Having a dog can help teach your children valuable lessons about responsibility, how to care for something, and how to give and receive unconditional love.
Some dog breeds are better with small children than others. Here are the 5 best dog breeds for children:
Boxer
Boxers are very playful, and are known to love children. They have a strong pack mentality, and are known to be protective of their child friends.
Boxers are big, so they’re best with kids who are large enough to handle a little rough housing and play. But, Boxers are trainable and can be taught to play gently even with small children.
Beagle
Beagles are almost never aggressive. They are playful. And, they very tolerant of kids sometimes too-rough behavior.
Beagles are very energetic, love to play, walk, and chase a ball.
Because of their sweet temperament, Beagles are the perfect dog for kids of all ages.
Mastiff
These gentle giants scare a lot of people, but aggression in Mastiffs is almost unheard of. Simply, Mastiffs seem to be aware of their size, and know that they have little need to bark or bite.
These dogs form a strong family bond, and will be very protective of their pack.
Labrador Retriever
Labs are one of the most gentle dog breeds on Earth. They are always eager to please and rarely aggressive. Like the Beagle, they are tolerant of behaviors that would set other breeds off.
Labs love to play. But, they also love to sleep next to pack members. They are high energy and love exercise, which makes them a great choice for high energy kids.
Newfoundland
Another gentle giant. These dogs are “work horses,” but that desire to work can be channeled into companionship for children. They love to pull kids through the snow on a sled, run next to them their bikes, and help them explore the yard.
Newfoundlands are incredibly affectionate. They are also known to be goofy, which makes them a great friend for small children.
Don’t forget about mixed breeds!
A dog doesn’t have to be purebred to be great with your kids. In fact, mixed breeds often have the best attributes of multiple breeds. If you are considering rescuing a mixed dog, meet with them to see their temperament. In general, most dogs are good with kids, so you can’t go wrong.
We all know dogs are smart creatures. But have you ever noticed that some seem to be smarter than others? Like human intelligence, dog intelligence occurs in many different forms. Certain breeds have particular inherit qualities and are bred to be more intelligent in certain areas.
For example, if a dog is bred to retrieve, herd, or hunt, they are more likely to be eager to work, quick on their feet, and more willing to please you. Livestock guard dogs or scent hounds, on the other hand, can sometimes seem dense or distracted.
So, while certain dog breeds are smarter in particular areas, all dogs have the capability to be trained. Some might just take a bit longer to catch on!
Stanley Coren, a neuropsychologist and author of “The Intelligence of Dogs”, uses trainability to assess a dog’s intelligence. He used research from over 200 professional dog obedience judges on more than 100 breeds. The judges scored the breeds on obedience/working tests. These ten dog breeds learned commands in no more than five repetitions and obeyed these commands at least 95% of the time.
Border Collie
The Border Collie is often thought of as a workaholic and is the world’s best sheep herder. They have extraordinary instinct, extreme intelligence, and a strong work ethic.
Poodle
Poodle’s are smart and active. They were originally bred as water retrievers. Poodle’s are a devoted family dog and make excellent companions.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd is a wonderful family companion along with a highly respectable guard, police, and military dog. They were bred to herd.
Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever’s are eager to please and highly intelligent. They were originally bred as a hunting companion and work exceptionally well as guide dogs as well as search-and-rescue helpers.
Doberman Pinscher
This is a breed known for their speed and stamina. They were bred as guardians and also work as police and war dogs.
Shetland Sheepdog
Also known as the “Sheltie”, the Shetland Sheepdog is a miniature working Collie. They have a keen intelligence and are excellent herders.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are very social dogs. They are also extremely gentle and highly intelligent. They make a wonderful family and sporting dog.
Papillon
This is an alert and happy breed. They are not known to be shy or aggressive. Though small, they are an energetic, highly intelligent breed.
Rottweiler
This breed is happiest when it has a job to do. They are powerful and hearty yet make a devoted companion. They make excellent police, service, and therapy dogs as well as herders and obedience competitors.
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are very intelligent and energetic. They love when they have a job to do such as obedience, agility, or herding.
Although these are the “smartest” dog breeds, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the “easiest”. Chris Redenbach, a dog trainer based in Atlanta said that having a smart dog “is like having a smart kid. They’re always into something and will get into trouble if they are bored”. (Pets.WebMD).
