Silky Terrier

The Silky Terrier has a beard and is very beautiful. It is a breed of dog that was bred to track otters, badgers, and foxes along with hunting dogs. It has the physical strength, agility, courage, decisiveness, and patience to track prey hiding underground.

Originated in 1850. The Silky Terrier is a breed that was carefully developed by Captain John Edward between 1850 and 1891 in Silkyham, Wales, but it can be inferred that it was produced through a mixture of Bull Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Dachshund, and Welsh Corgi. This breed was established in Silkyham for the first time at a local dog show in Wales in 1903 and registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Kennel Club (KC) in 1911. This dog was bred to hunt foxes, otters, badgers, etc., and it has the ability to enter caves and hunt prey. Currently, it is also a very excellent companion dog and show dog.

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Pododermatitis

Symptoms: The dog frequently licks its toes, the toes become red and wet, and severe lameness may occur.

Preparation: Povidone iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar

Usage: Wear the Elizabethan collar, remove the hair on the feet, wash with soapy water or wipe with povidone iodine, wait for the inflammatory area to dry, and apply erythromycin ointment between the toes once a day, repeat for a week.

Ear mites

Symptoms: The dog scratches and shakes its ears, the dog's ears have a strong sour smell, accompanied by increased tear stains, hair loss in the ears, brown secretions and earwax.

Preparation: Ear cleaner, ear wash solution

Usage: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, pour the ear wash solution or VEG ear cleaner into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the ear wash solution, use a cotton ball to wipe off the secretions, and gently clean the auricle and ear canal.

Skin disease

Symptoms: The dog experiences itching, red and itchy skin, the dog scratches uncontrollably, its fur becomes dull and rough, there is increased dandruff, and even patches of hair loss.

Preparation: Saline solution, topical ointment or skin spray, vitamin B

Usage: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking, trim the problematic skin and surrounding hair, then rinse with saline solution to kill bacteria, and apply ointment or use spray, along with antibiotics and vitamin B.

Newborn period: 1-30 days. The newborn period is the time when the dog is just born and relies mainly on breast milk for survival. The body cannot regulate its own temperature and needs the mother to generate heat for warmth. At 1-2 days, there is no auditory or visual ability, and the puppy relies only on weak touch to find the nipple. The eyes start to open around day 13, and hearing develops around day 15. Teething begins around day 20. From day 21-28, the mother's milk is not enough, and the transitioning from liquid to semi-solid food begins. This can easily cause diarrhea and constipation, so lactase, probiotics, goat milk powder, or pet milk powder should be given. If constipation occurs while feeding milk powder, a small amount of vegetable oil can be given and gentle abdominal massage can help with bowel movement. First deworming should be done at 14-28 days old.

Puppyhood: 1-2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so it needs careful care from the owner. Generally, at least 3 meals a day should be given, with smaller amounts per meal depending on the puppy's condition. Soak the dry food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it gradually. Do not overfeed, as it can cause poor digestion. Make sure to provide clean drinking water for the puppy and avoid giving cow's milk, as it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the digestive system. At this stage, the puppy's resistance to viruses and bacteria is weak, so it should not be taken outside and should not come into contact with people with colds to prevent illness. Immunization should begin at 6-7 weeks old, with the final vaccination at 3 months old. It is preferable to bathe the puppy after the immunization is completed. Dry cleaning powder can be used for bathing in the earlier stages. The puppy starts teething at 19-28 days old, and all deciduous teeth should be present by 2 months old. It has some learning ability and can begin toilet training.

Adolescence: 3-6 months old. At this stage, the puppy can gradually transition to eating dry food and can have a more regular eating schedule. It is still recommended to feed the puppy dry food and provide clean drinking water. However, during this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. The puppy's coat gradually changes to adult fur, and it may go through an awkward phase. The puppy also enters a period of dominance and starts to establish its own territory and assert dominance over the owner. Destructive behavior may increase. The puppy's body grows rapidly, so it requires regular exercise to maintain proper growth.

Sexual maturity: 8-14 months old. At this stage, the dog enters sexual maturity and experiences its first heat cycle. The first cycle may cause hormonal imbalances and irregularities. Continuous heat cycles or false pregnancies can result in low mating rate and high difficulty in giving birth. It is necessary to supplement the dog with nutrients that promote reproduction, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. It is important to note that breeding should not occur during the first heat cycle. Proper hygiene during heat and prevention of infection should be maintained. If the dog is not intended for breeding, spaying should be considered after the heat cycle.

Young adulthood: 6-10 months old, 6-18 months old. At this stage, the dog can eat dry food exclusively and can be supplemented with some cooked meats like beef or chicken for nutritional variety. However, it is important to avoid feeding the dog chicken or duck bones, as it can lead to poor bone development. If necessary (such as for dogs with malnutrition, weak health, or picky eaters), appropriate nutritional supplements can be given. Depending on the dog's needs, supplements like vitamins, calcium, protein, or coat-nourishing products can be chosen. It is important not to overfeed or provide a large amount of supplements at once. Proper nutrition should be provided gradually. At this stage, the dog's bones and muscles are still growing rapidly and require a large amount of protein and calcium. The dog is curious and has strong cognitive abilities and long-lasting memory, making it an optimal learning period.

Adult: 1-6 years old. The dog is considered an adult at 1 year old and has reached its full size at around 1 year old, with minimal changes in body size afterwards. At this stage, the dog can continue to eat regular dog food without many dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients appropriately and avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, salty or spicy foods, raw food, and animal fat. If the dog catches a cold or falls ill, it should be taken to a veterinary hospital for proper treatment instead of self-medicating. Unless one is a veterinarian, it is important to prioritize the dog's well-being.

Senior years: 8-18 years old. At 8 years old and beyond, the dog can be considered "senior" in terms of human age, approximately equivalent to being in their 50s. At this stage, various organ functions decline, and age-related diseases like diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, and bone and joint diseases can occur. Common health problems include diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, and arthritis. Adequate calcium supplementation is especially important. It is recommended to include more soy products and cartilage in the dog's diet or use calcium supplements available in the market. Regular sun exposure and exercise should be maintained, and hygiene should be given extra attention. By following these measures, the time spent with your beloved dog can be extended.

1. Do not bathe frequently

Giving the dog a bath should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, you can bathe the dog a couple more times, but 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 coat and skin!

2. Brush regularly

Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn. If you want the fur to grow well, regular brushing is an important step. You can use a dedicated pet comb to help the dog clean the naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brush once in the morning and once in the evening, each time for about five minutes.

3. Sunbathe

Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of the dog's fur. Besides making the fur more shiny, letting the dog bask in the sun can also help kill bacteria. At the same time, you can let the dog exercise a bit while sunbathing, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.

4. Deworming

Bad fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites will take in a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving them of nutrition. So deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Also, deworming medicine can cause great harm to the dog's stomach, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet

In order for the dog to have a beautiful coat, it must have a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable and nutritious dog food that meets the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also feed the dog with lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderation.