Border Terriers

Border Terriers, one of the smallest terriers, stand at a height of only about 25 centimeters and have a head that resembles an otter. Despite their small size, they can closely follow horses and cope with foxes and even more challenging opponents. Their narrow body allows them to effortlessly squeeze through any narrow gap and navigate any terrain, even entering fox burrows to hunt animals. Their thick, rough, but close-fitting fur protects them from the harsh climate of the border. It is believed to be derived from some kind of border hunting dog. The Border Terrier Club was established in 1921 and has now spread all over the world.

From the name, it can be inferred that the ancestors of Border Terriers originated from the hilly area of Cheviot in the border of England, and are considered one of the oldest terrier breeds in Great Britain. As a pure "working terrier," the shepherds and athletes of the border have preserved the special lineage of the dog over several generations, making it available in every estate in the border region.

Within a few kilometers of their habitat, the hills are their territory, where powerful mountain foxes pose a threat to livestock. Farmers and herders needed a terrier that was good at running long distances and could burrow underground to chase foxes. These dogs had to be lively, strong, tireless, and have a coat that could withstand the rainy and humid climate of the hilly areas.

Recommended for dog lovers

1.Heart disease

Dog heart disease is often associated with obesity and old age. When dogs suffer from heart disease, they mainly show symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath. It is difficult to detect heart disease in dogs, and by the time the owner notices it, the dog is already severely ill.

2.Infectious diseases

Canine distemper and canine parvovirus are common malignant infectious diseases in dogs, with high fatality rates. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in a timely manner are prone to these two infectious diseases. Once they are infected, they will have symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, elevated body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3.Kidney disease

When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease must be mentioned. The terrible thing about dog kidney disease is the unconscious process of the disease. By the time the owner discovers it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells have been damaged. When dogs have problems, the symptoms are usually blood in the urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.

4.Parasites

Gastrointestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms are common parasites in dogs. When dogs are infected with gastrointestinal parasites, the main symptoms are emaciation, lethargy, diarrhea, worm feces, and pale gum mucosa. Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworm will have symptoms such as low vitality, coughing, anemia, asthma, and ascites.

5.Canine pneumonia

Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but canine pneumonia is a complication of other diseases, often occurring in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infections, viral colds, impaired lung function, and heartworm infections. Cough, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.

Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is just born, mainly relying on breastfeeding. Their body cannot regulate temperature and they need their mother to provide warmth. They have no hearing or vision for the first day and rely only on weak touch to find the teat. Their eyes open around day 13 and they develop hearing around day 15. They start teething around day 20. From days 21-28, the amount of breast milk is not enough and they need to transition from liquid to semi-solid food. This can easily cause diarrhea and constipation, so lactase, probiotics, or goat milk/pet milk should be fed. If constipation occurs when consuming 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.

Puppy period: From 1 month to 2 months old, the puppy's digestive system is not fully developed, so they need careful care from their owner. They 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 goat milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, otherwise the puppy may have poor digestion. Make sure to provide the puppy with drinking water, and do not feed them milk as it can cause diarrhea. Give them probiotics every day to regulate their gastrointestinal system. At this time, the puppy has a weak immune system and should not be taken outside or in contact with people with colds to prevent them from getting sick. Immunizations start at 6-7 weeks old and end at 3 months old. It is best to wait until after the immunizations to bathe the puppy, and dry powder can be used for bathing initially. Teething starts at 19-28 days old, and all milk teeth grow in by 2 months old. They have some learning ability and can start toilet training.

Adolescent period: From 3 months to 6 months old. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition from wet dog food to dry dog food, and their eating schedule should be adjusted gradually to be more regular. They should still eat dog food and drink drinking water. However, during this period, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. Their fur will gradually change into adult fur, which is a critical period for good coat quality but may lead to an awkward phase. The puppy also starts to develop dominance and tries to establish their territory and dominate their owner. Destructive behavior increases. The puppy's body length and height grow rapidly, so they need daily exercise to maintain their physical development.

Sexual maturity period: From 8 months to 14 months old, the dog enters sexual maturity and has their first heat. The first heat may cause hormonal imbalance and disorder. Continuous heat, no heat, or false pregnancies may occur, with low pregnancy rate and high rate of difficult delivery. They need to be supplemented with nutrients that promote reproduction, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. It is important to note that the first heat should not be used for breeding, and hygiene should be maintained during the heat to prevent infection. If the dog is not intended for breeding, they can be spayed after the heat cycle ends.

Juvenile period: From 6 months to 10 months old, or from 6 months to 18 months old. The dog can now eat dry dog food completely and can be fed some cooked meat, such as beef and chicken, to enrich their nutrition. However, it is important not to feed the dog chicken or duck bones, as they can cause poor bone development. If necessary (such as when the dog has poor nutrition, weak health, or picky eating), some nutritional supplements can be given. Based on the dog's condition, select supplements such as vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair care products. Do not overdo it and do not give a large amount of supplements all at once out of pity. It is better to gradually adjust and nourish. At this time, the dog's bones and muscles grow rapidly and require a large amount of protein and calcium. They are curious, have strong cognitive abilities, and have a good memory. This is the best time for learning.

Adult dog: This refers to dogs from 1 year old to 6 years old. The dog is considered an adult at 1 year old and has essentially finished growing, with little change in size afterwards. At this stage, they can eat dog food normally without any dietary restrictions. However, it is still important to supplement their diet with appropriate nutrients, avoid feeding chicken or duck bones, prevent salty and spicy foods, avoid raw food, and avoid eating animal fat. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, they should be taken to a veterinary hospital promptly and not be treated with medication without professional advice, unless you are a veterinarian yourself. Always be responsible for your beloved pet.

Elderly period: From 8 years old to 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to humans in their 50s and should be considered in their "old age" period. At this time, the dog's organ functions decline and they may suffer from age-related diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney functions, and skeletal and joint diseases. It is important to pay attention to calcium supplementation to prevent diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, high blood pressure, bone fractures, arthritis, and other diseases. You can choose to eat more bean products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market. Get plenty of sunlight and exercise, pay attention to hygiene, and believe that you will have more time with your dog.

1. Do not bathe too frequently

When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. The frequency of bathing a dog depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, bathe one or two more times, and reduce one or two times in winter. However, the total number of times should not exceed 5. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!

2. Brush regularly

Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when seasonal shedding is more severe. To make the fur grow well, regular brushing is an important step. Pet owners can use pet-specific brushes to help 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 shinier, 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

Poor fur condition is actually closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving them of nutrition. Therefore, deworming work is essential. It is recommended to deworm both internally and externally. Also, deworming medication can cause great harm to the dog's stomach. Therefore, it is recommended to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet

In order to have a beautiful coat of fur, dogs must have a solid nutritional foundation and pay attention to their daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a dog food that is suitable for the dog and has sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, you can also feed the dog with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.