Spanish Canary Dog

There was a time when dog fighting was popular in most European countries. Certain breeds quickly developed due to their tenacious nature. In some countries like Ireland, dog fights took place in open-air venues, but in the Canary Islands, they were usual. The Spanish Canary Dog is a typical fighting dog, with thick skin, strong bones, well-developed muscles, a large head, and abnormally large jaw muscles. Its powerful square head is nearly as wide as it is long, with a wide and long muzzle. It has thick skin and well-developed muscles in its neck, a wide and deep chest, a slightly upturned rear end, and a coat that comes in colors such as light yellowish-brown, red markings, and black markings.

The Spanish Canary Dog is a unique breed, with a distinctive temperament and incredible charm. Those who have fallen in love with this breed will always be loyal to it. The first encounter with a Spanish Canary Dog leaves a deep impression, with its massive head, strong body, alert and indifferent eyes, strong personality, and powerful guard abilities. It is truly impressive.

The Spanish Canary Dog is a breed developed from dog fighting. Its ancestors may include the local endangered Bardenos Mastiffs and imported descendants of English Mastiffs. By the 1960s, this breed was on the verge of extinction but was later saved by Dr. Carl Semencic from the American Veterinary University. The Spanish Canary Dog does not get along easily with other dogs, tends to be troublesome, and is not suitable as a companion for children. Its coat is short and does not require frequent grooming. Dog owners who understand the dog's emotions, common canine diseases, and breeding behavior can better care for the dog and protect its own health.

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1. Dog Infectious Diseases

Dogs are prone to infectious diseases, including canine distemper and canine coronavirus. Common clinical manifestations include fever, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, bloody stools, purulent eye discharge, dry nose, and cracked paws.

Generally, this type of infectious and fatal disease occurs more often during the weaning period or around 1 year of age. Puppies are more susceptible and have a lower cure rate, and they are prone to complications.

How to prevent:

When bringing a dog home, it is recommended for the owner to choose a dog through formal channels, vaccinate the dog on time, regularly disinfect the home, refrain from taking the dog out for a walk until it completes vaccination, avoid contact with unfamiliar dogs, and prevent others from touching the dog's mouth and nose randomly.

2. Canine Skin Diseases

Dogs often contract various skin diseases while walking outside. If a dog is accidentally infected with mites, bacteria, or fungi, it may be difficult to cure for a long time. Therefore, owners must pay attention to this. Clinical manifestations of canine skin diseases include greasy skin, peeling, redness, itching, papules, ulceration, pus discharge, hair loss, and scabs.

How to prevent:

In daily care, it is necessary to keep the dog's living environment clean and tidy, avoid dark and damp environments, regularly disinfect the dog's living environment, deworm the dog internally and externally, use specialized dog shampoo, comb the hair regularly, and supplement vitamins and fish oil.

3. Canine Parasites

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

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How to prevent:

When feeding dogs, owners need to be cautious and avoid giving them non-sterilized raw meat or unknown meat sources. Dogs need to be dewormed internally every 3 months and externally every month. When going out, prevent dogs from eating or licking things randomly, and carefully inspect them when returning home.

Newborn Period: The newborn period is when the dog is just born and relies mainly on mother's milk for sustenance. Their body can't regulate temperature, so they need the mother's heat for warmth. They have no hearing or vision for the first day and rely on weak touch to find the nipples. Around day 13, their eyes open, and around day 15, they develop hearing. Around day 20, they start teething. From day 21-28, the mother's milk is not enough, so they need to transition from liquid food to semi-solid food. This is when they are prone to diarrhea and constipation, so be sure to feed lactase, probiotics, or give them goat milk powder/pet milk. If they have constipation when consuming milk formula, you can feed them a small amount of vegetable oil and massage their abdomen to help with bowel movements. They should be dewormed for the first time between day 14-28.

