Raising dogs, in particular providing care for the cretan hound, is nothing new for people. Experts say that dogs were originally domesticated between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all canines evolved from wolves. Since then, humans have selectively bred more than four hundred different breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, whose 3-ft stature earns them the title of tallest dog. But the most preferred dogs are the non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The cretan hound is another popular pick among canine owners. Some owners are misinformed, however, of some of the most common cretan hound care tips.
Typical cost of care for your cretan hound
The annual cost of raising the cretan hound—to include meals and treats, to vet bills, toys and license—could range between four hundred twenty and seven hundred eighty dollars. This figure doesn’t include capital costs for spay/neuter operations, collar and leash, a dog carrier and a dog crate. Note: Make sure you have all of the required items before you bring your cretan hound home for the first time.
General cretan hound Care
Feeding the cretan hound
- cretan hound pups between 8 and twelve weeks need four meals every twenty-four hours.
- cretan hound puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to 1 year 2 times in a twenty-four hour period.
- By the time the cretan hound reaches her first birthday, 1 feeding in a day is usually all that’s necessary.
- Some cretan hounds, however, prefer 2 lighter helpings. It is your job to adapt to your cretan hound’s eating habits.
Premium-quality dry dog food provides balanced nutrition to grown cretan hounds and can mix with water, broth, or canned food. Your cretan hound may like cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these foods should be less than ten percent of his daily food. cretan hound pups must be given premium-quality, name brand puppy food. Please try to limit “table food”, however, because it can cause vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and may create some very finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give fresh, potable water only, and be certain to wash food and water bowls often.
cretan hound Care Tips: Your cretan hound needs physical activity daily
cretan hounds need daily physical activity to burn calories, stimulate their brains, and maintain their health. Daily exercise also really helps cretan hounds avoid boredom, which would often lead to destructive behavior. Supervised fun and games can quell many of your cretan hound’s desires to dig, chase, herd, chew and retrieve. Activity needs will depend on your cretan hound’s age and his or her level of health—but merely a walk around the block every day and 10 minutes outside probably won’t suffice. If your cretan hound is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, his requirements will be much greater.
cretan hound Grooming
You can help keep your cretan hound clean and reduce shedding with brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks every day during the summer or other warm weather. Sometimes cretan hounds don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Before giving him a bath, cut out or comb any and all mats from the cretan hound’s coat. Rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
How to Handle Your cretan hound
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are clearly easier to manage. While carrying your cretan hound pup, take one hand and place it beneath your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting his or her hind legs and rump. Don’t ever try to grab or lift your puppy by his forelegs, back of the neck or tail. When you must pick up a bigger, full-grown cretan hound, lift from the underside, holding his or her chest with 1 arm and rump with the other arm.
How to House the cretan hound
cretan hounds need a warm quiet place to sleep away from all the breezes and away from the ground. You may wish to think about buying a doggie bed, or think about making one out of a wood box. Place a clean sheet, blanket, or pillow in the bed for cushion. Wash the cretan hound’s bedding often. If the cretan hound will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure he has shade and plenty of cool water in the summer, and a dry, covered, warm shelter when it’s cold.
cretan hound Identification
There are licensing regulations to heed in your town. You should attach the license to your cretan hound’s collar. The license, together with an ID tattoo or tag, could help you recover your cretan hound should he get lost.
cretan hound Temperament Facts
Training Your cretan hound
Well-mannered, companion cretan hounds are truly a blessing to have. However, when left untrained, your cretan hound can possibly be nothing but trouble. Teaching your cretan hound the standards—”Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, and “Leave it”—strengthens the relationship with both the dog as well as your visitors. If you’re the owner of a pup, begin teaching her the right behavior asap! Use little bits of food as incentive and reward. Pups can be enrolled in obedience courses when they are sufficiently vaccinated. Call the community humane society or SPCA for information on training classes. It is wise to keep your cretan hound leashed when, even as a puppy. Just be certain your doggie will come back to you at all times whenever you tell him to. An aggressive or disobedient cretan hound should not play with people.
cretan hound Health
cretan hounds should see the veterinarian for a thorough diagnosis, immunizations and a heartworm blood screening annualy, and promptly if he is sick or injured.
