Attention dog lovers, I would like to announce a new Guidesite at About.com: Puppies! Amy Shojai, CABC is the Guide to this new About.com topic that is dedicated to nothing but puppies. Amy is a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and the author of 23 pet care books. Learn more about Amy here.

Now in addition to the puppy information here on About Dogs, you have an entire site on the topic of puppies. Amy will help you decide if the time is right to get a puppy, how to choose the right puppy and how to care for your new puppy. Plus, along with all the great puppy info, I am sure there will be plenty of adorable puppy photos to check out! You can visit Amy's new site at Puppies.About.com. Enjoy!

Photo © Brygida T.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is best known for, of course, the beautiful and unique ridge of hair along its back. After that, many of us think of its large size and powerful, noble appearance. They should be noble - after all, they were once used to hunt lions. This breed is still used for hunting today (though not for lions anymore) and is also an excellent guard dog.

Even beyond first impressions, Ridgebacks can make wonderful pets. As young dogs, they are active and playful. As they mature, they develop into loyal and calm companions. Though they may be hesitant around strangers, Ridgebacks are gentle and kind to their families. Could this be the right dog for you? Find out more about the Rhodesian Ridgeback. If you love the breed, share your experiences with us: talk about your Ridgeback!

Photo © joysaphine on flickr

Spring is well underway, and depending on where you live, the days are probably getting longer and warmer. But nothing positive comes without some negative; Spring also brings fleas. As dog lovers, most of us are horrified by the idea for fleas on our dogs. These tiny vampires are downright nasty insects that pose health risks and are, quite frankly, highly annoying. Fortunately, modern science has paved the way, and fleas are much easier to control today than they were 20 years ago.

The key to flea control is prevention, and it is helpful if you understand the enemy. Learn all about fleas on dogs and get a jump on these nasty little jumpers. And, speaking of yucky bloodsuckers, Spring is a great time to arm yourself and your dog against one of the ickiest of all external parasites: the tick.

What are your favorite forms of flea and tick prevention?

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This week's featured dog breed is none other than the English Cocker Spaniel. As a follow-up to last week's American Cocker Spaniel, I felt it was only fair for the English Cocker to have the spotlight. Though the two breeds may be mistakenly lumped into one, they are really two quite distinctive dog breeds. At a glance, a Cocker novice may think they look the same, but it only takes a closer look to tell the difference between the two: the English Cocker has a clearly longer muzzle and a less rounded head than the American Cocker.

Take a moment to learn more about the English Cocker Spaniel. It may be a less common breed, but it is certainly not a lesser dog. Are you an English Cocker Spaniel owner? Tell us more about the breed.

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