For those who dont know me, my name is Sue Walton, and I am a professionaly accredited Dog trainer and coach. This article shares with you some of my top dog housing tips, but for my best secrets and heaps more info, you need to visit my site on dog training tips, which has a huge section on choosing and siting a great kennel/dog house. 

We should start by assessing what breed you have. Housing your dog largely depends on its requirements to stay safe warm and dry.

Toy varities, by the virtue of their petite size, make brilliant house pets. Many owners of small dogs such as terriers, shitzu or bichon are happy all the time, provided they are trained well!

These small breeds respond well to the house environment, providing they know their place in the home! You’ll probly find that a matt or a doggy bed aroun the size of a cat bed will suffice for these small breeds.

Keeping them in garage or washhouse could be ideal, given that the dog feels safe and it has a little area of its own. Dogs after all are known to be territorial.

As for larger dogs, such as medum sized spaniels, boxers/terriers, you will find that having them inside becomes tedious and irritating. Not only for you as owner, but for your dog too.

They need spacious areas that the outdoors gives them.

In addition, you need to think about the size and space you have for housing your dog.

If your garage is well ventilated, cosy and there is not to much clutter, it might be a great area for your dog to live, if however its full of clutter and your dog has to live in a small area where it cannot make its own space, it will quickly become fustrated.

For those of us that live in areas like apartments and duplex houses (or attatched units) you have to be very cautious of how your dog will be exposed to the neighours. For many breeds, being housed where people can fustrate them and irritate them.

Youve also got to consider what sort of breed requires what sort of housing to live in.

The breeder will have sussed you out before selling a dog, to see if your home suits that breed, however some people often come across dogs in other circumstances. Always do lots of research into your breeds living habits. A lazy bulldog will surely be happy with a corner of the yard and not much space, but you try and keep a livly breed like a pointer in a small yard, and you’ll drive the poor dog insane. Working breeds are active and require room to run and spacious kennels.

If your in this situation, and have a yard space for your dog to be housed and run around in, at all costs ensure that the fence you put up or have, is in good order and is very secure. Consider that your dog should not get out, but also think if anything else can get into the area. Cats, other dogs & children are known for getting into places where they shouldnt be, and this can lead to trouble!

Housing a your dog also has situational requirements. Think about your climate and where you are going to site the kennel. will your pet be cold? Windy? Directly sunny? Consider all these reasons when pacing a dog house in your chosen space. Kennel insulation will be required if the area is prone to frosts or snowfall.

Obviously, in this circumstance a saint bernard will be happier than a greyhound, so exercise common thought about the breed your dealing with. Pay attention to areas that get very hot, as this can affect the dog quickly.

Black paint on that kennel might suit your house, but will it cook your dog….? As far as getting a kennel goes, now days there are great off the shelf items that suit many lifestyles and designs. Moulded ones are popular but watch out if your pet is a chewer!

Avoid fibreglass kennels at all costs, as the glass can mean pain and discomfort for your pet. Wood is ever popular, and looks good and is very dog friendly. If your budget allows, go for a wood kennel!
My best dog housing tips, and some great examples of kennels and enclosure designs can be found at my dog resource page on housing your dog. Check it out, and the rest of my site www.dog-hobbyist.com

Nevertheless, some conditions do occur more often in Dachshund than in other breeds.

Diseases of the Adrenal Gland

One common disease of the adrenal gland is hyperadrenocorticism, or Cushing’s Disease. In Cushing’s Disease, too much of the cortisol hormone is produced, either by the adrenal gland or a primary tumor, or a malfunction of the pituitary gland, which is the master gland that tells the adrenal gland how much cortisol to produce. The elevated cortisol level results in hair loss, excessive drinking and urination, a pot-bellied appearance, skin conditions and sometimes diabetes. Lab tests are performed to measure the cortisol levels and the ability of the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. There are several different drugs that can be used to decrease the level of cortisol. On occasion, surgical removal of the adrenal gland may be needed. Cushing’s disease can occur in all breeds of dogs, also.

The opposite condition is called hypoadrenocorticism (low cortisol) or Addison’s disease. Whereas, Cushing’s takes some time to present itself, Addison’s disease is a sudden episode of collapse due to to low of glucose (blood sugar) and an imbalance of the electrolytes. The sudden illness results in an emergency visit to the veterinarian to correct the imbalances with cortisone injections and fluid therapy. Addison’s disease is the most difficult to diagnose because the sudden collapse resembles many disorders. Specialized blood tests are necessary to identify both Cushing’s and Addison’s Disease. Life long treatment with prednisone and electrolyte supplements will be needed to treat Addison’s disease.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Several eye diseases can affect Dachshunds, such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. PRA is a gradual deterioration of the retina, the back wall of the eye. The deterioration leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness. Because of the slow onset of the disease, it may not be diagnosed until the dog has already been bred, thus passing the condition to their offspring. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure or treatment for PRA. Other eye diseases that can affect Doxies are cataracts, glaucoma, optic nerve hypoplasia, abnormal eyelashes (distichiasis) as well as other conditions. Regular eye exams can help early detection of these eye-disorders.

