Frail health dogs Helmsley pooch - New York Daily News

31 Aug 2007 at 5:41am

New York Daily News
Frail health dogs Helmsley pooch
New York Daily News, NY - 1 hour ago
"Everybody worried about the dog's health ," said Sfara, who worked for the luxury hotel queen in 2004. "Trouble kept Mrs. Helmsley going. ….

Pennsylvania Health Department Continues Dog Food Salmonella Warning - Associ…

29 Aug 2007 at 11:12am

Pennsylvania Health Department Continues Dog Food Salmonella Warning
Associated Content, CO - Aug 29, 2007
By Rachel Krech According to a recently published press release, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is still warning consumers about the risk of ….

Judge seeks 2nd opinion on whether to allow show dog's castration - Wilkes Ba…

30 Aug 2007 at 11:55am

Judge seeks 2nd opinion on whether to allow show dog's castration
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA - 19 hours ago
…. is Duffy's rightful owner, Robertson has rights to breed him for "as long as the dog is able and it's not compromising the dog's health and comfort."

Social and Personal (Times of Malta)

30 Aug 2007 at 4:11am

PACE. On Wednesday, August 29, at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, ARTHUR of Cospicua, k/a Turu, residing at Sta Lucija, former Director of Information, aged 81, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church.

Information provided by Google and Yahoo

Dogs can suffer from allergies just as readily as humans can.

And there can be a variety of causes of dog allergies, just as there can with human allergies.

One thing your dog can't tell you, though, is what he or she has come into contact with that could be causing the dog allergy.

There are, of course, dog food allergies, that may be easier to pinpoint, because you know what you've fed your dog.

And flea allergies are relatively easy to "diagnose", because you'll probably find the fleas if you take a good look as soon as your dog starts scratching.

But if your dog has come into contact with certain plants that are causing an allergic reaction, you may not know where to look for the culprits.

Dog Skin Solutions Revealed

Your guide to diagnosing, treating and quickly curing
a variety of dog skin problems

Does Your Dog Suffer From Allergies?

Dogs can get allergies for a variety of reasons, but there are a few culprits that lead to a state of a weakened immune system. Once a dog has a weakened immune system, he may start having allergic reactions to things that would not normally bother a healthy, strong dog. And he may develop a serious autoimmune problem like inflammatory bowel disease or hyperthyroidism.

According to Richard Pitcairn, these things may lead to a dog developing a weakened immune system:

* combination injections used a lot

* excessive use of cortisone drugs

* commercial dog food diets

The latter is an interesting point, as even in miler cases of allergy, dogs may be allergic to some of the commercial foods we feed them. He suggests switching to a special healing diet, made from food you prepare yourself, for about 2 or 3 months. If after this time there is no improvement, then it is safe to safe that food is not causing the allergy.

Dr Pitcairn's recommended allergy diet includes grains like brown rice, bone meal, meat, and vitamins. Once the dog has been on this diet for a few months, you can start introducing foods that he used to eat, gradually. It's best to introduce the foods one at a time, so you have a chance to see whether a reaction occurs after he eats it. Once a food, or ingredient has been identified, the option exists to find a good quality dog food that doesn't contain those ingredients. There exist special foods that are formulated for dogs with skin conditions, and these might be more suitable.

Foods are not the only substances that can trigger an allergy however. Your dog may be allergic to:

* chlorine or other household chemical agents

* cleaning chemicals, either in your house or yard

* gases released from chemicals in our furniture or buildings

* synthetic carpets

* plastic food bowls

* some types of grass or plants

* regular dog care products like heartworm or flea products

* flea bites

The symptoms of a dog suffering from an allergy could be one or more of the following:

* itchy skin

* skin eruptions (especially at the base of the tail and on the lower part of his back)

* inflamed ears

* too much licking of the front feet

* problems in the digestive tract including gas, gurgling of the stomach, loose stools or diarrhea

* inflammation of the toes

* his rear end is irritated

* licking and dragging his rear end on the floor

References: Dr Pitcairn, Complete Guide To Natural Health For Dogs And Cats

If you're interested in feeding your dog a natural diet, learn about dogs and carbohydrates. The author, Rebecca Prescott, presents dog tips and articles here.

