Both the male and female dog should have a complete physical examination before breeding when possible. They should be screened for heritable conditions such as hip and shoulder dysplasia, demodecosis (predilection for mange), hernias, and cryptorchidism (un-descended testes). Dogs with any of these traits should not be bred. The female should be tested and de-wormed for intestinal parasites that can be transmitted to the litter. Both dogs should be current on vaccinations.

Pregnant and nursing dogs should be fed 4 to 5 meals daily with a high quality puppy food to provide the extra protein, fat, and calcium they will require to raise a healthy litter. Fresh water should always be available. A whelping bed can be made from a large box with warm blankets. Be sure it is large enough for the mother to arrange and groom her puppies when they are delivered. A heating pad is not recommended because the newborn pups will not be able to cool themselves by moving away from the heat source.

During a natural delivery, it may be necessary to assist the mother in caring for the newborn puppies. Generally, she should be left alone during labor, as anxiety can stop contractions. However, if she cannot tend to the pups in a timely manner, the birth sacs should be removed with a soft washcloth to prevent the pups from suffocating. There will be amniotic fluid in the puppy’s mouth and lungs that can be aspirated with a bulb syringe or gently shaken out. Stimulate the puppy fairly vigorously until it begins squirming and crying, then allow the mother to finish grooming it. If the puppy is slow to respond, it should be gently “slung”. Cradle the puppy in both hands with its head pointing away from you. Be very careful not to drop it, as it will be very slippery. Gently sling it downward two to three times to force fluid out of the lungs. This will also stimulate the puppy to gasp for air.

Phone numbers for an after hours veterinarian should be obtained in case emergency care is needed. Labor usually lasts a couple of hours. If more than 20 minutes of contractions elapse without delivering a puppy, or if a partial birth occurs and is not completed after 10 minutes of contractions, this is an emergency situation that requires immediate veterinarian intervention.

Crawling insects like scorpions and spiders can pack the same punch as the bees and wasps. In addition to local tissue swelling and the risk of anaphylaxis, spiders like the black widow can cause central nervous system toxicity. Muscle tremors and even paralysis can be caused by the bite of a black widow. The biggest concern is paralysis of the respiratory muscles, leading to death by suffocation. Steroid injections and muscle relaxers are used to prevent this dire consequence. Antivenin is available, although it is usually hard to find in a short period of time, and it is typically so expensive as to be cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, dogs almost always survive black widow bites with supportive therapy from a veterinarian.

Some venoms are so toxic to tissues the area around the bite or sting may die and slough off. This is the case with the bite from the brown recluse spider. Antibiotics and topicals are used to prevent secondary bacterial infection of the wound that may increase the amount of eroded tissue and scarring. Many brown recluse bites go unnoticed for several days until the skin and muscle begin to deteriorate to the point that a lesion forms.

Bug bites and stings occur especially in the spring and warm spells of autumn, when insects become especially active. It is also during these times that our pets are busy exploring the backyard where these creatures fly and crawl.

Since dogs are mammals, they are born unable to eat solid foods and must be nursed by their mothers. Ideally, if a nursing female dog will accept an orphaned puppy, it will receive colostrum not found in milk replacer. Colostrum contains antibodies that will protect the puppy from contagious diseases until it is old enough to receive vaccinations. Never leave the puppy unsupervised with the surrogate mother, however. If she rejects it, she may kill the puppy.

Replacement milk formulas are available from veterinarians and pet stores. The artificial milk will be warmed gently to body temperature and delivered by bottle. Never microwave the formula as you may scald the pup. Always test the milk for temperature first. A pinhole should be placed in the end of the rubber nipple so that it will drip slowly when the bottle is squeezed and inverted. When the puppy nurses, the nipple should not collapse like a straw. If it does, widen the hole slightly. Feed the puppies every 2 to 3 hours and once or twice during the night if they are active and crying. The puppies should be rubbed after feeding to burp them. They will also urinate and defecate during this process and should be cleaned with a warm dampened cloth. If a small amount of milk comes out of the nose, the puppy is drinking too fast. If milk continues to come from the nose, the puppy may have a cleft palate. Look for a hole in the roof of the mouth, and have the puppy checked by a veterinarian.

Bathing should be done once daily with non-detergent, non-flea and tick shampoo and warm water. Do not allow the puppies to become chilled.

Puppies should be gaining weight and thriving. If you are in doubt, have them checked by a veterinarian. Puppies often come with intestinal parasites and may need to be de-wormed. At 3 to 4 weeks old, begin offering solid foods. The food must be soaked in formula or water so that it can be mashed into a paste. Or use canned puppy food and smear a little on the puppy’s mouth.

Orphaned puppies are very susceptible to disease. Keep them indoors and away from other dogs to prevent exposure. They should be vaccinated first at 6 weeks old and then adopted out to new owners at 7 to 8 weeks of age.