Highly intelligent dogs require a lot of time, training, and patience as they get bored easily. They tend to be more energetic than less intelligent dogs, requiring more time and training. However, many dogs that don’t appear to be very intelligent, may just be bred to be more independent.
So, it’s not necessarily a matter of “smart versus dumb” dogs, it’s more about breed, instinct, and – most importantly – training. Even the most stubborn dog can learn with enough training!
Golden Retrievers are one of America’s most popular breeds, in fact the third most popular currently. They are incredible social and have a wonderful temperament for all kinds of dog lovers. They typically weigh between 60 and 90 pounds. They have a wonderful disposition and temperament and are among the easiest of breeds to train. To keep a golden healthy you should give them plenty of exercise and feed them a balanced and stable diet.
Get Him Settled In
We recommend the first thing you should do is acclimatize your Golden to their new home. Puppies will always acclimatize quicker than adult dogs and the best way to speed this process up is to start them in a single room and slowly allow them more and more space within the house. As you move them in, you should keep them on the same diet as any stability will help them adjust. If you want to switch food brands, do it by slowly mixing the new brand with the old, increasing the portion of new food each day.
Learn His Behavior
It is important that you track your dog’s behavior for the first weeks after you welcome your Golden Retriever to your family. Consult with a veterinarian if you detect questionable or unusual behavior. You should also always exercise your golden retriever daily. They have incredible energy and playfulness, and some strenuous action to get the energy out of their system is the best way to handle a Golden Retriever. My go to exercise technique is to throw a ball and play fetch for at least 30 minutes each day. Keep a Golden Retriever retrieving and he will be happy and healthy.
Get Him Proper Exercise
Exercise is an essential part of your dog’s lifestyle, although this might seem like a big time investment. Golden retrievers that do not get enough exercise time are the most likely to pester, damage items inside the home, or become unhappy. Goldens are also vulnerable to shared dysplasia in both their front and hind legs. This is why you should do a vet check-up once a year. It’s a great opportunity to check your dogs heart as heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of deaths in Golden Retrievers.
One thing that all Golden Retrievers love is a good grooming session. Brush your dog’s whole body numerous times a week , to avoid matting or tangling of his fur. Cleaning more frequently helps keep your dog’s hair from shedding throughout the house, especially in the summer, and keeps your dog cozy in the warm temperatures.
You may also cut your dog’s hair with scissors to neaten and to thin his coat. I also recommend brushing your dog’s teeth regularly, I brush once to twice a week to keep him fresh. There are great chicken toothpastes, that dogs love. When you brush your dog’s teeth, you should always wash your hands completely before contacting your dog’s mouth or wear disposable gloves. Consult with your veterinarian if his teeth start to discolor, or if your dog has very poor breath for a drawn-out period of time. It’s possible for you to brush your dog’s teeth or you can take him to an expert for cleanings several times annually. When it comes to feeding your dog, you should feed your dog treats rather than ones that are soft to reduce bad breath and tartar build-up.
How To Recognize And Treat A Yeast Infection In Your Dog
Like humans, dogs can develop annoying and painful infections. One infection dogs can suffer from is a yeast infection. But unlike humans, this type of infection mainly affect the ears. Here is your complete guide on how to recognize a yeast infection in your dog.
Causes
Dogs that are frequently scratching their ears or tilting their head may be suffering from an ear infection due to a yeast overgrowth. A dogs ear canal is actually shaped like a “L”, plunging downward and away from their ear opening – giving a yeast a favorable opportunity to grow. Dogs that swim or are bathed frequently tend to get water or debris trapped in their ear canal – ultimately leading to a yeast infection.
Allergens such as pollen, dust, mold, feathers, cleaning products, cigarette smoke, and specific foods can also cause this type of infection.
And while an outer ear infection is fairly easy to spot and treat, once the infection spreads to the middle or inner ear it can cause the dog to lose their sense of balance.
Yeast infections can also grow on other areas of your dog and can cause the skin to become reddened, scabby, or crusty.
Furthermore, these infections tend to be more prevalent in dogs with floppy ears such as Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers, and Poodles.
Symptoms
The main symptom of a yeast infection includes excessive ear scratching – either by their paws or by rubbing it on the floor or furniture. Other symptoms include yellow, brown, or bloody discharge, an odor, crusted skin on their ear flap, swelling or redness, hair loss around the ear, and head tilting or shaking.
