The Most Common Dog Eye Problems and Treatment Options

From “eye boogers” to corneal ulcers, dog eye problems must be evaluated and treated with a combination of conventional and holistic medicine.

Sometimes surgery is the right way to go, while other times homeopathic or herbal treatments are best. If the eye problem is caused by an underlying disease, acupuncture is often effective.

Some dog eye problems are even a result of the overuse of manmade drugs. Cataracts, for example, has been known to come from the frequent use of steroids to treat skin problems. All the more reason to integrate holistic vet care:

• What are common symptoms of an eye problem?
• What preventive measures can I take if my dog is prone to eye problems?

The 8 most common eye problems & their treatments (in no particular order):

• Cataracts
• Corneal Ulcers
• Inflammation (Infection)
• In-growing Eyelids
• Injuries
• Irritation
• Prolapse of the Third Eyelid
• Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) (on a different page)
• SLIDESHOW: Dog eye issues

Common Symptoms of Dog Eye Problems
It should be fairly obvious if your dog is experiencing an issue with her eyes. Common symptoms of dog eye problems include:

1. Avoiding light
2. Bulging eyes
3. Closed eyes
4. Cloudiness
5. Discharge
6. Excess tearing
7. Redness
8. Rubbing the eye
9. Rubbing the face on the ground

It may help to see actual photosof other dogs' eye issues along with their ultimate diagnoses...

As with most dog care issues, the cure always starts with prevention...Preventive Eye Care

Assuming your dog wouldn’t appreciate wearing goggles – unless of course he’s trying to be stylish to catch the eye of a dog park sweetheart – preventive eye care is all about the dog food diet.

If your dog is prone to eye problems, consider adding one of the following to her diet:
Adding leafy green vegetables, parsley, any blue or purple berries, carrots, sesame seeds or sunflower seeds to the diet
Supplementing the dog food diet with Zinc, Bioflavonoids, Pycnogenols, Vitamin A, Vitamin C or Vitamin D

You should also use a natural eye cleaner such as i-Clenz to keep your dog's eyes clean and free from debris and excess discharge.

The 8 Most Common Dog Eye Problems & Their Treatments
This section reviews the details and treatment options of the eight most common dog eye problems, including...

• Dog cataracts
• Dog corneal ulcer
• Dog eye inflammation (often caused by a dog eye infection)
• In-growing dog eyelids
• Dog eye injury
• Dog eye irritation
• Prolapse of a Dog's Third Eyelid
• Dog pink eye (on a different page)

If you're not sure about the severity of the problem or which dog eye problems your dog has contracted, you can submit a picture along with a description of the issue to My Online Vet. In addition to the picture, details should include:

Your dog’s breed, age and gender
The progression of the growth of the spot in question (timeframe, change in color, etc.)
Advice you have received from others, if any
What you have done to try to fix the problem, if anything

One of our My Online Vet holistic veterinarians will respond to you right away. Dog eye problem questions and answers submitted by other visitors can be found at the bottom of the page.

Dog Cataracts

As with humans, dog cataracts is usually genetic and causes the clear lens behind the pupil to become cloudy or white. It causes the dog’s vision will worsen over time, eventually to the point of blindness.

See the image to the right for an example of dog cataracts.

Dog Cataracts 

Before jumping to any conclusions, make sure that nuclear sclerosis is not the culprit. Nuclear sclerosis (pictured lower right) is a common and normal condition of aging, where a bluish gray (not cloudy or white) change to the lens is seen. As you can tell with these images, the difference can sometimes be tough to distinguish.

Nuclear Sclerosis


With nuclear sclerosis, vision can become blurry but it does not lead to blindness or the more significant vision problems caused by dog cataracts.

While cataracts is often genetic, it can be a result of injury or stem from chronic disease or immune problems.

For non-injury related cataracts, removing the lens surgically can help, but unfortunately the eye will never return to normal. Surgery also carries several inherent risks and doesn't come cheap.

Natural remedies such as Primalix Cataractin may be both a good preventive measure against cataracts as well as an alternative to surgery. Cataractin uses natural anti-oxidants to prevent the lens protein molecules from oxidizing and reverse damage already caused by protein oxidization.

If stemming from an injury, there are several homeopathic treatments available, such as the use of poison hemlock. Contact your holistic veterinarian or ask our veterinarians viaMy Online Vet to discuss.

Treating any chronic illness - including dog cataracts - early and effectively through a proper dog food diet, holistic dog vet care, preventive natural remedies as necessary and regular check-ups is the only way to prevent the condition altogether.

