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Dog Shows

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Dog shows, breed shows or conformation shows are competitions where the judges examine dogs of a specific breed or sometimes dogs of all breeds, to see whether it meets the breed standards or not. Kennel clubs and breed clubs conduct such kinds of shows. Shows where only specific breeds are examined are known as specialty show.

The standards are set prior to the show by the judges of the show. During the show, they choose dogs, which match the set standards. This task is extremely difficult because the judgments made should be completely subjective. Not only is one dog compared with the other, but the comparison of the dog to the judge’s image of an ideal dog which meet the breed standard almost perfectly. The objective of each dog show is to select a winner dog, which matches the breed standards.

The breed standard is jotted down in a long list, which is called a conformation point. All the judges get together and frame the conformation point. Conformation point can vary from one competition to another, but there are certain requirements that are general. The fur is the most important factor. The pet’s color, pattern, length, type and quality are observed carefully. The distribution, quality and quantity of the markings are observed.

Healthy skin with no pigmentation is also one of the important criterions. The shape and color of the head is also taken into consideration. The general attitude and temperament is noted down for each breed of dogs. The jaw-line and the structure of the teeth and how they align when the jaw is closed are compared. Shape and color of the eyes and shape and set of the ears are observed. The sizes and the ratio of the length and height are also compared. The style of walking and gait is compared. The shape of the tail and feet are closely observed. The dogs, which enter such competition, should be well groomed. Some even check for skin wrinkles and measure the flews. The name of each participating dog should be registered. Every dog’s name is attached with the breeder’s kennel name. Every dog can have a registered name as well as a call name. The kennel club uses the registered name and the owner to refer to the pet uses the call name.

There are many dog shows conducted on various levels. There are local shows and national shows, which attract competitors from different parts of the country. Usually dog shows are hierarchical competitions. The winners earn certain points in each show and each level, which makes them eligible for the next show. And the dog which wins shows that are at the highest level is declared as a champion. ‘Ch.’, for example Ch. Tony, appends the dog’s name. Such shows are called as prestigious shows.

These shows allow pets, which have already won championship in other shows. These shows aim to choose the best in the breed. Such shows make the reputation of the dog, breeder and kennel higher. The price of the puppies of that particular dog is sold for a surprisingly high price. This is because other people want to buy a pet, which resembles the champion. The popularity of the breed increases rapidly. There are two such prestigious shows, The Crufts in the United Kingdom and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in the United States.

Dog Shows courtesy Dog Articles

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How to Identify Canine Health Problems

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It’s a truism that our dogs can’t talk to us.  They can’t tell us how they feel or if there is something ailing them. In fact, most dogs tend to hide ailments.  Your dog may have an injury or be in pain and you might not know it for several days unless you are paying close attention to any departure from his normal behavior.

You can learn to tell if your dog has a health problem by doing the following:

1.  Pay attention to your dog’s daily routine.  Did he finish his food?  Did he follow his usual bathroom habits?  Is he drinking his normal amount of water?  More?  Less?  All of these things can tell you important information about your dog’s health.  They are often first indicators that something may be wrong with your dog.

2.  How is your dog’s overall condition?  Has he lost weight?  Gained weight?  Is his coat shiny or is it looking bad?  Again, these are important indicators that your dog may be experiencing a change in his health.  Watch them closely.  It can be easy to miss your dog gaining or losing weight since it may happen gradually, but if your dog begins losing hair or having other skin problems, these are usually very noticeable and they can be an indication of thyroid problems, allergies or other conditions.

3.  How is your dog’s energy level?  Is he as active as he usually is or does he lie around more?  Is he lethargic?  Is he hyperactive?  A change in your dog’s energy level can indicate a change for the worse in his health.  Lethargy could be an indication of anything from hypothyroidism to heart failure.

4.  Is your dog sensitive about his ears?  Ear problems are very common with dogs, especially long-eared breeds and breeds with long hair.  Ear problems can take the form of yeast and bacterial infections.  If left untreated they can even lead to hearing lost or require surgery.

These are some of the things that are easily observable.  You can also check your dog’s gums to see if they are healthy and pink.  If they are too pale that could be an indication that your dog is not processing oxygen as well as he should — perhaps a sign of hemolytic anemia or a cardiovascular problem.

If your dog is limping for more than a few hours you may need to take him to the vet to see what the problem is.  Dogs can twist or sprain a limb the same way people can, but if your dog limps for more than just a short period of time he could have a bony growth or be feeling some form of arthritis.  Your vet would need to make the diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment.

With dogs, as with humans, there are so many possible health conditions that it’s hard to say what might be wrong with your dog just by looking at him.  However, you can usually tell by looking at a dog if something is wrong, even if you don’t know exactly what it is.

You know your dog better than anyone.  If you sense that something is “off” or just not right with your dog you should trust your instincts and take your dog to the vet.  Better safe than sorry where the health of your dog is concerned.

How to Identify Canine Health Problems courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Does My Dog Have A Yeast Infection?

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Dogs can exhibit many kinds of skin problems and infections.  Some are serious while others may be a temporary reaction to something and nothing to worry about.  When you hear the term “yeast infection,” however, you usually know that you’re dealing with something that can be significant.

Yeast infections in dogs usually manifest themselves as either recurring ear infection that are very difficult to get rid of; or they can show up as one of a couple of kinds of infections plaguing your dog’s skin. In either case the situation can be serious and your poor dog may be miserable.

If your dog has a chronic ear infection you may have been treating the problem in various ways.  You may have even been to the veterinarian with your dog.  Many vets will prescribe antibiotic ear drops for an ear infection and that’s fine, as far as it goes.  It will clear up the obvious infection.  But a yeast infection is often a secondary infection — a fungal infection — and antibiotics will not kill the yeast/fungus that lives deep in your dog’s ear.

