Euro Puppy BLOG

If you are already a happy dog owner and your baby is about to arrive, you might wonder whether your baby is going to be safe around the dog, whether you should keep your pet at all. Many families in this situation are worried about the safety of their baby. The truth is, if you have the time to prepare your dog for the baby's arrival, there should be no problem at all.

The opposite case, if you already have a child and are thinking about getting a dog, is a bit easier, because you have the opportunity to choose a breed that is good with children. There is no one breed that is perfect with children. It mostly depends on the dog's individual temperament, training and early socialization. It is a good idea to browse around classifieds and see whats on offer.

If your child is very young (under 6 years old) it is recommended to get a dog which is more than 2 years old, because they need less attention. However, in this case you must make sure that the dog has been well socialized and obedience trained. While it is a common misbelief that small breeds are better with children, in fact, these dogs are usually more fragile, so kids can easily hurt them, which can lead to the dog being aggressive. Herding or protective breeds are not recommended either, as they might try to herd children due to their natural instinct.

Whatever breed you choose, it is always important not to leave your baby or young child and the dog together without supervision, until they both learn the rules. One thing is certain, having dogs can not be a wrong decision, if the parents are responsible. A dog in the family can also teach your child learn responsibility at a young age and that animals need constant care and attention. Learn more about what breeds are considered good with children.

“Would castration solve the behavioral problems of my dog? Would it stop the wandering? Would it solve the problem of urine marking? Is it a struggle? Will my dog gain weight after the surgery? Would it reduce its protection ability? What other solutions are there for making my dog infertile?”

Just a few of the frequently asked Questions about neutering male dogs. Although the topic is quite controversial, there are some proven facts that I would like to share a few thoughts about to help you in making this important decision. Let's see the most common believes and the truth.

Belief #1: Castration will reduce the aggression level of my dog.

Well, in some cases, yes. But only if the dog is trained well. If your dog shows aggression towards people or other dogs due to the lack of training and care, castration is not going to solve the problem. But in most cases it can reduce the sex-related aggression, thanks to the decrease of the hormone level.

Belief #2: Castration will stop my dog wandering

It will probably do, or at least it will reduce it. Since the reason for wandering is mostly to look for females, it is quite sure that your dog will be more likely to stay at home, but in some cases, mounting behavior may not stop, only decrease, mostly if it is a result of dominance.

Belief #3: It will solve the problem of urine marking

As territorial aggression decreases, urine marking will do too, most probably. According to a survey, urine marking reduced significantly in 50 % of the cases.

Belief #4: My dog will get fat and lazy.

False. Your dog might feel more hungry in the first times, but it only depends on you, if your pet gets overfed or not. There is no direct connection between the two.

Belief #5: Chemical castration has the same effects as surgical castration, the only difference is that it is reversible.

Almost. Chemical castration means that the dog's testicles are injected, which leads to the reduction of testosterone. It is reversible, but it has the same effects, the only difference is that unlike surgical castration, the chemical one does not reduce the risk of prostate and testicular cancer.

Belief #6: Neutering reduces the protection abilities of my dog.

Since protection is a natural instinct it is unlikely that your dog will protect your home in a less efficient way. It is a common misbelief, because territorial aggression decreases after castration, but it isn't in direct connection with loyalty and protection.

Belief #7: The sooner the better

False. Most researches show that neutering at a very young age (under 6 months) can cause several psychological and behavioral problems.

After taking all into consideration, castration seems to be a lot less harmful than it first sounds and if you know that you don't want puppies from your dog for whatever reason, it seems to be the right thing to do. If you dread the idea of surgery, you can still go for chemical neutering or you can simply make sure that your dog does not get out if there is a bitch in heat nearby. Whichever you chose, preventing the birth of unwanted puppies is one of the main characteristics of a responsible dog owner.

Bahrain, a country with a population just over a million, is located in the Middle East neighboring Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With one of the worlds fastest growing economies, Bahrain functions as a financial hub of the Middle East and is home to many expatriates.



The majority of the population is of islamic background. According to islamic religious rules, dogs are not to be kept in one's house, unless they are trained for hunting or guarding live stock and "serve a purpose". What's more, if one touches a wet dog, one's hands become impure and must be washed seven times, one of which should be with earth. Touching a dry dog is considered okay though.

