Small Breeds	1-20 lbs.	12-14 years
Medium Breeds	21-50 lbs.	10-12 years
Large Breeds	51-90 lbs.	8-10 years
Giant Breeds	90+	7-8 years

Oldest recorded age for a dog - 29 years

Many factors contribute to how your dog ages including genetics, diet and nutrition, exercise, environment, health care, disease and the human-pet bond.

• dogs that are normal weight tend to live longer than overweight dogs
• low fat high fiber diets can increase a dog's life expectancy
• small breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds
• mixed breeds often live longer than purebreed dogs
• dogs that live mostly indoors usually live longer than outside dogs
• dogs that receive vaccinations and preventive veterinary checkups tend to live longer
• a lot of love and attention can increase a dog's life expectancy

Age of Dog	Equivalent Human Age		Age of Dog	Equivalent Human Age
6 mos.	10		11 yr	60
1 yr	15		12 yr	64
18 mos	20		13 yr	68
2 yr	24		14 yr	72
3 yr	28		15 yr	76
4 yr	32		16 yr	80
5 yr	36		17 yr	84
6 yr	40		18 yr	88
7 yr	44		19 yr	92
8 yr	48		20 yr	96
9 yr	52		21 yr	100
10 yr	56

This method utilizes averages only. Some breeds mature faster or slower.

by Louise Louis and www.ToyBreeds.com.

No matter what your situation, we'll find a dog breed for you.
Even if you --

• live in an apartment or condominium
• want an active companion
• want a minimum of shedding
• have allergies
• have other pets, or
• work all day and have to leave your dog alone.

Review our matrix with suggestions for the right breed for your situation at http://www.toybreeds.com/ToyBreeds.htm.

Then look at our summaries of each dog breed and select the one(s) that most appeal to you. Start with the Affenpinscher.

We'll also describe how to care for your Toy breed dog and offer
tips on things like finding a veterinarian, leaving your dog home alone all day and health problems common to small dogs.

• dog breed temperament
• grooming requirements
• fail-safe approach to housebreaking
• common genetic problems
• the best and worst places to get a dog
• what puppy-lemon laws cover
• how to become your dog's best friend
• and much, much more on that one breed.

http://articles.pointshop.com/pets/12665.php

Submitted by: Anne Kirrin - http://searchwarp.com/swa54097.htm

By Russell Smith, Special Contributor - http://www.cusd.claremont.edu/~corchard/pomarticle.html

by Louise Louis and www.ToyBreeds.com.

Popsicle

You'll need Kong toy, peanut butter and chicken or beef stock.

1. Get a Kong toy that has a hole suitable for stuffing food inside.

2. Stuff it with peanut butter or cheese spread or other soft, safe food that your dog likes that freezes well.

3. Put the filled Kong toy into your freezer and give it enough time to solidify.

4. In the meantime, open ready-made chicken or beef stock or prepare it. It doesn't have to be warm, just liquid.

5. Get the stuffed toy from the freezer and ensure that the inside is frozen enough to hold the stock which you pour into it.

6. Put back into the freezer until the inside is frozen.

Then give it to your dog on an especially hot day. It will cool him and keep him occupied.

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"Two Paws Up" Liver Treats

1. Get quarter pound of lamb liver (that's about 4 oz. - the liver may be packaged in larger sizes. That's fine. It's just that this makes a lot of treats as you eventually cut the liver into small cubes.)

2. Place it in a pot filled with water, bring it to a boil and let it simmer until the liver no longer looks raw and seems cooked through.

3. Take it out of the water and place it on paper towels to cool.

4. Cut the liver into small cubes (about one-half inch square or whatever you can manage)

5. Place the cubes on an over-proof tray and bake for one hour at a cool setting (no more than 275F).

6. Let the cubes cool before serving. He will love every one.

P.S. If liver is too expensive, buy hot dogs instead. Boil them and cut into small portions. These are perennial favorites

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You Won the Lotto and Want To Share With Your Dog - Honey Steak

1. Buy a steak of your choice, large enough for both of you. Allow 8 oz for your dog.

2. Preheat oven to 425-degrees.

3. Put a little honey (about 2 oz) in a saucepan and heat on low until it's a little runny.

4. Spray a pan (like a broiler tray) with non-stick spray made with olive oil or butter-flavor

5. Slice the steak into strips, each about the length of your index finger and about one-half inch thick. Cut each strip into quarters. Place on the pan.

6. Use a pastry brush to brush each piece with the runny honey.

7. Bake for ten-minutes at 425-degrees.

8. Let the pieces cool and get hard before giving them to your best friend.

9. These keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

P.P.S. Do not feed your dog raw meat or fish. He is susceptible to food-borne diseases, such as salmonella and botulism, just as you are.

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Apple Fritters

1. Use one large sweet apple such as Red Delicious.

2. Peel, core and quarter the apple.

3. Use a cheese slicer, knife or mandolin and slice thinly.

4. Put a sheet of foil, wax paper or baking parchment made for baking on a cookie tray.

5. Arrange slices on the paper so they aren't touching one another.

6. Bake at 275F for one hour or until lightly browned.

7. Turn once or twice to brown on both sides.

8. Cool and serve to dog and owner.

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Oatmeal Globs

1. Get a box of regular (not instant) oatmeal. My favorite is McCann's Irish Oatmeal (steel cut oats) which I use for my breakfast.

2. Cook half-cup of oatmeal (for about 20 treats) or a full cup (for about 40 treats) according to package directions.

3. Line a cookie tray with foil, wax paper or parchment paper made for baking.

3. Drop small globs of the oatmeal on the papered cookie tray.

4. Bake at 275F for one hour or until globs turn golden brown.

5. Turn once while baking to brown on both sides.

6. Cool before serving.

Note - add flavors, such as garlic or cheese, that your dog loves during the cooking of the oatmeal.

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Too Busy To Cook

When you're too busy to cook, there are plenty of wholesome snacks you can get at the grocery store. See which ones of the below your dog prefers:

• Cheese cubes (Kraft and many others sell bags of cheese cut into small cubes that are perfect size for good doggies.) Recommended by noted animal trainer, Adam Katz.
  
• Braunschweiger - many handlers use this to reward dogs in the dog ring. Again, cut into small portions.
  
• Pet-tabs, which are yeast-vitamin tablets. Famous veterinarian, Dr. Bruce Fogle likes these. Buy at pet stores.
  
• Raw carrot bits.

Remember, treats are to be used sparingly and only for really good dogs. Toy breeds have a tendency to obesity (thanks to our overfeeding) so include the treats in his daily calorie count.