Other names/Nicknames:

• Ci Llaathaid (meaning Yard Long Dog)

Country/Date of origin:

• Great Britain
• 1200’s

Height:

• 10 to 12 inches at shoulder

Weight:

• 25 to 38 pounds

Personality:

• Bright and alert, but only moderately active.
• Intelligent and very willing to please.
• Easily trained. However, the Corgi will train you with ease if you are not careful.
• Playful nature.
• Good watchdog.
• Reserved with strangers.
• Noisy.

History:

In the Pembrokeshire district of Wales, the Corgi without a tail has been the all around farm dog for centuries.  It is an excellent cattle drover and vermin router.  Although it has been interbred with the Cardigan Corgi since the 19th century, it did not have the same ancestors.  The Cardigan has dachshunds and farm collies in its background, and the Pembroke descended from northern spitz-type dogs.  The small size is an asset in the Corgi’s style of droving.  It nips the heels of the cows, and when they kick in retaliation, it drops to the ground to avoid the flying heels.  The little dog is fearless—seemingly unaware that it is so small.  The first Corgis were shown in Britain in 1925, with both types in a single class.  In 1934, the two varieties were separated for show purposes.

Body Type:

• Sturdy dog whose body is long in relationship to its very short legs.
• Muscular in appearance.
• The tail is very short and, if not naturally bobtail, is always docked.
• The ears are erect, of medium size, and are not altered.  The Pembroke’s ears are set closer together and are smaller than the Cardigan’s.

Coat:

• The straight, medium-length coat lies flat and is harsh to the touch.
• Permissible colors are red, sable, fawn, black, or tan, with or without white markings.
• Minimal amount of grooming necessary.

Health and Wellness:

• Hip dysplasia.
• von Willebrand’s disease.
• Dystocia.
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
• Idiopathic epilepsy.
• Atopy.
• Food allergy.

What you should know:

• The Pembroke is much more popular than the Cardigan.
• The Pembroke enjoys the patronage of the Queen of England.  Her father, King George VI, gave two Pembrokes to his daughters as childhood pets.  She still fancies the breed and is often photographed with them.
• Does well in an apartment.
• Owners often have two Corgis so they can amuse themselves when left alone.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Ci Llathaid (meaning Yard-Long Dog)

Country/Date of origin:

• Great Britain
• 1200’s

Height:

• 10 to 12 inches at shoulder

Weight:

• 25 to 38 pounds

Personality:

• Bright and alert but only moderately active.
• Intelligent and very willing to please.
• Easily trained.
• Playful nature.
• Good watchdog.
• Reserved with strangers.

History:

In the Cardiganshire region of Wales, the Corgi with a tail has been the all-around farm dog for centuries.  It is an excellent cattle drover and vermin router. Although it has been interbred with the Pembroke Corgi since the 19th century, it does not have the same ancestors.  The Cardigan has Dachshunds and farm Collies in its background, and the Pembroke descended from northern Spitz-type droving dogs.  The small size is an asset in the Corgi’s style of droving.  It nips the heels of the cows and when they kick in retaliation, it drops to the ground to avoid the flying heels.  The little dog is fearless, seemingly unaware that it is so small.  The first Corgis were shown in Britain in 1925, with both types in a single class.  In 1934, the two varieties were separated for show purposes.

Body Type:

• Sturdy looking dog whose body is long in relationship to its height.
• The tail is long, bushy, and carried low.  It is never altered.
• The ears are large, erect, and wide set.  They are not altered.
• The Cardigan’s ears are set wider, are more rounded, and larger than the Pembroke’s.
• Dogs may have one or two pale blue eyes in the merle coloring.

Coat:

• The dense, harsh, medium-length coat lies close to the body.
• Permissible colors are red, sable, brindle, blue merle, or black with or without tan or blue brindle points.
• All colors usually with white markings.
• Requires little coat care.

Health and Wellness:

• Hip dysplasia.
• von Willebrand’s disease.
• Dystocia.
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
• Idiopathic epilepsy.
• Atopy.
• Food allergy.

What you should know:

• The Corgi with a tail is much more difficult to find than the tailless Pembroke.
• Does well in an apartment.
• Owners often have two Cardigans so they can amuse themselves when left alone.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Teckel
• Doxie
  

Country/Date of origin:

• Germany
• 18th century

Height:

• Miniatures:  5 to 6 inches
• Standards:  6 to 10 inches

Weight:

• Miniatures:  under 11 pounds
• Standards:  10 to 20 pounds (larger animals are not disqualified)

Personality:

• A happy, fun-loving personality has made this breed immensely popular all over the world.
• Gets along well with other pets.
• Likes to play.
• Each of the three coat varieties has a slightly different personality.  The wirehaired is more playful than the other two.  It is almost impish.

