Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dog Breed Temperament, Health Issues, Grooming and Living Conditions

Temperament: This Dog breed needs a very dominant experienced owner. As the Staffordshire Bull Terrier lives at full speed, and nothing is done by halves. While with the right owner and family you see a loving wholly affectionate Dog with a sense of humour and so much courage it has to be controlled or can hurt itself. These Dogs are very people friendly. Staffordshire Bull Terrier Dogs will love children and the only real concern is that the child needs to know how to be a good young leade,r to avoid problems over dominance issues.

The Staffy is good with other pets but really needs a very good leader to enforce rules. Socializing this dog, well and early, will help the dog develop well. One of the biggest problems for this dog is the chewing, they do. It will be no good just giving them a few plastic chew toys as these will be in shreds in minutes with possibly health concerns due to plastic being swallowed. There are ranges available for this strong chewer. As this is a big chewer never allow the dog to chew your hand, as a puppy, as this sends the dog the wrong message.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be trained in obedience and agility and are in the top of the field in the UK. Here is a dog that needs and loves a challenge, so set ones that you can use rather than the dog choosing things you do not want.

All family members have to be firm consistent leaders, for this dog to understand its place in the family, so families with young children or lacking good dog leadership and experience should not get this dog. This dog is strong and without the good leadership can become stubborn and very hard to handle. It cannot be stressed enough that this dog has brilliant stamina and needs very long walks daily.

Health issues: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can have eye complaints and screening needs to be seen, by you, before getting a puppy. Hip dysplasia, tumours are also seen in some lines. Soft palate that is elongated is another problem seen in some puppies. This breed is also known to have gas like all the bull terrier types.

Grooming: The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is easy to keep looking good by brushing their coat daily with a good brush for short haired dogs.

Living Conditions: This dog, if given plenty of good exercise daily, can live in an apartment. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier can cope with a small garden.

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Dog Temperament Quiz

Perhaps your hyper Dog is well-socialized and well-trained but still reacts adversely in certain situations. This may indicate a temperament problem, or it may indicate that she isn't as well trained as you think she is. This quiz should help you evaluate the nuances of your Dog's temperament-and, in the long run, help you gain control over anything troublesome you discover.

As you go through it, keep a few things in mind:

* Even consistently "stable" responses may warrant special handling in certain circumstances, to guard against any of these behaviors escalating into potentially dangerous acts.

* It's not uncommon for a Dog to be adorable in all situations except one-being aggressive with food or toys, for instance, or insecure around strangers.

* Most dogs will eventually display the entire temperament spectrum to some degree, depending on the situation. For instance, even very timid dogs can sometimes become domineering, and ordinarily domineering dogs can occasionally shrink into a corner.

* As her director, your goal is to respond appropriately to the behavior your dog is displaying at the moment-not to her "normal" behavior.

The sentences in parentheses below will give you an indication of the probable cause of each reaction-and a head start on addressing any problems related to temperament. It's definitely a thinking person's game!

1. Sensitivity to noise

When there is a thunderstorm or fireworks, my dog:

a. Jumps in the bathtub, drools, and shakes. (He's noise-sensitive, but if this behavior is strictly situational, it may not be a problem.)

b. Sits by the door waiting to run out and jump into a puddle. (A stable response-your dog must be a retriever!)

2. Emotional sensitivity

When I watch football games on television, I yell a lot. My dog:

a. Runs for cover. (It's time to give your dog a break and quiet down.)

b. Waits for me to dump the popcorn bowl. (This is a stable reaction and also demonstrates that your dog is an opportunist.)

3. Sociability with people

When company arrives, my dog:

a. Is closeted in another room because I fear for my guests' safety. (She is anti-social.)

b. Jumps on them and licks them all over if I give her the chance. (She's a stable dog.)

c. Is suspicious and leery and growls if they attempt to make friends with her. (She is potentially insecure, potentially aggressive.)

d. Is suspicious and leery and runs away if they try to make friends with her. (She is insecure and lacks confidence.)

e. Seems just fine at first but can turn on a dime, for no apparent reason. (She's definitely aggressive-unpredictably so.)

4. Sociability with other dogs

When I take my dog for a walk and we encounter another canine, my dog:

a. Always goes nuts, pulling, barking, growling, staring or lunging at her foe. (She is aggressive-perhaps dangerously so.)

b. Is fine unless the other dog is excited or has certain physical characteristics that seem to set her off. (More aggressive behavior. Just as in scenario a, it's time to seriously work on control around distractions.)

c. Wants to investigate and play or acknowledges them and just keeps ambling along. (Good, stable dog!)

d. Wants to run away. (She's timid and lacks confidence.)

5. Sociability with children

Around kids, my dog:

a. Is aware of them but shows no sign of uneasiness. (She is one sound canine.)

b. Tries to escape, her eyes big with fear. (Her confidence has deserted her.)

c. Barks and lunges at them. (She's aggressive and must be controlled.)

d. Wants to jump, play, and lick schmutz off their faces. (She represents the epitome of stable dogdom.)

e. Seems fine but may jump or snap at them without warning. (This is potentially dangerous instability.)

