What do you do when you really wish to have a pet, but due to some reason or the other, getting a dog or a cat is not an option? The easiest alternative is to get some fish. A dog or a cat requires a certain amount of space, commitment and a lot of time and investment. People might even possibly be allergic to them. Also, more often than not, your guests may not be particularly comfortable with a dog or a cat in the house. Somehow, most guests find the quiet and peace of fish in a fish tank endearing. And in terms of commitment, all that a fish needs is some food, comfortably sized fish tank and a little bit of love and you are good to go. But at the same time, one needs to ensure that their fish tank is cleaned regularly and they are well fed even if the owner is away. To ensure good health, one can also feed them vet-approved medicines.

The most famous, easily available and loved species among fish is the Goldfish. Its small in size and beautiful to look at, hence earning that name. It was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and most commonly kept aquarium fish. It was first domesticated in China, thousands of years ago with various other species of the carp family. It was originally reared as food fish, but slowly gained favor as a pet. Some of these normally were gray or silver in color, but produced mutations in red, yellow or orange. This mutation was first noticed during the Jin Dynasty (265-420). With time, the breed was then introduced in Japan, Portugal and subsequently to other parts of the world where it quickly became popular. There are many different varieties of domesticated goldfish, but due to their bright colors and long fins, they are likely to perish in the wild. Common and comet goldfish can survive and breed in any climate that can support a pond.

Goldfish are usually small and can survive in small tanks but they can grow fairly large. Goldfish as big as 19 inches have been recorded. A 15 inch goldfish in England was known to weigh 2 pounds. This being a pet fish, it is believed that there are several fish in ornamental lakes that could possibly be much larger in size. A fish was caught in a pond in England 16inches long and weighing 5 pounds. It was assumed that it was probably abandoned as it outgrew its tank. In the wild, goldfish usually feed on crustaceans, insects and plant matter. They can’t willingly stop eating, which can cause damage their intestines. Overfeeding can be diagnosed by excessive waste and faeces produced. Compared to typical fish food, goldfish-specific food has less protein and more carbohydrates. Shelled peas, blanched green vegetables, blood-worms and brine shrimp are a favorite, but goldfish preference vary similar to all other animals. Goldfish have the capacity to distinguish between 4 primary colors-red green blue and ultraviolet, thus making their vision the most widely studied amongst all fish visions.

There are over 300 breeds of goldfish available in China currently, almost all of which have originated there. These breeds have differences in their color, body shapes, and fin and eye configurations. Some extreme versions can thrive only in aquariums and are far removed from their wild counterparts. Goldfish exist in colors like, orange, yellow, silver, black and several combinations of these. The Chinese classify goldfish based on their features. Ce goldfish lack fancy anatomical features. Wen have a fancy tail. Dragon Eye have extended eyes, and Egg have an egg shaped body with no dorsal fin. Goldfish reproduce only when there is enough water, right nutrition and the right temperature. Goldfish are egg layers that typically hatch within 48 to 72 hours. The newborns can take almost a year to develop a mature goldfish color. Some highly bred goldfish can no longer breed due to their altered shape, and hence require artificial breeding, that, if done incorrectly can harm the fish.

Goldfish are some of the most intelligent fish. They have strong associative abilities and social learning skills. Due to their visual acuity they can distinguish between individual humans. They are joyful when they spot their owners, or a known face, but hide and shy away from others. Goldfish rarely harm each other, although they can be extremely competitive when it comes to food. They have a memory span of 3 months. By using positive reinforcement, they can be trained to react to visual stimuli or to perform tricks. They are just as friendly and make a good companion as most pets. Goldfish have a tendency to generate a lot of waste, in the form of faeces and also from their gills. This creates a toxic environment in the fish tank, if it is not cleaned frequently. Certain laws are in place that restrict having goldfish in a fish bowl. This is considering the constricted space available for movement and the dangers of a toxic environment. Ideally a cleaning mechanism should be employed in the fish tank to ensure optimum measures.

Another reason why people prefer having goldfish as pets is its value in terms of feng shui. Feng shui is an ancient art of good living. Goldfish are said to bring good luck in the house. In fact according to certain customs a husband gifted his wife a goldfish on successful completion of one year of marriage.  In fact, placing just a model or image of a goldfish in the house is said to bring good luck in the house.  More often than not, it has been noticed that fish don’t last very long. In spite of their short lifetime, they bring us joy the whole time. No wonder, they are loved by all.

