We used to take her to her friends house to play. Obviously with the ball in her mouth too. Coincidentally her friend Cassie had also lost her eye too. So Tess felt very at home with her one eyed friend. They used to play for hours and hours, which often lead to paw cuffs too, if they lost their ball to one or the other.

So anyway. One day we woke up and Tess was flinching in her eye. We didn’t think too much of it at first, as she had been playing in the fields all day. Then later that day her eye seemed to go very cloudy. So as you do we popped her down to the Vets to get her checked out. Well the last thing we were expecting was to be told that she had developed glaucoma. On a more detailed examination the vet explained that the pressure in Tess’s eye was so high that it would have to be removed. Well for any pet owner out there would understand we were devastated.

Due to the pain we decided to have her eye removed and spent the evening worrying about how she would be when we could pick her up. Well we went to get her and her eye had been shaved and sewn back up. She had one of those giant funnels on her head to stop her scratching. The poor thing looked in a terrible state. On taking her home we molly cuddled her and tried to get used to seeing her with only one eye. She had lots and lots of cuddles and we took time of work to nurse her better.

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Well she developed really well and we took her back for her checkups and she was fine. So onwards and upwards we went. Still playing with her ball everywhere she went and still being a typical terrier. We decided to get her a little playmate by the name of Honey. Well honey was the most dishevelled runt of the litter you could ever imagine. In fact when you look at her today you would not think she was the same dog. Honey is a cross springer cross spaniel. So flies through the air at every opportunity and has the excitement of a child obtaining their first Christmas present.

The two of them got on like a house on fire, after Tess has shown who was boss that is. So to cut another long story short. We were out walking one day and I turned around and Tess was lying on the floor crying. After picking her up it was obvious by the cloudiness in her eye that she had gone blind in the other eye. You can read my other articles for more details about what exactly happened.

Rushing Tess to the vets again we were shocked that out of the blue the pressure had risen so much. That it had removed the lens. So again we found that we had to have her other eye removed. A decision any pet owner would not like to have to make.

Again we spent time worrying while Tess was in the vets. We picked her up and this time it was a total shock to see her with no eyes at all and being a completely Blind Dog. How would she cope? How would we cope?

Well I am glad to say that Tess the Blind Dog did cope and she coped extremely well. She knew where everything was and darted around the furniture. She climbed the stairs, although very hesitantly obviously. So how could she do this? It was like she had all these six senses coming from nowhere. Well to be honest she did have a few bumps and bruises along the way. Being a Blind Dog just didn’t seem anywhere near as bad as we could have imagined.

We didn’t molly cuddle her though and let her get on with her own routine and still took her down to the farm. We kept her on a long leash rather than letting her off. Although I think this was more to keep my fiance happy than Tess. Eventually we allowed Tess off and amazingly enough she knows when to be careful because we tell her. But she also knows when she can peg it after Honey on the open fields too.

So Tess has many adventures and skills to tell off and she is the most amazing Blind Dog on the Planet. To us her loving owners anyway.

If you would like to know more about Tess and other BLind Dogs then please visit Tess’s site below for videos and Blind Dog Information.

Take care for now until the next adventure

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There is no one dog food that is suitable for every dog, so sometimes selecting the correct one can be difficult. The choice of dog food varies, depending on the age of your dog, breed and size. Convenience can also influence you in your decision on what you think is the right kind of dog food for your pet.

Preservatives

Preservatives and chemicals are not only bad for humans, they are just as bad for your dog. The recent case of contaminated dog has scared a lot of pet owners, as it has led to a lot of pet deaths. Because of this a lot of pet owners have entirely removed any commercial dog food from their home. Making your own dog food is one way for you to take control of the food your dog eats, but it is not always possible or convenient.

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Choosing a holistic pet food that is chemical and additive free is one way to eliminate preservatives from your pets diet. Dog food that provides good nutrition without chemicals or additives is available to you through different brands. A example of this is wellness dog food, as it has all the goodness of nature without those nasty chemicals in it that can cause of your dog to be ill.

Dry Food Or Canned?

Do you give your pet dry dog food or canned pet food is another decision you might want to make. For some pet owners this is a matter of economics. Dry food is easier to store and frequently a lot cheaper. This will mean you will have to make fewer trips to the pet store and less money will be spent by you at the end of the day. While this may be more economical, you should still take care about the kind of dry food that you feed your dog.

