Owning dogs, in particular taking care of the black and tan virginia foxhound, is old hat for humans across the globe. Experts speculate dogs were domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all dogs evolved from the wolf. Since then, humans have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, varying in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-foot stature has earned them the distinction of tallest pooch. However, the most popular canines are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The black and tan virginia foxhound is also a favorite choice among canine owners. Some owners are misinformed, however, of some common black and tan virginia foxhound care tips.
Cost of care for the black and tan virginia foxhound
The yearly cost of taking care of your black and tan virginia foxhound—which includes everything from food and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—can vary between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even include capital expenses for spay/neuter surgery, collar and leash, dog carrier and dog crate. Tip: Be positive you have procured all the necessary items before getting your black and tan virginia foxhound home for the first time.
General black and tan virginia foxhound Care
How To Feed the black and tan virginia foxhound
- black and tan virginia foxhound pups between 8 and 12 weeks need four meals daily.
- black and tan virginia foxhound puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals in a day.
- Feed pups six months to 1 year old two bowls of food every twenty-four hours.
- When your black and tan virginia foxhound reaches his or her first birthday, 1 feeding daily is usually all that’s required.
- Some black and tan virginia foxhounds, however, prefer 2 lighter bowls. It is your job to adapt to your black and tan virginia foxhound’s eating habits.
Top-quality dry dog food ensures balanced nutrition for full-grown black and tan virginia foxhounds and can mix with water, canned food, or broth. Your black and tan virginia foxhound may enjoy cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these additions should not add up to more than ten pct of his daily food intake. black and tan virginia foxhound pups ought to be given a high-quality, brand-name puppy food. Please limit “table food”, however, since it can result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and teeth problems, and may cause some very picky food choices and obesity. Give clean, fresh water only, and make certain to clean food and water bowls very often.
black and tan virginia foxhound Care Tips: Make sure to get your black and tan virginia foxhound some daily exercise
black and tan virginia foxhounds must have physical activity to stay fit, stimulate their brains, and stay healthy. Physical activity also seems to help black and tan virginia foxhounds fight boredom, which often leads to difficult behavior. Physical activity would cure many of your black and tan virginia foxhound’s desires to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Activity needs will depend on your black and tan virginia foxhound’s level of health and his or her age—but 10 minutes in back of the house and just a walk around the block every day probably won’t be sufficient. If your black and tan virginia foxhound is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will probably be more.
black and tan virginia foxhound Grooming
You can help reduce shedding and keep your black and tan virginia foxhound clean with frequent brushing. Check for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Most black and tan virginia foxhounds don’t need a bath more than a few times during the year. Before the bath, comb or cut out any and all mats from the black and tan virginia foxhound’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
Handling Your black and tan virginia foxhound
Pups, as opposed to adults, are clearly the easiest to handle. While carrying your black and tan virginia foxhound pup, take 1 hand and put it under the dog’s chest, with either your forearm or your other hand supporting his or her hind legs and rear. Don’t ever try to lift or grab your pup by her front legs, tail or back of the neck. If you need to pick up a bigger, adult black and tan virginia foxhound, lift from underneath, supporting his or her chest with 1 arm and rump with your other arm.
Housing the black and tan virginia foxhound
black and tan virginia foxhounds need a comfy peaceful place in order to rest away from all breezes and away from the floor. You may want to think about purchasing a dog bed, or make one out of a wooden box. Put a clean comforter or pillow in the bed as cushion. Wash your black and tan virginia foxhound’s bed covering frequently. If the black and tan virginia foxhound will be outdoors often, be sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a dry, covered, warm shelter in winter.
black and tan virginia foxhound Licensing
There are licensing rules to heed in your city. You should attach the license to the black and tan virginia foxhound’s collar. This, along with an identification tattoo or tag, will most likely help secure your black and tan virginia foxhound’s return should she go missing.
Info on black and tan virginia foxhound Behavior
About Training Your black and tan virginia foxhound
Well-mannered, companion black and tan virginia foxhounds are truly a blessing to have. However, untrained, your dog may be a lot of trouble. Training your black and tan virginia foxhound on the fundamentals—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—will bolster your relationship with both your pooch as well as the house guests. If you’re the owner of a pup, begin training her on the appropriate responses as fast as you can! Use snacks as an incentive and a reward. Pups should enroll in obedience classes when they are adequately vaccinated. Call the community SPCA or humane society for information on obedience courses. It is wise to keep your black and tan virginia foxhound leashed while in public, even while a pup. Be positive your dog will come back to you at all times whenever you say the word. An aggressive or disobedient black and tan virginia foxhound shouldn’t play with other people.
Your black and tan virginia foxhound’s Health
black and tan virginia foxhounds should visit the vet for a complete examination, vaccinations and heartworm examination every single year, and ASAP if he is ill or injured.
