Doglopedix

Selective breeding has produced major changes in how our dogs look like. But recently, researchers have uncovered some major changes in the dogs' brains have taken place due to artificial selection through breeding. These changes are about the position of the brain and the region with smell control is located. In dog breeds with short snouts the brain has rotated forward with as much as 15 degrees. The region in the brain that controls smell was relocated, according to researchers from the University of New South Wales and University of Sydney. They have used magnetic resonance imaging to analyze brains of dogs for a number of breeds. The size and shape of the skull appeared to be correlated with brain rotation and positioning of the olfactory lobe. When the dog's head and skull shape become flatter, the brain rotates forward while the smell center goes further down towards the lowest position in the skull. Human intervention in the dog biology through breeding is not c...

Puppies sniff, they really do! This refers to the excellent olfactory capability of our furry friends and not on the one the other one that makes you wrinkle your nose. Although dogs also have the propensity to dig and roll on something that seems to have died months ago and makes the owner give the dog a good bath. When you see your dog sniffing the grass, the plants, sniffing the food, sniffing each others behind, sniffing you and other people, did you ever wonder why they do? The dogs nose is considered to be their most excellent "equipment". The nose is one of the reasons why primitive dog survived in the wilds. Apart from scenting the prey, the excellent sense of smell enables to dog to avoid danger.   Dogs sniff a lot as by doing so they can understand other dogs well. Have you noticed a dog sniffing other dogs backside? This is done to identify the dog. Dog have a personal and unique smell. This is the counterpart of the humans finger prints. Through sniffing the...

When you walk on the beach or along a muddy trail - or even when you see the footprints left by precious Sylvie across your marble floor, do you ever stop and wonder about how a dog's foot is different from our own? Do they have toes and how do they appear to endure extreme heat and cold? We refer to them as 'pads' but let's take a deeper look. Each foot has a metacarpal pad and four digital pads (toes) with nails. Some breeds have a fifth toe on the inside of the paw that does not touch the ground known as a 'dew claw.' Dogs walk on their toes not on their soles. The whole pad is made up of a thin, pigmented, keratinized epidermis covering subcutaneous adipose tissue (phew). This thick layer of skin is covered by a rough surface crucial for traction and fast maneuvers. Dogs do feel heat and cold and the thick pads provide protection as well serving as a shock absorber. Dog paws are anatomically the same within the species varying by breed and individual...

Anyone who has experienced a dog whining over any length of time will know that it's not only difficult to ignore, it's unsettling to listen to as well. It seems to hook into a part of you that demands you take notice, take pity and take action now! However, it can often seem that your dog whines for no real reason. Perhaps your dog whines at night, when it’s hardest to ignore - or stay patient! Or maybe your dog is constantly whining whenever they are in their crate. Or maybe you only need to visit the bathroom to set them off. Faced with not knowing why your dog whines or how to stop it can cause huge frustration for owners, after all, they're fed, walked and well - so what else could it be? How to Identify Why your Dog Is Whining As a dog trainer with over 10 years experience of working with whining dogs, this is the simple 2-step system I use to work out what lies at the root of it. Basically there are two different reasons that a dog whines and your first step is to ...

When your dog is lost it can be a stressful experience for both you and your dog. If you miss your furry friend, there are some tips to help find your dog. Time is of the utmost importance. Act Immediately. Time is critical. Every minute that passes is a minute that your dog may be wandering farther away from finding his way into harm. Do not hesitate to take action. Almost nothing is more important at this point. Call in sick, excuse yourself from a meeting, break a date, whatever it takes. Enlist The Help Of Others. You want to immediately get as many other people involved as you possibly can. Call all of your friends. Call family members. Call or go to your neighbors. Most people can identify with your situation and will want to help. Even if they can't join the search they can keep an eye out, or help with making posters or phone calls. Now is not the time to be shy. You have a missing loved one. Physically Search Everywhere Within A 1-Mile Radius. Unless your dog is...

A study conducted by the University of Sydney found that a Labrador of certain colors had a shorter life expectancy and also had more health problems. They observed 33,000 Labradors in the United Kingdom, where they evaluated the dog’s electronic data as part of the VetCompass program for the University. Labrador with chocolate color had a short life of 10%, shorter than their golden and black counterparts (who lived an average of 12.1 years). Those chocolate fur puppies also have double chances of ear infection and are also prone to suffer from a condition known as pyo-traumatic dermatitis. Professor Paul McGriffy, of the University Department of Science s said: "The relationships between the color of the coat and the disease can be an inadvertent consequence of the reproduction of certain pigments. "Because the color of chocolate is recessive in dogs, the gene of this color must be present in both parents for their dogs are chocolate." Therefore, breeder...

