Charles Kassotis's Articles in Pets and Animals

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The Akita – National Monument of Japan Akita Inu is the largest of the Spitz-type dogs that originated from Japan. It is known in Japan as a national monument, symbolizing health and well being. Akita is an excellent breed to include as a loyal and loving family member. Border Collies – From Work to Play Border Collies are among the older working breeds, probably descended from several herding breeds. This dog has an incredible way of herding, by standing still in front of the animal, somewhat, hypnotizing it. These dogs are intelligent and are always in need of a new challenge or task. The Lessons We Learn From Pets Pets can be great companions, but they’re also a source of inspiration and knowledge. Even adults can learn some valuable lessons from the experience of having a pet. The Afghan Hound – Centuries of Perfection The Afghan Hound dates back some 4,000 years. Recently popularized as a show dog due to its silky hair and slender body, the Afghan Hound started out as a hunting and herding dog… The Doberman Pinscher – A Relatively New Breed A well socialized Doberman Pinscher can be the perfect family pet or an excellent therapy dog for nursing home patients. Newfoundland and Loyalty – High Praises All Around When describing their mannerism, temperament and natural qualities a Newfoundland runs the gamut of high praises. This is a breed of dog that takes loyalty to a new place. Terriers – Tenacity, Personality and Loyalty The Terriers are a group of dogs with dozens of individual entrants. Most of these dogs have some common traits, including the fact that they’re almost always tenacious at whatever task life has handed them. The Chihuahua – More than a Little Yapper The Chihuahua has a bad reputation for being a nervous little dog, but there’s no doubt that the Chihuahua can make a great family pet. The key is early training and socialization. Husky - A Strong Working Dog For All Extremes Husky dogs are strong with compact bodies that are made for working, even in the harsh northern extremes. The Husky is also a very easygoing companion and many families have welcomed these dogs into their homes with great reward. The Miniature Schnauzer – He’s Looking at You There’s no escaping the look of sheer questioning in the eyes of almost all Miniature Schnauzers. The eyes of those dogs will always make you wonder what’s going on in that intelligent brain. The German Shepherd – A Four-Legged Challenger The German Shepherd is a very intelligent dog, always up for something new. These dogs tend to learn quickly and really need to be challenged on a regular basis. The Poodle – The Brainiac of the Canines The Poodle is said to be one of the smartest members of the canine world. There’s no doubt that these dogs will go out of their way to get their way, attract your attention or accomplish any other feat they have on their minds. The Long, Low Basset Hound The Basset Hound’s most noticeable features include the long ears, drooping forehead and short legs. These dogs are excellent at smelling, partly due to their noses but also because of their ears. It was originally bred as a hunter, but has risen in popularity as a family pet and canine pal, as the epitome of the loyal friend. The Mixed Breeds – More than Mutts Many of the world’s best pets, most loved companions and smartest dogs are mixed breeds, or "Muts". But think about it, all of today’s most popular breeds were at one time unrecognized. Today’s mixed breeds may very well appear in tomorrow’s dog shows. The Sleek Greyhound – Loves to Run The sleek, agile body of the Greyhound looks like it’s just made for running. They’re considered to be the fastest breed in existence and they are excellent hunters too. They are also extremely loyal and loving animals, and great family pets. The True Temperament of the Rottweiler Rottweilers are agile, smart dogs, with several capacities. They can be used as guard and watch dogs, they can be trained to herd, hunt or perform in obedience trails. They can be used in the police, military and rescue work, or make great companion and family pets. Shar Pei – The Chinese Wrinkle Dog The Shar Pei is commonly known as the Chinese Wrinkle Dog. If you have a sufficiently strong will to not allow this wrinkled dog to walk all over you, you may very well find that it makes an excellent companion. The Brittany Spaniel – Equally at Home on Hearth or Field The Brittany Spaniel is one of the most popular birding dogs, but has also become a very popular family pet. Coonhound – What Kind is Yours? Coonhound is typically a very generic term used to describe any of several breeds that are used in hunting raccoons. Black and Tans, Blueticks, Redbones and Walkers are the most common breeds included in the Coonhound category. The Irish Wolfhound – A Big Dog with a Bigger Heart The Irish Wolfhound is the tallest breed of dog in existence. Though it is a very big and strong animal, it needs to be handled carefully as it is somewhat, sensitive and clumsy! The Bulldog – Bred for Tenacity in the Ring The Bulldog retains characteristics that made the Bulldog of centuries ago a formidable opponent, but has a grace and charm that’s made him a popular choice for owners, showmen, breeders and families everywhere. The Great Dane – A Gentle Giant Among Canines Great Dane’s are giant dogs! But luck has it, their docile and easygoing nature overrides the difficulty you may encounter when training a Great Dane. The American Foxhound - Beauty and Stamina - Foxes Beware! The American Foxhound, a close cousin to the English Foxhound, has been bred to enhance certain traits, like sense of smell and speed. Although they make great family pets, the majority of these canines are still used for hunting and field competitions. The Redheads of the Dog World –The Irish Setter The wonderful, deep red coloring of the Irish Setter is one of the most notable features of this breed. They are intelligent, energetic, agile dogs, ready to pick up new games, play, and please. Saint Bernard - More Than a Carrier of Brandy Kegs The Saint Bernard dog is one of the largest breeds of dog available. As dog breeds go there is none more loyal and humanly compassionate than the Saint Bernard. The Schipperke – The “Little Skipper” of Canines The Schipperke was originally bred by a canal boat captain in an effort to create a dog that would do well aboard a boat. In Flemish, Schipperke literally means “Little Skipper” because of this dog’s use aboard the canal boats. The Rhodesian Ridgeback – A