Dogs were probably the first animal domesticated by humans so it’s not surprising that there are a number of dogs found in mythologies around the world. Egypt, Greece, Ireland, and China all have mythological dogs. In ancient Greece, the god Anubis is depicted as the jackal-headed god of the afterlife. He was the most important…
Vaccinating your puppy is one of the most important steps in assuring their long and healthy life. Yet the various opinions regarding which shots are needed and when are confusing, and argumentative, and there is far too much misinformation out there for most of us to make an educated decision regarding what vaccinations puppies need…
Seizures are the result of episodes of involuntary electrical activity within the brain and can take many forms, ranging from loss of consciousness and leg paddling to subtle, intermittent changes in behavior. Many different diseases can cause seizures in dogs. Problems that originate outside of the brain, such as low blood sugar, hypothyroidism, severe liver…
Parasites are common in dogs and most dogs will have some at various times in their lives. They can be external or internal. They include fleas, worms, mites, and ticks. They are easy for your dog to pick up, either from other dogs or from the environment. Left untreated, most parasites can cause serious problems…
To appreciate how glucosamine can help to manage osteoarthritis in dogs, we need to understand a little science. When a dog has osteoarthritis, the fluid in his joints becomes thinner and is less effective at lubricating the movement of the bones. Also, the cartilage at the end of the bones becomes damaged and eroded over…
Feeding cats and dogs in our modern world is relatively easy. Most of us simply go to the store and buy some pet food off the shelf. We may start to think that there’s not much difference in the diet of our cat and dog, but that would be incorrect. Just because their food is…
At the risk of sounding like I’m avoiding giving a direct answer, I have to say, “it depends.” If your dog has been diagnosed with a skin disease and is being treated with a medicated shampoo or rinse, follow the directions given to you by your veterinarian or what is printed on the bottles. A…
It’s not exactly a battle of the sexes, but there are definitely differences between male and female dogs. People who have male and female dogs often have definite opinions about which gender makes the better pet. If you’re trying to decide, “Should I get a male or female dog?” then here’s what you should know…
If you have a purebred puppy you may be wondering if there are any differences in training between purebred puppies and crossbred puppies or mixes. After all, some dogs are bred for specific jobs such as hunting or herding, or guarding. When it comes to training a purebred puppy, is it different from training any…
You feel as though you cannot step out your own front door without risking life and limb. You avoid parks, beaches, and strange neighborhoods because you never know when you may come face to face with one. When you do see one, your heart races, panic rises, and you change directions, cross the street, or…
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common problems afflicting large and giant breeds of dogs, including Germans shepherds, labradors and golden retrievers, and Rottweilers. Males are at a greater risk for developing the disease than females, possibly because of their larger size and more rapid growth. The primary cause of hip dysplasia is genetic;…
There is always tremendous controversy whenever anyone brings up the subject of the intelligence of dogs. With over 160 breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club, someone will always be at the bottom of the list. In a book called The Intelligence of Dogs, author Dr. Stanley Coren asked over 200 professional dog…