History:

Made in Germany, the Dachshund was most likely bred from the same ancestors as the Basset.  The six different types of Dachshunds reflect the various animals that it was used to hunt.  The larger smooth haired dogs went to ground after badger and fox.  The smaller smooths went to ground in the smaller den tunnels of weasels and rabbits.  The long and wire haired varieties were better able to tear through brambles and thickets than their smooth coated relatives.  The breed has been popular in the United States for over a hundred years. It is one of the foundation breeds of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Body Type:

• A long, low dog with short, bent forelegs.
• Designed to go to ground after badger and fox.
• The wirehaired variety is allowed to have slightly longer legs than the other two Dachshunds.
• Long tail is carried straight out behind and is not altered.
• Hanging ears are long and are not altered.

Coat:

• Coat on the wirehaired variety is a uniform, short, thick, rough, hard outercoat with a fine shorter undercoat.
• Wirehaired Dachshunds must have a beard and bushy eyebrows.
• The hair on the ears is not long.  It is shorter than that on the body.
• Allowed colors are: single color—red or black (although not desirable), and a grizzle called wild boar; two colored—black, chocolate, gray, and white each with tan markings; and dappled—a clear brownish or grayish color with dark irregular patches of dark gray , brown or black (neither color should predominate).
• The most popular colors of this variety are red and wild boar.
• Hand stripping is required to keep a Wirehaired Dachshund in a show coat.  Otherwise, grooming is moderate.

Health and Wellness:

• Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV).
• von Willebrand’s disease.
• Portosystemic shunts.
• Pattern baldness.
• Acanthosis nigricans.
• Microphthalmia.
• Cryptorchidism.
• Acquired hypogammaglobulinemia.
• Congenital deafness.
• Juvenile cellulitis.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Mast cell tumor.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Intervertebral disc disease.
• Urolithiasis (cystine).
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
• Ear margin dermatosis.
• Pemphigus foliaceus.
• Sudden acquired retinal degeneration.
• Cushing’s syndrome (PDH & AT).
• Mitral insufficiency.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (digit).
• Lipoma.

What you should know:

• Dachshunds do not have a strong doggy odor and adapt well to city life.
• Dachs means badger in German, and the dog got its name from the animal it was bred to hunt.
• A cheerful companion.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Teckel
• Doxie
  

Country/Date of origin:

• Germany
• 18th century

Height:

• Miniatures:  5 to 6 inches
• Standards:  6 to 10 inches

Weight:

• Miniatures:  under 11 pounds
• Standards:  10 to 20 pounds (larger animals are not disqualified)

Personality:

• A happy, fun-loving personality has made this breed immensely popular all over the world.
• Gets along well with other pets.
• Likes to play.
• Each of the three coat varieties has a slightly different personality.  The Smooth is the most stubborn of the trio.

History:

Made in Germany, the Dachshund was most likely bred from the same ancestors as the Basset.  The six different types of Dachshunds reflect the various animals that it was used to hunt.  The larger, smooth-haired dogs went to ground after badger and fox.  The smaller smooths went to ground in the smaller den tunnels of weasels and rabbits.  The long and wire haired varieties were better able to tear through brambles and thickets than their smooth coated relatives.  The breed has been popular in the United States for over a hundred years.  It is one of the foundation breeds of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Body Type:

• A long, low dog with short, bent forelegs.
• Designed to go to ground after badger and fox.

Coat:

• Coat on the smooth variety is short, glossy, and lies close to the body.
• Allowed colors are: single color—red or black (although not desirable); two colored—black, chocolate, gray, and white each with tan markings.
• The most common is the black-and-tan; and dappled—a clear brownish or grayish color with dark irregular patches of dark gray , brown or black (neither color should dominate).
• Minimal grooming.

Health and Wellness:

• Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV, also commonly called bloat)
• von Willebrand’s disease.
• Portosystemic shunts.
• Pattern baldness.
• Acanthosis nigricans.
• Microphthalmia.
• Cryptorchidism.
• Acquired hypogammaglobulinemia.
• Congenital deafness.
• Juvenile cellulitis.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Mast cell tumor.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Intervertebral disc disease.
• Urolithiasis (cystine).
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
• Ear margin dermatosis.
• Pemphigus foliaceus.
• Sudden acquired retinal degeneration.
• Cushing’s syndrome (PDH) and AT)
• Mitral insufficiency.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (digit).
• Lipoma.

