The Bullmastiff is a powerful, muscular dog that was first bred in England during the 18th century for the purpose of apprehending poachers. During the latter part of the 18th century, poachers were the bane of English country estates, and a dog was sought to assist gamekeepers in apprehending them. Unfortunately, the dogs of the day were either too vicious, or too slow, so a new breed was created by crossing the Bulldog and the Mastiff. The resulting dog was fierce, powerful, but pinned the poacher down, rather than mauling him.<br><br>The Bullmastiff excelled at this job because, despite its bulk it is also quick, agile and obedient. It is also intimidating enough to frighten even the bravest trespasser into submission. <br><br>Standing up to 27 inches at the withers, and weighing as much as 130 pounds, this dog just exudes power and strength. The head is huge with a somewhat undershot jaw. The coat is short, in tan red or brindle, normally with a darker face mask. <br><br>Like many mastiff breeds though, the Bullmastiff is a gentle, loyal and affectionate dog, that bonds very strongly with its human family. They are known to be particularly good with children, provided play is supervised as a dog this big can accidentally knock a child over. <br><br>Obedience training is a must with this breed, as is early socialization and strong consistent leadership. The Bullmastiff is generally an obedient dog, but does tend towards dominance, especially if there is a lack of rules and boundaries. Male Bullmastiffs for example, can be highly territorial, and will often not accept another male dog in the household. <br><br>Median life style for the breed is 10 years, which is in line with other dogs of this size. The Bullmastiff is unfortunately prone to a number or genetic disorders. As with most large dogs they can suffer from hip dysplasia and gastric torsion, while canine cancers, entropion and progressive retinal atrophy also occur. <br><br>As many as a quarter of all Bullmastiffs will develop hip dysplasia at some time. Bloat, or gastric torsion is even more serious, and results from a twisting of the stomach. This almost always results in death, unless the dog receives immediate veterinary treatment. You can reduce they risk by feeding small portions several times a day. <br><br>Grooming a Bullmastiff is an easy task. All it takes is a good brushing every other day or so, to keep the coat looking its best.<br><br>The Bullmastiff may look tough and rugged, but it is not an outdoor dog. Their coat offers little protection from the elements and besides, they are sensitive souls who want and need to be close to those they love.<br><br>The good news is that they are generally calm, quiet and well behaved indoors and can even be kept in an apartment. They will however, require daily exercise outdoors.<br><br>Finding <a href=”http://www.puppy-names-hq.com/dog-names.html” target=’_blank’>dog names</a>, for your Bullmastiff is an easy task, when you know where to look. My recommendation is puppy names hq.com, a site with an extensive database of dog names including 1000s of <a href=”http://www.puppy-names-hq.com/male-dog-names.html” target=’_blank’>male dog names</a> to choose from.
Dog Training is Easier with These Tools
Yes, of course you can find excellent info about all things <a href=”http://www.dogtrainingtipsonline.net” target=’_blank’>dog training tips</a>, but the body of knowledge can sometimes look intimidating. We are not faulting people for lack of knowledge about it, and we do see that some things may not make an immediate connection. The nature of researching anything dictates that you identify and isolate the salient points and investigate each one on their own. You always want the best possible outcomes with something like this, and so you generally know what needs to be done. The one thing you do not fall prey to is feel like your knowledge is well-rounded by just a cursory exploration of the subject.<br><br>Dog training takes quite a bit of time and patience, and it also helps to have the right tools. There are a number of tools that you can use to help the process be much easier and quite a lot more efficient. The tools that will work best for you will depend upon the kind of dog you have and how you want to go about training him. The following are some examples of dog training tools that can help you in your efforts to have an obedient dog.<br><br>Dogs often get into the habit of chewing, eating or biting things in a way that’s destructive. The items he or she is chewing aren’t important, what is important is that this is a bad and annoying habit and can be quite a difficult behavior to change in your dog. One of the bigger problems is that it occurs typically when nobody is home and punishing a dog long after he or she has done something wrong doesn’t do anybody any good. If you want your dog to stay away from something there are sprays you can buy for that thing. Usually these sprays have a terrible taste that helps keep the dog away. The sprays don’t usually have an effect on human so you can use them any place where chewing has been problematic. There are so many available options when you need to do housebreaking but crate training is by far the most popular. However, there is a tool that is far more convenient for most dog trainers and owners. This is an indoor dog potty, that serves a similar function as a cat litter box. It is quite useful if you can’t take your dog outside. These are items that are constructed from artificial but quick draining turf that is filled with antimicrobials. It is relatively fast and simple to teach your dog to use his dog potty. These are quite useful for those days when you need to keep your dog inside for a really long time or if the weather is too bad for you to take him out safely. They are also quite popular among people who take their dogs on recreational vehicles like boats.