Pets

In our family, our dog Kobe is not only our best friend. He’s virtually a member of the family. He gets his own bed, his own meals and his own special place around the house, which used to be a broom closet until he made it his own personal hangout. Things just wouldn’t be the same without Kobe around.

We used to have Kobe’s mother around as well, but she slipped out of the house one day and never came back. This made me realize that even families with the deepest love and caring for their dogs often overlook an important item that can help prevent them from ever getting lost - the dog identification tag.

A dog tag is a small flat tag worn by the dog on their collars or harnesses which contain important identifying information, including the dog owner’s telephone number and address. The dog tag may also mention the dog’s dog license number and contact information for the licensing organization; an identifying number for the dog with a phone number for a lost-pet registry; information about the dog’s critical medical issues or rabies vaccinations; a message announcing a reward that will be paid upon the return of the lost dog and others.

There is some debate about whether or not to put the dog’s name on his dog tag. Some rescue organizations recommend not putting the dog’s name on his tag because, in an ownership dispute over a stray dog, the secondary “owner” could use the dog’s name to demonstrate that the dog recognizes the name and therefore has an association with that owner. On the other hand, others believe that a lost dog might feel more comfortable if strangers call it by its own name and therefore recommend that the dog tag include the name. It is obviously a personal choice.

The best place to get a dog tag is your local pet shop or pet supply store. Generally, the bigger the pet store, the more choices of dog tags it has to offer, ranging from the simple to the extravagant. Some stores will even offer to engrave your personal information on your dog tag for free.

In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter what kind of dog tag you choose. What matters is that, by buying that dog tag, you may have made the safest investment you can to safeguard against ever losing your dog.

Choosing the right breed of dog is not an easy task considering that there are hundreds of dog breeds. It is possible to follow a few obvious rules and narrow down your choice while selecting dog breeds. It is not advisable to go only for looks or aesthetically pleasing breeds because these considerations tend to overshadow the more practical considerations, some of which are detailed further on.

First and foremost, is your dwelling place suitable for the breed you want to consider? Apartment dwellers should avoid large breeds. Obviously, Toy Group dogs like Yorkshire Terriers are a good choice.

The presence of children in the house is another factor. Toy Group dogs are delicate and can easily suffer injuries at the hands of innocent children whose instinct is to grasp and squeeze.

Large dogs are too strong and might accidentally push or topple very small children without intending to.

Medium sized breeds are best if there are children in the family.

Dog breeds in the Sporting, Hound, and Herding groups need plenty of exercise. An enclosed yard is a big help. If there is a park close by, that would also do as long as you are regular in going there. These breeds were bred to work hard and they always have excess energy that needs to be let out in some way.

Study grooming and see how much time can be devoted to it. Some breeds need no more than ½ hour per week. Others might need a full hour a day. Don’t buy a Standard Poodle if you are busy.

People short on time should go for Boston Terriers or Whippets.

Once the selecting of dog breeds is complete, decide on the age. Puppies might not have developed any bad habits but they need to be properly trained. Grown up dogs are already housebroken and have some obedience training but they could possibly have health or behavior problems that is causing their owner to sell them in the first place.

If the decision is to buy a puppy, then a reputable dog breeder must be located who has a litter of the breed that has been selected. Good breeders usually have a waiting list for puppies of all breeds. Impatient people are likely to be put off by this and rush off to a pet store to buy a puppy immediately. Beware, pet store puppies are normally bred in puppy farms and could have health problems, bad temperaments, etc. The safest thing to do is to buy a puppy directly from a reputable breeder and from nowhere else.

The best places to inquire for grown up dogs are the local animal shelter or the breed rescue. These groups are responsible for evaluating a dog’s health and temperament before putting them up for adoption and are safe options.

