But, they are rarely life threatening and should not deter you from enjoying a pleasant day at the beach or at sea.

It is imperative to immediately administer first aid care in the event of the jellyfish sting, unless the victim experiences an allergic reaction to the jellyfish venom. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are severe pain, respiratory problems, swelling, and shock. If the victim exhibits any of these symptoms, call 911 and head to the nearest Emergency Room.

In most cases, victims of jellyfish stings will experience minor irritation and pain where the tentacle made contact with the skin. The affected area should be rinsed with salt water, if available. Fresh water can activate painful toxins in the jellyfish venom and should be avoided unless the wound is contaminated with dirt, sand, seaweed, etc. Those administering first aid should use caution when making direct skin-to-skin contact with the victim. Protective clothing and/or gloves should be worn, if available.

After rinsing the affected area with salt water, apply a cool compress soaked in white vinegar. The acetic acid from the vinegar will deactivate leftover toxins in the jellyfish venom, and the chill of the compress will soothe the burning pain of the venom.

While the compress helps to combat pain on the surface area of the wound, the victim may also start to experience headaches or muscle pain near the affected area. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or aspirin may be administered to treat any additional pain, along with lots of fluids. Benadryl or topical creams may be used to treat any itching or rash symptoms may develop at or around the wound.

As with all major wounds, it is important to follow up with your physician once first aid has been administered, especially if infection or flu-like symptoms develop.

Don’t let a fear of jellyfish deter you from enjoying the ocean. Take precaution before going in the water by checking with the local life guards, who will readily tell you of any hazards to be aware of. Pack a small jar of white vinegar — available at grocery stores — in your beach bag so you’re not caught empty handed in the event of a jellyfish sting. And walk the shoreline; if you see jellyfish washed up on the sand every few meters, don’t go in the water.

Be jellyfish smart this summer, and enjoy the ocean like never before, because if you don’t your only hurting yourself.

Chris Jensen is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Pets & Animals Blog now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Aquarium & Fish Shop for Todays Current Online Deals.

Canine flatulence is not a fun thing to experience. Dogs tend to have very smelly gas and, apart from the nasal assault, you`ll notice that your pet is rather uncomfortable as well. Gas in dogs can be the result of several different problems and it is best to try and figure out which one is the issue before you attempt to treat your dog.

Possible Causes of Canine Gas

Your dog is most likely suffering from a fairly minor problem, but in some cases, gas can be a sign of something more serious. If your dog appears to be in severe pain or has gone off his food, be sure to see your vet immediately. Anytime you suspect the problem could be serious, call your vet. You know your pet better than anyone else and you should follow your instincts.

Now, let`s look at some of the most common problems that cause gas in dogs.
Eating too fast. This is especially an issue in larger breeds, such as German Shepherds. If your dog is eating too quickly, he is gulping down air, as well, which reaches his intestines quickly and comes out the other end as gas. Try giving your dog smaller amounts of food, a bit at a time, to teach him to eat slower.

Change in food.
Some dogs are particularly sensitive to changes in diet and you may find that if you buy another brand of food, your dog will suffer from flatulence. This can also happen when too many table scraps are given. This can be tested by going back to the original food brand for a few days . . . the gas should be gone. The best way to avoid this problem is to make diet changes very gradual, mixing a small amount of the new food with the regular food and slowly increasing it.

Intestinal worms.
Worms are notorious for causing gassiness and it can be quite unpleasant for your dog. Check your dog`s stool for signs of worms. It`s also a good idea to de-worm your pet at least once a year, but if you find nasty critters in his feces, you may need to do this more often. Whether you de-worm at home or have the vet do it is up to you.

Poor diet.
Not all dog food is the same. Some are made almost entirely out of wheat or other similar grains and this is definitely not friendly for a dog`s stomach. An overabundance of fiber or the wrong type of carbs can wreak havoc on your puppy`s digestive system and result in gas. To solve this issue, invest in good quality dog food that is correctly balanced for your animal.

Slow intestinal tract. Dogs get out of shape, just like humans, and this often results in constipation and extra gas. If you want to reduce the chances of this occurring or to fix an existing problem, you will need to help your dog stay fit. A nice long stroll after dinner will help your and the dog`s digestive system function faster.

Bad bacteria in the intestine. Sometimes, when your dog is eating or mouthing things that he shouldn`t, bad bacteria get into his body. These can cause all sorts of problems in the intestines and it`s a good idea to get rid of them. This is possible by adding probiotics (good bacteria) to your dog`s food to reestablish a balance of healthy bacteria.