It's often a good strategy when your dog suffers from recurrent allergies, to detox your dog's system. This will bring your dog's system back to a healthier condition, and then if the allergies recur, they may be easier to treat.

Helpful links:

Natural worm prevention (heartworm prevention, as well as general worm prevention)

Natural flea prevention

Immune support for your dog

Detox your dog's system!

The links all contain helpful information relating to dog health questions, dog health problems, and/or dog care. Enjoy!

Or take a look at the interesting ebook below:

Dog Skin Solutions Revealed

Your guide to diagnosing, treating and quickly curing
a variety of dog skin problems

As with humans, there are certain types of dog health care issues that are peculiar only to female dogs, and others that occur only in male dogs.

The following informative article deals with female dog care issues such as spaying your female dog, canine breast cancer, pyometra - a serious condition of your dog's uterus, and a canine version of phantom pregnancy.

Female Dog Care
by: Aki Desorcy

As there are certain health issues that affect only the female dog, care should be taken to ensure that these are fully understood before deciding whether or not to buy a bitch.

The most important dog health care concern is that of spaying.

Only those who are fully educated in all aspects of a specific breed and who have the time and energy to put into making sure that bloodlines are kept strong and healthy should ever consider breeding. With that in mind, most owners of female dogs will not be thinking of breeding and should therefore seriously consider having their pet spayed.

If the necessary surgery is carried out before your dog has her first heat cycle, the likelihood of her ever developing breast cancer will become almost zero percent. That alone is a very good reason to have your dog spayed as breast cancer is otherwise relatively common in older bitches. The chances of your dog developing pyometra, a disease of the uterus that can be fatal, is also greatly reduced.

Having your dog spayed will also relieve her of the twice yearly 'season' and the anxiety that often becomes part of it. She'll no longer want to roam in order to find male dogs to mate with and you'll no longer have to put up with the crowds of dogs who follow you during walks or who gather outside your home. And most importantly of all, unwanted pups will not become a problem.

If your female dog starts collecting her toys and treating them as if they were puppies, she's almost certainly experiencing a false pregnancy. Fortunately, this rarely lasts more than a week and although the dog will become very protective of her imaginary offspring, treat her as normal and she'll soon forget them.

If you've opted to not have your dog spayed, it's important to understand how her heat cycle works. The first 10-14 days is the period BEFORE ovulation and this is the time during which she will bleed. Ovulation occurs as the bleeding stops so it's important to understand that it's during the 10-14 days following bleeding that she's actually most likely to become pregnant. Far too many owners make the mistake of believing that their female dog is safe once the bleeding stops and over-filled dog pounds are the sad result.

Doggie diapers are available in most pet stores and come in a range of sizes to fit different breeds. These are designed to stop the dog leaving blood on your furniture and rugs but unfortunately, unless the dog has been taught to accept wearing them from a very young age, most will soon chew them off.

Female dog owners who choose not to have their dog spayed MUST monitor their dog regularly for any lumps in the breasts and remember that unless they're serious about breeding, they have a duty to ensure that their dog doesn't produce unwanted puppies who will eventually find themselves sitting in a pound waiting for their death sentence to be passed.

Female dog care is not something that I claim to have any specific knowledge or expertise on, even though all the dogs I've ever had (from when I was a child until now) have all been female.

If you have any comments in relation to the topics of female dog care mentioned in the article, please post them below.

Thanks!

One of my dogs, Jet, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, has on occasion started piddling on the floor. There have been two separate periods when she has done this - well after the time that she was house trained, that is.

I consulted with my vet about the problem during the first period, and various suggestions were made (none of which actually helped). Eventually, all it took was for me to actually catch her in the act one time (she had been making puddles for several weeks by this stage - out of my sight - and driving me to distraction). But anyway, I caught her in the act that one time, and screamed at her. She stopped mid-stream, went outside as instructed, and from then on she stopped making puddles in the house.

