Now that you've thought out your decision to make a dog part of your life, and are resolved to becoming a responsible dog owner the main question you are facing is : What kind of dog should I get?

In order to find out what type of dog is best for you, you need to think about what you expect from a dog.

Do you want a jogging partner? Higher energy breeds, such as herding dogs, or working dogs are ideal exercise partners. They require a lot of exercise though, so if you aren't prepared to spend several hours a day exercising your dog, maybe these types aren't for you.

Unaltered cats of either sex, however, can be difficult to live with. Unneutered males "spray" a foul smelling urine on the walls and furniture. If allowed outdoors, they will roam and fight with other cats. Unspayed females may also spray, and usually "call" when they are in heat; this is an incessant yowling that will drive you and your neighbors to despair! Neutered and spayed cats make much more pleasant companions.

Heat cycles can last as long as 21 days although it is usually less than that. Have your pet checked by the vet as soon as the heat cycle ends. Your dog can be spayed soon after. The earlier a dog is spayed the faster and easier the procedure is. Since it is harder to spay mature bitches vet usually charge more to perform the surgery, which is another reason why you should have your dog spayed as soon as possible.

On average, female dogs are ready to breed again 20 to 24 weeks AFTER GIVING BIRTH. Observe your dog and watch out for the signs that she is in heat again.

It is always best to leave your dog's hair alone and free from chemicals. If you really want to do it though you can dye your pet's hair. When doing this keep in mind that your dog's hair is more sensitive than human hair and that using any strong commercial dye will ruin their coat. Because of this, make sure that you don't use products containing ammonia or peroxide. You can use food coloring or human shampoo that dye the hair temporarily and are easy to wash off. When applying them try to use as little as possible and to not soak the skin with it since it can irritate your dog's skin.

Dog fighting is a blood sport you should NOT engage in. It is not only cruel to your pet but will also land you in jail if you get caught. However, for those interested for research purposes the vitamins and other drugs that are usually given to dogs being trained for dog fighting include iron/liver extract, vitamin B-12, Provim, Magnum supplement, a variety of hormones, weight-gain supplements, creatine monohydrate, steroids, speed and cocaine.

There are so many things to keep in mind when caring for a dog. The most basic thing you should remember though is to you give your dog enough food, water, exercise and love. Make sure you also provide your dog with a safe and big enough shelter. Take your dog to the vet for a regular visit and put a collar on your dog so that it will be easy to return to you in case it strays.

This depends on the dog's age and temperament as well as your training skills and goals. In general though it will take just a month of consistent training to teach puppies to “Come”, “Stay” and “Go”. The older the dog is the harder it is to train.

Basset hounds usually experience their first heat cycle at 6 to 12 months of age. This means that your dog is about to go in heat soon. It is not safe for your dog to become pregnant at this time. It is recommended that dogs be at least 24 months old before they are bred. However, since you have a basset hound you should consider having your dog spayed as soon as possible BEFORE it even experiences it first heat cycle. Breeding basset hounds, unless they are “show quality” bassets, are discouraged.

Feed your puppy three times a day until it is 6 months old. An 8 week old pup will need to be fed about 3/4 – 1 ½ cups of food each meal. Larger dog breeds can be fed a bit more than that. However, make sure you don't overfeed your puppy even if it would like to eat more because it can cause digestive problems.

The best way to prevent your dog from getting fleas is by keeping the dog's surrounding, meaning your home, and the dog itself clean. Fleas usually live in your furnishings and only hop on to your pet when they need to feed. Vacuum your home regularly, especially if you have a carpet. If you already have signs of flea infestation sprinkle salt on your carpet and upholstery and leave it overnight. The next day vacuum everything thoroughly and throw the vacuum bag immediately. If you allow your dog out into the yard make sure that the yard is also free of fleas by spraying the whole yard with flea killer. As for the dog, bathe it regularly with warm water and shampoo. Once a month apply insecticides like Bio Spot, Advantage, K9 Advantix, Frontline Top Spot, Revolution, and Defend on your dog's back. Do not forget to wash the dog's bedding regularly as well.