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Gone where the days when people thought dog as man’s best friend. The rich and famous have proved it all wrong by owning all sorts of exotic pets that range from reptiles to rats and lions to lemurs taking the human-animal bond totally to a new level. Some of them may look scary or risky to be kept in your house but these popular people have cross all bounds and levels to have an affectionate pet companion in their lives. Below is a list of few celebrities who chose not to be too mainstream in their selection of pets. Lets have a look.

 1. Tori Spelling

An award winning actress and author seems to be a dedicated animal lover and a proud owner of a lovely white chicken which she calls Coco Chanel. The pet has got all facilities that a pet dog can have with a dog bed next to its owners bedside and like any pet dog, the chicken goes around to places with her owner. Tori calls her a house chicken or a dog chicken. She doesn’t have a coop like other normal chicken in Tori’s backyard. She dresses her chicken and let her alone take posses for captures. She even pecks the dogs and other chickens which come close by. It is totally unexpected to have so much love and care towards a chicken pet but Tori loves her Coco like any other pet lover would.

2. Kristen Stewart

She appeared in news some time back, for reasons that other than her relationship issues. The actress’s mother is said to own several wolf-dog hybrids. Four not 100 percent wolves, named Jack, Lily, Tommy and Lola, stride on their own piece of land owned by mommy Stewart. Recently she was accused of keeping the animals illegally by her neighbor, to which she retaliated and defended her pets’ ownership.

P.s -And you thought Bella Swan belonged to the vampire team.

3. Leonardo Dicaprio

Jay Brewer Vella, the owner of reptile shop, was taken back when he saw Leonardo DiCaprio entered his shop one fine day. Knowing that the actor had an interest in tigers, he said in total surprise, “We had no idea he was coming.” The actor bought 38 pound, Sulcata tortoise for $400. Tortoise make good pets and give their owner a long company of 80 to 100 years. To this Leo made a note that tortoise make really good pets. The tortoise was the largest available in the retailer’s shop.

4. Nicole Kidman

Owning a farm in Nashville, the famous Nicole Kidman and her husband are raising their pet Alpacas, camel like fluffy animals with long eyelashes. Her 2 year old kid loves their pet and they even walk it around on a leash. Why [alpacas]? Because they’re pretty,” was her reply when inquisitives asked. “They have the long lashes. Have you seen them?” Seems the actress fell in love with animal’s long neck and eyelashes and admits that she would like to add a few snakes too, to her collection of pets.

5. Stewan Tailor

People go for all kind of weird pets, but Steven Tyler once crossed the limit by getting a pet raccoon. The American Idol judge and rock legend told on the famous show The Late Show With David Letterman that he used to put the raccoon on his shoulder and go for fishing every day. Raccoons are legal to own and their companionship can be compared to that of a dog. Contrary to the belief that raccoons attack people as shown in certain flicks, these pets can be litter box trained and make good pets.

6. Goeorge Clooney

He owned a potbelly pig whom he named Max. Sad to say his beloved pet is no more. We quoted him saying that the pet was like a family member to him. It lived with Clooney’s in his home at Hollywood Hills. The pet was 19 years old when he died peacefully of natural causes. He owned the pig for 18 long years and said that the pet was his longest relationship. It came as a surprise to the actor when he heard the news of his pet death since it considered him big part of his life.

 7. Slash

Slash, the guitarist from the famous American Rock Band, Guns & Roses  is said to be fascinated by reptiles and dinosaurs. From early age he started petting and caring for snakes. In 2008 he almost had hundred snakes, lizards and crocodiles at his home. Slash also been a supporter of Los Angeles Zoo and an advocate for many zoos across world. He even received Tom Mankiiewicz Leadership Award for his contribution and involvement in wildlife and environment protection. His  list of pets include Mickey (black-and-white rat), Jack (Jackson’s chameleon), Clyde and Sam (anacondas), Pandora (boa constrictor which appears in “Patience” music video), Jacob (another boa that Slash gave to the Los Angeles Zoo), Adrianna (Burmese python) and Curtis (mountain lion).

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Do animals have spirits? Do they also become ghosts after they die as many people believe about humans? Perhaps yes. There are many instances, where humans have experienced or felt their pets, better to say apparition of them, long after they have gone to their heavenly abode. It is believed that owners with strong bond with their pets, who suffered great loss after their sudden death, are often approached by ghosts of their pets to remind them that they are alright wherever they are and not to worry about them. It can be a made up story and hypothetical theory, no one knows. Also there are many contradictory questions to it like can only animal pets return as ghosts or if even insects like mosquitoes can come back as phantom animals from the afterlife. Below is a countdown of stories that make you twitch in your seats and leave you baffled. Have a look.

