Pets World

(As told to Brian Hill by a cocker spaniel from Phoenix named Patches.) At our house, we watch a lot of sports on TV. When I was a puppy, I thought this was a big waste of a nice sunny day. After all, it meant less time available for playing outside in the yard or going to the dog park. But as I’ve matured (the other day I saw my reflection in the window and was shocked to see I have gray in my muzzle), I’ve begun to see the wisdom of spending the afternoon on the comfy sofa watching a game. Some people think dogs can’t see TV or understand what’s going on. That’s nonsense. The only thing we can’t do is call and purchase the products we see on infomercials, but a lot of that stuff seems like junk anyway. Myself, I even figured out how to order pay-per-view using the remote.



The great thing about TV sports is the variety. If I feel like a nap, there are quiet sports like golf, where after about an hour or so, both I and my master are taking a nice snooze. Football on the other hand, is really exciting for a dog. When we have people over and it’s the fourth quarter of a game and they begin concentrating on the TV screen, it’s a piece cake for me to sneak around and steal their snack foods. They don’t even notice the food is gone most of the time. To you canines who may be novices at this, the key is to steal foods that are soft or those that can be eaten in a couple of gulps, before anyone sees you. Avoid cruchy chips. Cheese and cold cuts make great candidates for theft. On the other paw, one time during a playoff game I was able to take a whole pizza off the table and eat it. I still remember that pizza. Pepperoni. Yum.



When their team makes a touchdown, they all jump up and yell at the screen. This is the one time I don’t get scolded for running around hysterically and barking. Yep, I’d have to say football is my favorite sport. The only thing I object to is something called the “Dawg Pound” at the Cleveland Browns games. This is a section of the stadium where fat guys dress up in costumes that are rude caricatures of the nobility and grace of real dogs. I find that to be a species-insensitive stereotype.



But I love following the flight of the ball on TV, no matter what the sport. Tennis is confusing because lately so many of the players make this barking sound when the smack the ball. I’ve tried to decipher what the barks mean in canine language, but it seems like it’s just gibberish.



I've only watched hockey once but didn’t like it much. The little rock thing they smack around goes too fast to keep an eye on and I don’t like ice because it reminds me of the time we went up the snow for the holidays and my paws got too cold. I much prefer a trip to a warm beach. The next best thing is watching beach volleyball. Big ball, easy for me to follow on the screen. I’ve even seen spectators bring their dogs to tournaments at the beach. Now that’s a civilized sport.

The Alaskan malamute dog breed is a medium to large sized dog weighing in at 75 to 85 pounds depending on the sex. The female dogs are a little smaller at 23 inches in height and weight less. You will find the male dogs are 25 inches in height. They are depicted with a curly tail, plenty of fur, and an almost wolf like face, though the snout is a little shorter. They have grey, black, sable, red, or white coloring. You will find their coats can be a mix of all colors or they can be completely white. The coat is actually a double coat designed for warmth with the top coat being extremely thick and coarse. The under coat is softer, and more dense.

There are many working dogs available from dog breeders when you are considering a dog. You will also find these working dogs make some of the best companions. One of the most popular working dogs in the northern United States is the Alaskan malamute. They are largely used in Alaska for sled dogs, but also make wonderful companions. If you are interested in finding an Alaskan malamute to become apart of your family you will want to learn all you can about the breed and speak with dog breeders.

The Alaskan malamute breed should be given plenty of space to run. They do not like to be inside all day, in fact apartment living is not recommended. You will need plenty of space in a backyard. You can even let them run all day while you are at work. You may find they get a little lonely if left for more than a day, but with other Alaskan malamute dogs around they will be content. They also suffer from heat issues if it gets too hot. Being raised for Arctic weather they don’t like the warmer climates.

An Alaskan malamute resembles huskies, though there are differences. As sled dogs the Alaskan malamute is often very loyal, hard working, and intelligent. You will also find they are affectionate with their owners and other dogs they have been raised with. You can find a little aggression as they work on a ranked basis when sledding. However don’t let this dissuade you as they make wonderful family pets. Maturity will see a calming of the dogs spirit and a growing affection. While they make wonderful working dogs they are not the best guard dogs. They tend to be too friendly around others; though they can alert you to other animals or danger. With training you will find activity is best with a firm hand. They like to have plenty to keep them from getting bored, but they can also be stubborn in nature so a firm, but kind hand is needed. You also need to keep training going even as adults to help them keep the skills fresh in their minds.

Care for this dog breed will require a brushing at least twice a week. This will help you get the dirt out of their fur. They don’t usually require bathes, but if needed it is okay. They tend to be heavy shedders because of the thick long coats, so you may have to clean your home a bit. You will also find they are prone to a few diseases such as hip dysplasia, chondrodysplasia, and bloating. You should expect to have this dog in your home for a good twelve to fifteen years.

Alaskan Malamutes are one of the most lovable dogs you can find for your family. They are a wonderful pet and extremely loyal. They also love meeting new people.

The Maltese dog breed is considered a toy. Basically this means they are fun, lovable dogs that make wonderful companions for young children as well as adults. Most often they weigh between 4 and 7 pound reaching about 9- 10 inches in height. Unlike most dog breeds the Maltese is only white in color when it is a pure breed. They have a long, almost silky hair. The hair on this breed of dog is one of the most beautiful and easy to maintain, as it is straight and not easily tangled because of its softness. They are one of the only non-shedding dogs available when you consider all the breeds available.

The Maltese breed originated in Europe where many individuals favored them, especially the upper class. You will find their character to be full of affection as well as a great amount of energy. They love to play, socialize with other dogs, and are very intelligent. You often see the Maltese dog breed on dog shows because of their characteristics, not only their personalities, but for their body type as well.

When you consider the Maltese dog breed for your home you should understand their temperament and care. These dogs often bond with one person, while they tolerate others. They love to be showed affection, including cuddling. You will find that they do not like to be left alone for a long time. While you may leave them alone during the day, they don’t like being alone during vacations. It is best that they are left with someone they are close to or that you take them with you. The Maltese is also a fairly quite breed of dog. They do bark when they perceive a threat, alert you when there is someone in their territory, and very protective. You will need to groom them daily with a brush to keep their hair luxurious and pretty. Unlike other dog breeds they can be bathed regularly.

You will find that they tend to have eye problems when the hair gets to close and they need to have their eyes bathed every day. You will also learn that they suffer from skin disorders, respiratory problems, and digestion issues. Your vet or breeder will be able to help you determine the right type of diet and hygiene to make sure they are healthy throughout their lives. With the amount of hair and their body type they don’t do well in hot climates or very damp climates.

The Maltese is a small breed and therefore they don’t require a large amount of space. They do well in apartments and with minimal exercise. You will find that a daily walk and some playtime is all they really need to be content. They also love to play with other dogs at the parks. Training for these dogs should be crate training. They may be intelligent, but they are one of the most difficult to train. Your best option when training the Maltese dog is early socialization, consistency, and a gentle hand. They will do well when you reward their good behavior and show patience. If you take the proper amount of time to train them they can do tricks and will be obedient.

Any dog will do better around your family and become a wonderful member of your family when you purchase them as puppies. Training is important when they are younger as they haven’t learned bad habits, yet. Most often you can get a Maltese puppy from a breeder.