<br><br>To keep your dog safe, and to use a dog training tool that really works, a harness is a great place to start. Harnesses come in many styles, and in many price ranges. Some dogs will pull their owners – this is why a dog harness is necessary. It helps break this very troubling habit. Harnesses have many uses that can be helpful. Anyone that is training a search and rescue dog could use the Web Master Dog Harness by Ruff Wear; it is a unique harness that works wonders. You will be able to see this harness in the dark due to its reflective trim. Where you walk your dog, and the type of dog that you have, has a lot to do with the success of the harness that you use. <br><br>Using proven methods for training your dog is the easiest way to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Your dog can be trained very easily, especially if you are using the right tools with proven strategies. What you have just read presents several tools that experienced dog trainers will use. You may not need any particular tool to train your dog, but in many cases it will make your job simpler. <br><br>Lastly, the <a href=”http://www.personalizeddogcollar.net” target=’_blank’>personalized dog collars</a> can also be used as a training method too.
Underground Fencing, For Dog Restraint, What You Need To Know!
Were you aware that there’s an option to traditional fencing for pet containment which can save you thousands of dollars? We will discuss a couple of types of electronic fencing in this article that can safely contain both dogs and cats and the benefits to you.
Electronic dog fencing and cat fencing is an exceptional alternative for keeping your pets safely contained within your yard avoiding the expense of traditional fence. It’s quite possible your neighborhood association won’t allow you to construct a conventional fence. Whatever the reason, electronic dog fencing is a low-cost but extremely viable solution in keeping your pet safe without the need to hamper the view in any way. Depending on the particular system, you have the flexibility to provide acres of containment area..
You can choose from two types of electronic dog fence, one being an underground fence and the other a wireless fence which provides you with portability. Both the underground and the wireless system work similarly as they both send out a signal to a receiver collar worn by your pets. The receiver collar worn by your pets will deliver an effective but very safe static correction if they get too close to the boundary keeping them safe in the yard. Training flags are included with the majority of these systems to help train your dog or cat to its new boundaries a process that is extremely important in the overall function of the system. The flags are used to mark out the path of the boundary so you know where it is and to aid training. Both the underground and wireless system will be discussed in this article.
The wired system or underground fence is the less expensive of the two and is usually buried 1 to 2 inches below ground around the perimeter of the yard. If you wish the underground fence system can be installed on top of the ground by using sod staples. You begin at the transmitter which is located in an area protected from the elements like a garage or shed and you run the wire around the property and end back at the transmitter. The transmitter will require a power source. The containment area covered by the fence could be a typical suburban yard or vast acreage depending on the model purchased. Consider the expense of installing a traditional fence for the same area! After the fence has been installed, a receiver collar worn by your dog will pick up the signal transmitted through the wire and if the dog comes to close to the perimeter he will receive a correction which will keep him in the yard.
The second option is the so-called wireless fence system. Not having wire to run makes this system much easier to install. Plug this system in, set the boundary range and you’re ready to start training. It is also much more flexible as it allows you to change the range as you need to. Although this system tends to be a little more expensive than the wired system, the portability aspect allows you to take your pet and system along with you if you are traveling on a vacation or going on a camping trip. If you have a larger piece of property, additional transmitters can be purchased to increase the containment area.
Depending on the particular system you purchase, the coverage radius varies from 30 feet up to approximately 3/4 of an acre. As the dog approaches the limits of the range, the signal between collar and transmitter grows weaker until such a time the collar activates and corrects the dog, again bringing it back within the boundary.
Whether you decide on an underground fence or wireless fence system, you can rest assured that you have a reasonably priced, effective pet containment system that outperforms traditional fencing for containing and protecting your pets .
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Dog Instruction Designed for Specialized Goals
It is pretty incredible how much of a significant difference dog training can have, of course you have to consider certain factors.
