Canine Considerations
Unit E Small Animal
Breed Considerations
• Size
– Large or small based on space
requirements both for the dog and for what
you have available
– Will it be inside or outside?
• Chihuahua
– Fragile apartment dwellers
• Mastiff
– Weighs 220 lbs and are best suited
for large open land
Breed Considerations
• Temperament
–Active or quiet breed
• Fox terrier
–a small dog but is very active
• Labrador and a Sheepdog
–adapts to apartment living well
Breed Considerations
• Hair Coat
–Type of hair coat determines
grooming requirements
• Longhaired or wirehaired
–More grooming
–Prone to skin disease
• Short haired
–Brings less dirt inside
Breed Considerations
• Purpose of dog
–Is the dog for sporting,
hunting, service,
companion,show, guard, or
racing?
Breed Considerations
• Price of dog
–Depends on demand
• More common breeds are
typically less expensive
• Less common breeds can be
more expensive
Source
• Pet store
– buys from local breeders
• Kennel
– purebreds and mixed breeds
• Breeder
– if wanting a purebred
• Shelter
– works for a companion or family dog
Consideration
• Use?
–Affects all other considerations
–Companion, service, work,
hunting
• Cost?
–Mixed breed less expensive than
a purebred pedigreed animal
Consideration
• Pedigree?
– Linage of the dog
– Very important for show or hunting
• Sex?
– Will it be spayed or neutered?
– Used for breeding?
Consideration
• Age?
– Puppy
• Need lots of training
• Will grow out of cute stage
• May get bigger in size than expected
– Adults
• You know the size it is
• Already trained
Consideration
• Conformation
– General structure
• Look
• Make-up of animal
– important for show to meet breed
requirements
– will it be able to swim
– run after game if for hunting or
sporting
Consideration
• Family history?
–Deformities
–Temperament
• Personal preference?
–What color you like
–What markings do you like
Competency 14.00
Use care techniques that improve
the wellbeing of dogs
Objective 14.01
• Discuss the grooming practices
for hair, nails, eyes, ears, and
teeth.
Hair
• Daily brushing
recommended
–to remove dead hair and
distribute the skin’s oils
• Check for mats in long hair
–Tease with comb behind
ears and under legs
• Cut burrs by placing the
Hair
• Terriers and wirehaired
breeds
–Need plucking
• A stripping knife is used to
remove dead hair and trim
live hair
• A twisting motion is used with
the stripping knife to pluck
Hair
• Bathing
– Only when extremely dirty
– Use baby shampoo, mild soap,
coconut oil shampoo.
– Do not use detergent shampoos which
can lead to skin reactions
– Ophthalmic ointment
• Sooths eye irritation
Cleaning
the
Ears
Clean once a month
1.
2. Use cotton swab or soft cloth soaked in
lukewarm water or approved ear
cleaner
3. Only ear parts that can be seen should
be cleaned
4. Use a finger, never a sharp or pointed
object
5. Check for ticks and mites
Cleaning the Eyes
1. Use approved eyewash
solutions to remove any
irritating substance
2. Check for any redness or
puffiness
Cleaning the Teeth
1. Clean regularly to prevent tartar
and plaque
2. Use small toothbrush with soft
bristles
3. Use a mix of salt water and
baking soda or toothpaste
4. Clean from the gum line to the
tips of teeth
5. Hard dog biscuits or dibbled
food help maintain healthy teeth
Nail
Care
• Trimmed occasionally
• Do not crush nail when cutting
• Avoid cutting the nail bed which will
cause bleeding
– Styptic powder
• Stops bleeding
• Use clippers not scissors