited him to do so. If he gets in your lap without an invitation, take him off, have him sit, then invite him up as a reward.

Five, take your dog for a walk in a large open field on a 20 foot leash. If he runs ahead of you, simply turn around and walk briskly the other way. Before long, your dog will find it more pleasurable to keep an eye on you and allow you to pick the direction.

If you struggle with any of these matters, a professional dog trainer can help you upgrade your Leadership skills. Reward your dog only when he is in Pack Drive, attempting to please you. As Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan says, dogs follow a Pack Leader.

Marc Goldberg, CDT
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/train-your-dog-with-pack-drive-669979.html

In this article we explain the fundamentals of choosing the best kind of hypoallergenic dogs and outline the virtues of each type mentioned here for your convenience as a dog-lover and potential pet dog owner so you can make an informed choice about which to bring home – without any health hassles.

A lot of times, people fail to understand the importance of taking all adequate measures to ensure their allergies don’t get triggered off by the external factors around them or sometimes, people may not even be aware that certain breeds of dogs may be categorized as hypo or non-hypo allergenic, based on their traits. Thus, the emphasis on choosing the right kind of pet dog is increasing with the aim of educating dog lovers to picking and keeping their favorite pet at home with minimum fuss about how they can adversely be affected by the hypoallergenic dog.

While it is true that having one is not the ultimate solution to all your allergy issues, it is also true that there are some specific dog-breeds that are less likely to trigger off allergies in people and thus less troublesome to keep in homes and farms. These are the breeds we list below for your knowledge: –

• Terrier Dogs – have short coats, may be silky but mostly glossy and thus since they do have an under-coat, they are easy to brush and groom on a regular basis so make for ideal furry companions – minus the fuss of cleaning up on tufts of loose, shedding fur around the house. Thus, they are also prime candidates for people with known allergies and also for households with other animals that are prone to allergic reactions from dogs with generous fur. Though they were originally Hunting dogs and used to fight the menace of vermin, they are increasing becoming popular as small pet dogs that are easy to look after and require very little maintenance!

• Greyhound dogs – are available in many varieties thanks to cross-breeding as well as other environmental changes; fast and courageous dogs, they are typically sit-along companions for persons with a quiet disposition as they do not enjoy running for long periods. Short hair and again no undercoat like the terrier breed makes for happy greyhound owners as they are not known to trigger off allergies in humans. But, the downside to owning a greyhound is that these dogs may be allergic to some things themselves, so as the owner you need to be alert to their reactions to things around the home.

• Bichon Frise dog variety – is yet another great choice for those looking at a hypoallergenic pet and even though it has an undercoat, it is unlikely to hold much dander or hair allergy problems since this part is very springy. Small in stature and generally happy by nature, this dog breed calls for more grooming that the above varieties as it can otherwise deviate from giving their typical marshmallow look!

Do remember that when buying a hypoallergenic dog, you consider the severity of your allergies and energy levels before bringing home either a small or large variety of any of these.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/hypoallergenic-dogs-the-most-popular-hypoallergenic-dogs-753341.html

The German Shorthaired Pointer was developed as a Hunting dog and today he still excels in that capacity. This is a breed that is more than just a hunter, but those wanting “just a pet” would do well to remember their hunting heritage.

This is an adaptable breed with keen scent senses and intelligence for any job you want to teach them. He loves an active family and requires minimal grooming to keep his short coat in condition.

This is a dog that is as eager to hunt pheasant and waterfowl as he is raccoons. He’s an easy going dog with a heritage of German bird dogs bred to English pointers to refine and lend elegance without sacrificing the athletic abilities of the breed. Some claims of blood from an old Spanish pointer, English foxhounds and German tracking hounds added to genetic “installation” of desired characteristics.

They are versatile all purpose gun dogs that were selectively bred for trainability and then style and scenting abilities to produce a dog that is outstanding all around in the field as well as in the home.

This is a powerful dog that should cover some ground but without coarseness. They are by the standard 55-70 pounds and 23-25 inches in size. Proper bone is important – too heavy alters the picture while too light alters function.

Liver and white is the key color here. It may be liver and white ticked, patched, white ticked or liver roan but must be liver and white. Dogs with black, lemon, tan, solid white or orange are disqualified as that is more pointer qualities and coloring than the distinct German shorthair.

