How your best friend can avoid smelling like a dog

  No, this is not about our best friend who patiently listens to our troubles and lifts us up when we are down.   This is about our other best friend whose love and loyalty are beyond measure: our pet dog and how we should care for it.   When was a dog first called “man’s best friend?” A poem in the New-York Literary Journal in 1821 said:    Fifty years later, in 1871, lawyer (and later US Senator) George Graham Vest gave a tear-jerker of a speech when he defended a man whose dog “Old Drum” was shot by the farmer next door. Part of Vest’s speech that became known as the “Eulogy to a Dog” read:   "Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow, and the snow drives fiercely, if only he can be near his master's side.”   “He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer; he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounter with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert, he remains. When riches take wings and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens."   To this day, a statue of Old Drum stands outside the town hall of Warrensburg, Missouri where the case happened.   Doggie odor   Unfortunately, man’s best friend does not always have the world’s best odor. In fact, sometimes, that distinctly doggie odor prevents people from adopting dogs.   However, a well-cared for dog will not have a stinky odor, champion dog owner Maximo Dones, president of the Pug Dog Club of the Philippines, told GMA News Online.   Dones said dogs develop a bad odor when owners fail to dry their dog thoroughly after bathing them.   At the sidelights of the recent Asia and the Pacific Section Show in February, Dones said all dog breeds develop a bad smell when they are not dried well. He suggested using powder or even gawgaw (cornstarch) to improve the quality of a dog’s coat. Show dogs and pet dogs   The dog show was hosted by the Philippine Canine Club Inc. (PCCI), the country’s premier dog registration body, at the SMX Convention Center at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City from February 22 to 26.   Dones cares for champion pugs. For the dog show Dones brought his newly-acquired pug Noah, bought for $5,000 in the United States just days before the dog show.   He explained that Noah was a “show quality” dog, which is why it costs so much. “Pet quality” pugs cost about P10,000 to P15,000 each.   A show quality dog costs more than 20 times more than a pet quality dog because it passes stringent breed standards.   According to the American Kennel Club (http://www.akc.org/breeds/pug/), some of the breed standards for a pug are:

• must be from 14 to 18 pounds (dog or bitch);
• head must be large, massive, round (no indentation of the skull)
• eyes must be large and dark in color
• ears must be thin, soft, and small
• coat must be smooth, soft, short, and glossy.
• must be playful, loving, dignified, and outgoing

Expert grooming PCCI Director Albert Dichaves, who trained in Australia, gave some basic tips on how owners can care for their pet dogs.   Hair Long and medium-haired dogs require high-maintenance to keep their hair mat and tick-free, Dichaves said.   Short-haired dogs need less attention but regardless of hair length, dogs must be given a bath once a week to help dogs shed hair properly and for their general health.   He said long-haired dogs must get a haircut every two to four weeks, depending on their needs and their owners’ penchant for style.    Nails Avoid cutting a dog’s nails too short because they can get hurt and develop a strong dislike for nail trimming.   An owner should cut a dog’s nails when these are already touching the floor.   If an owner is unsure about how to clip a dog’s nails, a local veterinarian or dog groomer must be consulted.   Ears Ears are one of the top breeding grounds for bacteria and yeast in a dog’s body. These must be cleaned using prescribed ear solutions to prevent infections.   Treat dogs like family Daniela Risdan, one of the judges in the dog show and president of the Slovenian Kennel Club breeding committee, said “taking good care of the dog’s physical and mental condition is fundamental for its general appearance.”   Dog breeder Ben Donato, on the other hand, advised owners to make sure that dogs receive adequate exercise.   He also said dogs must be allowed to socialize because isolating a dog may cause it to be very aggressive or nervous.   “When you get a dog, you should treat it like a family member,” Donato said.   To choose a dog whose temperament and skills are right for the family, Donato urged potential dog owners to consider a dog’s breed and lineage.    “You want to bring out the features and temperament of the breed,” he said.   Choose the right breed   The website justdogbreeds.com groups dogs according to different categories, i.e. for children, easy to train, hypoallergenic dogs, and smartest dogs, among others.   Here are some of the dog breeds on the list:   Small dogs Chihuahua, Dachsund, Maltese, French Bulldog, Jack Russel Terrier, West Highland White Terrier   Large dogs Akita (said to be one of the most loyal dogs in the world), Bloodhound, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Labrador Retriever   Easy to train breeds German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Collie, English Cocker Spaniel   Smartest dogs Border collie, Toy poodle, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Pomeranian, Standard Schnauzer   Best guard dogs Chow chow, Bullmastiff, Belgian Malinois, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher   Hypoallergenic dogs Bichon Frise, Black Russian Terrier, Chinese Crested, Havanese, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Whippet - YA, GMA News