Dog Corneal Ulcer

Dog corneal ulcers. Jeez – sounds pretty scary, huh? It’s not as bad as it sounds or often looks, and, although bacteria can complicate the problem, dogs usually experience a full recovery. Corneal ulcers are simply more complex dog eye injuries and are usually caused by a cat scratch, thorn or other foreign object.

 

Dog Corneal Ulcer

The injury can be very difficult to see and may require the use of a special light to be diagnosed. A good sign that your dog suffers from this problem is a lot of tears or a partially closed eye.

If you see an object stuck in the eye like a thorn or debris, your dog will most likely need to receive anesthesia so a vet can remove the object. If you see blood, the injury is probably more severe and veterinary help should be sought immediately.

For slight irritations, shallow ulcers or uninfected scratches, see the treatment options under Dog Eye Irritations further down the page.

Dog Eye Inflammation (Often Caused By Dog Eye Infection)

If your dog’s eye or the area around the eye becomes inflamed, it is usually a sign of a dog eye infection. The best method for treatment is to clean it thoroughly and use special dog eye drops.

To clean the eye area including the “eye boogers”, use a comforting salt solution:
Mix ¼ teaspoon of sea salt into a cup of distilled water. Stir well, saturate a soft cloth or gauze and carefully clean the area.

Once the area around the eyes is clean, apply one of the following:

Mild irritation - 1 drop of almond oil
Moderate irritation or inflamed eyes - 1 drop of castor oil (Jeff Foxworthy would probably want us to clarify: Castor Oil, NOT Castrol Oil!)
Dry or ulcerated eyes - 1 drop of cod liver oil

Eye-Heal and Newton Homeopathics Eye Irritation are also very effective in treating and preventing eye infections.

In-growing Dog EyelidsIn-growing

In-growing Dog EyelidsIn-growing eyelids are a dog eye problem that can be hereditary or the result of continuous inflammation. With this condition, the eyelids turn in and press the eyelashes against they eye. The rubbing can cause a large (and sometimes white) ulcer.

To find out whether your dog’s eyelids are in-growing, gently pull the lids away from they eye and let them fall back. If the lids continuously cuff back in on themselves, you know this condition is present.

The most common treatment is a simple and effective surgery. Puppies also respond well to homeopathic treatments such as Silicea or herbal treatments like Goldenseal, which should be reviewed with your local holistic vet.

Dog Eye Injury
Dogs will be dogs, which sometimes includes sticking their noses in places they shouldn't. Dog eye injuries can be the consequence and come in many forms such as scratches, cuts or bruising of the eyeball.

Several homeopathic remedies are available, such as Comfrey for blunt trauma to the eye or Eyebright for non-corneal injuries:

Eyebright – i-Clenz from Native Remedies, as mentioned in the Preventive Dog Eye Care section above, uses Eyebright as one of its main ingredients. When applying directly to your dog's eyes (in contrast to using it to clean around the eyes), dilute the i-Clenz solution by adding 2 or 3 drops to about 25 ml of warm water and apply to the eye with a cotton swab. Use a new swab for each eye.

Dog Eye Irritation
Does your dog like to pull a Superman out of your car window like ours do? As much as they love it, it does increase the likelihood that dust and debris will get into the eyes. Dog eye problems like cornea scratches and eye irritation can result.

For irritation, wash your dog's eyes out with the following:

• Doggie Tears Eye Drops for Dog Eye Irritation - Mild:
• ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 cup distilled water
• Add the salt to the water and stir. Keep at room temperature. Apply by either dipping a cotton ball into the solution and squeezing drops into eyes or buy using a glass or plastic dropper. Apply drops until they run out of the eye.
• Doggie Tears Eye Drops for Dog Eye Irritation – Moderate:
• For more severe irritation, add exactly 5 drops of tincture (alcohol extract) of the herb euphrasia officinalis (also called Eyebright) to the Mild Doggie Tears Mixture above. Use 4 times per day.
• Treatments for slight irritations, shallow ulcers or uninfected scratches include:
• Add to the dog food diet:
• From ¼ to 1 teaspoon of Cod-liver Oil, depending on your dog’s size
• From 100 to 400 IU of Vitamin E, depending on your dog’s size
• Try the following dog eye drops:
• Every 4 hours, apply a drop of cod-liver oil directly onto the eye or into the lower lid
• Homeopathic remedies are also available, such as Monkshood. Contact your holistic veterinarian to discuss.
• You can also try gently cleansing your dog’s eyes with calendula tea, chamomile tea, eyebright tea or rosemary tea.

If your dog continues to keep his eye shut for most of the time, the injury may be more serious and you should seek veterinary help.

