The blood connection between the giant Portuguese Water Dog and the medium-sized Portuguese Water Dog is very close, but the giant Portuguese Water Dog has now become very rare, while the smart and cute medium-sized hunting dog is still very popular, especially in rural areas of northern Portugal, where they are still used for hunting. Artificial selection has made the medium-sized Portuguese Water Dog smaller in size while retaining other characteristics. Relatively little attention is paid to color and coat changes, with some individuals having consistent colors and others having white patches. Some dogs have short and smooth coats, while others have long and rough coats. One advantage of human intervention in the breeding process of the Portuguese Water Dog is that the incidence of inherited diseases and genetic defects in these dogs is very low.
The blood connection between the giant Portuguese Water Dog and the medium-sized Portuguese Water Dog is very close, but the giant Portuguese Water Dog has now become very rare, while the smart and cute medium-sized hunting dog is still very popular, especially in rural areas in northern Portugal and is still used for hunting. Artificial breeding has reduced the size of the medium-sized Portuguese Water Dog while retaining other characteristics. Compared to color and coat variations, less emphasis is placed on them, with some individuals having uniform colors and others having white spots. Some dogs have short and smooth coats, while others have long and rough coats. One advantage of human intervention in the breeding of Portuguese Water Dogs is the low incidence of hereditary diseases and genetic defects in this breed.
1, Heart disease
Dogs with heart disease are often associated with obesity and old age. When a dog gets heart disease, it mainly manifests as easy physical fatigue, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. Detecting heart disease in dogs is difficult, and often by the time the owner notices it, the dog is already critically ill.
2, Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are very prone to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, they may exhibit symptoms such as listlessness, decreased appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3, Kidney disease
Speaking of common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrible thing about kidney disease in dogs is that the onset is often unnoticed, and by the time the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells has exceeded 75%. When a dog's kidney has problems, the symptoms are usually blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4, Parasites
Roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are commonly found parasites that infect dogs. When a dog is infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include emaciation, depression, loose stools, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms, on the other hand, are parasites that live in a dog's heart. After a dog is infected, they may exhibit symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and ascites.
5, Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral flu, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is born, relying mainly on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate its own temperature and needs the mother to provide warmth. In the first day, there is no hearing or vision, and the puppy relies on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, the eyes open and around day 15, they develop hearing. Around day 20, they start teething. From day 21 to 28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough and they need to transition from liquid to semi-solid food. This is a time when diarrhea and constipation easily occur, so lactase, probiotics, or powdered milk for lambs or pets must be fed. If constipation occurs with powdered milk consumption, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed and gentle massage can help with bowel movements. Deworming begins at 14-28 days.
Puppy period: 1 month - 2 months. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed, so they need careful care during this time. Generally, they should be fed at least 3 times a day, with small meals based on the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or powdered milk and gradually feed it. Don't feed too much, otherwise the puppy may have poor digestion. Remember to give the puppy water instead of milk, and give them probiotics every day to regulate their intestines. During this time, puppies have a weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken outside or exposed to people with colds to avoid getting sick. Vaccinations begin at 6-7 weeks, and the vaccination period ends at 3 months. It is best to bathe them after the vaccination period, and dry cleaning powder can be used for early baths. Teeth start to come in at 19-28 days, and all deciduous teeth are grown by 2 months. They have some learning ability and can start training to use a designated toilet area.
Preadolescent period: 3 months - 6 months. Puppies can gradually transition from wet food to dry food during this time, and their eating schedule should be adjusted to be more regular. They still eat dog food and drink water. However, during this time, their bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium, and their coat gradually shifts to an adult coat, leading to an awkward stage. Puppies also enter a stage of dominance, trying to establish their own territory and dominate their owners. Destructive behavior increases. Puppies grow rapidly in terms of body length and height, losing their baby fat, so they need a moderate amount of exercise every day to maintain their growth.
Sexual maturity period: 8 months - 14 months. During this time, dogs enter sexual maturity and experience their first heat cycle. The first heat cycle may cause hormonal imbalances and irregularities. Continued heat cycles, absence of heat cycles, or pseudopregnancy can result in low fertility rate and high difficulty in giving birth. Dogs need supplements that promote reproduction, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. It is important to note that dogs should not be bred during their first heat cycle, and hygiene should be maintained during heat cycles to prevent infections. If they will not be used for breeding, spaying can be done after the heat cycle ends.
Adolescent period: 6 months - 10 months, 6 months - 18 months. During this time, dogs can fully eat dry food and can also be given some cooked meat, such as beef and chicken, to enrich their nutrition. However, chicken and duck bones should not be given to dogs as they can cause skeletal development problems. If necessary (such as poor nutrition, weakness, or finicky eating), some supplements can be given. Depending on the dog's condition, choose supplements such as vitamins, calcium, protein, or nutrition products that maintain coat health. Do not give too much at once, and do not overload the dog with a large quantity of supplements due to excessive concern. Gradual and consistent adjustment is important. During this time, dogs' bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. They are also curious and have strong cognitive abilities and deep memory, making it the best time for learning.
Adult period: Dogs aged 1 year - 6 years. Dogs are considered adults at 1 year old and have fully developed their form, so their body size will not change much. At this stage, they can eat dog food without strict dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement their diet with appropriate nutrients and avoid giving them chicken or duck bones, salty and spicy foods, raw food, and animal fats. If they catch a cold or get sick, they should be taken to a veterinary hospital in a timely manner and self-medication should be avoided unless you are a veterinarian. Take responsibility for the well-being of your beloved pet.
Senior period: 8 years - 18 years. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being over 50 years old in human age and should enter the "senior" stage of their life. During this time, the functions of the dog's organs decline, leading to age-related diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, and skeletal and joint problems. They are prone to diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, and arthritis. Therefore, it is particularly important to supplement calcium. Foods such as soy products and cartilage can be eaten more, or calcium supplements for dogs available on the market can be selected. More sun exposure and regular walks, as well as maintaining hygiene, will ensure a longer time with your dog.
1. Can't bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, bathe the dog one or two more times, and in winter, you can 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. Brush regularly
Dogs shed hair almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. To maintain good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use specialized pet brushes to help dogs remove naturally shed hair and avoid tangling. Brushing once in the morning and evening for about 5 minutes each time is sufficient.
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 dog exercise a little, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur quality is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrients. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming at the same time. Deworming medicine can cause great damage to a dog's stomach and intestines, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for a dog to have a beautiful coat, it must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs; on the other hand, you can feed the dog lean meat, cooked egg yolks, vegetable oil, etc. in moderation.
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