Boston Terrier Secrets.

I want to talk about a more serious issue here, yorkie health problems. There are a lot of preventable health problems that your yorkshire terrier can be hit with. The consequences can be emotionally painful for both you and your yorkie, as well as very expensive as you probably know that trips to the vet are not cheap, especially for smaller breeds of dogs such as a yorkie. The solution is to be pro-active and take charge of your yorkie’s health ahead of time to prevent any health issues that might crop up later on. Understanding and learning what you need to do to keep your yorkie in top condition health-wise is key.

Potential Yorkie Health Problems

Yorkshire terrier dogs, as well as other dogs for that matter, are susceptible to a wide range of health issues, similar to us humans. The only problem is that your dog can’t speak and tell you what’s wrong with it when it has a health issue such as a stomach ache. If you can’t tell what’s wrong with them, the poor thing will suffer in silence until a very serious pain is detected. Let’s take a moment to understand what symptoms can crop up and what you can do to prevent these health issues from being a problem in the first place.

Dog Obesity

This is one ailment that is probably the most common in dogs across all breeds, terriers included. While small terriers tend to be very energetic, they may tend to gain weight due to other causes. Dog obesity is usually a direct cause of eating more than they’re supposed to and lack of exercise. Left unchecked, obesity can lead to serious consequences including heart failure, tumors, disease of the liver, and problems with their skin. Luckily, this one can be prevented easily by watching your dog’s diet and ensuring they get plenty of exercise. Terrier breeds are known for being energetic so getting them to walk, run and play shouldn’t be too hard to do. Ensuring your Yorkie has a healthy diet will ensure your doggie will continue being energetic and lengthen their life span.

Arthritis and Dysplasia

There are some dogs which can be suspect to problems of their bones and joints. In order to prevent joint and bone problems, make sure they get the right vitamins and minerals each day to support healthy growth. Unfortunately, dogs that are pure breds are the most susceptible to joint problems due to their selectively breeded physical qualities such as being narrower and longer. I advise going to the vet at least once a year to check for joint health.

Dog Allergies

Yorkies can have a variety of different allergies. Flea allergies are probably the most common. If your yorkie has flea allergies, you’ll notice hot spots in your dog which can lead to infections. In order to prevent this, ensure your yorkie gets the right flea medication each month and have your vet examine them for health. Another kind of allergy is food allergy. If skin issues start to crop up to the ears, nose or other hot spots, it may be time to take them to a vet to understand what they can’t eat as tissue issues can be very damaging.

Dog Diabetes

Many new pet owners are suprised that dogs can acquire diabetes but it’s true, this issue is not just a human related on. The cause of diabetes in dogs is usually eating foods that contain too much fat and sugar. Eating too many rich foods can trigger pancreatic problems which often leads to diabetes. To help prevent these issues, ensure your terrier is kept on a strict dog food diet and minimal to no table scraps or extra meals. If your beloved yorkie acquires diabetes, it’s time to have your pet see the vet regularly. Be prepared that your pet may need to have shots administered regularly.

Dog Infections

Infections can crop up in your yorkie’s eyes, teeth, ears and skin. Be sure to clean your yorkie’s eyes, brush their hair and teeth regularly to prevent build ups which can lead to bacterial infections. Ear infections are probably the most frequent and common form of infection for dogs. It’s usually caused by bacteria, dirt or simply a foreign body getting in that space. Luckily, infections are also a problem that is easily preventable with good doggie maintanence.

dog health Problem Wrap-up

Most, if not all of these issues can be prevented if your yorkie is on a good diet, plays and runs often, and you keep it clean and well groomed. In any case, I urge all my visitors to visit their vet once a year to check for any issues you might miss. The sooner a health problem, infection or disease is detected and handled, the better and quicker it can be treated and less trips to the vet will be needed in the future.

Diana Swanson

Founder of www.TopTerrier.com

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Mitzi the West Highland Terrier Running

Posted by admin on October 19, 2010 · 2 Comments

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Border Terrier Puppy And Dog Information

Posted by admin on September 4, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The Border Terrier makes a great family pet. They can be housed in an apartment as long as frequent walks are part of the routine. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. If possible, a properly fenced enclosure for exercise is ideal. They are diggers so some of the fence needs to be buried to keep them in. They love children but please remember to not leave any child unsupervised with any dog or puppy. They train easily and live to please plus they make a good watch dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Border Terrier is 13 to 16 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulders) and 13 to 16 pounds. Females range from 11 to 14 inches to the withers and 11 to 14 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Border Terrier is no exception, but they are considered a very healthy breed. Look for Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome which is a neurological disorder similar to epilepsy. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.
She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.
*Grooming. The Border Terrier has a short dense undercoat with a wiry outer coat. She should be brushed weekly and professionally groomed several times a year. She should be bathed rarely as this strips her coat of its protective oils and she can have dry skin problems
Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.
Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.
*Life Span. The can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.
*History. They hale from the border between Scotland and England in the 19th century. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1930.
*Some Registries:
Border Terrier Club of America
UKC United Kennel Club
NKC National Kennel Club
CKC Continental Kennel Club
APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
AKC American Kennel Club
FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 3 to 9 Border Collies puppies

Category: Terrier

Terms To Describe: Agile, tough, good tempered, affectionate, easily trained, easy to train, mild mannered,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Good watch dog.
Gets along well with other dogs and some pets.
Loves children.
High activity level.
They are generally healthy dogs.
*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Poor guard dog.
Can have dry skin conditions.
May bark a bit.
They love to dig.
Do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
May harm cats, birds and other small pets.

