English Setter
History and origin: Assumed to have been evolved from spaniels, the English Setter was first seen in 16th century England and was perfected as a hunting dog in the 19th century. In purpose they are nearly the same to the Pointer. The main difference is the longer coat, which allows them to hunt in colder climate and gives them extra protection against serious undergrowth.
Description: The English Setter stands 22 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 50 and 70 pounds. The shedding fur is of medium length, flat and a little curly. Each day combing and brushing is essential to maintain the coat in fine condition. The silky hair below the ears should be removed, as well as hair beneath the throat and under the ear down to the breast bone. The background color is usually white, with intermingled black, lemon, tan, or liver spotting.
About the breed: English Setters are kind, gorgeous, dogs that make for a superb companion and a trustworthy gundog. They are very lively dogs that requires habitual exercise and should be specified a task such as hunting or agility labor. Their scenting capability is a great diversion to them. They can be fairly stubborn and ambitious because of their strong hunting nature. This will make the recall command a hard one to teach. English Setters are regularly quite good with kids and are normally friendly to strangers after an early stage of investigation. They make first-rate jogging partners, given their flexible, sporty build. Early obedience training and socialization are important. They love the company of humans and can be unpleasant barkers if left alone for long periods.
Feeding: Suggested feeding for the English Setter is 1
Bulldog
History and origin: Bulldogs were first used in England throughout the Middle Ages as baiters and fighters of bulls. They were initially bred to have courage and stubbornness similar to the Mastiff. These first dogs were very hostile. It was not until the 19th century that the present friendly nature was achieved.
Description: The Bulldog stands 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 40 and 60 pounds. He has a solid, powerful body, a very blunt muzzle, a definite under-bite, and a short, smooth shedding hair that requires habitual brushing with a rather stiff brush. The color may be brindle, white, fawn, red, or patched.
About the breed: The Bulldog is a brave, smart, sweet, stubborn, very strong dog that is full with athletic interest. Regardless of his ferocious look, this breed has a passive temperament. He is very personable and loving, but since of his power and eagerness, he is not always the best selection for the elderly or the disabled. Although usually not aggressive, he may oppose training since he has a stubborn streak left over from his bull-fighting days. The Bulldog needs training from early on, mainly in learning not to pull on the leash, not to jump up on people, and in general to control his enthusiasm. He is a fast-learner and loves taking part in games. He loves kids and gets along well with strangers; just make sure he does not get overenthusiastic and knock your friends or your kids with his bowling-ball body. Training should begin form puppy hood and should be firm and constant. You must achieve enough control of this excited, dominant, stubborn breed early in life. The Bulldog is vulnerable to respiratory problems. He will snort and sneeze, spewing out unwanted secretions, frequently while licking your face. The Bulldog also snores. In addition, the deep wrinkles on his face and forehead tend to get dirty if not cleaned and powdered with cornstarch once a day. Some Bulldogs may require eyelid surgery if a situation known as entropion sets in, causing the eyelids to turn in so that the eyelashes wipe against the cornea. This breed is also aware to extremes in temperature and can easily become overheated. Lastly, because of his weighty frame, the Bulldog can increase structural problems and arthritis later in life. Do not take this dog jogging or let him catch overweight.
Feeding: Suggested feeding for this breed is 1 can (13.3oz) of high quality meaty product with biscuit added. 1 teaspoon of cod liver oil every day is suggested in winter.
Ideal home: An apartment is fine provided this breed is exercised frequently. The owner of a Bulldog should be an energetic, proficient leader who needs a sweet, friendly, strong dog that is good with family and friends. Children are fine as long as no roughhousing is permitted. The elderly and the disabled may have difficulty dealing with this breed’s high level of interest; the Bulldog can be a very physical animal and, in his excitement to play, may knock his owner down and cause a damage. Time to train, work out, and socialize this breed is important.
Pointer
History and origin: The Pointer was first developed in northern Europe and Spain in the 16th century. This breed came into his own with the purpose of firearms for bird hunting, someplace around the 18th century. The Pointer is an outstanding hunter. He is famed for his typical pose of “pointing” with his nose and tail in the route of the game that has been shot. Even young pointer pups will point when they sense a prey, a talent that is natural rather than learned.