5. Ghost of Ozzy

This is story about a pet ferret, which had to be put down by the owner because of serious illness. Ozzy used to live in the owners grandmother’s house with another pet cat and both were best buddies. After the ferret’s demise, her grandmother started experiencing certain unexpected activities. She claims that every night she felt something climbing under her covers, near her feet. She even tried keeping the night lights on, stripping the bed covers, suspecting it can be mice, but nothing turned up. Also she noticed the cat’s behavior change as if it was playing with Ozzy, as it used to when the ferret was alive. Though her grandmother’s can’t see anything but she is convinced that their pet is still around them and comes to sleep right next to her feet every night.

4. Bandit came Back

This story might not be easy to believe so does every other ghost story unless it is scary. This begins when the owner’s pet died unexpected death while being treated for some illness which it suffered from past three months. The owner was quite attached to the dog and was devastated on hearing the news of his pet dog. Sad and not able to get over this tragedy, one night he went to bed and woke up out of his body. He sat up and looked around to find his dog’s twin sister sleeping at his feet. The room turned dark and he saw his dog, Bandit against his leg, looking at him. Though he didn’t feel scared but certainly he was taken aback. Bandit looked healthy, fresh and wagged its tail continuously. It jumped down and ran off in distance looking back at his owner and wagging his tail. He then woke up suddenly but the out-of-body experience was so realistic that he made a dash to his brother’s room and told him about it. The dog carried a message to his owner as to not worry for it and that he is happy now.

3. Ghost Friend

In one of the cases the owner’s daughter suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since she was 12. Due to this she was in discomfort most of the time. But the strange part was that from the past couple of years she had been telling her mother that a ghost visited her and sat on her bed when she really felt sad. She claimed that it always sat right next to her feet and the mattress would depress right there when it would sit. Suddenly a realization dawned upon her mother who was dead sure now that it was their cat Andy, whom they had lost couple of years back. How? Well, Andy, when alive used to follow the same routine when her daughter would have been sad before.

2. Diabolic Cat

Not satisfied with the above stories? How about a ghost cat lurking around in Washington D.C? Demon D.C is the name given to the cat that haunts the government buildings in Washington D.C. The story behind it begins when cats were brought in the basement tunnel of the building to get rid of the rat menace. As the legend goes, there is a black cat ghost that is seen before and after the presidential elections in Washington D.C. It was spotted by the White House guards, the night before John F. Kennedy’s and Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. The cat is said enlarge to the size of a tiger and even pounce on its victim and disappear in mid air. In an incident in 1890, one of the guards had fired at it while the other got a heart after seeing it, though it vanished.

1. Out of Ouija

Calley had a pet cat called Princy, which was seven human years when it had died few years back. This story is about two curious friends who played with Ouija Board one night. Dangerous as it is, they tried with the game and started asking question to the spirits like, ‘What is your name?’ and ‘How old were you when you died?’ The thing that frightened them was when the board replied that its name was Princy and it is seven years old. After finishing off the game, strange things started happening day by day. Calley heard moans of cat, the same she had heard when Princy was dying. Often she would here purring sounds in the basement which would often scare her. All this continued for some time but eventually dropped to nothing. Calley thinks it was Princy’s way of saying goodbye to her owner.

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A pet is your animal companion and eventually becomes your family as you develop bonds with it. At one point this human-animal bond becomes so strong that it can turn your pet into your protector. There are hypothetical super-humans who risk their lives for your safety. Now let us have a look at super-pets who have pushed the limits of human-animal relationship and emerged as heroes with their extraordinary and unbelievable deeds to protect their owners and family.

Below are few instances where animals have proved themselves to be understanding, protective, heroic and above all a best friend.

1. Protector Pedigree

This incident took place on a fine October day in 2007. Charlotte Svillicic, a 17 month old baby was playing in yard in her Australian home when suddenly their pet Doberman, Khan starting making growling noises. The reason behind his snarl was totally unexpected, as it turned out to be one of the most poisonous snakes of the world, king brown snake, under the house. The dog tried to nudge the baby away but when it realized no avail in doing so, it lifted the baby with the diaper and tossed her few feet behind him. This startled the snake and in the sudden act it struck back at Khan and bit him on the paw. The snake dashed away and the toddler was saved, but the dog was ended up in hospital. Though Khan was given antivenin and he soon recovered but this act of courage got him appraisal and made him ‘hero of the day’.

