Owning dogs, in particular providing care for the south russian ovcharka, is old hat for humans. Some historians postulate dogs were originally domesticated sometime between twelve thousand and 25,000 years ago—and that all dogs evolved from wolves. Since those days, people have selectively bred more than four hundred breeds, varying in size from 4-pound teacup poodles to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the title of the tallest dog. However, the most preferred canines are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mutts. The south russian ovcharka is also a favorite pick among canine owners. Some owners are misinformed, however, of some crucial south russian ovcharka care tips.
Typical health care cost for the south russian ovcharka
The yearly budget for rearing the south russian ovcharka—which includes everything from nutrition, to vet bills, toys and license—can vary between $420 and $780. This doesn’t even consider capital expenses for spay/neuter operations, a collar and a leash, dog carrier and crate. Tip: Make sure you have all of your items before bringing your south russian ovcharka home for the 1st time.
Basic south russian ovcharka Care
south russian ovcharka Feeding Schedule
- south russian ovcharka puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need 4 bowls of food per day.
- south russian ovcharka pups 3 to 6 months old should be fed 3 meals in a twenty-four hour period.
- Feed puppies 6 months old to one year old 2 times in a day.
- When the south russian ovcharka reaches his first birthday, 1 feeding in a 24 hour period is enough.
- Some adult south russian ovcharkas, however, eat 2 smaller helpings. It is your responsibility to adapt to your south russian ovcharka’s eating tendencies.
Top-quality dry food ensures balanced nutrition for adult south russian ovcharkas and may be mixed with broth, water, or canned food. Your south russian ovcharka may also dig fruits and vegetables, cooked eggs, and cottage cheese, but these additions should not result in more than ten percent of his daily food intake. south russian ovcharka puppies should probably be fed a high-quality, brand-name puppy food. You should limit “people food”, however, since it can result in mineral and vitamin deficiencies, bone and teeth issues, and may cause some very picky eating habits and obesity. Give clean, potable water exclusively, and make sure to wash water and food dishes very frequently.
south russian ovcharka Care Tips: Make sure your south russian ovcharka does plenty of daily exercise
south russian ovcharkas must get some daily exercise to stay in shape, recharge their minds, and keep healthy. Daily activity also tends to help south russian ovcharkas avoid boredom, which has the potential to lead to naughty behavior. Playing outside will cure many of your south russian ovcharka’s instinctual urges to dig, retrieve, chase, chew and herd. Exercise needs can depend on your south russian ovcharka’s level of health and his age—but 10 minutes in back of the house and merely a walk down the street every day probably won’t cut it. If your south russian ovcharka is a six to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will probably be much greater.
south russian ovcharka Grooming
Frequent brushing will help reduce shedding and keep your south russian ovcharka clean. Inspect for ticks and fleas daily during the summer or other warm weather. Most south russian ovcharkas don’t need to be bathed more than a few times per year. Prior to a bath, comb or cut out all mats from the south russian ovcharka’s coat. Rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to soap residue.
Handling Your south russian ovcharka
Pups are clearly easier to manage. To carry the south russian ovcharka pup, place 1 hand under your dog’s chest, with either the forearm or other hand supporting his back legs and rear. Don’t attempt to lift or grab your puppy by her front legs, tail or nape. When you must lift a larger, full-grown south russian ovcharka, pick it up from the underside, supporting his chest with one of your arms and rump with your other.
Housing the south russian ovcharka
Your south russian ovcharka needs a cozy quiet location to be able to rest away from all drafts and away from the ground or floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a doggie bed, or consider making one out of a wood box. Put a clean blanket, comforter, sheet, or pillow in the bed. Wash the south russian ovcharka’s bedding often. If your south russian ovcharka will be spending a lot of time outdoors, make sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a dry, warm, covered shelter in winter.
Licensing and Identification for south russian ovcharkas
There are licensing rules to follow in your area. Be sure you connect the license to your south russian ovcharka’s collar. This, along with an identification tattoo, could help secure your south russian ovcharka’s return if she happens to go missing.
south russian ovcharka Temperament Info
About Training Your south russian ovcharka
Well-mannered, companion south russian ovcharkas can be a pleasure to raise. However, when left untrained, your south russian ovcharka could be trouble. Teaching your south russian ovcharka the basics—”Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, “Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, and “Leave it”—strengthens the relationship with both your south russian ovcharka as well as your relatives. If you have a puppy, start teaching her the appropriate behavior immediately! Use snacks as recognition and incentive. Puppies can commence obedience courses when they have been sufficiently immunized. Call your community humane society or SPCA for obedience school recommendations. You should always keep your south russian ovcharka leashed when, even as a pup. Be certain your dog will come to you when you tell him to. A disobedient or aggressive south russian ovcharka can’t play with kids.
About your south russian ovcharka’s Health
Your south russian ovcharka should visit the veterinarian for a full assessment, shots and heartworm examination each and every year, and immediately when he is hurt or sick.