DIY driftwood takes time, but it will save you tons of money. Some small pieces cost well over $20. Also, the soak method (minus salt) will work for store bought driftwood. Store bought driftwood is cleaned and has not been soaked. This may lead to tannin’s being leaked into your tank

What you’ll need:

Driftwood, which can be found anywhere. It doesn’t necessarily have to come from the water. You could find it in the woods, as long as it is weathered down and looks unique. Also make sure the wood is not rotting.

BIG soaking container, I use a 15 gal rubber maid container.

Aquarium Salt, I use Doc Wellfish brand. This is used as a natural way of killing bacteria and parasites.

First step, clean off your wood! Make sure all debris and bark are removed from the wood (or it’ll fall off in your tank!). Once complete, boil the water in the BIG pot and add aquarium salt. I use about a tablespoon per gallon. Boil the entire piece for about 2-4 hours depending on your size. If you can only fit half the wood in the pot then you will need to boil the other half.

Once the boil is complete you can transfer your wood into the rubber maid container. Add water until the whole piece of wood is under water (you can also add salt if you want). If the wood does not sink place something on top of it until it does. It’ll sink after a week or two. You’ll notice the water turn into tea-ish color. It is the result of the tannins that are released into the water. If you didn’t soak the wood, the water in your tank would be this color. Tannins are natural and some fishes actually like it because it’ll make them feel more at home. It’ll also affect your PH, I’m not sure about GH or KH. You’ll need to do water changes every other day to clean the water. This may take weeks or months.

When the color of the soak water suffices, you will need to soak your wood for another week without any salt. This will make sure that the wood does not hold any salt that may leak into your tank.

Once soaking is complete wash the wood well and transfers the wood into your tank. Do not keep the wood out of water for a long time or it will float.

For more information and pictures about this project, please visit www.CarolinaFishTalk.com and check the DIY section.

Article written by krayzievanh@yahoo.com, member of CFT Community Proof read by Brandan Njagu b.njagu@gmail.com

Learning cat behaviors before you start training them would be an good idea for anyone that is going to train a cat’s behavior.

A cat can jump and land on its feet as this is a natural instinct for a cat. When a kitten is born the cushion in its paws are not developed with the cushion to land on its feet. It takes about 7 weeks to develop the cushion in a kittens paw for landing. A cats bone structure is unique to other animals as the bones are flexible, cats have no collar bone, which enables them to twist and bend their bones. A cat can jump a great distance without sustaining any injuries.

With this behavior, you will want to teach the cat to jump hoops, sticks, or off the scratching tree. Letting a cat jump from extreme heights will cause injury to the cat.

Cats have a unique hearing ability; they are able to hear high tones and pitches, like opening a door or a can of food. Cats also have unique smelling abilities. The reason a cat will scratch or urinate on the floor , rub its self up against a door or furniture, is the cat is leaving their scent in those areas so they will be able to come back and know they were there, in other words marking its territory. In addition, if another cat or animal comes along in the area a cat will know this. Cats can also smell with their mouths. There is a gland called Jacobson’s organ, it is a sac in the cats upper mouth filled with blood, as the cat smells the scent and the slightly opens their mouth and upper lip, this allows the scent to be carried in and to the sac, which it will carry the scent goes to the cat brain. This mostly happen to male cats when a female has urinated.

Knowing these natural instincts and behaviors can give you some insight training your cat. With behavior training you will want to make sure that you allow your cat the ability in some way to play out its natural instincts and behaviors.

When training a cat for behaviors there are some things you need to take into consideration. Aggression, especially in older cats, can be caused from illness or other cats in the home. You may want to contact your vet to have your cat checked out to see if it’s alright at this time to train a cat.

Depression and anxiety can play another part in trying to train your cat. If a cat is separated by a recent owner the cat can become depressed. Stress is not uncommon for a cat. If you think that your cat has depression or high anxiety, this would be a good time to take him to the vet. Vets can talk to you about some of the things that may be causing this. There are also medications that a vet can prescribe for the cat to help with depression and anxiety.