Hound Among Hounds Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred primarily for hunting and they continue to be extremely able in that arena. They also have great stamina so they make good companion dogs for people with plenty of acreage to roam. The Australian Cattle Dog – Otherwise Known as the Heeler Many people know the Australian Cattle Dog as the Heeler.The word “heeler” describes this dog’s tendency to run behind the animals being herded, in an effort to send them in a desired direction. It is trully an intelligent breed that loves to work. Dachshunds – Low-Slung Sportsters of the Canine World Dachshunds were bred specifically for hunting badgers. The tenacity of the Dachshunds makes them less than ideal for some owners. These dogs will try to be masters of their universe, limited though it might be. But if you’re up for a challenge, consider the low-slung Dachshund. The Cocker Spaniel – The Dog with a Perm The Cocker Spaniel is most often used today as a show dog or companion dog, but this hasn’t always been the case. These dogs were bred as hunting dogs. Though Cocker Spaniels aren’t recognized as the smartest of the canines, their intensity and determination to please make them better-than-average family pets. The Alaskan Malamute The Alaskan Malamute, descended from the wolf, is in fact, a very calm, good-natured dog. It is also a strong dog with a heavy coat, excellent for work and companionship. The Toy Fox Terrier – Waiting for Recognition The Toy Fox Terrier is directly descended from the Smooth Fox Terrier and has long awaited official recognition from some canine organizations. The Smooth Fox Terrier was likely created as a cross between several breeds, including the Dachshund. Later, selective breeding and crossing with some other very small breeds led to the establishment of the Toy Fox Terrier as a separate breed. Why Fish Make Great First Pets Getting a child her or his first pet is much easier when that pet is a fish. The Shetland Sheepdog – When Only a Sheltie Will Do The Shetland Sheepdog has often been described as a “miniature Lassie.” The selective breeding of these dogs included the quest for plenty of stamina. These dogs were probably used for herding small animals for many centuries. This history and breeding makes them ideal for obedience, agility and field competitions today, though they have not been completely eliminated as working dogs. Dalmatians – Great Dogs, Even in Numbers Less than 101 It was the movie that made Dalmatians an instant success as companion dogs and family pets. Treated well and properly trained, Dalmatians can be every bit the wonderful companion depicted on the big screen. Norwegian Elkhounds – More Than Big Game Hunters Norwegian Elkhounds are a very old breed of dog and were bred to do exactly what their name implies. These dogs were meant to be hunters. Today, Norwegian Elkhounds make good companions but are still used as working dogs, either for hunting or pulling sleds. The Sweetheart of the Hounds – The Beagle There’s no doubt that a Beagle is coveted because of his hunting ability, but the sweet disposition of these dogs also makes them a favorite when hunting isn’t a top priority. The Bichon Frise – The Cotton Ball of Canines The Bichon Frise is a small, solid white dog with the curly hair typical of a poodle. These little guys are appealing for many reasons, including the fact that they just look so cuddly. The Bernese Mountain Dog – From Near Extinction to Your Home The Bernese Mountain Dog originated in the Swiss Mountains and is named for the Berne canton of Switzerland where the breed was once very common. It is a working dog used for a variety of chores,a strong, intelligent, obedient and loyal member of the canine family. The Samoyed – The People, The Dogs The Samoyed is both a breed of dogs and a tribe of people. These Siberian people required a dog that could survive the harsh conditions and the dog breed that was developed fit those needs. Bloodhound – More Than a Trail Dog The Bloodhound is known for several things – the incredible sense of smell, the baying bark, and its soulful features. The English Setter – A Large, Friendly Setter The early English Setters were bred for their hunting ability. English Setters today are still used for hunting purposes, but the breed is also firmly ensconced in both the household as a family pet and the show ring. Chow Chows – The “Stuff” From the East Chow Chow is an ancient breed, with their most notable feature being their blue tongue. Chow Chows are obstinate and it takes consistent raining to accomplish obedience. They are very intelligent, but tend to want to understand why they’re being asked to perform a specific task before they’re willing to comply. The Golden Retriever – All-Around Companion, Helper and Friend The Golden Retriever is a versatile dog, eager to be in the water to hunt or play but equally a home curled up for an afternoon nap with family. The Pug – Ready to Face the World The face of the Pug is arguably this dog’s most noticeable feature. There’s no doubt that the wrinkles add a dimension of character, but these little dogs have tons of personality. The Mastiff – Large but Lovable Mastiff’s are definitely a breed all their own. As one of the largest canine breeds available it will pay well to truly read about and discover their quirks and temperament before going head long into purchasing one. Maltese-Cuddly, Loving Dogs It could be the silky coat that makes so many people long to cuddle these dogs, and it’s true that the Maltese overall is a very loving dog. They do well as companion dogs, content to spend many hours with their people. The Yorkshire Terrier – The Big Dog in a Tiny Body It seems likely that selective breeding resulted in the small size of the Yorkshire Terrier, but those dogs never act "small". Indeed, the Yorkshire Terrier is a brave soul, always up for the next adventure. The Silver Miniature Poodle – The “Gold” of the Poodle World If you’re looking for a beautiful dog with incredible intelligence, you need look no further than the Silver Miniature Poodle. What’s all the Fuss about the Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever is among the most popular dogs in the United States and is well-known throughout the world. There are plenty of reasons so many people seek out the Labrador Retriever as their pet, companion, hunting partner and best friend. Fishing for a New Aquarium? Here are some things you should know about getting and caring for a fish aquarium for your home or office.

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