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It seems obvious enough, but it is amazing how many aquarium owners don’t realize the importance of the tank water to the health of their fish! The temperature, ph level and number of fish you have can all affect the health of your tank. The only way to ensure the water stays right is to regularly test it with the appropriate testing kits.

Are you looking to feel more happiness in your life and enjoy just being alive? Are you thinking of the song; Be Happy Now? If so have you considered getting a furry companion to live with you? A puppy, dog or kitten or cat to bring happiness to your humble home; if so it is easy to go and get a pet from the pound and boy will they be happy to be loved and well cared for instead of being trapped in a cage in a smelly environment.

You need a strategy for using or disposing of your horse’s manure. The proper management of manure is important to the health of your horse and your family. Needless to say, it may also be important in order to comply with state or county regulations. And if you have neighbors nearby, you will want to avoid any controversy with them.

An average 1,000-pound horse can produce 9 tons of manure waste each year. This is roughly 50 pounds per day. If you’re going to store it, this translates to about 2-cubic feet per day or 730-cubic feet per year—just from one horse.

The German Shepherd is a large, strong, substantial-looking dog which is probably one of the most versatile dogs in the world.

Generally speaking, the average German Shepherd will be a very confident animal, a hard-working dog that was originally used for herding in its native Germany. The German Shepherd is exceptionally trainable and works well as a police, guide, or search and rescue dog - they have even been trained to act as hospital visitors before now!

However, in many people’s mind, a German Shepherd is inexorably seen as a “Police Dog”, with the resultant expectation that they are a naturally “fierce” animal.

Owning a big dog is a huge responsibility that you must not take lightly. The decision to own a big dog will have a huge impact not only on you and your loved ones but also on everyone else in today’s society. If you’re thinking of owning a big dog, think long and hard not only about the decision but also about the consequences of the decision. A dog owner should assume full responsible from the decision, to the type of dog, the number of dogs, the care of the dog for however long that may be. When you own a big dog you will want to be a positive role model of a dog owner and hopefully your dog will also be a positive figure towards big dog ownership.

What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a congenital disease that mainly affects large breed dogs. The word “dysplasia” means improper growth. Hip dysplasia can be described as a faulty or abnormal development of the hip. In CHD, the hip becomes loose and wobbly, eventually leading to a form of arthritis which is commonly referred to Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD). The degree of lameness that occurs is usually dependent upon the extent of arthritic changes in the hip joint. So too do environmental conditions such as amount of physical exercise, and weight gain contribute to the disease, and bring out symptoms.

The usual signs of ageing are:

1) Grey hair around the muzzle.

2) Skin and coat become drier.

3) Movement is slowed. It will take Fido longer to lie down or
get up. He doesn’t take steps two at a time anymore.

4) Movement can appear stiff, especially after lying down.

5) Hearing and eyesight deteriorate.

6) Teeth show signs of wear and tear.

7) More time is spent sleeping and less in play with you and other dogs.

Some dogs become incontinent and some older dogs develop bad smells.

Without a doubt one of the most annoying issues for owners is a dog that is a chronic barker. These dogs seem to bark at anything and everything and do not stop barking even when the threat or event is over. While chronic or excessive barking is often associated with small dogs all sizes and breeds of dogs may become chronic barkers under the right set of conditions.

What makes a dog bark?

Air scent dogs are the best-known type of SAR dogs. They are used to find victims of avalanches and urban disasters, drowned people, human remains in crime scenes, etc.

Unlike tracking dogs, air scent ones seek in the surroundings for any human scent (except their guide’s scent). Therefore, they are the best choice to locate buried people in avalanche and urban disaster scenarios.

Since they do not follow a track, air scent dogs don’t search with their noses to the ground. Instead, they walk around scenting the air. Thus, these dogs are able to capture human scent present in air streams.

Be careful when you walk your dog. A few years ago I worked with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department on a case. Evidence indicates the fellow was walking his dog in a rural area when 5 dogs belonging to a new neighbor attacked his small dog. To prevent injury to his dog, the fellow picked it up. The loose dogs caused so much damage to his body that he died.

I was recently retained in a similar case. Since the bite victim survived, we know what happened. A young woman was walking her dog when it was attacked by a loose dog. She picked it up to hold it away from the attacker, and she sustained severe injuries resulting in loss of hand use and permanent disfigurement.