You don`t have to live with nasty gas and neither does your dog. Check the symptoms and you should be able to diagnose and treat minor problems yourself. However, if you ever have doubts, don`t hesitate to talk to your vet.

Sells and markets all-natural dog products including dog gas treatment, Dog shampoo and conditioners, flea control, herbal elixirs & breath spray.

So let’s talk about the seemingly dying breed of snake charmers. Exactly where did they come from? How did they become charmers of snakes and how do they do what they do?

It is said that the Guru of Snake Charmers taught people to revere Reptiles rather than be afraid of them and that the art of charming snakes emerged from those who were in the business of treating people for snake bites. Those who sought to follow in the Guru’s footsteps were trained as to how to properly handle a snake and what to administer for Snake bites. These healers as they were called, also removed snakes from people’s homes and became known for their healing abilities and the ease with which they handled snakes.

It is this ease these healers had with snakes that ushered in the era of Snake Charmers. The general belief is that the art of snake charming originated in Egypt and this is given creditability from the account of a showdown between a kings, sorcerers, and a man named Moses. But scholars hold that snake charming as we know it today probably originated in India. It is here we find the fine points of Snake Charming being defended as a family business.

Dressed in traditional attire, having long hair wrapped in a turban, wearing beads and earrings our snake charmer sets out to find his audience. He carries his snake or snakes in a basket that is suspended over his shoulder on a long pole. When he finds the perfect spot he will sit down in front of his basket cross his legs and wait for the appropriate time to remove the lid.

Having removed the lid from the basket he begins his ritual. The Charmer makes music with his flute and presto as if he has heard the music the snake will come up out of the basket; if by chance it is a Cobra it will extend its hood and begin to sway to the music as if being hypnotized by the Charmer. All who see this dangerous show being carried out before their very eyes are in awe; they applaud and reward the snake charmer.

How can this not be real? Well according to well informed sources a snake is in his comfort zone when kept in the dark; shed some light and he is startled into emerging from his den. As for why he will sway to the music and act hypnotized; well it is one or a combination of things. The snake will react to the movement of the flute, the vibration of the flute or to the patting of the charmers feet.

You are saying but what about the music? I hate to burst your bubble but the snake cannot hear it! I know you want to remind me that the snake retreats when the music stops; pay attention when the Charmer stops all motion the snake will retreat. Finally snakes by nature are timid creatures and prefer to scare off their opponents rather than fight.

So Egyptian Charmers, Indian Charmers they all emerged from the same source; they came from those who had a way with handling Snakes and provided a service for those who didn’t.

Chris Jensen is a contributing Author of Jetfly Blog. For more related articles and reviews visit Jetfly Pets & Animals Blog now. Also, for the Best up-to-date related Online Products, check out Jetfly Reptile Supplies Shop for Todays Current Online Deals.

There are two common reasons why a dog is aggressive towards members of his own human family. He is trying to defend something he thinks of as his from a perceived threat (you).

This is known as resource guarding, and though it may sound innocuous, there’s actually a lot more going on here than your dog simply trying to keep his kibble to himself. He is not comfortable with the treatment/handling he is getting from you or other members of the family.

What is resource guarding? Resource guarding is pretty common among dogs. The term refers to overly-possessive behavior on behalf of your dog: for instance, snarling at you if you approach him when he’s eating, or giving you “the eye” (a flinty-eyed, direct stare) if you reach your hand out to take a toy away from him.

All dogs can be possessive from time to time as it is in their natures. Sometimes they are possessive over things with no conceivable value, inedible trash, balled up pieces of paper or tissue, old socks. More frequently, however, resource-guarding becomes an issue over items with a very real and understandable value such as food and toys.

Why does it happen?

It all boils down to the issue of dominance. Let me take a moment to explain this concept. Dogs are pack animals. This means that they are used to a very structured environment. In a dog-pack, each individual animal is ranked in a hierarchy of position and power (or “dominance”) in relation to every other animal.

Each animal is aware of the rank of every other animal, which means he knows specifically how to act in any given situation (whether to back down, whether to push the issue, whether to muscle in or not on somebody else’s turf, etc etc).

To your dog, the family environment is no different to the dog-pack environment. Your dog has ranked each member of the family, and has his own perception of where he ranks in that environment as well. This is where it gets interesting: if your dog perceives himself as higher up on the social totem-pole than other family members, he is going to get cheeky.

