The Flat-coated Retriever is a breed created by crossbreeding the Labrador Retriever and the Newfoundland (for details, see introduction) from two American breeds. They can be described as "strong but not heavy, lively but not thin". It is a very intelligent and lively breed. As a reliable assistant to European and American fishermen, the Retriever has a history of several hundred years. Moreover, with their continuous development and improvement, hunters also find them to be good helpers during hunting.
Some breeders believe that curly hair is not conducive to waterproofing, so they started breeding flat-coated dogs, resulting in the current Flat-coated Retriever.
The Flat-coated Retriever originated from a special type of retrieving dog that was created by crossbreeding the Newfoundland, the Setter, the Shepherd, the Retriever, and some other water dogs. The ultimate goal of the crossbreeding was to develop a breed that could easily find, locate, swim, and retrieve waterfowl. In the mid-19th century, this crossbreeding ultimately resulted in the precursor to the Flat-coated Retriever, the Curly-coated Retriever.
Recommended for dog lovers
1. Heart Disease
Dogs are more likely to develop heart disease due to obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, the main symptoms are easily tired and difficulty breathing. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and often by the time the owner notices, it is too late.
2. Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are more likely to contract these two infectious diseases. Once infected, the symptoms include depression, decreased appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, we cannot ignore kidney disease. The dreadful aspect of dog kidney disease is that it develops unnoticed. By the time the owner discovers it, the dog's kidney cells are already damaged by more than 75%. When dogs have kidney problems, the general symptoms are blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that live in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworms may show symptoms such as decreased activity, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid accumulation.
5. Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormal upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, distemper infection, viral influenza, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal discharge, and high body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is born, mainly relying on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate body temperature and needs the mother to provide warmth. On the first day, there is no hearing or vision, and the puppy relies only on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, the eyes open, and around day 15, they develop hearing. The puppy starts teething around day 20. From days 21-28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and the puppy needs to transition from liquid food to semi-solid food. At this time, it is easy to have diarrhea and constipation, so it is necessary to feed lactase, probiotics, or give them goat milk powder / pet milk powder. If constipation occurs when feeding milk powder, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed, and massaging the abdomen can help with bowel movements. Deworming starts at 14-28 days old.
Puppy period: 1 month - 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so it needs the owner's careful care. Generally, they should be fed at least 3 times a day, with smaller meals according to the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it gradually. Do not overfeed, as it can lead to poor digestion. Note that the puppy should drink plain water, do not feed milk, as it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the digestive system. At this time, the puppy has a weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, should not be taken outside, and should not have contact with people who have a cold to avoid getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old, and ends at 3 months old. It is recommended to bathe the puppy after immunization, and dry shampoo can be used for early bathing. Teething starts at 19-28 days old, and all milk teeth grow out by 2 months old. They have a certain learning ability and can start toilet training.
Adolescence: 3 months - 6 months old. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. The puppy's eating schedule should be adjusted slowly, and it is best to make the feeding time more regular. They still eat dog food and drink plain water at this time. However, the puppy's bones and muscles are growing rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium, and their puppy coat is gradually being replaced by adult coat, which is a critical period for coat quality. The puppy also starts to assert dominance and may become more destructive. During this time, the puppy's body grows rapidly and loses baby fat, so daily exercise is needed to maintain body development.
Sexual maturity period: 8 months - 14 months old. At this time, the puppy enters sexual maturity and experiences its first heat. The first heat may cause hormonal imbalances and heat cycle irregularities. Continuous heat, no heat, or pseudopregnancy can occur, with low pregnancy rates and high difficulty in giving birth. Nutrients that promote reproduction should be supplemented: vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important to note that breeding should not be done during the first heat. Hygiene should be maintained during the heat cycle to prevent infection. If not intended for breeding, spaying can be done after the heat cycle ends.
Adolescence: 6 months - 10 months old, 6 months - 18 months old. At this stage, the puppy can eat dry dog food completely, and some meat such as cooked beef and chicken can be given to enrich the diet. However, chicken and duck bones should not be fed to the puppy as they can cause skeletal abnormalities. If necessary (poor nutrition, weak immune system, picky eaters, etc.), nutritional supplements can be given appropriately. Depending on the puppy's condition, choose supplements such as vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair maintenance supplements. Do not over-supplement and avoid giving a large amount of supplements at once. Gradually adjust and care for the puppy's diet. At this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. They are curious, have strong cognitive abilities, and have a good memory. It is the best period for learning.
Adult: 1 year - 6 years old. The puppy is considered an adult at 1 year old and has almost reached its full size. There are no strict dietary restrictions at this stage, but it is still important to supplement nutrients appropriately. Avoid feeding chicken and duck bones, salty or spicy foods, raw food, and animal fat. If the puppy catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a pet hospital in a timely manner. Self-diagnosis and blind medication should be avoided unless you are a veterinarian. You have to be responsible for your beloved pet.
Senior: 8 years - 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being over 50 years old in human years, and they should enter the "senior" stage of their lives. At this time, the dog's organ functions decline and age-related diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, and bone and joint diseases occur. It is especially important to supplement calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market. Get plenty of sunlight and exercise regularly. Pay attention to hygiene. We believe that the time spent with your dog will be longer.
1, Can't take a bath frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it cannot be too frequent. It depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, you can bathe it once or twice more, and in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times, but in general, it cannot exceed five times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2, Brush frequently
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn, when seasonal shedding is more severe. To make the fur grow well, brushing frequently is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific combs to help the dog clean natural shed fur and avoid tangling. Brush once in the morning and evening, about five minutes each time.
3, Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial to the growth of dog hair, and besides making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, the pet owner can also let the dog exercise a bit, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4, Deworming
Bad fur glossiness is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and snatch nutrients, so deworming is indispensable. When deworming, it is recommended to do both internal and external treatment. Deworming medicine also causes great harm to the dog's stomach and intestines, so it is recommended to feed probiotics together in normal times to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5, Pay attention to diet
In order to make the dog have shiny fur, it must lay a solid foundation of nutrition and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and has sufficient nutrition, and meet the dog's needs; On the other hand, you can give the dog an appropriate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.
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