Raising dogs, especially providing care for the kishu, is nothing new for people. Some zoologists say dogs were domesticated sometime between 12,000 and 25,000 years ago—and that dogs evolved from the wolf. Since those days, human beings have selectively bred more than 400 breeds, ranging in size from 4-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of the tallest dog. However, the most preferred dogs are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The kishu is another popular choice among dog owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of many of the most important kishu care tips.
General cost of care for the kishu
The annual cost of providing for your kishu—to include everything from meals and snacks, to veterinary care, toys and license—could range between $420 and seven hundred eighty dollars. This doesn’t even include capital costs for sterilization surgery, collar and leash, dog carrier and a crate. Tip: Be positive you have all of your supplies before you bring your kishu home for the 1st time.
Typical kishu Care
How To Feed the kishu
- kishu puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need 4 meals every 24 hours.
- kishu pups 3 to 6 months old should be fed three meals in a day.
- Feed pups 6 months to 1 year two meals daily.
- When your kishu reaches her 1st birthday, one meal every twenty-four hours is typically enough.
- Some adult kishus, however, prefer two smaller meals. It’s your duty to learn your kishu’s eating tendencies.
Top-quality dry dogfood provides balanced nutrition to grown kishus and may be mixed with canned food, water, or broth. Your kishu may enjoy fruits and vegetables, cooked eggs, and cottage cheese, but these should be less than 10 percent of his or her daily food. kishu pups must be fed premium-quality, name brand puppy food. Try to cut down on “table food”, however, because it can cause vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth concerns, and may result in some extremely finicky eating habits as well as obesity. Give clean, potable water always, and make sure to wash water and food dishes frequently.
kishu Care Tips: Make sure your kishu gets plenty of daily physical activity
kishus need some exercise in order to burn calories, recharge their brains, and keep healthy. Daily exercise also tends to help kishus fight boredom, which has the potential to lead to naughty behavior. A little fun and games can satisfy many of your kishu’s desires to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Activity needs depend on your kishu’s level of health and her age—but 10 minutes in back of the house and just a walk down the street every day probably won’t suffice. If your kishu is a 6 to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will be a little higher.
Grooming tips for kishus
You can help reduce shedding and keep your kishu clean with brushing. Inspect for fleas and ticks daily during warm weather. Many kishus don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Before a bath, comb or cut out any mats from the kishu’s hair. Carefully rinse all soap out of the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap residue.
How to Handle Your kishu
Puppies, as opposed to adults, are obviously easier to handle. While carrying your kishu puppy, place 1 hand beneath the dog’s chest, with either your forearm or other hand supporting the hind legs and rump. Don’t attempt to grab or lift your pup by his or her forelegs, tail or nape. When you need to pick up a larger, full-grown kishu, pick it up from the underside, bracing his or her chest with one arm and rump with the other.
kishu housing
kishus need a comfy peaceful location to sleep away from all drafts and away from the floor or ground. You may want to think about buying a doggie bed, or prefer making one out of a wooden box. Place a clean sheet or pillow in the bed for cushioning. Wash your kishu’s bedding often. If your kishu will be outdoors often, be certain he has plenty of cool water and shade in hot weather, and a warm, covered, dry area in the cold.
Licensing and Identification for kishus
Be sure you follow your city’s licensing regulations. Be sure you affix the license to your kishu’s collar. This, along with an ID tag or tattoo, may help you recover your kishu should he become lost.
Information on kishu Temperament
Thoughts on Training the kishu
A well-behaved, companion kishu is a joy to own. However, when untrained, your dog may be a big headache. Teaching your kishu the minimums—”Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, and “Leave it”—will strengthen your relationship with both your dog as well as the relatives. If you’re the owner of a pup, start teaching him or her the appropriate behavior ASAP! Treats can be used as incentive and recognition. Pups should start obedience class when they have been adequately immunized. Contact your local SPCA or humane society for details about obedience courses. It is wise to walk your kishu on a leash when, even while a puppy. Be positive your dog will come back to you whenever you call him. A disobedient or aggressive kishu can’t play with other people.
Knowing Your kishu’s Health
Your kishu should visit the vet for a complete exam, innoculations and a heartworm blood exam each and every year, and ASAP when she is injured or ill.
