Dog Husbandry 2024-2025 PDF

DOG HUSBANDRY GEORGINA CATLOW BVSC MRCVS LEARNING OUTCOMES Define the dog breed groups, and give examples of breeds within each group Describe the husbandry requirements of dogs, including diet, behaviour and welfare Describe how dogs are bred and how pups are ca...

DOG HUSBANDRY GEORGINA CATLOW BVSC MRCVS LEARNING OUTCOMES Define the dog breed groups, and give examples of breeds within each group Describe the husbandry requirements of dogs, including diet, behaviour and welfare Describe how dogs are bred and how pups are cared for DOG BREEDS 2 DOG BREED GROUPS 3 GUN Originally trained to find/retrieve game Group divided into 4 categories: - Retrievers - Spaniels - Hunt/point/retrieve - Pointers and setters They make good companions, their temperaments making them suitable for families Require fair bit of exercise 4 HOUND Originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight - The scent hounds incl. beagle and bloodhound - The sight hounds include breeds such as greyhound Many like a significant amount of exercise - some don’t! 5 PA S T O R A L Herding dogs that are associated with working cattle, sheep, reindeer and other cloven-footed animals Usually have a weatherproof double coat to protect it from the elements when working in severe weather conditions E.g., Border Collie, German Shepherd 6 TERRIER Originally bred and used for hunting vermin Terrier comes from the Latin word Terra (meaning earth) Hardy dogs selectively bred to be brave and tough, and to pursue fox, badger, rat and otter above and below ground E.g., WHWT, Border 7 TOY Toy breeds are small companion or lap dogs Many of the toy breeds were bred for this capacity, some have been placed into this category due to their size They usually have friendly personalities and love attention Do not need a large amount of exercise Can be finicky eaters E.g., Bichon Frise, Yorkie, CKCS 8 UTILITY Miscellaneous breeds of dog, mainly of a non-sporting origin The name ‘utility’ essential means fitness for a purpose and most breeds within this group perform a specific function not included in the sporting or working categories E.g., Standard poodle, Bulldog 9 WORKING Over the centuries, these dogs were selectively bred to become guards and search and rescue dogs E.g., Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain dog 10 HUSBANDRY 11 DIET Member of the order Carnivora, in the Canidae family Omnivorous - Commercial foods – wet/dry - Home prepared - Raw food Provide ad-lib water 12  CANINE OBESITY Almost two-thirds of dogs in developed countries are overweight Feeding too much!!! …cake, chocolate, biscuits, crisps, chips, takeaway, table scraps and even alcohol served… (PDSA, 2017) Predisposes to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and weight related issues such as arthritis 13  CANINE OBESITY ‘Researchers found that a variant of one gene in particular, known as POMC, was strongly associated with weight, obesity and appetite in Labradors and flat coat retrievers.’ ‘Around one in four (23%) Labradors is thought to carry at least one copy of the variant. In both breeds, for each copy of the gene carried, the dog was on average 1.9kg heavier, an effect size particularly notable given the extent to which owners, rather than the dogs themselves, control the amount of food and exercise their dogs receive.’ Raffan, E et al. A deletion in the canine POMC gene is associated with weight and appetite in obesity prone Labrador retriever dogs. Cell Metabolism; 3 May 2016; DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.04.012 https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/genetic-variant-may-help-explain-why-labradors-are-prone-to-obesity 14 BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) Dogs scored 1-9 (1-3 = underweight, 4-5 = ideal, 6-9 = overweight/obese) Assess coverage over ribs and tail base Take side and overhead views of animal – look for abdominal tuck and how much of a ‘waist’ visible 15 5 BODY CONDITION SCORE (BCS) GUIDELINES 15 6 QUESTION: KNOW THE SCORE? » Benny » Trixie 6-year-old, MN, Golden Retriever 4-year-old, FE, WHWT Exam: abdomen looks tucked from the Exam: back is slightly broadened at the side, and the waist is nipped in from overhead views. The ribs can easily be felt waist, Tail base is difficult to feel. No and there is contour to the tail base. abdominal tuck visible on side view, and ribs are not palpable without firm pressure. What score is most appropriate? What score is most appropriate? 