Dogs have the capacity to do a multitude of undertakings. We have been teaching our canine counterparts to work for us throughout time and are always adding new tasks to that long list of capabilities. In this article, you will discover how important dogs can be to a variety of folks; not only just in a practical, fun aspect, but in a dramatic, life changing way.
Those that require assistance in their daily lives would be lost without the help that the support dogs provide. The most well known assistance dogs are the dogs that see for the blind. In fact, until fairly recently, this was the main task that assistance dogs were trained for. Lately, support dogs are being trained to assist many other types of disabled people, like the hearing impaired, those who are unable to get out of their beds and many others. Not every dog will meet these expectations and there are some kinds of that are more apt to be trainable for these responsibilities. Even though German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are not the only breeds that meet the requirements to be support dogs; they are the most likely to succeed in this field. The support dogs that help the blind or the deaf most certainly need to be trustworthy and skilled. A lot of times, the person who is using a support dog trusts them with their life. It is critical that the assistance dog and the impaired person are well suited for each other. Dogs have been taught to hunt long ago and are still being trained for this function. Those who enjoy hunting will often purchase a pup when it is old enough to leave home and train it to their standards. Such dogs first of all need a high level of obedience training. They are taught to obey hand signals as well as spoken commands. Due to the fact that hunting requires a degree of quietness; it is crucial that you dog understand commands that are noiseless. They can also be trained to recover things and investigate odors. This type of working dog needs to be fine tuned in certain areas that pertain to hunting specifically, and most breeders use only dogs that will fit this profile.
We do hope that what you will have found in this post around dog training, plus also the info about dog care tips, is helpful to you. Please continue reading even more for added insights for this subject.
Sled dog racing is a modern sport that has a very long history. In cold climates, dogs have traditionally been used to carry supplies on sleds. Even as this still occurs today, training and racing sled dogs, like Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies is something a lot of individuals take pride in. This demands a great deal of training and asks for a large amount of work and staying power on the part of people, as well as their dogs. Sled dog racing, also called mushing, commands the dogs to be in great physical condition and also to have a lot of endurance. Plus, it is essential for them to be able to join forces as a team. The individuals who race these dogs also need to be keen for surviving the austere components of the far North.
Training dogs for sled dog races requires an ample amount of time and commitment. When you are teaching your dog any type of special skill, or even having someone else do it for you; remember that it will take a tremendous obligation and exertion to see it through. Even if you have not trained your dog yourself; you need to know that your dog will have respect for your and give you the attention that you request of them when it is necessary. We have offered some suggestions that may help you when training your dog, but the list of possibilities is limitless.
Some Easy Dog Training Tips
Dogs have walked faithfully beside man all through recorded history. In the modern era, when the World wide web brings immense swathes of facts within everyone’s reach, dog owners have more resources than ever on coaching their pets to behave in accordance with their wishes. Here are just a couple handy tips for getting the most out of the dog-coaching process.
One tip to consider when coaching your dog is that there is a difference between discipline and anger. This is necessary since your dog only understands right or wrong commands. Your anger will only scare and confuse the dog if it is not directly related to a behavior you wish to modify.
Don’t punish your dog for chewing unless you catch him in the act. For instance, should you discover your shoes have actually been gnawed on, your dog likely does not keep in mind. Punishing him for chewing hours later has no impact and won’t help the behavior. Instead, keep in mind to reinforce positive behavior and search for opportunities to correct inappropriate behavior when it occurs.
Before you commence coaching your dog, be sure that his diet is the finest it might be. Just as humans can feel lazy after eating junk food, a poor diet for your dog will have an effect on his behavior. A wholesome, moderate diet will give him power and concentration to understand what you’re teaching him in coaching.
Make sure you dog proof your home to decrease chewing or destructive behavior while you’re away. Young dogs or bored dogs may chew when left alone just to have something to do. Take the time to close interior doors and put away items dogs like to chew before you leave to limit the opportunities for chewing while you’re gone.
You must have realistic expectations for your dog. Your dog may be intelligent, though keep in mind that breed-certain traits might inhibit many dogs from performing particular jobs as well as others. If your dog isn’t as able-bodied as other dogs, you must similarly have realistic expectations of his capabilities!
