Each year, more and more new dog breeds are added to the already growing list. Currently, the American Kennel Club, or AKC, recognizes over 150 different breeds and has seven different groups to categorize them. These groups include; sporting, working, toy, terrier, hound, herding, and non-sporting breeds.

The working category of breeds refers to those canines who aren’t merely pets or companions for humans, but rather are working animals that are now or have been trained to perform certain tasks. The working breed category includes: border collie, boxer, german shepherd, great dane, labrador retriever, rottweiler, st. Bernard, siberian husky.

Terriers are a lively group of dogs that were originally bred for hunting small animals such as rabbits and foxes, with most types coming from the British Isles. This category includes some well known dog breeds such as: american pit bull, australian, boston, bull, cairn, fox, jack russell, rat, scottish, welsh, west highland.

Also called teacup or tiny, the Toy category features the smallest of dogs who generally weigh under 20 to 25 pounds and include: Bichon Frise, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Havanese, Maltese, Papillon, Pekingese, Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Toy and Miniature, Poodles, Yorkshire Terrier.

There are also categories that use other criteria to describe dogs, such as those that are considered hypoallergenic or non-shedding. Some of these include: Airedale, Basenji, Cairn, Kerry Blue, Norfolk, Tibetan, and Welsh Terriers; Chinese Crested, Poodle, Schnauzer

A growing number of ‘designer dogs’ that mix certain breeds are becoming popular. These include many dogs that are part Poodle:

- Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle)
- Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle)
- Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle)
- Maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle)
- Schnoodle (Schnauzer and Poodle)

Dog breeds may also be grouped by the size and weight of the dog.

- Toy breeds are 10 pounds or less.
- Small breeds are 10 to 25 pounds.
- Medium breeds are 25 to 50 pounds.
- Large breeds are 50 to 75 pounds.
- Extra large breeds are over 75 pounds.

While any dog can be trained to be good around children and toddlers, there are those who seem to have an extra affinity and tolerance for kids. And of course, any dog who is not trained or poorly socialized will not do well with children. Some of the breeds known for being good for families with children include:

- Basset Hound
- Bulldog
- Collie
- English Setter
- Golden Retriever
- Newfoundland
- Samoyed
- Standard Poodle

How to Choose the Right Dog Breed for You

There are many different variables to consider when trying to decide on the right breed of dog for you and your family. Before trying to pick which type of dog would do best in your home, ask yourself the following questions:

Training: All dogs require some type of obedience training and house training, but some need a bit more work than others. Do you have the time and patience necessary to train certain types of dogs?

Size: Do you have the room in your home and yard to accommodate a dog, and if so, what size?

Exercise/walking requirements: Do you have the time and energy it takes to see that a dog has the proper amount of exercise they need to stay happy and healthy?

Grooming and shedding: Is anyone in your home allergic to animals? Do you have the resources and time to devote to grooming your dog on a regular basis?

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To begin with we will give you some basic info on the breed and them move on to other areas of this excellent dog.

Breed group: Terrier

Weight: 57-67 lbs

Height: male: 18-19, female 17-18 inches

Overview

Not everyone is in agreement about the origin of the American Staffordshire terrier. Many believe the American Staffordshire terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier to be one in the same breed. The show strain of these two is the American Staffordshire terrier and the American Pit Bull Terrier is labelled as the fighting dog strain. These two dogs are also documented by different registries as different breeds, although they are considered the same breed. These two breeds are bred to have the same virtues and also the same build.

Temperament

American Staffordshire Terriers are very even tempered. This characteristic makes very reliable companion dogs. This dog gets along very well with children of all sizes, but they should not be left alone with them as these dogs can be very dominant and rough. The American Staffordshire terrier also gets along well with other dogs, but they should not be placed in a home with another dog as they still have a violent strain. This breed is enormously brave and intelligent, and also very feisty.

Care

Seeing that the coats of these dogs are smooth and short-haired, they are fairly easy to groom. It is recommended that their coats be brushed regularly with a firm hair brush. These dogs can be bathed or dry shampooed, but only when really necessary. The American Staffordshire terrier is an average shedding dog.

