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Belgium claims several dog breeds as its own. Historically, many native Belgian dog breeds were working dogs—used at one time to herd livestock, guard flocks, and protect the homestead—and a few small-sized dogs lent their talents as watchdogs, rat killers, and close companions. Read on to meet seven dog breeds from Belgium. 01 of 07 Belgian Laekenois cynoclub / Getty Images The Belgian Laekenois (pronounced lak-in-wah) is one of four related Belgian shepherd dog breeds (the other three are the Belgian Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog and Belgian Tervuren)....

One of the most common complaints about cat behavior is their excessive vocalization: loud meowing or crying, sometimes accompanied by other attention-seeking behavior. Because reasons for both of these behaviors can be either physical or emotional, or both, you need to do some homework on possible causes. Sometimes, what may seem to be a “behavior problem” may be completely normal behavior in a given cat. Weigh all the factors before deciding that your cat has a problem that needs to be corrected....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Heat Light Humidity Substrate Food and Water Health Problems Choosing Similar Species Frill-necked lizards are native to Australia and New Guinea. They are amazing bipedal reptiles with a spectacular frill around their neck that may remind you of a prehistoric dilophosaurus (the original “Jurassic Park” movie made them quite popular). They are not a commonly kept pet reptile since they are rare to find, but they are fascinating creatures....

Characteristics Origin Colors and Markings Tankmates Care Diet and Feeding Gender Differences Breeding Further Research A school of bala shark can make a dramatic addition to a large aquarium tank. These Southeast Asian fish are not true sharks, but their shark-like appearance and size make them quite an intriguing pet. Due to their peaceful nature, juvenile bala sharks do well in a community aquarium. As they mature, however, they will eventually outgrow most tanks, and they will continue to grow for several years....

Much more than just the “stuff on the bottom of the tank”, the aquarium substrate is an integral part of any saltwater aquarium system. Besides contributing to the visual appeal of a tank, substrate mediums also serve other purposes: The substrate in a marine aquarium is a vital part of the biological filter base of an aquarium, and if you choose to use a non-living media over live sand, it will become " alive" as the tank goes through the cycling process as the aquarium matures....

Cockatiels are part of the cockatoo family and are known for their warm and outgoing personalities – and their whistling – especially the male cockatiels. All these attributes make these birds a favorite American pet. The feathers on top of the bird’s head are a sure-fire indicator of its mood. Cockatiels are small birds of gray, white, and yellow, with the female bird’s coloring more subdued. They can live to be 20 years old....

The most basic rein aids help you tell your horse the direction to turn and when to stop or back up. As you advance in your riding skills, you’ll learn to use rein aids in more subtle ways to cue your horse. But for now, you need to learn to hold the reins correctly, so you can convey your signals effectively and don’t create any bad habits that might confuse your horse or make it uncomfortable....

Dogs experience a variety of handling in their lifetimes. Most dogs will be hugged, have a child tug their tail, be restrained by a veterinarian, or have someone clip their nails. You can make all these situations less stressful by preparing your dog to be handled so it reacts calmly rather than with fear or aggression. Practice in Advance Don’t wait until the day you are going to take the dog to the groomer to start preparing them for handling....

Do you know which people foods can be toxic to your dog? Have you been inadvertently slipping toxic foods from your plate to give your dog a special treat? As a caring dog owner, it’s important for you to know which foods can harm your dog. This way, you can offer healthy foods only and keep the toxic ones safely out of reach. The kitchen can be a virtual playground for your dog’s nose and taste buds....

One of our favorite dog toys is deeply discounted for Cyber Monday , and you can get it for even less with a bundled deal from the pet product inventors at Fable Pets. The Game is a treat-dispensing toy that’s unique for both its varied modes of play and its high capacity—you can use this toy to make an entire meal until an exciting activity for your dog. When your dog nudges or paws at The Game, it will wobble and tip....

