Dalmatian

Dalmatian, also known as Dalmatian dog, originated in Yugoslavia. It is calm and alert, with a symmetrical outline, strong and muscular, lively, fearless, and has an intelligent expression. It is obedient, easily trainable, sensitive, and has a strong sense of vigilance, making it easy to get along with children. Dalmatians have great endurance and can run quite fast. Their hindquarters are powerful, with smooth and clear muscles. Dalmatians are often used as competition dogs because of their excellent running and biting abilities. Dalmatian puppies are born white and the spots can change. As puppies, they have slight spotted patterns on their bodies, which become more pronounced as they grow and become the breed's distinctive feature.

Dalmatian is recognized as one of the most elegant breeds, with white and clear black spots and a call to people. According to ancient Greek sculptures and ancient Egyptian murals, this dog has a history of thousands of years, and some people believe that it originated from Egypt and India. It spread throughout Europe because of the love of the Gypsies. In the 19th century, the nobles of Britain and France used it as a guard dog for carriages, running before and after the carriages, and some people called it a carriage dog. The color and spots of the coat are important criteria for judging Dalmatians, and any spots on the coat other than black and red-brown spots are considered inferior.

Dalmatians are one of the few breeds originating from Yugoslavia, and their appearance and facial expressions are very similar to those of Bengali Pointer. They were once written into Dodie Smith's novel "The Hundred and One Dalmatians" and later adapted into a cartoon by Disney, becoming well-known. There are many enthusiasts in Europe, America, and Japan.

Recommended for dog lovers

1. Heart Disease

Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When a dog has heart disease, the main symptoms include easy fatigue, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect and often goes unnoticed until the dog is seriously ill.

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 prone to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, the dog may exhibit symptoms such as listlessness, decreased appetite, increased body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Kidney Disease

When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying thing about canine kidney disease is that it often develops without detection, and by the time the owner realizes it, the dog's renal cells are already damaged by more than 75%. Common symptoms of kidney disease in dogs include blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.

4. Parasites

Intestinal worms, such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, visible worms in feces, and pale gums. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworm may exhibit symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid.

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 abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper, viral pneumonia, impaired lung function, or heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.

Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is born, mainly relying on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate body temperature and needs maternal heat preservation. On the first day, there is no hearing or vision, and the nipples are found only by weak touch. Around day 13, the eyes open, and around day 15, hearing develops. Tooth eruption begins around day 20. From day 21 to 28, the amount of milk is not enough, and a transition from liquid to semi-solid food is needed. At this time, diarrhea and constipation are common, so be sure to feed lactase, probiotics, or give them goat milk formula/pet milk. If constipation occurs when feeding milk powder, you can feed a small amount of vegetable oil or massage the abdomen to help defecation. Deworming should start between days 14 and 28.

Young age: 1 month to 2 months. The digestive system of puppies is not fully developed at this time and requires careful care from the owner. Generally, they should be fed at least three times a day, with less food and more meals depending on the condition of the dog. Use warm water or goat milk powder to soak the dog food and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, otherwise, the dog may have poor digestion. Remember to give the dog water and never feed milk, as milk can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the intestines. During this time, puppies have weak resistance to viruses and bacteria and should not be taken outside or in contact with cold patients to avoid illness. Vaccination should start at 6 to 7 weeks old, and all vaccinations should be completed by 3 months old. It is best to bathe the dog after vaccination is completed. Dry shampoo powder can be used for bathing initially. Tooth eruption begins at 19 to 28 days old, and all deciduous teeth erupt by 2 months old. They have certain learning abilities and can start toilet training.

Adolescence: 3 months to 6 months. Puppies can gradually transition from wet food to dry food during this period. Adjust the dog's eating time slowly and try to make it regular. They should still eat dog food and drink water. However, during this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly and require a large amount of protein and calcium. The coat also begins to change to adult fur, which is a critical period for coat beauty but may appear awkward. Additionally, puppies start to assert dominance, trying to establish their territory and dominate their owners. Destructive behavior increases. During this period, the dog's body length and height develop rapidly, and daily exercise is necessary to maintain their growth.

Sexual maturity: 8 months to 14 months. At this time, dogs enter sexual maturity and experience their first estrus. Inexperienced estrus can lead to hormonal imbalances and estrus disorders. Continuous estrus, lack of estrus, or false pregnancy result in low mating success rate and high rate of difficult delivery. Nutrients that promote reproduction should be supplemented, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important to be aware that breeding is not recommended during the first estrus. It is essential to maintain hygiene during estrus to prevent infections. If the dog is not being bred, spaying can be performed after estrus ends.

Teenage period: 6 months to 10 months. From 6 months to 18 months, dogs can fully eat dry dog food. Meat can also be fed to supplement nutrition, such as cooked beef or chicken. However, avoid giving chicken or duck bones, as they can affect skeletal development. If necessary (poor nutrition, weak health, picky eating, etc.), nutritional supplements can be given. Based on the dog's actual condition, choose supplements such as vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair care products. Do not overfeed and do not supplement a large amount of nutrients all at once out of pity. Care should be provided gradually. During this period, bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. They have a strong curiosity and cognitive ability, with deep memory. This is the best period for learning.

Adult: Dogs aged 1 to 6 years. Dogs reach adulthood at 1 year old and will have basically reached their final size. They can continue to eat dog food without many dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients moderately, avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, prevent salty and spicy foods, feed cooked food instead of raw food, and avoid eating animal fats. If the dog has a cold or illness, it should be taken to the veterinarian promptly and not self-medicated. Unless you are a veterinarian yourself, it is important to be responsible for your beloved pet.

Old age: 8 years to 18 years. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being over 50 years old in human age and should be considered in their senior years. Organs begin to decline, and old age diseases such as diabetes, impaired liver and kidney function, bone and joint diseases are more likely to occur. Therefore, calcium supplementation is especially important. More soy products and cartilage can be consumed, or calcium supplements for dogs can be chosen from the market. More sunlight and walks should be taken. Pay attention to hygiene and believe that you will have more time with your beloved dog.

1. Can't bathe frequently

When bathing a dog, of course it cannot be too frequent. Bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene situation. In hot weather such as summer, bathe the dog one or two more times, and reduce it by one or two times in winter. But overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!

2. Be diligent in brushing

Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want their fur to grow well, diligent brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use a special brush for pets to help the dogs clean their naturally shedding fur and avoid matting. Brushing them once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is enough.

3. Sunbathe

Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dogs exercise a bit, which can improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.

4. Deworming

Poor fur quality is closely related to parasites. Parasites will absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving them of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Deworming drugs can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to feed them with probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet

In order for a dog to have shiny fur, it must have a good nutritional foundation 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 provides sufficient nutrition to meet their needs. On the other hand, you can also provide the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil in moderate amounts.