The Tyrolean Hound, independent and affectionate dog

An ancient breed, the Tyrolean Hound is a passionate hunter who has had to learn to convert to a pet because of the decline in this activity. They are sociable, independent and affectionate towards their family. All that is needed to establish joy of living and harmony.

Characteristics of the Tyrolean Hound

The Tyrolean Hound is a medium-sized dog that measures between 42 and 48 cm for the female and between 44 and 50 cm for the male with a weight ranging from 18 to 20 kg. It has a developed musculature as well as a solid bone structure. It gives the impression of having a lot of confidence thanks to its robust and healthy appearance. The dog is recognizable by its head with a domed skull, dry and wide with a stop accentuated, a straight and slightly high muzzle ending with a black nose. It is also noticeable for its round, expressive eyes that are dark brown in color. The Tyrolean Hound has high set, broad ears that round off at the tip. They are hanging and quite long since they can reach the upper jaw. The coat is short, dense and doubled, because it is coarse. The standard allows only two types of coat: black and tan and fawn. Among the fawn colors allowed are red, red-yellow and deer red. The dog may have white markings on the feet, collar, limbs and sternal region.

History of the Tyrolean Hound breed

Originating from Celtic hounds, the Tyrolean Hound began to gain notoriety in the 16th century thanks to Emperor Maximilian I, who greatly appreciated it for its hunting qualities. It was not until the 19th century, however, that serious breeding began in Austria, in Tyrol to be precise. The first standard was established in 1896 and it was not until twelve years later that the animal was officially recognized. It is worth noting that in 1944, the standard included smaller varieties. In 1954, the official recognition by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) is effective.

Living conditions and behavior of the Tyrolean Hound

The Tyrolean Hound is an exemplary hunting dog. Specialized in the search for blood, but also in the hunting of hares and foxes, this dog has a very good sense of direction and an exceptional nose. It is autonomous, enduring and passionate. Although it excels in work, it can live very well in a family provided that it gets regular physical exercise and enjoys wide open spaces. It is a pleasant animal to live with, sociable, affectionate, patient and playful that will find its place in homes.

Diet and main health problems of the Tyrolean Hound

The Tyrolean Hound is robust and strong, is not affected by any specific pathology and is able to live up to 14 years if it enjoys a healthy lifestyle. In this respect, it needs a balanced diet of premium foods necessary for its health and longevity.

The Brazilian Terrier, a dog devoted to its owners

Originating from Brazil as its title suggests, the Brazilian Terrier was originally used to indicate the location of game or to dislodge it from its burrow. The breed has also become a pet devoted to its masters and endowed with a friendly character.

Characteristics of the Brazilian Terrier

Revealing a slender and solid construction, the Brazilian Terrier has a medium size to make between 33 and 38 cm if it is a female and between 35 and 40 cm if it is a male. It reveals a body inscribable in a square with an appearance to the rounded lines which differentiates it from the Fox Terrier recognizable by its square lines. The Brazilian Terrier is not heavy and has a balanced build, marked by a well-developed withers, a muscular and short back, a straight and firm topline, a chest that is not very broad and pronounced as well as a well-developed and slightly sloping croup. It has a rounded head, a marked frontal furrow and a pronounced stop. The dark-colored nose is more or less developed and the muzzle is strong. The eyes are wide apart and have dense eyebrows. They are also dark, lively and open, revealing a lively expression. The ears for their part are well spaced and set at eye level. The Brazilian Terrier has a smooth, short and fine coat. The coat can be black and white, blue or brown.

History of the Brazilian Terrier breed

In truth, the Brazilian Terrier did not originate in Brazil, but rather in Europe. During the 19th and 20th centuries, many young Brazilians left their country to go to Europe to study. Once these studies were completed, they returned to Brazil to settle on their farms with their young European wives. They brought back European breeds such as the Jack Russell and the Fox Terrier which were crossed with native breeds, hence the birth of the Brazilian Terrier. The breed was mainly used as a ratter or for its hunting qualities. It will be necessary to wait nearly 100 years after its creation, that is to say in the 70s, for it to be registered. The official recognition by the FCI dates from 1994.

Living conditions and behavior of the Brazilian Terrier

Used to protect Brazilian haciendas, this terrier is also an excellent companion. It is at the same time sociable, lively and attached to its masters in addition to being loyal and affectionate. He will never begrudge a play session with children. It appreciates in particular the games of search or throw. It is also an animal rather stirring, awake and active. It will be necessary to pass its way if one seeks a calm and posed doggie. On the other hand, the Brazilian Terrier is agile, balanced and intelligent, which makes training easier.

