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You have recently welcomed a new cute and cuddly puppy into your home. A healthy diet is essential for a long, happy life together. What things do you need to consider when selecting your puppy dog’s diet? Always talk to your vet about a proper puppy dog diet. Remember that a puppy dog’s diet is not the same as an adult dog’s diet. Avoid a trip to the grocery store to grab a bag of adult dog food to feed your pet. This will not meet the nutritional needs of a healthy puppy dog diet.

You can choose to feed your new puppy one of several options. Natural and organic puppy dog diets have become more popular in recent years. Some pet owners prefer to feed a raw diet to their puppy. Most people choose to use kibble as the main component of the puppy dog’s diet. For this reason, I will focus primarily on this choice.

As you wean the puppy, a high-quality puppy food with tiny kibble is best. A puppy dog’s diet should include all the essential vitamins to create a healthy diet for excellent growth. Feed your new puppy three or four times a day. Your puppy dog’s diet should consist of puppy food moisten with water. Do not moisten the puppy food with milk. The milk acts as a laxative in your puppy dog’s diet. The water will create a softer, more palatable cuisine for your pet.

As the new puppy grows and becomes accustomed to eating the kibble as a regular part of his or her diet, you will want to gradually decrease the amount of water. If you plan to feed dry dog food in the future, expect to transition the dog’s diet earlier than later. Continuing to moisten the dog food may make transition more difficult later in life. By six weeks of age, your puppy dog’s diet can be solid kibble.

Your puppy should be permitted all the kibble he or she wants during the initial phase of the weaning process. Make sure you present the puppy the new diet of puppy food at regular times. Around five months of age, your puppy dog’s diet should decrease to only two feeding time’s per day. By this time, you should establish a specific quantity of food per day to ensure a healthy diet and weight for your dog.

Talk to your vet about how much to feed your new puppy. All puppies look cute, round and cuddly at some point during their first few months. It can be difficult to know when your puppy is overweight. Your veterinarian will help to advise you on this issue. It is a good idea to open up the door of communication between you and your vet now. Both vet and owner only want what is best for the new puppy.

Feeding your new puppy a healthy diet does not have to be difficult. Talk to your vet for advice and information. Always choose a quality food as the main source of nutrition in your puppy dog’s diet. A healthy diet for your puppy will set the stage for a healthy dog in the years to come.

The Pug comes in many colors including black, apricot-fawn or silver. They are AKC recognized. Their short, smooth, glossy, fine coat is very easy to groom. They only need an occasional brushing and only need bathed with necessary. Be sure to clean the creases in their face regularly. Pugs have been known to love attention and they typically enjoy the attention that a good brushing gives them. Their curly tail, flat muzzle and prominent eyes are three of their best known appearance traits.

Born to be a companion dog, the Pug loves attention and being with their family. They need a family that will not leave them alone for long periods of time on a regular basis and do best in homes where someone is around most of the time. They are a lap dog and enjoy relaxing with their family, but they also have an energetic side and need plenty of play time. Be sure that you don’t over exert them. They are happy-go-lucky little dogs. They do well with other pets and dogs, but early socialization is recommended. They have an *I’m in charge* attitude with their family and other pets. Due to this reason and their small size, they work best with older, well behaved children. They will let you know if they hear an unfamiliar sound or if someone is at the door making them excellent watchdogs.

Dating back to 700 BC, the Pug originated in China. There is a debate among many groups as to which dogs were used to develop the pug. Pugs were mainly used as companion dogs for royalty and nobility. They were introduced to Europe through trade ships traveling between China and Europe. It is said that a Pug saved the life of William, Prince of Orange by alerting him that the Spaniards were approaching. Napoleon’s wife used a Pug to send a secret message to him when she was in prison. Winston Churchill’s wife called him by the nickname Pug. Many of you might be familiar with the famous pug Frank that appeared in the movies Men in Black and Men in Black II.

With their loveable, happy nature and need for affection and companionship, the Pug makes an excellent dog for families looking for a lap dog with a take charge attitude. They enjoy traveling or staying at home as they are happy whenever and wherever they are with their family. Their whimsical looks and nature make them hard to resist.

The Maltese is a playful and adventurous little dog with a rich history dating back more than 28 centuries.

As with every breed there is some disagreement about the first traces of the breed. Some say the dog originated in Sweden and is a descendent of a Spitz type dog.

The Greeks believe the first Maltese originated in the Isle of Malta. They called this dog “Melitaie Dog”. Melitae was the ancient name for Malta. Some sources indicate the Maltese originated in Asia.

The earliest artifacts resembling Maltese dogs was found in Egypt. These date back to between 600-300 B.C.- suggesting that the ancient Egyptians worshipped early forms of the Maltese.

There are many historical pictoral representations of these dogs. Greek cermaic art and many Greek and roman philosphers also mention the Maltese. Aristotle and many other noteworthy philosophers and historians mention the dog. The Greeks even erected tombs to their Maltese.

These tiny dogs most likely made their way through Europe and the Middle East as nomadic tribes migrated. Some say the little dogs were used in bartering and in this way the Maltese found its way around Europe, and beyond.

The Maltese was regarded as a upper class dog, prized by aristocrats, statespersons and royalty. In the middle of the 19th Century it was regarded as quite fashionable to have a Maltese in your pocket or handbag. Some even believed that the dog possessed magical healing powers.

The first records of the Maltese in Britian is during the reign of Henry VIII. Many royals have enjoyed Maltese companions since then. Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria also owned Maltese.

Nobody documented how the Maltese came to America. The Maltese were first seen in the US in the late 1800′s. The first Maltese was white and listed as a “Maltese Lion Dog” at the first show in 1877. The American Kennel Club started recognizing the breed in 1888.