In order to clear up your dog’s recurring ear infection you will need a medication that kills yeast.  You’ll also need to make some changes to your dog’s diet so his immune system will be more capable of fighting off yeast infections.

If your dog is experiencing a rash or itching and it turns into itching, crusty, smelly skin, he probably has a yeast infection.  The skin may thicken all over or in certain places to have an “elephant” appearance — grayish and flattened.

Yeast is always present in your dog’s gastrointestinal tract.  When your dog is healthy and his immune system is functioning properly they are not a problem.  There are plenty of good bacteria in your dog’s system to keep the yeast under control and yeast serves some positive purposes in your dog’s body. One such yeast, Candida albicans, lives in your dog’s digestive tract and eats sugar and fats.  However, yeast is considered to be an “opportunistic feeder.”  That means that when something in your dog’s body gets out of balance, such as the balance of bacteria or your dog’s immune system, the yeast will begin proliferating.  They can grow out of control and begin causing your dog’s system problems, such as itching skin.  They can also result in allergies, bladder infections and ear infections.

Yeast is also present on your dog’s skin, and on most surfaces around us.  When your dog’s immune system is compromised it produces changes in the skin which allow the yeast to run rampant.  Your dog’s skin can produce too much oil.  This often happens with allergies, which go hand-in-hand with immune system problems.

If your dog is showing signs of having a yeast infection — itching, crusty skin, a distinctive musty odor — your vet has several ways of confirming the problem.

– He can take a smear on your dog’s skin with a microscope slide

– He can use a piece of tape to collect samples from your dog’s skin

– He can do a skin scraping with a razor blade

– He can use a moistened cotton swab on your dog’s skin

– He can do a small skin biopsy

All of these methods have the same purpose.  They are intended to collect yeast from your dog’s skin and identify the Malessezia pachydermatis fungus.

There are several approaches to treating a yeast infection and they can be used in conjunction with each other.  Your vet may prescribe antibiotics if your dog has other infections along with the yeast infection, but antibiotics will not cure the yeast infection.  Instead, you will need to use a drug such as Ketoconazole or Itraconazole to treat the fungus.

There are also shampoos for the outer condition.  Benzoyl peroxide shampoos and sulfur/salicylate shampoos are usually effective and help remove the skin oils that feed the yeast.  There are also several good anti-yeast shampoos.

With yeast infections it’s very important to treat the underlying cause of the problem, otherwise the yeast will overgrow again and the infection will return.  In many cases the problem is poor nutrition.  If you are feeding a good quality food then your dog may have some kind of allergy to the food.  If the problem is not the food then your dog may have a flea bite allergy in which his body overreacts to just one or two bites from a flea and his immune system begins to work overtime.  Or, there could be some other allergy at work.  But food allergies are the usual culprit and the easiest to fix.  Some dogs have become allergic to some grains and common proteins found in many dog foods these days.  Luckily there are many brands which now offer grain-free foods and there is a wide assortment of foods with different protein sources now.  If your dog has been having yeast infections you can try some of these alternative dog foods and see if his allergic reactions improve.

The most important thing to remember about yeast infections is that they don’t have a chance of bothering dogs with strong immune systems.  Do your best to keep your dog’s immune system healthy with good food, sensible veterinary care, and lots of exercise and you will be less likely to have problems from yeast infections.

Does My Dog Have A Yeast Infection courtesy of Dog Articles.

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7 Reasons To Get Better At Dog Grooming

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Grooming your dog is an essential part of dog ownership.  Many people are familiar with the basics such as removing tangles and shampooing for a great, clean shine.  It’s worth looking further into the world of dog grooming because there are many benefits you may not have considered before.

The first thing to realize is that grooming is not just for improving the look of your dog’s coat.  There are also many health benefits if you groom regularly.  You’ll want to start right away because:

1. Grooming will take away dead hair and skin.  This will not only remove an unsightly and unwanted mess, it will also improve that air circulation to your dog’s coat.  This is essential in the summertime when it’s hot and humid.

2. You’ll also find that grooming increases the blood flow to hair follicles. In turn, this will improve the health of your dog’s whole coat.

3. Grooming also stimulates the lymphatic system, which is similar to the results a human would get from a deep tissue massage.

4. Another benefit of grooming is that it will put your dog in a great mood.  Combine this with your gentle voice and you’ll be helping to strengthen the bond that is between you.

5. A benefit that many people don’t think about is that you will become more familiar with your dog’s body while grooming.  That means you will be able to detect many health problems that might occur.

6. You may find ticks or other insects that are attached to your dog.  These can be very deadly so keep an eye out for them.

7. While you are grooming your pet you will also want to clip their nails.  This will give you a chance to check the pads of their feet to see if there are any problems.

If you don’t have the essential grooming materials you can certainly find them at your local pet supply stores.  If you would rather shop online there are many stores that offer the equipment for sale as well.  As an added bonus you will also find a lot of great information and advice on the web.

For those who want to know more, your local community college may offer a program to teach dog owners how to groom.  Dog clubs and other dog related groups might offer training as well.

If you move beyond the basics and become an excellent groomer you might even want to think about starting your own service.  There are many pet owners who don’t have the time and know-how to groom their dogs themselves, but know it is a necessity.  Turn their ignorance into dollars as you groom others’ pets part time or even full time.

Even if you don’t opt to start your own service you will be able to rest assured that your own dog is being properly cared for.  There are obviously many rewards that go hand in hand with grooming, so start as soon as possible.

7 Reasons To Get Better at Dog Grooming courtesy of Dog Articles

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