Owning dogs, especially providing care for the gordon setter, is a specialty of people. Historians theorize that dogs were first domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from the wolf. Since then, human beings have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, varying in size from four-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest canine. But the most popular canines are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The gordon setter is another favorite choice with canine owners. Some owners are oblivious, however, of many important gordon setter care tips.
General cost of care for the gordon setter
The annual cost of taking care of the gordon setter—which includes nutrition and treats, to vet bills, toys and license—could vary between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This does not even consider capital expenses for sterilization operations, dog collar and leash, dog carrier and dog crate. Tip: Be positive you have all of your supplies before bringing your gordon setter home for the 1st time.
General gordon setter Care
gordon setter Feeding Outline
- gordon setter pups between eight and twelve weeks need four bowls of food in a day.
- gordon setter puppies 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals in a 24 hour period.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to one year 2 meals a day.
- When the gordon setter reaches his 1st birthday, one bowl daily is typically adequate.
- Some gordon setters, however, do better with two lighter servings. It is your job to adapt to your gordon setter’s eating habits.
High-quality dry food provides a balanced diet for full-grown gordon setters and can mix with canned food, broth, or water. Your gordon setter may also be fond of cottage cheese, cooked egg, fruits and vegetables, but these dishes should not add up to more than ten pct of her daily calorie intake. gordon setter puppies must be given top-quality, name brand puppy food. You should limit “people food”, however, since it can result in vitamin and mineral imbalances, tooth and bone issues, and may result in extremely picky eating habits and obesity. Clean, potable water should be made at all times, and make certain to wash water and food bowls very often.
gordon setter Care Tips: Make sure to get your gordon setter some daily physical activity
gordon setters need physical activity in order to stay in shape, recharge their minds, and stay healthy. Daily physical activity also really helps gordon setters fight boredom, which would often lead to difficult behavior. A little fun and games would quench most of your gordon setter’s instinctual urges to chase, retrieve, chew, dig and herd. Exercise needs are dependent on your gordon setter’s age and his or her level of health—but 10 minutes outside and just a walk down the street every day probably won’t cut it. If your gordon setter is a six to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be much greater.
Grooming tips for gordon setters
You can help reduce shedding and keep your gordon setter clean with regular brushing. Inspect for ticks and fleas every day during warm weather. Many gordon setters don’t need a bath more than a few times a year. Before bathing, cut out or comb all mats from the gordon setter’s coat. Rinse all soap from the coat, or the dirt will stick to soap residue.
How to Handle Your gordon setter
Pups, as opposed to adults, are obviously the easiest to manage. To carry your gordon setter pup, place 1 of your hands under your dog’s chest, with either your forearm or other hand supporting his or her hind legs and rump. Never attempt to grab or lift your puppy by her front legs, tail or nape. If you have to pick up a larger, adult gordon setter, pick it up from underneath, holding his chest with 1 of your arms and rear end with the other arm.
gordon setter housing
Your gordon setter needs a cozy quiet place to relax away from all the drafts and away from the ground. You may want to buy a doggie bed, or make one from a wood box. Put a clean comforter, blanket, sheet, or pillow in the bed for cushioning. Wash your gordon setter’s bedding often. If the gordon setter will be spending a lot of time outdoors, be sure she has shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a warm, dry, covered shelter in the cold.
Licensing and Identification for gordon setters
Your city has licensing rules to follow. You should attach the license to the gordon setter’s collar. This, along with an ID tag or tattoo, can help secure your gordon setter’s return if she happens to go missing.
Info on gordon setter Temperament
About Training Your gordon setter
A well-behaved, companion gordon setter can be a joy to own. But when left untrained, your gordon setter may be a headache. Teaching your gordon setter the minimums—”Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen your relationship both with your pooch as well as your company. If you’re the owner of a pup, start training him on manners asap! Use food as recognition and incentive. Pups can commence obedience classes when they have been sufficiently immunized. Call the local SPCA or humane society for details about training schools. It is wise to walk your gordon setter on a leash while in public, even as a pup. Just be positive your dog will come to you when you call him. An aggressive or disobedient gordon setter can’t play with others.
The Health of Your gordon setter
gordon setters should see the vet for a full examination, shots and a heartworm blood examination annualy, and promptly when she is hurt or sick.