Our dogs are more like us then we think, not only are they loyal friends and companions to us humans, but also they are susceptible to some of the same ailments and diseases that their human masters suffer from, diabetes is one of them. In dogs, diabetes is life-threatening if not detected in early stages and treated, although with proper treatment diabetes can be controlled and your pet can lead a normal life. Diabetes in dogs is more common in obese dogs. Some breeds of dogs are more likely to have diabetes than others, these breeds are Poodles, Schnauzers, Keeshounds, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles. An early detection of diabetes in dogs can get the dog proper treatment and they can live for years once their blood sugar levels are regulated. Sugar is, of course, the main source of diabetes, which your dog may not exactly be asking for extra cubes of sugar to go with their kibble. The treats you hand out unwittingly can be loaded with sugar or products t...

Did you ever see a dog owner and go green with envy that their dog was perfectly well behaved walking without a lead, whereas your dog was all for dragging you through a hedge and across a field? What sort of magic dust or hypnotism did they employ to get the dog to do that? Well, with a little practice and some repetition, you could be the one with your dog happily walking without a lead at your heel. Firstly you will need to have a couple of different leads and a training collar (either a choke collar or head halter collar). The leads you will need are a short lead about 50 cm long, a regular lead of about 2 meters and a good quality extendible lead. One thing to always remember is that you are the boss. You are taking your dog for a walk and not the other way round! The first step: Using the short lead and a control collar, train your dog to walk to heel whilst you have good control. Practice this every time you go for a walk and praise the dog when he does good and says no, pull...

Dogs do lots of strange things that might not always seem normal. However, many strange habits are completely normal in dogs, although a few may suggest hidden medical problems. Whining is a low utter usually a complaining cry or sound. Dogs are not exactly drunk when they whine but it is rather an emotional fix and do this because they want to get a message across. It is just similar to humans shedding tears. As dogs are sensitive creatures, they are subject to the smallest signs of annoyance and it's not anything that makes them feel good. The causes of dog's whining are sadness, hunger, asking for something, seeking attention or when they want to poop. Puppies can get sad in the absence of older dogs in its family especially the mama dog. They whine as a sign of distress and it's a call that says they feel left alone or are in pain. It may be past its meal time that's why it's whining. The dog whines like a child it and wants to ask for something. A dog ...

Have you ever wondered if your dog is right-pawed or left-pawed (i.e., a "southpaw")? Just like humans, dogs have a preferred paw. There is an equal chance your pup can be a lefty or righty. In fact, dogs, like humans, do tend to have a preference for using one side more than the other. According to the people who research such things, animals are similar to humans. The majority of animals are right-hardens. A much smaller percentage are left-hardens. And quite a few dogs are ambidextrous or they can use both paws equally. In one study of 28 dogs, 57.1 percent preferred to use their right paw; 17.9 percent preferred to use their left paw, and 25 percent were ambidextrous. There appears to be some suggestion that male dogs are a little more likely to be left-pawed than females. Paw preference and behavior Some researchers have speculated that there is a connection between paw preference and behavior. Findings from at least one study suggest that dogs which are ambidextrous ...

A lot of people are finding the joys of including their dogs in their special occasions and events. And dressing your dog up for such special occasion can be a bit difficult. It may be for BBQ, parties, and even to very formal events such as weddings. if you're going with your pup to something fancy, she's got to look the part. This is where pet clothing will help you out. You can dress your dog for the occasion with one of many great dog formal attire options. There are picks for girl and boy dogs and dogs of various sizes which mean you are sure to find something that will suit your needs. Shop around for a bit If you want and really choose something that suits your dog's personality as well as the occasion you are shopping for. This is how you can be sure you get the perfect attire for your pup's big day. You also want to be sure you choose the size properly because this will keep your pooch happy in the new outfit. When it comes to special occasion attire for dog...

Bringing a new puppy or older dog into a home with children is an exciting time for both the family and the new pet. Make the experience as happy as possible by matching the breed of dog to the lifestyle of your family. Here are the list of dogs will tolerate the rough and tumble lifestyle of a family with small children. Golden Retriever : The golden retriever is one of the favorite breeds for families. This breed of dog is one of the most playful breed out there. A golden retriever does not bark excessively, enjoys spending time with people and is very loyal to every family member. Basset Hounds : If you want a more laid back dog for your family, look at the Basset Hound. This dog does not get excited easily, which makes it the perfect choice for families who have docile children. This breed loves being with the family; however, it will not get under your feet the way other dogs will. Labrador Retrievers : Labs are listed as one of the most popular dog breeds by the American Kenn...

