Fecal Exams Can Detect Problems Before They Become Tragedies Studies show exposure to parasites is a greater than ever and an annual fecal exam is important. A fresh fecal examination is part of a sound yearly physical. Bring your dog’s clinician a fresh specimen, 4 to 6 hours old, not a desiccated “moon rock” or […]

They May Seem Rough and Tumble, But Puppies Need Extra Care Puppies differ from adult dogs in a number of interesting ways. They are particularly vulnerable to health problems. Novice dog owners should be particularly mindful of a puppy’s delicate health. For example, normal physiologic functions and defenses become impaired if a pup becomes chilled. […]

Effective socialization includes ensuring that your puppy experiences early in life some of the things you know he will encounter later on. Technology requires that hardware devices—computers, smart phones, and so on—have software operating systems that enable them to perform the tasks we want and need. Dog personalities are not unlike technology. Temperament is hard-wired […]

We can only make informed decisions if we glean information from our experiences as breeders—including some that are heartbreaking. The most important dog you own is not the one who won the most ribbons, produced the most champions, or sleeps in your bed. It’s the one who just died of something other than old age, […]

Strategies for socializing the litter help ensure each puppy a bright future — whether as a show dog, performance competitor, or pet. Whether home companion, show dog, or performance dog, early socialization and mental conditioning is a must for puppies. Socialization methods and advice abound in books and on the Internet. Many studies have shown […]

Here are some quick tips for the Canine Culinarian. Many dog owners swear by the benefits of preparing homemade meals for their pets. Holistic vets can provide advice on ensuring your meals provide a balance diet. Some dog owners who prepare meals for their pet favor the raw food diet; others prefer to cook their dog’s […]

Ensure That Your Dog Chews the Right Type of Bone. There was a time when people didn’t give much thought to what, or how, they fed their dogs. Almost any kind of bone was tossed Fido’s way. Now that we’ve learned a lot about canine nutrition and safety, our word of advice about bones is: caution. […]

The range of sizes among dog breeds is greater than that of any other animal. For example, a 150-pound Newfoundland is 50 times the size of a three-pound Pomeranian. And as you might expect, large breed puppies and small breed puppies have very different nutritional needs. There are general rules for feeding any puppy, but […]

  In 2008, Diana was meeting a friend at a gas station near her home to follow her to a dog event. “Upon arriving, I saw a young, mixed breed dog sitting on the curb tied to a fire hydrant. My friend ran up to my car and was very upset. She said, ‘They left […]

Anyone who aspires to be a breeder rather than merely a producer of puppies must first understand the nuances of correct type, following the recipe given in the breed standard. Just what is type? In general, with regard to purebred dogs type means those physical features and characteristics that define the breed—that make a Golden […]