Exercise Is Vitally Important For You And Your Dog

Everybody needs exercise. That goes for you and your dog, too! If you are going to have a dog as a companion, you are taking on a responsibility. You must be prepared to provide your dog with good food, clean water, a safe, secure, warm place to sleep, inoculations, veterinary care as needed, companionship and exercise. 

One of the great things about exercising your dog is that it is an activity that also exercises you. That's definitely win-win in every way. No matter what your level of fitness or ability, there are many ways you can make sure your dog gets the exercise it needs to be healthy and happy. 

If you are an ambulatory individual with no physical disability, there is no reason why you cannot take your dog out for a walk, run or bike ride every day. You and your dog should get at least fifteen or twenty minutes of exercise daily. It will do you both good in terms of keeping your blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar levels on an even keel. 

If you do have a physical disability and perhaps use a wheelchair, you can still take your dog for a walk and you should. If your dog is an assistive dog, it probably already knows how to pull your chair if you use a manual wheelchair. This is probably plenty of exercise for your dog. 

If you use a motorized chair and your dog is a companion or a small dog who takes care of little tasks for you, a daily walk to wind down and spend some leisure time together is a good idea. Put your dog on a leash and let it trot along beside you or ride in your lap if it gets tired. 

Even though you will not be getting exercise on these walks, you will be getting fresh air and encountering people who will probably give you a smile and exchange some pleasant words. This is a great way to brighten your mood, lower your blood pressure and enjoy your life. 

No matter what your level of mobility, you can always exercise your dog by throwing a ball, Frisbee or stick to fetch. This is an activity you can do indoors or outdoors. Just be sure to choose the right type of toy for your pet and for the venue. 

If you are a senior playing with a little dog indoors, naturally you will want to choose a small, soft object to throw. A little foam ball or even a balled up sock makes an excellent fetching toy for a little dog indoors. 

Big dogs who are well-behaved can enjoy this type of indoor exercise, too. Just be sure to throw something soft and don't let the action get out of control or you're liable to end up with a lot of broken bric-a-brac. No matter how you exercise your dog and yourself, you will both benefit synergistically from the activity. A few minutes of exercise every day will strengthen your bond with your dog, brighten your day and improve overall health for both of you

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6 Big Dog Breeds That Are Gentle Giants

There is a misconception that large dogs are fierce, but this isn't the case. According to dog professionals, most of the large dogs are total softies and all they want to do is snuggle. If you have always wanted a large dog, here are 6 large dog breeds that are simply gentle giants:

Bernese Mountain Dog

Also known as the German the Berner Sennenhund, these dogs is patient and mellow. They are known to be peaceful, easygoing and great family companions. While they are large and may look lazy, they aren't. They require moderate exercises and are excellent in dog sports such as rally, herding, drafting, tracking and agility. A mature dog can weigh and average of 70-120 lbs.

Irish Wolfhound

While they look ferocious, they aren't. Professionals refer to them as true giants with gentle temperaments. The dogs were originally bred in Ireland to hunt wolves, but they make excellent family companions. They get along with almost everyone including strangers, children and other dogs. If planning on keeping these dogs you should have plenty of space. This is because they are huge. They weigh 105-120 pounds and stand at nearly 3 feet tall.

Leonberger

They get their name from their origin-Leonberg, Germany. The dogs are known to be loyal, friendly and sweet. While the dogs are great to have, you should remember that they were originally bred as search and rescue dogs. Due to this, they tend to be diggers and chewers. Leonbergers are also sloppy drinkers and eaters. This makes them not a good choice if you like keeping your home pristine. If you are ready to overlook these "flaws", the dogs are great family companions.

Newfoundland

These fluffy giants are affectionate and great family companions. They stand 26-28 inches and can weigh up to 150 pounds. While they are good with all family members, they have been shown to greatly love children. While they can exercise in the field, they are happiest when in the water or when snuggling on the couch with family members.

Bullmastiff

They are characterized by a solid build and short muzzle. The dogs' bloodlines are drawn from the extinct Old English bulldog and English Mastiff. They weigh 100-130 lbs and like snuggling with family members. Since they were originally bred to guard estates they are still good guard dogs thus can guard your home and children. They easily adapt to new environment thus can comfortably live almost anywhere.

Great Dane

They are one of the tallest dog breeds in existence. The world record holder for the tallest dog was a Great Dane named Zeus. Zeus died aged 5 years and measured 111.8 cm from paw to shoulder. Due to the dogs' large size, they can have behavior problems when improperly trained and socialized; therefore, if planning of having the dog as your pet, have him properly trained.

Conclusion

These are some of the largest dog breeds that are gentle giants. For you to get a good dog ensure that you get it from a reputable shelter.

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