About your black and tan virginia foxhound’s Dental Health
Although we might simply dislike our black and tan virginia foxhound’s foul breath, we should pay attention to what it might indicate. Foul breath is most commonly a symptom which means that your black and tan virginia foxhound should get a dental examination. Dental plaque , which is caused by bacteria causes a bad stench that demands the help of a professional. Once your black and tan virginia foxhound has had a professional oral cleaning, her gums and teeth can be maintained by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. The veterinarian can show you additional guidance on reducing dental problems as well as bad breath. You can brush the black and tan virginia foxhound’s teeth using a doggie toothpaste or a paste made of baking soda and water twice weekly. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects black and tan virginia foxhounds. This dreadful disease can sometimes result in loss of your black and tan virginia foxhound’s teeth and propagate diseases to the body. The veterinarian usually will clean the black and tan virginia foxhound’s teeth while performing the regular health evaluation.
Breeds with Halitosis (bad breath)
If your black and tan virginia foxhound has foul breath, periodontal disease might just be the tip of the iceberg as far as his health issues. Diseases of the intestines or liver sometimes cause unpleasant breath, and a pleasant, even sweet smell can be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possible cause if your black and tan virginia foxhound’s breath smells of urine or ammonia. Any time you determine your black and tan virginia foxhound has foul breath along with other symptoms of ill health, like diminished appetite, nausea or vomiting, weight loss, moodiness, including depression, excessive urination or drinking, plan an assessment with his doctor.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in black and tan virginia foxhounds
Daily inspections of your black and tan virginia foxhound for ticks and fleas during the summer are vital. Remove fleas with a flea comb. There are several new techniques of flea and tick control. Get advice from your vet about his or her recommendations.
Heartworms in black and tan virginia foxhounds
Your black and tan virginia foxhound is at risk of developing heartworms if he is exposed to mosquitoes often. Mosquitoes transport the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations are deadly. It’s very critical that you ensure your black and tan virginia foxhound takes a blood test for worms each year in the spring. A once-a-month tablet given throughout the course of mosquito season can protect your black and tan virginia foxhound. If you ever vacation in warmer regions with your black and tan virginia foxhound during the winter, she must be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some of the milder climates, veterinarians recommend preventative worm medication be taken continuously.
Medicines and Toxins
If you’re thinking about giving your black and tan virginia foxhound tablets that was not prescribed for her by his vet, forget it. Just one ibuprofen tablet is known to create stomach ulcers in black and tan virginia foxhounds. Make sure your black and tan virginia foxhound is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Be sure to contact your dog’s veterinarian when you suspect your black and tan virginia foxhound has been exposed to poison. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
black and tan virginia foxhounds: Neutering and Spaying
It is recommended that male black and tan virginia foxhounds should be neutered – the extraction of the testicles – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by 6 months of age. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, a common and frequently fatal disease for older females. Spaying also eliminates the risk of a diseased uterus, a very serious problem in more mature females that requires intensive medical care and surgery. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, some hernias and certain aggressive behavior can be prevented by neutering males.
Immunizing your black and tan virginia foxhound
- black and tan virginia foxhound pups should be innoculated with a combo immunization (called the “five-in-1”) at 2, 3 and four months of age, and then once annually. This shot protects your pup from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Your black and tan virginia foxhound puppy’s innoculation program cannot be finished prior to 4 months old.
- If your black and tan virginia foxhound has not been immunized and is older than four months, he will need to be given two vaccinations asap, two to 3 weeks apart. Then you must vaccinate every year.
- Your black and tan virginia foxhound puppy’s socialization should coincide with her vaccination program. Many vets recommend that new owners bring their black and tan virginia foxhound pups to socialization classes, beginning at 8 to nine weeks old. They should have received their first innoculations by then.
Statutes are so varied between different areas, the best thing is to contact your local vet for rabies immunization information. In NYC, for example, the statute states that any pets older than three months must be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies immunization must be followed by another immunization a year later, and then every 3 years after that. There are several immunizations that could be effective for your black and tan virginia foxhound. Ask your black and tan virginia foxhound’s vet for his opinion. Also, if your black and tan virginia foxhound gets sick because he is not immunized, do not administer the vaccination until the dog has made a full recovery.
Intestinal Worms in black and tan virginia foxhounds
black and tan virginia foxhounds are often exposed to worms—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry roundworms and hookworms are transmitted through a dog’s stool. Even the healthiest of black and tan virginia foxhound puppies carry hookworms or roundworms. Getting an accurate, early detection is the key to effective treatment. This will maximize the possibility that the medicine is effective against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eradicates roundworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your vet can best identify the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate medication.
black and tan virginia foxhound Care Tips: Additional Information
Checklist of black and tan virginia foxhound Supplies
- Excellent-quality dog food and treats specifically designed for black and tan virginia foxhounds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb and brush for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with comforter or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
The no-no list
Never, ever feed your black and tan virginia foxhound the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Caffeinated foods, like coffee, tea or chocolate
- Raisins & grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, garlic & chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems or unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Keep your black and tan virginia foxhound on a leash whenever you are outside, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in location. And please, when your black and tan virginia foxhound defecates on your neighbor’s grass, clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about black and tan virginia foxhounds
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