Other names/Nicknames:

• French Mastiff

Country/Date of origin:

• France
• 4th century

Height:

• 23 to 27 inches

Weight:

• 80 to 100 pounds

Personality:

• Beneath the scowling face there really is a pugnacious nature.
• This breed does not take to strangers.
• A natural guarding instinct.
• Extremely loyal to the person it chooses as its master.
• Generally calm and tranquil in nature.
• Not a high-energy animal.
• Surprisingly agile when aroused.

History:

The Dogue De Bordeaux can trace its ancestry back to the great Mastiff dogs that came across the alps with the Roman legions.  From the same stock that produced the Rottweiler, the Dogue obviously has been infused with more than a dash of Bulldog blood, too.  For centuries, the dogs served as guards and dispatchers of large, dangerous animals.  In temperament and disposition they were meant to be aggressive and surly.  This has been a stumbling block to the breed’s popularity today.  Some of the fierce nature has been bred out and they are enjoying a new surge in popularity.

Body Type:

• A typical dog of the Mastiff family, with a foreshortened muzzle.
• Ears are set well back on the head and are small for the dog’s size.  They are not altered.
• Tail is medium length and tapers.  It is carried low and is not altered.
• Eyes are light amber to match the coat tones.
• An undershot jaw and furrowed wrinkles on the brow impart a characteristic scowl and pugilistic expression.

Coat:

• Short, fine, and soft.
• Color is a solid red.
• Dark red with warm tones is preferred.
• There must be a contrasting face mask of darker tone.  In the red-fawn dogs it is a dark red; in the dark-red dogs it is black.
• Moderate grooming.

Health and Wellness:

• Hip dysplasia.
• Bloat.
• Bone cancer.
• Thyroid problems.
• Fungal or bacterial infections in deep wrinkles.

What you should know:

• Almost unknown in the United States until 1988 when the movie Turner and Hooch introduced the breed.
• The biggest drawback of owning a Dogue De Bordeaux is the slobber.
• Snorts, snuffles and spit go with the breed.
• Can be fierce with other dogs.
• Puppies should be available in most parts of the United States.

Other names/Nicknames:

• Chinese Powderpuff

Country/Date of origin:

• China
• Han dynasty 100 BC

Height:

• 9 to 13 inches at shoulder

Weight:

• 5 to 12 pounds

Personality:

• Affectionate with family but suspicious of strangers.
• Does not like to be handled.
• Active and alert.
• Rather delicate.

History:

It is widely accepted that hairless dogs are spontaneous, genetic mutations.  They have been reported all over the world but for some reason they are more often found in Central and South America.  The Crested dogs are recorded in China 2,000 years ago but it was in Central America that they were fostered, keeping the breed alive when it fell out of favor in its native land.  The Chinese Crested is found in two varieties—Hairless and Powderpuff—and both types can be found in the same litter.  The main difference between the two varieties is the hair coat, of course, but the Powderpuffs can also have a drop ear, which is not permitted in the Hairless variety.  The Powderpuffs are not subject to as many genetic defects as their Hairless siblings and need to be retained in the breeding pool to maintain the health of the Hairless Cresteds.  A breed club was formed in 1975, and the Chinese Cresteds were accepted for registration in the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1992.

Body Type:

• A small, dainty dog with a soft veil of long, silky hair.
• Long tail, held low, is not altered
• Heavily-fringed ears may be either erect or dropped.
• The feet of the Chinese Crested are extraordinarily long.  They are so exaggerated in shape that it can appear that they have an extra joint.

Coat:

• The Powderpuff variety has a long, silky coat.
• It can be any color or combination of colors.
• Moderate grooming.
• The hair tangles easily.

Health and Wellness:

• Generally healthy.
• Problems with teeth and bad breath.

What you should know:

• One of the early supporters of this breed was Gypsy Rose Lee.  She, however, favored the Hairless variety.
• A Chinese Crested in motion reminds one of a prancing pony.
• The gait is fluid, with great reach and drive.  Surprisingly vigorous in a Toy dog.
• Hairless and Powderpuffs are often born in the same litter.  Legend has it that the hairy pups are to keep their hairless siblings warm.
• Long-lived.

• Intelligent, loyal, and loving.
• Sociable, but usually select one particular human as their own.

History:

Breed is the result of a spontaneous mutation of the gene related to hair.  The name for the cat was inspired from ancient Greek drawings of a mythical creature that resembles the cat.  First imports to the United States came from France and Canada and are believed to have originated from a Devon or Cornish Rex background.  Accepted for championship status by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1987.  Not accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA).

Body Type:

• Medium-sized cat with a broad chest, medium to fine boning and whip-like tail.
• Roll of fat around midriff helps to maintain body heat.
• Head is shaped like a modified wedge with very large ears.
• Eyes are large, wide set and correspond to coat color.

Coat:

• Coat consists of fuzz-like hair with perceptible hair on the feet, tip of the tail, nose, and behind the ears.
• Cat feels like warm velvet or suede.
• Since there is no protective hair in the ears, they must be cleaned every other day with a cotton swab.
• Wide assortment of colors including solids, tabby patterns, or parti-colors.

