One of America’s most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, and statistics show that pet owners should share that goal with their dogs and cats. Data from Nationwide reveals that pet obesity is on the rise for the eighth straight year. Nearly 20 percent of Nationwide members’ pet insurance claims in 2017 were for conditions and diseases related to pet obesity- equaling a sum of more than $69 million in veterinary expenses. The boost in total obesity-related claims signifies a 24 percent increase over the last eight years.
As with people, excessive body fat in pets increases the risk of preventable health issues and may shorten the life expectancy of dogs and cats. Nationwide recently sorted through its database of more than 700,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 dog and cat conditions related to or made worse by obesity. Below are the results:
Most Common Dog Obesity-Related Conditions
Arthritis
Bladder/Urinary Tract Disease
Liver Disease
Low Thyroid Hormone
Torn Knee Ligaments
Diseased Disc in the Spine
Diabetes
Chronic Kidney Disease
Heart Failure
High Blood Pressure
n 2017, Nationwide received more than 57,000 pet insurance claims for arthritis in dogs, the most common disease aggravated by excessive weight, which carried an average treatment fee of $323 per pet. With more than 5,800 pet insurance claims, bladder or urinary tract disease was the most common obesity-related condition in cats, which had an average claim amount of $495 per pet.
Below are simple steps you can take to help regulate your pet’s weight:
Avoid feeding your pet table scraps.
Keep a consistent diet by monitoring the amount of food you give your pet.
Regulate the amount of treats you give your pet and choose small treats, even for large dogs.
Establish a healthy and fun exercise schedule.
*Consult your veterinarian to best determine your pet’s most effective weight loss protocol.
Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are an ancient hunting dog with origins in Portugal.
They are medium sized breed with pointy ears and a long, short but sturdy body. They are typically either a yellowish or brown color, but can be black or grey, sometimes with white marks.
To learn more about the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, keep reading.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Quick Stats
Size: Medium, short and long-bodied
Weight: Up to 13 lbs.
Height: 8-12 inches
Coat: Short or long, either smooth or wiry
Grooming: Low maintenance- Just regular bathing and nail trimming
Color: Yellowish, brown, black or grey sometimes with white marks
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Health: Generally healthy
Hypoallergenic: No, sheds seasonally
Temperament: Good
Cost: $800-1,000
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno: An Overview
There are 3 types of Portuguese Podengo:
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno (small)
Portuguese Podengo Médio (medium)
Portuguese Podengo Grande (large)
Pequeno’s are the smallest type of Portuguese Podengo, but they’re still fast, smart and active. They were originally bred to catch small game meat in Portugal. Some people think the Podengo in general was bred from several hound breeds to catch the rats running around on ships. The largest Podengo breed can hunt bigger animals, like boar.
Although the history of Podengo goes long back, their history in the U.S. is pretty recent. They were imported in the 1990s, and are now recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Grooming
In terms of grooming, Portuguese Podengo Pequeno are pretty easy. Every dog requires regular bathing when they get dirty and nail trimming when they get too long. Portuguese Podengo’s are the same. Regular brushing is also a good idea. But they don’t require any special grooming, so you’ll save yourself some money.
They shed seasonally and their hair texture is typically either wiry or soft.
Portuguese Podengo Training
Portuguese Podengo’s are intelligent dogs, which means they’re generally easier to train. Within a few short training sessions, they should get a new trick no problem. They are great dogs to participate in agility training because they’re intelligent and active.
Podengo’s like owners who are strong, level-headed and can stand their ground. If not, they can become stubborn and test you with bad behavior.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Socialization and Temperament
As with any dog, it’s important that Portuguese Podengo puppies interact with other dogs and humans early on. That socialization should continue throughout their life to help develop a good temperament. In general, Portuguese Podengos have a good temperament and are good with children and other dogs.
They typically aren’t yappy dogs, but they bark when necessary (ex. sudden noise, knock on the door, etc.). In this way, they are good watchdogs and will alert you if anything strange happens. To prevent him from being too easy to startle and bark, ensure he meets a lot of strangers during his puppy years.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Exercise
The Portuguese Podengo make be short, but she’s powerful and fast! As with any dog, she’ll need daily exercise, but something a little more rigorous. They are originally bred to hunt rabbits, so as you can imagine, they require some cardio exercise every day.
Since they’re hunting dogs, they can have a tendency to run off as soon as they catch a whiff of something interesting. That could be fetch or a long walk, but he’ll need to work off her energy so she doesn’t bring it into the house. Since they’re hunting dogs, they may tend to wander, so it’s a good idea to keep him in a closed off area or on a leash.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Health
Portuguese Podengo Pequenos are generally healthy dogs. However, that depends on their genetics and the medical history of their parents. If you’re purchasing from a breeder or adopting, ask the person about how healthy the pup’s family is. If you’re adopting, that information may not be known. However, if you’re purchasing a dog, a good breeder will know about what her specific dogs are prone to.