Prolapse of a Dog's Third Eyelid
Did you know that your dog's eyes have a third eyelid? It provides protection for the cornea in both dogs and cats.

The gland of the third eyelid also produces tears for the eye to help the tear gland lubricate the cornea.

If the gland becomes swollen, it will bulge up and over the top margin of the third eyelid. When exposed like this, it will become irritated and produce a thick yellow mucus.

A veterinarian can check the eye to confirm whether this is the problem. Sometimes a conventional veterinarian will suggest surgery to remove this gland.

Did You Know?

Reptiles and birds also have a third eyelid which is transparent, so they can see when underwater or flying through the air.

But it is healthier to find a holistic veterinarian to recommend treatment to reduce the swelling of the gland and return it back to normal.

Ugly Mugly Wins Ugliest Dog Contest

Mugly, a Chinese crested dog from the United Kingdom won the 2012 World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., on Friday.

Living up to his name, Mugly has won the title of World's Ugliest Dog.

Like many of the previous title holders, Mugly is a Chinese crested. It's a breed known for being mostly hairless and prone to a few conditions that can make the tiny dogs heavyweights in an ugly contest.

Eight-year-old Mugly, however, is already a champ. Owner Bev Nicholson from Peterborough, England, claims he was named Britain's ugliest dog in 2005, as the AP says.

"I think that he is the most beautiful dog from the inside out and want the world to know that too," she told her local newspaper, the Peterborough Telegraph. "He will be flying the flag for all British doggies that are challenged in the beauty department."

A few oddly placed whiskers and teeth seemed to be his secret for winning the annual competition in Northern California on Friday. Looking at his 29 competitors from around the world, it must have been a tough choice.

Contest host and pet psychic Sonya Fitz apparently conducted an interview round with the contestants. On the contest site she reports the dogs "loved the attention they were receiving and didn't mind the 'ugly' label one bit."

Dental Anatomy of Dogs

Dogs are carnivores and have teeth that reflect their meat-eating evolutionary history. Pet dogs, of course, have been turned into omnivores, as most dry dog foods contain substantial amounts of plant material.

The dog shown to the right - Lakota the Alaskan husky - might appear to be vicious, but he's actually having lots of fun snarling while playing tug-of-war with a companion. Unless you know the dog, snarling should be interpreted as a warning of potentially aggressive behavior. Some dogs show a related behavior called "smiling", which is typically a submissive signal and usually associated with tail-wagging. 

A common abnormality in canine dentition is retention of deciduous (baby) teeth. This occurs when the permanent tooth bud does not grow immediately beheath the deciduous tooth, and therefore does not cause the roots of the deciduous tooth to be resorbed. Sparky dog - pictured to the right - has retained canine teeth (the small, more pointed teeth immediately behind his permanent canines). If a retained tooth causes the permanent tooth to erupt in an abnormal position or causes other types of problems, it should be extracted.Picture graciously provided by Ardena Ellard.

Dental Formulae
Deciduous	3 1 3 3 1 3	= 14	Permanent	3 1 4 2 3 1 4 3	= 21
Note: P4 and M1 are the carnasial or shearing teeth

Tooth Eruption
	Deciduous	Permanent
Incisors	4 - 6 weeks	3 - 5 months
Canine	5 - 6 weeks	4 - 6 months
Premolars	6 weeks	4 - 5 months
Molars		5 - 7 months

Maxillary Arcade
Maxillary Arcade (lateral liew)
Mandibular Arcade
Mandibular Arcade (lateral view)

brush my DOG'S teeth?

Why should I brush my DOG'S teeth?

Dogs, just like humans, can get cavities. Their teeth should be cleaned at least twice a week. Feeding your dog dry dog food and giving him plenty of hard bones to chew on are other ways to help keep his teeth healthier.

Two common problems dogs with poor dental hygiene have are loose and abscess teeth. Does your dog have bad breath? Studies show that 98% of dogs with bad breath are suffering from periodontal disease, a result of plaque build-up. If left untreated, this can lead to a bacterial infection, which can enter the bloodstream and spread to your dog's kidney, liver, heart and even its brain. Chances are if your dog has very bad breath, there is a problem with his teeth.

Why can't I use human toothpaste on my dog?

There are many wonderful brands and types of toothpaste for humans. Why can't we use them on our dogs? Because dogs do not spit, and human toothpaste is not edible. Your dog will most definitely swallow whatever you use to clean his teeth. You can purchase an edible toothpaste, just for dogs, at the pet store. There are many flavors available. Try to find one that your dog likes; your dog will be more likely to let you brush his teeth. A nice beefy brushing will be a tasty treat for your dog. If your dog squirms when you try to brush his teeth you may need a helper to get the job done.

