Barbara Ellington, Acting Lifestyle Editor
FROM LASSIE to Dreyfus, dogs have earned their title of man's best friend for ages. The four-legged animals of varying breeds, can be relied on us, to secure our borders, help the blind to see or just be cuddly companions for wealthy heiresses like Paris Hilton.
In Jamaica, dogs have for the most part been expected to earn their keep and fend for themselves at mealtimes; many are expected to sleep outdoors in the cold and others are run over by insensitive motorists on the road.
However, there are some dog-loving men around and this week Flair turns the spotlight on a few of them.
So, just what should a prospective dog owner know before he takes that step towards commitment and bonding? We asked Veterinarian Dr. John Joseph of Noah's Ark on Hope Road in Kingston to explain what owners should know.
Dogs are companion animals with the life-span of the average dog being 15-17 years, or seven to eight human years for each year of life. Dogs over seven years are senior or geriatric and although they live very long, they usually die before their owners.
"Whereas a dog remains with one doctor from birth to death, man sees several different doctors, Dr. Joseph said.
DE-WORMINNG
Dog owners should see that their pets get the first de-worming at two weeks old and the first vaccination at six weeks. Leptospirosis is topical now and the vaccinations given in the early months, guard against this deadly disease. "It is important that dogs are protected because this also protects the humans in the home. If they get all their shots by four months they are totally protected in the puppy-hood stage," Dr. Joseph said.
BITCHES IN HEAT
Adolescent dogs are age four months to one year old and between seven and 10 months, bitches (female dogs), go in heat. "Because at this stage they are the equivalent of a young teenage person, we do not recommend that they be mated in the first heat. Lock them away during this three-week period," the veterinarian said.
Owners who do not want puppies, can spay or neuter their bitches, this eliminates sex drive; male dogs are castrated or neutered. When a bitch is in heat, the dog can pick up her scent from as far as 300 yards away. Dr. Joseph said the dogs that are usually friendly, will fight each other for the right to mate with a bitch in the same yard or scale high fences to get to her. This is male on male aggression.
He does not recommend breeding more than once a year and not beyond the sixth year of her life.
DIET AND EXERCISE
Dogs need exercise depending on their diets. Dogs confined to small spaces all day will gain weight and need a light, low calorie diet. Walking is good for bonding with the dog and healthy for both man and dog. They can run along a beach or play ball in a field.
"Many of the commercial diets are good as a lot of research goes into them. The Science Diet brand is top of the line and highly recommended; it covers all life stages. It is a bit more expensive than supermarket brands but less is required for each feeding," the doctor said.
Adult dogs - except small breeds - need only one meal daily; smaller breeds have smaller stomachs and need to eat two small helpings daily. Purina and Pedigree are two excellent brands and like Science Diet, most already have vitamins in them.
TRAINING
All dogs are trainable but some are more amenable to training than others. Sheep Dogs, Border Terriers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and, German Shepherds, train easier than others but poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs.
So what would be the ideal dog for the macho man's man, or would it be possible to have a combination of a watch dog and a pet all in one?
Dr. Joseph said most men go for Rottweilers or Pit Bulls. "The dog is a reflection of the owner as well as what he is taught to do. Rotwilers can be trained to be friendly to children."
We often hear stories of Pit Bulls harming humans but upon further investigation, it is always revealed that owners did not take full responsibility for the animal, the doctor stressed. These are not ideal family dogs at they are strong-willed. German Shepherds and Dobermans have strong presence but are not always friendly towards children. He cautions parents not to leave children and dogs together unless you are sure of the dog's temperament.
MAN-DOG BONDING
Visit the vet with the dog
Take the dog out on outings
Reinforce training at home,
Bathe dogs every 10-14 days; outdoor dogs don't need frequent baths
Take time to play with the dog
Peanut (centre), and his pals enjoy the cool breeze from the sea. Peanut is a big attraction for guests at Jake's Resort in St. Elizabeth. Peanut is also well-known through the length and breadth of Treasure Beach and people call out to him as he goes by in the car with his head sticking out to catch the breeze.
He doesn't love the sea but cannot resist a canoe ride with his master Jason Henzel to Pelican Bar and once there, he enjoys chasing after the pelicans and other birds when they fly in to roost on the coral heads.
He sometimes interrupts football matches by dashing onto the field and taking over the ball.
