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Classifying Critters
Animals: they come in different shapes and sizes, with varying colors and a breadth of breeds. At last count, a whopping 8.7 million species of animal were noted in the world, with new animals being identified, and others going out of existence all the time.
How to Add a Dog to a Family That Already Has Pets
At some point, there’s a good chance you’ll think about adding a dog into your furry family. While a dog can be a welcomed part of the family, some of your pets may not adjust easily to the newcomer. Their first encounter can have unpredictable outcomes, and like with people, first impressions count for a lot. So if you’re thinking of adding a dog to your home, be sure to take the following advice into consideration.
THE FRENCH BULLDOG
The French Bulldog, also known as the Bouledogue Francais, or Frenchie, looks like a miniature Bulldog. The Frenchie originated from France, and was bred from miniature Bulldogs as a companion dog. This is a muscular and heavily boned breed, with a short tail, large bat-like ears, and heavily wrinkled skin around the head, neck and shoulders. Frenchies are fun and affectionate dogs.
Brief History
During the late 19th Century, the French Bulldog was bred as a companion dog by English lace workers who emigrated to France. The English dogs were bred with local dogs in France, and soon this breed became fashionable.
Physical Features
The French Bulldog has a large, square head with an upturned nose, and a short and wrinkled muzzle. Their ears are naturally upright, rounded with a batlike appearance. Their skin is soft, with wrinkles at the head, neck and shoulders. Coats can be brindle, fawn, white, or brindle and white.
Average Height:
11-13 inches
Average Weight:
18-28 pounds
Life Expectancy:
10-12 years
Temperament
This breed is affectionate, alert, curious and intelligent. They get along with other dogs and people and make for great guard dogs, but don’t bark as much as smaller breeds. French Bulldogs adapt easily to apartment life since they don’t require a lot of exercise. Although this breed can be stubborn, they are easy keepers, and do best with positive training and plenty of socialization. This breed is gentle with children, and also enjoys living with single pet parents.
Special Needs
This is a brachycephalic breed, also known as a short-faced or snub-nosed breed, and needs to have plenty of protection from heatstroke. This breed does well indoors during extreme temperatures. They also need to be supervised when around water or swimming pools – they can’t swim due to their front-heavy build.
Possible Health Concerns
Since French Bulldogs have flat faces, they are more sensitive to anesthesia. They may also be susceptible to:
Atopic Dermatitis. A common allergic skin condition. Constant itching and scratching leads to hair loss and scabbing, resulting in secondary bacterial infections. Treatment involves antihistamines, change of environment, essential fatty acid supplements (EFA), and medicated shampoos.
Congenital Vertebral Anomalies. French Bulldogs may have deformities of the bones in the spine resulting in pressure of the spinal cord, progressive pain, and possibly loss of hind limb function.
Brachycephalic Syndrome. Dogs with this problem will snore, snort and breathe through their mouths.
Elongated Soft Palate. A long palate may result in blockage of part of the airway into the lungs. This causes breathing difficulties, and can be corrected surgically with a high success rate, most especially if the dog is under a year.
Heatstroke. French Bulldogs are more susceptible to heat than many other dog breeds.
Exercise
The French Bulldog does well with light exercise, such as a short walk around the block or brief trip to the dog park. This breed enjoys dog training classes, obedience, agility and some rally sports. However, they should never exert themselves during hot or humid temperatures.
Nutrition
Every dog is different, and some brands of food will be better suited for certain dogs. When it comes to dog foods, understanding your pet’s current health and nutritional needs is important. Consult with your veterinarian for advice. There is no best diet since all French Bulldogs have different dietary needs, so it’s always smart to find the best food to match each individual dog.
Grooming
Daily brushing with a rubber mitt or medium bristle brush will aid in removing loose hair and keep the coat healthy and shiny. Make sure the loose folds around their necks are kept clean and wiped daily, and regularly trim their nails.
Because the French Bulldog is a low energy breed, they make for a wonderful, family-friendly adoption.
THE POODLE
One of the world’s most popular dogs, the Poodle enjoys the limelight. Experts describe the Poodle as clever, elegant, and proud. Tucked behind the impressive hairdos, fancy ribbons, and regal attitude is an affectionate friend and winner among dogs.
