The Proteus Hound is very intelligent, confident, and possesses the characteristics of a hunting dog. It was mainly used in the past to deal with large prey, and its hunting effectiveness is very high. It has strong patience and perseverance during hunting, relying on its agile movements to usually require only a fatal blow.
This dog is loyal to its owner, has strong learning abilities, and quickly adapts. It enjoys playing with children. It has a strong and determined temperament, lively personality, agile behavior, and is brave and calm. It has exceptional endurance and a large appetite.
Proteus Hound originated in 18th century America. It does not have the bloodline of the English hound and is a pure breed native to the United States. Its name comes from the Prott family, who made outstanding contributions to the breeding of this breed. The family moved from Germany to the mountainous areas of North Carolina, USA in 1750, and for seven generations, the family has been studying breeding methods for this breed.
It is said that during its time in Germany, this dog was mainly used for hunting and helping people hunt wild boars. This is because its bloodline later included bloodhounds and American mixed breed dogs. Historically, it is said to have only been active in the area where the Prott family lived, and because the family rarely sold this dog to outsiders, very few people know about it, let alone see it. It was not until 1946 that it was recognized by the American Kennel Club and gradually became known to the public.
As there were no wild boars in the area where they lived, it was mainly known for hunting bears and raccoons. In addition, it had a very high hunting efficiency when pursuing and hunting mountain dogs, bobcats, and wolves. It had an outstanding ability to track prey, even if the prey was hiding in a very remote place, it could track it, which was highly appreciated by people.
Due to the special nature of their work and the complex living environment, their lives are relatively difficult. However, they are very tenacious and have strong endurance. Coupled with their innate hunting instincts, they have received high praise. Later, through long-term careful breeding, this breed has become stronger and more stable.
This dog has a strong adaptability and although it can adapt to family life, its exceptional hunting talent in the past means that only a few are kept as pets.
Pododermatitis
Symptoms: The dog frequently licks its toes, the interdigital spaces become red and moist, and severe cases can cause lameness
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Instructions: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair from the foot area, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine, after drying the inflamed area, apply erythromycin ointment between the toes, once a day, repeat for a week.
Ear Mites
Symptoms: The dog scratches its ears, shakes its head, the dog's ears have a strong sour odor, along with increased tear stains, ear hair loss, and dark brown secretions and ear wax.
Preparation: Ear cleaner, earwash solution
Instructions: Clean the dog's ear hair inside, flush the ear canal with earwash solution or veterinarian ear cleaner, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the earwash, use cotton balls to wipe away the discharged secretions, and gently clean the earlobes and ear canals.
Skin Disease
Symptoms: The dog experiences itchiness, red and itchy skin, the dog scratches uncontrollably, the fur becomes dull and rough, there is increased dandruff, and even large areas of hair loss.
Preparation: Saline water, topical ointment or spray, vitamin B
Instructions: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking, trim the dog's problem skin and surrounding hair, then rinse with saline water for sterilization, and then apply ointment or use spray in combination with antibiotics and vitamin B.
Proteus Hound cannot be separated from the care and nurturing of the mother dog until 45 days before birth. Therefore, Proteus Hound puppies should be separated from their mother after 60 days of birth. This is beneficial for the growth of the puppies, and the mother's milk contains immune factors that can help enhance their immunity.
Proteus Hound puppies can start weaning at 6 weeks old and be provided with softened puppy food. This is the period of highest nutritional demand, and Proteus Hound puppies should be fed 4 times a day to ensure they receive sufficient nutrition. The feeding amount for Proteus Hound puppies may need to be adjusted according to the instructions, as different brands have different nutritional formulas. The feeding time for Proteus Hound puppies can be adjusted to three meals a day plus before bedtime, which allows the owner to prepare better.
From 6 weeks to 12 weeks old, the softened puppy food for Proteus Hound puppies can gradually be less softened to help them adapt to hardness. Besides the softened food, some slightly hardened food can be placed next to it to observe the acceptance of the puppies, and then gradually adjust the soaking time of the food. Generally, by 12 weeks old, Proteus Hound puppies should be able to adjust to eating without soaking.
After 12 weeks, the feeding frequency for Proteus Hound puppies can be adjusted from 4 times a day to 3 times a day. For Proteus Hound puppies at 6 months old, the feeding frequency can be further adjusted to 2 or 3 times a day, depending on their needs and the food formula. After becoming an adult, the feeding frequency can be changed to twice a day.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, bathe the dog once or twice more, and in winter, reduce it by one or two times. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regularly brush the hair
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. To promote healthy hair growth, regular brushing is important. Pet owners can use a pet-specific comb to help the dog clean off naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the dog's hair growth. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help eliminate bacteria. While sunbathing, the owner can let the dog exercise a bit, which can improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier hair.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Deworming medicine can cause significant harm to the dog's stomach, so it is suggested to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
To ensure that the dog has a beautiful coat, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choosing a suitable and nutritious brand that meets the dog's needs. On the other hand, provide the dog with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and plant oil.
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