Coat care for the long haired Dogs Some dogs are blessed with a beautiful coat of long flowing hair that requires a great deal of attention. If neglected it can become tangled and knotted. Dogs such as the Cocker Spaniel must be brushed and combed thoroughly on a regular basis to keep free of tangles, You will find that all dogs love this attention and they learn to expect this. You will also need to bath your dog as often as once every 2 weeks. Use a shampoo that is formulated for long coats and a good conditioner. If you don't have the time to shampoo and brush your dog, than you may want to try getting it trimmed short. I trim my dogs hair short throughout the summer. It's just easier to care for them that way. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nail care You will need to trim your dogs nails at least every 4-6 weeks. Maybe even sooner depending on the rate of growth for your dog. If you have hard wood floors you will want to keep them cut pretty short. You can learn to do this yourself or take him to the Veterinarians office and have the Vet tech do it for you for about $8.00. Most Puppies don't like this, but practice makes perfect. They will become accustom to having it done and will stand for you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Teeth care There is nothing worse than doggy breath. I recommend using a good dog biscuit. You will need to have his teeth professionally cleaned at the vets office at least once a year. You can also brush his teeth yourself, but this needs to be started at an early age to make it easier on both of you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Feeding I recommend using Purina brand dog and puppy food. You may want to consult you veterinarian about what food is right for your pooch. Steer clear of feeding from the table, and junk food. This is not good for the little guy and could upset his belly. It will also make him not want his dog food. You also need to be on a feeding schedule or offer free choice. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exercise If your dog is a highly energetic animal and loves to run and play. Then They need a fenced in back yard to play, However they do very well in an apartment with adequate exercise. Daily walks is highly recommended and would be good for everyone's health. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ear Care Ear infections are a fairly common problem with dogs and can be quite painful if not detected early and taken care of. Dogs with long hair and floppy ears require regular ear maintenance. Their long floppy ears restrict air flow. Good air circulation in the ear is necessary to prevent ear infections, eliminating the moist environment in which bacteria thrive. If your dog seems to have something wrong with his ears which causes him to scratch at them or shake his head, cautiously explore the ear with a cotton swab. An accumulation of wax will probably work itself out. Dirt, dried blood or foul smelling ears are indications of infection or ear mites and should be treated immediately. Your Pooch will benefit from routine and frequent ear cleaning. A mixture of 1/2 peroxide and 1/2 alcohol can be used, or purchase a good cleansing solution from your veterinarian. Regular ear cleaning will soften and remove dead tissue, debris and wax. The best way to clean ears is to use a paper towel wrapped around a finger. Using cotton swabs to clean the ears could result in damage if you probe too deeply into the ear. Cotton balls may be placed into the ear while bathing to keep ears dry. Grooming around the ears such as the typical cocker cut is of much benefit for the Dogs ears. The top 1/3 of the ears are trimmed close, as well as the inside of the ears and neck covered by the ears. This cut will give the dog great air flow to its ears. Any time your dog visits the veterinarian, ask them to check its ears. An Otto scope, a lighted, hand-held tool, will be used. This tool magnifies the ear canal. It can be purchased from pet supply catalogs and operates on two AAA batteries. If ears are not properly taken care of, enough scar tissue will form. This may result in surgery or loss of hearing. Routine ear care will help prevent problems and also detect problems before they become serious. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flea's All dogs get flea's. I recommend using Advantage once a month spot on. You can also treat bedding, toys with Adams flea and tick spray. Works great. However you may want to consult you veterinarian about what product would work best for your dog. Also Borax in the carpet. (regular Mule team Borax)You just sprinkle it on (brush it around with a broom) and vacuum it up. Do this about 2-3x a year. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Health Problems Due to the over breeding and neglect by puppy mills and the back yard breeder over the years the Some Breeds have developed some health problems that you should be aware of. Most of these problems can be corrected with a simple operation, however steer clear of the behavioral issues. Cherry Eye PROLAPSED GLAND OF THE THIRD EYELID (Cherry Eye): When the tear gland of the third eyelid pops out of position, it protrudes from behind the eyelid as a reddish mass. This prolapsed tear gland condition is commonly referred to as "cherry eye". The problem is seen primarily in young dogs, including the Cocker Spaniel, Lhasa Also, Shih-Tzu, Poodle, Beagle, and Bulldog. It's also seen sometimes in certain cat breeds including the Burmese. Despite its appearance, cherry eye itself is not a painful condition. However, the longer the tear gland is exposed, the more likely it will come irritated and inflamed. If the patient rubs at the eye, it could cause the gland to bleed or become infected. Furthermore, the function of the tear gland could become compromised if the gland is exposed for long periods of time. To correct cherry eye, surgical REPLACEMENT of the gland is necessary. This treatment is superior to a somewhat older technique of surgically REMOVING the gland. The gland of the third eyelid plays an important role in maintaining normal tear production. We now know that dogs who have had the tear gland removed are predisposed to developing Dry Eye Syndrome later in life. Dry Eye Syndrome is uncomfortable for the patient, and requires the owner to administer topical medications several times a day for the remainder of the patient's life. To avoid this condition, it is preferable to tuck the tear gland back inside the third eyelid, where it can continue to function normally. The procedures use to correct cherry eye by ophthalmologists vary depending on surgeon preference but a common procedure is called a "pocket technique". Although the gland cannot be put back into its original position in the third eyelid, a new pocket is made near the original position. The tear gland is tucked inside the pocket and the pocket is sutured closed. Aggressive behavior there is no correcting this issue. I don't care what anyone says. If you see that the Mother or Father is aggressive than don't buy the Pup because you will be buying trouble. This aggressive behavior is due to the back yard breeders and puppy mills neglect over the years. And anyone breeding such dog's is not a respectable breeder. Ear Problems,Skin conditions,Tumors ,Eye / Vision Problems, There are several health conditions that the Dog may suffer from. Some are due to poor breeding standards, Other are not related to any specific breed at all, but may affect your Dog at some point in his life. For more information on health issues please contact your Veterinarian. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Before you Buy There are a few things you should do before you decide to buy a Puppy. Ask to see the Parents - Look for any health problems in the parents, such as the skin, eyes, and notice their temperament. Ask about the parents health and if they suffer from any of the conditions I have mentioned. Make sure you are not buying from a puppy mill. To do this, ask how many litters they have a year, If they produce a lot of litters, than its a puppy mill. Ask if they are willing to take the Pup/Dog back if you are no longer able to care for him. This should be for the life of the Dog, Any Respectable Breeder would be willing to answer your questions, and may even have a few questions for you. Such as - do you have a fenced in back yard. How much time can you spend with the Puppy every day. And where will you keep the puppy. They also may do a follow up to see how the Puppy has turned out, because they care about what type of Dog's they breed, and want to make sure they produce quality dogs and not quantity. A good breeder can be a great source of information for you and will be willing to answer any of your questions before and after you buy the pup. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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