Your south russian ovcharka’s Dental Health
Although we might simply dislike our south russian ovcharka’s halitosis, we should pay attention to what it might be a symptom of. Bad breath usually means that your south russian ovcharka is in need of a dental examination. Plaque , which is caused by germs results in a bad odor that necessitates professional treatment. Once your south russian ovcharka has had a professional cleaning, her teeth and gums can be kept healthy by eliminating table food, feeding a special diet focused on maintaining dental health, and brushing regularly. Your veterinarian can give you more data for minimizing oral diseases and bad breath. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your south russian ovcharka’s teeth. Clean them with a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger, a gauze pad, or a soft, child’s toothbrush. Some south russian ovcharkas end up with periodontal disease, an infection between the gum and tooth. This dreadful affliction will sometimes initiate loss of your south russian ovcharka’s teeth as well as spread infections throughout the rest of his body. Veterinarians can brush her teeth at a typical checkup.
Bad south russian ovcharka Breath
Even though oral disease by itself is not very serious when it is found early enough, bad breath may also be indicative of fairly serious, chronic problems. A pleasant, even sweet smell can frequently be a sign of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease may be the cause if your south russian ovcharka’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. Whenever you notice your south russian ovcharka has halitosis along with other signs of ill health, such as diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting, loss of weight, depression, too much urinating or drinking, set up a consultation with her vet.
Fleas and Ticks in south russian ovcharkas
In the summer, it’s of utmost importance for you to perform daily inspections of your south russian ovcharka for ticks and fleas. Use a flea comb to find and remove fleas. There are many new technologies of flea management. Talk with your south russian ovcharka’s doctor about these and other recommendations.
Heartworms in south russian ovcharkas
This parasite resides in the heart and passes from a contaminated dog to your south russian ovcharka by way of mosquitoes. Heartworm infestations can be potentially fatal. Your south russian ovcharka should have a blood test for heartworms every spring—this is important to catch infections from the prior year. A monthly tablet given in the warm, wet time of the year will protect your south russian ovcharka. Your south russian ovcharka should be on heartworm medication throughout a winter trip to a warmer climate. In some of the warmer climates, vets recommend preemptive worm medication be taken continually.
Toxins and Medicines
Never give your south russian ovcharka medicine that hasn’t been prescribed by a veterinarian. One little ibuprofen tablet can initiate stomach ulcers in south russian ovcharkas. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your south russian ovcharka. When you suspect that your pooch has eaten a toxic substance, call the veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 24 hrs. a day for help.
Spaying and Neutering south russian ovcharkas
It is recommended that male south russian ovcharkas should be neutered – the extraction of the testes – and females spayed – the removal of the uterus and ovaries – by 6 months old. You can greatly diminish your female south russian ovcharka’s chance of breast cancer by spaying prior to maturity. The chance of a sick uterus, which is also a serious disease that affects more mature females, can be removed by spaying before 6 months. Testicular cancer, prostate diseases, some hernias and certain types of aggressions can be prevented by neutering male south russian ovcharkas.
south russian ovcharka Innoculations
- Your south russian ovcharka puppy should be immunized with a combo vaccine (called the “5-in-1”) at 2, three and four months of age, and again once every year. This innoculation protects your puppy from parainfluenza, parvovirus, leptospirosis, hepatitis, and distemper. Your south russian ovcharka must be immunized for at least the first four months of his life.
- If your south russian ovcharka has not been innoculated and is older than four months, she will need to be given 2 immunizations promptly, 2 or three weeks apart. Then you must vaccinate annualy.
- Your south russian ovcharka pup’s socialization should coincide with his innoculation program. You should bring your south russian ovcharka puppy to socialization courses by 8 or nine weeks of age, as recommended by most veterinarians. They should have received their first immunizations by then.
Since rules vary so much between different areas, call a community doctor for information about rabies vaccination. For example, New York City rules state that pets older than 3 months be vaccinated for rabies. After the original vaccination, she must get another immunization the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are a variety of vaccines, many of which are appropriate for your south russian ovcharka. There are others that are not, however. Ask your south russian ovcharka’s vet for his opinion. By the way, if your south russian ovcharka gets sick because he is not properly vaccinated, do not administer the innoculation until the dog has made a full recovery.
Roundworms in south russian ovcharkas
south russian ovcharkas are commonly exposed to worms and possible infestation—even in urban areas. Eggs that carry roundworms are transmitted through a south russian ovcharka’s feces. Most puppies, even from healthy mothers in good homes, carry hookworms or roundworms. The secret to effective treatment is correct diagnosis. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be highly effective against your dog’s worms. A dewormer that eliminates hookworms, for example, cannot kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best figure out the culprit—and prescribe the appropriate medicine.
Additional south russian ovcharka Care Tips
south russian ovcharka Supply Checklist
- Premium-quality dog food and snacks specifically for south russian ovcharkas and similarly-sized dogs
- Food bowl
- Water dish
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Brush & comb for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with license and identification tag
- Quality leash
- Carrier (for puppies)
- Crate for training
- Box or dog bed with sheet or towel
- Child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
Never feed your south russian ovcharka the following:
- Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
- Chocoloate or any food with caffeine
- Raisins or grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
- Onions, garlic or chives
- Poultry bones
- Salt or salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems and unripe fruit
- Dough
The “Bottom” Line
Retain your south russian ovcharka on a leash when you are outdoors, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured space. And please, when your south russian ovcharka defecates on your neighbor’s grass, remove and dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about south russian ovcharkas
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