Do you long to find a mate for Fido and hopefully raise cuddly puppies? Before you go in search of a suitable date for Fido, you will need to consider whether breeding Fido will improve his genetic traits and not just to make puppies. You will also need to take into account his age.

At minimum, a dog should be two years old before breeding. With dogs, sexual maturity develops earlier than full physical maturity. However, this does not mean that because they can, they should be allowed to breed. Dogs should be given ample time to “grow up”. This will also help ensure that puppies born will be reasonably healthy.

The most basic breeding related health screening is completed until a dog is physically mature, usually at twenty-four months. Breeding related health screening consists of measures that a dog breeder takes to look for health complications that might not be affecting a particular dog but may bear upon the other dog if mating occurs. These health problems usually include sexually transmitted diseases and congenital conditions that may be passed on to puppies. A dog should be healthy to be a good match for breeding. He/She must also conform to breed standards. The breed standard is a set of characteristics that defines a certain breed of dog. As mentioned, diseases rule out some dogs for breeding. Coat flows, unusual sizes, abnormal bone structures and dental problems also disqualify some dogs for breeding.

Generally, a bitch (female dog) has to experience two heat cycles in her lifetime before she can be a candidate for breeding. For the most part, a bitch’s heat cycle occurs every six months and lasts two to three weeks. The heat cycle includes bleeding for seven to ten days. Subsequently, she will be ready to breed during the succeeding seven to ten days.

If your dog is of age to breed already, finding a mate is the next consideration. Looking for a date for Fido takes time, effort and patience. You definitely will want a mate with genetic features that your beloved pooch lacks and that will enhance the breed standard of his puppies. If Fido is deficient in one area, you can pair him with a mate who is exceptional in that area. This way, the puppies will inherit the best of both parents’ characteristics.

To find the perfect mate for Fido, kennel club websites are great resources. These websites feature breeder referrals as well as links to dog shows worldwide. Dog shows are excellent venues for finding a mate for your dog. Other possible sources are dog magazines and newsletters, breed clubs and online dog dating sites.

Once you have found Fido’s “princess charming”, hopefully it is only a matter of time before you will be surrounded by cute little puppies. However, the concerns do not stop once the puppies arrive. You must also be prepared to provide for puppy care which includes vaccinations, regular vet visits, food and breed registrations.

Make no mistake, dog breeding can be rewarding but it can also be costly. So, be prepared financially.

A controlled environment is always preferrable for many reasons. Before you do breed your dogs though make sure that you have learned the basics of breeding and have had your dogs checked by a vet to make sure that they are in good health and that neither of the two has brucellosis, which can cause your dogs to eventually become sterile or cause the pups to be aborted or die right after birth.

Breeding the two dogs might not be a very good idea. Breeding can prove to be difficult since German shpherds are much taller than basset hounds. The height discrepancy will make it hard for your basset hound to mount the female German Shepherd. Furthermore, German shepherds' have a low compatibility with other dog breeds and might not tolerate the basset hound's attention at all.

Keeping your dog and house clean is not very hard if you have a regular routine. Give your dog regular baths. Brush your dog's hair outside your house to lessen shedding inside the house. Vacuum upholstery and carpets more frequently and install big rubber mats at the door to gather as much dirt of your dog's feet before it enters the house. During rainy weather keep the dog indoors to prevent it from tracking mud into your house. In addition to this, make sure your dog is housetrained because if it isn't then you will really have a hard time keeping your house clean.

You can try visiting EngBulldogs.com for a list of British / English Bulldog breeders in the United Kingdom. Go to their breeders page and click on the newly added feature – Breeders in the United Kingdom. You can even have your own website listed so that other breeders can contact you.

As long as she doesn't have a cold and its a pretty warm day you can give the dog a bath the day after it gives birth. It is very important though that you blow dry the dog until thoroughly dry so that it won't get cold afterwards and get sick. Make sure that you do not use any insecticide dips or rinse on your dog because the puppies will ingest the chemicals.