In motion these dogs should reach forward as well as driving with power from the hindquarters, allowing efficient movement to cover as much ground as possible. They have participated in field trials for the breed since 1944. Due to tail injuries the breed requirement is that the tail is docked to 40% of the original length. In motion the tail should never curve back towards the head.

Whether for show or hunting this is a dog that should be well muscled with a form-to-function type of movement. Muscling should be firm with the ability to do a job not just look curvy but have soft, flabby muscles. The smooth coat is tight against the body which allows the GSP to work in a variety of brush without needing extensive grooming.

Today breeders often focus on the same traits of bidibility, instincts and intelligence that allow them to excel as gun dogs along with the physical requirements to get the job done. Intelligence only goes so far if the dog isn’t willing to learn what you want to teach him!

The German Shorthaired Pointer club of America still values those dogs that can get the national championships in field trials as well as conformation. Indeed a large portion of the site is on field trials, hunting tests, gun dog information, versatility dogs and, of course, show dogs.

Because this is a breed that hunts first you can expect a high energy dog that needs considerable activity to be happy. Although dogs proven in the field are by nature healthy enough to get the job done it pays to remember there are diseases to watch for. If you are buying a puppy the parents should be tested to insure they are healthy genetically as well as appearance.

Hip dysplasia, congenital cardiac disease, eye disorders and cone degeneration are all things that should be eliminated by testing. Elbow dysplasia and autoimmune thyroiditis are also factors.

One of the most specific to German Shorthairs is cone degeneration – CD. This is rare but does show up in some lines. This is a recessive genetic trait – the parents do not have to have it if they carry it genetically. This causes day blindness due to the cells in the retina is not normal in response. By 8-12 weeks puppies affected will show signs of vision problems that are noticeable. In bright areas it can be painful for an affected dog as they can’t adjust to dim the night. They retain the night or dim lit vision, but bright lights render them unable to see. Obviously this is a devastating disease that alters the life of an outgoing hunting dog forever. Tests can return three results – normal is free of the disease and can be bred to any other GSP. “C” indicates a carrier – they carry the disease but do not have it themselves. Because it is a recessive they can be bred to ‘normal’ dogs and be fine – but a carrier bred to a carrier can and most likely will through “A” dogs – affected. These or homozygous and will get CD.

If breeding GSP this is an important consideration to test for as well as understanding dominant and recessive breeding. Breeding a carrier to a normal dog produces half normal and half carriers. However breeding carrier to carrier produces half carriers, ¼ normal and ¼ that will have the disease. Breeding carrier to affected increases to ½ the pups that will get the disease while the other ½ carries it. Clearly, breeding carriers only to normal dogs is important as well as making educated decisions on breeding.

Another unique disease to GSP is lupoid dermatosis which seems to be hereditary but studies are still being done. This shows itself usually between 6 months and 3 years with a scaly skin and lesions that are painful. Symptoms may come and to with little reason and skin infections may be present. There is no treatment so eliminating animals with the disease from the breeding population can stop the disease before it gets a foothold in the breed.

Although these are serious disorders remember the breed’s #1 function is as a gun dog. This takes a healthy animal!

This is a breed that for those who don’t hunt can excel at agility, rally, DockDog competition, tracking, obedience and anywhere the ability to work with their owner towards a common goal is prized. This gives an outlet for that high energy drive the dog possesses. They want to be with people, working with people and learning.

Open area, a happy dog and a partnership creates a bond. On a fall morning you’re in the meadows and your GSP snaps to a point as he notices a bird in the grass ahead and for a moment all is right with the world. A view with a beautiful, functional dog that wants to work with YOU. Life is good!

This is not a breed for everyone but for those in an active home he can be an awesome dog.

David Beart

Duck hunting can be accomplished on dry land and you can use duck hunting boats as well. These boats are great for hunting for ducks in a variety of environments that other boats will have difficulties in. You can choose the type of boat that will best suit the terrain you are planning on doing your hunting in. For hunters this means have a knowledge of the habitat their prey lives and feeds in.

While the majority of duck hunters prefer to hunt ducks from behind a duck blind, there are some who prefer to look for their game birds in other places. For these people sometimes the terrain they need to travel across is that of swamps and marshes. Since these places are full of water and lots of leafy hiding places, they are ideal for ducks.