Intervertebral Disc Disease

By far the most common disease of Dachshunds is related to the discs between the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). The disc is normally gelatinous and provides a cushion between the bones of the back (spine). In Dachshunds, this material sometimes ruptures and sometimes calcifies, or hardens. The disc protrusion causes pain and swelling around the nerves coming out of the spinal cord and sometimes compresses the cord itself. A herniated disc starts with back pain or a reluctance to jump, and can progress to partial or even total paralysis of the back legs. The majority of Doxies with disc disease can be managed medically with pain medication and anti-inflammatory medications. Acupuncture and Chiropractic manipulation is sometimes used to help relieve the pain with varying success. When total paralysis is caused from a complete rupture, immediate surgery to relieve the pressure on the spinal cord may help restor full function in the legs. The faster the surgery is performed, the greater the chances of full recovery.

Researchers are using lasers to fuse or burn the discs in order to prevent future herniation. Because this is such a common problem in this breed, I do recommend purchasing health insurance for your pet. Unfortunately, some owners cannot afford the surgery and pets suffering with total paralysis or extreme pain are euthanized. A few of my patients that were partially paralyzed did recover some function of their legs over time. Some dogs may recover without surgery, but it is impossible to predict.

Vaccination Reactions

Allergic reactions to vaccinations does seem to occur in the Dachshund more often than any other breed. Usually, the reaction is minor, resulting in swelling of the face and muzzle and sometimes hives. Vaccine reactions do occur with any dog, so it is wise to observe your pet for a few hours after receiving. Vaccines have improved over the past few years so reactions are fewer and the benefits of protecting your pet against the diseases outweighs the risks.

With good health care, Dachshunds can lead a long and healthy life. Preventive health checks, proper diets, vaccinations, heartworm and parasite prevention, and good dental care can help your Dachshund live longer.  You can find more information concerning your dogs health at LuvUrDog.com as well Dachshund breed gifts.

 

Dog Breeds

 

Some of the different dog breeds are given below:

 

Breed: Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

Weight: 100 lbs for male and 78 lbs for female

Height: 23 to 26 inches for male and 20-23 inches for female

Colour: red merle brindle, blue merle, brown, black, tan, red, brown merle, white

Description: The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is considered to be almost an extinct breed of dogs. There are just about 150 to 200 of them in the world and is a product of a breeding project started in the 1800s by the Lane family of Georgia, USA. It is a majestic, strong bulldog and can be used as a guardian, for protection and companionship. They are agile, strong, and athletic. This bulldog protects children very naturally and also gets along well with cats and other animals.

 

Breed: American Bulldog

Weight: 70 to 120 lbs for male and 60 to 100 lbs for female

Height: 22 to 28 inches for male and 20 to 26 inches for female

Colour: white, brindle, red, brown, or tan

Description: Post World War II these dogs were nearly extinct, but John D. Johnson saved this breed. The American Bulldog is a hard worker and was used for hunting wild boar, raccoon, bear and squirrel. The American Bulldog is strong, muscular, and extremely athletic. They also get along well with children and are usually happy and friendly.

 

Breed: Appenzell Mountain Dog

Weight: Male: 60 to70 lbs for male and 50 to 60 lbs for female

Height: 22 to 23 inches for male and 18 to 20 inches for female

Colour: it has three colours, black, white, and tan.

Description: The Appenzell Mountain Dog is an extremely rare Alpine breed. This working breed is loyal, courageous, and is very territorial. It has an affinity to bark continuously.

The Appenzell Mountain Dog is an extremely rare Alpine breed. This working breed is loyal, courageous, and is very territorial. It has an affinity to bark continuously.

 

So, there you are, under your shady tree in the middle of a Saturday afternoon and you’re thinking about getting a dog but what? For some people, choosing breed of dogs is really that easy. You just follow what goes inside your head then off you go to the nearest pet store and buy yourself a beagle only to find out it's not the right one. You might have chosen a breed that is too big for you and its meals are way too high for your budget. You might have bought a small mouse of a dog but you found out you need something to guard you 24/7.

With this in mind, choosing dog breeds are not that easy. You have to consider so many things. Budget is on the top of the list. Do you have a budget for buying an expensive dog? Does your budget fit in with the expenses in making or buying a dog house, the food that it requires and do you have the budget for training it and make it the most obedient dog in the world? There are some of the things you have to consider and if you’re really serious and would want to instantly decide to buy one, here is one tip you might want to consider: go through the Internet.

Online, there are hundreds of guides in choosing a dog breed and they come in different sizes and forms, just like dogs: from CDs, to DVDs, to e-books to online tutorials and such. What you just need is to view them out, maybe get some reviews about all products pertaining to how to look and decide for the dog breed that is right for you and from there, determine what you want. And furthermore, with a guide, you might even realize that you don’t want a dog but a monster. You might even decide to go for the smallest or the funniest. Whatever you want to choose from different varieties of dogs, be sure you have the right guide with you.