Run away from your dog if he gets loose. It is straightforward to panic when a dog breaks loose from his leash or escapes the property or yard. Resist your instinct to chase the dog. Dogs love to play chase, and going after him will only encourage him to go further away. Instead, get your dog’s attention, and then run AWAY from him. This uses the same instinctual love of the chase game to your advantage. Instead of you chasing your dog, the game becomes to chase you. Make certain to praise him thoroughly when he “catches” you!
Great behavior must be reinforced and poor behavior must be discouraged. Your dog will benefit from consistency. This consistency will permit your dog to comprehend your message clearly. If there’s no reward to performing a behavior, your dog will be less likely to attempt it.
The dog-owner relationship is as old as history itself, and it isn’t going away any time soon! With facts of the kind that has been presented here, dog owners can find the perfect coaching strategy to make their dog-coaching experience a prosperous and glad one.
Have a dog that has trouble getting up and down from their favorite spot? Consider getting them some pet steps.
Dog Psychology Snippets That Will Surprise You
Dogs and are smart, faithful and loving creatures but don’t be duped. Under the hood your loyal pal is really a wolf in dog’s clothing.
Accepting this idea is at the core of understanding how your dog thinks, and why he behaves in the ways that he does.
A Dog’s View of the World
Dogs interact with the world at the level of instinct. Basically, their needs are food, shelter, and the protection of the pack.This means they need a pack leader who they trust and are willing to follow, and this is the role you have to fill.
As you consider this you should think about how you communicate with your dog, because one of the keys to understanding dog communication is that they do not think in words. Now you are probably thinking about how your dog sits, when you give the command “sit”, or looks up when you call his name. But this is word association rather than understanding.
The fact is that dogs communicate mainly by body language, and hence have no reason at all to understand words. They are however, very good at interpreting the actions associated with words.
As a consequence, they learn to react to certain words, so if you say “Dinner!” when you feed your dog he may start to salivate, but actually he’s responding to the rattling of his food bowl, and other familiar “dinner activities”.
How to Think Like a Dog
The most important thing to remember is that dogs respond to body posture and tone of voice, rather than words. By understanding that your dog thinks in images and responds to actions, you will have a much greater influence over him.
Dogs are also sticklers for routine. If you arrive home at the same time every night your dog will know exactly when to expect you. Then, if you’re late for one or other reason, the dog will begin to become frantic.
This is because the dog forms expectations based on past actions, and learns to expect a particular outcome. If that outcome is not carried through it creates anxiety.
How to Show Leadership
Dogs have a limited set of needs, and in a wolf pack, the alpha controls these for the entire pack. He decides when they move, who is allowed to eat, and who gets affection – much the same things you control in your dog’s life. By making these decisions for your dog, you actually lessen his anxiety.
But what about affection? Great question. Affection and attention of course have their place, but your dog should earn them. Giving affection at the right time is the hallmark of a good leader.
The right time to give affection is when your dog is calm and well behaved, so that you re-enforce that behavior.
Want to read more about dog training, dog care, types of dogs and other interesting dog info? Stop by at www.dogsanddogtraining.com
Why Dogs Eat Grass
Eating grass is something that many dogs indulge in, and few show any sign of being badly affected. Yet it is something that worries a lot of dog owners.
If you are concerned about your dog’s grass eating habit, this article will clear up a few common misconceptions for you.
Do Dogs Really Need Greens In Their Diet?
Dogs eat a variety of foods and, as omnivores, need to eat meat as well as vegetables. As grass was the most common vegetable matter around, it formed an integral part of their ancestor’s regular diet. In fact, it may even have had some medicinal value for them.
This is probably why, even a dog who doesn’t routinely eat grass will head straight for the lawn when he’s feeling ill. Veterinary experts differ as to whether they do this because they feel sick, or if it is eating the grass that actually makes them ill.
Will Eating Grass Harm Your Dog?
Lots of dog owners worry about this, particularly as their dogs often throw up the grass they eat. There’s really nothing to worry about, eating grass is a natural canine behavior and something that wild dogs have always indulged in.
A recent study found that where dogs had access to grass a high percentage of them (up to 79%) ate grass and/or other plant matter. The study also showed that dogs prefer grass over other plants. No evidence was presented to suggest the dogs that routinely ate grass were in any way less healthy than those that didn’t.
