DOGS
DOGS
Dogs aren't a pet for everyone because it takes time to take care of them properly. These are the things you have to do. A dog needs to be groomed properly, treated lovingly, trained, exercised, and cared for even when it's old. Different breeds of dogs are good for different kinds of people. Some dogs need more exercise, grooming, training, and attention than others.
Some dogs are good for blind people like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors. Some people want active dogs. These dogs like Labs, Golden Retrievers, Collies, and German Shepherds need a lot of exercise and a big yard. Small dogs like the Chihuahua don't need a lot of exercise. They can be good for people that live in an apartment, are older or less active, or who aren't always at home.
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1. Large dogs weigh between 60 pounds and 185 pounds. They are usually 20 inches tall at the shoulder or higher. Some large dogs are Saint Bernards, Irish wolfhounds, and Great Danes.
2. Working dogs are dogs that help people out. Some working dogs are Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds, and Siberian Huskies.
3. Medium sized dogs weigh 30-50 pounds and are 14-23 inches at the shoulder. Some medium sized dogs are Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, and Dalmatians.
4. Terriers are dogs that like to chase small animals. Some different kinds of terriers are the Boston Terrier, the Jack Russell Terrier, and the Scottish Terrier.
5. Small dogs weigh about 18 pounds and are 13-15 inches high. Some may even be under 13 inches. Some small dogs are Pugs, Beagles, and Daschunds.
6. Miniature dogs usually weigh 6-12 pounds and are 5-10 inches at the shoulder. The Chihuahua, English toy spaniels, and Pekingese are three kinds of miniature dogs.
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Where do you keep dogs and what special equipment does a dog need?
Dogs need a collar and a leash so you can take them for walks. A dog should have a license so if it runs away or gets lost, the person who finds it can bring it to their house and find the owner. Dogs should be registered so if they are found they won't be sent to the pound as a stray. You can keep a dog in your house or outside. If a dog stays outside, it should have a dog house and a kennel. If your dog stays inside you can get it a dog mat or use a crate for it to sleep in. Dogs need water and food dishes. You should also have a dog comb or brush and nail clippers.
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How much exercise does a dog need?
Some dogs need a lot of exercise and some need a little. You should find out how much exercise a dog needs before you buy it. You should think about an active dog if you have children. You should buy a dog that doesn't need a lot of exercise if you are old. You should take your dog for a walk every day if you don't have a yard. If you do have a yard, you don't have to walk your dog that much.
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How to hold and touch it properly?
When a dog is a puppy you should hold it by its rear end and hold its head carefully. If it's a puppy or a small dog you can also hold it by putting your hand on the dog's chest and the other hand underneath its legs. Don't pick up a heavy or a big dog. You should not pull a dog's tail! Always pet it nicely and not too hard. You should pet it gently.
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What does it eat? How much? How often?
You should feed your dog meat and dog food. Dogs need to eat dry food and meat food. You should also put a bowl of fresh cold water out everyday. After a dog is a year old, you only have to feed it once a day. If you don't , you should feed your dog once in the morning and once at night. Some food is special for some dogs. Some dogs need special food when they are old or if they have problems with their stomach or kidneys. You should give your dog treats when they are good, or when they just came in from outside.
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A dog's coat should be cleaned regularly. You can bring your dog to a vet when it needs to be groomed or you can do it yourself. Long haired dogs need to be groomed more than short haired dogs. You can use a brush or a comb for grooming. You should give your dog a bath when it smells. Keep an eye on your dog's toe nails. If a dog doesn't get a lot of exercise, they will need to be trimmed.
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You can breed your dog once in a while if you are willing to be responsible for finding the puppies good homes. Female dog need to be 7-10 month old before they can have babies. Males have to be about a year old to be a father. The babies are born after 63 days. You need a quiet place with newspaper for the babies. Usually there are 6-8 babies. Sometimes there are more or less. Puppies can learn to eat solid food when they are 8-10 weeks old. Then they can be sold because they do not need to be with their mother anymore.
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Different breeds of dogs have different life spans. Most dogs live 12-15 years, but some dogs don't live beyond 10 years. Other dogs can live until they are 20. Certain breeds of dogs are likely to get certain diseases. If you are buying a dog, you should find out what kinds of health problems that breed of dog gets. If your dog becomes sick, take it to the vet quickly. It could have a disease, or it may be about to have babies. If the vet gives you medicine, make sure you give it all to your dog.
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