Health and Wellness:

• In the past, this breed was reported to have had problems with immune system development.  According to Sphynx breeders, this problem no longer exists.

What you should know:

• Cat must be kept out of the sun to avoid sunburn.
• Requires a high-calorie diet in order to maintain body heat.
• Sphyxes must be protected from extremes in temperature.
• Since there is no coat to absorb natural oils and no hair in the ears to repel dirt, a Sphynx will require more grooming than its furry cousins.
• Please be sure that you have the dedication and time available to maintain a Sphynx before purchasing a kitten.

Personality:

• Active, enthusiastic companions.
• Intelligent and enterprising.
• Some have an uncanny ability to use their paws like hands.
• Very adept at entertaining themselves.
• More tranquil than their Abyssinian relatives.

History:

At one time these cats were considered the undesirable result of a recessive gene that caused some Abyssinians to be born with long hair.  A few Abyssinian breeders liked the look and began a breeding program to develop the longhaired Abyssinians as a separate breed.  The breed’s name was chosen because of the close proximity of Somali to Abyssinia.  Accepted for championship status in the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) in 1978.

Body Type:

• Medium to large with a lithe, graceful body, well-developed muscles, and a full-brush tail.
• Fox-like appearance.
• Head is a modified, rounded wedge with large, alert, tufted ears.
• Eyes are almond shaped, large, and expressive.

Coat:

• Fine, non-matting, medium-long, double coat with ruff and britches.
• Colors include blue (soft-gray ticked with slate blue.  Undercoat should be a warm blush-beige or oatmeal), ruddy (reddish-brown ticked with black), red (warm, red ticked with chocolate brown) and fawn (cream ticked with pinkish brown).
• Each hair has two to three alternating bands of darker and lighter coloring known as ticking.

Health and Wellness:

• Gingivitis may occur in some lines.  Preventive dental care and early treatment can keep this condition under control.

What you should know:

• Although many people believe that a Somali needs lots of space and should be kept outdoors, they are perfectly adapted to apartment life and are much happier, safer and healthier when they are kept indoors.

Personality:

• Curious, friendly, and extremely affectionate.
• Playful and maternal in nature.

History:

Originated from the natural cat gene pool of Southeast Asia.  In 1975, three cats found on the streets of Singapore were imported to the United States and became the foundation for the breed.  Another cat was obtained from the Singapore SPCA in 1980 for use in the breeding program.  Accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) for championship in 1988.

Body Type:

• Small, muscular, and moderately stocky.
• Rounded head with large eyes and ears.
• Feet are small for the size of the cat.
• Eyes color is hazel, green, or yellow with no other color permitted.

Coat:

• Coat is very short, silky, and close lying.
• Warm, ivory-ground color with warm, dark-brown ticking.
• Each hair should have at least two bands of dark ticking separated by light bands.
• Some barring on the inner front legs and back knees.

Health and Wellness:

• Because of the limited gene pool, occasionally kittens may have zyphoid sternums (protruding sternum bone) and/or juvenile heart murmurs.
• Although cats with these defects may be fine as pets, they should not be used in a breeding program.
• Kinked tails and white lockets are also seen from time to time.  These minor aesthetic defects do not affect the well being of the cat, but are grounds for disqualification in the show ring.

What you should know:

• Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest breed of domestic cat.
• Considered to be a rare breed.  Some kittens may be shy with strangers.
• Spend time with kittens before selecting your pet to insure that your kitten will have a sociable nature.

Personality:

• Devoted, active, and highly intelligent.
• Loving companions for people and dogs.
• Known to be excellent jumpers.
• Enjoy grooming their human companions.

History:

In 1950, a curly-coated, cream-colored kitten was born in a litter of otherwise normal-coated barn cats in Cornwall, England.  The owner of the litter, assumed the coat was the result of a spontaneous mutation and worked to develop a breed with the characteristic coat.  The term rex is a genetic term that refers to a lack of guard hairs, or top coat, leaving only the soft curly undercoat.  Accepted for championship status in all breed associations.

Body Type:

• Small- to medium-sized with a long, slender torso.
• Head is small and narrow with a roman nose and large, full, alert ears.
• Eyes are medium to large with color corresponding to coat color.

Coat:

• Coat is short, extremely soft, and made up completely of undercoat that forms a tight, uniform, marcel wave from head to tail.
• Coat sheds very little.
• Wide assortment of colors including white, black, red, cream, chinchilla, smoke, tabby patterns, calico, and bi-color.

Health and Wellness:

• As with all breeds that are developed from spontaneous mutations, there can be problems with weakened immune systems in cats that come from heavily inbred lines.

What you should know:

• These cats enjoy perching in the highest spot in the house.
• These cats may not cause allergies in allergy sufferers.
• Because of their minimal coat, these cats like warmth and can suffer from cold temperatures.