One method used to breed dogs when the female is slightly taller than the male is to simply wait until the male starts mounting and then just giving him a hand by gently boosting him upwards and inwards so his penis can penetrate the female. The problem with this method is that not all male dogs are comfortable being handled when trying to mate. This is especially true for those that are mating for the very first time. If your dog resists your help you have no choice but to wait until the male dog matures and has more experience before trying to mate it again with a taller female dog. For the time being artificial insemination (AI) might be a good option for you.

Do you feel as if your only dog needs a companion? Does it seem that he or she is feeling lonely without a playmate of his or her own? If your answer is yes, then it may be time for you to consider taking in another dog. The fact is, most dog lovers feel that having one dog is not enough – for reasons that apply to both themselves and their dog. Yet before you actually go to the pet store or the animal shelter to get a second dog, there are some things that you must consider carefully.

First you must think about your reasons for getting a second dog. Are you getting one so that you can leave the pair alone? That may seem a good reason on the surface but you have to bear in mind that dogs will still seek your attention even with companions. They may even fight for it. As such, you have to be able to give the time and effort the deal with two, or even three, dogs. This brings us to the second consideration – the expenses and other resources that would be needed to maintain a second or third dog. Having more than one dog would mean double or triple the cost when it comes to food, toys, treats, and medical expenses.

Once you have settled those two issues, you then have to think about the dog you already have. You have to make sure that your first dog is already trained. Just imagined having to train two or three dogs at the same time – it would be crazy! If this is not a concern, then you must take into consideration the breed of your dog. This is intertwined with the temperament of your dog. If you have an energetic dog, you may want to consider getting another of a comparable breed and temperament. Having two or three different dogs of widely different temperaments is a potential for disaster. In line with this is the dogs’ age and sex. Though it may seem that dogs of the same age might mix better together, it is far from the truth. Dogs of the same age will most probably clash with each other. Getting an older dog will pose potential problems. It is always better to get a younger dog which will be easier to train. However, observe your first dog well. If he or she is the type which is not tolerant of “puppyish” behavior, you may want to get a new dog which is out of that stage already. You wouldn’t want your new dog to be bullied by your first dog.

As for the sex, you may want to get a dog of the opposite sex to avoid competition. So if you have a male, get a female and vice versa. If you do not want them to breed, you should also make sure the dog is neutered or spayed before you acquire him or her.

Once you’ve picked out the perfect addition to your family, it is time to introduce him or her to your first dog. Do this in a neutral location to avoid territorial fights.

Labrador retrievers have a normal lifespan of 10 to 13 years. However, most labs encounter plenty of health problems and often do not reach 10 years of age. It is safe to say that you can expect a 5 year old lab to start developing health problems soon. Before taking the dog in, visit a vet to have it checked for any existing or impending health problems. Since the dog was used for breeding you can assume that it doesn't have any genetic disorders, however, it can still be suffering from common illnesses like ear infections.

Swollen nipples usually indicate that your dog is pregnant. If you think that your dog is not pregnant then expect the swelling to go down in a few days. If it does not go down then purchase a canine pregnancy test kit or go to your vet and have your dog checked. If it turns out that your dog is not pregnant after all the vet can spay your dog to stop future heat cycles. Make sure to mention your concern about your dog's nipples to your vet when you go for a visit.

The phsyical differences in dogs due to their respective breeds mean that each breed has a specific dietary need. Because of this whether your dog is of a more common breed or high breed the best way to learn the exact nutritional requirement is to visit your vet. This is very important since the needs of individual dogs of even the same breed still vary. While you may decide which dog food to feed your dog by simply reading labels it is better if you have guidance from a vet so that you will know which nutrients your dog lack and if you need to give your dog food supplements.