PRA in dogs actually refers to a whole group of hereditary eye diseases. Technically known as progressive retinal atrophy, it involves the degeneration of the retina in a dog's eye. The bad news is that it almost always leads to total and permanent blindness. The good news is that it isn't painful. I know that doesn't sound like much of an upside, but your dog might disagree. Symptoms This one really sneaks up on both you and your dog. You won't see any squinting, redness or weepy eyes--and it's amazing how well a dog can adapt to slow loss of vision. He already knows the layout of the land--and your house--and his nose can help fill in the gaps. You may not notice the problem at all until you rearrange furniture or take him to a strange place. That's when he'll be hesitant to take off exploring like he used to do. You suddenly have a doggie burr stuck to your leg, and you wonder when that started. Ah, he'll never tell! Diagnosis and Treatment ...

When a beloved pet dies it can be very traumatic, and for many people the loss of a treasured family pet is almost as difficult to deal with as losing a friend or relative. Often when this sad day comes, people will choose to have their pet cremated and memorialized in a one of a kind custom made cremation urn. Choosing to have your pet cremated and the remains contained inside a hand made funeral urn is a great way to honor the loyalty and friendship that a pet showed to you during its life. Family pets are just that important and make our lives that much richer and more meaningful. They stick with us through thick and thin and show us loyalty and friendship that is unconditional. A beautiful cremation memorial can be created indoors or outdoors depending on what type of urn you should choose to go with. There are many options for creating a memorial to your pet. Creating a cremation memorial with a one of a kind urn as the centerpiece is a truly wonderful way to keep the memor...

Vestibular system aids in providing equilibrium and a sense of spatial orientation to dogs. But a dysfunction can have serious effects on the balance systems of the dog's body. This system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain, which are responsible for the balance and eye movements. If the network is damaged by illness, aging, or injury, serious disorders can result, and are often associated with one or more of these signs, among others: Vertigo and dizziness. There are two types of this disorder in dogs: Central Vestibular Disorder and Peripheral Vestibular Disorder The first one is less common but more serious form of this disease that originates inside the central nervous system. The second type of this disease happens when there is annoyance to the nerves connecting the inner ear with the brain. This results in failure of balance and other symptoms resulting in vertigo and dizziness. This illness can look to be quite melodramatic to the dog owner if this is t...

Anti-Brexit dog owners will take their dogs on a march to parliament on Sunday to call for a second vote on EU membership. Participants in the campaign, who expect thousands of protesters and dogs to join the rally, say leaving the bloc will harm the estimated 54 million pets in the United Kingdom. They fear that this means a shortage of qualified veterinarians and veterinary nurses, which will raise the high costs for animal health products and even supplies running low. According to the organizers of the “wooferendum” march more than half of vets registering in the United Kingdom each year come from abroad, mostly European Union, citing a report from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) that says a cut in numbers would be likely to cause shortages, jeopardizing pet well-being and economic production. The college warned that approximately nine out of ten veterinarians working in public health roles, like abattoirs, come from other EU countries and, therefore, pro...

Exercise is important to your dog's health. Don't neglect your dog's needs. Dogs gain the same benefits from exercise as humans do. Exercise your dog in order to help keep his weight down, ward off disease, tone muscles, and boosts energy. It is also beneficial for the heart and lungs. This holds true for practically every living being. So why not provide your dog with the exercise he needs in order to keep him healthy and help prolong his life. Starting an exercise regimen can be beneficial to both you and your dog. Get yourself involved in your dog's exercise routine. It could be anything from taking a jog through the park to playing a game of fetch. Your dog depends entirely on you to get the exercise he needs. Don't neglect this important aspect of your dog's life because it could have a great impact on his quality of life, and yours. Once your vet has given your dog a clean bill of health, start to exercise your dog at a slow pace. Like humans, they need...

Is your dog gaining weight, getting tired more quickly during walks, or struggling to jump onto the sofa? Just like humans, dogs can gain excess weight when they regularly consume more calories than they use. Over time, this can make everyday activities harder and may increase the risk of health problems. The good news is that many overweight dogs can reach a healthier weight with a carefully managed feeding routine, appropriate exercise, and consistent monitoring. You do not need to buy lots of expensive products to get started. The most important steps are understanding your dog's ideal weight, controlling food portions, and choosing activities that match your dog's age and physical condition. In this guide, you'll learn how to help your dog lose weight naturally, how to estimate appropriate food portions, which exercises may help, and which practical products can make a weight-management routine easier. Affiliate disclosure: Doglopedix may earn a commission if you p...