If “fashionistas” are obsessed with brand names, dog lovers are hooked on dog breeds. This is because purebred dogs are expensive and belong to the high-level of this particular species.

Generally, dog breeds were incorporated to give distinctive characteristics to certain classifications, thus, resulting to a substantial number of varieties.

However, people who breed dogs often find it hard to detect the specific characteristic of the resulting species. There are times that off springs appear to be different from their “parents.”

In dog breeding, experts contend that the off springs should have the same characteristics as their parents, both physical attributes and behavior. For example, a breeding pair of Retrievers should produce the black puppies because purebred Retrievers have black coats.

However, there are instances that retrievers produce puppies that have yellow coats. Hence, cases like this are not considered by the known Kennel clubs. What happens next is that these yellow retrievers are sometimes “euthanized” by dog breeders based on the notion that they want to curb the probable reoccurrence of such species.

This particular issue has long been debated by many dog experts and scientists because of the fact that there are certain instances wherein genetic consequences may intervene.

In addition, studies show that dog breeds, like the human race, have no specific scientific origins and that their breeds cannot even be identified and proven even by DNA. So, the chances of getting a purebred dog are not that common.

However, because of the existence of dog breeds, Kennel clubs only consider pure dog breeds on their competitions.

Today, there are about 160 dog breeds being recognized by the club, but most people can only recognize a dozen or two. In fact, even those who are experts in dog breeding may still confuse a certain breed as a cross between two dog breeds.

Hence, dog breeds should not be considered as a basis on whether or not a certain dog will bite. Most people have this thinking that there are dog breeds that will not bite.

People should keep in mind that dog biting is based on behavior, in which certain environmental and social variables trigger the behavior. Hence, experts contend that there is no breed of dog will attack somebody without any reason at all. This means that 99.9% of all dogs will not attack anyone as long as there are no viable reasons that will trigger the attack.

The bottom line is that dog breeds may still vary, depending on their genetic make-up. Hence, the foundation of classifying dogs according to their physical attributes and behavior may be affected by different factors.

No wonder why the issues about purebreds are endless.

Learn to save time, money and frustration with your horses. Cold Laser Therapy or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is world renouned.

Cold laser Equipment has been used and studied worldwide for over 35 years. It is prized and coveted by the most dedicated therapists, veterinarians, horseman and animal care specialists.

An equine laser is highly effective for pain, injuries, swelling, inflammation, muscular skeletal treatments, broken or fractured bones and for laser acupuncture. Cold laser therapy is being used widely among the various Sport Horse communities in particular because of the competitive advantages that it offers. This includes thoroughbred racing, dressage, jumping, three day events, endurance, rodeo and stunt horse recuperation, healing and rejuvenation. It has been used at the last few Olympic games as a non-invasive health tool with great success. Some equine laser devices are reputed to offer astounding results in the winning, recovery, healing and rejuvenation programs of sport horses and athletes.

A Veterinary Laser, Cold Laser or Equine Laser accelerates healing of:
*Muscles *Tendons *Ligaments *Articulations *Bones *Nerves *Strain & Stress *Pain & Inflammation *Spasms & Knots *Bruises & Contusions *Blisters & Hematomas *Swellings & Tears *Open Wounds *Scar Tissues *Arthritic Pain *Muscle Atrophies *Cartilage Wear and *Minor Fractures

Got Fleas?
Prevent your horse from scratching, itching or rubbing themself raw. You can do this by using a potion containing Derma-Smooth Flea Spray, which can be mixed and wiped on the affected areas. In severe cases there is a shot that can be administered, which helps tremendously. Be careful about its use with pregnant mares!

Mosquito Proof your horse for better health:
Mosquito Proof Potion for Horses: 1/3 Adams Flea Spray, 1/3 Sho-Sheen, 1/3 Skin-So-Soft. Spray or wipe down, especially in the evening.

Prevent "Rain Rot":
When wet weather hits "rain rot" can present itself on the top of the horse, the back, rump, and croup. If you run your hands over these areas, you may feel many small, raised bumps. When you brush or pull at the hair on these areas, small flecks of hair and skin can come off. A simple treatment of this condition is to rub mineral oil onto the affected areas every other day until gone, which may take three or more treatments.

Horses Cold:
"El Nino" is causing colds and snotty noses in horses. If you have horses with snotty noses and/or coughing, give 1 oz. Tritussin (equine) two times daily until the discharge disappears. Antibiotics are not necessary if the horse doesn't have a temperature.