How should I brush my dogs teeth?

Cleaning your dog’s teeth is not as hard as it sounds if you have the right supplies. 

 

You will need doggie toothpaste, and either a toothbrush, a nubby-surfaced rubber cap, a wash cloth or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger.

 

Close-up of nubby-surfaced rubber cap that fits over your finger

Position yourself and your dog so that you can access the dog’s teeth comfortably. Lift your dog’s upper lips and begin to brush in a circular motion, much like you would brush your own teeth. Be sure to brush where the tooth meets the gum-line. Don't forget to get the very back teeth, since this is where your dog is most likely to develop problems. When you are finished the top, move on to the bottom.

 

Tips

Check your dog’s teeth every time you groom him.

How to dental Care for Dog

Dogs need dental care, too! Unfortunately, dental hygiene for dogs is sometimes overlooked. Many people seem to just expect dogs to have bad breath, and few people brush their dogs’ teeth frequently enough. Dental hygiene is just as important to your dog’s overallhealth as things like nutrition, proper exercise and routinegrooming. Help keep your dog healthy – pay attention to those pearly whites!

Monitoring Your Dog’s Dental Health

Catching teeth problems early will help avoid severe dental disease. The simplest way to keep track of your dog’s teeth is to look at them on a regular basis and be aware of signs that may indicate a problem. To inspect your dog’s teeth, lift the lips all around the mouth, looking at the front and back teeth as closely as possible. Be gentle and use caution so you do not accidentally get nipped! Your veterinarian will also take a look at your dog’s teeth during routine examinations, so make sure you keep up with these – visit your vet every 6-12 months for wellness check-ups. Contact your vet if any problems arise. Watch for the following signs:

• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Reluctance to chew / crying out when chewing
• Increased salivation
• Red and/or puffy gums
• Bleeding gums
• Tartar / Calculus (hard coating on teeth that is usually brown or yellow; results from plaque build-up)
• Missing and/or loose teeth
• Anything else about the mouth that appears unusual

The Dangers of Dental Disease

Plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar, or calculus. These areas grow bacteria and eat away at the teeth and gums. Halitosis, periodontal disease, oral pain and tooth loss can occur. However, the bacteria not only cause disease in the mouth – they can also affect other parts of the body, like the heart and kidneys. The most important thing to do is address dental disease as soon as it is detected, no matter how minor. Better yet, work hard to prevent it!

Preventing Dental Disease in Dogs

There are several things you can do to help keep your dog’s teeth in good shape. Start a dental care routine as early as possible in your dog’s life so he get used to the feeling of having his teeth brushed and inspected. Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth that typically fall out by about six months of age. By this time, your dog should be getting his teeth brushed regularly. If you decide to brush your dog’s teeth, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

• NEVER brush your dog’s teeth with human toothpaste – it can make your dog sick! Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs. The same goes for oral rinses.
• Plaque begins to turn into tartar / calculus within 24-48 hours, so daily brushing is recommended. Work your dog’s tooth brushing into your own routine – consider brushing his teeth around the same time you do yours so it will be easier to remember.
• Use a “finger brush” or special long toothbrush designed for use on dogs. When starting out with brushings, the finger brush can help ease your dog into it, as these do not feel as awkward as hard brushes.
• Before you begin, ask your veterinarian to show you some techniques to make tooth brushing easier on you and your dog.If you are not able to brush your dog’s teeth, there are other options. Consider using oral rinses made especially for dogs. You can also purchase special dental treats. Avoid real bones – not only can they lead to gastrointestinal upset, they may also cause tooth fractures.

Most of all: make sure you keep up with vet exams. From time to time, a professional dental cleaning may be recommended. This requires general anesthesia. During the procedure, your dog’s teeth and gums will be examined closely for problems. The teeth will then be scaled and polished. If dental problems are noted, tooth extractions could become necessary. Alternatively, you may be referred to a veterinary dentist for specialty procedures. Some dogs need dental cleanings one or more times per year, while others can go longer. Be certain to follow your vet’s recommendations. And remember, what you do at home can really make all the difference.