Before you can flush your game birds out into the open you need to get to them. This is where boats with flat bottoms come in handy. The companies who manufacture these types of flat bottom duck hunting boats have investigated the various needs of hunters. The boats are designed to float through the waterways with minimal difficulties to the duck hunter.

To make sure that the duck hunter has ample room to store their gear and Hunting rifles these boats are provided with storage space. You will find hunting boats which are designed to hold not just the duck hunter, but also their dogs, decoy ducks, and all of the equipment which is required for hunting.

The best type of hunting boats have been created to mimic the smooth underbody of alligators. Just as these graceful creatures manage to glide smoothly in swampy waters leaving no trails there are duck hunting boats that have this capability too. These boats have rounded slick chines. For this reason they will not catch on any logs, stumps or ditch banks. These boats have the ability of sliding off and down muddy banks.

The many different varieties of hunting boats give the avid duck hunter the ability of following the ducks to their natural habitat. From these places the hunter will have the opportunity of deciding if they will set up a duck blind somewhere in the vicinity. They will also have a choice of using their duck callers to lure the ducks out into the open.

By using these duck boats the duck hunter increases their chances of getting a great shoot. The many different water and swamps are now open for you to explore. With duck hunting boats the world of game hunting has just expanded.

Rene Graeber
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/duck-hunting-boats-130070.html

Terrier Dogs happen to have a wide variety of dispositions and temperaments that would interest anyone. They range from the funny to the aggressive.The variety of characteristics that these dogs show make them fit with any any time of owner. Though a warning should be issued as some can get very mischievous while others may tend to be very timid. Terriers were initially bred as Hunting dogs meant to help in the catching of foxes, otters, rats, vermin and so on. breeds today have become domesticated though and are being added as companions or toy breeds.

Just like other breeds of dogs, the terriers have a wide variety of characteristics that make each one different from the other. Many owners have found these dogs to be faithful to the families that they live with and go to an extreme t protect the home that he lives in. They are distinguished for their guarding techniques and can easily differentiate between those who intend to cause harm and those who do not. their protective instinct is supposed to have come from the fact that earlier breeds were used in dog fights. After the sport was banned, breeders shifted to producing these dogs for the domestic market where many cross breeds produced keen, protective terriers.

Some notable breeds that came through this process include the Airedale Terrier, American Stafforshire Terrier and the Bedlington Terrier.

These dogs have a great talent and respond well to any form of training. In fact, Some Breeds are said to be endowed with a lot of natural intelligence which makes them ideal for training in obedience and for ring shows. Dogs of this kind require a lot of challenging activities that would train them physically and mentally. They must be involved in some sort of activity always or they will cause destruction if they get bored. As these dogs have greater intelligence, they will ultimately not cause that much of a wreck as larger breeds. Some types of these dogs also have great determination and a lot of disposition as well which gives them a sense of confidence. Some of these terrier dogs are fun loving and tend to be playful. They have a lively and gay nature makes them great entertainment for the family and have been loved for centuries for this very fun and frolic nature of theirs.

Terrier dogs that are social, need enough social exposure to get ready during maturity. Most of these kind of dogs tend to dominate the others when they reach that age of authority. The bull terrier types are the best example for this type. Surprisingly, some of the toughest terriers are actually the smallest. For example, the Cairn Dogs are relatively small and have a stocky build, yet they portray a nature of ever being ready to do things when it is necessary.

Most of the terrier breeds still maintain the traditional characteristics. They make great hunters but even then have a keen preference to human companionship. Many of these dogs have the speed, power and endurance that their predecessors possessed. It is not surprising that these dogs have the various characteristics that owners would love, as these dogs have been around for a very long time.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/terrier-dogs-their-characteristics-at-different-phases-753365.html

What other things can Hunting Dogs do?

Hunting dogs are versatile, intelligent animals. Their size and ability to learn makes them ideal for many tasks that help humans with daily life.

Service dog training helps the disabled

Therapy dog training helps people in hospitals, nursing homes and schools

Rescue dog training helps those trapped and injured

Seeing eye dog training helps the blind

Hearing dog training helps the deaf

Assistance dog training helps the disabled and those with medical needs

What is service dog training?

Many of the sporting breeds are used for service dog training. A service dog is generally an assistance dog who is trained to help people with a disability other than visual or hearing impairment, or a medical response.

