Noninfectious osteoarthritis is the commonest form of joint disease in the aging dog, a situation not too different from that in humans. The disease is progressive and causes few, if any, noticeable symptoms in the early stages. It is not uncommon for a veterinarian to discover the existence of degenerative joint disease or its predisposing causes during a routine checkup.

Primary arthritis develops from the normal wear and tear of a joint with time and age. While seen occasionally in very old dogs, it is not the commonly observed arthritis that it is in people. The bulk of aging dog arthritis cases are secondary to disorders which happened or started earlier in life.

The following are just a few of the many such disorders:

• Obesity in any breed but especially in the large and giant breeds.

• Mechanical trauma such as falls and jumping mishaps.

• Torn ligaments in any joint but especially the stifle joint in toy or miniature poodles.

• Chronic dislocating patella (slipped knee cap), most common in toy breeds.

• Osteochondritis dissecans, a disease of young dogs.

• Hip dysplasia.

Labrador Retrievers can become lazy if they are not encouraged to exercise.
Compound this problem with over-feeding, which is very common, and extra pounds
are easily put on. Taking them off again is harder work, requiring a more
appropriate diet and an effort to increase vigorous exercise time (gradually, of
course, to prevent possible muscle injury or overexertion).

Swimming and retrieving games are natural outlets for Labrador Retrievers.
These activities are ones that the breed excels at and enjoys, and they give a
complete, full-muscle workout that tones the entire body. Having access to a
swimming area may be a problem for most owners, but retrieving games can be
played anywhere.

Labradors have great stamina, but owners must use common sense. During the
summer months, limit strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day and
provide an ample supply of fresh water. In the winter, a Labrador in good trim
should be able to withstand the cold very effectively and should not be kept
housebound. If the dog is out in the rain or snow for any length of time, he
should be dried off when he returns to the heated
indoors.

With so many different kinds of dog shampoos on the market today, it is not easy to decide which one to use. For most breeds, a basic, all-purpose shampoo is fine. But if you want your shampoo to do more than clean, you might consider a specialty shampoo.

• Shampoos designed to deliver extra conditioning to long or curly coats can make post-bath grooming even easier.

• Accentuate your dog’s coat color by choosing a shampoo made for white, black, or red coats.

• For sensitive eyes, consider a tearless shampoo.

• For wire-coated dogs, look for a shampoo designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog’s coat.

• Many dogs have sensitive skin or eyes. A hypoallergenic shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing.

• If your dog already has a rash, allergies, itching, or other sensitive skin conditions, look for a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog’s problem. Your vet should be able to recommend a good medicated shampoo for your dog.

• For flea season, consider a shampoo containing a gentle anti-flea ingredient such as pyrethrin or limonene, or any of several natural botanicals designed to repel fleas, such as neem oil.

Pheromones are chemical substances secreted by an animal that influence the behavior of other animals of the same species. Unlike other hormones, pheromones are secreted externally and influence other animals, typically by smell.

  

In this case, pheromones may play a very important role in animal behavior. In dogs, pheromones probably influence group integration and are a factor in fighting and general aggressiveness. Some theorys suggest that dogs release pheromones in urine and feces, and perhaps through exhaled breath, subcutaneous glands at the base of the tail and the foot pads.

This would tend to explain why aggressive, fighting dogs are often compulsive urine sniffers and urine markers, and why they become less aggressive when sniffing and urine marking are not allowed by their owners. Pheromones may act as a trigger or primer for certain types of behavior.

This case is typical of many wherein a dog appears to sense, by smell, another dog that may be perceived as a threat. Also typical among some vicious biting dogs is the need to brand a strange territory with their own pheromones before launching an attack. Some take place even when the biting dogs were on their home territory.

Remedial programs include restricting urination of the problem dog to a single area of his own yard. This tends to lower the aggressiveness, as well as reduce the incidence of household urination.

There’s nothing quite like the family dog. It’s almost a slice of Americana. In ever cheesy fifties image of the Perfect American Family we see a nice little house with a white picket fence, Mom and Dad, two children (usually a boy and a girl), and a family pooch happily prancing around the yard. As clichéd as that image may be, the fact remains that people love dogs and some families just don’t feel right without a family dog.

When choosing a dog for a family, there are important traits to keep in mind. Some breeds of dog are wonderful for families while others simply don’t have the proper temperament to deal with family life. They may be too rough with small children, to needy of their own space to deal with the incessant coming and going of a large family, or simply too naturally aggressive to respond well to a family setting. Other breeds are just perfect fits for family life. Here are some of the best dog breeds for families.

Golden Retrievers

Originally bred as a bird dog (like most retrievers), the Golden retriever is an amazingly loyal and very protective breed. They are perfect for families that enjoy outdoor activities because they love to run, jump, and play.

Irish Setters

Irish Setters are known for their pleasant personalities and their eagerness to please humans. They were also originally bred as hunting dogs and can serve well in this capacity, but it is their aptitude for companionship that makes them a beloved family breed.

Collies

The Collie may be one of the breeds most easily associated with the qualities of a family dog due to the popularity of the Lassie television programs. Collies are characterized by a combination of intelligence and patience uncommon in other breeds.

Boxers

Boxers look large and scary and have a deep, resonating bark that makes intruders wary, but they are truly gentle, loving, and loyal dogs. Their size may make families with small children want to wait a few years before owning one, but they are a perfect family pet once the kids are a little older.

Newfoundland

Remember the dog “Hooch” from the Tom Hanks movie Turner and Hooch? This is Hooch, a big, friendly, loving pooch. They tend to slobber and drool rather excessively, but the Newfoundland is a loving and protective pet. Like the boxer, the dog’s size may be of some concern, but it will be hard to find a more loyal dog for a family than this breed.

With so many different kinds of dog shampoos on the market today, it is not easy to decide which one to use. For most breeds, a basic, all-purpose shampoo is fine. But if you want your shampoo to do more than clean, you might consider a specialty shampoo.

• Shampoos designed to deliver extra conditioning to long or curly coats can make post-bath grooming even easier.

• Accentuate your dog’s coat color by choosing a shampoo made for white, black, or red coats.

• For sensitive eyes, consider a tearless shampoo.

• For wire-coated dogs, look for a shampoo designed to preserve the crisp texture of your dog’s coat.

• Many dogs have sensitive skin or eyes. A hypoallergenic shampoo can minimize sensitivity reactions to bathing.

• If your dog already has a rash, allergies, itching, or other sensitive skin conditions, look for a medicated shampoo designed to treat your dog’s problem. Your vet should be able to recommend a good medicated shampoo for your dog.

• For flea season, consider a shampoo containing a gentle anti-flea ingredient such as pyrethrin or limonene, or any of several natural botanicals designed to repel fleas, such as neem oil.