Dutch Partridge Dogs information

The Dutch Shepherd comes in three varieties: long-haired (long, straight, flat and harsh), short-haired (quite hard, not too short) and wire-haired (medium length - dense harsh and tousled - more curly coated than wire coated). Heavy white markings on chest and feet are not desirable in the show ring. Although the coat types vary, the color possibilities remain the same for each: various brindles in all shades of gold and silver and brindle with dark stripes. Blue brindle is also listed under the rough coated variety. The short hair is most common in Holland, while the long hair is less common and the wire haired variety currently has a dangerously low population. The body is firm, without being coarse. The muzzle is slightly longer than the flat forehead. The teeth are strong and have a scissor bite. The eyes are dark, almond shaped and slightly slanting and the medium sized ears are carried high and erect. The tail is slightly curved. The chest is deep and the belly slightly tucked up. The feet are oval with well knit arched toes, black nails and dark pads.

There is some confusion as to whether or not the Dutch Shepherd has dew claws. A lot of sources say they do not, but they do indeed have dew claws in the front. They do not have dew claws on their hindquarters however. When discussing the hind legs, The Dutch breed standard says "Hubertusklauwen: niet aanwezig" which translates to: Dewclaws: none present. That same word -hubertusklauw- does however, not refer to the front dew claws. The most common notation for that would be "duim" or possibly "bijklauw". There being no separate word for the front dew claws in the English language, is what can lead to the confusion, but the breed does sport dew claws in the front.

Temperament

The Dutch Shepherds are among the most competent of all shepherd dogs at such tasks as agility, catch, obedience competitions, guard work, herding, field trailing and companionship. Attached to its territory, and an enthusiastic worker. These affectionate, happy to be around dogs are obedient, sober and very loyal to its handler and family. Friendly, loving, playful and highly energetic. A very happy dog. Cunningly smart. Provided children are seenn as pack leaders, they can also be good friends with them. Unwanted visitors will be stopped in their tracks, while known family friends will be greeted enthusiastically. Dutch Shepherds enjoy the company of their own kind and get along fine with other animals. Intelligent, easy to obedience train and eager to learn - they learn new commands quite easily. This breed makes an excellent watch and guard dog. Active, lively and alert. The short-haired variety is the most common sort for defense/police dog trials. It needs little care and can withstand fatigue and bad weather. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success.

Height, Weight 

Height: Female - 21.5-23.5 inches (55-60 cm.)

Height: Male - 22.5-24.5 inches (57-62 cm.) 

Weight: 50-70 pounds (23 - 32 kg.)

Health Problems *

Living Conditions The Dutch Shepherd will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. Their all-weather coat enables them to do well in cold climates.

Exercise Dutch Shepherds need to be kept both physically and mentally exercised. They need to be walked or jogged daily where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the human holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Because they want to work, run them through a regular drill at least twice per week. They make great jogging companions. Let it run beside a bicycle, or take it into the woods or open countryside where it can run to its heart is content.

Life Expectancy About 12-15 years.

Grooming Both long and short-haired varieties require regular grooming with a comb and brush to remove the dead and loose hairs. The wire-haired coat should be plucked professionally twice a year. The hair can be clipped in a few places as a finishing touch. The excess hair on the ears should be removed. The wire-haired variety should never be brushed, although combing is fine in moderation. A coarse comb should always be used. Bathe the all-weather coat only when necessary, as it will remove the natural oils in the skin.

Origin 

The Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian shepherds share a very similar standard. Differences are slight in size and proportion requirements, as well as, obviously, coat color. Like the Belgians, their origins lie in the same gene pool of continental herding dogs that also created the German Shepherd around the same time as the Belgian- and Dutch Shepherd were created. The Dutch Shepherds and the Belgian Shepherds are judged by the same standard requirements except for color. While the related Belgian Shepherds have become well known in the United States and Europe, the Dutch Shepherd has not attracted a large following yet. Even in the Netherlands, the numbers of Dutch Shepherds are limited and dangerously low for the wire haired variety. Almost unknown outside Holland, the Dutch Shepherd is valued there for its ability as a herder and for its quick reflexes. Originally an all-purpose farm guard, herder, cart-puller, guard, police and security dog. This breed, in its various coat textures, evolved in the early 1800's in the southern part of the Netherlands, especially the province of Brabant, and in neighboring Belgium, which was then part of the Netherlands. Division by coat texture occurred when dog shows began 100 years ago. Rarely, non brindle fawn dogs can be found in all coat varieties, and while they are Dutch Shepherds, they have an undesirable coat color and are marked as such on their pedigrees. Any departure from the ideal standard should be considered a fault, but the seriousness with which a fault should be regarded, should be in proportion with it's degree and its effect on the functional health and welfare of the dog.

Dutch Partridge Dogs

A dog in the Netherlands that has a strong resemblance to the spaniel and setter, one that sports a white coat with brown or orange markings and one that rotates the tail in a circle to warn the hunter when a game is located is a Drentse Patrijshond!