Never hit a cat for punishment, he will learn to fear you, and fearing will be a behavior you will not be able to control or retrain. When they do something that is not right, ignore the problem unless you catch them in the act, you can associate a noise with that behavior you don’t like, or in a stern voice tell them “NO”.

If a behavior is becoming impossible, you may have to resort to the baby proof home, all containers that have food in them have a lid on it. Make sure that the counters are clean and have nothing that a cat would want to play with.

You will want to start training your cat or kitten almost immediately after you get them. This will stop many unwanted behaviors and hopefully not let any new bad behaviors to start.

Healthy cats need healthy relationships with their owners. Good Luck!

In Van Gogh’s “Wheatfield Under Threatening Skies with Crows,” crows are shown in the middle plane of the painting, like an ill-fated force, between the menacing skies and the grain. True, the crows have an eye on the grain, but they are also unpredictable and playful. Although they act as if they do not even recognize the existence of a human nearby, these birds are always well aware of their surroundings.

I had never thought of crows as pets until I entered the office of someone my husband knew and found a big black crow sitting on her head. This lady was an animal lover and a licensed pet care-giver; she had found this crow hurt and had healed him back to health.

She told me, even though she let him free in her backyard, the crow came back to her. She never kept the crow locked in a cage; although there was a cage with the door removed in her house. She always left a window open and the crow was free to come and go as he pleased. This lasted through the summer.

At the end of the summer, the crow disappeared and probably became a member of a flock, then migrated, because that’s what crows do and keeping them locked up is against the laws of nature. It might have been sad for that lady to see her pet leave, since that crow was so bright and loving, but because the lady was so knowledgeable on the subject, she understood.

Never think of a crow as a pet; you should not even attempt to get, catch, or buy one. To start with, under the Migratory Bird Act, it is illegal to hold a crow and a permit is very difficult or impossible to obtain. Should you, however, find a young nestling crow thrown out of its nest and if you live in the middle of a wilderness, you might try to nurse the bird to adulthood, with the understanding that he will one day leave you.

If you find a hurt wild bird and don’t know how to attend to it, take him to a vet or someone licensed in bird care. Around where you live, if you don’t know anyone qualified for the job, call your state’s wildlife authority or find an Audubon center close to you. You can do so on the website http://www.audubon.org/, by entering your zip code.

Helping out an orphan crow is easy because crows will eat practically anything. A good basic diet for such a bird should contain bird vitamins and calcium, oatmeal, hardboiled egg-yolk and some ground beef to make up for the insects most birds are so fond of eating.

If the bird is very young, he’ll need to be handfed. Don’t be afraid to put your finger gently inside its beak, since baby crows eat from their mothers’ beaks. By the time the crow is six weeks old, he’ll feed himself. Give the bird enough space to fly, like a room. When he is strong enough, leave the window open, so he can fly away and live his life as nature intended it to.

Crows belong to the family of corvids and they fly in large flocks around the cities, suburbs, and the countryside. Magpies, jays, cloughs, nutcrackers and a few other birds are related to crows. Most of the crows are black but there are blue, purple, brown, gray, and albino crows in existence.

Crows, as very intelligent animals, are known to mimic human talk and engage in games among themselves. Better yet, they have proven themselves to be too smart to be afraid of scarecrows.

With their unpredictability, crows have encouraged human imagination and have placed themselves inside many myths. Yet, like humans, they possess their own kind of culture or life-style that deserves to be respected.

Most of us love to fill our homes with pets. In no time they become just like a member of the family and your home turns out to be their home too. Your pet is just like a baby who needs to be cleaned, fed, and looked after. But do you know what food and other pet supplies to buy for your pet?

Pet supplies have become a massive multi billion dollar market in the last 50 years with pet stores abounding, including a vast, ‘online pet supply store’ market. However, be careful while buying any pet supplies. Whether your pet is a dog, cat, fish, bird or any type of pet. They all need proper care and attention. So with that said, a huge factor to help narrow down where to shop, whether online or down the street, is to find knowledgeable providers of all your pet supply needs.

