Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (31 page)

Brittany spaniel

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Easy. Submissive. Patient with toddlers. Less likely to bark at intruders. Nonaggressive. Sweet, well-mannered. Good swimmer.

Chihuahua

Notes:
Lots of exercise. Should sleep indoors. Sensitive to cold. Difficult. Dominant. Nondestructive. Very affectionate, active, needs attention. Not very playful. May snap at toddlers. More likely to bark at intruders. Barks excessively. Deformed spine, knees. Dislocated shoulder. Heart and breathing problems. Hemophilia. Swelling of brain.

Cocker spaniel

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Very affectionate, but may snap at children. Less likely to bark at intruders. Cataracts, gradual blindness, glaucoma and other eye problems. Kidney disease. Hemophilia. Cleft lip and palate. Misshapen jaw, tail. Deformed spine, knees. Dislocated shoulder. Swelling of the brain. Hernias.

Dachshund

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Destructive (chews, digs). Strongly defends territory. Bladder stones. Pituitary cysts. Deafness. Diabetes. Circulatory problems. Disk disease. Incomplete kidney. Cleft lip and palate. Malformed jaw, spine, limbs. Long-haired dachshund more tranquil, barks less.

Fox terrier

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). Not so playful. May snap at toddlers. Very active. Barks excessively. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Glaucoma. Deafness. Nervous and cardiovascular defects. Excess or missing teeth. Dislocated shoulder. Skin allergies. Muscular incoordination. Goiter. Very excitable, may try to dominate owner.

Lhasa apso

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Dominant. Very affectionate, needs attention. Not so playful. Barks excessively. Inguinal hernias. Kidney defects. Can be stubborn.

Maltese

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Sensitive to cold. Very affectionate, needs attention. May snap at toddlers. Barks excessively. Nonaggressive. Less aggressive than most small dogs. Long-lived.

Pekinese

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Nondestructive. Very affectionate, but not so playful. May snap at toddlers. Barks excessively. Eye abnormalities. Obstructed breathing.† Pituitary cysts.‡ Deformed spine. Hernia. Classic apartment dog. Ancient breed.

Pomeranian

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Not so playful. May snap at toddlers. Barks excessively. Dislocated shoulder. Deformed knees. Collapsed trachea. Heart defects. Underdeveloped teeth. Usually excitable but some are calm. Most natural size, shape, and coat. Seasonal shedding. Related to spitz.

Poodle (miniature)

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Easy. Very affectionate, active, playful, needs attention. Barks excessively. Nonaggressive. Gradual blindness, eye problems. Epilepsy, nerve and heart defects. Hemophilia. Bladder stones. Collapsed trachea, obstructed breathing.† Diabetes. Deformed spine, limbs. Dislocated shoulder.

Poodle (toy)

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Very affectionate, needs attention. May snap at toddlers. Barks excessively. Gradual blindness. Knee problems. Collapsed trachea. Heart defects. Muscle problems in lower rear legs. More likely than other poodles to snap at children.

Pug

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Sensitive to heat. More likely to bark at intruders. Nonaggressive. Male pseudohermaphroditism. Ingrown hairs in tissue. Less aggressive, excitable, and snappish than other small dogs.

Schnauzer (miniature)

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Dominant. Very affectionate, playful, active, needs attention. May snap at toddlers. More likely to bark at intruders. Barks excessively. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Cataracts. Hemophilia.

Scottish terrier

Notes:
Regular grooming. Needs lots of exercise. Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). May snap at toddlers. Very active. More likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Nerve defects. Deafness. Bladder stones. Short limbs. Skin allergies. Tumors. Needs regular, long walks. Barks less than many small dogs.

Shetland sheepdog

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Easy. Submissive. Very playful. Barks excessively. Nonaggressive. Eye and cardiovascular problems. Hemophilia. Nasal sunburn. Bladder cancer. Seasonal shedding. Sometimes stubborn, suspicious of strangers.

