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Quiz: Are You Ready For A Dog?

C A N I N E S   O N L I N E ™
Copyright 2000 Canines Online ™
Issue No. 1, Vol.1, June 2, 2000
PREMIER ISSUE

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CONTENTS:
=>Health:
   -- To Neuter or Not to Neuter?
=>Tidbits:
   -- Did You Know?
=> News Briefs:
   -- Dental care should begin early
   -- Are genetically modified foods fit for dogs?
   -- Limit Set for Pets on Planes
   -- Pet peeves
=>Featured Site:
   -- What Breed of Dog are You?
=>Featured Breed:
   -- Cocker Spaniel
=>Product News, Reviews, and Coupons:
   -- PetsMart.com
=>The Tail End
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HEALTH
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To Neuter or not to Neuter
Good reasons for neutering
Neutering is important for a dog's health, but most important, it
prevents unwanted pregnancy. A 1991 study found that between 10 percent and 25 percent of the offspring of U.S. dogs and cats are destroyed annually.

Other reasons to spay female pets are that it:

Neutering male pets is beneficial because it:

You should spay or neuter a pet at 6 months of age, before the pet
reaches sexual maturity. This is especially important for female dogs, because the likelihood of developing mammary (breast) cancer later on increases once a dog has gone through heat. The incidence increases greatly with each additional heat cycle.

Pets are under general anesthesia for their castration or spay, so
fasting is required for 10 to 12 hours before the surgery. This
decreases the risk that the pet will vomit-and aspirate the vomit, which can be deadly-during anesthesia. Dogs-especially puppies-which are very active after their surgery, may also need a sedative to keep them calm.

The spaying procedure
In both dogs and cats, ovariohysterectomy is a major surgery. The
ovaries and uterus are removed through an abdominal incision, which is then sutured.

The neutering procedure
Neutering a dog is generally a simple procedure. Once the dog is asleep, the surgeon makes a small incision at the front of the scrotum and removes the testicles. The incision is then sutured. The dog should be kept calm and quiet for several days and should not run off-leash for two weeks. Walking on-leash is also recommended.

Most pets, male or female, recover rapidly from their surgery. In no
time at all, they're acting as if nothing happened! Besides helping
create a better relationship between you and your pet, neutering your pet definitely increases his or her chances of living a longer and healthier life. Having your pet neutered is one of the most responsible, loving thing

Top 3 reasons you should spay or neuter your pet

1. Spaying or neutering increases your pet's chances for a longer,
healthier life. Spaying your pet before her first estrous cycle (that is, before she reaches sexual maturity) greatly reduces her chances of
developing breast cancer and completely eliminates the threat of uterine  and ovarian cancer and uterine infection, which are common occurrences  in unaltered females. Neutering your male dog or cat prevents  testicular tumors and may prevent prostate problems.  Neutering also decreases the possibility of perianal tumors and hernias, which are commonly observed in older, unaltered dogs.

2. An altered dog is a better pet for your family. Males neutered early in life are less aggressive toward other males and are not distracted by females in heat. Therefore, a neutered male will be less tempted to leave your property and cross that dangerous highway searching for a mate. Neutered males also are less likely to mark every one of your (or your neighbor's) expensive shrubs with his urine as well as inside the house. Spaying your female pet eliminates the problem of stray males camping in your yard and decreases her desire to roam and breed.

3. You are helping to alleviate the dog overpopulation problem.  Each year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized (killed) at shelters across the country. Although pet behavioral problems are the main reasons animals are given to shelters, many orphans are the result of accidental breeding by free-roaming, unaltered pets. The more pets spayed or neutered, the fewer pets will have to be destroyed. Some shelters do not euthanize but hundreds of animals are turned away each year because there is simply not enough room at the shelter to accommodate them.

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TIDBITS
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Did You Know….
A dog's scent organ (inside his nose) is about four times larger than a humans', yet a dog's sense of smell is about 100 times more powerful! Although all dogs have a powerful sense of smell, some breeds have a greater talent for sniffing out things. A few examples are Basset Hounds, Bloodhounds, and Beagles, which are considered "scent hounds." If you live with a scent hound, you know how difficult it is to get his mind focused on anything but odors!