So I'm really none the wiser as to what that was all about.

The second time the same sort of problem started again, was during a lengthy rainy period. Jet just decided she didn't like getting her feet wet outside, and when I put her out she didn't piddle, but did so often as soon as I let her inside again.

The only solution to that was to leave her outside for very extended periods in the rain. Not a very happy solution, I must say. It made me feel very mean to do this. And Jet didn't like it at all. But eventually she stopped peeing in the house again.

The following article is written from a veterinary perspective on this issue, and is quite interesting. Most people don't realize there are so many potential reasons why a dog might start peeing in the house!

The Reasons Behind the Puddles on Your Floor

Published: Aug. 27, 2007

Source: Dr. Julie Byron

Author: Sarah Dowling

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/. Requests for reprints of this article may be directed to Mandy Barth, mandyb@uiuc.edu.

What do you do when Fido starts peeing on your brand new carpet or having accidents in the night while she sleeps? Inappropriate urination problems are not uncommon in dogs and owners should be aware that finding unexpected puddles on the floor may warrant a trip to the veterinarian.

The first step in your dog's diagnosis will be to decide whether Fido's inappropriate urination is caused by a behavioral or medical problem. Your veterinarian will want to know how long your dog has been urinating in the house, how often it occurs, and the situations surrounding the accident.

If your dog or puppy is still being housebroken it is likely that further training and not medical attention will be the solution to the problem. Puppies are unable to hold their urine as long as their adult counterparts so frequent walks at consistent times throughout the day can help with the housebreaking process. However, it is still important to keep an eye on your puppy's bathroom habits and seek advice from your veterinarian if you?re concerned.

Once behavioral problems have been ruled out, your veterinarian can then move on to narrowing down the long list of medical problems that can cause your dog's inappropriate urination. According to Dr. Julie Byron, a veterinary specialist at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, it is important to know whether the animal is actively, or consciously, urinating. This information can help distinguish between urinary incontinence and other medical problems like bladder infections or stones.

Incontinence problems in dogs can be caused by a variety of problems. Dr. Byron says that it is important for owners to recognize that with incontinence the animal has no control over its inappropriate urination and usually does not even know that it is occurring. Incontinence is usually characterized by accidents that happen while the animal is resting or asleep, the owner may simply notice that the dog's bed is damp in the morning and that the dog never moved.

There are several factors that can predispose your dog to incontinence issues such as age, breed, and sex. Incontinence is more common in middle-aged and senior animals, but can occur at any point in the animal's life. Also, female dogs and large breed dogs over 45 pounds–like Dobermans, Old English Sheepdogs, and Weimaraners–tend to be more prone to urinary incontinence.

"I also make a point of asking owners if they have noticed their pet drinking more water than usual," says Dr. Byron. "If this is the case the animal may have an endocrine problem that is causing their increased thirst and subsequent increased need to urinate. Blood work would be needed in order to diagnose such a problem."

Once incontinence and endocrine problems have been removed from the list of likely causes the next question your veterinarian may ask you is whether the inappropriate urination is characterized by an increase in frequency or urgency, straining when urinating, or any other signs of discomfort while urinating.

According to Dr. Byron the next step is diagnostic testing, which usually includes a urinalysis and urine culture to detect signs of infection. Depending on those results further diagnostics such as an ultrasound, radiographs, blood work, or cystoscopy may be needed, and can diagnose anything from bladder stones to tumors in the bladder or urinary tract.

If infection is the cause of your dog's problem, your veterinarian will use the results of your dog's urine culture and sensitivity to prescribe an antibiotic to clear up the offending infection. The results of this test are important since it enables your veterinarian to prescribe the right antibiotic to target your dog's specific infection.