Maltese owners come from all walks of life. Many pop culture icons have owned these good natured little dogs. Marylin Monroe, Elvis Presley, Elizabeth Taylor and Tony Bennett are some of the famous owners.

Most likely its white color and long silky coat had a great deal to do with its popularity. It also has alot to do with its great personality

These dogs need minimal space and are perfect if you live in a smaller space like an apartment. Yorkshire Terriers will also get along well with small children. They can be possessive and you should always exercise caution when you introduce your Yorkie to your child. Well trained Yorkies will have no problem adjusting to family life. Yorkies are also excellent dogs to have with cats.

If you have already decided that you want a Yorkie then there are various things you can do to make sure you get the best possible puppy.

Make sure you have a clear idea of exactly what you want before you start looking for a breeder. There are many things you will want to make sure of like deciding whether you want a male or a female puppy. Would you prefer a dominant or quiet puppy? Your lifestyle and resources will play a large role in your choices.

If you are wanting a Yorkie puppy it is recommended that you steer clear of pet store puppies. They are often bred in poor circumstances and have not had enough interaction with their siblings. You could end up with a sickly, badly socialized Yorkie.

Choosing a reputable Yorkie breeder is important even if you don’t plan to show the puppy. Problems that you will find is the puppy may be inbred or the fancy terms used by certain breeders is called linebreeding. The pet the problems associated with choosing a half-bred or worse is a cruelly bred puppy can cause your family a lot of heartache later. Just like any other big decision research is one of the most significant ways in which you can be sure you are committing to the best breeder.

Does the breeder offer a health certificate, vaccinations and other paperwork like the registration documents? The health certificate is the most important paperwork because they can only be issued by a licensed veterinarian. To get the health certificate the vet must exam the puppy and if there is something seriously wrong with the puppy the vet won’t issue the health certificate. Be prepared to pay extra for the health certificate as most breeders charge extra for this.

Another thing to consider is there a health guarantee. A health guarantee is needed in case some were to happen a year down the road. Buying from the newspaper just doesn’t offer this. Most of the time its 48 hours and that’s it. If something were to happen to your puppy a week later most will say, it’s your puppy now. The standard guarantee on the internet is a replacement guarantee up to a year. However a year is not really a long enough time for some genetic type defects. If possible look for someone that offers a guarantee longer then that.

Buying on internet may cost a little more but it is well worth the investment. If having a happy, healthy puppy and a good guarantee doesn’t matter to you then buy from the newspaper. However beware the newspaper has a reputation of where puppy millers and backyard breeders sell their puppies. Are you willing to take the risk and deal with the heartache later? It can be a terrible thing for a family to go through especially if you have children. A guarantee gives you a little peace of mind.

Yorkies are amongst some of the cutest puppies on earth. They are so tiny you can put them in your pocket and nobody will be the wiser. Enjoy your puppy and make sure you spend enough time bonding with your Yorkies and you can be assured of many healthy, happy years with your dog.

They are generally friendly and self-assured. The Shih Tzu is the kind of dog that expects to be treated like a king, and wants you to know it. It is for this reason that often Shih Tzu’s are not a good choice of dog if you have babies or toddlers in the house. They can become jealous easily.

Shih Tzu’s make excellent watchdogs. Their alert and active nature means they are excellent good mannered companions. Poorly bred Shih Tzu’s can be noisy and snappy.

If you want a Shih Tzu it’s best to take a few precautions to avoid half-bred or genetically faulty Shih Tzu breeds. Rather spend some time making a good decision than have to regret it later. Unethical breeding practices are common and you will need to be an informed buyer if you are going to choose the best Shih Tzu for you.

Choosing a good breeder is very important. You don’t want to end up buying a puppy from one of the notorious puppy mills. Cross bred varieties can produce all kinds of health and behavioral problems. If you want to be certain that you are getting a genuine Shih Tzu it’s wise to check the breed standards before buying.

This means careful attention to the look and temperament of a Shih Tzu. Ask your breeder to show you the parents of the dog before you commit to buying the puppy. Check the parents of the puppy carefully for any of the faults outlined. This is just a guideline; it is not an absolute standard for pet quality.

If you intend on showing your dog at competitions and shows then an even more careful reading of the breed standards are important. You will also want to choose a more confident puppy – look for the puppy in the litter that seems poised and friendly – and of course good looking!

Some general points to look for

Color, age and size are the most important and immediate things you can check. The puppies will tend to look like their parents however this is not fool proof.

Shih Tzu’s do not have gender related temperament differences and both male and female are equally loving.

Teacup varieties are not officially recognized for good reason. People who breed these minute dogs do not do so improve the breed; ethical breeders breed for that reason. Teacups, the ones that will be under three pounds as adults, have many problems and usually do not live beyond the Shih Tzu’s that weigh a little more.

Caring for your Shih Tzu

Usually the major grooming has to do with care of the coat. If you do not have time to groom your Shih Tzu at least every other day then you will need to consider another breed. Neglect of the Shih Tzu’s coat will lead to skin problems as well as a host of other horrifying conditions, Painful matting, skin infections and even maggot infestations can occur if you leave the coat for too long.

The Shih Tzu is also prone to renal dysplasia (kidney disease) and slipped kneecaps. Because of the shape of the Shih Tzu’s face the eyes are more prone to injury. The short muzzle can mean breathing problems.

Spend some time learning about the Shih Tzu breed before you commit to a puppy. They can make a very nice pet for your family. Well looked after Shih Tzu’s can expect to live a long and healthy life, by your side.