6. Possessiveness

When my dog is around her toys or food and I approach, she:

a. Willingly relinquishes them to me. (She's of sound temperament in this situation.)

b. Tenses up and uses her body to cover her most highly prized possessions. (She is territorial.)

c. May charge at me. (She's aggressive and unstable.)

7. Reaction to strangers

When my dog encounters a stranger, she:

a. Won't allow the stranger to touch her. (She's aggressive and unstable.)

b. The harder the person tries to befriend her, the more suspicious she becomes. (She exhibits unstable tendencies.)

c. Accepts the person unquestioningly, just as she does my family and friends. (She is a stable pooch.)

8. Road trips

When my dog is in the car, she:

a. Barks with interest at the passing scene. (That's stable but obnoxious and begs for reform.)

b. Charges if someone approaches the car. (This could demonstrate aggressiveness and territoriality.)

c. Bites at the windows during travel. (This, too, could indicate aggressiveness.)

9. Reaction to the environment

When encountering certain inanimate objects-street grates, open staircases, garbage cans, etc.-my dog:

a. Is unfazed. (She is stable.)

b. Hesitates, looks at the object, and continues on her way. (She's cautiously stable.)

c. Barks and backs away with her hackles raised. (She lacks confidence.)

d. Stops dead in her tracks and will not proceed. (No confidence here at all.)

Excerpt is from Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs,
Written by Amy Ammen and Kitty Foth-Regner.
Copyright 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Amy Ammen is among the nation's foremost authorities on training unusual breeds and solving confounding problems. She has trained thousands of dogs through Amiable Dog Training, Milwaukee ... hosts Your Family Pet on WRRD-AM 540 ... regularly appears on TV ... is frequently quoted in print ... and conducts seminars nationwide. Her dancing dogs are headliners at popular family-friendly festivals.

Amy has written five books in addition to her latest, Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs - as well as in a series of DVDs and articles for major dog publications.

This is her first book with Kitty Foth-Regner, a Waukesha, Wis., freelance copywriter. The author of scores of business-to-business brochures, white papers, and direct-mail campaigns, as well as The Cure (Main Street, 1987) and Heaven without Her (Thomas Nelson, 2008), Kitty is also a pushover dog owner. She first sought Amy's help back in 1987, desperate for a way to stop her first Bassett Hound from chewing. Amy's techniques instantly provided the needed relief.

For details, visit http://www.dogclass.com or call 888-875-4321.

Which Breed Of Dog Matches Your Temperament? How To Choose That Right Dog For Your Family

The Right Breed Just For You

If you choose the right Dog that is there just for you it will be an amazing journey for both of you.

The Canadian Kennel Club has actually separated the many breeds into seven different groups. These groups basically tell you what the Dog was originally developed and bred for.

There are also sub groups you can delve into, that would be more specific in defining the general temperament of that particular Dog breed. Don't forget that often the temperament of a breed will actually follow the function of that breed. Obviously you want to match temperament and energy of the Dog with the family.

Also, you need to match the "age" of the family with the energetic needs of the dog. An elderly lady or gentleman will not be able to go for long brisk walks; on the other hand, they may very well enjoy the slow ambling walks.

Also to take into consideration; do you socialize a lot? Will you be gone often, the dog left alone? There are so many different questions and answers. Make yourself a list, and then, take that list to the breeder.

-How much time is spent away from home?

-Do you live in a house, apartment or condominium?

-Do you walk often? Are they brisk walks, or ambling walks?

-Do you have kids, what age are they?

-Can you afford a dog and its upkeep?

-Are you willing to train your dog? This is very important!

-What attributes do you need your dog to have? Such as calmness; gentleness; energetic; protective, loving, sociable, there are many others. List the ones you want in your dog.

Here are the seven groups. Next article I will go into the sub groups.

The Sporting Group

These are high energy dogs. They are also bright dogs and have the need to do something for you, such as retrieve. So, if you want to run, play ball for hours in a day, this dog is great. They need mental and physical exercise.

The Hound Group

These are the runners. If you are a runner then a hound is great for you. If you love to go on long walks, daily, then these are also the dogs for you. There are two types of hounds, those that want to run top speed, and those that are "trail" hounds, they just go ambling along. Hounds do a lot of howling, so you need to consider this also.

The Working Group

The working breed is an active dog. They are active in various different activities. Some are "pullers, some are "herders" well, actually, there is also a herding group; some are "protectors" and some are "rescuers". So, make sure you know what you are going to do with your dog, and then choose the right one.

The Terrier Group

Terriers are high active dog. They were bred to get rid of vermin originally. They are long legged, short legged and one time also fighting dogs.

The Toy Group

These are the little dogs with attitude. The dogs that rock! There are so many different types in this group that you really need to analyze exactly what you want, and what they will give. You have lots of choice in this group.

The Non-Sporting Group

Such as the Dalmatian. If you haven't found what you want, it's probably in here.

The Herding Group

These are highly intelligent dogs such as Australian Cattle Dog, Shetland Sheepdog, and Belgian Sheepdogs. These make excellent pets.

