The Geriatric (Older) DogWritten by Moses Chia
Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according to size and breed. It is commonly held that dogs live 7 years for every year that we man does. However, this serve as only a rough guide when converting and calculating your dog’s age as dogs grow up very rapidly in their early years and then slow down. For example, a 1 year old dog is comparable to a 15 year old kid, at age 6, he is comparable to 40 years old in human terms. By 12, it is consider a geriatric dog and is equivalent to an 80 year old man. It is generally believed that smaller dog breeds, longer they live. Small breeds such as Terrier and Poodle may not slow down until 13 or 14 and could live to 17. On other hand, larger breeds such as Great Dane and Wolfhounds rarely live pass 9 years. Diet A healthy diet for older dog should be senior food that are formulated with low in fat and salt for a healthy heart, lower calories to help combat obesity since they are less active, lower protein to help kidneys and liver, and higher fiber for bowels to prevent constipation. A switch to a specially formulated commercial diet for older dog will usually perk him up. If you have no clues about your older dog’s diet, you should consult your vet for advice.
| | History of Dogs?? or maybe Wolves???Written by Moses Chia
ORIGIN Do you know that adorable little puppy you bought home last week could possibly be a descendent of a wolf? It may well be true! In fact, many theorists believe that wolf is direct ancestors of domestic dog. Nevertheless, there are just as many who argue that it seems impossible to have over 400 varieties of dogs descended from just one species. -Anatomically, make-up molecules of wolf over centuries have remained unchanged, and research revealed that DNA of wolf and dog are almost identical! The general pattern of dogs’ skeleton is still very similar to those of wolves in terms of their components, but significant changes can be detected, most obviously in shape of skull and length of some of limb bones. The divergence in physical appearance could possibly be result of mutation or even during cross breeding. Today, breeds such as Alaskan malamute still retain a strong affinity with wolf, in terms of their facial appearance and underlying skull structure. -Behaviorally, both dogs and wolves bury bones; turn in circles before settling down for sleep; howl at moon and frequently leg lift to mark territory. Both gestation periods is 63 days each, and birth and development of their young is also almost identical -Structurally, dogs and wolves are also extremely similar. Both also live in a pack-like hierarchal system where they are comfortable with a top dog, or Alpha role model. With regards to domestic dogs, Alpha (leader) role should belong to owner they live with. Whatever theory, it isn’t difficult to spot similarities between dog and wolf. Although, in some cases, appearance of domestic dog has diverged significantly from that of its “suspected” ancestor, most dogs still retain many of traits of their ancestor. Man’s Best Friend Early cave drawings show us that wild dogs and wolfs were with humans even in prehistoric time. One of earliest documentations of man and canine was noted more than 12 000 years ago on an ancient site in Egypt when fossilized remains of a man and a small puppy were found in a grave in hugging position. Although, it is doubtful whether puppy was that of dog or wolf, this is not an important issue. Today, Scientists recognize and agree that process of domestication of dog has existed for 14 000 years, however they are not in agreement as to how domestication occurred: -Some believe that man adopted offspring of wolf and through natural selection chose to keep those that were less aggressive and that craftily begged for food.
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