Vaccinations

Puppies are usually vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus and canine cough. In some areas vaccination against Tetanus may be advised.

  • Puppies 6 & 9 weeks old – C3
  • 12 weeks old – C5
  • Adult 1 year or over – C5

Vaccinations

Heartworm is a deadly disease spread by mosquitoes, however, it can be prevented!

Although no vaccine is available for heartworm disease, the disease can be prevented by the use of medication to ensure that immature worms acquired from the bite of a mosquito are killed before they reach the heart and major arteries.

Several products are available for this purpose:

  • Proheart injection 12 weeks, 9 months and then annually.
  • Monthly Advocate, Sentinel or Heartgard.

It is vital that dosing be given at the correct intervals for the rest of the dog’s life or heartworm disease may still occur.

Preventative treatment should begin by 12 weeks of age and a convenient time is when the pups are being vaccinated against other diseases. It is essential that any dog older than 6 months be tested for the presence of heartworm.

Worming Treatments

Puppies and Adult dogs should be given an intestinal worming treatment.

  • Less than 3 months old- treat every 2 weeks
  • From 3 months- treat 3 months

We recommend the use of “Drontal” chews or tablets.

Microchiping

Microchips are the best form of identification; these chips are inserted under the skin of the dog and cannot be lost. When the dog is found, he/she can be scanned and the person scanning can find out the owners contact details (provided they have authorization!).

Desexing

Unless there is an intention to breed from your dog we suggest to have him/her desexed for several reasons: aggression, unwanted pups, wandering, looking for mates…. Also reduces risk of male testicular problems and cancer and reduces risk of female mammary cancer, uterine infection and whelping problems. The minimum age we recommended for this procedure is 5 months of age.

Grooming

Short haired: once or more times a week with a brush or comb.
Longhaired: 2 or 3 times a week with special grooming brushes and combs etc.

Regular trips to one of our professional groomers may be needed. Dogs can be washed with a quality dog shampoo and thoroughly rinsed and dried once a week if necessary.

Diet

Dogs require a properly balanced diet for health. Such a diet contains protein to build the body, fats for skin and coat health, carbohydrates for energy and minerals and vitamins for healthy tissues. Roughage (fibre) is essential for bowel function.

Meat by itself cannot be a complete diet and requires heavy supplementation, which is difficult to do correctly. In large, rapidly growing dogs a sole diet of meat can be responsible for major mineral upset and skeletal damage.

Fresh drinking water should always be available, particularly when dry foods are used.

Greenies (after 6 months of age) and Rawhide chews will aid in cleaning of teeth and massaging of gums. Small, sharp cooked bones such as that found in chicken, rabbit, or fish should be avoided.

It is usually advisable to stick to a commercially based diet for reasons of convenience as well as nutrition. There are many types of puppy and adult foods available for this purpose.

Puppy 6 weeks old

  • 4-6 meals a day of puppy food, which has the correct calcium, protein and energy for healthy growth.

Puppy 12 weeks old

  • 3-4 meals a day of puppy food.

Puppy 6 Months old

  • 2-3 meals a day of puppy food.

Dog 1 year or more

  • 1-2 meals a day of a balanced adult food.

Sleeping Requirements

Supply dry, draught free, shaded housing (kennel, shed, garage, basket, box, woolly rugs, beanbag or dog trampoline).

Training

Use kindness and justice as with a child. Use as few words as possible such as “sit”, “down”, “stay” and “come”. Patience and affection will bring the best results. For socialisation and introduction to basic training, you can join our Puppy Pre-School sessions. For further advice on training please refer to an obedience school or instructor.