A better choice may be canned food as it has less preservatives in it. But this choice can pose a storage problem and you can find it a lot more expensive than dry dog food. Another factor in selecting might be your dogs preference! Some dogs will only eat certain types of pet food while others will eat anything. Experiment a little and be sure to change your dogs diet slowly into eating the new dog food of your choice. You can always try various flavors to see what your dog likes.

One very important question and factor that you may use when considering which type of dog to buy is whether or not you have children in the house and how old are those children if you do have some.  There are breeds that may or may not be suitable for children.  For example, if you’ve got a new born and a 2 year old in the house, then it may not be the best idea to have a young lab in the house at the same time.  Lab puppies tend to be more energetic, and sometimes more clumsy which could result in the children being hurt.  Larger dogs often do not know there own strength, especially if they are still young and naïve.  Also, young children love to play with dogs so if you’re considering adopting an older dog, you may want to observer the dog’s temperament before bringing home.  Often times, older dogs become easily irritated and may snap or snarl at children who just want to play.

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Another factor for deciding which breed you would like to purchase or adopt is what type of outdoor activities will you being getting the dog involved in.  If you’re a hunter, you may want to consider a retriever since they are typically known as being very good hunting dogs.  Hunting dogs are also a popular factor when considering the purchase of a new dog and there are a number of different breeds available that make great hunting dogs.

Finally, if you’ve got a small living space and do not have a lot of room for a big dog.  Or if you would rather have a smaller dog, there are a lot of small breed dogs out there that would make a great addition to your home.  Dogs like the Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Westies, Scotties, and more are all great small dog breeds that are great for any small living environment or for those that do not want an overpowering dog, but still want a dog as a pet.

Whatever your situation may be, children, hunting needs, small living space, there is a breed for just about every situation, and with a little research and careful planning, you too can have a great new puppy or dog that is just what you are looking for.

Find More Hunting Dog Breeds Articles

Imagine eating the same dry, chemical and preservative filled food every day for the rest of your life. The build up of cancer causing chemicals and preservatives is bound to affect your health negatively.

Checking with your vet or a pet nutritionist first, before starting your pet on a homemade dog food diet is always recommended. Just as we enjoy a variety of foods, so do our dogs.

Make sure you don’t just suddenly give your dog his new homemade diet in one immediate change, as this will cause stomach upset in most dogs. Slowly change him over by daily increasing your homemade food, and decreasing the old food.

A well balanced homemade dog food should contain approximately 40% meat, 30% starch, and 30% veggie/fruit on a daily basis. To ensure a heatlhy nutrtitious diet just follow the basic formula for any combination of ingredeints.

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Get a good dog nutrition book, written specifically by an animal nutritionist, and read up on the proper kcals (calories) per day per pound of your dog, so you will know exactly how much to feed per day. Also there are many excellent homemade dog food recipe books available now, especially since the dog food recall killed so many of our beloved pets. Many more people are making their own homemade dog food, because we have become much more aware of the commercial dog food companies practices.

Organ meat (liver, kidneys etc.) and occasionally adding eggs are very good for your pet, and as we all know variety in our diets is always nice.

There are three important ingredients that must be included in your dog’s home made dog food every day.

1. 40% meat – any lean meat of your own choosing, such as chicken, turkey, beef or venison.

2. 30% vegetable/fruit combo – cooked and pureed – your 30% vegetable portion can be just one vegetable such as mashed carrots, or combine a few veggies along with a small amount of mashed fruit. You can use frozen, canned or fresh, whichever is handy and on sale.

3. 30% starch – white or brown rice, barley, oatmeal, macaroni or other pasta, or potatoes.

The easiest and quickest way is to make what I call doggie stew. Everything is thrown into one pot and steamed together until cooked. I use just a small amount of water to start to cook the meat, pasta and veggies. Cook the whole batch in a covered pot, and add water as it is absorbed. You don’t want it to be soupy when finished. Then I use a fork and shred the cooked meat and mash the veggies all in the same pot. Done and delicious.

I also give a calcium supplement, along with a few teaspoons of flax seed oil, or a vegetable oil such a canola, drizzled over the top. An addition of iodized salt is also good for your dog in a quantity depending on your dog’s weight.