Brief History
The Poodle has a rich history that dates back to the first century. No one is certain of its origin. Its earliest ancestors were curly-coated dogs from central Asia. The curly-coated type extended into Hungary, France, and Russia, and was known as the Barbet. In France, the Poodle is believed to be a crossbreed of the Barbet and a Hungarian water dog. It is referred to as the “chien canard” or “caniche”, for its duck hunting prowess. But the dog is so versatile that it found work as a guide dog, military dog, and a circus performer. So adored was the poodle that it became enshrined as the national breed of France.
But the German strain is the type that most influenced the dog we see today. In Germany, it is known as “Pudelhund”. The name is a combination phrase, “Pudel” meaning, “to splash about”, and “hunt”, or “hound”.
European history has seen Poodle depictions in painting and drawings dating back to the 15th century. In Spain, this breed became extremely popular during the 18th century through artists such as Francisco Goya.
The Poodle comes in 3 sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard. The Standard poodle holds the claim to being the original version, with the other two varieties bred down for the ease of household companionship. In the late 19th century, fanciers began exhibiting the poodle in the show ring. Its iconic haircut was thought to have started as a hunting clip, with hair left longer to protect its joints from the cold. But the accentuated height and fluff were probably further exaggerated for the circus performers.
Physical Features
The Poodle is square, standing as tall as his body is long. He has a long nose, a full muzzle, dark eyes, and long, pendulous ears. The tail is usually cropped. A true sporting dog, his body is muscular and athletic. His coat is his glory; it comes in many colors including bi-color. The hair is thick and notoriously curly, although groomers will blow it straight and hand-scissor it for the legendary haircut.
The registry recognizes three sizes.
Average Height:
Toy: Under 10 inches
Miniature: 10-15 inches
Standard: Over 15 inches
Average Weight:
Toy: 5-7 pounds
Miniature: 10-20 pounds
Standard: 45-70 pounds
Life Expectancy:
10-15 years
Temperament
The Poodle is among the smartest of all dogs. This breed is a brilliant student and adept at nearly any kind of task. His personality is one of fun and happy energy, filled with humor and bounce.
Special Needs
Being a curly-coated dog, the Poodle will need regular grooming. The dog can be prone to ear infections unless the hair is pulled from the inner ear.
Possible Health Concerns
Poodles can be fragile, especially the toy variety. Some of the ailments that plague the breed are:
Heart disease
Cushing’s disease
Epilepsy
Addison’s disease
Gastric dilation-volvulus/bloat
Hip dysplasia
Eye disorders
Sebaceous adenitis
Exercise
Depending on the size of the dog, exercise needs will vary. But all poodles need a fair amount of aerobic workout on a regular basis.
Nutrition
Poodles thrive on a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat. Carbohydrates provide them with the energy needed to stay active while proteins and fat support their lean muscle health, build and repair their immune system as well as the central nervous system. Proteins should make up a huge part of their diet since they make their coats and skins glow.
Grooming
The Poodle’s grooming needs are best addressed by a professional, although some owners like to let their dog grow out curly and woolly. To that end, be sure to have a veterinarian inspect the ears, cut the toenails, and drain the anal glands regularly.
Here are some more poodle resources:
Poodle Lovers Post: History of the Poodle
AKC.org: Dog Breeds: Poodle
WHY DO DOGS LICK PAWS?
For our canine friends, paw licking can be a grooming habit. This is often seen when dogs have been out for a long walk in rugged conditions, or it might be part of their daily groom.
Ehrlichiosis: What to Look For
Ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne bacterial infection that affects canines like dogs, wolves and other species around the world. Also known as Canine Typhus, Tracker Dog Disease, and Tropical Canine Pancytopenia, this disease leads to a wide range of flu-like symptoms, which makes the disease difficult to diagnose.
PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION FOR PETS:
It’s all about guiding and empowering you to help your pet avoid injury, provide practical solutions and achieve rapid restoration of health and function!
A Very Thankful November
This is the time of year when Americans pause to give thanks. We give thanks for living in the greatest country on Earth, and to the veterans who made it possible for us to remain free. We give thanks to our parents and other family members for coaching and mentoring us. Most importantly, we give thanks for the presence of our pets and the unconditional love and devotion they bring into our lives. A recent survey, conducted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute, found that 97% of 1,000 family doctors and general practitioners believe there are health benefits to having or interacting with a pet. 75% reported seeing a patient’s overall health or a specific medical condition get moderately to significantly better after the patient brought a pet into his or her family. 87% saw a patient’s outlook or mood improve.
