Ever since man discovered fire, the dog has been his best friend. The dog has helped man to obtain food, to watch over his flock, to guard his home and, above all, it has given man its constant love and devotion.
They are animals that live in a pack and crave the presence of other creatures, of their own species or human. Dogs pass no judgement on their companion: they care little about your appearance or what you do for a living. As every dog owner knows, your return gives rise to yelps of joy and wagging tails. Who else but the dog behaves this way?
Diet:
Foods with nutritional content suited to each dog, found in specialist shops, are very suitable (e.g. dry kibble). Good quality, however, is essential.
Meals should be given 2 or even 3 times a day (depending on age); avoid exercise for 2 hours after, or just before, meals.
Beware of chocolate, which is toxic!
Care:
Its eyes should be bright and clear, and its ears should be clean, odourless and not weeping.
The coat should be shiny, clean and free of parasites.
The stools should be well formed and regular, and the urine should look normal (no redness, no brown appearance, no long unsuccessful attempts to urinate).
Prevention against fleas and ticks + worms is necessary.
Brushing is important for all dogs, even those with short coats.
Regular and fairly long walks are a must.
Vaccination is strongly recommended against canine distemper, canine viral hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus. Vaccination against rabies and the microchip are compulsory for crossing borders (note: a few exceptions apply depending on the canton. The microchip is compulsory throughout Switzerland). Vaccination against kennel cough is strongly recommended before a stay in boarding kennels.
Exercise and training are vital for you to establish good habits and for the benefit of your owner-dog relationship. Puppy play classes are recommended for young dogs.
Common diseases
The main problems in dogs concern parasites, the skin and allergies, the ears, the teeth, and the joints with age.
Parasites are common: fleas and ticks on the skin, worms in the digestive tract. Regular prevention (antiparasitics, deworming) remains the best protection. The skin can also react with allergies, causing itching, redness and hair loss.
The ears become infected easily (ear infection / otitis): the dog scratches, shakes its head, and the ear is red, painful or gives off a bad smell. As for the teeth, tartar builds up over time and causes bad breath.
As they age, many dogs develop wear of the joints (osteoarthritis): stiffness, difficulty getting up, and lameness, especially in the morning or in cold weather.
When to see a vet promptly persistent itching, a red, painful or foul-smelling ear, lameness or stiffness, marked bad breath.
When to see a vet urgently a swollen, tight belly with attempts to vomit without bringing anything up (gastric torsion (GDV/bloat), especially in large dogs: a life-threatening emergency); a suspected poisoning (chocolate, grapes, household products); heatstroke (never leave a dog in a car in the sun).
The veterinarian's advice keep vaccination, deworming and protection against fleas and ticks up to date: prevention avoids many diseases.
Key points a swollen belly with unproductive attempts to vomit in a large dog is an emergency: do not wait. This information does not replace a consultation.