Breed Temperments & What To Expect:
Australian Shepherd
Highlights: * Australian Shepherds need roughly 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, preferably with high-energy activities such as playing frisbee. They need a job to do as well, such as daily obedience training or competing in herding and agility trials. * Australian Shepherds can be very destructive and bark for long periods if they’re not getting the exercise and mental stimulation they need. * Aussies will alert bark to warn you if they see or hear something suspicious, and some will protect their family and home with a surprising fierceness. * Although Aussies have the reputation for needing wide-open space, they do just fine in cities if they get enough stimulation and exercise. They’re not good apartment dogs, though. You’ll want at least a small yard to help them get out some of their high energy. * Aussies pushiness with livestock can carry over into the home and with a timid or inexperienced owner, he may assume the dominant role in the family. This breed needs a firm and confident owner. * Australian Shepherds are average shedders and their coat needs regular maintenance including brushing to keep it clean and to prevent matting, and possible a trimming to keep it looking tidy. You never want to fully shave down an Aussies coat as it ruins the hair follicles and can make them more prone to skin infections and skin cancers. * Aussies enjoy the company of their family and prefer to stick close to their human pack. They don’t do well stuck in the backyard by themselves for long periods. * Aussies are by nature standoffish with people they don’t know, and unless they have regular exposure to lots of different people- ideally beginning in puppyhood- they can become fearful of strangers. This may lead to biting out of fear and aggression. Give your Aussie lots of contact with friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers to help them polish their social skills. Parasite Prevention: Getting your puppy started on monthly flea and heartworm prevention is an important step in the care of your new puppy. Fleas can cause severe discomfort for dogs, including scratching, chewing, biting, and restlessness. Severe infestations can cause anemia, especially in puppies or debilitated adult dogs. Fleas are also the source of flea allergy dermatitis, which is a very common allergy, especially here in Florida. Heartworm disease is acquired from the bite of an infected mosquito and if left untreated can become life threatening. Even if your dog never goes outside, an infected mosquito can still make its way into your home as you enter or leave your house. Therefore, it is important to keep your dog on a monthly preventative to keep them safe. Heartworm disease is inexpensive to prevent but costly to treat should your dog become infected with heartworms. Clinical signs of heartworm disease may be absent by can include coughing, exercise intolerance, and difficulty breathing. Most veterinary clinics will require a yearly heartworm test as part of your dog’s annual check-up. Intestinal parasites can affect your dog in various ways: weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, and even inflammation of the intestines or blockages. In the most severe cases, intestinal parasite infections can cause death in pets. These parasites are found throughout the United States as well as across seas. They live and reproduce in animal feces, bodies, and in infected soil that is accessible to your dog. Moreover, some intestinal parasites can be contracted by humans through contact with an infected environment, possibly resulting in serious health issues. Flea and Heartworm Disease Preventatives: Ivermectin (found in Heartgard and Tri-Heart) is a drug used to prevent heartworms and other parasites in cattle and pets. Some breeds are genetically intolerant to Ivermectin, which can lead to serious adverse effects, including death. Given the potential severity of the effects of Ivermectin toxicity, and the difficulty in ameliorating them, the best course of treatment for the condition is prevention. Pet owners with Australian Shepherds and other herding breeds should look for alternatives to Ivermectin for the prevention of parasites, several of which are available. Make sure to work with your veterinarian to find the best alternative. I personally recommend Interceptor Plus, ProHeart 6, or ProHeart 12 for prevention of heartworm disease and intestinal parasites. For flea preventatives, I highly recommend Bravecto, Nexgard, Credelio, or Simparica. I have used all the above-mentioned preventatives on my dogs and have had great results with all of them. Vaccinations: It is VERY important to get your new puppy his vaccine boosters! She/he will already have their first set in their booster series. They need a total of4 boosters all together, so, every 3-4 weeks your new puppy will be due for their booster vaccination. I have included a list below to help you plan when your puppy will need his/her booster vaccinations. 8 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza (DHPPV), and Bordetella vaccines done (Included on Health Certificate). 11-12 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona booster (DHPPCV). 14-15 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona booster (DHPPCV) 17-18 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona, Lepto booster (DHLPPCV) and Rabies Vaccine. 20-21 weeks of age- Lepto only booster. *Some veterinary offices may recommend the rabies vaccination during the 14-15 week booster. This is okay as well, just follow your veterinarian’s advice. |