More serious symptoms include loss of balance or hearing as well as walking in circles and unusual eye movement.
Treatment
To treat a yeast infection, a veterinarian will look at the dogs ear canal with an otoscope to determine the severity of it. And, they may also take a sample of the discharge or material in or around the ear to examine it.
If the infection is in the outer area of the ear canal, topical antifungal cream or ointment may be prescribed.
A middle ear infection is treated with injections or tablets. With this type of infection and treatment, it may take up to six weeks to see results and further tests or surgery may be needed.
Unfortunately, some dogs suffer from chronic ear yeast infections. However, there are special cleansers and solutions that can be used as an at-home treatment.
Prevention
To help prevent yeast infections, regularly check for any odor, discharge or swelling around the ears. After your dog enjoys a swim or gets a bath, gently pat the outer part of the ears dry to avoid any built up moisture. Never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal, though, as that can severely damage the ear drum and cause problems.
If your dog is showing any of these signs or symptoms, make sure to contact your veterinarian immediately.
Picking a name for your pup can be tough. There’s a lot of pressure to pick the perfect name. After all, you’ll be calling your dog this for the rest of their lives! So why not pick an unexpected yet cute Irish name? Whether you’re Irish or not, you can still celebrate the spirit of Ireland. Here are 30 of the cutest Irish dog names.
Patrick
In reference to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Guinness
A staple among the Irish, Guinness is a black-gold stout.
Shandy
A popular Irish drink, it is a beer mixed with a soda or lemonade.
Brady
Refers to a common Irish surname and means ‘spirited’.
Bridget
Means ‘strong’.
Clover (or Shamrock for a male dog)
Although it is a commonly referred to as a four-leaf clover, it is also known to bring good luck.
Finn / Finnegan
Which means white or fair.
Finley
Refers to a ‘fair-haired hero’.
Conor
A strong-willed or wise ‘hound lover’.
Clancy
Meaning a ‘ruddy warrior’.
Kerry
Which refers to a ‘dark princess’.
And here are some more authentic Irish names:
Neala
Pronounced nee-la, it means ‘female champion’.
Roisin
Pronounced ro-sheen, it means ‘little rose’.
Rogan
A redhead.
Aidan
A ‘little fiery one’.
Maeve
The goddess of song.
Aoife
Pronounced ee-fa, it means ‘radiant or beautiful’.
Dermot
Meaning a ‘free man’.
Lorcan
Or ‘little wild one’.
Fineen
Which means ‘beautiful child’.
Sorley
A summer traveler or viking.
Meara
Which means ‘happy’.
Anlon
Meaning ‘champion’.
Eamon
Or “guardian”.
Elroy
A “red-haired youth”.
Phelan
Meaning joyful.
Mirna
Which means ‘tender’.
Quigley
Meaning unruly hair.
Covey
“Hound of the plains”.
Whether you’re Irish or not, break away from the common dog name and consider naming your pup one of these names native to Ireland instead!
There is no doubt there is something striking about a dog with blue eyes. That’s not to say we don’t love our brown-eyed pups, but we can’t help but stare a little longer at the dogs with those baby blues. But what breeds have blue eyes? And why do some have them and others don’t? We’re here to explain.
To start, there are four ways a dog can have blue eyes. One is completely genetic while the other three are due to pigment loss in their coat.
The Merle Gene
The most common reason a dog is blue-eyed is due to a side effect of the merle gene. Merle dilutes random parts of a dogs pigment – including the nose and eyes – and causes the blue color in their iris. Because of this, “merle dogs” often have “butterfly” noses as well as completely blue, split, or wall eyes.
Split eyes are when the eye has some blue in it while the rest is brown or amber. Wall eyes are when one eye is completely blue and the other is completely brown or amber.
The more diluted the coat of a merle dog is, the more likely they’ll be blue-eyed or butterfly-nosed.
A dog with one dose of the merle gene will show effects such as scattered spots of missing pigment – which includes the iris. Dogs with two doses of the gene are often deaf.
White Around the Eyes
Another cause is when they have a significant amount of white around their eyes. White spots or areas on a dogs coat means the cells are not able to produce pigment. If these spread to the face, there could be pigment loss in the nose and in the eyes – causing the eyes to be blue and the nose to the pink.