If he’s really got an over inflated sense of his own importance, he’ll start to act aggressively. Why? Because dominance and aggression are the exclusive rights of a superior-ranked animal. No underdog would ever show aggression or act dominantly to a higher-ranked animal (the consequences would be dire, and he knows it!)

Resource guarding is a classic example of dominant behavior. Only a higher-ranked dog (a “dominant” dog) would act aggressively in defense of resources. To put it plainly, if it was clear to your dog that he is not, in fact, the leader of the family, he’d never even dream of trying to prevent you from taking his food or toys because a lower-ranking dog (him) will always go along with what the higher-ranking dogs (you and your family) say.

So what can I do about it? The best treatment for dominant, aggressive behavior is consistent, frequent obedience work, which will underline your authority over your dog. Just two fifteen-minute sessions a day will make it perfectly clear to your dog that you are the boss, and that it pays to do what you say.

You can make this fact clear to him by rewarding him (with treats and lavish praise) for obeying a command, and isolating him (putting him in “time-out”, either outside the house or in a room by himself) for misbehavior.

- If you are not entirely confident doing this yourself, you may wish to consider enlisting the assistance of a qualified dog-trainer.

Brush up on your understanding of canine psychology and communication, so that you understand what he’s trying to say this will help you to nip any dominant behaviors in the bud, and to communicate your own authority more effectively.

Train regularly and keep obedience sessions short and productive (no more than fifteen minutes and maybe two or three of these per day).

Why doesn’t my dog like to be handled?

All dogs have different handling thresholds. Some dogs like lots of cuddles, and are perfectly content to be hugged, kissed, and have arms slung over their shoulders (this is the ultimate “I’m the boss” gesture to a dog, which is why a lot of them won’t tolerate it.)

Others are usually the ones not accustomed to a great deal of physical contact from a very young age and aren’t comfortable with too much full-body contact and will get nervy and agitated if someone persists in trying to hug them.

Another common cause of handling-induced aggression is a bad grooming experience such nail-clipping and bathing which are the two common culprits.

When you clip a dog’s nails, it’s very easy to “quick” him and that is, cut the blood vessel that runs inside the nail. This is extremely painful to a dog, and is a sure-fire way to cause a long-lasting aversion to those clippers.

Being washed is something that a great many dogs have difficulty dealing with and a lot of owners, when confronted with a wild-eyed, half-washed, upset dog, feel that in order to complete the wash they have to forcibly restrain him.

This only adds to the dog’s sense of panic, and reinforces his impression of a wash as something to be avoided at all costs and if necessary, to defend himself from it with a display of teeth and hackles.
Can I “retrain” him to enjoy being handled and groomed?
In a word, yes.

It’s a lot easier if you start from a young age and handle your puppy a lot, get him used to being touched and rubbed all over. Young dogs generally enjoy being handled and it’s only older ones who haven’t had a lot of physical contact throughout their lives that sometimes find physical affection difficult to accept.

Practice picking up his paws and touching them with the clipper; practice taking him into the bath (or outside, under the faucet or whatever works for you, but warm water is much more pleasant for a dog than a freezing spray of ice-water!), and augment the process throughout with lots of praise and the occasional small treat.

For an older dog that may already have had several unpleasant handling/grooming experiences, things are a little more difficult. You need to undo the damage already caused by those bad experiences, which you can do by taking things very slowly and with an emphasis on keeping your dog calm.

The instant he starts to show signs of stress stop immediately and let him relax. Try to make the whole thing into a game: give him lots of praise, pats, and treats.

Take things slowly. Don’t push it too far and if you get nervous, stop.

Dogs show aggression for a reason. They’re warning you to back off, or else! If your dog just can’t seem to accept being groomed, no matter how much practice you put in, it’s best to hand the job over to the professionals.

Your vet will clip his nails for you (make sure you tell him first that he gets aggressive when the clippers come out, so your vet can take the necessary precautions!). As far as washing and brushing goes, the dog-grooming business is a flourishing industry. For a small fee, you can get your dog washed, clipped, brushed, and whatever else you require by experienced professionals (again, make sure you tell them about your dog’s reaction to the experience first!)

Dennis Hampton is the creator, editor and author of http://abusinessmadeeasy.net
You can visit the SitStayFetch site by clicking on the this link – http://abme4-llc.com
Check out my youtube channel for more great information

http://www.youtube.com/dennishampton

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Sporting

Weight: Male: 30-40, Female: 25-35 lbs

Height: Male: 15.5-18, Female: 14-16.5 inches

Overview

The Boykin Spaniel is a fairly new breed that is rated very highly for its hunting capabilities, especially of the water fowl. This breed is especially popular amongst bird hunters in the southern part of the United States, and they also have their origin in South Carolina in the United States. The Boykin Spaniel is the elected representative dog of South Carolina.