Your kishu’s Oral Health
While many of us might object to our kishu’s halitosis, we must be aware of what it may represent. Halitosis is a sign that your kishu is in need of an oral examination. Dental plaque , which is a result of unhealthy bacteria results in a terrible stench that can only be eliminated by the help of a professional. Once you have given your kishu a professional cleaning, her gums and teeth can be maintained by brushing the teeth regularly, feeding a specially formulated dental diet and treats, and avoiding table scraps. Your veterinarian can provide you with other advice on mitigating dental problems and halitosis. You can clean the kishu’s teeth with a doggie paste or a homemade baking soda and water paste a couple of times per week. You can clean them with a piece of nylon stocking stretched over your finger, a gauze pad, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Some kishus are afflicted by periodontal disease, another name for an infection between the gums and teeth. This troublesome disease can possibly lead to loss of teeth and also cause infections to the body. The doctor usually will brush the kishu’s teeth while performing her regular health analysis.
kishu Halitosis
Even though the foul odors due to dental disease may not be too serious if detected early enough, sometimes bad breath may indicate more serious, persistent problems. A pleasant, even sweet smell can usually be a sign of diabetes, while liver or intestinal diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible cause when your kishu’s breath smells like urine or ammonia. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your kishu has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Tick and Fleas in kishus
Regular, daily inspections of your kishu for ticks and fleas throughout the summer are important. Remove and find fleas with a flea comb. There are numerous new methods of tick and flea reduction. Talk to your vet about his recommendations.
Heartworms in kishus
The heartworm is a parasite that lives in the heart and is passed from a contaminated dog to your kishu by mosquitoes. Several kishus die yearly because of heartworms. It is very important that you make sure your kishu takes a blood screening for worms each spring. A once-a-month tablet taken in mosquito season will help to protect your kishu. Your kishu should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some more moderate climates, vets advise preventative parasite medication be taken continuously.
Toxins and Medications
If you’re considering giving your kishu medication that was not prescribed for her by his veterinarian, don’t even think about it. As little as one ibuprofen tablet is known to create stomach ulcers in kishus. Make sure your kishu is never exposed to rat poison and other rodenticides. Make sure to contact your kishu’s veterinarian when you have reason to suspect your kishu has consumed poison. You can also call the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for 24 hr. help.
Spaying and Neutering kishus
Female kishus should be spayed—which is the removal of the uterus and ovaries—and males neutered—removal of the testes—by 6 months old. Spaying before maturity greatly reduces the risk of breast cancer, which is a usually deadly and common illness for older female dogs. Spaying also eradicates the risk of an infected uterus, a very serious problem in more mature females that requires surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males helps prevent testicular diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggression.
kishu Innoculating
- kishu puppies should be vaccinated with a combo shot (called a “five-in-one”) at two, 3 and 4 months of age, and again once yearly. This vaccine immunizes your pup from hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and distemper. The kishu must be innoculated for at least the first four months of her life.
- If your kishu has not been immunized and is older than four months, she will need to be given 2 vaccinations immediately, two to 3 weeks apart. Then you must immunize yearly.
- kishu puppy socialization and vaccination should coincide. You may bring your kishu puppy to socialization courses as early as eight to nine weeks of age, as recommended by most vets. At this point, they should have already received their first innoculations.
Since rules vary so much between different areas, contact your community doctor for instructions on rabies immunization. For instance, in New York City, the law states that all pets older than three months of age to be vaccinated for rabies. The original rabies immunization must be followed by a subsequent vaccination the next year, and then every three years after that. There are a variety of vaccines that may or may not be effective for your kishu. Ask your kishu’s vet for his opinion. Please note, if your kishu happens to get ill because he is not vaccinated, the shot ought to be taken once your pet recovers.
Intestinal Parasites in kishus
kishus are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Microscopic eggs created by hookworms are transmitted through an infested dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of kishu puppies carry hookworms or roundworms. The secret to treatment is early detection. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medication will be successful against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates roundworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your kishu’s doctor can best identify the culprit—and prescribe the best medicine.
kishu Care Tips: Additional Information
Checklist of kishu Supplies
- High-quality dog food and treats specifically for kishus and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb & brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Quality leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Training crate
- Dog box or bed with warm blanket or towel
- Doggie toothbrush
The no-no list
The following items should never be fed to kishus:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, or any other caffeinated foods
- Grapes and raisins
- Spoiled or moldy food of any kind
- Onions, chives & garlic
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
The “Bottom” Line
Keep your kishu on a leash whenever you are outside, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured location. Whenever your kishu defecates on a neighbor’s grass, his sidewalk or any other public location, please remove it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about kishus
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