Coaching the Donkeys About the Cold

The weather has been so crazy lately and it seems like you just don’t know what will happen from one day to the next.    First we had a freak snowstorm that ruined so many trees.  Then it got really warm and melted all the snow.  Today, the temperatures were frigid again and the wind was howling.  We went to check on our friends the donkeys because it’s no fun being cold!

1 Rufus, Clive, and Billy! Franny and I came down from the house to check on you. The temperature is dropping and it's supposed to be very windy tonight!

2 That's right, Sharkey! The recent snowstorm broke a lot of branches off and many are still hanging in the trees. A few strong gusts of wind and those branches could come crashing down on our heads!

3 There are no tall trees around your paddock, but I'm especially worried about you three staying warm! Miniature donkeys, like yourselves, do not grow thick winter coats as horses do.

4 Rufus, maybe you donks should invest in some warm weather apparel like Sharkey and I have! Our fleece sweaters certainly help fight the brisk fall breezes!

5 Oh girls, you two are so sweet to be concerned about Rufus, Billy, and me!

6 The horses do grow thick coats that repel ice and snow because of natural oils. Our coats, as with most miniature breeds, aren't going to get any thicker than they are, so we'll need more protection from the elements.

7 And that's why we have this house! It shelters us from snow and harsh winds and we can huddle together for warmth.

8 This layer of straw that Dolma puts down is used not only for bedding but also to insulate the icy ground.

9 Rufus, you should also be eating a little extra now. Franny and I know from talking to the horses that putting on more body fat keeps equines warmer in the cold!

10 Don't mind if we do! Clive, Billy and I have been chomping on the grass before it's hidden by the snow again. We're so lucky to have you girls to care for us like this!

Posted by F&S on November 7th, 2011 in Favorite Things, Friends, Out & About, Photo Galleries, Playing

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French Bulldog Breeding - Facts You Should Know About The Breed

Some people are looking to get involved in French bulldog breeding. The issue is that many do not understand the breed and what is required as an owner. There are a lot of things you want to know before you buy one of these dogs. Here are a few facts that can help you decide if you want to get involve.

Think about these aspects of the French Bull Dog before you get involved.

French bulldog is actually a breed of dog that first emerged in France within the middle to later nineteenth century. They were most likely resulting from undersized English Bulldogs that British laborers delivered to France at that time. This bulldog has experienced an extended historical past being a companion dog. They are small, muscle-bound canines having a short, smooth coat, sturdy bone design, along with a pug nose, and a straight or screwed tail. This bulldog contains a wide, square head, extremely short snout, and enormous bat ears. It has loose and wrinkly skin on its shoulder area and head.

French bulldogs can be very expensive to reproduce, time intensive to look after, and they are not necessarily great moms. French bulldog breeding can be tricky and must be done by a licensed veterinarian. This bulldog is more challenging to teach than the majority of breeds of dogs. This bulldog can be a loving, humorous, entertaining, fairly sweet and frolicsome dog. They are among the sweetest, most enjoyable and amiable of most varieties. They are extremely playful; however some adult males could possibly be canine hostile.

French bull dogs can invariably be mentioned to have a clownish grin on his or her face. French bulldogs have large, bat-like ears. The French bull dog has robust protecting instincts and views it an honor to safeguard those people it really loves. They are incredibly loveable; they like to be cuddled and will need a lot of human attention. This bulldog should not be a noisy or hyper breed of dog; however they are extremely eager and persistent. They certainly are a small companion canine, energetic, yet not sporty.

French bulldogs are expert predators of rodents, however, not bigger prey, similar to their English bulldog relations. The French bull dog is a really bad swimmer. This bulldog is usually a companion dog that's even, relaxed, and affectionate.

French bulldog is really a canine who usually takes satisfaction in becoming a cherished family dog. The French bulldog is an excellent household pet but is likely to fare better in households with more mature individuals. This bulldog is a marvelous companion as well as a very good member of the family. They are certainly sociable and require family connections.

This bulldog is definitely an inside animal and will require air-conditioning in hot weather conditions. They are usually simple to look after and, on account of their size, don't require an excessive amount of living space. This dog is perfect for apartment living as it doesn't require excessive physical exercise. They may also be suitable for a myriad of accommodations whether it is a wide open farmhouse or a small apartment. They are exceptional friends to the elderly. French bulldogs can be quite a bundle of energy, but they're generally placid pets.

These animals are a great addition to any family, but you have to know a lot about them before you try to breed them. Be sure that you are up to the task before you start that process. If you are, it can be one of the most gratifying things you will do.

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About French Bulldogs

The French Bulldog can best be described as a compact and tough dog. For many years the French Bulldog has been a popular pet for the family. While known as the French Bulldog it is likely that it descended from the English Bulldog along with a mix of other French and English breeds.

