The beautiful Golden Retriever is a great family pet, they are friendly for children and very obedient. This breed is often used as a working dog too, they make great guide dogs for the blind or disability aid dogs. They are also used as tracking dogs for finding missing people or to detect narcotics. Although there are many dog breeds the Golden Retriever is one of the most favorite dog breeds that you can get.

Before you buy a Golden Retriever Puppy, you should take some time to learn a bit more about the breed. Ask various owners of a Golden Retriever about their dog, most owners will be happy to share their enthusiasm about their dog with you. You can visit a dog show to meet Golden Retriever owners, or go to a kennel club near you.

Ask a specific Club of this breed for a list of reliable breeders in your neighborhood. If these breeders don’t have any Golden’s for sale themselves, they will be more than willing to help you find what you’re looking for. Sometimes local member clubs are looking for new owners when a dog needs to be replaced because owners cannot take care of their dog anymore. If you are not specifically looking for a puppy, and a bit older dog is welcome in the family, this might be a good option too.

Whatever you do, and how eager you are to buy a Golden Retriever, never rush into buying, have a little patience. By taking time to make a decision you will find the right puppy for you. It is always better to buy yourself a healthy puppy from a reliable breeder or a hobby breeder who know and care a lot about the breed then a puppy from a puppy mill.

Be aware that there are less reliable breeders, who are just looking for the profits, they don’t care about breed standards and temperament. When you buy a dog from them you could be ending up with a Golden Retriever of poor quality, with poor health or with disqualifications in breed.

If you decide to buy from a quality breeder, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. When you get your puppy, you should always think long term. Your Golden Retriever pup will grow up, will be your companion and a great friend for life. With this in mind it is well worth to take the time to find yourself a healthy dog.

Author: Isabella Vreeken
Owner of Dogs Gifts and Care.

Tip! Clean Up After Your Dog: The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior. If you pick up after your dog, you’ll be helping dog owners everywhere.

The Alsatian, commonly known as the German Shepherd Dog, is a working dog breed that often acts as military dogs, guard dogs, police dogs, or search and rescue dogs. They are used because they can be trained in protection and obedience easily and they like to please their owners.

German Shepherd Dogs are large, strong dogs that have coats with either long or short hair. Their coats’ colors vary, but are mostly seen in tan and brown. However, there are some German Shepherds who are completely black or white. German Shepherds’ ears stand up erect and they also have long tails.

There are several lines of German Shepherd, all of which have different looks, behavior and skills. The international working line of German Shepherds are bred as working dogs. They are quite tough but their appearance varies. The North American show line of German Shepherds are bred for their appearance, which is unique to them. Their backs are more angled than a typical German Shepherd’s and unfortunately this can be bad for their backs. They are also believed to not have the working dog traits of the other lines. The international show line of German Shepherd Dog also is bred more so on appearance, so they typically look the same.

Tip! Recognize and Respect the Views of Others: While some of us can’t imagine traveling without dogs, others can’t image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after them, you won’t give others much to grumble about.

German Shepherds tend to develop great loyalty and are very obedient towards their owners. Due to their strong teeth and jaws, they can be trained to attack. Unfortunately, they can also become too aggressive or become fearful if not bred properly. Many of these types of dogs, who are either poorly bred or have owners who don’t train them properly, end up in puppy mills. Since German Shepherds are frequently used as attack and police dogs, they have received an image of being quite dangerous. However, most German Shepherds make great pets for families and are not aggressive.

German Shepherds are very emotional dogs and are quite loyal. They are sometimes used as guide dogs, but that is on the decline as they can get separation anxiety and trauma. As stated earlier, different lines of German Shepherds vary in temperament. Working dogs have more energy and are more obedient. They are intelligent and become upset if they do not get enough exercise. They like to have a job to do, which is why they are often used as rescue dogs. North American lines of German Shepherd Dogs are more fitted for the role of companions.

Tip! Cute Names – Designer dogs have cute names that people love and make the appearance of a new breed of dog that very few have heard of. For example: the puggle.

Due their large size, German Shepherds can suffer from elbow problems and hip dysplasia. They may have skin allergies or have von Willebrand’s disease. The average life span of a German Shepherd is twelve years.

German Shepherd Dogs were discovered in the late 1800s by Captain Max von Stephanitz and were meant to be a diverse working dog. American and British soldiers of World War I then brought German Shepherds to their homes and they became popular dogs. They were used as family pets and as working dogs.

Tip! Sheds less – Some designer dogs are bred to shed less than other dogs.

German Shepherds are very versatile in the type of things they can do. They are highly intelligent and like to please and protect their owners. For this reason, they can become great guard dogs, rescue dogs, or police dogs and also make good pets for families.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs

Tip! More expensive – the price for these dogs have sky-rocketed sometimes hit the $1,000 mark. Sometimes its better just to go to the humane society or animal shelter and find a perfectly fine dog.

Man’s best friend comes in all shapes and sizes from massive Great Danes to microscopic Teacup Chihuahuas. It pays to be educated about the breed of dog you’re considering. Here are some things to take into account about the Maltese.

The Maltese is a member of the toy class, usually weighing between three and 10 pounds. Its most prominent characteristic is its long, flowing white hair with no undercoat. Because the Maltese don’t have fur like other breeds, it will lose hair the way humans do instead of shedding like most dogs. Perhaps the most interesting and unique characteristic of the breed is its color-changing nose. The nose can change from coal black to a light brownish color or even pink depending on the amount of sunlight the animal is exposed to. The nose of a female Maltese may change color when she goes onto heat.

Because Maltese don’t shed if properly and regularly groomed, they make good pets for people who suffer with allergies.

Tip! Clean Up After Your Dog: The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior. If you pick up after your dog, you’ll be helping dog owners everywhere.

The breed’s temperament lends itself to companionship. The Maltese is happiest when in the company of family and friends being lavished with affection. Like most small breeds, they are energetic and given to sudden bouts of activity, but their small size makes them a good option for apartment dwellers. Maltese are very smart. Their high intellect makes them easy to train and quick at picking up new tricks.

Maltese are generally good natured and playful, but like any pack-oriented animal, they might not do well with small children or strangers. They are very territorial and likely to be protective of the family unit.

Like anything else with hair, a Maltese must be regularly groomed to prevent matting. Some caretakers find a way around the chore by keeping their dogs in what is known as a “puppy cut” or a “teddy bear cut,” where the hair is kept short, about a half an inch, all over the body. This style is certainly less fuss and may be more comfortable for the dog, but it’s not acceptable for a show dog.

Maltese are relatively healthy dogs, usually unburdened with the afflictions of other pure breeds. However, luxating patella, white dog shaker syndrome and progressive retinal atrophy are common in Maltese that do develop problems. Luxating patella is a condition in which the kneecap slips out of place. White dog shaker syndrome is a sudden onset of tremors, sometimes full seizures, that troubles only white dogs. Progressive retinal atrophy is just what it sounds like. It will eventually result in blindness for which there is no cure.

In keeping with the designer breed trend, Maltese are often bred with other breeds, such as poodles, to emphasize their sweet nature and intelligence.

Corinne enjoys writing about dogs and other pets. Find more of her articles at Pets 247, a pet resource website where you can find online pet store resources, pet directories, pet forums, reviews and more.