Image credits:
Pixabay.com
Many of us love to keep pet dogs in our homes. Any animal lover
enjoys the company of a furry canine friend, right? While caring
for common breeds is a fairly easy task that dog owners are used
to, there are the exotic dog breeds. These dog breeds like
Caucasian Ovcharka, Lowchen, and Bedlington Terrier to name a
few, require special care and maintenance different from the ones
common breeds receive.If you own, or are thinking of owning any
exotic dog breed, here are the things you should keep in mind
while caring for them.
Be consistent in your training
Make sure that you set the rules early, and remember to follow
each and every one of them from the start. Especially for breeds
like Caucasian Ovcharka, they require discipline and consistency
in carrying out rules. Many exotic dog breeds may not be used to
living in a human environment, and that is why it is crucial that
you train them properly from the very beginning. If you relax or
drop the rules even once, it is easy to lose the control you have
over them.
Handle them with care
Exotic dog breeds are obviously easier to manage when they are
still puppies, because a lot of them like the Azawakh and
Napoleon Mastiff grow to be extremely huge and heavy. Always
remember to lift them up from underneath, holding the chest with
one arm and bracing the rear with the other arm. Never ever pick
them up or pull them by the tail, legs or back of the neck.
Grooming
Most exotic dog breeds require only a few baths in a year. Make
sure to rinse the soap or foam thoroughly from the coat. If not,
dirt may stick on. For dogs that have a long coat like Lowchens,
regular brushing can help to reduce shedding. Remember to check
for ticks and fleas every time you brush. For breeds like
Bedlington Terrier which have a short coat, regular scissoring
and clipping are necessary.
Provide proper housing
It is recommended that you either get a doggie bed or make one
from wood. Your exotic dog needs time and place to relax and
rejuvenate in peace. Cushion the bed comfortably and put a
blanket and a pillow. Make sure that you wash and clean these
frequently. A dirty housing could lead to irritations and
infections. Remember to keep a bowl of fresh clean water within
easy reach to make sure they stay hydrated.
Daily physical activity
Remember to play with them or take them out for a walk or run
every day. They need regular physical exercises to stay healthy
and active physically and mentally. It will also prevent boredom
or restlessness, which can both lead to behavioral problems and
make it even more difficult to train and care for them. Keep in
mind that during six to eighteen months, exotic dog breeds
require much more amount of physical activity to keep them
stimulated.
Dog Breeds You've Likely Never Heard Of
Image Source: Pixabay.com
There are so many dog breeds that we read about or come across in
real life on a regular basis. However, if we were to make a list
of every breed out there, weโd need to write volumes. Thatโs
right, there are more dog breeds out there than you can imagine.
In fact, we decided to surprise you a little with our very own
list of unique dog breeds. Weโre willing to bet a good amount of
money that youโve never heard of these breeds. So, letโs get
started.
The Rat Terrier (Terrier
Group)
Though typically found on farms, Rat Terriers are more than ready
to live the city life. These are versatile dogs that can survive
in most environments. To top it all off, they are very vibrant
and possess a happy-go-lucky attitude.
However, donโt underestimate them. They arenโt playful all the
time. Rat Terriers are very responsive to training. They score
very high when it comes to obedience, agility, lure coursing,
barn hunt, earth-dog, racing, and rally obedience.
These are highly intelligent dogs that make for excellent
companions and pets. This is exactly why they are often used as
service and therapy dogs. Of course, like most dogs, theyโre also
very loyal.
Beauceron
(Bo-se-ron)
The Beauceron comes from a line of French sheepdogs that were
used to drive herds and protect them. Needless to say, the
Beauceron possesses those very same traits. The will guard your
house and defend you with all that theyโve got.
The breed, typically, weighs around 70 to 110 pounds. They are
highly loyal and will follow their masters everywhere. Sometimes,
this causes them to overstep their boundaries as theyโre known to
not have a grasp of private space.
They are smart, lively dogs with a lot of energy in them. Theyโre
always ready to play and prefer things to be rough. This might
shock novice owners a bit, but there is nothing to be concerned
about as long as you know your boundaries and have a bond with
the dog.
The Beauceron is also a very versatile breed. Theyโre good at
military work, sports, skijoring, and mushing.
A unique feature in these breeds is the double dewclaw present on
each rear leg that resemble thumbs.
Azawakh
The Azawakh is a West African breed that is believed to be
related to the Greyhound. However, itโs much more muscular. Like
Greyhounds, they also have very long legs, which makes them run
really fast. In fact, thatโs the Azawakhโs greatest feature โ
speed.
The breed is gentle and can be treated as a house pet. However,
make sure you have enough area to let it run.
Pyrenean Shepherds
Descended from the ancient breeds found in the Pyrenees
Mountains, the Pyrenean Shepherds are primarily used for
sheep-herding. They are known for their energy and enthusiasm,
apart from their shaggy, adorable appearance.