17 FEEDING DOGS Adults Wild dogs hunt and kill in packs - They have a hierarchical system - They eat a large meal quickly and then rest Domestic dogs follow this pattern Feed once/twice daily Senior Last 1/3rd life span Reduced activity and lower BMR 18 AC T I V I T Y A N D B E H AV I O U R Around 50% day spent sleeping, 30% resting and 20% in activity Physical and mental exercise Amount and type depends on breed, the individual age and health Dog hunt in packs Need social interaction and cooperation because they depend on each other for survival 19 ROUTINE VETERINARY CARE Parasite Control Flea/tick/worming (incl. lungworm) – protocols vary dep. on area/risk factors Vaccinations Leptospira, Adenovirus, Distemper virus, Parvovirus (Parainfluenza virus, Bordetella, Rabies) Grooming At home/groomers Breed variation 20 T R AV E L L I N G I N C A RS 21 BREEDING 22 CANINE BREEDING Before breeding: - Vet check - Up-to-date with vaccinations - Wormed Bitches usually in heat every 6 months (can vary) The bitch should be over a year old, and preferably had one normal season prior to mating 23 CANINE BREEDING Bitch and dog in ‘tie’ 24  CANINE BREEDING Gestation period: 63 days Average litter size: around 6 pups (can be more ++) Pre-whelping preparation: - Introduce whelping box from 50 days onwards - Include toys/bedding, feed her there 25 WHELPING 3 Stages: 1. Start of contractions 2. Delivery of the puppy 3. Delivery of placenta Normally between 2 and 24hrs (breed variation) Go off food, temp drops and licking genitals – within 24hrs prior to whelping Puppies can come front, or rear end first out of birth canal (true ‘breech’ hindlegs forward) Normal for clear, red or green vaginal discharge ‘Dystocia’ 16 x more likely in brachycephalic breeds (e.g. Pug, French bulldog) 26 CARE OF THE NEWBORN PUP Born with ears and eyes closed; eyes take around 10 days to open, ears 14 days Handle as little as possible until 3 weeks old Environmental temperature for puppies: Day 1: 32oC Day 5: 29.5oC Day 7-10: 26.5oC By end of week 4: 22oC 27 N U T R I T I O N I N P R E G N A N C Y A N D L A C TAT I O N First 5-6 weeks gestation only small increase in nutrient requirements Requirements increase during the last 3-4 weeks Feed small meals of concentrated diet - puppy food from 3-4 weeks https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/4009/feeding-during- pregnancy.jpg?mode=pad&width=1000&rnd=132443383100000000 28 L A C TAT I O N Nutritionally most demanding phase Colostrum produced first 24-36hrs, peak lactation 3-4wks postpartum May lose body weight. Maintain increased rations until BW regained (~8-10wks postpartum) Weeks 1-3: Increase meals to 3x /day Week 4: 4x meals/day If nursing a big litter – ad lib food 29  WEANING AND GROWTH Weaning begins 3-4wks of age - commercial weaning foods small amounts (dam’s food) By 8wks old fully weaned High demand for energy, proteins, vit’s and min’s – balance important Feed frequently initially, reducing with maturity Maturity: Toy – fully grown at 6-9m, Giant breeds 16-18m 30 TRAINING ‘Socialisation period’: from birth up to 16 weeks of age; critical that socialisation happens now otherwise important learning and development phases have passed. Incl. getting used to household noises, to getting out and about and meeting new people and other dogs etc. You can teach an old dog new tricks… 31 SUMMARY There are 7 dog breed groups, bred originally for a variety of uses Dogs are omnivores, and in the ‘wild’ would hunt in a pack Bitches usually come into season approx. every 6 months The gestation period of the bitch is ~63 days, and bitches should be fed puppy food from around week 3 Weaning begins from 3-4 weeks old and is complete by around week 8 The socialisation period of puppies is incredibly important for future behaviour 32