Shih Tzu

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Very affectionate, active. Needs attention. Nonaggressive. Cleft lip and palate. Kidney defects. Less aggressive than many small dogs.

Welsh corgi, Pembroke

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Easy. Submissive. Nondestructive. Very playful. Strongly defends territory. Bladder stones. Gradual blindness. Difficult births. Good combination family pet/watchdog.

West Highland white terrier

Notes:
Regular grooming. Needs lots of exercise. Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Destructive (chews, digs). Very affectionate, playful, active, needs attention. May snap at toddlers. More likely to bark at intruders. Barks excessively. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Skin allergies. Diseased jaw. Central nervous system problems. Inguinal hernias. Very active, excitable and aggressive. Needs patio or yard.

Yorkshire terrier

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Sensitive to cold. Difficult. Very affectionate, active, playful, needs attention. May snap at toddlers. More likely to bark at intruders. Barks excessively. Knee problems. Displaced retina. Underdeveloped teeth. Birth problems. Excitable.

MEDIUM DOGS

Airedale

Notes:
Regular grooming. Needs lots of exercise. Should sleep indoors. Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). Very playful, active. More likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Small cerebellum. Trembling of hind quarters, nerve problems. Hernias. Regular clipping customary. Needs affection.

Australian shepherd

Notes:
May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Easy. Very affectionate, playful, active, needs attention. Patient with toddlers. Quiet. Nonaggressive. Small eyes and other eye problems. Benign watchdog. Energetic yet not high-strung.

Basset hound

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Submissive. Nondestructive. Not so playful or affectionate. Patient with toddlers.

Dalmation

Notes:
Should sleep indoors Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). May snap at toddlers. Needs attention. Less likely to bark at intruders. Quiet. Nonaggressive. Spinal deformities. Short limbs. Glaucoma. Hernias. Mild. Descended from bloodhound.

English bulldog

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Difficult. Nondestructive. Not so playful or affectionate. Skin allergies. Deafness. Uric acid problems. Nerve system problems. Can be melancholy if alone.

English springer spaniel

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Easy. Submissive. Sometimes destructive. Very affectionate, playful, needs attention. Patient with toddlers. Less likely to bark at intruders. Quiet, nonaggressive. Obstructed breathing. Heart problems. Cleft lip and palate, excess or missing teeth. Birth, fertility problems. Pituitary cysts.‡ Deformed spine. Tumors. Swelling of brain.

Great spitz

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Weakened skin. Hemophilia. Displaced retina. Some lines have abnormal aggression (attack people), so check lineage. Playful family pet, safe with children, but can be destructive.

Keeshond

Notes:
Regular grooming. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Easy. Submissive. Nondestructive. Patient with toddlers. Epilepsy. Heart defects. Natural size, shape, and coat. Odorless. Seasonal shedding. Some lines may be more active, aggressive. Less likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Natural size, shape, and coat. Seasonal shedding. Considered ancestor of all breeds. Suspicious of strangers.

Norwegian elkhound

Notes:
May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Not so affectionate. Patient with toddlers. More likely to bark at intruders. Gradual blindness. Tumors. Incomplete kidneys. Natural size, shape, and coat. Seasonal shedding.

Poodle (standard)

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Easy. Submissive. Very affectionate, playful, needs attention. More likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Nonaggressive. Cataracts and other eye problems. Bladder stones. Hemophilia. Skin allergies. Behavior problems. Intelligent, good family dog. Can learn words.

Samoyed

Notes:
Regular grooming. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Difficult. Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). Not so affectionate or playful. May snap at toddlers. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Heart defects. Diabetes. Hemophilia. Natural size, shape. and coat. Seasonal shedding. Best watchdog of all the sled dog breeds. Odorless.

Siberian husky

Notes:
Needs lots of exercise. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Destructive (chews, digs). Not so affectionate. May snap at toddlers. Very active. Less likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Different-colored irises. Natural size, shape, and coat. Seasonal shedding. More playful than other sled dogs. Hardy.