Why Your Dog Eats Grass.Some believe dogs eat grass when they are feeling unwell, but the evidence does not support this. Most dog owners surveyed reported that their dogs showed no sign of being ill prior to eating grass. And it seems unlikely that dogs eat grass to make themselves throw up – less than 25% of dog owners surveyed noticed their dogs vomiting after eating grass.
What seems likely is that grass is the main source of fiber for dogs. This is backed up by evidence that, where fiber supplements are added to a dog’s diet, he suddenly stops consuming grass.
Is Eating Grass Healthy For Your Dog? So eating grass isn’t bad for a dog, but does that make it good?
Grass offers very little nutritional value. Cattle and other herbivores that rely on it as their primary source of food have to eat tons of the stuff just to get the nutrients they need.
So the small amount consumed by a dog probably has virtually no nutritional value. Having said that it must provide some benefit, as vegetable matter is important in an omnivorous diet.
So if grass is good for dogs why does it sometimes make them throw up? Even the experts don’t agree on that one. What they do tell us though is that it is not harmful for a dog to eat grass.
Click here to find out more about why dogs eat grass, dog care, puppy care and other interesting dog information at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
What Should Be Aware Of About Exercising A Dog
The modern lifestyle places plenty of demands on your time. If you’re a dog owner, one of the things most likely to suffer is the amount of time you spend with your dog.
Exercising your dog is one of those things that is easy to put off when time is an issue – it’s not as though the dog can complain or anything – but I’d encourage you to make time.
Regardless of age, breed, size and level of fitness, all dogs need their exercise. It is your duty as a dog owner to ensure that this exercise is provided.
In this article I discuss 5 important things to consider about exercising your dog.
1.How Much Exercise?
The amount of exercise your dog needs is dependant on a number of things. Generally, dogs from the working and herding groups need to most exercise, while companion, or toy, dogs need the least.
Bigger dogs usually need more exercise than smaller ones, although this isn’t always true – a Beagle, for example, will probably need more activity than, say, a Saint Bernard. There’s also age to consider – exercise should be scaled up as a dog matures, and scaled down as he approaches his golden years.
Theses are, of course, generalizations, but it’s quite easy to do a bit of research and find out exactly what your breed’s exercise needs are.
2. Pace Exercise Correctly
Don’t go from zero to intense in a single bound! If you just started an exercise routine with your dog, then begin with a short walk and gradually build up to longer distances – for your own sake as much as the dog’s!
3. The Best Exercise for Your Dog
Different breeds have different tolerances for work. While a Malamute or Dalmatian may run all day, a walk around the block may be enough for a Bulldog.
Over-exercising a dog is as bad as under-exercising.Don’t over-exert your dog. Google the breed and find out about the amount of exercise they need.
4. The Games Dogs Love To Play
Besides walking, you should definitely incorporate some games into your exercise routine. All dogs love to play, and the cool thing is that it gives them a mental, as well as a physical, workout.
Choose a game that taps into your dog’s natural instincts. For example, Labs will chase and fetch a ball all day, while Beagles love finding hidden objects.
The important thing is to get your dog working and thinking, and games are a great way to do this.
5. Running and Hiking
If you’re a jogger, or an outdoor person why not involve your dog in these activities. They are a great way to stengthen your bond with your dog.
Do remember though that strenuous outdoor activities are not suited to all dogs. Some toy breeds can be quite fragile, while breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs can develop breathing problems if over-exerted.
Follow these five tips and you’ll have no problem designing an appropriate exercise routine for your dog. You’ll be rewarded with a healthy, balanced dog, who loves to spend time with you.
Read more about dog training, dog care, dog grooming and other useful dog info at http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
Dog Behavior Snippets That Will Astound You
To really understand dog behavior you must first understand the behavior of the dogs ancestor, the wolf.
Wolves have developed over millions of years to become the ultimate co-operative pack hunter. Their bodies and brains, senses and abilities have become adapted to communicating with each other, and they have developed the complex behaviors required to succeed as a social animal.
It is broadly accepted that the wolf is the one and only descendent of the domestic dog, and it therefore standards to reason that dogs have similar instincts and drives to wolves.
Once you understand this, much of your dog’s behavior suddenly begins to make sense.
