Canine Flu: the nasty but treatable virusCanine influenza, or “canine flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory infection in dogs. Like a human head cold, there is no cure, but a vaccine has been developed that can lessen the severity of the flu symptoms. The canine flu virus can be in aerosol form, inhaled by a […]

Dog skin allergies can cause your dog to scratch nonstop. Here are potential causes and types of skin allergies in dogs, as well as ways your vet may treat these issues.

Conscientious Owners Can Keep Their Dogs Disease-Free Many common canine diseases can be prevented or treated with available vaccines. Dogs are susceptible to many diseases transmitted by contact with infected dogs or wildlife. Here are the common canine diseases: Rabies -- Transmitted by bites from infected animals. Symptoms can include seizures, paralysis, aggression and lack […]

While you are outside tossing tennis balls to your terrier, or playing fetch with your fun-loving retriever, you should be aware that there are parasites called hookworms and roundworms that prey on dogs and puppies, and can adversely affect the health of your pet. What You Should Know About Hookworms and Roundworms As temperatures rise, so does […]

When you breed, keep a close eye on the puppies for unexpected issues that may need intervention and professional help. I had never had more than four puppies in a litter in my many years of breeding Japanese Chin, and then there was a litter of five. The dam had a C-section when she stopped having […]

Your dog depends on you to help him stay healthy. Good dental hygiene can play an important role in keeping your dog in top form. Clean your dog's teeth and check his gums regularly. A bad tooth or gum disease could be giving your dog a lot of pain. Look for signs of discomfort and have […]

In recent weeks, dog owners, supporters and donors have looked to the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the American Kennel Club for credible information regarding Ebola virus in dogs.   At issue is whether humans can get Ebola from dogs, and whether dogs can even get Ebola in a form that is transmittable. Due to […]

The word kennel is believed to have originated in France to describe a pack of hounds and their housing. Today, it describes the most important environment in any breeder’s home. Once primitive man hooked up with dogs in a permanent ongoing relationship, the two learned to live together. Over the centuries, man began to construct […]

While the benefits of pet ownership far outweigh the costs, every responsible dog owner should know that along with love and companionship comes financial responsibility. In today’s challenging economic times it pays to save wherever you can. But saving money doesn’t mean you need to skimp on your pet. The AKC offers the following preventative […]

The final article in this series covers the nutritional needs of the dam during peak lactation and weaning. In this series of articles, we have been exploring the unique nutritional needs of the reproducing bitch. It is important to realize that even after the bitch has whelped a beautiful litter of healthy, growing pups that […]