About your cretan hound’s Dental Health
Although we may simply dislike our cretan hound’s halitosis, it’s important to be aware of what it might represent. Bad breath is a sign that your cretan hound needs a dental screening. Dental plaque , which is a result of germs brings a terrible stench that can only be cured with the help of a professional. After a professional dental cleaning, the mouth may be kept up by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your veterinarian can give you additional info for eliminating periodontal ailments as well as halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your cretan hound’s teeth. You can clean them with a piece of nylon pantyhose wrapped around your finger, a sterile gauze pad, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, often affects cretan hounds. Frequently, loss of teeth takes place as a result of periodontal disease. Diseases can sometimes also propagate to the rest of your cretan hound’s body. Your vet will brush your cretan hound’s teeth during her typical health screening.
Halitosis (bad breath) in cretan hounds
Although oral disease alone is not that serious if caught early, halitosis may indicate more serious, persistent problems. Diseases of the intestines or liver may cause unpleasant breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell can frequently be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease is a possibility if your cretan hound’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. If you find your cretan hound has halitosis and other signs of disease, such as diminished appetite, vomiting, weight loss, depression, a lot of urination or drinking, schedule an exam with your dog’s doctor.
Tick and Fleas in cretan hounds
Daily inspections of your cretan hound for ticks and fleas during the warm seasons are critical. You can find fleas with a flea comb. There are several new methods of flea and tick control. Talk with your vet about his recommendations.
Heartworm problems in cretan hounds
Your cretan hound is at risk of developing heartworms if he is exposed to lots of mosquitoes. The insect transports the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infections can be deadly. It’s important you make sure your cretan hound takes a blood test for worms every spring. It is recommended that you give your cretan hound a monthly pill in the warm, wet time of the year to be able to protect her from heartworms. Should you ever travel in a warmer-than-usual climate with your cretan hound in the winter, she ought to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. In some milder areas, veterinarians recommend preventive worm medication be taken continuously.
Medicines and Poisons
Never, ever give your cretan hound medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by his vet. Are you aware that one ibuprofen caplet causes stomach ulcers in some dogs Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your cretan hound. Be sure to notify your cretan hound’s veterinarian if you have reason to believe your cretan hound has consumed poison. You should also notify the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hour help.
cretan hound Sterilization Operations
It is recommended that male cretan hounds should be neutered – the removal of the testicles – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by six months old. Spaying before maturity significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer, which is a usually deadly and common disorder of more mature female dogs. The chance of a sick uterus, which is also a serious condition that affects older females, can be eliminated by spaying before 6 months. Neutering males prevents prostate and testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
cretan hound Innoculating
- The combo vaccine (also called a “five-in-one shot”) needs to be given to your cretan hound at 2, 3, and four months old and again once each year. This innoculation immunizes your pup from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The cretan hound must be innoculated for at least the first four months of his life.
- If you have an uninnoculized cretan hound older than 4 or five months, he will need a series of 2 immunizations 2 to 3 weeks apart, followed by a yearly immunization.
- Your cretan hound pup’s vaccinations should coincide with his socialization program. Most doctors recommend that new owners bring their cretan hound pups to socialization courses, as early as eight to nine weeks old. At this age, they should have already received at least their first immunizations.
Because laws are so different between different areas, contact your neighborhood doctor to get info about rabies innoculation. As an example, New York City codes state that pets older than three months be innoculated for rabies. After the initial shot, you must have a second shot the next year, and then every three years after that. There are a variety of immunizations that may effective for your cretan hound. Your vet can give you her opinion. By the way, if your cretan hound gets sick because he is not vaccinated, do not give the immunization until the dog has made a full recovery.
Hookworms in cretan hounds
cretan hounds are commonly exposed to worms—in all areas, both rural and urban. Eggs that carry intestinal worms are transmitted through a dog’s stool. Most puppies, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry hookworms or roundworms. The key to effective treatment is early detection. This will maximize the possibility that the medicine is effective against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best determine the culprit—and decide the effective medication.
cretan hound: Miscellaneous Care Tips
cretan hound Supply Checklist
- High-quality dog food and treats designed for cretan hounds and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- As many safe toys as you can provide, especially chewable
- Comb and brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Dog bed or box with quilt or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
The no-no list
Never feed your cretan hound the following:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
The scoop on poop
Retain your cretan hound on a leash whenever you are outside, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured space. If your cretan hound defecates on your neighbor’s lawn, her sidewalk or any other public spot, please clean it up! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about cretan hounds
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