During the late 1800's there was much popularity for the Bulldog in France and it was also at this time that the dog was brought to North America. The French Bulldog has always been a member of the non-sporting breed group and is best known as a family pet. The breed was first accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1898. When full grown they will typically weight between seventeen to twenty-eight pounds with an average height between eleven to twelve inches at the shoulder. By considering the temperament and needs of the French Bulldog you can determine if this breed is right for you and your household.

The French Bulldog can be either small or medium in their overall size and often has a dwarf mastiff appearance. They typically have broad shoulders, a deep chest, a thick neck and muscles that are well developed. The coat is typically a brindle color or fawn and white. If they are not used as a show dog they can also be bred with a coat color of black, mouse and liver colors.

They typically have a very affectionate and energetic personality. They make excellent family pets because they are easy to form a close and loving bond with. They like to spend as much time as possible near their human companions and are very faithful watchdogs for the family. Since the breed is not considered a sporting dog and typically has low energy they don't have much exercise requirements. Although a good family pet they do tend to do better with the more mature children since they sometimes won't be very tolerant or understanding of a young child's behavior.

The French Bulldog will typically tolerate other pets but only if your introduce them to the French Bulldog when they are still a puppy.

Due to their attentive and intelligent nature the French Bulldog is very easy to train, unlike the English Bulldog. Although many choose to just keep the dog as a family pet without any training.

There are some special health concerns of the French Bulldog that you need to consider. The primary risk is that the French Bulldog can develop breathing problems when they do excessive exercise, high levels of excitement or high environmental temperatures. This is known as Brachycephalic syndrome and is a result of their short nose and overall skull shape. It is possible for these breathing problems to become serious and life threatening. So you should try not to walk a French Bulldog in hot, humid weather and don't leave them outside in hot weather for extended periods of time. You should contact a veterinarian right away for medical treatment if you notice they are having trouble breathing or act like they can't catch their breath, this way you can treat the condition before it gets too serious.

Bobby Callahan is a lover of the French Bulldog. There are three Bulldog types, one of them being the French Bulldog. Knowing Bulldog information can help you determine if they are the right pet for you.

Some Tips About The French Bulldog

The English bulldogs are the breed considered as ancestors of the French bulldogs. They could have been brought to France by the English lace workers established in Normandy. While English bulldogs are stocky and heavy set, their French counterparts are said to be on the lighter side of things, but with highly similar characteristics as the English ones. They are also called "Frenchies."

The Colors And Markings of the French Bulldogs

The short and smooth coat of a French bulldog covers a muscular, compact body. The colors of their coats can be numerous, but only some combination's are acceptable in most shows. Only the red or fawn dogs may have masks. On any other color it is not acceptable in most shows or kennel organizations. Brindle and pied are also common markings or colors on these dogs. The main colors are shaded with cream up to deep butterscotch. Colors like solid black (with no other lighter colored hairs), liver, black and tan and black and white, are disqualified in shows..

Some Issues Related to the Health and Temperament of the French Bulldog

The health of the French bull dog is basically well. The dogs of this breed are, however, susceptible to health conditions that are related to the thyroid gland or to a dog type of hemophilia. One other common condition that occurs in French bull dogs is Brachycephalic syndrome, which is the condition of having a much too flat face. It usually is accompanied by a cleft palate or a soft palate. The big problem with the cleft palate condition is that these dogs must be euthanized. The soft palate condition leads to dogs susceptible of passing out after moderate exercise or some labored breathing even without exercise. If this condition is not diagnosed in the early stages, it can be hazardous to the dogs and stressful to the owners.

The dogs of the French bulldog breed can also develop eye problems and spinal or back conditions. Most of the French bulldog females need veterinarian supervision and cesarean section when they are giving birth. Their puppies have large heads and they may encounter some difficulties passing through their mothers' birth canal, the possibility of stocking in being very great. Since larger heads are prized in many of the bull dog breeds, this may be the reason why there are more and more cesarean sections performed these days compared to before.

The temperament of the French bulldogs makes them suitable as human companions. They can be best described as attached to their human owner to a very extensive degree and they are also found to be relatively happy and content dogs. These dogs must be monitored when playing with children, because they can be exuberant and excited sometimes. Most of the flat faced breeds of dogs have some difficulty with their breathing which is why these dogs, including the French bull dog cannot be expected to live outdoors or stay extensively in warm or hot places.

The flat face is also accompanied by their tendency to overweight. This is the main reason why they do not need to be exercised for a long time and can do with just one walk daily. Monitoring the Frenchie when exercising or out for walks is a good idea since they get easily tired and can have some difficulty breathing when exercised too much. Their bodies are not built to traverse through water channels or springs. Swimming is another sport not fitting to these dogs.

