Before using dog food recipes you might find on the Internet you need to understand how to determine if they meet the nutritional needs of your dog.

Experts agree that a homemade dog food diet is better for your dog, but before you look for dog food recipes you need to educate yourself on the subject.

The basic nutrients needed for a healthy dog is a balanced amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and water. It is important to educate yourself and learn how to provide a balanced diet that includes the nutrient listed above.

Because every dog’s need is different there is no way that commercially made dog food companies can come up with a one fits all dog food recipes.

Once you learn how to do it you can change the dog food recipe for your dogs needs. Once you select a recipe you just cook up a large batch and divide it into daily portions and freeze it.

Below I have listed a few dog food recipes,but you should take the time to learn how to select the once that would be best for your dog before you make any.

Meat and Grain Menu 2 cups brown rice — cooked 2/3 cup meat –lean 2 teaspoons lard — or veggie oil 1/4 cup Vegetables –grated, no onion *Supplements Mix the above. You can cook the meat if you want to, use your judgment. Serve slightly warm. *For supplements, add 2 tsp. powder and 1 tsp. oil to feed daily- this is for a 5-15 lb. dog, and the book instructs to use double supplements for a puppy.

Chow Stew 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 pounds beef –*see Note 2 cups cabbage — chopped 3 cloves garlic — minced, up to 4 18 ounces canned sweet potatoes — drained and chopped 14 1/2 ounces canned tomato wedges — undrained 1 1/2 cups tomato juice 3/4 cup apple juice 1 teaspoon ginger root –up to 2, grated 2 cups green beans, frozen — cut crosswise 1/3 cup peanut butter 6 cups cooked brown rice Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook Beef, Add the cabbage and garlic; cook, stirring, until the cabbage is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tomato juice, apple juice, ginger. Reduce the heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer until hot and bubbling, about 6 minutes. Stir in the green beans and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter until well-blended and hot, about 1 minute. Spoon over rice. *Note: Low Fat, or use chicken, lamb, fish. Liver can be used as well.

Numerous things can be done to attract hummingbirds to your garden. Some easy adjustments can be made to make your garden hummingbird friendly, so that you are rewarded with the presence of feeding and nesting hummingbirds alongwith their young ones.

The diet of hummingbirds consists of insects, flower nectar or artificial sugar water. Thus, artificial sugar water solution can be kept in your garden to attract them. The hummingbirds do not have any sense of smell and they rely on sites to find their source of food. If you are making a first attempt to feed the birds, you can hang or plant some red flowers near the feeder. The hummingbirds will be attracted to these red flowers and will easily find the feeders.

The hummingbirds are attracted to the red color, so any feeder having red on it will attract the birds. If your feeder doesn’t have the red color, an artificial red flower can be tied to the feeder and stay away from using the red food coloring in the sugar water which is harmful to them. You must also remember that the hummingbirds are very territorial. Male hummers may show their dominance by hovering or chasing away the other hummers from their feeders. So you can add other hummingbird feeders to your garden and thereby attract more of these birds.

You should use the standard sugar water solution for feeding the hummingbirds. Make this solution at home which you can store in the refrigerator for a week. Avoid using honey or sugar substitutes for feeding the birds which can harm them, as honey promotes a fatal fungal disease and sores in the mouth of hummingbirds. Placing the feeder in a shady and cool spot will prevent the nectar’s spoilage.

Using red colored hummingbird feeders in your garden will attract more of these birds. An artificial red flower or band can be tied to the feeder if you feel the feeder doesn’t have enough red in it. But, using of red food colors in the nectar solution should be avoided as they are found to be harmful to the birds. Sometimes, the male hummingbirds try to exert their dominance and drive away the other hummers if you have fewer feeders in your garden. You can prevent this by adding several other feeders around the garden and bring more hummingbirds to your garden.

Avoid using pesticides in your hummingbird garden as they can kill or sicken the birds if consumed. Also, the insects you want to kill off can serve as good protein source to the birds. Sometimes, the male hummingbirds may try to chase away the other hummers from the feeders. To prevent this you can add several other feeders to your garden.

Your garden and feeders can be invaded by insects like ants and bees which can drive away the hummingbirds. Using nectar protectors, moats and feeders with built-in bee guards will prevent this, and ensure the continued arrival of the hummingbirds.