Description: Pointers stand roughly 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds. They are extremely high energy dogs, with a lean, strong build and a low-maintenance short, shedding coat that wants brushing on a regular basis. Because of this short coat, they do not do well when left outside in freezing climates. The color may be white with liver patches, solid black, or solid liver.
About the breed: This is an obedient, sociable, high-strung breed who is easily trained, an outstanding gundog, a victorious showdog, and a famous house pet. Pointers are bred to have great stamina and to focus on their task with the willpower of a scent hound. When they pick up a smell, they will totally ignore everything else, including you. Forget about getting them to come to you until they have finished their mission. They are not very bright, but they are determined. Because of their power and their slim, well-built build, Pointers can make great jogging partners. They are frequently friendly with strangers and reliable with kids, even though in their enthusiasm to play they can knock small children down. They also get along pretty well with other dogs.
Feeding: Suggested feeding for the Pointer is 1
Old English Sheepdog
History and origin: Also identified as the Bobtail, the Old English Sheepdog was developed in England in the 19th century. This breed served as a guard and a cattle dog. These days, he is kept mostly as a favorite pet and friend.
Description: The Old English Sheepdog stands 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 60 and 90 pounds. He has a strong, wide body, a huge head, a docked tail, and an abundant shaggy, curly shedding coat with a softer undercoat. This coat, which is the most unique feature of the breed, requires every day brushing and weekly combing with a steel comb to avoid mats. He is absorbent and should be reserved dry to avoid odors. A shorter clip helps decrease grooming maintenance. The color may be gray or blue, often with white markings.
About the breed: The Old English Sheepdog is a very lovely breed. He is smart, home-loving, and gets along well with kids as long as there is no teasing or roughhousing. Loving with his family, he is doubtful of strangers and can be fairly moody at times. The Old English Sheepdog is less active than other herders. He is a stubborn breed and can be passive-resistant. The training method should be constant, specific, and never overbearing. A trainer who is too insensitive could cause nervousness and fear-aggression in this breed. Socialization must start early and will help boost the dog’s confidence. Spoiling may lower his self-confidence and support obnoxious, nippy manners. The Old English Sheepdog may show dog-aggression and may want to pursue cars, bikes, or joggers. He is not appropriate for cramped residence and will bark and turn into destructive if left unaccompanied for long periods. Although not very energetic, he does need daily work out in order for him to stay fit.
Feeding: Suggested feeding for the Old English Sheepdog is 1
Why Pick A Large Breed For Your Family Dog?
Why do you desire a dog that stands 25 or more inches tall, and may ultimately weigh more than 100 pounds? Is the dog’s future role in your family that of a worker, a companion and friend, or is he to be relegated to status icon? Does your neighbor have a loud little terrier that you hate and want to control in every way? These questions sound bizarre but many a giant-puppy shopper automatically discovers such motives lurking behind the wish to own a large dog. Do you think that owning a large dog will generate a safe zone around you and your belongings?
Rarely, an individual obtains a large-breed puppy based on size or look without any consideration to the breed’s natural characteristics. For example, a Bloodhound or Black and Tan Coonhound may be purchased only on the qualities of his long velvety ears, wrinkly skin, laid-back character, and sad eyes. These breeds are great when used for scenting and trailing game. For years they have been selectively bred to be better trail hounds, with extraordinary senses of smell. Nevertheless, such a dog wants the place and time to chase those skills. You do not have to go into hunting or scent trial competition to keep these hounds pleased but they should be specified the chance to follow their noses on a regular basis.
Just like any other pets, large dogs have personalities that have to fit with yours. They have demands that should be met. They can be expensive to care for and need a great assurance from their owners. You should continue with selection simply after you have determined that your reasons for owning a large dog are suitable and logical. If you love dogs, desire to share your life with a dog, can economically afford to purchase and keep a canine pet, and do not value moderate-sized or little dog breeds because of habits or personalities, then you are perhaps a candidate for big dog ownership. Having understood all of then, If you have presented time to care for, train, socialize, and train your big dog, then you may carry on with the selection procedure.