Dog Lovers Manual

Keep him away from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated. It is wise to exercise him only in your enclosed garden or yard until he is protected against canine diseases. You will also have to train your puppy to the collar and leash before you can take him out, and make sure he’ll come back to you when you call him. Be careful not to expect too much of your puppy too soon and expose him to situations he cannot cope with, as this will create a nervous individual. It is better to gradually introduce him to sights and sounds outside the safe and familiar confines of your home, such as people, vehicles and other dogs.

Dogs are not generally fussy eaters. They thrive on a diet that is not dissimilar to that of humans, albeit with more protein, comprising foods of animal origin, cereal, root vegetables and fats. The most suitable diet for a dog is one that contains:

• Protein, carbohydrates and fats.
• Vitamins - A, B-group, D and E; vitamin C is produces in the body.
• Minerals - the most important being calcium, phosphorus and sodium chloride. These and other essential minerals, such as copper and zinc, occur naturally in meat, cereals and other food ingredients.
• Fibre and water in balanced proportions.

Over short distances, the Greyhound reigns supreme. One of the breed has been clocked at 72 kmph (45 mph) on a recetrack, making it the second-fastest animal in the world next to the cheetah. Other speedy sighthounds include the Whippet, Saluki and Afghan Hound, and any other canines with a similar light, athletic build. The Border Collie is the fastest dog in the agility field, at which this breed excels, while the Siberian Husky is the fastest load-pulling endurance breed over great distances.

The answer is anything and everything. He needs to learn how to socialize with other dogs, be polite and calm when meeting people and other creatures, and learn when enough is enough during attention and play sessions. Accustom your young dog to meeting and being with people of both sexes, all ages and different appearances, and reward him so that he views their company as a good thing. Handling him when he is eating and playing with toys will teach him not to become possessive about either.

According to the UK’s Kennel Club, there are over 450 known breeds of dog worldwide. Some of these are unknown outside their country of origin, and not all breeds are recognized by the official organizations that oversee breeding and showing. Being unrecognized by an organization means that those breeds cannot be shown under its rules. At the time of writing, the three main canine organizations are the British Kennel Club (KC) which recognizes 202 breeds of dog, the American Kennel Club (AKC) which recognizes 150, and the Federation Cynologique International (FCI), based in belgium, which recognizes 311.

Start recognizing your puppy’s normal behaviour as soon as you get him. Then you will know when all is not well. Note any unusual behaviour, altered appetite or demeanour, distressed whining, increased or decreased thirst, staraining on defecation or urination, vomiting or diarrhoea. You will be able to inform your vet of the symptoms.
Puppies with digestive upsets can soon become dehydrated, as the body loses moisture and essential salt and sugars (electrolytes), so it is imperative they are seen by a vet within a couple of hours it an ailment has not cleared up. If the condition worsens during this time, consult a vet sooner.

Both sighthounds and scenthounds need a lot of patience while training. These dogs tend to be slow at processing information, and both can be difficult to recall if they see or scent something they find interesting! Giant breeds are slow thinkers and require a great deal of patience too, while terriers can be stubborn and self-willed. Spitz breeds are intellingent but have an independent temperament. Sporting, herding and guarding breeds tend to be the most easily trained, but they do not take kindly to heavy-handed training methods.

Your lifestyle ans circumstances must be taken into account here. Being babies, puppies are time-consuming and labour intensive to be clean in the house, have been trained in the basics of obedience, and potentially socialized with people and other animals. Puppies are easier to intergrate into the family and socialize, while the characteristics of an older dog will be easier to ascertain, plus any difficult or undesirable traits will be apparent. Bear in mind that if there are young children in the house they will need a good deal of supervision around the animals, whether you acquire a pup or an adult dog.

Remember that many sighthounds, such as Greyhounds, are likely to chase after other animals (especially small, furry ones), and kill them if they get the chance, unless they have been brought up with them. Similarly, some scenthounds are not suited to life as family pets due to their strong hunting instincts and sometimes powerful build, which is not a good combination when there are children and other pet in the household. It pays to research thoroughly the breed you are interested in before buying a puppy, or taking on an adult.

Given the wrong kind of treatment and handling, any dog can be aggressive towards people. This is true no matter how docile and kindly the breed is normally. In these cases, such behaviour simply demonstrates what the dog regards as self-preservation. Some dogs are aggressive towards others of their kind, and other animals too. This is because either they have not been socialized properly at an appropriate age, and/or they have a strong inbred fight or chase/dispatch instinct.

Correct, sensible handling from an early age usually negates problems, but there are some breeds that only experienced handlers should consider owning, and such dogs are not advised if there are children in the household.