This breed that is also known as the Dutch Patrtridge Dog hails from Drente, a province in the Netherlands. This breed is an excellent pointer and retriever. This dog is affectionately called Drent, a name that it shares with the people of the Drente province. The Dutch Partridge dog is most valued for its admirable quality of hunting “under the gun”. The dog originally hunts quails and partridges. The feathered game were no longer plentiful in Netherlands as they once were but the Dutch Partridge dog is still much valued by the hunters as it has adapted well to hunting pheasants, rabbits and hare and foxes.

It was believed that this breed was created after the firearms were first used to hunt. This is the ideal dog for a Dutch hunter who would want to hunt leisurely without exerting too much effort. Customarily, the dog would thoroughly search the surrounding area for a game without straying too far from the hunter, never wandering beyond gun range. When a game is found the dog would signal the hunter by rotating the tail. The dog would let go of the game when the hunter is within shooting distance. The dog marks the location and retrieves the fallen game. This is an all around gun dog that hunts well in land and in water.

This breed will be the excellent companion of the hunter during the weekend; will be an alert watch dog at night and would instantly change to playmate mode in the presence of the children.

Information

Breed Dutch Partridge Dog

Alternative names Drent Drentsche Patrijshond Drentse Partridge Dog Drentse Patrijshond Dutch Partridge Dog

Height(male/female) 22-25 inches (55-63 cm) / 22-25 inches (55-63 cm)

Weight(male/female) 44-55 pounds (20-25 kg) / 44-55 pounds (20-25 kg)

Life expectancy 12-13 years

Litter size 

Appearance

The Drentse Patrijshond has a well proportioned compact and muscled body that shows apparent power. This breed’s build is heavier than that of a Small Munsterlander. A Drent’s body is somewhat rectangular given that it is longer that the height measured at the withers. This dog has a medium length powerful neck, a level back and a broad moderately sloping croup. The deep chest reaches the level of the elbows. The set on high tail is carried horizontally with the tip curving upwards when the dog is on the move. A very distinct trait of this breed is to move the tail in circles when a scent is picked up. This movement is done to signal the hunter that a game is found.

A Dutch Partridge Dog has a slightly rounded skull, a wedge shaped muzzle and a well developed brown nose with well opened nostrils. The oval shaped eyes are set wide apart. The amber colored eyes with close fitting eyelids shows a kind and intelligent expression.

This breed has a predominantly white coat that can have brown or orange patches. Some specimens have brown mantles and others have tan markings. A Drent’s body appears to be covered with long hair because hair of different lengths covers different parts of the body. Hair is longer on the neck and the forechest. Long wavy hair covers the ears. The fore and hind legs, the tail as well as the back of the thighs are feathered. Dense hair grows between the toes of the dog.

Personality

Apart from being an excellent hunting dog, the Drentse Patrijshond is known for its gentle nature and well balanced temperament that makes it an exceptional home companion. This breed is obedient, loyal, and attentive and has the innate eagerness to please. These are affectionate and gentle natured creatures that gets along famously with children. This breed will tolerate other dogs and smaller pets.

In spite of these admirable qualities, a Drent would still need obedience training. Training this breed would be easy as this is an intelligent and obedient dog. However, training must be done in a consistent but positive and gentle manner. These dogs may not be aggressive but they still make excellent watch dogs. This is because a Drent is vigilant. These dogs are not yappers and when they do bark it is to warn the family of intruders.

This breed will do well in a city or in a small household as they do not need a great deal of exercise. Walking the dog around the block or allowing the dog to swim or to play fetch with the children will take care of its exercise needs. What is more important is to let the dog feel that it is a member of the family. This is a most suitable dog for a busy owner. a dog that will not be given the chance to exercise for quite a while will not be destructive unlike other breeds

.

Care

This breed does not need elaborate coat maintenance as the coat practically sheds off dirt. Brushing the coat once a week giving particular attention to the body parts with longer hair will ensure the good condition of the coat. The dense coat protects the dog from thorns and brambles. After a day of hunting, the coat must be thoroughly combed to remove burrs and cheat grass. Ears though must be frequently checked and cleaned. Nails and hair between the pads of the feet should be trimmed regularly.

History

The Drentse Patrijshond is a breed of gundog that has existed for hundreds of years. This breed originated from Drentse, a province in the north eastern part of Holland. It was speculated that this rare breed originated from the Spioenen or Spanjoelen that came from Spain travelled through France and came to the Netherlands in the 16th century. It is most likely that this breed as well as the spaniels and setters have the same ancestors. The Drentse Patrijshond is believed to be related to Germany’s Small Musterlander and to the Espagneul Francais of France.