Siberian Husky
Highlights: * Siberian Huskies are strong, compact, working dogs. * Their double coat is thick and can withstand temperatures as low as -58 degrees to -76 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important not to ever shave a double coasted dog as the fur doesn’t grow back the same, and shaving it takes away the skins protection as well as means of regulating their body temperature. The double coat keeps them cool in the heat of the summer and warm in the cool of the winter. * Huskies are very loving, gentle, playful, happy-go-lucky dogs that are fond of their families. Keen, docile, social, relaxed, and rather casual, this is a high energy breed especially when young. * Huskies are good with children and friendly with strangers, they are not watch dogs, for they bark little and love everyone. * They are very intelligent and trainable, but they will only obey a command if they see the human is stronger minded than themselves. If the handler does not display leadership, they will not see the point in obeying. Training takes patience, consistency, and an understanding of the arctic dog character. If you are not these dogs 100% firm, confident, consistent pack leader then he/she will take advantage, becoming willful and mischievous. They can be difficult to housebreak as well. * This breed gets bored easily and loves to howl. They do not do good if left alone for a long period of time without a great deal of exercise beforehand. A lonely husky, or a husky that doesn’t get enough mental and physical stimulation can be very destructive. * Huskies are great with other pets if they are raised with them from puppyhood. * They are thrifty eaters and need less food than you might expect. * It is highly recommended to begin giving Zinc supplements starting at 6-8 months of age, as the breed is prone to a skin issue called Zinc Responsive Dermatitis. * Huskies need a fair amount of exercise including a daily walk or jog but should not be excessively exercised in warmer weather. * It is highly recommended to have a large yard with a high fence but bury the bottom of the fence as they are known to be escape artists. * The huskies coat sheds heavily twice a year. It is often referred to as “blowing their coat”. During that time, they need to be brushed and combed daily. * The average lifespan of a Siberian Husky is 12 to 15 years of age. Parasite Prevention: Getting your puppy started on monthly flea and heartworm prevention is an important step in the care of your new puppy. Fleas can cause severe discomfort for dogs, including scratching, chewing, biting, and restlessness. Severe infestations can cause anemia, especially in puppies or debilitated adult dogs. Fleas are also the source of flea allergy dermatitis, which is a very common allergy, especially here in Florida. Heartworm disease is acquired from the bite of an infected mosquito and if left untreated can become life threatening. Even if your dog never goes outside, an infected mosquito can still make its way into your home as you enter or leave your house. Therefore, it is important to keep your dog on a monthly preventative to keep them safe. Heartworm disease is inexpensive to prevent but costly to treat should your dog become infected with heartworms. Clinical signs of heartworm disease may be absent by can include coughing, exercise intolerance, and difficulty breathing. Most veterinary clinics will require a yearly heartworm test as part of your dog’s annual check-up. Intestinal parasites can affect your dog in various ways: weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting, and even inflammation of the intestines or blockages. In the most severe cases, intestinal parasite infections can cause death in pets. These parasites are found throughout the United States as well as across seas. They live and reproduce in animal feces, bodies, and in infected soil that is accessible to your dog. Moreover, some intestinal parasites can be contracted by humans through contact with an infected environment, possibly resulting in serious health issues. Flea and Heartworm Disease Preventatives: I personally recommend Interceptor Plus, ProHeart 6, or ProHeart 12 for prevention of heartworm disease and intestinal parasites. For flea preventatives, I highly recommend Bravecto, Nexgard, Credelio, or Simparica. I have used all the above-mentioned preventatives on my dogs and have had great results with all of them. Vaccinations: It is VERY important to get your new puppy his vaccine boosters! She/he will already have their first set in their booster series. They need a total of4 boosters all together, so, every 3-4 weeks your new puppy will be due for their booster vaccination. I have included a list below to help you plan when your puppy will need his/her booster vaccinations. 8 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza (DHPPV), and Bordetella vaccines done (Included on Health Certificate). 11-12 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona booster (DHPPCV). 14-15 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona booster (DHPPCV) 17-18 weeks of age- Distemper, Parvo Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Corona, Lepto booster (DHLPPCV) and Rabies Vaccine. 20-21 weeks of age- Lepto only booster. *Some veterinary offices may recommend the rabies vaccination during the 14-15 week booster. This is okay as well, just follow your veterinarian’s advice. |