Youll know a Weimaraner right away due to their smooth, short coats color”theyre often called grey ghosts. They were once called the Weimer Pointer, for Weimer Court and the noblemen that promoted this breeds development”and surely this nobility shows even now in this dogs bearing.

A result of careful German breeding, the Weimaraner comes from the same general stock as other German breeds. It is believed to be a descendant of the Bloodhound, and it was used to hunt bears, wolves, boars, elk and deer. When big game no longer became common to hunt, the Weimaraner settled into its role as a bird dog and hunting companion.

The Weimaraner is admired for its agility, fearlessness, and stamina in hunting. It is very trainable, and is a sociable, dutiful member of the family. This breed loves children and takes pride in being a member of the pack or family. It is also quite easy to groom, due to its short, smooth coat.

Weims are linked to the German Shorthaired Pointer, and are also bred from the Red Schweisshund, which is a tracker and scenter derived from the Bloodhound. Because they were raised and honed to stay on an all-day hunt with their masters, this breed possesses a lot of energy! If you want a dog that just lazes around the house all day, the vigorous Weimaraner wont stand for that!

As with most large hunting breeds, the Weimaraner is best given plenty of exercise, and kept in a fenced yard, so he doesnt go wandering in search of game! He was developed as a hunting dog, and his instincts will tell him to track or hunt birds or small animals. Unlike most hunting breeds however, the Weim is definitely a house dog, and must be given plenty of love and attention from the members of the family so that he doesnt become restless.

Playing ball, spending days in the field, or generally just taking hikes are some of the activities suited for the Weim. Exercise is needed for this lively, athletic dog! Keep his toned body in shape with daily brisk walks and firmly establish who is boss so that you can end up with a fit, happy and submissive pet.

This animal is noble, elegant and athletic in appearance. The breeds short-haired, very smooth coat and unusual eyes give it a regal demeanor different from any other breed. The eyes of the Weimaraner can be light amber, blue-gray, or gray, and the coat may range from charcoal-blue, mouse-gray, to silver-gray, and has been romantically described as moonlight on chocolate.

The silvery-gray hue of its coat is uncommon in dogs, being the product of breeding for a recessive gene. The Weimaraner is called the silver or grey ghost because of this. This sturdy, hard-working and devoted animal will bring cheer and happiness to your family and home.

America’s 11th most popular breed is none other than the recognizable and unique little dog, the Miniature Schnauzer. This dog is famous for its thick beard, mustache and eyebrows that give it its rugged yet elegant appearance. Little as it may seem, this breed is never fragile but instead tough, muscular and brave.

The Miniature Schnauzer is the little counterpart of the German standard Schnauzer and is the result of the inter-breeding of the standard Schnauzer and Poodle or Affenpinscher. This miniature is from Germany, too, and was supposedly conceived in the late years of 1800s. The first recorded existence of a mini Schnauzer was in 1888.

The development of the Mini Schnauzer came to be as farmers seek for smaller breeds to hunt out and catch pests such as rats and other vermin that damage products inside the barn. Moreover, not just farm works, this breed was also used for herding and guarding stocks and guarding the house. Today, this breed is less popular as a working dog and better known as a family pet.

In the United States, the Mini Schnauzer was first introduced in 1924. Two years later, it was accepted as a new breed by the American Kennel Club. In the UK, it was first registered in 1948.

The official standard for this breed is said to be lively, alert and obedient. It should be friendly, eager to please and highly intelligent. It should never be too aggressive and not overly shy either.

The Mini Schnauzer is an excellent watchdog that uses barking, instead of attacking physically, to ward off intruders and warn the household. It only stops yapping when its owners recognize the stranger to be a friend. This breed isn’t too much trouble since it is trainable to do favorable tasks and obeys attentively.

The Mini Schnauzer is very energetic and gets bored easily therefore it should be allowed lots of playtime in order for it to release its excess energy. When it gets bored, it will find other sources of fun which might cause problems. Around children, this breed understands that it has to be gentle and careful therefore, they play with them with fair amount of intensity.

Physically, this breed possesses a wiry overcoat and a smooth undercoat. They usually come in colors of pepper and salt, black and silver, black, white and parti. This breed is one of the non-shedding kinds and is therefore safe or less threatening to people with allergic reactions to dander and animal hair.

Uh oh, round hounds are taking over the world! Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but dog obesity has definitely become a major problem. Don’t believe me? All you have to do is ask your veterinarian and they will tell you that 25% (if not more) of the dogs that they treat are over-weight.

