Saint Bernard Dog: The Great Rescuer Barry

Author: Ashish Jain

Dogs are great rescuers. We all know that, but some of them are better at the job than others. What could be nobler than saving lives. Barry, who lived and made history between 1800 and 1814, was one of the greatest rescue dogs the world has ever seen. Barry was a Saint Bernard dog who earned worldwide fame for the brave rescue operations he carried out during his lifetime. His painting by Salvatore Rosa still hangs in a hospice in the Alps of Switzerland.





Saint Benard dogs have such a keen sense of smell that they can smell out people burried deep in the snow. Barry, like other Saint Bernard dogs, was trained by the monks to rescue lost travelers in the Alps. The Bernards, on finding a man to be recued, lie on top of the person and start licking his face to wake him up. Simultaneously they bark out aloud calling the monks for assistance, hearing which the monks would come with a stretcher and warm blankets to keep the person warm. The fellow is then taken to the monastry and is served warm tea and food.





Barry was an expert rescue dog well versed with the rescue drill and amongst his famous rescue adventures there is this famous story about a young boy who was found stranded on an icy ledge, all covered with thick snow under an ongoing, heavy snowfall. It was not possible for any man to climb that icy ledge, but Barry braving all adversity crawled inch by inch to the injured boy. As the drill has it, Barry started licking the boy's face but the snowfall was too heavy and the ledge too difficult to climb for any monk to reach the boy. So, there was no help coming. The boy, however, woke up due to Barry's warm licks and wrapped his arms around Barry's strong neck. The dog pulled him carefully and bravely from the ledge and brought him to safety.





It is just one of the many gallant rescue stories of this great rescuer Saint Bernard. He lived from 1800 to 1814 and saved more than 40 lives in his lifetime.

About the Author:

To get more information on pet dogs, dog breeds and dog training and care visit http://www.thepetdogs.com/

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Saint Bernard Dog: The Great Rescuer Barry

Grooming your Great Pyrenees Dog the Easy Way

Author: John Williams

Large breed dogs pose special grooming dilemmas. The Great Pyrenees and other Bernard family members have cornered the market on that special combination of girth and hair. Without a regimented grooming routine the Pyrenees' flowing white locks can easily morph, soon resembling an electrocuted Komondor on steroid.



One obstacle to keeping large breeds in the peek of beauty is the difficulty in locating nail clippers, brushes and dental supplies suited to their substantial size. Substitution will have to be made. Still, with a little ingenuity grooming is a snap.



Body Brushing

Combing out the Great Pyrenees is a challenge. The high-stung nature of the breed makes them tend to wiggle around during grooming. In fact, these stealth dogs are apt to sprint off if not restrained, sometimes moving up to three centimeters in a single afternoon.



Your best bet for body brushing or raking is to work on your pet while he is asleep. Avoid active times such as 6:00 to 6:03 a.m. and the 30 minutes after sunset Pyrenees' devote solely to barking. This breed is known to sleep with its eyes open. When stalking them with grooming tools be cautious. Once you are with in 65 feet of your dog, listen for a train. This verifies your dog is snoring.



Work efficiently once you begin grooming a Great Pyrenees. You may only have 13 hours before he wakes up. When grooming 140 lbs. of fur bonded together by drool and the occasional tree branch, you must not dally. A weed eater is an efficient option for quickly working your way through the shrubs to the actual hair prior to brushing.



Nail Clipping

Clipping your Pyrenees's claws should be a regular part of your grooming routine. Before beginning this procedure head for the hardware store. Pick up a large metal rasp and bolt cutters. Once claws have been neatly trimmed call in HAZMAT to remove the clippings from your home. Don't forget the dewclaws.



Great Pyrenees' have a multitude of extra toes just kinda 'hangin' out' on their lower legs. Hiding amongst them are a total of six massive curly toenails. Each is so large it makes a valosaraptor claw look like a minute droplet of Chihuahua snot. Don't let the dewclaws go unattended more than a few weeks. Negligence will yield a clipping big enough to be used as a spiral staircase.



Dental Care

Dog owners often overlook the importants of good oral hygiene. Fortunately, in the Bernard breeds, their mouths offer plenty of room to work in. Take advantage of this trait. You can create ample access to the mouth by simply pulling their massive floppy lips up from both sides of the face. Then, use three clothespins to secure them to one another across the bridge of the nose. You may also secure a single lip to the opposing ear in a similar fashion.



Once the teeth are exposed insert a shop vac tube under your dogs tongue. This technique is identical to that of the 'spit sucker' used in a dental offices. A fifteen-gallon vac should suffice. Once the shop vac is fired up the Great Pyrenees will start to awaken. You will have about two hours to completely remove large pieces of sod stored along the gum line before your dog hits full cognitive thought. At this point he'll eat the vacuum prior to falling back asleep.



As a final touch, clean you canine's feet. Shinny up between the pads with a flashlight, some pliers and a bottle of WD 40. Remove stones, dried bats, milk carton children and anything else not belonging up there. Once this task is done your grooming regiment is complete. Wake your dog by simple uttering the word 'cookie.' By the time you get to 'coo' every Great Pyrenees in a six mile radius will be in your kitchen.



With a little work and a few trips to Home Depot, your Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard or Newfoundland will glow with beauty. When you combine all this glamour with their high intelligence and magnetic personalities, your dog will be the envy of the neighborhood.