What you should know:

• Smooth-coated Dachshunds are the most popular variety.
• Dachshunds do not have a strong doggy odor and adapt well to city life.
• Dachs means badger in German, and the dog got its name from the animal it was bred to hunt.
• A cheerful companion.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Teckel
• Doxie
  

Country/Date of origin:

• Germany
• 18th century

Height:

• Miniatures:  5 to 6 inches
• Standards:  6 to 10 inches

Weight:

• Miniatures:  under 11 pounds
• Standards:  10 to 20 pounds (larger animals are not disqualified)

Personality:

• A happy, fun-loving personality has made this breed immensely popular all over the world.
• Gets along well with other pets.
• Likes to play.
• Each of the three coat varieties has a slightly different personality.  The longhaired is more prissy than the other two.

History:

Made in Germany, the Dachshund was most likely bred from the same ancestors as the Basset.  The six different types of Dachshunds reflect the various animals that it was used to hunt.  The larger, smooth-haired dogs went to ground after badger and fox.  The smaller smooths went to ground in the smaller den tunnels of weasels and rabbits.  The long and wire haired varieties were better able to tear through brambles and thickets than their smooth-coated relatives.  The breed has been popular in the United States for over a hundred years.  It is one of the foundation breeds of the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Body Type:

• A long, low dog with short, bent forelegs.
• Designed to go to ground after badger and fox.
• Long tail is carried straight out behind and is not altered.
• Hanging ears are long and well covered with hair.  They are not altered.

Coat:

• Coat on the longhaired variety is silky and softly waving.
• Hair is longer on the ears, behind the legs, and under the neck.  The longest hair is on the underside of the tail.
• Allowed colors are: single color—red or black (although not desirable) and red sable; two colored—black, chocolate, gray, and white each with tan markings.
• The most common is the black-and-tan, and dappled—a clear brownish or grayish color with dark irregular patches of dark gray, brown or black (no color should dominate).
• Moderate grooming requirements.

Health and Wellness:

• Gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV, also commonly called bloat)
• von Willebrand’s disease.
• Portosystemic shunts.
• Pattern baldness.
• Acanthosis nigricans.
• Microphthalmia.
• Cryptorchidism.
• Acquired hypogammaglobulinemia.
• Congenital deafness.
• Juvenile cellulitis.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Mast cell tumor.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Intervertebral disc disease.
• Urolithiasis (cystine).
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
• Ear margin dermatosis.
• Pemphigus foliaceus.
• Sudden acquired retinal degeneration.
• Cushing’s syndrome (PDH) and AT)
• Mitral insufficiency.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (digit).
• Lipoma.

What you should know:

• Dachshunds do not have a strong doggy odor and adapt well to city life.
• Dachs means badger in German, and the dog got its name from the animal it was bred to hunt.
• A cheerful companion.

Boredom can play a big role in causing a dog to find his own entertainment. In fact, many behavioral problems with dogs stem from boredom. High energy dogs such as working breeds require an outlet for their energy. Digging for buried treasure serves this purpose well. Be sure your dog has plenty of activity each day to exercise his mind and body. Digging can be just the start of many inappropriate behaviors like chewing and barking.

Certain types of dogs are bred for digging. Dachshunds and terriers have been used for hundreds of years to tunnel for rodents and badgers. These dogs must be given other jobs to curb their appetite for digging. If you have burrowing rodents like moles or gophers in your yard, it will be difficult to stop your dog from hunting them.

There are products on the market to deter a dog from digging, some of which work with limited results. Addressing why your dog wants to dig will be more effective. Crate training a puppy helps to establish a schedule of rest and play. This method can teach a dog to look forward to “people time” and helps reduce separation anxiety related behavior. Giving a dog a job to do everyday, whether it’s fetching a Frisbee or a walk around the block, can be an outlet for pent up energy. Practicing new tricks is another good way to give your dog mental and physical exercise. Digging can result from too much time alone in the yard without companionship.

A quick remedy to stop a dog from digging in a particular spot is to bury his stools in the hole that he created, and then cover it with soil. Dogs will usually not dig again in that location, but they will probably move on to another spot until the entire yard has been excavated.

The best method to prevent digging is to keep it from becoming an established habit to begin with. Dogs are intelligent animals that need mental stimulation and physical activity on a daily basis.

Bacterial Cystitis
Cystitis means inflammation of the bladder. The most common cause in dogs is bacterial infection. Bacteria from the skin surface enter the urethral opening and migrate inwards, where they attach to the bladder lining.

Diagnosis of cystitis starts with a careful medical history and a physical exam. Urinalysis is used to detect bacteria and inflammatory cells. A urine culture further identifies the types of bacteria present and the antibiotics most effective to treat the infection.

Infections of the bladder are treated with antibiotics. Its very important to follow medication instructions and give the antibiotics for the full duration prescribed, even if your dog seems to feel better sooner. Incomplete treatment can result in relapses and the formation of resistant bacteria.