Training

American Staffordshire Terriers are not well suited for people with no previous dog ownership knowledge. These dogs are very strong, and should be taught from a young age onwards to not pull on the lead. The training environment for these dogs should be a consistent and fair one. The American Staffordshire terrier also does very well in obedience training. These dogs have a lot of energy which can make training rather difficult at times. Trainers of these dogs should also be firm and dominant; otherwise these dogs will try to take control. Early socialisation is also recommended; otherwise these dogs may be aggressive later on. The American Staffordshire terrier is also difficult to housebreak. This breed does extremely well when it comes to the guarding of property, but they are also highly respected as companion dogs.

Health problems

The American Staffordshire terrier is a very tough dog that doesn’t suffer from many health problems. But there are a few issues that do arise with some of the dogs from time to time. Some of them include hip dysplasia which is a fairly common disorder in dogs. They also have problems with hereditary cataracts and inherited heart diseases.

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Get more info and advice on the American Staffordshire terrier or American Staffordshire terrier training visit this dog breeds web page.

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They have a tendency to suffering heat-strokes, cataract problems as well as breathlessness besides being aggressive towards other animals, though they are extremely friendly towards small children.

For the upkeep and general care of your bulldog Staffordshire Terrier, it is important that potential or new owners realize that bathing is not necessarily a daily ritual; your dog can be bathed, when necessary as otherwise the regular brushing of his coat with a good quality brush is more than sufficient for good grooming. Besides this, basic grooming and care of your Staffordshire Terrier includes giving him a good rub-down with a towel so any loose hair comes off, taking them out for regular physical activity such as walk or run while on a leash, especially when visiting public places.

The history of the Staffordshire bull terrier is an interesting and varied one that has developed down the ages, much as the dog also called a Staffie, has! First discovered in the 17th century, this breed became a popular choice for bull baiting due to its fighting quality and strength more punishing than the Bulldog. It was cross-bred with the terrier and emerged as the Pit Dog/Bull/Terrier and grew to be recognized for its tenacity, aggressiveness and courage that made it the favorite of miners and steel-workers alike!

Get yourself one – to know what the Staffies are all about; you won’t regret it!

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The consequences of being bitten by a dog can be horrific. Even beyond the trauma and difficulties caused by injury, it is the kind of attack – most commonly occurring when the victim is cycling or walking, which can have lasting psychological effects.

Dogs can be unpredictable and can be extremely violent. Because of this, dog owners have a responsibility to ensure that their dogs are properly controlled. Failing to properly control a dog can lead to real tragedy.

A person who suffers an unprovoked attack by a dog can therefore make a personal injury claim – and should do for two main reasons.

Firstly, a person can justly expect to be compensated for lack of earnings or medical care that might be needed as a result of an injury they received from a dog attack.

Secondly, the threat of a compensation claim will act as a deterrent to dog owners and help to maintain the standard of responsibility necessary to own dogs.

In 1990 and 1991 there were a number of dog attacks that received media coverage and led to public outrage. As a result of this widespread media coverage, the government introduced the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Owners of Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Braziliero now have to meet strict requirements, including keeping the dog on a lead and muzzled when in a public place, registering it on the Index of Exempted Breeds and getting it micro-chipped, tattooed and insured.

Under the legislation, any injury caused by these breeds leads to compensation being payable even if the dog has shown no signs of aggression before that particular attack.

The use of guard dogs is also strictly regulated. It is illegal for a guard dog to be present unless a handler capable of controlling the dog is also present. It is also illegal to use a guard dog unless it is signed in the area that a dog is patrolling. If a business fails to follow these laws and the dog attacks, they can expect a compensation claim to be made.

There are other, less common, situations when someone may receive an injury as a result of a poorly controlled dog – for example a car accident caused by a stray animal running onto the road.

Again, such an accident can lead to injuries that make some form of financial remuneration more than justified.

Still many people balk at the prospect of making a claim. Navigating the claims process can be daunting, but it is important to remember that the compensation claims system is in place for a reason – and the principal of access to justice is important.

The first step to making a claim is speaking to a trained person who can advise as to whether your claim is worth pursuing. This can be done easily. With a professional claims company, call centre staff can tell you whether they think you should speak to a solicitor. They can then put you in touch with one in your area to progress your claim.

