Looking for ways to support your local animal shelter?
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Select your new dog with your lifestyle and living situation in mind. In addition to your new family member's personality, consider its temperament, size, and coat as well. Some breeds have traits that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as hyper excitability or a tendency to bark. Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire a pet of any kind.
Breed Selection
There are two types of dogs--purebred and mixed breed. The 124 recognized breeds are grouped into seven categories: hound, working, terrier, toy, sporting, non-sporting, and herding. There are thousands of mixed-breed combinations. Each purebred or mixed-breed dog has a unique personality. Dogs originally bred for a specific purpose tend to retain these characteristics. These dogs may require additional training and patience. Selecting a specific breed does not guarantee a particular behavior, but choosing offspring from animals with desirable temperaments does increase one's chances of getting the best pet. Mixed breeds can be as beautiful, intelligent, loving, and companionable as purebreds.Veterinarians, breed-specific books (usually available at libraries and pet stores), and dog shows are excellent sources of information about individual breed characteristics and needs.
Friend or Protector?
Most dogs, even tiny ones, bark when strangers approach their home or yard. This bark is usually enough to deter intruders. A pet should not be trained as an attack dog. Attack-trained dogs require special handling and knowledge to prevent accidental injury to people, including members of your own family.
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November Newsletter: National animal shelter appreciation week
Category: Newsletter Library
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Three Reasons to Always Microchip Your Pets
Category: Newsletter Library
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Bad Breath Can Indicate Your Pet Needs Dental Care
Category: Newsletter Library
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Happy Cat Month
Category: Newsletter Library
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Beware of Ticks this Fall
Category: Newsletter Library
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How to Tell When Your Cat Is Sick
Category: Newsletter Library
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Vet Care Doesn't Have to Break the Bank; Pet Insurance
Category: Newsletter Library
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Human vs Pet Medications: Why You Should Never Share Medicine with Your Pets
Category: Newsletter Library
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Ways to Take the Stress Out of Your Pet's Next Veterinary Visit
Category: Newsletter Library
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Signs on Heatstroke: Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer
Category: Newsletter Library
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Why Heartworm Protection Is Necessary for All Pets
Category: Newsletter Library
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Cat-Safe House Plants
Category: Newsletter Library
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Feline Skin Allergy Symptoms and Care
Category: Newsletter Library
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The Next Step
Category: Living With Your Pet, Saying Goodbye
The grieving process includes accepting the reality of your loss, accepting that the loss and accompanying feelings are painful, and adjusting to your new life that no longer includes your pet. How do I tell my family? Family members usually are already aware of a pet's problems. However, you should
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Battling Canine Cancer
Category: Video Newsroom, Health Topics
Every day, Cindy Fleischner lines up her crew of cuddly canines for breakfast. As the four other dogs eat, Cindy pulls Katy, her 12 year old Shepherd mix aside for a peanut butter treat. Katy is battling lymphoma and this treat hides her daily dose of chemotherapy drugs. Katy is not alone in this war.
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Gastroenteritis in Pets
Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
Lengthy bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can be a sign that your pet has gastroenteritis, a common condition that occurs when the lining of the stomach and intestines becomes irritated. Since frequent diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you notice
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