Here are some basic things to take into consideration regarding the supplies your pet may or may not enjoy.

Yummy Pet Food:

Where diet supplies are concerned, it is advised to use natural diets, that are preservative and chemical free with quality vitamins and nutrients. Using natural diet supplies will minimize the probability of any health problems like allergies and digestive disorders, keeping your pet healthy and in high spirits. Using natural diet supplies also helps your pet to live longer. Consult with your veteranarian for precise requirements for you exact pet. Afford them with their own bowl to eat food and drink water too.

Pet Sleeping Desires:

Pets such as dogs and cats like cozy comfortable places to lie down and call their own. So why not afford them with their own cat bed or dog bed? Take some time to do some research into pet beds. One may be cheaper, but the one that costs more is usually better constructed for the long run, easier to keep clean and the best for your pets comfort. I’ve found my own pets like to be up off the floor so cat perches and a pet bed off the floor may get used more frequently than the simple ones on the floor.

Pet Grooming:

Your pets grooming is also very important and the right supplies are a must. For example a dull nail clipper could cause pain and discomfort when trimming nails. Grooming not only helps your pets overall look, but helps prevent disease and promotes overall health. Just like we like to go to the salon for a hair cut most pet’s enjoy the extra attention of a day at the salon too.

Yes, Pet Clothing:

Clothing your pet can be a lot of fun, but it can also be practical. Dog shoes for example, can protect your dogs feet from some harsh climates. Certain breeds have more sensitive pads on their feet and can be more prone to freezing. Look for a shoe that has a reputation for staying on well as some can slip off easily. Sweaters and are variety of other garments have now been made for pets as well. Much of which you might find unpractical and mostly for show. For example the little pink leather jacket for a small dog like a chiwowa.

Get Help With Pet Supplies:

Purchasing supplies like toys, tags, grooming supplies, even clothing can be less overwhelming to decide upon when talking to knowledgeable staff from your local pet shop or well written advice from an online pet supply store.

These pet supplies can either be bought from any pet supply store or through an online pets supply website. Take some time and do some research for the products your looking for. Also, do a search online for a wholesale pet supply business. You never know untill you look but there’s a really good chance you’ll find some superb deals out there.

With such a competivive market, you are very likely to not only find useful product information for pet supplies, but also find an affordable price range for your supplies so that each one of you can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Above all enjoy your pet, their for having fun with and getting away from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives.

Since summer isn’t far away, I felt that I should get everyone prepared. Growing up in South Florida the three predictable visitors were fleas, hurricanes and mosquitoes. We had terrible problems with fleas. Our dogs would itch and itch all day long. We’d bath them with flea soaps on a regular basis but it was a constant battle. Now, with two dogs of my own, it’s a totally different story.

You may think that I’m going to discuss the wonders of modern flea and tick killers. Actually the solution to our flea problem rests in where we live. It may be hard for many to believe, but there are actually places where fleas just don’t survive well.

Fleas love humidity and moisture which is something we don’t have much of here in San Diego. My wife used to wonder why our dogs were so itch free (she grew up in Northern California). Upon doing some research for my web site, I came across the striking fact that fleas can’t survive without moisture. Their shells are just too fragile and they dry up. Eggs need relative humidity of 70-75 percent to hatch, and larvae need at least 50 percent humidity to survive. In humid areas, about 20 percent of the eggs survive to adulthood; in arid areas, less than five percent complete the cycle.

Although the flea problem to some may be or sound trivial, it certainly isn’t. If you’ve ever seen an animal infested with fleas, it can be a heart wrenching experience. The pain and misery they go through is horrible. One of the sad parts of the problem is that owners will go through utilizing severe poisons with total abandon to eliminate the problem. To some degree it is understandable but it is also dangerously naïve.

Toxic substances or poisons kill. There’s really no way around that issue. Having a dog ingest, either orally or through the blood stream via the skin or respiration, a poison will have negative consequences. Because problems aren’t immediately apparent doesn’t mean they will never step to the fore. Information is coming to light that the leading flea prevention products are being linked to some serious health problems.