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NEWS BRIEFS
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Dental care should begin early
Caring for oral health can make a big difference in your pets' quality
of life, especially as they get older. The foundation, however, begins
in infancy.  For more information: http://www.bergen.com:80/home/petteeth200005258.htm

Are genetically modified foods fit for dogs?
The French agricultural cooperative Cana-Caval has eliminated
genetically modified ingredients from a large portion of the pet food it makes.  For more information: http://www.msnbc.com/news/411882.asp?cp1=1

Limit set for pets on planes
ATLANTA, GA, US -- With new federal rules requiring airlines to report the number of animals killed or injured on flights, several major carriers are refusing to allow pets to be checked as baggage this summer because of dangerous heat in cramped cargo holds.
For more information:
http://news.excite.com/news/ap/000531/17/pets-on-planes

Pet peeves
The nation's pet shelters destroy 4 million to 7 million dogs and cats a year -- many the victims of families in which having a pet just didn't work out, according to the American Humane Association in Washington, D.C. What goes wrong? Association representative Nicholas Gilman says parents often buy a pet for the wrong reason: for a child, who is supposed take care of it.  For more information: http://www.ardemgaz.com/week/Wed/fea/eapets31.html

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FEATURED BREED
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Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Country of Origin: England
Popularity: 13th in the USA
AKC Group: Sporting
Function: Flusher of game birds, companion
Life Span: 14-15 years
Appearance: Sturdy
Color: Black, tan, parti-color
Coat Type: Shedding, wavy
Grooming: Frequent brushing & bathing, ear cleaning necessary
Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 25-35 pounds
Activity Level: High
Watch Dog: High
Protection: No
Intelligence: High
Trainability: Average
Good With Children: Yes
Good With Pets: Yes
Good With Strangers: Average
Character: Friendly, easy going, loyal, very smart, playful, loveable
Home Environment: Exercise daily, lots of attention
Best Owner: Will play with dog everyday
Potential Problems:
Behavior: Aggression, shyness, biting
Physical: Eye, skin, and ear problems, seizures
Recommendations: Avoid puppy mills or pet stores. Give daily walks.
For more information, go to https://members.tripod.com/cockerpages/

Rescue Groups:
C-O-C-K-E-R-S (US)
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/9161/Cockers.html

Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center (VA)
http://www.cockeradoption.com/

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin (TX)
http://www.cockerrescue.org/

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England (New England Area)
http://www.csrne.org/

Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue (FL)
http://www.floridacocker.com/

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of the Mid Plains (Mid Plains)
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/9862/

Friends of Cockers (west VA)
https://www.angelfire.com/biz4/FriendsOfCockers/

Cocker Spaniel Rescue Houston (TX)
https://www.angelfire.com/tx/spanielrescue/

Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue (VA)
http://www.cockerspanielrescue.com/

Cocker Rescue of New Jersey (NJ)
http://home.att.net/~rescue.cockers/

CastAwayCockers Cocker Spaniel Rescue (PA)
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/PA21.html

Mid-Michigan Cocker Spaniel Rescue (MI)
http://cyber.wmis.net/~cocker/

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of California (CA)
http://hometown.aol.com/dnbsmommy/myhomepage/index.html

The Cocker Spaniel (US)
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Park/2561/

Cocker Spaniel/Small Dog Rescue (FL)
http://cocker-rescue.freeservers.com/

Penny Creek Farms (WA)
http://www.pennycreekfarms.com/rescue.htm


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PRODUCT NEWS, REVIEWS, AND COUPONS
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PetsMart
With the numerous toys out there you want to get the toys that last the longest and are most durable. To find out which are the best I put a few dogs to the test. The type of toy that lasted the longest was
latex. Latex was soft, but durable. Even after a small hole was made
the toy still squeaked! Most dogs will not play with toys that do not
squeak, and if you have that kind of dog, this might be the toy worth
looking into.

To buy a latex toy or any other supplies that you need at PetsMart click the link below.

http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click/mid5327311?siteid=29704969