C Series
The third cause of blue eyes is when a pup is affected by the “C series” – also known as “albino.” While there are no confirmed albino cases in dogs, “white Dobermans” have an extremely light coat, blue eyes, and a completely pink nose. They are thought to be a form of albinism.
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A Separate Gene
The last cause is due to inheritance of a completely separate gene – unaffected by the coat color. It’s a rare gene, however, and occasionally occurs in Border Collies but is mainly seen in Siberian Huskies. Siberian Huskies can either have one blue eye or two – no matter what their coat color is.
The Breeds that Have Them
There are certain breeds that have blue eyes regardless of their coat color. These breeds include the Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Dalmatian, and Shetland Sheepdog.
Siberian Huskies can have blue, brown, or amber eyes or one blue and one brown eye, among others. Their blue eye color is not associated with deafness at all, unlike other breeds with blue eyes. Deaf Huskies are actually extremely rare.
Australian Shepherds typically have amber, brown, blue or azure eyes. BorderCollies, contrary to popular belief, do not get their blue eyes from their ancestor – the Husky. In fact, a blue eye color always appears in a Border Collie and is thought to be desirable as it considered a “watch eye.”
Dalmatians with blue eyes are thought to be more at risk for deafness than those with brown eyes. Blue-eyed Shetland Sheepdogs are due to the dominant “merle coat color gene,” which has been linked to deafness.
Some dogs, like Weimaraners, may have blue eyes as a puppy but will change color as they age.
Though it is rare, some dogs can have blue eyes regardless of their breed or coat (since it is a recessive gene). Puppies, for example, can be born with blue eyes even if their parents don’t have them.
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So if you’ve ever wondered why certain breeds have blue eyes and others don’t, here’s your answer! But no matter what color our pups eyes are, we love them just the same.
Puppies are undoubtedly adorable. Their little paws, wide eyes, and cute ears are enough to make you want more than one. Something that’s not so adorable about puppies? Their teething phase.
As puppies teethe, they want to bite everything and anything they can – including your fingers! It may be cute at first, but it can lead to undesirable behaviors as an adult. Plus, those puppy teeth are sharp! Here is a guide to help stop your puppy from biting you.
Prohibit the Biting
During normal puppy play, they mouth each other. When the mouthing turns to the biting, the receiving puppy will yelp, startling the biter and causing them to release. Humans can use this behavior to help their teething puppy learn how much is too much. When a puppy begins biting your finger, let your hand go limp and let out a yelp (or loud “Ow”) sound. Then, ignore them for about 10-20 seconds and then resume play.
Don’t pull away from a bite, though. Pulling away will trigger your puppy’s instinct to chase and make the issue worse. Also, don’t repeat the process more than three times in fifteen minutes. If it gets to that point, it’s time for a puppy time out!
The goal with prohibiting is to teach the puppy that rough play is not okay. Once the hard bites are stopped, work on more moderate bites until they learn to mouth without biting at all.
Redirection
In order to completely stop your puppy from biting, you will need to use redirection. To do this, when a puppy goes to bite you, move your hand away and place a treat or wave a toy in front of them until they bite it.
Non-contact games, like tug-of-war and fetch, can also help with their urge to bite. The key is to not let the games get too aggressive or teach them “leave it” so you can remove something from their mouth without worrying about aggression.
Distraction
Puppies don’t exclusively bite your fingers – they’ll bite anything they can get their mouths on! Make sure you provide an array or safe and interesting chew toys (in addition to puppy proofing your home) so they stay occupied. Toys with hidden treat options are also great for keeping your puppy occupied!
Also, setup playtime with other puppies and vaccinated dogs to help them socialize. They can teach them what is acceptable in terms of playing and biting and provide them with socialization skills.
Deterrence
Some products can be used to deter your puppy from biting off-limit things. Products like No Chew Spray or Bitter Appleleaves an unpleasant taste in their mouth when they lick it. But, it’s not as easy as just spraying an object and hoping for the best.
First, they need to associate the taste and smell with no chewing. To do this, spray a small amount on a cotton ball or tissue and put it in their mouth. They’ll most likely spit it out immediately where you can then let them smell it so it makes the association.
