Dachshund

Dachshund

Breed Group : Hound

Color :

Solid red, sable, or cream; black and tan, chocolate and tan, wild boar and tan, gray and tan, or fawn and tan, brindle

Coat :

The Dachshund comes in three different varieties. The Smooth Haired Dachshund, Wirehaired Dachshund, and the Longhaired Dachshund. He also comes in two different sizes being standard and miniature. The Longhaired Dachshund has a long and straight coat, with hair slightly feathered and longer on the underbelly, ears, chest, and legs. The Smooth Coat has a straight, smooth, short, and glossy coat that should all be of equal length along the body of the dog. The Wirehaired has a coat of broken appearance with wiry, coarse, and harsh hair.

Overview :

The Dachshund was originally developed in German hundreds of years ago. They were originally bred for hunting Badger, hence the name Dachshund. "Dachs" is the German word for Bader. The elongated body and the shortened legs were bred into this dog to dig the prey out and go inside their burrows forcing them to leave their dens. The Miniature variety was bred to hunt hare and stoat. This breed has also been known to hunt foxes and otters along with the badger.

Character :

Dachshunds are a very clownish breed and can be very mischievous at times. A very intuitive dog, the Dachshund is now most commonly seen as a companion rather than a hunter. This breed loves to be around people and should never exhibit signs of aggression or timidity. The Dachshund is an all around friendly dog, is very outgoing, and is sure to steal the hearts of everyone he meets.

Temperament :

The Dachshund is a fun loving dog, tenacious, and lively, but can become jealous and be very irritable. This breed does not do well with smaller children, but can do very well with older and more considerate children. Due to his small size and tiny legs, this breed should not be placed in a home with larger dogs unless they were raised around each other. The Dachshund has the tendency to become jealous, however can do very well with many other toy breeds in the home providing they are not snippy.

Care :

The Long Haired variety requires quite a bit of grooming. Being that this dog is so low to the ground, he is prone to getting burrs, sticks, and twigs stuck in his coat which should be removed daily if any are present. Brushing of the coat should be done on a regular basis to prevent tangling and/or matting. The Smooth Haired variety doesn't require much grooming and would respond well to an occasional wipe down with a damp towel, or a harsh towel to remove any dead or loose hair.

Training :

The Dachshund can be stubborn at times, making training a little bit difficult for the average owner. This breed requires firm and consistent handling, but can be a little sensitive so he should always be corrected in a gentle manner, never harsh or this breed could become submissive and timid. Dachshunds respond best to a variety of training methods.

Activity :

The Dachshund can be lively and vivacous, however he does not need much exercise. A short walk per day would suffice for this short-bodied breed. The Dachshund tends to tire out easily so any exercise provided should be given at different times rather than one long walk. This breed is prone to back problems so high jumping and/or running should never be allowed.

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Wingcent Ning

wingcent@singnet.com.sg

WingcentDotDreams.com

Singapore

Chihuahua

Chihuahua

Breed Group : Toy

Color : Any

Coat :
The Chihuahua coat comes in two varieties: The Smooth and Long coat. The Smooth coat has a glossy, soft, and close coat which is full textured over the entire body, but quite scanty on the head and ears. The Long coat has a soft, longer coat that can be slightly curly or flat. This variety does have an under-coat. Either coat type comes in a variety of colors such as fawn, brown, black, and white. The coat may be solid in color, marked with splashes of color, or tri-color. They are an average shedder.

Overview :
The Chihuahua is the smallest of all breeds and has the distinction of being the oldest breed in America. They were named after the Chihuahua region in Mexico. It is believed that this breed descended from ancient breed that was larger in size and highly prized by Aztec royalty. The Chihuahua of today has a very fine bone structure, but are actually quite muscular.

Character :
The Chihuahua is a very individualistic breed. They each have their own unique personality, so only a few generalizations can be made. They are commonly referred to as a "Chi". They are energetic, graceful, and display a human-like expression. Their life span is the longest of any size dog.

Temperament :
The Chihuahua is deeply devoted and fiercely loyal. They typically become extremely attached to one or two people. They are bold, fearless, and highly protective of their masters. They thrive on inordinate amounts of attention. The Chihuahua is by nature gentle, loving, and sweet-tempered. They are wary of strangers and make excellent watchdogs. This breed is not well suited for children or other pets. However, they are sociable with their own kind. Chihuahuas are excellent companions in the right circumstances.