The Oral Health of Your gordon setter
Although we might simply dislike our gordon setter’s foul breath, we should be aware of what it may represent. Foul-smelling breath is a symptom that your gordon setter should have a dental examination. Plaque caused by unhealthy bacteria brings a bad stench that necessitates the help of a professional. Once your gordon setter has had a cleaning done by a professional, his gums and teeth can be maintained in a healthy state by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. Your vet can show you more guidance on minimizing dental disease and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your gordon setter’s teeth. 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, sometimes affects gordon setters. This painful affliction will sometimes lead to loss of teeth and also propagate diseases throughout the rest of her body. Your vet will usually brush the gordon setter’s teeth during the typical health evaluation.
Bad gordon setter Breath
While oral disease by itself is not a serious issue when it is detected early enough, halitosis may be indicative of serious, persistent problems. Diseases of the intestines or liver sometimes cause smelly breath, whereas a sweet, fruity smell can often be indicative of diabetes. Kidney disease might be the reason when your gordon setter’s breath smells like ammonia or urine. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your gordon setter has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Dealing with Ticks and Fleas in gordon setters
In the summer, it’s critical for you to perform daily, regular checks of your gordon setter for fleas and ticks. Use a flea comb to find fleas. There are many new techniques of flea and tick reduction. Talk with your veterinarian about his or her options.
Heartworm problems in gordon setters
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and passes from an infested dog to your gordon setter by way of mosquitoes. Several gordon setters die each year because of heartworm infestations. Your gordon setter should have a blood test for heartworms every single spring—this is necessary for catching infections from the prior year. It is recommended that you give your gordon setter a monthly pill throughout the course of the warm, wet time of the year to help you protect him from heartworms. When you travel in warmer regions with your gordon setter in the winter, he ought to be on the preventive medicine during the trip. There are some regions, usually the places with more moderate temperatures, where vets advise parasite tablets be used continually.
Toxins and Medicines
If you’re considering giving your gordon setter medication that was not prescribed for her by his doctor, forget it. As little as one ibuprofen tablet can possibly cause stomach ulcers in gordon setters. Make sure your gordon setter is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. When you suspect that your pooch has consumed a poison, contact your doctor or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hour animal poison help.
gordon setters: Spaying and Neutering
It is recommended that male gordon setters should be neutered – the removal of the testicles – and females spayed – the removal of the ovaries and uterus – by 6 months of age. You can greatly diminish your female’s breast cancer risk by spaying prior to maturity. The chance of a sick uterus, which is also a serious condition that impacts more mature females, will also be eliminated by spaying when young. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggressions are all preventable by neutering male gordon setters.
Vaccinating your gordon setter
- gordon setter pups should be vaccinated with a combination shot (called the “five-in-one”) at 2, three and four months old, and again once per year. This immunization immunizes your gordon setter puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. The gordon setter puppy’s innoculation program cannot be finished before 4 months old.
- If you have the rare gordon setter who has not been vaccinated and is older than four or 5 months, he must get a series of two immunizations two or 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual immunization.
- gordon setter pup vaccination and socialization should coincide. Most veterinarians recommend that new owners take their gordon setter puppies to socialization classes, as early as eight or 9 weeks of age. They should have received their first immunizations by this age.
Rules are so varied around the country, the best thing is to contact your community vet about rabies immunization information. For example, in NYC, the law states that any pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial shot, he must have a second vaccination the next year, and then every 3 years after that. There are a variety of immunizations that may or may not be appropriate for your gordon setter. Ask your gordon setter’s vet for his recommendation. Please note, if your gordon setter happens to get sick because he is not immunized, the innoculation must be taken once your companion animal has recovered.
Intestinal Worms in gordon setters
gordon setters are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both urban and rural. Tiny eggs created by intestinal worms are passed in an infected gordon setter’s stool. Even the healthiest of gordon setter puppies carry intestinal worms. Getting an accurate, early detection is the key to treatment. This will make certain that the treatment is successful against the worms your dog has. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, can’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best define the culprit—and prescribe the right medicine.
gordon setter Care Tips: Additional Information
Checklist of gordon setter Supplies
- Premium-quality dog food and treats specifically for gordon setters and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush and comb for grooming, including flea comb
- Collar with license and ID tag
- Leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Training crate
- Dog box or bed with warm quilt or towel
- Dog toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to gordon setters:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coffee, tea, or chocolate
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, garlic and chives
- Bones of chicken, turkey, or any other animal (choking hazard)
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, unripe fruit & stems
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Keep your gordon setter on a leash whenever you are outdoors, unless you are in a secured, fenced-in spot. If your gordon setter goes #2 on a neighbor’s grass, on the sidewalk or any other public spot, please remove it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about gordon setters
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