Ruth is actively involved with the internet and she finds it very exciting. Her passions are people and pet health. She is a wife, a stepmom a dog owner and a business person. She is married for almost 30 years to Chris who has been, and still is, battling the monster MS. Two of her dogs are Certified Therapy Dogs.

Her passions are dog care and dog training. She is currently working from her home. Her Home Page - Her Dog Adoption Page And Her Pet Blog - HappyPetStop

Chow Chow Dog Breed Temperament, Health Issues, Grooming and Living Conditions

Temperament: The Chow Chow has a strong sense of its owner's property and likes to guard it. If this Dog is well socialised it is normally not aggressive, but will only show affection to those they bond tightly with. This is not a particularly active breed, and may appear to be independent and aloof. However, it still requires walks daily. This Dog has good intelligence and natural problem-solving abilities and will get bored, if not given mental and physical exercise.

The Chow Chow Dog is quite good with children and other household pets, providing, they have been socialised well when young. The dog responds well to firm, authoritative training, requiring a dominant and strong pack leader, the owner. This breed requires confidence and assertiveness and a naturally firm owner, to bring out the best in them. Without this, the Chow Chow can take over the home, becoming aggressive and may be overprotective of space and hostile to strangers. This breed shows great loyalty to their master, providing the master is seen as boss.

Health issues: They are prone to suffer eye problems caused by eyelid abnormalities. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, stomach cancer, ear infections and hot spots.

Grooming: To maintain the fluffy, lifted standing out look, regular brushing is important. Dry shampoo when necessary, wet bathing rarely. This breed is a seasonal heavy shedder.

Living conditions: With the correct amount of exercise the Chow Chow can live in an apartment. A small garden is all that is needed, taking care of this dog that is sensitive to heat, is all that is required from garden life.

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Ibizan Hound Dog Breed Temperament, Health Issues, Grooming, and Living Conditions

Temperament: This Dog is known to be good with children, being playful and polite, and also known to be gentle and sensitive. It is best to remember this Dog has been bred for hunting. So other pets such as rabbits, rats and cats can be seen as a source of food, to this Dog. Cats that have been raised with this Dog will be fine, but other cats will be a source of temptation and bring out the hunting instinct of this breed. The Ibizan Hound does well to be socialized from an early age with other dogs and animals, and this includes humans. The Ibizan will not do well left in a kennel. It is a pack animal and need to live with the family.

The Ibizan hound is an exceptionally clean dog, and will be respectful of household rules. We see in this dog, a quick learner. They are very trainable, providing, they have an owner that is not timid. This dog can blush, when they get excited. This dog is intelligent and will need variety in their training, as they can become bored. This is a very fast dog and can jump exceptionally high, even from a standing start, they can jump most fences. The Ibizan Hound will require a good run every day and will enjoy at the game of retrieving. Keeping this breed on the lead is important due, in part, to its speed. Due to its instinct, to hunt, this dog can shoot off like a rocket and will only return when it's ready, no matter how long or how much you may call him.

Health issues: Some lines are prone to epilepsy, but over all this is a strong and hardly dog. The Ibizan hound can have allergic reactions to some medication, insecticides and flea powders.

Grooming: Ibizan hounds do not require much attention, to gain a shiny coat. Rubbing a rubber glove over it is all that is required. Checking the ears weekly to see that they are clean and tidy, this will help reduce the risk of ear infections.

Living conditions: This dog will be fine in an apartment provided they get adequate exercise, both mentally and physically. An Ibizan hound will like a large garden. Fencing needs to be carefully considered due to the dog's ability to jump a normal garden fence with ease. The breed club literature suggests a 40X60 feet fenced area, as a minimum.

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Lhasa Apso Dog Breed Temperament, Health Issues, Grooming and Living Conditions

Temperament: Here we see a Dog that is intelligent, friendly and well mannered. This Dog is lively and loves their owner. This breed has good hearing abilities, and makes a natural watchdog. The Lhasa Apso will love motivational training. This dog is small but it still is a dog that likes to be a dog. Avoid small dog syndrome by training, and giving your dog rules in the home and keeping to them. This breed needs a leader that is consistent, and stable, in their leadership.

Without good leadership this dog can have, an intolerance of children, on going barking, wilful behaviour, nervousness, even becoming aggressive, with guarding behaviour that is not desired. All this can be prevented. and give you a lovely balanced dog. Remember it is how you treat this dog. This dog needs mental and physical exercise daily. This dog will play well and this uses up some energy, but they still need daily walks.

Health issues: The Lhasa Apso can get skin problems, hip dysplasia, kidney problems, eye problems and bleeding ulcers.

Grooming: Their coat parts at the spine and falls straight either side. With a full coat they need brushing daily. Matting in the feet and joints can be a problem so needs to be checked often. Cleaning the eyes and ears needs to be done daily, as they can tear. If your Lhasa Apso is a family pet then you can get them clipped down, as this helps with the over all care of the coat. Dry shampoo as needed for this breed.

Living conditions: The Lhasa Apso can live in an apartment happily if their daily mental and physical exercise is met. This breed can live without a garden but will required daily walks.

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