Many private organizations raise service dogs with the help of prison inmates or families as puppy-raisers. Puppies learn obedience and basic life skills (socialization) until they are old enough for specific training. Other people train their own dogs at home.

In the U.S. the disabled and their service dogs are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which gives them equal access to anywhere the general public is allowed, such as restaurants, taxis, and aircraft, as well as provides protection for handlers living in places “pets” are generally not allowed.

Canine Companions for Independence is one organization that helps people in need of service dogs. They primarily use Golden Retrievers and Labradors for service dog training.

What is therapy dog training?

Hunting dogs also excel at therapy dog training. Therapy dogs visit nursing home residents, people in hospitals, and children in schools. They are used for emotional support and for educational purposes.

Therapy dogs cheer and comfort people. Therapy dogs usually need to be certified before some places will accept them. Therapy Dogs International, Inc., and the Delta Society are two well-known therapy dog groups.

What is rescue dog training?

The sporting breeds can also be superb when it comes to rescue dog training. Many of the best search and rescue dogs are sporting breeds. The same good nose and sensitivity that works in the field can be put to good use when it comes to finding a missing person or a missing pet. Some of the SAR dogs used following 9/11 were sporting breeds.

What is seeing eye dog training?

People everywhere identify Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers as preeminent seeing eye dogs. Guide Dogs for the Blind base their breeding program on Labs and Goldens, with a small number of Lab/Golden crosses because these breeds excel at their tasks and have the specific qualities needed for seeing eye dog training.

What is hearing dog training?

Hunting dogs also make good hearing dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing. With hearing dog training these dogs alert their owners to a variety of household sounds such as a door knock or doorbell, alarm clock, oven buzzer, telephone, baby cry, name call or smoke alarm. Dogs are trained to make physical contact and lead their deaf partners to the source of the sound.

Any breed can be trained to be a hearing dog as they are generally small to medium in size. Hearing dogs are identified by an orange collar and leash and/or vest. NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) is the oldest continuing hearing dog program in the country.

What is assistance dog training?

Assistance dog training covers dogs with service dog training, hearing dog training, and seeing eye dogs. Some dogs can even be taught to recognize the signs of an impending illness, such as an asthma attack, epilepsy or a diabetic emergency.

Many dogs perform lifesaving actions by alerting their owners or other family members to a medical emergency. Sporting dogs, with their sensitivity and their intelligence, have frequently saved lives with their service dog training.

Lizzie Novotny

Dog breeds in general have similar characteristics. Some dog breeds are more likely to kill than others and some breeds are more protective of their masters and physical surrounding than others. There has been a 20 year study to determine which dog breeds are more likely to actually kill human beings. This United States study was done for the years 1979 through 1998.

This study tracks 238 human deaths from dog attacks during a 20 year period. 24% of these attacks involved unrestrained dogs off their owners property. 58% of the deaths involved unrestrained dogs on their owners property. 17% involved restrained dogs on their owners property and less than 1% involved a restrained dog off the owners property.

Some of the conclusions of the study are not suprising. Yes, certain breeds are more likely to kill than others. Yes, deaths from dog attack are quite rare. Also it is sometimes difficult to determine the actual breed of a dog. Communities who try to ban specific dog breeds for public safety will find it difficult to define the parameters of what constitutes that breed.

Several factors interact with the dog to enhance the possibility of a human being attacked by a dog besides the breed of the dog. These factors include heredity, sex, early experience, socialization, training, health, reprodcutive status, quality of ownership and victum behavior. Additionally, this study did not look at intervening variable such as was the dog protecting his owner from serious harm or death or was the dog actually protecting himself from serious harm or death.

Male dogs are 6.2 times more likely to bite then female dogs. Sexually intact dogs,both male and female, are 2.6 more times likely to bite than neutered dogs and chained dogs are 2.8 times more likely to bite then unchained dogs.