2.  Parrot Alarm

Megan Howard, who was babysitting 2 year old Hannah Kuusk, heard her pet Quaker parrot screaming at the top of its voice and flapping its wings. Megan was in bathroom at that time and later said that she had never heard such shrill cries of her pet before. When she came out of the bathroom, she saw the toddler had chocked herself and her face had turned blue by then. Immediately Megan performed Heimlich maneuver over Hannah, a series of steps to save people from chocking. Although she saved the little girl but admitted that her pet had been the real life saver. The bird was later presented with the local Animal Lifesaver Award by Red Cross.

3. Lulu to the Rescue

While on a vacation in Pennsylvania woods, Jo Ann Altsman suffered from a heart attack. Lulu, her potbellied pet pig realized that something went wrong with her owner and somehow managed to get out of their mobile home, towards the road. When a car would approach, the petit piggy would lie down in the middle of road to stop the passerby. The times car didn’t stop, Lulu would go back to her owner to check upon her and then run back to the road. This intelligent act of the pig made a motorcycle stop and follow the pig into the woods. There he found the lady and immediately called 911. Such an immediate and surprising act saved by Lulu, saved the owners life.

4. A Meow saveS 3

Keesling family would have died in their sleep, had their cat not woken them up, by nudging and meowing loudly and continuously. A gas-powered water pump started leaking odorless carbon monoxide in the home. Nobody realized it except the cat, who tried her best to wake up her owners. Cathy’s husband and son were already unconscious, when Cathy got woken up by shrilling meows of her cat. Slightly feeling dizzy she called 911 and got help before it was too late.

5. Magic Mare

Animal therapy has long been known for its health benefits. Animals are known to reduce blood pressure and even prevent heart attack.  In a similar incident where horse therapy proved to be a boon to a patient who hadn’t spoken to anyone for three long years in her assisted-living facility. Magic, a beautiful mare with blue eyes used to visit patients, who needed comfort. That included her trips to hospitals, care facilities and group homes. When that patient saw Magic for the first time, she uttered out her first few words after a long time and that were,” Isn’t she beautiful?” Those words made every one come to tears and the lady improved considerably up on her health. This one interaction got Magic AARP’s Most Heroic Pet 2010 award.

6. Taking a bullet

In this heroic act by Lefty, this brave dog dared to cross all bounds when she leaped in front of one of the robbers, who pointed the gun at one of the family members. This incident happened during one night when the family home was broken in by four robbers. The dog took the bullet all by her and ended up getting injured on her leg and her shoulder. She was immediately taken to the nearby veterinary hospital but unfortunately had to lose one of her limbs. The cost of surgery was too much so in order to raise money for her treatment, they shared her story on Facebook. Not only were they able to get enough funds but the family pet became a heroic pup overnight.

7. Fire Fighter

Buddy, a brave German shepherd, received a silver-plated bowl from Alaska State Troopers for his heroic act when he saved his owners home from fire. When Ben Heinrich’s workshop caught fire in 2010, he shouted to his pet for help. Buddy made a dash to the road nearby and led a state trooper to the fire site. With the in-time help and Buddy’s bravery, Ben’s house was saved from flares.

These are just a few stories of bravery and selfless acts of pets towards their owners. These super animals have saved lives in time, with their intelligent and heroic acts. They are not just your friends, they are caring and concerned for you as any family.

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What you think when you hear the word ‘the lizard’? Tiny Creator? Sucking one? Interesting one?

Well… In this article, I brought you some interesting things regard lizard families and what kind of reptiles suits well for the home and as a pet. Lizards’ families are scientifically called as reptiles. It lives in diverse environment and on own. Mostly reptiles have four short hooves and one long tail according to their original size. And, most of the reptiles are smaller in size but some kinds are beyond that. There is a say, snakes and lizards carries similar kind of body structure. Yes, it does but not all the structure. Lizards have feet (four legs) and ears, but snakes don’t. Mostly lizards don’t suit for human life because they are poisonous and dangerous in some case, but can be kept and made as a pet in some (good) ways. Lizards have good capable to communicate with their families creator through their body languages, color on their bodies or producing some unique sound. Lizards have tendency to cut their tail on own when they are in danger (to avoid predator involve). In such cases, I brought some best kinds of reptiles’ suits well for home stay.

7. Bearded Dragon lizard

Bearded dragon lizard is the common name, but scientifically termed as Pogona. It is mostly available and originated from Australia. Bearded dragon lizards usually to be live in dry open woodland, semi-desert, rocky areas and dry areas. Bearded dragon lizards are of two types, namely, Eastern Bearded Dragon lizard and Central Dragon lizard. Bearded dragon lizard grows around 30 to 60 cms long. And, it love to eat leafy greens, vegetables and non-citric fruits sometimes along with the insects.

