Strongpets Blog » Quiet Dogs

Bichon Frise

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:07:19 +0000

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a cute little “puffy” dog that is friendly and thrilled to be with family. This is a small but sturdy dog who can be taken on family trips, and will be sad if you leave him at home. The Bichon Frise is known as one of the semi hypo-allergenic dogs, and is a good choice for those with mild allergies that are being treated with antihistamines.

This dog is a friendly and fun dog to have around. The breed may be sad if left alone for long periods of time. The Bichon Frise is a good family dog and will love everyone in his “pack.” This dog is good with children, however may be jumpy as a young dog and therefore not great with small children. The Bichon Frise is fast, lively and energetic and loves to run in the yard and house.

You may find some of this breed may bark quickly at any sound, so be sure you know your dog before living in an apartment. Some are fine, and some may be a bit “barky.” This dog is intelligent and is often used in circus acts and other animal shows.

Training

The Bichon Frise is a very intelligent dog and can be trained to do tricks. Unfortunately, this breed is known as a dog that is very hard to housebreak, so plan to spend at least six months housetraining this breed. You may consider crate training the Bichon Frise when housebreaking.

Exercise

The Bichon Frise does not need hours of run time, but is very active and certainly needs to run around daily. This can be in the house, the backyard or on a walk. You will find the young Bichon Frise a bundle of happy energy.

Grooming

This breed has a curly outer coat and soft undercoat. The fur is known to be semi-hypollergenic. The Bichon Frise needs a good clipping about every few months. Brush to keep the fur from matting. This breed does not shed.

Health

The Bichon Frise is prone to skin problems, and can chew his skin enough to worsen a problem area. He may suffer from food, skin, environmental or flea allergies. This breed is also prone to eye problems, dislocated knee caps and epilepsy.

Whippet

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:44:43 +0000

Whippet

The Whippet is beautiful, regal and gentle. He loves to be with you, and is often called the “velcro dog.” This breed is incredibly affectionate, and wants to be with you all the time. This dog is good with children. If you have a cat, you probably should not introduce a whippet into the family unless it is a puppy. The Whippet is hard wired to chase (and kill) small animals, so watch for rabbits, mice, cats and other small creatures.

Although tall, this breed cannot be handled roughly. They are more delicate than most dogs, and do not have a lot of “padding” to protect them. These dogs will not do well in the cold, and are sensitive to both hot and cold conditions. The Whippet should wear a sweater in the cold, and should not be kept outside in the extreme old or heat for any reason. Due to the dogs “lack of padding,” your Whippet will want to be on your soft furniture. If you absolutely forbid this, you may want to choose a different breed of dog for your home.

Whippets were bred to chase small animals, and are incredibly fast. Be very careful on walks and be sure your whippet is secure. If you see something run by quickly, be ready to grab your Whippet. If the Whippet sees it before you, he will be gone in a flash and will not come back. You will never be able to chase him down, and he will not stop until he is very far away. You may wish to have your Whippet microchipped for this very reason. Your fence needs to be secure as well, since the Whippet has a strong urge to chase and can jump high easily.

Training

The Whippet is easy to train and wishes to please. He is smart and sensitive, so harsh training will not work. The Whippet needs loving, gentle training. Housetraining is fairly easy with the Whippet.

Exercise

The Whippet enjoys walks and running. He does not require huge amounts exercise, but should be able to run in a nice fenced yard every day. If your Whippet begins to run around inside the house, he is not getting enough exercise outside.

Grooming

This breed is easy to care for and is an average shedder.

Health

The Whippet is a healthy breed. Whippet’s may be prone to heart conditions. He may also require quick attention if he receives a cut, since his skin is tight and the rip may quickly spread. The Whippet is a sighthound and is extremely sensitive to medications and strong chemical smells. Be sure your veterinarian understands that your Whippet may need a smaller dosage of medications as well as anesthesia.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:43:13 +0000

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is most definitely a dog for the outdoors. This breed will not do well in an apartment or in a house without a yard to run in. They need to stay active, and if left alone with nothing to do, may be destructive. An owner of this dog should love the outdoors and love taking his dog out in it.

This breed is used in hunting and is an excellent duck retriever. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s coat has oil in it to repel water when he swims, which he loves to do. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is very strong willed and needs an owner who can train with a gentle firmness.

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can be territorial and may not be tolerant of other dogs. They can be jumpy for the first three or so years of their life, and are not good dogs to have around small children.

This is an intelligent dog that is tough as nails. He is happiest working, running, swimming and retrieving.

Training

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is stubborn and may be difficult to train. This dog requires a strong owner who knows how to train gently but firmly. This breed will be loyal to his owner.

Exercise

Chesapeake Bay Retrievers must be exercised every day. They will not do well in small spaces, and need a big

yard to run in. They love to swim and run, and if not exercised enough, may become destructive.

Grooming

This breed has a short coat that is easy to maintain. Do not over-bathe this dog, or the oil in his coat will be stripped. Check for ticks and fleas, as this dog should be outside a great deal.

Health

The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is susceptible to eye diseases and bone/joint problems, including hip dysplasia.

Borzoi

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:41:44 +0000

Borzoi

The Borzoi’s history is in hunting, due to his excellent agility and speed. He loves to play chasing games – so be careful before placing him in the house with a pet cat or other small animals. If introduced as a puppy, the Borzoi will do well with other animals. This breed is dignified, loyal and sensitive. He is good with children, but due to his size, be careful with him around smaller children.

Your Borzoi is best placed in a home with a large backyard to run in. He needs to run daily, and enjoys long walks with his owner. This dog is tall and agile and can jump a fence easily, so be sure your yard is secured with a nice sized fence. When walking your Borzoi, be sure you have a secure hold on him – if he sees something run by quickly, he may chase after it without worry for his own safety.

When your Borzoi is not running and playing in the backyard, he will be a happy couch potato, preferably on your couch or bed! He is calm and regal, enjoying a good romp with a comfy place to rest inside afterwards.

Training

The Borzoi will respond well to general obedience training, but should not be expected to go further than that. Your Borzoi is very smart, but may be a bit stubborn.

Exercise

The Borzoi breed needs daily running and exercise. They do not do as well in small places, and should be allowed to have plenty of exercise.

Grooming

This breed has a beautiful double hair coat and needs weekly brushing. Always check under the ears and fur for ticks.

Health

The Borzoi is prone to Gastric Torsion or “Bloat,” and can be sensitive to chemicals, harsh smells and flea medications.

Basenji

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:40:05 +0000

Basenji

Mention the word Basenji to his owner, and you may hear the phrase, “a real handful.” The Basenji is fairly small, has a beautiful coat, is quiet, elegant and does not smell “doggy” like some breeds do. Look at this description and then remember “handful,” which will tell you why this breed is not as common as the Golden Retriever.

The Basenji loves to be with “his people.” They are indeed affection to their owners. You will find this dog on your bed, your furniture, or wherever you are resting. Try to move him and his stubbornness will shine through.

The Basenji loves to be active, run and keep busy. A Basenji left alone can be extremely destructive. He will chew things, tear things up and do whatever he pleases to keep busy. If you open the door just a tad, he may race through to escape, so always be sure your Basenji is tagged or microchipped, “just in case.”

Be very careful researching this breed before you buy. There are many happy owners of this breed, however there are just the same amount that discuss destruction and the dog being strong-willed.

Training

The pug is stubborn, and may take up to six months to housetrain. You may also find him stubborn as you attempt to train him in other ways as well.

Exercise

Your Basenji must get daily exercise, and a lot of it. Keep him busy, exercised and stimulated for a happy and less destructive dog.

Grooming

This dog has a soft, beautiful coat that requires very little grooming.

Health

Prone to kidney disease, IPSID disease, anemia, hypothyroidism, PPM, Coloboma, PRA, umbilical hernia and hip dysplasia,