Air Travel and Pets

Do you have to travel by air in the near future? If you do, are you a pet owner who needs to bring your pet along with you? Although most of us leave our pets at home, you may not want to do so or your purpose for travel may be to move, as opposed to taking a fun filled vacation. Regardless of your reasons for wanting or needing to travel with your pet or pets, there are a number of important points that you will need to keep in mind.

The first step in traveling with a pet is to make sure that you can do so. Although a good number of airlines will allow pets on their planes, not all will. You may be in a predicament if you plan to depart from a small airport with only one or two airlines. If they do not accept pets or if their rules and restrictions are too much for you to handle, you will want to examine other nearby airports, especially those that are larger in size.

When traveling by air with your pet or pets, it is important to remember that you will be charged an additional fee. Unfortunately, many first time pet travelers believe that they can use their pets and their pet carriers to count towards as a carry-on bag or a checked bag. This isn’t how it works though. You will, almost always, be charged an extra fee for traveling with a pet. This extra fee will likely depend on the airline in question and well as your pet’s location, such as in the cabin or in the baggage compartment.

That leads to another important point. Even with some of the airlines that allow pets, like cats and dogs, aboard their flights, not all allow pets to be in the cabin with other passengers. This is particularly common on small planes where allergies may be a big concern. If you cannot part with your pet, be sure to search for an airline that will allow you to keep him or her in the cabin with you. With that said, remember that the size of your pet will also play a huge factor in your options.

Regardless of where your pet is stored for the plane ride, you will need to have a pet carrier or crate for them. Many airlines have specific rules and restrictions on what type can be used. Resections often include materials used, as well as size. Most will provide you with that information when asked. Speaking of pet crates and carriers, it is important to make sure that you give your pet enough room to stand and move around a little bit. In fact, most airlines will refuse to transport pets that they feel are unsafe from small pet crates and carriers.

It is also important to make sure that you get your pet checked by their vet. You will want to make sure that your pet has all required vaccinations and that they are fit for travel. Also, all airlines require that you receive a health certificate, which will state that your pet is healthy and safe for travel.

The above mentioned points are just a few of the many that you will want to take into consideration when traveling with a pet. Added tips include booking direct flights, making sure your pet’s collar is marked with the proper identification, as well as their pet carrier.

Poodles: Uncertain Origins

Poodles: Uncertain Origins
by: Lisa B Collins

Everybody loves Poodles for their intelligence and despite being called yappy dogs that sometimes show signs of being nervous and which sport haircuts that are a bit out of this world, the Poodle is nevertheless a breed which will show its devotion to its master and it can even overcome its highly strung nature to make a great family pet dog. The Poodle has been around man for many centuries, though there is still not enough documentation to show where it originated. From what is known, it was once bred as a water dog that retrieved game from the water.

Poodles are also much loved and admired for their intelligent nature and also for their somewhat unusual appearance and they have at various times even been used as circus dogs because audiences really take to these dogs because they can perform many cute tricks. In addition to these antics the Poodle is also well loved for its sweet disposition and so it is well suited as a pet dog that will become greatly attached to its owner, and so are often considered one-man dogs.

Although Poodles are somewhat unusual in their appearance and do not look like most other dogs, they are still pleasing to look at and have square bodies. Of course there are various types of poodles as well including the standard, miniature and toy poodle. Also, Poodles have dark and oval eyes that are set apart and their ears generally hang down below the level of their eyes with muzzles that are long as well as straight.

A Poodle also possesses a long and muscular neck and it shows off an air of dignity not generally found in other breeds. However, the Poodle is set apart from other dogs by its fur and the color of their fur may range from black to white to gray to brown and a few other colors as well. The fur is generally curly or corded while it is normal to dock (cut) its tail to half of what its original length was. The Poodle also requires extensive grooming which may even warrant its coat to be professionally groomed.

All in all, Poodles are wonderful pets that typically are good natured as well as intelligent and they like to get a lot of attention while they also bond well with their owners. The Poodle is also reluctant to being left on its own and because he always is in need of attention and love, he expects to be around people most of the time. Poodles are also eager to learn new things and are very proud of the tricks they can do and discoveries that they make and will readily show off these abilities.

Poodles also love stability as well as routine and can also be considered one-person and even one-family pets and they are also often known to become shy in the presence of strangers. Though because they will bark at those they do not know or recognize, they will make good guard dogs as well as wonderful pets, and in addition you need to allow them some time to settle into their new homes.


About The Author

Lisa Collins loves small dogs and has long experience in keeping them and is the right person to teach about raising, breeding as well as caring for small breeds. A http://www.officialpoodleguide.com/ Poodle is an attention grabbers and though somewhat unusual looking, are intelligent though sometimes even stubborn to train. If you are looking for http://www.officialpoodleguide.com/Poodle.php Poodles information, this article has some useful tips that will better acquaint you with the breed.

Golden Retrievers

Golden Retrievers
by: David Beart

Originally bred to hunt in 1800s England, the golden retriever has retained much of its natural curiosity and hunting behaviors. The breed has maintained its standing in the top ten most popular dog breeds in the US partly because of the dog’s gentle nature, fierce loyalty and friendly personality. They’re the quintessential family pet due to their patience with children.