Then, spray it on the item. Though it may sound mean, don’t let your dog have access to water for up to an hour to ensure the deterrence method works. Spray the product on the item you don’t want them to chew or lick once a day for two to four weeks. You can even use it on your hands to help your puppy associate the taste with chewing your fingers.
With enough time and patience, your puppy will learn your fingers are off limits in no time. Using a combination of these three methods will help effectively teach your tiny teething friend what is acceptable to bite and what isn’t!
The Easy-To-Follow Schedule For Puppy Vaccinations
You just got a new puppy – congratulations! Get ready for endless fun, lots of love, and a lifelong companion. You may know puppies require more vaccinations than adult dogs but do you know which ones they need and when? Here is an easy-to-follow guide and schedule for puppy vaccinations.
The Vaccinations Puppies Need
Bordetella Bronchiseptica
Bordetella is primary cause of kennel cough. It is a highly contagious bacterial disease that causes coughing, vomiting, and even death. Injections and nasal spray vaccines are available.
Canine Distemper
Distemper is an extremely serious disease that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and nervous system. It causes watery eyes and noses, fever, coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, seizures, twitching, paralysis, and even death. There is no cure but the symptoms can be alleviated. One vaccine given between the ages of 12-16 weeks typically protects a dog for life from developing distemper.
Canine Hepatitis
Different from human hepatitis, canine hepatitis is a liver disease. It causes slight fever and congestion. It also causes vomiting and bloat. There is no cure for this disease, but dogs can overcome mild cases. Severe cases may result in death.
Canine Parainfluenza
Parainfluenza is another virus that contributes to kennel cough.
Corona Virus
Affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) system, this is a nasty virus that can also cause respiratory infections. Symptoms include lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. And while there is no cure, vet’s can help lessen the symptoms.
Heartworm
Heartworm prevention is extremely important for puppies. It is not a vaccine, but a monthly pill that will protect your puppy from contracting the disease through infected mosquitos. Dogs in early stages of heartworm disease show little to no symptoms but more a more severe case will result in coughing and trouble breathing. It can be deadly if left untreated.
Kennel Cough
Kennel cough is caused by bacterial, viral, or other infections such canine parainfluenza or Bordetella. It is an inflammation of the upper respiratory area. Mild cases cause dry, harsh coughing but severe cases can cause gagging and retching. Only rare cases end in death but it is highly contagious and spreads quickly.
Leptospirosis
This disease is caused by bacteria and dogs often show little to no symptoms. If they do appear, expect vomiting, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weakness. Antibiotics are most effective at treating leptospirosis.
Lyme Disease
Transmitted via ticks, Lyme disease in dogs causes swollen lymph nodes, fever, and loss of appetite and affect their heart, kidney, and joints. If left untreated, it can lead to neurological disorders. Antibiotics can treat it if diagnosed quickly, though relapses can happen.
Parvovirus
A GI disease, parvo causes vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, and severe diarrhea. Extreme dehydration happens quickly and can often lead to death within 48 to 72 hours. Immediate veterinary attention is required. There is no cure, but keeping the dog hydrated and the symptoms under control will help them build up their immune system.
Rabies
Rabies can cause death rather quickly if treatment isn’t given within hours. It invades the central nervous system and causes anxiety, headaches, excessive drooling, hallucinations, and paralysis. Almost every state requires a rabies vaccination.
Schedule
Here is a schedule to help you determine when to bring your puppy in for their vaccinations:
Age
Recommended Vaccinations
OptionalVaccinations
6-8 weeks
Distemper, measles, parainfluenza
Bordetella
10-12 weeks
DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus)
Puppy vaccinations will cost an average of $75-$100, depending on where you live. This will include the “core” vaccines of DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvo, and parainfluenza) given at 6-, 12-, and 16 weeks of age.
Shelters often charge less for vaccines. Most charge around $20 but some are even free. If you adopted your puppy from a shelter, they most likely received the necessary age-appropriate vaccinations.
The first year of vaccinations is the most important one. They help prevent nasty diseases and parasites that dogs can easily contract. After your puppy finishes their core vaccinations, work out a schedule with your veterinarian for annual exams and vaccinations to ensure your dog remains healthy through his adolescence into adulthood!
Pets Throughout History: Bud the First Dog to Cross America
Only one look at Bud Nelson is sufficient to tell you that he was the biggest dog who ever lived.
