A purse dog has two definitions. The first is a purse made in the shape of a dog, often a whimsical carrying case for young girls and teens. You can get a variety of stuffed animal, plush, breed dog types made into a purse, and these tend to reflect a Hollywood trend relating to the…
The Victorian Bulldog is a result of dedicated “recreation breeding,” in which a breeder “resurrects” a lost breed by selecting modern breeds that most embody the original. In London in 1985, breeder Ken Mollett undertook the challenge of recreating a breed that was similar to, but different from, the more modern English Bulldog. He carefully selected fine specimens…
Amitriptyline for dogs is a prescription medication that’s used for the treatment of anxiety disorders. It is not FDA approved for use in animals, but veterinarians often use it for behavioral disorders such as fear of noises, separation anxiety, or generalized anxiety. The drug is effective in treating the symptoms of these behaviors, but dog owners will…
Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet. When the term alpha dog is used, it refers to the dominant dog, in a pack setting, that is first and most important. The alpha dog is the dog to which other members of the pack are submissive (called the beta dogs), and most pack animals related to…
Debarking is a veterinary surgery that involves removing tissue from the dog’s vocal cords. This results in a dog’s voice being quieter, when done properly. It does not stop barking as the word debarking implies, but the bark now sounds like a whisper, and is thus not irritating to neighbors of dog owners that frequently…
Dog boarding is a service offered by some veterinarians and pet boarding kennels, allowing owners to drop their dogs off for a set amount of time in exchange for a fee. While boarding, dogs are fed, walked, and cared for by kennel staff, who are responsible for keeping the dogs healthy and happy. Some boarding…
Dog mange is a skin condition that creates severe pain and itching for canines. Along with the discomfort, mange can also lead to scaling and scabbing that can become infected. The root cause of dog mange is the presence of mites that burrow into the skin and cause the body to attempt to expel the invaders and…
Veterinarians will sometimes prescribe metoclopramide for dogs that are suffering from nausea. Although the drug is formulated for humans, vets will often prescribe it as an off-label treatment for dogs with digestive problems. Metoclopramide can also be used to treat dogs after a surgery or as they are going through chemotherapy. In both cases, it helps…
Phenylpropanolamine for dogs is a drug that is often prescribed for urinary incontinence. It increases the strength of the muscles in the bladder and the urethra, which in turn prevents the leakage of urine. The use of phenylpropanolamine has some known side effects and complications that dog owners should discuss with their veterinarian. There are some restrictions…
For centuries, dogs have served as guardians of their owners’ property, whether it be family members, homes, livestock, or land. While most dogs do this naturally to a certain degree, some dog breeds are definitely more effective than others because of their size, strength, obedience, and intelligence. Nevertheless, the choice is not a simple one….