Is it OK to Own a Fennec Fox? Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Purchasing Similar Pets and Breeds Frequently Asked Questions The fennec fox, also known as the desert fox, is a petite animal that’s native to the Sahara desert and other parts of North Africa. Although it’s not common, sometimes these tiny foxes with oversized ears are kept as pets. Fennec foxes behave a bit like active, playful little dogs....

Bulldogs vary in color, size, and temperament but are generally very happy and easygoing. With proper training, they make excellent family pets because they get along with everyone and everything. Bulldogs have a whole lot of love to give. These moderately active dogs boast a quintessentially stocky build with wrinkled skin, and their coats are super soft. Want more reasons to love bulldogs? These cute faces should tell you all you need to know....

Take this opportunity to name your new male dog a unique and unforgettable name, so it can stand out among the rest. Not only will it be a great conversation starter when you meet new people while out, but it’ll be fun for you to experiment with different names. We’ve gathered more than 200 unusual male names to help you get started. Top Unusual Male Dog Names AlbusAmadeusBradCopernicusFettucciniFlapjackGalileoKevinMikeMoo ShuMowgliPotatoSherlockToddUlysses Tips for Choosing Unusual Male Dog Names When searching for an unusual male dog name, one of the first things to do is check out a list of the most popular male dog names....

Characteristics Breed History Training and Care Health Problems Diet and Nutrition Where to Adopt or Buy Black and Tan Coonhound Overview Further Research Frequently Asked Questions The black and tan coonhound is a large-sized, friendly, and sociable hound dog. The breed is known for its incredibly sensitive scent skills and a sweet, easy-going personality that makes it a great choice for families. This breed of family dog also continues to be selectively bred for both color as well as its hunting abilities, particularly for both raccoon and possum....

What Is Bumblefoot? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention There are plenty of great reasons to keep your pet rats at a healthy weight and provide comfortable living conditions for them, but preventing medical problems like bumblefoot is an especially important role for caregivers. This disease can develop when rats and other small pets are overweight, living in wire-floor cages, exposed to infected rats, or when owners do not clean urine and bodily waste from the rat enclosure regularly....

What Is Glaucoma? Symptoms Causes Diagnosing Treatment Prognosis Prevention Glaucoma is an eye disease that occurs in dogs as well as humans. It causes an increase in ocular pressure, which can be very painful and cause permanent damage if left untreated. Knowing the signs of glaucoma in a dog can help you recognize the problem and seek early treatment for your pup’s eyes. What Is Glaucoma? Glaucoma is a painful disease that occurs when the pressure inside a dog’s eye is too high....

Behavior and Temperament Housing Diet Vet Care Similar Pets Purchasing Frequently Asked Questions The Gambian pouched rat is a large rodent that’s native to Sub-Saharan Africa. The U.S. has banned importation of Gambian pouched rats. But there are still some states that permit them as pets when acquired from U.S. breeders. Unlike the domestic rats many people know as pets, these rodents have cheek pouches like a hamster that they use to gather food....

Buy a Clicker Choose a Special Reward Introduce the Clicker Identify Behavior Problems and Proofing Behavior Some nay-sayers will grumble that cats cannot be trained. That is not true. Cats are extremely trainable and often are trained based on signals rather than commands. You’ve also probably already trained your cat to come when an appropriate signal is given. Think about what happens when the can opener “whirrs” or kibble hits the bowl....

At some point in your chameleon’s life, it may need to pay a visit to a veterinarian. Unlike a dog or cat, not all veterinarians at your local animal hospital are able and willing to treat a reptile, so it’s helpful to do a little research before you make the drive. Can My Normal Vet Treat My Chameleon? Legally, any licensed veterinarian can treat any animal, including a chameleon, but not all veterinarians are comfortable doing so....

When you adopt a dog, you need some essentials like a good collar, leash, harness, lots and lots of poop bags, and even a toothbrush. Yep—it turns out that just like us humans, pups need regular teeth-brushing to keep plaque, tartar, tooth decay, and other dental diseases, like gingivitis, at bay. In fact, if you don’t brush your dog’s teeth, you put them at risk for bacteria from their mouth, causing infections in other parts of their body, too—like their kidneys and heart....