The female golden weighs approximately 55-65 pounds, and stands a couple of inches shorter than her male counterpart, who stands about 24 inches at the shoulder, and weighs in at 65-75 pounds. Females tend to have smaller, more delicately-shaped heads than males. They come in a range of colors, from deep coppery auburn to light cream. Their coats also differ in appearance. Field goldens, or hunting goldens, are more likely to be darker and sleeker than show goldens, whose honey-colored coats are thick and fluffy. Goldens have two coats: their top coats are hardy and water-repellent, while their undercoats are thick and dense. These dogs shed most of their undercoat in the spring, and grow it in preparation for the chill of winter. Regular grooming can help control excessive shedding. Their ears are soft and floppy, but they perk up at the sound of, well, almost anything. Their eyes are brown and very expressive.

Their bodies are very well-engineered to excel at agility contests. Thanks to their hunting background, they’re strong and muscled, yet quick and agile. Don’t let their gentle nature fool you. They are also incredibly strong dogs. Seventy pounds of golden on the end of a leash can take down even the strongest person if he’s not prepared.

They need plenty of regular exercise. If it were up to them, they’d walk for hours. Daily walks, romps in the yard and trips to the dog park can help it work off some of that golden energy, which is never in short supply. They rarely get tired of playing fetch. They excel at finding objects hidden in the yard. They also love to swim, and will retrieve from water all day if you let them.

From a temperament standpoint, goldens are extremely agreeable. They’re neither very shy nor extremely aggressive. This tolerant nature makes them a good choice for any home, including those with children. They’re loyal and loving, as well as outgoing and friendly. They thrive on human interaction, and are happiest when they’re around people. They never get tired of belly rubs and head pats. In fact, if the petting stops, many of them will nudge their masters, as if to say, “Don’t stop!”

Though they’re usually the center of attention, they still need training. Their exuberance can be mistaken for misbehavior, and it may be a few minutes before they calm down. Consistency and firmness are important when training a golden. They need to be taught that their master is the leader of the pack. However, they are eager to please, and can learn their role quickly with positive reinforcement tactics. No one is prouder than they when they complete a task successfully. Though they love showing off their tricks, they also love learning new ones. Teaching new tricks is a great way to combat boredom during the training session. Though they’ll fetch all day, they won’t sit still for a training class longer than they have to. The key is to make it fun and make it rewarding, all in short bursts of time throughout the day. Goldens are game players, so if you play with it in order to teach commands or tricks, your dog won’t even know the difference. It’s just happy to have your attention.

This is one reason goldens are one of the most popular breeds of therapy dogs. As much as they love to play, they also love to have a job to do. Besides being fast learners, they’re also very gentle. They can learn verbal commands or hand signals, and once they are on the job, they can be calm and focused. They also make good seeing-eye dogs for this reason.

This breed is not without its health issues. Goldens are prone to hip dysplasia and allergies. This is partly due to irresponsible breeding. Backyard breeders, eager to cash in on the popularity of the golden retriever, breed unhealthy dogs that pass on congenital diseases. Hip dysplasia occurs when the bones of the hip joint don’t develop correctly, and they rub painfully against each other. Sitting still is not something goldens are happy doing, so though these dogs may continue to move around and play, they’re in pain and should be treated.

Treatment consists of pain management, in mild cases, or in more severe cases, surgery. Though complete rehabilitation can take 12 weeks, the dog is up and moving within days. This procedure can so dramatically improve a dog’s life that it’s well worth the work to see your golden get its spark back, and run and play like the puppy that it thinks it is.

These dogs also suffer from skin ailments and allergies. The golden’s thick coat makes it hard to see small skin irritations unless they’re specifically sought out. It’s important to inspect your pet regularly for any sore areas. A vet can run tests to try to identify the source of the irritation, and prescribe treatment, which might include frequent baths with hypoallergenic shampoo, oral medication and/or allergy shots.

Even though this is one of the most popular breeds of dog, thousands of them are relinquished to shelters or rescue organizations every year. Most people would never think they’d find a purebred golden at a shelter, but it’s not uncommon. In fact, the popularity of the breed may be the very reason so many of them are found in shelters. Sometimes people don’t research the breed, and don’t know that goldens need a lot of exercise and a lot of human interaction. They’re also not prepared to train a dog. Unfortunately, when people like this get goldens, more than likely, they end up surrendering them to a shelter or a rescue organization.

Though the average life expectancy of golden retrievers is 11 years, sometimes they forget they’ve gotten older, and maintain their puppy-like playfulness throughout their lives. As they age, they may slow down a bit, so it’s important to adjust their food and treat intake accordingly. It’s nearly impossible to resist their sweet faces as they come looking for a treat, but it’s for their own good. As obesity rates in humans have skyrocketed, so they have in dogs. Thankfully, this is one disease that is completely preventable. If your dog is already obese, it’s 100% treatable. A balanced diet and plenty of exercise will get your golden into fighting shape before too long. It might also prevent the onset of canine diabetes, joint problems and other weight-related issues.

Overall, this breed has one of the most agreeable dispositions you can find in a dog. Goldens are also gorgeous, friendly, obedient, loyal and loving. The downside, which pales in comparison to their wonderful attributes, is that this is a breed that sheds, needs a lot of exercise, and needs to be around people. If your home can handle the relatively minor considerations, the benefits you’ll reap from loving a golden retriever are immeasurable.


About The Author

David Beart is owner of the http://www.professorshouse.com Professors House, a site dedicated to family, relationships, http://www.professorshouse.com/pets/dogs/breeder/dog-breeders.aspx dog breeders, and household issues.