Cattle

Archive for March, 2011

The Yorkie is among the most popular small dog breed in the US. Find out why…

There are many small dog breeds in the US. So many, I would not even attempt to count them. However, among them all, the Yorkie is right on the top of the list as the most desired small dog breed of all time.

The Yorkie might be small in size, weighing in around 7 pounds but do not let their size fool you. They pack a powerful love and bond for their human counterpart. With proper attention and a loving owner a Yorkie can be a great pet. Be careful bringing this dog breed into your home if you have young children that might not treat the little one in a gentle caring fashion.

A Yorkie can become aggressive if it feels threatened. This dog breed tends to remember when they have been mistreated and will show aggressive behavior if the same circumstances arise. For example, if a child visit’s a few times and each time hurts the Yorkie it is likely this dog breed will show aggression towards the child in an attempt to keep itself safe.

This particular dog breed is trainable, however they prefer to think they are the pack leader. You will need to be consistent with your training of a Yorkie because they also tend to be a little on the stubborn side of the scale. Food rewards work great with this dog breed, however do not always reward with a treat and keep the treat a healthy one.

A common complaint associated with a Yorkie is potty training. It is very important that you stay on top of teaching a Yorkie that it is only acceptable to go outside. By allowing this dog breed to take advantage of you, you are merely teaching him or her that they, indeed are the pack leader and you are beneath them. This can also bring about bouts of aggression from a Yorkie.

Once a Yorkie truly understands his or her role in the family, they can be very kind and loving little bundles of fur. This dog breed enjoys affection and exercise. It is important that you consider the size of a Yorkie when you are out walking. They have little legs and it takes a great deal for them to keep up. These dogs are best suited for a slow paced walker on short walks. But if you notice your Yorkie has a lot of energy left over after a walk, he or she might need to go on walks more frequently and for a little longer.

Yorkies have the ability to be a great dog. They require regular grooming, but less frequent baths. There are several health concerns that are typical in this dog breed. Among some of the most popular Yorkie health issues are tooth decay, spinal injuries, problems delivering pups and fragile bones. If your house is fairly rough because of larger dogs and children, it might be best if you do not bring a Yorkie into your home.

Most Shih Tzu puppies present themselves normally at birth. There are times, very few times, of which I have experienced with the Shih Tzu, that required assistance. Usually the most difficult Shih Tzu puppy birth is the first one. Delivery of a dry Shih Tzu puppy or overly large Shih Tzu puppy can take longer than normal and may affect the next Shih Tzu puppy birth. This next Shih Tzu puppy may be stillborn or have more fluid in the trachea and lungs. Oftentimes, subsequent Shih Tzu siblings are born normally.

Not every stillborn Shih Tzu puppy or difficult delivery is the result of a Shih Tzu matron suffering inertia. The problem of inertia, however, will cause a higher percentage of stillborn Shih Tzu puppies. Shih Tzu puppies are normally vigorous while attached to the uterine wall. Once freed from the uterine wall, a Shih Tzu puppy has limited time in which to arrive.

Once the Shih Tzu puppy has arrived, time is crucial. If the matron does not immediately tear the sac from around the puppy. You must quickly tear the sac from the Shih Tzu puppy’s face, nose and mouth and then proceed to remove the sac from the rest of the Shih Tzu puppy’s body. Rub the Shih Tzu puppy briskly while it is in a head-down position. Use a pediatric bulb syringe to suction the Shih Tzu puppy’s oral cavity. Clear the trachea and lungs by shaking the Shih Tzu puppy down. Each direction of the arc’s swing should take about 3 seconds. Repeat the procedures several times until the Shih Tzu puppy’s oral and tracheal passages are cleared as much as possible.

Dry Delivery: A dry delivery is when the Shih Tzu puppy’s protective sac breaks inside the birth canal. A dry Shih Tzu puppy delivery can either a head-first or breech (rear quarters first). A Shih Tzu puppy breech birth is a normal canine birth position, however, a dry breech delivery can be dangerous to a Shih Tzu puppy. The Shih Tzu puppy is presented entirely or partially free of a sac. If the Shih Tzu puppy’s legs get stuck delivery progress is impeded. The Shih Tzu puppy’s head may turn back blocking passage or even its body turned sideways in the birth canal. Under these circumstances the Shih Tzu dam cannot deliver without assistance. Cooking oil may be substituted in an emergency to use as a lubricant.

While it is most important to get a Shih Tzu puppy breathing on its own as quickly as possible, the shih tzu puppy must never be pulled indiscriminately. You need to work with the Shih Tzu dam’s contractions. Place one hand in the dam’s inguinal area directly behind the Shih Tzu puppy’s position in the birth canal and exert a slight pressure to help prevent backward slipping. Grip the Shih Tzu puppy firmly with a towel in the other hand to prevent the Shih Tzu puppy from being withdrawn. Wait for the next contraction and exert a slight, steady pulling pressure downward toward the Shih Tzu dam’s feet. One or two contractions are usually enough to deliver the Shih Tzu puppy.

Your hands must be scrubbed, your nails trimmed and filed smooth in case adjusting the Shih Tzu puppy’s position is necessary. Use sterile surgical gloves or dip your hands in surgical antiseptic. Using a small amount of lubricant, gently insert one or two fingers into the Shih Tzu matron’s vagina. The Shih Tzu puppy should be palpable presenting facing the dam’s feet. You can feel if the Shih Tzu puppy is still confined or if the sac has been broken. If the Shih Tzu puppy is still in the sac, additional lubricant will not be needed.

If the Shih Tzu puppy’s head is foremost, gently ease the legs into the correct birth position. Gently push the Shih Tzu puppy a few millimeters back into the birth canal. Reposition the Shih Tzu puppy with the forelegs extended first. The Shih Tzu dam should then have little difficulty expressing the Shih Tzu puppy with one or two more contractions. Firmly hold the Shih Tzu puppy as it is presented and withdrawn back inside the birth canal at the end of contractions. If the Shih Tzu puppy present itself head-first, keep the puppy’s face down toward the dam’s feet. If it is a breech delivery, hold the Shih Tzu puppy’s hind feet “facing” the dam’s paws.