One suprising conclusion of several studies is the fact that many varieties of dogs have been involved in a fatal human attack for one reason or another. Topping the list of deaths by dog in a twenty year period is the Pit Bull and Pit Bull mix at 66 human deaths. The Rottweiler and Rottweiler mix was responsibe for 39 human deaths. The German Shepherd dog and mix were responsible for 17 human deaths. The Husky type dog was responsible for 15 human deaths as was the Malamute responsible for 12 human deaths. The Chow Chow was responsible for 8 deaths while the Doberman was responsible for 9 human deaths. The Saint Bernard was responsible for 7 human deaths and the Great Dane was also responsible for 7 deaths. The Akita killed 4 people, the Bulldog 2, the Mastiff 2, the Boxer 2 and believe it or not the Labrador Retriever was responsible for 1 death while Lab mixes were responsible for 4 deaths. The following dogs were responsible for killing one human each during these twenty years: The Bullmastiff, Cheasapeake Bay Retriever, West Highland Terrier, Japanese Hunting Dog, Newfoundland, Coonhound, Sheepdog, Rhodesian Ridgeback and cocker Spaniel.

The conclusion that I make from this study is that almost any dog of size can be dangerous, particularly to children. Dogs must be properly trained, supervised, and care must be taken when choosing a breed with the propensity to be aggressive. Most important, keep young children away from male, sexually intact, chained dogs.

Mitch Endick
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-prevent-a-dog-bite-65368.html

One of the very first dog breeds that I photographed for my Animal Antics series was a miniature poodle.  We shot him for the cheer leading poodles image.  You could tell he was smart…and certainly was a bit of a trickster.  He would race around the studio checking on what everyone was doing…until it came time to shoot him.  Each time we started to shoot he would suddenly come up with a limp and could hardly walk.  As soon as we would finish our session off he would race with no sign of difficulty!

The poodle is truly a wonderful breed of dog with some outstanding qualities. The breed is generally recognized as coming in three sizes, standard, miniature and toy…though teacup poodles are also available. They have hair rather than fur…so they are, in effect, hypoallergenic and don’t shed.

Poodles are extremely intelligent and take well to training.  They learn quickly…but because they also forget slowly an owner must be consistent or risk resentment. Poodles are a sturdy breed and live between 10 and 18 years and in some cases up to 21 years. They are, however, susceptible to a number of genetic health problems. Like most large dog breeds, Standard poodles need a good amount of exercise but are comfortable in pretty much any size of home. Of the three sizes, standard, miniature and toy, standards are considered the most adaptable.

The breed is an ancient one…there are likeness of Poodle-like dogs on Roman coins and Egyptian carvings.  There are references to Poodles as far back as the fifteenth century in France, Holland and Italy. The first reference to Poodles being good swimmers was in 1642 (the Poodle was originally bread as a water retriever).  The “Poodle Clip” was originated to help reduce resistance in the water.  The patches of hair left covering the vital organs and joints were left to help protect those areas. In France the Poodle is the national breed and is used for truffle hunting as well as the more expected duck Hunting.

The standard poodle is a truly a versatile breed and in addition to being excellent water retrievers they have served as guide dogs, in law enforcement…and even competed in the Alaskan Iditarod Sled dog race!  Miniature poodles are sometimes thought of as “one person” dogs, but are obedient, can be a child’s best friend and make good trial dogs.  They do tend to think they are bigger than they really are and one has to be careful of their protective   tendency…particularly around other dogs.  Toy poodles make great companions and are especially good when quarters are tight.

Poodles are too intelligent to be “part time” pets…but need to be a regular and consistent part of their owner’s lives.  Poodle’s coats need to be kept well groomed or their coats could become unpleasant to be around, and in extreme cases it can be a health hazard.  Poodles have a great disposition…are cheerful and confident and can make a truly great companion.

John M. Lund
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/poodle-breeds-have-some-outstanding-qualities-673562.html

While most hunters tend to think the biggest bucks are to be found in the farthest reaches of the wilderness areas, many are realizing that the deer they were after might have been right there at home all along.

Of course it is true that unhunted places harboring really big bucks do exist in some of the less accessible, out-country areas. These places become less and less of a haven each season as the motorized hunter enters the wilderness.

Many a buck has crouched low to watch the ATV go by and gone back to the normal routine after the noisy intrusion passed by.

A stand of pines, a blackberry thicket, or a honeysuckle thicket right behind a house which is cut off from the rest of the woodlands by a cow field or other fields is ideal for deer.

You might find big bucks next to urban areas in the most unexpected places. These bucks have chosen these places to hide from hunters. There are fewer natural predators here also. Here they feel safer. The sounds of farm activity intrigue them. They like to keep tabs on the enemy. Regular activity is unalarming. Some like music and will take up residence near a regularly-played radio. Although dogs can be a formidable enemy to deer, deer might feel more at ease bedded down near dogs they know won’t bother them. These dogs will keep other dogs away.

