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Horse Resources
Horses are amazing animals that delight people of all ages, races, and demographics. Since the first time horses became domesticated around 3,000 BC, these animals have carried out and continue to perform a myriad of functions including serving as stable hands, racing companions as well as carriages for royalty and other dignitaries. If you want to deepen your knowledge about this magnificent species, to owning one, learning to ride and competing in horse riding competitions, do well to visit these online resources:
BEHAVIORAL DIFFERENCES IN CATS AND DOGS
Having both a dog and a cat at home isn’t unusual. They are two creatures that can live in harmony together. Pet owners do the same for both as far as caring for them goes. They provide them with food, shelter, and water. Cats and dogs still share a few obvious differences… and not just their size. Here are five ways having dogs is different from having cats.
Signs of Ticks on Your Dog or Cat
Ticks can become a real nuisance in the summer and your furry pet may be susceptible to becoming a host for one and being infected with tick-borne diseases or even get a secondary infection from the bite site.
THE TIBETAN TERRIER
Originating from Tibet, Tibetan Terriers are a medium-sized dog breed in the working group. They are so called “terriers” but have no relation to the terrier group of hounds. However, due to their remarkable resemblance to terriers, European travelers included the breed in their name. In Tibet, this dog is called Tsang Apso (shaggy or bearded) dog or Dokhi Apso meaning outdoor dog.
Brief History
Tibetan terriers have lived for thousands of years in the area that we now know as Tibet. Various DNA tests revealed that these dogs may have descended from various ancient breeds. In centuries past, Tibetans bred these dogs as good luck charms, companions, mascots, and herding dogs. Often known as holy dogs in Tibet, they were sometimes considered a rarity and were never sold, but raised by monks to be given as gifts. Living in Tibet which was a geographically isolated region, Tibetan terriers managed to stay as a purebred dog for more than 2000 years. In 1922, an English doctor brought the first Tibetan terrier to Europe. This was a white and gold female puppy. She later acquired a male Tibetan and with this couple as foundation stock, began breeding them in her then established kennel.
The first litter born to these dogs was in 1924, these puppies assumed the name Lhasa terriers. It was in 1930 when the Kennel Club of India changed the name Lhasa Terriers to Tibetan Terriers. In 1956, Dr. Henry and Mrs. Alice Murphy brought the first Tibetans to the US and in1973 the AKC recognized this breed placing it under the non-sporting group.
tibetan terrier
Physical Features
Tibetan Terriers are medium-sized with a powerful build and profuse coat. Their hairs are long and tend to cover their face, eyes, and sometimes mouth. The Tibetan’s body is square in proportion with large round feet that lie flat on the ground. Their tails are well feathered with an upward curl that allows it to fall forward over the back.
Average Height:
14-17 inches
Average Weight:
18-30 pounds
Life Expectancy:
15-16 years
Temperament
Tibetans are known for their loyal and affectionate charm which makes them good family pets. They are also intelligent, capable dogs with a strong helper drive. Tibetan terriers are sensitive and gentle to both adults and children.
Special Needs
With strangers or strange environments, Tibetans tend to be reserved. Owners need to exercise patience while introducing them to people and places they don’t know. Early socialization is required for them to grow into obedient and well-mannered pets. Due to their clever, steadfast and determined natures, some Tibetans tend to be stubborn. They also make excellent guard dogs.
Possible Health Concerns
Tibetans are a hardy and healthy breed, however, they tend to succumb to western canine diseases due to environmental changes and other bearing aspects such as the lifestyle they were used to in their country of origin. Early neutering and spaying may expose this breed to joint issues. In fact, many breeders suggest that owners wait until these dogs reach maturity. Occasionally, older Tibetans may suffer from vestibular disease. Although fatal, they may recover from it if dealt with during its early stages. Canine cancers also remain of concern to aging Tibetans.
tibetan terrier puppy
Exercise
The Tibetan terrier is an outdoor dog and enjoy daily walks with their family. Plan to fit in at least 30 minutes of exercise time a day to make sure your Tibetan stays at a healthy weight and is mentally stimulated.
Grooming
A Tibetan’s double coat is adaptable in everyday life. The undercoat is woolen and acts as a natural insulator and water resistor. Coat textures may vary from soft to hard and they may or may not be susceptible to matting. Grooming the Tibetans ample coat should be a regular activity, perhaps trimming it to a manageable length or just hand stripping any dead or loose hair. As they tend to chew their food, owners should ensure that they clean their dog’s teeth once a week to keep them healthy and clean.