About the Author:

For more information on the great pyrenees or a complete list of dog breeds visit this Dog Behaviour website.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/grooming-your-great-pyrenees-dog-the-easy-way-463712.html

Is Hip Dysplasia Affecting Your Dog?

Guest Article

Is Hip Dysplasia Affecting Your Dog?

Author: Billy Baker

Some people often just assume their dog is getting old when he starts to limp or when there is some stiffness evident. Often enough this is Hip Dysplasia and you should take action to help eliminate discomfort and pain as soon as possible. It is most common in large dogs but is also found in smaller breeds from time to time.

What is canine hip dysplasia?

The area affected is in and around the dog's hips and it's called Hip Dysplasia. In a nutshell, sometimes the hips are not shaped properly which can leave the dog prone to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia in dogs can occur in puppies from as young as 5 months, but the ensuing arthritis in the hips generally doesn't strike Spot until he is middle aged.

Dog breeds susceptible to hip dysplasia.

Some breeds of dogs are well known for being genetically susceptible to hip dysplasia. Mixed breed dogs can also suffer from hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices has seen a decline in hip dysplasia numbers, but these dogs still have a higher than average chance of having dysplasia:
* Rottweilers.
* Labs and retrievers.
* German shepherds.
* Great Danes.
* Mastiffs.
* Saint Bernards.
* Dobermans.

Hip arthritis can also be found in and medium sized dogs as well.

Signs of hip dysplasia include:

* early morning stiffness.
* behavioural changes and sometimes personality changes too.
* awkwardness or clumsy steps.
* unable to exercise as much as before.
* disinterest in fetching.
* problems getting up from lying down or sitting.
* limping, favoring one or both back legs, or stiff or unusual gait.
* opting to sleep away from others.
* pain when back leg is extended.
* discomfort or sensitivity when lower back or back legs are prodded.
* can't or won't jump into the car anymore.

Hip dysplasia treatments.

Dog arthritis can be treated in a myriad of ways icluding dog medicines, dog supplements and even aids to help make Rover happy again. One of the most popular options is glucosamine, which has been incredibly successful in aiding humans with osteoarthritis. Dog supplements containing glucosamine chondroitin have become one of the first treatment options. Don't underestimate a good night's sleep and other orthopedic aids as handy comfort providers such as special dog beds and ramps etc. For further information on glucosamine, treatments and aids click here.

Weight Management.

The most prominent element to affect or enhance hip dysplasia is the dog's weight. The more your dog weighs, the more strain is being placed on those hips. Keeping your dog in his healthy weight range could save him from immense pain and suffering down the track.

For further information on treatments and resources for the dog suffering from hip dysplasia click here.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/is-hip-dysplasia-affecting-your-dog-572374.html

About the Author:
Author Billy Baker has decades of experience with many breeds of dogs and has provided more information on Dog Health and Hip Dysplasia In Dogs .

Back with Boomer and more to come

I've been gone a while due to illness. I'm back and blogging now. Here is a new picture and video of Boomer and I will be posting some articles soon about Big Dogs in general. I will also post about how Boomer almost died recently from playing with a toy that was from China.

The picture is Boomer with my husband and Boomer's best friend Pookie.







Kisses from Boomer (Excuse all the boxes, I am getting things ready for the donation truck)


Slurp

You know you are owned by a Saint Bernard when...

• You measure their height by the slobber line across the wall

• Your huge lazy boy recliner is just big enough to be "the dog’s chair".

• You choose your wall paint color by what hides slobber the best.

• You duck and run for cover when your dog is about to sneeze.

• You understand the difference between shedding and "blowing the coat"

• You go through several vacuum cleaners a year

• You have a part time job just to pay for the dog food

• Your dog can "counter surf" just by turning his head and grabbing as he walks by

• You open the door when you come home and then flatten yourself against the wall to avoid an excited dog running to greet you

• You know sheer terror when your dog is REALLY happy and running towards you

• Your neighbors refer to your pet as "the neighborhood pony"

• You've planned out the "tail wagging” zone on every table

• Closing the trash doesn't help because your dog can drag off the whole trash can

• You know trying to shove a totally asleep Saint Bernard off the bed is fruitless

• Your dog’s favorite ball for catch is the size of a small basketball

• Every time you sit in the floor your dog tries to "rescue " you

• You find out your tub is just really a huge dog bed in his eyes

• You have realized being barefoot around a saint is hazardous to your health

• You can never have more than one friend in your car with the dog because he fills the entire back seat

• You carry towels everywhere for doggie "dribbles" and to dry your face if he kisses your cheek

• Your dog can sit on the couch without taking his feet off the floor

• You could make a Chihuahua with the dog hair that gets on your clothes


• Last but most important...you know in spite of it all you've got the most loyal companion and friend ever!

Boomer the lap dog

Hello!
I'll be back very soon with some articles and tips. Life has just been crazy! In the meantime
here is a picture of Boomer sitting on a friend. It's OK, the friend let him :)
have you ever noticed that big dogs often think they are lap dogs? Sometimes I don't think they really understand how big they are!

Boomer is a very curious dog! Are your big dogs like this? I'd love to hear stories about your dogs!
In the meantime here is video of Boomer trying to figure out my grandsons Christmas toy last December.I was wrapping gifts and he just had to check every one of them out. The one that puzzled him was one of those computers that teach colors and letters etc and make sounds. Boomer just could not figure out why there was a voice in that little box.