6. Asian Agamid

Asian Agamid includes 300 varieties of species. Agamid are widely available in Africa, Asia, Australia and southern part of Europe. The best varieties of agamid are Bronchocela, Aphaniotis, Salea and Chinese water dragon. Asian agamid are colored reptiles which are considered as attracting part in it. Each agamid have unique characteristics and living habitat. Some agamid grow 30 to 80 cms and some agamid grow more than a meter. But agamid have similar characteristics, that is, eye sight. It got good eye for catching its prey.

5. Blue Tongued Skink

Blue Tongue Skink lizards are scientifically called as Tiliqua Nigrolutea. It is originated from Australia and widely available in New Guinea and Indonesia. It is named as Blue Tongued Skink because it got large blue tongue. It is considered as the best pet among other varieties of lizards. It is classified to some varieties, namely, Western Blue Tongued lizard, Centralian Blue Tongued lizard, Eastern Blue Tongued lizard and Stump-tailed Skink. It has tendency to catch their prey on own. And, sometimes it eats leafy greens along with water.

4. Chuckwalla

Chuckwalla is one of the largest lizards in reptiles’ family. It is mostly available and originated from Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Some chuckwalla can be found in the coastal islands. It is scientifically called as Sauromalus. It suit well for the home stay and as a pet. Chuckwalla is considered as largest and widest lizard. It got to have a belly like stomach and tapering tail. It grows around 75 to 80 cms. The best chuckwallas are large male chuckwalla in white tank mountain, Adult chuckwalla of Sonoran desert, Juvenile chuckwalla of Sonoran desert.

3. Tuatara

Tuatara is the combo of lizard and snake. It is an interesting species to study and have as a pet. It is originated from New Zealand. It is the very oldest species available from 200 million years ago. It is scientifically called as Sphenodon punctatus. Tuatara has tendency to hear well though it doesn’t have any external ears and has good and powerful eye sight to see the prey well even at night time. It generally grows around 80 cms or more depending on their characteristics.

2. Basilisk

Basilisk lizards are sometimes called as Jesus Christ lizards or Jesus lizards because it has tendency to walk on the water to certain distance. It is scientifically called as Basiliscus vittatus.  It is originated from Southern Mexico, Central America and Northern South America. The attracting points of the basilisks are blue spots and yellow iris on all over the body. It has some wing like structure at the top of the body (as like the fish). It grows around 6 to 8 cms long. It has good tendency to walk on water and at good speed approximately 40 feet per second. It is considered as a good reptile to have as a pet.

1. Iguana

Iguana is an herbivorous reptile, that is, vegetarian reptile. It is originated from Mexico, Central America and several islands such as Fiji and Caribbean. Some Iguana is safest reptile to have as pet and some Iguana doesn’t. Though Iguana has several species, the best known species are Green Iguana and Lesser Antillean iguana. Green iguana is safest and best for the home stay and as a pet. But, lesser Antillean iguana isn’t safest and preferred as a pet. It has multicolor over the body and grows around 1 to 1.5 meters long (really long).

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If you have ever loved and lost someone, you know just how painful it can be, even more, when you are the one that’s lost. One tends to lose hope and the sense of purpose. One would imagine that it probably is a lot harder for your dear pet. Many a times, one might see a lost animal that has been abandoned by their owners. The validity of the reasons for such an act is unfathomable. Some might give economic instability. Even though that might seem fair, but one must not gamble on the life of an adorable living being with everything to lose, who will love you unconditionally, no matter what. Some of the more unreasonable excuses include the loss of interest in the idea of owning a pet.

Sometimes, it so happens that some elements of the society with less than noble intentions, deliberately try to hurt your pet or in certain cases even steal them. This is probably in response to some tussle between the victim’s family and the person in question, or to try and sell the pet as a source of secondary income, or in worst case scenarios as a victim of animal cruelty. Apart from attempts at moral policing and improving the safety and security of our pets, sadly, there is not a lot that can be done.

Or when a pet has sufficiently fulfilled the original purpose of their presence, the owner decides to abandon them. Such as the extremely disciplined dogs used the police department used as sniffer dogs or those in welfare homes, used as guide dogs or for companionship, once old or disabled even if temporarily, are struck off service, often conveniently termed as ‘retirement’. Such animals have nowhere to be, and are disturbingly found fending for themselves.