Tibetan Terriers have a versatile, friendly and intelligent nature. They make loving and loyal family companions.
tibetan terrier breed
The Fourth of July Fireworks and Your Pet
Each year at this time many pet owners are faced with the Fourth of July fireworks and their pets. Although many dogs don’t seem to be bothered by the sounds and sights of fireworks, others become totally terrified during this annual celebration. These frightened dogs will show signs of apprehension and anxiety at the first sound of the explosions of fireworks as well as the flash that is associated with them. For those dogs that express mild distress during the traditional fireworks on this holiday, you may be able to control their fear satisfactorily by closing them in a basement or otherwise dark room. Close the blinds and play music on the radio or stereo and this might be enough to cover the noise and flash that makes them exhibit this distress. If you live close to the annual fireworks display in your town, this method might not be enough to cover the sounds and sights of this event and you may have to resort to stronger methods to relieve them of their fear.
THE WEIMARANER
The Weimaraner originated in Germany during the early 1800s. They were bred by German aristocrats, and used for hunting large game.
Brief History
It is believed that the Bloodhound was bred with several German and French hunting dogs resulting in the Weimar Pointer or Weimaraner. By the 1950s, the Weimaraner was extremely popular as a companion and hunting dog. The Weimaraner was first used to hunt bears, wolves and mountain lions. As the wildlife population decreased, this breed then was used as an all-purpose-hunter.
Physical Features
The Weimaraner is a medium-sized dog with a large, lean and muscular body. They have long, broad heads, light-amber; gray, or blue-gray eyes and high-set drop ears with a slight fold. This breed also has a grey nose. Their tails are docked, and the Weimaraner’s plush coat is short and sleek. This breed is elegant, athletically built, and has aristocratic features. The Weimaraner is intelligent and kind.
Average Height:
23-27 inches
Average Weight:
55-85 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12-15 years
Temperament
The Weimaraner is intelligent, friendly and athletic. This fun-loving dog breed needs a job, and plenty of regular exercise. The Weimaraner is sensitive and enjoys being around people, family, other dogs and animals. Because this breed is so active, they are prone to scrapes and accidents. The Weimaraner does well with positive puppy training classes, and plenty of socialization. This breed also gets on well with children, and enjoys family outings, trips to the beach and playing Frisbee. The Weimaraner always wants to be with its pet parent, and will be your shadow.
Special Needs
This breed needs socialization, and plenty of exercise. This is a high-maintenance dog breed that has to have consistent runs, walks and benefits from partaking in a few canine sport activities. The elegant and sporty Weimaraner does well with plenty of off-leash exercise. This breed loves to chew things, and pet parents need to watch out for gastric torsion.
Possible Health Concerns
The Weimaraner is an active dog breed that may be susceptible to the following:
Gastric Torsion: Also known as bloat, gastric torsion is a life- threatening emergency. The stomach distended with gas and fluid, and then twists, trapping the gas and fluid in the dog’s stomach. Early symptoms are pacing, gagging, excess saliva, and attempts at vomiting. The stomach will appear distended, and the dog will not be able to vomit. You will need to take the dog immediately to the emergency veterinarian. This cannot wait for a few hours since your dog may not survive.
Hip Dysplasia: This is an abnormal development of the hip joint in large dog breeds like the Weimaraner. It is generally characterized by a loose joint, and then degenerative joint disease. Dogs should be fed a high-quality diet that is geared towards their life stage. Puppies should only be fed high-quality puppy dog food. Excessive growth, types of exercise, nutritional factors, and hereditary factors all come in to play with hip dysplasia. Consult with your veterinarian for expert advice.
Cataracts occurs when the lens becomes cloudy, then blocks the light from reaching the retina. This causes mild or partial blindness. These are often inherited in certain dog breeds like the Weimaraner. Dogs with vision loss appear to use more caution when moving, and also tend to stay closer to their pet parents.
Dermoid Cysts are birth defects that may occur in certain dog breeds like the Weimaraner. These are skin pockets into which pollen, dander, oil, hair, and other bits of debris accumulate. These are found on a dog’s backbone. They can be surgically removed.
Exercise
The Weimaraner is an active breed that benefits from regular exercise and long runs. This is a working dog that needs to have a job. Active pet parents are a must for this wonderfully athletic dog breed.
Nutrition
Good high-quality nutrition is key to a healthy Weimaraner. Always opt for the very best high-quality dog food that you can afford, and add in supplements, steamed veggies and safe fruits. Ask your veterinarian about the veggies and fruits that are safe to feed.
Grooming
The Weimaraner almost self-cleans, and looks immaculate most of the time. Although this breed has a short coat, daily grooming is always recommended along with regular bathing, brushing teeth, ear cleaning, and nail trimming. Visits to the veterinarian are recommended for teeth cleaning twice yearly. Because this breed has drop ears, it’s very important to keep themclean to prevent ear infections caused from trapped moisture.
If you’re active, and have lots of time to spend with this sensitive and intelligent dog breed, the Weimaraner is a good dog to adopt. This breed is easy to groom, keeps clean, and is friendly with everyone — children included. Because the Weimaraner is fun-loving and energetic, prospective pet parents need to understand that this breed does best with plenty of outdoor activities.