Unfortunately, not every medical condition is so easy to fix and some dogs will hit the unlucky lottery with a diagnosis of bladder stones. Bladder stones can form when the pH of your dogs urine is either too basic or acidic, causing the minerals that are naturally present in the urine to form a hard stone. Breeds that are predisposed to bladder stones of various compositions include the Dalmatian, English Bulldog, Schnauzer, West Highland Terrier, and Bichon Frise.

Dr. Byron explains that your veterinarian will use x-ray and ultrasound images to determine how many stones are present and how large the stones are. If the stones are small enough they can be flushed out of the bladder in a non-surgical procedure known as urinary hydropulsion; however, the more common method of removing bladder stones is a surgical method called a cystotomy. After the bladder stones are removed your veterinarian will work with you to create a plan to help prevent further stones from forming.

Dr. Byron recommends performing x-ray studies every other month after the initial operation to reduce the need for future surgery, since it is possible for bladder stones to reoccur despite preventative measures.

For more information on causes of inappropriate urination or on any of the medical conditions that may cause inappropriate urination, contact your local veterinarian.

An archive of Pet Columns from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is available online at www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/. Requests for reprints of this article may be directed to Mandy Barth, mandyb@uiuc.edu.

If your dog suffers from urinary tract infections, there is a natural remedy that seems to be very effective. Any remedy that reduces the need for drug type medications such as antibiotics, is a great idea. But naturally, you must see your vet for ANY health problems your dog may develop that are of concern to you or your dog.

If you have any informative or funny stories about puddles on your floor, please fell free to leave your comments below. We love to hear from you!

Although I write a few basic dog training articles, it's not my real forte, so whenever I find dog training articles by other authors, I like to publish them if they contain what seems to be like sensible information.

Following is an article that focuses on the issue of getting your dog to let go of an item in his/her mouth. It's a great command to have your dog learn and obey.

The article is fairly basic, but contains a few good tips.

Basics Dog Training - Commands.

Training Your Dog to "give" trains your dog to release whatever he has in his mouth on your command and helps to stop him becoming an aggressive and possessive dog.

Nature dictates that whatever he finds is his.This is just normal dog behavior. This is where you use obedience dog training. Whether it be his favourite toy or a juicy bone he has to be taught to drop it when told, without growling or baring his teeth.

To do this is quite simple using your basics dog training method. First you need to put his lead on so he can't run off. Then using a new toy play with him. When he has the toy in his mouth, in a stern voice say "give" or "drop it" whilst also offering him his favourite treat. He should drop the toy and take the treat. When he does, praise him again and again.

If during the training he growls when you try to take the toy from him, just jerk the lead and repeat the command "give" or "drop it". He will then realise that a growl means a jerk and dropping it gives him a treat and plenty of praise.

Carry on playing with the toy and repeat the process a number of times over the next few days. After a few sessions the dog will start to drop it without hesitation knowing that he will receive his treat. Each time you practise this dog training method, replace the toy with something more desirable to your dog. Always using loads and loads of praise when he drops it.

Eventually you will be able to give him a really juicy bone and he will drop it on your command similar to the professional dog training you see on the television.

You need to practice dog care at all times. When you give him a bone make sure it is a knuckle bone as this will not splinter as he tries to gnaw it. Dogs love to chew, encourage this by giving them premium dog food chews.

Using easy basics dog training one step at a time, your dog will soon become your fully trained faithful best friend.

Remember your dog wants you to be his leader. You can achieve this by giving him clear instructions a different command word for each situation and heaps and heaps of praise when he does right.

(c) John Mailer, who specialises in articles to help dog lovers train their dogs. http://www.basicsdogtraining.com

And if you're interested in learning much more in depth dog training try the Obedience Training ebook I personally recommend!

Dog ear care is an important part of your dog care routine. It's essential that you inspect your dog's ears from time to time to ensure that they are kept reasonably clean and healthy.

A good time to do this is, of course, when you're bathing your dog.

