Corgi

The Swedish Vallhund, as the name suggests, originated from Sweden. It dates back to the 6th century and was originally bred for herding cattle. Apart from its color, its appearance is very similar to that of a Welsh Corgi.

Originated in the 6th century, it was originally bred for herding cattle. Apart from the color of its fur, its appearance is very similar to that of a Welsh Corgi.

The Swedish Vallhund is most suitable for urban dog lovers to keep. It does not require a large amount of space for activity and is suitable as a companion dog or guard dog.

Tinea Pedis

Symptoms: Dogs frequently lick their toes, toes become red and moist, severe cases may result in lameness

Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar

Instructions: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair from the feet, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine, after the inflammation area is dried, apply erythromycin ointment between the toes, once a day, repeat for one week.

Ear Mites

Symptoms: Dogs scratch their ears, shake their heads, dogs' ears have strong acid odor, accompanied by increased tear stains, ear hair loss, dark brown secretions and earwax.

Preparation: Ear cleanser, ear washing solution

Instructions: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, flush the ear canal with ear washing solution or Vicks ear cleanser, gently rub the base of the ear for 30 seconds, when the dog shakes out the ear washing solution, wipe off the secretions and gently clean the earlobe and ear canal.

Skin Disease

Symptoms: Dogs experience itching and redness of the skin, dogs scratch themselves, fur becomes dim and rough, more dandruff, and even patches of hair loss.

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

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

Newborn period: The newborn period is when the puppy is just born, mainly relying on mother's milk for survival. The body cannot regulate its temperature and needs the mother's warmth. No hearing and vision in the first day, only rely on weak touch to find nipples. Eyes open around day 13, hearing develops after day 15, and teething starts after day 20. Starting from day 21 to 28, the amount of mother's milk is not enough, and the puppy needs to transition from liquid to semi-solid food. It is easy to have diarrhea and constipation at this time, so be sure to feed lactase, probiotics, or give them powdered goat milk/pet milk. If constipation occurs when using milk powder, you can feed a small amount of vegetable oil and massage the abdomen to help with bowel movements. Deworming starts at 14-28 days old.

Puppyhood: 1 month - 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so it needs careful care from the owner. Generally, it should be fed at least 3 times a day with small meals based on the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or powdered goat milk and feed it bit by bit. Do not overfeed, as it can cause poor digestion. Make sure to give the puppy drinking water and remember not to feed milk, as it can cause diarrhea. You can feed the puppy a small amount of probiotics every day to regulate its gastrointestinal system. At this time, the puppy has weak resistance to viruses and bacteria, so it should not be taken outside or exposed to people with colds to avoid getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old, and it ends at 3 months old. It is best to bathe the puppy after immunization. In the early stages, dry cleaning powder can be used for bathing. Teething starts at 19-28 days old, and all milk teeth are fully grown at 2 months old. The puppy has some learning ability and can start training to use a designated toilet area.

Adolescence: 3 months - 6 months. At this time, puppies can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. Adjust the puppy's mealtime gradually and try to make it more regular. The puppy still eats dog food and drinks water. However, during this period, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium supplements. The puppy's fur gradually changes to adult fur, which is a key period for maintaining a beautiful coat. The puppy also develops a period of dominance and its destructive behavior increases. During this time, the puppy's body length and height grow rapidly, so it needs daily exercise to maintain its growth.

Sexual maturity: 8 months - 14 months. At this time, the puppy enters sexual maturity and has its first heat. The first heat can cause hormonal imbalances and disrupt the heat cycle. Continuous heat, no heat, or false pregnancy can lead to low conception rate and high risk of difficult delivery. The puppy needs to be supplemented with nutrients that promote reproduction: vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It is important not to breed during the first heat and pay attention to hygiene during the heat to prevent infection. If the puppy is not going to be bred, it can be spayed after the heat cycle.

Adolescence: 6 months - 10 months, 6 months - 18 months. At this time, puppies can eat dry dog food completely and can be appropriately fed with some meat to enrich their nutrition, such as cooked beef and chicken. However, be careful not to feed them chicken or duck bones, as it can cause poor bone development. If necessary (poor nutrition, weak health, picky eaters, etc.), you can supplement with some nutritional products. Based on the puppy's actual condition, choose supplements such as vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair care products. Do not overdo it. Do not give a large amount of supplements all at once because you feel sorry for the puppy. Adjust slowly and gradually. At this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. The puppy has a strong curiosity and cognitive ability, and its memory is profound. This is the best period for learning.

Adult: 1 year - 6 years old. The puppy becomes an adult at 1 year old and will reach its final size at around one year old. During this stage, it is normal to eat dog food and there are no excessive dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement with appropriate nutrients, avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, avoid salty and spicy foods, feed cooked food instead of raw food, and avoid consuming animal fat. If the puppy catches a cold or gets sick, it should be taken to a veterinary hospital promptly. Do not make blind judgments and self-medicate unless you are a veterinarian. Always be responsible for your beloved pet.

Old age: 8 years - 18 years old. For dogs over 8 years old, they are already in the "old age" stage of their dog life, equivalent to being over 50 years old in human age. At this time, the dog's organ functions decline, and it may experience diseases related to old age, such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, bone and joint diseases, etc. It is more prone to diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, arthritis, and other diseases, so it is especially important to supplement with calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market for dogs. Spend more time in the sun and take short walks. Pay attention to hygiene and believe that your time with your dog will be longer.

1. It is not advisable to bathe frequently.

When bathing a dog, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing depends on the dog's hygiene. In hot weather, bathing can be done one or two times more, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. Generally, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its coat and skin!

2. Regularly brush the hair.

Dogs tend to shed hair almost every day, especially during spring and autumn. Regularly brushing the hair is an important step to ensure good hair growth. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help dogs remove naturally shed hair and prevent tangling. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.

3. Enjoy sunlight.

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

4. Parasite control.

Poor coat condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of necessary nutrition. Therefore, regular parasite control is necessary. It is recommended to perform internal and external parasite control together. Moreover, deworming medication can cause significant damage to the dog's gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet.

In order for a dog to have a beautiful coat, a good nutritional foundation must be established and daily diet should be given attention. On one hand, feeding the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food is important. Choose a dog food that is suitable for the dog and provides sufficient nutrition to meet its needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil in moderation.