Diet and main health problems of the Brazilian Terrier

The Brazilian Terrier is free of hereditary diseases. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to pay attention to possibly watch the dysplasia of the hip. Serious and professional breeders do their best to make selections where the breeders are not affected by this defect.

My dog is itchy: why? How to treat it?

When a dog scratches, bites or licks itself excessively because of itching (pruritus), it can quickly become irritated and the lesions can become infected. It is therefore necessary to identify the cause of the itching without delay in order to relieve the animal with an appropriate treatment. The first cause of itching in dogs is infestation by external parasites. But skin infections and allergies can also be the cause of itching.

Pruritus (itching) in dogs: the different causes

The main causes of itching in dogs are

External parasites

Fleas, lice, mites are all parasites that can settle in the dog's coat and cause itching, the flea being present in most cases. This parasite can be found in the outdoor environment but also in the house because a flea lays hundreds of eggs that hatch quickly. It feeds on the blood of its host but the saliva of the flea can cause allergic reactions. This is called Flea Allergy Dermatitis or FAD.

It is very important to regularly inspect your dog's coat for the presence of external parasites. Careful brushing should be done several times a week, and special attention should be paid when returning from a trip to the wild.

Fortunately, external parasites can be eradicated with a shampoo or anti-parasite lotion. A flea collar, for example, is a preventive measure, but you can also give your dog a treatment in pipettes or tablets.

Skin infection

The skin is an organ that forms a protective barrier between the external environment and the body. But when a dog scratches excessively because of itching, it can create small lesions on the skin. Infection can therefore be a secondary cause of itching.

Fungal infection

When itchiness is associated with an increase in sebum production (seborrhea), an infection due to a yeast (fungus) such as Malassezia may be suspected.

Allergy in dogs

The pruritus is severe but well localized. Of various causes, the allergy can be - as we have seen - due to flea saliva because of the presence of allergens, and DAPP is the most frequent allergy in dogs.

But the animal can present other forms of allergy such as sensitization to contact with a plant, a synthetic substance (plastic), a cleaning product, and that is called contact allergy. The dog may also have a food allergy or an environmental allergy (pollen, mold, grass, dust, etc.). In this last case, we talk about atopic dermatitis.

Itching is sometimes very localized on a single area and the causes are numerous: ear scabies, presence of internal parasites (intestinal worms), an engorgement of the anal glands, a polyp in a nasal cavity, a conjunctivitis (eye)...

Itching in dogs: solutions

You can start by giving your dog a treatment against fleas and at the same time cleaning rigorously all his environment in order to eliminate the eggs that may have been deposited in the dog's basket, between the floorboards, on the living room carpet, etc.

Then, it is recommended to consult the veterinarian if the dog has been itching for a few days and spends a good part of his time scratching or licking himself insistently, especially on a particular area. If he shakes his head frequently, for example, this may indicate that the itching is in his ears. Whatever the symptoms, the cause of the itching must absolutely be identified so that the veterinarian prescribes an adapted treatment, case by case.

He inspects the animal's skin to look for scales, redness, pimples, excoriations, crusts. Erythema and rashes are not always present if the condition is recent. But it is better not to wait to consult, because chronic pruritus leads to hair loss in the affected areas and, by dint of insistent scratching, to a thickening of the skin or lichenification. This is the case, for example, with dogs that suffer from allergic contact eczema.

There is a solution for every cause of itching: antiparasitic, antifungal, antibiotic... If the itching is due to an allergy, the solution is to avoid the allergen. Some owners want to give their dog a natural treatment against itching. In these cases, a specialized veterinarian can prescribe alternative solutions such as aromatherapy or phytotherapy.

If no treatment is given, and whatever the cause of the itching, the dog is caught in a vicious circle because it scratches a lot, and scratching maintains the itching since the lesions created lead to itching... In addition, the animal's comfort must be considered, as it can be considerably disturbed by the itching.

Finally, a dog that scratches a lot can simply suffer from anxiety. This is the case of psychogenic dermatosis. Compulsive scratching and licking are again the cause of skin wounds and inflammatory lesions that require a consultation. An anxiolytic is usually prescribed in this case, and in parallel a behavioral therapy is strongly recommended.

Why does my dog have a runny nose?

Runny noses in dogs are quite common. They can be benign but this is not always the case. It is therefore very important to identify the cause, because a runny nose in a dog, combined with other symptoms, may indicate a more serious health problem. If in doubt, it is best to take your dog to the veterinarian if the runny nose persists for more than a day.

Nasal discharge in dogs: possible causes

This frequent clinical sign can be due to a trivial or more serious cause, namely:

• An allergy,
• A chronic rhinitis, which is quite rare,
• An infectious or viral disease like distemper (very contagious),
• A mycosis,
• An infection in the nasal cavities,
• An abscess on the root of a tooth or any other type of dental disease,
• A foreign body, which is a common cause for dogs who roam in the wild, especially because of spikelets, the inflorescences that can be seen on grasses. A spikelet can enter a nostril and progress to the trachea, bronchi or lungs.
• A cancerous tumor such as a carcinoma which is life threatening for the dog.