Temperament

Although the Boykin Spaniel is a very passive dog, they are also very enjoyable and obedient. These dogs are clever and devoted companions. Their yellow eyes are their trademark, and they are known to stare with anticipation into your eyes. Boykin Spaniels are unbelievable swimmers, and they love to be in the water. Each Boykin Spaniel has a unique personality and distinctive ability in the field that is not matched by another dog. These dogs also have very fine noses and they are very eager when out in the field.

The Boykin Spaniel was bred to be a hunting dog, and their great sense of smell sometimes give them grounds to wander off when not on a lead. This is a working dog breed, and they require lots of exercise which includes long walks on a daily basis. The Boykin Spaniel is extremely energetic, and requires sufficient exercise and a job to do to get rid of their energy. If their owners are unable to keep them occupied, they will find ways to entertain themselves. This often leads to destructive behaviour, especially when they are bored.

Care

The coats of the Boykin Spaniel should be brushed frequently to avoid mats from forming. These dogs should only be bathed when it is really necessary, and their ears should also be checked daily to make sure they are dry and clean. This will in return avoid infections from occurring.

Training

The Boykin Spaniel will do enormously well in activities that was planned and also in obedience classes. This breed possesses a more calm character than other Spaniel breeds. Therefore the Boykin Spaniel will not do well with training methods that are cruel and unkind. They will however do very well in training that is positive, especially if it is conducted in a fair and consistent way.

Health problems

Boykin Spaniels do suffer from conditions such as eye problems, hip dysplasia and skin and heart problems.

Get more info and advice on the Boykin Spaniel or Boykin Spaniel training visit this dog breeds web page.

If you are looking to sell cats and dogs, you may find that this task can be relatively challenging. However, there are companies that specialize in creating websites for individuals who have a “niche” in domestic pets, and animals. These companies take all the technical aspects of website creating off your hands so that you can put your focus on the area that matters most-you will be able to sell pet animals!

When looking to sell pet animals, it is important that you acquire some level of exposure in order to succeed in your endeavors. It is rather difficult to sell dogs and cats if people do not know what you have to offer. While advertisements may be placed in various locations in your community, and your local newspaper, this type of advertising actually dampens your exposure. This is why many individuals in the pet selling business decide to go virtual. Moving your business online is an effective and important move.

When you decide to focus your energies on ways to sell pet animals on the internet, you should know and understand the importance of having a website. The website is more or less a “showcase” that will display your services, your products, and all of the pets that you are seeking an owner for. Most of the Web design company works to create a visibly attractive website that visitors will find appealing, engaging, and user-friendly. Once you implement the website that is created for you, you will notice a massive increase in the amount of inquiries regarding the pets that you have for sale!

When you are in the industry where you sell pet animals, you know that your time is very precious. You have to have time to clean, groom, and feed the animals that you are seeking buyers from. You also know that pets have medical and health needs to be tended to. Your time is extremely valuable, and precious. The professionals that are a part of this business will work diligently to create a website that is tailored to meet your specific needs, quickly and effectively. Now, your time can be free and you can put your focus in the areas that are most important!

Many individuals that place advertisements in newspapers, create business cards, and purchase other means of advertising just do not realize how much money that they spend annually. Opting for a website design company like Puppy website is a cost effective solution that many individuals and businesses find extremely appealing. You only have to pay one time and you can enjoy service over and over again! Not only can you enjoy professional content, but you can combine the element of saving cash and you will have an outstanding tool that can be used creatively to advertise and sell dogs and cats!

As previously mentioned, it is important for people to know that you are out there and you want to sell pet animals. Exposure is an essential when it comes to an online business. By employing the use of the services offered by these companies, you will find that the exposure occurs on many different levels. This is a great way to ensure that you have an advantage over the competition.

Ranju Kumar is an assistant editor of Puppy Website and its professional web designing company and they have been creating pet websites for over last 6 years, offers the best service and advice on pet websites and increase your sales opportunities!!