Care :
The Chihuahua requires minimal grooming. The Smooth coat variety requires only occasional brushing. The Long coat variety should be brushed several times a week with a soft bristle brush. Both varieties only need bathing once a month using a mild shampoo. Special care must be given to not get water into their ears as they are prone to ear infections. Dental hygiene is a must to prevent tooth loss. The health issues that affect this breed include slipped stifles, open font or soft spot, eye problems, and heart disease. The Chihuahua does not tolerate cold climates and must be protected when taken outside.

Training :
The Chihuahua can be difficult to train, but with patience, love, and consistency do well. They respond best to positive reinforcement. Chihuahuas can be housetrained by either the crate method or the paper training method. Early, extensive, and intensive socialization is an absolute must for this breed.

Activity :
The Chihuahua is an excellent apartment or condominium dweller. The majority of their exercise needs can be met indoors with toys or play sessions. However, they greatly enjoy going with their owners and benefit from daily walks. Using a harness is recommended instead of a leash is best given their delicate neck and bone structure.

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Wingcent Ning
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
WingcentDotDreams.com
Singapore

Bulldog

Bulldog

Breed Group : Non-Sporting

Color :
Brindle, solid white, red, or fawn, or any of these on a white background

Coat :
The coat of the Bulldog is close, straight, short, glossy, and smooth. It is of fine texture and there is no feathering, fringe, or curl. The color of the coat comes in red brindle, solid white, solid red, fawn, or fallow, piebald, and various colors of brindle. This breed is an average shedder.

Overview :
Descended from the Asiatic mastiff, the Bulldog was developed in Great Britain. Their primary function was that of a participant in the blood sport of bull baiting. They were also used against bears, other vicious carnivores, and lions. During the 19th century purebred Bulldogs were very rare due to the enactment of the anti-baiting laws. Today the Bulldog is a family companion and show dog.

Character :
The Bulldog is moderate in size, heavy, and built low to the ground. They are strong, kind, amiable, and courageous. This breed is not vicious or aggressive and is quite dignified. They possess a passive demeanor and have a quirky sense of humor.


Temperament :
This breed is loyal, exceedingly affectionate, and deeply devoted to their family. The Bulldog is dependable, gentle, and does well in a home with children. They will get along with other pets they have been raised with but may be rude and try to bully strange dogs. They thrive on human attention and are dependent upon it for their happiness and well-being. The Bulldog has excellent guarding abilities but will only bark when absolutely necessary. This breed is very possessive of food and should never be fed in the presence of children or pets.

Care :
The Bulldog needs occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush. Bathing or dry shampooing should only be done when necessary. This breed has a tendency to slobber and drool so daily cleaning of the face is a must. They are prone to such health issues as breathing problems, low tolerance to anesthesia, poor eyesight, skin infections, and hip and knee problems. Nearly all Bulldogs must be born by Caesarean section due to their large heads. They are adverse to weather extremes and are highly susceptible to heat stroke. This breed is also well known for their active gastrointestinal system.

Training :
Early socialization and obedience are a must for the Bulldog. They have a tendency to be hardheaded and stubborn. It is important that they be taught to know their owner is dominant. They do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with firmness, fairness, patience, consistency, praise, and reward.

Activity :
The Bulldog must have daily exercise to stay fit. A securely leashed walk will suffice. They also benefit from and enjoy short family play sessions. This breed is well suited for apartment, condominium, and city dwelling. Bulldogs are very inactive indoors and do not need a yard.

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Wingcent Ning
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
WingcentDotDreams.com
Singapore

Boxer

Boxer

Breed Group : Working

Color :
Fawn and brindle, both with or without white flashing and black mask

Coat :
The Boxer has a shorthaired coat, which is shiny, smooth, and fits tightly to the body. The coat comes in such colors as fawn, red, and brindle, with "flashings" of white on their underbelly, chest, and all four feet. In some cases the "flashing" will appear on their face. The Boxer is an average shedder that sheds year round.

Overview :
The Boxer originated in Germany in the late 19th century. This breed's name was supposedly derived from the "boxing" motion they made with their front paws. Boxers are stocky and medium in size with strong jaws and a powerful bite. They are widely used in search and rescue, police work, and military work.

Character :
Boxers are lively, strong, and extremely loyal. They have an exceedingly high energy level. They carry themselves with pride, but are never arrogant. They have a stoic stance, and are intelligent, loving, delightful companions.

Temperament :
The Boxer is patient, dignified, and self-assured. They exhibit curiosity, but are wary of strangers. This breed is fearless and courageous if threatened. They are keenly alert and have a heightened sense of hearing, which make them excellent guard dogs. The Boxer adores children and other pets they have been raised with. They have an inordinate need for human companionship and do not like to be alone for extended periods of time. They are not well suited for a two career family. Insufficient attention may lead them into "bad" behavior in an attempt to be noticed.