Equine Emergencies:
What do you do for your horse while you are waiting for a veterinarian during an emergency?
The most common medical emergency in the horse is colic or abdominal pain. Colic may be the result of any of a variety of intestinal disorders, ranging from gas to a life-threatening intestinal torsion or twist. Walking your horse may help alleviate some discomfort and encourage intestinal motility, however be careful not to overdo the exercise. It is possible to exhaust a horse with colic. Avoid allowing a horse to roll, but it is fine to let them intermittently lie down quietly. Treatment with a cold laser over the stomach and abdominal cavity can give relief from pain, gas and inflammation thus relaxing musculature and assisting peristalsis.

Fever is another common medical problem with horses. Normal rectal temperature in the adult horse is 99-101 degrees F. Be prepared by having a large animal thermometer in your first aid kit and know how to take your horse's temperature.

If your horse's temperature is higher than 104, call your veterinarian. Aggressively spray cold water on your horse to cool him down. An alcohol bath using 70% rubbing alcohol will further drop surface body temperature. Consult your veterinarian who may suggest administering a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, such as phenylbutazone ("bute") or banamine.

Prevent eye injuries: Horse's eyes are susceptible to injuries due to its protruding anatomy and the horse's inquisitive nature. Eye injuries, especially corneal injuries can become serious very quickly. Always consult your veterinarian. Avoid using any ointment that contains a steroid, such as hydrocortisone until you have talked to your veterinarian.

Another common concern is injury due to lacerations or wounds. Remember to always keep clean bandage supplies in your first aid kit. Keen evaluation of your barn and fencing may help prevent these occurrences. Nostril and eye lacerations can be caused by open hooks, used for hanging buckets, tools and towels. Beware of barbed wire for horses, especially foals, which are not compatible.

If an injury occurs, treat immediately with a cold laser, apply an antibiotic ointment and call a veterinarian if necessary. Wounds that need to be sutured need to be seen while they are still fresh and clean. If the laceration is bleeding, direct pressure may be applied using clean gauze or towels.

A cold laser may be applied to all wounds and can even be applied over dressings daily to reduce pain and inflammation and accelerate healing. Apply cold water to the area to clean the wound and decrease inflammation. Application of an antiseptic solution such as betadine, may improve outcome. Do not apply topical medication without first consulting your veterinarian as some dressings, particularly caustic dressings, may be harmful.

All animals are creatures of instinct and your dog is no exception. In spite of this some instincts have left dogs, creating situations where an owner needs to step in. With at least fifteen thousand years of domestication, many of the base instincts for survival have fallen by the wayside, making dogs more careless than their wild brethren and one such case is that of snake bites.

Knowing what to do in the event of a snake bite is especially important, as estimates show around 15,000 pets being bitten by snakes a year. A little research into the types of poisonous snakes in your area will help you immensely, since knowing the species of snake that bit your dog will be absolutely vital information for any treatment.

It will also save you the trouble of getting professional care for your dog if you can tell a poisonous snake from a non-poisonous one. If you're not familiar with the local serpents, try to notice what the snake looked like so you can relay the information to a veterinarian. Naturally, if the snake isn't poisonous, it's not a medical emergency.

Most of the time, a dog will startle a snake and the snake will lash back, usually sinking its fangs into a dog's face or legs. Afterwards, a poisonous bite will show swelling, pain, and redness, centered on a pair of tiny puncture wounds. Other possible signs of a poisonous snake bite are labored breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, an increased pulse, and shock. If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a venomous snake because of displaying these signs, look for the paired puncture wounds on your dog's flesh.

A poisoned dog should receive professional medical attention as soon as possible. Take special care not to excite the dog as you transport it. Keeping a bitten dog calm is of utmost importance, since a heightened pulse rate moves venom through the dog's body fast. You many also have to provide artificial respiration, particularly if your dog was bitten in the face. If your dog was bitten in a leg, placing that leg below the level of the heart, with the leg pointed towards the ground on a lower level than the dog's heart, will slow the movement of the venom into the dog's body.

Most home remedies for poisonings are ineffective at best and dangerous at worst. Incisions around the bite wound won't remove the venom, nor will ice pressed against the punctures or applying a tourniquet to slow the flow of venom in the dog's body. Most of these methods, along many others not listed here that occasionally crop up in urban myths, will cause more harm to your dog than the venom, partly because venom travels in a dog's lymph, not their blood.