Another situation is when the pet itself feels uncared for. Physical abuse although unacceptable, is fairly common in many homes. Using violence as a form of training, especially, is common among many a pet owners. Sometimes, the pet is yet another accessory for an owner, present in the household just to satisfy a temporary whim. Pets usually tend to adjust to the various kinds of people they are with, but sometimes when things get beyond their capability to bear, they try to break free and run away in the hope of finding a better life, which may or not be an eventuality.

Popular media including books and movies, including the highly successful series of ‘Homeward Bound’ are based on instances when a dearly beloved pet of some family is lost. Such pets could be dogs or cats or any other animal. The movies give relatable accounts of what happens when the pet has been left behind accidentally or deliberately. The pet somehow successfully finds its way back home and into the hearts of those responsible for their being missing. The animated movie ‘Bolt’ is a classic depiction of the love and loyalty that the dog has for the little girl who calls it her own. These pets, in the face of the direst of difficulties, refuse to give up.

Not only in the fictional world, but there have been real stories when a pet has returned home, even after years of being separated from their owners. There was a recent story when a cat came back to its owner after over 10 years, willingly and voluntarily. This was a shock and a surprise not only for the owner, but also those people who believe that cats are selfish and are unattached to their owners emotionally. Dogs that were abandoned or stolen have escaped from captivity and come back home safely, much to the elation of their owners and disappointment of their dog-nappers. These animals have travelled across borders just to be with their owners.

Animals have a certain sense of direction, an inherent quality of rarely being actually lost. It is fairly simple for them to return to the place call home. They have their own mechanism to mark their territory, relay out signals amongst their own kind, etc. More often than not, it is the human interference that makes matters complicated. If the owner shifts base, the pet now can no longer rely on finding their marked territory to find their owner. Animals are extremely instinctive too. They can sense when they are not truly loved or wanted. So if treated badly, there’s a high chance, they will not make attempts to return to their owner, and would prefer staying on the streets.

As a fellow pet lover, one must always be on the look-out to help owners to find their pets. These pets are just as close to them as a family member, and the pain of losing one is as bad as a missing child. It is admittedly easier to recognize a lost dog from their collar. Cats usually don’t have collars, yet the air about a pet cat is fairly different from that of a street cat, as one might call it. Birds are the hardest to find due to their love of the open skies. Yet, one can always try to bring two loved ones back together.

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All the dogs that are introduced to the domestic sphere are smart, for they can learn to obey orders and act rather wisely in certain given circumstances. But there are few with remarkable intelligence and brains that will amuse you.

Here is a list of the ten smartest dogs in the world;

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian cattle dogs are usually trained to be work dogs and herding dogs. The most impressive qualities about this breed is that they are very intelligent, alert, watchful, resourceful and fiercely protective about their things and people around them. They fit, strong and active dogs but the drawback here is that they always need to be occupied in some kind of work or else they keep bumping into trouble while finding something amusing to do. They are a very organized and neat breed. Their stuff will always be found where they are supposed to be found.

Rottweiler;

They are perfect work companions. They are herding dogs as well. They can serve as the best guard dogs and police dogs, thanks to their intelligence and skills.

Papillon;

They may not look it, but do not be fooled by the looks. Although they are cute, pretty, innocent looking dogs, they are smarter, tougher and stronger than what meets the eye. They have outstanding stamina that makes them excellent companions for walks. They can be super protective of their belongings but you can take them anywhere. They are intelligent enough to deal with it.

Labrador;

The Labrador retriever or Lab for short is the most favourite and popular family dog. I personally see them everywhere with the white or cream coloured ones being the most preferred over other colours. They are another breed of very conveniently trainable work dogs that are extremely hard working and great companions for your physical tasks. They are very intelligent and hence can catch on to your orders really quick and learn to obey. They are also one of the most preferred dogs alongside German Shepherds and Golden retrievers, for military and crime investigation purposes.

Shetland Sheepdog;

The name itself says that this is one breed that is a herding one. They take this quality of watching over their herd even in the domestic sphere with themselves. They are overly protective of their families, whether it consists of humans or farm animal herds. They adjust themselves in any kind of environment and being smart and intelligent they grasp things really quickly and are an absolute delight to any owner. The cute soft toy look is a bonus with the dog.

Doberman Pinscher;

They are as fierce as they come across to be. The most popular choices for guard/ watch dogs. They are genetically coded to be fearless and fit. Because of their smart and intelligent nature, it is easy to train them to be social and friendly. They are actually very gentle if you make friends with them. Their loyalty for their humans is unquestionable.