Care :
The Boxers tight, short coat requires minimal grooming. Occasional brushing with a firm bristle brush is recommended. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary to ensure the essential oils are not stripped from their skin. The Boxer is typically clean and will groom themselves. This breed has some major health concerns such as cardiomyopathy, sub-aortic stenosis, and hip dysplasia. They may also be prone to tumors, epilepsy, allergies, and skin problems. A proper diet is absolutely essential due to their sensitive stomach and tendency toward excessive flatulence. The Boxer is an indoor pet as their short coat cannot protect them from cold climates.

Training :
The Boxer is clever and quick to learn. Obedience training is essential. They require a dominant owner capable of controlling them. They do not respond well to harsh treatment. Training must consist of fairness, firmness, and consistency. Boxers do well in competitive obedience and love to learn and perform tricks.

Activity :
The Boxer enjoys regular play and outdoor exercise. They thrive on playing with their family and do best with a medium sized fenced yard. It is important to keep them stimulated and occupied indoors to prevent destruction brought about by boredom. The Boxer will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently and regularly exercised.

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Wingcent Ning
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
WingcentDotDreams.com
Singapore

Beagle

Beagle

Breed Group : Hounds

Color :
Any true hound color ( tricolor )

Coat :
The Beagle has a hound type coat of medium length making grooming relatively easy for this breed. The hair should lie close to the body of the dog and should be hard, never soft or silky. The Beagle looks like a small English Foxhound. Beagles have a very sleek and shorthaired coat.

Overview :
The Beagle was originally bred for hunting purposes and does remarkably well. Being a scent hound, this breed has the tendency to follow his nose and ignore anything and everything so obedience training at an early age is a must. The Beagle originated as a cross between the Harrier and many other hounds in England. This breed does best when hunting hare, pheasant, or quail.

Character :
The Beagle is full of energy and does great in a family environment. They are very lively, active, and high energy making a wonderful childs companion given the proper socialization. This breed is alert and of even temperament and should never show signs of aggression or timidity. The Beagle can be very mischievous and very bold at times so proper precautions must be taken when training and/or socializing this fun loving breed.

Temperament :
The Beagle is an all around happy dog that makes a wonderful companion for many different families. This breed adapts to many different environments and lifestyles, if not all. The Beagle is very eager to please, and is very intelligent however training must be consistent as this breed tends to lose interest and focus on something that catches his attention. This breed does extremely well with children, and can do exceptionally well with other pets if socialized properly.

Care :
Beagles should require daily brushing to remove any dead or loose hair. A wipe down with a damp towel should suffice for the bathing aspect, however a rubber, wire, or hard bristled brush would work best for the brushing aspect. The ears of this breed should be cleaned on a regular basis, as this breed is prone to painful ears or ear infections. The nails of the Beagle should also be trimmed. This breed is an average shedder, which can be controlled with regular combing.

Training :
The Beagle is very intelligent and very eager to please making him a wonderful student to work with. However, they do tend to lose interest fairly quickly as they are bound to pick up a scent and follow it. This is when obedience training definitely comes in handy. If properly trained, the Beagle should listen however, if not trained properly, ignoring is a big problem. Consistency and firm yet gentle handling is a must if this breed is to excel as they so desperately want to.

Activity :
The Beagle is fairly active and loves long and vigorous walks, as they are the outdoorsy type. Considering they have a very strong hunting instinct, this breed should always be kept on a leash or in a fenced in yard as he is bound to run off if something catches his interest. Two long daily walks are recommended, as this breed seems to have great stamina and be somewhat tireless. The Beagle responds best in a home with a large yard.

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Wingcent Ning
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
WingcentDotDreams.com
Singapore

Special Gift Idea - Your Very Own Ant Farm !

Special Gift Idea - Your Very Own Ant Farm !

What : A hobby popular in Europe, Japan and US. The breeding & keeping of ants.

Many people consider the ant - a pest before thinking of them - as pets. Ants are a big part of ecology and anyone wanting to take the time to build an ant farm soon realizes the socialization of these insects and the role they play.

Ant Workshop determines to help more people understand the importance of how such small creatures can play a big part in many of the world’s ecosystems. With a variety of products such as their newly created and innovative Ant Legend and Ant Dreamworks, they plan to educate both kids and adults about the lifestyles of these small creatures that stealthily but surely form a marvelous insect world.