So what do you do if you have serious flea problems but do not want to become addicted to products like Frontline or Advantage (which I think are amazingly effective but also toxic products)? First, always use the least amount of any chemical, pills, or poisons possible (obviously consult your vet and use your own discrimination for all treatments and issues).

Second detoxification is absolutely vital. The problem with chemicals is that they stay in the system and aren’t eliminated or processed. This is because the organs (such as the liver and kidneys) are overloaded by the foreign chemistry. It is analogous to getting honey out of a jar. The honey sticks to the jar despite all the shaking, tilting, scraping, etc. You have to flush the jar out for the honey to get completely out. The same goes for any animal that has experienced chemical exposure. The chemicals must be flushed from the system and eliminated (usually through bowel or urine but can also be through their skin, ear wax, nostrils, etc). Fortunately, there are several method and products for detoxification that can assist in the elimination of unnecessary chemicals and toxins.

Third, improve elimination and diet. Eating as healthy as possible is critical at all times but especially when undergoing extreme chemical stress. Eating healthy means one thing for all animals, human or pet. It means healthy chemical free, no herbicides, no pesticides, free range, and raw foods. For dogs that means raw meats, bones, vegetables, fruits, and some grains. Processed foods are not good. There is no way to say it more clearly. More “vitamins”, “minerals”, and fillers do not make foods healthy. They actually give the impression of health where little exists.

Fourth, utilize natural alternatives. There are several natural flea control products. In combination, they provide assistance in reducing the difficulties. For example, garlic not only helps rid dogs of fleas but it also helps your dogs immune system. Brewer’s yeast is a great source of amino acids and Vitamin B as well as a good flea fighter. A very little known, but ancient, flea fighter is neem oil. I recommend everything from neem soap to oils. Other natural products that assist include comfrey, citronella, pennyroyal, eucalyptus, and borate (powder good for carpet treatment). Two options that work well for healing are homeopathy and Chinese herbs.

Fifth, cut the humidity. Fleas survive on humidity. This option can be virtually impossible if your dog or cat is an outdoor pet. For indoor pets, you may want to utilize a dehumidifier and get that humidity to as close to 10%-20% as possible. You’ll be stunned by the results and your dog may come to love your dehumidifier more than you.

With summer on its way, the fleas will be too. However, with proper planning you can put a serious dent in the misery they cause you and your pet.

The Rottweiler is a muscular, highly protective dog that is a favorite for police and the military. They have a reputation as a dog not to fool with and they strike fear in the bad guys. They need to be extensively socialized to get along with other pets and other dogs. They can get along well with children if they are older. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog. They can do well with a fenced yard for exercise but they expect plenty of family time.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Rottweiler is 24 to 27 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 95 to 130 pounds. The female ranges from 22 to 25 inches to the withers and 85 to 115 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Rottweiler is no exception. Be on the look out for Parvo, eye problems, progressive spinal cord disorder, Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), and bloat (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, the second leading killer of dogs, can kill within the hour, this space is too limited for a complete explanation but you should read up on this). Feeding more then once a day and avoiding exercise right after meals may help guard against bloat. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Rottweiler has a double coat. The outer coat is medium length, flat, dense, coarse and straight. The inner coat is thick or thin depending upon climate. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Rottweiler can live between 8 and 9 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Rottweiler comes from Germany where they were used for control livestock. They evolved into being used for guard dogs, military and police dogs. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1931.

Some Registries:

*American Rottweiler Club

*UKC United Kennel Club

*NKC National Kennel Club

*CKC Continental Kennel Club

*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

*AKC American Kennel Club

*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain

*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club

*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 4 to 10 Rottweiler puppies

Category: Working Group

Terms To Describe: Powerful, robust, endurance, strength, agility, calm, courageous, confident, aloof, guardian, protective

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Very good watch dog.

