Miniature Doberman is a structurally balanced, compact, strong, and precise short-haired dog. Its appearance is natural, proud, energetic, and alert. The trotting style, bold manner, complete independent personality, and vigorous energy are unique characteristics of this breed. They are excellent family dogs and skilled in catching mice. Before 1900, it was an unknown breed in Germany. Although there are small breeds that resemble Doberman, they have no genetic relation to it. Important proportions: The height and length of the body should be in a square shape as much as possible.
Miniature Doberman originated between the 19th and 20th centuries. It has a deer-like morphology, so it is named Mini Deer Dog. It is originally from Germany and can be seen in many famous paintings of modern times. It is now popular in Europe and America. It has always been the favorite pet of noble ladies, and even Queen Marie Antoinette, who was executed after the French Revolution, held tightly to her cherished Mini Doberman with a sad expression before her death. However, it is still difficult for people to determine the process of the formation of this breed. During World War I, the local Mini Doberman in Germany nearly went extinct, but fortunately, after the ceasefire, a large number of dogs imported from various countries brought the population of Mini Doberman in Germany to a peak. This breed was developed from a medium-sized dog to a small-sized one. The German Kennel Club officially recognized this breed in 1895, originally called the Lipei Pool Dog. The Miniature Pinscher Club of America was established in 1929, which brought attention to the Miniature Pinscher breed. Before 1900, it was still an unknown breed except in Germany. Although there are some small breeds of dogs that resemble the Doberman, they have no genetic relation to it.
Miniature Doberman is a local dog breed in Germany, also known as deer dog because of its deer-like appearance. It has been depicted in many modern paintings and is now popular in Europe and the United States. It has been around for several centuries and is not the small Doberman that people think it is. Its ancestors are German Doberman. The bloodline of the German Doberman mixes with the genes of the Italian Greyhound and the Dachshund. Several centuries before the creation of the Miniature Doberman, the small Doberman (called Terrier in German) had already appeared in Germany and the Scandinavian region. This dog breed was officially recognized in 1870 and has since spread widely in Europe.
1. Heart disease
Heart disease in dogs is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs have heart disease, their main symptoms are fatigue and shortness of breath. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and when owners notice it, the dogs are usually very sick.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and parvovirus are common and deadly infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once they are infected, they will experience symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite, high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
Speaking of common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease cannot be ignored. The terrifying thing about kidney disease in dogs is the unconscious process of the disease. After the owner discovers it, the damage to the dog's kidney cells often exceeds 75%. When dogs have problems, the symptoms usually include blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, depression, diarrhea, presence of worms in the stool, and pale gums. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. After dogs are infected, they may experience symptoms such as poor vitality, coughing, anemia, asthma, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is a complication of other diseases. It often occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral infections, 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 temperature and needs the mother to provide heat insulation. No auditory and visual abilities for the first day, only relying on weak touch to find the nipple. Eyes open around day 13, hearing develops around day 15, and teething starts around day 20. From day 21 to day 28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and the transition from liquid to semi-solid food is needed. At this time, it is prone to diarrhea and constipation, so lactose enzyme, probiotics, or powdered goat milk/pet milk should be fed. If constipation occurs when consuming powdered milk, a small amount of vegetable oil can be given, and massaging the abdomen can help with defecation. Deworming begins at 14-28 days old.
Early age: 1 month - 2 months old. The dog'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 depending on the dog's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or powdered goat milk and feed it bit by bit. Do not feed too much, otherwise the dog may have poor digestion. Make sure to give the dog fresh water to drink and avoid feeding milk, as it can cause diarrhea. Probiotics can be given daily to regulate the intestines. At this stage, the puppy has a weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, so avoid taking it outside and avoid contact with cold patients to prevent the dog from getting sick. Immunization begins at 6-7 weeks old, and completes at 3 months old. It is best to bathe the dog after the immunization is complete, and dry shampoo can be used for early baths. Teeth start to grow at 19-28 days old, and all milk teeth are grown by 2 months old. It has a certain learning ability and can start being trained to go to designated toilet spots.
Adolescence: 3 months - 6 months. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. Adjust the dog's eating schedule slowly, preferably with regular meal times. The puppy still eats dog food and drinks fresh water. However, the bones and muscles of the puppy grow rapidly at this time and require a large amount of protein and calcium. The coat gradually changes to that of an adult dog, which is a critical period for coat quality, and an awkward stage may occur. The puppy also starts to develop a dominant nature, trying to establish its own territory and dominate the owner. Destructive behavior increases. The dog's body length and height grow rapidly, losing the baby fat, so it needs moderate exercise every day to maintain its growth.
Sexual maturity: 8 months - 14 months. At this time, the dog enters sexual maturity and has its first heat cycle. The first heat cycle can easily cause hormonal imbalances and disrupt the cycle. Continuous estrus, lack of estrus, or pseudo-pregnancy can result in low conception rate and high difficulty in delivery. Nutrients that promote reproductive health should be supplemented: Vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important to note that the first heat cycle should not be bred. Pay attention to hygiene during the heat cycle to prevent infection. If not breeding, sterilization can be performed after the heat cycle ends.
Juvenile period: 6 months - 10 months, 6 months - 18 months. At this time, the dog can fully eat dry dog food, and some meat can be appropriately added to enrich nutrition, such as cooked beef and chicken. However, be careful not to feed the dog chicken and duck bones, as it can lead to poor bone development. If necessary (poor nutrition, weak health, picky eater, etc.), some nutritional supplements can be given. Depending on the dog's situation, choose vitamin supplements, calcium, protein or hair care supplements. Do not be greedy, do not give a large amount of nutritional supplements at once out of concern for the dog. Maintenance should be done slowly and steadily. The dog's bones and muscles grow rapidly at this time, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. It is also curious, has strong cognitive abilities, and has a lasting memory. This period is the best time for learning.
Adult: 1 year - 6 years old. The dog is considered an adult at 1 year old, and almost fully grown. There won't be much change in size and body shape from this point onwards. At this stage, it is still normal for the dog to eat dog food without dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients appropriately and avoid feeding chicken and duck bones, salty and spicy foods, raw food, and animal fats. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a pet hospital in a timely manner. Do not self-diagnose and use medication without professional advice, unless you are a veterinarian, otherwise you should be responsible for your beloved pet.
Old age: 8 years - 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being over 50 years old in human age, and they should enter the "senior" stage of life. At this time, the dog's organ functions decline, and age-related diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney functions, and bone and joint diseases can occur. It is prone to diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, arthritis, etc., so calcium supplementation is especially important. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use nutritional supplements that provide calcium commercially. Get more sunlight and exercise. Pay attention to hygiene in daily life. Believe that you and your dog will have more time together.
1. Do not bathe frequently
Giving a dog a bath should not be done too frequently. Whether to bathe a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total should not exceed five times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush the coat regularly
Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. In order to maintain good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use a special comb for pets to help the dog remove naturally shed hair and avoid 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 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 bit, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Having poor fur quality is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, which leads to nutrient deprivation. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to deworm both internally and externally. Deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to supplement with probiotics to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for a dog to have a beautiful 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 brand that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed with an appropriate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.