Campfire stories at any deer camp will eventually include some story about a deer being encountered in an unsuspected, nearby place. An example is one I heard about a farmer who headed off in early morning to the wilderness in search of a buck. When he returned worn-out and empty-handed, his wife said, “You should have stayed at home; that old buck got his horns stuck in the cow feeder.”

WATERHOLES

During periods of drought, watering places are choice places to hunt. They are not the best selection when water is plentiful. Wounded or sick deer will go to water often, but healthy deer can do without it awhile, finding needed moisture in vegetation or snow.

Deer have definite water preferences and are quite choosy about what they drink when they can be. A mineral spring is the choice type of water source. A valley spring is ideal for a stand. The minerals found in these sources make the antlers large and firm, a fact which the bucks seem to instinctively know. Big bucks will frequent such places just as body builders go for protein supplements to health-food stores. Deer prefer sulphurous water to clear water. Water can be quite dingy in appearance yet be delightful to deer.

Deer do not hang around ponds, lakes, streams, or waterholes long because of the steady animal traffic to these locations. Does searching for bucks or vice-versa may prove an exception to this rule, but if they do hang around they will be concealed and on the alert with choice escape routes handy. Generally they just drink and leave. All the predators frequent the water, so any deer here exhibit an unmistakable wariness. Their ears move endlessly, and they spend several minutes waiting, looking, and scenting the air before each drink. In groups, one will drink and then the other.

Swimming deer are easy prey for boaters. Harassing swimming deer is strictly forbidden by law. Taking a swimming deer is subject to a strict penalty. The hunter can, however, position himself on land and harvest a deer which has reached land fully. This method of Hunting is productive at some larger lakes and on rivers of larger size. The hunter positions himself across river from prime deer habitat which is certain to be invaded with hunters on opening day. This prime deer habitat is usually the low-lying side of the river, the flood plain. The hunter takes a vantage point on the high bank opposite and glasses the water for deer. When spotting his prey he plots a possible landing point for the deer and while disguising his movement positions himself for a telescopic shot.

A 200-pound live-weight deer will drink two to three quarts of water daily at average weather temperatures.

A deer which has drowned does not make good eating. Drowning can be avoided by allowing the deer to fully clear the bank before shooting.

A deer disease commonly called “blue tongue” dehydrates deer and sends them to water continuously. When deer are affected by this disease, it is usually publicized by state officials. The tongue of such a deer will be swollen and blue. These thirsty deer are discovered drowned as they died while attempting to quench their thirst. It is said that the meat of such an animal is still consumable, but I suggest that no diseased deer of any kind be eaten unless you are desperate.

Islands are good places to find deer, for they are isolated from dog packs and have fewer predators. Often island deer seem to have a generally happier attitude about things and roam more freely as a result. Islands with agricultural crops bordered by tree-lines or other cover on the banks are particularly productive. Willow thickets are great food in themselves. Farmers who take advantage of the fertile flood-plain silt soils carry their machinery by ferry to such places.

Deer are excellent swimmers. A big river or lake is no obstacle, but rather a pleasure for them to swim. Deer have been known to cross considerable distances in the water, such as the Great Lakes. The hollow hair makes them buoyant, as when a person swims with a life preserver strapped around his chest. Nature’s equipment for the deer allows it to exert minimal effort to stay afloat and transfer its energy to movement. Deer can swim at a speed of 13 MPH.

When hunting pressure hits, large concentrations may flee to island retreats. Big bucks particularly favor islands for security. There are islands which are traditionally used for the rut that generations of deer instinctively head to for breeding.

Deer like to cut off their scent paths by crossing water and placing a barrier between themselves and their predators. Of course, islands are not fool-proof protection from coyotes and dogs since these animals can swim also, but they will swim reluctantly. For all these reasons, islands are good places to find deer which other hunters cannot reach. Predators do sometimes invade island herds and chase them away, but this is the exception and not generally true.

Islands in the Atlantic Ocean have sub-species of deer which are found nowhere else. These islands are generally fairly far from the mainland, making commuting by deer unlikely.

Remember that rifle bullets can travel long distances when glancing across the water in ricochet unobstructedly.

Albie Berk
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