Susan M. Ewing

You and your veterinarian work together to keep your pet healthy, and you want to have a good working relationship. Choosing a reputable veterinarian requires your time and attention.Depending on the area where you live, however, your pool of veterinarians may be limited. Assuming that you have choices, consider the following list when choosing a veterinarian: Who do you know who owns a pet or breed like yours?

Poodles are known for their keen intelligence and excellent trainability, and, most notably, those signature curly locks. But there's more to the Poodle than meets the eye. Learn some of the Poodle breed's history and the personalities of the three different varieties of Poodle. And remember that just like most dogs, Poodles will eat anything and everything — it's up to you to know what treats are both healthy and tasty to feed your Poodle.

As a Bulldog person, you want to get your pet from a reputable breeder, and knowing the right questions to ask gets you on your way. Once you have a Bulldog, you want to start a good relationship with your vet. Then, to keep your pet the picture of health, you need to know which plants, foods, and household items can cause problems, and how to tell when a trip to the vet or emergency clinic is warranted.

Giving your Poodle a bite of your bologna and white bread sandwich isn't the best food choice, but the occasional splurge won't hurt. Rich sauces and gravies, however, although not poisonous, can upset your Poodle's tummy. And certain foods can seriously affect your Poodle's health. Here's a list of healthy treats you can give your Poodle, as well as foods you should avoid.

Many people look at Poodles and think "froufrou," when in reality the Poodle was bred as a working farm dog. To understand more of the Poodle's background, here's a history of the beginnings of the breed. All dogs are descended from the wolf, which may explain why they howl at sirens and the like. The original dog was domesticated between 13,000 and 17,000 years ago.

All Poodles should be lively, friendly dogs who get along well with other dogs and with people — and every dog has his own unique personality. The following list presents the different personality traits that the different Poodle varieties may exhibit. Remember that you're dealing with a living creature, so there are no hard and fast rules: Standard Poodles are a bit more reserved and self-contained than Minis and Toys, and they appreciate having jobs to do.

Many common household items are poisonous to Bulldogs. You may think that your Bulldog can’t reach or find the items in the following lists, but check your cupboards to make sure. It’s amazing what Bulldogs can get into, and what they find they tend to eat. Keep your Bulldog safe! Drugs and supplements Acetaminophen Amphetamine Antihistamines and decongestants Aspirin Cocaine Iron Marijuana Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Sodium phosphate enemas Tricyclic antidepressants Zinc Insecticides, pesticides, and podenticides Amitraz Anticoagulant rodenticide Arsenic Borate Bromethalin Cholecalciferol or Vitamin D rodenticides DEET Ivermectin (Avermectins) Organophosphates and carbamates Pyrethrin Rotenone Strychnine Zinc-containing rodenticides Foods Chocolate and caffeine Garlic Grapes/Raisins Macadamia nuts Mushrooms Onions Household items Acids Alkalis (Corrosives) Antifreeze Arsenic Borate Bleach Button batteries Citrus oils Detergents Ethylene glycol Iron Isopropanol Kerosene and gasoline Lead Mercury Metaldehyde Moth balls Phenol and phenolic compounds Pine oils Zinc The Peteducation Web site has a complete list of foods to avoid and the reasoning, and the many and varied plants that can do your dog harm.

When looking for a Bulldog puppy, find a reputable breeder. You want a breeder with experience in breeding Bulldogs in particular, and someone who is giving pups a good start so they are healthy, well-bred, and well-adjusted. Ask the breeder the following questions before deciding on your Bulldog puppy: How long have you been breeding?

A good veterinarian discusses standard issues with you when you take your Bulldog for his first checkup, but knowing what to discuss beforehandhelps you cover everything you need to know about your Bulldog and also makes you look like a responsible pet owner. Bring along this list of items to discuss with your veterinarian: Ask how familiar they are with Bulldogs.