Normal Values and Characteristics

Normal Values and Characteristics
Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.

The following table provides information on the reproduction and normal physiologic values of dogs. Most of the values are given in ranges, and depending upon the source, you may find somewhat different ranges provided elsewhere.

Normal Temperature (ºF)

Adult:
99.5 - 102.5

Newborn Puppy:
96 – 97

Normal Heart Rate (beats per minute)

Adult:
70 - 180

Newborn Puppy:
Over 200

Respiratory Rate (breaths per minute)

Adult:
20 - 40

Newborn Puppy:
15 – 35

 

Puberty (months) Litter Size (smaller breeds tend to have smaller litters)

5 - 12

 

Length of Pregnancy (days)

 

58 - 68

 

Weaning Age

Starts at 3 weeks

Completed at 5 - 7 weeks

 

 

Dog's barking helps family escape fire

Dog's barking helps family escape fire

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. - A newly adopted dog's noisy barking alerted a sleeping family that their home was on fire, allowing them to escape the blaze with only minor injuries.

John Cramer, 54, and his wife, Cheryl, 44, were in their second-floor bedroom when he heard the dog howling around 6:30 a.m Sunday, authorities said.

When he went downstairs to comfort Toby, a Norwegian elkhound who had been with the family for just two weeks, he saw flames creeping up the walls from the basement.

As the smoke thickened inside the home, Cramer opened the crate to free Toby and then ran upstairs to rouse his wife and their 9-year-old daughter, Lee.

The family then quickly escaped along with Toby and Casey, another elkhound who was sleeping upstairs, but they could not save their three cats, who died in the blaze.

Investigators believe the fire began in the basement near an electrical outlet, and they were trying to determine if a faulty circuit sparked the flames.

The fire had been burning for about 30 minutes before it was discovered and caused severe damage to the home, authorities said.

Long Coats

Marcuccino’s K-9 Chihuahua Darlings

 

The following questions are being asked of you so that the right puppy and the right placement of each puppy is made by bringing the various requirements of both the puppy and his or new owner(s) into perspective, BEFORE a choice is made. I hope you will agree that the animal's welfare must be my foremost consideration in considering a placement. Please answer the following questions as completely as you can, and return this form when you've finished.

 

 

•Name:

• Address:

• Phone (home): (work):

• Referred by:

• What reference materials have you read?

• How many individuals of this breed are you acquainted with?

• Type of dwelling: house condo apartment mobile home

• If renting, please give name and address of landlord:

 

 • Name, address and phone number of your veterinarian:

  

1. Who will be the primary care giver?

 

2. Where will the puppy be kept during the night?

 

3. Where will the puppy be kept during the day?

 

4. Is anyone home during the day?

 

5. How many hours on the average will the puppy be left alone?

 

6. Will there be someone available to feed and exercise the puppy during the day?

 

7. Have you ever owned a dog before?

 

8. Do you have any other animals?

 

9. Do you have any children? If yes, what are their ages.

 

10. Does anyone in your household have allergies to animals?

 

11. If yes, to what and how severe?

 

12. Are you interested in a male or female puppy?

 

13. At what age do you wish to get the puppy?

 

14. Have you considered an older dog instead of a puppy?15. How did you bear about this breed?

 

16. What do you expect the activity level of this breed to be:

 

very high high moderate below average

 

17. What kind of floor surfaces will the dog be on in the house?

 

18. How many hours a day will the puppy be kept outside?

 

19. How will he be confined when he is outside?

 

20. Do you have a fenced yard or suitable pen?

 

21. Have you ever house trained a dog before?

 

22. How long have you lived at this address?

 

23. Will you be attending any training classes?

 

24. If yes, at what age will you start, which activities or competitions are you interested in, who is the trainer?

 

25. How long did your last pet live? What were the circumstances of its' death?

 

26. Have you ever returned a pet to the breeder? If so, what were the circumstances?

 

27. Have you ever given a pet away? If so, what were the circumstances?

 

28. Have you ever taken a pet to a pound or shelter? If so, what were the circumstances?

 

29. Are you interested in showing the dog in the conformation ring?

 

30. Have you ever shown a dog to it's championship?

 

31. Are you interested in competition in performance events such as obedience, agility, hunting, herding, etc.?

 

32. Have you shown a dog to any performance titles?

 

33. Do you intend to breed the dog?

 

34. Do you understand the difference between a limited registration and a full registration?

 

Chihuahua History

All About Chihuahuas

 

According to the Chinese calendar, this is the Year of the Dog.

 

The Chihuahua is a tiny dog with an apple-shaped head and a short pointed muzzle. It has round, large, very dark eyes, sometimes dark ruby or luminous in color. The trademark large ears should be held erect. Puppies have a soft spot or "molera" on the top of the skull. The bone usually closes the gap by adulthood. The body is cobby (stout), longer than it is tall, and the tail is sickle-shaped - curled over the back or to the side. Besides the common short-haired variety there is also a long- haired type. Colors include fawn, sand, chestnut, silver and steel blue, but any color is accepted, including black & tan and parti-color. The dog is more robust than he looks, with a level back, and legs coming down straight and square.

 

The Chihuahua is a good companion dog. Courageous, extremely lively, proud and enterprising, it gives and demands affection. Bold and saucy, it moves swiftly to avoid being stepped on. Chihuahua's are strong-willed, intensely loyal and become very attached to their owners, even to the point of jealousy. They like to lick their owner's faces. It is undeniably suspicious of people except for its owner. When strangers are present, it follows its owner's every move, keeping as close as possible. For some, they may be slightly difficult to train, but they are intelligent, learn quickly, and respond well to proper, gentle (positive reinforcement) training. This breed may snap at teasing children, after all it is too tiny to get away. The Chihuahua must resort to his sharp teeth in self defense. It is not recommended for children. He can be noisy and may require patience to housebreak. Many owners simply paper train this breed.

 

The Chihuahua hates the cold and may shiver. It will tolerate and even appreciate a warm sweater on cooler days. They are good little dogs for apartment life.

 

Although it is tempting to carry these dainty creatures about, they will keep fitter if taken for walks. A body harness is safer than a collar. Don't think that just because he is small he should be confined to a small space.

 

The smooth, short-haired coat should be gently brushed occasionally or simply wiped over with a damp cloth. The long coat should be brushed daily with a soft bristle brush. Bathe both types about once per month, taking care not to get water in the ears. Check the ears regularly and keep the nails trimmed. This breed is an average shedder.

 

This is the oldest breed on the American continent and the smallest breed in the world. Native to Mexico, nonetheless it seems to have been introduced by the Chinese. It was only brought to Europe at the end of the nineteenth century. The Chihuahua is named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua where he was brought to the rest of the world by travelers. This breed is believed to have been sacred to the Pre-Columbian Indian nations. The most valued dogs weigh under 2-1/4 pounds (1.3 kg.). Some can even stand on all fours in a person's palm! There is a long-haired variety that is judged separately, but is essentially the same except for the coat. The Chihuahua is a popular, economical companion dog.

 

Puppies always available. marcuccino@aol.com