Raising dogs, especially taking care of the himalayan sheepdog, is a specialty of humans across the world. Some experts postulate that dogs were domesticated sometime between 12,000 and 25,000 years ago—and that canines evolved from the wolf. Since then, humans have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, whose three-ft stature has earned them the distinction of the tallest pooch. But the most popular dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The himalayan sheepdog is another popular choice among dog owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of some crucial himalayan sheepdog care tips.
Health care cost of your himalayan sheepdog
The yearly budget for taking care of your himalayan sheepdog—including meals, to doctor bills, toys and license—can vary between $420 and $780. This figure doesn’t include capital costs for sterilization operations, collar and leash, dog carrier and a doggie crate. Tip: Be positive you have procured all of the required items before you bring your himalayan sheepdog home for the first time.
Typical himalayan sheepdog Care
himalayan sheepdog Feeding Plan
- himalayan sheepdog pups between eight and twelve weeks need 4 bowls of food a day.
- Feed himalayan sheepdog pups 3 to 6 months old three meals daily.
- Feed pups 6 months old to 1 year 2 times per day.
- By the time your himalayan sheepdog hits his first birthday, one meal in a day is all that’s required.
- Many times adult himalayan sheepdogs might eat two lighter bowls. It is your job to adapt to your himalayan sheepdog’s eating schedule.
Top-quality dry food provides a balanced diet for full-grown himalayan sheepdogs and can mix with canned food, water, or broth. Your himalayan sheepdog may dig fruits and vegetables, cooked eggs, and cottage cheese, but these shouldn’t result in more than ten pct of her daily food allowance. himalayan sheepdog puppies need to be fed excellent-quality, brand-name puppy food. Please limit “table food”, however, because it can cause vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth issues, and might cause extremely finicky food choices and obesity. Give clean, potable water exclusively, and be certain to wash food and water bowls very often.
himalayan sheepdog Care Tips: Your himalayan sheepdog needs exercise daily
himalayan sheepdogs must get physical activity so they can burn calories, recharge their minds, and maintain good health. Daily activity also really helps himalayan sheepdogs avoid boredom, which has the potential to lead to destructive behavior. Supervised fun and games would quell most of your himalayan sheepdog’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Individual exercise needs are dependent on your himalayan sheepdog’s age and his or her level of health—but 10 minutes outside and just a walk down the street every day probably will not suffice. If your himalayan sheepdog is a six to eighteen month adolescent, her requirements will probably be much more.
himalayan sheepdog Grooming
You can help keep your himalayan sheepdog clean and reduce shedding with brushing. Check for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Most himalayan sheepdogs don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Prior to a bath, comb or cut out any and all mats from the himalayan sheepdog’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or the dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your himalayan sheepdog
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. While carrying the himalayan sheepdog puppy, place 1 of your hands beneath your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or your other hand supporting her hind legs and rump. Don’t ever attempt to grab or lift your puppy by her forelegs, tail or back of the neck. If you must pick up a bigger, adult himalayan sheepdog, lift from the underside, supporting his or her chest with 1 of your arms and rear end with the other.
himalayan sheepdog housing
Your himalayan sheepdog needs a cozy peaceful spot in order to rest away from all drafts and away from the floor or ground. You may wish to buy a dog bed, or consider making one from a wooden box. Put a clean blanket, sheet, comforter, or pillow inside the bed as cushion. Wash the himalayan sheepdog’s bed covering frequently. If your himalayan sheepdog will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make certain she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered area in winter.
Licensing and Identification for himalayan sheepdogs
Be sure to follow your city’s licensing rules. Be certain to attach the license to your himalayan sheepdog’s collar. The license, along with an ID tattoo or tag, can possibly help secure your himalayan sheepdog’s return should he go missing.
himalayan sheepdog Temperament Information
himalayan sheepdog Training
A well-mannered, companion himalayan sheepdog is a a joy. However, untrained, your dog may be nothing but trouble. Teaching your himalayan sheepdog the standards—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—will bolster the relationship with both the pooch and your relatives. If you’re the owner of a pup, begin teaching her the right responses as soon as possible! Use little bits of food as an incentive and a reward. Puppies should start obedience courses when they have been sufficiently vaccinated. Call your community SPCA or humane society for information about training schools. Invariably you should keep your himalayan sheepdog leashed while in public, even as a pup. Just be positive your doggie will come back to you when you call him. An aggressive or disobedient himalayan sheepdog can’t play with other people.
The Health of Your himalayan sheepdog
himalayan sheepdogs should see the vet for a full check-up, immunizations and a heartworm assessment annualy, and immediately when she is injured or ill.
