Puppy Care and Nutrition Quiz

Dog Husbandry

• Seven dog breed groups exist, originally bred for various purposes
• Dogs are omnivores; in the wild, they hunt in packs
• Female dogs (bitches) typically come into heat approximately every six months
• The gestation period for dogs is about 63 days
• Bitches should be fed puppy food from around week three of pregnancy
• Weaning typically begins at 3-4 weeks and is complete by week 8
• The socialisation period for puppies is crucial for their future behaviour

Learning Outcomes

• Students will define dog breed groups and give examples of breeds within each group
• Students will describe dog husbandry requirements, including diet, behaviour, and welfare
• Students will describe how dogs are bred and how puppies are cared for

Dog Breeds

• Dog breeds are categorized into groups including Terrier, Gun, Hound, Pastoral, Utility, Working, and Toy
• Gun dogs were initially trained for finding and retrieving game
• Divided into Retrievers, Spaniels, and Hunt/point/retrieve (Pointers and Setters)
• Gun dogs make good companions and require moderate exercise
• Hound dogs are used for hunting by sight or scent
• Examples include beagles and bloodhounds (Scent Hounds) and greyhounds (Sight Hounds)
• Many hound dogs need significant exercise; some don't
• Pastoral dogs are associated with working livestock
• Usually have a weatherproof double coat
• Examples include Border Collies and German Shepherds
• Terrier dogs were originally bred for hunting vermin
• Come from the Latin word 'terra' meaning earth
• Hardy and tough, pursuing various animals above and below ground
• Toy breeds are small companion or lap dogs
• Many were bred for this purpose
• Generally have friendly personalities and need little exercise
• Miscellaneous breeds of dog, mainly not sporting.
• They perform specific functions beyond sporting or working
• Examples include standard poodles and bulldogs
• Working dogs were selectively bred as guards and search/rescue dogs
• Examples include Rottweilers and Bernese Mountain Dogs

Diet

• Dogs are part of the Carnivora order, specifically the Canidae family
• Dogs are omnivores
• Commercial dog food (wet/dry) is available
• Home-prepared dog food is also an option
• Raw food is another nutritional choice
• Dogs need continuous access to water

Canine Obesity

• Almost two-thirds of dogs in developed countries are overweight
• Overfeeding is a key cause
• Common causes of overfeeding: Cake, Chocolate, Biscuits, Crisps, Chips, Takeaway, Table Scraps, Alcohol
• Obesity predisposes dogs to cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis
• A genetic variant (POMC) is linked to obesity in Labrador retrievers and flat-coated retrievers

Body Condition Score (BCS)

• Dogs are scored on a scale of 1 to 9 (1-3 = underweight, 4-5 = ideal, 6-9 = overweight/obese)
• Assess coverage over ribs and tail base
• Observe abdominal tuck and waist visibility

Feeding Dogs

• Adults:

  • Wild dogs hunt in packs and have a hierarchical system. They eat large meals quickly and then rest.
  • Domestic dogs typically eat once or twice daily.

• Seniors:

  • Reduced activity and lower basal metabolic rate (BMR)
  • Feed once or twice per day.

Activity and Behaviour

• Dogs spend approximately 50% of their day sleeping, 30% resting, and 20% in active behaviours
• Physical and mental exercise varies according to breed, age, and health
• Dogs are social animals and need interaction with other dogs in packs

Routine Veterinary Care

• Parasite control is crucial (fleas, ticks, worms including lungworm)
• Vaccination schedule includes: Leptospira, Adenovirus, Distemper virus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza virus, Bordetella, and Rabies
• Grooming needs at home or by groomers. Breed variations exist

Travelling in Cars

• 48% of UK dog owners are possibly breaking highway codes by not restraining dogs appropriately
• Dogs should be securely restrained

Canine Breeding

• Before breeding dogs, a veterinary check and vaccination updates are necessary
• Puppies should also be wormed
• Bitches typically come into heat every six months
• Bitches should be at least one year old and have had a (normal) season before breeding
• Canine mating stages exist
• Gestation period: 63 days
• Average litter size: Approximately 6 puppies; however, larger litters are possible
• Pre-whelping preparation includes introducing puppies to their whelping box (i.e. after week 5 of pregnancy), toys, bedding and food)
• Whelping
  • Three stages: Contractions, delivery of the puppy, delivery of placenta
  • Generally between 2 and 24 hours
  • Puppies could arrive front first, or rear (hindlegs) first into the birth canal
  • Normal for clear, red, or green discharge
  • Dystocia (difficult birth) is 16x more likely in brachycephalic breeds

Care of the Newborn Pup

• Born with ears and eyes closed; eyes open after 10 days, ears after 14 days
• Handle them as little as possible until three weeks old
• Environmental temperatures should be maintained at 32°C (Day 1); 29.5°C (Day 5); 26.5°C (Day 7-10); 22°C (end of week 4)

Nutrition in Pregnancy and Lactation

• First 5-6 weeks of pregnancy, nutrient requirements increase slightly
• Nutrient requirements increase significantly during the last 3-4 weeks of gestation
• Small, frequent meals of concentrated diet (puppy food, from approximately week 3 onwards) are necessary
• Lactation increases nutritional requirements; increased meals (3-4x per day) are essential

Weaning and Growth

• Weaning begins at 3-4 weeks of age.
• Commercial puppy foods and dam's food should be offered in small amounts.
• Weaned by 8 weeks
• High demand of energy, proteins, and vitamins
• Food frequency should be high initially then reduced gradually with maturation
• Different breeds mature at different rates

Training

• Critical socialisation phase from birth to 16 weeks of age.
• Includes getting used to household noises and meeting people and other dogs.
• Older dogs can still learn

Summary

• Seven dog breed groups exist.
• Dogs are omnivores; in the wild, they hunt in packs.
• Female dogs typically come into heat approximately every six months.
• The gestation period for dogs is about 63 days.
• Bitches should be fed puppy food from around week three of pregnancy.
• Weaning begins typically at 3-4 weeks and is relatively complete by week 8.
• The socialisation period for puppies is extremely important for their future behaviour.