Kennel cough, also called bordetellosis, infectious respiratory disease and infectious canine cough, is an infection that is transmitted easily between dogs. It is one of the most common canine diseases, occurring worldwide and in all dog breeds.
The disease is often associated with dogs kept together in large groups, such as in kennels (hence the name), at dog shows, or in shelters. But in fact, it is so contagious that even dogs not exposed to those conditions can get it. Think of it as being similar to the human cold. All it takes is one infected dog coughing for the virus to become airborne. Once that happens, any dog in the area may contract kennel cough.
The virus attacks the dog’s windpipe and upper bronchi, although the dog will show little or no obvious signs of being ill. The most obvious symptom is a dry hacking cough that has been described as sounding like a "honking goose".
A Dog with a Bad Name
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This often panics dog-owners, but actually most cases of kennel cough are nothing to be concerned about. The dog's overall health will generally be fine, with only the persistent coughing indicating that anything is amiss.What you should be concerned about though is the risk of kennel cough escalating into pneumonia, which is dangerous. That is why, any occurrence of kennel cough, no matter how mild, must be referred to a vet as soon as possible.
After examining the dog, the vet may decide to prescribe antibiotics for your dog. If the vet decides that the infection is minor he may decide not to treat it at all. He will, however, ask you to keep a close eye on your dog and to report any worsening in his condition.
The easiest way to protect your dog from exposure to kennel cough is to keep him away from dogs you don't know. This includes dogs you encounter on the street or at the doggy park and is even more important if your dog is a puppy, with an underdeveloped immune system.
Be sure to also quiz the owner of any kennel or doggy day care your dog spends time at, although these facilities normally have strict rules and insist on proof of vaccination before they accept a dog.
Vaccinating your dog against kennel cough is an absolute necessity, even if he's never likely to see the inside of a dog kennel. The vaccine is usually given with the annual "five in one" booster shot, but speak to your vet if you have any concerns in this regard.
Of itself, kennel cough is not a threat to a healthy adult dog, but you need to be aware of the dangers of secondary infection and take appropriate action.
To find out more about kennel cough, dog care, dogs 101 and other useful dog advice drop by at dogsanddogtraining.com
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Beautiful Joe: An Autobiography of a Dog
Saunders’ most famous novel Beautiful Joe, tells the true story of dog that has had a difficult puppyhood with many obstacles including a cruel owner. It is told from the dog's point of view. When the book was published, both the book and its subject received worldwide attention. It was the first Canadian book to sell over a million copies, and by the late 1930s had sold over seven million copies worldwide.
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Most peoples idea of the Bloodhound is based on Hollywood movies, where packs of these hounds lead lawmen through the forest in pursuit of an escaped prisoner. But there's a lot more to the Bloodhound than that.
For starters, these dogs are often used in search and rescue work, scenes of natural disasters, and even to find lost children. And, they are also also surprisingly good as pets.
The breed traces its origins to Belgium, where it went by the name, St. Hubert Hound. It originally came to Britain with the invading Normans in 1066. Because of the dog's exceptional scenting ability and its value as a tracker, strict measures were put in place to ensure that there was no cross breeding with other dogs. These attempts to keep the bloodline pure, let to the breed being called the 'blooded' hound, and the name, Bloodhound, derives from that.
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know
The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ perceptual and cognitive abilities and then draws a picture of what it might be like to be a dog. What’s it like to be able to smell not just every bit of open food in the house but also to smell sadness in humans, or even the passage of time? How does a tiny dog manage to play successfully with a Great Dane? What is…
These are large, heavy dogs, standing up to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing as much as 1i0 pounds. The coat is smooth and loose-fitting, with characteristic skin folds, the ears and long and pendant.
Another defining feature is the sad, droopy facial expression. Three coat colors are permitted by the breed standard, red, black and tan, and liver and tan.
These dignified hounds are gentle, easy-going and affectionate. They are extremely loyal and have been known to go into mourning at the loss of someone close to them.
Their gentle nature makes them excellent with children, and despite their serious demeanor they can be quite playful when the mood takes them. Bloodhounds just love attention and are sensitive souls who don’t respond well to harsh treatment.
They are independent dogs, bred specifically to think for themselves. Unfortunately, this has the effect of masking them difficult to train, despite their obvious intelligence.
The Bloodhound is a dog that was simply born to track. These dogs are simply unable to resist any interesting scent they encounter and for this reason it is imperative that they dog is not able to escape from your property. You should also never walk your Bloodhound off the leash. Not unless you want to spend your time chasing after him!
If you're thinking of adopting a Bloodhound, you'll need to be prepared for to do quite a bit of mopping up. Bloodhounds are droolers, and they also have a habit of leaving puddles behind whenever they drink. They are also one of the loudest snorers of the dog world!
Grooming is quite easy, but needs to be done regularly. The dog will require a brush own a few times a week, and daily during the shedding season. You will also have to keep the ears clean and dry and wipe the skin folds with a damp cloth, as both of these areas are prone to bacterial and fungal infections.
Typical lifespan for a Bloodhound is between 10 and 12 years. They are a relatively healthy breed, but do have some health issues. In common with many large breeds, they can suffer from hip dysplasia, and they are also prone to elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion and inversion of the eyelids.