Due to its terrier linage, the French bulldogs can be sometimes aggressive. And this is the reason you should be careful when approaching a French bulldog that does not know you.

The French bulldog is a fairly recent breed of dogs. Brindle and pied are common colors on these dogs. Care should be exercised when approaching a strange French bulldog.

What You Need to Know About French Bulldogs

French bulldogs are known to be sturdy, stout, compact and small with a distinguished square shaped head. Apart from being cute, they also have broad muzzle. They usually have black nose with attracted round eyes. Their ears always stand erected which makes them look like always ready and active. Dogs like the French bulldogs are perfect to be petted. It is very pleasurable to have them running around the house and doing funny tricks. They are not too big to handle yet not to small either. If you want to adopt this type of dog, you need to first know the basic information about French bulldogs.

Listed are some things you need to know about French bulldogs which will tell you why you should get one:

1. The French bulldog is very easy to care for. It is a perfect companion because they are playful and alert yet still very affectionate. If you live alone and wants to have an active companion in the house, then the French bulldog is the best for you. They will never give you a boring time.

2. Some people call them as clown dogs because they always have that happy disposition. It might be because they are born jolly and good-natured. Most owners of this kind of dog always love to have them around.

3. They will seek a lot of attention from you and they can become very aggressive if ignored. So if you want to have one, you need to make sure that you always have time for your pet. Actually, all they want is to have playmates. Just play with them and cuddle with them in your bed. Just make sure that they are clean enough so you can always invite them in.

4. They can sense their owner if he is being too passive. If they notice you being bored, they will come into you and distract you from whatever you are doing. Do not be annoyed when they do this. They just need someone to play with. You might want to spend time with them when they start seeking your attention because if not, they might behave badly.

5. French bulldogs are born clean. They usually avoid mud and puddles. If you take them outside, you do not have to worry if they get dirty. They will only play in some dry and clean areas. That is why it is better for them to stay inside the house.

6. They are prone to eye problems and joint related illnesses. If you are sensing these problems, you better bring them to the vet. He can recommend some medicines to prevent these symptoms.

7. These types of dogs snore when they are asleep. So if you sleep with them in your bed, you better be ready for some snoring.

8. Dogs like these are perfect for people who live in apartments. You are sure to have a clean and neat home with these dogs. They do not like messy surroundings and would keep their home tidy.

9. You also do not need to groom them too much. Just a little brushing after taking a bath will do.

This information about French bulldogs will be very helpful for those who want to adopt one. If you need to know more about French bulldogs, you can check your nearest pet store and they will discuss what you need to know about them.

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Learning About the Allergies that Plague French Bulldogs

Nipping medical conditions in the bud is easier if you know what’s causing the condition in the first place. Going to a vet is always the best solution, but sometimes, the condition can be very simple and a costly vet visit can be avoided. An example would be conditions that are caused by allergies. But don’t just look at allergies as minor conditions, there are allergies that can be harsh and can result to the demise of your pet. So, the best solution to this predicament is knowing what allergies your dog may suffer so you can determine if a visit to a vet is required. And if you own a French Bulldog, with its size, its highly likely that it too can encounter some allergy problems.

In the canine world, light colored dogs that are small in stature and frame are more likely to get allergies than otherwise. French bulldogs, even in their adult stage easily fits the bill, and more so when they are just puppies. Allergies can mostly come from two factors, environmental and from the food they eat. If you don’t know which one is causing the allergic reactions then you will find it very difficult to treat it.

Because French Bulldogs are very close to the ground with their short legs, they can easily encounter allergic reactions due to the fact that they are closer to the ground, and can easily brush against many irritants such as pollen and grass. And because they have fine, short fur, these irritants can easily gain access to their skin, allowing them to penetrate easily. And the more they go up against these irritants, the more they are likely to feel the effects and become agitated, causing more problems.

If your French bulldog appears to be constantly rubbing its face and body against any surface such as the carpeting, furniture, or the walls, chances are it has an environmental allergy, also known as atopic dermatitis. Other symptoms include constant chewing of the pads, legs, and their feet. This means that the irritants are causing your dog to feel itchy and he is scratching his skin to alleviate the condition.

When this happens, what you need to do is to wipe the affected area with a damp cloth firmly and repeatedly. The rubbing motion and the rough surface of the cloth will help remove the irritants and the cool water in the towel will help soothe the itchy skin of your French bulldog.

Another problem that may be caused by allergies is a recurrent ear infection. Because the ears of the French bulldog are bat-like, it can easily get clogged by irritants and dirt. It is best though to consult a vet to determine first what the cause of the infection is. If it is due to an allergic reaction, then your vet will most likely recommend using an ear rinse or wash which can be easily bought from a pet store.

If the symptoms persist though, never hesitate to consult your vet, these home remedies should not be your last line of defense against French bulldog allergies.