Rather than leave the life of your dog in the hands of urban myths and folk medicine, you can try to slow the flow of venom through your dog's body by applying light pressure above the limb with either the flat of your hand or a loosely tied piece of cloth. True it might not be much, but every little bit helps when you are trying to buy some time.

Snake bites are both dangerous and common threats to man and animals. Dogs are particularly vulnerable, especially with their lack of certain instincts. As with any emergency, maintain a cool head - you can panic later after all is said and done. You need to think clearly and be well informed to help your dog.

Cats can be either outdoor or indoor pets. Pet owners themselves must decide whether or not they want their cats to be outdoor or indoor animals. Many countries actually ban people from allowing cats to be outdoor animals, especially if the cats are declawed and defenseless in the wild. In the United States, however, the decision is up to the pet owner. There are several things to consider when making a decision. Below, a few pros and cons of these topics are discussed.

If the only issue were the life expectancy of a cat, then keeping cats indoors would win hands down. It is proven that an indoor cat has an average life expectancy of about fourteen years, while outdoor cats have an average life expectancy of about four years. There are a number of factors that affect this. For instance, an outdoor cat is more susceptible to picking up life-threatening illnesses. Outdoor cats are predisposed to abscesses, from bite wounds from fights, which if untreated, can lead to infections and complications. In addition, an outdoor cat could pick up feline AIDS, rabies, and feline leukemia. These diseases are transmitted from cat to cat, and some can result in death.

Outdoor cats are in danger of being run down by cars, attacked by predators and abused by humans, as well as, being subjected to inclement weather. All of these conditions can shorten a cat's life. Also, outdoor cats add to the cat population problem that results in so many cats being put down each year.

An indoor cat is like a part of the family. It is kept warm and safe in the house and receives medical attention that helps to treat ailments and increase life spans. Cats are independent creatures that can tolerate being alone for long periods, while family members are busy with their daily lives. They are not available to predators and are safe from diseases transmitted from cat to cat. Also, since they do not roam on streets, they are free from possible death by being run over.

The believers of the theory that cats belong outdoors believe cats belong in their natural environment. They also feel cats confined indoors are not given the opportunity to chase prey, exercise or have freedom to roam their environment. The indoor cat believers feel cats can get enough exercise through interactive play with their owners, and do not need to chase prey as they kill for fun, not food. These people also believe a cat's natural environment is in the house, since the cat has been domesticated for thousands of years now.

It is believed by many that an indoor cat becomes bored and depressed. But, by showing your cat attention and providing stimulating toys, hiding treats, or providing a companion pet, you can keep your cat occupied. The fact is, by keeping your cat indoors, not only can it increase your cat's life, protect its health and keep it safe, but it can also become a happy member of your family.

The best way to start your puppy with obedience training is to visit a training school. Not only will puppy become well versed in the required commands and actions, but you will also learn what is required from both of you. If you have never obedience trained a dog before it is unlikely you will instantly and automatically know what to do. Another advantage of training school is the social aspect. Meeting other dogs and other people at an early age can prevent your puppy from becoming frightened and possibly aggressive in the future.

Once you have attended a few classes, you should continue the work at home. You may want to continue with dog obedience training classes for the social aspect but either way it will be necessary for you to continue with the training when you are at home otherwise puppy will never learn anything.

Set a time every day to complete the training and work on several different areas of obedience. By giving this variety to your puppy you are still teaching him or her some of the commands and actions but they won't become bored and let their attention wander.

As with all forms of dog training it is vital that you use reprimands and rewards in appropriate quantities. When you are first starting out, bear in mind that your puppy does not yet know what is right and what is wrong. They will not know without you telling them. This essentially means that you aren't reprimanding you are informing. You do need to use a reprimand though, even in the very early stages but the reprimand should only ever be a vocal one. Do not use a physical reprimand because this not only scares your puppy but also can lead to aggressive traits when they grow up.

Teaching your dog some simple tricks is an excellent way to teach obedience training. Sit down, shake paw and similar tricks are not only cute and effective as a party piece but they also show that your puppy is submissive towards you. It certainly isn't necessary to teach them extreme submissive tricks such as the submissive roll. Puppies love to do tricks and they love to get heaps of praise for doing something well and this is the most effective way that they will learn anything so make the most of every single action they do that is correct but try not to dwell on the mistakes for too long.