The condition of hair loss in dogs is known as alopecia. This can be caused by certain diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism or the Cushings disease. Alopecia X sometimes called the hair cycle arrest, telogen defluxion or pattern baldness could be another cause. Alopecia could either be the cycle flank type or the post-clipping one. This is common in Nordic breeds of dogs such as the Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes, Shiba Inus and miniature poodles.

Similar to humans, dogs especially those that need regular hair cuts have an active hair cycle called anagen. This period is short lasting for about a month to one year the most during which the hair grows to its desired length. What follows is the telogen phase during which the hair stays at a particular length for a longer period.

In order to determine the real cause, you need to consult your veterinarian. While there is no standard test that can easily diagnose the alopecia X condition, your vet may perform a biopsy to determine any infection or inflammatory condition associated with the falling hair.

Newborn puppies can die due to various causes. Some pups may lose interest in suckling or it can be that they’re ignored by the mother that they don’t survive at all. Other causes could be a cold, lack of milk, injury at birth or staying too long in the mother’s womb.

Streptococcal or staphylococcal infection can be another cause and this needs the immediate attention of your veterinarian. Your vet should give your pups antibiotics in this case.

Many puppies also die due to lack of warmth at the so-called whelping time or during the first few days or week. Make sure then that your kennel is in a very warm room and the dog’s bed has a covered hot water-bottle especially during winter.

The bag (amniotic sac) in which the puppy is born into, if not broken quickly at the head, could also cause suffocation of the pup which can lead to death.

To keep your other pups from dying, make sure you provide the mother with lots of fresh water and quality food. If they’re crying all the time or see signs of diarrhea or physical defects, bring them right away to your vet.

You should bring your dog to the vet if she continues to bleed after giving birth and especially if the blood has an odor. Your veterinarian should give her a shot of oxytocin to ensure that everything is cleaned inside her womb and the placenta is already out. Sometimes too much nursing could also cause bleeding but not for long. Prolonged bleeding is a not a good sign as it could signal an infection and should, therefore, be given emergency care.

Chihuahuas in particular normally need a caesarian section procedure because oftentimes, their puppies are big and they’re not capable of delivering them the natural way. A Chihuahua can have from one to three litters, sometimes four. Not all of them, though, will live because of their small size.

Vaginal discharge colored green or black is normal after birth and may last for up to three weeks. A bloody discharge, however, is abnormal. This can be caused by the failure of the placenta to recede after birth.

Other causes of bloody discharge are clotting or coagulation disorders, cancer of the urogenital tract and trauma or presence of a foreign body in the vagina.

No, it’s never okay to get water in your dog’s ears. While bathing, always avoid getting water into your dog’s ears as this could cause ear infection. You can prevent water getting into the ears by capping each of them with your hand as you pour water over your dog. Avoid putting cotton ball in the ear opening as this can still draw water while you’re washing and rinsing your pet.

Never use soap and water in the ears. You can clean them later after bath using a cotton ball or cloth with a special dog ear cleaner or mineral oil, olive oil or witch hazel. Do not use cotton swab as much as possible. Make sure you towel dry the ears as well after the bath. Do understand that moisture in the ears can also lead to infections.

Your dog’s ears are sensitive and delicate so keep them safe by examining and cleaning them at least every week as needed. Foreign objects in the outer ear could cause injury or infection so check this part often. Healthy ears should appear light pink inside without any bad smell or discharge.

Sure you can although it depends on how you feel about her condition. As long as your dog is healthy, bathing her while in heat should not be a major problem. It’s okay to give your female dog a bath even though she’s in heat just as it’s okay for females to take a bath when they have their monthly period. Dogs in heat or those that have bloody discharge usually know how to clean themselves including their vaginas but it won’t hurt if you give them a quick bath. Doing so will even relieve the discomfort and itching that they may experience while in the heat cycle. Just make sure that you dry them completely after bath to prevent chills and colds.

Everyone loves to have a clean dog all the time so bathe your dog on a regular basis suitable to his breed and environment. Ideally, you should bath your dog every two or three months.