Best Dog Breeds - Getting The Best For Your Family

There are dozens of dog breeds to choose from when thinking of getting a family dog. But not every dog is suitable for every family and your purpose for the dog should be a leading factor for you to get the best breed. Different dog breeds behave differently too, making it even more important for you to approach the selection part of it with care to get the best for your family. Below are some considerations that will help you pick the best dog breeds.

Dog size

It is an important basic factor you should not forget when getting your dog. Size includes the weight and the height of the dog. Larger dog breeds might be very good for those with enough space whereas miniature dog breeds would be best for those in small apartments because they are smaller and require less space. Consider the age of your children when getting the dog so you don't end up with a breed that poses danger to small babies.

Dog Coat

The dog breeds have varying coats and if you have sensitive members in the family then this s a very important factor to consider. Longhaired dogs can prompt some allergies, but you can find breeds that shed less compared to others. Shedding can also interfere with how clean the house is so if you do not have time to keep up with all the vacuuming then you might want to consider a dog breed with less shedding. Generally, longer coated dogs shed more than those with shorter coats and wire sheds less than silky hair. Also important to remember is that the coat can play a role on the appearance of the dog with some people finding long coated dogs appealing and beautiful than those with short coats; it would be a matter of preference.

Dog family oriented nature

When looking through the dog breeds for your family, it is important to remember that some breeds are great with children and some are not as friendly. Labradors for instance, are naturally very good with small children while some Alaskan Malamutes are not as friendly and are better for the outdoors than the indoors. Your dog breeder can help you evaluate the best breeds for your family setting.

Dog activity level

A very important consideration to make because some breeds are active more than others and high energy breeds will require that you have enough space for them and might need regular exercise routines which include runs and walks. When getting a high energy breed, then you must at least have an energy outlet plan for it otherwise it might turn to be destructive around the home as a result of boredom. Working dogs are generally high energy dogs so go through the list or keep off the list depending on what activity level you are comfortable with.

Trainability and intelligence are the other helpful factors to consider when looking at dog breeds because different breeds come with different levels and training demands.

Credit: Jovia D'Souza

Tips on Entertaining Indoor Cats

Most cat lovers are advocates of interactive play with their pets. However, many of them cannot be around all the time. There are surefire ways to let your feline friends have fun, yet stay safe when you cannot be there to supervise them.

Adopt a Friend

Contrary to what other people say, cats are not loners. They are social animals that love to have a friend, especially when they are adopted with another as a youngster. Two cats can entertain one another when you are not present. They battle each other rather than focus on ripping your sofa.

Provide Cheap Pleasures

Cats don't care about the money you spend on them. They can find entertainment in an empty box or paper bag. When you leave a ping pong ball in an empty bathtub, they will enjoy patting their paw. The tub also prevents them from booting under the furniture. Go for lightweight toys that make noise and are easy to bat around. Adding cat trees or tunnels keep cats occupied and enrich the surroundings. Give fresh catnip so your cat will have an all-time high. They will doze it off and stay away from your breakables.

Provide her with Kitty TV

DVDs and kitty channels offer lots of visual entertainment to cats. However, many cats would rather watch something real. Place a bird bath and some feeders close to your cat's favorite lookout to have long hours of entertainment.

Different Kinds of Play

Social play is playing with other felines or humans. This could mean a tag game with siblings or grasping your toes. Kittens from 9 to 16 weeks of age are very active in social play, then this decreases afterward.

Object play is playing with toys. For cats, anything can be a toy, even the breakable fine china on your table. Their play behavior is stimulated by both sound and motion, and cats have the tendency to react eagerly to vertical movement to their line of vision.

Self-directed play is playing with themselves, like chasing their tail or pouncing on make-believe objects. This happens when they have no playmate, and as an alternative for social play.

Locomotory play is when the cat is simply in motion. This can include running solo and pouncing on make-believe targets, or involve others.

The bottom line is, cats play to have fun. It is normal for them to be serious about play time. Though some cats are more playful than others, all felines benefit from all the fun and play time in terms of physical and emotional well being. If you will travel, plan ahead and get special toys for your cat. This way, your kitty may even influence you to leave.

Credit: Tippfein Klaus