LARGE AND GIANT DOGS

Afghan hound

Notes:
Regular grooming and exercise. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Difficult. Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). Not so affectionate or playful. May snap at toddlers. Less likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Cataracts. Malformed elbow. Decaying spinal cord. Require good training. Hardy to weather.

Akita

Notes:
Regular grooming. Needs lots of exercise. Should sleep indoors. Easy. Nondestructive. Not so affectionate or playful. Patient with toddlers. Calm. More likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Quiet. Aggressive. Natural size, shape, and coat. One of best watchdogs without dominating owner. Odorless.

Alaskan malamute

Notes:
May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Can be destructive. Quiet. Eye abnormalities. Hemophilia. Anemia with malformed bones. Dwarfism. Day blindness. Incomplete kidneys. Hemorrhaging. Natural size, shape, and coat. Clean, odorless. Does not bark. Okay in apartment with daily walks.

Bloodhound

Notes:
May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Submissive. Nondestructive. Not so affectionate or playful. Patient with toddlers. Calm. Less likely to bark at intruders. Quiet. Nonaggressive. Susceptibility to distemper. Very calm, quiet, polite. Excellent tracker.

Boxer

Notes:
Needs lots of exercise. Should sleep indoors. Sensitive to cold. Dominant. Patient with toddlers. Quiet. Strongly defends territory. Cardiovascular defects. Obstructed breathing.† Extra teeth. Subject to rheumatism. Short-lived. Good family dog/watchdog. Less destructive than most guard dogs.

Chesapeake Bay

Notes:
Easy. Submissive. Destructive (chews, digs). Very affectionate, needs attention. Patient with toddlers. Calm. Good family dog, swimmer.

Chow Chow

Notes:
Regular grooming. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Difficult. Dominant. Nondestructive. Not so affectionate or playful. May snap at toddlers. Calm. Strongly defends territory. Nonaggressive. Natural size, shape, and coat. Seasonal shedding. Aggressive, but good guard dog with training. Loyal. Best with quiet owner.

Collie

Notes:
Regular grooming. Should sleep indoors. Sensitive to heat. Easy. Submissive. Nondestructive. Not so affectionate. Patient with toddlers. Calm. Nonaggressive. Retinal atrophy. Deafness. Epilepsy. Hemophilia. Hernia. Nasal sunburn. Bladder cancer. Eye problems. Cyclic neutropenia. Heart defects. Dwarfism. Seasonal shedding. Good family pet, nonaggressive yet fairly good watch and guard dog.

Doberman pinscher

Notes:
Needs lots of exercise. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Easy. More likely to bark at intruders. Quiet. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Incomplete kidneys. Spinal deformities. Heart degeneration. Bone problems. Liver problems. Eye problems. Long-lived. One of best watchdogs, easiest to train.

German shepherd

Notes:
Regular grooming. Needs lots of exercise. May sleep outdoors in a doghouse. Easy. Dominant. Destructive (chews, digs). Not so affectionate. Very playful. More likely to bark at intruders. Strongly defends territory. Aggressive. Cataracts. Epilepsy. Kidney and bladder disease. Heart defects. Cleft lip and palate. Behavior problems. Natural size, shape, and coat. One of best watch and guard dogs. Genetic lines vary a lot (check them out).

German shorthaired pointer

Notes:
Needs lots of exercise. May sleep outside in a doghouse. Destructive (chews, digs). Very playful, active. Patient with toddlers. Less likely to bark at intruders. Nonaggressive. Cataracts. Cardiovascular defects. Hernias. Behavior problems, idiocy. Cancer of connective tissue. Out-turned eye membrane. Swelling caused by obstructed lymphs. Decaying spinal cord. Skin cancer (melanoma). Fine temperament, but can be destructive. Not for apartments.