Here are some of the behaviors common to dogs and wolves.
Pack Mentality: As pack animals wolves naturally submit to a leader. Wolf packs usually consist of a mating pair and their offspring, with the alpha male as the leader.
Dogs also look for leadership in their human “pack”. Where none is present, they will feel compelled to take up the role themselves, leading to dominance issues.
Body Language: Wolves (and dogs) use a complex body language to communicate and usually, this “language” carries more weight than any form of vocalization. Body language uses the tail, ears, eye contact, body movements, posture and facial expressions to get the message across.
We humans don’t always understand these signals. A common misconception, for example, is that a wagging tail indicates happiness when it can actually mean anything from submission to aggravation.
Territorial Aggression: In the wild, wolves will stake out a territory, then patrol and defend it against intruders. The same behavior can be seen in dogs. They will naturally protect what they perceive as their territory, whether it’s their home, a favorite toy, or even a person they regard as “theirs”.
Social Behavior: Play and socialization are important in wolf packs as they help develop bonds, and hone co-operative hunting skills.
You can simulate this with your dog through play, walks and obedience training. But you need to go further, socializing your dog with a broad spectrum of people and other animals, so that he doesn’t start to see everyone outside his immediate circle as a threat.
Pursuit: Wolves hunt by following a prey animal until they run it to ground. Their instinct is therefore to chase objects moving away from them.
The same behavior can be seen in dogs when they run after a fleeing cat or a passing car.
Running Away: Most predators (even lions) choose their battles carefully. They’d rather flee than fight a battle where they could suffer an injury. The same usually applies to wolves and dogs.
Vocalization: Wolves and dogs have similar vocal capabilities, but wolves are less inclined to use vocal signals for communication. This makes sense when you consider that sound may alert an enemy, or warn potential prey.
Dogs, on the other hand have spent thousands of years in the company of humans and have learned that we communicate mainly by voice. They therefore have no problem expressing themselves with a bark, a while or even a howl if the mood takes them.
If you want to learn more about dog obedience training, dog care, dog anatomy and other helpful dog information visit http://www.dogsanddogtraining.com
Akita Inu Breed Facts
The noble Akita Inu is an impressive dog. These large, dignified animals are so revered in their native Japan that they are considered national monuments, and owning one is said to bring good luck.
The breed takes its name from the Akita Prefecture, the mountainous region where it originated. They were originally hunting dogs, used to track elk, boar and especially the fierce, grizzly-sized, Yezo bear.
Helen Keller was responsible for bringing the first of these dogs to the US, when she received two Akita as a gift in 1937. The Akita Club of America was established in 1956, and worked towards AKC recognition for the breed. This was granted in 1973.
These formidable dogs can stand as tall as 27 inches at the withers and weigh anything up to 125 pounds. They have a dense coat that can be brindle, red, fawn. sesame or white. They shed heavily twice a year, but other than that, are medium shedders.
Other standout features of the breed are a large head, small erect ears, and an impressive plumed tail that curls over the back.
The Akita is generally a healthy breed with few of the problems typical in purebred dogs. However, they do have some common health issues, including hypothyroid disease and progressive retinal atrophy. Older dogs may also experience kidney and joint problems. The average lifespan for the breed is typically between 10 and 14 years.
These are very loyal and highly protective dogs. They bond strongly with their family, and are generally good with children and tolerant of other pets. They are known to have a trademark greeting when welcoming their owners. This involves a lot of squirming about and making happy grunting sounds.
Due to their high intelligence Akitas are quite easy to train, even if they are sometimes stubborn. You will though have to gain their trust and respect before they’ll obey you unquestionably.
Akitas generally have a calm demeanor and are not usually demanding of attention or activity. However, regular exercise is required in order to keep the dog at a healthy weight.
Dogs that do not receive enough mental and physical stimulation are likely to become bored, and a bored Akita may well develop problem behaviors. With this breed it may manifest as aggression or destructiveness, so training, socialization, walks, games and so on, are a must.
That shouldn’t deter you from adopting an Akita though because they are truly wonderful dogs and excellent family pets.
If you’re stuck for puppy names, for your Akita Inu, I’d recommend that you check out Puppy Names HQ, an online database that has thousands of excellent dog names including a huge list of boy dog names.
