Dog Breeds: The Greyhound

The first documentation mentioning this speedy canine occurred in 1016 when they were included in the Forest Laws made by King Canute. Interestingly, dogs with a similar appearance were carved into Egyptian tombs, dating back 4000 years, which leads one to believe that their origin may have been the middle east, and that they were brought to Great Britain by the Celts who picked them up during their wide ranging travels.

Greyhounds, which can run at speeds up to 37 miles per hour (60 Kilometres per hour), were originally used for large game coursing. In more modern times, this gentle, affectionate, kindly canine has been used in coursing, racing and as companion dogs. They enjoy interacting with children, so can be considered as family pets. Because of their coursing background, it is advisable to keep greyhounds away from rabbits, cats and small dogs.

Greyhounds weigh from 60 to 70 pounds (27-32 Kg) and stand 27 to 30 inches (68 – 76 cm) in height. Their life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.

Greyhounds that have been rescued or retired from racing establishments make great companion dogs, but they chase anything that moves. Because they seldom bark and are used to spending long periods of time in relatively small spaces (being carted from race track to race track in small dog crates or vehicle mounted kennels) they make excellent dogs for apartment dwellers.

Greyhounds have a long relatively wide face and a flat skull. They have a capacious chest which provides ample space for their heart and lungs. Their forelegs are long, straight and well boned. They have fine close hair coloured white, fawn, red, red-brindle, black-brindle and black, plus combinations of the aforementioned colours. Their neck is long, arched and muscular. Their ears are small, fine textured and rose shaped at the base.

Greyhounds enjoy going for walks and if turned loose in a field they will run about. If you want an affectionate companion dog, then you may want to consider getting a greyhound.

Until next time,

Teia

Teaching Kids and Pets to Co-Exist Peacefully

It is possible for children and pets to peacefully coexist in the same household. Many people mistakenly think that as soon as they start having children that their pet needs to head to the local shelter. They fear that the cat or dog will not get along with the new child and it will bite or scratch the baby. This is seldom the case and if you take the time to introduce your pets to your children properly, your kids and pets can live in harmony.

One of the biggest concerns that new parents have when it comes to a pet in the home is how it will react to a baby. Many of the old wives tales such as cats sucking the breath out of babies simply are not true. In fact, many cats and dogs readily accept a new child into the home and become fiercely loyal and protective of the baby. A German Sheppard guard dog that mom and dad had when their older daughter brought their new granddaughter over to their house thought she was the greatest thing he had ever seen. He sat near her basket with a sappy look on his face. As she got older, he would let her do anything she wanted to him, including things that would bring a growl when anyone else attempted to do them. He would have given his life to protect her.

When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you should introduce your pet to your new baby. Of course, these introductions need supervision. Allow your cat or dog time to sniff your child at his or her own pace. Make the introduction pleasant for your cat or dog. In most cases, your cat or dog will not give your baby a second thought. Allow your pet to adjust to the new situation on his or her own terms. When a baby comes to the house, it is an adjustment for everybody.

The other thing that you might want to consider doing when you bring a baby into the home is to make sure that your cat or dog is properly groomed. This includes trimming the nails of your dog or cat. Your dog or cat may want to put a paw on your baby. If his or hers nails are long and sharp, your dog or cat may accidentally scratch your infant. While you can never eliminate pet hair from your home, if your dog or cat is frequently brushed it will certainly help your home stay a little cleaner. Many new parents also worry about allergies. Actually, many studies have shown that children, who are exposed to pets from a very young age, have less pet allergies than children who are not exposed to pets.

Another good idea is to make sure that your pets do not have access to your baby’s room without supervision. While your pet means no harm to your child, pets are naturally curious. A cat may jump into your infant’s crib, or large dogs could easily knock a bassinet or cradle over. You should always supervise your pet when it is around your new baby. Most of all, you should try to make sure that you are still spending quality time with your pet when possible. This especially pertains to dogs, which are used to playing in the backyard and going for walks.

As your child grows, you need to begin teaching your child proper pet etiquette. If your dog or cat has learned to respect your child, then your child also needs to learn to respect your pet. Teach your child from a young age that they should never pull or yank a cat or dog's tail or ears. Your child can learn proper pet etiquette even at a very young age. You will also want to teach your child to respect your pet’s space. This includes making sure that your child understands that he or she should never wake a sleeping pet. This could cause your pet to become startled and could result in biting or scratching.