Urinary Stones
Urinary stones (uroliths) occur in approximately 1% of dogs. Uroliths are composed of crystallized minerals, such as struvite, oxalate, urate, cystine, or calcium phosphate. Certain breeds are more prone to urolithiasis, including Dalmatians, Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, English Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Irish Terriers, Lhasa Apsos, Miniature Poodles, Schnauzers, Shih Tzus and Chihuahuas. Stones can be found anywhere in the urinary tract. In the bladder they cause irritation, increasing the likelihood of cystitis or bacterial infections. In the urethra they can cause partial or complete obstruction. When this happens, urine flow is reduced. With complete obstruction, urine is trapped in the body. The kidneys are unable to continue cleansing the blood and death can result within a few days.

Dogs suffering from uroliths have signs similar to cystitis. If the stones interfere with urination the dog may also dribble urine, strain to urinate, vomit, stop eating, and have a painful abdomen. Diagnosis of urolithiasis is based on a physical exam and urinalysis. X-rays, ultrasound and blood tests may also be beneficial. For proper treatment, the veterinarian must identify the mineral content of the stones, either by finding crystals on the urinalysis or by collecting stones via urinary catheterization or surgery.

Some stones can be dissolved with special diets or flushed out of the bladder through a urinary catheter, but others require surgical removal. Following stone removal, dogs are treated to prevent recurrence. Stones typically form in concentrated urine at a pH specific to each type. Therefore, diet changes are aimed at increasing water intake, reducing mineral content of the urine, and producing urine with a pH incompatible with the type of stone involved.

Other Diseases
Other conditions that can cause urinary problems include tumors of the urinary tract and prostate ailments. Tumors of the bladder and urethra are uncommon in dogs. They can cause blood in the urine and urethral obstruction. Surgery and chemotherapy are beneficial, but the prognosis is uncertain because the tumors have a high rate of malignancy.

Prostate disease is quite common in older, un-neutered male dogs. Although the prostate is really part of the reproductive system, prostate disease can result in urinary symptoms. The prostate can become inflamed or infected, can grow abnormally large, or can become cancerous. All of these conditions increase the size of the prostate, leading to bloody urine, frequent urinary tract infections, difficulty defecating, and pain. Most types of prostatic disease are treatable.

So, how do you know whether or not your pet is developing diabetes? There are signs to look out for! If your pet is drinking an excessive amount of water, has an increased appetite, is urinating more often, and seems to be losing weight then your pet may be developing diabetes. Your veterinarian is able to test for this disease, which will be discussed later in this article. Before we discuss the treatment for this condition, let’s discuss some preventive steps that can be taken to avoid it.

Once your dog has diabetes, this disease will be with them for the remainder of their life. Therefore, it is very important that we take steps to avoid this disease. Although diabetes can be acquired through genetics, which is difficult to avoid, the most common cause of the disease is obesity. It is very important that your dog gets regular exercise and is maintained on a well balanced diet. Your veterinarian can recommend a dog food that is right for your pet and make recommendations for an exercise regiment.

Your veterinarian will perform a simple blood test to measure the level of glucose (blood sugar) in your dog’s blood. Multiple blood glucose tests are often necessary to establish a baseline. If your dog’s blood glucose level returns high on the first test, this may have just resulted from a recent meal. If your veterinarian determines that your dog does have diabetes, he or she will want to perform regular blood glucose tests at the veterinary practice to monitor levels. Your veterinarian may also have you monitor your dog’s blood glucose at home by sending you with an easy to use urine test kit.

Some mild cases of diabetes can be treated with a strict diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in protein. However, many cases will require your dog to be on insulin therapy. An oral form of insulin is available for humans, however, this is not effective in pets and an injectable form must be used. Your veterinarian will determine the proper type of insulin for your dog and the specific dose. This dose may be changed several times during the first few weeks of insulin therapy in order to properly regulate your pet’s blood glucose levels.

A member of the veterinary staff will instruct you on how to administer an insulin injection, which is given subcutaneously (beneath the skin). It is very important to follow your veterinarian’s exact dosage as an overdose of insulin can cause dangerously low blood sugars. If you ever feel that your pet has received too much insulin, you should contact your veterinarian or local emergency pet hospital if it is after hours. Corn syrup or honey can be given to quickly increase your dog’s blood sugar levels if an overdose is suspected. Patients that have  overdoses on insulin tend to become very lethargic, unsteady, develop shaking and convulsions can occur in severe cases.

If your dog is insulin-dependent, it is important that he receives a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates. He should be fed at the same time everyday and insulin should be given at mealtimes as directed by your veterinarian. Maintaining a healthy weight is very important for the diabetic pet, so regular exercise is a must. Dogs that have been diagnosed with Diabetes Mellitus can be effectively treated with insulin therapy and can lead healthy, normal lives.