Golden Retriever;

They are a very curious breed with an inborn desire to please humans around them. They are very hard working and trainable. With their intelligence they can master several commands in no time and hence are really efficient companions in the domestic sphere as well as workplaces. They are also one of the most preferred dogs for therapeutic purposes. Apart from all these, they are a very loving and friendly breed with lots of patience, perfect family dogs that are very gentle even when it comes to kids.

German Shepherd;

They are a breed very commonly spotted with the military and police forces. They were originally trained for their intelligence. This is the most dependable dog breed for its intelligence, courage, protective and loyal nature. They take quite some time to master commands, but once they are through with it, they almost always obey the very first they are asked to do something. They get bored easily; they like to keep themselves occupied. Hence they are always ready to learn new things to do and be asked to do things because that directs them towards doing something. It gives them a purpose, which is what they want. With all these qualities, they are of course used as herding dogs ( going by the name) and also as watch dogs, search and rescue dogs and they have also been trained by military forces for parachute jumps.

Poodle:

Deceptive looks again! Poodles are fast, sharp minded and easily trainable. The poodle is excellent with creative and obedience. They are best with their human companions. In spite of their size and fur, they can be trained to endure and be watch dogs also at times. They are always active and simply need to do something all the time or else they are very creative in finding their own ways to keep themselves busy and wrecking everything in the process.

Border Collie:

And here we have the smartest dog in the countdown. They are extraordinarily intelligent and super energetic all the time. They are a breed with a mind of their own. They do not live up to expectations if their owners are not as fit and energetic as they are. As common with all hard working dogs, even the Border Collies need to have something to do the entire time they are awake else they turn everything into a tragic wreckage. They may not be good around kids because they are not the patient kind and need someone firm to accompany them. To their suitable owners, they are very obedient loyal and true companions.

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Recently there has been a steady rise in the statistics that show Indian families adopting pets. Having pets is more of a trend now but there are many advantages of having a pet. Here are few mentioned below;

Pets work as mood enhancers;

No matter how angry, upset or stressed you are, there is no denying that a pet’s comforting presence works like magic potion for you. It is very hard to keep up with a distressed mood when the innocent and loving animals are hovering around you giving you company no matter how low you feel. Research has also shown that not only do they ward negative feelings away but they also help in preventing their onset at times.

Pets help you keep your blood pressure in check;

Since they keep your moods in check, it is obvious that you do not lose your temper and have your blood pressures shooting up like rockets. This means, less need of medication and safe temperament for you.

Pets are a great source of exercise;

Once you get a pet, you know that you have to be on your feet always, whether its cleaning up after them, bathing them, keeping them entertained in order to not encourage them into thinking that tearing up your projects and important papers is the right way to have fun. You can also take them along for your regular walks or jogs in the park. They will help you stay healthy and fit.

True comfort for loneliness;

You have pets to keep you company and give you unconditional love, support and loyalty even when everything else in the world is working against you. You know you can pour your heart out to them and your secrets are safe with them. They prove to be really good listeners and are always ready to give you company whether you like it or not.

You will live longer than others;

A happy heart is a healthy heart. Having pets around you keeps you encouraged and happy and if happiness is the key to good health, then there you have your personal doctors and therapists at home. This has been proved via research as well.

Social advantage;

When you have pets you tend to keep meeting and interacting with more and more people to discuss about the subject of pets and pet care.

Personality development;

This is the best part. When you have a pet, it very easily means you have responsibility. There are so many things you have to be particular about. Feeding your pet, taking them out for regular exercises, making sure they do not bother your neighbours. Making sure your neighbours do not bother them! You start learning to be more patient, active, responsible, loving and confident because there are times when you have to stand up for your pet all by yourself when they land themselves in trouble. You also get to learn some life lessons from them. Dogs for example, when they set their mind to do something they hang on to it till the end, giving it their best shot and all their undivided attention. Multi tasking doesn’t really help you work to perfection so you learn to focus taking inspiration from your pet. Cats always mind their own business, so that is a way you learn to not be interfering.

However, when we say you must get a pet, we mean the right pet for you. People with asthma and allergies must be careful with the pet they pick, because pets tend to be messy and you constantly have to watch out for them. The vet or even the trainer at the pet store may be of some help to provide you with all the information you need about what kind of pet would be the right one for you if you are allergic to being around most animals.