THE TURKISH VAN CAT
turkish van cat
The Turkish Van is a beautiful, friendly cat that thrives with other pets and family members. While they make amazing companions, Vans often prefer to snuggle next to their owners on the couch or share their bed rather than snooze on a lap. Prepare for endless antics and tons of fun.
Brief History
The Turkish Van has been around for centuries — legend has it that they swam to shore from Noah’s Ark — and can trace their origin back to cold and mountainous region of Lake Van in Turkey. The rugged environmental conditions played a key role in the breed’s evolution.
Vans are known for their distinctive forehead spots and coloring at the base of their tails.
Their distinctive coloring and bubbly personality inspired Turkey’s invaders to take the cat along with them to their home countries as souvenirs. However, it wasn’t until 1970 that the first Turkish Van cats were brought to the United States of America and the Cat Fanciers Association registered them as an official breed in 1985. Today, the Turkish Van is considered a national Turkish treasure. It’s breeding and preservation is supervised by the Ankara Zoo and the Turkish College of Agriculture.
Physical Features
The Turkish Van is distinctive thanks to their famous, beautiful coat. Their fur is mostly white, extending from the nose to hindquarters just before the base of the tail. From here, their coloring turns into circles that are dark orange, red or auburn. Their ears and sides of the head are also colored in these shades with an orange, brown or auburn spot placed right between the shoulder blades. It emerges distinctly and is often referred to as “God’s thumbprint.”
Their coats have long, soft hairs that are often compared to cashmere. These cats love to swim and their coats are fully water resistant. The Turkish Van has golden, blue, grey, silver or brown eyes with a pink nose and muscular body. Their paws can either be pink or brown. These unique attributes make the Turkish Van a prime show cat.
Average Height:
7 to 13 inches
Average Weight:
8 to 19 pounds
Life Expectancy:
12 to 17 years
Temperament
The Turkish Van is a very independent adaptive and intelligent cat. They’re extremely social and do well with other pets and family members. However, while they thrive with company, Vans do not like being held or restricted in any way. They’re also known for being very inquisitive — be prepared to be followed from room to room! Vans are also very vocal cats and will often engage their owners in conversation just to feel a part of the goings on. Also be prepared for LOTS of climbing. Vans love scouting the highest point in any room and setting up there for a while. You’ll also never have to wonder how your Van’s feeling — their noses will tell you! When your Van’s happy, their nose will turn pink. When it turns red, they’re feeling stressed or upset. When it turns crimson, be prepared, they’re angry and will attack.
turkish van cat
Special Needs
The Turkish Van is not very good at traveling as they are prone to peeing, pooping or vomiting due to car sickness. The Turkish Van loves playing with water. This can lead to them going to places where they shouldn’t. Make sure you’re supervising anytime open water is available.
The Turkish Van also does not like being held and particularly dislikes being restrained.
Possible Health Concerns
The Turkish Van is quite a healthy cat — there aren’t many health issues that affect this breed. Despite this, the Turkish Van can suffer from a condition that is known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is an inherited genetic condition that require medical attention.
Exercise
Exercise comes naturally to Turkish Vans because they are always on the move. Vans love playing games, solving puzzles and performing tricks. They are also an avid climbers. This cat should be allowed to perform these activities as they play a big role in her daily exercise routine.
Nutrition
This cat is up early in the morning and retires late in the evening. This means that they’re quite active for most of the day. To fulfill their energy requirements, the Turkish Van requires a diet that is rich in carbohydrates. They deliver the energy which they need on a daily basis. Cool, clean water should always be provided to this cat, but beware, they may also use it as an opportunity for water play!
Grooming
turkish van cat
The Turkish Van has a beautiful, soft coat with long hairs. As a result, they require ample grooming to stay neat and clean. Since they do not have an undercoat, hair matting isn’t usually an issue. The Turkish Van does not shed much except in Spring and Fall seasons when the old coat is falling out and a new one growing in. Their coat is water-resistant and therefore eliminates the necessity of baths.
Her teeth should be brushed two-to-three times a week to prevent the emergence of periodontal disease. Claws should also be trimmed every few weeks. The corners of your Van’s eyes may emit a discharge and should be wiped away as soon as it emerges. As you do so, ensure that you utilize a different corner of the clean cloth for each eye. This prevents the spread of disease or infection from one eye to the other. Ears should also be cleaned weekly.
The Turkish Van is both beautiful and fascinating breed. They’re independent and affectionate at the same time. This is a companion that will play with you all day and sneak into your bed at night.
All About Avalanche Dogs
Dogs – they are man’s best friend for good reason. But more than just companionship, our canine friends can provide import functional roles in day-to-day life.
