Archive for July, 2009
Maine Coon Cat…Secrets Most Breeders Won’t Tell You
Author: AdminMore Than 200 Years Of Evolution
This cat is a big cat lover’s cat. Although hugely popular outside of the state, these beautiful long-haired cats did actually originate in Maine. The seaports of the Colonies were breeding ground for rats, and thus attracted heavy bodied and powerful short haired cats, that had come from European countries such as France and England. Back than cats were used for rat control on any ship crossing the Atlantic, and than most of them simply let loose. It was during the formative years that our new country began to see ships from the Baltic and Scandinavian areas, bringing with them, their own breed of cats. Though smaller, these cats had something that let them adapt to the harsh climate of the central seaboard states, they had unbelievable long hair. The current residence had no problem crossbreeding with these cats, and so began the evolution of the uniquely American breed, known as the Maine Coon Cat.
For anyone who owns one, they are primarily known as a big cuddly, sweet, and an intelligent companion. Their evolution can be explained like that of any other pioneer. The thick weeds and bush of the New England countryside no doubt had something to do with its long, deep chested, rectangular body. Being able to fight the local carnivores, explains their incredible mass and strength. If you are just starting to consider them as a pet, the first thing you will notice is the 7-8 diameter furry tail, known as a brush. For those of you that are considering one for the first time you should know this. Although they have the look of a Persian, the Coon has no exotic wild-species bloodlines in them, and are at least 3-4 times the size of one. If there are young children you must also be made aware of the cat’s long “saber-tooth” like teeth. Remember, though the modern Maine Coon is sweet and cuddly, its roots are still that of a hunter. With all that said, despite its size and strength the Maine Coon is for the most part friendly, playful, and good with children.
A Gentle Giant
Guinness World Record Holder
As I have stated, the Maine Coon is one of the largest breeds of domestic cats. In 2006 a purebred named Leo was awarded “Longest Cat,” measuring 48 in(129cm) in length, from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Incidentally, he weighed 35 lb. or
(16 kg). Although his age is not stated, he would have been at least three or four, because the Coon doesn’t normally reach his full potential size until then. Before you get too excited, that by no means is anywhere near the normal size of a Maine Coon. On the average the male will weigh between 13 and 18 lbs. ( 5.9 and 8.2 kg) with females weighing between 8 and 12 lb. (3.6 and 5.4 kg). The height of the adult will also vary, 10 and 16 in (25 and 41 cm),
and length, including the tail, which can reach lengths of up to 14 in (36 cm), up to 40 in (100cm).
Can the Maine Coon Be Trained?
Intelligent But Stubborn
For anyone considering a Coon, or if you just recently acquired one, or you have one that is completely running the show, the answer is yes. If not controlled, it will turn your furniture into scratching posts, jump up wherever it chooses, and be so aggressive as to keeping friends and visitors away. Not to mention biting and clawing, to name just a few problems you’ll have if not properly trained.
There are all sorts of places you can go for help. If you are looking into professional breeders and trainers, make sure that they specialize in the Maine Coon. There are of course all sorts of Forums on the web that might be able to give you some guidance. In my research I came across someone that took a full-grown Coon and trained it. Boy, wouldn’t you like to have her help? Well, she has made her information available, and whether you are new to the breed or a seasoned veteran you will discover something new so that you can appreciate and live a great life with your wonderful cat. Of course I can’t go into everything that she will be able to help you with, but if you want to learn more about The Secrets of the Maine Coon, including a year of personal e-mail help, please go to: my RecomMANNdations
In the Pet Lovers section you also find out how to get rid of fleas, once and for all.
At 57, I consider myself to be a Jack Of All Trades And Master Of Nothing. I was a struggling actor for 25 years. During that time I learned a little about a lot of things, and would like to pass along some of that knowledge. I live in California with my beautiful wife and a menagerie of pets. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/maine-coon-catsecrets-most-breeders-wont-tell-you-1084185.html
read comments (0)Finding Boston Terrier Dogs for Sale
Author: Admin
People think that finding Boston terrier dogs for sale would be a very easy task. However, people need to know that there’s more to finding Boston terrier dogs for sale than looking in the phone book or in the classified ads. For one thing, the breeder often reflects the quality of the pet.
