How to Find Local DOG Parks Dogs love to run and play, though depending on where you live, such actions may not be a daily option. More and more pet owners are moving to apartment complexes that just don't have enough elbowroom for humans, let alone akitas. While many newer apartment complexes are now being created with 'Doggie Playgrounds', finding a local DOG park is usually the only option, for akita owners living in the city, to provide a akita-friendly and safe environment for their beloved pets. The smallest breed of dog recognized by the American Kennel Club is the Chihuahua, which stands six to nine inches at the top of the shoulders and generally weighs two to six pounds. Their size makes them excellent travel companions. A DOG park allows akitas, and their human owners, to have fun off-leash, which offers an incredible feeling of freedom to your akita. Tails will wag, eyes will shine and tongues loll in absolute joy. If you think it's hard to get kids to get back into a car after taking them to the local playground, just wait until you try to reattach that leash to your akita's collar when it's time to leave the local DOG park! Lhasa Apsos are small, long-haired dogs. Believe it or not, they were originally used by monks to guard temples. This accounts for their quiet and friendly nature, which can easily change if their owners or home are threatened. Within city environments, more DOG parks are being created for such joys, but they are still few and far between in many communities. Finding a local DOG park may not be as difficult as it may seem, however. Looking in your local phone book is one option, as is calling your local Chamber of Commerce or Animal Shelter. Local city government offices should know such details as well, so information should be readily available. Finding a local DOG park online is also an option, as many city governments offer such areas through their Departments of Recreation. The Podengo, a rare breed of dog, is also known as the Portuguese Warren Hound. It is usually a fawn or yellow color, but can be brown, black or sooty colored without white patches or spots. It resembled a long-bodied chihuahua. Before you take your akita to a DOG park and let him loose, make sure that he will get along with other akitas within the same area. Take your akita on outings to determine whether or not he or she will react well to different DOG breeds, sizes and temperaments. There's nothing worse than taking your akita to a local DOG park and then having to break up a akitafight! If your akita is aggressive around other DOGS, or reacts with fear to other DOGS, refrain from taking him or her to a local DOG park, not only for the safety of your akita, but other DOGS and owners as well. Then, take your akita when the park is not busy, even if it means some inconvenience for you. Both you and your akita will need to get acclimated to the new environment. Yorkshire terriers are very tenacious. In fact, A 12-pound Yorkshire Terrier named Oliver once defended an elderly woman from an 80-pound Akita. The woman escaped to safety and Oliver the yorkie survived with only nine stitches. Also make sure that your akita reacts well to strangers, and most especially children, who often accompany their pets to local DOG parks. Safety is the first thing to consider when looking for a local DOG park, and before you introduce your akita into such an environment, it may be a good idea for you to visit the park alone to determine what kind of DOGS and people frequent the area. The silky terrier originated about 100 years ago in Australia. Their major ancestors were the Australian terrier and the Yorkshire terrier. They were bred to be family companions, watchdogs, and to hunt rodents and snakes. Local DOG parks provide optimal freedom for DOGS, but manners and good behavior are a must to ensure that both DOGS and their owners enjoy relaxed, enjoyable outings. German Shepherds have incredibly sensitive noses. They have over 225 million cell receptors in their noses, making them ideal for police work, such as bomb and drug sniffing, finding missing children and tracking criminals. Chow Chows have very unusual mouths. When they are born they look normal enough. However, by the age of about 8 weeks, their gums and tongues go from pink to an odd shade of bluish-black.