*Other Names Known By:Reedwater Terrier, Coquetdale Terrier

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

Mitch Endick is a short article writer, editor and website developer for the popular pet site petpages.com.
www.petpages.com is a pet information site with free pet ads, dog classifieds, and puppy for sale info Petpages.com also offers information on cats, fish, reptiles, birds, ferrets, rabbits, mice and even pet bugs.

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Jack Russell Terrier Training.

Posted by admin on August 4, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Jack Russell Terrier Training – Converts Like Crazy.
Jack Russell Terrier Training.

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Yorkshire Terrier Training.

Posted by admin on August 2, 2010 · Leave a Comment

Yorkshire Terrier Training – Converts Like Crazy.
Yorkshire Terrier Training.

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Hereditary Skin Diseases in Boston Terrier

Posted by admin on August 1, 2010 · Leave a Comment

The Boston Terrier, a high-spirited, intelligent dog is the result of cross-breeding the English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Boxer, and White Terrier. Nicknamed the American Gentleman for his kind and gentle disposition, the Boston terrier, is a smooth, short-coated, compactly built dog with beautiful colours- red brindle, black brindle, or black, with white markings.

The Boston Terrier is a relatively healthy breed requiring little grooming and maintenance, but it is susceptible to certain hereditary skin problems.

A minor problem affecting its coat is a gradually spreading baldness that is sometimes found in female Boston terriers at about six months of age. It starts around the ears and moves down to the underside of the neck and the trunk and then down to the inside of the rear legs. The skin underlying the areas of hair loss is usually normal and does not have the signs of secondary infection.

Allergies could be a possible underlying cause for hair loss and secondary skin infections. Boston Terriers are listed among the breeds that are prone to atopy (inhalant allergies).

The most common skin disease is the Demodectic mange, or red mange, caused by microscopic Demodex canis mite living in the hair follicles and within the skin layers of adolescent puppies or immunodeficient adult Boston Terriers. It is a genetically inherited defect of the immune system causing patchy to widespread hair loss and secondary bacterial skin.

There are three types of Demodicosis: Localized, Generalized, and Pododermatitis.

Localized Demodicosis usually causes small patches of red scaly skin and hair loss mostly on the face, but can occur anywhere on the body. These lesions are not itchy unless they get infected and are found in 3-6 months old puppies passed on by the carrier mother. Mild cases in puppies normally heal spontaneously and need no treatment. Demodex is not generally contagious between dogs.

In Generalized Demodicosis the skin is very red, with severe hair loss, crusts and sores, dark pigment, and deep infections accompanied by fever and loss of appetite. There are two groups of this type: juvenile onset when the pup is between 3 and 12 months old but recover with or without treatment and adult onset mostly in dogs over 2 years old which is difficult to cure, but can usually be controlled.

There is an inherited tendency to have Generalized Demodicosis so affected animals should never be bred.

Demodectic Pododermatitis is limited to the paws in adult animals is chronic and extremely difficult to treat.

Since these mites live in the hair follicles and in the dermis, deep skin scrapings are essential for diagnosis. Generalized demodicosis is treated with antibiotics. 90% of localized and 30-50% of generalized demodicosis get better with no treatment. The veterinarian aided by modern medication can control if not completely cure this infection.

Another disease inherited from the English Terrier and the Bulldog are Mast Cell Tumors or Mastocytomas in skin tissues These are raised, button like skin growths with raw pink surfaces which can be malignant and spread internally.

Cushings Disease is another skin disease found in the Boston Terrier caused by an excess of cortisone-type hormone in the dog’s system. The use of too much cortisone-type medications, cortisone-containing eye drops or ear ointments or an over-active tumor of the adrenal gland or a tumor of the pituitary gland can cause the disease.

The signs of Cushing’s include a thin, poor hair coat, potbelly, increased water intake and frequent urination. The disease is very treatable and the changes can be reversed but if left untreated it can cause diabetes mellitus or life threatening blood clots.

Their sensitive skin prevents them from handling both extreme heat and cold. They should be checked daily – special attention being paid to their eyes and ears-for any external parasites such as ticks or mites. Caution should be taken when considering any medications for the Boston Terrier as they can be very sensitive to anesthetics, vaccines, and other drugs.

Nancy Richards is a dog owner and trainer for more than 10 years. She is also the President of the dog training Institute. Learn more about Boston Terrier Breed Characteristics. Discover unique Boston Terrier training tips and learn how to groom, take care and ensure good health for your Boston Terrier.

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Pit Bull (Pitbull) Terrier Dog Guide.

Posted by admin on June 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment

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Dog Problem Tips

Boston Terrier Secrets.

Dog Health Checkups Are Essential For The Health Of Your Pit Bull Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems, Yorkie Health Problems

Mitzi the West Highland Terrier Running

Border Terrier Puppy And Dog Information

Jack Russell Terrier Training.

Yorkshire Terrier Training.

Hereditary Skin Diseases in Boston Terrier

Pit Bull (Pitbull) Terrier Dog Guide.

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