But some breeds of dogs do tend to be afflicted with ear infections, so with these breeds, you need to be extra vigilant. Breeds with floppy ears, and especially those with long, floppy ears, are more likely to have ear problems. But dog ear infections can occur in any dog, so ear care for your dog is not something you should overlook.

Importance of Regular Home Dog Ear Care

Routine home dog ear care is very important to the health of your dog. Performed between your regular checkups with the veterinarian, it will help keep your dog’s ears healthy and pain free. If you see signs of trouble you may be able to head them off before they require an extra visit to the vet. Excessive wax, foul odor, redness, constant scratching, excessive matting of hair in the external ear, rubbing the ears against other objects, head shaking, and disorientation can all be signs of ear problems.

Inspect Your Dog’s Ears Regularly By Using Your Eyes & Your Nose!

By performing a home dog ear care inspection; you will be able to detect problems early. Use both your eyes and your nose. If you need help seeing inside your dog’s ears you may want to invest in a pet scope. A tool very similar to the kind your doctor uses to check your ears. Check for redness, excessive wax build up or any other foreign matter.

Sniffing your dog’s ears is another way to detect problems early. Normally a dog’s ears shouldn’t smell foul in any way. If you see a dark waxy discharge this may be a sign of ear mites. On the other hand, if you see a pus-like discharge along with a foul smell this may be a sign of a bacterial infection.

Allergies are also known to cause some dogs to have smelly ears. If you’re new to this and are unsure have the vet check your dog’s ears. Right after the vet gives your dog a clean bill of health make sure you inspect your dog’s ears. This way you will learn how your pet’s ears should normally look and smell.

Is Your Breed of Dog More Susceptible To Dog Ear Care Problems?

Due to the warm, damp, and dark environment, as well as poor air circulation, your dog’s ear canal can be the prefect breeding ground for mites, yeast or bacterial infection. This is why, for certain breeds, home dog ear care is even more important. Some pets may require routine applications of dog ear care products to keep their ears free of mites, yeast or bacterial infections.

Some dog’s ears stand straight up which allows for more air to flow into the ear canal. Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels and bloodhounds, are very prone to ear infections because very little air flows into their ear canals. There are also breeds, like the Lhasa, that have a heavy growth of hair inside their ears. This hair must be routinely removed as a prevention against chronic ear problems.

If Excess Ear Hair Is A Dog Ear Care Problem Learn How To Remove It

If you suspect that excess ear hair is a problem, you may need to pluck the hair that grows inside your dog’s ears. This is a routine dog ear care task that can be performed at home and is much easier then it sounds. You will want to apply dog ear powder to the inside of both ears. Make sure that the hair is completely covered, especially at the base. Once the powder has dried start plucking a few hairs at a time with your fingers or a tweezers. Plucking just a few hairs at a time will be less irritating for the dog.

You may want to stop a few times to give your dog’s ears a good rub. Make sure you give your dog lots of praise and a few dog treats too. Once all the inside hair has been removed, follow up by cleaning and inspecting the ears. If you are unsure about this dog ear care procedure, have your vet or a professional groomer show you how to do it.

Things You Should Know About Cleaning Your Dog’s Ears

Some vets recommend that owners routinely flush their dog’s ears with warm water at the slightest hint of odor. Other home dog ear care cleaning remedies include mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination of equal parts of vinegar and rubbing alcohol. If your dog has open sores it's best not to use the vinegar and alcohol because it will cause a burning sensation.If your dog is prone to ear infections you may want to use a pet ear care product that is specifically formulated to clean and dry up excess moisture in the ear canal.

A dog ear wash containing Tea Tree Oil, which is also formulated to dry the ear canal is an excellent choice. Tea Tree Oil’s natural antiseptic, antibacterial and fungicidal properties can help keep your dog’s ears problem free.It’s also a good idea to use a pet ear-drying agent after bathing or swimming especially if your dog's ears retain moisture and don't dry promptly. There are many good pet ear care products available for routine ear cleaning that will dissolve wax, remove foreign debris and dry the ear canal. There are also home dog care treatments available that will kill pesky ear mites and ear ticks.

