Dogs: Chocolate Poodles
23. June 2008
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Chocolate colored poodles are quite different in tone than cafe-au-lait colored poodles or even brown ones. Their color is a very rich brown that can sometimes even be auburn in color–however it is never red. Just like chocolate labs, chocolate poodles typically begin as puppies with a very dark brown coat. Once the chocolate poodle is groomed and their fur is trimmed, the coat appears a bit lighter.
Chocolate poodles are called such because the tone of their coat is similar to the same color found in the candy chocolate. It is a very rich brown that is also very shiny and elegant when the poodle is well kept. Chocolate poodles can also have a mixture of colors along with their chocolate tone, such as apricot or red.
Chocolate poodles will have a brown nose, eye rims and lips, with dark toenails and dark amber eyes. Its important to remember that if you are buying a chocolate poodle that the coat will change from the tone it is at the dogs birth. In fact, most chocolate poodles are not the same color at birth as they are when they are a bit older. It can take up to a full year for its color to come through clearly.
Characteristics a Chocolate Poodle Should Possess
As stated above, a chocolate poodle will always have brown eyes, as well as other facial features. Their toenails can be black–however nothing else on their face should ever be anything but brown in color. If someone is trying to sell you a poodle that they are labeling a purebred chocolate, and the pup does not possess all of the qualities discussed here, it is not an authentic chocolate poodle. If this does not matter to you, you can work with the seller on negotiating a lower price for the dog.
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Dogs: Progressive Retinal Atrophy
22. June 2008
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Like any purebred dog, the poodle has its own inheritable health issues. The toy and miniature poodle seem to share the same types of disorders, while the standard has problems that are somewhat different in nature. One of the most common disorders in toy and miniature poodles is a condition called Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA).
What is PRA?
PRA is a condition that affects the eyes of a poodle. What causes PRA is that the light cells in the retina die as a result of a lack of blood supply. Unfortunately this is also a progressive disease, meaning that eventually the poodle will lose its sight. Up to this point there is no cure for PRA.
Poodles between the ages of five and six are more prone to experiencing the beginning stages of the disease. PRA can only be detected by an opthalmoscopic exam performed by a veterinarian. Most vets will request this procedure to be done once your poodle reaches the age of five so that any signs can be detected.
Since this is such a debilitating disease, with no cure, the Canine Eye Registration Foundation has been created to maintain a registry of poodles that are certifies as being free from inheritable eye diseases. The certification must be done each year, since a poodle can suffer this disease at any time after the ages mentioned above. When buying a poodle it is a good idea to talk with your breeder about this disease and look into the genetic health history of the poodle puppy you are interested in.
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Dogs: Stop Puppy Mills
21. June 2008
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It is important to know what a puppy mill is so you never buy a dog from one. A puppy mill is a business that buys its poodles in litters, usually by mail, as early as the dogs can be weaned from their mothers. Puppy mills are not concerned at all with the temperament or quality of the dogs they are selling, they just want to make a fast dollar. Truth be told, puppy mills do not even care for the dogs medically. Their main objective is to sell as many dogs as possible for as much money as they can.
Puppy mills are not at all concerned with the welfare of the dogs that they sell. They have no interest in what happens to the dog once it has been sold. The one thing puppy mills are good at is taking advantage of the popularity of the poodle breed in order to make a lot of money.
How to Stop Puppy Mills
You can help stop puppy mills by never buying a puppy or dog from a pet store, puppy mill or backyard breeder. You may ask, How will I know if it is a puppy mill? Remember that a puppy mill is only seeking financial rewards and could care less about the dog, its health or disposition. If you begin asking questions regarding a poodle and its background, health or other characteristics, the puppy mill will try to rush the sale and avoid answering your questions.
If you buy your poodle from a pet store, you are essentially buying it from a puppy mill. Almost always, a puppy mill from another state will send pups to pet stores for sale. The sad fact is that these puppies are taken from their mothers much too soon. They will not have had any medical attention, such as shots or testing. As a result, most of these dogs are prime candidates for serious diseases.
Many times well-intentioned buyers choose to purchase their poodle from a puppy mill or pet store because they feel sad for the dog. It is important to not to do so and report the puppy mill or pet store to the AKC, UKC and/or humane society. By purchasing your dog from one of these places you will only be adding to the profit they make by not caring for their poodles properly.
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Dogs: United Kennel Club
20. June 2008
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United Kennel Club or UKC is an organization that recognizes over 300 breeds of dogs, along with breeders of dogs from all over the United States. Each year there are over 250,000 dogs registered with the UKC. It is the second oldest and second largest all-breed dog registry in the U.S.A. The UKC was founded in 1898 and believes in the total dog, meaning a dog that looks as good as it performs.
The UKC as Innovators
The UKC was the first organization to offer what is called the performance pedigree. Essentially what this pedigree does is gives a precise and current count of the number of puppies born to each pedigree dog, as well as how many champions were earned by those puppies. The performance pedigree is a unique and handsome document and is known as the most complete pedigree on earth.
UKC also takes part in DNA testing to ensure that the dog is indeed the puppy of certain parents. This organization also works hard to prevent puppy mills from staying in business–it was, in fact, the first organization of its kind to take a stand against puppy mills. The UKC has the right to inspect kennels and perform DNA testing as well as ban anyone who violates the ethics and integrity that they believe in.
The UKC has a strict code of ethics that it requires breeders to adhere to. This code includes record keeping standards, breeding for the sake of improving the dog breed and being concerned with whom a puppy is sold to. The code of ethics was established by the UKC to uphold the highest standards among dog breeders. It is essentially the main principle for why the organization was founded.
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Dogs: Veterinary Insurance
19. June 2008
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If you are the proud owner of a poodle, or any dog for that matter, you know and understand full well how expensive it can be to care of your pet. Regular check-ups and vaccinations, along with grooming, can cost a bundle. As your dog ages, there are many unforeseen conditions that may require surgery or expensive medicines. Even puppies may experience an unexpected accident that can cost you hundreds of dollars.
Veterinary insurance was created with these scenarios in mind. Just as health insurance for people works, pet insurance covers a huge chunk of the costs associated with caring for your pet–from routine expenses to accidents and illnesses. This type of insurance has become increasingly popular in recent years so you can shop around for the best rate.
Types of Coverage
Most veterinary insurance plans offer two types of coverage–a routine plan and a superior plan. The superior plan typically protects your pet from injuries obtained as a result of an accident, emergencies and illnesses. It also will cover office visits, tests, x-rays and prescriptions. Many plans like this one will have no deductible and an annual cost of anywhere from 99 to 400 dollars. Under this type of plan you will usually be able to take your pet to the vet of your choice.
A routine plan also covers emergencies, prescriptions x-rays and lab fees. However, this type of plan will not cover costs associated with physicals, fleas or cancer. You should perform some research by talking to your vet to find out what advice he or she can offer you. You can also look online and shop around for different rates. Sometimes you can receive discounts if you are insuring more than one pet or if your vet has worked out some kind of arrangement with a specific carrier.
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