Though you may think your heavy hound is cute, extra pounds on your pooch can only lead to trouble. Dogs that carry extra weight tend to have health issues such as joint and hip problems (such as arthritis), heart disease and diabetes. Extra weight can also shorten your dog’s life and that is just plain sad!

It is never too late to take the extra weight off of your dog. Rule number one, stop feeding your pup table scraps! Though table scraps are yummy (just ask any dog and they will confirm this) most “people food” is NOT good for your dog. Though most “people food” won’t harm your dog, it is best to stick to a food schedule that includes; you guessed it, regulated portions of dog food!

There are several ingredients used in human food that can actually cause health problems if ingested by your furry friend. Some of these items include: garlic, onions, hot peppers, salt, raisins and grapes. Play it safe and avoid giving your dog table scraps.

To hammer the point home, a regulated feeding schedule is the best option for your pet. Not only is this the best approach for controlling your pet’s weight, it can also help you address other issues. For example, unattended feeding can lead to potty training problems. It’s simply more difficult to predict a dog’s bathroom needs when it has a full bowl of food to graze at all day long. By sticking to a portioned, scheduled feeding routine, your pet’s bathroom habits and weight can both be more easily maintained.

To really make a difference in your pet’s weight management, eliminate all temptation entirely by throwing out fatty, processed dog treats completely. Opt, instead, for some of the many healthy pet snack alternatives out there. An option you might consider that doesn’t even require a visit to the pet food aisle is the lowly carrot. This naturally sweet and crunchy treat can become a favorite for some pups and yours might beg for these with the same enthusiasm he once had for the junk food you used to feed him.

Of course, some dogs are as fond of veggies as they are of visits to the vet and will simply spit them out if offered as a treat. If yours is such a dog, you might want to try all natural, low sodium, low-fat turkey bacon. Yes, it violates the general “no human food” rule, but it is a reasonably healthy alternative to much of what you’ve likely fed your pooch in the past. Just remember to absorb the excess grease from the bacon after you cook it by soaking it up with a paper towel. Cook some up, soak up the grease, crumble the turkey bacon into bite-sized pieces and refrigerate in an airtight container. I don’t think it needs mentioning that you shouldn’t be feeding Fido the entire package at once.

Despite their sometimes finicky tastes, dogs will often accept a very simple treat in the form of ice cubes. This is a great summer treat after a long walk. If you want to kick it up a notch, consider freezing a few turkey bacon crumbles inside the cubes. This may be just the cool, delicious and relatively healthy treat your pooch has been waiting for.

Of course, you knew we’d have to get to the topic of exercise. Here’s where you need to start setting an example. Not only will it be healthy for your dog, but it will be good for you too! You don’t have to run a marathon together, just add a lap or two to your routine walk and keep the pace brisk. Bring along a bottle of water for your furry pal and take breaks as needed. As the pounds start coming off, consider increasing the intensity slightly until you find a comfortable routine for the both of you. And, who knows, you might just lose a few pounds yourself!

Remember that your pet depends on you for its exercise and food. That means that responsibility for its weight falls squarely on your shoulders. By acknowledging that responsibility and owning up to it, you can ensure your pooch is around as long as possible. Showing love with food isn’t really love at all. It’s the easy way out and the consequences can be serious. Healthy treats, good exercise and lavish praise are all your pet needs to know you love him.

Getting a new puppy? I’ll bet you are so excited. I’m not going to break your excitement, but I will tell you that once you get your puppy home he will push your patience further than you thought it could go. One of the first, and most difficult, tasks is to teach your dog to go outside to potty. This takes patience and effort on your part.

If you try to potty train your dog to go to potty outside before it is a month old you may be wasting your time. It’s easier and better to start potty training your puppy around two months of age. At this point, the best approach is to work out some kind of routine with your puppy. Haphazard training rarely works.

Instead of running your puppy outside every few minutes, start with thirty minute intervals. The times between going outside can be longer or shorter depending on your dog. Then, take your puppy out around mealtime, so that your own meal will not be interrupted to jump up and run outside with your puppy.

Get a routine going and maintain it and you will have your puppy potty trained in no time. Trust me; it seems to take forever if you don’t work with your dog on a schedule. You and your puppy will be more happy with a schedule which you intend to stick with.

