It's back to school time! With everyone changing how they go about going back, we are working to make some positive changes too! Adding even more classes to suit your needs and requests. Please do keep in mind that evening classes fill very quickly, in some cases month in advance so we ask that you plan ahead. There are only so many evenings in a week so we must be selective about the classes being offered. Have patience and get registered.

Also since it is September that means the Quinte Humane Society Wiggle Waggle Walkathon is just around the corner! This years event is dubbed: Sniff Your Own Adventure since it is going virtual! We hope you can participate this year and we hope to be back in person next year to see all of your smiling faces and wagging butts (dog and humans too)! For more information see our community events section at the very end of this newsletter.

As always, stay safe and keep those tails wagging!

Your friend,
Yvonne Ferguson, CPDT-KSA, CTDI
Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge & Skills Assessed, Certified Trick Dog Instructor,
Behaviour Consultant - Quinte Canine

From Wolf to Dog:
What are the Health Concerns?
By Calista Vandervleuten - Quinte Canine College Placement Student - Durham College
 

One of the most fascinating things about dogs is how they have changed visually over the years. They went from large, thick haired wolves all the way to tiny, short haired chihuahuas. Breeding has caused dogs to evolve in so many ways, creating dogs with smaller legs, smaller snouts, and even smaller teeth! But what does this mean for dogs in terms of their health?

Smaller dog breeds, especially breeds like Shih Tzu’s, Pugs, and Boston Terriers, who are brachycephalic (meaning that they have short and broad skulls), have very small teeth, 42 to be exact! While their small, round and little faces may be extremely adorable, there are some health concerns when it comes to their teeth. Since their skulls are so small and round, they are prone to dental disease as their teeth can easily be shifted and can overcrowd at strange angles. This can lead to periodontal disease, a disease quite common in brachycephalic dogs that causes inflammation of the gums surrounding their teeth. Because this is common, there are many ways to treat periodontal disease and prevent it from happening: such as cleaning the dog’s teeth every day by brushing, taking a dog in for regular examinations, or having some teeth extracted if they cannot be fixed.

Most dogs have long and strong legs, stemming from wolves, although some dogs were bred specifically to have smaller legs, such as the Daschund. Also known as “wiener dogs”, these dogs have long, sausage-like bodies, and their signature tiny legs. Some problems that Daschunds can face due to their small legs are knee problems. Luxating Patella, a common problem affecting most Dachshunds, is a condition where the cartilage that is in charge of holding the dog's knee back becomes damaged. Signs of this include limping or a Dachshund having their leg in the air. It is important to notice when this may happen because if it does not get treated, then Dachshunds may have permanent lameness. This can be treated by using multiple vitamins and supplements, as well as changing exercise routines with the dog.

Continuing on with the brachycephalic topic, this could also lead to breathing problems for dogs, especially Pugs and Shih Tzu’s. Brachycephalic dogs often have narrowed nostrils, which can lead to a breathing disorder called BOAS, or in other words, "Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome". This is a long term disorder that can interfere with a brachycephalic dog's day to day life, including eating, sleeping, and exercising. This can be a problem especially if a brachycephalic dog tries to cool down. Signs of BOAS include an increase in noise when they breathe (sounds like snoring or wheezing), or showing signs of more effort when breathing. Early assessment of this disorder is key as it will determine the issue before it could potentially get worse in the future. The dog's nose and throat will be examined and looked for any abnormalities (such as a collapsed larynx).

Mixed breeds have some of the cutest dogs, including the Pomsky (Pomeranian Husky cross), the Shih Poo (Shih Tzu Poodle cross), and the Golden Doodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle cross). While these breeds may be adorable, breeding two different dog breeds can lead to many health problems. Since dog breeds are all different sizes and have different body shapes, breeding two different body shaped dogs can lead to some health problems, the most common one being Ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments.This is when a dogs knee becomes ruptured and unstable, causing lameness. Typically, a mixed breed dog would need knee surgery in order to fix this by cutting the tibia, rotating it and stabilizing it. If untreated, the dog may experience a lot of pain and a decrease in exercise or movement. It is important to check out the health risks when breeding two different dog breeds, but also be aware to catch any changes in a dogs behaviour so the issue can potentially be resolved depending on the health issue.

One of the perks of having a dog as a pet is being able to choose from a variety of breeds. There are hundreds, and all of them are very unique, especially visually, and while some dogs may look differently from other dog breeds, it’s important to acknowledge those differences and be aware of any health problems it may lead to in the future.