One Dog Love
Thing about dogs and their doggy life
Friday 15 March 2013
Monday 11 March 2013
Adapting the food of the dog's physical condition
The term physiological condition (state) refers to the dog's natural life stages. This includes its age, which has already beed discussed, as well as sexual status. For instance, gestating and lactating females have very high, very specific nutritional requirements. Although artificila in origin, netering (the removal of the testicles of the ovaries & utureus) is also a physiological condition. In this case, the dog's metabolism will be modified for the greater part of its life. As a result, it will have specific nutritional requirements.
Stud dogs require high-quality food
Stud dogs do not have any particular specific nutritional requirements, although, even more than a dog in the maintenance phase, they will require a high-quality balanced food to ensure they are in perfect shape. Stud dogs must be in optimal physical condition - neither too skinny nor too fat - as this will have an adverse effect on semen quality, with a healthy skin, (no scrabs or dandurff) and a glossy coat. As explained above, the dog's oral hygiene needs to be impecciable, bearing in mind that the bacteria that cause periodontal disease can spread to other parts of the body. This can affect the prostate, which plays a major role in reproduction.
A high-quality highly digestible balanced food is eesential, as even when there are no clinical signs, any imperfections will have an inevitable impact on semen quality an therefore fertility.
Bitches, preferably young adults, must always be in optimal physical condition when they are mated. They should not suffer from a chronic disease or any other problem that could have an adverse impact on gestation or lactation and even put their life at risk. Unfortunately, some owners are less scrupulous than others. Body condition is a fundamental criterion, both in terms of fertility (the capacity for producing larger litters). The reproduction parameters will be below average if the bitch is overweight - in itself contentious - so it is advisable for them to slim down a little before being mated. If weight adjustment is necessary, the diet should be adapted during anoestrus, which will give bitches plenty of time to reach their optimal weight. In practice, energy (calorie) intake should be increased (where a bitch is too thin) or decreased (where a bitch is too heavy) by approximately 10% in the months prior to oestrus.
In a technique known as flushing, the bitch's energy intake is increased during the pre-ovulation phase to stimulate oocyte maturation and release. Flushing is of little or no benefit to bitches with optimal body condition or those who are already overweight. Energy intake may be increased by 5 - 10% during pro-oestrus to optimise fertility and litter size if the bitch is underweight. While this is common practice with livestock (sheep and cows), its effectiveness is yet to be proven in dogs. Again, the best approach is to ensure that females are in perfect physical condition.
As with stud dogs, bitches used in reproduction must always be given high-quality, highly digestible food to ensure that their requirements - comprising over fifty nutrients - are met in full. The most important thing here is that intake is tailored to the size of the bitch, regardless of physiological state.
To be continued...
Wednesday 6 March 2013
Sunday 3 March 2013
Breed of the week - Border Collie
Border Collies are renowned throughout the world for their skills with a flock. they have a unique look that seems to bewitch sheep - and even to odd stray goose. These canines are very active.
origin: United Kingdom
morphology: lupoid
boys: 53 cm
girls: slightly smaller
grooming: twice annually
Sporty type that loves to work
These sheepdogs have a reputation for tenacity, hard work and obedience. Sheep farmers value their dedication, vigilance, responsiveness and all-round intelligence. Border Collies must never be anxious or aggressive. When not looking after sheep, they enjoy a variety of activities from flyball, agility and obedience to dog dancing. A dog with its primary instincts intact, and committed to getting the job done.
Elegance
A well proportioned, smooth outline that is graceful, elegant and perfectly balanced, plus sufficient substance to give an impression of endurance. Any coarseness or lack of body is undesirable.
Head:
Moderately broad skull without pronounced occiput. The cheeks should be neither full nor rounded. Moderately short and strong muzzle that tapers to the tip of the nose.
Ears:
Medium - sized with medium texture. Set well apart and carried pricked or semi-pricked. Sensitive to the slightest sound.
Body:
Athletic, with well sprung ribs; longer than height to the withers.
Tail:
Moderately long with bone reaching at least to the hock.
Colour:
All colours are acceptable, although white must not be dominant.
Coat:
Two varieties: moderately long and short. Dense topcoat of medium texture and soft, tight undercoat.
Tuesday 26 February 2013
Did you know - West Highland White Terrier
According to the official history, the breed has its origins in a hunting accident. When out with Scottish Terrier (the breed ancestors), Col, Edward Malcolm of Poltalloch accidentally killed one of his dogs, mistaking it for a fox. The dog were subsequently bred white to prevent this mistake from happening again.
Thursday 21 February 2013
Dog of the week - West Highland White Terrier
Small, active, game and hardy with a mischievous look in their eye, Westies have a healthy dose of self-esteem. Alert, cheerful, brave and independent, but affecionate all the same, these little white terriers are the most admired of the Scoottish terriers.
origin: United Kingdom
other name: Westie
morphology: lupoid
boys & girls: approximately 28 cm
grooming: weekly
Elegance in motion
Their elegant, powerful gait is free, straight and easy. The forelegs move freely from the shoulder, while the hind movement is powerful and close. Stifle and hocks are well flexed and the hocks are drawn under the body to provide drive.
Solidly built
Westies are solidly built little dogs. They have deep chests, straight backs and powerful forequarters on muscular legs, expressing magnificent strength and activity.
Head:
Covered with thick hair, carried at a right angle or less to axis if the neck.
Ears:
Small, straight back, broad and strong loins, deep chest.
Tail:
13 to 15 cm long, covered with harsh hair, no featherning, as straight as possible, carried proudly, but not cheerfully or over the back, not curved.
Colour:
White.
Coat:
Topcoat of harsh hair measuring about 5 cm with no curling. Fur-like undercoat of short, soft, close hair.
American vs European German Shepherds
Let's see if there is so big difference between American and European German Shepherd...
European German Shepherds are under regulation of German Shepherd Club of Germany. Ogranisation gives to each registered dog the seal of approval.
Physical features:
European GSD have bigger heads, straighter line on their hind legs, shorter and wider backline.
Traits:
They are better suited as working dogs than their American counterparts. They make better guard dogs. The majority of police dogs are from European lines. German Shepherd Club has worked hard at preserving the working temperament of GSD for many years.
American German Shepherd Dogs are under regulations of American Kennel Club but they don't have as many regulations as their European brothers have.
Physical characteristics:
They are bigger than European GSD and they have more refined head, their hind legs bend more. Torso is more angled from front to back.
Traits:
American GSD are know for being elegant, having graceful walk.
Now you know how to see the difference between this dogs.
And what about White German Shepherd? Have you ever seen?
Follow next post I will write about them ;)
European German Shepherd Dogs
Regulation:European German Shepherds are under regulation of German Shepherd Club of Germany. Ogranisation gives to each registered dog the seal of approval.
Physical features:
European GSD have bigger heads, straighter line on their hind legs, shorter and wider backline.
Traits:
They are better suited as working dogs than their American counterparts. They make better guard dogs. The majority of police dogs are from European lines. German Shepherd Club has worked hard at preserving the working temperament of GSD for many years.
American German Shepherd Dogs
Regulation:American German Shepherd Dogs are under regulations of American Kennel Club but they don't have as many regulations as their European brothers have.
Physical characteristics:
They are bigger than European GSD and they have more refined head, their hind legs bend more. Torso is more angled from front to back.
Traits:
American GSD are know for being elegant, having graceful walk.
Now you know how to see the difference between this dogs.
And what about White German Shepherd? Have you ever seen?
Follow next post I will write about them ;)
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