In addition, you will want to make sure that your child understands to stay out of your pet’s food, water and litter box. Your child will be naturally curious, so it is always best to give your pet some private space away from your child.

There are many things you can do to make sure children and pets coexist peacefully. Your children and pets need to learn to respect each other from the very beginning. There is no reason to get rid of your cat or dog just because you have a child in your home.

Until next time,

Teia

Is a Guinea Pig the Right Pet for You?

Guinea Pigs, also called cavies, are lovable furry critters that will bring you a lot of joy. In addition, Guinea Pigs can be a perfect first pet for children because they are easy to care for and more cuddly than a hamster or fish. Following is information to help you determine whether a Guinea Pig is the right pet for you.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your home, you may at first consider a dog or cat. These animals are perfect for homes if you have a lot of time to dedicate to owning a pet. Dogs and cats need a lot of attention and a lot of space. Guinea Pigs on the other hand are just as cute as dogs and cats, but they do not require near as much space or care. Many people love the idea of Guinea Pigs as first pets for children because they live a lot longer than hamsters or gerbils. In fact, a well cared for Guinea Pig can live up to eight or nine years. Once you own a Guinea Pig, you will be hooked by these cute, sweet natured animals.

When you go to the store to get a Guinea Pig, it is always a good idea to look at them carefully and choose them for their personality. Each Guinea Pig has his or her own personality. Some are more reserved in nature, while others are more outgoing. If you are choosing a Guinea Pig for your child, you want to make sure that your Guinea pig can tolerate being held and petted. Guinea pigs are not known to be aggressive or to bite, but your child will have no fun with a shy Guinea Pig.

Guinea Pigs are social animals and they enjoy the company of other Guinea Pigs. If you are planning to get a Guinea Pig, you might want to consider getting two Guinea Pigs at the same time. Male Guinea Pigs get along quite well with each other if you get them when they are both babies. Male Guinea Pigs will fight with each other if you introduce them after they are grown. Female Guinea Pigs also get along well with each other. It is not recommended that you get a male and a female, unless you want to breed Guinea Pigs.

When looking at Guinea Pig cages, you need to find one that will allow enough room for movement and play. Make sure that your cage has an exercise wheel, to keep your Guinea Pig healthy and active. Guinea Pigs like to stay hidden when they sleep, so make sure that your cage has a place where they can hide. A plastic or wooden structure inside the cage is always a good idea. You will want to add some sort of lining to the bottom of your Guinea Pig cage for easy cleanup. Cedar chips are not recommended, however pine wood chips, newspaper, ground up corn cobs or kitty litter are all fine. You also want to include a large water bottle for your Guinea Pig. If you have two Guinea Pigs consider getting two water bottles. Guinea Pigs love to drink water, so make sure that you give them plenty of fresh water EVERY day.

Some experts recommend adding vitamin C drops to their water. This works well for some Guinea Pigs. However, some Guinea Pigs do not like the taste and will not drink the water. If you do decide to add vitamin C drops to their water, make sure they are staying hydrated throughout the day. If you choose not to include vitamin C drops with their water, you can supplement their diet with fresh fruit and vegetables. Guinea Pigs love fresh vegetables and fruit of all kinds. Just make sure that you do not overfeed your Guinea Pigs and use fruits and vegetables as treats. As far as food is concerned, you will need to feed your Guinea Pigs specially formulated Guinea Pig pellets available at pet stores. Guinea Pigs also needed a daily supply of Timothy hay, available in some pet stores and most farm supply stores, to help aid their digestion.

Guinea Pigs are great pets for all types of homes. When you get a young Guinea Pig, you and your child or children will have to work with it to socialize it. All family members are sure to enjoy these adorable pets for many years to come.

Until next time,

Teia

Internal Dog Parasites

The picture on the left shows a Dipylidium caninum (dog tapeworm - sometimes called a cucumber tapeworm and the picture below shows a Toxocara canis (dog roundworm).

Any dog, whether the dog appears to be clean and/or if it is from a seemingly 'well-to-do home' can get internal parasites (endoparasites).

Roundworms (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) are rather like pale earthworms which can grow to about 10cm in length. Both ends of the worm are pointed. Signs that your dog may have roundworms are mild vomiting, having a pot-belly, having a dull coat and either sudden weight gain or sudden weight loss. A puppy might cough or hiccup. You may also see worms wrapped around the dog's stool when it has a bowel movement.