Your himalayan sheepdog’s Oral Health
While many of us may object to our himalayan sheepdog’s halitosis, we must pay attention to what it may represent. Bad breath is most commonly an indication that your himalayan sheepdog should have a dental examination. Plaque , which is a result of unhealthy bacteria creates a terrible stench that can only be cured with treatment by a professional. After a cleaning done by a professional, the teeth and gums may be maintained by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your veterinarian can provide you with additional guidance on eliminating periodontal ailments as well as stinky breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your himalayan sheepdog’s teeth. Use a child’s soft toothbrush, a gauze pad or a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, sometimes affects himalayan sheepdogs. Sometimes, loss of teeth takes place because of gum disease. Infection can also spread to the rest of your himalayan sheepdog’s body. The veterinarian will sometimes clean your himalayan sheepdog’s teeth while performing the routine health assessment.
Halitosis in himalayan sheepdogs
If your himalayan sheepdog has foul breath, gum disease might not necessarily be the reason, as other more serious diseases also have that symptom. Liver or intestinal diseases can also cause unpleasant breath, while a fruity, sweet smell may be a sign of diabetes. Kidney disease may be the cause when your himalayan sheepdog’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. Whenever you determine your himalayan sheepdog has halitosis accompanied by other indicators of disease, like loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, loss of weight, depression, increasing drinking and urinating, plan a physical with his doctor.
Fleas and Ticks in himalayan sheepdogs
During the summer, it’s important for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your himalayan sheepdog for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are several new methods of flea and tick control. Refer to your vet about these and other recommendations.
himalayan sheepdogs With Heartworm Issues
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from a contaminated dog to your himalayan sheepdog by way of mosquitoes. Many himalayan sheepdogs die yearly because of heartworms. It’s important you ensure your himalayan sheepdog submits to a blood screening for this parasite annually each spring. A once-a-month tablet taken throughout mosquito season will help to protect your himalayan sheepdog. Your himalayan sheepdog should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some of the warmer areas, veterinarians recommend preemptive heartworm medication be taken continuously.
Medications and Poisons
If you’re contemplating giving your himalayan sheepdog medication that was not prescribed for her by his veterinarian, forget it. For example, did you know that 1 ibuprofen capsule will cause stomach ulcers in some dogs Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your himalayan sheepdog. If you believe that your doggie has ingested a toxin, call your vet or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hour animal poison assistance.
himalayan sheepdog Reproductive Operations
It is recommended that female himalayan sheepdogs be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—removal of the testes—by six months old. Spaying before maturity significantly diminishes the breast cancer risk, a frequently deadly and common ailment of more mature female himalayan sheepdogs. The risk of a diseased uterus, which is another serious condition that affects older females, can also be eliminated by spaying when young. Prostate diseases, testicular cancer, certain aggressive behavior and some hernias can be prevented by neutering males.
Vaccinating your himalayan sheepdog
- The combination vaccine (also known as the “five-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your himalayan sheepdog at 2, three, and four months old and then once yearly. This shot immunizes your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your himalayan sheepdog must be immunized for at least the first four months of his life.
- If you have the rare himalayan sheepdog who has not been vaccinated and is older than 4 or 5 months, she must get a series of 2 innoculations two to 3 weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination.
- Your himalayan sheepdog pup’s socialization should coincide with her innoculation program. Many veterinarians advise that new owners take their himalayan sheepdog pups to socialization classes, beginning at 8 to 9 weeks of age. They should have received their first immunizations by this point.
Laws vary so much around the country, that it’s best to contact your community doctor to get rabies vaccination details. For instance, NYC statutes declare that pets older than three months be vaccinated for rabies. After the first vaccination, you must have a second immunization the next year, and then every 3 years. There are several innoculations that could be right for your himalayan sheepdog. Your veterinarian can give you her advice. Please be aware, if your himalayan sheepdog happens to get ill because she is not properly vaccinated, the shots can be given once your dog has recovered.
Intestinal Parasites in himalayan sheepdogs
himalayan sheepdogs are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—especially in rural areas. Eggs that carry intestinal worms are transmitted through a himalayan sheepdog’s stool. Most pups, from all environments, even those with healthy mothers, carry roundworms or hookworms. Getting an accurate, early diagnosis is the secret to effective treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be highly effective against your himalayan sheepdog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, will not kill tapeworms. Your veterinarian can best figure out the culprit—and prescribe the best medication.
himalayan sheepdog Care Tips: Additional Info
Checklist of himalayan sheepdog Supplies
- Top-quality dog food and snacks designed for himalayan sheepdogs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Dog carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Box or dog bed with warm blanket or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
The no-no list
Never feed your himalayan sheepdog the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Spoiled or moldy food
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt and salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Dough
Final Thoughts
Retain your himalayan sheepdog on a leash when you are outdoors, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured place. And please, when your himalayan sheepdog defecates on your neighbor’s yard, dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about himalayan sheepdogs
Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
Follow