The Hunter’s Present, a 17th century painting by Gabriel Metsu depicts a partridge dog. Another painting verifying the existence of the breed during the era is the Poultry Seller, another painting by Gabriel Metsu done in 1662. Other paintings done by Dutch master painters that include this handsome dog can be seen today in the Rijksmuseum.

For centuries, this breed that exited in the rural province of Drenthe remained undocumented. The Drentse Patrijshond was only recognized as a modern breed in 1943 when the Raad van Beheer op Kynologisch Gebied (Dutch Kennel Club) developed and approved the first standard for the breed. This breed that was otherwise known as Partridge Dog in the Netherlands was kept a pure breed in the province of Drenthe. The province of Drenthe is quite unusual given that while other countries in Europe give the nobility an exclusive privilege to hunt, in this province the common people were allowed to hunt. This means that the landed gentry, the local mayor as well as the farmers needed a dog that will cater to their various hunting needs. The Drent, as the breed is commonly called aptly fills this purpose. Other breeds that were kept in kennels of the affluent hunters were specifically used to hunt. Not the Drent! This is a versatile breed, one that will hunt all day and still pull watch dog duty at night. This breed performs other farm chores. A Drent is commonly seen pulling carts filled with farm produce. This dog has become the lively playmates of children and the devoted and loyal companion of the master. A Drent will point, retrieve and hunt feathered and furred game. Presently there are about 5,000 dogs registered in the breed club books. The Drentse Patrijshond is a favorite hunting dog in the Netherlands although relatively unknown in other parts of the world. This breed shows a strong instinct to hunt. The Drent is a tenacious and aggressive hunter but the dog tend to be docile and calm inside the home, a perfect companion of the master and a lively playmate of the children.

prepare for your old dogs death

The death of a dog is never easy and sadly there is no route to fast mourning. This will be painful for you and your family. My first suggestion is to speak with your vet after the tests come back. Ask him what amount of pain the dog is in and how it will progress. I would also suggest asking how the illness will progress as well........while euthanasia may seem inhumane right now some illnesses toward the end can be very traumatic for both the dog and yourself. Knowing what to expect will prevent you from having a shock if things turn ugly toward the end. Once you are armed with the knowledge of what your dog will be going though you can better decide how you wish her passing to happen. If you feel a natural route is best then ask your vet about pain killers for the dog as well as ask him if there are any treatments or medications that will make this easier for her. If you feel the end may be to much for your girl then speak with your vet about euthanizing. Your vet can do this in office with you and the family surrounding her. The procedure is painless and you can be there holding her as she gently falls asleep. The last thing she will remember is her loving owners holding her while her pain disappears and she is falling asleep.


Losing a dog is a painful reality, while you know deep down that dogs can not live forever that does not mean you are ready to lose her just yet. There are things you can do to help as well. A memorial or even a funeral is a option, while some owners choose to let the vets office dispose of the body others chose to have a burial at a pet cemetery or on their property (Check your local burial laws on this one). Either way a funeral will allow you to grieve and know there is a place to go when ever you feel the need to. You can also be more creative with this by making a donation to a non kill shelter or erecting a small memorial for your dog. Some owners have been known to have a memorial brick done or name a star after there pet. All these things can help you get over this and give a warm feeling when thinking of your pet. When you are ready for a new pet it may be a a good idea to consider getting a dog from a kill shelter. This will save a dogs life and be a nice way for you to give back to your dog by saving another dogs life.


In the end time is the best medicine for a grieving owner......know that your dogs life was filled with love and joy unlike many others out there and that she lived life to its fullest loving and trusting her owners to make the right decisions when it came to her life. The love for a dog is pure......unlike other loves a dog always will love you and you will love her back unconditionally. It is that love that your dog will take with her when she leaves your side. As she was truly blessed to have such loving owners.

20 songs about dogs very fun

Get your woofin dog off me

Ages back we ran a light hearted Top 10 ‘Songs about dogs’…

Ever since then the piece has become one of the most consistently searched for and visited pages on the site – I don’t think those reading it are our usual counter culture regulars, just a selection of twee types with too much affection for their mutt…

As such we have decided to both update and expand the feature to a full Top 20; And this time we have broadened the ‘Dogs’ theme to include not just tracks actually about mans best mate, but to be honest; anything with ‘dogs’ in the title – some of the tracks might not appeal to a mass audience, but we love em!!

1. Helios Creed ‘Dog Star’ – The former Chrome man included ‘Dog Star’ on his 1994 album ‘Planet X’ which highlighted more of his industrial drones; discordant rhythm’s all coupled with a sci-fi theme.

