Boykin Spaniel

Boykin Spaniel English Name: Boykin Spaniel. Original place: United States. Breed standard: General appearance. Boykin Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog developed in the United States. It is characterized by a clean and compact body, and a tail. Boykin Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with excellent hunting abilities, moderate speed, and agility. Its drooping ears, gentle temperament, and friendly wagging tail all indicate that it is a hunting dog.

The Boykin Spaniel Association was established in 1977 and began keeping pedigree records in 1979. In 1997, the breed was admitted to the American Kennel Club's Foundation Stock Service program. In January 2006, the breed became eligible to compete in AKC hunting tests for AKC championship titles.

Suggested for dog lovers to keep

1. Heart disease

Dog heart disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, they often show symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. Dog heart disease is difficult to detect, and by the time owners notice it, the dog is often very sick.

2. Infectious diseases

Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common malignant infectious diseases in dogs, with high mortality rates. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once they become sick, they may exhibit symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Kidney disease

When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying aspect of dog kidney disease lies in its asymptomatic progression. By the time owners notice it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells may already be damaged. When dogs have problems, the symptoms are usually blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.

4. Parasites

Gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites found in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are weight loss, depression, diarrhea, worm-like feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that live in the dog's heart, and infected dogs may exhibit symptoms such as poor 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 commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral influenza, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Coughing, nasal congestion, and fever are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.

Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is just born, mainly relying on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate body temperature and requires the mother to generate heat for warmth. During the first day, there is no auditory or visual perception, only relying on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, the eyes open, and around day 15, the sense of hearing develops. Around day 20, the teeth start to grow. From day 21 to day 28, the amount of mother's milk is not sufficient, and the transition from liquid to semi-solid food is needed. At this time, it is easy to have diarrhea and constipation, so lactase, probiotics, or goat milk powder/pet milk powder should be fed. If constipation occurs while feeding milk powder, a small amount of vegetable oil can be fed, and massaging the abdomen can help with defecation. Deworming should start at 14-28 days of age.

Puppyhood: 1 month to 2 months old. The digestive system of the puppy is not fully developed yet, so it requires careful care from the owner. Generally, it should be fed at least 3 times a day, with small meals according to the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, as it can easily lead to poor digestion. Remember to give the puppy drinking water instead of milk. Do not feed cow's milk, as it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics should be given daily to regulate the gastrointestinal system. During this time, puppies have poor resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken out or exposed to people with colds to prevent illness. Vaccination should start at 6-7 weeks old, and the vaccination should be completed by 3 months old. It is best to bathe the puppy after vaccination. Dry cleaning powder can be used for bathing in the early stages. Teeth start to grow at 19-28 days old, and all deciduous teeth are grown by 2 months old. They have a certain level of learning ability and can start toilet training.

Adolescence: 3 months to 6 months old. During this period, puppies can gradually transition away from soaked dog food and start eating dry dog food. The eating schedule should be adjusted gradually, and it is best to make the puppy's mealtime 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. Their fur also changes to adult fur, which is a critical time for coat maintenance but may also result in an awkward phase. Puppies start to assert dominance and establish their territory, trying to dominate their owners. Destructive behavior increases. Puppies grow rapidly in body length and height, losing their baby fat, so they need moderate exercise every day to maintain their growth.

Sexual maturity: 8 months to 14 months old. At this stage, dogs enter sexual maturity and experience their first estrus. The first estrus can cause hormonal imbalance and estrus disorders. Continuous estrus, lack of estrus, or pseudopregnancy can result in low conception rates and high rates of difficult labor. Nutrients that promote reproduction should be supplemented, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. It is important not to breed during the first estrus, and hygiene should be maintained during this period to prevent infection. If there is no plan for breeding, spaying can be done after the estrus ends.

Adolescence: 6 months to 10 months old, 6 months to 18 months old. Puppies can now eat dry dog food completely and can be fed with some cooked meat such as beef and chicken to enrich their nutrition. However, be careful not to feed chicken or duck bones, as they can cause poor bone development. If necessary (such as poor nutrition, weak body, picky eating, etc.), some nutritional supplements can be given. Depending on the puppy's condition, choose vitamin supplements, calcium, protein, or hair care nutritional supplements. Do not give too much at once. Do not suddenly supplement large amounts of nutrients out of pity for the puppy. It is important to gradually adjust and nourish them. During this time, their 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. This is the best period for learning.

Adult: Dogs aged 1 to 6 years old. Dogs are considered adults when they reach 1 year old, and they have basically reached their final size. During this stage, they can eat dog food normally, and there are no strict dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement nutrition appropriately and avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, salty and spicy foods, raw food, and animal fat. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a veterinarian in a timely manner. Self-diagnosis and blind use of medication should be avoided unless you are a veterinarian yourself. Take responsibility for your beloved pet.

Old age: 8-18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old can be considered to be in their "senior years" according to human age. During this time, the dog's organ functions decline, and age-related diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney function decline, bone and joint diseases may occur. Therefore, it is especially important to supplement calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or you can use calcium supplements available on the market for dogs. Get more sunlight and take more walks. Pay attention to hygiene. Believe that you can spend more time together with your dog.

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, it can be bathed one or two extra times, and in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total number of baths should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its hair and skin!

2. Brush regularly

Dogs almost shed their fur every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want the fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use a dedicated pet brush to help the dogs remove the naturally shed fur 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 growth of dogs' fur. In addition to making the fur more shiny, allowing dogs to sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, owners can let the dogs exercise a bit to improve their physical fitness and promote blood circulation, which helps to grow healthier fur.

4. Deworming

Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, causing malnutrition, so deworming is essential. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Also, the deworming medicine has a great impact on the dog's stomach, so it is suggested to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet

In order to have shiny fur, dogs must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dogs with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable and nutritious dog food that meets the dog's needs. On the other hand, dogs can be fed with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.