A dog’s ear canal is L-shaped. It descends vertically and it makes a 90-degree horizontal turn before it reaches the eardrum. Even though your dog’s eardrum is better protected than a human’s, you should still proceed with caution when cleaning the ear canal. Many vets urge caution when inserting anything into the ear canal, especially cotton-tipped swabs. They can actually push dirt and foreign matter deeper into the ear if not handled properly. You can even lose the cotton tip in the ear canal.

Start cleaning the external part of the ear by swabbing inside the earflaps and all around the gnarled area at the entrance of the ear canal. If you choose to use a cotton-tipped swab you will need a long type since a dog’s ear canal is much deeper than ours. If your dog will tolerate it, gently and carefully swab the inside of the ear canal. A much safer method is to fill the ear canal with a pet ear cleaning solution and gently massage the outer ear. After a few minutes allow your dog to shake his head to help clear the ear canal. If you’re using a commercial pet ear care product be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

Make Ear Inspections An Important Part Of Your Home Dog Ear Care Routine

Checking your dog’s ears only takes a few minutes so make it a part of your dog grooming routine. And when your dog’s ears need a cleaning don’t put it off.

Remember regular cleanings can prevent many common ear problems. If you think a problem may be developing that is beyond the scope of your home dog ear care routine, take your dog to the vet for a check up immediately. An infection, if left untreated, can be very painful for your dog and could even damage your dog’s hearing.

There are some good tips following for caring for small dogs.

One matter that I do take issue with that the author mentions is, of course, the food. He appears to advocate commercial kibble or canned food in the care and feeding of small dog breeds.

As you know, I'm not in favor of this for any dog.

Raw food for small dogs is just as desirable as it is in the care of larger dogs. You do need to adjust the type of raw food you give your small dog, though due to their comparatively small mouths, jaw and teeth.

So the answer is to cut up any bones you might give (or have your butcher do so), and for very small dogs you might only want to give chicken bones - preferably the wings - since the bones are pretty small, and they're fairly soft as well.

You can chop up pieces of meat quite small, or even mince it if you prefer. And finely chopped vegetables are great when you're caring for a small dog.

Otherwise, as I said, Blake, the author, has some good ideas on the care of small dog breeds.

Here it is:

Care For Your Small Dog With These Big-Impact Tips
by: Blake Kritzberg

Basic small dog care is much the same as for larger dogs, but owners need to make a few adjustments to best meet their small dog's needs. Consider the following daily dog care routines, and how they’re adapted to meet the needs of your pint-sized pup.

Feeding Your Small Dog

Naturally you're going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your small dog to eat comfortably. You'll need to be sure to buy a kibble designed to fit his smaller mouth (these are easy to find among the premium dog food brands). Canned soft foods are also perfectly suitable for your small dog.

Containing Your Small Dog

All dogs need exercise and a safe place to potty outdoors, and a fenced-in yard provides all the security they need, right? Not necessarily when it comes to small dogs. A fence that adequately holds a bigger dog may have gaps large enough for a small dog to fit between or under, allowing him to escape. Fences also can't provide overhead protection from large hawks, which sadly have been known to carry small dogs and puppies away. A covered kennel run might better meet your small dog’s needs.

Training Your Small Dog

Small dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, yet the consensus of many pet experts is that many of them end up spoiled. No matter if he fits in a purse or a pocket, your small dog still sees the world in terms of pack behavior, and if you’re not leading the pack, he is. It’s a wise idea to make sure your small dog is thoroughly house trained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. Dog experts also suggest you make your small dog work for you, to keep him responsive to your rules. Have him sit or do tricks before you give him a tasty treat or even his meal.

Grooming Your Small Dog

Small dog care includes some special grooming needs you’ll need to keep in mind. Small dogs require more frequent nail trimming than larger dogs, because they typically spend less time on rough surfaces wearing them down. You'll also need to brush your small dog's teeth twice a week if you’re feeding a soft canned food diet.