The Life Cycle of the Toxocara canis starts with the bitch eating contaminated feces. The larvae as well as remaining in the intestine, migrate to the mammary glands and the uterus. When puppies feed off the bitch , the larvae enter their system and grow into adult worms within two weeks. The adult round worms lay eggs which hatch into larvae. The larvae burrow through the gut wall to the liver and lungs, causing respiratory problems. Some lay dormant while others are coughed up and re-swallowed. These larvae pass through the stomach into the intestine, where they grow into adult worms and lay thousands more eggs. These eggs are passed out of the dog where they lay waiting for a passerby to eat the feces enabling the cycle to start over.

The Life Cycle of the Toxascaris leonina starts with the eggs being ingested and hatching in the stomach. They do not migrate, but develop in the wall of the intestine, therefore infection to a bitch's puppies does not occur. However, these worms also lay thousands of eggs which pass out of the dog in its stool, where they wait to be eaten and continue the cycle in another dog.

It is, therefore, advisable that pregnant bitches be wormed under a veterinarian's supervision. Puppies should be routinely wormed after the age of two weeks. They should also be wormed either just before or just after going to a new home. Adult dogs should be wormed every six months. However, if you have young children in your household, it is wise to worm your dog every three months.

Tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum) are flat, segmented worms that can grow up to 50cm long. They are not normally seen as a complete worm, as these remain in the dog, but as individual segments loaded with ripe eggs. One of the signs of their presence in a dog is that the abdomen may become distorted. However, the most common sign is the presence of rice-like grains around the anus. These worms can also be seen moving in the dog's feces. They can cause diarrhoea and poor growth development in puppies. They can also get into your children if they get contaminated feces or eggs on their hands and then touch their mouth.

The Life Cycle of Dipylidium caninum starts when a dog swallows a flea, which has itself swallowed an embryonic egg. The larvae develop into adult worms in the small intestine. Specific worming remedies for this type of worm are obtained from a veterinarian (vet). Also ensure that the dog is regularly checked for fleas.

Ticks (Ixodes species) are actually ectoparasites (external parasites) but they are mentioned here because they frequently infect dogs with diseases that can also be passed on to humans. They are brownish-white in colour and can be initially mistaken for a wart, but on closer inspection the legs can be seen, while the head is buried in the epidermis. Having gorged on the dog's blood, it grows to the size of a bean or pea. You may spot ticks when you are grooming the dog or when the dog has an allergic reaction to them and begins scratching. At this time they will appear as red sores. Normally a dog will tolerate one or two ticks without showing any signs of irritation, so if you live in an area where ticks are prevalent, you should check your dog for ticks every time he comes into the house from outside.

The Life Cycle of Ixodes species starts with adult ticks laying eggs that drop on the ground. Larvae hatch and climb onto blades of grass, shrubs, etc., where they wait for a passerby to brush past, thus enabling them to attach themselves onto the hair of the dog or the clothes of the owner. Surgical spirit soaked onto the tick suffocates it, thus loosening its grip. It can then be removed with tweezers. Never attempt to pull the tick off without soaking it first, as the head will remain and cause infection. Treat the bite area with antiseptic to prevent infection. A special dip/shampoo can be obtained from the vet if infestation is severe. Ticks can also be removed by covering them with Vaseline. Vaseline coverage impedes the breathing of the tick so it backs out of the epidermis. Once it backs out of the dog’s skin, it can be picked off and destroyed. You can also use this treatment if you get a tick on you while you are walking your dog in an infested area.

For further information on ticks and your dog, do a query, within this blog, on ticks as there are several entries on these dangerous parasites. The blog search field is at the top left of the blog in the blue band next to the Blogger logo.

Until next time,

Teia

What You Need to Know Before You Buy Your First Puppy

Your children want a puppy. All your neighbors have dogs, and your children want one too. It’s the dream of all children to have a dog like Lassie. However, if this is your first puppy, there are important things you need to know before you commit to buying a dog.

First, dogs take time and puppies take even more time.

Having a puppy is like having a 2-year-old. Until we are trained (see the second entry), we require almost constant supervision. After we are trained, we still require supervision until we are older - much older. If you can't entertain us nearly all day, you may want to consider two dogs, or taking us to puppy daycare, or maybe a cat would be better for your family. If you consider two puppies, be very careful. A few years ago, my dad got two males from the same litter. Until they established who was the dominant male, there were a lot of fights. Once that was established, they got along well. The next time they decided to get two dogs, they got two females, my step-sister and me. We’ve been with them for nearly five years and we are very jealous of each other, with any excuse being a good excuse for a fight. Although lately, we’ve been getting along a bit better. I think that the best combination would be a male and a female. However, if you are not planning on breeding the dogs, get them spayed and neutered at 5 - 6 months of age. Also remember that male dogs have a tendency to raise their leg and wet on furniture (to mark their territory).

