We found this article to be very interesting as well as controversial and thought that we would share it with you.

By Roger Highfield, Science Editor

Dogs have become more intelligent, and even learnt a sense of right and wrong, through spending time with humans, a study shows.

Although still controversial, recent research is beginning to support the view that an owner is perfectly correct when they pat their pet and coo “who’s a clever boy then?”

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The moment you decide to own a Dalmatian puppy, you need to start planning for his arrival in your home. Both you and your new family member will find the transition period much easier if your home is properly equip in advance of the arrival.

One of the first thing you need to prepare for the arrival of your new Dalmatian puppy is a crate. Every dog should have a crate of his own from the very beginning, one that he will come to know and love as his special place where he is comfortable and safe. The crate will provide an ideal setting; when you want him to be free, you can just leave the crate open. Otherwise, you can securely latch it and know that the pup is safely out of trouble. Also, if you travel with him, his crate can fit nicely in the car. A crate therefore is a very sensible and sound investment in your puppy’s future safety and happiness and for your own peace of mind.

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Giving a dog a bath can be as simple as rinsing him down in a child’s swimming pool in the backyard during the summer, or as complex as a full-blown spa ritual, complete with bathing a harness and a bevy of fancy coat products designed to whiten, darken, brighten, do-tangle, shine, and leave your dog with a designer aroma to rival a fancy French perfume. However, there are many ways to make bathing easier, and many ways in which bathing makes subsequent grooming sessions easier, too.

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Compared to other types of breeds, Dalmatians possess a very unique metabolism. They handles purines, the parent substance for the uric acid compounds found in certain meat and vegetable proteins, more like humans and apes than like other dogs. Dalmatians will not thrive on diets high in purines, and some will develop serious, life-threatening health problems or die prematurely as a result of such diets. Dalmatians are not capable of breaking down purines beyond the level of uric acid, whereas other breeds go a step further, converting uric acid to allantoin before excretion.

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Have you been having trouble getting your dog to eat the food you give him or her? If your dog happens to be one of those types of dogs that discriminate on food, you should be very careful about buying dog foods. Always remember that there are some types of dogs foods that are not really so tasty that dogs would tend to snob it. To make sure that you dog will eat what you give it, you should make sure that you buy only good quality dog food like the Canidae dog food. Note that Canidae dog food is one of the best known brands of dog food in the market to day. Most dog owners and breeders all over the country prefers to give their pets the Canidae dog food over other types of dog foods simply because dogs love this kind of food.

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You should not allow your stud dog to be used for breeding until he is about a year old, and even then he should be bred to a mature, proven matron who is already accustomed to breeding. Doing this will make his first experience pleasant and easy. Keep in mind that a young dog can be put off permanently by a female dog who fights and resists his advances. Never let this happen. Always start a stud dog out with a female dog who is mature, has been bred previously, and is of even temperament.

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Once you have your puppy home, you will start to develop its personality the way you want. If you know which sex you want, ask the breeder to put the other sex away to give you time to observe all the males or all the females.

Don’t pick a particular puppy just because it is the cutest! There are easy tests you can do yourself to help you determine the best choice for you. Watch them to see which puppy is watching you, making direct eye contact with you. Take a couple steps backwards away from the puppies and look closely at who moves with you. Next, take a few more steps from the group and clap your hands, snap your fingers or verbally call to encourage the puppies to follow. Open your arms in a wide fashion and call to the puppies in a higher pitched voice. Again, observe the followers. These pups would be the ones interested in human beings, thus making good companion dogs. Narrow your choices down to 2 or 3 from those couple of little tests.

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First and foremost, it’s a great idea to research the various breeds you are interested in. The general look that interests you is a good place to start. For example, if you prefer a breed with stand up, perky ears, then you should eliminate the floppy eared and cropped ear breeds. Then you must decide for what purpose are you acquiring a dog. Will it be a house dog when mature, laying at the foot of your bed, or on your bed, or out on the doorstep being a guardian? Will you have the extra time if the breed requires extra recreational playtime? Are you willing to put the time into grooming that some dogs require, especially the ones with the long hair?

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When choosing the right signature toy for your precious dog, you should consider several factors. Even when selecting dog toys that are made by signature and high-end labels, you should weigh in several things aside from price and manufacturers.

Here are some tips on choosing the right toys for your dog.

On choosing the perfect toys for your dog

Toys for the dogs should be enjoyable and fun. But, at the same time, you should check whether the toys are durable and safe. What if your dog accidentally chokes because it swallowed a part of its toy? Safety of the toys should be of paramount concern.

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Having the proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy Dalmatian and yet it is often the source of controversy among breeders, veterinarians, pet owners and dog food manufacturers.

All Dalmatians are susceptible to forming life-threatening urinary tract “stones” though these can be effectively managed with diet. Although susceptibility to forming these “stones” is present in almost all Dalmatians, keep in mind that not all Dalmatians will necessarily form “stones” in their lifetime.

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