Feed two meals per day, rather than one big one,

Your homemade dog food can be prepared in larger batches and frozen in the proper serving sizes, ready to thaw and eat. Any hot food should be allowed to cool down before serving your dog. I usually leave the mixture on the counter for 20 – 30 minutes, and it is close to room temperature by then. Your dog’s stomach can be upset if they eat food that is too hot.

Give it a try, and you will find that it is not as time consuming as it sounds, once you get into a routine, and your dogs will live longer healthier chemical free natural lives.

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The Khoi dogs were typically small, slender and somewhat jackal-like in appearance. These dogs seldom attained a height in excess of 171/2 inches and were so far removed from the appearance of the latter day Rhodesian Ridgeback dog that Kolb, a German settler in circa (1705 – 1712) was moved to observe that “…he is such a piece of ugliness, of the dog kind, as is not to be seen, perhaps in any other part of the world. Tho’ he has a thousand good qualities, you see nothing in his features that is indicative of ‘em. Appearance never gave such a lie as it does in him…”

Kolb was not alone amongst those early settlers in his unflattering observations that ridiculed the native dogs of the Khoi Khoi people, but as one they all had to concede that they had never come across a dog that exhibited such exceptional bravery, courage and loyalty. Moreover the “ugly” looking dog possessed a unique versatility in dogs being watchdog, hunter, herder and protector all rolled in one. So it was no surprise that they deemed it extremely desirable to crossbreed their larger imported breeds from Europe with the fierce native local breeds.

Such a heritage goes a long way in explaining the African Lion Dog’s (Rhodesian Ridgeback) legendary courage with respect to confronting much larger foes such as lions.

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Origins Of The Ridge Of The Rhodesian Ridgeback

There are various schools of thought postulating how the characteristic ridge found on the back of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog came into being. This ridge of hair for which evidently the dog breed is named, grows along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat; which is to say the hair found on the ridge grows towards the dogs head not its tail. As for the origins of this ridge, it is more than likely that it was another trait passed on from the Khoi dogs when crossbred with the larger European dog breeds.

The real mystery however, leading to the differing school of thoughts, is in explaining how very different dog breeds found on different continents and separated by large masses of water, both came to possess such a distinguishing and characteristic ridge of hair on their back. In Thailand on the island of Phu Quoc there exists a breed of dog that also has a dorsal ridge which however is quite distinct from that of the Rhodesian Ridgeback in that it has a long head, erect ears and typically its eyes are reddish in color. The hair found on the ridge of this dog breed is substantially longer, coarser and darker than that of the rest of its body.

This paradox of two distinct dog breeds both sporting a dorsal ridge of hair yet separated by thousands of miles has led some researchers to conclude that Phu Quoc dogs or some ancestral derivative was responsible for exporting the trait to from Thailand to their African counterparts in the southern portion of Africa. This theory has been widely embraced by many much in part to the fact that their was significant sea traffic trade passing through Phu Quoc.

Yet an equally strong argument and perhaps more accurate is that the characteristic ridge of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was actually indigenous to Africa (indeed for thousands of years several African dogs have sported ridged backs) and was exported to Phu Quoc in congress with the human cargo that was part of the booming slave trade between both shores.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Temperament

As mentioned earlier, the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback dog comes from a long line of canines that were legendary for their courage and versatility in duty performance. Thus it should come as no surprise that today’s Rhodesian Ridgeback dog possess many of the same qualities.

Not too long ago the Rhodesian Ridgeback was referred to as the African Lion Dog or the Rhodesian Lion Hound because it was actually selectively bred to hunt lion. Now don’t get me wrong, contrary to many a misguided belief, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not, and never was a lion killer. Fact is it would be the most exceptionally dog indeed that could kill an adult healthy lion (male lions weigh up to as much as 500 lbs and lioness typically scale in at 260lbs). Simply put there isn’t a dog alive that is a match for a full grown lion.

More about the dog

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“Hello Adam. I have purchased your book and DVD set, and my 14
month-old shepherd Lexi and I have made great strides.

We started agility training at six months and thanks to the long
line training, she no longer takes 1 or 2 obstacles and takes
off running. We also are involved in training for show obedience.