Second, puppies need training, and so do your children.

You can pretty much ignore cats, however that is not the case with dogs. You have to train us to go outside to wet and do our bowel movements. You can start by training us to do this on paper or puppy training pads which are available in all pet stores and the pet section of major chains like Walmart. Once we have mastered this, then slowly move the paper toward the door. When we have learned to do it on the paper beside the door, then move the paper outside and make sure that we have many trips outside. Once we have learned that we have to do it on the paper outside, you can slowly make the paper smaller and smaller until there is none left. Alternatively, you can train us to go outside from the first day you bring us home. Just make sure that you take us outside at least once every half hour and preferably once every 15 to 20 minutes. Always praise us when we do something outside. Make a real fuss of us and give us a small treat when we come back inside. I was a winter puppy and I learned to go on the snow. When the snow all melts, I have trouble remembering to go outside because the dirt, grass and gravel in my yard don’t feel right. I’m lucky though, because my mom and dad put down training pads so I can go on them if I have a sudden need to go. This saves their floor from getting damaged.

You will need to take your puppy to several puppy classes and possibly more classes when your puppy is grown. Dogs are dependent and you need to teach us proper behavior.

If you have children, they need to take the classes with their puppies so they can learn how to interact with their new pet.

Third, puppies cost money, sometimes, lots of money.

Ok - this isn't unreasonable, but you need to be prepared to add your puppy into your budget. You will have many expenses, especially when you first get your new puppy. We need toys, rawhide chew bones, vaccinations, a dog licence, and don't forget the food, possibly a dog house, collars, clothes (no really - it’s a big business - you'll be tempted!) veterinarian bills and training (see above).

Dogs are one of the most expensive pets around. Most puppies become part of the family - and will cost you like part of the family. Don't go into this venture thinking we’re cheap. The initial cost of a puppy will depend on whether you choose to get a pure bred dog or a mixed breed dog. Pure bred dogs usually cost considerably more to purchase than a mixed breed dog.

Fourth, remember that puppies grow into dogs.

I know that's obvious - but you need to be sure you know how big your dog will be. If you have young children, your puppy may outweigh them within a year. Do some research so you know how big your cute little puppy will be when he's a full grown dog. If you purchase a pure bred dog, the seller should be able to tell you how big the dog will be when full grown, what it will look like and many other factors. However, a lot of purebred dogs come with breed specific problems. For example a number of breeds have a high incidence of hip dysplasia which is very expensive to deal with and very painful for the dog. Mixed breeds are less prone to inherited problems, but you are never sure exactly what you are getting until the dog is full grown. What looks like a cute little puppy could end up being a 185-pound behemoth when full grown (this happened to my grandma - she got a nice chubby little puppy which grew into a dog that was half the size of a black bear and he looked like one too). So, if your pet is a mixed breed dog, look at its paws. Usually, a puppy will grow into its paws. Big paws on the puppy mean that you will have a big dog when full grown. Little paws usually mean a little dog. However, while this is a good yardstick to judge the size of your dog when full grown, it is not infallible. Sometimes dogs with small paws grow into quite large dogs.

Fifth - Dogs need exercise.

People need exercise too - so this can actually be an advantage if handled properly. Puppies need room to run and play. They need people to play with and they need toys to play with. If you lead a very sedentary lifestyle, be sure you pick a dog breed that is low activity.

The larger the dog, the more room and exercise it will need. You will need to walk your dog several times a week. Be sure and plan that into your schedule now - or you may find your puppy running around the house all day without you. Always remember that a bored puppy will frequently get into trouble because we need something to relieve the boredom. Chewing things and scratching flooring, furniture and bedding are some of the things that we do to amuse ourselves when we are bored.

Owning a dog can be a very rewarding experience - even if this is your first puppy. Your dog will become one of the family and be a faithful companion for life. Be prepared for your new puppy, and it will be a great adventure for both of you.

If you are getting the puppy for your children, I can guarantee that within three months or less you will be looking after the puppy as the children will find it far too much work and responsibility. Always remember that getting a puppy is a lifelong commitment. It is not fair to get us and then abandon us when the novelty wears off.

Until next time,

Teia