Posts Tagged ‘dog breeds’

History: Settlers on the isle of Newfoundland, Canada, are responsible for helping to develop the Labrador breed. The progenitor of the Labrador Retriever was the St. John's Water Dog, which also gave rise to the Newfoundland.

The St. John's Water Dog was used by fishermen on the island to help bring in their nets. The St. John's Water Dog was taken to England in the 1800s, but it was not until later that the Labrador breed began to emerge on its own.

This is due mostly to the fact that the Earls of Malmesbury worked to refine the breed and promote it. Because of their efforts, the Labrador Retriever won recognition as a separate breed in the late 19th century. Read the rest of this entry »

While the thought of becoming a dog owner is a very exciting notion, it is also one that requires commitment and responsibility. Choosing a dog is an important decision, and there are questions you should ask yourself before you commit to caring for a dog. Read on to learn a few tips that will help you choose the best dog to compliment your family, as well as ways you can help your furry addition make a smooth settlement in your home.

You must bear in mind that when you take in a dog, you are taking upon yourself the responsibility of caring for a real creature—one that thinks, feels, and loves. Make sure that you or other family members are willing to take the time to train your dog (if he isn’t already trained) and offer attention/companionship and discipline. If you’ve sorted out the particulars on that front, then the next question you should ask yourself is this: what traits do I want my dog to have? Dogs vary depending on the way they were raised and the quality of life they have had, but there are particular traits that show up in certain breeds of dog. Do you want an intelligent dog (i.e.: easy to train)? Do you want a dog that is good with children? Are you looking for a low-energy lap dog or a beefy high-energy dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle? These are all questions you should ask yourself to help you search for the best breed of dog.

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