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Breed group: Herding
Weight: 30-45 lbs
Height: male: 20-23, female: 18-21 inches

Overview

The Border Collie is originally from Northumberland where they have first been bred during the 19th century. Border Collies are exceptional herders and this tough and tireless sheepdog is capable of mastering any kind of herd. Many believe that the Border Collie has an eye that can mesmerize cattle. They crouch down and hypnotize the animals with their intense gaze. Being one of the most trainable breeds, the Border Collie also does very well as a narcotics and bomb detection dog. They also perform well in obedience, Frisbee trials, police work, search and rescue and fly ball.

Temperament

Border Collies are extremely intelligent and responsive dogs. They perform very well in obedience, agility and Frisbee trails. They flourish on admiration, are responsive and very trainable. This breed is full of life with immense endurance. Provided it gets sufficient activity to keep it occupied and ample exercise, Border Collies will get along happily with other dogs and children provided they get enough exercise. They may however be aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex, and should also not be left alone with non-canine animals. It is important to socialise the Border Collie enough when young so that they are not shy when older. These dogs require lots of attention, stimulation and exercise to be happy. The Border Collie lives for serving their owners’ day in and day out, but will not be ideal for those with not enough time to spend with their animals. These dogs are too bright to sit around the house with no job.

Care

Border Collie will need to be combed and brushed regularly to make sure their coats are in a good condition. However, during shedding seasons extra care is required. They should only be bathed or dry shampooed when it is deemed necessary. It is also advised that their ears and coats are checked for ticks on a regular basis. The Border Collie is an average shedding breed.

Training

Early socialisation and obedience training is strongly recommended for this breed. The Border Collie is very trainable, and will do best in a training environment with enough praise, consistency, fairness and respect. Seeing that this is a very sensitive dog, they should never be treated in a cruel or unkind manner. These dogs are exceptionally talented in herding, police work, competitive obedience, search and rescue, Frisbee trials, and fly ball. Border Collies are also used effectively as rehabilitation dogs and guide dogs for people that are blind.

Health problems

In generally the Border Collie is a very tough breed, but they do have some medical conditions potential owners should be aware of such as hip dysplasia that can cause mild to severe lameness, osteochondritis dissecans which is a degenerative disease of the joints, progressive retinal, epilepsy and deafness.

Get more info and advice on the Border Collie or Border Collie training visit this dog breeds web page.

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Breed group: Hounds
Weight: male: 75-105, female: 60-85 lbs
Height: male: 28, female: 26 inches

Overview

It is believed that the first Borzoi was brought to Russia from Arabia in the 1600s. The Borzoi is a stylish sight hound that was adopted by the aristocracy, and then crossed with longer haired sheepdogs. They were then used as ferocious and courageous wolf hunters, and this led to them earning the name of Russian Wolfhounds. The Russian upper class bred these dogs and also hunted with them for hundreds of years. Ultimately the Borzoi’s reputation spread throughout Europe, and Queen Victoria and many of the British aristocracy soon owned a Borzoi. These dogs became great gifts among royalty, and the Borzoi became more passive as his use as a companion dog became more.

Temperament

Borzois are sweet and intelligent dogs that are very arrogant and self aware, but they are very devoted to their family. They are rather warm with people they know well. This breed learns very easily, but their training should be based on respect. Being a sight hound, the Borzoi is extremely fast and has no territorial intuition. They can therefore not be trusted when not on a leash, unless when they are fenced in. The Borzoi gets along well with other dogs, but should not be left alone with other animals. It is advised that they are socialised well with cats and other animals at a very young age. Borzois are gracious dogs that will get along fine with children, but doesn’t like rough play.

Care

The long silky coat of the Borzoi is easy to groom. It should be brushed on a regular basis with a firm hair brush, and dry shampooed when really needed. Bathing these dogs is usually difficult seeing that they are so big, but is not needed very often. The hair between their toes should also be clipped in order to keep their feet comfortable. These dogs will shed heavily on a seasonal basis.

Training

The Borzoi is a giant breed, and will not fit well into every family. Being a sight hound, they will need regular attention and control. They require basic obedience training and socialisation from a very young age onwards. They do extremely well in agility, and will not respond positively to cruel or unkind training methods. They are fairly easy to train seeing that they like to be clean. The Borzoi needs calm and patient and consistent training combined with mutual respect.

Health problems

Borzois are very strong animals and do not have a lot of health problems to be anxious about. This breed needs good nutrition because of their size, and special attention should be paid to their diets. The Borzoi is often unpredictable with medications, but overall they are very healthy. They are vulnerable to common illnesses that dogs get but are not particularly prone to anything.

Get more info and advice on the Borzoi or Borzoi training visit this dog breeds web page.