If you’re looking for a name for your Bloodhound, the best advice is to visit a dog names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of cute dog names.
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In today's fast-paced world you likely have many demands on your time. For dog owners this often makes it difficult to spend sufficient time with their dogs.
Exercising your dog is one of those things that is easy to put off when time is an issue – it's not as though the dog can complain or anything – but I'd encourage you to make time.
All dogs, regardless of their breed, age, or size need regular exercise. And as a dog owner it is your responsibility to see that they get it.
A Dog's Tale
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Here are five tips to help you design an effective exercise routine for your dog.
1. How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?
How much exercise you give your dog depends on a number of factors. As a rule of thumb, working and herding breeds require the most exercise, toy breeds the least.
Big dogs generally need more exercise than smaller dogs, though if your small dog happens to be a terrier you can scrap that guideline. Healthy adult dogs need more exercise than puppies or older dogs.
Theses are, of course, generalizations, but it's quite easy to do a bit of research and find out exactly what your breed's exercise needs are.
2. Pace Exercise Correctly
If you resolve to start exercising your dog, don't start with a 10 mile hike the first day. Start with a shorter walk and scale up, increasing by about 10 minutes a day. Dogs suffer exertion related injuries just as easily as humans.
3. The Best Exercise for Your Dog
Not all dogs have the same level of energy. A two mile walk would just be getting started for a Border Collie, while for a Pekingese it would be exhausting.
Over-exercising a dog is as bad as under-exercising.Don't over-exert your dog. Google the breed and find out about the amount of exercise they need.
4. Play Games
Besides walking, you should definitely incorporate some games into your exercise routine. All dogs love to play, and the cool thing is that it gives them a mental, as well as a physical, workout.
To get the most out of this choose a game that taps into your dog's natural instincts – fetching games for retrievers, chasing games for terriers, finding games for hounds, and so on.
The important thing is to get your dog working and thinking, and games are a great way to do this.
5. Running and Hiking
If you're a jogger, or an outdoor person why not involve your dog in these activities. They are a great way to stengthen your bond with your dog.
Be aware though that these activities are not suitable for all dogs. In particular, you should avoid over-strenuous exercise with dogs that suffer from breathing problems, like Pugs and Bulldogs.
Follow these five tips and you'll have no problem designing an appropriate exercise routine for your dog. You'll be rewarded with a healthy, balanced dog, who loves to spend time with you.
Want to discover more about dog training tips, dog care, dog breeds a-z and other helpful dog information? Visit dogsanddogtraining.com
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The Basset is an easily distinguishable dog, with its long ears, solid build and droopy mournful face. These dogs, which first arrived in Britain with the invading Normans in 1066, are believed to descend from the St Hubert Hound. Later in their history, they were crossed with other hound breeds to add size.
The name, Basset comes from "bas", the French word for low.
The Basset is one of the sweetest of all dogs. They are extremely loving with a real enjoyment of human company. They get on well with everyone, are even tempered and affectionate towards children and have no problem with other dogs, or even cats for that matter.
Jack: A book about a dog where the dog doesn't die at the end
A dog (Jack) and his person (The Tall Guy) decide to write a book, mostly about the dog. But don't worry, no dogs die at the end of THIS book! (Unlike some other books about yellow Labs)
Aren't you tired of reading books about vampires? Wouldn't a book about a zombie puppy be more interesting? Yeah, I thought so too. I guess I'll have to work on that for the next book. In the meantime, here's a book about a dog named Jack.A dog (Jack) and his person (The Tall Guy) decide to write a book, mostly about the…
Jack: A book about a dog where the dog doesn't die at the end
With their agreeable temperament and happy disposition you'd be excused for thinking that this has always been a companion dog. But in fact, the Basset's history is as a hunting and tracking dog, a role it excelled at.
Caring for a Basset Hound could not be easier. They have a short and smooth coat, which means that they have minimal grooming needs. A brush down once or twice a week is all that is required to remove dead hair and keep the coat in tip top condition.
In addition, you will have to pay special attention to the ears, which are susceptible to bacterial and fungal infections. Wipe them down with a damp cloth, being careful to dry them afterwards, and you'll avoid most problems.
You may also need to clip the dog's nails every once in a while. This is a task many dog owners shy away from, but it needs to be done, so if you're not up to it ask your vet or local dog groomer.
As with all hounds, Bassets can be difficult to train. It's not that they lack intelligence, but rather that they've been bred to think for themselves, and this can make them appear stubborn at times. The key is to be consistent and use positive reward based training. Bassets are sensitive souls and are easily hurt by harsh words and treatment.
Basset training takes tons of patience. They have a short attention span and are inclined to just trot off if the mood takes them. Stick to your guns and you will succeed, especially if you tap into the Basset's love of food and use really tasty training treats.
Like many purebred dogs, the Basset suffers from a number of inherited diseases. Common health problems for the breed include, osteochondrosis. entropion, gastric torsion, cysts on the paws, and lameness in the forelegs. Obesity is a common concern and can put extra strain on the vertebrae and cause back problems.
Bassets can be quite lazy, but it is important that they have daily walks to ensure they don't become overweight.All in all, this is a wonderful, affectionate pet that is easy to live with and an absolute joy to have around.
Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of boy dog names.
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