Affenpinscher

Affenpinscher is a symmetrical, toy breed with wiry, monkey-like fur. They are intelligent and elegant, making them excellent indoor pets. This breed originates from Germany, and the name "Affenpinscher" means "monkey-like terrier". They were originally bred to catch rodents (such as mice) in kitchens and barns. In France, this breed is described as "Diablotin Moustachu" or little mustached devil. Both descriptions mention the appearance and temperament of this charming breed. The overall characteristics of Affenpinschers are much more important than any single trait, and their overall appearance should be neat with lots of coarse, hard fur.

Affenpinscher is a breed that has a symmetrical, rough-haired toy dog with a face like a monkey. It is very intelligent and elegant, making it a great indoor pet. This breed originated from Germany and its name "Affenpinscher" means "monkey-like terrier". It was developed to catch rodents (such as mice) in kitchens and barns. In France, this breed is described as "DiablotinMo".

Recommendation for dog lovers

1. Dog Infectious Diseases

Dogs are susceptible to infectious diseases, commonly including canine distemper and canine coronavirus. Typical clinical manifestations include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, bloody stool, purulent eye discharge, dry nose, cracked paws, etc.

Generally, these types of infectious and life-threatening diseases are more common in dogs after being weaned or around 1 year old. Puppies are more susceptible and have a lower cure rate, and are prone to leaving sequelae.

How to prevent:

When bringing a dog home, it is recommended that the owner choose a dog through regular channels, vaccinate the dog on time, regularly disinfect the home, and do not take the dog out for a walk until it has completed all vaccinations. Avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs and do not allow others to touch the dog's mouth or nose at will.

2. Dog Skin Diseases

Because dogs often walk outside, they are prone to various skin diseases. If a dog accidentally gets infected with mites, bacteria, or fungi while outside, it will be difficult to cure for a long time, so owners must pay attention. Clinical manifestations of dog skin diseases include greasy skin, peeling, redness, itching, papules, ulcers, discharge, hair loss, scabs, etc.

How to prevent:

In daily care, it is necessary to keep the dog's living environment clean and tidy, avoid dark and humid conditions, regularly disinfect the dog's living environment, and perform internal and external deworming. Use special dog shampoo, regularly groom the dog's fur, and supplement vitamins and fish oil.

3. Dog Parasites

Common parasites in dogs include roundworms, heartworms, ticks, fleas, etc., which often cause skin diseases and gastrointestinal diseases in dogs, and may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs, affecting their quality of life and physical development. In general, dogs with parasites are often thin and listless.

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How to prevent:

When feeding, owners need to pay attention and try not to feed dogs unsterilized raw meat or unknown sources of meat. Deworming should be done once every 3 months for internal parasites and once a month for external parasites. When going out, prevent dogs from eating and licking indiscriminately, and avoid grassy areas. After returning home, be sure to check carefully.

Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is just born, mainly relying on mother's milk for survival. Their bodies cannot regulate temperature and need the mother for warmth. For the first day, they have no hearing or vision and rely on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, their eyes open, and around day 15, they develop hearing. Around day 20, they start teething. From day 21 to 28, the mother's milk is not enough, so they need to transition from liquid food to semi-solid food. This is a critical time for diarrhea and constipation, so make sure to feed them lactase, probiotics, or give them powdered goat's milk/pet milk. If they experience constipation when consuming milk powder, you can feed them a small amount of vegetable oil and massage their abdomen to help with bowel movements. Worming begins at 14-28 days old.

Puppy period: 1 month - 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so they need careful care from the owner. They should be fed at least 3 times a day, adjusting the amount according to the puppy's condition. Use warm water or powdered goat's milk to soak the dog food and feed it bit by bit. Do not overfeed, as it can lead to poor digestion. Make sure to give them clean water to drink and avoid feeding them milk, as it can cause diarrhea. You can also give them a small amount of probiotics daily to regulate their digestive system. At this stage, the puppy has a weaker resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken outside or in contact with people who have a cold to prevent the puppy from getting sick. Vaccination starts at 6-7 weeks old, and it ends at 3 months old. Try to bathe them after vaccination is completed. In the beginning, you can use dry shampoo powder for bathing. Teething begins at 19-28 days old, and all deciduous teeth are grown by 2 months old. They have certain learning abilities and can begin toilet training.

Adolescence: 3 months - 6 months. At this time, puppies can gradually transition from wet dog food to dry dog food. Their eating schedule should be adjusted slowly and regularized. They still eat dog food and drink clean water during this period. However, their bones and muscles grow rapidly, so they need a lot of protein and calcium. Their fur also starts to change into adult fur, which may result in an awkward phase. During this period, puppies develop a dominant personality. They will begin to explore and claim their territory, trying to dominate their owners. Destructive behavior increases. The puppy's body length and height grow rapidly, and they lose their baby fat, so they need daily exercise to maintain their growth.

Sexual maturity: 8 months - 14 months. The puppy enters sexual maturity at this stage and experiences their first estrus. The first estrus can cause hormonal imbalances and estrus disorders. Continual estrus, no estrus, or false pregnancy can occur, with low fertility and high difficulty in giving birth. Nutrients that promote reproduction should be supplemented: vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important to note that the first estrus should not be mated. Pay attention to hygiene during the estrus period to prevent infection. If not intending to breed, spaying can be done after the estrus ends.

Adolescence: 6 months - 10 months, 6 months - 18 months. Now the puppy can eat dry dog food completely, and you can also feed them some cooked meat such as beef and chicken to enrich their diet. However, you should not give them chicken or duck bones, as it can cause skeletal problems. If necessary (such as poor nutrition, weak body, picky eating, etc.), you can consider feeding them some nutritional supplements. Depending on the puppy's condition, choose to supplement vitamins, calcium, protein, or nutrition for maintaining coat health. Do not overdo it; do not compensate with large amounts of nutritional supplements at once due to pity. Take it slow and gradually adjust. At this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, so they need a lot of protein and calcium. They have a strong curiosity and cognitive abilities, with a deep memory. This is the best period for learning.

Adult: Dogs aged 1-6 years old. At 1 year old, the dog is already an adult, and they have almost reached their final size. They can continue eating normal dog food at this stage, without many dietary restrictions. However, it is still necessary to supplement with nutrients in moderation. Avoid feeding them chicken or duck bones, salty or spicy foods, raw food, or animal fat. If they catch a cold or get sick, take them to a pet hospital in a timely manner. Do not self-diagnose or blindly medicate them unless you are a veterinarian. Be responsible for your beloved pet.

Senior period: 8-18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to over 50 human years and should enter the elderly stage of "doglife." At this stage, various organs of the dog start to decline, and they may develop diseases associated with old age, such as diabetes, liver and kidney dysfunction, bone and joint diseases, and so on. Take extra care to supplement calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage or use calcium supplements available on the market. Let them bask in the sun and take more leisurely walks. Pay attention to hygiene and believe that the time you spend with your dog will be longer.

1. Do not bathe frequently.

You cannot bathe the dog too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced 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 almost shed hair every day, especially in spring and autumn. To have good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use a pet-specific comb to help the dog clean naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is enough.

3. Sunbathe.

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

4. Deworming.

Poor hair condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Also, deworming medicine can cause great harm to the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet.

To ensure that the dog has a beautiful coat, it is necessary to lay a good foundation for nutrition 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, it is recommended to feed the dog lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderate amounts.