Sunday, August 5, 2012
American Bully
In most movies, Pitbulls have always been portrayed as the strong, aggressive dog that chases the good guy. But in real life, many people keep these dogs as family pets and guard dogs. In recent years, the common Pitbull has been interbred with a few different dog breeds to create a new type of dog called the American Bully.
Bullies have very well defined, straight legs that are muscular and powerful. They have high set ears, which are usually cropped, and a broad shoulder. They are short, like Bulldogs, and have big heads like Pitbulls. Their neck is strong and thick, tapering from their shoulders to their heads, with no saggy skin. Jaws are well defined and square, with a scissor or even bite. Tails are usually undocked, medium length and a small curl. Corkscrew and curly tails are flaws. The American Bully has short and smooth coat, which comes in different colors, from blue to spotted black and fawn.
According to most American Bully owners and breeders, dog aggression and gameness is very minimal, contrary to what the media and Hollywood would have you believe. While these dogs are said to have good temperament, there have been known attacks by these dogs. Proper handling, training and socialization is imperative to ensure your Bully is friendly around other people and animals.
American Bully Video
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Common Nerve Disorders Amongst Dogs
In humans and animals, nerves control all body movement. Any disorder that affects the nervous system is bound to cause mobility problems. In many cases, the normal function of that body part will never get back to normal. Dogs are also affected with nerve disorders, especially if they are already in their senior years. Below are some common nerve disorders amongst dogs that you should know about.
This illness is caused by damage or an injury caused by outside sources. Nerves that are spread all though-out the body, controlling the different systems and sending back responses to external and internal stimuli, become weakened as a result of the problem. Loss of consciousness, instability, and spatial disorientation are also other symptoms. This could be caused by toxins, infections, immune or metabolic diseases, and even certain medications that are used to treat cancer.
Radial Nerve Paralysis
Radial nerve paralysis is by far one of the most common nerve problems experienced by dogs. When the dog has this, they have a very hard time using their front legs, resulting with them dragging their paws while walking and damaging their nails. This is usually caused by an injury or excessive stretching. The dog will need some form of therapy and rehabilitation to be able to walk properly again.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Genetics plays a vital roles in this illness. Degenerative myelopathy or DM in dogs, is an illness that affects the dog’s spine and nerves. It usually first affects the dog’s hind legs, causing it drag them while walking. The dog will also shake and lose balance because of the loss of control. The illness will progress and begin to affect the dog’s body, moving up to its torso, front legs, and then their head. DM in dogs eventually results in full body paralysis and manifests in dogs that are in their older years.
Neuromuscular Disorder
With neuromuscular disorders, illnesses such as diabetes, Cushing’s disease, botulism, Addison’s disease, cancer, and tetanus could affect the dog’s neuromuscular system. These disorders could cause swelling of the nerves, leaving the dog in pain. They may also have a hard time when exercising, eating, and even supporting their own weight.
Axonotmesis
This is when nerve fibers rupture due to prolonged pressure, crushing and pinching. It normally takes the dog about a few weeks to a few months to recover from the damage. Depending on how damaged the body part is, the dog may not regain full ability and control of that part of the body.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is the epitome of a great family dog. Friendly, open, and eager to please its owners, the Cane Corso is prized in its homeland of Italy for its territorial nature, loyalty, and intelligence. Indeed, the Cane Corso is a excellent guard dog, rarely wandering away from its home and having a good ability to restrain itself—a crucial trait if you have kids around. The Cane Corso is also a great dog for apartments as it’s not the type to bark excessively, instead choosing to stay quiet and calm.
Still, the breed comes with some important factors to consider. Despite having an average lifespan of 10 years, the Cane Corso is prone to health problems like hip dysplasia and cherry eye, a kind of eyelid problem. These dogs are also known for being prone to bloat, so be sure to feed your dog small meals spread throughout the day. On the plus side, Cane Corsos are easy to groom, needing just the occasional brushing.
The Cane Corso’s origins are steeped in history. A descendant of Canis Pugnax, or dogs used in Roman warfare, the Cane Corso gets its name for the old term cane da corso, which refers to the old catch dogs used in activities like herding, boar hunting, and bear fighting. Over the years, the dog has been bred to be smaller than its great ancestors, but still keeping its watchdog instincts.
If you’re thinking of betting a Cane Corso, you have to be ready to spend plenty of time with your dog, even when it’s still a young pup. Cane Corsos need to be trained from a young age, since their stubborn nature will be a source of frustration if they’re not trained properly.
Cane Corso Video
Friday, August 3, 2012
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