The one breed that is given a different status in the islamic world is the Saluki, who are even allowed to sleep in the same tent with their owners. Arabic nations have been breeding Salukis for thousands of years for both their beauty and hunting ability. The history of the breed goes back so far in time that it is regarded to be one of the earliest breeds to diverge from wolves. While they are not the fastest breed, their stamina and endurance outperforms most other dogs', which explains why they are so popular and wide spread in Bahrain and the Middle East.

With a new wave of expatriates, a new mentality has also set foot in the country and the notion of keeping pet dogs is more and more wide spread. Working breeds, like the German Shepherd and Doberman are used to guard property, but other large breeds such as the Dogue de Bordeaux, Great Dane or Golden Retriever, are also increasing in popularity.



The traditional attitude of local people is slow to change and some of them may actually be terrified of dogs. So if you expect local people - workmen or guests - to your house in Bahrain, make sure you separate your dogs, otherwise they may refuse to enter. Parks in Bahrain are not ideal for walking your dogs as they tend to be reserved for children. Waterfronts are, however, free to use for dog lovers.

Many people would think that the Middle East weather might be too hot for dogs so they are very rare in the region. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Even though the circumstances are not ideal for breeding, dogs are increasingly popular in the Middle East.

The two main reasons why people in the Middle East own pets are protection and pleasure.

The classic protection breeds like the German Shepherd and Rottweiler are very popular, but there seems to be more and more demand for less known breeds such as the Cane Corso and Caucasian Mountain Dog. These breeds have a natural inclination to guard the territory they live in and the people they regard as family.


There is an important distinction to make between protection or guard dogs and watchdogs. While smaller breeds can also act as watchdogs to alert the family in case of danger, guard dogs must be big and intimidating enough to threaten the possible intruder to the point of retreat.

The second popular dog type in the Middle East is best described as family pets. This group includes the English and American Cocker Spaniel, who have been given the "Merry Cocker" nickname as they are continuously happy and wagging their tail. The one thing they have in common with other small or medium sized breeds such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Maltese, Havanese or Bolognese, is that they can cheer you up just by their presence and they are great with children which makes them the perfect family pet.



Wherever you are in the world and whatever breed you may fall in love with, always make sure that you buy a healthy puppy with the necessary documents and vaccinations from a trusted source like Euro Puppy.

Until now, there is still talk whether or not a dog has emotions. But it seems that a dog having them is more accepted now as it was before. Dogs show that they are happy to see their owner come home by showing excitement, wagging its tail, and pouncing on them as they step through the doorway. If scolded, they seem to manifest guilt by withdrawal and showing maybe signs of shame. So if a dog can feel happy, excited and guilt, then most surely they should feel depression.

What are the causes and signs of dog depression?

Purchasing a Mini Bulldog is not an easy feat for anyone’s pocket. Reputable breeders pin a price tag anywhere from $2,950 to $3,450. But before one jumps to making decisions simply based on price, here are some facts to help in making an educated and informed choice.



1) Obedience: The loyalty and obedience of the Mini bulldog is absolute and is not attained due to force or an uber-authoritative owner but due to their need to please them. They will promptly follow instructions and will stick by them.

2) Social behavior: Social environments such as gatherings are not ruined by incessant barking for they can be excited and not be rambunctious at the same time. Even bringing them to the office should not cause any problems for they can just rest and snuggle at the owners legs for the whole day.

3) Portability: Having a Mini Bulldog around or taking it around with family on trips is not a herculean task like trying to control a Tibetan Mastiff. Weighing between 20 to 40 pounds and 12 to 14 inches in height and 17 to 24 inches in length, they are “take everywhere-anywhere” companions. These dogs want to be with their owners and that is the only motivation needed.

4) Grooming: a Mini bulldog doesn’t require any professional grooming help at all. They hardly shed and owners can do a much better job by themselves. Brushing not only removes dead hair and spreads the natural oils for a shiny coat, but the whole routine actual brings the canine and owner closer as they can take comfort knowing that safety and genuine care is given.

5) The Health Factor: A very important fact prospective owners should bear in mind is that the Mini bulldog was bred with not just to reduce their size but more importantly reduce if not eliminate major health concerns of the larger version such as defective organs, hip dysplasia, gassiness and a short life span. Bulldogs have an average of 8 years but the Mini Bulldog can definitely hit the double digits.

The bloodline of a dog is a tale of its lineage. Like a family tree, it shows what other dogs have come before it and what has contributed to its present genetic make-up. There are two ways of viewing bloodlines to be aware of: one that is formed based on the breeder’s signature of careful standard and the other bloodline is based on detailed traits that a family of animals may contain.