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National Accident Helpline can help you if you’ve suffered a dog attack injury

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Many people in the market for a Pit Bull puppy choose to buy that puppy from a breeder. It is important to talk to several different breeders before making a purchase so that you can make the most well informed decision. Breeders should be used to answering questions, so don’t be intimidated when interviewing one.You need to ask questions so that you can find the puppy that is the best fit for you.

Serious breeders should be able to tell you all about their breeding line. They will be able to inform you of any negative traits or behavioral issues, as well as any health problems that have occurred with their puppies. Breeders should also be able to tell you what they have done to improve their methods to avoid behavioral or health problems.

Breeders should also be able to walk you through their process for selecting which dogs to breed and what the likely outcomes of that breeding will be, such as personality, color, health, size, etc.

You should find out how many different types of the dogs the breeder breeds. Some feel that it is better to breed only one type of dog. To ensure pure blood, you would probably want to select a breeder that only works with American Pit Bull Terriers.

Good breeders have more interest in the breed than just monetary gain. They should love the animals they have chosen to breed. Many breeders not only breed animals, but are involved in dog shows, training, etc.

It is also important to purchase from a breeder that tries to keep in touch with the people who have purchased his puppies. This shows that the breeder truly does care about the puppies and where they end up, and should also be easy for owners to contact should a problem arise.

Breeding many litters each year can sometimes lead to different issues, and it is recommended to avoid breeders that do this. Health of the dogs also tends to decline if there have been a lot of breeds in a short time frame.

You should definitely ask to see where the puppies are kept, which will give you an idea of how well they are cared for.

This is just a few things that should be considered when purchasing a Pit Bull puppy from a breeder. You should research all aspects before making a final decision, which should help you end up with the best puppy for you.

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What could have happened to my son today, but was stopped by the loyalty of Titus (our pitbull)….shows the true side of a American Pitbull terrier…..We still have no idea how the cord got there…it was tied up??

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The Bulldog is known as Great Britain’s national symbol, and originated in London, England from the very cruel sport of putting the dogs in a pit in order to fight with a bull or a bear. Literature from 1200 first mentioned these dogs. They were known as Bandogge by 1500 and were crossbred from Bandogges, Mastiffs, pugs, and other breeds to make sure they would possess the qualities that would make them successful in this sport.

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Thankfully, bull and bearbaiting became illegal in 1853, which could have made the English Bulldogs extinct. However, there were men who cared greatly about the Bulldog and made sure that this breed was preserved. They had their work cut out for them, though. These dogs had been created to be bloodthirsty fighters, and now needed to be made into sweet tempered and docile creatures so they could become family pets.

English Bulldogs can be recognized as being medium sized, with a smooth coat, and heavy low body. Its face is short and massive, and it has wide shoulders, small hips, and strong legs. Even though they do wheeze, drool and snore, they are the perfect companion for children and the elderly.

The American Bulldog is a close cousin of the English Bulldog and looks similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier. It is also closest in appearance of the Old English Bulldog. Originally brought to America by immigrants, they were used as work dogs on ranches and farms. John D. Johnson, a breeder and war veteran, is responsible for the American breed of Bulldog that is seen today. They are much bigger than the European Bulldogs and are used as cattle drivers, K-9 dogs and pets. Johnson and his partner, Alan Scott, eventually went their separate ways, each breeding their own type of Bulldogs. Now, there are the Scott or Standard American Bulldogs and the Johnson American Bulldogs to choose from.

Another popular breed is the French Bulldog, although it is unclear where these originated. Small and compact dogs, they appear a bit chunky with a pug like face. They weigh 20 to 27 pounds and are very friendly to humans. In fact, they were a favorite of the French street walkers, and became very popular all over France. However, it was Americans who came up with the rules of French Bulldog breeding. This little dog is low maintenance, and very quick to alert his human companions when he senses danger, which makes it an excellent guard dog. In addition, the French Bulldog is a very strong breed and, when properly cared for, can live up to 12 years.

Depending on what sort of dog you are looking for, there is a Bulldog breed to fit your needs. The one thing they all have in common is their sweet temperament and social nature. A Bulldog may, indeed, be the perfect pet for you.

