1-800-PetMeds Flea, Tick, and Heartworm Blowout! Prices have dropped $3, $5, $10, and $20.

2. Do you keep your home very warm? Some dogs are bothered by warm room temperatures. A Chihuahua would be a better choice than Shih Tzu in that case.

3. How much dog can you lift? A Pug is a happy-go-lucky companion but may weigh 18-pounds while a Yorkshire Terrier usually doesn’t exceed 7-pounds.

4. How much grooming can you do? If arthritis is a problem, avoid longhaired breeds such as Pekingese or Maltese and look at short, smooth-haired dogs such as Toy Manchester
Terrier. Beautiful coats are beautiful because they’re groomed daily.

5. How much exercise does the dog need? Any Terrier is a high-energy dog requiring outdoor exercise. On the other hand, an English Toy Spaniel or Japanese Chin can get all the exercise they need inside an apartment.

6. Is the breed’s temperament a good match with you? Some people find Toy Poodles too challenging and would do better with the sweet-tempered Papillon.

7. Are you prepared for the costs of dog ownership? The bare minimum estimate for dog ownership is $1 a day.

8. Can you acquire pet insurance? Many companies offer group rates to their employees and retirees.

9. Would being a “foster” owner satisfy your need for canine companionship? Even if you don’t want to take a dog
into your home, shelters always need people who can walk and play with the dogs or provide temporary housing.

10. Finally, have you considered what happens to your dog if you can’t care for him? Toy breeds often live 15-years
or longer. Be sure to include instructions in your will on
how your pet should be placed.

With a little forethought and planning, you can select the right breed of dog for your lifestyle and enjoy many happy
years together.About The Author…

Former dog breed and all-round dog
person, Louise Louis now operates
a website, toybreeds.com dedicated to
helping people select the best small
dog breed for their lifestyle.

Read More From Louise Louis

Researchers reported that the mysterious dog flu is an
influenza strain that jumped from horses to dogs.

The dog flu is highly similar to the equine flu that’s been in
the U.S. for more than 40 years. Influenza has never before
occurred in dogs.

Humans don’t get the virus from horses, and it’s unlikely
they’ll get it from dogs, according to experts at the
Influenza Branch of the Centers for Disease Control.

The medical term for dog flu is H3N8 influenza virus.

Symptoms of canine flu are a lot like those of “kennel
cough.” Dogs with symptoms may have a nagging cough, fever,
and nasal discharge.

Dogs with canine flu are susceptible to getting pneumonia.

Canine flu made the news earlier this year as greyhound
racetracks closed to control outbreaks. Veterinarians
struggled to tell if the illness was a new variant of kennel
cough or an entirely new disease. It was first detected at a
Florida racetrack and several dogs died from it.

Tests of blood stored by racetracks suggests the new canine
flu strain began infecting dogs sometime between 1999 and
2003, well before the first outbreaks were recognized.

The announcement follows months of rumors and growing worry
among dog-lovers, about canine flu.

Researchers have been working on a canine flu vaccine for
three months. It’s not yet known how long it would take for
such a flu vaccine to be to developed, tested, manufactured,
and distributed for veterinary use.

For additional information visit

http://www.dog-health.name/dogflu/dogflu.htm

Generally, the Yorkshire Terrier is a lively and hardy breed, but just as with all purebreds, they can be prone to developing certain health and behavioral conditions which can make them hard to deal with and expensive to care for. By doing a little research and taking a few precautionary assessments before deciding which puppy to buy, you can greatly reduce your chances of purchasing a puppy that will cause you a lot of heartache down the road.

The most important thing to consider when buying a puppy is the breeder. Before even looking at puppies you should have a good knowledge of the breeder and several referrals indicating that he or she is a top of the line breeder with the best interests of the Yorkie breed at heart. If you have any qualms about a breeder, do not buy a puppy from him or her, regardless of how cute or healthy a puppy appears to be.

Here’s why: A good breeder is conscious of the inherent characteristics that are common in the Yorkshire Terrier breed. A competent breeder will not breed all of their dogs just because they are registered and pedigreed; they will select only the best Yorkies for breeding to minimize undesirable traits, both health related and behavioral related, and to maximize desirable traits. Certain congenital birth defects are also a result of careless breeding. So, choosing a competent breeder increases your chances of having a healthy and happy Yorkie.

A good breeder also invests in the proper care for all of their new puppies. Yorkie puppies are extremely fragile when born and do not really become self sufficient or able to be separated from their dam until they are 3 months of age or older. Before this time they are very susceptible to health conditions such as hypoglycemia and allergies to vaccinations. For these reasons, it is important to never buy a Yorkshire Terrier puppy younger than this age or before it has had at least two of the three required rounds of vaccinations. Any breeder who wants to bypass the waiting period and sell their puppies earlier than 3 months does not have the health of the puppy in mind and would likely not be the best breeder to deal with.

Another must have when dealing with a breeder is a sales contract and a guarantee. If a breeder is not prepared to guarantee their puppies’ health in writing, then you may end up with an expensive puppy that only lives a few short months. A good guarantee will replace your puppy or refund your money for any congenital defects found within the first year.

Also have a thorough knowledge of the AKC standard for the Yorkshire Terrier breed before going to look at puppies. By following the AKC standard, you will have a good idea what to look for in certain puppies. Considering that most reputable breeders only have a limited number of puppies available, and then they are available only occasionally, it may take a lot of puppy shopping before you actually find a puppy that meets all of the standards. If you are planning to show or breed your dog, your wait may be even longer. So, be prepared to not find your Yorkie on the first go round, actually expect it. Then you won’t be disappointed.

Do not be fooled by breeders trying to push “miniature” Yorkies. There is no such thing as a “miniature” Yorkie, just Yorkies that are smaller than others. In most cases, very small Yorkie puppies passed off as “miniature” are actually the runt of the litter and prone to health problems such as thyroid disease.

Remember to keep all of these pointers in mind when looking for your new Yorkie. By doing so, you will ensure that your new puppy is a happy and healthy addition to your family.
By Rose Lenk
For more yorkie information and articles visit www.proyorkie.com