Now here’s my question that I need serious help with. I use the
pinch collar during training as I should and she responds
incredibly. The problem I have is when we are in the ring and
she’s wearing AKC standard collar, it’s a whole different story,
like we’ve never trained. She won’t heel the way she does on
collar (she lags behind) and on the handler recall she will
usually blow past me. And obviously there are no corrections
allowed at any AKC event. She’s obviously collar smart, so
please Adam, I need your wisdom.

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Thank you in advance. — Will and Lexi.”

Dear Will,

You say you that you are using the pinch collar during training?
Are you training only during specific times of the day or is the
collar on her all the time? Keeping the collar on all day (when
you can supervise her) will allow you to correct her whenever
she does anything wrong, not just when she’s in “training” mode.

Do exercises during the day that aren’t formal show obedience,
but that make her obey, anyway. Work her in different
environments; the driveway, the park, kitchen, neighbor’s yard,
etc…. So that she learns how to listen to you in any situation
with multiple distractions.

Stage an event so it has the feel of an AKC show. Have friends
and family come and even “judge” the show. Perhaps have a few
other well-behaved dogs around doing their exercises. Put her
show collar on as well as the pinch collar. Put her through her
paces and the moment she messes up, give her a correction: this
isn’t an AKC event, this is your event and you say what is and
isn’t allowed

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The surgical neutering of the male dog helps to prevent the incidences of prostate gland diseases.  Generally, in case of male dogs, the prostate enlargement is more common.  In canine patients undergone the surgical neutering, the incidences of such prostate enlargement are totally minimized.  

Sometimes, the adult male dog has more difficulties during  defecation. However, one has to rule out the feed borne constipation like lack of fibers etc. before resorting to the fixation of prostate enlargement as a cause for this.  Constipation is mainly due to the increased size of the prostate gland.  Neutering makes shrinkage of the prostate gland.  In surgical neutering, the incision is placed in front of the scrotum and the testicles are removed in a surgical manner using aseptic techniques.

The wound need not be closed except the tying up of the cord after cutting of the testicle.  However, in two to three days time, as a routine tissue reaction, some swelling may occur in the scrotum.  However, once you administer the antibiotic that has a broader spectrum of activities, the condition gets recovered in a satisfactory condition. Septic shock may occur if the surgical site gets infected with some microbial infections and in these cases, the wound needs a thorough dressing procedure and the patient needs to be continuously monitored in a clinical environment.

Take note that local animal organizations perform the surgical neutering when the stray male dogs are captured by them.

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For pet owners desiring to make their fun-loving dog or calming cat more green, read the following suggestions.

(1) If you and your family do not already own a pet, strongly consider adopting a sweet dog or cat from an animal shelter or humane society. You will be saving the animal’s life and they will be eternally grateful for it. There are thousands of homeless dogs and cats in your country who desperately need caring and loving people to rescue them. These adorable dogs and cats are usually free to a good home.

If you and your family have your heart set on finding a purebred dog or cat from a breeder, research any potential pet breeder very carefully. Find out how the breeders raise their puppies or kittens. Find out how much space they receive to live, play and exercise, how much exercise they receive, what food they eat and what veterinary care and vaccines they have received.

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(2) Neuter or spay your cat or dog.
There is a troubling problem where animals are not being spayed or neutered and thousands of homeless dogs and cats are left to fend for themselves. When you neuter or spay your dog or cat, your animal will live a healthier and longer life and have a reduced risk of developing ovarian and uterine cancer in females and testicular cancer and prostate disease in males.

(3) Purchase good quality organic food for your dog or cat.
Many typical brands of pet foods contain alarming ingredients, including animal by-products, animal wastes, and ingredients that come from diseased or dying animals. Make sure that the pet food that you buy your cat or dog contains meat that is FDA-certified and good quality.

Support your cat or dog’s proper nutrition by purchasing quality food. Think about buying pet food that is organic and natural. Certified organic pet food must meet high quality standards and must not contain any pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, artificial ingredients or genetically modified ingredients.

(4) Utilize natural pet care products and cleaning products.

Avoid using any pet shampoo or grooming product that contains toxic chemicals. Use natural pet care products instead, that are environmentally-friendly and chemical free.

