For centuries, it has been a breed of dog that can often be seen in large French properties. It is a fearless protector and is used for hunting wild boars, bears, and wolves. In the 12th century, these formidable dogs were not highly valued by their French owners. Since the Middle Ages, this breed has been used to drive livestock on farms. They are lazy and follow a laissez-faire attitude towards life.
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Interdigital dermatitis
Symptoms: Dogs frequently lick their toes, redness and moisture appear between the toes, and severe cases can cause lameness
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Method of use: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair on the feet, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine, apply erythromycin ointment between the toe cracks after the inflammation area is dry, once a day, repeat for one week.
Ear mites
Symptoms: Dogs scratch their ears, shake their heads, and there is a strong sour smell in the dogs ears, accompanied by increased tear stains, hair loss in the ears, and dark brown secretions and earwax.
Preparation: Ear bleach, ear wash solution
Method of use: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, pour earwash or Vetaclear into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the earwash, use a cotton ball to wipe off the secretions, and gently clean the earlobe and ear canal.
Skin disease
Symptoms: Dogs experience itching, redness, and itching on the skin, dogs scratch uncontrollably, the fur becomes dull and rough, there is more dandruff, and even patches of hair loss.
Preparation: Dilute salt water, topical ointment or skin spray, vitamin B.
Method of use: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking, trim the dog's problematic skin and surrounding hair, then rinse with salt water for sterilization, and then apply ointment or use spray, along with antibiotics and vitamin B.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is just born and relies mainly on mother's milk. The body cannot regulate body temperature and needs the mother for warmth. For the first day, there is no hearing or vision, and the newborn only relies on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, the eyes open, and hearing develops around day 15. Teething begins around day 20. From day 21 to 28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and the transition from liquid to semi-solid food is needed. During this time, diarrhea and constipation can easily occur, so it is necessary to feed lactase, probiotics, or give them goat milk powder/pet milk powder. If constipation occurs when using 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.
Puppyhood: 1 month to 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed at this time, so it needs careful care from the owner. Generally, it should be fed at least 3 times a day, with small meals according to the dog's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it gradually. Do not overfeed, as the puppy may have poor digestion. It is important to give the puppy drinking water and not milk, as milk can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the gastrointestinal tract. At this stage, puppies have low resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken outside or come into contact with cold patients to avoid getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old, with the last dose at 3 months old. It is best to bathe the puppy after immunization. Dry cleaning powder can be used for bathing in the early stages. Teething starts at 19-28 days old, and by 2 months old, all milk teeth have grown. Puppies have some learning ability and can begin training to use a designated toilet area.
Adolescence: 3 months to 6 months old. During this period, puppies can gradually transition from soaked to dry dog food. Adjust the puppy's mealtime gradually to establish a regular eating schedule. They should still eat dog food and drink water. However, their bones and muscles grow rapidly during this time and require a large amount of protein and calcium. Their fur also changes to adult fur, and it is a critical period for coat maintenance, which may appear awkward. Puppies also develop a dominance period, where they try to claim their territory and dominate their owners. Destructive behavior increases. Puppies' body length and height grow rapidly, losing baby fat, so they need regular exercise to promote physical growth.
Sexual Maturity: 8 months to 14 months old. At this stage, dogs enter sexual maturity and have their first heat cycle. The first heat cycle may cause hormonal imbalances, resulting in irregular heat cycles. Continuous heat, no heat, or false pregnancy may occur, with low conception rates and high labor difficulties. It is important to supplement nutrients that promote reproduction such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. It is crucial to note that breeding should not occur during the first heat cycle. Hygiene during the heat cycle should be maintained to prevent infection. If the dog is not intended for breeding, spaying can be done after the heat cycle ends.
Adolescence: 6 months to 10 months old, or 6 months to 18 months old. At this stage, puppies can eat dry dog food exclusively and can be appropriately supplemented with meat to enrich their diet, such as cooked beef or chicken. However, chicken or duck bones should not be given as they can cause skeletal malformation. If necessary (due to malnutrition, weakness, or picky eating), appropriate supplements can be given. Depending on the puppy's condition, choose vitamin, calcium, protein, or hair care supplements, but avoid excessive supplementation at once. Adjust to a balanced and gradual supplementation plan. Bones and muscles grow rapidly during this time, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. Puppies are curious, have strong cognitive abilities, and have a good memory. It is the best time for learning.
Adult: 1 year to 6 years old. A dog is considered an adult at 1 year old, and its size and body shape will not change significantly after that time. At this stage, they can eat normal dog food without many restrictions on their diet. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients appropriately and avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, salty and spicy foods, raw food, and animal fats. In the case of a cold or illness, it should be taken to a veterinarian in a timely manner. Avoid self-diagnosis and blind medication, unless you are a veterinarian yourself. Be responsible for your beloved pet.
Old Age: 8 years to 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to over 50 years old in human age and enter the "old age" stage of life. Organ functions decline during this time, and old-age diseases such as diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, bone and joint diseases are more likely to occur. Supplementing calcium is especially important. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements for dogs available on the market. Sunbathing and regular walks are good habits. Pay attention to hygiene. With proper care, your dog will be by your side for a longer time.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two times more, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total number of baths should not exceed five times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs shed their fur almost every day, especially during spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. To promote good hair growth, regular brushing is important. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help the dog remove 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. Get some sunshine
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. Besides making the fur more shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, the owner can let the dog exercise, which helps improve the dog's physical fitness and promote blood circulation, resulting in healthier hair growth.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites consume a large amount of nutrition from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrients. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advisable to feed it with probiotics to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have a shiny 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, choose a suitable and well-balanced dog food to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderate amounts.
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