Today, many of the Boston terrier dogs for sale are bred by “puppy farms” which exist solely to breed and sell pet dogs. These “puppy farms” are profit-oriented and are therefore natural breeding grounds for animal cruelty. It is often the case that the puppies born in these farms are taken away from their mothers as soon as they are big enough to sell. They are often malnourished as a result of the cost-cutting methods of these farms.
When you are trying to find Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a breeder who genuinely cares for the animals. This will assure you that the animal is well taken care of and will survive more than a few weeks in your care.
Another reason to look for this type of Boston terrier dogs for sale is genetics. When you buy from a puppy farm, all the owner cares about is the profits. As long as a puppy looks good enough to be sold, it is sold. A great dog breeder, however, knows that breeding goes far beyond determining the appearance of a dog. When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a breeder who knows that breeding also determines the temperament of a dog.
When you go looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a pet that would suit your temperament. While a low-class breeder would tell you to buy a dog because the puppy looks cute, a great dog breeder would tell you to buy a specific dog because it fits your personality.
When looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a seller who does not ask you how much you are willing to pay but asks you what your qualifications are. When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to find a breeder who will not push the dog towards you but will truly take the time to know if you are fit to own a dog.
When you are looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale, you need to look for a seller who would be willing to take back the dog if you somehow neglect it. Do not go for sellers who will exchange the puppy for cash and then walk away. A great breeder will leave you with a way to contact him or her in case you change your mind.
Another way to find the best kinds of Boston terrier dogs for sale is to look for the proper documentation. Often, true breeders will be able to provide pedigrees that can trace back the lineage of a puppy. Through this, you know that you are buying the best.
Looking for Boston terrier dogs for sale may seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right attitude and information, you should be able to get the best puppy for you. By following the tips in this article, you can make hunting for Boston terrier dogs for sale the best thing you have ever done.
Cichlid Breeding: Types of Breeders
Author: AdminWhen it comes to cichlid breeding, these species of fish are usually divided into two types of breeders. They are consequently divided into mouth brooders and substrate brooders. This information is important to know before you even consider cichlid breeding, so if you are unsure about the type of breeder your cichlid fish might be, then try reading this article for some helpful information on where to get started when it comes to cichlid breeding and the types of breeder.
Substrate brooders are cichlids which lay their eggs openly on a surface and are sometimes referred to as open water brooders, or they will lay their eggs in hidden cavities which earns them the less than creative name, cavity brooders. Both of these groups of fish will engage in brood care. This involves the eggs being regularly fanned to help to improve and increase the supply if oxygen to the eggs. Once the larvae hatch from the eggs, the fry are looked after by the substrate brooders until the yolk sac is totally gone and the young cichlids are able to swim freely and eat on their own. The parents of the fry will continue to care for their young even after this point, but this is mainly because they will be trying to protect the young against any predators which they would usually encounter in the wild. It is at this time that other tank inhabitants will become endangered by the cichlid parents because they become a lot more aggressive towards other fish dwelling in the tank.
The second type of cichlid breeder is the mouth brooders. These fish will pick up their larvae and eggs in their mouths! This could be during the spawning, or directly after the spawning process and this group of cichlids are often called ovophile which means egg loving mouth brooders. Some types of mouth brooders will leave their eggs on the substrate where they will continue to watch over them until they hatch and when they do hatch, they will pick up the fry and keep them inside of their mouths until they can swim on their own. This group of cichlids are referred to as larvophile which means larva loving mouth brooders. In a lot of these species of cichlids, care of the fry stops when they are released from the mouth, but sometimes the care of the fry will continue and the young will often swim back into the mouths of their parents for protection!
The author has created a quality review site that has the latest information regarding cichlid breeding that you will find anywhere. Please go to Fishy-Whisperer.com.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/cichlid-breeding-types-of-breeders-1072276.html
Washing our dog is quite important, but it’s not that important like people think. Healthy doggies need not be washed often, but we humans prefer to do so such that they get an appealing appearance and smell. Doggie’s bathing time is a very good time to share with it. Although many don’t like to get washed, they will surely appreciate the attention and contact which they would receive during a bath. It’s the perfect time to do some other needed “dog maintenance” like cleaning their ears, checking for fleas and ticks, and brushing their teeth. Since most of the dogs don’t like to sit idle for such activities, it’s a very good idea for doing all of them at the same time.