Avoid using pet cleaning products and overall household cleaning products that contain toxic ingredients. Green pet supply companies are now manufacturing cleaning products to use when your pet has an accident that are healthy for the environment.

(5) Purchase environmentally-friendly, organic pet toys and gifts.

a) Choose toys made from organic cotton or hemp, which are chemical-free.

b) Buy your cat or dog a new, natural hemp collar, which is biodegradable.

c) Purchase a comfortable doggie or kitty bed that is designed with organic materials and is free of toxic chemicals. Find one that has an easy-to-wash cover.

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Be warned though, just because you love to surround yourself with these cute and adorable furry critters, that wouldn’t qualify you to be a great breeder. You will need to invest not only money, but a lot of time and patience before you could even enjoy the fruits of your labors. Ideally, the return on investments would only be earned after at least eighteen months after starting the business -  that is assuming that your dog was a new born when you got him or her.

If you really are serious about getting into this industry, then you must consider some important points before starting it. First of all, you will need a dog. What kind and pedigree of canine you are supposed to get would depend on you. If you want to breed show quality dogs, then you must find professional and reputable breeders that raise these kinds of dogs. Pet stores can only offer you pet quality dogs. Although they may be pure breeds, pet quality ones will never be qualified to join competitions. They would still be marketable though since a lot of households aren’t meticulous about whether the dog’s pet quality or show quality.

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The pedigree that you should get would also depend on your personality as an individual. It would be best to find one with characteristics that would match or fit yours. If you are the laid back type of guy, then don’t get a hyperactive dog. If you live an active lifestyle, then you might want to get a more athletic dog that you could take with you when you jog. Your location of residence is also a factor. If you live in a humid or hot place, it is inadvisable to breed long coated dogs or a Siberian Husky. The climate will be uncomfortable for them.

Choosing which pedigree and which kind of dog to breed is just the beginning of your problems. Once you have determined this, you will have to deal with a lot of other things like registration, vaccinations, and medications if necessary. You have to watch the dietary and nutritional needs of your canine. Make sure that he or she gets all the nutrients needed to ensure his or her health as well as prevent any health complications.

Usually, breeders would opt to start with a bitch or a female dog. If you are going to get a female yourself, then you will have to watch and monitor its heat cycle. The dog will experience her first cycle on her first month. You can’t let her mate during her first cycle though because the chances of her conceiving puppies are low. Plus, she isn’t physically and mentally ready to be pregnant this early. You will have to wait until she’s around eighteen months old (third cycle) before you could let her mate.

During pregnancy, she will need extra attention and care. This is to ensure the puppies’ health as well as the mother’s. It would also be wise to take note of the day when she conceived. Knowing when she got pregnant will help you prepare when it’s time for labor. You have to be ready when the whelping day arrives.

After she gives birth, you will have to let the puppies nurse with their mother for a while. You will also have to take them to the vet for deworming, vaccinations and other medical procedures before you have the puppies registered.

Once all this is done, that would be the only time you could find new homes for the puppies and earn from their sale. It would take while before you could really earn money from dog breeding. But the process that will get you there will sure be fun.

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Because of their close relation with other Spaniels, these dogs weren’t recognized as their own breed by the English Kennel Club until 1902. It is now recognized by the American Kennel Club in the Sporting Group.

While these dogs do have all the great characteristics that make them good hunting dogs, such as being fast, being able to roam far, and being great at flushing and retrieving, they also possess characteristics that make them excellent companion animals for non-hunters. They are cheerful, friendly, and active, and are up for almost any activity with their family. They greet the day with gusto, whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny.

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While their enthusiasm is one of their most adored characteristics, it can also make them overly energetic if they do not get enough activity during the day. These dogs need to be able to explore and run and play every day. They would be ideal dogs for a home with other dogs and/or a home with a large yard. They do not make the best watch dogs, however, because they love everyone, even strangers.

The most common health issues English Springer Spaniels suffer from are hip dysplasia, ear problems, elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. These health issues can be costly to treat and in a down economy, can cause stress for pet owners. Pet insurance is one way to combat the high prices of veterinary care, as pet insurance providers pay a portion of the veterinary bill in an effort to ease the financial burden.

If well taken care of, English Springer Spaniels can live to be between ten and fourteen years old.