Puppyhood: From 1 month to 2 months old, the puppy's digestive system is not fully developed, so they need careful attention from the owner. Generally, they should be fed at least 3 times a day, with smaller meals based on the puppy's condition. Soak the dog food in warm water or goat milk powder and feed it gradually. Don't overfeed, as it can cause poor digestion. Make sure to give them fresh water and avoid feeding them cow's milk, as it can cause diarrhea. You can give them some probiotics every day to regulate their digestive system. At this stage, puppies have a weaker resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they shouldn't be taken outside or exposed to people with colds to prevent them from getting sick. They should start vaccination at 6-7 weeks old, and the vaccination should be completed by 3 months old. It's best to bathe them after completing the vaccination. You can use dry shampoo in the early stages. They start teething between 19-28 days old, and all milk teeth should have grown out by 2 months old. They have some learning ability and can start potty training.

Adolescence: From 3 months to 6 months old. At this time, the puppy can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. Adjust the puppy's feeding time slowly and try to establish a regular schedule. They should still eat dog food and drink fresh water. However, during this period, their bones and muscles grow rapidly, so they need a lot of protein and calcium. Their coat also changes to that of an adult dog, which is a crucial period for coat quality, but it can be an awkward phase. They also start to develop dominant behaviors and may try to establish their territory and dominate the owner. Their destructive behavior increases. They need regular exercise to support their growth.

Sexual Maturity: From 8 months to 14 months old, the dog enters sexual maturity and has its first heat. The first heat can cause hormonal imbalances and lead to heat disorders. Continuous heat, no heat, or false pregnancy can result in low mating rates and high rates of difficult labor. You need to supplement them with nutrients that promote reproduction such as vitamin E, organic chromium, folic acid, etc. It's important to note that they should not be bred during their first heat. Pay attention to hygiene during the heat to prevent infection. If they are not intended for breeding, they should be spayed after the heat ends.

Young Adulthood: From 6 months to 10 months old and 6 months to 18 months old. At this stage, the dog can eat dry dog food completely and can be given some cooked meat such as beef and chicken to enrich their nutrition. However, avoid giving them chicken or duck bones, as it can lead to poor bone development. If necessary (e.g. if the dog's nutrition is poor, weak and sickly, or picky eater), you can supplement their diet with appropriate nutrients. Based on the dog's actual condition, choose supplements such as vitamins, calcium, protein, or hair maintenance supplements. Don't overdo it and don't give them a large amount of supplements all at once out of pity. They need consistent and gradual care. At this stage, their bones and muscles grow rapidly, so they need a lot of protein and calcium. They are curious, have strong cognitive abilities, and have a good memory. It's the best time for learning.

Adult Dog: From 1 year old to 6 years old. The dog is considered an adult at 1 year old and has reached its full size, so there won't be much change in their body size afterwards. They can continue to eat dog food normally without many restrictions. However, it's still important to supplement their nutrition appropriately. Avoid giving 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 veterinarian for treatment and do not self-medicate, unless you are a veterinarian yourself. Be responsible for your beloved pet.

Senior Years: From 8 years old to 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being in their 50s in human years and should enter the senior stage of their life. At this stage, the dog's organ functions decline, and they may develop age-related diseases such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, bone and joint diseases, etc. They are more prone to diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, arthritis, etc., so it's important to supplement them with calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use calcium supplements available on the market. Getting more sun and exercise, paying attention to hygiene, will help prolong your time with your dog.

1. Do not bathe too frequently

Bathing your dog should not be done too frequently. It depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, you can bathe them one or two more times, while in winter, you can reduce it by one or two times. But in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage their fur and skin!

2. Brush regularly

Dogs shed almost every day, especially in spring and autumn when they shed more. To have good hair growth, regular brushing is an important step. You can use a pet-specific brush to help 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. Sunbathe

Sunbathing benefits the growth of your dog's fur and not only makes it shinier but also helps with sterilization. While sunbathing, you can let your dog exercise a bit. It can help improve their physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and grow healthier fur.

4. Deworming

Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrition from your dog's body, robbing them of nutrients. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do both internal and external deworming. Also, deworming medications can cause significant damage to your dog's stomach, so it is advisable to feed them probiotics to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.

5. Pay attention to diet

In order to have shiny fur, it is necessary to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to daily diet. On the one hand, feed your dog with nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a suitable and nutrient-rich brand that meets their needs. On the other hand, you can also give them a moderate amount of lean meat, boiled egg yolk, and vegetable oil.