For responsible breeders, looking at the bloodline is important in the breeding process. This is in order to determine if there are any genetic defects, behavior potentials, health concerns or medical history that may be detrimental for the dog and where it came in and how to minimize it. It gives a whole image of the dog and its construction over time. Many breeders and owners look for dogs that have a champion bloodline. This means that it is from a generation that had received the most points for meeting the standards given by International Kennel Clubs. Appearances are not only the way to view dogs, but its lineage can also be considered.

If you really cared about the breed of dog you own, then learn the basics of that breed. Don’t rely on description of how the dog looks but know and understand the bloodline. Since description or colors of dogs don’t ensure that the dog is in fact a Pit Bull to start with and based on the very picture of the fake bloodlines, there is a high probability that they are not. You must understand that A Bloodline is based on traits and based on selective process. Every breeder has its own process and every family has its own as well. So ask them; what are the traits that their bloodline bears? Ask your breeder something that you don’t know.

The normal body temperature for a dog is 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.4 degrees Celsius.

Dogs do have rituals too!

Do you want to understand why a dog licks your face excitingly whenever he/she sees you? Or why does your dog buries bones? Are you planning to have a dog or are you a dog owner who wants to understand certain canine greeting, hunting and feeding rituals? Apparently, certain dog rituals could be explained by trying to look on how they were raised, trained or simply their basic animal instincts.

Greeting Rituals
A dog’s greeting ritual may be identified into two major types: One could be licking the mouth or face area of its owner or a visitor or smelling a person’s genital area. You may find it weird whenever your dog manifests these behaviors but it may also be a shock to you to find out how normal it is for dogs.

You may also find your dog jumping on you or on your visitors, which may also be considered normal for them to do. Most people punish or scold their dogs for behaving normally but inappropriate which causes the dog to feel uneasy and tense. Understanding so, it is advised that instead of expressing dismay to your dog’s behavior, you may try to divert this behavior by giving them toys as a form of distraction or an alternative outlet for their excitement and energy.

Hunting Rituals
Ever wonder how dog play works? Well, dog play could basically involve any of these: staring, chasing, nipping, shaking or grabbing. Though dogs may manifest some of these behaviors, it does not necessarily mean all of those should be seen on their dog play. Do not worry if your dog would only enjoy running around unlike other dogs that would wrestle, grab a toy and look like it would tear it apart—your dog is still completely normal.

For those who do not know, these dog play actions are hunting behaviors for survival. Just like their canine relatives such as wolves, your pet dog still shares the same hunting behaviors. Over excitement of dogs could lead from dog play to dog riot. A simple dog play between perfectly normal pet dogs could lead to rumble. So be on the lookout because it may cause pain for your pet.


Feeding Rituals
Ever find your dog burying bones or their toys on your lawn weird? As a part of survival and feeding, it is a normal behavior for dogs to hoard. Still sharing this common normal trait with their wild relatives, hoarding or caching is just a normal act for them to do. You may even find your sweetest and lovable poodle hoarding kernels or kibbles underneath their dog beds or blankets. It is somehow their way of protecting their food, but some of them end up lost or forgotten in due time.

So are you ready to start anew with your pet dog or your future pet? Hopefully, this might have given you a new light in understanding how a seemingly weird behavior of dogs is actually perfectly normal for them.

A Rottweiler and a wolf have formed the oddest new relationship in the animal world. As newspapers have been reporting a 150lb Rottweiler called Ulrok has befriended a tiny wolf cub called Beldaran in he Kisma Preserve in Maine, USA . He is a fully grown Rottweiler. She is a tiny wolf pup. They sleep together, frolic in the sun and even howl at the moon in unison.


This is far from the strangest friendship we’ve come across, however. In China, for instance, a Chihuahua adopted an orphaned chick. The dog acted as the chick’s surrogate parent picking it up in its mouth and taking it safely home when it risked getting into trouble. In the US a dog and a giant black bear have been observed by scientists happily together in the captive bear’s cage.

Dogs have also been known to let the offspring of other species suckle from them. Again in China, a kitten and a pair of tiger cubs have been observed feeding off the breast of dogs.
Dogs can even behave well towards their supposed worst enemies - cats. A scientific study found that cats are more likely to be chased if they are running away from a dog. The sight of the fleeing cat triggers a dog’s deep-rooted instinct to carry out prey chasing. Cats avoid being hurt by a chasing dog by learning to freeze and to lie down, with their bodies and head flattened to the ground. Denied the thrill of the chase, the dog will often lose interest.