He is an old-timey dog if he had not existed, wearing glasses in scratchy monochrome photograph, he’d have been dreamed up as a cast member of Mad Max. The human in the picture is Bud Nelson’s owner, a physician called Horatio Nelson.
Horatio was the first guy to cross America by automobile in the year 1903, with his hilariously called co-motorist Sewall K. Crocker and, of course, Bud the Bulldog. Bud was made the first dog to cross the United States by automobile.
At that time, the car was still in its infancy, and therefore driving was not neither dangerous nor interesting. The automobile was a roofless monstrosity with little to no suspension to shield them from the roads that are largely unpaved, while belching out noxious smoke and it’d have made lots of noise.
But Bud Nelson was not more cowardly around the matter than some folks would have now been back then. He sat there looking only as joyful as he does in the picture, all the way through the continent of North America and was offered the goggles to shield his eyes.
The life of the full dog seemingly lived after the cross country excursion, content to safeguard the Jackson home in Vermont and take brief car trips with his master around Burlington.
Following the departure of Bud, the Jacksons constantly kept a minimum of one dog in their home, though none ever became as recognized as the begoggled bull pup who’d crossed the continent.
11 All-Too-Common Skin Problems To Keep An Eye Out For With Your Dog
There are few things more annoying than a skin problem – the constant itching, the rashes, and the overall discomfort. And when dogs suffer from them, we feel even worse since they can’t tell us what’s wrong! So, we’ve rounded up 11 common skin problems to keep an eye out for with your pup.
Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange, also known as Red Mange, Follicular Mange, or Demodex, is common in puppies and dogs with weak immune systems. It’s a surplus of the Demodectic mite and causes hair loss, sores, and inflamed, thickened skin.
Sarcoptic Mange
Also known as Scabies, Sarcoptic Mange are highly contagious to both other pets and humans. It causes extreme itching and inflamed, raised rashes on the skin. Topical treatments can kill the mites but to fully get rid of them, a thorough washing of every bit of clothing, carpeting, and furniture in your house is necessary.
Fleas
A common skin problem among dogs, the saliva of a flea bit causes a very itchy reaction on their skin. Fleas can be spread easily and can be difficult to eliminate completely – especially in homes with a lot of carpet. The best flea treatment is prevention!
Ringworm
Ringworm is not, in fact, a parasite. It’s actually a very contagious fungal infection that can be spread easily between both animals and humans. This disease causes scaly, itchy patches of hair loss and swelling that resembles a “bullseye”
Skin Infections
Skin infections can occur when bacteria or yeast enters the body through cuts in the skin. It can be caused by constant itching or a pre-existing skin condition. Skin infections can cause bleedingm itching, and pain and sometimes require antibiotics or steroids to treat.
Allergies
Environmental or food allergies can cause major skin problems for your pup. Although diagnosing allergies in dogs is not always easy, your veterinarian can administer some tests to find out if that’s what is your pup’s skin issue.
Boredom or Stress
Some dogs suffering from anxiety will lick and chew their legs as a response. This is common among dogs with separation anxiety or those who don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation.
Grooming Products
Some shampoos or other grooming products could cause irritation. Make sure to only use products for dog’s and talk with your veterinarian if your dog has sensitive skin to find the right products for them.
Hormonal Problems
If the reproductive hormones are imbalanced, dogs can suffer from Alopecia, also known as generalized hair loss. Chihuahuas and Miniature Pinschers are more prone to Alopecia thanks to their short-hair. Other skin conditions, like dermatosis, can also be linked to hormonal problems.
Metabolic Diseases
Diseases like Cushing’s and Addison’s have symptoms that affect the adrenal glands. They have diverse symptoms that can include hair coat changes or a change in skin color.
Neurological Disorders
Some brain, spinal cord, or nervous disorders can cause dogs to chew or scratch at their skin. When their brain signals are disturbed on their way to the peripheral nerves, it can cause itching or pain – leading them to damage their skin. Neurological diseases, like Canine Distemper, attacks the skin cells and the brain.
The common symptoms of skin issues include odor, licking or chewing at the skin, dry or flaky skin, inflammation or redness, hair loss, scabs, hot spots, rashes, and swelling.
If you suspect your dog may be suffering from one of these 11 skin problems, contact your veterinarian immediately!