Portuguese Podengo’s are one of the healthier breeds, but could have health issues like eye problems, patellar luxation (kneecap dislocation) and hip dysplasia.
Where to Get a Portuguese Podengo
Our first recommendation is always to adopt a dog rather than purchase. You can search for Podengo rescue groups in your area on Google. You can also search for the breed on popular rescue sites, such as Petfinder.com or ask your local shelter to keep an eye out for you.
If you’re looking for a breeder, you can do a Google search for one in your area. You can also find breeders on the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Club of America website. Be wary of buying from puppy mills and know the warning signs. Learn more about puppy mills here.
Portuguese Podengo Pequeno Pros and Cons
Learning about Portuguese Podengo Pequeno’s benefits and disadvantages can help you contemplate how the dog will fit in your lifestyle.
Pros:
Apartment and big-house friendly— They’re small and good guard dogs, so they’re ideal for guarding apartments. If you don’t have a backyard area, you’ll need to take her out for long walks, runs or fetch sessions daily. They’re also perfect for farms or those with huge backyards because they can burn off their energy there easily.
Easy to train— As long as you’re consistent and assertive, you’ll probably have an easier time training a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno. They catch on pretty quickly.
Good for families— Since they generally have a good temperament, they’ll probably be great with your children and other dogs.
Watchdogs— They’ll let you know if a stranger is approaching the house or if they hear something off.
Easy grooming— You don’t need to worry about taking them to the groomers every few weeks. Regular and simple maitence will keep their coat healthy.
Healthy— Since Portuguese Podengo Pequeno aren’t known for many health issues, it’s less likely you’ll have chronic problems.
Cons:
Cardio exercise— Since they’re hunting dogs, they require a bit more exercise than the typical small dog breed. She’ll benefit best from a long walk or run.
Expensive— A purebred Portuguese Podengo Pequeno can cost anywhere from $800-$1,000. Of course, you could always adopt.
Apartment living more difficult— While these dogs can live in a small apartment if they’re getting exercise, it will be more difficult and time-consuming. Instead of just letting your dog out for a yard run, you’ll need to take her on a farily lengthy walk once or twice a day.
Should You Get a Portuguese Podengo Pequeno?
Ask yourself these questions to figure out if it’s the right breed for you.
Active lifestyle?— If you love going on hikes or exploring the forest, Podengo’s can have infinite amounts of energy, so you can take him along. You won’t need to be worried about him being too tired to continue the journey. If you’re an overly lazy person, a Podengo isn’t a good idea for you
Ability to train?— You need to have the time and patience to train your dog in his puppy years. This should be pretty easy, but if you don’t, he can become stubborn.
Ability to socialize?— As with considering any dog, you need to consider whether you have the time to socialize them with other dogs and people. If you don’t, your dog could become overly sensitive to strangers and could act out.
Hot spots can not only be extremely aggravating for your dog but can also become infected, deep wounds that make you cringe every time you look at them. Dog hot spot healing time can, therefore, differ depending on the severity of the outbreak, whether the infection has occurred and some additional factors such as the treatment applied.
1. Severe Outbreaks
Often hot spots are only noticeable to owners once the dog starts scratching and licking or the bumps have turned into infected wounds. While it is very difficult to catch hot spots early on, the earlier the hotspot treatment starts, the faster the problem is likely to be resolved.
Hot spots that are not infected can disappear within a day or two of treatment when ensuring that the dog remains cool, dry and cannot lick or scratch the spots. Infected sores can take about a week or two to heal and may require some additional care such as an antibiotic cream as well as disinfecting the wounds about once or twice a day. In very severe cases, a vet visit is recommended. A vet may prescribe cortisone as well as oral antibiotics to help fight the infection from the inside out.
It is important to note that the hot spots and resulting wounds may itch and cause discomfort while they heal. A cone collar (also called the collar of shame) is recommended to prevent the dog from licking, scratching or biting the wounds and reinfecting them.
2. Ticks, Fleas And Flies
Fleas and other parasites or insects can cause and even aggravate the condition. If these pests are the underlying cause as the problem, it may be necessary to get rid of them first or while providing treatment for the spots or wounds. Tick and flea oral treatments are very effective and should eliminate the parasites within a day or two after which treatment can begin.
Be aware that some dogs are allergic to fleas and the reaction to the parasites can result in hot spots. Visit your vet if hot spots won’t heal easily or reoccur constantly as an allergy may be responsible. Allergic dogs may require additional care for a faster dog hot spot healing time.
