Pet's Care
 Dog
LABRADOR
Background
Labradors originated in Newfoundland, off the coast of Canada,
and were taken to England on fishing boats in the early 19th
century. Here they were developed and bred as a hunting dog,
being used for retrieving game in rugged terrain and icy waters.
They were popular as tough, strong dogs with excellent scenting
powers and a strong desire to please.
Even today, Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed
with shooters and they also work as police dogs, customs dogs
and guide dogs for the blind.
Average Lifespan
Labradors live from between 12 to 15 years of age.
Average Size
55cm to 57cm
Breed Personality / Characteristics / Temperament
Labrador Retrievers are intelligent, active, fun-loving dogs,
eager to please and extremely sociable. They want to be everybody's
friend and are not a one-man dog. The breed is wonderful with
children and so makes a good watchdog - letting out a big, deep
bark to notify of any intruders.
Compatibility With Other Pets
Excellent.
Care Requirements
Labradors need a large, draught-proof kennel, raised several
centimetres off the ground. In summer they require plenty of
shade. Similar to all dogs, Labradors are happiest if kept fit.
Adults will benefit from a daily walk of 30 minutes, while pups
will need overall periods of play. As a Labrador will need some
running, a large back yard is desirable.
Labradors are sociable dogs that really need to be part of
a family and if left alone in a back yard they may get up to
mischief or take to persistent barking, but they can be easily
trained.
As Labradors can also be great diggers and chewers as puppies,
it is a good idea to fence an area for the dog if you are attached
to your garden. Labradors have a tendency to put on weight,
which can cause health problems, so their diet needs to be carefully
restricted as they mature. Obesity can predispose them to diabetes,
heart disease and arthritis.
Please Take Note
Conscientious breeders have their dogs X-rayed for Hip Dysplasia
and Osteochondrosis, and have their dog's eyes tested annually
by a veterinary ophthalmologist to detect any disease at the
earliest stages, and do not breed from affected animals.
Ideal Owner/s
Families with a well-fenced yard, and as Labradors can be exuberant
and boisterous as puppies; it may be difficult for either the
very young or elderly family members to control them at this
age.
In Conclusion
If you want to know more about the Labrador, you can contact
the breed club in your State.
Dobermann
Background
The Dobermann originated in Germany. In the 19th Century a man
named Herr Louis Dobermann lived in the city of Apoldo (East
Germany) in the principality of Thueringen. He served as the
town dog catcher, night patrolman and the rates collector among
other duties. There was a demand for fearless watchdogs and
Herr Dobermann started selectively breeding the best of the
locally available dogs for this purpose. Nobody knows exactly
which breeds were originally used, but the Great Dane, old German
Shepherd, (not the German Shepherd Dog as we know it today),
Weimaraner, Manchester Terrier, Greyhound and other breeds have
been mentioned.
During a lifetime of 60 years of interbreeding dogs, Herr Dobermann
achieved great success in establishing the required watchdog
breed of dog. The Dobermann was known as the "Devil Dog"
by the American Marines and is their mascot. It earned the name
during World War II in the Pacific, where it used to go ashore
with the marines and flush out the enemy.
Although current research indicates their arrival was in fact
a lot earlier, the Dobermann was re-introduced into Australia
in 1952.
Average LifeSpan
Dobermanns can live up to 14 years of age.
Average Size
65cm to 69cm
Breed Personality / Characteristics / Temperament
It is in the Dobermann's nature to be a trustworthy and loyal
companion, usually gentle but as robust and tough as you care
to make it. A great playmate for the children of its "family",
it will quite happily join family members at the table and even
sleep in their beds, if people are foolish enough to encourage
it. In fact, it will become very "human" if you forget
to remind it that it is a dog! Though affectionate and obedient
to its owners, the Dobermann can be quite stand-offish to those
it does not know. However, it should not be nervous or aggressive
in normal circumstances, as a dog like this is unreliable and
will react badly in times of stress.
Compatibility With Other Pets
Good.
Care Requirements
The Dobermann is a large, active and intelligent breed and you
must be willing to provide the exercise and attention it needs.
Anyone buying a Dobermann must realise that it requires daily
training and exercise. A Dobermann needs some type of control
if it is to fit happily into the family and tends to excel at
obedience. Whether you just want to do basic obedience, or advance
to the highest level and obtain obedience titles, both you and
your dog will enjoy and benefit from this activity. A Dobermann
must be housed with adequate fencing.