Don’t think of a routine as overly ridged or harsh. Working out a schedule may seem like more work than it actually is. The point is, however, that in the long run your puppy will learn faster. Routine and repetition are keys to your puppy’s potty training.

Puppies that refuse to potty outside can be especially perplexing. Try to figure out why they refuse to go outside. Try taking them to a different place in the yard. With a little effort you will get your puppy potty trained and can move on to other puppy training adventures.

Making your own chicken coop does not take much especially with the materials you will be employing. There are some standard requisites that will make for a decent looking, convenient-to-care chicken house.

Wood

You will need to have some wood in order to make a chicken coop. This is perhaps the most fundamental material for your chicken house. Make a point when you purchase your wood that it has undergone treatment. Wood should be water repellant to be effective. If you buy untreated wood, treat it with water sealer obtain the same effect. This will prevent the moistness that will induce sickness and disease in your chicken house.

Windows

You wish to have some windows that you can set up yourself. It is desired that you have a good quality that is superior enough to withstand a storm. Choose also an insulated type window that will let a nice air to go through while in summer. This type must also shut the cold away in the winter.

Insulation

Some people do not give much importance to insulation as any form of chicken house materials. In fact, chickens want to be kept warm in the cooler months. By bearing the extra step of bringing some quality insulation, you give the chickens the special protection they require to protect themselves from diseases when the temperature is cooler than usual.

Chicken Wire

Another key material is the chicken wire. You will use quite a bit of this especially with a bigger number of chickens to hold. You will apply the chicken wire for the chicken run. You need to plant it in the ground with depth of at least eight inches to keep your chickens from predators. Cats and dogs like to crawl underneath the chicken wire to prey on your chickens. Burying the chicken wire on the ground will make it impossible for them to do so.

Want to know more? Check out for valuable information on Chicken House Plans and designs.

For related topics to this posts, check out Chicken Coop Designs Blog for more reference and construction guides. Also see Plans Chicken Coop for related articles.

Here are the required materials you will be using to build your own chicken coop. There are several fundamental demands that must be taken into consideration to create a good looking and simple to maintain chicken house.

Wood

You will need some wood to construct a chicken coop. This is perhaps one of the most essential chicken house materials you will need. Find treated wood that are water repellant. When you buy untreated wood, treat them with a water sealer. Treat the wood with the manufacturers’ instructions as directed. This is critical because you desire your chickens to remain dry. Dampness, which can be influenced by wood as the main material, will cause sickness and disease to spread more speedily. Maintain the dryness of the chicken house with treated wood.

Windows

Windows which you can self install are very important. It is preferred that you have a good quality storm or insulated window. This will provide air to go through in the summer days while it will shut out the cold winds in the winter. This will likewise insure the chickens’ health and comfort during the hot weather of summer.

Insulation

Some people do not give much importance to insulation as any form of chicken house materials. In fact, chickens want to be kept warm in the cooler months. By bearing the extra step of bringing some quality insulation, you give the chickens the special protection they require to protect themselves from diseases when the temperature is cooler than usual.

Chicken Wire

Another essential chicken coop material is the chicken wire. You might need quite a bit of this depending on the number of chickens you project to keep. You will use the chicken wire to make the chicken run and you need to have enough. This is to plant it in the ground at least eight inches deep to spare your chickens from predatory animals. Cats and dogs like to crawl underneath the chicken wire to take at your chickens. Burying the chicken wire will make it unattainable for them to do such. In addition, make sure you place your chicken wire high enough so that these animals will not be able to mount over and get at your chickens above.

Want to know more? Check out for valuable information on Chicken House Plans and designs.

For related topics to this posts, check out Chicken Coop Designs Blog for more reference and construction guides. Also see Plans Chicken Coop for related articles.

The name Bull Terrier undoubtedly brings fear or second-thoughts to people due to its history of violence and aggression. However, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, a member of the Bull and Terrier clan, is none of these negative assumptions. Truth is, while their history is composed of pit fighting, their present life is full of love, affection and obedience to its master and his family.

Everyone is well aware of the Bull Terrier breed’s unfortunate history. During the 18th century England, the blood game of bull fighting, wherein a viscous dog is ordered to attack bulls as a form of meat tenderization, is a popular past time and gambling arena for both royals and commoners. This event prompted the development of several breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, which are apt for bull, bear and even dog-to-dog fighting.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is believed to have been developed in the region of Staffordshire England from the interbreeding of several Terriers and Bulldogs. This breed came out courageous, obedient, docile, athletic and loving, the characters which are perfect for both bull fighting and family companionship. The onset of animal welfare laws in England halted the despicable game of dog fighting and soon breeders were developing Bull Terriers for purely companionship purposes.