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Generally, when we look for dogs we are basically looking for three things; first, whether it can be a good companion, second, a good guard for the household, and third, whether it is expensive to maintain it or not.

Well the Jack Russel Terrier seems to fit the bill. This breed is a very good companion, very friendly with those to whom it has been “introduced”, and not so friendly with those who are not “introduced” Very prim and proper about its image! It is also a great one for routing those troublesome rats, or other furred animals, and those who have one, will find themselves the better for it.

As we said in the previous paragraph, it has a very strong sense of responsibility, and has a nose (hmm…can’t be helped) for trouble makers. You can depend upon them, it is said, to distinguish a foe from a friend, even though that foe might be your friend. Please read this again.

It is a hypoallergenic dog, which means that it causes very little allergies,and requires very little grooming. But it is recommended that a routine grooming is scheduled and maintained.

The Jack Russell terrier is named after John Russell a student in the University of Oxford, UK, who saw a white dog with spots on its eyes and ears accompanying a milman. Abandoning, or combining his study of theology, this gentleman bred the dog that has been named after him.

It is a family dog, and loves human companionship. They are very fond of small children, strangely; and often will act as natural guards for them. If a child is crying, the Jack Russel terrier may come after the eldest in the house, and persist in pulling that person towards the child! And who wouldn’t like this?

They are very intelligent and full of good spirit, a curious nature; however, they require some training, otherwise they can be difficult. This is offset by the fact that they respond quickly to training. They are favorites in games and other shows for their speed, agility and quick reactions.

Jack Russel Terriers are terrible fighters. They don’t give up easily once their ire is up. And woe betide the person who comes in its way, and does not back up. It does not matter to it that it may be up against a larger or even more vicious dog. It does not give up, and that often times leads to serious injuries and sometimes it is fatal.

This is also displayed even towards its owners if it is mistreated or misbehaved with. It withstands some of the scoldings and punishments from the people it loves, but it can turn vicious if it senses a threat to itself. It is a survivor; gentle behavior and love and affection is what it desires. And if you treat it as a member of the family, it will be a valuable addition.

When it senses a stranger coming into the house, it would growl, and bare its teeth, and be ready to plunge to protect its owner, but once the owner has introduced the stranger, then it backs up, and will enter that person’s profile into its memory, and depending upon the first meet, may even greet the same person again when visiting with a joyful bark.

Jack Russell terriers are good pets, good companions, good guards, and fun to be with. Shower your love and affection on it, and it will reciprocate in more than equal a measure.

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Dog owners, if asked, will usually say that they couldn’t see their dog biting someone. However, a third of liability claims resulting from dog bites have taken a chunk out of companies providing homeowner’s insurance. Most of these dogs were owned by someone. Most of the time it was someone who was irresponsible towards their dogs, who failed to provide training, socialization and/or control. Many of these people are now paying with higher insurance premiums and sometimes the inability to find an insurance provider that will cover them, their dog or subsequent dogs they own.

That third of homeowner’s insurance liability claims does not endear dogs to insurance companies. In fact, many are trying to cover homeowners in everything but their canine companions. Some people have had to resort to dog-specific coverage, even if their dog hasn’t bitten anyone. Breed specific exclusions are common, as many insurance companies view certain breeds as too risky to cover. Owners of rottweilers, American pit bull terriers and other breeds identified as “dangerous” can have a hard time getting coverage, even if the dog owner is responsible and controls, socializes and trains their pet.

Socialize and train your dog. Obedience classes are an excellent way to accustom your dog to other people, other dogs and obeying commands with distractions. It also helps bond your dog to you. Dogs appreciate assertive leadership and, while some don’t require more than a waggled forefinger and a disapproving, “Bad dog!” to straighten out, respect owners who clearly draw the line. Do not equate this with abuse; while a dog has to have very clear negative consequences, they should be appropriate to the situation and to the dog’s temperament. An obedience trainer can best show you how to correct your dog effectively.

Don’t anthropomorphize. This four-mile-long word basically means “imbue an animal with human characteristics and values”. Your dog cannot have the right to be protective over food, toys or its body. It can’t be allowed to make decisions about aggressive behavior. It must be constantly trained that all decisions are made by the Alpha and the Alpha is you. Dogs don’t have feelings like human feelings. They cannot be reasoned with; they must be shown how to behave through consistent training and reinforcement.