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Working

Weight: male: 65-80, female: 50-65 lbs

Height: male: 22.5-25, female: 21-23.5 inches

Overview

The Boxer is originally from Germany where they have been bred from the Bullenbeiser which is now extinct. These dogs were previously used to take down deer and wild boar by holding them down on the ground until the hunters arrived. Today these dogs are used as companion dogs for shop keepers. Boxers have an illustrious career by working in a variety of human enterprises. The Boxer is always looking to please its owner. Many of these dogs were used by the Germans during the World Wars to act as guard dogs and couriers.

Temperament

The Boxer is a very good natured dog that possesses a lot of affection, loyalty, and love that they want to share with their families. Boxers are very keen on socialising, and they have a good sense of humour. They crave attention, but also have lots of attention to give. This is a breed with high energy levels, and they are very fond of people. Their energy levels do however drop as they grow older, but it will not change their loving and playful nature though. Boxers are very distinguished and steady dogs, but some have a tendency to be stubborn. They have a very caring nature and the love they have for their family makes them wonderful watchdogs.

Care

Boxers do not have very high grooming needs. This breed has a shiny and firm coat that only requires a small amount of attention. These dogs should be brushed on an occasional basis to keep their coats smooth and free from dead hair. They should be brushed more frequently during the shedding season, and it as advised that their nails are checked also when they are groomed.

Training

The Boxer is a breed that gets along well with children, and loves to play with them. Owners should keep in mind the size of these dogs, especially if there are small children in the home. The Boxer should get along well with other pets if socialised properly when still young. In general boxers are friendly and welcoming with strangers, but others might be distant and wary of strangers. The Boxer is a very intelligent and headstrong breed.

Health problems

Boxers are prone to several disorders. Seeing that they have been inbred for more than 100 years, there are several related disorders. They have problems with deafness, heat disorder, metabolic disorders and allergies. Some physical deformities include entropion that can only be corrected by surgery.

Get more info and advice on the Boxer Dog or Boxer Dog training visit this dog breeds web page.

We begin this article with the basic facts about the breed, then follow up with an in-depth look at their personality.

Group: Herding
Weight: 69-90 lbs
Height: male: 24-28, female: 24-27 inches

Overview

Not everyone agrees on the origin of this Franco-Belgian breed. This breed may have been created by crossing the Griffon and the Beauceron. At first the Bouvier des Flandres dog was a cattle herding dog, and they were also extensively used as a rescue dog and message-carrier during the First World War. As a result of their skill during the war and the nearly entire destruction of Flandres; the breed was almost entirely killed off. In 1923, after the war, the Bouvier was reconstructed by a small number of individuals and a breed association for these dogs were also established in Belgium. Currently the Bouvier des Flandres serves as a watchdog, protector, family friend and as a tracking dog. This dog has also been used successfully as a guide for the blind and in search and rescue operations.

Temperament

Bouviers are very docile dogs that have a pleasant personality. Although they look very intimidating, they are in fact very peaceful and calm. These dogs are intense faithful, even tempered and without fear. They are exceptional guard and watchdogs, and are very trainable. Bouviers also learns commands very quickly and will need a stable training environment that is also consistent. If learned a new command, the Bouvier will remember it for the rest of its life. It is also very important to let this breed know who the boss right from the start is. Bouviers need skilled training in order to prevent dominance problems later on. They should be socialised well from puppy hood onwards to steer clear of over-protectiveness and timidity.

Care

The shaggy coat of the Bouvier requires a lot of attention, and it is vital to brush their long coats frequently. They should however only be bathed when it is really necessary. Bouviers will require a trimming about three times during the year, and surplus hair should also be removed from the inside of their ears. The hairs between the pads of their feet should also be kept trimmed. If the Bouvier is groomed well, they will not loose a lot of hair. Some people believe that Bouvier are good for allergy sufferers seeing that they do not shed a lot.

Training

Consistent training is a must for this breed. They can be very stubborn at times, and will therefore require firm training. The Bouvier is very quick to learn, and makes an excellent guard dog. In general these dogs are very easy to train.

Health problems

The Bouvier des Flanders has a very high tolerance for pain, and also a very healthy and tough constitution. These dogs are not a high demand dog due to their size, and this makes them less likely to be caught up in backyard breeding programs that have seriously damaged other more popular breeds. Some of the most common health issues with Bouvier des Flanders are hip dysplasia, bloating and entropion.

Get more info and advice on the Bouvier des Flanders or Bouvier des Flanders training visit this dog breeds web page.