In May 25, 1935 the UK Kennel Club officially registered the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and during these times the breed became popular as a family companion and pet all over the country. During these times too, the breed was introduced to the US but it did not became as popular as it is in the UK. In 1976, it was officially recognized as a breed in the US.

This breed is also fondly called Staffie, Stafford, Staffros or Staff and is a cousin of the American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier. At a glance, the Staffie looks rather intimidating due to its muscular and courageous form but the truth is, it is very loving, obedient and is eager to please its master. Experts say that when it comes to loving a family and being loyal to them, the Staffie comes first among the rest.

Being gentle, intelligent, trainable and eager to please the master, the Staffie has been recognized as the best all-purpose family dog. Even though it came from a family which has a violent and loathed history, the Staffie’s gentleness is never suitable for being a guard dog or attack-dog. Moreover, according to Southampton University 1996 study, the Staffie is recognized as one of the top 10 breeds that are best suited for families especially children.

The Staffie is a natural athlete considering its muscular and well-rounded body. It also has a great strength, agility and stamina that it needs to be given an ample amount of exercise in order to continually encourage it to be active and healthy. If you are living in an apartment, owning a Staffie would be fine since it does not really have to play outside in a wide backyard.

Mostly, the Staffie breed ranges from 14 to 16 inches in height and 24 to 32 pounds in weight. It has a coat that is smooth, short and fits snuggly to its body giving off its polished and stately appearance. It may come in colors of black, red, fawn, blue, white, brindle or any combination of these solid colors with white.

Due to its uniqueness, freshwater Angelfish are a favorite tropical fish for hobbyists. Angelfish are very curious about its surroundings and are known to swim to greet you at feeding time. They make perfect pets but may become territorial during breeding.

Angelfish enjoy a varied diet and love eating just about any type of fish food, whether it is live, frozen, freeze-dried or flakes. Because of the elongated body shape, they do best living in tall tanks. Water that is slightly acidic is the best choice for their fish tank.

These tropical fish can grow up to 6 inches in length, while a full-grown Angelfish will measure taller than the do lengthwise. For a pair of Angelfish you will need a large tank with a minimum of fifteen gallons.

If you want to raise more than two Angelfish, or if you plan to breed them, purchase at least a twenty-five gallon aquarium. When the breeding fishes pair off, they do not tolerant other tropical fish crossing the line into its territory.

One of the most popular angelfish is the tropical black fish. Black lace angels are similar to silvers in appearance, but with a lacey look on its fins. A rare color pattern of angelfish is the half-black tropical fish. The front of the fishes body is white and the back part is black.

What do scientists think about the unique patterns of Angelfish? They think that there is hidden synchronization in the designs of nature. In popular scientific theory, the stripes of fish occur by the chemical waves during the embryonic stage of fish life.

One of the most attractive freshwater tropical fish available is the Black Angelfish. With their gracefully elegant fins, they are most delightful in an aquarium. They are native of South America and grow larger than do average Angelfish.

You will need to include some driftwood and rock formations in your fish tank, since tropical fish need an area where they can retreat and hide when they feel threatened. This is especially true of the black Angelfish. You may wish to add some plant life for the fish to nibble. One of the reasons why we call these fish Angelfish is because they have such a good temperament.

Most often, when you have a male and a female in the same tank they will form a pairing bond. They can produce over 1000 eggs during their spawning. Angelfish are protective and caring parents. However, the black lace Angelfish can become very aggressive while breeding, therefore you will need to separate them from any other fish you have in the same tank.

Angelfish are one of the easiest tropical fish to breed. If you are interested in breeding angels, start by purchasing six breeders. As they reach maturity, breeding pairs will separate themselves from the rest of the group.

After they pair up, put them in a separate tank. The Angelfish will pick out their own breeding area by cleaning it up for a few days before they begin spawning.

You will be delighted with a wonderful addition to your tropical fish tank that you can enjoy for years, whether you choose to breed Angelfish or not.

Even if you are not interested in breeding Angelfish, you will be delighted with a wonderful addition to your tropical fish tank that you can enjoy for years.