Also if you live in an apartment, having big size dogs for pets is a very bad idea, however, you can have guinea pigs, hamsters, cats, frogs or small dogs like pugs, lhasa apsos and so on. Apartment life is very restrictive to huger animals. There is not enough space for exercise and it’s a constant frustration to the neighbours who may not be animal lovers and loath all the noise in the building.

If you have a restricted budget then be very careful to not pick a high maintenance pet like dogs and exotic pets, because having a pet in general requires lot of investment and proper planning may prove to be a good enough solution. But you cannot just get a pet, not be able to take proper care of it and just say you are broke, because animals do not speak human and they will never be able to voice their discomfort.

If you know you have enough resources and time to look after a pet, you should definitely get one and watch your life change for the better!

The post Reasons why you simply MUST have a pet! appeared first on Pet Attack.

Any movie buff with a particular partiality towards animals will in all probability be in love with the movie 8 below. And if one were to watch it, so would they fall in love with the movie; if not the movie, then the protagonists for sure. And no, the late Paul Walker is not being talked about here, but the fascinating team of eight absolutely adorable snow dogs. Another movie with this breed in the lead is Snow Dogs where a Miami dentist inherits a pack of snow dogs, which he eventually learns to love and trains them for the annual event.

There is just something so endearing about huskies that one can’t help but feel an instant connection to them. There is a reason so many movies and books have huskies as a central character. These gorgeous furry creatures are not only one of the oldest breeds, but are some of the most fiercely loyal dogs one would come across. Their lovable, playful temperament is loved and appreciated by one and all. The Siberian husky as the name suggests, originated in Siberia and is characterized by its dense coat. It belongs to the Spitz genetic family. The thick furry coat, triangular erect ears and markings are distinctive.

The snow clad mountainous terrains of Northeast Asia was where this breed was first brought in to use as a working dog. They would be used to pull heavy loads of luggage and people through long distances over some of the roughest terrains in the most unpredictable climatic conditions. The ancestors came from some severely harsh and chilling climates in the Siberian Arctic. In spite of the weather, the breed has always been extremely active, energetic and resilient to all environments. The breed was eventually imported to various parts of the world, including Alaska, Canada and the United States. Because of their ability to persevere through the snow, they were originally only used as sled dogs, but as their popularity grew they adapted to be used as family dogs or even in the show business.

The dog will ideally live for 12-14 years weighing 16-27kgs growing up to the height of 51-64cm. to help them adapt to the cold weather, they are born with a thick undercoat and a soft outer coat. Such an arrangement makes it able to survive in Arctic temperatures that could be as low as -60 degree Celsius. What is interesting is that in spite of being ideally suitable for cold climates, their coats can adjust to warmer temperatures with relative ease. The outer coat reflects heat in the summer and can naturally change to adapt to the hot temperatures, although weekly grooming is essential in all seasons. They exist in all shades of black to white with distinctive patterns and combinations, sometimes with a hint of brown or red. They can have eyes ranging from blue to green to brown or amber. Some huskies are known to have eyes of differing colors or part-colored.

The breed name Husky originates from the word Esky, as a derivative of Eskimos, their first human companions. Their uninhibited loyalty and faith in their owners has been well documented in movies based on real life, such as 8 Below, when in spite of being temporarily abandoned in an Arctic storm, they survived and waited for the return of their owner for over 50 days, all by themselves. Their undying love and affectionate nature makes them an all-rounder of sorts. They are prone to display signs of their ancestral behavior. This includes tendency to howl instead of bark. They love to play and run. Because of their inherent traits similar to that of an escape artist, fences as high as 2 meters are recommended.

They are incredibly protective of children, and need constant human companionship. One must make sure to provide them with their daily dose of intense physical activity. Because of their predatory instincts, they might not be accepting of other animals in the house and can become a source of worry in presence of small animals. While at the same time, this trait makes them a formidable form of safety and security against intruders. They tend to need training lessons to differentiate friend from foe and other obedience issues. They are extremely intelligent and are trusting companions. Most of their health issues are genetic such as seizures or ailments related to eye defects. Because of their medium to large size, lack of exercise makes them prone to bone issues such as hip dysplasia. When used as sled dogs gastric and breathing difficulties become increasingly common.

They are cute and cuddly and are extremely attractive for young children, so much so that the Siberian Chukchi people used to have the dogs look after their children. They are gentle in their demeanor, yet have a tendency to be destructive, roam and run away. But with their genetic directional skills, they easily find their way back. If trained well when young, they make great family dogs. They are independent in a way, but still enjoy human interaction. Their outgoing nature is just another addition to the exhaustive list of their qualities, which just makes them even more desirable.

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