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    Dogs: The loyal pet

    So many households have a dog for a pet. Dogs are known to provide absolute companionship. There are so many breeds of dog, and different people have varying preferences on the breed they want to keep.

    Many dogs are known to be instinctively protective, however, there are specific breeds that are preferred as guard dogs. German Shepherds, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bullmastiff, Doberman Pinscher and Giant Schnauzer are some of the major breeds that people prefer to guard their properties. They are known to be confident, swift, and strong and they possess protective instincts. They recognize their owners and any intruders are kept away. These breeds require training at an early age. Other breeds are chosen for their looks and companionship, or for their suitability as a family pet to have around small children.

    It is important for parents to choose the kind of dog that is most suitable for their family. This is because not all breeds are suitable for every household situation. For instance, having tiny dogs such as a Chihuahua in a house where there are small children or larger dogs, could be dangerous for the smaller dog as it may get injured in a boisterous household. Dogs that shed heavily may cause allergies so this may need taking into consideration too. The best way to choose a dog is to find out the character of the breed with some thorough research. A good pet is one that is gentle and well-behaved, as well as playful. Pets do need a lot of care and attention. If you've never owned a dog before, you may find dog ownership more hard work than you expected, however it is also very rewarding. They get hungry, fall sick and need plenty of exercise. Keep an eye on your dog and you'll soon work out when he's not himself or when he needs something. Dogs develop an attachment to their owners over time, especially when treated well, you'll soon learn to understand one another. A good diet is also very important. A lot of health problems can be eliminated with a good quality pet food that fulfills all their dietary requirements. Some breeds have very specific dietary requirements, but this need not be a problem as you can buy dog food that is made just for your breed of dog. For example greyhounds have a low tolerance to additives, so a food made specifically for greyhounds will be low in such additives.

    Sometimes dogs do wander off and get lost. Whether they get off the lead during a walk or they chew through the fence and escape from your back yard, it's a worrying time. It is advisable to come up with a method of identifying your dog, so that when it gets lost, it can be easily recognised and returned to you. Most dog owners use collars with names and telephone numbers on them. Micro-chipping is also a very good idea as the chips are embedded under the skin, so they can't be lost or removed. If you have a valuable dog, it could be stolen. A thief can easily remove an identifying collar, but not a microchip that contains your details and identifies you as the owner.

    For more information about caring for your dog then why don't you head over to Facebook?