For an affordable price, Ant Workshop will allow people of all ages to improve their concentration and observation skills, cultivating and developing a healthy interest not only in insects but also the many other parts of nature. It will be especially beneficial to children, encouraging them to learn more about the world they live in, as well as enlarging their pool of knowledge.

One may even be able to discover one’s potential in the process of studying these insects and continue to build on it. Adults will also definitely derive the same amount of enjoyment as children has and gives one the opportunity to escape the daily stress and pressure accumulating on one’s shoulders as one studies and watches in awe how the ants go about their daily business.


With no hassle in feeding or grooming due to the specially created blue gel formulated by Ant Workshop which already contains important multi-nutrients required for the survival of ants, it becomes very convenient to own these great pets. Hence it is very ideal for those who desire a pet who is constantly busy ( with the exception of destroying objects around the house ), thus does not require a lot of attention and does not need to be escorted out of the house for a poo or even needing to be toilet-trained !

Though because of such factors they are so much more convenient, they become less of a companion, but more of a source of fascination at the marvelous achievements of these small creatures. The bottom line is, ants are relatively easy to look after and cheap to feed, compared to other pets such as dogs which have to be effectively trained and well groomed.

While keeping ants have their own benefits over having other pets such as dogs and cats, one may find this peculiar. Contrary to what these people believe, the keeping of ants as pets is becoming more and more of a hobby in Europe.

Some other people may argue that keeping ants may not give one the same satisfaction as one derives from keeping dogs or cats but bear in mind that although ants are meant to be observed and not petted, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun to have. They play with each other, work together to carry objects much larger than themselves, and create intriguing tunnel systems.

One of the best things about ants is that you can literally have hundreds of them all living in a little tank right in your bedroom ; your own little civilization, and Ant Workshop is proud to make that happen !!

Do you have a question regarding Ant for pet ? Ask them !

Where : 304, Orchard Road, #03-52 Lucky Plaza, Singapore 238863
When : Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm, Sat 10am – 4pm, Sun 10am – 2pm

Thanks for Reading

Wingcent Ning
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
WingcentDotDreams.com
Singapore

Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Fetch

Teaching Your Dog to Sit and Fetch

Here are some dog training tip for you ...

Dog training is a must for all dogs. Dog training is more than just telling your dog to stop doing what he's doing, it is the process of teaching a dog to exhibit certain desired dog behavior in specific circumstances. Proper dog training is not a "quick fix" - it is an ongoing, life-long process. Behavior dog training is very important in today's society because many people take their dogs every where they go.

All dog training is not created equal. Positive dog training is quickly becoming the preferred method of dog training. This method of training is possible for just about every young dog.

Dog training is more than just training your dog, it involves teaching the owner. Going through dog training is something every dog owner should do. Dog training is like going to school all over again. Training is all about communication, and you need to learn to communicate with your dog. I once was told that 90% of dog training is teaching the owners.

One of the basic obedience training points relevant in this regard is teaching your dog to sit on command. Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing you will train your dog to do. To start the training: say "sit" while gently pressing her rump down and holding a treat above your dog's head. When a dog is forced to look upward, he will automatically sit on his hind legs.

When you want your dog to sit, hold a treat a bit above her head and say "sit". As the dog sits, say "sit" again and then immediately give him the treat. Your dog should drop into a 'sit' position in order to reach the food.

One of my favorite commands to teach my dogs is "fetch". Teaching your dog to fetch promotes bonding and is a great way to give your dog some exercise. To do this, first throw a ball ( not too far though ), and give the command "Fetch". As he inevitably starts to run towards it, yell "fetch" again. Instead of a ball, you could use the object your dog loves most, as this makes him want to fetch it. Do not play fetch with heavy items or sticks, however, as this can damage the dog's teeth or otherwise injure the dog.

A well trained dog should remain where his or her owner commands, so stay is an important command in dog training as well. Since it is more involved, that will be the subject of another article.

The most basic of dog training is to get your dog to sit, stay and fetch. As I said before, proper dog training is not a "quick fix" : it is an ongoing, life-long process. Dog training is a very physical activity, so be prepared to be tired. And dog training is never without risk of injury, either, especially with more aggressive breeds.

That said, dog training is certainly a must for all dogs. One major mistake many pet owners make is to assume that the dog training is over. Training your dog continues throughout your dog's life. It's all about communication.

Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier than you would expect, especially if you can get help from a good dog training guide or book.

Thanks for Reading,
Best Regards

Wingcent Ning
wingcent@singnet.com.sg
WingcentDotDreams.com
Singapore