Very good guard dog.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Tends to snore.

Tends to over eat.

Needs strong obedience training early.

*Other Names Known By: Butchers Dog, Metzgerhund, Rottie

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Gastrointestinal stasis (or G.I. stasis) is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs in some rabbits in which gut motility is severely reduced and possibly completely stopped. Treatment should be sought immediately from a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and with significant rabbit experience. When untreated or improperly treated, G.I. stasis can be fatal in as little as 24 hours.

G.I. stasis is the condition of food not moving through the gut as quickly as normal. The gut contents may dehydrate and compact into a hard, immobile mass (impacted gut), blocking the digestive tract of the rabbit. Food in an immobile gut may also ferment, causing significant gas buildup and resultant gas pain for the rabbit.

The first noticeable symptom of G.I. stasis may be that the rabbit suddenly stops eating. Treatment frequently includes subcutaneous fluid therapy (rehydration through injection of saline solution under the skin), drugs for treatment of the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, massage to promote gas expulsion and comfort, possible drugs to promote gut motility, and careful monitoring of all inputs and outputs. The rabbit’s diet may also be changed as part of treatment.

Some rabbits are more prone to G.I. stasis than others. The causes of G.I. stasis are not completely understood, but common contributing factors are thought to include:

* a lack of fiber in the diet. Many pet rabbits do not get sufficient fresh grass hay but are instead mistakenly fed only commercial alfalfa pellets originally developed for rapidly increasing mass in rabbits bred for meat.

* insufficient moisture in the diet. Fresh, leafy greens are a critical part of a rabbit’s diet in part because of their moisture content, which helps prevent the gut contents from becoming impacted.

* lack of exercise. Rabbits confined to a cage frequently do not get the opportunity (or motivation) to run, jump, and play which is critical in maintaining gut motility.

In addition, G.I. stasis can be caused by the rabbit not eating for other reasons, such as stress, dental problems, or other unrelated health problems.

G.I. stasis is sometimes misdiagnosed as cat-like “hair balls” by veterinarians not familiar with rabbit physiology.

The Collie is a wonderful family dog. They come in two varieties, smooth coated and rough coated. They are generally good with kids and other animals and love their adopted family. The most famous Collie is Lassie. They may not be suitable for an apartment as they need room to exercise. A properly fenced in yard would be ideal.

Approximate Adult Size

The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Collie is 24 to 26 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 60 to 75 pounds. The female ranges from 22 to 24 inches to the withers and 50 to 65 pounds.

Special Health Considerations

Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Collie is no exception. Be on the look out for Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness), canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), and they can be drug sensitive.

This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

Grooming

The Collie comes in two varieties, smooth and rough. In general, the outer coat is harsh to touch and straight. The inner coat is soft and dense. She is prone to shed and should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

Life Span

The Collie can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

History

The Collie comes from the Scottish Lowlands as a sheepdog. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1885.

Some Registries

• Collie Club of America
• UKC United Kennel Club
• NKC National Kennel Club
• CKC Continental Kennel Club
• APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
• AKC American Kennel Club
• FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
• NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
• KCGB Kennel Club of Great Britain
• ANKC Australian National Kennel Club
• ACR American Canine Registry

Litter Size

6 to 10 Collie puppies

Category

Herding.

Terms To Describe

Intelligent, noble, kind, sensitive, loyal, trains easily, playful, gentle, friendly

SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

• Good watch dog.
• Easy to housebreak.
• Very obedient.
• Highly intelligent.
• Can be protective of children.
• A high desire to please.
• Easy to train.

SPECIAL BAD POINTS

• Poor guard dog.
• Tend to shed.
• May suffer in hot weather.
• Nose may sunburn.
• Puppies may nip at heels, going back to herding instinct.
• Can be a barker.
• A heavy shedder.
• Do not have a strong fighting disposition.

Other Names Known By

Scottish Collie, Lassie Dog, Scotch Collie

Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.