It should be noted that nasal discharge is much more frequent in brachycephalic dogs because of the anatomy of their "crushed" nose, as is the case for example with the Pug, the Bulldog or the Pekingese and many others.

It is of course essential to know the origin of a dog's runny nose so that it can be treated as quickly as possible. Let's not forget that the sense of smell is fundamental in these animals, and that in case of a runny nose it is much less developed than in ordinary times. This can disturb the animal to the point of making it depressed if the symptoms persist.

Runny nose in dogs: associated symptoms to watch out for

Runny noses can be accompanied by other symptoms that show something is seriously wrong. You should therefore not neglect your dog's health and consult your veterinarian if, in addition to a runny nose, he presents one or more of the following symptoms

• Bleeding from the muzzle,
• Fever,
• A purulent sore or an abscess in the mouth,
• Sneezing,
• A foul-smelling breath,
• A more or less persistent cough,
• A wheezing or difficult breathing,
• Dehydration,
• A loss of appetite,
• A state of torpor,
• A great fatigue,
• Discharge from the eyes,
• Itching in the nose, ears ...,
• Of the urticaria,
• Diarrhea,
• Convulsions.

The appearance of the nasal discharge can tell the veterinarian a lot about the dog's condition and the origin of its discomfort. It is therefore useful to be able to tell the veterinarian how long the discharge has been going on, how bad it is and what it looks like. They can be clear and liquid like water or more or less thick and sticky, yellow, greenish, brown, bloody or not, smelly, etc...

Runny nose in dogs: diagnosis

The veterinarian must first auscultate the animal, inspect its oral cavity as well as the state of its teeth, gums, check the general condition of the dog, take its temperature and listen to its breathing. Then he proceeds to additional examinations if necessary to make his diagnosis and to set up the protocol of care which is necessary. Urine analysis, blood tests, X-rays of the nasal cavities and lungs are among the possible tests.

Depending on the results obtained, an appropriate treatment can be put in place since the origin of the nasal discharge will have been perfectly identified. It must be followed to the letter, both in terms of dosage and duration. It is absolutely necessary to preserve the health of your dog.

The Stabyhoun or Friesian Pointer, a brave, gentle and loyal dog

The Stabyhoun or Friesian Pointer is a native Dutch dog, but it is not known outside the Netherlands. This does not prevent us from being interested in this exceptional, brave, gentle and loyal breed that makes a wonderful pet.

Characteristics of the Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is a pointing dog of normal proportions, with an average height of about 50 cm for females and 53 cm for males. It has a strong build and its body is inscribed in a triangle. His physique should not be too coarse, but in balanced and harmonious proportions. Also called the Friesian Pointer, the Stabyhoun is remarkable for its lean, elongated head that remains in proportion with the rest of the body. It has round, medium-sized, horizontal eyes that can be brown or dark brown depending on the coat. The Stabyhoun's ears are always low set, hanging and shaped like an elongated triangle (trowel). The animal has a straight, smooth coat that is long near the base and then becomes shorter as it reaches the lower third of the body and the bottom. The coat may be slightly wavy on the croup. On the breeches and lower legs, bangs appear and the hair is bushy, thick and abundant. The coat is brown, black or orange with white markings.

History of the Stabyhoun breed

Not much is known about the origins of the Stabyhoun. It is said that the breed evolved from small farmers and farm workers in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. The history speaks of a long-haired piebald dog from the 19th century. It is said to be descended from spaniels such as the Munster Spaniel and the Drenthe Partridge Spaniel, which were introduced into the country by the Spanish during the occupation. The Stabyhoun had a talent for chasing small pests such as moles, skunks or rodents. The breed is unknown outside of Holland.

Living conditions and behavior of the Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is a docile, obedient and loyal dog, which makes it an excellent pet. Affectionate and close to his masters, he follows them everywhere during their movements. The animal can perfectly leave its usual living environment and share the trips with its masters if it received the adequate education. In any case, this one will not be too complicated, because the Stabyhoun is an intelligent dog and easy to educate provided that you are consistent, firm and patient with him. Life in the city is possible provided that he has received early socialization. To be happy, he needs daily activity such as walks, games or work trials.

Diet and main health problems of the Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is spared from hereditary diseases. It is a robust and solid dog whose longevity reaches 12 and 13 years. As far as his diet is concerned, he will be satisfied with a daily ration of premium kibbles in a quantity calibrated to his lifestyle.