Please Take Note
Because the Dobermann was bred as a working dog, many see the
dog's mentality and aptitude for learning as being just as important
as its conformation. The purpose of the Working Aptitude Evaluation,
in place for some time overseas, is to help determine if your
Dobermann has the aptitude to do the type of work for which
the breed was intended - that of companion and protector.
Ideal Owner/s
People who will train, socialise and exercise the dog.
In Conclusion
If you want to know more about the Dobermann, you can contact
the breed club in your State.
Dalmation
Background
The picturesque spotting of the Dalmatian makes this breed among
the most distinctive of dogs. Pups are born white and begin
to acquire their black or liver spots at about two weeks old.
Although a breed of ancient lineage, in Victorian times the
Dalmatian gained a reputation as a carriage dog and ran with
the horses, either out in front, beside or behind the carriage
of the nobility.
The Dalmatian had a natural affinity with horses, a trait that
is still very strong today. Put most Dalmatians anywhere near
a horse and they will immediately go and greet it. Any dog that
has been a drover of cattle, a trekker in two World Wars and
the Vietnam War, earned a place on the racing fire engine, been
the darling of the Victorian dandy, a show dog, a trick dog,
a gundog, and a hunter, need only be given half a chance to
win a place in your heart and your life.
Average LifeSpan
Dalmatians live from between 12 to 14 years of age.
Average Size
56 to 61cm
Breed Personality/Characteristics/Temperament
Dalmatians are fun-loving natural clowns with both elegance
and humour being hallmarks of the breed. Their "smile"
is often taken for a snarl, until one spots the madly wagging
tail. The breed's fairly sensitive nature also craves human
company and affection.
Compatibility With Other Pets
Dalmatians can share their home quite comfortably with other
pets.
Care Requirements
Cleanliness and the need for minimal grooming are other much-appreciated
characteristics of the breed. Having a short dense coat, Dalmatians
only need an occasional brushing to present a well-groomed appearance.
Being strong active dogs, they need to be kept under control
and obedience training is recommended. As they are active dogs,
they require a good walk every day and need a well-fenced yard.
Please Take Note
Dalmatians may be predisposed to bladder stones. Some dogs are
prone to skin trouble, while some are born deaf.
Ideal Owner/s
Dalmatians are perfect as a companion, a watchdog, and a marvelous
pet for the family, but as they are strong and active they do
need to be kept under control.
In Conclusion
If you want to know more about the Dalmatian, you can contact
the breed club in your State.
German Shepherd Dog [Alsation]
Background
The German Shepherd did not exist prior to 1899. The founder
of the breed, Captain Max von Stephanitz, bred the dogs to work.
This is still a priority with many breeders today, coupled with
the need for a sound body, along with the trusted and loyal
temperament that makes the German Shepherd such an ideal companion.
Average LifeSpan
German Shepherds live up to 10 years of age.
Average Size & Weight
55cm to 65cm 22kg to 40kg
Breed Personality/Characteristics/Temperament
The German Shepherd is known throughout the world for its loyalty
and trustworthiness. As a working dog it is able to act as a
guardian, herder, tracker, and guide. The German Shepherd should
never be nervous, over aggressive or shy.
Compatibility With Other Pets
With proper introduction and discipline, German Shepherds do
get on with other pets. The secret is early socialisation. It
is most important that puppies be exposed to new experiences
from as early as eight weeks of age.
Care Requirements
The German Shepherd does require attention. The breed is active
and needs some mental stimulation, so a daily walk coupled with
some thinking exercise, be it obedience training or a simple
"fetch the ball" routine will greatly enhance your
dog's quality of life. Grooming on a weekly basis will suffice.
Please Take Note
Potential purchasers of the German Shepherd should ensure that
both sire and dam of their puppy have been accredited with an
"A" stamp for being screened for Hip Dysplasia. The
German Shepherd Dog Council of Australia has in place breed
improvement schemes that also screen the breed for haemophilia
in male dogs and Elbow Dysplasia.
Ideal Owner/s
The ideal owners of German Shepherds are people who are able
to be assertive and command respect from their dog - while respecting
the dog back in return. These people are usually very active
and enjoy the company of their dog without making a fuss or
expecting lap dog behaviour.
In Conclusion
If you want to know more about the German Shepherd, you can
contact the breed club in your State.
For more information about dogs do visit this page
http://www.puppy.com.au/breeds/default.asp?p=all
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