Brushing
Brushing our dog’s teeth is a good hygiene. Most professional vets recommend it being done twice a week, at least to ensure that our dog has healthy gums and teeth. If you people haven’t been doing these things (and, unfortunately, many don’t) it’s not too late to begin. The dog must have a toothbrush of its own and a special paste which is designed for them. Make it sure you do brush their back teeth in circles, the exact way by which you would do your own, and do brush top and bottom of the size of the pointing canine teeth. The Dog toothpaste will have a very pleasing taste (folks! It’s for the dogs, don’t try it) which should make it willing to let us to perform this kind of activity.
Checking for Fleas & Ticks
Ticks are very nasty little arachnids (they have eight legs (like spiders), and hence aren’t insects) which will latch over the skin of your dog and will make its blood as their meal’s ticket. They are very common in woody places, but your dog must be checked for these arachnids regularly as they carry a variety of diseases. The correct place for finding these bugs is under the collar of the dog or on its underbelly, buried in fur. If seen they must be removed with the help of tweezers.
Fleas would be found in similar places, under its fur. Their presence can be felt by the sight of their droppings over the dog’s fur coat. They look like pepper flecks. The fleas look as bits of brown rice. They will be about a 1\8 inch long. They can not simply be picked, like ticks but finding them would let you know that its time to begin a program for controlling and eliminating the insects from the dog.
Ear Cleaning
Pet stores sell some special solutions for cleaning a dog’s ear. Dogs will easily acquire ear mites, little insects which will live in the ear and would feed on the waxy secretions present there. Over the time the bodies of these creatures build a black, very dirty substance. By using a swab of cotton dipped in a bit of this solution, clean the inner part of the ear. It might be difficult for holding your dog idle for this procedure, but this doesn’t take much time. And the result is that your dog will have clean ears and the earaches and potential infections will be extinguished.
How to choose your dog breeder
Author: AdminA dog will definitely change your life in a positive manner and he is going to take up your time with his daily activities such as feeding, grooming, exercise and play. Dogs are very social animals and they need you to spend time with them so it is essential for you and your dog to make a good match. There are various types of dogs to choose from, pure and mixed breeds, dog information being available widely on the internet. Furthermore, online you will be able to find not only information about dogs but also pictures and everything you need to know about them in order to make an informed decision. The dog and the family it will have must be a perfect match if you want to have a loyal companion and someone your family can rely on as far as safety is concerned. Those of you who want a purebred puppy have to research the available dog information and to start looking for a reputable breeder. It is widely known that good breeders are committed to doing their best for improving the breed, having well-cared for dogs and belonging to animal organizations. Furthermore, these breeders are very careful with the medical exams they do to the dogs and they keep up to date information regarding vaccinations, canine medicine and genetics. One thing is certain: if you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder you will be more than pleased with the choice you made. In order to find a good breeder, you can browse the internet for dog information and also ask people you know for some referrals. Breeders know everything about their dogs, enjoy talking about them and they are more than willing to educate people who are new to a certain breed. Once you tell the breeder exactly what you are looking for and the features you would like to see in the dog, they can tell you what breed suits your needs and they will inform you about the personality and temperament of the puppy. Also, you will find this dog information very useful: the grooming requirements of the pet, special dietary needs if it is the case, is it accustomed to children, are there any genetic problems that affect the breed, how much money you will need for the proper maintenance of the dog. When you meet with the breeder, it would be useful to make an appointment and see the dog in its home setting and talk to the breeder about standards and practices. Inquire about the period of time he has been breeding dogs, whether he can show you any results of the tests, if the puppies have a health guarantee or a veterinary health certificate, if the dogs perform the tasks they were bred for and if he can provide references from other customers. A reputable breeder who is attached to his dogs will ask you several questions to make sure that his dog will be in a loving environment and well taken of. Also, he might ask you to sign a contract in which you agree to certain standards of care and also to return the puppy if there comes a time you simply can’t afford to keep it. After such stringent requirements, you can be positive you will get a healthy, socialized dog in exchange for a fair price and the dog information you need to make sure that you will be able to treat the puppy as it deserves.
Animal lovers will find a great feeling of reward when choosing a dog for their family. Furthermore, the dog information is meant to help you make an informed decision and be satisfied with it.
Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/how-to-choose-your-dog-breeder-1009256.html
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