2. T.A.G.C ‘Dog Star’ – Andi Newton’s The Anti Group Conspiracy, was an off-shoot of his legendary Clock DVA, the idea being that T.A.G.C allowed him to vent his more experimental urges – That said he clearly couldn’t keep away from a good canine based track as ‘Dog Star’ which was released on the 1998 ‘Digitaria’ album demonstrates.

3. Bunny Flip ‘ Maingy Dog’- How can anyone sing about a ‘Maingy Dog’ surely they should be calling the RSPCA – that said things are sweetened by the warm reggae rhythm and Joe Gibbs exquisite production.

4. John Lydon ‘Dog’ – Appearred on the vastly under rated 1997 ‘Psycho’s Path’ album; Lydon crossing ethnic patterns with a semi techno rythmn

5. Iggy Pop ‘I Wanna be Your Dog’ – This clip is culled from Iggy’s 1979 appearence on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test – arguably one of the shows finest moments. Hving appearred on The Stooges first album back in 1969 – The lyrics allued to self loathing, alienation and disenfranchisement, hence the track was instantly adopted by the punk movement some ten years later.

6. Pink Floyd ‘Dogs Of War’ – Sadly not a Floyd cover of The Exploited classic; though this in itself was later covered by Laibach. Taken from their 1987 album ‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason’. Doesn’t really deal with our four legged friends instead it accuses politicians of orchestrating wars, suggesting the major influence behind war is money.

7. Led Zeppelin ‘Black Dog’ – Apparently the songs title is a reference to a nameless black Labrador retriever that wandered around the studios during the recording sessions.

8. George Clinton ‘Atomic Dog’ – It ruminates on why dogs must be like that; why they must chase the cat!

9. Pulp ‘Dogs Are Everywhere’ – Now considered a rather obscure Pulp track, was initially released as a 12″ single back in 1986 – sometime before ‘Common People’ catapulted them to top of the charts; Jarvis clearly had a soft stop for the track as he released this version (recorded for GL Radio) as a B-side to ‘Common People’

10. The Cure ‘Shake Dog Shake’ – Live version recorded for the BBC’s Oxford Road Show – Is that Peter Powell introducing?

11. Eels ‘Dogs Life’ – They clearly like their dogs those Eels; we could of featured ‘Dog Faced Boy’ – maybe it will make it to the Top 50 songs about dogs…

12. The Specials ‘Do The Dog’ – “All you punks and all you teds, National Front and natty dreads, mods, rockers hippies and skinheads, keep on fighting till you’re dead, who am I to say? Who am I to say? Am I just a hypocrite another peice of your bullshit? Am I the dog that bit, the hand of the man that fed him? Do the dog!!!!!!!!”

13. The Cramps ‘Can Your Pussy Do The Dog?’ – Not really about a dog, but if you know anything about Lux & Ivy then it was obvious. This clip was recorded live for Tyne Tees TV ‘The Tube’ back in 1986 – I was lucky enough to be in the audience.

14. The Futureheads ‘Hounds Of Love’ – Initially written and performed by Kate Bush, the track describes being afraid to fall in love and compares this felling to being pursued by a pack of hounds.

15. The Magnetic Fields ‘Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long’ – It’s the enigmatic Magnetic Fields, do you really expect to understand what this ones about?

“Fido, your leash is too long
I don’t know where I went wrong
You scare me out of my wits
When you do that Shitzhu
Fido, your leash is too long”

16. Arcade Fire ‘Neighbourhood #2 (Laika)” – Apparently the central character in this track is a child who should have been named after the first living being in space; Laika who was sent into orbit by Russian scientists in 1957 – sadly Laika did not survive the journey. Laika is the russian word for ‘barker’…

17. The Meteors ‘Dog Eat Robot’ – Form the deranged pen of P. Paul Fenech, this cheery ditty appeared on the bands 1986 album ‘Teenagers From Outer Space’

18. Johnny Cash ‘Dirty Ol’ Egg Suckin Dog’ – The Man In Black tells the inmates of Folsom Prison how he is going to “stomp his head in the ground” referring to his own dog which he caught stealing his chickens!

19. Skinny Puppy ‘K-9’ – The Canadian industrial giants could really have a ‘Dog’ Top 5 all of their own, their name, the tracks ‘Dog Shit’, and ‘Raw Dog’, and this anti-vivisection number.

20. Christian Death ‘Dogs’ – Despite being called ‘Dogs’ the word never actually appears in this charmingly melody from Rozz Williams and Co. – though apparently “You’re going to die and go straight to hell”

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