Do not mistake territoriality with protectiveness. A dog frothing at the mouth and lunging against its lead when you walk it down the street isn’t being protective; it’s being a menace. Having a dog like this also means that you are not in control of its behavior and it does not look to you for guidance. The same goes for a dog that mindlessly throws itself against the fence when people go by. This is not protectiveness. A truly protective, well adjusted dog has been socialized and trained so that it fits into nearly every family situation and knows when people are behaving normally and when they are threatening. Even then, dogs are not always aware of when protective aggression is called for, so the owner must always be aware of what the dog is doing.

Never leave your dog alone with a very small child or a strange child. Dogs do not have a sense of universal love and responsibility towards all children. They may behave indulgently towards their children, but this does not mean that they will allow other children the same liberties. Dogs should never be expected to take abuse from very small children without retaliation. Keep small children away from the dog unless both are strictly supervised and under direct control.

Always have control of your dog. A dog that will only come when called when it suits the dog is not trained enough to be allowed off lead except in a secured area. When greeting other people, your dog needs to be under control at all times. There is no excuse for allowing your dog to jump all over people or frighten them.

Make sure that your homeowner’s insurance covers your dog. Some people have found out that their dog’s breed or mere presence means that they are no longer covered under their insurance. Make sure that you get a carrier that knows about the dog’s presence in your home and that offers enough coverage to cover a dog bite liability claim. Insurance is in existence because the unthinkable sometimes happens. If it does, it is much better to be covered than not.

Very few people actually want their dog to bite someone and even fewer want their insurance premiums to rocket. Despite this, many people are flirting with financial disaster by not responsibly controlling their pets. Don’t let this be you!

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Every responsible Pit Bull owner wants a well trained pet. There are several training options which may be used to achieve the desired results. One of the most popular methods used by owners is treat training. Treat training is a reward system using either the dog’s favorite snack food such as cheese, bits of hotdog or by using store bought treats.

Treat training allows the owner to use these small bribes as a form of positive reinforcement for good behavior. Proper use of treat training will enable you to teach your Pit Bull to follow the sit, come and lie down commands, as well as teach him almost any trick you can imagine. If used with friendly rubs and praises, it can also assist you to housebreak your Pit Bull.

To teach your Pit Bull to sit, you’ll need to prepare a treat bag just before you begin. A plastic zip top baggy comes highly recommended by me for use as a treat container. It allows you to put the treats in your pocket while allowing you to keep your pockets from getting soiled and soggy. Believe me, try it without the baggy and you’ll not try it that way again. This is especially true if you opt to use bits of table food such as the cheese and hotdog slices.

Decide upon what you will use as the treat. Think of what your Pit Bull likes to eat, but you don’t give him very often. This makes an irresistible bribe, and you will see faster results than if you’d used an every day treat. Once you’ve chosen your bribe, put the baggy in your pocket so you can reach it easily. Don’t try to hold the bag in your hand, as this will distract your Pit Bull, and may even get him to jumping up in an attempt to try and grab the entire bag.

If you have more than one Pit Bull, or other dog for that matter, take the time to put the other dog away so you can do one on one training. Other animals in the vicinity will only hamper your training as your Pit Bull will think the session is a competition for which dog can get the treat fastest, rather obedience training.

Now that you’ve prepped your treat bag and have your Pit Bull alone with you, it’s time to begin.

Take a bit of your chosen treat and hold it above your Pit Bull’s head while giving the command to “sit.” If you hold the treat high, the dog will have to sit to see the treat. Once he sits, give him the treat and be sure to praise him as a “good boy” for the sit. You can repeat this four or five more times, but after that give it a rest until the next day. I know it doesn’t sound like rigorous training, but it is considered a full session.

Once your Pit Bull has mastered the “sit” command, start to gradually offer gentle rubs and praises rather than treats. You’ll eventually phase out the food treats, and your Pit Bull will continue to sit on command.

Using treat training is an effective and gentle way to train your Pit Bull. It also allows you to be close to your pet for a session of giving treats and praises. Imagine how much your Pit Bull will enjoy that!

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Help answer the question about Pit Bull Terriers

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