History and Groups
History of the Dog
Believed to be the first
animal domesticated by
humans 10,000 years ago
Originated 12,000-14,000
years ago in Europe and
Asia
Mosaic, about 5th to 6th century
Evolved due to selective A.D.
breeding for specific
purposes
Miacis – ancestor of the entire dog family
40-50 million years ago
Small, elongated body
Spent most of time in
forest
Tomarctus – “Father” of the modern dog
Body built for speed and
endurance
Hunter
Major Dog Groups
Sporting Group
Developed to assist
hunters in pursuit of
game
24 breeds recognized.
Ex.Spaniels
Retrievers
Weimaraners
Pointers
Hound Group
Two types –
scent hunters
sight hunters
Ex. Afgan
Basset
Beagle
Dachshund
Terrier Group
Two types
long-legged, larger breeds
short-legged, small breeds
Ex. Bull Terrier
Fox Terrier
Miniature Schnauzer
West Highland White
Working Group
Developed for labor
Serve as guard dogs,
sled dogs, police dogs,
rescue dogs and
messenger dogs
Ex.
Alaskan Malamute
Boxer
Doberman
Shetland Sheepdog
Herding Group
Developed to aid
livestock herder
Ex. Welsh Corgi
German Shepard
Toy Group
Grouped due to size
Popular house pets
Ex. Yorkshire terrier
Pekingese
Chihuahua
Non-Sporting Group
Wide variety of sizes and
characteristics
Companion dogs
Ex. Boston Terrier
Dalmation
Lhasa Apso
Miscellaneous Class
Five breeds in this class
May compete in
obedience trials, but not
for championship points
Ex. Jack Russell
Havanese
Spinone Italiano
2010 Top Ten Dog Breeds
(based on registration)
10. Shih Tzu
9. Poodle
8. Dachshund
7. Boxer
6. Bulldogs
5. Golden Retriever
4. Beagle
3. Yorkshire Terrier
2. German Shepherd
1.Labrador Retriever
http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm
Source: The American Kennel Club www.akc.org - 2010
Questions to Ask
Why do I want a dog?
Companion
Lap warmer
Protection
Breeding
Sport
What type of dog do you want?
Purebreds or “mutt”
Think about:
aggressiveness
tolerance
excitability
Indoor? Outdoor?
Consider:
Size
Excitability
Coat length
Climate
Allergies
Train as indoor dog first in
case it needs to move
inside.
Ex. bad weather, medical
(better training and fewer
behavior problems)
What about other pets?
Introduce newcomers
gradually
Socialize with others
Be aware of jealous or
incompatibilities
Are you a responsible pet owner?
Need:
Time
Attention
Training
Money – $500/year
FEEDING YOUR DOG
Adequate diet and clean water are
needed for a healthy pet!
Commercial feed supply
all needed nutrients and
energy.
Three types of
commercial feed
Dry
Semi-moist
Canned
Dry Feed
Main ingredients are
corn, soybean meal,
wheat, millings, meat
and bone meal
10% moisture
Contains only 23%
protein
Cheaper, more
convenient, won’t
spoil, cleans teeth
Semi-Moist Feed
Contains corn, meat
by-products, soybean
meal, and corn syrup
30% moisture
Canned Feed
Two types
Ratio type – contains barley, meat by-products, wheat
grain and soy flour
Meat type – contains meat by-products, meat, poultry,
and soy flour
• Has most protein at 44%
• 75% moisture
• Most expensive
Special Considerations in Feeding
Pregnant females
Increase feed as weight
increase at about 4
weeks
May be eating 35-50%
more feed (3-4 meals
per day)
After whelping, needs 2-
3 times as much food
Begin decreasing feed as
the puppies are weaned
Special Considerations Cont.
Puppies
Should be weaned by six
weeks of age
Can be fed milk, meat,
cooked eggs, cottage
cheese (cow’s milk may
cause diarrhea)
These are easily digested
and good protein sources
Need 3-4 meals a day until
digestive system is
adjusted
Special Considerations Cont.
Older dogs
Need fewer calories due to
slower metabolism
Avoid overfeeding
REMEMBER …
Always cook eggs before
giving to a dog
Do not feed bones that
splinter ex. chicken, turkey,
and pork
Exercising Your Dog
Amount of exercise depends on:
Size
Age
Breed
Use
Exercise Guidelines
Do not exercise dog
strenuously w/in 2 hours
after eating a large meal
Have dog examined
before exercise
Exercise Guidelines Cont.
Condition over time.
(need to strengthen muscles,
joints, cardiac systems, and
to toughen foot pads)
Watch for signs of fatigue.
(excessive panting, vacant stare,
changes in behavior and lip and
face color)
Training your dog
Begin as soon as possible
Teach name and basic corrective behavior first
Need to know which behaviors are acceptable and
which are not
Always correct wrong behavior immediately -
association
Never hit or threaten with hand or object
Grooming
Hair coat
Daily brushing removes dead
hair and skin
Check longhaired dogs for mats
– behind ears and under legs
Give bath when extremely dirty:
too much strips oil from fur
Use mild soap, baby shampoo,
or coconut-oil shampoo: never
use detergent soaps.
Nails
Need trimming occasionally
Don’t cut into nail bed, (can be seen on white/clear
nails but not on black nails)
If bleeding occurs stop with a styptic pencil
Ears
Need to be cleaned
once a month
Use cotton swab or soft
cloth soaked in
mineral oil, hydrogen
peroxide, or alcohol
Only clean visible part
of the ear
Eyes
Boric acid solutions
can be used to clean
irritating substances
out of the eye
Hunting dogs need to
be checked after each
outing
Teeth
Clean once or twice a week
A toothbrush or gauze can
be used with toothpaste,
salt water or a mixture of
salt water and baking soda
Rawhide, synthetic bones,
and hard chew toys will
help keep teeth clean
Reproduction
Estrus – heat, occurs b/6-12 months of age. (larger
dogs up to 2 yearsof age )
Intervals of seven months
Proestrus – 9 days before estrus when female is
attractive to the male
Ovulation occurs in the first 48 hours of estrus
Pregnancy
Gestation – avg. 63
days
Signs of pregnancy:
Increase in appetite,
weight and breast size
Pregnancy cont.
A whelping box will be helpful
As whelping approaches, her temperature will be
slightly below normal (100.4*F)
Temp. should be around 96.8* F about 24 hours before
whelping
Each puppy is contained in a separate placental
membrane; mother will remove this