As you can see, small dog care largely follows the same route as care for any other sized dog. The differences may seem like minor details, but paying attention to them can make a big impact when it comes to meeting your small dog’s special needs.

So there you have it - tips on caring for your small dog.

If you have any other tips or ideas on this subject, please leave your comments below.

We'd love to hear them!

Chihuahuas are a feisty little breed that, unfortunately, irritate many people. Even many dog owners are apt to make comments such as Chihuahuas are not "real" dogs, and so on.

On the other hand, if you're a Chihuahua lover, from your point of view Chihuahuas can probably do no wrong.

As with any dog, one of the first - very pleasant - tasks is to choose a name. What's in a name, you might ask? Well, plenty really. It's a word you're going to be using over and over and over again over the next many years. So it needs to be a name that you're going to like long term. And it's always preferable to pick a name that suits your particular dog - both your dog's temperament, and his/her breed.

As with any dog names, Chihuahua names can run the gammut from people's names to common dog names, to more unique, more specifically, Chihuahua names.

Here again are some ideas for names for your Chihuahua from Richard Livitski that might take your fancy:

Owning a Chihuahua can be quite an adventure, as I'm sure most owners of this breed can attest to.On one hand you've got this cute little dog that everyone wants to hold and pet. On the other hand, if you're a stranger, you'll be lucky to have four fingers left when you try, because it might just bite one off. This is because of the Chihuahuas extreme loyalty to those he's familiar with, and his not appreciating what he feels might be an infringement of his territory.Chihuahuas can also be an adventure to own simply by virtue of their attitudes. Hang around one for any length of time and you'll notice that this little dog doesn't seem to know that it's little! Because of this, they're often referred to as the little dog, with the big dog attitude. They can be aggressive toward other pets, and can bark up a storm over the littlest thing, which in most cases is bigger than the actual dog itself.

Even though the above mentioned characteristics can be interesting to say the least, more endearing qualities are those of the Chihuahuas extreme loyalty to those he's familiar with. Also, this puppy has a high energy level and spunk, that can brighten anyone's day.

Because of these diverse qualities, naming this pooch can prove a bit of a challenge. Should you choose any dog name? Or look for Chihuahua names that best reflect it's small size, or even it's humorous big dog attitude?

Since we felt this unique pooch deserves a unique name, we've come up with some Chihuahua dog name suggestions that cover both it's small size and it's big attitude. Here's some ideas from our dog names website…

Dog Names That Sound Small…

Bambi, Bonbon, Bugsy, Butterball, Button, Cuddles, Doodle, Gumball, Junior, Kewpie, Laptop, Munchkin, Nibbles, Nipper, Peanut, Peewee, Puddles, Putt-Putt, Squeaky, Squirt, Tinkerbell

Dog Names That Sound Big…

Attila, Big Shot, Boomer, Bruno, Bunyan, Butkus, Capone, Genghis, Grizzly, Hercules, Hulk, Jaws, Kahuna, Kong, Manley, Moose, Muscles, Rambo, Samson, Sarge, Stallion, Sumo, Terminator, Ulysses, Wookie, Yukon, Zeus

In closing, it's important to remember that when naming any dog, Chihuahua or otherwise, not to give him a name that might cause him to be mocked or made fun of. When searching for the perfect male or female Chihuahua name, these names were suggested hoping to get your creative juices flowing, and start you off on the right paw.

Leave your comments below on what you think of these Chihuahua name ideas. And if you have some additional ideas for names for Chihuahuas, then please let us all in on the secret, by letting us know your great ideas in the comments below.

Thanks!

If you're wondering about chocolate Labrador names, blond Labrador boy names, Labrador names in general or names for Labrador Retrievers, you'll probably want to select a name that actually suits your particular dog.