3. Sensitive Skin
Some breeds of dogs are more prone to getting hot spots than others due to their more sensitive skin. Recovering from hot spots and the resulting sores can also take a little longer than with dogs that are not so sensitive. It is recommended to bath the dog regularly (about twice a week) with a soothing shampoo in order to speed up healing time. Dog breeds with sensitive skins are likely to have recurring bouts of hot spots and it is crucial to be vigilant and treat as soon as possible before the spots turn into infected wounds that can take weeks to heal.
4. Climate
Hot spots often occur as a reaction to hot, wet and humid weather. These conditions are ideal for bacteria to breed and proliferate. Healing time can, therefore, be much longer for dogs living in warmer, humid climates and during the summer months. Hot spots rarely occur during the cold winter months.
It is highly recommended to keep a dog dry and to dry them well after bathing to prevent bacteria from spreading the problem as well as the infection.
5. Natural Treatments
There are a variety of home remedies and natural treatments available to treat hot spots. While these can be very effective at alleviating the symptoms and help to resolve the problem, they can take a bit longer to be as effective as some medical treatments. Don’t expect an overnight dog hot spot healing time when using a natural remedy.
In all cases, if the hot spots do not resolve or wounds don’t heal after a week or so (or if they get worse), it is best to visit the vet.
The annual, year-long campaign seeks to identify and honor America’s bravest heroes on both ends of the leash and will culminate this fall with the premiere of “American Humane Hero Dog Awards” on Hallmark Channel.
The two-hour special, now in its ninth year, is broadcast in conjunction with the network’s pet adoption advocacy initiative, Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After, which aims to empty the shelters and end this country’s epidemic of pet homelessness.
Dog owners across the country are invited to visit www.herodogawards.org and nominate their heroic hound in one of seven categories. The top dog in each category will be flown to Los Angeles and celebrated at the Oct. 5star-studded, red-carpet awards gala at the Beverly Hilton. One of the category winners will be unveiled as the American Hero Dog of the year – the most prestigious honor a canine can receive.
The seven categories for 2019 are:
Law Enforcement Dogs
Military Dogs
Therapy Dogs
Service Dogs
Shelter Dogs
Search and Rescue Dogs
Guide/Hearing Dogs
Following the nominations period, which ends on Feb. 28, 21 semifinalists will be chosen in a first round of voting by celebrity judges and the public.
The second round, featuring a combination of public and celebrity voting, will narrow the field to seven category finalists who will then vie for the title of 2019 American Hero Dog.
Over the past eight years, Americans have cast millions of votes for more than 1,000 dogs, all seeking the coveted title of American Hero Dog. The program reaches more than 1 billion people each year and draws the support and participation of top celebrity dog lovers from all over the world.
Hosts, judges, award presenters, and entertainment acts have included Jay Leno, Billy Crystal, Betty White, Ariel Winter, Rebecca Romijn, Jerry O’Connell, Dean Cain, James Denton, Beth Stern, Katharine McPhee, Alison Sweeney, Whoopi Goldberg, Denise Richards, Lisa Vanderpump, Chelsea Handler, Martin Short, Jewel, Wilson Phillips, Carson Kressley, Miranda Lambert, Pauley Perrette, Kristen Chenoweth, Naomi Judd, Lori Loughlin, Eric Stonestreet, Fred Willard, Danica McKellar, Bailee Madison, and many, many more.
German Shepherds can sniff out drugs, and that’s why Trump likes them, despite not having one.
In his Monday rally in Texas, Trump, per usual, shifted his tirade on the war against drugs to something else entirely—canines. After describing his content with the breeds’ capability, he elicited more roars from the crowd when he said, “You really love your dogs, don’t you?”
(Meanwhile, at home Buddy barks at the screen “I did not approve this message!”)
Then, Trump finally answered what some dog lovers have been asking: Why are you the first president in a century without a dog? (Not that we’re complaining; we wouldn’t want to subject any dog to that kind of owner.)
The answer? Poor Trump is just such a busy guy. Between his 6 am toilet tweets and undetailed days of “executive time,” it’s ridiculous to think he’d have any energy left over for a pup.
Oh, and there’s another reason.
“How would I look walking a dog on the White House lawn? Would that be…” Trump trails off while shaking his head and moving his hands as if they’re detached.
“I don’t know, it doesn’t, I don’t feel good.”
The crowd, seemingly confused by the random discussion, quiets down. Do dogs make Trump embarrassed? Like a teenager who gets red-faced when they’re seen in a mall with their parents?
“Feels a little phony to me,” Trump clarifies.
It’s probably the most honest and accurate thing Trump’s said in a while. It’s difficult to imagine him letting a dog out to roam when he doesn’t even see a problem keeping children in cages.
Trump said people tell him to get a dog because it’s good politically.
“I said, ‘look, that’s not the relationship I have with my people.’”
That’s true. You have your relationship with “your” people. Keep the pups out of it.
P.S. Your dog can now take out her frustration on Trump.