Labradors are a reasonably large sized breed, so popular names for dogs in the smaller categories may not be appropriate for your Lab. As with other breeds, you can choose to name your Labrador by a person's name, or you may want to name him/her after your hobby or favorite food perhaps. Just remember, though - your tastes in hobbies, food and even names may well evolve over time, and your Labrador will be stuck with the name you choose for a very long time (his/her lifetime, in fact). So you will want to give some thought to popular Labrador names and not so popular Labrador names - and come up with the right one for your dog!

Following are some particularly astute suggestions for names for your Labrador that you may find interesting enough to use for your own pup:

Looking for ideas for Labrador Retriever names? Lets face it, this breed is one, if not THE most popular dog breed in the world. And because of this it deserves a name that's as special as the dog itself.

Sure, you could come up with any dog name, but why not try to find a name that actually fits? A name that reflects this dogs intelligence, sociable nature, or even it's physical characteristics like it's color.

Since we believe that special dogs deserve special names, when coming up with the Labrador Retriever dog names shown below, we chose 3 lab name categories that we felt would help you to think a bit out of the box when it comes to selecting the best Labrador Retriever names. These categories are…

General Lab Names…

These general names were chosen and suggested simply because we felt they would sound good on a lab. We didn't feel that just any dog name would fit this particular breed. As an example, Fifi would be a great Poodle name, but not on a lab. Here's a few dog name suggestions that we thought might be a good match…

Cassidy: This name has a friendly, easy going sound to it, and it seems to be a good match with this breeds temperament.

Charisma: Somebody who has charisma is someone with personal magnetism. If you've noticed that your lab is drawing a lot of attention, then the name Charisma might be an appropriate match.

Fetch: A good name match for a dog that’s a Retriever.

Jazz: A smooth and cool sounding name, and one that might appeal to a music loving owner.

Ricochet: For the lab that’s all over the place!

Other General Lab Name Ideas…Amanda, Bailey, Bandanna, Boone, Cabo, Caboodle, Cha-Cha, Chelsea, Cheyenne, Cody, Denali, Hailey, Kahuna, Maui, Rio, Sierra, Tango, Tiara

Black or Chocolate Lab Names…

Should you be the proud owner of a Retriever whose color is black or chocolate, here's some name suggestions and a list of names that might be a good fit for it's dark color…

Java: For an energetic black lab that doesn't need caffeine.

Kahlua: A good match for a chocolate lab whose owner is fond of either this famous drink, or Hawaii from where it originates, or both!

Panther: For the lab that's as stealthy and sleek as a black panther.

Sable: Named after the highly valued black sable fur, the lab given this name should be one that carries itself well and that knows its special.

Other Black Or Chocolate Lab Name Ideas…Aurora, Coco, Ebony, Eightball, Espresso, Hoodlum, Luna, Midnight, Nighthawk, Phantom, Raven, Salem, Shadow, Star, Storm, Taboo

Yellow Lab Names…

Blondes have more fun! So giving your yellow lab a name that highlights its beautiful coloration will make it stand paws above the rest. Here's a few naming suggestions and a list of names after things that are bright or yellow…

Butter: Don't laugh, but I encountered a yellow lab recently who owned this very memorable and unique name. I'll never forget having met Butter!

Marilyn: For the blonde lab whose owner is a Marilyn Monroe fan. This sultry pooch draws the attention of everyone as it enters the room one hip at a time!

Sundance: This energetic dog brightens everyone's day.

Other Yellow Lab Name Ideas…Amber, Autumn, Blondie, Chiquita, Daisy, Ember, Garbo, Goldie, Harlow, Meadow, Omelet, Paris, Sandy, Sahara, Savanna, Sunny, Zsa Zsa

When looking for Labrador Retriever Names, they're easy to find when you consider your labs temperament and physical characteristics when choosing a name. If you take care to choose the right one, not only will your dog appreciate it, but he will also attract more attention…thus more petting, playing and treats!

So let me know what you think of these German Shepherd name suggestions, by leaving your comments below.

Or maybe you have some even better German Shepherd names? Something unique that you've given your dog, perhaps?

Leave your comments below!